Latest news with #Malaysian-centric
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
'Opportune time to accumulate quality stocks'
AmEquities CEO Ng said three conditions are needed to revive market activity. KUALA LUMPUR: AmInvestment Bank Bhd has a cautiously optimistic view on market outlook, citing stable fundamentals but acknowledged ongoing headwinds that suppress market sentiment. 'Deals are in the pipeline, but the problem is uncertainty,' the bank's newly-appointed chief executive officer Christopher Ng Kok Wai told StarBiz at the launching of the AmEquities trading platform and media briefing here, yesterday. Many investment opportunities are available but companies are not able to continue without improved market clarity, he added. According to Ng, three conditions are needed to revive market activity namely a strong economic impetus, US interest rate cuts and clarity on tariffs as well as global trade. 'Fund managers are still holding elevated levels of cash relative to pre-Covid-19 norms. Once a catalyst emerges, we expect those funds to be deployed,' he noted. He said last year's positive market performance was supported by the strengthening ringgit, strong inflows into the data centre segment and political stability. Ng described the current market environment as being on 'auto cruise', where it is steady but lacks momentum. 'It's not bad, but it's not good either. We need an impetus,' he said, adding that global uncertainties, particularly around tariffs and the US rate cycle, continued to weigh on sentiment. While the broader market outlook remained mixed, Ng said fundamentals remained sound. 'From a domestic standpoint, consumption is still strong,' he said. He stated that crude oil prices of between US$70 and US$80 per barrel would be sufficient for the oil and gas sector to remain viable. 'The industry isn't asking for a boom, just stability,' he added. On the retail front, Ng acknowledged that most investors had remained cautious and on the sidelines. 'Retail investors are understandably hesitant, especially with the external environment. But there are still opportunities,' he said. With the FBM KLCI trading below its historical average, it could be an opportune time to accumulate quality stocks. 'It may not feel like the perfect time, but valuations are reasonable. Caution is warranted, but not paralysis. 'We are cautiously optimistic. As a focused, Malaysian-centric player, we see this market environment as a window to create opportunities, even when sentiment is soft,' he added. The AmEquities trading platform is offering a host of advanced features including customisable dashboards, access to live market data in real time with multilingual support. It aims to provide investors with a seamless and informed trading experience, reflecting the bank's commitment to innovation amid a challenging market environment.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Gobind calls for stronger Asean cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: A deeper collaboration among Asean member states is crucial to establish unified principles and interoperable frameworks for trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and ethical data governance, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He noted that AI's impact transcends national borders, influencing the entire region and the global landscape. While Malaysia is developing its own regulatory framework, Gobind stressed that the country is also seeking opportunities to collaborate regionally to create a comprehensive cross-border AI governance framework. "We believe Malaysia can serve as a testbed for innovation, a regional convener and a trusted partner in co-developing the governance models that will shape the digital future of Southeast Asia. "Because trust, like the technologies we seek to govern, must be borderless, inclusive and collectively stewarded," he said in his opening remarks at PwC Malaysia's AI Leadership Conference 2025. Meanwhile, at a media brefing, Gobind announced that, in conjunction with Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year, the country will host an AI Summit in August, where regional AI governance, safety and ethical frameworks will be key topics of discussion. He noted that Malaysia's national AI efforts are already underway, involving engagements with industry, academia, civil society and government agencies to shape a Malaysian-centric trust framework for AI and data governance. This framework, he added, should naturally evolve into a broader regional initiative. "The question now is how we craft our own policy and then, after that, escalate it to the Asean level to see whether or not we can find a mechanism by which all of us can work together. "At the end of the day there are concerns about how it is we can ensure that systems are safe and trusted. "I think this is something that needs to be discussed nationally and also beyond that, which we hope to achieve moving towards the event in August," he added. At the event, Gobind launched the Data Management Association (DAMA) Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chapter, in collaboration with PwC. Beyond professional networks, he said it is a strategic signal, an affirmation that trusted data governance is central to national resilience, innovation and AI readiness.
