Energy & Technology

TANGERANG, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has introduced its most affordable electric car to date, the Atto 1, in the Indonesian market. Unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) on Wednesday, the compact EV is priced below Rp 200 million (approximately US$12,270). Also known globally as the BYD Seagull, the Atto 1 makes its ASEAN debut in Indonesia, which will serve as the launchpad for its regional expansion. The move reflects BYD’s strategy to capture demand in the underpenetrated entry-level EV segment across Southeast Asia. “This debut in Indonesia marks the Atto 1’s first appearance in ASEAN. Pre-orders are now open,” said Nathan Sun, Operations Director at BYD Motor Indonesia. The Atto 1 comes in two variants: Dynamic – Priced at Rp 195 million (~US$12,000), with a range of up to 300 km Premium – Priced at Rp 235 million (~US$14,800), with a range of up to 380 km These price points make the Atto 1 BYD’s most accessible model in Indonesia, significantly undercutting the prices of its existing models such as the Seal (from Rp 629 million), Atto 3 (Rp 515 million), and Dolphin (Rp 425 million). With competitive pricing and increasing consumer interest in EVs, the Atto 1 is expected to strengthen BYD’s foothold in Indonesia. EV adoption in the country—Southeast Asia’s largest automotive market—has doubled to 10% in the first half of 2025, up from 5% during the same period last year.

SINGAPORE, Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant Sinopec Group has signed a contract to explore a natural gas block in Algeria that may hold significant shale gas reserves. The agreement, signed earlier this week between Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration & Production Corporation (SIPC) and Algeria’s state energy firm Sonatrach, covers the exploration and development of the Guern El Guessa II (GEG) block. The block spans 36,000 square kilometres in the Gourara-Timimoun Basin in southwestern Algeria and was awarded to Sinopec last month through an international tender. Sinopec, formerly known as China Petrochemical Corp, stated in June that while the GEG block has proven conventional gas resources, it also shows strong potential for shale gas development. Before submitting its bid, Sinopec conducted extensive evaluations of the block, drawing on its technical expertise and integrated capabilities in unconventional oil and gas exploration. The company is one of China’s pioneers in shale gas development, operating the Fuling field in southwest China — the country’s largest shale gas project. The GEG deal follows a previous US$850 million agreement in February, under which Sinopec and Sonatrach partnered to jointly develop the Hassi Berkane-North field. Separately, another Chinese energy firm, Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Company (ZPEC), announced this week that it has also signed a contract to explore and develop Algeria’s Zerafa II natural gas block, after securing the tender last month, according to an official statement on its WeChat platform.

SUBANG JAYA, Dobot Malaysia Sdn Bhd is aiming to generate RM3 million in revenue this year as it expands its presence across the country. Kent Goh, Country Manager for Malaysia and India, said the establishment of Dobot Robotics’ Malaysian subsidiary marks a significant step in the company’s global growth and commitment to advancing technological innovation. “Our goal is to enhance productivity and accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0. At the same time, rising ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) requirements, increasing labour costs, and stricter regulations on foreign labour are driving higher demand for automation,” he told Bernama at the official launch of Dobot Malaysia’s new branch. Headquartered in China, Dobot Robotics is a global research, development, and manufacturing company specialising in intelligent collaborative robots. Since its founding in 2015, the company has shipped over 80,000 units to more than 80 countries worldwide. Goh noted that Dobot has already sold over 500 units in Malaysia over the past five years. With the new expansion, the company will prioritise the automotive and consumer electronics sectors, offering solutions priced between RM10,000 and RM100,000. During the launch, Dobot Robotics co-founder Jun Jie Xie outlined four key strategies to drive growth in Malaysia: advancing smart manufacturing, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, improving local service capabilities, and building an innovation-driven ecosystem. “Dobot aims to deliver customised solutions for local manufacturers, optimising processes such as electronics assembly, welding, and quality control to boost global competitiveness,” he said. “By collaborating with system integrators, tech providers, and manufacturers, we hope to foster a robust robotics ecosystem and support comprehensive automation.” Looking ahead, Goh added that the company plans to expand to Penang next year to increase its market share in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR, Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KAB), via its wholly owned unit KAB Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd, has received feed-in approvals for two hydropower projects under the Sustainable Energy Development Authority’s (SEDA) Feed-in Tariff (FiT) 2.0 programme. The approvals cover a total installed capacity of 8.04 megawatts (MW), consisting of two plants with capacities of 5.2 MW and 2.84 MW, respectively. Following its successful entry into the hydropower space with the acquisition of a mini-hydropower project in Indonesia in August 2023, KAB is now expanding its presence in Malaysia’s renewable energy (RE) sector. The newly approved projects will further strengthen its Sustainable Energy Solutions (SES) division, with a stable revenue stream over 21 years under SEDA’s fixed tariff model. Under the FiT 2.0 scheme, the tariff rates are set at RM0.34/kWh for the first 10 years and RM0.32/kWh for the subsequent 11 years. KAB executive deputy chairman and group managing director Datuk Lai Keng Onn said the company’s growth from Indonesia to Malaysia highlights the scalability of its SES strategy. “We continue to unlock growth opportunities in our sustainable energy portfolio. The approval of over 8.0 MW reflects our regional strategy and reinforces our commitment to driving clean energy development across Southeast Asia. Our goal is to support Malaysia’s energy transition with impactful, long-term projects that also enhance national energy security,” he said in a statement. SEDA’s FiT 2.0 programme aims to boost investment in renewable energy, create job opportunities, and accelerate the country’s shift to cleaner energy sources. Its transparent online bidding process has increased participation, improved investor confidence, and supported the growth of RE infrastructure nationwide.

