Tuesday, 02 September 2025

INSIDE SCOOP Celebrates 68th MERDEKA With SIX “LOKAL LEGENDS” – A Sweet Tribute To Malaysia's Favourite Brands

INSIDE SCOOP CELEBRATES 68th MERDEKA WITH SIX “LOKAL LEGENDS” – A SWEET TRIBUTE TO MALAYSIA’S FAVOURITE BRANDS

 

  • Popular local ice cream brand Inside Scoop returns for a second year, teaming up with iconic Malaysian F&B favourites including Gardenia, GSC, Julie’s, Beryl’s, ZUS Coffee, and Farm Fresh to create six limited-edition flavours inspired by beloved local treats.

 

Malaysia’s favourite homegrown ice cream brand, Inside Scoop, proudly returns with the second edition of its highly successful Lokal Legends collection, celebrating our 68th Merdeka with six bold, flavour-packed creations co-created with some of Malaysia’s most beloved homegrown brands.  Building on last year’s overwhelming response, the new collection transforms nostalgic favourites into creamy, handcrafted scoops that celebrate the nation’s vibrant culinary heritage.

Founded in Bangsar in 2013, Inside Scoop has stayed true to its roots: born in Malaysia, made for Malaysians. Over the years, the brand has created over 200 inventive flavours, drawing inspiration from nostalgic snacks, drinks and desserts that unite Malaysians across generations. This year’s Lokal Legends line-up features six new creations inspired by iconic local favourites:

  1. Gardenia’s Twiggies Choc-A-Lot: A heartfelt tribute to the ultimate Malaysian childhood snack, this luscious milk chocolate ice cream is generously layered with bite-sized pieces of Gardenia Twiggies Choc-A-Lot. It’s nostalgia you can scoop — a sweet reminder of simpler times and cherished memories.
  2. GSC’s Caramel Popcorn: Inspired by the golden aroma of freshly popped popcorn wafting through Malaysian cinemas, this popcorn ice cream swirls salted caramel and buttered pecans throughout. A creamy homage to the joy of weekend movie nights on a GSC leather seat, shared with those you love.
  3. Julie’s Le-mond Lemon: Bright and zesty lemon ice cream meets the iconic tang of Julie’s Le-mond Lemon sandwich crackers and a ripple of citrusy curd. This flavour is sunshine in a scoop — an ode to a beloved Malaysian pantry staple.
  4. Beryl’s Gula Melaka Chocolate: Where tradition meets indulgence — rich gula melaka chocolate ice cream crafted with our favourite homegrown chocolatier, layered with cracking chocolate and buttery crumble. A love letter to Malaysian flavours, reimagined as a decadent dessert.
  5. ZUS Coffee’s Spanish Latté: Inspired by the homegrown coffee shop's signature drink, this espresso-based milk ice cream is infused with condensed milk for that unmistakable flavour. Layered with crunchy chocolate-coated cones, it's a modern twist on a cherished Malaysian favourite.
  6. Farm Fresh’s Choco Malt Kaw: A bolder, more intense take on last year’s favourite — now extra kaw with fudgy chocolate swirls and crunchy choco malt soil. Made with Farm Fresh Choco Malt, this homegrown edition of the nostalgic chocolate malt drink brings you right back to the good old days.

 

“This year’s Lokal Legends is a love letter to Malaysia,” says Edmund Tan, Co-Founder of Inside Scoop. We’re proud to collaborate with brands that Malaysians have grown up with – from movie-night favourites to childhood snacks – and turn them into something uniquely ours. Every scoop is handcrafted here in Malaysia, a celebration of the creativity and community that define us.”

From their first scoop in Bangsar to over 60 outlets nationwide, Inside Scoop has always stood for one thing – creating ice cream Malaysians can proudly call their own. This year’s Lokal Legends campaign celebrates that journey, bringing together six beloved homegrown brands in a vibrant tribute to the flavours we grew up with.

As part of the celebration, each single-scoop Lokal Legends ice cream will be served in a custom-designed cup sleeve featuring the collaborating brand’s colours and the proud “Lokal Legends” mark – the perfect keepsake of this Merdeka season. Available individually or as a limited-edition Lokal Legends Party Pack (RM68), the collection brings together flavours that embody the heart of Malaysia’s food culture.

The Lokal Legends 2025 collection will be available at all Inside Scoop outlets nationwide from 18 August to 21 September 2025. For more information on the new flavours and Inside Scoop’s latest offerings, follow @myinsidescoop on Instagram/Facebook and @insidescoopmy on TikTok.

