Latest news with #AhmadSabirinArshad
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
SIRIM Bags Six Golds, Four Silver And Two Major Awards At ITEX 2025
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 (Bernama) -- SIRIM Berhad (SIRIM) achieved oustanding success when all 10 of its participating projects earned accolades - six gold medals and four silver medals - at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2025), at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), yesterday. SIRIM, in a statement, said that its two top innovations also received the Best Invention and Best Green Invention awards in the Research Institution category. Among the gold medal-winning projects was the Automated Drone Station (ADS) for Smart Aerial Monitoring and Surveillance, which also earned the Best Invention award. It is a smart platform designed to manage, charge, and launch drones autonomously, without the need for human supervision. The Bioactive Antimicrobial Material Enriched with Citrus Extract for Sustainable Applications (BioCitrusProtect) project, which also won the Best Green Invention award, combines chitosan, bacterial cellulose, and naringin extracted from citrus to create a natural and effective solution for inhibiting harmful microorganisms, with potential applications in food packaging and coatings. Other projects that won gold medals included QUANTUMLFA: Revolutionising Hepatitis B Detection, a rapid test kit for detecting Hepatitis B surface antigen, and Sustainable Innovation: Biodegradable Microbeads from Pineapple Fibre, a sustainable scientific solution designed to replace plastic microbeads in skincare and personal care products. Other gold award recipients include the Digitalisation of Clear Aligners Production Through Direct 3D Printing project, which introduced a fully digital workflow for producing clear braces, and REP4WRD®: Agile Best Practices for Industry, a framework designed to help organisations effectively implement Agile methodologies. Meanwhile, four other projects earned silver awards: Green Plastics Sustainable Solutions Through G0-Terra Innovations; Smart Mosquito Repellent Dispenser (X-IOT); Low Pressure Storage System Using Amine-Functionalised Multiwall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) as Adsorbent Materials for Natural Gas Storage, and AI-Based Automated Data Extraction API for Dynamic Paper-Based Documents (aIDEA). SIRIM Berhad president and group chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said the recognition demonstrated SIRIM's commitment to driving sustainable solutions that not only advance the country's technological capabilities but also contribute to addressing global challenges.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sirim on mission to turn more than 1,200 SMEs into smart manufacturers
LANGKAWI: Sirim Bhd has been entrusted with the critical mandate of driving the adoption of smart manufacturing among more than 1,200 SMEs, aiming to accelerate their transition from Industry 1.5 to Industry 4.0. According to Sirim president and group CEO Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad, one of the most pressing challenges lies in transforming traditionally labour-intensive industries into modern, automated operations – an ambitious shift that also presents significant opportunities for productivity, efficiency and long-term competitiveness. 'We hope that by 2030, Malaysia can become independent of foreign labour and achieve full automation, leading to improved productivity and higher average incomes across the country. 'However, transitioning SMEs to smart manufacturing involves significant costs. That is why the government, through the Smart Take-Up Programme, is providing subsidies to support the adoption of these technologies and we are offering technological interventions to assist industries along the way,' he told SunBiz at the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima 2025) yesterday. He said to support the transformation of local SMEs into smart manufacturing, the government is providing funding assistance, while Sirim collaborates with agencies such as MIDF, under the supervision of Bank Negara Malaysia, to ensure these businesses can access financing at the lowest possible interest rates. 'And we are also collaborating with several multinational companies that are willing to share their automation systems with Malaysia, enabling a smoother transition from our current state to our desired future. Our primary focus is on the manufacturing sector, particularly in electrical and electronics, even though many interested companies are in the food and beverage space. 'This focus is crucial to ensure that Malaysia maintains its position as one of the world's leading semiconductor producers,' Ahmad Sabirin said. To strengthen Malaysia's manufacturing ecosystem, he added, there is a need to cultivate a second and third tier of SMEs that can effectively support multinational corporations operating in the country. While financial assistance remains important, industry stakeholders have expressed that what they value most is clear insight into the future direction of global technology – highlighting the need for stronger guidance, foresight, and strategic alignment from the government to facilitate their transition into advanced manufacturing, Ahmad Sabirin noted. 