Coronavirus Outbreak: Producers Assure Enough Supply Of Gloves

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January 25, 2020

Denis Low the President of the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA), in a press statement recently has allayed the fear that there may be shortage of medical gloves in the face of the onslaught of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China.

Low has assured that MARGMA members were prepared to gear up glove production
to meet the requirements if the virus outbreak becomes pandemic.

“While we may be having a shortage of workers and the fact that we cannot have more
overtime, the industry will then have to tweak the production lines to run at optimum levels, to churn out the medical gloves to supply to the world.

“Already, there are serious ongoing procurement of gloves, from the affected areas and if it becomes pandemic, the demand can be astronomical. Taking a lesson from the H1N1 virus and the notion that the coronavirus can be much more worse than H1N1, the Rubber Glove Industry will certainly ramp up production to meet the demand; purely from a humanitarian stance,” he said.

“During the period of H1N1, medical glove consumption grew by 17 percent. Our members are noble and will surely provide the necessary humanitarian services to the healthcare sectors. We hope and pray, that the virus can be contained and will not spread as quickly as the H1N1. However, if the situation warrants it, we will be ready and will be able to provide enough medical gloves to the world.”

Commenting on the market situation and trends for 2020 and beyond in the continents, Low commented that the industry was expecting an inevitable rise in cost relating to wages, utilities, packaging and the extra cost incurred in ensuring a conducive working environment for all our workers.

OPR Cut A Boon For Property Sector?

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January 25, 2020

While Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM’s) revision of the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) to 2.75%, is primarily a move to maintain economic growth amid a moderate domestic and global outlook, it also serves as a stimulus for the nation’s property market, PropertyGuru Malaysia said in a statement.

“While changes to the OPR have minimal impact upon home loan rates, with a cut of 25 basis points translating to a fractional reduction in loan installments, it is still a silver lining for industry players largely overlooked by Budget 2020,” says Sheldon Fernandez, Country Manager, PropertyGuru Malaysia.

“However, the timing of the revision comes as a surprise, with many analysts having anticipated a steady OPR of 3% through January, with some projections extending this to mid-year. It is, nevertheless, a boon for Malaysian home seekers stricken by housing affordability, availability and financing challenges, as a step towards a more conducive lending environment.”

Potential upswing in consumer sentiment

As the prevailing rate at which banks borrow funds to finance loans, a reduction in the OPR will reduce interest rates applied to consumers for home loans and other financial instruments. This in turn leads to cheaper loans, with a 13% increase in loan approvals reported following a similar OPR cut to 3% in May 2019.

“The new OPR rate of 2.75% may lead to an upswing in purchaser sentiment as home seekers leverage on lower interest rates, with renewed interest in home ownership in the first quarter. As such, it is an opportune time to review the state of property and affordable housing in the market,” says Fernandez.

Bank Negara’s move is set against a backdrop of overpriced properties, prevalent loan rejections and a resulting residential overhang in the property segment, dashing the home ownership aspirations of younger home seekers in the country and placing a national emphasis on affordable housing efforts.

The residential overhang stood at 31,092 units as of Q3 2019 according to the National Property InformationCentre (Napic), representing the number of units remaining unsold nine months after launch, as defined by the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH).

Pricing and affordability concerns are generally cited as factors behind the slow uptake of these units. Despite calls for more affordable housing, many home seekers have not applied for – or may not even be aware of – the numerous housing schemes and financing initiatives designed to help these demographics purchase homes, according to PropertyGuru Malaysia’s most recent Consumer Sentiment Survey.

“By our findings, 63% of Malaysians feel that the government is not doing enough to make housing affordable. However, 30% also share that they have yet to apply for affordable housing schemes, and 3% even reported that they did not know such schemes existed,” says Fernandez.

“This shows that there’s room to improve in terms of awareness of affordable housing schemes in the country. In line with our commitment to being the property adviser of choice for Malaysia, particularly with the potential increase in sentiment following BNM’s OPR cut, we’ve reviewed existing schemes to help B40 and M40 purchasers
in owning their own homes.”

Current housing schemes available include Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA), Rumah Selangorku, Residensi Wilayah (formerly RumaWIP), Skim Rumah Pertamaku and Program Perumahan Awam 1 Malaysia (PPA1M). In addition to these, initiatives such as Bank Simpanan Nasional’s Youth Housing Scheme, Bank Negara Malaysia’s
Fund for Affordable Homes and various rent-to-own (RTO) programmes have been launched to assist Malaysians in financing their home purchases.

However, uptake of these programmes leaves room to be desired. According to the PropertyGuru Consumer Sentiment Survey data, only 19% of respondents have applied for purchases under PR1MA. Other schemes fared even worse, with 9% applying to Rumah Selangorku, 7% to Residensi Wilayah, 6% to Skim Rumah Pertamaku and
just 5% to PPA1M.

“Part of the problem is financial eligibility criteria. Each housing scheme may have different requirements, in terms of income as well as other factors. This can lead to confusion among home buyers as to which programmes they qualify for,” says Sheldon.

A question of financing

Some quarters have raised concerns that such housing and financing schemes may have unanticipated repercussions as well, with younger property purchasers committing themselves to lifelong financial commitments they are ill-equipped to handle. This is echoed by independent studies which have found that RTO schemes can
cost more in the long-run than conventional financing platforms.

“While this research needs to be taken into consideration, RTO programmes are still viable solutions for those who struggle with the upfront costs of home ownership,” says Ferndandez.

“In the end, no amount of income is sufficient to service monthly home loan commitments if spending is not managed carefully. This is why we applaud the move BNM has taken for its Fund for Affordable Homes, by making Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) financial education modules mandatory for those seeking financial assistance.”

The Fund for Affordable Homes is available until January 2021, or until its RM1 billion allocation is fully utilised. This programme has seen positive uptake, receiving over 3,100 applications for funds totalling RM596 million as of November 2019.

For home seekers who opt for conventional home loans, a variety of financial eligibility tools such as PropertyGuru Loan Pre-Approval https://www.propertyguru.com.my/ preapproval) are available for Malaysians to check their pre-approved loan amounts ahead of time, allowing them to avoid the financial black marks associated with home
loan rejections.

WEF, MDEC Collaborate On Drone Tech

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January 24, 2020

Forum & MDEC collaboration pic — Justin Wood, Head of Asia Pacific, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum, Surina Shukri, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Timothy Reuter, Head of Aerospace and Drones, World Economic Forum, during the Collaboration Agreement between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and World Economic Forum session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 20 January. Congress Centre – Zentrum Haus. Copyright by World Economic Forum/Sandra Blaser

The World Economic Forum and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) today announced a collaboration to co-design and pilot policy principles and regulatory frameworks to accelerate the societal benefits and mitigate risks from Drone Technology. MDEC will work specifically with the Forums’ Aerospace and Drones portfolio to realise the objectives of this collaboration.
This partnership follows MDEC’s recent 30th Implementation Council Meeting
(ICM)that was chaired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
on the 16th of October 2019, which endorsed MDEC’s proposal to launch its
Global Testbed Initiative (GTI) with DroneTech as a pilot.

According to the Drone Service Market report, the global drone services
market is expected to reach USD 63.6 bil by 2025 with the Asia Pacific region
projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the period. Locally, Malaysia’s
home-grown ecosystem players have been growing at an equally rapid pace.
Aerodyne Group, for example, was ranked third globally in a report by Drone
Industry Insights in 2019. Aerodyne and other Malaysian home-grown
companies such as Poladrone, OFO Tech, Geo Sense and Asia Drone IoT Technologies are at the forefront of the regional and global race for drone- powered solutions.

