AWANI Review: Mesolitica: How Malaysia’s First LLM is Boosting Local AI Adoption
Local startup Mesolitica is shaping AI to meet the unique needs of a multilingual, multicultural Malaysia. Khalil Nooh, co-founder, shares how the company is leading the way in developing the country’s first Large Language Model, capable of capturing 16 local dialects.
Sat Jan 04 2025
AWANI Review: CGS International: Carving a Niche in Financial Services
With its rebranding, CGS International is moving beyond traditional brokerage services. As Deputy CEO Khairi Shahrin explains, there’s no value in chasing bottom-feeding fees - CGS is diving into niche markets where others aren't looking. He discusses the company’s strategy for growth, leveraging its China connection, and key trends shaping 2025.
Sat Dec 21 2024
AWANI Review: Top Glove’s Lim Wee Chai: Leading Through Highs & Lows
From pandemic boom to staggering losses, Top Glove’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Founder Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai opens up about what went wrong, the turnaround strategy for the world’s largest glovemaker, and leadership lessons from over 30 years of navigating its highs and lows.
Mon Dec 09 2024
AWANI Review: Top Glove’s Lim Wee Chai: Leading Through Highs & Lows
From pandemic boom to staggering losses, Top Glove’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Founder Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai opens up about what went wrong, the turnaround strategy for the world’s largest glovemaker, and leadership lessons from over 30 years of navigating its highs and lows.
Sat Dec 07 2024
AWANI Review: Power of Vulnerability - Why Openness Makes Better Leaders
Nick Jonsson, co-founder of Executives’ Global Network Malaysia and author of Executive Loneliness, explores the hidden struggles of leadership - loneliness and mental health. In conversation with Cynthia Ng, he reveals how embracing vulnerability and openness can transform leaders and organisations for the better.
Sat Nov 23 2024
AWANI Review: E-hailing: Bolt’s Game Plan to Grab Market Share
European e-hailing app Bolt has officially launched its services in the Klang Valley. Bolt Malaysia’s General Manager Afzan Lutfi shares the company’s plan to capture market share by offering an affordable, accessible alternative aimed at meeting the needs of both drivers and riders in Malaysia’s competitive e-hailing landscape.
Sat Nov 09 2024
Kiddocare: Transforming Childcare with Tech, Trust and Empowerment
On-demand platform Kiddocare is not only meeting the rising need for flexible childcare solutions but also empowering women by creating real job opportunities in a sector often viewed as informal. Founder and CEO Nadira Yusoff takes us through her exciting plans to launch childcare centres and expand regionally, all while striving to professionalise the childcare industry.
Sat Nov 02 2024
AWANI Review: Levelling The Playing Field for Boardroom Diversity
Selecting board candidates ideally should focus on merit, but the process often becomes subjective, with decision-makers gravitating toward those who resemble themselves. Kasturi Nathan, Risk Enterprise Leader at Deloitte, and Dr. Azura Shamuddin, a graduate of Deloitte's Board Ready Women program, shares insights on fostering inclusive boardrooms and enhancing transparency in recruitment.
Sat Oct 26 2024
Beyond the Score: How Alternative Data, AI are Opening Up New Doors for Credit Access
Credit scores are often misunderstood. Erick Hamburger, Group CEO of CTOS Digital Berhad, addresses these concerns and explains how alternative data - like telco payments and streaming subscriptions - and AI are transforming credit access, even for those lacking a traditional credit history.
Sat Oct 05 2024
AWANI Review: Industrial Intelligence: Powering the Sustainable Energy Transition
The future of sustainability isn't just about replacing fossil fuels with renewables. Shashank Luthra, Vice President for AVEVA in Southeast Asia, reveals how technologies like AI, data analytics, and industrial intelligence are enhancing energy efficiency - key to decarbonising the power sector.
Sat Sep 28 2024
AWANI Review: Deemples: Golf Match-Ups Made Easy
Deemples is changing the game of golf by making it easier to connect with other players. Founder David Wong talks about how Malaysia’s biggest golf platform is set to go global, creating match-ups and making golf more accessible everywhere.
Sat Jul 20 2024
AWANI Review: Google's USD2 Billion Bet on Malaysia's Tech Future
Google pledged a USD2 billion investment in Malaysia's data and cloud infrastructure, including its second Southeast Asian data centre. Country Director Farhan Qureshi highlights the economic benefits and Malaysia's readiness to support tech giants' growth plans.
Sat Jun 22 2024
AWANI Review: AI-Driven Future: Insights from Amazon’s CTO
As Amazon's CTO, Dr Werner Vogels has a front row seat to how technology is reshaping the world. For him, AI isn't about flashy advances, it's about solving real-world problems. He highlights Malaysia's potential to effectively use AI for practical solutions
Sat May 11 2024
AWANI Review: IKEA: Can Affordability, Profit, and Sustainability Coexist
In today's business world, it's about more than just making a profit. IKEA gets that—it's been part of their DNA from day one. Malcolm Pruys, Retail Director at IKEA Malaysia, shares how the company is paving the way towards a future where retail can thrive sustainably and profitably, while still keeping prices within reach for all.
Sat Apr 27 2024
AWANI Review: Beyond algorithms: ensuring responsible AI practices
From deep fakes to biases, AI carries substantial risks if not used responsibly. Paul Burton of IBM Asia Pacific discusses the process of developing and implementing responsible AI tools.
Sat Apr 13 2024
US military plane deporting Indian immigrants lands in India
The Trump administration has increasingly turned to the military to help carry out its immigration agenda.
Wed Feb 05 2025
Trump's Gaza plan for 'Riviera of the Middle East' triggers international condemnation
Countries from Russia, China, Spain, Ireland and the UK say they continue to support the two-state solution.
Wed Feb 05 2025
US Postal Service suspends inbound parcels from China, Hong Kong
Trump's crackdown on de minimis would make the products sold by the likes of Shein and Temu more expensive.
Wed Feb 05 2025
US plan to take over Gaza: Malaysia's stance on Palestine unchanged - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia's stance remains the same as that of other Islamic countries.
Wed Feb 05 2025
US freezes funding for security mission tackling Haiti's gangs
More than $13 million in US funding for an international security force helping fight armed gangs in Haiti has been frozen, the UN says.
Wed Feb 05 2025
Over 40,000 civil servants at high risk of mental health issues - Zaliha
A total of 44,901 civil servants were screened under Public Service Psychological Health Digital Profiling System, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Wed Feb 05 2025
India's Modi takes 'holy dips' at Maha Kumbh, week after stampede killed dozens
Security personnel stood in the water nearby while thousands of people crowded the banks to watch the prime minister perform the rituals.
Wed Feb 05 2025
Philippine Congress endorses impeachment complaint against vice president
Vice President Sara Duterte would be the Philippines' second most senior official to face removal from office.
Wed Feb 05 2025
What is a sovereign wealth fund?
Sovereign wealth funds are investment vehicles owned by countries.
Wed Feb 05 2025
[COLUMNIST] Rising above Trump tariffs: How a resilient global economy outlasts US protectionism
The current alarm over Trumps tariff threats overlooks a key point: global markets are resilient and adaptable.
Wed Feb 05 2025