'To ensure local industries are not left behind, Sirim is working closely with agencies like Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry to build a cohesive ecosystem that supports the global export of high-value products. 'By aligning efforts, the goal is to position Malaysia as a competitive exporter in high-growth, high-value sectors. With overseas operations already under way, Sirim aims to strengthen its leadership role both nationally and across Asean over the next three to five years. 'We are planning to establish more offices globally, and through these efforts, our goal is not only to elevate Sirim's international presence but also to help bring Malaysian SMEs onto the global stage. That, I believe, is the most important objective,' Ahmad Sabirin said.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sirim steps up international expansion, with particular focus on India, China and Asean
LANGKAWI: Sirim Bhd aims to certify 50,000 domestic companies over the next two to three years – more than double the 20,000 local firms it supported last year – as part of its broader strategy to help Malaysian businesses expand globally, with a particular focus on tapping into the vast growth and revenue opportunities in India and China. President and group CEO Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said, 'We are placing strong strategic focus on two of the world's most populous and dynamic markets – China and India. Together, these nations represent nearly three billion people, accounting for a significant portion of the global population. 'Referred to symbolically as the 'dragon' and the 'elephant', missing out on these markets would be a substantial lost opportunity. That is why we are actively positioning ourselves in China and working towards establishing a presence in India. 'Additionally, as a multiracial nation with strong Chinese and Indian communities, Malaysia is uniquely positioned to leverage this diversity as a bridge into these ecosystems,' Ahmad Sabirin told SunBiz at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima 2025) yesterday. Ahmad Sabirin said Sirim is accelerating its global expansion by establishing more international offices, with the broader objective of enabling not only its own growth but also supporting the internationalisation of Malaysian small and medium enterprises. Given the limitations of Malaysia's relatively small market, Sirim is also strategically targeting the broader Asean region – with its population of about 680 million and substantial consumer base – as a key market, he said. Touching on the aerospace sector, Ahmad Sabirin said as Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship this year, efforts are under way to position local aerospace players for regional growth, with a vision to expand beyond domestic government contracts and establish the country as a key aerospace hub in Southeast Asia – an ambition supported by ongoing collaboration between agencies such as Sirim, the Defence Ministry and regional investment partners. 'This year, Sirim is advancing its commitment to standard and technology diplomacy by extending its services to Asean member countries, including several least developed nations. Acknowledging the disparities within the region, Sirim aims to foster a more inclusive and vibrant ecosystem, with Malaysia taking a leadership role. 'Sirim hopes this initiative will align with the prime minister's efforts to champion regional cooperation in technology, standards, and human capital development. 'In line with global sustainability goals, Sirim continues to position itself as a key enabler in Malaysia's net zero ambitions –particularly through its long-standing work in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),' Ahmad Sabirin said. He added that Sirim is in discussions with Petroliam Nasional Bhd to explore the potential of utilising locally sourced biomass for the production of SAF, recognising its critical role in advancing Malaysia's net-zero carbon by 2050 goal. With an emphasis on increasing SAF adoption across sectors, including national defence, this initiative positions Malaysia as a potential pioneer in the global SAF framework, leveraging its readily available and cost-effective raw materials to support both domestic use and international supply. 'Currently, we are purchasing SAF at a higher cost. However, by shifting processing capabilities to our own country, we can export higher-value products instead of importing them, ultimately improving our trade balance through more strategic value-added production and exports,' Ahmad Sabirin said. Last year, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Malaysia planned to start producing SAF in 2027, with an initial production capacity of one million tonnes per year. The production capacity will gradually increase based on factory output and feedstock availability, the minister told parliament. Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, is in a strategic position to become one of the world's leading SAF producers, he was quoted saying in a Reuters report. In April of this year, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Malaysia was set to boost its role in the global clean energy sector with the development of a world-scale SAF refinery. The project is a result of a strategic partnership between Bin Zayed International and local biofuel pioneer FatHopes Energy. Describing the partnership as a 'game-changer' for the country's energy and aviation sectors, Nik Nazmi said this investment would serve as a catalyst for far-reaching transformation. 