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

Global climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, earlier this month finished 33 hours late with mixed results. COP29, or the 29th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, went down to the wire to reach agreement on climate finance and other contentious issues.<...

Views: Mixed results at Global Climate Summit COP 29

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’

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

Phillip Capital likes T7 Global’s blooming new contract.

MORNING CALL: 13/1/25

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 0:06 No royal addendum for Najib's house arrest in Pardons Board's records — secretariat1:31 Berjaya's Vincent Tan seeks new partner in KL-Singapore HSR bid — Bloomberg2:57 TNB involved in another dispute with IRB, unit slapped with RM292m tax bill4:21 Sime Darby Property fully acquires Bandar Bukit Raja warehouses for RM232 mil5:48 Key Alliance proposes capital reduction to erase RM101.5m in losses

EVENING 5: No royal addendum in Pardons Board records

CIMB Securities cut its target price on Dayang Enterprise by 35% after lowering its earnings forecasts

MORNING CALL: 10/1/25

YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR), which is in the midst of setting up its own artificial intelligence (AI) data centres using the latest chips by US chip giant Nvidia Corp, does not expect to be impacted by the proposed US rules on advanced chip exports into countries like Malaysia.

YTL Power ‘confident’ not affected by US chip export curbs amid Nvidia partnership

Bursa Malaysia Bhd (KL:BURSA) has introduced a new renewable energy (RE) subsector within its energy and utilities sector classification. This move aims to provide more focused classification for public listed companies (PLCs) operating in the RE space.

The new RE classification includes PLCs involved in providing equipment and services for RE production, as well as those producing or distributing electricity through RE sources.

Bursa reclassifies 13 companies as it introduces new renewable energy subsector

Energy infrastructure firm Yinson Holdings Bhd (KL:YINSON) is close to signing up investors for a funding round in its unit that makes equipment used by the offshore oil and gas industry, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Yinson close to deal with investors including Abu Dhabi for US$1b funding — Bloomberg

The Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has advised all parties on Monday to respect the court proceedings concerning Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's application for judicial review at the High Court.

In a statement, the AGC informed that during Monday’s case management, the High Court issued directions concerning the filing of affidavits for the substantive judicial review application.

AGC advises all parties to respect court proceedings in Najib's judicial review

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) said its consortium has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the first civil works package worth over RM8 billion for the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project.

Gamuda gets first package worth over RM8 bil of Penang LRT project

The Islamic digital bank consortium led by KAF Investment Bank Bhd (KAF IB) has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to commence operations, effective from Dec 20, 2024.

KAF Digital Bank gets regulatory green light to commence operations

The Joe Biden administration's plans to introduce new export restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) chips under a three-tiered system by country have sparked concerns in Malaysia.

How will restricted AI chip access impact Malaysia?

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

FBM KLCI falls 1.05% to 1,585.59 on Jan 13, 2025

Gifts and tokens of appreciation to those in power are above board, so long as it doesn't sway the decision-making process, the court heard on Monday.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this while testifying in his defence in the ongoing 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial regarding the US$681 million (RM2.081 billion) purported donation from Saudi Arabia into his personal accounts.

1MDB-Tanore: Receiving gift OK, as long as it doesn't impact integrity, says Najib

Former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) president Arul Kanda Kandasamy told the High Court on Monday that there was no merit to the allegations made by his former company, that he had failed to inquire, investigate or ascertain, and recover the investments the company had lost.

Testifying in his defence to 1MDB’s US$6.59 billion suit against him and former Treasury secretary-general and former 1MDB board of advisors chairman Tan Sri Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, before judge Datuk Raja Ahmad Mohzanuddin Raja Mohzan, Arul Kanda also disagreed that he had acted against 1MDB’s interests.

Arul Kanda: 1MDB loss inquiry was not my job

Traders in the options market are preparing for the pound to tumble as much as 8% more as fiscal woes that prompted a painful selloff across UK markets last week weigh on the currency.

Pound traders are ready for another 8% slump after selloff

Malaysian stocks were broadly lower on Monday led by construction and property companies, while the country’s benchmark index fell to a five-month low.

Investors in Asia reacted poorly to the latest jobs data in the US that pointed to a robust economy, threatening the prospects of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The ringgit also depreciated along with other emerging Asian currencies under pressure from a strengthening US dollar.

Malaysian stocks broadly lower as KLCI falls to five-month low, ringgit weakens

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Monday revealed that negotiations for the state government’s acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd had been finalised.

