EdgePoint Infrastructure, CelcomDigi ink partnership to expand connectivity in Malaysia

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  • Partnership lays basis for future-ready communication solutions
  • Both events to work on expanding CelcomDigi’s communication reach

From left: Suresh Sidhu, CEO, EdgePoint Infrastructure, Muniff Kamaruddin, CEO, EdgePoint Towers, Idham Nawawi, CEO, CelcomDigi Bhd and Joachim Rajaram, chief corporate affairs officer, CelcomDigi

EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd, part of EdgePoint Infrastructure, an Asean-based independent telecommunications infrastructure company, has partnered with Malaysia’s leading mobile network operator ( MNO ), CelcomDigi Bhd. At the top-notch occasion for members of the Asia-Pacific building industry, TowerXchange Meet Up Asia 2024, the partnership was officially established.

To collaborate on expanding CelcomDigi’s connectivity reach, achieving network synergies, and lowering costs, EdgePoint Towers and CelcomDigi signed a Memorandum of Agreement ( MoA ). In addition, the agreement allows for more advanced connectivity options, such as tiny cells and in-building systems, to increase interior coverage and meet growing data demands.

Muniff Kamaruddin, CEO of EdgePoint Towers, said:” This association extends the powerful connection between EdgePoint and CelcomDigi. We are looking forward to helping CelcomDigi realize the advantages of the acquisition and get ready for growth in the future.

As Malaysia’s connection goals become more advanced, he continued,” We are committed to quickly creating and deploying innovative technology and equipment that is adaptable to the needs of consumers and businesses across the country.”

Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi, commented:” Malaysia is poised to direct the area in 5G and AI growth. Our responsibility is to create a state-of-the-art system that advances the country into a 5G and AI-powered modern society. Partnerships like this allow us to optimise our just modernised network, increase coverage, and promote Malaysia’s online transformation”.

A partnership was signed between Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd ( MTSFB) and Persatuan Penyedia Infrastruktur Telekomunikasi Malaysia ( PPIT ) at the same time. The contract underscores commitments to community connectivity, safety, and commitment to technical requirements for network services and facilities.

PPIT’s leader, Muniff Kamaruddin, signed the agreement alongside MTSFB CEO Normarinee Mohd Nor. Speaking at the event, Normarinee said:” As the communications sector evolves rapidly, it’s vital to establish forward-thinking, important criteria that generate innovation while ensuring stability, protection, conservation, and portability. To create a more connected and green coming, we want to encourage collaboration between business leaders, regulators, and engineering providers.

EdgePoint now owns more than 15, 000 buildings across Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

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MediSun Energy raises US.75 mil seed round with Vynn Capital

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  • MENA development and advancement of ionic energy innovation are the goals of Ambassador.
  • Tech&nbsp, can become critical for industries&nbsp, that require creativity in power management

A Singapore-based company with a focus on advanced osmotic ( blue ) energy technology, MediSun Energy Pte Ltd, has successfully secured US$ 8.75 million ( RM$ 39.1 ) in funding and established a strategic partnership with Southeast Asian venture capital firm Vynn Capital Sdn Bhd. The funding consists of US$ 5 million ( RM22.34 million ) in venture debt and US$ 3.75 million in equity financing, bringing the company’s valuation to US$ 44 million.

]RM1 = US$ 0.224]

The parties stated in a joint statement that this was one of the major investments made by the Mobility and Supply Chain fund of Vynn Capital, which was supported by some institutional investors in Malaysia and other local limited partners.

The money round, led by Vynn Capital, attracted many new buyers, including MOAJ Holding, a leading Royal investment firm, Frank Phuan, TNB Aura, a Singapore-based venture capital firm participating through its Scout Initiative, and Ciri Ventures, a weather tech-focused venture capital firm. In addition, MOAJ Holding has also pledged to fund a native joint venture by putting up up to US$ 30 million into Medisun’s Saudi Arabia company.

The collaboration aims to strengthen MediSun’s research and development capabilities and expand its development into the MENA area. One facility will be set up for load generation, the other for load production, according to MediSun.

Dusun Kim, Founder &amp, CEO of MediSun, stated:” At MediSun, we are dedicated to making the world green and better. Our zero-brine technology not only produces fresh, clean energy, but also benefits from a more lasting future. We will be able to expand our businesses and introduce our creative alternatives to new markets thanks to our new collaboration with Vynn Capital. We are committed to utilizing this opportunity to advance our goal of addressing the most pressing economic issues.

Victor Chua, Founding &amp, Managing Partner of Vynn Capital, added:” MediSun’s options are essential in solving water supply chain and lack concerns while achieving net-zero coal goals by reducing energy consumption. Over the medium word, we believe such systems can also be critical for various industries, such as freedom and business sectors, that require creativity in energy management. This is especially important given the tale that Southeast Asia and Malaysia play a bigger part in the renewable energy sector.

