OhBear Cars to promote Taiwan

TO expand the attraction of Malaysian tourists to Taiwan, the Taiwan Tourism Administration KL office launched the “2023 Taiwan OhBear Cars” on Friday.

At the launch, held at LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, the organisation invited everyone “to pay attention to Taiwan's latest travel themes and participate in a social media giveaway, for a chance to win free round-trip tickets to Taiwan”.

Taiwan Tourism Administration KL office director Abe Chou, stated that the three-month thematic car promotion campaign launched in post-pandemic Malaysia was to encourage Malaysian tourists to choose Taiwan as their priority travel destination in 2024.

Starting this month, 200 specially-designed OhBear Cars will roam the streets of the Klang Valley area in Malaysia.

The cars are wrapped in three designs by local artist and “Top 10 Outstanding Young Malaysian & World Creative Art Master” Stanley Goh.

He expressed his hope that Malaysians, upon seeing the three different OhBear Car designs, would feel the vibrant and fun-filled experiences of Taiwan travel.

He designed the car body wraps with the themes “Railway Tourism”, “Taiwan's Hot Springs” and “Muslim-Friendly”.

Railway Tourism combines Taiwan's traditional blue train with the deep blue Pacific Ocean, colourful hot air balloons, and the brilliant golden daylily flower sea in Hualien, “providing Malaysian friends with a joyful and comfortable atmosphere for traveling in Eastern Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Hot Springs utilises Taiwan's hot springs and beautiful spring cherry blossoms “to attract Malaysian friends to experience the beauty, romance, and relaxation of Taiwan's springtime.

Muslim-Friendly focuses on the lantern experience that Southeast Asian tourists enjoy, “along with features such as the Pingxi Line Railway and the Houtong Cat Village, inviting Muslim friends to travel in Taiwan”.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia deputy head Dr Joy Yen stated that Malaysia is an important source of inbound tourists for Taiwan.

From January to August this year, the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Taiwan exceeded 250,000.

“Malaysian tourists have discovered three main advantages of travelling to Taiwan – a safe society, convenient transportation and friendly and hospitable people, which allow them to explore the beauty of Taiwan comfortably.

“Currently, the Taiwan Tourism Administration KL office is promoting the ‘Taiwan the Lucky Land’ campaign, offering international travellers to participate in a lucky draw and get a chance to win a travel prize worth NT$5,000 (RM734). Taiwan welcomes more friends from Malaysia to travel to Taiwan and enjoy these blessings.”

Snap & Win to win round-trip tickets

The public only need to take photos of “Taiwan OhBear Cars” on the road and upload them to their personal Facebook or Instagram accounts to have a chance to win round-trip air tickets to Taiwan.

The Taiwan Tourism Administration KL office is also providing 300 accommodation vouchers worth NT$5,000 each.

Third among ‘best travel destinations globally for non-Islamic organisations’

To welcome Muslims from around the world, Taiwan continues to improve its Muslim-friendly travel environment.

Currently, Taiwan has nearly 300 restaurants and hotels with halal certification.

According to the Mastercard 2023 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), Taiwan ranks third among the best travel destinations globally for non-Islamic organisations.

Taiwan has consistently performed well in the Global Muslim Travel Index for several years, not only successfully integrating Muslim travel resources but also demonstrating enthusiasm, friendliness and respect for Muslims in terms of social safety and religious freedom, which has earned recognition from international organisations.

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Evergreen Group unveils new corporate haven in M’sia with HWG partnership

KUALA LUMPUR: Evergreen Group Holdings and Holistic Wealth Group (HWG) have joined forces to transform the financial industry landscape in Malaysia.

The financial entity known for its Fund Management and Financial Institution Licenses in various Asian regions has for the first time opened its corporate office in Pisteuo’s UpTown Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

HWG is currently leading an amazing journey of growth and transformation, with a clear goal of becoming the top-notch provider of wealth management services. This partnership of the pioneer business will surely shed light on the future of the clients, making their lives more fulfilling.

Evergreen Group Holdings: A leading financial entity with a vision for positive impact

Well-known Singaporean K-pop singer David Yong, who is also Evergreen Group Holdings CEO, said: “We are committed to long-term commitment and positive impact.”

He added that Evergreen Group Holdings aims to transform the financial industry landscape through strategic partnerships, comprehensive financial advisory, and socially responsible initiatives.

Yong said, “The milestone will be celebrated alongside the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HWG, a leading wealth management company. Furthermore, we embrace the latest advancements in the financial industry to provide the best possible service.”

Moving forward, he added that their dedication to excellence and innovation will continue to set new benchmarks in wealth management and positively impact the financial well-being of their clients.

“This venture will contribute to the improvement of the financial landscape and enable the provision of comprehensive financial advisory to individuals, businesses, and institutions.”

A historic partnership – equal emphasis on Evergreen and HWG

This partnership is not just about collaboration; it’s about creating a financial ecosystem that addresses the diverse financial needs of the region.

In addition to the partnership announcement, Evergreen Group Holdings will also celebrate a significant milestone for its subsidiary company Maxima, which operates under the HWG umbrella.

Maxima CEO Jenson Lim said: “We have achieved noteworthy success in obtaining the BNM approved financial advisory and crafting a top-tier, industry-disruptive strategy that will propel its financial advisers into exponential growth.

“Evergreen Group Holdings is dedicated to making a positive impact on society and we are proud to announce our collaboration with government bodies to provide crucial financial backing to affordable housing schemes,” he added.

He said the MoU signing ceremony will mark a historic moment in the wealth management industry as Evergreen Group Holdings and HWG take a monumental step towards the community.

“Together, Evergreen Group Holdings and HWG are underway to offer more cross border financial product solution which will be a valuable asset,” he added.

Yong said the partnership with HWG promises to enhance the capabilities of both organisations and expand the range of financial products and services they can offer.

These initiatives further demonstrate the commitment of this joint venture to meet the diverse financial needs of the region.

HWG: A collaborative force with a client centric approach

As a trendy collaborator with a touch of pizzazz – HWG, a prominent wealth management company join forces to offer a variety of financial advisory to individuals, businesses and institutions.

Its CEO, Datuk Chua Meng Min said: “With a focus on client centricity, HWG prioritises the needs and desires of all stakeholders in providing innovative financial solutions and driving growth within the industry.

“The key to achieving this mission lies in our commitment to nurturing and empowering the most talented individuals in the wealth management field. Their expertise and unwavering dedication ensure that our clients’ financial aspirations are realised,” he remarked.

Chua said the company takes great pride in offering a wide range of innovative and diversified portfolio solutions, perfectly tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs.

The partnership with HWG promises to enhance the capabilities of both organisations and expand the range of financial products and services they can offer, Yong said.

Recognising that housing plays a vital role in maintaining stable communities and enhancing the quality of life, Yong and Evergreen Group COO Desmond Sim said the partnership aims to facilitate access to safe and affordable housing for as many individuals and families as possible.

“This collaboration reflects their vision for long-term commitment and positive social impact,” the initiators said.

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Rediscover Malaysia's culinary heritage with Ayam Brand pastes

MALAYSIANS have a strong affinity for authentic traditional cuisine, says Ayam Brand Malaysia. However, some segments of the population, including millennials, Gen Z and Alphas, may face challenges in preparing these heritage dishes, it adds.

To address this, Ayam Brand is dedicated to creating increasingly convenient culinary solutions. The purpose is to provide individuals with the opportunity to savor the genuine flavours of home they cherish, even if they lack extensive culinary experience.

“Through this strategic product extension within the brand, Ayam Brand committed to simplifying the cooking process and delivering delectable recipes that can be enjoyed with family,” says Ayam Brand Malaysia marketing manager Teoh Wei Ling.

She added that if one is celebrating something with family or friends, surprise and delight them with a heritage dishes such as chicken curry, sambal tumis, asam pedas or rendang.

“Simply reach for Ayam Brand Pastes that come in four variants: Ayam Brand Chicken Curry Paste, Ayam Brand Sambal Tumis Paste, Ayam Brand Asam Pedas Paste and Ayam Brand Rendang Paste. Guaranteed authentic tasting, and fool-proof as long as you follow the instructions on the pack and watch the stove,“ says Teoh.

A single 180gm Ayam Brand Paste pack, topped with 500gm to 600gm of protein of your choice, can be ready in 30 minutes or less and can generously feed five or six people. Ayam Brand assures consumers that its pastes are free from preservatives, added MSG and additives, and are certified halal by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). Each pack retails for only RM5.

“Grab your Ayam Brand Pastes on your next grocery until Oct 31, in conjunction with ‘Ayam Brand’s Bonanza Beli & Menang’, which offers a total of RM100,000 in prizes.”

The prizes include five grand prizes of 20gm gold bars, seven first runner-up prizes of 10gm gold bars, nine second runner-up prizes of 5gm gold bars, 40 consolation prizes of RM500 Touch 'n Go credit, and 180 weekly prizes of RM100 Touch 'n Go credit.

“A minimum spend of RM20 on Ayam Brand and/or Ayam Brand’s “yumeat” products in a single receipt from participating retailers within Peninsular Malaysia is all you need to join. Head over to www.ayambrand.com.my/peraduanbonanza for the details,“ says Teoh.

In the meantime, find the super simple step-by-step instructions to make and serve authentic Malaysian favorites.

Curry Chicken

“Chicken curry is beloved by all Malaysians. Start your own curry chicken tradition with Ayam Brand Chicken Curry Paste that is a masterful combination of shallot, chillies, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin, fennel seeds, turmeric, galangal, lemongrass, and other aromatic spices and herbs,“ Teoh suggests.

