Managing Asia pays tribute to the late John Gokongwei, founder of JG Summit. An industrialist and philanthropist, the billionaire from the Philippines was hailed for his business acumen and his courage to challenge even industry goliaths. Well known as a visionary with a legendary rags to riches story, we replay Christine Tan's 2007 interview with the man many Filipinos fondly called "Big John."</div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage>

Revisiting Managing Asia's 2007 interview with the late John Gokongwei

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) sees electricity supply demand for data centres increasing to 20.9 gigawatts (GW) by 2040.

Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the estimate was obtained from the Planning, Implementation and Electricity Supply and Tariff Committee Meeting, which also projected electricity supply demand for data centres to be around 7.7GW in 2030.

Data centre electricity use expected to increase to 20.9GW by 2040, Dewan Negara told

(Dec 11): Sustainability-linked bond deals have tumbled this year, prompting bankers and investors to question whether the US$319 billion (RM1.41 trillion) market will ever regain favour.

A US$319b corner of ESG bond market faces ‘slow demise’

The approved investments of RM254.7 billion for the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024), underscores investors' unwavering confidence in Malaysia's economic policies and direction, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

RM254.7 bil approved investments in 9M2024 underscore investors' unwavering confidence in Malaysia — Tengku Zafrul

Singapore Technologies Telemedia Pte Ltd (ST Telemedia) said financial instruments will form part of its sale of "a majority stake" in U Mobile Sdn Bhd to Mawar Setia Sdn Bhd, a company owned by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun and Johor princess Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim.

Financial instruments included in sale of 'majority stake' in U Mobile, says Temasek's ST Telemedia

According to the Malaysian Investment and Development Authority (Mida), 11 companies and eight family offices had committed to setting up operations in the Forest City special financial zone as of November.

Forest City manages to attract family offices; Johor continues to attract investments

The Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) of Bukit Aman has received 51 police reports related to a cross-border Forex investment scam, which has resulted in total losses around RM12 million.

RM12 million lost in cross-border forex investment scam

Labour unions at major Japanese auto manufacturers will seek monthly pay hikes of ¥12,000 (US$79.15 or RM350.74) or more in annual spring wage negotiations next year, the unions' group said on Wednesday.

Japan auto unions group revives wage hike target for first time in seven years

LONDON/HONG KONG (Dec 11): Things are going from bad to worse for London’s IPO market, where less money has been raised this year than on some tiny frontier venues.

The UK stock market now trails Oman and Malaysia in IPO rankings

French President Emmanuel Macron is seeking to free his government from the stranglehold of National Rally leader Marine Le Pen by piecing together a coalition of moderates that will last until 2027.

Macron aims to deter French far right with bid to avoid vote

Citigroup Inc has cut about five analyst jobs inside a small team dedicated to producing environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related and climate reports, according to people familiar with the development.

Citi cuts ESG analyst jobs as research group trimmed

MBSB Bhd (KL:MBSB) could potentially dish out another dividend between March and June 2025, according to BIMB Securities on Wednesday.

MBSB may announce another dividend in March-June 2025 after Tuesday's surprise, BIMB says

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Shares of Dagang NeXchange Bhd (KL:DNEX) climbed to their highest in four months amid high volume trade, following news of its joint venture (JV) with Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) to provide Google Cloud services in Malaysia.

Dagang NeXchange shares climb to four-month high following news of JV with Gamuda, analysts cautious

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Shares of hospital operators fell on Wednesday, after the government announced that it would speed up the implementation of standardised prices for private healthcare early next year.

Hospital stocks broadly lower after PM says will speed up plan for standardised prices

Trading of&nbsp;Axiata Group Bhd's (KL:AXIATA) shares&nbsp;will be suspended from 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, pending the release of a material announcement.

The suspension came amid reports Axiata and Indonesian conglomerate PT Sinar Mas Group are nearing an agreement to merge their telecommunications operations in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Axiata shares suspended amid reports of merger in Indonesian operations

Shares of SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD) gained after resuming trade on Wednesday morning, following the signing of an agreement on Tuesday to jointly develop the country's largest affordable housing project with the Penang state agencies.

