Day: July 28, 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia’s new national shipping policy must not only encourage the development of a robust domestic fleet to reduce dependency on foreign vessels but also provide more funding to modernise and accelerate the transition to green shipping. Industry players said, among other things, the policy should prepare Malaysian shippers to navigate the shifting dynamics of global trade and a volatile environment due to unforeseen circumstances, such as regional conflicts. They also hope that the new policy, which is expected to be presented to the cabinet by year-end, will focus on increasing Malaysian tonnage and reducing reliance on foreign vessels.

KUALA LUMPUR, A robust domestic semiconductor industry, nurtured by the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), can reduce reliance on imports and strengthen the automotive supply chain, said the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii). Its chief executive officer, Azrul Reza Aziz said electric vehicles (EVs) rely on semiconductor components for critical functions, such as battery management and onboard computing, among others. ‘Hence, supply chain development is crucial for supporting the production and assembly of EVs,’ he told Bernama. For instance, a hybrid car typically requires around 1,500 microchips, while EVs may require at least 3,000 chips per car, sourced from

KUALA LUMPUR, SME Bank group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Aria Putera Ismail will leave the organisation at the end of his tenure to pursue new opportunities. Group chief corporate strategy officer Datuk Dr Mohammad Hardee Ibrahim will assume the role of acting group president and CEO starting from Sept 3, 2024, the development financial institution said. ‘Mohammad Hardee brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, specialising in business banking and strategic management. He has served SME Bank in numerous portfolios including treasury, corporate finance, business banking and most recently, corporate strategy,’ it

JOHOR BAHRU, The Johor pilot school which will be introduced by the state government next year is believed to be able to improve the quality of education and its success is expected to be seen within a year or two. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the teachers involved will be prepared with the necessary curriculum and knowledge before the programme starts in February 2025. He said the proposed action to be implemented in relation to the pilot school had also received the approval of the Acting Sultan of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, and that the