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 Jan 6 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

Spritzer’s Heartfelt CNY Campaign

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 6: Spritzer Malaysia ushers in Chinese New Year 2025 with its “Speak from the Heart” campaign, encouraging Malaysians to cherish heartfelt moments with loved ones.
The campaign features a touching short film starring Koe Yeet and Jaspers Lai, depicting a light-hearted tale about navigating family expectations during the festive season.
Special festive gifts, including a CNY Ceramic Bowl and Retro Mug, are available with purchases of Spritzer products.
Additionally, limited-edition CNY bottle labels and Spritzer Sparkling beverages add a refreshing touch to celebrations.

Pavilion’s Festive Prosssperity

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 6: Pavilion Bukit Jalil celebrates Chinese New Year 2025 with its Prosssperity. Together. campaign, featuring vibrant decorations, cultural showcases, and festive rewards until 16 February 2025. Highlights include the 2025 Malaysia Lion Dance Championship, featuring 50 elite teams performing spectacular routines at the PIAZZA.
New retail outlets such as The Colorist, ChaPanda, and Nong Geng Ji add to the mall’s festive excitement, offering fashion, lifestyle products, and authentic cuisine. Additionally, Pavilion Bukit Jalil’s Centre Court will feature a special collaboration with Disney characters, promising delightful surprises and memorable moments.

Sonic Tops Box Office

Sydney, Jan 6: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 dominated the Australian box office this weekend, earning $4.08M and bringing its total to $15.70M.
Paddington in Peru secured second place with $2.99M, while Disney’s Mufasa:
The Lion King followed closely in third with $2.98M, reaching a cumulative $15.60M.
Horror film Nosferatu took fourth place with $2.32M, and Moana 2 rounded out the top five with $2.28M, totaling a massive $43.17M.
New releases this week include Conclave starring Ralph Fiennes, Spider-Man 2 as part of Marvel’s “Spider Mania,” and several international films such as Game Changer and Identity.
Special advance screenings of We Live in Time begin January 15 at HOYTS Girls’ Night Out. Visit HOYTS’ website for more details.

AIZO Secures Solar Deal

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 6: AIZO Group Berhad, through its subsidiary Wawasan Demi Sdn. Bhd. (WDSB), has been shortlisted to develop a 99.99 MW Large Scale Solar (LSS) Plant in Kampar, Perak.
The project, awarded by the Energy Commission, involves a 21-year Solar Power Purchase Agreement and is expected to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD) by 30 October 2027.
The development will be financed via a combination of internal funds and bank borrowings. While there will be no immediate material impact on AIZO’s financials for the year ending 30 June 2025, the project is anticipated to boost future earnings upon commissioning.
Executive Director Ahmad Rahizal Ahmad Rasidi noted that this is AIZO’s second LSS project and a key step in supporting Malaysia’s renewable energy goals.
He added that the company remains committed to delivering high-impact projects that align with global sustainability standards.
This initiative further strengthens AIZO’s renewable energy portfolio and underscores its role in driving the nation’s energy transition.

Stableton, Alta Partnership Expands

Singapore, Jan 7: Stableton has partnered with Alta, Asia’s leading digital securities exchange, to enhance access to high-growth pre-IPO investments.
The collaboration introduces a unique strategy focused on the world’s top 20 unicorns, spanning sectors like AI, fintech, and aerospace.
Stableton’s data-driven approach combined with Alta’s platform—boasting over 35,000 direct investor accounts and partnerships with 100+ financial institutions—promises to broaden private market accessibility and liquidity.
The global unicorn market, valued at $4.7 trillion, continues to attract strong investor interest. Together, Stableton and Alta aim to democratize private market investments, offering both institutional and individual investors flexible, transparent solutions.

Meth Contamination in Cars

Adelaide, Jan 9: Environmental health experts at Flinders University have discovered that most car surfaces retain methamphetamine residues after the drug is smoked inside, posing a risk of third-hand exposure to future users. A controlled study of two vehicles revealed meth in 85 per cent of surface samples, 93 per cent of bulk material samples, and all air samples.
“Testing and remediation for methamphetamine in contaminated vehicles is necessary to protect public health,” says Professor Kirstin Ross from the College of Science and Engineering.
The study highlights potential health risks from indirect exposure, including respiratory issues, headaches, and behavioural problems. Findings were published in Forensic Chemistry, led by PhD researcher Gemma Kerry, who noted that meth was still detected even after repeated surface wipe tests.
“Detecting the presence and concentration of methamphetamine in different areas of the car can give us clues as to what led to this contamination,” says coauthor Associate Professor Stewart Walker.
The research underscores the need for improved testing and cleaning protocols for law enforcement, vehicle dealerships, and second-hand car buyers.

MClean Secures RM13.2 Million

Malaysia, Jan 9: MClean Technologies Berhad has completed a private placement exercise, raising RM13.2 million through the issuance of 49.0 million new ordinary shares at RM0.27 per share, representing 25.0 per cent of the company’s total issued shares.
The funds will primarily be used for the acquisition of We Total Engineering Sdn. Bhd.’s plastic business and working capital, diversifying MClean’s revenue streams into key sectors including automotive, electronics, and medical devices.
With this issuance, MClean’s total shares have increased to 246.2 million, boosting its issued share capital to RM64.2 million.
Following three consecutive profitable quarters, MClean is now well-positioned for long-term expansion. The company’s share price closed at RM0.320 on 8 January 2025, giving it a market capitalization of RM63.1 million.

Netflix, Realtek Partnership Expands

Taiwan, Jan 9: Netflix and Realtek have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of set-top boxes for global operators.
By integrating Netflix functions into advanced system-on-chip (SoC) platforms, the collaboration aims to provide pre-certified, ready-to-deploy solutions that streamline product launches, reduce costs, and enhance media services.
The partnership also focuses on innovations such as Edge AI technologies and improved user experiences to support operators’ business growth.
“Realtek is excited to embark on this innovative collaboration with Netflix,” said Yee-Wei Huang, Realtek’s Vice President and Spokesman.
Alan Wong, Senior Director of Global Partner Programs at Netflix, highlighted the importance of enhancing user experiences through this partnership.

F&N Rewards Student Excellence

Kuala Lumpur, Jan 9: Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&NHB) hosted the 2024 F&N Chairman’s Award, recognizing the outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements of 82 children of employees with a total of RM290,000 in cash rewards.
The annual award, established in 2003, encourages excellence among secondary and tertiary students, offering cash incentives for academic success and special awards for achievements in sports and co-curricular competitions.
To date, F&NHB has distributed RM4.8 million to 2,780 students across Malaysia, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing future leaders.

Taylor’s New Health Degree

Subang Jaya, Jan 9: Taylor’s University has introduced the Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences (Honours) programme to address Malaysia’s growing healthcare needs.
The 3-year programme, offered under the School of Biosciences, focuses on key areas such as genetics, embryology, neuroscience, and nutrition.
With the Malaysian healthcare sector projected to reach USD 48.41 billion by 2028, this new degree aims to produce skilled graduates proficient in advanced technologies like CRISPR, Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), IVF, and wearable-sensing tools. It also integrates scientific expertise with entrepreneurial skills, enabling students to contribute to innovative healthcare solutions.
The programme aligns with national policies, including the Malaysia Health White Paper, and opens its first intake in April 2025. Subsequent intakes will occur annually in April and September.
Visit bit.ly/TaylorsAppliedHealthSciences for more details.