Malaysian Business articles from May 2011

Malaysian Business archives from May 2011

Forces going places.
May 16, 2011... THERE seems to be no stopping the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund or Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT). It has grown stronger and has today an asset base of RM60 billion and a string of diversified businesses, including six listed...

Innovative Sedania.
May 16, 2011... Sedania Media Group believes that its strength lies in its ability to be customer centric in offering a broader based media content by using multimedia convergence. Today, it hopes to continue breaking new grounds with innovative products and...

Virtual office at Servcorp.
May 16, 2011... SERVCORP mALAYSIA, THE GLOBAL company that provides efficient serviced offices and furnished office rentals, is now offering Malaysia-based companies an alternative to a physical, furnished office with the launching of its virtual offices. ...

Q-Lab sets to be a software testing hub.
May 16, 2011... MALAYSIA SOFTWARE TESTING Board's (MSTB) advanced software testing laboratory, named Q-Lab, is on track to achieve its aim to become a regional software testing hub in the next five years. Opened in June last year, business is certainly...

SKALI adds Microsoft Windows-based hosting.
May 16, 2011... SKALI Group and Microsoft Malaysia announced the availability of Windows- based hosting through SKALI Cloud Services. The new service will offer SKALI's customers an expanded range of licensed and well-designed hosting options that will deliver...

Local UPS market on the rise.(Company overview)
May 16, 2011... EATON, A GLOBAL LEADER IN power protection, distribution and management solutions, expects the Malaysian uninterruptible power system (UPS) market in 2011 to reach US$42 million this year, an increase from the estimated US$40 million recorded...

Consumerisation of IT.
May 16, 2011... THE LAST 24 MONTHS HAVE brought an explosion of new devices, web applications, and social media platforms. With every new product release or social network launch, CIOs are under pressure from their employees, including senior executives, to...

Even mighty PAP not spared.
May 16, 2011... Although the ruling People's Action Party of Singapore won the recent election, it was its worst ever performance in the island-republic's history as the Opposition made greater inroads into the Parliament. Other regional governments would do...

Transparency in political funding.
May 16, 2011... The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has come up with some sound proposals to champion greater transparency. But certain quarters seem to be against them. Why? THE MALAYSIAN ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (MACC) proposed in its 2010 annual...

Small cap play.(Company overview)
May 16, 2011... Are small cap stocks on the local exchange still worth pursuing? WITH THE market rally continuing and with no signs of reversing, and many stocks having rallied over the last two years already, investors are probably wondering whether it is...

Smooth operation.
May 16, 2011... Petronas Dagangan Bhd rides on both brand-building and technology to power its way through the engine-lubricant business. PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd (PDB) plans to accelerate the growth of its Malaysian lubricant business from the current 6%-8%...

Turnaround For Sime Unit?
May 16, 2011... Sime Darby Bhd's beleaguered E&U division seems to be on the road to recovery with its recent clinching of a RM1.15 billion contract to fabricate oil rig platforms. SIME Darby Engineering Sdn Bhd's securing of a RM1.15 billion contract...

Organic move.
May 16, 2011... Grand Bell Trading Sdn Bhd prepares to penetrate the organic innerwear market with its Skiva range. GRAND Bell Trading Sdn Bhd, owner of homegrown lingerie brand Skiva, is poised to expand further into healthy innerwear by going organic. ...

Conducting growth.
May 16, 2011... What's in store for the global semiconductor sector this year after its strong recovery last year, and who are the players likely to benefit? THE global semiconductor sector bounced back strongly last year after slumping to one of its worst...

Glittering jewel.
May 16, 2011... Jeweller Tomei Consolidated's exciting growth prospects is attracting a lot of attention. WITH GOLD prices having traded to their highs in recent months, much like other commodities, it is sort of presenting a double-edged sword to players...

LTAT: Soldiering on.
May 16, 2011... With its consistently strong returns and high dividends, the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund puts other government-linked funds in the shade. THE Armed Forces Superannuation Fund, or better known as Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT),...

Thoroughly enjoying it.
May 16, 2011... Managing the investment portfolios of diverse entities is a task to be relished for Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin TAN Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin has been at the helm of Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) since 1982, and subsequently also...

