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Maybank Investment Banking Group named Syndicated Loan House of the Year in Malaysia and Vietnam

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Maybank Investment Banking Group (Maybank IBG) continues to stamp its leadership in Southeast Asia, winning recognition from the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) as Syndicated Loan House of the Year in Malaysia for the fifth consecutive year and in Vietnam for the fourth consecutive year.

The repeat wins are even more impressive given that 2024 loan volumes were concentrated on fewer deals in both countries. Nonetheless loan volumes rebounded by +1.9% in Malaysia and +13.2% in Vietnam, boosted by a couple of mega transactions that closed in 2024.

The Asia Pacific Syndicated Loan Market Awards 2024 recognised outstanding achievements across 32 categories, with winners selected through an independent vote by more than 400 APLMA members, without any application or promotion process.

Michael Oh-Lau, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Investment Banking Group, said, “Maybank IBG is proud to receive these accolades once again from our peers in the APLMA, attesting to our market leading position in Malaysia and Vietnam. Despite a cautious sentiment in 2024, we remained watchful to unlock opportunities for our clients. Our strong network combined with our commitment to sustainability and Islamic finance position us at the forefront of investment banking in the region.”

In 2024, Maybank IBG was mandated as the sole Coordinator Bank for various onshore and offshore syndicated transactions. Among the key deals were the refinancing of the iconic Battersea Power Station building in London under PNB-Kwasa International 2 Limited’s GBP1.11 billion Syndicated Green Loan Facility; Yarra Park City’s AUD265 million Syndicated Term Loan facility to part finance the development of a residential apartment in Melbourne; and the USD400 million dual tranche (Islamic and conventional) Syndicated Term Financing for Bumi Armada Holdings Labuan Limited.

In Vietnam, Maybank IBG acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, Underwriter and Bookrunner for Vietnam Prosperity Bank’s Syndicated USD400 million Green Loan facility as well as the back-to-back syndications for Vinpearl and Vingroup that raised USD200 million and USD115 million respectively.
Michael added, “These are high profile repeat mandates that successfully closed with overwhelming response from the market — a testament of Maybank’s ability to structure, underwrite, distribute and arrange successful fundraising exercises for our clients.

“For 2025, we expect overall loan volumes to remain robust, supported by favourable economic recovery conditions, good local market dynamics and positive regional trends. Sectors of focus in Malaysia are in
line with strategic government investments, such as real estate and data centres as well as potential infrastructure projects that will continue to drive loan activities.”

UOB Malaysia named Malaysia’s best bank at Global Finance Best Bank Awards 2025

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UOB Malaysia has been named the Best Bank in Malaysia at the 32nd annual World’s Best Bank Awards 2025 – Asia Pacific by Global Finance magazine.

Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia, said, “Over the past three years, we have been working relentlessly on the Bank’s transformation and the recognition by Global Finance affirms UOB Malaysia’s leadership as a progressive, purpose-driven bank that not only contributes to Malaysia’s growth but also supports customers and communities across Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region. We are proud to be acknowledged for our strong financial performance, as well as our commitment to innovation, sustainability, service excellence and community stewardship.”

The Global Finance World’s Best Bank Awards honour financial institutions that demonstrate long-term stability, technological innovation and excellence in service. In selecting the top banks, Global Finance considered a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors, including asset growth, profitability, geographic reach, strategic partnerships, innovation, and new business development. Input was gathered from industry experts, analysts, consultants, and corporate financial executives worldwide.

Advancing from a position of strength
Over the past year, UOB Malaysia has made significant strides in both retail and wholesale banking. On the retail front, the Bank successfully integrated the Citi consumer banking business and continues to enhance its digital capabilities with the award-winning UOB TMRW app. UOB Malaysia is now among the largest credit card issuers in the country and continue to be a key player in wealth management and residential mortgages.

