Category: events

  • JEFFREY CHEAH FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES TO NATION BUILDING THROUGH EDUCATION WITH  RM75 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS

    JEFFREY CHEAH FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTES TO NATION BUILDING THROUGH EDUCATION WITH RM75 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS

    Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, 22 October 2024 – The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation
    (JCF) today held its Scholarships & Awards Ceremony 2024, awarding RM75 million
    in scholarships this year.

    The foundation, Malaysia’s largest education-focused social enterprise, has
    disbursed more than RM745 million in scholarships to date, benefitting thousands of
    deserving students throughout the years.

    Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul Ridzuan Tuanku Zara Salim,
    and Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, founder and trustee of Jeffrey
    Cheah Foundation, presented the scholarships and congratulated the recipients on
    their achievement.

    The award ceremony saw the presentation of scholarships in various categories,
    including Sunway University Postgraduate Studentships, Sunway University
    Postgraduate Scholarships, The Chancellors Scholarship, Sunway Excellence
    Scholarship, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali Scholarship for Creative Arts And Music,
    Jeffrey Cheah Foundation Community Scholarship, as well as Sunway – Victoria
    University Excellence Scholarship.

    “The Jeffrey Cheah Foundation’s commitment to nation building, exemplified by the
    Foundation’s tagline Nurturing the Seeds of Wisdom, is founded on our belief that
    making quality education affordable and accessible is crucial in creating a more
    progressive, sustainable and inclusive future for all Malaysians,” shared Cheah, who
    is also the founder and chairman of Sunway Group.

    As a strong advocate of quality education, world-class research and sustainable
    development, Cheah’s personal aim is to award several billion Ringgit worth of
    scholarships in his lifetime.

    Cheah also paid tribute to Her Royal Highness Raja Permaisuri of Perak Darul
    Ridzuan Tuanku Zara Salim’s firm dedication to elevating the Malaysian education
    system and Tuanku’s promotion of ethical values.

    As part of JCF’s commitment to nation-building through quality education, a teacher
    professional development programme was launched to advance Education for
    Sustainable Development (ESD) in Malaysia, earlier this year.

    JCF is funding the development and delivery of a capacity-building development
    programme on ESD for teachers in national and national-type school nationwide, as
    well as the expansion of the programme to 30 more schools, involving more than
    2,500 teachers nationwide.

    This programme will advance Mission 4.7, a global initiative to advance
    transformative education for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
    (SDG), which calls upon governments to ensure learners obtain the necessary
    knowledge, skills, values and attributes to achieve the SDGs.

    In line with JCF’s steadfast commitment to advancing the SDGs, the foundation has
    gifted US$20 million to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions
    Network (UN-SDSN) to establish the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable
    Development at Sunway University, as well as UN-SDSN’s Asia Headquarters in
    Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, which coordinates continent-wide sustainability
    initiatives alongside the New York and Paris offices.

  • SoftwareOne Launches New Cloud Competency Centre in Malaysia to Accelerate Digital Transformation for Clients Across Southeast Asia

    SoftwareOne Holding AG, a leading global software and cloud solutions provider, has launched a SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    Serving businesses across Southeast Asia, this new centre will provide clients with local expertise and support in AWS cloud services, including generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools Amazon Bedrock, a fully managed service that provides a single API to access and utilise high-performing foundation model from leading AI companies, and Amazon Q, a generative AI-powered assistant for business and developers, to drive digital transformation. By establishing the SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre in Malaysia, SoftwareOne further expands its global delivery network across fast-growing technology markets to help local businesses innovate with the latest technology advancements. The SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre opening follows AWS’s own recent announcement of cloud infrastructure expansion in Malaysia.

    “As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner, we are thrilled to continue our collaboration with AWS through the opening of our new SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre in Malaysia,” said David Tan, Regional Services Leader, APAC at SoftwareOne. “This is strategically aligned with AWS’s commitment to Asia and will make SoftwareOne’s global expertise and resources readily accessible to local clients. Businesses of all types will be able to accelerate their digital journeys more efficiently, benefiting from on-the-ground support in cloud migration, application modernisation, end-user computing, and FinOps.”

    “AWS is committed to enabling global organisations across industries with the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud, and AI technologies to innovate, scale, and achieve their business and digital transformation objectives with efficiency and resilience. The recent launch of our AWS Region in Malaysia deepens that resolve,” said Peter Murray, Country Manager, AWS Malaysia. “As a Premier Tier AWS Partner, SoftwareOne is well-positioned to help businesses adopt and optimise their AWS use. Establishing the SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre in Malaysia aligns our goals of expanding cloud accessibility and compliance capabilities locally for customers.”

