#InvestInsights: Should You Start Investing During A Recession? An Expert Weighs In

  • By CompareHero.my
  • August 11, 2020

Should you invest during a recession? COVID-19 has severely impacted the world’s economy, causing a global recession. One of the best ways to take advantage of the recession is by investing, but is it really safe for you to invest during this period? There are many factors and strategies to consider before investing. Read this article to find what an expert had to say.


What goes up will eventually come down – the same can be said of the market when it’s in a recession: one day stocks are soaring high, and before you know it, they come plunging to the ground.

Defined as a significant decline in general economic activity as reflected by the GDP, recessions are often characterised with rising unemployment, fewer available jobs in the market, increasing government relief like stimulus packages and unemployment benefits. 

The recession that Malaysia is currently facing is a direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy, which has also curtailed key industries such as travel, leisure and hospitality, tourism, airline, retail and many more.


Also known as the ‘boom and bust,’ this period is often referred to as a period of rapid economic growth that is usually associated with rising inflation. (Image source: economicshelp.org)

In macroeconomics, economic slowdowns or downturns, experts say, tend to be cyclical, meaning they come and go every 8-10 years, and would last for between six months and up to two or three years before ending, and the economy returns to a period of economic growth.

Often, recessions make investors nervous, so much that they may start to wonder whether their portfolio needs some tweaking. Some may even abandon their stocks altogether when the market gets too volatile. 

But despite market fluctuations, it’s important to remember that a recession isn’t the time to bail out on the markets, as there is always an opportunity in every crisis

Of course, we’re not saying you should dive into stock investing without any knowledge, instead, we’re advocating for seasoned and new investors to equip themselves with knowledge so they can make informed decisions and take tangible actions to develop an investment portfolio that is stable during a recession, and has the potential to grow incrementally over the long term.

Read also: 10 Things Successful Investors Don’t Do

Big disclaimer: all our views here are meant to be educational – not a professional recommendation from CompareHero.my. 

Before we dive in, the main question still stands – what is the best investing strategy during a recession? Generally, the rule of thumb of investing in a recession is to maximize returns and minimize risks in ways that are comfortable for you. 

To get a more informed perspective of investing in a recession, CompareHero.my spoke to a certified financial planner and personal finance blogger to help us get two different perspectives on investing during a recession. 

Is it safe to invest during a recession?

The real truth: there’s no clean cut yes or no answer, as it’s a case by case situation depending on a person’s level of income, financial standing and background, type of investment and their risk appetite. 

But during a recession, stock prices typically plummet, especially if they are part of recently hard-hit industries like travel, leisure, airline etc., opening up opportunities for the masses to pick up high-quality assets at discounted prices. 

This presents the rare opportunity for investors to buy stocks for a much more affordable price. Phang Kar Yew, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Harveston Financial Group, echoed this point. He told CompareHero.my that investors should “never waste a good crisis,” because there will be opportunities in the market during a recession, depending on an investor’s level of perseverance, the risks, and how they welcome the opportunity. 


Phang is a certified financial planner, who is also licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia as a Capital Markets Services Representative and by Bank Negara Malaysia as a Financial Adviser’s Representative. (Image source: Phang Kar Yew)

For example, Phang said an investor looking to make a short-term return can take advantage of currently strong performing stocks like gloves – as long as the investor has some spare, non-emergency, cash on hand. The money, he said, has to be a dedicated amount that isn’t parked under any other commitments.

“During a recession, things are cheaper and companies are not sure of their pricing, so if you can hold your investment horizon longer, you may take up more risks. Equity will definitely pay more handsomely and provide better yield than fixed incomes or bonds in the shorter-term. But you have to match it with your objective and review every year or half-a-year to see if the market has turned around or is volatile. From there, readjust and rebalance the profile accordingly, “ Phang said . 

However, he wanted to emphasize that the decision and desire to invest shouldn’t just depend on the timeline or the performance of the market, because investing is not just about beating the market, but it’s mainly about achieving some form of personal or financial goal.  

“We don’t invest because there is a recession or no recession. In investment, what we like to advocate on is to have a real clear goal and objective,” Phang said. “There is nothing better than defining what you want to achieve on the long term, mid term and short term.”

