Profit-taking hits FBM KLCI on thin Boxing Day trade
KUALA LUMPUR: The local market opens lower on Boxing Day as profit-taking sets in after the recent rally amid thinner trading conditions. The FBM KLCI is down 4.34 points, or 0.26%, to 1,673.97 at 9.27 am, after opening 0.81 of a point lower at 1,677.50. Berjaya Research Sdn Bhd said the FBM KLCI is expected to trade on a firmer footing on the final day of the trading week, supported by continued window dressing activities and sustained buying interest in selected blue-chip counters. Nevertheless, the research house noted that gains may be capped by potential profit-taking following the recent rally. “While the FBM KLCI has formed another bullish candlestick after recovering all its intraday losses, the RSI indicator is increasingly overbought, highlighting potential pullback in the interim.
Source:The Star
December 26, 2025 06:20 UTC
Stocks with momentum on Dec 26, 2025: AmFIRST REIT, Apex Healthcare and Paragon Union
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 26): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted three stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Friday. Two showed positive momentum, while another one showed negative momentum. The algorithm differentiates between stocks that exhibit positive (+ve) momentum and negative (-ve) momentum. It merely tells you which stocks are seeing higher-than-normal volume and price movements. But the “+ve” (suggesting a rising price trend on volume) and “-ve” (suggesting a falling price trend on volume) indicators should give readers a better idea of what the market is buying and when to sell.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 26, 2025 06:13 UTC
MYFutureJobs records over 620,000 job placements since 2023 — Ramanan
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 26): A total of 622,283 job placements were recorded under the MYFutureJobs initiative from 2023 to Dec 19, reflecting the effectiveness of active labour market policies and the country’s economic resilience amid global uncertainties. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said the achievement was in line with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) positive assessment of Malaysia’s economic performance and resilience. “Economic growth must go hand in hand with the creation of quality jobs. “This approach includes active job matching, skills development, social security protection, implementation of the Progressive Wage Policy and more competitive wage offerings to ensure that the country’s economic growth translates into quality job opportunities, sustainable income and a competitive workforce,” said Ramanan. The IMF said on Dec 19 that Malaysia remained resilient despite global trade tensions, underpinned by strong domestic demand, solid economic policies and prudent macroeconomic and financial management.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 26, 2025 04:38 UTC
China pledges to control steel output during 2026-2030 period
BEIJING (Dec 26): China on Friday said it will continue to regulate crude steel output and prohibit the addition of illegal new capacity from 2026 to 2030. In 2021, the world's largest steel producer and consumer put an end to growth in crude steel output as part of a plan to limit carbon emissions. In the first 11 months of 2025, China's crude steel output fell 4% from a year earlier, keeping the annual total on track to fall below one billion tons, the first time in six years. Since 2023, China's steel exports have been robust, partly offsetting falling demand at home. Last week, Beijing unveiled a plan to roll out a licensing system from 2026 to regulate exports of some 300 steel-related items.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 26, 2025 04:23 UTC
Tokyo inflation cools more than expected, weakening yen
The yen weakened to as much as 156.49 per dollar after the release, after trading around 155.80 before the data came out. Last week the BOJ’s board voted unanimously to lift the policy rate to 0.75%, the highest level since 1995. In its latest policy statement, the bank said inflation is expected to meet the bank’s target in the latter half of its projection period through fiscal year 2027. The deceleration was partly driven by fading food inflation, and the trend will likely continue going ahead. “If in June or July underlying inflation looks reasonably firm, then a rate hike could come under consideration.”
Source:The Edge Markets
December 26, 2025 03:58 UTC
Copper hits record in China, jumps in New York on supply concern
In China, prices gained 2.7% to 98,780 yuan (US$14,090 or RM56,722.79) a ton on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, while contracts rose 3% to hit US$5.743 (RM23.18) a pound on the Comex. The London Metal Exchange will reopen on Monday after the Christmas break. Comex contracts spiked to a record earlier this year in anticipation that US President Donald Trump would put tariffs on the metal. A continued rush of metal into the US has spurred concerns buyers elsewhere may end up scrambling for supplies. Futures were at 98,370 yuan a ton in Shanghai at 10.25am local time, while on the Comex, copper was at US$5.7205 a pound.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 26, 2025 03:43 UTC
Ringgit extends rally, reaches another five-year high
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit extended its rally on Friday, opening higher to reach another five-year high against the US dollar amid a holiday-shortened trading week. At 8 am, the local currency surged to 4.0410/0495 against the greenback from 4.0425/0515 at Wednesday’s close. "Hence, we expect ringgit to continue trading in a narrow range of RM4.04-RM4.05 today,” he said. At the opening, the ringgit was traded higher against a basket of major currencies. The local currency also traded higher against its ASEAN peers.
Source:The Star
December 26, 2025 01:58 UTC
Fred Chan becomes first M'sian actor to play lead villain in a Bollywood film
Another landmark moment came with 120 Bahadur, which features local actors Fred Chan and Seng Soo Ming. The pair made history as the first Malaysians to be cast as leading antagonists in a Bollywood production, playing Capt Aimer and Major Memeti, respectively. The movie also stars Indian actors Farhan Akhtar, Raashii Khanna, Vivan Bhatena and Ankit Siwach. They were huge!”Among the challenges that came with playing Capt Aimer were adopting a mainland Chinese accent and studying military commands in Chinese. Dealing with rejectionBefore acting, Chan – who had regularly participated in stage productions during his university days – spent over 10 years as a teacher.
