Amid the bustle of its biggest show ever, Malaysian International Furniture Fair 2023 announced the winners of the 2023 MIFF Furniture Design Competition (FDC) and Best Presentation Award for exhibitors on 3 March.
MIFF 2023 – BPA & FDC Winners Group Photo
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Aric Neo Yong Yea, a 23-year-old student from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, won the judges over with “MOD” a modular seating concept to beat over 250 competitors for the top prize of RM5,000 in the MIFF FDC challenge themed “Post-pandemic Workspace Furniture”.
Yasmin Hanie Mohamad Zamri, 22, of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam took second prize for S’hook Chair described as the office-on-the-go while Bryan Lim Li Quan of Southern University College was third with Mount, also a seating concept that can convert into a small table with two stools.
UiTM Puncak Alam had plenty to celebrate, sweeping the Best Institution Award and all three Best Mentor Awards through Sarah Rahman, Nur Adilla Abd Rahman and Zainullah Zainal Abidin.
The winners received their prizes from Tuan Abdul Hadi Omar, Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Planning and Management) at the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.
An international jury of five industry experts led by Malaysia’s well-known Dr Eric Leong selected 20 finalists from 269 submissions from 24 design institutions and six from the private sector.
Entries were evaluated based on aesthetics, functionality and marketability with the judges looking out for sustainable elements and the incorporation of technology in design.
The works of the FDC winners and remaining finalists are exhibited in MITEC before an estimated 20,000 strong international audience at MIFF 2023 which comes to a close tomorrow.
Adding to the excitement was the top exhibitor prize for Best Presentation Award which went to Muar-based Vistawood Industries Sdn Bhd, a children furniture specialist, standing out from the array of creative and innovative booth designs by a record attendance of 671 companies this year.
Coming in second was Johann & Joann Concept Sdn Bhd and third was Hin Lim Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd.
Merit awards were presented to five companies — Alustil Sdn Bhd, Eastern Decorator Sdn Bhd, Step Furniture Manufacturer Sdn Bhd, Wintech Metal Processing Sdn Bhd and Zhejiang Runda Kehong Furniture Co Ltd.
The booths were judged on design, creativity, construction and product presentation by an international jury led by Chief Judge Zilahi Imre, the Editor-in-chief of Magmob publication from Romania.
“It is important to recognise and celebrate the efforts of young designers and our exhibitors to inspire them to push the boundaries of innovation. As demonstrated at MIFF, it is very exciting to see how creativity can enhance business growth. We want to keep nurturing the spirit and also, we want to put young designers in the spotlight to help them start and build a successful career in the industry. I want to thank the judges for all their patience and hard work, they have done a tremendous job in going through a lot of entries. Our appreciation goes out to our long-time partner, FRIM, for supporting BPA with furniture tests for all the winners,” said Ms Kelie Lim, MIFF General Manager.
MIFF FDC Jury: Chief Judge Dr Eric Leong (Malaysia), Hamidah Abdullah (Malaysia), Tul Lekutai (Deco Moda Studio, Thailand),Walter Tan (Elemental Republic, Malaysia); Chris Bosse (LAVA Asia Pacific, Australia)
BPA Jury: Chief Judge Zilahi Imre, Editor-in-chief, Magmob (Romania); Philippe Mechin, Mobilium News (France), Abu Zarim Abu Bakar, AZ Rekatelier (Malaysia), Iko In Kong Wah, IN Publishers Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), Xiao Jia, Furniture & Interior Design (China), Roberta Mutti, Design Diffusion News Magazine (Italy), Stefan Mielchen, Mobelmarkt (Germany).
Visit the MIFF website (www.miff.com.my) to learn more of exhibitors and products.
To get latest news and insights, follow Furnish Now by MIFF (FB).
Malaysia’s newly tabled 2023 Budget saw a significant revamp to its focus, with particular attention paid to SMEs, sustainability initiatives and digital advancement. Worldwide, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) works in the public’s interest, promoting its members’ experience and technical expertise to develop policy and benefit economies. To this end, ICAEW members in Malaysia who determine the strategic direction of their companies and of the finance profession shared their personal opinions on the national budget.
