Thai Baht Hits Four-Year High as Thailand Weighs Online Gold Tax and Trading Curbs; Ringgit Rallies and Singapore Stocks Break Records (Dec 23, 2025)
1) A potential “specific business tax” on online gold transactionsA senior finance ministry official said the revenue department would study imposing a specific business tax on gold trading conducted via online platforms. [9]2) Limits on trading volumes—especially for major playersThe central bank said it would study measures to cap transaction volumes on digital gold trading platforms. It ordered closer scrutiny of foreign exchange transactions linked to gold trading and instructed commercial banks to monitor foreign-currency inflows more closely. Thailand’s baht, however, is increasingly being treated as a market-structure challenge—supercharged by record gold prices and massive trading flows—forcing policymakers to look beyond interest rates and toward targeted controls on digital gold trading, reporting, and volume limits. [28]References1. www.thestar.com.my, 2. www.channelnewsasia.com, 3. www.channelnewsasia.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.thestar.com.my, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.channelnewsasia.com, 12. www.channelnewsasia.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.bloomberg.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.thestar.com.my, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.mti.gov.sg, 21. www.thestar.com.my, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.thestar.com.my
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 15:24 UTC
Subang Jaya folk object to rezoning of two parks
OVER 1,000 objections to Subang Jaya Draft Local Plan (DRTSJ) 2035 (Amendment 1) have been registered by residents. Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng said the objections were on various proposals, but two key ones were for changes in land use for Subang Ria Park in SS12 and Millennium Park in SS13. Ng revealed that residents had been objecting to the proposed change in land use for Subang Ria Park since 1997. Ng says green spaces like Subang Ria Park and Millennium Park should be protected. SS19/6 Rukun Tetangga treasurer Patricia Yap said it was important to protect Subang Ria Park as it was the only green lung for Subang Jaya and USJ communities.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 15:20 UTC
Fan Bingbing taps into the magic of ‘Mother Bhumi’
Compiled by TEH ATHIRA YUSOF, C.ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANAWARD-WINNING Malaysian director Chong Keat Aun has shared behind-the-scenes footage of his latest film, Mother Bhumi, including a clip showing Fan Bingbing learning how to draw a talisman, China Press reported. Fan stars in the movie as Feng Yin, a widowed farmer who uses magic to help her community in Kedah. “At that moment, feeling confident with my powers, I truly believed I could help others lift their curses,” she quipped. The behind-the-scene clip, which was uploaded on Facebook, also shows Fan putting on a prosthetic nose. The inspiration for Mother Bhumi came from stories Chong heard as a child about a female shaman and a water buffalo.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 14:35 UTC
Bitcoin misses out on Wall Street cheer to stall near US$87,000
(Dec 24): Bitcoin is missing out on the Christmas cheer. A sharp selloff in October knocked Bitcoin from records, draining momentum and leaving prices stranded. After spending much of early 2025 trading like a risk-on asset alongside equities, it has conspicuously failed to join the year-end rally. Bitcoin has slipped below its 365-day moving average near US$102,000, a level that had acted as key support during the current cycle. Kala said much of that selling pressure now appears to have run its course, leaving Bitcoin “trading in a value region” that he believes could set the stage for stronger performance next year.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 14:02 UTC
Israel accuses Hamas of violating Gaza truce, says it will respond
(Dec 24): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas on Wednesday of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement after a military officer was wounded by an explosive device in Rafah and Israel vowed retaliation. "Israel will respond accordingly," the statement added. Violence has subsided but not stopped since the Gaza truce took effect on Oct 10, and the sides have regularly accused each other of violating the ceasefire. Gaza's health ministry says Israel has killed more than 400 people in the territory since the ceasefire went into effect. It ultimately calls for Hamas to disarm and have no governing role in Gaza and for Israel to pull out of the territory, which remains in ruins after two years of war.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 13:57 UTC
Hall of Famer Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki dies at 78
(Dec 24): Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, one of only two Japanese golfers to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, died at 78 after a battle with colon cancer, the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) said on Wednesday. Ozaki started his career as a baseball player, before switching to professional golf and winning his first Japan PGA Championship at 26. Though he did not win a title in the US, Ozaki achieved top-10 finishes three times — at the Masters (T8, 1973), US Open (T6, 1989) and The Open Championship (T10, 1979). Ozaki won the Japan Open five times and the Japan PGA Championship six times, with his last appearance on the tour being at the 2002 ANA Open when he was 55. His younger brothers Naomichi (Joe) and Tateo (Jet) also enjoyed successful careers in Japan and played limited schedules in the US.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 13:47 UTC
Cool spell holds in upper Thailand; monsoon to strengthen over south
BANGKOK: The Thai Meteorological Department’s weather forecast for Wednesday (Dec 24) says upper Thailand will remain cold as a cold air mass continues to cover the area, with the lowest temperatures around 15°C. Over the next 24 hours, upper Thailand will see a slight rise in temperatures, but it will remain cool with light morning mist as the high-pressure system (cold air mass) covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea weakens. In the South, rainfall will remain limited, though there may still be isolated thunderstorms in the lower South, as the northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand and the South remains weak. In the lower Gulf, waves will be around 1–2 metres, and over 2 metres in thunderstorm areas. Residents in the lower South should beware of hazards from heavy rain and accumulated rainfall.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 13:10 UTC
FAM lodges police report over alleged forged documents involving seven heritage players — report
He was accompanied by FAM vice-president and legal committee chairman Datuk Saaran Nadarajah, as well as vice-president and media committee chairman Datuk Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin. At the same meeting, FAM also announced the continued suspension of its secretary general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman, pending further action by FAM’s disciplinary committee. Fifa ordered a formal investigation into the internal operations of FAM in upholding sanctions imposed on FAM and seven foreign-born Harimau Malaya players for forgery and falsification. The Appeal Committee, in its motivated decision published on its site on Nov 17, 2025, also directed the Fifa Disciplinary Committee to notify criminal authorities in Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Spain of the offences. The seven players named in the report are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, 23; Facundo Tomas Garces, 26; Rodrigo Julian Holgado, 30; Imanol Javier Machuca, 25; Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, 29; Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, 28; and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano, 29.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 12:42 UTC
Crop trader Sucden shuts cocoa buying centre in Ivory Coast port — Bloomberg
(Dec 24): French crop trader Sucres et Denrées SA, a major cocoa buyer, has closed its operations in Ivory Coast’s port of San Pedro, according to sources familiar with the matter. Ivory Coast is the world’s top grower of the crop and many cocoa traders have operations in San Pedro, which is close to key growing regions. The closure of the San Pedro centre comes at the peak of the West African nation’s main harvest. Amid the volatility in the market, Sucden’s head of cocoa left the commodities trader earlier this year. Maurice Varsano, son of the company’s chief executive officer, was later named head of the Paris cocoa unit.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 24, 2025 12:12 UTC
So who killed the GEG?
