09/01/2026

First page Previous page 15 Next page Last page

FRIDAY | JAN 9, 2026

BIZ & FINANCE

MMC Ports handles over 20m TEUs in 2025

PayNet accelerates sustainable fintech growth in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) has accelerated sustainable fintech growth in Malaysia through the PayNet Fintech Hub, strengthening the visibility of Malaysian fintechs locally and beyond. The structured ecosystem is designed to help Malaysian startups build, test and scale by giving them direct access to industry partners, capital support and practical mentorship. Since launching in May 2025, the hub has delivered tangible impact to 50 fintechs. Startups have been supported by 50 ecosystem partners across banking, tech, investment and shared services. In a statement yesterday, PayNet said, the fintechs have received value-added support exceeding RM5 million, RM3 million in cloud credits, and more than 450 hours in mentorship. The startups, it added, have raised more than US$1 million (RM4.1 million), with solutions that could potentially benefit over eight million underserved Malaysians and 800,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). “The PayNet Fintech Hub is built to turn innovation into real world impact. Through proof-of concepts developed with industry partners, we are seeing practical solutions come to life. From smart contracts that improve trust and efficiency, to cashback programmes on daily essential items. These are solutions that support financial inclusion for MSMEs, as well as Buy Now, Pay Later services tailored for convenience stores. These outcomes mark just the beginning for the hub, and demonstrate how fintech can solve everyday challenges, strengthen businesses and improve financial access,” said PayNet chief marketing officer

Gary Yeoh.

The hub has facilitated 11 opportunities for 26 fintechs encompassing pilots and collaborations, including seven fintech-corporate pilots and four fintech-fintech pilots. Initiatives supported through the RM1 million PayNet Credit Fund include Buzz’s optical character recognition-powered cashback engine with Touch ’n Go, as well as Fluid’s payment digitalisation initiative with a global fast-moving consumer goods brand. Community engagement remains central to the hub’s growth. Its flagship TGI Friday (TGIF) event in October 2025 drew more than 200 founders, investors, financial institutions and partners, reflecting growing momentum and collaboration across Malaysia’s fintech landscape. The hub operates across three tracks: Community Catalyst and collaboration, supporting fintechs from scaling and global exposure through to real-world deployment. The Catalyst phase kicked off on Dec 1, 2025 with a bespoke immersive programme at Imperial College London. Through the PayNet x Imperial Catalyst Programme, 10 Malaysian fintechs are currently participating in a first-of-its-kind, 10-week curriculum designed specifically for hub founders. The hub is a not-for-profit initiative under PayNet, which serves as the backbone of Malaysia’s national payments infrastructure. The initiative reflects PayNet’s broader purpose of enabling secure, efficient and inclusive financial services for the rakyat, and applies that same mission to supporting fintech founders. Its focus is simple: strengthen the fintech pipeline and support national goals in digital finance and financial inclusion.

KUALA Port Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s largest port operating group and a wholly owned subsidiary of MMC Corporation Bhd, recorded a historic year in 2025, achieving its strongest performance to date by surpassing 20 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) across its ports network. The milestone reflects MMC Ports disciplined focus on transformation, digitalisation, infrastructure expansion and people development further strengthening its position as a leading port operator in the region. The achievement was contributed by the strong performance of Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn Bhd (PTP), Johor Port Bhd, Northport (Malaysia) Bhd, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, and Tanjung Bruas Port Sdn Bhd. PTP surpassed the 13 million and 14 million TEUs mark in 2025, becoming the first single Malaysian port to do so. PTP also delivered exceptional operational performance, setting new records of 189,306 container moves in a single week, 15,041 moves within a 12-hour shift, and 1,442 moves in an hour. In recognition of its strategic importance, PTP was selected as a Key Asian Hub for the Gemini Cooperation and was named the World’s Fastest Growing Port (1H’25) by Alphaliner. Northport recorded a record breaking year, posting its highest-ever annual container throughput of 3.8 million TEUs and its highest conventional cargo throughput at 12.9 million freight weight tonnes (FWTs). Additionally, Northport achieved its highest-ever monthly container throughput of 366,131 TEUs in October 2025, as well as its highest ever monthly conventional cargo throughput of 1.33 million FWTs in September 2025. Johor Port recorded its highest-ever annual container volume of 1.08 million TEUs. It also achieved its highest monthly container throughput of 103,153 TEUs in August 2025 and set a single-day record of 8,876 TEUs in LUMPUR: MMC

o Historic milestone due to strong performances across network, driven by digitalisation, capacity expansion and operational transformation

Northport, part of the MMC Ports Group, posted a record year with 3.8m TEUs and 12.9m FWTs in conventional cargo.

not just a numerical milestone, it reflects years of disciplined investment, strong partnership and a relentless pursuit of operational excellence. As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to building ports that are competitive, sustainable and future-ready.” Meanwhile, MMC Ports CEO Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof said, “This record-breaking year demonstrates the results of our transformation initiatives. Through digitalisation, infrastructure expansion and the dedication of our people, we have strengthened our position as a trusted regional and global port operator. Our 2025 achievements provide strong momentum as we move to the next phase of our growth.” 2026 will mark MMC Ports’ 20th anniversary, a milestone that reflects years of sustainable growth, resilience and operational excellence.

November 2025. Overall, conventional cargo volume reached 16.95 million FWTs. Penang Port recorded a total ferry passenger ridership of 3,131,131, up from 2,873,619 in 2024. This marks an impressive 8.96% increase, reinforcing the ferry service as the preferred choice for a faster and safer commute between the mainland and the island. Tanjung Bruas Port recorded its highest-ever container throughput of 31,032 TEUs, the highest volume since container handling was introduced in 2019. MMC Ports’ strong performance was driven by targeted transformation and capacity building initiatives implemented across its port network over the last few years. MMC Ports chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said, “2025 marks a defining chapter for MMC Ports. Surpassing 20 million TEUs is

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

thesun.my

Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease