Malaysian Business articles from March 2011

Malaysian Business archives from March 2011

The GTP in the PM's own words.
March 16, 2011... THE Government Transformation Programme (GTP) is something close to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak's heart. His hands-on approach in pushing through its seemingly impossible targets is beginning to bear fruit. We sought to find...

Local focus for ManagePay.
March 16, 2011... ManagePay Systems Bhd raises funds from its initial public offering to expand its business and presence nationwide. NEWLY ACE-LISTED COMPANY ManagePay Systems Bhd (ManagePay) is looking at the next two years to strengthen its offerings and...

Oil storage big play.
March 16, 2011... Dialog, one of Malaysia's leading integrated specialist technical service providers to the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, has an ace up its sleeve in the form of the government's endorsement of its billion-ringgit Pengerang independent...

On a growth curve.
March 16, 2011... The local banking sector is abuzz with developments. How does this augur for the sector? THE local banking sector has been buzzing with two pieces of news since early this month. One is the government's consideration to raise foreign...

Kaspersky Labs searches for talents.
March 16, 2011... IN AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY young talents and to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experience as well as new ideas, a Russian computer security company offering anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and anti- intrusion products. ...

Yes on track.
March 16, 2011... YTL COMMUNICATION BHD has signed up more than 100,000 active subscribers, carried over a million minutes of voice calls, 671,000 SMSes and 104 Terabytes of data traffic within 105 days of launching its Wimax service Yes. It is confident of an...

Implementing the effective use of cloud storage.
March 16, 2011... INFORMATION CONTINUES TO GROW AT unprecedented rates and IT managers, in turn, must be able to store, deliver, and manage these ever-expanding volumes of content, particularly unstructured data such as multimedia files, business applications,...

AMD opens Global Services Centre in Cyberjaya.
March 16, 2011... IN A MOVE TO MEET GROWING demand within the AMD global network for organisational and operational services, the US chip maker and semiconductor company has unveiled its 80,000 square feet Global Services Centre in Cyberjaya early this month. ...

eBworx Hits a high note in 2010.
March 16, 2011... ACE-listed banking solution provider eBworx Bhd recorded a significant triple digit percentage growth in profit after tax (PAT) in its financial result for FY2010 ended 31 December over the previous year. eBworx's PAT for FY2010 surged to...

Uncovering the risks of social networking applications in the workplace.
March 16, 2011... WITH THE REVOLUTION OF WEB 2.0, social networking applications are now playing a pivotal role in influencing and shaping the way we socialise and collaborate for both work and personal purposes. In fact, the use of social networking applications...

The hypothetical case of corporate deal-making.
March 16, 2011... Corporate wheeling and dealing, at worst, attracts unscrupulous-albeit- highly sophisticated proponents who can pull the wool over anyone and everyone's eye, especially the untrained ones. So, such folk are best kept at arm's length to avoid...

Doing business with ease.
March 16, 2011... The reform initiatives introduced by the Companies Commission of Malaysia last April have greatly improved the way in which business is conducted in the country. YOU CAN now incorporate a company in a single day, thanks to reform initiatives...

Stop the fraud first.
March 16, 2011... It is hoped that the latest move to increase premiums will put an end to the woes of the motor insurance industry. However, there are other issues which also need to be ironed out in tandem, chief among them, eliminating fraud. THE good news...

Planning ahead.
March 16, 2011... National oil corporation Petroliam Nasional is strategising to maintain long-term profit margins. What is its blueprint? DESPITE rising oil prices, national oil corporation Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is strategising to maintain...

It's snowing in Shah Alam.
March 16, 2011... Brace yourself for Malaysia's first real snowfall, which will cascade from the sky and be used as a magnet to draw visitors to i-City. FOR A large part of the world's population living outside temperate zones, the chance to touch, feel and...

Election fever.
March 16, 2011... The impending Sarawak state election is being seen as the most challenging one yet for the powers-that-be. Will it see incumbent Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud making a hasty retreat? THE coming Sarawak state polls, which may be...

Grooming the best.
March 16, 2011... GOOD EMPLOYEES ARE GROOMED over time. This is not something which BDO's Managing Partner, Datuk Gan Ah Tee, discovered by chance when two Sunway-TES students which the company had sponsored, Kwong Sze Hui and Vivian Teh Qian Yuen, not only...

