Malaysia

Anti-Money Laundering

Singapore Court Blocks 1MDB Liquidators from Suing Banks Over Pre-2018 Deals

By Nithya Subramanian | 02/10/2025

The court dismissed attempts by 1MDB liquidators to claw back funds from Standard Chartered and BSI, citing a legal cut-off that excludes transactions predating the city-state’s 2018 insolvency law.

Credit Risk

BNM Releases New Personal Financing and BNPL Guidelines

By Nithya Subramanian | 02/10/2025

The policy document announced measures including a 10-year loan tenure cap, mandatory financial education for high-value loans, and affordability checks on BNPL services.

Trading & Investment

Malaysia and WIPO to Pilot IP-Backed Financing for SMEs

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 01/10/2025

The partnership aims to unlock new funding avenues by enabling Malaysian firms to use intellectual property such as patents and trademarks as collateral.

AI Risk & Governance

APAC Firms Face Major ‘Execution Gap’ in Responsible AI - Report

By Manesh Samtani | 30/09/2025

A new report finds that while many APAC firms have responsible AI strategies, very few have fully operationalised them.

Cryptocurrency

Malaysia Positions Digital Assets as a Key Pillar of Future Financial System

By Nithya Subramanian | 29/09/2025

SC Malaysia plans to liberalise crypto listings while tightening governance standards, as it works alongside policymakers to grow the digital asset market.

PEPs & Sanctions

BNM Fines Alipay for AML/CFT and Sanctions Screening Failures

By Nithya Subramanian | 25/09/2025

BNM fined Alipay MYR 340,000 for failing to promptly update its sanctions database, which allowed a blacklisted customer to transact before the account was frozen.

Anti-Money Laundering

Malaysia’s 1MDB Deal with Goldman Sachs Faces Scrutiny: Report

By Nithya Subramanian | 24/09/2025

The deal, struck in 2020 under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, replaced tougher terms sought by his predecessor and has since drawn criticism over secrecy and stalled asset recovery.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Malaysia Adopting AI and Digital Tools to Aid Anti-Corruption Efforts

By Mark Johnston | 24/09/2025

Malaysia is leveraging artificial intelligence to fight corruption, with a new national plan set to create a governance framework for the technology.

Structural Regulation

SC Malaysia Issues Guidelines for Social Exchange Platforms

By Nithya Subramanian | 22/09/2025

The guidelines will pave the way for the establishment of Malaysia’s first social exchange to facilitate fundraising for social impact projects.