Bonnie Tham, Chairperson of the ICAEW Member’s Society, Malaysian Chapter and Head of People and Support at BDO
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Very much in line with the Madani Budget, as a professional organisation, ICAEW driven by its core goals, also seeks to build resilient businesses, economies and societies, while ensuring resources are managed sustainably as well as to promote inclusivity, diversity and fairness.
Bonnie Tham, Chairperson of the ICAEW Member’s Society, Malaysian Chapter and Head of People and Support at BDO, said, “Budget 2023 is designed to try to ensure that businesses are prepared to ride digital and ESG waves post-pandemic. From training to reskilling programmes, to automation and sustainability funds, frameworks are being built to increase resilience of the Rakyat to withstand future adverse shocks. Hence, there was much encouragement for local businesses to rejoin supply chains by futureproofing their workforce. As Head of People and Support, I constantly see the need to upskill the workforce via programmes such as ICAEW’s Data Analytics and Sustainability certificates, which are key in today’s global market and will help drive organisational progress in an increasingly competitive business environment.”
Previous ICAEW council member David Lim Hun Soon, who sits on multiple listed corporate boards, commented that “One of the key highlights of Budget 2023 was the reduction in the corporate tax rate for SMEs from 17% to 15% for the first RM150,000 of chargeable income. In conjunction with SME financing of almost RM10 billion by BNM and RM40 billion in loan facilities for micro-SMEs, the government is introducing various targeted measures to support the growth of SMEs post pandemic.”
On the personal tax front, Ralph Ratnaswamy, Principal Engagement Partner at MustaphaRaj Chartered Accountants said, “The T20 community will be impacted by the incremental increase in tax rates but the increase from a net effect position is minimal especially with the reduction of the lower bands. In general, considering that the T20 community benefits communally from significant government subsidies on fuel and electricity, it is only fair that this sector of society contributes further towards the betterment of the Rakyat in totality.”
“The reduction in the M40 category will result in further disposable income for these communities and with the cost of living increasing, it will assist them in the long run. This effect will also be felt in the business community with increases in disposable income resulting in a money multiplier effect that will spur spending and thus growth for SME’s servicing these sectors,” added Ratnaswamy.
ICAEW members David Lai, Head of Tax Advisory and Tan Chin Teck, Executive Director, Tax, at BDO agreed that the re-tabled Budget improves the ecosystem for SMEs but advise caution. “While the one-off grant of RM1,000 for SMEs has been removed, the government has promised, for now, to maintain electricity tariffs and offer funding in areas where many SME’s lag behind larger corporations; automation and infrastructure. While these proposals are promising, they may not have a significant enough impact, and there is still a lot of work to be done, especially in addressing labour shortages and higher hiring costs.”
As the first platform to articulate the ‘Malaysia Madani’ concept in economic terms, Budget 2023 also seeks to provide measurable reforms and solutions to long-standing issues that have hindered economic progress and development via the introduction of new corporate frameworks and policies.
Commenting on this Lai and Tan said, “This emphasis on transparency and accountability is a welcome change and it is encouraging to see a clear commitment to reform. It is important that necessary measures are implemented, such as whistleblowing policies, ESG, and Tax Corporate Governance Framework. The government should consider making compliance with these standards mandatory, which in turn, should help restore investors’ confidence in GLCs and increase foreign direct investments.
Lai and Tan also said that they were anticipating more proposals to improve Malaysia’s image as a preferred investment destination. “It would be appreciated if policies were implemented to reduce bureaucracy and transaction costs. For example, many international businesses are concerned about the strict implementation of tax on foreign source income due to excessive paperwork and potential double taxation. In addition, we suggest carefully studying the implications of the new Luxury Goods Tax and proposed Capital Gains Tax to ensure they do not adversely affect investment and businesses. If the scope of these taxes is too broad, Malaysia may suffer from being less competitive compared to its neighbouring countries.”
“While the government’s plans to expand and upgrade the international airports in Penang and Kuala Lumpur are commendable, the High-Speed Rails from KL to Singapore and Bangkok are equally important infrastructure development projects. These could have been included in the Budget 2023 to create new opportunities for trade and enhance the country’s economic growth,” Lai and Tan added.