HWASEONG, In the heart of Hyundai Motor’s Namyang R&D Center, a sleek white sedan sits motionless as six high-speed wind streams blast across its surface at 140 kilometers per hour. It’s not just any test vehicle—this is Hyundai’s Aero Challenge concept car, now officially the world’s most aerodynamic electric vehicle with a record-breaking drag coefficient of 0.144. Hyundai’s Aero Challenge concept car achieved a drag coefficient of 0.144, the lowest in the world. The drag coefficient is a crucial factor in the era of EV competition as it is a direct contributor to how far an EV can go on a single charge.  Though drag coefficients may seem like a niche metric, they play a vital role in electric vehicle (EV) performance, particularly in range efficiency. The lower the drag, the farther an EV can travel on a single charge—making aerodynamic innovation a central focus at Namyang, the global research hub of the world’s third-largest automaker. “With the Aero Challenge, we’ve achieved a world-first drag coefficient of 0.144, surpassing previous benchmarks set by Mercedes-Benz (0.19) and Chery (0.16),” said Park Sang-hyun, Head of Hyundai’s Aerodynamics Development Team, during a press tour of the center on Wednesday. A wind tunnel fan 8.4 meters (27 feet, 7 inches) in diameter, capable of generating winds equivalent to speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour) and powered by a 3,400-horsepower motor, at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. The milestone is the result of years of meticulous testing in Hyundai’s advanced wind tunnel, powered by a 3,400-horsepower motor and equipped with an 8.4-meter-diameter fan capable of simulating wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Park noted that even a slight reduction in drag—by as little as 0.01—can improve driving range by an estimated 6.4 kilometers. Namyang’s 3.3-million-square-meter campus, established in 1996, serves as the nerve center for Hyundai’s innovation pipeline. From conceptual design to engineering and testing, it handles all stages of vehicle development across passenger, commercial, and electric models. Inside the environmental test lab, the contrast was stark. While the outdoor heat soared past 40 degrees Celsius, an Ioniq 9 endured a simulated snowstorm within a cold chamber chilled to minus 30 degrees. Bundled researchers inspected the vehicle’s frunk—where an engine would traditionally sit—to ensure critical EV components like the battery, charging port, and electronics are sealed from moisture intrusion. An Ioniq 9 EV sits blanketed in snow inside the environmental testing facility, where vehicles are tested under simulated snowfall at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. Researchers inspect the frunk of an Ioniq 9 EV, which sits blanketed in snow inside the environmental testing facility, where vehicles are tested under simulated snowfall at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi,. “Even a small amount of snow reaching the charging port or battery system could lead to serious malfunctions,” said Hong Hwan-ui from Hyundai’s Thermal Energy Vehicle Testing Team. “Since 2003, every Hyundai and Kia model must go through this chamber before hitting the market.” A Genesis GV70 is tested on its road noise level at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. Another major area of competition in the EV space is comfort—particularly a smooth and quiet ride. Hyundai’s Road Noise Testing Lab is dedicated to this, where vehicles like the Genesis GV70 are tested on a dynamic floor simulating various road textures. Engineers monitor real-time frequency graphs to identify and analyze noise spikes caused by road interactions. Nearby, a high-speed tire uniformity tester spins wheels up to 320 kilometers per hour across simulated bumps to evaluate ride quality and reduce vibration-related discomfort—a growing concern with heavier battery-powered vehicles. A researcher inspects tires to detect even the slightest vibrations at Hyundai Motor Group’s Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. Hyundai’s continued investment in R&D has played a key role in its ascent in the global auto industry. The Hyundai Motor Group has held its position as the world’s third-largest automaker since 2022, delivering 7.23 million vehicles worldwide in 2024. A large part of this success has come from its expanding EV lineup, particularly in North America, where Hyundai and Kia’s combined EV sales recently climbed to the No. 2 spot behind Tesla, overtaking General Motors. However, future growth may be at risk. A recent U.S. policy shift—President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” effective July 4—has rolled back EV tax credits of up to $7,500 for vehicles not assembled in North America, a reversal of the Biden-era incentives that were slated to run through 2032. The impact has been immediate. Exports of Hyundai and Kia EVs to the U.S. fell 88 percent year-on-year to just 7,156 units between January and May 2025, according to data from the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association. As Hyundai continues to push the boundaries of EV design, technology, and efficiency, the company’s ability to navigate shifting global policies will be just as critical as its innovations on the test track.

