Malaysia's tech innovation and talent potential is immense, but the country’s brain drain dilemma continues to see expertise fleeing to neighbouring countries. Malaysia has lost almost 500,000 strongly trained skilled talent aged above 25 years in the last 10 years, but imported seven million low-skilled workers into the country, said Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation’s (MRANTI) chief executive officer Datuk Wira Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff.

MRANTI: Time to address brain drain and tech talent gap

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has become the talk of town allowing people to harness data to work with and organise data while building and customising apps using foundation models (FMs).

AWS:ReInvent 2023 — Utilising generative artificial intelligence to its fullest potential

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is still at its nascent stages with no knowing of where it will ultimately head towards.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) vice-president and managing director of Asean Conor McNamara believes that there will not be only one large language model (LLM) that will solve all customer use cases.

AWS:ReInvent 2023 — Multiple large language models needed to meet business needs

Grab-led GX Bank Bhd (GXBank) has officially launched its digital bank to Malaysians, making it the first of the five Bank Negara Malaysia licensees to do so.

GXBank now open to public

Putrajaya (Nov 29): The allowance for the manager and assistant manager of the National Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) will be increased by RM500 starting from January 2024, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the 2023 PEDi Madani Conference.

Anwar: PEDi allowance increased by RM500 

Being in the IT industry for more than 30 years has allowed Dr Anton Ravindran to be a part of the digital evolution, from mainframe computing to the PC, which was initially revolutionised by IBM and Apple, making computers accessible to the public.

Since then, artificial intelligence (...

Ideas: Unveiling the impact, challenges and promise of AI

Ever since Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted in April 2022, Malaysians have been busy packing their bags and jetting away for holidays. According to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom), Malaysia’s international passenger traffic grew at an average of 80.9% quarter on quarter and the...

Solutions: How travel companies can better protect travellers

In today’s digital age, our lives are deeply intertwined with technology. We have seen remarkable advancements, but also vulnerabilities emerge. Technology has connected us in unprecedented ways, turning businesses, governments and individuals into virtual inhabitants. Yet, as our digital world g...

Security: Stopping the ripple effect of web application attacks against organisations

Over the last couple of years, Malaysia’s venture capital ecosystem has grown by leaps and bounds but there is a lack of financial commitment in the mid-to-late stages of fundraising.

For funding between US$500,000 (about RM2.34 million) and US$20 million, firms like 500 Global would be...

Issues: Funding gaps in venture capital landscape need to be addressed

Weddings are hectic and chaotic, with the bride and groom often too busy mingling with guests and seeing to details to appreciate every precious moment.

With POV, a disposable camera app, they can have access to some of those moments through the eyes of their guests.

Guests ca...

Tech Fun: Documenting cherished moments

A digital transformation consulting firm run by two Malaysians is leading a government digitalisation programme in Fiji that promises to take the agrarian nation into the new economic arena.

Spirit of Endeavour (Endeavour), which is based in Malaysia and Singapore, reached a key mi...

Digitalisation: One digital platform for businesses and citizens

In the escalating debate on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment, a looming sense of apprehension has given rise to fears of a global wave of “employment refugees”. However, Sanjay Sarma, CEO, president and dean of the Asia School of Business (ASB), offers a nuanced perspectiv...

Cover Story: Crafting a future-ready education

Budget 2024 was in many ways a good budget for the tech ecosystem, from the RM1.5 billion in funding from government-linked corporations (GLCs) and government-linked investment corporations (GLICs) to the extension of the angel tax incentive and exemption from capital gains tax for venture capita...

The Pitch Deck: Malaysia’s global top 20 ecosystem target: An impossible task?

NEWS

Digital awareness, collaborative effort needed to secure data privacy

Sixty-three per cent of Malaysians are concerned about data privacy and security, while one in three young Malaysians cite this as their reason for switching off ...

