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Maxim E-hailing Malaysia has signed a strategic partnership with Zlata, an insurance agency under the Sejamas Group, to expand insurance coverage among e-hailing drivers nationwide. The collaboration is part of Maxim’s ongoing efforts to strengthen driver protection by improving access to insurance solutions tailored for the gig mobility sector. The insurance policies available through this partnership are specifically designed to protect drivers during e-hailing trips. Coverage includes incidents that occur while heading to pick up a passenger, during the ride, or when completing an order. In the event of an accident, driver injury, or vehicle damage linked to e-hailing activity, the driver receives compensation, avoiding out-of-pocket expenses that could amount to thousands of ringgit. Beyond sales, Zlata will serve as a single support hub: coordinating towing services, preparing documents for insurance claims, and liaising with insurers to minimise vehicle downtime after an accident. To further improve accessibility, Zlata has introduced a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme, enabling drivers to obtain coverage without the need for full upfront payment, making insurance more affordable for the platform’s driver-partners. In addition, each driver who purchases a policy through the partnership receives a complimentary car battery with warranty coverage. The average battery lifespan under intensive e-hailing usage is 18–24 months, which corresponds to a mileage of 50,000–70,000 km. This support reduces the driver’s annual expenses by 200–400 ringgit. The battery is professionally installed by trained technicians, eliminating downtime due to incorrect fitting. “Driver safety and well-being remain our top priority. This partnership allows us to work with an experienced insurance provider to offer more flexible and relevant solutions that better align with the realities of gig work,” said Mushfique Ahmed Chowdhury, Head of Legal Compliance & Government Relations, Maxim E-hailing Malaysia. Both Maxim and Zlata are also exploring targeted outreach and educational efforts to improve driver awareness and understanding of insurance benefits.

UOB is seeing stronger growth in Southeast Asia following its integration of Citi’s retail banking businesses across four markets, according to a report by The Business Times. At its annual general meeting, Deputy Chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong said the S$4.9 billion acquisition, announced in 2022, is now contributing more clearly to the bank’s regional retail expansion after a multi-year integration process. The deal covered Citi’s retail banking operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. UOB said the integration has strengthened its regional presence, with the bank now serving more than 8.5 million customers across ASEAN. The completion of the Vietnam integration marked the final step in the regional rollout. Wee said UOB will continue investing in infrastructure and technology to further develop its retail banking platform across Southeast Asia, noting that each market requires a tailored approach due to differences in customer needs and local conditions. UOB’s ASEAN-4 segment — Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam — recorded 5% income growth for the year ended Dec 31, 2025, outperforming the wider group, which saw a 3% decline in total income. The bank said its retail strategy will focus on deeper customer relationships through wealth solutions, advisory services and ongoing digital upgrades.

More than 70% of Malaysia’s biodiesel blending depots are ready to implement the B15 biodiesel programme using existing facilities, following the government’s plan to gradually increase the biodiesel blend. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the government has conducted meetings and site visits to assess readiness for the rollout. He said inspections by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities found that more than 70% of blending depots nationwide are prepared to support B15 implementation without major infrastructure changes. “Operational adjustments are being developed by blending depots to ensure efficiency and the security of petroleum product supply to consumers,” he said during a briefing on the global supply situation. Akmal Nasrullah added that he and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad had visited facilities in the Klang Valley, including the Klang Valley Distribution Terminal and a biodiesel plant in Pulau Indah, Klang, to review operational readiness. He said the visit highlighted the need to view energy planning more broadly, linking it to energy security, commodity strength, logistics efficiency and supply chain resilience. Following the government’s decision to raise the biodiesel blend from B10 to B15 (starting with B12), the Economy Ministry and Plantation and Commodities Ministry are coordinating with stakeholders to implement the transition. The move is aimed at strengthening diesel supply security amid global disruptions, reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, and supporting Malaysia’s shift towards cleaner energy and economic restructuring.

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) will relocate its head office from Menara Maybank in Jalan Tun Perak to Menara Merdeka 118 effective May 6, 2026. In a statement, the bank said it will occupy 33 floors at the new premises, which will house approximately 7,000 employees. The new headquarters will also feature a dedicated entrance for employees, customers and visitors. Maybank added that several of its subsidiaries, including Maybank Islamic Bhd and Maybank Investment Bank Bhd, will also move to the new headquarters on a staggered basis. Following the relocation, Maybank’s new registered address will be Level 70, Menara Merdeka 118, Presint Merdeka 118, 50118 Kuala Lumpur. The bank said its Kuala Lumpur main branch at Menara Maybank will continue operations as usual, with no disruption to customers holding accounts there until further notice.

