The government’s move to allow international acts such as Coldplay last week, and the upcoming performances by Ed Sheeran and Rod Stewart, should be applauded, and more of such acts should be encouraged to perform here.

Frankly Speaking: Stop politicising international acts

Last week, Pertama Digital Bhd’s share price went on a roller-coaster ride, tumbling 45% from a high of RM4.65 to hit a low of RM2.57 apiece. It closed out the week at RM3.13, with 12.56 million shares traded.

Frankly Speaking: Pertama Digital stock’s wild ride raises eyebrows

Every year, the Auditor-General’s Report showcases the government’s careless mismanagement of funds and resources paid for by taxpayers.

Frankly Speaking: Holding those responsible for public funds accountable

In early December last year, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) in a dispute with ACE Holdings Bhd alleged that Apex Securities Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of Apex Equity Holdings Bhd, had contravened securities laws. The regulator commented that ACE “is not a fit and proper person” to control the stockbroking firm.

Frankly Speaking: SC should shed light for investors’ benefit

Last week, two of Kumpulan Jetson Bhd’s board members resigned barely two months after joining the board, raising questions. Datuk Tengku Ibrahim Farihaddin Feissal stepped down as non-executive chairman after being appointed on Oct 6 to replace Datuk Teh Kian An, who had relinquished his executive chairman post due to health reasons. Co-founder Teh holds a 4.349% direct stake and an indirect stake of 1.695% in the group.

Frankly Speaking: What is brewing at Kumpulan Jetson?

If a company produces too much of a product and finds itself unable to sell them, it will soon be out of business, to the detriment of all along the value chain.

Frankly Speaking: Mismatch of skills in marketplace worsens

YNH Property Bhd said on Nov 6 that its audit committee intended to appoint a professional firm for an independent review of the company’s joint venture and turnkey construction agreements.

Frankly Speaking: Why the lack of urgency?

Last Friday, Crescendo Corp Bhd announced that it would be selling three vacant parcels of land in Pulai, Johor Bahru, for a total of RM315.17 million cash to Microsoft Payments (M) Sdn Bhd. It expects to book a RM171.92 million gain from the disposal.

Frankly Speaking: Crescendo unlocks value

The revelation that Pharmaniaga Bhd’s wholly-owned unit Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd (PLSB) had refused to comply with a letter of demand issued by the Ministry of Health (MoH) regarding shortcomings in the procurement of faulty ventilators could not have sent the wrong message to the market at a worse time, when the government is trying to court private investments.

Frankly Speaking: Pharmaniaga sends wrong message by ignoring demand letter

Things may be starting to look up for the glove sector, with Hartalega Holdings Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd reporting profits after three consecutive quarters of losses.

Frankly Speaking: Respite for conservative glove makers

Last week, Apex Equity Holdings Bhd announced the disposal of Menara Apex in Kajang to a Chinese education group for RM55 million. The sale is a lock, stock and barrel deal done on a “willing-buyer, willing-seller basis”.

Frankly Speaking: Apex Equity’s cash pile dwindles

There are a number of questions that need answering at Practice Note 17 company KNM Group Bhd.

Frankly Speaking: KNM has some explaining to do

After months of speculation, Sime Darby Bhd and its partner Ramsay Health Care Ltd of Australia have sealed a deal on the sale of their healthcare joint venture.

Frankly Speaking: Valuation variations in healthcare assets

It is clear who currently calls the shots on 5G fees in the country. No, it is not the wife of Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil, who complained to him three months ago about the monthly fees for 5G mobile phone service.

Frankly Speaking: Unresolved ‘5G fees’ an indication of who calls the shots

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will provide a framework within a month to enable all social media platform providers to register with the agency and facilitate the regulating such platforms in the country.

Fahmi: MCMC working on framework to facilitate registration, regulation of social media platforms

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Friday involving Citaglobal Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, YTL Power International Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Pansar Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, Crest Builder Holdings Bhd and Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd.

Citaglobal, CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM, YTL Power, Axiata, Pansar, Apex Healthcare, Crest Builder, SCIB

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell on Friday as investors were on edge ahead of Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's comments that some fear may have a hawkish tilt towards monetary policy.

S&P, Nasdaq slip as caution prevails ahead of Powell comments

US-listed shares of Alibaba Group Holding declined on Friday following a Morgan Stanley downgrade on concerns over slower turnaround in its key businesses, hours after PDD raced past its rival to become the most valuable Chinese e-commerce firm.

Alibaba dips on Morgan Stanley downgrade as PDD grabs spot of most valuable Chinese e-commerce firm

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (Pavilion REIT) has terminated two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) it inked for the purchase of renewable energy (RE) from a solar power plant in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) to power its malls.

Pavilion REIT cancels MOUs to power Pavilion KL, Intermark and Pavilion Bukit Jalil with renewable energy

Shares of crypto miners and bitcoin-tracking companies climbed in premarket trading on Friday as the world's largest cryptocurrency extended a recent rally to touch a near 19-month high on improving risk appetite.

Bitcoin, up 2% at US$38,410, has been gaining since October on optimism that a potential approval of a spot exchange-traded fund is likely to unleash more capital investments in the digital asset sector.

Crypto stocks set to start December on a high note as bitcoin hits near 19-month high

In today’s edition of Evening 5 — Five telcos have finally inked deals with DNB, and will collectively own a 70% stake in the state-owned entity, while Putrajaya will retain 30% plus a golden share. Meanwhile, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Digital ID concerns such as personal data leaks and chip implants are unfounded.

