AIMS Recognised by The Asia Records, Strengthening Presence Across 21 Countries

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – International trading platform AIMS has achieved a significant milestone after being recognised by The Asia Records for its outstanding contribution to the trading industry in Asia.

The recognition highlights AIMS’ continued growth and commitment to excellence after 11 years of operation, with an established presence across 21 countries worldwide. Presented during a special recognition event in Jakarta, the accolade acknowledges AIMS’ strong reputation in delivering trusted trading solutions, innovation, and building a sustainable business ecosystem for its global community. Senior representatives from AIMS shared that the recognition reflects the company’s long-term vision—not merely to build a trading platform, but to create a broader ecosystem that supports business growth, networking, and community engagement.

Over the years, AIMS has expanded its footprint internationally while maintaining its focus on trust, performance, and service quality, positioning itself as a notable name within Asia’s competitive trading landscape. The Asia Records continues to recognise exceptional brands, organisations, and achievements that demonstrate measurable excellence and influence across Asia. This latest recognition further reinforces AIMS’ standing as one of the emerging trusted trading platforms in the region. Industry observers note that recognitions such as these serve as an important benchmark for companies seeking greater visibility and credibility in the international marketplace.

With Asia’s financial and trading sectors continuing to evolve rapidly, AIMS’ recognition represents both a milestone and a motivation for continued innovation.

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia — The KTM DUKE series is one of the Naked bike families manufactured by Austrian motorcycle brand KTM. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the series, KTM hosted a robust celebratory event at Subang SkyPark RAC on 4th May 2024. Its central big idea, ‘No Bullshit’, cut straight to the heart of the event, showcasing all its existing KTM DUKE motorcycles and unveiling four new Naked bike models for the Malaysian market.

For the past three decades, KTM DUKE motorcycles have been celebrated for their attractive features, sharp designs, and rigorous safety standards. This motorcycle series empowers riders to navigate roads and overcome obstacles with confidence. The series tries to provide riders with an exhilarating experience at every turn. Moreover, with the DUKE series, KTM consistently introduces bold innovations to meet evolving market demands and maintain a competitive edge.

“The 30th anniversary celebration of KTM Duke goes beyond acknowledging the company’s achievements, stated Mr. Goi, Marketing Strategy Manager of KTM Malaysia. “It’s about sharing experiences and creating unforgettable riding memories.”

KTM DUKE’s ‘No Bullshit ’theme emphasises the series’s motif of authenticity and rawness, and serves as a reminder for the Naked range bikes ’powerful performance.

The celebratory event introduced four new DUKE models to the lineup — KTM 250 DUKE, KTM 390 DUKE, KTM 990 DUKE, and KTM 1390 SUPER DUKE R. These models stun the streets with their striking Electronically Dazzling Metallic Orange (ED) colour, exclusively crafted for the 30-year celebration. For KTM 250 DUKE and KTM 390 DUKE, these models come with a built-in Quickshifter. Built on the legacy of the series’s predecessors, these new motorcycles feature high-performance capabilities and smooth road manoeuvring with their unparalleled engine components. Designed upon the success of previous models, Mr. Goi assures that these motorcycles will deliver multiple levels of satisfaction for high-powered motorcycle enthusiasts.

Another addition to the launch lineup is the 2024 KTM 790 DUKE model, which will be unveiled in Q3 2024. With its production now in China to meet the Asian market, this model will come with improvised features and a more attractive price.

Moreover, the event not only highlighted the ongoing KTM DUKE lineup in Malaysia, such as the KTM 200 DUKE, KTM 790 DUKE, KTM 890 DUKE R, and KTM 1290 DUKE, but it also features DUKEHANA, a challenging biking track where riders showcase their skills and test the capabilities of these motorcycles.

For more details about the new KTM DUKE model, please contact an authorised KTM dealership located across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak. All authorised Malaysian KTM dealers have undergone specialised training by KTM and hold international certification issued by KTM Austria, ensuring customers can get services from certified, professional mechanics.

