China’s Naura rising to the chip-making equipment challenge – Asia Times

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According to Shanghai-based technology consulting company CINNO Research, Naura Technology, China’s top producer of semiconductor production technology, has moved up to 6th position in the world ranking.

Simply ASML, Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron, and KLA currently lead Naura in terms of overall sales.

The CINNO Ranking for 2024 feels like this:

  1. Netherlands ASML
  2. Applied Materials ( USA )
  3. Lam Research ( USA )
  4. Tokyo Electron ( Japan )
  5. KLA ( USA )
  6. NAURA ( China )
  7. Screen ( Japan )
  8. Advantest ( Japan )
  9. ASM International ( Netherlands )
  10. Disco ( Japan )

Naura has gained popularity as a result of the rapid expansion of the Chinese semiconductor sector, which last year made up more than 40 % of the world’s production technology need.

Solutions: SEMI, 2024 business data, and estimates for nations outside of China. Asia Times, Chart

Naura released preliminary high and low sales estimates for 2024 that were on average 29.7 billion yuan, or US$ 4.1 billion at the current exchange rate, up 36 % from 2023, in January.

Financial benefits that have been finalized and are perfect are expected to be released in April. The sales of Naura have increased by a whopping ten times in the last three decades and are now 7.5 times higher than they were in 2019.

Origin: Asia Times information, table,

Naura was ranked 8th in 2023 by CINNO, but a more thorough examination by TechInsights, which looked at both sales of semiconductor production equipment and not just the overall sales, placed it in 10th location.

Around 60 % of Naura’s overall sales were made up of semiconductor production equipment in that year.

According to the data available so much, Naura placed 8th and not 6th place, which would suggest a similar difference existed in 2024. However, it is now one of the most well-known businesses in the sector, outperforming its rivals.

The first and second layers of the market are very different, but it seems that Naura has the ability to overtake KLA by the end of the decade.

Origin: TechInsights; Chart: Asia Times;

Naura gained notoriety during a time when the US state treated her fairly. The Chinese agency’s merger of Akrion Systems, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of silicon chip area planning tools, was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States in January 2018.

Beijing Naura Magnetoelectric Technology, a company of the US Commerce Department, was added to the Unconfirmed List in October 2022, but Beijing was removed after conversations with control.

Companies are placed on the Unconfirmed Record when the BIS is unable to “verify their bona fides  because an end-use verify could not be properly completed,” in this case, for breaches of export restrictions to the People’s Republic of China. &nbsp,

However, the Biden administration’s last mass sanction of tech exports to China and related sites in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan was Naura, which the BIS&nbsp added to its Entity List in December 2025. It is one of 140 organizations that the US government has “determined to be acting against the US’s national surveillance and foreign policy passions.”

According to the BIS,” The Entity List” “identifies companies for which there is reasonable cause to believe, based on specific and articulable details, that have been, are, or pose a significant risk of being or becoming involved in activities contrary to the United States ‘ national security or international coverage interests.”

However, Naura is not particularly worried, stating that “at the moment, 90 % of the company’s income comes from the home market and less than 10 % from the international markets, so this effect is expected to be minor.”

For the silicon, flat panel display, and renewable industries, as well as for the production of lithium-ion batteries, capacitors, resistors, glass devices, power source, and micro modules, Naura’s product line now includes testimony, etching, cleaning, heat treatment, UV curing, and crystal growth equipment.

Additionally, it reportedly intends to add photoresist coating and developing to its portfolio of semiconductor equipment, possibly by acquiring a sizable stake in and eventually acquiring Kingsemi, the only Chinese manufacturer of this equipment.

About 90 % of the market for coater/developer equipment is held by Tokyo Electron, with Japan’s Screen Holdings accounting for the majority of the rest.

In deposition, etching, and cleaning equipment, Naura competes with Tokyo Electron and Screen. In addition to Lam Research and Applied Materials, it is up against in deposition and etch, but those two companies have been hampered in China by a US government order that forbids American companies from servicing the equipment they have sold there.

Numerous other Chinese manufacturers of semiconductor production equipment are attempting to enter the supply chain. Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment ( AMEC ), the second-largest, specializes in deposition and etch.

With sales of about$ 1.2 billion in 2024, AMEC is likely to rank between 15th and 20th in the global ranking. However, sales increased by an estimated 45 % last year, making it move up quickly.

The entire Chinese semiconductor industry is purchasing whatever equipment they can from Naura, AMEC, and other domestic suppliers, including SMIC, Hua Hong, and other Chinese foundries, YMTC, and other Chinese makers of memory ICs.

Western and Japanese businesses and market research firms have been anticipating a decline in Chinese equipment demand for about a year, but they have so far proven to be incorrect and are likely still doing so.

The sales of Chinese semiconductor equipment makers should continue to grow as long as there is market share to take from imports that are subject to US-led sanctions.

Follow this writer on&nbsp, X: @ScottFo83517667

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US chip-making dream awakes to labor crisis reality – Asia Times

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Nearly every aspect of contemporary life is powered by semiconductors, including those found in automobiles, phones, medical equipment, and yet national security systems.

These insignificant but crucial elements contribute to the development of the information time, whether they support vital medical equipment or aiding the most recent developments in artificial intelligence.

They’re simple to overlook until something goes bad. When the Covid-19 crisis exposed significant flaws in the world semiconductor supply chain, that is exactly what happened.

