Latest news with #RM116
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Daily Express
Fined for gambling equipment
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: The court heard from the prosecution that Natalia, who was seen acting in suspicious manner, was arrested by police after the illegal gambling paraphernalia were found on her. Kota Kinabalu: The Magistrate's Court here ordered a woman to pay a fine of RM1,000 or three months in jail for having illegal gambling paraphernalia. Natalia Nicole pleaded guilty before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus to having two pieces of illegal lottery tickets on May 20, this year, at 4pm, in front of a premises, at Jalan Inanam Baru, Inanam. Natalia committed an offence under Section 9(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or a jail term of up to six months or both, on conviction. The court heard from the prosecution that Natalia, who was seen acting in suspicious manner, was arrested by police after the illegal gambling paraphernalia were found on her. The police seized a handphone, a mobile printer, two lottery tickets, and RM116 cash from Natalia. In another case, a man, who pleaded guilty to a cheating charge will know his fate on June 12. Advertisement Mohammad Shaiful, who appeared before Magistrate Wan Farrah Farriza Wan Ghazali, pleaded guilty to being involved in a cheating offence on Sept 5, 2024, at 10.30pm, at a restaurant in Putatan. However, the court deferred facts and sentencing to June 12 following an application by Mohammad's counsel and released Mohammad on an extended court bail. Charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code, the accused faces a jail term of up to six months or a fine or both on conviction. Counsel Jagnesh Jaya represented Mohammad. Meanwhile, three people were penalised for having syabu. Azmil, Tison and Juvy Mercado admitted to having syabu weighing 0.04gm, 0.07gm and 0.15gm, respectively on March 27 and March 28, this year. Azmil and Tison were jailed six and seven months, respectively while Juvy was fined RM1,800 or five months' jail. They were charged under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 which provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 or up to five years jail or both on conviction. Inspector Mohamad Hamidi Mohamad Hamzah prosecuted. * 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
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
GDA, Google.org on mission to empower Asean MSMEs to thrive in AI-driven era
PETALING JAYA: The Asia Foundation's Go Digital Asean (GDA) and are expanding their focus to include preparing micro, small and medium enterprises for the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence-driven economy. Backed by a US$27 million (RM116 million) commitment from the initiative focuses on closing the digital gap for underserved communities – particularly women, youth, rural entrepreneurs and owners of small business. Since its inception in 2020, GDA has delivered digital upskilling programmes to more than 200,000 individuals across all 10 Asean member states. In 2025, with the global economy shifting towards automation and artificial intelligence, GDA is evolving its mission to equip Southeast Asia's MSMEs with the knowledge and tools to adapt, innovate and thrive in the AI era. GDA regional programme manager Hannah Najar said AI has the potential to unlock efficiencies, boost productivity, and create market opportunities for MSMEs. 'However, without inclusive access to AI awareness and training, small businesses risk being left behind. That is what we are trying to change,' she told SunBiz. Hannah said the expanded focus is supported by AI Opportunity Fund, which marks a long-term investment into developing AI literacy across the region. 'For us, this means integrating practical knowledge of AI tools and responsible usage into its skilling curriculum, ensuring that MSMEs not only adopt digital technologies, but also understand how emerging tools like generative AI can be applied ethically and effectively to their business operations,' she added. The digital skilling gap remains a challenge across Southeast Asia, especially for small businesses operating in rural or low-connectivity areas, Hannah noted. 'GDA addresses this by leveraging an extensive network of local implementing partners, ranging from civil society groups to government-linked agencies, to contextualise training and extend its reach to hard-to-access communities,' she said. Asia-Pacific lead Marija Ralic said Google recognises that digital transformation is not a one-size-fits-all process. 'Each community has different needs. That is why we work closely with regional partners who understand local barriers and can deliver skills training in culturally and economically relevant ways.' Ralic said the results speak for themselves, as more than 90% of GDA beneficiaries reported a positive business impact from the programme. 'Participants saw improvements in customer engagement, sales growth and overall business performance. In Malaysia, one small enterprise reported a 40% revenue increase after adopting digital strategies learned through GDA training. 'In Indonesia, a rural woman entrepreneur leveraged e-commerce tools to expand her business beyond her local village. And in Thailand, a mushroom farmer-turned-online seller demonstrated how digital tools can open up entirely new income streams,' she added. With MSMEs facing increasing pressure to digitalise and compete in a global market, they both noted that the partnership aims to build a strong foundation, not just for short-term gains, but for sustainable, future-facing transformation. Looking ahead, Hannah noted that the initiative plans to scale its reach by expanding digital literacy programmes into AI-specific training, enhancing cybersecurity awareness, and promoting responsible digital entrepreneurship. 'This vision aligns with Asean's broader digital integration goals and reflects the growing recognition that AI will be a core component of business competitiveness in the coming decade. 'The digital economy is evolving, and we want to ensure that MSMEs evolve with it. This means going beyond access to technology, we are building digital confidence, skills, and awareness that can help small businesses take charge of their futures,' she said.
