ASB 5.75 sen payout to benefit 11.4 million unitholders
KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) wholly owned unit trust management company, Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), has declared a total income distribution of 5.75 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for the financial year ending Dec 31 (FY2025). In a statement yesterday, PNB said the total payout amounts to RM10.4bil, the highest quantum of annual distribution paid since ASB’s inception and will benefit 11.4 million ASB unitholders. PNB group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said this brings ASB’s cumulative income distribution to RM206.7bil, reflecting the resilience and strength of ASB’s investment portfolio. PNB said the units re-invested from the income distribution will be credited into the unitholders’ accounts on Jan 1, 2026. They said the payout preserved capital stability while offering investors meaningful real returns amid an uneven global investment landscape.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:18 UTC
Perak's single-use plastic ban postponed to March 1, 2026
IPOH: The full ban on single-use plastic bags in Perak would now start on March 1 next year, instead of Jan 1 as announced earlier. "The locations include Royal Belum State Park, Pulau Sembilan State Park, and geopark tourist attractions in Lenggong and the Kinta Valley. “From Sept 1, the ban will be fully enforced and no excuses will be accepted for continuing to supply or use single-use plastic carrier bags,” he said. Teh said the ban targets single-use plastic carrier bags provided by traders, while transparent plastic bags used by coffee shops, as well as wet and public markets are exempted for now. He added that the state plans to gradually extend the ban to single-use plastic food containers and beverage cups.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 06:13 UTC
Foster unity during festive season, urges Melaka CM
MELAKA: With Christmas goodwill programmes set to take place, the Chief Minister has urged the state government to use the festive season to strengthen unity. Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic) said state executive councillors and assemblymen should engage the grassroots and explain the state government’s development efforts. He said that charity initiatives during the festive season should go beyond ceremonial outreach and be accompanied by clearer communication on policies, development programmes and the economy. Ab Rauf said the state government would remain focused on strengthening governance, boosting state revenue and improving service delivery. “The welfare of the people, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation will continue to form the foundation of the state’s development agenda.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:45 UTC
Four agencies can’t be used to pay PBAPP going forward
GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s water consumers will no longer be able to pay their bills at Pos Malaysia, Paylink, MobilityOne and MBF, following the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) refusal to continue absorbing commission charges levied by these collection agencies. According to PBAPP CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan, the corporation ended up forking out commissions ranging from 40 sen to 90 sen for each transaction that goes through these collection agents. In a statement yesterday, he said the development stems from a directive by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), which forbids PBAPP from passing on commission charges to end users. However, he said Penang water users still have options, such as myPBA mobile app, myPBA portal, JomPay Bill Code: 50385, Maybank2U and Easy Pay. Alternatively, they can visit any of the nine PBAPP customer service centres.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:38 UTC
My Say: Revolutionising pharmacy practice with AI
However, while healthcare broadly embraces AI, its integration into pharmacy practice remains comparatively gradual. International studies provide compelling examples of AI’s impact on pharmacy practice. Nonetheless, integrating AI into pharmacy practice presents several significant challenges. For Malaysia to fully harness the benefits of AI in pharmacy practice, a collaborative approach is essential. The journey towards AI integration in Malaysian pharmacy practice may be fraught with obstacles, but the potential rewards are undeniable.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 20, 2025 05:37 UTC
Apink’s Yoon weds music producer Rado
Compiled by JAROD LIM,OON JUN-YANG and R. ARAVINTHANSOUTH Korean girl group Apink member Yoon Bomi is tying the knot with music producer Rado Song Joo-young next May, Sin Chew Daily reported. An image of the letter was also posted on Apink’s fan community site. “I have decided to spend my future with the person who has always been by my side,” Yoon said in the letter. Rado is a star composer who has written numerous hits, including TWICE’s TT and Apink’s Dumhdurum and I’m So Sick. Dubbed the “fairytale world of ice and snow,” the park uses over 400,000 cubic metres of ice and snow.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:28 UTC
US envoy Edgard Kagan’s tenure to end in February
PETALING JAYA: US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan is set to end his tenure in February as he retires from the US foreign service, according to sources. The source said that Kagan had conveyed his intention and informed the Malaysian government of his decision last week. “He has informed Malaysia that he would be retiring in mid-February," said the source, when contacted yesterday. US President Donald Trump has nominated Nick Adams to succeed Kagan as the next US ambassador to Malaysia. One of the key highlights of Kagan's tenure was accompanying Trump during the US president’s recent visit to Malaysia in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:24 UTC
From corporate life to coral reefs, ex-engineer dives for purpose
