As expected, large technology companies are resisting the government’s deadline to implement a licensing regime starting Jan 1 next year.

The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) in a 12-page letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has listed a number of reasons for why the licensing...

Frankly Speaking: Govt should stay the course against big tech

The sinkholes that have appeared in Kuala Lumpur in recent weeks are not a new phenomenon. Back in 2014, a series of land depressions and sinkholes all over the city caused disruptions to traffic and the construction of the MRT Kajang Line.

While the cause of the depressions and sinkhol...

Frankly Speaking: Get serious about KL’s underground conditions

Finally, justice has been served, with two of the perpetrators involved in the first theft of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) money that took place in 2009 being found guilty in court. The Swiss Federal Criminal Court last week convicted Swiss-British national Patrick Mahony and Swiss-Saudi Tare...

Frankly Speaking: Only the UK has not acted

The board of IOI Properties Group Bhd (KL:IOIPG) must be commended for rejecting an offer to acquire Shenton 101 Pte Ltd, which owns the Shenton House redevelopment project in Singapore, from its major shareholder, Lee Yeow Seng.

The board declined the offer as the venture would add to ...

Frankly Speaking: IOIPG navigates a sticky conflict position

Just as it was all going smoothly for Malaysia Aviation Group Bhd (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines Bhd, it has been hit by a series of problems that threatens to unravel years of progress.

MAG had emerged from a successful debt restructuring with a strong post-pandemic bal...

Frankly Speaking: Malaysia Airlines recovery hits bumps

With the World Health Organization having declared an end to the Covid-19 global health emergency on May 5, 2023, it is disappointing to learn that many public listed companies (PLCs) still conduct general shareholder meetings in a fully virtual format.

Frankly Speaking : Make physical or hybrid AGMs mandatory

Normally, a mandatory general offer (MGO) would not raise eyebrows. But that is not the case for South Malaysia Industries Bhd (KL:SMI), which has been embroiled in a boardroom fight that has spilled into the courtroom.

Frankly Speaking : Taken aback by takeover

It came as quite a surprise last week when Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Meng announced that his ministry had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to provide up to RM30,000 in deposit assistance for first-time homebuyers.

Frankly Speaking : More information needed for Madani Deposit scheme

The joint-venture (JV) company of LEAP Market-listed Sunmow Holding Bhd (KL:SUNMOW) and privately held Kemena Holding Sdn Bhd recently won a RM1.02 billion contract to undertake construction works related to Package 4B of the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phase 2, which links Bukit Pagon to Long Luping. The contract was awarded by Maltimur Aktif Unggul JV Sdn Bhd.

Frankly Speaking : Is RM1 bil job too big for Sunmow to handle?

Last week, TMC Life Sciences Bhd (KL:TMCLIFE) announced its fourth-quarter ended June 30, 2024 (4QFY2024) financials, which saw a 92% decline in its net profit and a 12% fall in revenue from a year ago. Net profit for the quarter stood at RM1.02 million while revenue totalled RM74.12 million.

Frankly Speaking : Unanswered questions at TMC Life Sciences

In the last two weeks, the total volume of shares traded in Cape EMS Bhd (KL:CEB) amounted to almost 2.7 billion, close to three times its issued share base of 992 million.

Frankly Speaking : Cape EMS shareholding puzzle

Last week, there was a flurry of rail-related announcements, many of which seemed to require explanation and perhaps even more in-depth studies.

Frankly Speaking: Noble intentions that require good execution

It is not the quantum of the fine that Bank Negara Malaysia has imposed on Maybank Group and CIMB Group that is important, but the fact that the central bank has made public the two banks being hauled up for disruptions to their operating systems.

Frankly Speaking: A telling message from Bank Negara

Last week, Sapura Resources Bhd’s (KL:SAPRES) board of directors said it had instructed managing director Datuk Shahriman Shamsuddin to abstain from running the company’s aviation business, and in the announcement made on Aug 15, they added that a board aviation management committee had been set up to handle the duties previously handled by him pertaining to the aviation business.

Frankly Speaking: What’s going on at Sapura Resources?

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has assured that its directive to internet service providers (ISPs) to redirect domain name system (DNS) traffic using third-party DNS servers back to their servers will not affect, disrupt, or block users from accessing legitimate websites.

MCMC assures DNS redirection will safeguard access to legitimate websites

Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah has been picked as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Mahkota state by-election on Sept 28.

Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien is BN candidate for Mahkota polls

Asia's most powerful storm this year made landfall in northern Vietnam on Saturday, the meteorological agency said, killing at least two people after tearing through China's island of Hainan, where it reportedly killed another two and injured dozens more.

Super Typhoon Yagi makes landfall in Vietnam after casualties in China

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the actions of social media providers in curbing criminal activities are still weak even though 21 discussions have been held between the ministry and all platforms so far.

Actions by social media providers to curb crime still weak, says Fahmi

Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah has called for the restoration of humanity in finance, emphasising the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship and social inclusion.

Sultan Nazrin calls for restoration of humanity in finance

Indian education technology company Byju's auditor BDO Global has resigned after the startup did not provide documents requested following the start of insolvency proceedings, Byju's said on Saturday.

Byju's auditor BDO resigns after start of bankruptcy proceedings, company says

Thailand’s newly appointed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vowed to push ahead with a controversial US$14 billion (RM60.67 billion) cash stimulus plan as her cabinet finalised a blueprint to free Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy from a prolonged period of low growth and chronic household debt.

New Thai PM to push ahead with cash stimulus to revive economy

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Saturday expressed his joy over improvements in the country’s economic situation and trade performance.

His Majesty hoped that the government would continue to work to stimulate the country’s economy to create more job opportunities and increase the income and living standards of the people.

King happy with country's economic, trade performance

Seven people were injured, with one hospitalised after a plane operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd’s budget carrier Scoot encountered turbulence during a flight from the city state to Guangzhou in China on Friday, the Straits Times reported on Saturday.

Seven injured on Singapore Airlines’ Scoot flight to China, says Straits Times

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft landed uncrewed in a New Mexico desert late on Friday, capping a three-month test mission hobbled by technical issues that forced the astronauts it had flown to the International Space Station to remain there until next year.

Without astronauts, Boeing's Starliner returns to Earth