Among all precious gems, diamonds are one of the most sought after and prominent — for good reason. It is their rarity, durability and beauty that inspire the managing director of jewellery company Tomei, Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, to keep them as the focus of his star label, Le Lumiere. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, he has witnessed his fair share of industry evolutions. As technology progresses and diamond reserves begin to run dry, a new competitor — lab-grown stones — has entered the market. What does this mean for the stability of the natural gemstone trade, and what can consumers expect to see in the coming year? Ng gives us his thoughts.

Light fantastic

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 15): In the heart of Paris’ 1st arrondissement, along rue Cambon, a young Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel fell in love with Hangzhou — albeit from a distance. It was the 1910s when the designer first chanced upon antique coromandel lacquer screens with her inamorato, Arthur “Boy” Capel....

Eastern evocation

Leow Puay Tin has written two kinds of texts over the years: linear and “tikam” — shuffle the scenes, take some cards out, and perform them in a different model. “Every time, no matter how you do them, you always come up with a meaningful [show],” says the playwright and actress known for work that delights, yet provokes.

Soft power

Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Effendy Shahul Hamid, CEO of group consumer and digital banking at CIMB, both parents of neurodiverse children, are calling upon all Malaysians to recognise, champion and celebrate different abilities and diversity in all its forms and complexities, one individual at a time.

The other brothers

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): William Dalrymple — scholar, detective, master storyteller and acclaimed historian — weaves together the various narratives and legacies of Ancient India in his latest book, The Golden Road, which trumpets the subcontinent’s impact as a primaeval superpower, the effects of which reverberate until today.

His story

The Hour Glass’ exceptional customer service is a key factor contributing to its reputation as one of the region’s most respected specialist watch retailers. While its extensive range of timepieces and brands is undeniably alluring, it is oftentimes the intimate connections forged through its personnel that cultivate multi-generational loyalty.

All in good time

Covid brought Leong Kwong Yee back to his adopted hometown, Penang, where he noticed there was no contemporary art space. In 2022, he opened Blank Canvas in the heart of George Town, which welcomes artists, curators, exhibitors and everybody to participate in bringing out art. The spirit with which he created the non-commercial space syncs with its name: People are free to pursue their art, exchange ideas, have conversations and collaborate, particularly across borders.

Homing in on art

To be the first takes daring commitment, a strong sense of purpose, and — as GXBank chief executive officer Lai Pei Si and chief of staff Hildah Hamzah will tell you — a little craziness.

Fortune favours the bold

Time is the great equaliser. Anne-Laure Pressat, an executive director of esteemed cognac line Louis XIII, knows this well. Crafted over a century, each bottle is the product of a 150-year legacy, commemorating generations who dedicated their lives to the maison. For Pressant, who has enjoyed 12 years with the Rémy Cointreau group, every day is carried out with the next 100 years in mind — and the future she imagines is bright. At The Chamber in The Starhill here, Pressat talks about her most memorable moments with the King of Cognacs, the key to creating a brand that stands the test of time and honouring those who live on with us in spirit.

Captain of the cru

Life’s a cinch, so the saying goes. It might surprise everyone, though, that the renowned landscape artist Inch Lim started working with gardens only at the age of 46. Today, with Inchscape firmly established, he turns his attention to the possibility of converting his celebrated country estate in Batu Pahat, Johor, into an eco-conscious retreat.

Nature and nurture

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Poignant best describes the year 1948. It began with the assassination of Indian pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi by an extremist. Midway through, our tanahair (homeland Malaysia) was rocked by what would be the start of a guerrilla war between the military forces of the Federation of Malaya and the Communists, that would become known as the Malayan Emergency, or Darurat Tanah Melayu. Happening almost concurrently 8,000km away in the Middle East was what is now referred to as the Nakba.

Brave heart

Many ingredients are vital for one to go far in F&B. Being accountable and responsible are two, says Upper Palace Dining Group founder Datuk Henry Yip, who learnt that the hard way.

Tastes and tribulations

Art collecting is a profoundly personal, often lifelong, pursuit. For Ng Seksan, the adroit landscape architect who has dedicated his career to attenuating the urban sprawl’s ecological imbalance, the bug bit hard in 1994, the same year his firm Seksan Design was established.

Life imitates art

The condition of higher education is instrumental to the strengthening and development of a nation, but as new generations of aspiring scientists are faced with increasingly complex global issues from the pandemic to climate change, how can universities adapt their curricula to prepare their students?

Of nature and systems

The High Court has dismissed Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's leave (permission) application to commence legal action against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government over RM730,300 in allocations for his constituency.

Court dismisses Syed Saddiq's bid to mount legal challenge on unpaid MP allocations

The new frontiers facing the world today are, firstly, tantamount to a historical crossroads for humanity. They are that significant. Secondly, they are most cogently considered as philosophical and anthropological, as well as geopolitical and geo-economic. And by that, I mean to denote more than...

Picking On The Present: Historical task of realising a global human community has just begun

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, and Sarawak on Christmas morning.