Weixin today held its first-ever Open Class in Malaysia, bringing together over 200 local merchants, service providers and industry representatives in Kuala Lumpur to explore how the Weixin ecosystem — comprising Mini Programs and Weixin Pay — can help Malaysian businesses better serve the growing wave of Chinese visitors, unlock new digital growth opportunities, and contribute to the success of Visit Malaysia 2026. Opening Presentation by Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Senior Director of Tourism Malaysia. At the event, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Senior Director of Tourism Malaysia, shared that Chinese visitor arrivals to Malaysia have maintained strong growth momentum for four consecutive years. In January and February 2026 alone, the number of Chinese visitors exceeded 1.03 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 27%. For merchants, integrating digital experiences that Chinese visitors are accustomed to, such as payment methods and Mini Programs, is becoming increasingly important. In the latest cross-border data released by Weixin for the 2026 Chinese New Year period, Malaysia ranked among the top five global destinations for Weixin Pay offline transaction volume. Offline transaction value in Malaysia recorded a 131% year-on-year increase, while Mini Program transaction value grew over 140%. The positive growth reflects increased tourism demand with the launch of the nation’s Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign. The momentum also stemmed from a strong recovery in cross-border tourism between Malaysia and China, following the mutual visa-free policy between the two countries that took effect in July 2025 and saw over four million Chinese visitors travelling to Malaysia last year. Tourism Malaysia, which signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with Weixin Pay in January 2026, is targeting to welcome 47 million visitor arrivals for Visit Malaysia 2026. Weixin Mini Program Transaction Grows 140% YoY; AirAsia, KLIA Ekspres and Gokoo Among Ecosystem Partners A growing number of Malaysian enterprises have moved to establish their presence within the Weixin ecosystem. AirAsia, Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, has launched a Weixin Mini Program for flight bookings, enabling Chinese passengers to search, book and pay entirely within the Weixin app without downloading a separate app. KLIA Ekspres, the express rail link connecting Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the city centre, has integrated Weixin Pay and Mini Program, providing arriving Chinese tourists with a seamless first-mile transit experience. Multiple premium hotels in Malaysia now offer commission-free direct bookings through Mini Programs, while merchants across the country — from shopping malls to night market stalls — are leveraging preferential exchange rate voucher tools introduced by Weixin Pay to increase average transaction values and drive social sharing among Chinese visitors. Millions of Merchants Connected to Weixin Ecosystem via PayNet On the payments infrastructure side, Malaysia’s national payments network PayNet has fully integrated DuitNow QR with Weixin Pay, enabling over three million DuitNow QR touchpoints to accept payments from Chinese visitors without additional setup or cost. The event also featured Gokoo, a Southeast Asian lifestyle services platform that launched in Kuala Lumpur in December 2025. Built on the Weixin Mini Program framework, Gokoo offers food delivery, restaurant bookings, hotel reservations and home services to visitors and local users. The platform currently operates across eight countries with more than one million total transactions, demonstrating the versatility of the Mini Program model beyond serving inbound visitors. Weixin Mini Programs currently serve over 1.1 billion monthly active users. In 2025, the Mini Program ecosystem expanded to cover 100 countries and regions across 108 industry verticals, with cross-border transaction value growing over 70% year on year. The Weixin Open Class Malaysia session marks the latest step in Weixin’s ongoing efforts to support international partners and help local businesses connect with Chinese consumers through digital tools.

Tune Talk is adding a lifestyle feature to its mobile platform with the launch of Tune Talk NOVA, a new astrology subscription service now available in the Tune Talk App. The feature offers users both Western and Chinese zodiac readings, providing personalised AI-powered daily forecasts alongside their usual mobile services. With Tune Talk NOVA, subscribers can enjoy daily, monthly and yearly horoscope readings, zodiac profiles, compatibility insights and shareable astrology content. The service is designed to give users a fun and engaging way to check their daily outlook or explore compatibility with friends. Tune Talk said demand for astrology and horoscope content continues to grow across the Asia-Pacific region, especially among Millennials and Gen Z users who prefer mobile-first digital experiences. To celebrate the launch, first-time monthly subscribers will receive one month of full NOVA access for free via auto-renewal. Charges will only begin from the second month onward, and users can cancel within the first 30 days to avoid fees. NOVA passes start from RM5 for one-day access, while monthly passes begin at RM8 depending on eligibility. The feature is free for Epik+ 50 subscribers. Epik+ 35 and Epik+ 50 users can also earn 100 Tune Talk Points by checking their horoscope readings for three consecutive days. Tune Talk co-founder and chief executive officer Gurtaj Singh Padda said users are increasingly looking for personalised digital experiences that go beyond core mobile services. He added that Tune Talk NOVA is designed to meet that demand by offering a simple value-added feature that fits into users’ daily routines.

