27/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | APR 27, 2026

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Microsoft Elevate boost for Malaysia’s AI Nation ambitions o Digital Ministry, US tech giant deepen partnership to broaden scope of country’s artificial intelligence upskilling agenda

Trading flows reflected active positioning on both sides of the market, with heightened volume during sessions of sharper index moves. The week’s most actively traded HSI call warrants were HSI-CWOK with 206.8 million units traded, followed by HSI-CWO9 at 185.7 million units. HSI puts also saw substantial activity, with 150.4 million units of HSI-PWP6 exchanging hands as investors tactically adjusted exposure in response to intraday volatility. To view the full list of structured warrants available on Bursa Malaysia, visit malaysiawarrants.com.my. Provided for Malaysian residents’ information only. This commentary has not been reviewed by the Securities Commission Malaysia. It is not an offer or recommendation to trade and is not research material. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. You should make your own assessment and seek professional advice. The warrants will not be offered to any US persons. Executive director Wong Chong Siong said, “We are deeply encouraged by the strong investor interest, which under scores the market’s belief in our capa bilities and our ability to deliver high quality, end-to-end interior solutions for a diverse corporate clientele. This successful balloting process provides a solid foundation for our next chapter as a public-listed entity, where we will focus on enhancing our operational efficiency through setting up a storage and mock up space and expanding our geo graphical footprint beyond the Klang Valley as well as other commercial segments.” Inspace Creation is scheduled to be listed on May 8. TA Securities Holdings Bhd is the principal adviser, sponsor, sole placement agent and sole underwriter for the IPO. Inspace Creation IPO’s public portion 70.3 times oversubscribed PETALING JAYA: Inspace Creation Bhd, a comprehensive interior fitting-out services provider, announced that the Malaysian public portion of its initial public offering (IPO) has been over subscribed by 70.3 times. The overwhelming response ahead of its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities, the company said, reflects significant investor confidence in its operational track record, expertise in commercial office environments and expansion plans. Inspace Creation’s IPO comprises 97.8 million ordinary shares, consisting of a public issue of 68.5 million new shares (public issue shares) and an offer for sale of 29.3 million existing shares (offer shares). A total of 10,411 applications for 1.32 billion public issue shares were received, resulting in an overall oversubscription rate of 70.3 times. Specifically, 6,189 applications for 633.07 million public issue shares were received for the Bumiputera portion, representing an oversubscription rate of 67.57 times. Meanwhile, a total of 4,222 applications for 683.59 million public issue shares were received for the other Malaysian public portion, repre senting an oversubscription rate of 73.04 times.

TOTAL turnover on Malaysia’s warrants market increased considerably week on week (w-o-w) to RM680.8 million, a 16.2% jump compared with RM585.6 million in the preceding week, as trading activity remained active across warrants over the Hang Seng Index (HSI) and Malaysian underlying stocks. Turnover in stock warrants went up by 28%, while index warrants turnover also eked out higher by 1%. Overall volumes gained by 9% with 5 million units traded over the week. Market flows were shaped by a volatile global backdrop, with investors navigating rapidly shifting sentiment tied to Middle East geopolitical developments, swings in oil prices and resilient equity markets in Asia. It was an eventful week for global markets. Earlier in the week, equity sentiment seesawed on renewed uncertainty around US-Iran relations and energy supply routes, before stabilising as reports emerged PETALING JAYA: The Digital Ministry and Microsoft have launched Microsoft Elevate, an expanded national artificial intelligence (AI) capacity building initiative to strengthen Malaysia’s AI readiness, aligned with the country’s AI Nation 2030 ambitions. The partnership broadens the scope of Malaysia’s AI skilling agenda to include educators, MSMEs, retired servicemen and women, learning institutions, and members of the civil service. This is delivered in partnership with the National AI Office (NAIO), Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara alongside Biji-biji Initiative and Mereka. Microsoft Elevate aims to reach learners across Malaysia with a phased roadmap extending to 2030 that progresses from skilling and workforce activation, through sector deepening, to institutionalisation and long-term sustainability. As part of the pilot phase rolled out in January this year, Microsoft Elevate has reached 80,000 learners to date. This initiative builds on Microsoft’s long standing support for Malaysia’s digital and AI progress, including skilling 800,000 Malaysians with AI skills through its AIForMYFuture initiative, as well as the Bersama Malaysia initiative, empowering 1.53 million Malaysians with skills in cloud, AI and cybersecurity. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said: “As Malaysia accelerates its ambition to become a regional AI hub, building digital capabilities that reach every segment of our society is essential. Achieving meaningful, whole-of-nation progress will require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. We welcome Microsoft Elevate, an initiative supported by NAIO and Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara , and WARRANTS WATCH

