Ahead of International Dance Day on April 29, dance doyen Datuk Ramli Ibrahim takes a rare look back on his illustrious career, revealing the person behind the performer, and engages in discourse about the good, bad and a possible silver lining for our country’s arts and culture heritage.

Poetry in motion

KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): What characterises spring/summer fashion are airy, lightweight fabrics and clothes cut for comfort and ease of movement. The latest issue of Options’ takes this a step further with uplifting looks inspired by the Olympics, to be held in Paris, the style and fashion capital of the world, from July 26 to Aug 11.

Uplifting looks

One of the greatest rugby players in history, Dan Carter is a bona fide legend, having played for close to two decades, racking up over 100 Test matches for New Zealand, winning two Rugby World Cups, and being crowned top international points scorer in Test Rugby with a tally of 1,598 points and most-capped All Blacks fly-half of all time in the process.

Perfect 10

Drawing from Vicenza’s rich heritage and jewellery savoir-faire, Umberto Cazzola opened a goldsmith’s workshop with about 20 employees in 1929. He relied on his innovative and pioneering approach to propel his enterprise forward.

Mix + mesh

Her Excellency Datuk Chitra Devi Ramiah, Malaysia’s ambassador to Poland and Lithuania, originally harboured dreams of becoming an accountant. In our cover story this week, the accidental civil servant talks about her eclectic career path and how diplomacy eventually became her calling.

Woman of the world

Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) was founded in 1987 through a joint venture between Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest and Malaysian conglomerate PPB Group, with the aim of taking over the leases of Shaw Brothers. The trajectory for future development was firmly established in 1999, when GSC opened in Mid Valley Megamall during a recession.

Running the show

Martell has always been defined by its audacity to create new expressions and ways to enjoy cognac. In Options’ cover story this week, chairman and CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët César Giron explains the new and limited Asia-only Martell Single Cru collection, which will soon be released as part of the French cognac house’s 130th anniversary Malaysian celebrations.

In high spirits

It is common sense (and basic maths) that women, on average, constitute at least half the world’s population at any given point in time. And yet, it is equally clear that the playing field is still not level: in terms of wages, opportunities, and access to resources. In this issue, we honour 49 incredible Malaysians — as a nod to International Women’s Day, first marked by the United Nations in 1975 — who champion inclusion and drive gender equality through economic empowerment to create a more equitable future.

International Women’s Day special

Walk down any street in Paris and you will see them: Women who epitomise chic, fun and style. They are authentic, energetic and know what it takes to look good. The same can all be said for French fashion brand Longchamp, founded by Jean Cassegrain in 1948. Now helmed by his grandson who shares the same name, it has a full range of leather goods, accessories, clothing, shoes and eyewear.

Of leather, flesh and blood

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): In this Health + Wellness special issue, Options meets Erica Lam, CEO of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), the flagship of IHH Healthcare Bhd. Lam looks back on its journey, highs and lows — especially during the Covid pandemic — and how setbacks become opportunities to improve. PHKL has grown from a small private facility into a tertiary hospital with 380 beds, eight operating rooms and more than 120 clinics.

A legacy of care

Habib group executive chairman Datuk Seri Meer Habib may be one of the most successful jewellers in the country, but his journey has not always been smooth sailing. The passionate jeweller laments the constant battle of securing prime spots at shopping malls. “This has been somewhat disappointing, reflecting the broader issue of local companies often struggling to gain respect and get the favourable locations they rightfully deserve. It appears that regardless of the quality of a brand, international labels tend to be favoured and are given better visibility. This has been my struggle from the beginning and continues to be a hurdle even today.” While he’s continuing his good fight and expanding his empire, he hopes his children — Mirzan, Marissa and Mirsham — will continue to pursue their passions.

Golden rules

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): In the Options cover story this week, the ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, Ary Norton de Murat Quintella, pays tribute to fellow countryman Roberto Burle Marx, arguably the greatest landscape architect in modern history, in a new self-published book titled A Brazilian in Kuala Lumpur.

East of Eden

In our cover story this week, meet Rome-based Malaysian HH Lim, who reached for the freedom art promises with a daring born of rebellion, sincerity and a depth to ideas that many called crazy initially.

Soul rebel

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Bernard R Fleury, the CEO of Edouard Koehn, successfully acquired the watch company in 2015 and breathed new life into it by 2020. Navigating the challenges faced by the 133-year-old brand, he has somehow found a formula to captivate a diverse audience by rolling out watches that appeal to both young collectors and seasoned connoisseurs. Drawing on his experience in revitalising the Vulcain brand during his tenure as its former CEO, where he achieved unprecedented success, Fleury leverages this expertise to build Edouard Koehn’s portfolio, clout and connections. Alongside his two children, Axel and Allissia, they methodically contribute to the brand’s growth.

Horological renaissance

Parti Rakyar Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin says that if elected, PRM will stand on a platform of increased transparency in government.

NEWS: Parti Rakyat Malaysia will run on more transparency

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

Ageing oil palm trees: MPOA calls for govt incentives to speed up replanting

Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tau, who will be representing her party in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-elections, says that amid all the noise, her focus will be on the rakyat’s issues, especially those concerning the youth and women.

NEWS: PH campaign to focus on core issues

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Court told MACC never asked Najib if he knew who owned shell company that transferred US$30 mil to his account

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is confident of the coalition’s odds in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election, and says the experience of its candidate, Khairul Azhari Saut, gives him an edge over the others.

NEWS: PN confident of wresting KKB seat

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is time to repay PH’s favour in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election. He is also hopeful that MCA will still join the unity coalition's campaign.

NEWS: Time for BN to repay PH’s favour, says Zahid

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA report.

Singapore bank fires workers over misuse of medical claims — CNA

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Time for BN to return PH's favour in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, says Zahid

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has opened an operations room for the public to channel information and complaints of corrupt acts and power abuse in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election.

MACC opens operations room for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.

The allegations, according to KLK, were made by Sajha Sabal Media, a news portal in Nepal.

KLK investigating allegations of unethical practice linked to its foreign worker recruitment agent

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 Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election will see a four-cornered fight between the candidates of Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and an independent.

A four-way bout in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) is investigating allegations of unethical recruitment practices made against the sub-agents of SOS Manpower Service, its appointed agent to recruit Nepalese foreign workers for its subsidiary&nbsp;KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd.

The allegations, according to KLK, were made by Sajha Sabal Media, a news portal in Nepal.

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

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).

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

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

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.

Lofty US stocks leave investors punishing earnings disappointments

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was never confronted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on whether Blackstone Asia Real Estate Partners — which received millions from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and transferred it to his private banking account — was controlled or owned by fugitive Eric Tan Kim Loong, an alleged associate of Low Taek Jho or Jho Low.

Bank of Singapore Ltd, the private-banking arm of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC), has fired up to 40 employees over the misuse of medical benefits, according to a CNA 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.

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

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

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

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

The Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election&nbsp;is the time for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) favour in assisting Umno candidates in the previous elections, said&nbsp;Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

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&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.

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

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

The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) said&nbsp;there is an urgent need to accelerate replanting to address the issue of ageing oil palm trees, and urges the government to provide replanting tax incentives to support such efforts.

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.

Options

‌‌

‌
‌