This was meant to go out in the morning, but it’s now 8.15pm in Kuala Lumpur, and since I’d already scheduled one for today, why not?
As you can tell from the picture, today’s rocket read isn’t about the DAP — the Malaysian political party now feasting on the spoils of government — but about our venture capital and, to some extent, private equity scene.
In hindsight, I should have commissioned a different picture, but it’s one of those days where I’ll just have to roll with what I’ve got.
Yesterday, a scoop went out about an external consultant being picked to draft another digital policy for the Malaysian government.
Here’s the ICYMI:
Also, it’s T-6 until prices go up on The Malaysianist. If you’d like to purchase an annual or founding member subscription, there’s no better time like the present to do so.
I also offer group subscriptions with the usual discounts, in case you are considering bulk purchases for friends or family.
Things have gone somewhat quiet after a number of announcements: Jelawang Capital’s Emerging Fund Managers Programme (VC), and Retirement Fund Inc’s Dana Perintis (VC) and Dana Pemacu (PE) initiatives.
These programmes will be a litmus test for Malaysia’s ability not only to deploy funds but also to source deals at home and abroad.
The challenge — moving money into investable firms — remains stubbornly domestic. This is still true despite the scandals that have rocked the Southeast Asian startup scene, from Indonesia’s eFishery onwards.
Industry sources tell me they are watching Jelawang Capital, the VC unit of sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, closely.
They’re expecting updates as we enter Q4. But something is already buzzing.