    The SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre experts will guide clients in implementing the SoftwareOne Landing Zone for AWS, a comprehensive pre-configured and automated framework that provides a foundation for building a secure, multi-account AWS environment. Featuring cloud infrastructure, policies, and guardrails, including centrally managed services, it is designed to help organisations quickly set up a secure and scalable environment with a consistent set of AWS best practices.

    Leveraging industry-leading infrastructure as code tool Terraform, SoftwareOne’s Landing Zone for AWS gets clients up and running from a zero footprint to AWS workload deployment within days. It also helps clients improve the operational efficiency of their AWS environments with SoftwareOne’s ongoing management and expertise in implementing patching and updates.

    “The launch of the regional SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre demonstrates SoftwareOne’s continued dedication to empowering digital transformation globally,” said Sean Pope, Global Leader, SoftwareOne Centre of Excellence for AWS. “This Centre will be a cornerstone in our global portfolio development, enhancing our ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions and support to businesses in SEA. The innovations and best practices we establish here will also be pillars upon which to build, benefitting other regions by enhancing our global AWS service offerings.”

    For more information about the SoftwareOne Cloud Competency Centre in SEA and its support of digital transformation initiatives, please visit www.softwareone.com.

  • Malaysia’s Budget 2025:  Revitalising the Economy, Generating Change and Ensuring the Welfare of the People

    Malaysia’s Budget 2025: Revitalising the Economy, Generating Change and Ensuring the Welfare of the People

    Budget 2025 was the largest Budget allocation ever at RM421 billion, with the objective of revitalizing the economy, catalyzing transformative change and improving the overall well-being of the Rakyat. The Budget strikes a strategic balance, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to fiscal resilience while navigating the challenges of the global and regional economic landscape and setting the foundation for long-term growth.

    Riding the wave of robust growth from 2.9% in Q4 of 2023 to 5.9% in Q2 of 2024 and with a vision to further invigorate the economy to achieve a leading status in Asia, Budget 2025 has unveiled impactful and targeted measures, charting a course for sustainable prosperity and enhanced competitiveness.

    Fiscal Sustainability, Economic Growth, and Debt Management

    The Government has increasingly demonstrated its commitment to fiscal discipline, as evidenced by the enactment of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act in December 2023 and the continued emphasis on reducing the fiscal deficit and national debt levels.

    Following the rationalization of the diesel subsidy, Budget 2025 provides additional clarity on the Government’s approach and timeline for addressing the RON95 petrol subsidy. The RON95 rationalization exercise will be implemented in mid-2025 in a manner similar to the targeted electricity subsidy program, such that 85% of the Rakyat will not be adversely impacted. The savings from this exercise will be channeled to public welfare.  Whilst rationalization is fraught with complexities, we commend the Government for its efforts in taking this necessary and urgent action.

    Broadening the tax base

    In light of the decision not to reintroduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) at this stage, as expected, the Government will mobilize various other levers to bolster revenue collection. These include a 2% tax on dividend income exceeding RM100,000 received by individual shareholders (from the year of assessment 2025) and the expansion of the Sales Tax and Service Tax (SST) (effective May 2025) to encompass additional services and non-essential goods.

    It is encouraging that the Government will involve stakeholders from the relevant industries to seek feedback before finalizing the SST scope expansion and tax rates, which will smoothen the implementation of the progressive SST system and avoid any unintended consequences.

    In addition, there were other proposed tax measures such as carbon tax on iron and steel, and energy sectors (in 2026) and increase in the “sugar tax” starting from 1 January 2025. The revenue from such taxes will be earmarked for specific purposes (e.g. to finance research and green technology programs, cover public health expenditure).

    Competitiveness in the Global Landscape

    One of the key themes of the Budget is to attract more impactful investments, by introducing the New Investment Incentive Framework (NIIF) which focuses on high-value activities with positive economic spillover to the nation, moving away from existing incentives based on specific products. The NIIF is expected to be implemented in the third quarter of 2025.

    Specific focus areas include the diversification of the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) sector through high-value-added activities, creating high-level income job opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), strengthening the local supply chain and primary sector ecosystems, state-specific economic clusters and ESG-driven investments. Through this more targeted approach, it is hoped that the implementation will attract the right kind of investments. We look forward to the details of the new framework.

