Waste management startup, Wormingup clinches Sarawak’s second ECF win raising US$128k via Ata Plus
- Overloaded ECF round indicates investor confidence in Sarawak alternative tech
- To meet growing demand, money will be used to upgrade equipment and build a new BSF egg production facility.
Through the Securities Commission-regulated equity crowdfunding (ECF ) platform Ata Plus, FTA Broodstock Sdn Bhd, which is run under the name WormingUp, has raised US$ 128, 000 ( RM499, 950 ) from 17 investors. In a statement, Ata Plus claimed the campaign exceeded its least goal by more than 30 %, indicating solid investor confidence in Sarawak’s expanding green tech industry.
The Malaysia Co-Investment Fund ( MyCIF), which backed the round, further demonstrated the government’s continued support for cutting-edge waste management solutions and the government’s commitment to improving food security.
WormingUp, an ISO14001-certified Sarawak-based accredited social enterprise that was founded in 2015, specializes in managing organic waste using Black Soldier Fly ( BSF ) technology.
The company breeds Black Soldier Fly to use ornithological biology to transform natural waste into high-value biofertilizer and green protein for bird feed. It benefits from the vicinity of the palm oil industry’s production of agricultural waste. WormingUp aims to supply regional export markets like Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei with sustainable animal feed with a projected global demand forecast of$ 705 billion ( RM3.3 trillion ) by 2034.
” Our goal has always been to turn climate issues into viable financial opportunities,” according to Jeff Wee Hung Yee, managing director of WormingUp. ” This ECF financing allows us to expand our circular business model and offer specialized BSF solutions for the fishing, poultry, and healthy farming business. With these tools, we are prepared to make an even greater effects.
The funds may primarily be used for building updates and service development, including the construction of a new BSF chicken manufacturing facility in Asajaya, Sarawak to meet the rising demand for high-quality broodstock.
WormingUp has won a number of conservation prizes, most just the Gold Award for Responsible Waste Management at the 2025 International Responsible Tourism Awards.
The campaign highlights the growing investor appetite for locally rooted, ESG-driven ventures, according to Elain Lockman ( pic ), CEO and co-founder of Ata Plus. They are a striking example of the high-potential startups we help, she said,” Their ability to turn waste into worth while addressing gas emissions from landfills makes them a striking example of the high-potential startups we support.”
The next Sarawak business to successfully complete an ECF round on Ata Plus is” WormingUp.” We are glad to bridge the gap between sustainable development and investment, opening the door for a more stable and circular economy in Malaysia, she continued.
AI and data centres help reshape Asia sustainable finance | FinanceAsia
Artificial intelligence ( AI ) is reshaping sustainable finance in Asia by increasing demand for energy, infrastructure, and risk management rather than lowering it.
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DBS’ net profit falls 3% to S$11bn amid rate headwinds | FinanceAsia
In its 2025 financial year ( FY), DBS Group reported a profit before taxes of S$ 13.1 billion ($ 10.35 billion ), which was comparable to the result of 2024.  ,
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Singaporeans stranded by Middle East airspace shutdown face delays, rising costs
Good POSITIVE AYING
Ms. Ang said she is now awaiting improvements from MFA regarding available flights, while Ms. Lim claimed she has been receiving emails from the ministry warning Singaporeans to be safe and adopt protocol.
Mr. Azam, the visit head, stated that he has reached out to MFA for assistance in securing flights and lodging.  ,
Despite the uncertainty, those CNA spoke to expressed their desire to maintain calm.
Mr. Azam has instructed his 27-person tour group to be up and restrict movement inside their homes.
He continued,” I’m worried for them because some have job waiting,” adding that he had no idea how understanding their employers would be of the situation may be.
He continued, saying that the team was kind and encouraging toward one another.
” Ultimately, everyone is doing it well,” said the manager. He claimed that “everyone is supporting one another and staying along.”
Ms. Lim, who is a friend of a friend staying in an apartment near the Dubai aircraft with friends, claimed she has been supported by the emigrant area in the area, with friends and neighbors keeping an eye on one another, which is reminiscent of the COVID-19 quarantine period.
People coming along to offer assistance is definitely bringing out that COVID-style of neighborly aid, she said.
