[This is a sponsored article with HELP International School.]

Picture this: You’re a secondary school student tasked with a volunteer project. You and your group must work with a reputable NGO or social enterprise as part of your course’s syllabus.

You pick an organisation and message their socials, drop them a professionally written email, and call the phone numbers provided on their site.

But you’re left ghosted. So, you reach out to dozens more, only to receive one reply in the end, just barely in time before the project deadline.

There needs to be an easier way to go about this, and that’s exactly what BRIDGE CONNECT aims to solve.

The platform bridges the gap between the youth and NGOs in finding and securing meaningful volunteer opportunities.

Founded by a group of Sixth Form A-Level students from HELP International School in 2023, the team went on to bag RM50,000 from a venture capital firm and startup accelerator, 1337 Ventures, to pursue their project as an actual business. 

Meet the team: The BRIDGE CONNECT team was founded by eight Year 12 students who were between 16 and 18 years old at the time. They are Lee Ka Dong, Mia Lee Ying Ying, Skye Teh Xin Yee, Samitinjay De, Julianne Yap, Chong Mae Jian, Germaine Soo Jen Ning, and Katrina Ong Kai Qing.

Bridging the gap

Speaking to Vulcan Post, the students shared that the above problem was something they’ve faced themselves, which inspired their conception of BRIDGE CONNECT.

While building their platform, the HELP International School students connected with the Malaysian Foundation for the Blind (MFB) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The organisations needed help creating Malay-to-English braille dictionaries that could benefit around 70,000 blind and visually impaired people in the nation.

“They granted us a massive opportunity to assist with the data entry stage for the first braille dictionary in Malaysia,” shared Mae Jian. 

Needing more hands on deck for the tedious task, the team utilised their BRIDGE CONNECT platform to gather student volunteers.

Through this experience, the BRIDGE CONNECT team presented their solution at their school’s Project Purpose Demo Day, which invited various partners from industry, including 1337 Ventures, represented by its founder, Bikesh Lakhmichand.

It’s the final test of Project Purpose, a programme developed by HELP International School to educate its young talents to think innovatively and foster an entrepreneurial mindset.

In an interview with BFM, Bikesh stated that he was compelled to fund BRIDGE CONNECT after witnessing the team’s tenacity and business acumen in building their platform.

“They proved to me that it wasn’t just an idea for their school project. They showed me that this was an actual problem, conducted surveys to show that people wanted their solution, and then built a website on their own without spending a single dime,” recalled Bikesh. 

He added that this process was akin to how startups are created in the real world, and believed that the project could make an impact in society should it pan out as intended.

“After receiving the funding, we’re working with Mr Bikesh to register us as an SDN BHD company,” said Germaine Soo. “Now, we are in the process of making the official website for BRIDGE CONNECT.”

The team shared that they’ve since utilised the funds to set up BRIDGE CONNECT as an official business. This includes the backend processes like hiring a company secretary, registering the business, and setting up a business bank account. 

They’ve also utilised the funds for on-ground marketing initiatives to drive awareness about their solution.

Furthermore, BRIDGE CONNECT is connecting student volunteers with other forms of online volunteering such as managing social media channels for NGOs, writing articles, research, and more. “This is to achieve our goal of making volunteering more accessible to students,” Katrina Ong said.

While the eight students behind it will be moving on to universities around the world, they remain committed to building their platform, and can still do so as it’s operated entirely online.

“We also hope to pass this project on to our juniors in HELP International School by hiring them as interns to help manage physical events like workshops and booths,” added Katrina. “By doing so, we can foster this student volunteering community in Malaysia.”

Meanwhile, the braille dictionary is currently in development and has completed its prototype stage as of Q1 2023, according to The Star.

Building social entrepreneurs

The success of the BRIDGE CONNECT team might have been harder to achieve if not for Project Purpose.

Part of the school’s Sixth Form (A-Levels) programme since 2021, it’s a course at HELP International School where students learn through the hands-on experience of starting a social enterprise. It aims to discover students’ untapped potential that goes beyond traditional coursework. 

For context, traditional A-Levels involve students studying up to four subjects. At HELP International School, students get the option to go the traditional route, or pursue three subjects alongside Project Purpose.

At Project Purpose, students are guided through startup fundamentals like ideation, research, budgeting, product development, business planning, marketing, and impact assessment. 

The programme works with experts in the Malaysian startup scene, namely 1337 Ventures’ Bikesh, NEXEA’s Justin Lim and Ben Lim, and ScaleUp’s Aaron Sarma. 

Students also have the opportunity to collaborate with local entrepreneurs, giving them access to first-hand insights and building their network.

The Project Purpose journey concludes with Demo Day, during which students will pitch their solutions and demonstrate how they can transition into real-world ventures.

Continuing the success

BRIDGE CONNECT has impacted more than its beneficiaries, as they’re also challenging societal beliefs that kids who grew up in our digital world are overly pampered.

“Being from the current generation of instant gratification, as these students witness their projects making an impact and as their seniors gain recognition for their work, students become intrinsically motivated to make their projects a success,” shared Manmeet Kaur, Project Purpose Coordinator. 

She elaborated, “Once they’re placed in a safe environment, [and are] explicitly told that it’s okay to fail, all students are willing to try something new and step outside their comfort zone.”

Now in its fourth cohort, HELP International School’s Sixth Form will be accepting enrolments for their August 2024 cohort from now till July. 

Students who have completed their GCSE, SPM, or equivalent are welcome to join the programme and embark on the Project Purpose journey, which you can sign up for here. 

• Learn more about BRIDGE CONNECT here, and HELP International School’s Sixth Form here.
• Read other education-related articles here.

Featured Image Credit: HELP International School

[This is a sponsored article with the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia.]

Every now and then, accusations or infringement cases crop up around brands “stealing” or “copying” another’s creative work, design, or even name.