In addition to supporting MediSun’s development, Vynn Capital is constantly exploring different options and companies in important areas such as Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. This agreement places both businesses at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in the region because Southeast Asia’s liquid systems market is anticipated to grow significantly.

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If TikTok threatens national security why can Canadians keep it? – Asia Times

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Last week, news of the American government’s abrupt decision to halt TikTok’s business in Canada sank.

Navigating internet policy in search of relevant information has since become a wild goose chase. Behind the state of enigmatic “national security risks” is a distinct lack of clarity.

François-Philippe Champagne, the leader of the economy, is well known for his efforts to cut back on China’s ties to the North American economy. He responded to requests for information on how Canadians may view the choice when asked by the media for clarification.

Even as American legislators pressed the company to publish its data access and control practices, TikTok pre-emptively established a Transparency and Accountability Center in 2023 to provide authorities with a behind-the-scenes look at their techniques and content tolerance practices.

TikTok accountability work

I was an expert in financial security when Canada banned TikTok on government devices next year, and I was curious as to why any workstations had entry to distracting cultural media applications in the first place.

Additionally, TikTok has provided clarity through Project Texas, a system that relocates information to American servers and conducts third-party assessments. Canada, however, has not engaged in or acknowledged for accountability efforts, perhaps bypassing a co-operative answer in favour of more severe restrictions.

I’ve always used TikTok, and I’ve never been one, and I’m just as interested in the program as I am in the well-known Twitter outfit, which has a lot of content management issues. Beyond willing moderation, the American government’s managing of TikTok raises important issues, including possible individual rights implications, from where I am.

Citizens are basically told they can use the app but at their own risk because they claim that national security risks are so severe that they ca n’t even be shared with the public without providing any discernible evidence.

For a blatant charm to fear, uncertainty, and fear appears to have been purposefully engineered to cause cognitive dissonance. It not only reinforces an autocratic approach but more importantly erodes one’s knowledge of surveillance, risk and protection.

Secrecy: Surveillance by darkness

Canada has avoided disclosing details about the alleged threats by opting for a mysterious federal safety review. Such steps set a dangerous precedent, promoting a “guilty until proven innocent” thinking. This impenetrable approach could also have a cold impact, stifling foreign investment in Canada, particularly in the electronic sector.

Questions are raised about the decision’s actual intentions by the secrecy surrounding it. It suggests that people might prefer to keep secrets about information that is of common curiosity rather than to share it with others.

Although it remains to be seen whether this was intended to inform other Chinese companies in Canada, these companies now operate in the wholesale, e-commerce, banking, energy, and resources industries, which are likely strongly watching the developments. Given that five different China-linked businesses have been unceremoniously shut down in Canada over the past two decades, that is especially true.

In order to conduct business in China, it seems more likely than not that American businesses operating in the Eastern nation, such as Magna, Bombardier, Saputo, and the Bank of Montreal, may soon encounter some retaliatory winds.

Setting a difficult law

If Canada is censoring a platform mainly because it owns it, it could be setting new standards for online freedom. In the name of safety, these actions could lead to the enactment of restrictions on platforms and services around the world, as well as stifling freedom of expression and access to information.

I recently argued that Zoom and its mysterious development and IP-access techniques during the Covid-19 pandemic posed a certain risk to children and students ‘ privacy and confidentiality.

In the name of safety and security, China’s understanding of privacy is fundamentally unique: Any organizations that collect data may offer unrestricted access to it in order for the government to inspect it. The Ministry of Public Security is required to have complete clarity and access to data in China under Article 77 of its Cybersecurity Law. Period”.

Because TikTok will no longer be around in our country, it will likely be hard for Canadians to obtain information about the company’s safety procedures, inquire about online restraint, and launch Protection Commissioner examinations once its practices are shut down and hundreds of employees are laid off.

Impact on government credibility

I certainly do n’t expect to have access to privileged information. But the secretive nature of Canada’s expulsion of TikTok ( or is it truly aimed at its parent company, ByteDance? ) risks undermining public confidence in government decisions at a time when it could be a fantastic opportunity to raise Canadians ‘ awareness of real security concerns.

If the general public views this action as an excessive, disrespectful overreach conducted under the guise of security, it may raise questions about corporate law enforcement practices and foreign policy decisions.

In the end, the manufactured dichotomy between a government agency’s inability to conduct upcoming privacy investigations on behalf of Canadians and a heavy-handed approach to urgent corporate expulsion seems both deliberate and calculated.

Although TikTok has, at least by all measures publicly available, demonstrated a level of transparency comparable to that of its peers in the same way that it is true of all social media companies when it comes to collecting and processing user data, it is also true that they do so.

