<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 3):&nbsp;AirAsia Group Bhd group chief executive officer (CEO)&nbsp;Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said today the budget&nbsp;airline’s&nbsp;gratitude goes to every one of its over 600 million guests for their continued support and understanding as the company weathers the most difficult period in its history while the global aviation industry contends with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Fernandes said this today in a statement in conjunction with AirAsia being named as Asia’s leading low-cost airline for the eighth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p dir="ltr">"Winning the award this year is more important than ever and is of profound sentimental value as the industry is going through the most turbulent times,” he said.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At Bursa Malaysia’s 12.30pm break today, AirAsia Group’s share price settled down half a sen or 0.96% at 51.5 sen, with 1.85 million units transacted.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>At its closing share price of 52 sen yesterday, the group had a market value of about RM1.74 billion.</p></div>


AirAsia Group Bhd group chief executive officer (CEO) Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said today the budget airline’s gratitude goes to every one of its over 600 million guests for their continued support and understanding as the company weathers the most difficult period in its history while the global aviation industry contends with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fernandes thanks AirAsia’s over 600 million guests as group weathers most difficult period in its history

Investors in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) are eligible for a suite of incentives including a special corporate tax rate that takes effect on Jan 1, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.

Malaysia announces tax incentives for Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Melaka recorded encouraging investments of RM5 billion as of last September, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the amount comprised RM0.8 billion in foreign investment and RM4.2 billion from domestic investors.

Melaka records investments worth RM5 bil as of September last year

Swift Energy Technology Bhd (KL:SET) surged 29% in its trading debut on Wednesday, the first listing for 2025, after the industrial services firm’s initial public offering (IPO) grossed RM84.07 million.

Swift Energy surges 29% on ACE Market debut in 2025's first listing

Malaysia and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to revamp the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia (JMCIM) to better support the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Malaysia, Singapore reaffirm plan to revamp joint ministerial committee after special economic zone agreement

Samsung Electronics released on Wednesday a fourth-quarter operating profit estimate that missed analyst estimates by a large margin, as it lagged behind rival SK Hynix in supplying high-end chips to Nvidia.

Samsung's 4Q profit outlook misses estimates by large margin as chip issues drag

US President-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov 5 election.

Trump will not rule out force to take Panama Canal, Greenland

A technology industry group on Tuesday urged President Joe Biden's administration to refrain from issuing a last-minute rule that would control global access to artificial intelligence (AI) chips, warning the restrictions would jeopardise US leadership in AI.

Tech group urges US to halt rule that would limit global access to AI chips

MORNING CALL: 8/1/25

Exxon Mobil Corp said earnings took a hit from lower crude prices and narrowing refining margins during the final three months of 2024.

Exxon predicts US$700 mil hit to profit from lower oil prices

Stocks in Asia are set to follow US peers lower after a selloff in Treasuries deepened on bets the Federal Reserve won’t cut interest rates again before July because of inflation risks.

Futures indicated declines in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney, after the S&P 500 fell more than 1% following a report on US service providers that showed a price gauge at the highest since early 2023.

Asian stocks to track US rout on inflation risks

<p>Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday.</p>


Alliance Bank, UUE, Nestcon, Infomina, ITMAX, KUB, CI Holdings, MN Holdings, Coastal Contracts, Sentoria

<p>Malayan Banking Bhd (KL:MAYBANK) is committed to becoming the preferred financial institution for Malaysia-Singapore financial transactions and solutions, following the signing of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement, which aims to foster economic integration and bolster regional growth.</p>


Maybank aims to be preferred financial institution for Malaysia-Singapore transactions

<p>The highly anticipated Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Rail Project (Gemas-JB EDTP) is on track&nbsp;for completion by the third quarter of this year (3Q2025), said&nbsp;Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.</p>


Gemas-JB Electrified Double-Track Rail on track for completion in 3Q, says Loke

<p>Exxon Mobil Corp said earnings took a hit from lower crude prices and narrowing refining margins during the final three months of 2024.&nbsp;</p>