David Lim added that looking forward, the Government’s announcement of the upcoming New Industry Master Plan 2030, the Fiscal Responsibility Act to ensure better management of the economy and the Government Procurement Act to improve transparency are three major templates which will also enable Malaysia to better compete with other ASEAN members.
ICAEW believes that chartered accountancy can be a force for positive change. By sharing insight, expertise and understanding, the professional organisation hopes to continue helping create sustainable economies and a better future for all.
Civil engineering specialist Sarawak Consolidated Industries Berhad (SCIB) today announced that the Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SCIB Industrialised Building System Sdn. Bhd., has secured an engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) contract from Jabatan Kerja Raya Sarawak (JKR) valued at RM20.65 million for the rebuilding of Sekolah Daif in Tebedu, Serian.
En. Rosland bin Othman, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SCIB
The contract has a duration of 24 months and comes under the third phase of the Sarawak government’s RM1 billion allocation for dilapidated schools.
Rosland bin Othman, Group MD and CEO of SCIB (Link) Group Managing Director of SCIB, Encik Rosland bin Othman said, “This project from JKR is part of the nationwide programme to rebuild or renovate dilapidated schools, especially in rural areas where children already face challenges from lack of infrastructure. The Group’s construction arm has lots of experience in operating EPCC projects while our background as a specialist in small-to-mid-sized rural infrastructure works covering roads to schools and hospitals ensures that we are well-versed in projects of this nature.”
“The Group will continue to seek projects where we can leverage our expertise as the leading precast concrete and IBS manufacturer in East Malaysia. There are opportunities for us under the recently re-tabled Budget 2023, in which Sarawak was allocated RM5.6 billion and Sabah allocated RM6.5 billion. We also note with interest the RM920 million set aside for dilapidated schools in both states.”
23rd Feb 2023 Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur – The 38th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress, themed “Reconnect and Collaborate,” began today at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
(From Left) Prof Tin Aung- Chair APAO 2023 Congress Scientific Program Committee, Dr Manoharan Shunmugam – President, Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology, Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah – President, College of Ophthalmologists, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Dr Kenneth Fong – APAO 2023 Congress President, Past President, Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology, Dato’ Dr. Asmayani binti Khalib – Deputy Director-General (Medical), Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Prof Ningli Wang – President, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Prof Clement Tham – Secretary-General and CEO, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr Daniel Briceland – President, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Prof Liza-Sharmini Ahmad Tajudin – Co-Chair, APAO 2023 Congress Scientific Program Committee.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised the service delivery innovation in Malaysia to improve access to cataract care service and opportunistic screening, optimised underutilized resources in the health system, and reduced costs for vulnerable populations through active rural mobile cataract surgery service and urban stand-alone cataract surgery centres.
Hence, Malaysia is honoured to host this prestigious event, and the Ministry of Health is confident this will be a stellar international scientific meeting filled with a scientific exchange, reflecting on our progress and inspiring innovation in global healthcare delivery”, said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director-General, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
The 38th APAO Congress is being held for the third time in the inviting city of Kuala Lumpur. More than 500 internationally renowned speakers are expected to present the most recent discoveries and ideas in 16 ophthalmic subspecialties, including clinical ophthalmology and visual sciences at the APAO 2023 Congress. The congress is expected to welcome 4000 delegates and will feature 80 exhibitors.
“We are honoured to co-host the 38th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress. The organising committee has assembled eminent clinicians, international researchers, and acclaimed speakers who will deliver inspiring presentations. New advances and innovations in ophthalmology will be shared and deliberated,” said Dr Manoharan Shunmugam, President of the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology.
The goal of APAO 2023 is to provide a platform for fruitful and authentic scientific exchange, assisting ophthalmologists in furthering their profession by showcasing cutting-edge clinical and basic-science research, thereby allowing the adoption of the latest clinical practices and maintaining international gold standards. Importantly, the assembly will also provide opportunities for delegates to network, renew friendships and organize collaborations.
“Despite the fact that the pandemic has delayed our congress, we are delighted to host the prestigious APAO 2023 in Malaysia for our esteemed delegates. Our theme to reconnect and collaborate is apt, as we have been disconnected from each other for far too long.
Dr Kenneth Fong – APAO 2023 Congress President, Past President, Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology.