At the University of Toronto, author and lecturer on information risk, enterprise privacy management, and fintech cybersecurity, Claudiu Popa.

The Conversation has republished this article under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Banking on connectivity: How Equinix is revolutionizing BFSI infrastructure

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    developing a sustainable economic system on a global scale

  • Revolutionizing finance through global digital communication

Banking on connectivity: How Equinix is revolutionizing BFSI infrastructure

In today’s banks, financial services, and coverage ( BFSI) business, interlinking is not just a buzzword—it’s the lifeblood of online transformation, driving a tectonic shift in how financial organizations operate and develop. At the heart of this revolutionary stands Equinix, a digital infrastructure business that’s weaving a global cloth of communication, redefining how economic companies operate, develop, and secure their digital assets. &nbsp,

Equinix’s position in the BFSI market is little short of revolutionary. Equinix has created a strong, global habitat that’s driving creativity and collaboration. The amazing breadth and breadth of the Equinix economic services ecosystem reflect this wide range. Using Equinix’s connectivity options, BFSI habitat participants continue to build and expand their services in the modern economy. &nbsp,

Beyond traditional financial institutions, this habitat also includes all major public cloud service providers, many financial organizations, data analytics companies, LLM and AI providers, and technology providers. A detailed network like this promotes innovation and new business models by facilitating smooth cooperation and data exchange.

enhancing the digital equipment needed for contemporary bank

At the core of this habitat is Platform Equinix®, which is at the frontline of enabling cutting-edge online banking services. By providing low-latency connections to a multitude of partners, including sky providers, system operators, surveillance and fintech companies, Equinix allows banks to produce future-ready platforms that can leverage various technologies through API calls.

This infrastructure flexibility is crucial in today’s multi-cloud environment. For instance, a bank can now run its front-end applications on AWS, use Google BigQuery for analytics, and tap into AI services from Microsoft or OpenAI, all while maintaining its core banking systems and customer data within Equinix’s secure data centers. &nbsp,

Equinix Fabric® facilitates this hybrid multi-cloud approach, enabling banks to provide their customers with the quickest and most innovative services without sacrificing security or performance. &nbsp,

Tariq Shallwani, head of Segment Strategy South Asia, Equinix, shared,” Over 85 % of enterprises are already using multiple clouds to gain agility. BFSIs have a transformative opportunity to leverage innovation from the cloud while avoiding vendor lock-in as new public cloud availability zones are launching in Malaysia.

Banking on connectivity: How Equinix is revolutionizing BFSI infrastructure

In a connected world, strengthening cybersecurity

As financial services become increasingly digital and interconnected, cybersecurity has become a paramount concern. Equinix addresses this issue head-on by providing safe, private options for connecting to the public internet, significantly reducing the threat of cybercrimes.

Central to this security strategy is Equinix Fabric, which allows financial institutions to create private, software-defined connections to their partners and service providers. By reducing latency, this increases both performance and security. &nbsp,

Building on this foundation, Equinix’s Network Edge service offers software-defined edge security solutions, including SD-WAN, firewalls, and routers as a service, extending the coverage to new markets and edge metros.

Navigating compliance in a global landscape

While enhancing security, financial institutions must also navigate a complex web of regulatory requirements. Global financial institutions face a significant challenge in ensuring compliance with data sovereignty and financial regulations. Equinix’s global presence, with data centers in key financial hubs worldwide, allows banks to maintain data residency while still accessing global markets.

Banks expanding their reach benefit most from this global-local approach. For instance, a bank in Malaysia can use Equinix’s facilities in Singapore or Hong Kong to access the region’s robust financial ecosystem while adhering to local data laws. Banks can expand their services internationally while maintaining the necessary regulatory compliance in each country.

Enabling real-time financial services

The future of banking is not just global and secure—it’s also real-time. Equinix’s low-latency connections and location of data centers close to major financial hubs help to realize this. This infrastructure enables banks to process transactions and analyze data in near real-time, a capability that is crucial for services like high-frequency trading, real-time fraud detection, and instantaneous cross-border payments.

Additionally, Equinix’s edge computing capabilities enable the financial sector to integrate IoT and AI technologies. For instance, insurance companies can now process data from IoT devices in real-time, enabling more accurate risk assessments and faster claims processing. This convergence of advanced technologies and real-time capabilities opens up new horizons for financial services.

Together with Equinix and Orange Business, the two companies have established a strong partnership to provide BFSI clients with appropriate solutions that are customized to their requirements. Disaster recovery is one of these options, from new, innovative service offerings to the re-architecture of the IT infrastructure in data centers and the cloud. &nbsp,

Christophe Ozer– head of Evolution Platform Orange Business APAC – Cloud, Connectivity, Cybersecurity, shared,” Through our partnership, Orange Business and Equinix are enabling financial institutions to unlock new levels of agility and security, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation while meeting the demands of a rapidly changing financial landscape”.

