The United Kingdom’s Labour government has given serious thought to the public investment needed to get the economy back on track after 14 years of austerity, neglect of social infrastructure, and capital flight triggered by Brexit and uncertain economic conditions. It understands that the situation demands a new strategy to tackle big problems like child poverty, health inequities, a weak industrial base, and struggling public infrastructure.

The Visible Hand: Good Growth Requires Getting Public-Private Partnerships Right 

In today’s digital age, cyberthreats lurk around every corner and a single click can open the floodgates to data breaches, financial loss and reputational damage. It’s no longer enough to have a top-notch cybersecurity strategy — you need a culture that prioritises security at every level. After all, as the saying goes, “culture eats strategy for breakfast”. Let’s explore how to cultivate a cybersecurity culture within your organisation that’s as robust as your firewalls.

My Say: Cultivating cybersecurity: More than just strategy, it's culture

Founded on April 8, 2004, by six visionary organisations (Aarhus United, Karlshamns, Malaysian Palm Oil Association, Migros, Unilever and WWF), the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has made unprecedented progress in spearheading the global production and use of sustainable palm oil that is aligned to the triple bottom-line philosophy embracing social justice, environmental protection and economic viability.

My Say: RSPO’s path to transforming the sustainable palm oil market

Taxation is a key success factor and mandatory requirement for environmental, social and governance (ESG) programmes. Institutional investors use contributions to the public purse to measure businesses’ commitment to people, the planet and profits.

My Say: Understanding how institutional investors, tax and ESG are linked

In Malaysia, teachers are more than just educators; they are the foundation upon which the future of the nation is built. Over the years, their role has evolved from traditional instructors to multifaceted leaders, mentors and agents of change. Today, teachers are not just responsible for academic development; they are nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Their influence extends beyond textbooks, guiding students not only in knowledge but in emotional intelligence, social responsibility and ethical leadership.

My Say: Shaping the Future: The transformative role of teachers in Malaysia’s education and leadership landscape

As artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI gain mainstream traction, there is growing enthusiasm about establishing data centres worldwide to store and process the data fuelling these technologies. In 2023, the global data centre market was valued at US$219 billion, and is projected to grow to US$585 billion by 2032. This represents a 2.7-fold increase, with a compound annual growth rate of 12%, making data centres a significant economic catalyst.

My Say: Data centres: Strategic trade-offs and the promise of high-value jobs

As Asean solidifies its standing as a powerful economic bloc with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$3.6 trillion (RM16.16 trillion) and a population of 679 million, Malaysia’s role within this vibrant community is increasingly critical. Positioned strategically within Asean, Malaysia has the unique opportunity to leverage its economic strengths to address regional disparities, promote inclusive trade and contribute to Asean’s shared prosperity. However, while the potential is vast, the challenges are equally significant. To achieve sustainable growth, Malaysia must adopt a proactive approach, one that not only champions regional integration but also addresses the very real hurdles hindering Asean’s development.

My Say: Malaysia’s economic road map in Asean requires collaborative action

In the last six decades, Malaysia has experienced five major rice crises: 1972-73, 1999, 2008, 2020-21 and 2023. On each occasion, Malaysia’s policy responses were mainly quick fixes in nature rather than promoting structural reformation. This stance led to solutions that were quick to produce re...

My Say: Rice sector needs structural improvements, not quick fixes

Understanding the return of populism is crucial for making sense of today’s politics. This is especially true in the US, both for president-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans as they prepare to govern, and for the Democrats as they try to recover from their stunning defeat.

The Policy Puzzle: Populism never lasts

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

The tech industry is characterised by the need for continuous investment in research and development (R&D) that maintains competitive edge, meaning that entrepreneurs have to invest cash up-front for the longish term, without knowing exactly when they would get returns on such investments.

Condivergence: How cash flow and IPOs affect the tech sector

The global financial crisis of 2008 popularised the term “too big to fail”, which is also an appropriate label for the Malaysian health system. Two other terms that can describe the Malaysian health system are “too big to manage” and “too big to understand”.

State of Health: In 2025 and beyond, there are no magic solutions for healthcare

The 29th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29), held in November in Baku, was heralded as a pivotal moment for global climate finance. Instead, it left many deeply disappointed. For developing nations like Malaysia, striving to balance ambitious climate action with equitable growth, the diluted outcomes on financing were a stark reminder of the fragility of international consensus. COP29 underscored the urgent need to reimagine how signatories to the Paris Agreement approach these negotiations.

My Say: World can’t wait for climate justice; multilateralism our only hope to fight climate change

The National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 requires the government to review the minimum wage order at least every two years. With the gazette­ment of the Minimum Wage Order 2024, the Minimum Wage Order 2022 will be revoked.

The 2024 order introduces the revised minimum wage rate ...

My Say: Business owners must optimise operations in view of new minimum wage order

OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd says it is committed to supporting businesses and individuals in leveraging the opportunities offered by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

OCBC Malaysia ready to support those looking to tap opportunities in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

LAS VEGAS/TOKYO (Jan 6): Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy plans to eliminate its supply-chain dependence on China for electric vehicle (EV) batteries made in the United States, a senior executive told Reuters, calling the shift a "No.1 objective".

Tesla supplier Panasonic Energy says cutting China supply for US business a 'No.1 objective'

Agribusiness firm FGV Holdings Bhd (KL:FGV) has signed an agreement with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), to increase awareness and provide comprehensive support to independent smallholders in meeting global sustainability standards and regulations.

FGV partners MPOB to help smallholders meet global sustainability standards

Port Klang, comprising Northport and Westports, has reportedly secured the 10th spot among the world’s busiest ports in 2024, according to Transport Minister Athony Loke Siew Fook.

