☕️ Zahid wants UMNO to modernise its marketing - go digital, go viral

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

Prasarana’s rail lines recorded just 31 technical disruptions in 2025, a 56% improvement compared with 2024, with most disruptions lasting no more than 15 minutes. This averages out to one disruption for every 790,000km of travel across the Kelana Jaya Line, Ampang Line, Kajang Line, Putrajaya Line, and Monorail. This also marks a substantial improvement from the 252 disruptions in 2022 across all lines except the Putrajaya Line, which was not yet operational. 2023 saw 118 disruptions, followed by 71 in 2024. Prasarana also stated that there were six cases of cable theft and two incidents of a foreign object falling onto rail tracks in the last quarter of 2025. May our culture improve further - the maintenance culture.

157,976 units sold. Proton ended 2025 on a strong footing, selling 14,655 units in Dec to bring total sales for the year up 3.3% from 2024. This also translates into an estimated market share of 19.4%, up 0.7 percentage points year-on-year. Proton also outperformed broader market trends, as total industry volume in 2025 declined 0.2% to 814,949 units. According to Proton, strong demand across multiple segments led to record-breaking performances from both its legacy and newer models. The Proton X90 was the top D-segment SUV for 10 months in 2025, while the Proton e.Mas 7 was crowned the best-selling electric vehicle in Malaysia, having topped the EV sales chart for five consecutive months.

On EVs elsewhere, China saw an increase of 52% in the number of charging piles for EVs, with the total exceeding 19.32 mil as of the end of Nov 2025. Among the charging facilities, about 4.63 mil were public chargers, while over 14.7 mil were private. This follows a three-year action plan announced by Beijing in Oct to improve China’s EV charging infrastructure. The Chinese government aims to establish a nationwide network of 28 mil charging facilities, with public charging capacity surpassing 300 mil kilowatts by the end of 2027. Public charging capacity was recorded at about 210 mil kilowatts at the end of Nov 2025.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Zahid wants UMNO to modernise its marketing - go digital, go viral
UMNO president Zahid Hamidi has acknowledged that the party is falling behind when it comes to creating viral content, urging members to strengthen their digital presence. Zahid said UMNO has traditionally relied on face-to-face engagement, but younger voters now require a different approach. He pointed to the electoral successes of leaders such as Donald Trump, Narendra Modi and Prabowo Subianto as examples of how strong social media strategies can shape public opinion. Zahid stressed that digital algorithms play a major role in shaping narratives and said UMNO members must actively support and amplify content (i.e. forward, hit the share button) produced by fellow party members to generate online momentum. This is despite hundreds of government initiatives rolled out in recent years, public recognition remains limited due to growing anti-establishment sentiment.

He also warned that UMNO often fails to respond when attacked online, arguing that organised misinformation can easily overpower scattered facts. Meanwhile, Umno information chief Azalina Othman called for a permanent digital wing to train members to manage online narratives. She said many capable candidates struggle online and urged the party to meet young voters where they already are, across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube. This implies that cybertroopers have not been doing a good job.

Fun fact: Donald Trump’s son, Barron Trump actually plays a big role in helping his father win the 2024 US election. Read here.

Study Study Malaysia - Malaysia’s rise as a study destination
Malaysia is steadily cementing its position as a major international education hub, with foreign student numbers projected to grow by 8.5% annually and will reach about 260,000 by 2030. A new report by QS Quacquarelli Symonds highlights the country’s growing appeal, driven by affordable tuition fees, cultural diversity and a strong transnational education ecosystem. Nearly 40% of international students currently come from China, while enrolments from Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India are expected to rise steadily. The report also notes increasing interest from students in the Middle East and Africa, supported by scholarship schemes, flexible visa policies and Malaysia’s reputation as a Muslim friendly and cost-effective study destination. Malaysia is benefiting from shifting global mobility trends as traditional destinations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States tighten visa rules.

Where is justice

A Sabah politician on corruption trial, yet got appointed GLC chairman
Sabah is running out of talent. A Sabah politician currently on trial for corruption has been appointed chairman of a state government-linked company, drawing public attention. Former Sindumin assemblyman Yusof Yacob has taken up his role as chairperson of Sabah Development Bhd, a GLC under the Chief Minister’s Department and the Sabah Finance Ministry. His appointment comes despite an ongoing court case in which he is charged with receiving RM200,000 in cash in 2023, allegedly linked to mineral prospecting licence applications (case linked to businessman Albert Tei). Following the appointment, Sabah DAPSY (DAP youth wing) called on the state government to reconsider, saying the move could undermine public confidence while the case remains unresolved.

Six cops held over bribe claims to protect illegal businesses
Six policemen, including a retired officer, have been remanded by the MACC over allegations of accepting bribes to protect illegal businesses in Penang. The suspects, aged between 40 and 60, are believed to have received about RM117,000 in payments between 2016 and 2021 in exchange for turning a blind eye to illegal entertainment outlets, massage parlours and gambling operations. A magistrate approved a five-day remand until Sunday after the men were arrested while giving statements at the Penang MACC office. Investigators said some payments were channelled into personal bank accounts, while one suspect allegedly used a third party account.

Rape injustice
A sexual assault survivor has written to the Attorney General’s Chambers seeking an explanation after the rape charge against her attacker was reduced without her knowledge. Single mother Loh Wai Mun said the amended charge did not reflect the severity of the attack or the trauma she endured, leaving her feeling unheard and sidelined by the system. The accused, a former neighbour, was initially charged with rape but later pleaded guilty to a lesser offence of outraging modesty and was fined RM10,000. Loh said the punishment was too light and sent the wrong message about sexual crimes. She added that she was not informed of case developments, denied the opportunity to submit a victim impact statement, and only learned of the sentence a month later.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

US-Iran conflict heats up as Greenland talks loom

Trump cancels Iran meetings, calls on protesters to take over institutions
US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials while making posts urging protesters to take over their institutions. He has also promised that help is on the way, and again threatened military strikes against Iran should the Iranian government respond harshly to protesters. This follows Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran. The US State Department has also issued an alert telling US citizens to leave Iran amid the rising tensions.

