Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has praised the NADI Mahir school uniform initiative for allowing parents to purchase uniforms on instalment, reducing financial pressure while creating entrepreneurial opportunities for local communities.
India is rolling out a unified customer identification system in August that will allow customers to access banking and insurance products without repeatedly submitting identity documents, potentially expanding participation in financial services.
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari announced plans to establish ASSAR 2, a new investment vehicle for non-Bumiputeras, mirroring PNB's model and broadening access to state-based savings opportunities.
CIMB Islamic Bank will debut the CIMB Lite-i credit card in October 2026, targeting price-conscious consumers with no annual fee, 14% profit rate, and straightforward terms designed for daily spending and short-term cash needs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has committed to streamlining loan approval processes for MSMEs, with government-backed schemes now disbursing funds within five to 15 working days to unlock critical capital for small businesses.
Agrobank has collected over RM8 million in financing applications through trader engagement sessions, expanding from the Klang Valley to Sabah's Api-Api Night Market and Papar Tamu Farmers' Market to support small business growth.
Agrobank has received financing applications exceeding RM8 million from traders at Kota Kinabalu's Api-Api Night Market, marking the bank's expansion into Sabah to support small businesses and hawkers across the region.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has called on bank customers still facing RM1 charges for ATM withdrawals to report violations to Bank Negara Malaysia, following the implementation of a fee waiver affecting 84 per cent of bank-owned ATMs nationwide.