The DroneTech Global Testbed project is aimed at bringing together key industry partners, government agencies, regulators, academia and investors to demonstrate how technology can drive adoption across various industries given a conducive environment for it to operate in. MDEC, as the lead agency, intends to collaborate with the World Economic Forum to leverage on its frameworks and case studies particularly relating the policy development that supports the DroneTech Global Testbed pilot implementation on drone delivery. The success of this pilot would enable Malaysia to accelerate technology adoption, in particular emerging technologies.

According to the World Economic Forum, drones already have the ability to increase crop yields, make dangerous jobs safe and act as a lifeline for remote populations. Laying the right policy foundation and platforms for industry cooperation, both through smart government regulation and industry-driven standards, will accelerate the adoption of new use cases and business models once the enabling technology and infrastructure are mature. Longer-term, autonomously piloted systems have the potential to revolutionize how people and goods are transported.

In Malaysia’s agriculture sector, for example, application of agriculture technology (also referred to as Ag-Tech) combined with DroneTech can be seen in oil palm plantations and paddy fields. Combined and applied, they help tech-driven planters and farmers monitor and enhance crop productivity as well as generate a more sustainable and viable source of income.

Accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in traditional industries such as agriculture is aligned to Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to uplift the income status as well as the well-being of target groups such as farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen and agro-based entrepreneurs.

“Countries that don’t move fast enough to responsibly enable emerging technologies will find themselves at a disadvantage economically. We are excited to partner with MDEC and other key stakeholders in Malaysia to co-design and pilot policy principles associated with drones,” said Timothy Reuter, Head of Aerospace and Drones at the World Economic Forum.

“The focus of MDEC’s engagement with the World Economic Forum will be working with Malaysian authorities to develop a policy framework that allows for drone delivery and a potential launch of the first drone delivery service in Southeast Asia. The goal is to create a regulation that can serve as a model for the region and beyond. This partnership firmly establishes Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN,” said Surina Shukri, Chief Executive Officer of MDEC.

RHB Lowers Base Rate and Base Lending Rates

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January 24, 2020

RHB Banking Group has revised its Base Rate (BR) and Base Lending Rate (BLR)
downwards by 25 basis points effective 29 Jan 2020, in line with the reduction in the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by Bank Negara Malaysia.

RHB Bank Berhad (“RHB Bank”), RHB Islamic Bank Berhad and RHB Investment Bank Berhad will reduce its BR from 3.75 percent to 3.50 percent per annum, and will also revise the BLR from 6.70 percent to 6.45 percent per annum.

In line with the revision, RHB Bank’s fixed deposit rates will also be revised downwards by 25 basis points effective 29 Jan 2020.

On Wednesday, Bank Negara Malaysia reduced the OPR by 25 basis points to 2.75 percent from 3.00 percent.

Pizza Acrobatics At Shangri-La

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January 23, 2020

Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is proud to welcome Chef Pasqualino Barbasso, the two-time World Acrobatic Pizza Champion to showcase his amazing art of delicious pizzas for the first time in Malaysia! Witness this extraordinary Italian experience as he spins, twirls, juggles and twists his dough to perfection at Lemon Garden, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur from 13th to 21st March 2020.

Born to a Sicilian family with great pizza making skills, Chef Pasqualino started his career as a pizzaiolo (definition: a person who makes pizzas in a pizzeria) at 17 years old in his family’s pizzeria, Il Falco Azzurro in Cammarata. From there, he went on to harness his skills as a pizza maker whilst entertaining people, where he believes that the union of food and entertainment is the best combination there is. Twice crowned as the World Acrobatic Pizza Champion in 2001 and 2002, he is now known as a pioneer in the niche industry and even holds a position as a CEO of a pizza school in his homeland – where he makes it his duty to promote traditional Italian food and the art of pizza.

His skills and love for Italian food has brought him to all corners of the world and now for the first time ever, he will be in Kuala Lumpur – on a mission to leave us all in awe. Chef Pasqualino’s signature pizza promotion will be available during Lunch and Dinner Buffet at Lemon Garden, Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on the 13th to 21st March 2020.

For reservations purposes, call Restaurant Reservations at 03-2074 3900 or email to
[email protected]

Malaysia Focus Of ‘Australia Now’

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January 23, 2020

BY SHARON CHANG

With the bilateral relationship being in such good shape, and Malaysia hosting APEC and conducting “Visit Malaysia 2020”, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, recently announced she has chosen Malaysia to be the focus country for the Australian Government’s annual major public diplomacy programme, ‘Australia now’.

Hence, Australia will be working with partners and sponsors in coming months to develop some exciting events and activities for their ‘Australia now’ programme, and looking forward to connecting with many old and new Malaysian friends alike throughout the year, in such areas as culture and arts, STEM, business and commercial ties, food, media, gender issues, and beyond.

Business Today talks to Michael Growder, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia.

Q. What is the state of Australia’s and Malaysia’s bilateral relations?
A. The relationship between Australia and Malaysia has never been better. Educational
relationships, migration, tourism, business and trade are areas which have been underpinning the relationship for a long time.
Q. We had a change of government in 2018, are there more opportunities as compared to the previous administration?
A. Ever since May 2018, with the new government coalition – Pakatan Harapan – the relationship has provided more interesting opportunities to work together as we realised that Australia and Malaysia have many similarities.

Q. What kind of model can the Pakatan Harapan government leverage on?
A. When a reforming government like Pakatan Harapan comes into power with a big agenda, we come forward and ask how we can be useful. We want to contribute so that Malaysia can leverage on our model of electoral and judicial reform, economic policy, education to name a few.
In May 2019, Australia increased its contribution to the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) electoral reform assistance project in Malaysia from RM1.8mil to RM3mil. The UNDP is working with the Malaysian Election Commission on electoral system reforms in the country.
And, also, in September 2018, the Australian Parliament welcomed a delegation from the Dewan Rakyat – lower house of the Malaysian Parliament. It was the first parliamentary delegation to visit Australia since the new government was elected in May 2018.
This programme focuses on learning about Australia’s parliamentary processes, procedures and institutions. The delegates attended presentations given by officials of the Parliament and also met with officials from the Australian Electoral Commission, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority and the Department of Finance.
The delegation consisted of senior members of parliament as well as parliamentary officials and was led by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Dato’ Mohamad Ariff bin Md Yusof MP.
Though the connection between the two nations are already strong and well established, the visit substantiates the positive and productive relationship between Malaysia and Australia for the benefit of both countries and the wider region.
Q. You mentioned that the bilateral relationship is good, but how is it in terms of diplomatic representation?
A. Each change of government, there will be a change of agenda but the foreign policy which reflects national interest does not change. There is still a real interest in partners like Malaysia.
The oldest Australian government partner agency here [at the High Commission] is the Australian Federal Police (AFP), since 1973 – one of the AFP’s oldest overseas posts – this shows that the police relationship is good. And, the youngest agency is the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) which is also called AUSTRAC – our first posted officer in a diplomatic mission in the world.

AUSTRAC is part of the Home Affairs portfolio, reporting to the Hon. Peter Dutton MP, minister for Home Affairs, which works together with Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and other FIUs around the world.
We have got agriculture and education counsellors here too. These are not principally internationally focused agencies in Australia, with only about a dozen people posted around the world. But Malaysia is one of the countries we have picked, which just says how important our relationship is with Malaysia. It’s the breadth of the relationship.

