Artificial intelligence company Zhipu AI, also known as Knowledge Atlas Technology, opened 3.3% higher than its offer price of HK$116.20 (RM60) apiece and ended 13.2% higher at HK$131.50. Shanghai Iluvatar CoreX, a semiconductor firm, started 31.6% higher than the offer price of HK$144.60, and closed 8.4% higher at HK$156.80. Surgical robotics company Shenzhen Edge Medical jumped 36.4% above the HK$43.24 offer price, and ended 30.9% higher atHK$56.60. Zhipu AI, spun out of Tsinghua University, raised HK$4.35 billion at HK$116.20, giving it a valuation near HK$51 billion. Its offer price gave it a market capitalisation near HK$36.8 billion.

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, advised all civil servants to uphold integrity and trust in carrying out their duties for the benefit of the people and the nation. In a social media post on Thursday (Jan 8), His Majesty stated that civil servants are the backbone of national administration and play a vital role in ensuring the effective implementation of government policies and plans. The advice was conveyed when His Majesty granted an audience to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, at Istana Bukit Tunku here on Thursday. During the meeting, Sultan Ibrahim was briefed on current public service issues, including efforts to strengthen governance and institutional accountability. In a separate engagement at the same venue, His Majesty also granted an audience to Royal Malaysia Police Special Branch director Datuk Ibrahim Darus.

(Jan 8): Investment firm Baillie Gifford and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC Pte Ltd are among those buying shares in MiniMax Group Inc’s much-awaited HK$4.8 billion (US$619 million or RM2.5 billion) initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, according to people familiar with the matter. Norway’s Norges Bank Investment Management and asset manager Schroders plc are also among the buyers, the people said. Baillie Gifford, GIC and Norges Bank didn’t respond to requests for comments. On Thursday, shares of rival Knowledge Atlas Technology JSC Ltd, better known as Zhipu, climbed 13% in their debut in the Asian financial hub. Their stock performance is being seen as an early measure of whether investors view the firms as credible challengers to their US counterparts.

JOHOR BARU: Four years ago, Tan Gim Wai was earning a steady income to support his family. As the sole breadwinner, Tan’s sudden loss of income puts his family in financial hardship. He said he could no longer support his wife, three young children and elderly ­parents. I hope to one day stand up again, bring my children back and unite my whole family,” Tan said. Ho said the organisation is now assisting the family with fundraising for the surgery and has been in touch with Tan’s doctor to explore more affordable post-surgery physiotherapy options.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): A Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KL:KAB)-led consortium has formalised an equipment supply agreement for the planned 1.5 gigawatt (GW) combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant project in Perlis. Consortium members include Sirage Holdings Sdn Bhd (Sirage) and B.Grimm Power, one of Asean’s most established and diversified power and energy companies. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the company, the supply agreement covers the supply of one 9HA.02 gas turbine and one H78 generator for the first phase of the multi-phase new Teknologi Tenaga Perlis Consortium (TTPC) facility. Kinergy, as the lead consortium member, has grown from an engineering contractor to a full-fledged project developer, overseeing power plant development, execution and operations. The company said as a ready brownfield site, it allows for faster development of a next-generation power plant and supports Malaysia’s energy transition efforts.

TOKYO (Jan 8): The operator of the Uniqlo clothing brand, Japan's Fast Retailing, said quarterly operating profit surged by a third and it bumped up its annual outlook, citing robust sales growth globally that helped it absorb US tariffs. Profit from its domestic business grew 20.6% from a year earlier thanks to buoyant demand for sweatshirts and warm innerwear. Autumn sales in China were strong and the launch of a collaborative business with e-commerce giant JD.com brought in new customers. Overall, its international segment posted profit growth of 41.6%. For the full year, it has increased its operating profit target to ¥650 billion from ¥610 billion.

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 8): Malaysia boosted natural gas-fired power generation and slashed reliance on coal in December, grid operator data analysed by Reuters shows, as rising production bolstered local supply and helped expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The Southeast Asian nation of 35 million, however, expects natural gas to overtake coal as its main source of power only in the next decade. Power consumption in Peninsular Malaysia has been rising in recent years due to a surge in demand from energy-guzzling data centres, pushing it to crank up reliance on coal-fired power. A 12.6% increase in solar power generation also helped a marginal rise in its annual share to 2.4%, from 2.1% in 2024. Solar output is crucial for keeping power generation costs low in Malaysia, as it pivots away from coal and uses more gas.

