THE Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) has introduced the BUDI Series, a four-volume Bahasa Malaysia financial guide designed to strengthen money management skills among Malaysians from youth through to retirement.
In a statement, AKPK said the series aims not only to teach financial skills but also to instil discipline, resilience, and dignity in everyday life.
“Earlier this year, AKPK launched the GROW series, a four-volume financial guide in English which received praise for framing financial literacy around key life milestones.
“Now comes the BUDI Series. It is not a direct translation of GROW, but a reimagined creation in Bahasa Malaysia that retains the original essence while being conveyed through the language, symbols and spirit of Malaysia,” the statement read.
The series was launched during the “Financial Independence & Thriving Families (F.I.T. Life)” 2025 conference held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
AKPK Chief Executive Officer Azaddin Ngah Tasir said discussions on saving, planning, and resilience go beyond financial advice and are part of efforts to strengthen families and society.
“Unlike conventional financial guides, the BUDI Series emphasises that money is not a neutral force. Every decision to save or spend, to plan or avoid, reflects deeper values,” he said.
The four volumes of the BUDI Series cater to different demographic groups, namely students and youth, young professionals, families, and retirees.
Each volume outlines practical steps such as the importance of early saving, balancing ambition with sustainability, managing household resources, and planning for retirement.
Former Maybank Group Chief Human Capital Officer Datuk Nora Abd Manaf, who was among the speakers at the two-day event, said individuals facing financial difficulty need tools and opportunities, not sympathy or punishment.
“That is how lasting wellbeing is built. No one builds resilience in isolation. We all need environments and communities that support us and make strong financial guidance accessible to all,” she said.
Another speaker, Dr Mohd Hannan Yusof, a medical doctor turned entrepreneur, said spending without purpose leads to anxiety, whereas informed spending enhances both financial health and wellbeing.
“Being surrounded by people who offer sound financial advice is also vital, as the right guidance builds confidence and resilience,” he added.
Established in 2006, AKPK provides financial education, counselling, and debt management services to individuals as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). - October 4, 2025