In wholesale banking, UOB Malaysia has built a strong track record in Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM), regional connectivity and sustainable financing. Its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Advisory unit continues to provide strategic support to foreign companies investing into Malaysia and Malaysian companies expanding into ASEAN. In 2024, the Bank also played a substantial role in strengthening regional economic connectivity to boost cross-border collaboration through initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

A front runner in sustainability
UOB Malaysia is also a front runner in sustainability. The Bank’s sustainable financing portfolio has tripled over the last two years, supported by comprehensive frameworks across many strategic focus areas including smart cities, green buildings, circular economy and transition finance.

Operationally, UOB Malaysia achieved carbon neutrality for its own operations since 2021. Its headquarters, UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur, reflects its commitment to environmental responsibility and progressive workplace design – having earned double Platinum certifications and winning both the National Energy Award 2024 and ASEAN Energy Award 2024 for energy efficiency.

Customer experience remains a top priority for UOB Malaysia, with strong improvements in Net Promoter Scores (NPS) across segments, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to delivering quality service, digital innovation and client-centric solutions.

WCT Holdings Berhad shareholders approve listing of Paradigm REIT

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WCT Holdings Berhad (“WCT” or “the Group”), an investment holding company with businesses in engineering and construction, property development and investment in and management of retail malls and hotels, announces that its shareholders have approved the proposed listing of Paradigm Real Estate Investment Trust (“Paradigm REIT”) on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa Securities Main Market). The approval of the shareholders was obtained during the Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”).

The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT will mark a significant milestone in WCT’s strategic growth plans, enabling the Group to unlock the value of its retail assets while optimising its capital structure. As part of the proposed listing of Paradigm REIT, the shareholders also approved the proposed disposal of three prime retail properties – Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre (BTSC), Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya (PMPJ), and Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru (PMJB) – to Paradigm REIT for RM2,437,000,000 (“Disposal Consideration”). The Disposal Consideration will be settled through the issuance of 1,600,000,000 units in Paradigm REIT (“Consideration Units”) at an issue price of RM1.00 per Consideration Unit and a cash consideration of RM837,000,000.

In the approvals sought during the EGM, the shareholders also endorsed the proposed offering of 560,000,000 units in Paradigm REIT (“Offer Units”) by WCT (“Proposed Offering”).

This includes a proposed retail offering of up to 254,657,500 Offer Units for the entitled shareholders of WCT, eligible directors and employees of the Group and Paradigm REIT Management Sdn Bhd, being the management company of Paradigm REIT, and the Malaysian public. From the proposed retail offering, 194,862,500 Offer Units will be made available to entitled shareholders of WCT on the basis of 1 Offer Unit for every 8 existing ordinary shares of WCT held by the shareholders whose names appear on the record of depositors of WCT as at the close of business on an entitlement date to be determined and announced later by WCT.

The Proposed Offering also includes a proposed institutional offering at least 305,342,500 Offer Units, of which 200,000,000 Offer Units are reserved for Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) of Malaysia and at least 105,342,500 Offer Units to other institutional investors and selected investors.

The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT is expected to strengthen WCT’s balance sheet by reducing borrowings while offering investors the opportunity to participate in a diversified portfolio of income-generating retail assets, delivering stable cash distributions and long-term capital appreciation.

Dato’ Lee Tuck Fook, Group Managing Director, WCT Holdings Berhad, said, “We are grateful for the strong support from our shareholders in approving the proposed listing of Paradigm REIT. This strategic initiative not only unlocks the value of our retail assets but also provide WCT with greater financial flexibility to pursue new growth opportunities. We are confident that Paradigm REIT will be a valuable addition to the Bursa Securities Main Market and deliver sustainable returns to our investors.”

The retail properties under Paradigm REIT are strategically located in populous urban areas in Malaysia. The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT reinforces WCT’s commitment to creating long-term value for stakeholders while solidifying its presence in Malaysia’s real estate investment sector.

RAM: Malaysian banks on steady footing despite external pressures

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RAM Ratings maintains a stable outlook on the Malaysian banking sector in conjunction with the release of its latest sector commentary, Banking Insight 2025 – Maintaining Momentum.

