Innovation is risky for banks, and traction is expensive for startups. Launched in May 2025, the PayNet Fintech Hub aims to solve this deadlock by acting as the "bridge" between Corporate Malaysia and innovation.

BFM speaks with Gary Yeoh (PayNet) and Joshua Lim (Buzz) to explore how this ecosystem works. We dive into the success story of Buzz, a startup that pivoted from green-tech to a B2B financial media network, utilising PayNet's resources to secure a pilot with TNG Digital.



We discuss:




The "Bridge" Strategy: How PayNet reduces the risk for incumbents (like banks and e-wallets) to experiment with startups by vetting them and absorbing trial costs via PayNet Credits.


The Buzz Pivot: Joshua shares the grueling journey of pivoting from a B2C recycling business to a B2B fintech solution, utilising the hub's resources to upgrade their API infrastructure.


The "Grocery" Pilot: A deep dive into the Buzz x TNG Digital partnership, a cashback program where users upload offline grocery receipts to the TNG e-wallet for instant rewards.


The 2026 Roadmap: Gary outlines the vision for a "B2B App Store" where banks can seamlessly "pull" verified fintech solutions (loyalty, analytics, engagement) directly from a trusted PayNet platform.

The Opportunity Wall: How corporates can now post problem statements for the fintech community to solve.

Innovation is risky for banks, and traction is expensive for startups. Launched in May 2025, the PayNet Fintech Hub aims to solve this deadlock by acting as the "bridge" between Corporate Malaysia and innovation.BFM speaks with Gary Yeoh (PayNet) and Joshua Lim (Buzz) to explore how this ecosystem works. We dive into the success story of Buzz, a startup that pivoted from green-tech to a B2B financial media network, utilising PayNet's resources to secure a pilot with TNG Digital.We discuss:<ul><li>The "Bridge" Strategy: How PayNet reduces the risk for incumbents (like banks and e-wallets) to experiment with startups by vetting them and absorbing trial costs via PayNet Credits.</li><li>The Buzz Pivot: Joshua shares the grueling journey of pivoting from a B2C recycling business to a B2B fintech solution, utilising the hub's resources to upgrade their API infrastructure.</li><li>The "Grocery" Pilot: A deep dive into the Buzz x TNG Digital partnership, a cashback program where users upload offline grocery receipts to the TNG e-wallet for instant rewards.</li><li>The 2026 Roadmap: Gary outlines the vision for a "B2B App Store" where banks can seamlessly "pull" verified fintech solutions (loyalty, analytics, engagement) directly from a trusted PayNet platform.</li></ul>The Opportunity Wall: How corporates can now post problem statements for the fintech community to solve.

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

The Fintech-Corporate Matchmaker? Inside PayNet Fintech Hub

The timing couldn't have been more scripted. Just as the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025 came into force on January 1st, the AI chatbot Grok sparked a controversy by generating inappropriate content, prompting action from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).



Lawyers Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi dissect this new regulatory landscape. We explore whether ONSA is a necessary shield against digital harm or a potential "political tool" for censorship, and what the RM10 million penalty cap means for tech giants operating in Malaysia.



We discuss:




The "Grok" Precedent: How the recent AI chatbot controversy served as the first real test case for MCMC's new powers under ONSA.


Who is Targeted? A breakdown of the three key entities regulated by the act: ASPs (Social Media like X/Facebook), CASPs (Content providers like Netflix/Infotainment), and NSPs (Telcos).


The "Teeth" of the Law: Analysing the severe penalties, up to RM10 million for serious non-compliance, and whether this is enough to compel Big Tech to change their platform design.


Reporting Mechanisms: The two distinct routes users now have to report harmful content (Direct to Platform vs. Direct to MCMC).


The "Proactive" Shift: Why companies must move from reacting to reports to proactively moderating content before the MCMC’s upcoming Code of Practice makes it mandatory.

The timing couldn't have been more scripted. Just as the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025 came into force on January 1st, the AI chatbot Grok sparked a controversy by generating inappropriate content, prompting action from Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).Lawyers Ong Johnson and Lo Khai Yi dissect this new regulatory landscape. We explore whether ONSA is a necessary shield against digital harm or a potential "political tool" for censorship, and what the RM10 million penalty cap means for tech giants operating in Malaysia.We discuss:<ul><li>The "Grok" Precedent: How the recent AI chatbot controversy served as the first real test case for MCMC's new powers under ONSA.</li><li>Who is Targeted? A breakdown of the three key entities regulated by the act: ASPs (Social Media like X/Facebook), CASPs (Content providers like Netflix/Infotainment), and NSPs (Telcos).</li><li>The "Teeth" of the Law: Analysing the severe penalties, up to RM10 million for serious non-compliance, and whether this is enough to compel Big Tech to change their platform design.</li><li>Reporting Mechanisms: The two distinct routes users now have to report harmful content (Direct to Platform vs. Direct to MCMC).</li><li>The "Proactive" Shift: Why companies must move from reacting to reports to proactively moderating content before the MCMC’s upcoming Code of Practice makes it mandatory.</li></ul>

Grok, Bikinis, and Malaysia's Online Safety Act 2025 

It’s a new year, and optimism is starting to creep back in.



