Malaysia’s vehicle financing landscape is undergoing a major shift with the implementation of the Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026, which could be more favourable for car buyers going forward. Idham Idris, Director of Corporate Treasury Investment Services at Wealth Vantage Advisory, discusses how the new rules could affect Malaysian consumers.



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Malaysia’s vehicle financing landscape is undergoing a major shift with the implementation of the Hire Purchase (Amendment) Act 2026, which could be more favourable for car buyers going forward. Idham Idris, Director of Corporate Treasury Investment Services at Wealth Vantage Advisory, discusses how the new rules could affect Malaysian consumers.The First Look is brought to you by HLB Priority. We know what your real priorities are.

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Malaysia’s Car Loan Overhaul: Better For Us?

Investors are being selective about their portfolio positioning amid inflamed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Within Asia, that has started to translate into renewed interest in markets like Malaysia, where relative stability, yield, and diversification are coming back into focus. But can this investment momentum be sustained? We discuss this with Dr. Calvin Cheong, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting at HELP University.



Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Investors are being selective about their portfolio positioning&nbsp;amid inflamed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Within Asia, that has started to translate into renewed interest in markets like Malaysia, where relative stability, yield, and diversification are coming back into focus. But can this investment momentum be sustained? We discuss this with Dr. Calvin Cheong, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accounting at HELP University.Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Global Funds Turn Positive on Malaysia

Malaysia’s food prices are under pressure as global tensions in West Asia disrupt fertiliser supplies and push up energy costs. How will these global shocks affect the prices of everyday essentials? We discuss these issues with Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Food Security Chair at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security of UPM.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

<ul><li>Malaysia’s food prices are under pressure as global tensions in West Asia disrupt fertiliser supplies and push up energy costs. How will these global shocks affect the prices of everyday essentials? We discuss these issues with Professor Datin Paduka Dr Fatimah Mohamed Arshad, Food Security Chair at the Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security of UPM.</li></ul> Image Credit: Shutterstock

How Global Shocks Are Driving Up Malaysia’s Food Prices

Even as the war in Iran continues with no clear end, President Donald Trump already has his sights on another country: Cuba. The island state is undergoing a severe energy crisis as a result of a US blockade on oil supplies to Havana. Why is Trump threatening to take over Cuba? We discuss Cuba-US relations with Prof. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda from UCLA.



Image Credit: Shutterstock. 

Even as the war in Iran continues with no clear end, President Donald Trump already has his sights on another country: Cuba. The island state is undergoing a severe energy crisis as a result of a US blockade on oil supplies to Havana. Why is Trump threatening to take over Cuba? We discuss Cuba-US relations with Prof. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda from UCLA.Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Malaysia’s Car Loan Overhaul: Better For Us?

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