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The Star
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cutting-edge scientific progress
Advancing science: (From left) Leeuwenburgh, Marhayani, Dr Mohd Nasir, Dr Soon Ting and Informa Markets Malaysia deputy event director Geonice Chong. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The global scientific community has gathered once again for the ninth edition of the Malaysia International Scientific Instruments and Laboratory Equipment Exhibition and Conference (LabAsia 2025). There are cutting-edge advancements through immersive live demonstrations, interactive technology showcases and expert-led educational sessions for the 5,000 attendees. Some 200 exhibitors representing more than 500 international brands from 17 countries are showcasing innovations specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of modern laboratories. These include comprehensive automation solutions and digital laboratory management systems, energy-efficient infrastructure and sustainable instrumentation, which will fundamentally reshape how laboratories operate across the Asia-Pacific region. The event began yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and ends tomorrow. It is organised biennially by Informa Markets Malaysia in collaboration with Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). This event comes during a transformative period for the global scientific instrumentation sector. It is projected to grow from US$42.95bil (RM182.64bil) last year to US$59.77bil (RM254.17bil) by 2029 as it is being reshaped by disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence-powered diagnostics, lab-on-a-chip platforms, 3D printing and IoT-enabled safety systems. LabAsia offers a front-row seat to these advancements, providing attendees with the tools and insights needed to remain at the forefront of the industry. In his opening remarks, Informa Markets Malaysia country general manager Gerard Leeuwenburgh said that through technical seminars, product demonstrations and business matching sessions, the event creates valuable opportunities to learn, connect and build impactful partnerships. 'As we know, Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for laboratory solutions. But with that growth comes higher expectations for precision, speed, compliance and sustainability. LabAsia meets those demands by connecting the right technologies with the right minds. 'What excites me most is that the future we once imagined – automation, AI, digitalisation and sustainability – is already here. And LabAsia stands at the forefront of this transformation,' he said. IKM president Datuk Dr Soon Ting Kueh said the event highlights Malaysia's commitment to scientific research and chemical innovation. 'This platform will unite eminent scientists, researchers and industry pioneers from around the globe, fostering collaboration and driving the translation of scientific breakthroughs into impactful solutions,' he said. Also present were Chemistry Department director-general Marhayani Md Saad and Smart Nation Expo & EVM Asia chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Ashraf. For more information such as programme highlights and exhibitor listings, visit Since its inception in 2007, LabAsia has evolved from a regional trade show into a trusted hub for the global scientific community. It has established itself as an essential platform for advancing scientific excellence, fostering cross-sector collaboration and driving innovation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. LabAsia 2025 is also co-hosting the prestigious 50th World Chemistry Congress (50WCC) and the 53rd IUPAC General Assembly (53GA) with the theme 'Chemistry for a Sustainable Future'. This collaboration brings the global scientific community together to address critical challenges, including climate change, sustainable energy and healthcare innovation, adding significant international scientific depth to LabAsia's agenda.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Crisis emerges in obtaining building numbers through K-Smart portal
Kochi: A crisis has emerged in obtaining building numbers through K-Smart, online portal of Kochi corporation. Owners of buildings who submitted applications for building permits through IBPMS, a software used for this purpose earlier, are now facing issues in getting building numbers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Until a couple of years ago, applications were processed through IBPMS. When corporation introduced K-Smart portal, processing of applications switched over to IKEM, a software developed by Information Kerala Mission (IKM), govt's IT arm. "Building number cannot be obtained because completion details are not available through IBPMS software. Govt had earlier entrusted TCS to implement e-governance project of corporation. Later, govt scrapped TCS and entrusted the duty to IKM. As corporation didn't pay the amount claimed by TCS, the firm didn't provide the data they entered during their tenure," said UDF councillor Henry Austin. Engineering department does not have access to any data on a building that has received occupancy in IBPMS. "Due to govt's failure to pay, residents of Kochi are suffering. When this issue was brought to the attention of IKEM officials, they feigned ignorance. The response was that they have not yet received any database related to IBPMS software. Corporation officials too wash their hands of it. Public has to spend a large amount again to submit as a new file through K-Smart, in addition to the loss of time. Due to govt's negligence, corruption and loss of important documents, this situation has occurred. If someone moves court, we don't know which documents corporation will submit related to building construction," Austin said.
New Straits Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mara TVET graduate earns up to RM20,000 monthly as aircraft mechanic
KUALA LUMPUR: A graduate of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) is now earning up to RM20,000 a month after securing a job as an aircraft mechanic with an international airline. The success story of Ibrahim, a graduate from Institut Kemahiran MARA (IKM) Kuala Lumpur, was shared by Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who met him during a flight from Doha to Kuala Lumpur. Asyraf Wajdi said Ibrahim approached him and introduced himself as a "child of Mara", havingcompleted a Certificate in Fabrication Technology at IKM. He is now working as an aircraft body mechanic at Qatar Airways in Doha, earning between RM17,000 and RM20,000 a month. "Ibrahim's story proves that TVET graduates can succeed and become skilled professionals on an international level. "This remarkable young man from Merlimau, Melaka, said all his batchmates from IKM Kuala Lumpur have found similar jobs with comparable salaries. He is incredibly proud to be a product of Mara. "Who says TVET graduates can't be successful? The skills and vocational programmes offered by Mara — be it through GiatMara, IKM, Mara advanced skills colleges, the Malaysia-Japan Industrial Institute, or even at higher education institutions like Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the German-Malaysian Institute (GMI) — have proven their ability to produce highly skilled talent not just for the country but for the global stage. "Ibrahim is a shining example of how a professional TVET certificate alone can lead to a high-paying, internationally recognised job. "Only knowledge can transform lives. Mara is going global," he said in a Facebook post today. Previously, Deputy Prime Minister and National TVET Council chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that the employability rate of TVET graduates is high, with Mara institutions recording a 98.7 per cent rate, surpassing the national average of 94.5 per cent. In February, Asyraf Wajdi also stated that Mara had undertaken a rationalisation of all its TVET programmes, focusing on high-tech and strategic fields that align with industry needs. This rationalisation covers 270 TVET-stream institutions under the Mara education institution network, out of a total of 344 across the country.
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
K-Smart uncovers 1.4 lakh ‘ghost buildings', Rs 394 crore tax windfall
KOCHI: Sniffing out tax dodgers, the innovative K-Smart platform, a game-changer for local self-government services, has unearthed nearly 1.4 lakh buildings in urban local bodies that were playing hooky from revenue records and giving taxmen the slip. This clever sleuthing has the potential to plump up local body coffers by a hefty Rs 394 crore through taxes, arrears and fines. And the plot thickens! With K-Smart now casting its digital net in panchayats, authorities anticipate a significant surge in the regularisation of such 'ghost buildings', potentially unlocking a treasure trove of almost Rs 1,000 crore, according to senior government officials. Santhosh Babu, chairman and managing director of the Information Kerala Mission (IKM), the implementing agency of the K-Smart project, told TNIE that the Kerala government initiated a data purification project to include buildings not previously recorded or taxed in official records. The 'purification' drive by the LSGD found that of the 44,85,891 buildings for which records existed in the 87 municipalities and six city corporations, taxes were collected from only 36,55,124 buildings. Inaccurate data in the old software 'Sanchaya' had resulted in 8,30,737 buildings being wrongly classified as non-taxable for years. This was due to various reasons — data duplication, failure to remove demolished buildings from records and junk data. Despite an estimated 90-95% of city buildings being registered, many were found to be operating without tax assessments, even after getting electricity and water connections. Steps on to add all buildings on K-Smart The inspection revealed numerous buildings across the state that had evaded tax limits for years. IKM developed a software called LDMS (Legacy Data Management System) to purify the data. The eight lakh buildings were listed in the LDMS software and provided the facility to make them accurate and avoid duplicates, sources said. 'Through the purification and quantification process by K-Smart, a total of 98,719 new buildings were brought into the tax bracket, and 44,382 previously undiscovered buildings were added to tax records. This resulted in a total of 1,43,101 new buildings being added to the tax range. The total tax arrears from these buildings, which are mostly operational, amount to Rs 393.92 crore,' Babu said. In Kochi corporation, 16,168 new buildings were identified and added to tax records, while 11,410 wrongly tax-exempt buildings were brought under the tax net. This resulted in a total of 27,578 buildings coming under the tax ambit, generating Rs 150.28 crore in tax revenue. With over 1.2 crore buildings in panchayats across the state, data cleaning and database regularisation are expected to yield additional tax revenue and streamline tax collection, making it easier and faster in future, according to IKM officials. Steps are on to include all buildings in K-Smart. Around 50 local bodies have already completed the GIS-based survey. Integrating these with K-Smart will help find more missing buildings. All remaining local bodies are scheduled to conduct the survey. Further surveys and additions will take place within six months and various municipalities are taking steps to inspect each building at regular intervals with the help of temporarily deputed staff. It is helpful in detecting violations, finding additions to the building and reassessing taxes. Such additional measures can ensure tax assessment and correct data of buildings. In the near-future, the local self-government department plans to introduce a Digi Door PIN system, assigning a unique 10-digit identification number to every building in the state. Similar to Aadhaar for individuals, Digi Door will provide each building with a distinct digital identity containing information about the owner and location. Additionally, buildings will be geo-tagged. 1.2 crore buildings across state. Data cleaning, database regularisation of these properties likely to yield additional tax revenue
