The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has been steadily progressing over the years but recent advancements, particularly in generative AI, along with the increased accessibility of these tools, have brought heightened attention to the transformative changes and unprecedented possibilities.

Developing robust AI strategies

Being in the IT industry for more than 30 years has allowed Dr Anton Ravindran to be a part of the digital evolution, from mainframe computing to the PC, which was initially revolutionised by IBM and Apple, making computers accessible to the public.

Since then, artificial intelligence (...

Ideas: Unveiling the impact, challenges and promise of AI

Ever since Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted in April 2022, Malaysians have been busy packing their bags and jetting away for holidays. According to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), Malaysia’s international passenger traffic grew at an average of 80.9% quarter on quarter and the...

Solutions: How travel companies can better protect travellers

In today’s digital age, our lives are deeply intertwined with technology. We have seen remarkable advancements, but also vulnerabilities emerge. Technology has connected us in unprecedented ways, turning businesses, governments and individuals into virtual inhabitants. Yet, as our digital world g...

Security: Stopping the ripple effect of web application attacks against organisations

Over the last couple of years, Malaysia’s venture capital ecosystem has grown by leaps and bounds but there is a lack of financial commitment in the mid-to-late stages of fundraising.

For funding between US$500,000 (about RM2.34 million) and US$20 million, firms like 500 Global would be...

Issues: Funding gaps in venture capital landscape need to be addressed

Weddings are hectic and chaotic, with the bride and groom often too busy mingling with guests and seeing to details to appreciate every precious moment.

With POV, a disposable camera app, they can have access to some of those moments through the eyes of their guests.

Guests ca...

Tech Fun: Documenting cherished moments

A digital transformation consulting firm run by two Malaysians is leading a government digitalisation programme in Fiji that promises to take the agrarian nation into the new economic arena.

Spirit of Endeavour (Endeavour), which is based in Malaysia and Singapore, reached a key mi...

Digitalisation: One digital platform for businesses and citizens

In the escalating debate on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment, a looming sense of apprehension has given rise to fears of a global wave of “employment refugees”. However, Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president and dean of the Asia School of Business (ASB), offers a nuanced perspectiv...

Cover Story: Crafting a future-ready education

Budget 2024 was in many ways a good budget for the tech ecosystem, from the RM1.5 billion in funding from government-linked corporations (GLCs) and government-linked investment corporations (GLICs) to the extension of the angel tax incentive and exemption from capital gains tax for venture capita...

The Pitch Deck: Malaysia’s global top 20 ecosystem target: An impossible task?

NEWS

Digital awareness, collaborative effort needed to secure data privacy

Sixty-three per cent of Malaysians are concerned about data privacy and security, while one in three young Malaysians cite this as their reason for switching off ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany of Technology

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 29): Despite 95% of Malaysian companies setting sustainability goals or targets, only half (49%) have put into practice a comprehensive sustainability strategy, as revealed by the 2023 Schneider Electric Sustainability Survey released on Tuesday (Nov 28).

Sustainability survey: 46% gap between companies’ sustainability aspirations and actions

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 27): Malaysian corporations need to improve their quantification of methane emissions and transparency in these disclosures, said several researchers during a policy brief launch and seminar on methane emissions last Friday (Nov 24).

Better monitoring and reporting of methane emissions needed

Since the concept of ESG (environmental, social and governance) took off a few years ago, companies have been responding to emerging — and still developing — regulatory requirements, as well as investor and client demands to integrate ESG considerations into their operations.

ESG 2023 - Special Issue : Walking The Talk

Jorge Rubio, global head of Citi Social Finance, is not a regular banker. He often has to switch out of his suit and tie to more comfortable attire so he can visit entrepreneurs providing innovative solutions that address pressing social issues around the world.

Banks: Committed to social financing

Neurodivergent young adults, like those with conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia, often face unique challenges when finding and staying in a job. These difficulties stem from societal biases, workplace environments and the individuals’ characteristics that might not be understood by the larger public.

Banks: Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace

In 2016, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) established an urban farm on the peripheral slopes of Menara Maybank in Kuala Lumpur where its employees could volunteer their time to tend to plants and vegetables.

Banks: Bankers who farm

Within certain circles in the corporate world, it is easy to think that everyone knows what environmental, social and governance (ESG) is and what corporations are expected to do with regard to sustainability. It has, after all, been the theme of many conferences and workshops held for corporates in recent years.

Overview: Does ESG have any impact?

