AhaPay, a Malaysian Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution provider, has announced a strategic partnership with DirectD, one of the country’s largest mobile phone and tech gadget retailers. This collaboration aims to integrate AhaPay’s BNPL services into DirectD’s retail stores across Malaysia, offering customers the option to finance their purchases at the point of sale.

The integration, which began in the second quarter of 2026, allows shoppers to split their payments into up to 12 instalments, providing a flexible repayment tenure. This initiative is expected to cater to a wide range of customers, including students, families, and professionals, who frequent DirectD for its extensive selection of mobile devices and tech accessories.

AhaPay’s mission is to provide flexible and responsible payment options to the mass market, supporting merchants in achieving sustainable growth whilst helping consumers manage their expenses more effectively. The partnership with DirectD is seen as a significant step in accelerating the adoption of digital payments in Malaysia, where approximately 7.5 million active BNPL users were recorded as of the second half of 2025.

Harold Chen, CEO of AhaPay, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “Integrating our platform directly into DirectD’s retail stores allows us to deliver tangible value to merchants and consumers at scale.” Amy Tan, CEO of DirectD, added, “Through AhaPay, customers can expect lower financial barriers and more flexible ways to own the devices they desire.”

This collaboration highlights the growing trend of digital payment solutions in the retail sector, as e-commerce activities continue to rise in Malaysia.

Accor, a global leader in hospitality, has signed a hotel management agreement with Malaysia’s Tropicana Corporation Berhad to introduce Mercure Living Genting Highlands. This new venture aims to blend global hospitality expertise with sustainable township living, offering an extended-stay option in the popular leisure destination of Genting Highlands. The development, set to open in 2028, will feature 1,443 fully furnished suites catering to long-stay guests, leisure travellers, and homeowners.

The Mercure Living Genting Highlands will be part of the TwinPines Serviced Suites at Tropicana Grandhill, a wellness-focused precinct within the expansive Tropicana WindCity township. This collaboration underscores Tropicana’s strategy to expand into the hospitality sector, providing homeowners with a branded hospitality asset managed to Accor’s global standards. “Mercure Living Genting Highlands represents an exciting opportunity to expand our extended-stay offering in Malaysia,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Accor Asia.

The project is designed to meet the growing demand for professionally managed hospitality and extended-stay accommodation. It will offer residential comfort with hotel services, including kitchen and dining facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, an executive lounge, and a heated swimming pool. Ixora Ang, Managing Director of Marketing & Sales and Business Development for Tropicana, highlighted the development’s commitment to sustainability and smart living, stating it reflects their vision of delivering future-ready communities.

Accor currently operates 28 hotels in Malaysia, with the signing of Mercure Living Genting Highlands marking a significant milestone in its expansion, adding 1,443 keys to its development pipeline. This project aims to enhance Genting Highlands’ appeal as a premier leisure and tourism destination.

FSMOne Malaysia has announced that its clients’ unit trust investments yielded an average return of 18.8% over the 12 months ending 31 May 2026. This figure, net of sales charges and fund management fees, was disclosed at the FSMOne Malaysia’s Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2026/27, held at W Kuala Lumpur.

The returns encompass a range of unit trust holdings, including money market, fixed income, balanced, and equity funds, across all FSMOne individual client accounts. Notably, unit trust investments through the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) achieved an average return of 25.37%, whilst those made with EPF savings via the EPF Members Investment Scheme returned 16.5%.

FSMOne clients’ investments were significantly exposed to Asia, Japan, the technology sector, and gold. These areas were highlighted by FSMOne’s research as promising markets and themes throughout the year. Koh Soo Cheng, FSMOne Malaysia’s General Manager, stated, “Two decisions shape an investor’s outcome more than any other: what to invest in, and where. This year, we are sharing what those decisions delivered for our clients.”

The awards recognised 43 funds across 35 categories, including both conventional and Islamic strategies, with 15 fund houses among the winners. Kevin Khaw, FSMOne Assistant Manager, Research, commented on the market’s performance, noting the concentration of returns among a small group of companies and sectors. He advised investors to look beyond US mega-cap beneficiaries within the Digital Economy theme for future growth opportunities.

Etaily, a rapidly expanding commerce and retail infrastructure platform in Southeast Asia, has received a strategic investment from Malaysia-based Vynn Capital. This investment aims to strengthen etaily’s presence in Malaysia and the broader region, following its recent financing round led by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Asia Rising Fund in late 2025.

Founded in 2020, etaily offers a comprehensive platform that supports global consumer brands in scaling across Southeast Asia. The company has established a significant presence in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, working with over 100 international brands such as L’Oréal, Levi’s, and Skechers. The investment from Vynn Capital, known for its expertise in supply chain, logistics, and commerce infrastructure, is expected to accelerate etaily’s regional growth strategy.

