Rightways

MBPP first local agency to launch AI chatbot

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:16:00 +0800

MBPP smart city unit staff Alia Jasmani and S. Shanmugapiriya giving an explanation to new user Lee Tzyy Chii, 38, on ChatMBPP during the launch in Bayan Lepas. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has launched its Gen.AI chatbot called ChatMBPP.

Developed by MBPP’s Smart City Unit with input from all 19 internal departments, the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot supports four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil.

ChatMBPP can respond to queries and initiate actions such as generating complaint tickets and routing them to relevant departments automatically.

The system is also part of MBPP’s agentic AI phase, enabling it to not only respond but trigger internal processes.

Rajendran says ChatMBPP will be a game changer in public service delivery.

The system is currently in beta, with MBPP noting that responses were AI-generated and for reference only, with accuracy to be improved over time.

Penang island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said ChatMBPP was a game changer in public service delivery, offering round-the-clock access for users to obtain information, lodge complaints and use the city council services.

“It brings MBPP closer to the people and moves us towards a smarter, more responsive digital administration.

“It serves as a simple, fast and user-friendly digital platform that operates 24/7, enabling seamless interaction between the public and local authority.

“ChatMBPP is specifically designed to handle queries related to MBPP’s city management functions, including services, procedures, public complaints, enforcement, taxation and responsibilities.

“The initiative aligns with national efforts to build AI-driven cities and complements frameworks such as Penang2030 and the Malaysia Smart City agenda, while maintaining human oversight to ensure accuracy and quality,” said Rajendran.

Gen.AI was launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Queensbay Mall, alongside Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye and Digital Ministry secretary-general Datuk Fabian Bigar.

Chow said the launch represented a shift in how the government engaged with the public.

Chow: ChatMBPP serves as a key entry point into a Penang AI City ecosystem.

“As we move towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 and adopt AI, government service delivery must also evolve to be faster, more accurate and without bureaucratic hurdles.”

Chow said Penang, which contributed 44.2% or RM65bil to Malaysia’s exports as of January 2026, could no longer rely on traditional and slower administrative methods.

He added that the initiative laid the foundation for a “Penang AI City”, where data was used to improve quality of life in an inclusive manner, with ChatMBPP serving as a key entry point into that ecosystem.

The chatbot is built on Amazon Web Services infrastructure and is tailored specifically for PP’s scope of services, including city management, enforcement, taxation and public complaints.MB

Fabian said the move represented a new benchmark for local authorities, describing it as a model for how generative AI could be applied in public service delivery nationwide.

He added that Digital Ministry had approved a 5G grant to support the initiative, enabling faster, real-time responses through robust infrastructure

SEIZING AGENTIC AI OPPORTUNITY IN M’SIA

The classic course on Generative AI by Martin Musiol; Can Generative AI unlock productivity and growth?

America’s war crimes

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0800

hid Hussain

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has claimed he could “take out Iran in one night” and has reiterated his threat to bomb the country “back to the Stone Ages” if Tehran does not comply with his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. More alarming, he proclaimed yesterday “a whole civilisation will die tonight”, interpreted by some as a threat to use nuclear weapons.

While detailing the extensive operation conducted by the US forces to rescue the crew of a fighter jet shot down by Iranian missiles, he seemed uncertain about the endgame in a war that has now entered its sixth week. His contradictory statements on how the war could end has left the world perplexed. After escalating his threat to decimate Iran, he hinted at a “less radicalised” Iranian leadership and a diplomatic solution. He claimed that regime change had already occurred in Iran.

Trump seemed unconcerned that his threat to bomb Iranian infrastructure could constitute a war crime. Earlier, he sparked a political firestorm by posting an expletive-laden warning to Iran and threatening further military escalation if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a deal on his terms. He also suggested seizing Iran’s oil fields, declaring, “To the victor belong the spoils”, as if he had already won the war.

The madness of the leader at the helm of the world’s most powerful nation seems knows no bounds. He is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially as Iran continues to refuse to capitulate despite the extensive destruction wrought by the US and Israel on its soil.

His delusional claims and mixed messages have left the world anxious. With only a day remaining, at the time of writing, before his deadline, the international community awaited Trump’s next move, particularly since Iran has rejected his ceasefire demands and threatened severe reprisals. The madness of the leader at the helm of the world’s most powerful nation seems knows no bounds. He is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially as Iran continues to refuse to capitulate despite the extensive destruction wrought by the US and Israel on its soil.

Trump’s growing war crimes and his latest threats are ominous. America, in coordination with Israel, has intensified attacks not only on civilian and energy infrastructure but also on educational and research centres. Several university campuses have been bombed. This appears to be part of Trump’s threat to decimate Iran.

According to Iranian authorities, at least 30 universities have been hit by US and Israel since the start of the war. Last week, a US-Israeli strike caused severe destruction at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran. Widely considered Iran’s best university, it is also ranked among the world’s top universities in the field of civil engineering and artificial intelligence. The iconic institution, which is a symbol of Iran’s modernisation, has produced some world-renowned mathematicians and engineers. Media reports suggest that many laboratories have been destroyed as the campus infrastructure was hit. The US-Israel coalition also bombed the Laser and Plasma Research Institute.

America, in coordination with Israel, has intensified attacks not only on civilian and energy infrastructure but also on educational and research centres. Photo: Reuters

Ignoring international outrage and condemnation, the US and Israel have continued to target academic institutions with an impunity rarely seen in modern history. In addition to striking university campuses, the US-Israel coalition has targeted eminent scientists and scholars. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed reports that Israeli strikes have killed several Iranian nuclear scientists, framing the campaign as part of a larger effort to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme.

Such attacks, aimed at decimating centres of higher learning and the scientific environment, not only violate international law but also constitute war crimes. These actions will perpetuate Israel’s American-backed genocidal war in Gaza and the wanton destruction of Lebanon. On the first day of the war, American missiles struck a school in Iran killing more than 150 girl students. Most concerning is the effort by the Trump administration to frame the conflict with Iran in religious and civilisational terms. Recently, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called for prayers for military victory “in the name of Jesus Christ”.

According to a report in the New York Times, “More than any top American military leader in recent history, Mr Hegseth has framed US military operations [...] as bigger than politics or foreign policy. Often he has imbued these actions with a Christian moral underpinning... .” He also prayed for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy”.

American troops are reportedly told that the conflict in Iran is aimed at paving the way for the end times and Armageddon. The belief is that Trump “has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to trigger Armageddon and mark His return to Earth”.

In a recent Pentagon news briefing, Hegseth reportedly stated: “Crazy regimes like Iran, hell-bent on [religious] delusions, cannot have nuclear weapons.” Religion is also employed to justify America’s support for Israel.

Mike Huckabee, American ambassador to Israel, reportedly told prominent commentator Tucker Carlson that it would be “fine” if Israel took “essentially the entire Middle East” because it was promised the land in the Bible. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Iran to the Amalekites, seen in Jewish tradition as representing evil.

US President Donald Trump has claimed he could ‘take out Iran in one night’ and has reiterated his threat to bomb the country ‘back to the Stone Ages.’ Photo: AFP

It is extremely dangerous to rationalise an imperialist war of aggression through religious and civilisational rhetoric. Trump’s actions have pushed the region closer to a wider conflagration and have also impacted the global economy. His latest statements have raised fears of further escalation.

The calculated assassinations of senior Iranian political and military leaders have created a serious leadership vacuum, likely to be filled by more radical elements, making any efforts at mediation extremely difficult.

While America and Israel can decimate Iran’s civil and military infrastructure, they cannot force it to capitulate. Iran has hardened its position, given the relentless destruction of its land, complicating any attempts at de-escalation. Trump’s threats of escalation have worsened the situation. We will have to wait and see what he does next.

This article was first published in The Dawn, an ANN partner of The Daily Star, on April 8, 2026.

Zahid Hussain is a Pakistani journalist and author. His Twitter handle is @hidhussain

Fulfilling duty to submit tax returns

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Thu, 9 Apr 2026 22:38:00 +0800

Taxpayers are legally required to keep documents for at least seven years.

The IRB would typically conduct audits on taxpayers and some of the common triggers or “low hanging fruit” for desk audits include issues such as sudden jump in relief claims (for example, lifestyle relief suddenly jumping from RM300 to RM2,500).

FOR individual taxpayers in Malaysia, April marks the month when the tax filing needs to be carried out by salaried individuals although the deadline is typically extended for e-filing as follows:

> Salaried individuals (no business): May 15, 2026.

