Latest news with #BenTan
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Malay Mail
From prison to tourism: Kota Jail offers rare glimpse into Johor's 142-year-old history behind bars
JOHOR BARU, July 4 — Once a place to be feared, the former Ayer Molek Prison has been given a second life as Kota Jail – a new tourism attraction in the heart of Johor Baru. The 142-year-old prison, decommissioned in 2018, is now being transformed into a creative and heritage hub that merges art, history and tourism. Located on a 5.2-hectare plot in the city centre, Kota Jail has already begun hosting pop-up markets, art exhibitions and community events. Some of the former prison cell blocks have been repurposed into a café, a bakery and even a florist, while others remain vacant and are available for rent as event spaces. Still, much of the site remains untouched to preserve its original character. A signboard at the entrance reminds visitors of the building's heritage status and advises caution due to uneven flooring, dim lighting and restricted areas. The main draw at Kota Jail is the Ayer Molek Prison Gallery where visitors can go on a self-guided tour for a glimpse into prison life dating back to the 1990s. The 30-minute tour features old photographs and displays that offer a glimpse into the daily routines of inmates, from their living quarters and communal showers to the punishment blocks and visiting areas. The tour ends in an audio-visual room showing official Prisons Department footage of inmates being caned – once a common punishment. A mannequin strapped to a pillory shows visitors how whipping used to be carried out at the Ayer Molek Prison. — Picture by Ben Tan Ayer Molek was the third oldest prison in Malaysia, after Taiping Prison in Perak and Banda Hilir Prison in Melaka. Designed by the late Sultan Ibrahim Abu Bakar, the prison opened in 1883 and was used to detain not just criminals but also dissenters, including those who defied British colonial rule. During the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945, it was used as a military bunker by troops under General Yamashita Tomoyuki. After World War II, the prison came under the British Military Administration before being absorbed into the newly-formed Federation of Malaya and later becoming a federal prison post-independence. Due to overcrowding, most inmates were transferred in 2005 to the Simpang Renggam Prison further up north in Kluang. The north wing of the Ayer Molek Prison was used as a police lock-up before the entire site was eventually abandoned. Now, the former prison is managed by local youth group Joho, working in collaboration with the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), Tourism Johor and the Prisons Department. Kota Jail was officially reopened as a tourism and heritage site on March 14 this year. The entrance to the inmates' cellrooms in the former prison-turned-tourist draw in Johor Baru. — Picture by Ben Tan Tourism Johor director Shahril Nizam Abdul Rahim said Kota Jail is among the state's new attractions being developed for Visit Johor Year 2026. 'Despite being a known Johor Baru landmark, many people are curious of what the inside of the building is as it has served as a prison for more than a hundred years,' he told Malay Mail in a recent interview. 'With the transformation, the public can now look inside the former prison and experience a unique side to Johor Baru's history.' He added that the external structure has been preserved to honour the site's heritage. Visitor Azmil Jaafar praised the creativity involved in the makeover but felt more storytelling was needed. 'Kota Jail is a unique landmark and can hopefully attract the general public on the historical role that it once had,' the 43-year-old technician told Malay Mail when met during a recent visit. 'However, what is lacking is a proper narration or a guide who can explain about life inside the Ayer Molek Prison back then.' Azmil revealed he had served time at the prison from 2014 to 2015. 'For me, visiting the former prison where I was once incarcerated for nearly a year has brought back some bittersweet memories. 'Those that have not served any time in prison actually don't know the hardships that inmates experienced. 'It was a dark time in my life and wasn't easy for my family back then.' Azmil Jaafar recalls the daily communal baths when he was an inmate of the Ayer Molek Prison before it was reborn as tourism attraction Kota Jail. — Picture by Ben Tan Another visitor, Ghazali Che Mat, said Kota Jail has the potential to grow as a creative space. 'Despite being a historical landmark, Kota Jail has the potential to offer specialised creative shops and more food and beverage outlets,' said the 40-year-old civil servant. 'Its location and surroundings is also a strong point as it is located in the Johor Baru city centre and is easily accessible.' Kota Jail is open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily. — Picture by Ben Tan Kota Jail is open daily from 10am to 10pm. Admission is free, while the Ayer Molek Prison Gallery tour costs RM5 for Malaysians and RM10 for foreigners.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Prudential Singapore partners with IMDA to drive SMEs' adoption of Generative AI
