2027 Budget: Households to Get Up to RM200 Rebates for Energy-Efficient Appliances
Malaysia's Budget 2027 gives households rebates of up to RM200 for energy-efficient air conditioners and refrigerators under the Nur Madani programme. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim linked rising electricity use to hotter weather and said more efficient energy use should be encouraged. The government is also extending green investment tax incentives to 31 December 2030, including allowances of up to 100% for qualifying green technology assets. Market signal: air conditioners and refrigerators are core rental categories. Operators that help customers claim the rebate, or bundle it into lower monthly fees, can turn a policy measure into a sales message. Energy efficiency is becoming part of the subscription pitch. (Source: New Straits Times)
Coway has opened Southeast Asia's first BEREX store at Ombak KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, showing its sleep and wellness brand alongside air, water, and home comfort products. Visitors can try products in home-inspired settings under the “Unlock Better Living” concept. Market signal: premium showrooms turn rental into an aspirational lifestyle choice. (Source: Bernama)
Malaysians aged 30 and under made RM5.4 billion in Buy Now, Pay Later purchases, or 36.7% of the RM14.7 billion national total, according to the Finance Ministry. The ministry warned that using several BNPL facilities at once could create high repayments. Market signal: young consumers prefer paying monthly. Service-backed subscriptions offer a more responsible option. (Source: The Star)
Average Thai household debt reached THB794,945, up 7.3% to a 17-year high, according to a University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce survey. Buy Now, Pay Later use more than doubled to 14.2% of respondents, and 21.8% of borrowers took loans to buy durable goods. Market signal: Thai households are stretched. Low-upfront plans can win, but credit checks matter. (Source: The Nation Thailand)
Paylater financing by Indonesian finance companies reached IDR13.62 trillion in July, up 54.65% year on year, across 26.64 million accounts, yet it is only 2.45% of total financing. OJK's Moch. Riezky F. Purnomo said the opportunities are still very large. Market signal: Indonesia's pay-monthly habit is young and growing, a foundation for future subscription models. (Source: VOI)
Swap Mobile, running on StarHub's network, offers 24-month phone subscriptions with no upfront payment and insurance included. After six months, customers can return the phone and start a new subscription. An Oppo Find X9s, for example, costs S$54.90 a month. Market signal: device-as-a-service is spreading beyond home appliances. (Source: Techgoondu)
At its Hanoi seminar, Samsung said Southeast Asia and Oceania B2B sales rose more than 20% this year, and B2B now exceeds 50% of its HVAC business, up from 29% in 2021. Wi-Fi appliances get up to seven years of software updates. Market signal: the region's B2B demand and long-life connected appliances are the foundation for future service contracts. (Source: Digital Today)