Something big is taking shape in Puchong — a strategic initiative aimed at elevating Malaysia from a back-end player in the semiconductor supply chain to a force to be reckoned with in the global chip design arena. At the heart of this effort is the Puchong Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Park, a ...

Cover Story: Stepping into the IC design fast lane

Growing up in a rubber estate in Teluk Intan, Perak, Giva Kuppusamy developed a fascination for freshwater prawns thriving in nearby rivers. Today, that childhood curiosity has blossomed into a mission to make udang galah, as they’re known locally, more affordable for and accessible to Malaysians...

Start-up: Making freshwater prawns affordable

Ever played a game that just feels like a warm hug? While some gamers thrive on competition and high-stakes action, others find comfort in laid-back social games for a chance to unwind, connect and take a breather from the chaos of everyday life.

Cosy games are generally identified as c...

Listicle: Escape to cosy town

Being an angel or venture capital investor, especially in start-ups, is often seen as glamorous. The media tends to romanticise VC investors who pour millions — sometimes billions — into chasing the next unicorn (a company valued at over US$1 billion). Every time a unicorn is announced, everyone ...

The Pitch Deck: How not to lose money investing in new tech

Let’s start with an April Fool’s fable: A group of lifelong friends debated where to meet for their reunion dinner. In their 40s, they chose the Bay Hotel for its attractive wait staff. A decade later, at 50, they returned for the excellent food and wine. At 60, the hotel’s quiet ambience and oce...

Econ 4.0: April Fool fables?

Earned wage access (EWA) can improve workers’ financial well-being, with 80% of users reporting a better quality of life and 78% using it for household expenses, according to a survey by 60 Decibels and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The findings, released on March 24, wer...

Issues: Early wage access linked to better financial health

The rapid push towards digital adoption has necessitated increased reliance on telecommunications networks. Yet, consumers often rely on networks with no assurance on service quality, although they pay for these services, says Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) commission me...

Bridging The Gap: Tracking telcos’ real-time network quality

NEWS

Google Cloud and Selangor launch Teraju AI to power state-level innovation

Google Cloud, in collaboration with the Selangor state government and the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre, has launched Teraju AI — an initiativ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

Facing increasing challenges with internal communication in the mid-2010s, ByteDance sought a more effective solution. Despite experimenting with various collaboration tools, the company struggled to overcome productivity-sapping silos and improve workflow efficiency.

Realising it neede...

Productivity: Fostering efficient communication

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

Bank Negara Malaysia will support Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and sustainability” by focusing on two areas: Financing for energy transition projects in Asean, and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their journey on the low-carbon transition.

These ...

Finance: Bank Negara Malaysia to work with Asean on the green transition

Malaysia is not short of policies and plans to tackle climate change. However, for these initiatives to be effective, climate change and its related impacts must be considered in the country’s public financial management processes.

These are among the suggestions that Marco Larizza, sen...

Climate: World Bank: Malaysia has to strengthen institutions to adapt to climate change

Public-listed companies (PLCs) in Malaysia are now required to use Bursa Malaysia’s Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (CSI) platform as their official sustainability reporting channel. This follows the regulator’s late-March announcement that the CSI platform is fully equipped to support di...

Reporting: Bursa aims to address companies’ sustainability reporting burden

Malaysia’s passing of the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Bill in March has left many questions unanswered about the bill’s place in contributing to the country’s climate goals. Yet, it is a step forward in implementing a flagship catalyst project under the National Energy Transiti...

Cover Story: Who benefits from CCUS in Malaysia?

US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports from all countries has sparked concerns about the future of the low-carbon energy transition, as products such as solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicles (EVs) rely heavily on global supply chains.

The global clean energy supply chain

Devoting years of one’s life to repopulating an endangered species, only to see the numbers dwindling until nothing was left, is a terrible outcome to witness.

This was the experience of John Payne, who was part of WWF-Malaysia’s programme to save the Sumatran Rhinoceros in the 1980s. T...

Biodiversity: Keeping the wild banteng alive

When asked how bad the pollution in Kota Kinabalu (KK) was, Marine Research Foundation (MRF) founder and executive director Dr Nicolas Pilcher could not find the words. Instead, he showed ESG a video of MRF’s boat sailing through the rivers of KK, pushing through plastic waste that encompassed th...

