LAST week, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said during a press conference in parliament that it would be investigating sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s controversial deals as part of its schedule for next year, including the proposal to take M...

GDA defends ‘low offer’ for MAHB 

Since its launch in November 2022, ChatGPT has brought artificial intelligence (AI) closer to human understanding and interaction than ever before.

Coffee Break: ‘It’s not possible’; ‘No, it’s necessary’

IN the same week that Putrajaya said some four million Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members under the age of 55 have withdrawn RM11.6 billion from the newly created Flexible Account 3 in the past seven months, the EPF renewed its attempt to nudge more members to save for retirement earlier by i...

The State Of The Nation: EPF’s new savings guide a small step towards better retirement

TALKS about Australian real estate group Lendlease looking to sell part of its stake in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development in Kuala Lumpur have been going on since early this year, according to industry sources.

The Edge understands that Lendlease is looking for co-investors for T...

Australia’s Lendlease in talks to pare down stake in TRX development

A group of dissenting shareholders of Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (KL:SCIB) showed their dissatisfaction towards the board through their votes at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Dec 19.

Frankly Speaking: Dissenting shareholders flex muscles at SCIB’s AGM

TWO hotels under Berjaya Corp Bhd (BCorp) (KL:BJCORP) — Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino and Berjaya Praslin Resort in Seychelles — have been put up for sale, sources familiar with the matter tell The Edge. 

While details are scarce, the price tag being bandied about for...

Berjaya Corp looking to sell Seychelles hotels for US$83 mil, say sources

Last week, Bonia Corp Bhd (KL:BONIA) announced its foray into the health and wellness market by investing RM1.8 million in a 50% stake in fitness centre operator Macroverse Sdn Bhd.

Frankly Speaking: The significance of Bonia’s new investment

NOTWITHSTANDING the growth in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sector amid improved global demand and the increasing outsourcing trend, EMS companies on Bursa Malaysia have turned in a mixed performance owing to rising costs, high inflation and supply chain disruptions.

The ...

EMS players navigate uphill path despite tech up cycle

By asserting greater control over its oil and gas resources, Sarawak has forced Malaysia to confront a fundamental question: How much decentralisation is too much in a nation built on centralised governance? The recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that negotiations betw...

My Say: Sarawak’s oil autonomy: A turning point for federalism and resource governance

The voting pattern at Tomypak Holdings Bhd’s (KL:TOMYPAK) recent annual general meeting (AGM) clearly shows that a group of shareholders with about 88 million shares, representing 20% of the company, are at odds with the current management. The 20% block voted against all seven resolutions tabled during the AGM held last week. During the meeting, an independent director, who had served on the board since 2015, was not retained.

Frankly Speaking: Interesting signs emerge at Tomypak’s AGM

Tun Musa Aman was not a contender for the position of Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah as there were others, such as current chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in the running. His name only cropped up one month ago as a replacement for Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, whose term ends this month.

...

Alternative Views: Musa Aman’s comeback spells new chapter for Sabah politics

Loss-making PUC Bhd (KL:PUC) recently announced it was acquiring digital marketing and business management consultancy Alevate Solutions Sdn Bhd (ASSB) for RM100 million in an all-stock deal.

Frankly Speaking: PUC’s RM100 mil all-stock deal raises eyebrows

It will be a pretty quiet week ahead as Christmas, which falls on Wednesday, will see most global economies’ markets closed except for China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. For Boxing Day, markets in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, as well as most of Europe and Canada, will also be closed. North Korea will commemorate Constitution Day on Dec 27.

The Week Ahead: Window-dressing expectation amid holiday season

In a rare display of “independence”, the independent directors of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) told shareholders to reject the offer to take the company private.

Frankly Speaking: Funds put in a bind over MAHB

New-home sales in the US rebounded last month as builders and consumers sealed deals that had been delayed by storms in the South, and buyers took advantage of heavy sales incentives.

Sales of new single-family homes increased 5.9% last month to a 664,000 annualised rate, according to government data issued on Monday.

US new-home sales rebound in November after storm-stricken month

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is taking immediate action to address scams relating to MyPR (Red IC) application on Facebook, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

Deputy minister urges caution, vows swift action against red IC scams

US consumer confidence unexpectedly sank in December for the first time in three months on concerns about the outlook for the economy amid uncertainty around the Trump administration’s policies.

US consumer confidence falls as politics weigh on outlook

Daiwa Securities Group Inc may need more time to achieve profit in China, according to the head of Japan’s second biggest brokerage, reflecting how investment banks continue to struggle on the mainland.

Daiwa’s China venture may take longer to make profit, says CEO 

Wall Street's main indexes were mixed at the start of a holiday-shortened week on Monday, after a stopgap government funding bill averted a partial shutdown and investors braced for a slower pace of rate cuts from the US central bank next year.

Wall Street opens mixed as holiday-shortened week starts

Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally gunning down UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street, pleaded not guilty on Monday to New York state murder charges that brand him a terrorist.