Visit https://www.ktmmalaysia.com/discover-our-dealers/ to find an authorised dealer near you. Scan the below QR code to get the marketing material.

KTMDUKEDAY #KTMMALAYSIA #NoBullShit #KTM

Natural Fermentation Biotechnology for Machi

YC Bersatu says it applies natural fermentation biotechnology to produce soy sauce and sauces that are positioned as healthier and higher in protein compared to chemically produced alternatives. The company’s Managing Director, Kelvin Han Wei Jian, says the goal is to become a benchmark for pure and clean products while maintaining the traditional taste Malaysians expect.

Machi Soy Sauce and Sauce Products

The company manufactures Machi soy sauce and sauces including:

• Mixed Super Concentrated Soy Sauce
• Pertama Soya Premium Liquid Soy Sauce
• Sifu Fish Steamed Liquid Soy Sauce
• Sabah Rice Chili Sauce

Kelvin says Machi has already built a strong footprint in the domestic food market and is planning for international expansion as the next phase of business growth.

Where to Buy Machi in Malaysia

Machi products are listed as available across major supermarkets and hypermarkets nationwide, including:

• Giant
• AEON, AEON Big
• NSK Grocer
• The Store
• Hero Market
• Mydin
• CS
• Bataras
• Servay Hypermarket

For a consumer brand, wide retail placement matters because it puts consistency under pressure. It is also where quality assurance becomes non negotiable.

JAKIM Halal and Food Safety Certifications

On the compliance side, Machi has received a Halal confirmation certificate from JAKIM. YC Bersatu also lists certifications awarded by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, including:

• MeSTI
• GMP
• HACCP

This certification stack supports buyer confidence in mass retail and strengthens the brand’s positioning beyond marketing claims.

Malaysia Book of Records Recognition

YC Bersatu also recorded two recognitions from The Malaysia Book of Records on 16 November:

• First Soy Sauce Manufacturer To Achieve the Bio-Based Accelerator (BBA) Status
• First Soy Sauce Manufacturer To Achieve “BioNexus” Status

These recognition awards function like company awards in the market. They signal that a manufacturer is being measured against specific innovation and capability benchmarks, not just sales.

180-Day Brewing Process and Key Features

Kelvin highlighted the company’s R&D effort, including a 180-day brewing process to obtain the best extract and quality for production.

Key features highlighted

• Naturally brewed for 180 days
• Uses Non-GMO soya beans, positioned as high in protein
• No added colouring

The company also says it invests heavily in fermentation technology and maintains a strict quality stance, including a commitment not to produce fake soy sauce or PSH or HVP sauces.

Resepi Machi Food Festival at MyTOWN Cheras

To bring the brand closer to the public, Machi organised a soy sauce-based food festival at MyTOWN Cheras from 12 to 14 January 2024, featuring:

• More than 50 Halal food stalls
• Games with prizes
• Singing and dancing performances
• Sauce showcases and product sampling through food experiences

For a sauce brand, tasting is often the quickest way to convert curiosity into trust because consumers can immediately judge flavour, balance, and how a sauce performs on real dishes.

Conclusion

YC Bersatu is building Machi around fermentation-led differentiation, certification-backed credibility, and public-facing activations that turn a pantry item into an experience. If export plans accelerate, the company’s next challenge will be maintaining the same standards at larger volumes, the kind of operational maturity that tends to be recognised in international business awards conversations when Malaysian brands step onto a wider stage.

Syarikat yang beroperasi di Pulau Pinang ini  mengeluarkan kicap dan sos jenama Machi iaitu Kicap Pekat Hebat Campuran, Kicap Cair Premium Soya Pertama, Kicap Cair Stim Ikan Sifu dan Sos Cili Padi Sabah.

