Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services are everywhere, making it easier than ever to split payments with no interest… if you pay on time. But for many young Malaysians, BNPL is turning into a debt trap, with overdue payments piling up before they even realise it.

Are these services really helping people manage their finances, or are they encouraging overspending? Are BNPL providers doing enough to educate users on the risks, or are they relying on people spending more than they can afford?

We speak with Nirmala Supramaniam, Head of the Household Financial Education Department at Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit (AKPK), to break down the reality of BNPL debt. We explore how young Malaysians can make smarter spending decisions, the role of financial literacy, and whether stricter regulations are needed to keep BNPL in check.