TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Axiata Group Bhd is planning a bigger push into the financial services space and is interested in applying for a digital banking licence here, say industry sources.

“Tracking the group’s strategy thus far, it looks like it is putting the building blocks in place...

Newsbreak: Axiata eyeing digital banking licence

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12): Media Chinese International Ltd (MCIL), controlled by Sarawak timber and media tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King, may consider rewarding its shareholders with a special dividend from the disposal of One Media Group Ltd for HK$498 million.

“If there is money, of cours...

MCIL mulls a special dividend

Growing up in a rubber estate in Teluk Intan, Perak, Giva Kuppusamy developed a fascination for freshwater prawns thriving in nearby rivers. Today, that childhood curiosity has blossomed into a mission to make udang galah, as they’re known locally, more affordable for and accessible to Malaysians...

Start-up: Making freshwater prawns affordable

Ever played a game that just feels like a warm hug? While some gamers thrive on competition and high-stakes action, others find comfort in laid-back social games for a chance to unwind, connect and take a breather from the chaos of everyday life.

Cosy games are generally identified as c...

Listicle: Escape to cosy town

Being an angel or venture capital investor, especially in start-ups, is often seen as glamorous. The media tends to romanticise VC investors who pour millions — sometimes billions — into chasing the next unicorn (a company valued at over US$1 billion). Every time a unicorn is announced, everyone ...

The Pitch Deck: How not to lose money investing in new tech

Facing increasing challenges with internal communication in the mid-2010s, ByteDance sought a more effective solution. Despite experimenting with various collaboration tools, the company struggled to overcome productivity-sapping silos and improve workflow efficiency.

Realising it neede...

Productivity: Fostering efficient communication

Let’s start with an April Fool’s fable: A group of lifelong friends debated where to meet for their reunion dinner. In their 40s, they chose the Bay Hotel for its attractive wait staff. A decade later, at 50, they returned for the excellent food and wine. At 60, the hotel’s quiet ambience and oce...

Econ 4.0: April Fool fables?

Earned wage access (EWA) can improve workers’ financial well-being, with 80% of users reporting a better quality of life and 78% using it for household expenses, according to a survey by 60 Decibels and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The findings, released on March 24, wer...

Issues: Early wage access linked to better financial health

Something big is taking shape in Puchong — a strategic initiative aimed at elevating Malaysia from a back-end player in the semiconductor supply chain to a force to be reckoned with in the global chip design arena. At the heart of this effort is the Puchong Integrated Circuit (IC) Design Park, a ...

Cover Story: Stepping into the IC design fast lane

The rapid push towards digital adoption has necessitated increased reliance on telecommunications networks. Yet, consumers often rely on networks with no assurance on service quality, although they pay for these services, says Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) commission me...

Bridging The Gap: Tracking telcos’ real-time network quality

Situated just a stone’s throw away from the trendy commercial and retail offerings of bustling Mont’Kiara and Dutamas lies Miranda Hill — an exclusive low-density residential development perched on one of the highest points in North Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

A new standard of urban elegance in North Kiara

NEWS

Google Cloud and Selangor launch Teraju AI to power state-level innovation

Google Cloud, in collaboration with the Selangor state government and the Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre, has launched Teraju AI — an initiativ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

(April 13): Indonesia has detained the chief judge of the South Jakarta District Court and three other people in a bribery investigation related to a 2022 palm oil export corruption case that involved a unit of Wilmar International Ltd.

Indonesia detains judge for alleged bribery in palm oil case involving Wilmar's unit

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Several roads in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya will be fully closed or diverted in stages from Tuesday (April 15) to Thursday (April 17),&nbsp;in conjunction with Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia.

Road closures, diversions during upcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia

TAPAH (April 13): Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has given all telecommunication companies until 5pm on Sunday to submit solutions to the problem of poor Internet access nationwide, or face stern action.

