MFPC'S PITA TEH TARIK SESSION WITH THE INSURANCE AND TAKAFUL INDUSTRY 2025

 

MFPC's PITA Teh Tarik Session 2025 brings together CEOs of LIAM, Aii, MTA, and 23 ITOs for meaningful discussions and networking.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) has successfully hosted the PITA Teh Tarik Session on 8 January 2025. The event was held at the secretariat’s office, which brought together over 40 key industry representatives, including esteemed organisations such as the Asian Institute of Insurance (Aii), Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM), Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA), and 23 Insurance Companies and Takaful Operators (ITOs).

For an introduction, the Professionalism of Insurance and Takaful Agents (PITA) programme, led by MFPC and aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) regulatory requirements, aims to enhance the professionalism and advisory capabilities of insurance and takaful agents in Malaysia. Through MFPC's certifications, such as RFP Module 2 and Shariah RFP Module 2, PITA equips agents with essential risk management and financial planning competencies, with a strong focus on insurance and takaful practices.

The session started with Mr. Andy Ng, MFPC President, welcoming all participants and expressing gratitude for their attendance. He highlighted MFPC’s commitment to upholding BNM’s regulatory standards and reaffirmed the council’s dedication to collaboration, professionalism, and achieving a brighter future for the industry and Malaysian public.

The session continued with a comprehensive PITA update by our Executive Director, Ms. Chung Kar Yin, which highlighted the Council’s approval of unlimited free resits for the PITA examination. This initiative, effective from 9 January to 31 December 2025, aims to alleviate test anxiety, promote equitable access, and encourage continuous learning among practiced agents.

Mr. Anthony Ang, Chairman of MFPC Certification and CPD Board, then moderated an interactive Q&A discussion to address challenges in programme implementation by ITOs. The event concluded with a delightful lunch, providing ample opportunities for meaningful networking.

MFPC would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed guests—Mr. Paul Low, CEO of Aii; Mr. Mark O'Dell, CEO of LIAM; and Mr. Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, CEO of MTA—for honouring us with their presence and support. Our sincere appreciation also goes to all the ITOs representatives whose participation and valuable contributions were instrumental in making the session a success.

About Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC)
Established in 2004, MFPC is dedicated to advancing the financial planning profession in Malaysia. Providing recognized financial planning qualifications, including Registered Financial Planner (RFP) and Shariah RFP, MFPC ensures adherence to high professionalism standards through Best Practice Standards and a Code of Ethics. The council actively addresses financial literacy issues with initiatives like "My Money and Me" workshops, contributing to the nation's progress through financial empowerment. Recognized with prestigious awards, MFPC reflects a commitment to excellence and innovation

Our website: www.mfpc.org.my

SOURCE: Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mohd Farhan Azizan
External Relations, Research and Publication
Malaysian Financial Planning Council
Tel: +6 019 2773521
Email: farhan@mfpc.org.my

--BERNAMA

New Era Of Connected EVs: HERE Technologies, Sony Honda Mobility Join Forces

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology platform, announced its partnership with Sony Honda Mobility Inc (SHM) aimed at reshaping the future of mobility with the SHM electric vehicle (EV) brand, “AFEELA”.

Through this partnership, SHM plans to leverage HERE Navigation SDK for AFEELA’s digital cockpit and HERE SDK Explore for their mobile application, powered by HERE's unified mapping architecture, according to a statement.

The product of a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co Ltd, AFEELA aims to challenge the typical EV, blending Sony’s expertise in digital technology with Honda’s automotive innovation.

HERE Technologies Chief Executive Officer, Mike Nefkens expressed excitement about the partnership, noting it will enable AFEELA creates a connected digital cockpit experience and lay the foundation for smarter, safer journeys in the future.

Meanwhile, SHM Representative Director, President and Chief Operating Officer, Izumi Kawanishi said the integration of HERE Navigation SDK would go beyond simple navigation to create an intuitive and personalised mobility experience.

The unified mapping architecture from HERE enables SHM to power multiple in-car systems and location-based applications in AFEELA’s software-defined vehicle, such as state-of-the-art visualisation, EV range management, and augmented reality features.

