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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p class="thumb-cap">EVENING 5: 99 Speed Mart the 32nd largest firm by market cap at debut</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>
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<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>Dirty dealings. Corporate battles. Consumer woes. Here are five things you need to know today.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>1. Shares of 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd closed up 14% on its market <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/725981" target="_blank">debut </a>at RM1.88, <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/726010" target="_blank">valuing </a>the mini market group at RM15.79 billion.&nbsp;</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>2. Tenaga Nasional Bhd has obtained an <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/726013" target="_blank">interim stay</a> from the High Court over it having to pay RM1.39 billion in additional tax to the Inland Revenue Board.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>3. Kim Kardashian and singer-songwriter Pharell Williams were among those who <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/726061" target="_blank">received </a>1Malaysia Development Bhd funds from fugitive Low Taek Jho amounting to US$2.43 million, the High Court here was told on Monday.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>4. Eversendai Corporation Bhd has won new contracts worth RM1.1 billion worth in India, Singapore and Saudi Arabia, which brought its order book to a new <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/726016" target="_blank">record high</a> of RM6.7 billion.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>5. Binastra Corp Bhd has <a href="https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/726023" target="_blank">secured </a>a project worth RM574.4 million from Exsim Jalil Link Sdn Bhd for a proposed development of a data centre. &nbsp;<br />
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EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

The retail price of RON95 will remain unchanged at RM2.05 per litre, while the price of RON97 will increase by five sen, from RM3.33 to RM3.38 per litre, from Jan 16 to 22.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) in a statement on Wednesday said the retail price of diesel in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan will remain at RM2.15 per litre, while in Peninsular Malaysia, it will rise by five sen per litre from RM3.03 to RM3.08 for the same period.

RON95 price unchanged, RON97 and diesel prices up by five sen

As the world transitions into what the World Economic Forum (WEF) described as the "intelligent age", artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres are emerging as pivotal drivers of technological and energy system transformation.

AI and data centres to transform future of energy systems, says MD of World Economic Forum

Malaysia aims to empower start-ups, facilitate collaboration and drive the commercialisation of innovative solutions through initiatives such as the Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap (SUPER) 2021-2030 and the MyStartup platform.

Malaysia to empower start-ups through Malaysia Startup Ecosystem Roadmap 2021-2030, MyStartup platform

Khazanah-EPF consortium extends deadline for acceptance of MAHB takeover offer by another week to Jan 24

Four company directors were among five arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in connection with a suspected fraud case totalling RM104 million involving public investment funds.

Five arrested over alleged misappropriation of RM104 mil investment funds

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (KL:F&N) is well capitalised to navigate rising energy and wage costs, said its chief executive officer Lim Yew Hoe.

F&N well capitalised to manage rising energy and wage costs, says CEO

The Negeri Sembilan Land and Mines Office and the state’s Department of Minerals and Geoscience have been instructed to investigate claims of a gold discovery in an area in Lenggeng, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

N Sembilan govt orders probe into alleged gold discovery in Lenggeng

Exsim Hospitality Bhd (KL:EXSIMHB), formerly known as Pan Malaysia Holdings Bhd, said it is planning to develop 420 units of serviced apartments on 1.29 acres of land in Ipoh.

Exsim to develop apartment block in Ipoh

Construction group Southern Score Builders Bhd (KL:SSB8) has won a contract amounting to RM78 million for the proposed upgrading works to a detention pond in Kuala Lumpur, in a related party transaction.

Southern Score bags RM78 mil contract to upgrade detention pond in KL

The Ministry of Defence has refuted claims circulating on social media alleging the dismissal of all commanders and the transfer of senior officers in the Malaysian Armed Forces due to a helicopter contract worth RM16 billion.

Ministry of Defence refutes claims of dismissals, transfers over RM16b helicopter contract

<p>U Mobile Sdn Bhd will likely struggle to roll out Malaysia’s second 5G network, pushing the company to even consider a merger, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB).</p>


U Mobile will struggle to roll out second 5G network, may even consider merger — analysts

<p>The Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) investment decisions, including the trading of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) shares, align with its broader investment objectives and are aimed at generating income required for dividend payments during the financial year.</p>


EPF says investment in MAHB to support dividend payouts

<p>JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 15):&nbsp;A former engineer suffered a loss of RM9.47 million after participating in a non-existent online cryptocurrency investment scheme that claimed to offer high returns.</p>