Related: 7 Investment Lessons You Should Learn From Successful Investors

With a very clear objective, then only will you be able to decide if it’s the right time to invest. It’s not so much on the external environment – yes, it does have a bit of implication, but it’s more about the inner self and the willingness to answer the question ‘why do we want to invest?’.” he added. 

That view – that investing during a recession depends on an individual’s personal situation –  is supported by Aaron Tang, the man behind Mr. Stingy, a popular personal finance blog that covers a variety of topics, including money, time, career and relationships.


Though Tang isn’t a certified financial planner and doesn’t have formal financial advisory credentials, he’s gained an extensive following online from writing about personal finance on his blog, Mr. Stingy, in his spare time. (Image source: Mr. Stingy)

“People who are in comfortable situations (have a stable financial income and have emergency savings) can continue to invest even during a recession because investing is a long-term thing,” he told CompareHero.my. “Just because the market goes down one year doesn’t mean (you should stop investing.)” 

“You’re not actively trading the market, because that’s something very different – I think most people who are investing are doing it for retirement or other longer financial goals, so over a longer period of time, it should work out okay,” he said.

Whether or not there’s a recession, for Aaron, the responsible answer to most investing questions would usually be, “it depends on your situation,” as he believes that there is no easy, clean cut, answer when it comes to investing. 

Investing strategies – factors to consider before investing

When it comes to investing, ignorance isn’t bliss but a huge dent on your wallet. What you don’t know about investing, especially the basics, will cost you and may even result in catastrophic losses. 

But not everyone needs a bachelor’s degree in finance or to be a certified financial expert to get their feet wet or hands dirty in investing. What you do need though, is the willingness and commitment to perform due diligence before committing to any major investment. This critical skill separates amateur investors from the professionals, and is what can make or break your portfolio. 

By the way, hot tips and hunches, and relying solely on articles (like ours!) are not good examples of performing due diligence. 

Related: The Different Types of Investors in Malaysia

According to Investopedia, due diligence is defined as an investigation, audit, or review performed to confirm the facts of a matter under consideration. In finance, it essentially means requiring an examination of financial records before entering into a proposed transaction with another party.

It’s so crucial that there’s a law for it in the United States. Securities dealers and brokers are responsible for fully disclosing material information about the instruments they are selling, and the failure to disclose such information to potential investors made dealers and brokers liable for criminal prosecution.

Similarly in Malaysia, according to MahWengKwai & Associates, the onus of evaluating the merits of securities is placed on the investors, while applicants (ie. the target company) are also required to adopt high standards of disclosure when interacting with the market, for transactions that fall within the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. 

Bottom line: due diligence is important!

Here are some brief steps (not a complete guide) for due diligence that we can share from our own research:

1. Analyze the market capitalization of the company 

A company’s market cap or total value can give you some insights into the company’s stage in business development – large cap companies tend to be more conservative owing to their less aggressive growth potential, compared to mid and small cap stocks which may be more volatile. This info also shows how broad the ownership is and the potential size of the company’s target markets.

2. Understand the revenue, profit and margins trends

Go through a company’s financial statements to see how “healthy” they are as an organization. This helps you gain insights into how well a company makes and retains money. This information is important because it determines a company’s ability to pay investors dividends. Finding out how well a company uses its resources and much income it makes from operations can help you gauge how much return you’ll get in the long term, and how well the company is performing in the market. 

3. Check out competitors and industries

Let’s take it up a notch and put your targeted company alongside its competitors and industry peers. By doing this, you get to see how it fares to similar companies within the same industry. This is where you discover if the company is an industry leader, its stability, and if they have specific target markets or cater to the broader society. 


Proper leadership plays a crucial role in the performance of a stock. 

4. Find out about corporate ownership and management

If you are going to own a slice of a company, it only makes sense that you want to know who is steering the ship at the top. Is the company led by a founder or is it professionally run? Most companies will share the bios of their management team online – there you get to assess their level of expertise and experience and can decide if they are proper leaders. Shareholders are best served when those running the show have a vested interest in the performance of the stock. 

5. Calculate the Debt-to-Equity Ratio

Though all companies carry a debt on their balance sheet, you want to avoid companies with high amounts of debt. Compare the debt-to-equity ratio and find a company that has more assets than liabilities.