Abruptly, to name only one result, new vehicles don’t get finished because chips made abroad weren’t being delivered. Hundreds of billions of dollars were lost to the source crisis that affected complete sectors.

The US relied heavily on foreign nations, including China, a political rival, to produce semiconductors, which was highlighted by the issue. This is a threat to national safety, not just an economic issue.

In response to this, the US government has taken measures to help semiconductor manufacturing through legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act, which was passed with bipartisan support in 2022.

While President Donald Trump has recently criticized the CHIPS and Science Act, both he and Joe Biden, both of whom have made new advances in domestic device production.

However, despite bipartisan support for new chip species, the key question remains: Who did run them?

addressing the labor distance

A shortage of skilled workers is a major obstacle in the effort to reintroduce semiconductor production to the US.

By 2030, according to estimates, the semiconductor industry will need 300,000 professionals. These efforts may fail without a well-trained labor, and the US will continue to rely on foreign providers.

This isn’t just a concern for the software field; it affects every sector of the industry that depends on semiconductors, from automakers to defense contractors. Every modern military connection, surveillance, and weaponry system is largely dependent on microchips.

The US cannot rely on foreign countries, particularly enemies, for the technologies that powers its government.

I think it would be wise to invest in workforce development and education alongside manufacturing rise in order for the US to secure supply chains and maintain technological authority.

Next-generation specialists in semiconductors

To fill this labour gap, a global effort will be required to train engineers and technicians in silicon research, design, and fabrication. Engineering programs across the nation are tackling this issue by developing specialized programs that combine hands-on coaching with coursework that is geared toward the industry.

A man wears protective clothing, including gloves, a mask and a white suit, while standing in a small room with white wall panels.
The next generation of technology entrepreneurs conduct research in clean areas, which is a crucial component of silicon factories. A Ph is displayed around. On May 1, 2024, a D. member is seen entering a clear place at Tokyo University in an air bath place. The Conversation is led by Yuichi Yamazaki/Getty Images/

Potential semiconductor workers will require expertise in advanced manufacturing and fresh room operations, as well as chip and microelectronics design and microelectronics and materials science and process engineering.

Universities and colleges must collaborate with business leaders to ensure that students graduate with the knowledge companies need in order to meet this demand.

For preparing a workforce that is ready to lead from Day 1, it will be crucial to provide hands-on knowledge in semiconductor construction, clean-room-based labs, and advanced procedure design.

We’re launching a comprehensive bachelor’s degree in semiconductor architectural this fall, and I’m head of the materials science and engineering office at Missouri University of Science of Technology.

In response to strong demand from both students and business, different US universities are also expanding their offerings for semiconductor executive.

Opportunity for traditional progress

Restoring domestic semiconductor production is not just about national protection; it is also a business opportunity that millions of Americans could benefit from.

The US is increase training programs and workplace pipelines, which will help to increase the market and lessen its reliance on foreign supply chains.

And technology is at the heart of the competition to secure silicon supply chains, not just about stability. The US has long been a world leader in transistor research and development, but recent supply chain failures have highlighted the dangers of allowing production to relocate abroad.

It seems obvious that the US will have new workers to take control of its semiconductor creation if it wants to stay ahead of developments in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and next-generation communication systems.

Michael Moats is a professor of mechanical engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Study the article’s introduction.

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Shaping the future of data centers in Malaysia

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  • Authorities tackle Malaysia’s digital network issues and possibilities
  • Siemens Data Centre Conference 2025 brings experts along in frank debate

The rapid development of information centres in Malaysia reflects the country’s motivation to become a vital modern hub in Asia Pacific. Driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence ( AI), and digital services, Malaysia has emerged as an attractive destination for data centre investments due to its strategic location, robust infrastructure, and government incentives.

Main technology firms and hyperscale companies are expanding their existence, fuelling major growth in data center capacity. However, this growth brings pressing issues, including high energy and water use, network security, and sustainability problems.

At the current Siemens Data Centre Conference 2025, two panels of respectable industry leaders discussed how, as the industry evolves, Malaysia may balance economic opportunity with concerned resource management to ensure long-term online resilience.

Digital gateway interests demand tactical planning &amp, execution, many aspects to be managed

Malaysia is committed to becoming a local online hub for Asean and the Asia Pacific. Nevertheless, achieving this vision demands proper planning and execution, as many factors may be properly managed.

For a start, information areas require large amounts of water for cooling, whereby an average100 watt ( MW) service consumes about 1.5 billion gallons annually- equivalent to 600 Olympic-sized lakes. By 2027, projected capacity growth to 2.2 gigawatt ( GW ) could demand 35 billion litres, said Tindaro Danze, President &amp, CEO, Siemens Malaysia.

Tindaro Danze, President & CEO, Siemens Malaysia

Energy usage is another major problem, as a 100 MW data center uses as little power as 45, 000 families. By 2027, a 2.2 GW power may require power equal to 1.2 million families, nearly the entire populace of Singapore.

Now reliant on fossil fuels, data centres has transition to renewable energy, said Danze yet the network infrastructure may not be equipped to handle this shift, he cautioned, making online solutions necessary for optimising energy distribution and managing grid loads.

Moving forward, Danze said discussions must address water and energy efficiency, carbon footprint, and regulatory challenges. He added that simply constructing data centres is insufficient- Malaysia must ensure these contribute to a thriving digital economy. A coordinated effort among stakeholders is needed to establish Malaysia as a meaningful technology hub while balancing sustainability and economic impact. &nbsp,

Digital minister Gobind Singh&nbsp,

Malaysia is rapidly positioning itself as a key digital hub within Asean, recognising the critical role of data centres in shaping its digital economy, said Gobind.

