
Petronas chief urges bold action for Asia's energy transition
Published on: Mon, Jun 16, 2025
By: Larry Ralon Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas President and Group CEO Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik ( pic ) has urged greater regional collaboration, investment, and innovation to accelerate Asia's energy transition. Speaking at the opening of Energy Asia 2025, he stressed the need to move beyond outdated industry approaches and adopt new strategies that align energy growth with climate responsibilities.
Advertisement He said Asia's growing population and rising demand place the region at the centre of the global energy transition, requiring a shift in how energy is produced and consumed. Taufik noted that meeting projected demand would require an estimated US$88.7 trillion in investments by 2050 across both conventional and renewable energy systems. He highlighted Asia's strengths in solar, wind, and carbon capture potential, and reaffirmed the role of natural gas as a transition fuel. Energy Asia 2025 will feature over 50 strategic dialogues and an Energy Park exhibition showcasing technologies aimed at reshaping the regional energy landscape. With Malaysia chairing Asean in 2025, discussions at the conference are expected to influence regional energy policies impacting 700 million people. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Low impact likely on index from GDP data
PETALING JAYA: While the FBM KLCI may have closed lower yesterday, apparently in a cautious nod to the release of the country's second-quarter (2Q25) gross domestic product (GDP) numbers at noon today, analysts believe the economic data will have a limited impact on the premier index's performance, unless it is surprisingly unfavourable. The FBM KLCI settled at 1,581.05 points yesterday, down by 5.55, as losers trounced gainers by 472 to 379, as expert observers believe that Malaysia's GDP growth for 2Q25 is likely to miss the advanced target of 4.5%, ahead of Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) official announcement. Bursa Malaysia's flagship bourse has notably increased by approximately 4.5% since the start of August, from the 1,513.25 close on July 31. Head of dealing at Moomoo Malaysia Ken Low thinks that from a flow and positioning standpoint, the market's ability to test the 1,600-mark in the near term hinges more on liquidity momentum than a single GDP data point. 'While a miss versus the 4.5% advance estimate could dampen sentiment, foreign inflows remain constructive and domestic institutional participation is steady. 'Unless the GDP print comes in materially below consensus, we expect any dip to be met with buy-on-weakness interest. 'That said, the index pushing through 1,600 points in the next couple of weeks would require no deterioration in global risk appetite and continued stability in the ringgit,' he told StarBiz. Low pointed out that the August rally has been underpinned by a number of factors, among them sustained foreign net buying, aided by relative valuation appeal versus regional peers; sector earnings resilience in banking and consumer counters; as well as a relatively stable macro backdrop. 'The market has also been pricing in potential tailwinds from infrastructure rollouts and the energy transition theme, which are less sensitive to quarter-to-quarter GDP fluctuations,' said Low. Head of Asia equity strategy at HSBC Herald van der Linde observed that investors have turned their focus back on Asean equities, which benefits Malaysian markets. He identified the prospects of a weaker US dollar and lower interest rates to be an important factor, saying it helps Asia markets in general and Asean in particular. 'Also, the recent softness in Malaysian equities was a result of two factors – escalated tariff tensions and unease surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and data centre spending. 'Tariff risks have minimised at least for now, and everyone in Asean-5 faces similar tariff rates. This does not put Malaysia in any relative disadvantage to its peers,' he added. Moreover, van der Linde said the recent earning prints from the hyperscale data centres in the United States have restored investor confidence in AI as an investment theme, which he opined has reverberated through equity markets in Malaysia. He said: 'We do not see modest negative surprises in GDP to be detrimental to this newly restored confidence. 'However, any escalation in trade tensions, or negative news on the AI front are the bigger risks to look out for. Our 2025-end target for FBM KLCI is 1,600.' Head of equity sales and analyst at Rakuten Trade Vincent Lau concurred with Low that unless 2Q25 GDP growth shows up to be south of 4%, the 'negative surprise' impact is limited. While pointing out that any rate between 4% to 4.5% is already anticipated by the market, he hopes the recent good run on the FBM KLCI – which has mirrored the performances of other regional bourses – could become more broad-based. 'External trade factors have to an extent settled down, especially with the tariff truce between the United States and China, coupled with our own government having negotiated a better rate. 