(Feb 10): Coca-Cola Co will retain full ownership of Costa Coffee, but it’s reviewing the unit’s challenged business in China, the company’s chief financial officer said on Tuesday. The beverage maker had been considering bids for UK cafe operator Costa Coffee. “We have decided to continue to have Costa 100% owned inside our portfolio,” Coca-Cola chief financial officer John Murphy said in an interview on Tuesday. “There are no immediate plans to do anything with Costa other than to get it performing even better.”Murphy said certain core markets for Costa Coffee are doing well, but that the business in China has been “more challenging than we expected”. “We will be looking closely at the China business throughout 2026.”

The case remains under police investigation and is currently under consideration by China - AI-GENERATED IMAGEKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has requested several key documents from China, including a 'Serious Offence Certificate', as part of efforts to investigate fugitive businessman Tedy Teow and the MBI ponzi scheme network. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said this is part of Putrajaya's broader strategy to trace assets, extradite suspects, forfeit assets, and monitor cross-border transactions. "The police's Anti-Money Laundering (AMLA) unit has sought Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) from China through the Attorney-General's Chambers to obtain criminal offence documents such as a 'Serious Offence Certificate'. "The case remains under police investigation and is currently under consideration by China," he said in a written parliamentary reply. On extradition, the ministry noted that while Malaysia does not have a formal treaty with China, it can pursue the process under the Extradition Act 1992.

PETALING JAYA: Go Pei Kee’s withdrawal from the national set-up has left Malaysia’s women’s doubles department with questions to answer, particularly over who will step up as the country’s No. 23 Pei Kee and Teoh Mei Xing were widely regarded as Malaysia’s second strongest women’s doubles option. Malaysia now have roughly three months before the Uber Cup Finals to identify a partnership capable of shouldering the responsibility in the absence of Pei Kee and Mei Xing. “We still have Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee, Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan and several other pairs behind them. We do not need to focus on them (Pei Kee) if their hearts are no longer in it,” said Rexy.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 10): UUE Holdings Bhd (KL:UUE) has secured two subcontracts related to pipe installation for power cables valued at RM67.5 million. The subcontracts, both valued at S$10.88 million (RM33.73 million) respectively, are for the provision of materials, tools, labour and equipment for the installation of high-density polyethylene pipes in West Jurong Island, Singapore, according to the underground utilities engineering firm’s bourse filing on Tuesday. Both subcontracts will run from Feb 9, 2026, to Dec 31, 2027. The subcontracts pertain to two separate sections of power cables from Ayer Rajah Shaft to Shipyard Shaft. The project’s principal is SP PowerAssets Ltd. One section’s main contractor is Taihan Cable & Solution Co Ltd, while the other section’s is China International Water & Electrical Corp (S) Pte Ltd.

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has overturned the acquittal of former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad in his graft case involving RM3.09mil relating to the purchase of a hotel in Sarawak. This is the final legal avenue which saw Mohd Isa sent to the Sungai Buloh Prison upon the issuance of the committal order. "The respondent (Mohd Isa) had failed to rebut the presumption of law under Section 50(1). The court then upheld the six-year imprisonment and RM15.45mil fine imposed on Mohd Isa by the Kuala Lumpur High Court. On Feb 3, 2021, the High Court found Mohd Isa guilty and imposed the sentence on him.

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Azam Baki says that his acquisition of RM800,000 worth of shares in a financial services company was conducted transparently and did not violate any laws. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner said the transaction was declared and that the Chief Secretary to the Government was informed of the matter. Azam described the report on the transaction as malicious, pointing out that he had purchased the shares in 2025 and disposed of it within a year. A foreign news agency reported that Azam was listed as holding 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Bhd, citing a corporate filing with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). Earlier, the MACC said the report on Azam is misleading and based on unfounded allegations.

A history of identity changes and business pivotsThe name Velocity Capital is the group’s seventh since it was listed. According to its annual report, Velocity Capital lists a number of subsidiaries operating in different segments, including in haulage services, IT solutions, manufacturing of packaging, and electric vehicle sales. Datuk Fam Chee Way is now the largest shareholder in Velocity Capital with a 28.79% stake held via DB Atlantic Capital (M) Bhd. Velocity shares jumped in early 2025According to SSM documents, Azam Baki held 17.7 million Velocity Capital shares as at Feb 2, 2025, amounting to 1.38% of the group’s share base. Both Velocity Capital and Farhash subsequently sold their MMAG shares at a loss.

