KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Mac — Vietnam mencatat satu perkembangan penting dalam usaha membendung penyakit tangan, kaki dan mulut (HFMD) apabila meluluskan penggunaan vaksin HFMD pertama di negara itu.

Vaksin tersebut, ENVACGEN®, dibangunkan oleh Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp (MVC) dari Taiwan, telah menerima kelulusan pemasaran daripada Pentadbiran Dadah Vietnam. Pengedaran vaksin ini akan dikendalikan oleh Substipharm Biologics.

Kelulusan ini bukan sahaja signifikan bagi Vietnam, malah dilihat sebagai langkah awal ke arah pendekatan pencegahan yang lebih menyeluruh di rantau Asia Tenggara, khususnya dalam menangani jangkitan EV71 yang boleh menyebabkan komplikasi serius dalam kalangan kanak-kanak.

Cabaran kesihatan yang berterusan di rantau ini

HFMD kekal sebagai penyakit endemik di banyak negara Asia Tenggara, dengan wabak berulang yang memberi kesan besar kepada kanak-kanak kecil serta sistem kesihatan awam.

Di Vietnam, sekitar 180,000 kes dan 31 kematian direkodkan pada tahun 2023. Situasi bertambah membimbangkan pada 2025 apabila kes meningkat kepada lebih 107,000 — peningkatan hampir 29% berbanding tahun sebelumnya.

Dengan lebih 1.3 juta kelahiran setiap tahun, keperluan terhadap langkah pencegahan seperti vaksin HFMD menjadi semakin mendesak.

Keberkesanan tinggi dan perlindungan awal

ENVACGEN® menunjukkan prestasi klinikal yang memberangsangkan, dengan kadar keberkesanan dilaporkan sehingga 100% dalam tempoh pemantauan, tanpa kes jangkitan direkodkan dalam kalangan penerima vaksin.

Vaksin ini boleh diberikan kepada bayi seawal usia dua bulan dan mampu memberikan perlindungan jangka panjang melebihi lima tahun.

MVC juga menguasai lebih 97% pasaran vaksin EV71 di Taiwan, sekali gus mencerminkan rekod prestasi yang kukuh.

Pengembangan vaksin HFMD ke seluruh Asia Tenggara

Kelulusan di Vietnam dijangka menjadi pemangkin kepada peluasan vaksin HFMD ke negara-negara lain di rantau ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MVC, Leo Lee, menyifatkan pencapaian ini sebagai satu “titik penting” dalam strategi pengembangan global syarikat, dengan kapasiti pengeluaran kini sedang ditingkatkan bagi memenuhi permintaan serantau.

Sementara itu, Substipharm Biologics akan memanfaatkan rangkaian serantaunya untuk mempercepatkan pengedaran serta kerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa kesihatan.

Implikasi kepada Malaysia dan ASEAN

Langkah Vietnam memperkenalkan vaksin HFMD berpotensi mempengaruhi negara jiran, termasuk Malaysia, untuk menilai semula pendekatan sedia ada dalam menangani HFMD.

Dalam usaha memperkukuh daya tahan sistem kesihatan dan kesiapsiagaan menghadapi wabak, strategi berasaskan vaksin dijangka memainkan peranan yang semakin penting di rantau ASEAN.

Kelulusan ini bukan sahaja menangani keperluan kesihatan semasa, malah mencerminkan peralihan ke arah pendekatan penjagaan kesihatan yang lebih proaktif dan berfokus kepada pencegahan. – NMH

The post Vaksin HFMD: Vietnam Luluskan Suntikan Pertama Tangani EV71 dalam Kalangan Kanak-Kanak first appeared on NMH.

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 March — Vietnam has approved its first HFMD vaccine, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and signalling a broader shift towards preventive healthcare strategies across Southeast Asia.

The vaccine, ENVACGEN®, developed by Taiwan-based Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp (MVC), received marketing authorisation from Vietnam’s Drug Administration, with Substipharm Biologics leading its distribution in the country.

The move positions Vietnam at the forefront of regional efforts to address EV71, a key virus responsible for severe HFMD complications among young children.

