SINGAPORE (Sept 10): Move over, Siri. Here comes OCBC with its own artificial intelligence digital assistant.

In a first for Singapore, customers of OCBC Bank can now pay their bills, check account transactions and track expenses by talking to their phones.

OCBC launches voice-activated AI banking service

SINGAPORE (Aug 14): CapitaLand announced on Wednesday that it will invest S$5 million over two years, to build up the digital competencies of more than 2,600 employees.

The real estate group says its intention is to develop a “competent, adaptable and future-ready workforce of knowledge workers”.

CapitaLand to invest S$5 mil to build employees' digital skills

SINGAPORE (Aug 13): If Singaporeans could turn back time and be 18 years old again, a whopping 83% would focus on a field of study within the digital or online realm, according to a survey by HR services firm Randstad Singapore.

In addition, three-quarters of those surveyed say they would also have studied something in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The same percentage of respondents say they believe more students should focus on a career in STEM.

More Singaporeans see importance of digital, STEM skills at work — survey

SINGAPORE (July 30): Technology companies in growth areas identified by the government will soon find it easier to bring their talents into Singapore, should they choose to set up new teams here.

The Economic Development Board (EDB) and Enterprise Singapore on Tuesday announced plans to pilot Tech @ SG, a targeted programme to help tech companies grow in Singapore and expand in the region.

Some of the growth areas the agencies have their eye on include digital, medtech, biotech, cleantech, agritech and fintech.

Singapore to pilot new programme to help high-potential tech firms bring in talent

SINGAPORE (July 30): Despite a tiny population of just over 5.6 million, Singapore last year accounted for 1% of all international arrivals to the top 200 tourism cities in the world – contributing US$6.1 billion (S$8.4 billion) to total travel expenditure.

The top destinations for travellers from Singapore are Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Hong Kong. In total, these three cities saw 2.4 million arrivals from the Lion City last year, with travellers spending over US$2 billion.

Singapore's globetrotters spent S$8.4 bil on travel in 2018

(July 16): To help put more people with disabilities into jobs, United Overseas Bank (UOB) on Tuesday launched a programme to connect their private sector clients with social service agencies that can help with the hiring process.

Called The Unlimited, the initiative was unveiled to more than 160 business leaders over dinner at the St Regis Singapore. This inclusive hiring effort sees the bank partnering SG Enable, Autism Resource Centre (ARC), Movement for the Intellectually Disabled (Minds) and SPD, formerly known as the Society for the Physically Disabled.

UOB launches initiative to help business clients hire those with disabilities

After the longest Parliament sitting in Singa­pore to debate legislation, the city state passed a law that gives portfolio ministers — part of the group of political office holders in Singapore — the power to decide what amounts to news that is false and against the public interest, and order that it be either corrected or taken down.

What went on behind the passing of Singapore's new fake news law

The current United States and China trade tensions, businessman Ho Kwon Ping thinks, is not about a trade war but about a paradigm shift towards China becoming a major global player who does not want to play by Western rules.

Don't demonise China but neither be its vassal state: Ho Kwon Ping

Tackling falsehoods has become a high priority for the Ministry of Law.

How Singapore's laws are evolving in the war against fake news

Hulu Selangor Bersatu action division head has been named as Perikatan Nasional's (PN) candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) state by-election on May 11.

PN names Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division head as candidate for KKB by-election

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

AirAsia X, Capital A, ViTrox, PavREIT, Luxchem, Chin Teck, MKHOP, TAS Offshore, Inta Bina, Heineken, Pantech and Infoline Tec 

TAS Offshore Bhd’s net profit has leapt by nine-fold year-on-year for the financial quarter ended Feb 29, 2024 (3QFY2024) due to more vessels delivered.

TAS Offshore’s 3Q net profit up nine-fold, shares surge to eight-year high

US economic growth for the first quarter could be revised higher and inflation will ease to more normal levels, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters on Thursday after a clutch of "peculiar" factors held the economy to its weakest showing in nearly two years.

US growth may get revised up, inflation will ebb

EUPE Corp Bhd's net profit surged by 28.9% to RM14.54 million in the fourth quarter ended Feb 29, 2024 (4QFY2024) from RM11.28 million a year ago, underpinned by a higher contribution from the property development division.

EUPE Corp net profit surges 28.9% in 4Q, driven by strong property sales

CGS International has cut its earnings estimate for Inari Amertron Bhd as recent data flagged weakened smartphone demand, according to its research note on Thursday.

CGS International cuts Inari Amertron earnings forecast on weak smartphone demand

AirAsia X Bhd (AAX), which will be taking over Capital A Bhd's aviation business, has announced the mechanics of its plan via a bourse filing on Thursday.

AirAsia X to buy Capital A's aviation business for RM6.8b via share and debt deal 

In today’s edition of Evening 5: 00:00 EPF unveils the details of flexible Account 3 02:07 AAX to buy Capital A’s airline business for RM6.8 bil 03:47 DNB adds five new members to its board 04:58 PM denies claims about a Forest City casino 05:51 Pantech mulls listing two subsidiaries

EVENING 5: EPF unveils the details of flexible Account 3

Infoline Tec Group Bhd has proposed to transfer its listing from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia as it has met the profit requirements for the transfer.