JAKARTA (Jan 8): Indonesia may approve a coal output quota of "more or less" 600 million metric tonnes in 2026 and will adjust its nickel quota according to the industry's needs, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said on Thursday. The output quota level will be lower than the 790 million tonnes produced last year, though actual production by the world's top thermal coal exporter often surpasses the quota. The ministry has not provided data on how much nickel ore was produced in 2025. Indonesia's nickel smelter association FINI estimated nickel ore demand from domestic smelters in 2026 would reach around 340 million to 350 million metric tonnes from around 300 million tonnes in 2025, with new production capacity expected to come online this year. Concerns about Indonesia's reduced nickel output sent global prices surging in December.

PETALING JAYA: A new species of fairy lantern has been ­discovered by local researchers in Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Congkak in Selangor. The fairy lantern, or Thismia selangorensis, is a distinct mitriform species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia and was first discovered in a tree hole near a riverbank. With fewer than 20 plants of the species identified so far, it might be considered critically endangered. According to PhytoKey, a ­scientific journal published on a peer-reviewed and open access journal site, co-author and naturalist Tan Gim Siew discovered the species in November 2023. Currently, there are 120 species of fairy lanterns known across the world.

ANKARA: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was on Wednesday (Jan 7) conferred the Order of the Republic, Turkiye’s highest state honour, in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties between Malaysia and the republic. Also present at the conferment ceremony were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye from January to November 2025 amounted to RM21.2bil, with the republic continuing to be an important economic partner for Malaysia. Meanwhile, Anwar said in a statement that he accepted the conferment with deep gratitude and humility, not in a personal capacity, but on behalf of all Malaysians. Anwar also expressed hope that the recognition would continue to serve as a catalyst to strengthen Malaysia-Turkiye cooperation across various strategic fields, for the benefit of the people of both countries.

PUTRAJAYA: Former army chief Jeneral Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan and his two wives arrived at the Magistrate's Court here on Thursday (Jan 8) for a remand application. The trio were held to assist investigations into a cartel linked to procurement tenders for the army. It was previously reported that the former army chief and his wives were detained by the MACC on Wednesday (Jan 7) after presenting themselves at the MACC headquarters here to give statements in the ongoing probe involving military contract tenders. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed the arrests when contacted. On Tuesday (Jan 6), the MACC secured a five-day remand order for 17 company directors suspected of operating a cartel to fix tenders for army procurements.

PETALING JAYA: World No. 7 men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were shown the exit by England’s Ben Lane-Sean Vendy in the second round of the Malaysian Open on Thursday (Jan 8). Sze Fei-Izzuddin struggled to match their opponents' pace before conceding 21-13, 21-17 in 42 minutes. They became the second Malaysian pair to fall to Lane-Vendy in the tournament, after Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri were eliminated in the first round.

Seu Bock, who has been strongly tipped to return as the senior men’s singles coach in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), was seen guiding Jun Hao along with K. Yogendran. A much happier Jun Hao said that Seu Bock’s presence was key to his victory. “For sure, it feels different as he has guided the senior men’s singles players for so many years. So, starting with a win this year has given me some confidence,” said Jun Hao. “I hope I can play with confidence and be consistent in the next round,” said Jun Hao.

PUCHONG: Youth leaders must be prepared to accept criticism and refrain from taking easy shortcuts, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic). The Umno president said that youth leaders must learn to accept other views, especially if their own opinions are strong. ALSO READ: Akmal contemplates role as Umno Youth chiefHe was asked to comment on Dr Muhamad Akmal Salleh's announcement that he might step aside from his position as Umno Youth chief. "I do not direct this at Akmal personally, but am speaking generally, to all youth leaders, regardless of party. Asked if he believed that Dr Akmal would vacate his post, Ahmad Zahid said he would not entertain such thoughts.

For the Economy Ministry, our focus is to ensure that Malaysia’s plan for the next five years will take place, and we must focus on the execution,” he added. In Nov last year, the Economy Ministry said the government had reduced dependence on petroleum-related revenue to about 16.9%, down from 28% in 2022. Since Maduro’s capture on Saturday, the United States has made several announcements about Venezuela’s oil, which is the world’s largest known crude oil reserves. The following day, Trump announced a deal to import up to US$2bil worth of Venezuelan crude oil. After Trump’s announcement, crude oil prices fell on Wednesday (Jan 7).