FBM KLCI hits 16-month peak, ringgit at five-year high
KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed at its intraday high in late trade to hit a 16-month peak, while the ringgit hovered near a five-year high, providing additional support to overall market sentiment. The 30-stock index rose 5.35 points, or 0.32% to 1,676.64, its intraday high and also its highest in about 16 months. The 16-month high was last seen at 1,678.80 on Aug 25, 2024. On the forex market, the ringgit strengthened 0.35% against the US dollar to 4.0642, its highest in five years. This was offset by local institutions, which turned net buyers with RM168mil, while local retail investors pared exposure, posting a net outflow of RM62mil.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 16:26 UTC
Sultan Ibrahim visits high-tech defence facilities in Abu Dhabi
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has visited two advanced technology and manufacturing facilities under leading United Arab Emirates (UAE) defence conglomerate EDGE Group, namely NIMR and Caracal, in Abu Dhabi. The King's arrival at NIMR at the Tawazun Industrial Centre was welcomed by EDGE managing director and chief executive officer Hamad Al Marar. Sultan Ibrahim was subsequently briefed by EDGE platform and systems cluster president Khaled Al Zaabi. Following the visit to NIMR, His Majesty proceeded to Caracal, where he was welcomed on arrival by its chief executive officer Hamad Al Ameri. During the visit to Caracal, His Majesty also demonstrated his marksmanship skills by firing a CSR-308 sniper rifle at a 100m shooting range.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 16:14 UTC
Selangor Sultan extends Christmas greetings
PETALING JAYA: Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin have extended their Christmas greetings to all Christians. “May this festival be celebrated with full of happiness and prosperity, unity, and gratitude with family and community around,” Sultan Sharafuddin said in a post through the Selangor Royal Office social media account on Tuesday (Dec 23). Sultan Sharafuddin expressed hope that the spirit of love and mutual respect generated through this Christmas celebration will continue to strengthen unity and harmony among multiracial communities in the country. The royal couple also posted a photo of themselves with the Selangor Raja Muda Tengku Amir Shah and his wife Datin Paduka Seri Afzaa Fadini Abdul Aziz against a Christmas backdrop.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 16:06 UTC
Zayn's mother remains in prison until appeal resolves
According to the amended charges, Ismanira is alleged to have neglected Zayn Rayyan, 6, in a manner likely to cause physical harm. On Dec 6, 2023, Zayn Rayyan was found dead in a stream near the Idaman Apartment area, Damansara Damai, at 10pm. On Oct 31, Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh found the mother of two guilty and sentenced her to five years in prison. She ordered the woman to be taken to the Kajang Women's Prison immediately after rejecting an application to suspend her sentence pending an appeal at the High Court. She said the accused failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify suspending the sentence pending an appeal in the High Court.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 15:09 UTC
Probe launched over alleged assault by cops during search
KUALA LANGAT: Allegations that several policemen beat up a person while searching for evidence are being investigated, district police say. In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 23), Kuala Langat deputy OCPD Dept Supt Mohd Sufian Amin said the mother of the 20-year-old man filed a report on the incident on Dec 18. It was alleged that on Dec 15, several policemen approached the man, who was under investigation, at his father's house in Kampung Sungai Ingat. At the time, the police were allegedly searching for evidence linked to the case. The case is currently being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing harm.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:58 UTC
Not all Doctors can practise medicine, says MMC
"The MMC wishes to clarify the issue concerning the use of the title "Dr" by individuals who have completed medical studies but are not registered as medical practitioners with the MMC. "Permission to practise medicine is subject to compliance with the Medical Act 1971 and the Regulations made thereunder," said Dr Mahathar, who is also Health Director-General. Dr Mahathar urged the public to verify the status of any medical practitioner through the Medical Register Information and Technical System at https://merits.mmc.gov.my. While no names were mentioned in the statement, the clarification appears to allude to the "Dr" title of the new Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari. Some quarters have questioned whether his title is valid as he is allegedly not registered to practise medicine in Malaysia despite holding a medical degree from Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:54 UTC
Visa and Mastercard report 4% growth in US holiday retail sales
Retailers rolled out early promotions to lock in sales amid muted expectations heading into the holiday season due to weak consumer confidence and tariff-fueled inflation. Yet sales data from Cyber Week — the five-day stretch including Thanksgiving and Black Friday — showed consumers largely shrugged off economic worries. Mastercard, which included sales at retail and food service establishments in its data, said sales climbed 3.9% year-over-year during the same period, topping its prior forecast of 3.6%. Both companies noted that early promotions and the convenience of shopping from home helped lift online sales, which outpaced growth at brick-and-mortar stores. Sales of electronics like TVs and smartphones led spending, rising 5.8% in Visa’s data, followed by clothing and accessories at 5.3%.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 14:53 UTC
Senior citizen slashes e-hailing driver's throat, steals her car – then crashes it
SEPANG: An e-hailing driver has been seriously injured after her throat was slashed by a person known to her. "The suspect, who was known to the 60-year-old victim, slashed her throat and stole her vehicle," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 23). Negri Sembilan police found the 69-year-old suspect later, after he was involved in a car accident in Taman Desa Melati, Nilai. "The suspect was found bloodied and injured inside the victim's car. "The suspect has been placed in Hospital Cyberjaya's ICU for treatment and close observation," ACP Norhizam said.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:34 UTC