The integration of HERE Navigation SDK provides AFEELA with a seamless and intuitive journey for drivers and passengers, including in-vehicle infotainment system offering a robust guidance and navigation experience, EV-specific details, and safety information.

Additionally, the HERE SDK (Explore edition) in the mobile app delivers real-time map updates and seamlessly connects AFEELA experiences to the digital lives of drivers and passengers.

-- BERNAMA

Ambiq Team Up With ThinkAR To Launch Ultra-Lightweight Smart Glasses

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (Bernama) -- Ambiq, a developer of ultra-low-power semiconductors and solutions enabling Edge artificial intelligence (AI), has partnered with ThinkAR, to unveil AiLens, the most lightweight smart glasses designed for everyday wear.

Weighing just 37 grammes, AiLens redefines lightweight smart glasses with an extraordinary over 10 hours of battery life, more than three times the industry average, ensuring all-day usability without the need for frequent recharging.

Powered by Ambiq’s ultra-efficient Apollo4 System-on-Chip (SoC), which is built on its proprietary Subthreshold Power Optimization Technology (SPOT) platform, and ThinkAR’s advanced voice-activated augmented reality (AR) capabilities, AiLens provides a seamless, intuitive hands-free experience with personalised insights driven by Edge AI processing.

“Our collaboration with ThinkAR marks the start of a new era for smart AR glasses. The leap in energy efficiency, performance, functionality, and practicality offers a major shift in wearable Edge AI technology for consumers,” said Ambiq Chief Executive Officer, Fumihide Esaka in a statement.

Meanwhile, ThinkAR Founder, Joe Ye said the partnership with Ambiq for AiLens underscored the company’s commitment to innovation.

Key features and innovations of the smart glasses include advanced processing power that delivers up to 192 megahertz (MHz) for graphics, audio, and AI processing; AI-powered personal assistant that adapts to user preferences and delivers tailored responses; and exceptional display technology that ensures smooth performance while conserving energy.

With support from SoftBank, AiLens targets industries such as healthcare, workplace productivity, retail, education, and travel, offering key functions like real-time language translation, notes and reminders, healthcare solutions, and workflow optimisation.

With its lightweight design and advanced processing capabilities, AiLens ensures user comfort for extended use while minimising external components, whereby this innovation creates an unparalleled experience in the AR glasses market.

ThinkAR AiLens will be available simultaneously in North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Europe, with initial availability in the United States beginning this month, followed by APAC and Europe in April.

-- BERNAMA

AVENACY PROVIDES UPDATE ON 2025 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AHEAD OF 43RD ANNUAL J.P. MORGAN HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

• Launched 14 critical injectable medicines since Company inception in October 2023 and remains on track to meet target of 25+ products by year-end 2025

• Pursuing two-pronged portfolio development strategy to establish strong foundation of critical injectable products while ensuring long-term competitiveness and return on investment

• Company to attend the 43^rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Jan 7 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Avenacy, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on supplying critical injectable medications, today provided an update on recent business highlights and financial performance for 2024 and strategic priorities for 2025 ahead of the Company’s participation in the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference from January 13-16, 2025 in San Francisco, CA.

“2024 was a breakout year for Avenacy marked by exceptional growth and tremendous progress. Through our industry-leading speed to market and steadfast commitment to quality, safety, and reliability, we have demonstrated our value as a clear partner of choice for hospitals and providers in need of essential medications,” said Jeff Yordon, Co-Founder & CEO of Avenacy. “2025 will be a pivotal year for the organization, and we are confident in our ability to achieve our ambitious portfolio and broader business goals. As we continue to position our business for accelerated growth, we remain committed to our mission of enhancing patient care and addressing critical gaps in the U.S. healthcare system.”

2024 and Recent Business Highlights

• Solid revenue performance in first full year of operation lays important foundation for future growth. The Company’s FY2024 performance was driven by its strong foundational portfolio comprised of 14 critical injectable medicines. With its currently signed portfolio, the Company expects to generate robust annual sales growth and gross profit expansion.

• Built out commercial leadership and infrastructure to support continued scale-up and rapid growth of the business. The Company has established wholesaler agreements with Cardinal, McKesson, ABC/Cencora, Morris Dickson, and additional smaller specialty wholesalers, completed sales team hiring across all major U.S. geographies, and secured all necessary state licenses.