Alexander Friedhoff, Founder and CEO of etaily, emphasised the strategic importance of Malaysia within their Southeast Asia cluster strategy. “Having a partner like Vynn Capital is highly strategic for us given their deep understanding of logistics, operational infrastructure, and regional scaling dynamics,” Friedhoff stated.

The fresh capital will be utilised to enhance etaily’s regional infrastructure, focusing on AI-enabled commerce operations, retail media capabilities, and cross-border brand growth initiatives. This move aligns with etaily’s “online-first, offline-to-follow” model, which is designed to support the next wave of regional commerce growth.

Etaily’s recent recognition by the Financial Times as the third fastest-growing company in the Asia-Pacific region underscores its potential and ambition. With further investments planned across Indonesia, etaily anticipates that its regional operations will significantly contribute to its long-term growth strategy.

Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Mediven) has announced the registration of its Pluslife MiniDock MTB Test with the Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA), introducing a World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended molecular diagnostic tool to the Malaysian market. This development comes as Malaysia faces a significant increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases, with over 3,100 confirmed infections in the first two months of 2026.

The Pluslife MiniDock MTB Test is designed to decentralise TB detection, allowing for rapid diagnosis and treatment in community settings, prisons, and rural areas. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional laboratory infrastructure, which often delays diagnosis. The test’s portability and 30-minute turnaround time enable healthcare providers to diagnose and link patients to care within a single visit.

Professor Norazmi Mohd Nor from University Sains Malaysia highlighted the importance of early detection, stating, “Rapid molecular diagnostics such as the Pluslife MiniDock MTB Test may complement existing diagnostic approaches.” Dr. Muhammad Nazri bin Aziz from Lablink (M) Sdn. Bhd. added that decentralised testing is a “game changer,” reducing dependency on central lab infrastructure whilst maintaining high diagnostic accuracy.

The Pluslife MiniDock system also features a non-invasive tongue swab method, providing an alternative for individuals who struggle to produce sputum. This innovation is particularly beneficial in rural clinics where centralised testing is inaccessible.

The approval of this technology is a crucial step in Malaysia’s mission to eradicate TB by 2035. Mediven’s commitment to supplying the Pluslife MiniDock MTB Test aims to enhance TB control efforts across the country, supporting the Ministry of Health’s goal of ending TB transmission.

Ant International has officially launched its Global Development Centre (GDC) in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant investment in Malaysia’s digital economy and AI capabilities. The centre, located at The Exchange 106 within Malaysia’s international financial centre, was inaugurated by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

The GDC is set to develop around 1,500 talents, with over half in tech-related roles, supporting Ant International’s global innovations. Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group, highlighted Malaysia’s potential as a regional hub for digital and AI innovation, stating, “With a visionary leadership and a vibrant business and tech community, Malaysia is on the way to becoming a leading regional and global hub for digital and AI innovation.”

Ant International’s commitment aligns with Malaysia’s national agenda of promoting digital transformation. Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International, emphasised the company’s ‘6T’ sustainable development strategy, which includes nurturing digital talent and building a trustworthy digital ecosystem.

The centre will also enhance partnerships with local universities and the Malaysian government to develop FinAI talents through initiatives like hackathons and curated curricula. This collaboration aims to power Malaysia’s digital economy and growth.

Ant International’s initiatives, such as the EPOS360 AI-as-a-Service platform, have already supported over 14,000 Malaysian SMEs. The company is also exploring next-generation financial infrastructure with CIMB to enhance cross-border payment efficiency.

Looking forward, Ant International’s efforts are expected to further integrate Malaysia into the global digital economy, fostering innovation and inclusive growth.

AirTrunk and renewable energy developer ib vogt have commenced commercial operations for a 29.99MW solar project in Malaysia, marking the country’s first renewable energy Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) for a data centre under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP). This initiative is a significant step in integrating hyperscale digital infrastructure with renewable energy solutions.

The solar facility, developed by ib vogt, is now operational and contributing clean energy to Malaysia’s grid. This project aligns with AirTrunk’s commitment to match 100% of its electricity consumption with renewable energy by 2030. Damien Spillane, Chief Customer & Innovation Officer of AirTrunk, emphasised the importance of securing renewable energy to support sustainable digital growth as demand for cloud and AI infrastructure rises across the Asia Pacific region.

