The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigations made headlines during the year

2024 Newsmakers: MACC continues to make the news 

Juggling political ‘hot potatoes’ left some burn marks

2024 Newsmakers: Taking on unpopular issues

THE Kuala Lumpur Construction Index (KLCON) had shot up 59% to 305.27 points as at Dec 20. This was the index’s biggest annual increase in its 31-year history.

KLCON’s valuation had risen from a 10-year average of 13 times to 17.8 times. The keen interest in construction stocks, driven ...

Sector Of The Year: Positive momentum in construction sector expected to continue in 2025 

THERE are few mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that appear to make as much sense as the acquisition of UMW Holdings Bhd by Sime Darby Bhd (KL:SIME), which was completed early this year.

Looking at the automotive business of both Sime and UMW, they seemingly fit like a glove when merge...

Deals Of 2024: Best Merger & Acquisition - Creating a giant automotive group through Sime-UMW merger

This week, outgoing US President Joe Biden’s administration will finalise rules to crack down on Chinese vehicle software and hardware, touting national security concerns.

The Week Ahead: US’ ruling on Chinese vehicle software and hardware a major decision this week

ELECTRIC vehicles (EVs) are not new to the local market, with the first one — the Nissan Leaf — launched here in 2013. However, 2024 may well be remembered as the year when Malaysians were spoilt for choice when it comes to EVs, with the launching of many new models within an affordable range of ...

Stories Of The Year: Buying an EV? Malaysians spoilt for choice in 2024 

ANY uncertainty over the implementation of the diagnostic-related group (DRG) payment system, which the Ministry of Health plans to introduce in the private healthcare sector, has done little to change analysts’ outlook on the hospital operators listed on Bursa Malaysia.

Analysts believ...

Cover Story: Analysts still bullish on healthcare stocks despite uncertainty over DRG

THE West Ipoh Span Expressway (WISE), which stretches 60.88km between Gopeng and Kuala Kangsar in Perak, is expected to ease congestion at the Menora Tunnel on the North-South Expressway when it is completed in 2028.

However, insiders at the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), which...

Poser over WISE as clock ticks for concessionaire to prove financial capabilities

AFTER a record year with 55 companies making their debut on Bursa Malaysia in 2024, Swift Energy Technology Bhd (KL:SET) is gearing up to be the first new listing in 2025.

The industrial automation and power systems manufacturer and distributor is raising a total of RM120.1 million from...

IPO Watch: No letting-up for Bursa as Swift Energy kick-starts 2025 IPO market

KERETAPI Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has long been viewed as inefficient. Many in the Klang Valley regard it as the most outdated component of the urban railway system and avoid using it when travelling across the peninsula, with the exception of the popular northbound Electric Train Service (ETS).

Cover Story: Improvement of KTMB’s operations a multi-decade effort

OTTAWA (Jan 15): Canada could impose countermeasures on up to C$150 billion (US$105 billion, or RM471.8 billion) worth of US imports if President-elect Donald Trump puts tariffs on Canadian goods and services, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Canada could impose tariffs on US$105b worth of US imports — Reuters

CBH Engineering Holding Bhd (KL:CBHB) rose 18% on Thursday in Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market trading debut, following robust demand during the engineering services firm’s initial public offering (IPO).

CBH Engineering rises 18% in ACE Market trading debut

DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Jan 15): Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday, and include a release of hostages held there during 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the Palestinian enclave and inflamed the Middle East.

Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war in Gaza

WASHINGTON/SINGAPORE (Jan 15): The Biden administration added more than two dozen Chinese entities to a US restricted trade list on Wednesday, including Zhipu AI, a developer of large language models, and Sophgo, a company whose TSMC-made chip was illegally incorporated into a Huawei artificial intelligence (AI) processor.

US blacklists Chinese AI developer and co that ordered TSMC chip found in Huawei processor

SEOUL (Jan 16): South Korea's central bank unexpectedly left its policy interest rate unchanged on Thursday, weighing the impact of its back-to-back cuts last year, while supporting the won which weakened to a 15-year low versus the US dollar in recent weeks.

Bank of Korea unexpectedly holds policy rate amid won slide

MORNING CALL: 16/1/25

Nate Anderson, the short seller who made his name with campaigns targeting billionaires Gautam Adani, Jack Dorsey and Carl Icahn, said he’s disbanding his small but renowned firm, Hindenburg Research.

Short seller Nate Anderson says he’s disbanding Hindenburg

Wall Street breathed a sigh of relief after a surprise slowdown in inflation spurred a stock rally and a plunge in bond yields, reinforcing bets the Federal Reserve is on track to keep cutting rates this year.

Equities erased their losses for 2025, with the S&P 500 up about 2% in its biggest gain since the aftermath of the US election.

Wall Street has best CPI day since at least 2023

Shares in Asia were set to follow Wall Street higher after new data showed core inflation cooling in the US, keeping alive the prospect of Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

Equity futures for Australia, Japan and Hong Kong all rallied.

Asian stocks primed for gains after US inflation

Malaysia-based Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) and its London-based joint venture partner, real estate investor Castleforge, broke ground for 75 London Wall — a £1.2 billion (RM6.59 billion) redevelopment project — in the City of London on Wednesday.

Previously known as Winchester House and the UK headquarters of Deutsche Bank, Gamuda and Castleforge acquired the building in February 2023 in a 75:25 joint venture.

Gamuda, Castleforge break ground for £1.2 bil redevelopment project in London

Malaysia-based Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) and its London-based joint venture partner, real estate investor Castleforge, broke ground for 75 London Wall — a £1.2 billion (RM6.59 billion) redevelopment project — in the City of London on Wednesday.