When Smith & Nephew plc made its maiden foray into Malaysia in 2020, ensuring that the new manufacturing plant and the operations met the company’s goals of minimising its ecological footprint was non-negotiable.

Manufacturing: Starting from the top

Unlike the plastic room key cards that hotel guests usually receive upon arrival, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu’s bamboo ones are a good surprise for environmentally conscious travellers. This is just one of the upscale Sabah hotel’s many sustainable initiatives.

Hospitality: Going plastic-free for a greener tomorrow

Climate change stands as one of the most daunting challenges of this era. Financial institutions are pivotal in addressing climate change due to their immense influence and resources. Their investments, lending practices and risk assessments can either accelerate or decelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Finance: Engaging for change

The Edge ESG Awards 2023

The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2023

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2023

The Edge Centurion Club Corporate Awards 2023

The Edge Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2023

In today’s edition of Evening 5 — Five telcos have finally inked deals with DNB, and will collectively own a 70% stake in the state-owned entity, while Putrajaya will retain 30% plus a golden share. Meanwhile, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Digital ID concerns such as personal data leaks and chip implants are unfounded.

EVENING 5: Telcos finally ink DNB deal

Five local mobile network operators have finally executed their share subscription agreements to take up equity stakes in Digital National Bhd.

NEWS: DNB finalises share deal with five telcos

Apex Securities values Critical Holdings at 40 sen to 43 sen

MORNING CALL: 1/12/23

PAS retained the Kemaman seat when its candidate Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar won the by-election held for the parliamentary constituency on Saturday.

PAS retains Kemaman parliamentary seat

Senior lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah is not among the 16 candidates elected to the Bar Council for the 2024/2025 term, after placing 22nd out of the 39 candidates who contested.

Najib’s lawyer Shafee not among those elected to Bar Council for 2024/2025; Fahri Azzat tops polls

The government will revive the town hall session which will serve as a platform for ministries and secretaries general (KSU) to inform people about measures and actions taken in response to the findings of the Auditor General’s Report.

Mohd Zuki: Govt to revive town hall session to clarify issues raised in AG's Report

Bursa Malaysia is anticipated to experience some portfolio realignments and window-dressing activities, hence the benchmark index is likely to trend higher next week as the market enters the month of December, said an analyst.

Bursa likely to be higher next week with window-dressing activities

US stocks advanced on Friday, starting December with a broad rally as remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell bolstered the view that interest rates have peaked.

Wall St rallies as Powell cements peak rate bets

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim spent the last 25 years calling for the reformation of Malaysia’s governance and socioeconomic structure. Millions of Malaysians rallied around his call for “reformasi” and stayed true to the agenda since 1998.

Time to act, Putrajaya

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Friday involving Citaglobal Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, YTL Power International Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Pansar Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, Crest Builder Holdings Bhd and Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd.

Citaglobal, CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM, YTL Power, Axiata, Pansar, Apex Healthcare, Crest Builder, SCIB

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Citaglobal Bhd, in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is a substantial shareholder, has together with its consortium partner TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, executed a 40:60 joint development agreement with clean energy player Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) for a two-gigawatt (2GW) solar farm project in Pahang for US$2 billion (RM9.75 billion).

Under the deal, Citaglobal and TIZA will hold a 40% equity interest in the project, with the remaining 60% held by Masdar. The parties will put in funding for the project's development's cost — which will be determined later — in proportion to their stake in the project.

Citaglobal executes deal with Abu Dhabi energy firm to develop US$2 bil solar farm in Pahang

After seven turbulent years in Nepal, Axiata Group Bhd is selling its stake in Ncell Axiata Bhd by disposing of its shares in Reynolds Holdings Ltd, which holds an 80% stake in Ncell Axiata, and exiting the country.

Axiata sells Ncell stake and exits Nepal, cites unfair taxation and unfavourable foreign investor protection

Bitcoin soared to its highest price so far this year, as investors took on more risk ahead of comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell which could give guidance on whether the US is closer to lowering interest rates.

Bitcoin rally pushes largest token to 18-month high

Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is to be 70%-owned by five local mobile network operators (MNOs), while the remaining 30% will be retained by Putrajaya, accompanied by a golden share, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Five telcos to collectively own 70% stake in DNB; Putrajaya to retain 30% plus golden share

Global stocks edged up on Friday, having closed out their best month in three years the day before, as investor confidence that interest rates will fall next year has lured cash into equities, cryptocurrencies and gold at the expense of the dollar.

