Latest news with #HongLeongBank
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Magical moments with G-Dragon
AS a long-time admirer of South Korean rapper G-Dragon, stepping into Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil for his 'Übermensch' concert recently felt like a dream. The moment the lights dimmed and the crowd roared, I knew I was about to witness something unforgettable, and G-Dragon did not disappoint. His two-night G-Dragon 2025 World Tour 'Übermensch' event in Kuala Lumpur, presented by Hong Leong Bank, was not merely a concert but a full-blown audio-visual experience. It served as a powerful reminder of why he remains an icon of global music and culture. Fans started arriving as early as 1pm, with some dressed in outfits inspired by G-Dragon's eclectic fashion sense. Many were already queuing excitedly to buy official tour merchandise, from collectible light sticks and T-shirts to exclusive fashion pieces that reflected the star's unique style. The anticipation in the air was electric, and once the show began with the explosive opening track 'Power', the entire arena was figuratively on fire. Backed by jaw-dropping visuals and a futuristic stage design, G-Dragon delivered a flawless performance. He seamlessly wove between iconic hits like 'Crayon', 'Heartbreaker', and 'Crooked', as well as newer tracks including 'Too Bad' and 'Drama'. What stood out most to me was not just the performance, but the storytelling. This wasn't simply a setlist; it was a journey of reinvention, liberation, and self-expression. Then came the moment that sent chills down our spines. In the middle of the show, G-Dragon looked out into the roaring crowd and made a heartfelt announcement. "You know what, guys, next year is Big Bang's 20th anniversary celebration. Big Bang is not just about me; it is the love of all of us. "And we will be back together. We hope to see you guys very soon," he said as the stadium erupted. Some fans were screaming, some were crying, but many of us just stood in awe, overwhelmed by the significance of that promise. Throughout the night, G-Dragon's outfits were a spectacle on their own, each look reflecting a different emotion or message. He even made the effort to speak Malay to connect with us, saying "Saya gembira jumpa korang" (I'm happy to see you all), "Syok gila" (Crazy fun), and "You all enjoy tak?" (Did you all enjoy it?). And yes, we did; every single moment. However, while the show was everything I had hoped for and more, I cannot ignore the voices of fellow Malaysian fans who were left disappointed, not by the artiste, but by aspects of the event experience itself. Ticket scalping was rampant, and many fans were unable to secure tickets. Some pointed out that signage and announcements were mostly in Chinese. Outside the arena, hundreds of ticketless fans gathered, hoping to catch even a glimpse or sound of their idol. I saw videos on social media showing G-Dragon's team collecting handwritten letters and fan gifts from the crowd — a small but meaningful gesture that touched many hearts. The concert organiser, Star Planet Malaysia, has since denied that Chinese-language signage dominated the event and dismissed the scalping accusations as baseless. "For this event, we implemented a pre-order phase exclusively for Hong Leong Bank cardholders, which was primarily targeted at Malaysian fans. "While tickets were not strictly divided between local and international sales, certain measures were in place — such as IP filtering to help ensure better access for Malaysian-based users and reduce the impact of overseas scalpers and automated bots," its chief operating officer Carmen Liew told the New Straits Times. Liew also addressed circulating fan-submitted photos, which appeared to show empty seating areas just one to two hours before the concert. "These assertions are factually incorrect and presented in a misleading context. As the venue doors opened three hours before showtime, many fans had yet to arrive at the time the photos were taken. "Furthermore, all seated zones were designated with numbered seating, allowing attendees to arrive closer to the show without concern for losing their seats," she said. Moving forward, Liew said that the company remains in active discussions with its ticketing partner to explore viable solutions, while also reviewing the existing ticketing terms and conditions to implement measures that are both effective and practical. Despite these minor hiccups, what I experienced inside the arena was magical. During the final moments of 'Untitled, 2014', the crowd softly sang in unison, as our light sticks painted the venue in a gentle glow. G-Dragon stood still on stage as the last note faded. For me, and thousands of others, this was not just a concert. It was a cultural moment, a reunion of memories, and a promise of something greater ahead.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Banks' RM4.36bil buffer to cushion US tariff impairment risks
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian banks are expected to remain resilient even if credit risks rise due to new United States tariffs, thanks to a sizeable RM4.36 billion management overlay (MO) buffer that could cushion potential loan impairments, according to CGS International. The firm estimated that if banks need to provide for 50 per cent of the new gross impaired loans (GIL), the management overlay will be able to cover up to 37.9 per cent of the increase in banks' total GIL in financial year 2026. CGS said Public Bank holds the highest management overlay coverage at 91.8 per cent, while Bank Islam trails with only 10.6 per cent. It added the higher tariffs imposed by the US on Malaysian exports could reduce the business volumes and revenue of Malaysian companies that are reliant on the US market. This, in turn, may weaken their debt servicing capabilities, sparking concerns of increased credit risks for Malaysian banks. "As a consequence, we project GIL of the banks under our coverage to rise by 5.6 per cent in FY25 and 7.0 per cent in FY26," it added. Based on a stress test conducted to assess the impact of rising GIL on banks, CGS estimated that a 10 per cent increase in FY26 gross impaired loans would reduce the combined FY26 net profits of banks under its coverage by 3.2 per cent. "In our test, the least impacted banks were Hong Leong Bank (-1.0 per cent) and Public Bank (-1.3 per cent) while the most impacted was Affin Bank (-10.9 per cent). "If the sector's GIL rises 30 per cent, the negative impact on banks' total FY26 net profits is 9.6 per cent, ranging from 3-4 per cent for Public Bank and Hong Leong Bank to 32.8 per cent for Affin, based on our estimates," the firm added. CGS maintained its "Overweight" stance on banks, premised on potential re-rating catalysts of ongoing write-backs in management overlay and expected increases in the dividend payout ratios for most banks.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Slow start on Bursa despite Japan-US trade relief
KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI sat stubbornly on the start line on Wednesday even as relief over a trade deal struck between Japan and the US helped pull up Asian equities prices. While investors had been hoping for the deal between the world's largest and third-largest economies to give Bursa Malaysia an early-morning push, the market's main index eked out a meagre 2.28-point increase to 1,521.68 after days of weak investor sentiment. The mild gain on the market was owing an increase in Hong Leong Bank, adding 14 sen to RM19.14, Tenagna Nasional rising four sen to RM13.82 and Telekon climbing five sen to RM6.75. This was mostly offset by Public Bank, down two sen to RM4.29, PETRONAS Dagangan shaving 18 sen to RM21.10 and Gamuda dropping two sen to RM5.17. Contributing to the weak broader market sentiment, there remain headwinds in the form of trade uncertainties and the absence of fresh buying leads. However, there are pockets of trading opportunities for investors. "While short-term sentiment is still developing, value-seeking investors may continue to support the market through selective accumulation," said Rakuten Trade in its morning note. Among actively traded stocks, NexG rose one sen to 51.5 sen, Enpro gained 1.5 sen to 28 sen and PRG was up 0.5 sen to 9.5 sen.
