The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange dropped 1.19 per cent to 4,002 ringgit (US$986.93) a tonne by the midday break. JAKARTA: Malaysian palm oil futures opened lower on Friday, their first trading session of 2026, as traders digested sluggish export data from cargo surveyors and awaited December production figures for further price guidance. Palm futures also declined following a selloff in Chicago soyoil futures on Wednesday, Bagani added, while waiting for full-month Malaysian palm oil production estimates. Indonesia has set its crude palm oil reference price at US$915.64 per ton for January, down from December's US$926.14 per tonne according to a Trade Ministry decree. Palm oil may break support at 4,044 ringgit per tonne, and fall into the 3,964 ringgit to 4,008 ringgit range.

The competitor, Airbus is also pushing to sell its A220 aircraft to local airlines with the aim of introducing smaller single-aisle aircraft in Malaysia. There are many E2s flying to Malaysia, to Miri, to Sibu, to Malacca. Slot availability for new aircraft delivery has become a central theme in Embraer's discussions with airlines, both in Malaysia and across the region. When engaging Malaysian airlines, Villaron said the key discussion centres around hub bypassing and the need to serve routes that are only currently only viable via Kuala Lumpur. I think if there are more jets slots, we could see potential for E2s flying out of Subang," Villaron said.

(Jan 2): Zijin Mining Group Co will step up its acquisitions globally, targeting particularly gold and copper, the company’s newly appointed chairman said. China’s largest mining company will watch for opportunities among high-impact, very large mines or mid-tier companies, chairman Zou Laichang said in a statement on company website, after being appointed to the role on Dec 31. Previously the president of the Fujian-based miner, Zou replaced founder Chen Jinghe, who had led Zijin for more than three decades and oversaw its expansion into a global mining major. Surpassed only by Rio Tinto Group and BHP Group in market value, Zijin has said it expects double-digit growth in gold and copper production in 2026. The company also aims to boost lithium-carbonate equivalent output by more than four times from 25,000 tonnes in 2025.

- AFP PICKUALA LUMPUR: Leong Jun Hao received a timely boost ahead of next week's Malaysia Open after top Indian player Lakshya Sen joined the national squad for training at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) on Friday. 28 Jun Hao and other men's singles players would benefit from sparring with the world No. "Lakshya has joined our training ahead of the Malaysia Open. Leong Jun Hao will begin his season at next week’s Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. He reminded Jun Hao that he must perform at the highest level to progress in the tournament.

(Jan 2): At least three tankers carrying Russian crude are indicating Reliance Industries Ltd’s plant on India’s west coast as their next destination, after the refiner restarted some purchases for domestic production. A Reliance spokesman said the company doesn’t have any committed cargoes of Russian crude for delivery in January. Rosneft was previously the refiner’s largest source of Russian oil, underpinned by a term deal to supply 500,000 barrels a day. Russian oil deliveries to Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery complex made up more than 40% of the plant’s imports in the January to November period last year. Reliance isn’t the only Indian refiner taking Russian crude, with state-owned Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp also picking up cargoes from non-sanctioned sellers.

(Jan 2): The European Union’s (EU) carbon border levy is “unfair” and “discriminatory”, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Thursday, vowing to take countermeasures to defend the country’s interests. The EU has published a series of legislative proposals and implementation rules regarding its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), according to the statement, referring to Brussels’ flagship climate policy that puts a levy on emissions-intensive products coming into the bloc. The EU has assigned excessively high baseline default carbon-intensity values on Chinese products and plans to raise them over the next three years, the ministry said. “We will resolutely take all necessary measures to respond to any unfair trade restrictions” to safeguard China’s development interests and maintain global supply chain stability, said the ministry. But it has drawn criticism from trading partners over its protectionist implications, with the US pressing for “flexibilities” for its companies.

SINGAPORE/HONG KONG: Shares of Chinese AI chip designer Shanghai Biren Technology more than doubled on their Hong Kong debut on Friday, kicking off the financial hub's first listing of 2026 with a bang. Biren will spend most of the IPO proceeds on research and development and commercialisation, its IPO prospectus showed. Separately, Chinese internet search leader Baidu said on Friday its AI chip unit Kunlunxin has filed a Hong Kong IPO application, confirming a Reuters report in early December. Hong Kong's IPO pipeline includes AI startups and chipmakers, with Zhipu AI and Iluvatar CoreX to debut next on January 8. "Is the HK AI IPO boom sustainable?

