From AirAsia X’s long-awaited cleanup to a billion-ringgit sukuk dispute and a fresh regulatory push on MSMEs, today’s headlines paint a picture of Malaysian firms under pressure—and adapting fast.

Meanwhile, global markets cheer AI gains, but early cracks are showing in the EV sector and commodity trade.

Corporate Strategy & Restructuring

✈️ AirAsia X Consolidation Inches Forward

* Bursa rejects Capital A’s extension request for AAX share distribution

* AAX gets short reprieve until Jan 19 for share placement

* Tune Group sells nearly 15% stake to a travel agency to meet public float

* A critical step toward Capital A exiting PN17 status

🃏 Mega Fortris Cancels Macau Expansion

* Ditches plan for new playing card plant abroad

* Instead adds a second line at Shah Alam facility

* Saves RM11.2M in capex, doubles output to 44M decks/year

* Clear pivot toward domestic cost efficiency

⚠️ HSS Engineers Faces RM1.3B Legal Risk

* Associate HSS Integrated sued by MEX II sukuk holders

* Investors allege improper certification of work and breach of duty

* They hold 43.33% of RM1.38B sukuk issuance

* Spotlight on professional standards and bond accountability

Regulatory & Policy Front

🛡️ MACC Detains 17 Directors Over Army Cartel Probe

* 9 men and 8 women remanded in defence tender bribery investigation

* Signals intensified anti-corruption enforcement in public procurement

💰 Datuk Fazlisyam Named Head of Anti-Money Laundering Unit (AMLA)

* Strengthens Malaysia’s regulatory coordination ahead of global reviews

🏦 BNM Rolls Out RM2.5B MSME Financing Facility

* Targets first-time borrowers with 10B in CGC loan guarantees

* Policy push to deepen financial inclusion

👩‍💼 LiKES Internship Program Cuts Red Tape

* Upfront RM2,000 grant per trainee

* Approval time reduced from 90 days to just 14

🏥 Healthcare & Regulation

* Rakan KKM premium model launches at Hospital Cyberjaya in Q1

* Vaping ban starting with open-system devices prioritised for 2026 rollout

Global Trends & Market Signals

📈 Asia Markets Soar on AI Optimism

* Chinese equities hit 4-year high, SEA indices at records

* Risk-on sentiment ignores geopolitical tension

⚙️ AI Hardware Race Escalates

* AMD launches MI440X chip, a direct competitor to Nvidia

* Nvidia shares down 8% from peak

🔋 EV Slowdown Begins

* 2026 global EV sales growth forecast at 12%, sharply down

* US to contract 15%, China cuts subsidies

* Signals end of early adopter phase, raises questions about battery tech plateau

🥉 Copper Hits Record US$13,000/Ton

* Driven not by demand—but US tariffs tightening global inventory

* Adds new friction to global supply chains

🎧 Listen Now for a deep dive into Malaysia’s financial gems and global trends shaping 2026!

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