Inovatif

Author: admin

  • Corporate bond issuance climbs in 2024, MGS & GII moderate

    Corporate bond issuance swelled to RM124.2 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s RM118.3 billion. The financial (RM51.7 billion) and real estate (RM19.9 billion) sectors continued to be the primary drivers of issuance, mirroring trends observed in 2023. RAM Ratings anticipate some of last year’s strength spilling over into 2025, seeing corporate bond issuance remaining healthy at RM110 billion-RM120 billion. Infrastructure financing and businesses’ funding needs should also support steady corporate bond issuance activity in 2025.

    Gross issuance of MGS and GII moderated to RM176.7 billion in 2024, down from the high of RM190.9 billion in 2023. Looking ahead, RAM Ratings project MGS and GII issuance to ease further to RM155 bil-RM165 billion in 2025. This takes into account the government’s narrower deficit financing requirement in line with its commitment to fiscal consolidation, as well as more moderate needs in the refinancing of debts maturing this year.

    The Malaysian bond market charted a more moderate foreign fund inflow of RM4.8 billion in 2024 (2023: inflow of RM23.6 billion), exacerbated by persistent bond market selloffs throughout most of the year amid heightened uncertainties over the US Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate outlook and the view that rate cuts might not be as forthcoming as initially expected. While the selloff eased towards year-end, the Fed’s less dovish stance and recent downgrade of its rate cut expectations in the December dot-plot suggest the lack of a catalyst in spurring foreign investor demand in 2025.

  • Malaysia faced 27.9 million online threats in 2024

    Malaysia has moved up the global rankings for web threats, a stark reminder of the escalating cyber dangers lurking online. According to the latest Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) report, Malaysia now ranks 30th worldwide, with a staggering 27.9 million web threats detected and blocked by the global cybersecurity company in 2024, a 4% increase compared to the previous year. This alarming data underscores the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and businesses in the country.

    “The rise in web threats detected in Malaysia is a serious concern. Our latest data shows us the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the urgent need for individuals and businesses to continuously enhance they safeguards against cyberthreats. Neglecting cybersecurity best practices can have severe consequences, from data breaches and financial losses to reputational damage, and event disruption of critical services,” says Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky.

    The Digital Communications Ministry highlighted that no single entity could address the cybersecurity challenges that Malaysia faces today. The threats are complex, multifaceted and evolve at a pace that demands collective action. The ministry views public and private partnerships as an important synergy to address the cybersecurity concerns.

    Malaysia is the current overall coordinator of the ASEAN Regional Computer Emergency Response Team (ASEAN Regional CERT), with the aim to build a more resilient digital ecosystem for all. The country is also in the midst of joining the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, demonstrating the country’s commitment to combat cybercrime both locally and internationally.

    “The Malaysian government’s ongoing efforts to combat cyberthreats are commendable. These steps are crucial in raising public awareness and strengthening the country’s cyber defenses. Staying safe online requires a multi-layered approach, strong passwords, updating software, being vigilant against phishing attempts are just the first steps. You need to utilize robust cybersecurity solutions, so you can significantly enhance your protection against cyberthreats. It is troubling to learn that approximately RM5 billion in losses occurred due to cybercrimes from 2020 to 2024. We urge Malaysians to continue to prioritize online safety and take proactive measures as soon as possible,” adds Yeo.

    Kaspersky experts advice the following for users to reduce some of the online risks:

    • Use strong and unique passwords. The weakest link is often the entry point to the platform, which is the password. This should be unique and not one that you re-use on multiple social media platforms. If you struggle to come up with a unique password, consider using a password manager to generate a unique and strong password.
    • Two-factor authentication. While many people choose to use SMS or email as the source of the second verification, Kaspersky recommend using an authenticator app.
    • People you do not know, do not click to read the direct message. There is no reason for you to assume that you should click on any link sent from people you do not know. It may be a goal to chase the influencer wagon and make fast cash, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
    • Talk to your kids on basic safety on social media networks.
  • FWD Insurance and Arus Academy launch financial literacy programme

    FWD Insurance and Arus Academy launch financial literacy programme

    FWD Insurance Berhad (“FWD Insurance”) partners with Arus Academy to empower university students through the Fun(d) for Life – University Edition (FFL Uni) programme. This initiative aims to equip 500 local university students with essential financial skills through a 3-month curriculum that includes training, coaching, and community service.

    “At FWD Insurance, financial literacy is something very dear to our hearts, recognising it as a fundamental skill everyone should have. Through this programme, we go beyond education by offering a holistic approach that not only equips young people with the skills to manage their finance, but also provides them with the resources to put their learning into practice,” said Mak See Sen, Chief Executive Officer of FWD Insurance. “By investing in their growth, we empower individuals and cultivate a financially literate society, driving Malaysia’s economic progress.”

