Sime Darby Plantation appoints Mohd Haris Mohd Arshad as Group Chief Operating Officer
Business
Technology
Axiata’s Boost get Bank Negara’s nod to start operating as digital bank from Jan 15
KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd’s fintech arm Boost, together with its consortium partner RHB Banking Group, has received the approval from Bank Negara Malaysia and the Finance Ministry to commence operations as a digital bank, with effect from Jan 15. The Boost-RHB digital bank consortium received regulatory approval ahead of the scheduled timeline, following a…
IBM shares soar to more than 10-year high on rosy AI outlook
NEW YORK (Reuters) -IBM shares jumped nearly 13% to a more than 10-year high on Thursday after the company reported a better-than-expected revenue outlook backed by strong demand for its artificial intelligence (AI) services. Orders from IBM’s generative AI business, which includes bookings and sales from services such as those powered by its Watsonx AI…
Why it’s important to turn on Apple’s new Stolen Device Protection
LONDON: You’re in a crowded bar when a thief watches you unlock your iPhone with your passcode, then swipes it. That sinking feeling hits when you realise it’s gone, along with priceless photos, important files, passwords on banking apps and other vital parts of your digital life. Apple rolled out an update to its iOS operating…
Fixed broadband subscribers to see upside
PETALING JAYA: With the broadband access price concerns cleared, RHB Research sees upside to fixed-broadband (FBB) subscriber growth, plus the earnings generated per user with higher FBB adoption. The protracted discussions on broadband access prices following the implementation of new mandatory access pricing framework in March 2023 has been “a key overhang” on the telecommunication…
Microsoft expands Office AI Copilot service
Redmond (Washington): Microsoft Corp is opening up its artificial intelligence (AI) assistant to consumers and making the corporate version available to smaller companies as it tries to increase the number of paying customers for the new services. Microsoft is selling a US$20-a-month consumer version of Copilot, with access to OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT technology and image-creation…
Energy
Asset awareness crucial to mitigate risks in energy sector
PETALING JAYA: Asset awareness is critical for mitigating potential risks and enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, especially in the energy sector, according to an expert. Ernst & Young Asean cybersecurity energy leader Jaco Benadie said recognising the importance of this mantra, energy organisations including in Malaysia are propelled to strengthen their defences, assuring the security of their…
Some Indonesians fear being left behind by energy transition: Report
JAKARTA: Some Indonesians are concerned that the energy transition will affect their livelihoods, particularly those who rely on the fossil fuel sector. Around 13 per cent of Indonesians, living in South Sumatra, West Java and East Kalimantan, have opted not to support the energy transition, according to a survey by consulting firm Markdata and climate…
OpenAI CEO Altman says at Davos future AI depends on energy breakthrough
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) -OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman on Tuesday said an energy breakthrough is necessary for future artificial intelligence, which will consume vastly more power than people have expected. Speaking at a Bloomberg event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Altman said the silver lining is that more climate-friendly…
Tariff revisions for water services revival
Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), or National Water Services Commission, as the regulator for the 12 states water operators in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan, is currently looking into a proposed water tariff revision, which it says has been long overdue. Under the proposal, any tariff revision shall be linked to the water operator’s performance particularly…
New water tariff rates from Feb 1
PETALING JAYA: Water tariff rates will be increased by 22 sen per cubic meter from Feb 1 for domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, says the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) It said in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 17) that the adjustment is under the Tariff Setting Mechanism (TSM).…