News

Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad has renewed its strategic collaboration with the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for the fifth consecutive term, reinforcing its continued commitment to the advancement of national football. The extended partnership encompasses a range of joint marketing efforts, including the continuation of the Team Harimau co-branded Debit Card-i initiative. This collaboration not only seeks to bolster support for the national football squad, Harimau Malaya, but also encourages wider adoption of digital banking and cashless payments across the country. Mizan Masram, Group Chief Business Officer (Retail Banking) at Bank Islam, expressed appreciation for FAM’s enduring confidence in the bank’s role as a strategic partner. “Bank Islam is truly grateful to FAM for the trust placed in us and agreeing to extend this strategic collaboration. This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering the spirit of sportsmanship and strengthening support for a team that carries the nation’s hopes,” he said. Under the terms of the agreement, Bank Islam will continue to drive fan engagement through both digital and on-ground activation initiatives at FAM-affiliated events. These efforts include the deployment of promotional booths on match days, co-branded campaigns, social media content, and fan-centric contests aimed at strengthening the emotional connection between supporters and the national team. The specially designed Team Harimau Debit Card-i offers fans a tangible means of expressing their loyalty, while benefiting from ATM withdrawal capabilities and seamless electronic payments for local and international transactions. In support of grassroots football development, Bank Islam will contribute RM2 to FAM for every issuance, annual renewal, and replacement of the debit card. The funds are designated to aid talent cultivation and enhance football programmes nationwide. Since its inception, the Team Harimau Debit Card-i has garnered over two million users, underscoring its resonance with Malaysian football supporters and its role in promoting financial inclusion. -New Strait Times

AIA Malaysia has once again affirmed its dominance in the life insurance and financial services industry by being recognised as the top Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) company in Malaysia for the ninth time. The MDRT is a globally recognised association for financial professionals, widely regarded as the benchmark for excellence in the life insurance and financial services sectors. Membership requires stringent performance criteria and adherence to the highest ethical standards and professional conduct. In a statement issued today, AIA Malaysia confirmed it had achieved a total of 870 MDRT qualifiers in 2025. This figure includes 14 Top of the Table (TOT) members, 74 Court of the Table (COT) members, and 782 MDRT members, further solidifying its standing as a leader in the field. At the regional level, the AIA Group reported an impressive 19,358 MDRT qualifiers across its markets as of July 2025. This marks the eleventh consecutive year AIA has held the title of the world’s leading MDRT multinational, underlining the group’s continued investment in developing a high-calibre, professional agency force across Asia. Commenting on the achievement, AIA Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Ben Ng said the recognition is a reflection of the company’s unwavering focus on professionalism and customer service. “This accomplishment reinforces our commitment to building the most professional agency force—one that consistently supports our customers in living healthier, longer and better lives. With a commanding lead in the number of MDRT qualifiers, we have once again set the benchmark for excellence in Malaysia,” he said. In addition to its national success, AIA Malaysia has also achieved notable rankings in the 2025 MDRT listings, including a Top 20 Global Ranking, a position among the Top 15 Companies by Retention Rate, and a Top 20 placement for the Number of Female Members. These milestones are a testament to the company’s sustained focus on nurturing purpose-driven, highly trained advisors, supported by advanced digital tools and a culture rooted in service excellence. AIA Malaysia is part of AIA Group, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. With over 75 years of presence in the country, the group’s operations in Malaysia comprise AIA Bhd, AIA PUBLIC Takaful Bhd, AIA General Bhd, and AIA Pension and Asset Management Sdn Bhd. The group continues to provide comprehensive insurance and takaful solutions to Malaysians, offering both conventional and Shariah-compliant products across life and health protection, family takaful, employee benefits, motor, personal accident, mortgage, commercial insurance and retirement planning. -Bernama

SkyGate Solutions Bhd has announced a strategic move to increase its stake in SkyGate Integration Sdn Bhd to 95%, following a RM9.8 million share-based acquisition agreement. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the telecommunications and technology company confirmed it has entered into a share sale agreement with Ong Chee Fui to acquire a further 44% equity interest in SkyGate Integration. The purchase will be entirely satisfied through the issuance of approximately 14.63 million new SkyGate shares at 67 sen per share. This latest development builds upon SkyGate’s earlier acquisition disclosed on 15 April 2025, in which the group acquired a 51% interest in SkyGate Integration for RM10.71 million in cash. As part of that transaction, SkyGate Integration had an outstanding debt of RM1.08 million to Ong Chee Fui, stemming from a loan provided by Kumpulan Modal Perdana Sdn Bhd. Under the terms of the current proposal, the RM1.08 million debt will be settled via the issuance of 1.61 million new SkyGate shares, also priced at 67 sen per share. Following the completion of this transaction, SkyGate Integration will become a 95%-owned subsidiary of SkyGate Solutions. The group stated that the proposed acquisition aligns with its long-term strategic objective of expanding operations and enhancing shareholder value. SkyGate highlighted that this consolidation will not only strengthen its market positioning but also bolster its presence in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. The integration of SkyGate Integration’s capabilities in software development, system integration and technology solutions is expected to complement the group’s existing services, enabling a broader offering to a wider client base. -The Star

