TUNE Protect Group Berhad (Tune Protect) wins the ‘Digital Insurance Initiative of the Year – Malaysia’ category at the annual Insurance Asia Awards 2019. The award manifests Tune Protect’s aspiration to be a leading digital insurer in the region by providing convenient on-demand protection that suits the varying needs of consumer lifestyles leveraging digital and technology.
The two revolutionary products by Tune Protect are Sports+ and Pay As You Drive (PAYD) insurance. Sports+ is an extreme sports protection plan that provides coverage from as short as 1-day to up to a year, for accidental death and permanent disablement, medical expenses and sports equipment reimbursement. PAYD, on the other hand, is designed for the ‘park & ride’ driving community, ‘second car’ customer segment and city or neighbourhood drivers, rewarding them with up to 20 percent refund on the basic premium paid at the end of the policy period.
“We are very humbled yet proud to have won this award as it propels us further into being a leading digital insurer in the region. The award is a testament to all the hard work and effort demonstrated by our fellow Tune Protectors in achieving this common vision. Tune Protect will continue to invest in InsurTech capabilities through the development of digital solutions and platforms which has opened doors to new business opportunities in the region,” said Khoo Ai Lin, Group Chief Executive Officer, Tune Protect Group Berhad.
Tune Protect will remain committed to its digitalisation journey, which is aligned to 3 strategic pillars of production innovation and differentiation; wider distribution reach; and exceptional customer experience.
Through its GAIN (Global Business, AirAsia Ecosystem, Insurtech Capabilities, and National Business) transformational pillars and leveraging insurtech, the company is upbeat in going beyond airlines, beyond travel insurance, and beyond conventional insurance which will enable the unlocking of new revenue streams from other sources of income in addition to the conventional underwriting profits.
Scientists are a step closer to a cure for Ebola after two of four drugs in a clinical trial were found to significantly increase survival rates, the US health authority co-funding the research said.
The study began last November in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but its current phase will now be stopped and all future patients switched over to the two treatments that have shown positive results, the US National Institutes of Health said in a statement.
“The preliminary results in 499 study participants indicated that individuals receiving REGN-EB3 or mAb114 had a greater chance of survival compared to participants in the other two arms.”
Patients who were receiving the two drugs that are being discontinued, Zmapp and remdesivir, will now have the option at the discretion of their treating physician to receive the treatments that have been shown to work.
The NIH added the final analysis of the data would occur in late September or early October, after which the complete results would be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed medical literature.
The NIH, Democratic Republic of Congo health authorities and the World Health Organisation hailed the “extraordinary team of individuals who have worked under extremely difficult conditions to carry out this study,” as well as the patients and their families.
“It is through this type of rapidly implemented, rigorous research that we can quickly and definitively identify the best treatments and incorporate them into the Ebola outbreak response,” they said.
Jeremy Farrar, director of Britain’s Wellcome Trust research charity, said the development would “undoubtedly save lives,” adding: “Thanks to this trial, we are starting to understand which treatments to offer to patients in this and future outbreaks.”
More than 1,800 people have died in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since Ebola broke out there in August last year.
The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals, then spreads among humans through direct contact with the blood or other secretions of infected people or with surfaces contaminated with their fluids, according to the World Health Organisation.
The average fatality rate for people with the disease is around 50 percent.
The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia is working with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to establish a new Digital Content Ecosystem (DICE) policy to strengthen the local digital content industry and position Malaysia as the leader in digital content creation and production in the region.
YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Communications and Multimedia said, “Malaysia, which sits in the heart of South East Asia is well poised to further grow and solidify its position as the games development hub of the region. Malaysia is attractive to digital content and creative tech studios due to its youthful demographic, access to talent with cultural influences from both the East and West and a higher education system that has a focused tech-track.”
“The DICE Policy, to be spearheaded by MDEC, aims to accelerate the digital content creative industry as a driver of economic growth in Malaysia. The policy will focus on attracting investments, building local talent and companies and strengthening the ecosystem through government and private sector partnership.
It also aims to advance research, IP creation, commercialisation, branding and marketing capabilities in order to improve its export potential and look at Best Practices in order to promote a healthy animation and gaming environment for all users.
In order to develop the new DICE policy, the government has decided to take a collaborative approach. MDEC will be organising town halls and focus group discussions with the industry, academia and those related and interested to this industry.”
MDEC CEO Surina Shukri said, “Malaysia needs a comprehensive development plan to fully take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. MDEC, through our Creative Content Team, has been working hard to grow the local creative content industry over the past few years. This has resulted in Malaysia enjoying a head-start in digital content development in the region and Malaysia’s talents and creative IP’s are gaining global recognition. The DICE strategy will help to unleash the talent of our digital content and drive faster growth.”
Malaysia’s track record in digital content creation includes the Animation sector where Emmy-nominated Saladin has been followed by dozens of global and regional IPs such as Upin & Ipin, Boboiboy, Ejen Ali and many more.
The national game development industry recorded exports of RM684 million in 2017 registering a 46 percent year on year growth between 2016-2017. Malaysia is also now home to the biggest digital content industry platforms in Southeast Asia such as Kre8tif (covering animation, VFX, new media) and Level Up KL (covering games, interactive media, AR/VR).
LEVEL UP KL is an annual South East Asia Games Developers conference led by the MDEC to drive the growth of the games industry in Malaysia and the region. It is the premier platform for the region that brings together local, regional, and international community of games developers, publishers, and technology providers to gather, learn, and share the latest information of content development technologies and business trends in the industry.
In conjunction with the announcement of the DICE strategy, YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Communications & Multimedia witnessed local animation studio Metronomik sign a landmark global publishing deal for their game, No Straight Roads, with London-based Sold Out Games; as well as the official launch of Re:Legend, a cooperative multiplayer JRPG game developed by Malaysia-based Magnus Games.
The minister was also present for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between MDEC and the Malaysia eSports Federation to collaborate towards the development, promotion and acceleration of the Malaysian eSports ecosystem.
