
MBI ushers new era for Malaysia's Blockchain
MIMOS Berhad, in a statement, said this milestone marks a pivotal moment in the nation's technological advancement, as MBI emerges as a strategic technological innovation and a core component of Malaysia's National Blockchain Roadmap, aligned with the Malaysian MADANI vision.
Developed to be a catalyst for creativity, MBI fosters an environment where developers and innovators can explore and build cutting-edge blockchain applications that drive value and transformation across industries.
'The establishment of the MBI stands as a pivotal catalyst for the nation's digital advancement, purposefully developed to foster sustainable digital integration and support the creation of a cohesive, future-ready national digital infrastructure.
'This initiative is driven by MIMOS in strategic collaboration with its principal partner and key contributor, MyEG, underscoring a shared commitment to accelerating Malaysia's digital transformation and innovation agenda,' it said.
According to MIMOS Berhad, the MBI also plays a vital role in streamlining a wide range of digital assets, including MyDigitalID verifiable credentials, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralised finance (DeFi) applications, increasing accessibility to blockchain technology by simplifying the user experience and enabling broader participation for nontechnical users.
It said early adopter industry partners, such as Masverse, Cokeeps, iTrace, Heitech Padu, and others, are leveraging MBI to deploy solutions in supply chain traceability, digital identity, asset custody, and tokenisation across public and private sectors.
'Solutions like MyDigitalID will benefit from MBI's integrated capabilities, ensuring verifiability, accessibility, and interoperability to support use cases ranging from simple on-site registrations to complex cross-border and commercial verifications.
'This initiative aims to foster innovation and interconnectivity across platforms, enhance decentralised transaction security, promote an inclusive digital economy, and ensure greater security and transparency in digital transactions, making blockchain technology more accessible and catalysing innovation across all sectors, it said.
'Guided by the MADANI core values of Sustainability, Prosperity, Innovation, Respect, Trust, and Compassion, MBI is redefining the way we interact with blockchain technology. By offering unified access across platforms, MBI simplifies cross-chain transactions, eliminating the complexities of navigating multiple systems,' it said.
Meanwhile, MIMOS acting president and group chief executive officer, Dr Saat Shukri Embong, said MBI will drive competitiveness, positioning Malaysia as a regional leader in blockchain adoption and development, potentially attracting investment and highly-skilled talent.
'More importantly, it embodies digital inclusivity, making blockchain technology accessible to all Malaysians, regardless of their technical expertise. This streamlined approach enhances liquidity by aggregating resources from various platforms, enabling faster, more efficient, and cost-effective trading.
'As a catalyst for Malaysia's digital transformation, MBI is driving technological progress and contributing to the greater well-being of Malaysians and the nation.
'This platform is a testament to MIMOS', MOSTI's, and the MADANI Government's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this transformative technology are shared equitably, driving sustainable economic growth and societal progress,' he was quoted as saying in the statement.
The statement said that as the nation's applied research and development centre, MIMOS is pivotal in driving blockchain adoption, and the establishment of the MBI aims to address the challenges of a fragmented ecosystem by unifying diverse platforms.
It uses Zetrix as its core chain, working in tandem with other public chains like Ethereum, Solana, and Private Blockchains to create a single interface.
All stakeholders, industry, researchers, and policymakers must maintain a strong collaborative spirit to bring this initiative to fruition. A robust public and private partnership is essential for Malaysia to establish an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient blockchain ecosystem regionally, the statement read.
