THE appointment of Prabowo Subianto as the new president of the Republic of Indonesia has the potential to enhance bilateral relations between Malaysia and Indonesia. The relationship between the two countries is already built on a strong foundation, with mutual interests in strengthening cooperation. Prabowo’s interactions with Malaysian counterparts, including his visit to Malaysia and meetings with officials, have highlighted the importance of defence ties and the potential for collaboration in various areas, such as security, economic development and social cooperation.

Rumpun Nusantara: Leveraging Indonesia’s new leadership for bilateral sustainability with Malaysia

It has been a volatile and strange month in the markets. Gold prices crossed an all-time high of over US$2,400 per ounce after Iran launched 350 drones and missiles against Israel, having just crossed US$2,000 earlier in the month. The US 10-year Treasuries yield went back up to 4.6% per annum, w...

Condivergence: Heed Dimon’s view on how financial regulators must support growth

In the third and fourth instalments of our four-part series on the economy, we are focusing on mission-based policy packages that Malaysia can embark on to realise our vision of Malaysia Madani. As a recap, the first article — “Taking a systems approach to fuel subsidies” (Issue 1515, March 18) —...

My Say: Mission Madani: Now is not the time to work in silos

With Malaysia’s 5G outdoor coverage having reached the 80% target for coverage of populated areas (CoPA) at the end of 2023 and after the signing of the share subscription agreements (SSAs) by five mobile network operators (MNOs) on Dec 1, 2023, what’s next for the next stage of 5G deployment in Malaysia?

What’s next for 5G deployment in Malaysia?

The global landscape is currently undergoing a transformative shift marked by ageing populations in countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and the European Union. This demographic evolution has far-reaching implications, extending beyond these nations to emerging economies like Malaysia, as ...

My Say: Demographic shifts and economic resilience: A call to action

In Part 1, I outlined three possible scenarios for voter turnout and support for the DAP/PH/unity government candidate in the upcoming by-election in Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB), out of which there is only one scenario where the incumbent manages to defend the seat. In this concluding part of this article, I will outline some of the likely and desired parameters of contestation during the campaign.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election: The challenges for DAP, PH, unity government — Part 2

Amidst Malaysia and the region’s recent heatwave, with flash floods ravaging cities and rising sea levels threatening coastal communities worldwide, the urgency of adapting to climate change grows ever more pressing. While attention often centres on major metropolises, the indispensable role of second-tier cities in shaping sustainable urban growth and bolstering resilience against climate impacts cannot be overstated.

Unlocking the potential of second-tier cities: A blueprint for climate resilience and sustainable growth 

The chronic scarcity of skilled labour in crucial sectors like manufacturing, IT, green technology and medicine presents not merely a challenge but an urgent issue requiring prompt resolution. Data from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry underscores this urgency, revealing a stark dis...

My Say: Three ways to solve skilled labour shortages

Talk abounds the world over concerning the future of international trade in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

Ongoing developments — including the intensifying rivalry between the US and China, the ill-fated Russo-Ukrainian war and the unmitigated bloodletting in Gaza,...

My Say: In face of uncertainties,trade policy should pivot South

The upcoming by-election in Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB), a semi-urban seat located in the Hulu Selangor district, will provide one of the toughest electoral challenges to DAP, to Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, and to this unity government since the state elections of 2023.

Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election: The challenges for DAP, PH, unity government — Part 1

Efforts to reform the Bretton Woods institutions – the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank – are progressing, albeit slowly. In December, the IMF Board of Governors approved a 50% increase in member quotas, which will reduce its reliance on borrowed resources, and the World Bank has re...

The Frontiers Of Growth : How to Govern the Bretton Woods Institutions Better

The next elephant in the room

Transitioning away from fossil fuel dependence is the key takeaway from the latest United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) held in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023. To expedite the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, 130 countri...

My Say: Sustainable finance: Taking a good look at the hard-to-abate sectors

Transitioning towards a low-carbon power system is critical for Malaysia to realise its potential for green growth and unlock the critical opportunity to restructure the nation’s economy for a second economic take-off. Large-scale deployment of solar power is critical in realising this national v...

