I am sure that when you read the headline of this article, you wondered why I would be bullish about Malaysia. Well, here’s the surprise — it is not actually me who is bullish, but rather our neighbours down south in Singapore. While this initially took me by surprise, perhaps it shouldn’t have, ...

The Pitch Deck: Bullish about Malaysia

In the last few weeks, start-up ecosystem social media chatter has been buzzing about Fashion Valet (FV). It started out because of a question asked in parliament about the losses of RM43.9 million incurred by Khazanah Nasional Bhd and Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) from the divestment of their in...

The Pitch Deck: Navigating negativity: Harmful impact of unwarranted accusations on start-up ecosystem

I had an interesting conversation with a founder who was in the process of fundraising. He had met many venture capitalists (VCs) and they kept asking him questions about the size of his market and were concerned that the market was not large enough for him locally and within Southeast Asia to ac...

The Pitch Deck: Are venture capital returns requirements a bane for entrepreneurs? 

Entrepreneurs in Malaysia are actually a very lucky lot. They may not think so but if they were to ask their counterparts anywhere else in Asia, they would realise that being a start-up in Malaysia, they are blessed with a highly supportive government with many entrepreneur-related agencies and e...

The Pitch Deck: Is early-stage start-up funding sorted?

If you’re an ardent follower of the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, you will know that the term “Magnificent Seven” refers to the top seven technology stocks listed on the US stock exchanges, namely Amazon, Apple, Alphabet (which owns Google), Meta Platforms (Facebook’s parent), Microsoft, Nvi...

The Pitch Deck: Where are the Malaysian ‘Magnificent Seven’?

I have been speaking about the need to change the start-up funding narrative from the build to flip mentality to building enduring companies in my last few articles. I have also explained why mergers and acquisitions (M&A) do not really work in Malaysia because corporations in the country are...

The Pitch Deck: An IPO is a terrible thing to waste

In my last article (Issue 1510, Feb 12), I spoke of the need to change the start-up funding narrative from a “build and flip” to a “build an enduring business” with an initial public offering (IPO) as a better exit strategy, instead of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) preferred by venture capit...

The Pitch Deck: Don’t count on start-up acquisitions

Welcome to 2024. The last few years, since Covid-19 emerged, have been challenging in many ways, especially for start-ups and the venture capital industry.

The funding winter for start-ups, as venture capitalists (VCs) held back from investing due to the many uncertainties in the market...

The Pitch Deck: Time to change the start-up-venture capital funding narrative

The year 2023 has been a topsy-turvy one for the local tech ecosystem. There have been some challenges, some positives and on the whole, it looks like next year will be a better one for the ecosystem. First, let’s explore some significant issues that were seen in 2023 before I pull out my crystal...

The Pitch Deck: Challenges, opportunities and the road ahead

Budget 2024 was in many ways a good budget for the tech ecosystem, from the RM1.5 billion in funding from government-linked corporations (GLCs) and government-linked investment corporations (GLICs) to the extension of the angel tax incentive and exemption from capital gains tax for venture capita...

The Pitch Deck: Malaysia’s global top 20 ecosystem target: An impossible task?

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was revoking former president Joe Biden's security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings as there was no need for his predecessor to receive classified information.

Trump ends Biden's security clearances, intelligence briefings

US President Donald Trump said Nippon Steel's US$14.9 billion (RM66.16 billion) bid for US Steel would take the form of an investment instead of a purchase on Friday, even as two sources familiar with the matter said the Japanese steel company had not withdrawn its bid.

Trump says Nippon Steel will invest in US Steel, not buy it

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to the Treasury’s payment system poses an “unprecedented insider threat risk” and should be suspended immediately, according to an intelligence report prepared for the department by a contractor.

Treasury warned of ‘insider threat risk’ from Musk’s DOGE access, Bloomberg reports

The UK government’s attempt to get Apple Inc to build a backdoor into customer data stored on its cloud system is alarming privacy advocates and US government leaders who warn that the move could expose users’ information worldwide.

Apple’s dilemma in UK over encryption alarms privacy experts

While Elon Musk has been generating headline after headline for his efforts to reshape the US federal workforce, the stock of his electric-car company just suffered its worst weekly performance since October.