Invest if you can, but know your limitations

But it’s not enough to just go through publicly available information about companies, sussing and comparing company numbers, or performing a key competitor analysis, we also believe that due diligence extends to oneself. This means it’s also super crucial to assess your own capacity and capability as an investor. 

With that said, it looks like we’ve rambled on for quite some time. Tune in to our next article if you want to find out how to assess your own capacity and capability as an investor and what types of investments to consider during a recession.  

Read also: #InvestInsights: What Should You Invest in During a Recession? An Expert Weighs In.

Disclaimer: Neither CompareHero.my nor the content on it is intended as securities brokerage, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. The content on CompareHero.my is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be personalised investment advice or a solicitation for the purchase or sale of securities.

Compargo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and/or its affiliates cannot and do not assess, verify or guarantee the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information, the suitability or profitability of any particular investment, or the potential value of any investment or informational source. CompareHero.my may receive compensation from the brands or services mentioned on this website.

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3 Easy Ways For Maybank Customers To Apply For COVID-19 Post-Moratorium Assistance

  • By CompareHero.my
  • August 10, 2020

If you are struggling to make your loan repayments, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) is now providing three options to apply for post-moratorium assistance packages before the existing six-month COVID-19 moratorium ends. Read this article to find out how.



At time of writing, we are only a month away before the 6-month COVID-19 loan moratorium ends on 30th September 2020. With the country still recovering from the economical effects of the pandemic, the government and Bank Negara has officially introduced a 3-month loan moratorium extension for a select group of borrowers. 

In line with this, Maybank is now offering three easy channels for their customers to apply for their post-moratorium Repayment Assistance Package. Aimed at helping ease financial burdens, the bank will continue to progressively reach out to more customers but wishes to encourage those who need this assistance to contact them as soon as possible. 

Read also: 29 July 2020 Update: 3 Months Loan Moratorium Extension (Latest COVID-19 Loan Moratorium Info & Guide @ Bank Negara Malaysia)

What is the Maybank Repayment Assistance Package? 

The Maybank Repayment Assistance Package is pretty much in its name – an assistance package for Maybank customers who are struggling to pay off their loans. 

The package will be tailored to best suit the needs of borrowers and address their challenges, be it loss of employment, reduction in salary, or a disruption in their business operations

This could include: 

  • an extension of the moratorium (for those who lost their employment in 2020),
  • a rescheduling of their loan to extend the tenure, or 
  • a restructuring of their loan to one that is more in-line with their payment capabilities. 

How to apply for Maybank COVID-19 loan moratorium assistance 

To make it easy, here are the three channels available for Maybank customers to choose from: 

a. Apply online via Maybank2u (for individual customers, excluding Hire Purchase).

b. Apply via email to weassist@maybank.com (for individual customers) or SMErelief@maybank.com (for SME customers), providing name, contact number, type of loan (e.g Mortgage, Hire Purchase, Term Loan Financing); Vehicle number (for Hire Purchase) and Reason for application.

c. Visit or call any of the Maybank branches, SME Centres, or Auto Finance Centres (whichever is relevant) nationwide.

Be sure to remember that the deadline for applications ends on 30th September 2020. However, start applying as early as possible so that the repayment arrangements can be approved and implemented before the moratorium ends. 

For more information, go to www.maybank2u.com.my/covid19 or call the Maybank Customer Care Hotline: 1-300 88 6688 (and press *1 for “Repayment Assistance”). 

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How To Read & Understand Your Credit Card Statement? Your Credit Card Statement Explained

  • By CompareHero.my
  • August 6, 2020

Your credit card statement is more than just finding out the bills you have to pay. It is important for you to understand all the details contained in the monthly report you receive. Here’s a quick explanation and guidance for credit card owners on how to read a credit card statement.



Unlike your monthly water or electricity bill, your credit card bill can look pretty confusing. That’s because it includes a number of factors: your statement date, your interest rate, your owing, your outstanding balance… the list goes on! 

So if you’re a little confused with how to understand your credit card statement, don’t feel bad – you’re not the only one. 

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the elements of a credit card statement and hopefully help you understand how to make sense of it all. But first… 

What is a credit card statement? 

And what does a credit card statement look like? It’s basically a detailed billing information of your credit card usage with multiple pages of black and white text, sent to you by your bank or credit card issuer once a month

They used to come right into our mailboxes, but most banks have now moved to e-statements which you can download online or have them sent to your email inbox. 