My Say: Deploying solar power for the low-carbon economy

At this year’s China Development Forum (the highest-level annual meeting between senior Chinese policymakers and top CEOs, current and former policymakers, and academics like me), the discussion focused squarely on the risk of China falling into the dreaded “middle-income trap”. After all, few em...

After The Storm: China confronts the middle-income trap

The Nasdaq outpaced Wall Street peers on Wednesday, with Tesla leading gains among megacap stocks after its quarterly results, while upbeat earnings reports across other sectors also offered support.

Nasdaq outshines Wall Street peers on tech boost, earnings glee 

BERLIN (April 24): Germany said on Wednesday that it plans to resume cooperation with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), signalling a resumption of funding that was frozen after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff of participating in the Hamas-led Oct 7, 2023 attack.

Germany signals it will resume funding UN agency for Palestinians

Hasbro reported a smaller-than-expected drop in first-quarter sales and handily beat profit estimates on Wednesday, helped by leaner inventories and steady digital gaming revenue, sending its shares up 12%in early trading.

Toymaker Hasbro's turnaround efforts help first-quarter profit beat

Carlsberg Malaysia’s MD Stefano Clini says that while there might be an impact in the short-term from the price increases for its products, it will work out in the long run.

NEWS: Carlsberg M’sia protects its margins

KUALA LUMPUR (April 24): Suria Capital Holdings Bhd’s wholly owned Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd has roped in DP World, an Emirati multinational logistics company based in Dubai, to manage Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP), in a bid to cement the port’s position as a regional trade hub for the East Asean growth area spanning Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP-EAGA).

Suria Capital’s Sabah Ports ropes in Dubai’s DP World to manage Sapangar Bay Container Port

Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah, founder and controlling shareholder of Widad Group Bhd, has continued to trim his stake in the construction company as well as in IT products and services firm Dataprep Holdings Bhd.

Muhammad Ikmal continues to trim stake in loss-making Widad, Dataprep 

The daughter of a Chinese nickel billionaire purchased a multimillion-dollar mansion in Singapore, adding to the list of wealthy people seizing buying opportunities during the market lull.

Xiang Yangyang, the daughter of Xiang Guangda, who owns Tsingshan Holding Group Co, the world’s largest nickel and stainless steelmaker, agreed to buy the 2,612 sq m (28,111 sq ft) house in the country’s Bin Tong Park enclave, according to a property record seen by Bloomberg News.

Chinese metal tycoon’s heir buys US$62m Singapore mansion

KOTA KINABALU (April 24): The Sabah government has a deficit of almost RM1 billion to carry out road repairs and maintenance works in the state, the state assembly sitting was told on Wednesday.

Sabah govt has a deficit of almost RM1b for road repairs, maintenance

US President Joe Biden’s recent polling bump in key battleground states has mostly evaporated, as a deep current of pessimism about the trajectory of the US economy hurts his standing with voters.

Biden trails Trump in six of seven key states, poll shows

(April 24): An armed ethnic group in Myanmar has withdrawn its troops from a town along the Thai border following a counteroffensive by the ruling junta, from whom rebel fighters wrested the key trading post this month, a spokesperson for the group said on Wednesday.

Myanmar rebel group withdraws troops from key town on Thai border

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 24)

Farm Price Holdings Bhd on Wednesday began taking orders from investors for its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market to raise up to RM32.4 million.

The IPO, priced at 24 sen apiece, involves a public issuance of 102 million new shares as well as an offer for sale of 33 million existing shares, according to its prospectus. All in, the listing offers investors a 30% stake in the Johor-based wholesalers and vegetables distributor.

Farm Price starts taking orders for ACE Market IPO to raise up to RM24.48 mil

Capital A Bhd’s unit AirAsia Consulting Sdn Bhd is the entity that is bidding to acquire SriLankan Airlines, and if it materialises, will raise its own capital for the acquisition, according to chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.

