Cahya Mata’s phosphate plant gradually ramping up
PETALING JAYA: Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd ’s losses from its phosphate business will moderate going forward, says Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB). Maybank IB said the key markets for the company’s yellow phosphorus are Japan and South Korea. Once utilisation rates stabilise at about 70%, Cahya Mata expects the phosphate plant to yield pre-tax margins of up to the mid-teens in percentage terms. Until then, the plant will not yield much revenue as the yellow phosphorus produced won’t meet market requirements. It said once all the four furnaces are fully operational to produce yellow phosphorus at desired purity levels, Cahya Mata expects the plant to break even in 3Q26.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 13:15 UTC
The joy of spending time with loved ones
JOHOR BARU: Christmas may be celebrated differently across communities, but one thing remains the same – spending time with loved ones. “In Russia, Christmas is a very big holiday celebrated with loved ones, with traditional foods like kutia and baked goods. “Back home, our celebrations usually involve family gatherings around long dining tables with festive meals, including turkey. In Johor Baru, my Christmas celebrations are usually modest, just a family dinner,” he said. “It’s my first time Christmas shopping in Johor, and I found the prices at the outlet cheaper compared to big malls in Kuala Lumpur,” she said, adding that sports shoes topped her shopping list.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 12:23 UTC
‘Elderly care centres need proper guidelines, licence’
Lack of proper regulatory guidelines for elderly care centres is a “ticking time bomb” that can lead to a rise in unlicensed operators and compromise safety. Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng said administrative hurdles, such as difficulty in securing local authority approvals, forced many care providers to operate in the shadows. “The danger of not having proper guidelines is that these centres will operate without licences. PAWE Subang Jaya members singing carols and bringing joy to the Christmas celebration at the AIM healthcare centre in USJ. He also raised concerns about the Sales and Service Tax (SST) being levied on elderly care centres, a burden that he argued should be waived to ensure affordability for the B40 and M40 groups.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 11:56 UTC
Bursa poised to perform better next year
PETALING JAYA: Easing global trade tensions, a more accommodative international monetary policy stance, firm ringgit, attractive market valuations and liquidity are anticipated to help Bursa Malaysia perform better in 2026. Phillip Capital Research said it has a “neutral” call on the outlook for Bursa with a 2026 year-end target of 1,710 points for the FBM KLCI. The research house added that Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) would support external demand for services and overall economic growth. Bank Negara Malaysia is likely to hold its policy rate steady at 2.75% in 2026, according to the research house. Its top “buy” calls among large cap stocks is for companies like CIMB Group Holdings Bhd , Gamuda Bhd , Telekom Malaysia Bhd , SD Guthrie Bhd , IHH Healthcare Bhd and Frontken Corp Bhd .
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 11:39 UTC
Putting every state on the map
We cannot concentrate all the major events in Kuala Lumpur. “For 2026, our targets are 47 million international visitors, RM329bil in tourism receipts and 302 million domestic visitor trips. “In some Asean markets, people know Kuala Lumpur, but they do not know where Melaka is. “We cannot rely on Kuala Lumpur alone and expect the whole country to benefit,” he said. Malaysia welcomed about 38 million international visitors in 2024, a 31.1% increase from 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 10:11 UTC
Oil marginally lower as investors weigh US data
HOUSTON: Oil settled marginally lower on Wednesday, and prices were on course for their steepest annual decline since 2020 as investors weighed US economic growth and assessed the risk of supply disruptions from Venezuela and Russia. Brent crude futures closed down 14 cents, or 0.2%, at US$62.24 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude eased 3 cents, or 0.05%, to US$58.29. Both contracts have gained about 6% since December 16, when they plunged to near five-year lows. US crude inventories rose by 2.39 million barrels last week, while gasoline stocks increased by 1.09 million barrels and distillate inventories rose by 685,000 barrels, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. The US Energy Information Administration is due to release official inventory data on Monday, later than usual due to the Christmas holiday.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 03:05 UTC
Dr Wee extends Christmas greetings to Malaysian Christians
PETALING JAYA: Christmas is a reminder that there is light amidst uncertainties, says MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong. “In a world that often feels uncertain, Christmas reminds us that light still breaks through. The birth of Christ brings a hope that steadies us, a peace that calms us, and a joy that lifts our spirits even in challenging times. “May this season fill your heart with His hope, His peace, and His enduring joy. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas,” he said in a Christmas greeting posted on Facebook.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 03:02 UTC
Slow and steady wins RM424K for senior home
