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Business

As IT Infrastructure Costs Rise, LCRServix Brings Lenovo Certified Refurbished Servers to Hong Kong Businesses

HONG KONG, June 15, — Walk into almost any SME in Kwun Tong or Sham Shui Po and ask the owner what keeps them up at night. Rent, yes. Talent, .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 -- The ringgit continued its upward momentum by opening higher on Monday against the US dollar and other major currencies, supported by improved risk sentiment following signs of easing geopolitical tensions. At 8am, the local currency rose to 4.0430/0500 against the US dollar from 4.0555/0600 at the close last Friday. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said news of the possibility of the Strait of Hormuz being reopened following the agreement between the United States and Iran on a peace deal scheduled to be signed on June 19 had boosted market sentiment. “WTI and Brent crude oil prices have fallen by more than four percent, with Brent crude now trading at US$83.83 per barrel. "In my view, the ringgit is heading towards RM4.00 against the US dollar. It may not be at that level immediately but being below RM4.00 is in line with the fair value of the ringgit based on the current macroeconomic conditions and the resilience of Malaysia's economic growth," he told Bernama. In the opening session, the local currency strengthened against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit rose against the Japanese yen to 2.5275/5320 from 2.5334/5364 at last Friday's close, rose against the pound to 5.4374/4468 from 5.4429/4489 and gained against the euro to 4.6911/6992 from 4.6979/7031 previously. The local currency also strengthened against regional currencies. The ringgit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.1554/1611 from 3.1602/1640 last Friday and surged against the Thai baht to 12.4015/4298 from 12.4105/4288 previously. The local currency also rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 226.3/226.8 from 227.0/227.4 and increased against the Philippine peso to 6.65/6.66 from 6.67/6.68 previously. -- BERNAMA

Ringgit opens higher on better market sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 — The ringgit continued its upward momentum by opening higher on Monday against the US dollar and other major currencies, supported by improved risk sentiment following .... read more

NEW YORK: The World Bank lowered its global growth forecast to 2.5 percent for 2026 on Thursday, from 2.9 percent in 2025, marking the lowest rate since late 2019, Xinhua News Agency reported. The bank's semi-annual Global Economic Prospects report cited rising energy prices, higher inflation and rising borrowing costs amid the West Asian conflict as reasons for the reduction in growth projections. The report also warned that downside risks are significant. Global growth could further moderate to 2.1 percent if energy supply disruptions persist and oil prices average US$115 a barrel this year, which would push inflation to 4.4 percent. The report lowered growth forecasts for two-thirds of countries compared to the January report this year, with Gulf countries recording the largest reduction from 3.9 percent in 2025 to almost zero in 2026. South Asia is expected to record the strongest growth of any region at 6.3 percent in 2026, although that figure is down from seven percent in 2025. In addition, the report maintained a growth forecast of 2.2 percent for the United States (US) economy in 2026, although it noted that the figure could decline to 2.1 percent in 2027 and two percent in 2028. The eurozone economy is expected to grow at a rate of 0.8 percent in 2026, down from 1.4 percent in 2025. As for Japan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is projected to grow by 0.7 percent in 2026 compared to 1.1 percent in 2025. The World Bank expects global growth to rebound to 2.8 percent in 2027, but that rate remains 0.4 percentage points below the average recorded in the 2010s. While risks remain tilted to the downside due to increased hostilities, commodity market disruptions and heightened geopolitical tensions, the bank stressed that policy action is critical. At the global level, the World Bank urged countries to protect energy and food security and advance the energy transition. At the domestic level, all countries were urged to control inflation, strengthen fiscal sustainability and support job creation. --BERNAMA-XINHUA

World Bank lowers 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5 percent

NEW YORK: The World Bank lowered its global growth forecast to 2.5 percent for 2026 on Thursday, from 2.9 percent in 2025, marking the lowest rate since late 2019, Xinhua .... read more