While uncertainties from US protectionist measures and ongoing geopolitical tensions could spill over to the domestic economy, it is still too early to assess the full extent of these effects. With the US and China being key trading partners of Malaysia (approximately 14% of Malaysia’s total value-added production), the retaliatory tariff contest may dampen the positive trade momentum and Malaysia’s growth trajectory.

“Despite these external challenges, we anticipate banks’ credit profiles to hold steady. Banks are also entering the year in strong shape, with still-solid capital buffers and asset quality at its most robust ever,” said Wong Yin Ching, RAM’s Co-head of Financial Institution Ratings.

Key expectations:

  • Loan growth to hold steady at 5.5% in 2025. Household loans may ease slightly but will likely be the main driver of loan growth, while business loans increase from infrastructure projects and investments.
  • Capital reverting to pre-pandemic levels. The industry’s common equity tier-1 capital ratio declined to 14.3% as at end-2024 (2020-2023 average: 15.3%; end-2019: 14.6%), although still robust. Banks are cautiously raising dividends, with most estimating the impact of new Basel III reforms to be manageable.
  • GIL ratio to remain stable at 1.4% this year. The system’s gross impaired loan (GIL) ratio hit a historic low of 1.44% as at end-2024. Prudent underwriting and potential write-offs will help sustain the GIL ratio amid new challenges.
  • Funding and liquidity profiles to stay sound. As loan growth outpaced deposit growth, the sector’s loans to deposits ratio surpassed 90%. Other metrics like the liquidity coverage ratio and net stable funding ratio were kept healthy.
  • Moderate earnings increase in 2025. While 2024’s non-interest income surge may not repeat, banks are on track for moderate profit growth from stable credit expansion and a low credit cost of around 20 bps.

RAM’s GDP growth expectation of 4.0%-5.0% for 2025 (2024: 5.1%), though slower, will be driven by domestic demand given favourable labour market conditions and accommodative interest rates.

Investment activity will gain from progress on multi-year infrastructure projects and greater realisation of record-high levels of approved investments last year, as well as the ongoing rollout of catalytic initiatives under the national master plans. These factors are likely to stimulate business lending. On the retail front, home financing will continue to be a major growth contributor while auto lending is anticipated to normalise in line with the lower total industry volume forecast for 2025. “Beyond these, the overall loan growth trajectory will also inevitably depend on how global external risks and domestic adjustments to fuel subsidies and electricity tariffs unfold,” Wong adds.

On the asset quality front, the weighted average credit cost ratio of eight selected local banks rated by RAM eased further to 18 bps in 2024 (2023: 23 bps). Banks’ loan loss coverage (with regulatory reserves) is strong, with the average of the eight banks improving to 143% as at end-2024 (end-2023: 134%)
“Malaysian digital banks are also making a nascent mark on the industry, with all three operational banks ramping up deposit gathering efforts over the past year, driven by high-interest savings accounts,” said Sophia Lee, RAM’s Co-head of Financial Institution Ratings. Digital banks have also recently expanded their services to include lending, strategically focusing on specific customer segments.

Expectedly, all three digital banks are still far from breaking even, with quarterly trends indicating that losses have yet to peak in view of high set-up costs. “The key hurdle for these banks lies in retaining tech-savvy and price-sensitive customers in a competitive market while managing acquisition costs and scaling up without assuming significant risks. Shareholders have so far demonstrated strong financial support, with all three players receiving additional capital injections in 2024,” Lee adds.

RAM’s Banking Insight is available for download at www.ram.com.my.

SC collaborates with OCIS to advance Islamic finance

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The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is collaborating with the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) to launch the Sultan Nazrin Shah1 Fellowship, a distinguished academic position aimed at driving thought leadership and innovation in Islamic finance.

The Sultan Nazrin Shah Fellowship offers the selected fellow a unique opportunity to work and engage with global scholars and industry leaders to shape the future of Islamic finance.

Beyond research on emerging trends and innovations, the fellowship will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships, joint projects, and knowledge sharing for the advancement of the industry.

SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said, “As a global leader in Islamic finance, the SC is committed to shaping the future of the industry through knowledge, innovation, and collaboration. This fellowship will serve as a catalyst for pioneering research and fresh ideas to drive meaningful progress in Islamic finance.”

The ideal candidate should possess a doctorate in a relevant field2 with extensive research experience. Experience in securing funding for research projects and partnership development would be an added advantage.

Applications at OCIS are open until 5 May 2025. The full-time fellowship will be based at OCIS, with placement expected to commence by Q3 2025, in line with OCIS’s academic year.

Halogen Capital and Affin Bank launch Shariah-compliant Bitcoin fund

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Halogen Capital, Malaysia’s first licensed digital asset fund manager, has signed with Affin Bank Berhad (“AFFIN BANK” or “the Bank”) to distribute their Halogen Shariah Defensive Bitcoin Fund with an integrated capital preservation strategy. This innovative fund aims to provide high net-worth individuals and institutional investors with a low-risk and secure pathway to harness the growth potential of Bitcoin.

The Fund will employ a buy-and-hold strategy that is a combination of low-risk Islamic deposits and high-growth active asset, Bitcoin. This approach ensures the portfolio value is safeguarded from significant market volatility, providing investors with both stability and potential upside.

“The Halogen Shariah Defensive Bitcoin Fund is redefining how high net worth and institutional investors approach digital asset investments in Malaysia,” said Hann Liew, Founder and CEO of Halogen Capital. “By combining Bitcoin’s high-growth potential with a capital preservation strategy, we are providing a solution that is both innovative and practical.”

He added: “In volatile markets, this fund acts accordingly, ensuring investors can confidently navigate downturns without compromising on long-term returns, in which we recognise the need for investors to access high-growth opportunities in the digital asset market without experiencing significant capital loss and maintaining Shariah compliance.”

Through its distribution of the Fund on behalf of Halogen Capital, AFFIN BANK is looking to introduce a risk-managed alternative for investors, bridging the gap between traditional financial principles and the dynamic digital asset market. This Fund serves as an ideal solution for investors looking to diversify their portfolios with innovative yet secure investment options.

Encik Mohammad Fairuz Mohd Radi, Executive Director of Group Community Banking, Affin Bank Berhad said, “We are delighted to introduce an innovative investment strategy that synergises Bitcoin with Islamic deposits, offering our customers a secure gateway to the digital asset landscape. This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions while aligning seamlessly with the strategic pillars of the AFFIN Axelerate 2028 (AX28) Plan – Unrivalled Customer Service, Digital Leadership, and Responsible Banking With Impact.”

The Fund is a close-ended Wholesale Fund open to sophisticated investors only. Investors are expected to have a short-medium term horizon of two years.

The Fund’s initial minimum investment is RM 10,000 with an initial sales charge of up to 2% and annual management fee of 1%.

CelcomDigi-Ericsson’s strategic partnership to accelerate O&G sector

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CelcomDigi Berhad (“CelcomDigi”) and Ericsson (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (“Ericsson”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost Malaysia’s digital transformation by accelerating 5G adoption in Malaysia’s oil and gas (O&G) industry, advancing the nation’s key sector to the forefront of industrial digitalisation.

By combining CelcomDigi’s robust network infrastructure and deep local expertise with Ericsson’s global leadership in 5G technology, the partnership will drive the creation of 5G-powered solutions tailored to the unique demands of the O&G sector. Through CelcomDigi’s newly established 5G Standalone (SA) test lab, both companies will develop and deploy 5G use cases, focusing on:

  • Enhanced safety – Deploying 5G-enabled solutions to improve worker safety and hazard detection in high-risk environments
  • Advanced tracking – Utilising 5G technology for real-time asset and personnel tracking to optimise operational efficiency
  • Digitalisation and automation – Empowering O&G operations with real-time data analytics and automation for seamless decision-making
  • Mission-critical connectivity – Delivering reliable, ultra-fast 5G connectivity to support critical functions and industrial applications

This partnership marks a pivotal step in modernising Malaysia’s O&G sector to a smarter, safer, and more efficient industrial ecosystem powered by next-generation connectivity solutions.

