GEORGE TOWN (Dec 31): A total of 122 extension projects are planned to be implemented in 2026 in Penang, covering public infrastructure, community facilities and special economic projects, which are expected to be realised smoothly. “As a rapidly developing state, the need for modern infrastructure and an efficient public transport system is increasingly urgent. "Generally, it can be driven through a green economy, creative industries, digital technology and social innovation that opens up new job opportunities without affecting the environment, by prioritising the balance between economic growth, social justice and sustainability. In his final term as chief minister, Chow is grateful and proud to see the state continue to move forward and play a significant role in national development. According to him, Penang's strength lies not only in its strategic location and rich historical heritage, but also in the spirit and ability of its people to drive sustainable, competitive, inclusive and change-ready economic growth.

Being a serial buyer, Catcha Digital’s earning growth is fed by investments in small but profitable businesses. Just as pressing is the risk of over-diversification, with Catcha Digital spreading into media, software and trade expos at a pace some investors fear could outrun its managerial bandwidth. The 50-year-old Grove is non-independent non-executive chairman of Catcha Digital and Elliott is a non-independent non-executive director. However, the company’s expanded share base kept its earnings per share growth more modest, rising to 1.63 sen in 9MFY2025 from 0.55 sen in FY2023. Now, whether the market buys the narrative of Catcha Digital’s M&A spree is the real test for 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): Malaysia Smelting Corporation Bhd (KL:MSC) has promoted its deputy chief executive officer Nicolas Chen Seong Lee and group chief financial officer Lam Hoi Khong as co-group CEOs effective Jan 1, 2026. His responsibilities included assisting the group CEO in overseeing legal, corporate, human resources, security, information technology, procurement and administrative matters. Lam, 55, has more than 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, corporate finance, auditing and taxation. Separately, MSC also announced the appointment of former Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif as an independent non-executive director, effective Jan 1. Maimunah was in the news in early November after her tenure as the Kuala Lumpur mayor was shortened from the original end date of August 2026.

(Dec 31): China has adjusted its cash-for-clunkers programme that could impact lower-priced brands such as BYD Co, potentially reducing the boost to new car sales next year. To receive the maximum 20,000 yuan subsidy, a new car would need to cost at least 166,700 yuan. Even though the extension of trade-in subsidies is welcome news to the auto industry, the new conditions lend uncertainty to how much the programme will underpin demand in 2026. An earlier-than-anticipated withdrawal of the trade-in programme in some parts of the country this year hit auto sales, leading to an 8% drop in November during what is usually a peak time for demand. “The revised 2026 vehicle trade-in subsidy programmes will reduce support for mid-to-low-priced vehicles under 150,000 yuan, a shift from 2025 policies that offered uniform subsidy amounts,” the analysts wrote in a note.

(Dec 31): Zijin Mining Group Co is planning double-digit growth for its gold and copper production in 2026, after surging prices and expanding operations propelled annual profit to another record. In 2026, Zijin Mining will target mined gold and copper output at 105 tonnes and 1.2 million tonnes respectively, it said in a statement. The company aims to achieve a yearly 100-tonne gold output target two years ahead of schedule, it said in a separate statement on WeChat. Acquisitions of gold mines in Ghana and Kazakhstan and expansion at its Julong copper mine in China’s Tibet region have driven production growth, it added. Its recently spun-off gold unit, Zijin Gold International Co, said in a separate statement that estimated net income surged as much as 233% to US$1.6 billion (RM6.49 billion) in 2025.

(Dec 31): Copper headed for its biggest annual gain since 2009, fuelled by bets that demand for the key metal in electrification will outpace supply. The red metal has notched a series of all-time highs in an end-of-year surge, rallying over 40% on the London Metal Exchange this year. They pointed to Federal Reserve easing, a boom in technology industries and the reshaping of global supply chains because of US tariffs as bullish for the red metal. Copper slipped 0.4% to US$12,515 (RM50,773.35) a tonne on the London Metal Exchange as of 12.01pm in Shanghai (same time as Malaysia). Iron ore futures rose 0.1% to US$105.75 a tonne on the Singapore Exchange, up 5% this year.

