Category: lifestyle

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 October 2024 – Climate Resilience Survey by Zurich Malaysia found that
86% of Malaysians are concerned over climate change impacts, with younger individuals (aged 18-
29) showing the highest levels of concerns (up to 90%). Financial constraints are a significant barrier
to preparedness for 38% of respondents, with 54% feeling unprepared for climate events such as
floods, heatwaves, and landslides.

Zurich Malaysia’s Climate Resilience Survey was launched in support of National Preparedness
Month (BKN) 2024, themed “Malaysia Madani, Siaga Bencana”. The survey aims to promote disaster
preparedness awareness through collaboration between local communities and the government.

Junior Cho, Country CEO/Head of Zurich Malaysia, said, “Our Climate Resilience Survey aims to
gain a deeper understanding of the public’s current perceptions, preparedness, and experiences with
climate change impacts. By understanding the community’s perception of climate risks and their
preparedness levels, we can develop tailored strategies to strengthen climate resilience, enhance
local adaptation efforts, and promote sustainable practices across diverse urban settings.”

Awareness and concerns are high, but greater support required
Overall, 53% of Malaysians are very concerned about climate change impacts on future generations.
However, this level of heavy concern decreases with age, from 56% in the 18-29 group to 25% in the
65 and above group. This indicates a greater focus on climate education and engagement among
younger Malaysians, who are more likely to face the longer-term consequences of increasing climate
events.

Floods (75%), heatwaves (74%), and landslides (70%) are the top worries, with urban infrastructure
risks (e.g., fallen trees, sinkholes) becoming an emerging concern (67%), following recent cases in
urban downtown Kuala Lumpur. Similar age patterns are observed, with overall concerns decreasing
as age increases.

In the past 12 months, almost a third of respondents (32%) reported being directly impacted by
severe climate events, with 38% citing their families as victims. On the community front, 58% reported
that their local communities were most affected by severe climate events, indicating a concern for
climate events that extend beyond individual experiences.

The survey found an inverse correlation between monthly household income levels and
preparedness. 49% of B40 respondents reported having sufficient provisions, savings, evacuation
plans, and emergency support for their households against potential climate events. However, this
decreases to 44% for M40 households and 39% for T20 households. This suggests that higher-
income households may have higher expectations for preparedness, resulting in a perception of being
less ready or prepared.

The survey also indicates strong support and adoption of sustainable practices by Malaysians, who
are taking the initiative towards a greener lifestyle. They prioritise sustainable waste management
(63%), purchase eco-friendly products (60%), and reduce energy usage (60%). These trends suggest
an emphasis on tangible, everyday actions that can be easily integrated into daily life.

Building on from existing sustainability commitments

Zurich Malaysia’s Climate Resilience Survey builds on the Urban Climate Resilience Program
(UCRP) launched by the Z Zurich Foundation to support urban communities in nine countries across
the globe. The UCRP expands on Z Zurich Foundation’s ongoing climate change work with the Zurich
Climate Resilience Alliance, which has primarily focused on rural environments, by extending its
efforts into urban spaces and populations.

Zurich Malaysia successfully rolled out the UCRP locally, kicking off in November 2023 with Kampung
Morten and Pantai Peringgit in Melaka, through a multipartite collaboration between Zurich Malaysia,
Z Zurich Foundation, the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), as well as the Historic City Council of
Melaka (MBMB). In March 2024, Zurich Malaysia and Z Zurich Foundation collaborated with C40
Cities and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to expand the UCRP in the capital, to PPR Beringin
and Kampung Pasir.

Earlier this year, the 2024 Global Risks Report – presented by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in
collaboration with Marsh McLennan and Zurich Insurance – found that two-thirds of respondents
ranked extreme weather as a top risk. Findings from Zurich Malaysia’s Climate Resilience Survey
align with these global realities and will be leveraged to further strengthen community resilience
against climate events, as part of Zurich Malaysia’s ongoing mission to care for what matters most to
our planet’s wellbeing.

