Despite rivalry, I approved RM486k for Dr M's Japan trip, Anwar says
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the government had allocated RM486,000 for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's trip to Japan to attend the annual Nikkei conference last month.
He said the government decided to bear the cost after receiving a formal application from Mahathir, who is one of the Tambun MP's fiercest critics.
'There are...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
39 minutes ago
- The Sun
Malaysian universities urged to offer AI programmes, set up AI faculties
TAWAU: The Ministry of Higher Education has called on all universities in the country to offer programmes or establish faculties related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), in preparation for the growing demand for AI talents across various industries. Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has taken the lead in AI education by establishing the country's first AI faculty. 'We have made it clear that all universities should offer and open faculties and programmes related to AI, and the government will continue to monitor the latest developments in this field. 'In addition to AI, we are also seeing new developments in quantum technology,' he told reporters after officiating the appointment ceremony for the chairman of the Sabah Community College Advisory Committee, here today. He said the Ministry is also ready to offer AI-related courses at community colleges nationwide. 'Community colleges will not be bound by rigid course content and will be open to emerging fields. This will enable graduates to be more employable, as their skills are aligned with current market demands,' he said. At the same time, Zambry said the government would review the viability of community colleges that are no longer active or reassess the programmes offered at the inactive colleges. 'This is because some colleges are offering programmes that are not well-suited or have not received good response from the local community or students,' he said. Commenting on the water supply issue at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Zambry said he hoped that the issue could be resolved by the state government, as the ministry and the federal government have channelled RM5 million, including for the construction of underground piping. 'At the UMS level, we are not facing any problems. However, there may be other technical issues, either in terms of the pipeline or the supply volume of water needed for the university's main pipelines,' he added. Zambry also announced an allocation of RM50,000 for each of the nine community colleges in Sabah to support the implementation of various activities.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's First AI Faculty Launched at UTM in 2024
TAWAU: The Ministry of Higher Education has called on all universities in the country to offer programmes or establish faculties related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), in preparation for the growing demand for AI talents across various industries. Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has taken the lead in AI education by establishing the country's first AI faculty. 'We have made it clear that all universities should offer and open faculties and programmes related to AI, and the government will continue to monitor the latest developments in this field. 'In addition to AI, we are also seeing new developments in quantum technology,' he told reporters after officiating the appointment ceremony for the chairman of the Sabah Community College Advisory Committee, here today. He said the Ministry is also ready to offer AI-related courses at community colleges nationwide. 'Community colleges will not be bound by rigid course content and will be open to emerging fields. This will enable graduates to be more employable, as their skills are aligned with current market demands,' he said. At the same time, Zambry said the government would review the viability of community colleges that are no longer active or reassess the programmes offered at the inactive colleges. 'This is because some colleges are offering programmes that are not well-suited or have not received good response from the local community or students,' he said. Commenting on the water supply issue at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Zambry said he hoped that the issue could be resolved by the state government, as the ministry and the federal government have channelled RM5 million, including for the construction of underground piping. 'At the UMS level, we are not facing any problems. However, there may be other technical issues, either in terms of the pipeline or the supply volume of water needed for the university's main pipelines,' he added. Zambry also announced an allocation of RM50,000 for each of the nine community colleges in Sabah to support the implementation of various activities.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
New RM50 million revenue-based financing launched for MSMEs
KUALA LUMPUR: Dattel Asia Group, in collaboration with OHSEM360, has launched a RM50 million revenue-based financing (RBF) programme designed to provide flexible, data-driven financing solutions for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This innovative model allows businesses to repay financing based on a percentage of their monthly revenue, offering a more adaptable and cash flow-friendly alternative to traditional fixed repayments. The programme is facilitated through the smart platform where MSMEs can apply and be digitally assessed using real-time business performance data collected from various sources such as e-commerce platforms, QR Pay, and gig economy services. This approach leverages data and AI technology to better match financing terms with the actual sales performance of participating businesses. The launch was officiated by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Speaking at the event, Ewon highlighted the critical need for MSMEs to rapidly adopt modern technology to remain competitive in today's fast-paced market environment. He noted that technology is evolving faster than expected, and entrepreneurs can no longer afford to operate using traditional methods; instead, they must embrace and integrate technology to stay relevant and competitive. He said this inclusive and innovative financing initiative underscores the need for new solutions to improve MSMEs' access to capital. "This revenue-based financing model gives MSMEs the space to grow without the burden of fixed repayment commitments. It is a clear example of how technology, data, and alternative financing can be combined to deliver real impact for entrepreneurs. "I believe the alternative financing approach introduced by Dattel Asia Group will open up greater opportunities for entrepreneurs to access capital markets and become more competitive in the digital era. "The ministry welcomes Dattel Asia Group's ambition and fully supports any private sector efforts to diversify financing options that will strengthen the MSME business ecosystem and further drive national entrepreneurship development," he added. Ewon also said that in an effort to empower MSMEs to become more competitive, innovative, and resilient in both domestic and international markets, the ministry has introduced a variety of targeted financing initiatives. These efforts, through SME Corporation Malaysia, include the Digital Financing Programme and Bumiputera MSMEs Financing Initiative. In addition, the ministry, via Tekun Nasional. provides accessible micro-financing ranging from RM1,000 to RM100,000 to help entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses. For entrepreneurs seeking financing above RM100,000 and who have a strong repayment track record, Tekun Nasional also collaborates with financial institutions such as Bank Rakyat and SME Bank to support their larger capital needs. Other agencies under the ministry, including SME Bank, Pernas, and Bank Rakyat, also offer a range of financing products tailored to the needs of MSMEs requiring working capital to scale and strengthen their business operations. The initiative is supported by a strong network of financing partners, including Xin Finance, Funding Bee, Funding Societies and Choco Up. These partners offer collateral-free financing solutions that are tailored to the actual sales performance of businesses. By using data-driven credit assessments, they can provide fast approvals, giving MSMEs access to capital that grows with their revenue and helps reduce repayment pressure during periods of low cash flow. Complementing the financing layer is a robust ecosystem of platform partners that enable seamless data integration and performance tracking. These include Bayarlah (Beez Fintech) for QR Pay solutions, GoFluence, an AI-driven influencer marketing platform, and leading e-commerce platforms such as Lazada, TikTok Shop, Shopee, and EasyStore. Dattel Asia Group chief executive officer Ashran Ghazi highlighted the transformative role of data and technology in unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurs. He underscored how platforms like powered by data and AI, are enabling more businesses, especially those previously underserved by traditional financing models, to access capital and gain valuable insights for smarter decision-making. "Entrepreneurs should not be penalised simply because they do not meet the benchmarks of traditional financing. With data and AI, we can unlock their real potential. "We are honoured to see strong participation from financing and platform partners in this ecosystem. It proves that the private sector can collaborate meaningfully with the government to drive large-scale impact for MSMEs."