One noteworthy case of this happened in 2001, when ChipsMore, the British chocolate chip cookies brand, successfully sued the Malaysian ‘ChipsPlus’ for trademark infringement. The case detailed that ChipsPlus was selling equivalent products under a similar name.

A trademark is a type of intellectual property (IP) consisting of a recognisable sign, design, or expression that identifies and distinguishes a product or service. McDonald’s golden arches or Nike’s swoosh are some examples of trademarks.

As ChipsMore already had its trademark registered in Malaysia since 1990 and an established brand presence, the High Court decided in favour of ChipsMore.

Of course, the above is an example of an infringement suit involving a large corporation in Malaysia equipped with the funds and legal team to safeguard its IP.

But when it comes to smaller creators, accusations rarely get escalated to court, such as these fashion design cases we’ve covered involving disputes made by smaller designers against Vivy Yusof and Christy Ng.

The World International Property Organization suggested that smaller creators in the fashion industry make little use of national and regional laws to register and protect designs. 

This may be because the shorter life cycle of such products may not justify the financial cost involved in legally registering and protecting them.

Although that’s regarding the fashion industry specifically, the same scenario likely applies to small businesses and creators in other sectors too, who don’t think about registering an IP to protect their work and ideas until it’s too late.

The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) wants to change that.

In conjunction with World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, Malaysia’s official IP organisation is hosting a three-day event to educate the public on the importance of IP.

Called Hari Harta Intelek Negara 2024 (National Intellectual Property Day 2024), the free event is taking place in MyIPO Tower at PJ Sentral, from April 24 to 26, 2024.

Here’s why IPs matter on an economic scale

Malaysia is home to an increasing number of knowledge-intensive startups, especially in the sectors of agriculture and biotech. That’s according to an analysis published in The Malaysian Reserve by a UK-based research organisation specialising in international innovation and trade policy.

The source detailed that these innovations bring immense opportunities for local entrepreneurs and startups. If the products, services, tech, and the like are registered as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other forms of IP, they can therefore be sold to larger corporations to scale them.

This model is used frequently in Silicon Valley, where innovators will introduce an idea, grow the business, and then sell their company to a larger company.

The above source stated that this practice is key to sustainable economic growth.

And that’s what MyIPO intends to expand on at National Intellectual Property Day 2024, which has the theme of Harta Intelek Nadi Malaysia Madani (Intellectual Property at the Heart of Malaysia Madani).

It aims to recognise the creativity and innovation among Malaysians while educating participants on the importance of registering IPs, through award ceremonies and seminars.

Learn about all things IP

As we’ve detailed above, sufficient funding and support can be major barriers faced by innovators, creators, and SMEs when getting their IPs protected.

Thus, it’s worth highlighting that help can be found via public and private means, like MyIPO’s event, for example.

National Intellectual Property Day 2024 will bring together stakeholders in various sectors to encourage and support business owners, innovators, and creators in registering IPs. 

The stakeholders that’ll be present at the event include government agencies, businesses, academia, and the legal community to share insights on the topic at hand.

For example, you’ll get to hear talks on how IPs can provide you with the tools to safeguard your rights. There will also be activities and workshops you can participate in to learn how to navigate legal frameworks and maximise the value of your intellectual assets.

You’ll also get to learn from the success stories of innovators and creators about their inventions and works that are registered in Malaysia. 

Hopefully, these stories can be the push you need to get your IP registered, and in turn, drive Malaysia’s economic competitiveness.

Moreover, you’ll get to partake in networking opportunities that could lead to advantageous business collaborations.

Leading up to the three-day event at MyIPO Tower, you can already get a head start at building your knowledge by participating in virtual talks hosted by MyIPO, which you can keep up with on its Facebook page. 

Ultimately, while registering an IP may require quite an initial investment, the potential benefits could be substantial for your company’s competitive edge in the long run.

• Learn more about the National Intellectual Property Day 2024 event here.
• Read about other stories on Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: MyIPO

[This is a sponsored article with Dell.]

How much of your workday do you think is spent typing up meeting minutes from a two-hour call that could’ve totally been an email?

The answer? 8.8 hours a week for the top 25% of heavy email users, according to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index Annual Report. That’s a 1.75-hour average of a workday spent on emails, assuming a regular five-day workweek.

The report detailed that an average employee spends 57% of their time communicating via meetings, email, and chats. Meanwhile, 43% of their time is spent creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. These stats were recorded across the Microsoft 365 apps globally.

Our workload has skyrocketed, flooded with data and non-stop communication. We spend too much of our time sorting through information, which can lead to brain drain—did you know that burnout can make you sick more often?

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help lessen the burden, and that’s exactly what Microsoft Copilot is designed to do.

To equip organisations and their employees with the knowledge and skills to leverage these tools, Dell Technologies’ (Dell) Tech IT Easy Webinar Series has made a comeback. It’s rolling out its newest episode titled “Unleashing the Power of Copilot and Cybersecurity Solution”. 

For context, Dell has a free webinar series to help decision-makers in companies understand how they can effectively implement emerging working models. You can read about past episodes we’ve covered here.

Sign-ups are already open, and the session will be going live on April 2, 2024.

Meet your new work assistant

New for Windows 11, Copilot is Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant that can enhance productivity and creativity.

It can help you find answers and inspiration from across the web, support creativity and collaboration, and help you focus on the task at hand.

For example, you can optimise the tedious process of recording and transcribing confidential virtual meetings, as Copilot in Teams can generate notes, list tasks, and much more.

Furthermore, if your job is anything like mine and involves plenty of taxing research that needs to be digested, Dell’s online conference can show you how Copilot cuts down this process. 

You can also learn to use tools on Copilot to help you quickly craft articles, professional emails, and similar content.

Knowing the possibilities of what Copilot can do for your productivity is one thing, and attending Dell’s webinar can help you better visualise how it works.

