<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 12): The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has released a list of essential services that are allowed to operate during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) effective 12.01am tomorrow.</p></div>

<div class="pb-5 imgw-800 mx-auto d-block"><a class="mobx embedimg-icon imgw-800" data-desc="" data-rel="ceolightbox" href="//assets.theedgemarkets.com/pictures/essential-services-list-amended-13012021.png"><img alt="" src="https://assets.theedgemarkets.com/pictures/essential-services-list-amended-13012021.png" /></a></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Read also:<br />
<a href="https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/miti-formulates-sops-effective-business-continuity-plan" target="_blank">MITI formulates SOPs for effective business continuity plan</a></em></p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>


The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has released a list of essential services that are allowed to operate during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) effective 12.01am tomorrow.

Here is MITI's list of essential businesses

France’s new premier Francois Bayrou vowed to sharply narrow the nation’s deficit to close to 5% of GDP, a plan that threatens a repeat of the stand-off which toppled the last government.

French premier seeking budget cuts that toppled the previous cabinet

Salesforce Inc says it’s taking multiple large customers from former partner Veeva Systems Inc in a mounting rivalry to sell software to the pharmaceutical industry.

Salesforce fights with Veeva by snagging drug customers

Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.

Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media says

Social media platform TikTok recorded 2,606 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content on its platform in 1H2024, the highest among all governments in the period, according to its latest report on government removal requests.

Malaysia tops TikTok content, account removal requests in 1H2024 among govts

Wall Street's main indexes rose on Tuesday in a truncated trading session before Christmas, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq up for the third consecutive day, helped by gains in a handful of megacap and growth stocks.

Wall Street rises in quiet Christmas Eve trading session

American Airlines Group Inc said a technical vendor glitch was the cause of a brief groundstop on all US flights on Christmas Eve, one of the busiest days of the holiday travel season.

American Air says Christmas Eve delays caused by tech glitch

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): Here is a brief recap of the business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:

Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd's (KL:BHIC) shareholders have approved the disposal of the fabrication and engineering company’s 51% equity stake i...

BHIC, Pharmaniaga, MMAG, Prolintas, Nestcon, Datasonic, PUC, KKB Engineering, Parlo 

Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC) on Tuesday affirmed Malaysia's public information sovereign rating at AAA with a "stable" outlook.

However, MARC flagged challenges from a high fiscal deficit and debt levels, as well as the tax revenue-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of 12.6% in 2023, which remains below the peer average despite recovering to pre-pandemic levels.

MARC flags Malaysia's debt position as it keeps AAA, stable rating

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has been named Malaysia’s “Bank of the Year” by London-based publication The Banker for the second consecutive year.

OCBC Bank named top Malaysian bank for second year running

European natural gas prices fluctuated above €45 (RM210.32) a megawatt-hour amid persistent supply concerns, with just a week left until a key transit deal between Russia and Ukraine expires.

European gas swings with one week left before key transit deal expires

<p>The government has removed the 85% demand capacity cap for non-domestic users under its self-consumption (SelCo) programme, and to allow the installation of solar panels on the ground and over bodies of water.</p>


Quota abolished for solar panel installation under self-consumption mechanism — energy ministry

<p>FBM KLCI’s upside in 2025 could be limited by a slowdown in foreign inflow and the strengthening US dollar, Phillip Capital warned and recommended that investors look at small- to mid-cap stocks.</p>


Phillip Capital says KLCI has limited upside in 2025, recommends small-mid cap stocks

<p>KKB Engineering Bhd (KL:KKB) has initiated adjudication proceedings under the Construction Industry Payment and Adjudication Act against a contractor over outstanding claims amounting to RM10.1 million.</p>


KKB Engineering sues glove factory project contractor over unpaid claims

<p>Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) remains optimistic about the outlook for Malaysia's economy and the local bourse next year, underpinned, among others, by clear economic policies and steady inflows of foreign direct investments (FDIs).</p>


PNB remains optimistic about Malaysian economy, KLCI next year

<h3><span style="color:#d35400;">Banks</span></h3>

<p><span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>Overweight (maintain)</strong></span></p>

<p><strong>RHB RESEARCH (DEC 10):</strong> We think market volatility will likely persist amid uncertainties with respect to US policies and the US federal funds...

