Jazz luminary Tay Cher Siang and songstress Janet Lee share their journey through the vibrant world of jazz, each shaped by unique encounters and cultural influences. For Tay, a chance encounter with Astrud Gilberto’s Corcovado sparked a lifelong passion for jazz, rooted in Malaysia’s rich tapestry of sounds and traditions. His eclectic approach to music, termed “cham cham jazz”, celebrates the country’s multicultural essence, blending diverse elements into a harmonious fusion.

Jazz is their jam

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

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

In May this year, the World Health Organization declared an end to Covid-19 as a global health emergency. It was reason to rejoice after more than three years of health woes and economic uncertainty wreaked by the coronavirus, which resulted in over 765 million cumulative cases worldwide and almost seven million deaths.

The year in review

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 10): Husband-and-wife team Ng Han Yang and Rachel Leong, scions of property development and timber families, make their first foray into F&B (food & beverage) with the recent opening of Mellow at Petaling Jaya’s Seventeen Mall.

Days of wine + roses

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3): Nestled in The Exchange TRX, a 17-acre lifestyle quarter that is part of the greater 70-acre business and financial district dubbed TRX, or Tun Razak Exchange, Seibu KL has a collective investment in excess of RM150 million.

Spanning four levels with a workforce of...

Rising sun

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 26): SHH, formerly known as Sincere Haute Horlogerie, underwent a remarkable relaunch and bullish expansion, starting with the opening of the inaugural SHH boutique in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, in September 2022, followed by the SHH Pendulum in Thailand a year later. Mos...

Dance of the hours

Alicia Amin is no stranger to controversy, only because she is different and dares to be. The model and actress speaks her mind because she can, and cares, especially about young girls getting short shrift in the modelling industry. At a shoot for Cartier High Jewellery, she talks about starting young herself, at 15, joining Asia’s Next Top Model after her tertiary studies were cut short by family circumstances, how that opened doors to acting and where she hopes to go from here. Always independent, Alicia also shares how experience has brought her a sense of confidence and stability, being diagnosed with ADHD, body diversity, ageing and knowing herself better.

A-class

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 12): The 4 Sad Architects art exhibition returns for the fourth time with a new theme — Deconstruction of Forms, which brings to the fore, the works of Hijjas Kasturi, Greg Dall, Nic Proud and Chong Chee Ching. After reaching great heights in their architectural career, they are at a point where it feels right to work towards their long-standing dream of becoming actual artists. And since they did not rely on selling art to make a living, they pursued art purely for the enjoyment of it.

From blueprints to brushstrokes

theedgemalaysia.com highlighted 11 stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Friday. Two stocks showed positive momentum while nine stocks showed negative momentum.

Jiankun, Success Transformer, Ajinomoto, Aneka Jaringan, GHL, Gopeng, Mitrajaya, MMM, Sapura Resources, United U-Li, YLI

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Fraser & Neave Holding Bhd (F&N) said on Friday that the company will focus on fixed asset optimisation over the next three years, after having allocated more than RM3 billion in capital expenditure (capex) and development of its integrated farm in Gemas.

F&N to focus on sweating off its assets after investing RM3b in capex and development

Malaysia’s commitment to building its 5G network has given the country a world-class digital infrastructure, according to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson president and chief executive officer Börje Ekholm.

Ericsson CEO hails Malaysia’s ‘world-class’ digital infrastructure

The Penang High Court on Friday dismissed former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, his wife Betty Chew Gek Cheng, and businesswoman Phang Li Koon’s attempt to strike out their graft and money-laundering charges.

Double jeopardy does not apply, Penang court rules in dismissing Guan Eng, wife and Phang's challenge on graft charge

Naza Corp Holdings Sdn Bhd has completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in Berjaya Enviro Holdings Sdn Bhd (BEnviro) from Berjaya Corp Bhd for RM700 million in cash, marking its entry into the green economy with a focus on municipal and scheduled waste, as well as the waste-to-energy sector.

Naza completes acquisition of waste management company from Berjaya for RM700m cash 

(May 3): Iran has released the crew of a seized Portuguese-flagged ship linked to Israel, but remains in control of the vessel itself, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said.

Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship freed

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will hold a meeting next week to review due diligence findings on the 5G network rollout, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said on Friday.

Digital Nasional to meet next week to discuss due diligence on 5G network — minister

Google has asked a US judge not to impose sweeping changes to the Alphabet unit's app store Play that were proposed by Fortnite maker Epic Games in the companies' closely-watched antitrust fight.

Google defends app store, fighting Epic Games' bid for major reforms 

(May 3): Asian currencies are poised for their best week in nearly two months as regional policymakers increased their intervention efforts and rhetoric.

The Bloomberg Asia Dollar index has gained by 0.3% this week so far, the biggest advance since early March, supported by inter...

