SMALLHOLDERS have been the focus of attention lately with the Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who took office last December, mooting the idea of having the 214,680 independent smallholders (ISHs) working on 822,073ha consolidate and form clusters of about 8,0...

Cover Story: Spotlight on independent smallholders 

Appointed the Minister of Plantation and Commodities on Dec 12, 2023, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani is familiar with the machinery of government, having been the minister of finance II and deputy minister of finance during Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration. ...

Cover Story: Consolidation will not ‘take over any land from individual landowners’

During the recent Lunar New Year, while catching up with friends over prawn crackers and mandarin oranges, one recently retired schoolmate who had set up a hobby farm complained about the profits middlemen make from “farmers” like her. She had harvested baskets of calamansi that were more than enough for her family’s consumption. so, she decided to sell the citrus fruit.

Coffee Break: Farmers of the world, unite!

A streamlining of healthcare assets owned by US private equity firm TPG, its investee platform TE Asia Healthcare Partners and partner Hong Leong Group under one entity to create a mega healthcare group — with hospitals across Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam — is currently being worked on, accord...

Consolidation of TPG, Hong Leong Group and TE Asia Healthcare’s hospitals in the works, say sources 

IN a few months, MKH Bhd will float the plantation assets under its wholly-owned MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Bhd ­(MKHOP) on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market, in a move to tap growth opportunities near the new Indonesian capital Nusantara. The group’s existing (held via wholly-owned subsidary PT M...

MKH positions itself to tap growth opportunities from Nusantara development via plantation listing

CHINA ended its strict zero-Covid policy a year ago, but the move failed to fire up the world’s second-largest economy as many had expected. Instead, Chinese consumers stayed cautious amid a worsening property crisis while a weak external sector weighed on exports.

Aided by a low base e...

The State of the Nation: Challenges remain for China’s economy after disappointments in 2023

Cover Story 2: Stocks to buy in 2024

Time dotCom’s AIMS stake sale a strategic win-win for both sides

 

Time dotCom Bhd’s sale of a stake in AIMS Data Centre Holding Sdn Bhd to DigitalBridge Group Inc that was completed in April this year was packaged as a strategic partnership between the two parties.

Deals of 2023: Best Mergers & Acquisitions

THE 18% drop from the six-month peak in the share price of Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd (HSC) last week presents an opportunity for those looking for a decent dividend yield on their investments. 

The counter had fallen in the first half of 2023 following its removal from the MSCI Mal...

Drop in Hap Seng Consolidated share price offers opportunity for yield seekers

ON the first floor of a shoplot in Kuchai Lama, among hotpot restaurants and bubble tea houses, is the office of developer and concessionaire Menang Corp (M) Bhd — a company with a long history, having been incorporated in 1964 and listed a few years later.

The company previously had it...

Laying the groundwork for Menang Corp

Global stocks slid to two-month lows, while the dollar rose to its highest in over five months on Tuesday, after stronger-than-expected US retail sales further reinforced the view that the Federal Reserve may not rush to cut interest rates this year.

Stocks slide, dollar up as ‘higher for longer’ rate view takes root 

The Sarawak government has welcomed the appointment of Lawrence Wong as Singapore's next prime minister, while also expressing interest in studying further the republic's approach to assisting its low-income sector.

Abang Johari sees more Sarawak-Singapore collaborations under PM Wong

China’s airlines flew a record number of people in the first quarter (1Q), amid government efforts to boost the nation’s tourism sector and strong demand for holidays at home.

China air travel hits fresh record in 1Q on Lunar New Year boost

European natural gas prices kept rising on April 16 after top Israeli military officials reasserted that their country has no choice but to respond to Iran’s weekend drone and missile attack.

European gas jumps as Israel vows response to Iran attack

A suspect, who was arrested over Sunday’s shooting incident at Terminal 1 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), is being remanded for seven days.

KLIA shooting suspect remanded for seven days

Net-zero carbon (NZC) goals are driving the demand for sustainable office buildings in Asia, according to JLL’s report Asia’s Decade of Action: Accelerating the transition to Sustainable Workplaces. The report stated that 87% of occupiers in Asia are targeting 100% green-certified portfolios by 2...

JLL: Net-zero carbon goals drive accelerated demand for sustainable workplaces in Asia

Superdry plc plans to quit the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as the troubled fashion retailer pushes through a radical restructuring to stay afloat.

The British clothing chain, which soared to popularity in the 2000s for its bold lettered tops, said leaving the stock market, raising more funds and implementing a programme to cut some UK store rents and payments owed to local authorities will help it revive the core business.

Superdry to quit LSE in restructuring to turn it around

A heat wave in the Philippines forced power plants to shut down on April 16, placing the country at risk of blackouts and prompting the government to call on people to reduce consumption.

Extreme heat shuts Philippine power plants and risks blackouts

The suspect who opened fire at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 Arrival Hall on early Sunday morning, before being arrested in Kota Bharu on Monday, is believed to be trying to escape to a neighbouring country.

