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Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Alam Flora expands reusable bag campaign to Temerloh's Pekan Sehari
By SUFEA SALEHUDDIN ALAM Flora Sdn Bhd has extended its reusable bag campaign to Temerloh, Pahang, marking the initiative's second rollout after a successful debut in Putrajaya earlier this year. The campaign held today at Pekan Sehari, Malaysia's longest and largest Sunday market, the campaign is part of the company's ongoing effort to curb single-use plastics and encourage more sustainable consumer behaviour. It also coincides with the 50th anniversary of its parent company, Malakoff Corporation Bhd. Alam Flora COO Mohamad Muhazni Mohd Zain said the campaign aims to instil the habit of bringing reusable bags, especially in high-traffic community spaces. 'We invite the public to embrace the practice of bringing reusable bags as a simple yet impactful step towards a cleaner and healthier environment,' he said at the event. The 2.1km riverside market was selected for its strategic potential as a behavioural touchpoint, drawing thousands of visitors from across the country. 'Pekan Sehari Temerloh draws people from all walks of life nationwide. It's an ideal location to communicate sustainability messages effectively and inclusively,' Muhazni said. At the event, Alam Flora distributed 300 reusable bags to shoppers, joined by Temerloh Municipal Council president Rizal Mustafa and SWCorp Pahang director Zaidi Tuah. Muhazni said while many still depend on plastic bags, exposure to alternatives can spark change. The campaign encourages market-goers to take ownership of their choices. Reusable bags, for instance, reduce litter, prevent clogged drains, and protect local wildlife—making neighbourhoods safer, more beautiful, and more liveable for all. 'It's even better if customers can politely refuse plastic from sellers and request items to be packed directly into their reusable bags — or at least use paper wrapping,' he said. He also pointed to the company's earlier efforts, including a 'bring your own tiffin' campaign during the Ramadan Festival, as part of the same long-term push to change the way people consume. Muhazni stressed that the campaign is not a commercial move, but a public service rooted in education and shared accountability. 'This is not about profit — it's about awareness. We're not doing this to make money, but to educate. 'When people understand the environmental impact, they're more likely to act,' he added. He said Alam Flora's role goes far beyond waste collection. It involves empowering the public through consistent engagement and grassroots education—because real progress begins with informed communities. The campaign, he said, is grounded in the belief that people make better choices when they understand the consequences. Alam Flora is also working closely with local councils and enforcement bodies, including SWCorp, to ensure the programme is carried out systematically and has the structure to grow across regions. 'God willing, this will grow into a sustainable programme — not just a one-off,' Muhazni said. The initiative is part of Malakoff's Environmental Solutions business pillar, which champions long-term waste management and environmental stewardship. It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Ultimately, Alam Flora hopes the campaign will shift not only daily shopping habits, but also mindsets, encouraging Malaysians to rethink packaging, waste, and their role in preserving the environment for future generations.