Sustainability in finance

Now, as the financial sector evolves technologically, it’s also grappling with its environmental impact. Here too, Equinix is leading the charge towards sustainable digital infrastructure. Despite growing its global data center footprint and vowing to reach 100 % clean and renewable energy coverage across its global portfolio of data centers by 2030, Equinix reduced its operational scope 1 & 2 emissions by 24 % from a 2019 baseline in 2023. &nbsp,

This initiative extends to all facilities, whether newly constructed or recently incorporated into the company’s portfolio. In Malaysia, Equinix’s data centers are 100 % renewable, and in 2023, Equinix’s global operations had a total renewable energy coverage of 96 %, surpassing 90 % for the sixth consecutive year…

Financial institutions can use cutting-edge digital infrastructure to achieve their own environmental goals while achieving these goals. It’s a win-win scenario where technological advancement aligns with environmental responsibility.

Future-proofing finance

The impact of interconnected ecosystems in finance will only increase as the years go on. Equinix is at the forefront of this trend, expanding its global reach and improving its services indefinitely. The company’s recent expansion into Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia demonstrates its commitment to supporting the sustainable expansion of emerging markets ‘ digital financial services.

For banks and financial institutions, partnering with Equinix offers a clear path to digital transformation. It provides access to a global ecosystem of partners, secure, sustainable and high-performance infrastructure, and the flexibility to innovate and scale rapidly. Equinix’s interconnected ecosystems will undoubtedly have a significant impact on shaping the future of finance as the landscape of the financial services industry continues to evolve.

Ultimately, in this increasingly digital and interconnected world, Equinix is not just providing sustainable infrastructure – it’s powering the future of finance. By enabling secure, compliant, and innovative financial services, Equinix is helping to create a more connected and efficient global financial system, benefiting institutions and consumers alike. &nbsp,

As technology develops, the interaction between financial services and digital infrastructure will continue to spur innovation, creating a more diverse and dynamic financial ecosystem.

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Prudential launches global AI Lab in Singapore

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  • Lab may make Artificial solutions to improve customer experience, generate business impact
  • Since August, more than 100 AI use instances have been submitted to the test by Prudential staff.

From left to right: Meena Chandra, head of Insurance, Infrastructure and Trade Finance, Financial Markets Development, MAS; Philbert Gomez, executive director, Digital Industry Singapore, EDB; Dennis Tan, managing director, Strategic Business Group, Prudential plc; minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo; Anil Wadhwani, CEO Prudential plc; Chan San San, CEO, Prudential Singapore; and Tomasz Kurczyk, chief information technology officer, Prudential Singapore, and Head of the Prudential AI Lab

Prudential limited has launched the Prudential AI Lab in Singapore, with the aim of accelerating the implementation of AI, conceptual AI, and system teaching organisation-wide.

In a statement, the business said its AI Lab will hatch AI-powered remedies designed to deliver a better user experience and important business influence, while integrating AI capabilities into its operations, services, and products. Following its delicate start in August 2024, more than 100 Artificial use instances have been submitted to the Lab by people across Prudential’s 24 industry in Asia and Africa, it added.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, the Economic Development Board of Singapore, and other organizations have all contributed to the creation of the Prudential AI Lab. It was developed in partnership with Google Cloud, which gives Prudential people access to cutting-edge AI answers and end-to-end technical assistance.

The Lab may prioritize solutions that improve Prudential’s functional excellence and improve patient access to high-quality care. With enhanced consulting capabilities, AI will also help economic representatives provide better, faster customer service. A dedicated staff of Singapore-based AI engineers and data scientists may work in the laboratory.

Anil Wadhwani, CEO of Prudential corporation, said,” Data, advanced analysis, and AI are critical to the distribution of our corporate objectives. The AI Lab will electrify the development of interesting applications such as predicted analytics, hyper-personalised customer relationship, and real-time advice for agents”.

” I think the enormous potential and significance of this technology are only beginning to be explored.” The Prudential AI Lab will substantially improve our ability to offer our clients, agents, and economic representatives in all areas, he added.

Wadhwani said in a statement about the partnership with the Singapore authorities that” Prudential’s global AI Lab is located in Singapore because of its powerful system and friendly atmosphere for AI development, noted by its National AI Strategy. Our relationship with EDB and MAS allows us to click into Singapore’s rich community of tools and skills from academia, business, and state. This partnership will significantly advance our ability to create novel solutions that improve business and customer experiences while enhancing AI capabilities.

