Energy & Technology

KUALA LUMPUR: CelcomDigi Bhd and Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) have partnered to enhance the security of digital financial transactions through CelcomDigi Open Gateway, leveraging SIM-based authentication for DuitNow user verification. With PayNet processing over 13 million transactions daily, this initiative aims to combat rising online fraud and strengthen financial security across Malaysia. By integrating Open Application Programming Interface (API) technology, PayNet can verify DuitNow transactions in real time, ensuring that the registered mobile number, MyKad, or business registration number belongs to the legitimate account holder. Strengthening Digital Security Against Fraud Online scams and fraud continue to be a significant challenge in the financial sector, with cybercriminals exploiting weaknesses in traditional authentication methods. SIM-based authentication offers an added layer of protection, as each SIM card is unique, securely stored in a mobile device, and difficult to duplicate—minimizing the risk of fraudulent transactions. Datuk Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “By introducing SIM-based authentication, we provide financial institutions with a more secure way to verify users, making digital transactions significantly safer. As fraudsters become more sophisticated—especially with the rise of artificial intelligence—stronger security measures are essential.” He also highlighted plans to expand this partnership to more financial institutions, further reinforcing Malaysia’s digital security framework. Real-Time Fraud Prevention with National Fraud Portal The collaboration will also enhance fraud prevention by working with the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) through the National Fraud Portal (NFP). The NFP allows CelcomDigi to flag, block, and blacklist scam-linked phone numbers, preventing fraudsters from using compromised numbers to open new accounts. Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to financial security and inclusion, stating: “With the real-time National Fraud Portal, we are taking bold steps to protect Malaysians. This partnership builds on that foundation by adding another layer of security through real-time account verification with CelcomDigi.” By leveraging Open APIs, real-time fraud detection, and secure SIM-based authentication, CelcomDigi and PayNet are paving the way for a safer and more resilient digital financial ecosystem in Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sapura Industrial Bhd (KL:SAPIND) has entered into a partnership with China-based Zhejiang Zhongze Precision Technology Co Ltd to set up an industrial and commercial battery component manufacturing facility in Malaysia. In a bourse filing on 27th March, Sapura Industrial announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, SIB Ventures Sdn Bhd, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Zhejiang Zhongze to formalize the collaboration. The MOU serves as a foundation for further negotiations, including feasibility studies to assess the viability of the proposed manufacturing plant. “The collaboration will proceed subject to both parties agreeing on a business plan, followed by negotiations and the signing of a definitive agreement that will outline their respective roles, rights, and obligations,” Sapura Industrial stated. A final agreement is expected to be concluded within six months. Sapura Industrial’s shares last traded on March 4, closing at 84 sen, giving the company a market capitalization of RM61.13 million.

KUALA LUMPUR: Aonic, a leading provider of end-to-end drone solutions, is redefining industrial automation with groundbreaking advancements unveiled at Aonic Day 2025. The event underscores Aonic’s commitment to scalable enterprise automation by introducing cutting-edge technologies, including CHCNAV Machine Control Solutions, the launch of the DJI Matrice 4 Series, and the expansion of Aonic Flex, a financing solution designed to make automation more accessible. Driving Automation with CHCNAV Machine Control Solutions Aonic is proud to be the first distributor of CHCNAV Machine Control Solutions in Malaysia, marking a new era of precision-driven industrial transformation. By integrating high-precision dual-GNSS technology, CHCNAV’s AI-powered machine control enhances efficiency in industries such as construction, agriculture, and infrastructure, enabling: Automated precision for earthworks, road construction, and site leveling. Optimized workflows that reduce reliance on manual labor. Improved project accuracy for faster, cost-effective execution. “This partnership with Aonic marks a major step in CHCNAV’s mission to make high-precision mapping, positioning, and navigation solutions more accessible in Malaysia,” said Kyle Kong, Machine Control Business Development Global Director of CHCNAV. “With Aonic’s expertise in automation, businesses can seamlessly integrate CHCNAV’s technology to enhance efficiency and intelligence across operations.” Aonic Flex: Making Automation More Accessible Recognizing the financial barriers to adopting automation, Aonic Flex provides flexible financing options for businesses, ensuring cutting-edge industrial technology remains within reach. Over the past two years, Aonic Flex has financed over RM20 million worth of drones for smallholder farmers, significantly boosting productivity and incomes. Now, Aonic is expanding its financing model beyond drones, offering flexible payment solutions for a full suite of automation technologies across industries such as logistics, construction, and surveillance. Strengthening Leadership in Aerial Automation with DJI As a newly recognized DJI Enterprise Platinum Dealer, Aonic continues to lead in enterprise drone solutions, offering unmatched aerial intelligence for industries including security, energy, and telecommunications. At Aonic Day 2025, the company introduces the DJI Matrice 4 Series, setting a new standard for autonomous aerial operations with: AI-powered flight intelligence for fully automated inspections, mapping, and monitoring. High-resolution thermal and visual imaging for infrastructure inspections, search-and-rescue, and environmental monitoring. Modular adaptability, allowing for long-range surveying, multi-sensor integration, and advanced data collection. By integrating DJI’s state-of-the-art drone technology with its comprehensive enterprise support, Aonic is making next-generation aerial automation more accessible across Southeast Asia. Shaping the Future of Industrial Automation Aonic’s expansion across Southeast Asia reinforces its mission to revolutionize industrial automation by building end-to-end ecosystems across six key verticals: agriculture, industrial, lifestyle, retail, services, and education. By delivering breakthrough automation, forging strategic partnerships, and making advanced technology more accessible, Aonic is setting new benchmarks for precision and efficiency, enabling businesses to scale faster, operate smarter, and stay ahead in an era of digital evolution. With its expertise in AI-powered drones, machine control technology, and scalable enterprise solutions, Aonic is driving the future of automation, efficiency, and precision, helping businesses across multiple industries transform the way they operate.