    “The Fun(d) for Life – University Edition programme equips university students with the financial skills and autonomy to make informed decisions about their futures,” said Alina Amir, CEO and Co-Founder of Arus Academy. “University students are at a pivotal stage of their lives, where building strong financial habits can significantly shape their future careers and personal goals.”

    The 3-month FFL Uni programme begins with a 3-day immersive bootcamp focused on setting financial goals, budgeting, and creating comprehensive financial plans, including savings, protection, and investments. Over the course of the programme, students will receive ongoing coaching and mentoring, alongside tools to track expenses, reflect on their financial habits, and develop actionable financial plans. Participants will also document their journey through weekly diaries to raise awareness about financial literacy.

    A significant component of the initiative includes eight hours of community service, where participants teach financial literacy to at least 20 peers. By the programme’s end, each participant will receive a meaningful RM3,000 grant, deposited into their savings accounts or as fixed deposits, to support their financial goals and foster long-term independence. With an anticipated reach of over 10,000 beneficiaries through direct engagement and community service, the initiative reinforces Malaysia’s vision of fostering a financially literate, resilient, and economically inclusive society.

    Aligned with FWD Insurance’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals to uplift communities, the program seamlessly blends Arus Academy’s innovative teaching methods with FWD Insurance’s dedication to financial inclusion, working hand-in-hand towards a common goal of nurturing a financially savvy generation. By reaching tertiary students, FFL Uni is broadening its impact on youth of all ages, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable future nationwide. Previously, a collaboration between Arus Academy and FWD Takaful Berhad benefited over 47,108 primary and secondary school students from January to December 2024 through comprehensive financial education initiatives, featuring interactive learning portals, financial literacy camps, and design-focused events in 2024.

    The first cohort, comprising 50 students, will begin in February 2025. Interested applicants can submit their application requests to https://arus.cc/FFLUni-registration-of-interest-2025. For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/fundforlife_uni/.

     

  • FedEx accelerates delivery of import shipments to Johor

    FedEx accelerates delivery of import shipments to Johor

    Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is enhancing its inbound shipping service to better serve customers importing into Johor. Importers and local businesses can now receive their packages two hours earlier for inbound shipments from Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

    Import shipments are routed to the FedEx Gateway in Singapore before journeying to the FedEx Senai Gateway, offering customers the benefits of direct clearance at Senai customs. Previously, these shipments were routed through Kuala Lumpur before making a 300-kilometre trip to Senai for processing and delivery. This change is particularly beneficial for industries that rely heavily on timely imports, including manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce.

    “Improving the speed of our services is essential for businesses looking to thrive in today’s competitive environment,” said Tien Long Woon, managing director of FedEx Malaysia. “We understand that time is of the essence, and with faster delivery of imports, we are enhancing the efficiency of local businesses in Johor and improving their flexibility to better serve their own customers.”

    The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) is poised to significantly enhance economic connectivity between Johor and Singapore, focusing on key sectors such as electronics, medical equipment, food manufacturing, and data center. In 2023, Johor’s economy demonstrated robust growth, with a 4.1% year-over-year increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), surpassing the national average of 3.6%. This growth was primarily driven by the services and manufacturing sectors contributing around 84% of Johor’s GDP. Additionally, Johor accounted for approximately 29% of Malaysia’s total trade in 2023, amounting to RM753.1 billion. The JS-SEZ initiative is expected to attract substantial foreign direct investment, create numerous job opportunities and further solidify Johor’s position as a key economic hub in the region.

    As Johor continues to grow as a key economic hub in Malaysia, FedEx remains dedicated to fostering local businesses’ success and contributing to the regions’ economic development. The accelerated delivery service is just one of many ways FedEx is working to drive growth for its customers.

  • SC launches SARANA to widen financing options for MSMEs and small contractors

    The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) today announced SARANA, an alternative financing scheme offered by nine SC-registered peer-to-peer financing (P2P) platform operators under the Government e-procurement system.

    Effective immediately, this alternative financing option aims to address the working capital needs of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and small contractors, participating in Government contracts under the scope of supplies, services or works.

    SARANA offers two primary financing options, namely:

    • Invoice financing, which supports cash flow post-contract delivery; and
    • Financing for contract implementation (pre-financing), to bridge contractors’ initial working capital needs before a project is executed.