> Individuals with business income: July 15, 2026.

It is advisable to file early as it helps avoid system congestion, errors, and penalties. Taxpayers should have the necessary documents before filing their tax returns.

These may include EA Forms (from employer), income records (freelance, rental, etc), receipts for tax relief claims (medical, education, lifestyle, etc).

There are various tax reliefs available to resident taxpayers such as the individual relief (RM9,000); Employees Provident Fund plus life insurance (up to RM7,000 combined); education and medical insurance; lifestyle and sports expenses; dependent/child reliefs, to name a few.

Making these claims where eligible can help reduce the tax liabilities.

It is also important to ensure that taxpayers do not make wrongful claims.

A case in point is the lifestyle relief which is capped at RM2,500.

The common items that qualify include books and journals; computers/laptops/tablets; Internet subscriptions; and digital newspaper subscriptions.

Frequently misclaimed items include making claims for a smartwatch, which is not accepted as a computer device and may be considered a wearable accessory.

Gaming consoles are generally not accepted as lifestyle learning devices; and only news or educational digital subscriptions may qualify; entertainment streaming often does not.

Taxpayers also tend to make claims without understanding or paying regard to the qualifying conditions to claim such reliefs.

For example, in the case of claiming a relief for medical expenses for parents (up to RM8,000), conditions often overlooked include the fact that the parents must be Malaysian residents and that the medical expenses must be supported with receipts from registered medical practitioners.

In order to claim childcare relief (up to RM3,000), the conditions include that the child must be six years old or below; the childcare centre must be registered with the authorities and that the relief is claimable by one parent only.

All income earned by individuals is generally taxable unless specifically exempted (for example foreign sourced income, subject to certain conditions).

If an employed taxpayer has side income (business/freelance) such as from TikTok monetisation, freelancing or affiliate marketing, the individual needs to file a Form B and not BE (which is meant for persons that earn only employment income).

Many gig workers file Form BE and do not declare the side income, which can lead to under-reporting penalties.

The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) increasingly tracks digital income through platform data.

With effect from the year of assessment 2025 (YA25), the interest paid to finance the purchase of a residential property is given a tax relief of RM7,000, where the purchase price of the property does not exceed RM500,000, and a lower relief of RM5,000 is given if the purchase price of the property is more than RM500,000 but nor more than RM750,000.

This is on the condition that the residential property is the first residential property purchased by the individual. Taxpayers need to be mindful that only interest, not the full installment, is claimable.

All submissions must be done online via MyTax – manual filing is no longer accepted. First-time users would need to register and activate their digital certificate.

The move by the IRB to use MyKad/identification number as the Tax Identification Number (Tin) simplifies identification as there is no need to remember a separate tax number.

The registration on MyTax automatically links to the MyKad/passport.

For existing taxpayers, the old Tins are mapped to the MyKad automatically.

This will also facilitate logging in and identification across government systems becoming more seamless.

Taxpayers are legally required to keep documents for at least seven years.

Digital copies accepted include:

> Scanned PDF receipts.

> Clear photos of receipts.

> E-receipts from email.

> Bank statements showing payment.

> Invoices from official websites.

It is recommended that these should be stored in cloud storage with folders by year. Thermal receipts should be scanned immediately.

The IRB would typically conduct audits on taxpayers and some of the common triggers or “low hanging fruit” for desk audits include issues such as sudden jump in relief claims (for example, lifestyle relief suddenly jumping from RM300 to RM2,500); employer PCB (monthly tax deductions) records do not match the declared amount; unrealistic medical claims whereby large medical claims are made with no supporting documentation or duplicate claims (both spouses claiming the same relief).

For YA25, the key message to readers would be to prepare early, file accurately, claim all eligible reliefs, and submit the income tax return forms, as well as to make the payment of the taxes before the deadline.

By Harvindar Singh,wh0 is a council member of the Chartered Tax Institute of Malaysia and a tax partner of SCS Global Consulting (M) Sdn Bhd. The views expressed here are the writer’s ow

Why nitric oxide is important for our health

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 19:40:00 +0800

Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to relax and dilate, allowing for more blood to pass through when needed. — Wikimedia Commons

Nitric oxide (NO

) is a vital signaling molecule produced naturally by the body that acts as a vasodilator, relaxing and widening blood vessels to increase blood flow, improve oxygen delivery, and lower blood pressure. It is essential for cardiovascular health, erectile function, immune system strength, and regulating neurotransmission in the brain.

https://youtu.be/rY-ohQNFwuY https://youtu.be/QlMyjO6X7gQ?si=7PoJQ8hBz5EK_LSY <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O4mUnFQafsY?si=HnpMUM12iBIvlEuO" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe><iframe width="900" height="506" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rY-ohQNFwuY" title="The Science of Nitric Oxide | Consumer Health Animation" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O4mUnFQafsY?si=HwHE0QDSHmytaJfD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Many of the chronic health challenges we face as adults in Malaysia now – like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, fatigue, brain fog and sexual health conditions – are often treated as separate problems.

But from a health and long-term perspective of functional medicine and ageing, these problems that can apparently be separated from one another often seem to have a common denominator: declining blood vessel health.

Central to this process is the naturally-occurring molecule nitric oxide, which is responsible for circulation, metabolism, immune balance and healthy ageing.

Nitric oxide is a gas formed in the body that relaxes and widens the channels of blood vessels within the body – a process called vasodilation.

This basic action helps to ensure that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to all tissues in the body.

Even in very small amounts, nitric oxide has a huge impact on health.

It is typically considered in functional medicine to be a marker of vascular age as healthy blood vessels are crucial for determining how well the body functions over time.

Here is why nitric oxide matters to our health:

> Heart disease and high blood pressure

Heart disease remains a major cause of death in Malaysia.

Many people assume that high blood pressure or heart disease are just a consequence of advancing age or genetic fate.

In fact, one major contributor to these conditions is endothelial dysfunction, in which the lining of a blood vessel loses its ability to produce adequate nitric oxide.

When nitric oxide levels are low, our blood vessels become stiff and inflamed, causing the heart to work harder and blood pressure to eventually rise.

The longer this goes on, the more likely you are to experience complications like heart attack and stroke.

> Diabetes and metabolic syndrome

Nitric oxide also contributes to metabolic health, which has become an increasingly serious issue in Malaysia.

A sufficient level of nitric oxide assists in increasing cellular insulin sensitivity and aiding glucose to enter the muscles more effectively.

With decreased production of nitric oxide, insulin resistance and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes increases.

This vascular-metabolic connection explains why people with diabetes are at much higher risk for heart disease, and why the health of blood vessels is critical in long-term diabetes management.

> Ageing brains

Nitric oxide is crucial for brain health and cognitive longevity.

Reduced availability of nitric oxide is associated with impaired cerebral blood flow and a greater risk of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease.

The brain is exceptionally sensitive to changes in blood flow, and even small decreases in circulation can threaten memory, concentration and mental clarity.

From a lifelong perspective, sustaining healthy blood flow to the brain is the most critical means of preserving cognitive function and independence in old age.

> Energy and stamina

Nitric oxide is closely related to a person’s energy level and physical stamina.

A lot of middle-aged and elder Malaysians say that they are easily fatigued, have low exercise resistance or take longer to recover after playing sports.

Although such symptoms are frequently ascribed to ageing, they often indicate diminished nitric oxide generation instead.

When blood vessels do not dilate properly, muscles get less oxygen for activity, leading to mild tiredness and slower recovery.

Supporting pathways through nitric oxide helps to preserve mobility, strength and vitality – key elements of healthy ageing.

> Sexual health

Another important insight into nitric oxide status comes from sexual health.

Early indicators of the ageing of the vascular system often occur in men via erectile dysfunction and women via impaired sexual responsiveness.

Nitric oxide is critical for genital blood flow and normal sexual function, so trouble in that area often shows up years before more significant cardiovascular symptoms come about.

Thus, sexual health in functional medicine is conceptualised not just as an individual problem, but also as a window into overall cardiovascular and metabolic health.

> Living longer

Nitric oxide production naturally decreases with age due to several key factors.

Sadly, Malaysia’s modern lifestyle aspects – i.e. physical inactivity, consumption of refined carbohydrates and ultra-process-ed foods, chronic stress, poor sleep, smoking, and chronic metabolic disease – only exacerbate this decline.

