17/03/2026

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

TUESDAY | MAR 17, 2026

Apex Securities sees cautious trading,

No plans to introduce stimulus measures for now

favours export- oriented sectors

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia is expected to trade cautiously amid global uncertainties as investors monitor developments in the ongoing United States-Iran conflict and move ments in global energy prices, according to Apex Securities Bhd. In a note yesterday, the stockbroking firm said the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI), which closed at 1,698.51 last week, is expected to remain sen sitive to geopolitical developments and regional market trends. “Investor attention will also turn to the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled for March 17-18 for further policy signals,” it said. Apex Securities favours export oriented sectors amid ongoing geo political tensions and currency vola tility. “Higher oil prices could support the energy and plantation sectors, while defensive yield plays such as real estate investment trusts and utilities remain attractive as investors seek stability in a volatile environment.” The secutities firm said the FBM KLCI continues to trade above its prevailing uptrend line, suggesting that the broader bullish structure remains intact for now. “As long as the index holds above the 1,685-1,690 support zone, the pre vailing uptrend is likely to remain intact. A decisive break below this level would weaken the technical structure and may signal a deeper corrective phase,” it Apex Securities noted that Brent crude extended its rally last week, rising 2.1% to US$103.89 per barrel after US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iranian military assets on Kharg Island on Friday. While the strikes reportedly left oil infrastructure unscathed, Trump warned that the US could target crude facilities on the island if Iran continues to block the critical Strait of Hormuz, potentially triggering severe retaliation by Tehran and keeping oil prices ele vated. – Bernama

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

particularly those in emerging sectors. Amir Hamzah announced that an additional RM20 million will be allocated to MyCIF for 2026, on top of the RM30 million provided under Budget 2026, bringing the allocation for the year to RM50 million. Among the initiatives is the introduction of a Silver Economy Scheme, which aims to encourage investment in MSMEs that support Malaysia’s ageing population through areas such as care tech nology, specialised healthcare and senior living services. MyCIF also introduced a venture capital and private equity profit sharing incentive to attract VC- and PE-led deals onto equity crowd funding (ECF) platforms, allowing crowd investors to participate in institutionally backed investments. Under the initiative, MyCIF will share 50% of profits with VC and PE lead investors upon successful exits. Gobi Partners and OSK Ventures International have expressed interest in bringing deals to ECF investors. In addition, the Food Security Scheme will be expanded to include agritech startups to support inno vation aimed at improving agri cultural productivity and streng thening national food security. Since its launch in 2019, MyCIF has recorded more than RM1.5 billion in co-investments alongside RM6.2 billion from private in vestors. Securities Commission Malaysia chairman Mohammad Faiz Azmi said the programme has played a significant role in expanding access to financing for MSMEs through ECF and peer-to-peer financing platforms. “The MyCIF model synergises the resilience of public capital with the collective wisdom of the crowd. There is strong potential for this model to scale further to address funding needs and support economic growth.”

o Immediate priority is to closely monitor Middle East conflict and ensure security and stability of energy supply, says Amir Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is unlikely to introduce a stimulus package unless the crisis in the Middle East escalates and results in prolonged disruptions to global energy supplies, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said, adding that the government’s immediate priority is to closely monitor developments and ensure the security and stability of the country’s energy supply. “As for whether there will be any stimulus packages, the key issue is that we still do not know how the crisis in the Middle East will unfold. If the situation stabilises, there may be no need for such measures,” he told reporters at the MyCIF Engage ment Day yesterday. Rising tensions in the Middle East have raised concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supply and higher oil prices,

which could have spillover effects on economies worldwide. Amir Hamzah said Malaysia currently has sufficient supplies of oil, gas and coal, with deliveries to petrol stations, utilities and the electricity sector remaining stable. “We work with government agencies to ensure supply remains stable. Companies such as Petroliam Nasional Bhd and other oil and gas players will continue increasing their stock levels to replace what we consume in the country.” He added that the government is helping Malaysians cope with rising prices through targeted subsidy programmes such as BUDI95, BUDI Individu, BUDI Agri and BUDI