    The participating P2P platform operators are as follows:

    1. Bay Smart Capital Ventures Sdn Bhd*
    2. B2B Finpal Sdn Bhd
    3. Capsphere Services Sdn Bhd*
    4. Crowd Sense Sdn Bhd*
    5. P2P Nusa Kapital Sdn Bhd*
    6. FBM Crowdtech Sdn Bhd
    7. MicroLEAP PLT*
    8. Modalku Ventures Sdn Bhd*
    9. Moneysave (M) Sdn Bhd*

    *Offers Shariah financing 

    With the Government’s support for P2P financing as announced at the Budget 2025 tabling, SARANA provides a viable alternative to bridge critical funding gaps, particularly for companies facing challenges in assessing traditional financing.

    This initiative of enabling access to the capital market through P2P platform operators is also in line with the SC’s Catalysing MSME And MTC Access to the Capital Market: 5-Year Roadmap (2024-2028).

    Since the introduction of the P2P regulatory framework by the SC in 2016, registered P2P platform operators have played a pivotal role in addressing the financing needs of locally incorporated companies. As of 30 September 2024, P2P financing has raised a total of RM7.9 billion.

    For more information on SARANA, visit www.sc.com.my/sarana.

  • AHAM Capital declares income distribution of RM1.11 billion

    AHAM Capital declares income distribution of RM1.11 billion

    AHAM Asset Management Berhad (“AHAM Capital” or “the Company”) has declared a total income distribution of RM1.11 billion for the financial year 2024, spanning across a total of 89 wholesale and retail funds managed by the Company. These Funds encompass a diverse set of strategies and asset classes including equities, bonds, and mixed assets.

    Anton Tan, Chief Officer of Product Solutions of AHAM Capital said, “We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to delivering consistent income to investors with average distribution yield ranging between 4.0% – 8.0% across our funds. In 2024, our strategic positioning in Malaysian equities paid off, supported by strong market performance driven by policy reforms and a surge in foreign direct investments. Additionally, easing inflationary trends and interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve created a supportive backdrop for fixed income markets, contributing to the overall stability of our income strategies.”

    Looking ahead to 2025, Anton adds, “As the global stage shifts under Trump’s new administration, alongside heightened geopolitical tensions and persistent currency volatility, the need for diversification is more critical than ever. Income strategies help provide a cornerstone for portfolio resilience by offering stability and capital preservation in an uncertain environment.

    “While the pace of rate cuts may slow, and interest rates could remain higher-for-longer, the current environment still offers a rare window for income-seeking investors to lock-in higher yields today. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing globally diversified solutions spanning different strategies, assets and currency classes to help our clients recalibrate and position for the year ahead.”

    The Company’s Select and World Series funds delivered strong income distribution yields ranging from 4.0% to 8.0% across various asset classes and strategies. Notable highlights include the AHAM World Series – Income Fund, which achieved an impressive yield of 8.3% by capitalising on global income opportunities, while the AHAM Select SGD Income Fund and AHAM Select AUD Income Fund each recorded yield of 4.50%, offering investors the advantages of currency diversification. In the Shariah-compliant segment, the AHAM Aiiman Income Plus Fund and AHAM Aiiman Quantum Fund delivered competitive yields of 4.50% and 4.60%, respectively.

    As at 31 December 2024, AHAM Capital’s total Assets Under Administration (AUA) stood at approximately RM89.0 billion, encompassing assets under management, investment advisory, and those under distribution.

  • microLEAP Strengthens MSME Support Through SC’s Sarana Scheme

    microLEAP, a Securities Commission (SC)-registered P2P financing platform participates in the newly launched Sarana alternative financing scheme and is scaling its efforts to empower Malaysia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and small contractors by offering innovative Shariah-compliant financing options.

    In 2024, 207 out of 208 investment notes issued by microLEAP were fully Shariah-compliant, underlining its commitment to promoting ethical, sustainable, and transparent financing solutions.

    Through the Sarana financing scheme, microLEAP leverages on technology to offer SMEs and government contractors faster, more flexible financing options, such as invoice financing and contract pre-financing, enabling businesses to meet their working capital needs effectively.

    With RM125 million in financing disbursed in 2024 alone, marking an exceptional 101% year-on-year growth, microLEAP’s impact on the SME landscape is undeniable. Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, Founder & CEO of microLEAP, emphasised the critical role of alternative financing in building resilience within Malaysia’s SME sector.