Shares rally as investor confidence in Fed cuts grows

In 2022, the number of graduates in Malaysia rose 5.1% to 5.92 million, while the graduate’s unemployment rate declined 3.7%, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia in its Graduate Statistics 2022 report.

Rise in number of graduates, drop in number of those unemployed

Malaysia is No 42 in the best-performing upper-middle-income group as a talent-competitive country, just behind Brunei (No 41) and China (No 40), which are categorised as high-income and upper-middle-income nations respectively, according to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 2023 released on Nov 7 by Insead, in collaboration with the Descartes Institute for the Future and the Human Capital Leadership Institute.

Malaysia is No 42 in Global Talent Competitiveness Index

Three subsidiaries under UEM Group Bhd have signed business agreements with domestic and international companies at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

UEM Group's subsidiaries sign multiple agreements at COP28 Dubai

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will definitely look at the ability of an individual to hold a suitable portfolio in the event of a Cabinet reshuffle, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Anwar will surely prioritise skillset, knowledgeability in any Cabinet reshuffle, says Fadillah

The polling process for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election, which began at 8am on Saturday, concluded at 6pm when all 49 polling centres were closed.

All ballot boxes from the polling centres, involving 244 streams, will be taken to the vote-tallying centre at Dewan Berlian Utama, Kemaman Municipal Council here.

Kemaman by-election: Voting ends, vote-tallying process begins

Malaysia has pledged its support to ensure the effective implementation of the Asean Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) Action Plan, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said.

COP28: Malaysia committed to supporting Asean climate change action plan

The voter turnout for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election stood at 60% as of 4pm on Saturday, according to the Election Commission (EC).

The figure is nearing the 70% target set by the EC from the 141,043 electors eligible to cast their ballots on Saturday, who have until 6pm before polling centres close.

Kemaman by-election: 60% voter turnout as of 4pm, says EC

The police have opened an investigation paper (IP) against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for allegedly making statements that touched on the 3Rs (religion, race and royalty) during a campaign for the Kemaman by-election recently.

Kemaman by-election: Police open investigation paper against Muhyiddin over 3R issue

The voter turnout at the Kemaman by-election stood at 42% as of 1pm on Saturday, according to Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh.

All 49 polling stations have been open from 8am under sunny conditions in Kemaman, despite the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) forecasting rain in several areas throughout the day.

Kemaman by-election: 42% voter turnout as of 1pm, says EC

A new digital system is being implemented by the Election Commission (EC) in the Kemaman by-election as a pilot test to improve the electoral system in the country.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said the system is intended to facilitate EC officers in handling the election process as well as speed up the announcement of the election results.

Kemaman by-election a pilot test for new system, says EC

The police have activated 12 Op Cantas teams to ensure a smooth polling day for Saturday’s Kemaman parliamentary by-election.

Terengganu police chief Datuk Mazli Mazlan said the teams were deployed at several hot spot areas in the parliamentary constituency.

Kemaman by-election: 12 'Op Cantas teams deployed at hotspot areas for smooth polling, says police

The foreign exchange market is predicted to remain cautious next week, with all eyes on major data points such as the US nonfarm payroll (NFP) and unemployment rate, which will be critical for ringgit-US dollar performance.

US economic data to set direction for ringgit next week

Finally, we are investing again — added six stocks with high, resilient dividend yields

At their recent summit in San Francisco, US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping made progress in a few key areas. Notably, they agreed to resume direct military-to-military communications — which China had suspended last year following a visit by then-Speaker of the House of Repr...

Asia In The World Economy: China’s self-inflicted economic wounds

Armani Group is set to unveil its second upscale residential development, Armani Signature Residence, at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf and Country Club (KGSAAS) in Seksyen 13 of Shah Alam, Selangor, this month.

Situated within the expansive 300-acre KGSAAS, this condominium developme...

Armani Group to launch Armani Signature Residence this month

STEEL players have welcomed the government’s decision to impose a two-year moratorium on all expansion and diversification of manufacturing activities in the iron and steel industry, saying the move will allow them to reconfigure their businesses.

The government is also considering exem...

Cover Story: Steelmakers welcome government’s two-year moratorium on long products

TAN Sri David Law Tien Seng mines for fortune through his mining businesses in Australia and forges wealth through his steel businesses in Malaysia.

Nonetheless, Law is no different from any traditional businessman who believes that land is a scarce resource — something necessary for we...