Rain, thunderstorms expected to hit four states on Christmas morning — MetMalaysia

Social media app Telegram is profitable for the first time after paying down “a meaningful share” of some US$2 billion (RM8.97 billion) in debt, CEO Pavel Durov said in a post on X Monday (Dec 23).

Telegram profitable for first time after app pays down debts

Saks Global completed its US$2.7 billion (RM12.11 billion) acquisition of Neiman Marcus, creating what the company says is a multibrand luxury giant that’s powered by the technology of its high-profile investors, Amazon.com Inc and Salesforce Inc.

Saks closes US$2.7 bil Neiman deal, creating big luxury player

Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers agreed in October to keep raising interest rates if the economy moves in line with their forecast, but some stressed the need for caution on uncertainty over US economic policy, minutes of the meeting showed on Tuesday.

BOJ debated need for caution in raising rates, October minutes show

South Korea’s main opposition party said it will start impeachment proceedings against Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo.

South Korean opposition seeks to impeach Acting President Han

Swiss private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG is looking to rearrange its India portfolio that has quadrupled to more than US$8 billion (RM35.88 billion) since it first started investing in the country a decade ago, according to a top company official.

Swiss PE eyes IT, pharma in India portfolio rejig after 300% gain

Bitcoin is flagging in the last leg of a record-breaking year.

Bitcoin momentum ebbs heading into last stretch of record year

Agrochemicals giant Syngenta Group Co signed a US$4.5 billion (RM20.2 billion) sustainability-linked loan, according to a company statement on Monday, in Asia’s largest such dollar facility this year.

Syngenta signs US$4.5b ESG loan, Asia’s biggest this year — Bloomberg

Singapore forged ahead with efforts to formulate a digital-assets hub in 2024, while rival financial center Hong Kong has struggled to gain traction.

Singapore pulls ahead of Hong Kong in race to be crypto hub

Corporate services provider Amicorp Group has denied allegations it knowingly facilitated more than US$7 billion (RM31.43 billion) in fraudulent transactions related to the misappropriation of funds from scandal-hit Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Amicorp Group denies alleged fraud of over US$7b in 1MDB scandal

Stocks in Asia traded in tight ranges amid relatively thin holiday trading after a rally in some of the world’s largest technology companies boosted US benchmarks.

Asian stocks in narrow ranges after US tech boost

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) shares touched a record high, as the world’s largest contract chipmaker is poised to cap its best annual stock performance in 25 years.

TSMC shares touch record high, eyeing best year since 1999 on AI

China’s real estate woes look set to get worse before they get better, raising the prospect of a miserable year for property shares despite a recent bounce.

China’s property stock rebound faces a reality check in 2025

A rally in some of the world’s largest technology companies spurred a rebound in stocks, following a brief slide fueled by weaker-than-expected data on US consumer confidence.

In a thin trading session at the start of a holiday-shortened week, the S&amp;P 500 finished near session highs. Nvidia Corp., Meta Platforms Inc. and Tesla Inc. drove a gauge of the “Magnificent Seven” megacaps up almost 1.5%.

US stocks get boost from tech at start of Christmas week

The High Court has dismissed Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's leave (permission) application to commence legal action against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government over RM730,300 in allocations for his constituency.

South Korea's consumer sentiment dropped sharply this month to hit the weakest level in more than two years on growing worries about political uncertainty following parliament's impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

South Korea consumer sentiment weakest since 2022 on political uncertainty

Bitcoin is flagging in the last leg of a record-breaking year.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Sabah, and Sarawak on Christmas morning.

Australia’s balance of risks is tilted to the downside, including a potential stall in disinflation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said, calling on the government to avoid excessive spending.

Australia’s risks tilt to downside, IMF says, urging restraint

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino rallied support from former presidents in defence of the country’s canal following threats from Donald Trump to reimpose US control over the waterway.

Panama president rallies support for canal after Trump threat

Agrochemicals giant Syngenta Group Co signed a US$4.5 billion (RM20.2 billion) sustainability-linked loan, according to a company statement on Monday, in Asia’s largest such dollar facility this year.

Oil prices were up on Tuesday in thin trade ahead of the Christmas Day holiday, with prices supported by US economic data and rising oil demand in India, the world's third-largest oil importer.

Oil prices up in thin pre-Christmas trade

Saks Global completed its US$2.7 billion (RM12.11 billion) acquisition of Neiman Marcus, creating what the company says is a multibrand luxury giant that’s powered by the technology of its high-profile investors, Amazon.com Inc and Salesforce Inc.

Swiss private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG is looking to rearrange its India portfolio that has quadrupled to more than US$8 billion (RM35.88 billion) since it first started investing in the country a decade ago, according to a top company official.

South Korea’s main opposition party said it will start impeachment proceedings against Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo.

Social media app Telegram is profitable for the first time after paying down “a meaningful share” of some US$2 billion (RM8.97 billion) in debt, CEO Pavel Durov said in a post on X Monday (Dec 23).

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