Pengarah Urusannya, Kelvin Han Wei Jian berkata, produk keluaran syarikatnya sudah  pun berjaya menguasai pasaran makanan di dalam negara dan dalam perancangan untuk eksport ke pasaran antarabangsa.

Katanya, untuk pasaran tempatan pengguna boleh mendapatkannya di pasar raya utama iaitu Giant, Aeon, Aeon Big, NSK Grocer, The Store, Hero Market Mydin, CS, Bataras dan Servay Hypermarket.

“YC Bersatu mahu menjadi penanda aras kepada pengeluaran produk yang berkualiti, tulen, bersih dan pada masa masih mengekalkan rasa tradisional.

“Paling membanggakan Machi sudah pun mendapat sijil pengesahan Halal daripada Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).

“Atas kapasiti itu kami sentiasa melakukan pemeriksaan yang ketat kepada semua produk keluaran syarikat,” katanya.

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) juga menganugerahkan sijil MeSTI, sijil GMP dan sijil HACCP kepada YC Bersatu.

Pada 16 November lalu, YC Bersatu mendapat dua pengiktirafan daripada The Malaysia Book of Records  iaitu ‘First Soy Sauce Manufacturer To Achieve The Bio-Based Accelerator (BBA) Status’ dan First Soy Sauce Manufacturer To Achieve “Bionexus” Status.

Kelvin Han Wei Jian berkata, syarikat amat berbangga dengan pencapaian itu dan akan berusaha menjadikan produk YC Bersatu antara produk terlaris di Malaysia.

“Tahniah kepada pasukan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan (R&D) yang bekerja keras untuk memastikan soya yang dibancuh selama 180 hari untuk mendapatkan ekstrak yang terbaik dan berkualiti dalam pengeluaran kicap serta sos.

“Syarikat  sanggup membuat pelaburan tinggi dalam teknologi penapaian  untuk mendapatkan kualiti yang terbaik dan komited dengan slogan kami iaitu  “1 Sos Dah Cukup Sedap”.

“Boleh dikatakan kicap sudah menjadi keperluan harian kita dan dalam kebanyakan masakan hari ini mesti ada kicap. Kanak-kanak juga menyukai  kicap, ada yang tak boleh makan kalau tiada kicap.

 “Oleh itu kami sentiasa pastikan kicap dan sos keluarga syarikat adalah  lebih sihat dan selamat untuk dimakan. Kami tidak akan sesekali bertolak ansur tentang kualiti dan prinsip syarikat tidak akan menghasilkan kicap tiruan dan sos PSH atau HVP’, katanya.

Ciri Utama Kicap YC Bersatu

• Diseduh Semulajadi selama 180 Hari
• menggunakan biji soya Non-GMO yang berprotein tinggi
• Tiada pewarna tambahan

Event Machi

Buat kali pertama, Machi akan mengadakan festival makanan berasaskan kicap di Malaysia. Ia turut mempamerkan pelbagai sos secara unik dan inovatif.

Acara itu akan diadakan di MyTown Cheras pada 12 hingga 14 Januari ini. Terdapat lebih 50 gerai makanan Halal untuk dikunjungi orang ramai.

Memeriahkan lagi acara, turut diadakan permainan dan hadiah disediakan untuk pemenang. Serta persembahan nyanyian dan tarian.

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 November 2023 – SME Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia), an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD) and Funding Societies, the largest unified SME digital finance platform in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, have allocated an initial fund of RM6 million for Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs under the newly launched programme, Bumiputera MSMEs Financing Initiative (BMFI).

This new funding initiative is aimed at enhancing access to financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who participated in SME Corp. Malaysia’s Tunas Usahawan Belia Bumiputera (TUBE) programme. Funding Societies, as the appointed Financial Partner, will extend its digital financing solutions to the young entrepreneurs through their Tunas Financing-i programme.