David Ludwig, CEO of ib vogt APAC, highlighted the company’s dedication to decarbonisation, stating, “At ib vogt, our purpose is to change the world by making decarbonisation a reality for our partners.” This project not only supports Malaysia’s renewable energy goals but also showcases how collaboration between digital infrastructure providers and renewable energy developers can drive the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

The initiative builds on AirTrunk’s broader renewable energy strategy, following recent announcements of solar farm projects in Australia. As operations continue, this collaboration is set to enhance Malaysia’s renewable energy capacity and support long-term digital infrastructure growth.

BAC Education Group has entered into a strategic partnership with the Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia (IIA Malaysia) to enhance the education and certification pathways for internal audit professionals. Announced at the C-Suite Connect 2026 forum, this collaboration seeks to address the growing demand for Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) professionals amidst Malaysia’s 5.4% GDP growth in Q1 2026.

The partnership will see BAC Education Group integrating CIA qualification pathways into its MBA programmes across its network of institutions, including Veritas University College and Brickfields Asia College. This initiative aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills and credentials to thrive in the AI-driven economy. Additionally, the collaboration will offer postgraduate specialisations in Internal Audit and continuous professional development through workshops and seminars.

Raja Singham, Chief Future Officer of BAC Education Group, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership with IIA Malaysia is about creating a future-ready talent pipeline by integrating academic learning with globally recognised professional certification.” Suhailah Mohamed Abdulla, President of IIA Malaysia, added that the collaboration will help develop professionals who are both technically proficient and strategically equipped to serve as trusted advisers in Malaysia’s governance ecosystem.

The MoU, effective for two years, positions BAC as an official education provider on IIA Malaysia’s platform, offering direct access to BAC’s postgraduate and professional development programmes. This partnership is expected to significantly contribute to the development of Malaysia’s internal audit sector by producing highly qualified professionals ready to meet the challenges of modern corporate governance.

Neolix, a leader in Level 4 autonomous logistics, has been approved by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport to commence public-road sandbox testing of its autonomous delivery vehicles in Cyberjaya. This approval is part of Malaysia’s National Regulatory Sandbox framework, positioning the country as a strategic hub for Neolix’s expansion in Southeast Asia, a rapidly growing market for advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

The trials, expected to start in the coming weeks, will take place in Cyberjaya, Malaysia’s flagship smart city and technology hub. Neolix’s vehicles aim to revolutionise urban logistics by reducing operational costs and enhancing delivery efficiency. The initiative aligns with Southeast Asia’s increasing investment in AI, robotics, and smart mobility infrastructure, driven by the region’s booming e-commerce sector.

According to DBS Bank, Southeast Asia’s e-commerce economy is projected to grow from US$184b in 2024 to US$410b by 2030. Neolix’s Head of Southeast Asia Operations stated, “Malaysia represents an important next step in Neolix’s international expansion strategy.”

The testing will cover various environments, including closed-road and public-road settings, to evaluate vehicle performance in real-world urban conditions. The trials will be conducted with local partners, including Tiong Nam Logistics, AsiaMobiliti, and MindHub, focusing on use cases like express parcel delivery and on-demand e-commerce fulfilment.

Neolix has rapidly expanded its global footprint, with deployments in 15 countries and over 300 cities. The company plans to deploy more than 10,000 vehicles in the UAE by the end of 2026, whilst also expanding in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.

HyperStrong and RCT Power have signed a strategic joint venture agreement to advance smart manufacturing capabilities for battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Malaysia. Announced during the smarter E Europe 2026 event in Munich, this collaboration marks a significant step in expanding global manufacturing operations for both companies.

HyperStrong, established in 2011, has delivered over 60 GWh of energy storage projects across 30 countries, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry. The new manufacturing base in Malaysia will bolster HyperStrong’s international manufacturing and delivery capabilities, integrating it further into the global energy storage supply chain.

Malaysia’s strategic location, robust industrial ecosystem, and open business environment make it an ideal hub for energy storage. The partnership aims to rapidly develop local manufacturing and delivery capabilities, offering competitive integrated energy storage solutions to the Southeast Asian market.

Guanru Chen, Senior Vice President of HyperStrong International, stated, “Establishing manufacturing capacity in Malaysia is a natural extension of HyperStrong’s global strategy.” He emphasised the partnership’s role in expanding HyperStrong’s global market presence and contributing to the worldwide energy transition.

Billy Shi, CEO of RCT Power, highlighted the collaboration as a pivotal move in RCT Power’s international strategy. By leveraging HyperStrong’s system integration experience and RCT Power’s expertise in smart manufacturing, the partnership aims to deliver cost-competitive and innovative energy storage solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond.

This joint venture is poised to support the region’s energy transition, aligning with global efforts towards carbon neutrality and sustainable energy solutions.