” With a target to increase the digital economy’s contribution to national GDP from 23 % to 25.5 % by the end of the year, the government is committed to fostering an environment that supports both technological growth and sustainability. Given Asean’s population of 700 million, digital infrastructure and AI will be essential in driving regional success”, he said.

To support this transformation, the government is actively shaping policies and governance frameworks that ensure Malaysia remains competitive and adaptable to technological shifts.

Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo

” This includes recently introduced data centre planning guidelines that streamline approvals while balancing industrial expansion with community well-being. Thoughtful site planning and zoning regulations are being put in place to mitigate disruptions, ensuring that development aligns with national priorities”, Gobind shared.

However, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of data centres also brings challenges, particularly in resource consumption. These facilities require significant amounts of power and water, prompting the government to prioritise sustainability. Gobind pointed out that measures such as the Green Lane Pathway and upcoming guidelines on power and water efficiency- expected in 2025- reflect a commitment to responsible growth. Expanding Malaysia’s renewable energy capacity and streamlining approval processes for sustainable projects are central to this strategy.

Equally important is talent development. As Malaysia builds its digital infrastructure, bridging skill gaps remains a priority. Collaboration with industry players is key to equipping the workforce with expertise. ” The launch of the National AI Office ( NAIO ) last December further underscores Malaysia’s ambition to lead in AI, ensuring the country has the right ecosystem to drive innovation, attract investment, and support key sectors like healthcare and urban planning”, said Gobind.

With 17 new data centres expected in Selangor alone, strategic planning will be crucial to balancing expansion with sustainability. Gobind emphasised that as discussions on digital infrastructure continue, collaboration between government, industry, and experts will be vital in ensuring Malaysia remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.

The session continued with two panel discussions.

Malaysia’s readiness to be a DC hub in Asia Pacific

With panellists consisting of Ir Megat Jalaluddin, President &amp, CEO, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, CEO, Malaysia Digital Economy Corp, Praba Thiagarajah, Group Executive Chairperson, Basis Bay Group and Charles Santiago, Chairperson, National Water Commission ( SPAN), the discussion, moderated by Hazril Haniff, Vice-President &amp, Head of Grid Software, Siemens Malaysia touched on various aspects of Malaysia’s lure as a data centre hub including the need to address gaps in policy clarity and another issue that has surfaced with urgency since last year- the role of reclaimed water in the data centre surge.

The rising global demand for AI, e-commerce, Internet of Things ( IoT), and cloud computing is fuelling the rapid growth of the data centre industry. Malaysia is well-positioned to become a regional hub due to its strong ecosystem, which includes key factors essential for data centre operations. These factors include a reliable power supply, water-based cooling infrastructure, sufficient land availability for construction, robust connectivity, and comprehensive security measures encompassing both physical and cybersecurity.

Additionally, Malaysia’s pro-business policies make it an attractive destination for investment, leading to increasing interest from major global players looking to establish data centres in the country.

While Praba acknowledged that Malaysia has strong potential as a data centre hub, he strongly stressed that it must address gaps in policy clarity. Policymakers must act swiftly to establish foundational regulations, as setting up basic policies is an easy yet critical step that can accelerate progress.

Other countries, such as China and Vietnam, have already implemented clear standards, Praba said, leaving Malaysia at risk of falling behind. Regulatory frameworks should be in place before the industry fully matures, not after. Therefore, key ministers and policymakers are urged to prioritise swift policy implementation to ensure Malaysia remains competitive in the global digital economy.

Sharing Praba’s call for urgent action but in terms of water usage, Charles stressed that reclaimed water must be a priority in the 13th Malaysian Plan, particularly for data centres and wafer fabrication. ” Countries like India have already implemented clear policies requiring industrial use of reclaimed water, starting at 50 % and scaling to 100 %. Malaysia must follow suit to ensure sustainable water management for its growing digital infrastructure”, he said.

Charles highlighted that to achieve sustainable planning, data centres must incorporate reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting from the outset. Current developments rely too heavily on potable water, an unsustainable practice. Developers and policymakers must shift toward alternative water-sourcing strategies before construction begins to safeguard Malaysia’s water resources.

In 2024, Selangor approved 27 new data centres, requiring 79 megalitres per day ( MLD ) of water, while Johor approved 17, demanding 59 MLD. Hyperscale data centres consume disproportionately high amounts of water, with some using the equivalent of seven to eight Olympic-sized swimming pools daily. &nbsp,

According to Charles, alarmingly, some approved hyperscale centres lack direct water sources, highlighting the urgent need for strategic approval limits and water planning.

” Approval processes for data centres must be stricter and proactive, integrating reclaimed water solutions and rainwater harvesting at the design stage rather than as an afterthought”, he urged. The government must enforce clear guidelines on the number and locations of hyperscale centres, considering increasing water demand from population growth, new industries, and wafer fabrication.

Winning and sustaining business in the digital industry

The second panel of the conference comprised of, Adilah Junid, Director of Legal And Government Affairs, Microsoft Malaysia, Cheam Tat Inn, Managing Director, Equinix Malaysia, Darryll Sinnappa, Country Head, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC ), and Reiner Cham, Sales Manager, Smart Infrastructure- Electrical &amp, Automation ( EA ), Siemens Malaysia with Karamjit Singh, CEO, Digital News Asia as moderator.