In response, Iran has warned its neighbours that it would hit US bases if Washington follows through with its threats of military strikes. Iran has also asked US allies in the region to prevent Washington from attacking. So far, there have been no immediate signs of a large-scale evacuation of troops from the bases, but some personnel have been advised to leave the main US air base in the region.

Denmark, Greenland brace for US VP meeting
The Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers will be meeting US Vice President JD Vance at the White House. Analysts say this is a bid to de-escalate the crisis and find a diplomatic path to satisfy US demands for more control. Denmark and Greenland have also taken a different approach, now emphasising Greenland’s unity with Denmark, rather than stressing Greenland’s path to independence.

However, Trump remains adamant on total control of Greenland, going so far as to say that NATO would be ‘more formidable’ if the US were to take control. He stated that Greenland is vital for the Golden Dome and that NATO should be leading the way for the US to take Greenland. Here’s an interesting fact. According to a Reuters poll, apparently only one in five Americans supports Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland.

Will Trump change his path just because his countrymen do not support him? Hard to say. Then again, he is hardly the most presidential in conduct, is he?

China: Booming trade amid tariff war, cybersecurity

China hits trade surplus of USD1.2 tril for 2025
The trade surplus of USD1.2 tril (RM4.86 tril) in 2025 extends a record run, with overseas shipments seeing stronger growth at the end of the year. Exports from China in Dec increased 6.6% year-on-year, growing at the fastest pace in three months. Imports also jumped more than expected and rose 5.7% to leave a surplus of USD114 bil in Dec, which is also the most in six months. This surplus also shows the imbalance between China’s manufacturing strength and stubbornly weak domestic consumption. Growth is also expected to moderate in the coming months due to trade tensions between China and its major trade partners. Here’s something else to think about: The World Economic Forum’s annual risk perception survey has seen economic confrontation taking over as the number one concern of experts, displacing armed conflict.

Beijing tells Chinese firms to stop using US, Israeli cybersecurity software
Chinese authorities have told domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software by about a dozen firms from the US and Israel due to national security concerns. This comes as trade and diplomatic tensions flare between China and the US, with both sides vying for tech supremacy. To that end, Beijing has been looking to replace Western-made technology with domestic alternatives. Chinese authorities are also concerned that the software could collect and transmit confidential information abroad.

Elsewhere in Asia

South Korean prosecutors want death penalty for ex-President Yoon
The prosecutors made the death penalty request to the Seoul Central District Court, accusing ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol of threatening the ‘liberal democratic constitutional order’ with his attempt at imposing martial law in 2024. Yoon continues to deny the charges of insurrection and abuse of power against him, and argues that he was acting within his authority to declare martial law in response to what he described as opposition parties’ obstruction of government. He also criticised investigations as ‘frenzied’ and mired in ‘manipulation and distortion’.

Indonesia’s ride-hailing drivers hold breath as Prabowo mulls draft decree
If the draft presidential decree being mulled by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto goes through, millions of ride-hailing drivers would receive major increases to financial and social benefits. However, this would threaten the profitability of ride-sharing platforms in their largest market in Southeast Asia. Prabowo is under pressure to respond to drivers’ demands, especially after their involvement in widespread student-led protests demonstrated the political clout of the sector’s workforce. The decree under consideration would slash caps on the commissions that the companies take from drivers to 10% from the current 20%. Indonesia is the only country in Southeast Asia that places caps on commissions. Platforms would also have to pay for drivers’ accident and death insurance in full, which could cost the companies about USD1 (RM4.05) per month for each of the roughly seven mil delivery drivers in the industry - that’s about USD7 mil per month, USD84 mil per year.

Crane-train accident leaves at least 28 dead in northeast Thailand
At least 28 people have been killed and 64 injured after a construction crane fell on a passenger train in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeast Thailand. The crane was being used to build an elevated track as part of a joint Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. When it fell on the moving train, it caused the train to derail and briefly catch fire. The train was carrying 195 passengers at the time of the incident, and authorities have ordered a full investigation. View the incident here (warning - graphic).

Shorts

1. Mammoth comeback tour could make BTS USD1 bil

   Popular K-pop idol group BTS has announced a globe-spanning, 79-date world tour, marking their return after a four-year hiatus. The tour will see the group performing at locations throughout Europe, Asia, America, and Australia, and is expected to be one of the biggest tours of the year. The group and their label stand to make over USD1 bil (RM4.05 bil) from this reunion tour, with the sum derived from the concerts, merchandise, licensing, album sales, and streaming revenue.

2. ‘Dilbert’ creator Scott Adams dies at 68
   US cartoonist Scott Adams, the man behind the satirical comic about office life titled ‘Dilbert’, passed away at the age of 68 due to prostate cancer. His comic series, which was first published in 1989, was syndicated to some 2,000 newspapers internationally at its peak. However, many publications dropped the comic after Adams posted a video calling Black people a ‘hate group’. After his passing was announced, US President Donald Trump paid tribute to Adams, calling him a ‘great influencer’. Elon Musk also paid respect through a post on X.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

On AI

1. How the tech leaders use AI.

2. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang explaining the 5-layered AI cake: energy, chips, infrastructure, models, applications. Now, how can investors make money from this AI cake?

3. An interesting aerial overview of Google’s data centre in Elmina Business Park, Selangor.