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KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) is the first Malaysian venue to receive a ‘Healthy Venue’ certification from the Healthy Venues organisation. The Centre has achieved the Healthy Venue’s Bronze Level accreditation. The recognition, granted only to venues that integrate wellness into events by prioritising healthier eating, movement, and workplace health, reinforces the Centre’s ongoing efforts to improve the overall delegate experience and increase meeting productivity by providing a conducive event environment that promotes health and well-being. Commenting on this achievement, John Burke, the Centre’s General Manager, stated that, “Reflecting our commitment to present the right environment for learning, business or leisure, this new milestone further strengthens our position as a world-class venue and industry leader on par with global standards. Research has shown that healthy meeting environments can improve delegate productivity and leave them with positive experiences and memories of the events they attend. This accreditation will not only enhance the confidence of event organisers in our venue but will also help them attract more delegates to their events here.” To achieve this certification, the Centre had to comply with a variety of stringent requirements set by the Healthy Venues organisation. These requirements included demonstrating catering practices that support national dietary guidelines, ensuring that at least 25% of menu items on offer are healthy options, providing a choice of low or no-sugar drinks where drinks are served, providing free drinking water on site, promoting active meetings to event planners and implementing a written policy to promote physical activity and healthy eating in the workplace. The Centre has also incorporated conversations around healthy meetings in its interactions with clients and organisers, at relevant stages, and provides the option to further customise menus to increase healthy items offered. Its flexible spaces can also be transformed to cater to recreational and relaxing activities within the event area, promoting physical and mental wellness amidst a hectic conference, exhibition or meeting programme. As part of its organisational commitment, the Centre’s team members are also encouraged to adopt an active lifestyle and to utilise active travel options when commuting to and from work. The venue also works closely with its hotel and leisure partners to conduct awareness and wellness exercises for the wider community around the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct. “Moving forward together can take us to greater heights thus, all our initiatives and programmes are aimed at benefiting not only our clients and guests but also our team members and the surrounding communities,” concluded Burke.

KUALA LUMPUR: A more comprehensive review of the financial intermediary industry is being undertaken, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Assistant Governor Dr Norhana Endut. She said BNM and the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) are looking into opportunities to streamline regulations for financial planners and advisers. “Such collaborative efforts have been highlighted in the central bank’s Financial Sector Blueprint and the SC Capital Market Masterplan 3,” Norhana said at the Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) 20th Anniversary luncheon. She said that enhancing the financial education level of industries and households remains the key strategy to encourage responsible and effective usage of financial services. “Together with other partners on the financial education network, we acknowledge MFPC’s contribution towards enhancing public knowledge and awareness via the ‘My Money and Me’ financial literacy programme. “The robustness of MFPC’s financial education programmes is affirmed by the stream of awards and accolades that it has received throughout the years,” Norhana said, addind that by the end of 2023, there were over 1,400 financial planners and 1,500 financial advisers in Malaysia. “To a large extent, the growing number of qualified financial planners and advisers have contributed towards the growth of new business of the life insurance and family takaful sector, which grew by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% for the period of 2018 to 2023,” Norhana said. Meanwhile, MFPC President Ng Yen Heng said the council’s commitment to excellence remained steadfast following the launch of the Modular Certification Title and the Shariah Capstone Programme which underscored MFPC’s dedication to providing flexible, specialised learning pathways for financial professionals. “The landscape of financial planning is constantly evolving, presenting us with new opportunities and challenges. To navigate these, we have developed a comprehensive 3-year strategic plan with targets to propel MFPC to greater heights, namely the presence of professionals, influence and branding, as well as community,” he said. Ng said MFPC is also embarking on a blended-learning strategy augmented with enriched self-paced e-learning modules, providing its members with the flexibility to learn at their own pace. — BERNAMA