SALUTATIONS

1. (Mr) Mak Joon Nien

Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia

2. (Ms) Sharon Chung

Interim Location Head, Standard Chartered GBS Malaysia and Head of GBS Governance

3. (Mr) Cezary Piekarski (Seh-Zah-Ri | Pyeah-Kar-Ski)

Group Chief Information Security Officer, Standard Chartered Bank

Management and Staff Members of Standard Chartered Bank

Members of the Media,

Ladies and gentlemen.

Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good morning.

1. It is a privilege to stand here today for a double celebration: the 25th anniversary of Standard Chartered Global Business Services (GBS) Malaysia and the inauguration of your first global Fusion Centre.

2. Milestones like this are more than just a look back; they are proof that Malaysia is no longer just a participant in the digital economy — we are a trusted and preferred destination for it.

3. At the same time, we recognise that the global environment today is becoming increasingly complex — shaped by economic shifts, evolving security challenges, and rapid technological change. In such a landscape, growth must go hand in hand with resilience.

4. We are also witnessing heightened geopolitical tensions globally, with developments beyond our borders already affecting energy prices, supply chains, and market stability. These shifts remind us that even distant events can have very real consequences on our economy and the daily lives of our people.

5. Malaysia’s approach is clear — we remain committed to stability, restraint, and constructive engagement, while focusing on safeguarding our national interests and the wellbeing of our rakyat.

6. At the same time, we are taking practical steps to ensure preparedness. Our security and economic agencies are actively assessing potential scenarios — including impacts on energy supply, trade flows, and cost pressures — so that we can respond early and effectively to any disruptions.

7. At the highest level, the government is closely monitoring developments through weekly National Economic Action Council (NEAC) meetings, chaired by the Prime Minister. These sessions bring together key ministries and industry stakeholders to coordinate responses, strengthen economic resilience, and ensure that the livelihoods of Malaysians remain protected.

8. This coordinated approach allows us to take proactive measures — from managing supply stability to cushioning cost impacts — so that businesses, such as Standard Chartered, can continue to operate with confidence, and Malaysians are shielded as much as possible from external shocks.

DIGITAL ECONOMY AND GBS

Ladies and Gentlemen,

9. Ultimately, our focus is clear: to ensure that despite global uncertainty, Malaysia remains stable, secure, forward-looking, and firmly positioned as a trusted and attractive destination for investment and business.

10. I am proud to share that Malaysia’s digital economy remains firmly on track to meet our 30% target by 2030, supported by strong fundamentals and consistent policy direction.

11. This momentum is reflected in our record-breaking performance in 2025, where Malaysia secured RM426.7 billion in approved investments — the highest in our nation’s history.

12. The services sector, including GBS, continues to be a key driver of this growth, demonstrating sustained international confidence not only in our capabilities, but also in our stability and reliability.

13. For 25 years, Standard Chartered GBS has evolved from a traditional back-office hub into a high-value technology arm supporting over 50 markets worldwide.

14. This evolution mirrors Malaysia’s own transformation — from a cost-based economy to one driven by value, innovation, and intelligence.

15. Malaysia’s GBS sector has grown significantly in recent years, with a 66.8% increase in companies since 2022, now exceeding 700 entities. Investments have surged from RM730 million in 2021 to RM9.87 billion in 2024.

16. We currently rank 3rd globally in the Global Services Location Index — a position sustained through continuous innovation, talent development, and investor confidence.

17. But beyond the numbers, the true strength of this ecosystem lies in its people.

18. I am encouraged to note that of your 4,000 employees, 80% are Malaysians. This reflects the strong local-global synergy that we continue to champion.

19. Through the Malaysia Digital initiative, we are committed to ensuring that Malaysians are not just users of technology, but creators, innovators, and guardians of it.

FUSION CENTRE

Ladies and gentlemen,

20. This brings us to the Fusion Centre we are inaugurating today.

21. In today’s environment — where digital systems underpin global finance and risks can emerge rapidly across borders — the concept of “fusion” is both timely and strategic.

22. It represents the integration of cybersecurity, data analytics, and real-time risk management into a single, coordinated capability.

23. More importantly, it reflects a shift in how institutions operate — from being reactive to becoming predictive, resilient, and adaptive.

24. This Fusion Centre is a strong example of what we envision as “GBS 5.0” — operations that are human-centric, AI-driven, and impact-focused.

25. It also aligns closely with the work of our National AI Office (NAIO) which is advancing standards to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains both innovative and secure.

26. Today, digital adoption is no longer optional — it is essential for continuity, competitiveness, and trust.

27. By centralising capabilities and strengthening response mechanisms, this Fusion Centre sets a new benchmark for operational resilience in the financial sector.

28. As a government, we are committed to supporting this transition — not only through infrastructure, but through forward-looking policies and adaptive regulatory frameworks.

29. While we have existing laws to address digital threats, we recognise that the pace of change requires continuous collaboration with industry players like yourselves to ensure our frameworks remain relevant and effective.

30. Your 25-year presence in Malaysia demonstrates what can be achieved when strong partnerships between the public and private sectors are sustained over time.

31. You have played an important role in positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for digital and financial services.

CLOSING

Ladies and gentlemen

32. To the management and staff of Standard Chartered, your dedication and commitment have built the trust that makes today’s milestone possible.

33. Our multilingual talent and strategic location remain key advantages, but it is your continuous investment in upskilling and innovation that keeps this ecosystem competitive.

34. As we move towards our aspiration of becoming an AI-driven nation by 2030, partnerships like this will be increasingly important.

35. I am confident that this Fusion Centre will not only strengthen Standard Chartered’s global operations, but also contribute to a more secure, resilient, and forward-looking digital ecosystem for Malaysia and beyond.

36. Once again, congratulations on 25 years of excellence and the successful launch of this world-class facility.

Thank you.

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