The plan unveiled on Jan 5 envisages retaining the Manila listing of its Philippine business. The international business accounted for 6,800 of Jollibee's 10,300 stores by the end of last year's third quarter, he told reporters. Shin said the spin-off would simplify the group's structure and improve transparency, allowing investors to assess the domestic and international businesses on a standalone basis. The US offers capital markets with a large investor base experienced in valuing global consumer and restaurant growth companies, Shin said. Jollibee operates across 33 countries with brands such as Jollibee, Chowking, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan.

KOTA KINABAKU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has put the implementation of the Kota Kinabalu High Court’s decision on Sabah’s 40% revenue share as a top priority, says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) said this was stated at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (Jan 14). "The Prime Minister and the Federal Government are committed to upholding the rule of law," Mustapha said in a statement on Facebook. Mustapha’s statement followed questions by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) over the delay in the implementation of the High Court decision. The application for a judicial review of the state's revenue rights was filed by SLS.

KUCHING: The number of flood evacuees at temporary relief centres (PPS) in Sarawak on Wednesday (Jan 14) morning remained unchanged from last night, with 1,603 individuals from 498 families. The Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee reported that the evacuees are being housed across nine PPS in Serian, Sibu, Bintulu and Sebauh. "In Sibu, six evacuees are sheltered at Dewan SMK Bukit Assek. In Bintulu, 237 people are at the Bintulu Civic Centre, while in Sebauh, 150 are at Balairaya Sebauh and a further 186 are at Dewan Sri Kemena, SMK Sebauh,” the statement read. The latest flooding in Sarawak began on Dec 31 last year, when several areas around Kuching city were inundated following persistent heavy rain.

(Jan 14): China is investigating Trip.com Group Ltd, the country’s largest online travel agency, over alleged antitrust conduct, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. The company is being investigated for allegedly “abusing” its dominant market position and engaging in monopolistic practices, it said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 14). While the agency didn’t disclose additional detail, China’s technology sector has faced heightened scrutiny from market regulators in recent years amid concerns about intensifying competition. Trip.com’s Hong Kong-listed shares dropped 6.5%. Founded in 1999 and listed on Nasdaq in 2003 and in Hong Kong in 2021, Trip.com currently operates a portfolio of brands, including Ctrip, Qunar, Trip.com and Skyscanner and bills itself as a one-stop travel platform.

There have already been concerns about Malaysia’s involvement in trade with Iran, especially given existing oil embargoes,” he said. “If such a tariff is enforced across the board, it would have an effect on Malaysia’s trade. Despite this, Dr Afzanizam cautioned that the broader impact could still be significant because the US remains Malaysia’s major trading partner. “The impact is not so much about Iran, but about our relationship with the United States,” he said. “Given that international sanctions have been imposed in Iran, I do not think any of our ports could host tankers carrying Iranian oil.

Initiative provides them exposure, interaction with nature and peopleFOR many children today, learning often begins with a screen. But for those who join Sunway Theme Parks’ Explorer Rangers programme, learning happens through wildlife encounters and hands-on experiences. Sunway Theme Parks chief executive officer Calvin Ho said: “It goes beyond introducing wildlife. “The programme seeks to nurture empathy, sustainability awareness and a broader understanding of global challenges from a young age. Explorer Rangers is part of Sunway Theme Parks’ broader commitment to community, education and sustainability under its environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework.

BENGALURU (Jan 14): Coca-Cola has abandoned plans to sell its Costa Coffee chain after offers from private equity firms came in below expectations, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Wednesday. The US beverage giant ended talks with remaining bidders in December, halting a months-long auction process, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter. Coca-Cola and Costa Coffee did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments. Coca-Cola could revive plans to sell Costa in the medium term, according to the report. Coca-Cola acquired Costa Coffee in 2018 for an enterprise value of US$5.1 billion to strengthen its position in the global coffee market, where it competes with Starbucks and Nestle.

(Jan 14): BP plc said it expects to take as much as US$5 billion (RM20.27 billion) in writedowns for the fourth quarter, just weeks after replacing its CEO as it strives to turn around its fortunes. Oil trading results are “expected to be weak” for a second straight quarter and production will be “flat” while net debt was reduced. Meanwhile, the weak oil trading results and flat production in a lower oil price environment will add more pressure to BP’s ability to maintain its pace of share repurchases. O’Neill will take over in April with some of the groundwork to turn the company around laid out for her. Both Shell and Exxon Mobil Corp have signalled a tougher fourth quarter.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party needs to break out of its old cocoon and immediately adapt to new political methods based on technology, especially social media platforms. He said the change must be made immediately as Umno needs to prepare to face the 16th general election (GE16), which is about 22 months away. Ahmad Zahid said the priority is to strengthen the party’s perspective on social media not only about the party's policies, but also to defend Umno from attacks by political enemies. "Our problem now is that we don't attack, even if we are attacked, we don't defend. Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said that the weakness in commanding social media has also resulted in various initiatives implemented by the Madani government since it governed Putrajaya not being very popular among the people.

