Inconsistent quality assurance and control (QA/QC) standards are significantly impacting the construction industry across ASEAN, according to a new report by PlanRadar. The Construction QA/QC Impact Report 2025 highlights that 77% of firms experience inconsistent QA/QC documentation, leading to rework and project delays. The findings, based on responses from 811 construction professionals across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, underscore the urgent need for standardised QA/QC processes.

The report reveals that companies with systematic QA/QC are 28% more likely to maintain margins above 3%. In Singapore, 100% of respondents cited inconsistent QA/QC as a cause of project delays, whilst 85% of Malaysian respondents reported rework due to inconsistent standards on major infrastructure projects. These inefficiencies are particularly critical in Singapore, where land scarcity and tight timelines exacerbate the impact of delays.

Avtandil Mekudishvili, APAC Regional Lead at PlanRadar, emphasised the need for digital and standardised QA/QC processes to enhance productivity and profitability. “Our research shows that inconsistent QA/QC remains one of the biggest barriers to productivity and profitability in the region,” he stated. PlanRadar’s platform aims to address these challenges by embedding QA/QC into daily workflows, using digital tools to document and streamline processes.

The report suggests that consistent, digital QA/QC standards are essential for delivering safe, sustainable, and profitable projects across ASEAN. As the construction landscape evolves, the industry must adapt to maintain competitiveness and meet the demands of rapid urbanisation and large-scale projects.

Malaysia Airlines has unveiled its latest initiative, “Time for Comfort in the Skies,” as part of its ongoing “Time For” campaign. Running from 7 to 22 October 2025, the campaign aims to enhance the flying experience by offering exclusive Business Class fares starting at $438 (SGD 599) for international routes, valid for travel until 31 August 2026. Enrich loyalty programme members receive priority access and additional discounts on 7 and 8 October.

The campaign highlights Malaysia Airlines’ commitment to providing premium experiences in both Business and Economy Class. It invites travellers to rediscover the joy of flying with hallmark Malaysian Hospitality at 30,000 feet. The special fares are available for a wide range of destinations, including London, Brisbane, Dhaka, Hong Kong, and various Malaysian cities such as Kota Kinabalu and Penang.

Business Class passengers can expect elevated comfort and premium amenities across the airline’s fleet. The initiative not only aims to attract new customers but also rewards loyal travellers, encouraging non-members to join the Enrich programme for additional perks.

This campaign underscores Malaysia Airlines’ dedication to offering value and comfort, positioning itself as a preferred choice for both leisure and business travellers. As the airline continues to expand its global network, these initiatives are expected to enhance its competitive edge in the aviation industry.

Play Interactive Holdings has announced a partnership with The Smiley Company to introduce the Smiley lifestyle retail experience to Malaysia and Singapore. As the exclusive franchise licensee, Play Interactive will open lifestyle stores featuring Smiley’s fashion, home, and everyday living products. The initiative aims to immerse consumers in the Smiley brand, known for its positivity and creativity.

The collaboration will see the debut of Malaysia’s first Smiley Home Store, focusing on homeware and lifestyle collections. To enhance the brand’s impact, Smiley will work with local fashion icons and designers in both countries to create exclusive collections that blend Smiley’s global identity with Southeast Asia’s creative flair.

Gary Chong, CEO and Founder of Play Interactive Holdings, stated, “Smiley is all about positivity, joy, and happy vibes. Our mission is to create not just stores, but vibrant destinations where people can experience the Smiley lifestyle in its fullest form.” Nicolas Loufrani, CEO of The Smiley Company, added, “I am thrilled to have found such a strong partner in Play Interactive, to help us implement them and expand our growing fanbases in those territories.”

This partnership marks a significant step in Smiley’s physical retail strategy, building on successful franchise partnerships in China and Thailand. The move aims to expand Smiley’s presence in Asia’s dynamic retail markets, offering immersive experiences and strengthening the brand’s commercial retail strength.

Global logistics giant UPS has inaugurated a new package centre in Penang, Malaysia, aimed at enhancing delivery services across the city. The new 20,000 sq ft facility, located in Penang Science Park North, is strategically positioned in an area known for its high-tech and manufacturing industries. This development is part of UPS’s broader initiative to improve service efficiency and capacity in the region.