A long-standing regional health challenge

HFMD remains endemic across Southeast Asia, with recurring outbreaks affecting millions of children and placing sustained pressure on public healthcare systems.

Vietnam alone recorded approximately 180,000 cases and 31 deaths in 2023. In 2025, infections surged again to more than 107,000 cases — a 28.9% increase compared to the previous year.

With over 1.3 million births annually, the introduction of an HFMD vaccine could play a critical role in reducing severe infections, hospitalisations and fatalities.

High efficacy and early protection

ENVACGEN® has demonstrated strong clinical performance, with efficacy reported at up to 100% during follow-up periods, and no infections observed among vaccinated individuals in trials.

The vaccine can be administered to infants as young as two months old and provides long-term immunity lasting more than five years.

MVC currently holds over 97% market share for EV71 vaccines in Taiwan, underscoring its established track record in this space.

HFMD vaccine expansion across Southeast Asia

The Vietnam approval is expected to serve as a springboard for wider regional expansion, as demand grows for more effective HFMD prevention measures.

MVC CEO Leo Lee described the approval as a “pivotal milestone”, adding that the company is scaling up production capacity to meet anticipated demand across Southeast Asia.

Substipharm Biologics, which operates in over 100 countries, will leverage its regional presence to accelerate distribution and engagement with healthcare authorities.

Its CEO, Fabrice Baschiera, highlighted the urgency of addressing recurrent outbreaks, noting that EV71 has remained a persistent threat to child health in Vietnam.

Implications for Malaysia and the region

The introduction of an HFMD vaccine in Vietnam may influence neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, to reassess their approach to HFMD prevention.

As ASEAN nations strengthen healthcare resilience and pandemic preparedness, vaccine-led strategies are expected to play an increasingly central role.

The approval of ENVACGEN® not only addresses an immediate public health need but also signals a broader regional shift towards proactive disease prevention. – NMH

The post HFMD Vaccine Breakthrough: Vietnam Approves First EV71 Jab for Children first appeared on NMH.

Kuala Lumpur – The SEN Symposium 2025 – ASEAN Edition is not just a conference.
It is a movement that unites voices, experiences, and hopes to build a more inclusive society in this region.

This fifth year of the event shows again that special education, employment opportunities, and community participation are not side issues — they are important priorities for ASEAN

A Strong Message From Senator Isaiah

The event was officiated by Senator Isaiah D. Jacob, Head of the Persons with Disabilities Bureau Malaysia and Chair of the Commonwealth People with Disabilities for 2025–2028.

In his speech, the Senator stressed that people with special needs should not be viewed only with pity. Instead, society must open pathways and opportunities for them to grow, contribute meaningfully, and live with dignity.

He described himself not as “Orang Kurang Upaya” (OKU = Disabled Person) but Orang Kuat Upaya (Strong-Ability Person) — highlighting the strength and dignity in every individual.

This message became the heart of the entire symposium, organised by Kiwanis Malaysia Academy (KMA) under the Kiwanis Khir Johari Foundation, with support from the Selangor Cheshire Home (PPOC).

Keynote Speech: A Future That Is Inclusive

The symposium also featured a keynote by Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz titled:

“The Future is Inclusive: Advancing Equity in Education for Neurodiverse Learners Through Partnerships.”

He emphasised that the future of education must be based on inclusivity — ensuring fair opportunities for neurodiverse students.

He highlighted that cooperation between government, educational institutions, NGOs, and the community is essential so every student can access quality education and receive the support they need to reach their potential.

MySENSE: A New Ecosystem

One major achievement this year was the launch of MySENSE – Special Education Needs Support Exchange, a regional ecosystem that unites NGOs, educators, experts, and caregivers.

With the slogan “Building an Inclusive Future, Together,” MySENSE is driven by leading partners such as:
• Altuz Academy
• Kiwanis Malaysia
• MILAD
• NASOM Gombak
• NAKSENI
• Silent Teddies
• …and others

This initiative serves as a long-term platform to strengthen the impact on disability communities across ASEAN.