JAKARTA (Jan 14): Millions of Indonesian ride-hailing drivers would receive major increases to financial and social benefits under a draft decree being considered by President Prabowo Subianto, two sources said, threatening the profitability of ride-sharing platforms in their largest market in Southeast Asia. The debate also comes amid concerns about driver welfare as a result of a potential merger between the two largest ride-hailing platforms in the country, Indonesia's GoTo and Singapore-based rival Grab. The draft rules, seen by Reuters, details of the concessions, and potentially immediate enforcement via a presidential decree have not previously been reported. The decree under consideration would slash caps on commissions — the amount ride-hailing companies take from drivers for each trip — to 10% from the current 20%. The draft also authorises the government to review agreements between the companies and online transportation workers, and protects the right to unionise.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) 7.43%-owned 3D Energi Ltd announced on Wednesday that it has unexpectedly discovered gas in the Waarre C sandstones, Charlemont Trend, Otway Basin in Australia. 3D Energi disclosed to the Australian Securities Exchange that the gas discovery was made after recovering a representative gas sample from the thin Waarre C sandstone during Phase 1 of the Otway exploration drilling programme. 3D Energi holds a 20% participating interest in the VIC/P79 permit. Charlemont-1 represents the second gas discovery under the Otway Exploration Drilling Program, following the recent Essington discovery. Meanwhile, 3D Energi said there is potential to drill additional wells as phase 2 of the Otway Exploration Drilling Program under the approved Environment Plan.

KOTA KINABALU: The 90-day mark in the High Court order to review Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement is almost here, but there has yet to be a significant update, says Datuk Roger Chin (pic). The nominated assemblyman, the primary mover seeking a judicial review of the matter, said this apparent lack of tangible progress is concerning. ALSO READ: Anwar-Hajiji ties key to fast-tracking Sabah's 40% revenue claim, say state lawmakers"To date, there has been only that one meeting," he said on Wednesday (Jan 14). ALSO READ: Past Sabah leaders partly to blame for non-payment of 40% revenue share, says KitinganThe lack of substantive progress at the 90-day mark does not bode well for achieving compliance within the 180-day timeframe mandated by the court, he stressed. ALSO READ: Sabah's 40% revenue entitlement affirmed by High Court (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/10/17/sabah039s-40-revenue-entitlement-affirmed-by-high-court)Chin said the continued failure to engage meaningfully not only jeopardises compliance with the court-ordered timeline, but also undermines the review process expressly directed by the judgment.

These criteria are met at Grand Imperial restaurants with their eight distinct CNY set menus for the Year of the Fire Horse. According to Grand Imperial master chef Banker Pang, the beancurd is infused with shredded spinach which is the key to its aroma. Each of the eight set menus caters to 10 people. The set menus are priced between RM1,688++ and RM8,888++. They are available at all the seven Grand Imperial branches in the Klang Valley from Jan 10 to March 3.

GEORGE TOWN: Skeletal rem­a­ins dating back about 5,700 years from one of Penang’s earliest prehistoric communities are now back after more than eight deca­des overseas. The collection from the Guar Kepah archaeological site in ­Pena­ga, comprising parts of skulls, teeth, mandibles and other skeletal remains from 41 individuals, will be conserved at the Guar Kepah Archaeological Galle­ry, which is set to open soon. He said the handover of the Guar Kepah skeletal collection to the Penang government marked a significant step in preserving one of the country’s most important prehistoric heritage sites. Zulkifli said the return of the skeletal remains was a historic moment for Penang and Malaysia. Dr N. Suresh, a senior lecturer from USM Global Archaeological Research Centre, said research on the skeletal collection was ongoing.

Lau urges Malaysians to exercise their welfare benefits by utilising public hospitals. National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) chairman Lucas Lau said the mother took her daughter to a private hospital for medical attention following a fall. The mother claimed an emergency department staff initially informed her that the estimated cost of treatment would be around RM4,000. Lau also urged Malaysians to consider government hospitals as their primary option for medical treatment. He said with continued government funding, public hospitals were able to provide comprehensive and quality healthcare services, supported by experienced medical professionals.