DETAILS ON DICE STRATEGY
The DICE strategy is in harmony with other national policies that Malaysia is embarking on such as NFCP and 5G adoption.
DICE’s objectives are to:
Attract anchor game and animation studios to bridge and accelerate expansion of the games and animation sector;
Raise local industry capabilities. Stimulate local industry capabilities towards creating global IPs by growing local studios to develop world-class games, animation and digital content IP and services;
Facilitate access to world-class technology, infrastructure and market distribution platforms to overcome challenges posed by costly tool-sets and market environments;
Develop a sustainable funding ecosystem. Aligning partners towards a sustainable digital content financing ecosystem by establishing co-production funds to seed IP development; and
Leverage esports as a catalyst to digital content growth, targetting youth and communities to participate in the digital content ecosystem
The DICE strategy focuses on 4 key pillars:
Strengthening human capital through skills, exposure and access to the digital content ecosystem;
Strengthening the industry’s value chain through quality, competitive and world-class digital content;
Drive the commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) to improve the quality and output of digital content; and
Drive the Nation’s ecosystem to global standards, making Malaysia as the regional hub for digital content production
DICE, will seek to drive growth of the digital content economy through its exports and talent development. MDEC will look at potential collaborations between public and private sector, government, industry and academia to further the Nation’s ambitions in this sector.
The strategy is anticipated to spur a competitive, commercially successful industry supported by a cohesive ecosystem of talent, business, government and legislation, providing opportunities for long-term ecosystem growth.
As digital content catalyse the use of both technical and technological skills combined with art, creativity and design thinking, the uplift of digital content can be used as a leading policy initiative with spillover impact into other sectors of the economy.
CIMB Group (“CIMB”) partners with Axiata Digital Capital (“ADC”), a fintech services provider under Axiata Digital to provide financing solutions to 700,000 small and medium enterprise (SME) customers in Malaysia and Indonesia through ADC’s Micro lending platform, Aspirasi.
The partnership signed by Victor Lee Meng Teck, CEO of Group Commercial Banking, CIMB Group and Sheyantha Abeykoon, CFO of Axiata Digital and Director of Axiata Digital Capital, marks a significant milestone as it represents the first regional collaboration between a bank and a digital services provider to focus on fueling the growth of micro and small SMEs.
“Customers are at the heart of all our initiatives. To that end, we are pleased to partner Axiata Digital Capital to strengthen our digital proposition to potentially 700,000 SMEs in Malaysia and Indonesia enabling them to gain access to financing solutions seamlessly and speedily to support their growth. Through this collaboration, we aim to fulfil SMEs’ unique needs based on their different business life stages. Further, CIMB will also extend end-to-end support for SMEs to expand their businesses both within their home market and off-shore, by leveraging on our strong regional footprint and network,” said Victor Lee.
“We are excited to collaborate with CIMB, an organization which shares in our vision of empowering small-time businesses through digitally inclusive technologies. Our new digital financing platform, Aspirasi, offers a novel digital loan application journey with instant underwriting and fast disbursement, offering customers an unparalleled experience from any offered in the market today,” said Sheyantha Abeykoon.
Since 2014, Axiata Digital has been focusing on accelerating digital adoption by offering innovative financial solutions such as e-wallets, micro financing and remittance to narrow the digital divide for Axiata Group Berhad’s over 300 million customers across South and Southeast Asia.
Additionally, by leveraging its deep expertise in digital technology, Axiata Digital aims to ensure a future-ready and financially inclusive society for the underserved, whilst showcasing the business benefits of ICT for success and growth for micro and SMEs.
In March this year, CIMB announced its commitment to disburse RM15 billion to 100,000 SMEs in 2019-2020. To this end, the Bank recently partnered with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) to provide SMEs access to RM2 billion in financing through CGC’s Portfolio Guarantee-i scheme.
CIMB has also committed to an investment of RM300 million in tech and data for its commercial banking business over the next five years, to support the rapid growth of the SME sector which, in 2018, grew by 6.2 percent in Malaysia, and 10 percent in Indonesia.
Paessler AG, a leading provider of network monitoring solutions, recently announced the opening of its key development hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This new centre of innovation is a core component of the company’s wider Asia Pacific (APAC) expansion plan to double the size of its team by 2020.
The hub will serve over 5,500 existing customers (active license holders) and over 550 active partners in the region (including South East Asia, North West Asia and Australia and New Zealand). The team is tasked with providing sales and technical support in a number of languages (such as English, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean and others) and across time zone – key hires include system engineers, technical support and business development roles.
Paessler’s Director for the APAC region, George Wilson, said: “After successfully expanding into the Americas, we are now ready to invest in APAC outside of Australia and New Zealand; starting with Malaysia and Japan as key anchor points for the region. Malaysia is a key international market for us and is home to a highly skilled workforce that embraces technology growth and innovation. Paessler will focus on tapping into this engineering talent for its development hub to fuel regional growth and continued momentum.”
With its expansion into APAC through the support and sales hub, Paessler’s global office count will sit at 250+.
Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (Vietjet) signed a MoU with Swift 247, a technology startup providing super express air delivery service, and Grab for the development of road and air travel connectivity for customers across Southeast Asia.
This strategic partnership is the first collaboration between Vietjet and Grab, to offer the best quality services to the Vietnamese market, , and also brings unrivalled benefits for customers and the community.
Both parties will focus on research and development of the digital platform integration to improve customer convenience in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.
In the first phase, Swift247 customers will be able to deliver goods quickly via GrabExpress delivery services on the Grab platform and via Vietjet aircrafts for delivery between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City within 5 hours.
Customers can track the delivery process on the website or on the Swift247 application. Moving forward, the continued partnership will lead to the integration of Swift247 services into the Grab open platform in order to bring convenience and accessibility of services to consumers of all parties.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vietjet President & CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said, “We are witnessing a partnership between an airline with the largest number of domestic passengers in Vietnam, an e-hailing app with the most extensive driver partner fleets in Southeast Asia and a next generation startup.
