Category: events

  • SIBS Secures Multi-Billion Ringgit Modular Apartment Building Project To NEOM, Saudi Arabia

    SIBS Secures Multi-Billion Ringgit Modular Apartment Building Project To NEOM, Saudi Arabia

    SIBS, one of the world’s leading in modular construction technology, is proud to announce that it has successfully secured a multi-billion-ringgit contract to deliver 2174 apartments to Neom, one of the largest urbanization projects located in northwest Saudi Arabia. The project will be delivered in the form of turn-key buildings from a finalized bottom slab upwards. The entire project will be delivered and commissioned by Q3 2024. This significant achievement marks a breakthrough for the company’s continued growth and success in the industry.

    The project, known as NEOM will be a ground-breaking development in the heart of NEOM city intended for those working on the planning, engineering, and construction of the project. With 2174 apartments distributed among 35 buildings, the development offers luxurious living spaces and an array of amenities tailored to meet the needs of modern urban dwellers.

    The buildings consist of one- and two-bedroom apartments fully fitted with quality designed built in furniture’s, exclusive bathrooms, and balconies for each apartment. Sustainability has always been at the very sole of our design philosophy and together with our efficient building systems, we are able to achieve a high level of energy efficiency. Our flexible yet robust building design makes relocation of these buildings to other regions of Neom a breeze as this mega project progresses.

    Erik Thomaeus, CEO of SIBS Group

    “We are thrilled to have secured this monumental project. This development represents a major milestone for our company and reflects our commitment to creating exceptional living experiences for tenants. The fact that SIBS has been selected as a supplier to NEOM is a clear confirmation that we have the competence and delivery strength that few in the world can match. We look forward to contributing to the development of NEOM as an international hub for, among other things, innovation, business, and sustainable development. We are excited to contribute to the growth and development of NEOM while providing a vibrant and sustainable community.” says Erik Thomaeus, CEO of SIBS Group.

    When SIBS started in 2016, the team had only one mission in mind and that was to revolutionize how homes are built. Its substantial scalable capacity and ability to adapt to different requirements from all regions of the world is further validated with the securing of the NEOM project.

    Last year, the finest modular construction company invested in its new plant in mainland Penang, Malaysia. It has ever since boosted its productivity four folds, making SIBS one of the largest producers of apartment modules in the world. The state-of-the-art factory which spans across a 550,000 sq ft footprint on a 28-acre site is also almost entirely operated through solar energy to reduce its carbon footprint. The new plant is designed to meet the world’s growing needs for a more intelligent, efficient, and effective construction method.

    CEO of SIBS Malaysia, SP Ong, said “Securing this project enables our company to strengthen its position as an industry leader in modular construction. We have a product that is unique and in high demand and I am confident that with a team of professionals whom we have assembled we will continue to improve to strengthen our position in this industry as the leader in construction tech. Everything in our factory is custom designed and built, from its production system to the machines used for production – something that no other competitor has. Not forgetting that we are one of the first to be able to complete 90% of an apartment building off-site leaving only 10% on-site work. We are also proud to be a company that prioritizes on using local suppliers and local professional talents. To further increase efficiency, we have also strategically placed our main suppliers within close proximities of our plant to avoid disruptions to our production. Doing so reduces our dependence on distant sources which are susceptible to disruptions and volatility. This mitigates risks and enhances our ability to respond quickly to demands and changing circumstances.

    When we prioritize our borders, we directly boost our domestic economy. The ripple effects of this decision are profound, touching every corner of our society. Aside from delivering the best products, we have a serious commitment to contribute to local economic growth, job creations, and community development as an organization.” He concluded.

    The success of SIBS in securing this multi-billion-ringgit apartment building project can be attributed to its experienced team of professionals who bring the substance of expertise and a passion for innovation to every project they undertake. Their dedication and commitment to excellence have earned the reputation for reliability in delivering high-quality products and ultimately positioning the company as the preferred choice in the construction technology industry.

    SIBS is grateful for the support and trust of its partners, investors, suppliers, and the local

    community. The company remains committed to delivering this ambitious project on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

    For more information about SIBS and its portfolio of projects, please visit www.sibs.com.my. Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/SIBSMalaysia

    About Neom

    NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a New Future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.

    NEOM will include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations. As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in groundbreaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity.

    Read more at www.neom.com.

    About SIBS

    SIBS Group was founded in 2016 and is today one of the world’s leading modular home manufacturers. With a scalable capacity of around 6,000 homes per year, we deliver sustainable, high-quality homes adapted to local conditions. SIBS has the entire integrated value chain for industrial construction within the group – from design and configuration in its building system, industrial production in its own factories and on-site assembly/finalization. With the help of digitalization and technology, we set a new standard in the construction industry.

  • Official Launch Of KL Wellness City

    Official Launch Of KL Wellness City

    KL Wellness City (KLWC), the first purpose-built township project in Southeast Asia to cultivate a lifestyle fully integrated with healthcare and wellness, marked its official launch today at the KL Wellness City Gallery in Bukit Jalil. The ceremony welcomed the Minister of Health, YB Dr Zaliha Mustafa as its Guest of Honour to officiate the momentous occasion.

