SINGAPORE (Aug 23): The Edge Singapore scooped up two awards at the SGX Orb Awards on Wednesday (Aug 21), after receiving five nominations across six categories. 

Ben Paul, our editor-at-large, won the Story of the Year — Securities award for a piece titled “Buffett’s methods ought to be as much of an inspiration to corporate boards as to investors” (Issue 881, May 13). Paul had compared the manner in which billionaire investor Warren Buffett reports the performance of Berkshire Hathaway to his fellow shareholders with the way the boards and top management of Singapore-listed companies engage the market. “In my view, investors are not drawn to Berkshire only because of Buffett’s enormously successful investment approach,” Paul wrote. “Many of them simply like being treated as real owners of the businesses under the group.”

The Edge Singapore wins big at SGX awards

Prudential’s Barry Stowe, who retired in Dec 2018, was the highest paid CEO among Singapore listed companies in 2018.

Besides being listed in London, Prudential has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange since May 2010.

Who are the 40 highest-paid CEOs among Singapore's listed companies?

Genting Singapore independent director Koh Seow Chuan has been a board member since 2008. However, judging from his past behaviour, the retired renowned architect prefers not to hold shares in the company. According to a May 13 filing with the stock exchange, Koh sold all his 125,000 shares on May 10. The shares were awarded to him less than three months ago, as part of the company’s performance share scheme for its board of directors and employees.

Genting Singapore independent director Koh sells all his shares — as is his usual practice

Following an acquisition spree between 2012 and 2016, luggage maker Samsonite International has cemented its position as the market leader in the industry. With multiple brands and product ranges, the company’s focus now is to build on each of these acquisitions and grow a larger customer base.

Samsonite International digests acquisitions; upbeat on Asia’s growing travel market despite 1Q hiccup

The row over the palm oil industry and the detrimental effects it has on the environment has intensified in recent weeks, fired up by the European Union’s plan to curb the use of palm oil in biofuels. Significantly, biofuels only emerged in the last decade or so as another use for palm oil as the world looked for renewable sources of energy.

Pay up, or they give up

While the proposal by Teresa Kok, Malaysia’s minister of primary industries, to cap oil palm plantations in Malaysia at 6.5 million hectares by 2023 grabbed headlines in March, some environmentalists were uncomfortable with the target.

Greater transparency required to curb deforestation in Malaysia

After the longest Parliament sitting in Singa­pore to debate legislation, the city state passed a law that gives portfolio ministers — part of the group of political office holders in Singapore — the power to decide what amounts to news that is false and against the public interest, and order that it be either corrected or taken down.

What went on behind the passing of Singapore's new fake news law

If there is one thing that internet and app-oriented start-ups track closely regardless of the industry they operate in, it is the conversion rate. This metric measures how much user traffic is translated into a desired action, for instance, sales.

This startup plans to permanently integrate its offerings with Grab

With local brokerage firms already under siege from slumping commissions and waning investor interest, the ongoing trial of  John Soh Chee Wen and Quah Su-Ling in relation to the 2013 penny stock crash is unlikely to improve industry morale.

How responsible should brokerages be held for the 2013 penny stock crash?

In a TV interview on April 11, UBS economist Kelvin Tay blamed “political paralysis” in Malaysia for landing the country in an economic bind that includes a “current account deficit” of higher than 3.4%.

Pakatan Harapan's hope for Malaysia

SINGAPORE (April 18): When Malaysian engineering firm Serba Dinamik Holdings became the largest shareholder in systems integrator CSE Global last year, both parties talked about how they could work on projects together.

But one year on, no joint venture projects have been announced, as ...

Things looking up for CSE Global despite lack of JV projects with Serba Dinamik

Two mid-day announcements on April 4 by Hyflux and its rescuer SM Investments left both investors and market watchers confused. First, Hyflux cancelled the meetings to vote on a scheme of arrangement scheduled for April 5 and 8, because it claimed SMI had repudiated the restructuring agreement.

Hyflux rescue bid by SMI falls through amid conflicting statements

Tackling falsehoods has become a high priority for the Ministry of Law.

