☕️ Election season for Kerajaan Madani’s component parties

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

309,322 items of content removed – Social media platforms were asked to take down content in 2024 following public complaints, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) made the requests, with the majority of removed content related to online gambling (189,485 items, 65.5%) and scams (63,652 items, 22%). Additionally, 17,245 false contents (5.9%) and 13,805 offensive posts (4.7%) were removed. These actions highlight efforts to combat harmful and illegal content online, addressing concerns raised by various government agencies.

275,000 maternal deaths preventable annually – If all countries achieved the same maternal healthcare outcomes as Europe, 275,000 lives could be saved each year. In 2020, maternal deaths globally totaled 286,000, but this number could have been reduced to just 11,000 with improved conditions. Stark disparities persist, as women in countries like Sierra Leone and Kenya face a 100 times higher risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth compared to those in nations like Norway or Sweden.

140% increase in egg prices (in the US) – The cost of a dozen eggs is now averaging over USD7 (RM31.13) or close to RM2.60 each, driven by the ongoing avian flu outbreak. Waffle House, a symbol of resilience even during natural disasters, has introduced a 50-cent surcharge per egg to cope with rising costs. The outbreak, which began in February 2022, has led to the death of 150 mil birds, including 41 mil in December and Jananuary alone. The disease has also spread to dairy cows and infected 67 people, mostly dairy workers, with one fatality reported in January. Despite these challenges, experts say the risk to humans remains low, as there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The US is so desperate, it is asking Denmark and other European nations for eggs, despite all that there is going on.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Malaysia’s sweet dilemma
Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims show restraint, but instead, the contrary may be happening. The fasting month may have increased the consumption of sugar-laden drinks and treats. According to the MOH, one in five Malaysians has diabetes, costing the healthcare system RM12.4 bil annually. A clear factor for this diabetes epidemic? The high consumption of sugar. The US Department of Agriculture revealed that Malaysians consumed about 2 mil tonnes of sugar in FY2023/24, about a 20% increase from the 1.67 mil tonnes we consumed in FY2021/2 (a very concerning trend considering our population didn’t grow this much). Malaysia is the world’s seventh-largest importer of raw sugar, spending USD1.14 bil (RM5.07 bil) on raw sugar imports in 2023 while earning just USD140 mil from its own sugar exports.

With limited success by Putrajaya in curbing the sugar craze by imposing the RM0.90 sugar tax in 2019, the Government should devise a more radical approach in turning our lifestyle towards a less sugary nightmare.

Election season for Kerajaan Madani’s component parties

DAP - The party’s secretary general Anthony Loke announced a slew of ‘major reshuffles’ which will include the introduction of several new party positions within the central committee - strategy director, policy director, and election director. The reshuffle also includes a stipulation that ministers and deputy ministers may not serve as DAP’s parliamentary leader.

During the 18th National DAP Congress held yesterday, PM Anwar Ibrahim, who attended the event, stated that he agreed with the proposed reform to limit the prime minister's time in office to only two terms, even throwing a jab to former PM Dr Mahathir that if a PM is allowed to rule for 22 years, it will destroy a country. However, PM Anwar added that even though most parties under the PH coalition have agreed to the two-term limit for PM, it still has to secure a two-thirds majority support in Parliament to pass the required constitutional amendments.

PKR - As for the PKR election that will be conducted in May, former Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar announced that she will be contesting this year's party elections after she abstained during the party’s 2022 election. So far, Selangor MB Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan MB Aminuddin Harun and Natural Resources Minister Nik Nazmi have stated their intention to defend the VP seats. At the moment, PKR has seven vice presidents. Nurul Izzah added that her decision to compete for the VP spot is to ensure that she is in a position to nurture talent in PKR as part of renewing and strengthening the party ahead of the next general election.

