<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): Hong Leong Bank Bhd has appointed Malkit Singh Maan as its new chief financial officer (CFO). &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>In a filling with Bursa Malaysia, Hong Leong Bank said Malkit, 53, is a seasoned banker with over 27 years of experience in the banking, corporate and finance industry. &nbsp;</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Prior to joining Hong Leong Bank, Malkit was with BIMB Holdings Group as group CFO. He had previously also served as the CFO of Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd and ABN AMRO Bank Bhd, and as vice president (finance) of RHB Bank Bhd.&nbsp;</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Malkit, 53, succeeds Foong Pik Yee, who announced her retirement on June 7. &nbsp;</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Hong Leong Bank’s share price closed 26 sen or 1.40% lower at RM18.34 today, giving it a market capitalisation of RM39.76 billion.&nbsp;</div>

KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): Hong Leong Bank Bhd has appointed Malkit Singh Maan as its new chief financial officer (CFO).   

In a filling with Bursa Malaysia, Hong Leong Bank said Malkit, 53, is a seasoned banker with over 27 years of experience in the banking, corporate and finance industry.

Hong Leong Bank names former Bank Islam CFO as its new CFO

S P Setia Bhd (KL:SPSETIA) is launching the second sub-phase of Setia Suria, the latest terraced homes at its Setia Fontaines township development in Kepala Batas, Penang, in the first quarter of 2025. Setia Suria has a total gross development value of RM280 million.

S P Setia to launch single-storey terraced homes in Kepala Batas, Penang

WASHINGTON (Dec 11): US President-elect Donald Trump has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.

The invitation to the Jan 20 inauguration in Washington occurred in early Nove...

Trump invites China’s Xi Jinping to attend inauguration, CBS News reports

The government is always proactive in dealing with the issue of the shadow economy through methods of increasing tax compliance, curbing revenue leakage, and increasing the public's trust in the country's taxation system.

Govt proactive in addressing shadow economy issues, tax compliance rate level and curbing revenue leakage, says Hui Ying

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains acquitted in the foreign visa pass graft case.

Zahid stays acquitted in foreign visa pass graft case as prosecution drops appeal

The direction of the development of the franchise industry, the distribution of aid to flood-affected farmers, and the status of the establishment of the Malaysian Ombudsman are among topics that will be discussed on the last day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Thursday.

Franchise industry direction, Malaysian Ombudsman status in focus on last day of current Dewan Rakyat sitting

Shares of TMK Chemical Bhd (KL:TMK) rose 13% in their trading debut on Thursday, after the company's initial public offering (IPO) raised RM385 million on the back of strong investor demand.

TMK Chemical rises 13% in trading debut after RM385m Main Market IPO

The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is confident the increase in import tax implemented by India on the price of Malaysian palm oil is temporary.

Impact of increase in palm oil import tax by India is temporary, Dewan Rakyat told

Elon Musk, whose wealth has been turbocharged since US President-elect Donald Trump’s win last month, became the first person to reach US$400 billion (RM1.77 trillion) in net worth, the latest milestone for the world’s richest individual.

Musk’s net worth tops US$400b, a historic first

MORNING CALL: 12/12/24

Surging coffee bean prices arising from a global shortage is impacting companies across the industry, including Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), which has been diversifying its supplier base and raw materials, and is now looking at planting some of the coffee beans it needs, to mitigate the price pressures.

Power Root plans to plant own coffee beans amid surging prices

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcement that made the headlines on Wednesday.

Axiata, Astro, Eco World International, Privasia Technology, MyEG, Petron Malaysia, AE Multi

Solid Automotive Bhd (KL:SOLID) said it is acquiring 4.69 acres of freehold land in Klang from Top Glove Corp Bhd (KL:TOPGLOV) for RM15.92 million.

The automotive electrical parts group said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Part Center Sdn Bhd (PCSB), signed a letter of offer issued by Top Quality Glove Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Top Glove, on Wednesday to purchase the agricultural land located at Kawasan Perindustrian Meru Timur.

Solid Automotive buys 4.7-acre land in Klang from Top Glove

Surging coffee bean prices arising from a global shortage is impacting companies across the industry, including Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), which has been diversifying its supplier base and raw materials, and is now looking at planting some of the coffee beans it needs, to mitigate the price pressures.