Speaking to reporters after the Majlis Amanat Perdana Premier Sarawak 2025, he said the signing ceremony for the sale and purchase agreement (SPA) between the Sarawak government and Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is set to take place in February.

Negotiations completed for acquisition of MASwings, SPA to be signed in February, says Abang Jo

The Malaysian ringgit could face downward pressure due to the possibility of new US tariffs on China and uncertainties over the direction of the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) terminal rate, economists cautioned.

US interest rate cut uncertainty, China tariffs pose risks to ringgit — economists

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

Apex Equity Holdings Bhd (KL:APEX) said its executive chairman, Datuk Wira Farhash Wafa Salvador, is seeking a court order to get the company to replace its memorandum and articles of association (M&A) with a new constitution, to comply with Bursa Malaysia's listing requirements.

Farshah said the lawsuit at the High Court is brought in the best interest of Apex, according to the stockbroker and property developer in an exchange filing on Monday.

Apex Equity chairman Farhash Wafa seeks court order to get company to amend constitution

Guan Chong Bhd (KL:GCB), the fourth largest cocoa grinder in the world, has signed an agreement to acquire a 25% stake in Ivory Coast-based cocoa manufacturing outfit Transcao Côte d'Ivoire (Transcao CI) for €28.08 million (RM130.1 million) cash.

Guan Chong firms deal to acquire stake in Ivory Coast cocoa firm for RM130 mil cash

MNRB Holdings Bhd (KL:MNRB), a provider of reinsurance, retakaful and takaful services, has appointed Wan Ahmad Najib Wan Ahmad Lotfi as the president and chief executive officer of its family takaful subsidiary, effective from Tuesday (Jan 14).

MNRB names Wan Ahmad Najib as president, CEO of family takaful subsidiary

Sapura Energy Bhd (KL:SAPNRG), which has been in Practice Note 17 (PN17) status since end-May 2022, is a step closer to revive its financial health. 

The oil & gas (O&G) giant said it has secured approval-in-principle from at least 75% of its financiers for the proposed restructuring of its multi-currency financing facilities.

Sapura Energy secures second approval-in-principle for debt restructuring exercise

The Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) announced in a statement on Monday that it has reprimanded four consultants for misconduct in unit trust schemes (UTS) and private retirement schemes (PRS).

FIMM reprimands four consultants for misconduct in unit trust and private retirement schemes

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), one of the world's largest wealth funds with assets exceeding US$1 trillion, has expressed a keen interest in investment opportunities in Malaysia, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority keen to invest in Malaysia — Tengku Zafrul

BIMB Securities Research has advised investors to focus on stocks that are poised to gain from a stronger US dollar, particularly commodity assets like gold, which is expected to see heightened demand as a safe-haven investment and a hedge against inflation.

BIMB Securities advises defensive portfolio positioning ahead of Trump’s inauguration

Engineering and construction services provider Kimlun Corp Bhd (KL:KIMLUN) is selling a plot of freehold land measuring 56.5ha in Kota Tinggi, Johor, for RM55 million to KT Techpark Sdn Bhd.

Its indirect wholly owned unit Kitaran Lintas Sdn Bhd has inked the agreement for the sale, according to its bourse filing on Monday.

Kimlun sells plantation land in Kota Tinggi for RM55 mil

Four individuals, including a senior executive officer from a local broadcasting company, who were detained last Friday, have been remanded for another three days to assist in a money laundering case.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the extension had been obtained until Wednesday.

Remand of four, including senior broadcasting executive, extended — IGP

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

Digitalisation continues to gain traction in the financial and wealth management industry, a development that is reflected in the RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey 2024.

For instance, 29% of respondents say they prefer to purchase an insurance policy/takaful contract onlin...

Survey: RinggitPlus survey shows digitalisation happening at faster pace

In my column last month, I shared my initial views on Trump 2.0 (taxes, tariffs and taller walls) and promised to discuss the so-called Trump trades that investors have been jumping into since the US elections. For easy reference, I will use the acronym TRUMP to describe them. I will also share t...

Pitfalls & Pitch Calls: Positioning for 2025

Volatility reigns even with the end of the pandemic. It is increasingly hard to tell what is going to happen next in the financial markets and, for that matter, the world. Certainly, no one had expected the South Korean president to declare martial law in early December. But he did, and we saw th...

