My final article of 2023 in this newspaper was called, “Four cool ideas I learnt in 2023, and four questions”. The general idea was that I would just share four of the most interesting ideas I learnt in 2023, be it from books or articles, and — like the title said — a specific question arising out of that idea to think about for 2024. In the spirit of experimentation, this final article of 2024 will run along those lines, but with a slight twist on the “how”. Where the four ideas from 2023 were strictly from books and academic articles, these four ideas now include other forms of media.

My Say: Four cool ideas from 2024, and four questions

It is a pretty good time to be a fan of Liverpool Football Club. Just last week, Liverpool beat Real Madrid by two goals to nil in the UEFA Champions League, a moment of some catharsis following years of defeat to the Spanish side that included two Champions League finals and a Champions League knockout stage. But even from a broader perspective, it has been pretty good for many years, since the appointment of manager/messiah Jurgen Klopp.

MySay: Liverpool, Asean and Malaysia’s CREDs

The most notable announcement in the Budget 2025 speech by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in parliament, at least to me, was on the issue of RON95 subsidies. He said the government will implement targeted subsidies on RON95 beginning in mid-2025 but only for the t...

My Say: Subsidy rationalisation and the need for new moats

In mid-September, the US Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rates by 50 basis points. This was the first rate cut by the Fed since 11 interest rate hikes over the course of 2022 and 2023 in an attempt to tame rising inflation in the US. As Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said in August, “The u...

My Say: Income, not cost, in an increasingly inflationary world

An old friend of Carissa’s recently visited Malaysia for the first time. When asked about his biggest impression of Malaysia, without any hesitation he responded: “The disappearing sidewalks.” In fairness, he did find many other parts of Malaysia fascinating — he was deeply appreciative of the di...

My Say: ‘Indie’ public goods for modern-day Malaysia

In a year which Time Magazine called “perhaps the election year”, when at least 64 countries representing nearly 50% of the global population are meant to hold national elections, the most important of all these elections remains the US presidential election. We have already seen the results of e...

My Say: Abraham Lincoln and foreign policy in the year of elections

About a year ago, I wrote an article in this publication headlined, “National lessons from the unserious 2022/23 Boston Celtics”. In it, I argued that, much like the supremely talented Boston Celtics of the 2022/23 NBA season, if we, as a society, do not cultivate the right societal habits and do...

My Say: National lessons from the (finally) serious 2023/24 Boston Celtics

Since March 2022, the US Federal Reserve has hiked its benchmark Federal Funds rate by 525 basis points (bps), from 0.25% to 5.5%, in hopes of taming inflation in the US. Given that some of that inflation was due to supply chain shocks from global lockdowns and that the US had flooded the world w...

My Say: Subsidy rationalisation and diminishing marginal returns on data

In thinking about the future of technology in Malaysia, post the KL20 event in Kuala Lumpur in April, it is worth revisiting a pivotal moment in technology history. In 1987, Microsoft Corp’s MS-DOS operating system was coming to the end of its natural life cycle. Given the explosive growth in per...

My Say: KL20 and the need for accepting failure

There is a pivotal scene in the 2008 movie, The Dark Knight, where the Joker has kidnapped Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes and stashed them in two different locations that have been planted with explosives. When interrogated by Batman — who is in love with Dawes — the Joker reveals that unless someo...

My Say: The Dark Knight and Malaysia’s upcoming Asean chairmanship

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted three stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Friday, all of which showed negative momentum.

Stocks with momentum on Jan 10, 2025: NPC Resources, Kumpulan Fima, Unique Fire

Tenaga Nasional Bhd or TNB (KL:TENAGA) said its indirectly wholly owned unit TNB Western Energy Bhd (TNB WE) has been slapped with an income tax bill amounting to RM291.55 million for the year of assessment 2018 from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

IRB slaps TNB unit with RM292m tax bill

LBS Bina Group Bhd (KL:LBS) has launched Centrum Iris, the second precinct of Cameron Centrum and the largest mixed development of commercial offerings located in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. It has a projected gross development value of RM472 million.

LBS unveils Centrum Iris in Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Despite the anticipation of incoming personal donations of substantial amounts, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court here on Friday that he did not know how the Saudi royalty had obtained his personal bank account details.

1MDB-Tanore: Najib says unaware how Saudi donors got his account details or knew of account change

Malaysia’s industrial production index (IPI) climbed 3.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) in November 2024, faster than the 2% growth registered in the previous month, driven by higher manufacturing and electricity output.

Malaysia’s industrial output grew faster than expected at 3.6% in November

U Mobile Sdn Bhd, the nation’s newly selected second 5G network access provider, is set to deploy between 5,000 and 7,000 5G sites across Malaysia, according to industry sources cited by RHB Research.

U Mobile set to deploy up to 7,000 5G sites across Malaysia, RHB says, citing sources

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hope that the clean hydrogen energy collaboration project between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) could be facilitated by May this year.

Anwar hopes Petronas, Petros hydrogen venture can meet May deadline for facilitation

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was visibly shaken on Friday as the prosecution attacked his defence testimony with an onslaught of questions on the infamous ‘donation’ from Saudi royalty.

Najib visibly shaken as prosecution attacks his inconsistencies over 'donation' details

Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) has estimated that any potential capital expenditure (capex) cut by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) following a gas distribution agreement with Petros in Sarawak would not exceed RM10 billion annually.

