<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>SINGAPORE (June 26): Singapore’s factory output snapped out of the green with a 7.4% year-on-year contraction in May, following a broad-based contraction in almost all clusters. The dip comes despite a continued surge in biomedical manufacturing, which has been on an uptrend since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Excluding the biomedical cluster, output plummeted 10.4%, according to data released by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).</div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner>Interestingly, the decline in May’s factory output bucked the 7.7% expansion tipped by analysts in a Bloomberg poll. However, the latest data marks the republic’s worst year-on-year performance on<a href="https://www.theedgesingapore.com/capital/singapore-economy/singapores-factory-output-falls-red-after-two-months-outstanding-growth" target="_blank">...(click on link for full story on theedgesingapore.com)</a></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

SINGAPORE (June 26): Singapore’s factory output snapped out of the green with a 7.4% year-on-year contraction in May, following a broad-based contraction in almost all clusters. The dip comes despite a continued surge in biomedical manufacturing, which has been on an uptrend since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

Singapore's factory output falls into the red after two months of outstanding growth

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on Tuesday issued an alert-level continuous rain warning for six states for three days, starting from Friday (Jan 10).

Alert-level continuous rain from Friday to Sunday in Terengganu, Pahang, N Sembilan, Melaka, Johor and Sarawak — MetMalaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): 44% of companies are optimistic about their business performance in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q2025), reflecting continued positive sentiment, said the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA).

44% of semicon firms optimistic about 1Q2025 despite decline in sentiment — association

Singapore’s government is open to instituting minimum-age laws for social media use and is in talks with counterparts in Australia over the matter, an official said on Tuesday.

Singapore engages Australia to study social media age limits

Nickel Asia Corp is in talks to unload its minority stake in a key processing plant to Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining Co as the Philippines’ top producer of the metal focuses on upstream mining and renewable energy businesses.

Nickel Asia aims to sell processing plant stake to Sumitomo

EA Technique (M) Bhd (KL:EATECH) said on Tuesday that it will get an undisclosed payoff as part of an amicable settlement with national oil-and-gas company Petronas over the lease of a floating storage unit vessel.

EA Technique to get payoff from Petronas to settle vessel lease dispute

Swift Haulage Bhd (KL:SWIFT) has announced plans to expand into cold chain logistics to diversify its revenue streams through a joint venture (JV) investment.

Swift Haulage in JV deal to expand into cold chain logistics

Datuk Seri Najib Razak found an unlikely ally in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent statement that some prosecutions post-2018 general elections were "rushed".

1MDB-Tanore: Najib leans on PM's statement that some post-2018-GE prosecutions were rushed, says AGC has to review charges against him

The Penang government has dismissed claims that the land in Sungai Pinang, which is being developed for the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line station, was previously intended for low- and medium-cost housing.

Land in Sungai Pinang for LRT station never intended for housing development, says Chow

The US has blacklisted China’s largest shipping line and two shipbuilders over alleged links with the People’s Liberation Army, as Washington turns its attention to the country’s massive maritime sector.

China’s biggest shipping line added to US military blacklist

APEX Healthcare Bhd (KL:AHEALTH) is doubling down on its pharmaceutical business in a bid to replace the earnings it used to receive from its associate Straits Orthopaedics (Mfg) Sdn Bhd, which it holds through Straits Apex Group Sdn Bhd.

Straits Orthopaedics contributed about 9% to 11%...

Apex Healthcare forges ahead with core business after Straits stake divestment

The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore formalised an agreement establishing a special economic zone linking their two nations’ border region, with the aim of attracting 50 projects in the first five years of its establishment.

Singapore, Malaysia ink deal creating new vast economic zone

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), or KWAP, and its affiliates have disposed of 119.25 million&nbsp;shares, or a 7.15% stake in Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd (MAHB)(KL:AIRPORT), pursuant to the takeover offer by Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA).

GDA ups holding after KWAP disposes of 7.15% stake amid takeover

The existence of the royal addendum in Najib's royal pardon raises significant questions that warrant clarification.

Najib Pardon: There is nothing pending for current Agong to deliberate on

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) achieved record-high vehicle sales and production volumes in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase in sales compared to the previous year, along with its highest production output to date.

Perodua achieved record-high vehicle sales, production in 2024

Malaysia’s green industrialisation efforts face significant hurdles, including a decline of its manufacturing base, requiring urgent actions by the government, according to a new study.

Study: Malaysia’s manufacturing decline hinders green industrialisation, urgent action needed

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) expects a de-rating for the Malaysian oil-and-gas sector, given the high possibility of capital expenditure reduction by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in 2025.

O&G sector faces de-rating on potential Petronas capex cut — Maybank IB

(Jan 6):&nbsp;A rally in the world’s largest tech companies lifted stocks at the start of the first full trading week in 2025. The dollar trimmed losses as President-elect Donald Trump said his tariff plan won’t be scaled back.

US stocks advance as Nvidia closes at all-time high

Toyota Motor Corp plans to move in the first 100 residents of a futuristic city at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan by as soon as this fall, but declined to specify how much the ambitious project is costing the company.

Toyota aims to open its futuristic city in Japan this year

There are still ample near- to medium-term opportunities for Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) after the construction firm secured its first contract for the year, analysts said.

Plenty of jobs ahead for Kerjaya Prospek after its first contract win in 2025, analysts say

Royal addendum? House arrest? If you, like many Malaysians, are confused over what took place in imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's court case on Monday, below is a brief elucidation highlighting the main takeaways.

Your guide to understanding Najib's house arrest bid

National oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, said on Tuesday it is embarking on a study to explore untapped resources in the Malay Basin off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Petronas to study mature Malay Basin that still holds untapped resources

The King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, on Tuesday granted an audience to Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Istana Negara here.

King grants audience to Singapore PM at Istana Negara

SINGAPORE (Jan 7): Asia shares rose on Tuesday, tracking Wall Street's positive lead and as some investors hoped incoming US President-elect Donald Trump could adopt a less aggressive tariff stance than promised when he takes office.

Asia shares rise on prospect of softer Trump tariffs

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 7): The dissolution of the government task force investigating 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was an “administrative decision”, and not as a result of any directive by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the court heard on Tuesday.

1MDB-Tanore: Najib says disbandment of taskforce probing wrongdoing was an ‘administrative decision’

The government has&nbsp;decided that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project can be revived if there is full participation from the private sector, with minimal government involvement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.&nbsp;

KL-Singapore HSR can be revived with full private participation, says Anwar

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted five stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Tuesday. Two stocks showed positive momentum, while the rest showed positive momentum.

Stocks with momentum on Jan 7, 2025: Nationgate, Lien Hoe, Gamuda, Wong Engineering, Velocity Capital

Malaysia and Singapore are reopening discussions on long-standing issues such as water supply, maritime delimitation and airspace.

Malaysia, Singapore reopen discussion on long-standing issues

Asian chip-related shares extended gains on expectations that Nvidia Corp chief Jensen Huang would spark renewed optimism over AI demand during his speech at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.

Asia chip shares surge ahead of Nvidia CEO’s Vegas appearance

NEW YORK (Jan 6): Medical-device maker Stryker is in advanced talks to acquire Inari Medical, which makes devices that treat patients with venous diseases, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

Medical device maker Stryker nearing a deal to buy Inari Medical — Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): HSBC Global Research has raised its 2025 economic growth projection for Malaysia, citing robust consumption and investment despite external risks.&nbsp;