Waste: Ray of hope in cleaning up Malaysian seas

Following its debut in Malaysian markets in October last year, Chinese car manufacturer Leapmotor launched its local assembly operations for its electric vehicles (EVs) with Stellantis at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Friday.

Stellantis Malaysian assembly plant to serve as Asean regional hub

KUALA LUMPUR (April 9): The unpredictable catastrophes caused by climate change have madeit difficult for insurance companies to manage risks, said speakers at the National Climate Governance Summit (NCGS) 2025 held in Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur, on Tuesday (April 8).

Insurers paying attention to climate risks

To push more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to decarbonise, there must be a business case to compel them to start the journey, along with top-down regulations to mandate actions like sustainability reporting.

Create business case for SMEs to decarbonise

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

Read more in the Apr 28 edition of The Edge Malaysia Weekly. Pick up from the newsstands or subscribe at https://theedgemalaysia.com/subscription

Stock markets work only if they are a ‘growth enabler’, not a cashing-out machine

BMW Group Malaysia is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its renowned 3 Series with the introduction of the exclusive BMW M340i xDrive Edition 50 Jahre.

NEWS: BMW celebrates 50 years of the 3 series

For investors, 2024 was an exceptionally good year for dividend payouts. We ask deputy editor Esther Lee whether it will be the same story in 2025.

EDGE WEEKLY: Why was FY2024 such a bumper year for dividends?

A surge of complaints emerged on Thursday evening from investors across Bursa Malaysia, reporting that their accounts have been hacked and used for unauthorised trading activities.

Widespread hacks hit stock trading accounts in Malaysia

Muzaffar Hisham leaves Maybank's Islamic arm, said to be headed for top role at Bank Pembangunan

Businesses across multiple industries are increasing prices, cutting financial guidance and warning of growing uncertainty as US President Donald Trump's trade war pushes up costs, up-ends supply chains and stirs concerns about the global economy.

Trump trade war spreads more gloom across businesses

Crypto’s richest man, Changpeng Zhao, was in a playful mood as he addressed a packed house at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, just seven months after his release from a low-security California prison.

In KL, Binance billionaire Zhao guides regulators to relax crypto rules

Nissan Motor sees a record net loss of ¥700 billion to ¥750 billion (US$4.91 billion-US$5.26 billion or RM21.5 billion-RM23 billion) for the financial year that ended in March, it said on Thursday, due to impairment charges as the struggling automaker restructures.

Nissan sees record loss of up to US$5.26b as restructuring bites

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that there will be no double standards in the matter involving the incomplete display of the national flag, and that investigations will be carried out against all parties involved.

Jalur Gemilang gaffes: Anwar says no double standards, pledges to probe all parties involved

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

FBM KLCI up 0.36% to 1,506.52 on April 24, 2025

China demanded that the US revoke all unilateral tariffs and said there were no talks on reaching a trade deal, maintaining a tough stance despite President Donald Trump’s easing of criticism of the country.

China says US should revoke all unilateral tariffs, denies talks

Stocks drifted on Thursday and a rebound in the dollar lost traction as investors grappled with the Trump administration's shifts on tariffs and the Federal Reserve's leadership.

Relief rally peters out as traders try to grasp Trump's U-turns

Norway's US$1.7 trillion (RM7.4 trillion) sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, reported on Thursday a quarterly loss of 415 billion Norwegian crowns (US$39.72 billion) for the January to March period, largely driven by negative returns in the tech sector.

Norway wealth fund posts US$40b first-quarter loss on tech weakness

IJM Corporation Bhd (KL:IJM) has acquired a 50% stake in financially troubled UK-based construction firm JRL Group for £50 million, or about RM283 million.

IJM Corp completes acquisition of troubled UK builder for RM283m

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Treasury Department will review the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest assessment of Malaysia’s real gross domestic product (GDP), as reported in the April 2025 World Economic Outlook.

BNM, Treasury to review IMF's latest report on Malaysia's real GDP — Anwar

The US stock market is well past its best days and investors should be prepared to see further declines in the nation’s equities, Treasury bonds as well as the dollar, according to Christopher Wood of Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

Jefferies’ Wood says best over for US stocks, sees more losses

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): The Ministry of Education issued an apology for an incorrect depiction of Malaysia’s national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, on an exam results analysis report distributed on Thursday.