'However, although we are confident the index could reach the range of 1,630 to 1,650 by year-end, it would be healthier for the mini bull-run to also extend to the smaller caps, including the companies on initial public offerings,' Lau said. Meanwhile, chief investment officer at Tradeview Capital, Nixon Wong, who is also forecasting the FBM KLCI to touch 1,650 by the end of the year, nonetheless reported that the index's recent run up toward 1,600 has been driven mainly by local institutional buying. This is particularly in banking, utilities and telecommunication stocks, which is bolstered also by optimism around rate cut prospects in the United States . Despite cautioning that a larger than expected GDP growth miss could raise concerns over corporate earnings momentum, Wong emphasised the market is still in the August earnings window. 'Strong results from banks, plantations and utilities could keep the index resilient even if GDP is soft, and vice versa. The FBM KLCI could still test 1,600 within the next couple of weeks, supported by US rate cut hopes and selective earnings strength,' he remarked. More importantly, Wong said with China's market volatility and US valuations stretched, Asean is getting more attention from global allocators. He believes Malaysia, being relatively stable politically and macro-wise, can attract equity flows even in a slower growth environment. 'If the GDP slowdown is mild and BNM responds with easing while government spending continues, the index could still stay supported above the 1,550 to 1,570 base and attempt 1,600 points again in early 2026,' he added.


Malaysian Reserve
3 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Cancer Treatment Stocks Surge as $866B Market Attracts Private Investment
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Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) reported impressive Phase 2b data for rezpegaldesleukin in treating moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, with the company positioning this immune system regulator as a first-in-class treatment for autoimmune diseases. While primarily focused on autoimmune conditions, Nektar's pipeline includes NKTR-255, a treatment designed to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer, which is being tested in multiple ongoing clinical trials with various partners. 'As a first-in-class, T regulatory cell biologic, rezpegaldesleukin is poised to become an important novel mechanism to treat millions of patients with autoimmune disorders,' said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar. 'Finally, we are making significant progress on advancing preclinical studies with a new bispecific antibody, NKTR-0166, which combines the TNFR2 epitope with a validated antibody target.' The company's technology platform creates novel treatments that could potentially address both autoimmune diseases and cancer by enhancing the immune system's cancer-fighting abilities. With additional data expected from hair loss trials in December 2025 and continued development of next-generation programs, Nektar is advancing a unique approach to immune system therapy that could benefit millions of patients with serious diseases. Source: CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP info@ (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ('MIQ'). MIQ has been paid a fee for Oncolytics Biotech Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. which were purchased in the open market, and reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ has been approved by Oncolytics Biotech Inc.; this is a paid advertisement, we currently own shares of Oncolytics Biotech Inc. and will buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. 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Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Petronas Ownership Remains Under Federal Govt, Steps Taken To Enhance Participation Of States -- Azalina
Petronas Ownership Remains Under Federal Govt, Steps Taken To Enhance Participation Of States -- Azalina KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The ownership of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) remains with the federal government, although steps were taken to enhance the participation of states through strategic collaboration platforms, joint project implementation, and involvement in the value chain, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina said the federal government's approach is aligned with an inclusive federal structure and ensures sustained benefits for all parties. The minister said that the federal government is currently the sole owner of Petronas, which is incorporated under the Companies Act 1965 as the national oil and gas company. 'The Petroleum Development Act 1974 (Act 144) entrusts Petronas with ownership of petroleum, along with the exclusive rights, powers, freedoms, and privileges to explore, manage, and develop the country's petroleum resources, whether onshore, offshore, or in Malaysian waters,' she said in a response posted on the Parliament's website today. Azalina was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (GRS-Keningau), who asked whether the government could consider distributing 50 per cent shares in Petronas to oil- and gas-producing territories and states, namely Sarawak, Sabah, Terengganu, and Kelantan. According to Jeffrey, the distribution is a fundamental step to strengthen the Malaysian Federation moving forward, while easing politicisation and dissatisfaction over oil and gas rights. Azalina said that although the ownership of Petronas is under the federal government, the current approach allows producing states to receive direct benefits from the petroleum industry through cash payments and various forms of commercial cooperation. 'At the same time, overall revenues from the sector are fairly distributed across the country in line with national development needs,' she added. -- BERNAMA