The Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) has announced the important dates relating to the 15th General Election (GE15) after a two-hour long meeting at Menara SPR in Putrajaya today.
The dates announced are as follows:
Nomination Day: 5 November 2022
Early Voting: 15 November 2022
Polling Day: 19 November 2022
More details to come… 
Businesses that operate with ‘dark’ or obsolete data have a direct effect on climate change, as poor management of data and storage can unwittingly contribute to carbon production.
According to Veritas Technologies, a leader in multi-cloud data management, 33 per cent of businesses operate with ‘dark’ data (data that has no value to a business), while 68 per cent retain redundant, obsolete, or trivial data.
This abundance of data puts businesses at a higher risk of having data stolen – and managing this data effectively plays a key role in the fight for sustainability.
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While Singapore has the highest number of data centres in Southeast Asia, Malaysia trails closely behind – and these data centres are costly, requiring millions of kilowatt hours every day to operate. Computing counterparts, semiconductors, backup servers, and massive water pump cooling systems to keep computers from overheating all require significant resources to operate. When a single email sitting in an inbox can equate to anywhere between 0.03 and 26 grams of CO2, it is important for businesses in Malaysia to consider their data management, given the Government’s ongoing efforts to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
As technology plays a more expansive role in our work and personal lives, carbon production will only increase. Veritas research revealed that time spent on tools such as Zoom and Teams has increased by 21 per cent since the start of the pandemic, meaning employees are now spending 2.3 hours on average every day continuously aggregating data that doesn’t add value to the business.
The issue is that many businesses don’t recognise the environmental cost of these data build-ups, and fail to follow processes to ensure unnecessary data like old files and emails are deleted.
“As a business’ data footprint grows, so does their data risk: the more data you have, the more data you are at risk of losing. The impact to business continuity and customer trust is often the most talked about – not to mention the reputational risk of a data breach or hack, which can be permanently damaging in the event of a publicised, high-profile breach – but the negative effects of these practices are just as concerning for our environment and our future,” says Sandy Woo, Country Director Malaysia at Veritas Technologies.
“As digital transformation sweeps the nation, this issue is amplified by the increasing reliance on cloud-based technologies, with the average Malaysian business currently using multiple cloud providers at once, either storing data they may not even need anymore or failing to store it optimally for business efficiency. This causes unnecessary emissions on the environment. In order to hit Malaysia’s sustainability goals, businesses must take proactive steps towards reducing emissions and manage their data safely and efficiently.”
To get started on reducing the emissions caused by data storage, simple steps can make a big difference. Veritas recommends implementing various solutions and habits to help combat the problem of increased CO2 emissions through data storage by:
Although these changes seem small, by encouraging an awareness of the environmental costs of data storage, these improvements can help to decrease a company’s overall carbon footprint, and make a positive contribution to a company’s green initiatives.
Source: Veritas Technologies
A delegation from the Vice Chancellors Council for Private Universities (VCCPU) led by Professor Mushtak Al-Atabi, the Chairman of VCCPU and Provost of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, visited the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) in Cyberjaya on Tuesday.
The meeting focused on exploring areas of mutual interest and collaboration, including Malaysia’s commitment to becoming a regional higher education hub and encouraging innovative approaches to higher education. The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dato Dr. Mohammad Shatar bin Sabran and the senior management team of the MQA.
During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a supportive, vibrant higher education system that allows Malaysian students to achieve their academic and career goals. Besides supporting the nation’s development plans, this system also attracts international students.
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“Malaysia’s private higher education system is valued at RM 30 billion annually. If we achieve our national target of recruiting international students, this could reach RM 100 billion. In addition to the economic benefits, educating youth from around the world is also beneficial to Malaysia’s soft power and helps build advocates for Malaysia around the world.
Throughout the next decade, VCCPU will work with MQA and other stakeholders to develop private higher education in Malaysia, ensuring the highest global standards in both educational outcomes and student experiences,” Prof Mushtak said.
“MQA continues to strive to be a facilitator of high-quality Malaysian qualifications to maintain the high reputation Malaysian qualifications enjoy,” said Prof Dato Dr. Mohammad Shatar. Having the opportunity to learn from the committed leaders of the VCCPU is an honour. Our collaborative approach will support us to overcome any challenges we face.”
