TNB's AI-powered Maintenance Project Wins ASEAN Innovation Award
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's leading electricity utility, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), has received the ASEAN Innovation Business Platform (AIBP) Enterprise Innovation Award 2025 in the Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) category for its groundbreaking AI-powered predictive maintenance initiative.
AIBP, in a statement, said TNB received the award at the 49th AIBP Conference here last Wednesday, noting that the event is widely recognised as a regional benchmark for digital transformation, honouring organisations that deliver innovative, scalable, and high-impact solutions across ASEAN.
"TNB's AI-powered predictive maintenance initiative transforms management of its extensive 11kV underground cable network, traditionally affected by numerous breakdowns annually.
"Successfully piloted in Selangor with over 80 per cent accuracy in predicting failures up to two years in advance, the project reduces cable failures by 15–20 per cent, significantly enhancing customer service reliability," read the statement.
Senior leaders in asset management and analytics represented TNB at the ceremony, alongside prominent industry figures, including CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab, National AI Office CEO Shamsul Majid, and AIBP CEO Irza Fauzan Suprapto.
It said that there were over 100 nominated projects from both private and government-linked corporations in that category.
Other finalists included major regional players such as Petronas, Genting, AirAsia, Sime Darby, and Allianz, highlighting the project's regional competitiveness and innovation strength.
It added that the winning project underwent a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an independent panel of experts spanning digital government, economic policy, enterprise technology, and global innovation sectors.
"Final presentations were held in May, with judging criteria focusing on impact, scalability, innovation, and value creation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
22 minutes ago
- The Star
AI roadmap by 3Q this year
Innovative technology: Gobind (left) visiting a booth after launching the National AI Competition 2025 at Sunway University in Selangor. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: A National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap that outlines a five-year plan is expected to be launched by the third quarter this year, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. According to Gobind, the national AI roadmap from 2026 to 2030 is expected to have an entire chapter on AI education, and his ministry will be speaking to different sectors after the announcement. 'The document is ready. 'However, we anticipate launching it in the third quarter of this year,' said Gobind after he launched the National AI Competition 2025 at Sunway University yesterday. Gobind also said it is important to spread awareness about AI education, as it could foster interest in technology adoption among students. 'So, we will look at what data can be digitised and used to strengthen our education system,' said Gobind, adding that the national AI roadmap will focus on all sectors, and different ministries will be involved for that purpose. 'Different ministries will deal with different sectors, such as health and transportation, among others,' he said. Gobind said his ministry will also get feedback from other ministries on the issues faced by the country's sectors. 'We will devise a plan to overcome these challenges. 'One of the key areas is to ensure that we build talent that is able to optimise the potential of technology as we move forward,' he said. At the same time, Gobind said Malaysians should look at the use of generative AI such as ChatGPT as a form of innovation that can better their lives. 'Like it or not, technology will continue developing, and in this journey, we will see more innovations that can better our lives,' he said. In 2021, the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry announced the National AI Roadmap 2021-2025, which outlined frameworks in agriculture, healthcare and education. Meanwhile, Gobind said over 2,500 students participated in the National AI Competition 2025, and more higher learning institutions should organise competitions as such. 'This is important because this is a platform where we can see how the technology is used and how it can benefit us,' said Gobind. 'This event gives important exposure to students, and I hope after this, every student will bring this message to their friends and family members that it is time to ensure that the nation is AI-ready.'
Barnama
34 minutes ago
- Barnama
Rahmah MADANI Sales: Effective Approach To Ease Living Ciost Of The People
By Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar PORT DICKSON, July 20 (Bernama) -- The Rahmah MADANI Sales initiative has proven to be an effective intervention approach in the government's efforts to help ease the cost of living of the people, especially at the grassroots level. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the initiative continues to receive strong public support, especially with its expansion to all regions across the country, including suburban and rural areas. He said that apart from providing immediate relief, the programme also offers a valuable platform for the ministry to engage directly with the community to obtain feedback, including suggestions for improvements and additional stock-keeping units (SKUs) that people would like to see. "The community has acknowledged that this programme truly reaches the grassroots and fulfils their daily needs," he said. 'As we know, the allocation for the Rahmah Sales Programme has also been increased. So we hope that the 2026 Budget will further expand the programme's reach so that more people can benefit from it,' he told Bernama. He said this when visiting the MADANI Rahmah Sales and Kenduri Rakyat programmes in Kampung Pachitan, held in conjunction with the MADANI Ukhwah Programme and the MADANI Government Members of Parliament Retreat here. In addition to Kampung Pachitan, Armizan said the programme was also implemented at the Petanque Field, Batu 1, Port Dickson, offering 42 and 50 stock keeping units (SKUs) at discounted prices, respectively. He noted that efforts to gather public feedback were further strengthened by the involvement of MADANI Government MPs in the two-day retreat by engaging directly with residents to better understand the realities of their daily lives.
