These days, it is difficult to avoid being given a plastic straw or plastic bag unless the conscientious consumer remembers to inform the waiter or cashier when placing an order.

The onslaught of plastic use in Malaysia has worsened after the pandemic, with plans to ban single-use plast...

Cover Story: Can Malaysia really be free of plastic bags by 2025?

Almost half of the global population will be going to the polls in 2024. This promises political drama, and alongside the ongoing wars and geopolitical conflicts, a slowdown — or, in some cases, a reversal — in ESG adoption in 2024 is likely.

“It is definitely a year of waiting. We’re w...

Outlook: 2024, a year of waiting

Asad Ata, associate professor of operations and supply chain management and director of the Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) at the Asia School of Business (ASB), has always been interested in supply chains. He hails from the north of India, where many of his family members are farmers o...

Palm Oil: Not forgetting the independent smallholders

Several scientific reports in recent years have highlighted how the world is facing a biodiversity crisis. One million species are threatened with extinction, soils are becoming infertile and water sources are drying up, as described by the United Nations Environment Programme.

In Decem...

Q&A: How to halt further biodiversity loss in Malaysia

Sarawak made history in November last year by passing the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill, which made it the first state in the country to have a law targeting climate change.

But this was not the state’s first bold move. In 2022, the Sarawak government gazette...

Glossary: Sarawak’s climate bills

The topic of palm oil — and whether it can be sustainably produced — is a controversial one, with a range of views from different parties. This tension has boiled over in recent years as palm oil boycotts took off and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was introduced.

On...

Palm Oil: RSPO plans for its next 20 years

In the past three columns, we’ve covered the origins of ESG, how it is defined, and what is and isn’t “ESG”. This final edition will attempt to answer the original question: Does ESG have any impact and will it last?

Firstly, for ESG to stay relevant, action must be taken to fight green...

ESG 101: Where to go from here?

After 15 years of working for tech multinational corporations, Thomas Ng decided to take a break. As he had to go on garden leave prior to his exit — a requirement by his former employer — he was stuck in Manila for a year.

Since he had the time, Ng accepted an invitation to join the bo...

Cover Story: B Corp: Can businesses really be a force for good?

“Flight shaming” was first coined in 2018 by environmentally conscious Swedish travellers who felt uneasy about flying. “#Flygskam” soon gained traction on social media, reflecting a growing concern about the environmental impact of flying.

In 2021, France banned domestic flights, where...

Q&A: Meeting the demand for greener flights

The race to decarbonise is picking up pace as 2050 — the deadline set by many entities to achieve net zero emissions — inches closer. This has, in turn, elevated investors’ interest in carbon markets, which have been touted as a much-needed strategy to fulfil climate targets.

Are carbon credits a valuable long-term asset class?

China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.

China's first-quarter industrial profits rise at slower pace

Last December, the European Union set a global precedent by finalizing the Artificial Intelligence Act, one of the world’s most comprehensive sets of AI rules. Europe’s landmark legislation could signal a broader trend toward more responsive AI policies. But while regulation is necessary, it is i...

The Visible Hand: Governments must shape AI’s future

The nomination of candidates for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on Saturday morning saw a four-cornered clash between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election sees four-cornered fight

Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.

Singapore plans law to support gig workers’ retirement needs

The nomination centre for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.

The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination centre for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election closes at 10am

Alphabet Inc closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Alphabet joins US$2 trillion club as results show AI strength

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

The Week Ahead: Attention on KKB by-election, FOMC decision, trade data in Asia

Richly valued US stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Taiwan rattled by quakes again, no immediate reports of damage

Nomination for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Nomination opens at 9am for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

The creation of Flexible Account 3 for anytime withdrawals from May 11 means Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members can choose to take out up to a third of the balance in their existing Wellbeing Account 2.

Who pays for anytime EPF withdrawals?

The nomination of candidates for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on Saturday morning saw a four-cornered clash between the&nbsp;candidates of&nbsp;Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

Global&nbsp;stocks were higher on Friday, as Big Tech gains lifted Wall Street shares, while Japan's yen&nbsp;sank to a&nbsp;34-year low after the Bank of Japan (BOJ)&nbsp;kept&nbsp;monetary policy loose.

Global stocks gain on Big Tech lift; yen slides to 34-year low

The Perak government is expected to establish cooperation with Star Group Industries (SGI), a leading South Korean company with experience in the production of downstream products of rare earth elements (REE).

Perak to collaborate with rare earth elements company from South Korea, says MB

Alphabet Inc&nbsp;closed decisively above a US$2 trillion (RM9.54 trillion) market capitalisation for the first time on Friday, as a powerhouse earnings report reassured investors that the Google parent would be a major player in artificial intelligence (AI).

Richly valued US&nbsp;stocks are leaving investors with little tolerance for disappointment, raising the stakes ahead of a week in which two more technology and growth giants are set to report.

The nomination centre&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election closed at 10am on Saturday.

The announcement was made by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin&nbsp;at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Candidates contesting the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bharu by-election, a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, have started executing their campaign strategies over the weekend. The by-election is being held following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong from DAP, on March 21 due to cancer.

US&nbsp;regulators have seized Republic First Bancorp and agreed to sell it to Fulton Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing regional banks a year after the collapse of three peers.

US regulators seize troubled lender Republic First, sell it to Fulton Bank

Nomination&nbsp;for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election opened at 9am on Saturday at&nbsp;the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex here.

Two earthquakes, the largest a 6.1 magnitude, struck Taiwan's eastern county of Hualien on Saturday, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of damage.

The quakes, within half an hour of each other in the early hours of the morning, shook buildings in the capital, Taipei.

Apple Inc&nbsp;has renewed discussions with OpenAI about using the start-up’s technology to power some new features coming to the iPhone later this year, according to people familiar with the matter.&nbsp;

Apple intensifies talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features

Singapore will introduce a new law this year that will help so-called gig-economy workers plan for their retirement needs and get work injury protection, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said.

China's industrial profits posted smaller gains for the first quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, adding to evidence of an uneven recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.

Tan Zhai Yun

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Tan Zhai Yun

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