Prolonged global supply chain disruptions in recent years have in no uncertain terms laid bare that logistics can cause immense disruption. Due to Asia's high growth prospects, these supply chain bottlenecks could derail the potential of the various national economies throughout the continent.

How can Malaysia’s supply chains withstand unprecedented disruption?

Asia-Pacific (Apac) organisations are expecting artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver longer-term benefits for their business in areas such as innovation or revenue generation, according to a recent study commissioned by IBM entitled “APAC AI Outlook 2025”.

IBM forecasts AI transition from experimentation to revenue generation in 2025

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" may be a philosophy that works well for many things in life, but in the fast-paced world of IT, standing still is not only a risky move, it could be tantamount to going backwards.

Sure, your systems have served you well in the past, but will they continue to deliver what your business needs in the future?

Navigating IT modernisation tailored to your business needs

As small and medium enterprises (SMEs) grapple with the complexities of cross-border payments in an increasingly digitalised world, fintech companies are stepping in to transform the landscape. These companies offer solutions that traditional banks may lack — for instance, covering payment servic...

Fintech: Helping SMEs with cross-border payments

The season for gifting and being jolly is here again. Sometimes, finding the right present can be stressful, especially when there isn’t much time left to make your purchases. Here are some simple, trendy and functional techy Christmas gifts to get for your loved ones.

Listicle: Tech the halls: Digital Edge’s 2024 gift guide

After years of navigating the fast-paced world of investment banking, Petrina Goh found herself struggling to strike a balance between numerous work trips and the demands of motherhood. The arrival of her first child marked a turning point. By the time her second child was born, she had first-han...

Interview: Easing the burden of mothers

Stockholm, with its blend of historical charm and modern innovation, is quietly becoming a tech powerhouse. It ranks second in the world for the number of unicorn tech companies per capita, just behind the US’ Silicon Valley. This success is driven not only by the city’s long-standing focus on in...

Bridging Ideas: Knowledge transfer pertinent to growth of innovation

In the last few weeks, start-up ecosystem social media chatter has been buzzing about Fashion Valet (FV). It started out because of a question asked in parliament about the losses of RM43.9 million incurred by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) from the divestment of their in...

The Pitch Deck: Navigating negativity: Harmful impact of unwarranted accusations on start-up ecosystem

The latest models in Google’s flagship series, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, hit the market this August with much fanfare. After some hands-on time with the Pixel 9, it’s clear it has standout features, but as with any device, it’s not without a few quirks.

Design and feel

Th...

Tech In Review: Keeping up with the Google Pixel 9

As a millennial who grew up googling every question and curiosity, discovering that Gen Z is turning to TikTok and Instagram as their go-to search engines elicited in me a mixed feeling of concern and fascination.

According to a Forbes report, for Gen Z, these social platforms have beco...

Geek Speak: Time to change the way we report the news to online communities

NEWS

Boost and UOB Asset Management offer shariah-compliant investments and rewards through BoostMyMoney

Boost and UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) Malaysia have launched BoostMyMoney, a shariah-compliant unit trust investment feature availa...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany of Technology

The gaming industry may be ruled by giant corporations and their blockbuster triple-A games, but there’s another side to it — one that thrives on creativity, innovation and daring new ideas. This is the indie scene, where developers, especially those in emerging markets such as Malaysia, are carv...

Cover Story: Forging the pixel path

Despite government efforts to drive financial inclusion, nearly 12.5 million Malaysian adults remain unbanked or underbanked, particularly among rural populations, the elderly and small businesses.

Bridging the financial access gap for SMEs

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic and will continue to be so as new innovations emerge. While many are focused on the rapid adoption of AI, along with its impact and return on investment, selecting the right compute resources for the right application is crucial.

“Starti...

Spotlight: AI workloads demand smarter compute choices

France’s minority government led by right-wing Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted in a no-confidence vote, the latest shock to the country’s deadlocked political system in a turbulent six months.