LTAT'S companies.(Company overview)
May 16, 2011... As custodian of the nation's Armed Forces investment fund, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) has in its stable a diversified range of businesses that include the following six listed entities: BOUSTEAD HOLDINGS BHD THE flagship...

Man of merit.
May 16, 2011... Decorated public servant and intellectual Datuk Dr Zainal Aznam Yusof passed on recently. What we will remember about him is his pivotal role in economic policy making and his accessibility to everyone. IT IS NO exaggeration to say that when...

Code of ethics in business.
May 16, 2011... CIMA's recent forum entitled 'Ethics and Business - New Corporate Challenges and Opportunities' addressed the need for ethics to be embedded in business models, organisational strategy and decision-making processes. IN AN age where...

Highlighting opportunities for general business.
May 16, 2011... Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme, in seeking to revive private investment as a means to lifting the economy, must not overlook small and medium businesses. WATCH out Hollywood, Malaysian 'Transformers' are getting more attention...

Money talk.
May 16, 2011... A strengthening ringgit will do more good than harm, it would seem. THE Malaysian ringgit has appreciated against the US dollar and is expected to continue strengthening, going forward. Positive economic growth, healthy currency account of...

The importance of law.
May 16, 2011... Stalling actions to address errors only serves to add more pressure in any given situation, especially one which is political in nature. Therefore, it would be wise to address any shortcomings at the outset itself. THERE ARE two ancient Roman...

Brand promise.
May 16, 2011... Can the end really justify the means? An ESG perspective. BRAND promise is a perpetual promise and mainstay of a company's aspirations and precept to satisfactorily serve its target market. With brand promise, end users are assured of the...

Music & the marketing mix.
May 16, 2011... Music makes your brand go round, marketers have found. MUSIC, they say, is a universal language. Marketers have long learnt the benefits of celebrity endorsement in promoting their brands. Music offers a host of opportunities for companies...

A time for healing.
May 16, 2011... The People's Action Party was returned to power with an overwhelming majority - 81 of 87 seats - in Singapore recently, but it was the Workers' Party that wrote itself into the history books by capturing, for the first time, a Group...

The power of our personal capital.
May 16, 2011... Personal and social capital has a direct impact on our success and we should continuously evaluate and enhance it. I recently met with an old client and in the process of chatting, I found out that he was facing a challenge with one team...

Intellect vs intelligence.
May 16, 2011... The Intellect is distinct from intelligence. While we spend many years acquiring the latter, we neglect the former, with disastrous results. THE crux of the problem that humanity faces today is the failure to distinguish the intellect from...

Inflation, depreciation or both?
May 16, 2011... With prices set to fluctuate over time because of economic uncertainties, a two-track approach might help save the day. HAVE YOU ever detected a palpable sense of rising panic within your heart? One that swells from the stark realisation that...

Risk-taking in frontier markets.
May 16, 2011... Frontier markets may be deemed more risky than the more developed emerging markets, but they also have their windows of opportunity. FRONTIER markets are commonly used to describe a subset of emerging markets. Frontier markets have lower...

Here or gone?
May 16, 2011... What's happening with the Goods & Services Tax in Malaysia? Are we any closer to implementing it? WHERE are we at with the elusive Goods & Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia? The much-talked about GST has been toyed with for many years...

Once a teacher always a teacher.
May 16, 2011... Octogenarian Tan Sri Dr Yahaya Ibrahim is still as passionate about education today as when he first started his career many, many years ago. What keeps him going is the desire that every teacher should aspire to be a great teacher. TAN...

A lap with Lotus.
May 16, 2011... Melia Hotel Kuala Lumpur teamed up with Lotus to give its corporate clients the sensation of speed round the Sepang F1 circuit recently. THE sensation of speed brings out the boy in many men, and some women too. Not many would have,...

A pictorial on Harry.
May 16, 2011... 'Harry Lee Kuan Yew - A Pictorial Account of His Life and Times', * By: Rodney King with Cartoons by Greg Smith * Publisher: Insight Press, Australia * Pages: 52 * Price: RM58.90 Harry Lee Kuan Yew - A Pictorial Account of His...