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BusinessToday
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BusinessToday
G-DRAGON Lights Up Kuala Lumpur with [Übermensch] Spectacle
Evoto G-DRAGON made a triumphant return to Kuala Lumpur with a sold-out two-night stand at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil on July 19 and 20. Presented by Hong Leong Bank, the 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] dazzled Malaysian fans with a visually stunning and sonically powerful performance that confirmed the K-pop icon's continued global influence. Promoted by AEG Presents, TME Live, Star Planet, and Top Top Production, the tour attracted fans from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Over 20,000 attendees packed the arena across the two days, bearing witness to a visual and sonic performance. The atmosphere turned electric the moment the lights dimmed. G-DRAGON took the stage with 'POWER,' instantly energising the crowd and setting a high-octane tone that carried through the entire performance. With cinematic visuals, dynamic choreography, and intimate storytelling, he led the audience through a deeply immersive experience that was both personal and larger-than-life. His setlist was a powerful blend of past and present, featuring iconic anthems such as 'Crooked,' 'Crayon,' 'Heartbreaker,' and 'One of a Kind,' alongside brand-new tracks including 'TOO BAD' and 'DRAMA.' Together, these songs formed the core of Übermensch, a conceptually rich project exploring themes of self-transcendence, reinvention, and artistic liberation. Every element of the show was executed to perfection. From futuristic stage design and immersive lighting to jaw-dropping visual effects, the production was a multi-sensory spectacle. G-DRAGON's renowned fashion commanded attention throughout the night with multiple outfit changes, each reflecting his bold, ever-evolving style and perfectly complementing the mood and message of each segment. His ability to fuse high fashion with an unparalleled stage presence further cemented his reputation as a true global fashion icon. Fans were not just spectators—they were part of the show. Thousands waved their light sticks in perfect unison, their chants ringing out between songs. The emotional crescendo came during 'Untitled, 2014,' when the entire arena glowed with soft light. Fans sang along in unison, their voices trembling with emotion, with many visibly moved to tears. From start to finish, the Kuala Lumpur shows were nothing short of extraordinary. G-DRAGON's Kuala Lumpur shows offered more than entertainment—they were a celebration of connection, artistry, and identity. Related
The Star
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
FBM KLCI ends higher, investors eye upcoming GDP release
KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI finished higher today, mirroring gains across regional markets as investors showed renewed confidence amid improving sentiment. However, dealers noted that cautiousness lingered ahead of key economic events, including the Statistics Department's upcoming release of advance GDP data for the second quarter on Friday and the looming tariff deadline. The FBM KLCI rose 9.44 points, or 0.62% to 1,520.94 after hitting an intraday high of 1,521.15. There were 547 gainers, 416 losers and 475 counters traded unchanged on the Bursa Malaysia. Turnover stood at 3.17 billion shares valued at RM2.5bil. Among the gainers, F&N rose 36 sen to RM29.02, Hong Leong Bank added 32 sen to RM19.30, Paragon gained 19 sen to RM2.87 and PETRONAS Chemicals climbed 13 sen to RM3.32. Malaysian Pacific Industries , the top loser on Bursa Malaysia, slid 38 sen to RM19.62. Kuala Lumpur Kepong lost 30 sen to RM20.16, Aeon Credit fell 17 sen to RM5.16 and Panasonic Manufacturing eased 14 sen to RM11. ACE Market debutant iCents Group jumped 41.67%, or 10 sen, to 34 sen, with 150.54 million shares traded. Stock market data showed foreign investors net sold RM173mil on Wednesday, while local institutions and retailers were net buyers at RM1mil and RM172mil, respectively. On the forex market, the ringgit was quoted at 4.2493 against the greenback, down 0.11%. It rose 0.02% against the euro to 4.9287, but fell 0.11% against the pound to 5.6941 and edged down 0.03% against the Singapore dollar to 3.3046. On the external front, Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.6% to close at 39,901.19, while South Korea's Kospi rose 0.19% to end at 3,192.29. In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index slipped 0.08% to 24,498.95. Meanwhile, Singapore's Straits Times Index advanced 0.71% to 4,161.43. In China, the CSI300 Index gained 0.68% to 4,034.49, and the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.4% to finish at 3,516.83.
