Latest news with #BACEducationGroup
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM1.2 billion cyber-related losses recorded last year
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded about RM1.2 billion in cyber-related losses last year, underscoring an urgent need for a more coordinated approach to national cybersecurity readiness, said National Tech Association of Malaysia secretary-general Anthony Raja Devadoss. He said the losses, which involved both commercial and consumer sectors, were driven by a surge in cyber scams and increasingly sophisticated attacks powered by artificial intelligence. He added that scam calls alone rose by 82%. Anthony said while Malaysia has made regulatory progress with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the proposed National Cyber Security Bill, the country continues to struggle with uneven awareness and inconsistent implementation, particularly among SMEs. 'Framework-wise, Malaysia is moving in the right direction. But we tend to announce regulations first and expect compliance the next day. That's a major concern. 'We need scalable cybersecurity practices, not just firewalls. Small firms must have access to certified talent, and if they can't afford to hire directly, government-supported partnerships should be made available.' He suggested establishing a gov-tech alliance, a government-industry initiative focused on modernising public sector digital infrastructure, improving cybersecurity standards and ensuring that local councils and agencies adopt the latest technologies, in line with national security priorities. 'Cybersecurity is not exclusive. The impact cuts across every sector. Whether you're in finance, telco or healthcare, the consequences of a breach are widespread – reputational and financial.' He said cybersecurity must be treated as a cultural shift, not just a technical challenge. 'We're not just talking about software but also awareness, behaviour and trust. That starts at home, not just in the workplace.' He said Malaysians often underestimate personal responsibility in digital safety, and high levels of social trust have led to risky habits such as unsecured device use as well as sharing of sensitive information within households. 'The trust bank is so high here. We leave our devices unlocked, we give out our passwords,' he told theSun. 'So, when we talk about needing to enhance our tech, human errors and complacency need to be looked into as well.' BAC Education Group founder and managing director Raja Singham echoed similar concerns, particularly about the compliance burden placed on smaller businesses under current regulations. He said the 20,000 data-subject threshold for compliance under PDPA effectively pulls in almost every organisation, from supermarkets to educational institutions. 'Even a mid-sized college like BAC holds well over 20,000 data records. Everyone gets caught.' Raja said SMEs, which make up over 90% of Malaysian businesses, are often left scrambling to comply with new mandates without adequate time or support. 'We roll things out very quickly and then threaten penalties. However, most SMEs don't have the manpower, training or budget to respond immediately.' He added that the shortage of skilled professionals, such as privacy officers and cybersecurity leads, has left many firms unable to comply meaningfully. 'These are now mandatory roles. But for many businesses, they're seen as added expenses, and no one knows whom to hire or how to train them.' On recent leaks involving government websites, Raja attributed the problem to outdated infrastructure.
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Music4Good — An evening with ‘The Polymaths' — Vasanthi Ramachandran
MAY 8 — To be orphaned is a deep and life-altering misfortune, and to live with physical or mental challenges is difficult enough. But when these challenges are met with a lack of support, the impact can be deeply isolating. In a world brimming with voices and visibility, these children remain voiceless, distant from public attention and even farther from opportunity. They need all the help they can get. To be orphaned is a deep and life-altering misfortune, and to live with physical or mental challenges is difficult enough. But when these challenges are met with a lack of support, the impact can be deeply isolating. — Picture via Unsplash/Farhan Abas For nearly 3 decades, Raja Singham, Managing Director and Chief Future Officer of the BAC Education Group, has been an advocate, tireless champion for orphans, people with disabilities, vulnerable and marginalised communities, ensuring they are seen and heard, and their issues addressed Over the weekend, Raja Singham spearheaded Music4Good presenting The Polymaths — a powerful two-day celebration of love, hope and humanity, that successfully raised almost RM210,000 for two very meaningful causes. OrphanAid, a heartfelt nation-building initiative by the BAC Education Group and Uplift and the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped (SSMH), and a voluntary welfare organisation that provides specialised care, education, and therapy for children with severe mental and physical disabilities, many of whom require lifelong support. On Saturday, in a striking departure from convention, Music4Good opened with a transparent and meticulous breakdown of how every ringgit was used to fulfil items on the orphanages' wish list. Raja Singham announced how each table's contribution directly supported a specific home — funding everything from basic groceries to essential appliances like fridges, stoves, water heaters, rice cookers, essential