This face-to-face meeting has been long awaited and will provide exciting engagements and perspectives for the global ophthalmology community. The congress promises to be an academically stimulating conference with lots of exciting social events and local tourist attractions for you and your families,” shared Dr Kenneth Fong, Congress President, APAO 2023.
The Academy of Ophthalmology has 25 national member societies representing over 118,000 ophthalmologists or more than 51% of the world’s ophthalmologists.
FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, is using its network to bring international humanitarian relief to those affected by the earthquakes that have devastated Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. So far, the company has committed more than US $1,000,000 worth of in-kind shipping toward relief efforts. This includes the delivery of approximately 230 metric tonnes of critical aid from the Dubai World Central Airport, where the new FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa hub will be located, to Istanbul via five FedEx MD-11 flights from February 17 to 21. These charters delivered relief supplies including tents, blankets, baby items, household supplies and hygiene kits from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
FedEx Delivers Critical Aid, Commits More than US$1 Million Amid Earthquake Crisis Impacting Turkey and Syria
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“Our hearts go out to those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, FedEx Express. “During times of need, we are committed to using the unique capabilities of our network to deliver humanitarian aid to communities safely and promptly. We see this as our responsibility and hope that the support we provide will contribute to the recovery and rebuilding of communities and bring relief to those whose lives have been affected.”
To date, FedEx has also been able to help other non-profit organizations and governments respond during this crisis by utilizing its global network and logistics expertise.
FedEx donated $100k on February 8 to the Red Cross to aid recovery efforts in Turkey and Syrian communities. The donation will provide support and aid, such as distributing essentials like first aid, food, water, and blankets; setting up temporary shelters; and providing psychological support and medical aid.
On February 8, FedEx delivered critical humanitarian supplies from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport to Malataya, Turkey on behalf of the Istanbul Governorship and local municipality, including food supplies from Umursan Un Ltd. and clothing donated by local residents.
During the week of February 13, FedEx provided shipping support for Canadian disaster-relief organization GlobalMedic, including the delivery of AquaResponse3 Water Purification Units to feeding centers in the impacted area of Turkey.
FedEx worked with U.S.-based World Central Kitchen to ship aid from Madrid, Spain to Adana, Turkey. The flights included a deployable kitchen unit, kitchen supplies, and operations kits.
FedEx continues to provide relief to regions impacted by natural disasters. FedEx relief moved for IFRC, GlobalMedic, and World Central Kitchen was a part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative, in which FedEx lends its global network and unparalleled logistics expertise to organizations with mission-critical needs and helps communities before, during and after crises. Learn more at FedExCares.com.
In light of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) emerging outbreaks, the WHO calls on countries to increase funding for STI services and focused efforts to scale up STI prevention, testing and treatment services, and urges against stigmatization, blaming, or shaming. Stigma makes it harder to end outbreaks and can stop people from accessing services. WHO calls for flexible approaches to addressing changing epidemics, with reinvigorated primary prevention efforts, identified and optimized opportunities to use differentiated service delivery models to meet the diverse needs of specific populations (https://www.who.int/news/item/02-09-2022-stis-in-2022-emerging-and-re-emerging-outbreaks)
Sometimes these infections can be transmitted non-sexually, such as from mothers to their infants during pregnancy or childbirth, or through blood transfusions or shared needles.
What is the prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Malaysia?
The more common types of STIs seen in practice include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, and herpes. Other types of STIs include hepatitis infections and urethritis (trichomonas, ureaplasmas, mycoplasmas) and HPV infection.
In 2021, reported data in Malaysia showed 2760 cases of HIV, 3461 cases of syphilis, 878 cases of AIDS, 1461 cases of gonorrhoea and, 2804 cases of hepatitis C.
A lot of times, identifying the incubation period of an infection along with the presenting symptoms is good enough to give us an idea of the type of infection we’re dealing with.
For example, urinary symptoms like increased frequency, burning sensations when peeing, or abnormal discharge from the urethra can indicate infections like chlamydia, or gonorrhoea. This is sometimes also accompanied by a rash or a foul smell.
The incubation period, basically the time from when you have likely picked up the infection which is the last point of intercourse, till you start showing symptoms for chlamydia and gonorrhoeal type infections are between one and three weeks.