According to Adilah Junid, Malaysia’s data centre growth is supported by policies covering land and water management, as well as data security regulations that establish the country as a trusted hub. &nbsp,

” These policies provide a competitive edge by ensuring data sovereignty and intellectual property protection, attracting global businesses seeking a secure and well-regulated environment”, she explained.

Cheam Tat Inn highlighted that AI is driving a transformation in data centres, increasing the demand for computing power, storage, and network capacity. ” AI-ready data centres must be purpose-built, scalable, and sustainable to meet these growing requirements”, he noted.

Cheam also observed that cloud strategies are evolving, with businesses shifting from exclusive public cloud reliance to hybrid models. ” Cloud rebalancing is where enterprises or customers want to have the right to move part of their infrastructure to on-premises or to colocation data centers, because they now realize that they want to have the freedom of running different critical business workloads across different clouds”, he said. &nbsp,

A colocation data center is a facility in which a business can rent space for servers, storage devices and other computing hardware. This shift is driven by factors such as escalating cloud costs, security concerns, unmet expectations, vendor lock-in fears, and increased compute power needs.

Cheam further explained that a new AI deployment model is emerging, shifting from moving data to the cloud for processing to bringing AI models directly to the data. ” You have the ability to move your data quickly and then seamlessly across different clouds, your control over data sovereignty, your control over any data regulation, while at the same time exploiting the full potential of AI deployments”, he said. &nbsp,

This approach enhances regulatory compliance, accelerates AI operations across geographies, and strengthens security for industries with strict data governance requirements.

Adilah Junid noted that as AI and digital services evolve, customer expectations are becoming more sophisticated. ” Users demand resiliency, scalability, availability, and security while maintaining control over workloads, including the ability to isolate certain processes from others”, she emphasized. &nbsp,

In the digital economy, AI, security, and trust are top priorities, and adoption must extend beyond large enterprises to benefit SMEs and the broader economy.

The rapid evolution of AI from 2022 to 2023 has significantly reshaped business and infrastructure needs. Companies must continuously innovate to remain competitive, yet many businesses are still in the early stages of AI adoption, requiring education and support to navigate this shift effectively.

Conclusion 

Sustainability has emerged as a key demand from customers, with businesses committing to carbon neutrality by 2030. However, AI’s increasing processing needs are driving up power consumption, requiring responsible energy management.

The growing reliance on AI raises concerns about escalating power demand and environmental impact. The industry is actively debating solutions, including renewable energy adoption and efficiency improvements in data centres, to mitigate these challenges while sustaining AI advancements.

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VentureTech backs Pomen to drive digital transformation for fleet maintenance and workforce management 

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  • &nbsp, Investment did pull expansion into SEA, improve its platforms
  • Funds will increase products, adopt new technologies, and increase reach

VentureTECH Sdn Bhd ( VentureTECH), an impact investment company, has announced an undisclosed investment in Pomen Autodata Sdn Bhd, a Bumiputera company specialising in comprehensive Software-as-a-Service ( SaaS ) solutions focused on workforce efficiency and maintenance management — connecting demand and supply in the maintenance ecosystem. This collaboration aims to promote Pomen’s growth and enhance its impressive platforms, more digitalising the ecology for related services and operations.

Established in 2018, Pomen has emerged as a key player in incorporated SaaS options with flagship systems such as Enfleet and Engarage. Enfleet is an asset maintenance procedure management system, providing companies with clarity over their asset maintenance processes, while Engarage is a workforce management platform that enables service providers to handle end-to-end service operations. Both systems function as collaborative equipment, enhancing labor efficiency.

Trusted by consumers including Petronas, Maxis, and Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad, Pomen connects property owners with a community of over 2, 400 separate service companies nationwide. Through its innovative platforms, the firm is continuously enhancing its data analytics package to deliver deeper insights, predicted maintenance, and advice capabilities, with empty API integrations.

VentureTEC H’s funding may strengthen Pomen’s technical skills and push its local development into Southeast Asia. The partnership also focuses on fostering creativity, enabling Pomen to enhance its current services, connect emerging technologies, and expand its platforms to satisfy the diverse needs of industries. Through this growth, VentureTECH aims to position Pomen as a leader in digital transformation, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s evolving technology ecosystem.

Ahmad Redzuan Sidek, CEO of VentureTECH, said,” Our investment in Pomen underscores VentureTEC H’s commitment to fostering transformative local companies that champion digital innovation, socio-economic progress, and environmental sustainability. Pomen’s cutting-edge platforms address inefficiencies in the fleet maintenance ecosystem and workforce management, empowering businesses to optimise operations while creating opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to thrive in high-value sectors”.

” Beyond enhancing Pomen’s market position, this partnership will generate high-value skilled jobs in technology and engineering. By strengthening the digital ecosystem and promoting advanced technological solutions, we aim to contribute to Malaysia’s aspirations of becoming a hub for innovation”, he added.

Syed Zulhilmi Tuan Sharif, CEO of Pomen, said,” This partnership with VentureTECH marks a pivotal milestone for Pomen, validating our vision to revolutionise asset maintenance and workforce management through innovative technology. With VentureTEC H’s support, we are equipped to scale our solutions, expand our reach across various industries, and meet the growing demands of clients locally and regionally”.

” As we venture further into the ports and aviation sectors— industries that face similar challenges in asset reliability, operational efficiency, and workforce optimisation — we are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, create value for our clients and stakeholders, and contribute to broader digital transformation initiatives”, he added.