When the amount of nitric oxide drops, blood vessels become stiffer, inflammation rises and the body’s capacity for coping with stress decreases.

This accelerates biological ageing and raises the risk of various chronic diseases.

From a functional medicine and longevity standpoint, the idea is to not just treat disease once it starts, but also preserve nitric oxide levels over the course of a lifetime by promoting early and consistent production.

It requires that the body’s natural nitric oxide pathways be supported by lifestyle and nutritional approaches, rather than relying only on drugs for the treatment of late stage disease.

Some examples of nitrate-containing vegetables in Malaysia include:

Spinach (bayam)
Water spinach (kangkung)
Mustard greens (sawi)
Lettuce
Beetroot
Ulam-ulam (pegaga, selom, daun ketumbar).

These vegetables help to fuel the nitrate to nitrite to nitric oxide pathway, which depends on healthful oral bacteria.

This pathway may be blocked by excessive use of antiseptic mouthwash.

Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management and so on are also important to reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which quickly destroy nitric oxide and decrease blood vessel function.

> Ageing healthily

Nitric oxide, in the context of healthy ageing, is much more than a cardiovascular molecule.

It says everything about health as a healthy circulatory system serves all organs in the body.

Sufficient nitric oxide is related to higher energy metabolism, higher cognitive function, better metabolic control, healthier sexual function and resilience with ageing.

By boosting nitric oxide production, people aren’t just adding years to life, but are maximising the quality of those years.

Clinically, nitric oxide provides a valuable model of why many co-existing chronic diseases are often clustered in the same individual.

High blood pressure, diabetes, fatigue, erectile dysfunction and cognitive complaints are often treated independent of one another, but tend to stem from the same underlying problem: vascular dysfunction with a reduced availability of nitric oxide.

In a clinical setting, signs such as low exercise tolerance, chronic fatigue or sexual dysfunction should not be dismissed as standard ageing.

These findings are frequently early indicators of compromised endothelial function and increased risk of cardiometabolic disease.

Early intervention in nitric oxide pathways can help clinicians to prevent irreversible damage before it happens.

Do note however, that functional medicine does not replace medical treatment; it is an answer to root causes, not a substitute for clinical care.

Medications are often needed when necessary and life-saving, but improved long-term health happens when lifestyle problems, nutrition, metabolic state, sleep and stress are treated in parallel with pharmacological treatment.

Providing interventions to support nitric oxide production and utilisation by vascular systems provide an opportunity to enhance vascular resilience and potentially reduce the burden of future disease.

For patients, the real message is empowerment.

The many factors that affect nitric oxide – physical activity, diet, gut and oral health, sleep quality and stress – can be changed.

Even modest and consistent changes can lead to significant improvements in circulation, vitality and overall health.

Preserving nitric oxide is ultimately about protecting the body’s internal highways that connect oxygen, nutrients and signals to every cell.

When these are kept open and flexible, the body ages more slowly, recovers more efficiently and stays in use for longer.

This is what longevity-led, preventive care is about.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Informa-tion published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

SEIZING AGENTIC AI OPPORTUNITY IN M’SIA

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 23:36:00 +0800

Leading companies are moving beyond experimentation as a third of “AI future-built” firms have deployed agentic solutions and are demonstrating measurable value.

MALAYSIA stands at a critical inflection point in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race.

After the surge of generative AI, a new wave is emerging in the form of agentic AI.

Agentic AI are AI execution models involving autonomous agents that coordinate across workflows, tools and systems with minimal human input.

While it stops short of true autonomous decision-making, agentic AI’s ability to make actionable decisions within predefined parameters is a game changer.

Malaysia has a solid foundation to build on.

According to Boston Consultant Group’s AI Maturity Matrix, which benchmarks 73 economies globally on AI exposure and AI readiness, Malaysia is classified as a “steady contender”.

It places the nation just one tier behind AI pioneers such as the United States, the United Kingdom and China.

This position reflects Malaysia’s significant exposure to AI, particularly in large sectors like retail and wholesale, telecommunication and financial services.

At the same time, it indicates a solid level of AI readiness, supported by forward-looking ambitions, policies and regulatory frameworks on AI.

An evolving AI landscape

AI is rapidly becoming a critical national infrastructure that empowers wider opportunities.

As a result, geopolitical shifts, compute access and sovereign capability increasingly determine economic outcomes and geopolitical influence.

The US and China lead the global AI race.

Tech companies from these two superpowers created 59% and 26%, respectively, of top-performing large language models (LLM).

This presents a conundrum for competing nations.

Relying solely on external technology providers poses challenges for corporate leaders and governments, especially since local regulations, data requirements and model availability are subject to shifting policies.

Against this backdrop, a small group of “GenAI middle powers” is emerging across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Each has distinct strengths that might allow it to compete as a regional or global technology supplier.

This race now expands beyond software to encompass hardware, infrastructure and technology adoption.

Malaysia must actively build its domestic AI capabilities to avoid high technology sovereignty risks as it looks to the future of agentic AI.

Execution speed and scale will dictate whether Malaysia leads in Asean or falls behind.

Encouragingly, the Digital Ministry, through the establishment of the National AI Office (NAIO), is driving a coordinated national AI agenda – spanning governance frameworks, cross-sector adoption and ecosystem development.

These efforts lay the critical foundations for more advanced applications, including the next wave of agentic AI.

Productivity multiplier

Globally, the shift is already underway and early signs indicate that the rise of agentic AI will be rapid.

BCG’s Build for the Future 2025 study shows that agentic AI’s share of AI-driven value is expected to nearly double from 17% in 2025 to 29% by 2028.

Leading companies are moving beyond experimentation – one-third of “AI future-built” firms have deployed agentic solutions and are demonstrating measurable value.

Early adopters are already unlocking tangible benefits. BCG’s study shows that while companies are exploring agentic AI across operations, support functions and innovation, customer experience is emerging as the top priority.

Leading use cases include deploying intelligent agents to autonomously handle Level 1 and Level 2 customer support, as well as optimising digital marketing campaigns – continuously adjusting bids to maximise returns, reallocating spend to high-performing channels and testing creatives in real time.

AI undoubtedly represents a powerful productivity multiplier for Malaysia.

It can strengthen key economic sectors such as manufacturing, financial services and many other industries. For SMEs, agentic AI can lower the cost of sophistication, providing access to capabilities once reserved for large enterprises.

Beyond the private sector, agentic AI can modernise public services and improve policy-making decisions and delivery in healthcare, education and justice.

It can help bridge urban-rural divides by expanding access to digital services and decision support.

In a nation balancing growth ambitions with demographic and fiscal constraints, agentic AI is not merely a technology upgrade – it is a lever for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Four strategic priorities

To compete effectively in this next phase of AI, Malaysia must act with clarity and intent across four priorities.

> Build sovereign AI capabilities. Malaysia could strategically build sovereign AI capabilities in areas where it has natural strengths and where risk mitigation matters most.

This includes expanding reliable access to compute, leveraging its growing data centre ecosystem.

A pragmatic and technology-neutral approach that combines global technology partnerships with targeted domestic capability-building will be more effective than pursuing full-stack independence.

Technology partnerships could focus on leveraging leading AI innovations from both Western and Eastern ecosystems in a neutral manner.

Open-source AI models offer a practical pathway to reduce dependency risks, accelerate adoption and support local customisation.

At the same time, efforts could focus on enabling responsible use of high-quality local datasets.

> Invest aggressively in talent. Malaysia must pair global talent attraction with sustained local capability development to build the AI workforce needed to compete at scale.

It could aggressively attract top global AI talent through competitive incentives, strong research ecosystems and vibrant innovation hubs, while simultaneously building a deep domestic pipeline of AI talent.

This requires strengthening STEM education, expanding university–industry collaboration, embedding AI in technical and vocational training and accelerating workforce upskilling across sectors.

> Scale national platforms. Malaysia must move from fragmented pilots to scaled national platforms, anchored on high-impact use cases – such as a unified government interface linked to MyDigitalID.

This platform provides a common foundation to embed AI agents that deliver personalised public services.

Scaling up such platforms will catalyse greater private-sector participation and ensure sustainable adoption of agentic AI.

In addition, Malaysia could strengthen exchange platforms that bring together the government, industry and academia to accelerate collaboration, capability-building and use case development.

Associations such as AI Malaysia (AIM), Malaysian Autonomous Intelligence & Robotics Association (MyAIRA), along with other industry associations, can play a critical role in sharing best practices, mobilising talent and aligning stakeholders to drive ecosystem-wide adoption of agentic AI.

