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Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad is rolling out exclusive rewards and savings on its travel protection plans this September, aiming to provide more value to customers gearing up for the year-end travel season. Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz General, emphasised the company’s commitment to ensuring Malaysians are well-protected during their travels, both domestically and internationally.

Beginning 1 September 2026, customers purchasing or renewing the Allianz Travel XPert Prestige Annual Plan with Worldwide or Domestic & Worldwide coverage will receive complimentary cabin luggage. A total of 2,500 units are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, from 4 to 18 September 2026, a 25% discount on premiums is offered for those purchasing Allianz Travel XPert or Allianz Travel Easy policies with Domestic or Overseas single-trip coverage. These plans include comprehensive travel protection, covering overseas medical expenses, trip cancellations, and leisure sports activities. They also offer benefits such as pet hotel coverage and compensation for travel delays.

Allianz General’s “Our Promise, Or Else We Pay Double” initiative ensures claims up to RM5,000 are processed within three working days, or the company will pay double the claim amount. For emergencies abroad, policyholders can access a 24/7 hotline for various support services.

This initiative underscores Allianz General’s dedication to customer care, providing peace of mind and allowing travellers to focus on memorable experiences. Terms and conditions apply.

Salesforce has introduced the Enterprise AI Harness, a comprehensive AI framework designed to streamline complex business processes by integrating AI capabilities across enterprises. This new architecture aims to provide a cohesive foundation for AI, enabling agents to understand, plan, and execute tasks within enterprise controls without the need for separate management of each AI experience.

The Enterprise AI Harness is built around six core capabilities: context, agency, action, governance, security, and models. These components work together to ensure AI can operate effectively and securely across various business functions. A notable feature is the AI Control Plane, which offers businesses a centralised platform to manage and control AI agents and capabilities as they proliferate throughout the enterprise.

Rohan Kumar, President and Chief Platform and Engineering Officer at Salesforce, highlighted the importance of proprietary context in differentiating enterprises. “What will differentiate an enterprise is the trusted, proprietary context it brings to that intelligence — starting with the customer — and its ability to securely turn that context into action,” he stated.

The Enterprise AI Harness is designed to be flexible, allowing companies to integrate Salesforce technology with existing systems or third-party models. This adaptability is crucial as AI technologies continue to evolve. Salesforce’s new AI Control Plane further enhances this flexibility by providing a consistent layer of visibility and control over AI operations, ensuring businesses can manage AI performance, costs, and compliance effectively.

Salesforce plans to roll out new capabilities and a unified experience for the Enterprise AI Harness starting in early fiscal FY28, building on the technologies already available today.

Sim Lian Group has announced the launch of its latest condominium project, Amberwood at Holland, with previews starting on 11 September. Located in the prestigious District 10, the development offers 212 units with prices beginning at S$2.6m, or approximately S$2,945 per square foot (psf).

Amberwood at Holland will feature a mix of three, four, and five-bedroom units. The three-bedroom units, starting at 872 square feet, are priced from S$2.6m. Four-bedroom units range from 1,076 to 1,313 square feet, starting at S$3.2m, whilst five-bedroom units, measuring 1,335 square feet, are priced from S$4m. The development is set on a 17,069 square metre site along Holland Link and will consist of 11 residential blocks, each four to six storeys high. Vacant possession is expected by 30 June 2030.

The launch of Amberwood at Holland is part of Sim Lian’s strategy to tap into the demand for high-end residential properties in Singapore’s prime districts. The project promises to offer luxurious living spaces with modern amenities, catering to affluent buyers seeking a prestigious address.

This development comes amidst a broader trend of new residential projects in Singapore, as developers aim to meet the growing demand for housing in key locations. With its strategic location and premium offerings, Amberwood at Holland is poised to attract significant interest from potential homeowners and investors alike.

Singapore is at the forefront of Southeast Asia’s burgeoning robotics sector, accounting for a staggering 91.7% of the region’s total funding, according to a recent report by Tracxn Technologies Limited. The report highlights that Singapore has raised $986m across 58 funding rounds, significantly outpacing other countries in the region.

The report, titled “Robotics – SEA Report,” reveals that Southeast Asia’s robotics sector has amassed $1.1b in all-time equity funding across 51 funded companies. In 2026 alone, the sector reached a record $696m in funding, largely driven by Sharpa’s $670m Series D round. Despite this impressive growth, the sector remains in its early stages, with no unicorns and limited exit activity.