Vietjet believes that this partnership will bring in new changes in local delivery market, create unique experience to consumers, and meet increasing demand for good delivery services. This is also a new step on the path to becoming a “Consumer Airline”, providing all kinds of services that consumers of Vietjet need”.
Tommy Nguyen, representative of Swift247 commented, “As a startup, we are happy to cooperate with the two big names in the field of transport connection and aviation like Grab and Vietjet. With Vietjet’s wide range of routes to domestic and international destinations as well as Grab’s unicorn position with extensive driver partners and users base, customers will be able to experience a convenient and reliable delivery service, supported by technology”.
“Grab has been serving daily needs of one fourth of Vietnam’s population, with the ecosystem of a super app providing a wide range of everyday services. This shows that Grab has becoming a strong and go-to partner of leading conglomerates and enterprises of Vietnam, and the trust of local partners on Grab’s leading position.
We believe the strategic partnership with Vietjet and Swift247 is the first step for Grab to thrive for deeper cooperation with Sovico Holdings, one of the leading conglomerates of Vietnam, to bring in more value-added services to people across the country.
It proves our strong commitment in investing more toward the digitalisation of transport infrastructure, helping local enterprises to expand regionally and developing home-grown startups”, said Jerry Lim, Country Head of Grab Vietnam.
Vietjet carries more than 80 million passengers and with more than 400 daily flights and 129 local and international routes, partnering with Grab and Swift247, Vietjet is able to offer more options to its customers and to optimise customers’ benefits through transportation services.
Fusionex, a multi-award-winning, leading software solutions provider specialising in Big Data Analytics (BDA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0 technologies announced that it is building its product and services offerings on Google Cloud Platform technologies to help small medium enterprises (SMEs) across Asia-Pacific in their digital transformation journey.
Fusionex has built its “Giant BDA” suite of solutions that are specially tailored for SMEs on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). GCP allows customers to build, test and deploy applications on a highly scalable and reliable infrastructure with offerings that span storage, networking, data, analytics, app development and machine learning tools and APIs.
As a Google Cloud Services Partner, Fusionex also offers training programs and consulting services for SMEs, enabling them to build their competencies around Google Cloud Platform (GCP) to advance their business.
“This collaboration will see joint investments from both companies, empowering SMEs to take up BDA, AI, and IR4.0 initiatives,” said Fusionex Managing Director for New Technologies, Jacob Isaac. “Google is a household name and its offerings inspire confidence among businesses, regardless of shape or size. Fusionex solutions can in turn empower SMEs with AI automation that will allow them to increase productivity and reduce operational costs.”
“Fusionex brings a wealth of experience helping customers make data-driven business decisions – from providing analytical software and custom tools, to even providing in-person training, and we’re proud to collaborate with them to deliver deep value to customers across a wide range of technologies and business challenges,” mentioned Ash Willis, Head of Partnerships and Alliances for Google Cloud in Asia Pacific.
A McKinsey report states the adoption of cloud computing helps standardize and automate tasks that can reduce IT overhead costs by 30 percent to 40 percent. The report notes that “cloud computing can help scale IT processes up and down as needed, optimising IT asset usage. It can improve the overall flexibility of IT in meeting business needs such as more frequent releases of business features. Cloud service providers are increasingly offering much more sophisticated solutions than basic computing and storage, such as big data and machine-learning services.”
Fusionex’s suite of solutions – built on its Giant BDA platform – allows businesses to take advantage of organisational and market data trends without having to worry about the technical complexities of coding or the underlying technology. Fusionex’s AI and IR 4.0 solutions use next-gen cognitive technology and offer cutting-edge functions including computer vision, augmented reality, robotics, and drone management, which complements human talent to enhance decision-making accuracy.
Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) rallies the action of the Malaysian government with the implementation of a National Strategy for Financial Literacy which was launched in July 23, 2019.
It’s a five-year plan that aims to raise the country’s low level of financial literacy. The initiative has 5 key thrusts and key to the success of the strategy would be successfully implementing financial literacy knowledge for the Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) segment, as well as programmes for Youths and the public generally.
MFPC has been conducting numerous financial literacy sessions for the public through its UNESCO commended programme “My Money & Me”. Since the year 2018, the programme has entailed a multi-stakeholder approach mapping a way forward through clear coordinated collaboration with relevant agencies targetting to bring basic financial literacy knowledge to as many Malaysians.
Programmes are held for youths through Majlis Belia Malaysia and the 24 universities affiliated with the Council as well as for FELDA Settlers and individuals at rural areas. In addition, the programmes are also conducted for Civil Servants.
Educating Malaysians to have an in depth knowledge on financial literacy is not an easy task and needs collective effort from all stakeholders. At the heart of the matter, we are convinced that such efforts should be continuous and consistent in order for it to be fruitful and the Council hopes its eventual collaborative engagements with Financial Education Network (FEN) would bring about one key goal of people being able to enjoy better financial and emotional well-being by being able to manage, save, spend and invest their money.
Vincent Kwo Shih Kang, President of the Council said, “through the establishment of the FEN collaboration framework, Malaysians from all walks of life must be the beneficiaries”.
He reiterated that the Council’s is poised to a make a difference with its 13,000 qualified members in alignment with the FEN initiative and raise optimism that the formation of a national strategy would help raise awareness on the importance of financial literacy among Malaysians. He applauds the action of the government on the formulation of a national strategy.
The Council has in recent years delivered game-changing initiatives in educating Malaysians on financial literacy including through gamification methodology. Our goal is simply this, Malaysians must be aware of the essential benefits of financial planning as it could make a lasting social impact for the Country.
Back in the lated 1970s, Selangor became an industrialised state where significant changes were made to its economic policy with preference given to industrial, housing and recreational development. During the period, both the federal and state government had worked together to formulate policies to push the State towards capital-intensive and high-tech industries.
