EPG, a Singapore-based provider of modular data centre solutions, has achieved a significant milestone by securing BOMBA certification from Malaysia’s Fire and Rescue Department. This approval positions EPG as one of the first modular data centre manufacturers to meet Malaysia’s stringent fire safety requirements, facilitating seamless deployment across Southeast Asia.

The BOMBA certification, a mandatory compliance step for data centre equipment in Malaysia, involves rigorous testing and audits. EPG’s modular systems successfully passed evaluations, demonstrating strong fire safety performance and structural integrity, aligning with both Malaysian and international standards. An EPG spokesperson noted, “BOMBA certification serves as a gateway into Malaysia and a trusted signal for customers across ASEAN.”

This certification comes as EPG expands its Johor Bahru manufacturing hub, which is set to include a new 80 million facility by Q3 2026. The facility will offer 40,000 m² of workshop space, employ over 800 specialists, and produce more than 2,000 modular units annually, supporting up to 550 MW of project capacity.

With BOMBA approval, EPG can accelerate the delivery of compliant systems to markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, where demand for modular capacity is rising due to AI and cloud expansion. This achievement is part of EPG’s broader global compliance strategy, as the company seeks to expand certification initiatives to other regulated markets worldwide.

CSM Academy International, a prominent private education institution in healthcare, is set to open a new branch in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in February 2026. This expansion aims to address the growing need for skilled healthcare professionals in the region by offering a range of short courses initially, followed by comprehensive diploma programmes later in the year.

The Johor Bahru branch will initially provide short courses such as the Clinic Assistant Series, Phlebotomy, and Caregivers courses, which have been successful in Singapore. These courses are designed to equip learners with practical skills that are immediately applicable in the healthcare industry. As the branch develops, it will introduce CSM Academy’s full suite of programmes, including core healthcare qualifications and courses in Tourism and Hospitality.

By late 2026, the branch plans to launch diploma programmes in Healthcare Management and Individual Support (Aging & Disability). These qualifications aim to prepare students to meet the needs of the global ageing population. Lynn Chow, CEO of CSM Academy International, stated, “Expanding into Johor Bahru allows us to extend our commitment to quality healthcare education beyond Singapore.”

The establishment of CSM Academy Malaysia highlights the institution’s dedication to fostering capable healthcare workers across Southeast Asia. Founded in 2005, CSM Academy is known for its high standards in healthcare education and is accredited by SkillsFuture Singapore and EduTrust.

S&P Global Ratings has assessed the national insolvency regimes of Malaysia and the Philippines, assigning them jurisdiction rankings of Group B and Group C, respectively. This assessment, announced on 3 December 2025, evaluates the degree of protection afforded to creditors under each country’s insolvency laws and the predictability of related proceedings. Despite these rankings, there is no impact on existing credit ratings.

Malaysia’s Group B ranking reflects a satisfactory legal framework for creditors, with a medium level of creditor-friendliness and an intermediate rule-of-law risk. Recent legislative enhancements, such as the Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 and the adoption of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, are expected to improve the predictability of legal proceedings for both domestic and foreign creditors. However, the country still faces challenges due to limited empirical evidence on recovery realisation through insolvency proceedings.

In contrast, the Philippines received a Group C ranking, indicating a weaker legal framework for creditors. The country’s creditor-friendliness is considered weak, with high rule-of-law risk. The Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act of 2010 governs insolvency law, but there is insufficient empirical evidence on its implementation and enforceability. Additionally, the preservation of asset value is low, with few precedents of creditors receiving recovery rates above 30%. Despite these challenges, the Philippines’ legal framework supports the reorganisation of entities as going concerns, and the adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency offers some mitigation.

These jurisdiction rankings provide insight into the potential recovery prospects for creditors involved in insolvency proceedings in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Maharani Freeport, Malaysia’s first duty-exempted energy freeport, was officially launched by Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. Developed by Maharani Energy Gateway Sdn. Bhd. (MEG), this deepwater freeport is a private-sector initiative supported by the Federal and Johor State Governments. It is strategically located within the Muar Port limits along the Strait of Malacca, the world’s largest oil shipping route.

The freeport is expected to attract RM144b in global investments, significantly boosting the local and national economy. Dato’ Dr. Daing A. Malek Bin Daing A. Rahaman, Executive Chairman of MEG, described the project as “bold and transformative,” aiming to create at least 45,000 direct and indirect jobs and uplift local businesses in logistics, ship repair, and services.