This investment aligns with VentureTEC H’s broader strategy to bridge funding gaps and strengthen the Malaysian startup ecosystem. This strategy is further reinforced through its collaboration with Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd ( Cradle ) under the Fund Funnel Programme, which aims to establish a more structured funding pathway for startups. Pomen exemplifies this initiative’s goal of making strategic investments in high-potential companies, fostering catalytic growth in high-growth, high-value ( HGHV ) sectors, particularly in digitalisation and advanced technology solutions.

By partnering with Pomen, VentureTECH strengthens its mandate to drive HGHV sectors while advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda. &nbsp,

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Anwar Abdullah takes the helm as CEO of Polytron.AI

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  • Over 30 years of practice in Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Will drive worldwide growth, improve AI-driven Life 3DTM 360 technologies for industries

Polytron. AI, a global leader in AI-powered Live 3DTM 360 security and surveillance camera technology, has announced the appointment of Anwar Abdullah ( pic ) as its new CEO.

In his new power, Anwar will nudge the company’s global growth and lead efforts to enhance AI-driven Life 3DTM 360 technology solutions for various industries, with a special emphasis on security and surveillance. His administration coincides with the company’s mission to reinterpret the future of 360 camera tracking options, further strengthening the company as it continues to drive development and growth.

Anwar, a skilled head with over 30 years of services in Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, brings important knowledge in high-stakes protection and crisis management to Polytron. AI. He has held important posts, including deputy executive of the Home Team Academy and deputy director of activities and plan for the Singapore Civil Defence Force. His knowledge in overseeing revolutionary security operations, leading large-scale problems management initiatives, and his broad open safety training background are set to push the next phase of growth for Polytron. AI.

” I am thrilled to join Polytron. AI at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The potential of our AI and Live 3DTM technology is immense, especially when applied to the security and surveillance sector. I look forward to leveraging my experience in crisis management and public safety to help scale our operations and drive transformative solutions that meet the needs of a rapidly evolving world”, Anwar said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Asherson, chairman of Polytron. AI, a subsidiary of Vizzio Technologies, said:” Anwar’s appointment marks a significant milestone for Polytron. AI as we continue to redefine the future of AI-driven security and surveillance. Under his leadership, the company will accelerate innovation, expand our global footprint, and drive the adoption of next-generation security technologies that address the evolving challenges of a rapidly changing world”.

” Anwar’s experience and extensive background in security operations and crisis management give us a deeper understanding of how artificial intelligence and Polytron. AI’s unique 360 cameras can transform security workflows, enhancing situational awareness, predictive threat detection, and operational efficiency. Under his leadership, we will accelerate the integration of practical, AI-driven solutions into our product ecosystem — pushing the boundaries of AI-powered Live 3DTM technology to deliver real-time, AI 360 security intelligence”, Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, chairman of Vizzio, said.

” As we continue to scale, Anwar’s strategic vision will be instrumental in driving Polytron. AI’s growth and ensuring we remain at the forefront of next-generation security solutions. His leadership will reinforce our commitment to building AI-powered security systems that empower organisations to adapt to an increasingly complex and dynamic world”, he added.

Polytron. AI leads in AI-powered 3D video surveillance, using its patented AI SOC and neural graphics chips to merge multiple video feeds into seamless 360-degree 3D reconstructions for live 4K/8 K streaming. Its Live 3DTM AI 360 camera technology delivers zero-latency, ultra-high-definition video, enhancing situational awareness for security, surveillance, and emergency response.

Under Anwar’s leadership, Polytron. AI aims to strengthen partnerships in public safety, security, and emergency management across Asia and the Middle East. By integrating made-in-Singapore 360 3D camera technology into security infrastructure, Anwar is committed to advancing real-time monitoring, operational efficiency, and critical decision-making in security applications.

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Four Chinese firms look to shake up tech world in DeepSeek’s wake – Asia Times

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The success of the Chinese AI company DeepSeek shocked economic markets and significant US tech firms in January 2025. But it shouldn’t have come as for a surprise.

For years now, lots of companies in China have been developing economical benefits that enable them to create amazing progress. This involves a strategy different from that of many big Western firms that rely on things like branding ( like Apple ) and exclusive technology ( like Nvidia ) to succeed.

Rather, these less-well-known Chinese firms have focused on delivering more creativity faster and cheaper. And our study suggests that they have been able to achieve this by being little more versatile in how they do business.

But DeepSeek may not be only as a gamechanger. Here are four more Chinese companies looking to undermine the global market in similar way.

1. DJI Innovations

DJI Innovations makes low-cost robots that produce underwater photos and video. Founded in 2006 by Frank Wang ( who became Asia’s youngest it billionaire at the age of 36), the business develops camera systems and applications as well as executive aircraft techniques used in business including crops and military. Its engineering has been used in the shooting of shows like Better Call Saul and Game of Thrones.

DJI’s cutting-edge research and development involves very sophisticated automatic assembly lines that make more for less value. This has led to rapid global growth and international collaborations, making the business a strong person that is difficult to contend against.

2. Unitree Robotics

A DJI Innovations spin-off founded in 2016, Unitree Robotics specializes in high-performance legged and human computers as well as elements such as mechanical hands. These items incorporate synthetic intelligence and have many uses in consumer and professional markets.