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 May 2025 - Prudential Singapore ('Prudential') has launched GenAI XPonential, a new programme in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to accelerate the adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unveiled by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Mr Tan Kiat How, at ATxEnterprise - an Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) event held today - the programme is in support of the Digital Enterprise Blueprint and aims to equip SMEs with practical knowledge and real-world use cases to strengthen AI adoption. As part of the programme, SMEs will gain access to a series of up to 10 bite-sized explainer videos and up to four hands-on workshops co-created and hosted by Prudential and its Talent Engagement Ecosystem (TEE-Up)1 partner, Republic Polytechnic. The first two videos on GenAI-enabled Customer Engagement Chatbots and GenAI-enabled Sales & Marketing Content Creation will be available on IMDA's CTO-as-a-Service platform for SMEs, and the remaining videos will be rolled out progressively in the second half of 2025. The complementary workshops offered as part of the programme are conducted by Prudential's GenAI domain experts and Republic Polytechnic lecturers. Prudential has been a long-standing supporter of SMEs through its SME Skills Accelerator Programme2, which equips SMEs with the skills and resources to grow and innovate by upskilling and reskilling their employees. In 2022, the insurer had worked with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and ST Engineering to produce a digital commerce playbook to help SMEs kickstart their digital journey in a safe and secure manner3. Mr Ben Tan, Chief Distribution Officer, Prudential Singapore, said: 'Having been a long-time supporter of SMEs, who are a key pillar of Singapore's economy, we are proud to deepen our commitment by enabling them to gain access to the latest technologies such as GenAI to fuel business growth. Through practical explainer videos and hands-on workshops conducted by us and Republic Polytechnic, one of our Talent Engagement Ecosystem partners, we aim to equip SMEs with the knowledge and skills to apply GenAI meaningfully in their businesses. These efforts are part of the GenAI XPonential programme, delivered in partnership with IMDA, to help SMEs innovate, grow, and stay competitive in today's digital economy.' Mr Johnson Poh, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA, added: 'In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, it is vital to equip our SMEs with the tools and knowledge to harness GenAI effectively. IMDA welcomes the collaboration with Prudential Singapore to ensure that our SMEs can navigate the complexities of this emerging technology, gain the confidence to use GenAI to boost productivity, and remain competitive in an AI-driven economy.' Collaboration with students to bring GenAI to the fore Students from Republic Polytechnic's Year 2 and 3 cohorts were engaged to develop the GenAI XPonential tech explainer videos. Guided by experts from IMDA and Prudential, these students explored real-world GenAI applications while honing their videography and editing skills. These students were engaged for their digital fluency and to encourage knowledge sharing. Singapore's youth are among the most active users of GenAI, with 80 per cent4 using the technology at least once a week for tasks such as homework or school-related tasks. Ms Wong Wai Ling, Director, School of Infocomm, Republic Polytechnic, said: 'This collaboration exemplifies how industry and education can come together to empower both students and SMEs in the GenAI space. Our students had a unique opportunity to translate classroom learning into practical outcomes, co-creating resources that will help local businesses harness the potential of emerging technologies. We are proud to support Singapore's digital future by equipping youth with real-world skills while contributing to the nation's broader upskilling efforts.' Mr Ben Tan added: 'By involving youth in the creation of educational content for SMEs, the broader initiative nurtures the next generation of AI creators who are confident in using new technologies and eager to drive change. It also encourages intergenerational learning, where students support SMEs in the digital economy, building a future-ready ecosystem grounded in knowledge sharing and innovation.' This collaboration, supported by the National Youth Council, deepened students' understanding of emerging technologies, served as a platform for them to apply their skills in a real-world setting, and is part of youth outreach initiatives aimed at helping SMEs upskill. 4 Source: Hashtag: #PrudentialSingapore #IMDA #GenAIXPonential The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore) Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life and health insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country's citizens for 94 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor's, with S$57.7 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2024. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,400 financial representatives. About Infocomm Media Development Authority The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore's digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore's Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis. For more news and information, visit or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).