How Singapore's laws are evolving in the war against fake news

Over the last 20 years, Ivan Chee Yew Fei has been involved in various industries as founder and CEO of Webcon, a privately held diversified company in Malaysia. He led the company to expand into engineering and construction, property development, mining, trading of heavy machinery and investment holding. Now, as iron ore prices remain firm, Chee intends to grow the mining business under newly incorporated Fortress Minerals — by listing the latter on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange.

Iron miner Fortress Minerals lists; digs in to meet further demand from China

(Sept 12): Thailand’s new prime minister has a roadmap to deal with the most pressing issues ranging from a near-record household debt to a tepid growth rate and an ageing society. But the plan is short on details that would ensure time-bound outcomes, according to economists.

New Thai PM’s reform agenda lacks specifics, economists say

For parents whose children have challenges in attending national schools or who want to elevate their potential where the default private education system is beyond their reach and are on the lookout for an alternative route, Sekolah Anak Malaysia or SAM may well be the answer.

SAM is M...

Edunation: Alternatively, Sekolah Anak Malaysia beckons

Umno has decided to collaborate with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the next Sabah election, said party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this decision, jointly finalised by both central and Sabah Umno, is seen as the best approach to strengthening the administration of the unity government.

Zahid: Umno to cooperate with PH in Sabah election to strengthen unity govt

Australia said it will fine internet platforms up to 5% of their global revenue for failing to prevent the spread of misinformation online, joining a worldwide push to rein in borderless tech giants but angering free speech advocates.

Australia threatens fines for social media giants enabling misinformation

Selection of the technology provider for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) is still open, said MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal.

Selection still open for KL-Singapore high-speed rail technology provider — MyHSR CEO

(Sept 12): Alberto Fujimori, the former president of Peru who oversaw the defeat of Maoist terrorists, tamed hyperinflation and continued to loom large over national politics after being imprisoned for his role in killings by death squads, has died. He was 86.

Alberto Fujimori, authoritarian behind Peru rebound, passes away at 86

The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Registrar has been granted a stay by the High Court on Thursday from registering a 263.27-acre plot of land in the ‘Duta enclave’ to the liquidator of Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd.

High Court grants stay over registration of Semantan Estate

Any decision on the proposal to make halal certification mandatory for all restaurants and food operators is under the jurisdiction of the Conference of Rulers, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the issue should not be turned into polemics, as it is still in the proposal phase and had yet to become a permanent policy.

Conference of Rulers to have final say on mandatory halal certification, says Zahid

SINGAPORE (Sept 12): Pope Francis on Thursday urged political leaders in Singapore, a leading global financial hub, to seek fair wages for the country’s million-plus lower-paid foreign workers.

In likely the last major speech of an ambitious 12-day tour across Southeast Asia a...

Pope Francis, in Singapore, urges fair wages for migrant workers

If steep interest rate hikes failed to slow the US economy much in recent years, it is reasonable to ask whether their reversal will prove as toothless in a downturn.

'Blunt' interest rates pose questions about Fed easing

Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur "is not for sale" by its owners and shareholders, said Tan Sri Sallehuddin Mohamed, chairman of its owner Ampang Hotel Sdn Bhd.

In a statement, Sallehuddin said the shareholders "are satisfied with our progress and the direction we are taking" for the hotel.

Concorde Hotel KL not for sale, says owner

Southeast Asian equities have cemented their position as a favourite play of money managers positioning for the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy pivot.

Four of the five best-performing Asian equity benchmarks this month are from the region, with Thailand leading the pack. The buying frenzy has put foreign inflows on track for a fifth consecutive week while the MSCI Asean Index is now trading near its highest level since April 2022.

Global funds rush into Malaysian, Southeast Asian stocks as Fed pivot play

A former aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with drug trafficking at the Magistrate's Court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who has an ongoing sexual assault suit against Anwar, was charged with one count of trafficking 305 grammes of cannabis at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters' surau last Friday.

Anwar's former aide, who is suing PM for sexual assault, charged with drug trafficking

Asian shares bounced on Thursday, tracking a tech-driven rally on Wall Street, while the dollar held onto gains after US&nbsp;core inflation surprised slightly on the upside and dashed hopes of a large rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) next week.