Stay safe while you work

Picture this: It’s the end of the workday, you’re tired, and you’re clearing your inbox from a gazillion emails you’ve put off. You still need to be alert, because downloading just one suspicious file could put your whole organisation in danger.

Windows 11 comes with cybersecurity tools to safeguard you from these scenarios, saving you time. These cybersecurity features will also be discussed during Dell’s course.

For instance, the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will warn you if a website, application, or download is potentially malicious and could harm your computer, so you won’t miss that suspicious email attachment.

The session will also teach you about cybersecurity best practices, so that you’ll learn how to protect yourself when connecting to a public WiFi, for instance.

-//-

Adopting AI requires workplaces to embrace a whole new way of working, and building an AI aptitude will be essential.

This means that in order to work alongside AI, employees must learn when to leverage the tools at their disposal, how to write great prompts, how to evaluate creative work, and how to check for bias.  

By knowing how to delegate as many mundane and repetitive tasks as possible to AI, we can optimise our workloads and hopefully alleviate brain drain. 

• Sign up for the free Tech IT Easy Webinar Series here.
• Read about other Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post

[This is a sponsored article with OCBC Business Banking.]

Enabling cashless payment options to customers is essential for businesses in the digital landscape. 

This way, you can provide customers with convenience and speed in making payments for your products or services.

Furthermore, if your business is looking to deal with customers from across the causeway, the importance of offering digital payments is heightened.

Understanding such needs, OCBC has a way for its business banking users to ease the process via OCBC OneCollect.

Seamless and efficient transactions

OCBC OneCollect enables businesses to collect payments seamlessly through QR codes by incorporating Malaysia’s national payments QR, DuitNow QR to support Ringgit (MYR) collection.

Using the OCBC OneCollect app, you can set up a dedicated DuitNow QR code for your business, and display it for buyers to scan and pay via any banking app or ewallet of their choice.

DuitNow QR runs on a real-time transfer basis, meaning upon a customer’s transaction, you’ll receive these payments instantly. There’s no need to rent a dedicated terminal for payments, reducing the operations cost for your business. You’ll also be notified when payments are received at the point of sale.

One local user of OCBC OneCollect is Redsea Esports Center, a cybercafe based in Wangsa Maju. Its business owners Tan Song Chun and Skeith Wong shared that they appreciate the speed, efficiency, and convenience of receiving payments via the QR payment solution.

They also reported that utilising OCBC OneCollect has been cost-effective for their business, as the bank does not charge transaction fees for the QR feature.

Receive payments from Singaporean customers

If your business deals with customers who are based in Singapore and transact with Singaporean Dollars (SGD), OCBC OneCollect has made it easy for you to transact with them as well.

OCBC OneCollect offers cross-border QR payments by integrating PayNow QR, which is Singapore’s version of DuitNow QR. To enable this function, you can generate a dynamic PayNow QR with a predefined transaction amount through the OCBC OneCollect app.

Upon scanning the PayNow QR, your customers will make payments in SGD while you receive the predefined amount in MYR. 

For online businesses that don’t have a storefront, you can screenshot and share the dynamic PayNow QR code for your customers from Singapore to make payments. AM PM Pharmacy is a local user that uses this function from OCBC OneCollect to receive payments from their customers in Singapore.

Previously, their Singaporean customers would have to withdraw cash to make payments at the pharmacy, which sometimes led customers to abandon their purchases. For online transactions, AM PM Pharmacy would also experience delays in payment collection as overseas transactions from banks can be time-consuming.

“Since we adopted OCBC’s PayNow service, it has helped us address this issue, as my team are only required to send a QR code to the customer for payment, and it takes less than five minutes for the overall process,” said Ng Kee Wei, CEO of AM PM Pharmacy.

OCBC OneCollect is the first platform to offer cross-border payments between Malaysia and Singapore since 2020, with the app receiving the Recognition of Excellence Award by OpenGov Asia in 2023. This was for helping SMEs use the channel to ease their collections.

In the same year, OCBC Malaysia also won the ‘Malaysia Customer Experience of the Year – Banking” by Asian Experience Awards 2023 and the “Malaysia’s Bank of the Year 2023” by The Banker of London, awards achieved by providing exemplary customer service.

Track your transactions in real-time

As highlighted above, DuitNow transfers happen in real-time, so you’ll receive your customers’ payments instantly and be notified via the OCBC OneCollect app.

The OCBC OneCollect app’s reporting function can also give you a clear view of your daily sales report to ease the reconciliation process, saving you the time which could be allocated to planning for your business. 

Furthermore, when consolidating your daily or monthly sales reports, OCBC OneCollect’s app seamlessly tracks your transactions and gives you an overview of them. 

Redsea Esports Center praised this function in the app too, and shared, “OCBC OneCollect has notably improved our cash flow management and reduced transaction costs, contributing to an increase in overall revenue over approximately 3,500 transactions per month.”

AM PM Pharmacy shared the same sentiment, and expressed, “The user-friendly online banking interface and mobile app have provided quick access to the team on essential financial information and tools, contributing to efficient financial management.”

If you’re a serial entrepreneur managing multiple outlets, you can create different “Shops” in the OneCollect app. 

These Shops can help you identify the transactions received by each of your businesses, keeping your business finances orderly. 

Moreover, you can easily add your business partners or employees as users through the OCBC OneCollect app, and set up customised functions to meet your daily operational needs.

If you’re already an OCBC Business user and would like to start your digitalisation journey for your business by collecting payments through QR codes, you can download the OCBC OneCollect Malaysia app from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Meanwhile, if you’re newly starting your business and are keen to sign up for an OCBC eBiz Account, you’ll enjoy a 100% online application that comes with complimentary digital tools. They include OCBC OneCollect and OCBC Velocity, which are OCBC’s business banking portals containing useful business tools for you to run your business seamlessly.

