MyPermohonan

Category: Awards

  • RM2.9 Million in Strategic Grants Awarded to Drive AI and Industrial Digitalization Progress

    RM2.9 Million in Strategic Grants Awarded to Drive AI and Industrial Digitalization Progress

    MDEC Launches RM2.9 Million in Grants to Accelerate AI and Industrial Digitalization in Malaysia. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has announced two new strategic grant initiatives worth a combined RM2.9 million, aimed at fast-tracking digital transformation in Malaysia’s artificial intelligence (AI) and manufacturing sectors. These grants are part of the nation’s ongoing push to solidify its position as a digital leader in the region.

    The two programmes — the Malaysia Digital Acceleration Grant – Artificial Intelligence (MDAG-AI) and the SmartMFG+ Incentive Programme — are open exclusively to companies with Malaysia Digital (MD) or MSC Malaysia status, as well as those with pending MD status applications. Both initiatives are designed to support local tech players by promoting innovation, fostering high-skilled employment, and preparing digital solutions for export.

    According to MDEC Chief Executive Officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil, the grants are strategically timed to reinforce Malaysia’s digital agenda. “MDAG-AI sets a strong foundation for Malaysia to become a leading hub for AI innovation, while SmartMFG+ supports large-scale digitalisation within the manufacturing sector,” he said. “Together, they serve as a dual catalyst to accelerate our digital economy ambitions.”

    The MDAG-AI grant specifically targets high-impact AI projects aligned with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap. It aims to support local companies involved in foundational, enabling, and application layers of AI by funding up to 70% of project costs, capped at RM2 million. The focus includes commercialisation of AI products, cross-sector application, talent development, and knowledge transfer. Applications are open until 18 July 2025, with successful applicants to be announced during the Malaysia Digital Expo (MDX) in September 2025.

    On the other hand, the SmartMFG+ Incentive Programme, under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030) and mandated by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), seeks to boost digital adoption within the manufacturing sector. It supports MD-status local solution providers with funding of up to 70% of their solution development costs, capped at RM75,000 per company. The programme also includes technical training, solution validation in simulated environments, and commercialisation support. Applications are open until 13 July 2025, and the programme will run from August to December 2025, culminating in the announcement of successful applicants at MDX in September.

    For eligibility and application details, visit:
    🔹 MDAG-AI Grant
    🔹 SmartMFG+ Incentive Programme

    These grants represent a bold move by MDEC to empower local companies, stimulate innovation, and prepare Malaysia’s digital economy for future challenges.

  • Canon Honoured with Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka

    Canon Honoured with Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka

    Canon, a global leader in imaging and innovation, has been honoured with the prestigious Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Presented by His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Selangor, the award recognises Canon’s longstanding contribution to Selangor’s economic development and its unwavering dedication to strengthening Malaysia–Japan relations. Since establishing its presence in Malaysia in the 1980s, Canon has become a cornerstone of industrial and technological growth in Selangor through its network of group companies, including Canon Marketing, Canon Machinery, Canon Medical, Canon Opto, Canon MailCom, and Canon Electronics Malaysia. These companies have played a vital role in creating jobs, facilitating technology transfer, and driving community engagement—all while upholding Canon’s global values of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.

    Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Mr. Hideki Ozawa, Executive Vice President of Canon Inc. and Chief Representative of Canon Asia Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to Malaysian society. “Guided by our Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon remains devoted not only to business excellence but to partnerships and sustainability efforts that benefit the community,” he said.

    Canon’s impact in Selangor extends beyond corporate performance. The company has championed various environmental and social initiatives, notably the One Canon One Tree campaign, launched in 2016. This tree-planting initiative, which began in Selangor, expanded nationally in 2023 and has resulted in over 9,000 trees planted across Malaysia, including a recent effort at Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil. Canon also places strong emphasis on environmental education. In partnership with the Department of Environment Selangor, Canon introduced a children’s environmental activity book titled A Kid’s Guide to Save Planet Earth, created with renowned Malaysian author and illustrator Nor Azhar Ishak, to promote eco-awareness among primary school students.

    Canon Marketing Malaysia, the brand’s main sales and marketing entity in the country, has also earned recognition for its corporate social responsibility, winning the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards for seven consecutive years. This consistent acknowledgment highlights Canon’s deep-rooted dedication to sustainability and meaningful social impact through long-term CSR initiatives.

    The Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka not only celebrates Canon’s corporate achievements but also underscores its lasting contribution to Malaysia’s growth and environmental stewardship. The award reinforces Canon’s mission to create positive, enduring value in the communities it serves.