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Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Is TNB's Time of Use plan right for you? It depends on when you use power
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — What if you could lower your electricity bill simply by changing the time you run your washing machine or air-conditioning? That's the idea behind Tenaga Nasional Berhad's new optional Time of Use (ToU) tariff — a pricing plan that rewards households for shifting their electricity use to off-peak hours. With just a few small changes in routine — such as doing laundry after dinner or setting your air-conditioner to run later at night — many households could reduce their monthly bill without cutting down on electricity use. But the amount saved depends on when you use power — and for some households, it may not be worth switching. But first, a short refresher on the concept. What is Time of Use? Under this plan, electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours and more expensive during peak hours. TNB defines peak hours as weekdays from 2pm to 10pm. Everything outside that — including all day on weekends and public holidays — is considered off-peak. This means the off-peak window lasts 16 hours each weekday and 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays. If you can shift a chunk of your usage into those cheaper windows, ToU might be worth considering. The plan is open to all households with a smart meter. It's also available to those with CT (Current Transformer) or Remote Meter Reading systems — which are usually used in bigger homes or mixed-use buildings. What are the electricity rates? If you opt for the ToU plan, your electricity rates will now depend not just on how much you use, but when you use it. For households that use up to 1,500 kilowatt hours (kWh) a month, electricity costs 24.43 sen per kWh during off-peak hours and 28.52 sen during peak hours. If you use more than 1,500 kWh, the rates increase to 34.43 sen off-peak and 38.52 sen during peak hours. In comparison, the standard domestic tariff is 27.03 sen per kWh if you use 1,500 kWh or less, and 37.03 sen if you go over. Households that consistently use more than 1,500 kWh a month are typically larger families living in bigger homes, or those with multiple air-conditioners, dryers, water heaters, or electric vehicles. Some may also operate small home-based businesses. These users fall into a higher tariff bracket — making the timing of their usage even more critical under the ToU plan. Are there extra fees? Yes, but they may not apply to everyone. When you sign up for ToU, you'll need to pay a one-time RM10 stamp duty as part of the agreement process. There is also a RM10 monthly Retail Charge under the ToU tariff. However, this charge is waived if your monthly usage is 600 kWh or less. Users in this low-usage category are also exempt from the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) charge. Households that consume up to 1,000 kWh a month are eligible for the Energy Efficiency Incentive, just like users on the standard tariff. What kind of households might benefit? Let's say you're a working couple with school-going children. You use about 1,000 kWh a month, and most of your appliances — air-conditioning, washing machine, maybe even an EV charger — are only switched on at night or on weekends. If around 70 per cent of your electricity usage happens during off-peak hours, your monthly bill under ToU could be lower than the flat-rate standard tariff — in this case, by a few ringgit. You benefit from ToU because your house is usually empty during weekday afternoons, and most high-energy use happens at night when the cheaper rates apply. No major lifestyle changes needed. What kind of households might not? Now imagine a stay-at-home family with young children. You use around 1,200 kWh a month, and a lot of that energy — air-conditioning, water heating, cooking — happens during the afternoon and early evening. If most of your electricity use falls during peak hours, ToU might not save you money. In fact, it could cost you more than the standard tariff since you're doing the bulk of your usage at the more expensive time of day. Real-life scenarios: Who saves, who doesn't Let's break down three common household types and compare what they would pay under the ToU tariff versus the standard flat rate. Scenario A: Working couple with schoolchildren Monthly usage: 1,000 kWh Usage pattern: 70 per cent off-peak (air-cond after 10pm, laundry and cooking at night or weekends) 30 per cent peak (some daytime activity) Under ToU: (Off peak) 700 kWh × RM0.2443 = RM171.01 (Peak) 300 kWh × RM0.2852 = RM85.56 Total = RM256.57+ RM10 Retail Charge = RM266.57 Under standard tariff: 1,000 kWh × RM0.2703 = RM270.30 Result: Saves RM3.73/month under ToU. Why it works: This family is out during weekday peak hours. Their existing lifestyle fits the ToU structure, so they save money without effort. Scenario B: Stay-at-home family with toddlers Monthly usage: 1,200 kWh Usage pattern: 70 per cent (Peak: afternoon air-cond, cooking, ironing) 30 per cent (Off-peak) Under