AT AN age when most people slow down, 82-year-old Kang Joo Lye is choosing to lace up his shoes and join a race. There was no way I could run with these legs. “I was happy that I did not need any assistance and managed the whole walk on my own. “While we do have activities here, I hope there will be more events where we can participate alongside younger people. About 10 of the home’s 102 residents took part in the run and completed it.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 02:54 UTC
Penang clogged with people and cars
BUTTERWORTH: It is not just roads – even the railway station and the ferry terminal are clogged with thousands of people. Trains bringing people to Penang were packed to capacity and the railway station, connecting roads and the ferries to the island were jammed with commuters on foot. A check by The Star showed clogged roads across the city while long lines of people queued outside popular food joints and attractions. Comm Azizee said congestion on several routes is expected, particularly at the entrances of both the bridges to Penang island, with traffic expected to surge. In another development, residents and traders in Pulau Tikus were up in arms after Penang Island City Council (MBPP) built road railings to block motorists from stopping on the double-yellow line to buy things or get services from the shops.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 02:37 UTC
No-go for Axelsen at Malaysian and Indian Opens
The Danish ace has withdrawn from the Malaysian Open from Jan 6-11 at Axiata Arena and Indian Open from Jan 13-18 in New Delhi. Axelsen last competed in the French Open in October where he went down to fellow Dane Anders Antonsen in the quarter-finals. The two-time Olympic champion has seen his world rankings plummet to No. While the great Dane’s absence is a blow, the world’s top 10 players have all registered for the prestigious tournament. Zii Jia is hoping to make a successful comeback after an injury-hit year which has seen him drop to No.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:54 UTC
Fake holy man beaten for causing disturbance
Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, C.ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANA FAKE holy man in India was beaten up by pilgrims after he was heard talking badly about women and threatening children, Makkal Osai reported. But devotees and visitors have complained that the 14km route, which houses eight important Sivalingams, is seeing more fake holy men causing disturbances. One such holy man apparently spoke disparagingly of female devotees passing by, and even threatened some children. > The 8th Annual Tamil Writers and Readers Conference was held at the National Library hall on Sunday, Makkal Osai reported. The event was hosted by the Selangor-KL Tamil Readers & Writers Association led by president N. Mathialagan.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:46 UTC
Foreign funds set to U-turn into Bursa
Analysts are growing more optimistic that foreign funds will return to Malaysian equities, reversing a recent pattern in which foreign investors have rotated out of stocks and into ringgit-denominated debt. This programme differs fundamentally from quantitative easing (QE) during the Covid-19 period, as it is aimed at managing money market functioning rather than lowering long-term borrowing costs. That instance was dubbed “technical” QE, when there were signs of stress in the money market. Speaking with StarBiz, BIMB Securities Research director of research Mohd Redza Abdul Rahman also said the local equity market has seen a “slight uptick” of foreign shareholding. Net foreign withdrawals from Malaysian equities year-to-date (y-t-d) have surpassed those of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:35 UTC
Crucial day in court for Najib
PETALING JAYA: It will be another crucial day in court tomorrow for Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as the High Court is set to deliver its verdict in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case. The verdict will conclude a trial that has lasted for over six years. If found guilty, the former prime minister could face a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment on each charge, as well as a fine of up to five times the value of the alleged misappropriations. Below is a chronology of the 1MDB case. 'CLICK TO ENLARGE'
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:27 UTC
Tiong: We must address safety and outdated facilities
PETALING JAYA: Traveller safety and outdated facilities remain pressing issues that could undermine Malaysia’s tourism ambitions if left unaddressed, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. “Some foreign visitors tell us that when they came 10 years ago, the facilities were like this, and 10 years later, nothing has changed,” he added. ALSO READ: Putting every state on the map“When we go to each state, I tell them they must be aggressive. On safety, Tiong raised concerns over recurring incidents in Sabah, citing about 27 tourist deaths linked to weak safety standards. He said he has raised the matter with Sabah’s new tourism minister and stressed the need for stricter enforcement.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:06 UTC
Churches focus on what matters most
KUALA LUMPUR: Christmas celebrations are scaled down this year, focusing on giving back to communities rather than on lavish displays. At All Saints’ Church in Kuala Lumpur, preparations have centred on performances, with churchgoers rehearsing for the festive season. “We don’t have a choir and we don’t have a nativity scene like other churches because our focus is more on the word-based aspect, such as prayers, hymns and songs,” said churchgoer and decorator Nicholas Khoong, 38. Good cheer: Maxine Lim (right) and Grace Chan enjoying the festive spirit at the Hyatt Regency in Kuala Lumpur. The nativity scene features the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph as well as the three wise men and shepherds.
Source:The Star
December 25, 2025 01:00 UTC