Bits + Bytes: A Miscellany of Technology

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will provide a framework within a month to enable all social media platform providers to register with the agency and facilitate the regulating such platforms in the country.

Fahmi: MCMC working on framework to facilitate registration, regulation of social media platforms

Here is a brief recap of some corporate announcements that made the news on Friday involving Citaglobal Bhd, CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, YTL Power International Bhd, Axiata Group Bhd, Pansar Bhd, Apex Healthcare Bhd, Crest Builder Holdings Bhd and Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd.

Citaglobal, CelcomDigi, Maxis, TM, YTL Power, Axiata, Pansar, Apex Healthcare, Crest Builder, SCIB

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell on Friday as investors were on edge ahead of Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's comments that some fear may have a hawkish tilt towards monetary policy.

S&P, Nasdaq slip as caution prevails ahead of Powell comments

US-listed shares of Alibaba Group Holding declined on Friday following a Morgan Stanley downgrade on concerns over slower turnaround in its key businesses, hours after PDD raced past its rival to become the most valuable Chinese e-commerce firm.

Alibaba dips on Morgan Stanley downgrade as PDD grabs spot of most valuable Chinese e-commerce firm

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (Pavilion REIT) has terminated two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) it inked for the purchase of renewable energy (RE) from a solar power plant in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) to power its malls.

Pavilion REIT cancels MOUs to power Pavilion KL, Intermark and Pavilion Bukit Jalil with renewable energy

Shares of crypto miners and bitcoin-tracking companies climbed in premarket trading on Friday as the world's largest cryptocurrency extended a recent rally to touch a near 19-month high on improving risk appetite.

Bitcoin, up 2% at US$38,410, has been gaining since October on optimism that a potential approval of a spot exchange-traded fund is likely to unleash more capital investments in the digital asset sector.

Crypto stocks set to start December on a high note as bitcoin hits near 19-month high

In today’s edition of Evening 5 — Five telcos have finally inked deals with DNB, and will collectively own a 70% stake in the state-owned entity, while Putrajaya will retain 30% plus a golden share. Meanwhile, PM Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Digital ID concerns such as personal data leaks and chip implants are unfounded.

EVENING 5: Telcos finally ink DNB deal

A weekly round-up of tanker and dry bulk market (Dec 1, 2023)

Baltic Exchange shipping updates: Dec 1, 2023

Mining firm OM Holdings Ltd, which is dual-listed on Bursa Malaysia and the Australian Stock Exchange, has issued 27.63 million shares, representing a 3.75% stake, in the company to JFE Shoji Corp for A$13.04 million (about RM40.34 million) or A$0.472 sen per share.

Japan-based JFE Shoji takes up 3.75% stake in OM Holdings

Here’s a quick look at some of the stories that made headlines today.

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Most read this week - Stay up to date with the biggest news and latest trending topics by checking out the top 10 articles of the week.

Most read this week

A client of Malaysia’s biggest bank recently discovered that her bank balance had mysteriously increased to more than US$86 million (RM404 million).

Woman discovers over RM404m mistakenly deposited in Maybank account

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and its petroleum arrangement contractors have recorded 19 exploration discoveries and two exploration-appraisal successes, contributing over one billion barrels of oil equivalent (bboe) of new resources for Malaysia in 2023.

Petronas finds over 1 bil barrels of oil equivalent exploration discoveries in 2023

Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is to be 70%-owned by five local mobile network operators (MNOs), while the remaining 30% will be retained by Putrajaya, accompanied by a golden share, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Five telcos to collectively own 70% stake in DNB; Putrajaya to retain 30% plus golden share

Apex Healthcare Bhd has proposed to acquire industrial land in Melaka for RM66.5 million, its Bursa Malaysia filing showed on Friday.

The group said its wholly owned subsidiary Xepa-Soul Pattinson (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd had entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Panasonic Appliances Refrigeration Devices Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PAPRDMY) for the proposed acquisition.