Dare to brand.
May 16, 2011... 'The Brutal Truth About Asian Branding... and how to break the vicious cycle', * By: Joseph Baladi * Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd * Pages: 280 * Price: RM119.80 The Brutal Truth About Asian Branding offers a...

AKAS Success.
May 16, 2011... Anjung Seri, a Berita Publishing Sdn Bhd (BPSB) publication, recently held its 'Anugerah Kreatif Anjung Seri 2011 (AKAS 2011)' awards for the eighth time at Holiday Villa Hotel & Suites Subang. The awards bestowed 15 house- owners, two...

INTRADE 2011 gets underway.
May 16, 2011... MATRADE has announced its hosting of INTRADE Malaysia 2011 from Nov 22 to 24 this year at the MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Themed 'The One Place for International Trade', this fifth edition of the annual...

Bosch's power tools Asia cordless race 2011.
May 16, 2011... On the occasion of its 125th anniversary, Bosch celebrates with the 'Bosch Power Tools Asia Cordless Race 2011'. Held for the first time in Malaysia, the race aims to cultivate an innovative mindset amongst Malaysia's future generation by...

SOBA returns.
May 16, 2011... The Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) returns for the second year and was officially announced recently. SOBA 2011 is organised by The Star with EXIM Bank as presenter and BMW as gold sponsor. Shang Hai is the official business magazine...

EON Bank's 'LCD TV giftaway' campaign.
May 16, 2011... EON Bank Group is once again rewarding customers with LCD TVs in the second season of its 'LCD TV Giftaway Campaign'. The successful first season saw the banking group recording a total of RM789 million in home loan sales during the three-month...

Astro B.yond IPTV.
May 16, 2011... Astro delivers the best of Broadcast, Broadband and Voice through its latest service - Astro B.yond IPTV (Internet Protocol TV). Astro B.yond IPTV brings to life true digital lifestyle, serving the needs of knowledge-driven and globally...

Less fat.
May 16, 2011... Philip's Airfryer's patented Rapid Air technology enables you to make the tastiest fries that contain up to 80% less fat! Enjoy delicious fries, snacks and meals in a healthy and fast way. It provides less smell and is easy to clean for daily...

Colombian firm buys Malaysian technology.
May 16, 2011... Colombia-based Industria AVM SA (AVM), a major fabricator of palm oil mill and refineries, has contracted Ronser Bio-Tech Sdn Bhd (Ronser) to design a waste water treatment plant that will reduce Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) discharge to nearly...

Oil & gas sales of RM560 million.
May 16, 2011... A Malaysian delegation of oil and gas service providers on a Specialised Marketing Mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Kuwait, organised and led by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) from March 28 to April...

HTC & Maxis sign strategic MoU.
May 16, 2011... HTC Corporation and Maxis Bhd have formalised their partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will allow Maxis to continue to be the first telco in Malaysia to exclusively offer existing and up-and-coming HTC smart...

Oto Melara & Genting Etika collaboration.
May 16, 2011... Oto Melara, a Finmeccanica company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of naval, air and land weapons systems, has announced a collaboration agreement with Genting Etika, Oto Melara's authorized agent in Malaysia, which will see the...

Smelter project.
May 16, 2011... Gulf International Investment Group (GIIG) Holdings Sdn Bhd, headed by Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, and UAE-based business leader Mohamed Alabbar, have entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Aluminium Corporation...

Malaysian furniture earning global recognition.
May 16, 2011... Malaysia is poised to make the leap from being recognised as one of the world's top-10 players in quality furniture manufacturing to being recognised as a design destination for creative design and innovation in the global furniture industry. ...

OSK goes regional.
May 16, 2011... OSK Research Sdn Bhd's 7th edition of the Top Malaysian Small Caps (50 Jewels) featuring 50 of Malaysia's top small caps is of special significance to the OSK Investment Bank Group as it has launched for the first time, the Top Singapore Small...

A Glitter in the forgotten city.
May 1, 2011... Cheah Chor Sooi stumbles upon Ipoh as a value-for-money real estate prospect Mention Ipoh to any seasoned real estate investor and the state capital of Perak is likely to be perceived as a 'forbidden city', no thanks to the snail-pace...

