Make every ringgit count.
Plain-language breakdowns of the money news that hits Malaysian wallets: EPF, tax, loans, property, cost of living, scams.
Latest breakdowns
iPhone Duo Screen Repair Costs RM4,749: Payroll Impact
Apple's iPhone Duo inner screen repair is priced at RM4,749. For a RM3,000 gross salary, that is almost two months of take-home pay. Full payroll breakdown inside.
ECRL Gombak to Kota Bharu: Fares from RM125, Starts Mid-Dec 2026
East Coast Rail Link commercial service begins mid-December 2026. Gombak to Kota Bharu fares start from RM125. What's confirmed and what to check when trains start.
Financial Knowledge Is Up, But Malaysian Savings Haven't Moved
Money literacy surged but Malaysian savings didn't move. A RM2,500 salary leaves RM2,207.85 take-home. Who gains from financial knowledge, and who is stuck at the wage floor?
MSCI Threatens to Drop Indonesia from Emerging Markets After $65B Rout
After $65B vanished in one day, MSCI is weighing dropping Indonesia to standalone market status. What it means for funds, bonds, and the 2027 deadline.
KPKT Clarifies Foreigners Cannot Rent Low-Cost or Public Housing
KPKT clarified that foreign nationals cannot rent low-cost or public housing in Malaysia. Residents can file complaints with their local council if they spot a violation.
i-Emas at 55: How EPF Monthly Payouts Work, With the Maths
i-Emas lets EPF members take monthly payouts at 55 or 60 while the rest keeps earning dividends. The RM650,000 benchmark, the maths and how to plan in i-Akaun.
AI Earnings, China GDP and the Fed Blackout Hit Markets This Week
70+ S&P 500 earnings, China Q3 GDP and the Fed's 28 Oct rate decision collide this week. Brent near US$110 keeps fuel and import inflation in play for Malaysian wallets.
Gmail Job Offer Red Flag: How to Spot Fake Oil & Gas HR Emails
Focus Malaysia says real oil and gas companies don't use Gmail for job offers. Here's how to spot a fake HR email and what to do if money has already gone.
MediAsas Explained: RM65 Basic Plan, RM100,000 Cover, 2027 Start
MediAsas is a voluntary standard medical plan aimed at the M40, from January 2027. Premiums from RM65, RM100,000 yearly cover, EPF payment and how to prepare.
Kementerian Kewangan says viral QR fee claim for 1 Nov 2026 is false
Kementerian Kewangan says a viral poster claiming QR payments will charge from 1 November 2026 is false. The ministry asks Malaysians not to believe or share it.
KPDN Investigates 7 Selangor Petrol Stations Over Water-Mixed RON95
KPDN Selangor inspected seven petrol stations on 16 October after 10 complaints of water-mixed RON95. 27 fuel samples seized for lab testing. What to do if your car broke.
8 House Owners Face TNB Bills From Tenant Bitcoin Mining Rigs
Eight Malaysian property owners face hundreds of thousands in fines and TNB electricity bills after tenants ran illegal Bitcoin mining rigs in their homes.
Buying From Chinese Platforms: The 10% Tax on Orders Under RM500
Malaysian demand keeps Chinese e-commerce busy. Since 2024 every imported order of RM500 or less carries a 10% sales tax. What it covers and how to check your total.
Fraud and Drugs Hit Record Levels in 2025 Malaysia Crime Stats: What to Do in the First Minutes
The 2025 crime statistics report puts fraud and drugs at the highest recorded level. If money leaves your account, call 997 and your bank immediately.
US Tech Stocks Lose $1 Trillion on AI Debt Fears and Oil Spike
US tech stocks lost $1 trillion on 16 Oct as AI debt fears and oil above $110 hit Wall Street. Nasdaq 100 fell 2.5%, CoreWeave debt passed $51B, Brent closed at $109.86.