• Learn more about OCBC OneCollect here, the OCBC eBiz account here, and OCBC Velocity here.
• Read more finance-related topics we’ve written here.

Featured Image Credit: OCBC

[This is a sponsored article with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.]

Known for its technological advancements, attractive investment prospects, and skilled workforce, Japan has long been associated with major corporations and well-established industries. 

Yet, the cultural factors in the workforce such as a preference for stable employment and being risk-averse have impeded entrepreneurship and innovation in Japan, according to the same source. 

This seems to be shifting though, as there has been a noticeable trend in recent years towards fostering a more entrepreneurial and inventive atmosphere.

Did you know: Japan was reported to have over 2,107 startups in 2022. 

That same year, the country reportedly had at least 11 unicorn startups. 

StartupBlink, Statista

Recently, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) set a goal to increase its number of startups, unicorns, and collaborative projects between governments and businesses by 10 times.

One way it’s doing so is by welcoming more foreign startups, such as those from Malaysia and Singapore, to seize business opportunities and expand their companies to Tokyo. 

What makes Tokyo an attractive location for startups?

Startup cities like Tokyo function as a vibrant hub for innovation, knowledge sharing, and investment opportunities.

Not only can it cultivate a sense of community, but it can also provide a platform for entrepreneurs to forge strategic partnerships, which can significantly accelerate their growth and success in Japan.

The Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB) is built by TMG to foster this culture of collaboration and networking amongst startups, especially those in their early stages. 

The space is designed for hosting regular industry events, meetups, and conferences, offering valuable opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to connect and exchange ideas.

Meanwhile, players like Invest Tokyo provide startups with access to free consulting and R&D support. 

Here, startups can be mentored in conducting market analysis, finding the right business partner for their businesses, fundraising, and more.

Invest Tokyo can also help Malaysian and Singaporean entrepreneurs expand to Japan with subsidy programmes offered by TMG, as well as regulatory concerns such as Visa and residency support.

Another thing that makes Tokyo an attractive hub for startups that should not be overlooked is the country’s availability of a skilled and talented workforce.

Renowned universities and research institutions within Japan’s cities can act as talent pipelines, supplying startups with the human resources they need to drive innovation and scale their operations.

How you can find product-market fit in Japan

TMG told Vulcan Post that startups that are abundant in Malaysia and Singapore have opportunities to find product-market fit in Tokyo. 

Japan’s emphasis on sustainable development also opens strategic avenues for APAC startups to venture into cleantech, renewable energy, and sustainable mobility.

And to connect APAC startups to business opportunities in Japan’s business network, the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 conference will be held.

An abbreviation for “Sustainable High City Tech”, SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 is a one-month event from April 27 to May 26 consisting of three programs: Global Startup Programme, City Leaders Programme, and Showcase Programme.

The Global Startup Programme is scheduled to be held on May 15 and 16, 2024.

The event is aimed at collaborating with startups keen on solving social issues including environmental urban challenges in the nation. 

More specifically, the conference will host sessions that discuss the vision of a sustainable future from various perspectives, including infrastructure, environment, living, as well as culture and impact.

There will also be a pitch contest where the winner will receive a cash prize of JPY10 million (RM318,141.17). Supplementary prizes like business matching opportunities are expected to be offered to startups with promising pitches as well.

Taking place both physically and online, the conference is expected to host over 40,000 participants to connect Japan with the global ecosystem and attract investment opportunities.

Tickets to the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 conference are currently available, and online participation is free.

Ultimately, the future of Japan’s startup ecosystem is promising, particularly for APAC startups ready to take on a global market.

• Learn more about Tokyo Innovation Base here, Invest Tokyo here, and SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 here.
• Read other articles on Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan Government

[This is a sponsored article with Sime Darby Property.]

Choosing where to live is a deeply personal decision for Malaysians. 

While individuals and young adults may prioritise accessibility, convenience, and public transport as they kick-start their careers, those with families may look for well-equipped townships.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, seasoned investor, or merely surveying, here are upcoming freehold townships from Sime Darby Property in Greater KL and Seremban that are worth considering.

Did you know: This Chinese New Year, Sime Darby Property is hosting a promotion called Dragon DEALS – GO LANDED for the homes sold under the listed townships if you purchase them by February 29, 2024 (more on this below).

1. Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang

• Suitable for: Families with growing school kids.

Bandar Bukit Raja is a good choice if you’re looking to settle down in Klang and Setia Alam.

Lush green scapes for the community

The township boasts a 180-acre Bandar Bukit Raja Townpark, which is recognised as the largest recreational park with renewable energy in the Malaysia Book of Records. It’s an eco-friendly initiative meant to reduce carbon footprint and help combat climate change. 

Bandar Bukit Raja Townpark also offers diverse recreational facilities for families to enjoy outdoor activities and connect with nature. 

They include a 75km jogging and cycling track, along with a Community Pavilion and Lawn for families to host events such as birthday parties and social gatherings.

Easily accessible amenities nearby

Living in Bandar Bukit Raja keeps you connected to life’s daily essentials. 

Whether it’s school, work, or play, you’ll have easy access to a growing township of amenities conveniently located close to you, including NSK, AEON Mall, Central I-City, Bandar Bukit Raja Masjid, Columbia Asia Hospital, and more.

Multiple highway access points 

The township is also connected to four major expressways, including the West Coast Expressway (WCE), New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), Shapadu Highway, and Federal Highway.

Wheelchair-friendly

Bandar Bukit Raja’s residential homes, Casira 3, are wheelchair-accessible on the ground floor, ideal for families living with those in their sunset years.

2. Serenia City, Sepang

• Suitable for: Families with businesspeople, researchers, and frequent travellers.

Serenia City aims to be a self-sustaining township in Sepang that can fulfil all its residents’ needs, as well as cater to those in Klang Valley and Seremban.