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Rate Cut To Spur Moderate Demand In Property Sector, Say Analysts
They contend that the lower benchmark lending rate, together with infrastructure growth and incentives for developers, will maintain the property market's resilience with stable price trends amid a cautiously optimistic outlook. KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Bernama) -- The cut in the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will spur moderate demand for properties in general in the second half (2H) of this year while demand in the high-end segment will continue to be robust, analysts say. Although price softening is seen in some high-end urban pockets, they believe overall sentiment has improved, particularly in infrastructure-connected zones and prime city areas. Nevertheless, analysts contend that it is an opportune time for buyers. JLL Malaysia managing director Jamie Tan told Bernama that stable economic conditions, wealth preservation strategies and attractive incentives have encouraged upgraders and investors to remain active despite the cautious sentiment in the broader market. Nevertheless, real estate experts said they notice the rate cut has led to a noticeable increase in property viewings and home loan inquiries, which could boost buying sentiment especially in the mid-range segment. Despite a general slowdown in the overall real estate market in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, the high-end segment demonstrated greater resilience. This was evident by the 5.6 per cent year-on-year increase in transactions for properties priced above RM1 million, according to the National Property Information Centre (Napic). While the overall volume and value of property transactions declined by 6.2 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively, demand for luxury homes in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru remained firm, driven by affluent buyers seeking high-quality developments in prime locations. Prices Holding Steady in Urban Centres Tan said residential prices across Malaysia's major urban centres remained steady, with modest gains recorded across key segments. In the Klang Valley, serviced apartments and condominiums saw price increases of between 1.8 and 2.3 per cent, while double-storey terrace home prices rose 1.4 per cent. 'These figures reflect sustained demand and market stabilisation following the post-pandemic recovery,' he said, adding that balanced new supply and consistent buyer demand have supported price stability. IQI co-founder and chief executive officer Kashif Ansari expressed optimism the current market overhang at about 4.8 months of sales volume is still relatively healthy, especially compared with countries like the United States (US), where overhang rates hover around 10 months. Affordability Challenges for Mass Market Kashif said in contrast, the sub-RM500,000 market faced more significant challenges. Transaction volumes and values in this price segment declined, reflecting affordability pressures and cautious spending among mass-market buyers. 'While many buyers are financially stable, factors like rising living costs and stagnant wages continue to weigh on sentiment,' he said. To address affordability gaps, Kashif said developers and policymakers must focus on boosting supply in the RM200,000 to RM500,000 range, where demand is high but product availability remains limited. Improved Overhang Situation, But Strategic Supply Needed Residential overhang rates, while improving, still warrant attention. According to JLL, overhang rates stood at 23 per cent in Selangor and Johor and 19 per cent in Kuala Lumpur as of the second quarter (2Q) of 2025, marking improvements from pandemic-era peaks of 63 per cent in 2020-2021. 'Not all unsold stock is equal. Properties with strong locations, connectivity and design features continue to attract buyers, while poorly located or overbuilt units struggle,' Tan said. Competition among developers remains intense, with many offering incentives to boost sales without officially cutting prices. These include price rebates, renovation packages, legal fee absorption and even lifestyle perks like travel vouchers. OPR Cut Sparks Renewed Buyer Interest BNM's OPR cut to 2.75 per cent on July 10, after about two years of no change, has boosted buyer sentiment. While the OPR rate remained unchanged at 3.0 per cent since May 2023, the latest cut is seen as an opportune time for homebuyers to enter the market. Real estate experts reported a noticeable increase in property viewings and home loan inquiries following the rate cut. 'This reduction improves affordability. A borrower financing a RM500,000 home could save around RM66 per month, adding up to RM23,000 over a 30-year loan. That's a tangible incentive,' said Kashif. In combination with developer incentives, the rate cut is expected to revive activity particularly in the mid-range market, where value-for-money is key. However, he said that the property market remains sensitive to broader economic conditions. External shocks such as geopolitical tensions, policy instability, or global economic slowdowns could dampen momentum. Infrastructure as a Growth Catalyst On the other hand, infrastructure continues to play a key role in driving property values. Homes located near public transport networks such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations, consistently outperform the broader market. Citing a study by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Kashif said that properties within 400 metres of MRT stations on the Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line sold at a 9.5 per cent premium post-completion, about RM99,900 more than the citywide average. Tan, meanwhile, also cited transit-oriented developments, which would benefit from long-term desirability, making it attractive even in softer market conditions. 'Connectivity drives footfall, rental demand and capital values. Investors perceive infrastructure-rich areas as lower-risk and higher-return zones,' said Tan. Johor's Transformation Boosting Values Johor is emerging as a standout market, driven by the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the upcoming Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. These mega-projects are spurring development interest and price growth. As of 2Q 2025, serviced apartment prices in strategic areas such as Bukit Chagar and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex have surged by up to 20.4 per cent. New projects are fetching prices of RM1,500 per sq ft and above -- levels previously limited to Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. 'Johor's cross-border connectivity is a powerful magnet for both developers and investors,' Tan said. Towards Holistic, Livable Development Looking forward, analysts emphasised the importance of holistic urban planning and inclusive housing strategies. 'Developers must align their projects with real community needs, not just profit margins,' said Tan. This includes better coordination with local councils, sustainable design and ensuring access to amenities, public transport and green spaces. Kashif echoed the call, adding that a stable property market should prioritise accessibility, housing quality, and long-term livability, not just price performance. Regulatory clarity and streamlined approval processes are also key to maintaining investor confidence. Tan urged more consistent guidelines from federal and local authorities to avoid delays and uncertainty. He lamented that 'frequent policy changes discourage long-term planning and add costs to development.' To spur affordable housing, both experts recommended refining the Home Ownership Campaign, introducing tax incentives for affordable housing developers and avoiding haphazard launches that could flood the market. He cautioned that without proper planning, 'we risk another overhang situation.' Positive Overall Outlook for Property Sector While Malaysia's property market faces challenges in affordability and oversupply in some segments, the overall outlook remains positive. Stable economic conditions, supportive monetary policy, infrastructure development and a responsive developer ecosystem are helping to maintain resilience. With targeted policy support and careful supply alignment, 2Q 2025 could see renewed momentum, especially in the mid- and high-end segments that deliver both value and connectivity. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
