Singapore software game developers seek to crack global market

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While Chinese builders Cygames and SNK opened new headquarters in Singapore this year, along with their already-established rivals Hyundai and Capcom, businesses like Tencent, miHoYo, and NetEase from China have established bases there.

As more international games companies establish their presence in this country, Mr. Chia stated that the association is working closely with higher education institutions and government organizations to develop a native talent pool to match industry demands.

” This creates a lot of organisational knowledge. He told CNA that local talent who enters these companies can also emerge and offer options for some of their individual businesses and studios.

HUB FOR SEA GAMING SCENE

Mr. Chia added that Singapore could foster cross-collaboration and advancement with provincial game makers and serve as a hub for East Asian gaming.

” Collectively as a region … ( we can ) make better games, staff better studios… and drive the uplifting of the storytelling from our region to the rest of the world”, he said.

Southeast Asia has advantages over cookie-cutter games that are already on the decline, Mr. Barnard claimed, as well as low labor costs and distinct nations.

” We’ve reached a point where video game ‘ graphics are unmatchable. If you have some sort of art concept that’s interesting and does n’t look like anything else that’s out there … it can get a lot of attention”, he said. &nbsp,

Publishers who invest in and promote video games have said that the game’s creativity must be balanced with caution and be approachable to buyers.

” We have to consider ( whether ) … we present these stories and narratives in a way that matters to the global audience”, said Mr Brian Kwek, the founder of Ysbryd Games, an indie game publisher based in Singapore and Britain.

He added that investments are necessary for the native gaming industry’s continued expansion.

Mr. Leyden’s suggestion to fresh developers would be to create solid foundations with games that can appeal to the target market right away.

” If you are just starting up, do n’t shoot for the moon… walk before you run. Build up your expertise set and acquire it frontward”, he said.

” Create a game that speaks to you, that compels you, that your neighbour, your town, your country is going to enjoy. Create a skill set that the people you know you appreciate as a key component of your career.

According to data-gathering company Statista, the global entertainment market is projected to grow at an monthly rate of about 9 % to reach US$ 363 billion by 2027.

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MDEC CEO: Madani Budget 2025 ‘forward thinking’ and ‘future ready’

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  • Set to advance Malaysia’s modern management forward of ASEAN 2025
  • opportunities to keep investing in the nation, both from local and foreign owners

A sign that the digital economy is picking up steam in Malaysia. Even in non-urban areas, more micro SMEs are starting to prefer e-payments over cash. The vendor is selling his goods at a beach in Sekinchan, Selangor. He still accepts cash as not all his customers use e-wallets.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC ) has described the National Budget 2025, themed’ Madani Economy: Negara Makmur, Rakyat Sejahtera’, as a forward-thinking budget that further strengthens the foundation of the nation’s digital economy.

Anuar Fariz Fadzil ( pic ), MDEC CEO said the budget provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence ( AI ) and drive inclusive growth.

MDEC CEO: Madani Budget 2025 ‘forward thinking’ and ‘future ready’As Malaysia prepares to take over ASEAN 2025, the Madani Budget 2025 comes at a suitable period, according to Anuar.

With its own proper initiatives in place, Malaysia is “foreign ready” and well-equipped to foster local collaboration in crucial fields like AI, the online economy, and innovation, thereby enhancing our position in ASEAN and beyond. According to him, the proposed budget offers opportunities for both local and foreign owners to keep investing in Malaysia, particularly in high-value activities like online services.

The small and medium business ( SME) area in the country also stands to gain from initiatives to adopt digital tools for increased productivity and operational efficiency.

” As Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo stated, the Budget builds upon the solid foundations of Malaysia’s modern economy”, Anuar added. Gobind recently stated that the digital economy is projected to account for 25.5 % of the country’s GDP by 2025 or even surpass the estimates made by the government a few years ago. Piko is more optimistic and stated that it anticipates meeting the objective by 2024.

In a speech released by his government on Saturday, Gobind had described the Madani Budget 2025 as “one that prioritizes the well-being and growth of the rakyat.”

” The efforts in Budget 2025 may continue to support the Ministry of Digital in leading digital conversion work, creating an efficient and secure national modern habitat, boosting the country’s modern economy and narrowing the socio-economic divide among Malaysians”, he added.

Stressing on Malaysia’s important advantages, Anuar emphasised its strategic location, cultural and English-speaking labor, investor-friendly culture and steady pro-business state.

A significant highlight of Budget 2025 was the successful attraction of US$ 16.9 billion ( RM72.7 billion ) in investments from global tech leaders, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google and Oracle. This achievement, which was the result of a concerted effort between ministries and organizations, including MDEC, highlights Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for sky infrastructure and a major player in the world’s modern economy.

Establishing the ASEAN AI Safe Network

On the AI front, Anuar said the government’s US$ 2.33 million ( RM10 million ) allocation to the National AI Office and RM50 million for AI education demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing AI and building a skilled talent pipeline.

” These efforts will promote AI adoption and guarantee Malaysia leads the region in AI development and social development,” Anuar said. Our commitment to developing social AI comes to life in our leadership in creating the ASEAN AI Safe Network.

” MDEC is committed to working alongside the government to ensure that AI systems are deployed ethically and responsibly, securing Malaysia’s online coming through collaboration among education, business, public institutions and the rakyat”, he added.