Amenities for an active lifestyle

Serenia City is a sustainability-driven township that even has 100-year-old trees standing to preserve and honour its tea plantation roots.

Living here will give you access to a 32-acre Central Park that has amenities such as a 360 Lookout Tower with an overview of Serenia City and a Fifa-certified football field.

Those wanting to foster an active lifestyle will also enjoy the township’s 50km jogging and cycling track. It interlinks neighbourhoods, town and lake parks, along with other holistic facilities throughout the township, offering a healthy way to move around and explore.

Nearby tertiary education institutions

Serenia City neighbours higher-education facilities like Xiamen University, UiTM Dengkil, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Multimedia University Cyberjaya (MMU), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which are within a 15km radius.

Direct highway access points 

The township has direct access to the ELITE Highway, which connects Shah Alam to Nilai and offers a toll-free drive to KLIA via the FT29 route.

The Puchong South Toll is also a 20km drive away, while Putrajaya can in 15km via the FT29 route as well. 

For commuters, the Salak Tinggi ERL Station is within the vicinity and provides direct connectivity to KL City Centre or KLIA.

Commercial convenience

Serenia City is also developing its upcoming commercial hub, which will be located near its 32-acre central park for residential convenience. These two-storey shop offices can make it conducive for local businesses and residents to provide and access day-to-day needs.

Parkview homes

The township has two upcoming properties that are suitable for multigenerational homes located near Serenia City’s 8.4-acre Serenity Park and 32-acre Central Park. 

To get a glimpse of the Parkview homes, visit the Serenia Aqila show unit at its sales gallery located in Bandar Serenia, Sepang.

3. Nilai Impian

• Suitable for: Multigenerational households.

Nilai Impian is a mature township with ready amenities and infrastructure that’s ideal for those living with families who want easily accessible conveniences close by.

Nearby schools, petrol stations, and grocery stores

With schools like SJK (C) Kuo Min, SMK Nilai Impian, Nilai International School, and INTI International University all within a 10km radius, the township caters to families with students of all ages.

Retail shops, petrol stations, and grocery stores like AEON are less than 5km away as well, making it convenient for you to easily access daily necessities.

Large recreational spaces

Being a Nilai Impian resident also gives you access to the 19-acre Tasik Ujana Park for morning or evening recreational activities, or you can play golf at Nilai Springs Golf & Country Club.

Easy entry points from highways

Nilai Impian is easily accessible via the KL-Seremban highway where the township entrance is located immediately after the Nilai exit, making for a swift journey home.

Flexible home layout designs

The double-storey homes in Nilai Impian are made to provide spacious and versatile living, offering open-plan rooms that are interchangeable from a study room to a nursery depending on your family’s needs.

The ground floors are stroller and wheelchair-friendly, making them suitable for multigenerational households.

4. City of Elmina, Shah Alam

• Suitable for: Nature-loving families.

Located next to a 2,700-acre forest reserve, living here means that you get to wake up to the refreshing air of nature. 

Refreshing landscape

At The City of Elmina, you’ll be surrounded by luscious greenery from the 300-acre Central Park and pocket parks within the township. These parks are all connected by a 90km jogging and cycling track for your training needs.

Easy access to highways

The township is directly connected to the Guthrie Corridor Expressway that links to NKVE, LDP, LATAR, GCE, and DASH Expressway which leads to the PJ/Damansara area.

Retail accessibility

Within the township, you’ll get to make TEMU your third space. TEMU is the township’s new commercial space where you can do your groceries, have meals with loved ones, and get easy access to amenities like laundry bars and clinics.

The Elmina Lakeside Mall is slated to open its doors this year as well. There, you can shop for groceries and household items at Jaya Grocer and Harvey Norman, and get your morning pastries from Kenny Hills Bakers.

Configurable rooms

The homes in City of Elmina are built to fit families with elders and young children with their open-plan home layouts and wheelchair-friendly access.

5. Bandar Ainsdale, Seremban

• Suitable for: Young families with parents working in cities.

Direct highway access points 

With connectivity to the ELITE Highway, this township is connected to the Bandar Ainsdale Interchange which offers direct access to the PLUS Highway connecting Seremban and KL.

Recreational spaces for family time 

The township is just a stroll away from the 11-acre Ainsdale Lake Park, so you and your family can foster a healthy lifestyle together using its 1.2km jogging and bicycle track, children’s park, multipurpose court, and picturesque Amphitheatre Garden Area.

Nearby conveniences 

Living in Bandar Ainsdale means that you’ll be a short drive away from primary schools, medical centres like KPJ Specialist Seremban Hospital and Columbia Asia Medical Centre, as well as shopping centres for your retail and leisure needs.

CNY deals for your new home

Under Sime Darby Property’s DRAGON DEALS – GO LANDED promotion, the developer is offering an Easy Ownership Package, along with other prizes to be won.

These offers are available for those who purchase the properties featured above from now to February 29, 2024. The first 10% (downpayment) of the property’s cost should also be paid when signing the agreement to be eligible for the promotions.

1. Easy Ownership Package

The legal fees on the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA), as well as stamp duty and Memorandum of Transfer (MOT) on the loan will be borne by Sime Darby Property during this campaign period. 

 2. Receive an ang pow packet worth up to RM23,888

Sime Darby Property is giving away ang pow worth up to RM23,888 when you purchase and make a downpayment on any of the named properties above.

If you get lucky, you may even be selected to win rewards worth up to RM39,888 during the campaign period.

3. Special weekend offers

If you’ve purchased the featured homes, you’ll also be eligible for special weekend offers. 

It’s where you can win gift cards and prizes from Signature Kitchen, AEON, and Harvey Norman at the sales gallery of your respective township.

If you’re keen to speak to Sime Darby Property’s sales executives to find out more about these landed homes, get in touch with them here.