The meeting also explored ways to support Malaysian universities’ adoption of innovations such as micro-credentialing, digital transformation, work-based learning, and granting accreditation for previous experience.
Additionally, measures were discussed to enhance the diversity of accreditation panels and support the development of innovative and frontier educational programmes.
In principle, both sides agreed to hold a national roundtable early in 2023 to develop strategies for attracting more international students to Malaysia. Through trade missions, they further committed to collaborating with stakeholders and facilitating academic collaboration and exchange in regional countries.
MQA and VCCPU have decided to keep the communication channels open to ensure that their effective and collaborative working relationship continues to flourish.
Source: MQA
Homeland Fighters’ Party (PEJUANG) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he would consider returning as prime minister for the third time if the people wanted him to do so and if the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition wins the 15th General Election (GE15).
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“As far as I am still functioning, still capable of moving and talking, besides negotiating, although I am older. I still can work and if there is a request (to be reappointed as the PM), how am I supposed to turn it down?” said the 97-year-old former premier, as reported by New Straits Times.
“However, I hope there is no need for that (being reappointed as the prime minister),” continued Tun Mahathir after chairing a meeting with Langkawi PEJUANG division leadership on Tuesday.
Tun Mahathir will be defending his Langkawi parliamentary seat in the GE15 and welcomed everyone wishing to contest in Langkawi including Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor who is the former political secretary to Alliance of Hope (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I am fine with that, this a democratic country. Anyone can contest, if we can get 100 candidates contesting, it would be better,” he added.
A day after the dissolution of the 14th Parliament, Tun Mahathir who is also the chairman of GTA clarified that he was not the prime minister candidate for the coalition, which is a coalition of four Malay political parties namely PEJUANG, the Malaysia Mighty Bumiputera Party (PUTRA), the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front (BERJASA) and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (IMAN).
Tun Mahathir said that GTA will focus on the main issues faced by the community namely poverty and loss of land. “The party has set its eyes on contesting in at least 120 parliamentary seats nationwide.”
GTA candidates will be using the PEJUANG logo to contest except in Kelantan where candidates would use the PUTRA logo instead as GTA was yet to be officially registered and legalised.
More than 1,100 years ago, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi was developing the mathematical formulas that we know today as algorithms which now have become so intertwined with the business fortunes of global media giants and the very fabric of geopolitics.
A series of recent high-level international reports have revealed pockets of Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour (CIB) in the realm of social media and the cyber domain. While the international reports highlighted their existence, they stop short of explaining their impact on various populations.
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The rise of an even more sophisticated form of activity has emerged – cyber-social attacks which bring together a generation of knowledge in cyber incursions coupled with the latest developments in social media manipulation. These aggressive, malicious, and targeted attacks have left crisis response teams in the business and political worlds with their heads spinning.
The Crisis Management Centre issued a report stating that there were massive levels of manipulation related to food security issues in Malaysia over a six-month period earlier this year. In excess of 40 per cent of comments generated came from thousands of disingenuous or fake social media accounts. The immediate impact was the shift in sentiment and to manipulation of discussions from the issues around the poultry industry and food-based inflation. The ripple effects may be far more sinister.
Ironically, many social listening tools are unable to clear out the noise, creating a scenario where communications and social media teams work hard to show that they have turned the narrative and sentiment around but were in fact fighting shadows.
Public listed companies are partially susceptible to manipulation during a crisis because shareholders both institutional and retail have an ear to the ground and a browser history will inform algorithms that a person is interested in a specific counter. In some cases, the impact can be seen in just minutes or hours as a share price drops because people dumped the stock on the back of “negative” news.
Yet more dangerous scenario exists where threat actors know that reports will make it to policymakers, so they artificially manipulate the social media landscape in a way that causes decision-makers to make decisions on an “angry” public response but the real beneficiary may be a business interest group or a country. This can be expected ahead of the elections.
This has been the stock in trade for many public diplomacy efforts across the region on a variety of key issues impacting trade and regional security matters alike. All this is made possible by the complex algorithms employed by the owners of media platforms designed to drive the behaviours that drive profits.
The challenge and the opportunity remain – decision-makers are grappling with the DNA of the business models of media companies while trying to manage a critical issue and the effective communications.
Falsifying information in the mind of an adversary is straight out of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, it has now just become more sophisticated. This could explain why many decisions while well intended missed the mark in terms of reading the situation.
