Objects of desire Watches for wanderlust
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Anwar urges semiconductor industry: Products must be made by Malaysians
Semiconductors produced in Malaysia must be made by Malaysians, and national companies should lead among Fortune 500 tech firms, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said that while investors are welcome, Malaysia will be strategic by choosing partners who strengthen supply chains, transfer knowledge, and deliver real value to Malaysians. Anwar made these remarks during his closing speech at the Asean Semiconductor Summit 2025 on Thursday (July 24). He highlighted that the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), launched in May 2024, has been successful, securing over RM63bil in investments, with RM5bil from domestic and RM58bil from foreign sources. "Our mindset must shift from 'Made in Malaysia' to 'Made by Malaysians'. Our established semiconductor ecosystem is well-poised to move beyond an FDI-first model and focus on building home-grown champions. "We want long-term collaborators who grow with us. The target now is to deliver the 10+100. This means building 10 Malaysian semiconductor companies with revenues between RM1bil and RM4.7bil, and nurturing at least 100 more to approach the RM1bil mark. "These companies will export Malaysian products globally and bring our knowledge, value creation, and talent into Asean and global markets. They will be our flag bearers abroad, rooted at home," said Anwar. He said that more than 60,000 engineers will be trained through a collaboration between the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and HRD-Corp under the Human Resource Ministry, with RM1.2bil allocated over five years. Anwar then urged Asean countries to work as a community rather than as single nations to address the shortage of skilled workers in the semiconductor industry. "As of March 2025, we have secured more than RM63bil in investments, with RM5bil from domestic and RM58bil from foreign sources. Regarding the growth of 10 semiconductor companies with revenue over USD1bil and 100 with less than RM1bil, I am proud to share that Malaysia now has at least 13 home-grown companies emerging as potential national champions. "Less than fifty years from now, we want Malaysia to look back at this moment as the tipping point when the country began grooming its Fortune 500 tech companies," said Anwar. Malaysia is currently the world's sixth-largest exporter of semiconductors. At the same event, MITI Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz stated that "Made by Malaysia" is a vision requiring a whole-of-nation effort. "Every RM1 spent generates over RM2 in direct output across the economy—through supply chains, supporting sectors, and household incomes. Last year, the industry generated RM4.9tril in economic output, underscoring its role as a national multiplier," said Tengku Zafrul. He also said that Asean countries must move beyond fragmented efforts and instead embrace a collective "race to the top", leveraging each nation's unique strengths.
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
AME Elite, AME REIT get approval for RM100.8mil industrial properties transaction
KUALA LUMPUR: AME Elite Consortium Bhd and AME Real Estate Investment Trust (AME REIT) have secured approval from their shareholders and unitholders for a RM100.8 million transaction involving three industrial properties in Johor. According to the company, the three industrial properties were i-Park SAC 34, i-TechValley 35 and i-TechValley 36, located within AME Elite's industrial parks in Iskandar Malaysia. In a statement today, AME Elite executive director and group chief executive officer Dylan Tan Teck Eng said the shareholders' approval reinforces the strength of its integrated model. "Completing this transaction unlocks capital for redeployment in our industrial park development plans, where we are advancing key initiatives like the Northern TechValley in Penang and our joint venture in Selangor with KLK Land," he said. Tan added that the approach allows the company to capitalise on robust foreign and domestic direct investments, alongside strong demand for high-quality, integrated industrial space solutions, while strengthening a recurring income base via AME REIT. AME REIT initiated its latest acquisitions in the financial year 2025, involving seven industrial properties totalling RM220.3 million. - Bernama
The Star
a few seconds ago
- The Star
Thai civilian killed, several injured in clash with Cambodia
BANGKOK: One Thai civilian was killed and three others, including a five-year-old child, were seriously injured following a clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a disputed border area early Thursday (July 24). Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap said the child was in critical condition, while the two other injured individuals were family members of the deceased. According to reports from the ground, he said more than seven Thai soldiers were believed to have sustained injuries following the clashes. "Thai authorities have evacuated residents from the affected area for their safety,' he said in a statement on Thursday. Jirayu said the Royal Thai Armed Forces field commanders have been authorised to make real-time decisions. "All border crossings have been closed since 8 am this morning,' he said. Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in a bitter diplomatic row since May 28, following a border clash between the two countries' soldiers along the Preah Vihear border. One Cambodian soldier was killed in the shootout. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have been disputing an 817-km undemarcated border for decades, which continues to sour diplomatic ties. On Wednesday, the Thai government downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia in immediate retaliation after a Thai soldier was injured by what the government claimed was a newly planted landmine. The Cambodian government reciprocated by lowering its diplomatic ties with Thailand to the lowest level on Thursday. So far, there have been no statements on casualties from Cambodian officials. - Bernama