These statements must also adhere to Bank Negara’s rules

(a) An issuer shall provide a monthly statement to a cardholder indicating the outstanding balance, the minimum repayment, the amount credited and charged, including interest and other non-interest charges, and the dates when those amounts were posted to the account; 

(b) An issuer shall provide a minimum payment warning statement (in a box, 12-point font and bold) on the front page of the monthly statement (refer to the sample in Appendix 1). An issuer shall advise a cardholder to use the calculator available on the issuer’s website to compute the length of time it would take to fully settle the balance outstanding based on different repayment amounts. On the back page of the monthly statement, an issuer shall provide a standard illustrative example as per the format in Appendix 2; 

(c) The back page of the monthly statement shall also, at the minimum, disclose the information in a standard table as set out in Appendix 3. This information shall be clearly visible (i.e. shall not be in light shade and less than 8-point font size); 

(d) An issuer shall inform a cardholder on the front page of the last statement of the year, of the length of time it would take to fully settle the cardholder’s actual existing balance outstanding and the total interest cost assuming there is no new transaction on the credit card (refer to the sample in Appendix 4); 

(e) In addition to the above, the last statement of the year shall provide information on the total credit utilised, total interest cost, and total charges imposed to encourage prudent use of the credit card; and 

(f) For a cardholder who opts to receive e-statements, an issuer shall ensure that the information on the e-statement is the same as the hardcopy statement. 

In a nutshell, these statements usually include

  • Your outstanding balance 
  • Your minimum repayment 
  • The amount credited and charged – including interest and non-interest charges 
  • The dates for when those amounts were charged to your card 


The other pages where words are printed in a teeny tiny font size are easy to gloss over, but do take the time to read them as they’re actually really helpful in guiding you in your repayment. They also include some helpful illustrations of how your debt can grow if you don’t pay off your balance. 

Depending on your card, it can also include your rewards points and expiry. And, of course, some marketing materials on the bank’s latest promo. 

Credit card statement terms – explained 

To know how to read your credit card statement, you must understand what these important terms mean. 

Statement Date – Date of the month as determined by the Bank to be the date of the Statement of Account. Statement is generated and all transactions made from the last Statement Date to the current Statement Date will be recorded in the statement.

Minimum Payment Due – The minimum amount payable. 

Payment Due Date – The date payment is due, which is the expiry date of a twenty-day period from the Statement Date.

Combined Credit Limit – Total credit limit of all the credit limits for all the credit cards you own with the bank.

Previous Balance – The total balance due at the end of the previous statement cycle.

Credit / Payment – Total amount credited into your account and/or any payments made.

Debit / Fees – Total amount debited from account and/or any fees incurred to the account.

Retail Purchase – All transactions for the purchase of goods and/or services incurred using VISA/MASTERCARD for this statement cycle.

Cash Advance – Amount of disbursement of cash from the VISA/MASTERCARD account.

Total Balance Due – Total amount payable which includes previous balance, new transactions, cash advance and fees/charges incurred.

Transaction Date – Dates of transactions performed for this statement cycle.

Transaction Description – Details of transactions performed for this statement cycle.

Transaction Amount – Amount of all transactions including retail purchases, previous balance, fees and charges incurred.

To read your statement, you should first look at the Statement Date and Payment Due Date to ensure that you’re not too late in your repayment. (Remember, you need to pay before your due date!) Check on your account number and details to ensure that it is indeed the correct card. 

Then, go line-by-line to check on what you’ve been charged for, and what has been debited into your account. Make sure that all is in order, and call your bank if you find that something is amiss. 

Then, check on your reward points and/or cashback, which may be located towards the end of the page. It’s always beneficial to use a credit card when you spend, because you’ll always get rewarded for it. Just remember to pay off your balances in full and not to spend outside your limits! 

Read also: What Happens If You Make Late Credit Card Payments

Why should you check your credit card statement each month?

Thanks to technology, we can now easily check our credit card balances and transaction histories through our banking mobile apps. They appear easily on our apps, meaning we don’t have to hunt for them in some obscure corner. However, it may not be a good idea to only rely on those summaries for an accurate view on your credit card transactions. 