Q. Australia is part of the Five Power Defence Arrangement. How is it relevant today and has the cooperation diminish?
A. The Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) is a non-binding defence pact between UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore, setup in 1971, to consult each other if the defence of Singapore or Malaysia is threatened.
Though the regional geopolitics and defence forces of each member has shifted compared to 1971, it still helps to deliver the national interest of all the countries involved. It’s in Malaysia’s interest to have good friends working together, and vice versa.
Australia gets a lot out of the FPDA in terms of bilateral and, also multilateral benefits.We have kept it relevant and contemporary by ensuring the threats and risks we faced in the region are addressed.
In the last 15 to 20 years, we have had catastrophic damages attributed to typhoons and tsunamis, thus, we need to train together to be efficient and effective as possible, for example the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). It is the same when it comes to terrorism and maritime security.
Each member has differing defence priorities and outlook. In 1992, Australia and Malaysia agreed on a bilateral defence cooperation programme, named Malaysia Australia Joint Defence Programme (MAJDP), underpinned by the relationship built in FPDA. There are a dozen Malaysians posted in Australia and Australians posted here for training roles such as in infantry, air warfare. We have so much to learn from one another and it shows a measure of deep trust.

Recently, Australia sent a submarine visit to Sabah – a first submarine visit – which shows the relationship and defence trust is extraordinary.

Q. Can you share how Malaysia and Australia trade balance. What is the primary reason for Malaysia’s trade deficit? And how can it be narrowed?
A. The trade balance between two countries is largely reflective of the relative strength of each economy’s particular products. Currently, Malaysia imports coal, wheat, milk,
beef and education services from Australia, whereas Australia imports tourism services, palm oil, tin, rubber and, oil and gas from Malaysia.
When a country wants to build solid trade or investment flows, the proposal needs to be commercially attractive and competitive, that is how to increase exports. Matrade and Austrade can always cooperate to promote smaller businesses which do not have the resources.
Q. Currently, there are four campuses in Malaysia, are there any plans to increase the number of campuses or partnerships in future?
A. There are three branch campuses (Monash, Swinburne and Curtin) and one joint venture with KDU (University of Wollongong) in Malaysia Education is a social and business issue. There is no government involvement and regulatory oversight on the recently opened University of Wollongong. It’s entirely the university’s decision.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir commented that Australia has brought education to Malaysia for Malaysian students who cannot afford to go offshore can now do their quality courses here University students around the world want quality education, and with our experience in international education, the twinning programmes are a good way for Malaysia to expand that, it’s a great combination.
Q. This year is Visit Malaysia 2020, how can we attract more Australian tourists into Malaysia?
A. Tourism is a big industry. Malaysia is a beautiful country with so much potential. The Malaysian tourism authority needs to promote its local destinations. Places like Sabah and Sarawak have so much beauty, which will attract people and set Malaysia apart from places like Thailand, Singapore or Indonesia.

Business Travel: Could Be Better

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Business Today Editorial

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January 23, 2020

Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director for SAP Concur Southeast Asia, believes that business travel is an unspoken source of employee frustration and a highly-stressful affair for fledgling businesses. Her statement comes following the publication of an SAP Concur survey which reveals key challenges that employees face when they travel for work.

“Despite technology being such an integral part of our day-to-day lives – the thing that you can’t live without now is your mobile phone – and yet we find out that 77% of Singaporean business travellers are saying that their businesses are lagging behind. They’re doing so much on their phones in their personal lives, and yet they can’t do it for business travel at work. And yet they’re asked to travel more and more, because the ‘handshake’ – the face-to-face interaction – really seals the deal and makes the difference,” she explains in a recent interview with MoneyFM.

Houldsworth, who resides in Singapore, says that it is not so surprising that Singaporeans are the most risk-adverse travellers globally.

“More than 38% of business travellers in Singapore say that it’s the first thing that they think about; they’re making it No. 1 in their list of top priorities – unlike their Japanese counterparts, for instance, who put the company first vs. potentially their own safety. We’re coming from a very safe place and heading into possibly multiple unknown locations for the first time.”

Houldsworth notes that safety is an all-encompassing issue. “It’s everything you would consider when travelling for pleasure, usually with people, but when you’re on business, you’re usually by yourself. When you take a business trip, you’re possibly arriving very late at night, it can be anything from what do you do when you land in a brand-new airport to – even when you’re regularly going there – which taxi and/or train do you take, it can be what hotel you should stay in – some companies even have regulations on which floors you should stay in,” she adds.

According to her, what stresses business travellers are the two issues of where to go for information and how to make the business booking.

“If I’m going for my leisure, I typically go to my phone, I go to SingaporeAirlines.com, AirBnB, and I’ve got it done, probably on my way home. But when it comes to business travel, it becomes much more complicated, multiple systems are usually being used, maybe I have to put in a request to my boss in one system, I have to go to multiple different sources for my air, my hotel, and what do I do about my land transport? So it’s the stress of trying to find and locate information in one single source. Employers really should be looking at combining that into one place, making it simpler and more user-friendly, and giving the employees the ‘leisure experience’ that they’re looking for.”

Houldsworth also notes that a very much understated issue that of reimbursement – or rather, the lack thereof.

“Employees are bearing the cost of helping their companies grow when they’re travelling. You may think that you end up losing S$100-200 in a year; no, over S$1300 per employee per year is being lost. They’re just not being reimbursed because it’s too complicated or too hard or takes too long. In fact, 1 in 5 said they would rather have a cavity filled in their teeth then do their expense reports.

“Companies may be thinking, ‘well, better for us rather than make it too easy, because cost is reduced’, but ultimately it ends up in reputational risk, not being able to hire the right people, and workforce attrition, so it’s something that companies need to take very seriously.

Houldsworth believes that employees want to do the right thing by the company, so they tend to be looking for the most cost-effective solution, while still making sure that they get what they need from a safety aspect.

“So there’s a fine balance that companies need to think about – traveller satisfaction vs. policy guidance to make sure that costs are controlled. We see that 3 out of 4 travellers would like to be able to go online; would like to have the same experience and something in their hands that they can do, but also use that same capability to help them while they’re on the trip, so not have information in sporadic places.”

She notes that she is a frequent traveller herself. “Most weeks I’m on the road, and I’m definitely a minority travelling around Asia. I’m fortunate to have SAP Concur as my employer, we have an app that provides me the ability to get my pre-trip approval, make my booking, and do my expenses, but also have my safety in my hands.

“I use the TripIt app, which means I can have my itinerary in one place, I will get real-time alerts which will say ‘here, you’re landing in this city, take this taxi company’ or ‘avoid this’ or ‘take this train’, so I have the backing and the support to deal with harassment and discrimination when I need it, and I know where to go, and I think that’s something that enabled me to forge ahead with regular business travel.”

According to Houldsworth, companies really need to re-evaluate their existing travel policies and processes, and leverage technology to make business trips less painful, so that they make it more of the sort of seamless experience that tech-savvy travellers are expecting. “Prioritise safety; companies have a duty of care and an obligation and they need to make sure that they’re using the technology that enables their travellers to feel secure on the road, empower them to make the right decisions, select the right sources, and be safe wherever they’re going.”