Spotlight Showcase: Talent Without Limits

Another highlight was the Spotlight Showcase, celebrating people with special needs who shine through their talents and perseverance.

This year’s honourees:

• Ahmad Aaqil Aariz bin Ahmad Ridzuan – Singing & Music

• Aidel Rahman bin Morshidi – Singing, Writer of Geopolitics & Public Speaking

• Alexander Philippe Wilhelm – Baking; Music (drums, piano, cajon & vocal)

• Barnabas Leong Wei En – Community Inspiration Ambassador; Wellness & Organic Lifestyle Advocate; Motivation & Hope Ambassador

• Dr. Billy Tang Chee Seng – Sustainability & Food Security

• Haris Nabil – Responsible, Independent, University Graduate

• Izzati Shahrin – Imaginary Visual Artist with a vibrant colour expression

• Krithin Paul Pereira – Automotive Enthusiast, Artist, Writer

• Rajvin Kaur Randhawa – Laughter Yoga Teacher & Leader; HRD Corp Certified Trainer; Talk Show Host; Winner of Ms Beautiful Smile, Ms Amazing Malaysia 2023/24

• Siti Safura binti Jaapar – National Chess Player with top championship titles

• Stephanie Tam Zhu Shin – Pianist, Drummer, Singer with a creative fusion of music and visual art

They showed that inclusivity is not about sympathy — it is about recognising human potential that has no limits.

SEN Symposium – Voices From the Community

The symposium also shared real-life stories from the community:

•⁠ ⁠Datin Hasnah Abdul Rahman

Founder & CEO of New Malaysia Herald, award-winning journalist, and strategic communication professional. She explained that SEN initiatives are not just for children with Down Syndrome but include all children with special needs.

The programme helps parents understand the challenges and how to meet the needs of their special-needs children.

•⁠ ⁠Ms Ophelia Low

Founder & CEO of Ophelia Mind Consultancy, certified in NLP, Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy.
She shared her experience managing her autistic child who experiences sensory overload in public places, stressing that creating a sense of safety is the key to calming the child.

•⁠ ⁠Datuk Fatimah Saad

Chairperson of Kiwanis Malaysia Academy. She reminded the audience that the symposium began online during the MCO and is now in its fifth year with strong support — showing that many parents are searching for information and guidance.

More Than Just a Conference

With powerful speeches, the launch of a new ecosystem, incredible talent showcases, and community stories, the SEN Symposium 2025 – ASEAN Edition emphasises that inclusivity is the foundation of a fair and resilient society.

It is not merely an annual event — it is a movement inviting everyone:
• educators
• NGOs
• corporations
• policymakers
• parents
• and the public

…to build an inclusive ASEAN where every person has the space to grow, contribute, and be valued. – NMH

The post SEN Symposium 2025 : ASEAN Edition Celebrates Inclusivity & Sustainability Across Region first appeared on NMH.

Kuala Lumpur, May 29 – “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” With this quote from Steve Jobs, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Chairman of MATRADE, set the tone for Malaysia’s most ambitious move yet to lead in regional healthcare.

Speaking at the International Healthcare Week (IHW) 2025 Media Engagement and Strategic Partners Networking Session held at MITEC, the Chairman unveiled what is set to be the largest integrated healthcare trade event in Southeast Asia, uniting five international healthcare exhibitions under one roof.

“This is not just another industry event. It’s the beginning of a journey that will redefine healthcare excellence in our region,” said Reezal.

Slated for July 16–18 at MITEC, IHW 2025 will feature over 900 exhibitors and expects to draw more than 21,000 healthcare professionals from over 50 countries. The event is spearheaded by global exhibition leader Informa Markets, with strong strategic backing from MATRADE, Malaysia’s trade promotion agency.

A Unified Healthcare Ecosystem

For the first time, Malaysia will host all five key healthcare trade shows in one venue:

• CPHI South East Asia (pharmaceutical supply chain)
• WHX Kuala Lumpur (medical devices and hospital services)
• WHX Labs (clinical lab innovations)
• Medtech Southeast Asia (medical device manufacturing)
• HIMSS APAC Conference (digital health, AI, equitable care)

“This unified format is designed to maximise learning, collaboration and deal-making, giving participants a one-stop experience to explore innovations across the entire healthcare value chain,” said Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets.

