Category: What’s News Asia

FWD Takaful Berhad (“FWD Takaful”) and AEON Insurance Brokers (M) Sdn. Bhd. (“AIBM”) have partnered to offer a complimentary term takaful plan (“Plan”) via AIBM’s participating motorcycle merchants, aimed at addressing the low protection rates amongst motorcyclists in Malaysia. This collaboration is set to revolutionise the way motorcyclists experience safety and protection on the open road.

Motorcycles, as a mode of transportation, are essential to support the livelihood and lifestyle of Malaysians and due to their affordability, make up 46.6% of all registered vehicles in the nation. In 2022, the number of total registered motorcycle sales reached an estimate of 720,000 units, representing an almost 40% increase from the estimated number of 500,000 units sold in 2021. In view of this, FWD Takaful and AIBM set out to play a more proactive role in protecting motorcyclists and their families. The Plan provides comprehensive coverage in the event of the death of the motorcycle owner, due to natural causes or accidental death, where the sum covered is RM8,000 or RM20,000, respectively. This innovative Plan is offered as part of a complimentary and value-added service to motorcyclists who purchase their vehicle through any of AIBM’s participating motorcycle merchants. In the event of an unfortunate occurrence, the pay-out from the Plan may offer temporary financial relief to the remaining family members, hence reducing the potential financial strain that may occur as a result of their passing on. By offering this Plan as part of their motor purchase journey, we also provide an easy onboarding experience that allows our customers to be covered automatically without undergoing a medical check-up as well as a straightforward claims process.

Salim Majid Zain, Chief Executive Officer of FWD Takaful, said, “We are honoured to partner with AIBM to offer this micro-takaful plan, which is designed to be accessible and inclusive, catering to the underserved segment of motorcyclists. With around 83% of households owning a motorcycle, Malaysians’ usage and reliance on two-wheelers is high. This partnership enables us to integrate the term takaful plan as part of a value-added service to protect motorcyclists and their families and to tap into a growing market. This partnership will also enable us to do our part in closing the protection gap amongst Malaysians by providing innovative protection products and solutions and support Bank Negara Malaysia’s target to increase the protection penetration rate to 75%, for both conventional and takaful segment.”

Bruce Chen, CEO of AEON Insurance Brokers (M) Sdn. Bhd, said, “Today marks a pivotal moment for us as we join forces with FWD Takaful. This is not just a business alliance but a heartfelt commitment to every motorcyclist in Malaysia, echoing our promise to nurture and elevate our suite of two-wheeler solutions, especially for the motorcycle merchants who hold a special place in our journey. Traditionally, motorcyclists have been greeted with accessories. Today, we are charting a new course.  Instead of tangible gifts, we are offering something infinitely more valuable: a safety net, a promise and peace of mind. This partnership is a game-changer for motorcyclists. Our collaboration with FWD Takaful brings together the best in takaful, ensuring that motorcyclists have access to the support they deserve. We are thrilled to be a part of this journey to enhance their protection.”

Datuk Wee Hong, Chairman of Malaysia Motorcycle & Scooter Dealers Association also added, “This prolific partnership marks a shift in the way we cater to and safeguard motorcyclists. Together, FWD Takaful and AEON Insurance Brokers will offer meaningful takaful protection for Malaysian motorcyclists. This partnership not only brings positive change to them but with a protection plan in place, they can also be assured of their family’s financial security, should anything unfortunate happen to them.”

To find out more about this term takaful plan, please visit https://aeoninsurance.com.my. Alternatively, please call 1300 13 7988 or email contact.my@fwd.com for more information.

A ray of hope has shone brighter for communities in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, with the launch of the 1st ReSkills S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub, powered and supported by RZB Holdings. Witnessed by VVIPs YM Tunku Dato’ Prof. Sr Dr. Fauzi Ibni Almarhum YTM Tunku Seri Indera Setia Tunku Dato’ Abdul Malek Al Haj, Rozana Zeti Binti Basir, Dr Sayyid Musa, Jin Tan, Dr. Steve Tan, Dato’ Azhar Janus, Patrick Fung, Lee Wai Meng, Suraj and Dato’ Abdul Hanif Harun, followed by VIPs, Imran, Norman, Dahlan, Hafiz, Raidatul Alea, Raiman Amir, Oversea partners from Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia, and exclusive guests, this momentous event marks a giant leap forward in empowering millions globally with quality online education, information access, and internet connectivity, all fueled by sustainable solar energy.