Redtone's China expansion.
May 1, 2011... Redtone International Bhd, a telecommunications solutions provider, sees significant progress coming from its China operations, mainly driven by both geographical and product expansion. REDTONE ASIA INC., THE SUBSIDIARY OF ACE market listed...

Space: The final frontier.
May 1, 2011... THE aviation and aerospace industry is fast growing into a huge one. Spurring it on is the fact that it has been identified as one of the strategic and high-technology areas by the government. Currently, there are close to 200 aerospace...

The rise of online shopping.
May 1, 2011... ONLINE SHOPPING IN THE COUNTRY is on an upward trend as Malaysians continue to find great value in buying products and services via the web as part of their daily lives so much so the market is expected to reach RM5 billion by 2015 after...

MSC Malaysia enters third phase.
May 1, 2011... RECENTLY UNVEILED MSC Malaysia Phase 3, the final phase covering the period of 2011 to 2020, signals the fulfilment of the Multimedia Super Corridor The Multimedia Development Corporation_(MdeC) chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali...

Be careful of debts.
May 1, 2011... Every now and then I would receive a question on mortgage re-financing. 'Azizi, should I refinance my mortgage?' was the typical question posed to me. 'I took a mortgage 10 years ago when the interest rate was 6.75%. Now that the interest...

ISA innovations launches justSAMit.
May 1, 2011... A FIRST LOCALLY DEVELOPED CLOUD-BASED IT Asset Management solution that enables businesses to better manage business operations and gain significant cost savings through greater control and visibility over their IT assets has been released by...

Celcom improves Smartphone Ecosystem in Sarawak.
May 1, 2011... TO COMPLEMENT ITS EXTENSIVE range of smartphones and to build up a strong stable network to elevate customers' experience in Sarawak, Celcom Axiata Berhad has inked a fiberisation leasing agreement with Sacofa Sdn Bhd. The scope of this...

UMP selects Oracle solutions.
May 1, 2011... IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE ITS technology infrastructure, Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), a technical-based university with a focus on practical engineering education, has deployed Oracle Database 11g and Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC). ...

Collaborative, competitive and profitable Asian businesses.
May 1, 2011... AS ASIAN BUSINESSES LOOK AT rapid expansion in 2011, the need for efficient business communication systems has never been greater. Fast growth will bring new opportunities and increased competition. Add to that changing landscape a new...

Incredibly Nifty!
May 1, 2011... THE FIRST THING ONE WILL notice about the Incredible S is its rear - it has a 'vacuum packed' look to it, with its chassis showing the outline of the battery and innards - and how pleasant it feels in the hand, thanks to its smooth rubberised...

Bring in the professionals.
May 1, 2011... The Maju Institute of Educational Development was initiated with the noble intention of upgrading the lot of the Indian community via education. Therefore, it would be best to leave politics out of its equation and let the professionals do...

Ekovest eyes Kulim.
May 1, 2011... Ekovest Bhd is believed to be among parties expressing an interest in the purported sale of Kulim (M) Bhd by Johor Corporation Bhd. How strong is its bid? THERE has been much speculation of late that Johor Corporation Bhd (JCorp) may be...

Hardly well-oiled.
May 1, 2011... With very little going for IOI Corporation at the moment, upside seems limited. Is it worth a 'hold'? IOI Corp Bhd does not look too sexy to some analysts, for now. They see very few catalysts for the stock, especially on the plantation...

Corporate.
May 1, 2011... Malaysian Building Society is seen as having more upside, thanks to its favourable risk and reward investment case. DESPITE the local market having rallied significantly over the last two years, there are still jewels to be found. This is the...

Rural development.
May 1, 2011... Hundreds of kilometres of new roads are to be funded under the GTP across Sabah. While this augurs well for the state, the highest standards need to be maintained. WHEN IT comes to East Malaysia, go back in time, and you find that the economy...

Working with flexibility.
May 1, 2011... What can we do to have companies give greater emphasis to work-life balance for their employees and, in the process, help fill the talent needs of industries? AS global socio-economic patterns change, so does the way we work. Latest trends...

Reaching for the skies.(Company overview)
May 1, 2011... Malaysia is not out to build aircraft big time. But that is no reason why it cannot be part of the supply chain for the global aviation and aerospace industry, including the giant plane-makers, as well as a major hub for maintenance, repair...