Global headwinds ahead?
March 16, 2011... Could developments in the oil-rich Middle East and North Africa region throw the global economic recovery out of whack? EVERYONE needs a sifu - someone they can turn to for words of wisdom when things get too complicated. Economists, too,...

Interest rates and the stock market.
March 16, 2011... Why monetary tightening to fight inflation can spook foreign investors and dampen the stock market. STOCK markets in Asia have been adversely affected by developments in the MENA or Middle East and North African countries. And this is in no...

Transforming Malaysia: A reality check.
March 16, 2011... Malaysia's blueprint for attaining developed nation status by 2020 envisions the support of a government machinery that has shed its old ways of doing things. In the epicentre would be a civil service with a new mindset. One year on, how has the...

The nation on his mind.
March 16, 2011... Appointed in early 2009, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak wasted no time working out a new all-encompassing agenda for the country. The results are showing. PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak understands what it means to...

Taking a leaf from football.
March 16, 2011... Pemandu Chief executive Datuk Seri Idris Jala believes that, just as in football, success in his work involves team play and cooperation. DESPITE his hectic work schedule, Datuk Seri Idris Jala had woken up at four that morning to watch...

The business of risk.
March 16, 2011... Due to changing circumstances in the oil & gas sector, an alternative to the traditional Production Sharing Contract has been introduced called the Risk Service Contract. What's the difference? SINCE Malaysia joined the ranks of global...

Smooth operator.
March 16, 2011... Maintaining facilities is an important part of the operational and structural integrity of the nation's premier highway infrastructure asset. IN ORDER TO ensure the continued safety and comfort of users of the highway, PLUS Expressways Bhd...

Highway plus side.
March 16, 2011... The North-South Expressway Rest and Service Areas provide business opportunities that have changed the lives of the local populace for the better. ONE of the oft-touted benefits of the North-South Expressway or NSE (often referred to by the...

A better life, thanks to the NSE.
March 16, 2011... RAMNAH Jabarudin used to make a living panning for gold in Sungai Batang Padang in Perak. It was hard work as she had to stand in the rushing waters for hours, bent over double sifting dross in the hope of picking out the shiny metal. On good...

It's all in the planning.
March 16, 2011... Malaysia played host to the 1st World Congress on Infrastructure Asset Management recently. Read what the experts say on the importance of inculcating a maintenance culture at the onset in the building or acquisition of infrastructure assets. ...

Overlooked natural resources Play?
March 16, 2011... The timber sector is benefiting from oil palm exposure as well as the current high crude palm oil prices, warranting a re-rating. What's the upside? WHILE commodity plays seem to be hogging the limelight these days, the timber sector appears...

Facilitating the corporate Ladder Climb.(Company overview)
March 16, 2011... FOUNDED in 1997, the UTM International Business School (UTM-IBS) is committed to providing a truly international business education. Today, it brings together students from more than 15 countries, thus creating a unique cross-cultural education...

Doing it for the love of it.
March 16, 2011... Swot Communications has grown and grown... thanks to its passion, energy and dynamism. PASSIONATE, vibrant and dynamic, Swot Communications Sdn Bhd is one public relations (PR) agency that knows how to work hard and play harder. Founder...

The politics of the 'People Around Him'.
March 16, 2011... The inner circle of politicians are of utmost importance, as they can make or break their masters. So it's best that credible folk get the vote. A POLITICAL economy is generally defined as economic dictates and activities within the confines...

Women in leadership forum Asia.
March 16, 2011... The recent two-day 'Women in Leadership Forum Asia' recognised the significant contributions women have made to the economy, ranging from business to governance. WOMEN in Malaysia have made significant strides in all sectors of the economy in...

Adapting via Feedback.
March 16, 2011... Feedback is vital in knowing how we are faring. Unfortunately, in Asia, it faces limitations due to the hierarchical nature of the culture. A change is timely. WHILST working in Europe for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, a mandatory feedback process...

Working across borders.
March 16, 2011... Cross-border collaboration - the ability to share knowl-edge and execute growth strategies across borders - is essential to successful globalisation. We give some pointers. IN a rapidly globalising economy, companies everywhere are...