She continued, adding that the current turmoil has taught her how to enjoy the tranquility of Singapore and the surrounding area.
It teaches me to remain thankful because, in Singapore, we don’t typically launch missile strikes on this side of the world, she said.
Man arrested for mischief after fire at Kovan condo unit
According to SCDF, firefighters entered the smoke-filled building and used a liquid flight to extinguish the flames.
A firefighter suffered a slight burn injury while conducting the fire operation. He was evaluated by a professional and transported to Singapore General Hospital, according to SCDF.
Before rescuers arrived at the scene, three of the damaged unit’s occupants had evacuated. No accidents have been reported.
A 64-year-old person was detained for evil by fire, according to authorities.
Investigating the fire’s origin is ongoing.
‘Like sitting ducks’: Fear and uncertainty mount for Southeast Asians stranded in Middle East
WORKING WITH Diplomats TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
Malaysia’s foreign government announced on Monday that it is coordinating with Saudi Arabia’s airlines and diplomatic missions to help its stranded people.
Internationals are urged to postpone all non-essential go to the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and other countries, according to the ministry’s speech.
Security problems in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, and Cyprus across the Middle East are generally stable, according to the government.
No Malaysians have been hurt, and diplomatic missions are still assisting, the department said, especially in terms of temporary hospitality and journey coordination.
Additionally, it exhorted Malay in a number of Middle Eastern nations to be diligent, stay away from defense installations, and follow local laws.  ,
Internationals are also being advised to stay relaxed and stay away from areas close to military installations or falling dust by its regional embassies.  ,
The Indonesian embassy in Abu Dhabi announced on Monday that it would be closed to the public as a result of the ongoing “regional protection situation,” but that judicial services would still be accessible online.
In response to heightened US-Iran conflicts, foreign minister Mohamad Hasan reported earlier on Thursday that 13 Malay, including kids, deliberately opted to stay in Iran despite being given support to returning home.
ALL 329 INDONESIANES ARE SAFE IN IRAN: Adviser
The Indonesian authorities confirmed on Saturday that all 329 Indonesians who reside in Iran are healthy following the attacks, according to local news channel Jakarta Globe.
” We have contacted all Indian populations in Iran as of 2.30pm native time. According to Indonesian embassy to Iran Rolliansyah” Roy” Soemirat, they have reported that none of them “feel threatened.”
The 329 Indonesians included those who have registered and are currently being recorded in the ambassador, according to Roy to the Jakarta Globe, and that the ambassador will continue to conduct” two-way communications” with all Citizens throughout the nation.
According to local news channel Republika, the Indonesian government has not yet made any plans to leave its citizens from Iran, according to Roy  on Monday.
According to him, the Indian government must have an order to carry out the departure programs.  ,
Individually, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto announced on Sunday that he is willing to travel to Tehran to” do intervention.”
‘Missiles explode right above you’: Chinese citizens stranded amid Iran war share harrowing experiences
China: Missile storms energizing the night sky. Ripples swaying panels. Airlines are canceled without notice.
Foreign citizens who are stranded across components of the Middle East have described spooky scenes from the conflict, which includes military attacks by the United States and Israel and later Persian retaliation.
A Chinese citizen was killed in Tehran, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday ( Mar 2 ), without providing further information about the deceased’s gender or age.
Since Iran’s departure, more than 3, 000 Chinese citizens have been evicted.  ,
Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference that the Chinese Embassy and consulates all over Iran are assisting individuals in getting out of Iran as quickly as possible.
Mao added that Chinese consulates and embassies in other neighboring nations have since sent teams to frontier bridges to offer help.  ,
We once more firmly advise Iranian citizens to take extra precautions and evacuate carefully as soon as possible in light of the current situation in Iran.
According to Chinese state media reviews, the first batch of Chinese people were flown to southern Azerbaijan by area.
Chinese military officials in Azerbaijan have even set up buses to transport people from the boundary to Baku, the capital.
Additionally, leaders also shared some border crossing departure routes with neighbors in Turkmenistan, Armenia, Iraq, and Turkey.
The Chinese consulate stated in a statement shared on the Twitter app that” the situation is changing fast and we will continue to monitor border conditions and give updates.”