-END-

Saturday, 30 August 2025

MBSB Bank Unveils GET - Global Easy Transfer, First in Malaysia to Integrate Wise Platform

MBSB Bank Unveils GET – Global Easy Transfer, First in Malaysia to Integrate WISE Platform

MBSB Bank Berhad has launched GET – Global Easy Transfer, a new international remittance service built in partnership with Wise, the global  technology company specialising in cross-border payments. 

With this launch, MBSB Bank becomes the first bank in Malaysia to partner with Wise Platform, Wise's global infrastructure for banks and enterprises, enabling customers to  send money abroad in a simpler, faster, and more transparent way, directly through the  Bank’s M Journey retail banking app. 

GET – Global Easy Transfer is designed to solve real pain points that have long frustrated Malaysians: hidden fees, slow delivery times, unclear exchange rates, and lack of transfer  visibility. At launch, customers can now send money in 12 currencies with real-time  tracking, competitive exchange rates, and no hidden markups. This includes the United  States (USD), the United Kingdom (GBP), Europe (EUR), Singapore (SGD), Indonesia  (IDR), Australia (AUD) and many more. 

Rafe Haneef, Group Chief Executive Officer of MBSB Bank said: 

“With GET – Global Easy Transfer, we are giving families, professionals and business  owners the confidence to send money abroad knowing exactly how much will arrive and  when. This is what customer-first innovation looks like.” 

Transfers are instant or same-day, depending on the destination, and can be tracked end to-end—just like a parcel, from the moment it is initiated. 

For thousands of Malaysian families, remittance is not optional, it is essential. With an estimated 55,000 Malaysians currently studying abroad in countries such as Australia, the UK and the US, international transfers are part of everyday life. 

Whether it is tuition fees, accommodation, living allowances or emergencies, GET – Global Easy Transfer offers families a faster, clearer and more reliable way to support their loved  ones from home. 

Usman Ghouse, Group Chief Consumer Banking Officer of MBSB Bank added:

“Remitting money should not be ambiguous. GET – Global Easy Transfer was designed to address the real frustrations we have heard from customers—extensive delays, hidden charges, and poor transparency. This partnership with Wise Platform is about offering  world-class capability with local accountability.” 

Samarth Bansal, APAC General Manager at Wise Platform said: 

“This partnership with MBSB Bank represents a significant milestone for Wise Platform - our first collaboration in Malaysia, enabling at least 22 million individuals in Malaysia to  send money in a fast, secure, transparent and convenient way. With local payments in  Malaysia and other parts of Asia Pacific being instant, customers now expect the same  from cross-border transfers. We are excited to partner with MBSB to redefine cross-border  payments and make international transfers as fast and convenient as domestic ones.  MBSB Bank's commitment to customer-first innovation aligns perfectly with our mission,  and together we're setting a new standard for cross-border payments in Malaysian  banking." 

With a few taps in the M Journey app, customers can now send international payments  that are: 

  1. Trackable in real-time 
  2. Transparent in pricing 
  3. Instant or same day delivery 
  4. Built on a powerful, global infrastructure, backed by local trust 
  5. Zero transfer fee during the introductory phase 
  6. High transaction amounts up to RM100,000 daily 

 

The partnership supports MBSB Bank’s transformation into a modern, digital-first Islamic  bank - offering practical, inclusive solutions that reflect how Malaysians live, work, and  connect globally. 

GET – Global Easy Transfer is now available in the M Journey app for existing MBSB Bank users, with zero transfer fees campaign currently ongoing. 

New customers can start enjoying GET by opening an account with MBSB Bank easily via  www.mbsbbank.com and begin sending money abroad instantly with competitive rates  and real-time tracking.  

END

Saturday, 30 August 2025

Supamala Opens Third Outlet in Bangsar, Strengthening Its Local Hotpot Legacy

BANGSAR Boils With HALAL Hotpot Magic as SUPAMALA Fuels Malaysia's Dining Obsession With Third Outlet

As Malaysia’s passion for hotpot dining continues to soar, Supamala has solidified its role as a pioneer in halal-certified culinary experiences with the grand opening of its third outlet at Bangsar Shopping Centre. The event, attended by distinguished guests including Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman, Member of Parliament for Muar, and renowned singer-actress Bella Astillah, spotlighted the growing demand for inclusive dining options in Malaysia’s vibrant food scene.

Covering 6,500 square feet, this new outlet, Supamala’s second-largest, offers a refreshed design concept built around comfort, style, and a lively dining atmosphere. Tailored for communal dining, the space accommodates more than 140 guests and features 10 private VIP rooms for groups of 4 to 10, catering to the social essence of hotpot that Malaysians have embraced wholeheartedly.

