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Media OutReach

NineSmart and Uniforce Launch Integrated Smart Property and Security Solutions at Build4Asia 2025

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 August 2025 – NineSmart, a leader in property technology, and Uniforce, top security and facility service provider, together announced their partnership at Build4Asia 2025 exhibition held in July. Jointly showcased NineSmart’s Smart Property and Uniforce’s advanced high-definition CCTV and Carpack System, the display combines NineSmart’s AI innovation platform with Uniforce’s security expertise, providing a comprehensive integrated solution for modern property management. NineSmart and Uniforce Launch Integrated Smart Property and Security Solutions at Build4Asia 2025 NineSmart Flagship Product: Smart Property Smart Property is part of the NineSmart Go! platform, utilizing IoT and AI technologies, integrating key functions into a mobile app and a single cloud platform. Its modular and AI-driven design offers efficiency, sustainability and enhanced user experience, simplifying property management for residential, commercial, and clubhouse environments. Unified Platform: Integrates access control, facility booking, video intercom, elevator access and visitor registration into one platform, allowing administrators to easily manage permissions and monitor equipment status. AI-Driven Design: Uses AI to analyze access patterns, monitor IoT devices and automate tasks such as drafting announcements, enhancing operational efficiency. Smart Access: Provides contactless access to properties, supporting dynamic QR codes, NFC, Octopus and facial recognition, allowing remote unlocking and creating visitor QR code via a mobile app. Old Building Upgrades: Cloud technology enables real-time data sync and offline operations, supporting integration with existing property systems, enabling seamless upgrades for old buildings. User-Centric: Facility booking supports popular e-payment methods and provides real-time notifications and smart intercom to enhance user experience for residents or tenants. Uniforce CCTV and Carpark Systems Seamlessly integrates with security management platforms, supporting high-precision applications that complement NineSmart’s property management platform, providing more efficient security and parking management for various properties. High-Definition CCTV: Leverages Korean IP and analogue technologies with Sony CCD and DSP for 1080p clarity. Metal dome cameras ensure reliable all-weather monitoring, equipped with motion detection and remote live viewing for residential and commercial settings. Smart Carpark Management: Based on Jieshun Smart Terminal Operating Platform (JAVA-based), features 99% all-weather license plate recognition (LPR) for Hong Kong, China and Macau plates, with Octopus card-based entry/ exit for unmanned operations. Advanced Parking Operations: Supports dual-lane traffic with built-in fill lights, centralized billing with receipt printing for hourly/ monthly users, parking space allocation analytics, and e-payment integration via Octopus or mobile apps. Robust and Flexible Customization: Enables remote operation, maintenance and upgrades with proactive fault notifications. Offers offline LPR, dual-machine collaborative algorithms for complex environments like curves, and secondary SDK for third-party integration, ensuring adaptability across property types. NineSmart CEO Lucas Mo stated, “We are pleased to partner with the renowned Uniforce, integrating next-gen technology, high-quality equipment and industry intelligence to extend the application of Smart Property. Our display garnered widespread attention at Build4Asia 2025, reflecting market demand for such solutions.” Uniforce General Manager Man Kwok added, “NineSmart injects new technologies and vitality into us. The seamless integration of both systems provides property management and developers with a one-stop, efficient and comprehensive solution that meets market demand, saves labor costs, optimizes security and operational processes in the long run.” Hashtag: #NineSmart #Uniforce #PropertyTechnology #SmartProperty #CarparkSystem #CCTV https://www.ninesmart.iohttps://hk.linkedin.com/company/ninesmart The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. NineSmart Limited An incubatee of Cyberport Incubation Programme for Smart Living Start-ups, focusing on IoT solutions and software development, allowing different devices to be centrally managed through a single platform, revolutionizing property management in residential, commercial, and clubhouse environments. Visit www.ninesmart.io for more information. Uniforce Security Systems Limited Established in 1989, utilizing advanced electronic equipment and computer-controlled products, leveraging professional knowledge and service to provide property protection, personal safety and security management. Uniforce departments include administration, security consulting, business, engineering, maintenance, technical development, a 24-hour central alarm monitoring station, system design, product support and customer service. Visit www.uniforce.com.hk for more information.

