Battle Of The 2025 Raya Ang Pows: Which One’s The Most SYIOK?

Samuel Chua

28th March 2025 - 8 min read

After a vibrant comeback to balik kampung vibes last year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2025 is looking to be another celebration full of warmth, colour, and kuih-muih joy. The scent of lemang is already in the air, and you can practically hear the salam-salaman and laughter echoing across the kampung.

In the spirit of all things festive, we’re bringing back one of our favourite traditions – unwrapping and reviewing this year’s ang pow packet designs from Malaysia’s top financial institutions. Yes, they’re still green, but the creativity? Luar biasa.

From chic modern motifs to nostalgic kampung charm, the banks have really shown up this Raya. But the real question is, how SYIOK are they?

Let’s find out, one packet at a time.

AEON Bank

A bold magenta moment, but… does it scream Raya? Not quite. With its clean grid and centralised logo, this one feels more like a rebrand announcement than a festive packet. It’s sleek, yes but the lack of any ketupat, bulan, or even a cheeky salam leaves it feeling a little too corporate.

SYIOK Level: S

AEON Credit (Set 1)

Now this is what we’re talking about! A deep, elegant green paired with gold-foiled Raya icons, from the moon to the pelita, makes this ang pow shine. Every piece highlights a different Raya element without going overboard. Classy, meaningful, and oh-so-Raya.

SYIOK Level: SYI

AEON Credit (Set 2)

A vibrant trio with pops of gold and sweeping wave patterns, it’s giving modern batik meets Raya glam. Not quite as impactful as its green cousin, but the embossed gold detailing adds a luxe touch. It’s bold, it’s bright, but maybe missing a bit of festive soul.

SYIOK Level: SY

Agrobank

Step aside everyone. We’ve got a winner for the nostalgia category. With warm sepia tones and a detailed kampung scene, this ang pow transports you straight to your nenek’s house circa 1998. You can almost hear the cicadas and smell the rendang. Heartwarming and heritage-rich.

SYIOK Level: SYIOKKKK-EST

Aham Capital

Clean, fresh, and beautifully thought out. The ketupat-inspired motif cleverly blends tradition with a sleek modern look. The batik pattern along the base adds that perfect finishing touch, subtle, yet rich in cultural identity. A solid design that feels festive without being loud.

SYIOK Level: SYI

Alliance Bank

Simple and safe. The orchid illustration is pretty, but feels a little generic for Raya. The deep blue background helps it stand out, but overall, it lacks that festive oomph or personal flair. Still nice for gifting, but not one you’d rave about.

SYIOK Level: SY

Alliance Privilege

Nearly identical to the standard version. But with a slightly more premium paper feel. Still, when you’re rocking the “Privilege” name, we expect a bit more “wah” factor. A missed opportunity to really make this exclusive set stand out.

SYIOK Level: SY.5

Al Rajhi Bank

Not entirely sure what the motifs are meant to be, but they work surprisingly well! There’s a clean symmetry and an almost Islamic art feel to it. The deep blue paired with gold detailing gives it an elegant, polished vibe.

SYIOK Level: SY

AmBank

A lovely medley of Raya icons all wrapped within the crescent moon and it totally works. The florals, the ketupat, the soft metallic sheen, everything feels festive yet intentional. A design that captures the Raya essence in one look.

SYIOK Level: SYI

AmBank Signature Priority Banking

Same design direction as the standard version, but this one? Chef’s kiss. The colours are dialled up, the gold accents pop harder, and everything feels richer. A luxury glow-up that definitely earns its Signature title.

SYIOK Level: SYIO

Bank Islam

A refreshing take with its Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung-inspired layout. Love the creativity! The red and black tones paired with the intricate batik-style patterns are a bold statement. Could’ve used a tiny bit of gold for extra flair, but props for the concept!

SYIOK Level: SYI.5

Bank Muamalat

This one feels like organised chaos, patterns and symbols packed into one frame. It’s a bit overwhelming at first glance, but the more you look, the more it grows on you. There’s effort and story behind the layers, and that counts. Not a showstopper, but far from forgettable.

