The brokerage, which has maintained a “neutral” rating on automotive stocks, said sales would also be supported by the launch of new Proton and Perodua models despite total industry volume (TIV) declining in November on a month-on-month basis after record passenger- and -commercial vehicle sales in October. It highlighted two automotive stocks under coverage with “buy” calls – HI Mobility Bhd , with a target price (TP) of RM3.10 and Sime Darby Bhd , with TP of RM2.24. Other national models launched recently include Perodua’s first EV, the QV-E in the beginning of this month, followed by the Trax sport utility vehicle on Dec 17. “Collectively, we expect these new model launches to support near-term demand and provide a positive carryover effect into 2026,” it said. This policy would have more of an impact on firms with higher exposure to locally assembled vehicles but would benefit Japanese and European marques.

THE property market is expected to continue growing in 2026, with the industrial sub-sector remaining a key segment, anchored by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Zerin Properties chief executive officer Previn Singhe says growth is expected to be more focused, with activity driven by clearer economic catalysts rather than a broad sector-wide momentum.

AT first glance, the government’s exit from Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) looks like a quiet admission that Malaysia’s 5G experiment has gone wrong. The single wholesale network (SWN) – later reshaped into a dual-network model – now leaves the country’s largest telcos facing a loss-making national platform.

For its first quarter ended Oct 31, 2025 (1Q26), net profit rose 5% to RM215.13mil from RM205.39mil in the previous corresponding period, primarily driven by robust contributions from domestic construction projects and the successful execution of quick turnaround projects in Vietnam. Meanwhile, FBG Holdings Bhd group executive chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said the group remains anchored by sound business fundamentals and disciplined governance. “Looking into the future, the outlook for the property and construction sector remains promising, supported by national development priorities and evolving market needs. Commenting on the outlook of the construction sector, Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB) said it expects the segment to continue benefitting from mega projects, data centres (DCs), renewable energy assets and water assets. Furthermore, it noted that the influx of DCs into Malaysia has been a boon for the construction sector.

(Dec 29): China took thinly veiled swipes at President Donald Trump’s efforts to end a border clash between Thailand and Cambodia, with Beijing seeking a role as a peacemaker between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Wang held separate talks the same day with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn. Trump has portrayed the ceasefire as a US-led success, while China is casting itself as a neutral mediator and implicitly challenging Washington’s narrative of leadership in the region. China provided about US$3 million (RM12.14 million) in aid to Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post reported. Both the Thai and Cambodian governments and their armed forces likely benefit from taking hard lines against each other.

In asserting pressure, Trump has said that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel, although that is what Netanyahu and his ultra-right-wing cabinet members want. Trump prides himself on being a peace broker in Gaza and a peacemaker who stopped the war between Israel and Iran. The Gaza peace plan is now entering its second phase, which requires long-term structural changes and stability on the ground for meaningful reconstruction to begin. Further pressure has come with the International Criminal Court’s issuing of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for war crimes committed in Gaza. More so when international journalists, so far blocked by Israel from entering Gaza and the West Bank, are expected to find their way to the frontline.

Compiled by JUSTIN ZACK, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANA BALLOON trader in India was killed when his helium cylinder exploded, Malaysia Nanban reported. Identified only as Saleem, the 40-year-old had been peddling his balloons near the Mysuru Palace in Bengaluru, a popular tourist destination. Saleem, who was just next to the cylinder when it exploded, was killed on the spot while five bystanders were injured. > A new book by Malaysian writer Balamurugan Kesavan will be launched in three places in India, the daily also reported. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies).

