Kuching, 19 November 2025 – Financial literacy remains a cornerstone for the economic wellbeing of young Malaysians as they transition into the workforce. This year, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad (PAMB), in partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), resumed the Sarawak Graduate Financial Convention with a renewed focus on building financial resilience among graduates.
The convention, themed “Money and Risk in the Digital Era”, brought together over 1,000 students from 15 Sarawakian higher education institutions. The convention was officiated by YB Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak, and featured representatives from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Eastspring Investments, and other key financial organisations.
According to BNM’s Financial Capability & Inclusion Demand-Side Survey 2024, the national financial literacy index stands at 59.1 out of 100, with about 61% reporting difficulty in raising RM1,000 in emergency funds[1]. This underscores the urgent need to equip young adults with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively and build a secure future.
YB Datuk Francis Harden Hollis stated, “The Sarawak Graduate Financial Convention is a vital platform that brings together academia, industry, and government to strengthen financial awareness among our younger generation. I believe that the Financial Education initiatives organised by Prudential since 2014 have greatly supported the government’s efforts in delivering essential financial management knowledge to our youth and underserved communities. By empowering our graduates with financial knowledge and digital ethics, we are preparing them to manage risks, seize opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to Sarawak’s vision of becoming a developed region by 2030.”
For this year’s convention, Prudential hosted expert-led sessions on financial and digital literacy. Key topics included investing through digital platforms, leveraging digital and social media for entrepreneurship, making responsible decision when using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services, and recognising emerging scams identified by BNM. MCMC also contributed by highlighting the importance of verifying social media content before sharing it with friends and family, as well as checking the credibility of news sources.
Additionally, Prudential introduced PRUKasih Aman, an award-winning microinsurance solution designed to provide financial protection for underserved communities, ensuring that students are covered during unexpected events.
Notes:
[1] Financial Capability and Inclusion Demand Side Survey 2024
-END-