Zurich Malaysia’s Climate Resilience Survey was conducted in September 2024, with 1,100
Malaysians taking part in the study. For further insights into Zurich Malaysia’s holistic approach to
building a brighter tomorrow, please visit https://www.zurich.com.my/.

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) will introduce a regulatory sandbox and enhance its regulatory framework to encourage securities tokenisation to help spur  innovations in the capital market.  

The SC will also be collaborating with Khazanah Nasional to explore the issuance of  tokenised bond. 

The three initiatives, unveiled at the SCxSC Fintech Summit 2024 starting today, are  aimed at promoting a responsible innovation in the country’s capital market. About  1,000 people are attending the two-day summit. 

In his opening address, the SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the SC is  committed to foster a thriving fintech ecosystem in the capital market.  

“To drive innovation in the capital market, the SC is taking a holistic approach. Through  initiatives like the regulatory sandbox and SCxSC, we enable industry experimentation and foster collaboration with the broader ecosystem,” he said. 

Recognising rapid technological advancements, the SC has received several proposals that do not fully fit within existing regulatory frameworks.  

To address this, the SC is introducing a regulatory sandbox framework (sandbox),  providing a controlled environment for testing innovative products and services while ensuring investor protection. 

Corporations developing solutions in areas like financial inclusiveness, Islamic finance and retirement solutions are encouraged to apply.  

The sandbox is a regulatory tool for enhancing policies to ensure they are fit for  purpose. For example, it may allow innovative tokenised offerings to be tested within  the sandbox, in line with the SC’s efforts to develop its technology-agnostic approach  for tokenised securities and identify best practices. 

In this respect, the SC will develop a guidance early next year for intermediaries to  understand and manage associated risks in relation to securities tokenisation.

Corporations have until April 2025 to apply for the first cohort of the Sandbox.  

Interested parties are required to participate in pre-consultation sessions prior to  submission. These sessions are available immediately, and interested parties can begin engagements by emailing afinity@seccom.com.my.  

Accepted applications will have up to 12 months to test their products or services. 

Eligibility criteria include offering innovative capital market products or services that  are not currently available in Malaysia and do not fully fit under existing regulatory  framework that bring value to the market. 

In addition, the SC is collaborating with Khazanah Nasional, as a potential issuer, to  explore how blockchain technology can enhance the efficiency of bond issuance and  operations. This initiative explores the use of smart contracts and custodial  arrangements. 

This year’s edition of the SCxSC Fintech Summit focuses on the use cases and  opportunities of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain in the  capital market. 

For the past 10 years, the Summit has served as a platform for fintech communities  to engage, network and explore fintech-driven opportunities. 

Insights are delivered through an immersive experience of blending cutting-edge  demos, roundtables, exhibitions, keynotes and panel discussions.  

The SCxSC Fintech Summit 2024 also featured the Demo Day of the SC FIKRA ACE  Accelerator1 programme, where 10 startups pitched for the chance to be selected as  2024 cohort’s winners.  

SCxSC aligns with the SC’s broader innovation agenda to harness technology, supporting the Capital Market Masterplan 3 (CMP3) objectives of catalysing economic  growth, empowering investors and promoting a sustainable, inclusive stakeholder.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – September 10, 2024 – microLEAP, Malaysia’s prominent P2P financing platform specialising in Islamic financing, welcomes the recent call by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) for stakeholders to collaborate in shaping the future of Islamic fintech. As pioneers in introducing both Shariah-compliant and conventional financing on the same platform, microLEAP fully supports SC Chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi’s emphasis on leveraging the ethical principles of Maqasid al-Shariah to engage a broader audience. 

microLEAP’s mission is closely aligned with these values, advocating for ethical and inclusive financing while remaining committed to the growth of the Islamic fintech ecosystem. With physical offices in Sabah, Sarawak, Johor, Perak, and Penang, this strategic move underlines microLEAP’s commitment in extending the reach of Islamic financing beyond just the Klang Valley.

In the first half of 2024, 98.7% of the company’s financing notes were Shariah-compliant, showcasing its leadership in this space. microLEAP disbursed RM 46.56 million across 78 notes during Q1 and Q2, and has already disbursed over RM 175 million since its inception. This significant growth reflects the increasing demand for Islamic financing solutions, aligning with the SC’s findings that Islamic ECF and P2P platforms now contribute 24% of total alternative funding, compared to just 8% in 2022.

Collaboration is key to unlocking the potential of Islamic fintech. microLEAP continues its ongoing partnership and collaboration with key government bodies, such as the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP), SME Corp, and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), to advance Islamic finance and ensure greater financial inclusion.

Datuk Mohammad Faiz’s call for a balanced regulatory framework is timely, and microLEAP fully supports the SC’s initiatives to foster innovation while ensuring market integrity. microLEAP embodies this balance, as demonstrated by its reduction in default rates to 0.77%. The platform continues to focus on responsible risk management while delivering strong returns for investors, achieving an average return of 15.1% in the first half of 2024.

As Malaysia’s P2P financing ecosystem continues to grow, microLEAP remains dedicated to contributing to this upward trajectory. Its expansion into underserved areas of Malaysia further reaffirms microLEAP’s dedication to ensuring that all of Malaysia benefit from the potential of Islamic fintech.

“At microLEAP, we believe in taking bold steps toward a more inclusive and ethical financial ecosystem. By partnering with key government agencies and establishing a physical presence in several states, we are breaking barriers and expanding access to Islamic financing,” said Tunku Danny Nasaifuddin Mudzaffar, Founder and CEO of microLEAP. “Collaboration is the cornerstone of progress, and together with our partners, we aim to shape a brighter future for Islamic fintech.”

microLEAP stands ready to collaborate with the SC and other stakeholders to build a robust, inclusive, and ethically-driven financial ecosystem. The company remains steadfast in its belief that small steps can lead to a big impact.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media Outreach Newswire – 2 September 2024 – Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or the “Group”) announced that it has partnered with leading Singaporean fintech firm Helicap Pte Ltd (“Helicap”) in a move to further advance its digitalisation initiatives.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank (standing), along with other key representatives. From left: Cheong Boon Kak, Group Chief Financial & Operations Officer, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad; Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Kenanga Investors Berhad; David Z Wang, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Helicap Securities; Quentin Vanoekel, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Helicap Investments; and Jeremy Tan, Co-Founder & Group Chief Operating Officer.

As part of this partnership, Kenanga Group, through a fund managed by its asset and wealth management arm, Kenanga Investors Berhad (“Kenanga Investors”), has collectively taken a stake of 8% (“the Investment”) in Helicap. The Investment forms Helicap’s Series B funding round, which sees Kenanga Group as lead investor alongside Saison Capital Pte Ltd, the corporate venture capital arm of Credit Saison, one of Japan’s largest non-bank financial companies that is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Subsequently, Kenanga Group’s stake will be further increased in the near future to approximately 10%, making Kenanga Group the largest institutional investor in Helicap.

Helicap, one of the first fintech private investment platforms specialising in the alternative lending space in Southeast Asia (“SEA”), has built its success on a foundation of innovation and technology. Central to its competitive edge is its proprietary credit analytics engine, which stands as the company’s strongest asset.

According to Kenanga Group’s Managing Director, Datuk Chay Wai Leong, the Group distinguishes itself from its peers by leveraging digital technology to elevate its service and solution offerings. “By focusing on digital innovation, we have provided multiple touchpoints to enable our clients to engage with our services more efficiently and effectively. Therefore, our investment into Helicap is a natural progression in our digitalisation journey, as Helicap’s proprietary technology can potentially be embedded into Kenanga’s own lending and investment banking business seamlessly to provide greater loan book transparency and analysis, portfolio and credit risk monitoring and granular-level data to identify nascent opportunities and obtain microeconomic insights”, he explained.

This Investment builds upon Kenanga Group’s broader digitalisation initiatives, following its successful investments into Rakuten, CapBay, Tokenize Malaysia and Merchantrade. These partnerships reflect the Group’s commitment to collaborating with best-of-breed fintech companies that are pioneers in their fields. By deploying first-in-class digital technologies, it aims to continue to enhance its business activities, access new markets, and explore new segments.