SHE wanted to pay tribute to her former boss Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who was the previous health minister. But the homage from G. Sivamalar, who was once Dr Zaliha’s former political secretary, ignited a firestorm so intense that she had to explain herself just days after.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 12:06 UTC
Celebrating rewilding initiative’s path to urban forest protection
GREEN group Free Tree Society (FTS) hosted a celebration at Bukit Bandaraya Community Centre in Kuala Lumpur to mark the upcoming gazettement of the 5ha Pulai Trail urban forest. The event brought together residents, local school leaders, partner organisation and volunteers to recognise the milestone for the community-driven rewilding initiative to enhance green corridors between the Pulai Trail urban forest and neighbourhood green spaces in Bangsar. Over 1,700 trees, shrubs and epiphytes have been planted at Pulai Trail, with numerous ecological studies and continuous engagement with local authorities conducted. The organisation also hosted 23 forest stewardship workshops and marked out newly planted areas via the Bangsar Ecological Connector Map. Its social media channels share forest stewardship knowledge, spotlighting native species and inspiring residents to participate in urban biodiversity restoration.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 11:50 UTC
Tourism players banking on new JB-KL train service
THE newly launched Johor Baru–Kuala Lumpur Electric Train Service (ETS), coupled with the upcoming Johor Baru-Kulai commuter service, is set to boost Johor’s tourism. “Tourist spots outside Johor Baru, particularly those near ETS stations, should see more visitors. “We have had a meeting with the Johor Public Transport Corporation (PAJ) to discuss providing buses to several places of interest around Johor Baru city. The Kuala Lumpur-Johor Baru ETS 3 began operations on Dec 12, following the completion of the Gemas-Johor Baru Electrified Double-Tracking Project. During the launch, Transport Minister Anthony Loke told the press that the Government planned to introduce commuter services between Kulai and Johor Baru.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 11:45 UTC
Justin and Ling Ching the bright sparks in gloomy times for singles
PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Justin Hoh and Wong Ling Ching (pic) have brought hope back in the singles after a difficult year with their encouraging outings in the SEA Games. Justin and Ling Ching won bronze in the men’s and women’s singles respectively. Jonassen praised Justin’s response after losing to Moh Zaki Ubaidillah in the men’s team event final where Malaysia went down 0-3 to Indonesia. Jonassen also gave the thumbs-up to Ling Ching for her breakthrough outing. “Overall, it was a great performance from Ling Ching and she can be tremendously proud of herself,” said Jonassen.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 11:15 UTC
EVs to power on in challenging auto market
PETALING JAYA: The automotive market continues to be transformed, spurred by the introduction of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) marques as well as the launch of EVs from domestic carmakers. According to BIMB Research, EV registrations rose 25% month-on-month to 5,417 units, driven by accelerated deliveries from Tesla, BYD and Proton. The research house noted that EVs now comprise 4.7% of the market. However, the research house said ongoing launches of new models and rollouts of EVs by national automotive firms should continue to support baseline demand. The research house said it expects a gradual transition in demand for EVs, supported by tax exemptions up until 2027 for locally assembled units.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 11:05 UTC
Looking after our lungs starting with AI-powered screening
To address these challenges, the Health Ministry is rolling out the National Lung Health Initiative (LIH) 2025-2030, a comprehensive strategy covering COPD, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer and post-Covid complications. Improving accessKey components of the LIH include:> AI-assisted chest X-ray screeningCurrently available in Klinik Kesihatan Pendang in Kedah, Klinik Kesihatan Seberang Perai in Penang, Klinik Kesihatan Kok Lanas in Kelantan, Klinik Kesihatan Beserah in Pahang, Klinik Kesihatan Kajang and Klinik Kesihatan Batu 9 in Selangor, and Klinik Kesihatan Luyang in Sabah, this enables doctors to quickly identify lung abnormalities and decide on any further tests. The aim is reduce deaths from COPD, lung cancer and TB by 30% within five years. Together with insurance company MCIS Life, it has also introduced LungShield, a micro-insurance model linked to lung cancer diagnosis. Offered at a reduced annual fee of RM179 (normal cost is RM479), the micro-insurance package covers access to key diagnostic procedures for suspected lung cancer.
Source:The Star
December 24, 2025 11:01 UTC