Latest news with #BMI
Malaysian Reserve
a day ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia continues to lead regionally for digital infrastructure
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, expects Malaysia to maintain its lead as a hub for digital infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia, with Johor remaining a prominent destination for data centre investment. In a statement yesterday, BMI said the investment is driven by the new Singapore economic zone (SEZ), which will likely lead to more industrial parks being introduced and more areas being put up for acquisition to develop new data centres. 'Our estimates show over 3.2 gigawatt (GW) of planned capacity entering the Malaysian market, followed by Indonesia with 1.8GW and the Philippines lagging significantly with just under 180 megawatt (MW),' it said. The statement said Alibaba Cloud will also increase its presence in Southeast Asia, with data centres being planned in Malaysia and the Philippines. It is also expected to support the region's rapidly growing digital economy and drive adoption of cloud services among local businesses. The statement said Malaysia remains a popular destination for digital infrastructure investment with demand continuing to shift away from Singapore. In a separate statement today, BMI said although the new power tariffs may lead to short-term challenges for data centre projects in Malaysia, its dominant position in emerging Southeast Asia is unlikely to be dramatically altered as demand for cloud computing remains strong. 'Some Malaysian data centre platforms will look to address demand from non-artificial intelligence (AI) related use or potentially less intensive AI use cases, to bypass the tariff. 'This development is expected to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and investments in sustainability,' it said. The statement also added that adopting renewable energy sources is necessary as power continues to be the leading issue for many markets. — BERNAMA
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Shape up or ship out: No promotion for overweight MACC officers from 2026, says Azam
KOTA BARU, July 4 — Starting January 2026, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers or personnel who are obese or do not meet the required body mass index (BMI) will not be eligible for promotion will not be eligible for promotion, said MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. He said the move was aimed at emphasising the importance of health among MACC personnel, while also ensuring their fitness remained at an optimal level. 'Many civil servants are dealing with obesity or excessive weight. When we're overweight, it affects our appearance, fitness and service delivery to the public. 'Just imagine if a government officer is overweight; they won't be able to perform well and they'll be at risk of various health problems,' he said at a press conference after the handing over of duties between Kelantan MACC's new director Azmin Yusoff and former director Rosli Husain here today. Azam said a circular on the matter would be issued next week, and all officers would be given six months to manage their health. 'This especially applies to those with weight issues; they need to lose weight unless they have underlying medical conditions. It's important because departments like the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have already set a BMI requirement for promotions. 'I will implement this at the MACC, as we are also an enforcement agency. I want to make sure our officers are always fit and able to do their job well,' he said. Azam said the MACC has set a maximum BMI limit of 27, with internal administrative directives to be issued soon. 'I had earlier announced that (personnel) at each state would be required to undergo health check-ups at government hospitals every three months. 'State and divisional MACC directors have acted on this. If you have a health issue, seek treatment and change your lifestyle,' he said. — Bernama
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia continues to lead regionally for digital infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, expects Malaysia to maintain its lead as a hub for digital infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia, with Johor remaining a prominent destination for data centre investment. In a statement yesterday, BMI said the investment is driven by the new Singapore economic zone (SEZ), which will likely lead to more industrial parks being introduced and more areas being put up for acquisition to develop new data centres. "Our estimates show over 3.2 gigawatt (GW) of planned capacity entering the Malaysian market, followed by Indonesia with 1.8GW and the Philippines lagging significantly with just under 180 megawatt (MW)," it said. The statement said Alibaba Cloud will also increase its presence in Southeast Asia, with data centres being planned in Malaysia and the Philippines. It is also expected to support the region's rapidly growing digital economy and drive adoption of cloud services among local businesses. The statement said Malaysia remains a popular destination for digital infrastructure investment with demand continuing to shift away from Singapore. In a separate statement today, BMI said although the new power tariffs may lead to short-term challenges for data centre projects in Malaysia, its dominant position in emerging Southeast Asia is unlikely to be dramatically altered as demand for cloud computing remains strong. "Some Malaysian data centre platforms will look to address demand from non-artificial intelligence (AI) related use or potentially less intensive AI use cases, to bypass the tariff. "This development is expected to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and investments in sustainability," it said. The statement also added that adopting renewable energy sources is necessary as power continues to be the leading issue for many markets.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Shape up or ship out: No promotion for overweight MACC officers from 2026, says chief Azam Baki