Asian shares up on Wall St tech boost; dollar extends gains on yen

A rally in the world’s largest technology companies spurred a stock-market rebound in a volatile session that had Wall Street traders digesting faster-than-anticipated inflation data.

Stocks wipe out CPI-fuelled slide as Big Tech jumps

Sales of Mazda and Kia vehicles are expected to pick up in the months ahead as analysts shrugged off Bermaz Auto Bhd’s (KL:BAUTO) weaker-than-expected quarter.

Volume-heavy Mazda cars, 10% dividend yield set to prop up Bermaz Auto after weak quarter

In the second quarter of 2024 (2Q2024), Malaysia's retail sales decelerated to 0.6%, falling short of market expectations, according to Retail Group Malaysia (RGM).

In June, members of the Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) projected a growth rate of 1.7%, making the actual result 65% below the estimate.

Malaysian retailers point to 2Q growth slowdown amid rising prices, weak sentiment

China is turning up the heat on its army of 8,700 investment bankers.&nbsp;

After being forced to take big&nbsp;pay cuts&nbsp;and adhere to other belt-tightening measures under President Xi Jinping’s years-long common prosperity campaign, the country’s dealmakers are now in the crosshairs of the nation’s top graft buster.&nbsp;

China detains investment bankers, takes passports in corruption sweep

The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Registrar has been granted a stay by the High Court on Thursday from registering a 263.27-acre plot of land in the ‘Duta enclave’ to the liquidator of Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd.

Chinese hotpot chain Haidilao said it will focus on expanding further into established foreign markets in the coming years, notably the US, working to draw new customers as diners at home pull back on spending.&nbsp;

Chinese hotpot chain plans US expansion to escape slump at home

Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) advised investors to refocus on property stocks with solid fundamentals and proven execution capabilities amid enthusiasm around the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Refocus on property stocks with strong fundamentals amid Johor-Singapore SEZ excitement — Maybank IB

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 12): BIMB Securities has maintained its “underweight” call on the rubber glove sector, citing challenges from strict European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and persistent overcapacity in the industry.

BIMB Securities flags challenges in rubber glove sector amid EU deforestation rules

Grand Venture Technology (GVT) has confirmed that it is in discussions for a potential secondary listing of its shares on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Grand Venture Technology confirms plans for secondary listing on Bursa

First-half earnings in Asia showed how the ripple effects of the Red Sea crisis will continue to be costly for companies that make goods for export, while those that transport their wares benefit from higher freight rates.

Red Sea crisis produces winners and losers in Asia as freight rates spike

Oil attempted to mount a recovery from its plunge to the lowest level in more than two years, with traders weighing intensifying concerns about looming oversupply.

Oil rebounds after slumping to lowest level since 2021

Signs of gloom are mounting in the US$9.50 trillion (RM41.21 trillion) exchange-traded fund (ETF) landscape, threatening to expose Wednesday’s dip buying in stocks as a head-fake with traders cashing out of speculative trading vehicles.

Bearish signals flash in risky parts of US$9.5 tril ETF market

Huawei's new tri-foldable smartphone has ignited nationalistic pride in China with social media abuzz with what supporters see as its ability to out-innovate Apple&nbsp;despite&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;— even if many are balking at the phone's US$2,800 (RM12,135) price tag.

Huawei's Mate XT stirs Chinese pride and US$2,800 price tag

Any decision&nbsp;on the proposal to make&nbsp;halal certification mandatory for all restaurants and food operators is under the jurisdiction of the Conference of Rulers, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the&nbsp;issue should not be turned into polemics, as it is still in the proposal phase and had yet to become&nbsp;a permanent policy.

(Sept 12):&nbsp;Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc&nbsp;is discussing improving its takeover proposal for Seven &amp; i Holdings Co, Ltd,&nbsp;with the goal of convincing the Japanese convenience store operator to start engaging in discussions, people with knowledge of the matter said.&nbsp;

Couche-Tard discussing higher price for 7-Eleven owner — Bloomberg

Selection of the technology provider for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR) is still open, said MyHSR Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal.

In The Edge Singapore This Week

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In The Edge Singapore This Week

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