    The Government has noted that the introduction of Global Minimum Tax (GMT) rules in Malaysia will result in additional top-up taxes on low-taxed income of large multinational groups of companies, which may negatively impact the investment environment. To address this, the Government has committed to streamlining existing tax incentives, introducing non-tax incentives and studying the introduction of a “Strategic Investment Tax Credit”.  We expect this credit to be designed as a ‘Qualified Refundable Tax Credit’ (QRTC) that would be less affected by GMT rules, to give Malaysia a competitive edge in attracting foreign direct investments.

    In parallel, there is also continued focus on public service reforms and good governance, including the proposed public administration efficiency commitment Bill which will cover three critical areas i.e. reducing bureaucracy, expediting processes, and improving service delivery.

    These initiatives are a continuation of measures from previous MADANI Budgets to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness. The results of the efforts taken to-date are evident from the increase of foreign direct investment (FDI) numbers, with Malaysia’s ASEAN ranking improving from 6th to 4th between 2020 and 2022.

    Redistributing income and reducing inequality

    Malaysia is poised to enact a series of fiscal reforms to strengthen its economy and advance its vision for sustainable and inclusive growth. In response to the rising cost of living and to narrow the wage gap, the Government plans to increase the minimum wage to RM1,700 and further enhance various cash assistance programs, as well as maintaining the RON95 subsidy for 85% of the Rakyat.

    To boost national productivity and encourage inclusiveness, the Government is introducing incentives to expand the workforce while supporting diverse family and work arrangements. Employers will benefit from a 50% additional tax deduction for hiring women returning to work, implementing flexible work arrangements, and providing additional paid caregiving leave for employees caring for children or ill or disabled family members. We are optimistic that these incentives will accelerate an upward trend in female labor force participation.

    Special tax rates will be introduced in 21 economic sectors in states such as Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak, aimed at reducing regional economic disparities and promoting equitable development throughout the country. Various financing facilities are available to support the women, youth and people with disabilities to venture into business. These measures reflect Malaysia’s dedication to creating a robust economy that benefits all citizens.

    Digital economy and Artificial Intelligence

    Budget 2025 marks a significant step in Malaysia’s journey towards a digital future, with a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the digital economy and accelerating the adoption of AI. These targeted measures, together with the USD16.9 billion of digital investments already secured by the country, will help propel Malaysia to the forefront of the digital economy and AI, ensuring the nation’s readiness for the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.

    Recognizing the importance of digital skills, the proposed NIIF will include incentives to encourage development of qualifying new courses for AI, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), data science, FinTech, and sustainable technology at Private Higher Education Institutions and private skills training institutions over the next 5 years.

    To support digitalization of various industries, the Government has also announced tax incentives such as accelerated capital allowance to encourage use of drones and AI technology in plantation operations, thereby reducing dependence on foreign labor. Investors in Smart Logistics Complexes (SLCs) will be incentivized with a proposed 60% investment tax allowance for a period of 5 years, to be utilized against 70% of statutory income, aimed at stimulating growth and activity in this critical area. These initiatives underscore Malaysia’s dedication to maintaining a competitive edge in the digital era and equipping its workforce for the future.

    In conclusion, Budget 2025 is a testament to the Government’s decisive policy making. This expansionary budget reflects a strong commitment to steering the nation towards a sustainable and thriving future by catalyzing growth in key sectors, revitalizing the economy and prospering the Rakyat. We look forward to the positive outcomes these initiatives will bring to the nation.

  • Sarawak Signs MoU with MEASAT to Support Space Industry  Development

    Sarawak Signs MoU with MEASAT to Support Space Industry Development

    Kuching, 15 October 2024 – The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) has signed a
    Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT),
    Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider to enhance Sarawak’s space industry
    development. The signing, witnessed by YB Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Minister for Utility
    and Telecommunication. The MoU exchange ceremony will follow during the
    International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2024 on 16 October 2024,
    officiated by YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Premier of Sarawak,
    at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

    Under this MoU, MEASAT will serve as a consultant to the Sarawak Space Industry and
    Satellite Committee (SISCOM) and offer industry expertise to shape policies, guidelines
    and the future of space and satellite industries in Sarawak. This also includes training
    and talent development, leveraging MEASAT’s 30 over years of experience in satellite
    management and service commercialisation.

    As part of the collaboration, SMA and MEASAT will explore joint projects, including
    satellite operations and management, the development of space, satellite, and launching
    policies, guidelines, training, and industry development. The private-public partnership
    will bring economic benefit to the State while enhancing Sarawak’s satellite capabilities.

