KUALA LUMPUR: AutoCount Dotcom Bhd (ADB), via its wholly-owned subsidiary Auto Count Sdn Bhd (ACSB), partnered with IAB LCCI Ltd, a collaboration formed following the Institute of Accountants and Bookkeepers’ (IAB) acquisition of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) qualifications.

This agreement sets the stage for Asia’s first Cloud Accounting Certification Program, which will equip finance professionals with essential skills for the digital era.

The program will be launched on January 1, 2025, marking a significant step forward in modernising the region’s accounting landscape.

Under this collaboration, ADB will design the certification curriculum around its AutoCount Cloud Accounting software.

The syllabus will be submitted to IAB LCCI for accreditation.

IAB LCCI is regulated by the UK’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), enhancing the certification’s credibility and alignment with global standards.

With LCCI’s extensive reach across Asia, the certification will be accessible through its network of educational centres and partner institutions, providing aspiring accountants with in-demand cloud accounting expertise.

ADB CEO Yan Tiee Choo said this collaboration with IAB LCCI allows the company to empower the next generation of accountants across Asia.

“Our goal is to provide a practical and accessible path to certification in cloud accounting, supporting not only recent SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) graduates but also those seeking to upskill in a fast-changing industry.

“Together, we are paving the way for a more adaptable, technology-driven accounting workforce across the region,“ he said.

Bursa Malaysia-listed ADB is a leading provider of accounting and business software solutions.

IAB Group and IAB LCCI CEO Sarah Palmer said LCCI has been a leader in offering globally recognised qualifications for over 120 years.

“Our partnership with ADB reflects our shared commitment to advancing the accounting profession by equipping future finance professionals with relevant, high-quality skills.

“By collaborating with ADB, a pioneer in cloud accounting solutions, we ensure that this certification meets the industry’s evolving needs and helps individuals succeed in a digital-first finance sector,“ she said.

The certification offers a clear advantage for students and professionals looking to expand their accounting capabilities.

By learning on ADB’s cloud platform, candidates will gain hands-on experience in digital accounting practices, preparing them for careers in an increasingly automated finance landscape.

With the signing of this agreement, ADB solidifies its position as a leader in cloud accounting solutions and furthers its commitment to innovation in financial technology and education.

This partnership aligns with ADB’s vision to become Asia’s top business software provider, fostering a future-ready workforce and advancing the region’s digital transformation.

KUCHING: Ibraco Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Ibraco Ascent Sdn Bhd, completed its first delivery of mild steel cement-lined (MSCL) pipes from its new manufacturing plant at Demak Laut Industrial Park Phase III.

The inaugural delivery of MSCL pipes will be used to develop the water infrastructure within the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project.

MSCL pipes are usually used for water developments due to their resilience and reliability in corrosive conditions.

The completion of this first delivery marks the full operational readiness of Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant to cater to the expansion of water infrastructure in Sarawak.

Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant was set up to facilitate Sarawak’s Water Supply Master Plan.

The plan is designed to meet the state’s growing water infrastructure needs and focus on achieving 100% water supply coverage across Sarawak.

The Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan has outlined the development of Sarawak’s water supply for the periods until 2025, 2040, and 2070, incorporating three strategic cores: water demand, water treatment and distribution, and water quality and sufficiency for both raw and treated water.

In addition to helping meet Sarawak’s strategic water needs, Ibraco Ascent’s pipe manufacturing plant is also sustainability-oriented in tandem with the Ibraco Group’s commitment to embrace ESG across its operations and generate tangible value creation for all its stakeholders.

Currently employing 35 local staff, Ibraco Ascent plans to expand its workforce to over 60 employees by 2025, broadening its production to include pipe fittings such as bends, tees and reducers.

This growth reflects the company’s commitment to community development and local employment.

Ibraco Ascent’s manufacturing plant is also equipped with advanced technologies, including automated welding systems, hydrostatic pressure testing, and bitumen coating stations, ensuring each pipe is built to last.

The company adheres to rigorous quality control measures, employing ultrasonic thickness gauges, hydrostatic testing equipment, and radiographic testing to maintain high production standards.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah-based infrastructure construction player Azam Jaya Bhd (AJB) aims to bid for more projects by capitalising on the state’s substantial growth in the construction industry, especially in regions where infrastructure development is much needed.

Executive director Datuk Jessica Lo Vun Che said the company plans to enhance its construction capabilities, strengthening its capacity to take on larger projects as part of its long-term strategies.

“We are committed to raising construction standards in Sabah to meet the region’s growing infrastructure demands.

“We are particularly encouraged by the federal government’s commitment to advancing development in Sabah, notably through the Budget 2025 allocations, in which Sabah received the highest development funding among the states.

“Azam Jaya welcomes the recent allocation of RM10 billion under Budget 2025 to complete the Sabah portion of the Pan-Borneo Highway, alongside the additional RM6.7 billion for development in Sabah,“ she said at the company listing on the main market of Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

This robust debut follows an IPO oversubscription of 23.00 times, reflecting strong confidence in Azam Jaya’s business operations and growth potential.