Biz

• Eight fintech startups given a boost to achieve potential
  Via the TeXnovasi Accelerator Programme, initiated by GXBankd Bhd and Grab Malaysia, supported by Cradle Fund and 1337 Ventures, eight startup companies have been shortlisted to participate in the six-month-long programme. The programme aims to strengthen local fintech startups through mentorship and access to resources, positioning Malaysia as a leading player in the digital finance revolution. The eight shortlisted companies are - Cashku, Dui-it, Enprivacy, FinDoctor.my, Finory.tech, Kapitani, PulseLink, and Swipey. Next unicorns in the making? As of today, Malaysia only has two unicorn companies, Carsome and ALPS Global Holdings Bhd. A unicorn is a startup marked at USD 1 bil (RM4.45 bil) or more. Grab could have been one of Malaysia’s unicorns but even Khanazah chose to invest in a certain duck brand over Grab in the not-so-distant past.

• Khazanah buys INCJ’s stake in Edotco Group
  Khanazah Nasional Bhd has decided to buy over Innovation Network Corporation of Japan’s (INCJ) stake in Edotco Group, for an undisclosed amount. INCJ owns about 21% of Edotco. After the transaction is concluded, Khazanah will own 31.71% of Edotco while Axiata Group Bhd, of which Khazanah is also a major shareholder, owns 63% of the telco tower company. Edotco, founded in 2012, is Asia’s first regional integrated telecom infrastructure company, providing tower leasing, colocation, build-to-suit, energy, transmission, and maintenance services. The company has a portfolio of 55,000 towers across the region.

• Batik Air replacing AirAsia in Subang Airport?
  News of AirAsia’s abrupt departure from the Subang Airport, merely seven months after the low-cost carrier’s return to the city airport, has put a huge dent in the Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (SARP). Fortunately, Batik Air has come to the rescue by throwing its full support to SARP, up to the point that the airline has pushed airline regulators to expedite the allocation of additional slots at the airport, as Batik Air plans to increase flight frequencies and introduce more routes in the coming months. Subang Airport resumed jet operations after a 26-year hiatus in Aug 2024. Other airlines operating jets out of Subang include FireFly, Transnusa, and Scoot. During the almost three-decade hiatus, only turboprop and small private jets operate from the airport.

Shorts

1. MACC opened two investigations on Sapura

   After receiving the RM1.1 bil ‘bailout’ from Putrajaya, Sapura Energy Bhd is again in the news for the wrong reasons as MACC has opened two investigation papers on the alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds involving the company. The two investigation papers that have been opened focus on money laundering activities and misappropriation of funds around 2018 when the company was known as Sapura Kencana Petroleum Bhd.

2. Malaysiakini’s B Nantha Kumar claims trial

   Malaysiakini reporter B Nantha Kumar, who was accused of receiving a RM20,000 bribe in return for not publishing investigative reports exposing migrant worker syndicates related to a worker cartel, has decided to claim trial for the allegations that he is facing. If convicted, Nantha could get up to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least five times the amount of the bribe he accepted. During the court session, Malaysiakini managing editor Ng Ling Fong and other colleagues were present as a sign of support. Nantha has been suspended from work, with full benefits, pending an internal investigation.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Trump’s War

Trump's stirring up booze battles
Alcoholic beverages from whiskey to champagne could see tariffs in the coming weeks, unless a deal is reached between the US and the EU.
Note: ‘whiskey’ is the spelling for whiskey from the US and Ireland, while ‘whisky‘ is for Canadian, Scottish or Japanese whisky.
On Wednesday, the EU responded to US tariffs on aluminium and steel by imposing a 50% duty on various products starting Apr 1, including one of the US' most well-known drinks: whiskey. Then, just a day later, Trump threatened a 200% tariff on wine and alcohol from EU countries. Leaders from the EU are adamant to fight back, with the French PM saying that Europeans need to show who they are and will not yield to such threats.
Fun fact - Trump himself actually does not drink.