    “The collaboration between SMA and MEASAT marks a pivotal moment for Sarawak’s
    ambitions in the space industry. By harnessing MEASAT’s satellite expertise, we are
    paving the way for greater connectivity, particularly in rural areas, while laying the
    foundation for Sarawak to manage its own satellite systems. This partnership is key to
    achieving our 2030 goals of satellite self-sufficiency, which will also contribute towards
    elevating our policymaking capabilities with advanced data collection and analysis,”
    commented YB Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication.

    “SMA is committed to fostering open collaboration to explore innovative strategies for
    enhancing Sarawak’s connectivity and strengthening its digital infrastructure. SMA’s
    partnership with MEASAT is a significant step forward in building a robust space industry
    in Sarawak. With MEASAT’s vast experience, this collaboration will allow us to undertake
    joint projects, nurture local talent and expertise in Sarawak’s nascent aerospace sector,
    and position the state as a leader in satellite technology, besides driving overall
    economic growth,” said Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, General Manager, Sarawak
    Multimedia Authority.

    “MEASAT is honoured to be part of this initiative with SMA to advance Sarawak’s space
    ambitions. By providing our industry expertise, we aim to contribute to the development
    of satellite technologies that benefit Sarawak’s communities and government operations,
    ultimately supporting the state’s broader objectives,” added Yau Chyong Lim, Chief
    Operating Officer, MEASAT.

  • FROM HERITAGE TO TOMORROW

    FROM HERITAGE TO TOMORROW

    KUALA LUMPUR, 11 OCTOBER 2024 – Kuala Lumpur’s historic landmark, the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) will once again light up in a whole new way as TERANG 2024 returns from October 11th to 20th, 2024, 8:00pm to 11:00pm. In its second edition, this 9-day exhibition will feature 34 competitive showcases of 1 to 1.5-minute projection mapping artworks, all inspired by the theme “Cultural Futurism”. 

    When night falls against the timeless backdrop of the city’s oldest colonial architecture, TERANG 2024 takes the audience on an immersive visual journey, blending vibrant cultural heritage with futuristic elements and innovations, illustrating how our roots continue to evolve brightly in the modern era. 

    TERANG, inspired by the Malay word for “bright”, is an initiative by Filamen, a forward-thinking platform focused on empowering and cultivating the new media talents of tomorrow. Through a projection mapping competition, TERANG encourages both international and local professional artists, as well as students, to exhibit their creations that breathe new life into heritage architectures, sparking public interest in the preservation of these landmarks.  

    The latest edition of TERANG will feature a diverse array of creative submissions from professional artists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and across the globe. Lling Lling representing Malaysia, a finalist for SOULFEST 2023 and winner of Mapping from Home Malaysia 2021, collaborates with motion designer Brian Cha on “Future Nature”, a thought-provoking piece that juxtaposes nature with human-made environments. Visual artist and architect, Zafree Azhar’s “Halimunan: The Invisible Reverie immerses viewers in a melancholic dreamscape where unrequited love and the fleeting nature of existence converges, transforming the heritage site into ghostly reflections of memory and oblivion. Lunartic Studio, the 2023 TERANG Audience Choice Award winner, returns with “Main-Main,” a playful piece inspired by 80s and 90s arcade games, blending Malaysia’s cultural essence with local favourites like the Monopoly-style game, “Millionaire.” Jonathan Lim’s “Night of the Cultural Museum” brings Malaysia’s cultural heritage to life, imagining a vibrant fusion of traditions secretly unfolding after midnight in a museum. 

    International highlights include Ari Dykier from Poland and C.L.V.X from Indonesia, both finalists in the world renowned 1minute Projection Mapping Competition in Japan. Bandung artist Eltria’s “Perseverance” captures the enduring spirit of Malaysian culture through the powerful symbolism of the Malayan tiger and the grace of the wau kite, blending tradition with futuristic elements in a world where both co-exist. Meanwhile, LIVEHUMANSUBJECT, led by Roger Ng and Qin Ai Xin from Singapore, inspired by Legend of Bujang Senang, examines the complex interplay between man, machine, and the cosmos through moving images and automated systems.

    In addition to professional submissions, TERANG 2024 has attracted participation from students at leading institutions such as DASEIN Academy of Art, INTI International University & College, The One Academy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Bandung Institute of Technology, BINUS University, Multimedia Nusantara University, and Sampoerna University Jakarta. 