The MoU was signed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain by CelcomDigi’s Deputy CEO, Albern Murty and Head of Ericsson Malaysia, David Hagerbro, witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching.

Commenting on the partnership, CelcomDigi’s Deputy CEO, Albern Murty said, “As CelcomDigi evolves beyond connectivity into a telco-tech company, we recognise that the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G-AI lies in strong industry partnerships. Collaborations like this allow us to co-create meaningful solutions that go beyond technology, directly addressing industry challenges and transforming operations. We look forward to shaping a safer, more efficient, and future-ready O&G sector, as well as accelerating 5G adoption across industries as we continue to drive the nation’s development into a 5G-AI digital society.”

David Hagerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, commented, “We stay committed to ensuring that Malaysia remains at the forefront of digital innovation. This collaboration with CelcomDigi is a strategic leap forward in the digital transformation of Malaysia. Our partnership in the O&G sector will drive real-time solutions in terms of enhanced efficiency, safety and digitalising operations that will redefine how industries operate in the country.”

As Malaysia accelerates its 5G adoption, this strategic collaboration underscores CelcomDigi and Ericsson’s shared vision of pioneering innovative solutions that elevate industries, empower businesses, and contribute to the nation’s digital economy aspirations.

Bursa Malaysia designates centralised sustainability intelligence platform for reporting

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Bursa Malaysia Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or the “Exchange”) today announced the readiness of its Centralised Sustainability Intelligence (“CSI”) Platform to support ISSB IFRS S1 and S2 disclosure requirements adopted under the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF).

With this development, the CSI Platform will accordingly serve as the Exchange’s designated sustainability reporting channel for all public listed companies (PLCs). As part of the designation, the platform has been enhanced to include IFRS reporting modules alongside its Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon calculator, all of which are available to PLCs at no cost.

Bursa Malaysia is also introducing two artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered value-added services to streamline sustainability and climate disclosures and support quality sustainability reporting by PLCs, sometimes with support by their sustainability advisors. These services were developed in collaboration with 2 Malaysia Digital Status companies under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and have been validated by mid- and small-capitalisation PLCs to ensure their practicality and effectiveness. The aforementioned AI-powered services are:
1. AI-Sustainability Ratings Analyser (AI-SRA) by SustenyX
Provides diagnostics to identify disclosure gaps, assess key risks and opportunities, and provide tailored recommendations to help PLCs enhance their sustainability performance and ratings.
2. AI-Sustainability Reporting (AI-SR) by CarbonGPT
Generates a base sustainability report that complies with regulatory requirements and industry standards, using disclosure inputs from the CSI Platform.

Leveraging advanced AI capabilities, these services ease adherence to comprehensive disclosure requirements, provide precise gap analyses, prioritise key reporting areas, improve ESG rating alignment, and help PLCs establish sound reporting practices. To drive wider adoption, Bursa Malaysia is collaborating with Alliance Bank to offer these services for free to eligible PLCs – especially small to mid-sized, or newly listed companies.

Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia, said “Designating the CSI Platform as the Exchange’s reporting channel reaffirms our commitment to strengthening sustainability disclosures among PLCs. By integrating AI-powered services, we are equipping companies with the tools needed to produce structured sustainability reports.”

“We understand the challenges of sustainability reporting, particularly the time and resources required. With the CSI Solution’s AI-driven enhancements, we aim to ease this burden for PLCs by improving efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility. Beyond benefiting PLCs, service providers can also leverage these tools to expand their offerings, creating a multiplier effect that accelerates Malaysia’s transition to green practices,” Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed added.

Since its launch in June 2024, over 130 PLCs have onboarded onto the CSI Platform. Companies – not just PLCs but also mid-tier companies (MTCs) and small-medium enterprises (SEMs) are encouraged to adopt the CSI Solution and utilise its AI-powered enhancements to strengthen their sustainability journey.
For more information regarding the CSI Solution and its value-added services, please visit Bursa Malaysia CSI Solution or contact csi@bursamalaysia.com.