> Implement pro-innovation regulation. Malaysia needs regulations that protect users but also preserve competition.

Policymakers could favour a flexible model over rigid frameworks, particularly in a fast-evolving technological landscape.

Malaysia could pursue a balanced approach – combining principle-based guidelines, regulatory sandboxes and sector-specific standards that can evolve alongside the technology.

Priming Malaysia for growth is critical, but it is essential that this is done through a forward-looking and ethical approach.

Malaysia has the opportunity to differentiate itself by championing ethical, inclusive AI.

This is a core foundation of effective AI adoption, and should align with national values, ensuring that trust and confidence underpin the next wave of innovation in agentic AI.

Defining the future

The stakes are clear. AI investment compounds rapidly. Early movers attract capital, talent and vibrant ecosystems.

The choice is not whether AI will reshape the Malaysian economy.

The choice is whether Malaysia will shape that transformation with speed, clarity and ambition while remaining anchored to core Malaysian values.

CF Ong is managing director and senior partner in Boston Consulting Group.

Optimising stroke care through the Angels initiative

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:17:10 +0800

Stroke remains one of Malaysia’s most pressing health challenges, consistently ranking among the country’s top causes of death.

Aside from the fatality rate, stroke often leaves survivors with lifelong disabilities, affecting not only individuals, but entire families.

In response, the Acute Networks Striving for Excellence in Stroke (Angels) initiative aims to help strengthen stroke care nationwide.

Launched in 2016 by German multinational pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim and endorsed by the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) and the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), the Angels initiative helps hospitals worldwide become “stroke-ready”.

Its goal is straightforward: to improve stroke treatment by providing hospitals with the tools, resources and support necessary to ensure timely, effective care.

By enhancing hospital preparedness and increasing stroke awareness, the initiative helps healthcare teams deliver faster and more effective treatment.

For Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) consultant neurologist and stroke care leader Dr Law Wan Chung, the initiative arrived at a critical time.

“Stroke has consistently been among the top three causes of death in Malaysia over the past 10 to 15 years,” he explains.

“The Angels initiative is very timely for Malaysia, as we urgently need to reduce both mortality and morbidity related to stroke.”

Every minute matters

There are two main types of strokes: ischaemic, caused by a blood clot blocking a vessel in the brain, and haemorrhagic, caused by ruptured blood vessels that result in bleeding.

The most common type of stroke in Malaysia is ischaemic.

“Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells begin to die within minutes,” Dr Law explains.

“One minute lost means 1.9 million nerve cells are lost.

“Every 15-minute delay significantly reduces the chance of patient recovery.”

He adds: “Treatment must be delivered within four-and-a-half hours of symptom onset.

“This means patients need to reach the hospital within that window, undergo examination, and most importantly, receive brain imaging to determine whether they are eligible for treatment.”

Yet, many patients arrive too late.

Data from the National Stroke Registry shows that only about 35% reach the hospital within that window.

“On average, patients take around seven hours to seek medical care – far beyond the ideal time frame,” Dr Law notes.

If patients arrive early and meet the criteria, doctors will administer intravenous clot-dissolving medication to break down the blockage and restore blood flow.

However, for patients with large vessel occlusion, where a major artery is blocked, medication alone may not be sufficient.

In such cases, a wire may be inserted through a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy – a minimally-invasive method to physically remove the clot.

Together, these two are the most effective treatments for ischaemic stroke patients, and form the core focus of the Angels initiative in Malaysia and globally.

Becoming stroke-ready

Before participating hospitals are chosen for the Angels initiative, they must first meet essential criteria.

Promoting public awareness of stroke and the importance of seeking treatment quickly is one of the requirements of the Angels initiative. Photos: Filepic

This includes having a specialist doctor trained in stroke care and access to neuroimaging facilities such as a CT (computed tomography) scanner or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Once identified, hospitals receive on-site training from the Angels team to establish clear workflows and treatment criteria.

This starts from public awareness and extends to emergency medical services (EMS), i.e. ambulance services.

EMS personnel are trained to recognise stroke symptoms, prioritise patients within the treatment window and alert hospitals in advance.

Upon arrival, whether by ambulance or walk-in, the emergency department rapidly assesses patients and sends them for urgent brain imaging in radiology before a neurologist’s evaluation.

Public awareness also plays a crucial role.

Healthcare providers promote the BE FAST mnemonic to help people recognise warning signs:

B: Balance problems
E: Eye or vision disturbance
F: Facial drooping
A: Arm or leg weakness
S: Speech difficulties (slurred or confused speech)
T: Time, emphasising the urgency of seeking medical help.

“Even one sudden symptom is enough to go to hospital,” Dr Law stresses.

Specific targets

Performance is closely monitored by the Angels team.

Stroke centres are graded gold, platinum or diamond based on key indicators.

These include the total number of stroke patients seen, the minimum number of patients treated over a given period, and the percentage of patients who receive clot-busting treatment.

One critical benchmark is door-to-needle time – i.e. the interval between hospital arrival and treatment – with an international target of 60 minutes.

“At SGH, our initial door-to-needle time was nearly two hours,” Dr Law says.

“Through systematic auditing, we reduced it to under 60 minutes.”

Another key measure tracks the proportion of eligible patients who receive treatment, ensuring that no suitable patient is missed.

Dr Law stresses that leadership is equally vital and that having a dedicated “stroke champion” to coordinate teams and drive improvement is essential.

With only around 170 practising neurologists nationwide and most large hospitals having only one or two, 24-hour coverage remains challenging.

“We cannot rely only on neurologists,” he says.

“This role may also be taken on by physicians, geriatricians or emergency specialists, depending on the hospital’s resources.

“Everyone must work in sync.”

Currently, SGH has earned 10 Gold Awards for hospital performance and one Diamond Award for ambulance performance.

The awards are assessed every three months, requiring hospitals to consistently maintain performance standards.

Beyond individual hospitals, Kuching has been recognised this year (2026) by the WSO as an Angels Region – a designation awarded to areas where community awareness, EMS partnerships and acute hospital care are optimised to deliver better outcomes for stroke patients.

Achieving this requires hospitals, emergency services, local authorities and public educators to work in concert to provide safe, coordinated care for stroke patients in their communities.

Other areas in Malaysia that have received this recognition include the Barat Daya district in Penang and Taiping in Perak.

Introducing a common framework

When Angels was first introduced in Malaysia, stroke services were limited.

In 2017, only about 34 hospitals provided organised stroke-ready treatment, often on a case-by-case basis.

In fact, SGH had already begun 24/7 hyper-acute stroke care as early as 2015, becoming the first hospital in Malaysia to do so.

“The early years were challenging,” Dr Law recalls.

“There was no established system. Everything had to be built from scratch.”

Over time, workflows were refined and systems strengthened.

“We could see that the model worked.”

In 2017, when the Angels initiative was introduced, SGH was the first in East Malaysia to participate and adopt the international protocols and guidelines.

“It allowed us to monitor, audit and expand services – first across the state, and later, nationwide,” he says.

Rather than operating independently, hospitals could work towards shared targets, fostering collaboration and replacing fragmented efforts with a coordinated, standardised approach.

Today, 47 hospitals under the Health Ministry, six under the Higher Education Ministry and 48 private hospitals nationwide provide hyper-acute stroke services.

In East Malaysia, 22 hospitals participate in the initiative, including 12 in Sarawak.

Reaching rural communities

In East Malaysia, geography is often an impediment to getting stroke patients treated quickly, with some needing to be flown to hospitals that have stroke care units.

For patients living near urban centres, access to stroke care is relatively straightforward.

In rural Sarawak, however, geography poses significant challenges.

To address this, an integrated ambulance network was established.

“Patients in smaller district hospitals within the Kuching region – including Bau, Serian and Lundu – can be rapidly transferred,” Dr Law explains.

These cluster hospitals lack neuroimaging equipment, requiring transfer to SGH for such facilities.

“If patients present within the treatment window, ambulances may bypass nearer facilities and transport them directly to SGH to have everything done here, including imaging and treatment,” he says.

Today, most Sarawak hospitals with specialist support and neuroimaging provide hyper-acute stroke care, forming referral networks with smaller facilities.

Mechanical thrombectomy, however, remains limited.

SGH is currently the only centre in Sarawak offering the procedure.

For smaller district hospitals outside Kuching, treatment still relies heavily on medication to dissolve clots.