KLIA shooting case suspect attempted to flee country, say police

The Indonesian rupiah tumbled to a four-year low on Tuesday after a weeklong holiday, as persistent strength in the greenback after a hawkish repricing of Federal Reserve rate cut expectations continued to pressure Asian currencies.

Asia FX, stocks weaken as Fed rate cut bets shift; rupiah hits four-year low

The collective wealth of tycoons listed on the 2024 Forbes Malaysia Rich List increased by a modest 2% to US$83.4 billion (RM398.8 billion), according to Forbes Asia.

Wealth of Malaysia’s 50 richest individuals on Forbes list rises 2% — Forbes Asia 

Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad will return to Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) as its president and group chief executive effective July 1, 2024, the government-linked investment company said.

CIMB’s Abdul Rahman Ahmad returns to PNB as president, group chief executive

E-government services providers MyEG Services Bhd and HeiTech Padu Bhd have formed a partnership to collaborate on IT projects in Malaysia.

According to separate bourse filings from both companies on Tuesday, MyEG and HeiTech Padu have inked a teaming agreement for the collaboration.&nbsp;

MyEG, HeiTech Padu form partnership to collaborate on IT projects

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s second-biggest banking group by assets, said on Tuesday its chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad will step down on June 30.

CIMB says CEO Abdul Rahman Ahmad stepping down on June 30

Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd’s (ABMB) net profit is expected to jump by 37.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM179 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), according to AmInvestment Bank Research.

AmInvestment sees Alliance Bank’s 4Q earnings jump by 37% y-o-y

Global stocks slid to two-month lows, while the dollar rose to its highest in over five months on Tuesday, after stronger-than-expected US retail sales further reinforced the view that the Federal Reserve may not rush to cut interest rates this year.

The Ministry of Transport clarified on Tuesday that the higher contract value of RM190.01 million awarded to HeiTech Padu Bhd for Road Transport Department (JPJ) services was only due to a longer extended contract duration.

Loke: Higher contract value awarded to HeiTech Padu due to longer extended duration

The automotive industry is not exactly the place one would want to be in the next few years.

Competition among manufacturers of internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars has been ongoing for more than a decade now. Last year, some certainty fin...

Alternative Views: Automotive industry feels heat from intensifying EV price war

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is stepping down on May 15 after two decades in office. Lee, 72, will hand the reins over to his deputy Lawrence Wong, 51, in a widely-telegraphed transition.

What observers are saying as Singapore’s Lee paves way for next PM Wong

Carlo Rino Group Bhd has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) that would raise more funds for the apparel company as part of its listing transfer to the ACE Market from the LEAP Market.

Carlo Rino files draft prospectus for listing transfer to ACE Market

China said it believed Iran could "handle the situation well and spare the region further turmoil" while safeguarding its sovereignty and dignity, referring to an attack on Iran's embassy in Syria and its retaliatory strike over the weekend.

Iran able to 'handle situation' and spare Middle East more tension, China's foreign minister says

Analysts are positive on Malaysia’s pilot green power exports to Singapore using existing infrastructure in both countries, following establishment of the platform enabling cross-border trading of green electricity, the Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem).

Analysts positive on pilot green power exports to Singapore; name Tenaga, YTLP as top picks

Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session lower on Tuesday, in tandem with the weaker regional performance due to a broad sell-off on Wall Street overnight, said an analyst. &nbsp;

Bursa ends morning session lower along with regional peers

KTI Landmark Bhd (KTI) has signed an underwriting agreement with M&amp;A Securities Sdn Bhd for its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Sabah-based integrated property developer said the initial public offering (IPO) comprises a public issue of 160 million new shares and an offer for sale of 45 million existing shares, representing 20% and 5.6% of the enlarged share capital of KTI respectively.

KTI Landmark inks underwriting deal with M&A Securities en route to ACE Market listing

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has not been informed of any corporate deal involving Malaysia's biggest port operator MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd, said its Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

MOT unaware of potential MMC Port stake sale to foreign investors, says Loke

Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has requested for a bench of five Court of Appeal (COA) judges to hear his review against the court’s own decision to reinstate abuse of power charges involving RM232.5 million against him.

Muhyiddin seeks five-judge bench to hear criminal charges review

RHB Retail Research said Cosmos Technology International Bhd has confirmed a bullish setup after breaking past a key resistance on strong volume.

Cosmos Technology has confirmed bullish setup, says RHB Retail Research 

RHB Retail Research said Notion VTec Bhd is looking to extend upside movement after staging a bullish breakout.

Notion VTec aiming to extend upside movement — RHB Retail Research 

Shares of EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB) climbed on Tuesday and may be set for its best day in ten months after the auto parts maker signed a 10-year vehicle assembly deal with a Chinese carmaker.

EP Manufacturing shares chart best day in 10 months after assembly deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is unleashing a barrage of trade restrictions against China as she seeks to follow through on a pledge to make the EU a more relevant political player on the global stage.

Jenny Ng

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