Energy transformation should be a top priority for Asean as it tackles climate change, and the key strategies should be the development of connected infrastructure and capitalising on the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.

Jeffrey Sachs, president of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions and Research (UN-SDSN), said during his presentation at the Asean Workshop on Sustainable Development that regional integration has become a strategic necessity for every nation in the world, and Asean must have diplomatic unity to have influence in the world.

Sustainable Asean-wide policies with connected infrastructure and AI

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), a technology touted to be as transformative as electricity or the internet, is capturing the imagination the world over.

Governments and businesses, wary of being left behind in the AI race, are scrambling to stake their claim in ...

Cover Story: Building the AI playbook

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions people make is to travel more. Whether it’s exploring new destinations, immersing oneself in a different culture or building memories that serve as a testament to a life well-lived, travelling resonates deeply as a meaningful and enriching goal for t...

Listicle: Own our trip

It’s common for people to financially plan for their deaths, with wills and trusts stating instructions for next of kin on how to manage and disperse assets. But in this day and age, where data is an increasingly important commodity, the posthumous management of one's data is overlooked, putting ...

Digital Legacies: Till death do us part? Not for your online data

Last year was marked by a significant uptick in cybersecurity regulations globally, particularly targeting generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and third-party risks. As organisations rushed to tackle these new challenges, many neglected to establish essential cybersecurity measures to pro...

Rise Of Machines: A cyber wake-up call

When ChatGPT was launched, Harsha Purasinghe, CEO and founder of Malaysian digital HR platform provider MiHCM, immediately saw the potential of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in the HR space. The technology could be used to solve gaps identified by his team.

This potential ...

Solutions: A copilot AI built for HR

Cryptocurrencies and the blockchain have sparked global intrigue and debate, moving beyond niche concepts to revolutionise finance. Much like the creation of money and the rise of the internet, blockchain technology and digital assets are reshaping how we value and invest in assets.

How...

Crypto Revolution: Beyond the hype

Here’s a nerdy story for the new year: A group of engineers are working on a groundbreaking new gadget. “I’ve designed a circuit that will never fail,” the electrical engineer says. “I’ve built a prototype that’s indestructible,” the mechanical engineer adds. “I’ve written code that’s completely ...

Econ 4.0: Top 10 tech tips for 2025

Traditionally, plants rely on water, soil and sunlight to thrive. But local start-up Airgro Sdn Bhd is exploring a cutting-edge approach to farming: growing crops out of thin air.

To tackle the needs of a growing population and Sarawak’s rising reliance on imports, Airgro — founded by K...

Growing Life: Growing crops out of thin air

NEWS

From saving to growing wealth

Trading app Moomoo is partnering with GXBank to enable the latter’s customers to make instant transfers or deposits to their Moomoo account and start investing.

As part of the launch, GXBank c...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

At the beginning of the year, some industry observers speculated that ESG topics might take a back seat to political drama and geopolitical conflicts that are still ongoing in certain parts of the world.

They were right in many ways. More recently, the re-election of Donald Trump as US ...

Cover Story: ESG at yet another crossroads

Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli’s words, according to which Malaysia is set to adopt nuclear power generation as one of its energy sources in the coming years, are extremely welcome.

According to Rafizi, nuclear power is a cleaner energy source compared to others, which could help the ...

Views: A case for nuclear energy

Year in review: Major ESG-related events in 2024

In Southeast Asia, conversations in the Business and Human Rights-Environmental, Social and Governance (BHR-ESG) space focus on encouraging companies to voluntarily adopt sustainability measures and subsequently report on their sustainability initiatives. While some progress has been made, it rem...

Views: How the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will impact Malaysian businesses

Every monsoon season, I’d feel the dread that grips Southeast Asia — the deadly floods currently displacing hundreds of thousands in a day, the thick blankets of haze we’ve grown up with and, of course, the unease over how our leaders will respond.

This year, I feel cautionary hope at t...

Views: Malaysia’s 2025 resolution: Adopt Asean’s first environmental rights declaration

The United Nations Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2024 focuses on the massive gap between the rhetorical and real impact of climate action commitments, and emphasises that crunch time is here, as wildfires, heatwaves, storms and droughts intensify globally.

Time for countries to aggressively ramp up climate change action

Malaysia’s transition to becoming a developed and high-income nation has imposed pressure on its biodiversity.

