The cyclical nature of style and trends is a phenomenon that has persisted for many years. Millennials yearned for the 1990s and now, Gen Z yearns for the 2000s.

The Y2K wave, as it stands with Gen Z now, is a reinterpretation of the zeitgeist of 2000s fashion, characterised by a nostal...

Listicle: #Y2K gadgets to help fulfil your aesthetic

Malaysia finds itself at a critical juncture, where the digital industry holds the key to future growth and competitiveness. As we navigate the complexities of a globalised world, digital advancement is no longer a luxury but a necessity for sustained economic progress. Beyond mere rhetoric, our ...

Insight: Alchemy for Malaysia’s digital economic growth

A decade from now, how are our cities going to be powered? Will the proliferation of electric vehicles continue, thus shaping our public transportation and day-to-day lives? Will our offices and homes be powered by solar, wind or hydro? Will there be a new form of energy that shapes our world? Pe...

Geek Speak: Going nuclear

A troubling trend in Malaysia’s housing ownership landscape has emerged in recent times. The declining rate of home ownership is juxtaposed against a surge in unsold properties, painting a complex picture of the housing market.

This scenario can be particularly daunting for prospective ...

Asset Awareness: Redefining property investment with data

As tech giants compete to develop the next generation of headsets, extended reality (XR) seems poised to transform not only how individuals interact with the virtual world but also the operations of businesses across industries. 

While adopting this new technology is an obvious ste...

Extended Reality: Making XR more accessible to SMEs

The media has been inundated with news of companies, which previously endorsed a hybrid work model, now forcing employees to return to the office full-time. However, that may not represent the sentiment of all companies and it is believed that the trend of hybrid work is here to stay, with many t...

Flexibility: Hybrid work-play environment still in demand in Malaysia

Picture this: While on your day job as an e-hailing driver, your car breaks down. After sending the car to a workshop, you check your bank account and there isn’t enough money to cover the repairs as your funds have been used for back-to-school supplies.

Without the car, there are no ot...

Cover Story: Need-based financing for the underserved

Fintech-as-a-service (FaaS) solutions have enabled small enterprises to deploy solutions, facilitating their payment processes and expanding their product reach globally without the burden of developing an in-house, proprietary payment gateway.

Joel Tay, CEO of Soft Space Sdn Bhd, belie...

Solutions: Tackling fintech woes

Manufacturing and high technology industries were the most targeted victims of ransomware attacks in 2023, according to Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 Ransomware Retrospective blog and Incident Response Report 2024. This is due to the limited visibility into their operational technology systems, a l...

Red Alert: Manufacturing and high technology industries most vulnerable to ransomware attacks, report finds

I have been speaking about the need to change the start-up funding narrative from the build to flip mentality to building enduring companies in my last few articles. I have also explained why mergers and acquisitions (M&A) do not really work in Malaysia because corporations in the country are...

The Pitch Deck: An IPO is a terrible thing to waste

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for 97% of all business establishments in Malaysia and employ around 48% of the country’s workforce. While the pressure to provide sustainability-related disclosures and adopt relevant practices has thus far been on bigger companies, SMEs are increasingly affected as well. A special feature in the recent Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) 2023 annual report, titled “Supporting SMEs transition to greener practices”, highlights the risks, opportunities, steps and toolkits for SMEs in this low-carbon transition.

Helping SMEs cope with climate change

It took only one meeting between Anish Mathew Samuel and Chakrapani Ruddraramker, who both went to the same business school in Manila, to quit their jobs and set up a company to trade eco-friendly products, thanks to their passion for sustainability.

This was 10 years ago. Soon, they be...

Agriculture: On a quest to make organic farming affordable

As it stands, all development projects seeking approval in Malaysia are subject to one regulatory process for assessing their environmental impact, known as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA 1974). EIAs are a planning tool. By laying out a formal...

Views: A rubber stamp on environmental degradation?

There were few positive headlines about ESG and sustainable funds in the last few years. In 2022, the returns of many of these funds were negatively impacted by their underexposure to energy counters and overexposure to technology stocks. In 2023, declining fund flows and a net outflow were recor...

Finance: Waiting for more maturity in ESG

East Ventures, a venture capital firm that focuses on Southeast Asia (SEA), has launched a free web-based greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator called Ecovisea for companies to measure their emissions. Ecovisea, which stands for emissions calculator and visualisation SEA, was developed in collaboration...

Toolkit: A new free carbon emissions calculator

A parallel is often drawn between sustainability reporting and financial reporting. Both are mandatory for Malaysian public-listed companies (PLCs) and must be published online annually. Yet, compared with financial reports, sustainability reports seem to engender less trust and the comparability...

Cover Story: How credible is sustainability reporting?

Concert tours generate a significant carbon footprint — from the travel of artistes and attendees to waste generated at venues and merchandise sales. Given the large audiences that popular concerts attract, these events also consume a lot of resources and energy.

After the crowd has lef...

Waste: Can concerts be green?

PUTRAJAYA (March 27): Datuk Abdul Razib Dawood, chief executive officer of the Energy Commission (ST), revealed that ST is currently in talks with the government to give condominium owners an exemption from having a distributor licence to install electric vehicle charging bays (EVCB).