Tesla shares post worst week since October as sales plunge

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he agreed with US President Donald Trump that the two countries will leave foreign exchange-rate matters in the hands of their finance ministers.

Japan, US agree to have FX matters in the hands of finance chiefs, Ishiba says

President Donald Trump on Friday pushed Japan to invest in US energy and technology, showered his closest Asian ally with praise and sought a way out of a dispute over a Japanese bid for US Steel during Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's first White House visit.

Trump touts close Japan ties but pushes for 'even' trade balance

Sensitive personal data — such as identification card copies, financial records and home addresses — remain exposed on government websites due to weak cybersecurity practices.

Personal data in jeopardy

President Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries by Monday or Tuesday of next week, a major escalation of his offensive to tear up and reshape global trade relationships in the US' favour.

Trump says he will announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week

All three US stock indexes closed lower on Friday after President Donald Trump said he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries next week, following weak jobs and consumer sentiment data.

Wall Street closes lower on trade war escalation, weak data

President Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries by Monday or Tuesday of next week, a major escalation of his offensive to tear up and reshape global trade relationships in the US' favour.

While Elon Musk has been generating headline after headline for his efforts to reshape the US federal workforce, the stock of his electric-car company just suffered its worst weekly performance since October.

Sensitive personal data — such as identification card copies, financial records and home addresses — remain exposed on government websites due to weak cybersecurity practices.

Sarawak government’s acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, is set to be finalised through the signing of a sale and purchase agreement next Wednesday (Feb 12).

Sarawak govt's acquisition of MASwings to be finalised on Feb 12

Beginning this year, all Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) contributors need no longer pay for medical treatment at panel clinics for work-related accidents and occupational diseases, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Free medical treatment at Socso panel clinics for work-related accidents, occupational diseases

President Donald Trump on Friday pushed Japan to invest in US energy and technology, showered his closest Asian ally with praise and sought a way out of a dispute over a Japanese bid for US Steel during Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's first White House visit.

The appointment of three new companies to operate Motor Vehicle Inspection Centres (PPKM) is seen by Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom) as a positive step towards healthy competition in the vehicle inspection industry.

Competition can boost vehicle inspection industry — Puspakom

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has emphasised the importance of handling the ongoing Myanmar crisis with care to prevent it from escalating further.&nbsp;

He also stressed the need for precision in addressing the issue, noting the complex nature of the conflict, which involves multiple factions with different agendas.

Crisis in Myanmar needs to be handled with care, says Tok Mat

The Canadian federal government suppressed a chatbot application released last month by Chinese software company DeepSeek.

Canada bans DeepSeek chatbot application on government devices

US consumer sentiment slumped in early February to a seven-month low on a spike in short-term inflation expectations related to concerns about tariffs.

US consumer sentiment drops to seven-month low on price worries

Authorities in New York state have temporarily closed all live poultry markets in New York City and three suburban counties after bird flu was detected at seven markets within the past week, according to a notice on as authorities nationwide track the current bird flu outbreak, including the state's website.

Live poultry markets in New York City, suburbs shut after bird flu detected

The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) has been urged to take proactive measures in developing innovative and competitive Muslim-friendly tourism products, as Malaysia seeks to deepen its tourism and cultural ties with China.

Motac calls on Islamic Tourism Centre to expand Muslim-friendly tourism

The UK government’s attempt to get Apple Inc to build a backdoor into customer data stored on its cloud system is alarming privacy advocates and US government leaders who warn that the move could expose users’ information worldwide.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency access to the Treasury’s payment system poses an “unprecedented insider threat risk” and should be suspended immediately, according to an intelligence report prepared for the department by a contractor. &nbsp;

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he agreed with US President Donald Trump that the two countries will leave foreign exchange-rate matters in the hands of their finance ministers.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was revoking former president Joe Biden's security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings as there was no need for his predecessor to receive classified information.

US President Donald Trump said Nippon Steel's US$14.9 billion (RM66.16 billion) bid for US Steel would take the form of an investment instead of a purchase on Friday, even as two sources familiar with the matter said the Japanese steel company had not withdrawn its bid.

Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah

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Dr Sivapalan Vivekarajah

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