“Patients from other districts may require air transfer.

“Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, where ambulances can transport patients over long distances by road, Sarawak’s geography presents challenges, as the state is much larger,” he says.

“Ideally, patients should reach Kuching within six hours, although it may still be considered up to 24 hours after symptom onset.

“Upon arrival, doctors reassess whether brain tissue remains viable before proceeding.”

Dr Law emphasises that the most important message the public needs to understand is that stroke is treatable, and in many cases, reversible.

“The earlier treatment is given, the better the chances of full recovery.”

Sticker shock, Memory squeeze, Why RAM prices are surging in Malaysia

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 22:54:36 +0800

DDR5, the latest generation of memory, promises faster speeds and better efficiency than older DDR4 modules, which makes it particularly desirable and thus more expensive. — Photo by Rémy on Unsplash

Picture this: Your computer starts lagging.

Programs take longer to load, and switching between tasks feels more laborious than ever. Perhaps it’s time for an upgrade, you think – maybe adding more RAM (random access memory) to give it a performance boost.

It’s a simple upgrade, so it shouldn’t cost much, you think to yourself.

But consumers in Malaysia should be prepared for sticker shock when they visit their local computer store for an upgrade.

According to the National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom), the “RAM crunch” is driving up the price of memory components, which are essential for laptops, smartphones and tablets.

“Pikom members across the device ecosystem, including global brands, distributors and system integrators, are already seeing clear signals of rising memory component prices,” says chairman Alex Liew in a statement to StarLifestyle.

He explains that when RAM and SSD (solid-state drive) prices increase globally, manufacturers face higher production costs, which often lead to higher device prices or fewer configuration options for consumers.

“These increases are largely driven by strong global demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure and hyperscale data centres. A significant portion of the available memory supply is now being directed towards these high-growth sectors,” he adds.

Liew says the supply available for consumer electronics has tightened, pushing up component prices. For consumers, the impact is likely to appear through higher device prices or adjustments in memory and storage configurations.

“Industry forecasts suggest these pricing pressures could persist into 2027 if global demand continues to outpace supply,” he adds.

During a visit to a mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, on a recent Sunday afternoon, retail staff disclosed that customers were shocked when informed of the latest RAM pricing.

“I told one customer that it’s going to cost a minimum of RM800 for 16GB DDR4 RAM for laptops. It used to cost about RM200 to RM400 at this time last year. The customer said it’s too expensive,” says a sales representative who only wanted to be known as Majid, adding that DDR5 RAM would cost at least RM1,000.

He adds that in his 10 years of experience, it’s his first time seeing RAM prices go up significantly.

Another retailer, M. Wasim, says: “Nobody is upgrading now. I told a customer that a 16GB DDR5 RAM upgrade is going to cost at least RM900 and he walked away.”

DDR5, the latest generation of memory, promises faster speeds and better efficiency than older DDR4 modules, which makes it particularly desirable and thus more expensive.

In a popular chain store, a sales assistant who asked to be known as Lun says a desktop 32GB DDR5 RAM now costs at least RM2,000, compared to about RM700 last year.

A customer who overheard him talk about the pricing exclaimed, “That’s crazy.”

Even if customers can afford the upgrade, they may face longer waits for new stock, as Lun explains that suppliers for popular brands can only provide limited quantities.

“RAM prices are updated according to the supplier’s list. It’s like gold as the rates change every week,” he explains.

The Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) deputy president Azrul Zafri Azmi says the group has received enquiries from consumers on the recent increase in gadget pricing, noting growing concerns.

“This is particularly significant because computers and smartphones are no longer luxury items. They have become essential tools for education, employment, business operations and access to digital services,” he says.

Consumers pinched

Some, like Kuala Lumpur-based software engineer Wong Qi Lun, have already begun to feel the pinch of the spike in computer hardware prices. He experienced a sudden hard drive failure in his computer, necessitating a replacement.

While he managed to find a replacement, he says that it “seemed that a lot of the shops either sold out of consumer models, and only had surveillance models (which tend to have slower performance) or were entirely out of stock at the time”, recalling that he only paid around RM450 for a 4TB hard drive just a few years ago.

IT operations engineer Navin Gunna spent RM2,000 on 16GB of DDR4 RAM last year. Based on current market pricing for RAM, he estimates it would cost more than double for the same amount of RAM today.

“It felt like I dodged a bullet and saved quite a bit. It feels like prices shot up the moment I completed my build, and some stuff is just unavailable now,” he says.

Wong, on the other hand, was not as lucky. He originally wanted to buy a laptop for personal projects and some light gaming, but was surprised to see prices much higher than he expected.

Wong had hoped to get a laptop with a mid‑range processor and around 16GB DDR5 RAM for between RM2,000 to RM3,000, but found most new options are now starting from RM4,000 onwards.

If a device is needed now for work or study, Pikom’s Liew advises consumers to prioritise future-proof specs when considering their next purchase.

Apart from components, Liew says consumers should also expect some upward movement in device prices compared with previous years, particularly for models with higher memory and storage configurations.

Change in plans

For now, Wong says he’s putting his plans for a new laptop on hold and may consider buying a second-hand device instead. Even though it may be older and less powerful, he’s willing to compromise for affordability.

“The laptop would have enabled me to work on my things on the go, away from my home workstation. I’ll be able to weather the storm, so to speak, but I do feel bad for the folks going to school or who have a critical need for these devices,” he says.

Based in Muar, Johor, computer technician Muhammad Riduwan Masrom says his store mostly sees customers who are students from the Pagoh Education Hub, an integrated higher education centre.

“When students come in saying they need more RAM because their current setup can’t handle graphics-rendering software or other university projects that require more computing power, I have to break it to them that even an 8GB upgrade now costs at least RM400. Last year before October, it would only cost around RM200,” he says, adding that the price for RAM components have been increasing since then.

Most, he says, would prefer a 16GB upgrade. Upon hearing the price, the students tell him that they can’t afford it, so Muhammad Riduwan would advise them to try the secondary market.

“They can come back with the RAM once they have it and I’ll just charge them for installation,” he adds.

Need for upgrade

According to Lun, most customers seeking an upgrade say they need it for rendering, editing, gaming, or live streaming – all activities that can demand as much as 32GB RAM.

“Even if you’re not looking to do extensive work on your computer, a minimum 16GB is recommended to run the latest Windows 11 smoothly. We find younger consumers are willing to pay more to upgrade for improved performance while older users say they can wait,” adds Lun.

The International Data Corporation (IDC), a global market research firm that provides data and insights on technology trends, reported in December last year that tightening global memory supply is bringing an end to the era of cheap, abundant memory and storage for consumers and enterprises.

In a new report on Feb 28, IDC says: “The current situation is now more negative than even our most pessimistic scenarios suggested just a few months ago.”

Memory price surges are also affecting the trend of affordable smartphones with flagship features adding that since memory makes up 10% to 20% of device cost, manufacturers may have to “raise prices, reduce specs, or both”.

It also expects the memory supply challenges to persist throughout 2026 and likely well into 2027.

“While we do anticipate that the rate of memory price acceleration will slow in the second half of this year, prices will continue to rise and remain elevated,” it says in the report.

Future-proofing

If a device is needed now for work or study, Pikom’s Liew advises consumers to prioritise future-proof specs when considering their next purchase.

Azrul Zafri also recommends that consumers pay more attention to practicality and value rather than aiming for the latest models: “In many cases, mid-range devices or slightly older models can still deliver excellent performance for everyday tasks such as studying, office work, content creation and communication.”

“Consumers are also encouraged to compare prices across multiple retailers and online platforms before making a purchase. Price differences between sellers can sometimes be significant, and careful comparison can help consumers obtain better value.

“Ultimately, MCCA encourages consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and to avoid unnecessary upgrades during periods of global supply uncertainty,” he adds.

As the RAM crunch is largely driven by global semiconductor supply cycles, Liew says direct price intervention from a policy standpoint may not be practical, but adds that “policy measures can help support digital access for consumers. For example, the government currently provides Lifestyle Tax Relief of up to RM2,500 for the purchase of personal computers, smartphones or tablets.”

“Given rising device costs due to global component prices, Pikom believes there is merit in considering an increase of this relief to RM3,000,” he says.

Liew believes that such a measure would help Malaysians to continue accessing essential digital tools for work, education and productivity, while supporting the country’s broader digital economy goals.

On his part, Lun says most consumers have been understanding when informed of the higher cost for RAM upgrades.