Malaysian Reserve
10-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
MyTV unveils enhanced Mana-Mana Premium subscriptions with new channels, pricing tiers
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd has launched its enhanced Premium subscription offerings for the MyTV Mana-Mana streaming platform, reinforcing its presence in Malaysia's digital content market with a broader range of exclusive features and pricing tiers. Although the paid plans were first introduced in May with minimal publicity, the latest announcement marks a formal relaunch, now accompanied by exclusive content and structural upgrades for all user categories. Under the revised model, MyTV Mana-Mana now offers two ad-free subscription tiers — Basic and Premium. The Basic plan is priced at RM6.90 per month, RM19.90 quarterly, or RM74.90 annually. The Premium plan, which includes the full suite of features, is available at RM9.90 per month, RM28.90 quarterly, or RM106.90 annually. Basic subscribers will gain access to all content offered under the free plan, along with four additional channels — Rock Action, Rock Entertainment, KCM and Global Trekker. The number of devices allowed for simultaneous streaming has also increased from three to four. Premium subscribers will enjoy all Basic content, plus access to Premium video-on-demand (VOD) titles, five additional channels — SPOTV Now, Aniplus, One, ZooMoo and Drama Channel — and exclusive MyTV Original productions covering both films and TV series. The Euronews channel, previously part of the Premium offering, is no longer included. MyTV confirmed that the free plan will remain accessible to all users without a subscription. However, the number of live TV channels has been slightly reduced from 23 to 22. The VOD library has now expanded to over 2,000 titles, while access to 22 live radio stations remains unchanged. Free-tier users are limited to single-device access and will continue to encounter advertisements during content playback. The platform's refreshed offerings reflect MyTV's broader strategy to grow its user base through content diversification and improved value propositions, amid increasing competition in Malaysia's streaming landscape. At the launch ceremony on Wednesday, themed 'Unlocked: The Full MYTV Mana-Mana Experience,' MyTV Group CEO Mohamad Helmi Harith said the initiative reaffirmed the company's commitment to delivering high-quality content to all segments of society. 'Today marks a significant milestone for MYTV Mana-Mana. All of this success stems from strong cooperation and exceptional synergy with our industry partners,' he said. Acting COO Syaffandi Shahrom added that the new offering is not just about content, but also about embracing creativity and inclusivity. 'Premium entertainment doesn't have to come with a premium price. We developed MYTV Mana-Mana Premium for families, students, and individuals — whether watching on a phone, tablet, or big screen. Our hope is for people in both urban and rural areas to enjoy the content we deliver,' he said. Beyond live TV and on-demand access, Premium subscribers will also enjoy locally produced exclusives under the MYTV Originals label, featuring blockbuster films, local and international dramas, children's animation, Korean and Indonesian programmes, sports coverage and informative documentaries — all on a single platform. To date, the free version of MYTV Mana-Mana has recorded over 800,000 downloads, reflecting strong demand for accessible, mobile-friendly entertainment. In a move to further expand its digital ecosystem, MyTV also announced strategic partnerships with PRISM+, FoodPanda and MPH Bookstores. Helmi said the collaborations are designed to create a new digital lifestyle experience by integrating content, community and commerce. 'This fusion of cinema and lifestyle will expand our reach and create added value for users. We're excited to share more details about these partnerships soon,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
24-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Air Selangor outlines multi-source water strategy to support Selangor's growing data centre demand
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN PENGURUSAN Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is prepared to meet the rising water needs of Selangor's data centre developments with a multi-source supply strategy that balances potable, reclaimed and reused water — depending on each operator's sustainability goals and technical requirements. Its CEO Adam Saffian Ghazali said the utility is coordinating closely with developers to accommodate a projected demand of 250 million litres per day (MLD) from data centre projects across the state. 'This is what data centres want from us — they want potable water. Our 34 water treatment plants have a combined design capacity of 6,300 MLD and we are currently producing around 5,300 MLD. That gives us a buffer of 1,000 MLD,' he said at the Air Selangor Sustainability Report 2024 press conference on Tuesday. While reserve capacity is in place, he noted that distribution connectivity remains a key factor in ensuring direct supply to each data centre site. In addition to treated water, Air Selangor is offering tailored solutions through its specialised subsidiaries — particularly for clients pursuing environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets or green building certifications. 'For data centres that do not require potable water, we can provide reclaimed water through our subsidiary, Central Water Reclamation, which is 60% owned by Air Selangor and 40% by Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK),' Adam said. This option applies to facilities located near existing IWK plants, where treated effluent can be repurified and redistributed. For industrial zones, Air Selangor is also offering reused water solutions sourced from Industrial Effluent Treatment Systems (IETS), managed by a newly incorporated entity called I-Destari under Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI Selangor). 'So if a data centre wants affordable potable water, they can get it from Air Selangor. If they want reclaimed water, they can work with Central Water Reclamation and if they want reused water, we can supply it through I-Destari,' he explained. Adam added that the final decision often hinges on the operator's environmental commitments and whether they are aiming to qualify for internationally recognised sustainability credits. 'If they need credits overseas, I think they will go towards reclaimed or reused water,' he said. On another note, Air Selangor plans to replace 300km of ageing pipes annually until 2034, with the figure rising to 400km thereafter — part of its long-term effort to curb water loss and improve supply reliability across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Adam said this long-term programme is part of the company's strategy to improve supply reliability, as outlined in its 2024 Sustainability Report, which showed that 69% of the year's RM690 million capital expenditure (capex) was channelled to non-revenue water (NRW) reduction initiatives. He said the 13.9% decline in capex from RM800 million in 2023 reflected the absence of large-scale water treatment plant construction this year, allowing a greater portion of funds to be directed towards mitigating pipe bursts and NRW. However, Air Selangor expects a shift in spending priorities from 2025 onward, as construction of the Rasau Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant moves forward. The tender process is currently underway and is expected to close in the coming months, although extensions have been requested by bidders. 'Once we award the Rasau Package 2, I would presume that construction of the water treatment plant will form a major percentage of our capex — at least for 2025, 2026 and 2027,' Adam said. The plant is expected to significantly boost water production capacity, supporting Selangor's rising demand and improving overall supply resilience. Adam added that Air Selangor's capital allocation will continue to follow operational priorities, striking a balance between network maintenance and long-term infrastructure growth.
