THE award of the second 5G network to U Mobile on Nov 1 has kicked up a storm. Four bids were submitted, from CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and TM. Maxis, for instance, once widely seen as the frontrunner, is seeking to talk to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on what e...

Cover Story: Will the second 5G network benefit Malaysians with lower prices and better service?

EIGHTEEN months after its decision to abandon the single wholesale network (SWN) structure and transition to a dual 5G network, Malaysia sprang yet another surprise by selecting U Mobile Sdn Bhd, the third and smallest of the three bidders that qualified, for the coveted second 5G spectrum bid on...

Cover Story: Untangling the second 5G network puzzler 

When discussing quantitative investments, names like Renaissance Technologies, Citadel and Millennium often dominate the conversation. However, this Western-centric view may overlook innovative developments closer to home, particularly in the realm of Islamic finance.

Recent advancement...

My Say: The evolution of quantitative investing in Islamic finance

On April 4, the Ministry of Health (MoH) implemented the Guideline on Natural Products with Modern Claim, bolstering the regulatory framework for natural products in the country. This initiative is poised to stimulate growth in the natural products industry, leveraging Malaysia’s rich biodiversit...

My Say: The role of natural medicine in shaping next-generation research

AS soon as I walked out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 3, I spotted a young woman trying to open the boot of a driverless Waymo and get her luggage out. You can’t open the doors or trunk of a robotaxi without pressing the right button on your smartphone app. The Google-con...

Tech: My day in Phoenix in driverless Waymo robotaxis

A growing number of local companies are plugged into the global medical technology (medtech) supply chain.

The Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI) Economic Impact Survey 2023/24 found that among its members, a total of RM4.1 billion was spent on the local sourcing of mate...

Local companies increasingly integrated into medtech global supply chain

During an exclusive virtual interview with City & Country, founder and director of Kedah-based property developer Imperio Group, Lee Woei Nen, introduces himself as a kampung boy. One can see the nostalgia and pride in his demeanour as he reflects on his childhood in the lush landsca...

Raising the bar in Alor Setar’s premium landed residential sector

TNG Digital Sdn Bhd, which operates TNG eWallet, is set to turn in its first full-year profit next year amid aggressive plans to leverage its broader range of products to strengthen its market share.

Speaking to The Edge in an exclusive interview at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, CEO...

TNG Digital foresees first full-year profit in 2025 amid plans to deepen user relationship

HOMEGROWN fertility care specialist Alpha IVF Group Bhd (KL:ALPHA) is embarking on an ambitious expansion in Asia, setting its sights on Indonesia, China and the Philippines, after establishing its presence in Malaysia and Singapore.

Following its recent listing on the ACE Market of Bur...

Alpha IVF not putting all eggs in one basket, eyes regional expansion

"It’s the economy, stupid!” This famous mantra, coined by the political strategist James Carville, helped Bill Clinton unseat President George H W Bush in 1992, and now it explains another election. The economy played a critical role in the 2024 presidential race, creating the conditions not only...

The Risk Factor: Once again, it was the economy, stupid

Crypto bros have a reason to cheer. Last month’s SCxSC Fintech Summit came with a surprise announcement by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to create a sandbox to spur innovation. This comes on the heels of the crypto-leaning sandboxes launched by several countries this year (see chart). B...

Shadow Crypt: Crypto’s choice between a sandbox and an airport

As we enter the final two months of 2024, what are the expectations for the semiconductor industry? TechInsights’ 2025 semiconductor manufacturing outlook estimated that integrated circuit (IC) sales will witness increases of 17% and 14% in silicon demand and semiconductor capital expenditure res...

Condivergence: Outlook for semiconductor manufacturing equipment market remains fair

While Malaysia is consolidating returns on previous infrastructure investments, leveraging its established expertise in electronics, semiconductors and data centres, political shifts and the gradual outflow of talent could impact future economic progress, according to the 9th edition of e-Conomy SEA by Google, Temasek and Bain & Co.

A survey of Malaysia’s digital economy

LAST Monday, Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DSONIC) announced that it had bought 51% equity interest in Innov8tif Holdings Sdn Bhd for RM40 million in cash from Revenue Group Bhd (KL:REVENUE).

Innov8tif Holdings and its subsidiaries Innov8tif Solutions Sdn Bhd, Xendity Sdn Bhd and Innov8tif So...

The tale of Innov8tif and five public-listed companies

KYIV (Nov 20): The United States said it had reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday, after it had shut for the day due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia.

US reopens Kyiv embassy after Ukraine firing of ATACMS missiles into Russia prompted potential strike threat

China's Huawei plans to start mass-producing its most advanced artificial intelligence chip in the first quarter of 2025, even as it struggles to make enough chips due to US restrictions, said two people familiar with the matter.

Huawei aims to mass-produce newest AI chip in early 2025, despite US curbs

Asian equities fell on Thursday after AI darling Nvidia disappointed investors with slower revenue growth expectations, while the dollar firmed and bitcoin hit a record high, buoyed by hopes about US President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

Asian stocks stutter as Nvidia's forecast disappoints

The extended six-year contract signed between the government and Bestinet Sdn Bhd for the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) could cost the government a minimum of RM3.2 billion, according to a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Bestinet contract extension for foreign worker recruitment system could cost govt minimum of RM3.2b, says PAC

The High Court here has ordered the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to complete investigations on the death of Teoh Beng Hock within six months from Thursday.

Police given six months to complete probe into Beng Hock’s death

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) has unveiled the sales gallery of its RM850-million M Aspira serviced-apartment project in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Nov 20).

