Allianz General Insurance Company Berhad (Allianz General) has been providing its Allianz Goods Carrying Vehicle Comprehensive policyholders with a valuable add-on coverage known as Allianz Truck Warrior since its launch in February. This dedicated roadside assistance service has already attracted over 4,000 policyholders who opted for the add-on to enhance their protection.
With Allianz Truck Warrior, policyholders can access roadside assistance up to three times a year, including towing of their Goods Carrying Vehicles up to 100km roundtrip using a dedicated fleet of tow trucks. The service also covers on-site repair for breakdowns and offers a flood relief allowance of up to RM5,000 per flood event in case of vehicle damage caused by floods.
To enjoy these benefits, customers simply need to purchase Allianz’s motor insurance policy and add on RM120 for the Allianz Truck Warrior coverage. The goal is to provide comprehensive protection and peace of mind to businesses and ensure a hassle-free experience during vehicle breakdowns.
Sazali Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Sales Officer of Allianz General, emphasized the convenience and efficiency of the Allianz Truck Warrior service. Whether through the bike brigade for minor issues or towing for more serious breakdowns, customers can rely on a trusted and reliable partner.
Despite the average cost of towing a lorry being around RM800, Allianz offers this stress-free benefit at a fraction of the cost, making it an attractive choice for policyholders. To be eligible for Allianz Truck Warrior, the Goods Carrying Vehicle must have an A and C permit with Comprehensive Cover, weigh up to 7.5 tons Gross Vehicle Weight (BDM), and be aged 20 years or less.
The success of Allianz Truck Warrior reflects its end-to-end coverage and customer satisfaction. Allianz General continues to expand its Allianz Road Rangers fleet, with Allianz Truck Warrior being the latest addition, demonstrating their commitment to assisting policyholders of motorcycles, cars, and now goods carrying vehicles, regardless of their size.
The Malaysian Direct Distribution Association (MDDA) marked its 30th anniversary recently with a gala dinner held at EQ Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, Secretary General from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) kicked off the event with opening remarks and the gala dinner was attended by leading industry players and delegates from Direct Distribution Associations regionally.
In his opening speech, Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof congratulated MDDA on their milestone and lauded the association for its various achievements throughout the years.
“MDDA holds a crucial position in Malaysia’s direct selling industry, playing a vital role in its growth and development,” said Datuk Azman.
He added that through extensive training programs and knowledge-sharing platforms, MDDA has empowered individuals and businesses, fostered innovation and improved the skills of many direct selling industry players.
MDDA’S commitment to professionalism, adherence to high standards, and efforts in promoting ethical practices and transparency has elevated the industry’s reputation. Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the direct selling industry in Malaysia has shown resilience, he said.
According to Dato Sri Dr. Barani Karunakaran, President of MDDA, the association has embarked on a determined course to become the top direct selling association in the country, setting its sights on solidifying Malaysia’s position on the global stage of the direct selling industry.
He said that MDDA’s ambitious plan aligns with the surge of revenue from the direct selling industry in Malaysia valued at RM25 billion in 2020 to RM27 billion in 2021, signalling a strategic shift toward this growing business model globally. The initiative is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), promote entrepreneurial growth, and create significant regional job opportunities.
Since its establishment in 1993, MDDA has grown to include 105 member companies, fostering a close relationship with KPDN in addressing industry challenges. The association has been actively amending the Direct Sales and Anti-Pyramid Scheme Act 1993 and resolving unauthorised selling and price markdowns on third-party platforms. MDDA is also continuously working together with KPDN enforcement team on eradicating issues in the Direct Selling Industry like the get-rich-quick schemes, money games and pyramid schemes by educating the public through its series of MDDA Straight Talk in Malay, English and Mandarin. Panels including industry leaders, KPDN officials and Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).
The event also saw the signing of the Regional Association Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MDDA, AP2LI Indonesia, and FDSA India. The MoU signifies a collaborative effort to strengthen the direct selling industry across the region. Dato Sri Dr. Barani Karunakaran, MDDA President, Mr. Andrew Susanto (AP2LI), and Mr. A P Reddy (FDSA) represented their respective organisations during the signing ceremony. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) will assist all MDDA members in expanding their markets globally and promoting Malaysian products in the global market.
