‘Old drains led to floods’
— FilepicPoor infrastructure, maintenance blamed for Kg Muhibbah woesRECURRING floods at PPR Kampung Muhibbah highlight deeper weaknesses in Kuala Lumpur’s drainage system, particularly upstream. This is despite having the nearby Kampung Bohol flood retention pond, says former Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohd Ghazali. He said flood retention facilities could not be viewed in isolation. Nor Hisham said stormwater from the Kampung Muhibbah people’s housing project (PPR) must pass through internal drains, rivers or channels before reaching the Bohol pond. On the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond, he said if the pond had been upgraded based on projected runoff from the development area, it should be able to manage overflows.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:50 UTC
Pearly-Thinaah lose in semis of Tour Finals, also over for men's doubles
PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah saw their hopes of reaching the World Tour Finals final dashed after they fell to Japan’s Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto 19-21, 13-21 on Saturday (Dec 20). The semi-final defeat marked Pearly-Thinaah’s second straight loss to the Japanese duo in the span of two days, after they crossed paths in their final Group B match on Friday (Dec 19). Meanwhile, Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were left disappointed after crashing out of the World Tour Finals following their 21-17, 18-21, 15-21 defeat to India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty in their final Group B match on Friday (Dec 19). It was the sixth unsuccessful attempt for Aaron-Wooi Yik to get past the group stage of the World Tour Finals. Another men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also bowed out.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:47 UTC
Spots for me-time escapes
If you are looking for some green healing, check out these spots suggested by the StarMetro team. — ESTHER CHANDRANTaman Rekreasi Bukit Jalil, Kuala LumpurMy favourite green space is the recreational park in Bukit Jalil, near my home. Popular for jogging and picnics, the park also plays a role in fostering education about landscaping and horticulture. The best part is the low-key atmosphere in this green space – no one gives a second look if you are not in branded athletic attire or if you’re not very fit. — TAN SIN CHOW, Penang bureauBulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, a popular space for events and recreational activities.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:40 UTC
Govt’s DNB exit redraws risk map for telcos
THE government’s decision to exit Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) marks a defining shift for Malaysia’s telecommunications sector, pushing the single wholesale network (SWN) for 5G from a policy-led project into one that must now withstand commercial and investor scrutiny. Recall that DNB was created in 2021, with the Finance Ministry (MoF) as the sole shareholder.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 11:30 UTC
MCE Holdings Outlook: Perodua QV-E Battery Leasing Raises Near‑Term Questions, but New Revenue Streams Point to Stronger Quarters
[9]For MCE investors, these consumer-facing moves matter because they shape the pace of Perodua EV deliveries, which in turn influences the ramp-up curve for suppliers connected to the new platform. Perodua’s own positioning has been that separating battery ownership from the car helps reduce anxiety and supports battery assurance. Follow-through on ADAS and smart cockpit partnerships, which could help MCE sustain a higher-value product mix over multiple programme cycles. [33]The near-term overhang is psychological as much as operational—how fast Malaysian buyers accept Perodua’s battery leasing approach and how quickly booking momentum converts into deliveries. [34]References1. www.nst.com.my, 2. www.nst.com.my, 3. www.nst.com.my, 4. www.nst.com.my, 5. www.nst.com.my, 6. paultan.org, 7. paultan.org, 8. paultan.org, 9. soyacincau.com, 10. www.nst.com.my, 11. theedgemalaysia.com, 12. theedgemalaysia.com, 13. theedgemalaysia.com, 14. www.businesstoday.com.my, 15. www.businesstoday.com.my, 16. theedgemalaysia.com, 17. theedgemalaysia.com, 18. theedgemalaysia.com, 19. www.businesstoday.com.my, 20. www.businesstoday.com.my, 21. www.nst.com.my, 22. www.nst.com.my, 23. www.nst.com.my, 24. www.businesstoday.com.my, 25. www.perodua.com.my, 26. www.nst.com.my, 27. paultan.org, 28. www.nst.com.my, 29. www.businesstoday.com.my, 30. theedgemalaysia.com, 31. theedgemalaysia.com, 32. www.businesstoday.com.my, 33. theedgemalaysia.com, 34. www.nst.com.my
Source:New Strait Times
December 20, 2025 11:01 UTC
14 items listed under festive price control scheme for Christmas
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 14 controlled items will be placed under the Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) for Christmas this year, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. Beyond price controls, he said the ministry is also rolling out several initiatives to help Malaysians manage the cost of living in conjunction with Christmas. These include the Christmas edition of the Rahmah Madani Sales Programme (PJRM) and the Servis Ihsan Madani@Petronas AutoExpert (SIM@PAX) vehicle service programme. The PJRM for Christmas will run from Dec 18 to Dec 27, with 875 sales events taking place nationwide. The public can check the PJRM Christmas 2025 schedule on the ministry’s official website.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 09:30 UTC
The biggest leverage risk isn’t in the market