We can test for chlamydial or gonorrhoeal infections via both blood tests for antibodies, however, this is not usually practised, because these are only accurate after three months of picking up the infection.
A more precise way of picking this up is via a swab analysis via PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing. This is a more accurate testing protocol and will be able to pick up the infection within the first month of contact.
Primary syphilis on the other hand typically presents a single painless ulcer on the genitalia (but this is not limited to the genitalia). Syphilis is also capable of presenting in different ways depending on which state the infection is in.
The secondary form of syphilis will usually have a widespread blanching rash all over the body in what we nonchalantly call a ‘spider-web’ design.
There is also a tertiary form of syphilis, but this is a much more complex infection typically affecting the brain and normal body function, so we don’t have to get into that too much.
The incubation period of a syphilitic infection is about three weeks as well.
We usually test for syphilis via a blood test for TPHA (antibodies) and VDRL (titre) tests. If you have already been diagnosed or have had a syphilis infection previously, the TPHA test will always be positive. A positive VDRL test indicates an active infection and will require treatment.
HIV infections are well talked about, but what we fail to understand is that HIV infections are preventable and should not be a burden to oneself or society at large.
HIV can be asymptomatic in a majority of cases but if it does show, we can expect varied symptoms because HIV affects the body as a whole (it is a generalised infection rather than a localised one). Therefore, we can expect fever, muscle aches, swollen glands, lethargy, weight loss, inability to eat, rashes and so forth. The key here is to identify an infection early and to categorize it into its different infective stages.
This can be done via blood tests including a PCR test, antigen/antibody testing, and rapid test kits. Each of these tests will have different accuracies, sensitivities and specificities. It’s important to know which test is suitable for a situation.
Generally, HIV has an incubation period of 28 days.
Herpes is also another common infection. Its popularity is directly linked to its notoriety though. The reason for this is that herpes is an infection that is not treatable or reversible. It can be managed with medications though. So, if you’ve picked up herpes, you have a ‘friend’ for life.
Typically, herpes will present with a rash that can occur as soon as 48 hours after contact. The rash will start out as a red patch that will then have blisters or multiple whitehead-looking bumps which may pop and emit a clear discharge. The rash will typically settle within one week of occurrence.
It may, however, recur at seemingly random intervals but will typically be in the same region. More aggressive cases of herpes have been reported, as well. It can be tested via blood tests or swabs taken from the ulcer or blister and is usually detectable after three weeks.
Are all STIs curable?
Most are curable. In all of my consultations, we try to bring light to non-curable infections including HPV, HIV, and HSV (see the similarities). These are viral infections and can be somewhat prevented, but once contracted, they cannot be reversed or undone.
Hence, the importance of knowledge is crucial.
STIs like syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, urethritis and even to some extent, hepatitis can be treated with modern medicine these days. Please bear in mind that this is not a sweeping statement and may not apply in some cases. Most uncomplicated cases can be resolved though.
How can I protect myself from STIs?
Now that we know the various types of infections, it is essential to protect ourselves better.
Most importantly, we should know the status of a sexual partner. Sometimes this can be tricky considering some lifestyle choices but as best as we can, all partners must be tested for STIs in recent times and be clear of any infection. If any party has an active or undertreated infection, the possibility of transmitting it to another person is always a threat. Transmission rates vary between individuals, and infections but should never be taken lightly.
All sexual experiences should be protected by some form of barrier contraception. Condoms work best for this (both male and female condoms apply). The rate of protection by just wearing a condom can go from about 40% (for something like herpes infections) to over 90% (for HIV infections).
In addition, planning sexual activities and keeping up with your general health are crucial. There are medications like PEP and PrEP to prevent HIV. You can take these and be rest assured that you are protected against HIV infections.
Of course, for infections like hepatitis and HPV, there are vaccinations available. Maintaining your vaccination regime is always advised.
When do I see a doctor?
At any point in life when you are sexually active, it is good to get a screening done. How often do you need to do this? Well, this depends on your lifestyle really. If you have multiple partners or frequent casual sexual relations, then try and get the tests done at least three times monthly.