KOTA BARU, July 4 — Starting January 2026, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers or personnel who are obese or do not meet the required body mass index (BMI) will not be eligible for promotion will not be eligible for promotion, said MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki. He said the move was aimed at emphasising the importance of health among MACC personnel, while also ensuring their fitness remained at an optimal level. 'Many civil servants are dealing with obesity or excessive weight. When we're overweight, it affects our appearance, fitness and service delivery to the public. 'Just imagine if a government officer is overweight; they won't be able to perform well and they'll be at risk of various health problems,' he said at a press conference after the handing over of duties between Kelantan MACC's new director Azmin Yusoff and former director Rosli Husain here today. Azam said a circular on the matter would be issued next week, and all officers would be given six months to manage their health. 'This especially applies to those with weight issues; they need to lose weight unless they have underlying medical conditions. It's important because departments like the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) have already set a BMI requirement for promotions. 'I will implement this at the MACC, as we are also an enforcement agency. I want to make sure our officers are always fit and able to do their job well,' he said. Azam said the MACC has set a maximum BMI limit of 27, with internal administrative directives to be issued soon. 'I had earlier announced that (personnel) at each state would be required to undergo health check-ups at government hospitals every three months. 'State and divisional MACC directors have acted on this. If you have a health issue, seek treatment and change your lifestyle,' he said. — Bernama
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
NHS weight-loss jabs could be handed out in shopping centres
NHS weight-loss jabs could soon be made available in shopping centres and on high streets across the country, under a new 10-year health plan aimed at expanding access to treatment. The radical proposal comes as Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed the injections were the "talk of the House of Commons tea rooms". The comprehensive plan for the health service outlines a clear need to bring weight-loss services and treatments closer to where people live and work. It states the government will collaborate with industry to "test innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients effectively and safely" in convenient locations, including "on the high street, or at any out-of-town shopping centre". Alongside physical locations, the strategy also suggests the implementation of "digital-only models," where the entire process, from consultation to management, is handled online. Crucially, the plan introduces a new payment structure for companies involved in delivering these services. They will not solely be compensated based on patients losing weight, "but if that also translates into outcomes that really matter for patients, such as fewer heart attacks, strokes or cancer diagnoses." Earlier, Mr Streeting emphasised that access to weight-loss jabs should be determined by medical need, not by a person's ability to pay. At the moment, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more, or 30 but with a linked health condition, can be prescribed jabs on the NHS through specialist weight-management services. Other people are paying hundreds of pounds a month to get the jabs privately. Mr Streeting told LBC radio: 'Weight-loss jabs are the talk of the House of Commons tea rooms, half my colleagues are on them and are judging the rest of us saying 'you lot should be on them'. 'And the thing is, if you can afford these weight loss jabs, which can be over 200 quid a month, well that's all right for you. 'But most people in this country haven't got a spare two and a half grand a year and often the people who have the worst and most challenging obesity also have the lowest income. 'So I'm bringing to weight loss jabs the principle of fairness which has underpinned the NHS. 'It should be available based on need and not the ability to pay. 'And that's what we're going to do on weight-loss jabs, as well as a number of other things, including people getting more fit, more active, supporting people on diet and nutrition….that's the bit of the weight-loss jab debate that sometimes gets lost. 'It's not that you can have some weight-loss jabs and stuff your face with Jaffa cakes…' He said obesity costs the NHS billions a year, adding that taxes have been going 'up and up' to pay for the health service.
