Two Umno leaders were sworn in as senators before Dewan Negara President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah on Thursday.

They were Wanita Umno secretary Datuk Rosni Sohar, and Ipoh Barat Umno division chief Datuk Shamsuddin Abd Ghaffar.

Two Umno leaders sworn in as senators

The third meeting of the third session of the 15th Parliamen adjourned on Thursday after sitting for 12 days since Dec 2, with 26 bills passed.

Dewan Negara adjourns after passing 26 bills in 12 days

The Senate’s Special Select Committee on Social and Community Affairs (JKPK HESM) has urged the government to expedite the formulation of the Anti-Ali Baba Act to tackle the growing issue of foreigners' dominance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Putrajaya urged to hasten creation of ‘Anti-Ali Baba’ law 

A total of 288,000 members of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) have registered to contribute more than the statutory rate of 11% for employee contributions as of October 2024.

288,000 EPF members register to contribute above the statutory 11% employee rate — Lim

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has found that instances of using cryptocurrency as a medium for money laundering in Malaysia are low.

Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said that this conclusion was based on the latest Virtual Assets Risk Assessment conducted by the National Coordination Committee to Counter Money Laundering (NCC) based on observations from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

MOF: Few cases of using cryptocurrency in money laundering

The government has acquired 10 new train sets for the Electric Train Service (ETS), which is expected to be operational from the first quarter of next year, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

Ten new ETS trains to be operational by 1Q2025, 50 more on the way, Senate told

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): The SouthEast Asia Hainan-Hong Kong Express Cable System (SEA-H2X), the 160Tbps (trillion bits per second) undersea fiber-optic cable network designed to enhance connectivity and data transmission in the Asia-Pacific region, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025 (3Q2025).

SEA-H2X undersea cable network in Sarawak set for completion by 3Q2025 — Teo

The Health Ministry (MOH) will introduce a rotation system to improve the placement of medical officers, particularly in rural and urban areas, to address the shortage of workers in the sector.

MOH to introduce rotation system to address workforce shortage

The Dewan Negara on Tuesday passed three bills under the Prime Minister's Department, namely the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Trustees (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the Trustees (Incorporation) (Amendment) Bill 2024.

Dewan Negara passes five bills

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 17): The government is scrutinising the need for a plastic-related act that is more comprehensive through a feasibility study under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the study needed t...

Environment ministry scrutinising need for comprehensive plastic policy through study under 13MP

Proposals related to the definition and classification of the T15 income group are being refined and will be decided by the Cabinet soon, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said on Tuesday.

Rafizi: Definition, classification of T15 will be decided soon

The ringgit has strengthened by 2.8% against the US dollar as of Nov 22, 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Ringgit strengthened 2.8% against US dollar as of Nov 2024 — MOF

The implementation of the 15% global minimum tax (GMT) starting next year is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s financial position, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

MOF sees global minimum tax boosting Malaysia’s financial position 

he Malaysia Digital Investment Strategy (MDIS) (formerly Digital Investments Future5 Strategy or DIF5) has attracted investments totalling RM224.72 billion since its launch in 2021 until the third quarter of this year.

Malaysia’s digital investment strategy attracted RM224.7b in investments since 2021, created nearly 96,000 jobs — Gobind

(Jan 21): Apple Inc has received a fresh pair of analyst downgrades, in the latest sign that soft iPhone sales are becoming an increasing concern for investors, as artificial intelligence fails to act as a hoped-for growth catalyst.

Shares fell 2% in premarket trading on Tuesday, e...

Apple’s tough January worsens as analysts cut on iPhone weakness

Bitcoin held a retreat from a record as traders awaited crypto policy directives from President Donald Trump following his inauguration.

Crypto market in limbo as Trump omits sector from day one orders

UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) posted a 8.55% increase in net rental income for the fourth quarter on improved occupancy.

Net rental income rose to RM20.36 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), from RM18.76 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the office and commercial property trust’s bourse filing.

UOA REIT's 4Q rental income rises 8.5% on improved occupancy, declares 3.24 sen DPU

(Jan 21): Investor confidence in Germany’s economy fell more than expected before next month’s snap election, underscoring persistent doubts in the country’s ability to escape its current bout of stagnation.

The ZEW institute’s index of expectations dropped to 10.3 in January from ...

German investor outlook sours as economy fails to gain momentum

(Jan 21): Booming credit markets are throwing private equity firms a lifeline as they strive to return cash to investors: Instead of relying on the IPO market, they can pile portfolio companies with more debt and give themselves a payout.

Dividend recapitalizations, where a firm bo...

Private equity has a plan if IPOs, sales don't work: More debt

A fire at a ski resort hotel in Türkiye's Bolu mountains killed 66 people on Tuesday and forced panicked guests to jump out of windows in the middle of the night.

Some 51 people were also injured, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwest Türkiye.

Fire at Turkish ski resort kills 66, forces guests to jump from windows

EVENING 5: DC-related stocks, AI proxies jump as Trump holds off on immediate tariffs

Data centre-related stocks and proxies to artificial intelligence (AI) on Bursa Malaysia rebounded on Tuesday, driven by expectations of gradual approach to tariff policies by the new Donald Trump’s US administration. 

Trump's future policies are expected to be less aggressive compared to his previous term, with the possibility of reversing some of the restrictions imposed by Joe Biden, said Rakuten Trade head of research Kenny Yee.