Foreign people in Israel, on the other hand, have been given instructions to move to secure places within Israel, according to a speech from China’s National Immigration Administration on WeChat.
They were advised to avoid traveling to places like Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem and stay away from “military products, delicate organizations, and big travel hubs like airports and train stations.”
Woman, 40, accused of repeated sexual offences against boy aged below 16 in parked car, other locations
A person is accused of having sex with a child under the age of 16 regularly in a parked car and grooming a boy for sex in Singapore.
The 40-year-old Singaporean, who cannot be identified because of a gag order outlawing the publication of information that might reveal the identities of her or any of her victims, the incident’s locations and a particular school, entered a not-guilty plea on Monday ( Mar 2 )
She is accused of sexual cleaning, getting an obscenities operate from a young person, sexual penetration of a slight, and obstruction of justice in total.
It is impossible to ascertain at this point whether the alleged works were committed against one survivor or multiple patients because every aspect of the target or victims, including the name and birth day, has been redacted from demand sheets.
At this point, court records did not reveal how the girl became aware of the alleged victim or victims.
At a Monday notice hearing at the State Courts, the girl entered a plea of not criminal.
ALLEGATIONS
The woman reportedly requested nude photos of a survivor who was under the age of 16 between March and September of that year.
The woman reportedly started a video call with a boy under the age of 16 while they were both taking showers in different locations in order to see him naked.
The person is accused of having sex with a female victim under the age of 16 while inside a car parked at a edited place at some point in early March 2023.  ,
On April 14, 2023, she supposedly had intercourse with a female victim under the age of 16 again at a different location and on June 20, 2023, at a deleted location.
The woman is also the subject of a physical grooming charge brought against her as a result of this event. On June 20, 2023, she is accused of intentionally meeting a female victim who is under the age of 16 in order to carry out the crime of sexual penetration of a slight under 16.
On June 23, 2023, the woman is accused of having sex with a female victim under the age of 16 at a edited area between about 2.30pm and 4.40pm.
She reportedly repeated this in a placed car on July 4, 2023, between about 7.20 and 7.50am.
On July 26, 2023, a second program reportedly occurred in a placed vehicles between 5.45 and 7.35pm. She is accused of doing the same thing inside a parked vehicle the following evening, between 7:30 and 8:00 pm.
On July 31, 2023, the next conference allegedly took place between about 5.30 and 7.25 p.m. inside a parked car.
The woman reportedly had sex with a female victim under the age of 16 suddenly between 10am and 10am on August 1, 2023 at a deleted location elsewhere.
The second reportedly occurring three days later, this time in a parked car, on August 4, 2023, was between about 2.45 p.m. and 5.40 p.m.
More than a month after, the woman allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a female victim under the age of 16 in a parked car between about 5.45 p.m. and 6.10 p.m. on September 13, 2023.
She allegedly repeated the offense two days later in a parked car between three and sixo’clock.
The final cost accuses her of obstructing righteousness by deleting text emails sent between herself and a target between October 25 and October 26 in 2024.
According to court documents, Mr. Kalidass Murugaiyan represents the person.
Her scenario bears a High Court case range attached, which indicates that it may later be heard in the High Court, where longer sentences may be imposed.
A criminal case reporting meeting will take place in April where both the prosecution and the defense reveal information to speed up the test process.
The woman is on bail of S$ 80, 000 ( US$ 62, 970 ).
She could be jailed for up to 20 years and subject to fines for each offense if found guilty of causing a small to sexually penetrate. Because she is a woman, she may be caned.
She faces a three-year sentence, a fine, or both if she is found guilty of sexual cleaning.
She faces jail time for up to seven times, a fine, or both if found guilty of obstructing justice.
For more details, CNA has gotten in touch with the Ministry of Education.
China watching as US missile stocks drain over Iran – Asia Times
According to The Wall Street Journal, the US government is rushing to neutralize Iranian missile interceptors before necessary missile interceptors are exhausted, a administrative crisis fueled by the Middle East’s striking cost-exchange imbalance.
US President Donald Trump cited the mission’s” ahead of schedule” as evidence of “dwindling” publication level, while protection experts caution against dwindling” magazine depth following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death by bombing.
