Day: May 19, 2022

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Malaysia’s digital economy to contribute 22.6 pct to GDP, create half a million jobs by 2025

SINGAPORE— The digital economy is expected to contribute 22.6 per cent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and create over 500,000 jobs by 2025, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba.

He said Malaysia has placed priorities on expanding the adoption of digital consumer tools (e-commerce and digital payments); attracting, training, and retaining digital talent; fostering digital entrepreneurial ventures; providing fast fibre optics and mobile broadband Internet access; as well as coordinating innovation between universities, businesses and digital authorities.

“The level of digital evolution helped cushion against the pandemic’s economic impact. For example, more digitally-evolved economies tend to derive a larger share of their GDP from high-tech sectors, where the workforce can shift to remote working more readily.

“In addition, they tend to be better at delivering public services online due to superior infrastructure, experience with digital transformation in much of the public sector, and accessible, affordable Internet. Some even leveraged their superior digital evolution for contact tracing, exposure identification, data collection, and public health messaging that significantly minimised economic disruptions,” he said in his keynote address at the Huawei Asia Pacific Digital Innovation Conference 2022 here Thursday.

The two-day conference themed “Innovation for a digital Asia Pacific” at Marina Bay Sands brought together industry leaders, major stakeholders, key customers, and authoritative organisations across the region, totalling over 1,000 people onsite and over 30,000 online participants.

Dr Adham further shared that Malaysia has recently launched the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital) to help guide the country’s transformation into a digitally-driven, high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy.

“MyDigital will further strengthen and elevate the sustainable development of the digital economy by providing a collaborative platform and market demand for digital solutions developed and deployed by local digital technology startups and small and medium enterprises both in the form of devices and systems, in a bid to place Malaysia on the trajectory to become a high-tech producer nation,” the minister said.

Dr Adham said that during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) introduced public health vaccination infrastructure that can be deployed during emergency pandemic situations.

Vaccine Management System (VMS) is a system developed by Mosti via its agency Mimos Bhd using the hyperledger blockchain platform to enable the pharmacist, medical and respective officers to track and trace the vaccine supply chain from the manufacturers until its recipients (the patients) using blockchain technology.

“VMS is currently running live, and Mosti is ready to discuss with any country on vaccine certificate recognition,” he said.

He also shared on Mosti’s on-campus 5G Experience Centre, namely MRANTI, which in the midst of developing the first artificial intelligence (AI) park in Malaysia, a designated 300-acre (121.4-hectare) plot which will serve as the platform for the development of AI solutions, where there is also a drone tech centre of excellence named Area 57, a five-acre (2.02-hectare) dedicated land bank for flying, testing, research and development activities.

Meanwhile, through the partnership of Mimos, Maxis and Huawei Malaysia, the AI Innovation Hub, a facility equipped with 5G network infrastructure and AI instruments, has been established to accelerate the creation of industrial use-cases enabled by 5G, AI and other advanced technologies in the country, he added.

Dr Adham said Malaysia sees sustainable development goals in a bigger picture to support planetary health, which has become more important than ever before.

The minister said Mosti will lead the formulation of a national action plan on planetary health using science, technology and innovation to manage the environment.

Malaysia, through Mosti, is always open to forging strategic partnership with global institutions in the area of digitalisation, he said.

“For instance, Mimos through its Digital Transformation Programme with Huawei focuses on the development of curriculum and course programmes for deep tech and future skills. This programme encompasses skills training such as on 5G, AI, Internet of things and big data.

“Looking at the boundless benefits that digitalisation technology has to offer, Malaysia welcomes further cooperation and partnerships on digitalisation programmes both in the bilateral and multilateral spheres,” he added.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Malaysian travel sector strongly engages with India in tourism revival efforts

NEW DELHI— Malaysian travel sector companies are strongly engaged with India, a significant source of Malaysia’s foreign arrivals, as they expand their tourism recovery efforts.

Participating in a tourism fair in Greater Noida near New Delhi, Malaysian representatives held meetings with Indian tour operators to update them about the reopening of hotels and theme parks and resumption of flights.

Anil Jeet Singh Sandhu, deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian High Commissioner to India Hidayat Abdul Hamid, and other officials briefed the media about Malaysia’s new rules for foreign tourists, emphasising that the most rigid pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted to facilitate travel throughout Malaysia.

“Malaysia is ready to receive international travellers. Starting May 1, fully-vaccinated travellers no longer have to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 tests, and there is no need for quarantine and COVID-19 insurance,” he said.

The Tourism Malaysia official sees pent-up demand for travel as pandemic restrictions are being relaxed in many countries.

“People have been sitting at home for too long. With new SOPs (standard operating procedures) in place, they are keen to travel again,” he said.

Malaysia’s tourism promotion campaign in India has received a boost following an increase in flights.

The number of weekly flights between India and Malaysia has risen to 104 from 76 one month ago and most key Indian cities are now connected with Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian exhibitors at the three-day South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), which began on Wednesday, included Sunway Resort, Genting SkyWorld, Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Desaru Coast, Langkawi Development Authority, Air Asia and Batik Air.

Roslina Arbak, managing director and chief executive officer of Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd, said the coastal destination is offering incentives worth 12 million Indian rupees (about RM680,000) to entice independent travelers as well as those keen to use Desaru’s facilities for events and weddings.

Sulaiman Suip, director of Tourism Malaysia’s New Delhi office, said this year’s target is to attract 172,000 arrivals from India.

“This number is based on the arrival trends seen since the border reopening in April,” he said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Brunei Reports 300 New COVID-19 Cases

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Brunei reported 300 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the national tally to 145,521.