The S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub stands for Sustainability, Mobility, Accessibility, Renewability and Technology. It embodies a bold vision: bridging the digital divide and making high-quality education a reality for everyone, regardless of location or socio-economic background.

Lack of access to education often traps individuals in cycles of poverty and limited opportunity. The ReSkills S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub empowers rural communities by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive.

“At ReSkills EdTech, we believe education is the bedrock of progress,” remarked Jin Tan, CEO of ReSkills EdTech. “The S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub is our tangible answer to the global need for equitable access to knowledge and skills. With the support of RZB Holdings, we began the unwavering commitment to sustainable development, we’re ushering in a new era of green-fueled learning.”

Rozana, Director of RZB Holdings, emphasized the project’s alignment with their commitment to sustainability. “The S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub is not just about technology; it’s about building a brighter future for all. By harnessing solar energy, we’re creating a sustainable solution that empowers rural communities without harming the environment.”

Dr. Steve Tan, Chairman of ReSkills EdTech, spoke passionately about the hub’s transformative potential. “The ReSkills S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub is more than just a cabin or container; it’s a gateway to limitless possibilities, it’s a hope for a better world. We’re opening doors to education, healthcare, career opportunities, and a world of knowledge previously out of reach. This is about igniting the dreams of rural communities and paving the way for a brighter future.”

The launch ceremony was a vibrant testament to the resilience and aspirations of rural communities. Guests from across the region experienced the hub’s state-of-the-art facilities, shared stories of their struggles with limited connectivity, and celebrated the dawn of a new era of opportunity. The S.M.A.R.T Learning Hub stands as a beacon of hope, powered by the sun and fueled by a shared vision of progress. With its sustainable approach and transformative potential, the hub promises a brighter future where rural communities can access the knowledge, resources, and connections they deserve.

Generali Malaysia has launched Generali Malaysia Run 2024 to encourage Malaysians to live a healthy lifestyle and give back to the community. The inaugural run event is set to kick off at Dataran Putrajaya on 19^th May 2024.

With the theme “Run with a Purpose”, Generali Malaysia will be partnering with 3 non-governmental organization (NGO) partners to advocate 3 important social causes that align with its sustainability agenda.

• PINTAR Foundation for children
• Malaysian Nature Society for environmental protection
• National Cancer Society Malaysia for cancer awareness

During the signing ceremony with NGO partners, Fabrice Benard, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Insurance Malaysia Berhad and Country Head for Generali Entities in Malaysia shared that Generali Malaysia Run 2024 is in line with the company’s brand promise to be a Lifetime Partner. It supports runners in their journey to run for better health and at the same time champion a social cause close to their heart.

“It is truly inspiring to see the ongoing efforts of our NGO partners in fighting for their good cause. Through Generali Malaysia Run 2024, we are taking a step forward to create a community in action and join our NGO partners in their journey to make a meaningful difference. We want all our runners to unite over a good cause, and empower them to run for the purpose they believe in,” Fabrice added.

Together with all runners, Generali Malaysia will be contributing to the 3 NGO partners. Runners will not only get to choose from 3 different run T-shirts to support their preferred NGO and cause, but also learn more about the social causes through a line up of engaging activities held during the run day.

Registration for Generali Malaysia Run 2024 is now open till 17^th May 2024, for 3 categories in both physical and virtual run.