Malaysian capital market hits record RM4.2 Trillion in 2024

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The size of the Malaysian capital market hit an all-time high of RM4.2 trillion in 2024 (2023: RM3.8 trillion), driven by the growth in stock market capitalisation and bonds and sukuk outstanding.

The assets under management (AUM) of the fund management industry reached a new high of RM1.1 trillion (2023: RM975.5 billion) – passing the RM1 trillion mark – on the back of strong global equity market performance, the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said in its Annual Report 2024 released today.

2024 also saw much higher fund-raising activities, growing to RM138.9 billion (2023: RM127.7 billion). These include a record 55 IPOs (2023: 32 IPOs), which raised a total of RM7.42 billion (2023: RM3.6 billion).
The SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the sustained growth, helped by robust bond and sukuk issuances, showed that the capital market remained resilient, and it continued to facilitate capital formation and help support the national economy.

Looking ahead, he said the SC is now drafting a new five-year capital market masterplan, focusing on key areas such as improving financial security for retirees and promoting sustainable financing.
“Building on our market’s strengths, the SC remains committed to fostering an inclusive and vibrant capital market, while facilitating innovation and enhancing regulatory efficiency,” Dato’ Faiz said.

Key Highlights from the SC Annual Report 2024:
Market Growth & Fundraising

  • Total fund raising via the equity and corporate bond market grew by 8.7% to RM138.9 billion in 2024.
  • Record Initial Public Offerings (IPOs): 55 IPOs in 2024, raising RM7.4 billion (2023: 32 IPOs).
    ISSUED by the SECURITIES COMMISSION MALAYSIA at [2:30pm /20 March 2025]
  • Bond & Sukuk Issuances: RM124.2 billion raised, with sustainability-related issuances rising to RM13.3 billion (2023: RM8.7 billion).
  • Islamic capital market (ICM): Grew by 8.5% to RM2.6 trillion, supported by a 7.1% rise in sukuk outstanding and a 3.6% growth in market capitalisation of Shariah compliant equities.
  • Alternative financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): RM4.1 billion raised via peer-to-peer (P2P) financing, equity crowdfunding (ECF) and venture capital/private equity (VC/PE), reflecting growing interest in supporting small businesses.
    • Venture Capital/Private Equity (VC/PE) – RM1.5 billion
    • Equity crowdfunding (ECF) – RM97.6 million
    • Peer-to-peer financing (P2P) – RM2.5 billion

Investor interest reflected in trading and investment growth

  • Strong trading activity, reflecting favourable investor sentiment. The average daily trading value rose to RM3.44 billion in 2024 from RM2.29 billion in the previous year.
  • Fund management growth: AUM surpassed the RM1 trillion mark driven by strong global equity market performance.
  • Private Retirement Scheme (PRS): Net asset value grew 18% year-on-year to RM7.61 billion.
  • Digital Investment Management (DIM) AUM reached RM1.9 billion, growing over 500 times since its inception in 2018.
  • Average daily trading value of the Digital Asset Exchanges (DAX) increased by 2.6 times in 2024, signaling growing interest in digital assets.

Key Market Development Initiatives

  • Introduced the Single Family Office (SFO) Incentive Scheme in Forest City to position Malaysia as a premier wealth management hub for family offices.
  • Launched the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) to propel corporate alignment with global sustainability disclosure standards.
  • Launched the “Catalysing MSME and MTC Access to the Capital Market: 5-Year Roadmap (2024-2028)” to enhance financing access to this key segment of the Malaysian economy.
  • Shortened time-to-market for IPO approval process to better serve companies and facilitate their access to the capital market.
  • Introduced the Focus Scope Assessment framework, reducing time-to-market from over six months to three months.
  • Enabled greater innovation through the Regulatory Sandbox, providing a controlled environment for experimenting with innovative products and services beyond current regulatory frameworks.