France’s government has fallen and political chaos has returned. Here are three scenarios for what could happen next

PARIS (Dec 5): Airbus announced just over 2,000 job cuts in Defence and Space, or about 5% of its second-largest division, as it reels from U.S. competition in the satellites sector but the cuts were not as severe as the European group had first warned.

More than half of the 2,043 total...

Airbus cuts 2,000 Defence and Space jobs, taming earlier plans

SEOUL (Dec 4): Hyundai Motor's labour union plans to stage strikes for four hours each on Thursday and Friday, a union spokesperson said on Wednesday.

South Korea's Metal Workers' Union, of which the Hyundai Motor union is part, plans to launch a full strike from Dec. 11 unless Sou...

Hyundai Motor union plans strikes on Thursday and Friday

Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA), commenced the construction of two public primary schools in its 1,530-acre (619.17-hectare) Gamuda Cove township in Kuala Langat, Selangor, on Wednesday.

Gamuda Land breaks ground for two public primary schools at Gamuda Cove

Bitcoin broke US$100,000 on Thursday as investors bet on a friendly regulatory shift in the US, while Asian stocks were firm after Wall Street indices notched record highs on growing confidence in US interest rate cuts.

Rate cut bets boost stocks as bitcoin breaks US$100,000

As the shock of Donald Trump’s victory sinks in, pundits and politicians are mulling what it means for the future of the US and global politics. Understanding why such a divisive, unqualified figure won again is crucial for the Democrats. Did they go too far left and lose the moderate Americans who make up the majority? Or did centrist neoliberalism — pursued by Democratic presidents since Bill Clinton — fail to deliver, thus creating a demand for change?

Unconventional Economic Wisdom: The Democrats’ only option

French lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote against the government on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and tame a massive budget deficit.

Far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined forces to back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with a majority 331 votes in support of the motion.

French government falls in no-confidence vote, deepening political crisis

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol named a new defence minister on Thursday, ahead of a vote on whether to start impeachment proceedings that may take place on Saturday.

Yoon replaces defence head as vote on impeachment motion looms

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

FashionValet co-founders claim trial, charged with CBT for making RM8m payment without board approval

MN Holdings Bhd's (KL:MNHLDG) contract wins and financial performance in its current financial year are expected to hit a new record, supported by strong order book and record-breaking tender prospects, said Phillip Capital.

“We believe MN is on track for FY2025 (financial year ending June 30, 2025) surpassing FY2024 new contract wins of RM349 million,” said Phillip Capital in its latest company note.

Phillip Capital sees record earnings, contract wins for MN Holdings in FY2025

Genting Bhd (KL:GENTING) and Genting Malaysia Bhd (KL:GENM) are likely to be removed from the 30-stock FTSE Bursa Malaysia (FBM) KLCI in the latest review of the benchmark index that will be announced on Thursday, according to sources.

Genting, Genting Malaysia to be dropped from FBM KLCI — sources

Retailer Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd, which operates 320 discount stores nationwide, is planning to float its shares on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia to raise funds for business expansion, according to its draft prospectus filed with the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Creador-backed discount store retailer Eco-Shop eyes Main Market listing, plans to float 862 mil shares

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

Capital A, Superlon, Focus Dynamics, Uzma, UEM Sunrise, Mulpha, Central Global, Apollo Food, TMC Life Sciences, Sentoria, Binasat

FashionValet Sdn Bhd co-founders Datuk Fadzarudin Shah Anuar and Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof&nbsp;claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Thursday to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM8 million.

Supermax Corporation Bhd (KL:SUPERMX) shares gained in early trade on Thursday, mostly due to an improved outlook and&nbsp;earnings potential of the company's US facility, amid recent efforts to boost glove production there.