Media OutReach

HDBank Hits Record H1 Pre-tax Profit

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HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 August 2025 – HDBank (HoSE: HDB) has reported a record pre-tax profit of VND10.1 trillion (US$383 million) for the first half of 2025, up 23.3 per cent year-on-year, driven by strong digital transformation, robust credit growth, and prudent risk management. HDBank has announced its highest-ever H1 pre-tax profit of VND10.1 trillion (US$383 million). — Photo Courtesy of HDBank In Q2 alone, the bank posted VND4.7 trillion ($179 million) in pre-tax profit. Total operating income grew 30 per cent to nearly VND20.8 trillion ($791 million), supported by a 15.8 per cent rise in net interest income and a 210 per cent surge in non-interest income, notably from digital banking and forex trading. Digitalisation enhanced cost efficiency, with the cost-to-income ratio falling to 25.5 per cent. HDBank maintained high profitability with a return on equity (ROE) of 26.5 per cent and return on assets (ROA) of 2.2 per cent. As of June 30, total assets stood at VND784 trillion ($29.8 billion), up 12.4 per cent year-to-date. Customer deposits reached VND664 trillion ($25.2 billion), rising 7 per cent, while outstanding loans climbed 18.2 per cent to over VND517 trillion ($19.6 billion), nearly double the sector-wide growth. Credit was channeled to infrastructure, manufacturing, consumption, and low-risk sectors. Its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was kept low at 1.94 per cent, and the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) exceeded 13 per cent under Basel II. The bank continued to support key government and central bank programmes, including loans for affordable housing, digital infrastructure, high-tech agriculture, and green finance. Subsidiaries under HD Financial Group also recorded strong performances. HD SAISON served 15.5 million customers across 27,100 service points, with a H1 pre-tax profit of VND709 billion ($26.9 million), up 18 per cent. Vikki Digital Bank, formerly Đông Á Bank, surpassed one million app downloads in five months. HD Securities reported VND382 billion ($14.5 million) in profit and an ROE of 29 per cent, ranking among the top 10 most profitable brokerages. Digital channels contributed 75 per cent of new customer acquisitions in Q2, while 94 per cent of individual transactions were made online. The bank continues to expand its digital ecosystem with AI-driven solutions and advanced platforms. HDBank recently received several prestigious awards, including from Forbes Vietnam and the ASEAN Corporate Governance Awards 2025. Hashtag: #HDBank The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Media OutReach

Solace Appoints Yo Ohara as Country Manager for Japan

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Veteran enterprise software leader to drive adoption of event-driven architecture and expand Solace’s footprint in Japan TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 August 2025 – Solace, the leader in powering real-time, event-driven integration for the agentic age, today announced the appointment of Yo Ohara as country manager for Japan, reinforcing the company’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the country. With over 25 years of leadership experience in enterprise software, Ohara brings a proven track record of driving growth and innovation in Japan’s dynamic technology landscape. Prior to joining Solace, he served as Japan country leader at Software AG, where he led strategic initiatives in API integration, business process management, and IoT analytics. He also held senior leadership roles at ABBYY, Nuance Communications, and Sun Microsystems, consistently delivering results through customer-centric strategies and high-performing teams. “Japan is a critical market for Solace as we continue to help organizations modernize their IT infrastructure through event-driven integration. Yo’s deep industry expertise makes him our instrumental leader to expand our presence and help organizations capitalize on the transformative potential of data and AI in Japan,” said Kent Nash, EVP, global sales of Solace. Ohara will lead Solace’s Japan operations from its expanded Tokyo office, focusing on scaling customer engagement, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and enabling enterprises to leverage real-time data movement via Solace’s advanced event streaming and management platform. Under Ohara’s leadership, the Tokyo team is well-positioned to support rising demand for event-driven architecture and deliver greater value to customers across industries. Solace is deeply committed to supporting digital innovation in Japan by helping organizations become more agile, responsive, and connected. Through its industry-leading event-driven integration and agentic AI solutions, Solace enables enterprises to distribute data in real-time across diverse environments — from on-premises to cloud to IoT — enabling faster decision-making and enhanced customer experiences.Hashtag: #Solace https://solace.com/jp/https://www.linkedin.com/company/solacedotcom The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Solace Solace helps enterprises adopt AI by enabling real-time, event-driven integration across their entire business. Built on a modern event-driven architecture, Solace Platform connects systems, applications, and AI agents with the data they need — securely, seamlessly, and at scale. Established enterprises worldwide – including RBC Capital Markets, Heineken, PSA Singapore and Schwarz Group – trust Solace to enable time-sensitive applications and processes; modernize their application and integration landscape; and create seamless digital experiences for their customers, partners and employees. Learn more at solace.com.