    The projection mapping artworks at TERANG 2024 will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Fasyali Fadzly, researcher at My Art Memory Project, ASWARA (Malaysia); Ady Setyawan, Festival Director of ITB Light Festival (Indonesia); Pongamorn Olanrungsikul (TUA) Founder and Creative Director of MotionHouse, (Thailand); and Michiyuki Ishita, Creative Director of 1minute Projection Mapping, (Japan). In addition to this, visitors at MaTiC can be part of the creative process by casting their votes for the “People Choice Award”. Simply explore the illuminated MaTiC, scan the on-site QR codes, and vote for the artworks that resonate most with you! 

    “Building on last year’s momentum, TERANG 2024 has gained even stronger support and enthusiasm from our community and partners, both locally and regionally. Alongside showcasing innovative works that are unique to the Southeast Asia narrative, we want to lead the way in creating opportunities for artistic exploration of how our cultural identity could evolve tomorrow through today’s technology,” said Abdul Shakir , organiser of TERANG and co-founder of Filamen.

    TERANG SHOWCASE AT KREATIF KL

    While MaTiC remains the heart of TERANG 2024, the experience extends to the Old High Court next to Masjid Jamek from October 30th until November 3rd, 2024, as part of the Kreatif KL Festival. This special showcase will feature a selection of award-winning and finalist projection mapping works from TERANG 2023, offering visitors a journey from colonial heritage to the Islamic architectural beauty of Masjid Jamek. The continuation reflects TERANG’s commitment to the sustainability and longevity of its artworks. Featured projection artists include Malaysia’s Seeing Arterlier, NEXMedia, Zhonkvision, Lunartic Studio, alongside Indonesia’s Story of Karana and Fearmos. 

    TERANG 2024 is organised by Filamen and Pixel World, co-organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, ASWARA and the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) which has supported TERANG since 2023. This event is also made possible by projection partner EPSON Malaysia and MyCreativeVenture, Think City and RUBIX Communications. 

    The TERANG 2024 is free and open to the public from 8:00pm to 11:00pm until 20 October 2024. Join us on a journey where history, art and innovation converge.  For the latest updates about TERANG, follow us @wearefilamen on Facebook and Instagram.

  • Singapore at a Discount: MITI Deputy Minister Highlights Malaysia’s Strategic Advantages at Rotary Club Event

    Kuala Lumpur — The Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) was present at The Rotary Club of Malaysia’s Group 12 Interclubs Meeting, which seeks to promote a better and deeper understanding on Malaysia’s competitive economic landscape. Attended by more than 100 Rotarians and guests, the event focused on discussing the country’s economic landscape and future prospects, drawing on Liew’s latest publication entitled the Second Takeoff.

    In his keynote address, Liew emphasised the country’s strategic advantages in the shifting global manufacturing paradigm as he pointed out that higher-end manufacturing plants are increasingly establishing operations in Malaysia, which positions the country as a competitive player in Southeast Asia.

    Challenging the perceptions of Malaysia as merely “Vietname plus,” Liew suggested that it should be instead viewed as “Singapore at a discount” due to the country’s strong infrastructure, common law framework, and significantly lower costs of living and doing business compared to Singapore.

    “Knight Frank recently reported that office rentals in Central Prime Territory Kuala Lumpur are just 15% of those in Singapore—an 85% discount,” Liew noted, illustrating Malaysia’s competitive edge.

    Addressing concerns about talent availability in Malaysia, Liew acknowledged that the challenge lies not in a shortage of skilled workers but in wage competitiveness. He argued that as investment flows into the country, companies will be compelled to offer higher wages to attract and retain talent. “When you compete for workers, you’re prepared to pay more,” he stated.

    Liew highlighted that discussions on talent often overlook valuable sources, such as women. With women comprising 65% of public university enrolments and holding a significant portion of civil service and leadership roles, he encouraged a broader perspective on talent cultivation.

    The Deputy Minister also addressed the paradox of over a million Malaysians working in Singapore, often in roles that do not reflect their qualifications. He suggested that Malaysian employers could attract returning talent by offering competitive wages—around two-thirds of what is offered in Singapore. “If a 30-year-old engineer in Penang is offered a comparable salary, many would seriously consider returning,” he remarked.

    The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with Liew on various topics, reinforcing the Rotary Club’s commitment to fostering dialogue on national and economic issues.

  • VSTECS Unites Technology Leaders at Malaysia’s Premier AI + DC Conference

    VSTECS Unites Technology Leaders at Malaysia’s Premier AI + DC Conference

    Kuala Lumpur, 10 October 2024 – VSTECS Berhad (“VSTECS”or the “Company”, 偉
    仕佳杰, Stock Code: 5162), Malaysia’s leading Information & Communications Technology
    (“ICT”) distributor, today hosted the nation’s largest convergence of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)
    and Data Centre (“DC”) technology leaders. This landmark event gathered industry pioneers
    and thought leaders from global technology giants – such as Nvidia, AWS, Microsoft, VMware,
    AMD, Dell, HPE, Lenovo, IBM, Juniper, Cisco, Huawei, and Alibaba – alongside local
    independent software vendors (“ISVs”) specialising in AI solutions, to share cutting-edge
    advancements and opportunities in AI and DC solutions.