It’s best to check your credit card statements line by line every month. This allows you to spot discrepancies, even if they are barely sizable. 

If you were charged for something you did not pay for, even if it’s as little as RM1, you should immediately call your bank to check as this is one of the telltale signs of credit card identity theft. It’s common for thieves to make a discreet purchase just to test out your card before they move on to bigger things. 

Your credit card statement will also help you check on instalments. We’ve heard of borrowers who took up yearly gym membership, but instead of being charged a monthly instalment, their cards were charged the full five-figure fee! If you don’t have the means to pay that off, you will likely max out your credit limit – and be penalised if you don’t pay them off the following month. 

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#NewNormal: Working From Home Vs Working In The Office – Pros And Cons

  • By CompareHero.my
  • August 4, 2020

Many employers in Malaysia have adopted the working from home policy since the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO). While both employers and employees are gradually adjusting to this new normal, what are the differences between working from home (WFH) and working from office (WFO)? Which one actually gives you better productivity? Read this article to find out.


Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe early this year, there has been a lot of debate surrounding the future of work, as lockdowns and social distancing measures become a mainstay of our lives.

In the wake of the virus, companies are forced to reimagine the way employees work, and the traditional roles of offices, and though the debate on remote working productivity is not new, the topic is once again under the microscope.

COVID-19 has also accelerated the inevitable remote working revolution, as more employers around the world are considering extending work from home (WFH) options in case of any surge in coronavirus cases – Google recently announced it will let employees work from home until at least July 2021.

Closer to home, a majority of the Malaysian workforce is supportive of work from home arrangements based on a survey conducted by KPMG in Malaysia from 7 April to 19 May 2020 during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Out of 3,022 respondents, 69% say work from home should continue post MCO as part of the new normal arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As countries continue to relax their lockdown measures, we analyze whether working from home or working in the office is the better option, so you can make a more informed decision.

Pros of working from home


In today’s new normal, many companies are now choosing to have employees work from home.

1. Freedom at last! – Working from home is the true mark of independent working as you will be away from colleagues and your manager. But there’s more to being independent than just working in your PJs – you’ll need to be a self-starter, self-motivated, highly-disciplined, and focused to be able to work with minimal guidance and supervision. Your time management skills will be put to the test when you work from home. Some suggest that working from home may be more productive for those who are more focused.

2. Much more can be done – Omit the hours spent on commuting, chatting with co-workers, interruptions in the office and office lunches, you’ll start to realize that you have more time for yourself and your work.

3. Work wherever you please – Not feeling like working at your desk today? Well working from home lets you work on your couch, bean bag, or at your local cafe – wherever that’s equipped with good wifi.

4. Flexibility – Not a morning person? Or are you more productive at night? Working from home lets you skip the conventional 9-5, and gives you the flexibility of choosing your working hours, be it day or night. Some people are just wired to be more motivated, efficient, creative at odd hours.

5. Work-life balance – Perhaps you’re tired of missing your child’s recital every now and then or you’ve been taking one too many rain checks on loved ones. Working from home gives you the flexibility of working on the weekend to make up for the weekday that you used to attend a special occasion. This way, you get to integrate your social and personal life with your working life in a healthy way.

6. Less stress – Let’s face it, work can get stressful, but we all gotta do it because we need to pay those bills. But working from home gives you the flexibility of working from the comfort of your own space.

7. More ‘me’ time – A joy for all the introverts who crave for this the most. Most of your work no longer revolves around the schedules of others – this means more time for extra shuteye or more time for yourself when enjoying breakfast. Working from home lets you start your day on the right foot without having to rush to the office.

8. You are in control – Don’t like the horrid commute? Not a fan of the cubicle walls at work? Well working from home lets you create your own corner for work. It also lets you define your own working hours.

Cons of working from home


Working from home can be stressful if the lines of communication are not clear or blurred.

1. Solitary confinement – If you’re an extrovert, the thought of being cooped up at home for 8 hours, 5 days a week, may just drive you a little nuts. As a social creature, you need your daily dose of connection and interaction.

2. No structure – If you’re someone who needs more structure in life, you probably find the daily commute and going to the office routine as a necessity to keep you disciplined and focused on the daily tasks ahead. This is especially true for people who prefer to keep work strictly out of their home.

