Latest news with #Azfar
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Sabah Fest Singapore showcases North Borneo culture at Marina Square
KOTA KINABALU: The sights and sounds of Sabah took centre stage at Marina Square on Saturday, as the Sabah Fest Singapore Edition 2025 brought North Borneo's culture to life through music, dance, food, and heritage. Visitors were treated to traditional performances, food products, and craft showcases that highlighted Sabah's diverse ethnic traditions. For Sabahans living in Singapore, it was a moment to reconnect with their roots while Singaporeans had the opportunity to discover the state's cultural richness for the first time. Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Azfar Mohd Mustafa jointly launched the event. In his speech, Bangkuai called on the Sabah community abroad to play a role in promoting the state as a preferred travel destination and strengthening its visibility internationally. He said Singapore's position as a regional hub, the most important gateway for international travellers, offered Sabah a strong advantage. 'With direct flights between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is more accessible than ever, and we want to leverage this connectivity to attract more visitors to explore Sabah," he said, adding that more than 13,000 Singaporeans visited Sabah between January and May this year. The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman then said the event was a perfect introduction for first-time visitors as Sabah prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 with its own Explore Sabah campaign. Bangkuai then invited both Singaporeans and international travellers to experience Sabah first-hand by visiting Sabah Fest 2025 in Kota Kinabalu next month (Aug 30 - Sept 30). "For those who discover Sabah through Sabah Fest, we hope it will inspire future trips, because beyond Mount Kinabalu and Sipadan, Sabah also offers unique experiences in its small towns, villages, gastronomy, and communities," he said. Both Bangkuai and Azfar commended the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS) for spearheading Sabah Fest Singapore Edition, with support from Tourism Malaysia Singapore, Matrade, DESA, Jetsin, and travel partners. "With strong partnerships, strategic connectivity, and the pride of Sabahans worldwide, we are well prepared to welcome more visitors and ensure Sabah shines during Visit Malaysia 2026," he said. Meanwhile, Azfar said the High Commission of Malaysia to Singapore is proud to support Sabah Fest 2025 as it aligns with its mission to foster bilateral ties through cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and economic collaboration. The event on Saturday also marked the introduction of the "Stamp and Feel Sabah" campaign, a stamp rally programme encouraging Singaporean tourists to explore various destinations across Sabah. Also present were STTOS Managing Director Wendy Clare Stephen and senior officers from Tourism Malaysia and Matrade.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah Fest brings North Borneo's culture to Singapore
Published on: Saturday, August 16, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 16, 2025 Text Size: Joniston (standing, seventh right) with Azfar (standing, eighth right) and STTOS Managing Director Wendy Clare Stephen (standing, fifth left) at the launching of Sabah Fest Singapore Edition at the Marina Square, Singapore. SINGAPORE: The sights and sounds of Sabah came alive at Marina Square on Saturday as the Sabah Fest Singapore Edition 2025 showcased North Borneo's culture through music, dance, food, and heritage. Visitors enjoyed traditional performances, food products, and crafts that reflected the state's diverse ethnic traditions. For Sabahans living in Singapore, the event was a chance to reconnect with their roots, while Singaporeans were introduced to Sabah's cultural richness. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Indera Azfar Mohd Mustafa jointly launched the celebration. Joniston, who is also chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, urged the Sabah community abroad to play their part in promoting the state internationally, highlighting Singapore's position as a regional hub with direct flight connections to Kota Kinabalu. He described Sabah Fest as an ideal introduction for first-time visitors, adding that it builds momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026 and complements the state's Explore Sabah campaign. The event also marked the launch of the 'Stamp and Feel Sabah' campaign, encouraging Singaporeans to explore destinations across the state, with both Joniston and Azfar praising the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore for spearheading the initiative with support from partners. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Cork assault victim embraces attacker in court
The victim of an assault at St Vincent's hostel in Cork came to court to meet the man who caused him harm and to say that he forgave him — and they embraced each other in court. Kevin Quinn, aged 33, of Curraghishal, Killeagh, Co Cork, faced sentencing on the charge of carrying out an assault on Mohammad Azfar at the hostel on Anglesea Terrace, Cork, on May 16, 2020, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Mr Azfar's reason for coming to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the sentencing of Quinn was simply to tell him he forgave him. Defence barrister John Colthurst brought the interaction between the two parties to light at the sentencing hearing. 'Mr Quinn and Mr Azfar engaged with each other in the body of the court prior to the callover. In the course of the conversation Mr Quinn apologised to Mr Azfar. Most charitably, Mr Azfar told him that he had come to court to forgive him,' the defence barrister said. Detective Sergeant Eamon Feehan outlined the background to the assault where Kevin Quinn refused to calm down despite being advised repeatedly to so on the night. 'He did calm down momentarily before kicking out and lashing out again. He assaulted the staff member. The injured party sustained a fractured rib. 'Garda Conor Manton arrived and found that Mr Quinn was not in a position to speak or stand up at the scene due to his level of intoxication. When told later what he had done he could not believe it and said the injured party had helped him a lot over the last two years,' Det Sgt Feehan said. Mr Colthurst said that the accused was in the depths of alcohol addiction back in 2020 when he committed this offence but had turned his life around completely since then. He brought €1,750 compensation to court out of his own limited resources. The barrister said: 'Mr Quinn instructs me that so good had Mr Azfar been to him, that he was in disbelief when he later came to his senses and was told what had happened and who he had harmed.' Now working in construction, the defendant is doing very well, Mr Colthurst said. Judge Helen Boyle imposed a two-year suspended sentence on the accused at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Business Recorder
