KUALA LUMPUR (March 2): Malaysia’s tax revenue is projected to increase in 2026, underpinned by steady wage growth, stronger corporate earnings and improved tax compliance. Individual income tax revenue is expected to rise 9.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM49.07 billion, while corporate income tax collection is projected to grow 6.5% y-o-y to RM103.35 billion. For 2025, the estimated collection for individual income tax stands at RM44.86 billion, while corporate income tax is projected at RM97.03 billion. Sales tax collection is forecast at RM26.6 billion in 2026, with service tax revenue projected at RM33 billion. Higher corporate earnings, particularly in the services and manufacturing sectors, along with the phased implementation of e-invoicing beginning August 2024, are also expected to lift corporate tax revenue, reduce leakages and strengthen compliance.

the hidden mental health crisis among men. Many men themselves do not recognise that they are experiencing a mental health condition. Recently, I met Maurizio Rosini, a Kuala Lumpur-based men’s coach who runs a group dedicated to supporting men’s mental health in Malaysia through workshops, retreats and “men’s circles”. Understanding men’s mental health is not about assigning blame. Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj is a consultant psychiatrist and the Malaysian Mental Health Association president.

PETALING JAYA: Herry Iman Pierngadi has been one of the successful Indonesian coaches who has churned out many All-England winners for his country. This week, Herry will get a second shot at making his Midas touch work for the Malaysian squad in Birmingham. His first All-England stint with Malaysia last year ended miserably when none of the top pairs cleared the early rounds. Herry said he has many good memories with the Indonesian team at the All-England but highlighted three. Herry’s top two charges — former world champions and second seeds Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and sixth seeds Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun — are in the lower half of the draw.

TOKYO (March 2): Bank of Japan deputy governor Ryozo Himino said on Monday that the central bank is expected to gradually shift to a more neutral monetary policy stance by continuing to raise interest rates. In a speech, Himino said the impact of past interest rate hikes on Japan's economy appears to be limited so far. While underlying inflation is rising steadily, it was still premature to assert it has reached 2% for certain, Himino said. He also said the inflation gap, or the difference between underlying inflation and the BOJ's 2% inflation target, was slightly negative now but was likely to approach zero in the future. "This would suggest that, while the Bank's policy remains somewhat accommodative, it should gradually shift to a more neutral stance through moderate policy rate hikes," he said in a speech.

(March 2): Aluminum climbed on concerns that critical supply routes for Middle Eastern producers will be disrupted by conflict in a region responsible for a significant chunk of global output. Conflict in the Middle East spread over the weekend after the US and Israel attacked Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on multiple countries. Potential disruptions to flows of bauxite or alumina that feed the Middle East’s aluminum smelters present a “very significant risk”, said Li Xuezhi, head of research at Chaos Ternary Futures. Aluminum prices are likely to move higher, he said. The Middle East is a major producer of iron ore pellets, with a 13% global share, according to BMO Global Commodities Research.

YOU'LL spot them in many cars of Malaysians; bundles of pandan leaves placed on dashboards, tucked behind sun visors or draped over the rear-view mirror. Verdict:TRUEYes, scientific research shows pandan leaves do have cockroach-repelling properties but the reality is more complicated than simply placing a few leaves in the car. from the School of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS) evaluated seven compounds and fractions prepared from pandan leaves and found that certain pandan compounds were indeed repellent to cockroaches. The study noted that pandan leaves contain low levels of essential oils, including 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, styrene, linalool and β-caryophyllene. In other words, placing fresh pandan leaves in the car will not provide reliable protection against cockroaches.

Following the group’s 1HFY2026 analyst briefing, CIMB Securities noted that Padini’s revenue declined in the first quarter as cautious consumer sentiment weighed on discretionary spending, resulting in negative same-store sales growth of about 6% year-on-year. Looking ahead, CIMB Securities expects earnings momentum to recover in 2HFY2026, underpinned by the timing as gross margin expanded to 39.8%, supported by a stronger ringgit and lower sales markdowns, which allowed the retailer to maintain healthier average selling prices. Previously, management indicated that the higher SST rate could have added between RM10 million and RM20 million to operating costs annually. CIMB Securities maintained its “buy” call on Padini with an unchanged target price of RM2.25, noting that the group’s mass-market positioning provides a relatively defensive demand profile amid economic uncertainty. Consensus estimates remain positive on the stock, with six “buy” calls, three “hold” recommendations and no “reduce” ratings currently recorded.