At the opening bell, Azam Jaya’s share price debuted at RM1.00, representing a premium of 28.21% over the issue price of RM0.78, with an opening volume of 5,126,000 shares.

The rose as much as 48.72% to touch its intra-day high of RM1.16 and closed at RM1.09.

“With the proceeds from our IPO totalling RM61.5 million, we are poised to accelerate our growth strategies in exciting ways.

“We are committed to enhancing our construction capabilities by expanding our fleet of machinery and equipment, ensuring we have the tools necessary to meet the demands of our expanding projects,“ Lo said.

Azam Jaya specialises in constructing large-scale road infrastructure in Sabah, including roads, highways, bridges, flyovers, and tunnels.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, the group has a proven track record, having completed over 50 construction projects in the region.

“The listing of Azam Jaya is a testament to over 30 years of industry expertise navigating the complexities of road construction in Sabah.

“With fresh capital, we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth and seize new opportunities,“ Lo said.

On the financial front, Azam Jaya’s revenue grew from RM231.5 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2021 (FY21) to RM280.8 million in FY23, representing a 2-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%.

Regarding dividend policy, Azam Jaya aims to distribute at least 30% of its net profit to shareholders.

From the proceeds raised, RM8.0 million (13.0%) will be allocated to boost construction capabilities and operational efficiencies by acquiring new machinery, equipment, and technological upgrades.

RM28.4 million (46.2%) has been set aside for working capital purposes, RM20.0 million (32.5%) is earmarked for repayment of bank borrowings, and RM5.1 million (8.2%) will be used to defray listing expenses.

Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd is the principal adviser, sole underwriter and sole placement agent for the IPO exercise.

KUALA LUMPUR: Integrated palm oil milling services provider Ecoscience International Bhd (EIB), via its wholly-owned subsidiary Ecoscience Manufacturing & Engineering Sdn Bhd, has accepted a letter of award (LoA) for a RM200 million engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from renewable energy company, Wilhelmina Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd (WEMSB).

Under the LOA, EIB will provide comprehensive EPC services for the TG2 black pellet plant in Kuantan, Pahang.

These services will include design and engineering, sourcing and quality assurance of equipment and materials, plant infrastructure construction, and testing and start-up activities to support commissioning and ensure operational standards are met.

The specific terms and conditions of the EPC works will be outlined in a binding EPC agreement, which is expected by November 30, 2024.

The LoA was built upon the collaboration agreement (CA) with WEMSB in March 2024, aimed at transforming agricultural waste into sustainable energy, thereby reducing coal consumption and carbon emissions.

EIB managing director Wong Choi Ong expressed confidence in delivering a robust waste-to-energy solution that aligns with WEMSB’s vision for sustainable energy transformation.

“This project is a strategic fit for our expansion into environmental and energy efficiency sectors, building on our core strengths in constructing palm oil mills, supporting facilities, and equipment fabrication.

“As the largest project to be undertaken in our corporate history, we see this as a valuable opportunity to broaden our customer base, enhance our project portfolio, and strengthen our market position.

“The LoA will significantly boost our order book, providing our group with healthy earnings visibility over the next two years,“ he said.

The TG2 black pellet plant will convert oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) waste into TG2 black pellets – a drop-in coal replacement fuel.

TG2 black pellets are an advanced type of biofuel pellet, providing benefits over traditional biomass pellets, including enhanced grindability, water resistance, and higher energy density.

As a drop-in fuel, it is renewable and can be used in existing pulverised coal power plants without requiring significant infrastructure modifications.

EIB will continue supporting WEMSB as it expands TG2 black pellet plants across the region.

“Beyond the EPC scope for the TG2 black pellet plant, the CA signed in March 2024 also outlined the possibility of WEMSB outsourcing the plant’s operation and maintenance (O&M) to EIB.

“We are currently exploring this opportunity, and both parties will decide in due course.

“This potential arrangement, if materialise, would create a new, recurring revenue stream for us, complementing our current project-based work,“ Wong added.

WEMSB is a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based renewable energy company Maatschappij Wilhelmina NV, specialising in converting agricultural waste streams into sustainable energy using TG2 black pellets.

The EPC works are expected to commence by December 2024, with an expected project completion timeline of 24 months from the commencement date.

BATU KAWAN: US-based medical devices company Dexcom Inc has officially opened its manufacturing facility, also its first offshore manufacturing site outside the United States, in Batu Kawan, Penang.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the RM2.83 billion strategic investment will bring more than 3,000 jobs to the state, contributing to a workforce set to positively impact the lives of over three million people worldwide.

Dexcom, founded in 1999, is a global leader in continuous glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology for individuals living with diabetes.

“The establishment of this new facility highlights Dexcom’s continued commitment to take control of health through innovative CGM systems. It also reaffirms Penang’s reputation as a global hub for advanced technological industries, reinforcing its position as a preferred destination for high-quality manufacturing and innovation,” the chief minister said in his speech at the opening ceremony here today.