SINGAPORE, June 12, -- For years, loyalty programmes across banking, credit card, and financial institutions have been built around a familiar formula: collect points, unlock perks, repeat. But across Asia-Pacific, consumers are beginning to expect something different. According to the APAC Loyalty Index released by Dragonpass, the region's loyalty economy is rapidly shifting away from transactional rewards toward lifestyle relevance, emotional trust, and everyday utility. The study, which surveyed consumers across Southeast Asia and China, found that while "trust" remains the foundational driver of brand loyalty, consumers increasingly demand value that feels immediate and personalised. The results highlight growing fatigue with traditional loyalty mechanics in the region. While 80% of respondents stay loyal to their bank because it is the most secure option for their money, 28% say their loyalty rewards simply do not match their lifestyle — and a striking 53% of high-income earners find their current loyalty rewards are misaligned with their actual needs. Travel and Digital Concierge as the New Loyalty Levers The Index highlights that travel remains the most powerful tool for customer retention. Younger consumers and affluent segments demonstrated a strong preference for integrated digital concierge services, premium travel experiences, and personalised lifestyle benefits. This highlights the convergence of financial services and lifestyle ecosystems across APAC markets.    "The traditional loyalty model was designed around transactions, but consumers today demand something far more intuitive and integrated into their lifestyle," said John Su, Group CGO & APAC CEO of Dragonpass. "They expect their banks or financial providers to play an active role in their everyday lives. This is exactly where we have invested heavily, not only in spanning our global travel, dining, and premium lifestyle services, but in the technology that is designed precisely to close this gap, helping financial institutions deliver relevant, real-time value at every stage of the customer lifecycle." For banks, fintechs, and payment brands, the implications are significant. As competition intensifies and switching barriers continue to fall, loyalty is increasingly becoming a strategic growth lever rather than a marketing add-on. The brands most likely to retain high-value customers may ultimately be those that can turn loyalty from a points programme into a seamless part of consumers' lifestyles.    About Dragonpass Dragonpass is a global travel and lifestyle platform delivering premium travel and lifestyle experiences to 40+ million members worldwide. Media Contact Email: brandmarketing@dragonpass.com Website: www.dragonpass.com -- PRNewswire -- Source: Dragonpass  

Dragonpass APAC Loyalty Index: 53% of High-Income Consumers Say Bank Rewards No Longer Match Their Lifestyle Needs

SINGAPORE, June 12, — For years, loyalty programmes across banking, credit card, and financial institutions have been built around a familiar formula: collect points, unlock perks, repeat. But across Asia-Pacific, .... read more

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 12 -- The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) has officially opened the Vietnam Liaison Office of the Guangzhou International Arbitration Court in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a new step in strengthening China–Vietnam arbitration cooperation and supporting businesses engaged in cross-border commerce and investment. The launch comes as economic ties between China and Vietnam continue to deepen. Bilateral trade exceeded US$250 billion in 2025, with Vietnam remaining China's largest trading partner within ASEAN. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation between the two countries has expanded across sectors including renewable energy, digital economy, infrastructure and cross-border investment. As commercial exchanges increase, so does demand for efficient, predictable and enforceable dispute resolution services. The Vietnam Liaison Office is designed to respond to this growing need by providing businesses with easier access to arbitration-related information, procedural guidance and dispute resolution support. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mark Feldman, President of the Guangzhou International Arbitration Court, said the office reflects GZAC's commitment to providing arbitration services closer to users and supporting the evolving needs of companies operating across borders. Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the office will serve as a regional platform for Chinese and Vietnamese businesses seeking professional dispute resolution services. It will draw on GZAC's experience in international arbitration, digital dispute resolution and cross-border case administration. GZAC has continued to expand its international presence in recent years. In 2025, it handled 877 foreign-related cases with a total disputed amount exceeding US$1.8 billion. Parties came from 22 countries and regions, while the institution has served users from 67 jurisdictions worldwide. Nearly 40 percent of the members of its current arbitration committee are foreign nationals or professionals from Hong Kong and Macao, representing six jurisdictions. GZAC is also a pioneer in digital dispute resolution. As one of the first official global partners of the APEC Collaborative Framework for Online Dispute Resolution (APEC-ODR), it operates an online dispute resolution platform that integrates negotiation, mediation and arbitration services. The platform supports real-time translation in eight languages and has handled more than 1,000 cases involving claims exceeding RMB10 billion. Through its Vietnam Liaison Office, GZAC plans to deepen engagement with arbitration institutions and legal service providers across Vietnam and ASEAN, contributing to a more efficient environment for cross-border trade and investment. -- PRNewswire -- Source: Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC)