Microsoft Research Asia has launched its first research lab in Southeast Asia, setting up operations in Singapore to drive cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The new facility aims to foster an AI-driven ecosystem through industry collaboration, talent development, and solutions addressing real-world societal challenges. At the launch event, Peter Lee, President of Microsoft Research, described Microsoft Research Asia as not just a hub for talent and foundational research, but as “a bridge—between theory and practice, East and West, academia and industry, and between Singapore and Microsoft.” Lidong Zhou, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Microsoft Research Asia, added that by partnering closely with Singapore’s innovation ecosystem, the lab seeks to accelerate scientific progress and create impactful AI technologies for industries and individuals alike. The Singapore lab will focus on applying AI across key sectors such as healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, transport and logistics, and sustainability. In healthcare, the lab has already initiated a partnership with SingHealth to develop AI tools for personalised diagnostics and treatment planning. Professor Ng Wai Hoe, Group CEO of SingHealth, explained that the collaboration aims to enhance pathology research by integrating AI-powered image analysis with patient data, allowing for more accurate outcome predictions and personalised treatment—starting with colorectal cancer and potentially expanding to other diseases. This effort will build on Microsoft Research Asia’s multimodal biomedical foundation model and leverage SingHealth’s high-resolution pathology data to continuously enhance AI capabilities. The lab’s mission also aligns with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, which seeks to unlock the transformative potential of AI in key national sectors. Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, welcomed the lab’s launch, expressing hope that Microsoft’s presence will inspire more companies to embrace AI for economic and societal advancement. In support of local talent development, the lab will collaborate with Singapore’s leading universities—including the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore Management University—on both foundational and applied AI research. These partnerships will provide students with hands-on experience in advanced AI research. The new lab follows a five-year collaboration agreement signed earlier this year between Microsoft Research Asia and NUS to boost AI research and nurture computing talent in the region. Although newly established, Microsoft Research Asia has maintained a long-standing presence in Singapore, having conducted over 70 collaborative research projects and trained more than 85 interns and 13 PhD fellows since 2004. The Singapore lab becomes the 14th facility in Microsoft’s global research network, joining counterparts in Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, and other innovation hubs worldwide.