• Learn more about Sime Darby Property’s DRAGON DEALS – GO LANDED campaign here.
• Read other property-related articles we’ve written here.

Featured Image Credit: Sime Darby Property

[This is a sponsored article with Scientex Berhad.]

The home-buying landscape has become a complex and seemingly unattainable financial challenge for many middle-income Malaysians. 

Traditionally, our parents aimed for a spacious, double-storey abode with ample parking and a serene balcony.

Today, buying a landed home in the sub-RM500,000 range is seemingly impossible, especially for those dreaming of dwelling in lively urban areas like Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor.

The focus is on vertical living, with compact apartments under 800 square feet, promising three small bedrooms, and the appearance of sophisticated living through the building’s shared facilities.

Buyers of high-rise properties face costly monthly expenses, ranging from hundreds to thousands of Ringgit in steep maintenance fees and mortgages. 

This shift poses a need for more affordable housing choices.

One local player that aims to make double-storey landed homes attainable to Malaysians is Scientex Berhad (Scientex).

Starting from just a single township in Pasir Gudang, Johor, Scientex today has a presence in 30 townships across Malaysia with more to come in neighbouring countries.

From plastics to property

In 1968, Scientex began as a plastics manufacturer for industrial and consumer packaging.

The company was listed on Bursa Malaysia in 1990, and ventured into property development in 1993.

When the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis hit, the value of the Ringgit plummeted amidst inflation. Home buyers were finding difficulties in acquiring property that matched their affordability. 

Scientex provided a solution by offering compact and affordable landed homes.

For context, Scientex defines affordable homes as properties priced below RM500,000. That’s according to Datuk Alex Khaw, Chief Operating Officer at Scientex’s Property Division in an article published by The Edge.

The properties Scientex develops also provide homebuyers with freehold double or triple-storey terrace homes, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and enough space to park up to two cars.

“Owning a house with decent space to grow your family should be the basic necessity for any Malaysian,” said Datuk Alex in an interview with Vulcan Post. 

And these Malaysians are the exact customers taking up Scientex developments.

“The majority of our buyers are 30 years old and above, with a monthly household income of RM3,000 to RM8,000,” he observed, adding that most buyers purchase these properties to live in.

Balancing quality and affordability

Inflation of housing prices is inevitable and has been rising year-on-year. So, how does Scientex ensure it can keep up with its affordable quality housing value proposition?

“Our new land acquisition strategy is focused on suburban or up-and-coming regions. This is where we can still source for sizeable land at a reasonable price,” Datuk Alex told Vulcan Post. 

Such examples of up-and-coming regions include Scientex’s developments in certain townships within Selangor’s Jenjarom, Perak’s Ipoh, and Penang’s Tasek Gelugor.

Furthermore, he shared that Scientex balances affordability with quality by keeping their property offerings simple and replicable.

“Our typical products are fundamentally built on two or three-storey terrace homes. When similar products are built in huge volumes, cost efficiency and product quality will be achieved over time,” shared Datuk Alex.

As of 2023, Scientex’s property division has delivered roughly 33,000 units of homes priced below RM500,000 nationwide.

Scientex aims to launch over 2,000 units of homes in its FY2024, and 8,800 units in 2025.

Scientex’s team also shared that the company is well on target to achieve its aim of completing 50,000 units of affordable homes by 2028. 

Onwards and upward

Over the last two decades, Scientex’s property division has been expanding its footprint northward. From Johor and Melaka, to Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang, and Kedah, the company will continuously strive to provide Malaysians with access to affordable homes.

This strategy to provide housing to middle-to-lower-income families has displayed the company’s valuation strategy in its sustainability goals.

Doing so also aligns with the government’s National Housing Policy to increase the accessibility of home ownership.

Scientex now aims to continue its track record by expanding to other Southeast Asian markets. To date, the company has broken ground in Bangkok, Thailand in 2022, with Jakarta, Indonesia following shortly after in 2023.

In terms of Scientex’s plans to expand in other markets, Datuk Alex shared that they will be determined after considering the company’s overall vision and business goals.

At the same time, the company is striving to take steps to further ingrain sustainability considerations within its processes and frameworks. 

As a producer of plastic packaging and developer of homes, it’s strategic for Scientex to stay cognisant of the waste that their business activities and operations may generate. 

This can help the firm future-proof their business as companies small and large around the world turn towards being ESG-focused.

• Learn more about Scientex Berhad here.
• Read about other Malaysian startup stories here.

Featured Image Credit: Datuk Alex Khaw, Chief Operating Officer at Scientex’s Property Division

You might have seen reports circulating last year that merchants would be charged transaction fees for using DuitNow QR.

It was stated that merchants would have to pay 0.25% of each DuitNow QR transaction value, otherwise known as the merchant discount rate (MDR).

An official statement later clarified that measures would be taken by the central bank to minimise the potential impact small businesses might face from these transaction fees. 

Then, speculations arose. Will customers foot the MDR? Might merchants hike their prices to cope with added transaction fees?

To clear the air, we first have to understand what MDR is.

Understanding the Merchant Discount Rate

Investopedia defines the MDR as a fee that merchants and other businesses must pay to a payment processing company on cashless transactions. 

The MDR is typically charged to businesses using card readers, otherwise known as point-of-sale (POS) terminals to accept debit or credit card payments.

In the context of DuitNow QR, it was said that the MDR is intended to cover costs and investments needed by the financial industry to upkeep its payment systems. This includes cybersecurity and fraud prevention controls to maintain high service and security standards for payment services.

News reports circulating in late 2023 claimed that traders receiving money via the DuitNow QR would incur a 0.25% fee when transferred from a bank account, and a 0.5% fee for transfers made via credit cards to POS terminals.

Malaysia’s national payments network, Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) pointed out that such transaction fees on DuitNow QR have always been present since the platform was introduced in 2019. These fees were simply waived temporarily amidst the pandemic.

