Rulers urged to look into decision, says Najib’s lawyer
“Today’s decision is opening the door for politicians to interfere in a Pardons Board decision,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex lobby after the judgment was handed down yesterday. “We had a series of cases where the court says that the decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding pardons cannot be challenged. “However we have the decision by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This is something that is extraordinary and it disrupts the systems of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers,” he said. “This is the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and you have delayed it for two years,” he said.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 08:42 UTC
Penang raises quit rent rebate to 50% for 2026
GEORGE TOWN (Dec 23): The Penang state government has agreed to increase the quit rent rebate rate for 2026 to 50% from the previously announced 32.5% to ease the financial burden of landowners while ensuring a gradual and controlled transition to new quit rent rates. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, however, that the quit rent rebate is subject to the minimum quit rent rate prescribed, and the new quit rent rates will remain in effect for a minimum period of 10 years as provided under the National Land Code (Act 828). “In this regard, if the quit rent amount after the rebate is lower than the existing amount paid in the previous year, the existing quit rent amount will apply. Chow also said quit rent bills will be posted to all landowners in mid-January, but landowners may begin checking and paying their quit rent bills online starting Jan 2. The quit rent rate review involves nearly 370,000 land titles throughout Penang, covering various land categories and uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other special categories.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 08:42 UTC
1MDB trial’s verdict on Friday
ALSO READ: Najib’s house arrest bid rejected“Of course this is subject to appeal. He said an acquittal in the 1MDB case would confine Najib’s conviction to SRC alone and factors such as sentence completion, remission, or further pardon would be at play. “They could argue that the High Court erred in not recognising the addendum order. He said although the release date is Aug 2028 with the reduced sentence after pardon for the SRC case, Najib could be released earlier with remission. He said in the event where there is a sentencing in the 1MDB case, the question would be on whether the sentence would be concurrent or consecutive.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 08:23 UTC
The fight to save Malaysia's sea turtles must go on
NOW that green sea turtles have rebounded in numbers, conservation efforts should shift to other species still at risk, such as the hawksbill and other marine animals, says WWF-Malaysia. “We must keep conserving green turtles to safeguard the progress made, while increasing attention on species that face far greater risk,” he says. Focus, argues Jolis, should shift to saving the hawksbill sea turtles. Green sea turtle hatchlings being readied for release. “Their hard work has helped protect nesting beaches, reduce threats at sea, and deliver encouraging results for green turtles.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 08:20 UTC
Missing angler found drowned in Mersing
MERSING: A 36-year-old man who went missing after his boat capsized in Sungai Lenggor here on Monday (Dec 22) has been found drowned. Mersing fire station chief Abdul Muiz Mukhtar said the body of Mohamed Rizzurin Md Noh was discovered at 12.49am on Tuesday (Dec 23). "He was reported missing after the boat he was on with two other men capsized while they were fishing in the area. "The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action," he said in a statement. He said the operation involved 13 firemen from the Mersing station, five members of the Water Rescue Team, five policemen and four members of the Civil Defence Force.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 08:20 UTC
Ellison’s pledge to backstop Paramount bid would reshape fortune
Despite Oracle’s recent reversal from all-time highs, Ellison’s wealth has still increased by US$60 billion since Jan 1. However, the structure of Ellison’s fortune means that turning those gains into cash to fund a potential backstop could present challenges. Ultimately, it relied instead on more traditional debt and third-party investors, as well as cash from Musk, who sold Tesla stock worth nearly US$23 billion that year. Ellison’s decision to hold on to his stake has reaped him tens of billions as the company’s stock has soared this year. Ultimately, Warner Bros favoured Netflix’s cash-and-stock offer, partly over concerns about the reliability of Ellison backstopping Paramount’s bid without guaranteeing the bid personally.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 08:17 UTC
Barisan leaders disappointed with court ruling
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders have expressed their disappointment over the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to deny Datuk Seri Najib Razak from continuing his prison sentence under house arrest. Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he was saddened over the court decision against the former prime minister. The High Court dismissed Najib’s judicial review in an attempt to serve the remainder of his jail term in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest. MCA Youth said while it accepts the High Court decision, the party reiterated its unwavering solidarity with Najib and affirmed that all his rights, as guaranteed under the Federal Constitution, must be respected and protected at all times. “Rejoicing in the suffering of others is a despicable act that should neither be condoned nor normalised in a civilised society.”Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who attended the court proceedings yesterday, said there were parties who were happy with the court decision.
