The 2024 chapter of The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards is especially memorable, not only because it is the 15th year for the awards — that started in 2010 as an initiative by The Edge Malaysia to recognise, honour and celebrate the biggest and best of Corporate Malaysia — but also the year in which The Edge Malaysia celebrates its 30th anniversary of reporting news that matters.

Making excellence a habit

Winners of The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (The Edge BRC) Awards 2024 gathered at Corporate Malaysia’s biggest and most anticipated awards night on Friday, Aug 23.

Corporate Malaysia’s crème de la crème fêted

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Salam Sejahtera. Salam Malaysia Madani. And a very good evening to Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, chairman of The Edge Media Group; Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ho Kay Tat, publisher and group CEO of The Edge Media Group; distinguished guests; members of The Edge Billion Ringgit Club; and ladies and gentlemen.

Prioritise nation building, think of the rakyat

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Yang Berhormat Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry; members of The Edge Billion Ringgit Club; our partners, friends and colleagues; ladies and gentlemen.

Bringing out the best in every Malaysian company

Winning The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Company of the Year award is no easy feat.

Celebrating enduring excellence for the 15th year

There aren’t many bankers today quite like Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek, the managing director and CEO of Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK).

A rare breed of banker

Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) is no stranger to The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards, having taken home eight awards in the construction sector and best corporate responsibility (CR) initiatives category over the years since its first win in 2013.

Expanding its presence at home and abroad

Companies that communicate well on how their business model is evolving to create and deliver lasting value to multiple stakeholders continue to thrive this year, says The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC)’s panel of corporate responsibility (CR) judges.

Delivering sustainable value beyond compliance pressure

CelcomDigi Bhd (KL:CDB) has grown from strength to strength in the last two years, with its first full year of operations as a merged entity in the 12 months ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY2023) showing improvements on multiple fronts.

Crystallising merger synergies and scale

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (KL:CIMB) has managed to bounce back strongly from the lows of 2020, when the health of all lenders’ books was tested by measures introduced during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Strong bounce back from lows of pandemic

Having been in this country for more than 110 years, Nestlé (M) Bhd (KL:NESTLE) continues to deliver on its philosophy of “Good Food, Good Life” through its diverse food and beverage (F&B) offerings, which include halal-certified, made-in-Malaysia products like Milo, Maggi and Nescafé.

Century-long household name delivers more than ‘good food’

International multi-utility operator YTL Power International Bhd (KL:YTLPOWR) bagged its first two trophies at the gala dinner for the The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) awards this year, owing to the phenomenal rise in its share price over the past year and a half.

Buoyed by renewable energy push

Sunway Construction Group Bhd (KL:SUNCON) is a familiar name at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Awards. For the sixth consecutive year, the group has secured the BRC award for highest return on equity (ROE) over three years in the construction sector.

Buoyed by optimism on data centre jobs

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd’s (KL:CARLSBG) strategy of focusing on its premium brands is paying off even as the soft consumer market and inflationary pressures have kept sales volumes from normalising back above pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels.

Premiumisation strategy brews up good returns

Johnson & Johnson, fresh off a US$14.6 billion (RM65.38 billion) deal to buy neurological drugmaker Intra-Cellular, reported fourth-quarter (4Q) revenues and profit above Wall Street estimates on Wednesday, driven by strong sales of its cancer treatments.

J&J has been on an acquisition spree to boost its drugs and device businesses after spinning off its consumer unit in 2023.

J&J beats quarterly sales and profit estimates on cancer drug sales

The ceasefire agreement that paused the war between Israel and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon will likely be extended when it expires next week, according to several people familiar with the matter.

The Iran-backed group and the Israelis are unlikely to resume full-scale fighting despite needing more time to implement the original terms of the truce, which started in late November, according to Lebanese, Israeli and French government officials involved in ongoing talks.

Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire set to be extended beyond next week

Türkiye has detained 11 people as part of an investigation into a fire that killed 76 people and injured dozens at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on Wednesday.

A deputy mayor of the northwestern Bolu province, the head of the municipality's fire department, the owner and the manager of the hotel were among those detained, Tunc said on X.

Türkiye detains 11 over ski resort hotel fire that killed 76

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Russia "and other participating countries" with taxes, tariffs and sanctions if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not struck soon.