As of March 2019, a total of 9,097 manufacturing projects with investments of RM218.4 billion were approved by MIDA for Selangor, creating more than 802,000 employment opportunities. Majority of the employment was in the electrical and electronics (E&E) (196,158) followed by transport equipment (91,752), rubber products (82,055) and machinery and equipment (52,620) industries.
“Selangor is indeed one of the most preferred investment locations for manufacturing activities. The continued interest by investors enables Selangor to register a remarkable level of reinvestments by local and foreign companies, whereby reinvestments in the manufacturing sector constituted 40.3 percent of total investments in the sector for the state.
The strong presence of MNCs and Large Local Corporations (LLCs) in the State such as Spirit AeroSystems, Nestle, IKEA, Panasonic, Q-Cells, KL-Kepong Oleomas, Nippon Electric Glass, Perodua Global Manufacturing, Proton, Top Glove and Hartalega hold much promise for business collaborations and opportunities,” said Mr Arham Abdul Rahman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) during the ninth briefing of MIDA Invest Series at MIDA Headquarters: Unfolding States’ Business Potential.”
Mr Arham highlighted that the Federal Government, through MITI and MIDA, is continuously intensifying efforts to attract more high level and quality investments through the provision of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives which are available for both foreign and domestic Investors. He, therefore, urged companies to take advantage of all facilities provided by the government to adopt innovative new technologies and processes to keep up with the trajectory of the broader industry.
The Invest Series event, which was well attended by over 200 participants from various fields, including manufacturers and service providers. Also present were YBhg. Dato’ Hasan Azhari, CEO of Invest Selangor Berhad and Mr Tan Beng Teong, CEO of Selangor Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC). The event featured a panel discussion with a broad range of speakers representing government agencies such as (Invest Selangor Berhad, Selangor Human Resource Development Centre, Selangor Maritime Gateway), developer (Smart Selangor (M) Sdn. Bhd.) and Government-Linked Corporation (Smart Selangor Delivery Unit).
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) appoints Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, FCA, Executive Chairman of PwC Malaysia, and Dato’ Gan Ah Tee, FCA, DNS, JP, Regional Senior Partner (ASEAN) and Managing Partner of BDO Kuala Lumpur as Council Members for a two-year term.
Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, FCA who has over 34 years’ experience in the audit and business advisory services of financial institutions in Malaysia will hold office as the representative for the constituency of Malaysia. He was also the Project Director on theAccrual Accounting project with the Malaysian Accountant General’s office and is currently a member of the Ministry of Finance Malaysia, Debt Management Committee.
He is currently the Administrator to an airline. He is a Fellow of ICAEW, a member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), a Council Member of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) and a member of The Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals. He is the immediate past President of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants, former Chairman of the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board and is the current Chairman of the Islamic Finance Consultative Group of the International Accounting Standards Board. He is the President of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC).
Dato’ Gan Ah Tee, FCA, DNS, JP with over 37 years’ of experience in auditing and financial advisory will continue in his office as ICAEW Council Member for ASEAN. He specialises in corporate turnaround and financial restructuring of under-performing companies and has extensive experience with corporate finance and advisory assignments.
A Fellow of ICAEW, Dato’ Gan is also an Executive Committee and Council Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and Vice President of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). He is also a member of the Financial Reporting Foundation (FRF), a trustee body responsible for the oversight of the Malaysian Accounting Standard Board’s (MASB) performance, financial and funding arrangements, and as an initial source of views for the MASB on proposed standards and pronouncements. Dato’ Gan was first appointed to the ICAEW Council in 2015.
“I would like to congratulate both of them on their appointment to the ICAEW Council and look forward to working together with them to advance the views of members in Malaysia. I would also like to thank David Lim for his service and invaluable contribution in building a strong network of ICAEW Authorised Training Employers (ATEs) in Malaysia,” said Loh Wei Yuen, FCA, Head of Malaysia, ICAEW.
Council is the ultimate, global governing body for ICAEW, located in London, England. Council Members have a representative role for their constituencies, ensuring views across the profession are heard to set the strategy and maintain the role of ICAEW as a leading global professional body. The Council is responsible for ensuring ICAEW operates in the public interest under the terms of its Royal Charter and holds the Board to account for the delivery of strategic priorities.
FedEx said on Wednesday it would stop making ground deliveries for Amazon in the latest sign of competition between the two firms.
The move comes two months after the package delivery giant announced it was ending express service with Amazon as it moves to work with others in the online retail sector.
“This change is consistent with our strategy to focus on the broader e-commerce market, which the recent announcements related to our FedEx ground network have us positioned extraordinarily well to do,” a FedEx statement said.
Amazon has been bolstering its own logistics network and earlier this year offered employees USD10,000 to quit their jobs and create their own delivery enterprise.
In June, FedEx said Amazon accounted for less than 1.3 percent of its total revenue for 2018 and announced it was building out a network “to serve thousands of retailers in the
e-commerce space.”
Amazon, which also has its own aircraft and vehicle fleet for its logistics and is experimenting with drone and robot deliveries, has faced criticism from President Donald Trump, who claimed its deal with the US Postal Service gave the company overly favorable rates.
Queried on the latest development, Amazon said in a statement: “We are constantly innovating to improve the carrier experience and sometimes that means reevaluating our carrier relationships. FedEx has been a great partner over the years and we appreciate all their work delivering packages to our customers.” — AFP
According to Kaspersky’s DDoS (Denial of Service) Q2 2019 report, the number of attacks in the second quarter of 2019 is 44 percent less than in Q1, as such attacks usually reduce in activity in late spring and summer. However, compared with the same period last year, the quantity of DDoS attacks in Q2 increased by 18 percent and by 25 percent when compared with Q2 2017.
The seasonal decrease only had a negligible effect on the number of attacks on the application layer, reducing by just 4 percent compared to the previous quarter. These type of attacks target certain functions or APIs of applications in order to consume not only the network, but server resources as well. They are also harder to detect and protect from, as they include the performing of legitimate requests.
