MUCH has been said about 1MDB’s ballooning debts, which as at FY2013 ended March 31, stood at RM36.0 billion and are likely to be over RM40.0 billion for FY2014. 1MDB only has the power assets to generate cash flow (and that is only enough to pay interest on the RM10.5 billion debt taken to ...

Is it true the government’s risk exposure to 1MDB is low?

Power Assets

In the Feb 17, 2014, issue of The Edge weekly titled “The 1MDB Story”, we had analysed the purchase of power plants from Tanjong Plc and Genting Bhd in 2012, which totalled close to RM10.85 billion.

Based on Edge Research’s calculation of the esti...

What else has 1MDB overpaid for?

IN September 2009, the then newly-minted 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) caused a stir in banking circles when it agreed to pay 5.75% annual interest on a RM5.0 billion 30-year Islamic bond that was guaranteed by the federal government.

Tongues wagged as to why the interest rate was s...

Cover Story: 1MDB’s habit of overpaying to raise money

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia on Thursday of working systematically in China to recruit fighters for its war in Ukraine, days after announcing Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese men fighting for Moscow.

China had warned Ukraine on Thursday against making "irresponsible" remarks after Zelenskiy said Ukrainian intelligence had revealed at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting for Russia.

Zelenskiy accuses Russia of systematically recruiting Chinese fighters

Goldman Sachs on Thursday cut its estimate for automobile sales in the US for this year by nearly one million units, as President Donald Trump's tariffs make it more expensive to buy a vehicle.

While Trump on Wednesday halted reciprocal tariffs on countries, barring China, for 90 days, the announcement did not appear to affect duties on autos, steel and aluminum, leading to concerns around increased costs for the sector.

Goldman cuts US auto sales estimate by nearly one million units due to tariffs

German economic institutes on Thursday cut their growth forecast for this year to 0.1% from the 0.8% expected in September, taking into consideration initial US tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars, and confirming an earlier Reuters report.

Exports-dependent Germany is the only G7 economy that has contracted for the last two years.

German economy to stagnate even if Trump scraps 'reciprocal' tariffs, say forecasters

Here is a brief recap of some notable corporate news on Thursday.

Chin Hin, HeiTech Padu, MyEG, MSM, Ranhill, Toyo Ventures, YNH Property 

Gold prices rose more than 1% on Thursday, extending previous session's sharp rise, as a drop in the dollar and an escalating trade war between the US and China drove investors towards the safe-haven allure of the precious metal.

Safe-haven gold shines as US-China trade war intensifies, dollar weakens

China said on Thursday it would immediately restrict imports of Hollywood films in retaliation for President Donald Trump's escalation of US tariffs on imported Chinese goods, though analysts say the impact is likely to be minimal.

After three decades during which China annually imported 10 Hollywood movies, its National Film Administration said Trump's increase of tariffs on Chinese imports would further sour domestic demand for US cinema in China after years of decline.

Beijing bites back at US tariffs by curbing Hollywood imports

Wall Street's main indexes fell on Thursday, coming off a blistering rally following US President Donald Trump's move to temporarily lower the heavy tariffs on dozens of countries.

Wall Street loses ground after sharp rally on Trump tariff reversal

Polestar is offering discounts of up to US$20,000 towards a lease of its Polestar 3 vehicle for current Tesla owners in the United States, as the Swedish EV maker targets drivers shunning CEO Elon Musk's car brand.

The campaign on Polestar's website appears to be an attempt by the company to lure disgruntled Tesla customers with the discounts amid slower-than-expected EV demand and worries that higher tariffs may raise vehicle prices.

EV maker Polestar bids to lure disgruntled Tesla owners with discounts

Bursa Malaysia staged a strong rebound on Thursday, mirroring the global market rally after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, mere hours after they had taken effect.

Tariff pause sparks optimism, domestic plays and RE seen as safe bets

Penang, through an economy State Executive Council meeting, will organise a round-table session with industry players, academics, and the state leadership on Friday to discuss the recent US tariff announcement.

Penang to hold round-table session on US tariff, says CM

This article for the Tong's Portfolio column — which predicts a likely walk back of some of the tariffs — was prepared for this coming week's issue of The Edge Malaysia and The Edge Singapore, but because of President Donald Trump's U-turn overnight (albeit for 90 days), we have decided to publish it online first.

Trump's big blunder — and no, it's not tariff per se

Bids for the Penang International Airport's (PIA) main terminal building&nbsp;under Package 3 are expected to open in May this year, ahead of its scheduled 2027 completion.

Gamuda, IJM, MRCB, SunCon could bid for Penang International Airport's main terminal building under Package 3 in May, estimated at RM1.2b — CIMB

AmBank Group has granted RM307 million in financing facilities to Chin Hin Group Bhd’s (KL:CHINHIN) subsidiaries, Aricia Sdn Bhd and Makna Setia Sdn Bhd, to support several new property and infrastructure developments in the Klang Valley and Sabah and Sarawak.

