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 Nov 22 till 28. Please check back throughout the week for more updates.

Top Glove Maintains Inclusion On DJSI

Shah Alam, Nov 22: Top Glove caps its 30th anniversary in 2021 with an enhanced and even stronger commitment to its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices; with continued upkeep of its position for the third year running on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) under the Emerging Markets category, while reiterating a strong sustainability focus in its newly released Integrated Annual Report for fiscal year 2021.
Inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index for the 3rd Year Running Top Glove is among the top 10 per cent in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry category globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment as at the score date of  Nov 12, a commendable increase from the previous year, when it stood among the top 19 percent of its peers.
The Company is one of three Malaysian companies, aside from new additions Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad and MISC Berhad, to be included on the prestigious 2021 Index, marking its third year running on the Index.
It is also the only Malaysian healthcare manufacturing company, and one of three healthcare industry companies to be included on this year’s DJSI under the Emerging Markets category. The assessment covers ESG dimensions that include corporate governance; supply chain management, operational eco efficiency, climate strategy, occupational health and safety, labour practices, and human rights, among others.

Malaysia Launches First Electron Beam Irradiation Plant

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 23:  Ta Win Holdings Berhad, an integrated Malaysian manufacturer of copper products, has announced a key milestone in Malaysia’s development ambitions toward becoming a rising star in electric vehicle production.
The company’s subsidiary, Cyprium Wire Technology Sdn Bhd (CWT), commenced construction of Malaysia’s first local privately-owned electron beam irradiation plant targeted for completion by next April.  
As part of CWT’s sales and consultation agreement with CGN Dasheng Electron Accelerator Technology Co Ltd (CGN Dasheng), the plant will be equipped with electron beam irradiation systems.
Through the agreement, CGN Dasheng will advise on project consultation and management on design, technical, civil engineering and structural as well as operating and maintenance aspects, and to manufacture, supply, build, install, testing and commissioning of the new plant.
The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, was also appointed by Ta Win as the nuclear science expert to provide technical evaluation and consultation services during the commissioning and operation of the electron beam irradiation systems.

MR D.I.Y. And MPHS Clean Up Sungai Kedondong

Hulu Selangor, Nov 23: In support of the safe return to normalcy, nature lovers can now rejoice as one of the rivers in Selangor, Sungai Kedondong had a massive clean-up exercise. 
The initiative was initiated by the largest home improvement retailer MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (“MR. D.I.Y.”) together with the Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS) as they worked hand in hand to welcome the visitors back to the favourite recreational spot today.
The two-hour activity involved 80 volunteers cleaning up waste at the river and performing beautification works on the infrastructure at the recreational area.
Several signages were also installed by MR. D.I.Y. and MPHS as reminders to the visitors to keep the area clean.
Apart from MR. D.I.Y. and MPHS, volunteers also consisted of personnel from the Forestry Department  (Jabatan Perhutanan), the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), the Malaysia Civil Defence Department (JPAM) as well as the Orang Asli community from Kampung Songkok.

Change Needed To Stamp Out Gender Inequality

Sydney, Nov 24: Our Watch is today launching the second edition of Change the story, an evidence-based framework that guides a coordinated national approach to preventing violence against women.    
Change the story outlines the essential actions needed to address the gendered drivers of violence, and shift the unequal distribution of power, resources, and opportunities between men and women in order to stop violence against women before it starts.  
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said given the impacts of this violence are felt right across society, the updated Change the story makes clear that we must go beyond addressing individual behaviours to consider the broader social, political, and economic factors that drive violence.  
“The evidence shows that we can stop violence against women before it starts, provided all parts of society play a role. We need to address the gendered drivers of violence at every level and continue to promote and embed gender equality everywhere we live, work, and play,” Kinnersly said.  
The updated framework has an increased focus on men as perpetrators of violence, detailing the connection between harmful forms of masculinity, gender inequality , and violence against women, and highlighting the need to engage men in prevention work.   

