<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The&nbsp;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.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry emphasised its serious stance on the matter, confirming that reports of fake news have been lodged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission&nbsp;and the police.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“This is to ensure&nbsp;appropriate measures are taken against those disseminating false information.</p></div><div class=inPageAd id=div-gpt-ad-inpage></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>“The public are advised not to be easily influenced by viral news on social media, as it can create negative perceptions of national defence and potentially threaten peace,”&nbsp;the statement read.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p>The ministry also reminded the public that spreading false news is a legal offence prosecutable under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.</p></div>

<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><em>Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee</em></p></div>


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

JPMorgan Chase's annual profit rose to a record as its dealmakers and traders reaped a windfall from rebounding markets in the fourth quarter (4Q), it reported on Wednesday.

The largest US bank also forecast its net interest income (NII), or the difference between what it earns on loans and pays out on deposits, would rise above analysts' expectations this year, despite repeated warnings that high NII growth was unsustainable.

JPMorgan earns biggest-ever annual profit as investment bankers ride rebound

Malaysia-based Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) and its London-based joint venture partner, real estate investor Castleforge, broke ground for 75 London Wall — a £1.2 billion (RM6.59 billion) redevelopment project — in the City of London on Wednesday.

Previously known as Winchester House and the UK headquarters of Deutsche Bank, Gamuda and Castleforge acquired the building in February 2023 in a 75:25 joint venture.

Gamuda, Castleforge break ground for £1.2 bil redevelopment project in London

The First Meeting of the Asean+3 Working Committee has agreed to set the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for Asean 2025, which include increasing access to sustainable and fair climate transition financing, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Asean+3 Working Committee meeting outlines Asean's 2025 main economic priorities

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is meeting his UK counterpart Sir Keir Starmer here on Wednesday.

Anwar, who arrived here on Tuesday for a five-day working visit to the UK, was received by Starmer at his office at No 10, Downing Street at 1pm (9 pm Malaysian time).

Anwar meets UK prime minister

Crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives extended its downtrend on Wednesday on weaker demand from key market destinations, namely India, China and the European Union.

CPO futures extend downtrend on weaker demand

US consumer prices rose in December by less than forecast after months of faster underlying inflation persuaded the Federal Reserve to signal a pause in interest-rate cuts.

The so-called core consumer price index (CPI) — which excludes food and energy costs — increased 0.2% after rising 0.3% four straight months, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures showed on Wednesday.

US core inflation eases for first time in six months

OPEC forecast on Wednesday world oil demand in 2026 will rise at a similar rate to this year, while reducing its figure for 2024 for a sixth time, following economic weakness in China, the world's biggest importer of oil.

The 2026 forecast is in line with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' view oil use will rise for the next two decades, in contrast to the West's International Energy Agency that predicts it will peak this decade as the world shifts to cleaner energy.

In first look at 2026, OPEC predicts ongoing oil demand growth

Citigroup beat estimates for fourth-quarter (4Q) profit, fuelled by strength in trading and dealmaking, and announced a US$20 billion (RM90.02 billion) buyback programme as it cut a closely watched return target.

Citigroup 4Q profit beats estimates on trading strength, but cuts return targets after 'critical' year

Building support services firm KJTS Group Bhd (KL:KJTS) is planning to operate two businesses in Singapore, involving cooling services and mobile facility maintenance services.

KJTS inks JV with Singapore firm to operate cooling and mobile facility maintenance services

Goldman Sachs posted its best profit since the third quarter of 2021 to beat Wall Street expectations, driven by bankers who brought in more fees from dealmaking, debt sales and strength in trading.

Its shares rose 3% before the bell on Wednesday as the investment bank earned US$11.95 (RM53.79) per share in the fourth quarter (4Q), compared with US$8.22 expected by analysts, according to estimates compiled by LSEG.

Goldman Sachs 4Q profit beats estimates as investment banking, trading fuel bumper quarter

<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>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>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.</p>


Five arrested over alleged misappropriation of RM104 mil investment funds

<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>VS Industry Bhd (KL:VS) said on Wednesday that the High Court has ruled in favour of the company in a minority shareholder oppression lawsuit it brought against NEP Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd and three of its directors.</p>


'Diamond' water filter maker NEP to be wound up after VS Industry wins shareholder oppression case

<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>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>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>Exsim Ipoh City Sdn Bhd, a member of Exsim Group, has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Liew Yin Yin Land Sdn Bhd for the development of a 1.291-acre tract of land in Ipoh, according to a media statement on Wednesday.</p>


Exsim Group enters JV agreement with Liew Yin Yin Group to develop Ipoh serviced apartment project

<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>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>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>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>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>


Anwar recognises Petros as Sarawak's gas aggregator, says Abang Jo

<p>A summary of how key Bursa Malaysia indices and the ringgit performed on Wednesday.</p>


FBM KLCI down 0.91% to 1,562.12 on Jan 15, 2025

<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>Khazanah-EPF consortium Gateway Development Alliance (GDA) has extended the closing date for its takeover offer for Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd or MAHB (KL:AIRPORT) to Jan 24 from Jan 17.</p>


Khazanah-EPF consortium extends deadline for MAHB takeover bid again to Jan 24 now

<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>