    In his keynote address, JH Soong, CEO of VSTECS, emphasized the Company’s commitment
    to driving digital innovation and enriching the technology ecosystem in Malaysia. He
    highlighted VSTECS’s role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and local
    enterprises, contributing to the country’s digital transformation.

    “AI and DCs are the foundation of the digital revolution, and we are proud to be part of this
    transformation,” said Soong. “VSTECS is committed to fostering collaboration, sharing
    knowledge, and enabling businesses to fully leverage these technologies. Malaysia is not just
    prepared to participate in this global shift—we are poised to be a key player, emerging as a
    regional hub for data centres, the key infrastructure to support and process the massive
    amounts of data that fuel AI algorithms.”

    During the conference, VSTECS also announced its appointment as the authorised server
    partner for Supermicro in Malaysia, further expanding its portfolio of industry-leading solutions.
    “This partnership further enhances VSTECS’s position as the leading distributor in Malaysia’s
    ICT infrastructure space, allowing us to offer high-performance server solutions that meet the
    increasing demands of the market,” added Soong.

    In addition to featuring global tech leaders, numerous local AI ISVs were showcased at the
    conference. This initiative aims to enrich the ecosystem by encouraging local developers to
    market their AI solutions through VSTECS’s extensive channel network, reinforcing the
    Company’s commitment to supporting local talent and innovation. The VSTECS AI + DC
    Conference 2024 proved to be a resounding success, offering an invaluable platform for
    industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and form strategic collaborations.

  • Theta Edge Berhad forms Strategic Partnership to Deliver Mobility as a Service

    Theta Edge Berhad forms Strategic Partnership to Deliver Mobility as a Service

    Kuala Lumpur, 07 October 2024 – Theta Edge Berhad (Theta or the Company), a leading ICT company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia with over 30 years of experience, continues its transformation journey by expanding into urban mobility. In line with the company’s strategic objectives of driving long-term shareholder value, Theta is leveraging its expertise in civil mechanical engineering, telecommunications, and technology to introduce Mobility as a Service (MaaS) with the aim of enhancing urban mobility and sustainability.

    Building a Sustainable Future: LRT & ART Integration

    As part of its commitment to building a sustainable future, Theta, in collaboration with the Nylex Consortium, offers a capex efficient integrated solution in the form of Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system in Johor Bahru. This innovative hybrid public transport solution is designed to offer efficient, scalable, and flexible mobility options to the city’s growing population. 

    Leveraging Expertise for Impactful Results

    The strategic partners potentially involved in this collaboration bring a wealth of experience and proven expertise in executing large-scale rail projects both locally and internationally. Highlights include:

    1. China Harbour Engineering Company Limited – Currently engaged in building Malaysia’s Rapid Transit System (RTS) and East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
    2. China Energy International Group Company Limited – Leading the ART pilot project in Istanbul, with a 40 km route and 37 stations, integrating with a metrobus system that serves about 1 million passengers daily.
    3. BTS Group Holdings PCL – A proven leader in Bangkok’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, operating six MRT Skytrain lines for over 25 years and recognized globally as the most sustainable Transportation & Transportation Services company by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for four consecutive years.

    Driving Innovation and Collaboration

    Datuk Nuraslina Zainal Abidin, CEO of Theta Edge, commented, “We are excited to collaborate with renowned partners who bring not only their expertise but also cutting-edge technology and experience. Together, we aim to deliver a truly innovative and sustainable Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solution that will positively transform urban mobility. This project is a key part of our vision to create a technologically advanced and connected future.”

    The integration of the LRT and ART systems will complement the upcoming RTS, scheduled to be fully operational by January 2027. This hybrid transport solution is expected to cater to both local and Singaporean ridership, addressing future demand while improving the overall passenger experience.

    Why an Integrated Approach?

    The hybrid LRT-ART system presents several significant advantages:

    1. Efficiency: ART will enhance LRT and RTS by reducing congestion and waiting times.
    2. Accessibility: The system is designed to serve both high- and low-density areas, expanding transport options for a wider range of commuters.
    3. Cost-effectiveness: The hybrid solution reduces construction and operational costs while offering a sustainable long-term transportation strategy.
    4. Scalability: Designed to grow with the city’s population and urban development.