AmBank grants RM307m in financing to Chin Hin Group for infrastructure projects

Lip-Bu Tan, the man chosen to lead Intel, the US' largest chip maker, has invested in hundreds of Chinese tech firms, including at least eight with links to the People's Liberation Army, according to a Reuters review of Chinese and US corporate filings.

Intel CEO invested in hundreds of Chinese companies, some with military ties

Umno has filed an originating summons (OS) at the High Court last month seeking a declaration and an order for a 9,723 square metre land to be transferred to the political party. The land, which is now the Seri Pacific Hotel, here, is currently held in trust by four people, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Umno wants transfer of Seri Pacific hotel land held under trusteeship of Dr M, Daim, two others

YNH Property Bhd's (KL:YNHPROP) independent review of RM1.1 billion worth of joint ventures (JVs) and turnkey contracts revealed that overlapping directors and shareholdings created an interconnected network, influencing business decisions.

YNH Property's independent review reveals interconnected directors, shareholders in RM1.1b JV deals

KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): Malaysia’s palm oil stocks posted their first rise in six months in March, as production recovered and imports rose sharply, offsetting strong festive demand, data from the industry regulator showed on Thursday.

Malaysia’s palm oil stocks rise for first time in six months in March

Engineering firm West River Bhd is now taking applications from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

West River now taking IPO applications at 39 sen per share for ACE Market listing

HANOI (April 10): The 20-year production sharing contract (PSC) extension for Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) largest oil asset works as a key enabler to monetise the group’s development plans offshore northeast Malaysia, which includes new wells and gas processing from nearby fields.&nbsp;

Hibiscus: 20-year PSC extension key enabler for developing new wells, processing gas from nearby assets

OF the 115 companies that had a market capitalisation of at least RM1 billion as at last Tuesday, 95 - or 83% - have seen a year-to-date (YTD) fall in their share prices. Taking a defensive investment approach in the challenging market, The Edge highlights 10 stocks worth looking at in the second...

Cover Story: Battered stocks worth a look

The Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) is expected to draw RM72 billion investments over 25 years, and&nbsp;infrastructure works are set to begin in 2026, with the first phase of the project targeted to start as early as 2030.

Perak eyes RM72b investments for Lumut Maritime Industrial City

WASHINGTON (April 9): US&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, aimed at reviving US shipbuilding and reducing China's grip on the global shipping industry, vowing to boost funding for the effort in coming years.

Trump signs executive order seeking to revitalise US shipbuilding

Citigroup Inc&nbsp;is urging rich clients to stay cautious amid extreme market volatility, even though “peak shock” might have passed, according to the bank’s global wealth head Andy Sieg.

Citi wealth head Sieg says don’t buy the dip amid wild stock swings

A court registrar on Wednesday clarified that former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) general counsel Jasmine Loo was never charged in absentia. Rather, she only had an arrest warrant issued against her in December 2018.

1MDB-Tanore: Jasmine Loo not charged, only had arrest warrants against her

HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) has signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to form strategic partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI) computing power cloud services.

HeiTech Padu inks two MOUs to explore AI computing power cloud services

Blackstone has said it has closed a €9.8 billion (US$10.8 billion or RM48.2 billion) European property fund, as it bets on signs of recovery for the sector despite deepening market turmoil.

Blackstone gears up for US$11b European property buying spree

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has held a meeting via a video link with Investment,&nbsp;Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of Asean, said a statement released by China's Commerce Ministry on Thursday.

Malaysia, China discuss economic cooperation, joint response to US tariff hikes

The Association of Southeast Nations, or Asean, will pursue dialogue with Washington following a 90-day pause on US reciprocal tariffs, the region’s economic ministers said on Thursday.

Asean wants to engage in “a frank and constructive dialogue” with the US to address trade-related concerns, according to a joint statement of the region’s economic ministers. Asean is committed to safeguarding their economic interests while preserving trade ties with the US, the statement noted.

US tariff pause offers window for Asean to talk to Washington

The defence in Muhammad Yusoff Rawther’s drug trafficking and fake pistols case has produced in the High Court two news articles quoting Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zin alerting (the public) over the existence of a device which can manipulate the remote controls of motor vehicles.

This was produced by Yusoff’s lead counsel Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, but was objected to by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman before judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin, who questioned the relevance of the two publications to the trial.

Yusoff Rawther trial: Defence produces two news articles quoting KL CID director on device which can manipulate vehicle remote controls

MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd (KL:MSM) said the group has been sued by a subsidiary of Ranhill Utilities Bhd (KL:RANHILL) over a failed industrial effluent treatment project in Tanjung Langsat, Johor.

Ho Kay Tat, Cindy Yeap, Chan Jian Ming and Ben Shane Lim