The country is moving to phase out traditional formal school uniforms, amid growing concerns over high costs. Officials will review uniform prices, ­bidding methods, selected contractors and contract amounts to assess whether prices are appropriate. The existing cap system, previously limited to formal uniforms, will be expanded to cover additional categories. Schools will also be encouraged to discontinue mandatory formal uniforms and adopt casual-style uniforms or sportswear as primary attire. Of the 17 education offices nationwide, 13 currently provide support worth 300,000 to 400,000 won (RM808 to RM1,080), typically covering formal uniforms.

PETALING JAYA: The continued sale of unregulated vapes in physical stores and vape devices online reflects the urgent need for comprehensive enforcement, say anti-tobacco groups. Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control president Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said enough time has lapsed since the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) was passed, calling for a tighter crackdown. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations’ Tobacco Control coordinator Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah welcomed the removal of vape products from major e-commerce platforms. According to anti-tobacco activist NV Subbarow, more sundry shops are beginning to sell the products without any concerns. He also claimed that a store in George Town, Penang, is even giving complimentary vape juices to regular buyers if they introduce new “customers”.

Nurul Afiqah, who filed her tax yesterday, said the most confusing part was understanding tax reliefs and deductions. CLICK TO ENLARGESoftware engineer Muhammad Izzat Hakimi, 27, described his first filing experience as “stressful but necessary”. He suggests that basic tax education be introduced for undergraduates so they would not feel completely lost upon entering the workforce. Despite the initial anxiety, he said filing income tax for the first time marked an important milestone. “Even among degree holders, many are unclear about the income threshold or what allowances need to be declared.

Israel carried out air strikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, with more than a dozen explosions rocking the Lebanese capital. Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024 after more than a year of fighting that left Hezbollah severely weakened. The Hezbollah and Israel tit-for-tat attacks widen the conflict that has spread through the Middle East since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, sending oil prices soaring and snarling air travel. But in a video posted on Sunday, Trump vowed military strikes on Iran will continue until "all our objectives are achieved" without providing specifics. In interviews with multiple news outlets, Trump said the military campaign against Iran could continue for at least four weeks.

PETALING JAYA: Wisma Putra has advised Malaysians to exercise vigilance and avoid areas of military activity and public gatherings in Iran and several of its neighbours. It said non-essential travel to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates should be deferred until the security situation stabilises. Social media user @athirah_tewah wrote about her husband and fellow Malaysian pilgrims stranded in Madinah. She said their flight from Madinah to Dubai was set for 7.10pm on Saturday, but was cancelled. Ting, hailing from Setapak, said she has not yet booked another flight as she is waiting to see how the situation develops.

PETALING JAYA: The Opposition has condemned the joint military strikes against Iran, demanding an immediate de-escalation of hostilities. Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he strongly condemned the US-Israeli military strikes which violated international law. “Both the US and Iran must choose to continue diplomacy and dialogue,” he said in a statement yesterday. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin called on the major powers and countries in the Gulf region to take the path of peace and negotiation for the sake of security and stability. “Together with fellow Opposition MPs, I extend my condolences to the people of Iran who have lost their Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Shares in other Asian carriers, including Japan's ANA Holdings, Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Malaysia's AirAsia X and Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Airways all fell at least 4%. Singapore Airlines cancelled flights to and from Dubai through March 7, while Japan Airlines suspended its Tokyo-Doha flights for the time being. Passengers left scramblingVirgin Australia, which leases planes operated by partner Qatar Airways for flights to Doha, said it had cancelled eight flights on Monday and was offering free booking changes. Qatar Airways passengers at Sydney Airport interviewed by Reuters said they were left scrambling to change plans with no guidance from the airline, which did not respond immediately to a request for comment. "We have no information at all, no answer on the phone from Qatar (Airways)," said Alessandra Giorgetti, who added the Qatar Airways flights had cost €4,000 (US$4,708.40 or RM18,381.20).

We were in the books of Warner Bros, and the biggest cost centres are people in productions. Now that you aren’t buying Warner Bros, does the strategy go back to what it was? I met the top 200 employees of Warner Bros, [co-CEO Greg Peters] and I did. And I do think that the political pressure, even if it was noise, it spooked a lot of Warner Bros shareholders. Or if you look at the history of Warner Bros....