Arabian Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Prudential Singapore partners with IMDA to drive SMEs' adoption of Generative AI
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 May 2025 –Prudential Singapore ('Prudential') has launched, a new programme in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to accelerate the adoption of Generative AI (GenAI) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Unveiled by, at ATxEnterprise – an Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) event held today – the programme is in support of the Digital Enterprise Blueprint and aims to equip SMEs with practical knowledge and real-world use cases to strengthen AI adoption. As part of the programme, SMEs will gain access to a series of up to 10 bite-sized explainer videos and up to four hands-on workshops co-created and hosted by Prudential and its Talent Engagement Ecosystem (TEE-Up)1 partner, Republic Polytechnic. The first two videos on GenAI-enabled Customer Engagement Chatbots and GenAI-enabled Sales & Marketing Content Creation will be available on IMDA's CTO-as-a-Service platform for SMEs, and the remaining videos will be rolled out progressively in the second half of 2025. The complementary workshops offered as part of the programme are conducted by Prudential's GenAI domain experts and Republic Polytechnic lecturers. Prudential has been a long-standing supporter of SMEs through its SME Skills Accelerator Programme2, which equips SMEs with the skills and resources to grow and innovate by upskilling and reskilling their employees. In 2022, the insurer had worked with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and ST Engineering to produce a digital commerce playbook to help SMEs kickstart their digital journey in a safe and secure manner3. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Ben Tan, Chief Distribution Officer, Prudential Singapore, said: 'Having been a long-time supporter of SMEs, who are a key pillar of Singapore's economy, we are proud to deepen our commitment by enabling them to gain access to the latest technologies such as GenAI to fuel business growth. Through practical explainer videos and hands-on workshops conducted by us and Republic Polytechnic, one of our Talent Engagement Ecosystem partners, we aim to equip SMEs with the knowledge and skills to apply GenAI meaningfully in their businesses. These efforts are part of the GenAI XPonential programme, delivered in partnership with IMDA, to help SMEs innovate, grow, and stay competitive in today's digital economy.' Mr Johnson Poh, Assistant Chief Executive, Sectoral Transformation Group, IMDA, added: 'In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, it is vital to equip our SMEs with the tools and knowledge to harness GenAI effectively. IMDA welcomes the collaboration with Prudential Singapore to ensure that our SMEs can navigate the complexities of this emerging technology, gain the confidence to use GenAI to boost productivity, and remain competitive in an AI-driven economy.' Collaboration with students to bring GenAI to the fore Students from Republic Polytechnic's Year 2 and 3 cohorts were engaged to develop the GenAI XPonential tech explainer videos. Guided by experts from IMDA and Prudential, these students explored real-world GenAI applications while honing their videography and editing skills. These students were engaged for their digital fluency and to encourage knowledge sharing. Singapore's youth are among the most active users of GenAI, with 80 per cent4 using the technology at least once a week for tasks such as homework or school-related tasks. Ms Wong Wai Ling, Director, School of Infocomm, Republic Polytechnic, said: 'This collaboration exemplifies how industry and education can come together to empower both students and SMEs in the GenAI space. Our students had a unique opportunity to translate classroom learning into practical outcomes, co-creating resources that will help local businesses harness the potential of emerging technologies. We are proud to support Singapore's digital future by equipping youth with real-world skills while contributing to the nation's broader upskilling efforts.' Mr Ben Tan added: 'By involving youth in the creation of educational content for SMEs, the broader initiative nurtures the next generation of AI creators who are confident in using new technologies and eager to drive change. It also encourages intergenerational learning, where students support SMEs in the digital economy, building a future-ready ecosystem grounded in knowledge sharing and innovation.' ADVERTISEMENT This collaboration, supported by the National Youth Council, deepened students' understanding of emerging technologies, served as a platform for them to apply their skills in a real-world setting, and is part of youth outreach initiatives aimed at helping SMEs upskill. 1 For more information, please visit: 2 For more information, please visit For more information, please visit: For more information, please visit 3 For more information, please visit: For more information, please visit: 4 Source: Source: Hashtag: #PrudentialSingapore #IMDA #GenAIXPonential The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore) Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life and health insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country's citizens for 94 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor's, with S$57.7 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2024. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,400 financial representatives. About Infocomm Media Development Authority The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore's digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore's Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis. For more news and information, visit or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).