Energy Commission to speed up EV charger licensing process

The Covid-19 pandemic and other geopolitical factors have caused disruptions in local, regional, national and global food supply chains, prompting us to focus on traditional farming systems. These are the products of ingenious combinations of knowledge, techniques and practices that contribute to...

Views: Preserving traditional farming in Malaysia

Hydrogen is touted as the next alternative green energy solution. There are several projects and plants being developed in Malaysia as envisioned in the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap, and even more are under development globally.

Exploring hydrogen as an energy source

The Edge Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2024

The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2023

The Edge ESG Awards 2023

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2023

The Edge Centurion Club Corporate Awards 2023

It’s official: PH-DAP’s Pang Sock Tao has won the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election with a 3,869 vote margin

NEWS: PH retains Kuala Kubu Bahru

PH-DAP’s Pang Sock Tao talks about her priorities following her victory in the Kuala Kubu Bahru by-election

NEWS: Pang vows to resolve constituents’ woes

It’s official: PH-DAP’s Pang Sock Tao has won the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election with a 3,869 vote margin

NEWS: PH retains Kuala Kubu Baharu

LENGGONG (May 12): Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail described his meeting with US Department of the Treasury’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson as having been a frank discussion.

It was a frank meeting with Brian Nelson — Saifuddin Nasution

BENGALURU/TOKYO (May 12): SoftBank Group's Arm Holdings plans to develop artificial-intelligence (AI) chips, seeking to launch the first products in 2025, Nikkei Asia reported on Sunday.

Arm Holdings plans to launch AI chips in 2025, Nikkei reports

HULU SELANGOR (May 12): Newly elected Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) assemblyman Pang Sock Tao wasted no time in serving the community by interacting with locals at Pasar Rasa here on Sunday.

Newly elected Pang sets out to serve

KANGAR (May 12): Malaysia’s wholesale and retail trade increased by 5.2% in March this year, indicating that the domestic economic ecosystem of the country is in a dynamic and progressive state.

Rise in wholesale, retail trade proves economy is dynamic and progressive — minister

KUALA LUMPUR (May 11): The victory of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election on Saturday night signals a clear mandate for the Unity Government to redouble efforts in attracting investors and subsequently revive and strengthen the country's economy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar: PH’s victory in KKB polls clear signal to redouble efforts to strengthen economy

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Books, literary study and research, poems and translations make up the fabric of National Laureate Muhammad Haji Salleh’s day. Starting every morning by writing poetry, editing or translating epics, helps him overcome feeling down. With close to 100 publications to his name, the 82-year-old bilingual man of letters has more in mind, aimed at bringing old manuscripts and great works to new readers.

Found in translation

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): In this issue of City & Country, Berjaya Times Square Sdn Bhd executive directors Syed Ali Shahul Hameed and Tan Tee Ming tell us about its much-anticipated development — Times Square 2 (TS2) — which is set to be launched on May 18. This luxury serviced apartment development adjacent to Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, has a gross development value of RM625 million.

Crafting another success story

Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) victory in the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election was widely expected by political analysts. 

Even so, they had expected it to be closer fought.

PH's victory margin wider than expected in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, say analysts

Pakatan Harapan-DAP’s (PH-DAP) Pang Sock Tao has emerged victorious in the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election, with a 3,869-vote margin over Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu (PN-Bersatu) candidate Khairul Azhari Saut.

PH wins in Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election with a majority of 3,869 votes

Bursa Malaysia’s average daily trading value (ADTV) jumped 42% to RM2.9 billion in the first four months of 2024 (4M2024), showing the vibrancy of the local equity market since early this year.

Bursa's average daily trading value jumps 42% to RM2.9b in 4M2024

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has never allowed any e-hailing service provider to use the price bidding system for passengers in the country, said Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Loke says e-hailing price bidding system never approved by MOT

A viral message claiming that Malaysia is the first Asean member country sanctioned by the US is fake, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Viral message of US imposing sanctions on Malaysia is fake, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR (May 10): Paramount Corp Bhd (KL:PARAMON) bought a 21.54% stake in Eco World International Bhd (EWI)(KL:EWINT) for RM170.61 million in cash.

Paramount buys 21.5% stake in Eco World International from Quek Leng Chan for RM170.61m cash

Long considered a tech hinterland, Southeast Asia is fast emerging as a centre of gravity for the industry.

Tech giants starting to treat Southeast Asia like next big thing, Bloomberg reports

Digital business solutions provider Cuscapi Bhd (KL:CUSCAPI) said Securities Commission Malaysia has approved its associate company MX Global Sdn Bhd to facilitate the trading of the Worldcoin (WLD) token on digital asset exchanges recognised by the SC.

Cuscapi says SC has okayed trading of Worldcoin on digital asset exchanges in Malaysia

As Malaysia aims to achieve high-income status, it needs to improve its human capital outcomes to match those of high-income countries.