In addition, MDDA presented the MDDA Intrapreneur Program, endorsed by the Direct Selling Unit of KPDN. The program aims to enhance professionalism in the direct selling sector and is claimable under the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). Certificates were handed over to 20 recipients, acknowledging their participation in the program.
The gala dinner included the presentation of various awards, honouring companies that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and social responsibility. Among the winners were Meganet4U Sdn Bhd, ShoppyMore Global Sdn Bhd, GMJ Konsortium Sdn Bhd, VKids Trend Sdn Bhd, Destina 1 International Sdn Bhd, M-Plan Sdn Bhd, Melilea (M) Sdn Bhd, Asia MLM Solutions Sdn Bhd, Bio-Science Marketing Sdn Bhd, Jeunesse Global Sdn Bhd, Netturul Resources Sdn Bhd, Era Edar Marketing Sdn Bhd and RCC Worldwide (M) Sdn. Bhd.
The MDDA 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner provided an ideal platform to honour achievements, strengthen industry alliances, and set the stage for a promising future in the direct selling sector. As MDDA continues to champion professionalism and excellence, the industry can anticipate even greater advancements in the years ahead.
DNA Mapping, also known as DNA sequencing or genetic profiling, can provide actionable insights and help individuals identify genetic predispositions to certain diseases and health risks and to take proactive steps towards prevention. With that, Dyna Medical has introduced DynaDNA, Malaysia’s microarray technology DNA test kits, and Dyna App, a free-to-use digital gateway to improving users’ health and knowledge.
The DynaDNA test kit is a DNA test kit that is fully made in Malaysia. With just a simple saliva sample, over 500 genetic tests can be accurately conductes producing results for over 150 traits across 10 separate profiles, including those for heart and vascular health, genetic health conditions and disorders, brain conditions, and allergies and food sensitivity.
Mr. Martin Low Wink Keng, managing director of Dyna Medical, emphasised that by making DNA test kits more accessible, individuals will be empowered to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing. He gave the example of those who are concerned by the possibility of genetic diseases, such as thalassemia. A DNA test can make them aware of their risk of inheriting those diseases and allow them to make any necessary preparations or lifestyle changes.
He also spoke on the benefits of DynaApp, an integrated wellness platform that puts the power of personalised healthcare in the individual’s hands.
The free-to-use digital platform lets users view their DNA test kit results instantly, and at their convenience, allow users to book a consultation with qualified DynaDNA-partnered health professionals to explore their test results or to plan the next step of their health journey. Users can also purchase health and wellness products through the app’s built-in e-commerce feature.
Future developments for the app include access to a range of wellness services, including spa treatments and facials, as well as travel packages to notable wellness retreats. By making these products and services readily available to users, DynaApp is committed to understanding and addressing their unique needs and concerns and aims to help them achieve a healthy and holistic lifestyle.
Digital content creator and mother of three Iman Azman shared about her experience using the DynaDNA test kit at the launch. Also present was Dr. Hans Jeffry, a Dyna Medical medical product specialist, where he explained how DNA genetic profiling is able to provide actionable insights for one to take preventive measures for his or her own health and wellbeing.
It is Dyna Medical’s commitment to addressing the unique needs and concerns of the wellness community that has led the company to partner with KL Wellness City to host the launch of DynaDNA and Dyna App. As Southeast Asia’s first 360-degree wellness hub, KL Wellness City is a fully integrated township built around the concepts of medical care, healthcare, wellness and fitness, and shares in the principles of prioritising personal health knowledge.
Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara (THKD), the flagship hospital of TMC Life Sciences Berhad has become the first hospital in Southeast Asia to administer Spinraza, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The recipient of the treatment is a 5-year-old Sarawakian child, who has been diagnosed with SMA since birth.
This first initiative is part of THKD’s collaborative CSR program with ‘One Hope Charity & Welfare’ to provide treatment for a period of two years. The procedure was performed by consultant paediatric anaesthesiologist Dr Foo Sze Yuen in the presence of consultant paediatrician & paediatric neurologist Dr Sangita Dharshini Terumalay.