KUALA LUMPUR: World Network, has officially launched Android support for World ID Credentials in Malaysia. This expansion significantly enhances global accessibility, enabling more individuals and developers to engage with a privacy-preserving, human-verified digital ecosystem. World ID Credentials strengthen World ID by allowing people to verify their World ID using a passport, reinforcing security and privacy. Initially launched on iOS in Korea, Malaysia, Colombia, and Chile in November last year, the service is now available on Android, extending its reach to millions more worldwide. With this expansion, individuals can receive additional benefits upon verification, further enhancing their experience within the World Network. Beyond improving access to the World Network, the expansion of World ID Credentials also unlocks new opportunities for developers. The World Network continues to provide a verified, human-based audience, enabling direct engagement with real users. With over 23 million participants, the platform simplifies app distribution and onboarding, eliminating common barriers such as high costs and bot-driven traffic. Recent Tools For Humanity (TFH) data highlights the rapid growth of World’s Mini Apps ecosystem, which sees approximately 3.8 million daily opens, 6.7 million daily impressions, and 3.4 million weekly World ID verifications. Mini Apps, a core feature of World App 3.0, enable seamless integration for developers, offering self-custodial wallets, zero transaction fees, and World ID authentication for secure, efficient interactions. “Expanding Android support for World ID Credentials is a major milestone in making the World Network more accessible globally,” said Ajay Patel, Head of World ID, Tools for Humanity. “With stronger security, anonymity protection, and seamless usability, this expansion will drive greater engagement and adoption, benefiting both users and developers alike.” This expansion presents an unprecedented opportunity for Malaysian developers to scale applications while tapping into a global audience, concurrently aligning with World’s mission to broaden access and enable meaningful digital interactions. To learn more about Mini Apps and World ID Credentials, please visit world.org.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s banking industry is facing an unprecedented challenge as the number of clients abandoning banks due to slow and inefficient onboarding practices has surged to record levels, according to new research from Fenergo, a global leader in client lifecycle management (CLM), Know your Customer (KYC) and transaction monitoring solutions. A global study of over 150 C-level executives across corporate, institutional, and commercial banks in 2024 in Singapore revealed that nearly 90% have lost clients over the past year due to delays and inefficiencies in onboarding — a staggering 35% increase from 2023. While banks worldwide, including in the US, UK, and Japan, are grappling with similar issues, Singapore has been hit the hardest, signalling a critical industry-wide problem.   The research highlights that banks in Singapore are spending more time and resources on KYC processes, an integral part of AML compliance, than any other region surveyed. 91% of respondents attributed high abandonment rates to poor data management and siloed workflows. While 79% of executives pointed to subpar customer experiences, and 47% blamed overly complex onboarding processes. These inefficiencies come at a time when Singapore’s financial institutions are under pressure to comply with the national anti-money laundering (AML) strategy, launched following the high-profile money laundering scandal of 2023. Cengiz Kiamil, Managing Director at Fenergo, has commented: “It’s no coincidence that the spike in banks losing clients because of burdensome KYC and onboarding closely follows one of the biggest money laundering scandals in Singapore’s history. Banks are now required to double down on client due diligence to better understand client risk as part of the country’s clamp down on AML. The extra scrutiny and a wide scale dependence on manual processes is having an immediate and negative impact on the client and the bank’s bottom line.”   While only 1% of banks surveyed have successfully automated the majority of their KYC and onboarding workflows, the report reveals a growing appetite for AI-driven solutions. 38% of respondents indicated plans to deploy AI to enhance operational efficiency, while 30% aim to improve data accuracy with AI-powered tools.   “In today’s fast-evolving regulatory landscape and rising financial crime, it has never been more important for firms to strengthen their client onboarding and KYC procedures,” continued Kiamil. Yet traditional banks in Singapore have historically been reticent about adopting transformative technology such as cloud and AI despite guidance from the regulator. Banks that fail to digitally transform these processes risk frustrating clients who are accustomed to seamless digital experiences in other parts of their lives. In contrast, those that embrace automation and AI can turn effective KYC and onboarding practices into a competitive advantage. It’s no longer a back-office issue; it’s a boardroom priority.”   “Through AI, banks can not only reduce operational inefficiencies but also enhance the customer experience, making KYC and onboarding smoother and faster. Our findings suggest that financial institutions embracing these technologies may be better positioned to navigate growing regulatory complexities in Singapore while regaining client trust.”   Fenergo’s report, KYC in 2024, provides in-depth analysis into the time and cost implications for regional and global banks conducting KYC tasks.

SINGAPORE: New Relic, the Intelligent Observability company, has introduced the industry’s first observability solution designed for monitoring DeepSeek, aimed at simplifying the development, deployment, and monitoring of generative AI (GenAI) applications for its customers. This innovative solution supports DeepSeek and DeepSeek on Microsoft Azure AI Foundry, enabling customers to leverage New Relic’s AI monitoring capabilities for comprehensive visibility across their AI applications built with DeepSeek. This integration promises a streamlined setup and enhanced data security, complementing DeepSeek’s cost-efficiency and advanced reasoning capabilities from its open-source models, which democratize AI accessibility and accelerate innovation in the field. “Observability plays a crucial role in selecting and deploying cost-effective, high-performance AI models,” said Ashan Willy, CEO of New Relic. “As enterprises increasingly adopt GenAI, including models like DeepSeek and Alibaba’s Qwen2.5-Max, the pressure mounts to make informed AI implementation decisions. New Relic’s AI observability extends our platform to encompass AI applications powered by DeepSeek, empowering enterprises to optimize model deployment decisions and gain competitive advantages in today’s hyper-competitive market.” New Relic’s AI monitoring solution offers real-time insights across the AI stack—spanning services, infrastructure, and the AI layer—ensuring efficient, reliable, and cost-effective operations. It provides comprehensive metrics on throughput, latency, and costs while addressing data privacy concerns and mapping request flows across services and models to enhance understanding of AI application dynamics. “With New Relic AI monitoring, businesses can confidently integrate and optimize AI technologies,” Willy continued. “This solution not only simplifies AI integration but also addresses the critical challenges of selecting and optimizing AI models amidst a saturated market. By combining New Relic’s advanced monitoring capabilities with DeepSeek’s high-performance, cost-effective models, we are pushing the boundaries of AI innovation.” Key benefits include: Reliability Assurance and Quality: Gain full visibility into DeepSeek-powered AI application performance to swiftly identify and resolve issues. Cost Optimization: Utilize insights from New Relic and cost-effective DeepSeek models to reduce AI development costs. Confidence in Model Switching: Leverage New Relic’s model comparison features to assess performance impacts when switching between AI models. Accelerated Innovation: Drive faster innovation and deployments using New Relic’s AI monitoring combined with DeepSeek’s open models. This integration expands New Relic’s AI integration ecosystem to over 60 integrations, including partnerships with Nvidia NIM and Amazon Bedrock, underscoring its commitment to providing the most expansive observability solutions available. For more information, visit: New Relic’s blog post and demo video New Relic AI monitoring GA press release New Relic AI monitoring webpage

As India moves towards energy transition, the government will focus on supporting clean technologies. The move aims to improve domestic value addition and build an ecosystem for solar cells, electric vehicle batteries, motors and controllers, electrolyzers, wind turbines, very high-voltage transmission equipment and grid-scale batteries. Transmission systems equipment has been in focus as India faces huge electricity demand and renewable energy integration amid global supply challenges in the segment. Clean technologies are seen playing a critical role in India’s energy transition and its ambitious target of having 50% of non-fossil fuel-based power by 2030. The policy measures will drive capacity expansion, fortify supply chains, and position India as a global leader in clean energy manufacturing, according to Amit Paithankar, whole-time director and CEO, Waaree Energies.- THE ECONOMIC TIMES