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

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): In Chile’s picturesque Apalta Valley, a legacy of winemaking excellence began to flourish in 1994, when Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet, both of French origin, were captivated by the alluring beauty of the South American region. Their migration from France to Chile marked a pivotal moment in the family’s history. Their son Charles de Bournet Marnier Lapostolle currently leads the family business — Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle, a highly respected and pioneering wine and spirits company.

Old + new world order

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), in collaboration with The National Water Services Commission (SPAN), is poised to establish and devise the framework for implementing transformative measures in the water services sector over the next decade.

Fadillah: Petra, SPAN to drive implementation of transformative measures for water services sector

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Tuesday.

KomarkCorp, Topmix, PavREIT, Axis REIT, KIP REIT, Cypark, Crest Builders, Capital A, Gadang, Haily, DXN, Inta Bina, Comfort Gloves, AHB

The fatal collision between two Royal Malaysian Navy helicopters that killed 10 personnel abroad could be due to a failure in the critical points of the aircraft structure, aviation expert Assoc Prof Maj Dr Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian said.

Critical point failure could’ve led to fatal Lumut chopper crash, says expert

KOTA BHARU (April 23): The man involved in the shooting incident at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on April 14 will be charged in a Kota Bharu court on Wednesday (April 24), according to the police.

KLIA shooting suspect to be charged in Kota Bharu on Wednesday

Sarawak’s strategic alliances with the UK's leading industry partners in the development of compound semiconductors will drive innovation to increase the capability of microchips to power new technologies and applications, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Sarawak eyeing partnership with UK companies to boost semicon capabilities

Malaysia's education system must be synonymous with the development of the country, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

Zambry: Education system must be synonymous with country’s development

IPOH (April 23): The post-mortems of 10 victims of the tragedy of two helicopters colliding near the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) base in Lumut, currently being carried out at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here, are expected to be completed by Wednesday (April 24) afternoon.

Helicopter tragedy: Victims’ post-mortems expected to be completed on April 24 afternoon

The M503-3 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) that was involved in a crash Tuesday morning was used for the first time in the flyby for the 90th Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) Anniversary parade.

Downed HOM chopper used for the first time in flyby, says defence minister 

BENGALURU (April 23): Gold prices extended losses for a second day to hit a more than two-week low on Tuesday, as diminishing fears about an escalation of tensions in the Middle East prompted investors to book profits ahead of key US economic data this week.

Gold drifts lower for second day as Middle East fears subside

Wall Street's main indexes rose on Tuesday as some growth and chip shares gained, while stocks like General Motors and Spotify advanced on upbeat earnings updates ahead of quarterly reports from big technology companies.

Wall Street gains on bright earnings, megacaps' support

The Edge covers former Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial live.

Najib's 1MDB-Tanore trial live reporting (April 23)

Moomoo Malaysia, an online trading platform, garnered 100,000 clients within six weeks of its launch, making it one of the most downloaded financial mobile applications in Malaysia.&nbsp;

Moomoo Malaysia surpassed 100,000 clients within six weeks of its debut in Malaysia

While Sapura Energy Bhd has resolved one key condition of its reset plan, analysts did not change their recommendations on the group, as there is still an arduous journey ahead for the group to address its balance sheet position.

Sapura Energy not out of the woods yet as large debts still in its way

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): Malaysia has emerged as the most significant country within Asean for businesses to venture into, as shown by the UOB Business Outlook Study 2024 (SMEs &amp; Large Enterprises).

Malaysia emerges as prime destination for Asean biz expansion — UOB study

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): Former Sapura Energy Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Shahril Shamsudin has settled his defamation lawsuit against Economics Minister Rafizi Ramli out of court.

Ex-Sapura Energy CEO Shahril settles defamation suit against Rafizi

Swatch Group (M) Sdn Bhd&nbsp;said the seizure of its 172 rainbow-themed watches had caused much grief to its international reputation, as the renowned Swiss watch maker had always been dutiful citizens of any state where the watches were sold.