When compared with Q2 2018, the quantity of these type of attacks has increased by nearly a third (32 percent) and the share of such attacks in Q2 2019 rose to 46 percent. This is a nine percent increase in share than the first quarter of the year, and 15 percent more in the same period of 2018.
“Traditionally, troublemakers who conduct DDoS attacks for fun go on holiday during the summer and give up their activity until September. However, the statistics for this quarter show that professional attackers, who perform complex DDoS attacks, are working hard even over the summer months. This trend is rather worrying for businesses. Many are well protected against high volumes of junk traffic, but DDoS attacks on the application layer require to identify illegitimate activity even if its volume is low. We therefore recommend that businesses ensure their DDoS protection solutions are ready to withstand these complex attacks,” comments Alexey Kiselev, Business Development Manager on the Kaspersky DDoS Protection team.
The analysis of commands received by bots from command and control (C&C) servers revealed that the longest DDoS attack of Q2 2019 lasted 509 hours – almost 21 days. This is the lengthiest attack since Kaspersky started to monitor botnet activity in 2015. Previously, the longest attack lasted 329 hours and was registered in Q4 2018.
To help organisations protect themselves from DDoS attacks, Kaspersky recommends taking the following steps:
Ensure that web and IT resources can handle high traffic
Use professional solutions to protect the organisation against attacks. For example, Kaspersky DDoS Protection combines Kaspersky’s extensive expertise in combating cyberthreats and the company’s unique in-house developments. The solution protects against all types of DDoS attacks regardless of their complexity, strength or duration
Investigation by Lever Foundation, a non-profit animal protection organisation working to protect farm animals in Asia: Tesco’s eggs reveals disgusting filth, animal cruelty and discrimination against Malaysian customers.
Shocking video footage shows filth, food safety risks and animal cruelty at the company that supplies eggs to leading retailer Tesco. The footage shows:
Cages and equipment covered in animal feces, posing serious food safety risks
The bodies of dead hens left to rot in cages alongside hens still laying eggs for human consumption
Seriously abused animals with skin scraped raw from constant rubbing against cage bars
Baby birds crammed for their entire lives in cages so small they are illegal in dozens of countries
The investigation was filmed last month by workers and students at farms operated by Teo Seng Capital Berhad, the company that produces Tesco-brand eggs in Malaysia.
“At farms of this Tesco egg supplier, dead hens are left to rot in cages alongside live hens, feces covers the cages and equipment, and mother hens spend their entire lives crammed in cages so small they can barely turn around,” said Katherine Ma, Program Manager of the non-governmental organization Lever Foundation, which released the investigation. “It’s a disgrace that Tesco, a British company, is serving Malaysian customers eggs from “battery cage” egg systems—systems so cruel and unsafe they have been banned in Britain and dozens of other countries.”
The European Food Safety Authority has found caged egg farms have up to a 25 times greater risk of salmonella contamination compared to “cage-free” egg farms, due to the overpacked conditions and concentration of animal waste. Leading national and global animal protection organizations, including the SPCA Selangor, also condemn battery cages for the intense suffering they cause animals, and encourage companies to use only cage-free eggs.
Christine Chin, Chairman of SPCA Selangor, points out that “until plant-based or lab-grown alternatives become as affordable and easily available as farmed animal products, we have a moral duty to ensure that farm animals are treated humanely. Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore, we can all agree on one thing: that farm animals deserve higher standards of welfare and care. We call upon all retailers to examine their supply chains and reject or correct suppliers who fail to meet animal welfare, health, and safety standards. We further call upon the authorities to investigate all instances of animal cruelty. This is not merely a food safety issue but also one of cruelty to animals. If we depend on these animals for food, we owe them a better life.”
“Tesco has pledged it will serve customers in Thailand, Europe and the U.K. only safer, higher-quality and more humane “cage-free” eggs—so why not Malaysia? Malaysian customers deserve the same level of quality and food safety as customers in Thailand and Europe,” said Ma. Tesco has publicly committed that it will sell only cage-free eggs in the UK and Europe by 2025, and that it will sell only cage-free eggs in Thailand by 2030 or earlier.
According to NTT Ltd’s 2019 Digital Means Business Report, only 11 percent of organisations are satisfied with those in charge of spearheading digital transformation despite the fact that 75 percent of organisations are already underway.
The lack of strong transformational leadership and focus on the need to change people is holding many companies back:
71 percent of organisations in the early stages of transformation still believe a complete restructuring of the business and operating model is the primary definition of digital transformation.
Only 49 percent of respondents believe their leadership team has the right skills to manage the execution of digital transformation.
Lack of executive sponsorship or ownership is ranked as the top barrier to success.
Hence, the need for business leaders to change themselves, build a different environment, and set new behavioural priorities and performance indicators are required to drive a more proactive, tactical, and incremental approach to transformation.
The research also reveals there’s a direct correlation between organisations’ ability to realise relevant, outcomes-driven value from digital transformation on a regular basis, and their digital maturity. Yet, there still exists a discernible lack of alignment between IT teams and the wider business:
Only 29 percent of organisations are embracing digital transformation as a collaborative effort between business and IT.
While 42 percent of respondents say business and IT are delivering in a more integrated manner, supported in part with the introduction of a Chief Digital Officer function, only 12 percent are highly satisfied that planning is flowing effectively through to execution.
Almost half (49 percent) of digital transformation projects are still IT-led.
Wayne Speechly, VP of Advanced Competencies, NTT Ltd says “Organisations are still grappling with how to shape their business to capitalise on a connected future. Digital creates the opportunity for value to be constantly derived from transformation initiatives across the business. Organisations should focus less on perfecting a grand digital plan, and more on taking considered and iterative steps in their transformation journey to progress value and clarity of subsequent moves. For various reasons, an organisation is its own worst enemy, so any change has to be supported by pragmatic, self-aware leadership who are themselves changing.”