Meanwhile, Gillian Tan, assistant managing director ( Development and International ) and chief sustainability officer of the Monetary Authority of Singapore ( MAS ), said,” Prudential’s AI Lab is aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0 goal to encourage businesses to utilise AI and technology to raise productivity, transform, and serve customers better. Financial institutions will continue to benefit from AI as they develop capabilities and use it to increase their client and consulting services, detect fraud, and generate danger insights.

fostering an effective ecology to support AI inventors

According to Prudential, the Lab will collaborate closely with ecosystem partners, such as institutes of higher learning ( IHLs ), research centres, government agencies, and technology partners.

It has already entered into contracts with some IHLs, including Singapore Management University School of Computing and Information Systems, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, and the National University of Singapore Asian Institute of Digital Finance. By providing hands-on experiences and nurturing information sharing and innovation, The Lab will join students from these neighborhood schools in order to prepare the next generation of AI specialists.

Students on jobs with Prudential and those whose final-year projects are selected will work alongside the Lab, its mate ecology, and Prudential’s company units to develop proofs-of-concept for selected use cases.

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Commvault expands APAC leadership to drive innovation and regional growth

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  • Craig Bastow will serve as ANZ’s place vice president.
  • appoints Alice Macmurchy as APAC’s key client officer.

Craig Bastow, area vice president for ANZ (left) & Jill Macmurchy, chief customer officer for APAC

With the recent session of Jill Macmurchy as APAC’s general consumer officer, Commvault, a leading provider of computer endurance and data protection solutions for hybrid sky organizations, has expanded its APAC leadership team. Craig Bastow assumed the position of area vice president for Australia and New Zealand ( ANZ ) earlier this year. Together, these visits underscore Commvault’s commitment to addressing consumer needs with tenacious, tailored data safety, protection, and recovery solutions.

Based in ANZ, Macmurchy will support APAC’s customers and development objectives while assisting organizations in achieving modernization objectives. She has extensive management experience from top positions at Confluent and New Relic, as well as strong technical expertise in solutions architectural and pre-sales.

” I’m excited to collaborate with our customers to give tenacity a competitive edge. Beyond just protecting information, our goal is to empower businesses in APAC to return and prosper quickly, according to Macmurchy.

Craig Bastow, a veteran of Commvault with more than a decade of practice at the company, took over the position of neighborhood vice president for ANZ earlier this year. Bastow has helped to improve local operations and user engagement with his breadth of knowledge in the ANZ technologies sector, including IT industry and the public sector.

” It has been an outstanding season leading Commvault’s work in ANZ. Commvault is determined to face these issues head-on and is faced with an ever more sophisticated risk profile in our area. With our group’s dedication and innovative answers, we’re poised to set new standards in cyber resilience across ANZ”, Bastow said.

These appointments come at a crucial moment as organisations across ANZ explore an extremely difficult business landscape, characterised by rising cyber threats, strict regulatory requirements, and a growing need for resilient, robust data protection solutions.

” Commvault’s growth across APAC reflects our global reputation as a leader in cyber resilience. These new strategic positions strengthen our commitment to our customers and advance our mission. Our customers provide the insights necessary for us to navigate the changing landscape of data security and recovery. And together, we’re ensuring that Commvault remains at the forefront of providing robust and scalable data security solutions”, Martin Creighan, vice president of Asia Pacific at Commvault said.

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BlackBerry welcomes Canada’s support to enhance cyber resilience in SEA via Malaysian Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

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  • In partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada will engage$ 3.9M CAD
  • To arrange local incident response and address digital threats from a single location.

BlackBerry welcomes Canada’s support to enhance cyber resilience in SEA via Malaysian Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

At the APEC Leaders ‘ Summit last week, NYSE-listed BlackBerry Ltd, expressed its gratitude for the Government of Canada’s announcement to invest Canadian$ 3.9 million ( RM12.48 million ) in Malaysia. The money will go toward strengthening Southeast Asia’s capacity-building and threat intelligence initiatives. &nbsp,

Canada’s support will be delivered by BlackBerry in partnership with the Toronto Metropolitan University’s ( TMU’s ) Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst, with a goal to train 3, 500 cyber-defenders from Malaysia and other ASEAN members. Aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific approach, the program establishes Malaysia as a gateway of local security superiority in Southeast Asia, said BlackBerry in a speech.

The government of Canada will help with the creation, development, and delivery of a comprehensive security education, including programs for women, while expanding the offerings from the world-class Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (CCoE ), which was co-founded in Cyberjaya and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The goal is to promote the CCoE as a regional hub for learning and intelligence-sharing, enabling government and industry to greater stop, hinder, and organize responses to incidents that may influence operational resilience and national security, and to help more men and women take advantage of the region’s most in-demand cybersecurity roles.