Dr Sivakumaran Jayaram, chief operating officer (Clinical) of THKD (fourth from left); Dr Foo Sze Yuen, consultant pediatric anaesthesiologist (fifth from left)
THKD CEO Nadiah Wan has said that THKD is proud to be at the forefront of this advancement in paediatric care. As TMC Life Sciences Berhad is a leading women and children’s healthcare group, THKD is dedicated to achieving new milestones in paediatric and women’s health, as demonstrated in their commitment as a participating hospital in the MySpin Patient Assistance Programme for SMA patients.
“The administration of intrathecal Spinraza is a testament to our pursuit of excellence, in line with our focus on women and children services as we move into more paediatric sub-specialties. With Spinraza, we can significantly improve the quality of life for children battling SMA. Its introduction into our treatment protocols empowers us to deliver even more targeted and effective care, elevating the standard of paediatric medicine and instilling hope in families facing this challenging genetic disorder. It is also a manifestation of our vision of helping people lead healthier lives by making healthcare accessible, accountable and sustainable.”
Dr Sangita said the administering of Spinraza in the hospital ushers in a new era of hope and enhanced care for children. “My primary objective as a paediatrician is to ensure the well-being and recovery of every child entrusted to our care. This certainly represents a milestone in paediatric medicine, offering an effective treatment that will positively impact the lives of affected children.”
Spinraza received US FDA approval in 2016 after a series of trials that showed meaningful benefits in seven clinical trials involving infants and children with SMA, thus becoming the first approved therapy for paediatric and adult patients with SMA. It is administered via injection into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord by a physician with SMA experience. Spinraza works as a disease modifying treatment that targets the underlying cause of muscle weakness in SMA – the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein (Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).
SMA is an inherited neurological genetic disorder that affects the central nervous system causing the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem not to work properly. It impacts individuals across a range of ages, from infants and children to teens and adults, and with varying levels of severity. It is estimated that one in every 10,000 births worldwide is diagnosed with SMA, an inherited disease, and around one in every 40-50 people globally are carriers of the mutated gene (Source: Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Mutations, Testing, and Clinical Relevance).
Authority Institute’s co-founder and chief marketing strategist Maverick Foo was recently awarded Vistage Malaysia’s Speaker of the Year 2022 —empowering him to join a pantheon of exceptional speakers to have made an impact on Malaysian businesses.
At the recent Vistage CEO Summit 2023 held at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Foo was recognised as a thought leader, like past awardees, who shared vital insights about topics they have cultivated a passion for and developed considerable expertise about.
Maverick Foo, Speaker of the Year 2022.
“I am proud to have received this accolade on behalf of Authority Institute. It gives our institution a new boost and the confidence that we’re on the right track,” Foo said. He explained that his firm focuses on providing marketing and business growth consulting to small and medium enterprises.
In his journey to this achievement, Foo worked on focusing to help Vistage Malaysia’s members understand the significance of developing a comprehensive strategy to capture the attention and interest of target customers in their businesses.
“It’s what we call a Customer Attraction Game Plan and this was the winning ticket to being awarded Speaker of the Year, alongside being judged on my performance, community involvement and lifetime achievements,” he added.
Speakers of the Year awardees are invited to speak at Vistage meetings for at least two consecutive years and are scheduled to give a minimum of 30 presentations to Vintage groups. The audience rate speakers after each presentation. Typically, speakers must aim for an average score of at least 8.5 out of 10 in content and delivery, to be considered for the title.
Foo presented at 37 sessions to a total of 32 groups and earned an average score of 8.8 for content and 8.9 for delivery. He was also subjected to vetting by a panel of Vistage staff members who judged his demonstration of Vistage’s core values of trust, caring, challenge, and growth.
“Vistage Malaysia uses the Speaker of the Year Award to recognise individuals who bring significant value to our members. Awardees consistently deliver high-quality, relevant, actionable content, and they represent a model for all Vistage speakers,” the organisation notes.
Authority Institute is the embodiment of consultants and trainers backed by a 40-year cumulative industry experience thus guaranteeing the best possible outcome and most relevant knowledge transfer to its clientele.
“Our uniqueness is emphasised by our capability to complement the training and consulting with signature solution frameworks and software tools. I can say, globally, that no other training and consulting company will deliver training that leaves practical frameworks that can be embedded into an organisation’s business.