ESG

Nestlé Switches Six Thai Factories To Renewable Energy

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BANGKOK, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. has taken a significant step towards its sustainability goals by transitioning all six of its manufacturing facilities in Thailand to renewable electricity under the Utility Green Tariff 1 (UGT1) program. This marks a collaborative effort with the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to supply green energy from renewable sources, including hydroelectric and solar power. Ms. Suchada Kongdham, (left), Director of Power Economics Policy Department, PEA; Mr Philippe Glauser, (2nd from left), Technical Director, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd.; Mr Praveen Narayan (2nd from right), Corporate Engineering Manager, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd.; and Mr Amphol Sanguanwong, (right), Director of Power Economics Department, MEA This move supports Nestlé’s ambition to achieve 100% renewable electricity usage across its Thai factories by the end of 2025 and aligns with the company’s global Net Zero 2050 roadmap, aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. Since July 2025, Nestlé has been sourcing renewable electricity for its six factories across Thailand. These include: The ice cream factory in Bang Chan The coffee creamer factory in Bang Pu Two Nestlé Waters factories in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Surat Thani Two pet food factories in Rayong province Mr Philippe Glauser, Technical Director at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., emphasized the importance of the initiative: “Our collaboration with MEA and PEA under the UGT1 program is a major milestone in Nestlé Thailand’s journey toward Net Zero. Transitioning to renewable electricity isn’t optional—it’s essential to ensuring the planet’s long-term health. Nestlé is among the first FMCG companies in Thailand to adopt the UGT1 program, making sure that the energy used to produce our products is sourced responsibly from clean, renewable sources. This initiative continues our mission to create products that are not only Good for You, but also Good for the Planet.” Mr Amphol Sanguanwong, Director of MEA’s Power Economics Department, echoed the sentiment: “MEA is proud to begin supplying green electricity to Nestlé under the UGT1 program, starting with the July 2025 billing cycle. This reflects our strong commitment to promoting clean energy in Thailand’s industrial sector, helping businesses meet future energy needs in a sustainable and competitive way.” Ms Suchada Kongdham, Director of PEA’s Power Economics Policy Department, added: “This partnership between Nestlé and PEA reinforces our shared goal of advancing Thailand’s transition to clean energy. It showcases a powerful collaboration between the public and private sectors that will benefit the economy, environment, and quality of life in Thailand over the long term.” This initiative not only supports Nestlé’s operational sustainability goals but also reflects its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. By aligning its business practices with ESG standards, Nestlé continues to deliver tasty, nutritious, and affordable products while keeping environmental and societal well-being at the core of its operations.

News

Ahmad Redza Appointed As New KTMB Chairman

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KUALA LUMPUR, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) has announced the appointment of Datuk Ahmad Redza Abdullah as its new chairman, effective this month. In the same statement, the national rail operator also revealed that Ahmad Nizam Mohamed Amin, the current Chief Technical Officer, will serve as acting Group Chief Executive Officer, following the conclusion of Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin’s tenure as CEO. Ahmad Redza, a seasoned legal professional with more than 30 years of experience in high-profile litigation and strategic corporate advisory, is expected to enhance KTMB’s governance structure and drive its transformation agenda towards a more forward-looking and sustainable future. “His strong grasp of both the business landscape and regulatory frameworks positions him well to guide the company’s strategic direction and strengthen stakeholder confidence,” KTMB said. Ahmad Redza is the co-founder of the legal firm Shahrizat Rashid & Lee and currently serves as managing partner at REC Legal (Redza Eleena Chong). Meanwhile, Mohd Rani concludes his second term as KTMB’s CEO. He was first appointed in 2017, before departing in 2019 to helm Kontena Nasional Bhd, a subsidiary of MMC Corp Bhd. He returned to KTMB in December 2020, where he was tasked with revitalising the loss-making rail operator. “KTMB expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Datuk Mohd Rani for his dedicated service and hopes he will continue to contribute meaningfully to the broader rail industry,” the company said. Previously, The Edge reported in August 2019 that Mohd Rani’s departure came amid an anonymous complaint submitted to the Ministry of Finance. An internal audit was subsequently conducted, which cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Investment & Market Trends

