On July 15, de facto law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman told reporters that the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department was ready to propose amendments to the anti-party hopping law. This follows an earlier comment by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the government was open to holding discussions to fix any loophole in the Constitution (Amendment) (No 3) Act 2022 (Act A1663).

Frankly Speaking: Make haste in closing anti-party hopping law loopholes

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) in Subang, Selangor — formerly the country’s main gateway — is set to be a bustling hub again.

Frankly Speaking: Resumption of jet operations at Subang Airport needs to be done right

The government will need to think long and hard before deciding whether to proceed with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) project. Shelved in 2018 by Putrajaya, it resulted in a compensation of RM320 million paid to Singapore.

Frankly Speaking: Taxpayers should not be left holding the baby if the HSR proceeds and fails

Finally, the government’s impetus to revive the Forest City development in Johor has been made known. A series of laws were passed in parliament last week, paving the way for duty-free status to be accorded to Pulau 1 in Forest City.

Frankly Speaking: Locals should benefit more from Pulau 1

The Bintulu Port Authority Act 1981 was repealed in parliament last week, paving the way for Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (KL:BIPORT) to come under the purview of the Sarawak government.

Frankly Speaking: All eyes on rates at Bintulu Port

Last Wednesday (July 10), Theta Edge Bhd (KL:THETA) snapped a two-day decline in its share price after announcing to Bursa Malaysia that its wholly-owned unit Theta Telecoms Sdn Bhd had secured a project from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for the development, provision and maintenance of Internet of Things (loT) for its smart business initiative in Ampang Jaya.

Frankly Speaking: It ain’t fake but neither is it accurate

Last Friday (July 12), EVD Bhd (KL:EVD) reinstated its major shareholder Mah Seong Huak as CEO after a six-month suspension. The reinstatement was initiated after what appeared to be a conclusion to a boardroom tussle that had started earlier this year.

Frankly Speaking: What is going on at EVD?

The mismanagement at Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp) highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report 2/2024 is yet another reminder that constant vigilance is necessary to stamp out corruption.

Frankly Speaking: Government must hold HRD Corp wrongdoers accountable

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail probably had the safety of policemen on his mind when he announced that gates at police stations would be closed after 10pm to ensure there is no repeat of the Ulu Tiram incident on May 17, which claimed the lives of two young policemen.

Frankly Speaking: Explaining the 10pm police gates

Last week, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) made the headlines again for the wrong reasons. One of the boarding lounges at Terminal 1 had to be shut for a few hours for repair works after the ceiling leaked following an exceptional downpour.

Fortunately, flight operations w...

Frankly Speaking: Making sure Malaysians can be proud of KLIA

Toyo Ventures Holdings Bhd (KL:TOYOVEN) was close to starting the construction of a 2.13gw thermal power plant in Vietnam when it received a termination notice from the Vietnamese government last Thursday.

Frankly Speaking: So near, yet so far for Toyo Ventures

The Human Resources Development Corp (HRD Corp) has come under scrutiny for questionable investments in the equity market and purchases of property, all the result of bad corporate governance. These were the findings and conclusions of both the Auditor-General as well as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament, which released their reports separately last week.

Frankly Speaking: Total breach of governance at HRD Corp

Mismanagement of public funds and resources has always made the headlines during the release of the Auditor-General’s (AG) Report. This year’s report, released last week, highlighted more bad news coming from companies and projects funded by taxpayers’ money.

Frankly Speaking: Ensure good use of taxpayers’ money

It was announced last week that China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), the main contractor for the 665km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which is being built at a cost of RM50 billion, will bear the operational risks of the rail together with its asset owner, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL).

Frankly Speaking: Details on ECRL deal needed

SARAWAK expects to formalise a deal to raise its stake in Affin Bank Bhd to about 30% in about a month, according to the state’s premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

In an exclusive interview with The Edge in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (July 19), Abang Johari said the state is committed to...

Premier: Sarawak expects to ink S&P on Affin Bank deal in a month

Treasuries are rising at the end of a volatile week as the Federal Reserve’s favourite inflation gauge cemented traders’ expectations for an interest-rate cut in September.

The advance pushed yields lower across the curve on Friday, with two- and 10-year yields down by about five basis points (bps) to 4.38% and 4.2%, respectively.

Treasuries rally as data points to a September rate cut

The developer of a supertall condo tower in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood has hired a new sales team after ousting an embattled real estate brokerage from the project.

One Sotheby’s International Realty has taken over marketing at 888 Brickell Dolce & Gabbana Miami, JDS Development’s pre-construction building overlooking Biscayne Bay in the city’s financial centre.

Miami condo tower moves on from brokers facing rape allegations

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday.

"During the meeting with His Excellency, I reaffirmed the commitment of the prime minister and the Malaysian government to continue strengthening cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam," he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Deputy PM Fadillah pays courtesy visit to Vietnamese PM, strengthens bilateral cooperation

Wall Street bounced back on Friday as megacap tech and chip stocks recovered from the week's pummeling, while a largely in-line key inflation reading kept bets for an early start to interest-rate cuts alive.

Wall Street rebounds on tech recovery, small caps jump after benign inflation data

Malaysia has urged dialogue partners attending the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference in Laos to support a ceasefire in Gaza and end the brutal killings of Palestinians.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia, along with Indonesia and Brunei, brought forward this motion during the meeting at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here.

Malaysia urges Asean dialogue partners to support ceasefire in Gaza

US authorities filed criminal and civil charges against prominent activist short seller Andrew Left for an alleged long-running market manipulation scheme involving bets on stocks including Nvidia and Tesla, they said on Friday.

