26/01/2026

MONDAY | JAN 26, 2026

12

BANKING & INSURANCE

MAM expands CIO-powered investing into syariah space

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd (PAMB) has introduced PRUWealth Enrich 2.0, an enhanced legacy plan designed to meet increasing demand for low-risk strategic solutions as insurance products have emerged as the preferred tool for wealth transfer. Building on strong demand since its 2023 debut, PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 introduces the Legacy Settlement Option (LSO), empowering customers to decide how much and when each nominee receives their legacy. This new alternative to traditional trust planning is offered at no additional cost and is managed by Prudential. Customers can choose to customise from three payout options: an immediate lump sum, structured instalments with regular payments for up to 35 years or milestone-based payouts tied to signi ficant life events such as graduation, marriage or starting a business. Continuing the strengths of the original plan, PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 features high protection with a basic sum assured from RM300,000, comple mented by a cover booster that increases protection by up to 50%. KUALA Asset Management Sdn Bhd aims to scale up its chief investment officer-led (CIO-led) syariah compliant global multi-asset MAMG Growth and Income-I Fund to the same RM1 billion plus as its conventional Alpha CIO Fund launched in 2024. Maybank Asset Management group CEO Muhammad Hishamudin Hamzah said the launch forms part of the group’s strategy to expand its CIO-powered investment franchise into syariah-compliant multi-asset investing. “In an era of heightened policy uncertainty, there is an imperative for strategies that offer both sophisticated oversight and tactical agility. By extending our established CIO framework into the syariah space, we are providing our clients with a growth engine that combines global scale with the foresight of our Chief Investment Office,” he said at the recent launch of MAMG Growth and Income-l Fund. Unlike single-asset Islamic funds, the CIO led structure allows the portfolio to shift between asset classes based on Maybank Group Wealth Management’s house views, with allocations reviewed centrally as market conditions change. “The fund invests across syariah-compliant global equities and income-generating assets, and is designed with a monthly payout objective, targeting an annualised payout of around 6.5%, alongside its total return objective,” said Muhammad Hishamudin. The fund is offered to Maybank clients regionally as a feeder fund in Malaysia and a target fund in Singapore. The fund is denominated in ringgit and is available in multiple share classes, including ringgit and US dollar options, with accumulation, income distribution and hedged variants. The minimum initial investment is RM1,000 or US$1,000 (RM4,000). Muhammad Hishamudin said Maybank has outperformed industry asset management growth as investor sentiment improves. While Malaysia’s private banks and wealth managers recorded about 13% growth in asset management, he said, Maybank’s wealth business grew 32% last year, outpacing the industry. “Maybank Asset Management, which partners closely with the group’s wealth LUMPUR: Maybank

franchise, expanded broadly in line with that pace.” Muhammad Hishamudin said investor optimism has strengthened heading into 2026 following a period of heightened caution with clients gradually returning to the market after earlier volatility. “Going into this year, it does feel like optimism is quite good. Investors are looking to take a bit more risk into this year,” he remarked. The fund combines these asset allocation views with UK-based global asset management company Schroders plc’s multi-asset invest ment capabilities. Schroders’ head of client group for South Asia and global official institutions Katherine Cox said the MAMG Growth and Income-I Fund marks the fourth collaboration with Maybank Asset since 2018. “Leveraging our global multi-asset capabilities and syariah investment expertise, we have developed an actively managed solution designed to manage volatility and identify growth opportunities. We are confident this new offering will empower investors in Malaysia to invest with greater assurance and capitalise on opportunities across market cycles,” she said. Maybank Community Financial Services Group CEO Syed Ahmad Taufik Albar shared MAMG Growth and Income-I Fund to same RM1b-plus as conventional Alpha CIO Fund o Maybank’s asset management arm aims to scale up newly launched

From left: Maybank Islamic Bhd group CEO Mohamad Yasin Abdullah, Syed Ahmad Taufik, Muhammad Hishamudin, Maybank Group and Maybank Asset Management Group board member Shirley Goh, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma and Schroders head of client group Asia Gopi Mirchandani.

RM1.4 billion across Malaysia and Singapore, reflects strong investor confidence in a disci plined, centrally governed CIO-led investment approach. Building on this foundation, Maybank is extending the CIO framework into syariah investing through the launch of the syariah compliant CIO-led MAMG Growth and Income-I Fund, Syed Ahmad Taufik said. “This marks the evolution of a model that has demonstrated scale and resilience,” he added.

that Maybank Group Wealth Management’s business has exceeded RM565.21 billion as of September 2025. “This growth has been underpinned by strong momentum in Islamic Wealth Management investment total wealth fees increased by 23.5% year-on-year , driven by a 32.8% expansion in investment AUM.” Since the launch of its Conventional CIO Fund in mid-2024, he said, Maybank has seen strong regional validation of the CIO-led investment model and the fund raising over

PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 redefines wealth transfer and legacy solutions for Malaysians

HLM Takaful launches product that safeguards families, preserves legacies

PETALING JAYA: Hong Leong MSIG Takaful Bhd (HLM Takaful) has launched its latest inno-vation, HLM Takaful i Heritage Care, a comprehen sive protection plan designed to safeguard families and preserve legacies for genera tions to come. HLM Takaful CEO Borhanudin Samsudin emphasised the com pany’s unwavering mission: “To provide a protection solution that goes beyond financial security, reflecting care, com passion and foresight.” The new plan embodies this commitment by add ressing the evolving needs of Malaysians in an era of rising costs and economic un certainty. The term “Heritage” signifies more than wealth or assets; it represents a promise of a brighter future for loved ones.

In addition to financial security, the plan integrates hibah , an Islamic inheritance option that allows voluntary gifting, offering a syariah compliant and ethical app roach to estate planning. “This launch is not just about introducing a new product; it is about reaffirming our dedication to innovation, customer-centricity, and the principles of takaful . With HLM Takaful i-Heritage Care, every Malaysian can confidently say: ‘My family will be okay, no matter what happens,” Bor hanudin said. The launch follows a suc cessful period for HLM Takaful, which recently achieved the milestone of protecting over 3.5 million lives across Malaysia. HLM Takaful i-Heritage Care is available through HLM Takaful’s network of agents and partners nationwide

PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 empowers customers to decide how much and when each nominee receives their legacy.

natural disaster, ensuring loved ones are financially supported during life’s unex pected events. Customers can choose flexible premium terms (five, 10, 20 years, or full term) and earn loyalty rewards. In addition, PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 offers optional protection with the Total Multi Crisis Care Rider, providing a lump sum payout upon diagnosis of a covered critical illness.

The plan also provides enhanced accidental death benefits up to an additional 500% PRUWealth Enrich 2.0 offers enhanced accidental death coverage, including accidents occurring during commercial aircraft travel as a fare-paying passenger. This benefit complements existing coverage tiers for general accident, public conveyance incident, overseas travel incident, and

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