Sunny Side Up: Asking for help isn’t weak, it reveals our humanity
But in Jesus’ time, love was thought of less as a feeling and more as how we act towards each other. How ready are we to help others who need it, but deny our own need for help? We all need support sometimes.”It’s likely that most of us have a similar attitude. Maybe we simply fear “losing face” if we ask for help, preferring to avoid perceived humiliation for needing support from others. Sunny Side Up columnist Sandy Clarke has long held an interest in emotions, mental health, mindfulness and meditation.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:31 UTC
Pressuring judiciary for political gain erodes democracy, say analysts
Therefore, court decisions should be accepted without prejudice or undue influence from political pressure throughout the judicial process. Awang Azman said the High Court's decision also reflects the Madani government's firm stance in respecting the separation of powers, by not interfering in court affairs despite the issue's sensitive political implications. However, he cautioned that an obsession with a particular leader risks influencing how certain parties accept any court ruling. This process should be allowed to proceed without public statements that could undermine national stability and public perception," he said. The ruling confirmed that the former prime minister must serve the remainder of his sentence in Kajang Prison.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:24 UTC
Bursa Malaysia to close for Christmas and New Year holidays
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia and its subsidiaries will be closed on Dec 25, 2025 in conjunction with Christmas Day, and will resume operations on Dec 26. The Exchange will also be closed on Jan 1, 2026 for the New Year public holiday, with trading and operations set to resume on Jan 2, 2026In a statement, Bursa Malaysia said the Bursa Gold Dinar (BGD) primary marketplace and Bursa Suq Al-Sila (BSAS) will remain open for trading throughout the public holidays.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:17 UTC
Sessions court grants temporary passport to Hydroshoppe director
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court here on Tuesday (Dec 23) allowed an application by Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd director Datuk Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh to obtain a temporary passport to attend defence and aerospace conferences and exhibitions in Qatar, Singapore and Australia. Judge Suzana Hussin granted the temporary release of the passport to Abdul Hamid Shaikh, 51, after his counsel, Chetan Jethwani, informed the court that both the defence and the prosecution had agreed to the application. Therefore, the court authorises the temporary return of the applicant's international passport today, to be surrendered to the court on or before Feb 16, 2026. "Subsequently, the passport will be temporarily released to the applicant on April 15, 2026 and returned to the court on or before June 5, 2026. Tuesday's proceedings were attended by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy public prosecutor Elya Amira Habeeb Rahman Muhammad and MACC prosecuting officer Muhamad Taufik Awaludin.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:15 UTC
Dr Zaliha's ex-aide lodges MACC report, clears air over 'bribe attempt'
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s former political secretary G. Sivamalar has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over a so-called bribery attempt during the drafting of the anti-smoking law. Sivamalar served as a special officer when Dr Zaliha was health minister. She was subsequently made her political secretary when Dr Zaliha was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories)“Yes. She (Dr Zaliha) didn’t give any room for any serious offer (to be made). "I immediately informed Dr Zaliha of this request.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 14:05 UTC
Solarvest acquires ACE-Market listed SDCG for RM42mil
PETALING JAYA: Solarvest Holdings Bhd is acquiring a 22% stake in ACE-Market listed Solar District Cooling Group Bhd (SDCG) for RM41.96mil. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the solar engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning firm said it acquired the stake in SDCG from Kong Kam Onn and Liuk Ing Hong. Kong is a promoter, substantial shareholder and managing director of SDCG, while Liuk is a promoter, substantial shareholder and executive director of SDCG. Solarvest said SDCG is principally involved in the provision and maintenance of building management systems; solar thermal system, other systems and equipment, and other energy services; and mechanical and electrical works, and project management services. “The acquisition represents a strategic opportunity for Solarvest to gain a foothold in the solar thermal systems and energy-saving services, as SDCG’s established businesses are expected to create operational and commercial synergies, including the potential for integrated energy solutions and cross-selling opportunities.”
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 13:59 UTC
Hextar Global acquires three fertiliser companies for RM120mil
PETALING JAYA: Hextar Global Bhd has entered into conditional share sale agreements with Hextar Industries Bhd (HIB) and Hextar Fertiliser Group Sdn Bhd to acquire the entire equity interests in PK Fert Sdn Bhd (PKFT), PK Fertilizers Sdn Bhd (PKF) and Hextar Fert Sdn Bhd (HFT) for RM120mil. “PKF’s principal markets are Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia, while HFT’s principal markets are Malaysia, Myanmar and Mauritius. Hextar said the proposed acquisitions represent a strategic extension of Hextar’s agriculture platform with the inclusion of the fertiliser business as a new business line within the group to complement Hextar’s existing agrochemical operations. “In view of the related party nature of the transaction, the board has considered the operational scope of the fertiliser businesses of both parties following the proposed acquisition. “The fertiliser operations of Hextar and HIB are expected to continue to be conducted in their respective existing geographical markets, namely Peninsular Malaysia and export markets for Hextar, and East Malaysia for HIB.”
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 13:47 UTC