    With a gross development value (GDV) of RM11 billion and spanning over 26.49 acres, the development is a world-class medical and wellness living at its core. The project features a well-rounded ecosystem primed for wellbeing and health – The Nobel Healthcare Park, the KL International Hospital (KLIH), innovation laboratories, clinical R&D facilities, healthcare company office towers, a retirement resort, a Healthcare Hub, wellness-centric serviced apartments, a fitness-based Central Park, and more.

    For the past few years, during the pandemic, Malaysia has been fighting hurdles in keeping up infrastructure development with patient load, retaining our medical talents, maintaining continuance of care in preparation for an ageing nation and a continuous war against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD).

    Positioning Malaysia As A Hub For Medical Tourism

    From Left: Pn Norhaslina Othman, Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council Vice President (Facilitation), Dato’ Sri Vincent Tiew, Executive Director (Branding, Sales, And Marketing), YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Minister of Health, Dato’ Dr. Colin Lee, KL Wellness City Managing Director, Wan Zamri Wan Hassan, Director (Project Development), Ms. Lim Bee Vian, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Garry Chua, Non-Executive Director (Retail, Consumerism & Construction)

    “In full support of Malaysia’s national plan to be recognised as one of the best places for medical tourism, KL Wellness City is designed to provide and prioritise health and wellbeing as the heart of its development, through its vision of a 360-degree wellness hub centred around its township which encompasses all aspects of medical care, health, wellness, fitness, and business, complete with residential, retail, and commercial offerings,” said KL Wellness City Managing Director, Dato’ Dr Colin Lee.

    In line with the national vision of solidifying Malaysia’s position and track record as the top destination for medical tourism in mind, KL Wellness City will serve as the ultimate one-stop oasis for the body and mind for both domestic and international travellers.

    Preparing For An Ageing Nation

    YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Minister of Health, adds her signature to the plaque following the successful official launch ceremony of KL Wellness City

    Other than being a cornerstone for healthcare travel, according to Dato’ Dr Colin, the KLWC project is also an initiative that is built with an ageing nation in mind. Malaysia, having attained its status as an ageing nation, has an ageing population growing at a faster-than-expected rate where more than 15% of its
    population will be above the age of 65 by 2050.

    In response to this shift in population demographics, Malaysia is currently in pursuit of WHO’s Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals, that is to provide equitable healthcare and wellness for all. “The KL Wellness City master plan incorporates thousands of facilities and residences. This township is a significant step towards embracing an ageing nation, with facilities for comprehensive healthcare dedicated to wellbeing through elderly care, retirement resorts, as well as independent and assisted living.” Dato’ Dr Lee added.

    Retaining And Cultivating Local Medical Talents

    Dato’ Dr. Colin Lee, Managing Director of KL Wellness City, expresses gratitude by presenting a token of appreciation to YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Minister of Health

    The flagship KL International Hospital (KLIH), approved as a tertiary hospital with 624 beds and scalable to 1,000-bed capacity, will be on the same ranks as renowned institutions like Thailand’s Bumrungrad International Hospital, as well as Mount Elizabeth Novena, Singapore.

    Some of the of medical equipment and facilities to be equipped in the KL International Hospital will be amongst the first in the Southeast Asia region, offering a fully comprehensive and integrated ecosystem of healthcare services including wellness and fitness facilities across diverse areas, including cardiology, spine health, neuro health, sports medicine, cosmetic surgery, and fertility, with R&D laboratories and facilities for clinical studies.

    With the support of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) towards the KLIH, the new private hospital will be built within the mixed development of KL Wellness City in Kuala Lumpur with proposed investment of RM860 million. The project, set to be in operation in the first half of 2026, will create over 3,000 job opportunities for medical professionals, including medical specialists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and others.

    “The commitment of KLWC to raising the bar for healthy living and wellbeing resonates with the Ministry of Health’s whole-of-system approach. It aligns perfectly with our national vision and the direction set forth in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

    Undoubtedly, I have faith that KLIH will attract multidisciplinary leading specialists to practice in a single hospital location, shortening turnaround time for both local and foreign patients, optimising patient care and experience.

    We foresee KLIH filling in that gap for Malaysians, and we stand in support of KLWC resonating with their purpose. The Ministry applauds the efforts of the tertiary hospital to maintain our leading position in this region and globally. We will continue to endorse KL International Hospital’s commitment,” said YB Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister of Health Malaysia.

    Dato’ Dr Colin also expressed his gratitude for the support of the Malaysian Government for the groundbreaking project. “We are honoured by the presence of the esteemed Minister of Health, YB Dr Zaliha Mustafa, which further exemplifies our shared commitment to make Malaysia stand among the best in the SEA region.”

    VIPs pose for the photo album to commemorate the successful official launch ceremony of KL Wellness City

    About KL Wellness City

    KL Wellness City Sdn Bhd is the master township developer. At the forefront of wellness and healthcare, KL Wellness City is the first in Southeast Asia to cultivate a lifestyle fully integrated with healthcare. Pioneering a comprehensive ecosystem embodying healthcare and wellness living, KL Wellness City’s concept is uniquely modelled by its declaration to redefining, strengthening, and broadening our experience of health and quality of life. Sharing in this vision of building a 360-degree wellness hub, the KL Wellness City community boasts The International Tertiary Hospital, Medical Suites, innovation laboratories, clinical R&D facilities, healthcare company office towers, a retirement resort, a Healthcare Hub, wellness-centric serviced apartments, a fitness-based Central Park, and more.

