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 we received from May 6 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

2024 Fresh Awards Finalists

Sydney, May 6: Sydney Markets has revealed the finalists for the 2024 Fresh Awards, which honors top performers in the fresh produce and flower industry.
The awards will celebrate the achievements of greengrocers, florists, growers, wholesalers, and more, from NSW and ACT.
This year’s ceremony will feature 89 finalists across 22 categories, competing at the Fresh Awards gala dinner on July 12 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.
Participants have been rigorously judged based on product quality, freshness, customer service, and industry knowledge, utilizing customer surveys, farm inspections, and mystery shopping to determine the finalists.
Brad Latham, CEO of Sydney Markets, praised the quality of this year’s entries. “Every year, I’m thrilled by the enthusiasm and commitment shown by our Markets community, showcasing unwavering dedication to quality and excellence in all sectors. The finalists for this year are truly outstanding, and I eagerly anticipate celebrating with the multitude of businesses that contribute to Sydney Markets’ exceptional reputation,” said Mr. Latham.
The Sydney Markets host over 2000 businesses, providing fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers across the region.

Insider Hosts CX Event

Sydney, May 6: Over 20 top executives from Malaysia’s leading FMCG and retail brands recently gathered at the Aurum Theatre for the ‘CX as a Verb’ event, part of the Growth Hacks Series.
This initiative, co-hosted by Insider and PwC Malaysia, focuses on enhancing customer experience (CX) in the digital era.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Krishna Feron from L’Oreal and Paulino Moreno from 6ixty8ight, who shared insights on leveraging data analytics and marketing automation to boost customer engagement and brand loyalty.
The event also highlighted Insider’s MarTech solutions in personalization and journey orchestration, demonstrating how these tools can streamline customer interactions.
The exclusive roundtable aimed to foster connections and share actionable strategies among CX leaders and marketing professionals.

MGRC, Twistcode Forge Alliance

Petaling Jaya, May 6: Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (MGRC) has announced a collaboration with Twistcode Technologies to develop the Bioinformatics Enhanced-Accelerated Services Terminal (B.E.A.S.T).
This new platform aims to advance bioinformatics across Malaysia and the Middle East.
The partnership will combine MGRC’s biopharmaceutical expertise with Twistcode’s AI capabilities to enhance healthcare outcomes and precision medicine.

Siab’s Strategic Expansion

Kuala Lumpur, May 7: Siab Holdings Berhad, a leader in Malaysia’s construction sector, is set to acquire Taghill Projects Sdn. Bhd. for RM122 million.
This strategic move is supported by a fundraising initiative aiming to generate RM103.98 million through rights issue with warrants, underwritten by M & A Securities and NewParadigm Securities.
The acquisition aligns with Siab’s growth ambitions, leveraging Taghill’s expertise in construction project management.
Taghill brings a strong order book of RM1.31 billion and a profit guarantee for 2024 and 2025.
This deal positions Siab to capitalize on Malaysia’s burgeoning construction industry, which is projected to grow by 6.8 per cent to RM60.49 billion, buoyed by significant government investment in development projects.

Sarawak Eyes Middle East

Kuching, May 7: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) showcased its diverse attractions at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 in Dubai from May 6-9.
Collaborating with Royal Brunei Airline, STB highlighted Sarawak’s cultural heritage, ecotourism, and the upcoming Rainforest World Music Festival, aiming to increase Middle Eastern tourist arrivals.

DataMesh, Visa Enhance Payments

Sydney, May 8: DataMesh Group, an Australian leader in payment technology, has partnered with Visa to improve card acceptance and payment processing for merchants, acquirers, and consumers.
This collaboration will utilize DataMesh’s Unify™ platform, known for its customizable payment solutions that cater to diverse industry needs including retail, hospitality, and transportation.
Unify™, a cloud-native system, enables swift integration with existing platforms and provides robust data analytics, offering insights into consumer behavior to optimize customer interactions.
Mark Nagy, CEO of DataMesh, and Matt Williamson, VP at Visa, highlighted the partnership’s role in modernizing payment experiences and expanding global payment acceptance capabilities.

Globetronics Holds Successful AGM

Kuala Lumpur, May 8: Globetronics Technology Bhd (“GTB”), a leader in the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) sector, has successfully completed its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held virtually from Penang.
The event saw shareholders unanimously approving all key resolutions, including the Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
The re-election of key directors and the re-appointment of KPMG PLT as auditors were also confirmed.
The management of GTB expressed gratitude for the shareholders’ support, stating, “We are grateful for the continued trust and support of our shareholders. The approval of all proposed resolutions is a testament to the collective commitment to our strategic goals and operational excellence. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to leveraging our technological strengths and market position to drive growth and shareholder value.”
The AGM highlights GTB’s commitment to transparency and robust governance, positioning the company for continued leadership and innovation in the semiconductor industry.

AI Trust Divides

Sydney, May 9: New findings from Alteryx show a significant gap between businesses and the general public in Australia regarding generative AI (genAI) perceptions.
The survey, conducted by Coleman Parkes, involved 2,000 IT business leaders and 3,000 public members across 11 countries, revealing that while 72 per cent of businesses recognize the added value of genAI, 49 per cent of the public remain skeptical and 39 per cent express fear about its future applications.
Both sectors acknowledge genAI’s role in their daily activities—49 per cent of the public use it for information searches, matching the 49 per cent of businesses that utilize it for data analysis.
However, public sentiment leans towards cautious optimism, with 81 per cent appreciating genAI’s role in content creation but 41 per cent urging for regulation.
Heidi Badgery, Managing Director at Alteryx Australia and New Zealand, emphasizes the need for high-quality, ethical standards in AI applications: “Data-driven intelligence, paired with expertise in data analytics, is essential to unlock the potential of AI and optimize its application for driving business efficiencies. High-quality, clean data forms the foundation of AI, compelling businesses to accelerate their data journey while maintaining ethical standards and compliance with data and AI-related policies.”
The research also highlighted concerns over AI’s impact on job roles, misinformation risks, and the ethical challenges posed by AI technologies.