Pentagon considering military options for Panama Canal access 
Trump shows no sign of backing down about the Panama Canal as the Pentagon is reportedly considering military options to secure US access to the important waterway. Officials told NBC that the US military’s Southern Command will consider several options, including working with Panama’s military or taking the canal by force. They also said a US invasion of Panama is still unlikely at this time. The Panama Foreign Minister reiterates that they are standing firm in defending their territory, canal, and sovereignty, and will continue to belong to Panamanians.

Interestingly, China is quite involved in this situation - two of the canal’s four major ports were majority-owned by Hong Kong-based conglomerate, CK Hutchison Holdings. However, the company recently sold most of its global port operations, including the one in Panama, to a consortium of investors led by US firm BlackRock for USD 22.8 bil (RM101.38 bil). China is not happy and criticised CK Hutchinson’s sale of its Panama port stake, resulting in a drop of shares by 6.7%, the most since Sept 2022. Adding salt to injury, a pro-Beijing publication in Hong Kong, Ta Kung Pao, even said that the deal disregards national interests and "betrays and sells out all Chinese people”.

Trump administration mulls new travel ban on 43 nations
Trump administration is thinking big, folks, about a new travel ban on 43 nations. It's going to be huge, believe me. Three groups of countries will face full or partial visa suspension, and it's going to be tremendous. A US official, a great guy, told Reuters there could be changes to the list, not yet approved. This is part of Trump’s fantastic immigration crackdown launched at the start of his second term, and it's just like the incredible travel ban on Muslim-majority nations during his first term.
Testing out a Trump-writing style above. We are still Malaysians.

US launches first Yemen strikes under Trump
The US launched attacks on Yemen on Saturday, killing at least 32 people, including children. At least 101 have been injured. The attack came after Trump warned the Houthi group not to attack ships passing through the Red Sea, and was his most significant military action since taking office this term. The Houthis have yet to attack any ships despite threatening to do so last week over Israel’s blockade on all food, fuel and other supplies into the Gaza Strip. However, they sent a stern warning that the strikes “will not pass without response”. It slammed the attack and called it a “US-British aggression” and Washington’s “criminal brutality”. Nabeel Khoury, a former US diplomat, told Al Jazeera that Trump’s decision to launch attacks against the Houthis is misguided and would not subdue the group.

Shorts

1. 59 killed and about 155 injured in North Macedonia nightclub fire 
   A local concert in a nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia (TIL: it’s a country, view on map here) turned deadly yesterday, after a massive fire broke out following a pyrotechnic performance. 59 people were reportedly killed, with around 155 people injured. 1,500 young people attended the concert. There have been some arrest warrants issued for four people in connection with the fire, but no details were given regarding their involvement.

2. China's Baidu launches two new AI models amid fierce competition
   The AI race continues to heat up in China, as Baidu announced the launch of two new AI models - multimodal ERNIE 4.5 and a new reasoning-focused model called X1. It said that ERNIE 4.5 model has "excellent multimodal understanding ability with a more advanced language, and its understanding, generation, logic, and memory abilities are now comprehensively improved. It also has "high EQ" that can easily understand network memes and satirical cartoons. Meanwhile, the X1 has "stronger understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution capabilities" and is also the first deep thinking model that uses tools autonomously.

3. Iran is using drones and apps to enforce women's dress code 
   Iran is going the extra mile to monitor and enforce a strict dress code for its women, using drones and intrusive digital technology and calling for "state-sponsored vigilantism" to encourage people to use specialist phone apps to report women for alleged dress code violations. Surveillance cameras on Iran's major roads are also being used to search for uncovered women. Consequences are terrible for the women - they face arrest, beating and rape in custody. UN investigators have worked on a human rights report on Iran, following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, who was killed in custody due to her failure to adhere to the codes.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. How does a 300GB picture of the lunar look like?

2. An alternative theory on how the Moon was formed.

3. Digging the retro ‘70s style looking cabins. The colour palette is perfect for a Wes Anderson movie.