<div class=newsTextDataWrapInner><p><span style="font-style: italics;">This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 17, 2025 - February 23, 2025</span></p></div><div><img alt="" class="gallery-items" data-high-res-src="https://myassets.theedgemalaysia.com/pics/2025/TEM1562-infographic-2-theedgemalaysia_20250218171601.jpg" src="" /></div>

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After three years of underwhelming mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity globally, this may finally be the year the M&A market regains footing. The two biggest inhibitors to recent deals — interest rates and regulatory challenges – are expected to ease in 2025, raising the prospect of more deals being done, according to consulting firm Bain & Co in its latest Global M&A Report, released on Feb 4. The firm believes the market is poised for an upturn.

M&A market poised for comeback in 2025 

Malaysia has experienced steady economic growth of over 5% annually in the last couple of years, but overall job creation increased by less than 2% each year, according to a discussion paper published by the PNB Research Institute (PNBRI) — the research arm of Permodalan Nasional Bhd.

PNB Research Institute: Malaysia needs a ‘good jobs strategy’ to escape low-wage trap

The World Bank on Thursday said it attracted US$112 billion (RM459 billion) in private capital in the year ended June versus US$69 billion a year earlier, and more than triple the amount in fiscal 2022 before former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga became president.

World Bank boosts private capital mobilisation to record US$112b

The Bank of England predicted British inflation will top 4% early next year as it held interest rates unchanged on Thursday, and governor Andrew Bailey warned explicitly that prolonged conflict in the Middle East may require tighter policy.

Bank of England sounds inflation alarm as it holds interest rates

Reservoir Link Energy Bhd (KL:RL) said it has signed a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Syarikat SESCO Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of state-owned Sarawak Energy Bhd, for a 200MWac solar photovoltaic project in the state with an estimated development cost of RM570 million.

Reservoir Link inks PPA with Sarawak state-owned firm for RM570 mil solar project

Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (KL:TCHONG) and China‑based Saike REPT Power Battery System Co Ltd (Saike) have agreed to explore the production of electric vehicle (EV) battery packs and identified components in Malaysia.

Tan Chong Motor unit, China firm ink MOU to study EV battery production in Malaysia

Lagenda Properties Bhd (KL:LAGENDA) said its wholly-owned subsidiary Lagenda Capital Sdn Bhd has raised RM475 million via its sukuk wakalah programme, to be used for inter-company advances to fund acquisitions and working capital for affordable housing development.

 Lagenda Properties unit raises RM475m in first sukuk wakalah issuance

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi vowed to fast-track policies to boost growth after retaining her key ministers in a cabinet reshuffle, including reflationist ally Minoru Kiuchi as economy minister, signalling her determination to implement her big spending plans.

Japan PM retains economy minister in cabinet reshuffle, vows to speed up spending plans

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed the proposal of becoming an "associate member" of the European Union, saying Europe and Canada were stronger together and should deepen ties to protect their citizens' prosperity.

EU and Canada are stronger together, Carney says after Trump derides EU alliance

Binastra Corp Bhd saw its net profit surge nearly 80% in the second quarter ended July 31, 2026 (2QFY2027), driven by stronger construction activity, contributions from newly acquired thermal energy firm LF Lansen Sdn Bhd and its expansion into solar installation.

Binastra Corp net profit surges nearly 80% in 2Q, declares four sen dividend

The ringgit on Thursday depreciated to its lowest level in nearly three months amid broad-based greenback strength at a time of rising US interest rates.

Ringgit approaches three-month low as Fed rate hike strengthens dollar

<p>Over the past two years, I have occasionally written about some of the people I regard as role models in Malaysia's plantation and palm oil journey — Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Tun Raja Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Augustine Ong Soon Hock, Datuk Boon Weng Siew, fondly remembered as “Uncle Boon”, MR&nbsp;Chandran and Mahbob Abdullah, among others.</p>


Opinion: Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian — the planter, the steward and the next row

<p>The Dewan Keadilan dan Undang Negeri Sembilan (DKU) has accused the Negeri Sembilan state executive council of treason and an attempted coup d'etat against ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, according to a letter issued on Wednesday night by Messrs Halim &amp; Ismail.</p>


DKU accuses Negeri Sembilan exco of treason and attempted coup d'etat against ruler Tuanku Muhriz