    Serving as a healthcare nexus, these pivotal elements collectively render KL Wellness City the ultimate one-stop oasis for the body and the mind. Each component of this township is carefully conceptualised to excel both independently and collectively as a part of the community’s integrated ecosystem encompassing medical care, healthcare, wellness and fitness.

    For more information, kindly visit: http://klwellnesscity.com/

  • Pavilion REIT Concludes Acquisition Of Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Reinforcing Retail Portfolio

    Pavilion REIT Concludes Acquisition Of Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Reinforcing Retail Portfolio

    Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (“Pavilion REIT”) has announced the successful conclusion of the acquisition of Pavilion Bukit Jalil, strengthening its position in the retail sector and marking an important milestone in its portfolio expansion and income diversification strategy.

    Following the fulfilment of all conditions precedent as set out in the earlier Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) and an oversubscription of its first private placement, Pavilion REIT now owns Pavilion Bukit Jalil, inheriting its balance sheet and revenues.

    Dato’ Philip Ho, CEO Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd

    “The successful acquisition of Pavilion Bukit Jalil signals a strategic expansion in Pavilion REIT’s portfolio, bringing total asset under management to RM8.3 billion and the start of another new chapter for Pavilion REIT,” stated Dato’ Philip Ho, the Chief Executive Officer of Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd.

    Dato’ Philip added that Pavilion Bukit Jalil’s robust tenant strategy, combined with its role as the host of numerous local and international events, has successfully driven the mall’s occupancy rate to over 82% in a relatively short span, and that this positive momentum is expected to continue.

    The mall’s diverse tenant mix has recently secured new brands particularly in the F&B space including BONCAFE @ HOME, Mixbowlicious, Noodleface Express, MOVON, CrunchCraze, 117 Coffee Bar by Psycoth, Superhero, and Xi Yu (喜鱼). Further adding to the unique experience, the mall also will welcome new concept outlets such as Iron House Cafe (铁皮屋) and JP & Co.

    Dato’ Philip Ho highlighted that Pavilion Bukit Jalil’s energetic atmosphere, catering to diverse interests, is poised to solidify Pavilion Bukit Jalil’s positioning as a premier retail destination. By incorporating novel retail brands and concept stores, while hosting renowned exhibitions and events, the mall’s strategic vision supports a wider visitor and shopper base, making it an increasingly attractive proposition.

    L’Occitane Hotel pop up

    Pavilion Bukit Jalil has established itself as a preferred event destination, hosting various international and local pop-up exhibitions. The mall is currently hosting the world’s first L’Occitane Hotel pop up and ‘The World of Tim Burton Pop-Up Museum’, the first in South East Asia. Recently concluded events include the internationally acclaimed Van Gogh immersive experience and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration exhibition from Japan.

    Pavilion Bukit Jalil will also soon play host to the Japan Expo Malaysia 2023, the biggest all-Japan event from August 18 to 20. The event is expected to draw enthusiasts for all things Japanese and will incorporate a number of zones including music, food, travel, arts, education, health and wellness, anime and cosplayers.

    About Pavilion REIT

    Listed on 7 December 2011, with the largest exposure to the retail sector by any listed Malaysian REIT, Pavilion REIT owns a RM6.0 billion portfolio based on appraised value, to which its most prominent asset is the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Mall that is located in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Pavilion REIT is established with the principal investment policy of investing, directly and indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of income producing real estate used solely or predominantly for retail purposes (including mixed – use developments with a retail component) in Malaysia and other countries within the Asia-Pacific region. For more details, please visit www.pavilion-reit.com

    About Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd

    Pavilion REIT Management Sdn Bhd is the manager of Pavilion REIT. Incorporated in Malaysia on 7 April 2011 with an issued and paid-up capital of RM5 million, it is 51% owned by Urusharta Cemerlang Development Sdn Bhd and 49% owned by Urusharta Cemerlang Project Corporation Sdn Bhd. The principal activity of the Manager is to manage and administer Pavilion REIT.

  • ASUS Announces All-New Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F), Your Compact & Super-Durable Companion

    ASUS Announces All-New Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F), Your Compact & Super-Durable Companion

    ASUS Malaysia announced the 15.6-inch Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F), an exciting and affordable lifestyle laptop that help make users productive or keep them entertained, wherever they go.

    This light and compact laptop feature a sharp and vibrant FHD display and a powerful ASUS SonicMaster sound system with DTS Audio Processing for immersive entertainment. The design is stylish and practical, with thoughtful touches that make the user’s life easier, such as a 180° lay-flat hinge. Built to survive any lifestyle, the Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F) are US military-grade tested for durability using the world’s strictest test regime[1].

    Speedy performance for any task is assured by the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor, up to 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB PCIe® SSD. Other user-friendly features include an ASUS ErgoSense keyboard; smart conferencing via the HD webcam with ASUS 3D Noise Reduction (3DNR), AI noise cancelation, and a physical privacy shield; and a useful suite of ASUS apps including MyASUS, GlideX and ScreenXpert 3.