To do it, start with a large pan over medium heat. Then, add a pack of the paste and 600gm of chicken. Stir-fry for two to three minutes. Add two peeled and diced potatoes and 120ml of water. Stir well, cover and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stir occasionally or until chicken and potatoes are cooked. Stir in Ayam Brand Coconut Milk and return to boil. Serve with steamed rice, rotis or even fried noodles.

Preparation time: 10 minutes, cooking time: 30 minutes, serves five to six people.

Fish Asam Pedas

“When you need that spicy sour hit, reach for Ayam Brand Asam Pedas that will wake up your senses with its secret mixture of tamarind, onion, dried chilli, torch ginger, garlic, shrimp paste, and ginger,“ says Teoh.

For that, you start by heating a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Then, add the paste, and “stir until you smell the wonderful aroma”.

Pour in 300ml of water, stir well and bring to the boil. Gently add in 500gm of fish, ladies' fingers and a handful of laksa leaves (coriander). Reduce heat and simmer for two minutes. Serve with steamed rice.

Preparation time: 10 minutes, cooking time: 15 minutes, serves five to six people.

Prawn Sambal Tumis

“Stir-fried Sambal or popularly known as Sambal Tumis in many unique variations is a mainstay of all Malaysian households. Add this easily adaptable dish to your repertoire with Ayam Brand Sambal Tumis Paste that is rich with onions, chillies, shrimp paste, candlenut, dried shrimp, and curry leaves,“ says Teoh.

So, heat two tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add one finely sliced onion and stir fry for two minutes. Add a pack of Ayam Brand Sambal Tumis Paste, stir and bring to boil. Add 500gm of prawns and stir until the prawns are cooked. Serve with steamed rice.

Preparation time: 10 minutes, cooking time: 10 minutes, serves five to six people.

Teoh reminds locals that “Ayam Brand products are widely available from your friendly local provision stores, AEON, AEON BiG, Econsave, Giant, selected Hero, Jaya Grocer, Lotuss, Mydin, Village Grocer, OTK, Checkers, Matahari, NSK, Pasaraya Econjaya, Sabasun, Pantai Timor, Billion, Sunshine, Nirwana, Tunas Manja, Pasaraya Hwa Thai, Maslee, Target, CS Brothers, Family Store or visit the Ayam Brand Official stores on Shopee and Lazada.”

For more information on Ayam Brand, visit www.ayambrand.com.my or join https://www.facebook.com/ayambrandmalaysia.

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'Flip in style and perfect in pocket': Phantom V Flip 5G launched

SINGAPORE: Tecno's premium sub-brand Phantom yesterday launched the V Flip 5G – its first-ever flip phone and latest flagship foldable device.

The company said the “breakthrough” smartphone sets a new standard for the integration of advanced technologies and high-end fashion-forward aesthetics, with a powerful 64MP + 13MP + 32MP camera system, unique circular cover screen and stunning cosmos-inspired design.

Nominated for the German Design Awards, the Phantom V Flip 5G was officially unveiled during the “Flip In Style Tecno Flagship Product Launch 2023” in Singapore.

Capturing 'shade of life' with more definition

The V Flip 5G illuminates gloomy shots with enhanced low-light capabilities for dazzling results. It powerful 64MP RGBW ultra-sensitive sensor main camera benefits from 60% greater light intake, as well as reduced noise and improved colour accuracy, thanks to its innovative RGBW pixel format.

At an impressive 64MP, the camera has the highest resolution of any flip phone on the market with an f/1.7 aperture and 1.6μm (4-in-1) pixels.

With PDAF, ISOCELL Pixel Isolation and a Pixel Fusion Algorithm, it delivers unparalleled flip phone night performance to light up even the darkest environments.

Using Tecno’s dual-camera fusion technology, the 64MP main camera also works in tandem with the device’s 13MP ultra-wide angle camera so users can enlarge and crop ultra wide-angle shots while retaining plenty of detail.

For selfie lovers, the V Flip 5G’s 32MP dual-flash autofocus front camera provides the ultimate solution for low-light selfies.

The camera’s integrated micro-slit dual-flash is the industry’s first front-facing flashlight in a flip phone, which is complemented by Tecno’s super flashlight algorithm to create the ideal lighting with perfect exposure.

The camera also utilises automatic eye-focus to achieve more precise subject tracking for greater clarity and detail in selfies and vlogs.

Exciting imaging by FreeCam system

Thanks to its flip construction, the V Flip 5G opens up a world of shooting possibilities through its advanced FreeCam System, says Tecno.

The device lets users elevate their imaginations and capture magic moments in inventive and beautiful images with both front and rear lenses.

Stable at any angle from 30-150 degrees, users can hover the device to shoot better group shots, detailed rear camera selfies, low-angle shots, FreeCam time-lapses, and more.

The strong hovering performance with gesture- and voice-controlled capture lets users enjoy hands-free creativity.

'Elegant, premium, pocket-sized perfection'

Tecno says the V Flip 5G transports users to “a new dimension of high-end luxury with a sophisticated and elegant cosmic-inspired aesthetic”.

When folded, the device’s “The Planet” round cover screen catches the eye with its deep black display that reflects the darkness of outer space.

Breaking from traditional foldable design language, the “Asteroid Belt-Shaped” camera module is perfectly integrated into the screen, giving the phone a uniquely sleek, sophisticated appearance.

The device’s refined look is elevated by its sophisticated colours and materials.

For style-minded individuals, the V Flip 5G’s premium lychee-pattern classic leather adds to its high-end look and feel, being the same material as that used in luxury fashion and top-of-the-range vehicles.

The V Flip 5G, available in Mystic Dawn and Iconic Black, also promises to add a new sensory dimension to smartphone technology, with the device soon to be available with a fragranced protective case.

The case incorporates fragrant microcapsules into the leather production process, with scent being slowly released by pressure, friction heating or natural diffusion. The scent can last for over a year under normal usage conditions.

“Available in a choice of Rose, Sea Shore, or Cologne, it brings greater personalisation to technology to reflect outfits, occasions, the weather and your mood,“ said Tecno.

Meticulously designed to achieve the perfect pocket-sized form, the V Flip 5G measures 88.77mm x 74.05mm x 14.95mm when folded, allowing for easy thumb swiping, and 171.72mm x 74.05mm x 6.95mm when unfolded.

The slightly narrower main screen was developed following extensive research to offer natural and comfortable one-handed use.

Reimagining cover screen style, convenience

The V Flip 5G reimagines comfortable use and delightful design with its unique “The Planet” personalised versatile cover Screen.

The circular, centrally-positioned 1.32-inch AMOLED screen has been designed for easy one-thumb control, with convenient swiping from every angle.

The 352ppi screen lets users create fun displays that work for their own needs, with customisable wallpapers, Tmojis, 3D interactive virtual pets and more.

With just the swipe of a thumb, users can access their camera for easy swipe shots, play music and quickly reply to messages.

“Making things even easier, the screen features customisable smart widgets, including the weather forecast, vitality rings, timer, sound recording, agenda, stopwatch and alarms, so users don’t even need to open their phones to stay up-to-date,“ said Tecno.

Besides the cover screen, the V Flip 5G flips open to reveal an ultra-big 6.9-inch FHD+ 2640x1080 main screen.

“The supremely flat, crease-less display delivers a captivating experience thanks to Tecno’s self-design drop-shaped hinge and a thinner, lighter screen.

“Meanwhile, a 10-120Hz LTPO refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling (single and double finger) allow awesome fluidity with lower power consumption.”

'Charge in a flash, go all day'

“There’s nothing fashionable about running out of charge. That’s why the Phantom V Flip 5G is equipped with a 4000mAh Super Battery, so users can show their style all day long without worrying about a dead battery,“ said Tecno.

“When the device does need a boost, 45W Flash Charging means it won’t need long to be back to full power. In fact, 15 minutes of charging is enough to reach 50%, and just 45 minutes is all that’s needed for a full recharge.”

Powerful flip phone performance

Ensuring the V Flip 5G delivers substance as well as style is a powerful triathlon of features, said Tecno.

“First is the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8050 5G chip which delivers cutting-edge performance with excellent energy efficiency. The 6nm TSMC chip lets users enjoy superbly smooth operation that glides seamlessly between windows.

“Second, the device boasts an 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM memory to easily meet the needs of users’ long-term daily use while reducing lagging issues. Extended Memory (which supports memory expansion of up to 8GB), Memory Anti-Aging and Memory Slimming allow users to further optimise the device’s performance in line with their memory needs.”

First device with HiOS 13.5

The V Flip 5G is Tecno’s first device to feature the new HiOS 13.5 operating system, an optimised OS based on Google’s Android 13.

HiOS 13.5 lets users make the most of all of the benefits of a flip smartphone, from image-making and editing to hovering video calls and useful smart widgets.

The system also boasts intelligent features such as the ELLAGPT personal assistant, as well as beefed-up security to give users greater peace-of-mind.

“Overall, Phantom V Flip 5G is a continuation of Tecno’s belief in the power of design to shape the future. As Tecno’s latest foldable device, it fuses imaginative, elegant aesthetics and advanced technological innovation into a compact flip form factor, delivering a smartphone that is truly perfect in your pocket,“ said Tecno.

The Malaysian retail selling price for the Phantom V Flip 5G (8GB + 256GB) is RM2,999, which includes a free one unit of Spark Go 2023 worth RM299 (while stocks last). Terms and conditions apply.

