A few weeks back, an old friend asked me this over some pints. “Do you think ChatGPT will replace us one day?” Both of us are in the creative industry, an area initially assumed to be technologically resilient. But like truck drivers and self-driving vehicles, it is now our heads that may be on the chopping block.

Disruption: Adapting to new age of AI tools

Social media giants such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube have long occupied the livestreaming space, catering to the general public with content ranging from mukbang (where the host broadcasts his or her binge eating) to business webinars. A large segment of internet dwellers may, however, fin...

Local Twitch streamers carve out personal space on internet

Some companies are choosing to cut the cost of digitalising by purchasing pirated software. However, this opens them to greater cybersecurity threats, not to mention reputational damage.

For instance, in early 2020, hackers broke into Texas-based SolarWind’s systems and added malicious ...

Cybersecurity: No savings from pirated software

Shaking off a dismal 2020, most fund managers are looking towards the new year with optimism, expecting 2021 to be a year of recovery for both the global economy and financial markets.

Aggressive fiscal and monetary policies are expected to continue next year, especially in Europe and t...

Wealth: Key investment themes in a recovery year

Match-fixers have been having a field day since the pandemic broke out, posing a threat to sporting organisations around the world. However, the good guys are fighting back with technology. They are employing a combination of advanced algorithms and data gathering tools to help identify suspiciou...

Integrity Tech: Tackling match-fixing with tech

The local housing rental market in urban areas is in an unusual state. On the one hand, the lack of affordability is driving the younger generation to rent at steadily increasing rates. On the other, many properties remain vacant, with the property overhang gnawing at owners for many years.
...

Proptech: Using data to optimise the rental market

Over the past year, fintech firms that are involved in person-to-person (P2P) and business-to-customer (B2C) payments saw a boom in business — as evidenced in the rapid adoption of e-wallets, online payment gateways and QR code payments. When it comes to the business-to-business (B2B) sector, how...

Digital Payments: B2B segment slow to adopt cashless methods

Since Uber’s exit from Malaysia in 2018, there has been no mistaking Grab’s dominance of the local e-hailing landscape. The company commanded 72% of the local e-hailing market in 2020, as stated in its latest initial public offering (IPO) documents. Still, new market entrants like AirAsia Ride (l...

E-hailing: Is AirAsia Ride coming in at the right time?

Just last month, a Samsung Galaxy A21 phone caught fire on a plane in New Orleans. Shortly after the plane landed, the passenger’s cellphone began overheating and generating sparks, prompting the use of fire extinguishers and the immediate evacuation of everyone on board. Thankfully, no one was s...

Tech Myths: Do Samsung phones still explode?

A strong data economy is needed not only to support the growth of the digital economy, but also to make the Malaysian Governance Index — used to measure the country’s performance — possible.

A strong data economy is built, however, on a foundation of open data, where educators, students...

Listicle: Open data platforms every Malaysian data scientist should know

Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA), commenced the construction of two public primary schools in its 1,530-acre (619.17-hectare) Gamuda Cove township in Kuala Langat, Selangor, on Wednesday.

Gamuda Land breaks ground for two public primary schools at Gamuda Cove

Bitcoin broke US$100,000 on Thursday as investors bet on a friendly regulatory shift in the US, while Asian stocks were firm after Wall Street indexes notched record highs on growing confidence in US interest rate cuts.

Bitcoin hit the US$100,000 mark in the Asia morning and was last at US$101,300.

Rate cut bets boost stocks as bitcoin breaks US$100,000

As the shock of Donald Trump’s victory sinks in, pundits and politicians are mulling what it means for the future of the US and global politics. Understanding why such a divisive, unqualified figure won again is crucial for the Democrats. Did they go too far left and lose the moderate Americans who make up the majority? Or did centrist neoliberalism — pursued by Democratic presidents since Bill Clinton — fail to deliver, thus creating a demand for change?

Unconventional Economic Wisdom: The Democrats’ only option

French lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote against the government on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and tame a massive budget deficit.

Far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined forces to back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with a majority 331 votes in support of the motion.

French government falls in no-confidence vote, deepening political crisis

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol named a new defence minister on Thursday, ahead of a vote on whether to start impeachment proceedings that may take place on Saturday.

Yoon replaces defence head as vote on impeachment motion looms

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

FashionValet co-founders claim trial to criminal breach of trust charge

MN Holdings Bhd's (KL:MNHLDG) contract wins and financial performance in its current financial year are expected to hit a new record, supported by strong order book and record-breaking tender prospects, said Phillip Capital.

“We believe MN is on track for FY2025 (financial year ending June 30, 2025) surpassing FY2024 new contract wins of RM349 million,” said Phillip Capital in its latest company note.

Phillip Capital sees record earnings, contract wins for MN Holdings in FY2025

Bitcoin rose above US$100,000 for the first time on Thursday as the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States spurred expectations that his administration will create a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin tops US$100,000 on optimism over Trump crypto plans

Shares of cash-rich Apollo Food Holdings Bhd (KL:APOLLO) soared in early trading on Thursday, after it declared a 30 sen dividend following improved second-quarter results.

