Markets

ACE Market-bound Eckem Holdings aims to rise RM15mil from IPO

PETALING JAYA: Industrial chemicals distributor Eckem Holdings Bhd aims to raise RM15 million from its initial public offering (IPO) in conjunction with its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd scheduled for July 3, 2026.

Economy

Malaysia's PPI records 5.4% increase in April 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Producer Price Index (PPI) rises 5.4 per cent in April 2026 against 1.1 per cent in the previous month, the highest increase since August 2022, mainly driven by higher crude oil and petroleum-related product prices, said the Statistics Department (DOSM).

Nation

11 men charged with being members of organised crime group

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 11 men were charged in the Sessions Court here Monday (May 25) with being members of an organised crime group known as the "RT6 Gang" since 2020.

Sabah & Sarawak

PBS proposes bipartisan panel to support Sabah's 40% revenue share claim, other MA63 efforts

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is proposing a bipartisan committee under the legislative assembly to focus on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) matters, particularly Sabah's claim to 40% of net federal revenue derived from the state.

Gadgets

Screen-shunning parents turn to audio toys

Devices offering entertaining and educational audio content are increasingly sought out by parents keen to keep their offspring from overdosing on screens.

Myanmar

Heavy rain in Myanmar triggers landslide, blocks Putao–Naungmon road

YANGON: A landslide caused by heavy rainfall has blocked part of the Putao–Machanbaw–Naungmon road in Naungmon Township, Putao District, according to reports.

Nation

Cops to probe fatal lifeboat incident at Sepat facility

KUALA TERENGGANU: Police are conducting a detailed investigation into the accident that claimed the lives of three workers at the Sepat floating storage and offloading facility. The facility is located about 150 metres off the waters of Kuala Terengganu.

Nation

Govt to give focus to employment safety net amid global supply crisis

PETALING JAYA: A total of 7,057 workers lost their jobs in April, an increase from 5,855 in March, said the Economy Ministry.

Corporate News

Sime Darby's 3Q net profit jumpes to RM654mil on higher profits, land disposal gain

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd said all three of its business divisions registered higher profits in the third quarter of its financial year (3QFY26), while a one-off gain from the disposal of Malaysian Vision Valley (MVV) land saw the group's earnings soar over the period.

AseanPlus News

Vietnam ramps up surveillance, triage for suspected Ebola cases

HANOI: The Vietnam Health Ministry has issued an urgent directive to hospitals and local health departments to step up Ebola prevention and control amid fears the virus could enter the country.

Nation

IWK’s Rise and Revive gets community moving for a good cause

KUALA LUMPUR: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd successfully brought together wellness, music and community spirit through Rise and Revive, a vibrant health and wellness focused community programme held at IWK Eco Park @ Pantai Dalam on a lively Sunday morning.

Indonesia

Sumatra residents demand compensation for 17-hour blackout

MEDAN: Electricity came back online on Sunday (May 24) after a total blackout in almost all of Sumatra since Friday evening, causing massive disruptions as the public is demanding compensations from electricity company PT PLN, a unit of Indonesian sovereign wealth fund PT Daya Anagata Nusantara.

Commodities

Oil slips 6% as US, Iran seen moving closer to peace deal

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell 6% to two-week lows on Monday, as optimism grew that the United States and Iran were moving closer to a peace deal, even though they remain at odds over key issues, such as blockades on the Strait of Hormuz.

Cybersecurity

ECB convenes banks to fix flaws exposed by AI Models, FT says

The European Central Bank plans to press lenders to accelerate efforts to secure their IT systems after organising a meeting on cybersecurity risks with the latest artificial intelligence models, the Financial Times reported.

Nation

Mechanic hit with three more firearms charges

SIK: A mechanic slapped with three more counts of firearms possession has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Telcos

Axiata's net profit jumps to RM273.8mil in 1Q

KUALA LUMPUR: Strong growth in Axiata Group Bhd's bottomline coupled with resilient cash flow underpin the telco's performance in the first quarter of 2026.

Football

Soccer-Australia's 'Vibes Manager' Boyle eyes World Cup spot after Qatar setback

MELBOURNE, May 23 (Reuters) - Australia ⁠forward Martin Boyle was reduced to crutches and a cheerleading role at the 2022 World Cup ⁠in Qatar but four years later is on a better footing to play in the ‌North American tournament.

Nation

SAR ops underway after hiker goes missing while trekking near Tapah

IPOH: A 49-year-old female hiker has gone missing during a trekking expedition along the Trans Spencer Chapman trail at Puncak Gunung Batu Putih in Tapah.

Philippines

All Filipino crew members of MV Hondius negative for hantavirus

MANILA: The 38 Filipino crew members of MV Hondius, who are quarantined in the Netherlands, have tested negative for hantavirus, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

China

China launches crewed space flight as part of Moon ambitions

BEIJING: China launched its crewed Shenzhou-23 spacecraft and eased it into a successful docking with a space station early Monday (May 25) as part of Beijing's ambitions to send humans to the Moon by 2030, state media said.