“This is followed by post-training coaching programmes that provide practical means to apply all you’ve learned to your everyday business activities,” he said, adding that Authority Institute’s approach to strategic marketing is characterised by focusing on market orientation, customer needs, and value articulation.
This includes identifying new opportunities and ways to refine existing offerings; identifying ways to serve customers better while targeting new segments; assessing current market fundamentals, and identifying opportunities within and externally.
“We also look to identify competitive weaknesses to exploit and look to help you gain lasting competitive advantage in your market. Authority Institute also determines ways for businesses to improve operationally, and assess potential new opportunities to boost sales and profits.
“Authority Institute is always open to collaborating with firms and working towards achieving success across the board,” Foo said.
MP for Bandar Tun Razak, Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, officiated the launch of the Digital Niaga Program with over 300 Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs and business owners in an official ceremony held at the International Youth Center in Bandar Tun Razak.
The Digital Niaga Program is built in collaboration with relevant government agencies and banking institutions in order to help local entrepreneurs have easy application to financing facilities and other training programs.
Digital Niaga supported by the Dropee platform is designed to empower local businesses to kickstart their growth. Dropee is Malaysia’s leading B2B e-commerce platform, which aims to simplify the supply chain process for businesses, enabling them to further grow their revenue, especially MSMEs.
Digital Niaga aims to address the challenges faced by small local businesses in obtaining credit from traditional banks to expand their operations, invest in innovation, and thrive in today’s competitive market. With the support of Dropee’s advanced technology and extensive network, Digital Niaga will provide a streamlined process that connects businesses with financial institutions, enabling them to access the funding they need to succeed.
“This program has been especially designed to assist MSME entrepreneurs to manage their business in a more efficient and systematic way”, said Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during her opening speech. “This program will provide market access, credit financing and improved invoicing through digitisation. This will help entrepreneurs to keep up with the growing needs of a rapidly changing digital landscape.”
“Our mission is to empower local businesses and make them a key player in driving the economy’s growth. We believe that access to credit should not be a barrier to success. Dropee, soon to be rebranded as Borong, has developed an easy roadmap that will transform the credit landscape for businesses”, says Aizat Rahim, Managing Director of Dropee.
Dropee offer three key components to support businesses in their journey:
Dropee Direct: A dashboard that easily allows businesses to sell online, track orders and manage inventory in real time.
Dropee Marketplace: A curated marketplace where businesses can explore a range of products for their businesses. This marketplace will enhance supplier relationships, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on their unique needs.
Dropee Credit: Applicable businesses are able to buy now and pay later with credit terms. This allows businesses to access a range of products without straining their existing budget.
Digital Niaga is set to innovate the way that local businesses have access to financing, paving the way for local businesses to be the heart of their communities.
Exclusive updates and information about the partnering financial institutions will be available to those who pre-register their interest at www.digital-niaga.com.
About Dropee
Dropee is a B2B e-commerce solution provider that helps brands, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers grow their wholesale business confidently by making it easy for their customers to order the right products from them, in-person and online. Founded in 2017, Dropee is headquartered in Malaysia and has an office in Singapore offering a wide range of e-commerce solutions for businesses. Visithttps://www.dropee.com/ to bring your wholesale business online.
Malaysia is all set to make a mark in the world of squash with the launch of a series of twelve World Squash Federation (WSF) Satellite tour events. These homegrown tournaments aim to elevate the rankings of local players on the international stage, and they are made possible through the sponsorship and support of telecommunications company, RedONE Network Sdn Bhd.
The redONE PSA and WSF Satellite Squash Championships, a 12-circuit tour endorsed by both squash governing bodies, will see RedONE taking charge of all twelve tournaments, providing significant sponsorship money to facilitate their success.
Farid Yunus, the Chief Executive Officer of redONE, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering world-class players by allocating funds to enhance the skills and abilities of talented athletes. Currently, redONE sponsors national player S.Sivasangari, who holds an impressive international ranking.
Farid Yunus, Chief Executive Officer of redONE
“Many young players who are new to the professional circuit find it challenging to travel to countries like Egypt, England, or Australia to compete and earn ranking points. Therefore, having this championship held in our own country is fantastic. It provides a remarkable opportunity for our players to improve,” Farid remarked.