AIROD Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider and a subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Defence and Space at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 Exhibition to strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities in maintaining the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fleet of four Airbus A400M military transport aircraft. The mandate reflects continued confidence by the Malaysian Government and RMAF in AIROD’s proven capabilities while ensuring the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and operational readiness. The signing was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Defence Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, signifying the national importance of enhancing Malaysia’s defence aerospace capabilities. As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the A400M aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space will play a key role in supporting capability development through the transfer of technical expertise, standards and best practices, providing a structured pathway to strengthen in-country MRO capabilities for the RMAF fleet. Under the MoU, both parties will explore initiatives including: Development of A400M technical training programmes Out-of-scheme aircraft structural repair Expansion of specialised MRO services, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Level 3 and aircraft painting Positioning AIROD as a qualified local industrial partner and Airbus-approved supplier As part of this collaboration, AIROD is expected to support the servicing of the RMAF’s A400M fleet, including aircraft painting activities in collaboration with Satys Aerospace, a Tier 1 Airbus partner with extensive aircraft painting experience at Airbus Assembly Plants for both civil and military programmes. This collaboration will introduce advanced aircraft painting technologies, top-tier materials and global best practices, further enhancing AIROD’s technical capabilities in line with international aerospace standards. More broadly, the collaboration reflects Malaysia’s strategic direction to enhance its defence industrial base through local capability development, technology transfer and greater self-reliance, supported by frameworks such as the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) and National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP). It also reinforces AIROD’s role in supporting Malaysia’s ambition to position itself as a credible regional hub for military aircraft maintenance. Dato’ Edron Hayata bin Ahmad, Group President of NADI, said: “This partnership with Airbus Defence and Space marks an important step in strengthening Malaysia’s defence aerospace ecosystem. By advancing local MRO capabilities for the A400M platform, we are supporting the operational readiness of the RMAF while positioning Malaysia as a credible regional hub for military aircraft maintenance. AIROD remains committed to driving technology transfer, developing highly skilled local talent, and supporting the nation’s Industrial Collaboration Programme as we continue to elevate Malaysia’s aerospace industry to global standards.”

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced a one-year delay in the implementation of e-invoicing for certain micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as part of measures to reduce cost pressures caused by the global energy crisis. The government said businesses with annual sales between RM1 million and RM5 million will now be given until Dec 31, 2027, to implement e-invoicing. During the extended period, affected companies will be allowed to issue consolidated e-invoices and will not face penalties. Anwar said the move is based on feedback received directly from MSMEs and is aimed at easing operational burdens while ensuring business continuity. In addition, the government will allocate RM5 billion under Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan (SJPP) to provide financing guarantees of up to 80% for businesses impacted by rising costs. The guarantee period will be up to 10 years and will cover sectors such as construction, agriculture, agri-food, logistics, transportation and tourism. The government is also considering import duty and sales tax exemptions until Dec 31 this year for reimported Malaysian goods that could not complete export processes due to disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Anwar said the ongoing tensions in West Asia have created economic spillover effects, including supply disruptions, higher logistics and insurance costs, and continued pressure on business input prices. He added that the government remains committed to taking swift action based on industry feedback and will continue working with financial institutions and businesses to protect jobs, support companies and strengthen resilience against prolonged global uncertainty.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) has strong potential to be developed into a strategic regional hub, including serving the southern Thailand market. He said direct international links from LTSIP to major cities such as Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok could bring major economic benefits to Kelantan through increased trade, tourism and business activity. Speaking at the opening of the airport’s new terminal on Saturday, Anwar said better transport infrastructure would benefit local residents while supporting the country’s wider economic growth. “The potential in Kelantan should not be overlooked if we give it proper focus and attention,” he said. He also praised the close cooperation between the federal and Kelantan state governments in completing the RM440 million airport upgrade project, which also included runway extension works. Anwar said the project continued despite economic challenges because of its long-term strategic importance. He added that the completion of the airport should be seen as a starting point, with further efforts needed to maximise its potential in sectors such as trade, investment, transport, tourism and agriculture. The upgraded airport can now handle up to four million passengers annually, compared with 1.5 million previously. The terminal has expanded from 12,000 sq m to 36,000 sq m and now features more than 20 check-in counters, multi-storey parking, dedicated taxi lanes, a fire and rescue station, larger aircraft parking areas and a cashless operating system. Aircraft parking bays have increased to 11 from five, while parking capacity has grown to about 1,300 spaces from 350 previously.

Globetronics Technology Bhd has announced that its independent and non-executive director Datuk Puvanesan Subenthiran has resigned from the board, citing personal commitments. His resignation comes less than a year after joining the board on July 1, 2025. Puvanesan is also the executive chairman and group managing director of Privasia Technology Bhd (KL:PRIVA), which is listed on the ACE Market. According to Bursa Malaysia filings on Wednesday, his departure has led to a reshuffling of roles within Globetronics’ audit, nomination, and remuneration committees, where he previously served as chairman of the nomination and remuneration committee and a member of the audit committee. The group has seen several boardroom changes this year. In January, it appointed Ta Shun Dher as non-executive chairman, while executive chairman Liaw Way Gian was redesignated as an executive director. Earlier, Francis Leong Seng Wui, who joined the board following Globetronics’ RM45 million investment in Mpire Global Bhd (now Greentronics Technology Bhd), resigned in January. Independent director Ang Pei Gaik also stepped down on March 31 due to other commitments, and was later replaced by Yap Jia Thong. Globetronics shares were unchanged at 27.5 sen on Wednesday, valuing the group at RM196.6 million.