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.

GXBank has marked its second anniversary by announcing significant strides in enhancing financial resilience for over one million Malaysians. The digital bank reported that its customers collectively earned $5.1m (RM24m) in interest over the past year. Additionally, GXBank has supported micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by disbursing $5.3m (RM25m) in loans, with account openings and loan applications now streamlined to take as little as eight minutes.

The bank’s FlexiCredit service has proven to be a crucial safety net, with 63% of drawdowns used for unexpected emergencies such as medical bills. This highlights GXBank’s role in serving financially underserved communities in Malaysia. The bank’s efforts underscore the tangible benefits that digital banking can offer, providing a compelling local narrative of its impact.

As GXBank continues to innovate and expand its services, it remains committed to building financial resilience among Malaysians, demonstrating the potential of digital banking to transform financial landscapes.

Bathroom and kitchen sanitary ware provider Sorento Capital Berhad has reported a significant 60.1% increase in net profit for the first quarter of FY26, reaching RM8m. This growth is attributed to the absence of one-off listing expenses from the previous year, which amounted to RM2.1m.

Sorento Capital’s revenue for the quarter ending 30 September 2025 was RM44.1m, slightly down from RM45m in the same period last year. The dealer sales channel remained the primary revenue source, contributing RM29.1m, whilst project-based sales accounted for RM14.6m. Despite the marginal revenue dip, the company’s net profit margin improved to 18.1%.

The Managing Director, Loo Chai Lai, highlighted the upcoming Sorento Concept Showroom in Johor as a pivotal development. Scheduled for completion by December 2025, the showroom aims to boost brand visibility and sales, particularly tapping into the Singaporean market. “Given Johor’s proximity to Singapore and the favourable exchange rate, we are seeing more Singaporeans shopping in Malaysia,” Loo stated.

Sorento Capital’s financial health remains robust, with cash reserves of RM43.5m and net operating cash flow of RM17.8m as of 30 September 2025. The company, listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities in October 2024, continues to focus on strategic collaborations and sustainable growth, leveraging Johor’s burgeoning property and infrastructure sectors.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has reported a profit before tax (PBT) of RM8.12b for the nine months ending 30 September 2025, achieving an annualised return on average equity of 11.3%. The financial results were driven by the group’s Forward30 strategy, despite facing macroeconomic challenges and rate cuts across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

In the third quarter of 2025, CIMB recorded a 7.3% increase in PBT, reaching RM2.84b, whilst net profit rose by 10% to RM2.08b. This growth was supported by a 6.2% rise in operating income, with non-interest income increasing by 20.3% quarter-on-quarter to RM2.13b. The group’s net interest margin remained stable at 2.08%.

CIMB’s capital position strengthened, with the Common Equity Tier 1 ratio improving to 14.8% by the end of September 2025. The group announced plans to return up to RM2b to shareholders by 2027 through special dividends and share buybacks, subject to market conditions. A special dividend of RM760.2m, or 7.0 sen per share, is set to be distributed on 24 December 2025.

The group’s asset quality remained stable, with a gross impaired loans ratio of 1.9% and allowance coverage of 102.8%. CIMB’s Forward30 strategy continues to focus on capital, cash, cross-sell, and capabilities, with initiatives like CIMB OCTO Biz and a significant Panda Bond issuance furthering its role in financial integration.

Novan Amirudin, Group CEO, stated, “This capital return forms part of our Forward30 strategy to always be disciplined with capital and reflects the Group’s confidence in the long-term performance trajectory.” As CIMB approaches the final quarter of 2025, it remains optimistic about meeting its targets and sustaining growth amidst economic challenges.

Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad has introduced its Smart Home Cover, a comprehensive home insurance solution designed to provide Malaysians with flexible and lasting protection. As property values rise and the risk of unexpected events like floods and fires increases, this new offering aims to deliver peace of mind to homeowners, tenants, and landlords.

Smart Home Cover provides an all-in-one solution that safeguards both residential buildings and their contents, eliminating the need for multiple policies. Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz General, stated, “More than just Fire insurance, Smart Home Cover provides protection and convenience across multiple aspects of home ownership or tenancy.”

The insurance includes five customisable components: HouseOwner (Building), HouseHolder (Contents), Mortgage Loan Instalment Protection, HomeFix, and Landlord Insurance. These components cover a range of risks from structural damage due to natural disasters to personal property loss from burglary.

For added convenience, Allianz General offers a Multi-Year Plan, ensuring three years of uninterrupted coverage with a single premium payment. This plan eliminates the hassle of annual renewals, providing long-term value and peace of mind.

The recent earthquakes in southern Malaysia highlight the importance of comprehensive home protection. With Smart Home Cover, Allianz General aims to make it easier for Malaysians to manage their home insurance needs, ensuring their properties are safeguarded against both common and rare events.

Oriental Kopi Holdings Berhad has announced its financial results for the year ending 30 September 2025, revealing a record revenue of RM450.9m. This marks a 62.6% increase from the previous year, driven by strong demand from both local and international customers at its café outlets. The company also saw a rise in sales from its packaged food products.

The net profit for FY25 rose by 40.9% to RM60.8m, compared to RM43.1m in FY24. Excluding IPO listing expenses, the adjusted net profit would have been RM62.1m, with a margin of 13.8%. The fourth quarter alone saw a revenue of RM133.2m, a 14.1% increase from the previous quarter, although net profit slightly decreased to RM15.9m due to higher overheads and tax rates.

Managing Director Calvin Chan highlighted the company’s strategic expansion, with new outlets opening in key locations such as AEON Mall Bandaraya in Melaka and Westgate Mall in Singapore. Chan stated, “Our record performance achieved in FY25 reflects the disciplined execution of our expansion strategy whilst maintaining firm control over quality and operational standards.”

Looking forward, Oriental Kopi plans to continue its growth by expanding its café presence and exporting its packaged foods internationally. The company remains optimistic about future prospects, buoyed by the expected increase in tourist arrivals to Malaysia. As of 30 September 2025, Oriental Kopi operates 25 cafés in Malaysia and three in Singapore.