The global chemical industry is facing a quiet but inevitable reckoning. As the world deliberately transitions away from fossil fuels, the focus is largely on replacing the 87% of the crude oil barrel used for energy and transportation.

Opinion: For plant-based chemicals, a new future starts with a radical turnaround

IS processed food inherently bad? Conventional health narratives increasingly say yes. The modern consumer is continuously bombarded with warnings about Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs), with studies linking them to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In response, a booming "clean label" marketing movement promises safety through short, recognisable ingredient lists.

Opinion: From NOVA to Nutella: Why balance matters more than labels

In Malaysia, Planta became synonymous with margarine, especially from the mid-20th century onwards. It was the first margarine imported into the country in 1930 and quickly became a staple in households. With a market share of over 50%, Planta was used in everything from roti canai (often called ...

My Say: Planta — bridging divides: Malaysia’s love for a palm oil icon

When people think of healthy oils, olive oil usually comes to mind. It is the star of the Mediterranean diet, praised for lowering cholesterol and protecting the heart. But here in the tropics, another oil quietly plays a similar role: palm olein, the liquid fraction of palm oil. Could this be the “olive oil of the tropics”?

Opinion: Where to find the olive oil of the tropics

PALM oil has sustained civilisations for millennia, with its earliest recorded use dating back to 4000 BCE (Before Common Era).

Opinion: Red palm oil can make it big with quality standards

At about the same time my article “Hidden danger in consuming ‘dark calories’” was published on theedgemalaysia.com (July 17, 2024), the Seed Oil Free Alliance unveiled its “Seed Oil Free Certified” food label. In my article, I recommended avoiding seed oils from sunflower, corn, soybean and cott...

My Say: Seed Oil Free Certification in the US a boost for palm oil?

In June 2024 a World Health Organization (WHO) report said that ultra-processed food is responsible for about 391,000 deaths a year in Europe. The WHO said the four industries — ultra-processed food, alcohol, fossil fuels and tobacco — were responsible for more than 2.7 million deaths a year, about one quarter of all fatalities, on the continent. “It is estimated that at least one third of total global deaths (19 million) and 41% of non-communicable disease deaths are attributable to just four commercial products: tobacco, ultra-processed foods, fossil fuels and alcohol,” the WHO wrote.

Hidden danger in consuming 'dark calories’

Last week, news that Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), had resigned sent shock waves through the palm oil industry. Since the 14th general election in 2018, we have had three ministers — Teresa Kok Suh Sim, under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; Datuk Dr ...

My Say: Breaking down silos in the palm oil industry

As chemical engineers and members of IChemE’s POPSIG (The Institution of Chemical Engineers’ Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group), we have been closely following the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, which ran from Oct 31 to Nov 12. Ahead of COP26, we noted that on Sept 27, Prime Min...

My Say: The palm oil industry can be net-zero carbon by 2040

When what is said in the headlines happens, what does it mean for the palm oil industry in Malaysia?

We need to start with the Paris Agreement, which is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, there is a binding agreement that brings all nation...

My Say: When Malaysia embraces net-zero carbon emissions

Malaysian plastic packaging firms’ earnings may have peaked in the second quarter and will moderate as costs rise and demand growth slows, said an analyst.

Plastic packaging firms' earnings likely peaked in 2Q — Kenanga

BENGALURU (Oct 26): Tata Communications, which offers data connections and cybersecurity to enterprises, announced investments of close to US$450 million on Monday to build high-speed network cables connecting India’s AI data-centre corridors.

India's Tata Communications to spend US$450 mil on AI connectivity infrastructure

NEWS: KEB aims to raise nearly RM80 mil from IPO

Indonesia recorded a sharp decline in forest and land fire hotspots on Sunday, with the nationwide tally falling by more than half to 147 as rainfall brought some relief to firefighting operations.

Indonesian fire hotspots fall by more than half to 147 as rainfall brings relief

LONDON (Oct 26): British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that his finance minister John Healey would set out this week a plan to fully fund the government's existing defence commitments alongside a pathway to hitting a 2035 Nato spending pledge.

UK to set out path to Nato target in Wednesday's budget, PM says

Local authorities have enforcement schedules extending beyond office hours to address noise complaints arising from entertainment activities at residential premises and outdoor venues, including at night and on weekends, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Monday.

Local authorities enforcing noise regulations beyond office hours, Dewan Rakyat hears

CAPE TOWN (Oct 26): Honeywell Technologies said on Monday that it was launching a new industrial AI platform, "Forge Plant Cognition", at Nigeria's Dangote refinery to boost the plant's productivity.

Honeywell Technologies launches new AI platform at Dangote's Nigeria refinery

Oil prices fell on Monday after surging last week to near six-month highs, amid hopes of easing hostilities between the US and Iran, although persistent attacks on key producer Saudi Arabia kept investors wary.

Oil drops from near six-month highs on hopes Iran war hostilities to ease

The government will undertake a comprehensive study before expanding the crop insurance scheme to other agricultural sectors affected by natural disasters and extreme weather, said Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.

Crop insurance scheme expansion needs further study, says deputy minister

JAKARTA (Oct 26): The amount of natural gas being supplied by Indonesia to Singapore is still meeting the minimum level stipulated under a contract between them despite a reduction, Indonesia's energy minister said on Monday.

Indonesia meeting gas deal terms with Singapore despite supply cut, minister says

(Oct 26):&nbsp;Masayoshi Son of SoftBank Group Corp&nbsp;chose locations in Malaysia for US$50 billion in technology investments, the country’s prime minister said, an outlay that would accelerate the billionaire’s global bet on AI infrastructure.

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri An...

SoftBank’s Son plans US$50 bil Malaysia tech outlay, PM says

Completing 11 years of schooling from primary (six years) to secondary (five years) is now mandatory for all Malaysian citizens. Parents who fail to comply can be fined up to RM5,000, jailed up to six months, or both. Per the latest United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) data, Malaysians have completed 11.1 years of schooling, on average, well above the global mean of 8.8 years — and just a shade lower than Singapore’s 12 years. A child entering school today has an even higher 12.7 expected years of schooling. By this measure, Malaysia places within the UNDP’s “Very high human development” category. A laudable achievement — but also a false narrative.

Tong's Portfolio — More straight As, less learning: What Malaysia’s exams miss

Datuk Mahadev Shankar, a member of the royal inquiry into Malaysia’s judge-fixing scandal, has passed away over the weekend. He was 94.

Mahadev Shankar, member of royal inquiry into Anwar black-eye and VK Lingam scandal, passes away

MyDCD Bhd has launched its ACE Market listing that will raise RM268.8 million for the engineering services firm and its shareholders.

Engineering services firm MyDCD launches ACE Market IPO at 56 sen per share

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Public Investment Bank Bhd has assigned a fair value of 70 sen on SKA Capital Bhd, which translates into a 63% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 43 sen.

PublicInvest values ACE Market-bound SKA Capital at 70 sen, 63% premium over IPO price

SYDNEY (Oct 26): Stock markets traded cautiously on Monday as oil eased from six-month highs ahead of a week packed with central bank meetings and corporate earnings that will further test investor confidence in the AI boom.

Stocks trade cautiously in Asia, Brent off six-month top

Oil prices fell on Monday after surging last week to near six-month highs, amid hopes of easing hostilities between the US and Iran, although persistent attacks on key producer Saudi Arabia kept investors wary.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): The move by MCA to walk out of an event to unveil Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the 16th Melaka state election on Saturday (Oct 24)&nbsp;night has raised questions regarding the sincerity of its coalition partner, Umno, in their political cooperation.

Melaka polls: Walk-out by MCA raises question of sincerity of Umno

SINGAPORE (Oct 26): Malaysia will deepen its partnership with Singapore and work with neighbours to realise regional power connectivity, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Malaysia seeks greater energy ties with Singapore as it makes a push for Asean grid — Fadillah

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Summary

•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Elevated crude oil prices following the Strait of Hormuz disruption have renewed interest in Malaysian oil and gas stoc...

Which Malaysian O&G stocks stand to gain from higher-for-longer oil prices?

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•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;IJM is likely to secure a RM500 million contract for the construction of a data centre for K2 Strategic Infrastructure ...

IJM said to have bagged K2 data centre construction job

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Subang, Ipoh and Penang airports recorded year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in international passenger traffic in September 2026, despite a decline in overall passenger movements across Malaysia Airports' local network.

MAHB: Subang, Ipoh, Penang airports record international passenger growth in September

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (KL:PMETAL) is expected to see softer smelting margins in the second half of 2026 as aluminium supply crunch eases, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Press Metal faces softer 2H smelting margins as aluminium supply crunch eases — HLIB Research

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), through PLANMalaysia and in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), state governments and local authorities, is drafting STRA planning guidelines to serve as a uniform source of authority.

Housing Ministry moves to standardise short-term rental accommodation rules nationwide

Maxis Bhd (KL:MAXIS) is expected to get a small boost to its fibre business, which has seen little growth in recent quarters, analysts said on Monday.

Maxis to get small boost to fibre business after flat quarters, analysts say

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was officially dissolved on Monday, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak State Election.

Sarawak assembly dissolved, paving way for 13th state polls

Jio Platforms Ltd raised a record amount of funds for billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s digital and telecommunications giant but it proved to be far less lucrative for the bankers handling the deal.

Jio’s record India IPO falls short of record payday for bankers

Energy authorities in Malaysia and Singapore have established a joint working group to harmonise approaches to tracking and accounting for renewable energy certificates.

Malaysia, Singapore form working group to align renewable energy certificate rules

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 26): The government on Monday pledged to publicly release a report by a special task force probing the “corporate mafia” allegations.&nbsp;

Qua Kiat Seng

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