The research surveyed over 1,150 executives, from 15 countries across North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific, and from 11 industry verticals. The results provide invaluable insight into how these leaders perceive the business opportunities presented by digital transformation, the delivery challenges experienced in realising a digital transformation strategy, and the value being achieved.
The Government has announced the nationwide pilot transition of the analogue TV transmission to digital TV transmission in stages until 30 September 2019. The transition of Analogue TV marks the readiness of the Terrestrial TV broadcasting industry into the digital age.
Minister of Communications and Multimedia, YB Gobind Singh Deo officiated the announcement of the Nationwide Analogue TV Transmission Transition to myFreeview Digital TV Transmission, held at Kompleks Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM) in Langkawi today.
Below are the dates for the transition of pilot analogue TV transmission by region:
The transition from Analogue transmission to Digital TV broadcasts across the country was due to the success from the implementation of pilot test in Langkawi by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in collaboration with the broadcasters since 21 July 2019.
Throughout the pilot test, various education and awareness campaigned were conducted to increase public awareness of the benefit of switching from Analogue TV transmission to Digital TV transmission.
Four Internet Centres acted as not only the decoder distribution centre but also helped to disseminate relevant information on the transition from analogue to digital broadcast as well as educate public on the issue.
The Digital TV broadcast have now reached 72,075 people in Langkawi through the transmission of terrestrial and satellite TV methods.
YB Gobind, during his visits to one of the Internet Centres in Kampung Padang Lalang met with locals who shared their experience of using myFreeview service since the analogue TV broadcast shutdown on 21st July.
Among the problems highlighted by the locals were, blindspots where residents get poor reception, cross channels from Thailand and some not receiving decoders due to home addresses not updated and some claiming more than one decoder.
According to Gobind, all teething problems identified during the test bed programme will be resolved by MYTV before rolling out the transition at national level and an additional satellite dish will be provided for those with poor reception.
The model implemented in Langkawi will be adopted throughout the nation and the Government will only implement the closure of Analogue TV transmission once the rakyat are fully prepared to accept the transition.
Asked on how would the readiness of Rakyat will be gauged, MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd CEO Michael Chan said, it will be done based on data collected through calls received by the customer service centre.
Citing Langkawi as an example, he said initially when the analogue tv broadcast was shutdown, the operations centre used to get as many as 42 calls a day on the first day but reduced to only 3 calls after a week.
Those who are still watching analogue TV broadcasts are encouraged to take the following steps to continue enjoying free TV broadcasts:
a. Obtain decoder and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) aerial, install them to existing TV sets; or
b. Obtain an Integrated Digital TV (IDTV) equipped with a decoder and connect them to a UHF aerial Analog.
Analogue TV services will be replaced by myFreeview Digital TV broadcasts, which is available now throughout Malaysia. It offers a variety of free TV channels with standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) audio visual quality.
In total, there are 15 TV channels and six (6) radio channels available on myFreeview digital TV platform, provided by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Media Prima, TV AlHijrah, and Bernama News Channel (BNC).
Several new TV channels will also be airing on the myFreeview platform in the near future.
On whether myFreeview will have features such as customised channels based on ethnic preferences, Chan said he was in talks with content providers on that issue, adding that global content providers had shown keen interest on myFreeview to broadcast their channels.
“Yes. this is possible. We may have customised channels catering to the various ethnics in Malaysia,” he said.
The Digital TV broadcasting service is part of the Government’s effort in bridging the digital divide among the people of urban, sub-urban and rural areas. It is in line with the Government’s Shared Prosperity concept which allows the rakyat to enjoy digital TV services for free, without monthly subscription fees.
In addition, it gives people the option to view a variety of TV channels, radio channels, and applications such as online shopping, latest news, interactive education and other programmes. With applications such as online shopping, the people are open for opportunities to increase their income stream by marketing their products and services using the Digital TV platform.
To date the government has distributed some two million myFreeview decoders to the recepients of Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH). However, for non-BSH recepients, the decoder can be bought from the market, which is a one-time payment only.
According to Chan, the broadcasting company in charge for myFreeview, the price of decoder varies according to the market forces and the government nor MYTV controls the decoder price.
“There are few others who are also selling the DDTV decoders in the market, besides MYTV. So subscribers have the option either to buy the decoders from us or other retailers.”
However, on the wake of rampant fake goods sold in the market, Chan advised the people to buy decoders that are certified by SIRIM and carries MCMC logo on it.
“In addition, the government has also spoken to online retail platforms such as Lazada and Shoppee to sell only original decoders to mitigate issue of fake goods,” elaborated Chan.
For more information, please visit www.myfreeview.tv or call 1-800-181-088.
An international conference aimed at rejuvenating discussions on the history of the former port city of Melaka with a special focus on the 15th century.
The conference, titled “Melaka in the Long 15th Century”, brought together renowned scholars from all over the world who presented their recent work and discoveries in Melaka history, including old Malay, Arabic, Persian and Chinese texts.
The conference is the brainchild of Melaka in Fact, an organisation passionate about Melaka’s histories, which seeks to investigate, document and disseminate histories related to the rich and cosmopolitan past of the state.
Melaka in Fact’s mission is to work towards a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of the past by sharing narratives, texts and people’s histories relating to Melaka.
Project Director Datin Saidah Rastam said the objective of the conference is to bring together leading international and local scholars for a dynamic re-examination of Melaka’s history as well as to raise awareness on the former great entrepôt’s past.
“This conference is also timely, as around us neighbouring countries reframe their own historical narratives, and we see the re-emergence of China as a large power in the 21st century. The Belt and Road initiative draws on past histories – Zheng He’s visits to Melaka among them– and will impact Melaka over the next few decades.”