<p>The ringgit on Thursday depreciated to its lowest level in nearly three months amid broad-based greenback strength at a time of rising US interest rates.</p>


<p>AirAsia Group Bhd (KL:AAGB) fell on Thursday to the lowest in nearly four years amid mounting concerns over the low-cost airline’s financial health.</p>


AirAsia falls to near four-year low amid concerns over financial health

<p>Malaysia’s struggling bond market may see an outflow of Japanese capital as its yield premium shrinks.</p>


Malaysia’s battered bonds face growing risk of Japan fund exodus

<p>Analysts say now is a good opportunity to buy and accumulate YTL Power International Bhd's (KL:YTLPOWR) shares, given the recent pullback and the company's&nbsp;reservation of four new gas turbines amid a global backlog.</p>


YTL Power worth accumulating on pullback and new gas turbines — analysts

<p>&nbsp;Pioneer Heat Holdings Bhd (KL:PIONEER) ended its ACE Market debut on Thursday 5 sen, or 20%, higher than its initial public offering price of 25 sen. &nbsp;</p>


Pioneer Heat ends ACE Market debut 20% above IPO price

<p>Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, or better known as Papagomo, has failed to obtain a stay of a High Court judgement in May that had ordered him to pay RM280,000 in damages for defaming former finance minister Lim Guan Eng and his son Clint Lim Way Chau six years ago.</p>


Papagomo fails to obtain stay of damages payment to Guan Eng, son

<p>Pestec International Bhd (KL:PESTEC) said the Kuala Lumpur High Court has extended an injunction preventing its China-based supplier Shandong Power Equipment Co Ltd (SPECO) from enforcing an undated corporate guarantee against the group.</p>


Pestec wins High Court order preventing Chinese supplier from enforcing corporate guarantee

<p>The government has agreed to expand the Budi Madani Diesel&nbsp;eligibility transfer facility, allowing registered owners of private diesel vehicles to transfer their eligibility to any eligible actual user,&nbsp;effective immediately.</p>


Budi Diesel: Govt now allows eligibility transfer to any eligible actual user

<p>Singapore’s push to become a major gold hub is gaining momentum, with DBS Group Holdings Ltd&nbsp;adding bullion storage capacity and other banks considering similar moves.</p>


Singapore’s gold hub plan gets lift with DBS vault expansion

<p>The judge presiding over the SRC International Sdn Bhd and 1Malaysia Development Bhd suits against Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the suit filed by Muhammed Yusoff Rawther against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be&nbsp;transferred to Ipoh.</p>


Judge hearing Yusoff Rawther suit against PMX, and SRC, 1MDB suits to be transferred to Ipoh

<p>CCK Consolidated Holdings Bhd (KL:CCK) is no longer a ‘buy’ amid slower-than-expected recovery from a fire incident at one of its plants in Indonesia, said an analyst.</p>


CCK Consolidated no longer a ‘buy’ as Indonesian plant fire leaves lasting burn — analyst

<p>Huawei Technologies Co is set to unveil new artificial intelligence (AI) technology this week in defiance of US export control curbs, advancing its ambition to replace Nvidia Corp in China and compete on the global stage.</p>


Huawei set to unveil AI chips to match Nvidia 

<p>An individual who relies only on a fixed salary will eventually reach a ceiling.</p>


My Say: PETRONAS: Our hope for Malaysian global champions

<p>Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim has confirmed that the state executive council recognises the proclamation removing Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, <em>Bernama</em> reported.</p>


Negeri Sembilan MB confirms state govt recognises removal of Tuanku Muhriz

<p>US President Donald Trump said he still had confidence in Federal Reserve (Fed) chairman Kevin Warsh and criticised what he said is a “hostile” board even after the central bank unanimously defied his calls to lower borrowing costs.</p>


Trump backs Warsh, faults ‘hostile’ Fed board for rate hike

<p>Malaysia has delayed the mandatory reasonable&nbsp;assurance requirements&nbsp;of&nbsp;applicable entities&nbsp;on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by a year.&nbsp;</p>


Malaysia delays reasonable assurance requirements on greenhouse gas emissions by a year

<p>A total of 30 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy air pollutant index (API) readings as of 5pm on Thursday.</p>


Haze: Unhealthy air in 30 areas nationwide as of 5pm

<p>Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) is expanding its property development pipeline in Johor with two residential projects scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026.</p>