The offline and online purchase links are as follows:

- Urban Republic: https://bit.ly/48J3pee

- Shopee: https://shope.ee/502WkqIg5r

- Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/tecno-mobile-malaysia

- TikTok Shop: https://www.tiktok.com/@tecnomalaysia

Tecno Malaysia's official website is https://www.tecno-mobile.com/my/ .

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Addressing breast cancer concerns with insights into holistic breast health

PETALING JAYA: Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer in frequency of new cancer diagnosis worldwide in 2020; in Asia alone, that makes up 22.9% of new cases*.

In Asia, more women die of breast cancer than the rest of the world combined. Closer to home, one in 20 Malaysian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in 23 cases each new day**.

These statistics should raise a resounding alarm, said Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara’s (THKD), after a media sharing session on Oct 21 in Petaling Jaya.

Therefore, its Pink October event is more than just a calendar year event. It is about bringing a solution to a problem, instead and throughout the month, it is “shining the spotlight on being empowered by knowledge and embraced by hope”.

THKD stated that its Pink October initiatives include a support group “Look Good, Feel Better” event for cancer survivors, accessible breast screenings and consultation, free breast self-exam tutorial and basic health screening and product giveaways. “In advocating for increased education, our thought leaders met with members of media to get the word out on prevention, early detection, and disease management.”

THKD consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon Dr Tan Gie Hooi, in sharing on breast cancer in young women, explained: “While breast cancer is commonly associated with age, an alarming increase in cases among young women underscores the urgent need for early detection and diagnosis. Women are often the backbone of their families; managing a cancer diagnosis while juggling roles as mothers, daughters and professionals is an incredible challenge.

“Our support and oncoplastic solutions ensure that every woman is empowered to face this battle, exemplifying equitable health for women with better clinical outcomes.”

THKD consultant breast, endocrine and general surgeon Dr Zamzuri Zakaria, in addressing myths, said: “In the age of information overload, misconceptions about breast cancer can be as harmful as the disease itself. By debunking prevailing myths and equipping individuals with factual, actionable knowledge, we empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health.”

THKD dietitian Ginny Tan Gin Wei further elaborated: “Food is medicine. Pink October is the golden opportunity to emphasise the profound impact nutrition can have in reducing the risk of breast cancer. We are empowering individuals with knowledge to make dietary choices that nourish and protect the body.

“Eating right is a critical tool in breast cancer prevention and reducing risk of recurrence, and we are committed to illuminating this path for all.”

Meanwhile, THKD CEO Nadiah Wan said: “Pink October or Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a good reminder to learn more about breast cancer, the risk factors for you and those you love, how to minimise them, and the importance of being screened for early detection.”

She said THKD offers a complete range of female health services, providing specialised care for women across various medical disciplines, including obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, and breast and oncoplastic surgery.

“THKD’s vision is to help people lead healthier lives by making tertiary healthcare services accessible, accountable and sustainable; while our mission is to be the most advanced in women & children’s healthcare.”

Nadiah added that THKD’s Oncology and Nuclear Medicine facility provides both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for cancer patients. It houses the Mediso AnyScan SPECT/CT/PET, the first Trimodality nuclear medicine imaging equipment in the Asia Pacific region (licence number: KKM/0261).

“Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Thomson Hospital is designed to house all cancer treatment modalities under one facility to provide multi-disciplinary care with the best experience throughout the entire patient journey. We work with NGOs and patient support groups because we understand that a cancer diagnosis affects not just patients, but also their family, friends and the community around them.”

The facility has performed over 2,600 diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with oncology patients in areas such as cervix, breast, lung, rectum, head, neck and brain.

Among those, the radiotherapy team has treated breast cancer patients using the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) technique, and brain cancer with radiotherapy and craniospinal irradiation (CSI).

In conjunction with Pink October 2023, THKD is offering breast ultrasound (bilateral) at RM229, 3D digital mammogram (bilateral) at RM299 and breast ultrasound (bilateral) + 3D digital mammogram (bilateral) at RM379.

THKD also offers women health screening packages specifically designed to cater to a variety of women’s health needs, focusing on feminine health, pre-marital check-ups, sexual health and more.

* Economic Impact.

** Cancer Research Malaysia.

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One in three Malaysian youths wrestle with self-confidence: Survey

A recent survey conducted by Haircarebear, Australia’s leading hair, skin and nail supplement brand, uncovered that one in three Malaysians struggle with self-confidence related to their appearance.

The company revealed this yesterday, during the official launch of its “functional confectionery”.

Haircarebear founder Jimmy Seervai said the company believes that everyone is unique in their own way and every young individual should “glow” brightly, embracing their unique beauty.

Therefore, with its retail partner Watsons Malaysia, the company hopes “to inspire Malaysian youth self-assurance that radiates positively from within and supports them in building a healthy foundation for a vibrant future”.

Seervai, who was a finalist on MasterChef Australia with a background in food manufacturing, stated that in the survey, surprisingly, while Malaysians express confidence in their eyes, they spend the least on eye care.

Facial attributes emerged as the second most significant factor influencing confidence, with 45% of respondents ranking facial features as the most attractive physical attribute.

Additionally, the survey also highlighted that Malaysians turn to social media and peers for confidence and inspiration, prioritising them over family.

Exploring the depths of youth self-confidence and its link to physical attributes, a panel discussion involving Seervai and a couple of local personalities was held at the launch.

Engaging in vital conversations around personal and public perceptions of confidence, the discussion delved into the nuanced role of family, experiences, and societal expectations.

Amidst candid shares and heartfelt stories, a consensus emerged: confidence is an inside-out journey, intertwining self-acceptance with kind, genuine online and offline interactions, and a nurturing environment that starts within our homes and communities.

“We are delighted to partner with Watsons Malaysia. Their capabilities and distribution network provide us with a robust platform to establish our presence in Malaysia. This partnership ensures that Haircarebear remains at the forefront of Malaysian consumers’ minds when choosing vitamin supplements,“ Seervai said.

He added that Haircarebear’s halal-certified functional confectioneries redefine self-care, offering a “delightful gummy experience”.

“The low-sugar to sugar-free gummies prioritise rapid nutrient absorption, presenting a delectable, user-friendly and efficient pathway to enhance inner beauty and holistic health.

This is particularly beneficial for those experiencing pill fatigue or swallowing difficulties,” he said.

The confectioneries come in eight flavours, each intricately crafted to bestow specific bodily benefits:

- Haircarebear Hair Gummies: Nutrient-dense for robust hair growth.

- Haircarebear Collagen Gummies: Infused with marine collagen, for skin nourishment.

- Haircarebear Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Gummies: Capitalising on the potency of Apple Cider Vinegar to bolster digestive health.

- Haircarebear Sweet Dreams Gummies: A blend with Valerian root, facilitating calm and restful sleep.

- Haircarebear ByeAcne Gummies: Probiotic-rich to foster gut health and mitigate acne.

- Haircarebear Tummy Gummies: A concoction of Garcinia Cambogia, L-Carnitine, and Green Coffee Bean Extract to enhance metabolism and regulate sugar cravings.

- Haircarebear Chill Out Gummies: A mixture of ashwagandha to soothe muscles and mitigate stress.

- Haircarebear Glowhite Gummies: Antioxidant-dense with Vitamins C, E, and B6 to augment skin health and invigorate active lifestyles.

For more information on Haircarebear’s product range, go to https://haircarebear.com.my/

Haircarebear products are now available at all Watsons Malaysia outlets and on its official online shopping platform www.watsons.com.my.

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Unbeatable savings with auto-debit on Astro

KUALA LUMPUR: Sign up with auto-debit on Astro and enjoy up to 30% discounts on the Astro Primary, Entertainment or Movies Pack, starting at just RM41.99 per month – that translates to savings of over RM600 across 24 months.

With auto-debit payments, Astro customers can experience convenience and peace of mind with bill payments that are always punctual and hassle-free.

If you’re brand-new to Astro, the Primary Pack provides access to more than 80 channels with a captivating array of both local and international content designed to cater to every member of your family.

Now available at just RM41.99 per month (recommended retail price [RRP]: RM59.99), you can indulge in popular shows like All Stars Gegar Veganza (Season 10), Astro Originals’ The Queen’s Ploy, local Tamil family drama Akkam Pakkam and many more.”

“Dive into a world of diverse entertainment with our Entertainment Pack, offering a wide range of local, international and kids' content, including Didi & Friends Kembara Muzikal, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace and Christina on the Coast, all for just RM62.99/month (RRP: RM89.99),” says Astro.

“What's more, you'll enjoy complimentary access to premium streaming apps like BBC Player, and choose between Viu Premium or TVBAnywhere+, allowing you to stream Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars Season 2, From Saga With Love and From Hong Kong To Beijing on your TV or on-the-go through their respective mobile apps.”

The company also says that if you want more award-winning movies and original series, you can check out its Movies Pack. For just RM66.49 per month (RRP: RM94.99), you will gain access to premium apps like Disney+ Hotstar and HBO GO, allowing you to stream your favourite shows, including Loki, Goosebumps, Scream VI and Rick & Morty Season 7.

“As a streaming-first company, we also give free access of our homegrown app, Astro GO, to all our Pay TV customers so they are not limited to just streaming on their TV. As an option, they can also opt to add on more premium apps to their subscription including Qalbox by Muslim Pro, ZEE5 or iQIYI from as low as RM8.40 per month.

For more information on this promotion, visit https://product.astro.com.my/tv.