Source:The Star
December 26, 2025 01:52 UTC
High Court to announce verdict in Najib Razak's 1MDB trial
PUTRAJAYA: The High Court will deliver its long-awaited verdict today in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM2.8bil 1MDB trial, capping more than seven years of courtroom battles in one of Malaysia’s most consequential corruption cases. Prosecutors say Najib was the central decision-maker who enabled and benefited from a complex scheme that siphoned public funds. At the same time, the defence insists the money was political donations and that Najib was misled. A conviction could result in Najib being sentenced today, with an application for a stay of appeal expected. High Court to announce verdict in Najib Razak's 1MDB trial.
Source:The Star
December 26, 2025 01:30 UTC
MACC records statements from three linked to army procurement probe
KUALA LUMPUR: Three individuals have been called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to have their statements recorded in connection with an investigation into military procurement projects. Sources said initial investigations revealed that between 2023 and 2025, there were 158 military procurement projects valued at more than RM500,000 each, while another 4,521 projects were worth below RM500,000. Previously, MACC officers were dispatched to the Defence Ministry at about 11.30am on Tuesday to begin preliminary investigations into several projects involving the army from 2023 to the present. "The probe is focusing on projects carried out through open tender procurement as well as those implemented under the Army’s Responsibility Centres (PTJ). Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation paper has been opened under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009 in relation to alleged corruption involving a senior military officer.
Source:The Star
December 26, 2025 00:01 UTC
Police officers return home after completing 18-month UN mission in Sudan
SEPANG: Thirteen police officers have returned home on Thursday (Dec 25) night after completing an 18-month deployment with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (Unmiss), which began on June 24, 2024. In his speech, Ahmad Rahim commended the officers for their dedication, discipline, and professionalism. Nor Azlina, 42, said her 18-month assignment in the conflict-affected country was her first such mission in 21 years of service with the PDRM. Reflecting on her experiences, Nor Azlina said the mission team made careful decisions and consulted with authorities whenever incidents occurred. During their deployment, PDRM officers served as Individual Police Officers (IPOs), focusing on reform, rebuilding, and restructuring to maintain public safety and order through traditional policing methods.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 23:40 UTC
Woman-in-bag murder: Main suspect to be charged tomorrow
SEREMBAN: The main suspect in the case of Suri Narudin, whose body was discovered buried in a bag behind a house in Kampung Batu 4, Pedas, here on Dec 18, will be charged in the Tampin Magistrate's Court tomorrow. Negri Sembilan police chief, Datuk Alzafny Ahmad, said the 51-year-old man will be charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code. "A 41-year-old man, who was detained earlier, will be designated as a prosecution witness," he said in a press release on Thursday (Dec 25). He advised the public to refrain from any speculation that could interfere with the legal process and urged full cooperation with the authorities. Authorities later identified the deceased as 53-year-old Suri Narudin after an examination and fingerprint comparison matched records held by the National Registration Department.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 23:19 UTC
Immigration raids popular eatery in Kampung Baru
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department raided a popular eatery in Kampung Baru on Wednesday (Dec 24) under Ops Selera over suspected illegal employment of foreign workers. Kuala Lumpur Immigration director, Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff, said the raid, conducted by 11 officers after a weeklong surveillance, resulted in the arrest of four foreign men aged 30 to 40. He said police also recorded a statement from a local, believed to be the supervisor managing the workers. Wan Mohammed Saupee said initial findings showed the foreign workers had been employed at the eatery for five to six months. The case is classified under Regulation 39(b) and Sections 15(1) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 23:18 UTC
Take action against your assemblymen too, PAS told Bersatu over Perlis SDs
"As main partners of Perikatan, we are confident that Bersatu will act consistently and firmly," Tuan Ibrahim said. Tuan Ibrahim said PAS has taken action against the trio as the party is not willing to compromise on discipline. On Wednesday (Dec 24), three PAS assemblymen in Perlis – Chuping assemblyman Saad Seman, Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail and Guar Sanji assemblyman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim – have been sacked by the party. Five Bersatu assemblymen had also signed the SDs. Without the support of the eight assemblymen, Mohd Shukri would lose a simple majority and would thus be unable to remain as Mentri Besar.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 23:06 UTC
Melaka hotels light up for Christmas after clarification on halal rules
MELAKA: Hotels across the historic city are lit up with elaborate festive displays, reflecting Melaka’s spirit of unity while preserving a long-standing tradition that has become part of the state’s tourism identity, says a local councillor. “Christmas decorations at hotels here are consistent with past years and, in some cases, even more attractive, despite recent public confusion over a circular linked to restrictions involving halal-certified restaurants and kitchens,” he said on Thursday (Dec 25). Lee said festive decorations have long been part of Melaka’s tourism landscape and should continue in line with the state government’s efforts to promote tourism, investment and economic development. On Dec 19, Melaka’s education, higher learning and religious affairs committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said hotels in the historic city are permitted to continue displaying Christmas decorations, with restrictions applying only to kitchens and restaurants holding halal certification. The following day, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar clarified that there are no restrictions on halal certification holders from displaying festive decorations linked to religions other than Islam, provided halal standards are upheld.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 22:26 UTC