Calls For Re-funding Dementia-Friendly Program

Sydney, Nov 24: The life-changing impact of Dementia Australia’s award-winning Dementia-Friendly Communities program was highlighted today with the release of a discussion paper, Support. Encourage. Empower. Leading the way towards a Dementia-Friendly Community.
The paper demonstrates the crucial role the program has had in improving dementia knowledge, facilitating inclusivity, and reducing stigma and discrimination in the community.
Speaking during a Parliamentary Friends of Dementia webinar, Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said people living with dementia report their involvement in the program has made them feel part of the community – they feel valued, included and have a sense of purpose.
“’Life-changing’ is the way participants have described it,” McCabe said.
Established in 2016, the program has grown to support alliances, organisations and initiatives in every state and territory in varying stages of development.

NFT Marketplace nOFTEN Partners With FashionTV

Germany, Nov 24: Digital artists in the growing metaverse of NFTs are finding it easy to share their raw vibe and artistry in a world without limitations.
Seizing on this trend, nOFTEN, the world’s leading Non-Fungible Token (NFT) marketplace for artists & celebrities, and FashionTV (FTV), the international fashion and lifestyle television channel, have announced a strategic alliance embracing the most comprehensive NFTs from the fashion world.
“NFTs are a gold rush for artists & celebrities, churning out mind-boggling pay-outs for early adopters if used right,” FTV president Michel Adam Lisowski said.
“Keeping this in mind, we are excited about our association with nOFTEN, where we can empower established and budding talent to better grow. With the advent of NFT, we aim to provide artists with an alternate digital platform with blockchain and cryptocurrency.
The association aims to unleash the untapped world of NFTs for artists and give them an adaptive and innovative platform to buy, sell, trade, and bid for NFTs. 

Teen Chefs Emerged As Champions

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 25: The recently-concluded MAGGI  Secondary School Cooking Competition 2021, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia, returned this year with the theme “Anda & MAGGI, Sajikan Kelainan Untuk Inspirasi Harian” (You & MAGGI, Serving Different Dishes for Daily Inspiration), set to discover and nurture outstanding culinary talent amongst the youth in Malaysia. 
Approximately 1,000 aspiring young students, aged between 13 to 15 years old from 350 schools across the nation displayed not just their extraordinary cooking talent, but also to make the right nutritional choices with the ‘Pinggan Sihat Malaysia’ or ‘Suku-Suku Separuh’ (Malaysian Healthy Plate / Quarter-Quarter Half) concepts towards building healthier eating habits. 
The MSSCC 2021 marks MAGGI’s 25th year of collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia, serving as a nurturing platform for the younger generation to cultivate culinary and life skills, knowledge and self-efficacy which are critical towards confidence building and character development in their lives. 
Participants were required to submit their recipes in a video format and were judged based on the creative use of ingredients, cooking skills, presentation and culinary inspiration.
Four brand-new online learning modules via Google Classroom were also introduced through a collaboration with celebrity chefs and cooking personalities to support the continuation of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Techna-X To List Energy Storage Subsidiary

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 24: Techna-X Berhad has entered into a binding term sheet to list its energy storage subsidiary, on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
The company together with the remaining owners of HKAB Dr. Wan Muhamad Hasni Wan Sulaiman, Nong You Hua, Satriya Suetoh signed a binding term sheet with SGX listed Chaswood Resources Holdings Ltd (the “Purchaser”) today to sell 100.0 percent of HKAB for US$500m, the amount of which shall be satisfied in full by the allotment and issue of such number of new shares of the Purchaser at a pre-consolidation issue price of S$0.038 per share on a pre-proposed share consolidation basis. 
Completion of the proposed acquisition will result in a “reverse takeover” (“RTO”) of the Purchaser and is subject to, inter alia, the approval of shareholders of the Company at an extraordinary general meeting to be convened and the approval of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.
“The global markets are increasingly focusing on energy storage and placing a huge premium on this space, in particular, battery storage.
Via the 27 patents that we own, HKAB is the only company in the world to use rare metal Ruthenium base in its ultra-capacitors and super batteries and enjoys the highest capacitance potential in the market.

