CORPORATE bonds are exposed to abrupt downside as liquidity providers are increasingly replaced by liquidity takers. JPMorgan Chase and Co’s Jamie Dimon has warned of parallels to the era prior to the 2008 financial crisis. He’s not wrong to be concerned, as we will see, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at credit spreads, which are back near historic lows.
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA marked its 77th anniversary on Friday (Feb 27) with a flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters here, reaffirming the party’s commitment to defend the rights and interests of Malaysians. Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, led the ceremony in the morning, joined by central committee members, in conjunction with the party’s founding anniversary. Founded in 1949, MCA has traversed a 77-year journey through shifting political landscapes and defining moments, he said. “As we enter our 77th year, the political winds may change, yet our resolve to defend Malaysians’ rights and interests does not waver,” he said in a Facebook post. Dr Wee added that MCA's fundamental principle has never shifted, even as national politics take on various forms and configurations.
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia has contributed about 30 tonnes of dates and 25,000 copies of the Quran to Malaysia in conjunction with Ramadan 1447H, continuing its annual assistance to the country. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the donation is a reflection of the strong and harmonious ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Every year, they generously present dates to our country. Also present were Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Malaysia Osama Dakhil Al-Ahmadi and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) representative Raid Mohamad. Zulkifli added that the dates, including the Syukari variety, were produced in Saudi Arabia and are among the world’s finest.
WHAT do video production company The Dor Brothers and the mushrooming of medical kiosks in Shanghai have in common? Well, the former is a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI) video production, having produced more than 300 AI-generated videos, generating more than 100 million views worldwide.
PETALING JAYA: Anyone found to be involved in an attempt to topple the government and disrupt the country’s stability must face the law, regardless of their status or background, says the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). The AGC said this following a statement by Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail who confirmed that the police was investigating a report lodged about a plot to overthrow the government. “The AGC views this matter very seriously. The AGC stressed that any investigation must be done in a thorough and professional manner, free of any interference. “Any decision involving prosecution will be done independently and objectively based on facts, statements and legal considerations,” it added.
KOTA KINABALU: Over 6,000 people have sought shelter as Sabah’s flood situation remains critical on the third day in the state’s interior and southwestern districts. A total of 5,860 residents from 2,067 households remain affected in the flood affecting interior Tenom as well as Beaufort, Membakut, and Sipitang in the state’s south western coast. Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jafar has ordered his officers to inspect flood-affected areas in Tenom, Nabawan, Sook, Tongod, Sipitang, Beaufort and Pitas. In view of the flood situation in Beaufort, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah said that it was crucial for the Finance Ministry to provide additional special emergency allocations. More than 5,000 people were evacuated to relief centres during the first wave, though the situation there has since improved.
"It means the PBOC is intervening as the yuan's appreciation is too fast," said Yuan Tao, an analyst at Orient Futures. But he said the measure will only slow the yuan's appreciation, expecting the dollar to remain weak. "It is clear that PBOC wants the yuan appreciation pace to slow." Highlighting the urgency for Chinese companies to embrace forex hedging, a growing number of listed companies say the stronger yuan is hurting their profits. Robot maker Ninebot, Shenzhen Hello Tech Energy Co and Shenzhen Hui chuang Da Technology also disclosed negative impacts from yuan appreciation.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Feb 27) extended prayers and well-wishes to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. "Praying that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim is granted enduring health and remains under Allah SWT's protection, mercy and care," he posted on Facebook. According to Istana Negara, the King is currently unwell due to musculoskeletal pain affecting his back and hips. Medical specialists have also advised His Majesty to rest and refrain from attending official events to allow for treatment and recovery.
IPOH: After years of uncertainty, the land dispute involving the Datuk Kong Temple in Tanjung Piandang, Kerian will soon be resolved. The Perak government has granted gazetted status to the temple site and freehold ownership to adjacent shoplots, says Sandrea Ng. This brings an end to an ownership dispute that has persisted for more than 13 years. Ng said that historical records indicated the land was originally granted freehold status to several local Chinese residents between 1913 and 1918. Under the latest decision, the temple site will be formally gazetted as a religious reserve, while the residential and commercial units receive freehold status.
PETALING JAYA: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia is undergoing follow-up treatment for a musculoskeletal condition involving the muscles and bones in his back and hip, says Istana Negara. The palace said His Majesty had been advised by medical experts to rest and refrain from attending official functions to allow space for treatment and recovery. “His Majesty was undergoing follow-up treatment and was unable to attend the breaking of fast event with the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, foreign representatives and senior government officials at Istana Negara yesterday,” it said in a statement on Friday (Feb 27). The palace added that the official opening of the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia mosque, which Sultan Ibrahim was scheduled to officiate on Wednesday night, had also been postponed to a later date. “Istana Negara would like to inform that His Majesty will resume official duties once His Majesty’s health has recovered,” the statement added.
PUTRAJAYA: As the month of Ramadan enters its ninth day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has met to break fast with Malaysian media practitioners. During the Majlis Berbuka Puasa Islah Madani at Seri Perdana on Friday (Feb 27), the Prime Minister also took time to mingle and share stories with reporters and cameramen. Anwar, clad in a light blue baju Melayu, also witnessed the presentation of financial assistance to 10 media practitioners through the Tabung Kasih@Hawana, aimed at easing their burden ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The assistance presented by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil was a gesture of appreciation for the service and dedication of media practitioners in delivering accurate information to the public and contributing to the development of national discourse. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching and Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng were also present.
KANGAR: A badminton coach was fined RM3,000 by the Sessions Court here on Friday (Feb 27) after pleading guilty to offering a RM55 cash bribe to a police corporal in May 2022. Judge Datuk Nu'aman Mahmud Zuhudi ordered Lim Chon Shia, 45, to serve three months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. According to the charge, Lim gave the cash to the police officer as an inducement to refrain from taking legal action against him for driving without a valid licence. The offence was committed at Jalan Guar Nangka, Arau, at about 10.45am on May 28, 2022. He was charged under Section 214 of the Penal Code.
WASHINGTON (Feb 28): US construction spending increased in December, lifted by a rebound in single-family homebuilding as well as ongoing strength in home renovations. The Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Friday that construction spending rose 0.3% after falling 0.2% in November. Construction spending slipped 0.4% year-on-year in December. Spending on private construction projects rose 0.5% in December after easing 0.2% in November. State and local government construction spending declined 0.7% in December, but outlays on federal government projects increased 1.6%.
Beyond the culinary debates, there's a persistent claim amongst Malaysians that eating petai can help prevent diabetes or lower blood sugar levels. But can this notoriously smelly bean really help diabetics control their blood sugar? The review found that seven in vivo studies (studies using live animals) and three in vitro studies (laboratory studies) all proved the effectiveness of stink beans as an anti-diabetic agent. The hypoglycemic effect, meaning the ability to lower blood sugar, is attributed to the presence of three specific compounds: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and stigmast-4-en-3-one. The plant sterols in petai appear to have anti-hyperglycemic effects, meaning they prevent blood sugar from rising too high.
(Feb 28): The Canadian economy ended the year on a softer note as a sharp decline in business inventories drove down real gross domestic product (GDP) by an annualised 0.6% in the fourth quarter (4Q). The decline in business inventories was partially offset by increased household spending, exports and government capital spending, Statistics Canada reported on Friday. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg were expecting a 0.2% annualised decline over the last three months of 2025, while the Bank of Canada projected flat growth. A preliminary estimate suggests real GDP remained unchanged in January, after increasing by 0.2% in December on a monthly basis, slightly stronger than economists’ estimate of 0.1%. St-Arnaud added a bump in exports suggests the economy was on a better footing to end 2025.