Physical Run Categories at Dataran Putrajaya & Super Early Bird Price

21.1km Competitive Half Marathon (Men & Women Open; Men & Women Veteran): RM55 per runner

12km Competitive Run (Men & Women Open): RM45 per runner

6km Fun Run (3 – 70 years old): RM35 per runner

Virtual Run Categories & Early Bird Price

21.1km Competitive Half Marathon (Men & Women Open; Men & Women Veteran): RM65 per runner

12km Competitive Run (Men & Women Open): RM55 per runner

6km Fun Run (3 – 70 years old) RM45 per runner

Runners who register for physical run will receive run entitlements consisting of an Ultron event jersey and race bib (with timing chip for 12km and 21.2km), and upon completing the run, they will receive a finisher medal,  e-certificate, light refreshment and finisher jersey (for 21.1km finishers). The race pack collection for physical runners is scheduled to be held at Decathlon KLCC, from 10^th – 12^th May 2024, 11am – 6pm. Every participant who collects at Decathlon store will receive a RM10 Decathlon cash voucher. For physical runners, delivery of race kit is available at additional charges of RM9.99 (West Malaysia) and RM14.99 (East Malaysia).

Runners who are unable to make it on the physical run can join the Virtual Run category and run at their own convenience at any location, from 19^th May 2024 – 19^th June 2024. They can submit their distance and time via JomRun app to obtain the event jersey, finisher medal and finisher jersey (for 21.1km finishers).

Registration for Generali Malaysia Run 2024 is now open at:

Physical Run: https://www.jomrun.com/event/Generali-Malaysia-Run-2024

Virtual Run: https://www.jomrun.com/event/Generali-Run-2024-Virtual-Run

Runners may follow Generali Malaysia Facebook and Instagram page for more updates.

Nuetraa Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian company specializing in natural and chemical-free nutraceuticals, has recently been awarded the prestigious Super Health Brand Asia Pacific 2023 title. This award is a significant recognition of the company’s commitment to providing high-quality, effective, and safe products that promote long-term health and well-being.

Founded by Dato’ Ilaia Raja Sagadewan, who has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Nuetraa marks a paradigm shift in his career. Recognizing the growing demand for natural health solutions and the potential dangers of overreliance on medication and chemical products, Dato’ Ilaia founded Nuetraa in 2020 with a clear vision: to provide people with the right food to support liver and gut health, promote cell rejuvenation, and reduce inflammation.

“It was a challenging journey,” says Datin Sumitra Ramachandran, CEO of Nuetraa. “People are so used to relying on medication and chemical products that convincing them to focus on the right food and natural solutions was not easy. But we believed in our vision and we were determined to make a difference.”

Nuetraa’s commitment to natural ingredients and chemical-free products sets them apart from the competition. All their products are free of SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and parabens, making them safe and gentle for even the most sensitive skin.

Nuetraa’s product range includes dietary supplements like Nuetraa Fiber D+ which is uniquely formulated with fibre, prebiotic, milk thistle and dandelion root.  It is classified as a superfood with the highest quality of the active ingredients  to promote gut and liver health, counter inflammation and increase vitality. Nuetraa also offers a range of skin-friendly skincare and personal hygiene products for both men and women.

The Super Health Brand Asia Pacific 2023 award is a testament to Nuetraa’s dedication to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. This recognition serves as a major boost for the company, solidifying their position as a leader in the natural health industry.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as the Super Health Brand Asia Pacific 2023,” says Datin Sumitra. “This award is a validation of our hard work and dedication, and it motivates us to continue providing our customers with the best possible products and services.”

With its unwavering commitment to natural, effective, and safe health solutions, Nuetraa is poised to continue its impressive growth and make a significant impact on the lives of people throughout the region.

CapitaLand Group, with the support from its philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), has contributed RM200,000 worth of daily necessities and educational supplies to more than 800 underserved children from 22 homes and schools, as well as over 1,500 beneficiaries from 520 low-income families in Malaysia under its #GivingBersama 3.0 initiative.  As part of CapitaLand’s annual #GivingAsOne campaign, this community initiative aims at supporting beneficiaries from orphanage homes, schools and low-income families in Johor, Klang Valley, Pahang, and Penang, to improve their quality of life.

For the third annual edition of the #GivingBersama initiative, CapitaLand has extended its support to families from the B40 low-income category for the first time.  These beneficiaries were identified in collaboration with Pertubuhan Komuniti HARAP, Kuantan, Unit Mutiara Food Bank, Penang and Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Malaysia.