The 46-year-old, who gained a huge following in Japan following his role last year in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, will be working on the sequel of the blockbuster movie. “I have to start training with martial arts director Gu Yuanjian,” he said. Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was a 2024 action film starring big names such as Louis Koo and Sammo Hung, besides Lam. Based on the novel City of Darkness, the movie became the second highest-grossing domestic film of all time in Hong Kong. In April, it won the Best Film award at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

While some see COP30 in Belém, Brazil, as confirming their irrelevance, others see it as a turning point in the struggle for climate justice. Although not officially present, the US continued to frustrate the climate talks by urging petrostates to resist efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The COP30 Climate Change Performance Index exposed governments’ weak commitments to combating planetary warming over the past 21 years. Climate finance setbackLula appealed again for increased climate financing for the Global South, following the dismal record since the 2009 Copenhagen COP. His proposed “voluntary roadmap” to transition from fossil fuels will be discussed at the Colombia/Netherlands-led “Coalition of the Willing” conference in April 2026.

He added that any discussion about official fruits should not just focus on export stars like durian or pineapple; it must recognise the staples that ordinary households buy regularly. He also urged the government to pair symbolism with action through a “local fruits first” policy, particularly in public institutions such as schools, hospitals, military camps, government canteens, official events and state-linked companies. “Local fruits are fresher, travel shorter distances and fit our eating habits. “If ministries, agencies and even private companies consistently serve and buy local fruits, that will do far more for the sector than slogans alone,” he said when contacted. Koh stressed that supporting local fruits ultimately advances three national goals – public health, food security and sustai­nable agriculture – and called for long-term support packages to accompany any future “official fruit” announcement.

The digital era, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), will not eliminate the need for leadership; it will ruthlessly redefine it. These are the irreplaceable domains of human leadership. > Strategic AI integration: The goal is not to adopt tools, but to redesign business models and core workflows around AI-driven intelligence. > Elevated human skills: Paradoxically, the more automated operations become, the more critical human leadership becomes. The competitive imperative: Defining the future, being ahead of the curveUltimately, winning in the digital future will distinguish leaders and organisations that can:1.

Fruit production strong, supply assured for CNYPETALING JAYA: A good harvest in key producing areas is expected to keep mandarin orange supply steady and prices stable for Chinese New Year in February, say industry leaders. “Supply should be sufficient and prices are unlikely to rise as volumes are large,” she said in an interview. Malaysian Vegetable Importers Association chairman Datuk Seri Teh Meng Huat said the market outlook remains difficult to assess due to ongoing logistics and clearance challenges. On prices, he said the main uncertainty lies in freight costs, which can fluctuate due to global market conditions. “If the market is stable, everyone knows roughly how much is coming in,” he said.

Crest Builder Holdings Bhd has historically been a profitable group since going public through a reverse takeover of MGR Corp Bhd in 2003. For nearly two decades, the construction group consistently stayed in the black – supported by steady project flows, healthy construction margins, recurring concession income and a disciplined approach to investments and developments.

KUALA LUMPUR: With investors revelling in year-end celebrations, the domestic market is expected to stay in range-bound over the final days of 2025 trading. The FBM KLCI was up 0.21 points to 1,677.31 at Monday's open, putting it on course to ending the year at a 17-month high. TA Securities said market activities is likely to stay subdued this week with thinner year-end participation and the absence of meaningful domestic catalysts curbing follow-through buying. However, the research firm said this was an intermittent correction following the index adding almost 28 points over five trading days. Of actives, TWL was flat at 2.5 sen, Compugates unchanged at 1.5 sen and Pos Malaysia up two sen to 34.5 sen.

PETALING JAYA: RHB Research has lifted its total industry volume (TIV) forecast for 2025 after the earnings of automotive companies for the third quarter ended September (3Q25) were deemed “overall in-line” with expectations. “This is in line with the year-to-date 2025 TIV of 727,800 units (-1% y-o-y), which is at 92% of our 2025 forecast,” it said. On the performance of selected companies, RHB Research said Sime Darby Bhd ’s core profit of RM335mil (-8% y-o-y) came largely within expectations. Meanwhile, for MBM Resources Bhd , RHB Research said the positive deviation mainly came from higher-than-expected Perodua sales volumes and contributions from associates. Management guided that Perodua’s backlogs remained resilient at 89,000 (from 90,000 in the previous quarter) and we have also lifted our sales volume assumptions for this marque accordingly.”Overall, RHB Research is keeping its “neutral” outlook for the automotive sector.