☕️ Your guide to 2026: A year with plenty of long weekends

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Global plastic pollution is set to hit 280 mil tonnes per year by 2040, according to the Breaking the Plastic Wave 2025 report, produced by the Pew Charitable Trusts with ICF International. That’s about a dump truck’s worth every second. Global production of new plastic is expected to increase by 52% by 2040, twice as much as waste management systems, with plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions expected to surge by 58%. However, talks in August of an international treaty to rein in plastic pollution collapsed, as countries that produced the majority of plastic blocked proposals to limit the amount of new plastic created. Global recycling rates also remained low, as the chemical and polymer complexity of plastics makes large-scale recycling technically and economically infeasible.
Watch here 6 common processes of how plastics are made. An interesting watch. No wonder we are addicted to plastics, given how flexible and mouldable it can be.

1,945 deaths and 4,325 injuries. That’s how many deaths and injuries from landmines and unexploded ordnance happened in 2024. This marks a four-year high, driven by conflicts in Syria and Myanmar, according to the Landmine Monitor 2025 report. Nearly 90% of the victims were civilians, with almost half being women and children. Myanmar saw the highest number of incidents at over 2,000, due to increased use by both the army and non-state armed groups. Read the report here.

According to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, about 15% or 17,188 deaths in Delhi in 2023 were linked to air pollution. This was higher than deaths due to high blood pressure at 12.5%, diabetes at 9%, and high cholesterol at 6.1%. This marks air pollution as Delhi’s number 1 health risk. PM2.5 soot particles are the most damaging pollutant in toxic air. Named for their diameter of 2.5 microns or less, these particles cause serious damage to respiratory and circulatory systems by lodging deep in the lungs of people and livestock.

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3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Rafizi vs MACC: Clash over PKR poll probes
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has pushed back against claims by Rafizi Ramli that the MACC was used to go after certain PKR members ahead of the party polls. The whole issue came up after Rafizi mentioned in a podcast that several candidates who weren’t aligned with the party’s top leadership were suddenly being investigated in the lead-up to next year’s elections. He said one of the candidates, who was running for the deputy president post, had called him after a Cabinet meeting to say officers had shown up at his house while only his wife and kids were home. According to Rafizi, the man was a solid party supporter with a good track record in Selangor, and the whole situation was later tied to a cash purchase of a house. Rafizi said he spoke to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, who told him the investigation was focused on that transaction.

The MACC has since denied the allegations, saying it only opens investigations when there are complaints or credible information. On the claim that officers had surrounded the house, the commission said this was not accurate. It explained that officers went there to run a search and collect evidence, and that an element of surprise is sometimes necessary to stop evidence from being destroyed. When officers confirmed the individual was not home, they left, and the person came in the next day to give his statement without being detained.

Johari’s JAG boosts MyNews stake to 20%
JAG Capital Holdings, linked to Plantation and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, has quietly boosted its stake in retailer MyNews Holdings Bhd from just under 14% to around 20%. The retailer, controlled by the Ding family via D&D Consolidated Sdn Bhd, remains the largest shareholder with 50%. MyNews’ market cap stands at RM446.5 mil, valuing Johari’s stake around RM89.3 mil.

After joining the Cabinet, Johari stepped down as chairman of edible oil manufacturer CI Holdings Bhd (but remains its largest shareholder through JAG with an indirect stake of nearly 33%). In the middle of the year, property developer Paramount Corp Bhd announced it planned to acquire Johari’s 28% stake in Texas Chicken and San Francisco Coffee Malaysia operator Envictus International Holdings Ltd. for SGD38.33 mil (RM126.32 mil). He’s also the second-largest shareholder of listed media company Media Prima Bhd. Read a recently published cover story on Johari by The Malaysianist here.

Barriers removed before fatal ravine crash
Police in Hulu Terengganu have revealed more details about the crash that killed an engaged couple after their SUV plunged over sixty metres into a ravine (aerial view below). The vehicle was travelling along Jalan Kuala Jeneris Sungai Gawi Aring, which had originally been closed off with signs and concrete barriers put up by the public works department. Investigators later discovered that the barriers had been removed, leaving no warning that the road ahead was unsafe and death lay ahead.

