Latest news with #Agus
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
NGO for technical group aims high
Published on: Monday, August 18, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 18, 2025 By: Jeremy S Zabala Text Size: Agus (third left), Faidullah (third right), Malyneta (second left), Jason (middle) and Fatmawati (right) at SAPTT 2nd Annual General Meeting and 2025 Raya Celebration. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (SAPTT) is determined to play its role as a platform for technologists and professional technicians in the State. SAPTT Chairman Ir Agus Irawan Hasanudin said it aims to assist and connect professional technicians and technologists with other parts of Malaysia, which in a way help elevate for their profession. 'The association also forged a strategic partnership with the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), which markets a significant milestone in professional recognition for Sabah's technical community. 'SAPTT remains committed to capacity building, actively organizing public training and upskilling sessions through the TechTalk@SAPTT Webinar Series and dedicated Professional Coaching Programs,' he told Daily Express. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- GMA Network
NBI rescues 10 minors from child exploitation
Authorities have rescued 10 minors, aged between three months to 16 years old, from child exploitation in Tarlac, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago announced Monday. Of the minors, seven were male and three were female. Santiago said they are now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. According to Santiago, the case stemmed from the arrest of a Swedish national and alleged child-sexual offender in April. 'Hindi kami nag i-stop there. Tuloy pa rin ang investigation ng aking VAWCD at ayun nga, natunton 'yung mga contact na it turned out, magulang, tyahin nung mga bata,' Santiago said at a press briefing. (We did not stop there. The investigation by my VAWCD continued and they were able to trace the contacts who turned out to be the parents and aunt of the children.) Meanwhile, NBI-Violence Against Women and Children Division chief Atty. Yehlen Agus said the two women were arrested in Tarlac on June 10. 'Natunton natin ang dalawang bahay na tinutuluyan nitong magkapatid. Natunton din natin 'yung mga batang ine-exploit nitong mag kapatid at nitong foreigner. Kaya nag result ng pagkahuli nitong dalawang magkapatid at rescue naman ng 10 mga bata,' Agus said. (We were able to locate the two houses where the siblings were staying. We also tracked down the children being exploited by the siblings and the foreigner. This led to the arrest of the two siblings and the rescue of 10 children.) Agus said that they were able to stop the two individuals and the foreigners from meeting. 'Lahat ng klaseng pang bubugaw, pang bababoy, pinapaagawa po sa mga bata,' she said. (All kinds of pimping and abuse were being forced upon the children.) ''Yung pagpunta nila dito nung April, kung hindi natin na-prevent, kung hindi na-tip sa atin ito ng ating mga counterparts, posible po ay hindi na lang basta show kung hindi pati na rin 'yung sexual assault and exploitations talaga nung mga bata or even rape,' she added. (Their visit here last April, if we hadn't prevented it, if we hadn't been tipped off by our counterparts, could have led not just to a show, but also to actual sexual assault and exploitation of the children, or even rape.) The NBI said the subjects have been presented for inquest proceedings at the Department of Justice. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Korea Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS to Boost 1,500 SMEs across Asia, Debuts at UN Global Compact BRI Action Platform Summit
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech company, has launched its "BRAVOSHOPS" pilot initiative to support small and micro businesses across pan-Asian countries. The Company introduced the initiative at a summit held in Indonesia on May 25, co-organized by the Government of Indonesia and the UNGC BRI Action Platform. The summit brought together global stakeholders to advance sustainable development across key sectors, including SME empowerment, green innovation, education, and energy transition. During the summit, members of the UN Global Compact unveiled nine flagship pilot initiatives, with FinVolution presenting its BRAVOSHOPS initiative as part of this global effort. Notably, FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS initiative seeks to empower community-rooted small businesses that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and cultural heritage. The initiative builds on FinVolution's experience supporting over 70 small shops in China since 2023. Through a combination of physical upgrades, public engagement, and targeted financial support, the program enhances the visibility, functionality, and impact of participating stores. As part of its regional expansion, BRAVOSHOPS aims to empower at least 1,500 small businesses across China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other Asian countries between 2025 and 2030. The initiative reflects FinVolution's long-term commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods. Building Change from the Ground Up As FinVolution actively expands the BRAVOSHOPS initiative, two newly supported businesses in Indonesia exemplify the model's impact. In Cianjur, West Java, young