If you are in a monogamous relationship, tests should be done for both parties before the relationship is physically intimate, and following the end of the said relationship (if it occurs). There is no need to test for STIs in this case unless you develop symptoms. Also, if you do develop any symptoms, please see a doctor as soon as possible.
There are various STIs, to begin with, and each present in a unique way. To know the symptoms, we must be able to identify these infections. This can be done by eliciting a full history of the infection, a clinical examination to identify skin changes or discharge, and lab tests including blood and urine testing (some of which can be done via rapid test kits).
For more information on STIs, Sexual Health, Men’s Health and Women’s Health, please visit www.dtapclinic.com.my and follow healthforum360 at the below socials:
TYMBA, an ACCA-certified accounting training centre, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with online employment platform GRADUAN to help produce agile talents that are adaptable to the ever-evolving role in accounting and finance landscape. With the profession expected to take on a key support role in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda, the cooperation also aims to upskill local accounting and finance talents with a view of positively impacting business sustainability at scale.
TYMBAxGraduan
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The MoU formalises the collaboration between the two entities, which will ‘match’ TYMBA students with employers and job placements that best align with their skills and specialisations. Upon completing their accountancy studies with TYMBA, the institution’s alumni will also be prioritised for applications and employment opportunities on the GRADUAN platform.
Speaking after the MoU signing ceremony, Nabil Marie, CEO of GRADUAN said: “Growing the pool of accounting professionals is now a top national priority, with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants aiming to produce 60,000 accountants by 2030. We are fully committed to supporting this vision by connecting young talents to resources, mentorships, and on-the-job training opportunities. Our partnership with TYMBA will ensure that the future of accounting in Malaysia is strong and sustainable, providing a springboard for young talents to thrive in a demanding and dynamic accounting landscape.”
The partnership will also provide professional exposure in the areas of capacity building and talent development for these talents. This includes complimentary invites and priority entry tickets to GRADUAN’s events for TYMBA’s representatives and affiliates.
On the other hand, GRADUAN’s community members will enjoy access to TYMBA’s seminars, workshops, as well as access to facilities for skill programmes, internships, and on-the-job training opportunities. TYMBA will also open up access to its network of industry professionals who will serve as mentors and advisors to GRADUAN members.
According to Airil Razali, CEO of TYMBA Education Group, accounting is becoming an increasingly sophisticated profession. The modern era of accounting goes beyond the financial eyes and ears of organisations — accountants now are expected to incorporate ESG considerations and non-financial, sustainability data in their advice to decision-makers and stakeholders.
“In view of sustainability now being a business focus for organisations on a global level, TYMBA is constantly innovating our initiatives to drive the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well, particularly sustainable education. We have also included sustainability accounting as part of our curriculum. This is so our students can get a headstart on learning how to help organisations adapt to ever-evolving reporting requirements — a recent example being Bursa Malaysia’s recent inclusion of climate change reporting in business strategies for main market-listed issuers,”Airil remarked.
As a professional accounting specialist centre that provides ACCA, MICPA-CAANZ, CIMA, and ICAEW, TYMBA is set to continue developing initiatives to complement its existing internationally acclaimed syllabus. Students are trained by certified BPP UK tutors who specialise in different areas of accountancy, using an activity-based learning approach that is proven to create an effective and engaging learning experience. TYMBA also provides upskilling and re-skilling modules for professionals looking to develop competencies and remain competitive in the market, such as CESGA, Xero Cloud Accounting Platform, ACCA Cert DA, and CDPOS.
To find out more about TYMBA Education, visit their website at https://tymbaedu.com/. For more info on GRADUAN and talent development initiatives, visit their platform at https://graduan.com/.
FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC (earlier FTTH Council Asia-Pacific) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Malaysia Smart Cities Alliance at Malaysia (MSCA) today. The MoU entails collaborations in capacity building for sustainable and Smart Cities project performance evaluation, as well as exploring potential large market reach in IR 4.0 technologies-based education and training segments.
FIBERTalk 2023 sees a houseful attendance by the industry (PRNewsfoto/FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC)
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The Council convened the country’s leading telecommunication (telco) industry players at Malaysia FIBERTalk 2023 conference to discuss industry updates and address Fiber to Home challenges and opportunities in enabling 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart Cities. Along with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), responsible for regulating the industry, the event was attended by top executives from Telekom Malaysia, Celcom Digi and local government from Penang, Melaka and Selangor to discuss updates, trends, challenges and opportunities in the industry.
