Latest news with #RM136
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
SM Min Lit Batu Kawa surpasses RM100k target at revived fundraising fair
Dr Sim strikes the gong to officiate the opening ceremony, joined by Choo (fourth left) and Lai (sixth right). KUCHING (May 27): After an eight-year hiatus, Sekolah Menengah (SM) Min Lit Batu Kawa successfully revived its long-awaited fundraising fair with overwhelming support from the school community and the public, raising a total of RM136,259.50 ― surpassing its RM100,000 target. According to a press release, the event brought together students, teachers, parents, alumni, and local residents in a strong display of unity and commitment to education and community spirit. Officiated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, the event featured 45 booths offering food, beverages, crafts, games, household items, interactive games, handmade crafts, and agricultural products. In his speech, Dr Sim commended the school and its community for their shared dedication to Chinese education. He emphasised that the significance of the fundraising fair lay not merely in the funds raised, but in the collective effort ― 'everyone doing their part for Chinese education'. Dr Sim also toured the fairgrounds, engaging warmly with vendors and students. He personally purchased and distributed fundraising tickets, demonstrating humility and genuine support. During the event, he pledged support for three upcoming school development projects: the installation of an LED screen and industrial fans in the school hall, upgrades to the covered basketball court, and the addition of pickleball courts. These initiatives follow last year's successful RM400,000 fundraising effort for the construction of the covered court. This year's RM200,000 goal aims to further enhance student facilities. According to event organisers, funds were raised through RM50,000 in ticket sales, RM78,634 in donations from individuals and sponsors, and RM52,778.50 from booth proceeds ― including RM7,125.50 in direct cash contributions. Board of Directors' chairman Choo Chong Teck praised the organising committee, made up mostly of first-time members, for their commitment, coordination, and outreach. He noted that he personally joined the principal in visiting businesses and community leaders to secure sponsorships. Principal Lai Soh Ching said the fair was not only a financial success but also an invaluable learning experience for students, who gained practical skills in communication, logistics, teamwork, and leadership. 'The event provided them with a practical lesson in responsibility, leadership, and community service ― an embodiment of holistic education,' she said. The fair ended on a high note, cementing the strong bonds between the school and its community and embodying the event's theme: 'United as One, Dreaming for the Future'. batu kawa min lit secondary school community Dr Sim Kui Hian fundraising
The Star
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Surge pricing and midnight discounts: EV charging rates go dynamic
When Jeffrey Raun drives his Tesla Model 3 far from his Anchorage home he pays some of the highest public charging rates in the US. Juicing the car's battery from 10% to 90% full costs somewhere around US$32 (RM136) at the Three Bears grocery and sporting goods outpost in Chugiak, roughly triple what he pays at home. "This is a choice we've made and we're all in and we're going to charge where and when we need to charge,' Raun explained. "I firmly believe I'm still money ahead in the use of my EV.' Soon, however, Raun and other EV drivers may see prices swing dramatically higher (and occasionally lower) as fast-charging networks roll out dynamic pricing. Nearly 40% of the country's 10,700 or so public fast-charging stations recently started adjusting rates often and aggressively, based on a myriad of factors that skew the supply-demand equation, from weather and events to holiday travel spikes and fluctuating electricity rates. For charging companies, the strategy is arguably a no-brainer – a page from the gas station playbook that analysts say will help long-struggling networks finally plug into fatter profits. There are benefits for consumers as well. Shifting prices will mitigate congestion by spreading demand throughout the day and giving price-sensitive drivers – particularly Uber and Lyft workers – windows of steeply discounted rates, typically in the wee hours of the morning. However, the strategy will make public charging, one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption, even more confusing and opaque. US$35 or US$48? Consider a driver plugging into the EVgo Inc station outside the Denny's in Rancho Cordova, California. If she is a night owl topping up between midnight and 6am, 70 kWh of charging costs about US$35 (RM148). However, from 1pm to 9pm, that same session will run about US$48 (RM204), nearly 38% more, according to EVgo's pricing a few days ago. While much of the industry has hesitated to tinker with prices, EVgo, which operates about 1,100 fast-charging stations in the US, says algorithms are now constantly tweaking prices throughout its network. EVgo declined a request for comment. But in its recent earnings report, the company said its dynamic pricing has pushed overnight utilisation at its stations into double-digit figures on average. The company, in short, is now doing business at times when it used to do little, which is making its cords less crowded during peak periods. "We're looking to maximise margin,' CEO Badar Khan explained on a conference call. "We're not talking about something being reinvented here. We're taking, kind of, concepts that have been very successfully executed in other parts of the economy into the space.' Chris Pierce, an analyst covering charging networks at the Needham & Co. Inc investment bank, considers EVgo's new pricing strategy a major competitive