SAP Concur is the world’s leading brand for travel, expense, and invoice management solutions. The SAP Concur survey involved 7,850 respondents across 19 global markets.

SESB embarking on digital transformation journey, paving way to become world class utility

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Business Today Editorial

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January 23, 2020

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has embarked on a digital transformation programme to realise greater operational efficiencies and further uplift customer satisfaction levels with an aim of becoming a world-class utility.

Its chief information officer Ismail Chekima said that SESB is currently working with world-renowned enterprise solutions provider SAP to establish itself as a leading energy enterprise, while also recognising the need to develop world-class data-management and business intelligence capabilities to accurately forecast energy demands and optimise operations.

“SESB continues to apply innovative approaches to technology to support the growing demand for electricity and is fully committed to serving customers in the best possible manner in line with our tagline of ‘Your Light, Our Pride’,” said Ismail.

As a result, SESB has already upgraded to the SAP HANA platform to gain ‘live’ intelligence which helps the company to modernise for agility and scale cost-effectively.

Its adoption of the SAP Business Suite means that SESB is now able to run core business operations more efficiently with end-to-end process support for areas such as customer engagement, finance, human resources, project management, utility billing, preventive/predictive maintenance, corrective maintenance procurement, logistics and IT.

“The SAP Business Suite not only combines transactions and analytics on a single in-memory platform but has helped SESB completely redefine the concept of real time,” said Ismail, adding that it has enabled business processes be re-thought. “It has also driven real-time business transformation while generating value for business and IT.”

According to SAP managing director Hong Kok Cheong, the HANA platform enables SESB to harness the power of its data while accelerating trusted outcome-driven innovation through intelligent and live solutions for real-time decisions and actions on a single data copy.

“With SAP HANA, SESB is also able to support next-generation transactional and analytical processing with a broad set of advanced analytics,” added Hong.

“SESB is also SAP’s first customer in Malaysia to run the full SAP HANA suite for utilities and it is pleasing to see them reap significant technical and business benefits.”

“Today, digital is transforming the way power and utilities companies create value, serve customers, manage costs, optimise processes, and capture new market opportunities,” said Ismail.

In forthcoming months, SESB will also be rolling out mobile applications for its field force and customers.

“Our field force would thus be able to gauge any situation in ‘real time’ and with greater responsiveness,” said Ismail.

“Meanwhile, our valued customers stand to also benefit from the mobile applications. They could apply for electricity via their mobile application, and also check and pay their bills through their mobile phones,” added Ismail.

Through this digital transformation programme, SESB is also able to develop new and more accurate electricity power generation forecast models.

“SESB is now able to take advantage of big data mining and additional forecasting capabilities. These capabilities make it possible for us to pursue our transformation agenda with greater purpose, speed and confidence.”

Getting Acquainted With Malaysia’s Cultures At KL Sentral

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BusinessToday

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January 22, 2020

Express Rail Link (ERL) is taking several initiatives to support the government in achieving the targets of 30 million tourist arrivals and RM100 billion in tourist receipts this year in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2020.

Among the initiatives, is colourful and entertaining cultural performances for tourists and locals at KL Sentral Station which kicked off on Friday, 17th January.

Dancers from the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) performed popular
traditional dances such as Zapin, Joget, Classical Indian Dance, Chinese Fan Dance, Ngajat and Sumazau at the launch of Visit Malaysia 2020 Happenings @ KL Sentral which was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, YB Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.

The initiative is a collaboration between ERL and JKKN, and supported by Tourism
Malaysia to showcase Malaysia’s diverse cultures to visitors arriving at KL Sentral.

There will be a cultural performance twice a month (except in May and August) at the KLIA Ekspres Arrival Hall, starting 17 th January 2020.

Besides the cultural performances, ERL is also organising a Monthly KLIA Ekspres Ride & Win Campaign starting February 1, 2020 in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia and with the support of tourism partners for prize sponsorships to spice up the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign and create more excitement for inbound visitors.

This new campaign is open to all KLIA Ekspres customers who buy train tickets during the campaign period and enrol online to win monthly grand prize sponsored by the tourism partners.

Noormah Mohd Noor, Chief Executive of ERL said: “ERL will play our part to promote Malaysia as a preferred destination, and work together with Tourism Malaysia, hotels, travel agents and other partners to support the Visit Malaysia 2020 Campaign. We will continue to provide special promotions such as the Family Package and Group Saver as well as enhance our transport packages for tourists such as KL TravelPass and Discover Kuala Lumpur to better meet the tourist needs.”

“When tourists fly into Kuala Lumpur, one of their first Malaysian experiences will be on
board our train as they make their way into the city. With our impeccable 99.7 percent on-time performance and safety record, we aim to provide a great first impression to these visitors,” she said.

The free cultural performance will be held on the following Friday dates in 2020:

For more information on the Happenings @ KL Sentral and KLIA Ekspres Ride & Win
Campaign, visit www.KLIAekspres.com.

Weak Growth Prospect For East And South Asia

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BusinessToday

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January 22, 2020

Given persistently high trade tensions and policy uncertainty, the growth outlook of East and South Asia has weakened, according to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2020, which was launched today in Bangkok.

The Report states that the global economy suffered its lowest growth in a decade, slipping to 2.3 percent in 2019. The world, however, could see a slight uptick in economic activity in 2020 if risks are kept at bay.

While global growth of 2.5 percent in 2020 is possible, the Report cautions that a flareup of trade tensions, financial turmoil, or an escalation of geopolitical tensions could derail a recovery. In a downside scenario, global growth would slow to just 1.8 percent this year. A prolonged weakness in global economic activity may cause significant setbacks for sustainable development, including the goals to eradicate poverty and create decent jobs for all. At the same time, pervasive inequalities and the deepening climate crisis are fuelling growing discontent in many parts of the world.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “These risks could inflict severe and long-lasting damage on development prospects. They also threaten to encourage a further rise in inward-looking policies, at a point when global cooperation is paramount.”

Growth prospects in East and South Asia

In 2019, GDP growth in East Asia slowed considerably to 5.2 percent from 5.7 percent the previous year, as high trade tensions and policy uncertainty weighed on exports and domestic demand. Looking ahead, the region is projected to sustain a more moderate growth pace of 5.2 percent in 2020 and 2021. As business sentiments remain subdued, a strong revival of private investment appears unlikely. Nevertheless, the easing of monetary and fiscal policies across many economies in the region is likely to support growth.

In China, GDP growth is projected to moderate from 6.1 percent in 2019 to 6.0 percent in 2020. The implementation of policy stimulus measures will partially offset the adverse effects of the trade dispute on the economy. However, some of these measures may exacerbate domestic financial vulnerabilities, leading to higher financial stability risks.

Despite a weaker exports outlook, the growth prospects of several other large East Asian economies, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand remains favourable, underpinned by resilient domestic demand. Private consumption will be supported by healthy labour market conditions and policy measures to boost household disposable income. In most of these countries, public investment growth is expected to strengthen, driven by the implementation of large infrastructure projects.

Economic growth in South Asia is forecast to recover to 5.1 percent in 2020, after falling to a decade-low of 3.3 percent in 2019, but it will remain well below the rates seen in the recent past. The region struggled in 2019 with a combination of external headwinds, notably the global economic slowdown and falling trade, and country-specific internal challenges. As the effects of one-off shocks wane and governments respond with vigorous fiscal expansion, economic activity will rebound in most of the countries.

