KKR, Kreate complete purchase of South Korea's Cheongna Logistics Center
HONG KONG/SINGAPORE/BENGALURU (Dec 30): Global investment firm KKR and its affiliated Korean asset manager, Kreate Asset Management, said on Tuesday that they have completed the purchase of Cheongna Logistics Center, which they say is South Korea's largest single-asset logistics deal. Brookfield Asset Management, which sold the logistics centre to the KKR-led consortium, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. KKR won a bidding process for the asset, according to local media. Previous investments include Incheon Metro Logistics, a large-scale warehouse development in Incheon, and Hwaseong Jegi Logistics Centre, a major facility in a key logistics hub. KKR has also been active in logistics across Asia, with investments in LOGISTEED, a leading third-party logistics provider in Japan, and Reliance Logistics Group in India.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 04:33 UTC
Singapore charges man tied to ex-lawyer under drug law
Shawn Loo Zhi Jian allegedly met with M Ravi, a former lawyer, to consume methamphetamine, according to the document dated Dec 26. Ravi subsequently died, according to a separate statement from the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Singapore Police. Loo, who according to his LinkedIn profile was employed as an assistant vice president at Bank of America in Singapore, didn’t respond to an email query for comment. Citizens or residents found to have consumed drugs overseas may face the same penalties as those who do so within the city-state. Ravi was part of a group of lawyers who acted in a constitutional challenge in 2014 seeking to overturn a colonial law banning sex between men.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 04:13 UTC
North Korea leader Kim calls for strong artillery production ahead of party congress
SEOUL (Dec 30): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected a factory that produces multiple rocket launchers and ordered increased output of the weapons system that would be the mainstay of the country's modernised long-range artillery, state media reported on Tuesday. North Korea has not announced the exact timing of the congress but experts expect it to happen as early as January. "It is necessary to further perfect the enterprise's production structure...to secure strong production capacity and thus fully guarantee the successful attainment of the munitions production goals, to be set forth at the Ninth Congress of the WPK," state media KCNA cited Kim as saying. Kim toured the factory where huge rocket launch vehicles loaded with what appeared to be multiple launch rockets were lined up, state media photographs showed. "Next year, doors are open for North Korea to negotiate with the US, so all these military moves by Kim are also connected to him trying to raise his negotiating leverage, by showing weapons linked to nuclear (arms)," said Park Won-gon, a North Korea expert at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 04:08 UTC
Copper racks up longest rally since 2017 with bulls at the helm
(Dec 30): Copper headed for the longest winning run since 2017 in a December rally powered by the prospect of more stress in the supply chain. Bulls say more metal will be drawn into the US to beat potential tariffs, forcing buyers to pay more. Copper hit a record just below US$13,000 a ton on Monday in an end-of-year surge, before paring gains. Copper was up 2.2% at US$12,489 a ton on the London Metal Exchange at 11:23am in Shanghai. All other metals on the exchange rose, with nickel leading gainers on the day with a 4.1% climb to US$16,455 a ton.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 04:03 UTC
Ganfeng lithium says it faces possible insider-trading charges
(Dec 30): Ganfeng Lithium Co, a major Chinese producer of the battery material, said it faces possible insider-trading charges. The case is related to a 3.32 million yuan (US$473,880, or RM1.92 million) fine the company was made to pay for insider trading in 2024 by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, according to a filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange. Ganfeng, among the world’s biggest lithium producers, received a notification that the case has been transfered from police in Yichun to the local public prosecutor for review, it said, adding that it had rectified the issues raised in 2024. The company’s operations, mainly in Yichun, remain normal and are not likely to be affected by the case, it said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 30, 2025 02:38 UTC
Cops link bloody brawl to loan dispute, not gangs
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the incident on Saturday stemmed from a personal dispute over a business loan. He said the conflict arose when the victim’s friend allowed one of the suspects to use his bank account, into which RM100,000 had been deposited through an online transaction. “However, a misunderstanding led to the victim being attacked by a group of men, while the victim’s friend managed to escape,” he added. So far, the police have arrested 13 individuals, aged between 20 and 47, including a Vietnamese woman who is the wife of one of the suspects. On Sunday, Johor Baru South police chief Asst Comm Raub Selamat confirmed that 12 local men and a Vietnamese woman were involved in the riot.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 02:01 UTC
Monsoon to lash from Jan 1 to 5
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast a monsoon surge affecting the country from Jan 1 to 5. MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the phenomenon could bring prolonged heavy rain to Sarawak, as well as strong winds and rough seas over the South China Sea during the period. “These conditions are dangerous for all coastal and maritime activities, including offshore oil platform operations,” it said in the update that was reported by Bernama. MetMalaysia also issued a Category One warning for strong winds and rough seas in the southeastern waters of Samui, Tioman, northern Bunguran, southeastern and northern Reef North, Layang-Layang, and western Palawan, also until Friday. Winds of 40-50kph with waves reaching up to 3.5m are expected in these areas, posing dangers to small boats as well as marine recreational and sports activities.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 01:44 UTC
Contingent registrations for Malaysian Games to begin on Jan 3, says exco man