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Former Sindh governor Kamal Azfar passes away
KARACHI: Veteran Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former governor of Sindh, Kamal Azfar, passed away at the age of 95 in a hospital, here on Monday. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness. Kamal Azfar was widely regarded as a seasoned politician, having dedicated several decades of his life to public service. Azfar was a close aide of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and served in several key positions during his political career, including PPP Karachi president, Sindh finance minister, and eventually Sindh governor in 1995, appointed by then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He was also deeply involved in local housing development, particularly for low-income residents of the city's Lines Area. Leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Azfar. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described him as a 'wise politician' whose services would be remembered. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also expressed her sorrow, highlighting his role in shaping local government policy and his longstanding association with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. |The late Azfar was educated at Government College Lahore, and Balliol College Oxford, and was called to the Bar at Inner Temple, London. A prolific writer, Azfar authored several influential works on economics, governance, and constitutional matters, including The Chinese Synthesis, Pakistan: Political and Constitutional Dilemmas, and Waters of Lahore.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt's Pakistan Startup Fund will help entrepreneurs raise up to $1m, says official
The Pakistan Startup Fund, backed by the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MOITT), was announced at last week's Pakistan Investor Summit 2025 – Summer Edition, hosted at National Incubation Center (NIC) Karachi. Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director NIC Karachi, explained to Business Recorder that if a startup raises venture capital money, the government will add funds on top of this to bring the total round to as much as a million dollars. So for instance, if a startup is able to raise $700,000, the government will top this with $300,000. Similarly if someone raises $900,000, the government will add $100,000, he said. 'The government will inject up to 30% of a million dollars,' Azfar explained, 'with 30% being the ceiling and 10% being the floor.' It is hoped 'this will encourage VCs to complete a bigger round for startups,' he added. According to MOITT's website, PSF is aimed at promoting the growth of startups in Pakistan through encouraging investments in Pakistan by global as well as local VC funds. 'The grant is positioned as the final piece of the financial puzzle, providing startups with additional support after after venture capitalists have conducted their due diligence and the startup has secured funding from the private sector, the website states. 'The grant from the Pakistan Startup Fund will only be disbursed to the eligible startup as the 'last cheque' in the ongoing funding round. This means that the startup must secure the full investment from the investor or VC before receiving the fund's grant,' the website explained. Another initiative, called BridgeStart, was also launched at the summit. Azfar explained that it aims to give startups international exposure and help with financing for those that get accepted into incubators and accelerator programmes abroad. According to a press release, both initiatives 'marks a pivotal step in institutionalizing startup investment infrastructure in the country.' 'Hosting the regional launch of the Pakistan Startup Fund and BridgeStart Pakistan in Karachi is not just symbolic, it's a declaration that Karachi's talent and energy are central to Pakistan's innovation future,' said Hussain. Google Cloud Startup Foundry Day Another highlight of the summit was the Google Cloud Startup Foundry Day where Esna Ong, Regional Startup Success Manager, Google Cloud, highlighted the service's growing footprint in Pakistan and its commitment to supporting local startups with tailored cloud solutions, mentorship, and scale-enabling technologies. Meanwhile Kathleen Chiu, Data & AI Specialist, Google Cloud, delivered a deep dive into AI platform Gemini, showcasing how machine learning is transforming startup decision-making and business modeling from the ground up. 'Our collaboration with Google Cloud unlocks global expertise for local entrepreneurs,' said Azfar. 'It bridges the knowledge gap and ensures our startups have access to the best tools and mentorship available anywhere in the world.' Demo day Over 25 emerging ventures - from FinTech and edtech to AI, SaaS, sustainability, and consumer tech - pitched their businesses to local investors at the summit. According to a press release, several investors scheduled follow-up calls and office hours with founders whose pitches sparked interest and alignment. Investor Ashraf Kaleem from Magnus Ventures engaged in discussions with startups including: Atfaal - a startup dedicated to empowering women in the garment industry Biomic - which works on advanced prosthetic technology Blinq - a B2B Fintech, offering services in bill and payment aggregation space Chaajao - digital learning platform Haprow - which has created an educational robot companion for children She6 - a fashion startup that aims to empower women through stylish and affordable hijabs and abayas. One interesting announcement that came post-event was that energy consulting firm ENERLYTICS said it secured a project with PSO Renewable Energy Company (PSORE) for the real-time monitoring of their solar power plant. 'This milestone marks a significant step forward in our mission to accelerate the digital transformation of Pakistan's energy sector,' it said. As part of the project, ENERLYTICS will deploy its energy monitoring platform to provide PSORE with real-time insights, performance analytics, and preventive maintenance alerts for their solar assets. The system will be integrated with payment gateways, enabling energy tracking and billing functionalities — 'setting a new benchmark for smart energy infrastructure in the region.'