Cover Story: TS Law Group making its presence felt in KL property scene

LOW-profile tycoon Tan Sri David Law Tien Seng, better known as T S Law, certainly has a colourful background. About two decades ago, he faced challenges that led him to relocate to Australia, where he was fortunate enough to have amassed considerable wealth through his mining ventures.

Cover Story: Law: ‘I couldn’t be more satisfied with what I have today’ 

AT a time when most steel millers making long products are finding ways to stay above water as the weak demand is coupled with overcapacity in Southeast Asia, Tan Sri David Law Tien Seng celebrated the completion of Eastern Steel Sdn Bhd’s (ESSB) Phase 2 expansion at its integrated plant in Kemam...

Cover Story: Steel going strong

Well, that’s one way to spice up an international break! The 10-point deduction the English Premier League (EPL) imposed on Everton has been the talk of football even though no club games were being played.

But the headlines were less about what it might mean for Liverpool’s neighbours ...

Business Of Sports: Everton sanction could be bad news for City and Chelsea

How many times have we bought a cup of coffee much larger than what we need simply because it was only slightly more expensive? Or looked at our long “to-do” lists and decide that the next course of action would be to take a quick nap?

These are just some of the many behavioural biases ...

My Say: Behavioural interventions: Nudging Malaysia towards retirement adequacy

Trends come and go, but green and sustainable buildings have remained important and evolved to become more pertinent over the years.

With education being a key pillar of the youth wing of the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda Youth), the association organised a Gree...

Raising awareness of sustainable green building practices

SO seriously does LGMS Bhd take cybersecurity that a user’s site is vetted before he or she can even access its website.

“Checking if site connection is secure …”, its web page states as a scan is conducted for a few seconds before a user is allowed access, ostensibly as no virus or mal...

LGMS to expand reach in non-core markets

Israeli war planes and artillery bombarded Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday, hitting mosques and homes and close to a hospital, after the collapse of a truce in the nearly two-month-old war between Israel and Hamas militants

Israel bombards southern Gaza as humanitarian crisis reaches 'breaking point'

Exxon Mobil Corp and Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s largest private and state-sector oil companies, led a pledge by 50 oil and gas producers at the COP28 climate summit to cut emissions from their own operations.

Exxon among 50 oil producers in controversial climate pact at COP28

The US has pledged US$3 billion (RM14.02 billion) to the Green Climate Fund, Vice President Kamala Harris said on Saturday as she arrived in Dubai for the UN climate summit.

The fund, with more than US$20 billion in pledges, is the largest international fund dedicated to supporting climate action in developing countries.

US pledges US$3b for Green Climate Fund at COP28

Hong Kong has reduced the waiting time for public housing applicants with newborn babies in an effort to support birth rates in the city.

Families with children born on or after Oct 25 this year qualify to apply for Category A tenancy after two years instead of the previous three-year period, according to a statement issued by the Housing Bureau.

Hong Kong cuts public housing waiting time to boost birth rates

A key offshore creditor group of China Evergrande Group supports keeping the developer operating, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported ahead of a court hearing on Monday that could decide to liquidate the indebted firm.

Evergrande creditor group supports maintaining operations, not bankruptcy — report

WASHINGTON (Dec 1): US manufacturing remained subdued in November, with factory employment declining further as hiring slowed and layoffs increased, more evidence that the economy was losing momentum after robust growth last quarter.

The survey from the Institute for Supply Management (...

US manufacturing mired in weakness, economy heading for slowdown

Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell pushed back against Wall Street’s growing expectations of interest-rate cuts in the first half of 2024, saying the committee will move cautiously with borrowing costs at a 22-year high but retain the option to hike further.

Powell brushes off rate-cut bets as Fed moves carefully

One of Elon Musk’s rockets carried a South Korean spy satellite into orbit as the rivalry between the two Koreas expands beyond Earth.  

A SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying Seoul’s first domestically made reconnaissance satellite launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 10.19am Friday, according to South Korea’s defence ministry.

SpaceX carries South Korea’s first spy satellite to orbit

The Biden administration released long-awaited rules designed to block electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturers from sourcing battery materials from China and other foreign adversaries, while giving automakers some flexibility to comply with the new mandates.

US sets limits on Chinese content to receive EV tax credits

Donald Trump does not have immunity from criminal charges for actions he took as president, a US judge ruled on Friday, rejecting his bid to toss out the case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith accusing him of unlawfully trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

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