The group, through its subsidiary Associate Partners Laboratories Sdn Bhd (APLSB) — which provides medical laboratory testing and analytical services, as well as biotechnology research and experimental development — has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PAPA.

Nexgram to provide Covid-19 screening, quarantine management services for foreign workers 

There needs to be better engagement between the creative economy and those who fund it if the arts in Malaysia are to grow in an effective and meaningful way, says Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, the founder of the Cultural Economy Development Agency (Cendana).

Facilitating conversations between the arts and business

Failure is part and parcel of the entrepreneurial game, but not many entrepreneurs are able to bounce back after they have experienced their first defeat, a case of “once bitten, twice shy”.

Jimmy Lee, co-founder and CEO of Foodie Box Group and an angel investor, is not one of those peo...

Entrepreneurship: The price of integrity, the value of kindness

Here’s a funny farming fable: An officer from the income tax department pays a visit to an old farmer in a rural community. “Show me the list of all your employees and how much you pay them,” he demands.

“There are four employees,” the farmer says. “One is a plant picker and cleaner; he...

Econ 4.0: Why focus on farming?

Vaults. These expansive metal chambers are arguably the most recognisable trope of any self-respecting crime caper. And yet, for all the intrigue their imagery stirs, big screen bank vaults do not exactly inspire a sense of security as they seem to be constantly broken into with unerring ease.

Family Businesses: Safekeeping keepsakes

The future of agriculture will not only involve farmers but technology players as well. This will be essential especially in urban areas, where space is scarce but demand for fresh food is high.

To accelerate this revolution, Sunway Innovation Labs (iLabs) is launching Sunway FutureX Fa...

Agritech: Creating an innovative ecosystem for urban farming

In March, Aemulus Holdings Bhd was at its lowest ebb. The company, which specialises in semiconductor testing equipment, had a problem collecting payments from its customers in China and it was running out of money.

“Back in November 2019, the first thing I told my chief financial offic...

Cover Story: Coming out of the dark

The Musang King durian had its genome sequenced for the first time in 2017. The findings, which also identified the genes responsible for the fruit’s pungent odour, were published in a leading international journal and covered by news portals globally.

The research was done out of Singa...

Cutting Edge: Genome sequencing for all

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is endless. Inference Tech Sdn Bhd CEO Izad Che Muda discovered this during his time as chief technology officer of Aerodyne Group, a provider of drone-based enterprise solutions.

This is because at Aerodyne, he was...

AI: Using AI to address worker safety, potholes and prescriptions

The movement control order (MCO) saw a lot of people losing their jobs. The publishing industry was not spared. But what Sean Teoh, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Monster Alliance Bhd (MOPress), realised was that while a lot of companies were moving to digital, publishing platforms were looking for content other than articles.

MOPress to diversify into voice and video content to suit present demand

Fintech firm Juris Technologies (JurisTech) has acquired personal finance company Intelligent Money Sdn Bhd (iMoney) in an effort to develop end-to-end solutions for its enterprise clients.

JurisTech acquires financial comparison site iMoney

Here is an atypical Covid-19 story. After finishing online classes for a bunch of business management students, the professor announced on the day of the exam: “Although I did not see you in person, I believe you attended my online classes regularly, took notes diligently and worked on projects h...

Econ 4.0: What hath Covid-19 wrought?

The once controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) could be making a return. Multiple sources have informed Enterprise that the tax regime could be announced during the tabling of Budget 2021, slated for November.

“In fact, the reason the announcement was moved from its traditional Oct...

Taxation: GST on the horizon?

Like most companies linked to the tourism industry, Flexiroam Sdn Bhd — a company founded in Malaysia and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange that provides mobile roaming packages for travellers in 150 countries — saw its business decimated in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, when trav...

Entrepreneurship: Love and connection

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has confirmed that it owes the Road Transport Department (JPJ) RM314 million in unremitted collections between May and September 2026, and said the liability has been recognised as a payable on its balance sheet.

Zetrix AI confirms RM314m JPJ arrears after Bursa demands direct answer

HSBC said on Wednesday consultations were underway, after the Financial Times (FT) reported that hundreds of jobs were at risk from the bank's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).

UK unit job cuts: HSBC says 'consultations' underway amid AI adoption

The holding company of Canada's Weston family has agreed to buy British health and beauty retailer Boots from private equity firm Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family for US$8.9 billion (RM36.4 billion), including debt, it said on Wednesday.

Canada's Weston family buys UK pharmacy chain Boots for US$8.9 bil

The International Energy Agency's (IEA) member countries stand ready to release additional oil from their strategic reserves if necessary and will prioritise diesel due to tight supplies of the fuel, the head of the IEA said on Wednesday.

IEA says member countries ready to release more oil reserves if necessary

The government is reviewing a formal agreement with Dapat Vista Sdn Bhd, the company that operates the eJamin system for online payment of court bail, before submitting it to the Cabinet soon.

eJamin: Govt reviewing formal agreement with Dapat Vista before presenting it to Cabinet

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is disputing the auditor general’s projection that the first of the long-delayed littoral combat ship (LCS1) would only achieve full operational readiness by December 2035.

Defence Minister disputes AG's 2035 readiness projection for long-delayed combat ships

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday.

