☕️ MCMC blocks LGBT apps

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

RM242.06 – That’s how much you need for essentials at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). That gave KLIA the distinction of being one of the more affordable airports in the world to be stranded in, according to a study by flight compensation service AirAdvisor, placing it in the lower-middle tier globally in terms of costs. The most expensive airport was John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where stranded passengers would need about RM1,325 for a day’s basics, while Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi was the cheapest, at RM102. The study covered the cost of six essentials, including a three-star hotel stay, a fast-food meal, water, coffee, public transport, and a toothbrush. AirAdvisor estimated that up to 30 mil passengers worldwide were stranded overnight at airports in 2025.

42.6 mil – Singapore’s Changi Airport recorded that as its seat volume for 2025, making it the fourth-busiest international airport last year. This brings Changi Airport’s capacity back in line with pre-COVID-19 levels, according to data from global travel data platform OAG. Dubai International Airport took first place, marking its third consecutive year at the top. London Heathrow Airport took second place, while Incheon International Airport in Seoul took third place. Check out the rest of the list here.

10,931 – That’s the number of people in their 20s and 30s in South Korea who obtained bus driver licences in 2025. That marks a 43% increase from the 6,218 recorded in 2023. Analysts attribute the trend to improved working conditions and shifting social perceptions around the profession. The shift comes as major metropolitan areas in South Korea are adopting a semi-public bus system, which has significantly boosted wages and job security. The pay is kinda good too - the average monthly salary of a metropolitan bus driver is between KRW5.2 mil - KRW5.6 mil (RM14.2k - RM15.3k).

Together with Mr Money

Making $en$e of Property Investment
If you’re thinking about buying property - or already holding one - you don’t want to skip this!

On Mar 6, we’re sitting down with Gin from StayWokeProperty (IG here) to unpack the real math behind property decisions - and whether it still makes sense for you in 2026.

It’ll be a relaxed Friday night (Connor’s beers included 🍻)*, seats are limited.

Get your tickets here.

*Event for non-Muslims, aged 21+ only

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

MCMC blocks LGBT apps
The Communications Ministry has confirmed that access to the Grindr and Blued websites has been blocked in Malaysia, while legal options are being reviewed to curb their availability on mobile app stores. For those who don’t know what app it is, Grindr and Blued are social networking and dating applications primarily used by gay, bisexual and other men to connect with others nearby. MCMC is assessing possible steps but has not received any formal request to remove the applications from platforms such as Google Play or the Apple App Store. Control over these platforms falls under the regulations of the service providers, as both applications are owned by foreign companies operating outside Malaysia. The commission said it remains committed to ensuring the domestic online space complies with local laws and will act against content involving exploitation, abuse, scams or threats to public safety. Relevant information will be channelled to enforcement agencies, including the police, for further investigation. Meanwhile, publicly listed Grindr’s market cap stands around USD2.09 bil (RM8.12 bil).

Primary education reset in 2026

New Year 4 assessment introduced: Beginning 2026, Year 4 pupils will sit for a new national assessment covering Bahasa Malaysia, English, Science and Mathematics. PM Anwar Ibrahim announced that the assessment will be administered by the Malaysian Examination Board under the National Education Blueprint 2026 to 2035. From 2027 onwards, Form 3 students will also be required to sit for History as an additional subject. In addition, pupils in Years 5 and 6 will be given two years to strengthen their performance before entering secondary school.

More mathematics hours in primary schools: The Education Ministry has confirmed that mathematics teaching hours in primary schools will increase from 576 to 608 hours over six years under the 2027 curriculum. Weekly lessons will be set at 3.5 hours for Level 1 pupils and three hours for Levels 2 and 3, adding 32 hours overall. The ministry said the increase aims to strengthen understanding of mathematical concepts and provide more targeted support for pupils who require additional help. The adjustment follows concerns that Malaysia records among the lowest mathematics teaching hours in Southeast Asia, according to the 2024 SEA PLM report (view report here - page 7). More hours don’t mean better - but good start nonetheless. 

Bu$ine$$

Zetrix eyes Nasdaq listing after US$40 mil investment
Zetrix AI Bhd (fka MyEG) has secured about USD40 mil (RM155 mil) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, to expand digital infrastructure in Malaysia, Southeast Asia and other emerging markets. The funding will support projects that strengthen digital public infrastructure, the systems that allow citizens, businesses and governments to access essential services securely and efficiently. To serve this purpose, the company back in 2023 launched its own cryptocurrency also called Zetrix. Under the agreement, Zetrix and the IFC will jointly develop projects in the region through a subsidiary that is being prepared for a Nasdaq listing. The company’s artificial intelligence arm, AI Foundation Lab, plans to list on Nasdaq by the end of 2026.

Mr DIY pays out 120% of earnings in record dividend
Mr DIY Group is returning more than its entire financial year 2025 net profit to shareholders, declaring dividends totalling RM758 mil, equivalent to 119.8% of its RM632.69 mil earnings. The payout marks a 60.3% increase year-on-year. Some highlights:

• the retailer posted an 11.2% rise in net profit on revenue of RM4.95 bil, up 6.5% from the previous year.

• Growth was supported by an 8.4% expansion in store count to 1,556 outlets, along with positive like-for-like sales during festive and school holiday periods.

