Category: Technology

  • Bolt Introduces Family Profile in Malaysia to Enhance Ride-Hailing Experience for Families

    Bolt Introduces Family Profile in Malaysia to Enhance Ride-Hailing Experience for Families

    Bolt Launches ‘Family Profile’ in Malaysia to Simplify Ride-Hailing for Households. Bolt, one of Europe’s leading mobility platforms, has introduced a new feature called Family Profile in Malaysia, offering users a more convenient way to manage ride-hailing for their households. This new feature allows a single Bolt account holder to manage and pay for rides for up to nine other people—such as family members or dependents—all from one centralised profile. The launch underscores Bolt’s broader commitment to creating a ride-hailing experience that prioritises safety, practicality, and everyday usability.

    Family Profile is designed to streamline the often-cumbersome process of booking rides for others. According to internal data, approximately 2% to 6% of Bolt rides in Malaysia are booked for someone other than the account holder, often involving manual coordination and the need to separately share trip details. Family Profile resolves this by offering a built-in system where users can invite family members to join their profile, set monthly spending limits, and receive real-time trip notifications. If added members have the Bolt app, they can request rides on their own while the account owner retains full oversight.

    Importantly, this new feature does not alter Bolt’s core safety policies. Each individual added to a Family Profile must have their own Bolt account and meet the platform’s minimum age requirement of 18. As such, rides for unaccompanied minors are not allowed, in line with Bolt’s safety standards and legal obligations.

    Family Profile is especially useful for parents, caregivers, and individuals supporting elderly relatives who may not be familiar with using smartphones or ride-hailing apps. With ride-hailing adoption growing rapidly among older adults, Bolt is addressing practical barriers such as app complexity and payment requirements. This feature bridges the gap by allowing a tech-savvy family member to manage rides and handle payments for those who may not use the app themselves.

    Beyond convenience, the feature also provides greater financial control and peace of mind for the account holder. They can monitor each member’s ride activity, receive real-time alerts when a trip starts or ends, and take immediate action if necessary—such as tracking the ride’s live location or contacting the rider or driver in case of unexpected stops or detours.

    The introduction of Family Profile complements Bolt’s ongoing investments in enhancing platform safety and user experience. The app already includes multiple safety features such as trip verification codes, live location sharing, emergency assistance, and ride monitoring by Bolt’s dedicated Safety Team. Bolt engineers also continue to improve routing, mapping, and app usability to align with the evolving needs of both riders and drivers.

    Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, shared his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “At Bolt, we want to make ride-hailing work for the way people actually move. Family Profile is a simple but powerful way to support others—whether that’s older relatives or anyone you care about—without needing to coordinate every trip. It’s about control, visibility, and freedom in one feature, and we’re excited to bring it to our customers in Malaysia.”

    With Family Profile, Bolt reinforces its mission to make urban mobility more inclusive, flexible, and aligned with the real needs of everyday users.

  • MDEC Launches Business Digitalisation Initiative in Sarawak to Empower MSMEs with Digital Tools and E-Invoicing

    MDEC Launches Business Digitalisation Initiative in Sarawak to Empower MSMEs with Digital Tools and E-Invoicing

    MDEC Launches Business Digitalisation Initiative in Sarawak to Empower MSMEs Through Digital Transformation and E-Invoicing. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has officially launched its MD Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) in Sarawak, marking a significant milestone as the programme makes its debut in East Malaysia. This strategic initiative is designed to accelerate inclusive digital growth by equipping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the necessary digital tools to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and future-proof their businesses for long-term success.

    The launch event was officiated by YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak. The BDI, introduced under the MADANI Government framework, exemplifies a “whole-of-nation” approach to digital transformation, with a mission to empower businesses across Malaysia — including those in Sarawak — through a strong foundation of tools, expertise, and support. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development (MINTRED) Sarawak.

    Symbolic launch ceremony of the MD Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) @ Sarawak,
    officiated by YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi alongside YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak
    Kumbong and representatives from MDEC, SDEC, and MINTRED at BCCK Kuching.

    YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Digital, underscored the importance of this effort in driving regional economic development. He emphasized that Sarawak’s MSMEs play a vital role in the state’s economy and that embracing digitalisation and e-Invoicing will enable them to improve operational efficiency, increase transparency, and become more globally competitive. He added that Sarawak’s leadership in renewable energy, coupled with its digital ambitions, makes it a powerful platform for innovation. The Ministry of Digital, he said, is committed to supporting Sarawak’s journey toward a more connected and future-ready economy.

    MDEC’s CEO, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, highlighted the importance of strong collaboration between federal and state governments in empowering local businesses. He reaffirmed MDEC’s commitment to fostering local innovation and creating sustainable economic opportunities in Sarawak. By working closely with the state government, MDEC aims to ensure that no MSME is left behind as Malaysia advances in its digital economy journey.