  • SOPA Unveils Finalists for 2025 Journalism Awards

    The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA), a Hong Kong-based non-profit organization committed to championing journalistic excellence and press freedom, has officially revealed the finalists for the SOPA 2025 Awards for Editorial Excellence. Now in its 27th year, the awards continue to serve as a premier platform to honor outstanding journalism across Asia, with more than 700 entries submitted in English, Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia by global, regional, and local media outlets. The winners will be announced during a prestigious awards dinner in Hong Kong on Thursday, June 26. The event will feature a keynote speech by Mishal Husain, Editor at Large at Bloomberg Weekend and former BBC anchor, who will address the evolving role of image, voice, and trust in journalism during the era of artificial intelligence.

    This year’s awards feature 21 categories, including Excellence in Women’s Issues Reporting, Investigative Reporting, Human Rights Reporting, Business Reporting, and more. The selection process was overseen by a panel of approximately 120 volunteer judges, made up of current and former journalists and media academics from around the world. Notably, there was a significant increase in entries from regional and local publications, with 22 small media outlets and first-time participants from 12 countries receiving subsidies to submit their work.

    Among the regional finalists are the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for Explanatory Reporting, Kontinentalist for Human Rights Reporting, and Mekong Eye for Investigative Reporting. The submitted stories reflected a broad spectrum of critical issues — from China’s economy and regional political upheavals, such as India’s unexpected election outcome and the fall of Bangladesh’s long-serving prime minister, to pressing global topics including human surrogacy, semiconductor industry competition, and the adoption of artificial intelligence in Asian economies.

    The Bahasa Indonesia category, judged by veteran journalist and APCAT executive board member Rita Widiadana, honors stories that have made a significant impact on domestic affairs. Since 2011, the Journalism and Media Studies Centre (JMSC) at the University of Hong Kong has administered the SOPA Awards, reinforcing the program’s academic credibility and commitment to media development.

    Ting Shi, Senior Lecturer at HKU and Head of Judges, emphasized the importance of the awards in highlighting the diversity and quality of journalism across Asia, while Bill Ridgers, Asia Digital Editor at The Economist and SOPA’s Editorial Committee co-chair, reaffirmed the value of the awards in a challenging environment for journalists, describing them as Asia’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes.

    Supported by sponsors such as Factiva and Telum Media, the SOPA Awards continue to recognize journalistic integrity and creativity in a rapidly evolving media landscape. As Asia’s media industry navigates political pressures, digital transformation, and new technologies, the 2025 SOPA Awards stand as a powerful testament to the enduring value of fearless, fact-based reporting.

  • Tujuh Filem Hebat Bertanding di FFM Ke-33 Festival Filem Malaysia Ke-33!

    Tujuh Filem Hebat Bertanding di FFM Ke-33 Festival Filem Malaysia Ke-33!

    Sebanyak tujuh filem cereka layak bertanding dalam kategori Filem Terbaik pada Festival Filem Malaysia (FFM) Ke-33, menandakan kualiti tinggi dan persaingan sengit dalam industri filem tempatan tahun ini. Filem-filem yang berjaya tersenarai dalam kategori ini termasuk Imaginur, Abang Adik, Sheriff: Narko Integriti, Rain Town, Duan Nago Bogho, Mechamato Movie, dan Hungry Ghost Diner. Menurut Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (FINAS), Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, keputusan untuk memilih tujuh filem tersebut adalah hasil penilaian teliti oleh barisan juri, yang berpendapat setiap filem memiliki kekuatan tersendiri.

    Azmir menjelaskan bahawa, walaupun kebiasaannya hanya lima filem yang dipilih untuk kategori ini, persaingan tahun ini sangat sengit sehingga keputusan dibuat untuk menambah dua lagi filem. “Kami menerima lebih daripada 100 pencalonan tahun ini, dan saingan dalam kategori Filem Terbaik semakin hebat, dengan beberapa filem memperoleh pengiktirafan antarabangsa dan kutipan tiket yang tinggi,” katanya.

    Antara filem yang menonjol termasuk Abang Adik yang diarahkan oleh Jin Ong, serta Imaginur yang diterajui oleh Nik Amir Mustapha. Kedua-dua filem ini menerima pencalonan terbanyak dalam pelbagai kategori. Imaginur, misalnya, mendominasi 15 daripada 24 pencalonan, manakala Abang Adik memenangi pengiktirafan di beberapa festival luar negara, memberikan kelebihan tambahan dalam persaingan.

    Barisan juri FFM 33 dilaporkan berhadapan dengan cabaran besar untuk memilih pemenang, kerana kualiti setiap filem yang bertanding adalah sangat tinggi. Azmir juga menekankan bahawa setiap filem yang tersenarai dalam kategori Filem Terbaik sudah dianggap sebagai pemenang, dengan pengaruh dan impaknya yang besar terhadap industri.