groceries. Music4Good was amplified by purpose with the dedicated performers. Sudesh Kumar Nair, the bassist, leads Baycom Malaysia as its CEO. Sundara Raj Ramamurthy, the guitarist, drives digital innovation as Chief Digital Officer at PwC Malaysia and Vietnam. On drums, Siva Ramanathan brought his high-energy presence and leadership as Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Ksher, Azlan Shaharbi commanded the keyboards with the wisdom of three decades of musical experience, and Raja Singham himself, brought his signature energy to the stage as a vocalist and keyboardist. Adding a youthful spark on both days was Singham's daughter Alisha Raja Singham, whose presence reflects how purpose and passion can span generations Percussionist Edwin Nathaniel, Founder of the Aseana Percussion Unit and the RISE programme for children with special needs, also joined the group with heart and meaning, and backup vocalist Lathah, tied it all together with soul and grace. In an age where many chase titles and personal gain, Raja Singham and friends continue to build platforms, initiate movements, and break new ground, sacrificing their time and energy, in service of others. While BAC garnered the Asean Business Awards (Best in CSR) in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Asean Business Awards for Combating Covid-19 in 2020, and Raja Singham was named Education Man of the Year by Brand Laureate, it isn't the accolades that drive him — it's the real, measurable impact on people's lives. At the heart of Raja Singham's mission is a bold ambition: to transform 10 million lives by 2030, with a special focus on education. This concert was one of many ways Raja Singham brings his mission to life, by blending what he loves with what truly matters. Sharing the stage with The Polymaths, a band of professionals who channel their personal passions into purposeful action, the night became a powerful testament to what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. As they wrapped up each night with soul-stirring performances, The Polymaths reminded us all that when passion is paired with purpose, music becomes more than just sound — it becomes a movement. For many of us, signing a cheque offers a comforting illusion, we have done our part, fulfilled our duty, and can move on. But real charity doesn't end with a transaction. It begins there. True giving demands engagement, accountability and presence. Yet we often look away — not because we do not care, but because facing the full picture asks more of us. Perhaps, the next time we give, we should stay for the story, ask the hard questions, and ensure our giving reflects not just kindness, but involvement. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
RM5mil in scholarships, loans for 57 students
BAC Education Group founder and managing director S. Raja Singham making a symbolic presentation of scholarships to Surendran. A NON-PROFIT organisation is offering RM5mil worth of scholarships and financial assistance, in partnership with 10 universities and colleges. The partnership, called the HOPE initiative (Harnessing Opportunities for Pathways in Education), will offer 57 financially disadvantaged Malaysian students an opportunity to pursue foundation, diploma and bachelor degree programmes across multiple disciplines. The universities and colleges will offer tuition fee waivers between 50% and 100% to qualified students, while Amma Foundation will provide financial grants or interest-free study loans to finance part of the fees. Universities and colleges participating in Amma Foundation's HOPE Initiative are Asia Pacific University of Innovation and Technology (APU), Brickfields Asia College (BAC), HELP University, IACT College, Mahsa University, Reliance College, Sunway University, Sunway College, University Malaysia of Computer Science & Engineering (UniMy) and Veritas University College. Malaysian students who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)/O-Level or equivalent and the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM)/foundation/pre-university programmes may apply for foundation, diploma or bachelor degree programmes in disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, robotics & automation, psychology, law, business, finance, media and communications, early childhood, hotel management and culinary arts. Sunway University head of scholarship and student life Soo Ee Sarn making a symbolic presentation of scholarships to Surendran. Amma Foundation president Datuk Surendran Menon said, 'The cost of quality tertiary education in Malaysia continues to soar and is often beyond the means of many Malaysians. 'Amma Foundation wants to help increase access by creating various routes and opportunities for financially disadvantaged students to achieve their educational goals. 'To reach a wider target audience, we created the HOPE initiative to provide financial aid to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and support students with academic resources, mentorship and career development opportunities,' he said. A fundraising dinner raised RM500,000 in pledges for Amma Foundation. Many guests also pledged to support this initiative over the next three years. At its next nationwide roadshow, the foundation will identify and shortlist well-deserving Malaysian students from B40 and M40 households. Applicants must be Malaysian citizens below 25 years old with household incomes within the B40 and M40 income ranges. Applicants must show academic excellence and commitment to the pursuit of higher education and demonstrate leadership potential and strong community engagement.
