Karnival Saham Perak 2025 blends investment education with family fun for over 1,000 visitors

A day filled with financial knowledge, fun activities, and scam awareness marked the success of Karnival Saham Perak Bersama-sama Bursa Malaysia 2025. Held for the first time in Perak, the carnival took place on 26 July 2025 at UTAR Kampar Campus, and gathered 1,085 visitors. The event was jointly organised by Bursa Malaysia and UTAR.

Themed Jom ke Karnival Saham Perak Bersama-sama Bursa Malaysia, the event aimed to promote financial literacy and smart investment practices. It featured a series of investment exhibitions, interactive talks, financial education sessions, and family-friendly booths to help individuals and families make informed financial decisions.

The opening ceremony was officiated by State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee Chairman Tuan Loh Sze Yee, who represented Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bursa Malaysia Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed; and UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Dr Zuraidah binti Abd Manaf.

In his speech, Tuan Loh commended the organisers’ effort in making this a continuous commitment to empower the community on financial literacy. He emphasised that financial literacy is important because it provides the groundwork for smart, confident and responsible decision-making that can influence long-term financial well-being.

Meanwhile, Dato’ Fad’l Mohamed commented, “At Bursa Malaysia, we champion financial literacy and offer a suite of resources to guide every step of the investing journey. Our goal is not just about trading volumes or daily market movements; it is to equip individuals in building a financial future for themselves and their families. We wish to ensure that every investor, regardless of background, age, or experience – has the knowledge and tools needed to participate confidently in the capital market.”

Prof Zuraidah enthused, “At UTAR, we believe that financial literacy is not just a complementary skill — it is a cornerstone of holistic education. As an institution of higher learning, we have a responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge, mindset, and confidence to manage their finances wisely from a young age. These foundational skills empower them to make informed decisions — from budgeting and managing student loans to planning for future investments — that will serve them well throughout life. By embedding financial literacy into our academic and co-curricular initiatives, we are investing in a generation of graduates who are not only academically capable, but financially aware and resilient. We are proud to support initiatives like this that strengthen the bridge between education and lifelong financial well-being.”

The event attracted members of the public, young working adults, university students, and families; they were seen visiting booths and engaging directly with financial and investment experts. Among the exhibitors were Bursa Malaysia, UTAR Kampar, Financial Education Network, AKPK, EPF, PERKESO, Prudential, Minority Shareholders Working Group (MSWG), Hong Leong Investment Bank, RHB Investment Bank, Macquarie Capital Securities, Malacca Securities, CGS International Securities Malaysia, Apex Securities Berhad, and more.

Agreeing to the importance of financial literacy, Dr Kuah Yoke Chin, UTAR Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance Acting Dean-cum-Karnival Saham Perak Organising Chairperson said, “We are honoured to be part of this initiative, and it is encouraging to see participants showing great enthusiasm in taking charge of their financial well-being. This event is also a reflection of our commitment to building a financially literate and empowered community. We hope the knowledge and insights they gained today will guide them on their journey towards financial empowerment.”

In addition to the exhibition booths and the drawing and colouring contest, the event also featured the Cha-Ching Carnival, an educational segment that featured fun games, financial literacy activities, and interactive sessions to teach children about earning, saving, spending, and donating wisely – the Cha-Ching way. Participants also received exclusive Cha-Ching merchandise, and enjoyed an interactive meet-and-greet session with the Cha-Ching characters.

Beyond the enjoyment provided in the hall, the visitors were also seen having a great time visiting the various vendors stalls set up along the corridor of the hall exterior. From cakes and nasi briyani, to keychains and canvas painting, the event brought not only empowerment on financial well-being, but also the memories of a fun time with loved ones.