Mah Sing unveils M Aspira sales gallery in Taman Desa

SINGAPORE/CHICAGO?CANBERRA (Nov 21): Wheat growers in several exporting countries are reluctant to sell their crops with prices near four-year lows, traders, farmers and millers say, leaving flour makers with dwindling supplies and vulnerable to any potential upswing in prices.

Flour millers face supply crunch as wheat farmers tighten grip on stocks

Northern Solar Holdings Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with M&A Securities Sdn Bhd for its proposed initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia.

The solar energy firm said its IPO scheduled to take place in February 2025, entails a public issue of 67.3 million new shares and the sale of 35.6 million existing shares.

All in all, the listing would offer investors up to a 26% stake in the company.

Northern Solar Holdings signs underwriting agreement with M&A Securities

(Nov 21):&nbsp;Dyson Ltd&nbsp;is dialling back its hairdryer-related operations in Malaysia, according to people familiar with the matter who declined to be identified discussing matters that are private, as the consumer goods company seeks to streamline its business in the region.

Dyson dials back Malaysian hairdryer ops, redeploys staff in Johor — Bloomberg

Asian equities fell on Thursday after AI darling Nvidia disappointed investors with slower revenue growth expectations, while the dollar firmed and bitcoin hit a record high, buoyed by hopes about US President-elect Donald Trump's policies.

Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd (KL:PCHEM) may be in for tougher days ahead following a massive paper loss that sent the company into the red for the first time ever and prompted analysts to cut their forecasts.

Petronas Chemicals' outlook gloomy, analysts warn amid mounting joint venture loss

Gautam Adani, the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group and one of the world's richest people, has been indicted in New York over his role in a US$265 million (RM1.2 billion) bribery scheme, according to US prosecutors.

Indian billionaire Adani charged in US with bribery; Adani Group shares tumble

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Malaysia’s central bank made two unusual changes to the government bond auction calendar by rescheduling a tender set for this month, and scrapping another pencilled in for December.

BNM reschedules govt bond auction, scraps one issue in unusual move

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Shares of RCE Capital Bhd (KL:RCECAP) fell on Thursday after the company, which mainly provides financing to civil servants, reported weaker than expected quarterly results.

RCE Capital shares fall on Thursday after weaker than expected results

Property prices in Asia’s major markets are expected to rise over the next year with Hong Kong leading the projected gains, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

Home prices set to rise in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia in 2025

Nvidia forecast its slowest revenue growth in seven quarters on Wednesday, failing to meet lofty expectations of some investors who have made it the world's most valuable firm.

Nvidia's AI chip demand still booming but slowing sales growth worries investors

Starbucks Corp reduced its US retail workforce by 8% in its most recent fiscal year, even as the coffee chain added hundreds of new locations.&nbsp;

Starbucks shrank retail staff 8% despite hundreds of new stores

The Biden administration told Congress it plans to cancel US$4.65 billion (RM20.8 billion) in debt owed by Ukraine, according to a letter obtained by Bloomberg News, the latest in a series of moves meant to bolster support for Kyiv before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Biden administration seeks to cancel US$4.6b of Ukraine’s debt

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21) : The National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) refutes claims by senior lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah that the media unfairly covered the SRC International Sdn Bhd trial, involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

NUJ defends media’s fair coverage of SRC trial, urges Shafee not to ‘drag’ media into case

The CEO of Indian food delivery giant Zomato has stoked a public debate by advertising a chief of staff job with an unusual twist: there will be no salary initially and the position instead comes with a two million rupee (US$23,700 or RM106,034) "fee".

Want to be chief of staff at India's Zomato? CEO says forget salary, pay US$23,700 fee 

Starbucks Corp is exploring options for its Chinese operations including the possibility of selling a stake in the business, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Starbucks said to consider selling stake in Chinese business

PARAMARIBO (Nov 20): Suriname's state-run oil company Staatsolie said on Wednesday that US oil giant ExxonMobil has withdrawn from its offshore block 52, and block operator Petronas Suriname E&amp;P will take over its 50% stake.

Suriname’s Staatsolie says ExxonMobil has withdrawn from offshore block, Petronas’ unit to take over 50% stake

Big tech edged lower in afterhours trading following a disappointing revenue forecast from Nvidia Corp.

Tech weakens in late trading after Nvidia earnings

BERLIN/FRANKFURT (Nov 21):&nbsp;As Volkswagen&nbsp;and unions gear up for the next round of talks over wages and plant closures in Germany, company and industry data reviewed by Reuters show that the automaker spends a higher proportion of sales on labour costs than major rivals.

...

In high-wage Germany, Volkswagen's labour costs outstrip the competition

Shares of Adani Group companies lost about US$22 billion (RM98.4 billion) in market value in early trade on Thursday after US prosecutors charged the billionaire chairman of the Indian conglomerate in an alleged bribery and fraud scheme.

India's Adani Group sees US$22b in value wiped off after US indictments

Flexible work arrangements are no longer just a perk but a necessity in today's job market. According to Wong Shu Qi, chairman of Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), two in five Malaysians are ready to quit their jobs if forced to spend more time in the office.

Life At Work Awards 2024: Reshaping the workforce with inclusive strategies

Bitcoin hit US$95,000 (RM425,030) for the first time as the digital-asset sector moves to cement its influence with Donald Trump by pushing for a new White House post dedicated to cryptocurrency policy.

Bitcoin hits record US$97,000 as crypto seeks direct line to Trump

<h2>Billionaire chairman of conglomerate and seven other senior business executives indicted in connection with scheme to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes and conceal bribery scheme from US investors</h2>

<time datetime="2024-11-20T12:00:00Z">Wednesday, November 20, 2...

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