Infoline Tec seeks transfer from ACE Market to Main Market

EVENING 5: Five things you need to know today

Sports retailer Al-Ikhsan Sports Sdn Bhd, in which state-owned private equity firm Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) owns a 35% stake, has appointed Datuk Hishammudin Hasan as its new chief executive officer effective April 17.

Ekuinas-backed Al-Ikhsan Sports names former 7-Eleven head as CEO

AirAsia X Bhd (AAX), which will be taking over Capital A Bhd's aviation business, has announced the mechanics of its plan via a bourse filing on Thursday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday denied claims that the government will issue a licence for the operation of a casino in Forest City, Johor.

PM denies claims that govt issuing casino licence for Forest City

IOI Properties Group broke ground on Thursday for Senna Puteri, its latest township development located in Sepang, Selangor. The developer is looking to launch 386 units of townhouses in its first phase before the end of the second quarter.

Spanning 117 acres in southern Klang Valley, the 12-phase Senna Puteri will be developed over the next 10 years, offering residential, commercial, recreational areas, green spaces, community hall, surau and more. It has a gross development value (GDV) of over RM3 billion.

IOI Properties breaks ground for 117-acre Senna Puteri in Sepang

JOHOR BAHRU (April 25): The Johor branch of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) found parasitic worms Anisakis sp in samples of sardine cans from China that were brought in through the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here, earlier this month.

Parasitic worms Anisakis sp found in canned sardines from China — Johor dept

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is among individuals under investigation by the commission.

Azam Baki confirms Dr M among individuals under MACC probe

KUALA LUMPUR (April 25): Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had never instructed 1Malaysia Development Bhd’s (1MDB) management to transfer a total US$1.03 billion to Good Star Ltd, a company linked to the fugitive Low Taek Jho (Jho Low), the court heard on Thursday.

Najib never instructed 1MDB management to transfer monies to Good Star — witness

MKH Oil Palm (East Kalimantan) Bhd (MKHOP), the plantation arm of property developer MKH Bhd, reported RM16.02 million net profit on the back of RM86.05 million revenue for the second quarter ended March 31, 2024 (2QFY2024), ahead of its listing on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market.

MKH Oil Palm posts RM16 mil net profit in 2Q, q-o-q up 44% ahead of Main Market listing

Chin Teck Plantations Bhd’s net profit surged sevenfold for the financial quarter ended Feb 29, 2024 (2QFY2024) thanks to higher palm oil production as well as lower operating and administrative expenses.

Chin Teck’s 2Q net profit up sevenfold

Luxchem Corp Bhd’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024) surged over 54% to RM11.56 million or 1.08 sen per share from RM7.5 million or 0.7 sen per share a year earlier on the back of stronger earnings from both its trading and manufacturing segments.

The industrial chemical and material group’s revenue rose 19.8% to RM183.15 million versus RM152.83 million a year ago as driven by its trading and manufacturing segments, according to a bourse filing on Thursday. &nbsp;

Luxchem 1Q net profit up 54% on stronger trading and manufacturing segment

Shares of CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (CLMT) surged on Thursday to its highest in nearly four years while analysts remained upbeat following better-than-expected first-quarter (1Q) results.

CapitaLand Malaysia Trust surges to near four-year high after strong 1Q

JRG Minerals Sdn Bhd is collaborating with Shandong Huaxin Industry Co Ltd for a development project in Kuantan, Pahang, with an estimated value of RM15 billion.

JRG Minerals teams up with Shandong Huaxin for RM15b development project in Pahang

Global semiconductor firm Nasdaq-listed TTM Technologies Inc has invested US$200 million (about RM958 million) for its first manufacturing plant in Malaysia.

Nasdaq-listed TTM Technologies invests RM958 mil for manufacturing plant in Penang

The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has called on the European Union to delay the implementation of deforestation rules by at least a year for small businesses, its secretary general said on Thursday.

Palm oil producers urges EU to delay deforestation rules for small businesses

Pantech Group Holdings Bhd is considering to list two wholly-owned subsidiaries — Pantech Stainless &amp; Alloy Industries Sdn Bhd and Pantech Steel Industries Sdn Bhd — on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia via a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

Plans for this are still at the preliminary stage and extensive preparatory work needs to be carried out, Pantech said in a bourse filing on Thursday.

Pantech mulls listing two subsidiaries on Main Market via SPV

Practice Note 17 (PN17) company Khee San Bhd will increase the allotment underwritten in its proposed rights issue after Ng Meng Kee ceased to be a substantial shareholder and requested to discharge his undertaking.&nbsp;

Khee San revises underwriting of rights issue after substantial shareholder ceases to be, withdraws undertaking

SEPANG (April 25): A&nbsp;manager of a tour agency company pleaded not guilty at&nbsp;the Sessions Court here on Thursday to charges of attempting to murder his wife and causing injury to the woman’s bodyguard.

KLIA shooting: Company manager charged with attempted murder of wife

CGS International has cut its earnings estimate for Inari Amertron Bhd as recent data flagged weakened&nbsp;smartphone demand, according to its research note on Thursday.

The government’s move to introduce a progressive wage policy is the right approach to boost labour productivity in Malaysia, according to a World Bank economist.

Progressive wage policy right approach to boost growth in Malaysia's labour productivity — World Bank economist 

ViTrox Corp Bhd saw its net profit nearly halved for the financial quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024), primarily due to unfavourable product mix and higher research and development (R&amp;D) expenditures to support the introduction of new products.

Kok Xinghui

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