    “SMEs are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, but many still face barriers to securing the capital they need to grow. Platforms like microLEAP are not just filling a gap, but transforming the way businesses access financing. Through Shariah-compliant and online solutions, we are fostering a more inclusive financial ecosystem that drives sustainable growth,” said Tunku Danny. “Through the Sarana scheme, we’re not just providing financing—we’re empowering businesses to grow, scale, and compete in an increasingly demanding environment. Invoice financing, in particular, is a game-changer for SMEs and contractors. It turns their unpaid invoices into immediate cash flow, ensuring they have the working capital needed to fulfil contracts, pay suppliers, and seize new opportunities.”

    microLEAP’s innovative approach is built on a foundation of robust risk management, ensuring the confidence of both borrowers and investors. The platform achieved a default rate of just 0.63% in 2024, a 41.1% improvement from 2023, reinforcing its reputation for reliability. Meanwhile, investor confidence surged, with a 61.2% increase in new investors joining the platform last year.

    As the only P2P financing platform with offices in Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Penang, and Perak, microLEAP ensures SMEs across Malaysia can access financing tailored to their needs, regardless of location. This strategic reach is critical to advancing financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas, where businesses often struggle to secure funding.

  • Shopee expands range of Shariah compliant financial services with Takaful IKHLAS

    Shopee expands range of Shariah compliant financial services with Takaful IKHLAS

    Leading digital payments and financial services provider SeaMoney, has partnered with Takaful Ikhlas General Berhad (Takaful IKHLAS) to offer Motor Takaful protection on the Shopee app. The latest addition to Shopee’s growing suite of digital insurance and takaful offerings, IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful, aims to provide holistic, Shariah compliant motor takaful protection to users.

    IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful provides the following coverage:

    • Third party bodily injury and death;
    • Third party property loss or damage;
    • Loss or damage to your own vehicle due to accidental fire or theft; and
    • Loss or damage to your own vehicle due to accidents.

    Additionally, participants can enjoy complimentary benefits that include:

    • Waiver of Compulsory Excess for Unnamed Driver
    • Complimentary Personal Accident cover for Participant
    • Transportation Fee Reimbursement

    IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful also provides complimentary roadside assistance with 24-Hour Bantuan IKHLAS Road Assist. This includes a 24-Hour Accident and Breakdown towing service that also covers Singapore, South Thailand, and Brunei within a 25km radius of the Malaysian border, as well as locksmithing and battery delivery services.

    In conjunction with the launch of IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful, Shopee is offering an RM15 voucher on top of a 10% discount for all Takaful IKHLAS insurance and takaful products.

    Here’s how you can purchase IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful on Shopee:

    Step 1: From the Shopee app home page, access the “Finance” circle, located right below the search bar. Once in the Finance page, click on “Insurance”.

    Step 2: Here, click on “Car” and proceed to fill in your vehicle details to receive an insurance quotation.

    Step 3: After receiving your quotation, select your preferred IKHLAS Private Car Comprehensive Plus Takaful and proceed to complete your purchase.

     

  • TCS Global Study: 64% of consumers likely to choose EV

    TCS Global Study: 64% of consumers likely to choose EV

    A new study by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), reveals that more than six out of 10 (64%) consumers are likely or very likely to consider an electric vehicle (EV) for their next purchase. The TCS Future-Ready eMobility Study 2025, a comprehensive report on how EVs are shaping the future of sustainable mobility, also highlights that while 60% of consumers said charging infrastructure was a major challenge, 56% were ready to pay up to $40K for an EV.

    This study surveyed over 1,300 anonymous respondents across North America (USA, Canada), United Kingdom & Ireland, Continental Europe (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland) and APAC (China, India, Japan, ANZ). The respondents for the survey included transport manufacturers, charging infrastructure players, fleet adopters, consumers and EV adoption influencers.

    Sustainability and lower operational costs were key factors driving EV adoption, according to the study. While consumers and influencers highlighted a clear motivation for EV adoption as ‘environmental sustainability’, the environmental benefits did not match the expectations of many EV influencers. Nearly 48% EV influencers said EVs increase the overall carbon output just as much as they reduce it, with 10% even saying EV adoption is negatively impacting the environment. Commercial fleets maintain a positive outlook towards electric mobility, with a sizable percentage—53%—pointing to reducing operational costs as a primary motivation. Fleet adopters were willing to pay a premium for EVs than for traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

    Despite the growing interest in EVs among consumers, significant challenges remain, particularly in the areas of charging infrastructure and technological advancements. While 74% of EV manufacturers said the lack of appropriate charging infrastructure remains the biggest obstacle limiting growth in the EV market, 55% have already started investing in innovation for battery technology advancements. Nearly 78% are making investments to reduce vehicle costs to cater to growing demand for EVs.

