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PETRONAS resilient despite 2025 slip
BIG oil names like ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron and TotalEnergies had a weaker financial year in 2025 mainly due to softer energy prices despite the strong growth of the world economy. Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) was no exception. Malaysia’s national oil company’s (NOC) earnings for financial year 2025 (FY25) slipped 18% year-on-year to RM45.4bil, as average crude oil prices eased to about US$70 a barrel from an average of US$80 in 2024.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 01:03 UTC
Skylon Appoints COBNB as Hospitality Partner, Launches COBNB+ with L’Occitane en Provence Hotel Amenities
As part of the COBNB+ rollout, all PLUS-managed residences at Skylon will feature a full upgrade to L’Occitane en Provence hotel amenities, setting a new standard for guest comfort. L’Occitane en Provence was selected as COBNB+’s premium amenities partner for its strong association with leading hotels and resorts worldwide, its commitment to responsibly sourced ingredients, and its timeless French heritage. “At L’Occitane en Provence, we believe everyday rituals can become precious moments. As COBNB continues to expand its hospitality platform, COBNB+ will serve as its flagship standard for luxury short-stay and serviced living. About L’Occitane en ProvenceFounded in the South of France, L’Occitane en Provence is a globally recognised brand known for its natural ingredients, Provençal heritage, and long-standing presence as a preferred amenities partner for premium hotels and resorts worldwide.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 28, 2026 01:02 UTC
China continues to anchor liquidity
HAVE you ever wondered why the global economy has remained remarkably resilient since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) – almost unstoppable, except for the unprecedented supply shock during the Covid-19 pandemic? While monetary easing, fiscal expansion and productivity gains from artificial intelligence (AI) are frequently cited, in our view one foundational pillar has been liquidity – abundant and persistent.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:59 UTC
Petronas to pay RM20bil dividend to govt in 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas will pay a dividend of RM20bil to the government in 2026, guided by its affordability, says its president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz. "The board has just approved it and that is something that we can contend with, having evaluated more of our growth and reinvestment needs, also servicing borrowings and ensuring that there's enough proportion for in-shops," he told reporters during the Petronas Group financial results for the financial year of 2025 announcement here on Friday (Feb 27). For FY2025, Petronas's board has approved a dividend payment of RM32bil on the back of capital expenditure (capex) of RM41.6bil. "For capex, the guidance that we have over the next five years is on average RM45bil to RM50bil, depending on the phasing of projects as they come along," he said.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:55 UTC
Squeezed for cash and caught in the middle
PETALING JAYA: Caught between ageing parents and growing children, many Malaysians in their late 30s and early 40s are discovering that peak earning years can also mean peak financial pressure. ALSO READ: So-called sandwich generation face growing financial strain“At one point, I was paying for my housing loan, car loan, two children’s school expenses and my parents’ medical bills. When his father required surgery three years ago, Faizal turned to a personal loan. “It started with one personal loan for medical costs. But you don’t realise how much it adds up until repayments start eating into your monthly cash flow,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:50 UTC
Ling Ching’s good run ends in German Open quarters
PETALING JAYA: Wong Ling Ching’s giant-killing run came to an end at the German Open after she bowed out in the quarter-finals on Friday (Feb 27) in Mulheim. Ling Ching found world No. 37 Han Qianxi a tough nut to crack, going down 16-21, 13-21 in 39 minutes. Just a day earlier, she had produced a stunning upset by defeating world No. 8 Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand in the second round.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:45 UTC
RM2,000 monthly pension for veteran artiste
Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ, TAN SIN CHOW and R. ARAVINTHANA TAMIL music veteran artiste will receive RM2,000 monthly pension, thanks to the efforts and contributions of local artistes and community leaders, Makkal Osai reported. Iconic RTM announcer and award-winning newsreader V. Arumugam started the initiative to provide a monthly pension for renowned artiste N. Mariappan, 93, to ensure he is able to cover expenses in his old age. The effort has received support from retired RTM personnel and other well-wishers who helped raise the money for the pension fund. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:37 UTC
Authorities urged to curb new wave of ‘upgraded’ beggars
Occasionally, the mascot waves at small children, prompting their parents to stop and take a group selfie. What they don’t know is: the person in the frog costume waving back is a kid himself. “How old are you?”“Nine,” answered the boy in the frog costume, with one hand on the black box filled with RM1 notes hung around his neck. This seems to be the latest trend – beggars “dressed up” in cute attire. So he resorted to wearing a brightly coloured frog costume to ask for money.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:34 UTC
