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Month: November 2025

StashAway launches ETF Explorer

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StashAway Malaysia has launched ETF Explorer, a simple way to invest in Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) across assets, themes, and global markets in minutes by removing complexities through its intuitive design and transparent pricing. Users can invest in over 80 expertly-selected ETFs across global equities, bonds, commodities, and trending themes like US tech, artificial intelligence, and emerging markets – all without needing a foreign account.

“Many Malaysians we spoke to felt that global investing was only for the financially savvy,” said Wong Wai Ken, StashAway Malaysia Country Manager. “But it has a place in everyone’s portfolio. Whether you’re just getting started or already experienced, ETF Explorer makes it easy to discover global opportunities and make informed decisions that build long-term wealth.”

ETF Explorer is designed to make global investing as intuitive as possible. Users can invest in an ETF in as little as a minute, without having to sift through thousands of different tickers. Each ETF comes with clear, jargon-free explanations, so users understand exactly what each ETF represents and what they’re investing in.

With just USD $1.99 per order and no ongoing management fees — ETF Explorer allows returns to compound faster over time. Dividends are also automatically reinvested at no charge.

Behind the scenes, StashAway’s investment team screens thousands of ETFs worldwide to identify the most cost-efficient, tax-optimised, and well-managed options for each asset class. This allows investors to benefit from professional insights without the high costs of traditional wealth managers.

ETF Explorer is part of StashAway’s mission to make long-term investing simple and cost effective for all Malaysians. It’s designed for investors who want to build their own portfolios with guidance, while those who prefer a hands-off approach can still choose to grow their wealth through StashAway’s managed investment portfolios.

SC empowers women through investED for Returning Women

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The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) officially launches investED for Returning Women, a training and re-entry programme designed to support women seeking to rejoin the capital market after a career break.

The programme will provide returning women with the essential knowledge, skills and opportunities to thrive in the capital market.

First announced in October this year, investED for Returning Women has received over 600 applications, reflecting strong interest and demand among women seeking structured pathways back into professional employment.

Applicants’ ages range from mid 30s to late 40s, with many coming from the oil & gas, banking, finance and insurance sectors. Most applicants cited family responsibilities and caregiving as the primary reasons for the career break.
investED for Returning Women is designed to support women re-entering the workforce after a career break, particularly into the capital market sector. It is delivered in two phases:

1. REFRESH (professional & personal readiness)
Focuses on building confidence, reintroducing workplace culture, and enhancing soft skills through career clinics, personalised guidance, and networking to prepare participants for job placement.

2. RESKILL (technical & market competence)
Equips participants with updated technical skills and industry knowledge relevant to today’s capital market, supported by structured training, industry exposure, and follow-up support during the first six months of employment.

These phases provide a comprehensive pathway for women to successfully return to the workforce. Participants who complete both phases will receive RM2,000 in incentive and a certificate.

SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the programme aligns with the SC’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion in the capital market workforce, where women represent a substantial part of the talent pool.

“Among the top 100 listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, over 34% of board positions are held by women as at 1 Oct 2025. With the capital market’s growing sophistication and facing a talent shortage, this programme aims to tap into the experience and expertise of returning professionals to strengthen the market’s depth and resilience,” he said.

Similar to the approach taken for SC’s investED Leadership Programme, investED for Returning Women combines classroom learning, mentorship, and industry placements.

The SC will also facilitate potential employment by connecting participants with partner companies. Participants will also receive guidance from seasoned professionals in leading firms.

The programme is supported by the 30% Club Malaysia, LeadWomen Sdn Bhd, Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), PricewaterhouseCoopers Malaysia Holdings Sdn Bhd (PwC) and Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad. These partners play an active role in designing training modules and offering workplace placements.

NCT Group establishes RM1 billion Sukuk Wakalah programme

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NCT Group of Companies (NCT Group) marks a significant double milestone — the launch of its maiden RM1 billion Sukuk Wakalah Programme, with Maybank participating in the first tranche up to RM390 million in unrated Sukuk, alongside the ground-breaking ceremony for Phase 2 of its flagship NCT Smart Industrial Park (NSIP) in Selangor.

The award-winning developer established the RM1 billion Sukuk Wakalah Programme to enhance funding flexibility for its working capital needs and support the Group’s long-term growth strategy, while broadening its access to the domestic debt capital market.

Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy, Founder and Group Managing Director of NCT Group, said “We are delighted to work with Maybank as our valued partner in our Sukuk Wakalah Programme, a key initiative that strengthens our financial foundation. The Sukuk Programme will provide us with greater flexibility to pursue new opportunities, driving us into the next phase of growth as we continue to deliver developments that generate sustainable value for our stakeholders.”

The Group has appointed Maybank Investment Bank Berhad as the Sole Principal Adviser and Sole Lead Arranger for the establishment of the Sukuk Wakalah Programme, as well as the Sole Lead Manager for the first tranche of the unrated Sukuk.