Enhanced Market Integrity and Enforcement

  • Regulatory Actions:
    • One criminal conviction.
    • RM9.87 million civil penalties imposed.
    • 125 administrative sanctions imposed, resulting in 62 fines and penalties amounting to RM13.72 million.
  • Combatting scams and unlicensed activities:
    • 4,859 complaints and enquiries received, up 49% from 2023.
    • Additionally, identified 796 URLs (2023: 569 URLs) across various websites and social media platforms for potential breaches arising from proactive surveillance carried out.
    • Interventions, including 273 Alert List entries, 153 websites blocked and 261 social media blocking

Four Special Feature articles were published in the SC Annual Report 2024:

  • Issues and Challenges of Ageing to Capital Market
  • Malaysian Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) Spurring Growth and Enhancing Competitiveness of MSMEs
  • SCxSC Expansion: Driving Innovation for a Sustainable Capital Market
  • National Sustainability Reporting Framework

AOB Annual Report 2024: Strengthening Audit Oversight

  • 42 audit firms and 393 individual auditors registered and recognised by the AOB.
  • Inspected 40 audit engagements audited by 40 individual auditors from 13 Audit Firms to ensure compliance with auditing and ethical standards.
  • The AOB took three enforcement actions against two audit firms and four individual partners for breaching auditing and ethical standards in 2024. The actions included reprimands, prohibitions and monetary penalties totalling RM275,000.
  • The AOB, in collaboration with MICPA, continues to strengthen capacity building for registered auditors through targeted workshops.
  • The AOB subsidised 100 accountants from AOB-registered firms for the GRI Professional Certification Programme, conducted by SIDC in October 2024. These initiatives, alongside ongoing engagements and technical sessions, demonstrate the AOB’s commitment to equipping auditors with the necessary knowledge and skills to uphold high professional standards in financial reporting and sustainability assurance.
  • Strengthened corporate governance in PLCs to increase investors’ confidence in the quality and reliability of audited financial statements through regular engagements with Audit Committees of PLCs.

Capital Market Stability Review 2024: Market Resilience Amid Global Uncertainties

  • In 2024, amidst a buoyant performance, the Malaysian capital market was influenced by several external factors, including interest rate adjustments by major central banks, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, and rising geopolitical risks. Despite global headwinds, the Malaysian capital market remained resilient and orderly without any observed systemic stability concerns.
  • Adequate Capital Buffers: Market intermediaries such as brokers and fund managers maintained robust risk management controls to manage their risk and liquidity positions. Stress tests on investment funds also affirmed the resilience of funds to redemption shocks even under extreme scenarios.
  • Improved PLC earnings: Strong earnings of PLCs, mainly contributed by the energy, property and construction sectors, lifted the index performance and contributed to positive revenue growth of stockbroking intermediaries.
  • Cybersecurity in focus: The thematic review highlighted the importance of cyber resilience and for capital market entities to be prepared for evolving technology and cyber risks, in order to maintain market stability

In 2025, the SC will continue to strengthen key market segments while reinforcing market conduct, governance and financial sustainability. Major initiatives include:

  • ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) initiatives under the SC’s chairmanship, including sustainability-related taxonomies and guidelines, and finalising the five-year ACMF Action Plan 2026-2030.
  • Develop the Capital Market Masterplan 4 (CMP4) to provide a long-term vision for the Malaysian capital market. CMP4 aims to ensure the Malaysian capital market remains competitive and resilient amid economic, social and technological changes.
  • Focus on reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in Islamic finance. This will include developing specific indicators for each Maqasid al-Shariah principle, starting with the equity market. This is to encourage greater Islamic product innovation and boost Malaysia’s leadership in this space.
  • In 2025, Malaysia will undergo two key assessments. These are the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation and the biennial Corporate Governance (CG) Watch for the Asia Pacific region.
    • Focus of supervisory and enforcement functions include strengthening risk assessment in higher-risk sectors, improving monitoring mechanisms, enhancing measures to detect and prevent money laundering (ML) & terrorism financing (TF) in ensuring compliance with FATF’s 40 Recommendations.
    • The CG Watch assessment is expected to be carried out in 4Q 2025 and published in 2026. Ahead of the assessment, the SC and relevant stakeholders will proactively implement necessary interventions to address identified gaps.
  • Reviewing fees to provide a sustainable regulatory and developmental environment that supports the capital market’s growth and scope. The review, which involves extensive consultations with various stakeholders, is targeted to be completed in 2025.

