KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has entered a new era of local defence development with the launch of the National Defence Industry Policy (DIPN), seen as a key driver of the Defence Ministry’s strategic transformation. Mohamed Khaled said the main objective of DIPN is to reduce reliance on foreign technology while strengthening local capabilities through close collaboration between the public and private sectors, shifting the focus from maintenance to high-value manufacturing and technological innovation. As part of DIPN’s rollout, the Malaysia Defence Industry Portal (PIPM) was also introduced as an integrated digital platform serving as an information hub for the national defence industry ecosystem. “It will serve as a one-stop centre for industry players to collaborate, access technology, and develop competitive defence products,” he added. Mohamed Khaled highlighted several national defence projects, including the development of local defence satellites, laser defence systems, ground vehicle chassis manufacturing capabilities, weapon systems, passive radar, loitering munition systems (kamikaze drones), and defence simulators.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): BWYS Group Bhd (KL:BWYS) will sell its leasehold industrial land with buildings in Bukit Changgang, Kuala Langat, Selangor, for RM67 million and acquire freehold industrial land in Tanjong Duabelas, Kuala Langat, for RM94.5 million. The sheet metal products manufacturer and scaffoldings supplier said the proposed Bukit Changgang property disposal enables the group to unlock the value of a non-core asset and strengthen its financial position. “The cash proceeds are expected to be utilised for, among others, repayment of bank borrowings, working capital requirements and partial funding of the proposed Tanjong Duabelas land acquisition. Meanwhile, the proposed land acquisition aligns with the group’s long-term operational and expansion plans, providing additional capacity for future development to support the construction of new manufacturing facilities and warehouses, thereby expanding the group’s core operations. BWYS Group managing director Kang Beng Hai said the approval of both the disposal and acquisition reflects the group’s disciplined approach to asset management and long-term planning.

DATUK Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) has been hospitalised for a lung infection since Jan 19. In a Facebook post yesterday, the MCA president said he is ­currently undergoing treatment and will be on medical leave for a week. Dr Wee said he has informed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul of his absence. During Question Time, Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor said the House would skip Dr Wee’s question due to his absence. Dr Wee was supposed to ask the Transport Ministry about the impact of the Road Transport Department’s policy on ­overloaded lorries implemented last October on supply chains, logistics and cost of living.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Kimlun Corporation Bhd (KL:KIMLUN) has successfully issued Islamic commercial papers (ICP) with a nominal value of RM10.81 million pursuant to its ICP programme. The construction company said the proceeds raised from the issuance of the ICP will be utilised by Kimlun and its subsidiaries for shariah-compliant general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and the refinancing of existing group financing. “The tenure of the ICP issued is one year,” it said in a Bursa Malaysia filing on Thursday. OCBC Al-Amin Bank Bhd is the lead manager for the issuance of the ICP. The ICP is issued under Kimlun’s ICP programme, which together with its Islamic medium-term notes programme carries a combined limit of up to RM800 million.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 22): Members of the public are allowed to apply for a physical printout of a Malaysian driving licence (LMM) without submitting proof of overseas travel starting Friday, Jan 23. Based on existing regulations, drivers can apply for a physical LMM card by showing proof of leaving the country such as a flight ticket. "As a measure to reduce bureaucracy, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) has been instructed to no longer ask for proof of leaving the country," the statement said. The MOT informed that senior citizens aged 60 and above, Class A and A1 licence holders and disabled persons card holders registered with the Department of Social Welfare can continue to obtain physical LMM prints for free. "Drivers who choose the LLM digital card will continue to be able to access a free digital driving card which can be renewed via the MyJPJ application without having to go to any office," according to the statement.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Three individuals, including two immigration officers, were detained during two separate operations in Johor and Sabah on Monday and Wednesday, for their alleged involvement in the abuse of the online Malaysian passport application facility. Immigration director general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said that during a raid on a residential premises in Simpang Renggam, Johor, authorities detained a man believed to be involved in providing false declarations to obtain Malaysian passports. Both are immigration officers believed to have acted as the main masterminds and "facilitators" for the syndicate. "Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate's modus operandi was to offer International Malaysian Passport (PMA) renewal services online to Malaysians abroad without following established procedures. Authorities also seized two Malaysian passports and online application documents believed to be directly linked to the syndicate's activities.