Commodity. “As the prime minister has said, although there is pressure from rising prices, these BUDI programmes help us maintain prices at their current level,” Amir Hamzah said. However, for non-subsidised goods, prices will continue to be determined by the Automatic Pricing Mechanism, which reflects prevailing market conditions. Amir Hamzah said higher fuel consumption during the Hari Raya festive season has already been factored into supply planning. “Based on previous years, oil companies typically increase storage levels ahead of the festive period to ensure there is no disruption to fuel supply.” The government’s immediate priority is to help Malaysians manage the impact of rising prices, while encouraging both households and businesss to adopt a balanced approach in managing consumption, he said. “If there are ways to reduce energy usage or cut back on items affected by these developments, that will help.” Global developments will in evitably affect prices, Amir Hamzah said, noting that the situation is not unique to Malaysia but is part of broader global economic pressures. “For now, the government’s strategy is to focus on managing the impact of rising prices while monitoring the situation closely.” At the event, the Malaysia Co Investment Fund (MyCIF) unveiled initiatives aimed at improving access to funding for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),

From left: Mohammad Faiz, Amir Hamzah and Securities Commission Malaysia managing director Datin Paduka Azalina Adham at MyCIF Engagement Day yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

SC, Bursa to remove exit offer rule for firms LEAP-ing to ACE Market KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Bursa Malaysia will remove the exit offer requirement for companies trans ferring from the LEAP Market to the ACE Market by the second half of 2026, in a move aimed at easing listing costs and strengthening funding pathways for growing firms. Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the initiative will enhance the overall capital market funding escalator by positioning equity crowdfunding (ECF) as an early-stage financing platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) before they progress towards a public listing. “The Securities Commission Malaysia, together with Bursa Malaysia, is strengthening the LEAP Market’s value proposition. This key initiative is expected to be implemented by the second half of this year,” he said at the Malaysia Co-Investment Fund (MyCIF) Engagement Day yesterday. Amir Hamzah said the measure forms part of broader efforts to improve access to financing for MSMEs and support their growth through Malaysia’s capital market ecosystem. “What is important is that we continue to support MSMEs. Through the MyCIF programme, where the government co-invests alongside equity crowdfunding and peer-to peer financing platforms, MSMEs have more opportunities to obtain funding. “This is important because many small companies cannot rely solely on the banking system. Sometimes banks are reluctant to lend to smaller firms because they do not yet have a track record. Through this mechanism, other investors can come in and support them.” However, Amir Hamzah noted that companies often encounter diffi culties securing the next round of investment as they scale up. “Sometimes companies grow to a certain stage but struggle to obtain the next round of investment. Therefore, the government is working to strengthen the funding pathway so that the ‘relay race’ of financing – from small companies to medium-sized firms and eventually larger companies – can continue.” One initiative supporting this effort is GEAR-uP, which introduces MyCIF-backed companies to venture capital and private equity fund managers, Amir Hamzah said. “This may enable them to secure new investments and continue growing. As these companies mature, some may eventually seek to list on Bursa Malaysia. “What we are trying to do is facilitate that process so that com panies can first enter the LEAP Market and, as they grow larger, move on to the ACE Market.” The Securities Commission is also providing regulatory flexibility to help companies scale faster while ensuring that funding remains accessible throughout their development jour ney, he added. Amir Hamzah said initiatives such as the Green Investment Tax Allow ance and targeted grants are also supporting companies in transi tioning to greener business practices, which are increasingly demanded by global supply chains. “MyCIF sits within this broader architecture as a critical enabler, connecting early-stage enterprises to capital, markets and ultimately their full potential. And it works because of the ecosystem in this room – the platforms, the investors, the agencies and the companies who turn policy into real outcomes for real businesses.” As more companies mature, it is equally important that they continue to have access to capital to support their next phase of growth, Amir Hamzah said. - by HAYATUN RAZAK