IT’S inevitable — digital banks are coming. This new breed of banks has been sprouting up in the region, particularly in China, and it is only a matter of time before they come to Malaysia’s shores.

A digital bank, sometimes known as a virtual bank, is one that does not have a physical ...

Cover Story: A new banking reality

KAKAO Bank’s launch as one of the first digital banks in South Korea almost two years ago turned out to be a major wake-up call for the nation’s traditional banks.

Built on the back of South Korea’s highly popular messaging platform Kakao Talk, it started operations as a mobile-only ban...

Cover Story: The South Korea Experience: How Kakao Bank forced traditional banks to buck up

RHB Capital Bhd’s outgoing group managing director Kellee Kam believes that the reorganisation of the group comes at an opportune time. “This is wisdom from my board. They say that in business, there are seasons. When it’s summer or autumn, you go out, make the best of it. You farm, you build you...

Cover Story: RHB in transition

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s Indonesian operations, once seen as the most promising of its overseas ventures, disappointed last year for a host of reasons, dragging down the group’s overall financial performance.

A key question playing on investors’ mind as they decide whether to buy, sell...

Cover Story: The Indonesian conundrum

THESE aren’t exactly what one would call the best of times for CIMB Group Holdings Bhd’s newly confirmed group chief executive Tengku Datuk...

Cover Story: Is the worst over for CIMB?

China and Malaysia will stand with countries in the region to counter the undercurrents of geopolitical rivalry and bloc confrontation, in a collective effort to overcome the tides of unilateralism and protectionism, said Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s Xi says stands with Malaysia, region in countering unilateralism 

Malaysia and China’s foreign policies are shaped by a clear-eyed vision of both countries’ interests, as well as Asean centrality, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

As such, Anwar said Malaysia will remain an unwavering and principled friend to China, guided by the wisdom of history and the promise of a shared future between the two countries.

Malaysia-China foreign policies shaped by clear-eyed vision, Asean centrality — Anwar

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that China remains Malaysia's most significant trading partner, more so with the global trading system being thrown into disarray and market access being weaponised following the imposition of debilitating tariffs on 168 countries including both Malaysia and China.

China remains Malaysia’s key partner as turbulence hits global trade, says Anwar

Singapore has called for accelerated economic integration within Asean, urging the bloc to aim for 100% tariff elimination across the region, boost intra-Asean trade, and further reduce non-tariff barriers to enable smoother business operations across the region.

Asean should accelerate economic integration efforts — Singapore PM

The Sarawak state government is taking steps to consolidate and reassess its assets to sustain economic growth and revenue in light of current global economic uncertainties, said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Sarawak to consolidate assets amid global economic uncertainty — Abang Johari

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has summoned Kwong Wah Yit Poh regarding a report about an incomplete image of the Malaysian flag.

Kwong Wah Yit Poh under MCMC probe over incomplete Jalur Gemilang in Facebook post

Wall Street's main indices slid on Wednesday, with chipmakers leading declines as Nvidia warned of steep charges from new US curbs on its chip exports to China, making it one of the biggest casualties of the trade war between the two countries.

Wall St tumbles, Nvidia drops after new US chip export curbs

Tile and stone surface distributor BMS Holdings Bhd is planning a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds to expand its operations and facilities nationwide.

Tile and stone distributor BMS Holdings plans ACE IPO to fund expansion

Malaysia will focus on five main priority areas under the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) pillar during the Asean chairmanship period in 2025 in efforts to strengthen regional unity through social and cultural cooperation.

Asean chairmanship 2025: Malaysia to focus on five main social and cultural priority areas

The staff responsible for the gaffe involving the Jalur Gemilang that was published in the Sin Chew Daily front page on Tuesday will be subjected to disciplinary action.

Sin Chew to take disciplinary action against staff over flag gaffe

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) is offering up to 30% off on airfares for economy and business class on all Malaysian Airlines routes, domestic and international, in conjunction with Matta Fair 2025.

MAG offers up to 30% off for Malaysian Airlines tickets at Matta Fair

China wants to see a number of steps from President Donald Trump’s administration before it will agree to trade talks, including showing more respect by reining in disparaging remarks by members of his cabinet, according to a person familiar with the Chinese government’s thinking.