• Strengthened leadership and financial position with addition of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong to Avenacy Board and co-founding team. Dr. Soon-Shiong brings over 25 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, including successful commercialization of injectable generic drugs.

All of Avenacy’s products feature differentiated packaging and labeling to assist pharmacists and clinicians with accurate medication selection. The Company continues to pursue opportunities to bring products to market that improve safety and convenience, such as ready-to-use dosage forms, formulations that are easier to store, and extended expiration dating. Additionally, Avenacy is monitoring current drug shortages and actively exploring strategic opportunities to fill gaps in the U.S. healthcare system.

2025 Strategic Priorities

• Achieve goal of launching 25+ products by year-end 2025. The Company has maintained a robust pipeline of signed products that are targeted for launch over the next two years, including multiple products with market sizes exceeding $100M.

• Continue build-out of foundational portfolio. The Company’s foundational portfolio is focused on critical acute care medications and shortage products with a higher adoption rate in the hospital market. Due to the minimal upfront cost required to launch these products, the Company views its foundational portfolio as a near-term opportunity to quickly establish its market presence while maintaining a cost-effective business.

• Secure additional investment to support pursuit of long-term growth portfolio. The Company’s growth portfolio will be comprised of products with a higher anticipated return on investment, including market formation products and products filed under Avenacy-owned ANDAs. The Company expects that investment in this longer-term horizon portfolio will help to solidify its position as a leading provider of generic injectable medications.
   
  • Through a generous capital raise in late August, Avenacy was able to secure products that will be launched this year and contribute to 2025 financial growth. The Company is looking to raise funds to invest in additional revenue-generating assets and expand both its foundational and growth portfolios.

“In Avenacy’s first full year of operations, we have laid important groundwork and are looking forward to continuing this momentum as we shift into 2025,” said Joe Mase, Chief Operating Officer at Avenacy. “We are proud of our accomplishments in our first year, and we will continue to seek capital funding to support strategic portfolio development and ensure sustainable long-term growth.”

Participation at 43^rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Jeff Yordon, Co-Founder & CEO, Joe Mase, Chief Operating Officer, and Peter Jensen, Vice President of Finance, will be meeting with investors and showcasing the Company’s recent accomplishments and plans for 2025. Investors wishing to schedule a meeting to discuss Avenacy’s progress to date and strategic initiatives are encouraged to contact FTI Capital Advisors at FTI.AvenacyTeam@fticonsulting.com.

About Avenacy

Avenacy is a U.S.-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on supplying critical injectable medications used to treat patients in various medically supervised settings, from acute care hospitals to outpatient clinics and physician offices. Through a rigorous and optimized selection process, the Company is building out a pipeline of high-quality FDA approved injectable products in order to ensure a resilient portfolio that can meet the needs of today’s dynamic drug supply chain. With an experienced team, commitment to quality and reliability, and product offerings intended to facilitate safe and efficient patient care, Avenacy strives to be a trusted partner for essential medications.

Avenacy was launched in 2023 and is headquartered in Schaumburg, IL. For more information, please visit http://www.avenacy.com/. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=50104

TRANSFORMING TRAVEL: AIRASIA MOVE PARTNERS WITH ANTOM FOR SEAMLESS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

^{From left to right: Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, Anderson Yong, Head of Enterprise Payments AirAsia MOVE, Agnes Chua, Managing Director, Business and Product Development of 2C2P and Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International (Photo: Business Wire)}


KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan 8 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AirAsia MOVE (MOVE), Asean’s leading travel booking app and the OTA (online travel agency) platform business of Capital A has signed a partnership agreement with Ant International’s Antom as part of its continuous efforts to transform travel, including seamless payment experiences on the app. Under the agreement, AirAsia MOVE will work closely with Antom, Ant International’s merchant payment and digitisation services provider, and 2C2P, a full-suite global payments platform and a subsidiary of Antom.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107206299/en/