• Malaysia contributed RM4.91 bil in revenue, while Brunei added RM40.61 mil. For the fourth quarter, net profit rose 11.3% to RM163.85 mil on revenue of RM1.28 bil, driven by higher sales, improved margins and 121 net new stores.

• As of December 31, 2025, retained earnings were RM1.76 bil, with cash balances of RM225.21 mil. The group plans to open about 155 new stores in 2026.

How can a company pay more dividends than it earns in the year? So long as they remain solvent and dividends can only be paid out of accumulated profits. 

View its earnings here.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

The US: Missiles and Trump’s approval ratings

Iran’s missiles
During his State of the Union* address, US President Donald Trump offered an explanation as to why he might be leading the US into its most aggressive action against Iran since 1979. Trump said that he would not allow what he called the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon, pointing to Tehran’s support for militant groups, its killing of protesters, and the country’s missile and nuclear programmes as threats to the region and the US. He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, working to build missiles that can reach the US, and of being responsible for roadside bombings that have killed US service members and civilians. This follows Iranian state media claims that Tehran is developing a missile that can reach North America. Iran is also reportedly nearing a deal with China to purchase the Chinese-made CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, which have a range of 290km and are designed to evade shipborne defences. This development lends more credibility to Iran’s threat against US ships.

*State of the Union: Think of it as the government version of Spotify Wrapped - the annual message delivered by the US President around the beginning of the year on the current condition of the nation.

Trump’s approval ratings
Meanwhile, Trump faces sagging approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections. To address this, he focused on the nation’s economy for most of his State of the Union address, highlighting how he had slowed inflation, driven the stock market to record heights, signed sweeping tax cuts, and lowered drug prices. However, it remains unclear whether this will ease voter frustration at the high cost of living, with polls showing that voters hold Trump responsible for not doing more to ease an affordability crisis after his relentless campaigning on the issue. He also focused on other US wins, bragging about all the “winning” the country has experienced during his term, even bringing on members of the US men’s ice hockey team, wearing the gold medals they won at the Winter Olympics. Fun fact: Trump’s speech broke the record for being the longest presidential address to Congress in recent history, coming in at one hour and 48 minutes. The previous record was set by Trump last year at one hour and 40 minutes.

Bu$ine$$

WiseTech to layoff 29% of global workforce amid AI pivot
The Australian software firm will axe about 2,000 jobs, about a third of its global workforce, as part of a two-year restructuring that could rank among the country’s largest AI-linked job cuts. The firm, which makes shipping and logistics management software, plans to integrate AI into its customer software and internal operations. The layoffs highlight how AI is reshaping workplaces globally, as companies adopt automation tools for routine administrative work as well as complex coding tasks, which AI is handling with increasing speed and precision.

Stripe mulls acquisition of PayPal
The payment processing firm is considering acquiring all or part of PayPal Holdings, according to sources. However, discussions are still at an early stage, and there is still no certainty that the talks will lead to a transaction. The news also follows Stripe president John Collison saying in a recent interview that PayPal has “definitely had a tough time” over the past few years, due to a change in the landscape with the advent of Apple Pay and Google Pay. PayPal is a publicly listed company with market cap of USD43.3 bil (RM168.48 bil), whilst Stripe is amongst the world’s most valuable startup, with a recent valuation of nearly 4x PayPal at USD159 bil.

More universities face Covid compensation claim
Another 36 universities are now facing legal action from more than 170,000 current and former students, who claim that they did not receive the full education they paid for during the Covid-19 pandemic. This follows a settlement between University College London and the Student Group Claim, which involved 6,000 students and due to be heard in court in March. However, this settlement paved the way for large-scale legal action against the university sector, which is being brought under consumer law against the universities. The main part of the claim is about the difference in tuition fee prices between courses delivered online and in person.

Shorts

1. JD.com founder launches green yacht brand

   Richard Liu, the founder of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has launched an independent yacht brand that aims to build “100% green” yachts that will be affordable for ordinary households. The business, called Sea Expandary, will see Liu investing CNY5 bil (RM2.83 bil). Liu said that the amount was necessary to compete with top yachtmakers globally. Sea Expandary will cover research and development, manufacturing, as well as sales and other services. There are plans for a manufacturing base in Zhuhai and for the firm to be headquartered in Shenzhen.

2. Bomb threat against Australian PM linked to dance group banned by China

   After being evacuated from his residence due to a bomb scare, Australian PM Anthony Albanese thanked police for their work in keeping him safe and investigating the threats. The threats involving Albanese were reportedly sent to a representative of Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance troupe banned in China that is due to perform in Australia this month. The threats were then reported to Australian national security and law enforcement authorities.

3. Mexico approves 40-hour workweek bill

   The bill will gradually reduce the workweek from 48 to 40 hours and is expected to be implemented next year. However, the bill also increases weekly overtime and maintains only one rest day for every six worked. Mexico is Latin America’s second-largest economy, but has the worst work-life balance in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with more than 2,226 working hours per person per year. The opposition has argued that the bill does not represent a real reduction of the workweek, calling the reform incomplete and “done in a rush”.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. For beginners, make RM1k your tuition fee to begin investing in the stock market.

2. The green, blue, white bottle caps - what it means?

3. The Art of Zunar

Even they need a break. Happy Thursday folks.