Introduced in 2014, TUBE programme aims to encourage Bumiputera youth between the ages of 18 – 30 to venture into business as well as build resilience, discipline and leadership in business management. With the valuable business knowledge gained from the TUBE programme and the additional financial support, the entrepreneurs can strategically plan their ventures, innovate their offerings, and effectively scale their business operations.

Under the TUBE initiative, 7,040 registered entrepreneurs and TUBE alumni will have the opportunity to apply for Tunas Financing-i, with minimal documentation and zero collateral requirement. The programme offers financing up to RM100,000 with a maximum tenure of 24 months at a competitive profit rate of only 2% per annum (p.a.). MSMEs can also benefit from a streamlined online application process, with approvals as fast as within two working days.

Mr. Rizal bin Nainy, Chief Executive Officer of SME Corp. Malaysia said, “The specific allocation for Bumiputera youth entrepreneurs under the BMFI is befitting due to their important role with regard to the MADANI Economy framework’s goal in achieving balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth.”

“We hope to leverage on this partnership with Funding Societies to provide innovative and quick short-term financing solution for Bumiputera MSMEs through digital platform, in addition to existing Government funding. Hence, it is envisaged that more Bumiputera MSMEs will take advantage of this initiative to address their financing needs, especially in working capital. Access to financing remains a major issue that hinders MSMEs growth including the Bumiputera entrepreneurs. Therefore, the Government is committed to support the MSMEs in this area, as indicated by the substantial amount allocated under the 2024 MADANI Budget. Access to financing continues to receive the largest allocation amounting to RM32.15 billion (73.7%) of the allocation for MSMEs totalling RM43.6 billion,” added Mr. Rizal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chai Kien Poon, Country Head, Funding Societies Malaysia said, “Collaborating with SME Corp. Malaysia marks a key milestone in our journey to foster the growth and resilience of Bumiputera MSMEs. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of equipping these dynamic entrepreneurs with the financial assistance they need to thrive and contribute to the nation’s economy.”

“Microenterprises and youth entrepreneurs play a significant role in realising a more inclusive, sustainable, and balanced growth vision for our country. Yet, they face persistent challenges in obtaining access to financing, often due to a lack of collateral and credit history. As a leading digital financing platform in the region with a proven track record of promoting financial inclusion among MSMEs, we are honoured to have the opportunity to work with SME Corp. Malaysia in further empowering these young entrepreneurs. This builds on our existing partnership with the Government agencies and we look forward to more collaboration in future to strengthen the MSME ecosystem,” emphasised Mr. Chai.

In 2022, MSMEs comprised nearly 1.2 million business establishments in the country, accounting for 97% of all businesses and almost half of total employment. Of these, 79%, or more than 920,000 alone were micro-enterprises. The partnership between Funding Societies and SME Corp. Malaysia holds the promise of strengthening the growth and sustainability of these vital business community in Malaysia’s dynamic economic landscape.

The partnership was formally solidified with the exchange of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), witnessed by YB Datuk Ewon Benedick, Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, during the TUBE Alumni Meet & Greet event in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on 11 November 2023.

For more information on the partnership or Funding Societies’ Tunas Financing-i, please visit https://fundingsocieties.com.my/tunas-financing-i.

Inisiatif Pembiayaan BMFI untuk Usahawan Belia Bumiputera

Bumiputera MSMEs Financing Initiative (BMFI) merupakan kerjasama antara SME Corp. Malaysia dan Funding Societies bagi menyediakan akses pembiayaan digital sehingga RM100,000 kepada usahawan belia Bumiputera lepasan program TUBE, dengan kadar keuntungan kompetitif dan tanpa cagaran. https://www.smecorp.gov.my/index.php/en/initiatives/bmfi

Kuala Lumpur, 8 November 2023 – In conjunction with Hari Kitar Semula Negara (National Recycling Day), Nestlé Malaysia and Tetra Pak today commemorate over a decade of partnership via their CAREton Project focused on driving a circular economy and a more sustainable future for Malaysia. The event was further marked with the addition of three new councils – Majlis Bandaraya Seberang Perai, Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya and Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh joining the initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony was held to officiate this milestone witnessed by YB Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Local Government Development, Malaysia. 

Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Local Government Development said, “Hari Kitar Semula Negara is a day for us to acknowledge the importance of recycling and reflect on the actions we can collectively take to protect our mother earth. The CAREton Project is a great example of how the private sector can spearhead sustainability initiatives and collaborate with Government to make a real difference. We are excited to see the CAREton Project expand and reach even more Malaysians, as we all work together to support Malaysia’s transition to a circular economy aligned with the concept of the MADANI Economy.”

The CAREton Project is a collaborative effort between Nestlé Malaysia, Tetra Pak, and local councils to collect and recycle used beverage cartons. The project has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of recycling and motivating consumers to recycle their used beverage cartons. Since 2012, the CAREton Project has collected over 4,000 tonnes of used beverage cartons which has been recycled and converted into polyAI panel boards and roofing tiles which are sufficient to build over 1,400 homes for Orang Asli communities in Malaysia.  This volume is equivalent to more than 283 million packs of used beverage cartons.

“Developing a sustainable recycling program is not the responsibility of a single entity; rather, it’s a collaborative effort that requires active participation from everyone in the recycling value chain. Tetra Pak and Nestlé Malaysia are committed to continue making sustainability our business priority and working collaboratively to create a more sustainable future for Malaysia. We encourage all Malaysians to participate in the CAREton Project and recycle their used beverage cartons to contribute to a circular economy,” said Michael Wu, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia.  

The project entails establishing convenient collection points for Malaysians to recycle their used beverage cartons. These collection points can be found at participating local councils, schools, universities, and retailers.  

Once collected, the used beverage cartons are transported to a dedicated recycling facility, where they are recycled into new products such as roof tiles and panel boards. These roof tiles and panel boards are then donated to EPIC Homes, NGOs, and other community projects for use in building homes and refurbishment projects for Orang Asli communities and other people in need. 

This year, the CAREton Project has expanded to include more local councils and collection points, making it even easier for Malaysians to recycle their used beverage cartons. “Nestlé’s vision is that none of our packaging ends up in a landfill or as litter. In line with this, the CAREton project is one of the multiple initiatives of Nestlé Malaysia’s sustainable packaging and circularity strategy, which also includes our Project SAVE, that are implemented through our Strata Recycling, Door-to-Door Collection and KITAR Recycling programmes. Through such initiatives, we aim to shape a strong recycling mind-set among local communities. We are honoured to commemorate this milestone today with Tetra Pak and our local council partners, and we look forward to continue expanding Project CAREton to reach more Malaysians,” said Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Malaysia. “Our collaborative efforts have demonstrated the power of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable impact, supporting our shared objective of a waste-free future for Malaysia.”

The expansion of the CAREton Project is a significant milestone in Malaysia’s circular economy journey. It demonstrates how various entities can collectively contribute to a circular economy by working together to reduce waste, keep valuable resources in circulation, and create sustainable value chains. 

For more information about CAREton Project, please visit: https://www.recycle-easy.com.my/careton-project/. To learn more about Tetra Pak and its sustainability efforts, kindly log on to www.tetrapak.com for more information. 

CAREton Project Memacu Ekonomi Kitaran di Malaysia

CAREton Project merupakan kerjasama strategik antara Nestlé Malaysia, Tetra Pak dan pihak berkuasa tempatan bagi mengumpul dan mengitar semula karton minuman terpakai, seterusnya menukarkannya kepada bahan binaan mampan seperti panel dan jubin bumbung untuk komuniti yang memerlukan.
https://www.recycle-easy.com.my/careton-project/

Kerjasama Awam-Swasta dalam Kelestarian Alam Sekitar

Kerjasama awam-swasta antara syarikat korporat, kerajaan tempatan dan NGO melalui CAREton Project membuktikan keberkesanan pendekatan kolaboratif dalam mengurangkan sisa, meningkatkan kesedaran kitar semula dan menyokong peralihan Malaysia ke arah ekonomi kitaran selari dengan konsep Ekonomi MADANI.
https://www.tetrapak.com/sustainability

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 November 2023 – The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), through the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), today recognized the outstanding achievements of 37 individuals and companies that have contributed towards the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy.