Following the Sukuk announcement, NCT Group also celebrated the ground-breaking of Phase 2 of its 732.5-acre NCT Smart Industrial Park (NSIP) in Selangor.

With a gross development value of RM2.5 billion, the ground-breaking of Phase 2 underscores NCT Group’s strong commitment to driving industrial transformation and promoting economic growth in the state through world-class development built on the pillars of innovation, digitalisation and sustainability.

The new phase will build upon the success of Phase 1, featuring similar industrial components with larger plots and enhanced infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of high-technology, logistics, and manufacturing industries. Maintaining NSIP’s core focus on smart and sustainability-driven development, Phase 2 will further strengthen the park’s integrated ecosystem with improved connectivity, upgraded utilities, and advanced digital systems that support automation and future-ready operations for long-term industrial growth. Completion of Phase 2 is scheduled for 2029.

Dato’ Sri Yap added, “Another key milestone has been achieved today with this ground-breaking. Given the scale and expectations of this project, we are determined to ensure that each phase is completed well within its timeline as we continue to shape the nation’s industrial future. This next chapter brings us closer to realising a smart, sustainable, and globally competitive ecosystem that will elevate the sector.”

Located within the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS), NSIP is NCT Group’s flagship project and one of Malaysia’s most advanced managed industrial ecosystems that is redefining industrial development in the region while meeting global ESG standards. Once fully developed, NSIP will serve as a key catalyst for the progress of Selangor and the broader IDRISS corridor.

 

Sunway City Iskandar Puteri is Malaysia’s top smart township

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Sunway City Iskandar Puteri (SCIP) has won Platinum distinction at the Smart Township Malaysia 2025 Awards organised by PLANMalaysia (Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa) under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan [KPKT]), ranking first among 15 participating townships nationwide.

This milestone marks a historic achievement for Malaysia’s urban development landscape as for the first time, a developer-led township has earned Platinum recognition in a programme traditionally reserved for local councils and government agencies.

The Smart Township Malaysia 2025 Awards operate under the Rangka Kerja Bandar Pintar Malaysia (2019–2025), the national benchmark for smart city implementation aligned with Malaysia’s Smart Nation 2040 vision. PLANMalaysia’s evaluation framework – under the Malaysia Standard ISO 37122:2019 – assesses the performance and level of the townships’ initiatives and implementation against seven key pillars: Smart Government, Smart Economy, Smart People, Smart Living, Smart Mobility, Smart Environment, and Smart Digital Infrastructure.

Chung Soo Kiong, Managing Director of Sunway Property, highlighted that the “This Platinum recognition reaffirms Sunway Property’s leadership in driving Malaysia’s next generation of smart townships. Through Sunway City Iskandar Puteri, we’ve successfully brought to life the seven key pillars set by PLANMalaysia of what a truly integrated, future-ready community is. By harnessing the power of AI, technology, and sustainability, we’re creating connected ecosystems that learn, adapt, and thrive — a model for the smart townships of today and tomorrow.”

Gerard Soosay, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Property (Southern Region), emphasised that sustainability and innovation has always been at the heart of Sunway’s development philosophy.
“At Sunway, sustainability is embedded into every aspect of how we design and build. As the Master Community Developer, our focus goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about creating smart, connected, and inclusive townships that elevate the quality of life for our community. Sunway City Iskandar Puteri reflects this long-term vision, where smart technologies, digital systems, and sustainable design work hand-in-hand to build resilient communities and a better future for generations to come.”

This Platinum distinction positions Sunway City Iskandar Puteri as the blueprint for Malaysia’s next generation of smart and sustainable townships, showcasing how developer-led innovation can complement national urbanisation goals. The recognition also reinforces Sunway Property’s strategic alignment with Malaysia’s Smart City Malaysia 2.0 and Smart Nation 2040 frameworks, opening new avenues for collaboration with federal agencies and setting the pace for sustainable urban transformation.

WonderBrew bags 6 World Kombucha Award medals

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WonderBrew, Malaysia’s home-grown brand of kombucha (fermented tea), made history on the global stage by clinching six prestigious titles at the World Kombucha Awards 2025.

In its first-ever international competition, WonderBrew emerged as one of the biggest winners at this year’s event, clinching one Gold, four Silvers, and one Bronze, across both Taste and Design categories.

This victory marks the first time a Malaysian brand has won at the World Kombucha Awards and the first time an Asian brand has secured six titles in a single award year.

The winning entries are:

  • One Gold (Taste) for Passionfruit Mint Kombucha (also WonderBrew’s best-selling kombucha of all time);
  • Three Silvers (Taste) for Nihon Green Tea Kombucha, Mango Jasmine Kombucha, and Raspberry Lemon Jun Tea;
  • One Silver (Design) for Nihon Green Tea (World’s Best Bottle Design Category); and,
  • One Bronze (Taste) for Pink Guava Jun Tea

The World Kombucha Awards (WKA), now in its third year, is a globally-recognised competition organised in collaboration with Kombucha Brewers International (KBI). It celebrates excellence in the fast-growing kombucha industry by honouring brewers for both quality and creativity.

This year’s edition was its most competitive yet, featuring 360 entries from 39 countries competing for top honours in 22 distinct categories, up from 250 entries in 2024. Each winning kombucha underwent rigorous assessment by a panel of six accredited judges over a two-day judging session with blind tasting sessions.

WonderBrew’s success stands as a remarkable achievement, not just for the brand but also for Malaysia’s presence in the global functional beverage scene.

“We started with a small dream of making kombucha accessible to every Malaysian. Winning these awards among the world’s best brewers is an incredible milestone, and we’re proud to fly the Malaysian flag high in Barcelona,” said Joseph Poh Wen Xian, co-founder and CEO of WonderBrew. “This recognition proves that local innovation and passion can compete with the world’s best.”

Poh and co-founder Loke Boon Eng (Boon) started the brand on a small scale in 2018 and its offering of naturally-bubbly fermented tea with local flavours has won over thousands of health-conscious consumers.

WonderBrew has grown to become Malaysia’s leading kombucha producer, with more than 2,000 retail touchpoints across supermarkets, convenience stores, cafés, hotels, and restaurants nationwide. The brand prides itself on sourcing locally and partnering with Malaysian farmers to recycle production waste, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and community empowerment.

The brand is well-positioned to tap into the rising global demand for functional and fermented beverages. According to recent industry reports, the global functional drinks market is projected to reach around US$248 billion by 2030, while the kombucha segment alone is forecast to hit US$9 billion in the same period.

Moving forward, WonderBrew plans to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia and introduce more lifestyle wellness drinks. Its entries featuring Jun Tea (a fermented green tea kombucha with honey), won two of its six medals proving this category has gained global recognition and endorsing WonderBrew’s excellence in this innovation.

Razorpay Curlec and NPCI International introduce UPI payments

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Razorpay Curlec has partnered with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to bring India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to Malaysia.

This partnership will empower Malaysian businesses to receive instant payments from millions of Indian travellers through their preferred UPI apps, marking a major step toward seamless and instant cross-border commerce between the two countries.

In 2024, Malaysia welcomed one million Indian tourists, who spent RM 6.11 billion – a 71.7% increase from the previous year. This growing travel corridor presents an opportunity to further simplify cross-border payments, enhancing convenience for Indian travellers and driving greater business for Malaysian merchants.

Through this partnership, Indian visitors will be able to pay instantly using UPI-enabled apps to Malaysian merchants, who will accept payments directly via Razorpay Curlec’s platform – settled in ringgit, without the need for international cards or extra integration. This groundbreaking partnership that links one of the world’s most advanced real-time payment systems, India’s UPI, with Malaysia’s fast-growing digital economy will usher in a new era of seamless, instant, and inclusive cross-border commerce.

Razorpay Curlec will soon be one of the first payment service providers in Malaysia to offer UPI acceptance.

MEASAT, Guodian Gaoke and Starwin form strategic alliance to power Sarawak’s digital ambition

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MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT) enters a tripartite strategic alliance agreement with Beijing Guodian High-Tech Technology Co., Ltd. (Guodian Gaoke), and China StarWin Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (StarWin) to offer Internet of Things (“IoT”) services supported by the Tianqi Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) Constellation in Malaysia.

Under the collaboration, MEASAT will be the authorised service provider for the Tianqi Constellation’s satellite-based IoT services in Malaysia, leveraging its market expertise and distribution network to drive commercial rollout next year. Meanwhile, Guodian Gaoke will provide the Tianqi LEO satellite constellation and related systems, enabling seamless integration with local businesses and StarWin will supply and integrate certified ground terminals, ensuring compliance with Malaysia’s technical and regulatory standards to support end-user needs.

The strategic alliance was formalised during the International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (“IDECS”) 2025 in Kuching, witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Haji Openg and Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi. MEASAT was represented by Chief Operating Officer Yau Chyong Lim, Guodian Gaoke by Chief Operating Officer Guo Zhongjia, and StarWin by Chairman James Li.

“Digital transformation is key to boosting Sarawak’s economic efficiency and productivity through technology such as Big Data, IoT and Blockchain. To enable this, upgrading our digital infrastructure is essential, where MEASAT and the Tianqi Constellation can play a vital role. Under the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, Sarawak aims to become high-income and developed by 2030, with 96% high-speed internet coverage, 20% GDP contribution from the digital economy, and 100% online delivery of government services. By this time, technologies such as AI, cloud computing, IoT and 5G will empower businesses of all sizes,” said Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak.

Highlighting early success, he noted that a smart farming initiative using IoT had boosted productivity by 20% and farmer income significantly. Sarawak now targets IoT adoption across all agriculture stations, aiming for a 50% increase in yield, 40% rise in household income, and 40% reduction in labour costs.