This collaboration is set to integrate Antom and 2C2P’s advanced payment solutions, including payment orchestration and acquiring for both cards and local payment methods (LPMs), into AirAsia MOVE’s platform. These cutting-edge technologies will empower AirAsia MOVE to streamline payment methods, reduce cross-border transaction costs and operational expenses, and broaden its consumer base, while providing customers with a wider range of preferred payment options.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE and Agnes Chua, Managing Director, Business and Product Development of 2C2P, commemorated the partnership with a signing ceremony today, with Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International in attendance alongside Lim Ben Jie , Chief People Officer and Partnerships of AirAsia MOVE, Anderson Yong, Head of Enterprise Payments AirAsia MOVE, Aaron Wang, Vice President of Strategic Partnership, Ant International and Reggie Weston, Executive Director of Business and Product Development of 2C2P.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, lauded the partnership as a significant step forward for the broader Capital A ecosystem. He added: “This collaboration with Antom and 2C2P not only benefits AirAsia MOVE but also strengthens our ecosystem by enhancing payment capabilities across our businesses. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Ant International as we continue to innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Antom to redefine the way our customers experience travel payments. By integrating Antom and 2C2P’s advanced solutions, we’re enhancing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and delivering significant cost savings. This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation and delivering value to our customers across the region.

We aim to simplify the complexities of cross-border transactions through this partnership and it also aligns with AirAsia MOVE’s vision of providing seamless travel experiences. By leveraging Antom and 2C2P’s robust payment infrastructure, we can offer greater flexibility and convenience, addressing the diverse needs of our growing customer base in Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, Ant International commented: “We are proud to deepen our partnership with AirAsia MOVE in our joint journey to continuously drive innovation and elevate the payment experience for customers. Our advanced solutions, including payment orchestration and acquiring for both cards and LPMs, enable AirAsia MOVE to expand its reach to more consumers across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. By combining our expertise and AI-driven payment technologies, we are committed to improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer satisfaction, and unlocking long-term value together.”

Reggie Weston, Executive Director of Business and Product Development of 2C2P said: “We are excited to deepen our longstanding partnership with AirAsia MOVE together with Antom, and bring the latest advanced payment features to empower AirAsia MOVE to meet the needs of their customers everywhere in an optimal and seamless way.”

This partnership agreement between MOVE, Antom and 2C2P is part of a strategic partnership announced last March between Capital A and Ant International which covers various areas, exploring to integrate more payment methods and providing acquiring services to Capital A’s platforms, work on digital marketing and sponsorship opportunities to drive business growth, and to cooperate in enhancing access to sustainable finance while transitioning to a low carbon economy for the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) community.

Antom manages an acquiring network spanning over 40 countries and regions, enabling the integration of hundreds of payment methods and supporting transactions in more than 100 currencies. Its unified API provides businesses with seamless access to global payment options, including credit cards, e-wallets, and local payment solutions. Leveraging AI technology, Antom helps businesses ensure transaction security, streamlines foreign exchange risk management, lowers costs, and enhances operational efficiency through real-time payments and blockchain solutions. Additionally, Antom empowers merchants to customise operations and refine customer targeting with AI-driven and privacy-computing tools.

Operating across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, 2C2P’s extensive network provides a single point of integration to over 400 regional and local payment methods and 600,000 alternative payment locations, enabling businesses to reach their customers anywhere across online, mobile or offline channels. Its payment orchestration product, Payment Air Controller (PACO), is designed to resolve common pain points experienced by airlines such as managing transaction and currency conversion fees across different acquirers, offices and markets, synchronizing online and offline booking channels, managing fraud risk, optimizing costs as well as catering to diverse customer payment preferences.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE, formerly known as airasia Superapp is the newest online travel agent+ (OTA+) in town, providing a seamless and personalised experience for travellers at the best value in Asean and beyond. It envisions a comprehensive travel ecosystem, providing various travel offerings, such as flights and hotel bookings from over 700 airlines, including AirAsia, and over 900,000 hotels world-wide, plus ride-hailing, insurance, duty-free shopping and much more. The services are complemented by a community-led experience through features such as airasia chat, games, gifting, and a strong loyalty program that rewards users across its expansive ecosystem. It has been voted by World Travel Awards as ‘Asia’s Leading Online Travel Agency’ for two consecutive years since its first nomination in 2023.