AirAsia Consulting, not AirAsia, is bidding for SriLankan Airlines, says Fernandes

Malaysian automotive companies may see earnings decline this year as sales dip and operating costs rise amid the emergence of several Chinese brands offering attractive pricing, analysts cautioned.

M'sian automakers expected to feel pinch from lower sales, higher costs, rise of Chinese OEMs

JASMINE Loo was the third individual wanted by the authorities, on the Interpol Red Notice list, &nbsp;to return to Malaysia.

More than 10 years on from the first signs of trouble at 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), there are still a number of individuals who remain on the run, sought ...

Most yet to return to face the music

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Bhd, the locally-listed unit of the Danish brewer, confirmed the price increases for its beer products starting this month.

Carlsberg Malaysia raises prices of beers to preserve margin

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has revoked the air operator's certificate (AOC) of cash-strapped low-cost carrier MYAirline Sdn Bhd, effective April 15, after it failed to find a new investor before the April 14 deadline.

MYAirline loses licence to operate as commercial airline as CAAM revokes AOC

One of the world’s busiest land checkpoints is set to become less congested as Malaysians travelling to Singapore on factory buses will be able to clear immigration through QR code.

Malaysia to start using QR code at checkpoints with Singapore, report says

E-government services provider MyEG Services Bhd has inked an agreement to collaborate on the launch of a virtual asset fund or Hong Kong virtual assets exchange-traded fund (ETF) products.

MyEG inks partnership to launch Hong Kong virtual assets

French electronic manufacturing service firm eolane has launched a new manufacturing plant in Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah involving an investment of €8.7 million (RM45 million) for the first phase of the project.

France-based eolane launches RM45 mil facility in Kulim Hi-Tech Park

Bursa Malaysia remained in positive territory at the midday break on Wednesday, supported by continuous buying in selected heavyweight counters, especially in the telecommunications and media sectors.&nbsp;

Telco shares lift Bursa higher at midday

Capital A Bhd’s board of directors has decided to extend Tan Sri Tony Fernandes'&nbsp;tenure as the chief executive officer for another five years, and as a strategic adviser to the airlines business, which is poised to be merged into AirAsia X Bhd.

Fernandes to be CEO of Capital A for another five years

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd said on Wednesday it had signed two agreements to develop two separate residential projects in Kuala Lumpur worth RM1.08 billion in combined gross development value (GDV).&nbsp;

Chin Hin Group Property to develop two residential projects worth RM1.08 bil

Shares of DXN Holdings Bhd surged on Wednesday to its highest in more than a month as analysts continued to urge investors to buy the stock after the health supplement company’s fourth-quarter (4Q) results.

DXN climbs over one-month high, analysts see positive outlook

Tan Sri Muhammad Ikmal Opat Abdullah, founder and controlling shareholder of Widad Group Bhd, has continued to trim his stake in the construction company as well as in IT products and services firm Dataprep Holdings Bhd.

Bursa Malaysia closed at a two-year high on Wednesday with the key index rising 0.63%, driven by a positive outlook on the local bourse and amid an upbeat performance by regional peers.&nbsp;

Bursa races to two-year high as investors turn bullish

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigating officer (MACC IO) probing Datuk Seri Najib Razak in relation to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle never asked the former prime minister if he had instructed for the controversial transfer of US$700 million to a company linked to fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), the court heard on Wednesday.

MACC officer did not ask Najib if he instructed controversial transfer of US$700m to Good Star

Gold’s record-setting rally this year has puzzled market watchers, as bullion has roared higher, despite headwinds that should have held it back. With prices sagging this week, the explanation may lie in China.

Gold’s record-setting rally may have its roots in Chinese frenzy

Haily Group Bhd shares continued their uptrend on Wednesday to a near all-time high, after the construction outfit won a RM109.5 million contract for terrace houses in Pontian, Johor.

Haily shares near all-time high after securing RM109.5m housing job

Several important developments related to Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB), including the appointment of its board members and the direction of the agency, will be announced on Thursday, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Opinion

‌
‌

Opinion

‌‌

‌
‌