3. Technical glitches – Imagine you’re 10 minutes into work and then suddenly the internet cuts off, and then you won’t be able to get it back on running until the next 3 hours. One of the tradeoffs of working at home is not having the same access to tech support that you would usually get at an office setting. Working from home may also prevent full access to technology platforms due to data security or consumer protection.

4. A cycle of never ending work – The downside of working from home is that you may lose track of time and space, and end up working later into the evening not realizing what time it is. For some people, there needs to be a clear distinction between work and personal life, and they will do whatever it takes to prevent the two bleeding together.

Pros of working in the office


Teamwork makes the dream work – working with others in the office teaches you how to deal and communicate with others.

1. Time management – The conventional 9-5 may work for those who need more structure in their lives. Let’s face it: as humans we don’t always have our lives together, and it’s things like this (going to work) that helps give our lives more stability and structure. This may be particularly helpful for folks who prefer to follow set working hours, which may also teach you how to manage time better – being productive when you need to at work, and relax when work is over.

2. Creating meaningful relationships – Some people meet their lifelong friends from an office setting. Working and being with the same people forces you to have conversations with them. Sure, you won’t connect with everyone, but eventually you’ll find one or two that sticks. Offices are great breeding grounds for making friends and establishing professional relationships with others.

3. Learning and growth opportunities – Being in the office can help teach you how to conduct yourself in a professional setting. You will automatically learn how to carry yourself in the best possible way with people from different backgrounds. You could also expand your knowledge by learning from others. Working in the office is also a good opportunity to pick up a mentor and develop yourself.

4. You’ll appreciate holidays much more – Since offices will close during holidays, you get to appreciate and enjoy your holidays better.

5. Be in the know – Catching up with the latest company updates and meetings will help you feel more connected with your employer. You could also do that via the company intranet, but it won’t feel the same to receiving updates on site.

6. Motivated to grow –  Being around intelligent people (hopefully!) might motivate you to excel and do better. And let’s face it, nobody wants to be that employee who is known for slacking or underperforming.

Cons of working in the office


Working in the office can expose you to more stressful situations.

1. Exposure to COVID-19 – Although the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia has gone down exponentially over the past few months, we have still been seeing on and off double digit growth over the last few weeks. Besides the use of masks and social distancing, employers can play a crucial role in the fight against the virus by allowing employees to work from home, thus avoiding potential infections while commuting, at work and while going out for lunch.

2. The commute – No one enjoys being stuck in a long traffic jam on the way to work. Not only is it a waste of time and money, it’s also bad for the environment. The dreaded commute is often the biggest turn off for people and is a large reason why they start their day on the wrong footing.

3. Encourages a sedentary lifestyle – Sitting at your desk all day is not good for your body, your mind and your mood. Not only do you develop habits of a lazy person, you also end up straining your neck and back.

4. Relationships are not often rosy – Unlike friends, who you get to choose, you don’t get to choose who you work with. These forced relationships don’t often work out and can cause conflicts like favouritism, constant disagreements or just a mismatch of personalities.

5. Health – Not feeling well but you don’t qualify for a health certificate? Employees are often left in a limbo when it comes to their health and going to the office. Some days you might not be feeling super, but it doesn’t warrant a health certificate – this is where working from home would seem like the more flexible and handy option.

6. All the interruptions – though open spaces have been cited as a good way to connect and collaborate with others, it can undeniably result in a lot of interruptions and distractions.

Still not sure which is the better choice? Well, beyond just the quick pros and cons, there are other factors to consider when choosing between the two that are not so clear cut, we discussed it further below.

Choose a place where you feel more engaged

Whether it’s in the office or at home, at the end of the day, employers want their employees to be productive and engaged at work in order to produce their best work.

A study from Gallup reveals that engagement increases when employees spend some time working remotely and some time working in a location with their coworkers – or more specifically three to four days working off-site.

And thanks to technology, there are more sophisticated work-from-home applications like video conferences, cloud collaboration software, and other technological softwares that can make almost any office job to be done completely remotely.

The key here is to find a balance between working independently and getting face time with managers and coworkers. In the study, remote workers also say they make a lot of progress in their day when working off site.

The autonomy and flexibility given to employees could help lead to better performance and make employees feel more connected to their company.

The verdict: A pro for both

In this context, there’s no yes or no for either remote working or office working because it’s more important to do a thorough self-assessment on how one’s productivity is affected by either conditions.