Thankfully, the country has been ramping up its efforts in conservation and the sustainable management of its biodiversity. For instance, it aims for biodiversity conservation ...

Nature: Protecting Malaysia’s biodiversity at all costs

Clean and safe water sources are crucial to human survival, but water security is increasingly being threatened by pollution, poor maintenance of assets, effects of the climate crisis and low awareness among the public.

Unscheduled water cuts have occurred multiple times in the country ...

Resources: Protect watersheds and open new ‘taps’

Malaysia’s plastic problem seems like a never-ending conundrum, despite laws and policies put in place to eliminate dependence on single-use plastics and to encourage the use of sustainable alternatives.

This might change going forward, however, as many big retail chains such as 99 Spee...

Waste: Malaysia’s plastic problem in the spotlight

The Edge Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2025

The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2024

The Edge ESG Awards 2024

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2024

The Edge Centurion Club Corporate Awards 2024

sharemarkets, stockmarket, sharetrading, equities, Bursa Malaysia, financialliteracy, investment, stockpics, investingideas, investmentportfolio

MORNING CALL: 15/1/25

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 0:06 Yinson secures US$1b investment from consortium to fund offshore arm’s expansion1:31 Nomura predicts rate hike for Malaysia as strong growth leads to pickup in inflation2:54 Ringgit to weaken to 4.7 against USD before recovering by year end, says Maybank IB4:08 Gamuda in the running for second, third Penang LRT work packages, say analysts5:26 Mah Sing confident data centre projects will pass through potential US chip export curbs

EVENING 5: Yinson gets US$1b investment

BIMB thinks good things are going on down south for Al-Salam REIT.

MORNING CALL: 14/1/25

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned by authorities on Wednesday in relation to a criminal insurrection investigation, saying he was only cooperating with what he called an illegal probe to avoid violence.

South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe

A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Wednesday.

FBM KLCI down 0.91% to 1,562.12 on Jan 15, 2025

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he "used" fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) despite his negative reputation for the country's benefit, the court heard on Wednesday.

1MDB-Tanore: I used Jho Low for country's benefit, Najib says

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he hopes the privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) can be finalised soon.

Frustrated with MAHB's decision-making delays, Loke backs privatisation to boost efficiency

The uncertainty likely to be injected into markets this year by US President-elect Donald Trump promises to be yet another driver of attractive bond returns, according to Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco).

Pimco says own more bonds as Trump ushers in era of uncertainty

The notion of having economic powerhouse China settle the debts accumulated by troubled state strategic development firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd is "absurd", the High Court heard on Wednesday.

China to settle 1MDB debt in 2016? 'Absurd,' says Najib

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recognition of Sarawak state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) as the state's gas aggregator.

Abang Jo welcomes Anwar's recognition of Petros as Sarawak's gas aggregator

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 15): The Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) forecasts that Malaysia’s air passenger traffic will reach between 105.8 million and 112.9 million passengers this year, according to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Loke: Malaysia’s aviation sector recovering, passenger traffic to soar in 2025

The establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has garnered attention, but more effort is needed to enhance its competitiveness to attract investments, according to Knight Frank executive director Amy Wong Siew Fong.

Knight Frank calls for clear incentives to drive investments in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Malaysia’s exports could grow at a slower pace this year, due to impending higher US tariffs, though trade diversions could provide some cushion, according to think tank Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

Malaysia to take hit from Trump tariffs, but blow could be softened by trade diversion, says think tank

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) has urged the government to reconsider the proposed mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, to ease financial burdens on businesses.

SERC calls for review of mandatory EPF for foreign workers amid cost concerns

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Plantation giant SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), previously known as Sime Darby Plantation, has announced the appointment of Tan Seri Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali as its non-independent and non-executive director.

EPF chairman Mohd Zuki Ali joins SD Guthrie board

Affin Bank Bhd's (KL:AFFIN) ambitious branch expansion plan is expected to keep its cost-to-income ratio (CIR) elevated for the next few years, according to CGS International, which is reiterating its 'reduce' recommendation on the bank.

Affin Bank's expansion plan will keep costs high for next few years, says CGS

The Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) investment decisions, including the trading of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) shares, align with its broader investment objectives and are aimed at generating income required for dividend payments during the financial year.