“Supamala is about more than food; it’s about creating moments of togetherness. With our third outlet, we’re proud to bring Malaysians a hotpot experience that’s inclusive, accessible, and truly homegrown,” said Supamala’s Managing Director, Alex Yap.

As hotpot surges in popularity across Malaysia, halal options remain rare until Supamala stepped in. While the halal certification for the Bangsar outlet is on its way, Supamala’s commitment to halal integrity remains unwavering, as evidenced by its existing outlet in Sunway Pyramid, which is halal-certified. The third location offers five diverse buffet menus, starting at RM38.90+ for Lunch/Supper Sets, with value-worthy options like the Meaty Buffet Set and the indulgent Supaluxury Buffet Set. An extensive à la carte menu, boasting over 100 items from aromatic soup bases to creative desserts, ensures a rich and inclusive dining experience.

To celebrate the opening, Supamala rolled out the Supa Lucky Wheel, where every buffet set purchased throughout September 2025 grants a spin for prizes such as buffet upgrades, a Vanilla Crepe Cake, Musang King Cendol, or handcrafted drinks. Feeling extra lucky? The Grand Prize is a free Supaluxury Buffet Set for one (worth RM189.90), and the Special Prize is an All-in-One Buffet Set (RM99.90) to keep the good times steaming.

In honor of Malaysia’s National Day, Supamala offers Musang King Cendol at RM14.90+ (down from RM22) with select buffet purchases, while Supaluxury Buffet Set diners enjoy free-flow cendol, celebrating a national favorite that pairs perfectly with the communal hotpot experience.

“Hotpot brings Malaysians together, and we’re dedicated to making it accessible to everyone through our halal-focused approach,” said Supamala Chairman, Datuk Azmi Hassan. “Our new outlet demonstrates our dedication to the mission of fostering connection through food, and we’re working diligently to secure its halal certification to continue serving our diverse community.”

Supamala’s Bangsar hotspot is fanning the flames of Malaysia’s halal hotpot craze, mixing bold flavors, cultural swagger, and pure dining joy. Ready to dip in? Visit its social pages on Facebook, Instagram or Tiktok (@Supamalahotpotmy) or contact +6016 953 4879 for more details or to reserve your table.

###

 

Saturday, 30 August 2025

MDV's AA3 / Stable / P1 Ratings Reaffirmed, Highlighting Its Vital Role in Malaysia's Tech Financing Landscape

MDV's AA3 / Stable / P1 Ratings Reaffirmed, Highlighting Its Vital Role in Malaysia's Tech Financing Landscape

RAM Ratings has reaffirmed Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad’s (MDV) corporate credit rating at AA3 and short-term rating of P1, with a stable outlook. The ratings also extend to MDV’s RM2.0 billion Conventional and Islamic Commercial Papers/Medium-Term Notes Programmes, initially established in 2022. 

This reaffirmation underscores MDV’s enduring position as a key technology financier within Malaysia, supported by strong government backing and solid financial fundamentals.

These ratings reflect MDV’s improved financial performance in FY2024, consistent track record in supporting Malaysian tech-driven companies and start-ups, particularly in MDV’s mandated sectors typically underserved by conventional financial institutions. MDV’s financing continues to be critical to driving innovation, advancing the national green and digital agendas, and contributing to Malaysia’s economic progress. 

Rizal Fauzi, Chief Executive Officer of MDV, said, “The reaffirmation of our AA3/Stable/P1 ratings allows MDV to stay firmly on track with our plans to strengthen support for our mandated sectors, including ICT, biotechnology, green technology, emerging technology and start-ups. As Malaysia accelerates its energy transition, MDV is also poised to finance more companies undertaking energy transition and digital growth projects that align with the nation’s long-term sustainability and innovation agenda.”

He further added, “These ratings not only enhance our ability to secure external funding but also reflect the Government’s continued confidence in MDV’s role as the country’s leading technology financier. With the RM2 billion sukuk and bond programme reaffirmed, our capacity to fund high-impact mandated industries has been significantly reinforced.”

Since its first credit rating in 2019, MDV has pursued financial self-sustainability while fulfilling its strategic mission to fill the financing gap for underserved technology sectors. This involves supporting innovative projects across its mandated sectors, which are critical for diversifying Malaysia’s economic base and nurturing high-growth potential industries.

With these ratings, MDV is well-positioned to continue driving Malaysia’s tech-led transformation. Its strengthened capacity ensures ongoing support for technology adoption, sustainable growth, and economic resilience into the broader national economy.

-END-

_________________________________________________________________________

Page 13 of 2224