The company has also expanded its existing hub at Penang Airport, increasing processing capacity to provide businesses with greater access to UPS’s global network. This expansion allows for extended pick-up times for Express and Worldwide Express Freight shipments by up to two hours in eight areas, including Butterworth and Batu Kawan. Deliveries to businesses in Batu Kawan, Perai, Penang, and Kulim, Kedah will now be made earlier, offering more flexibility to local enterprises.

Ingrid Sidiadinoto, senior managing director of UPS Malaysia, highlighted the importance of the new centre at an opening event. “Extending pick-up times effectively gives them extra time to receive and ship more orders every day,” she stated. The enhanced airport hub supports efficient processing of shipments, facilitated by 11 weekly UPS flights serving Penang.

Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, CEO of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, praised the investment, noting its significance in bolstering Malaysia’s position amidst shifting trade lanes. As Penang becomes increasingly central to these developments, UPS’s investment is poised to support future growth opportunities for local businesses.

STAR Systems International has successfully implemented a MultiLane Fast Flow (MLFF) pilot project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant upgrade in the region’s tolling infrastructure. This project, which replaces the traditional barrier-based tolling system, is expected to pave the way for broader MLFF adoption across Southeast Asia, enhancing transportation efficiency.

The project features STAR Systems’ Titan Pro reader and Avior antenna, designed for high-speed, multilane environments. These products offer exceptional read performance and flexibility, integrating seamlessly with existing tolling infrastructures. The Titan Pro can emulate legacy readers, whilst the Avior antenna provides precise radiation patterns, ensuring accurate and reliable read zones.

In collaboration with Touch ‘n Go, a fintech company specialising in cashless payments, and SIDRA, a modern tolling systems provider, the project utilises SIDRA’s PARSEC lane control system. This system integrates STAR Systems’ technology with sensors such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and 3D LiDAR sensors. Operating autonomously alongside an existing gated toll gantry, the system achieves 100% vehicle detection and reads 99.98% of legacy toll tags.

Stephen Lockhart, CTO of STAR Systems International, stated, “The Titan Pro and Avior are purposefully designed for multilane fast flow applications where vehicles are moving at high speeds and extreme accuracy is required.” The collaboration demonstrates the potential of flexible, high-precision tolling technology in real-world applications.

This initiative sets a new benchmark for tolling systems in the region, showcasing how legacy systems can be modernised without significant disruption, leading to a smarter, faster, and more efficient future for tolling infrastructure.

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL) played a pivotal role in the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2025, held on 5 October, by serving as both a Category Sponsor and the Official Medical Partner. The marathon, which saw a record-breaking 42,000 participants, is the first in Malaysia to receive the World Athletics Elite Label Race status, highlighting its international prestige. PHKL’s involvement underscores its commitment to community wellness and healthcare innovation.

PHKL’s participation extended beyond traditional medical support. The hospital organised pre-race health workshops and on-site screenings, ensuring runners were well-prepared and informed. On race day, PHKL introduced its “Medic-On-The-Run” initiative, providing innovative medical support to participants throughout the event. This approach reflects PHKL’s dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare services both within and outside hospital settings.

The marathon’s success and PHKL’s involvement highlight the hospital’s mission to promote health and wellness across generations. By integrating healthcare into community events, PHKL aims to foster a culture of health consciousness and sustainability. As a legacy partner in wellness, PHKL continues to push the boundaries of healthcare delivery, ensuring that its services reach beyond the confines of the hospital.

Looking ahead, PHKL’s commitment to community health initiatives is expected to inspire further collaborations and innovations in healthcare delivery, reinforcing its role as a leader in the Malaysian healthcare landscape.

Frasers Hospitality has reinforced its commitment to social inclusion and community care through a series of initiatives in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. In collaboration with Food Bank Singapore, the company distributed 200 care packs to elderly residents and low-income households in the Jalan Kukoh estate. This effort was complemented by a mural painting project involving youth from Club Rainbow and students from Lil’ Palette Workroom, transforming public spaces with art themed around nostalgic toys.

The mural initiative, which engaged over 50 volunteers, aimed to evoke shared memories and strengthen community bonds. “Our collaboration with Frasers Hospitality provided my team with the opportunity to showcase their creativity in a project with meaningful community impact,” said Lynn Teo, Founder of Lil’ Palette.

In Kuala Lumpur, Frasers Hospitality’s global leadership conference included a scavenger hunt to collect back-to-school items for the Dignity for Children Foundation. The company also donated $2,120 (RM10,000) to support the foundation’s educational efforts. This initiative involved nearly 100 staff volunteers globally, highlighting the company’s dedication to advancing education and supporting vulnerable communities.

