30/10/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | OCT 30, 2025

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Public Gold becomes first Malaysian company to join Shanghai Gold Exchange KUALA LUMPUR: Public Gold Group, Malaysia’s integrated precious metals company, has become the first Malaysian company to have obtained international membership with Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE), one of the world’s most influential gold trading platforms. This achievement positions Public Gold at the forefront of the Asean precious metals industry, providing direct access to SGE’s global trading network, physical delivery infrastructure, and RMB-denominated gold contracts. This membership also enables Public Gold to source and deliver gold through SGE’s international vault network comprising of strategic locations in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. As part of its efforts to fuel global growth momentum, the SGE international membership marks a major step in Public Gold’s internationalisation strategy. On top of its membership with SGE, the company is also currently in the final stages of securing a membership with the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) and is set to enter the London market, further extending its reach into the world’s largest and most established bullion trading hub. With its operational presence in Dubai – the Middle East’s premier gold trading centre, Public Gold could now serves customers and partners across Asia, Middle East, and soon, Europe. Public Gold Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Louis Ng said: “Joining the Shanghai Gold Exchange is not just a business achievement. It is a strategic move to connect Malaysia directly to the world’s most important gold markets.” “With a growing presence in Dubai, India, London, and beyond, Public Gold is set to build a truly global network that benefits both our customers and the Malaysian gold industry as a whole.” Being a member of the Malaysia Gold Association (MGA) and Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA), Public Gold aspires to strengthen Malaysia’s role in the Global Precious Metals Trade as a fully integrated precious metals company that operates across the multifaceted global gold value chain – from wholesale bullion trading to retail saving products, storage solutions, and Shariah-compliant gold offerings. Its main purpose of the expansion into SGE, IIBX, and London reflects its commitment to enhance sourcing efficiency through direct participation in the world’s largest gold markets; expanding export opportunities for Malaysian gold products to China, India, the Middle East, and Europe; as well as creating innovative saving products linked to international gold market benchmarks.

OTS Holdings opens new halal manufacturing facility in Johor

PETALING JAYA: OTS Holdings Ltd, a Singapore-grown brand builder and food manufacturing group, opened its new halal food manufacturing facility in Simpang Renggam, Johor. With a total investment of approximately RM40 million, the new Johor plant is halal-certified and equipped with advanced automation and processing systems, boosting the Group’s halal production capacity by up to 200 tonnes per month – more than three times of its Singapore’s halal production output – strengthening its ability to serve the growing halal consumer market in the region. Acquired in November 2023 and fully upgraded to meet OTS Holdings’ stringent food safety and quality standards, the facility received its Jakim halal certification in August 2025. According to the Malaysia Budget 2026 review, in the first half of 2025 alone, Malaysia’s halal exports reached about RM29.3 billion, accounting for 16.1% of the country’s total exports, suggesting a likely export figure significantly higher by the end of 2026 and the growing global demand for halal products and reinforces the strategic

(From left) MIDA Johor director Mohamad Reduan Mohd Zabri and Food Technology & Resources Based Industries Division senior deputy director Wan Hariati Wan Salleh; Johor state investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han; Ong; OTS Holding executive director Ong Chew Yong; and non-executive chairman and independent director Dr Yu Lai Boon.

abroad – from Singapore and Malaysia to the Middle East, UAE, and Africa – the company’s enhanced production capacity will also strengthen its export capabilities, extending their trusted halal brands and high quality products to a larger audience globally, said Ong.

He said the company focus is not just on increasing volume, but on creating products that resonate with the values and expectations of the Muslim community, while maintaining the stringent standards of food quality and safety. Targeting the growing Muslim consumer market locally and

importance of the halal food industry. “Our new Johor facility reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the Muslim consumer segment, which continues to grow both in value and demand,” OTS managing director Ong Bee Chip said.

Consumers associations welcome Lemon Law o Car makers call for clear framework to ensure effective implementation

expectation that a significant investment will function as promised.” On enforcement, Indrani cautioned that legislation was only the first step. “Legislation is the first battle; enforcement is the second. We in Fomca foresee three key challenges: defining ‘reasonable attempts’ and ‘reasonable time,’ the capacity of the Tribunal for Consumer Claims, and the power imbalance between individual consumers and corporations. The success of this Lemon Law depends on creating a dispute resolution mechanism that is fast, low-cost and fair.” She further said businesses would need to adjust their practices. “This Lemon Law necessitates a fundamental shift in corporate culture from compliance to genuine quality assurance. Businesses will need to revamp quality control, overhaul warranty policies, and train staff and service centres. In essence, this law rewards businesses that prioritise quality and customer satisfaction. It will separate the truly responsible enterprises from the rest.” Indrani stressed that passing the Lemon Law was only the beginning, with implementation and awareness being crucial. “Legislation is just 30% of the job, the rest lies in enforcement and educating consumers about their rights,” she said, adding that Fomca

is ready to work with the government to ensure the law delivers real justice. Meanwhile, the MAA said it welcomed the move to introduce Lemon Law, noting that it had earlier recommended integrating such provisions into the existing Consumer Protection Act rather than creating a new law. “MAA has consistently adopted a proactive approach in addressing customer concerns and remains fully committed to ensuring high product quality and safety, which are key to maintaining customer satisfaction and trust,” it said in a statement. The association stressed that clear definitions and processes would be needed for the law to be effective. “To ensure effective implementation of the Lemon Law, MAA proposes that clear definitions and criteria be established to identify what constitutes a ‘lemon’ vehicle, including limits on repair attempts and timeframes,” it said. It added that fair and standardised processes should be set for assessment, mediation and resolution, while awareness programmes are necessary to educate both consumers and industry players on their rights and obligations. MAA said it remained ready to work with the government to ensure that the implementation of Lemon Law is fair, balanced and effective for all stakeholders.

and legally defines a ‘lemon’, a product with substantial defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts,” she told SunBiz . “This law shifts Malaysia from a culture of ‘buyer beware’ to one of ‘responsible seller,’ placing the onus on manufacturers and suppliers to ensure product quality before reaching consumers.” Indrani added that the Lemon Law would have the greatest impact on high-value and complex products, particularly cars. “The automotive sector will be the most significantly impacted. A car is often the second-largest purchase a family makes, after the family home,” she said, noting that persistent defects can turn into a financial catastrophe. The law, would finally provide a clear path to justice for both new and used vehicles. She added that high-value electronics and appliances such as smartphones, laptops, refrigerators, air conditioners, and smart televisions would also be affected, as well as furniture and built-in appliances. “In short, any sector that sells complex, durable goods will need to sit up and take notice. Lemon law protects the consumer’s reasonable

KUALA The government’s move to amend the Consumer Protection Act to include Lemon Law under Budget 2026 has drawn strong support from the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca), while the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has called for clear guidelines to ensure effective implementation. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the tabling of the national budget that the amendment will be introduced following the enactment of the Consumer Credit Act, marking a major shift in Malaysia’s consumer rights framework. Fomca vice-president Datuk Indrani Thuraisingham described the inclusion of the Lemon Law as a “transformative leap forward for consumer rights in Malaysia”. She noted that the current framework is largely reactive and often favours businesses, leaving consumers to shoulder the burden of proving defects. “The Lemon Law changes the game. It introduces accountability Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com LUMPUR: