Latest news with #Lam
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actress Rosina Lam, husband celebrate 10th wedding anniversary in Malaysia
HONG KONG: Actress Rosina Lam and her husband, finance executive Jason Mok, recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in Malaysia. On July 27, Lam, 38, shared a group photo on social media featuring her husband and several celebrity friends, including popular actors Joel Chan, Charmaine Sheh, Shaun Tam, and Toby Leung. In the photo, Lam, who was born in mainland China, was seen giving a thumbs-up while her husband leaned affectionately against her, holding her arm in a sweet display of affection. The couple tied the knot on July 25, 2015, in a private ceremony at a mansion in Hong Kong's prestigious Victoria Peak, where property prices reportedly reach HK$1.5 billion (RM810 million). "Happy 10th wedding anniversary! Let's stay together through thick and thin! Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your company," the TVB star captioned her post. Despite persistent rumours since May suggesting Lam is involved in a bankruptcy petition, the award-winning actress remains unfazed and in good spirits in her latest social media updates. She previously addressed the speculation on May 30, explaining that while her husband's rental property company is involved in a legal dispute and is appealing the case, it doesn't affect her personally. "I'm not bankrupt. Please stop spreading rumours. The matter has been handed over to our lawyer," she said at the time. The case is reportedly scheduled for a hearing on Aug 26.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
ART: Tmn Stutong Indah residents claim KUTS contractors sought use of home electricity for construction activities
Taman Stutong Indah residents voice their grievances to Lam (right) during his visit. KUCHING (July 29): The Kuching Urban Transformation System's (KUTS) contractors undertaking the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project at Taman Stutong Indah here had allegedly requested to use electricity from a resident's home to support construction activities, said George Lam. The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak secretary said this was brought to his attention by the residents concerned, prompting him to visit the site. 'This is highly unprofessional and unacceptable,' he said in a statement issued yesterday following the visit. Lam said according to the residents at Taman Stutong Indah, they were not given any prior notice about the construction works. 'There was no official communication regarding the timeline, alignment, and expected disturbances. 'The residents are experiencing ongoing disturbances including noise from machinery and dust. These disruptions are affecting their daily lives and privacy.' He added that based on his observations during the visit, the construction area was not properly secured, while heavy machinery were operating 'very close to the residential area without clear barriers or warning signs to protect the public'. In addition, Lam said large construction lorries were crossing the main road regularly without proper traffic control, creating a dangerous environment for road users in the area. 'At a point of the construction, there was a sudden road blockage without any prior notification, creating confusion and inconvenience. 'As such, I urge the KUTS project undertaker, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, to temporarily halt this construction until a mutual consent is achieved between the residents and the responsible parties,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
How retailtainment, real-time messaging are driving sales, ROI for brands
PETALING JAYA: In today's digital economy, content and commerce are more intertwined than ever. From influencer-led livestreams to TikTok product reviews and WhatsApp shopping updates, consumers now discover, decide, and transact within the same moment – and often, within the same screen. This evolution, widely known as retailtainment, is more than just marketing jargon. It's become a strategic pillar for brands trying to stand out in mobile-first markets like Malaysia, where mobile connections outnumber the population and digital attention spans are fleeting. But for all the excitement around viral content, many brands are still struggling with the most important part: conversion. 'Today's brands are great at going viral. They partner with creators, ride trends, and spark curiosity,' said Debby Lam (pic), head of banking and retail, Asia at Infobip. 'But the real challenge comes after that first spark. 'If a customer can't ask a question, get instant answers, or check out in the same moment, you've lost them. 'That's the conversion gap we help brands close.' Messaging has become the default interface. Infobip's internal analysis reported that nearly 80% of customer service interactions in Asia-Pacific now happen over chat, which clearly signals that consumers expect instant, channel-native support. This is where conversational commerce steps in. Enabled by artificial intelligence (AI)-powered messaging platforms, conversational commerce allows brands to guide customers from interest to action in real time. Instead of static ads and broken journeys, consumers get personalised, interactive experiences – all within the channels they already use, like WhatsApp, Instagram, or in-app chat. Behind the scenes, platforms like Infobip are powering this shift. With support for over 30 global channels and deep expertise in conversational AI, Infobip helps businesses create unified, end-to-end journeys that blend entertainment, engagement, and transaction. Whether it's real-time shopping support via chatbots, product recommendations triggered by in-store QR codes, or personalised offers delivered via push notifications, the goal is the same: reduce friction and convert attention into measurable results. In Malaysia, where WhatsApp remains the most used messaging app, brands are increasingly using it to showcase product carousels, drop new launches, and facilitate checkouts – all within a single chat. Through tools like Infobip's AI chatbot builder, these experiences can even include mini-games, product quizzes, or 24/7 virtual shopping assistants that replicate the helpfulness of in-store staff. 'The impact goes far beyond engagement. When brands use AI-powered chat to meet customers in real time, we see faster conversions, bigger baskets, and happier customers. 'But the real value is in sustained dialogue and staying connected even after the sale,' Lam added. What makes retailtainment especially effective isn't just its ability to entertain. It's the infrastructure that connects every touchpoint, from TikTok videos to customer data platforms, from live events to automated chat flows. This orchestration is what turns moments of attention into continuous brand relationships. And yet, despite growing investments in digital experience, with Asia-Pacific's customer experience market projected to hit US$43.8mil by 2027, many businesses still operate on systems built for reach, not responsiveness. According to Gartner, over 60% of marketing leaders struggle to deliver personalisation that actually impacts performance. This gap is where agile platforms like Infobip can make a difference. By integrating messaging, automation, data, and AI into a single solution, they help brands scale what retailtainment was always meant to be: an interactive, real-time dialogue that delivers both delight and return of investments. In the end, Retailtainment 2.0 isn't about going viral. It's about being ready. Ready to respond. Ready to convert. And ready to build brand relationships that last beyond a moment of attention.
The Star
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Singapore rail operator to pay lower fine of S$2.4m for line disruption; must invest at least S$600k to boost reliability
SINGAPORE: Rail operator SMRT will pay a lower fine of S$2.4 million (US$1.87 million) for a major six-day disruption on the East-West Line in September 2024, after it submitted representations to the Land Transport Authority (LTA). This is down from the financial penalty of S$3 million that LTA intended to hand out in June when the investigation findings into the incident were released. Announcing the updated penalty in a statement on July 25, LTA said the penalty will go to the Public Transport Fund to help lower-income families with their public transport expenditures. The authority added that it had directed SMRT to invest a minimum of S$600,000 to strengthen its capabilities, and address areas for improvement from the incident, so as to improve service reliability. 'In reaching this decision, LTA took into consideration the considerable challenges SMRT had faced in planning and executing their overhaul regime for the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) trains, particularly in procuring the necessary spare parts for the overhaul due to global supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.' The incident, which involved a faulty part on a first-generation KHI train, downed MRT services between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations and affected about one in six train trips daily from Sept 25 to 30 in 2024. An LTA spokesperson told The Straits Times that SMRT will need to channel S$600,000 towards improving its capabilities within a year, and submit a declaration and documented proof of this. In a Facebook post shortly after LTA's statement, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said the operator will strengthen its direct engagement with original equipment manufacturers of trains and systems. The operator will also deepen its technical and engineering expertise through closer collaboration with these companies. On LTA's directive to invest a minimum of S$600,000 in beefing up its capabilities, Lam said the development and upskilling of its workforce have long been SMRT's priorities. In addition, the operator will continue supporting the secondment of LTA engineers to SMRT – an initiative introduced in 2018. It will also work closely with LTA and Alstom, the manufacturer of the new R151 trains, to roll out the fleet progressively. By 2026, there will be 106 R151 trains on the North-South and East-West lines. As at June 29, 61 of these trains were in service. The last of the KHI trains will be phased out by September. Investigations into the disruption showed that SMRT had extended the interval between overhauls for the faulty train without a detailed engineering and risk assessment. On its part, the operator had flagged supply chain disruptions arising from the pandemic, which delayed the delivery of new trains meant to replace the first-generation models and spare parts needed for overhauls. LTA had originally notified SMRT of its intention to impose the S$3 million penalty on May 30, and gave the operator two weeks to submit its representations. SMRT did so on June 6. While the details of SMRT's submission were not disclosed, representations may include reasons why the operator believes it should not be penalised as well as other applicable mitigating factors. LTA reviewed SMRT's representations before a notice of the penalty was sent to the rail operator on July 25. SMRT has 14 days to appeal to the transport minister if it wishes. If that happens, the final decision lies with the minister, who can opt to reject the appeal, or allow it and change LTA's decision. Responding to ST's query, Lam did not say if SMRT would lodge an appeal with Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. But he said the company had received LTA's notice to impose the penalty and noted that LTA had considered its representations. LTA reiterated that Singapore's rail system continues to be one of the most reliable worldwide. Since 2019, the mean kilometres between failure of the MRT network has remained above the one million train-km target, it noted. This means MRT trains travelled for more than one million kilometres between delays of more than five minutes. The revised S$2.4 million penalty is the second-highest to be levied on a rail operator, after the S$5.4 million fine that SMRT incurred over a 2015 disruption that crippled the entire North-South and East-West lines for more than two hours during the evening peak period. In June, LTA said a S$3 million penalty for the September 2024 disruption was 'proportionate' to the circumstances surrounding the incident. The authority said it also considered the cost that SMRT had borne from the repairs, and from providing free bus and shuttle train services at the affected stations. Investigations pointed to degraded grease as the likely cause of the incident. This led to a faulty part of the train's undercarriage falling out on the morning of Sept 25, 2024. The part – an axle box, which holds the train's wheels to the axle, a rod connecting a pair of wheels – was dislodged near Dover station while the train was being withdrawn from service to Ulu Pandan Depot. This caused one of the train's 12 bogies – a structure below the train carriage – to derail. The six-carriage train could continue travelling, as the other 11 bogies remained on the rails. But the derailed portion of the third carriage caused extensive damage to 2.55km of track and trackside equipment, such as power cables and the third rail, which supplies power to trains. Associate Professor Walter Theseira, a transport economist at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, told ST that in the context of rail operations, the $600,000 requirement for improvements is not a very significant amount. It could fund reviews and process improvements, but would not suffice for any substantial engineering work. He also said new trains are 'not a cure for reliability by themselves', as they will result in better reliability only after teething issues have been sorted out. Prof Theseira also believes LTA should examine its own capability to judge the quality of a maintenance regime. 