30/10/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | OCT 30, 2025

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Maybank leads digital drive

MIA rolls out framework to drive ESG initiatives PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has launched the MIA Sustainability Framework and Strategy Plan, which serves as a central pillar of the institute’s strategic agenda to integrate sustainability across its operations and to strengthen its efforts in driving the future relevance and resilience of the accountancy profession. The MIA Sustainability Agenda adopts a two-pronged approach that advocates sustainability for both the accountancy profession and the institute itself. While the MIA Sustainability Blueprint for the Accountancy Profession (Sustainability Blueprint) drives external sustainability advocacy, the MIA Sustainability Framework and Strategy Plan (Sustainability Framework) focuses on embedding sustainability internally within the institute. The MIA Sustainability Roadmap maps out advocacy initiatives and implementation timelines in operationalising the Sustainability Blueprint. Approved by the MIA Council in January 2025, the five-year Roadmap (2025–2029) outlines 169 targeted initiatives coordinated through 16 committees to ensure cohesive and cross-functional execution. “Sustainability is intrinsic to MIA’s role within the accountancy profession, and the institute’s Sustainability Framework reflects MIA’s mandate under the Accountants Act 1967 to regulate and develop the accountancy profession in Malaysia,” said MIA president Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad. “Through our Blueprint, Roadmap and now this Framework, MIA is driving a shared vision of transformation – positioning accountants as enablers of sustainability, catalysts for trust, and agents of climate action.” The Sustainability Framework and Strategy Plan will guide MIA in integrating sustainability into its governance and operations while building the capability and competency needed to advocate effectively for the profession’s sustainability agenda. “Through this framework, MIA aims to lead by example and demonstrate how sustainability principles can be embedded into institutional culture and daily operations,” explained MIA CEO G Shanmugam. Developed via a materiality assessment that included stakeholder input, peer benchmarking, and recognised sustainability standards, the framework identifies key material matters and maps relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals that MIA supports via its initiatives – underscoring the institute’s role in advancing national and global sustainability priorities. The MIA Sustainability Framework and Strategy Plan was launched during the MIA National Sustainability Reporting Framework Symposium 2025 held on Oct 28.

App, our focus remains on shaping the digital banking experience of the future, built around the lives of our customers,” he said. As the first bank in the country to introduce QR payments in 2017, Maybank said it continues to lead in cashless transformation, empowering individuals and businesses to send and receive payments instantly via Maybank Scan & Pay at zero transaction fee. The total number of Scan & Pay transactions performed via the MAE App grew 51 times as of August 2025, compared with 2020. In 2024 alone, Maybank recorded a 26% increase in new merchant sign-ups, broadening acceptance to more eateries and retail outlets nationwide. Maybank Group chief technology and digital officer Giorgio Migliarina said the MAE App represents Maybank’s vision of creating a smarter, more inclusive digital ecosystem that empowers customers to manage their finances with confidence, convenience and control.

in digital banking, ranking first in Malaysia by both the number and value of transactions across key PayNet services, including DuitNow transfers, QR payments, FPX, and JomPAY. Community financial services group CEO Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar said that digital innovation has always been a cornerstone of Maybank Group’s strategy. “Over the years, we have continued to transform the MAE App into an integrated financial lifestyle app that addresses our customers evolving needs, and helps them perform everyday transactions in a more seamless, secure and personalised way.” “Since the launch of MAE App, we have seen an encouraging growth in digital banking acceptance, highlighting MAE App’s relevance and trust amongst customers. Today, we are proud to serve 10.7 million MAE users, with a 48% market share of mobile banking transaction volume in Malaysia. As we continue to enhance the MAE

“The MAE App has redefined everyday banking, blending lifestyle and financial features in one app. Empowering Malaysians to take charge of their financial goals, the MAE App has enabled customers to create close to eight million Tabung , strengthening their savings habits and long-term financial planning.” “With its ease of use, nine out of 10 MAE Wallet customers actively use it for their day-to-day transactions, with many highlighting its safety and robust security as the reason. This trust motivates us to continuously enhance the MAE App to deliver even more value and protection for our customers,” he said. To cater to customers who prefer managing their savings and spending separately, the MAE Wallet offers flexibility and convenience with a limit of up to RM10,000. As MAE marks its fifth anniversary, Maybank is celebrating this milestone and rewarding loyal customers with the MAE Turns 5 campaign.

Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said, “The manufacturing sector contracted by 2.1% in September 2025 (August 2025: -4%), weighing down the overall index. The decline was mainly attributed to manufacture of coke & refined petroleum products (-8.9%) and manufacture of computer, electronic & optical products (-4.6%) indices. On the other hand, all other sectors recorded increases during the month.” The agriculture, forestry & fishing sector grew by 7.8% (August 2025: 7.3%), driven by the growing of perennial crops index, which rose 11.7%. Meanwhile, the mining sector increased by 1.1%, rebounding from a 3.4% decline in the previous month, supported by the extraction of natural gas index (8.9%). The utilities sector also recorded an increase, with the electricity & gas supply index up 4.6% and the water supply index rising 9.1%. On a month-on-month basis, Mohd Uzir said the PPI local production rose by 0.5% in September 2025, following a 0.1% increase in the previous month. The agriculture, forestry & fishing sector increased by 2.1% (August 2025: 3.3%) due to animal production (2.6%) and growing of perennial crops (2.2%). The mining sector also increased by 1.1% (August 2025: -1.5%), supported by the extraction of natural gas index (11.1%). Similarly, the manufacturing sector recorded a 0.3% increase (August 2025: -0.2%), attributed to manufacture of coke & refined petroleum products (1.8%) and manufacture of food products (0.9%) indices. Meanwhile, water supply and electricity & gas supply sectors increased by 4.8% and 0.1%, respectively. “The intermediate materials, supplies & components index declined by 1.2% (August 2025: -3.1%), mainly PETALING JAYA: Maybank yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to support the nation’s digital banking adoption, having facilitated more than RM4 trillion in digital transactions in five years, since the launch of its MAE app in 2020. With transaction volume equivalent to twice the nation’s GDP, Maybank is accelerating the pace of financial inclusion and digital connectivity in Malaysia and across Asean. Offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lifestyle features, MAE App has become Malaysia’s preferred mobile banking app for everyday financial needs. The bank said it continues to lead o MAE leads DuitNow, FPX with over RM4 trillion in online deals since 2020

PPI slips 0.8% in September, extending decline since March PUTRAJAYA: MALAYSIA’S Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures price changes at the producer level, decreased by 0.8% in September 2025, easing from a 2.8% decline in the previous month.

However, agriculture, forestry & fishing increased by 5.4%, while both electricity and gas and water supply rose by 4.2%,” said Mohd Uzir. Meanwhile, on a quarter-on quarter basis, the PPI registered a decrease of 0.3%, as compared to a 2.3% decline in the previous quarter. This decrease was primarily due to the contraction in the manufacturing sector (-1%).

components index increased by 0.8%, while the crude materials for further processing index rose by 0.6%. Meanwhile, the finished goods index edged down by 0.1%. “The PPI local production declined by 2.4% in the third quarter of 2025, as compared to a 3.7% decrease in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was attributed to mining (-3.8%) and manufacturing (-3.4%) sectors.

due to the processed fuel & lubricants (-3.9%). Similarly, the finished goods index fell 1.8% (August 2025: -3.4%), due to a downturn in capital equipment (-2.8%). In contrast, the crude materials for further processing index increased by 2.4% (August 2025: -0.8%) supported by non-food materials (2.3%),” said Mohd Uzir. On a month-on-month basis, the intermediate materials, supplies &