KUALA LUMPUR (April 14): What characterises spring/summer fashion are airy, lightweight fabrics and clothes cut for comfort and ease of movement. The latest issue of Options’ takes this a step further with uplifting looks inspired by the Olympics, to be held in Paris, the style and fashion capital of the world, from July 26 to Aug 11.

Uplifting looks

One of the greatest rugby players in history, Dan Carter is a bona fide legend, having played for close to two decades, racking up over 100 Test matches for New Zealand, winning two Rugby World Cups, and being crowned top international points scorer in Test Rugby with a tally of 1,598 points and most-capped All Blacks fly-half of all time in the process.

Perfect 10

Drawing from Vicenza’s rich heritage and jewellery savoir-faire, Umberto Cazzola opened a goldsmith’s workshop with about 20 employees in 1929. He relied on his innovative and pioneering approach to propel his enterprise forward.

Mix + mesh

Her Excellency Datuk Chitra Devi Ramiah, Malaysia’s ambassador to Poland and Lithuania, originally harboured dreams of becoming an accountant. In our cover story this week, the accidental civil servant talks about her eclectic career path and how diplomacy eventually became her calling.

Woman of the world

Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) was founded in 1987 through a joint venture between Hong Kong’s Golden Harvest and Malaysian conglomerate PPB Group, with the aim of taking over the leases of Shaw Brothers. The trajectory for future development was firmly established in 1999, when GSC opened in Mid Valley Megamall during a recession.

Running the show

Martell has always been defined by its audacity to create new expressions and ways to enjoy cognac. In Options’ cover story this week, chairman and CEO of Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët César Giron explains the new and limited Asia-only Martell Single Cru collection, which will soon be released as part of the French cognac house’s 130th anniversary Malaysian celebrations.

In high spirits

It is common sense (and basic maths) that women, on average, constitute at least half the world’s population at any given point in time. And yet, it is equally clear that the playing field is still not level: in terms of wages, opportunities, and access to resources. In this issue, we honour 49 incredible Malaysians — as a nod to International Women’s Day, first marked by the United Nations in 1975 — who champion inclusion and drive gender equality through economic empowerment to create a more equitable future.

International Women’s Day special

Walk down any street in Paris and you will see them: Women who epitomise chic, fun and style. They are authentic, energetic and know what it takes to look good. The same can all be said for French fashion brand Longchamp, founded by Jean Cassegrain in 1948. Now helmed by his grandson who shares the same name, it has a full range of leather goods, accessories, clothing, shoes and eyewear.

Of leather, flesh and blood

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): In this Health + Wellness special issue, Options meets Erica Lam, CEO of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), the flagship of IHH Healthcare Bhd. Lam looks back on its journey, highs and lows — especially during the Covid pandemic — and how setbacks become opportunities to improve. PHKL has grown from a small private facility into a tertiary hospital with 380 beds, eight operating rooms and more than 120 clinics.

A legacy of care

Habib group executive chairman Datuk Seri Meer Habib may be one of the most successful jewellers in the country, but his journey has not always been smooth sailing. The passionate jeweller laments the constant battle of securing prime spots at shopping malls. “This has been somewhat disappointing, reflecting the broader issue of local companies often struggling to gain respect and get the favourable locations they rightfully deserve. It appears that regardless of the quality of a brand, international labels tend to be favoured and are given better visibility. This has been my struggle from the beginning and continues to be a hurdle even today.” While he’s continuing his good fight and expanding his empire, he hopes his children — Mirzan, Marissa and Mirsham — will continue to pursue their passions.

Golden rules

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): In the Options cover story this week, the ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, Ary Norton de Murat Quintella, pays tribute to fellow countryman Roberto Burle Marx, arguably the greatest landscape architect in modern history, in a new self-published book titled A Brazilian in Kuala Lumpur.

East of Eden

In our cover story this week, meet Rome-based Malaysian HH Lim, who reached for the freedom art promises with a daring born of rebellion, sincerity and a depth to ideas that many called crazy initially.

Soul rebel

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Bernard R Fleury, the CEO of Edouard Koehn, successfully acquired the watch company in 2015 and breathed new life into it by 2020. Navigating the challenges faced by the 133-year-old brand, he has somehow found a formula to captivate a diverse audience by rolling out watches that appeal to both young collectors and seasoned connoisseurs. Drawing on his experience in revitalising the Vulcain brand during his tenure as its former CEO, where he achieved unprecedented success, Fleury leverages this expertise to build Edouard Koehn’s portfolio, clout and connections. Alongside his two children, Axel and Allissia, they methodically contribute to the brand’s growth.