Previously known as Winchester House and the UK headquarters of Deutsche Bank, Gamuda and Castleforge acquired the building in February 2023 in a 75:25 joint venture.

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

MAHB, Southern Score Builders, SC Estate Builder, KJTS, Sunview, Poh Kong, VS Industry, AZRB, Rexit

A husband and wife, who own a travel agency, were arrested in Kuala Lumpur at 7pm on Wednesday in connection with allegations of failing to fly out a group of umrah pilgrims on Tuesday.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Selangor police contingent headquarters (IPK) also seized several computers, passports and related documents.

Failure to fly out umrah pilgrims: Couple who owns travel agency arrested

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday met his UK counterpart, Sir Keir Starmer, and discussed about elevating the relations between both countries to strategic partnership covering all spheres.

“The focus and the fundamentals is of course economics, but also defence and education,” he told reporters after meeting Starmer at No 10, Downing Street, on Wednesday.

Malaysia, UK discuss elevating relations to strategic partnership

Shares in Asia were set to follow Wall Street higher after new data showed core inflation cooling in the US, keeping alive the prospect of Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.

Equity futures for Australia, Japan and Hong Kong all rallied.

CBH Engineering Holding Bhd (KL:CBHB) rose 18% on Thursday in Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market trading debut, following robust demand during the engineering services firm’s initial public offering (IPO).

Nate Anderson, the short seller who made his name with campaigns targeting billionaires Gautam Adani, Jack Dorsey and Carl Icahn, said he’s disbanding his small but renowned firm, Hindenburg Research.&nbsp;

Four locals, including a woman, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a syndicate selling non-existent vehicle registration numbers in several states.

Perak acting police chief DCP Zulkafli Sariaat confirmed that the arrests of individuals aged between 27 and 52 were made during separate raids from Jan 10 to 14. The operation followed a report made on Jan 8 by a 22-year-old victim who claimed to have been scammed by the syndicate.

Four arrested for selling fake vehicle registration numbers

JPMorgan Chase's annual profit rose to a record as its dealmakers and traders reaped a windfall from rebounding markets in the fourth quarter (4Q), it reported on Wednesday.

The largest US bank also forecast its net interest income (NII), or the difference between what it earns on loans and pays out on deposits, would rise above analysts' expectations this year, despite repeated warnings that high NII growth was unsustainable.

JPMorgan earns biggest-ever annual profit as investment bankers ride rebound

Wall Street breathed a sigh of relief after a surprise slowdown in inflation spurred a stock rally and a plunge in bond yields, reinforcing bets the Federal Reserve is on track to keep cutting rates this year.

Equities erased their losses for 2025, with the S&amp;P 500 up about 2% in its biggest gain since the&nbsp;aftermath of the US election.

US health officials banned the artificial food colouring Red No 3, which has been linked to cancer and is currently in scores of products from candy to cold medicine. 
&nbsp; 
The dye will no longer be allowed in US food or ingested drugs starting Jan 15, 2027, according to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document posted online.&nbsp;

US bans cancer-linked Red Dye No 3 in cereal and other foods

The First Meeting of the Asean+3 Working Committee has agreed to set the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for Asean 2025, which include increasing access to sustainable and fair climate transition financing, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Asean+3 Working Committee meeting outlines Asean's 2025 main economic priorities

WASHINGTON/SINGAPORE (Jan 15): The Biden administration added more than two dozen Chinese entities to a US restricted trade list on Wednesday, including Zhipu&nbsp;AI, a&nbsp;developer&nbsp;of large language models, and Sophgo, a company whose TSMC-made chip was illegally incorporated into a Huawei artificial intelligence (AI) processor.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused Russia of planning to carry out “acts of air terror” against airlines worldwide as he urged European partners to join forces in countering Moscow’s alleged sabotage attempts.

Poland’s Tusk says Russia planned terror acts against airlines

A Harmony Parade to celebrate the ethnic diversity and unity of society in this country will be held on Feb 15-16, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang on Wednesday.

He said the parade would be held at night at Dataran Merdeka in conjunction with Federal Territories Day and the World Interfaith Harmony Week (annually held in first week of February).

Harmony Parade to celebrate Malaysia united in diversity next month — Aaron

Wells Fargo &amp; Co’s expenses dropped 12% in the fourth quarter (4Q) as chief executive officer Charlie Scharf continues to whittle headcount as part of broader efforts to slash costs and remake the bank. The company’s shares rose.

Wells Fargo shares rise as bank’s cost-cutting efforts take hold

Donald Trump's choice for attorney general, Pam Bondi, vowed on Wednesday not to use the US Justice Department to target people based on their politics, seeking to allay concerns the president-elect will use law enforcement to go after his opponents.

"There will never be an enemies list within the Department of Justice," Bondi told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Trump's AG nominee Pam Bondi vows not to have 'enemies list' for Justice Department

DOHA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Jan 15): Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a&nbsp;ceasefire in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;that mediators said would take effect on Sunday, and include a release of hostages held there during 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the Palestinian enclave and inflamed the Middle East.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico looks set to survive an upcoming no-confidence vote after rebel lawmakers in one ruling coalition party said they would not support the motion.

Opposition parties said on Tuesday they were initiating a no-confidence vote against Fico's leftist-nationalist government, accusing him of dragging the country's foreign policy closer to Russia while doing little to fix problems at home.

Kamarul Azhar

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