Latest news with #RM18.8
New Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM18.8 million surge in BNPL transactions in first half of 2025, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: The total number of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) transactions has increased by RM18.8 million in the first half of 2025, rising from RM83.8 million in the second half of 2024 to RM102.6 million transactions, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said over the same period, the total value of BNPL transactions rose from RM7.1 billion to RM9.3 billion, representing a 31 per cent increase. "Meanwhile, the number of active BNPL accounts grew from 5.1 million at the end of 2024 to 6.5 million at the end of June this year. "The significant growth of BNPL poses potential risks of harm, particularly to vulnerable credit users, namely, individuals without a stable income, those with low earnings, or those who lack financial literacy," she said during the second reading of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat. Following concerns on the conduct or practices of debt collectors who use force and resort to excessive harassment of credit users, Lim said a statutory body known as the Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) will be established under the act. She added that the commission will also regulate business sectors that are currently unregulated by any authority, through a licensing and registration framework to be implemented under the act. Lim also said the commission will be established as a regulatory body under the Finance Ministry. "Various complaints have also been received regarding the conduct or practices of debt collectors who use force and resort to excessive harassment of credit users. "Complaints have also been lodged against individuals who present themselves as intermediaries or assistants in managing debt, but in reality, exploit the situation for personal gain through manipulation or fraud. There have been growing calls for these individuals to also be regulated," she said. She added that there will be six business sectors that will be regulated under the act, which will be segregated into two categories. The first category, she said, comprises three types of credit businesses that will require a licence from the CCC. They include BNPL schemes, leasing, and factoring, including those that are Shariah-compliant. The second category, meanwhile, covers three types of credit service businesses that must be registered, which are debt collection, acquisition of non-performing loans or financing, and debt counselling and management. "In line with the government's whole-of-government approach, the act will also provide for two types of credit businesses that will require a licence from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, which are Shariah-compliant financing facilities and Shariah-compliant pawnbroking, also known as Ar-Rahnu," she said. She added that the bill, once passed, will serve as an umbrella legislation and empower the commission and other regulatory and supervisory authorities, namely the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia, Securities Commission and the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission to regulate their respective segments of the credit industry. She added that this was because Malaysia's consumer credit landscape currently operates under a fragmented regulatory framework, which has led to uneven levels of oversight for non-bank credit providers, as well as inconsistent and insufficient protection standards for credit consumers. "The lack of uniform safeguards across the credit sector has left many consumers vulnerable to unfair and exploitative practices. "Many credit users are uncertain about which authority to approach to lodge complaints under the existing legal framework.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Reel brilliance
FROM record-breaking dramas and animated classics to martial arts showdowns and chilling horrors, this year's May to August is packed with cinematic gems. Here is a curated look at the most anticipated releases and why they are lighting up the big screen: (1) The Last Dance (Extended Version) Creator: Anselm Chan Mou Yin Cast: Dayo Wong, Michael Hui, Michelle Wai, Tommy Chu, Catherine Chau, Elaine Jin, Paul Chun, Vincent Kok, Kaki Sham Already a sensation across Hong Kong and Malaysia, The Last Dance has become a cultural juggernaut, grossing over RM18.8 million locally and earning its place among Malaysia's Top 10 highest-grossing Chinese films. The heartwarming funeral-themed drama returns with an Extended Version, adding 13 minutes of never-before-seen footage. This cut deepens the emotional arcs, particularly the backstory of Dominic (Wong) and introduces new characters played by Kok and Sham. Fans are drawn by the powerful performances, especially Wai and Hui, who swept major awards and the promise of a richer, more emotionally complete experience. The Extended Version serves as a tribute to the universal themes of regret, love and redemption. (2) Howl's Moving Castle (Re-release) Creator: Hayao Miyazaki Cast: Chieko Baishô, Takuya Kimura, Tatsuya Gashûin Studio Ghibli's Howl's Moving Castle flies back to Malaysian cinemas by popular demand. After the successful rerun of Spirited Away in 