*Only new Primary, Entertainment and Movies Pack customers who sign up with auto-debit are eligible for this offer. Terms and conditions apply.

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Diploma programmes develop market relevant skills

IN an era defined by rapid digital transformation, global interconnectivity, and an ever-growing demand for specialised talents, the importance of acquiring the right skills in a technology driven era remains vital.

While traditional tertiary education certainly has its merits, there is a pressing need to infuse it with greater agility and specialised expertise, to align with the ever-evolving demands of the job market.

Adapting to a rapidly changing job market with market-driven skills

The digital revolution, fuelled by advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, has sparked an unprecedented demand for specialised skills. Companies now seek employees proficient in coding, data analytics, and digital marketing on an ever increasing scale. In recognition of this paradigm shift, it becomes imperative for tertiary education institutions to seamlessly incorporate these market-driven skills into diploma programmes.

For recent high school graduates, this means bypassing the traditional academic path and gaining a toolkit of market-ready skills. Rather than spending years on broad academic pursuits that may not align with industry needs, diploma holders enter the job market with a distinct advantage, equipped with the specialised know-how that is currently in high demand in the job market.

At the same time, working professionals often grapple with the need to upskill while juggling their time constraints. Most diploma programmes often associated with high school graduates, can also prove highly advantageous for working adults, aiming to upskill. These programmes provide a structured and comprehensive approach to acquiring specialised knowledge and practical skills, ultimately bolstering one's career prospects.

To better cater to the needs of both high school graduates and working adults, diploma programmes should no longer be exclusively marketed to only high school graduates. Many private tertiary institutions, offer programmes focused on industry-specific competencies, including areas like project management, early childhood education and cybersecurity.

Hands-on learning and industry connections for real-world applicability

Our diploma programmes extend the learning experience beyond traditional classrooms by incorporating hands-on internships and work-based learning. These initiatives are forged in collaboration with industry leaders and sector-specific businesses, lending credibility and immediate relevance to the skills being taught.

For recent graduates, this presents an invaluable opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, build impressive portfolios and resumes, and establish professional networks that can shape their future careers.

Working professionals also find immense value in this practical orientation. It allows them to transition into new career paths or climb higher within their organisations. Exposure to real-world applications and challenges, often under the guidance of seasoned industry professionals, makes the educational journey not just steep but rewarding.

Gaining expertise and competencies in a shorter timeframe

For high school graduates eager to dive into the job market and for working professionals juggling work, education, and personal life, time is a precious commodity. We recognise this constraint, and address the issue by offering focused, intensive, market-aligned programmes.

New graduates can promptly apply their new competencies in areas such as sustainable business practices, digital interactive arts, and AI-driven market analytics, depending on their chosen diploma programme. Those working professionals, similarly, can enhance their skill sets with cutting-edge topics like block chain technology or AI-driven strategies, all without the prolonged commitment that traditional degree courses often require.

We recognise that diploma programmes serve as a vital bridge between academic learning and market applicability, as they are tailored to meet the diverse needs of both recent high school graduates and seasoned professionals, these programmes feature a curriculum flexible enough to adapt to rapidly changing market trends.

With a strong emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning experiences and a timeframe that respects the urgency of modern life, these programmes are more than just educational supplements; they are accelerated pathways to career readiness in a world that places a premium on time.

Background of the Author

With over 23 years in the education industry, Wong Chee Kong has played various key roles in academic leadership, administration, education management, as well as teaching and research.

As Registrar, he was involved in the operations of various central departments, at a Malaysian private university for seven years. Before that, he served the same university community for four years, as the Head of the School of Information Technology, during which the student population increased during his tenure.

Also, having served as Academic Dean in another private college, Wong remains passionate about working with students so they can achieve their highest potential.

As a systems thinker, he is a firm believer in using system thinking approaches to enhance productivity, improve business processes and add genuine value to all stakeholders.

He obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computing from the University of Lincoln, UK. He is registered as a Professional with the Malaysia Board of Technologist (MBOT).

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Mcdonald's Malaysia bring joy to 12,000 orphans during community month celebration

Kuala Lumpur: McDonald’s Malaysia continues its commitment to the society by organising the Community Month throughout October.

Community Month is one of the initiatives under the McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Community Programme which aims to create a positive impact within the communities in which McDonald's operates.

McDonald’s Malaysia managing director and local operating partner Datuk Azmir Jaafar said “Program Komuniti McDonald’s & RMHC” is an umbrella programme for all community activities carried out throughout the year by McDonald's Malaysia, including the implementation of its Community Month which focuses mainly on underprivileged children. As the quick service restaurant specialises in organising children’s parties, McDonald’s Malaysia took to organising birthday parties to celebrate less fortunate children.

“As such, McDonald’s Malaysia seized the opportunity through birthday celebrations to create happy memories for the orphans. This is how we give back to the society that has always supported us throughout the years.”

Started in 2017, the Community Month has a variety of activities for underprivileged children. However, after the pandemic situation improved in 2021, McDonald's Malaysia decided to organise birthday celebrations to create a bigger impact for the children.

“Birthday celebrations are very meaningful events. Every time a birthday celebration is held, we get to see the smiles of the children involved. This gives us the motivation to continue the initiative. In addition, organising a lively birthday celebration is our speciality at McDonald's,” said Azmir.

Throughout this month, McDonald's Malaysia organises birthday celebrations involving more than 12,000 orphans from 400 selected welfare homes throughout the country. The company has allocated RM300,000 for this purpose.

The first birthday celebration to officially commemorate McDonald's Community Month this year was held at Yayasan An-Nur Maisarah in Chemor, Perak.

The celebration will continue until the end of this month, either at a children's welfare home or at a McDonald's restaurant.

RMHC Malaysia also supports this year's Community Month by providing a total of 90 Back to School Packs to the children at Yayasan An-Nur Maisarah.

Yayasan An-Nur Maisarah principal Dr Fazillah Nordin, who is fondly referred to as “mother” by the foundation’s children, said: “I am very happy that McDonald's Malaysia chose Yayasan An-Nur Maisarah to make their Community Month a success this year. This is the first time we have partnered with McDonald's Malaysia and celebrated a large-scale birthday party like this.

“The liveliness of the celebration is clearly felt with large cakes, colourful decorations, and very interesting game activities. Meanwhile, the Back to School Pack donations will certainly make the children more excited to attend school. My many thanks to McDonald's Malaysia.”

For the first time ever, as a highlight event and to end this year's McDonald's Community Month, McDonald's Malaysia will be organising the “Karnival Famili Mekdi”, an open event with a variety of interesting activities for the public to attend.

Selected children's welfare homes are also invited to celebrate this carnival at McDonald's Putrajaya on Oct 28-29; Penang Auto City on Nov 4-5 and Mutiara Rini, Johor Bahru on Nov 10-11.

For more information and exclusive updates about Karnival Famili Mekdi, follow McDonald’s on Instagram and Facebook.

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‘Life Begins At 50’ celebrated at seniors’ festival

THE Amazing Seniors Festival, held on Sept 29-Oct 1 at the Atria Shopping Gallery in Petaling Jaya, saw some “Timeless Inspiration Awards” presented.

The award recognises outstanding senior individuals for their various contributions of excellence in their respective fields. “It is about people who have created an impact on society and whose accomplishments have the potential to stand the test of time,” said Amazing Seniors, which is “a platform for adults aged 50 and above, providing special offers, deals, events and information all on a single intuitive platform”.

The recipients of Amazing Seniors inaugural 2023 Timeless Inspiration Awards were Datuk Mohd Nordin Mohd Khalid (better known as “Lat”), Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, Ivy Josiah and Datin Paduka Sister Enda Ryan.

The Amazing Seniors Festival, with its theme “Life Begins At 50: The Celebration”, was the only festival in Southeast Asia celebrating Malaysia’s older generation.

For the second year running, the event saw some events such as talks by experts packed with up-to-date information that is relevant and applicable to Malaysian seniors. The experts covered topics on investments, scams, retirement, wellbeing, and all things that can enhance the older community’s lives and lifestyle.

The event’s strategic partners were Pacific Senior Living, Cagamas, Sunway Sanctuary, KL Wellness, Pure Med, Top Group, Pharm D, Curble and Beaconmart.

The event also featured fun, enjoyable and inspiring performances by seniors, which included them singing, dancing (traditional and modern), performing on musical instruments and taking part in fashion shows.

Amazing Seniors stated that the event was intended to celebrate the joys of growing older, “while simultaneously raise awareness about the role that older adults play in our society as we progress into an aged nation.

Amazing Seniors’ co-founder Jasmin Amirul said according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, as of the year 2020, adults aged 50 and above account for 21% of the country’s population and is expected to grow to 34% by 2040. Based on these findings, we feel the need for every Malaysian to recognise the key elements of successful ageing.”

She added that Malaysia can unlock a host of benefits for the nation by:

- Mitigating the economic effect of an ageing population by ensuring her people remain productive through their old age.

- Expanding the consumer economy to provide the needs of older persons, some of whom will have a greater propensity to spend.

- Creating a new economic driver for aged care and all its various adjacencies.

“Successful ageing can be multidimensional based on the interaction of three key elements which are the cornerstone of what Amazing Seniors platform aims to facilitate – the avoidance of disease and disability, sustained engagement in social and productive activities, and maintenance of high physical and cognitive function.”

Another co-founder, Penny Low, said: “We believe we have an important role to play in supporting the nation’s transition to becoming an aged society by adding value through creating a strong ecosystem that can support those intending to retire and those who have already retired.”