Role-based learning and professional tracks as well as certifications in security and women in security management courses may be offered at the Malaysia CCoE. In line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to promote and attach people, funding from the government will also help Malay and local participants gain bursaries and bursaries to take courses at the CCoE and obtain security certifications from respected business bodies. &nbsp,

The Cyber Security Center of Excellence has the potential to become a global destination for emerging cyber threats, according to Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who inaugurated the facility on March 26 in Cyberjaya. To share knowledge, threat intelligence, and collaborate on developing methods and strategies to strengthen national and regional cyber-resilience, Malaysian and Canadian universities, research institutions, and skilled practitioners.

BlackBerry welcomes Canada’s support to enhance cyber resilience in SEA via Malaysian Cybersecurity Center of ExcellenceJustin Trudeau ( pic ), Prime Minister of Canada said, “Cybersecurity is a pillar of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. With our government’s investment in Malaysia’s Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in collaboration with BlackBerry, Canada will share cyber-expertise, train the cyber workforce across ASEAN countries, increase public-private sector collaboration, and strengthen our collective capacity to counter, deter and respond to cyber threats”.

BlackBerry CEO, John Giamatteo, added,” BlackBerry is honored to partner with the Governments of Malaysia, Canada, and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to establish the Malaysia Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. This top-notch facility also serves as a global hub for coordinating regional incident response and training and upskilling Malaysian and regional cyber workforces. No matter how advanced your cybersecurity arsenal is, countries need a well-trained cyber-workforce to support their front lines of defense in a growing digital economy.

The collaboration between Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University and BlackBerry will help to provide cybersecurity skills training in this crucial region for international security, which now more than ever needs technology security, according to Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University.

The announcement comes one and a half months after BlackBerry and the Malaysian government made a long-term software and services agreement to advance regional digital workforces through training in advanced cybersecurity technology and training at a specialized facility. &nbsp,

Visit this link for the CCoE’s current course information.

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Kakitangan.com, Merchantrade partner for seamless digital wage payments, empowering businesses and migrant workers

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  • Advancing financial participation for Malaysia’s migrant worker group
  • Statutory systems gain a deeper understanding of the difficulties workers face.

Ramasamy Veeran of Merchantrade with Effon Khoo of Kakitangan.com. The initiative specifically targets employers operating in remote locations, including estates, outskirt factories, and mining sites.

Kakitangan.com, the country’s largest Cloud HR software provider and Merchantrade, Malaysia’s largest Money Services Business ( MSB ) operator and a leader in the digital payments space, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting migrant workers employed in Malaysia.

This collaboration makes use of Merchantrade’s recent recognition as a designated payment instrument ( DPI ) issuer by the Ministry of Human Resources for digital wage payments.

This allows companies to effortlessly pay wages through Merchantrade’s secure and convenient e-Wallet system, Merchantrade Money. The expertise of Kaktangan.com comes from the fact that payment calculations are automatically automated and the necessary payment documents are created, ensuring a smooth integration for effective salary crediting.

For businesses of all sizes, this agreement provides a useful solution:

    Improved staff satisfaction: Workers gain access to secure and convenient e-wallets, fostering monetary participation and satisfaction.

  • Reduced pay &amp, HR procedures: Kakitangan.com’s cloud-based Personnel software streamlines pay processes, saving employers significant time and resources.
  • Increased compliance: Employers you automate the generation of forms and calculations to make sure they comply with all legal requirements.

This action particularly targets companies operating in remote areas, including lands, outskirt companies, and mining sites. Kakitangan.com aims to support over 1, 000 firms in digitalizing their pay and HR procedures, enabling them to achieve and motivate people regardless of location.

” We’re thrilled to mate with Merchantrade in this valuable endeavour”, said Effon Khoo, founder and CEO of Kakitangan.com. ” Our Cloud HR solutions and Merchantrade Money’s e-wallet solutions make payroll processes simpler for companies and give more migrant workers access to trustworthy financial service.” This partnership perfectly complements our desire to enable organizations while making a good impact on the community.

Our Merchantrade Money e-wallet, powered by Visa, has allowed these workers to properly receive wages, make contactless payments wherever Visa is accepted, and remove money from Visa Plus ATMs, according to Ramasamy K. Veeran, creator and managing director of Merchantrade.

Collaborating with Kakitangan.com strengthens Merchantrade’s ‘ first-to-last-mile’ online salary option which provides employers with extensive help at every stage, from onboarding and training to after-sales service.

” Through our relationship, we are not only advancing financial participation for Malaysia’s immigrant worker area but also transforming compensation payments for companies”, said Ramasamy.

Legislative bodies can better understand the needs and difficulties faced by migrant communities as a result of better access to data and statistics. They are able to develop more specific and efficient support programs thanks to this information.

