Other local fruits want in too
He added that any discussion about official fruits should not just focus on export stars like durian or pineapple; it must recognise the staples that ordinary households buy regularly. He also urged the government to pair symbolism with action through a “local fruits first” policy, particularly in public institutions such as schools, hospitals, military camps, government canteens, official events and state-linked companies. “Local fruits are fresher, travel shorter distances and fit our eating habits. “If ministries, agencies and even private companies consistently serve and buy local fruits, that will do far more for the sector than slogans alone,” he said when contacted. Koh stressed that supporting local fruits ultimately advances three national goals – public health, food security and sustainable agriculture – and called for long-term support packages to accompany any future “official fruit” announcement.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 03:55 UTC
Opinion: The future of leadership in the age of AI: From authority to orchestration
The digital era, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), will not eliminate the need for leadership; it will ruthlessly redefine it. These are the irreplaceable domains of human leadership. > Strategic AI integration: The goal is not to adopt tools, but to redesign business models and core workflows around AI-driven intelligence. > Elevated human skills: Paradoxically, the more automated operations become, the more critical human leadership becomes. The competitive imperative: Defining the future, being ahead of the curveUltimately, winning in the digital future will distinguish leaders and organisations that can:1.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 29, 2025 02:53 UTC
Prices of mandarins to stay stable
Fruit production strong, supply assured for CNYPETALING JAYA: A good harvest in key producing areas is expected to keep mandarin orange supply steady and prices stable for Chinese New Year in February, say industry leaders. “Supply should be sufficient and prices are unlikely to rise as volumes are large,” she said in an interview. Malaysian Vegetable Importers Association chairman Datuk Seri Teh Meng Huat said the market outlook remains difficult to assess due to ongoing logistics and clearance challenges. On prices, he said the main uncertainty lies in freight costs, which can fluctuate due to global market conditions. “If the market is stable, everyone knows roughly how much is coming in,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 02:11 UTC
Crest Builder builds on RM1.8bil orderbook
Crest Builder Holdings Bhd has historically been a profitable group since going public through a reverse takeover of MGR Corp Bhd in 2003. For nearly two decades, the construction group consistently stayed in the black – supported by steady project flows, healthy construction margins, recurring concession income and a disciplined approach to investments and developments.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 02:03 UTC
Bursa Malaysia remains subdued amid year-end mood
KUALA LUMPUR: With investors revelling in year-end celebrations, the domestic market is expected to stay in range-bound over the final days of 2025 trading. The FBM KLCI was up 0.21 points to 1,677.31 at Monday's open, putting it on course to ending the year at a 17-month high. TA Securities said market activities is likely to stay subdued this week with thinner year-end participation and the absence of meaningful domestic catalysts curbing follow-through buying. However, the research firm said this was an intermittent correction following the index adding almost 28 points over five trading days. Of actives, TWL was flat at 2.5 sen, Compugates unchanged at 1.5 sen and Pos Malaysia up two sen to 34.5 sen.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 01:19 UTC
Auto sector outlook brightens amid stronger 4Q momentum
PETALING JAYA: RHB Research has lifted its total industry volume (TIV) forecast for 2025 after the earnings of automotive companies for the third quarter ended September (3Q25) were deemed “overall in-line” with expectations. “This is in line with the year-to-date 2025 TIV of 727,800 units (-1% y-o-y), which is at 92% of our 2025 forecast,” it said. On the performance of selected companies, RHB Research said Sime Darby Bhd ’s core profit of RM335mil (-8% y-o-y) came largely within expectations. Meanwhile, for MBM Resources Bhd , RHB Research said the positive deviation mainly came from higher-than-expected Perodua sales volumes and contributions from associates. Management guided that Perodua’s backlogs remained resilient at 89,000 (from 90,000 in the previous quarter) and we have also lifted our sales volume assumptions for this marque accordingly.”Overall, RHB Research is keeping its “neutral” outlook for the automotive sector.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 01:11 UTC
IOIPG cautiously optimistic on prospects
PETALING JAYA: IOI Properties Group Bhd (IOIPG) remains cautiously optimistic about its prospects ahead, supported by a strategic launch pipeline across Malaysia and Singapore. “In the Klang Valley, upcoming launches include a new residential phase at Bandar Puteri Puchong and the roll-out of industrial factory layouts and land plots at IOI Industrial Park @ Banting under the IOI Industrial Park Series,” he said in the company’s annual report. “With a portfolio spanning 9.77 million sq ft across retail and office assets, the segment remains a key pillar of the group’s recurring income. In 1Q26, IOIPG achieved RM473.6mil in property sales, with local projects contributing RM384.2mil or 81% of total sales, while projects in China contributed RM89.4mil, or 19%. In Malaysia, sales were primarily driven by the Klang Valley region at RM243.4mil, while the Johor region registered RM141.7mil in sales.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 01:11 UTC
BOJ debated need for more rate hikes even after December move, summary shows