Daim’s four children sought by MACC
PETALING JAYA: Four children of the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin are being sought for questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). In a media statement, the MACC identified them as Asnida Abdul Daim, Md Wira Dani Abdul Daim, Muhammed Amir Zainuddin Daim and Muhammed Amin Zainuddin Daim. : (From left) Asnida, Md Wira Dani, Muhammed Amir and Muhammed Amin, who are being called as part of an MACC probe. — Photo courtesy of MACC’s Facebook pageAsnida’s last known address is located in Country Heights, Kajang, Selangor. Members of the public may also contact the MACC hotline or the nearest MACC office.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:13 UTC
Man sentenced to death for murdering ex-girlfriend's three-year-old son
SHAH ALAM: The Klang High Court on Friday (Feb 27) sentenced S. Davandrakumar, 33, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s three-year-old son in 2021. Judge Norliza Othman meted out the sentence after finding the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case. "The child was also immersed in water before being dragged to a room and beaten until death,” she said. Davandrakumar was charged with murdering the boy at a house in Taman Sentosa, Klang, between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm on Dec 24, 2021. In mitigation, lawyer Zamri Ibrahim stated that his client regretted his actions, promised not to repeat them, and requested a lighter sentence.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:05 UTC
TNB appoints Shamsul as president, CEO effective March 1
KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has appointed Datuk Shamsul Ahmad as its president and chief executive officer effective March 1, 2026, replacing Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan. The appointment is for a one-year term until Feb 28, 2027, with an option for a further one-year extension. The utility company said Shamsul’s tenure at TNB spans more than 37 years, during which he has held numerous key positions, particularly in the generation business. "In his current role as chief regulatory and stakeholder management officer, Shamsul has been instrumental in shaping Malaysia’s electricity supply industry regulatory framework. Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan has completed his tenure on Feb 28, 2026 after serving as president and CEO since March 2024.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 23:51 UTC
Trump says of Iran: Sometimes you have to use force
WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was not happy with Iran and wants to make a deal with Tehran but warned that "sometimes you have to" use military force. Trump, talking to reporters as he left the White House on a trip to Texas, said Iran was still unwilling to forswear nuclear weapons as demanded by the United States. Asked about the potential for use of force, Trump said the United States has the greatest military in the world. He did not specify with whom, but top U.S. defense officials were at the White House on Thursday for talks. "We want no nuclear weapons by Iran and they're not saying those golden words," Trump said.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 22:40 UTC
Well-founded doubts on credit market
CORPORATE bonds are exposed to abrupt downside as liquidity providers are increasingly replaced by liquidity takers. JPMorgan Chase and Co’s Jamie Dimon has warned of parallels to the era prior to the 2008 financial crisis. He’s not wrong to be concerned, as we will see, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at credit spreads, which are back near historic lows.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 22:22 UTC
MCA celebrates 77th anniversary, vows to continue defending public interests
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA marked its 77th anniversary on Friday (Feb 27) with a flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters here, reaffirming the party’s commitment to defend the rights and interests of Malaysians. Its president, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, led the ceremony in the morning, joined by central committee members, in conjunction with the party’s founding anniversary. Founded in 1949, MCA has traversed a 77-year journey through shifting political landscapes and defining moments, he said. “As we enter our 77th year, the political winds may change, yet our resolve to defend Malaysians’ rights and interests does not waver,” he said in a Facebook post. Dr Wee added that MCA's fundamental principle has never shifted, even as national politics take on various forms and configurations.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 20:58 UTC
Saudi Arabia contributes 30 tonnes of dates, 25,000 copies of Quran to Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia has contributed about 30 tonnes of dates and 25,000 copies of the Quran to Malaysia in conjunction with Ramadan 1447H, continuing its annual assistance to the country. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the donation is a reflection of the strong and harmonious ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Every year, they generously present dates to our country. Also present were Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Malaysia Osama Dakhil Al-Ahmadi and King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) representative Raid Mohamad. Zulkifli added that the dates, including the Syukari variety, were produced in Saudi Arabia and are among the world’s finest.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 20:40 UTC