Asian currencies set for best week in two months on intervention 

Asian stocks surged to their highest in 15 months on Friday led by tech and Hong Kong stocks, while the yen put more distance from recent 34-year lows to cap a tumultuous week that saw suspected intervention from Japanese authorities.

Asian stocks surge; yen extends gains to cap wild week

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will hold a meeting next week to review due diligence findings on the 5G network rollout, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said on Friday.

Malaysia’s planned increase in civil servant salaries will boost earnings of RCE Capital Bhd, which mainly provides consumer financing to government employees, Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB) said and upgraded the stock to ‘buy’.

Higher civil servant salaries will boost RCE Capital's earnings, says Maybank IB

Shares of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Bhd surged to their highest in nearly six years after the food and seasoning company announced the ex-date for its special dividend.

Ajinomoto Malaysia surges to highest in nearly six years

Asian stocks surged to their highest in 15 months on Friday led by tech and Hong Kong stocks, while the yen put more distance from recent 34-year lows to cap a tumultuous week that saw suspected intervention from Japanese authorities.

The rally in tech heavyweights extended into late hours after better-than-estimated results from&nbsp;Apple Inc, with the iPhone maker also raising its dividend and announcing plans to buy back more stock.

Tech jumps in late hours on Apple’s solid outlook

Malayan Cement Bhd will likely report strong third quarter earnings when the company reports its results by this month-end, as volume and average selling prices stay high, CGS International said.

Malayan Cement likely to report strong 3Q results, says CGS International

Türkiye&nbsp;stopped all exports and imports to and from Israel as of Thursday, the Turkish trade ministry said, citing a "worsening humanitarian tragedy" in the Palestinian territories.

Türkiye halts all trade with Israel, cites worsening Palestinian situation

Hong Kong stocks are on their longest-winning streak since 2018, adding to signs that a recovery in one of the worst-performing markets last year is well underway.

Hong Kong stocks are on their longest winning streak since 2018

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): Engineering firm UUE Holdings Bhd said on Friday that it has signed an agreement with M&amp;A Securities to underwrite its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market.

UUE signs underwriting deal with M&A Securities for ACE Market IPO

Frontken Bhd expects a stronger performance in the second half of this year (2HFY2024) after its first quarter results came in within expectations, according to Philip Capital.

Frontken expects stronger performance in 2H — Philip Capital

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3): KL Wellness City Sdn Bhd, through KL International Hospital Sdn Bhd, has launched KL International Tertiary Hospital as part of the first phase of the KL Wellness City township in Bukit Jalil here on Thursday (May 2).

KL Wellness City launches tertiary hospital as part of the township’s first phase

Apple's quarterly results and forecast beat modest expectations on Thursday, as the iPhone maker unveiled a record share buyback program, sending its stock up almost 7% in extended trade.

Apple unveils record US$110b buyback as results beat low expectations

As the latest purchasing managers’ index (PMI) data indicated a softer contraction in Malaysia's manufacturing sector in April, economists are expecting the country's manufacturing condition to gradually recover in the near term, though it remains slightly behind regional peers.

Malaysia's manufacturing sector to recover gradually despite lagging behind regional peers — economists

Lotte Chemical Titan Holding Bhd (LC Titan) is expected to face widening core losses in the second quarter ending June 30, 2024 (2QFY2024) from lower sales volume and weak product spread, according to TA Securities.

Lotte Chemical Titan to face widening losses in 2QFY2024 on lower volume, weak product spread, says TA Securities

PUTRAJAYA (May 3): A convenience store in Precinct 3 here was raided by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living on Thursday (May 2), for suspected sale of food products with the words “no palm oil” (NPO) written on the product’s plastic packaging.

Domestic Trade Ministry raids premises selling products with ‘no palm oil’ label

KUALA LUMPUR (May 3):&nbsp;Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said it is time for Malaysia&nbsp;to see biomass as the feedstock for new and advanced fuels and&nbsp;other green industries.

Timely for Malaysia to see biomass as feedstock for advance fuels — Liew

RHB Research has downgraded TA Ann Holdings Bhd to "neutral" from "buy", with a reduced target price of RM4.00 from RM4.15, after the stock increased by over 35% in the past year, leading the research firm to believe that the valuation is now fair.

RHB Research downgrades TA Ann to 'neutral', lowers target price to RM4

Teen apparel retailer rue21&nbsp;filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a third time on Thursday, seeking to shut down its 540 stores and sell its intellectual property.

Apparel retailer rue21 files for third bankruptcy, will close all stores

Analysts anticipate continuous growth for Westports Holdings Bhd for the rest of the year on the back of sustained trade activities in the regional economies and multi-year high foreign direct investment (FDI).

Analysts upbeat on Westports’ outlook amid multi-year high FDI

Peloton Interactive Inc shares fell to a record low after chief executive officer Barry McCarthy announced plans to step down and the struggling fitness company embarked on a major restructuring that will reduce its global workforce by 15%.

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