LEMON BLOG

Fuel prices are once again becoming a major concern, especially as global oil markets react to growing geopolitical instability. In Malaysia, the government says it is still working hard to keep the subsidised RON95 petrol price at RM1.99 per litre for eligible Malaysians under the BUDI95 mechanism, even as international crude prices continue climbing.

Malaysia's telecommunications landscape is continuing to shift as CelcomDigi and Maxis have now completed the purchase of additional shares in Digital Nasional Berhad, or DNB, from Minister of Finance Inc. The development marks another major step in DNB's transition away from government ownership and towards a more privately driven structure.

Many taxpayers in Malaysia look forward to tax season not only as a time to fulfil their obligations, but also with the hope of receiving a tax refund. For the 2025 assessment year, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia has announced that eligible taxpayers will begin receiving their refunds starting from the second week of March 2026. The payments will be credited in stages as the processing of submitted tax returns is completed.

Malaysia's fuel subsidy debate is back in focus, and this time the pressure is coming from outside the country. Economists are warning that if the conflict involving Iran keeps global oil prices elevated, the government may need to rethink how it supports petrol prices, especially for RON95. The concern is not just about today's pump price, but about how long public finances can keep absorbing the gap if energy markets stay volatile.

Malaysia's 5G story just picked up another twist. After Telekom Malaysia (TM) revealed it had signed a three-year 5G wholesale agreement with U Mobile, the assumption was pretty straightforward: TM would transition away from DNB's wholesale 5G access and move onto U Mobile's Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) setup.