MONEY MASTER

Singapore markets opened slightly higher as  AI-driven policy initiatives and corporate developments  shaped investor sentiment, while global markets found support from easing oil prices and diplomatic progress. Singapore Shares Edge Higher The  FTSE Singapore Straits Times Index  rose  0.15% to 5,053.38 , supported by: Positive global cues Improving sentiment from  US-Iran diplomatic progress Market breadth remained constructive with  advancers outpacing decliners . Wall Street Hits Record Highs US equities extended gains: Dow Jones Industrial Average   record high S&P 500   +0.17% Nasdaq Composite   +0.09% The rally was supported by  falling oil prices  and optimism around  Middle East negotiations . Singapore Accelerates Practical AI Adoption Singapore is shifting focus from AI hype to  real-world implementation , especially among SMEs. Key initiatives include: Partnerships to  drive enterprise AI adoption...

Japan is temporarily reversing part of its clean energy strategy, allowing  greater use of coal-fired power plants  to safeguard energy supply amid disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Policy Shift to Boost Energy Security The government will permit  less-efficient coal plants to participate in capacity market auctions , expanding available electricity supply. Previously, these plants were excluded as part of efforts to  reduce carbon emissions , but rising energy risks have forced policymakers to prioritise  energy security over climate goals . Energy Shock Drives Strategic Reversal The shift comes as the  closure of the Strait of Hormuz  and disruptions at major LNG facilities strain global energy supply. Japan remains highly exposed: Over 90% of oil imports come from the Middle East LNG supply risks are rising due to regional instability Increasing coal usage is expected to  offset around 500,000 tonnes of LNG demand , helping stabil...

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd  has achieved a major sustainability milestone after being upgraded to the  highest MSCI ESG rating of AAA , placing the bank among the world’s top performers in environmental, social and governance standards. The upgrade from AA reflects CIMB’s strong risk management practices, particularly in environmental risk assessment within its credit underwriting. The group also maintained a  high environmental score of 9.2 , underscoring disciplined oversight of climate-related and sustainability risks. Beyond MSCI, CIMB was ranked  No. 1 globally among financial institutions  in the  World Benchmarking Alliance ’s  2025 Financial System Benchmark , and placed  No. 2 worldwide for Inclusive Finance , recognising its role in expanding access to financial services and supporting a just economic transition. Group CEO  Novan Amirudin  said the recognition validates CIMB’s strategy of embedding sustainability directly into dai...

 Key Takeaway The  Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)  has raised  US$510 million (RM2.15 billion)  for its  Green Investments Partnership , aiming to accelerate funding for  renewable energy, sustainable transport, and storage projects  across Southeast and South Asia. Who’s Backing the Fund? HSBC  – Asia-focused lender bringing financial firepower. Australian Government  – signalling cross-border policy support. Temasek  – Singapore’s state-owned investor, ensuring domestic commitment. Other regional partners  – diversifying the capital base. Management will be handled by  Pentagreen Capital , a debt-financing platform set up by HSBC and Temasek. Why It Matters De-risking marginal projects:  The fund is structured with  commercial and concessional tranches , designed to finance projects that are “just shy” of being bankable. Sustainability push:  Directly aligned with  carbon reduction targets ...

Sunway Construction (SUNCON) saw its stock tumble 18% before recovering, after news broke that one of its employees is under MACC investigation for alleged misconduct with subcontractors. While the case is still under investigation, it’s clear that  SUNCON is taking swift and transparent action: The employee has been suspended. SUNCON reaffirmed its  zero-tolerance stance  on bribery and corruption. The firm holds  ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery certification  and complies with  MACC Act Section 17A . Impact on valuation:  Kenanga removed the 5% ESG premium, revising the target price to RM5.66 (from RM5.94), but maintains a  “Market Perform”  rating. Why it matters:  ESG isn’t just a checkbox—this case is a  real-world stress test . SUNCON's robust compliance framework might be its shield, but it also highlights that  integrity culture must go beyond policies .

  Sweeping Deregulation to Ease Corporate Burdens The  European Commission plans to reduce corporate reporting requirements by 25% , potentially saving  €40 billion (US$42.06 billion)  for businesses. The  "Simplification Omnibus" package aims to loosen rules on sustainability reporting (CSRD) and supply chain due diligence (CSDDD)  to  help European companies compete with the U.S. and China . Key Changes in the Proposal 1. Looser Environmental & Supply Chain Rules The  CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) will now apply only to companies with over 1,000 employees and €450 million in turnover ,  excluding 85% of previously covered firms . This reduces  reporting obligations from over 50,000 companies to fewer than 7,000 . The  CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) will now apply only to direct suppliers , easing supply chain transparency requirements. 2. Clean Industrial Deal & Energy Plan N...

Key Takeaway: As ASEAN chair for 2025 , Malaysia commits to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and aims to position itself as a hub for green investment. Malaysia’s role at COP29 is pivotal in setting a strong climate agenda as it prepares to lead ASEAN next year . Malaysia has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and is showcasing climate action milestones at its “Shift for Sustainability: Climate Action Now!” pavilion, demonstrating the country’s dedication to sustainability, inclusivity, and green innovation . With a 250-member delegation led by Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysia is focused on seven key areas: finance and economy, trade and industry, natural resources, energy, technology and innovation, sustainable development, and youth adaptation . These strategic clusters support ASEAN’s 2025 vision of inclusivity and sustainability and align with Malaysia’s green growth strategy, which has attracted RM10 b...

On Monday, Britain will become the first G7 country to end coal-fired power production , marking a significant milestone in the nation's journey toward climate targets . The closure of Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant in England’s Midlands signals the end of over 140 years of coal power in the UK. Back in 2015, Britain set a goal to phase out coal plants within a decade, when nearly 30% of its electricity came from coal. By last year, this figure had dropped to just over 1%. “The UK has proven that it is possible to phase out coal power at unprecedented speed,” said Julia Skorupska, Head of the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which includes around 60 national governments working to eliminate coal power. This phase-out has significantly contributed to the halving of Britain's greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. Britain aims for net zero emissions by 2050 and plans to decarbonize its electricity sector by 2030 , relying heavily on renewable sources such as wind and solar power...

Ever since the 2015 Paris Agreement included a call for private funding to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions , the finance sector’s role in climate action has been under growing scrutiny. Major banks and asset managers around the world have made net-zero commitments , leading many to believe that these financial giants would bear much of the cost of decarbonizing the global economy. However, this optimism is misplaced and dangerous, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), an industry group that includes members such as BlackRock Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., and UBS Group AG . The IIF recently published a report challenging the idea that the finance sector can single-handedly drive the energy transition. For the past several years, there has been a “ finance-centric theory of change ” circulating among policymakers and regulators, which assumes that if banks’ portfolios are aligned with a net-zero future , the global economy will naturally decarbonize. But th...

  MyDigital Corporation and Bursa Malaysia Bhd have signed a memorandum of collaboration (MOC) to enhance environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices among public listed companies (PLCs) in Malaysia through the use of digital technologies. This partnership aims to foster innovation, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies to achieve sustainability goals. Key Highlights: Collaborative Initiatives for ESG Adoption : The MOC will support various initiatives, such as co-authoring thought leadership publications, sharing best practices, and organizing the Malaysia Centre4IR ESG Innovation Challenge. These efforts align with the government's digital transformation agenda, which seeks to promote the use of advanced technologies to address pressing ESG challenges. Commitment to Digital and Sustainable Transformation : Speaking at the MOC signing ceremony, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasized the government's commitment to...