China open to talks if Trump shows respect, names point person 

Chinese President Xi Jinping was given a state welcome at Istana Negara on Wednesday in conjunction with a three-day state visit starting on Tuesday at the invitation of the King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Chinese President Xi accorded state welcome at Istana Negara

The government will implement the diagnostic-related group (DRG) payment system only for new basic health insurance and takaful products, instead of changing the entire private healthcare payment model, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research.

Govt to apply diagnostics-related group payment system to basic insurance only, private healthcare model unaffected — HLIB Research

Sapura Energy Bhd (KL:SAPNRG) has secured multiple contracts worth nearly RM100 million combined in Malaysia and Thailand to provide offshore support vessels.

Sapura Energy bags multiple contracts worth nearly RM100 mil

Malaysian banks, in spite of their domestic focus, will not emerge completely unscathed from the escalating international trade tensions, TA Securities flagged on Wednesday.

Malaysian banks, despite local focus, will suffer from trade tensions fallout — TA Securities

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday witnessed the exchange of 31 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and documents covering various sectors of cooperation between the two countries.

Anwar, Xi witness exchange of 31 MOUs and documents to advance Malaysia-China cooperation

The King,&nbsp;Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, has expressed his belief that Malaysia and China will continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, despite various geopolitical gaps around the world.

King confident Malaysia, China will continue to empower cooperation

Bina Puri Holdings Bhd (KL:BPURI) announced on Wednesday the retirement of its founder director Dr Tan Cheng Kiat, and deputy executive chairman Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng, from its board.

Bina Puri announces boardroom changes, founder director Tan Cheng Kiat retires

Chinese sellers of items from lunch boxes to appliances have taken to social media platform Rednote to generate sympathy purchases, telling domestic consumers they are offloading stock at bargain prices amid US tariffs.

Chinese exporters on Rednote ask local consumers to buy goods meant for US

Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd (Bank Rakyat) flagged that 2025 will be a challenging year for the group due to the turbulent global economic outlook and intensifying geopolitical tensions, particularly from the ongoing trade war among major economies.

Bank Rakyat flags challenging 2025, keeps 17% dividend for FY2024

SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD) is acquiring a freehold plot in Mont Kiara measuring 3.032 acres for RM110 million, to develop high-end residential properties.

SkyWorld buys three-acre Mont Kiara land for RM110m

The 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial, which has been on the 'tail-end' for months, seems to be protracted even longer with more contestations to subpoena possible witnesses.

1MDB-Tanore: Now, IGP contests defence’s subpoena

The High Court here has given time for the lawyers of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to “consider his approach” in contempt of court proceedings that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has brought against him.&nbsp;

Zahid’s attempt to commit Mahathir for contempt postponed after court gives time for Dr M to 'consider his approach'

Sapura Industrial Bhd (KL:SAPIND) has launched its new corporate identity with a new logo, as it seeks to step away from being associated with the Sapura Group of companies.&nbsp;

‘No connection’ between Sapura Industrial and Sapura Group, says MD 

PwC&nbsp;has shut down operations in more than a dozen countries that are deemed too small, risky or unprofitable, as the Big Four accounting firm aims to prevent repeats of scandals that have affected it, the Financial Times&nbsp;(FT) reported on Wednesday.

PwC exits more than a dozen countries to avoid scandals, FT reports

OCK Group Bhd’s (KL:OCK) shareholders have approved a proposed RM91 million investment in a 116 megawatt (MW) large-scale solar photovoltaic (LSSPV) power plant in Malaysia through Solarpack Suria Sungai Petani Sdn Bhd (3SP).

OCK shareholders approve RM91 mil investment in large-scale solar plant 

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia said the mistake of displaying the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon, as published on the front page of a local Chinese newspaper, could trigger public sensitivities and is unacceptable.

King lambasts Sin Chew over Jalur Gemilang error, labels lapse ‘unacceptable’

Nextgreen Global Bhd (KL:NGGB), a company which turns oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) into paper, plans to set up a joint venture company with Chinese Fortune Global 500 company Xiamen C&amp;D Paper &amp; Pulp Group Co Ltd (Xiamen C&amp;D) to set up a RM900 million paper pulp plant in Pahang.

Nextgreen-IOI JV to partner China’s Xiamen C&D for a RM900m pulp plant in Pahang

ACE Market-listed Nexgram Holdings Bhd (KL:NEXGRAM) has been served with a winding-up petition by Maybank Islamic Bhd for allegedly failing to settle an outstanding amount of RM1.77 million.

stories By Joyce Goh and Adeline Paul Raj