The 12-series homegrown circuit, managed by ACE Sports and Management, commenced in February of this year. Since then, tournaments have taken place in various locations, including Negeri Sembilan, Bukit jalil, and Penang. The most recent competition was held at the Sungai Ujong from 8-11 June in Negeri Sembilan, where Goh Zhi Xuan emerged victorious in the women’s category, while Harith Danial claimed the men’s title.
Participating in multiple tours is crucial for professional squash players as it allows them to accumulate international ranking points, gain exposure, and earn prize money. These platforms also serve as avenues to attract sponsorships and represent their countries in esteemed international events, ultimately contributing to their career progression and success in the sport.
With ACE Sports & Management securing permission from the WSF to organize these tours, redONE has willingly stepped forward to shoulder the financial responsibilities. Farid highlighted the success story of Malaysia’s squash legend, Datuk Nicol Ann David, as evidence that the country has the potential to produce world champions in the sport, provided there is adequate financial support for facility improvements and player exposure.
“We are dedicated to nurturing grassroots talent, especially among young players, enabling them to compete and gain the necessary exposure. Without such efforts, their talent may struggle to flourish,” said Farid, who has also served as the President of the Selangor Squash Association (SRAS) for the past eight years.
Farid’s personal interest in squash is evident through his support of his son, Aidan Yunus, who secured the Boys Under-19 National Junior Championships title in Bukit Jalil last March.
Notably, RedONE recently invested over RM200,000 in repairing the damaged facility at Astaka Petaling Jaya, previously utilized by SRAS for training purposes. Farid also urged government-linked companies and corporations to take sports sponsorship more seriously. He suggested revisiting past sponsorship practices, such as government-linked companies sponsoring specific sports, citing examples like Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) supporting hockey, Telekom Malaysia (TM) sponsoring football, and Maybank’s association with track and field athletes.
Farid emphasized the need to place national players on a payroll, as seen in other countries such as Pakistan, Thailand, and numerous others. He likened successful athletes in those countries to soldiers or police officers, earning salaries while playing and receiving pensions upon retirement.
The upcoming sixth PSA WSF Satellite tournament is scheduled to take place on July 13 at the refurbished Astaka Sports Complex in Petaling Jaya.
About Ace Sports & Management
ACE Sports and Management, founded in 2022, is dedicated to promoting WSF PSA Satellite Tour tournaments in Malaysia, and aspires to be the premier tournament organiser in Asia. Our accomplished team of professionals and former/current PSA players possess the expertise to manage tournaments at all levels, from junior to professional. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, we strive to nurture and elevate the sport to unprecedented heights.
In this era of AI, every one of us and all aspects of us can be tracked, monitored, compared, ranked, labelled, categorized, and quantified by many indicators, indices, and metrics. For instance, GDP per capita is used to measure the prosperity of the country. Countries are also ranked as Triple-A, first world, developed, friendliest, rudest, kindest or even happiest by a set of so-called criteria.
Based on the World Happiness Report 2023, which measures our happiness and well-being, Scandinavian countries scored high, with Finland being the happiest and Denmark being the second happiest in the world. The least happy country in the world is Afghanistan, with a score of 1.859, mainly attributed to a low life expectancy rate and low gross domestic product rate per capita.
Malaysia Ahead Of China & Indonesia
While Malaysia is ranked at 55 on the World Happiness Index (WHI) 2023 Report with a score of 6.012, ahead of Indonesia (84) and China (64), Singapore is crowned the happiest country in Asia at 25th place. Needless to say, this holistic measure is adopted because the success of the country should not be judged by just the amount of money they make. Many have defended that the success of a country should be gauged by how happy the people are.
Now, since our behaviour as well as our happiness could also be quantified against a list of factors, and we know the determinants of our happiness, could we achieve happiness if all the countries in this world are moving in the same direction?
Astute investors often use formulae to determine value by measuring the risks and returns of their investments. A fund’s or fund manager’s performance is often measured against certain standards or compared against their peers in the industry.
Many sophisticated portfolio construction strategies or techniques are “religiously” used by the fund management industry to drive the portfolio in pursuit of so-called “optimal” outcomes. Hence, assuming that all of us stay invested as advised by the experts and if we could leave all these cumbersome investment stuff to the experts who could genuinely safeguard our interests, would we be heading towards the right path compared to our peers who choose otherwise?