SkyWorld shares soar on Penang affordable housing project win

Axiata Group Bhd (Kl:AXIATA) has signed a definitive agreement with Sinar Mas to proceed with the proposed merger of PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata) and two other companies&nbsp;in Indonesia.&nbsp;

Axiata seals definitive deal with Sinar Mas to merge Indonesian ops

The High Court here has granted Malaysian prosecutors a 'freeze order' barring PetroSaudi International Ltd (PSI) chief executive officer Tarek Obaid and others from accessing US$340 million allegedly linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Court grants prohibition order barring Tarek Obaid, others from accessing US$340m allegedly linked to 1MDB

The Communications and Multimedia (Amendment) Bill 2024, a topic of significant debate, was passed by the lower house of Parliament on Monday.

The Bill was passed with a slim majority of 19 votes after the opposition requested a bloc vote, resulting in 59 Members of Parliament in favour, 40 against, and one abstention. The remaining MPs did not turn up to vote.

Contentious CMA amendment bill passed with narrow margin in Parliament vote: who voted for and against

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Healthcare services group PMCK Bhd&nbsp;is planning to float its shares on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds for the repayment of bank borrowings to be drawn to finance the building of a private medical centre in Bandar Kulim, Kedah, and the acquisition of new equipment.

Healthcare services group PMCK plans ACE Market listing

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Crude palm oil (CPO) production is projected to decline further in the coming months due to the ongoing monsoon season and the typical seasonal drop in output, according to analysts.

Monsoon season drives continued decline in CPO production — analysts

Specialty chemicals company SumiSaujana Group Bhd said it has received approval for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market from Bursa Malaysia.

The approval follows a draft prospectus filed in August with Bursa. The company did not specify a timeline for the listing, though a company would have six months to complete the IPO from the approval date.

Specialty chemicals firm SumiSaujana gets Bursa's nod for ACE Market listing

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 10): The Court of Appeal on Wednesday has partially allowed the appeal by former Ampang member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, who had been bonded to pay Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) RM10 million in damages for leaving the party after the 14th general election, and reducing the sum to RM100,000.

COA partially allows Zuraida’s appeal, reducing payment of PKR bond from RM10m to only RM100k

The threat of soaring government debt supply destabilising financial markets has intensified, the world's top central banking advisory body said on Tuesday, as it urged policymakers to act swiftly to prevent economic damage.

Government debt glut could rock markets in 2025, BIS says

Stocks fell and bond yields rose, with Wall Street traders gearing up for inflation data that will help determine whether the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut or hold rates next week.

Just a day ahead of the consumer price index (CPI), the S&amp;P 500 pushed further away from its all-time highs. Oracle Corp&nbsp;sank on uninspiring results. In the meantime, Alphabet Inc&nbsp;rallied as analysts applauded the Google parent’s announcement of a major development in quantum computing through the use of its Willow quantum chip. Homebuilders got hit as&nbsp;Toll Brothers Inc’s profit-margin projection fell short of estimates.

US stocks fall as traders map out game plans for CPI

In one of their most dovish statements in more than a decade, Chinese leaders signalled on Monday they are ready to deploy whatever stimulus is needed to counter the impact of expected US&nbsp;trade tariffs on next year's economic growth.

China ready to go deeper into debt to counter Trump's tariffs

Asian shares retreated as traders await key US inflation data for clues on whether the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut or hold interest rates next week. The dollar steadied after a three-day gain.&nbsp;

Asian stocks slip, dollar steadies before US CPI

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg declined to comment further on the resolution formula relating to the gas distribution issue involving Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and Petroliam Nasional Bhd&nbsp;(Petronas), which he disclosed on Tuesday.

Abang Johari leaves it to PM to announce Sarawak gas distribution resolution formula

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Malaysia has approved investments totalling RM254.7 billion in the first nine months of 2024, an increase of nearly 11% when compared to the same period last year, a government agency said.

Malaysia approves RM254.7b in total investments from January-September, Mida still chasing projects worth RM62b

President-elect Donald Trump said his administration would help expedite permits for any person or company that invested at least US$1 billion&nbsp;in the US.

Trump vows fast permits for those investing US$1 billion in US

Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade accelerated and rose 5.5% in October from a year earlier amid strong consumer spending during the festive season, official data on Wednesday showed.