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Month: February 2025

emart24 plans for 5 outlets to be certified halal each month

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Popular Korean convenience store chain emart24 announces its plans to roll out five halal-certified outlets every month this year.

In the recent halal certificate presentation event at emart24 e-kafe, Southville, CEO of emart24 Holdings Sdn Bhd, Vuitton Pang said that besides Southville, emart24 (e-kafé) at Vista Alam in Shah Alam has also received the halal certification by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM).

“Meeting the needs of our customers has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Pang. “Securing halal certification is a significant step in our commitment to offering trusted, high-quality Korean street food that is Muslim-friendly.”

Pang said that emart24 was giving priority to get all its current outlets certified halal. “With our internal processes and standard operating procedures already fine-tuned, we are primed to get five outlets certified halal each month. At this rate, we aim to completely get all the outlets certified halal by next year,” he added.

Also at the ceremony was prominent religious scholar Ustaz Datuk Dr Hj Zahazan bin Mohamed who commended emart24’s unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of the Muslim community. “This halal certification of emart24 reflects its genuine dedication to meeting the highest standards of quality and hygiene while respecting the desires of Muslim consumers.”

“I am certain this will further strengthen the trust and bond that emart24 has built up with its Muslim customers,” Datuk Dr Zahazan said.

With over 80 outlets nationwide and over 800,000 monthly transactions, emart24’s halal-certified initiative further solidifies its position in the market, winning over a larger customer base with its adherence to the highest dietary guidelines and standards of halal compliance.

To meet the rigorous standards of halal certification, emart24 has implemented strict supplier vetting processes, thorough cleanliness protocols, and stringent quality controls. Suppliers are required to submit documentation reviewed by halal executives, with details uploaded to JAKIM’s official portal.

The certification process reinforces the company’s commitment to maintain the highest standards of compliance and transparency.

FWD Insurance and Arus Academy launch financial literacy programme

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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/.

 

Corporate bond issuance climbs in 2024, MGS & GII moderate

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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

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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.

FedEx accelerates delivery of import shipments to Johor

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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

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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

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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

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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.