Measuring Value
Then, how do we measure and determine the value of our life then? Do we have a set of criteria also to measure our life? What are your standards or benchmarks that we use to measure our lives? Just as companies are obsessed with KPIs to measure the performance of their companies, shouldn’t we be obsessed with our life’s value? Our bosses also said, “things that can’t be measured can’t be managed”,right?
In other words, could we only manage our lives if we could measure our lives? Thus, are we managing our lives? If yes, according to whose or which standard? Are there any best or gold standards we could adopt to measure our lives to achieve optimality in every aspect of our lives? Are standards cast in stone and thus cannot be changed?
Countless articles have been written and have argued that money has got nothing to do with happiness. Many also brag that “everything is not about money” or “money is not everything”. But let us assume that money can buy us happiness, and we define our happiness by how much money we have in our accounts. Then, can we be really happy?
Humans Are Unique
Unfortunately, there is still no perfect or gold standard to measure our lives in this era of AI because we are not just data. All of us are unique and deserve to be unique. We all look at things from different perspectives. As we progress towards digitalisation, we are becoming more judgmental.
Why are we so quick to judge others? On what basis? In cross-cultural management textbooks, we used to learn about the differences between Western and Eastern values. But now, what values do we have? As we continue interacting with people from different backgrounds, can we still judge our lives based on our moral compass? What if our moral compass is skewed and not valid anymore?
We are often being treated as data. Often, statisticians trim 5 percent of the outliers so that the data becomes normally distributed in their analyses. In other words, the outliers are always underrepresented in the picture. What if we are the outliers? What if we just don’t fit in. Do we have to adjust to fit in?
Essentially, our life’s value depends on whether we think “happy” and how we live our lives. If our wellness is derived from the validation of others or defined by something we own, could we truly declare that we are happy? Words like “optimal” and “balance” are often heard, but who could actually live a balanced life?
Don’t you think it is easier if we just move forward or backward. In short, if we don’t progress, we will regress. Think about it. There is nothing much that we could maintain really. For instance, can we maintain our health? Or our brain capacity, our youth or our looks?
Even the landscape Feng Shui of your house changes according to which fengshui sifu you follow, and the comparative advantage of a country changes over the years. Nobody could be ahead of everyone forever.
Thus, why bother to create permanent enemies? Why can’t we, or rather countries, embrace diversity and subscribe to “prosper thy neighbour” instead of “beggar thy neighbour”? If we could be happy only at the expense of others, we may need to see a doctor.
About the Author
Dr Audrey Lim Li Chin is a lecturer and a researcher at Multimedia University (MMU) Melaka. She teaches Derivatives and Fintech. She is particularly interested in behavioural finance, retirement planning, mental health, and Fintech, especially Blockchain and data analytics. She is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), HRDF certified trainer and is currently pursuing Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.
This article is in collaboration with Max Wealth Education Sdn Bhd, an approved Education Provider for the CFP Certification Program.
Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia (SC) hari ini mengumumkan pelancaran FIKRA ACE, inisiatif fintech dalam membangunkan ekosistem pasaran modal Islam (ICM) dengan memudahcarakan pembangunan fintech Islam melalui pendekatan berstruktur.
FIKRA ACE merupakan inisiatif tiga tahun yang dipertingkatkan berikutan pelancaran program pemacu teknologi kewangan (fintech accelerator) Islam sulung SC – FIKRA, pada Mei 2021.
Melalui pendekatan pemacu tunggal, FIKRA ACE kini terdiri daripada tiga komponen:
a) Accelerator yang merupakan program pemacu bertumpukan penyelesaian Islam; b) Circle, platform rangkaian untuk menghubungkan pihak berkepentingan berkaitan pasaran modal Islam dan industri fintech dan; c) Excel, platform kerjasama dengan institusi pengajian tinggi untuk pembinaan kapasiti
Inisiatif ini akan mengenal pasti syarikat dengan penyelesaian fintech untuk memupuk, mengembangkan dan berhubung dengan ekosistem ICM dalam pelbagai segmen. Inisiatif ini juga bertujuan untuk menyokong ruang fintech Islam dengan membina kapasiti dan saluran bakat untuk industri.