SINGAPORE, ASMPT Ltd, a leading semiconductor and electronics assembly equipment manufacturer based in Singapore, is reporting sustained growth on the back of surging global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, positioning itself as a key enabler in the ongoing AI-driven digital transformation. The company, formerly known as ASM Pacific Technology, has seen robust order momentum from chipmakers and data center operators as AI workloads — including large language models, computer vision, and real-time inference — drive demand for high-performance processors and advanced packaging technologies. “Our business continues to benefit from strong structural tailwinds in AI adoption across cloud, automotive, and edge computing,” said Robin Ng, Group CEO of ASMPT. “The expansion of AI infrastructure globally is fuelling a new wave of investment in semiconductor backend equipment, and ASMPT is well-positioned to meet that demand.” ASMPT’s advanced packaging and chip assembly solutions play a crucial role in enabling high-density, high-speed data processing. The firm specializes in hybrid bonding, system-in-package (SiP), and advanced thermal compression bonding — all essential for powering next-gen AI chips. In its latest quarterly results, ASMPT reported a year-on-year revenue increase of 12%, with particularly strong performance in its Advanced Packaging Segment, which now accounts for nearly 40% of total sales. Profit margins also improved, aided by operational efficiencies and strong customer demand. The company noted increased orders from global chipmakers looking to ramp up production of GPUs and AI accelerators, as well as networking chips for data centers. Major markets contributing to growth include the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and increasingly, Southeast Asia. “We’re seeing long-term investment cycles emerging from hyperscalers and chip foundries, and that bodes well for our business over the next 12 to 24 months,” Ng added. ASMPT is also investing in R&D to support future growth. In 2024, it allocated over US$150 million toward research in heterogeneous integration, miniaturisation, and chiplet technologies — areas seen as critical to maintaining Moore’s Law and enabling AI at scale. Analysts view ASMPT as a key beneficiary of the AI megatrend, especially as semiconductor firms shift focus from traditional nodes to more advanced packaging to overcome physical and performance limitations. “ASMPT sits at the heart of the semiconductor backend ecosystem. Its deep expertise in advanced assembly processes gives it a competitive edge as AI workloads push demand for more compact, powerful, and thermally efficient chip solutions,” said a semiconductor analyst at DBS Group Research. Looking ahead, ASMPT is expected to continue expanding its global footprint, with plans to strengthen its manufacturing and service capabilities in Malaysia and Vietnam to better support regional customers. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain constraints, the company remains confident in its long-term prospects, pointing to a strong order book and healthy customer pipeline. “The AI infrastructure boom is not just a flash in the pan — it’s a paradigm shift,” Ng said. “And ASMPT will be there to help build it.”

KUALA LUMPUR,  The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has announced that the retail prices of RON95 and RON97 petrol will remain unchanged at RM2.05 and RM3.21 per litre, respectively, for the week of July 24 to 30. Diesel prices will also stay the same, at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan, and RM2.91 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia. According to MOF, the prices are determined based on the weekly retail pricing system using the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) formula. “The government will continue to monitor global oil price movements and take appropriate action to protect the welfare and well-being of the people,” the ministry said in a statement.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia approved 25 data centre investment projects between 2021 and March 31, 2025, amounting to a total of RM144.4 billion, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Citing data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), MITI said the projects, approved under the Digital Ecosystem Acceleration Scheme (DESAC), are expected to create 1,429 high-skilled and high-income job opportunities. “These roles include engineers, data scientists, big data analysts, cybersecurity experts, and IT engineers. Over half of these positions will offer salaries exceeding RM5,000,” the ministry said in a written reply published on Parliament’s website. The statement was in response to a question from Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) regarding the job opportunities and economic impact of the country’s expanding data centre industry. To assess broader benefits, MITI will conduct a survey examining the economic spillover of the sector. Data will be collected from four main segments: data centre operators, major tech and content providers, telecom and mobile network firms, and equipment and service suppliers within the data centre ecosystem. MITI also noted that several global tech giants have pledged to create around 67,000 direct and indirect jobs in Malaysia’s IT sector and related industries once their projects are fully realised. In addition to employment gains, the government is working to strengthen vertical integration between the semiconductor and data centre sectors by encouraging the use of locally produced semiconductor components in the data centre supply chain.

KUALA LUMPUR, A national framework to promote sustainable data centre development will be introduced this October, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. In a post on X, Tengku Zafrul said the framework, overseen by the Ministry of Digital, will involve close coordination with various agencies and state governments to streamline the planning and execution of data centre projects across the country. The announcement followed the third meeting of the 2025 Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), co-chaired by Tengku Zafrul and Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He added that the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will act as the central agency for handling applications for both new and expanded data centre projects. “This approach ensures smoother implementation, prevents overlap of responsibilities, and supports the growth of a more strategic and sustainable data centre ecosystem in Malaysia,” he said. Tengku Zafrul emphasised the importance of the meeting in strengthening Malaysia’s position as a competitive and investor-friendly data centre hub. The DCTF is a joint initiative led by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Ministry of Digital to coordinate national-level data centre policies and development efforts.