Selina Ng, Head, Retail, CapitaLand Investment (Malaysia), said: “As part of CapitaLand’s #GivingAsOne global campaign, the #GivingBersama 3.0 initiative continues to provide essential and educational supplies to the underserved children in the communities where we operate in.  We strongly believe that education is an important foundation for building a resilient society and hope our contributions have provided the beneficiaries some support in their learning journey and daily life, true to the spirit of #GivingBersama.”

“This year, we have also extended a helping hand to the B40 households and families who have been affected by the rising costs of living.  We rallied more than 130 CapitaLand staff volunteers who contributed over 1,200 volunteer hours collectively to distribute daily necessities and school essentials.  The enthusiastic response from our staff volunteers demonstrates that we are in this together with the community.”

The #GivingBersama 3.0 initiative is the third annual edition of the #GivingBersama campaign that was launched in Malaysia in 2021.  Since then, the initiative has reached more than 2,600 children from 75 orphanages and schools, as well as 520 low-income families.  The first two editions of #GivingBersama in 2021 and 2022 led to CapitaLand being conferred the Company of the Year Award for community care under the shopping mall category for two consecutive years at the Sustainability and CSR Malaysia Awards.  Since 2011, CapitaLand, with the support of CHF, has helped over 13,500 beneficiaries in need with donations of more than RM2.4 million in Malaysia.

CapitaLand’s presence in Malaysia spans across multiple asset classes including residential, retail, lodging, logistics and business parks.  Its retail network comprises seven malls, of which six are owned by CapitaLand Malaysia Trust – 3 Damansara in Petaling Jaya, East Coast Mall in Kuantan, Gurney Plaza and a majority interest in Queensbay Mall in Penang, a majority interest in Sungei Wang Plaza in Kuala Lumpur and The Mines in Seri Kembangan. The other mall is Melawati Mall in Taman Melawati.  CapitaLand also operates Nusajaya Tech Park, a 210-hectare industrial park located at Iskandar Puteri, Johor.

Minconsult Sdn. Bhd. (Minconsult) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by being the first ASEAN company in the Engineering and Construction Sector to have its Near-Term GHG emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Minconsult, a renowned engineering consultancy is also the third (3^rd) company in Malaysia to attain this landmark achievement, four months ahead of its deadline.

“Minconsult continues setting the bar with visionary thinking, decisive action, and exemplary leadership.” stated CEO Dato’ Dr. Dennis Ganendra FREng, acknowledging the team’s collective effort behind this accomplishment. “We know that greening today will not only ensure the existence of a tomorrow, but will support a future of responsible building, spending, and community wellbeing. We are about engineering excellence in the broadest and most sustainable of ways.”

SBTI’s validation of their Near-Term Targets is only part of the Company’s wider Sustainability Drive, which is embedded in their innovative tool, MiST, a tool developed in-house to help their clients understand their sustainability requirements, explore various solutions to meet their sustainability goals and compliance to established sustainability reporting standards. MiST embeds the 17 Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN) and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) components.

With projects in over 27 countries across diverse engineering and infrastructure fields, Minconsult also advises governments and institutions on policy.

The company’s commitment to green has far-reaching local and global impact, and its dedication to sustainability has been recognised through numerous awards, including; Climate Change Fellow, and Sustainability Awareness and Employee Engagement Recognition by United Nations Global Compact Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB), The Star ESG Positive Impact Awards for Energy Efficiency, and Gold Award of Special Merit at the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) 2023 Engineering Awards under the Green Engineering category.

The SBTi validates ambitious emissions reduction plans aligned with climate science, aiming for a 50% cut by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. The SBTi’s arduous review and clearance process requires, amongst other materials, detailed data in support of applicant submissions, as well as an assessment of the applicant’s professional reputation, including for past project deliverables.

Join Minconsult in building a sustainable future. Visit us at www.minconsult.com or contact our Corporate Communications Department  03-7954 5757 (ext. 885)

Nexible Solutions Sdn Bhd, a leader in CRM innovation, proudly announces a significant leap in customer relationship management technology with the introduction of advanced AI capabilities in its acclaimed CRM platform, Outperform. This new development is poised to redefine the CRM landscape for SMEs and enterprise companies, with a special focus on sectors such as real estate, automotive, and private education.