Editor’s Picks: Five books to help investors prepare for 2025

Happy 2025! I am staring at these bananas I bought a couple of days ago. Five in a bunch for RM7.90. A few dark spots have just started appearing. Bananas are like avocados — blink twice and the next thing you know, they turn black.

Coffee Break: It’s just … bananas!

The social aspect in ESG (environmental, social and governance) is something seldom featured, and if it is, it is merely a passing note. However, it plays an important role within and outside a company. In a nutshell, the social aspect looks at matters that relate to labour and human rights, incl...

Cover Story: A healthy work environment that benefits society

The rule of thumb is to cap alternative investments — anything beyond cash, bonds and equities — at 5%. But what if these non-traditional assets perform so well that you start questioning whether that limit still makes sense?

Cryptocurrencies, or digital assets, did remarkably well in 2...

Comment: Is a 5% allocation to alternative investments enough?

Credit cards these days go beyond just offering consumers access to financial resources. The cashback and rewards are a huge reason why consumers choose certain credit cards over others, based on their lifestyle choices.

In recent years, a new kind of credit card that claims to be more ...

Interlude: How to launch a truly ‘sustainable’ credit card

It is not an exaggeration to say that Luno, the first and largest digital asset exchange (DAX), has played an instrumental role in the development of the local cryptocurrency scene. Over the five years since it was granted a licence by the regulator, the firm has continued to command a market sha...

Luno in the lead

Since its inception in February, Moomoo Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd has garnered over 500,000 users on its stock trading app. This is partly due to its rapid launch of new products and solutions to level the playing field in the world of investing. It aims to enable the man in the street to parti...

News: Levelling the playing field

Hong Seng Consolidated Bhd (KL:HONG­SENG) proposed a private placement to raise gross proceeds of RM4.6 million, based on an illustrative price of 0.9 sen per share, in October 2024.

Frankly Speaking: Hong Seng’s unfruitful glove venture

BENGALURU (Jan 13): India's Pixxel is set to launch three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket from California on Tuesday, the first such network in the country's nascent private space sector, Pixxel's chief told Reuters.

The satellites will be pla...

Pixxel to launch India’s first private satellite network, eyes US$19 bil market

Apple Inc will defend allegations that it made “exorbitant profits” by using its App Store to abuse its dominant market position in the first UK class action trial against a Big Tech firm.

The suit at London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal started on Monday alleging that millions of “captive” iPhone and iPad users paid the price for excessively high commission charged by Apple for purchases made on its App Store. Apple is contesting the allegations.

Apple faces claims of making ‘exorbitant profits’ in UK trial

Bank of India said it is marketing its first dollar syndicated loan since 2012 of as much as US$400 million (RM1.8 billion). That comes at a time when more Indian borrowers are tapping global credit markets.

Bank of India seeks first dollar loan in more than a decade

Thailand said foreign and domestic companies pledged to invest 1.14 trillion baht (US$33 billion or RM147.8 billion) last year, as the Southeast Asian nation emerged as a hot destination for data centres, cloud services and advanced electronics manufacturing.

Thailand says investment plans hit decade-high US$33b last year

apan, the Philippines and the US vowed to further deepen cooperation under a trilateral arrangement in the face of rising tensions in Asia's waters, the three countries said following a call among their leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and outgoing US President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday morning Asian time.

Japan, Philippines, US vow to deepen cooperation in face of China's behaviour

Singapore Post's (SingPost) former group chief executive Vincent Phang has resigned as the company’s non-executive, non-independent director, according to a bourse filing by the company on Monday.

SingPost's ex-CEO Vincent Phang resigns from board

The feared hit to Indian brick-and-mortar grocers from ultra-fast delivery platforms is already materialising, with earnings at one of the country’s largest discount supermarket chains disappointing for a ninth straight quarter.

DMart hit as Indian grocers face risks from rapid delivery apps

US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to have a call in the coming days or weeks, and it is unrealistic to aim to expel Russian soldiers from every inch of Ukrainian territory, a top Trump adviser said.

Trump call with Putin expected soon, Trump adviser says

The recent high-profile kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Thailand has dented the country’s appeal among tourists just weeks before China’s biggest annual holiday.

Chinese travellers shun Thailand after actor’s abduction

(Jan 13): Citigroup has appointed Jeff Wu as head of markets sales for China, effective immediately, aiming to unify its sales efforts across all of its market products in the country, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Monday.

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