China's monthly battery exports by region, 2018-2025Going global"These leading energy storage cell makers, they have full orders. The boom "is one of the biggest surprises of the year, I think, in China's energy space." "US AI data centre power demand is very robust, but power is the biggest bottleneck, and US baseload power — gas, nuclear, thermal — they won't grow much in the next five years." China's battery storage this year overtook its capacity of conventional pumped hydro, a geographically more limited technology that uses water stored behind dams to generate electricity when needed. However, much of that battery storage capacity has sat idle because it was not profitable to operate.

KUANTAN: The flood situation in Pahang has improved, with the number of victims at temporary relief centres dropping sharply to 580 people from 167 families as of Monday (Dec 22) morning, compared to 2,575 victims (859 families) the previous afternoon. The state disaster management committee reported that only eight relief centres remain operational across five districts as of 8am: three in Pekan, two in Bera, and one each in Kuantan, Temerloh and Maran. Kuantan recorded the highest number of victims, with 259 people from 75 families, followed by Pekan (206 victims, 67 families), and Bera (67 victims, six families). Maran reported 35 victims from six families, while Temerloh had 13 victims from three families. Public InfoBanjir reported that Sungai Pahang has exceeded danger levels at two points: Lubuk Paku, Maran (19.39m) and Kuala Sungai Chini, Pekan (15.73m).

This article first appeared in Capital, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on December 22, 2025 - December 28, 2025I’ve lost another lunch buddy. We’ve become so attached to our phones — checking the news, social media, messages and the latest cat meme — that charging rent for the time they are in our hands might actually be profitable. We live much of our lives online now, which brings us to another issue: social media. A CEO once pointed out that the real problem with social media is that no one is held accountable. Malaysia is planning to follow Australia in banning social media accounts such as TikTok and Instagram for users under 16 next year.

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI opened the week lower on Monday, as investors adopted a cautious stance following the recent rally. Rakuten Trade believes there is a strong possibility that the index may test the enigmatic 1,700 level in the near term. “For today, we expect the index to trend between the 1,650-1,665 range underpinned by the strengthening ringgit,” it said. Meanwhile, Berjaya Research Sdn Bhd said the FBM KLCI is expected to trade on a cautious yet stable footing in the near term, with gains likely to be capped by intermittent profit-taking following the recent rally. With the RSI approaching overbought territory, bouts of quick profit-taking activities could emerge, with the 1,648 points acting as immediate support, followed by 1,638 points.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Asean must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said on Monday, stressing that efforts to address the Cambodia-Thailand situation must go beyond de-escalating tensions. “Asean must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability. “In a highly interconnected Asean and world, a security shock is an Asean matter and a global concern. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and Asean secretary general Dr Kao Kim Hourn were among the attendees. Brunei was represented by Foreign Minister II Datuk Erywan Pehin Yusof and Vietnam by Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, while Myanmar officials participated in the meeting virtually.

PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has reiterated her commitment to administer the Federal Territories in a clean manner in terms of environment and governance, with emphasis on basic services and the real needs of the people. She said the initial agenda of her administration was to ensure that Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan become clean territories not only in terms of the environment but also the integrity of governance. "Form and substance mean not only a clean environment, but also clean governance. "The strategic appointment of the Deputy Minister from Sabah also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that Labuan receives greater attention and support," she said. She said that armed with that experience, she would give priority and close cooperation to all Federal Territories lawmakers.

NEWLY appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has dismissed race-based criticism of her appointment as the first non-Malay to hold the portfolio. The Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Dec 16 sparked online debate, particularly about the appointment of non-Malays to both the Minister and Deputy Minister positions for Federal Territories. Drawing on this experience, our administration will prioritise close cooperation with all Federal Territories MPs. “It is vital to preserve traditional Malay villages in Federal Territories. Yeoh also shared her vision for the Federal Territories to be “clean in form and substance.”“This is not just about cleanliness but also clean in governance.

KOTA TINGGI: About 3,000 to 5,000 officers and personnel of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) nationwide are ready to be mobilised in the event of a second wave of floods. APM Training Management Division director Kol (PA) Effendy Ali said operations would also be supported by Civil Defence Auxiliary (CDA) teams, whose membership currently totals around 5,000. He urged the public, particularly residents in low-lying areas, to stay alert and make early preparations, including safeguarding themselves, their families and important documents. State APM director Kol (PA) Mohd Zul Khairi Shamsuddin said all of them were previously housed at SK Bukit Mentok PPS. He said all victims were allowed to return to their residences at 6pm yesterday following improved weather conditions.

