I can confirm this. I get a javascript error (str is undefined) in line 365 of /zimbra/
js/ajax/boot/AjxPackage.
js:
replaceObj()(/(^|[^\\])\$\{app\.([\$a-zA-Z0-9_]+)\}/g, undefined, Object contextPath=/zimbra currentSkin=beach)AjxPacka...cjw%3D%3D (line 365)
ZmPortlet()(null, "portlet_html_static1", Object panel=Object zimlet=com_zimbra_html)AjxPacka...j1Q%3D%3D (line 54)
...
It appears that the refresh property in the manifest cannot be left out, but must have a value. Use a very high value if you don't want a refresh.