But in a field where progress may be slower than we might hope, Unitree’s swift development cycles – from first idea, through development and testing, to commercialization – give it an edge over rivals. This cycle speed is achieved through highly digitized processes, and large highly skilled development teams, which place it ahead of many rivals.

For example, in 2024 one of the firm’s humanoid robots ( already capable of soldering and cooking ) set a new walking speed record of 3.3 meters per second. And in early 2025 the company’s robots performed a traditional Yangko dance alongside humans.

YouTube video

]embedded content]

3. Game Science

Game Science is a Chinese video games firm founded in 2014. Its August 2024 release of Black Myth: Wukong, an advanced role-playing video game inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, is one of the fastest-selling games of all time, with revenues of over US$ 1.1 billion and over 25 million copies sold to date.

This success demonstrates the firm’s ability to create products that incorporate Chinese cultural elements that also appeal to global tastes. This is partly down to the company’s prolific data analysis capabilities, allowing it to incorporate vast quantities of feedback from players into its design decisions.

That input gives it a big advantage over competitors, moving beyond the old Chinese export model of making cheap versions of western products. Instead, it offers innovative products that are also cheaper, contributing to China’s growing presence in the global gaming market.

4. Yonyou

Yonyou was set up in 1988 to offer business and accounting software to Chinese companies. It now dominates the market in the country and has spread to Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Beyond Asia is the next goal.

The firm’s success hinges on its ability to optimize its products for local customers while avoiding premium pricing. It understands that business systems vary geographically according to things like local culture, customs and consumer taste.

Yonyou’s proposition is simple but very effective: to develop software that varies to serve idiosyncratic local needs, knowing that this will work better than the one-size-fits-all products available from global competitors.

This has led it to create popular and specific software for industries including retail, education, finance and construction. The company’s expertise lies in challenging the conventional wisdom that customized products come at a high cost.

Each of these four Chinese firms clearly understands the advantages to be gained from innovative technology and good strategy, which are both within their control. What they cannot control are the geopolitical factors to do with international trade and the global economy – which makes the future uncertain.

But continuing to work to their particular strengths will make it likely that they – and plenty of others like them – go on disrupting global markets.

Naresh R. Pandit is a professor of international business at the University of East Anglia, Feng Wan is an associate professor of management at Zhejiang University, and Peter Williamson is an honorary professor of international management at Cambridge Judge Business School.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Salesforce to invest US billion in Singapore over five years

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  • Funding supports Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0
  • The investment may allow Singapore enterprises to build enormous electronic workforces

Salesforce has announced plans to invest US$ 1 billion ( RM4.4 billion ) in Singapore over the next five years, reaffirming its commitment to accelerating the nation’s digital transformation and Agentforce adoption. In a speech, the business highlighted Singapore as an important growth sector as companies increasingly embrace Agentforce to activate new opportunities. This funding underscores Salesforce’s aid for Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 and the world’s vision as a world AI development hub.

Spurred by a US$ 6 trillion ( RM27 trillion ) digital labour market, thousands of customers worldwide are investing in Agentforce, Salesforce’s digital labour platform to build and deploy agents that can reason, decide, act, and drive meaningful outcomes 24/7. Singapore has been grappling with a slowing labour army development level, driven by an ageing population and declining birth rates. Agentforce offers Singapore a chance to quickly expand its workplace across vital support and public field roles.

This funding will enable Singaporean enterprises build enormous electric workforces, uniting humans with trusted intelligent Agentforce agents to activate new levels of efficiency, innovation, and growth. As Agentforce implementation accelerates, it has the ability to generate significant effects across Singapore’s industries, startups, and public market.

Jermaine Loy, managing director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, said:” Singapore welcomes Salesforce’s purchase, which will increase our continuing efforts to build a lively hub for AI development and implementation across our business. Salesforce’s initiatives in AI research and workforce development will strengthen our ecosystem by catalysing innovation for key industries and corporates based in Singapore”.

” We are in an incredible new era of digital labour where every business will be transformed by autonomous agents that augment human work, revolutionising productivity and enabling every company to scale without limits”, said Marc Benioff ( pic ), chair and CEO of Salesforce. He added that Singapore is at the forefront of this shift, and as the largest provider of digital labour through its Agentforce platform, Salesforce is thrilled to expand its work with the business community and its long-time partners in the region to drive innovation, productivity, and growth.

Salesforce has been investing in Singapore for nearly two decades, building a thriving customer base and partner ecosystem in the region. Its customers include industry leaders such as Singapore Airlines, Grab, M1, FairPrice Group, Ocean Network Express, and PRISM , who use Salesforce AI technologies to drive efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and unlock new revenue streams.

Singapore plays a crucial role in driving Agentforce innovation for Salesforce. In 2019, the company expanded its AI Research team internationally, choosing Singapore as its first overseas AI Research hub. Since then, the hub has significantly contributed to the global development of AI for the industry. This includes the development of industry-leading models such as multimodal language-vision foundation models and time-series foundation models ( Moirai ). The AI Research hub has also contributed to product innovations such as AIOps Agents, which help Salesforce achieve the highest levels of site availability, and in-house code LLMs that assist customers in optimising their code for performance. Their work has resulted in the publication of over 100 research papers and patents.

This continued investment will not only drive Agentforce innovation through the research hub but also support Salesforce’s expanding customer base in the region.