Education Ministry apologises for Jalur Gemilang bungle in SPM results report

This year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Singapore. Since the latter separated from the Federation of Malaya on Aug 9, 1965, trade, investment and tourism between the two countries have remained robust.

Six decades of strong ties between Malaysia and Singapore

The year 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China. In 1974, then prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein cemented an official diplomatic relationship during a visit to Peking (now Beijing).

Ushering in another 50 golden years in Malaysia-China relations

In the face of the increasing trade uncertainty, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) says trade diversity and balance are the way forward for countries hoping to mitigate the impact on their exports.

Trade diversification the way forward in Trump-era trade, says EFTA reps

Energy-related services provider Reservoir Link Energy Bhd (KL:RL) has received a work order award from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd for the provision of light weight well testing services.

Reservoir Link appointed as panel contractor for light weight well testing services

Key Asic Bhd (KL:KEYASIC) and UCrest Bhd (KL:UCREST) have appointed Morison LC PLT as their new external auditor for the financial year ending May 31, 2025, following the resignation of UHY Malaysia PLT.

Key Asic, UCrest appoint Morison as new external auditor to replace UHY

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has completed giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Thursday in connection with an ongoing investigation into a corruption and money laundering case.

Quizzed for seven hours, Ismail Sabri to resume MACC questioning tomorrow

Pantech Global Bhd announced a special dividend of one sen after its fourth quarter net profit jumped 373% from the previous quarter, driven by a gain on bargain purchase and two months of earnings from newly acquired companies.

Pantech Global declares special dividend after gain on bargain purchase

ICT Zone Asia Bhd (KL:ICTZONE) on Thursday inked an agreement with Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd and Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd to underwrite its transfer listing from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

ICT Zone sticks to 2Q ACE Market listing target, secures Malacca Securities, Kenanga IB as underwriters

IGB Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:IGBREIT) and IGB Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:IGBCR) will see their former group chief financial officer Chai Lai Sim return from retirement to take the helm at both REITs.

IGB REITs bring former CFO Chai Lai Sim out of retirement as new CEO

Kumpulan Jetson Bhd’s board faces a new removal attempt by minority shareholders, who claim to hold at least 10% of shares, giving them the right to call an EGM to vote on removing the board and appointing new directors.

Kumpulan Jetson’s board faces third removal attempt since December 2023

Mayu Global Bhd (KL:MAYU) has redesignated its executive director Tan Kim Hee as a non-executive director, effective May 2, amid an ongoing money laundering investigation.

Mayu Global redesignates Tan Kim Hee to non-executive director amid money laundering probe

Atlan Holdings Bhd’s (KL:ATLAN) fourth quarter net profit doubled, lifted by a RM16.76 million gain related to the compulsory acquisition of a subsidiary's land in Kedah by the government.

Atlan’s 4Q net profit doubles on compensation from land acquisition

At the current price, is gold still a good hedge against Trump’s madness?

Abandoned housing has been a long-standing problem in Malaysia. According to the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Institute in its recently released “Abandoned Housing — Challenges, Insights & Solutions Research Report”, the number of abandoned housing projects has been...

Stakeholder action needed to address abandoned housing issues, says Rehda Institute

ECONOMIC growth in the Asean+3 ­(China, including Hong Kong, and Japan and South Korea) region is likely to come in at a slower pace of 3.8% this year compared with an earlier expectation of 4.2% as a result of tariffs imposed by the US, the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) projects.<...

Cover Story: Tariffs to weigh on growth of Asean+3 region

AS US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff stance is expected to heighten global economic uncertainty and amplify “risk-off” sentiment among investors, it could lead to a reallocation of capital away from emerging-market bonds, including Malaysian bonds, in the near term.

RAM Rati...

Cover Story: Foreign appetite for emerging market bonds likely to be weak

GLOBAL markets experienced a roller-coaster ride last week, tracking closely US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. As always, his next move is anyone’s guess.

First, “Black Monday” on April 7 occurred in response to his sweeping tariffs levied on most nations, which also cau...