Among the new cases, 298 were results from Antigen Rapid Test (ART) tests, uploaded to the government, and two were from 343 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory tests, performed in the past 24 hours.

As of May 17, 68.8 percent of Brunei’s population have received three doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and China’s Sinopharm.

Currently, 1,823 active cases are being treated and monitored in Brunei, where 143,477 recoveries have been reported.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Myanmar’s SAC Chairman To Hold Peace Talks With 10 Ethnic Armed Groups Tomorrow

YANGON, May 19 (NNN-MNA) – Myanmar’s State Administration Council’s (SAC) chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, will hold peace talks with 10 ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) tomorrow (May 20), the council’s spokesperson, Zaw Min Tun, said today.

“We will hold the peace talks tomorrow, May 20,” Zaw Min Tun said, during the council’s 14th press conference today.

Seven EAOs that are signatories to Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and three non-signatory EAOs, registered to attend the peace talks with Min Aung Hlaing, the spokesperson reaffirmed, at the press conference.

The seven NCA-signatory EAOs registered for the peace talks are, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, New Mon State Party (NMSP), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Pa-Oh National Liberation Organisation (PNLO), and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

The three NCA non-signatory EAOs registered to attend the peace talks are, United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA-Mongla) and Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP).

In Myanmar, 10 ethnic armed groups have so far signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government, since it was initiated in Oct, 2015.

The state power of Myanmar was transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, after the declaration of the state of emergency in Feb, last year.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

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Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the #GBK85 Exhibition

Mr Goh Beng Kwan

Ms Hazeleen Goh, Founder and CEO, ArtAF

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning. I am pleased to join you at the opening of Mr Goh Beng Kwan’s solo exhibition #GBK85 in such a unique setting.

Mr Goh is a renowned Singapore pioneer artist who has devoted his life to making art – at home in Singapore, during his training in the United States and while traveling throughout the region. He has received several prestigious scholarships and won numerous awards, including the inaugural UOB Painting of the Year award in 1982 for his work Dune. In recognition of his contributions to the local arts and culture scene, Mr Goh was also conferred the Cultural Medallion in 1989.

However, we are not here today to reminisce the past. #GBK85 is not just another exhibition or a retrospective; Mr Goh has participated in over 120 exhibitions – both solo and group exhibitions – and has no shortage of accolades.

The arts can bring communities together, and many of our arts groups have continued to reach out to new audiences through new methods of presentation, especially these past two years. #GBK85 too, is about reaching out to new audiences. It showcases not only his work, but also his life as an artist to inspire Singaporeans, especially the next generation through stories of Mr Goh’s rich lifetime of experience. This exhibition brings our various communities together to embrace the future of visual arts in Singapore.

Mr Goh has never stopped creating. He continued to paint and collage even at the height of the pandemic. Eight of his COVID-period works are on display in the exhibition. These works are examples of what one can accomplish with tenacity, resilience and perseverance.

With new virtual platforms growing as technology advances, Mr Goh is keeping pace and exemplifies the spirit of lifelong learning. Even at the age of 85 years, he is extending his repertoire, which now includes augmented reality works and non-fungible tokens, some of which you will experience in the exhibition. This spirit of lifelong learning is definitely something we can all learn to cultivate.

Art enriches each of us in different ways. It can create a sense of wonder, challenge perceptions and assumptions, or provide enjoyment. Art brings communities together, uplifting our spirits and giving tangible expression to our heritage, values, and identity.

In addition, art allows us to express ourselves without having to use a single word. It provides an outlet for emotion, creativity, beauty, culture and identity – cornerstones of our Singapore society and the foundation of our shared future. It can also help to improve our mental health.

It is apt that Mr Goh has named the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) as the official charity of this exhibition. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to SAMH, and Mr Goh will continue to work with SAMH to ensure the energy of this collaboration extends beyond the exhibition, engaging with those who find solace in art.

I would like to congratulate Mr Goh for his lifetime of creative achievement, one that has made our nation proud and inspired generations. I would like to thank ArtAF, Conrad Centennial Singapore and National Arts Council for supporting this important exhibition in an unconventional setting, with its eyes set firmly on the future. I wish everyone an enjoyable day ahead.

Thank you.

Source: President’s Office of Singapore

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MAN CHARGED WITH CHEATING TWO PEOPLE OF MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION

Murlidharan S/O Muhundan, a 45-year-old man was charged in court on 19 May 2022 for having allegedly cheated more than $1.6 million in a timeshare recovery fraud.

The man was alleged to have deceived two persons into believing that they would obtain payouts in relation to their timeshare agreements if they made payments for various fees, such as “administrative”, “processing” and “legal” fees. These persons did not receive any payouts after paying more than $1.6 million.

The man was charged with 21 counts of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property under Section 420 of the Penal Code, two counts of abetting cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, and two counts of attempted cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property under Section 420 read with Section 512(2) of the Penal Code in relation to timeshare agreements.

Those convicted of any of these offences face an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.

The Police would like to advise members of the public to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited calls from companies or persons purporting to help them recover monies from their timeshare memberships. They should also adopt the following precautions:

Be wary when someone calls you regarding your timeshare membership.

Refrain from providing any personal information or information on your timeshare membership to the caller.

Conduct background checks on the company’s track record before engaging its services.

Request for a copy of the documentation on their proposals, representations, contracts and agreements. Be wary if the company is reluctant to provide you with such documentation and only provides verbal promises.

Check with the timeshare developer if the company had dealt with the former in the recovery of timeshare membership fees.

Exercise extra caution especially if you are asked to make upfront payments with the promise of assisting you to recover your money from your timeshare memberships.

Source: Singapore Police Force