    Superior Sound And Vision

    Vivobook Go 15 delivers crisp and clear visuals from its FHD display. The 16:9 NanoEdge slim-bezel design which delivers a staggering 84% screen-to-body ratio gives users more screen space for multitasking and immersive viewing. Both displays also ensure a reduced risk of eye strain during long viewing sessions thanks to their TÜV Rheinland eye-care certification for low blue-light and flicker-free operation.

    The Vivobook Go 15 also features incredibly powerful, crystal-clear sound with ASUS SonicMaster and DTS Audio Processing. The combination of hardware and software boosts the volume, and removes noise to improve audio clarity for truly immersive sound.

    Light, Compact, Stylish And Tough

    Measuring 17.9 mm thin and weighing just 1.63 kg, the new Vivobook Go 15 is designed to be compact enough to slip into any bag, and light enough for easy one-handed carrying. It comes in a timeless Cool Silver finish, along with signature Vivobook details like the raised logo tag on the lid, a warning-stripe pattern on the Enter key, contrasting colored rubber feet on the base, and a stylish V-shaped air vent.

    The new Vivobook Go 15 is strictly tested to ensure its durability in everyday use, using the latest MIL-STD-810H US military-grade standard with up to 12 test methods and 26 individual tests — the industry’s most stringent testing regime.

    Speedy Performance

    The Vivobook Go 15 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processors, with up to 16 GB of speedy LDDR5 memory and 512 GB of storage to help users complete all their daily productivity missions. For on-the-go convenience, the battery can be fast-charged to 60% capacity in around 49 minutes[2].

    Ultrafast connectivity is provided by up to WiFi 6E enhanced with ASUS WiFi Master technology for fast and stable connections. The comprehensive I/O ports include a USB-C® 3.2 Gen 1 port, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, a USB 2.0 port, HDMI® output and an audio combo jack — so it’s easy to for users to connect
    all their existing peripherals, displays and projectors, wherever they are.

    Feature-Packed

    Superior typing comfort is assured with the full-size ASUS ErgoSense keyboard, which has a 19.05 mm key pitch, a 0.2 mm key-cap dish, and long 1.4 mm key travel that gives it an incredibly satisfying feel, with the optimum bounce and travel calculated with fine-tuned precision. Excellent privacy is provided by the physical webcam shield, and there’s a fingerprint sensor that allows one-touch login with Windows Hello.

    For enhanced video and audio conferencing, there’s an HD camera with ASUS 3DNR technology that makes videos as clear as they can be. AI noise-cancelation employs machine learning to isolate unwanted noise from human speech, so users can easily hear what everyone else is saying, in any environment.

    The Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F) also come with a collection of easy-to-use productivity-enhancing ASUS apps, including GlideX for cross-device screen sharing; MyASUS for easy access to updates, apps, customer service and performance optimization; and ScreenXpert 3 for easy multi-display management.

    Availability & Pricing

    ASUS Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F) will be available in two variants, priced starting from RM2,299. For more info:

    ASUS eStore: Buy ASUS Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F) | For-Home | Laptops | eStore Malaysia

    Product Page: Vivobook Go 15 (E1504F)|Laptops For Home|ASUS Malaysia

    ASUS Malaysia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asusmalaysia

    SPECIFICATIONS[3]

    About ASUS

    ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, ASUS is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies for tomorrow, garners more than 11 awards every day for quality, innovation and design, and is ranked among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies. FORTUNE and FORTUNE World’s Most Admired Companies are registered trademarks of FORTUNE Media IP Limited and are used under license

    1 Tested using enhanced military-grade MIL-STD-810H durability standards, with up to 12 test methods and 26 test procedures, to ensure extraordinary toughness. Based on ASUS internal market research using available information and testing reports from main laptop brand websites on Oct 28, 2022, ASUS consumer laptops use a regime consisting of 26 test procedures, which is the consumer laptop industry’s strictest and most extensive test regime for the MIL-STD-810H standard. The number of tests passed by each consumer laptop model can be found in the ASUS quality test report for that model.

    2 Charges the battery to up to 60% within 49 minutes when the system is off or in Standby mode. Power adapter with a minimum capacity of 45 watts is required. After charging has reached 60% capacity, charging will resume at normal rate. Charging time may vary +/-10% due to system tolerance.

    3 Specifications, content and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors. Full specifications are available at http://www.asus.com

  • Emerging Regional Insurtech, Policystreet Records Exponential Growth In FY22

    Emerging Regional Insurtech, Policystreet Records Exponential Growth In FY22

    PolicyStreet, an emerging regional insurtech company, has recorded exponential growth in FY22, with its topline growing by five times compared to the previous financial year (FY21) and attaining sum insured of more than USD 6 billion.

    Despite the challenging business environment in FY22, PolicyStreet has continued to innovate and deliver tailor-made insurance products and services to its customers. Growing its topline by 500% compared to the previous financial year is a testament to its commitment to technology advancements and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions affected by the rising cost of living and threats of a global recession.