Intelligently seeking C-H-O-I-C-E-S!
March 16, 2011... Key life goals can be attained only through proper financial management. Once on the right track, you have many choices to pick from, be it for education, lifestyle or retirement. PLEASE answer these two questions: 1. If you have young...

The Islamic option.
March 16, 2011... A look at the differences between Islamic and conventional banking. 'ISLAMIC banking - doesn't it cater for Muslims only?' Does this phrase sound familiar to you? Without a doubt, many of us carry the perception that Islamic banking is meant...

Asia: A rising force.
March 16, 2011... We look at several Asian emerging markets and their potential for growth. ASIA is the largest emerging market region in the world and home to some of the fastest-growing economiesA globally. In fact, about 60% of the world's population lives...

Raising foreign worker Levy.
March 16, 2011... Let's make a distinction between jobs that Singaporeans can do, and those they will not do. THE Government has decided to make it more expensive for companies to hire foreign workers by raising the levy for bringing them in. Finance...

Sun, sand & solitude.
March 16, 2011... Rebak Island Resort Langkawi - a Taj-managed property - takes you back to the very basics and helps you rediscover just how much fun and fulfilling doing absolutely nothing is. IT IS A much sought-after holiday therapy - the art of doing...

Justice for all.
March 16, 2011... Ragunath Kesavan, the outgoing president of the Malaysian Bar Council, speaks to Sharmila Valli Narayanan about the current state of relations between the government and the Malaysian Bar, the National Legal Aid Foundation and why there is...

Hot Holidays in Tambun.
March 16, 2011... Besides pomelos and limestone hills, Tambun is also famous for its hot springs. A dip in these pools will surely make you feel better. ALTHOUGH Ipoh was a town made rich by tin and smelting activities in the 1880s, it wasn't until the 1940s...

The doctor examines himself and others.
March 16, 2011... 'A Doctor In The House' * By: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad * Publisher: MPH * Pages: 843 * Price: RM100.00 The much awaited memoirs of the former Prime Minister provides fascinating insight into his life. STORIES of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have...

Educational theme park.
March 16, 2011... RAKAN Riang Sdn Bhd (RRSB), a joint-venture company of Themed Attractions and Resorts (TAR) and Boustead Curve Sdn Bhd, has sealed multiple sponsorships worth over RM8 million recently with six sponsors for RRSB's RM50 million educational theme...

The good doctor's tale.
March 16, 2011... THE long-awaited memoirs of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - A Doctor in the House: the Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - was recently launched in Kuala Lumpur amidst fanfare and excitement. The book has received...

Inovar floor takes Pole position.
March 16, 2011... HOMEGROWN LAMINATE FLOORING BRAND Inovar Floor manufactured by Stalheim Industries Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), has taken the pole position as the leading laminate flooring brand in Japan. According to an independent study by Yano Research Institute,...

UOB partners CL computers.
March 16, 2011... UNITED Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd's partnership with CL Computers Sdn Bhd has enabled the bank to roll out its strategy to move cash transactions to its self-service Recycle Automated Teller Machines (Recycle ATMs). Using its state-of-the-art...

Sony's 2011 products.
March 16, 2011... SONY Malaysia has unveiled its latest 2011 product line-up. Among the new products are the BRAVIA HX925 Series that goes beyond LED, powered by the cutting-edge X-Reality PRO engine, the world's first Full HD Camcorder with built-in projector...

Enter the new BMW 520d.
March 16, 2011... BMW GROUP MALAYSIA HAS ANNOUNCED THE availability of the first diesel- engined variant of the award-winning new BMW 5 Series executive sedan, the all new BMW 520d. Geoffrey Briscoe, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia, in unveiling the...

World halal forum to unveil halal 2.0.
March 16, 2011... THE World Halal Forum (WHF) is now a Not-For-Profit entity , coming into its own, working hand in hand with the International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance) which is the global Halal authority. WHF is now an organisation by the members...

'Lat-Tali-Lat' winner wins Toyota rush.
March 16, 2011... OLDTOWN White Coffee rewarded five winners with the chance to bag a Toyota Rush car and RM20K in cash prizes as the 'Try Everything and Win' contest drew to a close. Christina Soh from Pulau Pinang, Lee Shee Kin from Ipoh, Leong Mun Yoong...