The Investment follows the launch of Kenanga Investors’ latest product suite, the Kenanga Alternative Series, which was marked by the introduction of the Kenanga Alternative Series: Income Opportunities Fund in July 2024. It feeds into the Helicap Income Opportunities Fund, an open-ended Asian private credit fund.

Kenanga Investors’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis commented on the expanded relationship with Helicap, stating, “Our enhanced partnership with Helicap will enable us to tap into its global network as a source of offshore capital as well as to facilitate deal co-origination and syndication efforts in both Singapore and Malaysia. Ultimately, we believe this will provide a strategic base for Kenanga Group to build further cross-border collaborative partnerships and capitalise on the dynamic growth in the region, as well as the rising income and affluence among South-East Asian investors”.

From the fintech firm’s perspective, such a collaboration would seamlessly integrate Helicap’s strengths in private credit with Kenanga Group’s brand recognition and operational capabilities, creating a state-of-the-art private credit business. David Z Wang, Co-founder & CEO of Helicap Securities, stated, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Kenanga Group, a pivotal step in bringing Helicap’s investment opportunities to the Malaysian market. This collaboration represents a significant milestone as we unite Kenanga’s robust local market presence and billions in assets with an extensive client base with Helicap’s powerful, sector-agnostic, data-driven platform and proprietary analytics technology. As a leader in Asia’s private credit space, Helicap is poised to drive meaningful growth in Malaysia. Our commitment to financial inclusion and innovative investment solutions remains unwavering, as we continue to address the dynamic needs of investors and lenders alike.”

Since its establishment in 2018, Helicap, through its regulated subsidiaries, has deployed almost S$500 million, offering investment opportunities in Southeast Asia to accredited and institutional investors. As a leading platform operator in Southeast Asia, it has strategically focused its investments primarily on financial companies, leveraging its unique credit screening system and enhanced loan structure to deliver stable and consistent returns.

For more information about Kenanga Group, please visit www.kenanga.com.my.

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad 197301002193 (15678-H)
Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group”) is a financial group in Malaysia with extensive experience in equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending and trade financing. An innovative and established home-grown brand, the Group’s digital ambition includes building a robust digital ecosystem that meets the needs of its clients and businesses. Some of its game-changing products include Malaysia’s fully online digital stockbroking platform Rakuten Trade and a fully A.I. robo-advisor, Kenanga Digital Investing. The Group also launched Malaysia’s first securities broking e-wallet, Kenanga Money, paved the way in AI-led Quan and algorithmic trading, kick-started a revolutionary supply chain financing solution for SMEs and made inroads into the digital assets space through its investment in Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn.Bhd. The Group has garnered a host of awards and accolades reflecting its strong market position. It was awarded Highest Returns to Shareholder Over Three Years, Highest Growth in Profit After Tax Over Three Years and Highest Return on Equity Over Three Years by The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club in the Financial Services Category, Best Overall Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), Best Retail Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), and Best Online Retail Participating Organisation (Champion), as well as Best Institutional Derivatives Trading Participant (Champion) and Best Overall Derivatives Trading Participant (1st Runner Up) in the Bursa Excellence Awards 2022. The Group was also accorded the title of Best House, South and Southeast Asia Award in the SRP Asia Pacific Awards 2022.

The Group continues to be a regular and repeat recipient of distinguished industry accolades, such as the Lipper, Fundsupermart and Morningstar awards. Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital securities broker in 2017 via a joint venture with Japanese fintech giant Rakuten Securities Inc was also named Malaysia’s Digital Experience of the Year – Brokerage at the Asian Experience Awards 2022. For its continued efforts towards community outreach and employee volunteerism, the Group was awarded the coveted Bank of the Year Award for Environmental, Social & Governance Excellence, as well as Long-Standing Excellence in Sustainability at Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022. The Group is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principle-based approach to responsible business. Today, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is an award-winning leading independent investment bank in the country with a continuous commitment towards driving collaboration, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability in the marketplace.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.