Following weaker growth of 5.7 percent in 2019, economic growth in India is expected to recover to 6.6 percent in 2020, supported by fiscal stimulus and financial sector reforms. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the economic contraction is expected to be milder, but it will likely take several more years for economic growth to return. In Pakistan, the economy is expected to recover slightly from 2021 onward, amid the implementation of government reforms.

Risks and policy challenges

In East Asia, continued high uncertainty surrounding global trade policies would not only prolong the weakness in exports, but could also generate significant spillovers to the domestic economy. In South Asia, the region remains highly exposed to external shocks, notably trade shocks and climate change, due to insufficiently climate-resilient infrastructures and a lack of productive economic diversification in most economies.

Is RM4 Million Enough For Retirement

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January 21, 2020

According to Standard Chartered’s new Wealth Expectancy Report 2019, people’s aspirations outstrip their ‘wealth expectancy’, or their total net wealth at age 60. This report is based on the saving and investment habits of 10,000 emerging affluent, affluent and highnet-worth individuals (HNWIs) across 10 fast-growing economies.

Savers in Malaysia have one of the smallest wealth expectancy gaps amongst the markets surveyed. By the time they are 60 years old, 64 percent of Malaysians will be more than halfway to achieving their wealth aspiration as compared to a global trend where nearly six out of 10 people on average across the markets faces a ‘wealth expectancy gap’ of 50 percent or more.

In Malaysia, transfer of wealth to the next generation is a key area of focus.

Around 89 percent of the emerging affluent and 87 percent of the affluent say wealth transfer is their top priority, with more than 57 percent of the emerging affluent worries that their children will not know how to manage the wealth they inherit.

Malaysia’s wealth expectancy
The average wealth expectancy of Malaysians with enough disposable income to save and invest is RM4 million, or RM1,324,000 for the emerging affluent, RM1,740,000 for the affluent and RM9,348,000 for HNWIs.

On average, Malaysians has RM17,800 per month to live on during retirement, which is slightly less than both their current income and their wealth aspiration. If they were to spend at the average monthly rate to which they aspire, their wealth expectancy would last the emerging affluent 15 years, the affluent 18 years of retirement, while HNWIs would be able to fund 25 years.

The report also reveals that savers in Malaysia combine simple savings products with property investment to achieve their goals. Seven in 10 use a simple savings account, half an investment property (49 percent) and 42 percent a fixed-term deposit scheme.

What are Malaysians saving for?
Funding their children’s education, investing in property, saving for retirement and establishing or funding their own business are the most common aims for savers in Malaysia.

Lai Pei Si, Head of Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Malaysia said, “Identifying as high net worth or affluent now is not an indicator of being able to achieve your wealth aspiration in future. With 56 per cent of savers in our study looking set to be disappointed with their financial situation when it comes to retirement, the time to take action is now. Financial institutions have an important role to play, starting with an understanding of their clients’ needs, so that they can educate and empower them to manage their wealth in line with their aspirations”.

The Standard Chartered Wealth Expectancy Report 2019 is available to download at: https://www.sc.com/my/stories/wealth-expectancy-report-2019/

SAP’s appointment of KC Hong as MD bodes well for XM

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January 20, 2020

In a recent global statement based on a survey by SAP Qualtrics, some 85 percent of consumers polled rated outstanding customer support as most important when shopping a brand, according to the global pioneer of the experience management (XM) software acquired by SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) last year.

The findings were part of the “SAP Fashion Index,” which asked 5,000 consumers about their perceptions of fashion brands and their overall shopping behavior, according to SAP.

In addition, 81 percent of the survey respondents said they expect brands to go above and beyond when it comes to their offers and promotions. To meet consumer expectations, brands need to analyze customer data to create a balanced strategy for personalizing content experiences with the preferred channels that resonate with each individual consumer.

Acting on key moments can be the key to building a customer base of loyal brand advocates. Many brands are missing this mark, as evidenced by the significant gaps between consumer expectations and experiences. For example:

75 percent of consumers have high expectations for digital shopping experiences, but only 63 percent believe brands are delivering.
73 percent of consumers expect brands to go above and beyond for delivery and pickup, while only 59 percent believe brands are performing.
57 percent of consumers expect reward and loyalty programs as part of the overall experience, and only 47 percent of brands are fulfilling these expectations.

An enhanced XM strategy is needed to close these gaps and meet consumer demands. Winning brands deploy actionable surveys and then activate changes.

“Understanding the consumer’s ideal shopping experience gives brands an advantage in today’s retail landscape,” said Lori Mitchell-Keller, SAP Industries co-president. “As survey respondents indicated, outstanding customer support is a top desire. Retailers should adhere to this demand, offering personalized, in-the-moment experiences to deliver on expectations.”

Here in Malaysia, SAP had also appointed tech veteran Hong Kok Cheong (KC) as its managing director since late last year.

This strategic development bodes well for SAP Malaysia as KC is known within industry as “big advocate for customer satisfaction and superior customer experience”.

KC had also expressed his commitment to helping Malaysian companies of all sizes to “run at their best”.

“SAP’s more than 25-year presence in Malaysia is testament to our commitment in continuing the innovative streak and helping more Malaysian businesses to truly run better and become ‘intelligent enterprises’ to thrive in today’s growing and demanding economy,” he said.

“I am truly inspired to build on this foundation, especially at this time when both public and private sectors in Malaysia are united towards digital transformation of key industry sectors and accelerating technology as pillars of national growth.”

Revolutionising The Energy Industry

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January 20, 2020

When Ko Chuan Zhen, CEO and Co-Founder of Plus Solar, pursued a university education, he took a “safe” career route with a degree in engineering at Malaysia Multimedia University. However, this was far from his interest at that time. Ironically, he discovered his passion by chance, when he had to answer a question in his final year assignment on how to reduce temperature in a carpark. He had to experiment the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels which piqued his interest in PV solar panel engineering.
The 35-year-old entrepreneur tells Business Today his struggles to get businesses to switch to renewable energy and shares insights on the solar PV panel industry.
As Ko needed to develop his knowledge in solar PV engineering further, he pursued an internship in Taiwan. During his flight back to Malaysia after completing his internship, he glanced out of the airplane window and saw ‘naked’ rooftops. It was then the idea of equipping buildings with solar PV panels was born. This led Ko to take-up solar PV engineering as a full-time profession.

After reconnecting with a friend from school and a university mate, in 2012, 28-year-old Ko (then) formed Leaf Energy, the first solar consulting firm in Malaysia to provide consultation on how businesses can reduce their overall operational costs with solar solutions. In 2013, Ko and his fellow co-founders, Ryan Oh Zhi Kang and Poh Tyng Huei, founded Plus Solar, to reshape the way energy is generated and consumed. However, consultancy work was not all they wanted to do.

They wanted to be a total energy solutions company which provides engineering, procurement, construction & commissioning work, hence they established Plus Solar Systems Sdn Bhd a year later.

“The whole journey was not a walk in the park for us. When we started, I installed the solar panels on roofs myself rain or shine, while my friends were in corporate roles. The working environment was not very friendly and there were times when I wondered if I should be sitting comfortably behind the desk like my friends, but I realised that I enjoyed being on site, watching things happen and see how they come together.

“We started with only a desk and a computer and to save money we had RM2.50 vegetarian mixed rice for lunch, plus we didn’t draw salaries for ourselves. We faced collection issues but as long as we could roll, we kept on persevering. These stories remind us of our humble beginnings and keeps us grounded each time we are faced with challenges, Ko recollects.