Malaysia’s Healthcare Rise

Malaysia’s medical device market is growing at 8.2% annually, projected to reach RM15.4 billion by 2028, outpacing regional averages. In 2024, the country recorded RM37.03 billion in medical device exports – a 31.6% increase from the previous year. Pharmaceutical exports also saw a 4% uptick, reaching RM3.03 billion.

“Behind these numbers are innovations that improve lives and strengthen healthcare systems,” said Reezal. “This event will not only spotlight our capabilities, but elevate our role as a strategic healthcare hub in ASEAN.”

Regional Impact and Trade Resilience

As ASEAN Chair 2025, Malaysia is using platforms like IHW to address regional priorities – from digital health integration and non-communicable disease management to supply chain resilience and sustainable financing.

“With global uncertainties, strategic market and product diversification are no longer optional – they are essential,” said the Chairman, adding that Malaysia is determined to remain agile and resilient amid shifting global trade realities.

More Than Business – A Human Story

“The healthcare industry is not just about economic growth; it is about human potential,” he stressed. “It is about ensuring that a child in a remote village has the same chance at health as one born in a major city.”

With that, the Chairman called on industry players to seize this moment – not just to sell, but to shape the future of healthcare in ASEAN and beyond. – NMH

The post Healthcare Powers Malaysia’s Rise as Regional Industry Leader first appeared on NMH.

Privacy is another concern, as landlords learned during the height of the Covid-19 restrictions in late 2020 when people were told to stay home

It looked like a typical property listing: A common room for rent at S$950 (US$709) a month in the northern part of Singapore that comes with a super single bed, standing fan, wifi, laundry services …

Until one comes to this line: “Prefer tenant who does not work from home (WFH)”.

A quick scan of rental room advertisements on Carousell and PropertyGuru revealed that this requirement is not unique – quite a number of rooms available for lease specify that the landlord would prefer tenants who do not work from home.

Two property agents said they have received more of such stipulations from landlords in recent months.

It is especially common for single-room rentals, as landlords apparently do not want to go through the hassle of splitting the utility bill, especially if tenants are home all day.

Another reason landlords would prefer tenants not to work from home is the issue of privacy, said Jeanette Goh, a property agent who listed a single common room for rent in the west of Singapore.

“(The landlords) don’t like it; they feel a little stifled at home. Even though it’s their own unit and their own place, they feel like they are being invaded,” she said.

This could be due to their experience during the height of the Covid-19 restrictions in late 2020, when people were told to stay home and landlords found that their privacy was being invaded while their utility bills went up.

Singapore government doubles residential property tax for foreigners to 60 per cent

Today spoke with several landlords who listed this requirement, and also to renters to find out how they feel about it.

Tham, who declined to give her full name, has a listing for a common room on Carousell for S$950 per month, which is inclusive of utilities.

It is cumbersome to split utility bills between landlord and renters, she said, adding she had posted the listing on behalf of the landlord.

Having a “no WFH” requirement safeguards landlords who would have to fork out the extra cost if utility bills were to exceed the threshold for that month, she explained.

She said that there have been cases where tenants “might not use the utilities responsibly”, especially if they are home all day, which is why this safeguard is in place.

“There must be some form of measures taken to take control of all this. All these expenses are extra costs that shouldn’t be charged to the landlord,” said Tham.

Another landlord, who prefers to be known as Ang, has a different reason for having a no-WFH policy: She takes care of five grandchildren, aged between three and 18, during the day.

She is renting out a single room in northeast Singapore.

Ang, who is in her 50s, said that the house would be “very noisy” if a tenant were to work from home and he or she would not be able to concentrate on work.

She also does not accept tenants who do shift work, as it would be difficult for them to sleep during the day.

Several tenants said the no-WFH criterion is an issue for them, and they would rather look for other places instead.

