Latest news with #MDEC
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Bitget Strengthens Regional Presence at Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 28 (Bernama) -- Bitget, the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, participated in Malaysia Blockchain Week 2025, to strengthen its ties with Southeast Asia's fast-growing digital economy. The event, hosted at Kuala Lumpur's World Trade Centre, drew 3,300+ attendees from 20 countries, with support from Malaysian agencies like MDEC, the Ministry of Digital, and Tourism Malaysia. Bitget CEO Gracy Chen delivered a keynote address titled "Two Strategies to Thrive in a Volatile Market." She spotlighted Bitget's focus on real-world utility, from its $300M user Protection Fund to new tools like GetAgent (an AI trading helper) and xStocks for tokenized equities. Gracy pointed to her 2024 MYBW visit as the turning point. This year, she unveiled PayFi, Bitget's bid to simplify cross-border crypto payments in emerging markets.
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
M'sian studio's debut game explores the eternal goodbye through a child's eyes
If you could go back in time and see that person you loved again, what would you do? What would you say to them? Everything good must come to an end, and all love ends with grief. We've all dealt with loss in our lives, making the central premise of Once Again universally relatable. The young protagonist of this short but sweet visual novel is a boy named Sia, whose mother has passed away. On his 10th birthday, he awakens from a nap to discover a birthday cake in his room. Making a wish, he finds himself mysteriously transported to the past. There, he miraculously encounters his mother as a younger woman, who teaches him to develop photographs. Sia's mother teaches him about photography, and he in turn develops an equally strong interest in the craft. The story is mainly expressed through short sentences, all told from the point of view of the main protagonist Sia. From then on, on each of his birthdays, the boy is transported to the past, reuniting with his departed mother for one precious day each year. The pain of farewell Once Again is the debut game from Malaysian developers RB Wolf Games, and was conceived by producer Yee Weng Hong during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Yee, 36, comes from an advertising background, and this was his first foray into a purely creative project. 'That was a time when I realised how fragile life is,' he says. 'The game's story is also based on a real-life story. One of the main characters is inspired by one of my relatives, a woman who dreamed of becoming a mother, but unfortunately passed away two months after giving birth due to a heart condition called PPCM.' (Also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, the American Heart Association explains it as an uncommon form of heart failure which can happen during or after pregnancy, when no other cause of heart failure can be found.) 'This story had always been in my mind, and during Covid, I thought I could try to make a video game.' His mind made up, Yee set up RB Wolf Games and managed to win a grant from MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation) which really helped the fledgling company during the developmental stage. The melancholic colours and composition of Once Again informs the player of the sentimental tone of this quiet tale of goodbyes and second chances. Throughout the course of the game, Sia repeatedly travels to the past, spending time with his mother, who is revealed to have a strong interest in photography. She teaches Sia about her passion, and he too develops an equally strong interest in the craft. 'I love photography,' Yee says. 'I think it's a beautiful way to freeze time, and turn moments into lasting memories. I think in the game, photography helps to tell the story of the differing perspectives of mother and son.' Artistic influences 'I think the biggest influence on my game was actually music,' Yee shares. 'A lot of inspiration for the story, visuals, and soundtrack came from lo-fi music. It was more about capturing the vibe.' If you have spent any time on YouTube listening to lo-fi music, perhaps that would have conjured up a certain aesthetic. Manga-style, hand drawn character art, combined with soft pastel clouds draped over the sunset. Yee would often play instrumental lo-fi or Ryuichi Sakomoto's piano music while working on the visuals and art direction to infuse his work with the intended feelings. 'Instrumental music only,' Yee says. 'If there's a person singing lyrics it might distract me.' Other than music, the indie game Florence, developed by Mountains and published by Annapurna Interactive was a big influence. Yee says, 'It inspired us in developing the interactive aspect of the game. Interaction is very important because you need it for the player to truly immerse themselves in the story.' Once Again is Yee's first time telling a narrative story. — YEE WENG HONG The gameplay in Once Again, like Florence, is understated and simple. For example, some sequences task the player with adjusting the exposure and focus on a camera to take beautiful shots of the landscape or Sia's mother, much like Florence's gameplay loop of touching certain areas of the screen to perform mundane tasks or convey interactions with the main character's loved ones. Once Again is the first work of fiction Yee has created. 'It was a big personal challenge,' Yee remarked. 'I don't come from a writing background, I worked in advertising. I'm an art person. This is my first full narrative story. It was quite fun!' The text in Once Again is minimalist, unconcerned with using fancy words, instead trusting to the emotions the simple dialogue and narration evokes. The gorgeous visuals combines with the beautiful music to create a truly sentimental and timeless atmosphere, putting one in mind of the idle holidays of one's youth. A chance to say goodbye Yee emphasises the importance of closure in his game. In life, there are a lot of continuous or unresolved experiences, or experiences that are 'commas', as Yee describes. 'When you are able to say goodbye properly, it turns those commas into full stops, full sentences. You need to be able to properly say goodbye to everything, not just people, but memories, relationships, and different phases of your life. The core of this game is exploring the meaning of farewell. How we face it and learn to let go. 'Cherish the moment and appreciate every chance you get to meet the people you love. I hope that's something players can take away from their journey in Once Again.' Indeed, the protagonist Sia has the chance to do something that many people never get to do: say goodbye on his own terms. Photography serves as a gameplay mechanic and vehicle to express the point of view of the characters. — RB Wolf Games As a newcomer to the gaming industry, Yee and his company RB Wolf Games met with their share of challenges. He had no contacts or experience. 'When we started out I watched a lot of case studies, joined some game festivals, and learned from others in the industry,' Yee says. 'I met many developers and producers and they shared their experience.' Yee and his team of four to five people, mostly freelancers, gave their all to make their vision a reality. He employed Chinese and English writers to help finetune and translate his manuscripts as he had no writing experience. The positive response this game has received is a source of motivation for Yee and his team to keep going. 'Sometimes I still receive thank you messages from players,' Yee says. 'It means a lot to us. It has become a strong foundation for us to build something even better in the future.' RB Wolf Games is working on their second project now, with an even bigger scale and emotional story. 'We just kickstarted it this year, so there's nothing much we can show at the moment. I just completed the script end of last year, and now we're working on art direction and characters. One of the many idyllic yet bittersweet panoramas in the game. 'We also plan to enhance the gameplay and make it more engaging, we're in the process of trial and error with the gameplay mechanics. We're trying to get the gameplay rhythm to match the story and make sure the player won't feel bored. Hopefully we will have more to show people early next year.' Once Again is available on Steam for RM11.50, as well as on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop for US$5.99 (RM25).