Both co-founders stated that the Amazing Seniors Festival aims to be rated rank as a highly anticipated annual event – “a destination for the older community to come together to rethink, reframe, and redefine aging; a landing place where there is no age limit to having fun!”

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University of Cyberjaya enters new partnership with DXN

CYBERJAYA: The University of Cyberjaya (UoC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DXN Holdings Berhad to foster academic-industry collaboration for the promotion, as well as to conduct science and non-science research on the Ganoderma mushroom based products.

UoC established in 2005 achieved a 5-star rating in the latest QS rankings and is well-recognised for its expertise in the sciences, including traditional medicine.

The collaboration is in line with DXN’s commitment to promote traditional medicine in a scientific way and for UoC, it presents a new opportunity to utilize their expertise in various disciplines, including medicine, health sciences, nursing, pharmaceutical sciences, psychology, physiotherapy, homoeopathic medical sciences, biomedical technology, engineering and other specialties.

Among the areas to be explored under the MOU;

Cutting edge research projects

UoC and DXN will collaborate on cutting edge research projects, to develop the potential benefits of Ganoderma mushroom based products and also conduct research in the fields of Pharmacology, Complementary medicines as well as Business and Psychology domains.

Research funding opportunities

DXN will provide research funding opportunities to UoC, furthering the university’s capacity to engage in innovative research.

The funding will be utilized to strengthen scientific research facilities in UoC, along with research scholarships being made available to UoC postgraduate students.

Student internship and engagement

Students from UoC will be given the unique opportunity to undertake internships and engage in practical learning experiences within DXN, gaining industry experience and insights.

Educational knowledge

UoC will provide specialized educational knowledge tailored to the needs of DXN staff, members and agents fostering knowledge exchange, and professional development within the industry.

This will be facilitated through short courses, micro-credentials and diploma courses, going up to Master’s degree programmes. UoC’s Faculty of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (FTCM) will play a key role in this area.

DXN’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Datuk Lim Siow Jin said: “I am pleased with this positive outcome regarding the collaboration with UoC, which I hope will be realized with the potential of Ganoderma Lucidum and its mushroom based products being fully developed and at the same time, foster greater understanding and awareness of natural health products as well as traditional herbs products.”

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‘Love your eyes, embrace your future’ – Focus Point

Kuala Lumpur: In conjunction with World Sight Day 2023, local optical chain Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd (Focus Point) is hosting a week-long roadshow at the Mid Valley Megamall Centre Court.

The event was officially launched today by the Malaysian Optical Council (MOC) of the Ministry of Health Malaysia Nor Azizah Ismail.

The roadshow started on Oct 9, with the theme “Love Your Eyes, Embrace Your Future”. It features a variety of eye-health related activities to bring about awareness and impact on Malaysians, encourage individuals to take care of their eye health, in addition to making access to sight available to people of all walks of life.

Expanding on its theme this year, Focus Point is advocating “Love Your Eyes from Young”.

The company says vision problem in children is often neglected, and it happens because children are too young to complaint and to understand the real condition of clear or blurred vision.

Focus Point encourages parents and caregivers to take steps to protect their children’s vision.

“By taking care of their eyes from young age, children can prevent and avoid potential vision problems and enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision. Delays in treatment may cause lifelong visual impairment,” Focus Point president and CEO Datuk Liaw Choon Liang said today at the launch.

Focus Point is also promoting “Love Your Eyes at Work” for all working adults.

“Nowadays, the use of computers is inevitable and eyes are the main senses involved when using the computer. However, many individuals do not realise that the prolonged use of the computer may indirectly result in eye strain, irritated eyes, fatigue, blurred vision, dry eyes, double vision, glare and more,” said Liaw.

“Focus Point is working on helping people understand the importance of protecting their vision in the workplace and calling on employers to prioritise the eye health of workers, everywhere. “

The company is also encouraging all individuals to “Love Your Eyes A Lifetime”.

“Vision is among the important sensory modalities of all living organism.

However, as we age, vision may be impaired due to normal aging process or eye disorder. Common causes of visual impairment in the elderly include cataract, refractive disorder, glaucoma, retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration,” Liaw said.

“Many of the age-related eye disorders have no symptoms in the early phase. Therefore, regular vision screening is crucial to detect any potential eye disorder early. Focus Point is working towards helping the elderly understand the importance of eye health and offering comprehensive eye screening at no cost.”

A survey finding has shown that 67% of the Malaysian population has never gone through an eye screening for more than a year. Hence, Focus Point is calling on Malaysians to have their eyes checked regularly, even if they do not have any vision problems. This is because early detection and treatment of eye diseases can help to prevent vision loss.

Focus Point, in partnership with Zeiss Group, are offering free comprehensive eye screening with the latest and advanced screening equipment during the event at Mid Valley Megamall.

It can help to detect cataract, glaucoma, dry eyes, pterygium, retinal conditions, refractive errors, contact lens related issues and more. One-on-one professional consultation by Focus Point’s registered optometrists are made available to the public who dropped by.

“Not only that, Focus Point is always innovative in providing vision care services and solutions to the public. Starting this August, we have invested on the Airdoc Artifical Intelligence Fundus Interpretation, a technology that utilises artificial intelligence to detect more than 35 types of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and glaucoma, with the accuracy of more than 95%,” said Liaw.

“In addition, Myopia Excellence Centre booth is also made available to showcase Zeiss MyoCare, the latest myopia control lens with an innovative lens design aimed to slow down myopia progression for children. Visitors to the roadshow can also learn more about cataract and Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery at the ExcelView Eye Specialist Center booth and get a free assessment by the specialist. They are also partnering with Alcon and Acuvue to help individuals to learn about contact lens wear.”

Liaw further added that it commemorates its World Sight Day campaign every year intending to advocate eye health and the importance of caring for our sight.

“Following our great effort of providing free comprehensive eye check through our World Sight Day awareness campaign for the past 11 years, we are grateful to have assisted more than 12,000 members of the public in getting their eyes checked.”

$!‘Love your eyes, embrace your future’ – Focus Point

The campaign launch at the Megamall today was also attended by other representatives from MOC and also guests from the Malaysian Optical Wholesaler Association (MOWA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Airdoc Global China, Optometry Faculty of SEGi University, Program of Optometry of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Management & Science University (MSU), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and members of the media.

Focus Point will be bringing its World Sight Day roadshow to Johor Bahru, which will be held on Oct 23-29 at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey.

For more information about Focus Point and its World Sight Day activities, visit www.focus-point.com.my or https://ift.tt/16HXt3j.

Source

‘Love your eyes, embrace your future’ – Focus Point

Kuala Lumpur: In conjunction with World Sight Day 2023, local optical chain Focus Point Vision Care Group Sdn Bhd (Focus Point) is hosting a week-long roadshow at the Mid Valley Megamall Centre Court.

The event was officially launched today by the Malaysian Optical Council (MOC) of the Ministry of Health Malaysia Nor Azizah Ismail.

The roadshow started on Oct 9, with the theme “Love Your Eyes, Embrace Your Future”. It features a variety of eye-health related activities to bring about awareness and impact on Malaysians, encourage individuals to take care of their eye health, in addition to making access to sight available to people of all walks of life.

Expanding on its theme this year, Focus Point is advocating “Love Your Eyes from Young”.

The company says vision problem in children is often neglected, and it happens because children are too young to complaint and to understand the real condition of clear or blurred vision.

Focus Point encourages parents and caregivers to take steps to protect their children’s vision.

“By taking care of their eyes from young age, children can prevent and avoid potential vision problems and enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision. Delays in treatment may cause lifelong visual impairment,” Focus Point president and CEO Datuk Liaw Choon Liang said today at the launch.

Focus Point is also promoting “Love Your Eyes at Work” for all working adults.

“Nowadays, the use of computers is inevitable and eyes are the main senses involved when using the computer. However, many individuals do not realise that the prolonged use of the computer may indirectly result in eye strain, irritated eyes, fatigue, blurred vision, dry eyes, double vision, glare and more,” said Liaw.

“Focus Point is working on helping people understand the importance of protecting their vision in the workplace and calling on employers to prioritise the eye health of workers, everywhere. “

The company is also encouraging all individuals to “Love Your Eyes A Lifetime”.

“Vision is among the important sensory modalities of all living organism.

However, as we age, vision may be impaired due to normal aging process or eye disorder. Common causes of visual impairment in the elderly include cataract, refractive disorder, glaucoma, retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration,” Liaw said.

“Many of the age-related eye disorders have no symptoms in the early phase. Therefore, regular vision screening is crucial to detect any potential eye disorder early. Focus Point is working towards helping the elderly understand the importance of eye health and offering comprehensive eye screening at no cost.”

A survey finding has shown that 67% of the Malaysian population has never gone through an eye screening for more than a year. Hence, Focus Point is calling on Malaysians to have their eyes checked regularly, even if they do not have any vision problems. This is because early detection and treatment of eye diseases can help to prevent vision loss.

Focus Point, in partnership with Zeiss Group, are offering free comprehensive eye screening with the latest and advanced screening equipment during the event at Mid Valley Megamall.

It can help to detect cataract, glaucoma, dry eyes, pterygium, retinal conditions, refractive errors, contact lens related issues and more. One-on-one professional consultation by Focus Point’s registered optometrists are made available to the public who dropped by.

“Not only that, Focus Point is always innovative in providing vision care services and solutions to the public. Starting this August, we have invested on the Airdoc Artifical Intelligence Fundus Interpretation, a technology that utilises artificial intelligence to detect more than 35 types of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and glaucoma, with the accuracy of more than 95%,” said Liaw.