The reopening of the Danish embassy in Malaysia marks a pivotal milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations, especially as Malaysia gears up to chair Asean in 2025, said Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Denmark reopens embassy in Malaysia, strengthening ties ahead of Asean chairmanship

Shares of TMK Chemical Bhd (KL:TMK) rose 13% in their trading debut on Thursday, after the company's initial public offering (IPO) raised RM385 million on the back of strong investor&nbsp;demand.

Asian stocks were poised to climb on Thursday after US equities snapped a two-day slide on benign inflation data that supported expectations for an interest rate cut this month.

Equity futures for Japan and Australia climbed, while those for Hong Kong were steady.

Asian stocks set to rise as US inflation backs Fed cut

Elon Musk, whose wealth has been turbocharged since US President-elect Donald Trump’s win last month, became the first person to reach US$400 billion (RM1.77 trillion) in net worth, the latest milestone for the world’s richest individual.

The move to increase the working hours of nurses in hospital wards by three hours under the new Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA) directive underwent multiple rounds of engagement, including with seven trade unions and nurses association, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Health minister defends nurses' increased working hours

Donald Trump is slated to ring the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) opening bell on Thursday, presenting a president-elect who has vowed to rejuvenate the US economy a celebratory photo opportunity at an iconic symbol of American capitalism.

Trump scheduled to ring NYSE’s opening bell on Thursday

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains acquitted in the foreign visa pass graft case.

Luxury real estate brokers Oren and Tal Alexander and their brother Alon were arrested and charged with sex-trafficking by federal prosecutors in New York on Wednesday.

According to the indictment, the three brothers worked together for “well over a decade” to “drug, sexually assault and rape dozens of victims”.

Star real estate brokers Alexanders charged with sex trafficking

Investors’ enthusiasm for US technology giants sent stocks higher on Wednesday, snapping a two-day slide after a benign inflation report cemented expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will keep cutting interest rates. Treasuries ended the day lower.

Wall Street sends Big Tech to fresh highs post-CPI

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;dismissed on Wednesday an appeal by&nbsp;artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker&nbsp;Nvidia seeking to&nbsp;avoid&nbsp;a&nbsp;securities&nbsp;fraud&nbsp;lawsuit&nbsp;by shareholders who accused the company of&nbsp;misleading investors&nbsp;about how much of its sales depended on the volatile cryptocurrency market.

US Supreme Court dismisses Nvidia's bid to avoid securities fraud suit

US consumer prices rose at a firm pace in November that was in line with expectations, solidifying expectations for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates next week.

The so-called core consumer price index (CPI) — which excludes food and energy costs — increased 0.3% for a fourth straight month, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed on Wednesday.

US inflation in line with forecasts solidifies bets on Fed cut

Kelantan has fully recovered from the floods on Wednesday night, while in Terengganu, the number of evacuees continued to drop.

In Kelantan, Gua Musang Social Welfare officer Bun Tham Eh Gin said the last relief centre (PPS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Limau Kasturi 1, which housed 41 people, was closed at 5pm, indicating that the state has fully recovered from the second wave of floods that struck on Monday.

Kelantan recovers fully from floods, Terengganu sees decline in victims

Wall Street's main indices rose on Wednesday after an in-line inflation reading kept intact bets on the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates later this month.

A Labor Department report showed the consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in November, compared with the 0.3% increase forecast by economists polled by Reuters.

Wall St advances as inflation data cements December rate-cut hopes

The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is confident&nbsp;the increase in import tax implemented by India on the price of Malaysian palm oil is temporary.

Australia’s record-breaking stock rally is poised to extend as signs of more policy support emerge and investors look for markets largely shielded from geopolitical tensions.

The benchmark S&amp;P/ASX 200 Index has climbed 10% so far this year to 8,354, hovering near a record last week.

Australian stocks momentum fuelled by haven seekers, fiscal spend

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia would develop artificial intelligence with BRICS partners and other countries, in a bid to challenge the dominance of the United States in one of the most promising and crucial technologies of the 21st century.

Speaking at Russia's flagship AI conference, Putin said the new AI Alliance Network would include national associations and development institutions in the field of AI from BRICS countries and other interested states.

Russia teams up with BRICS to create AI alliance, Putin says

The direction of the development of the franchise industry, the distribution of aid to flood-affected farmers, and the status of the establishment of the Malaysian Ombudsman&nbsp;are among topics that will be discussed on the last day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting&nbsp;on Thursday.