Brokers Digest: Local Equities - Banks, Inari Amertron Bhd, SkyWorld Development Bhd, Dialog Group Bhd

<p>IN a bid to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy (RE) and ahead of the upcoming fifth large-scale solar (LSS5) programme, the government has opened up the installation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to third parties, under concession agreements, according to documents sighted by ...

BESS programme: A game changer for the Malaysian energy landscape?

<p>Prolintas Infra Business Trust (KL:PLINTAS) said it has settled its dispute with KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd (Latar) over a cost-sharing agreement, for an undisclosed amount.</p>


Prolintas settles cost-sharing agreement dispute with Latar for undisclosed sum

<p>Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (KL:BHIC) shareholders have given the nod for the fabrication and engineering company to dispose of its 51% equity stake in Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn Bhd (CAD) to German defence firm Rheinmetall AG for RM54 million.</p>


BHIC shareholders approve RM54m sale of 51% stake in LCS subcontractor

<div class="ceonothumb mx-auto pb-5">
<div>
<div class="iframe-w100-wrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="500" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GePL_s9fJSE?si=EJn8MQBYV-CAV27h&amp;rel=0&amp;autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="840"></iframe></div>
</div>

<p class="thumb-cap">E...

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

<p>MMAG Holdings Bhd (KL:MMAG), which is involved in the sales of digital devices and logistic services, said on Tuesday it has acquired a Boeing B737-400SF aircraft from Japan-based JPA No 161 Co Ltd for US$4.61 million (RM20.76 million) cash.</p>


MMAG buys aircraft for RM20 mil to expand air cargo capacity

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 24): Here is a brief recap of the business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday:</p>

<p><b>Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd</b>'s (KL:BHIC) shareholders have approved the disposal of the fabrication and engineering company’s 51% equity stake i...

<p>OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (OCBC Bank) has been named Malaysia’s “Bank of the Year” by London-based publication <i>The Banker</i> for the second consecutive year.</p>


<p>Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DSONIC) said Azlan Abdul Kadir’s status as a substantial shareholder of the company has ceased following a 20 million share disposal.</p>


Azlan Abdul Kadir ceases to be Datasonic's substantial shareholder

<p>Malaysia’s economy sustained strong growth in the first three quarters of 2024 (9M2024), expanding by 5.2% from January to September, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia.</p>


Malaysia's economy up 5.2% in 9M2024, official data show

<p>Donald Trump's surprise threat to retake control of the Panama&nbsp;Canal&nbsp;and his expansionist declaration that the US should own Greenland signals that the incoming US&nbsp;president will pursue a foreign policy&nbsp;unbound&nbsp;by diplomatic niceties.</p>


Trump previews combative foreign policy with threats to Panama, Greenland

<p>East Navigators Capital Ltd is no longer a substantial shareholder in Pharmaniaga Bhd (KL:PHARMA) after disposing of a 1.76% stake in the PN17-status pharmaceutical firm for RM5.32 million.</p>


East Navigators' direct stake in Pharmaniaga falls below 5% after selling shares at discount

<p>JAPANESE financial group Nomura, which recently commemorated its 50th year of operations in Malaysia, sees strong opportunities to expand its business here amid a positive outlook on the country.</p>

<p>The group has three operating entities in Malaysia, namely Nomura Asset Management Malaysia...

Nomura sees more opportunities in Malaysia amid positive outlook  

<p>The proposed new international airport in Kuching is set to enhance Sarawak’s appeal, providing a crucial X factor to attract businesses, investors and visitors.</p>


Abang Johari sees new Sarawak airport driving state’s economic growth

<p>Malaysia’s producer price index (PPI) declined by 0.4% in November 2024, a slower decrease compared to the 2.4% drop in October 2024, mainly due to the continued contraction in the mining sector, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).</p>


DOSM: Malaysia’s November PPI records slower decrease of 0.4%

<p>DBS Group Holdings Ltd’s shares are set to close out their best year since 2009, with some analysts predicting the rally could extend, driven by the bank’s burgeoning wealth management business.</p>