“In addition, Myopia Excellence Centre booth is also made available to showcase Zeiss MyoCare, the latest myopia control lens with an innovative lens design aimed to slow down myopia progression for children. Visitors to the roadshow can also learn more about cataract and Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery at the ExcelView Eye Specialist Center booth and get a free assessment by the specialist. They are also partnering with Alcon and Acuvue to help individuals to learn about contact lens wear.”

Liaw further added that it commemorates its World Sight Day campaign every year intending to advocate eye health and the importance of caring for our sight.

“Following our great effort of providing free comprehensive eye check through our World Sight Day awareness campaign for the past 11 years, we are grateful to have assisted more than 12,000 members of the public in getting their eyes checked.”

The campaign launch at the Megamall today was also attended by other representatives from MOC and also guests from the Malaysian Optical Wholesaler Association (MOWA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Airdoc Global China, Optometry Faculty of SEGi University, Program of Optometry of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Management & Science University (MSU), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and members of the media.

Focus Point will be bringing its World Sight Day roadshow to Johor Bahru, which will be held on Oct 23-29 at The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey.

For more information about Focus Point and its World Sight Day activities, visit www.focus-point.com.my or https://ift.tt/16HXt3j.

Source

University of Cyberjaya appoints Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah as its Chancellor

CYBERJAYA: The University of Cyberjaya (UoC) recently appointed the former Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who served from 2013-2023, as its third Chancellor, effective Oct 1 2023.

The University is honoured to appoint him, given his stellar reputation in health and medicine as well as health management, mirroring the University’s legacy in healthcare and medicine with MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), and Pharmacy being the inaugural programmes offered 18 years ago.

Dr Noor Hisham currently holds the Chair of the World Health Organisation’s Standing Committee of Health Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (SCHEPPR) in Geneva and was also recently appointed to WHO’s (World Health Organisation), Western Pacific Regional Office, Technical Advisory Group on University Health Coverage.

Dr Noor Hisham said he was honoured to be invited to be Chancellor of the University and intends to use his role as Chancellor of the University further to improve health access and equity in the region: “I share pride in the vision and mission of the University of Cyberjaya.

More importantly, I believe that this university has great potential in Malaysia and beyond, to strive to be the best healthcare education hub in the Western Pacific Region. The University of Cyberjaya’s core values of uplifting local and regional communities with equitable access to quality medical education would be one of the key elements in realising and delivering Universal Health Coverage locally and globally.”

He further elaborated on his role within WHO and how it would benefit the University. “Synergistically, my role within the Technical Advisory Group on University Health Coverage in WHO Western Pacific Region is also important as I intend to align the medical education and training of the medical students at the University to hopefully make a big difference in the health system and of the Western Pacific member states.”

His area of expertise is in breast and endocrine cancers, with numerous papers and textbook chapters in endocrine surgery, under the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Fellowship training programme, and obtained his Master of Surgery and Medical Degrees from the National University of Malaysia (UKM).

Internationally, he is also a Councillor-at-Large (2017-2021) on the Executive Board of the International Society of Surgery (ISS) and chairs the Global Surgery Committee of ISS. In March 2020, he was elected as the Chairman of the Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

The government of Brazil awarded him the Grand Officer of the Brazil Order of Rio Branco. Aside from being one of the highest awards given by Brazil, it also recognises meritorious service and civic virtues, stimulating the practice of actions and deeds worthy of honourable mention.

For his contributions in upholding Islam at the national and global levels, he was the recipient of the 2020/1442 Maal Hijrah Figure award.

Dr Noor Hisham replaces the University’s last Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Anwar Ali, who has been with the University since 2019.

The University is confident that during his term as Chancellor, Dr Noor Hisham, together with the University senate and board members, will continue to provide quality education to the new generation of students who currently face challenges in an increasingly fast-moving economy.

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Shaping a healthier and more sustainable palm oil industry

THE conversation about palm oil often focuses around environmental considerations. This focus, however, largely overshadows its role in medical applications. Although the topic may not be at the forefront of people’s thoughts, there are several good reasons to pay attention to palm oil's medical benefits.

At a time when people are becoming more health conscious, it is important to note that palm oil contains an array of potentially beneficial compounds like tocotrienols, otherwise known as vitamin E, and various carotenoids, which may reduce risks associated with some diseases.

In addition, this array of bioactives in palm oil, especially red palm oil, appear to support your immune system, and the innate phytosterols may participate in managing blood cholesterol levels, thereby reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, and heart attack or stroke. These bioactive compounds, often considered as mere “chemical terms”, warrant more attention from the public and research institutions.

As we navigate through the complex narratives of deforestation, animal habitats, and saturated fats, let us not forget the medicinal treasure this resource offers. What if palm oil is more than just something with which we cook? In medical practice, palm oil is often a staple in drug development, a driver for medical breakthroughs, and represents a case study of the growing need for sustainability.

For instance, palmitic acid, often criticised as a saturated fat, is a core component in the formulation of painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. It is also used in topical antibiotics like tetracycline, which provides a crucial alternative for those allergic to common options like erythromycin. The key question is whether we can really afford to turn our backs on a resource that is so important in health care.

While it is evident that health risks may exist, we often lack human data to confirm these concerns. There is not any direct evidence that substances and their respective concentrations found in edible oils, particularly 3-MCPD (3-chloropropane-1,2-diol), trigger adverse events among people, even after long-term exposure.

Even the European Food Safety Authority recently noted that 3-MCPD is considered safe for most consumers. Improved testing methods now allow us to detect even small amounts of compounds like 3-MCPD in edible oils. However, we must determine whether these quantities pose any actual harm before making any excessive reactions.

In addition to palm oil, 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters (GE) compounds are also found in vegetable oils like soybean, and sunflower. Interestingly, palm oil from Malaysia seems to have fewer of these substances. Factors like harvest timing and processing temperature and water sources can affect the levels of these substances. Ultimately, the edible oil industry, as a whole, needs to work on removing such elements to maintain consumer trust.

Secondly, as initiatives such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) Certification Scheme, and various governments make progress in establishing sustainability benchmarks, we can anticipate a more responsible palm oil production. It is also important to note that in Malaysia, 96% of palm oil plantations have adopted these guidelines.

Although the RSPO sets high agricultural and environmental standards, their widespread adoption is lacking. Only about 19% of the more than 5,600 palm oil plantations on the global stage of palm oil production have adopted these standards. The Amsterdam Declaration's goal to use 100% sustainable palm oil in Europe by 2020 therefore sets a precedent for what the global industry could aim to achieve.

With advances in regulatory and quality sciences, it is time for agencies like the RSPO to work with international bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop not just admirable, but also enforceable, guidelines and standards.

The palm oil industry faces numerous challenges and opportunities. Palm oil boosts the economy, especially in Southeast Asia, but also faces a lot of criticism related to environmental concerns. These challenges intersect with our lifestyle, our ethics, and our health. While we must care for the environment, let us not overlook the unique role of palm oil in pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical development.

Given the vital role of palm oil, particularly palmitic acid, in pharmaceutical applications, there is a pressing need for a collaborative framework that aligns production practices with ecological responsibility.

Recent advancements like winterisation offer promise. This method makes palm oil healthier for us by reducing total saturated fatty acids without harming its use in medicine. If everyone in the industry starts applying these methods, it can make a big difference. This is good for our health and shows that established and emerging technologies can help everyone.

Certainly, the palm oil conundrum is not a problem to be solved in isolation. Pharmaceutical players, often at the forefront of innovation, can offer valuable insights into sustainable practices that do not compromise product efficacy, value or safety.

As we push for sustainability throughout the agricultural and food industries, let us also embrace a perspective that highlights the potential importance of palm oil in improving health. In short, the role of palm oil in our lives extends far beyond the kitchen counter. It flows through the veins of our healthcare system, and it is our moral and ethical responsibility to ensure that this flow is not only constant but also clean, ethical and sustainable as well as safe.

* Dr Roger Clemens is part-time faculty within USC’s School of Pharmacy and holds multiple adjunct appointments. He serves on the scientific council for the International Union of Food Science & Technology and is an elected Fellow in several renowned scientific societies.

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Stellest® lenses slow down myopia progression in children

LIKE in many other Asia regions, myopia or nearsightedness is becoming increasingly prevalent among children in Malaysia at an alarming rate. Hence, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to be vigilant.

Consultant optometrist Mary Chong (pix, above at left) says signs and symptoms like frequent eye-rubbing, squinting to see objects at distance, complaints of headaches or eye strain, abnormal head posture, or sitting too close to the mobile phone or computer screen can indicate vision problems in their children.

She said parents should also monitor for changes in academic performance or coordination issues, as these can be one of the key indicators of vision problems.

Mary, the founder and consultant optometrist of Eye & Glasses Optometrist in Jelutong, Penang, has over 20 years of service in the field of eyecare. She is aIso a committee member of the Association of Malaysian Optometrists.

She said genetics and lifestyle factors can contribute to myopia. If there is a family history of myopia, a child is at a higher risk. However, lifestyle choices play a significant role as well – such as excessive screen time, limited outdoor activities and poor reading habits.

“They can increase the risk of myopia, and to reduce these risks, parents should control children’s screen time, encourage more outdoor activities, and ensure proper lighting and ergonomic posture during reading or studying.

“The digital era has caused a drastic increase in screen time that leads to digital eye strain, causing an early onset of myopia. It is crucial for children to take regular breaks while using digital devices. I highly recommend trying the simple 20-20-20 rule, where every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.”