Following the news reports though, this led to merchants questioning: If my business is going to be charged transaction fees for offering cashless payments, why not go back to cash?

There are various advantages to using cashless payments

By only accepting cash-based payments, merchants would have to hire and compensate additional employees who are trained to accurately and efficiently manage transactions.

This hassle can be mitigated when card-based payments are offered. However, there are additional fees to foot when utilising this system too, including equipment leasing fees for the POS terminal, transaction fees, statement fees, etc. 

Hence, the lowest barrier to entry for micro and small businesses to offer cashless systems is through DuitNow QR, as it offers several advantages:

1. Transaction fees will continue to be waived for micro and small businesses

Most DuitNow QR merchant acquirers have announced that they will continue to waive the MDR for micro and small businesses accepting DuitNow QR payments.

In general, microenterprises are defined as having a sales turnover of less than RM300,000, or less than five full-time employees. Meanwhile, small businesses are companies with sales turnover between RM300,000 to RM3 million, or between five to 30 full-time employees.

These measures will enable micro and small businesses to keep utilising DuitNow QR payment services at zero cost, while ensuring that QR payment services remain efficient, reliable, and safe for all consumers.

2. Quick and simple to set up

It’s also simple to offer a cashless payment system like DuitNow QR.

Merchants will just have to set up a business banking or ewallet account to generate a dedicated QR code, and display it for buyers to scan and pay via any banking app or ewallet of their choice.

Since 2023, DuitNow QR has made it possible to receive cross-border payments as well.

This allows international travellers in Malaysia to use their mobile payment apps to scan DuitNow QRs to make payments to merchants. Currently, this feature is available to users from Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

3. Instantly receive payments

DuitNow QR also runs on a real-time transfer basis, meaning upon a customer’s transaction, merchants will receive these payments instantly in their business banking account. There’s no need to deposit large stacks of cash to the bank, reducing the operations cost for businesses. 

These online banking methods will also notify both merchants and customers when payments are received at the point of sale.

-//-

At the time of writing, major banks and ewallet providers nationwide will continue to waive MDR for micro and small businesses accepting DuitNow QR payments. 

Therefore, customers will only need to pay for what is stated on the price tag, while businesses will likely not raise their prices for the sole purpose of covering such transaction fees.

At the end of the day, DuitNow QR functions as an efficient, convenient and secure payment method that can further boost digital payment adoption in Malaysia.

• Learn more about DuitNow here.
• Read other financial-related articles here.

Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post

[This is a sponsored article with Slim Doc.]

In the quest for a healthier and more toned physique, we may turn to various slimming treatments in the hope of achieving quick and effective results. 

It’s not always for pure vanity reasons either, as some individuals may be suffering from medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, fatty liver, and more. These ailments may make regular exercise a less viable option as well, as their condition may lead to exercise-related injuries.

So, they may resort to potentially dangerous treatments to lose excess fat from their bodies. From liposuction to fat-liquifying injections, these treatments could lead to excess bleeding or infections.

Slim Doc hopes to educate the Malaysian public that slimming solutions don’t have to be this risky.

To do so, it has invited Jack Lim, a Malaysian actor and radio show host to speak about his weight loss journey with Slim Doc.

Did you know: Slim Doc was established in 2022 providing a non-invasive and innovative approach for body slimming, contouring, skin tightening, and muscle building.

Founded by Dr Terrence Teoh and Dr Michael Ong, Slim Doc is the sister company to One Doc (est. 2016) and Hair Doc (est. 2018), which respectively offer skin-related treatments and hair growth treatments.

A push to get his health in order

Jack Lim shared about his struggles with weight loss and health, where he battled fatty liver for five years.

Due to his busy schedule as an actor and radio host, the radio DJ spent a lot of his waking hours working, leading to irregular eating habits, and only getting up to four hours of sleep daily. 

While he does have a home gym, he finds it difficult to carve out time for exercise due to low energy levels.

Eventually, Jack turned to Slim Doc for its UltraEM Plus treatment. It’s a non-invasive technology that uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate muscle contraction in a targeted area.

According to Slim Doc’s founders, the treatment is equivalent to doing nearly 40,000 sit-ups or crunches.

With the combination of Slim Doc’s treatments and monitoring, paired with diet control, Jack claims to have lost 13kg within six months and continues to seek follow-up treatments for maintenance purposes.

These results were achieved after multiple sessions, and he also adopted a couple of lifestyle changes recommended by Slim Doc’s beauticians.

“The benefit is that I didn’t need to change much of my diet. That’s important because I need food for energy,” he shared in an interview with Vulcan Post. 

Jack explained that he continues to reduce his carbs intake, incorporates more fibre into his diet, and follows a restricted eating schedule like eliminating supper, as advised by both his doctor and beauticians.

“So even now, the effects are still there, and the treatment has built my muscles and reduced internal fats,” said Jack, adding that his doctor has also praised him for his improved state of fatty liver syndrome. 

At the end of the day, Jack’s improved health and wellness from Slim Doc’s treatments is exactly what the company set out to do.

“Our goal is, we always focus on health first,” said Dr Terrence and Dr Michael. “It’s not just about losing weight; if you wanna stay slim, you need to stay healthy.”

Fitness, fun, and freebies

To boost the public’s awareness of health and wellness, Slim Doc’s first-ever New Year, New You Carnival was hosted at Sunway Velocity, KL between January 12-14, 2024.

Over the three-day event, guests could challenge their fitness and endurance levels at the carnival’s games, such as the King of Hammer, Pull-Up Bar, and Bicycle Juicer.

Doing so could get them free products from Slim Doc, One Doc, and Hair Doc, including a Bodyfit cream to help improve body fat burning in targeted areas, a hydrating mask to rejuvenate their skin, and a hair growth volumising shampoo for thicker hair.