EVERY time there’s a raging bull market in stocks, as there is now, people start worrying about too much leverage in the market, and for good reason. When investors chase stocks with borrowed money, bad things can happen.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 09:02 UTC
Wall Street ends higher as tech rally continues
NEW YORK: US stocks closed higher on Friday after a rocky start to the week, as a rebound in technology shares offset tumbling consumer stocks such as Nike. Megacaps extended gains from Thursday, when chipmaker Micron Technology's strong forecasts re-ignited optimism around AI-related shares, which had recently come under pressure over lofty valuations and funding concerns. Micron reached a record closing high on Friday, ending the day up 7%.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:05 UTC
NCID successfully dismantle 270 syndicates, RM3.1bil in drugs seized
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 215 tonnes of drugs were seized following the dismantling of 270 drug syndicates so far this year, says Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan. "The drugs seized are worth RM3.1bil. Comm Hussein said the police also identified three main modus operandi used by syndicates to smuggle drugs in and out of the country. Regardless of the tactics used, Comm Hussein said the NCID remains steadfast in conducting comprehensive intelligence and enforcement operations. "Sustained intelligence work, tough enforcement and strong public support remain the most effective combination in crippling drug syndicates, both locally and internationally.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:05 UTC
Exploited Indonesian workers rescued following raid on Shah Alam house
SHAH ALAM: Two Indonesian women believed to be victims of human trafficking involving forced labour have been rescued following a raid at a house in Kayangan Heights here. Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Ramsay Embol said the operation was carried out by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department of Shah Alam district police headquarters at about 2.30pm on Thursday (Dec 18) following intelligence on the case. “During the inspection, we rescued two Indonesian women aged 48 and 33,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 20). Following the findings, police detained two locals – a woman in her late 50s and her daughter, who is in her early 30s – believed to be the employers of the victims. "We urge those with information related to the case to contact senior investigating officer ASP Md Anuar Md Amilah@Harun at 019-225 5597," ACP Ramsay added.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 08:04 UTC
Wall St Week Ahead: Investors hope for year-end gains
NEW YORK: Investors hoping for traditional holiday cheer for the US stock market are encountering turbulence that could keep markets on edge into year-end. Despite stock indices remaining on track for solid performance in 2025, the benchmark S&P 500 has edged lower so far in December, bucking historical trends that have shown it to be a strong month on average.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 07:00 UTC
How to power-nap effectively
Is taking afternoon naps healthy? “Yes, but only if they’re power naps,” says psychologist Markus Specht, who heads a centre for sleep medicine in Germany. “So for them, even power naps may be disadvantageous.”And they’re hardly alone, as not everyone’s made for afternoon naps. A proper power nap has effects that are felt at once, says Dr Koch. And every power nap helps, even though for many people, they’re only possible at the weekend.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:33 UTC
Malakoff subsidiary inks 21-year PPA with TNB
KUALA LUMPUR: Malakoff Silver Solar Sdn Bhd, a special purpose vehicle owned on a 80:20 basis by Malakoff Corp Bhd and Solarvest Holdings Bhd , has signed a 21-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tenaga Nasional Bhd for a 470Mwax solar photovoltaic energy generating facility at Windsor Estate in Larut and Matang, Perak. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Malakoff said the PPA commences from the commercial operations date scheduled in the first quarter of 2028, whereupon the facility will generate, deliver, and sell solar photovoltaic energy to TNB throughout the 21-year term. The company said it expects positive future earnings contribution from the facility from the commercial operation date for the span of 21 years.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:30 UTC
Retiree loses RM88,000 in phone scam
KUALA TERENGGANU: A government pensioner's Tabung Haji money and his wife's savings totalling RM88,000 disappeared after being duped by a 'phone scam' syndicate. "The suspect asked the victim to pay a sum of money to settle the case and avoid arrest. "The panicked victim made several transactions totalling RM88,000 to different account numbers from December 4 to last Thursday, using Tabung Haji money and his wife's savings," he said in a statement on Saturday (Dec 20). ACP Azli said to avoid detection, the suspect also ordered the victim to tear up the bank receipt, supposedly for security reasons. According to him, the victim only told his wife about the incident after making the final payment.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:30 UTC
Taking control of mergers
THERE is talk in the grapevine that Grab Holdings Ltd is looking to buy TFP Retail Sdn Bhd (The Food Purveyor) from private equity firm Navis Capital Partners. It remains unsubstantiated news, but it did hit a nerve, at least for me.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:19 UTC