Frasers Hospitality has implemented close to 70 community initiatives worldwide, contributing over 3,600 hours to support more than 50 organisations. CEO Eu Chin Fen stated, “Our teams have come together to support the needs of our local communities through various initiatives throughout the year.”

These efforts underscore Frasers Hospitality’s belief in the power of partnerships between businesses, non-profits, and local communities to create lasting social impact.

Malaysian businesses are facing an alarming rise in cyber threats, with over 1,050 exploit attacks occurring daily in the first half of 2025, according to Kaspersky. This marks a 16% increase from the previous year, as the country’s digital infrastructure continues to expand. The cybersecurity firm emphasises the importance of patching systems to protect against these vulnerabilities, which leave enterprises exposed to potential cyberattacks.

Kaspersky’s data reveals that Malaysia ranks third in Southeast Asia for exploit volume, trailing behind Indonesia and Vietnam. Exploits, malicious programmes that exploit software vulnerabilities, pose significant risks when systems remain unpatched. Globally, the most common exploits targeted unpatched Microsoft Office products, with vulnerabilities such as CVE-2018-0802 and CVE-2017-11882 being frequently exploited.

The report highlights that both new zero-day vulnerabilities and older, overlooked issues are being targeted by cybercriminals. Notably, attackers are also focusing on low-code/no-code platforms and AI-powered applications, as businesses increasingly adopt these technologies. Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, warns, “A 16% jump in exploit attempts against Malaysian businesses in just six months highlights how relentless these attackers have become.”

In addition to exploit attacks, Malaysian companies encountered over 1.7 million B2B web threats in the first half of 2025, making it the second most targeted country in Southeast Asia. To combat these threats, Kaspersky advises businesses to maintain robust patch management, deploy reliable security solutions, and utilise the latest threat intelligence.

As Malaysia’s digital economy grows, strengthening cybersecurity measures is crucial to safeguarding its digital progress and maintaining trust in its digital infrastructure.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, is set to inaugurate the Global Islamic Finance Forum (GIFF) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur from 13 to 15 October. The event, organised by the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) with support from Bank Negara Malaysia, will focus on expanding Islamic finance assets to $7.5t by 2028.

The forum, themed “Bridging Tradition and Tomorrow: Advancing Business, Empowering Communities,” will feature key speakers including Dato’ Paduka Iqbal Khan, CEO of Fajr Capital, and Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy for Financing Sustainable Development. The Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, will deliver the opening address.

AIBIM President, Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, stated, “Islamic finance is evolving beyond conventional boundaries, towards a future defined by purpose, innovation and global relevance. GIFF 2025 is not just a conference but a strategic convening of minds.”

The forum will address issues such as intra-OIC investment flows, Shariah standards, and sustainability through Value-Based Intermediation. It will also highlight the MIFC Global Impact Challenge winners, focusing on climate resilience and social inclusion.

Standard Chartered Saadiq will host the Global Shariah Majlis, whilst Labuan IBFC and Kenanga Investment Bank will discuss digital finance innovations. The event is supported by sponsors including Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad. Registration details are available on the GIFF website.

CIMB Bank Berhad has launched a bespoke wealth management platform, marking a significant step in digitalising its wealth management services. The platform, supported by CIMB’s Chief Investment Office (CIO), provides users with direct access to digital wealth solutions, data-driven insights, and expert analysis, catering to the growing demand for digital tools in wealth management.

The CIO, the first of its kind in Malaysia, serves affluent customers by combining global market perspectives with local insights. Haniz Nazlan, CEO of Group Consumer Banking at CIMB, highlighted the platform’s ability to offer “expert in-house insights provided by a dedicated team and quicker access to customised solutions and strategy to grow wealth.” This digital transformation aims to enhance client relationships and meet investment goals.

The platform consolidates market intelligence, research publications, and interactive tools into a single digital portal. It allows users to monitor market indicators and visualise portfolio allocations based on individual risk profiles. CIMB Preferred and Private Banking clients can access personalised advisory services, whilst other users benefit from the CIO’s insights.

Nazlan emphasised, “The CIO portal represents CIMB’s commitment to providing advisory-led, insight-driven solutions that safeguard and grow our clients’ wealth.” The initiative aligns with CIMB’s Forward30 strategy, leveraging innovation and technology to deliver lasting value.

The CIO portal is now live and accessible online, offering a comprehensive digital solution for wealth management.