“Wagging the Dog” now becomes old hat if there is no need to shift public perception but just the perception of a public perception as represented in a social media report given to a decision maker.
Thus, we see too many leaders faced with a “Death by a Thousand Algorithms”, and the imminent reality of the next election will be no exception.
This letter to the editor is written by Nordin Abdullah, Founding Chairman of the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF).
*Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of NHA – News Hub Asia.
The Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) has received notification letters regarding the dissolution of the 14th state legislative assemblies of Pahang, Perlis and Perak from their respective Speakers.
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EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the commission received the letters from Pahang and Perlis on 14 October, and from Perak today.
“As such, the important dates of the elections for the three states will be discussed simultaneously at the EC special meeting held on 20 October,” he said in a statement today.
Adapt and thrive or resist and desist – this is the Hobson’s choice facing businesses today. Businesses need to re-set and transform to do more with less in an increasingly seamless borderless world.
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SRKK Group, a leading end-to-end digital transformation consulting firm in Malaysia and
Singapore, together with its distribution arm Integricity Technology, are spearheading this transformation process particularly for SMEs in Southeast Asia with TRANSFORM 2023 that will focus on “Business Without Boundaries”
Coming hot on the heels of the success of last year’s trailblazing fully virtual digital transformation conference TRANSFORM 2022 amid Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s meeting of minds of technology giants will zoom in on how businesses can be empowered to progress and stay progressive beyond physical borders.
SRKK Group Chief Executive Officer Yew Lip Sin said the new normal for businesses heading into 2023 is a new way of work in which technology will be essential for businesses to do more with less from a distance.
“The technology pivot is crucial. Businesses must come up with innovative solutions to address workplace and marketplace challenges. Businesses must adopt a new way of work be it the offer of a hybrid or totally remote workplace, increased digitalisation and automation, cloud-based access, or off-site cybersecurity.”
Yew added: “In working with our clients, particularly SMEs, prioritising investment is always an area of debate. Looking at the long term, investment in technology and automation allows SMEs to progress and stay progressive as they continue their digital transformation journey. Such investment is critical to build and sustain a business without boundaries.”
Integricity Technology Chief Executive Officer Alex Lam said:” While hybrid and/or remote working arrangements offer flexibility to attract A-players to the team, this must be supported by robust and appropriate technologies.
“The implementation of high-performing technology that saves hours of work on repetitive tasks is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in order to stay ahead of the competition. Investments in the right solutions can be cost-saving and increase output.”
With a mission for helping businesses achieve full business potential, the 25-year-old SRKK Group and Integricity Technology, are initiating the one-day “TRANSFORM 2023: Business Without Boundaries” digital transformation conference on Thursday, 27 October 2022, at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Hotel.
Supported by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Malaysian Institute of
Management, TRANSFORM 2023 will highlight how technology can be leveraged to create a business without boundaries. It will feature keynote speakers and panellists from different technology giants including Lenovo, Fortinet, Intel, Microsoft, and Kaseya.
Among the topics are: The Future of Work (Hybrid Workplace), Eliminate Manual, Go Digital (Automation), Secure Your Business (Cybersecurity), Gain the higher ground with Cloud & Data (Cloud & Data).
“SRKK is one of MDEC’s longest and most important partners. With 25 years of experience in digital transformation, SRKK’s longstanding mission to help Malaysian SMEs invest in technology and embrace digitalisation is very much aligned to the goals of MDEC and Malaysia Digital, the national strategic initiative to drive digital adoption and elevate Malaysians into key players of the global digital revolution,” said Ts. Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC.
Interested participants can register for the forum at Ticket2u https://tinyurl.com/yc3wu326. Registration price is RM299 per participant. Enjoy 50% off
with promo code: DEALT2023 Closing date is 21 October 2022.
Source: Integricity Technology
In its October 2022 study ‘Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce’, Shopee reveals what drives Malaysian consumer loyalty to their favourite brands online. For official brands with storefronts on Shopee Mall, repeat purchases are driven by value-added services and guarantees.
87 per cent of Malaysians surveyed prefer Shopee Mall official brands due to 100 per cent guaranteed authentic products, hassle-free returns, and free shipping. The remaining 13 per cent feel rewarded by exclusive product launches and Shopee Brand Memberships.
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For all other sellers across the platform, five in 10 shoppers repeatedly return to their favourite stores for more than four years due to in-app personalisation and engaging recommendations.