ToU: (Peak) 840 kWh × RM0.2852 = RM239.57 (Off-peak) 360 kWh × RM0.2443 = RM87.95 Total = RM327.52+RM10 Retail Charge = RM337.52 Under standard tariff: 1,200 kWh × RM0.2703 = RM324.36 Result: Pays RM13.16 more/month under ToU. Why it doesn't work: Most electricity use happens during weekday afternoons and evenings — the most expensive time under ToU. Scenario C: EV-owning household Monthly usage: 1,800 kWh (includes ~400 kWh from EV charging) Usage pattern: 75 per cent off-peak (EV charged overnight, air-cond at night, weekend laundry) 25 per cent peak (some cooking, morning use) Under ToU (high-usage tier): (Off-peak) 1,350 kWh × RM0.3443 = RM464.80 (Peak) 450 kWh × RM0.3852 = RM173.34 Total = RM638.14+RM10 Retail Charge = RM648.14 Under standard tariff: 1,800 kWh × RM0.3703 = RM666.54 Result: Saves RM18.40/month under ToU. Why it works: EV charging and major appliance use happen overnight — taking full advantage of lower off-peak rates. How to check if ToU is right for you? Before switching, it's best to understand your actual electricity usage pattern. TNB recommends using its myTNB mobile app to monitor hourly usage and estimate your potential bill under both the standard and ToU tariffs. The app also allows you to track daily trends, set alerts, and assess whether your current lifestyle is already ToU-friendly. You can also use the online Electricity Bill Calculator on the myTNB website to simulate and compare bills. How to sign up? Applications opened on July 1. You can apply by emailing [email protected] visiting any Kedai Tenaga outlet. From August 1 onwards, you'll also be able to sign up directly via the myTNB app or website. Once approved, your ToU tariff will be activated within three to five working days. You'll need to stay on the plan for at least six months before switching back. So should I switch? If most of your electricity use already happens at night or on weekends — like if you work a regular office schedule and your air-cond only runs at bedtime — ToU could lower your bills without much effort. But if your routine centres around weekday afternoons, especially between 2pm and 10pm, the standard tariff may still make more sense. Start by tracking your usage. Whether it's your air-cond, rice cooker or washing machine — sometimes, saving on your electricity bill is simply a matter of timing.


Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bursa fines 7 Zetrix AI directors RM150,000 each for announcement breach
MyEG Services Bhd announced its name change to Zetrix AI Bhd, also changing its stock short name from MYEG to Zetrix, on June 30. (MyEG pic) PETALING JAYA : Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd has fined seven directors of Zetrix AI Bhd – formerly known as MyEG Services Bhd – RM150,000 each for failing to ensure three company announcements in 2023 were factual and accurate. Bursa said Zetrix AI and its directors had been publicly reprimanded for breach of the Main Market Listing Requirements. It said Zetrix had on July 7, 2023 announced, among others, that a notification letter dated July 4, 2023 from the home ministry confirmed the finance ministry's approval of the company's appointment as the government revenue collection agent and extended its role as the provider of online services for the immigration department. 'However, the July 7 announcement was inaccurate, false and misleading as the contents of the July 4 letter were inconsistent with the company's representations in the July 7 announcement,' it said in a statement. Bursa named the seven directors as Wong Thean Soon, Norraesah Mohamad, Jimmy Wong Abdullah, Wong Kok Chau, Mokhtar Shariff, Jeffrey Joakim and Mohaini Yusof. It said Zetrix AI and the directors had also failed to make an immediate announcement to clarify the inconsistency, but maintained its misrepresentation of matters in the company's subsequent announcements on Sept 13 and Sept 14 that year. '(This occurred despite) market concerns as reported by New Straits Times on Sept 12, 2023 in an article titled 'MyEG illegally renewing workers' permits', and by The Edge titled 'MyEG said to be charging fees for foreign worker permits despite contract suspension'. 'There were no reasonable justifications for the failure of the company and directors to ensure the announcements were factual and accurate, and comply with the directive. 'They had represented, among others, that the announcements were accurate and justified based on the past contract renewals and historical precedent in relation to the extension. 'In any event, it was evident that from May 23, 2023 to Jan 31, 2024, there was no evidence of any approval from the home or finance ministries for the company to be appointed as the collection agent for the government revenue and the extension,' it said. On June 30, the concessionaire for the Malaysia electronic-government MSC flagship application announced its name change to Zetrix AI, also changing its stock short name from MYEG to Zetrix.


Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit rises as US plans new tariffs on major partners
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