Aussie Muslims Start A New Podcast

Sydney, Nov 25: Muslims Down Under has started a new series of podcasts to engage the community to learn and understand more about Islam and Muslims.
In this weekly released series, they are covering various topics that affect Muslims and non-Muslims living in Australia.
It will help to create relations and clear any misconceptions one might have about Muslims of Australia and the world as a whole.
If you are interested in coming in for a discussion or you would like to interview our hosts then feel free to contact us.
Listen to previous podcasts here.

RMIT Joins Asia’s Thriving Tech Scene 

Melbourne, Nov 25: RMIT has signed a strategic partnership with Infinite Learning in Nongsa Digital Park, a high-profile tech hub supported by the Indonesian and Singapore governments. 
The new partnership signals an expansion of RMIT’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region and builds on the University’s reputation as a trusted partner that helps governments address critical workforce skills gaps. 
Infinite Learning is the Educational Division of Infinite Studios (IS), part of the Group that owns and operates Nongsa Digital Park (NDP). 
Infinite Studios is a global media leader in TV, film and animation and works with international giants such as Warner Media, Disney and Netflix.  
NDP is located on Batam Island, Indonesia, the location described by Indonesian President Jokowi as the ‘digital bridge’ connecting Indonesia to Singapore and the rest of the world and the tech hub was granted Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status by the Indonesian government last year and has the advantage of high-quality broadband connectivity. 

Xiaomi Gives Back To Underprivileged Communities

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 25: Xiaomi, one of the world’s leading technology giants, recently wrapped-up its corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaign in Malaysia.
Partnering with Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia, Xiaomi donated food and other household essentials to help alleviate the difficulties of 600 families that are part of the B40 community in Malaysia.
The pandemic has left many families in Malaysia struggling to live their lives, with many households’ income becoming affected by COVID-19.
Xiaomi has always been a brand that prioritises their Xiaomi Fans, customers and the community it operates in.
The initiative was aimed at helping local underprivileged communities here in Malaysia to alleviate their struggles in small ways.

Defence Innovator Takes Advanced Technologies Prize

Sydney, Nov 26: Emerging NSW defence and security contractor DroneShield has beaten some of the nation’s leading companies to be crowned the winner of the Advanced Technologies Award at the 59th Australian Export Awards.
This year, the NSW firm has established itself as a global market leader in counter drone protection – while also expanding into radar, sensor fusion and artificial intelligence.
By harnessing these technologies, the firm is creating advanced defence systems which can identify drones by their make and model, determine if they are armed, and knock them out of the sky if necessary to protect airports, civilian population centres and military facilities.
Despite being founded in 2014, DroneShield already has customers in more than 120 countries, including the Australian Army and the US Department of Homeland Security.
Full information on Winners and Finalists can be found at: www.exportawards.gov.au.

Podcast Drops On World AIDS Day As HIV Turns 40

Sydney, Nov 26: HIV turned 40 this year.
And while the epidemic peaked in 1997, there are 37 million people who have received HIV diagnoses worldwide – including 30,000 Australians.
Australia’s goal is to end transmission by 2025 through prevention, testing and treatment.
To mark World Aids Day on Dec 1, Eastside Radio is launching Season 2 of How Much Do You Know?
With the fresh perspective only living through a pandemic brings, this new season takes you on an audio journey through the history of HIV, and the innovations, resilience and personalities who have defined its impact on Australia.

Epson Partners With Environmental NGO EcoKnights

Subang Jaya, Nov 26: Driven by its corporate mission to develop a sustainable society, Epson Malaysia, a leader in the field of printing and visual technology, is partnering up with Malaysia’s leading environmental NGO – EcoKnights – in a series of meaningful fundraise and educational efforts to help drive sustainable business practices among Malaysia’s Small-Medium Enterprises.
Epson’s printer sustainability campaign – Be Cool, features their Heat-Free technology as the ecological choice for business owners and a RM20,000 donation to help Ecoknights in their Trees for Us initiative – a program designed to tackle the rehabilitation of damaged or degrading ecosystems. 
As Malaysia moves towards becoming a high-technology country by 2030, there is a need to continuously innovate by promoting growth and giving support to the businesses to move from linear economies to circular ones.
One way to do so is to improve the efficiency of using finite resources with a zero-waste approach while exploring greener alternatives for everyday consumption. 
For more information on Epson Malaysia and its campaigns visit here.