“A lot of studies exist on Melaka the sultanate. Less so on Melaka the famed entrepôt – its local commerce, society and maritime laws and mechanisms. And there has been fascinating recent scholarship on Melaka’s early history, some of it based on less familiar sources. Through our work with the conference and our other on-ground activities such as cultural mapping and community engagement, we hope to contribute to a broader understanding of Melaka’s multiple histories,” Saidah said.
Since 2017, Melaka in Fact has interviewed more than 2,000 households, documented festivals and rituals, conducted cultural mapping, held regular lectures by scholars, worked with institutions of higher learning as well as engaged the public via social media on lesser-known historical facts pertaining to Melaka.
As economic progress eclipses the traditions and generational memories of the past, Melaka In Fact hopes to contribute to the understanding of our own history as well as to promote reasoned discourse.
Melaka in Fact collaborates with Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Global Archaeological
Research, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Google Arts and Culture and Badan Warisan Malaysia.
Emirates is offering special fares to destinations across its global network from now until 20th August for your summer travel vacation. Tickets are valid for travel up until 30th April 2020 so its the perfect opportunity for travellers to plan their trips.
With over 150 destinations worldwide to choose from, travellers can seek new adventures in far-away destinations, or indulge your senses with history, art, and architecture. From the London Eye, to spending time in the most romantic city of Paris, to rowing down the canal in Amsterdam, or gazing the evermore Douro river in Porto, travellers can stimulate their senses with scenic landscapes and breath-taking views together with their loved ones.
All-inclusive fares from Kuala Lumpur start at RM2,469 for Economy Class and from RM 12,279 for Business Class. These fares can be booked on www.emirates.com/my or through your preferred travel agent.
Destination
Economy Class fares in Ringgit Malaysia from
Business Class fares in Ringgit Malaysia from
London
2879
12279
Paris
2469
13399
Amsterdam
3099
13529
Porto
3659
15079
Frankfurt
2709
12859
Rome
3229
14949
New York
4259
17419
Mexico
5519
20549
*Terms and conditions apply. Valid for travel between 12 August 2019 and 30 April 2020
Emirates passengers can also plan a stopover in Dubai, home to the airline’s hub. This summer, Emirates passengers visiting Dubai during can benefit from exclusive offers using My Emirates Pass – an offer that turns an Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card providing travellers special benefits and discounts of up to 50 percent off in more than 500 leisure and retail outlet locations across the UAE, valid until 31st August 2019.*
The exclusive pass allows customers to redeem up to 50 percent off in over 400 fine dining restaurants, luxury wellness treatments and up to 30 percent off at international retail outlets including popular fashion and fitness brands, simply by presenting their boarding pass and a valid form of identification.
As part of its ‘Fly Better’ promise, Emirates strive to deliver added-value benefits that stretch value provided to customers. The airline has recently partnered with some of the world’s most prestigious hotel providers including Accor, Armani Hotel Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group and Marriot to offer its passengers travelling to and through Dubai attractive summer rates.
Travellers who purchase an Emirates ticket and travel from now until 30th September 2019 can enjoy exclusive summer hotel rates in any of the properties within during their stay in the UAE.*
From First Class to Economy Class, the Emirates A380 has pioneered new standards of in-flight comfort. Emirates’ First Class experience on its A380 provides passengers with an unprecedented level of privacy and thoughtful touches of luxury. First and Business Class passengers can also socialise or network with others at the iconic on-board lounge with premium beverages and snacks served throughout the flight.
Passengers across all cabins can enjoy the airline’s award-wining inflight entertainment, ice, with up to 4,500 channels of movies, music, and games to choose from. They can also stay connected with pre-loaded 20MB of free Wi-Fi data; and look forward to enjoying gourmet, regionally-inspired dishes as well as the finest selection of wines and spirits.
Those travelling with children will appreciate Emirates’ extensive family offering which includes complimentary Fly with Me Animals Soft Toys for infants and toddlers and Fly with Me Lonely Planet activity bags for children aged six to 12. Young flyers will be nothing short of inspired with the non-stop entertainment on board, featuring the latest cartoons, animated movies and Disney classics.
Furthermore, Hong Leong Bank Berhad (HLB) customers holding any Emirates HLB credit card can enjoy exclusive travel privileges including Skywards Miles on local and international spends, complimentary Emirates airport lounge access in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai, as well as premium lifestyle privileges, amongst others.
Emirates currently operates three daily flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Dubai. With an extensive global network connecting over 158 destinations in 85 countries and territories through its Dubai hub.
A campaigner who tackles youth suicide in South Korea, two journalists, and a human rights activist were named among the winners of Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
Kim Jong-ki, whose 16-year-old son took his life after being bullied in school, received the 2019 award for helping South Korea face one of the developed world’s highest suicide rates.
Kim, 72, was recognised for “his quiet courage in transforming private grief into a mission to protect Korea’s youth from the scourge of bullying and violence”, the Manila-based award foundation said in a statement.
Over 24 years, Kim’s Foundation for Preventing Youth Violence has carried out wide-ranging anti-bullying campaigns, run a hotline that now takes up to 50 calls a day, introduced counselling and mediation, and lobbied the government for new policy and laws.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death among teenagers in South Korea as recently as 2005, with school bullying directly related to more than half of the cases, the award foundation added.
Journalists Ravish Kumar of India and Ko Swe Win o Myanmar were also winners of this year’s award, along with Thai human rights campaigner Angkhana Neelapaijit, and Filipino composer Raymundo Cayabyab.
Neelapaijit, 63, is the widow of a prominent human rights lawyer who was abducted and later murdered after publicly accusing the military of torturing detainees in the troubled Muslim region of southern Thailand.
The former housewife took up her late husband’s cause and established the Justice for Peace Foundation to document the situation in the area, provide legal aid to victims, and put pressure on the government to act on human rights cases.
Neelapaijit, who later served as commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, was cited for “her systematic, unflagging work to reform a flawed and unfair legal system”.
Ko Swe Win, 41, is the editor of the Myanmar Now, an independent online news service known for its well-researched, in-depth articles on the country’s under-reported human rights and social justice issues, the award foundation said.