Cover Story: Navigating Trump’s tariff endgame

Continuing the line of thinking presented in this column last month, on “Recognising the colonial period as the genesis of Malaysian history” (The Edge, Issue 1567, March 24, 2025), we are given a shocking current example of how excessive nostalgia for past glory — by its nature always exaggerate...

Picking On The Present: Subnational economic histories provide good tools for policymaking

In this era of growing protectionism, defending globalisation can feel like a losing proposition. But rather than retreat from the debate, it is more urgent than ever to spell out the costs of a trade war, which threatens to accelerate the fragmentation of the global economy because it is really ...

The New Global Economy: The false promise of tariffs

PENGURUSAN Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) is committed to helping the federal and state governments reduce non-revenue water (NRW) in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan to an average of 28% by 2030, compared with 37.1% as at 2023.

To achieve an NRW of 28%, however, water tariffs will need to rise, ena...

Improving NRW a priority, but higher tariffs also needed to sustain the water industry

THE constant flow of water from our taps is often taken for granted. But beneath the surface, a lot has changed over the past 20 years to ensure the sustainability of the country’s water assets.

At the heart of this transformation is Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), an entity under the M...

PAAB’s role in funding development and maintenance of water infrastructure

THE fight for control of Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower), one of the world’s tallest telecom towers, has been getting attention lately, in part because its outgoing operator is preventing a smooth transition.

After 29 years, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) was supposed to cease runnin...

Who will win the tussle over KL’s iconic tower?

The Penang property market was stable in the fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2024), according to Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants Sdn Bhd executive director Saleha Yusoff in presenting The Edge Malaysia | Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants Penang Housing Monitor 4Q2024.

“In 4Q2024, th...

The Edge Malaysia | Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants Penang Housing Monitor 4Q2024: Market sees stable performance in 4Q2024,   driven by residential sector

Nasdaq beat first-quarter profit expectations on Thursday as the exchange operator benefitted from higher market volatility and strong demand for its fintech and solutions products, sending its shares up 1% before the bell.

Nasdaq beats 1Q profit estimates on market volatility, strong product demand

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits rose marginally last week, suggesting the labour market remains resilient despite darkening clouds over the economy caused by tariffs on imported goods.

US weekly jobless claims increase moderately amid low layoffs

Two of Britain’s richest real estate investors have ditched the UK as their home territory, the latest departures among the country’s elite as the nation hits wealthy residents with tax hikes.

Top Goldman banker, property billionaires add to UK wealth exits

US stock index futures edged lower on Thursday as investors assessed the latest changes in the Trump administration's erratic trade policy and a bevy of mixed corporate results.

Wall Street jumped for a second consecutive session on Wednesday on signs the White House was open to reducing sweeping tariffs on China, and after President Donald Trump stepped back from his attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

US stock futures fall as investors parse trade developments, earnings

Market participants unsettled by the Trump administration's choppy policy rollout are working to game out what the Federal Reserve would do if asset prices spiral out of control and require stabilization by the US central bank.

Analysts game out use of Fed toolkit if market needs central bank's help

Norway's US$1.7 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which has invested over half its money in the United States, does not see a credible risk that its US assets could be seized, the CEO of the fund's operator said on Thursday in response to media speculation.

US asset seizure not a credible threat, 'one of many risks' to monitor, Norway wealth fund says

St Peter's Basilica opened its doors again on Thursday after a brief closure in the early hours to welcome crowds of worshippers from around the world lining up to pay their final respects to Pope Francis.

Crowds queue to pay final respects to Pope Francis at the Vatican

Procter & Gamble on Thursday lowered its annual sales and profit forecasts after reporting a bigger-than-expected drop in third-quarter net sales as consumers slashed spending due to economic uncertainty amid an ongoing trade war.

P&G's shares fell 3% in premarket trading.

Procter & Gamble lowers annual forecasts as trade war hits consumer demand

Boeing is looking to resell potentially dozens of planes locked out of China by tariffs after repatriating a third jet to the United States rather than store it without willing buyers.

The move to prevent a repeat of the costly build-up of undelivered jets seen during past fluctuations in Chinese imports comes as the planemaker redoubles efforts to save cash and pay off debt by selling off part of its services business.

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