Nation

Perak revenue surpasses RM1.4bil target to reach record high

IPOH: Perak recorded nearly RM1.5bil in state revenue in 2025, surpassing its target of RM1.4bil, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Nation

Govt to review business entry rules as foreign F&B outlets mushroom

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will review guidelines on the entry and operations of foreign businesses in Malaysia following the rapid growth of overseas food and beverage (F&B) companies locally, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Indonesia

Indonesia and UK strengthen green diplomacy with pact to restore 57 national parks

JAKARTA: Indonesia has secured a commitment from the United Kingdom (UK) to support the restoration and rehabilitation of 57 national parks nationwide, reinforcing green diplomacy between both countries.

Singapore

Singapore users flocking to Elon Musk’s Grok despite deepfake controversy

SINGAPORE: A wave of controversy over sexually explicit artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes has not made billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X or chatbot Grok any less popular in Singapore.

Banking

CIMB upgraded to AAA in MSCI ESG ratings on stronger sustainability practices

KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has been upgraded from AA to AAA in the MSCI ESG Ratings, the highest possible rating, reflecting strengthened sustainability practices and disclosures, particularly in the consumer protection and workforce management pillars.

Markets

Poultry farmer Hock Soon Capital seeks to raise RM60mil from IPO

KUALA LUMPUR: Hock Soon Capital Bhd is aiming to raise RM60mil from its initial public offering, the bulk of which will go towards establishing a new poultry farm in Teluk Intan, Perak.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia continues uptrend at midday

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended its gains at midday on sustained buying interest in selected heavyweight stocks, supported by the firmer tone in most regional markets.

Cambodia

Cambodian PM convenes meeting to intensify fight against online scams

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) on Wednesday (Jan 21) convened a meeting of the ad-hoc committee to combat online scams, as the country ramped up its fight against cyber scams.

Cricket

Cricket-Bangladesh seek 'miracle' to secure T20 World Cup participation

DHAKA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The Bangladesh ‌Cricket Board (BCB) will speak to the country's interim government in a last-ditch attempt ‌to secure the team's participation in next month's Twenty20 World Cup after their ‌demand to shift their matches outside India was rejected on Wednesday.

Tennis

Tennis-Maestro Djokovic mows down qualifier Maestrelli in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 22 (Reuters) - ‌Novak Djokovic systematically dismantled Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3 6-2 ‌6-2 on Thursday to reach the Australian Open third round, continuing ‌his quest to make more history at the Rod Laver Arena.

Nation

Man claims trial to raping minor

SEREMBAN: A 22-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping a 15-year-old girl.

Philippines

Marcos stable after experiencing 'discomfort', says Philippine Presidential office

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's health condition remains stable but he is currently under medical observation after experiencing discomfort on Wednesday (Jan 21) night, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported, citing the presidential office, Malacañang.

Badminton

Yew Sin urged to lodge police report over online threats

KUALA LUMPUR: Professional men's doubles player Ong Yew Sin has been advised to lodge a police report for the authorities to investigate recent online threats against him.

AI

Apple to revamp Siri as a built-in iPhone, Mac chatbot to fend off OpenAI

Apple Inc plans to revamp Siri later this year by turning the digital assistant into the company's first artificial intelligence chatbot, thrusting the iPhone maker into a generative AI race dominated by OpenAI and Google.

Markets

AMS Advanced Material gets Bursa Malaysia's nod for ACE Market listing

KUALA LUMPUR: Aluminium supplier, AMS Advanced Material Bhd (AMSB), has received approval for its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

Brunei

Brunei introduces Smart IoT system to speed up response to cable theft

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A Smart IoT security system solution has been introduced to help teams identify affected areas more quickly, enabling faster response and service restoration, according to Unified National Networks (UNN) during the second media engagement session on Wednesday (Jan 21).

Nation

Govt's debt servicing charges rose to 16% last year, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's debt servicing charges (DSC) increased at the end of last year to around 16%, according to Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong.

Corporate News

Malaysia Airports strengthens China connectivity at KLIA, Tawau to support VM2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airports continues to expand international air connectivity with new airline services linking key cities in China to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Tawau Airport, in support of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

Corporate News

HSS Engineers' associate secures RM22mil EPCC consulting job for data centre in Perak

KUALA LUMPUR: HSS Engineers bhd said its associate company HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd has been appointed the project management consultant for the enginering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the proposed 10.06MW load data centre and associated works in Bagan Datuk, Perak, (Phase 1 - 10MW)(Facility F1).

Nation

Malaysian Media Council’s official complaints mechanism now fully operational

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Media Council's (MMC) official complaints mechanism is now open and fully operational to handle complaints relating to journalistic practices, media ethics and news content.