Apollo shares rise on dividend following stronger 2Q

The government has no intention of introducing any new tax in the near future, according to the Finance Ministry (MOF).

The ministry said the government’s present focus is on increasing compliance and improving the existing tax system as well as implementing tax measures that have already been announced in Budget 2025.

Govt has no plan to introduce new taxes in the near future — Finance Ministry

Genting Bhd (KL:GENTING) and Genting Malaysia Bhd (KL:GENM) are likely to be removed from the 30-stock FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI in the latest review of the benchmark index that will be announced on Thursday, according to sources.

Genting, Genting Malaysia to be dropped from FBM KLCI — sources

Retailer Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd, which operates 320 discount stores nationwide, is planning to float its shares on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds for business expansion, according to its draft prospectus filed with the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Creador-backed discount store retailer Eco-Shop eyes Main Market listing, plans to float 862 mil shares

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

Capital A, Superlon, Focus Dynamics, Uzma, UEM Sunrise, Mulpha, Central Global, Apollo Food, TMC Life Sciences, Sentoria, Binasat

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof&nbsp;claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

Supermax Corporation Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) shares gained in early trade on Thursday, mostly due to an improved outlook and&nbsp;earnings potential of the company's US facility, amid recent efforts to boost glove production there.

Supermax gains on earnings potential of US facility amid efforts to boost glove production

Cropmate Bhd (KL:CRPMATE) jumped on its ACE Market debut on Thursday, after its initial public offering (IPO) raised some RM42 million&nbsp;mainly for the fertiliser company's operations and expansion plans.

Fertiliser company Cropmate jumps 22.5% on ACE Market debut

Bitcoin broke US$100,000 on Thursday as investors bet on a friendly regulatory shift in the US, while Asian stocks were firm after Wall Street indexes notched record highs on growing confidence in US interest rate cuts.

Bitcoin hit the US$100,000 mark in the Asia morning and was last at US$101,300.

Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS)&nbsp;announced on Wednesday that Southeast Asian super-app&nbsp;Grab Holdings Inc has chosen AWS as its preferred cloud provider to enhance operational efficiency across eight Asean countries.

Grab picks Amazon Web Services as cloud provider to drive growth and efficiency across Asean

Stocks hit all-time highs as US Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell said the economy is in remarkably good shape. The euro wavered as the French government fell after a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

US stocks hit record as Powell bullish on economy

Shares of&nbsp;cash-rich Apollo Food Holdings Bhd&nbsp;(KL:APOLLO) soared in early trading on Thursday, after it declared a 30 sen dividend following improved second-quarter results.

Bitcoin rose above US$100,000 for the first time on Thursday as the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States spurred expectations that his administration will create a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

The South Korean won rebounded on Wednesday, posting the sharpest gains among emerging-market currencies, after President Yoon Suk Yeol rapidly reversed his martial law declaration. Traders were waiting on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for clues on where US interest rates are headed.

South Korean won outperforms emerging peers before Powell remarks

The government has no intention of introducing any new tax in the near future, according to the Finance Ministry (MOF).

The ministry said the government’s present focus is on increasing compliance and improving the existing tax system as well as implementing tax measures that have already been announced in Budget 2025.

Prolonged global supply chain disruptions in recent years have in no uncertain terms laid bare that logistics can cause immense disruption. Due to Asia's high growth prospects, these supply chain bottlenecks could derail the potential of the various national economies throughout the continent.&nbsp;

How can Malaysia’s supply chains withstand unprecedented disruption?

MN Holdings Bhd's (KL:MNHLDG) contract wins and financial performance in its current financial year are expected to hit a new record, supported by strong order book and record-breaking tender prospects, said Phillip Capital.

“We believe MN is on track for FY2025 (financial year ending June 30, 2025) surpassing FY2024 new contract wins of RM349 million,” said Phillip Capital in its latest company note.

The ongoing flood situation in the country is among the key issues to be highlighted in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

According to the Order Paper, V&nbsp;Ganabatirau (Pakatan Harapan-Klang) will ask the minister of energy transition and water transformation whether the government is satisfied with the development of flood mitigation infrastructure and related investments.

Flood-related matters take centre stage in Dewan Rakyat today

US services activity expanded in November at the slowest pace in three months as demand and employment growth settled back, indicating the largest part of the economy is losing momentum.

US services activity expands at slowest pace in three months 

The value added gross domestic product (GDP) for the manufacturing sector increased to RM97.4 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The ministry said the amount showed an increase of 5.5% or RM5.1 billion from the RM92.3 billion recorded last year.

Value added GDP of manufacturing sector increases 5.5% to RM97.4 bil in third quarter of 2024 — MITI

The electrical and electronics (E&amp;E) segment has recorded the highest realised investment performance of RM4.8 billion during the period from January to June 2024, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

The ministry said the investment performance was equivalent to 69.5% of the investment value realised for the manufacturing sector which recorded a total of RM9 billion manufacturing projects realised in the same period.

E&E segment records realised investments of RM4.8 bil as of June 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol named a new defence minister on Thursday, ahead of a vote on whether to start impeachment proceedings that may take place on Saturday.

Jotham Lim

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