Anuar added that the Digital ID initiative will be crucial in enhancing digital trust and security by offering businesses and the rakyat a secure, trustworthy method of online identity verification.

The introduction of Digital ID will improve access to digital services and increase confidence in online transactions, reducing fraud, and improving the overall digital economy. This initiative will be crucial in supporting Malaysia’s efforts to advance its position as a leader in the region’s secure digital services, according to Anuar.

Empowering SMEs, startups and entrepreneurs

The RM1 billion National Fund-of-Funds and RM1 billion Pioneer Fund by KWAP are key initiatives to support Malaysia’s startup ecosystem.

]RM1 = US$ 0.232 ]

” MDEC welcomes the additional RM65 million for Cradle Fund to expand regional and global potential for local startups, as well as the RM15 million matching grant to encourage collaboration between government-linked companies ( GLCs ) and startups through corporate venture capital,” Anuar said.

The government’s commitment to cultivating a” culture of innovation” among the Raykat and businesses aligns firmly with MDEC’s goal of making Malaysia an incubator for startup innovation in the ASEAN region.

The MDEC Founders Centre of Excellence ( FOX ) initiative has proved to be a smashing success by providing crucial resources with mentorship and infrastructure support. Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister, cited Vitrox Bhd as an illustration of the success of this initiative.

Vitrox, founded by two engineers from Universiti Sains Malaysia ( USM) and guided by MDEC’s GAIN programme, has grown into a global player in the electronics industry, serving markets across Asia, Europe and the United States.

” MDEC stands ready to support these transformative initiatives, working closely with entrepreneurs, businesses and communities to ensure Malaysia’s digital economy continues to thrive and create opportunities for all”, Anuar concluded.

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RethinQ Entrepreneurship will challenge your notions of what makes for a successful entrepreneur.. does even Elon know?

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  • Success/failure of a&nbsp, opportunity is totally different from&nbsp, success/failure of the investor
  • High failure rates of ventures&nbsp, shows&nbsp, standard entrepreneurship education is not enough

RethinQ Entrepreneurship will challenge your notions of what makes for a successful entrepreneur.. does even Elon know?

The term ‘ Effectuation Theory ‘ does n’t exactly roll off the tongue. Nor will you find a single startup founder, publish a funding round, excitedly declaring,” We’re going to develop the talent pool, double down on existing markets, start in X industry, increase the platform, invest in marketing, AND, I’m going to participate in a program to increase my entrepreneur skills ( be it on Effectuation Theory or anything else )”. That just does not occur.

So when Dhakshinamoorthy Balakrishnan or Dash reached out to me about the topic and how his search for more meaningful relevance in the world of startup entrepreneurship ( readers will recall that he used to be a pillar of the startup ecosystem in Malaysia ) had led him to believe that the introduction of the Theory of Effectuation and understanding how its application to their ventures can really help them, I still was n’t convinced. Even though he had now decided he was going to take the leading expert in this area, Prof Saras Sarasvathy, to Malaysia for a website on Tues, 22 Oct.

Yet though Dash has a sizable amount of social investment throughout his career, this is unfortunate. However, as they say, schedule is all, and as I recall my conversation with Dr. Hari Narayanan, CEO of Penang Skills Development Corp. and my doubts regarding whether exposing our habitat to the concept of effectuation might help, I recalled a recent conversation.

Hari, a skilled C-suite head with over 20 years of leadership and management expertise, including six decades as managing director at Motorola Solutions Malaysia, said something that really struck me. Over the course of my profession, I’ve come to the conclusion that management is what sets businesses apart from those with business success.

But perhaps there was something around. From the site effectuation. In the very unexpected startup phase of a venture, I discovered that effectuation is a a logic of innovative expertise  that both novice and experienced entrepreneurs can use to lower the cost of failure for the entrepreneur.

What made the fact that Efficient theory is a type of issue solving&nbsp, which was based on a mental science-based review of 27 owners of businesses ranging in size from US$ 200 million to US$ 6.5 billion that Sarasvathy conducted.

It turns out, what makes great businesses is n’t genetic or character traits, risk-seeking attitude, wealth, or perspective. Effectuation research has found that there is a&nbsp, science&nbsp, to enterprise and that great entrepreneurs across industries, geographies, and occasion use a&nbsp, popular logic, or thinking process, to address entrepreneurial problems.

So, maybe Dash was on to something. And that’s how I ended up with the ebullient Sarasvathy, the Effectuation guru herself, in a late-night chat.

She teaches MBA and doctoral courses in entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business in Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Ethics. Originally, she is a faculty member.

Although Sarasvathy has a lengthy resume, it would be remiss of me if I did n’t mention that she has the 2022 global award for Entrepreneurship Research, which is considered the highest level of recognition for research in the field of entrepreneurship. The Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum and the Research Institute of Industrial Economics ( IFN) award it.

Confession of an editor

Confession. I have a hard time interviewing academics, especially those who have established themselves in other fields of study. They are the only ones who are knowledgeable about their subject matter and are ready to answer questions until the cows arrive home. And, unlike startup founders, they love tough questions.

