News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases that we received from October 25 till 31. Please check back throughout the week for more updates.

Bank INA And Mambu, Powering The Future Of Banking In Indonesia

Singapore, Oct 25: Mambu, the market leading SaaS cloud banking platform is working together with Indonesia’s PT Bank INA Perdana Tbk (Bank INA) to underpin its digital transformation journey as it brings new digital banking services to the Indonesian market.
Bank INA, part of one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates, the Salim Group, will use Mambu’s cloud-native banking platform as the technology foundation for its new digital banking services.
“As we transition into a digital bank, we have been very focused on ensuring we have the right systems and infrastructure in place to guarantee optimal experience and security for our customers,” Daniel Budirahayu, President Director at Bank INA said.
“With Mambu’s SaaS cloud banking platform we have selected the best-performing and most reliable cloud-native banking platform on the market, and we feel very confident that we have made the right decision,” he added.

One Week Left To Enter Sport Australia’s Media Awards

Sydney, Oct 25: Time is running out to enter the 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards with Australian sports media encouraged to submit their entries as soon as possible.
The awards, in their 20th year, recognise excellence in Australian sports journalism, broadcasting, production and photography, with 12 diverse categories available for entry.
Entries close on November 1 and can be submitted at sportausmediaawards.awardsplatform.com

Seedify Taps Blockpass for KYC Provision in Blockchain Gaming

Hong Kong, Oct 25: Blockpass, the pioneer of On-chain KYC(TM) has announce its growing partnership with Seedify, the gateway to blockchain gaming.
Seedify will be using Blockpass’ proprietary KYC solutions to provide a safe, secure and compliant ecosystem where gamers and gaming enthusiasts can enjoy the benefits of blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Seedify is a blockchain gaming-focused incubator and launchpad ecosystem which provides support and opportunities for innovators and project developers through access to funding, community and partnership building, and a complete support system to help drive the future of gaming and blockchain.
The project is assisting gamers as they begin to explore new avenues, spending time on games and taking advantage of opportunities to earn in-game item NFTs and tokens.
Through holding $SFUND, users are able to buy game tokens before they’re listed on the market, by participating in IGOs (initial game offerings) on the Seedify Launchpad.

Profits Continue To Soar For Genetec

Bangi, Oct 25: Genetec Technology Berhad announced that they recorded profit after tax (PAT) of RM16.30 million for the second quarter ended  Sept 30 (Q2FY2022) which is 515 per cent higher than the PAT of RM2.65 million registered for the corresponding second quarter ended Sept 30 2020 (Q2FY2021).
Genetec which provides customised full turnkey smart factory automation manufacturing lines, also announced their proposal of a bonus issue of 661,564,800 new ordinary shares  on the basis of twelve Bonus Shares for every one  existing ordinary share in Genetec  held on an entitlement date to be determined later (Proposed Bonus Issue).
“As countries and companies step up their transition towards more sustainable and zero emission transport and energy solutions, we are confident that this growth trajectory will continue. It is well supported by the trifecta of global regulatory frameworks, new incentives to promote the adoption of EVs, and a fast-expanding range of EVs. 
“Meanwhile, EV models are becoming more accessible as the ecosystem grows and battery costs drop further.”
“While we have a more positive outlook as the global economy reopens amid higher vaccination rates, we remain cautious of spikes in COVID-19 infections that may result in supply-chain disruptions and affect consumer sentiment,” the company said.

Newly Listed CEKD Revenue Up By 7.1PC

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 25: CEKD Bhd, a die-cutting solutions provider posted an increase of 7.1 per cent full year revenue to RM28.23 million despite posting a decrease of 16.2 per cent in revenue of RM5.77 million for the fourth quarter end 31 August.
This is in comparison with the revenue of RM6.88 million in the corresponding quarter of 2020 mainly due to lower orders from customers affected by the stricter nationwide lockdown from June to August 2021.
CEKD recorded an increase of 7.4 per cent in full year profit before tax of RM8.54 million despite registering a PBT of RM1.47 million (4th quarter) which is 28.7 per cent lower than the PBT of RM2.06 million registered in the same quarter of 2020.
CEKD recorded an increase of 4.3 per cent in full year profit after tax while posting a 30.4 per cent decline in PAT for  the same quarter of RM1.09 million compared with the PAT of RM1.57 million in the corresponding quarter of last year.
The company, which listed on Sept 29 on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, also incurred RM0.61 million for the full-year for initial public offering expenses.

Enabling Users To Preserve Memories of Loved Ones

Dubai, Oct 26: Stonses, a Dubai-based startup, has launched a blockchain-powered platform, one that will enable users to preserve memories of their loved ones in a digital format. Stonses’ platform, which enables its users to create unique digital identities of real-world objects, is based on Verofax’s blockchain-powered asset management and NFT platform.
Stonses aims to bring a permanence to those memories, through digital replicas of real-world objects linked to NFTs created by family friends and colleagues.
To make this happen, Stonses’ memorial platform leverages NFT technology with QR codes as Physical interactions, which the user can attach to any object that reminds them of their loved ones.
By scanning the QR tag that connects the object to its digital replica, the user can instantly bring it, and the memories associated with that object, back to life.
Thus, the QR tag serves as the bridge between a person’s memories and objects associated with them, for sharing with the public, amongst close family or a friends network securely, with Blockchain.