“The effort to build a strong, independent and socially responsible press has to contend with draconian laws, rabid intolerance, repression and persecution,” it added.
The editor spent seven years in prison as a young man, where he endured torture and starvation for taking part in student protests against the ruling military junta.
India’s Ravish Kumar, 47, is the host of NDTV India’s “Prime Time” programme that sheds light on Indian society’s under-reported problems and who has endured harassment and threats for calling the country’s highest officials to account.
Cayabyab, 65, was recognised for “his compositions and performances that have defined and inspired Filipino popular music across generations”.
The annual award, widely considered Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, is named for the Filipino president who died in a 1957 plane crash. This year’s winners will receive a cash prize and a medallion at a Manila ceremony on September 9.
According to the Accenture (NYSE: ACN) Wise Pivot C-level survey, 80 percent of Malaysian companies use innovation strategically to unlock value in new business opportunities, without leveraging those innovations to revitalise their core business.
Currently, just 20 percent of companies surveyed manage change as a perpetual journey involving planned transformational programmes. It is a matter of urgency as Malaysian companies are at a critical tipping point, with disruptive forces stalling or slowing growth in the core businesses.
Corporate leaders struggle to find the right balance between focusing on the core and expanding into the new despite knowing they must harness the opportunities that accompany disruption.
Accenture pioneered the Wise Pivot as a strategy for the digital age that can help companies pursue new growth opportunities without abandoning their core business.
Wisely pivot investments to balance new and core businesses
Accenture’s survey shows that Malaysian companies do not have sufficient investment capacity to scale new businesses.
While it is encouraging to see some companies in Malaysia proactively exploring new business opportunities, they shouldn’t neglect their core. All respondents in the Accenture survey reported that their core business continues to contribute to more than 50 percent of revenues today.
This dependency on the core is not set to change drastically as only 13 percent of executives expect to generate more than 50 percent of revenue from new businesses three years from now. The majority (86 percent) still anticipate core businesses to contribute more than half of revenues in that time.
Transforming core business to fuel pivot to the new
“Legacy businesses are often attached to capital intensive infrastructures, contractual agreements, outdated technology and an attachment to existing products and services,” said Ridhuan Sidek, Managing Director, communications, media and technology, Accenture.
“To make the Wise Pivot, they need to prioritise innovation to transform the core business that will then free up investment capacity for other change activities.”
Transforming the core involves driving greater efficiencies and positioning the business for growth. This could include moving technology infrastructure to the cloud, divesting certain business lines or even increasing workforce efficiency through digital adoption. Executives in Malaysia need to increase priority for these activities as less than a third surveyed see these as very important.
Apply innovation perpetually and pervasively
The majority of businesses are still tackling disruption with periodic, reactive and typically rapid responses, often leading to short term, incremental changes. To ride the waves into the new, a change approach requires perpetual transformation, with innovation applied pervasively throughout the organisation. This is an approach that is less about fighting the tide, but rather, surfing the waves of disruption.
Getting to Malaysia Reimagined Now
Companies can forge a path for the nation’s transformation by making the wise pivot within their organisations. To create that reimagined nation, organisations should focus on these 6 key areas:
Be hyper relevant for the customer
Reimagine work and transform the workforce
Create a new culture of innovation
Drive cost efficiency
Deploy strategic technologies that will leapfrog our capabilities
Drive innovation agenda throughout the organisation
Summarising the importance of changes in these core areas, Azwan Baharuddin, country Managing Director, Accenture Malaysia, said, “Malaysia has the opportunity to leapfrog into the future but it will take courage to navigate the seas of change, to rethink how we do business, work, live and play. It will require wisdom for our corporate leaders to strike a balance between transforming and growing their core and scaling into the new while ensuring that the unlocked value benefits not just their organisation, but goes towards building a Malaysia Reimagined, Now.”
Kaspersky researchers have discovered 430,000 users faced malware aimed at stealing finances, cryptocurrencies and web-money services in the first half of 2019 which is seven percent more than in the same period last year.
Over a third (30.9 percent) of those affected are corporate users with the double the figure discovered in the first half of 2018 (15.3 percent).
Financial malware, commonly identified as banking Trojans, aims at stealing finances and financial data, as well as providing threat actors with access to users’ and financial organisations’ assets and machines. Its extremely dangerous, especially when it comes to corporate environments – since most corporate networks usually rely on connected devices, and if one is compromised then the whole entity may be under threat.
Such threats have always occupied a significant part of a threat landscape, as finance is the most common motivation for cybercriminals and fraudsters.
Typical attack vectors for malware are spam emails and phishing web pages. The latter usually appear to be legitimate websites, yet in fact are created by threat actors in an attempt to steal credentials, bank card details or other types of sensitive information.
During the first half of 2019, Kaspersky researchers have detected more than 339,000 phishing attacks from web pages disguised as landing pages of large banks.
“We expect to see a rise in the number of attacked users in the second half of 2019. Usually, we see a rise in malicious activity after the holiday season, when people are using their devices less than usual and therefore are less likely to fall a victim to threat actors. We urge everyone to be extra careful with all banking and finance-related operations that they perform online and remain vigilant,” said Oleg Kupreev, security researcher at Kaspersky.
To protect your business from financial malware, Kaspersky security specialists advise:
Introducing cybersecurity awareness training for your employees, particularly those who are responsible for accounting, to teach them how to distinguish phishing attacks: do not open attachments or click on links from unknown or suspicious adresses
Installing the latest updates and patches for all of the software you use
Forbidding the installation of programs from unknown sources
For endpoint level detection, investigation and timely remediation of incidents, implement EDR solutions such as Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response. It can catch even unknown banking malware
Integrating Threat Intelligence into your SIEM and security controls in order to access the most relevant and up-to-date threat data
Kaspersky recommends private users:
Always install security updates as soon as possible
Do not install software from unknown sources. In the case of mobile platforms – turn this option off in the settings menu