Source:The Star
December 23, 2025 08:05 UTC
MACC probes Malaysian army projects since 2023 — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Tuesday visited the Defence Ministry (Mindef) to investigate several Malaysian army projects implemented since 2023, following allegations that funds were channelled into the account of a senior officer. Sources said the probe focuses on projects awarded through open tenders and procurements under the Army’s Responsibility Centre (PTJ). MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed an investigation under Section 17(a) of the MACC Act 2009, stressing that it is being conducted independently and professionally, based on facts and evidence and in accordance with the law. On Monday, an individual known as Badrul Hisham, or Chegubard, alleged that a forensic review of documents he received anonymously showed monthly transactions amounting to tens of thousands of ringgit credited to the accounts of a senior officer and family members. Chegubard gave a statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters (IPD) from 1pm to 4.30pm on Monday.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 08:02 UTC
UOA REIT unitholders adjourn meeting on related-party property deal, income distribution investment plan
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): UOA Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:UOAREIT) announced that its unitholders’ meeting, scheduled for Tuesday (Dec 23), was adjourned after unitholders duly passed a motion to adjourn. The meeting was intended to seek unitholder approval for the proposed acquisition of three UOA Business Park assets and the establishment of an income distribution reinvestment plan. Under the acquisition, UOA Development Bhd (KL:UOADEV) is transferring three properties in UOA Business Park near Subang Jaya to UOA REIT in a deal worth RM200 million. The deal is deemed a related-party deal involving interested directors of UOA Development and major shareholders Kong Chong Soon @ Chi Suim and Kong Pak Lim. The deal will be undertaken by Everise Project Sdn Bhd, a 60%-owned subsidiary of UOA Development, which signed the sales and purchase agreements with RHB Trustees Bhd, the trustee of UOA REIT.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 07:22 UTC
Court grants temporary passport to Hydroshoppe director in KL Tower concession graft case
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The Sessions Court here on Tuesday 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 the application was agreed to by both the defence and the prosecution. Therefore, the court allows the applicant’s international passport to be temporarily returned today (Tuesday) and 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 Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 07:02 UTC
Wheat trades near one-week high on rising Black Sea tensions
(Dec 23): Wheat prices hovered near a one-week high as fresh tensions between Russia and Ukraine raised the risk of supply disruptions from the Black Sea region. A Russian drone strike late on Monday damaged port facilities and a civilian vessel in Odesa, Ukraine’s regional governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram. Wheat futures in Chicago remained largely steady after surging as much as 1.7% a day earlier. Russia, the top exporter of wheat and a major producer of the grain, may see lower output next year, adding to the support for prices. In other parts of the world, US has launched a naval blockade to prevent sanctioned oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela, ratcheting up geopolitical tensions.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 06:47 UTC
FIMM reprimands five former unit trust scheme consultants for misconduct
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 23): The Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) has reprimanded five former unit trust scheme (UTS) consultants for their misconduct/breaches of the FIMM’s consolidated rules. Public Mutual Bhd UTS consultants Cheu and Muhamad Khairulanuar were reprimanded for submitting falsified academic certificates in their applications when registering as UTS consultants with the distributor. Krisnan was reprimanded for forging the signatures of three investors on Public Mutual’s investment documents. Both were Public Mutual's UTS consultants at the material time. The FIMM detected Cheu’s misconduct, while current/former distributors detected those of Krisnan, Fadli and Afif.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 06:47 UTC
Myanmar junta seeks legitimacy in election widely seen as flawed
(Dec 23): In August 2024, Myanmar’s ruling military junta was losing ground fast. It hopes the phased elections which begin on Sunday will give it a veneer of legitimacy and help it return to the global stage. It will also “give political cover to foreign governments” which want to engage with Myanmar, Vrieze said. After years of US-led condemnation, Trump has refrained from criticising the junta or denouncing the elections, despite bipartisan pressure. China provided key military and diplomatic backing when the junta risked losing control to rebels last year.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 06:32 UTC
Indonesia says Prabowo, Trump to ink trade deal in January
The US has agreed to exempt tariffs on Indonesian key products including palm oil, cocoa, coffee and tea, said Hartarto, Indonesia’s lead negotiator. Indonesia had also agreed to purchase roughly US$19 billion in American products, including 50 Boeing Co jets and agricultural goods. “No Indonesian policies are restricted by this agreement,” Hartarto said, when asked about the US demands. The latest negotiations mainly involving linguistic harmonisation, as is normal in reaching a trade agreement, he said. The deal between Indonesia and the US “is commercial and strategic in nature and benefits the economic interests of both countries equally”, Hartarto said.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 06:17 UTC
Europe car sales rise in November as budget EVs lure consumers
Sales of battery-electric vehicles (EVs) jumped 37%, outstripping growth for plug-in hybrids, which rose by 34%, for the first time since March. Europe’s long-term EV sales outlook is shifting after the European Commission proposed to scrap an effective ban on sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035. Into next year, planned government incentives for EV sales in Germany and Spain are poised to have a positive impact. Last week, European Central Bank officials raised forecasts for expansion in the next two years. “Both private individuals and companies are reluctant to make investment decisions.”Consumers are set for more purchasing options down the line with the likelihood of looser EU rules on combustion-engine car sales post-2035.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 23, 2025 06:02 UTC