Cloud Comrade Finalist At The Channel Asia Innovation Awards

Singapore, Oct 26: Cloud Comrade, a leading Singapore-based cloud computing consultancy and managed services provider (MSP) with a growing presence in Malaysia and Indonesia, has been shortlisted as a finalist in 4 categories for Partner & ASEAN-wide Innovation in the prestigious Channel Asia Innovation Awards 2021. 
Drawing from a pool of over 90 organizations and 300 nominations, the awards showcase and recognise excellence in the ecosystem – spanning partner, start-up, telco, vendor, and distributor businesses- for delivering transformative customer solutions across Southeast Asia. 
Winners will be selected by an executive panel of industry judges and announced at a virtual celebration event on December 2.
Cloud Comrade has been chosen as a finalist in the Enterprise, Mid-market and SMB segments for Partner Innovation, an acknowledgment of the company’s ability to deliver innovation, excellence, and value for customers irrespective of their size.
This is a new category that recognises companies headquartered in the ASEAN region that have been tough and transformative and continues to raise the bar for industry excellence, despite the enormous challenges posed by COVID-19.

Applications Open For Women Athletes To Accelerate Careers

Sydney, Oct 26: Applications are now open for the 2022 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Accelerate Program, an initiative launched this year to support the leadership development of women athletes pursuing career options in sport.
The inaugural AIS Accelerate Program, involving 18 women from 17 different sports, is nearing completion and so applications for the 2022 intake will be available until November 9.
The AIS Accelerate Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Office for Women and supported by Sport Australia as part of the Women Leaders in Sport (WLIS) Program. 
WLIS is focused on helping women reach their leadership potential in sport, with $3.4m over four years provided by the Australian Government.
Paralympic gold medal cyclist Emily Petricola was able to balance competition in Tokyo with participation in the inaugural AIS Accelerate program and encouraged others to apply.

Universal Robots Hosts Virtual Collaborative Robots Exhibition

Malaysia, Oct 26: Universal Robots, the global leader in collaborative robots (cobots) with a global presence, will once again host the largest virtual collaborative robot exhibition in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.
The Collaborative APAC – Cobot Expo 2021 will be held from November 9 to 10.
This year’s theme is entitled ‘Collaborate’ and will feature some of the company’s prominent global spokespersons as part of an informative panel discussion.
This digital experience offers key insights into trends, how automation is set to change the way in which work is done and both a local and international outlook on the market.
Registration is free and can be done here.

Facebook Malaysia, MIASA, AWAS and Befrienders Launch #SamaSamaSupport Mental Health Campaign 

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 26: Facebook Malaysia in partnership with Mental Health Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA), Awareness Against Suicide (AWAS) Malaysia and BefriendersKL launched #SamaSamaSupport, a campaign which aims to spark conversations, help to normalise discussions around mental health and well-being and provide equitable access to basic mental health tools and resources. 
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia has seen suicide and mental wellbeing cases rising at an alarming rate. According to data from Royal Malaysia Police, between January and July this year, there were 638 suicide cases reported compared to 262 cases during the same period last year. 
“Through this joint campaign, we aim to help expand access to mental health and well-being communities, tools and resources on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp,” Nicole Tan, Country Director, Facebook Malaysia said.
In fact, between January 1 and June 18 this year, helplines managed by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) and Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) saw 89.4 percent were related to mental health issues that required emotional and psychological support. 
Facebook Malaysia has set a strong foundation in supporting the mental health space as well as continued commitment and investment in wellbeing tools and resources through Instagram’s #RealTalk campaigns which were launched last November with a follow up edition held last February. 

Helping Businesses Get Back On Their Feet

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 29: The budget tabled today will spur the economic development of the country and give a much-needed boost to Malaysia’s MSMEs, many of whom have been struggling to get back on their feet.
Representing the largest SME digital financing platform in the country and in Southeast Asia, Funding Societies Malaysia co-founder and CEO, Wong Kah Meng lauds the move of Ministry of Finance YB Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz to allocate RM80mil through Malaysia Co-Investment Fund to support alternative financing including equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer financing. 
“The government’s decision to allocate more funds into alternative financing will further support the needs of MSMEs who are underserved by traditional financial institutions and open up opportunities for businesses who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic.”
On innovation and the allocation of RM45mil for Industry4WRD, Kah Meng said the quest to shape the future with the value proposition on Industry 4.0 is crucial for many MSMEs to adapt, as their businesses are now competing in the global marketplace during the pandemic.
“Besides ensuring the availability of various financing schemes and initiatives, we need to also have a strong technological and innovation infrastructure as well as local businesses that are ready to market globally through Industry 4.0 and the Digital Economy,” Kah Meng stated.

Last Chance To Enter Sport Australia Media Awards

Sydney, Oct 29: Australian sports media have three days left to enter the 2021 Sport Australia Media Awards. 
The Sport Australia Media Awards recognise excellence in Australian sports journalism, broadcasting, production and photography. 
There are 12 Award categories available for nomination. Entries close on Nov 1 at 5pm AEDT and can be submitted here.

Volunteers Key To Sport’s Successful Return Post COVID

Sydney, Nov 1: Volunteers remain key to ensuring sporting clubs and organisations across Australia can get back on track following the impact of the pandemic.
The Australian Government, through Sport Australia, has strengthened its commitment to attract and retain volunteers as we continue to navigate the safe return of sport at all levels.
Sport Australia’s latest AusPlay report has identified volunteering as the lifeblood for organised competition with an increasing number of opportunities identified, particularly for those with a disability, retirees, low-income households and people who speak a language other than English. 
It found, almost three million Australians volunteer in sport, but additional support is needed to ensure organised competition returns stronger than ever following the impact of the pandemic.   
The report also highlights the strong role sporting clubs play in rural and regional communities with volunteering more common outside of major cities despite having similar participation rates.