From left: Rashvin, Digital Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Fabian Bigar, Gobind, Jasmine and National AI Office Malaysia CEO Sam Majid at the launch of Microsoft Elevate in Malaysia.

practical, trusted, and relevant to real world needs.” She added, “Microsoft Elevate is designed to build capabilities at scale; supporting communities, enterprises, and public sector institutions to adopt AI confidently and responsibly. Through these programs, we aim to ensure Malaysia’s AI ambitions are realised in a way that delivers long term impact, enabling more people to gain the skills, access, and support they need to thrive in the AI economy.” Microsoft Elevate is a global initiative by Microsoft aimed at empowering communities by providing AI skills, knowledge and tools to people and organisations. It is being rolled out in multiple markets across Southeast Asia and beyond, supporting governments and institutions as they prepare people for an AI-powered economy.

reach classrooms, educators, and communities in practical and accessible ways. Through Microsoft Elevate, we are working closely with the National AI Office and Sekretariat Majlis TVET Negara to translate AI from a concept into everyday practice, in ways that are responsible, inclusive, and relevant to real, practical needs. This initiative represents an important step in ensuring that no one is left behind as Malaysia builds its AI ready future.” Microsoft Asean legal and government affairs general manager Dr Jasmine Begum said, “AI can only deliver real value when people across society understand how to use it meaningfully and responsibly in their everyday work and decision making. Technology is an enabler, while impact comes from how individuals, organisations, and institutions apply AI in ways that are

towards the end of the week that easing tensions had helped reopen key shipping lanes (Yahoo Finance, April 24). Japan equities remained standout performers as the Nikkei 225 pushed to fresh record highs, supported by a weaker Japanese yen backdrop, strong momentum in artificial intelligence- (AI) and semiconductor related stocks, and tempered expectations of imminent Bank of Japan tightening (FXLeaders, April 24). Hong Kong equities, meanwhile, saw choppier trade as early gains gave way to possible mid week profit taking (Trading Economics, April 24). Warrants over local Malaysian stocks saw an increase in turnover, recording RM414.1 million in turnover for the week, up 31% w-o-w, as trading interest broadened beyond index linked warrants. ZETRIX-CBA, which is a call warrant over Zetrix AI, saw 108.5 million units traded, notching a spot in the top five warrants traded this week by volume. Additionally, warrants over Sunway Healthcare Holdings (SunMed) emerged as the Malaysian implemented by Biji-Biji Initiative and Mereka, to strengthen AI readiness and digital inclusion, ensuring Malaysians from all walks of life are ready to participate in an AI driven future.” Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 vision recognises that becoming an AI driven nation requires more than technology adoption – it demands people who understand and use AI confidently, institutions that can adopt AI responsibly at scale, and ecosystems that translate AI capability into real-world impact. This requires a coordinated, cross sector approach that connects the efforts of multiple ministries, agencies, and ecosystem partners to reach key segments of Malaysian society. Biji Biji Initiative and Mereka group CEO Rashvin Pal Singh said, “For AI to truly create impact, it has to

Trading picks up as interest in Malaysian stocks broadens

Top warrants by volume traded: Warrant Volume Issuer Exercise

Expiry date

name

(mil) 206.8 185.7 150.4 108.5 91.4

level/price

HSI-CWOK HSI-CWO9 HSI-PWP6 ZETRIX-CBA SUNMED-CB

Kenanga Macquarie Macquarie

27,000.00

29 Apr 2026

29,000.00 28 May 2026 24,000.00 28 May 2026

CIMB

RM0.68 RM1.78

30 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026

Maybank

volatility last week, declining by 10% in the first two trading days before reducing losses to end the week marginally lower by 1.3%, its third consecutive week of declines. The standout warrant over PChem was PCHEM-C1Z, paving the way with 84.6 million units traded. HSI warrants remained the anchor of the warrants market, with total turnover for the week reaching RM254.8 million, 37.4% of the overall market turnover. Nevertheless, the HSI closed the week down about 0.8%, after opening firmer on Monday before losing momentum mid week amid possible profit taking and renewed geopolitical caution.

stock underlying with the highest overall turnover, led by SUNMED-CB (91.4 million units traded) and SUNMED-CD (64.7 million units traded). SunMed shares opened the week on strong footing, gaining 4.9%, before paring gains throughout the week to end the week up 4.4%, snapping three consecutive weeks of losses. Rising geopolitical tensions leading to increasing oil prices continue to garner attention in popular energy names such as Petronas Chemicals Group (PChem), with investors trading 203.5 million units in PChem warrants over the week. PChem experienced enhanced