Commodities

CPO prices to remain range-bound between RM3,800 and RM4,100 a tonne in Jan 2026- MPOC

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's crude palm oil prices are expected to remain range-bound between RM3,800 and RM4,100 a tonne in January 2026, underpinned by a balanced supply-demand outlook, said the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC).

Nation

Instances of part-time job scams more than doubled in 2025, say cops

KUALA LUMPUR: Incidences of part-time job scams have sharply increased by 146% in 2025, resulting in RM202.58mil in losses.

Singapore

Over 200 under Singapore police probe for involvement in scams

SINGAPORE: A total of 239 people were rounded up by the police over two weeks in December for their suspected involvement in scams that led to losses of around S$5 million.

Entertainment

Local band Jazz Collective to hold fundraiser event in Petaling Jaya on Dec 28

The event aims to raise funds for MyStarfish, an organisation dedicated to supporting children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia extends upward momentum at midday

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended its upward momentum at midday today as continued buying activities in selected heavyweights -- led by financial counters -- further supported market sentiment, coupled with the firmer performance of regional peers.

Squash

Sanjay overcomes Lee to claim SEA Games squash title

BANGKOK: National squash player Sanjay Jeeva got his revenge on compatriot Duncan Lee by clinching gold at the Thailand SEA Games on Friday (Dec 19).

Nation

Papagomo charged with failure to notify business changes concerning public donations

KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, better known as Papagomo, pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court on Friday (Dec 19) to a charge of failing to notify authorities of a change in business details.

Nation

Suspect detained after remains of missing woman found inside bag

SEREMBAN: Police have detained a 41-year-old suspect after a woman's remains were discovered buried inside a bag behind a house in Pedas near here.

World

Islamic State, in first comment, calls Palmyra attack a blow to US and Syrian forces

Dec 19 (Reuters) - The Islamic ‌State group said the killing of U.S. Pentagon ‌personnel in Syria's ancient city of Palmyra was a "blow" ‌to U.S. forces and Syrian armed factions opposed to it, in its first public comment on the incident.

Thailand

Thailand says Cambodia border fight is also a war on scammers

BANGKOK: Thailand's army has recast its deadly clash with Cambodia as a battle against cybercriminals, adding a new motive for bombing runs across the border that it says are aimed at rooting out scammers.

Economy

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 30-year high, signals more hikes

TOKYO: The Bank of Japan raised interest rates on Friday to levels unseen in three decades and signaled its readiness for further hikes, taking another landmark step in ending decades of huge monetary support and near-zero borrowing costs.

Laos

EU commits over 1 million euros to help Laos bolster women’s role in agriculture

VIENTIANE: The European Union (EU) has committed over 1 million euros to support women's economic development in Laos through a new project focused on enhancing women's roles in agriculture and environmental sustainability.

Commodities

Oil set to close lower for second straight week

OIL prices ticked down on Friday and were set to close lower for a second straight week, as rising prospects of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal offset concerns over supply disruptions from a blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers.

Indonesia

Medan cancels New Year’s Eve celebrations after public backlash

MEDAN: The Medan city administration in North Sumatra has cancelled its planned New Year's Eve celebrations following public backlash, as the region continues to recover from widespread flooding and landslides.

AI

LG will let TV owners delete Microsoft Copilot after customer outcry

LG Electronics Inc will let owners of its televisions delete Microsoft Corp's artificial intelligence software amid a consumer backlash.

Letters

Abolishing PTPTN: New Deputy Higher Education Minister must remember his promise

From Ong Chee Siang, MCA Youth Education Consultative Committee Chairman.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sedco announces RM15mil payout to Sabah govt, highest in 15 years

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) has announced a RM10mil combined dividend and loan repayment to the state government for 2025, the highest in over 15 years

Corporate News

Mah Sing, KLK to jointly develop Kulai industrial project

KUALA LUMPUR: Mah Sing Group Bhd and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) unit KLK Land Sdn Bhd have formed a strategic joint venture to acquire and develop a 419.15-acre tract of freehold industrial land within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) in Kulai.

Living

Meet the chef who spent 10 years learning about Sri Lanka's lost recipes

Chef Sudheera Bandara travelled to 2,000 villages and spoke to 5,000 senior citizens to uncover lost Sri Lankan recipes.

Sabah & Sarawak

Kuching’s Meow Run for Autism to flag off April 12, 2026

KUCHING: Early preparations are underway for the Kuching Autistic Association's (KAA) fundraising Meow Run for Autism next year.