Notably, Singapore Airlines and Salesforce recently announced that the airline is integrating Agentforce, Einstein in Service Cloud, and Data Cloud into its customer case management system to deliver more consistent and personalised service. Additionally, the two companies plan to co-develop AI solutions for airlines at the Salesforce AI Research hub in Singapore, aiming to deliver greater value and new benefits to the industry.

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CelcomDigi, PayNet join forces to strengthen digital security in financial transactions

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  • Partnership target rising online scams and fraud
  • Collaboration enhances M’sia’s modern security, ensuring safer monetary transactions

From left: Farhan Ahmad, group CEO, PayNet, Azmil Zahruddin bin Raja Abdul Aziz, chair, CelcomDigi, Idham Nawawi, CEO, CelcomDigi

CelcomDigi Berhad and Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd ( PayNet ) have announced a landmark inter-industry partnership to provide Malaysians with more secure and seamless access to digital financial services through CelcomDigi’s Open Gateway. In a joint statement, both companies highlighted that by leveraging Open Application Programming Interface ( API ) integration, this collaboration supports Malaysia’s push for greater digital security, empowering individuals and businesses with safe and convenient financial transactions while fostering a more interconnected digital ecosystem.

They stated that the key target of this agreement is to actively address the rising threats of online scams and scam, which remain a pressing challenge in today’s electronic economic landscape. Swindlers often exploit gaps in consumer protection techniques, preying on threats in identification and access methods. So, this partnership aims to strengthen digital protections and drastically reduce such risks, making these risks a thing of the past.

In line with the Open GSMA Initiative, this relationship leverages CelcomDigi’s Open Gateway API to allow PayNet to confirm DuitNow deals through stable SIM-based identification. This process ensures that the portable number linked to a DuitNow customer ID is effective and held by the authorized account owner. It is especially ideal for DuitNow, which uses smart figures, MyKad, or company registration numbers as user IDs for purchases. Also, this added security reinforces confidence in the system, creating confidence among Malaysians to follow wireless devices for financial transactions.

SIM-based identification offers major security benefits. According to the events, each SIM card is unique, safely stored within a portable unit, and not simply duplicated, reducing the risk of fraud and scams. This is especially important as banking and financial schemes continue to be among the most common forms of scam in Malaysia. PayNet already processes over 13 million online transactions everyday. Unlike traditional verification strategies that rely on OTPs, which require regular code access and are susceptible to human error, SIM-based identification provides a more secure option for consumers.

Furthermore, the partnership enhances digital security by collaborating with financial institutions and the National Scam Response Centre via the National Fraud Portal ( NFP). By streamlining fraud record handling and sharing real-time scam brains, NFP provides reports to CelcomDigi, enabling proactive measures to quickly flag, block, and blacklist scam-linked phone numbers. This approach also prevents fraudsters from misusing flagged numbers to create new accounts, further reinforcing security for all users.

CelcomDigi’s CEO, Idham Nawawi, said,” This landmark collaboration between the telecommunications and payments industries is aimed at further safeguarding all Malaysians. By enabling SIM-based authentication technology, we are providing financial institutions with a more secure way to authenticate users, making digital financial transactions significantly safer”.

” As scams and fraud rise—especially in the age of artificial intelligence—this initiative comes at a pivotal moment, reinforcing the need for stronger security as scammers grow more adept at bypassing traditional defences and exploiting digital vulnerabilities. We look forward to expanding this partnership, working with more financial institutions to strengthen digital security and protect Malaysians across the country from emerging digital threats”, he added.

Building on its commitment to financial inclusion and security, PayNet underscores the critical role of trust and fraud prevention in enabling a seamless digital payment experience.

Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, said,” At PayNet, our mission is to build a secure, seamless, and inclusive digital financial ecosystem for all Malaysians. With the 2024 launch of our real-time National Fraud Portal, we took an innovative, bold step towards protecting Malaysians. This partnership builds on the National Fraud Portal by adding real-time account verification through CelcomDigi, providing an extra layer of security for all users. By harnessing Open APIs and collaborative innovation, we are driving a future where financial security and inclusion go hand in hand, empowering individuals and businesses to transact with confidence in an increasingly digital economy”.

Together, CelcomDigi and PayNet are committed to advancing digital security, driving innovation, and expanding financial access, ensuring that Malaysians can transact with trust and ease in a fast-evolving digital economy.

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DNB advocates 5G technology amongst farming community

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  • Initiative aims to strengthen lives, careers, and food safety
  • Programme seeks to assist farmers use 5G for perfection gardening &amp, cost saving

Digital minister Gobind Singh Deo with Bentong member of Parliament, Young Syefura, Digital Ministry deputy secretary general Shakib Ahmad Shakir, Digital Nasional Berhad CEO Azman Ismail with industry experts at the 'Jelajah Digital: 5G-Enabled AgriTech' event on 10 March 2025.

Digital Nasional Berhad ( DNB) has organised a 5G awareness programme for the farming community in Bentong, Pahang, as part of its ongoing efforts to drive business deployment of 5G systems in Malaysia.

The” Jelajah Digital – 5G-Enabled AgriTech” program, officiated by the chancellor of modern, Gobind Singh Deo, and attended by Young Syefura Othman, member of parliament for Bentong, and Azman Ismail, CEO of Digital Nasional Berhad, aimed to increase awareness of 5G systems and its uses in the agribusiness industry.

In a speech, DNB said the initiative seeks to encourage farmers to utilize 5G to boost precision agriculture practices, reduce operational costs, and increase productivity through automation and AI-enabled solutions. This program is expected to improve farmers ‘ lives while generating high-value work and business possibilities, contributing to total food safety.