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MDEC, BSN team up to boost youth digital talent, financial literacy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has teamed up with Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) to strengthen digital talent development and entrepreneurship among Malaysian youth. This collaboration includes the implementation of the Next Gen TeenXChange programme, a continuation of the Digital Ninja programme that has been running since 2016. It is one of the key components under MDEC's MyDigitalMaker initiative and is open to students aged 15 to 20 who show high potential in digital technology and leadership. In a statement, MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said beyond talent development programme, Next Gen TeenXChange is an investment in the nation's future. He said with Malaysia's digital economy projected to contribute 25.5 per cent to gross domestic product by 2025, digital talent development has become a national priority. "Through this initiative, we can equip the younger generation with future-ready skills and ensure they are prepared to drive inclusive, sustainable and globally competitive digital economic growth," he added. BSN chief executive Jay Khairil said the partnership reflects the bank's continued commitment to empowering the younger generation through education and financial literacy. "By supporting digital talent development, we are not only investing in the country's future but also strengthening the foundation of a digitally and financially literate society," he said. The programme will be able to broaden its reach and target more students from diverse backgrounds. The programme provides a platform for students to master the latest technologies, develop digital and soft skills. It will also enhances their financial literacy that ultimately shaping a new generation of competitive digital leaders who can contribute to the nation's digital transformation. Since its inception, the programme has trained over 675 students, including 250 girls who are now actively engaged in innovation at university and industry levels.
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Data centre framework key to harnessing tech and AI, says Gobind
KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Ministry has underscored the need for structured data management and integration across government agencies. This, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said, was key to fully harnessing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and enhancing the delivery of citizen-friendly government services. Gobind said each government agency generates data, but must ensure that this data can be digitised. He said data exists in various formats, digital, analogue, visual and audio and must be digitised to be integrated effectively. "To use data meaningfully, we require computer power. That's where data centres and cloud infrastructure come in. We are adopting a cloud-first policy, which will allow us to deploy new technologies faster and at scale. "We must ensure that data sharing is seamless, and to do that, the data must be digitised, securely stored and supported by adequate compute capacity," in a press conference after attending a tour of the Kuala Lumpur Command & Control Centre here today. Present was Kuala Lumpur City Hall Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Gobind said while some states have already developed their own digital twin technologies, efforts were now underway to consolidate them into a single national digital twin framework that will benefit all states and ministries. He said his current focus was on consolidating existing assets, harnessing available strengths, and determining the most effective way forward to reduce costs and improve efficiency. "At the Digital Ministry, particularly under MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), we are developing this forward-looking strategy. "If we build on our strengths, prepare for the future, ensure secure systems, and build public trust, I believe we will be well on our way to realising Malaysia Digital 2030," he said. Gobind said the government also intends to establish a National Smart Nation Centre, bringing together initiatives from across the country. This comes ahead of the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025, set to take place from Sept 17 to 19, marking the first time the global event, usually hosted in Barcelona, will be held in Malaysia. He said that it will serve as a platform to gather the brightest talents and tech companies involved in smart technologies, with Kuala Lumpur as this year's showcase. On Kuala Lumpur's progress, Maimunah said City Hall's ongoing digital twin project allows for simulations of urban development, enabling authorities to forecast traffic congestion, estimate carbon emissions based on materials used and evaluate land use proposals. She said DBKL's KLCCC was already leveraging real-time data and sensor systems to implement green wave traffic management and improve flood response. "In the past, enforcement officers had to stand at flood-prone hotspots during heavy rains. "Today, we rely on real-time flood warnings and river level data from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, which also gets shared with Alam Flora for cleanup readiness. "All this significantly reduces operational costs and improves efficiency at DBKL," she said.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia aims for regional AI leadership with 2026-2030 action plan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government is crafting the National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan 2026–2030 to establish the country as a regional AI leader and improve its global AI rankings. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo revealed that Malaysia currently ranks 26th in the Stanford HAI AI Index (2023) and 24th in the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index 2024. 'On local talent development, the government has already rolled out several large-scale initiatives to boost the nation's workforce readiness for AI adoption,' Gobind said in Parliament. He highlighted the 'AI for My Future' programme, a collaboration with Microsoft, designed to train nearly 800,000 Malaysians through interactive modules. The minister was responding to Batu Gajah MP Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu's query on Malaysia's AI preparedness, covering technology transfer, talent development, and governance integration. Gobind also noted MDEC's initiatives, including MyDigital Maker and Cikgu Juara Digital, which focus on robotics and data analytics training for students and educators. Additionally, the AI@Work programme with Google aims to train 445,000 civil servants using AI tools like Gemini and Notebook LLM to improve public service efficiency. The government is also reviewing legal frameworks to draft dedicated AI legislation, ensuring governance aligns with Malaysia's ambition to become a regional AI hub. - Bernama