Malaysia Q3 GDP Grows 5.3%: What the Ringgit Did and Why
DOSM's advance estimate puts Q3 2026 growth at 5.3%. Which sectors grew, where the ringgit closed and what the rate means for your card purchases.
New e-wages system to support RM2,000 minimum wage from June 2027
Malaysia's minimum wage rises to RM2,000 from June 2027, supported by a new e-wages system. MSMEs under RM50m revenue are exempt. What changes for your payslip.
Tesla Roadster 2026: Flies on SpaceX Thrusters, 0-96 km/h in 0.81s
Tesla revealed the second-generation Roadster at SpaceX's McGregor, Texas site. It flew on air thrusters, hit 0-96 km/h in 0.81 seconds, and production starts in 2028 with reservations from US$50,000.
OPR at 2.75%: What a 0.25-Point Move Does to Your Home Loan
BNM signalled the OPR could move from 2.75%. Instalment tables for RM400,000 and RM300,000 floating-rate home loans and how to find your own number.
RM327,000 Phone Scam: Malaysian Company Loses Money to Fake Director
A Malaysian company lost RM327,000 after a caller impersonated a director on the phone. Here is how the scam works and what to do if a transfer call comes in. Call 997 fast.
Agarwood Investment Scam: 6 Arrested Across 21 Cases in Malaysia
Six suspects arrested across 21 agarwood investment scam cases in Malaysia. Victims should call NSRC at 997 and contact their bank immediately to freeze the transfer.
Korea's Double Circuit Breaker: How Bursa's Own Trading Halts Work
KOSPI fell 7.57% and both Korean markets halted on 15 Oct 2026. Bursa Malaysia's trigger levels, the price limits on KLCI stocks and how to check your fund's exposure.
Kindy Fees to Rise Up to 20% After RM2,000 Minimum Wage
Kindy and daycare fees expected to rise up to 20% after the RM2,000 minimum wage takes effect in June 2027, per Persatuan Tadika Malaysia. MSMEs under RM50m exempt.
Data Centres to Pay Full Power Rates: What Your TNB Bill Costs Now
Data centres and heavy industry face full electricity rates from 2027 while 8 million homes stay protected. The domestic rate card, a 400 kWh bill and how to check yours.
STR 2027 & SARA 2027: Step-by-Step Online Application Guide
LHDN opens STR 2027 and SARA 2027 online applications on 15 October 2026. Payouts range from RM600 to RM4,600. Step-by-step guide to apply or update your details.
US$80B AI Selloff After 3.7% US Inflation Print
September US CPI hit 3.7% YoY, erasing US$80B in AI stocks and pushing bond yields to multi-year highs. Asian equity futures fell for a fourth straight day.
Gold Falls Below USD 4,100 After Hot US CPI Data, Fed Hike Fears
Gold broke below USD 4,100 on 14 Oct 2026 after hot US CPI data revived October Fed rate-hike bets. Nasdaq fell 2%. What moved, why it matters, and what it does not change.
Fuel Prices Cut: RON97 and Diesel Drop from 15 October 2026
RON97 and unsubsidised RON95 drop 5 sen, diesel drops 10 sen from 15 October 2026. BUDI95-eligible RON95 buyers keep RM1.99. IEA warns diesel supply tight into 2027.
AI Could Put 680,000 Malaysian Jobs at Risk – ISEAS Study
ISEAS estimates up to 680,000 Malaysian jobs face AI displacement risk, concentrated in services. What it means for your salary, EIS and EPF.
Malaysia Cell Broadcast System test: what to expect on 19 Nov
MCMC will run a live Cell Broadcast disaster-warning test on 19 Nov 2026 in flood-prone areas of Selangor, KL, Kelantan and Pahang. No app or internet needed.
Budget 2027 EPF Auto-Enrolment at 18: Step-by-Step Guide
Budget 2027 auto-enrols every Malaysian into EPF at 18, but the account starts empty. Step-by-step: Auto Simpan, voluntary top-ups, i-Saraan, all from RM10 a month.