The Stimson Center think tank’s senior fellow, Kelly Grieco, cautioned that the US is “using]munitions ] faster than we can replace them,” highlighting the unsustainable nature of using million-dollar interceptors against cheap Iranian drones.
Rose Kelanic, a strategic analyst, noted that Iran’s extensive arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles ( SRBMs) makes it necessary to rely on advanced defense systems for rapid suppression.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed that US cuts are a protective need to protect US workers despite these shortfalls. Current and former defense officials, including those with US Central Command ( CENTCOM), expressed caution against the high cost of the Standard Missile-3 and Tomahawk missiles, which could lead to a” Winchester” scenario of complete ammunition depletion.
According to officials, this munitions drain could cause the US to deflect supplies from the Pacific, possibly compromising US military readiness to support the ongoing Persian Gulf and Mediterranean operations against Iran and its proxies.
A serious cost-exchange conflict was exposed by the Israeli-Iran conflict in June 2025. In a report from July 2025 for the Jewish Institute for National Security of America ( JINSA ), Ari Cicurel mentions that Iran launched 574 medium-range ballistic missiles ( MRBMs) over a 12-day period, with an estimated total cost of$ 1.1 to$ 6.6 billion, depending on the type of missile.
Cicurel adds that while that figure is significant, many of Iran’s missiles, including Ghadr systems and Emad variants priced at around$ 250, 000, are significantly less expensive than the expensive interceptors needed to defeat them.
Cicurel points out that the US spent 92 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense ( THAAD ) interceptors for an estimated$ 12.7 million each, or roughly$ 1.17 billion overall, which accounts for roughly 14 % of its stockpile. He claims that intercept investing totaled an estimated$ 1.48 to$ 1.58 billion, excluding Israel.
The cost-benefit examination works both ways, assuming the exact tempo persists for roughly four days as Trump indicated that the ongoing operation may continue.
Iran’s 574 MRBMs would increase to about 1, 340 missiles if the exchange rate sank by roughly 2.33 times, bringing its estimated missile bill up to$ 2.6 to$ 1.4 billion. US-Israeli fighter spending on the protective would increase from$ 1.48 to$ 1.58 billion to around$ 3.55 to$ 3.37 billion.
US THAAD utilization would increase from 92 ships to about 215, or about one-third of a 632-round hoard, at that rate. In terms of dollars, Iran benefits if the weapon combination it uses reflects the lower-cost measure, whereas higher-end cost beliefs favor the US and Israel.
The US issue is even more complicated by fundamental flaws in interceptor production. Wes Rumbaugh points out that THAAD and SM-3 buy rates have fluctuated sharply year-to-year, sometimes by over 80 %, undermining stable industry demand signals in a December 2025 report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies ( CSIS ).
Rumbaugh claims that 534 THAAD ships had been delivered to the US by December 2025, but a supply distance since mid-2019 and a Saudi Arabia interceptor delay limit inventory power.
A swift attack may be preferable to a drawn-out conflict with Iran now that US and Israeli ships like THAAD and Arrow are under threat. Waiting might make it easier for Iran and its allies to regain their threats, making it more urgent to operate.
By providing high-tech capabilities, from satellite surveillance to powerful weapon advice systems, Russia and China have gradually supported Iran as its “eyes,” according to Silvia Boltuc’s comment in a Special Eurasia record this month. This helps Iran prevent operating in loneliness.
Iran serves as a crucial hub for Russia’s International North-South Transport Corridor ( INSTC ), a transit point connecting Iran and Russia via the Caspian Sea via sanctions-evasion.
Iran is a crucial energy source for China, supplying 13.4 % of its seaborne oil exports last month. China is crucial to its plans to fight the US over Taiwan because Iran’s discounted fuel significantly lowers its costs.
Boltuc claims that Russia has concentrated on enhancing Iran’s situational awareness and air defense resilience, including advanced systems like Su-35 fighters, S-400 air defenses, and Rezonans-NE radar, as well as orbital reconnaissance assets like the Kanopus-V ( Khayyam ) satellite.
China’s assist does have a greater impact. She mentions Iran’s official switch from US GPS to China’s Beidou, which also offers short message services and allows Persian command nodes to talk when local networks are lower.