And so it was that I expressed my doubts about the relevance of a relatively unknown theory about entrepreneurial expertise to Malaysian business owners, not when Paul Graham, one of the most well-known names in the Silicon Valley, is currently the subject of the hot leadership debate in the startup world about” Founder Mode.”

Sarasvathy laughed. ” That’s like seven questions in there”. Predictably she did n’t break a sweat addressing my skepticism. ” Let me break that down into three parts”, she began.

But before this, I wanted to understand her motivation for wanting to research successful entrepreneurs, though she prefers to call them’ expert entrepreneurs’, for her doctoral dissertation. Turns out, her interest in learning what makes successful entrepreneurs the success they are comes from her own journey as a serial entrepreneur, being one of the founding teams of five different ventures spread across three continents.

She took a keen interest in the field of entrepreneurship after her fifth venture was destroyed by flooding, which led to her getting a Masters and a PhD right away, both in the US. The theory was developed after her dissertation on what made successful entrepreneurs the winners they are.

But first she corrects me, teacher style. ” Everyone tells me I came up with a theory, but the fact is that I did a big piece of research on the experiences of what I call expert entrepreneurs, out of which the theory came”, she explains.

That took three years, with Sarasvathy publishing the theory paper, as she prefers to call it, in 2001. ” The whole idea behind my research was to try to understand, what is it that entrepreneurs learn through their experiences, that we can also learn and then teach”, she said.

It took her time to understand how to teach the subject right, so this was n’t as simple as it sounds. It’s not a simple matter to conduct research before instructing.

She continued her investigation into knowledgeable businesspeople while creating educational materials. Not one piece of research is sufficient. ” A textbook came out in 2011 but between 2001 to 2011 we were continuing to gather data, do research and develop material with all the case studies”, she explained.

That’s a lot of work to truly comprehend and effectively teach the fundamentals of effectuation leadership. This demonstrated to me how seriously she was taking her work and how determined she was to try to capture the essence of what made “expert entrepreneurs” so prosperous in order to then be able to assist others in her classes.

Does anybody know what makes for a successful entrepreneur? Does Elon?

Now, even though we were not chatting face to face, it was a video call, but she anticipated my next question. ( Have to work on my game face. )

” The issue is not whether my theory is superior, and I can produce successful entrepreneurs,” That is the wrong question. Does anybody know this”?

You pick the most successful entrepreneur, say the founders of Airbnb or Elon Musk. Do they actually know, and can they create the next success ( in others )? The answer is No, she stresses.

Then I got the student treatment. I’m going to treat you for a moment like a student. Think deeply about that. Why is that”?

She claims that this is because the venture’s success or failure is indistinguishable from the entrepreneur’s success or failure. In fact, I teach my students that the most crucial lesson to learn is how to fail if you want to be a successful entrepreneur. And then, you know, build on a whole bunch of small failures, a whole bunch of small successes, so that you as an entrepreneur, over time, will be successful. So we have done quite a bit of work on really unpacking these relationships”, she said.

” Effectuation offers a different approach that emphasizes gaining from mistakes and accumulating small victories over time,” says the author.

And that is what participants at her coming forum on Tuesday,’ RethinQ Entrepreneurship – Build Effectual Entrepreneurs. Learn about the” Build Enduring Companies.”

It will be very different from what one would anticipate from an ordinary forum on entrepreneurship. It will be entirely worthwhile to watch Sarasvathy shake and challenge your understanding of what makes for successful entrepreneurship.

Sarasvathy, who believes her work is also very relevant in the world of entrepreneurship and startups, is convinced that the venture funding model, with its typical 10 % success rate, has failed. It has also been worth it for her.

The US has the oldest and most prosperous venture capital market in the world. You would assume they are knowledgeable about creating a successful business, no? False because they have a nine out of ten failure rate. However, most businesspeople will frequently ask you to make an introduction to them.

She contends that that the high failure rates of ventures, even those backed by venture capitalists, shows that traditional entrepreneurship education is not sufficient. She has something to offer that is more valuable.

Make the time. Attend RethinQ Entrepreneurship.

DNA is an ecosystem partner for RethinQ Entrepreneurship. Here are still available for purchase. You can listen to an interview Prof Sarasvathy

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SDEC 2024 advances Malaysia’s AI and semiconductor ambitions with major announcements and collaborations

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  • Agreements were signed for skill development, study &amp, cooperative projects
  • GEM Education pledged US$ 23 mil to ASEM, boosting M’sia’s silicon ecosystem

ASEM signed MoUs and Letters of Intent with 19 universities for talent development, research exchanges, and joint projects, strengthening academia-industry ties.

On the second day of the Selangor Smart City &amp, Digital Economy Convention ( SDEC ) 2024, which is a part of the Selangor International Business Summit ( SIBS ), Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in AI and semiconductor technologies gained traction. It was organized by Selangor Information Technology &amp, Digital Economy Corporation ( Sidec). Important presentations emphasized the country’s commitment to digital technology, including the marketing of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia ( ASEM), which represents a further development of efforts to develop world-class ability in both AI and silicon areas.

The Day 2 meeting of SDEC 2024 was officiated by Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, assistant secretary of Economy. Also provide was Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade, and Mobility, who delivered opening comment highlighting Selangor’s authority in driving revolutionary companies such as AI and electronics. A number of important announcements and initiatives were featured at the meeting to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global technical landscape.