    Contributing to Malaysia’s Sustainable Goals

    Theta Edge’s involvement in this project is aligned with its 5-year strategic value creation plan, which emphasizes continuous innovation, strong partnerships, and sustainability. The Johor Bahru LRT-ART project also supports Malaysia’s Twelfth Malaysia Plan and its commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

    By leveraging the collective expertise within both consortiums, this collaboration is poised to deliver a cutting-edge transportation system that will significantly enhance urban mobility, contribute to economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents in Johor Bahru.

  • Social Enterprises: Proven, Effective Poverty Eradication Partners,  Ready for Nationwide Rollout

    Social Enterprises: Proven, Effective Poverty Eradication Partners, Ready for Nationwide Rollout

    4 October 2024, Kuala Lumpur –

    Over the past five years, social enterprises have been working closely with the government to
    address absolute poverty in Malaysia, with rates has dropping from from 8.2% in 2021 to 6.2% in
    2022.

    Government initiatives including grants and programmes such as the MRANTI Impact Challenge
    Accelerator (MICA), Social Enterprise Accreditation certification and the zero-interest loans from
    the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund (HSEF) and social procurement initiatives – are among the
    key instruments that have enabled social enterprises to grow and strengthen their offerings to
    serve the needy.

    For example, since 2019, accredited social enterprises such as Pepper Labs have been entrusted
    with piloting several B40 community projects – which have generated measurable, high impact.
    To date, Pepper Labs has re-invested over RM 7 million in social projects, impacting over
    4,000 beneficiaries. Over this period, we have grown to be a trusted partner and effective
    operator and a creative social innovator, bridging the gap between policy and grassroots
    economic enablement.

    Caption: Dapur Digital at PPR Wangsa Sari, refurbished with fully-fitted kitchen

    Dapur Digital: Cloud Kitchen Pilot Programme Ready To Scale Nationwide

    Recently, we rolled out a unique initiative called Dapur Digital – Malaysia’s first public-private-
    philanthropy project in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Jabatan Wilayah Persekutuan,
    DBKL and Yayasan Hasanah.

    Dapur Digital’s pilot programme involves several aspects of economic enablement. In addition to
    refurbishing five PPR flats in Kuala Lumpur into cloud kitchens within six months, 50
    individuals have been trained with a Micro-Credential Programme on how to operate a cloud
    kitchen business. Each of the five Dapur Digital locales which have a high concentration of the
    urban poor, have been given a target of RM10,000 in monthly sales. Within a week from its launch,
    Kampung Limau Kitchen participants under the Dapur Digital programme made RM3,000 in
    business. Their products are promoted and delivered through three food delivery platforms
    altogether making this a uniquely designed programme for transforming livelihoods.

    With Budget 2025 coming up, we would like to put forward some considerations to the
    government, given Dapur Digital’s potential to serve in closing the gap on poverty nationwide:

    1) Tax Incentives for Public-Private Partnership Investments
    a) Tax exemptions to GLCs or corporations which invest in social enterprises such
    as Dapur Digital which will enable it to scale to more locations, accelerate the
    equipping programme, while reaching and benefiting more underserved
    communities nationwide.
    b) Tax reliefs are extended to organisations and individuals making bulk
    purchases from Dapur Digital and other social enterprises which have
    demonstrated their capability and capacity to deliver to requirements. This
    provides a means for enterprises to track and report the impact of their social
    contributions – particularly with Scope 3 ESG reporting requirements already
    coming onstream.

    2) Social Procurement Acceleration
    The government could also include accredited social enterprises in its e-procurement
    database and list, particularly as Malaysia takes on the ASEAN Presidency in 2025, with
    an expected hike in commercial, tourism and social activities. Many social enterprises
    serve in these areas to equip and enable underserved communities.

    Stronger public-private-philanthropy partnerships and collaborations can turn the MADANI
    aspirations and RMK-12 goals into reality for the rakyat. We have demonstrated this is achievable,
    measurable, timely – and ready to scale.

     

     

  • Pertama Digital Berhad Charts a Transformative Course: Key Strategic Partnerships and Growth Roadmap Unveiled

    Pertama Digital Berhad Charts a Transformative Course: Key Strategic Partnerships and Growth Roadmap Unveiled

    Kuala Lumpur, 3 October 2024 — Pertama Digital Berhad (“PDB”), a public-listed company at the forefront of Malaysia’s digital transformation, today provides a comprehensive update on its growth trajectory and strategic developments. While Executive Director Sabri Ab Rahman is unaware of the reasons behind the recent dip in stock prices, he assures stakeholders that PDB remains strong and well-positioned for sustainable growth.