Jasa Kita Bhd has announced that two of its major shareholders, Tan Sri Tan Hua Choon and Datuk Seri Tan Han Chuan, have signed a conditional share sale agreement to dispose of their collective 40.33% equity stake to Kintan Prima Sdn Bhd for RM68.9 million in cash. The transaction, valued at 38 sen per share, involves 181.31 million shares in total. According to a Bursa Malaysia filing, the acquisition will significantly increase the collective shareholding of Kintan Prima, its director and controlling shareholder Abd Azis Mohamad, and persons acting in concert, Datuk Seri Iskandar Mizal Mahmood and Datuk Dr Yasmin Mahmood. This group currently holds 44 million shares in Jasa Kita, representing a 9.79% equity interest. Following completion of the proposed acquisition, their combined stake will rise to 225.32 million shares, equivalent to a controlling 50.12% of the company. In accordance with regulatory requirements, the acquirers will be obligated to extend a mandatory general offer to remaining shareholders, also priced at 38 sen per share. This represents a modest premium to Jasa Kita’s last traded price of 36.5 sen. Jasa Kita Bhd, a company engaged in the trading and distribution of industrial tools, mechanical air tools, and bathroom products, is simultaneously undertaking a strategic divestment of assets. Its wholly owned subsidiary, JKB Development Sdn Bhd, has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with Logik Damai Sdn Bhd to dispose of four parcels of freehold industrial land in Gombak, Selangor, for RM38 million in cash. The four parcels collectively span 14,086 square metres. The group expects to realise a net gain of RM29.5 million from the land disposal. Of the total proceeds, RM19 million has been earmarked for working capital purposes. These developments underscore a significant shift in Jasa Kita’s ownership structure and asset base as it realigns for future growth and operational optimisation. -The Star

Malaysia has taken a strategic step toward strengthening its digital finance landscape with the official launch of the Digital Asset Innovation Hub, inaugurated by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Sasana Symposium 2025. Spearheaded by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the initiative is designed to catalyse financial innovation within a regulated framework. The launch forms part of a broader agenda during the two-day symposium, held on 17 and 18 June at Sasana Kijang, which gathers key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to examine policy reforms aimed at building a more resilient and inclusive national economy. Positioned as a sandbox for emerging digital finance technologies, the hub offers a safe and structured environment for innovators to test new solutions, particularly in areas such as programmable money and a potential ringgit-backed stablecoin. While further technical specifics have yet to be disclosed, Prime Minister Anwar’s announcement signals a growing commitment to exploring advanced financial technologies under Malaysia’s regulatory oversight. In parallel, the Climate Finance Innovation Lab was also introduced during the event. Led by the Joint Committee on Climate Change (JC3), the lab seeks to align financial innovation with climate resilience goals, marking another milestone in the country’s integrated approach to structural reform. Under the theme “Structural Reforms: Building a Resilient Malaysia,” the Sasana Symposium 2025 comprises 23 sessions, featuring panel discussions, fireside chats, and workshops that address a spectrum of pressing national issues. Topics include inflation management, cost of living, healthcare financing, social protection mechanisms, digital assets, and climate-related financial strategies. Adding a social finance dimension to the symposium, Bazar iTEKAD showcases 14 microentrepreneurs out of more than 10,000 beneficiaries of the iTEKAD programme. This initiative combines blended financing with structured capacity-building support, enabling small business owners to enhance operational scalability and sustainability. In line with Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, the event also features the immersive ASEAN Tunnel exhibition. Designed to engage visitors through visual and auditory storytelling, the exhibit highlights BNM’s regional leadership in promoting instant payment connectivity, strengthening local currency settlement frameworks, and supporting ASEAN’s climate ambitions. BNM Governor Dato’ Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour underscored the collaborative nature of structural reforms in his opening remarks. “Structural reforms are not something one institution or individual can tackle alone. It requires a whole-of-nation approach,” he said. “Reforms and policies are not mere ideas on paper. They can make a real difference in the everyday lives of Malaysians. Through panel sessions, fireside chats and workshops, we share not only what we do, but why we do it. From topics like financial literacy and digital assets, to climate finance and even healthcare reforms, these are the building blocks of a stronger, more resilient Malaysia.” BNM is expected to provide further clarification on the Digital Asset Innovation Hub in due course. -Fintech News