She also makes note that Iran has access to China’s highly precise, encrypted defense signs, which are resistant to Western interference.
Boltuc mentions that China uses its fleet of 500 satellites to monitor US naval movements in the Persian Gulf and support Iran with signals intelligence ( SIGINT ) technology. Similar to Russia, Boltuc claims that China has concentrated on providing Iran with CM-302 sonic anti-ship weapons and YLC-8B anti-stealth sensor.
ISR support from both countries may help Iran’s damaged leadership and defense institutions survive the US-Israeli assault and maintain their functional status, even if the material hasn’t been completely delivered or integrated into the ongoing hostilities.
Israel may be using that window of opportunity to dismember the Iranian government by striking before Russian and Chinese help arrives in the region in order to prevent a looming weapons deficit in the Pacific in a potential conflict with China over Taiwan. The continued hostility with Iran may simply increase America’s risk in the Pacific.
A report from the Heritage Foundation in January 2026 warns that THAAD, Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile Segment Enhancement ( PAC-3 MSE), Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile Segment Enhancement ( PAC-3 MSE), and SM-3 would likely be exhausted within days of sustained combat, with some systems exhausted after just two to three major People’s Liberation Army ( PLA ) salvoes.
According to the report, pier-side rearming causes weekly gaps and the estimated 17, 000 rounds of US vertical launch systems (VLS ) inventories are insufficient for even one full fleet reload.
It further states that inventory is obstructed by the output restrictions of an estimated 500 UNREP (undergoing replenishment ) units per day and 14-21 day transit times, which could lead to widespread failure within 30 to 60 days.
US fighter depletion is not just a military strain but also a strategic turning point because it pushes US and Israeli decision-making deadlines forward, encourages preemptive and decisive action against Iran, and exposes how local attrition warfare in the Middle East may weaken Pacific deterrence and increase vulnerabilities in a conflict over Taiwan.
Edwin Tong says attorney-general appointment is structured, refutes Sylvia Lim’s claims that process is thin
SUITABLE CANDIDATES ,
According to Mr. Tong, the attorney-general is one of Singapore’s most crucial positions in the constitution’s model.  ,
Beyond formal education, the minister said,” It requires an individual of great professional standing, broad-ranging legitimate experience, good judgment, and a strong sense of public duty.”
Even when it may be challenging or unhappy, the attorney-general must also possess unwavering integrity and a strong moral compass, and he must provide objective counsel and act quite in prosecutions.
He may be ready to uphold the law without bias and use it to everyone, whether they are opposition leaders or ministers. ”  ,
Mr. Tong noted that it is challenging to locate individuals with the necessary expertise, wisdom, and integrity for this position.  ,
The state also considers the performance of the former, their ability and willingness to provide, and whether there are significant ongoing issues that demand consistency and close supervision.
The secretary claimed that Mr. Wong’s legal counsel is still in charge of important issues. This includes negotiations on sea boundaries, tax and financial sector constitutional reforms, and intricate cross-border criminal cases.  ,
These and other significant responsibilities require a strong hand, good judgment, and heavy expertise,” says Mr. Tong.”
Mr. Wong has a proven track record. We have worked with him, worked with him, and are familiar with the standard of the work, even on vulnerable issues. He continues to be healthy, capable, and ready to go on. ”  ,
He claimed that the attorney-general’s appointment process is intended to safeguard both people respect and freedom.
Ms. Lim questioned whether there were any other chosen applicants during the latest reappointment of the attorney-general in response to Mr. Tong’s speech on Monday.  ,
In which Mr. Tong said,” We will consider this carefully, think about what the president has done, whether there is a need to change at that time, and if so, what are the alternatives,” but he did not go into whether there is a long list or a quick list.
” And get all of these things into account before deciding to make a proposal to the president.”
Ms. Lim even inquired if Mr. Wong had been groomed to take over and if he was “individually vital” in managing continuing, complex projects.
Mr. Tong said in his response,” It is not that any person is valuable, but at a certain point in time, a number of factors are taken into account.
In addition to whether the person is available and able to continue, Mr. Tong noted that there are other factors, such as the continuous projects, the child’s status and ability to contribute to the continuous projects, as well as their status.