REGISTRATION for all contingents taking part in the Malaysian Games (Sukma) will begin on Saturday (Jan 3), says Selangor state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi. The official visits, he said, are a Sukma tradition where official invitation letters by the host state are handed to the sports councils from the various participating states. Selangor is the host for Sukma 2026, which will take place in August. Preparation for competition equipment is close to 70% complete, with the remaining still at a negotiation stage. The official website for Sukma, as well as Para Sukma – also to be hosted by Selangor from 5 September till 14 September – will be launched in January.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 01:41 UTC
Yuqi shows he's king by pocketing big prize at Lin Dan's tournament
1 Shi Yuqi of China is still unsure how he will spend the 1.2 million yuan (RM692,600) prize money after claiming the King’s Cup title. Antonsen, though unable to retain his crown, still had reason to smile, pocketing 600,000 yuan (RM346,300) for finishing as runner-up. I’m still waiting for an opportunity to see what I need in my daily life," Yuqi said after the match. For the record, he is the defending champion of this year’s event, having ironically defeated Antonsen in the final 21-8, 21-15. “That injury hasn’t affected me, but once I’m on the court, I give my full focus to the match.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 01:23 UTC
Man missing after fall from Second Link bridge
ISKANDAR PUTERI: A 32-year-old man has gone missing after reportedly falling from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link near the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex. Iskandar Puteri Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Hairulnizam Mohd Noh said the incident was reported at 8.35pm on Sunday (Dec 28). "We are conducting a surface search where the man reportedly fell at KM1.3 of the bridge," he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 29). For a full list of numbers as well as operating hours, visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia or call 03-7627 2929. Alternatively, Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association Malaysia also offers a 24-hour crisis helpline at 1-800-180-066 and WhatsApp support line at 03-9765 6088 manned by trained volunteers.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 00:26 UTC
Thailand and Cambodia agree to ‘rebuild trust’
Thailand and Cambodia plan to rebuild mutual trust and gradually consolidate a ceasefire after weeks of border clashes, Beijing said in a communique with the two countries following talks. Thailand and Cambodia’s top diplomats travelled to the Chinese province of Yunnan for trilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the border situation. “Discussions between the three parties were beneficial and constructive, and an important consensus was reached,” Wang said, according to a statement released by his ministry. Thailand and Cambodia will “rebuild political mutual trust, achieve a turnaround in relations, and maintain regional peace,” according to a joint communique released by Xinhua news agency. “The implementation of the ceasefire agreement requires continued communication and consultation, and the restoration of bilateral relations must also proceed gradually,” Wang said yesterday.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 00:23 UTC
Bursa Malaysia's key index ends higher near 16-month peak
Turnover rose to 2.03 billion units worth RM1.79 billion, from 1.59 billion units worth RM1.29 billion last Friday. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index rose 16.75 points to 12,304.89, the FBM Top 100 Index gained 18.66 points to 12,109.33, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index inched up 8.31 points to 12,113.92. Main Market volume widened to 1.13 billion units worth RM1.58 billion from 1.03 billion units worth RM1.17 billion on Friday. Warrants turnover improved to 607.80 million units worth RM69.59 million, compared with 334.97 million units worth RM27.61 million previously. ACE Market volume advanced to 285.10 million units valued at RM134.76 million, versus 224.49 million units valued at RM87.30 million last week.
Source:The Star
December 30, 2025 00:02 UTC
'Dr' title not a licence to practise medicine, says MMA
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) cautioned that using the title “Dr” must not mislead the public into thinking a person is legally qualified to practise medicine. “In simpler terms, the issue is not the title itself, but the context in which it is used,” he said. He added that problems arise when unregistered individuals use the title “Dr” in medical or health-related settings, whether in person or online, particularly when giving health advice, endorsements or treatment. The MMC clarified that using the title “Dr” does not grant the right to practise medicine in Malaysia; registration with the council and a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC) are required. He added that the title “Dr” is not exclusive to doctors, and is also used by dentists, veterinarians and holders of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 23:51 UTC
Big hurdle for a small state
PETALING JAYA: There is no easy solution to the woes of the Perlis state assembly, with experts divided as to whether by-elections could end the political storm. The Perlis State Legislative Assembly held its first sitting on Dec 19, 2022, and the three-year mark lapsed 11 days ago. The current situation would leave PAS with six seats, Bersatu with five and PKR one in the 15-seat state assembly. Mazlan, too, said the current situation could result in a stalemate in the state assembly with regards to the passing of Bills. “Before this can happen, the Mentri Besar could seek the Ruler’s consent to dissolve the state assembly to hold statewide elections,” he added.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 23:23 UTC
Perlis MB and exco team to take pay cuts to ease state’s financial burden
KANGAR: Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah has announced a RM3,000 monthly pay cut on his first day in office, as part of efforts to ease the state’s financial burden. According to Sinar Harian, he said the same approach would apply to all newly appointed state executive councillors (exco), with each exco member taking a RM1,500 monthly salary reduction. For now, even RM3,000 a month, if multiplied over a year or two, will add up and help the state," he said. Previously, Sinar Harian reported that the new Perlis state exco lineup, comprising representatives from Bersatu and PAS, would be appointed within two weeks. The Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, subsequently appointed the Kuala Perlis assemblyman as the new Menteri Besar at a ceremony at Istana Arau on Sunday.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 21:56 UTC