Horological renaissance

Michael Fischbacher, chief executive officer of the 205-year-old Christian Fischbacher, was in Kuala Lumpur last year to celebrate the luxury Swiss interior fabrics brand’s collaboration with Malaysian artist Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson. The company brought out a capsule collection of curtains, upholstery and rugs featuring patterns taken from paintings Rebecca did during the Covid lockdown in her country house in Italy.

Timeless threads

KUALA LUMPUR (April 16): Express carrier GDEX Bhd, which has been in the red for the last two financial years, is planning to diversify into the provision of information technology (IT) services and solutions to enhance its revenue stream.

GDEX plans to diversify into IT

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 0:06 CIMB’s Abdul Rahman Ahmad returns to PNB as president, group chief executive1:34 Local airlines may feel heat from rising oil prices as Middle East tensions simmer2:52 Wealth of Malaysia’s 50 richest individuals on Forbes list rises 2% — Forbes Asia4:21 MyEG and HeiTech Padu form partnership to collaborate on IT projects5:47 GDEX proposes a diversification into the provision of IT services and solutions

EVENING 5: CIMB’s Abdul Rahman Ahmad returns to PNB

Transport Minister Anthony Loke says that private companies are welcome to invest in providing more EV charging facilities nationwide.

NEWS: Loke: Private companies welcome to invest in EV charging facilities

BENGALURU (April 16): UnitedHealth Group said on Tuesday that it was expecting to take a hit of up to US$1.6 billion this year related to a data breach at its Change Healthcare unit, in its first full public disclosure of the financial impact of the cyberattack.

UnitedHealth to take up to US$1.6 bil hit from Change Healthcare hack this year

Cybersecurity software firm Rubrik, backed by Microsoft, said on Tuesday it is targeting a valuation of up to US$5.44 billion (RM26.07 billion) in its US initial public offering (IPO).

Technology companies have been leading a rebound in listings this year, as stronger equity markets and robust debuts including social media platform Reddit and chip firm Astera Labs encourage others to press ahead with their IPO plans.

Microsoft-backed Rubrik targets up to US$5.4b valuation in US IPO

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Switzerland's UBS raised its forecast for first-quarter combined net interest income (NII) in its wealth management and personal and corporate banking businesses on Tuesday, although its shares fell along with other European banks by more than 3%.

UBS lifts interest income forecast for key businesses

China is urging banks and financial institutions to increase credit support to the advanced manufacturing sector, as part of efforts to become a powerhouse in goods from electric vehicles and wind turbines to aerospace components and semiconductors.

China urges financial institutions to boost credit for advanced manufacturing

Intel will release two artificial intelligence (AI) chips with reduced capabilities for the Chinese market, in order to comply with US export controls and sanctions.

HL-328 is scheduled for launch in June, and HL-388 in September, according to a white paper on the company's website last Friday.

Intel to launch two AI chips for China with reduced capabilities

Kenanga Research maintained its ‘underperform’ call on Bursa Malaysia, though it upped its target price to RM6.70 from RM6.45.

MORNING CALL: 16/4/24

The collective wealth of tycoons listed on the 2024 Forbes Malaysia Rich List increased by a modest 2% to US$83.4 billion (RM398.8 billion), according to Forbes Asia.

Wealth of Malaysia’s 50 richest individuals on Forbes list rises 2% — Forbes Asia 

Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad will return to Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) as its president and group chief executive effective July 1, 2024, the government-linked investment company said.

CIMB’s Abdul Rahman Ahmad returns to PNB as president, group chief executive

E-government services providers MyEG Services Bhd and HeiTech Padu Bhd have formed a partnership to collaborate on IT projects in Malaysia.

According to separate bourse filings from both companies on Tuesday, MyEG and HeiTech Padu have inked a teaming agreement for the collaboration.&nbsp;

MyEG, HeiTech Padu form partnership to collaborate on IT projects

Analysts are positive on Malaysia’s pilot green power exports to Singapore using existing infrastructure in both countries, following establishment of the platform enabling cross-border trading of green electricity, the Energy Exchange Malaysia (Enegem).