The White House said immediately after talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that China had pledged to buy at least 12 million tonnes of US soybeans by the end of this year. The return of Chinese buyers is welcome news for US exporters, and a reminder that buying patterns can change fast — but it is not yet a full reset. “We cannot confirm from China’s side that anything beyond the 12 million tonnes has been pledged,” said Ben Buckner, grains and dairy analyst at AgResource Co. The brokerage wrote in a note this week that China was seeking shipments and could reach a “soft target” of 10 million tonnes in 2025, with an additional two million tonnes in January. “From our vantage point, once you quantify that they’re going to buy 12 million tonnes, you need something in excess of that to get everyone excited,” Bennett, co-founder of farm advisory AgMarket.Net, said in a phone interview.

While these partnerships have helped ease the government’s fiscal burden, concerns over the affordability and long-term financial sustainability of PPP projects are mounting. Rising fiscal commitments and budgetary strainOne of the main affordability issues surrounding PPP projects in Malaysia stems from their financial structure. Cost overruns and renegotiationsCost overruns have further exacerbated affordability concerns in Malaysian PPP projects. The way forward: Enhancing PPP affordabilityTo address these challenges, policymakers must carefully assess the financial feasibility of PPP projects before implementation. Some potential measures include:Strengthening cost-benefit analyses: Ensuring that all PPP projects undergo rigorous affordability assessments to prevent long-term fiscal burdens.

Several key infrastructure projects finally got off the ground, with construction of the RM16bil light rail transit (LRT), a cornerstone of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), commencing in January. It centralised various government agencies including the National Registration Department (JPN), Immigration Department (JIM), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and the police under one roof. Penang Island City Council (MBPP) enforcement personnel operating the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system in George Town. Errant motoristsBoth Penang Island and Seberang Perai city councils rolled out the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system for roadside parking in April. Thomas Cup winner Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe (left) posing for a photo during the Penang Badminton Association’s centenary celebration in Penang.

KOTA TINGGI: An Indonesian worker was killed in a landslide in front of a factory that is still under construction. “We reached the site to find two plumbing workers buried in the landslide. “A 32-year-old local man managed to escape, while the 52-year-old Indonesian worker was buried in soil estimated to be about 3m deep,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 31). He added that the Indonesian was extricated using ropes, an excavator and digging equipment. Khairul Sufian said that after the area was declared safe, the machinery and firemen returned to the station and the operation ended at 4.25pm.

From star-studded concerts and cultural bazaars to dazzling fireworks displays, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are transforming into a massive celebration hub. In collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, Pavilion Group has a series of programmes to welcome visitors to Kuala Lumpur and promote the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. At Pavilion Bukit Jalil, a VM2026-­­­themed bazaar runs until today, featuring a mix of street food, artisanal goods, and cultural performances. Those seeking a livelier atmosphere should head to the VM2026 Arts and Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88 in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, tonight. These events will culminate in a grand countdown across the street at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a severe alert for continuous rain in several areas of Sarawak, starting on Wednesday (Dec 31) and continuing until Thursday (Jan 1). MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip announced that severe continuous heavy rain is expected to occur in Kuching, Serian (Serian) and Samarahan, while the alert level is in Serian (Tebedu), Sri Aman and Betong. The public can get the latest weather information via the department's official website, the myCuaca application and MetMalaysia's official social media pages or call 1-300-22-1638 for any further enquiries.- Bernama

(Dec 31): South Korea’s consumer inflation stayed above the central bank’s target for a fourth straight month, even as price growth cooled slightly on slower increases in food and broader living costs. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, advanced at a 2% pace, matching the 2% clip in November, the data showed. Authorities warned earlier this month that strength in food prices could help push inflation above the projected path next year, even as underlying price pressure remains largely contained. The slowdown was led by easing costs for telecommunication, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. What Bloomberg Economics says... “We expect CPI to stay elevated in the near term as a weaker won lifts import costs and keeps underlying pressures firm.

SINGAPORE (Dec 31): Professor Tan Cheng Han, founding chairman of SGX RegCo, will be stepping down after nearly nine years on the board. Sung Cheng Chih, a former chief risk officer of GIC, will be taking over with effect from Jan 1. Tan, a former dean of the NUS Faculty of Law, was in the news recently for taking on the president role at the Law Society of Singapore.

Selected sectoral indices – such as plantation, financial services and real estate investment trusts (REITs) – emerged as outperformers amid a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. “We opine that the finance and consumer sectors could see this momentum continue in 2026. As of Monday, we observed that the only sectors in the positive territory y-t-d are REITs, plantation and finance. Yong also noted that the plantation sector remains a top performer, with crude palm oil prices trading between RM3,900 and RM4,100. Meanwhile, on key themes for 2026, Tan believes Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) will play a key role in supporting the economy and equity market.