2024, fans voted this 2004 Oscar-nominated fantasy as the 'Most Wanted Ghibli Film to Return'. Beloved for its breathtaking animation and moving storyline, the film follows Sophie, a young woman cursed into an old body, who finds herself on a magical adventure with the enigmatic wizard Howl. Voice actor Kimura's alluring performance has long cemented Howl as one of anime's most iconic leading men. Beyond the film, fans can look forward to exclusive cinema merchandise like collectable towels, stickers and commemorative cards. This revival not only celebrates Ghibli magic but taps into the wave of nostalgia sweeping cinema screens worldwide. (3) Karate Kid: Legends Creators: Jonathan Entwistle, Rob Lieber Cast: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen Karate Kid: Legends marks the long-awaited fusion of kung fu and karate as Chan's Mr. Han joins Macchio's Daniel LaRusso for an all-new story. The film introduces Li Fong (Wang), a kung fu prodigy who relocates to New York City and after clashing with a local karate champion, prepares for an ultimate martial arts competition. Guided by the combined wisdom of his two legendary mentors, Li learns to blend their styles in an emotional and action-packed journey. For fans, this is a generational crossover moment, merging East and West, old-school discipline and modern challenges, delivering fresh energy to a beloved franchise. (4) Bring Her Back Creators: Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou, Bill Hinzman Cast: Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, Sally-Anne Upton, Stephen Phillips, Mischa Heywood, Sally Hawkins Following the critical success of Talk to Me, the Philippou brothers return with Bring Her Back, a possession horror film promising to haunt audiences long after the credits roll. Centring on a brother and sister who uncover a sinister ritual at their new foster mother's remote home, the film blends creeping dread with shocking twists. Starring Hawkins in a chilling role, the movie builds on the director's reputation for fusing emotional depth with skin-crawling horror. With a July 31 release date, Bring Her Back taps into the appetite for elevated horror and joins the ranks of must-see genre offerings this year. (5) Materialists Creator: Celine Song Cast: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal From Past Lives director Celine Song comes Materialists, a sophisticated romantic drama set in New York City's high-end matchmaking world. The film follows an ambitious matchmaker (Johnson) torn between a seemingly perfect new match (Evans) and her imperfect ex (Pascal). With Song's signature blend of raw emotion and sharp social observation, Materialists explores themes of love, ambition and the messy intersections between them. As Song's follow-up to her Oscar-nominated debut, this film is positioned as an awards-season contender, promising biting dialogue and layered performances when it arrives in cinemas on August 28. Why this lineup matters This wave of releases shows Malaysia's cinematic landscape thriving with diversity. On one end, local and regional hits like The Last Dance capture cross-border emotional resonance, while global giants such as Studio Ghibli continue tapping fan nostalgia. Hollywood's enduring franchises (Karate Kid) evolve with fresh faces and stories, while horror (Bring Her Back) and indie dramas (Materialists) push genre boundaries and emotional depth. For Malaysian moviegoers, it is a rare moment when the screens are filled not just with noise, but with heart, craft and stories that remind audiences why they fell in love with cinema in the first place. Whether it is cheering for an underdog, being swept into animated magic, trembling through a horror spiral, or reflecting on love's contradictions, this season's lineup offers something unforgettable for everyone. Which of these cinematic experiences will you step into?
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'The Last Dance' among Malaysia's top Chinese films
KUALA LUMPUR: The Last Dance, the popular Chinese movie screened late last year, has now garnered RM18.8 million at the box office, to become one of the Top 10 best selling Chinese movies in Malaysia. The movie produced, directed and co-written by Anselm Chan and starring Hong Kong superstars Michael Hui and Dayo Wong, as well as Michelle Wai, Tommy Chu and Catherine Chau, is the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie in Malaysia over the last six years. A statement from its distributors Lotus Five Star and Five Star AV yesterday said that it had collected over HK$166 million (RM93.6 million) in Hong Kong and Macau, to become one of the highest-grossing movies in both territories. The Last Dance has also received critical acclaim and numerous accolades including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor, with a record-breaking 18 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards this year. The film also has an extended version which includes 13 minutes of never-before-seen footage, currently being screened in cinemas. The Last Dance explores themes related to Hong Kong's deathcare and follows a wedding planner (Wong) who enters the funeral industry through a partnership with a traditional Taoist priest (Hui), seeking to understand the meaning of life and death through funeral rituals.