agricultural entrepreneur Agus Surya founded a tool shop after graduating from university. His store provides essential farming equipment to rural communities and serves as a hub for agricultural education. "Running an agribusiness is about more than profit and loss — it's about making a meaningful impact," Agus said. Responding to his needs, BRAVOSHOPS helped modernize his storefront and display units, giving his shop a fresh, professional look. Agus hopes his revitalized store will serve as a stronger support system for local farmers. Also, among the early beneficiaries of BRAVOSHOPS in Indonesia is Ms. Vonny Waty, a seasoned chef from Manado, Sulawesi, who has over 15 years of culinary experience. Currently based in Jakarta, she runs a small food stall serving traditional dishes to nearby office workers. However, Vonny had long struggled with limited resources. She faced challenges expanding her business due to a lack of refrigeration and storage, which limited her ability to preserve ingredients and diversify her menu. Through the BRAVOSHOPS initiative, FinVolution provided essential equipment — including a refrigerator, storage cabinets, and a large-capacity rice cooker — enabling Vonny to improve food safety, stabilize her operations, and expand her offerings. As a result, her income has grown, and she has become a role model for other aspiring women entrepreneurs in her community, demonstrating the transformative power of targeted, practical support. Scaling Impact Across Borders FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS initiative was first launched in late 2023 in China as a public-interest initiative designed to support small businesses deeply rooted in their local communities. The program focused on identifying microenterprises that not only provided goods or services but also played a meaningful role in fostering social cohesion and local well-being. Early beneficiaries included a neighborhood barbershop offering monthly free haircuts to elderly residents, a rural reading space organizing volunteer-led literacy sessions for children, and a cafe that created employment opportunities for individuals with hearing impairments. By the end of 2024, BRAVOSHOPS had made a measurable impact, directly benefiting more than 15,000 people across a range of underserved groups, including seniors, children, and marginalized individuals. The initiative proved that even small-scale interventions — when guided by a deep understanding of community needs — can yield meaningful and lasting social value. This success laid the foundation for the program's expansion beyond China, demonstrating its potential as a replicable model for empowering local economies and advancing inclusive development. FinVolution's decision to expand BRAVOSHOPS to Southeast Asia further underscores the initiatives' broader relevance and affirms the Company's leadership in creating value through localized, socially responsible solutions. Leading the Way in Sustainable Financial Innovation Since joining the UN Global Compact in 2022, FinVolution has aligned its business strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening its ESG practices across its operations. The Company's ESG effort has earned international recognition, with Morningstar Sustainalytics rating the firm as a "Low Risk" performer — ranking it among the top 15% of diversified financial firms worldwide. FinVolution also achieved scores above the industry average in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Looking ahead, FinVolution aims to scale its inclusive finance efforts by partnering with more organizations, and harnessing its technological and platform strengths to help create a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economic environment across Asia and beyond.
Malaysian Reserve
26-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS to Boost 1,500 SMEs across Asia, Debuts at UN Global Compact BRI Action Platform Summit
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV), a leading fintech company, has launched its 'BRAVOSHOPS' pilot initiative to support small and micro businesses across pan-Asian countries. The Company introduced the initiative at a summit held in Indonesia on May 25, co-organized by the Government of Indonesia and the UNGC BRI Action Platform. The summit brought together global stakeholders to advance sustainable development across key sectors, including SME empowerment, green innovation, education, and energy transition. During the summit, members of the UN Global Compact unveiled nine flagship pilot initiatives, with FinVolution presenting its BRAVOSHOPS initiative as part of this global effort. Notably, FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS initiative seeks to empower community-rooted small businesses that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and cultural heritage. The initiative builds on FinVolution's experience supporting over 70 small shops in China since 2023. Through a combination of physical upgrades, public engagement, and targeted financial support, the program enhances the visibility, functionality, and impact of participating stores. As part of its regional expansion, BRAVOSHOPS aims to empower at least 1,500 small businesses across China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other Asian countries between 2025 and 2030. The initiative reflects FinVolution's long-term commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods. Building Change from the Ground Up As FinVolution actively expands the BRAVOSHOPS initiative, two newly supported businesses in Indonesia exemplify the model's impact. In Cianjur, West Java, young agricultural entrepreneur Agus Surya founded a tool shop after graduating from university. His store provides essential farming equipment to rural communities and serves as a hub for agricultural education. 