Data centre-linked stocks, AI proxies rebound amid expectations of Trump’s gradual tariff implementation 

Treasuries rallied as fears that Donald Trump’s policies will fuel inflation eased, after the US president refrained from imposing China-specific tariffs for now.

The 10-year US yield fell as much as 10 basis points to 4.53% on Tuesday, as the market reopened after a US holiday. Meanwhile, the dollar rallied as Trump said he still plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from next month, which sent currencies from both countries tumbling over 1%.

US bonds rise as tariff respite for China eases inflation fears

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Payment under Phase 1 of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah&nbsp;or Rahmah Cash Donation (STR) will be disbursed in stages from Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah's Phase 1 payment starts on Wednesday

THE days of “super big profits” once enjoyed by Sime Darby Bhd (KL:SIME) in China’s car market are over, but the automotive and industrial equipment trading company remains confident in its long-term prospects.

Executive director and group CEO Datuk Jeffri Salim Davidson still believes ...

Special Report: China’s car-making juggernaut keeps Sime Darby CEO up at night

RichTech Digital Bhd, which distributes electronic reloads and provides bill payment services, has launched the prospectus for its ACE Market initial public offering (IPO) to raise up to RM20 million.

RichTech launches ACE Market IPO prospectus, seeks to raise up to RM20m

The two sons of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have together declared assets worth RM1.2 billion to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Mahathir's two sons declare RM1.2 bil assets to MACC — Bloomberg

President Donald Trump wasted no time announcing steps to implement many of his campaign pledges, including on immigration, energy, the military and federal workforce, casting many as reversing the policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

A rundown of Trump’s executive actions, from tariffs to immigration

Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed that the legality of the government task force investigating the multi-billion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle was questionable.

Najib claims 1MDB govt task force disbanded due to unlawfulness

A who’s who of the world’s wealthiest people surrounded US President Donald Trump as he took the oath of office — gathering a combined net worth exceeding US$1.3 trillion (RM5.8&nbsp;trillion) for the occasion.

The new order: Tech billionaires worth US$1.3 tril at Trump inauguration

The government is reviewing a more targeted approach to assist the public, replacing the method of providing toll-free travel during festive seasons, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

No more toll-free travel during festive seasons — minister

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Aluminium smelting and extrusion facility, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s (KL:PMETAL) fourth quarterly earnings are expected to come in a range of RM375 million to RM400 million, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).

Press Metal’s 4Q earnings to be boosted by associate PT Bintan’s contribution amid high alumina prices, says HLIB

Malaysia’s National Water Services Commission (SPAN) on Tuesday raised concerns over the extensive, unsustainable use of potable water by data centres in the country.

SPAN calls out data centres for unsustainable use of potable water 

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak insisted that 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) benefitted the nation despite the crippling debt forced upon it, according to his court testimony on Tuesday.

Najib maintains 1MDB benefitted country, despite overwhelming debt

Datuk Seri Najib Razak does not appear to see anything wrong with getting updates on the then-ongoing investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Najib sees nothing wrong with getting updates on investigations involving him

Oil and gas pipes supplier&nbsp;Saliran&nbsp;Group Bhd has entered into an underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities, in conjunction with its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saliran Group inks underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities for ACE Market IPO

KLANG (Jan 21): Section 2 of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) will be opened to traffic starting midnight on Wednesday (Jan 22), which will complement Port Klang as the largest logistics hub in Southeast Asia.

Section 2 of West Coast Expressway opens at midnight, toll-free for a month

A tariff war with the US will cut into economic growth of a trading bloc of Southeast Asian nations, China, Japan and South Korea, according to a regional macroeconomic surveillance organisation.

Retaliatory tariffs against US could shave Asean+3 growth by up to 2%, AMRO warns

YNH Property Bhd (KL:YNHPROP) is disposing of a two-storey shopping centre, AEON Mall Seri Manjung in Perak, to Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:SUNREIT) for RM138 million. &nbsp;

YNH to sell AEON Mall Seri Manjung to Sunway REIT for RM138m

Pansar Bhd (KL:PANSAR) has secured a RM477.69 million highway construction job from the Sarawak Public Works Department.

The contract, awarded to its wholly owned subsidiary Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd via an invited tender, involves the design and construction of the Serian-Gedong-Samarahan dual carriageway highway.&nbsp;

Pansar bags RM478 mil highway construction job in Sarawak

<h2>Notable filings</h2>

From Dec 30, 2024, to Jan 3, notable filings on shareholding changes at Bursa Malaysia-listed companies include those at Berjaya Corp Bhd (KL:BJCORP) which saw Kossan Holdings Sdn Bhd cease being a substantial shareholder of the consumer conglomerate.<...

Insider Moves: Berjaya Corp Bhd, Sunway Bhd, HIL Industries Bhd, Mestron Holdings Bhd, Malakoff Corp Bhd, Velocity Capital Partner Bhd 

Malaysia's automotive sector total industry volume is expected to normalise to a three-year low of 780,000 units this year, according to the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) projection, having hit a record 816,747 units in 2024.

MAA sees 2025 vehicle sales at three-year low after 2024 TIV hits new record

For President Xi Jinping, the stage was set for an explosive start to Donald Trump’s presidency, after he campaigned on a promise to punish China with tariffs. Instead, the American leader’s first day back in office bought Beijing some unexpected breathing room.

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