(Jan 22): Beazley on Thursday rejected a 7.67-billion-pound (US$10.3 billion) takeover offer from Zurich Insurance as materially undervaluing the UK speciality insurer, adding it was lower than another proposal the group turned down last year. Zurich, Europe's second-largest insurer by market value, declined to comment. At that price, a deal would value Beazley's equity at about 8.4 billion pounds, the company said. Beazley said it had received three proposals from Zurich that month and engaged with it "appropriately," including giving Zurich some limited due diligence information in good faith. Zurich is looking to build up its speciality insurance business, and sees Beazley as a good fit given its expertise in cyber, marine, aviation and space, and fine art insurance.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Bursa Malaysia said Apex Healthcare Bhd (KL:AHEALTH) will officially be delisted on Jan 27 following the completion of Pharmora Investment Holdings Pte Ltd’s takeover and privatisation of the pharmaceutical group. The exchange said Apex Healthcare will be removed from the official list of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd effective 9am on Tuesday. Pharmora’s successful voluntary takeover offer, which values Apex Healthcare at RM1.91 billion, closed on Jan 5 with valid acceptances amounting to 95.43%. Pharmora partnered with Apex Healthcare’s major shareholder, chairman and CEO Dr Kee Kerk Chin, to undertake the RM2.64-per-share offer launched on Nov 28, 2025. The offer became unconditional on Dec 22 after crossing the 90% mark, and was subsequently extended to Jan 5 to facilitate further acceptances.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22): Economists continue to expect Malaysia’s central bank to maintain its key interest rate throughout this year, unless an excessive demand pressure or tariff shock emerges. Domestic demand remains resilient and is expected to continue anchoring the economy in 2026, while the tariff impact has been mild as AI-related demand bolstered electronics exports, economists noted. Meanwhile, core inflation is expected to remain stable, though on “the absence of excessive demand pressures”, it added, quoting BNM. “Finally, BNM seems comfortable with the inflation trajectory, which should preserve policy space for a rate cut if required,” she added. MBSB Research noted the upcoming Sara cash assistance in February may fuel demand-pull inflation; inflation is expected to stay moderate in 2026 with a slight uptick.

KINABATANGAN (Jan 22): Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, on Thursday launched his manifesto featuring 10 pledges for the constituency. The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election involves a three-cornered contest between Mohd Kurniawan Naim, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan), and Goldam Hamid (Independent). Meanwhile, the Lamag state seat will see a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan). The twin by-elections are being held following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5 last year. The Election Commission has set this Saturday (Jan 24) as the polling day for both seats.

PETALING JAYA: AmBank Group, through AmBank Islamic Bhd, has extended RM103.8mil in financing to Founder Energy Sdn Bhd (FESB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Founder Group Limited. The financing will support FESB’s role as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contractor for a 29.99MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic facility in Bukit Selambau, Kedah, as well as other commercial and industrial projects. The project, with a contract sum of RM132.07mil, was awarded to FESB by one of the project developers backed by both local and multinational corporate shareholders. Scheduled for completion in March 2027, the strategic collaboration reinforces AmBank Group’s commitment to championing sustainable financing and supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a greener, low-carbon economy.

(Jan 22): Elliott Investment Management disclosed that it now owns more of Toyota Industries Corp, as the activist fund pushes for a better deal in the Toyota group’s bid to take the company private. The investor now has a 6.7% stake in Toyota Industries, up from 5% in November, according to a filing on Thursday. That makes Elliott the second-biggest shareholder in Toyota Industries, after Toyota Motor Corp and its affiliates. That translates into more than 20% of issued stock in Toyota Industries. The tender period for Toyota Industries began Jan 15 and will run through Feb 12.

(Jan 22): Australia's financial crime watchdog said on Thursday it had ordered an audit of payment platform Airwallex Pty for suspected anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance failures. The Australia-founded fintech has also not defined who its customers are and what reporting may be required, it added. "Our concerns also extend to how well Airwallex identifies and reports on suspicious matters and the effective oversight of these important obligations," said Austrac chief executive officer Brendan Thomas. The payment platform, which is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore and is backed by investors including Tencent, DST Global, and Hillhouse said it will be co-operating fully with Austrac's external auditor review. An external and independent auditor in 2025 had validated Airwallex's programme in Australia, following an Austrac audit of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing programme in 2024, the company added.

Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said the arrests followed intelligence gathering and investigations under "Ops Stroke", carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) since Sept 3 last year. Mohammed Azman advised contributors to deal directly with the organisation for any claim applications, which are provided free of charge, to avoid being manipulated by third-party agents or syndicates. "Perkeso constantly monitors for any elements of manipulation or fraud, and contributors are urged to always be honest and trustworthy when submitting claims. He noted that such activities pose a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of the country's social security funds. Mohammed Azman said fund leakages due to fraudulent claims could jeopardise Perkeso's ability to provide essential assistance to contributors who are genuinely eligible and in need of protection.

DAVOS, Switzerland (Jan 22): Nato Secretary Mark Rutte said on Thursday that he and US President Trump had discussed in Davos how the transatlantic alliance should best defend the Arctic against Russia and China. Trump has repeatedly said he wanted to acquire Greenland, citing national security, though on Wednesday he ruled out using force and suggested a deal was in sight to end the dispute over the Danish overseas territory following talks with Rutte. Trump's ambitions have put strain on the Nato alliance. Rutte said he had a "very good discussion" with Trump on how Nato allies can work collectively to ensure Arctic security, including not just Greenland but the seven Nato nations with land in the Arctic. Further talks would build on the Washington meeting last week between the United States and delegations from Denmark and Greenland.