About Ant International
Headquartered in Singapore, Ant International powers the future of global commerce with digital innovation for everyone and every business to thrive. In close collaboration with partners, we support merchants of all sizes worldwide to realize their growth aspirations through a comprehensive range of tech-driven digital payment and financial services solutions.

About Antom
Ant International’s Antom is the leading payment and digitisation services provider for merchants around the world. It offers one-stop, vertical-specific digital payment solutions to meet the payment needs of merchants of all sizes. Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 markets, with the flexibility to accept payments in more than 100 currencies. It also provides digital marketing solutions and merchant digitization services to help merchant in digital operations and to better engage with their customers. To learn more, please visit https://www.antom.com/.

About 2C2P
2C2P is a full-suite payments platform that empowers the world's leading enterprises to securely accept and make payments through one point of integration. Its extensive network spans across online, mobile and offline channels including over 600,000 alternative payment locations, enabling enterprises to reach their customers or recipients anywhere. 2C2P also provides value-added services such as issuing, 3D Secure, bill payments and digital goods to meet every business need.

Headquartered in Singapore with operations across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, 2C2P is the preferred payments partner for airlines, online marketplaces, retailers and other enterprises.

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107206299/en/

Contact

Media Inquiries:
AirAsia MOVE
Daphne Cheah / Ryan Chan
movecomms@airasia.com

Ant International
Kahmun Leong / Janice Chen
kahmun.leong@antgroup.com / janicechen.cyh@antgroup.com

2C2P
media@2c2p.com

Source : Ant International

Nikkiso CE&IG Group Strengthens Leadership Team With Jeff Mumford’s Promotion

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group (CE&IG), part of Nikkiso Co Ltd’s Industrial Business segment, has appointed Jeff Mumford as its new Executive Vice President of Operations and Manufacturing, effective Jan 2.

In this role, Mumford will oversee global operations and manufacturing as well as managing corporate departments including information technology (IT), Facilities, Safety Health Environmental and Quality (SHEQ), and Project Management.

Nikkiso CE&IG Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Ridge in a statement said Mumford’s leadership and dedication to continuous improvement have been proven throughout his career, and is recognised for his ability to drive transformational change while maintaining focus on growing the business.

Mumford joined Nikkiso in 2016 as a project manager and has since been promoted several times into leadership roles, including Procurement Director, Project Management Director and General Manager at the group’s Las Vegas operations.

During his tenure at Nikkiso, Mumford has successfully implemented efficiencies and contributed to business growth.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Literature and Linguistics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is a certified Project Management Professional.

A provider of cryogenic equipment and solutions worldwide, the group is headed by Cryogenic Industries Inc in Southern California, United States, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nikkiso Co Ltd.

-- BERNAMA

YAYASAN PETRONAS DISTRIBUTES DISASTER RELIEF CARE PACKAGES TO AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS NATIONWIDE

 

Ahmad Shazly Ramli, Head of PETRONAS East Coast (center), hands over contribution items for flood-affected families to Yang Berhormat Dato' Nara Setia, Dato' Zulkifli bin Ali, the Terengganu State Secretary (right).

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Yayasan PETRONAS, the social impact arm of PETRONAS, has mobilised assistance to communities affected by the floods during the current Northeast monsoon season via its Uplifting Lives Disaster Relief initiative. This effort is in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

A total of 7,000 care packages have been distributed to JKM disaster relief depots nationwide since September, ensuring that affected communities and families receive immediate essential support. Each care package includes a blanket as well as other daily and food necessities.

Yayasan PETRONAS has also extended further assistance to support communities impacted by the widespread flooding in Kelantan, helping to alleviate their hardships.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Shariah Nelly Francis said, "We have been working closely with the Kelantan Social Welfare Department as well as PETRONAS colleagues in the East Coast Regional Office towards providing additional essential aid to support 500 more households in the state.”

Yayasan PETRONAS’ Uplifting Lives Disaster Relief initiative is part of PETRONAS' efforts to deliver prompt and effective responses to disaster assistance needs.

Issued by:
Yayasan PETRONAS

SOURCE: Yayasan PETRONAS
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Yayasan PETRONAS
Name:Low Jia Yin
Tel: +60 12 385 8631
Email: low.jiayin@petronas.com 

--BERNAMA