Mary reminds parents about regular eye check-ups to detect issues like myopia or amblyopia (also known as “lazy eye” syndrome) in their children at an early stage, and how that can positively affect their development and learning.

She recommends the use of specialised myopia control lenses like Essilor’s “Stellest®” to effectively slow down myopia progression.

Stellest® is the brand of lenses by prescription glasses market leader Essilor, where the lenses are the latter’s innovation to slow down myopia progression in children – by 67% on average, compared to single vision lenses, when worn 12 hours a day.

Being proactive in seeking professional eyecare practitioners, or optometrists, at the first signs of a problem is crucial as improved vision not only enhances a child’s learning experience but also positively impacts their overall development, confidence and quality of life.

Parents can keep the following easy reference to prevent or treat vision problems in their children:

1. Encourage more outdoor activities and limit screen time, especially for younger children.

2. Implement 20-20-20 rule for screen usage, and ensure proper lighting and ergonomic posture while reading and studying.

3. Attend regular eye examinations by an optometrist, at least once a year.

4. Provide a balanced diet.

5. Consult an optometrist immediately, if there is any sign of vision problem.

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Touch ‘n Go ‘Nation’s Favourite Brand’ award in Fintech Category at the BrandLaureate Best Brands Awards

KUALA LUMPUR: Touch ‘n Go Sdn Bhd (Touch ‘n Go) added another feather in its cap by winning the “Nation’s Favourite Brand Award in the Fintech Category – Mobility Solutions” at the recent BrandLaureate Best Brands Awards 2022/2023.

Its CEO Praba Sangarajoo said Touch ‘n Go is honoured to receive the prestigious recognition as the nation’s favourite brand for mobility solutions and extends its “heartfelt gratitude to all Malaysians for their trust in us over the years”.

“We have endeavoured to bring greater levels of seamless cashless convenience and security by leveraging on innovative home-grown technology to deliver unique value propositions to our users. This award serves as a recognition of the hard work and collaborative efforts of our dedicated teams of talented Malaysians within Touch ‘n Go,” he said.

He added that Touch ‘n Go has led the digital transformation of Malaysia’s progress towards a cashless society for more than two decades, with the Touch ‘n Go card playing a significant role as one of the initial drivers of cashless mobility.

The company has since expanded this payment form factor across other mobility verticals, creating an integrated platform within the nation’s growing and increasingly complex mobility ecosystem for people to conveniently pay for tolls, bus, ferry and rail transportation, and parking.

“The introduction of Touch ‘n Go’s Near-Field Communication (“NFC”) reload capabilities was a massive game changer to how Touch ‘n Go products are used for cashless payments as it enabled users to conveniently perform reloads directly via their mobile phones within seconds, anytime, anywhere,” Praba said.

Besides the enhanced Touch ‘n Go card, the company added special design cards and charms to its NFC-enabled product range, allowing more personalisation for its users. Users are also assured that their transactions using these products are safe and secure through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

Beyond tolls and transit, Touch ‘n Go’s cashless convenience extends to seamless payments for carparks. There are currently approximately 1,500 Touch ‘n Go-enabled parking sites nationwide where users need not worry about having enough cash for parking or locating a machine or kiosk to make payment.

To cater to the needs of its users who are looking for convenience and peace of mind when parking their car, Touch ‘n Go has recently introduced its personal accident insurance/takaful, ParkInsure, which is available via the Touch ‘n Go eWallet.

ParkInsure provides affordable insurance protection at a premium of only RM5 per month, designed with accessibility in mind, for all segments of society. Coverage starts from the moment a user utilises their Touch ‘n Go card to enter a carpark.

Praba explained that Touch ‘n Go has been continuously exploring new ways of enabling its users to have a more hassle-free travel experience, especially for those who have to commute daily. “Time is of the essence and people want to reach their destinations in as short a time as possible.”

Touch ‘n Go RFID was developed with the objective of providing a more seamless and convenient way of making toll payments. Beyond enabling seamless payments for tolls, we have also expanded the RFID mobility use case to enable contactless fuel payments.

“With more and more people appreciating the contactless and seamless convenience which RFID offers, we have seen strong growth in its adoption and usage, and we now have close to three million customers, and this number is rapidly growing,” he said.

“Looking forward into the future, given the strong RFID adoption amongst Malaysians, we are confident that Touch ‘n Go RFID, wholly developed by Malaysian talents, will be a key enabler for the Multi-Lane Fast Flow (‘MLFF’) implementation in Malaysia.”

Praba also said the company is constantly innovating to cater to the diverse needs of our users in Malaysia’s evolving digital landscape. This award motivates it to continue developing and introducing differentiated products and services using its home-grown talents and technology, which add value and provide seamless cashless convenience to its users’ daily lives.

The annual BrandLaureate Best Brands Awards is organised by The World Brands Foundation (TWBF). Founded in 2005, TWBF says it is the world’s only branding foundation dedicated to developing brands in a myriad of business backdrops and is “committed to building brands and ensuring they meet consumers’ demands and expectations by delivering on brand promise.

“The BrandLaureate Awards was conceptualised in 2006, and it has become the most prestigious and coveted branding awards in the world”.

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‘Celebrating 115 great years because of you’

SINCE 1908, Great Eastern has made it the brand’s purpose to protect its customers from all of life’s twists and turns, so that they can focus on the things which make their lives meaningful.

Whether it is innovating solutions to help Malaysians pursue their lifelong dreams or empowering generations with financial freedom, Great Eastern has always put its customers and their aspirations at the forefront of its business.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Great Eastern Life Malaysia CEO Datuk Koh Yaw Hui.

“Protecting our customers at every stage of life is what our business was founded on, growing a financial legacy to provide for their family is what drives us, and empowering them to ‘Reach for Great’ in everything they do is what inspires us.”

This unwavering commitment to its customers has helped Great Eastern become the insurer of choice for generations of Malaysians for 115 years.

A celebration of togetherness and sustainability

Great Eastern celebrated its 115th anniversary recently together with its senior management team, employees and guests in a Hawaiian-themed “luau” townhall.

Befitting the theme, attendees came dressed in aloha shirts, floral prints, beach hats and “lei” garlands, with the townhall decorated with giant inflatable palm trees, pineapples, and tropical birds and cocktails.

Many festive events were lined up for their enjoyment including a lucky draw, games, performances, photo opportunities and a Hawaiian-themed anniversary cake.

During the townhall, Koh congratulated the company’s employees for going the extra mile for its customers and reiterated Great Eastern’s commitment to its environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

“At Great Eastern, we do not believe in leaving the future to fate; we believe in shaping it,” said Koh.

“That is why we are accelerating our efforts to build a company that is more environmentally conscious and socially responsible.”

As Malaysia’s largest and most established life insurance company, Great Eastern is aware that its business decisions can have a major impact on the environment and society.

To support its commitment, Great Eastern has embedded ESG initiatives into its business by organising sustainability-related activities for its employees and underprivileged children to advocate a sustainable lifestyle.

Through the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, ChildrenCare, Great Eastern has contributed more than RM3 million to underprivileged children since 1995.

Great Eastern also established a sustainability taskforce to ensure good governance and successful implementation of its corporate sustainability strategy.

Thanking customers by doubling their medical annual limit up to RM8 million at no extra cost

To thank its customers for putting their trust in the brand for 115 years, Great Eastern introduced a limited offer medical insurance plan to protect them against the increasing costs of private healthcare and future hospitalisation inflation.

SmartMedic Shield Double Annual Limit (SMS DAL) provides Malaysians with the special opportunity to double their medical coverage up to RM8 million at no extra cost.

To boost their financial protection, Malaysians only need to buy the SmartMedic Shield plan with a RM2 million annual limit, and add the SmartMedic Shield Extender rider with a RM2 million annual limit.

Great Eastern will then double the combined annual limit of RM4 million to RM8 million at no additional cost to its customers.

With health insurance being a long-term investment, customers will be pleased to know that their annual limit will be refreshed every year, with no overall lifetime limit.

In addition, SMS DAL provides medical coverage up to age 100 years next birthday, ensuring its customers will be financially protected well into their golden years.

Extensive medical and hospitalisation benefits

SMS DAL covers its customers with a comprehensive range of benefits that include pre- and post-hospitalisation treatments; outpatient treatments for cancer, kidney dialysis, dengue fever and Zika virus; as well as ICU expenses and surgical fees.

Benefits for emergency accidental outpatient treatment and accidental death are also provided to safeguard against the unexpected.

Having access to appropriate medical care after being discharged from the hospital is important in order to make a full recovery, which is why SMS DAL also covers its customers for follow-up treatments and home nursing care.

If customers choose the Room and Board RM400 option, the post-hospitalisation benefits will be extended to cover chiropractic treatments, speech and occupational therapy, as well as registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

To further enhance the financial protection provided, the hospital room and board limit is increased by 10% at the end of every three policy years, up to a cumulative total of 100% of the initial hospital room and board limit.

For more information, visit greateasternlife.com

Source

‘Celebrating 115 great years because of you’...

SINCE 1908, Great Eastern has made it the brand’s purpose to protect its customers from all of life’s twists and turns, so that they can focus on the things which make their lives meaningful.

Whether it is innovating solutions to help Malaysians pursue their lifelong dreams or empowering generations with financial freedom, Great Eastern has always put its customers and their aspirations at the forefront of its business.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” said Great Eastern Life Malaysia CEO Datuk Koh Yaw Hui.