Business Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Malaysia's HI Mobility banks on Johor-Singapore boom to drive growth
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysian bus operator HI Mobility – a company that went public two months ago – is accelerating its push to get more people on buses, especially along the lucrative and often congested Malaysia-Singapore corridor. Chief executive officer Lim Chern Chuen views public transport as a crucial solution to issues in Malaysia, Singapore and other parts of South-east Asia: traffic gridlock, rising fuel costs, and the increasing need for affordable and sustainable mobility. Fresh off a RM116 million (S$35.3 million) initial public offering in March, the Johor-based bus operator is scaling up operations across Johor Bahru, Melaka, Klang Valley and Singapore as it capitalises on renewed commuter demand. For the financial year ending Jan 31, 2025, the company reported a 31 per cent jump in net profit to RM43.8 million, while revenue climbed 22 per cent to RM77.9 million. As of Monday (May 5), HI Mobility's market capitalisation stood at RM650 million, with its shares trading at RM1.30. 'Rising living costs, subsidy reforms and traffic congestion are driving more people toward public transport,' Lim told The Business Times in an interview at Kuala Lumpur. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up HI Mobility, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Handal Indah, currently manages a fleet of 638 buses across 124 routes in Malaysia and Singapore, and these numbers are set to grow. Betting big on cross-border traffic More than 300,000 people cross the Johor-Singapore Causeway daily, making it one of the busiest land crossings in the world. PHOTO: BT FILE Central to HI Mobility's growth strategy is its commanding presence on the Causeway, which is one of the world's busiest border crossings. The company operates 150 licensed buses that ferry thousands of commuters and tourists daily between Johor Bahru and Singapore. 'Volume has clearly picked up. On long weekends like Good Friday, we see traffic rise by at least 30 per cent compared to a normal day,' said Lim. 'The trend of individuals arriving in Johor a day before long weekends and extending their stay to explore various locations signals a shift in travel behaviour that favours mass transit.' In 2024, HI Mobility transported nearly 16 million passengers across the Causeway, contributing RM63.5 million to group revenue or 53 per cent of its total top line. That number is projected to climb to RM122.2 million in 2025, comprising nearly 60 per cent of revenue, according to the company's estimates. But Lim says the strategy isn't just about scale. HI Mobility is evolving into a mobility solutions provider – developing better connectivity, tourist-friendly routes, and last-mile links that tie into broader regional travel trends. 'There's a growing ecosystem in Johor built around tourist demand, such as medical and healthcare, leisure and entertainment, retail, and F&B. We want to make these places more accessible,' he said. The company is collaborating with local councils to improve traffic flow and add new pick-up and drop-off points. The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link, due to open in 2026, will further reshape cross-border dynamics, he added. With an estimated 350,000 to 500,000 people crossing the border daily, HI Mobility sees opportunity in feeding passengers into and out of the RTS system. 'With congestion reduced by RTS, we can redeploy buses more efficiently and increase frequencies. It helps us serve even more destinations,' said Lim. Regional vision While Johor-Singapore remains its stronghold, HI Mobility is open to potential opportunities for new cross-border services, such as Thailand and Brunei. 'But the volume has to make sense,' Lim cautioned. 'What makes Johor-Singapore so compelling is the sheer scale of movement and business activity.' Still, once the company enters a new city or region, Lim said growth often comes organically through last-mile partnerships and B2B deals. Domestic expansion HI Mobility chief executive officer Lim Chern Chuen said: "Rising living costs, subsidy reforms and traffic congestion are driving more people toward public transport.' HI MOBILITY While the Johor-Singapore corridor remains HI Mobility's cash cow for now, the company is deepening its footprint in Malaysia through government partnerships. In April, it secured a RM134.9 million contract under a scheme to operate intra-city buses in Johor Bahru. The two-year deal, awarded by Malaysia's Land Public Transport Agency, will further entrench its operations in Johor Bahru. 