TOKYO (Dec 29): Bank of Japan (BOJ) policymakers debated the need to continue raising interest rates with some calling for "timely" action to curb future inflationary pressure, a summary of opinions at their policy meeting in December showed on Monday. At the Dec 18-19 meeting, the BOJ raised its policy rate to a 30-year high of 0.75% from 0.5%, taking another landmark step in ending decades of huge monetary support and near-zero borrowing costs. The summary showed many board members seeing the need for further increases to the BOJ's policy rate, which remained significantly negative in inflation-adjusted terms. Another opinion said the weak yen and rising long-term interest rates were due in part to the BOJ's policy rate being too low relative to inflation. "Raising the policy rate in a timely manner could curb future inflationary pressure and help hold down long-term interest rates," the second opinion showed.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 29, 2025 01:03 UTC
Lost future without medical help
Lacking mental health support, woman’s life spirals downwardsBUKIT MERTAJAM: Until six years ago, she had lived a quiet, stable life, earning a living as a clerk. Then her mental health began to unravel. Tan has since been admitted to Bukit Mertajam Hospital for a comprehensive medical assessment and treatment, including for her mental health condition. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Prem Kumar Chandrasekaran from Penang Adventist Hospital said that under the Mental Health Act, anyone may apply for help if an individual poses a danger to themselves or others. He stressed that treatment for mental illness must begin with a thorough psychiatric assessment, as different conditions require different approaches.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 01:00 UTC
Mild earthquake shakes Bukit Kepong, tremors felt across Johor and Melaka, says MetMalaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: A weak magnitude 3.4 earthquake occurred in Bukit Kepong, Pagoh, Johor at 8.55am, on Sunday (Dec 28). In a statement on Sunday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the epicentre of the earthquake was located 2.4°North and 102.7° East with a depth of 10km, 16km Southwest of Segamat, Johor. ALSO READ: Minor 2.7-magnitude earthquake recorded in Segamat, says MetMalaysia“Tremors were felt in several areas in Johor and Melaka. “The Malaysian Meteorological Department will continue to monitor the situation,” it said in the statement.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 00:26 UTC
Nursery worker held for alleged baby abuse
KUALA LUMPUR: A video showing the alleged abuse of two babies by a caretaker has led to the arrest of a suspect. Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Aidil Bolhassan said police received three reports over the alleged abuse of two babies at a nursery. “Cheras police confirm that reports of abuse involving two babies aged six and nine months have been lodged. “A total of three reports were received, and investigations led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Malaysian woman on Dec 16,” he said, adding that the suspect is a staff member of the nursery. Several CCTV videos uploaded on social media by one of the victim’s parents allegedly show a caretaker manhandling and slapping two babies.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 00:26 UTC
Holiday-thinned trade to keep Bursa Malaysia range-bound this week
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade largely sideways this week, as holiday conditions continue to dampen market activity, says an economist. IPPFA Sdn Bhd director of investment strategy and country economist Mohd Sedek Jantan noted that with most major macroeconomic and corporate catalysts already priced in, the year-end rally is likely to lose momentum, while trading volumes should remain subdued. He said the market will be closed on Thursday for the New Year holiday, and Friday’s session is likely to be broadly flat. “Even so, the FBM KLCI is on track to close the year above the 1,643 level, delivering a positive outcome for 2025. “This would represent the first instance in the post-pandemic period of two consecutive years of market gains, reinforcing the view that Malaysia’s equity market has moved onto a firmer structural footing,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 29, 2025 00:07 UTC
Investor Relations Takes Centre Stage — Upcoming Recognition at Bursa Malaysia IR Awards
This shift reflects a broader change in how public listed companies (PLCs) engage with investors and and the investment community. From a regulatory standpoint, the emphasis is on ensuring that PLCs maintain accessible, accurate and compliant IR practices. Companies that communicate clearly and consistently tend to attract a base of long-term investors who understand the business model and risks. Categories will include best company in IR by sector, best CEO and CFO in IR, outstanding IR team and best ESG integration in IR. Inside the modern IR toolkitEffective IR rests on practical building blocks, with several core components forming robust IR.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 29, 2025 00:03 UTC
Return of global funds puts Southeast Asia in spotlight for 2026
(Dec 29) : Global capital is coming back to Southeast Asia’s stock markets this month, positioning the cohort as one of the must-watch pockets of global finance for 2026. Asean markets have “very different growth engines behind them,” he said. Some Asean markets like Vietnam are also seen gaining from global supply-chain shifts away from China and the Federal Reserve’s expected interest-rate cuts. In Indonesia, investors are wary about President Prabowo Subianto’s populist policies. At the same time, should the AI theme continue to win favor among investors, Asean markets will struggle to shake their underperformance.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 29, 2025 00:03 UTC
Sabah rep seeks answers over ongoing stateless children begging in Kota Kinabalu
KOTA KINABALU: The state government must explain the continued presence of stateless children begging along main roads in the state capital, despite an allocation of RM250,000 meant to address the issue. “What is the status of the RM250,000 allocation approved in 2022 to address the issue of Palauh children or stateless minors who continue to beg around Kota Kinabalu City? “These children are still seen at traffic lights near Wawasan Plaza, Wisma Merdeka, and the Post Office, begging from motorists. This reflects a poor image of Kota Kinabalu that sees so many foreign tourists,” he said in a statement Sunday (Dec 28). However, after the initial pilot project, the state has yet to announce any fresh initiatives, though James had indicated that more guidelines were needed from state and federal governments in handling stateless children.
Source:The Star
December 28, 2025 23:59 UTC