Port Klang ranked 10th among world's busiest ports in 2024, says Loke

Britain's biggest supermarket group Tesco, No 2 Sainsbury's and discounter Lidl were winners at Christmas, posting sales growth of 5%, 3.5% and 6.6% respectively, according to industry data published on Tuesday.

No 3 Asda remained the industry laggard, with sales down 5.8% in the 12 weeks to Dec 29 compared with the previous year, market researcher Kantar said.

Tesco, Sainsbury's and Lidl are UK Christmas winners, says Kantar

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked the northern foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, Chinese authorities said, killing at least 95 people and shaking buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India.

Powerful earthquake kills nearly 100 in Tibet, rattles Nepal

Government analysis shows that more than 30% of jobs in Malaysia will be affected by artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 10 years, with key sectors such as manufacturing, services, and information technology expected to undergo significant transformation, said Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

AI to impact over 30% of jobs in Malaysia in next 10 years — minister

Microsoft Corp plans to spend US$3 billion (RM13.47 billion) to expand its cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities in India, targeting the world’s most populous country to fuel its revenue growth.

Microsoft’s Nadella pledges US$3 bil AI investment in India

China’s winter illness season is less severe compared to the year before, according to data from its health authority. But the proliferation of a long-standing though little-known pathogen called human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been raising alarm both at home and in other countries.

China’s winter surge of flu-like hMPV cases puts nations on edge

WASHINGTON (Jan 6): US Treasury secretary Janet Yellen met virtually on Monday with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and raised concerns about "malicious cyber activity" carried out by Chinese state-sponsored actors, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Yellen raised serious concern about China's 'malicious' cyber activity, Treasury says

The leaders of Malaysia and Singapore formalised an agreement establishing a special economic zone linking their two nations’ border region, with the aim of attracting 50 projects in the first five years of its establishment.

Singapore, Malaysia ink deal creating new vast economic zone

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), or KWAP, and its affiliates have disposed of 119.25 million&nbsp;shares, or a 7.15% stake in Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd (MAHB)(KL:AIRPORT), pursuant to the takeover offer by Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA).

GDA ups holding after KWAP disposes of 7.15% stake amid takeover

The existence of the royal addendum in Najib's royal pardon raises significant questions that warrant clarification.

Najib Pardon: There is nothing pending for current Agong to deliberate on

Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) achieved record-high vehicle sales and production volumes in 2024, marking an 8.4% increase in sales compared to the previous year, along with its highest production output to date.

Perodua achieved record-high vehicle sales, production in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) expects a de-rating for the Malaysian oil-and-gas sector, given the high possibility of capital expenditure reduction by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) in 2025.

O&G sector faces de-rating on potential Petronas capex cut — Maybank IB

National oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, said on Tuesday it is embarking on a study to explore untapped resources in the Malay Basin off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Petronas to study mature Malay Basin that still holds untapped resources

Malaysia’s green industrialisation efforts face significant hurdles, including a decline of its manufacturing base, requiring urgent actions by the government, according to a new study.

Study: Malaysia’s manufacturing decline hinders green industrialisation, urgent action needed

There are still ample near- to medium-term opportunities for Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) after the construction firm secured its first contract for the year, analysts said.

Plenty of jobs ahead for Kerjaya Prospek after its first contract win in 2025, analysts say

The government has&nbsp;decided that the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project can be revived if there is full participation from the private sector, with minimal government involvement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.&nbsp;

KL-Singapore HSR can be revived with full private participation, says Anwar

Royal addendum? House arrest? If you, like many Malaysians, are confused over what took place in imprisoned former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's court case on Monday, below is a brief elucidation highlighting the main takeaways.

Your guide to understanding Najib's house arrest bid

(Jan 6):&nbsp;A rally in the world’s largest tech companies lifted stocks at the start of the first full trading week in 2025. The dollar trimmed losses as President-elect Donald Trump said his tariff plan won’t be scaled back.

US stocks advance as Nvidia closes at all-time high

Toyota Motor Corp plans to move in the first 100 residents of a futuristic city at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan by as soon as this fall, but declined to specify how much the ambitious project is costing the company.

Toyota aims to open its futuristic city in Japan this year

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted five stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Tuesday. Two stocks showed positive momentum, while the rest showed positive momentum.

Stocks with momentum on Jan 7, 2025: Nationgate, Lien Hoe, Gamuda, Wong Engineering, Velocity Capital

The King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, on Tuesday granted an audience to Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Istana Negara here.

King grants audience to Singapore PM at Istana Negara

SINGAPORE (Jan 7): Asia shares rose on Tuesday, tracking Wall Street's positive lead and as some investors hoped incoming US President-elect Donald Trump could adopt a less aggressive tariff stance than promised when he takes office.

Asia shares rise on prospect of softer Trump tariffs

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): The Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) has reprimanded a former unit trust consultant for allegedly cheating during its examination.

FIMM reprimands unit trust consultant for alleged cheating in exam

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 7): The dissolution of the government task force investigating 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) was an “administrative decision”, and not as a result of any directive by then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the court heard on Tuesday.

1MDB-Tanore: Najib says disbandment of taskforce probing wrongdoing was an ‘administrative decision’

Malaysia and Singapore are reopening discussions on long-standing issues such as water supply, maritime delimitation and airspace.

Malaysia, Singapore reopen discussion on long-standing issues

EA Technique (M) Bhd (KL:EATECH) said on Tuesday that it will get an undisclosed payoff as part of an amicable settlement with national oil-and-gas company Petronas over the lease of a floating storage unit vessel.

EA Technique to get payoff from Petronas to settle vessel lease dispute

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has obtained permission from the High Court here to initiate contempt of court proceedings against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Forum

‌
‌

Forum

‌‌

‌
‌