(Jan 7): Baidu Inc’s artificial intelligence (AI) chip unit has hired banks for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong that may raise as much as US$2 billion (RM8.11 billion), according to people familiar with the matter. China Securities International is also working on the potential offering, they said. China Securities, CICC and Huatai also didn’t respond, and Citic declined to comment. Kunlunxin, which makes chips that power servers in data centres, confidentially filed for the IPO last week, Baidu said on Jan 2. AI-related companies are going public in Hong Kong to tap investor demand for a sector deemed strategic by Beijing as it pushes for technological self-reliance.

It was the strongest period for mega deals, by number, since LSEG records began in 1980. Calling 2025 an "exceptional M&A year," Goldman's global co-head of M&A Stephan Feldgoise told clients "it was an extraordinary M&A market," with activity driven by a "ubiquity of capital," according to the investment bank's 2026 M&A outlook. Goldman ranked number one in two key areas: M&A fee revenue and overall value of the deals it worked on, gaining market share in both areas. In terms of volume of deals, Goldman, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley held the first, second and third spots, respectively, followed by Bank of America and Citi. Whether they stay at their current rankings could depend on who wins the Warner Bros bid.

The MSCI China has gained about 3.6%, outperforming the S&P 500. Mainland Chinese investors’ southbound buying of Hong Kong-listed shares is projected to reach US$200 billion (RM810.5 billion) on a net basis, setting another record, the strategists said. Goldman Sachs has long been bullish on China, often defying market pessimism during the multi-year slump. A year ago, its strategists projected a roughly 20% gain for Chinese stocks in 2025. In 2025, the MSCI China rose 28%, while CSI 300 climbed 18%.

KOTA BARU: The decline in the number of arrests involving Malaysians in the border town of Sungai Golok throughout last December reflects the effectiveness of preventive measures resulting from tightened border controls by the Thai and Malaysian authorities. Sungai Golok Police Chief Colonel Thun Sirikhunt said only seven Malaysians were detained in several enforcement operations during the period, involving cases of entering Thailand without valid travel documents as well as drug-related offences. He said one of them was arrested for a drug offence while the other six were detained for illegal entry into Thailand, indicating that syndicate movements are increasingly being curtailed before criminal activities can be carried out. "Methamphetamine or Yaba pills remain the main prohibited substance being smuggled, therefore enforcement operations will continue to be intensified,” he told Bernama. He said continuous integrated operations are being conducted involving the police, military, Sungai Golok District Office and the Mayor’s Office, in addition to close cooperation with the Malaysian authorities to curb cross-border crime.

In Tokyo, Toyo Engineering Corp, which makes technology to recover rare earths from the seabed, jumped 20%. Australian miner Lynas Rare Earths Ltd was also up as much as 16%, the most since July, with metal producer Australian Strategic Materials Ltd climbing almost 10%. Rare earths are essential for making magnets and the elements are used in electric vehicles, robots and some defence-related technology. China’s latest export controls extend beyond rare earths to cover more than 800 items from chemicals to sensors. “It looks like Japan-China tensions are set to continue and I see that suppressing Japanese stocks’ upside for a while.”

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): IJM Land has opened registration for Phase 4 of Ridge View @ Puchong and will officially launch the phase on Jan 17, according to a statement on Wednesday. Phase 4 of Ridge View @ Puchong is part of the larger 25-acre gated and guarded development. Phase 1 has received a take-up rate of 90%, while Phase 2 and 3 have achieved take-up rates of about 80%. “As Ridge View continues to unfold, we see a growing appreciation for homes that offer clarity, elevation and thoughtful planning. Phase 4 reflects this progression and strengthens Ridge View’s position as one of Puchong’s most distinguished residential enclaves,” Chai added.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 7): The Mobile Labour Court will begin operations in Peninsular Malaysia this August to improve access to justice for workers and employers, particularly in rural and remote areas. He said the approach allows hearings to be conducted closer to the public, reducing travel costs and logistical challenges associated with attending Labour Court proceedings, especially for rural workers. People will no longer need to go to court; the court will come to them,” he said after a working tour of the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour (JTKSM) here on Wednesday. Ramanan said the Labour Court will also be strengthened through digitalisation, with six additional offices to be equipped with digital recording systems this year at a cost of RM1.8 million. Meanwhile, Ramanan said three key labour agencies, JTKSM, the Trade Union Affairs Department and the Industrial Relations Department, will be merged to improve service delivery efficiency and the enforcement of labour laws.

