Khoo Hsu Chuang sits down with Jose Barrock to talk about PM's Tun Dr Mahathir's first press interview after GE14, and what feels different the second time around.</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

BEHIND THE STORY:  PM second time around

China retaliated against new US tariffs with a slew of measures — including levies on all American imports and export controls on rare earths — delivering on a promise to strike back after President Donald Trump imposed duties and escalating a trade fight.

China hits back at Trump’s tariffs with 34% duties on US goods

Verdant Solar Holdings Bhd, a rooftop solar panel installation company, is seeking a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds for business expansion. This includes establishing new branch offices, pursuing mergers and acquisitions, and enhancing its digital infrastructure.

Solar panel installer Verdant Solar seeks ACE IPO

US President Donald Trump, his Vice President JD Vance and billionaire backer Elon Musk have all voiced their support to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen after she was found guilty of embezzlement and barred from running in France's 2027 presidential election.

Trump, who often labelled his own legal woes as a leftist witch-hunt, drew parallels with Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally (RN) party, who was widely seen as a plausible presidential winner.

'Free Le Pen!' Trump, Musk and Vance voice support for French far-right leader

Taiwan's government on Friday announced at least T$288 billion (US$8.74 billion or RM38.69 billion) in financial help for companies and industries to deal with the impact of US tariffs, including export credits.

Taiwan unveils US$8.7 bil in help for companies to deal with US tariffs

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has consented to the appointment of the new Malaysian ambassador to the US, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.

King consents to appointment of new Malaysian ambassador to US

Below is a summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Friday.

FBM KLCI falls 0.97% to 1,504.14 on April 4, 2025

Shares of Greatech Technology Bhd (KL:GREATEC) fell on Friday and extended its decline into a third day amid earnings concerns, following the announcement of US reciprocal tariffs.

Greatech down nearly 9% after being flagged as biggest loser in tech following Trump’s new tariffs

The government has yet to decide whether to extend Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term as the head of Malaysia's anti-graft agency, Bernama reported on Friday, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar says yet to decide whether to extend Azam Baki’s term as MACC chief — Bernama

Traders further boosted their expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest-rates this year as fallout from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs convulsed markets for another day.

Money markets now show 100 basis points (bps) of reductions by year-end — equivalent to four 25-basis-point moves — up from about 75bps of cuts before levies were announced.

Traders boost bets on Fed cuts as jobs data adds to market angst

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB)(KL:PETGAS) reaffirmed that it always adheres to stringent safety measures, in line with international standards at all levels of its operations.

Petronas Gas reaffirms commitment to safety, reliability following Putra Heights fire incident

(April 3): Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture to operate the US chipmaker's factories, the Information reported on Thursday, citing two people involved in the discussions.

Intel, TSMC tentatively agree to form chipmaking joint venture — report

Shares of Greatech Technology Bhd (KL:GREATEC) fell on Friday and extended its decline into a third day amid earnings concerns, following the announcement of US reciprocal tariffs.

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA/TOKYO (April 4): Countries around the world threatened to wage a trade war with the US, as President&nbsp;Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs&nbsp;fed expectations for a global downturn and sharp price hikes for swathes of goods in the world's biggest consumer market.

Trump tariffs sow fears of trade wars, recession and a US$2,300 iPhone

President Donald Trump said he was open to reducing his tariffs if other nations were able to offer something “phenomenal,” indicating that the White House was open to negotiations despite the insistence of some top officials.

Trump open to tariff cuts in return for ‘phenomenal’ offers

New Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, on Thursday filed what it said was the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority.

Trump administration sued over Chinese import tariffs

Global stocks slid for a second day on Friday after US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans wiped US$2.4 trillion (RM10.6 trillion) off Wall Street equities, sending investors running for cover in government bonds as recession fears gripped markets.

Stocks slide again after Trump tariff rout, banks in firing line

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Malaysia’s economy may expand at a slower pace than expected this year, as the latest US tariff measures hurt export-oriented factories in the country.

Malaysia’s economy to expand at slower pace, economists race to cut growth forecasts

Malaysian banks could take a hit from the set of sweeping US tariffs if economic activity decelerates and drags on loan growth while disrupting firms’ cash flow, CIMB Securities warned on Friday.

US tariffs may weigh on Malaysian banks’ loan growth, raise provisions — CIMB Securities

It’s not just about trade. Neither is it an isolated act. It is part of a broader trend where tariffs are no longer mere trade tools, but geopolitical weapons.

The weaponisation of tariffs and the new era of coercive trade

SINGAPORE (April 3):&nbsp;Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is poised to extend anti-graft commission head Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term, people familiar with the matter said, despite criticism by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the appointment process and allegations by politicians and others that the agency practices selective prosecution.

Anwar plans to extend MACC chief Azam Baki’s term — Bloomberg

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on Friday by the Constitutional Court, ushering in an election after it upheld parliament's impeachment over his imposition of martial law that sparked the nation's worst political crisis in decades.

South Korea's Yoon removed from office over martial law, election looms

The dollar has wiped out all of its gains since Donald Trump won the presidency in November as a new wave of tariffs upended global markets.

Dollar wipes out post-Trump rally as tariffs upend global growth

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): US President Donald Trump’s introduction of a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Malaysia has thrown a spanner in the works for tech companies. However, industry players remain confident that local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will weather the storm...

Trump’s tariffs: Malaysian tech SMEs will face immediate pinch, but Asian ties will aid recovery — industry players

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Twenty-five&nbsp;victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire received a car each from Chery Malaysia for their use for a month on Friday, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

25 Putra Heights fire victims lent first batch of Chery Malaysia SUVs for a month on Friday

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): A company director lost RM5.5 million after allegedly falling victim to a foreign exchange (forex) transaction scam.&nbsp;

Forex transaction scam: Company director loses RM5.5m

WASHINGTON (April 3): Sweeping tariffs announced on Wednesday by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pose a significant risk to the global economy, at a time when growth has been sluggish, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a statement on Thursday.

IMF chief says US tariffs represent significant risk to global outlook

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): A slowdown in demand for goods due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is a key downside risk for Westports Malaysia Bhd (KL:WPRTS) in 2025, according to CGS International.

Trump’s tariffs could significantly slow demand for goods, posing downside risk to Westports in 2025 — CGS International

Residents of Karpal Singh Drive in Georgetown, Penang, have called on the state government to halt a proposed 70-acre coastal reclamation project, part of the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation, citing concerns over its impact on marine ecosystems, particularly the Middle Bank.

Karpal Singh Drive residents urge state government to halt land reclamation for Jelutong Landfill project

Asia is bearing the brunt of new US tariffs which will drag on regional growth through weaker business investment and sentiment, requiring central banks to step in with more interest-rate cuts, economists reckon.

Asia bears brunt of Trump tariffs, needs monetary policy easing — economists

Malaysia Smelting Corp (KL:MSC), one of the world’s biggest tin producers, has reported disruptions to deliveries from its Port Klang smelter after a pipeline explosion interrupted gas supply, exacerbating pressure on a market already grappling with global output upheaval.