Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology can potentially unlock US$113.4 billion worth of productive capacity in the Malaysian economy if it is fully adopted across industries. This is equivalent to one-quarter of the country’s 2022 gross domestic product (GDP), revealed a new report by the Malaysia Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and MyDIGITAL Corporation.

Generative AI will redefine jobs and not replace them, assuages MyDIGITAL Corp

In 2018, before the Covid-19 pandemic, Sunway Group embarked on a search for a partner that would transition the company’s operations to the cloud. This was one of the many digital transformation strategies that the company had pursued since 2000, says its chief information officer Kevin Khoo. It...

Development: Sunway commits to digital transformation

Gacha games, a worldwide phenomenon, introduced the toy vending machine mechanic in games where players are encouraged to spend in-game currency to obtain their random in-game items. In the world of gacha games, HoYoverse is one of the top 10 global gaming companies that has garnered a massive co...

Listicle: HoYoverse: A gacha phenomenon

Inflation, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages and pressure to innovate, driven by changing client expectations and the constant need to improve time to market, are just some of the challenges smart manufacturing can resolve.

“To increase competitive advantage, many manufacturers...

Industry 4.0: Embrace smart manufacturing for competitive advantage

From creative copyright infringement to being blamed for the end of the human race altogether, artificial intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI, is going through much public scrutiny. While AI itself is not new and can be traced back to the 1960s, the advancements seen with Open AI’s GPT-...

Cover Story: Defining AI’s ethical boundaries

Most start-ups have to raise funds at some, sometimes multiple, points in their lives to fund growth plans, increase revenues, hire staff and expand abroad. Often, the life cycle of funding follows a linear progression from the founders funding their business together with their family and friend...

The Pitch Deck: Institutional funding as an alternative to VCs

With their demanding work schedules, many employees are seeking respite from the daily grind by engaging in sports such as badminton or football. But these planned events often face disruptions, from no-shows to last-minute cancellations, forcing the designated coordinator to hunt for a new venue...

Solutions: Simplifying sports planning

Generally, cryptocurrency assets stored on blockchain are more secure and owners have full control of their property. However, digital assets remain vulnerable to cyberattacks as these are online.

A study done by Chainanalysis in 2019 found that approximately 20% of all bitcoins have be...

Interoperability: Safeguarding crypto investments

Artificial intelligence (AI) prompt engineer is the most in-demand new job with 7,000 openings, based on a recent study conducted by Workyard, a workforce management software company. It also has the highest Google search count of 60,000, indicating a strong level of interest among individuals se...

Talent: High demand for AI jobs

NEWS

500 Global raises US$143 mil across early-stage and growth vehicles for Southeast Asia

Venture capital firm 500 Global has successfully raised US$143 million (RM667.95 million) across its largest Southeast Asian early-stage fund to ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany of Technology

Private equity (PE) has great potential to achieve large-scale positive impact. PE firms have emerged as major players in the economy, with global assets under management projected to exceed US$11 trillion by 2026. With a business model that largely revolves around creating value in invested companies, PE firms are well placed to unlock the impact potential of their portfolio companies.

How to embed sustainability in a private equity fund

There are many similarities in the two strategic documents that were released in the last month and outline the country’s path forward in the low-carbon global economy.

The National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) highlights how Malaysia will reduce emissions from the energy sector in ...

Policy: NETR and NIMP a response to global trends

The late Kofi Annan, who was secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), surprised the world in 1999 when he began pitching for businesses to join the UN in a “creative partnership” that would benefit both parties.

Annan made his points clear: The UN cannot achieve its goals in peacek...

ESG 101: The origins of ESG

The question of whether oil and gas (O&G) companies should exist in an ESG (environmental, social and governance) portfolio almost always incites heated debate.

The sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and despite its investments in renewable energy (RE) assets ...

Ratings: Is it too risky to invest in the O&G sector?

An urban design movement to exert control has gained momentum. Known as “hostile architecture”, it is akin to a locked door disguised as an open invitation. It welcomes some while intentionally excluding others, quietly shaping public spaces into unwelcoming landscapes of division rather than uni...

Views: Building equity brick by brick

A boy sits on a swing, which rocks gently. The wind and natural elements around him influence how high the swing goes, alongside the momentum he generates with his body. Now, imagine a bully coming up from behind and pushing him aggressively. The boy grips the swing for dear life, fearful that he...

Science Matters: How El Niño and climate change impact the weather

Since Bursa Malaysia Bhd began making sustainability reporting mandatory for public-listed companies (PLCs) in 2016, one common feedback from industry players is that more support is needed to help them comply.