A festive wedding celebration turned chaotic when a suspension bridge suddenly collapsed, causing more than 50 guests to fall into the Sungai Chatel Damai in Lata Rek yesterday afternoon. — PIC BY VILLAGERSKUALA KRAI: A festive wedding celebration turned chaotic when a suspension bridge suddenly collapsed, causing more than 50 guests to fall into the Sungai Chatel Damai in Lata Rek yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, guests from the bride's side had just arrived at the wedding, he said. Mohd Zaki said the suspension bridge had been repaired several times as it is the main access route for residents of five houses in the area. He said Manek Urai assemblyman Fauzi Abdullah visited the site yesterday afternoon, and the collapsed suspension bridge will be repaired immediately.

A Saudi Arabian crew member of a cargo vessel was evacuated in the early hours today after sustaining injuries in an electrical fire incident off the waters of Labuan. — BERNAMALABUAN: A Saudi Arabian crew member of a cargo vessel was evacuated in the early hours today after sustaining injuries in an electrical fire incident off the waters of Labuan. "The cargo vessel was located about 2.6 nautical miles southeast of Pulau Papan. "Following the report, a PETIR 90 patrol boat was immediately deployed from the Labuan Maritime Zone jetty to carry out a medical evacuation operation," he told Bernama today. "The injured crew member was safely transferred to the Labuan Maritime Zone jetty before being handed over to ambulance personnel and taken to Hospital Labuan for further treatment," he said.

More than half, or 51.6 per cent, of children in Peninsular Malaysia were found to start engaging with digital devices on their own before reaching the age of four. — NSTP/ASWADI ALIASKUALA LUMPUR: More than half, or 51.6 per cent, of children in Peninsular Malaysia were found to start engaging with digital devices on their own before reaching the age of four. Meanwhile, 31.7 per cent of children began using digital devices, such as smartphones or tablets, before the age of two, but under adult supervision. The study also showed that 24.2 per cent of preschool children aged five and six own their own smartphone or tablet. This means that nearly one in four preschool children has their own digital device, even at an early stage of development.

CHGP said the unbilled sales as at Sept 30, 2025 were derived from ongoing residential projects across Greater Kuala Lumpur and the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. “Heading into 2026, CHGP expects demand to remain resilient for well-located, mid-market and landed residential products, particularly among owner-occupiers and young families. “The group is preparing to launch several new residential projects over the coming quarters, with sales targets calibrated to prevailing market conditions and affordability considerations,” it added. Meanwhile, group chief executive officer Chang Tze Yoong said the focus going into 2026 is on project delivery and operational excellence. “The group remains committed to prudent capital management while scaling its residential portfolio in line with demand trends,” it added.

What we rarely do, however, is take stock of our social, political and moral progress and reflect on our collective choices. Malaysian public healthcare can be seen as such a commons. Many who could afford private treatment instead opt for public healthcare, either because they are “priced out” or because it costs “only RM1-RM5”. This can create a domino effect toward overuse and potential collapse of the public healthcare system. All these prompt a critical question: Can Malaysia’s universal healthcare system still maximise utility for all when the quality of care is compromised by structural and systemic challenges?

(Jan 2): Copper rose on the first trading day of 2026, after capping the biggest annual gain since 2009 on prospects for a tighter market. The red metal resumed its advance on Friday after losing 1.1% in the previous session. Copper notched a series of all-time highs during an end-of-year surge, making it the best performer of the six industrial metals on the LME. The red metal was 0.8% higher at US$12,522.50 (RM50,767) a tonne at 10.45am Singapore time, after hitting a record of US$12,960 on Monday. Iron ore futures in Singapore rose 0.2% to US$105.60 a tonne.

(Jan 2): PT Vale Indonesia has suspended operations at its nickel mines after not receiving approval for its annual work plan from the authorities. Nickel prices largely trod water in 2025 before rallying sharply in December on expectations for a tighter market. Nickel futures on the London Metal Exchange were 1% higher at US$16,855 (RM68,331) a tonne by 11.15am Singapore time. Vale Indonesia is one of the country’s biggest nickel miners and is making large investments in high pressure acid leach plants, which produce a form of the metal used by the electric vehicle sector. HPAL capacity is set to expand significantly in Indonesia this year, from six facilities to at least 14.

All those detained face charges under Section 19 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment for consuming intoxicating drinks. NSTP/FILE PICJOHOR BARU: Thirty-two Muslims, including six Singaporeans, were detained for consuming alcohol during a New Year's Eve raid at an entertainment outlet yesterday. The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) said the 3.10am operation saw 25 men and seven women aged between 18 and 45 detained. During the raid, enforcement officers secured all entry and exit points of the outlet to prevent escape attempts. All those detained face charges under Section 19 of the Johor Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment for consuming intoxicating drinks.