RM5.4 Billion BNPL by Under-30s in H1 2026: What the Number Actually Means
Malaysians aged 30 and below made 65.9 million BNPL purchases worth RM5.4 billion in H1 2026. Here is what the total actually means per transaction.
Malaysia Can Sue Haze Companies, Not Indonesia: Legal Path and Costs
Senior lawyers say the legal path is against haze companies, not Indonesia. The AATHP has no enforcement clause. Daily losses hit RM50mil; here is what the law allows and what the government is doing.
Houthi Strait Blockade Pushes Oil Past US$100
Brent crude hits US$106.65 as Houthi forces block key shipping routes. Learn how this affects Malaysian shipping costs and imported goods prices.
BNM and SC Warn on Deepfake Officer Scam Videos in Malaysia
BNM and SC issued a warning on 13 Oct 2026 against deepfake videos impersonating senior officers. If you receive one, call NSRC at 997 and contact your bank.
China's Record Gold Imports: $158.8B in 8 Months of 2026
China imported a record 1,000+ tonnes of gold in 8 months of 2026, spending $158.8B. The PBOC's 23-tonne September purchase was its biggest in nearly 3 years.
MCMC Probes Viral Video With False Budget 2027 Tax Claims
MCMC is investigating a viral video spreading allegedly false Budget 2027 tax claims. The actual proposal: RM12,000 individual relief, up from RM9,000. Check LHDN for verified rates.
RM1,500 BKK for 1.3 Million Civil Servants Under Budget 2027
Budget 2027: 1.3 million civil servants get RM1,500 BKK in two payments before Aidilfitri and Merdeka. Covers Premier Grade B and below, including contract appointees.
Proton Saga 2026 From RM38,990: The Car Loan Maths Before You Buy
A Saga Cross prototype was spotted in Kuantan with no price. The 2026 Saga sells from RM38,990: here is the monthly instalment, the total interest and what to ask.
RM40B Oil Spike: Why Your RON95 Stays at RM1.99
Oil above US$100 keeps Malaysia's fuel subsidy at ~RM40B. BUDI95 locks your RON95 at RM1.99 within quota. What to check before your next fill-up.
EPF Simpanan Shariah Zakat: How the 2.577% Deduction Works
Muslim EPF members can now opt in to have zakat deducted from Simpanan Shariah dividends. The 2.577% rate, a dividend example and the three ways to opt in.
EPF at 55: Lump Sum or Monthly i-Emas, the Rules in Force Today
A lifetime EPF pension is only being discussed. Today at 55 you choose a lump sum or i-Emas monthly payouts. The 75/15/10 split, the maths and what to check.
Genting 22.87% Crash: What the RM1.25B Rights Issue Means for You
Genting shares fell as much as 22.87% on the RM1.25B rights issue announcement.
Sarawak Electricity Discount 2027: 25% Off Confirmed for 716,000 Users
Sarawak confirmed its 25% electricity bill discount and RM5 water subsidy for 2027. Here is what 716,000 users save and how to verify it on your bill.
RM1,000 Aid for Taxi, Hire Car and School Bus Drivers: How It Is Paid
About 53,000 operators get a one-off RM1,000, paid in stages from 14 Oct 2026. Who qualifies, how the money reaches you and what to check with APAD.
14% Credit Card Cap: Who Actually Saves Money?
Budget 2027 caps basic credit card interest at 14% p.a. Who benefits, what 'basic' means, and what to check on your card before you celebrate.
PTPTN Deferment 2027: 400,000 Borrowers Under RM2,500 Get a Pause
Budget 2027 proposes PTPTN deferral for 400,000+ borrowers under RM2,500. What defer really means, the RM2,500 starting wage link, and three checks to do now.
Budget 2027: RM2,000 Minimum Wage, RM2,500 Starting Wage – Your Real Take-Home
Budget 2027 raises the minimum wage to RM2,000 and proposes a RM2,500 starting wage for graduates. Here is your actual take-home after EPF, SOCSO and EIS deductions.