    Pada masa yang sama, Azmir menegaskan bahawa ketelusan dalam proses penjurian adalah sangat penting, dan FINAS akan memastikan panel juri yang terlibat mempunyai peluang untuk meningkatkan pengalaman mereka dengan menjadi juri di peringkat antarabangsa. Ini adalah usaha untuk memberi mereka pendedahan yang lebih luas dalam dunia filem global.

    Menjelang malam kemuncak FFM 33 yang dijadualkan pada Sabtu ini, Azmir menyatakan bahawa persiapan berjalan lancar dan turut memberi penekanan terhadap keselamatan semasa musim banjir. “Selain meraikan pencapaian dalam industri seni, kami juga akan memberikan tumpuan kepada pentingnya keselamatan dan mengingatkan penonton untuk menjaga keluarga mereka semasa bencana banjir,” katanya.

    Anugerah FFM 33 akan disiarkan secara langsung melalui TV2 dan saluran YouTube FINAS, memberikan peluang kepada peminat filem di seluruh negara untuk mengikuti acara yang dinanti-nantikan ini.

  • MR D.I.Y. Terus Cemerlang, Menang Anugerah Serantau di World Branding Awards 2024

    MR D.I.Y. Terus Cemerlang, Menang Anugerah Serantau di World Branding Awards 2024

    Kumpulan MR D.I.Y. sekali lagi mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai peneraju dalam industri peruncitan perkakas rumah serantau apabila meraih kemenangan ketujuh berturut-turut di World Branding Awards (WBA). Dalam edisi ke-17 anugerah berprestij yang dianjurkan oleh World Branding Forum, MR D.I.Y. dinobatkan sebagai “Jenama Peruncit Perkakas Rumah Terbaik” dalam kategori Anugerah Serantau, meraihnya di empat pasaran utama: Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, dan Filipina.

    Sebelumnya, MR D.I.Y. telah memenangi tiga Anugerah Kebangsaan dalam kategori Perkakas Rumah pada tahun 2018 hingga 2020, dan selepas itu meraih Anugerah Serantau dalam kategori yang sama dari 2021 hingga 2023.

    Alex Goh, Ketua Pemasaran Kumpulan MR D.I.Y., menyatakan kegembiraannya dengan kemenangan ini, “Kami berasa amat gembira dapat meraih World Branding Award untuk tahun ketujuh berturut-turut. Ini adalah bukti bahawa kami komited dalam memberikan nilai terbaik, perkhidmatan pelanggan yang unggul, serta pengalaman membeli-belah yang menarik, sambil memberi impak positif kepada komuniti di mana kami beroperasi. Kejayaan ini mengesahkan janji kami ‘Always Low Prices’, yang terus menarik hati pelanggan kami.”

    Beliau juga turut mengucapkan tahniah kepada penerima anugerah lain dan berkata, “Pencapaian ini tidak mungkin tercapai tanpa dedikasi kakitangan, rakan kongsi, dan sokongan tidak berbelah bahagi daripada pelanggan kami di seluruh rantau ini yang menjadikan kami peruncit pilihan mereka.”

    MR D.I.Y. memulakan perjalanan perniagaannya di Malaysia pada tahun 2005 sebagai kedai perkakas tradisional dan kini telah berkembang dengan lebih daripada 4,000 cawangan di seluruh rantau ini. Jenama ini mendapat sokongan daripada kakitangan di pelbagai negara termasuk Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapura, Filipina, Kemboja, India, Turki, Sepanyol, Vietnam, Bangladesh, dan Poland.

    World Branding Awards edisi ke-17, yang berlangsung di Tower of London, United Kingdom, pada 26 November 2024, menyaksikan penyertaan 1.3 juta pengguna dan 4,450 jenama dari 66 negara merentasi tujuh rantau. Anugerah Serantau diberikan kepada jenama-jenama yang memegang kedudukan peneraju di beberapa negara dalam sesebuah rantau geografi.

    Pemenang dipilih berdasarkan penilaian jenama, kajian pasaran pengguna, dan undian awam secara dalam talian. MR D.I.Y. turut berkongsi penghormatan ini bersama jenama terkenal lain seperti Farm Fresh, Spritzer, Munchy’s, Getha, Rotiboy, PETRONAS, dan Putrajaya Holdings.

    Untuk maklumat lanjut, lawati laman web rasmi MR D.I.Y. di www.mrdiy.com dan ikuti mereka di Facebook dan Instagram.