The MDX 2023 Awards Night was officiated by the Minister of Communications and Digital, YB Fahmi Fadzil. This prestigious event recognizes individuals including local and international organizations through 37 categories of the digital economy landscape including key investors for Local and Overseas Digital Malaysia Companies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Leaders for Omnichannel Marketing, Women Entrepreneurs, Students Examples of the #mydigitalmaker program, Tourism Industry Digital Excellence and Data Ecosystem Catalyst.

The MDX 2023 Awards Night is a series of successful Malaysia Digital Expo (MDX) 2023 which aims to make the country a digital hub destination in Southeast Asia, in line with the goals of the MADANI Economy.

The country’s digital industry exports have grown exponentially in recent years with its exports surpassing RM20.2 billion in the first half of 2022. This is already 81% from 2021’s total performance.

Malaysia is attracting significant digital opportunities from both domestic and foreign companies, with over RM37.4 billion secured this year in the digital sector, as of August.

Also present were YB. Tuan Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Chairman of MDEC. For more information on MDX 2023, please visit www.mdec.my/mdx.

MDX Awards Night 2023 Memacu Ekonomi Digital Malaysia

MDX Awards Night 2023 yang dianjurkan oleh MDEC di bawah Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital memberi pengiktirafan kepada 37 perintis industri digital merangkumi pelabur, peneraju AI, usahawan wanita, pelajar dan pemain industri yang menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan ekonomi digital negara.
https://mdec.my/mdx

Malaysia Digital Expo dan Aspirasi Ekonomi MADANI

MDX 2023 merupakan sebahagian daripada inisiatif Malaysia Digital Expo yang bertujuan menjadikan Malaysia sebagai hab digital Asia Tenggara, sejajar dengan aspirasi Ekonomi MADANI melalui inovasi, pelaburan dan pembangunan ekosistem digital mampan. https://www.mdec.my

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 November 2023 – The Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD), through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the nation’s lead digital economy agency, launched the Malaysia Digital Expo (MDX 2023) Grand Finale today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The expo is scheduled to run from 6 to 8 November 2023, and was officiated by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The MDX 2023 Grand Finale marks the culmination of a six-week empowerment journey through 18 auxiliary events that commenced on 25 September 2023. MDX 2023 has garnered significant attention, with a total of 120,000 participants engaging in the event. Over the course of three days, industry experts will share their insights through a series of conferences and networking sessions. The MDX 2023 Grand Finale will also include an exhibition and an exclusive MDX 2023 Awards Night to celebrate the outstanding innovations and achievements within the local digital technology ecosystem.

MDX 2023 Grand Finale boasts an impressive lineup, featuring AI Futurist all-star and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, Zack Kass, who will deliver a keynote presentation titled, “Digital Edge: Shifting the Economic Narrative.” This premier event on the digital economy calendar will also host renowned speakers and industry leaders, including Ricky Kapur (Head of APAC, Zoom), Ahmed Emre Buyukklic (Country Advisor, Investment Office of Turkiye), Hiroyuki Kato (Director, Japan Peppol Authority), Jeremy Deutsch (President, Asia Pacific, Equinix Inc.), and many others.

Meanwhile, the exhibition floor of MDX 2023 Grand Finale brings together the giants of the digital tech industry such as Grab, Capbay, Razer Merchant Services, Primary Guard and Virtual Economy Technology, who will be showcasing their products and services.

Prime Minister also announced the launch of the Digital Agriculture Technology Adoption (DATA) programme during the Grand Finale of MDX 2023. DATA represents a pioneering initiative that aims to transform the agriculture sector in Malaysia through the infusion of digital technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics (BDA), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the agricultural value chain.