Outperform: A Beacon of Local Innovation

Developed by Nexible Solutions, a Malaysia Digital Status company, Outperform has positioned itself as a beacon of Malaysian technological innovation. With a robust clientele of over 120 enterprise companies and a substantial presence among SMEs in Malaysia, the platform has been a game-changer. Outperform’s proficiency in capturing, distributing and managing leads from a variety of channels – both digital and traditional – has been pivotal in enhancing sales efficiency and marketing strategies for numerous businesses.

The AI Outreach Module

At the heart of Outperform’s latest upgrade is its AI Outreach system. Since mid-2022, this system has been rigorously tested with select clients to ensure unparalleled performance. Utilizing Generative AI technology, tailored with industry-specific conversational datasets, the module can seamlessly interact in multiple languages, including Bahasa Malaysia. Outperform’s AI Outreach can reach out to potential leads via Whatsapp and converse with them autonomously before handing over qualified leads to the sales team. The AI System also analyzes customer interactions via phone calls and Whatsapp to create meaningful analytics and recommend next steps.

Anan Saminathen, CEO of Nexible Solutions, elaborated, “We have meticulously curated a dataset comprising thousands of customer interactions in Malaysia. This enables our AI to not only engage effectively with leads but also to autonomously enrich the CRM database, something that was previously unachievable without manual intervention.”

Impact on Industry Verticals

The versatility of Outperform is evident in its profound impact on various industries. In real estate, for instance, companies have observed a marked improvement in lead qualification and customer engagement, leading to faster closures and improved customer satisfaction. Automotive clients praise the platform for its ability to streamline the customer journey, from initial inquiry to post-sales service. Educational institutions have found immense value in Outperform’s capacity to manage and nurture leads, significantly improving enrollment rates.

Enterprise AI Journey 2023

The AI innovation was recently showcased at the ‘Enterprise AI Journey 2023’ event, co-hosted with Nexible’s business partner Avanser at the Connexion Conference and Event Center in Bangsar South. The efficacy of Outperform is best exemplified by the testimonials from its diverse clientele.

During the event, one of the guest speakers, Shareela Binti Ahmed, a Strategic Marketing Manager from Gamuda Land, one of Malaysia’s premier real estate developers, remarked, “Outperform has revolutionized how we manage customer relationships. The AI module has not only improved our response times but has also provided deeper insights into customer needs.” A marketing head from a leading automotive brand echoes similar sentiments, highlighting the platform’s impact on their marketing campaigns and customer engagement strategies.

Behind the Technology: A Peek into the AI Engine

The AI orchestration engine powering Outperform is built by Nexible’s AI engineering talent in Malaysia. This was achieved by integrating tightly with Open AI’s Generative AI technology and various other AI systems. The AI model has been trained with tens of thousands of industry-specific dialogues in Malaysia, enabling it to understand and respond to customer queries with human-like accuracy. This AI is constantly learning and evolving, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

“Our AI orchestration engine takes into account local slangs, languages and personality. Our clients have seen at least a 3X increase in lead qualification rate and they finally have a lot of structured data about their customers for big data analysis and better CX”,  Anan Saminathen added.

Looking Ahead: The Future of CRM and AI Integration

As Nexible Solutions looks to the future, they envision a world where AI integration in CRM is not just a luxury but a necessity. The company is already in the process of enhancing Outperform with additional AI-driven features, such as predictive analytics and personalized customer journey mapping. These developments are expected to further cement Outperform’s position as a leading CRM solution, both in Malaysia and in the region.

A Call to Action: Embrace the Future

As Malaysia strides towards a more AI-integrated future, Anan Saminathen added, “The enthusiasm and commitment we’re witnessing from enterprise companies in Malaysia are remarkable. We’re actively aiding about seven large enterprises in their AI transformation journey at the moment and foresee a surge in AI adoption among MSMEs in 2024.”

Nexible Solutions invites businesses to experience the future of AI and CRM with Outperform. The company is committed to partnering with its clients on their journey towards an AI digital transformation, offering tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of each industry.

For additional information, to schedule a demo, or to discuss how Outperform can transform your business, please contact us at www.outperformhq.io. Join us in shaping the future of CRM with AI at its core, and together, we can create a more efficient, insightful, and customer-centric world.