'Running an agribusiness is about more than profit and loss — it's about making a meaningful impact,' Agus said. Responding to his needs, BRAVOSHOPS helped modernize his storefront and display units, giving his shop a fresh, professional look. Agus hopes his revitalized store will serve as a stronger support system for local farmers. Also, among the early beneficiaries of BRAVOSHOPS in Indonesia is Ms. Vonny Waty, a seasoned chef from Manado, Sulawesi, who has over 15 years of culinary experience. Currently based in Jakarta, she runs a small food stall serving traditional dishes to nearby office workers. However, Vonny had long struggled with limited resources. She faced challenges expanding her business due to a lack of refrigeration and storage, which limited her ability to preserve ingredients and diversify her menu. Through the BRAVOSHOPS initiative, FinVolution provided essential equipment — including a refrigerator, storage cabinets, and a large-capacity rice cooker — enabling Vonny to improve food safety, stabilize her operations, and expand her offerings. As a result, her income has grown, and she has become a role model for other aspiring women entrepreneurs in her community, demonstrating the transformative power of targeted, practical support. Scaling Impact Across Borders FinVolution's BRAVOSHOPS initiative was first launched in late 2023 in China as a public-interest initiative designed to support small businesses deeply rooted in their local communities. The program focused on identifying microenterprises that not only provided goods or services but also played a meaningful role in fostering social cohesion and local well-being. Early beneficiaries included a neighborhood barbershop offering monthly free haircuts to elderly residents, a rural reading space organizing volunteer-led literacy sessions for children, and a cafe that created employment opportunities for individuals with hearing impairments. By the end of 2024, BRAVOSHOPS had made a measurable impact, directly benefiting more than 15,000 people across a range of underserved groups, including seniors, children, and marginalized individuals. The initiative proved that even small-scale interventions — when guided by a deep understanding of community needs — can yield meaningful and lasting social value. This success laid the foundation for the program's expansion beyond China, demonstrating its potential as a replicable model for empowering local economies and advancing inclusive development. FinVolution's decision to expand BRAVOSHOPS to Southeast Asia further underscores the initiatives' broader relevance and affirms the Company's leadership in creating value through localized, socially responsible solutions. Leading the Way in Sustainable Financial Innovation Since joining the UN Global Compact in 2022, FinVolution has aligned its business strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening its ESG practices across its operations. The Company's ESG effort has earned international recognition, with Morningstar Sustainalytics rating the firm as a 'Low Risk' performer — ranking it among the top 15% of diversified financial firms worldwide. FinVolution also achieved scores above the industry average in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. Looking ahead, FinVolution aims to scale its inclusive finance efforts by partnering with more organizations, and harnessing its technological and platform strengths to help create a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economic environment across Asia and beyond.
The Star
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Agus Suwage comes full circle in reflective new show in Kuala Lumpur
The celestial spheres move in cycles – seen in the phases of the moon or the turn of the new year. We witness it too in the changing seasons: spring's blossoms, summer's lushness, fall's fading, and winter's stillness, before it all begins again. Artists and poets have long drawn on this rhythm, reflecting the cycle of life and death in their work. Agus Suwage, one of Indonesia's most acclaimed contemporary artists, is someone who takes a cyclical approach to his craft. As such, he revisits his earlier works like the ebb and flow of the seasons. Mediums and moods 'I re-cycle myself,' said Agus in an interview about his latest solo exhibition, A, now showing at A+ Works of Art in Kuala Lumpur. Marking his first major show in Kuala Lumpur in over two decades, the 66-year-old artist brings together a varied – and interesting – body of work that spans mediums and moods. Agus' connection with A+ Works of Art dates back to its inaugural group show Kadang Kadang Dekat Dekat Akan Datang in 2017, where he presented his print series Pause/Replay. For art lovers, Agus offers even more in this new Kuala Lumpur showcase, which runs through May 3. Agus' painting titled 'Plesiran' (watercolor, acrylic on paper, 2025). Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah A, as a compact exhibition, unfolds through paintings, watercolour drawings, sculptures, found objects, and a sound installation – each piece reflecting an ever-evolving artistic voice that continuously questions, revisits, and reimagines. 