'It's about improving reliability and cutting wait times,' said Lim. 'If people know the bus will arrive on time and offer a comfortable ride, they are more likely to use it regularly.' Beyond public contracts, HI Mobility is working with malls, business parks and local councils to design custom shuttle services to offer solutions in areas underserved by conventional routes. 'One of our biggest successes started as a private shuttle for Singaporean shoppers going to KSL Mall (in Johor Bahru),' Lim said, noting that the service has become so popular that it has been integrated into the main network. These B2B partnerships give HI Mobility faster rollouts and more flexibility than traditional route tenders. It also opens the door to broader mobility solutions, including charter services and corporate fleets, said Lim. HI Mobility is also eyeing adjacent business lines such as fleet maintenance, tech integration, and predictive analytics, especially as the take-up rate for electric vehicles (EVs) increases. Accelerating the EV shift Another major investment area for HI Mobility is fleet electrification. The company has placed orders for 55 new buses, including 10 EVs. While EVs require higher upfront investments, Lim said the long-term cost savings from lower fuel and maintenance expenses make them smart bets. 'The move is in line with Malaysia's sustainability goals. By starting early, it allows us to build expertise, lower infrastructure costs and future-proof our operations,' he said. Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap sets ambitious targets for EV adoption in public transport, aiming for 15 per cent of total industry volume by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050. 'It's no longer just about driving a bus. You need to manage charging times, forecast electricity rates and automate maintenance,' said Lim. To further enhance operational efficiency and ensure sustainable operations, the company's internal tech division is prioritising data integration, real-time monitoring, and operational optimisation. These tools, he added, may be packaged and offered to other operators, positioning HI Mobility not only as a transit provider but as a mobility tech firm too. 'Public transport is no longer a backup plan. It's becoming the backbone of modern cities, and we want to be at the heart of that transformation,' said Lim.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Stolen Honda Civic returned to owner after he unknowingly buys it
KUALA LUMPUR: A man who bought a car to replace his stolen vehicle discovered he had bought his own stolen car. Ewan Valentine, 36, reported his black Honda Civic stolen on Feb 28. In searching for a replacement, he found an identical-looking model about 113km away. "I spotted one that was identical — same colour, same year, same slightly obnoxious exhaust system on it as well," he said in a BBC report. After purchasing the car for £20,000 (RM116,374), which had a new number plate and a lower mileage, he noticed similarities with his stolen vehicle. "I started noticing things in the car were a little bit odd, like a single tent peg and some Christmas tree pines and some, like, Mars bar wrappers and things that they hadn't cleaned out," he said. His suspicion was confirmed when he discovered his and his parents' addresses in the built-in navigation system's history. He took the vehicle to a Honda service centre in Solihull, where the physical key for his original car was used to confirm it was the same vehicle. "You could see signs where they'd tampered with things and removed VIN numbers and replaced other ones and things." Ewan said he hoped to recover the money he had paid for the vehicle. "The police and the Honda service centre said this was one of the best clone jobs they'd ever seen, so if it wasn't for these little artefacts, no one would have ever known."