This was especially after the regulator introduced enhanced reporting requir...

Data: Why Bursa Malaysia wants a central sustainability reporting platform

The “alphabet soup” of sustainability reporting standards and frameworks is a common source of frustration for corporations. To outsiders, the slew of acronyms representing the different frameworks and standards is confusing and almost comical.

But global regulators and industry players...

Cover Story: A game changer for sustainability reporting?

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 13): For all public-listed companies (PLC) in Malaysia to have 30% women on boards, 351 women are needed to join the boardroom, said Datuk Ami Moris, chair of 30% Club Malaysia and advisor of Maybank Group.

Over 300 women needed to have 30% women on boards of all PLCs

The viability of green assets should be considered in a similar lens with conventional assets by financial institutions, said United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) executive director and chief executive officer Ng Wei Wei at the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 3.0.

Commercial angle of green projects must be considered

The Edge Centurion Club Corporate Awards 2023

The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2023

The Edge ESG Awards 2023

The Edge Best Managed & Sustainable Property Awards 2023

The Edge Property Excellence Awards 2023

In today’s edition of Evening 5 — DOSM says Malaysia’s inflation stayed at 2.0% in August, while core inflation grew 2.5%. Meanwhile, the cut-off date for the proposed disposal of a 33% stake in Boustead Plantations by LTAT to KLK is delayed for the second time.

EVENING 5: DOSM: Malaysia’s inflation stayed at 2% in August

Although separated by oceans and language, Brazil and Malaysia are more similar than most people will realise. We sit down with the Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Ary Norton de Mura Quintella to ask him about trade, culture and unexpected connections.

NEWS: Bringing Brazil and Malaysia closer together

In today’s edition of Evening 5 — 7-Eleven will be getting a higher price tag for its 75% stake in Caring Pharmacy. Meanwhile, KWAP records RM3.8 bil in gross investment income for the first seven months of 2023.

EVENING 5: 7-11 gets a higher price tag for Caring

Bond investors face the crucial decision of just how much risk to take in Treasuries with 10-year yields at the highest in more than a decade and the Federal Reserve signaling it’s almost done raising rates.

Bond market faces quandary after Fed signals it’s almost done 

It has been over a year since Datuk Wong Tuck Wai took on the role of CEO at IJM Land Bhd and much has been accomplished. His proactive and can-do nature has resulted in the company delving deep into matters that required immediate attention, especially its processes and systems, as well as increasing sales figures.

Championing sustainability and built quality

In 1968, a 15-year-old boy in Kluang, Johor, embarked on a transformative journey inspired by his science teacher, Ms Marion Teo. Her captivating story of a cousin at the prestigious Royal Military College Malaysia (RMC) ignited a burning ambition in Datuk Seri Michael Yam. He navigated the fiercely competitive RMC admission process, underlining the institution's commitment to building character alongside academic prowess and sporting excellence. This young cadet thrived in the regimented RMC life, which instilled discipline, leadership and a strong sense of responsibility, moulding him into a remarkable individual. His post-RMC life saw him excel in the construction and real estate industry.

Fostering camaraderie

The US House of Representatives' Rules Committee on Saturday voted, 9-2, to tee up four appropriations bills for debate on the full House floor, the latest move in Republicans' last-ditch bid to prevent government shutdowns after a Sept 30 deadline.

US House panel approves four funding bills; govt shutdown deadline approaches

Three years after Goldman Sachs Group Inc agreed to fork over more than US$5 billion (RM23.46 billion) for its role in the plundering of Malaysia’s 1MDB investment fund, the Wall Street giant has struggled to put the scandal to bed.

Goldman Sachs in talks with Malaysia to resolve latest 1MDB clash

Malaysia has enormous potential to rise as a vibrant economy as it has the necessary resources, skilled workforce and strong economic fundamentals, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia has all it takes to rise again as vibrant economy, says Anwar

The Pelangai state by-election on Oct 7 will see a three-cornered battle between Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN) and independent candidates.

Three-cornered fight in Pelangai by-election

Budget 2024, to be tabled in Parliament on Oct 13, will be the second budget announced by the unity government. With the conclusion of the recent six state elections, is the administration ready to kick-start more unpopular moves and measures to address the shrinking revenue collection?

Reforms needed in Budget 2024

Bursa Malaysia is likely to trend lower next week amid cautious market sentiment as investors are concerned about the bearish economic outlook, an analyst said.