The victims’ SUV went straight over the collapsed section of road, and debris at the scene suggested the vehicle was travelling at a normal speed. A dashcam bracket was recovered from the car, but the camera itself was missing, believed to have been thrown out on impact. Police initially considered driver negligence, but with the warning signs removed, it is now clear the couple had no indication the road was unsafe. Authorities are closely monitoring the area and have warned that anyone caught tampering with road safety equipment will face action, as such behaviour puts lives at serious risk. What an unfortunate incident. 

Shorts

1. 2026: A year with plenty of long weekends

   Next year looks set for some longer holiday breaks in Malaysia, with 15 national public holidays lining up around weekends to give employees up to 52 days off if they plan their leave well. Celebrations like Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidiladha and Gawai could turn into week‑long breaks, and experts say this will boost domestic tourism but may also cause traffic, crowded hotels and pressure on frontline workers. Truly, cuti-cuti Malaysia. View the guide here to plan your weekends. Say thank you.

   Btw, following yesterday’s sharing, another technical holiday advice by AuntyHR:

2. LRT3 opening delay again
   The Shah Alam LRT, formerly LRT3, is now expected to be delayed until at least the second quarter of 2026 from Dec 31 as system testing and commissioning hit snags. Trainsets are struggling to maintain the required speeds, and critical procedures and documentation are not yet finalised. The line, linking Bandar Utama to Johan Setia, will remain unavailable this year, with ongoing disruptions to KTM Komuter services. Delay no more, please.

3. China court orders MAS to pay MH370 families

   A Beijing court has ordered Malaysia Airlines to pay over RMB2.9 mil (RM1.69 mil) per case (totalling RM13.5 mil), to the families of eight passengers who went missing on flight MH370. Another 47 cases have already been settled or withdrawn, while 23 are still under trial. The plane was carrying around 239 people, of which two-thirds were Chinese.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Round X: Thailand vs Cambodia

Fresh clashes leave one Thai soldier dead and eight wounded, prompting retaliatory airstrikes

Thailand’s story: Thailand launched retaliatory airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after at least one Thai soldier was killed and eight were wounded, according to the Thai military. The Thai Air Force stated that Cambodia had mobilised heavy weaponry, repositioned military units, and prepared support elements that could escalate military operations, prompting the airstrikes to deter and reduce Cambodia’s military capabilities.

Cambodia’s story: the defence ministry stated that the Thai military launched two attacks following days of provocative actions, and that Cambodian troops had not responded, in line with the advice of former longtime leader Hun Sen, who had urged restraint. Cambodian authorities reported that three civilians had been seriously injured so far. Meanwhile, over 385,000 civilians across four border districts in Thailand are being evacuated. The fresh clashes follow weeks of the two nations accusing each other of violating the enhanced ceasefire deal they signed, witnessed by US President Donald Trump. The deal, called the Kuala Lumpur Accord, was what earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Cambodia. For a full timeline of events, see here.

Talk Business

Robinhood to acquire Indonesian brokers to join retail investing boom
The US-based trading platform is looking to take a slice of the Indonesian retail investing pie with the acquisition of Indonesian brokerage PT Buana Capital Sekuritas and licensed digital asset trader PT Pedagang Aset Kripto. However, no financial details were disclosed, though the deals are expected to be completed in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approval. Robinhood sees Indonesia as a fast-growing market for trading and aims to roll out a local app for stock and crypto asset trading in early 2027. The goal is to attract hundreds of thousands of users in its first year of operations. The Indonesian stock benchmark saw multiple record highs this year as domestic investors stepped up after foreign funds sold shares amid initial concerns over the government’s spending plans. The number of mom-and-pop investors has jumped to over 19 mil as of October this year, compared to 3.8 mil five years ago. Robinhood’s market cap stands at USD120 bil.