“Keeping the future global prospects and inclusiveness of the industry in mind, we have re-branded the council to FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC to crystalize our message further and keep pace with the industry and forge a new growth path that will create a seamlessly connected future,” said Mr. Venkatesan Babu, President FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC on the MoU.
Adding to it, Dr. Raslan Ahmad, Chairman of MSCA also said, “Next generation technology like 5G and IoT are a key part of developing Smart Cities that require a lot of sensors communicating with each behind the scenes. For this to be in real time with low latency internet, a fiber solution integrated within the city’s infrastructure is essential. We are committed towards creating the best in quality and delighted that FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC has taken the lead in championing an essential change for a truly smart global world of the future.”
The MoU between FIBER NETWORK COUNCIL APAC and MSCA, will enable the former to leverage on the latter’s network of members to collectively drive collaborations in the development of Smart Cities. This will involve frequent exchange of knowledge, expertise, technologies and know-how to provide sustainable long-term telecommunication solutions to develop Smart Cities.
All the above announcements were part of the Malaysia FIBERTalk 2023.
Subang Parade, the popular neighbourhood mall located in the heart of Subang Jaya since 1988 and a core property owned by Hektar REIT, today celebrated the lunar new year with children and representatives from Persatuan Rumah K.I.D.S and Rumah Charis with a fun-filled programme including a movie and special treats.
Persatuan Rumah K.I.D.S and Rumah CHARIS with MBSJ councillor and MPP Zone 1 Chairman En. Chia Yew Ken, Senior General Manager of Subang Parade En. Nubly Zainuham bin Ambotang, and Hektar REIT officials.
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The programme, which was held at the West End Concourse of the mall, was graced by the attendance of Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya (MBSJ) councillor and Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk (MPP) Zone 1 chairman En. Chia Yew Ken. Hosted by Subang Parade management, the event was led by Senior General Manager En. Nubly Zainuham bin Ambotang and attended by officials from Hektar REIT.
To kick start the event, the children were entertained by mascots and were then treated to lunch at McDonald’s, where the festive cheer really took off as invited guests, employees of Hektar REIT and children bonded together over their favourite meals. Angpows were given to the children much to their delight, while a Box of Blessings and cheques were presented to representatives from Persatuan Rumah K.I.D.S and Rumah Charis. After lunch, the children were surprised with a screening of “Puss in Boots” movie at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) located on the first floor in the shopping centre. The unique thematic hall for children was reserved especially for the kids by GSC.
Senior General Manager of Subang Parade, En. Nubly Zainuham bin Ambotang, who wished everyone a healthy and happy Year of the Rabbit, said, “As we all busy ourselves in this festive season meeting up with family and friends, let us not forget those who are in need of a little love and kindness from all of us. We are happy although it was just for a few hours, to be able to put a smile on the children’s faces and hopefully give them a day to remember.”
MBSJ councillor and MPP Zone 1 chairman En. Chia Yew Ken said, “Every little bit counts, including giving the kids a safe and healthy environment to grow and mature to be well-adjusted adults. It is extremely important that children are raised in an atmosphere which is family-based, as this helps in ensuring their wellbeing. This is what Persatuan Rumah K.I.D.S and Rumah Charis strives to do”.
En. Chia also noted that according to OrphanCare, an NGO, there were an estimated 64,000 children living in registered and unregistered childcare institutions in both government and private orphanages.
Darktrace, a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, today announced a new IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Darktrace, ‘Building the Case for a Virtuous Cycle in Cybersecurity‘*. The research was conducted to identify the key challenges facing cyber security professionals operating in increasingly noisy cyber security environments, and the report outlines recommended solutions to bolster cyber readiness.
IDC conducted a survey of 300 organisations across the US and Europe spanning multiple verticals including financial services, transportation, and healthcare. The data revealed the key challenges facing most of these organisations concern the ability to effectively prioritise and contextualise the large amounts of data organisations get from several cyber security alert systems, as well as identifying the key actions necessary for effective mitigation of threats and vulnerabilities.