    Anupam Singhal, President, Manufacturing, TCS, said, “The EV industry is at a defining crossroad, navigating the complexities of scale and transformation. While nearly two-thirds of consumers are open to choosing electric for their next vehicle, manufacturers face challenges like advancing battery technology, complex vehicle designs, and production economics. At TCS, our Future-Ready Mobility vision focuses on creating an interconnected ecosystem powered by AI and Gen AI to drive smarter decision-making, enhanced customer experiences, and deliver scalable, sustainable solutions. By addressing these critical challenges, we are accelerating the global shift toward electrified and sustainable transportation.”

    The survey indicates that 90% of manufacturers believe that improvements in battery technology will enhance range and charging speed and will significantly impact the design and performance of EVs in the near term compared to other technological advancements.

    Key results from the survey, which can be found at TCS Future-Ready eMobility Study 2025, include-

    • 90% EV manufacturers and 84% of EV Influencers said battery technology improvements to optimise range and charging speed will have a large impact on design and performance of EVs
    • 74% of manufacturers believed charging infrastructure remains the biggest obstacle limiting EV market growth
    • 72% of EV charging infrastructure players are expecting significant mergers in the EV space driven by financial viability and scaling challenges
    • 41% consumers said that an acceptable EV range on a single charge is 200-300 miles, followed by 31% respondents who felt 300-400 miles is a better deal
    • 63% EV influencers said their primary motivation for EV adoption is to achieve net-zero goals and reduce carbon footprint
    • 55% of EV manufacturers are investing in R&D for battery technology advancements, while 78% are investing in vehicle cost reduction
    • 72% US consumers are likely or very likely to purchase an EV as their next vehicle, compared to less than 31% of Japanese consumers

    In a world quickly moving towards electric mobility, TCS’ vision for future-ready mobility combines technological innovation, strategic collaboration, and deep expertise to empower manufacturers and EV stakeholders to navigate change. TCS drives change across the mobility value chain, from vehicle design and gigafactory planning to digital platforms, generative AI, and personalised customer experiences. Focused on sustainable mobility and measurable value, it partners with customers to shape a bold, sustainable future.

  • Alibaba Cloud unveils ACS for international customers to revolutionise workload deployment

    Alibaba Cloud unveils ACS for international customers to revolutionise workload deployment

    Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group announces the international debut of its innovative Alibaba Cloud Container Compute Service (ACS), designed to simplify and optimise workload deployment using container technology. ACS will be available for international customers starting from January 2025.

    ACS, which uses Kubernetes as its interface, offers a serverless container service that provides compute resources compliant with container standards. This new product eliminates the need for users to manage underlying nodes and clusters, significantly reducing costs and technical barriers associated with container deployment. It also allows customers to pay-as-you-go, helping them avoid over allocated, and scale on demand, enabling the optimisation of costs during periods of high and low usage.

    “As the deployment of workloads on container technology becomes increasingly prevalent, we developed a more accessible solution that would anticipate the evolving needs of our customers,” said Jiangwei Jiang, General Manager of Infrastructure Products, Alibaba Cloud. “ACS represents a big step forward in how businesses can utilise container technology, offering cost-efficiency and ease of use to support businesses unleashing productivity.”

    Container technology, a form of virtualisation that bundles programmes with everything they need to run, makes it easy to deploy applications consistently across different hardware and systems. The benefits in terms of efficiency and resource optimisation have made containers a mainstream development method.

    According to Gartner, the container management market has experienced over 20% growth in the past year, with projections indicating a market value of US$4.5 billion by 2028. Gartner also predicts that by 2027, more than 75% of all AI deployments will utilise container technology as the underlying compute environment.

    ACS is designed to overcome the complexities associated with Kubernetes configuration, resource management, and on-demand elasticity. By integrating containers and resources based on Alibaba Cloud’s Shenlong architecture to allow maximum scaling of computing resources, ACS offers a solution capable of reducing computing power costs by up to 55%.

    “ACS has transformed the container orchestration service into a comprehensive computing product. Users benefit by paying only for the compute capacity that they use,” Jiang added.

    This product is fully compatible with Kubernetes technologies and supports seamless migration to the cloud for both open-source ecosystems as well as self-developed products. This is notable in that users can continue using familiar Kubernetes management methods and file formats. There is also no need to pre-purchase nodes so users can simply declare their workload requirements and ACS will match them with the necessary underlying compute resources. This minimises the demand for additional costs and human resources in infrastructure maintenance.

    Alibaba Cloud Container Service supports different architectures and can be deployed in multiple cloud environment including public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud. Currently, Alibaba Cloud Container Service has been applied across a wide range of industries.