Among the important advantages of 5G is its ability to support a large number of connected products together with lower overhead and high-speed data exchange. Sensors placed across vegetables or fruits areas may monitor soil moisture, heat, and nutrient levels in real-time, enabling data-driven choices that optimise crop yields and minimize waste, DNB said.

The event featured experts from the technology sector who shared insights and experiences in implementing 5G-powered digital solutions for agriculture.

In his speech, Gobind urged the local agriculture sector to take advantage of 5G connectivity and government support to enhance operations. ” Farmers in Bentong can use 5G technology to improve efficiency and increase crop yields. With smart farming solutions, vegetable and durian plantation owners can minimise resource wastage, lower costs, and make better decisions in assessing risks, ultimately boosting yields”.

Echoing the minister’s sentiments, Azman Ismail said,” Through this programme, farmers can see real-world examples of how 5G technology is transforming agriculture globally. For instance, 5G-enabled drones are being used to monitor crop health and detect pest infestations early. These drones cover large areas quickly, providing detailed images and data that help farmers take timely action to protect their crops. 5G is also enabling automated irrigation systems, ensuring efficient water use only when needed”.

DNB reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders, including government agencies, telcos, local authorities, community leaders, and technology providers, to ensure the benefits of 5G are accessible to all communities, fostering a more inclusive and prosperous future for Malaysians.

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After DeepSeek: China’s Manus – the hot new AI under the spotlight – Asia Times

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Manus, a newly launched artificial intelligence ( AI ) agent in China, has surprised the global technology sector by demonstrating its ability to complete tasks traditionally performed by white-collar workers.

According to its site, Manus, developed by Beijing-based Chinese company Butterfly Effect, may perform various tasks in hours, such as planning a trip to Japan, finding a fresh home abroad and analyzing financial statements.

Peak Ji, general professor and co-founder of Butterfly Impact, said the company developed its agentic AI type using Antropic’s Claude and Alibaba’s Qwen. &nbsp,

Claude, developed by the San Francisco-based Antropic, is well known for its powerful scripting capacity. People may request Claude to create rules for use&nbsp, in AI brokers.

On Tuesday, Alibaba Cloud and Butterfly Effect reached a tactical cooperation agreement to create AI products for public use.

To know what Manus offers consumers, one should first understand the difference between conceptual AI and agentic AI.

Generative AI models include ChatGPT and DeepSeek, which are large language models ( LLMs) that can understand human languages. They may cause, connect with people, read and write and create pictures, videos, and figures.

LLM is like a head, while an AI broker may be compared to a human body that you do tailor-made and monotonous tasks such as extracting and analyzing industry-specified information.

To build an AI agent, a company must ask its experienced staff to write a workflow. It must subscribe to software, and hire programmers to write codes and compile data so analysts can use the database.

This procedure does not require any high-end chips or sophisticated AI training. Still, it is costly to small and medium enterprises ( SMEs ) and is usually not welcomed by staff who don’t want to hand their skills to machines.

Now, Manus offers users a one-click button to complete each task. It claims to be the world’s first fully autonomous AI. Its website slogan is” Leave it to Manus”.

In its promotional footage released on March 5, Butterfly Effect co-founder Xiao Hong demonstrated the AI agent’s abilities to analyze 10 resumes, search a New York property for sale within a given budget, and calculate the correlation of Nvidia, Marvell Technology and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co ( TSMC) stocks.

The 32-year-old entrepreneur said Manus beat OpenAI’s Deep Research regarding GAIA, a benchmark for general AI assistants.

” This wouldn’t be possible without the amazing open-source community, which is why we’re committed to giving back”, said Xiao. ” Manus operates as a multi-agent system powered by several distinct models. So later this year, we’re going to open source some of these models, specifically post-trained for Manus, inviting everyone to explore this agentic future together”.

‘ Mind and hand ‘

Xiao said the name Manus comes from a famous Latin motto, Mens et Manus, which means “mind and hand”.

” It embodies the belief that knowledge must be applied to make a meaningful impact on the world, and this is precisely the promise of Manus AI – to extend your capabilities, amplify your impact, and be the hand that brings your mind’s vision into reality”, he said.

Within a day of Butterfly Effect’s launching Manus on March 5, the company’s server had been overloaded as global AI fans used Manus to perform various tests. &nbsp,

In a statement, Butterfly Effect co-founder Zhang Tao apologized to the public and said the company underestimated the strong market response to its AI agent. He said Manus is a preliminary product, like a newborn baby, and remains far from what the company wants to deliver.

After graduating from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in 2015, Xiao founded Nightingale Technology, which received strategic investment from Tencent Holdings and some venture capital funds.

In June 2022, he founded Butterfly Effect with the support of ZhenFund, a Beijing-based venture capital firm founded by New Oriental co-founders Bob Xu and Victor Wang. ZhenFund is one of the largest angel investors in China. &nbsp,

In March 2023, Butterfly Effect launched an all-in-one AI personal assistant called Monica. im. According to its website, Monica. im now connects to OpenAI o3-mini, DeepSeek R1, GPT-4o, Claude 3.7, and Gemini 2.0. &nbsp,

Last year, the company raised new funding from Tencent Holdings and HongShan Capital Group.

Yong Jian is a contributor to the Asia Times. He is a Chinese journalist who specializes in Chinese technology, economy and politics. &nbsp,

Read: China explores military applications with DeepSeek

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