MR D.I.Y. May Discounts

Kuala Lumpur, May 9: Throughout May, MR D.I.Y. Group [M] Berhad [MR D.I.Y.] is set to delight customers with its ‘A-MAY-ZING Offer’ initiative, offering significant discounts across over 100 products. Celebrating Mother’s Day and Teachers’ Day, the promotion runs from May 1-31, 2024, at all nationwide locations.
Items like artificial flowers, greeting cards, glass cups, and more are available at discounts of up to 60 per cent.
Alex Goh, MR D.I.Y. Group’s Head of Marketing, expressed the company’s enthusiasm: “Our ‘A-MAY-ZING Offer’ initiative is a celebration of those who hold a special place in our hearts—our beloved mothers, teachers, and all the important individuals who inspire us. Throughout this extraordinary month, our goal is to craft unforgettable moments for everyone alongside our commitment to providing an extensive range of products at ‘Always Low Prices’. At the end of the day, we want to lighten the burden on their wallets because a meaningful gift doesn’t have to come with a big price tag.”
Additionally, MR D.I.Y.’s subsidiary, MR. DOLLAR, is extending a similar 30 per cent discount on trendy household and F&B items.

KLWC Commits RM25 Million

Kuala Lumpur, May 9: KL Wellness City (KLWC) has pledged RM25 million through KL International Hospital Sdn Bhd (KLIH) to fund nursing education and address Malaysia’s looming nurse shortage.
This commitment was solidified in a Memorandum of Agreement with six educational institutions, guaranteeing five years of employment at KLIH for graduates.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad praised the initiative, saying, “I would like to congratulate KL International Hospital Sdn Bhd (KLIH) on their commendable pledge of a RM25 million sponsorship towards nursing education in Malaysia.” Dato’ Dr. Colin Lee, Managing Director of KL Wellness City Sdn Bhd, highlighted the initiative’s dual benefit: supporting nursing students and enhancing healthcare services.
The sponsorship aims to create 3,000 job opportunities, supporting Malaysia’s first healthcare and wellness integrated township.

ECRL Enters Installation Phase

Kuala Lumpur, May 9: China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCC-ECRL), the EPCC contractor for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), has commenced the system installation works, a pivotal phase in the project.
This stage includes setting up core railway infrastructure such as electrification, traction power supply, and signaling systems.
The ceremony held today marks the project’s transition into its final construction phase before testing and commissioning.
CCC-ECRL’s Managing Director, Kong Qi, stated, “We are thrilled to announce that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has successfully entered the system installation works phase. This marks an important progress in modern railway transportation infrastructure and a significant milestone for the ECRL project. We are confident of the future development and look forward to bringing a safer, more efficient, and more convenient railway transport system to the East Coast of Malaysia.”
The project, which is the largest economic and trade cooperation project between China and Malaysia and a flagship of the “Belt and Road” initiative, has achieved 65 per cent construction progress and spans several Malaysian states.
Kong Qi also expressed his gratitude to Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) and supporters, emphasizing the project’s commitment to “Connecting Lives, Accelerating Growth” and creating a sustainable, high-standard rail system.

EMTOP Launches Massive Sale

Kuala Lumpur, May 10: Malaysian hardware enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate as EMTOP, a globally recognized hardware brand, kicks off its month-long ‘Hot Sale’ this May.
With discounts reaching up to 50 per cent, shoppers can find significant savings on over 100 hardware tools and equipment.
Highlights include rotary hammers available at RM245, down from RM490, and angle grinders marked down to RM109 from RM240.
Additionally, the ‘Mega Combo’ deal offers a package of four essential tools for RM599, significantly reduced from the usual RM1,450. For a comprehensive list of discounted items, interested customers can visit EMTOP’s Malaysian website.
Introduced to Malaysia in April 2023 by MR D.I.Y. Group, EMTOP now provides over 1,000 hardware products with convenient features like a standard battery compatible across 100+ tools.

IMU University Unveils Rebrand

Kuala Lumpur, May 10: IMU University, previously known as International Medical University, has introduced a significant rebranding initiative to align with the World Health Organization’s One Health concept.
This broader approach emphasizes the interconnection of human, animal, and ecosystem health to encourage multidisciplinary collaboration.
Expanding its program offerings, IMU University now includes business, technology, and social sciences, catering to a wider range of educational and career opportunities. “In our interconnected world, healthcare cannot exist in a vacuum,” stated Prof Gerard George, Group Managing Director.
The rebranding marks a new era for IMU University as it celebrates 32 years of educational excellence and maintains its commitment to health equity, sustainability, and global citizenship, with aspirations to rank among the global top 500 universities.

Sabah Courts Uzbek Tourists

Sabah, May 12: In a strategic move to attract Uzbekistan tourists, the Sabah Tourism Board, along with Batik Air and Fun Holiday, hosted a successful roadshow in Samarkand and Tashkent on April 23rd and 25th.
The event drew a notable crowd, eager to explore Sabah as a new Muslim-friendly destination. Discussions with local authorities and airlines underscored efforts to increase Sabah’s accessibility and visibility in Uzbekistan.
This initiative is part of Sabah’s ongoing efforts to enhance its stature as a top destination in Southeast Asia.