Choose a place where you positively impact the environment

Billions of people commute to work daily – so imagine the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that is released into the atmosphere.

Recognizing the long-term repercussions of this, global companies like Xerox, Dell and Aetna have all embraced remote working and have reportedly cumulatively saved 95.294 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions —equivalent to taking 20,000 passenger vehicles off the road.


According to Global Workforce Analytics, people whose jobs could be done remotely can save up to US$20 million (RM85 million) per year. (Image source: Cisco)

Virtual workers not only get to shrink their carbon footprint and leave a positive impact on the environment, they can also save time and money, and all in all develop a healthier work-life integration.

Beyond just reducing carbon footprint, working from home could help reduce air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

Working from home also means you are just a few steps away from your kitchen, this can help reduce the likelihood of spending on breakfast and lunch or coffee and tea – hence possibly reducing the use of single-use plastic food containers, bags, or cutlery. This helps eliminate both food and plastic waste when you utilize your own cups, cutlery, and plates for eating and drinking throughout the day.

But you can still be conscious of the environment in the office as well. For starters, you may want to consider taking public transport or car pooling to work if it’s within your means. Both methods can contribute to the reduction of your overall carbon footprint.

And the effort to go green doesn’t end on the way to work. You can also try other good practices like going paperless where possible, dimming or switching off the lights or electronics when not in use, and using recycled material. These are all easy ways that don’t cost anything.

The verdict: It was close, but it’s a pro for working from home 

Though it could be a pro for both working from home and office work, data clearly shows remote working could reduce carbon footprint, and overall, reduce cost from petrol, eating out, tolls, parking etc. The cons would be a hike in electricity and internet bills but those could be tradeoffs for other costs.

Choose the space that helps you feel more productive

Is it more productive to work in the office or at home? A survey by the Manifest, providers of data-driven benchmarks for small business, revealed that 30% of employees are more productive working from home, compared to 45% in an office. But the study surveyed 365 workers across the U.S.

Though there isn’t a direct survey comparison, other surveys in Malaysia have revealed that working from home posed multiple challenges for the Malaysian workforce, indicating that it may not be the most productive option for many Malaysians.

A survey by KPMG revealed that 64% of respondents faced challenges while working from home, with the top three difficulties being network issues (61%), communication barriers (14%), and lack of technology readiness (10%).

Another survey by market research company Vase.ai, an on-demand market research platform,  shows that 77% Malaysians say it is challenging for them to work from home. Their top three reasons were cited as unstable internet connection (35%), challenges communicating with their employees or team members online (31%), and difficulties accessing data they need from the office database (28%).

Only 9% of Malaysian respondents feel it is more productive to work from home according to Vase.ai. (Image source: Vase.ai)

But Chan Siew Mei, KPMG’s Head of Advisory in Malaysia, said in the report, that “irrespective of readiness or desire, this pandemic has boosted the WFH movement to be a required reality for the masses,” and that “committed leadership from the top is required to help employees quickly overcome the challenges to adapt to this new normal.”

KPMG data and analytics also show a direct correlation between productivity levels and the capacity/capability of communication platforms and the readiness of individuals to adopt technology (see table below).

Top 3 WFH challenges% of respondentsReduction in productivity
Network issues61%Þ 9%
Communication barriers14%Þ 23%
Lack of technology readiness10%Þ 24%


The KPMG survey shows that respondents who leveraged on collaboration tools (such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc.) as their main mode of communication while working from home reported the highest productivity levels (77%) compared to other modes of communication. (Image source: KPMG)

If you choose to work from home, you could try to boost your productivity by designating an area at home specifically for working. Having a dedicated space will help keep you focused on the task at hand.

You could also structure your day so it resembles normal working hours – this means defining clear start and finish hours.

Take breaks – if you have traditionally been working in the office, your body may not be primed to be working at home. This usually leads to non-stop working hours when you get too engrossed in the work. Try breaking your work into intervals and take 5 minute breaks in between.

Limit distractions – if you are prone to heading to the kitchen every 5 minutes, perhaps move your working space away from the kitchen. If you have kids, keep them occupied with their own activity like drawing or playing toys.