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Locad raises US mil for smart digital logistics engine to expand globally

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  • By Q4 2024, money may enable rise into the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
  • Since Series A, Locad has scaled its concept across SEA, Australia &amp, China

Locad cofounders (Left to Right: Shrey Jain, CTO, Constantin Robertz, CEO & Jannis Dargel, COO

Locad, a leading intelligent electronic logistics motor empowering consumer businesses with its Cloud Supply Chain-as-a-Service for international distribution, announced a US$ 9 million ( RM40 million ) Pre-Series B campaign co-led by Global Ventures and Reefknot Investments. Other traders include Sumitomo Equity Ventures, Antler Elevate, Febe Ventures, and JG Summit.

The funding may accelerate Locad’s global expansion, starting in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Q4 2024 as part of its” Grow Global, Go Native” strategy for businesses, and further enhance its AI-driven shipping functions. Locad aims to build modern supply chain infrastructure, connecting manufacturers to customers in development areas through a integrated, cloud-based transportation system.

Through a seamless operating system and supply chain infrastructure as a support, Locad’s sky supply chain makes wise online shipping and empty trading possible for client companies. The company allows brands to join all sales channels in e-commerce and wholesale to a single share of stock and a bright logistics system, managed via its Control Tower orchestration platform, which provides real-time visibility, analytics, and AI-enhanced workflow automation.

Constantin Robertz, CEO and co-founder of Locad, said,” We are on a mission to enable smart digital logistics for consumer brands. In APAC, we have developed a cloud supply chain platform over the past four years that enables brands to integrate their omnichannel distribution and access localized fulfillment in growth markets in SEA and AU. We are now looking forward to expanding our business to other countries by expanding our footprint to the US and joining the GCC to facilitate brand distribution.

Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner of Global Ventures, said,” We are delighted to lead Locad’s funding round. With our goal of decentralized and resilient supply chains that are in line with our vision, Locad’s innovative engine is changing the way brands manage supply chains, enabling faster and more effective customer reach.

” Locad exemplifies this shift, offering localised, efficient solutions. We are confident it is well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities in evolving markets like MENA, embodying the future of agile, sustainable logistics”, he added.

Marc Dragon, managing director of Reefknot Investments, said,” We are excited to co-lead this oversubscribed round and deepen our commitment to Locad as they expand globally. Since our Series A investment, Locad has scaled its asset-light fulfilment model across Southeast Asia, Australia, and China while enhancing AI-driven features like demand, inventory, and carrier analytics &amp, optimisation”.

We are confident that Locad’s global expansion and innovation focus will add significant value to brands looking to expand internationally and improve customer experiences, he added.

Shrey Jain, co-founder and CTO of Locad, said,” By combining smart digital logistics with AI-driven insights, we empower brands to optimise supply chains by positioning inventory closer to demand, reducing delivery times, and improving customer satisfaction. In light of this fundraise, we can increase the efficiency and support brands in a dynamic business environment, further strengthening our tech-enabled logistics ecosystem.

Since its Series A round in 2023, Locad has grown significantly in size and scope, supporting over 300 consumer brands in Southeast Asia and Australia. The business improves customer experiences and operational efficiency by offering innovative digital logistics solutions. Its logistics engine seamlessly integrates with leading e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Shopee, Amazon, and TikTok, helping brands optimise inventory and delivery management across multiple sales channels.

Brands can expand their distribution through Locad’s platform as more markets are opened up by the GCC and the USA.

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Fox companies Good Foodie Media and Involve Asia are driving the MarTech industry forward

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  • MarTech-driven e-commerce projected to reach US$ 7.88B by end-2024
  • Both businesses are driving business growth through MDEC’s Wolf Programme

Rene Menezes, president and co-founder of Involve Asia (1st from right) and Lim Pinn Yang, co-founder and CEO of Good Foodie Media (2nd from left) were panellists at the recent Endeavor Future Forum 2.0. (Picture credit: MDEC)

The evolving integration of technology across a range of industries to stay ahead is what is driving the modern economy’s transformation. With Malaysia’s aim for the digital economy to contribute&nbsp, 25.5 % to the nation’s GDP by the end of 2025, it underscores the crucial role of businesses including marketing technology ( MarTech ) and digital creative content in driving this upward trajectory.

The digital creative content segment alone generated an impressive US$ 1.2 billion ( RM5.6 billion ) in 2021 and the ecommerce sector, driven by MarTech, is expected to reach US$ 7.88 billion ( RM35.2 billion ) by the end of the year.

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC )’s national strategic initiative, which offers a myriad of enabling incentives for Malaysian businesses and Rakyat to play a leading role in the global digital revolution and digital economy, is a catalyst for the growth of these crucial digital economy segments.

