Malaysia is poised to be the next home of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd’s (Geely) methanol-powered vehicles, after China and the European market.

Malaysia the next market for Geely’s methanol vehicle

OTTAWA (April 25): Nearly 200 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists plan to join this week's United Nations (UN) negotiations on the first global treaty to curb plastic pollution — a 37% jump from the previous gathering in November, an analysis released on Thursday showed.

Oil, chemical industry lobbyists pile in to UN talks to curb plastics

(April 24): Firms making up more than half of Asia’s stock market value are vulnerable to deforestation, species loss and other nature-related risks, according to a new report, as governments ramp up regulations and industries continue to deplete the planet’s resources.

Investors spot new nature-related risk in firms worth half of Asia’s market value

KUALA LUMPUR (April 23): The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) is on the right track to achieve 98% access to clean water and sewerage coverage in rural areas by the end of 2025, said Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

Ministry poised for 98% rural area access to clean water, sewerage coverage by end-2025 — Akmal Nasrullah

Worsening air pollution is not only destroying the environment but also poses a growing threat to public health, said experts during the plenary panel session titled “Every breath we take” at the Planetary Health Summit 2024 held in Sunway University on April 18.

Air pollution a growing threat to public health

The health of the planet is in dire straits but it can be addressed with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data, said Professor Dr Sara Khalid, associate professor of Centre for Statistics in Medicine and head of Planetary Health Informatics Lab at the University of Oxford.

Artificial intelligence can help with planetary health, says expert

KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): Meta Bright Group Bhd is forming a joint venture company (JVco) with a Bumiputera firm to bid for renewable energy (RE) projects with a Bumiputera equity requirement.

Meta Bright forms JVco with Bumiputera firm for RE projects

The oil-rich Malaysian state of Sarawak in Borneo is aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy, betting that its ability to harness an abundance of hydropower can help it defy challenges that are clouding the fuel’s prospects elsewhere.

 Sarawak aiming to transform itself into a centre for clean hydrogen energy

It took only one meeting between Anish Mathew Samuel and Chakrapani Ruddraramker, who both went to the same business school in Manila, to quit their jobs and set up a company to trade eco-friendly products, thanks to their passion for sustainability.

This was 10 years ago. Soon, they be...

Agriculture: On a quest to make organic farming affordable

As it stands, all development projects seeking approval in Malaysia are subject to one regulatory process for assessing their environmental impact, known as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974). EIAs are a planning tool. By laying out a formal...

Views: A rubber stamp on environmental degradation?

There were few positive headlines about ESG and sustainable funds in the last few years. In 2022, the returns of many of these funds were negatively impacted by their underexposure to energy counters and overexposure to technology stocks. In 2023, declining fund flows and a net outflow were recor...

Finance: Waiting for more maturity in ESG

East Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on Southeast Asia (SEA), has launched a free web-based greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator called Ecovisea for companies to measure their emissions. Ecovisea, which stands for emissions calculator and visualisation SEA, was developed in collaboration...

Toolkit: A new free carbon emissions calculator

A parallel is often drawn between sustainability reporting and financial reporting. Both are mandatory for Malaysian public-listed companies (PLCs) and must be published online annually. Yet, compared with financial reports, sustainability reports seem to engender less trust and the comparability...

Cover Story: How credible is sustainability reporting?

Concert tours generate a significant carbon footprint — from the travel of artistes and attendees to waste generated at venues and merchandise sales. Given the large audiences that popular concerts attract, these events also consume a lot of resources and energy.

After the crowd has lef...

Waste: Can concerts be green?

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the government had no plans to temporarily suspend the service of Fennec and HOM helicopters.

Govt not suspending service of Fennec and HOM helicopters, says minister

It will be a four-way fight in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election between Pakatan Harapan’s pick Pang Sock Tao, Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

NEWS: Four-cornered fight in KKB by-election

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 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.

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

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.

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

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 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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

ESG

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