The phrase ‘no pain, no gain’ aptly describes Ko’s journey, for all the hard times and lessons learned, earned him the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Malaysia award. This coveted award aims to recognise game changers and their contribution in purposeful entrepreneurship which reaffirms that Ko and his team are indeed striving in the right direction.

From left, Plus Solar Systems Sdn Bhd Co Founders: Ryan Oh, Poh Tyng Huei and Ko Chuan Zhen.

Today, Plus Solar delivers quality turnkey solar PV solutions – Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC) for commercial, industrial and large-scale solar farm projects. Its clean energy solutions are integrated with a state-of-the-art technology approach and cost-effective financing options.
To date, Plus Solar has assisted over 700 buildings in making the switch to clean energy which include big names such as IKEA, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sunway Sales Gallery and Secret Recipe, amongst others, with the latest being Toppen Mall in Johor. Plus Solar has also built two solar farms under the LSS2 Program, which was scheduled to be commissioned by end-2019, and is on track.

Ko with Kedah Menteri Besar Dato Seri Mukhriz Mahathir at the Jentayu Solar Plant in Pokok Sena, Kedah.

Adding on, Ko says, “In our first year, we invested RM100,000 in the company and our revenue was RM130,000, but the change of business model in the following year proved to be a good move for us as our revenue grew to RM1.46 million. We then established branches in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. In 2018, our revenue grew to a whopping RM64 million and we opened a branch in Johor.”

Plus Solar reported close to RM100 million in revenue thus far, for the first eight months of the financial year ending March 2020, and foresees its RM150 million revenue target fast becoming a reality. Ko anticipates stronger demand in 2020 compared to the last 10 years bolstered by supportive government policies, improved market awareness, easier access to financing facilities and Plus Solar’s track record which has boosted clients confidence and trust in the company.

Although Plus Solar enjoyed a thriving business, it faced continuous skills challenge.
“This is not unique to the solar sector as there is an imminent talent shortage in the country as we head towards Industry 4.0. Doing our bit in helping the nation to close this skills gap, we have set up an inhouse university to carry out skills and professional training to cultivate talents.”
Plus Uni-Verse was established to foster an innovative and healthy learning environment. This inevitably contributes to the nation’s goals as the right talent is key to fulfill the rising demands.
On the country’s renewable energy direction, Ko says “Malaysia is very fortunate that its ecosystem is fast evolving and becoming more robust with YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTCC) doing a great job for the renewable energy sector, with goals and policies that help drive uptake of solar, as well as more players coming into the industry.
Ko added that business players like himself welcome the Budget 2020’s tax incentives, with the Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA) and Green Income Tax Exemption (GITE) as more businesses will be encouraged to install solar PV panels onto their rooftops.
“The global Solar PV solar panel market is projected to increase to 125GW in 2020, (according to a report by Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables), we are absolutely confident that PV solar panel will continue to see a boom here in Malaysia. With so much support from the government, as well as financial institutions adopting green financing, and the presence of more players in the industry adding to the ecosystem, these are optimum ingredients for an uptake across all sectors,” says a visionary Ko.
When asked to give some advice to budding entrepreneurs, Ko revealed the three guiding Ps that have helped him in his journey – Passion, Persistence and People.
“To be an entrepreneur, one must be passionate about what they do and believe in it wholeheartedly.
“For example, solar power was a personal journey that I undertook since university and I knew its potential. Beyond that, since becoming a father – I know that what I have embarked on will become something good for my child’s future and the generations ahead,” adds Ko.
“With persistence, one must be willing to work hard. “I started the company with money set aside for my wedding which was a real gamble, as I had put in all I had. There was no turning back and I was focused on my goal and persistent to ensure that we would succeed,” he goes on
Lastly, Ko said that one must focus on people, otherwise it will be a business without a soul. “Believing in people, and being sincere to staff, vendors and partners are key elements to a successful business. People really are at the centre of every business.
“It is also about humility at the end of the day. While I may be considered successful at a young stage in life, I always have to remind myself that confidence and ego are two separate things. There is always a fine line between being confident, yet without showing ego.
“By having mutual respect for each others’ talents and opinions, we are set in the right direction and will be able to craft a future together, as a truly remarkable team,” he advises.
In the true grit and grime story of a young ambitious entrepreneur, Ko now hopes to strive further in order to play a defining role in helping Malaysia achieve her target to have 20 percent RE in the electricity generation mix by 2025. A tall order, but one which Malaysia must aim to achieve in doing her part towards a sustainable future.

Photovoltaic solar farm in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

A 1,700 Year-Old Recipe Comes To KL

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January 20, 2020

After the success of its maiden Malaysian outlet in Kuching, Sarawak, Chong Qing Grilled Fish opens another in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at the Boulevard at Signature2, Sunway Velocity.

Chong Qing Grilled Fish, known for its signature grilled fish dish, replicates the 1,700 year-old recipe from Chongqing, China, which is commonly prepared in a simmering hotpot.

What makes this signature dish special is the crispy skin and the pillowy-soft flesh served in a broth boiled with over twenty types of herbs and spices. The broth can customised to customers’ preferences which comes in eight different flavours such as Spicy Fragrant, Spicy Numbing, Pickled Cabbage, Hot & Sour, Mushroom Herbs, Fermented Black Bean, Fresh Chillies and Chopped Chilli Pepper.

“This dish left a lasting impression on us, we knew it is a concept that should be introduced outside of Chongqing. We also experimented on the classic grilled fish, but the Chong Qing Grilled Fish is the result of our own take on Sichuan cuisine,” Khoo Siow Kiat, CEO of Chong Qing Grilled Fish, shares.

Signature Grilled Fish in Spicy Fragrant and Mushroom Herb

The restaurant’s highly recommends the “Spicy Fragrant” or “Spicy Numbing” pairs with the rich, fatty and tender texture of the “Temerloh Patin” for customers who want to awaken their senses.

The Signature Grilled Fish is priced at RM58 onwards. Other key dishes include the Offal Slices (RM22), Spicy Chicken Cubes (RM30), Double-Cooked Spicy Pork Slices (RM28) and Hand Shredded Cabbage (RM18).

SDB’s The Hub Brings Whole New Dimension To SS2

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Business Today Editorial

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January 20, 2020

Since welcoming new tenants last year, The Hub @ SS2 Petaling Jaya has breathed new life and brought a whole new dimension to the area.

Developed by renowned award-winning boutique developer Selangor Dredging Berhad (SDB), The Hub is a 2.51-acre freehold mixed-use commercial development comprising 13 low-rise 4-storey shop-offices and 276 signature suites or small office versatile office (SoVo) units in a 44-storey tower.

The F & B outlets have proven to be extremely popular with residents in surrounding areas and throughout the Klang Valley.

Outlets at The Hub include Popo Hotpot steamboat restaurant, Gooddam Italian restaurant, Djol Bridal House, Kooky Cream bakery and Japanese restaurant Wasabi.

Other eatery called Flakes has also won over the hearts of its following. EatDrinkKL in a recent food review said: “Flakes’ fluffy croissants, fresh-baked with French flour and butter, form its flagship foundation for a brunch lover’s bevy of warm meals, from creamy scrambled eggs layered with crab meat, fried shallots and smoked paprika aioli (RM22) to a medley of mushrooms, crowned with cauliflower, cheese, a poached egg and roasted tomatoes (RM21) – happy-meal ensembles meant to brighten up any afternoon. For a teatime treat, these yieldingly tender croissants are also available on their own, plain or in flavours such as cinnamon, pistachio, almond or matcha.”