Bursa likely to trend lower next week amid cautious market sentiment

Treasury prices rebounded but a gauge of global equities fell on Friday, adding to sharp sell-offs earlier this week, after three  US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials warned further rate hikes may be needed to ensure inflation is brought under control.

Yields slip, stocks slide as Fed officials warn of higher rates

NEW YORK (Sept 22): Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday called for a concerted multilateral effort spearheaded by the United Nations to resolve all the conflicts and humanitarian crises in the world, citing the problems in Ukraine, Palestine, Afghanistan and Myanmar as som...

Anwar calls for concerted multilateral effort by UN to resolve conflicts

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made news on Friday: Chin Hin Group Bhd, Ajiya Bhd, ITMAX System Bhd, United Malacca Bhd, Boustead Plantations Bhd (BPlant), Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK), CTOS Digital Bhd and LFE Corp Bhd.

Chin Hin, Ajiya, ITMAX System, United Malacca, BPlant, KLK, CTOS and LFE Corp

The US and China are establishing two working groups to discuss economic and financial issues, the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the world’s largest economies.

The groups “will provide ongoing structured channels for frank and substantive discussions on economic and financial policy matters, as well as an exchange of information on macroeconomic and financial developments,” the US Treasury Department said in a statement Friday.

US, China form working groups on economic and financial issues in sign of better ties

US business activity showed little change in September, with the vast services sector essentially idling at the slowest pace since February, and overall new order activity slipping to the lowest level this year, a survey published Friday showed.

US business activity nears stand-still in September, survey says

Among the top Asean countries, Malaysia has committed to achieving the largest emission reduction target of 45% by 2030, underpinned by initiatives in the 12th Malaysia Plan, to foster a green economy by promoting low-carbon industries, decarbonisation, a circular economy and the clean energy transition. There has been growing interest from foreign and domestic investors in the country’s green economy.

Deals and opportunities in ESG in Malaysia

Continued population growth in South and Southeast Asia is expected to support economic expansion in the region as working-age populations will remain large compared with younger and older citizens, according to a recent report by Moody’s Investors Service. However, the rating agency says the availability and scale of labour inputs alone will not drive materially stronger economic growth or better fiscal outcomes, as other conditions such as strong education and quality infrastructure are also key to reaping the benefits.

Population growth alone not enough for economic expansion 

Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon has been elected chief of MCA Youth.

Ling Tian Soon appointed new MCA Youth chief, Wong You Fong to lead MCA Wanita 

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) backs the government’s proposal to ban the export of rare earth raw materials,  a move that would guarantee maximum returns for the country.

Mosti backs govt's decision to ban export of rare earth raw materials

The US Customs and Border Protection Department's withdrawal of its withhold release order (WRO) imposed on Supermax Corp Bhd and its three subsidiaries is the result of the company's continuous initiatives and enforcement measures by the Human Resources Ministry.

HR Ministry: Withhold release order on Supermax withdrawn thanks to compliance enforcement

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Saturday called for the management of shariah courts, including the position of shariah judges and lawyers, to be strengthened and improved to widen the authority of the Islamic legal system in this country.

King: Management of shariah courts must continue to be strengthened, improved

A mobile application will be launched later this year to coordinate bus routes in the Klang Valley and provide a smoother and more efficient service.

Mobile app for all bus services in Klang Valley by year end

Sarawak wants a representative in the National Energy Council and has urged the federal government to consider the state’s request, said state Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Sarawak wants representative in National Energy Council, says Abang Johari

The police have reminded all parties to not touch on 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues throughout the Pelangai by-election campaigning period.

Pelangai by-election: Don't touch 3R issues — police

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has received 10,000 feedback responses from the public through the Budget 2024 proposal portal, said its Deputy Minister II Steven Sim Chee Keong.

Budget 2024 portal receives 10,000 feedback responses, says Steven Sim

The Election Commission (EC) has formed two campaign enforcement teams to monitor the activities of candidates contesting in the Pelangai state by-election.

Pelangai by-election: EC forms two campaign enforcement teams

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) is ready to work with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) to combat fake news about local rice supply in the market.

Communications and Digital Ministry ready to work with Domestic Trade Ministry to combat fake news on rice

‘Greedflation’, stock prices and the policy implications

To the dismay of many economists, US President Joe Biden’s administration has retained most of its predecessor’s tariffs and trade barriers. In fact, contrary to most analysts’ expectations, the US has imposed additional protectionist measures, such as Biden’s “buy American” policies, resulting i...

