LEMON BLOG

Health-Tech in Singapore Is Getting Very Practical, Very Fast

News | 27 February 2026

A lot of people hear "health-tech" and picture futuristic gadgets that feel a bit far-off. But in Singapore right now, the focus is much more down-to-earth: tools that help patients recover function sooner, avoid invasive procedures, and catch disease earlier.

Bank Negara Malaysia Gives XTransfer Conditional Approval: What It Means (And Why SMEs Should Care)

News | 27 February 2026

If you do any kind of cross-border business, you already know the pain points: onboarding that takes forever, FX rates that feel like a mystery box, and transfers that move on "their time," not yours. That's the problem XTransfer is trying to solve — and it just took a big step forward in Malaysia.

MCMC Blocks Access to LGBTQ+ Dating Websites in Malaysia, Eyes Next Steps for Mobile Apps

News | 26 February 2026

Malaysia's communications minister, Fahmi Fadzil, has confirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked access to LGBTQ+ dating websites in Malaysia. The confirmation came through a written parliamentary reply in the Dewan Rakyat, following a question about whether the government is also moving to stop downloads of certain dating apps.

Twelve Police Officers Held After Alleged Crypto Extortion in Kajang Raid

News | 21 February 2026

A police raid in Kajang that was initially presented as an anti-scam operation has now turned into a major internal misconduct case, after 12 police officers were arrested over allegations that they extorted cryptocurrency from foreign nationals during the raid.

Chinese New Year 2026 in Malaysia: when “two days off” quietly turns into a longer season

News | 17 February 2026

Chinese New Year 2026 lands right in the middle of a very Malaysian calendar moment, where cultures, travel plans, and public holidays all bump into each other in the most predictable way possible: everyone wants to be somewhere else at the same time. For 2026, Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, followed by the second day on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

Sunway Healthcare’s IPO could reset the “hospital sector” benchmark

News | 12 February 2026

Malaysia's private healthcare space is about to get a very public spotlight. Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd is preparing for a listing that analysts believe will set a new valuation record for the local hospital sector — at least for a while. That "for a while" part matters, because another heavyweight, Asia OneHealthcare (formerly Columbia Asia Healthcare), is also said to be lining up an IPO that could be even larger.

Maybank’s new blockchain pilot: tokenised ringgit deposits, but for real-world payments

News | 11 February 2026

Maybank has kicked off a new pilot project that sounds very "future finance," but the goal is actually quite practical: make cross-border payments faster, safer, and more efficient for businesses that move money across multiple countries. The bank is testing ringgit tokenised deposits and cross-border payments using blockchain, as part of its ROAR30 roadmap into digital assets and modern payment infrastructure.

Govt May Block Foreign Credit Cards at Petrol Stations, as Subsidy Leak Concerns Grow

News | 10 February 2026

If you've ever paid for petrol using the outdoor "pay-at-pump" terminal, you'll know how quick and convenient it is. But that convenience is now part of a bigger discussion, because the government is looking at whether overseas-registered credit cards should be blocked at these terminals, especially at petrol stations.

The RM100 SARA Aid Is Credited Yesterday, and Yes, Frozen Food Is Now on the List

News | 10 February 2026

If you're one of the Malaysians eligible for the RM100 SARA cashless aid, yesterday was the day it starts landing and becoming usable. Like the previous round, the assistance is aimed at helping with everyday essentials, and the funds remain usable right through to the end of the year. In other words, it's not a "use it this week or lose it" situation, but something you can stretch out when you actually need it.

A Weekend Toll Break for Chinese New Year Travel

News | 09 February 2026

If you're planning to balik kampung, visit relatives, or just escape the city for a couple of days, here's a small but very real win for your wallet: the government has announced a 50% toll discount for Chinese New Year travel, happening on 14 and 15 February. Those two days fall on the weekend right before Chinese New Year, which is usually when highways start getting busy with people moving around.

Malaysia’s First AI Data Centre Protest Is a Sign the Conversation Has Changed

News | 08 February 2026

For the past couple of years, Malaysia's data centre story has mostly been framed as a win: big names coming in, billions in investment, and a growing reputation as a regional hub for cloud and AI infrastructure. But in Johor, that narrative has now met its first very public speed bump.

Malaysia shuts the door on e-waste imports with an “Absolute Prohibition”

News | 05 February 2026

Starting today, Malaysia has moved from "controlled" e-waste imports to a full stop. Electronic waste (e-waste) is now officially placed under the Absolute Prohibition category in the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023. In plain terms, this isn't a tightening of rules or a new checklist. It's a complete ban on bringing e-waste into the country.

IRB’s e-Invoice Push Is Already Paying Off

News | 05 February 2026

Malaysia's move toward e-Invoice isn't just about modernising paperwork. Six months into the rollout, the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) says it's already turning e-Invoice data into something very real: better visibility, better matching, and better tax compliance outcomes.

China’s reported “yes, but…” on H200 chips

News | 01 February 2026

A new report says the Chinese government has given DeepSeek conditional approval to buy NVIDIA's H200 AI chips, with the details of those conditions still being finalised. The same reporting also says three other major buyers in China have been cleared under similar terms: ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent. Collectively, they were said to be approved for more than 400,000 H200 units.

Road closures in Kuala Lumpur for Thaipusam 2026

News | 30 January 2026

If you're driving in (or through) Kuala Lumpur around Thaipusam weekend, this is one of those times where planning ahead isn't optional. With major roads being closed in stages to support the chariot procession, even a "normal" short drive can turn into a long detour if you get caught near the route.

ShopeePay just added Money+, and it’s basically “let my idle e-wallet balance earn something”

News | 28 January 2026

ShopeePay has rolled out a new feature called Money+, an in-app investment option that's meant to feel more like a daily-use wallet feature than a "serious investing platform." You can access it from the ShopeePay app (and it also shows up through the main Shopee platform), and the entry point is intentionally low: you can start from RM10.

AWS and Exabytes Are Putting Real Money Into Cloud Skills in Malaysia

News | 23 January 2026

Malaysia's "digital talent gap" isn't a new topic, but it's one of those problems that keeps showing up everywhere once you look closely. Companies want people who can build and secure cloud systems, automate deployments, work with data, and now increasingly, understand AI workflows too. At the same time, plenty of Malaysians are still trying to find a solid way into tech without spending a fortune on courses that may or may not lead to a job.

Malaysia is planning a “basic” medical insurance option, and the big idea is to make coverage feel less out of reach

News | 23 January 2026

If you've ever tried comparing medical insurance plans and ended up more confused than confident, you're not alone. That's exactly the problem the government says it wants to tackle with a new baseline product: a basic Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful (MHIT) plan that's meant to be affordable, standardised, and easier to understand, while also helping to cool down the pressure from rising private healthcare costs. 

Pos Malaysia is testing autonomous delivery vehicles, and it’s a pretty big deal

News | 22 January 2026

If you've ever wondered when Malaysia might start seeing driverless vehicles doing real work (not just flashy demos), Pos Malaysia just took a meaningful step in that direction. The company has announced a partnership with Autonomous Logistic Solutions (ALS) to run a proof-of-concept (POC) for smart autonomous logistics vehicles. In simple terms, they're not just talking about autonomy, they're actually testing it in a structured trial that's expected to run for about six months.

Malaysia Moves to Restrict Social Media Access for Under-16s

News | 14 January 2026

Malaysia is no longer debating whether children under 16 should be restricted from using social media. The conversation has clearly shifted to when and how it will happen. Based on recent statements from the government, the timeline is now becoming clearer, with mid-2026 shaping up as the key turning point.