Guangzhou International Arbitration Court Opens Vietnam Liaison Office to Support China-Vietnam Cross-Border Dispute Resolution

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 12 — The Guangzhou Arbitration Commission (GZAC) has officially opened the Vietnam Liaison Office of the Guangzhou International Arbitration Court in Ho Chi Minh .... read more

SINGAPORE, June 10 -- Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today unveiled a S$30 million automated parcel sortation facility at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub, alongside the nationwide rollout of its neighbourhood-based service, SingPost@MyBlock.      The launch was attended by Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information. Both initiatives represent the first major milestones following the Group's Strategy Update announced in May 2026, demonstrating SingPost's commitment to strengthen core fundamentals, build scalable capabilities, and capture new growth opportunities.      Tripling Processing Capacity to Drive Network Efficiency The investment in two new automated machines - a 3D Sorter and an Intelligent Flexi Sorter (IFS) - was first announced in March 2025. The completion of the construction of these new systems will triple SingPost's small and medium parcel processing capacity from 100,000 to 300,000 parcels per day. When combined with existing large-parcel operations, total daily throughput capacity at the Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub now stands at 400,000 parcels a day. This upgrade solidifies SingPost's position as Singapore's most robust parcel delivery network. This automated infrastructure significantly boosts operational productivity, ensuring that seasonal spikes such as 11.11 and Black Friday are handled with greater speed and efficiency while seamlessly scaling to meet demand.     Consolidated Operations at Tampines Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub Previously, SingPost sorted parcels across two geographically separated facilities based on size: smaller items were handled at SingPost Centre in Paya Lebar, while larger packages were processed at the Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub in Tampines. This dual-site workflow required continuous cross-island trucking, which added transit time, operational costs, and network complexity. With this, all parcel sortation is now consolidated at the Tampines facility. This migration creates a single, streamlined parcel flow across Singapore's delivery network. Enhancing Neighbourhood Convenience with SingPost@MyBlock As part of its ongoing efforts to maintain public convenience, SingPost will officially expand its SingPost@MyBlock service islandwide by September this year following successful trials. To be rolled out in three phases islandwide by 30 September, the service allows residents to drop off letters and small packets directly at the designated letterbox nest of their HDB or residential block, reducing the need to visit a post office or street posting box. This neighbourhood framework leverages SingPost's existing postal network, which serves more than 1.9 million addresses every working day. To ensure comprehensive public accessibility across Singapore, SingPost remains committed to maintaining its Post Office network of approximately 40 manned and unmanned touchpoints by investing in technology. "Today's launch marks a major operational milestone in the execution of our strategy. This centralised, automated hub for parcels unlocks an improved operating model enabling us to move towards a highly flexible network that scales with market demand. These measures serve as levers to cut our cost-to-serve by more than 10%", said Mark Chong, Chief Executive Officer, SingPost. "Crucially, even as we raise back-end efficiency, we are equally focused on improving public convenience. Through initiatives like SingPost@MyBlock, we are expanding our reach directly into local communities to bring doorstep convenience to residents. We are modernising our infrastructure to serve Singapore and our global partners with greater reliability and agility", he added.  About Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) Singapore Post (SingPost) is a leading postal and eCommerce logistics provider in Asia Pacific. The portfolio of businesses spans from national and international postal services to warehousing and fulfilment, international freight forwarding and last mile delivery, serving customers in more than 220 global destinations. Headquartered in Singapore, SingPost has approximately 3,000 employees. Since its inception in 1858, the Group has evolved and innovated to bring about best-in-class integrated logistics solutions and services, making every delivery count for people and planet. www.singpost.com        -- PRNewswire -- Source: Singapore Post     