AI Boom Drives Earnings Growth For Frontken

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KUALA LUMPUR, The ongoing rally on the Nasdaq, fuelled by surging interest in artificial intelligence (AI), has sparked increased attention from local investors toward Frontken Corp Bhd, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research. The investment bank noted that major global tech giants like NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Google have experienced significant gains in their share prices, driven by growing demand for AI processors and cloud computing services. While most companies listed on Bursa Malaysia are not directly involved in the AI space, Frontken stands out as a key indirect beneficiary. This is largely due to its established cleaning and surface treatment services for leading semiconductor foundries in Taiwan, which remain its primary revenue source. “Frontken utilises advanced technology to provide precision cleaning for extremely small wafers, supporting production at leading foundries,” HLIB said. Looking ahead, global semiconductor sales are projected to rebound by 13% year-on-year (YoY) in 2024, according to forecasts from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS). Additionally, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), during its Q4 2023 earnings call, signaled that earnings had likely bottomed out and expressed confidence in a strong growth outlook for 2024. This optimism is anchored by the expansion of leading-edge 3nm technologies, sustained demand for 5nm chips, and the continued growth of AI-related sectors. HLIB highlighted that increased output from these foundries will drive demand for Frontken’s specialised services, particularly in supporting production processes and extending the lifespan of chamber components. “This positions Frontken as a prime beneficiary of growth in the front-end semiconductor industry,” it said. Beyond semiconductors, Frontken’s oil and gas (O&G) division contributed approximately 23% of the group’s total revenue in the financial year 2023 (FY23). HLIB added that the company expects further momentum in FY24, backed by stronger orders from contracts related to engineering services, manpower supply, and mechanical rotating equipment servicing with major oil companies. On the stock market, Frontken’s shares are currently trading between RM3.64 and RM3.70, continuing their upward trend. “Should the share price break above RM3.74, it could climb further to RM3.87, RM4.00, or even RM4.10, forming a higher high pattern. However, investors are advised to cut losses if the price drops below RM3.50,” HLIB advised.

Lifestyle

Vanilla Crepe Sets Sights On Nationwide F&B Expansion

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KUALA LUMPUR, Vanilla Crepe, the popular mille crepe dessert chain, is accelerating its evolution into a nationwide cross-industry food and beverage (F&B) platform, positioning itself as a key player in Malaysia’s integrated F&B ecosystem. In a statement, the company revealed that it currently operates nearly 200 distribution points and has formed over 40 strategic partnerships, steadily building a nationwide sales and distribution network. The group aims to become Malaysia’s largest integrated F&B platform that spans multiple industries. Group CEO and co-founder Nelson Liew said the brand has expanded its presence into cinemas, cafés, office buildings, hotels, and lifestyle spaces, creating a wide range of consumer touchpoints. These expansions have turned its signature mille crepes into a traffic-generating product that fuels cross-industry collaborations. Looking ahead, Vanilla Crepe plans to expand its distribution network to 1,000 locations, further strengthening its role in Malaysia’s dynamic F&B landscape. Datuk Jennifer Ong, principal of private capital firm Censuria Capital, expressed strong support for Vanilla Crepe’s expansion, highlighting the company’s mission to build a nationwide F&B footprint, enhance brand synergies, and accelerate growth across various retail sectors. By collaborating with major domestic retail players, Vanilla Crepe aims to become Malaysia’s most widely distributed F&B brand, serving as a key hub for cross-industry partnerships. The company also noted that its mille crepe products give it a unique distribution advantage—creating new opportunities for international brands to enter the Malaysian market, thereby promoting cross-border brand collaborations and contributing to the continued growth of the country’s integrated F&B ecosystem.