The marketing of AI Nusantara to the Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia ( ASEM) was a crucial show of the day. This achievement marks a significant step forward for Malaysia’s efforts to develop a strong talent pool in both silicon and AI technology. ASEM may focus on developing world-class ability and providing industry-relevant training, preparing Malaysia for a modern future driven by electronics.

Meanwhile, GEM Education announced a pledge to support US$ 23 million ( RM100 million ) for ASEM, underscoring its commitment to Malaysia’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. Malaysia’s position in the global semiconductor market is anticipated to be strengthened by this purchase, as well as the growth of cutting-edge skill and research.

More solidifying Malaysia’s authority in semiconductor technology, ASEM signed Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent with 19 partner institutions. These agreements focus on cooperation in skill development, research exchanges, and shared projects, fostering a stronger relationship between academia and industry.

The event even recognised the completion of 30 instructors who have completed the Train-the-Trainer program. This program, run in partnership with Sidec, The Hive Southeast Asia, and Taiwan AI Academy, has upskilled teachers in semiconductor training, equipping them with the instruments to cultivate the next generation of tech professionals.

Additionally, the day honored the accomplishments of 450 individuals who successfully completed ASEM’s specialized training. These graduates have completed courses in fields like LLM Application Design and Object Detection, and they now possess the skills necessary to succeed as future tech leaders in Malaysia’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Meanwhile, a series of panel sessions took place throughout the day, exploring potential across various industries. Top AI innovators were gathered for the” Battle of the AI Minds” talent competition, which was moderated by Dr. Ling-Jyh Chen from Taiwan AI Academy and Kamesh Raghavendra from The Hive. Participants presented AI solutions to real-world challenges, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to developing global AI talent.

In another discussion, the generative AI in the cloud panel featured experts from AWS, SNS Network, and Exabytes, who shared insights on the rapid deployment of AI technologies via cloud infrastructure. Moderated by Denning Tan of GenAI Fund, the panel highlighted AI’s role in accelerating innovation across healthcare, smart mobility, and other key sectors.

The SDEC 2024 Exhibition showcased a diverse range of AI-powered technologies from over 200 exhibitors worldwide. It served as a hub for industry leaders, startups, and investors to connect and explore new opportunities in AI, robotics, and digital transformation. Business professionals and tech enthusiasts were attracted to the exhibition, which made it a key component of the convention.

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Malaysia’s public EV charging target is more a dream.. ‘We are very lonely’

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  • Govt’s encouraging rhetoric is n’t supported by practical steps to aid infra construction
  • Norway’s shift to EVs took 2 years of&nbsp, govt&nbsp, help before tapering down bonuses

All Malaysian interstate highways need to have sufficient public EV charging sites. But Charge Point Operators face many issues.

Talk is low. Even more so when it comes from the state, which therefore lacks the necessary policy, regulation, and funding resources to getting things moving quickly. Take Malaysia’s electric vehicle ( EV ) public charging ambitions which paint a picture of a green, sustainable future. &nbsp,

A vision, detached from reality

The government’s ambitious&nbsp, target, announced by Malaysian Green Technology Corp ( MGTC ) in late 2020, of 10, 000 public charging stations ( separate from home EV charging ) by 2025 reflects a nation ready to embrace the EV revolution. &nbsp,

But, the reality on the ground, where as of the first quarter of this year, just 2, 214 EV charging stations have been installed, based on Ministry of International Trade and Industry information, tells a starkly different story. As one Charge Point Operator ( CPO ) bluntly puts it:” We are very lonely”.

CPOs are organizations that install and maintain EV charging stations and offer charging service to EV owners. Businesses that sell house Electric charging stations are exempt from this definition. &nbsp,

This registration demonstrates the criss link between lofty objectives and the challenging challenges faced by those who have assumed the responsibility of creating Malaysia’s electric vehicle potential, mainly without government support. &nbsp,

It should come as no surprise that CPOs are struggling due to high import duties and a lack of power infrastructure, regulation challenges, and many agencies fighting for dominance in the sector.

One of the biggest burdens is the large import taxes that must be paid for transported equipment.

” We still have to pay at least 10 % buy duty”, says Puvanendren Maniam, COO of ChargEV Sdn Bhd, a leading Executive. These responsibilities, ranging between 10%-15 %, significantly increase prices for users.

Another key challenge is posed by the lack of sufficient power infrastructure, especially along highways where quick charging is most required to lessen “wait anxiety.” ” For 600 megawatts, you need to throw in a small power sub-station and that would cost us at least around RM300, 000″, Puvanendren said, illustrating the size of the problem.

And then there is the regulation confusion. ” There are no distinct requirements. There’s just rules”, Puvanendren points out. ” I may post everything according to the guide, and we can also get rejected”. This lack of clarity creates an environment of doubt, deterring funding and slowing development.

Malaysia's public EV charging target is more a dream.. ‘We are very lonely’No surprise that Chua SengTeong ( pic ), Managing Director of chargEV and Puvanendren’s boss, says that the road to electrification is fraught with obstacles.

Add to this the view problem. Chua documents,” the fact is, we’re building a key national network. Yet, we ( public EV charging players ) are viewed as startups ( by the government )”.