advantage. "There's no doubt it's working,' he explained. "And I don't think this train is stopping anytime soon. … You have a bunch of EVs on the road and not enough infrastructure in the ground.' Tesla Inc, which did not respond to requests for comment, has a similar pricing program for its 2,500 or so US fast-charging stations. The rest of the charging industry isn't far behind. Driivz, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based software and analytics company that serves 150,000 chargers around the world, promises its dynamic pricing models can increase revenue by up to 20%. "It's becoming a very hot topic,' explained Oren Halevi, Driivz's chief product officer. "It's just a really good way for networks to make money.' Stable Auto, a consultancy that helps charging companies decide where to put stations, started pitching dynamic pricing about a year ago. It's now actively shifting rates at some 5,000 US chargers, including many operated by Blink Charging Co and EV Connect Inc. Stable CEO Rohan Puri said he talks to lots of charging executives who are intrigued by dynamic pricing but hesitant to embrace it. They are concerned about further confusing customers, being accused of price gouging and possibly slowing EV adoption. "There's been this pressure to make sure EV charging is cheaper than gas,' Puri explained. "It's an ethical pressure … but most [networks] are not making money, so we have to pull whatever levers we have.' What's a kilowatt-hour? Public charging has long been one of the most frustrating parts of EV ownership and opaque pricing is a big reason why. In a recent J.D. Power survey, EV drivers gave fast-charging costs a satisfaction score of 429 out of 1,000. Charging rates – even when they aren't being whipsawed by dynamic pricing algorithms – are plenty confusing. They vary by network, by state and by station and though most locations charge by the kilowatt-hour, some still charge by the minute. What's more, unlike gas station pumps, charging stations don't prominently display their rates, and often tack on extra fees and surcharges. And then there's the question of how drivers find stations. Half of EV drivers use three or more apps to choose chargers, but many of those apps don't display real-time prices, according to a recent study by the state of California. State regulators found that almost half of EV drivers considered it difficult or very difficult to find information about charging costs in advance of a fueling session and nearly 40% said they paid surprise fees or a significantly higher price for charging than expected. "Customer confusion and surprise around EV charging prices is a significant challenge nationwide,' the report reads. "This especially impacts low-income or disadvantaged drivers, who rely more on public chargers, have less access to digital payments, have tighter budgets, and may struggle to understand information presented in inaccessible ways.' Dynamic pricing will exacerbate this frustration to some degree. Consumers have come to expect that prices are on a pendulum that never stops swinging, from airline and concert tickets to gasoline. Still, they tend to bristle at dynamic pricing. Almost one in four Americans say they won't spend money at a business that uses it, according to a recent NerdWallet survey. Choose-your-own charging adventure If gasoline is any gauge, EV pricing will only get more complex. Not only will networks shift prices through the day, but the people tinkering with the algorithms say drivers will pay big premiums at stations hit by a charging rush, say outside an NFL stadium on game day or on a busy travel corridor Thanksgiving week. Puri at Stable thinks drivers will eventually choose their own pricing. For example, those in a rush may soon be able to select a faster, more expensive charge, while those on a budget or a relaxed schedule can opt for slower, cheaper service at the same electron pump – essentially the line-cutting model that has become ubiquitous at amusement parks. "We do it at Disneyland,' he said, "why not at a charger?' – Bloomberg
Hype Malaysia
21-04-2025
- Hype Malaysia
AirAsia's 'All Seats, All Flights' Sale Is Back, Offering 25%* Discounted Fares!
Get ready for your next vacay, because AirAsia's 'All Seats, All Flights' sale is back! A windfall for travellers, the sale allows you to enjoy 25%* discounted fares across more than 130 destinations within AirAsia's vast network. Take your pick from AirAsia Malaysia's (AK) featured destinations: Miri, Kuching, Darwin**, Kaohsiung, Jaipur, Lucknow, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Da Lat, Guilin, Quanzhou and more. All-in*** one way fares: Domestic: from as low as RM64*** International: from as low as RM136*** AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) featured destinations: Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Chongqing, Beijing, Almaty, New Delhi, Sydney and more. Just take your pick! Enjoy all-in*** one way fares: from as low as RM295*** or elevate your in-flight comfort with AAX's award winning Premium Flatbed with an additional 25% off, from RM782*** Booking period: Now – 27th April 2025 Travel period: 28th April – 30th November 2025 Darwin: 27th June – 25th October 2025 Additional Perks****: Pick a seat to enjoy an additional 25% off on seat selection Enjoy 10% off on purchase of checked baggage between 20kg-60kg Log on to or the AirAsia MOVE app to book your next getaway at lower fares! *25% discounted base fare is applicable for all seats for all domestic and international flights. **AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will commence operations for Kuala Lumpur-Darwin from 27th June 2025 onwards. ***All-in fare is applicable for one way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. T&Cs apply. ****Pick-A-Seat and checked baggage promo are only valid during initial flight booking. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