Sales manager Lynnette Gan, 33, said she does not think that the requirement is justified if tenants pay their share of electricity and water consumption.

Gan, who is on a hybrid work arrangement, has to work from home two days a week.

“It’s quite an unreasonable rule,” she said.

Recalling that she has come across such listings during her search for rooms, she said she usually “would not bother” to negotiate even if the unit is in an ideal location.

“The landlord might be agreeable at the point of negotiation, but what if halfway through, they change their mind or make it difficult for me to stay? It would cause unnecessary issues for me,” she said.

Similarly, Jasline Cheng, 27, found the no-WFH policy as unreasonable as the “no cooking” rule that some landlords impose on their tenants.

The communications representative, who is a local renting a room, said it can be frustrating to see a slew of restrictions when the monthly rental is more than S$1,000.

She would rather look for another listing that allows her more freedom.

“With the increase in rent and cost of living, do you really expect me to eat out every day?” Ms Cheng said.

Likewise, freelancer Bernard Boey, 26, values the flexibility to work from home offered by his current landlord.

He said it is important as he, too, has hybrid working arrangements.

“Even if I currently do not work from home, it is risky because circumstances may change quickly,” he said.

While such listings with clear limitations may appear unattractive to tenants, property agent Karine Lee, 31, said the good thing is that tenants can narrow down their choices further to rent an ideal unit.

She pointed out that the rental market has slowed down due to excessive supply, so tenants have more choices these days despite skyrocketing rental prices.

“Most tenants do not want to stay with problematic landlords. So if the requirements and restrictions are clear, it’s good for the tenants, too,” she said.

Conversely, slower demand for rental units may force landlords to change their criteria or lower their rental fees.

If landlords have many unreasonable requests, Lee said it would take them longer to rent out the room.

“Some landlords don’t mind waiting for the ‘perfect’ tenant, but some will not. They will try to make adjustments to rent out the unit as soon as possible to minimise the losses incurred during this empty period,” she said.

This article was first published by Today Online

The post In Singapore, more landlords seek tenants who do not work from home: like ‘being invaded’ first appeared on NMH.

The attacker was identified by police as a former officer who was fired last year due to drug charges.

A police spokesperson told ThaiPBS that the man was on trial for drugs and had been in court in the hours before the shooting.

He had come to pick up his child from the daycare centre but opened fire when he did not find him, according to the spokesperson.

According to witnesses, the gunman was also seen wielding a knife in the attack in Uthai Sawan, a town 500 kilometres (310 miles) northeast of Bangkok in the province of Nong Bua Lamphu.

A police spokesperson, Paisal Luesomboon, also told ThaiPBS that witnesses saw the attacker use a knife and a gun. “He began shooting, slashing, and killing children at the Utai Sawan daycare centre,” Paisal explained.

About 30 children were at the facility when the attacker arrived, fewer than usual, as heavy rain had kept many people away, district official Jidapa Boonsom, who was working in a nearby office at the time, told Reuters.

“The shooter came in around lunch time and shot four or five officials at the childcare centre first,” said Jidapa.

At first people thought the shots were fireworks, she said.

“It’s really shocking. We were very scared and running to hide once we knew it was shooting. So many children got killed, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The attacker forced his way into a locked room where children were sleeping, Jidapa said. She said she thought he killed children there with a knife, adding that a teacher who was eight months pregnant was also killed with a knife.

Videos posted on social media showed sheets covering what appeared to be the bodies of children lying in pools of blood.

Reuters could not immediately authenticate the footage.

Drug Charges

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, in a statement on Facebook, called the shooting a “shocking incident”.

“I have ordered the police chief to travel to the scene immediately to take necessary actions and all involved parties to provide immediate relief to all affected people,” he said in the statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan will travel to Uthai Sawan to visit the scene on Thursday, his office said.

By afternoon, officials stood guarding the front entrance to the daycare centre, a pink, one-storey building surrounded by a lawn and small palm trees.

In a gazebo nearby, anxious-looking people gathered, waiting mostly in silence for news. One woman could be heard weeping.