News

Fajarbaru Builder Group Rebrands As FBG Holdings

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KUALA LUMPUR, Fajarbaru Builder Group Bhd has officially rebranded itself as FBG Holdings Bhd, with the name change taking effect on Friday, Aug 8, 2025, according to an announcement by Bursa Malaysia today. In its statement, the exchange confirmed that the group’s securities will be quoted and traded under the new company name beginning at 9:00 am on the effective date. Alongside the name change, the stock short name will be updated from “Fajar” to “FBG”, marking a new chapter in the company’s corporate identity. Bursa Malaysia also noted that the company’s stock codes will remain unchanged, ensuring a smooth transition for shareholders and market participants. In line with the rebranding, the stock short name for Fajarbaru Builder – Warrants 2021/2026 will also be revised. Effective the same date, it will be updated to FBG-WC. The rebranding reflects the group’s ongoing transformation and potential diversification beyond its traditional construction business, as it aligns with its broader strategic goals and future expansion plans under a unified corporate identity. Investors and stakeholders are advised to take note of the upcoming changes and refer to official Bursa Malaysia channels for any further updates.

News

Mohd Effendi Mat Aris Appointed As CEO Of XOX

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PETALING JAYA, XOX Technology Bhd has announced the appointment of Mohd Effendi Mat Aris, 38, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He takes over the role from Azril Aliuddin, who stepped down in May last year to pursue other professional commitments. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company highlighted Mohd Effendi’s extensive experience spanning more than two decades across the public sector, private enterprises, and non-governmental organisations. His diverse background is expected to bring a fresh strategic perspective to the group as it continues to expand its footprint in the technology and digital services space. Prior to joining XOX, Mohd Effendi served as the Deputy Head of the Intelligence Section at the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), operating under the Prime Minister’s Department. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating intelligence efforts and inter-agency enforcement operations aligned with Malaysia’s anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) initiatives. His leadership at NFCC was marked by significant contributions to the development of Malaysia’s financial crime intelligence network and collaborative frameworks between enforcement bodies. In addition to his new role at XOX, Mohd Effendi was recently appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of Heitech Padu Bhd on July 25, further underscoring his growing presence in Malaysia’s corporate sector. XOX said it looks forward to leveraging Mohd Effendi’s expertise and leadership to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and explore new growth opportunities for the group.

News

KPK Evaluates Funding Needs For Rubber Replanting Efforts In Ranau

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KUALA LUMPUR, The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK), through the Malaysian Rubber Board, is currently reviewing the need to increase budget allocations for the development of new rubber planting areas—particularly in hardcore poverty regions such as Ranau. In a written parliamentary response published on the Dewan Rakyat portal today, the ministry stated that several proactive initiatives are already underway. These include identifying suitable land, providing agricultural input support and high-quality rubber seedlings, implementing group-based rubber cultivation programmes, and offering technical training and guidance to participating smallholders. KPK reaffirmed its commitment to assisting small-scale farmers, especially those in the Ranau district. “From 2021 to 2024, with the Sabah Rubber Industry Board serving as the implementing agency, a total of 19 planting blocks were established in Ranau, involving 324 participants and covering 1,011.36 hectares. These efforts were supported by a total allocation of RM19.21 million,” the ministry noted. The reply was in response to a query from Datuk Jonathan Yasin (GRS–Ranau), who raised concerns about the need for additional funding to help smallholders in the district expand cultivation of cocoa, oil palm, and rubber as a strategy to combat extreme poverty. Regarding the palm oil sector, KPK said the proposal to offer financial assistance for land development and provide targeted subsidies for smallholders is still under review. As for cocoa, the ministry recognised Ranau as a high-potential cultivation area and one of Malaysia’s key cocoa-producing districts. Among the initiatives currently being implemented by the Malaysian Cocoa Board are the new cocoa planting programme—under which applications for over 500 hectares have been received to date—various ongoing development activities, and the Cocoa Cluster Complex in Ranau, which is expected to be completed this year. KPK expressed confidence that these integrated efforts would contribute to gradually reducing the rate of extreme poverty in Ranau and other targeted rural areas.

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