PETALING JAYA: Corporate life paid the bills, but it couldn’t feed her soul. Srimanimegala Sathiavelu found the peace and purpose she had been searching for elsewhere: out of office, beneath the waves. Brave plunge: Srimanimegala said watching other divers inspired her to obtain her own diving licence, while a trip to Sri Lanka introduced her to the joys of surfing. The beauty of the oceans there attracted me.”Although she could not swim confidently and had no diving licence then, watching other divers inspired her. “I immediately enrolled in the open water licence (diving certificate) in Pulau Tioman and achieved the advanced open water licence three months later at Pulau Perhentian.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:19 UTC
MPV driver nabbed for allegedly ramming motorcyclist following viral brawl
JOHOR BARU: An 18-year-old driver has been arrested for allegedly crashing a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) into a man before dragging a woman and reversing into a drain. “The MPV driver allegedly honked repeatedly, which led to a misunderstanding and a physical altercation between the two individuals,” he said in a statement on Friday. Supt Victor said the MPV driver later rammed into the motorcyclist, causing injuries to the victim and damage to his motorcycle. “The pillion rider, who is the wife of the motorcyclist, also sustained minor injuries after she was dragged by the MPV driver during the incident. A video from another angle taken with the dashcam of a passing vehicle shows the MPV driver and motorcyclist brawling following an argument, before the driver allegedly rammed his vehicle into the motorcyclist.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:15 UTC
Ewon Benedick hopes state-level Christmas celebrations will continue next year
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick hopes that the concept of this year’s state-level Christmas celebrations will be kept and continued in 2026. “I will suggest to the Chief Minister and state Cabinet to continue this concept next year,” he said, adding that past celebrations were organised by the Council of Churches with the cooperation of the city hall. This Christmas carnival was closed by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Ewon, the organising chairman, hopes such programmes would continue to act as unifying agents in this multi-cultural and multi-religious nation. Ewon said with Hajiji’s leadership, the state government will continue to grow towards a more peaceful, united, prosperous and developed future.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:14 UTC
Towards 2026 with a lesson in hand
WITH seven trading days left till the end of 2025, the FBM KLCI has clocked in a marginal gain of 1.4%. This would undoubtedly be considered as a disappointing year for many investors who had high hopes of further gains following the 12.9% on-year returns witnessed in 2024 for the 30-stock benchmark index. Bullish analysts were predicting the benchmark to close above the 1,750 mark in 2025 at the start of the year, but unfortunately this was not to be. (The FBM KLCI closed at 1,665.90 on Friday.)
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:12 UTC
Syed Saddiq's legal team steadfast, says prosecution's appeal without merit
KUALA LUMPUR: Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's legal team is steadfast in its stance that the prosecution’s appeal against the Muar MP's acquittal is without merit. The letter, dated Dec 18, came as a response to an instruction by Court of Appeal president Justice Abu Bakar Jais. In the previous proceedings on Dec 12, the Federal Court "paused" the proceedings and told the parties to reassess their positions in the case. Federal Court judges Justices Che Mohd Ruzima Razali and Collin Lawrence Sequerah also sat on the bench. The following day, the Attorney General's Chambers filed an appeal to the Federal Court.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 05:05 UTC
Issues raised by Najib's counsel have been adjudicated, says AGC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has issued a statement asserting that all matters raised by Datuk Seri Najib Razak's defence team in a recent press conference concerning the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case had been fully presented and adjudicated during the trial. In a statement on Friday (Dec 19), the AGC clarified that these issues were raised throughout the trial proceedings, which spanned from Aug 28, 2019, to Nov 4, 2025. It reiterated the department's commitment to conducting prosecutions with independence, fairness, and integrity, adding that all its decisions are based solely on the law and available evidence to ensure justice and uphold the public interest. The statement served as a direct response to a press conference held on Thursday (Dec 18) by Najib's lead counsel, Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex, during which he raised several issues pertaining to the case. The verdict on the 1MDB case will be delivered by Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah on Dec 26, 2025.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 04:35 UTC
SoftBank racing to close US$22.5b funding commitment to OpenAI by year end — Reuters
SoftBank has multiple sources of capital it could tap, including margin loans, cash on its balance sheet, stakes in listed companies, and corporate bonds or bridge loans, sources said. SoftBank secured a deal to invest in OpenAI at a US$300 billion valuation in April. A major pool of capital for SoftBank is its undrawn capacity of margin loans borrowed against its ownership of British semiconductor and software design company Arm Holdings. SoftBank recently expanded its margin loan capacity by US$6.5 billion, bringing the total undrawn capacity to US$11.5 billion. SoftBank promised in April to invest up to US$30 billion in OpenAI — US$10 billion of which the start-up would receive the same month.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 20, 2025 04:21 UTC