Maharani Freeport is already operational, engaging in oil trading, storage, and other maritime services. The launch event was attended by over 1,500 guests, including the Regent of Johor, Prime Minister Anwar bin Ibrahim, and international dignitaries.

The development spans 3,200 acres across three man-made islands, featuring an energy hub, deep seaport, industrial park, and financial hub. It offers a comprehensive service ecosystem with competitive tax incentives, including a 3% corporate tax rate for oil trade activities.

Fingular, a Singapore-based global fintech holding, has announced that its Malaysian brand, Tambadana, has surpassed US$150m in total consumer financing. Since its inception, Tambadana has processed approximately 600,000 cases, marking a significant achievement in Fingular’s regional expansion strategy.

Tambadana’s rapid growth underscores Malaysia’s increasing demand for digital financial services. The brand has consistently shown double-digit monthly growth, driven by rising consumer confidence in fintech solutions and the swift adoption of online financial services. According to the McKinsey Southeast Asia Economic Review, digital financial adoption in the region is set to grow rapidly, supported by mobile connectivity, young demographics, and growing trust in digital ecosystems.

Maxim Chernushchenko, CEO of Fingular, remarked, “Crossing the US$150 million mark is a sign of how fast Malaysia is embracing digital finance. We see strong demand for transparent, accessible, and fast financing options, and we’re committed to expanding our ecosystem to meet these needs through innovation and responsible fintech practices.”

Tambadana’s success is attributed to Fingular’s proprietary technology and a local-first approach, allowing the company to tailor its products to meet cultural and regulatory requirements. This milestone reinforces Fingular’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and innovation across Asia and the Middle East.

Founded in 2021 by Maxim Chernushchenko and Cypriot investor Vadim Gurinov, Fingular aims to establish a full-service neo-bank that enhances financial inclusion whilst ensuring a seamless digital finance experience.

RHB Bank Berhad, in partnership with Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd., has launched RHB Essential Assure, a new protection plan offering guaranteed acceptance without medical exams for individuals up to 70 years old. The plan, announced on 1 December 2025, aims to make long-term financial security more accessible and flexible, with coverage extending up to age 100.

The plan is designed to remove barriers to obtaining life protection, particularly for those aged 40 to 70 in the mass affluent and affluent segments. Jeffrey Ng Eow Oo, Managing Director of Group Community Banking at RHB, stated, “RHB Essential Assure provides simple enrolment and comprehensive coverage.”

RHB Essential Assure offers financial support for various life uncertainties, including lump-sum payouts for deaths and total and permanent disability. It features one of the most extensive accidental death benefit structures, with additional payouts up to 500% of the Basic Sum Assured for incidents such as travel and natural disasters.

Policyholders can customise their protection with premium payment terms of five or ten years and coverage durations ranging from 20 years to age 70, 80, or 100. The plan includes a Lifestyle Reward feature, increasing the Basic Sum Assured by 5% every three policy years, up to 20%.

Toi See Jong, CEO of Tokio Marine Life, emphasised the plan’s flexibility and inclusivity, stating, “Everyone deserves dependable protection… This plan is part of our commitment to delivering innovative solutions.”

RHB Essential Assure is available to individuals aged 14 days to 70 years old, furthering the collaboration between RHB and Tokio Marine Life, which has spanned over 75 years.

Steel Hawk Berhad, a provider of oil and gas services and equipment, has announced a 14.7% rise in net profit for the nine months ending 30 September 2025, reaching RM10.42m. This growth comes despite a challenging environment marked by reduced activity from PETRONAS, Malaysia’s national oil company, in the second and third quarters of the year.

The company’s revenue surged by 41.1% to RM84.69m, up from RM60.02m in the same period last year. This increase was attributed to higher project execution and billings. Deputy Chairman and Executive Director, Sharman K. Michael, highlighted the resilience of Steel Hawk’s core operations, noting that “performance remained steady due to strong project execution earlier in the financial year.”

Steel Hawk is exploring opportunities beyond traditional oil and gas sectors, including utilities, infrastructure, and renewable energy, to bolster long-term resilience. The company is optimistic about industry developments, particularly PETRONAS’ initiatives in upstream expansion and digitalisation, which present opportunities for service providers.