Other eatery outlets include Mei by Fat Spoon as well as Pints and Putts.

The Hub also offers public spaces such as a promenade, sheltered courtyards, signature water features and open-air plazas.

The landscaping at the development aims to create a nurturing and inspiring environment for people to work in, such as the landscaped gardens and the reflective pool with specially designed artwork stools. The rooftop of The Hub, which offers views of the PJ and KL skyline, also features a double-volume gym with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

The Hub is the tallest building in the area and follows in the successful footsteps of other SDB developments nearby, namely Ameera and Five Stones.

These developments have brought about a booming and bustling growth in the vicinity to create one of the most established commercial hubs in Petaling Jaya.

To further enhance the connections between its developments, SDB has also built a link bridge connecting The Hub SS2 to Five Stones.

CITS’ Eugene Teow: The cloud is the way of the future

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Business Today Editorial

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January 19, 2020

The cloud, especially the private cloud, is the optimal solution for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to safeguard their Information Technology (IT) and Intellectual Property (IP) assets, according to Eugene Teow, founder and Managing Director of home-grown Cygnus IT Solutions PLT (CITS).

Founded in 2010, CITS started with the goal to help its customers solve their various IT-related challenges. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength and recently won the Malaysia Excellence Business Award 2019 in the category of “Emerging IT Solutions” (main pic).

Teow, the founder of CITS, started his foray into IT 6 years earlier, in 2004. “Back then, my goal was to help my teachers to transition from the traditional report card system to a digital system,” he explained.

According to Teow, smaller companies face a larger degree of exposure to cyber risk, owing to their limited size and resources, as well as the lack of capital to invest in cyber risk management tools.

“According to Accenture, 43% of cyber-attacks are aimed at small businesses, but only 14% are prepared to defend themselves. As per reported by Chubb in their Malaysia SME Cyber Prepardness Report 2019, 67% of SMEs believe that only large corporations are more at risk of cyber-attacks than small businesses; yet 84% of SMEs have experienced cyber incidents in the past 12 months, demonstrating that this misconception certainly does not hold water. In fact, smaller companies face a larger degree of exposure to cyber risk owing to their size and resources, as well as the lack of capital to invest in cyber risk management tools.

“Based on my experience, generally clients have no issue in paying, it is just that they lack good advice on how to go about improving their IT infrastructure. Most IT vendors just promote the on-premise servers/solutions they are familiar with, without having the up-to-date knowledge in configuring their solutions. This is where CITS can help,” he adds.

Teow highlights that CITS’s aim is to become a trusted consultation partner of choice for IT and computing services in organisations throughout Malaysia by delivering excellent service and total customer satisfaction, and offering dependable and professional solutions to its clients for mutual growth and profitability.

“As an IT outsourcing and consultancy firm, our objective is to solve our clients’ IT issues. One approach that CITS has found works well with many clients is using a private cloud to host their applications and such in a secure and less-exposed way; in fact many of our clients also call us in to work on their own private solution.”

By moving applications into the cloud (e.g. Accounting / HR software), clients simply have to install the software a single time, and not worry about server hardware failure or the endpoint computers getting corrupted (which would requires a reformat and reinstallation/mapping of the software), Teow highlights.

“Private Cloud application hosting services is just one aspect of CITS’s various services. It also offers various innovative solutions on their Private Cloud such as Endpoint Security solutions, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, and Private Cloud-based Voice over IP (VoIP) solutions, amongst others.

“By implementing our cloud-based VoIP solutions, not only that the call rates are lower than traditional analogue phone systems, companies that has presence in multiple location (be it in cities, states or even countries) can communicate among each other in a secured manner for free,” shared Teow.

CITS partners with several globally-famous solution providers in order to provide its clients with the best-in-class software and hardware. These include 3CX, ESET, Exosphere Security, D-Link, and Alfa Networks.

According to Teow, CITS prioritises its capabilities and its client base, relying on word-of-mouth for additional business rather than mass media promotion.

“CITS has always been the final stop when it comes to clients who are looking for a solution. I make it a point to promote my services in such a way that they can contact me when trouble happens, and my job is to clean up the mess. This is my core competency, as the clients tend to believe you during crunch time and they just want their problems solved at whatever cost.”

The HP Elite Dragonfly; Made For The Modern Business Professional

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BusinessToday

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January 17, 2020

With the world becoming increasingly mobile, so have laptops. However, even in this day and age, companies are often left having to sacrifice performance for portability and vice versa.

Not HP though.

Understanding the latest trends in what people look for in a laptop, the company is focused on lightening the workloads of the modern professional.

Case in point. The HP Elite Dragonfly.

Built with the modern business professional in mind, the laptop easily meets the demands for a device that is not only a combination of light and durable but also always connected and secure.

Believe it or not, The HP Elite Dragonfly is a sub-1-kilogram ultralight, powerful business convertible that doesn’t ease up on battery life, offering up to 24.5-hours of battery life to support long hours away from an outlet. In spite of its lightweight build, the laptop is no pushover, with an 8th Gen Intel Core vPro processor under the hood offering users the best-for-business performance out there.

As if that’s not enough, the laptop offers the best viewing experience you can get on a 13-inch laptop with its outstanding 86 percent screen-to-body ratio. This not only makes for good viewing, but also allows the laptop to alternate between tablet and PC seamlessly.

Of course, security is important too and with features such as HP Sure Sense which defends against malware attacks on mobile workers and HP Sure Recover, which gets users back up and running anytime, anywhere among a slew of other security features you can rest assured your data is safe and sound.

That’s not the only thing HP is going light on. HP is also lightening its environment footprint. Sustainability is key to HP’s business model moving forward and as part of its sustainable impact strategy, HP continues to drive a more efficient, circular, and low-carbon economy. Its no wonder that the HP Elite Dragonfly is the world’s first business convertible made with ocean bound plastic.

The HP Elite Dragonfly comes in a commanding, Iridescent Dragonfly Blue and is now available in Malaysia starting at RM6,500. Head on over to HP’s official website for more info click here

Bizsphere Recognised For Maximising SME Brand Potential

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BusinessToday

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January 17, 2020

Bizsphere Brand & Marketing Group was recently conferred the prestigious SME Supporter Award in the Platinum Business Award 2019 (PBA 2019) by the honorable Minister of Entrepreneur Development of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Bin Md Yusof at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

The PBA 2019 is an annual award programme organised by the SME Association of Malaysia to uplift SMEs for their exceptional achievements and contributions through a credible assessment process.

“It is part of Bizsphere’s goal to accelerate Malaysia SMEs’ growth by taking their brand to the next level and being conferred the SME Supporter Award makes a triumph way forward to contribute more to SMEs.

“Bizsphere has been always sharing and transferring marketing & operation insights to help SMEs to grow. The practise not only limited to our clients, (JOVEN, Sweet Home, Captain Oats, Miaow Miaow, Inovar Floor, AVIS) but also through invited community sharing as in forums & talks by TM Unifi SME Biznet, Vistage Malaysia, World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) etc.

“We even source ideas to SME entrepreneurs through Business Today Magazine articles on how to reap maximum benefit on business strategies”, said Yap Keng Teck, managing consultant of Bizsphere and awardee of The Most Influential Global Marketing Leader by World Marketing Congress cum the National Council Member of SME Association of Malaysia and Technical Committee Member in MITI Industry4WRD Readiness Assessment Programme.