Keep the communication clear – Effective and clear communication continues to be a challenge in many offices, so you can only imagine how it may be a problem if you are working remotely. But thanks to the development of so many apps and software designed for instant and seamless remote communication, regular communication with co-workers is possible. Remember that it’s the onus of the employee to communicate what they’re doing and what they’re accomplishing.

The verdict: A clear pro for working in the office, and a con for working at home

Okay, you may be thinking… what?! But hear us out. Undeniably the findings are quite subjective for both surveys as many factors have influenced the results. For instance, if companies were to adopt working from home arrangements before the pandemic, they would have more time to prepare and educate their employees to be able to adapt better. But circumstances didn’t really permit that.

Most times, you don’t really have a choice

Depending on the nature of your job, the industry, and culture of the organization you are from, a majority of the workforce don’t really have the option to choose between working from home or remotely or going to the office. For instance, some jobs will require you to be physically present in order for it to be carried out, i.e. doctors or cashiers etc.

But the COVID-19 pandemic has presented organizations and management the rare opportunity to really weigh in the pros and cons between the two options now that social distancing is part of the new normal.

Due to lockdowns, organizations not only had to adapt and allow their employees to work from home, many are now considering remote working options in the near future as a way to keep employees safe from the pandemic.

There’s no definite answer between working from home and working in the office because both have their own pros and cons, the most important thing to remember for both companies and employees is to advocate for the working condition that is most efficient and productive for all involved.

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29 July 2020 Update: 3 Months Loan Moratorium Extension (Latest COVID-19 Loan Moratorium Info & Guide @ Bank Negara Malaysia)

  • By CompareHero.my
  • July 29, 2020

The Malaysian government recently announced the 3 months loan moratorium extension and targeted bank assistance update. This directly benefits SMEs, individuals who lost their jobs and those who have had their salary cut due to COVID-19 pandemic. Read more to find out how you can apply for this extended moratorium.



If you’ve been reading the news, chances are you’d have heard about the recent COVID-19 moratorium extension. But what is the extension about, and does it apply to you? In this article, we’ll dive into what was announced and guide you on how you can apply for the extension.

What is the Malaysia COVID-19 Moratorium on Loans?

A moratorium is a time period in which payback on loans can be suspended. To help ease the financial burdens of the people, the Malaysian government and Bank Negara Malaysia introduced the 6-month COVID-19 loan moratorium on 1 April 2020, originally scheduled to end in September 2020.

(Latest Update) On 29 July 2020, the government officially announced a 3 months loan moratorium extension (ends December 2020). Unlike the former, this will be a target bank assistance for a select group of borrowers.

3 Months Loan Moratorium Extension: Who is it for, and what reliefs will they get?

Individuals who lost their jobs in 2020 and are still unemployed: 

  • Loan moratorium extension of another 3 months
  • Banks may further extend this at the end if they are still unemployed

Individuals who are employed, but salaries affected due to COVID-19: 

  • Loan instalment reduction, proportionate to their salary and depending on the type of loan
  • At least 6 months
  • Potential extension at the end, depending on their salary

Hire purchase (loan borrowers):

  • Affected borrowers will be offered revised instalment schedules according to the Hire-Purchase Act 1967

Repayment flexibilities:

Affected individuals and SME borrowers can receive flexibility depending on their specific circumstances. This includes:

  • Paying interest-only for a period of time
  • Lengthening overall period of the loan to reduce monthly instalments
  • Providing other forms of flexibility until the borrower is in a more stable position


TIP: If you don’t fall under any of the above categories and have the means to pay off your debt, it would be best to start paying now. This will reduce your overall debt and borrowing cost.

Read also: 7 Strategies To Get Out Of Debt Fast During The COVID-19 Pandemic

How can you apply for the COVID-19 moratorium extension?

Speak directly to your bank from 7 August 2020. 

What can you do if a suitable repayment plan cannot be agreed upon?

For individuals:

For SMEs:

  • Look for the Small Debt Resolution Scheme (SDRS) by Bank Negara.
  • To get started, obtain the application form from your participating financial institution (PFI), SMEinfo.com.my, or BNMLINK / BNM Regional Offices.
  • Then, complete and submit it to your PFIs or BNMLINK / Regional BNM Offices.


TIP: It’s also good to note that if you were to opt-in for this extension, it will not appear in your CCRIS report.

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