EPF says investment in MAHB to support dividend payouts

Malaysia is on its way to becoming a data centre (DC) hub in the region. Between 2021 and  June 2024, a total of RM90.2 billion poured in for DC developments. International companies such as US-based Google, Microsoft, Equinix, as well as China-based Yondr Group, Bridge Data Centres and Singapore-based Keppel Data Centres and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (Singtel) are among the big names in Malaysia's DC market.

Data Centres: Malaysia’s Next Frontier

After a prolonged lull in the latter half of the 2010s, Malaysia has experienced a resurgence in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from project owners since 2021. This revival has attracted renewed interest from financial asset investors, as evidenced by the rerating of the benchmark KLCI and the strengthening of the ringgit this year.

Roaring 20s: Malaysia in FDI upcycle

The High Court has set Feb 28 for the hearing of Israeli national Avitan Shalom’s application to stay the Sessions Court proceedings, pending the appointment of a certified Hebrew interpreter.

Judge K Muniandy fixed the date after Avitan’s lawyer Muhamad Aiman Haziq informed the court that the interpreter in the previous proceedings could not speak Hebrew.

Prosecution says Avitan Shalom’s application to stay proceedings moot, hearing set for Feb 28

Asean will be the clear beneficiary with winners in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, assuming trade tensions continue to isolate the United States (US) and China, said RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB IB).

The investment bank said the key conviction in this scenario is for the US Fed Funds Rate to see a two to three-times cut by around 50 to 75 basis points reduction in 2025, thus depressing the global interest rate environment for the year ahead.

Asean poised to gain if US-China trade tensions escalate — RHB IB

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Aerotrain replacement project is still in the multi-phase testing stage and does not yet have a confirmed completion date, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Aerotrain completion date still up in the air, says Loke

A total of 138,817,425 cashless transactions have been recorded through the National Cashless Boleh 4.0 Campaign, which began on Dec 1, 2023 and ended on Nov 30, 2024.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said that the recorded transactions accounted for 86% of the total for the 20 government agencies involved, in aggregate.

Over 138 million transactions recorded through Cashless Boleh 4.0 campaign

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Poh Kong Holdings Bhd (KL:POHKONG) is expecting improved sales in 2025, driven by a positive retail environment in Malaysia and a strong domestic economy.

Poh Kong anticipates robust sales in 2025; expects luxury tax to be put on hold

Colform Group Bhd, a Sabah-based steel product manufacturer en route to ACE Market, said it will pass on higher raw material costs to its customers.

Colform to pass on higher cost from rising steel prices

SC Estate Builder Bhd (KL:SCBUILD) announced on Wednesday that its joint venture with Anjung Meriah Sdn Bhd has been shortlisted by the Energy Commission to develop a four-megawatt (MW) large-scale solar photovoltaic project in Arau, Perlis.

SC Estate Builder consortium wins contract to develop 4MW solar project in Perlis

The Sessions Court on Wednesday fixed Feb 18 to deliver its decision on whether to allow Toh Puan Na’imah Abdul Khalid’s application to refer 10 constitutional questions pertaining to her not abiding with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) notice to declare 12 of her assets to the High Court, or to let the matter remain at the lower court.

Feb 18 set for decision on whether to transfer Na'imah's application for constitutional questions to High Court

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) has appointed Datuk Dr Aminar Rashid Salleh as the chairman of its board of directors (BOD), effective immediately.

MARii appoints Aminar Rashid as new BOD chairman

Malaysia will address waste trafficking at the regional and global levels in its capacity as the Asean chair this year, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said on Wednesday.

Malaysia to tackle waste trafficking at regional, global levels, says Liew

Secular fall in global supply of CPO implies more upside for Malaysian plantation stocks

The real estate industry had an eventful 2024, marked by notable highs and lows. Among the key highlights was encouraging data from the National Property Information Centre (Napic), which showed strong market recovery. The number of residential transactions surged as demand for homes remained rob...

Key highlights of the real estate and property industry in 2024

OUR top 10 stock picks hit the bullseye in 2024, registering an impressive total return of 57.3%, on average. Their collective performance significantly outpaced the 14.1% gain for the bellwether FBM KLCI and the 16% increase of the FBM Emas Index.

Among the 10 stocks, six appreciated b...

Review of Asia Analytica’s Stock Picks: Asia Analytica’s 2024 top 10 picks gain over 57% on average, with six up over a third

By Pankaj Kumar

Managing director, Datametrics Research and Information Centre

Market Views: 2025: A year of navigating the unknowns

By Dr Ray Choy

Chief Economist, MARC Ratings Bhd



 

...