These respondents equated personalised engagements with 25 per cent loved product recommendations and bundles that fit their needs, 14 per cent trusted in safe and secure packaging, eight per cent timely chat responses, and four per cent personal gift surprises. On the other hand, 49 per cent preferred being rewarded with vouchers and discounts over personalisation.
Kenneth Soh, Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia said, “It’s encouraging for brands to know that Malaysian consumers are very discerning online and will be loyal to brands that can be trusted.
“When faced with two similar sellers, six in 10 customers still choose official Shopee Mall brands because Shopee ensures users receive twice their money back if the products purchased on Shopee Mall are not authentic. Shopee Mall is trusted by over 4,500 partner brands in Malaysia and many of whom are integrating their offerings and campaigns with us to better serve their customers.”
Soh added, “We are pleased to see many sellers driving more engagement with higher levels of customer service, winning customer loyalty as a result. We aim to innovate new in-app features that will provide extra added value for all users and a better buying-and-selling experience on Shopee.”.
When not shopping online, survey respondents indicate that the primary driver of continued in-app engagement is discovering new interests on the platform; 42 per cent of surveyed enjoy exploring new products and trends. 36 per cent play games, and 14 per cent participate in lucky draws. The remainder watches Shopee Live for entertainment or make donations to their favourite NGOs.
According to the study, Malaysian shoppers do not only purchase the things they need and love from brands they are loyal to, they want to be entertained, connect with others, be inspired, and do so with ease of mind.
According to the report, “It is no surprise therefore that 60 per cent of long-time sellers on the platform (over five years) build positive relationships with customers on Shopee through a combination of timely seller support features, market-researched offerings and affiliate networks.
“For example, 14 per cent use Shopee Chat to cultivate and nurture deeper, more trusting relationships. Since 2019, Shopee Live has also seen sellers launch streams to demonstrate products, answer buyer questions, and get real-time feedback from shoppers.”
‘Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce’ is part of Shopee’s thought leadership series of year-end consumer and seller trends during big e-commerce campaigns, which are data-driven insights that allow business owners and brands to retain and reward loyal shoppers online.
The 2022 “Winning Malaysian Loyalty on E-Commerce” survey was conducted by Shopee Marketplace, between 19 July to 17 August 2022, which obtained voluntary feedback from over 5,000 Malaysian buyers and sellers.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that state ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has given consent to dissolve the state assembly effective from today, setting the stage for the 15th general election (GE15).
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Saarani said, “Previously, I have submitted the application for the dissolution of the 14th State Legislative Assembly of Perak for the consideration of the Sultan in accordance with Article 32(2).”
“The Sultan decrees that any decision on the application for the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly will be announced after His Majesty agrees to make a decision.
“It is my pleasure to inform the media today that I have received a declaration letter from the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly effecting from October 17.”
According to Bernama, the motion supporting the decision in naming Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the 10th Prime Minister candidate for the 15th general election (GE15) continues to receive the support of several Umno divisions today.
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These included Padang Terap, Kedah; Arau, Perlis and Tampin, Negri Sembilan Umno divisions.
In Penang, all 13 divisions unanimously supported the motion proposed by the party’s Supreme Council (MT) earlier, according to State Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir.
Musa, who is also Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said the party has decided to focus fully on the 13 parliamentary constituencies since the state legislative assembly would not be dissolved.
“So far, Umno will contest in five parliamentary seats, MCA four seats and there are four more seats which were previously contested by Gerakan. As for those seats (Gerakan), which BN party candidates will be fielded will be decided by the leadership,” he said.
In Kedah, Padang Terap Division chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said in addition to the motion to support the Bera Member of Parliament, the division also approved a motion of confidence for president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the party leadership to formulate a strategy to strengthen Umno.
In Negri Sembilan, Tampin Division chief Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa said their support for Ismail Sabri was based on his ability to restore the country’s political situation despite leading a coalition government.
In Perlis, Arau Division chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said that the MT’s decision was supported not only by the division but almost all other divisions had the same stance.
In Melaka, State Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said Melaka Umno has vowed to make GE15 a platform to get rid of traitors and those who are disloyal or have defied the party.
At the Masjid Tanah Umno delegates meeting which he officiated, a motion to appoint a BN Member of Parliament from Melaka as full minister was also approved.