On this episode of Enterprise Explores, we examine Ipsos Malaysia’s 2026 Predictions report to understand how Malaysians are feeling about the year ahead and what that means for businesses.



From confidence in the economy and attitudes towards AI and jobs, to the growing importance of wellbeing and the commercial impact of the 2026 World Cup, the data points to cautious but resilient optimism.



Joining us is Arun Menon, Managing Director of Ipsos Malaysia, to help separate sentiment from reality and explain how businesses should respond to shifting expectations, spending behaviour, and emerging risks in a year shaped by hope.

It’s a new year, and optimism is starting to creep back in.On this episode of Enterprise Explores, we examine Ipsos Malaysia’s 2026 Predictions report to understand how Malaysians are feeling about the year ahead and what that means for businesses.From confidence in the economy and attitudes towards AI and jobs, to the growing importance of wellbeing and the commercial impact of the 2026 World Cup, the data points to cautious but resilient optimism.Joining us is Arun Menon, Managing Director of Ipsos Malaysia, to help separate sentiment from reality and explain how businesses should respond to shifting expectations, spending behaviour, and emerging risks in a year shaped by hope.

Cautious Optimism: What Malaysians Really Expect from 2026

2026 presents a landscape of mixed signals for Asia-Pacific: US tariffs are at their highest levels since the 1930s (effective rate of 13.6%), and China’s growth is projected to slow to 4.1%. Yet, Fitch Ratings has maintained a Neutral outlook for the sector.



Thomas Rookmaaker, Head of APAC Sovereigns at Fitch Ratings, joins BFM to break down the region's "two-speed recovery", where AI-driven economies surge while traditional exporters lag, and warns that fiscal buffers are slowly eroding as government debt climbs.



We discuss:.




The "Neutral" Verdict: Why Fitch maintains a stable sector outlook despite geopolitical headwinds, citing strong FX reserves and credit buffers in developed markets.


The "Two-Speed" Recovery: How the AI boom is shielding tech-heavy nations while non-tech exporters face dampened demand from the US and China.


The China Slowdown: The impact of China’s downgrade to 'A' and the property slump on the broader region, with spillover effects hitting commodity prices and consumption.


Fiscal Erosions & Social Unrest: With median government debt-to-GDP rising to 50.1%, we discuss why fiscal consolidation is stalling and how social unrest (e.g., Nepal, Indonesia) is forcing governments to spend more.


Country Watchlist:


Malaysia: Rated 'BBB+' (Stable) supported by political stability and 4% growth, though debt reduction remains gradual.


Thailand: The outlier with a Negative outlook due to delayed tourism recovery and high household debt.


The Danger Zone: Why the Maldives ('CC') faces a critical test with a $500m Sukuk repayment in April.

2026 presents a landscape of mixed signals for Asia-Pacific: US tariffs are at their highest levels since the 1930s (effective rate of 13.6%), and China’s growth is projected to slow to 4.1%. Yet, Fitch Ratings has maintained a Neutral outlook for the sector.Thomas Rookmaaker, Head of APAC Sovereigns at Fitch Ratings, joins BFM to break down the region's "two-speed recovery", where AI-driven economies surge while traditional exporters lag, and warns that fiscal buffers are slowly eroding as government debt climbs.We discuss:.<ul><li>The "Neutral" Verdict: Why Fitch maintains a stable sector outlook despite geopolitical headwinds, citing strong FX reserves and credit buffers in developed markets.</li><li>The "Two-Speed" Recovery: How the AI boom is shielding tech-heavy nations while non-tech exporters face dampened demand from the US and China.</li><li>The China Slowdown: The impact of China’s downgrade to 'A' and the property slump on the broader region, with spillover effects hitting commodity prices and consumption.</li><li>Fiscal Erosions &amp; Social Unrest: With median government debt-to-GDP rising to 50.1%, we discuss why fiscal consolidation is stalling and how social unrest (e.g., Nepal, Indonesia) is forcing governments to spend more.</li><li>Country Watchlist:<ul><li>Malaysia: Rated 'BBB+' (Stable) supported by political stability and 4% growth, though debt reduction remains gradual.</li><li>Thailand: The outlier with a Negative outlook due to delayed tourism recovery and high household debt.</li><li>The Danger Zone: Why the Maldives ('CC') faces a critical test with a $500m Sukuk repayment in April.</li></ul></li></ul>

The Fintech-Corporate Matchmaker? Inside PayNet Fintech Hub

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