Supercharge Donations Through This Aussie Platform

Melbourne, Nov 26: Schools, churches, community groups and charities alike have been suffering a drop in the number of donations as the pandemic has caused a rapid drop in donations and crowdfunding.
Fundraising innovator Muhammad Haider said the pandemic has revealed a ‘stark contrast between winners and losers’ and need help now more than ever. 
ICause is an Australian-owned and operated platform, supports all sorts of fundraising from personal to charities, schools, communities and sports clubs by connecting people and organizations to raise funds. 
Through ICause, Aussies can raise money for their favourite causes by switching and donating their bills, apart from the usual donation methods such as Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. 
This is an Australian first and an innovative solution to crowdfunding that sets it apart from competitors such as GoFundMe and MyCause. 

Bridge Loans To F&B SMEs

Singapore, Nov 26:  Bridge Technology, a licensed Peer-to-Peer lending platform launched in 2014, has announced the launch of a food and beverage financing package specially catered to support Singapore’s Food and Beverage SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) in the current pandemic-driven uncertainty around dining-in.
The loans package, alongside affordable interest rates is specially designed to help establishments survive and potentially thrive during this period when cash flow is of importance for salaries and rentals.
“The government has been extremely supportive with the various grants and packages for businesses and their employees in Singapore since the start of the pandemic, and the community has also continued their support to Singapore SMEs,” Bridge Technology chief executive officer Kevin Wong said.
One unique aspect of the F&B Bridge loan is the credit assessment process which takes the challenging business landscape into account with a lowered and targeted criteria on credit assessment, Bridge will assess only the latest three-to-six months of the SMEs recent cash flow, bank statements and bank balance, matched against the changing dining-in rules, to identify F&B businesses which are able to survive and thrive.
Bridge offers funding support for SMEs that are non-bankable or unable to secure a loan from traditional financial institutions. 

Obstacle Warriors Competition Starts Next Month

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 27: Malaysia’s best obstacle racers will get the chance to prove it along with those who just want to have a go at the Obstacle Warrior 2021 National Championships Malaysia.
Set to take place across three weekends between Dec 4 till 19, this event will be held at Escape Petaling Jaya in Paradigm Mall, for the first time ever in a shopping mall.  
Owned and managed by World Sports Entertainment Sdn Bhd, the Obstacle Warrior National Championships is part of the Obstacle Warrior National League.
These leagues are the premier obstacle race sports event and competition in Malaysia. 
Those interested to participate can register here. 

AFC President Confident Asian Football Will Deliver A Historic 2022

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 27: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Shaikh Salman  Ebrahim Al Khalifa has commended the instrumental role of the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) in ensuring the AFC continued to emerge stronger than ever from the COVID-19 pandemic at the 31st AFC Congress held virtually today.
Setting the stage for the 31st AFC Congress to convene and in recognition of the challenges caused by the global pandemic, the AFC MAs voted in favour of the motion and proposal submitted by the AFC Executive Committee pursuant to Articles 27.3 and 33.2(i)(v) of the AFC Statutes respectively.
“Slowly but surely, thanks to the unity of the AFC’s members, Asian football continues to emerge stronger from its darkest hour and now we are well positioned to seize the vast opportunities ahead of us,” he said.
He added that MAs which failed to participate in at least two of the AFC’s competitions over a period of two consecutive years immediately prior to the 31st AFC Congress 2021 would not be suspended from voting at the 31st AFC Congress 2021.
The AFC President expressed his optimism that Asian football will continue to build on the strong recovery momentum in 2021 and deliver a historic 2022 when the focus of world football is set firmly on the Asian continent.