Kenanga IB sees Petronas capex cut not exceeding RM10 bil after Petros gas deal

Grab Malaysia remains committed to fostering inclusivity, economic empowerment and sustainability focusing on providing opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and women in the gig economy.

Its managing director Adelene Foo said Grab Malaysia remains steadfast in providing economic empowerment for individuals from all walks of life to build a future where everyone, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to thrive.

Grab Malaysia provides opportunities for Persons With Disabilities, women in gig economy

Malaysia’s benchmark FBM KLCI registered a strong 12.58% gain in 2024 — marking its best performance in 14 years — as the country saw a sharp recovery in investor sentiment after a prolonged period of political uncertainties, lifted by strong investment activity and trade activities.

2025 outlook: The key sectors to watch

Shares of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) could potentially climb as much as 62% from the last price if its market value catches up with the size of its order book, CGS International said on Friday.

Gamuda share price could trade over RM8 if market value catches up with order book — CGS

Nvidia Corp criticised new chip export restrictions that are expected to be announced soon, saying the White House was trying to undercut the incoming Trump administration by imposing last-minute rules.

Nvidia slams Biden for trying to ‘pre-empt’ Trump with policy

Gamuda Land and Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK) have introduced Malaysia’s first flexible 120% home financing package, the PB SmartLiving scheme, offering new levels of accessibility and affordability for homebuyers.

Gamuda Land, Public Bank unveil Malaysia's first 120% home financing plan

The US restriction of artificial intelligence (AI) chip exports may lead to a sector-wide slowdown, affecting the entire supply chain in the semiconductor industry, according to RHB Investment Bank.

US AI chip export curbs may lead to sector-wide slowdown — analysts

Oriental Kopi Holdings Bhd (KL:KOPI) could deliver a strong share price gain with above-peer valuations backed by robust earnings growth, according to two research houses starting coverage of the soon-to-be-listed café operator.

Oriental Kopi may deliver strong share price gain after IPO; Apex, Tradeview start coverage with ‘buy’

Risks are building up towards an earlier rate hike due to Malaysia's removal of RON95 petrol subsidies, according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, though it officially forecasts the rate to remain unchanged this year.

BMI says Malaysia's planned RON95 subsidy removal heightens rate hike risk, but keeps OPR target at 3%

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was visibly shaken on Friday as the prosecution attacked his defence testimony with an onslaught of questions on the infamous ‘donation’ from Saudi royalty.

For the full story, click <a href="http://theedgemalaysia.com/node/740535" target="_blank">here</a>.
...

Japan to be involved with REE processing in Malaysia — Anwar

Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) said on Friday it has fully acquired two modern double-storey logistics warehouses in Bandar Bukit Raja, Selangor for RM232 million.

Sime Darby Property fully acquires Bandar Bukit Raja warehouses for RM232 mil

Malaysia’s national oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) has reached the final investment decision for the development of the Hidayah field offshore East Java, Indonesia.

Petronas reaches final investment decision to develop Hidayah field off Indonesia

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, currently on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, was accorded a formal welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex on Friday.

Japanese PM accorded official welcome at Perdana Putra

Wall Street futures fell in Asia and treasury yields held near eight-month highs on Friday as investors counted down to a US jobs report that could exacerbate or ease the sell-off in the global bond market.

Stocks fall, US yields near eight-month highs ahead of jobs data

Despite being known as a consummate gentleman, Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the High Court here on Friday that he didn't send thank-you notes or express any gesture of gratitude after receiving donations from the Arab royalty.

1MDB-Tanore: Why no thank-you note to Saudi donors? Prosecution takes aim at consummate gentleman Najib's 'bad manners'

President-elect Donald Trump said a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is being set up.

At a meeting with Republican governors at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, the incoming president told a reporter that Putin “wants to meet” and added, “we’re gonna — we’re setting it up.” Any such meeting, were it to happen, would come after he’s inaugurated as president, Trump said.

Trump says meeting with Putin is being arranged

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hope that the clean hydrogen energy collaboration project between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) could be facilitated by May this year.

Shares of Bloks Group Ltd, the popular Chinese maker of Ultraman and Transformers figurines, surged 82% in their Hong Kong trading debut after the company’s US$215 million (RM966.68 million) initial public offering (IPO) drew overwhelming demand from individual investors.

Ultraman toymaker Bloks jumps 82% in HK after frenzy over IPO

Chinese property developers are starting 2025 facing liquidation petitions and mountains of debt as the nation’s real estate crisis enters its fifth year with little sign of improvement.

Just this week, defaulted Chinese builder Sunac China Holdings Ltd received another winding-up petition. While the company successfully restructured its offshore debt in 2023, concerns about its ability to meet payment obligations have pushed its stock and bond prices to the lowest level in months.

Chinese developers begin new year with deepening debt woes

U Mobile Sdn Bhd, the nation’s newly selected second 5G network access provider, is set to deploy between 5,000 and 7,000 5G sites across Malaysia, according to industry sources cited by RHB Research.

China's central bank said on Friday it has suspended treasury bond purchases, triggering a jump in yields and spurring speculation that the move was aimed at defending a falling currency.

Nicholas Khaw

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

Nicholas Khaw

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌

‌
‌