Supermax gains on earnings potential of US facility amid efforts to boost glove production

Cropmate Bhd (KL:CRPMATE) jumped on its ACE Market debut on Thursday, after its initial public offering (IPO) raised some RM42 million&nbsp;mainly for the fertiliser company's operations and expansion plans.

Fertiliser company Cropmate jumps 22.5% on ACE Market debut

Bitcoin broke US$100,000 on Thursday as investors bet on a friendly regulatory shift in the US, while Asian stocks were firm after Wall Street indices notched record highs on growing confidence in US interest rate cuts.

Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS)&nbsp;announced on Wednesday that Southeast Asian super-app&nbsp;Grab Holdings Inc has chosen AWS as its preferred cloud provider to enhance operational efficiency across eight Asean countries.

Grab picks Amazon Web Services as cloud provider to drive growth and efficiency across Asean

Stocks hit all-time highs as US Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Jerome Powell said the economy is in remarkably good shape. The euro wavered as the French government fell after a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

US stocks hit record as Powell bullish on economy

Shares of&nbsp;cash-rich Apollo Food Holdings Bhd&nbsp;(KL:APOLLO) soared in early trading on Thursday, after it declared a 30 sen dividend following improved second-quarter results.

Apollo shares rise on dividend following stronger 2Q

The government has no intention of introducing any new tax in the near future, according to the Finance Ministry (MOF).

The ministry said the government’s present focus is on increasing compliance and improving the existing tax system as well as implementing tax measures that have already been announced in Budget 2025.

Govt has no plan to introduce new taxes in the near future — Finance Ministry

Bitcoin rose above US$100,000 for the first time on Thursday as the election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the US spurred expectations that his administration will create a friendly regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin has more than doubled in value this year and is up about 45% in the four weeks since Trump's sweeping election victory, which also saw a slew of pro-crypto lawmakers being elected to Congress.

Bitcoin tops US$100,000 on optimism over Trump crypto plans

MN Holdings Bhd's (KL:MNHLDG) contract wins and financial performance in its current financial year are expected to hit a new record, supported by strong order book and record-breaking tender prospects, said Phillip Capital.

“We believe MN is on track for FY2025 (financial year ending June 30, 2025) surpassing FY2024 new contract wins of RM349 million,” said Phillip Capital in its latest company note.

The South Korean won rebounded on Wednesday, posting the sharpest gains among emerging-market currencies, after President Yoon Suk Yeol rapidly reversed his martial law declaration. Traders were waiting on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell’s remarks for clues on where US interest rates are headed.

South Korean won outperforms emerging peers before Powell remarks

Prolonged global supply chain disruptions in recent years have in no uncertain terms laid bare that logistics can cause immense disruption. Due to Asia's high growth prospects, these supply chain bottlenecks could derail the potential of the various national economies throughout the continent.&nbsp;

The ongoing flood situation in the country is among the key issues to be highlighted in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

According to the Order Paper, V&nbsp;Ganabatirau (Pakatan Harapan-Klang) will ask the minister of energy transition and water transformation whether the government is satisfied with the development of flood mitigation infrastructure and related investments.

Flood-related matters take centre stage in Dewan Rakyat today

Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA), commenced the construction of two public primary schools in its 1,530-acre (619.17-hectare) Gamuda Cove township in Kuala Langat, Selangor, on Wednesday.

The value added gross domestic product (GDP) for the manufacturing sector increased to RM97.4 billion in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, said the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti).

The ministry said the amount showed an increase of 5.5% or RM5.1 billion from the RM92.3 billion recorded last year.

Value added GDP of manufacturing sector increases 5.5% to RM97.4 bil in third quarter of 2024 — Miti

US services activity expanded in November at the slowest pace in three months as demand and employment growth settled back, indicating the largest part of the economy is losing momentum.

US services activity expands at slowest pace in three months 

French lawmakers passed a no-confidence vote against the government on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and tame a massive budget deficit.

Far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined forces to back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with a majority 331 votes in support of the motion.

Digital Edge

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