Yinson, Northern Solar, Aemulus, Datasonic, CIMB, AMMB, PJBumi, MMM Group

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) is finalising a proposal to enact the Statutory Bodies and Controlled Entities (Financial Governance) Act to strengthen the governance of government-owned companies.

MOF finalising proposed law to strengthen governance of govt-owned companies

Malaysia still faces RM20.1 billion in outstanding obligations related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) if no additional funds are recovered, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Govt still has to bear RM20.1b 1MDB burden if no further funds recovered — MOF

The additional tax claim against Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA) will not result in the cost being passed on to consumers through electricity tariff hikes, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

TNB's additional tax claim not passed on to consumers via tariffs, says MOF

Police have arrested seven people, including several foreigners, in connection with&nbsp;the theft of 2.5kg of jewellery worth over RM1.7 million from a shopping mall in Genting Highlands, Bentong, in August.

Seven arrested over RM1.7 mil jewellery heist in Genting Highlands

The first witness for the Federal Land Development Authority conceded in High Court on Wednesday that competing bidders for the agency's prime land along Jalan Semarak were not owned by Synergy Promenade Sdn Bhd shareholder and director Abdul Rahman Soltan, after initially suggesting otherwise.

Felda fraud suit: Witness admits rival bidders for Jalan Semarak land not owned by Synergy Promenade director

Datasonic Group Bhd (KL:DATASONIC) has terminated its proposed RM28.5 million acquisition of an industrial property in Petaling Jaya after a condition precedent requiring approval from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia was not fulfilled.

Datasonic axes RM28 mil property deal after Fire Dept condition unmet

Zetrix AI Bhd (KL:ZETRIX) has confirmed that it owes the Road Transport Department (JPJ) RM314 million in unremitted collections between May and September 2026, and said the liability has been recognised as a payable on its balance sheet.

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Wednesday.

British 30-year bond yields rose to a 28-year high on Wednesday as a global bond sell-off pushed equivalent US borrowing costs to their highest since 2002, adding to pressure on finance minister John Healey before his first budget in three weeks' time.

UK 30-year gilt yields hit 28-year high in global sell-off

Cryptocurrencies fell on Wednesday as a wave of forced selling swept across digital-asset venues, with broader market jitters further weighing on risk appetite.

Bitcoin falls as US$600 mil in risky crypto bets wiped out

Bursa Malaysia Securities has dismissed MMM Group Bhd’s (KL:MMM) appeal against the rejection of its proposed regularisation plan, paving the way for the company to be delisted on Oct 12.

MMM Group to be delisted on Oct 12 as Bursa Malaysia dismisses appeal

Northern Solar Holdings Bhd (KL:NORTHERN) has secured a RM34 million engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract to develop a 9.5MW large-scale solar photovoltaic plant.

Northern Solar bags RM34m solar plant contract a day after Main Market transfer

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the fifth Madani&nbsp;budget is based on a clear resolve to strengthen the nation’s economy and translate growth into a better life for the people.

Anwar: Budget 2027 based on 'clear resolve' to strengthen economy, translate growth into better life

Malaysia still faces RM20.1 billion in outstanding obligations related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) if no additional funds are recovered, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Retail prices for unsubsidised petrol will increase by 15 sen from Oct 8 to Oct 14 as Brent crude oil hovers around US$100 per barrel despite the recovery of crude oil flows from West Asia.

Unsubsidised petrol up 15 sen from Oct 8, diesel prices stay

Crude palm oil (CPO) prices could trade at a premium to soybean oil as early as April next year, as weather risks and rising biodiesel demand in Indonesia tighten global vegetable oil supplies, said industry analyst Thomas Mielke.

CPO could trade at premium to soybean oil as early as April next year, says Mielke

The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) has initiated intervention measures to protect the rights and assist 372 workers of CJ Bio Malaysia Sdn Bhd affected by the closure of the company's plant in Kerteh, Terengganu, from Oct 15.

CJ Bio plant closure: Intervention measures taken to protect rights of workers, says MOHR

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is disputing the auditor general’s projection that the first of the long-delayed littoral combat ship (LCS1) would only achieve full operational readiness by December 2035.

Soybean could overtake palm as the world’s top vegetable oil by production within the next six years, said one of the industry’s top analysts.

Output of soybean oil may overtake palm oil by 2032, says industry analyst Mielke

JOHOR BAHRU (Oct 7): All schools in Johor will be closed for two days from Thursday due to haze and deteriorating air quality across the state.

State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made on the orders of the Regent of Johor...

Johor schools to close for two days due to worsening haze, says exco

EGH International Bhd, an interior fit-out services company, said the public portion of its initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed by 2.63 times, ahead of its Oct 16 listing on the ACE Market.

Interior fit-out firm EGH International IPO oversubscribed 2.6 times

Lighting solutions provider Speedy Best Holdings Bhd, which also manufactures and sells steel poles and provides smart city solutions, is planning an ACE Market listing to raise funds for capacity expansion and to further develop its proprietary platform that uses artificial intelligence for smart city management.

Speedy Best plans ACE Market IPO to raise funds for capacity expansion

Enterprise IT services provider Ancile Tech Bhd has filed its draft prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market, as it seeks funds to set up an in-house network operations centre (NOC) and security operations centre (SOC), and expand its business beyond northern Peninsular Malaysia.

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