“I usually explain to customers that the price increase is due to suppliers prioritising AI infrastructure demand and they can accept that,” he says, adding that consumers also tell him that they will learn to adapt

Shaping the future

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:30:00 +0800

While the us continues to engage in more violent conflict abroad, china routinely plans for better quality growth and development.

Shaping the future CHINA’S most important annual meetings this month come at an unusual and intriguing time.

The weeklong National People’s Congress (NPC) meeting currently underway, flowing into another week for the Chinese

https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20260308/281865829968970 https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20260308/281865829968970

https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20260308/281865829968970

Shaping the future

While the us continues to engage in more violent conflict abroad, china routinely plans for better quality growth and development.

BUNN NAGARA Bunn Nagara is director and senior fellow at the Renaissance Strategic Research Institute, and honorary fellow at the Perak Academy. The views expressed here are solely the writer’s own.

8 Mar 2026

Shaping the future

While the us continues to engage in more violent conflict abroad, china routinely plans for better quality growth and development.

8 Mar 2026

Real-life rating for airconds

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 20:20:00 +0800

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PETALING JAYA: Air conditioner units will now be rated by how well they perform in real life, but experts say the new ratings will take time to be accepted by consumers.

Under the framework updated in January, a unit will be judged by how efficiently it cools a room relative to the electricity it consumes over a year, with higher values indicating better energy efficiency, rather than fixed laboratory conditions.

The change means the star rating now reflects real-life cooling performance more accurately rather than just controlled test results.

The rating is aimed at helping households better identify more energy-efficient air conditioner units which are usually pricier.

Previously, air conditioners were rated largely based on fixed laboratory testing conditions, where five stars indicated the most energy-efficient units under the earlier benchmark.

While the system still uses the familiar one to five-star labels, the performance benchmarks have been tightened.

The changes aim to curb rating inflation, drive manufacturer innovation and support national energy-efficiency goals as air conditioner ownership continues to rise.

ALSO READ: Consumers now more aware of energy efficiency

Universiti Tenaga Nasional senior lecturer Dr Amar Hisham Jaafar, who led a national research project on the local electrical appliance market, said the revised labels under the new Guidelines on Energy-Using Product framework made it easier for consumers to distinguish genuinely efficient products.

“Air conditioners are already a common household appliance. The Statistics Department reported that 68.8% of households owned air conditioners in 2024.

“When air conditioners are used daily, mainly at night, electricity cost becomes a long-term household commitment rather than a one-off purchase decision,” he said.

Amar Hisham said the revised rating system will help households opt for models which could deliver the same level of comfort using less electricity.

“When a label is credible and the performance criteria tightened, it becomes easier for consumers to distinguish genuinely efficient products from those that only look attractive based on price,” he added.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

He said households that relied heavily on air conditioning are likely to consider higher-efficiency models, even if it costs more initially, as energy savings will accumulate over time.

“The revised schedule raises the benchmark for new products entering the market. It does not mean that existing air conditioners suddenly become inefficient overnight.

“Air conditioners typically last between 10 and 15 years if properly maintained. Regular servicing, cleaning the filters and setting reasonable temperatures can help households keep the unit running efficiently,” he said.

On the revised rating system, Amar Hisham said labels alone might not be enough to change buying behaviour, mainly among lower-income households.

“Labels work best when they are combined with public understanding and practical support.

“Clearer explanations of how star ratings translate into electricity use and monthly costs will help consumers make better purchasing decisions,” he said.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah advised consumers to better understand lifetime ownership costs rather than focusing solely on sticker prices.

“For households that use air conditioners frequently, the difference in electricity consumption between low-efficiency units and four- to five-star models can be significant.

“Families can realistically expect savings of about 20% to 40% on cooling-related electricity use, depending on usage patterns.

“Over several years, that can translate into hundreds or even thousands of ringgit,” he said.

RM79.6bil windfall for EPF members

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 22:39:00 +0800

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SHAH ALAM: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has declared a lower dividend for 2025 at 6.15% for both conventional and syariah accounts.

The total dividend payout for 2025 is RM79.6bil, whereby RM67.1bil is for conventional accounts and RM12.5bil for syariah accounts.

For 2024, the EPF declared a dividend rate of 6.3% for conventional savings with a total payout of RM63.05bil, as well as a 6.3% dividend for syariah savings, with a payout amounting to RM10.19bil.

EPF chief executive officer Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn attributed the lower payment to the slower growth of Bursa Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI), which grew at 2.3% last year compared to about 12.9% in 2024.

Secondly, he said, assets denominated in the US dollar were also impacted due to the strength of the local currency.

The strengthening of the ringgit against the US dollar “impacted the value in ringgit of our income from dollar assets”, he said during the retirement fund’s dividend announcement yesterday.

“The ringgit does impact our international holdings and it was one of the best-performing currencies in the world, gaining 10.2%.”

The EPF recorded a total investment income of RM79.2bil for 2025, up from the RM74.46bil reported in 2024.

Investment assets grew to RM1.409 trillion, which is a 12.8% increase from the RM1.25 trillion recorded in the previous year, driven by portfolio income and net contributions of RM66.5bil.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

The EPF recorded a total distributable income of RM82.7bil for 2025, up 9.5% from RM75.5bil in 2024.

Domestic investments continued to provide steady income, with 61.7% of the RM1.409 trillion worth of assets invested domestically. They generated investment income of RM39.3bil and accounting for 49.6% of total investment income.

Global investments, representing 38.3% of the portfolio, generated RM39.9bil and accounted for 50.4% of total investment income.

Ahmad Zulqarnain said the outlook for 2026 is moderate in the face of uncertainties.

“We believe economic growth will continue to be within expectations for most parts of the world, including continued growth in Malaysia,” he noted.

“Malaysia delivered 5.2% in 2025; the estimates are 4.3% for this year. But as we know, we also live in a world of great uncertainties, more so today than it has been for many decades.

“The risks are around trade policies, geopolitics, the path of inflation and, therefore, monetary policy and interest rates, increasing public debt, and the impact of artificial intelligence, which will create new winners and new losers. We believe Malaysia is in a good place,” he added.

“The top three themes for Malaysia that we believe will be persistent for the next decade are healthcare as we age as a nation, artificial intelligence, data and digitalisation as our personal and work lives become more and more digital, and energy as the world transitions to green energy.”

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

Meanwhile, the EPF will introduce the i-Legasi scheme, enabling contributors aged 55 and above to pass down their retirement savings to their children.

This scheme allows contributors to transfer their savings “intergenerationally” to their children. However, this applies only to members who are already eligible to withdraw their savings.

Ahmad Zulqarnain also said EPF dividends must be credited into the correct account as provided for under the law.

“If the savings are in Account 1 or Account 2, the dividends must be credited into those accounts,” he said.

“We cannot take dividends from other accounts and transfer them,” he said in reference to Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim’s suggestion that the dividends be channelled to the flexible account.

Silver EPF lining

6.15% dividend for conventional, syariah accounts

Silver EPF lining

PressReader

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The good news is 41% of contributors have met the RM240,000 minimum savings, and parents can now pass down their retirement funds to their ...Read more

Steady and reassuring' | The Star

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Steady and reassuring' ... Although the dividend is slightly lower than last year's 6.3%, she described the rate as “steady and reassuring”.Read more

5 Exercises Seniors Should Do Every Day, You only need these five exercises to strengthen your muscles

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:17:00 +0800

A glute bridge primarily targets the gluteus maximus (buttocks), hamstrings (back of thighs), and core muscles, including the abdominal muscles and lower back. — Photos: Freepik

A few targeted exercises can help tone up the muscles matter most

By now, you should know the benefits of building strength, especially as you age.

Strength training and cardiovascular exercises are equally important, with studies showing that combining both provides the lowest mortality risk and the best overall health outcomes.

Cardiovascular exercises are best for heart, lung and endurance health, while strength training is vital for muscle growth, bone density, metabolism, injury prevention and maintaining independence.

Numerous research reveals that significant improvements are possible even if you start strength training in your 80s and 90s.

That said, you don’t have to sign up for gym memberships or buy fancy equipment to begin a programme.

All you need is your own body.

Instead of working out different body parts on different days, the focus here is to do a few targeted exercises to help tone up the major muscle groups to improve your balance, flexibility and posture.

The emphasis is on the knees, hips, back and shoulders because these joints and their surrounding muscles are the primary drivers of human movement and are heavily used in daily activities like walking, sitting, bending and lifting.

