(Dec 30): Ether hoarder BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc is set to close the year as one of the most popular overseas stocks in South Korea, even after a steep decline from a July peak. South Korea’s retail investors are known for their voracious appetite for high-risk investments. This year, a proliferation of digital-asset treasury companies — listed vehicles whose purpose is to accumulate cryptocurrency — quickly caught the eye of South Korean traders. The stock was barely on investors’ radar before the shift, but it quickly became the most bought overseas equity in South Korea in July. BitMine currently holds about US$12 billion worth of ether, making it the largest DAT dedicated to the token, according to data compiled by strategicethreserve.xyz.

SEOUL/BEIJING (Dec 30): South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will make a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7 and meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the Blue House said on Tuesday, aiming to keep up momentum to restore ties. China is South Korea's largest trading partner, and Seoul regards Beijing as a key force for stabilising supply chains, Lee has previously said. "China and South Korea are important neighbours and partners. The US is South Korea's military ally but Seoul relies on trade with China, which accounts for about 20% of South Korea's overall trade, said Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, a Seoul-based think-tank. Among the issues at stake between the two countries is Beijing's effective ban on K-pop content after the 2017 deployment of a US-led missile defence system in South Korea.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 30): Prasarana Malaysia Bhd on Tuesday introduced the use of reverse vending machines (RVMs) at high-traffic Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations as part of the company’s initiative to support the development of sustainable urban mobility. He said the technology provided a more convenient recycling facility, thereby encouraging recycling practices among public transport passengers and the urban community. Among the machines introduced is Klean, powered by artificial intelligence to accept plastic bottles and cans. Also introduced was the Atlas Ecopod recycling machine, integrated with Atlas vending machines, enabling users to recycle and receive digital rewards that can be redeemed directly at the adjacent vending machines. To date, 16 units of RVMs have been installed at facilities operated by Prasarana, including Menara Prasarana and the headquarters of Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd.

Critics worry the hikes may deter first-time and infrequent riders, potentially reversing efforts to boost public transport usage. One of the affected users, Eugene Lai expressed concern over the one-day Rapid Kota pass going from RM6 to RM10. Ephrem Riyeng Anak Retan noted that his parents, who are from outside the Klang Valley, relied on Rapid Kota passes to commute during their visits. “After learning about the upcoming price hike, they don’t feel like using it anymore,” he said. Parti Sosialis Malaysia member Amir Iskandar said the adjustments could drive away those who might have tried public transport services through short-term passes like Rapid Kota, Rapid Kembara and Rapid Keluarga.

KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pic) has resigned from his post following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s exit as coalition chairman. In a statement on Tuesday (Dec 30), Azmin said he took note that his appointment as Perikatan secretary-general was under the authority of the chairman. ALSO READ: Muhyiddin: I resign as Perikatan chief"Therefore, I resign as secretary-general of Perikatan effective January 1, 2026. I will also resign as Selangor’s Perikatan liaison committee chairman effective the same date," he said on his social media page. His resignation follows Muhyiddin’s announcement earlier on Tuesday that he will step down as Perikatan chairman.

SEGAMAT: A mild earthquake on Sunday morning, followed by afternoon flooding caused by heavy rain and rising river levels, left residents here and in nearby areas feeling anxious. State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said 40 victims were sheltering at the Kampung Batu Badak Community Hall, 42 at the Kampung Tasek Multipurpose Hall and five at the Kampung Jabi Community Hall. “Another 14 people have been relocated to the Kampung Paya Lebar Community Hall,” he said in a statement yesterday. The Rompin District Disaster Management Committee Secre­tariat said all affected residents have been placed at the Kampung Setajam Community Hall in Rompin, which was opened at noon yesterday. The publicinfobanjir website reported that water levels at Sungai Rompin in Kampung Kerpal and Sungai Pukin in Rompin had exceeded the alert level as of 3pm.

PETALING JAYA: Several high-value items, including luxury watches and handbags, were seized following searches at the Malaysian Army office and a senior military officer’s residence. “However, MACC seized several luxury items believed to be linked to the case,” the source said yesterday. MACC investigations are currently focusing on the flow of funds suspected to have entered the bank account of the senior military officer, allegedly in connection with the army procurement projects. Last week, a team of MACC officers visited Mindef to trace projects implemented through open tender procurement as well as procurements under the Army’s Responsibility Centre (PTJ). Initial investigations revealed that between 2023 and 2025, there were 158 military procurement projects valued at more than RM500,000 each, while another 4,521 projects were worth below RM500,000.