Fahmi gives telcos until 5pm today to resolve internet issues, or face stern action

PUTRAJAYA (April 13): Malaysia is set to take centre stage in advancing sustainable and inclusive trade practices as it co-hosts the Forest, Agriculture, Commodity and Trade (FACT) Forum for the first time, with a strong focus on smallholders and sustainable certification, said Plantation and Com...

Malaysia to champion smallholder inclusion, sustainable trade at inaugural FACT 2025 Forum — plantation minister

SHANGHAI (April 13): Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to deepen his country's strategic partnership with Indonesia, in a call with President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's Xi vows to Indonesia's Prabowo to deepen partnership, Xinhua says

(April 13): Hanging precariously from the tops of towering date palms, farm workers painstakingly pollinate the trees by hand. With around 100,000 palms to fertilise in just days, the pressure is especially intense this spring.

Luxury confectioner looks to take LVMH-backed Saudi brand Bateel global

(April 13): Kensington and Chelsea has long attracted high-earning workers willing to pay exorbitant housing costs to live in one of London’s most glitzy districts. Now they are leaving in their thousands.

London’s most desirable neighbourhoods have lost 11,000 workers

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (April 13): US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he will provide an update on his administration's approach to semiconductor chips tariffs on Monday.

Trump says he will provide more info on semiconductor chips tariffs on Monday

KUANTAN (April 13): A 72-year-old woman lost over RM2.6 million to a fake gold investment scheme she joined through social media last year.

Elderly woman loses over RM2.6m in gold investment scam

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have finally won their first ever Badminton Asian Championship (BAC) title, after beating Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi of China in Ningbo, China on Sunday.

Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik claim their first-ever Badminton Asian Championship title

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli defended his position as PKR Pandan branch chief in the 2025 PKR election&nbsp;for the branch, Wanita branch, and Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) branch levels, which took place on Saturday (April 12).

2025 PKR election: Rafizi defends Pandan, Amirudin and Ramanan win unopposed

PUTRAJAYA (April 13): The Health Ministry will enhance its security control standard operating procedures (SOPs) at all hospitals to prevent any untoward incidents, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Hospital security SOPs to be tightened post allegation twins abducted by impersonator posing as doctor

(April 13): Japan isn’t planning to use its US Treasury holdings as a negotiation tool to counter US tariffs in talks scheduled between the two governments for April 17.

Japan doesn’t plan to use US Treasuries as tariff talk leverage

KUALA LUMPUR (April 13): His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, on Sunday extended the Vaisakhi and Tamil New Year greetings to the Malaysian Sikh and Tamil communities, respectively.

King, Queen extend Vaisakhi, Tamil New Year greetings 

TAPAH (April 13): The government is open to considering any proposals for improving existing laws, including those involving the appointment process of the chief justice (CJ), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

CJ’s appointment process: Govt open to proposals on improving laws — Fahmi

BUTTERWORTH (April 13): Former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Radin Muhamad Amin Radin Hadi Munir died of cancer at Bukit Mertajam Hospital at 6.55am on Sunday. He was 71.

Former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Radin Muhamad Amin passes away

JOHOR BAHRU (April 13): Thirty-five medical officers from the Malaysian Armed Forces will be sent on a humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Myanmar, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Malaysia to deploy 35 military medical officers to earthquake-hit Myanmar — defence minister

JOHOR BAHRU (April 13): BHPetrol, a subsidiary of Boustead Holdings Bhd and the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT), plans to build up to 30 new petrol stations in rural areas nationwide.

BHPetrol to build 30 new stations in rural areas nationwide

CAIRO/JERUSALEM (April 13): Two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a main Gaza hospital on Sunday, destroying the emergency and reception department and damaging other structures, medics said, in a strike which Israel said was against Hamas fighters exploiting the facility.

Israeli missiles strike Gaza hospital, patients evacuated

KUCHING (April 13): Negotiations between the federal and state governments regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) can be resolved amicably without the need to bring the matter to court for legal interpretation, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said.

Joyce Goh and Liew Jia Teng