US charges Citron's Andrew Left over alleged multi-million fraud scheme

Malaysia, as the country coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, will intensify efforts to finalise the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia, which assumed the role of country coordinator this year, aims to establish a code of conduct accepted by all parties.

Malaysia steps up efforts to finalise South China Sea code of conduct

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.

AirAsia X, Capital A, Hibiscus, Dagang NeXchange, ViTrox, Ekovest, Knusford, Alam Maritim, Datasonic, Kumpulan Kitacon, DXN, Homeritz, Westport, MGRC 

VIENTIANE (July 26): The Asean Post Ministerial Conference kicked off in the Laos capital here on Friday, as Asean foreign ministers engaged with top diplomats from dialogue partners to discuss various regional and international issues of common interest.

Asean Post Ministerial Conference kicks off in Laos; regional, global issues in focus

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Friday.

Ekovest Bhd (KL:EKOVEST) said it has agreed to a further extension of time to discuss a merger between its wholly owned subsidiary Ekovest Construction Sdn Bhd (ECSB) and Knusford Bhd (KL:KNUSFOR).

Ekovest agrees to six-month extension for merger discussion between subsidiary and Knusford

US prices increased moderately in June as the declining cost of goods tempered a rise in the cost of services, underscoring an improving inflation environment that could position the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates in September.

US inflation rises moderately, consumer spending cools

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

The prestigious five-star Lexis Hibiscus 2 luxury resort is currently under construction by the KL Metro Group and is expected to be completed by 2029, said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

Construction of RM1.6 bil GDV Lexis Hibiscus 2 resort will be completed in 2029

Practice Note 17 (PN17) company Alam Maritim Resources Bhd (KL:ALAM) has announced its regularisation plan, which includes a share capital reduction of RM440 million, 10-to-one share consolidation, an issuance of renounceable rights shares with warrants and a scheme of arrangement with its creditors.

Alam Maritim submits regularisation plan to exit PN17 status

Health and wellness direct selling company DXN Holdings Bhd (KL:DXN) said on Friday its net profit rose 10.26% in the first quarter from a year earlier due to higher revenue recognised from overall operating segments.&nbsp;

DXN Holdings 1Q net profit up 10.26%, targets market presence in Zambia, Ghana  

Wall Street bounced back on Friday as megacap tech and chip stocks recovered from the week's pummeling, while a largely in-line key inflation reading kept bets for an early start to interest-rate cuts alive.

Upholstery furniture products manufacturer Homeritz Corp Bhd’s (KL:HOMERIZ) net profit surged 46.37% in the third quarter from a year earlier, thanks to higher sales volume and stronger US dollar. &nbsp;

Net profit for three months ended May 31, 2024 (3QFY2024) climbed to RM9.09 million or earnings per share of 1.96 sen, from RM6.21 million or 1.34 sen per share recorded in 3QFY2023. &nbsp;

Homeritz’s 3Q net profit soars 46.37% on higher sales and strong greenback

Cyberview Sdn Bhd has signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with three companies to make Cyberjaya a global technology hub.

Chief executive officer Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad said the companies involved were Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB), Selangor Information Technology &amp; Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) and digital infrastructure company Equinix Malaysia.

Cyberview signs three MOUs to make Cyberjaya a global technology hub

The developer of a supertall condo tower in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood has hired a new sales team after ousting an embattled real estate brokerage from the project.

One Sotheby’s International Realty has taken over marketing at 888 Brickell Dolce &amp; Gabbana Miami, JDS Development’s pre-construction building overlooking Biscayne Bay in the city’s financial centre.&nbsp;

SARAWAK expects to formalise a deal to raise its stake in Affin Bank Bhd to about 30% in about a month, according to the state’s premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

In an exclusive interview with The Edge in Kuala Lumpur last Friday (July 19), Abang Johari said the state is committed to...

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday.

"During the meeting with His Excellency, I reaffirmed the commitment of the prime minister and the Malaysian government to continue strengthening cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam," he said in a post on the social media platform X.

Kumpulan Kitacon Bhd (KL:KITACON) has secured a RM54.5 million contract to undertake the construction of 186 terrace houses in Rawang, Selangor.

Kumpulan Kitacon bags RM54.5m job to build houses in Rawang

Treasuries are rising at the end of a volatile week as the Federal Reserve’s favourite inflation gauge cemented traders’ expectations for an interest-rate cut in September.

The advance pushed yields lower across the curve on Friday, with two- and 10-year yields down by about five basis points (bps) to 4.38% and 4.2%, respectively.

Penang Port Sdn Bhd (Penang Port) on Friday announced the acquisition of five Kalmar container handling machines to optimise operations and improve service levels.

Penang Port acquires Kalmar container handling equipment to enhance services

US authorities filed criminal and civil charges against prominent activist short seller Andrew Left for an alleged long-running market manipulation scheme involving bets on stocks including Nvidia and Tesla, they said on Friday.

Hungary will face fuel shortages from September if full Russian oil flows are not restored, a government official said on Friday, accusing Ukraine of blackmailing it by partially suspending supplies.

Eastern European Union (EU) members Slovakia and Hungary have been hit by a stop in flows from Russian group Lukoil coming via Ukraine after sanctions were imposed on the company.

Hungary says it will face fuel shortages from September without Lukoil supplies

Malaysia, as the country coordinator for Asean-China Dialogue Relations, will intensify efforts to finalise the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia, which assumed the role of country coordinator this year, aims to establish a code of conduct accepted by all parties.

A new recruitment of 3,950 staff, comprising 3,200 medical officers, 350 dental officers and 400 pharmacy officers, will be made through contract (interim) appointments, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.

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