Last year, Bizsphere kickstarted two forums – SME Expo Forum to revive export marketing, jointly organised with Maybank and What’s In It For Me (WIIFM) IR 4.0 Forum Series that was held at 3 main industrious cities of Malaysia to encourage adoption of IR 4.0 in collaboration with government entities (MITI, MATRADE, MIDA, MPC, MIDF, HRDF).

Servicing the SME industry for more than a decade, Bizsphere constantly diversifies its hone to strengthen SME capacity & capability in every possible way that deemed to fit the business direction, be it strategic branding, marketing, export marketing, creative production, training, video marketing, outreach communication or advertising.

“We endeavour practical & cost-effective solutions with real results to achieve effective brand impact. That’s how we can drive SME competency in Malaysia economy growth”, Yap explained adding that Bizsphere was now envisioning to move beyond branding & marketing to be the SME growth accelerator.

HSBC Enhances Commitment In Supporting SMEs’ Growth

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BusinessToday

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January 17, 2020

HSBC utilised market insights to better understand the needs of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs); and has delivered and enhanced a unique business banking proposition that better supports SMEs to grow their business.

The enhanced proposition provides SMEs with dedicated relationship managers and banking specialists who are committed to their long-term growth, and is a one-stop shop offering access to our digital banking solutions, easy payments and collections, access to funding, on-demand support and quick resolution of issues.

Commenting on the enhanced Business Banking (BB) proposition, Andrew Sill, Country Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Malaysia said, “The strategic intent behind our enhanced BB proposition is to put SMEs, who make up 98.5 percent of business establishments in Malaysia and who contributed 38.3 percent to the nation’s GDP in 2018, at the heart of everything we do.

“To enable this, we did an extensive market research to understand the needs of SMEs and based on the insights collated, we enhanced and developed a range of offerings and streamlined processes. This was to ensure that we were able to develop and deliver a unique proposition that supports SMEs current and future needs, be it growing domestically or expanding to new markets, essentially supporting them across their growth journey,” added Andrew.

While the global trade and economic environment has gone through rapid changes in recent times, Malaysia’s economic potential is one of the reasons why businesses should be optimistic, and growth expectations among Malaysian companies are strong. In these changing times, the ability to recognise and seize new opportunities in Malaysia and beyond will be more important than ever to ensure long term growth.

According to the HSBC’s Navigator survey findings “Now, Next and How for Business”, 81 percent of companies in Malaysia have a positive outlook on this year and expect their sales to grow. This is higher than both, the global and APAC average. Additionally, the same survey shares that growth in the near term is likely to be driven by improving business productivity, investing in technology and entering new markets such as ASEAN. More than 220 of the world’s largest companies are also headquartered in ASEAN and the region’s manufacturing capabilities –notably in the automotive, electronics sectors, are deeply embedded in the world’s trade and supply chains.

“Running a business can be complex, with many unknowns along the way. That’s why it’s important to find a banking partner that can support your business at every step of the journey,” said Anita Tang, Country Head of Business Banking, HSBC Malaysia.

“HSBC is focused on helping customers manage finances more efficiently and supporting all businesses with ambition through a partnership that will help them unlock the full potential of their business.”

“In HSBC, we have strengthened our digital banking capabilities with new tools for businesses to operate and transact digitally. A good example is how HSBC has pioneered Malaysia’s first ever blockchain transaction successfully with the execution of a letter-of-credit (LC) deal last year with a SME customer that has grown into a mid-tier customer. This transaction is a reflection on how the technology is gaining traction in markets across the region and HSBC,” shared Anita.

As one of the few truly international banks, one of HSBC’s strengths lies in connecting
businesses through our global network to where the growth is. HSBC has an unrivalled global presence with access to more than 90% of global GDP, trade and capital flows.

In Malaysia, HSBC works closely with government agencies such as MIDA, SMECorp, Matrade and participating in various government guarantee schemes to provide better access to banking facilities, access to international trade fairs, market intelligence, and mentoring programs.

HSBC also leverages on its global network of banking specialists in partnering with its customers to provide wider market access and expand the opportunity to access capital. Through programs designed for businesses at each stage of their growth, HSBC is a partner for the journey in bringing businesses to the next level.

It Pays To Be A Loyal Shell Customer

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BusinessToday

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January 17, 2020

The new year started on a high for four Shell loyalists as they were announced grand prize winners of the ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000?’, a weekly campaign aimed at turning Malaysians’ everyday journeys into rewarding experiences. The campaign which is now in its seventh week will continue to reward Malaysians for five more weeks until 9thFebruary 2020.

This campaign rewards one grand prize winner with RM20,000 and 20 consolation prize winners with RM1,000 weekly. A total of 84 winners have been rewarded and there are 126 grand prize and consolation prize winners to be announced until the end of the campaign period.

Shell Malaysia recently hosted a special celebration for the grand prize winners, namely Mohd Raffi Ismail from Bangi, Muhd Shukri Muhd Deris from Pahang and Azniza Bakar from Negeri Sembilan who attended the event in Kuala Lumpur to share their stories on their journey forward with RM20,000.

For week three’s grand prize winner, Muhd Shukri Muhd Deris, the win could not have come at a better time. “My 6-year-old daughter is in pre-school. While I am excited to see her start her schooling years, I was worried about the costs; from her books to school uniform and even school fees. Imagine my relief when I was told I won the RM20,000 grand prize from Shell Malaysia. This unexpected extra cash is a blessing for my wife and I, as it will contribute to our savings for our children’s education. Thank you, Shell, and I hope you will continue to reward Malaysian families in 2020!”

Shairan Huzani Husain, the Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd and Shell Timur Sdn Bhd expressed, “This is not a Shell story, this is a Malaysian story of lived experiences. We understand that many are faced with life’s hurdles and challenges and my goal is for us to help as many Malaysians as we can and we are doing this through the ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000?’ campaign by giving Malaysians a platform to go further and do more”.

Gunaraj Murugasan, who is week two’s grand prize winner said, “For me, nothing is more important than my family’s wellbeing and that of fellow Penangites. I am an active member of the rotary club and we are always looking for ways to help communities in need. Now, Shell Malaysia will be part of our efforts to improve the lives of others as I plan to share the RM20,000 with those who truly need it”.

Azniza Abu Bakar, week four’s grand prize winner can finally fulfil her dream of owning a house. “I could not believe I have won! The extra RM20,000 is more than enough for me to buy a house and still have some left for my savings. I am relieved as my prayers have been answered, and I thank Shell for this”.

The event was also attended by consolation prize winners who celebrated their winnings that has helped them get one step closer towards their goals for the year ahead.

With five more weeks to go, there is still time for Malaysians to partake in the campaign by following these two simple steps:

Step 1: spend minimum RM40 in one receipt at any Shell stations nationwide

Step 2: submit your details, with a receipt attached, via a physical contest form OR scan a QR code for online submissions.

In conjunction with the campaign, Shell is hosting roadshows at selected cities across Malaysia with fun activities and amazing prizes to be won at these locations:

East Coast Mall, Kuantan on 9January
Gurney Plaza, Penang on 10January
Vivacity Mall, Kuching on 17January, and
MyTOWN Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on 17January

For more information about ‘Nak Ekstra RM20,000?’ campaign, the list of winners and locations of roadshows, please visit www.shell.com.my