For the third quarter, Steel Hawk’s revenue was RM20.43m, slightly down from RM20.99m in the previous year, due to slower work order issuance. Net profit for the quarter was RM1.18m, a decrease from RM2.85m, primarily due to bad debts written off. However, the company saw a quarter-on-quarter revenue increase, supported by new work orders with Ibrahim & Sons Engineering.

Looking ahead, Steel Hawk remains focused on cost optimisation and expanding its portfolio, supported by 14 active contracts and recent project wins.

ShopBack, a leading shopping and rewards platform in the Asia-Pacific, has partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to offer Malaysian travellers enhanced rewards when visiting Singapore. The collaboration, under the campaign tagline “Syok Jalan, Syok Lagi Cashback”, provides exclusive Cashback, perks, and giveaways for travel bookings made through ShopBack. This initiative, running from 28 November 2025 to March 2026, aims to boost cross-border tourism by offering upsized Cashback of up to 12% on accommodations and activities.

The partnership includes key travel platforms such as Klook, Traveloka, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Expedia, and Booking.com. Travellers can earn 9.5% Cashback on Klook for attractions like the Singapore Zoo and 9% on Traveloka for visits to Gardens by the Bay. This initiative combines STB’s tourism leadership with ShopBack’s rewards expertise to highlight Singapore’s diverse attractions and engage high-intent travellers from Malaysia.

Vincent Wong, General Manager of ShopBack Singapore and Malaysia, stated, “Teaming up with the Singapore Tourism Board allows us to reward our Malaysian users in new, meaningful ways.” Terrence Voon, Executive Director, Southeast Asia of STB, added, “We hope to showcase the diverse range of experiences in Singapore, helping Malaysian visitors get the most value out of each visit.”

This collaboration underscores ShopBack’s role in connecting governments, merchants, and consumers through innovative partnerships. It also aligns with ShopBack’s expansion into a broader suite of shopping tools, enhancing the shopping experience for its users.

Malaysia’s commitment to advancing autism care was underscored by the participation of the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and his consort, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, at the International Congress on Advances in Autism, Neurodevelopmental, and Neurodegenerative Disorders (ICAANND) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. Their presence highlighted a national push for improved early diagnosis and support for neurodiverse families, aligning with the scientific initiatives led by Prof Mike Chan.

Chan, a prominent figure in precision neurogeneration, has been pivotal in shaping autism care strategies. His work, which began over a decade ago in Baoding, China, focuses on early detection and targeted interventions. He emphasises the importance of addressing gut dysfunction and heavy-metal accumulation in autistic children, stating, “Your gut has more brain cells than your brain. If you do not fix the gut, you cannot fix the child.”

The Perlis royal household has been actively involved in autism advocacy through initiatives like UniMAP and the AHEART Autism Hub, focusing on early identification and family support. Their efforts were recognised with an Appreciation Plaque presented by Chan during the congress.

Chan’s recent presentations, including one at the Autism Summit in San Diego, have drawn international attention, with US presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr pledging to prioritise autism solutions. As Malaysia strengthens its scientific and public health frameworks, it is poised to lead regional efforts in autism intervention and research. “No child should be left behind,” Chan asserted, emphasising the need for accessible autism support across the nation.

JF Technology Berhad, a leading innovator in high-performance test solutions for integrated circuit makers, has announced a strategic acquisition to broaden its market reach. The company’s subsidiary, JF International Sdn. Bhd., has entered into a conditional Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Transcend Technologies (S) Pte., Ltd. and Transcend Tech Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd., both based in Singapore, for $4.4m (S$6m). This acquisition, which includes a three-year profit guarantee from the sellers, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Transcend specialises in manufacturing test socket laser cleaners and high-precision parts for the semiconductor, aerospace, and medical industries. The acquisition is set to complement JF Technology’s existing business, creating synergies and expanding its offerings. Managing Director of JF Technology, Foong Wei Kuong, stated, “This strategic move complements our existing business and creates strong synergies. Together, we would broaden our offerings and widen our market reach by leveraging Transcend’s proven track record and strong reputation within the Southeast Asia semiconductor space.”

The acquisition aligns with JF Technology’s JF 4.0 Transformation strategy and is expected to enhance the company’s position in the semiconductor value chain, particularly in assembly and test equipment. Foong added, “This deal perfectly aligns with our JF 4.0 Transformation. More excitingly, the Proposed Acquisition is earnings accretive as it comes with a Profit Guarantee.”

With this acquisition, JF Technology aims to penetrate new customer segments and strengthen its comprehensive turnkey services for semiconductor companies worldwide.