Author: malaysiang

BATU KAWAN, The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) is welcoming industry partners and policymakers in the northern region to collaborate in a response to the acute shortage of skilled talent and the urgent need to stimulate research and development (RandD) in the electrical and electronics (EandE) industry in Malaysia.

Its president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the effort is crucial in moving Malaysia up the value chain by developing new technology and producing specialised talent supporting high growth in areas such as advanced integrated circuit (IC) assembly, testing and packaging and IC design.

‘Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), the EandE industry is targeted to contribute RM120 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, compared to RM86.1 billion in 2020.

‘Thus, ASM’s focused effort to work with our esteemed partners in the Northern Region is aimed at making a significant contribution towards achieving this target,’ he told reporters at the 2024 A
SM Northern Chapter roadshow here today.

Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen noted that the roadshow was vital crucial as it was one of ASM initiatives to visit all states so that they could gain a better understanding of the opportunities to collaborate and assist industry partners in the most important areas.

Meanwhile, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Strategic Development Plan prioritised RandD, technology-centric activities and strategic partnerships with academic experts to bolster high-value sectors in the northern region.

He pointed out that the initiative emphasises the EandE industry through implementing the NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) programme.

‘Guided by the NCER Strategic Development Plan 2024-2030, NCIA is deeply committed to fostering an environment where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and communities will ultimately benefit and prosper,’ he said.

The 2024 ASM N
orthern Chapter roadshow in collaboration with NCIA has attracted both online and physical participants, including industry, government agencies, multinational corporations (MNCs), and startups to engage in discussions during the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Series and Innovation Kopitiam as well as the 39th ideaXchange focusing on smart technologies related to the EandE industry.

The one-day roadshow also showcased other ASM initiatives and programmes such as the Malaysia Open Science Platform (MOSP), 10-10 MySTIE Framework, e-estidotmy, Planetary Health, Tropical Science Foundation, Science Communications and career opportunities.

The next ASM roadshow is scheduled be hold at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru on June 12.

According to a 2022 Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) report, the EandE sector continues to be the major contributor to Malaysia’s export earnings, accounting for RM593.5 billion worth of exports or 38.2 per cent of t
otal exports.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has instructed Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) to conduct a comprehensive study involving areas at risk of tree falling incidents along its railway tracks.

Minister Anthony Loke said Prasarana also needs to engage in discussions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) or relevant local authorities to identify the locations involved.

“The maintenance work actually falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities, and there are also private areas, so we cannot simply enter those areas.

“However, as the operator, we need to be more proactive, and I have asked Prasarana to conduct a more detailed study into these at-risk areas and then discuss with DBKL or relevant local authorities about it, especially along the monorail and LRT routes,” he told reporters after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

Loke said monorails and LRTs are more susceptible to untoward incidents such as tree falls due to their tracks being located in the middle of urban areas.

”
Because our railway system is mostly above ground and monorail tracks are in the middle of the city.

“Tree maintenance is one of the main agendas that need to be prioritised. Previously, there was regular maintenance, but with incidents like this occurring, we need to double our efforts,” he said.

On Tuesday, a man died while two others were injured after a tree fell on Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, hitting 17 vehicles and a monorail track.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended a personal donation to actor and comedian Ebby Yus to cover his medical and daily necessities.

In his social media post today, Anwar said the donation was presented to Ebby by his political secretary Ahmad Farhan Fauzi who visited the comedian yesterday.

Ebby is suffering from various complications of chronic illnesses, which have been limiting his involvement in the entertainment industry.

‘Praying for his continued strength and swift recovery, Insya-Allah,’ said Anwar in the post.