He shares some similarities with the mobile operators, who spent billions on developing wireless networks in the first to mid-1990s and received government support through low spectrum licensing costs. The government has little support for the expensive and labor-intensive project to build out open EV charging points, and there is no cash to bridge the gap while the market develops.

The essential requirement vehicle around, EV ownership is rarely at 2 % of total vehicles owned in Malaysia, according to 2023 Road Transport Department information. A sprinkling of optimism comes from recent studies by EY that shows 25 % of Malay are interested in purchasing EVs. Can the people EV charging companies survive while a market burgeons, though?

The three major players with 70 % market reveal

This explains why a small number of people dominate Malaysia’s people EV charging ecology, with chargEV and Gentari Sdn Bhd having deep-pocket kids. Yinson Bhd, an oil and electricity infrastructure person listed on Bursa Malaysia, which made RM6.3 billion in revenue in FY25 and RM741 million in key income, holds the majority of the stock in ChargeEV.

Gentari is owned by the federal fuel company, Petronas. Enough said.

A third player, EV Connection Sdn Bhd ( EVC ) which operates under the brand, JomCharge, has managed to carve some market share as well. EV Connection was founded in 2016 and is now owned by its leader, Lee Yuen How, who stated to DNA,” We have been successful as a business since Day One but on the CPO area we are still in the dark.” Gentari provided cash for the business in 2022. JomCharge has around 621 people demand items. &nbsp,

The Energy Commission of Malaysia established Charge EV in 2015, with Yinson purchasing a majority interest in 2023 for an undisclosed amount in 2021 after taking a majority interest in it. &nbsp,

Petronas founded Gentari in June 2022 with the intention of producing net-zero carbon pollution solutions using solar energy, gas, and clean mobility.

EVC&nbsp, is an EV charging and solar photovoltaic ( PV ) systems company. &nbsp, It installs, operates and maintains EV chargers for professional clothes, and communities and got into the business of operating its own people Vehicle demand points in 2022.&nbsp,

It is thought that the three people collectively control 70 % of the business.

The actuality- no obvious pathway to profitability

Public EV charging is not a market for the faint of heart especially when the government's three-year tax break incentive is deemed to be poorly thought out. With the main players expecting to be breakeven in eight years time, how many will be around to benefit from this 'incentive'?

While neither chargeEV, or EV Connection, nor Gentari have formally stated how much they have invested into their common Vehicle charging system, all three expect to see breakeven in about eight years time. &nbsp,

Public EV getting is not a business for the timid or those who have short-term objectives, especially when an “incentive” from the government is deemed to be terribly conceived. &nbsp,

The three-year duty crack incentive is simply no happening for us because we simply expect to break even eight years later, Chua said, referring to the government’s tax exemption that fails to address the long-term economic challenges faced.

Gentari sounds this attitude, drawing parallels with Norway’s EV trip. Its director claimed that it took nearly 20 years of continued efforts and government assistance before slashing the incentives. This demonstrates the time and effort required for for a change, suggesting that Malaysia’s EV charging infrastructure may require similar ongoing support to maintain and grow. But will the federal recognize this and act in response to it?

Gentari acknowledges that reaching the 10, 000-charging level destination by 2025 is ambitious, but it is doable, with the right regulation support, it said, despite operating the largest network of EV charging stations in Malaysia, with over 520 charging points spread across 131 locations nationwide. These include people points that are available to all EV drivers and secret points with access to certain users. &nbsp,

The Gentari spokesperson emphasized that” streamlining regulatory processes, particularly reducing approval times for projects, would be crucial to accelerating charger installation”.

The Ministry of Transportation ( MOT ) is the government entity best suited to cut through the bureaucracy, according to Prof. Dr. Vinesh Thiruchelvam, chief innovation and enterprise officer at Asia Pacific University, who also leads its renewable energy initiatives. &nbsp,

” MOT is best placed to govern ( policies, mandates, etc ) but the best agency for actual implementation should be under the Road Transport Department (RTD ) where planning is done, locality determined and specification outlined”.

RTD will undertake the task of working with power utility, TNB, along with locality ownership ( i. e R&amp, R PLUS etc ) with installation based on RTD/Sustainable Energy Development Authority specs so that on-road and in-premise ( hotels, malls, commercial buildings etc ) sites have the same standard implementation he added.

Gentari, while acknowledging the various challenges, has taken a proactive approach. The company is focused on strategically placing fast chargers in high-demand locations, including major cities and highways. To reduce range anxiety and set up multiple charging points at each location to accommodate growing demand, they want to install charging stations every 100 kilometers so that waiting times can be shorter.

‘ Contribution fee’ to TNB

The substantial upfront costs that CPOs must bear include costs for power infrastructure that they do n’t even own. According to Chua, CPOs are required to pay for the construction of substations and other types of power infrastructure, which then become TNB’s property. &nbsp,

For example, a compact substation capable of delivering 600 to 700 kilowatts of power can cost around RM300, 000. This is considered a” contribution fee” to TNB, but the CPOs do n’t retain ownership or control over this infrastructure. In other words, if another company wants to use the same substation later to power their EV charging points, they can contact TNB without paying the CPO who installed it or who installed it. &nbsp,

CPOs who must invest in infrastructure they do n’t own are now a significant financial burden, which could benefit their future competitors. Small wonder that the landscape is rife with smaller players, all of whom are struggling with the high capital demands and the rapidly evolving technology, according to an industry observer. &nbsp,

This underscores the urgent need for a more supportive government approach to building Malaysia’s public EV charging infrastructure, with the leading CPOs optimistic that Budget 2025 will bring them good news. &nbsp,

Zero education

The complete absence of public education and awareness campaigns is perhaps Malaysia’s most obvious oversight of its EV strategy. Unlike the concerted efforts seen in promoting 5G technology, there has been virtually no government-led initiative to educate the public about EVs and the charging infrastructure.