Apex Healthcare to acquire industrial land in Melaka for RM66.5 mil

Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd has reprimanded Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (SCIB) and two of its former directors, Datuk Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah and Rosland Othman, for failing to submit the group’s 2021 annual report within the approved timeline.

Bursa reprimands SCIB, fines Abdul Karim and one other RM27,000 each for late submission of annual report

(Dec 1): President Vladimir Putin has ordered the transfer of all the rights to managing St&nbsp;Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport from foreign shareholders that include Germany’s Fraport AG and the Qatari wealth fund by shifting their stakes into a new Russian entity.

Under a decree publish...

Putin seizes rights to St Petersburg Airport from foreign investors

Citaglobal Bhd, in which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is a substantial shareholder, has together with its consortium partner TIZA Global Sdn Bhd, executed a 40:60 joint development agreement with clean energy player Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) for a two-gigawatt (2GW) solar farm project in Pahang for US$2 billion (RM9.75 billion).

Under the deal, Citaglobal and TIZA will hold a 40% equity interest in the project, with the remaining 60% held by Masdar. The parties will put in funding for the project's development's cost — which will be determined later — in proportion to their stake in the project.

Citaglobal executes deal with Abu Dhabi energy firm to develop US$2 bil solar farm in Pahang

The ringgit is expected to recover along with other emerging-market currencies once central banks in developed economies are done raising interest rates, according to Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

BNM chief sees ringgit reprieve as rates peak

After seven turbulent years in Nepal, Axiata Group Bhd is selling its stake in Ncell Axiata Bhd by disposing of its shares in Reynolds Holdings Ltd, which holds an 80% stake in Ncell Axiata, and exiting the country.

Axiata sells Ncell stake and exits Nepal, cites unfair taxation and unfavourable foreign investor protection

Property developer Avaland Bhd (formerly known as MCT Bhd) has redesignated its non-independent non-executive director Apollo Bello Tanco as the group’s executive director (ED) and chief executive officer effective Jan 1, 2024.

Property developer Avaland redesignates Apollo as group ED and CEO, effective Jan 1

Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust (Pavilion REIT) has terminated two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) it inked for the purchase of renewable energy (RE) from a solar power plant in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, under the Corporate Green Power Programme (CGPP) to power its malls.

Bitcoin soared to its highest price so far this year, as investors took on more risk ahead of comments from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell which could give guidance on whether the US is closer to lowering interest rates.

Bitcoin rally pushes largest token to 18-month high

The money-laundering and bribery charges against&nbsp;former Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan&nbsp;will all be heard in one court, after the Sessions Court allowed the application by the prosecution.&nbsp;

Wan Saiful’s 18 money-laundering charges to be tried together with corruption charges in one court

Bursa Malaysia ended the week marginally higher due to late buying, particularly in telecommunications and banking stocks, a dealer said.

Bursa ends marginally higher

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 1): Minister of Communication and Digital&nbsp;Fahmi Fadzil assured the public on Friday that personal data protection and cyber security&nbsp;will always be under control&nbsp;in the&nbsp;implementation of the National Digital Identity, or Digital ID programme.

Digital ID: Public assured of data protection and cyber security — Fahmi

Global stocks edged up on Friday, having closed out their best month in three years the day before, as investor confidence that interest rates will fall next year has lured cash into equities, cryptocurrencies and gold at the expense of the dollar.

Shares rally as investor confidence in Fed cuts grows

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday hinted at a Cabinet reshuffle this month.

Anwar hints at Cabinet reshuffle this month

Senior lawyer Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik will be the lead counsel for former Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong Choo Kiong’s appeal against his conviction, 13 years’ jail and two strokes of the cane for raping his maid in 2019.

Hisyam Teh to lead defence in ex-Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong's rape appeal

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 1): The civil service does not use external consultants unless in a situation where there is a lack of specific expertise, according to the Chief Secretary to the Government&nbsp;Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

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