    The event featured exhibitions, digital advisory sessions, and showcases by MDEC-accredited Digitalisation Partners, offering MSMEs hands-on access to tailored digital solutions. Over 400 accredited partners participated in the initiative, providing live product demonstrations and advisory services aligned with the specific needs and challenges of Sarawakian businesses. A key component of the programme is the Digital Maturity Assessment (DMA), a structured tool that helps MSMEs evaluate their current level of digital readiness and determine the next steps for growth.

    YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi, accompanied by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak
    Kumbong and MDEC representatives
    , visiting exhibition booths showcasing digital solutions
    for MSMEs during the MD Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) @ Sarawak at BCCK Kuching.

    A major highlight of the launch was the promotion of the National e-Invoicing Initiative. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital and implemented by MDEC, this initiative aims to modernise and standardise how businesses issue and manage invoices in real-time using the Peppol framework. This enables seamless interoperability across systems and ensures compliance with national tax regulations.

    To make e-Invoicing adoption easier for MSMEs, MDEC has introduced a suite of Freemium and Affordable Solutions through its accredited service providers. These include Malaysia Digital (MD) status companies such as Xero and Big Ledger Sdn Bhd, which offer solutions compliant with both Peppol and LHDNM (Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia) requirements.

    The launch of the BDI in Sarawak reflects MDEC’s ongoing commitment to building inclusive, practical, and locally relevant digitalisation frameworks. By bringing these efforts to East Malaysia, MDEC aims to ensure that the benefits of the digital economy reach all corners of the country, contributing to a robust, resilient, and inclusive national digital ecosystem.

    For more details on the initiative, visit https://mdec.my/bdi.

  • Malaysia’s Digital Investments Surge in Q2 2025 — Global Investors Show Strong Confidence

    Malaysia’s Digital Investments Surge in Q2 2025 — Global Investors Show Strong Confidence

    Malaysia’s Digital Investments Soar in Q2 2025, Reinforcing Its Position as ASEAN’s Leading Digital Hub. Malaysia’s digital economy continues to gain strong momentum, driven by robust investor confidence and a thriving ecosystem of innovation, skilled talent, and advanced infrastructure. In the second quarter of 2025, digital investments under the Malaysia Digital (MD) national strategic initiative surged by an impressive 125%, growing from RM13.11 billion in Q1 to RM29.47 billion. This significant leap reaffirms Malaysia’s reputation as a top destination for foreign digital investments (FDI) in the ASEAN region.

    As of June 2025, a total of 261 companies approved under the MD initiative have collectively pledged RM42.58 billion in investments, with the potential to create 17,495 high-value knowledge-based jobs over the next five years. Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, described this remarkable growth as a testament to Malaysia’s digital readiness, the strength of its innovation-driven ecosystem, and the trust of global investors in the country’s digital future. “These investments go beyond figures — they represent thousands of career opportunities for Malaysians and a long-term boost for our digital economy,” said Gobind. He also emphasized that the MD initiative remains a powerful engine for inclusive innovation and regional digital leadership.

    The top three sources of approved digital investments as of mid-2025 are led by Singapore, which committed RM13.91 billion (33% of total investment), followed by the United States at RM6.44 billion (15%) and China at RM2.97 billion (7%). The Data Centre and Cloud sector emerged as the leading investment vertical, contributing RM30.95 billion and expected to generate 1,440 knowledge jobs due to surging demand for regional data infrastructure. Notably, data centre companies alone accounted for RM13.45 billion, showcasing high investor confidence in Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and strategic connectivity.

    Other fast-growing sectors include artificial intelligence (AI), which drew RM3.29 billion in investments and is projected to create 6,920 jobs — the largest contributor to total projected employment at 40%. The Global Business Services (GBS) sector also saw strong interest, securing RM4.99 billion in investments and expected to add 5,632 jobs, or 32% of the total.

    Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, highlighted that the impact of the Malaysia Digital initiative goes beyond investment value. “The scale and quality of these investments demonstrate our commitment to delivering catalytic outcomes — in innovation, job creation, and ecosystem development. MDEC will continue enhancing investor support, talent pipelines, and strategic partnerships to maintain Malaysia’s edge as Southeast Asia’s most future-ready digital economy,” he said.

    As global interest in Malaysia’s digital sector continues to rise, the Ministry of Digital and MDEC remain committed to accelerating innovation, promoting inclusive growth, and strengthening the nation’s position as a premier digital hub in the region. For more details on Malaysia Digital and MDEC’s ongoing initiatives, visit https://mdec.my/malaysiadigital.