Fuji Xerox printer special.
March 16, 2011... Fuji Xerox has unveiled its latest foray into the light production printer portfolio with the launch of the new Color 550/560 Printer. The printer produces high-quality color output while contributing towards environmental sustainability through...

Sheaffer's three friends of winter.
March 16, 2011... Sheaffer's latest series of fine writing instruments, the Three Friends of Winter, immortalises the story of true and lasting friendships. Drawing inspiration from three of the most enduring flora of winter - bamboo, pine and plum - the series...

BB Goes Colour.
March 16, 2011... The BlackBerry Torch 9800 and the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone are now available in an array of striking colours. The BlackBerry Torch 9800 is now available in two exciting colours - red and white, while the BlackBerry Curve 3G will be...

Malaysia's ICT to perform better.
March 1, 2011... Coming out strong from the 2009 recession, Malaysia's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector is expected to continue to see potential for growth in 2011 through opportunities in both domestic and international market expansion....

Commodity cheer till when?
March 1, 2011... IT has been a dizzying ride for commodity prices worldwide, bringing cheer to those in the commodities business. The big question is: How long can the rally last? Opinions differ, with some saying that demand from fast- growing Chinese and...

Moving up the property value chain.
March 1, 2011... From merely acquiring ready-built commercial assets in the past, Pelaburan Hartanah Bhd (PHB), a real estate investment holding company of Yayasan Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera (YAHB), has moved on to partake competitive property development...

Malaysian Mobile broadband market to be worth RM9 billion by 2015.
March 1, 2011... THE YEAR 2011 AND BEYOND will see mobile broadband as a strong growth driver in the Malaysian market. The mobile broadband and data market was worth about RM6 billion in 2010 and is expected to reach RM9 billion by 2015. According to Nitin...

A major player in office space.
March 1, 2011... Once associated with the construction of affordable homes, property developer EMKAY Group has carved a niche as one major provider of office space over the past five years. The group helmed by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar has joined the...

For a successful BI.
March 1, 2011... IMPLEMENTING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE (BI) projects often require a good mix of technical, business and people management skills. Without the right mix of skills in the project inventory - business requirements gathering skills, data warehouse...

IBM Centennial: The path ahead for the modern corporation.
March 1, 2011... THE YEAR 2011 IS A DOUBLE celebration year for IBM in Malaysia. Globally, IBM celebrates its 100th year, and in Malaysia, its 50th year. And as the global IT giant prepares to chart a new path forward into the next century, IBM aims not to...

Laptops ready for distribution.
March 1, 2011... THE INFORMATION COMMUNICATION And Culture Ministry is to distribute more than 600,000 laptop computers nationwide by the end of this year. Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim says the ministry, through the Malaysian Communication and...

TM invests in Malaysia-Indonesia cable.
March 1, 2011... TELEKOM MALAYSIA BHD (TM) will be investing US$4mil (RM12.2mil) for its portion of the Batam-Dumai-Malacca cable system. The 400km long submarine cable, Batam-Dumai-Malacca (BDM) cable system will connect two routes, Malacca-Batam and...

Only fools rush in.
March 1, 2011... At one point in most people's lives, a thought would come to their heads - they should do something about their financial situation. Most people realise that they have been neglecting their finances while others realise that they have been...

Celcom and Maybank offer enhanced payment process.
March 1, 2011... Celcom Axiata Berhad and Maybank have introduced an enhanced online payment process via Maybank2u.com and M2U Mobile for its customers. The application provides real time payment processing for Celcom subscribers using these platforms to pay...

Red Hat Gears Up for an Active 2011.
March 1, 2011... ON THE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE front, businesses are demanding high performance and reliability at a lower cost and without the general lock in. Gartner predicts that by 2016 open source software will be included in mission-critical software...

PRISM G2 Penetrates the Asian Market.
March 1, 2011... US-based ARES Corporation has teamed up with a local project management software provider Bridgit Sdn Bhd to release software PRISM G2 to the Asian market. In line with the focus and services provided, Bridgit has also been appointed as an...

The lesson from Tunisia.
March 1, 2011... Inequitable distribution of wealth and opportunities has resulted in a sea of protests in the Arab World and North Africa of late, causing bloodshed and violence. We in Malaysia must learn from this and do the right thing in the spirit of...