SingPost Unveils S$30 Million Automated Sortation Hub, Announces Islandwide Rollout of ‘SingPost@MyBlock’

SINGAPORE, June 10 — Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today unveiled a S$30 million automated parcel sortation facility at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub, alongside the nationwide rollout of its neighbourhood-based .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, yesterday has welcomed the emphasis on inclusive growth and value creation outlined during Invest Malaysia 2026, describing it as a vital step towards ensuring the benefits of economic development are shared across all levels of society. The premier investment event brought together investors, industry leaders and capital market participants from Malaysia and around the world to discuss the country’s future economic direction and investment opportunities. Zahid said Malaysia’s continued success should not be measured solely by the volume of investments secured, but also by the value generated through those investments, including the creation of quality jobs, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic opportunities. He noted that capital plays an important role in connecting ambition with opportunity, enabling businesses to expand, entrepreneurs to grow and industries to innovate. However, he stressed that investment benefits must extend beyond large corporations and reach small and medium enterprises (SMEs), young entrepreneurs, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, rural businesses and regional economic centres. According to Zahid, a more inclusive investment ecosystem would ensure that a wider segment of Malaysians can participate in and benefit from the nation’s economic progress. He also welcomed the announcement that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP) will allocate a portion of their capital towards supporting companies committed to value creation and the adoption of MY Value Up principles. Zahid said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a resilient and competitive economy that prioritises long-term growth and sustainable development. He expressed confidence that Malaysia will continue strengthening its position as a stable, investment-friendly and globally competitive economy, capable of attracting quality investments while generating greater prosperity and opportunities for its people. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ZAHID HAMIDI

Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Welcomes Invest Malaysia 2026 Focus on Inclusive Growth and Value Creation

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, yesterday has welcomed the emphasis on inclusive growth and value creation outlined during Invest Malaysia 2026, .... read more

TOKYO, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday afternoon met representatives from six leading Japanese and international corporations as part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to attract high-quality investments and strengthen economic cooperation with Japan. The companies involved in the discussions were IBM Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, ENEOS Corporation, Shizen Energy Inc., DENSO Corporation and Marubeni Corporation. During the meetings, Anwar and the corporate leaders explored new opportunities for investment and collaboration in several strategic sectors, including energy, the halal industry, artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and digital technology. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships amid growing global supply chain and energy challenges, noting that such collaborations are essential for enhancing resilience and ensuring long-term supply security. Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to attracting quality investments, expanding its high-technology ecosystem, creating high-value employment opportunities and deepening economic ties with Japan. He said the confidence shown by the participating companies reflects Malaysia’s growing reputation as a strategic investment destination and a trusted partner for sustainable growth in the region. The engagements formed part of Anwar’s official visit to Japan, which aims to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote greater economic cooperation between the two countries. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

PM Anwar Engages Top Japanese Firms to Expand Investments in Malaysia’s Strategic Sectors

TOKYO, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday afternoon met representatives from six leading Japanese and international corporations as part of Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to attract high-quality .... read more

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PETALING JAYA: Trusted and easily accessible credit data is important to increase access to financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which can reduce information gaps and enable more efficient credit allocation, said Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said better credit data allows financing institutions to assess risk profiles more accurately, enabling viable MSMEs to obtain financing on better terms. "Therefore, financial inclusion is not just about expanding access to financing. It aims to ensure that such access is sustainable, data-based and in line with sound risk management practices and principles," he said in his speech at the CTOS SME Biz Day 2026, here, today. -- BERNAMA