'I re-use parts of old sculptures or installations and present them in new forms, while also revisiting earlier drawings and paintings,' said Agus, who is of mixed Chinese Javanese heritage. With over 30 years as an artist, Agus has dedicated much of his work to exploring subjects that are deeply personal, none more so than himself – having spent a third of that time creating self-portraits. It's not a pursuit of vanity; Agus' works look into the deeper aspects of life, exploring themes like death as an integral part of the cyclical nature of 2022, Jakarta's Macan Museum held The Theater Of Me, showcasing over 80 works spanning three decades of Agus' career. His satirical portraits trace a life shaped by Indonesia's political and societal transformations. Let the music play As the conversation continued at the KL gallery, Agus also mentioned that he is influenced by music, culture – both local and popular – religion, love, and loss. These fundamental experiences of everyday life are the very elements that shape his art. 'I spent over a 10-year period doing self-portraits then I moved on to drawing models, figure drawings, animals, skeletons because it is connected with life and death, and you can see all these elements here in this exhibition,' said Agus, who resides in Jogjakarta. A gallery assistant takes a closer look at Agus' 'Eros Kai Thanatos / Vanitas' (graphite on resin, wood, oil on canvas board, candles,2024 - 2025). Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah This exhibition at A+ gallery was developed through a close collaboration between Agus and Indonesian curator Bob Edrien. Bob, 36, who previously curated Malaysian artist Adam Phong's One Of Our Fossils exhibition at A+ last year, was honoured to bring his fellow countryman's show to Kuala Lumpur. 'The idea behind this exhibition started from the tension between life and death, love and death, it also talks about happiness and sadness, the things in between,' said Bob. They even deliberated on the title of the exhibition – the letter "A" – and how it ties in with Agus' work and artistic identity. "The first time we talked, we discussed a lot about music because there's a strong connection between Agus' works and music. The letter 'A' is also used in music as a key, and in Western music, it's tuned to 440hz. And, of course, 'A' is the first letter of Agus' name," said Bob. "The letter 'A' also stands for appropriation. This was based on the idea of cycles. We can see that Agus uses appropriation of not just pop culture icons but also from his past works,' he added. A bit of rock At the exhibition, visitors can view Agus' portraits of iconic figures from politics, literature, art, music, and film, including Yasser Arafat, Mao Zedong, Kurt Cobain, and Bruce Lee, among others. These portraits are featured in his installation Ars Longa, where a tree, adorned with paintings of these figures as its leaves, invites contemplation. Marking his first major show in Kuala Lumpur in over two decades, Agus brings together a varied – and interesting – body of work that spans mediums and moods. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah 'Previously, I did a series of these iconic figures but they were all smoking. Smoking is identified with death as it can lead to ill health but in the new drawings they are not smoking anymore because I have quit smoking,' said Agus, with a laugh. The exhibition is also soundtracked by music composed by Agus, who plays both the guitar and flute. A progressive rock fan, Agus began writing his own original music during the pandemic, though he has yet to record it. "Playing music is just a hobby for me," he said, listing Yes, Rush, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and King Crimson among his favourite bands. His latest installation, The Singer Not The Song, features an animal skull perched on a mic stand, gazing at a sheet of music. A cable runs from the skull to an audio player housed in a cardboard box, then winds its way up a tree branch, where a loudspeaker hangs, completing the eerie, poetic circuit. The artist noted that the installation's title is taken from The Singer Not The Song, a mid-1960s tune by The Rolling Stones. As a veteran artist, Agus has much to reflect on. While art remains central to his life and music a steady companion, he also spoke of a pivotal career shift – from working in graphic design to fully embracing the path of an artist – that ultimately set him on the course he's on today. Interestingly, he studied graphic design at the Institute of Technology in Bandung in 1985 and briefly pursued a career in the field, working as a creative director at an agency. But it didn't take long for him to realise that this path wasn't meant for him. 'I'm not sure myself why I picked graphic design. I've been interested in art since school, but maybe I chose the wrong course,' said Agus. 'I worked as a graphic designer and even became a creative director at an agency, but I got bored of it and decided to pursue pure art instead.' Graphic design's loss turned out to be contemporary art's gain – and Agus has been on a roll ever since, with no signs of slowing down. Agus Suwage's exhibition A is on view at A+ Works of Art in Kuala Lumpur until May 3. Visits are by appointment only. To book, contact 018-333 3399 or email info@