To further encourage guests to pamper themselves, the carnival even offered free manicures, with a booth for tarot card reading.

We also spotted other booths featuring local businesses we’ve covered like Brotani, selling healthy and fresh cold-pressed MD2 pineapple juices to beat the heat.

Jack made an appearance during the final day of the carnival, which excited the crowd when he took the stage.

Attendees at Slim Doc’s carnival had the opportunity to experience the treatments that benefited Jack through lucky draw prizes totalling RM30,000.

Ultimately, One Doc’s first-ever New Year, New You Carnival was a fun-filled one which not only connected local small businesses to the community, but also highlighted the importance of taking care of your health.

When asked about whether Malaysians can expect more such carnivals, Dr Terrence and Dr Michael shared that they have yet to make their decision.

One thing’s for sure though, they will be focusing on expanding their beauty services regionally, starting with Singapore.

• Learn more about Slim Doc here.
• Read about other Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Slim Doc

[This is a sponsored article with Sidec.]

On December 10, 2023, five Malaysian brands returned from a week-long overseas business trip in Hangzhou, China.

Facilitated by Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), the expedition was part of the Selangor E-Commerce Xccelerator Programme 2023 (ECX23).

Briefly, the ECX23 programme aims to provide ecommerce entrepreneurs, business owners, and founders with the necessary aid to succeed in the competitive digital market.

The five Malaysian companies were selected based on their respective innovative business models, growth potential, and effective utilisation of the insights gained from the ECX23 programme.

The winners are:

Company	What they do
Nori Malaysia	Provides funding, ideas, and concepts to help celebrities build and grow their businesses and brands.
Pastels Group	Known for its brand, The Pastels Shop, it’s a local business that distributes K-beauty products and expanded to create its own line of skincare goods.
Shapee	Specialising in motherhood needs during pregnancy and the postpartum period, the company sells maternity and nursing products.
Sono Holding	A healthtech company providing detailed 5D and 4D ultrasound scans for the examination of expectant mothers.
Big Bath	Operational for over a decade, the company provides solutions for kitchen and bathroom amenities.

A glimpse into China’s ecommerce hub

Hangzhou was chosen for this expedition as it’s known to be a major ecommerce hub.

Deemed the “Silicon Valley of China”, Hangzhou is where Alibaba was born, and is ranked 10th on Fortune’s list of cities with the most Global 500 headquarters.

Did you know: Global 500 is Fortune Magazine’s annual ranking of the world’s 500 largest companies, measured by how much revenue they made in a single year.

Between December 9-13, 2023, the ECX23 winners delved into China’s AI Town and visited tech facilities focused on ecommerce, big data, cloud computing, IoT, and chip design.

Sidec also facilitated networking sessions between ECX23 entrepreneurs and Hangzhou business leaders. The goal was to help participants gain exposure to how modern technology can be utilised in their businesses to scale globally.

To understand the impact of the business trip on participants, we interviewed the participants to get their key takeaways.

1. The right partners can help you strategically expand to global markets

Shapee’s CEO, Eugene Eau shared that the Hangzhou expedition broadened his mindset about the possibilities of scaling his brand.

Previously, he believed that it was only viable to scale his SME within the Southeast Asian market.

Witnessing Alibaba’s growth in Hangzhou has shifted his mindset. Now, Eugene is convinced that penetrating the global market is possible with strategic ecommerce connections.

This is beneficial, as expanding globally can allow his business to access untapped markets and connect with a broader audience. By doing so, the brand can open up opportunities for increased revenue and long-term sustainability.

2. Prioritise customers by streamlining their end-to-end user experience

Sono Holding’s founder and director, Jezzlyn Siu Cia Yee, found inspiration in Alibaba’s emphasis on customer needs.

“Alibaba’s distinctive approach places employees second and shareholders third, reflecting a profound commitment to understanding market demands and meeting customer expectations,” she elaborated. 

This customer-centric approach has been the key to Alibaba’s growth around the globe. For instance, AliExpress allows businesses and consumers outside China to access affordable products from Chinese sellers. 

The company’s digital payment services like Alipay can also facilitate transactions on Alibaba’s platforms. This extends its customer reach to both offline and online transactions around the globe, serving various customer demographics.

In doing so, Alibaba has become a leading service provider by providing smooth interactions throughout every stage of a customer’s shopping experience. 

Jezzlyn aims to replicate this success, as understanding and fulfilling customer needs can foster customer retention and further growth for her company.

3. Keep up with the latest technologies that could benefit your business

On a similar note of prioritising customers, Jezzlyn underscored the importance of integrating innovative technologies for enhanced customer experiences at Sono Holding. 

Jezzlyn was inspired by the latest AI technologies showcased during the expedition, spanning live streaming, AI digitalisation, and cutting-edge marketing automation tools. 

She told Vulcan Post that these ideas have sparked discussions in her team to think up digital promotional strategies for Sono Holding’s products and services.

Founder of Pastels Group, Sarini Zainal Abidin was left with a similar takeaway for her business.

“Alibaba leverages big data and AI to enhance user experience, improve logistics, and personalise recommendations,” she noted.

Based on this learning, Sarini aims to utilise similar strategies in taking advantage of big data to design the right products that target the right audiences.

Elevating local businesses through international collaborations

Ultimately, the participants shared that the ECX23 expedition to Hangzhou opened their eyes to opportunities for expanding their sales channels. 

This overseas mission also highlights Sidec’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and enriching business networks. 

So, if you’d like to take part in future opportunities to connect with industry leaders and drive your business forward, registrations for the next ECX cohort will be opened in mid-2024 on Sidec’s website.

Sign-ups are also open for the Top E-Commerce Merchant Awards, which is a recognition programme for the most innovative homegrown e-commerce merchants in Malaysia.

• Learn more about the Selangor E-Commerce Xccelerator Programme here.
• Read other articles on Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: Sidec