Last December, it was reported that Ebby, whose real name is Muhammad Yunus Abdul Rashid, 58, underwent a pacemaker implantation surgery due to heart problems.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

In the southern region culture, muc dong (herdsmen) are more than just men or young boys tending to grazing oxes and cows, they are believed to be the ascendants of ‘Than Nong’ (Shennong – deity of agriculture). In the central province of Da Nang’s Phong Le village, Muc dong festival is held every three years to honour the herdsman’s hard work and the mythical powers of Than Nong. This is the one and only festival in Vietnam held for herdsman. This year, the festival is taking place from May 7 – 8 (March 29 and April 1 in lunar calendar), including three ceremonies and various activities. The first ceremony takes place at the local temple worshipping Than Nong, then the procession walks from the temple to ‘con Than’ (the deity’s mound) for a second ceremony. The second ceremony invites the deity’s spirit to join the festival, followed by another procession to carry the spirit to the village’s communal house. The third ceremony takes place inside the communal house, where heads of households pray for their fa
mily’s well-being, prosperity and bumper crop. After the ceremony, locals sing and dance about Than Nong and pray for favourable weather. The event re-enacts a traditional ritual practice of locals in Hoa Vang district, with the aim to educate younger generations on local culture and to attract visitors to the district.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Communications Ministry will focus on expanding Malaysian film industry throughout the Southeast Asian market before venturing further afield, its minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

His observations showed that the Southeast Asian film industry has huge potential based on the population of the region.

‘Isn’t it better if a Malaysian film can be shown throughout Southeast Asia? Malaysia has 33 million people… those who watch films are between 10 and 12 million.

‘Imagine our film shown throughout Southeast Asia with its population of 660 million. I feel this is a big market. We also want to watch other films in this region and maybe we can call this the Road to Asean,’ he told reporters after the special screening of ‘Sheriff: Narko Integriti’ here tonight, adding that to realise this dream, his ministry would review the Digital Content Fund to develop the country’s film industry.

He also said that his ministry has instructed the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) to have a m
eeting with its strategic partners in the region, including film distributors, and to invite speakers so that the government’s efforts and aim towards ASEAN Cinema is achieved.

‘My hope is that we can invite them all before the end of the year when Malaysia takes over the ASEAN chairmanship.

‘We will forward the positive and good results of such discussions in the context of ASEAN,’ he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

MANILA: National University and University of Santo Tomas will dispute the UAAP Season 86 men’s and women’s volleyball titles after taking different routes to the finals.

The fourth-ranked UST Golden Spikers completed their sweep of the top-seeded Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-18, 21-25, 26-24, 26-24, at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Outside hitter and reigning Most Valuable Player Josh Ybañez made 19 points and 13 excellent receptions for the Golden Spikers, who forced the decider following a 25-23, 25-19, 28-26 victory on Sunday.

It was the first time that a fourth-ranked volleyball team made the finals since the Final Four format was introduced in 2004.

Three-time defending champion NU eliminated De La Salle, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, in the first game.

NU won last year via a sweep of UST, but the Golden Spikers mastered the Bulldogs in the elimination round this season.

‘Actually, I just let them play the whole match, I had little interference. I was actually a cheerlea
der earlier, not their coach. I let them play and they delivered,’ UST head coach Odjie Mamon after the two hour and 23-minute match.

Both Santo Tomas teams are headed to the finals for the first time since Seasons 72 and 73 after the second-seeded women’s team dethroned De La Salle University, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, also on Sunday.

It will take on top-seeded NU, which finally disposed of FEU, 25-13, 27-25, 25-15, late Wednesday.

Bella Belen led the Lady Bulldogs with 21 points, including five aces.

FEU delayed NU’s finals march with a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 triumph on Saturday.

The UST men’s team won four straight titles in Seasons 70 to 73 but FEU stopped its run in Season 74.

On the other hand, the women’s team beat La Salle in the Season 72 finals but La Salle exacted revenge the following year.

Those were the last volleyball titles of both UST teams.

The best-of-three ‘Battle of Sampaloc’ championship round, referring to the Manila district where both schools are located, will start Satur
day, also at Araneta.

The men’s final will be at 2 p.m. while the women’s match fires off 4 p.m.

Game Two will be at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on May 15, after the awarding of individual awards at 1 p.m.

If necessary, Game Three will also be at the Pasay Arena on May 18.

Color it yellow

Meanwhile, UST announced another ‘Yellow Day’ on Thursday to show support for the Golden Booters when they face the twice-to-beat University of the Philippines Maroons in the Final Four of men’s football.

Game time is 7 p.m. at the UP Diliman pitch in Quezon City.

UP swept UST in the preliminaries, 2-1 and 4-0.

Defending champion FEU will battle No. 4 Ateneo in the other semi.

The finals will be held May 16.

Source: Philippines News Agency