SYIOK Level: SY.5

Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN)

The placement of the design is clean and visually balanced — it flows well. It’s safe and presentable, but lacks that extra creative sparkle.

SYIOK Level: S.5

CIMB Bank

Minimalist, motif-driven, and clean. It has a nice balance of tradition and modern simplicity. Nothing super standout, but it does the job.

SYIOK Level: SY

CIMB Preferred

A safe and stylish pick. The use of soft gold and neat motifs give it a nice premium edge. It’s polished, no doubt, but maybe missing a bit of heart? Still, it’ll definitely look great paired with any baju Raya colour.

SYIOK Level: SY

CIMB Private Banking

You can definitely feel the upgrade — the paper is thicker, the finish is luxe, and it feels premium in your hand. But visually? The design stays pretty safe. Elegant and refined, though it leans more towards subtle charm than standout flair.

SYIOK Level: SY

Hong Leong Bank

A more understated take on Raya design, this ang pow opts for a subdued elegance. The dark base adds a touch of formality, while the floral and geometric patterns give it a subtle nod to tradition. While it doesn’t shout “Raya!”, it carries a quiet charm that might appeal to those who prefer a minimalist and mature aesthetic.

SYIOK Level: S.5

HSBC Amanah

There’s a clear intent here. The mosque-inspired silhouette with a batik-filled logo stands out conceptually. While the batik motif within the HSBC logo is creative, the execution feels a little disconnected. The script font for Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri adds a lively touch, though it does come off slightly busy against the mint green background. A unique idea that almost landed.

SYIOK Level: S.5

Maybank

A clean and sleek gold-on-dark green design, but maybe too safe. The foil detailing does bring a premium feel, yet it lacks that signature Raya warmth or any cultural cues. Stylish? Yes. Festive? Not quite.

SYIOK Level: S.5

MBSB Bank

This trio of ang pows is bursting with personality! The floral batik-inspired patterns are bold, vibrant, and unmistakably Malaysian. Each piece feels celebratory in its own way, adding colour to any Raya gathering.

SYIOK Level: SY.5

OCBC Al-Amin

This one plays it safe with classic motifs, the crescent moon and mosque combo never fails. While it’s not particularly daring, it does the job with a quiet grace. Great for those who love a traditional, no-fuss design.

SYIOK Level: S.25

RHB Bank

We love the concept, celebrating the heritage of the wau bulan is a clever nod to local culture. However, the muted tones and minimal contrast leave the design feeling a bit flat. A little pop of colour would’ve really brought it to life.

SYIOK Level: SY.5

RHB Premier

This version goes for a large, eye-catching motif front and centre. While the silver detailing adds some flair, the layout feels a tad too simple. Elegant? Sure. Memorable? Maybe not.

SYIOK Level: S.75

SME Bank

A basic, functional design that doesn’t take many risks. While there’s nothing wrong with it, it doesn’t quite spark joy either. Feels more like a formality than a festive flourish.

SYIOK Level: 0.S

Standard Chartered Bank

Now this is a vibe! Minimal, classy, and yet every detail feels intentional, the gold-embossed borders, rich colours, and perfect layout. It’s modern but deeply festive. Subtle, but it makes you want to put on your baju Raya and head straight to rumah tok.

SYIOK Level: SYIOK WEH

UOB Bank

This one is giving pastel nostalgia! The shutter window motif wrapped in mint green instantly evokes images of kampung houses and breezy Aidilfitri mornings. Thoughtful, beautiful, and totally charming.

SYIOK Level: SYIOK SYIOK

*****

Disclaimer: The SYIOK Meter is – as you’d expect – entirely made up and purely for fun. What really counts is the duit you put inside these ang pows and the joy they bring to your loved ones!

Tell us in the comments, which ang pow design got your SYIOK seal of approval this year?

From all of us at RinggitPlus, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! May your celebrations be filled with love, laughter, delicious food, and Hari Raya Ang Pows that are as syiok on the outside as they are on the inside.

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