'While the operator is on the ground and has first-hand knowledge, it may also be that the regulator should have a well-formed second opinion.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Online Citizen
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Online Citizen
SMRT fined S$2.4M, down from S$3M, for 2024 East-West Line disruption; S$600k to boost reliability
SINGAPORE: Rail operator SMRT will pay a reduced fine of S$2.4 million for a major six-day disruption on the East-West Line in September 2024. This figure was announced by Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a statement on 25 July 2025. The revised amount is lower than the S$3 million financial penalty that LTA initially intended to impose when it released investigation findings in June. Penalty to support Public Transport Fund According to LTA, the S$2.4 million fine will be channelled to the Public Transport Fund. The fund aims to help lower-income families manage their daily public transport expenses. In addition to the financial penalty, LTA has directed SMRT to invest at least S$600,000 to strengthen its capabilities. This investment is intended to address areas of improvement identified during investigations into the disruption. Challenges during train overhaul regime Explaining its decision to lower the fine, LTA acknowledged the challenges SMRT faced during its overhaul of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) trains. These challenges included difficulties in securing spare parts due to global supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The authority said that these factors were taken into account when reviewing SMRT's representations. Strengthening technical capabilities In a Facebook post following LTA's announcement, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai stated that the operator will enhance its direct engagement with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of trains and related systems. Lam also noted that SMRT plans to deepen its technical and engineering expertise by collaborating more closely with OEMs. As part of efforts to meet LTA's directive, Lam said SMRT will continue supporting the secondment of LTA engineers to SMRT. This initiative, started in 2018, is intended to build in-house engineering know-how. SMRT will also work with LTA and Alstom, the manufacturer of the new R151 trains for the East-West Line, to roll out the new fleet progressively. Background to the penalty decision LTA first notified SMRT of its intention to impose a S$3 million penalty on 30 May 2025, citing serious lapses in maintenance practices and system response. The operator was given two weeks to submit representations, which it did on 6 June 2025. LTA stated that Singapore's rail system remains one of the most reliable worldwide. Since 2019, the mean kilometres between failure of the MRT network has stayed above one million train-km. This means that, on average, MRT trains travel over a million kilometres before encountering a delay of more than five minutes. One of the highest fines to date The revised S$2.4 million fine is the second-highest penalty ever levied on a rail operator in Singapore. The largest was the S$5.4 million fine that SMRT incurred in July 2015 for a disruption that paralysed both the North-South and East-West Lines for over two hours during the evening peak. In June, LTA described the initial S$3 million fine as 'proportionate' to the circumstances of the September 2024 incident. The disruption affected train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista stations and impacted around one in six daily train trips. Extent of the disruption The six-day disruption affected nine stations between Boon Lay and Queenstown. Normal service resumed only on 1 October 2024. Approximately 500,000 of Singapore's 2.8 million daily MRT journeys were affected each day during the incident. Investigations found that degraded grease was the likely cause of the disruption. A faulty component of a first-generation KHI train's undercarriage detached on the morning of 25 September 2024. The detached component, known as an axle box, holds the train's wheels to the axle. It fell out near Dover station while the train was being moved to Ulu Pandan Depot for withdrawal from service. Derailment caused extensive damage The dislodged axle box caused one of the train's 12 bogies to derail. Despite this, the six-car train continued travelling as its remaining bogies stayed on the rails. However, the derailed bogie of the third carriage caused severe damage to 2.55km of track. It also damaged trackside equipment, including power cables and the third rail, which supplies electricity to trains. In addition to repair costs, SMRT bore expenses for providing free bus and shuttle train services for affected commuters during the six-day period. The financial penalty takes into account these costs as well as the operator's efforts to address the root cause of the failure.