  • ESG ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA LAUNCHES ‘ESGAMCONNECT’ TODRIVE BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

    ESG ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA LAUNCHES ‘ESGAMCONNECT’ TODRIVE BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

    ESG Association of Malaysia Launches AI-Powered ESGAMConnect Platform to Accelerate Business Sustainability. The ESG Association of Malaysia (ESGAM) has officially launched ESGAMConnect, an innovative AI-powered Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) platform, in collaboration with iForte Intelligence Sdn Bhd. Designed to transform the ESG landscape for Malaysian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ESGAMConnect aims to accelerate the country’s shift toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

    This all-in-one digital ecosystem provides businesses with access to a wide range of ESG tools and resources. At its core is an AI virtual assistant that helps users navigate the ESG value chain—from learning and development to compliance and reporting. The platform features digital ESG assessments to identify operational gaps, training programmes, and a sector-specific marketplace that connects users with verified ESG consultants, trainers, auditors, and solution providers.

    ESGAMConnect also facilitates ESG reporting and audit readiness by offering referrals to relevant accreditation bodies and recommending appropriate carbon credit platforms. The inclusion of a financing and grants hub enables businesses to explore government-backed support schemes and green financing options, helping them scale ESG initiatives and tap into emerging investment opportunities. By integrating these capabilities, ESGAMConnect transforms ESG adoption from a compliance burden into a strategic, data-driven business advantage.

    The launch event, held at the IBM Malaysia Auditorium, was officiated by Minister of Digital YB Gobind Singh Deo, and attended by key figures including Ministry of Digital Secretary-General Tuan Fabian Bigar, ESGAM President Professor Cheah Kok Hoong, ESGAM Vice-President and ESGAMConnect Project Lead Eric Chong, and iForte CEO Ng Chin Keong. In his address, the Minister highlighted the critical role of digital technologies in enabling sustainable growth, stating that AI-powered tools like ESGAMConnect are pivotal in helping businesses embed responsible practices and stay competitive in the green economy.

    Professor Cheah underscored the platform’s strategic importance, calling ESGAMConnect a national ecosystem driven by intelligence, accessibility, and collaboration. He emphasized that the platform is a unifying force bringing together government, businesses, and civil society to champion ESG progress, especially for SMEs aiming to lead with purpose and adopt sustainable business models.

    To strengthen its ecosystem, ESGAM also formalized strategic partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), SME Association of Malaysia (SMEAM), and Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance (MCSA). These collaborations aim to broaden ESGAMConnect’s reach and support capacity-building efforts for businesses nationwide.

    With sustainability increasingly recognized as a driver of long-term business value, ESGAMConnect offers enterprises a robust framework for translating ESG principles into measurable, competitive outcomes. ESGAM is also calling on ESG service providers to partner by showcasing their solutions on the platform, further enriching Malaysia’s sustainability ecosystem. Businesses and solution providers can now register on the live platform at https://vep-uat.esgmalaysia.org.

  • Vertiv Broadens Malaysia Distribution Through Tec D to Address Rising Demand for Reliable IT Infrastructure Solutions

    Vertiv Broadens Malaysia Distribution Through Tec D to Address Rising Demand for Reliable IT Infrastructure Solutions

    Vertiv Partners with Tec D to Expand IT Infrastructure Distribution in Malaysia. Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Tec D, a TD SYNNEX company based in Malaysia. This collaboration marks a significant step in Vertiv’s efforts to broaden its presence in the country, aligning with the growing demand for reliable power and cooling solutions fueled by accelerating digital transformation initiatives across industries.

    Tec D, recognized as one of the region’s top technology enablers, brings a robust partner ecosystem and in-depth market expertise to the table. Through this partnership, Tec D will offer Vertiv’s complete portfolio of IT infrastructure products, including the Vertiv™ Liebert® GXE 1-10kVA uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Designed as a compact, online double-conversion single-phase UPS, the Liebert GXE delivers dependable power protection with operational flexibility, catering to a wide range of sectors such as healthcare, finance, telecom, retail, and transportation.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Tec D as a key partner in helping address customers’ IT infrastructure needs and expand our footprint in Malaysia,” said Daniel Sim, Senior Director for IT Distribution and Partners at Vertiv Asia. “As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven technologies, having access to reliable, high-performance infrastructure is essential for digital innovation and growth.”

    Mark Tan, Vice President and Country General Manager of Tec D Malaysia, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the growing demand for scalable infrastructure in the era of AI and data-heavy workloads. “Our partnership with Vertiv allows us to provide intelligent, future-ready solutions to partners and customers, supported by our team’s technical expertise and ongoing enablement programs.”

    The integration of Vertiv’s advanced IT solutions with Tec D’s customized partner support is set to empower organizations to tackle evolving challenges in areas such as edge computing, data analytics, and complex applications. Together, the companies aim to help businesses across Malaysia build resilient, scalable digital environments equipped for long-term success.

    For more information on Vertiv’s solutions and its network of distribution partners, visit Vertiv.com.