Bagi kohort 2023, tiga bidang tumpuan FIKRA ACE ialah kewangan sosial Islam, pelaburan mampan dan bertanggungjawab (SRI) patuh Syariah dan pengurusan dana dan kekayaan Islam.
Pengerusi SC Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin berkata: “Malaysia mempunyai keupayaan untuk mengekalkan ekosistem teknologi kewangan Islam yang berkembang maju dengan memanfaatkan kepimpinan globalnya dalam pasaran modal Islam.” “Ketika kita menyaksikan pertumbuhan dan inovasi yang luar biasa dalam fintech Islam, kita diingatkan tentang potensi yang dimilikinya untuk industri kewangan Islam dan ekonomi global yang lebih luas,” katanya.
Pada tahun 2021, urus niaga fintech Islam di negara Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC) berjumlah USD79 bilion. Walaupun ini mewakili 0.8% daripada volum transaksi fintech global, segmen ini diunjurkan berkembang kepada USD179 bilion menjelang tahun 2026, iaitu pada kadar pertumbuhan tahunan terkompaun (CAGR) 17.9%1.
FIKRA ACE dianjurkan dengan kerjasama Perbadanan Ekonomi Digital Malaysia (MDEC) sebagai rakan kongsi ekosistem dan strategik. Program accelerator untuk kohort 2023 dijangka bermula pada bulan Ogos.
Syarikat dengan penyelesaian fintech yang inovatif dijemput untuk mengemukakan permohonan, yang dibuka sehingga 4 Ogos 2023. Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai komponen-komponen FIKRA ACE, sila layari https://www.sc.com.my/fikra-ace. Untuk pertanyaan, sila rujuk ke fikraace@seccom.com.my.
Mengenai Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia
Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia (SC), sebuah badan berkanun yang melapor kepada Menteri Kewangan, ditubuhkan di bawah Akta Suruhanjaya Sekuriti 1993. Ia merupakan agensi kawal selia tunggal bagi pengawalseliaan dan pembangunan pasaran modal. SC mempunyai tanggungjawab langsung untuk menyelia dan memantau aktiviti institusi pasaran, termasuk bursa dan rumah penjelasan, dan mengawal selia semua individu yang dilesenkan di bawah Akta Pasaran Modal dan Perkhidmatan 2007. Maklumat lanjut mengenai SC boleh didapati di laman sesawangnya di www.sc.com.my. Ikuti SC di twitter di @SecComMy untuk perkembangan terkini.
In this day and age, we have come to depend greatly on air conditioner to cool down the environment, especially our offices and homes. Especially in this hot weather, it seems like we have to turn it on more often than not – the entire time we are working and while we are in the comfort of our homes.
This will ultimately cause our electricity bill to be on the high side, and it is also not good for the environment as well. Smart Investor interviewed Brice Degeyter, General Manager of Bizsu, to find out more about their mission to help company’s save energy and costs.
Brice Degeyter, General Manager of Bizsu
Smart Investor: What is Bizsu and what are you set out to do?
Brice Degeyter: I founded Bizsu in 2019 to help make decarbonization easy for businesses. We do this by helping companies cut down very simply what consumes 60% of a company’s energy and operating costs on electricity: Air Conditioning (AC).
The truth is AC units have become an essential part of modern life, but this simple refrigeration technology has remained relatively unchanged since its creation in the 1920s. As climate change effects like rising temperatures and heat waves encourage more AC use, the increase in energy needed to cool us down could easily accelerate climate change.
So therefore, any effort on cutting down air cond bills, can also help save the planet!
SI: How does your product work to reduce air conditioning bills?
BD: Our product helps users save on average around 25% in energy consumption using a patented natural ceramic air conditioning filter technology.
It’s really based on physics and how air conditioning works. In the traditional air conditioner that we have at home, the air is sucked in at the top, goes through the aircon unit, and then comes back down to cool a room. The air that is sucked contains moisture. We then insert our Bizsu net inside the unit.
This breaks down the air water molecules going out of the aircon. This way, the surface area of the room is covered faster, so the AC stops faster. So you end up using less energy, and that means lower electricity bills.
We have done lab tests and recorded, on average, 25%, consistently. Variables include the type of air conditioning unit, the type of room, and how the thermostat is set up, as well as the function of the room. Data centres for example, may require higher cooling compared to an office or university lecture hall, and the savings, therefore, may be quite different – with savings of anything from 8% to 50%.