Photo by Darktrace and IDC | Source: A new IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Darktrace, ‘Building the Case for a Virtuous Cycle in Cybersecurity’.
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The study’s key findings are:
Evolving attack vectors make it difficult to prepare proactively, with only 31 per cent of respondents highly confident that their tools can continuously adjust to new configurations.
There is a lack of dynamic testing capabilities, as 65 per cent of participants agreed that pen testing provides only a snapshot in time which is of limited value, as it quickly becomes out of date.
While 76 per cent of surveyed professionals thought visualising attack paths were of moderate or high importance, only 29 per cent were highly confident they had a robust mechanism to test their environments against the most current threat vectors.
The number of organisations that can continuously run preventative exercises such as pen tests and attack surface evaluation is between just 24 per cent and 31 per cent across all sectors.
The IDC InfoBrief calls for the adoption of a ‘virtuous cycle’ model as a way of closing these critical security gaps, incorporating prevention, detection, response, and healing. It calls for “a multipronged approach that includes establishing a security posture and proactively managing the access and assets, monitoring what is happening in the environment, and ensuring a fit-for-purpose remediation approach including backup and disaster recovery.” The study also highlights AI as the solution for improved detection and response capabilities and continuous monitoring, as well as playing an integral part in the ‘virtuous cycle’, citing AI’s ability to look for subtle changes in the behaviours of entities within a network.
“It’s clear from this study that organizations need to adopt a holistic approach to improve their readiness,” commented Christopher Kissel, Research Vice President of IDC’s Security & Trust Products. “The solution is to create a virtuous cycle, leveraging AI to create an ecosystem across an entire organization able to continuously stress-test environments, give an instantaneous response, and determine if remediation is working.”
“Security teams don’t need more data, they need clear prioritisation, and intelligent automation to lighten the load and this report sets that out in concrete terms,” said John Allen, VP of Cyber Risk and Compliance at Darktrace. “Security professionals are overwhelmed with vulnerabilities, and they can’t get to them all in time. At Darktrace we’re committed to delivering an AI Loop that can provide continuous visibility, prioritised into meaningful actions for security teams, and harden weak points. That’s how we’re helping security teams get proactive.”
Darktrace PREVENT™ is the third of four product families in Darktrace’s Cyber AI Loop™ which also includes Darktrace DETECT and RESPOND™. The final part of Darktrace’s Cyber AI Loop, Darktrace HEAL™, will go to market in 2023.
Commenting on the efficacy of PREVENT and its ability to augment an entire security ecosystem, Eric Schmitt, Global Chief Information Security Officer at Sedgwick, said: “Darktrace PREVENT pairs up our inside and outside views and integrates them with Darktrace DETECT and RESPOND, which is a game changer. Our customers are advocating that we need to be continuously testing the efficacy of our security. Darktrace PREVENT does just that.”
*doc #EUR149649622, January 2023
IDC InfoBrief Methodology
In July 2022, IDC surveyed senior security professionals at 300 companies across Europe and the U.S., looking at where security professionals are challenged in implementing preventative security measures and the gaps in their security postures that they are struggling to fill. All organizations surveyed had over 500 employees. Individuals surveyed were predominantly IT directors, IT managers, IT security management specialists, CIOs and CTOs. The full IDC Infobrief can be viewed here.
About Darktrace
Darktrace (DARK.L), a global leader in cyber security artificial intelligence, delivers complete AI-powered solutions in its mission to free the world of cyber disruption. Breakthrough innovations from the Darktrace Cyber AI Research Centre in Cambridge, UK and its R&D centre in The Hague, The Netherlands have resulted in over 125 patent applications filed and significant research published to contribute to the cyber security community. Darktrace’s technology continuously learns and updates its knowledge of ‘you’ for an organization and applies that understanding to achieve an optimal state of cyber security. It is delivering the first-ever Cyber AI Loop, fuelling a continuous end-to-end security capability that can autonomously prevent, detect, and respond to novel, in-progress threats in real-time. Darktrace employs over 2,200 people around the world and protects over 8,100 organizations globally from advanced cyber threats. It was named one of TIME magazine’s ‘Most Influential Companies’ in 2021.
