Author - James Lim

Bursa Malaysia records higher net earnings of RM252.38mil in FY23

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd recorded an improved financial performance in FY23 as operating revenue rose amid an increase in trading activity In the fourth quarter of the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023, the stock exchange operator registered a net profit of RM59.55mil as compared to RM49.01mil in the same quarter in 2022. The exchange's basic earnings per...

Blogger ‘Sang Kelembai’ charged with making offensive post on vaccine procurement

KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger "Sang Kelembai" pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here Wednesday (Jan 31) to a charge of making an offensive post about vaccine procurement matters on his Facebook page four years ago. Datuk Abd Zarin Mohd Yasin, 72, was charged with creating and initiating the transmission of offensive communications with intent to annoy...

Analysis-US bitcoin ETFs raise questions over broader financial system risks

LONDON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The launch of U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tracking bitcoin deepens ties between the volatile world of cryptocurrencies and the traditional financial system, potentially creating unforeseen new risks, some experts say. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) this month approved 11 spot bitcoin ETFs from issuers including BlackRock and Invesco/Galaxy Digital, in a watershed...

Mahfuz ordered to pay Sanusi RM250,000 in defamation suit

ALOR SETAR : The High Court here has ruled that Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar must pay RM250,000 to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in damages in a defamation suit. Judge Dr Arik Sanusi Yeop Johari said Mahfuz was also ordered to pay RM30,000 in costs, Astro Awani reported. Arik Sanusi allowed...

Opposition leaders convey congratulations to Sultan Ibrahim, pledge loyalty to the King

PETALING JAYA: Opposition leaders have conveyed their congratulations to newly appointed Yang di-Pertuan Agong His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofia Queen of Malaysia. Opposition leader and Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin congratulated the Royal Couple and pledged loyalty to Their Majesties. “All Perikatan MPs and myself have full...

Istana Negara announces official titles of Malaysia’s new King, Queen

PUTRAJAYA: Istana Negara has announced the official title for the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and his consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah. In a statement, the King's senior private secretary Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim said the official title for Sultan Ibrahim will be His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim King...

DOSM estimates 3.4% growth in Malaysian economy in 4Q23

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economy is estimated to grow at 3.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023 (4Q 2023), representing a slight uptick from the previous quarter's growth of 3.3 per cent, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said notably, the services sector retained its position...

MACC freezes Tan Sri’s personal accounts in RM4.5bil graft probe

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has frozen several bank accounts believed to hold tens of millions of ringgit belonging to a businessman with a Tan Sri title. According to a source, the action was taken following investigations into a businessman since July 2023 regarding a contract to procure and manage the government's fleet of...

Top Thai officials pile pressure on central bank to ease rates, citing bank profits

BANGKOK (Bloomberg): Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s key aides renewed calls for an early rate cut to rein in commercial banks from making excessive profits, arguing the highest borrowing costs in a decade will further aggravate an economic crisis. The Bank of Thailand should set rules to lower the net interest margin earned by commercial banks...

Emerging Markets – Indonesian rupiah hit by political woes as Asian currencies mostly subdued

JAKARTA (Reuters): Asian currencies were subdued on Monday, with the Indonesian rupiah extending losses on concerns the country's finance minister may resign, while Singapore's dollar was largely flat after monetary policy was left unchanged, as expected. The Indonesian rupiah, among one of the worst performing currencies so far in 2024 after falling nearly 3%, slipped 0.2%...