Credit data is believed to help expand PMKS financing access – Amir Hamzah

PETALING JAYA: Trusted and easily accessible credit data is important to increase access to financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which can reduce information gaps and enable more .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the United States (US) dollar and most other major currencies today, in line with a slight decline in the US Dollar Index (DXY) following the easing of tensions in West Asia. At 8am, the local currency rose to 4.0665/0780 against the US dollar from 4.0715/0760 at the close on Monday. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd Chief Economist, Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the DXY fell slightly to 99.98 points as Iran and Israel were seen showing signs of easing their attacks on each other, although the development could still change. “Market sentiment is expected to remain cautious ahead of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) release tomorrow. "Taking into account the ongoing war and its impact on fuel prices, in addition to the strong non-farm payrolls (NFP) data last week, the Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to maintain a tight monetary policy stance," he told Bernama. The ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the British pound to 5.4219/4372 from 5.4249/4309 and rose against the Japanese yen to 2.5385/5459 from 2.5445/5475, but weakened against the euro to 4.6879/7011 from 4.6867/6919 at yesterday's close. The local currency is also trading higher than most regional currencies. The ringgit rose against the Singapore dollar to 3.1548/1639 from 3.1577/1614, strengthened against the Thai baht to 12.3639/4049 from 12.3942/4128, rose against the Philippine peso to 6.59/6.61 from 6.60/6.61, and rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 223.5/224.3 from 223.8/224.2 on Monday. -- BERNAMA

Ringgit opens higher against US dollar, most major currencies

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the United States (US) dollar and most other major currencies today, in line with a slight decline in the US Dollar Index (DXY) .... read more

Latest News

SEPANG: The operation of Light Rail Transit 3 (LRT3) which connects Shah Alam, Selangor with surrounding areas is expected to begin at the end of this month, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook. He said the start date of operations would be announced in two weeks and the project was currently in the final phase of trial operations. "After various tests have been carried out and trial operations have been finalised, we are confident that operations (LRT3) can commence," he told reporters after chairing the 62nd Annual General Meeting of the Road Safety Council here today. Meanwhile, Loke said the Bill (RUU) establishing the Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB) will not be tabled in the Parliament session which begins next week. "MTSB has received Cabinet approval, but we are now discussing with the Public Service Department to look at staffing and so on." "This bill will be brought to the next sitting because at this sitting, there is one bill, namely the amendment to the Road Transport Act, which we are giving priority," he said. Loke said the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has also identified individuals to be appointed to the MTSB, which will be finalized in the near future. In another development, Loke said the MOT would hold discussions with e-hailing operators on the possibility of implementing additional safety measures to protect the safety of their drivers. Among the suggestions raised is the installation of dashboard cameras ( dashcams ) in e-hailing vehicles, but this needs to take into account passenger privacy concerns. "In terms of safety measures, we will discuss further with the operator to see what other actions they can take to protect drivers." "In terms of safety, drivers and passengers are equally important. So we have to ensure a balance between the two," he said. -- BERNAMA

LRT3 expected to start operating by the end of June – Loke

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 15 -- About 7,000 to 8,000 Rohingya were sent to third countries each year through intergovernmental cooperation, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. However, he said the process has now stalled due to various constraints faced by the countries involved. He said the Rohingya ethnic issue was an international issue stemming from the political and security situation in Myanmar, causing Malaysia to accept their presence on humanitarian grounds. "Malaysia has government-to-government (G2G) cooperation with several countries that allows Rohingya refugees to be temporarily housed before being sent to third countries that need their labor or professional services. "Recently, the process of resettling Rohingyas to third countries has faced several constraints, causing their movement to the country to be halted, thus raising various issues that require the attention of all parties," he told reporters after the launch of the Fight Against Scam: Two Teams, One Goal, here, today. Mohd Khalid said that apart from that, Malaysia also took into account the humanitarian aspect in dealing with the issue, in addition to ensuring that national security continues to be maintained. "Everyone who comes to this country must follow the laws and regulations that have been set. These people are subject to our laws. If they commit an offence, we will take action just like we do against anyone else who comes to our country," he said. He said about 215,000 Rohingya are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) while local authorities also have their records in collaboration with the Immigration Department to facilitate monitoring. "We know where they are and what their jobs are. So if any crime occurs involving them, it will be easy for us to take action when we know their location and so on," he said. Commenting on crime trends involving the community, Mohd Khalid said the involvement of the Rohingya ethnic group in crime was low, with 89 individuals recorded as being involved in criminal cases for the period 2024 to this year, which is 0.02 percent of the overall crime statistics in the country. In this regard, he reminded the public not to make statements that could affect public safety and order, while stressing that enforcement action would be taken against any individual who violates the law regardless of nationality. The media last Saturday reported that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that the rate of resettlement to third countries by the UNHCR was too low for refugees, including the Rohingya, which was one of the reasons why the group remained in the midst of local communities for a long time. Meanwhile, Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the state recorded 192 cases involving 300 arrests of Rohingya between 2025 and May 2026 involving violent and property crimes. He said the police always take consistent and continuous enforcement action and are not based on current sentiment. "The police always work closely with strategic agency partners, for example the Immigration Department and Local Authorities (PBT), we work together to exchange information and carry out integrated operations," he said at a press conference by the Selangor Commercial Crime Investigation Department, here, today. Shazeli said last year six integrated operations were carried out throughout the state of Selangor to address the issue. Commenting on the issue of demolition of illegal settlements, he said discussions on the matter were being held with the local authorities involved so that further, more constructive action could be taken in line with legal provisions. – BERNAMA