Analysts positive on pilot green power exports to Singapore; name Tenaga, YTLP as top picks

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s second-biggest banking group by assets, said on Tuesday its chief executive Datuk Abdul Rahman Ahmad will step down on June 30.

CIMB says CEO Abdul Rahman Ahmad stepping down on June 30

Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd’s (ABMB) net profit is expected to jump by 37.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM179 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024 (4QFY2024), according to AmInvestment Bank Research.

AmInvestment sees Alliance Bank’s 4Q earnings jump by 37% y-o-y

The Ministry of Transport clarified on Tuesday that the higher contract value of RM190.01 million awarded to HeiTech Padu Bhd for Road Transport Department (JPJ) services was only due to a longer extended contract duration.

Loke: Higher contract value awarded to HeiTech Padu due to longer extended duration

The automotive industry is not exactly the place one would want to be in the next few years.

Competition among manufacturers of internal combustion engine vehicles, battery electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars has been ongoing for more than a decade now. Last year, some certainty fin...

Alternative Views: Automotive industry feels heat from intensifying EV price war

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said his ministry has no objection to MMC Corp Bhd divesting a stake in MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd, including to foreign entities, as long as it does not contravene the government's policy that requires 51% ownership of major national assets to remain with local companies.

Loke says MMC Port free to sell stake to foreign firms, but govt has to be notified of shareholding changes

Carlo Rino Group Bhd has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) that would raise more funds for the apparel company as part of its listing transfer to the ACE Market from the LEAP Market.

Carlo Rino files draft prospectus for listing transfer to ACE Market

Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has requested for a bench of five Court of Appeal (COA) judges to hear his review against the court’s own decision to reinstate abuse of power charges involving RM232.5 million against him.

Muhyiddin seeks five-judge bench to hear criminal charges review

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is stepping down on May 15 after two decades in office. Lee, 72, will hand the reins over to his deputy Lawrence Wong, 51, in a widely-telegraphed transition.

What observers are saying as Singapore’s Lee paves way for next PM Wong

Outsourced semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) player Globetronics Technology Bhd is in the final stages of discussion with two prospective clients interested in leveraging advanced packaging technology.

Globetronics in final talks with two potential customers for advanced packaging

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is unleashing a barrage of trade restrictions against China as she seeks to follow through on a pledge to make the EU a more relevant political player on the global stage.

EU goes on China trade offensive after getting ‘played’ 

KTI Landmark Bhd (KTI) has signed an underwriting agreement with M&amp;A Securities Sdn Bhd for its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Sabah-based integrated property developer said the initial public offering (IPO) comprises a public issue of 160 million new shares and an offer for sale of 45 million existing shares, representing 20% and 5.6% of the enlarged share capital of KTI respectively.

KTI Landmark inks underwriting deal with M&A Securities en route to ACE Market listing

Bursa Malaysia ended the morning session lower on Tuesday, in tandem with the weaker regional performance due to a broad sell-off on Wall Street overnight, said an analyst. &nbsp;

Bursa ends morning session lower along with regional peers

EP Manufacturing Bhd's (EPMB) shares climbed on Tuesday and marked their best day in 10 months after the Shah-Alam based auto parts maker signed an assembly deal with a Chinese carmaker.

EP Manufacturing shares chart best day in 10 months after assembly deal

Gold is set to reach US$3,000 (RM14,381.71) an ounce over the next six to 18 months on increasing investor inflows amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will eventually cut interest rates, Citigroup Inc said, adding to a roll call of Wall Street banks that have raised forecasts.

Gold seen hitting US$3,000 at Citi as investor inflows juice rally

China’s rapidly expanding petrochemicals industry is making life increasingly difficult for producers in Asia’s next-biggest exporter of the building blocks for making plastics. 
&nbsp; 
Asia’s largest economy used to be the major market for South Korean companies like LG Chem Ltd and Lotte Chemical Corp. But the exporters of the chemicals used to make everything from nylon to disposable bottles and car interiors are now being forced to downsize their operations after a frenzy of petchem-plant building in China over the last few years created a supply glut. &nbsp;

China’s growing plastics dominance is squeezing out Asian rivals

Workers in Singapore can now ask for four-day work weeks, more work-from-home days and staggered work timings starting from Dec 1, underscoring the global trend of governments and companies relaxing office arrangements in order to retain talent.

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