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit continues its upward momentum, opening slightly higher against the US dollar on Tuesday, as the greenback weakened ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes today. At 8 am, the local currency edged up to 4.0500/0670 against the greenback from Monday’s closing of 4.0580/0625. "Export conversion, portfolio inflows and corporate hedging activity continue to favour the ringgit, creating a persistent supply of US dollars in the local market. At the opening, the ringgit was traded lower against a basket of major currencies. It inched up against the euro to 4.7677/7877 from 4.7787/7840 at Monday’s close, was slightly higher versus the British pound at 5.4711/4941 from 5.4742/4803 yesterday, but it depreciated vis-a-vis the Japanese yen to 2.5970/6082 from 2.5956/5987 previously.

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS will not be part of the new Perlis state executive council (exco), its secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has announced. He said after examining and considering the current situation involving the Perlis government and Perikatan Nasional, PAS has decided it will not have any state exco members in Perlis. "We (PAS) will continue our commitment to the Perlis government in accordance with the mandate given by the people in the 15th General Election. "At the same time, PAS will not be a member of the State Executive Council which will be formed by the new Perlis Mentri Besar," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 30). Takiyuddin added that all existing PAS state exco members will resign their positions as a sign of solidarity, in line with the resignation of the former Mentri Besar.

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has confirmed that he is stepping down as Perikatan Nasional chief. In a short statement issued on Tuesday (Dec 30), Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu President, said that he will resign from his post as chairman of Perikatan on Jan 1, 2026. "I have decided to resign as Perikatan chairman effective Jan 1, 2026. I thank all Perikatan leadership for their support during my five-year tenure. I wish the best for the Perikatan leadership and all component parties," said Muhyiddin.

A VIRAL social media post says that TikTok is being shut down in Malaysia. "The TV station has also lodged a police report and denied that the post was published on any of its news platforms," it added. The statement also said that an individual had been called in to give their statement at the Kerian district police headquarters in Perak. "Always verify the authenticity of information before posting, sharing, or commenting on social media. "The spread of false content and misuse of identity not only misleads the public but can also lead to legal action," it added.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal against his conviction and sentence in the RM2.28bil 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case. His lawyer Muhammad Farhan Muhammad Shafee confirmed that the notice was filed last night (Dec 29). On Friday (Dec 26), the High Court found Najib guilty of four power abuse charges and 21 money laundering charges involving RM2.28bil linked to 1MDB funds. While no fine was imposed for the money laundering charges, the court ordered him to pay a recoverable sum of RM2.081bil, in default of 270 months' jail, for those charges. Najib was charged with four counts of using his position to obtain RM2.28bil in gratification from 1MDB funds and 21 counts of money laundering involving the same amount.

JOHOR BARU: Johor Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal has stepped down from his position, shortly after Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced his own resignation. “With this, I resign as Johor Perikatan chairman. I, too, lost my position as MB (mentri besar), so I gladly step down as Perikatan chairman,” said the Johor Bersatu chief. Dr Sahruddin is a former Johor mentri besar, replaced by Datuk Hasni Mohammad after Bersatu’s withdrawal from Pakatan Harapan in Johor in 2020. Earlier on Tuesday (Dec 30), Muhyiddin confirmed he will step down as Perikatan Nasional chief effective Jan 1, 2026.

KUALA LUMPUR: Organ transplantation will be placed on the national agenda next year, with the Health Ministry restructuring the National Transplant Centre (NTC) into a central command body. ALSO READ: The unsung heroes behind organ donation in Malaysia"We are elevating the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) (into the) NTC, directly under the purview of the Medical Development Division, ministry headquarters. This shifts it from a 'hospital unit' to a 'national command centre' giving it the mandate to drive policy nationwide." Among the key initiatives outlined is the groundwork for establishing a National Transplant Council, which will function as the central authority for data and resource management. "Over 400,000 Malaysians have registered as organ donors, yet more than 10,000 patients remain on transplant waiting lists.

KUALA LUMPUR: Decisions involving Perikatan Nasional must be made through a consensus of all its component parties, say three of the coalition's youth leaders. In a joint statement on Tuesday (Dec 30), Bersatu Armada chief Muhammad Hilman Idham, Gerakan Youth chief Lee Boon Shian and Malaysian Indian People’s Party Youth chief Justin Prabakaran said all decisions made in Perikatan's name must be referred to, discussed and decided through its supreme council. ALSO READ: Muhyiddin: I resign as Perikatan chief"This is in line with Clause 13 of Perikatan's constitution. "Although all component parties can express their views, the (overall) stance of Perikatan must be decided by a consensus of all its component parties," they added. "They must realise there is a larger agenda for the well-being of the people and the future of Malaysia," their statement read.