Without a deal, Trump said in a post on Truth Social, "I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries."

Trump threatens Russia, others with sanctions if Ukraine deal not reached

Amazon.com Inc will shut down all warehouses and lay off employees in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec.

“Following a recent review of our Quebec operations, we’ve seen that returning to a third-party delivery model supported by local small businesses, similar to what we had until 2020, will allow us to provide the same great service and even more savings to our customers over the long run,” said Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait in an emailed statement.

Amazon to close warehouses in Quebec, slashing 1,900 jobs

Gold prices soared to near three-month highs on Wednesday, trading below its record peak, fuelled by a soft dollar and lack of clarity around US President Donald Trump's policy plans, which investors fear could trigger trade wars and elevate market volatility.

Spot gold added 0.3% to US$2,753.79 per ounce as of 9.45am ET (1445 GMT). Prices were at their highest since Oct 31 when they hit their all-time-high of US$2,790.15.

Trump uncertainties push safe-haven gold to near all-time highs

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) has filed a lawsuit against instant coffee manufacturer Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), seeking RM7.39 million over insurance claim payout dispute. 

According to Power Root’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, EXIM Bank is demanding repayment of RM675,509.22 disbursed to its subsidiaries, namely Power Root (M) Sdn Bhd (PRM), Power Root Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PRMFG), and Power Root ME Free Zone Company (PRME).

Power Root sued by EXIM Bank over insurance claim payout 

Asean is progressing cautiously on Myanmar as it is critical to secure peace in the country, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said Asean’s approach is not about enforcing a particular system but ensuring inclusivity and peace as well as the importance of participatory democracy.

Asean takes cautious approach on Myanmar, critical to secure peace — Anwar

Sustainability can sometimes be seen as a concept only achievable by those with resources, but it can also be practised by smallholders and bring about financial benefits, according to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

According to RSPO, 85% of oil palm plantation owners ar...

Agriculture: Sustainable palm oil practices in Surat Thani province

KPMG International’s Survey of Sustainability Reporting 2024, published in December, highlights that sustainability reporting has become a routine part of business operations for nearly all of the top 100 companies in each country. Notably, Malaysia is among seven countries where all top 100 companies report on their sustainability efforts.

Top global companies make sustainability reporting part of core practice

HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd has officially opened its flagship wealth centre in&nbsp;Menara IQ at the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s international financial hub,&nbsp;to serve its high-net-worth clients.

HSBC Malaysia opens flagship wealth centre at TRX to serve high-net-worth clients

Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd (EXIM Bank) has filed a lawsuit against instant coffee manufacturer Power Root Bhd (KL:PWROOT), seeking RM7.39 million over insurance claim payout dispute.&nbsp;

According to Power Root’s filing with Bursa Malaysia on Wednesday, EXIM Bank is demanding repayment of RM675,509.22 disbursed to its subsidiaries, namely Power Root (M) Sdn Bhd (PRM), Power Root Manufacturing Sdn Bhd (PRMFG), and Power Root ME Free Zone Company (PRME).

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

Sunway, CapitaLand Malaysia Trust, Sentral REIT, AME REIT, Jentayu, Power Root 

Malaysia’s inflation is expected to reverse its current downtrend&nbsp;and gradually rise from mid-2025, driven by subsidy rationalisation, tax adjustments, and wage increases, according to economists.

Economists warn of short-lived inflation downtrend, predict gradual rebound by mid-2025

Jentayu Sustainables Bhd (KL:JSB) said the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has denied the building material and renewable energy (RE) group’s bid for an extension of time to complete its acquisition of three RE firms proposed in 2021.

Jentayu was informed of the regulator’s decision not to approve its application seeking an extension up to March 26, 2025, via a letter on Wednesday, according to the company’s bourse filing.

SC denies Jentayu’s extension bid to complete acquisitions of RE firms

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (KL:CLMT) posted a 15% year-on-year increase in its fourth quarter net property income (NPI) on higher revenue contribution from the majority of CLMT’s properties, supported by stronger retail sentiment.

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust posts record net property income of RM264 mil in FY2024

Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal's investment company Kingdom Holding (KHC) would be interested in investing in ByteDance's TikTok if Elon Musk or others offered to buy it, CEO Talal Ibrahim al-Maiman told Al Arabiya TV on Wednesday.