Singapore’s dominance is underscored by its 108 tracked companies, 37 of which have received funding. The most notable companies include Sharpa, Fourier Intelligence, and Neptune Robotics, which have collectively raised substantial sums. In contrast, Malaysia and Vietnam lag behind, with significantly lower funding figures.

The report also notes that the majority of funding remains concentrated at early stages, with only three companies reaching Series D or beyond. Furthermore, the sector has seen just one acquisition and no initial public offerings (IPOs) to date, indicating that exit opportunities are still limited.

Tracxn’s analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the robotics ecosystem in Southeast Asia, offering insights into funding trends, investor activity, and the potential for future growth. As the sector continues to evolve, Singapore’s leadership position is likely to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s robotics landscape.

Toku Ltd, a Singapore-based AI-powered customer experience platform, has announced the incorporation of Toku Technology L.L.C, its first in-country entity in the Middle East. This marks a significant step in Toku’s regional expansion, which began in December 2025. The new UAE subsidiary allows Toku to contract, invoice, and hire locally, enabling participation in government and semi-government tenders across the UAE and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The expansion has been bolstered by a memorandum of understanding with SESTEK, a Turkey-based conversational AI provider, signed in June 2026. This partnership enhances Toku’s capabilities in Arabic-language solutions, addressing the region’s diverse linguistic needs. Toku’s deployment with Talabat, a leading food delivery service, has expanded across all eight Middle East markets, supporting over 8,000 users. The introduction of voice alongside chat has increased customer satisfaction to approximately 80%, a rise of more than 20%.

Thomas Laboulle, Toku’s Founder and CEO, stated, “The Middle East has developed ahead of our expectations since our first deployments there last year. Our UAE subsidiary gives that demand a local foundation: it lets us contract, invoice, and hire in-country, brings us closer to our customers and partners, and positions Toku to participate fully in the region’s digital transformation.”

With its local presence, Toku is well-positioned to address the GCC’s demand for locally hosted, sovereign, and hybrid deployments, shaping enterprise technology decisions across the region. This expansion underscores Toku’s commitment to enhancing customer experience through AI, tailored to the unique needs of the Middle East.

KLK Land has officially opened the Coalfields Retail Park, a 21-acre lifestyle destination in Bandar Seri Coalfields, Malaysia. This marks KLK Land’s first foray into retail development, with the park achieving an impressive 90% occupancy at its launch. The retail park is set to become a key attraction in the Greater North Klang Valley, drawing an estimated 5 million visitors annually.

The Coalfields Retail Park spans approximately 1 million square feet of gross built-up area and features a diverse mix of over 100 brands. These include dining, entertainment, wellness, and lifestyle options, designed to cater to young families and the wider community. Notable tenants include Maybank, ToysRUs, Skechers, Village Grocer, and Decathlon, among others.

The development is directly connected to a scenic 7-acre lake park and has been awarded the GreenRE Gold Certification Provisional for its environmental efforts. KLK Land’s Managing Director, Lee Wen Ling, highlighted the park’s role in elevating the community, stating, “As Bandar Seri Coalfields evolves into a thriving township, we recognise that beyond homes, people need spaces to gather, unwind, celebrate, and share everyday life.”

To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, KLK Land has invested in infrastructure upgrades, including road widening and improved pedestrian connectivity. The retail park complements existing residential areas, recreational facilities, and educational institutions, reinforcing Bandar Seri Coalfields as a self-sustaining township.

The opening celebrations featured live performances and will continue with an Opening Carnival and exclusive promotions until 30 September. The park aims to be a vibrant hub where “Joy Happens Here,” as Lee Wen Ling noted, bringing people together for memorable experiences.

New research by The Bridgespan Group reveals that Asia’s wealthiest families, predominantly first- or second-generation wealth holders, are reshaping philanthropy through their unique approaches. The study, which examined 186 affluent individuals and families across 20 global economies, highlights the influence of newer wealth, ongoing business ownership, and family stewardship on philanthropic practices.

The report, supported by Bridgespan’s Funders Council, including the Institute of Philanthropy, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, identifies key characteristics of family philanthropy in Asia. Notably, 94% of Asia’s wealthiest families are first- or second-generation wealth holders, and 95% maintain control over the businesses that generated their wealth. This contrasts with 85% and 68%, respectively, in high-income economies outside Asia.