The calves are also important. as building muscles in this area improves venous return – i.e. the process of blood flow back to the heart, which can decrease peripheral resistance and help stabilise or lower blood pressure.

When calf muscles contract, they compress the deep veins in the legs, effectively pumping blood against gravity toward the heart. This helps prevent blood pooling in the lower extremities and reduces the workload on the heart.

Ultimately, everyone’s aim is to be mobile till the last breath.

Here are five essential bodyweight exercises suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Perform 10-12 repetitions of all exercises once a week, then progress to twice a week and if it gets too easy, repeat the circuit two or three more times or increase the repetitions to 15.

More importantly, do them in a controlled tempo to maximise muscle tension and safety.

By training once a week, you should feel stronger and more energetic in as little as three weeks.

However, visible, significant physical changes generally take about two to four months of consistent, once-a-week training.

There are no shortcuts, unfortunately.

By Revathi Murugappan, a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Five exercises that work all major muscle groups

https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2026/02/20/3778568.jpg1 Shoulder Rolls: Stand with feet hip-width apart, hands down by your side. Roll your shoulders up, back and down, making sure you get into the shoulder blades. Imagine drawing a big circle with your shoulders. Repeat 12 times and reverse the direction. Don’t be fooled by how easy this exercise looks as it is tiring but helps increase shoulder flexibility and improve posture. — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star

When are supplements necessary?

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:42:00 +0800

Nutrient deficiencies are a widespread problem occuring among the rich and the poor.

https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/the-star-malaysia/20260222/282480010263654

Are Supplements Truly Necessary? Essential Facts Every Health Enthusiast Should Know

In an era where people are becoming increasingly health-conscious, adopting a nutritious diet and regular exercise has become more popular than ever. Yet, many individuals are also turning to dietary supplements or vitamins as a way to enhance their health and strengthen their immune systems. But what are the actual pros and cons of these supplements? And how can one consume them appropriately to match the body’s unique needs?

Benefits of Taking Supplements and Vitamins

1. Compensates for Nutritional Deficiencies
If your diet lacks variety or you have dietary restrictions—such as following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle—you may be missing out on essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, iron, or Vitamin D. Supplements can help bridge these nutritional gaps effectively.

2. Helps Rebalance the Body
Certain health conditions, such as osteoporosis or hormonal imbalances, may require additional nutritional support. In such cases, supplements like calcium or Vitamin D can play a crucial role in restoring balance and supporting recovery.

3. Enhances Skin Health and Immunity
Popular supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Omega-3 fatty acids are widely used to boost skin vitality and immune function. These nutrients can help maintain youthful skin and reduce the risk of various diseases.

Drawbacks of Taking Supplements

1. Potential Side Effects
Overconsumption of vitamins or supplements can lead to side effects. For instance, high doses of Vitamin A may cause toxicity, while excessive calcium intake can contribute to bone or kidney issues.

2. Cannot Replace a Balanced Diet
Supplements should not be seen as a substitute for nutritious food. Relying solely on pills instead of whole foods—like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins—can lead to deficiencies in other vital nutrients found in natural sources.

3. High Cost
Quality supplements often come with a high price tag, making them less accessible or sustainable for long-term use, especially for those with budget constraints.

Guidelines for Safe and Effective Supplement Use

1. Choose Reputable Sources
Always purchase supplements from trusted brands and sources that are certified by reputable regulatory bodies (such as the FDA or equivalent local authorities) to ensure safety and quality.

2. Consult Healthcare Professionals
Before starting any supplement regimen, it’s advisable to consult a physician or a registered dietitian. They can assess your specific needs and recommend supplements that align with your individual health profile.

3. Take the Right Dosage

More is not always better. Taking supplements in excessive amounts can be harmful. Always adhere to the recommended dosages as advised by healthcare experts to avoid adverse effects.

Knowing when it is necessary to take supplements

By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar

Supplements serve as a protective and corrective tool to address nutrient deficiencies in the modern diet and in drug-induced cases. — Filepic

Discussion about supplements is a popular topic.

A stroll across a pharmacy, clinic or healthcare establishment will find you faced with a stacked shelf of vitamins, minerals, herbs and nutritional powders.

This ubiquitous availability tends to bring up a critical and reasonable question in the public’s mind: if we eat well enough, why then do doctors and healthcare professionals prescribe supplements?

The solution is not found in health fads, or on sales campaigns, but exists within modern living, evolving dietary patterns, the escalating burden of chronic disease and chronic medication adherence.

Supplements are not meant to replace food and the traditional diets that Malaysians take pride in.

Nutrient deficiencies do not occur only in people who eat poorly or live in extreme conditions; they are increasingly common even among individuals who appear well-nourished.

Malaysia is frequently referred to as a country rich in food, due to abundant produce but modern eating habits have changed significantly over the past few decades.

Rapid urbanisation, long working hours, shift work and easy access to convenience foods – all these have changed what and how we eat.

Fast and highly processed items, sugary sweets and fried foods, as well as large portions of refined carbohydrates now serve an increasingly important role in urban dining patterns.

These foods provide enough calories and are satiating in nature, but they usually lack important micronutrients.

National local surveys found that adults fail to meet the recommended intakes of calcium, iron (especially women) and many vitamins, despite consuming adequate, or even high, calories.

This leads to a paradox in which one may seem well-fed or even overweight but be functionally malnourished.

These deficiencies may not lead to illness over the long term but over time are associated with fatigue, lower immunity, bad bone health and increased risk of chronic disease.

Impaired absorption and changing lifestyles

The gastrointestinal system is crucial for the absorption of nutrients.

Various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, low stomach acid and prior gastrointestinal surgeries, can hinder the uptake of vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, even without a formal diagnosis, elements such as chronic stress, alcohol intake, and frequent antibiotic usage can compromise gut integrity and disturb the balance of the microbiome, thereby diminishing nutrient availability.

Modern lifestyles place extra demands on nutritional health.

Chronic stress, often faced by urban professionals and those working shifts, has been linked to an increased requirement for various nutrients, particularly magnesium and B vitamins.

Inadequate sleep can disrupt hormonal balance and nutrient utilisation.

Alcohol consumption hinders the absorption and metabolism of B vitamins, zinc and magnesium, whereas smoking amplifies oxidative stress and reduces levels of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Together, these elements contribute to a gradual and unnoticed decline in nutrient levels, frequently occurring well before any laboratory indicators become evident.

Increased physiological demands

Various life stages such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, adolescence, menopause and ageing require increased nutrient intake.

In these scenarios, relying solely on dietary consumption may not suffice to fulfil these heightened requirements, making supplementation a viable and evidence-supported option.

Expectant and nursing mothers need to increase their intake of iron, folate, iodine, calcium and vitamin D to preserve maternal well-being and facilitate the growth of the foetus or infant.

Factors like chronic stress, infections, inflammation and significant physical or mental exertion further increase the turnover of nutrients.

Older adults, due to age-related digestive changes, are often prescribed multiple long-term medications, which must be taken cautiously to ensure adequate nutrient absorption.

The metabolic demands for these individuals are heightened as many also have chronic health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease, hence require medications that can disrupt the body’s nutrient balance.

An overlooked problem

Perhaps one of the most clinically significant yet often overlooked causes of nutrient deficiencies is the prolonged use of medications.

These drug-induced nutrient deficiencies (DIND) arise when drugs disrupt the processes of digestion, absorption, metabolism, transport or excretion of essential nutrients.

This does not suggest that medications are detrimental or unnecessary; in fact, many are crucial for effective disease management.

However, neglecting to consider their nutritional impacts can undermine treatment efficacy and overall health.

To counteract deficiencies resulting from medication use, supplements are advised, which is particularly important in Malaysia, where chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are widespread.

The high prevalence of diabetes often necessitates long-term medication, potentially leading to unintended malnutrition and associated public health concerns.

DIND can occur as medications impede nutrient absorption or metabolism, frequently going unnoticed since symptoms like fatigue or cognitive issues are commonly attributed to ageing or stress instead of nutrient shortages.

Common medications

Proton pump inhibitors e.g. omeprazole and pantoprazole are widely used for gastric pain, acid reflux and ulcer disease.

By reducing stomach acid, these drugs reduce symptoms and encourage healing, but stomach acid also plays a key role in the absorption of critical nutrients.

Persistent application of proton pump inhibitors has been linked with impaired absorption of vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium and iron in the long term.