Deportation of thousands of Rohingya to third countries every year has stopped – IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Communications Minister and Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has welcomed the successful launch of the Dengue-Free Community (KomBeD) Programme and Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening community involvement in dengue prevention and control efforts. The programme, organised by the Lembah Pantai Health Office in collaboration with the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency, was held on Sunday (June 14) and brought together government agencies, strategic partners and local residents in a united effort to combat the spread of dengue fever. The event also featured the National Healthy Malaysia Agenda (ANMS) Roadshow for Lembah Pantai, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle practices and enhancing public awareness of health-related issues within the community. Fahmi said the initiative reflects the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment, while encouraging greater public participation in efforts to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds. "Community engagement remains a key component in the fight against dengue. Through programmes such as KomBeD and the Mega Anti-Aedes Gotong-Royong, residents are empowered to take proactive measures in protecting their neighbourhoods and families from dengue outbreaks," he said. He expressed hope that the programme would serve as a catalyst for building a more aware, proactive and committed community capable of sustaining a cleaner, healthier and dengue-free environment. Fahmi also extended his appreciation to all participating agencies, strategic partners and members of the local community for their cooperation and dedication in ensuring the success of the programme. "The commitment shown by all stakeholders demonstrates that effective public health initiatives require strong collaboration between the government, community leaders and residents. Together, we can create healthier communities and reduce the threat posed by dengue," he added. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB FAHMI FADZIL

Datuk Fahmi Commends Community Participation in Dengue-Free Community Launch and Mega Anti-Aedes Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today described the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project as a historic milestone that reflects the MADANI Government's commitment to justice, dignity and the welfare of the people. Speaking at the ceremony, Anwar said the project marks the end of a 44-year struggle for residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, who have lived in temporary settlements under challenging conditions while awaiting a permanent housing solution. "This is a meaningful and joyous moment, not only for the residents of Rumah Panjang Bukit Kiara, but also proof that an administration guided by MADANI values will always place justice, courtesy and the dignity of the people at the forefront," he said. The Prime Minister noted that the project represents a concrete step towards resolving a long-standing issue that has affected generations of residents and demonstrates the government's determination to ensure citizens receive their rightful access to proper housing. He said the process of addressing the matter required careful consideration and collaboration among various stakeholders to identify the best possible solution while safeguarding the interests of the affected community. Anwar also expressed appreciation to all parties involved in making the project a reality, stressing that the experience underscored the importance of respecting legislative processes and upholding the role of national institutions. "The rights and welfare of those in need must continue to be protected, with justice enjoyed by all citizens regardless of race, religion or background," he said. He added that the government's efforts to uplift the urban poor would remain a priority, in line with its commitment to ensuring that no segment of society is left behind in the nation's development agenda. According to Anwar, development must be inclusive and benefit all levels of society, as true national progress can only be achieved when every citizen is able to participate in and benefit from economic and social advancement. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also announced a RM1 million grant to assist longhouse residents transitioning into their new homes. The allocation will be used to provide residential maintenance subsidies for a period of three years and will be managed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). He said the initiative forms part of the MADANI Government's ongoing commitment to preserving the welfare and quality of life of residents after they relocate to their new permanent housing units. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