Aspiring to high-income status: Education matters

Southeast Asian governments are grappling with the challenges of rising energy demand, a burgeoning middle class, strong pressure not to increase energy and electricity prices, and the need to deliver just and equitable growth — before even considering ambitious plans to decarbonise and build industries of tomorrow.

Southeast Asia remains off-track in net zero ambitions 

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities fell to the lowest in a decade in 2023. According to the “Global M&A Report” published by Bain & Co, the total M&A market fell by 15% year on year last year to US$3.2 trillion, the lowest in a decade.

M&A activities hit a low in 2023, pickup expected this year

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Malaysia declared its support for the important role played by Qatar, in efforts to resolve the violence perpetrated by the Zionist Israeli regime against the Palestinian people.

Malaysia declares support for Qatar’s role in peace negotiations in Palestine

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): The honours, medals or orders received by Malaysians from foreign countries without the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong are not valid and not recognised for use within the country, said Council of Datuk Dato’ Malaysia (MDDM) president Datuk Awalan Abdul Aziz.

Foreign honours, medals, orders without King’s consent not valid, says council

ALOR SETAR (May 12): The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) is expanding Phase Two of the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) 2.0 project to another 14 types of commercial vehicles starting Monday (May 13).

Armizan: Subsidised diesel control system project expanded to another 14 types of vehicles

ISKANDAR PUTERI (May 12): The Johor state government is considering implementing policies to curb the property price speculation associated with the establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

Special economic zone: Johor govt considering policies to curb property price speculation

PORT KLANG (May 12): All state governments have been urged to amend their respective forestry enactments by incorporating public inquiry procedures before degazetting any forest areas, as this falls under their jurisdiction.

State govts urged to include public inquiry in forestry enactments

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): The viral statement claiming that Umno has adopted a more open approach and is willing to lessen its exclusive focus on Malay agendas, is false.

Umno: Viral statement is fake

KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah Queen of Malaysia, on Sunday extended Mother’s Day greetings to all women who are mothers.

King, Queen extend Mother’s Day greetings

A total of 268 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been operational, bringing the total number of EV charging bays to 2,288 units as of March 2024, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (Miti).

Miti: 2,288 EV charging stations installed as of March

A total of 12 police reports for various offences were received with five investigation papers opened during the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election campaign period that ended on Saturday.

Twelve police reports lodged, five investigation papers opened over Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

The polling process for the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election, which began at 8am on Saturday, concluded at 6pm when all 18 polling centres were closed.

Polling ends, vote-tallying process begins for Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election

We repeat … the secular declines in inflation and interest rates have ended

SYDNEY (May 12): A former US Marine pilot fighting extradition from Australia on US charges of training Chinese military pilots to land on aircraft carriers, unknowingly worked with a Chinese hacker, his lawyer said.

Former US Marine pilot arrested in Australia worked with Chinese hacker, lawyer says

PARIS (May 12): Leading healthcare companies Pfizer and AstraZeneca announced on Sunday, new investments in France worth a total of nearly US$1 billion, ahead of the start of this year's annual "Choose France" business summit.

Pfizer, AstraZeneca announce new investments of nearly US$1b in France

CAIRO (May 12): Israel sent tanks into eastern Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip early on Sunday, after a night of heavy aerial and ground bombardments, killing 19 people and wounding dozens of others, health officials said.

Israel pushes back into northern Gaza, ups military pressure on Rafah

CAIRO (May 12): Chinese companies won four bids to explore Iraqi oil and gas fields, Iraq's oil minister said on Sunday, as the Middle Eastern country's hydrocarbon exploration licensing round continued into its second day.

Chinese companies win more bids to explore for Iraqi oil and gas

SINGAPORE (May 12): KPMG in Singapore says it will be committing over S$100 million to make salary adjustments, technology and learning for its over 3,500 employees over the next five years.

Singapore KPMG to commit over S$100m in salary adjustments, tech and growing talent

JAKARTA (May 12): As Indonesia’s president elect Prabowo Subianto prepares to enter office in October, he looks set to take a more assertive stance in foreign policy, saying that diplomacy, negotiations, and the "Asian way" have helped to defuse tension.

Indonesia's Prabowo reiterates 'Asian Way' to defuse tension, Al Jazeera says

BEIJING (May 12): China's anti-graft watchdog said it was investigating the former chairman of China state-owned giant National Chemical Corp (ChemChina), for violations of discipline and law, along with another former company official.

China's graft watchdog probes two former officials of ChemChina

(May 11): The governor of Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine said one woman was killed, 29 people were wounded and several hundred flats damaged by Ukraine's continuous attacks over the weekend.

Russia's Belgorod governor says Ukraine shelling kills one, wounds 29

BAGHDAD (May 11): Iraq's oil minister said on Saturday that Iraq had made enough voluntary oil production reductions and would not agree to any additional cuts taken by Opec+ at its next meeting early next month.

Iraq won't agree to new Opec+ oil production cuts, oil minister says

BEIJING (May 12): Industrial and Commercial Bank of China said it would issue 30 billion yuan (US$4.15 billion) worth of total loss-absorbing capacity (TLAC) bonds on May 15, marking the first issuance of such bonds by a Chinese bank.

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