KUANTAN: A trader lost about RM500,000 after falling victim to a business scam promoted on social media. He said the victim was told to bear the upfront costs in return for a 30% commission. “Using his EPF savings and personal funds, the man made ­several payments exceeding RM500,000. “He initially received RM8,300 in profits, which convinced him to continue,” Comm Yahaya said in a statement. When no additional profits were forthcoming and he was asked to put in more money, the trader realised he had been deceived and lodged a police report in Bentong.

Unadjusted shipments also gained 6.8%, while overall imports rose 0.7%, resulting in a trade surplus of US$3.8 billion (RM15.5 billion). Auto exports dropped 13%, and petrochemicals showed weakness tied to higher input costs and US protectionist measures. Still, Governor Rhee Chang Yong noted that much of the improvement in the growth outlook was driven by gains in chips and IT. Barclays said it expects exports to expand 2.1% next year, but excluding semiconductor-related exports, imports and investment, growth would only be about 1.1%. That ongoing divergence in performance adds to the difficulties for policymaking at the BOK, already complicated by weakness in the currency and frothy property prices in the South Korean capital.

But here in the tropics, another oil quietly plays a similar role: palm olein, the liquid fraction of palm oil. Between 1992 and 2017, nine controlled clinical trials across Malaysia, Australia, India, China, Denmark and Italy, compared palm olein with olive oil, canola oil, and groundnut oil. Price and practicalityIn Malaysia today, the price difference is striking:Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO): RM72.50/kgPure olive oil: RM70.95/kgPalm olein: RM6.90/kgEVOO is prized for its fruity, grassy, or nutty aroma, with a complex taste balancing bitter, peppery, and sometimes sweet notes. Pure olive oil, a blend of refined olive oil with 10% to 15% EVOO, has a milder flavour and is suitable for frying and baking. ConclusionSo, do you know where to find the olive oil of the tropics?

A community health initiative offering 300 free prostate‑specific antigen (PSA) screenings to the public has been launched. The programme by Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur runs until Dec 31 or while allocations last. In a statement, the hospital said prostate conditions continue to rise in Malaysia, and many men often delayed seeking treatment because they assumed urinary symptoms were “normal with age”. Prostate cancer remains the third most common cancer among Malaysian men, with one in 117 having a lifetime risk of being diagnosed with it. PSA screening is especially recommended for men aged 40 and above, those with urinary symptoms, individuals with a family history of prostate or breast cancer, and anyone who prefers an annual prostate health check.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): Southern Score Builders Bhd (KL:SSB8) is offering to take over engineering services firm Nova Pharma Solutions Bhd in a deal worth over RM14 million. The mandatory takeover at 37 sen per share was triggered after Southern Score acquired 33% of Nova Pharma from the LEAP Market firm’s chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wie on Monday, a bourse filing showed. “The offeror does not intend to maintain the listing status” of Nova Pharma on the LEAP Market if the takeover is successful. Nova Pharma is listed on the LEAP Market, in which trading is available only to sophisticated investors, back in 2018 at an initial public offering price of 20 sen per share. He has also granted Southern Score, among others, a first right of refusal to purchase his remaining shares in Nova Pharma in the event of any post-acquisition disposal.

INVESTORS may likely find some value by putting money in bonds next year, with favourable macroeconomic and policy conditions expected throughout the year coupled with supportive domestic interest rates. Experts also reckon with the worst of the global tariff increases behind us – at least for now – the fixed income market will be all the more compelling.

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 22): The Magistrate's Court on Monday acquitted and discharged rapper Wee Meng Chee, better known as Namewee, of the charge of administering drugs into his body. Magistrate S Arunjothy ruled this after deputy public prosecutor Amritpreet Kaur Randhawa informed that the pathology results were negative and the prosecution had withdrawn the charge. "The court acquits and discharges the accused from the charge and the bail money (RM2,000) is returned," said Arunjothy. Earlier, lawyer Joshua Tay representing Namewee said that since the pathology report was negative, there was no prospect of prosecuting the accused, and his client should be discharged and acquitted of the charge. However, the man still faces a charge of possessing drugs suspected to be ecstasy weighing approximately 5.12 grammes in a hotel room at Jalan Conlay here, at 4.30pm, on Oct 22.