KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Businesses often note that regulations and policies slow down innovation, especially for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. Regulators noted that regulation is needed for emerging technologies to ensure that these technologies benefit the right people. She noted that safeguards and regulations only hinders innovation and business interest if they are overly strict and unclear. If regulation does not chart a clear, predictable and credible pathway to innovation, it will dampen attraction. Predictable regulation enhances innovation; guesswork will dampen it,” said Do.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Berjaya Land Bhd (KL:BJLAND) said it is proposing to change its name to Berjaya Property Bhd. In a bourse filing, the company said the proposed new name had been approved and reserved by the Companies Commission of Malaysia on Dec 23. The name change is subject to shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting, Berjaya Land said, adding that a circular detailing the proposal will be issued in due course. Berjaya Land is controlled by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, founder of the Berjaya Group. The group’s core activities include gaming, hotels and resorts, recreational development and vacation timeshare, property investment and development, and luxury motor retailing.

Its unit, SkyGate Properties Sdn Bhd, inked a sale and purchase agreement with Dahlia Cemerlang Sdn Bhd’s shareholders, Jitu Sempurna Sdn Bhd, Prominent Goldhill Sdn Bhd and Promaddun Sdn Bhd, to acquire the entire equity interest in the company, according to a bourse filing on Thursday. SkyGate is buying Dahlia Cemerlang to add an 8.15-acre industrial property within the Perai Industrial Park in Penang to its property portfolio. Meanwhile, the RM75.9 million price tag on Dahlia Cemerlang is based on its adjusted net assets of RM75.91 million. Dahlia Cemerlang is 46%-owned by Jitu Sempurna, while Prominent Goldhill holds 30%, and Promaddun with 24%. Given its related-party nature, SCS Global Advisory (M) Sdn Bhd has been appointed to advise non-interested directors and shareholders.

A property agent was re-arrested today in connection with a mule account syndicate, less than an hour after posting bail for a similar charge. Pic by Alias Abd RaniBATU PAHAT: A property agent was re-arrested today in connection with a mule account syndicate, less than an hour after posting bail for a similar charge. The court allowed bail of RM8,000 with one surety, after the prosecution had initially sought RM20,000. Two days ago, Yep was charged at the Segamat Sessions Court, where he also pleaded not guilty. He is expected to be remanded at the Tangkak magistrate's court tomorrow before facing further charges at the Johor Baru Sessions Court.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): DAP is urging the Attorney General to "seriously reconsider” the application filed to review the Federal Court’s decision that struck down part of the peaceful assembly law. A judicial review of the ruling could delay the ongoing efforts to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo said in a statement. “The application for review would not permit us to look beyond the matters raised in that application, thereby limiting the intended reforms which are needed to the Act,” Gobind said. "Given that efforts are already underway to amend the Peaceful Assembly Act, we should take this opportunity to revisit and improve the provisions of the Act through Parliament instead of pursuing further litigation by way of review," Gobind added. The apex court ruled in July 2025 that Section 9(5) was disproportionate and violated the right to peaceful assembly under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

(Jan 15): Canon Inc said it will explore acquisitions in lucrative arenas such as medical devices and chip tools in the coming years, while setting a lower dividend payout target of around 40%. Canon now confronts a rapidly shifting market for the cameras that made it a household name around the world and a capital-intensive semiconductor manufacturing equipment arena. Its customers include chip giants such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.One question that weighs on investor sentiment is whether Canon can execute a smooth transition after decades of reliance on chairman and chief executive officer Fujio Mitarai. Mitarai, who first became the company’s president in 1995, has yielded that post twice in the past only to retake the role. “Now is not the time to make a concrete announcement” regarding a successor, he said.

Yet this partnership between a US tech giant and an originally Chinese startup could be a preview of the border-crossing, talent-focused future of the global AI race. The third implication is that the global AI contest is more fluid and multi-dimensional than a simple “US versus China” frame suggests. DeepSeek’s R1 model forced ‌many investors to confront the reality that a Chinese model could match top US systems at a fraction of the cost. Manus is also a reminder that the global AI race is fundamentally a talent war. The company shows how Chinese-founded businesses and talent can plug into global capital and corporate structures despite elevated geopolitical noise.