The search to find a buyer for the Chinese-owned popular short-video app continues in the US after it went dark and was revived later by an executive order signed by President Donald Trump delaying the enforcement of a ban on it by 75 days.

Saudi prince's investment firm would be keen on TikTok if Musk or others buy it, says CEO 

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (KL:CLMT) said it will continue to seek acquisition opportunities in industrial and logistic assets across Penang, Johor and the Klang Valley this year.

“We have been actively managing our balance sheet to create room for acquisitions and if we have a choice, we would be keen to deploy some of our capital again in the industrial and logistics area,” said Tan Choon Siang, the chief executive officer of the trust's manager, CapitaLand Malaysia REIT Management Sdn Bhd.

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust continues pursuit for industrial, logistic assets

A three-member Court of Appeal bench allowed an appeal by the K Residence joint management body (JMB) in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, to set aside a High Court order obtained by the property developer, KL Landmark Sdn Bhd, and seven others for them to be allowed to vote.

The appellate bench also ordered the matter to be reverted to the High Court to determine the arrears and not to summarily allow the originating summons by the developer and seven others.

COA rules developers with arrears cannot vote in AGM

Sentral REIT&nbsp;(KL:SENTRAL) ended the final financial quarter with a flat net property income (NPI), as revenue gains were offset by operating expenses for Menara CelcomDigi.

Sentral REIT's net property income flat in 4Q, up 20.4% for full year

Investors willing to go against the market in the coming months should consider selling US technology stocks and private credit, while boosting holdings in China, according to the head of Norway’s US$1.8 trillion (RM8.0 trillion) sovereign wealth fund.

CEO of Norway's US$1.8 tril fund sees contrarian bet in US tech

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed lower on Wednesday, weighed down by concerns over weakening demand from India due to cheaper alternatives, a trader said.

CPO futures close lower on concerns over weakening demand from India

After pouring record sums of money into the 2024 US elections, the cryptocurrency industry is hopeful — if not certain — of a newly friendly reception from DC policymakers after what it perceived to be a hostile environment in the Biden administration.

Trump 2.0: Crypto bet big on Trump in 2024. Can it cash in?

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Russia "and other participating countries" with taxes, tariffs and sanctions if a deal to end the war in Ukraine is not struck soon.

Without a deal, Trump said in a post on Truth Social, "I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries."

The Kedah state government is terminating the contractor's services for the Sungai Limau Water Treatment Plant project in Baling because the contractor failed to complete the project within the set timeframe.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all government projects must adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regulations stipulated by law.

Kedah fires water treatment plant project contractor over delay

Six individuals have been arrested and goods worth RM113 million confiscated in police raids on seven company premises in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur suspected of smuggling iron and metal products from abroad.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said those detained in the raids on Jan 17 comprised two local men, one local woman and three foreign men, aged between 33 and 50.

Police arrest six, RM113 mil worth of iron products seized in anti-smuggling raids

The Selangor government will hold the 2025 Chinese New Year state-level celebration on Feb 8 at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple grounds in Jenjarom here.

State Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, are scheduled to grace the event, which is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors.

Selangor state-level CNY celebration in Jenjarom on Feb 8

All travel agencies, particularly Umrah operators, must have a bank guarantee of RM250,000 to ensure the quality of the services offered and safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.

Malaysia Association Tour Agency (Mata) president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said this is in line with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s (Motac) proposal to require Umrah operators to possess a minimum bank guarantee of RM250,000.

Travel agencies must have bank guarantee of RM250,000 to operate — Malaysia Association Tour Agency

Prince Harry claimed a "monumental" victory over Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group on Wednesday after the publisher settled his lawsuit, admitting unlawful actions at its Sun tabloid for the first time and paying substantial damages.

Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles, had been suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World, at the High Court in London, alleging the papers had illegally obtained private information about him from 1996 till 2011.

Prince Harry hails 'monumental' legal win over Murdoch newspapers

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated Malaysia’s commitment&nbsp;to the Paris Agreement, highlighting the country’s willingness to take bold and tough measures to value humanity and preserve sustainability.

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club

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