Due to the lack of accurate information, the field is vulnerable to misinformation and fear-mongering, especially on social media. According to Chua, “our team is responding to random questions based on the negative online impressions” for the most part. The lack of authoritative, fact-based education has allowed myths and misconceptions about EV safety and practicality to proliferate unchecked.

The national JomCharge network under, EV Connection. Lee Yuen How, CEO of EV Connection says that while the EV task force he is part sees the government and the agencies pushing hard to speed up the approval processes, there are some regulations that need to be amended and it will take some time for this to happen.

The only way forward

Despite the daunting challenges, industry leaders see a path forward for Malaysia’s public EV charging infrastructure. This path, however, demands a shift in approach and policy. Chua emphasizes the need for a holistic strategy:” We need a public-private partnership, whatever that means or what form, but it needs to happen otherwise, you know, it’s not going to work”.

The urgent need for regulatory clarity is at the heart of this strategy. Operators are thrown a maze of uncertainty due to the current patchwork of guidelines across various jurisdictions. ” The question we ask is very simple: who’s the guy that we actually talk to? There is n’t anyone dedicated to carrying the game”, Puvanendren said. &nbsp,

Lee of EVC&nbsp, said,” As part of the EV task force and also technical committee, we observe the government and the agencies are really pushing hard to speed up the approval processes. Some laws require amendments, and it will take some time for this to occur.

Another important pillar of the journey is financial incentives. The government needs to reevaluate how it goes about supporting this developing sector. The industry needs long-term support mechanisms, such as tax breaks and import duty exemptions for businesses installing charging facilities, to support it as it progresses.

Gentari advocates for more incentives for charging networks, such as tax breaks or subsidies for businesses that invest in EV charging infrastructure. In these incentives, they also recommend including Battery Energy Storage Systems ( BESS) to increase system flexibility and reliability. &nbsp,

Additionally, they suggest tax exemptions and cash incentives for battery electric vehicles ( BEVs ), as well as policies to encourage the gradual electrification of vehicle fleets, particularly for business operators. &nbsp,

Equally crucial is the solution to the issue of power infrastructure, and Puvanendren suggests a novel strategy that could speed up charging stations ‘ deployment. ” We could encourage the businesses ( retailers ) to get tax exemptions if they install charging facilities”. This approach could not only make charging stations more affordable, but it also reduced the burden on CPOs to spend. &nbsp,

Puvanendren elaborates that by incentivizing retailers to invest in charging infrastructure, the government could create a win-win situation. Retailers would gain from more customers and foot traffic, while CPOs could concentrate on running and upkeep the stations rather than having to pay the installation’s entire cost.

Gentari has already put in place a similar model, which offers a zero-capex model for public chargers, enabling businesses to host EV chargers at their preferred locations for public use with the least amount of money upfront.

Despite the daunting challenges, industry leaders see a path forward for Malaysia's public EV charging infrastructure. This path, however, demands a shift in approach and policy that emphasizes a holistic strategy.

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Mosti announces seven local startups as winners of MYHackathon 2024 Cohort 1 

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  • Programme received over 500 comments throughout Malaysia
  • Winners may get offers away to US$ 58, 000 &amp, 12 weeks of coaching

The winners of MYHackathon 2024 Cohort 1 (From left: TERRAAGRA, ParlimenAI and S1ASIAPAC, MOSTI secretary general, Dr. Hj. Aminuddin Hassim, V-Cred, minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, MOSTI deputy secretary general (Technology Development) Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Hassan, Team MVP, Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke, group CEO of Cradle, NGU Gen, Prigo X)

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation ( Mosti ) and its agency, Cradle Fund Sdn. Bhd., have announced the seven finalists of the MYHackathon 2024 Cohort 1 program. The announcement was made during the AICB Center of Excellence’s final meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

The event was officiated by Chang Lih Kang, minister of science, technology, and innovation, who stated that the winners of Cohort 1 will receive conditional grants of up to US$ 58, 000 ( RM250, 000 ) to develop their pilot projects, along with one-to-one project implementation mentorship for the next 12 months. Additionally, all winners will work with the owners of the particular problem statements to improve their plan for implementing the solution.

In his opening target, Chang remarked that the MYHACKathon serves as an outlet for developing creative solutions for issues that the government and relevant organizations face. I am impressed by the caliber of the options that the members have provided. These concepts are not only practical but also creative, and they are in line with Malaysia’s dedication to developing Asia’s leading market and the Madani financial perspective.

” This is in range with efforts to strengthen skills development and strengthen the science, technology, creativity, and business ecosystem in the country”, he added.

The MYHACKathon 2024 initiative supports Malaysia Madani’s aspirations, which place focuses on the importance of development and regeneration in the pursuit of people-centred growth. I think some of these options have the potential to be made more widely and broadly in the future,” Chang said.