“Protecting our customers at every stage of life is what our business was founded on, growing a financial legacy to provide for their family is what drives us, and empowering them to ‘Reach for Great’ in everything they do is what inspires us.”

This unwavering commitment to its customers has helped Great Eastern become the insurer of choice for generations of Malaysians for 115 years.

A celebration of togetherness and sustainability

Great Eastern celebrated its 115th anniversary recently together with its senior management team, employees and guests in a Hawaiian-themed “luau” townhall.

Befitting the theme, attendees came dressed in aloha shirts, floral prints, beach hats and “lei” garlands, with the townhall decorated with giant inflatable palm trees, pineapples, and tropical birds and cocktails.

Many festive events were lined up for their enjoyment including a lucky draw, games, performances, photo opportunities and a Hawaiian-themed anniversary cake.

During the townhall, Koh congratulated the company’s employees for going the extra mile for its customers and reiterated Great Eastern’s commitment to its environment, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

“At Great Eastern, we do not believe in leaving the future to fate; we believe in shaping it,” said Koh.

“That is why we are accelerating our efforts to build a company that is more environmentally conscious and socially responsible.”

As Malaysia’s largest and most established life insurance company, Great Eastern is aware that its business decisions can have a major impact on the environment and society.

To support its commitment, Great Eastern has embedded ESG initiatives into its business by organising sustainability-related activities for its employees and underprivileged children to advocate a sustainable lifestyle.

Through the company’s corporate social responsibility programme, ChildrenCare, Great Eastern has contributed more than RM3 million to underprivileged children since 1995.

Great Eastern also established a sustainability taskforce to ensure good governance and successful implementation of its corporate sustainability strategy.

Thanking customers by doubling their medical annual limit up to RM8 million at no extra cost

To thank its customers for putting their trust in the brand for 115 years, Great Eastern introduced a limited offer medical insurance plan to protect them against the increasing costs of private healthcare and future hospitalisation inflation.

SmartMedic Shield Double Annual Limit (SMS DAL) provides Malaysians with the special opportunity to double their medical coverage up to RM8 million at no extra cost.

To boost their financial protection, Malaysians only need to buy the SmartMedic Shield plan with a RM2 million annual limit, and add the SmartMedic Shield Extender rider with a RM2 million annual limit.

Great Eastern will then double the combined annual limit of RM4 million to RM8 million at no additional cost to its customers.

With health insurance being a long-term investment, customers will be pleased to know that their annual limit will be refreshed every year, with no overall lifetime limit.

In addition, SMS DAL provides medical coverage up to age 100 years next birthday, ensuring its customers will be financially protected well into their golden years.

Extensive medical and hospitalisation benefits

SMS DAL covers its customers with a comprehensive range of benefits that include pre- and post-hospitalisation treatments; outpatient treatments for cancer, kidney dialysis, dengue fever and Zika virus; as well as ICU expenses and surgical fees.

Benefits for emergency accidental outpatient treatment and accidental death are also provided to safeguard against the unexpected.

Having access to appropriate medical care after being discharged from the hospital is important in order to make a full recovery, which is why SMS DAL also covers its customers for follow-up treatments and home nursing care.

If customers choose the Room and Board RM400 option, the post-hospitalisation benefits will be extended to cover chiropractic treatments, speech and occupational therapy, as well as registered traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

To further enhance the financial protection provided, the hospital room and board limit is increased by 10% at the end of every three policy years, up to a cumulative total of 100% of the initial hospital room and board limit.

For more information, visit greateasternlife.com

Source

Sunway Malls big win at ICSC MAXI Awards

Kuala Lumpur: Sunway Malls emerged was a big winner at the 2023 International Council of Shopping Centres (ICSC) MAXI Awards recently when one of its malls, Sunway Velocity Mall, bagged two gold awards at the event in Las Vegas, USA.

The award was the event’s highest accolade.

Headquartered in New York, ICSC is a global trade association of the mall and retail real estate industry, “advocating for the industry to be broadly recognised for the integral role it plays in the social, civic and economic vibrancy of communities across the globe”.

Sunway Velocity Mall was the sole Malaysian mall winner at the awards that saw 100 finalists from worldwide; among them were Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, USA, China and others.

The MAXI Awards recognises innovative events, programmes and technology that add value to the mall industry. It covered marketing campaigns deployed in 2022 and 2023.

Sunway Velocity Mall won Gold for its Chinese New Year 2022 “100 Blessings” under the Marketing Excellence Community category and another Gold award for its New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert Celebrating 2023 under the Marketing Excellence Experiential category.

Previously, the “100 Blessings” campaign also took the highest accolade at a national level when the mall won Platinum award at the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK) Awards Best Experiential Marketing 2020-2022.

Sunway Malls & Theme Parks CEO HC Chan said: “The win at this global level is a testament of how Malaysian malls in a short span of time have emerged from a domestic player into a global player. Malaysia can take pride that its mall industry is globally recognised as one of the more progressive, vibrant and world-class industries.”

The “100 Blessings” campaign was the mall’s corporate social responsibility programme to deliver aid to 100 families that were severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, while the New Year’s Eve Countdown was an experiential-related campaign to usher in the new year.

Both marketing campaigns garnered good results – “100 Blessings” saw a 50% increase in footfall against the 20% target and 135 families benefitted against the initial target of 100 families, while the New Year’s Eve campaign witnessed a 39% footfall increase against 2019 and 20% sales growth against the same period.

“We are especially grateful the responses were better than expected. The success and recognition of these campaigns serve as an achievement of our continuous effort in helping and giving back to our community,” shared Sunway Velocity Mall senior general manager Phang Sau Lian.

She added: “The New Year’s Eve Countdown Celebration proved to be challenging as within close proximity of the mall, there were three other countdowns. Through a unique differentiation strategy which encompassed free entry, live performances and meet-and-greet with local artistes, carnival games, a food truck lane and an extended shopping bazaar, we drew an even larger crowd of 100,000 which surpassed pre-pandemic countdown turnout of 78,000 people.

“We see that the community recognises our contribution to them through our initiatives and many built affinities with us through these campaigns and events along the way. If it’s not for their support, we would never be where we are today – doing good for others and serving the community with one-of-a-kind shopping experience.”

Year-to-date, Sunway Velocity Mall sales performance continues to be on an upward trajectory with Q3 2023 expected to see a 6% growth year-on-year. Similarly, Sunway Malls is expecting to end 2023 with a 5% growth y-o-y.

Source

MagnumCares celebrates CSR commitment, honours beneficiaries

MAGNUMCARES marked a significant milestone in its 55-year journey, celebrating its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainable practices at its MagnumCares Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur today.

The event, held in collaboration with TVB Anywhere was witnessed by their partners, beneficiaries, various youth non-Governmental organisations and supporters who have played a pivotal role in MagnumCares' enduring legacy of giving back.

MagnumCares is the CSR arm of the Magnum Group, while TVB Anywhere is an online pay-TV and shopping platform by Hong Kong television station Television Broadcasts Limited for non-Hong Kong audience.

At the celebration in Sungai Wang Plaza today, Magnum executive director Krian Upatkoon extended the group’s heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, emphasising how their support “has played an instrumental role in MagnumCares’ longstanding mission”.

“Over the past five decades, MagnumCares has played an integral part of countless lives in Malaysia, celebrating shared victories and positive impact. Our connection with the people has been the driving force behind MagnumCares initiatives.

“We deeply appreciate their loyalty, which has enabled us to extend life-changing hope to communities all across Malaysia. Their choice to stand with us has made all of this possible. Thank you for choosing us; your support is truly invaluable, and our collective impact, immeasurable.”

At the event, MagnumCares also celebrated the impact of its innovative digital platform #ProjectMagnumHearts, available on the MyMagnum app that aims to inspire anyone to become a “Community Hero”.

Launched last year, the platform is for MagnumCares to be better engaged with the public. It is designed to enable people to participate more directly in charitable causes, while also providing visibility into the impact of their contributions.

“I encourage everyone to start their #ProjectMagnumHearts journey and choose your causes by giving Magnum Hearts to community projects you wish to support. We strongly believe that ‘nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something’. Together, we can bring tremendous change to countless lives,” said Upatkoon.

The event also showcased the impact #ProjectMagnumHearts has accomplished with the attendance of beneficiaries from The Lost Food Project, Great Hearts Charity Association, Yayasan Maha Karuna and the National Autism Society of Malaysia, joining to collectively celebrate achievements and receive their sponsorship contributions.

Upatkoon, in thanking TVB Anywhere, also stated how MagnumCares and TVB Anywhere share a common commitment to various CSR causes, focusing on community, environmental and social issues. “TVB Anywhere’s support stands as a testament to the shared values aimed at creating a brighter future for all.”

At the event, it was announced that as part as the two organisations’ partnership, TVB Anywhere is providing a 30-day free access and monthly subscription discount to TVBAnywhere+, exclusively only for Magnum’s M Premium members.

The partnership aims to offer value-driven benefits and unique entertainment experiences to the members, by offering them access to an enormous archive of latest, overseas TVB programmes.

A special highlight of the day yesterday was the appearance of TVB’s celebrated Hong Kong artiste Ali Lee who showed her support for MagnumCares’ cause. She had also spent time as part of MagnumCares’ initiative held on Saturday, where she visited SJK (C) Kampung Baru Ampang and mingled with some of its autistic pupils.

Upatkoon stressed that with continued determination and hope, “MagnumCares will remain steadfast in making a positive impact on countless lives to make the world a brighter place for all.”

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