The Founders Centre of Excellence ( FOX ) program, a bespoke program designed for specific businesses that showcase high-growth growth with the potential to become the next scaleup tech icons, has also been introduced in conjunction with the MD initiative. Important MarTech industry players, such as MD standing companies Good Foodie Media and Involve Asia, have been identified by MDEC as being at the forefront of the digital revolution and using their expertise to form and shape the online landscape.

The electronic economy is inventive

The expansion of information development during the pandemic opened up new opportunities for collaboration with in-demand designers. Through a varied approach that involves both publishers and articles creators, Good Foodie Media, a media company focused on food and cooking online content, has benefited from this synergy to assist brands promote their products. Consumer reliance on digital communication was further increased as a result of the pandemic, increasing Good Foodie Media‘s reputation as a reliable source of high-quality content.

The team behind Good Foodie Media unwinding at their recent company annual dinner after a successful year (Picture Credit: Foodie Media)

” During the epidemic, there were movements power purchases,” according to our advertising section. We changed our websites so that internet marketing could be implemented. In doing so, we were able to increase our profit and survive the challenging time. This has taught us to use our already-available tools in times of difficulty, according to Nicholas Lim Pinn Yang, co-founder and CEO of Good Foodie Media.

By properly integrating native consumer behavior with regional consumer behavior in the food and beverage sector, the system that seamlessly integrates articles with commerce has gained widespread support.

The platform has seen considerable success over the years thanks to the major success it has experienced since Lim’s founding in 2017 and several other co-founders since then. After receiving their first cash from an angel investor, they expanded into Kuala Lumpur, expanding from a 1, 000-strong fan base focused on the Penang cooking field to over 30 million users today.

With the major traction we had, we were able to rapidly rise up the ranks and gain access to Johor. He continues,” We therefore diversified our platforms to different verticals to meet people in different consumer demands, including Malaysia Homie, Bangkok Foodie, ChiHou, and Halal Foodie,” he adds.

” We’re working on creating a software program that seamlessly combines commerce and content with the goal of streamlining local consumer behaviour in the F&amp, B room,” according to our strategic hinge. With our 30 million-strong captive audience, we see this as a key opportunity to create an integrated experience that enhances engagement and drives growth in this sector” ,&nbsp, Lim said.

The second installment of Good Foodie Media’s advertising campaign, which partnered with Funding Societies, was launched in association with Maybank and PayNet in 2024. To time, Good Foodie Media has aided over 15, 000 MSME.

In the same year, MDEC gave Good Foodie Media the distinction of being a significant person in the country’s modern economy.

The online advertising market is on the rise.

The most popular online marketing and partner control program in Southeast Asia through the Squirrel program, Involve Asia, has revolutionized how brands and advertisers collaborate with publishers and influencers to create performance-based advertising campaigns. The platform has empowered over 500 brands to reach millions of consumers through its network of 400, 000 affiliate partners, driving a total transaction value of over US$ 1.5 billion ( RM6.7 billion ) since its establishment a decade ago.

Rene Menezes, president and co-founder, Involve Asia (2nd from right) receiving the Malaysia’s Affiliate Marketing Pioneer Award from Amiruddin Abdul Shukor, head of Corporate Services of MDEC. (Picture credit: MDEC)

” What sets Involve Asia off is its&nbsp, commitment to transparency, performance monitoring, and data-driven insight, making it a trusted partner for organizations looking to expand their digital footprint across the place”, says Rene Menezes, president and co-founder of Involve Asia.

Backed by popular opportunity capital and private equity firms like 500 Startups, OSK Technology Ventures, and Bintang Capital Partners, the company has established a solid presence across Asia, with offices across six countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Last year alone, Involve Asia raised over US$ 10 million ( RM44.6 million ) in funding to fuel its expansion and product development. The company’s remarkable achievement led to a 150 % annualised growth rate from its beginning stages to pre-IPO success.

The potential of MarTech has been successfully used by Involve Asia to spur growth and spur innovation in digital marketing. By integrating sophisticated equipment, Involve Asia optimises strategy management, enabling detailed targeting and real-time efficiency analytics. These abilities have enabled the business to implement effective strategies that have constantly yielded higher ROI for their clients, including data-driven influence marketing campaigns and highly personalized affiliate programs.

Their creative thinking and creative use of technologies have not only provided thousands of SMEs with new opportunities, but they also established new standards for the environment. The MarTech and online innovative industries act as catalysts for a more diverse and robust digital economy in addition to being growth drivers. These companies are maximizing the full potential of these sectors with MDEC’s proper support, ensuring overall financial growth. &nbsp,

These organizations are poised to remain at the forefront of the online business, supporting progress and enabling businesses to grow in an extremely competitive and technologically connected world as they continue to embrace and progress with the most recent developments in MarTech and electronic information.

For Malaysian online standing companies, MDEC offers a variety of programs. Work for this Malaysia Digital Status.

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