This infusion of technologies is expected to yield several key benefits, including increased productivity, improved crop yield and quality, higher income and revenue, reduced operational costs, and optimised plantation management. Under the guidance of KKD and MDEC, the DATA programme aspires to modernise Malaysia’s agriculture sector by promoting digital adoption. It also seeks to stimulate tech industry interest and participation, fostering technology adoption that enhances productivity, promotes food security, and contributes to national economic growth.

MDX 2023 Grand Finale is proudly sponsored by Fusionex Group as the Diamond Sponsor, ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn. Bhd. as the Gold Sponsor and TM Technology Services Sdn. Bhd. as the Official Technology Partner.

More information about MDX 2023, please visit www.mdec.my/mdx.

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 October 2023 – Tune Protect Group Berhad (“Tune Protect”) and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (“AirAsia”) announce the launch of the newly enhanced AirAsia travel insurance, the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS, featuring the practical addition of Cashless Hospital Admission services for policies issued by Tune Protect Malaysia and Tune Protect Thailand. Commencing 19 October 2023, this innovative feature offers travellers a seamless and hassle-free experience when seeking medical assistance abroad.

The AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS, featuring the Cashless Hospital Admission services is offered with a starting premium of as low as RM 74 for a return trip plan. This option is open for purchase to travellers departing from Malaysia and Thailand and can be conveniently accessed through all AirAsia online and offline booking platforms, including the Manage My Booking feature and Online Check-in via the airasia MOVE app.

Janet Chin, Chief Partnership Officer of Tune Protect said, “Our collaboration with AirAsia aims to enhance the travel experience for our customers by providing them with comprehensive insurance coverage and simplifying the process of accessing medical care in foreign countries. The AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS is a practical feature for travellers. With this newly added proposition, we are removing the hassle of paying for hospital admissions during overseas travel, which can take a toll on their finances. It reflects our commitment to offering our customers the best protection and peace of mind during their journeys.”

Aside to the new addition of the Cashless Hospital Admission services, the AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS include other benefits such as trip cancellation, flight delay, loss or damaged baggage, and loss of personal money and travel documents, among others.  

Karen Chan, AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer said, “At AirAsia, we believe in continuous improvement of our customers’ travel experience. We are dedicated to offering value-added product benefits and services that provide our guests convenience and peace of mind throughout their journeys. We also understand that travel can be an enriching yet unpredictable adventure, and that is why we go the extra mile to provide an extensive range of coverage to cater to our travellers’ diverse needs. With AirAsia Comprehensive Travel Plus, our guests can now explore the world worry-free, knowing that their medical needs will be efficiently addressed in the event of emergencies. More time to explore, less time to worry.”

The key feature of this newly enhanced product is the Cashless Hospital Admission Service, which does not impact the insurance premium, or any other benefits and sum limits stated in the policy. AirAsia passengers who have purchased the return trip plan of the Travel Insurance for flights departing from Malaysia or Thailand will automatically gain access to these features.

To activate the Cashless Hospital Admission services while abroad, customers simply need to follow a straightforward process:

1. Contact the Tune Protect – AirAsia Emergency Hotline at +603 2302 0033 and provide their flight booking number for verification.
2. Upon verification, a Medical Agent will notify a nearby Medical Provider and, if necessary, arrange transportation.
3. A Guarantee Letter will be issued directly to the Medical Provider to ensure uninterrupted medical attention.
4. Policyholders can be rest assured that their medical bills will be taken care of, eliminating the need for claim submissions.

The AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS offers healthcare access to over 5,000 hospitals worldwide in collaboration with the globally renowned care and mobility provider, Europ Assistance. This added feature eliminates the unexpected out-of-pocket expenses and providing the ultimate peace of mind for worry-free travel. By combining seamless travel experiences with comprehensive insurance coverage, Tune Protect and AirAsia are redefining travellers’ experience while navigating the world.