'It heralds Malaysia's arrival as a serious player in the global clean energy and low-carbon economy,' he said at the project's memorandum of understanding signing ceremony. Asked about examples of Sirim's research and development initiatives in the electric vehicle space, Ahmad Sabirin said, 'For EV, we have the most complex system for the industries. Before implementing an EV system in Malaysia, patent approval is required, and it must be validated by the country's designated petroleum and energy research institute. 'Following patent approval, all EV systems must undergo testing and certification by Sirim QAS, while battery development and testing are handled by Sirim Research – forming a comprehensive ecosystem to support national battery innovation. 'In parallel, Sirim is actively developing standards for hydrogen, particularly as several states begin hydrogen-related initiatives. 'Ensuring safety remains a top priority, with clear standards and consistent compliance frameworks being established to guide industry practices. Currently, much of the industrial focus is centred on advancing the EV sector,' Ahmad Sabirin said.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sirim targets 2,000 ESG certs for Malaysian firms
SHAH ALAM: Sirim Bhd aims to certify around 2,000 companies with environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related certification by the end of this year, as part of efforts to prepare local industries for global markets. Sirim Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said ESG certification is crucial, as its implementation will become mandatory by 2027. 'We're encouraging industries to obtain ESG certification early, before it becomes compulsory. 'Currently, we're building the platform to support this transition, and since the initiative was launched last year, 300 companies have already been certified,' he told reporters after the 'Living ESG: Aspiration to Action' forum at Sirim headquarters here yesterday. He said Sirim is targeting to certify up to 10,000 companies by 2030, Bernama reported. Ahmad Sabirin added that Sirim is committed to supporting Malaysian businesses across all sectors through customised training, resource development, and innovative ESG solutions. This includes frameworks such as Sirim 55: ESG Advancement and Sirim 56: ESG Readiness, along with carbon reporting and training initiatives. 'Although ESG awareness is growing, it remains limited among many Malaysians, especially small and medium enterprises,' he said. To address this, Sirim plans to develop more accessible educational materials and practical case studies to help businesses understand how ESG adoption can lead to long-term benefits.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SIRIM targets 2,000 companies with ESG certification by year-end
SHAH ALAM: SIRIM Berhad (SIRIM) aims to certify around 2,000 companies with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-related certification by the end of this year as part of efforts to prepare local industries for global market access. SIRIM group president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said ESG certification is crucial as its implementation will become mandatory by 2027. 'We're encouraging industries to obtain ESG certification early, before it becomes compulsory. Currently, we're building the platform to support this transition, and since the initiative was launched last year, 300 companies have already been certified,' he told reporters after the 'Living ESG: Aspiration to Action' forum at SIRIM headquarters here today. He said SIRIM targets to certify up to 10,000 companies by 2030. Ahmad Sabirin added that SIRIM is committed to supporting businesses across all sectors through customised training, resource development, and innovative ESG solutions. This includes frameworks such as SIRIM 55: ESG Advancement and SIRIM 56: ESG Readiness, along with carbon reporting and training initiatives. Although ESG awareness is growing, it remains limited among many Malaysians, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs),' he said. To address this, SIRIM plans to develop more accessible educational materials and practical case studies to help businesses understand how ESG adoption can lead to long-term benefits. Earlier, the 'Living ESG: Aspiration to Action' forum was officiated by Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, deputy secretary-general (Investment and Management) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil. The forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and businesses to advance Malaysia's sustainability agenda and promote understanding of ESG practices through talks, workshops, and exhibitions. In conjunction with the event, SIRIM also launched the SIRIM Blockchain Verification platform, a new system that enables businesses and individuals to verify certificates and documents more quickly and securely. 'With just a scan of the document's serial number, users can confirm its authenticity and approval by a trusted certification body. This helps reduce fraud and builds confidence in important transactions,' Ahmad Sabirin said.
