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
CIMB partners Weixin Pay to boost cross-border payments for merchants
KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd have partnered with Weixin Pay, also known as WeChat Pay, via a Weixin Mini Program to facilitate cross-border payments and help CIMB-affiliated merchants better serve inbound Chinese tourists. In a statement, the bank said the initiative aims to improve payment convenience and enhance Malaysian merchants’ visibility among Chinese visitors. CIMB said the collaboration aims to strengthen cross-border transactions by enabling Malaysian merchants to accept Weixin Pay, allowing them to showcase offerings digitally, engage Chinese travellers before arrival and facilitate in-store payments via DuitNow QR, particularly across the retail, food and beverage, and hospitality sectors. “By leveraging CIMB’s digital capabilities with Weixin Pay’s extensive global reach, we are enabling merchants to reach high-value travellers and participate more fully in the digital economy. On Jan 1, 2026, participating merchants will receive a dedicated merchant page within the Weixin Pay’s ecosystem to showcase their products and services.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 13:15 UTC
November 2025 supplementary electoral roll open for review — EC
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The Supplementary Electoral Roll for November 2025 (DPT BLN11/2025) is open for review for a period of 30 days starting Tuesday until Jan 21, 2026, said Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus. “In addition, 14,131 registered voters changed electoral divisions and 1,303 voters changed voter category or status,” he said in a statement. Khairul Shahril said the EC provided five verification methods, namely through the EC portal at https://www.spr.gov.my or https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my, the official portal of the state election offices at http://ppn.spr.gov.my and the online application at https://myspr.spr.gov.my. Meanwhile, the EC urged citizens who turned 18 between Nov 1 to 30, 2025, and any registered voters who had applied for a change of electoral division or voter category or status, to check their names in DPT BLN11/2025. For any inquiries related to the DPT BLN11/2025 review, the public can visit the official EC portal at https://www.spr.gov.my or contact the EC at 03-8892 7218, or head to any state election office.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 12:39 UTC
Anwar calls for respect, patience after Najib's house arrest bid denied
ALSO READ: Najib’s house arrest bid rejected“The High Court’s decision must be respected. Anwar's remarks followed the High Court’s ruling, which rejected former prime minister Najib’s application to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest. The court found that the royal addendum order on which Najib relied was constitutionally invalid. She noted that the addendum order was neither deliberated nor decided at the 61st Pardons Board meeting held on Jan 29, 2024. On April 1, 2024, Najib filed an application for leave for judicial review, claiming that a royal addendum order would have permitted him to serve his prison time under house arrest.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 12:39 UTC
RM8.4b in assets recovered as of end-November, says MACC
“On Oct 1, the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court approved the forfeiture of the seized money after no party came forward to claim it,” the statement said. A total of 27 people, including 18 enforcement officers, were arrested following operations in Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Selangor, with 57 bank accounts worth approximately RM2.7 million frozen. The three individuals were detained between Nov 27 and 28, before Albert Tei and Shamsul Iskandar were charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Dec 4. According to statistics, the MACC recorded seizures amounting to RM566.77 million under the MACC Act 2009 and RM6.26 billion under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, in addition to freezing assets worth RM36.14 million as of Nov 30. During the same period, the MACC received 6,114 pieces of information, opened 966 investigation papers, arrested 1,128 individuals, filed 445 charges and recorded 189 convictions, the statement said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 12:38 UTC
Drop in number of flood victims in Pahang
KUANTAN: The number of flood victims in Pahang decreased slightly, with 194 people from 58 families still at five relief centres on Tuesday (Dec 23) morning, down from 218 people from 66 families on Monday evening. According to the Social Welfare Department's Infobencana application, 129 people from 35 families are at the Kampung Semangat Community Centre in Kuantan, while the flood victims in Maran, comprising 35 people from six families, are at the Kampung Baru Pertanian Community Centre. In Pekan, there are 30 victims from 17 families still at three centres, namely Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Manis and Dewan Orang Ramai Air Hitam. The infobanjir website also reported that the water level of the Pahang River in Paloh Hinai, Pekan, has exceeded the danger level at 8am on Tuesday. Continuous heavy rains last week led to flooding in several districts across the state, with more than 13,000 people evacuated to the PPS.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 12:24 UTC
Life in the East: Istanbul's Asian side is bursting with charm
Go to the Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum (opened in 2023) before actually visiting the main building, especially if you’re not travelling with a guide. Powered by DEM Museums, this attraction takes visitors through the history of Hagia Sophia – all 1,700 years of it – via cutting-edge digital imagery and storytelling, complemented by physical artefacts. The journey begins with the “founding of the Byzantine Empire, tracing the construction and transformation of the Hagia Sophia through time”, says its website. This structure lies 12m underground, about 150m away from the Hagia Sophia. Head to the Buyuk Camlica Camii or Grand Camlica Mosque, Turkiye’s largest mosque (63,000 people!
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 12:03 UTC
PETRONAS Gas prepays US$174 mil for Pengerang LNG jetty fees as ringgit hits five-year high
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): PETRONAS Gas Bhd (KL:PETGAS) said on Monday it is paying up to US$173.64 million (RM705.67 million) cash upfront for 18 years of jetty fees at its Pengerang liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in a one-off deal to reduce its exposure to currency fluctuations. The ringgit rose to a five-year high against the US dollar at 4.0645 on Tuesday. In a filing with the bourse, PETRONAS Gas said its subsidiary Pengerang LNG (Two) Sdn Bhd (PLNG2) signed a one-off agreement with Pengerang Terminals (Two) Sdn Bhd (PT2SB) to prepay annual fixed charges under the 2017 Jetty Usage Agreement (JUA) for jetty services at the Pengerang LNG terminal. PT2SB is a joint venture between PETRONAS’ wholly owned unit PRPC Utilities and Facilities Sdn Bhd, Dialog Equity (Two) Sdn Bhd, Vopak Terminal Pengerang BV, and Permodalan Darul Ta’zim Sdn Bhd. PETRONAS Gas said the jetty facilities will continue to be used by PLNG2 until the end of the contracted period, and the operational portion of the JUA will remain unaffected.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 12:02 UTC
Copper hits US$12,000 for first time as tariff trade upends market
(Dec 23): Copper hit a fresh all-time high above US$12,000 a ton as severe mine outages and trade dislocations linked to US President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda put the crucial industrial metal on course for its biggest annual gain since 2009. Prices rose as much as 0.9% to US$12,031.50 a ton on the London Metal Exchange, extending a rally that has lifted prices by about 37% this year. The impact on global trade flows has been so extreme that prices have rallied even though underlying usage has deteriorated rapidly in China, which consumes about half the world’s copper. Investors often view copper as a barometer for global industrial activity, but the slowdown in China has done little to put the brakes on the rally. Even so, copper remains its top pick in industrial metal markets, and the firm in mid December upgraded its price forecast for next year to US$11,400 a ton.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 11:37 UTC