For more information on AirAsia Comprehensive Travel PLUS with Cashless Hospital Admission Services, please visit https://www.tuneprotect.com/airasia/en/product/comprehensive-travel-insurance-plus-plan/

By Felicia Soon

NEXEA recently held the Entrepreneurs Summit IV in Menara Affin at TRX in Kuala Lumpur with their co-organizer, MyDIGITAL, in an effort to drive entrepreneurship and encourage Malaysian startups to become more ambitious and compete on an international level. MyDIGITAL is an initiative that reflects the government’s aspiration to transform Malaysia into a high-income nation that is focused on digitalization and is a regional pioneer in the digital economy.

Ben Lim, Founder and CEO of NEXEA—Startup Fund Malaysia and Southeast Asia—took the stage to share the untold story of NEXEA, where he emphasized the company’s success in running accelerator programs, which connected more than 200 businesses to accelerator programs and resulted in the formation of eight high-growth enterprises.

At the panel discussion titled “Crazy Risks and Crazier Entrepreneurs”, Bryan Loo, Founder of Loob Holdings’ (the company behind popular brands Tealive and Bask Bear Coffee), shared the definition of the company name “Loob,” which literally means “looking out of the box,” and how he and his team continuously come up with crazy propositions that have made it popular and successful.

Bryan also discussed their strategic partnership model, which involves collaborating with petrol stations for drive-through outlets and an integrated model with banks—a strategy the industry has never experienced before. He also explained how the company leverages technology to connect with its customers, expand its reach, and automate store operations processes.

At a panel discussion titled “Future of Malaysian Startup Ecosystem”, Kashfi Alwi, Senior Vice President Ecosystem Development at Cradle, expressed the belief that with the right mindset, strategy, and support infrastructure, “our founders stand a fighting chance essentially to become regional—if not global—businesses.”

Despite prevailing challenges, the panel’s overall sentiment was upbeat, as demonstrated in the lively discussion with Neelofa and Mohd Izzairi Yamin from The Noor in the ‘Beauty and the Hacker: The Neelofa Scaleup Journey’ session, where they explore how the company employs technology to create a mobile app catering to the needs of the Muslim community, their user retention strategy, and the fusion of influencer marketing for brand success.

Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur as a regional startup hub

Standing in for Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli, who was originally due to present the keynote, Hanifah Hajar Taib, the Deputy Minister of Economy, Malaysia, emphasized that Malaysia, and particularly Kuala Lumpur, has the potential to become a regional startup hub.

“Situated at the nexus of three major economic blocs: China, India, and ASEAN, Kuala Lumpur boasts a vibrant youth population and unparalleled digital connectivity.”

This potent mix, according to Hanifah, positions the city as an ideal testing ground for products while offering an entry point into larger markets. She went on to say that “Malaysian startups have shown the highest investment-to-return ratio in the region, surpassing Singapore and Indonesia by a wide margin.”

A single-window portal to access all grants

The introduction of a “single window” delivering all services placed under the MYStartup platform, as announced in the recent Budget speech, is one attempt to streamline support for entrepreneurs.

The National Digital Economy and Industrial Revolution Council has allocated US$5.88 million (RM28 million) to develop the MYStartup platform as a single window that brings together startups while simplifying business activities throughout their life cycle. This initiative will optimize US$41.95 (RM200 million) of existing funds under various funding agencies and venture capital under a single platform.

“The single window will increase the ease of doing business and ensure that bureaucratic hurdles are minimized,” said Hanifah while adding that it will attract international venture capitalists to Malaysia, which will further incentivize even more stakeholders to operate in the country’s ecosystem.

“With concerted efforts and courage, we can create a regionally acclaimed startup hub that is both inspiring and inclusive. There is a place for every dreamer and every misfit in an environment without boundaries and without limitations.”