To view these reports, please visit:
1. SC Annual Report 2024: https://www.sc.com.my/annual-report-2024/
2. AOB Annual Report 2024: https://www.sc.com.my/annual-report-2024/audit-oversight
3. Capital Market Stability Review 2024: https://www.sc.com.my/resources/cmsr/cmsr2024

NCT Alliance expands presence in Sabah

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NCT Alliance Berhad (“NCT”) announces its wholly-owned subsidiary, NCT Panorama Sdn Bhd, has entered into a conditional sale of shares agreement (“SSA”) with Ir Herman Lee Show Kien and Mr Melvin Lee Ying to acquire a 51% stake in Setara Juara Sdn Bhd (“SJSB”) for a total purchase consideration of RM22.0 million. The purchase consideration will be satisfied via a combination of cash and contra properties.

In line with the acquisition, NCT Panorama, Ir Herman and Mr Melvin have also entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement (“SHA”) to regulate the relationship of the Parties in respect of SJSB.

Pivotal to the company’s long-term growth strategy, the acquisition will pave the way for NCT’s development of Ion Marina Bay, a property development project with an estimated gross development value (“GDV”) of RM3.4 billion. The landmark waterfront project located in Putatan, Sabah, is expected to further strengthen the company’s presence in one of Malaysia’s most promising real estate markets.

Dato’ Sri Yap Ngan Choy, NCT Alliance’s Executive Chairman and Group Managing Director, stated: “The agreement marks another key milestone in NCT’s expansion into Sabah, reinforcing our vision of building sustainable communities in high-growth regions. Ion Marina Bay will be a catalyst for transformation, creating a dynamic, integrated township that aligns with Sabah’s rapid urban development. As we grow, our focus remains on delivering developments that offer lasting value to homeowners, businesses and investors alike.”

Ion Marina Bay will be a mixed development, comprising residential, commercial and lifestyle components. Spanning approximately 250 acres, the development is strategically located two kilometres from Putatan Town Centre and 5 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), offering a modern and sustainable living experience tailored to Sabah’s evolving market needs.

With the Government recently having approved a RM442.3 million upgrade for KKIA to expand its capacity and enhance connectivity, the major infrastructure boost is expected to further drive real estate growth and attract more investors to the state.

NCT’s expansion into Sabah has been carefully planned to tap into the region’s growing real estate market, which has seen heightened interest due to Sabah’s economic growth and infrastructure investments.

SJSB existing directors and shareholders, Ir Herman Lee and Mr Melvin Lee are expected to continue playing key roles in the property’s development.

Ir Herman Lee added, “With NCT Alliance now on board as the major shareholder, we are excited to work in partnership to realise the vision for Ion Marina Bay. SJSB has been deeply involved in shaping this development, and with NCT’s expertise and resources, we are confident that this project will create a thriving, well-planned community that enhances Kota Kinabalu’s property landscape and bring lasting value to the state.”

Also present at the signing, Encik Ag. Ismail Abu Bakar, Director of Sharikat Pembangunan Azam Dan Galian Sdn. Bhd., the landowner of the project, stated “We are thrilled to be part of this landmark development, which will not only drive Sabah’s economic growth but also redefine its landscape. The vision behind this project will bring to life a dynamic and thriving community, creating lasting opportunities and setting standards for progress in the region.”

The acquisition of SJSB is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2025. With a nine-year development timeline, Ion Marina Bay is poised to become one of Sabah’s most dynamic and sought-after urban developments.