The rise of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), a technology touted to be as transformative as electricity or the internet, is capturing the imagination the world over.

Governments and businesses, wary of being left behind in the AI race, are scrambling to stake their claim in ...

Cover Story: Building the AI playbook

One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions people make is to travel more. Whether it’s exploring new destinations, immersing oneself in a different culture or building memories that serve as a testament to a life well-lived, travelling resonates deeply as a meaningful and enriching goal for t...

Listicle: Own our trip

It’s common for people to financially plan for their deaths, with wills and trusts stating instructions for next of kin on how to manage and disperse assets. But in this day and age, where data is an increasingly important commodity, the posthumous management of one's data is overlooked, putting ...

Digital Legacies: Till death do us part? Not for your online data

Last year was marked by a significant uptick in cybersecurity regulations globally, particularly targeting generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and third-party risks. As organisations rushed to tackle these new challenges, many neglected to establish essential cybersecurity measures to pro...

Rise Of Machines: A cyber wake-up call

When ChatGPT was launched, Harsha Purasinghe, CEO and founder of Malaysian digital HR platform provider MiHCM, immediately saw the potential of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in the HR space. The technology could be used to solve gaps identified by his team.

This potential ...

Solutions: A copilot AI built for HR

Cryptocurrencies and the blockchain have sparked global intrigue and debate, moving beyond niche concepts to revolutionise finance. Much like the creation of money and the rise of the internet, blockchain technology and digital assets are reshaping how we value and invest in assets.

How...

Crypto Revolution: Beyond the hype

Here’s a nerdy story for the new year: A group of engineers are working on a groundbreaking new gadget. “I’ve designed a circuit that will never fail,” the electrical engineer says. “I’ve built a prototype that’s indestructible,” the mechanical engineer adds. “I’ve written code that’s completely ...

Econ 4.0: Top 10 tech tips for 2025

Traditionally, plants rely on water, soil and sunlight to thrive. But local start-up Airgro Sdn Bhd is exploring a cutting-edge approach to farming: growing crops out of thin air.

To tackle the needs of a growing population and Sarawak’s rising reliance on imports, Airgro — founded by K...

Growing Life: Growing crops out of thin air

NEWS

From saving to growing wealth

Trading app Moomoo is partnering with GXBank to enable the latter’s customers to make instant transfers or deposits to their Moomoo account and start investing.

As part of the launch, GXBank c...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany Of Technology

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has resulted in more frequent cybersecurity attacks, forcing cybersec...

Offence And Defence: The new arms race in cybersecurity

Malaysia has long depended on low-skilled foreign labour to fill low-wage jobs that many locals avoid. These roles are often highly routine, and as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign labour, automation is increasingly being seen as the key solution.

In 2022, the Interna...

Automation: Shifting to intelligent manufacturing

As Malaysia stands on the threshold of a new era of global competitiveness, the concept of becoming an “innovation nation” has never been more relevant.

At its core, it represents a society where creativity, technology and knowledge converge to drive economic growth, solve societal chal...

Insight: Charting a path to becoming an innovation nation

Discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (Gen AI) often raise more questions than answers. Questions like “Is the AI investment bubble about to burst?”, “Is the market headed for a technological correction?” and “Will AI really lead to job losses?” are top of mind, especia...

Generative AI: Shaping the future

Solutions like Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are key to transforming Malaysia’s agriculture, boosting productivity and ensuring food security. However, reliance on imports and limited research and development leave the sector vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply...

Digital Fields: Tech-tilling the soil

President-elect Donald Trump has selected junior CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham as acting chair of the swaps and derivatives regulator, according to people familiar with the matter.
 
The five members of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) voted on Monday to confirm Pham as acting chair, said the people, who asked not to be identified since the appointment hadn’t yet been publicly announced.

Trump picks Caroline Pham to serve as acting CFTC chair

President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s ready for talks with the US on the war in Ukraine as he offered congratulations to incoming President Donald Trump on his inauguration.

“We congratulate the US president-elect on taking office,” Putin said on Monday at a televised meeting of his security council ahead of the inauguration in Washington.

Putin says Russia is open to dialogue on Ukraine with Trump

Malaysia and the European Union (EU) have not set any time frame to conclude their negotiations for the Malaysia-EU Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, however, said both parties agreed to accelerate the negotiations.

No time frame set to conclude Malaysia-EU free trade talks — PM

In a significant call to action, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the European Union (EU) to deepen its support for Southeast Asia through increased climate financing, green investments, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives. 

Like the EU, Malaysia recognises that the climate crisis is a defining challenge of our time.

Malaysia calls on EU for enhanced support in climate financing, green initiatives

US President Joe Biden granted preemptive pardons to leading government officials that president-elect Donald Trump has threatened to punish, fending off potential retribution by his successor against those he has labelled as political enemies.

Biden pardons Milley, Fauci, Cheney and other Trump targets

Germany met Nato's target to spend 2% of its gross domestic product on defence in 2024, the government said on Monday, though well short of incoming US President Donald Trump's call for as much as 5%.

Under Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left government, Germany has ramped up military spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both to supply weapons to Kyiv and revamp its own armed forces.

Germany says it met Nato 2% defence spending target in 2024, short of Trump's demand

Southeast Asian cell tower firm EdgePoint Infrastructure is looking to expand its portfolio to over 20,000 towers in two to three years from around 15,000 currently, its chief executive told Reuters.

CEO and co-founder Suresh Sidhu said on Monday that the company, which is backed by US-listed DigitalBridge, would expand in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, markets where it already has a presence.