Xueling Lee, co-author and partner at Bridgespan, stated, “Our research helps fill a knowledge gap on how the world’s wealthiest families organise their philanthropy and pursue impact, and finds distinguishing characteristics in Asia.”

The study finds that Asian families are more likely to support elderly care, religion, and sports, whilst families from other regions focus on science and technology initiatives. Additionally, over 80% of Asian families publicly report outputs from their giving, such as schools built, compared to 45% outside Asia.

Brian San, secretary-general of the Institute of Philanthropy, noted, “These qualities are particularly relevant in Asia, where family-owned businesses remain a powerful force.”

The research underscores the potential for family philanthropies to drive innovation and collaboration, with Deepali Khanna from The Rockefeller Foundation highlighting their role in pioneering solutions to complex problems.

ASEAN businesses are shifting their hiring and investment strategies in response to a complex economic landscape, according to a recent study by Reeracoen Group and Rakuten Insight. The survey, which involved 3,630 consumers and business leaders across six ASEAN countries, reveals a trend towards selective hiring and a focus on operational efficiency and AI investment.

The study, titled *The Great Restructuring: ASEAN Consumer & Business Pulse Survey 2026*, indicates that 32% to 47% of businesses are adopting selective hiring practices, whilst only 7% to 16% are expanding their workforce. This suggests a strategic focus on building long-term capabilities rather than increasing headcount. Operational efficiency emerged as the top growth priority, with 35% to 43% of businesses prioritising it, followed by AI and technology investments at 24% to 33%.

Distinct market strengths are shaping growth across the region. Singapore leads in AI and technology investment intent, Indonesia shows the highest business confidence, and Vietnam records the highest consumer optimism and hiring expansion rate. Meanwhile, income diversification is a key financial strategy for consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines, with 71% and 70% respectively seeking additional income.

Kenji Naito, Group CEO of Reeracoen Group, emphasised the importance of talent strategy, stating, “The companies that will win the next cycle are not the ones that wait for certainty—they are the ones investing in their people, their processes, and their readiness today.” Cheryl Ng, Country Director of Rakuten Insight Singapore, added that the report highlights ASEAN’s adaptability amidst economic challenges.

A recent study by Milieu highlights that the cost of living is the predominant concern for Southeast Asians, with significant variations in optimism about the future across the region. The survey, which included 3,000 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, found that only 38% of respondents believe their country is on the right track regarding key issues.

In Malaysia, 50% of respondents identified the cost of living as a major social concern. Despite these pressures, 51% of Malaysians expressed optimism about the country’s direction. The study also uncovered generational differences in priorities, with younger respondents focusing on jobs and opportunities, whilst older groups are more concerned with healthcare costs.

The findings underscore the diverse perspectives within Southeast Asia, as sentiment about national progress varies significantly between countries. This disparity suggests that whilst economic pressures are a common thread, cultural and national contexts heavily influence perceptions of progress and optimism.

The Milieu study provides a snapshot of the region’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting the challenges and hopes of its people. As Southeast Asia continues to navigate these issues, understanding these varied perspectives will be crucial for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to address the region’s concerns effectively.

APAC Realty Limited has announced its intention to acquire the remaining shares in PT ERA Graharealty Tbk (ERA Indonesia) as part of a plan to delist the company from the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Currently holding 90.6% of ERA Indonesia’s shares, APAC Realty aims to purchase the remaining 9.4% through a voluntary tender offer at IDR250 per share, equivalent to approximately S$0.02. The total cost of acquiring these shares is expected to be around IDR22.33b, or S$1.6m, funded through internal resources.

The acquisition and subsequent delisting are designed to enhance management flexibility, reduce compliance costs, and improve operational efficiency. ERA Indonesia, which no longer requires capital market funding, has no future plans to raise funds from these markets.

ERA Indonesia, incorporated in 1991 and listed in 2021, holds the ERA country master franchise for Indonesia. It operates 103 broker offices and employs 4,576 agents across major Indonesian cities. The acquisition is subject to approval from independent shareholders and relevant authorities, with completion anticipated by March 2027.

APAC Realty’s Chief Financial Officer, Poh Chee Yong, confirmed that the acquisition would not materially impact the company’s financial metrics for the year ending 31 December 2026. Further announcements will be made as the acquisition progresses.