Without the long-delayed IPCMC, public trust will continue to erode as systemic police abuse goes unchecked under the weak IPCC. THE recent announcement of long-awaited governance and public sector reforms will go some way in restoring public trust in national institutions.
JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 16): The Johor State Government will ensure that all development and strategic investments, including large-scale projects in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), will not compromise the basic needs of residents, particularly electricity and water supply, which remain a top priority. “TNB has reported that electricity supply in the JS-SEZ is sufficient and under control. “Johor is also planning and implementing five new water treatment plants (WTPs) and riverside water reservoir (TAPS) projects in collaboration with RSAJ, the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB). Carried out in phases, these projects will not only ensure sufficient water supply but also support the state’s growth until 2035. “Overall, these projects will provide more than 1,100 MLD of new capacity, ensuring that water supply remains adequate, stable and secure for residents, while supporting long-term industrial and economic development without affecting public supply,” he said.
(Jan 16): A Thai construction company under investigation over its role in two fatal crane crashes that killed 34 people earlier this week is seeking investor consent to restructure about US$446 million (RM1.8 billion) of debt. The efforts come a day after the Thai government ordered the nation’s largest construction company by revenue to suspend work at more than a dozen infrastructure projects. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that his government would terminate Italian-Thai’s contracts of projects where the crane accidents occurred. The crane crash on the expressway on Thursday killed two people, sparking a public outcry and calls from political parties for action against the company. A sustained sell-off in Italian-Thai’s shares has seen its market value shrink to about one billion baht from 12 billion baht in 2021.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno was being courted by various parties but committed to staying in the unity government after paying a ‘heavy price’ for being a part of it. He warned that repeated attacks on the party and its leaders risk testing that resolve. Zahid said Umno had paid a “heavy price” for being part of the unity government, facing insults, attacks and accusations that it had diluted its struggle for Malay and Islamic interests merely to cling to power. He acknowledged growing discontent among Umno members and Malay voters over the party’s role in the unity government, but said decisions taken by the leadership were guided by national interest and broader considerations of public welfare rather than personal survival. He warned, however, that Umno is not a “decorative” or expendable component of any coalition, but a pillar of national stability that expects loyalty to be met with respect.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted seven stocks with momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Friday. Three showed positive momentum, while another four showed negative momentum. It merely tells you which stocks are seeing higher-than-normal volume and price movements. But the “+ve” (suggesting a rising price trend on volume) and “-ve” (suggesting a falling price trend on volume) indicators should give readers a better idea of what the market is buying and when to sell. However, each stock has an accompanying fundamental score and valuation score to help readers evaluate the attractiveness of the stocks if they want to ride the momentum.
PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik had no trouble booking their place in the Indian Open quarter-finals after brushing aside Japan’s Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami in the second round on Thursday (Jan 15). Aaron-Wooi Yik needed just 33 minutes to seal a 21-9, 23-21 win over the Japanese pair to secure their last eight spot. “I think there was some wind in the hall, and we tried to manage it by being more patient. That gave us the edge to keep attacking," said Wooi Yik in a post match interview with BWF. Also advancing to the quarter-finals were women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah.
(Jan 16): Chinese regulators warned of “severe penalties” against automakers after they started a new round of price cuts, defying a campaign by authorities to curb excessive competition. They warned of “severe penalties” against companies for violations, according to a statement by MIIT on Thursday. The meeting was the second this week during which authorities spoke about restoring order to a market that has been plagued by a long-running price war. Despite repeated warnings, carmakers have found it difficult to stop price discounting as they contend with a slump in demand from the scaling back of state subsidies and the slowing economy. Other than slashing prices, some automakers have offered incentives such as interest-free loans to entice buyers.
Using an undervalued currency to gain export competitiveness is a logical strategy for any developing nation. An undervalued currency is simply one that is cheaper than it should be in exchange rate terms. The case against undervaluationEconomists have several arguments against currency undervaluation. Undervalued currency — who gains, who losesThe economic disequilibrium that an undervalued currency is tends to realign costs and benefits in disproportionate ways. An exchange rate policy deemed appropriate at a given point in time need not be so at a later stage of a nation’s growth.