    These developments reflect the company’s solid financial standing, strategic partnerships, and innovative product offerings as it enters its next phase of growth.

    Financial Fundamentals and Positive Trajectory

    PDB is firmly anchored by strong financial fundamentals, supported by a capable team operating in a dynamic digital solutions space with significant growth potential. In recent months, the company successfully reversed its previous quarter’s negative results, with new product lines making a marked contribution to performance.

    “We are proud to have moved into a positive trajectory, driven by our team’s hard work and the growing impact of our innovative digital offerings. We’ve also completed a strategic cost-cutting exercise and streamlined our operations to ensure healthy cash flow,” said Sabri Ab Rahman, Executive Director of Pertama Digital Berhad. “Today, PDB is operating more efficiently and is well-positioned to deliver sustainable growth without the need for external funding.”

    Regularisation Plan and Acquisition Opportunity

    PDB has received an extension of time (EOT) from Bursa Malaysia to submit its regularisation plan by the first week of February 2025. This extension allows PDB to finalise several key initiatives, including the proposed acquisition of a controlling stake in Kridentia Tech Sdn Bhd (KT). KT, a well-established company with strong government contracts, boasts impressive top-line performance, sound EBITDA, and consistent profitability.

    “This acquisition is pivotal for our growth projections for 2025. KT’s proven track record and capabilities align seamlessly with PDB’s vision, and we’re eager to finalise this deal as part of our broader regularisation plan,” Sabri explained. “We expect to submit the full plan before the end of this year, well ahead of the extended deadline.”

    Strategic Leadership and Organisational Strength

    As PDB charts its path forward, Sabri Ab Rahman has taken the helm as Executive Director, working closely with Joshua who played a pivotal role in developing the MVP for eJamin, the company’s flagship digital bail payment solution, which was launched in 2020.

    Reflecting on the company’s leadership developments, Sabri noted, “Our leadership team is stronger than ever. Recent changes at the board, including Encik Mohd Reza Mohd Hatta’s departure before his confirmation period to pursue a lucrative opportunity, were part of a strategic move to align our leadership with PDB’s evolving needs. We continue to drive forward with a dedicated core team, including Joshua and our board, ensuring strategic continuity and positioning the company for future growth.

    Product Highlights and Expansion

    PDB is rapidly advancing its suite of digital products, with several exciting developments on the horizon:

    • eJamin – The company is in the final stages of discussions with the Palace of Justice (POJ) to formalise a long-term contract for eJamin, a critically-needed digital bail payment platform. “eJamin has transformed bail payment in Malaysia, and we expect a positive outcome from POJ soon,” Sabri said.
    • KOCEK – DVSB is expanding its coin conversion service, KOCEK, across Malaysia. The company is close to finalising a working collaboration with a leading local bank to increase service touchpoints nationwide.
    • MyPay as a Business Solution – DVSB recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Gabungan Persatuan-Persatuan Penjaja dan Peniaga Kecil Melayu Malaysia (GPPPPKMM) ,representing 450,000 small traders and hawkers. Through MyPay, these members will gain access to digital business tools, financial assistance, and grants for business expansion, developed in partnership with financial institutions. “This partnership empowers small business owners across the country, helping them embrace digital transformation and gain access to financial support,” Sabri highlighted.
    • PTPTN Student Loan Services – MyPay continues to be a trusted platform for PTPTN loan repayments, and DVSB is in discussions to further expand this mutually beneficial relationship. Recent enhancements have improved the platform’s user experience, streamlining loan repayment for borrowers.
    • MyDigital ID – PDB, through DVSB, is actively assisting MyDigital ID in improving their existing product by enhancing user experience and ensuring seamless integration with high-traffic government agency platforms. Furthermore, PDB is supporting MyDigital ID in their onboarding efforts for the public, government and private businesses, reinforcing our commitment to driving digital inclusion.

      A Transformative Future for Pertama Digital Berhad

      As Pertama Digital Berhad navigates this transformative period, the company is committed to delivering long-term value for shareholders and the broader ecosystem. Sabri Rahman emphasised, “Our roadmap for growth, operational efficiency, and stakeholder value is clear. PDB is well-positioned to lead the digital solutions space in Malaysia, with innovation and inclusivity at the core of everything we do.”

      PDB remains dedicated to driving sustainable results through its strategic partnerships, innovative product portfolio, and continued operational excellence.