Bukit Kiara Permanent Housing Project Ends 44-Year Wait for Longhouse Residents – PM Anwar

LONDON, 15 June  -- AI is rapidly reshaping the skills employers want most from workers – increasing the emphasis on human skills such as judgement, creativity and leadership – as companies most able to use AI continue to expand hiring faster than their peers, according to PwC's 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released today.  The Barometer, which analysed more than one billion job ads across six continents, also finds that AI is driving a 'two-track' global labour market in which 'professionalised' roles – in which AI automates routine tasks so human judgement and expertise are emphasized – are growing faster than roles 'democratised' by AI – in which AI makes the role itself easier for non-experts to perform. 'Professionalised' roles (such as radiologists or recruiters) are seeing twice the growth in available jobs and 42% faster salary growth than those categorised as 'democratised' (such as IT service managers or medical secretaries). At the entry level, AI appears to be increasing demand for more 'senior' skills from junior workers. Based on 2.4 million entry-level jobs analysed in the US, entry-level roles most exposed to AI are now seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level 'human-intensive' skills like leadership, creativity or face-to-face interactions. Job openings for these 'seniorised' entry-level roles have grown 35% since 2019, while other entry-level roles shrank 10%. Joe Atkinson, Global Chief AI Officer, PwC, said: "Across the global economy, we're beginning to see a new divide emerge between different models for talent and value creation. The companies seeing the greatest returns on AI are using it to amplify human expertise, accelerate innovation and create entirely new sources of value. As a result, they are pulling further ahead on productivity and growth than companies that focus primarily on automation." AI is driving a productivity boom – and "super-star" companies most able to use AI are pulling ahead significantly The report finds widening divergence between companies most and least exposed to AI. Companies operating in the most AI-exposed sectors recorded 34% productivity growth in 2025 relative to 2018, compared to 24% for the companies least able to use AI. Within this group, a pronounced "super-star" effect is emerging. The top 20% of the most AI-exposed companies achieved average labour productivity growth of 163% relative to 2018 – nearly five times higher than the most AI-exposed companies overall. Perhaps most surprisingly, headcount growth at the most AI-exposed companies is outpacing growth at the least AI-exposed companies – 52% relative to 36% in 2025, based on 2018 baseline levels. Average wage premium for AI skills hits 62% as AI job postings eclipse broader labour market growth As companies continue to boost productivity with AI, the average wage premium for workers with AI skills continued to surge higher – hitting 62%, up from 57% last year. The wage premium varies by industry: as high as 118% in some sectors, such as consumer markets, and 16% in government and public sector work. Jobs requiring specific AI skills – such as prompt engineering or machine learning – have also soared, growing roughly eight times (69%) as fast as the overall jobs market, at 9%. The number of AI jobs is almost twice as high as 2024, with growth in AI jobs outpacing all jobs since 2015.  Sectors including technology, media and telecommunications (11%) and professional services (6%) sectors saw the highest share in AI job growth – with health at the lowest end (less than 1%) Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC, said: "The traditional relationship between experience and expertise is changing. AI is removing some of the routine work that once acted as an apprenticeship, while increasing demand for judgement, leadership and adaptability much earlier in careers. Organisations need to rethink how they develop talent if they want people to thrive in this new environment." Notes to Editors About PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer  PwC's 2026 AI Jobs Barometer analysed more than one billion jobs advertisements in 27 countries and territories. The Barometer combines large-scale labour market, company financial and occupational task data to understand how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, wages and productivity across the global economy. Additionally, this year's Barometer includes targeted analysis of entry-level roles, including how the skill requirements of early-career jobs are changing in highly AI-exposed occupations. You can read the full report and learn more about the methodology and key takeaways at www.pwc.com. About PwC  At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We're a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com. --  PRNewswire -- Source: PwC

AI reshapes global labour market into two distinct paths, rewarding human skills: PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer