5G uncertainty remains key overhang for Malaysia's telcos
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the rollout and adoption of 5G (fifth-generation mobile technology) is expected to remain a significant overhang for Malaysia’s mobile telecommunications sector. STR/HAZREEN MOHAMADKUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the rollout and adoption of 5G (fifth-generation mobile technology) is expected to remain a significant overhang for Malaysia's mobile telecommunications sector. We expect 5G uncertainty to remain an overhang for the mobile telcos," said the firm. "We note further manifestation of merger synergies could serve to offset the impact of DNB losses," Maybank IB said. We have not yet incorporated mobile telcos' impending equity accounting of DNB's losses into our forecasts, pending further guidance on prevailing losses run rate," it added.
Source:New Strait Times
January 05, 2026 04:56 UTC
SMEs enter "survival zone" amid rising compliance costs
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia are entering what the Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) describes as a “survival zone” in 2026, as the cumulative cost of regulatory compliance reaches a breaking point. KUALA LUMPUR: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia are entering what the Small and Medium Enterprises Association Malaysia (Samenta) describes as a "survival zone" in 2026, as the cumulative cost of regulatory compliance reaches a breaking point. He added that unless repealed or postponed, SMEs will have to grapple with a surge of new regulations that took effect on Jan 1, 2026. "For SMEs to survive beyond 2026, the gap between government policies and the realities on the ground must be closed. "Samenta urges the government to act as a strategic partner in this transition, ensuring that compliance becomes a catalyst for competitiveness rather than a barrier to business survival," Ng said.
Source:New Strait Times
January 05, 2026 04:55 UTC
Thailand central bank estimates economy grew 2.2% in 2025
BANGKOK (Jan 5): Thailand's central bank estimated that the economy grew 2.2% in 2025, but said momentum was expected to moderate in 2026 and 2027, according to the minutes from its latest policy meeting published on Monday. The committee said monetary policy could be more accommodative as the economy showed clearer signs of slowdown, amid heightened risks. It said headline inflation was expected to remain subdued, largely due to supply-side factors. Policymakers were also concerned about the baht's appreciation and its impact on exporters, especially small and medium-sized firms, and warned that the economy continued to face prolonged cyclical pressures, structural challenges and uncertainties.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 04:54 UTC
[UPDATED] Terengganu exco fined RM2,000 over seditious remarks
Kijal assemblyman Datuk Razali Idris has been fined RM2,000, or in default, three months’ jail after being found guilty of making remarks against the judiciary and claiming it was “under the control” of the government three years ago. — SCREENGRAB FROM SOCIALC MEDIAKUALA LUMPUR: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Razali Idris has been fined RM2,000, or in default three months jail after being found guilty of making seditious remarks against the judiciary institution's court decisions and claiming it was "under the control" of the government three years ago. The court ruled that Razali, who is also Terengganu state executive councillor, failed to raise reasonable doubt in his defence against the prosecution. He said the video of Razali making the seditious remarks was deleted not long after it was posted on social media. Also on the legal team were lawyers Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin, Mohd Sahrilnizam Mohd Amin, Hasshahari Johari Mawi, Mohd Tajuddin Abd Razak and Muhammad Ridhwan Jalaludin.
Source:New Strait Times
January 05, 2026 04:26 UTC
Nawawi Tie appoints Daniel Ma as managing director
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 5): Daniel Ma (pictured) has been appointed managing director of Nawawi Tie, effective Jan 1, 2026, succeeding Eddy Wong, who served in the role since 2012. Ma joined Nawawi Tie in 2012 as associate director and head of valuation, where he led the department through a period of significant expansion in corporate and bank mortgage valuations, according to a press statement issued Monday. In his new role, Ma will provide strategic leadership at the firm’s headquarters, oversee its Johor and Penang offices, and lead further expansion across Malaysia. “I am grateful for the trust the management has placed in me to lead Nawawi Tie into its next chapter. During Wong’s tenure, the company expanded its market presence with the opening of offices in Penang in 2021 and Johor in 2024.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 04:13 UTC
Big gains likely for Sunway shareholders from listing of healthcare arm
PETALING JAYA: Monetary proceeds from the impending listing of Sunway Healthcare Holdings (SHH) is expected to be redeployed to Sunway Bhd ’s other profitable divisions, including the property sector. According to Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research), the proceeds that SHH’s main shareholder Sunway will accrue is potentially close to RM900mil and this can be redeployed into higher-return opportunities across the group. This will see Sunway’s stake in SHH being diluted from 84% to about 69.5%, HLIB Research said. “Despite Sunway owning a majority stake of 84% in SHH, SHH financials are equity accounted. Sunway will distribute SHH shares to its shareholders via a dividend-in-specie on the basis of one SHH share for every ten Sunway shares held, with the entitlement date to be determined later.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 04:12 UTC
Palliative care helped family through testing period
He credited palliative care for helping his family navigate an emotionally devastating period. The 37-year-old described palliative care as not giving up, but a way to preserve dignity at the end of life. He said the palliative care nurses’ role went far beyond clinical care, as they patiently explained and reassured family members with empathy. “We hope to cover more areas, including Senai, Kulai and Iskandar Puteri, but we are limited by resources and a shortage of palliative care nurses,” he said. Those interested in learning more about palliative care or contributing to the association can call 07-222 9188 or e-mail pcajb.admin@gmail.com.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 03:32 UTC
JB folk seek practicality in Danga Bay revamp plan
JOHOR BARU residents are divided over the Danga Bay redevelopment as the promise of a high-tech “smart park” clashes with the loss of the area’s historic coastal charm. She said around 2008 to 2010, Danga Bay was the go-to spot for her family, especially when it was relatively quiet with eateries by the seaside. “Danga Bay is one of the nicest places to enjoy the view, and visitors can see Singapore from there. Sales manager Jasmine Tan, who also used to visit Danga Bay when her children were younger, recalled the funfair, food stalls and vendors that made the area lively. “I was really sad when I drove past Danga Bay and saw the skatepark had been demolished because that was where I first learned to skate back in 2015.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 03:31 UTC
Alibaba brings visual AI into food fight with China’s Meituan — Bloomberg
(Jan 5): Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is launching a service to help restaurants use artificial intelligence (AI) to showcase interiors, part of a broader effort to compete with Meituan in the Chinese food and dining sector. Amap, Alibaba’s maps and local services unit, will soon allow restaurants to render 3D-images by just uploading videos or photos, according to people familiar with the matter. Chinese companies are increasingly experimenting with AI, to enhance existing businesses and carve out new markets. Amap’s latest initiative signals Alibaba’s effort to expand in a segment dominated by Meituan, the leader in food delivery, reviews and local services such as restaurant bookings. In 2025, China’s e-commerce leader committed dozens of billions of yuan in incentives and subsidies towards its most popular online services to vie with Meituan and JD.com Inc.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 03:13 UTC
Indonesia tightens grip on resources with Switzerland-sized land grab
In a matter of months, this repurposed company led largely by retired military officers has become the world’s biggest palm oil player by area held. Prabowo “claims that the state has reclaimed four million hectares because these plots were located within forest zones,” said Achmad Sukarsono at consultancy Control Risks. Other major palm oil operators, including Golden Agri-Resources Ltd, Cargill Inc and state-owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara III, did not respond to Bloomberg queries on the seizures. The Indonesian Mining Association and Indonesia Nickel Miners Association didn't reply to requests for comment. Overlapping land allocations are common in palm oil, where some areas are permitted for cultivation though they are still classified as forest areas, said Tungkot Sipayung, executive director of the Palm Oil Agribusiness Strategic Policy Institute.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 02:44 UTC
PM to deliver 2026 new year message at 11.30AM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will deliver the 2026 New Year Message at 11.30 am on Monday (Jan 6). In a Facebook post, Anwar said the message will be delivered during the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly and will outline the government’s direction, key initiatives and several major announcements to be implemented throughout the year. The address will be broadcast live on all local television channels and streamed on the Prime Minister’s Facebook page.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 02:28 UTC
‘Two key priorities this year’
Preschool curriculum, new education plan top focus, says FadhlinaKUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of a new preschool curriculum and the launch of an Education Development Plan are the Education Ministry’s key priorities this year. “The primary focus is the implementation of this new preschool curriculum. “Our second key priority is the new Education Development Plan, which is scheduled for launch in January,” Fadhlina said during the Ceria ke Sekolah (Happy to go to School) programme in the Bandar Tun Razak constituency yesterday. Also present were Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and the Prime Minister’s political secretary, Datuk Azman Abidin, Bernama reported. Dr Wan Azizah, the Prime Minister’s wife, said the programme reflects the collective concern to assist underprivileged families.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 02:14 UTC
Growing need for palliative care
“People with dementia may suffer from sleep disturbances and palliative care can help manage these symptoms,” he said. ALSO READ: Walking with patients to the very endContrary to common belief, palliative care does not begin only at the final stages of illness. “In the past, palliative care was offered very late. He said an estimated 180,000 Malaysians required palliative care last year. Hospis Malaysia chief executive officer Dr Ednin Hamzah, who shared the concerns, said hospice and palliative care extended far beyond end-of-life care.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 02:14 UTC
Alleged RON95 cheater identified
JOHOR BARU: Police have successfully traced the owner of a foreign-registered vehicle alleged to have filled up with RON95 petrol by concealing the registration number plate. The case is being investigated under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act 1987. “We would like to advise the public not to arbitrarily alter or attempt to conceal vehicle registration numbers, as this is against the law,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported. A one-minute, 30-second video went viral on social media recently showing a vehicle bearing a Singapore registration plate being refuelled with RON95 petrol. Its director, Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, was quoted as saying that action was taken for allegedly violating the directive of the Controller of Supplies, namely the prohibition on the sale of RON95 petrol to foreign-registered vehicles.
Source:The Star
January 05, 2026 02:09 UTC
Saks in talks for US$1 bil loan to keep doors open
(Jan 4): Saks Global Enterprises is in talks to secure a loan of about US$1 billion as it prepares for a possible Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the coming weeks, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday citing people familiar with the matter. Saks Global did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Bondholders have discussed a debtor-in-possession (DIP) loan structure that could include at least US$750 million in new money and a roll-up of existing debt to allow the New York-based company to continue operating after it files for bankruptcy, the Bloomberg report added. Earlier this month, Marc Metrick stepped down as chief executive of the company and Richard Baker was named as his successor.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 05, 2026 02:08 UTC