    “We pride ourselves in understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by our customers during these uncertain times, and our success is a testament to our agility and customer-centric approach. With over six years of operational excellence, we’ve amassed a sizable customer base and established ourselves as a rising star in the insurtech industry,” says Lee Yen Ming, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of PolicyStreet.

    Lee Yen Ming, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of PolicyStreet

    The increase of PolicyStreet’s sum insured to over USD 6 billion is attributed to the company’s unwavering commitment to making insurance Purposeful and Simple for consumers and businesses.

    PolicyStreet’s strong performance has been fueled by its ability to provide tailored insurance products that meet the specific needs of its customers. The insurtech company has identified and served underserved market segments by leveraging technology and industry expertise.

    Since obtaining the Reinsurer and General Insurer license from the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA) in 2021, PolicyStreet has been the reinsurer in its partnerships with onshore insurers, enabling the launch of innovative insurance solutions.

    The key insurance solutions that drove the positive financial performance include the Digital HR Solution and the Gig Worker’s Claims Platform in collaboration with p-hailing service providers. The two innovative insurtech solutions cater to the underserved and growing gig and digital economy within Southeast Asia, which is expected to reach up to USD 1 trillion by 2030.

    “Stakeholders within the digital economies are drivers of the region’s growth, yet they are the most at risk for financial instability. Gig workers are not offered employee benefits due to their freelancing status. In contrast, employees within SMEs can often fall through the cracks due to the lack of access to Group Medical Insurance for SMEs.

    “We aim to continue serving the underserved within this market segment, ensuring the gig and digital economy is sustainable in the long run through embedded insurance and the development of insurance platforms. We believe the insurance industry is ripe for disruption, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation,” says Yen Ming.

    PolicyStreet is committed to providing inclusive insurance solutions and remaining competitive in its insurance offerings by continuing to leverage its capabilities as a regional full-stack insurtech company.

    “By tapping into our underwriting and tech development capabilities to expand our partnership network with leading industry brands and protect more underserved communities, we are confident that we will register strong growth this financial year (FY23) compared to FY22,” says Yen Ming.

    The insurtech company specialises in creating effective embedded insurance solutions that address the pain points of both consumers and businesses while incorporating its in-house tech capabilities and strategic partnerships with industry leaders.  PolicyStreet is poised for continued success in the years to come and is confident in its ability to deliver value to its customers and stakeholders.

    For more information about PolicyStreet and its innovative insurance solutions, please visit https://www.policystreet.com/.

    PolicyStreet Co-founders

    About PolicyStreet 

    PolicyStreet is a regional full-stack insurance technology (insurtech) group of companies providing cutting-edge digital insurance solutions to businesses and consumers in Southeast Asia and Australia.

    PolicyStreet works directly with over 40 life, general, and takaful providers globally to offer a comprehensive range of products and services, which includes but is not limited to embedded insurance, customised employee benefits, financial advisory and aggregation of insurance, as well as the development of digital solutions to make insurance purposeful and simple for businesses and consumers.

    As a licensed Reinsurer and General Insurer by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA), an approved Financial Adviser and Islamic Financial Adviser by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), and a licensee of the Australian Financial Services License by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), PolicyStreet is able to underwrite, customise policies, and provide unbiased advice to its clients and partners worldwide.

    Through its regional group of companies, it serves over 5 million customers with over US$ 6 billion in sum insured. In 2022, it was named as one of the 100 Leading Emerging Giants in the Asia Pacific by KPMG and HSBC and was recognised at the Top in Tech Innovation Awards 2022 for Most Value Creation. It was also awarded the Young Entrepreneurs’ Award in 2020 by ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).

  • Bursa Malaysia And Petronas Sign Memorandum Of Collaboration

    Bursa Malaysia And Petronas Sign Memorandum Of Collaboration

    Bursa Malaysia (“Exchange”) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (“MOC”) with PETRONAS to help drive environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) adoption and practices through Bursa Malaysia’s Centralised Sustainability Intelligence Platform (“Platform”). Working in collaboration with the London Stock Exchange Group (“LSEG”), Bursa Malaysia is developing and testing the Platform which can allow corporates and their listed or non-listed suppliers, both domestically and internationally, to calculate their carbon emissions impact and disclose standardised, common ESG data.

    The purpose of this Platform is to ease companies in their sustainability disclosures and encourage effective management of their carbon emissions, including those from their supply chain, while facilitating decarbonisation through banks’ green financing products and services.

    With the formalisation, PETRONAS would be participating in the Early Adopter Programme (“EAP”) of the Platform to advocate standardised ESG reporting and disclosures while exploring creation of further value throughout its supply chain. Participation in the Platform is envisaged to further reinforce adoption among Malaysian companies through improved ESG data transparency and interoperability.

    PETRONAS will continue to leverage technology and digital to accelerate ESG adoption and readiness across its supply chain to ensure sustainable operational and commercial excellence. These efforts shall be supported by University Teknologi PETRONAS with its fundamental research and academic exchanges.

    The MOC was signed by Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia and Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS and witnessed by Wong Chiun Chiek, Director, Bursa Intelligence and Aadrin Azly, Vice President of Group Technology and Commercialisation, PETRONAS.

    Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift said, “I applaud PETRONAS, being custodian of Malaysia’s natural oil and gas reserves, in raising the bar to promote sustainable practices in the energy sector. The Centralised Sustainability Intelligence Platform deployed for the collaboration is intended to facilitate and ease PETRONAS’ decarbonisation efforts across its supply chain. We encourage other industry captains, particularly those with significant stakes in the global supply chain, to also tap into this avenue and take the helm for change within their respective verticals.”

    Datuk Tengku Muhammad Taufik said, “PETRONAS strongly believes that a just and responsible energy transition can only be achieved when stakeholders within and across sectors work together. Critically, partnerships with forward-looking entities like Bursa Malaysia will offer a valuable avenue for the entire OGSE sector to further embrace and strengthen ESG compliance for operational improvements. This is increasingly unavoidable to preserve a license to operate in a rapidly transforming energy landscape. Amidst an ever-intensifying push for a lower-carbon future, PETRONAS is determined to continue advocating good governance and transparency among the oil and gas players towards becoming a trusted ESG partner to deliver energy responsibly in a secure, affordable and sustainable manner.”

    Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift added, “Bursa Malaysia is also delighted to have CIMB Group on board for this initiative, continuing our partnership with them under the #financing4ESG programme since May 2022. As part of this collaboration, CIMB Group will offer sustainable supply chain financial solutions to help businesses in PETRONAS’ supply chain adopt low carbon and sustainable practices.”

    This follows the recent signing of Bursa Malaysia’s Memorandum of Collaboration with UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd and Malayan Banking Berhad.

    About Bursa Malaysia

    Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company incorporated in 1976 and listed in 2005, and has grown to be one of the largest bourses in ASEAN today. Bursa Malaysia operates and regulates a fully-integrated exchange offering a comprehensive range of exchange-related facilities, and is committed to Creating Opportunities, Growing Value. Learn more at www.bursamalaysia.com.

    About PETRONAS

    We are a dynamic global energy group with presence in over 50 countries. We produce and deliver energy and solutions that power society’s progress in a responsible and sustainable manner. We seek energy potential across the globe, optimising value through our integrated business model. Our portfolio includes cleaner conventional and renewable resources and a ready range of advanced products and adaptive solutions. Sustainability is at the core of what we do as we harness the good in energy to elevate and enrich lives. People are our strength and partners for growth, driving our passion for innovation to progress towards the future of energy sustainability.

  • Iverson Associates Bags Microsoft Award

    Iverson Associates Bags Microsoft Award

    Iverson Associates Sdn Bhd has been awarded the 2022 Microsoft Malaysia Learning Partner of the Year for excelling beyond its peers in the delivery of high-quality customer experience and high-impact Microsoft training solutions in Malaysia.

    Iverson, established in 1994, was also recognised for demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit and sales excellence contributing towards Microsoft Malaysia’s business in the 2022 financial year.

    “We are proud to be awarded this accolade which recognises our innovative and transformative approaches in overcoming adversity, and our ability to drive training and adoption of Microsoft Cloud technology,” said Dr Yap Chee Sing, Managing Director of Iverson Associates Sdn Bhd.

    Iverson Associates takes pride in playing a leading role in the business ecosystem by transferring the latest technologies to government, business organisations, and individuals, helping them to upgrade their IT skills and gain competitive advantage in the digital era.

    “Iverson will continue to champion continuous and accessible learning just as we have been doing for the past 29 years,” he adds.

    “Building on our solid foundations and strong track records, we plan to continue expanding our product range and geographical reach to become a leading regional training provider,” Dr Yap said.

    The firm is known for its collaboration with several government agencies to upskill the Malaysian workforce including the Human Resources Development (HRD) Corporation and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation. It offers a wide range of training courses like data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, cloud computing, project management and cybersecurity, amongst others.

    From left, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, K Raman, Iverson General Manager, Cheryl Wong and Iverson Sales & Marketing Department Head, Ng Saw Hoon

    “We believe our partners make more possible,” said Sara Lua, General Manager of Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft Malaysia. “The Microsoft Malaysia Partner Awards 2022 recognizes organizations that demonstrate digital transformation excellence and innovation based on Microsoft technology. As a learning partner, Iverson delivers digital skills and training to our customers and the partner ecosystem, which contributes to Microsoft’s pledge of skilling 1 million Malaysians by the end of 2023.”

    “This current award is the latest won by Iverson. In recent years, we have bagged awards from other top IT vendors like AWS, IBM, Red Hat and Citrix, as well as from HRD Corporation. This win does not mean we will rest on our laurels; to the contrary, it will drive us to work harder to achieve greater heights,” Dr Yap adds.

    More information on Iverson Associates and its offering can be found on https://www.iverson.com.my or contact 03-77262678 to find out more.

    About Iverson Associates Sdn Bhd

    Iverson Associates Sdn Bhd is the leader in professional IT training in Malaysia. Established in 1994, Iverson is the authorised training partner for the world’s leading IT vendors such as Microsoft, AWS, Red Hat, SAP, Salesforce, Citrix, Cloudera, EC-Council, Dell-EMC, Project Management Institute, etc. Iverson has more than 60 full-time staff in Malaysia and 3 training centres in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Penang. It also has a subsidiary in Bangkok, Thailand with 15 full-time staff. With 37 fully equipped, 500-seat capacity training rooms, a large pool of certified trainers, and well-designed courseware, Iverson has the capability and flexibility to provide training solutions to meet the requirements of the most demanding customers. For more information, visit www.iverson.com.my

  • Building A Safer Digital Future For Youth Of Tomorrow

    Building A Safer Digital Future For Youth Of Tomorrow

    In celebration of International Day of Education and International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Forest Interactive kickstarted a collaboration with Youth Empowerment Support (YES) to spread awareness about the importance of education.  