KUALA LUMPUR: Taxpayers can now apply for a personal identification number (PIN) via the Inland Revenue Board's (LHDN) MyTax Portal. "For new taxpayers, a tax number is already available, as one is automatically generated for individuals aged 18 and above. "First-time e-filing users may apply for a digital certificate through e-KYC or e-CP55D using their registered email address," he said as a guest on Bernama Radio's tax clinic programme titled 'e-Filing: Tanggungjawab Pembayar Cukai (taxpayers' responsibilities)' on Tuesday (Feb 10). He added that taxpayers who have forgotten their password can reset it by clicking 'Forgot Password', and a new password will be sent to their registered email once their identification number is entered. "For users whose Digital Certificate has expired, it can be renewed by entering their identification number and password, followed by clicking the 'Submit' button.

Malaysians can now check the typical price tag for 26 common procedures before committing to treatment, under a new industry-led price guide. The guide released by the insurance and takaful industry is aimed at lifting the lid on medical costs but consumer groups cautioned that transparency should not become a rubber stamp for rising fees or normalising high prices. For example, the typical bill amount for cataract surgery is RM8,400 for daycare admission. “The data is derived from insurance and takaful claims, which are part of a profit-oriented private healthcare and insurance ecosystem. Saravanan said consumers should not treat the price guide as a benchmark or endorsement of acceptable pricing.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) says a recent media report on Tan Sri Azam Baki is misleading and based on unfounded allegations. It said the report not only affected the image and reputation of its chief commissioner but also unfairly linked the MACC to allegations of wrongdoing, potentially undermining public confidence. "Asset declarations by public officers are governed by established administrative and governance procedures under the public service framework and are submitted through official channels to the relevant authorities. The MACC said such declarations cover sources of income as well as the acquisition and disposal of assets, including shares. It stressed that any suggestion that the chief commissioner had failed to declare assets was factually incorrect and created a misleading impression of the integrity and governance framework governing both the MACC and the wider public service.

“While some small traders are occupying the parking bays with their stalls, other businesses and individuals have “booked” the bays using barriers and traffic cones. “They should apply for reserved parking bays from DBKL, but I was told by some business owners that the process was very bureaucratic,” he said. Sivam also said that the number of parking bays in the park was still insufficient, especially when outsiders hog the bays for long hours. Sivam says residents cannot find parking space despite buying the RM70 pass as some bays are illegally hogged by businesses. “This raises the question – are there not enough parking bays in the MRT station’s park and ride facility?

PETALING JAYA: New men’s singles coach Harry Hartono is game for the challenge of reviving a struggling men’s singles department after his first training session with the squad under head coach Datuk Teu Seu Bock got off to a positive start. Harry, who reported for duty at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday (Feb 10), has a strong reputation to live up to. He was also among the earliest coaches to spot the potential of 2022 world champion Chou Tien-chen while coaching at a high school in Taiwan between 2005 and 2010. The aim is to become world number one and to be a world champion,” said Harry. Harry’s first training session with the men’s singles squad under head coach Datuk Teu Seu Bock also went positively, particularly with the commitment shown by Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh.

Tall and slender April sports long, golden-brown hair that gives off a youthful vibe (Picture courtesy of ASIAONE). BEIJING: As interest surges following Vicki Zhao's brief and unexpected livestream return, the spotlight has shifted to her daughter, April Huang Xin, after the teenager made a rare social media appearance. April, who is the sole child of the embattled Chinese actress-director and her ex-husband, Singaporean tycoon Huang Youlong, is set to celebrate her 16th birthday this April. Looking tall and slender with long, golden-brown tresses, April exudes a distinctly youthful and modern charm. This renewed curiosity comes at a time when Vicki herself remains a peripheral figure in the industry.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima (in purple) in action against JDT during an Asian Champions League Elite match at the Hiroshima Stadium on Tuesday. PIC FROM AFCKUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) suffered a 2-1 defeat to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday, extending their winless run against Japanese clubs to 11 matches since 2019. The Southern Tigers took an early lead at the Hiroshima Stadium in the third minute through Marcos Guilherme. However, the match turned in the 16th minute when defender Jonathan Silva was sent off for a handball in the penalty area. Despite Sanfrecce dominating possession against the 10-man JDT, the sides went into half-time level at 1-1.

Tomei group managing director Datuk Ng Yih Pyng is optimistic on the group’s prospects as the Malaysian retail market is expected to stay resilient, supported by steady economic conditions. Its revenue climbed 25.4 per cent to RM1.31 billion versus RM1.05 billion in FY24 supported by its retail segment. Its revenue rose to RM387.94 million in the quarter under review from RM242.78 million. Tomei group managing director Datuk Ng Yih Pyng is optimistic on the group's prospects as the Malaysian retail market is expected to stay resilient, supported by steady economic conditions. Tomei's share price closed four sen or 2.11 per cent higher on Tuesday at RM1.94, valuing the company at RM268.88 million.