Malaysian Reserve
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt's AI training drive to include all workforce segments, says Gobind
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN THE government's artificial intelligence (AI) reskilling and upskilling initiatives will not be limited to fresh graduates or young talent, but will also include existing workers whose jobs are at risk of technological disruption, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (picture). He said the multi-layered approach to talent development reflects Malaysia's whole-of-nation strategy in preparing for the widespread impact of AI and digitalisation on the labour market. 'This is not focused on just one group. We're looking at various layers — from students in schools to those already working — because technology will affect jobs across the board,' Gobind said at the memorandum of understanding (MOU) exchange ceremony between TalentCorp and MyDigital today. While much of the government's digital literacy campaigns and early AI awareness efforts have been directed at students through curricular improvements, Gobind stressed that current employees will be a central focus of the government's training agenda. 'People who are already currently employed are the ones whose jobs will be impacted by technology. We must ensure they are trained to pivot when the time comes,' he said. The government's strategy, he explained, involves encouraging upskilling and reskilling while workers are still in their existing roles, allowing them to transition smoothly when technological shifts alter job requirements. 'This is what we aim to achieve — training while working, so that when change happens, these workers are not left behind,' Gobind said. The Digital Ministry is working closely with the National AI Office (NIO) and other stakeholders to map training needs and consolidate data from public and private providers, ensuring alignment with real industry demands. According to Gobind, this includes short- and long-term training programmes with various certifications under initiatives such as MyMahir and the National Training Week 2025, which aim to offer one million upskilling opportunities with a focus on IR4.0 and AI. He said the collaborative effort also involves accrediting training modules with digital badges and reaching sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, where the impact of automation is expected to be significant. 'This is why we need input from all sectors — academia, industry, associations and AI experts to make sure the system we build is inclusive and future-ready,' he noted.
Malaysian Reserve
14-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
CEMI opens for applications to boost concerts, international events
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN APPLICATIONS for the Concerts and Events in Malaysia Incentive (CEMI) will open from May 15 to July 10, 2025, as part of the government's efforts to elevate Malaysia's profile as a leading venue for premier international events. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative is intended to accelerate the growth of the local concert and event industry while supporting tourism and job creation. 'This incentive is expected to create employment opportunities, boost tourist arrivals and contribute significantly to the national economy,' he said at a media briefing today. CEMI will provide financial support to event organisers that meet specific eligibility criteria, including event scale, projected economic and tourism impact, incorporation of local content and compliance with programme guidelines. The programme is part of the government's broader effort to attract world-class events to Malaysia and develop the creative industry as a key economic driver. CEMI was first announced in 2023 as part of the Madani government's cultural economy framework. It was introduced in response to growing demand for international acts and major events in Malaysia, and to position the country as a regional hub for live entertainment, business conferences and creative showcases. The incentive is also intended to address challenges faced by local organisers in securing funding, infrastructure support and logistical coordination for large-scale productions.