KANGAR (Jan 7): The approval process for investments in Perlis will be restructured to shorten the waiting period, which previously took between two and three months. Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said the state government wants a decision to be made more quickly, either in granting approval or informing investors of their ineligibility. Meanwhile, he said a more progressive, professional, and solution-oriented change in attitude and approach is needed across the entire state government machinery to boost Perlis' economic growth. The development of Perlis requires an efficient, fast, and integrated working machinery. The discipline of civil servants needs to be strengthened, including stopping the practice of going out for drinks outside office premises during working hours," he also said.

SEOUL (Jan 7): South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that much progress had been made in restoring trust with Beijing, and that he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a role in mediating Seoul's efforts to engage North Korea. Lee, who held talks with Xi this week, said the Chinese leader had noted that patience was needed when they discussed nuclear-armed North Korea. Lee was speaking to South Korean media in Shanghai with his remarks relayed live on television. "President Xi acknowledged our efforts so far and said patience is needed," Lee said. Lee said South Korea considered its ties with Japan as important as its relations with China.

The global energy debate continues to recycle a powerful illusion: that natural resource abundance automatically translates into national prosperity. The global energy debate continues to recycle a powerful illusion: that natural resource abundance automatically translates into national prosperity. Wealth is created only when resources are governed competently, developed by skilled institutions, protected by political stability, and embedded within a national strategy that transcends local pride, short-term politics, and episodic ambition. It required political stability, policy continuity across administrations, and — critically — a genuine team effort across the federation. - Wealth without political stability attracts external leverage.

A separate set of regulations, also published by the State Administration for Market Regulation and Cyberspace Administration of China, also bars online influencers from making false claims. Alibaba’s shares slid as much as 4.2% in Hong Kong, leading losses in peers such as AI video platform Kuaishou, JD and Meituan. Beijing has since 2025 heightened scrutiny of the country’s vast retail arena, particularly after Alibaba, JD and Meituan began spending billions of dollars on subsidies and incentives to try and dominate meal delivery. Some of the new regulations are designed to specifically target misbehaviours of platforms, the online tech companies that connect buyers with sellers. The new rules also require them to protect consumers and user data, and violations can lead to warnings and fines.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): Adnex Group Bhd has signed an agreement with Public Investment Bank Bhd to underwrite its initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market. Under the agreement, Public Investment will underwrite shares set aside for the Malaysian public and the "pink form" allocation for eligible persons, the interior fit-out services firm said in a statement. “The signing of this underwriting agreement represents another major step in our journey towards becoming a listed company,” said Adnex managing director Kan Wai Chun. Headquartered in Shah Alam, Selangor, Adnex specialises in interior fit-out services for commercial and industrial properties, including corporate offices, food-and-beverage outlets, and sales galleries. Post-listing, Wai Chun’s shareholding will fall to 55.5% from 75% while Wai Peng’s ownership will be diluted to 18.5% from 25%.

The latest decision was made, notwithstanding that the 2009 High Court decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal and Federal Court in 2012. The calculation and compensation for the illegal acquisition will now be determined by High Court judge Roslan Mat Noor. Mesne profit is the rental loss that could have been obtained by Semantan Estate for the property if it had continued to own the land. Whatever the outcome, each separate finding could be subject to an appeal to the Court of Appeal and Federal Court. “It would be ‘horrendous’ if an order were issued to return the land to Semantan Estate after nearly 70 years.

Malaysia’s top construction players, including Gamuda Bhd and IJM Corp Bhd, may see increased opportunities this year as headline job flows in the sector are expected to remain on par with 2024-2025, supporting steady expansion of the industry’s order book. NSTP/SAIFULLIZAN TAMADIKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top construction players, including Gamuda Bhd and IJM Corp Bhd, may see increased opportunities this year as headline job flows in the sector are expected to remain on par with 2024-2025, supporting steady expansion of the industry's order book. Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) highlighted hyperscale data centres as a key growth driver, with larger campuses potentially taking shape in 2026. The bank is maintaining its "Overweight" stance on the sector for 2026, supported by an ongoing order book expansion phase. HLIB's top sector picks are Gamuda (Buy; target price: RM6.88) and IJM (Buy; target price: RM3.40).

And why did the case involving politically connected entrepreneur Datuk Farhash Wafa Salvador’s mineral exploration licence fizzle out without any charges? The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) — the body responsible for deciding whether prosecution proceeds — has kept quiet on why the case has stalled. This also makes a strong case for the separation of the roles of the public prosecutor and the attorney-general. Only a little less beguiling, was the case of Farhash, the former political secretary of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In early 2025, MACC investigated claims that Farhash had acquired a mineral exploration licence through a politically connected company.