Making globalisation work: From trade war to subsidy war

It may come as a surprise to learn that the world’s third-largest sporting event (after football’s World Cup and the Olympics) kicked off in the early hours of Sept 9 in the sort of Paris suburb where you might feel safer if you had a rugby player by your side.

There were plenty among t...

Business of Sports: How rugby went from elite colonial sport to mega event

FOR the second time in three months, US graphics chip giant Nvidia Corp reported a blowout quarterly earnings on Aug 23. The company is benefiting from an insatiable demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips.

The demand is coming not just from firms that are trying to take advantage...

Tech: What’s next for Nvidia and the ongoing AI boom

During an exclusive media tour of IGB Bhd’s Mid Valley Southkey in Johor Bahru last month, City & Country saw how much the vicinity has transformed since The Mall — the first phase of the master plan — was opened to the public in 2019.

An integrated mixed-use developme...

Mid Valley Southkey caters for Johor Bahru’s commercial needs

IN what appears to be his last act as the attorney-general, Tan Sri Idrus Harun instructed his officers to apply for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) of all 47 charges against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for dishonest misappropriation of RM31 million belong...

Court: Zahid’s DNAA sparks firestorm

IN the early years of scan-to-pay, before Covid-19 struck, Boost Holdings Sdn Bhd was the trailblazer in the e-wallet space but it was outshone by other players when the pandemic’s social-distancing requirement accelerated the adoption of contactless payment throughout the country.

Grou...

Boost’s brownfield lending business sets foundation for digital banking path to profitability

IT would appear that defeatism does not exist in DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook’s playbook.

Not when the results of the 15th general election (GE15) and the recent six state elections (PRN15) showed that Malay voters were still largely averse to the multiracial but Chinese...

Cover Story: Evaluate us not based on colour and political background, but our performance, says Loke

THE government will not interfere in commercial decisions made by government-linked companies (GLCs), but their boards of directors and management must be held accountable for their actions, says Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

The recent suspension of Malaysia Airports Ho...

Cover Story: Government to stay out of GLCs’ commercial decisions but board and management must be held accountable

ANTHONY Loke Siew Fook wears many hats. The Minister of Transport is not only the secretary-general of DAP but also the member of parliament for Seremban and state assemblyman for Chennah in Negeri Sembilan.

And when Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi...

Cover Story: improving connectivity for all Malaysians

Australia will continue pursuing a case at the World Trade Organization against China’s tariffs on wine imports, rejecting a proposal to tie the issue to a separate dispute on steel products.

Australia to carry on pursuing WTO case on China wine tariffs 

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak plans to reduce the nation’s inheritance tax to drum up support ahead of the next general election, The Times reported Saturday.

UK’s Sunak working on plans to cut inheritance tax — report

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday portrayed the US and Europe as "looking down" on the rest of the world amid a battle to win over developing countries, and said that while Moscow does not reject UN efforts to revive a Black Sea grain deal, a recent proposal was unrealistic.

Russia's Lavrov doesn't reject UN bid to revive Black Sea deal, but says unrealistic

The United Auto Workers’ strike “damages” the US auto industry at a time when President Joe Biden seeks to attract manufacturing investment, said Stella Li, Americas president for BYD Co, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid maker.

China’s BYD Americas chief says United Auto Workers strike ‘damages’ industry

Hong Kong is relaxing its mortgage rules for homes under construction, as the government takes further steps to support the city’s property market that’s been weighed by high borrowing costs.

Hong Kong relaxes mortgage rules as property market falters

US Federal Reserve (Fed) officials warned on Friday of further rate hikes even after voting to hold the benchmark federal funds rate steady at a meeting this week, with three policymakers saying they remain uncertain the inflation battle is finished.

Fed officials flag further hikes even after holding steady

The European Union has no intention to decouple from China but needs to protect itself when its openness is abused, the bloc's Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said, as both sides look to cool rising tensions over geopolitics and trade.

EU does not want to decouple from China but must protect itself, says EU trade chief

The United Auto Workers (UAW) expanded its strikes against Detroit automakers General Motors (GM) and Chrysler parent Stellantis, but kept its Ford walkout limited to a single plant due to progress made in talks, the union said on Friday.

United Auto Workers strikes more GM, Stellantis facilities, cites progress in talks with Ford

For stock investors for much of this year, the trillion-dollar AI promise has masked a big threat in this era of Federal Reserve (Fed) hawkishness: Real-world borrowing costs have jumped across Corporate America.

AI fantasy fades as Wall Street reels from real-world rate jump

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean, Japanese counterparts expressed "serious concern" over the discussion of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including possible arms trade, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

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