DigitalBridge-backed EdgePoint aiming to add more than 5,000 telco towers

Donald Trump’s tariff threats stand to hurt American economic interests because they would disturb automotive supply chains where the US is strong and drive up consumer prices, said the head of General Motors Co’s Canadian unit.

Trump tariffs would harm major US auto buyer, says GM Canada chief 

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

MAHB, 7-Eleven, Fajarbaru, Datasonic, Scanwolf, UUE, SkyWorld, Mieco, Maxland 

It is a “matter of time” before the privatisation of the country's biggest airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT), is completed after multiple delays, Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said.

Khazanah MD says MAHB buyout completion a ‘matter of time’

It is a “matter of time” before the privatisation of the country's biggest airport operator, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT), is completed after multiple delays, Khazanah Nasional Bhd managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said.

A vehicle linked to Scanwolf Corp Bhd (KL:SCNWOLF) managing director Eddy Seah Ley Hong has triggered a mandatory takeover offer to acquire all the remaining shares it does not own in the plastic extrusion maker at 54 sen per share.

Scanwolf MD-linked vehicle triggers mandatory takeover offer, intends to maintain listing

The federal government and five others have filed a prohibitory and gag order barring the public from discussing openly&nbsp;the purported addendum seeking to allow former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to serve the remainder of his six years' jail sentence&nbsp;under house arrest.

Govt files application for a gag and prohibitory order on purported addendum for Najib's house arrest

SkyWorld Development Bhd (KL:SKYWLD) has proposed to diversify into manufacturing prefabricated and prefinished modular systems, which it plans to employ in its affordable housing project in Penang. &nbsp;

The new business, which the group says could potentially contribute a quarter of its net profit, will be undertaken via a collaboration with Singapore-based prefabricated and prefinished modular systems maker Teambuild Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, according to the property developer’s bourse filing on Monday.

SkyWorld eyes diversfiying into prefabricated manufacturing business

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

The Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) expects crude palm oil (CPO) prices to trade between RM4,250 and RM4,550 per tonne in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q2025), underpinned by low inventory, stable demand, and constrained supply of other edible oils.&nbsp;

CPO prices seen at RM4,250-RM4,550 a tonne in 1Q on supply-demand tightness, says MPOC

Gateway Development Alliance Sdn Bhd (GDA), the consortium of three entities offering to take Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) private at RM11 per share, revised one of the conditions for the offer on Monday.

It dropped the acceptance level to 85%, from the 90% stated in the offer document that was issued on Dec 6, 2024.

What GDA's revision in terms means to MAHB’s privatisation

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

The Invest Malaysia 2025 series in London, held on Jan 15, showcased the country’s standing as an attractive hub for global investments, according to CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) group chief executive officer Novan Amirudin.

Invest Malaysia London 2025 reinforces global investors’ confidence, says CIMB CEO 

Investors prepared to welcome&nbsp;Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;second inauguration, anticipating benefits from his pro-business agenda, while remaining wary of his protectionist trade policies, particularly&nbsp;his stance on tariffs.

Markets optimistic as Trump returns to White House

Timber firm Maxland Bhd (KL:MAXLAND) has inked a formal deal to collaborate with data processing services provider GDC Data Sdn Bhd to jointly venture into data centre development in Kulim, Kedah.

Maxland inks deal with GDC Data for data centre development collaboration

Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DSONIC) has received one-year extensions for its contracts to supply Malaysian passports and polycarbonate biodata pages to the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Datasonic secures one-year extensions for passport supply and biodata page contracts

Mieco Chipboard Bhd (KL:MIECO) is disposing of two pieces of industrial land in Kuantan, Pahang, for RM40 million to transportation company G-Force Sdn Bhd, in a bid to reduce fixed overhead costs and improve production efficiency. The disposal will result in an estimated net loss of RM2.45 million.

Mieco to sell two pieces of industrial land in Kuantan at RM2.45m loss

Underground utilities engineering solutions provider UUE Holdings Bhd (KL:UUE), via its wholly-owned subsidiary Kum Fatt Engineering Sdn Bhd, has secured two contract renewals worth a total of RM27.5 million from Sutera Utama Sdn Bhd.

UUE secures RM27.5m in contract renewals, boosting total 2025 contract wins to RM64m

Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has suggested that Malay associations in the state create a trust fund to manage Malay-owned properties here.

Abang Jo: Set up trust fund to purchase, manage Malay-owned properties within Sarawak

Timber harvester and product maker WTK Holdings Bhd (KL:WTK) said a fire broke out at its unit’s tape manufacturing factory in Perai, Penang, on Jan 17.&nbsp;

Timber outfit WTK reports fire in Penang tape factory, financial impact ‘not expected to be substantial’

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability will investigate allegations by a family who claimed they suffered RM500,000 in losses after unknown parties sold their inherited land, said Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Govt to probe allegations of illegal inherited land sale, says Nik Nazmi

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd (KL:CHINTEK) posted a 56.66% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit, lifted by higher prices and share of results of associates and joint ventures (JVs).

Chin Teck Plantations' 1Q profit up 57% on higher prices, share of JV results

Hong Kong property firm New World Development Co said that it hasn’t been in or started any talks on an overall debt restructuring, as distress deepens across more builders in Greater China.

Hong Kong's New World quashes rumours that it’s in holistic debt restructuring talks

President-elect Donald Trump has selected junior CFTC Commissioner Caroline Pham as acting chair of the swaps and derivatives regulator, according to people familiar with the matter. 
&nbsp; 
The five members of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) voted on Monday to confirm Pham as acting chair, said the people, who asked not to be identified since the appointment hadn’t yet been publicly announced.

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