Swatch says advocating compassion for LGBTQ is not a crime, seizure illegal

Cypark Resources Bhd said on Tuesday that its 100MW Large Scale Solar 3 (LSS3) hybrid solar plant project in Merchang, Terengganu, will transition to full commercial operations by next month.

In a statement, the group said the plant consists of 83MWac (megawatt, alternating current) ground-mounted solar photovoltaics and 32MWac floating solar photovoltaics.

Cypark's LSS3 solar plant in Terengganu set for commercial operations next month

Bursa Malaysia continued its upbeat momentum to end higher for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, thanks to buying from local and foreign institutions, said an analyst.&nbsp;

Bursa ends higher on buying support from local and foreign institutions

Construction and engineering contractor Crest Builder Holdings Bhd said it had secured a condominium project valued at RM486 million in Mont Kiara. &nbsp;

The project, awarded by Kiaramas Development Sdn Bhd, involves the construction of three blocks of condominiums with car park podiums in Jalan Desa Kiara.&nbsp;The contract period is 42 months from May 2, according to Crest Builder in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday.

Crest Builder bags RM486m condominium project in Mont Kiara

Apple's smartphone shipments in China tumbled 19% in the first quarter of the year, the worst performance since 2020, as its dominance in the high-end segment came under pressure from Huawei's new product launches, market data showed.

Apple's 1Q smartphone shipments in China tumble 19%, data shows

GLOBETRONICS Technology Bhd, an established outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) player, is planning to move up the value chain by diversifying into advanced packaging to ride the wave of rising demand for such services.

It also expects advanced packaging to be its future r...

Globetronics to venture into advanced packaging on back of rising demand

The defence in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd-Tanore (1MDB-Tanore) trial will contest the 25 abuse of power and money-laundering charges levelled against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Shafee: 1MDB-Tanore charges 'all wrong', will mount challenge

Following its demerger from CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, CGS International Securities Malaysia (CGS Malaysia) is aiming for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 15% to 20% in revenue over the next three to five years.

Following demerger, CGS Malaysia aims for 15%-20% CAGR in revenue over next five years

Malaysia still has the advantages for the “China plus one” (China+1) strategy, despite facing rising competition from its neighbouring countries, according to the Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC).

Malaysia still front runner for China+1 strategy despite rising competition from regional countries, says SERC

KomarkCorp Bhd, which lost its defamation suit against The Edge Communications Sdn Bhd in the High Court last month, is appealing against the court's decision, which found that the media company had not defamed it in an article about the manipulation of penny stocks that was published nearly three years ago.

KomarkCorp appeals against High Court's ruling that The Edge did not defame the company

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23):&nbsp;The Iskandar Regional Development Authority’s (IRDA) target to achieve&nbsp;cumulative investments of RM636 billion by 2030 is among Iskandar Malaysia’s strategies to assist the country in becoming one of the top 30 global economies and the top 12 in global competitiveness.

Iskandar Malaysia’s RM636b investment target to help propel country into world's top 30 economies — PM

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): Grade A prime office spaces continue to be in demand with improving vacancy and rental rates due to the flight to quality trend among tenants, according to JLL (Malaysia), as discussed in its JLL’s 1Q2024 Greater Kuala Lumpur Property Market Monitor launch on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Grade A prime office spaces continue to be in demand — JLL (Malaysia)

The bodies of the 10 victims involved in the mid-air collision and crash involving two helicopters at the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Lumut were recovered earlier on Tuesday.

Police confirm all bodies recovered from helicopters' crash

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): Gadang Holdings Bhd said it will appeal to the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) for a waiver of the Bumiputera equity requirement to facilitate its acquisition of a 21.08-acre land in Kwasa Damansara.

In a bourse filing on Tuesday, the builder-cum-property developer...

Gadang to lodge appeal over Bumi equity requirement in Kwasa Damansara land acquisition 

Comfort Gloves Bhd said there was a fire at the glove maker’s newly-built three storey warehouse and packing department in Taiping, Perak on Tuesday morning.

“The cause of the fire and the actual extent of the damage are currently still unknown, pending the completion of police investigations into the fire and issuance of their report,” the group said in a bourse filing.

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