(Jan 15): The UK is considering following Australia in imposing a social media ban for children under 16 years old, amid growing calls for restrictions to protect vulnerable younger users. “I’m certainly in favour of action in this area,” Streeting told Sky News, pointing to his own concerns about the impact of social media on the well-being and cognitive development of children. Any move on social media would be likely to garner support from other parties. The Liberal Democrats last year called for health warnings on social media for children, as well as time caps on so-called “doomscrolling”. Main opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, said earlier this month she’d like to see age limits on social media because the internet is a “wild west”.

LANGKAWI: For the very rich, a dream car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche used to cost RM2.5mil in this duty-free island. “About 90% of Ferrari cars and several other luxury brands in Malaysia were registered in Langkawi because of its tax-free status,” he said. If luxury vehicles could no longer be sold, he said, the government would lose corporate tax and customs-related revenue. Ong also said the existing mechanism had been effective in regulating the movement of tax-free vehicles. Without tax exemptions, buyers are now expected to pay about 100% more.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says that he respects the decision of Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to step down from his position as a Melaka exco member. ALSO READ: Akmal resigns as Melaka Umno exco member effective next week"There are 191 Youth divisions nationwide. When pressed on whether it would pressure the Melaka state government, the Umno president said the Melaka Chief Minister was aware of Akmal's decision. "I don't think it is a form of pressure as the Melaka Chief Minister will know what to do next," said Ahmad Zahid. The Merlimau assemblyman said he was stepping aside from his post as Melaka Exco to “fight DAP to the end”.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): Consumer stocks have the largest sector representation on Bursa Malaysia’s newly launched financial performance-based indices, highlighting companies with strong financial fundamentals across profitability, capital structure, and earnings quality. The Bursa Malaysia Quality 50 Index (BMQ) and its Islamic counterpart, the Bursa Malaysia Quality 50 Shariah Index (BMQ-S), feature 50 Malaysian-listed companies spanning multiple sectors and market capitalisations. Leading constituents by weightage include Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS), United Plantations Bhd (KL:UTDPLT), and Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (KL:F&N). The indices also highlight under RM1 billion market capitalisation companies like Infomina Bhd (KL:INFOM), AutoCount Dotcom Bhd (KL:ADB) and Cloudpoint Technology Bhd (KL:CLOUDPT) to attract investor attention. Other requirements include a minimum market capitalisation of RM300 million and a trade velocity (liquidity metric) of at least 10% over the past 12 months.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has resigned from his post a Melaka executive council member. When speaking at the Umno Youth assembly, Dr Akmal said that his resignation would take effect next week. The Merlimau assemblyman said he was stepping aside from his post as Melaka exco to “fight DAP to the end”. Dr Akmal also shared that he had discussed his resignation with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof, and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Akmal had also previously hinted at stepping down from his post as Umno Youth chief after his same comments drew a negative reaction from the Umno president.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is expected to attend the opening of the Youth wing in conjunction with the Umno General Assembly at Dewan Merdeka on Thursday (Jan 15). The matter was confirmed by Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh after attending the simultaneous opening of the three wings here at World Trade Centre (WTC) late Wednesday night (Jan 14). Akmal said the youth wing had invited former youth leaders, including Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Khairy. Last night, Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the Umno Youth wing must continue speaking for what is right and play the role of a “constructive opposition” from within the government. The Umno deputy president also dismissed criticism that the youth wing, led by Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, was rude in its approach.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has condemned the doxxing, harassment and intimidation of journalists following an online backlash against a Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reporter after a public lecture earlier this week. "MMC strongly condemns all forms of doxxing, harassment, intimidation, and threats against journalists. Separately, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said it viewed the incident “with alarm”, citing the doxxing and harassment directed at the FMT journalist following the event. “We are particularly concerned with this issue of doxxing where many social media users have taken it upon themselves to reveal personal information about the journalist. "Many netizens have also used inflammatory, racist, and dehumanising speech against the journalist, these actions have amounted to viable threats against this journalist," she said.

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 15): Chongqing Airlines will operate direct flights from Chongqing to Penang beginning April 8, significantly strengthening air connectivity between Penang and Western China, said Penang state executive councillor Wong Hon Wai. Wong said Penang Global Tourism and Chongqing Airlines signed a memorandum of cooperation in Chongqing Wednesday to formalise their strategic partnership in the aviation and tourism sectors. He noted that the scheduled direct flights were a result of his leading a state government delegation to Chongqing on a tourism promotion programme in September 2024. "At that time, charter flights operated by Firefly between Chongqing and Penang were also introduced,” said Wong, who is in charge of tourism and creative economy. He said that as a key aviation hub in Western China, Chongqing has a large population base of 31.9 million and a mature outbound travel market.