The players.(Company overview)
May 1, 2011... Some notable operators in Malaysian aviation and aerospace. APART FROM ITS OWN HOME-GROWN players, Malaysia's aerospace industry has some world-renowned companies operating here. The following is a snapshot of some of the more prominent local...

Recognising EG.
May 1, 2011... The 'Malaysian Business - CIMA Enterprise Governance Awards 2011', now into its fourth year, kicks off with the inaugural judges meeting. THE 'Malaysian Business - CIMA Enterprise Governance Awards 2011' has kicked off with the panel of...

Riding high.
May 1, 2011... All eyes are on the local oil and gas sector as it's set to continue its strong performance on Bursa Malaysia fuelled by high oil prices. INVESTORS looking for a possible big theme play may want to consider the oil and gas (O&G) sector,...

Media comes of age.
May 1, 2011... From the backroom boys to the forefront - the media industry has broken away from being just a department within some creative agency to a position all its own. THE media industry has come a long way from when it was just a small department...

Automating key business processes.
May 1, 2011... Business Process Automation has become a widely adopted management technique used by top management of corporate organisations and businesses today to rethink how work gets done in order to improve customer service, reduce operational cost and...

The science of performance management.
May 1, 2011... How to get people in your team to perform at their best consistently, regardless of whether you are there or not. IF YOU talk to any sales manager, he will say that he wished he could clone his top sales person... that one person who...

Imagination triggers creativity.
May 1, 2011... The science of success management system for you and your business. SUCCESSFUL people have the tendency to do the impossible. They are unafraid of criticism and possess the 'dare-to-do spirit' that inspires them to excel and succeed in every...

Debt: Wealth destroyer or wealth driver?
May 1, 2011... Take a close look at your debt situation. For an improved financial future, clear your bad debt first. THIS IS my 150th consecutive financial planning column for Malaysian Business over the last six years and three months. So, to celebrate...

Turning problems into opportunities.
May 1, 2011... Every problem presents an opportunity. Look for it and seize it. NO MATTER how well your selling skills are, how well your plan is, or how competent you are, you are bound to encounter an obstacle or two along the way. Should there be bumpy...

Investment ideas.
May 1, 2011... In view of the volatility in world markets, how do we grow wealth? IN THIS issue, I will briefly share some insights from our recent Investment Convention held on April 9 where speakers gave information, strategies and tools to protect and...

Empowering women.
May 1, 2011... The name Datuk Ramani Gurusamy is respected in social activist circles, but just who is this lady whose smile and crusading to get better deals for women at the workplace and society seem to bring results? WILSON HENRY gets some insight into the...

Magnificent Miri.
May 1, 2011... Initially famed for oil, the Sarawakian town of Miri has experienced a different sort of boom of late...tourism. IF NOT for the persistence of a young college dropout, Miri would probably never have made history as Malaysia's first oil well...

Embarking on sure-win negotiations.
May 1, 2011... Secrets of Power Negotiating (Updated for the 21st Century) * By: Roger Dawson * Publisher: Advantage Quest * Pages: 351 * Price: RM39.90 Secrets of Power Negotiating shows you how to seal a deal in a favourable way. EACH and...

Building business with social media.
May 1, 2011... '30 Days to Social Media Success', * By: Gail Z. Martin * Publisher: Advantage Quest Publications * Pages: 208 * Price: RM29.90 30 Days to Social Media Success is the resource for busy people who want quick results. JUST about...

Thinking green.
May 1, 2011... THINKING Green Sdn Bhd, a new start-up company focusing on renewable energy development, designs and micro architecture, has developed a variety of applications integrating green technology in the form of solar- powered energy utilizing...

RAM appointment.
May 1, 2011... RAM Holdings Bhd has appointed Datuk Dr K Govindan as its Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Govindan holds a PhD (Economics), Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of London, and Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University...

Maxis' multiple-play service.
May 1, 2011... Maxis Bhd has launched the first multiple-play service in Malaysia with its Maxis Home Services. The service is available to customers in fibre- connected areas nationwide. For the first time in Malaysia, customers get to experience...