We’ve seen similar results from on-site installations at client sites as well.
SI: What is your customer base currently?
BD: We currently work with around 35 large companies. We have been securing between two to four new clients every month – and of late, it’s been more like two new clients every week.
Today, more companies come to us instead of us reaching out to them which was the case two years ago. Most of our business today has been through referrals – or word of mouth – as our clients see the savings in their energy consumption bills almost immediately.
SI: How has your revenue growth been since starting out?
BD: We’ve been growing by roughly 10X every year since the beginning, so 1,000% over the past 3 years. We are targeting to end 2023 at around RM7 million in revenue.
SI: Can this innovative product be installed only in new HVACs? Is there an optimum size for 25% energy efficiency to be realised?
Our solution can work on any type and any size of air conditioner. Variables include the type of air conditioning unit, the type of room, and how the thermostat is set up as well as the design and function of the room.
SI: Are there particular industries / building types that would easily benefit from this? Can they run a pilot?
BD: Absolutely! We now work with many large real estate companies. We joined the Capital Land Sustainability Challenge two years ago and from this we did a pilot of our solution in some of their buildings which gave them 51% savings in their electricity costs. They called us “magicians” and we have been implementing our nets in more buildings.
We hope to work with more real estate developers and real estate owners as well – particularly to run a proof of concept in Malaysia in the next few months. A pilot might start at around RM10,000 which is relatively cheap just to start with, and depending on the size of the floor or room that the company has, they can easily recognise savings in the millions.
We have the capacity to equip around 10 big buildings every month – from data centres, offices, hotels, warehouses, learning institutions and more. So the installation work is quite efficient as well without disruption to the business operations. We can complete a 30-floor office building in one day.
That said, gaining customer trust is very, very crucial. At the beginning there were just very few people who thought that something this simple could save 25% on energy bills and with a 20 year warranty sounded too good to be true. But our customers have proven that it is!
SI: How easy is it to install and maintain this new technology? What’s the warranty period?
BD: No modifications are required for the AC unit or for electricity to be switched off during installation. Bizsu’s CONTINEWM® Nets can be installed above the filter at the air return of the AC unit and it is ready for use.
We recommend dusting off the nets with a dry cloth whenever your AC servicing takes place. Best of all, CONTINEWM® has a 20-year warranty.
SI: How are you expanding into Malaysia and how is the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) assisting you in this regard?
BD: MRANTI has helped us raise product awareness and introduce us to prospective clients and bigger companies in Malaysia. Having a government agency supporting us through this programme helps open doors.
Right now we are present in Malaysia, we are present in Singapore and we are focused as well in Taiwan.
Main funding sources and funding rounds
In terms of funding, we mainly talk to angel investors or family offices who can really help us grow in a country or in various countries. We raised a pre-seed of RM1 million, now we’re raising seed of RM1.8 million by Q3 this year.
We are already profitable as of today, and the goal is to stay there. The goal is just to keep increasing the number of clients that we can serve and remain profitable.
SI: What are some key growth opportunities and challenges ahead?
BD: We have an objective to help our clients save 1,000,000 tonnes of CO2 within the next five years. We have just started acquiring customers and the potential is huge as we can serve many sectors – real estate, hospitals, schools, hotels, data centres, residential complexes, malls and more!
The transportation sector is an area we are potentially exploring. How cool would it be if we can have it in the metro trains, buses, cars, including in electric vehicles! I believe there will be more climate-friendly solutions in our hands that help us have a much bigger impact than what we can do today.
SI: Tell us about the Hummingbird in your logo?
BD: One day, there was a fire in the forest. And all of them but the hummingbird leave the forest. Instead, he goes and picks up a drop of water in the lake and drops it into the fire. All the animals look and ask: “What are you doing? You really think you’re going to stop the fire just on your own?” The Hummingbird says, “No, but at least I do my part.”
Bizsu’s goal is to do our part in decarbonising the economy and reducing the impact of climate change. What we will do in five years will be towards this, trying to do more. I believe there will be more solutions that help us have a much bigger impact than what we can do today.
What will that be, exactly? The future can only tell.