Suspect in UnitedHealth executive's killing pleads not guilty to murder, terrorism charges

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

KLCCP Stapled, Tuju Setia, Coastal Contracts, Powerwell, Prolintas, Malayan Flour Mills, Malakoff, Heitech Padu, Supercomnet, ECM Libra, Esthetics International 

The Energy Commission (EC) was to inform winners of the fifth large scale solar bidding round (LSS5) beginning Monday, following nine months of deliberation since it was opened in April this year.

Energy Commission says LSS5 bids finalised but mum on winners

Walmart Inc and one of its financial technology partners allegedly opened expensive bank accounts for delivery drivers without their consent, a US consumer protection agency said on Monday.

CFPB sues Walmart, fintech partner for illegal account openings

Orders placed with US factories for business equipment rebounded in November, posting the strongest monthly advance in over a year.

Orders for US business equipment rise by most in over a year

HeiTech Padu Bhd (KL:HTPADU) said on Monday that its group managing director and group chief executive officer, Salmi Nadia Mohd Hilmey, is resigning voluntarily&nbsp;from all positions within the company, effective from Dec 31.

HeiTech Padu deputy chairman's daughter relinquishes all positions

The government on Monday announced an additional rooftop solar quota under the net energy metering (NEM) mechanism for households (NEM Rakyat) and the commercial and industrial segment (NEM Nova).

Govt adds rooftop solar quota again; household rebate extended until April

ECM Libra Group Bhd’s (KL:ECM) 50%-owned unit OHG Services Sdn Bhd will pay Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd RM29.9 million to extend its concession agreement to manage and operate a 'limited-service hotel' at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for another 35 years.

ECM Libra unit pays RM30m to extend hotel concession in KLIA for another 35 years

Capital A Bhd is in discussions with aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Embraer and Comac to purchase new aircraft as part of its expansion strategy for its airline operations under the AirAsia brand.

AirAsia in talks to buy new aircraft as part of expansion strategy — Tony Fernandes

Capital A Bhd is expected to exit Practice Note 17 (PN17) status by the first quarter of next year after submitting its proposed regularisation plan to Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd on Monday.

Capital A to exit PN17 status by 1Q2025, says CEO

Public approval for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rose to 54% after two years in power, according to the latest polling published by the research house Merdeka Center last Friday.

Public approval for Anwar, unity govt rises in second year, survey shows

Power and water company Malakoff Corp Bhd (KL:MALAKOF) has redesignated its executive vice-chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh as non-independent non-executive chairman, effective from January 2025.

Malakoff redesignates Che Khalib as non-executive chairman

Two commercial projects by S P Setia Bhd (KL:SPSETIA) namely Pines Avenue at Setia EcoHill 2 and Baris Place 2 at Setia Mayuri, both located in Semenyih, Selangor, have been fully taken up, according to a statement on Monday.

Two recently launched commercial projects in Semenyih by S P Setia fully taken up

Oil and gas services provider Coastal Contracts Bhd (KL:COASTAL) said a consortium led by the group has secured the bid to develop a 15MWac large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant on Sabah's east coast.

Coastal Contracts consortium wins bid for Sabah LSS power plant project

Asian investors should focus back on the domestic economy, and countries such as Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand have favourable demographics to support domestic consumption, said British asset management firm Schroders.

Investors should refocus on Asia's economy, Malaysia's domestic spending — Schroders

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

The Biden administration on Monday announced a last-minute trade investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors that could heap more US tariffs on chips from China that power everyday goods from autos to washing machines to telecoms gear.

Biden launches new US trade probe into legacy Chinese chips

Electrical products manufacturer Powerwell Holdings Bhd (KL:PWRWELL) has secured a RM27 million contract to supply low-voltage switchboards for a data centre project in Malaysia.

Powerwell wins RM27m contract to supply switchboards for data centre

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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Greenland is not for sale, its elected leader said on Monday, responding to comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the "ownership and control" of the vast Arctic island that has been part of Denmark for over 600 years.

Greenland is not for sale, its leader says in response to Trump

Elon Musk, the billionaire tasked with making the US government more efficient come January, has zeroed in on the Federal Reserve.

Musk makes ‘overstaffed’ US Fed target in quest for efficiency

The Energy Commission (EC) was to inform winners of the fifth large scale solar bidding round (LSS5) beginning Monday, following nine months of deliberation since it was opened in April this year.

KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway Bhd (Latar), previously known as Lebuhraya Assamjawa Taman Rimba Bhd, has initiated legal action to enforce an arbitration award totalling RM46.13 million against highway concessionaire Prolintas Expressway Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Prolintas Infra Business Trust (KL:PLINTAS).

Latar goes to court to enforce RM46 mil arbitration award against Prolintas

China's domestic demand is gathering pace as cautious consumers increasingly choose to rent items from cameras to handbags rather than buying them, the official People's Daily said, though government data tell a different story.

Chinese media hail consumption boost even as caution spurs rentals, not buying

TALKS about Australian real estate group Lendlease looking to sell part of its stake in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development in Kuala Lumpur have been going on since early this year, according to industry sources.

The Edge understands that Lendlease is looking for co-investors for T...

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