The MYHACKathon 2024 Cohort 1 highlighted seven issue statements submitted by several ministries and state agencies under the style” Hackathon Nasional untuk Malaysia MADANI.” It was launched on September 23, 2024. More than 500 registered organizations and businesses from Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, submitted entries for the program. Before 23 finalists were chosen for the” Last Demo” display session, all participants went through a two-week shoe camp and one-on-one tutoring sessions from mentors.

Mosti announces seven local startups as winners of MYHackathon 2024 Cohort 1 According to Norman Matthieu Vanhaecke ( pic ), group CEO of Cradle,” The MYHackathon program provides an opportunity for tech talents in Malaysia to find solutions to various national challenges through creative and innovative approaches, aligning with the main goal of the programme to drive transformation and adapt digitisation in Government services in Malaysia,”

Cradle, who serves as the MYHackathon 2024 programme’s implementing company, believes that initiatives like this can advance the country’s technology ecosystem’s agenda for improved digital infrastructure and governance systems that prioritize the needs of the people.

According to Cradle, since its launch in 2020, the MYHackathon project, held every two centuries, has nurtured fresh skills among Malaysians and has become a system to develop assistance, innovation, and critical thinking among participants.

The Artemis Robot from A2Tech Sdn Bhd, which develops mechanical engineering products with artificial knowledge integration for first reconnaissance activities in search and rescue operations, and the Anti Drone Detection System from FlyBots Technology, which develops solutions for controlling drone intrusions intended for contraband or illegal surveillance in areas with limited access are two examples of successful solutions developed under this program.

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Cyberview ignites creative innovation with CIRc8

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  • evidence a letter of intent with TODAK Holdings and an MOU with Animonsta Studios &amp.
  • Aims to foster&nbsp, stronger engagement to benefit the online innovative business

L-R: Ahmad Faizul Ramli, chief operating officer, Cyberview Sdn Bhd; Mohd Hisyamuddin Awang Abu Bakar, head of Special Investment, Real Estate & Services Section, Government Investment Companies Division (GIC), Ministry of Finance; Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, CEO, Cyberview Sdn Bhd; Teo Nie Ching, deputy minister of Communication; Khairul Azlan Zainal Ariffin, CEO, TODAK Holdings Sdn Bhd; Anas Abdul Aziz, chief content officer, showrunner & audio director, Animonsta Studios Sdn Bhd; Dr. Tan Awang Besar, rector, Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan

The Cyberjaya Digital Creative Circuit ( CIRc8 ) 2024, a synthesis of digital creativity and technological innovation, has been announced by Cyberview Sdn Bhd. More than just an occasion, CIRc8 serves as a platform where suggestions meet imagination, all within the fluid ecosystem of Cyberjaya.

As the technology hub designer, Cyberview emphasises that it is in a special place, very unlike other designers. A key goal of the business is to create a tech ecosystem that benefits all-size technology firms, enabling the Cyberjaya group to prosper as a whole.

Cyberjaya has recently seen an influx of data center investments, which has helped and established the very core of the modern business in the metropolis. As the desired technology investment location for Malaysia, Cyberjaya has seen an influx of data center investments. As the industry expands and makes use of cutting-edge technologies like conceptual AI, Cyberjaya’s online creative players gain advantage.

Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, CEO of Cyberview, said,” Although we welcome high-value technology Investment, we are cognisant of the important role local technology firms play in building Malaysia’s modern economy in the long run. We are particularly pleased of our local software companies, particularly those in the creative market”.

He added,” We see the demand for digital innovative products and services is on the increase, both locally and internationally, therefore opening access to new markets and new parts for products and services”. Kamarul also emphasized that Cyberview’s assistance for this business is a long-term commitment, as demonstrated by the establishment of the modern innovative tech cluster within the Cyberjaya masterplan, which was launched in 2019.

Cyberjaya is home to some of Malaysia’s popular online artistic talents, with video studios like Monsta Studios, WAU Animation, and Durioo gaining international reputation. I’m convinced that there will soon be a domestic fairy called Cyberjaya. Therefore, he emphasized that Cyberview is doing everything we can to help businesses through numerous business help programs like the one we introduced today.

CIRc8 2024 was launched by Teo Nie Ching, assistant secretary of Communications, who likewise witnessed two report markets. The first was a Memorandum of Understanding between TODAK Holdings Sdn Bhd and Cyberview Sdn Bhd, and the next was a Letter of Intent between the two.

Both exchanges demonstrate the strengthening of the relationship between the parties involved, aiming to foster a more effective and important collaboration for the online creative sector.

With an estimated crowd of more than 1, 500 people, consisting of key players from the animation and e-sports industry, talent, and the community, visitors were entertained for two days with a mini game arcade, an immersive virtual art exhibition by Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan ( ASWARA ), and meet-the-fans sessions with popular local animation characters.

Other hobbies included industry changes and a panel discussion titled” The Future of Digital Creativity – Navigating Innovation and Human Touch.” The board featured Shafinaz Salim, head of Technology Hub Development at Cyberview, Nicholas Sagau, chief operating officer of RevMedia Group and vice president of the Malaysia Digital Association, and Dr. Jazmi Jamal, chairman of Future Creative School at ASWARA.