This could lead to anaemia, nerve symptoms, muscle cramps and a higher risk of fractures over time, especially in elderly people.

Metformin, which is the most prescribed drug of choice for type 2 diabetes, is another well-established example.

Long-term use of metformin has been well-established to decrease vitamin B12 absorption, leading to fatigue, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, memory and concentration problems, and further peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamin B12 is not regularly monitored or supplemented, which leads to symptoms attributed solely to diabetes itself, and leaves the deficiency untreated.

Statins, often prescribed to lower cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular diseases, present nutritional problems too.

Such medicines suppress cholesterol production by blocking a metabolic pathway that also produces coenzyme Q10, a key ingredient for the formation of energy in muscular cells.

Lower levels of coenzyme Q10 can give rise to muscle pain, weakness and fatigue – effects that can also cause people to stop their medications without medical guidance.

The use of hormonal contraceptives utilised by women, has been linked to lower levels of several nutrients such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, magnesium and zinc.

Not all users are affected but chronic use may affect mood, energy level and tolerance for stress in high-risk individuals.

Diuretics, which are the medications commonly used for conditions including hypertension and heart disease, raise urinary potassium, magnesium and zinc losses.

Deficiencies in these nutrients are observed as muscle cramps, weakness or abnormal heart rates, especially among elderly patients.

Corticosteroids, like prednisolone, which are administered against asthma and immune-mediated diseases, inflammation or inflammatory disease disrupt the metabolism of calcium and vitamin D, leading to calcium deficiency and bone-wasting.

Osteoporosis is becoming a growing problem among older Malaysians.

Meanwhile, the prolonged or frequent use of antibiotics can disturb the gut microbiome, which is essential for the synthesis of various vitamins, such as vitamin K and several B vitamins.

This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, may negatively affect digestion, immune system functionality, and the absorption of nutrients even after the completion of antibiotic treatment.

DIND are frequently observed yet frequently go unrecognised in clinical settings, despite their widespread nature.

The symptoms associated with these deficiencies are often vague, routine blood tests may yield normal results, and the onset of deficiencies progresses gradually.

Additionally, consultations with healthcare providers tend to focus on disease management rather than evaluating nutritional health.

As a result, numerous individuals experience persistent symptoms that could be alleviated and prevented through proper nutritional intake.

The role of supplementation

Supplementation, when applied correctly, serves as a strategy for correction and prevention rather than a substitute for evidence-based medicine.

Its objective is to restore physiological equilibrium, assist metabolic processes, mitigate the long-term impacts of diseases and the side effects of medications.

It is crucial that supplementation is tailored to the individual, taking into account clinical evaluations, medication history, dietary habits and when necessary, laboratory assessments.

In short, supplements are not lavish goods but serve as protective or corrective tools, especially for people with chronic diseases.

Supplementation should be subject to regular review and used alongside, not replace medical treatment and a healthy diet

When used wisely and correctly, supplements help support the body so that medical treatments can work more effectively and overall health is preserved.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Wolves in sheep’s clothing

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 21:07:00 +0800

PM: billions were stolen by so-called race champions

Party unity: (From left) Roslina Abu Bakar, Tan Chiam Yi and Nurul Ain Natasha Sahar taking a wefie during the Selangor PKR Convention. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star

GOMBAK: The era of hiding corruption behind ethnic loyalty must end, as billions were siphoned off by those claiming to champion a particular race, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said racial slogans have long been used to deceive Malaysians and that they should not be misled by rhetoric cloaked in ethnic sentiment.

He added that there were some leaders who once claimed to champion Malay interests but had in reality amassed vast personal wealth, worth billions allegedly stashed in accounts under their control.

He said such leaders had betrayed the very community they professed to defend.

“People spoke about fighting for Malays but when you looked at their accounts, there were billions.

“They claimed to protect the community while siphoning off funds here and there,” he said in his speech at the Selangor PKR Convention yesterday.

Anwar said such leaders are uncomfortable with the current unity government not because they are misunderstood, but because they fear accountability under a federal administration anchored in justice and principles.

“This is a government that does not compromise. The country must be saved, must stand firm on principles and must reject all attempts to deceive and plunder national wealth,” he said.

Anwar added that the current administration had shown unprecedented resolve in acting against corruption involving figures at all levels, including ministers, former ministers and senior officials.

He reiterated that the unity government also rejected politics based on ethnic supremacy and remained multiracial and multireligious in its approach.

“We have never claimed to be champions of any one race. We are champions of justice, giving people what is rightfully theirs,” he said, adding that the government had recorded its strongest performance in tackling hardcore poverty across all communities.

Anwar also said Cabinet meetings consistently examined the full range of national challenges, with particular focus on socio-economic concerns such as employment and education.

“This government makes a deliberate effort to discuss and resolve every single issue affecting every single person in this country,” he said.

Anwar noted that previous efforts by other political leaders to form multiracial parties had failed, with many dismissing in the late 1990s the idea that Malaysia could succeed under a genuinely multiracial political platform.

In this respect, the PKR president said PKR had proven its commitment and remained steadfast in representing and safeguarding the interests of all communities by ensuring inclusive representation within the party.

Anwar assured members of the Indian community present at the gathering that PKR would continue to stand firm in defending their rights and ensuring their voices are heard within the political system.

“I want all Indians present to know, this party will fight and defend your rights,” he said to applause from delegates.

While acknowledging that the Malays form the majority and Islam is the religion of the federation, he said this must be balanced with fairness and respect.

“To live in Malaysia, we must safeguard Malays, Chinese, Indians, Iban and Kadazan. To succeed as a united force, there must be a voice representing everyone,” he added.

Anwar also assured that the future of the Malays would be protected through firm and transparent policies, with the Chinese having a role to play in the party’s vision for the nation.

By ARFA YUNUS ,the Star

New Year of Fire Horse brings ‘rapid change’ in 2026

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0800

The Fire Horse Effect—Why Powerful Women Are Still Labeled ‘Too Much’

PETALING JAYA: The Year of the Fire Horse is expected to bring fast-moving opportunities, stiff competition and rapid change, with success favouring those who act boldly but think clearly, according to feng shui and metaphysics practitioners.

They said 2026 carries strong forward momentum, but warn that impulsive decisions and reactive thinking could lead to missteps in a year defined by speed, intensity and transformation.

In Chinese metaphysics, they added, each year is governed by a combination of a zodiac animal and one of the five elements – Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water – which rotate in cyclical patterns.

2026 is classified as a Fire Horse year because it combines the Horse zodiac with the Fire element – a pairing associated with movement, ambition, visibility and acceleration, they said.

“The horse symbolises momentum and forward drive, while fire represents intensity, leadership and transformation.

“Together, they form a high-energy cycle often linked to rapid shifts, heightened competition and expanding opportunities but also greater risks when decisions are made impulsively,” said feng shui and geomancy consultant Prof Joe Choo Sook Lin.

Choo said the Fire Horse year reflects a period where growth potential builds steadily rather than explosively.

She described 2026 as a phase where opportunities emerge gradually, with momentum strengthening over time rather than arriving instantly.

Metaphysics expert Desmond Chun Yew Leong said personal grounding remains just as important as external action.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

He encouraged Malaysians to return to basics, starting with family, intention and mindset.

“When nothing seems to move smoothly, start at home. Spend time with your parents or elderly family members, not just during Chinese New Year but regularly. Maintaining that bond often has a grounding effect that goes beyond symbolism,” he said.

“It’s not about rituals. When you reconnect with your parents, your heart settles. When your heart is steady, your decisions become clearer,” he added, describing parents as a form of gui ren (noble support).

Chun also encouraged charity and good deeds, stressing intention over expectation.

“Charity is about the cultivation of the heart. If you expect returns, the purpose is lost. When you feel adequate and at peace, you act with steadiness, which helps you navigate challenges,” he said.

He added that character plays a crucial role in both life and career.

“Being kind and responsible builds trust, reputation and relationships, which in metaphysical terms attracts supportive energy from those around you,” he said.

Chun also suggests spending time in positive environments, such as morning visits to temples, as a way to refresh energy and maintain balance.

“Before trying to change fate, take care of the heart. Many answers start at home,” he said.

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Penang dazzles for Chinese New Year

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https://www.thestar.com.my › metro-news › 2026/02/11

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PENANG DAZZLES FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR from www.thestar.com.my

New Year of Fire Horse brings ‘rapid change’ in 2026

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:23:00 +0800