<p>US President-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov 5 election.</p>


<p>Biocon Biologics, a global company with capabilities in the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of biosimilars,&nbsp;is committed to implementing business expansion in Malaysia.</p>


Biocon Biologics committed to business development in Malaysia — PM

<p>President-elect Donald Trump announced an investment of at least US$20 billion (RM89.96 billion) from Hussain Sajwani, the head of Damac Group, to build new data centres in the US.</p>


Trump, Dubai billionaire unveil US$20 bil for data centres

<p>Stocks in Asia are set to follow US peers lower after a selloff in Treasuries deepened on bets the Federal Reserve won’t cut interest rates again before July because of inflation risks.</p>

<p>Futures indicated declines in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney, after the S&amp;P 500 fell more than 1% following a report on US service providers that showed a price gauge at the highest since early 2023.</p>


<p>Swift Energy Technology Bhd (KL:SET) surged 29% in its trading debut on Wednesday, the first listing for 2025, after the industrial services firm’s initial public offering (IPO) grossed RM84.07 million.</p>


<p>Six vehicle inspection officers from the Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) suspected of being involved in a syndicate approving heavy vehicle inspections have been&nbsp;suspended with immediate effect.</p>


Puspakom case: Six vehicle inspection officers suspended with immediate effect

<p>The Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee on the Implementation of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Judgement on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge (MSJTC)&nbsp;continues to be an important platform for both countries to have constructive&nbsp;discussions on&nbsp;outstanding matters.</p>


Singapore's foreign minister says technical panel with Malaysia to continue to hold talks on bilateral issues

<p>Stocks got hammered as a selloff in the world’s biggest bond market deepened on speculation the Federal Reserve won’t cut interest rates before July amid inflation risks.</p>

<p>Following a recent rally, equities lost traction on Tuesday as a report on US service providers showed a price gauge hitting the highest since early 2023.</p>


US stocks roiled by bond rout amid inflation jitters

<p>Target 1 Sdn Bhd — one of the parties seeking to take South Malaysia Industries Bhd (KL:SMI) private — said on Tuesday that the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has approved a further extension for the despatch of its offer document to SMI shareholders.&nbsp;</p>


SMI acquirer secures further extension for takeover offer documentation

<p>Investors in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) are eligible for a suite of incentives including a special corporate tax rate that takes effect on Jan 1, the Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday.</p>


<p>(Jan 8): The bond market selloff that’s lifted long-maturity Treasury yields to the highest levels in months stands to reward buyers at Tuesday’s auction of 10-year notes with the juiciest yield in 17 years.</p>

<p>While the yield on 10-year notes hit as much as 5% in late 2023, the current yi...

US set to pay most since 2007 for 10-year debt as yields rise

<p>Singapore&nbsp;passed a new law on Tuesday allowing police to freeze bank accounts of scam victims as a "last resort" measure to prevent further losses.</p>


Singapore empowers police to freeze bank accounts in scam crackdown

<p>(Jan 7): President Joe Biden's outgoing administration announced on Tuesday a ban on medical debt in American consumers' credit reports, making good on a campaign year pledge less than two weeks before leaving office.</p>

<p>Officials said the new regulation, adopted despite objections from th...

As Biden nears exit, US bans medical debt from credit reports

<p>Wall Street's main indices slipped on Tuesday, weighed down by technology stocks after a batch of upbeat economic data stoked uncertainty among investors about the pace of monetary policy easing that the Federal Reserve could pursue this year.</p>


Wall St slips as upbeat data sparks uncertainty on Fed's easing cycle

<p>A technology industry group on Tuesday urged President Joe Biden's administration to refrain from issuing a last-minute rule that would control global access to artificial intelligence (AI) chips, warning the restrictions would jeopardise US leadership in AI.</p>


<p>Meta Platforms Inc&nbsp;will end third-party fact-checking on its social media platforms in the US, letting users comment on posts’ accuracy with a community notes system it said will promote free expression.&nbsp;</p>