EVENING 5: Telcos finally ink DNB deal

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (Dec 1, 2023)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: Dec 1, 2023

Mining firm OM Holdings Ltd, which is dual-listed on Bursa Malaysia and the Australian Stock Exchange, has issued 27.63 million shares, representing a 3.75% stake, in the company to JFE Shoji Corp for A$13.04 million (about RM40.34 million) or A$0.472 sen per share.

Japan-based JFE Shoji takes up 3.75% stake in OM Holdings

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

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Most read this week - Stay up to date with the biggest news and latest trending topics by checking out the top 10 articles of the week.

Most read this week

A client of Malaysia’s biggest bank recently discovered that her bank balance had mysteriously increased to more than US$86 million (RM404 million).

Woman discovers over RM404m mistakenly deposited in Maybank account

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and its petroleum arrangement contractors have recorded 19 exploration discoveries and two exploration-appraisal successes, contributing over one billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe) of new resources for Malaysia in 2023.

Petronas finds over 1 bil barrels of oil equivalent exploration discoveries in 2023

Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is to be 70%-owned by five local mobile network operators (MNOs), while the remaining 30% will be retained by Putrajaya, accompanied by a golden share, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Five telcos to collectively own 70% stake in DNB; Putrajaya to retain 30% plus golden share

Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd has reprimanded Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (SCIB) and two of its former directors, Datuk Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah and Rosland Othman, for failing to submit the group’s 2021 annual report within the approved timeline.

Bursa reprimands SCIB, fines Abdul Karim and one other RM27,000 each for late submission of annual report

(Dec 1): President Vladimir Putin has ordered the transfer of all the rights to managing St&nbsp;Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport from foreign shareholders that include Germany’s Fraport AG and the Qatari wealth fund by shifting their stakes into a new Russian entity.

Under a decree publish...

Putin seizes rights to St Petersburg Airport from foreign investors

Citaglobal Bhd, in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is a substantial shareholder, has together with its consortium partner TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, executed a 40:60 joint development agreement with clean energy player Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) for a two-gigawatt (2GW) solar farm project in Pahang for US$2 billion (RM9.75 billion).

Under the deal, Citaglobal and TIZA will hold a 40% equity interest in the project, with the remaining 60% held by Masdar. The parties will put in funding for the project's development's cost — which will be determined later — in proportion to their stake in the project.

Citaglobal executes deal with Abu Dhabi energy firm to develop US$2 bil solar farm in Pahang

The ringgit is expected to recover along with other emerging-market currencies once central banks in developed economies are done raising interest rates, according to Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

BNM chief sees ringgit reprieve as rates peak

After seven turbulent years in Nepal, Axiata Group Bhd is selling its stake in Ncell Axiata Bhd by disposing of its shares in Reynolds Holdings Ltd, which holds an 80% stake in Ncell Axiata, and exiting the country.

Axiata sells Ncell stake and exits Nepal, cites unfair taxation and unfavourable foreign investor protection

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (Pavilion REIT) has terminated two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) it inked for the purchase of renewable energy (RE) from a solar power plant in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) to power its malls.

Property developer Avaland Bhd (formerly known as MCT Bhd) has redesignated its non-independent non-executive director Apollo Bello Tanco as the group’s executive director (ED) and chief executive officer effective Jan 1, 2024.

Property developer Avaland redesignates Apollo as group ED and CEO, effective Jan 1

Bitcoin soared to its highest price so far this year, as investors took on more risk ahead of comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell which could give guidance on whether the US is closer to lowering interest rates.

Bitcoin rally pushes largest token to 18-month high

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 1): Minister of Communication and Digital&nbsp;Fahmi Fadzil assured the public on Friday that personal data protection and cyber security&nbsp;will always be under control&nbsp;in the&nbsp;implementation of the National Digital Identity, or Digital ID programme.

Digital ID: Public assured of data protection and cyber security — Fahmi

Bursa Malaysia ended the week marginally higher due to late buying, particularly in telecommunications and banking stocks, a dealer said.

Bursa ends marginally higher

Global stocks edged up on Friday, having closed out their best month in three years the day before, as investor confidence that interest rates will fall next year has lured cash into equities, cryptocurrencies and gold at the expense of the dollar.

Shares rally as investor confidence in Fed cuts grows

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle this month.

Anwar hints at Cabinet reshuffle this month

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

Senior lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik will be the lead counsel for former Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong Choo Kiong’s appeal against his conviction, 13 years’ jail and two strokes of the cane for raping his maid in 2019.

Hisyam Teh to lead defence in ex-Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong's rape appeal

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 1): Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB) has appointed Zulkiflee Omar as its new chief executive officer (CEO),&nbsp;effective Friday.

Pengurusan Aset Air appoints Zulkiflee Omar as new CEO

Israel's warplanes pounded Gaza on Friday after talks to extend a week-old truce with Hamas broke down, sending wounded and dead Palestinians into hospitals and others onto the streets to seek safety.

Eastern areas of Khan Younis in southern Gaza came under intensive bombardment as the deadline lapsed shortly after dawn, with columns of smoke rising into the sky, Reuters journalists in the city said. Residents took to the road with belongings heaped up in carts, fleeing for shelter further west.

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