Market Views: Interest rate and global policy risks to emerge in 2025 

By Datin Nor Hanifah Hashim

Head of Malaysia, Franklin Templeton

Market Views: 2024 Recap: Strength amid fiscal discipline

As 2025 begins, the global economy, while stabilising, remains weighed down by familiar risks. China’s recovery is sluggish, Europe’s growth is lacklustre and geopolitical tensions rage on in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Yet one threat looms larger than the rest — an old adversary pot...

ECONtemplation: The bogeyman of 2025

By Dr Tan Chong Koay

Founder and chief strategist, Pheim Asset Management Sdn Bhd

Market Views: Be cautious of elevated US market valuations

By Peter Kong

Head of research, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd

Market Views: The year of comebacks  

By Vincent Khoo

Director of strategy, UOB Kay Hian



Overal...

Market Views: Malaysian equities still amply charged up for outperformance 

By Lim Sue Lin

Co-head of equity research, 

Maybank Investment Banking Group

Market Views: Progressive momentum to follow through

Pfizer Inc sold about 700 million shares in Haleon plc, representing a roughly 7.7% stake in the maker of Sensodyne toothpaste.

The deal raised around £2.5 billion (US$3.1 billion or RM13.8 billion) for the seller, which offered the shares through an accelerated placement with investors, according to terms seen by Bloomberg. The offering priced at £3.57 per share, marking a 2.8% discount from Tuesday’s closing price.

Pfizer further pares stake in Sensodyne toothpaste maker Haleon with £2.5b sale

(Jan 15): British recruiters issued profit warnings this week, saying economic and political jitters across Europe slowed permanent and temporary hiring by firms, and warned that conditions would likely remain subdued in the near term.

Financial and political upheaval in markets includi...

European hiring slowdown prompts profit warnings from UK recruiters

Armed conflict is the top risk in 2025, a World Economic Forum (WEF) survey released on Wednesday showed, a reminder of the deepening global fragmentation as government and business leaders attend an annual gathering in Davos next week.

Nearly one in four of the more than 900 experts surveyed across academia, business and policymaking ranked conflict, including wars and terrorism, as the most severe risk to economic growth for the year ahead.

Wars top global risk as Davos elite gathers for WEF in shadow of fragmented world

Bayer AG’s Monsanto unit stopped making toxic PCBs a half century ago, but the legal fallout lingers even as many of the building materials made with the chemicals are no longer used in US homes, schools and factories.

Bayer faces billions in payouts for decades-old toxic mess

Finland's Nokia said on Wednesday it had signed a multi-year patent licence agreement with Samsung, for the use of Nokia's video technologies in the South Korean company's televisions.

Under the agreement, Samsung will make royalty payments to Nokia, the Finnish company said in a statement.

Nokia signs multi-year patent licence agreement with Samsung

Indonesia's central bank unexpectedly cut policy rates on Wednesday, resuming its monetary easing to prop up growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy despite financial market volatility that has sharply weakened the rupiah currency.

Indonesia’s central bank delivers surprise rate cut to support growth

(Jan 15): The exchange rate matters for the euro-area economy over time, though monthly movements in currency are typically absorbed by companies, European Central Bank (ECB) chief economist Philip Lane said.

ECB’s Lane says FX matters even if firms absorb initial swings

(Jan 15): Aluminum ticked higher, with the European Union (EU) considering import restrictions on Russian metal and Chinese production growth expected to slow.

Aluminum rises on EU’s possible Russia ban, China supply trends

SINGAPORE (Jan 15): Grab has partnered with BYD to provide more electric vehicle (EV) choices across Southeast Asia.

Grab partners BYD to expand EV fleet offering in Southeast Asia

Volkswagen AG (VW) had a poor 2024, with sales falling and Europe’s biggest automaker even raising the prospect of closing factories in Germany. This year could be even worse.

The manufacturer’s deliveries risk slumping again because its namesake VW brand doesn’t have a new electric car coming in 2025, with key products pushed back amid delays developing software. The problems are starkest in China, where manufacturers led by BYD Co are dominating with affordable electric and hybrid models. In the US, where President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariff hikes, VW still doesn’t offer any pickup trucks popular among American consumers.

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