Magnum’s USD9.1 bil Amsterdam listing to test investor appetites
The ice cream company finalised a long-awaited spinoff from parent firm Unilever with a debut share price of EUR12.81 (RM61.37), implying a market capitalisation of EUR7.84 bil (USD9.1 bil). This also marks the first of a triple listing, with the other two locations being London and New York. Magnum’s debut also creates the world’s largest standalone ice cream business, which will test investor appetite amid rising demand for weight-loss drugs in consumer trends and a “Make America Healthy Again” campaign.

Ice Cream Drama: Magnum also lists Ben & Jerry’s among its brands, and the latter has been in a deepening corporate feud with Unilever, which resulted in one of the co-founders leaving. The feud was due to the funding of the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, which Unilever has a contractual obligation to fulfil. However, the funding has been withheld, with Ben & Jerry’s also alleging that Unilever censored the foundation’s statements about Gaza. The latest update of the feud is that Unilever is pressuring the chair of Ben & Jerry’s independent board, Anuradha Mittal, to resign. Mittal has responded, saying she has no plans to resign.

Anduril cofounder defends use of AI in life-and-death decisions in war
Palmer Luckey, cofounder of Anduril, has publicly defended the use of AI to make life-and-death decisions in war. He was addressing concerns raised by some who believe that AI is not ready for such high-stakes environments. This comes as a group of defence tech startups, including Anduril, is developing autonomous AI weapons and tools alongside traditional defence companies for use in conflicts around the world. According to Luckey, life-and-death decision-making is “too morally fraught an area, too critical of an area, to not apply the best technology available to you, regardless of what it is.” He stressed the need to be as certain as possible in anything being done to minimise collateral damage, while being as effective as possible. He also believes that there is no moral high ground in using inferior technology, even if it allows statements like “We never let a robot decide who lives and who dies.” Luckey previously said in April that the US had long ago opened the Pandora’s box of using AI in war, and that there was no going back. Skynet loves hearing such comments.

Shorts

1. Scarlett Johansson close to joining “Batman Part II”, going DC from Marvel
   The 41-year-old actress is said to be in advanced talks with DC Studios and director Matt Reeves for a major role in the upcoming sequel, which will again feature Robert Pattinson as the Dark Knight. However, production teams are keeping the details of her character tightly under wraps. The industry believes that Johansson’s addition to the cast would add significant star power to Reeves’ version of the Batman universe. Holy Black Widow, Batman!

2. University offers course to dissect G-Dragon’s global effect

   The University of Southern California will be offering the first-ever four-credit course in the US dedicated to a K-pop artist, namely Big Bang frontman G-Dragon. The module, titled “COMM 400: Crooked Studies of K-pop: The Case of G-Dragon”, will launch in spring 2026. The singer’s agency, Galaxy Corporation, stated that it is deeply meaningful that a prestigious university is recognising G-Dragon’s cultural impact. There are even uni courses on Taylor Swift.
   Read: Taylor Swift, surfing and Minecraft: Check out unique university courses.

3. Almost 2,000 Congolese dead as authorities battle worst cholera outbreak in 25 years
   The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently battling its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years. Authorities reported that, since January, there have been 64,427 cases reported with 1,888 deaths, of which 14,818 infections and 340 deaths were children. 17 of the country’s 26 provinces are currently impacted. Conflict and a lack of access to clean water in Congo are exacerbating the crisis, and UNICEF said that more funding was needed for sanitation, hygiene, and health services. According to UNICEF, only 43% of people in Congo have access to at least basic water services, the lowest rate in Africa. Only 15% use basic sanitation.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

Thinking and thoughts

1. Some useful mental models.

2. The Clarity Curve - action creates clarity by Sahil Bloom, New York Times Bestselling Author of The 5 Types of Wealth.

3. Some quotes: “Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality”. “Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise”.

Too much thinking so here’s something light to end this issue. Uncle Roger reviewing the world’s best fried chicken recipe - ayam goreng berempah. Taking Malaysian food global!