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Singapore’s Ignition AI Accelerator partners Pfizer to advance biopharma sector with AI

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  • Aims to improve AI capabilities, grow software across industries
  • Partnership aims to speed up medicine finding & industry solutions faster

Singapore’s Ignition AI Accelerator partners Pfizer to advance biopharma sector with AI

Fire AI Accelerator, a collaborative effort between NVIDIA, Tribe, and Digital Industry Singapore ( DISG) has announced a collaboration with international biotech head Pfizer in Emerging Markets Asia.

In a statement, the Singapore-backed Fire AI Accelerator explained that its goal is to advance AI skills and develop software across industries, driving global business development. The association with Pfizer aims to utilize its extensive community in Southeast Asia, including media, state, universities, accelerators, technical skill, and investors, to expand drug discovery and research processes, bringing innovative treatments to promote more quickly.

The Singapore government has been actively advancing border technologies like AI to support its medical technology and medical ecosystems and improve care quality. In addition to fostering private-public sector partnerships, it has invested over US$ 19 billion ( RM81 billion ) in science and technology research under its Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan. Through its engagement with DISG, Ignition AI Accelerator aims to attract major international AI companies to Singapore, building a thriving ecosystem for border systems. The throttle also empowers businesses to expand regionally, scaling their companies and accelerating their go-to-market techniques.

The partnership with Pfizer positions Fire AI Accelerator at the vanguard of AI creativity, providing local ecology partners and medical startups with the size and experience of industry giants. Through these collaborations, especially in the healthcare industry, Ignition AI Accelerator is better equipped to drive the development of pioneering therapies, patient treatment, and precision treatments worldwide.

” We are excited to collaborate with Pfizer, one of the leading players in the biopharmaceutical industry,” said Ng Yi Ming, CEO of Tribe. ” Our goal is to empower pharmaceutical giants with the latest advancements in AI to drive innovation in drug discovery and development. This partnership underscores our commitment to accelerating breakthroughs that can significantly impact lives globally. “

Pfizer is at the forefront of leveraging AI to transform drug discovery and development. By integrating into the Ignition AI network, Pfizer aims to create faster, more effective communication with stakeholders, enable a more efficient patient recruitment system, and improve manufacturing yields and cycle times.

” AI is reshaping pharmaceutical research, and our partnership with the Ignition AI Accelerator by Nvidia and Tribe is a significant step towards harnessing these technologies to enhance our communications with patients and healthcare professionals,” said Bei Goh, Regional Client Partner lead, Emerging Asia at Pfizer. ” With access to a thriving startup ecosystem, we are eager to catalyse groundbreaking biomedical startups and accelerate innovations in stakeholder engagement within the industry. “

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13 businesses selected for Tegas Fundraising Accelerator batch 3

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  • The throttle helps startups develop pitches, bring capital
  • aims to place native startups at the top 20 in the global business ecosystem by 2030.

Participants engaged attentively during a session on the first day of the TEGAS Fundraising Accelerator.

Through its TEGAS Digital Village ( TDV), Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak ( TEGAS ) has made the selection of 13 businesses for the third cohort of the TEGAS Fundraising Accelerator ( TFA ) program. The TFA is designed to promote the growth of local businesses and social organizations, aligning with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy and the Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030.

In a statement, the agency confirmed that the selected organizations for the program include NR&amp, Sons Holdings, Best Academy, Evolving Brilliance Technologies, Ensera, Harapan Anak Urang Sarawak, Fit Two Shape, OINC, Spearcompute, Miaw Destiny Solution Management, Noms Fochun Founders, Ark Hill, Zinsolar Engineering, and HY Energy Services.

TEGAS is responsible for the four-day TDV Kuching program, which is co-hosted by PitchPlatforms Sdn Bhd ( pitchIN ) and MyStartup. While MyStartup, a national initiative created by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation ( MOSTI ) and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, aims to boost the competitiveness of local startups with the goal of achieving a top 20 position in the Global Startup Ecosystem by 2030, PitchIN is Malaysia’s Digital Fundraising and Investment Hub.

13 businesses selected for Tegas Fundraising Accelerator batch 3The TEGAS Fundraising Accelerator was created to assist business owners with little or no experience in obtaining additional funding. Through this ongoing initiative to nurture startup growth in Sarawak, founders will be equipped with essential techniques and insights needed to successfully raise capital”, said Len Talif Salleh ( pic ), Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment, who is also Chairman of TEGAS.

” This program offers an in-depth investigation into the subtleties of funding, ensuring businesses are better prepared for buyer engagement”, he added.

Xelia Tong, Chief Operating Officer of pitchIN, is one of the instructors for the project, alongside other significant early-stage owners, funding organizations, and venture capitalists. These experts may offer valuable insights into the fundraising process and give participants a thorough understanding of buyer expectations and tactics to secure financing.

The accelerator aims to help startups improve their pitches, navigate challenging investment environments, and maximize their potential to get additional funding.

” Since partnering with TEGAS in 2019, we’ve seen remarkable growth in the local habitat, especially in nurturing Sarawak companies. We’re confident that this program will help local entrepreneurs expand their fundraising capabilities and help them grow and contribute to the state’s expanding firm landscape as we approach the second year of operation of the Sarawak fundraising accelerator,” said Tong.

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