09/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | APR 9, 2026

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Bridgenet Solutions enters local cloud, digital infrastructure space

I-Bhd, al rajhi bank in i-City property deal

KUALA LUMPUR: I-Bhd, the master developer of i-City, Malaysia’s digital city and an AI-enabled integrated urban ecosystem, has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corporation (Malaysia) Bhd for a commercial property. In a statement yesterday, I-Bhd said the transaction involves the acquisition of a commercial asset within i-City, located opposite the group’s AI Living development and next to Central i-City Mall. Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong said: “This development reflects continued institutional confidence in i-City’s long-term vision as an AI-enabled urban platform. The participation of global financial institutions adds an important institutional dimension to our ecosystem, complementing the broader mix of residential, commercial and digital infrastructure within the development.” He added: “Our focus on AI Living and next-generation urban solutions is beginning to attract like-minded global players who see value in how cities will evolve in the future. Together, the presence of global financial institutions and integrated digital infrastructure positions i-City not just as a place to operate, but as a platform where economic activity and technology converge.” The transaction underscores I Bhd’s ongoing strategy to develop i-City as an integrated ecosystem where key components of urban life are brought together within a single environment. CIMB to support clients affected by West Asia conflict KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Bank Bhd and CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd have offered targeted assistance measures to support individual and business customers impacted by the ongoing geopolitical uncer tainties in West Asia. In a statement yesterday, CIMB said the measures are designed to ease immediate financial pressures, support cash flow continuity and strengthen customer resilience during this period of heightened uncertainty. “This includes tailored assistance for both individual and business customers including small and medium enterprises, taking into account their specific financial circumstances,” it said. CIMB Group CEO Novan Amirudin said amid heightened global uncertainties, the bank must continue to support the economy and ensure customers remain resilient. Eligible customers may benefit from up to six months’ payment relief on loan and financing facilities. Additionally, businesses can access customised restructuring and rescheduling solutions to better manage repayment obligations and sustain operations. – Bernama

KUALA Bridgenet Solutions Sdn Bhd, a CelcomDigi company, has expanded its capabilities into cloud and digital infrastructure with the launch of its AWS Marketplace and AWS Direct Connect services, marking a significant step in its evolution beyond cybersecurity into end-to end enterprise technology solutions. The announcement was made at Bridgenet’s flagship event, “Feast of Tech 2026: Innovation & Solutions Showcase,” which brought together industry partners, enterprise customers, and technology leaders to explore the latest advancements in digital transformation. Malaysia’s cloud market continues to grow rapidly, driven by increasing enterprise adoption, digital services expansion, and demand for scalable, high-performance infrastructure. The global market is estimated to be worth US$905.33 billion (RM3.6 trillion), while Malaysia market itself is estimated to be worth RM30.7 billion, highlighting the scale of opportunity as organisations accelerate their digital transformation efforts. With the new offering, Bridgenet said it delivers end-to-end AWS cloud connectivity services powered by CelcomDigi’s network infrastructure, enabling businesses to seamlessly connect, deploy, and manage cloud environments with enhanced perfor mance, security, and reliability. “Malaysia’s cloud market is entering a phase of accelerated growth, and businesses are in creasingly looking for integrated solutions that combine connectivity, security, and cloud capabilities,” said Marketplace and AWS Direct Connect services LUMPUR: o CelcomDigi company now offers AWS

From left: Bridgenet Solutions Sdn Bhd chief financial officer Marcus Woo, Leong, chief technology officer Roy Loy, and chief revenue officer Queenie Lee.

MIA’s strategic collaborative leadership approach, MIA AFT gathered close to 2,000 delegates from finance and industry and 30 technology providers at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre. “MIA AFT continues to play a vital role in supporting accountancy professionals as they navigate the evolving digital economy. Through platforms like this, we aim to ensure our members remain future-ready, relevant and resilient,” said MIA CEO G Shanmugam. “Amid challenging times, our profession must look ahead while safeguarding trust, integrity and professionalism as our tools, technologies and business models continue to evolve. As accountants, we are architects of impact, helping to shape sustainable and resilient futures for our businesses, our communities and our nation,” he added. future-ready digital infrastructure by combining cloud, connectivity, and security within a single integrated offering The expansion also reinforces Bridgenet’s role within the CelcomDigi ecosystem, leveraging network scale and infrastructure capabilities to deliver enhanced value to enterprise customers nationwide. As demand for cloud and digital infrastructure continues to acce lerate, Bridgenet said it remains focused on supporting local and international organisations with solutions designed for performance, security, and long-term growth.

Bridgenet Solutions group CEO Keane Leong. He added that their expansion into AWS cloud connectivity reflects their ambition to move beyond traditional cybersecurity into a broader digital infrastructure role. “As we continue this journey, our goal is to evolve into a comprehensive Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) delivering integrated, future ready solutions that address the increasing complexity of modern IT environments,” he said. Widely recognised for its expertise in cybersecurity and network security, Bridgenet said that it is expanding its portfolio to support

enterprises across the full spectrum of modern IT requirements. Its capabilities now span cloud solutions, advanced connectivity including 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), fibre and data centre con nectivity, IT infrastructure, and a fully operational Security Operations Centre. By bringing these capabilities together, Bridgenet said it is streng thening its position as an end-to-end technology partner, supporting organisations in building secure, scalable, and resilient digital en vironments. Bridgenet aims to support enter prises in building more resilient and

MIA reframes accountants as ‘financial architects’ PETALING JAYA: Now in its third edition, the MIA Accounting & Financial Technology Showcase (MIA AFT) 2026, organised by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), advocates the adoption of digital technologies by the evolving from adopting technology to adapting with it for optimised performance and value creation. As organisations increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI), industry, and the public sector. Applications are open until July 9, with a new category introduced for institutions of higher learning to support the development of future ready talent. Supporting the theme of True to

automation and advanced analytics, accountants play a critical role in translating vast amounts of complex data into actionable insights that drive better decisions and organisational resilience. To encourage greater adoption and highlight the profession’s role models for transformation, MIA also launched the second edition of the MIA Digital Tech Award at the MIA AFT 2026 yesterday. First introduced in 2023 as the Digital Technology Adoption Award, the award has since been rebranded as the MIA Digital Tech Award to better reflect its broader focus on digital transformation. The award recognises outstanding digital transformation initiatives across public practice, commerce and

humanising digital intelligence, MIA AFT delegates explored emerging technologies and solutions encompassing AI, automation, data analytics, blockchain and cloud computing across three content theatres and a curated exhibition featuring live demonstrations. Participants gained practical insights into how these innovations are reshaping finance functions and enabling value creation. In line with its theme, MIA AFT 2026 also highlighted responsible innovation premised on the profession’s core pillars of ethics, professional judgement and accountability to deliver trusted and sustainable outcomes.

accountancy profession, supporting the profession’s evolution as financial architects of impact in the digital economy. “Our goal is to enhance productivity, strengthen resilience, and future-proof the profession in an era of rapid technological change. Guided by the MIA Digital Technology Blueprint, MIA AFT serves as a one stop platform for professionals and organisations to discover cutting edge digital solutions that address evolving business and regulatory needs,” said MIA president Saniza Said. Themed “Financial Architects of Impact: Humanising Digital Intelligence,” MIA AFT 2026 showcases how accountants are