    Malaysia-based talents paid a visit to Somali Refugee Community Center, managed by YES, to conduct an interactive two-hour workshop with the students on the fundamentals of digital citizenship; covering online privacy, security, and ethical behaviour. The Somali Refugee Community Center is a venue that supports refugee youths in addressing the many needs and challenges they face while living in Malaysia.

    Malaysia-based Forest Interactive talents introducing themselves to the students at the Somali Refugee Community Center

    The interactive workshop was conducted by a team of passionate volunteers who engaged the students aged between 8 to 12 with a variety of activities such as reading and understanding the Do’s and Dont’s of a responsible digital citizen, highlighting aspects of Personal Information, Pishing, Digital Footprint, Catfishing, Cyberbullying, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Reporting Abuse. 

    Besides, volunteers sharing facts of real-life scenarios on digital citizenship, the students were also handed worksheets to work on being Internet Alert, hypothetical scenarios faced online, Code Cracking, and Practicing Empathy as well as reflect upon what they had learned during the workshop. Through this learning session, the audience had the opportunity to learn on how to create strong passwords and to understand the importance of having one.

    Nisa Saharuddin, Community Engagement Lead at Forest Interactive Foundation said “Forest Interactive Foundation firmly believes that access to education is a fundamental human right that should be available to all. To achieve this goal, we collaborate with organizations such as Youth Empowerment Support (YES) and work together to develop effective programs. To ensure positive outcomes, we carefully select volunteers from the industry who possess extensive knowledge and a solid background to deliver the best messages to the students. Given that young people nowadays are exposed to diverse influences, both good and bad, it is our duty to educate and nurture them with appropriate knowledge to prepare and safeguard them for the technology-driven world of the future.”

    To ensure maximum participation, stationary sets were provided to the children during the workshop, and all extra supplies were donated to the center as part of the donation effort of this campaign. 

    Mohammad Abdi, founder of Youth Empowerment Support (YES) and CEO of Somali Refugee Community in Malaysia expressed, “We are delighted to express our heartfelt appreciation towards the passion, drive, and commitment demonstrated by the volunteers who lend a helping hand in educating and imparting knowledge the refugee children.”

    “Through this collaboration, we strongly believe that these children will greatly benefit, as we recognize the crucial importance of equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

    The Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) covered in this CSR initiative are No Poverty (1), Quality Education (4), and Reducing Inequalities (10). For more information on Forest Interactive’s sustainability initiatives, visit forestcares.org.

    Are you an NGO looking for partners or do you know of communities that need contributions? Contact us at corporatepr@forest-interactive.com. 

    About Youth Empowerment Support (YES)  

    Youth empowerment support was established in March 2019 by a group of twelve (15) youths. 7 girls and 8 boys. The main reason that the YES team was established was because of seeing many youths committing suicides and inequality happening in the community. Their purpose is to support their fellow refugee youths to be able to address the many needs and challenges refugees face in Malaysia. Youth empowerment support is a mixed group of different ethnicities, age, backgrounds, life experiences, and more, but they all have a common goal that unites them all. and that is to give back to their refugee communities, notably to all refugee youths, and any family in need, emergency situations, health, raising awareness and designing programs for the youth.  

    About Forest Interactive 

    Founded in 2006, Forest Interactive develops scalable mobile platforms to connect mobile operators, content providers, and game publishers with their subscribers. With over 15 years of industry experience, Forest Interactive has expanded to include a diverse workforce of 20+ nationalities in 15 regional offices.  

    Delivering content subscription services, digital voucher and e-commerce platforms, and mobile apps for all ages, Forest Interactive operates in more than 30 countries, servicing 90+ mobile operators and 100+ content partners with the capacity to reach over one billion subscribers worldwide. To learn more, visit forest-interactive.com 

  • Standard Chartered Saadiq Advances Thought Leadership In Islamic Finance

    Standard Chartered Saadiq Advances Thought Leadership In Islamic Finance

    Standard Chartered Saadiq held its inaugural Islamic Financial Markets Forum recently, in conjunction with its 30th anniversary of Islamic banking.

    Having hosted more than a hundred participants from the financial services industry, the forum aimed to create a platform for key industry practitioners and regulators to share ideas and views to bring about greater understanding on Islamic banking and finance. As a leading international Islamic bank, Standard Chartered Saadiq offers a comprehensive Shariah-compliant product suite and an unmatched Islamic network spanning Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

    During his keynote address, Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid (pictured) spoke on the importance of advancing the Islamic finance market through thought leadership and innovation, “Islamic finance remains a top priority in the Financial Sector Blueprint to strengthen Malaysia’s value proposition as an international gateway for Islamic finance.”