“He (attacker) was already stressed and when he couldn’t find his child he was more stressed and started shooting,” police spokesperson Paisal told broadcaster ThaiPBS, adding that he had then driven home and killed his wife and child there before taking his own life.

Gun laws are strict in Thailand, where possession of an illegal firearm carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years. But ownership is high compared with some other countries in Southeast Asia. Illegal weapons, many brought in from strife-torn neighbouring countries, are common.

However, mass shootings are rare. In 2020, a soldier angry over a property deal gone sour killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations. – Reuters

The post Ex-cop Kills 22 Children And 12 Others In Thai Mass Shooting first appeared on NMH.

JAKARTA – Police said on Sunday that at least 129 people were killed and around 180 were injured at a soccer match in Indonesia after panicked fans were trampled and crushed while fleeing during a riot, in what appeared to be one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.

Officers fired tear gas in an attempt to control the situation when supporters of the losing home team invaded the pitch in East Java province on Saturday night, causing a stampede and cases of suffocation, according to East Java police chief Nico Afinta.

“It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” Nico said, adding that the crush occurred when fans fled for an exit gate.

Following Arema FC’s defeat to Persebaya Surabaya, video footage from local news channels showed fans streaming onto the pitch in Malang’s stadium. There are scuffles and what appears to be tear gas in the air.

Images showed people who appeared to have passed out being carried away by fellow fans.

Soccer Deaths

The head of one of the hospitals in the area treating patients told Metro TV that some of the victims had sustained brain injuries and that the dead included a five-year-old child.

World soccer’s governing body FIFA specifies in its safety regulations that no firearms or “crowd control gas” should be carried or used by stewards or police.

East Java police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether they were aware of such regulations.

Indonesia’s human rights commission planned to investigate security at the ground, including the use of tear gas, its commissioner told Reuters.

The country’s chief security minister, Mahfud MD, said in an Instagram post that the stadium had been filled beyond its capacity. He said 42,000 tickets had been issued for a stadium that is only supposed to hold 38,000 people.

Financial aid would be given to the injured and the families of victims, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa told reporters.

There have been outbreaks of trouble at matches in Indonesia before, with strong rivalries between clubs sometimes leading to violence among supporters.

Safety Measures

Zainudin Amali, Indonesia’s sports minister, told KompasTV the ministry would re-evaluate safety at football matches, including considering not allowing spectators in stadiums.

The Indonesian top league BRI Liga 1 has suspended games for a week and an investigation had been launched, the Football Association of Indonesia said.

Among global stadium disasters, 96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in Britain in April 1989, when an overcrowded and fenced-in enclosure collapsed at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.

Indonesia is scheduled to host the FIFA under-20 World Cup in May and June next year. They are also one of three countries bidding to stage next year’s Asian Cup, the continent’s equivalent of the Euros, after China pulled out as hosts. – Reuters

The post Police Say 129 People Killed In Indonesia Soccer Match Stampede first appeared on NMH.

Grab’s Chief Operating Officer Alex Hungate stated that earlier in the year, the company was concerned about a global recession and was “very careful and judicious about any hiring,” which resulted in the company not reaching the “desperate” point of a hiring freeze or mass layoffs.

“Around mid-year, we did some kind of specific reorganisations, but I know other companies have been doing mass layoffs, so we don’t see ourselves in that category,” Hungate, 56, told Reuters in his first interview since joining Singapore-based Grab Holdings Ltd in January.

The company was hiring for roles in data science, mapping technology and other specialised areas though every hire was a much bigger decision than it used to be, he said.

“You want to make sure that we’re conserving capital. The hurdle for making a hire has definitely been raised.”

Grab, a household name in Southeast Asia, had approximately 8,800 employees at the end of 2021. It, like its competitors, has benefited from an increase in food services during the COVID-19 pandemic, while ride-hailing has suffered.

Food delivery demand is softening as economies open up, while ride-hailing has yet to fully recover. Inflation, slower growth, and rising interest rates have all emerged as risks to technology valuations.

In recent weeks, Southeast Asia’s largest e-commerce firm Shopee cut jobs in various countries and shut some overseas operations after parent Sea (SE.N) reported widening losses and scrapped its annual e-commerce forecast.

Hungate, a veteran of the financial services, logistics and food sectors, has spearheaded a push away from low-margin business lines as Grab races to turn profitable.

Second-quarter loss narrowed to RM2624.91 million from RM3675.79 million a year earlier. But last month, it cut its gross merchandise volume outlook for the year, blaming a strong dollar and ebbing food delivery demand. 

Last month, Grab said it was shutting dozens of so-called dark stores – distribution hubs for on-demand groceries and slowing the roll-out of its “cloud kitchen” centralised facilities for deliveries.

“The other area where we’ve really tightened our strategic intent is in financial services where we were growing payments, wallets and non-bank financial lending quite significantly off-platform and on our platform,” said Hungate.

Grab reorganised its fintech unit this year to focus on more lucrative areas and Reuters reported on the exit of some senior executives.

Higher Margins

Grab is now mainly focussing on selling its lending products and insurance on its platform to merchants and drivers who often repay from their income streams on the platform.

“As we make this shift, the business mix will move towards higher margins,” said Hungate.

Grab, which operates in 480 cities in eight countries, has more than five million registered drivers and more than two million merchants on its platform.

It caught global attention in 2018 when it acquired Uber’s Southeast Asian business after a costly five-year battle.

Grab is betting on growing financial services by offering banking and other products with partner Singapore Telecommunications (STEL.SI) in key markets.

It listed on the Nasdaq in December after a record RM183.56 billion merger with a blank-check company.

Hungate said it was “good timing” for the company to look again at how it spends money, given the increased scrutiny of finances and the need to respond to shareholders.

“Maybe we were lucky in a sense that the discipline of being a public company came at just the right time,” he said, adding that Grab’s RM35.34 billion cash liquidity meant it was one of the best capitalised industry players in Southeast Asia.

Grab’s shares have tumbled about 60% this year to give it a market value of RM48.64 billion.

Reuters reported last month that Grab’s Indonesian rival GoTo (GOTO.JK) was seeking to raise about RM4.59 billion through a convertible bond issue. 

Hungate said Grab would provide details of its progress towards profitability and other metrics at its first investor day on Tuesday. – Reuters

The post Despite Weak Market, Grab Sees No Layoffs first appeared on NMH.

Despite no new deaths reported due to Covid-19 since April, Cambodia decided to cancel the annual Water Festival that has attracted thousands of people to its capital city of Phnom Penh annually.

The cancellation of the water festival, scheduled for Nov 7 to 9 was announced via a government media release, according to khmertimeskh.com.

This was the third consecutive year that the premier event was called off.

However, provincial authorities could organise boat races in their respective localities during the period, the statement said.

The festival is one of the largest festivals in Cambodia which was normally held along the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace.

Cambodia recorded a daily record of seven new local Covid-19 cases, bringing the national case tally to 137,696, with 134,557 recoveries and 3,056 deaths. – New Malaysia Herald

The post Cambodia Cancels Water Festival For Third Consecutive Year first appeared on NMH.

Members of the Philippines’ elite Special Action Force, were quickly deployed after a group of gunmen opened fire on a police car, killling the police chief of Maguindanao’s Ampatuan town and one of his men.

The Manila Times reported that three other policemen were wounded in the attack as they were travelling to serve an arrest warrant on a suspected robber.

The attack occurred in the village of Kapinpilan, instantly killing Lt Reynaldo Samson and Corporal Salipudin Endab.

The daring ambush by as many as 50 gunmen also injured three others – MSg. Reynante Quinalayo, Cpl. Rogelio de la Cuesta Jr. and Cpl. Marc Clint Dayaday.

Regional police chief Bgen. John Guyguyon said all the injured were rushed to a nearby medical facility.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the ambush, but the province of Maguindanao is a known stronghold of various rebel groups and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace pact with the government in 2004.

The post Police Chief Killed In Daring Ambush, SAF Deployed To Village first appeared on NMH.