Ex-engineer loses RM9.47m in cryptocurrency investment scam

<p>Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested and questioned by authorities on Wednesday in relation to a criminal insurrection investigation, saying he was only cooperating with what he called an illegal probe to avoid violence.</p>


South Korean investigators question arrested President Yoon in insurrection probe

<p>MN Holdings Bhd (KL:MNHLDG), a specialist in underground utilities and substation engineering, will experience minimal disruption to its ongoing data centre projects despite recent US export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) chips, according to Phillip Capital.</p>


MN Holdings' key customer largely unaffected by AI chip curbs, says Phillip Capital

<p>Affin Bank Bhd's (KL:AFFIN) ambitious branch expansion plan is expected to keep its cost-to-income ratio (CIR) elevated for the next few years, according to CGS International, which is reiterating its 'reduce' recommendation on the bank.</p>


Affin Bank's expansion plan will keep costs high for next few years, says CGS

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The five independent directors of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) have not been terminated, contrary to a statement made by Machang Member of Parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.</p>


MAHB: Five independent directors not terminated

<p>(Jan 15): At least eight major distressed Chinese firms, including a China Evergrande Group unit, are set to defend themselves in court cases relating to their debt problems over the next two weeks, in one of the busiest stretches ever for such hearings.</p>


Distressed Chinese companies face flurry of court hearings

<p>Malaysia’s exports could grow at a slower pace this year, due to impending higher US tariffs, though trade diversions could provide some cushion, according to think tank Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).</p>


Malaysia to take hit from Trump tariffs, but blow could be softened by trade diversion, says think tank

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Plantation giant SD Guthrie Bhd (KL:SDG), previously known as Sime Darby Plantation, has announced the appointment of Tan Seri Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali as its non-independent and non-executive director.</p>


EPF chairman Mohd Zuki Ali joins SD Guthrie board

<p>Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he "used" fugitive businessman Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) despite his negative reputation for the country's benefit, the court heard on Wednesday.</p>


1MDB-Tanore: I used Jho Low for country's benefit, Najib says

<p>Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he hopes the privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) can be finalised soon.</p>


Frustrated with MAHB's decision-making delays, Loke backs privatisation to boost efficiency

<p>Steel products maker Colform Group Bhd has priced its initial public offering (IPO) at 36 sen per share, which will gross up to RM60.63 million, ahead of its listing on the ACE Market.</p>


Steel products maker Colform fixes IPO price at 36 sen to raise over RM60m from ACE Market listing

<p>The notion of having economic powerhouse China settle the debts accumulated by troubled state strategic development firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and SRC International Sdn Bhd&nbsp;is "absurd", the High Court heard on Wednesday.</p>


China to settle 1MDB debt in 2016? 'Absurd,' says Najib

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Yinson Holdings Bhd’s (KL:YINSON) move to rope in foreign partners for its production unit would strengthen its own balance sheet and reduce the reliance on debt, analysts said.</p>


Yinson’s move to rope in foreign partners for unit is timely, will strengthen balance sheet, analysts say as shares rise

<p>U Mobile Sdn Bhd has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CIMB Bank Bhd to extend financing support for its upcoming 5G network roll-out.</p>

<p>The MOU marks the latest financing partnership between U Mobile and CIMB&nbsp;of which, in 2021, the bank participated in a RM1.2 billion facility to U Mobile, which was later upsized to RM1.4 billion in 2023.</p>


U Mobile inks MOU with CIMB to finance 5G network roll-out

<p>Global markets treaded water on Wednesday ahead of US consumer price data that could potentially shift the monetary policy outlook there, while investors waited to see if earnings of big banks would match sky-high expectations.</p>


Traders mark time ahead of US CPI, bank earnings

<p>New users have piled in to Chinese social media app RedNote just days before a proposed US ban on the popular social media app TikTok, as the lesser-known company rushes to capitalise on the sudden influx while walking a delicate line of moderating English-language content, sources told <em>Reuters</em>.</p>


Over half a million ‘TikTok refugees’ flock to China's RedNote, Reuters reports

<p>Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recognition of Sarawak state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) as the state's gas aggregator.</p>


Abang Jo welcomes Anwar's recognition of Petros as Sarawak's gas aggregator

<p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC) has urged the government to reconsider the proposed mandatory Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution for foreign workers, to ease financial burdens on businesses.</p>