    “The outlook for the Malaysian Islamic financial market in the next five to 10 years is generally positive, pointing towards continued growth and development as well as Malaysia remaining as a major global Islamic financial centre.”

    “With the growing maturity of the Islamic financial sector in Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia also believes that the industry is now well positioned to drive the broader Malaysia as an Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC) agenda. The MIFC Leadership Council, a joint initiative of Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia will provide thought leadership, and drive strategy formulation and implementation to enhance Malaysia’s position as an international gateway for Islamic finance. It is envisioned that the Council will also evolve into a fully industry-led structure that will be better able to respond to – and capitalise on – global opportunities in Islamic finance. We are confident that with stronger industry stewardship, we will be able to foster greater market dynamism and growth.”

    However, he added, “The Islamic finance sector indeed still has some way to reach its full potential based on these values to fulfil contemporary economic and social needs.”

    “Therefore, new initiatives are needed to empower and advance the Islamic finance system by emphasising on the principle of driving growth, wider participation, and equitable wealth distribution, and not only focused on company and conglomerate profits.”

    The full text of Bank Negara Malaysia Assistant Governor Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid’s keynote address during the Standard Chartered Islamic Financial Markets Forum 2023 can be found here.

    Standard Chartered Malaysia

    Standard Chartered Bank, a member of the Standard Chartered Group, was established in Malaysia in 1875. As Malaysia’s first bank, Standard Chartered leads the way through product innovation, consistent and strong growth performance and sustainability initiatives. The Bank provides a comprehensive range of financial solutions to corporates, institutions and individuals through its network of branches across Malaysia. The Bank has an Islamic banking subsidiary, Standard Chartered Saadiq; a global shared services centre, Standard Chartered Global Business Services; a sales arm, Price Solutions and an offshore facility in Labuan. Standard Chartered employs over 7,000 employees in all its Malaysian operations.

    Standard Chartered

    We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serve clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

    Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

  • Weathering The Economic Storm: Why Malaysian Financial Institutions Must Leverage Technology And Focus On Customers

    Weathering The Economic Storm: Why Malaysian Financial Institutions Must Leverage Technology And Focus On Customers

    The current economic downturn, driven by the after-effects of the pandemic, the war on Ukraine and significant supply chain disruptions, is not exclusive to Malaysia, or even Asia – indeed, it is happening globally, and its effects will be far-reaching and felt for some time to come. Already we’ve seen significant, wide-scale lay-offs across all industries, interest rate rises and a general slowing in overall economic activity and growth.

    However, unlike previous recessions, many of today’s financial service providers have access to innovative technologies that can mitigate the impact of this economic upheaval, particularly when it comes to the provision of credit to businesses.

    Enabling The Flow Of Credit Is Essential To Economic Recovery

    Financial institutions and other organisations offering credit will always be in demand during tough times, as businesses seek short-term solutions to keep the lights on and the doors open. Having access to credit is vital for the global economy, and ensuring this credit is flowing where it’s needed is a critical role of the lending industry.

    Technology plays an enormous part in ensuring credit gets where it’s needed, whether that’s through simpler digital application processes offered by tech-enabled SME lenders, AI-driven credit reporting, easier access to account information via mobile apps, or the ability to rapidly launch new products or features to meet the changing needs of customers.

    Technology also enables faster approval rates for businesses and individuals seeking loans, which can provide a much-needed cash injection just when they need it.

    Tech-Enabled Banks And Financial Service Providers To Survive And Thrive

    Having next-generation technologies at the heart of a financial institution can make a significant positive difference to the bottom line when times are tough. Modern, cloud-native technologies that are charged on a per user, SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) basis can be incredibly cost-effective, with organisations only paying for the service that they use. This can enable financial institutions, lenders, and others providing financial services, to scale efficiently – both up and down – as the market dictates.

    As an example, composable, cloud-native banking and lending platforms, which enable greater flexibility, also effectively lower technology costs, which can have a significant, positive impact on operations during tough economic times.

    In any business, we know that the key benefits of technology are increased efficiency and productivity – reducing costs and increasing output. Leveraging the power of technology like cloud, data and analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning can help to streamline processes, speed up decision-making, and lower overall operational costs.

    Crisis? Or Opportunity?

    Recessions can, of course, be catastrophic to businesses, however it’s important that organisations are also aware of the potential opportunities that these testing times can deliver. Changing customer needs and behaviours, combined with slowed market conditions, can be an ideal breeding ground for innovation and new ways of thinking.

    By understanding your customers and acknowledging their specific pain points, banks, financial institutions, fintechs and other organisations offering financial services can develop unique solutions that meet the specific needs of their customers in the current economic environment, while also opening up new revenue streams.

    As the macroeconomic climate continues to deteriorate, financial institutions, lenders and fintechs must leverage the power of technology to boost the lending pipeline and develop new and innovative customer-centric lending solutions to ensure their survival.

    About the Author

    William Dale is the Regional Vice President Asia Pacific at Mambu, the cloud banking platform that powers hundreds of the world’s most well-known banks and financial service providers, including Western Union, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, N26, BancoEstado, OakNorth, Raiffeisen Bank, ABN AMRO, Bank Islam and Orange Bank.

    www.mambu.com