“The most leading-edge technologies will be run in Taiwan because of practical reasons,” chief financial officer Wendell Huang said in an interview on Thursday (Jan 15). Taiwanese officials and TSMC, meanwhile, have said that the chipmaker will keep its best technology at home. The company, Asia’s most valuable, is accelerating the buildout of its capacity in Arizona due to strong demand. North American customers like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices Inc now account for 75% of TSMC revenue. Trump administration officials last year floated the idea of the Taiwanese company operating some Intel fabs, lending its advanced knowhow to help the US chipmaker struggling to catch up.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 16): Westports Holdings Bhd (KL:WPRTS) is expected to see upside to its fourth-quarter earnings, supported by stronger year-on-year (y-o-y) and quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) volumes, as well as elevated yard utilisation, according to Maybank Investment Bank Bhd. "This combination could support higher q-o-q earnings, with fourth-quarter results expected on Jan 30, 2026. Looking ahead, Maybank IB expects activity to moderate ahead of Chinese New Year, providing a temporary breather for global supply chains. "While first quarter of 2026 volumes at Westports are likely to ease q-o-q, earnings should remain resilient, supported by the Phase 2 tariff hike (+10%)," the investment bank said. Unexpected delays in tariff hikes or a surge in operational costs could also dampen future earnings growth, Maybank IB said.
KUALA LANGAT: Foreign nationals caught using fake MyKad identity cards say they did so mainly to secure employment, with the forged cards sold for RM300. The operation, codenamed Ops Vape, began at 7.30pm and was aimed at curbing the forgery of identity documents, particularly MyKad, as well as the misuse of other people’s identity cards for employment purposes. An Indonesian woman, identified as Nulina, 37, said she was introduced to an agent by a friend to obtain a fake MyKad for RM300. She told me that if I wanted to work, I had to buy a MyKad. He stressed that the government views any form of abuse or forgery of identity documents seriously, as it poses significant implications for national security.
Training and equipment access remain vital alongside new laws, say expertsPETALING JAYA: A Good Samaritan law could help reduce fear among bystanders during emergencies, but experts and civil society groups say equally important are first aid training, wider access to life-saving equipment, and sustained public awareness. Lee stressed that while a Good Samaritan law could reassure the public of a legal protection, it must go hand-in-hand with practical measures that empower people to act. “A truly effective Good Samaritan culture is built when people feel confident, prepared and supported. ALSO READ: Untrained public discouraged from giving first aidAlthough Malaysia does not have a specific Good Samaritan law, existing provisions already offer some legal protection for acts done in good faith. However, Ananthan cautioned that any future Good Samaritan law must be carefully drafted to avoid encouraging reckless or negligent behaviour, particularly by untrained helpers who act beyond their abilities.
(Jan 15): Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a meeting Thursday, a bid to gain his favour as the US determines her country’s future and moves past an episode that rankled the president. Trump’s shunning of Machado from Venezuela’s leadership stunned opposition leaders and Machado’s allies abroad, including some Republican lawmakers. “They have thus far met all of the demands and requests of the United States and of the president,” Leavitt told reporters. “The president likes what he’s seeing and will expect that cooperation to continue.”Before Trump met Machado, Leavitt said he was expecting a “good and positive discussion” with her. “She won the Nobel Peace Prize,” Trump said, while adding that he was “hearing” she might.
And they know that to overcome the Chinese pair, they must hit the ground running. The Malaysian duo have yet to beat the Chinese pair in four encounters, and their most recent clash at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou went to the wire, 23-25, 21-11, 22-20. Shevon admitted that slow starts have been a recurring issue for them. “In that aspect, we need to get into the match faster and not give away the first game so easily. Jimmy felt lapses in concentration at crucial moments proved costly against the Chinese duo.
PETALING JAYA: Another round of staff reduction can be expected at Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) this year, following the “overwhelming response” for its manpower optimisation programme. The telecommunications giant had cut its staff count by 37% between its peak in 2014 and the end of 2024. Despite this, its underlying staff costs have held in a tight range of RM2.3bil to RM2.6bil between 2015 and 2024, according to an analysis by CGS International Research (CGSI Research). Quoting TM management, CGSI Research said the strong response for the previous manpower optimisation programme was due to the “generous terms”. Looking forward, the research house’s earnings estimates for TM have been adjusted to reflect the added manpower optimisation costs this year.