DEFY for active lifestyle.
March 1, 2011... DEFY IS A SLIM, POCKETABLE Android smartphone that comes equipped with advanced Web-browsing capabilities and a 3.7" high-resolution touch screen display that provides edge to edge views of your favourite photos, videos and websites. Motorola...

Revisiting the IPCMC.
March 1, 2011... The majority of police personnel in the country are now warming up to the idea of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission. Good thing too, as an independent body to rebuild its image would be timely. THE recent revelation...

Independent Directors on PKA Board.
March 1, 2011... AMONG the many disturbing developments and non-developments in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) fiasco, Transparency International (TI) Malaysia and the public are gravely concerned that the proposal for the reappointment of Datuk Rajasingam as...

Can the new 'Magnum' excite?
March 1, 2011... Multi-Purpose Holdings has embarked on a transformation path to become a pure NFO player in Malaysia. Is it a wise move? IT WAS supposed to be a new gaming play then. But three years after privatising the numbers forecast operator (NFO),...

Pos Malaysia Delivers.
March 1, 2011... As the bidding for Pos Malaysia Bhd enters the next stage amid much speculation, analysts remain upbeat about the company. THE open bid for Khazanah Nasional Bhd's 32.21% stake in national postal services provider Pos Malaysia Bhd has entered...

Growing fast.
March 1, 2011... Home-grown biodegradable packaging manufacturer Return 2 Green is facing an unlikely problem - too much demand. Investors are most welcome. MAHADI Mohd is an entrepreneur with a happy problem. His company Return 2 Green Sdn Bhd (R2G) can't...

Big Shift?
March 1, 2011... With economic conditions looking up in Europe and the United States, more funds are expected to leave the emerging markets. DESPITE Malaysia recording a better-than-expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.2% for 2010 and a...

Commodities rally a good thing?
March 1, 2011... The current rally in commodity prices may have some investors cheering. But there are also those who see a bust at the end of it. what is the situation? IT HAS been a dizzying ride for commodity prices worldwide, with a few scaling new...

Commodity sectors: A look at the action.
March 1, 2011... PLANTATIONS Stocks: Sime Darby Bhd, Genting Plantations Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, IOI Corporation Bhd LOCAL research house CIMB Research recently raised its crude palm oil (CPO) price forecast for the sector by 16% to US$1,100...

Bright opportunities to boost your business.
March 1, 2011... The HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) provides a great opportunity to gauge the latest trends and developments in the industry. The HKTDC HONG KONG International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) that was launched two...

Food for thought.
March 1, 2011... While the inflation rate has always been a factor to consider by governments, due attention should be given to the issue of escalating food and energy prices due to its far-reaching effects. INFLATION in Malaysia has been moderate in relation...

US-Malaysia trade ties.
March 1, 2011... Emerging economies and markets notwithstanding, the United States is and will be a 'very important' investing and trading partner for Malaysia. WHEN the crisis year 2009 ended, Malaysia's trade and industry hoped that the start of 2010 would...

Asking the Right Questions.
March 1, 2011... The right answer can help a business get the most value out of its products or services. But first, one must know how to ask the right questions. WHY do you always feel sick after eating certain foods? Why is your electricity bill higher even...

Big on quality, not size.
March 1, 2011... Boutique agency Creative Republic aims to maintain high standards, even if it means having only a handful of clients. IN the world of commercials, two things almost always work - children and a fantastic piece of music, opines Anthony Wong,...

Teamwork Boon.
March 1, 2011... The science of success management system for you and your business. TEAMWORK PAYS HIGH DIVIDENDS, STRENGTHENS HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS 'The Science of Success Management System' strongly emphasises the importance and need to maintain not only...

Seeing too much.
March 1, 2011... Are cooling measures in the Singapore property sector working? THE NEWS headlines recently about developer's home sales for January 2011 were almost comical, doing little justice to the actual reports that followed. Unfortunately, people...

Inflation evaporates our Wealth!
March 1, 2011... Just as water evaporates from a full reservoir, our retirement nest egg too will lose out over the years through the economic phenomenon we call inflation. Planning to improve your future situation is the key. But how? ON THE Saturday before...