Chow said Penang is on the right path towards becoming the medical technology (medtech) hub of Southeast Asia by leveraging on the state’s over 50 years of industry excellence.

“Housing the largest number of medtech companies nationally and regionally, Penang remains a highly attractive location for its infrastructure availability and ecosystem that meet the needs of the medtech industry.

“For the past five years (2019-2023), Penang garnered a total of RM5.8 billion worth of investments in the scientific and measuring equipment sector, representing 45% of the nation’s total investments in this sector, involving 33 projects and generating an estimated 4,630 employment opportunities,” he said.

Dubbed the Silicon Valley of the East, Penang has the highest concentration of medical technology companies in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to date. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd is experiencing a resurgence in IPOs as 2024 draws to a close, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the local bourse.

With 44 initial public offerings to date, Bursa Malaysia has outpaced other markets in Southeast Asia, emerging as an attractive IPO destination amid a stable economic and political landscape.

According to Mohd Sedek Jantan, UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors’ head of investment research, several factors have contributed to this surge. “The risk of doing business in the fourth quarter has subsided as major economic and political uncertainties have passed, such as the US presidential election while Malaysia’s active role in international forums has bolstered the country’s global standing,” he told Bernama.

He reckons that Malaysia’s stable economic indicators, including positive trade figures, healthy employment rates and steady industrial production have fostered a predictable business environment that encourages IPO activity. “Political stability and a clear government policy framework further enhance investor confidence,” he said.

The surge in IPOs on Bursa Malaysia underscores the local bourse’s resilience compared to other regional markets.

Mohd Sedek noted that Malaysia has recorded 36 IPOs so far this year, raising about US$450 million in the first half alone, which accounts for 33% of Southeast Asia’s total IPO proceeds.

“This stands in contrast to a subdued IPO market across the Asia-Pacific, where proceeds have dropped by 63%, largely due to challenges in China and Hong Kong.

“Malaysia has outperformed both Indonesia and Singapore in IPO activity this year,” he pointed out, highlighting that Indonesia faces political uncertainty following its recent presidential election, while Singapore has seen a slowdown in activity due to high regulatory costs and weak investor demand.

In contrast, he said Malaysia’s IPO market benefits from a stable macroeconomic backdrop, business-friendly regulations, and the supportive Madani Economy Framework.

Mohd Sedek said the growth in IPOs reflects optimism in key Malaysian sectors, with recent listings from the construction, manufacturing, and healthcare industries.

He said in the construction sector, which expanded by 22.9% in the third quarter, private and public investments in residential, non-residential, and large-scale infrastructure projects are expected to drive further growth. “Key government initiatives, such as RM9 billion for private finance initiatives and RM25.5 billion from government-linked investment companies are expected to sustain this momentum,” he added.

In the manufacturing sector, Malaysia’s transformation under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 aims to drive growth in high-value, technology-driven industries. “The government’s focus on digitalisation, green technology, and advanced manufacturing techniques is expected to attract further investments, solidifying Malaysia’s position as a competitive manufacturing hub in Asean,” he said.

Malaysia’s healthcare sector is also expanding due to demographic shifts and rising health awareness. The integration of technology, such as telemedicine and digital health solutions, is anticipated to boost the sector’s growth by improving care accessibility and efficiency. “This trend, coupled with government support for medical tourism, positions Malaysia as a key player in the healthcare industry in the region,” Mohd Sedek said.

Bursa Malaysia CEO Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift expressed satisfaction with the IPO momentum, noting that three Main Market IPOs were listed this week alone.

“This surge reflects a thriving capital market with strong regulatory support and a diverse investor pool. Malaysia has experienced a bull run, making us the Asean exchange with the highest number of IPOs to date this year,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, the exchange regulator’s chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar highlighted the significance of Monday’s listings, which took place on the auspicious date of 11.11. (Nov 11)

“Both companies chose that date for its auspicious nature, marking a rare occasion of two listings on the same day. The last time Bursa hosted two listings on a single day was in November 2017, following the demerger of Sime Darby Group, which saw both Sime Darby Plantation Bhd and Sime Darby Property Bhd debut together,” he said.

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid noted that the strong IPO pipeline signals positive prospects for the Malaysian economy, as stable policies and a clear path towards becoming a high-income nation attract investor interest.

“Malaysia’s equities are undervalued, offering upside potential. The economic and policy stability enhances investor confidence, while companies’ growth trajectories inspire optimism for the market’s future,” he said.

Mohd Afzanizam said that as Bursa Malaysia continues to attract IPOs, he expects the exchange’s momentum to inspire small and medium enterprises to pursue similar growth opportunities. “The record-setting IPO activity underscores Malaysia’s resilience and strong capital market position in Asean, providing a positive outlook for 2025,” he added. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: As the takaful industry contends with escalating medical inflation and the rising costs of healthcare, the Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA) has called for increased government and private sector collaboration to ensure affordable, accessible protection options for all Malaysians.

MTA CEO Mohd Radzuan Mohamed envisions takaful becoming a leading option for Malaysians seeking protection.

With only 60% of the population currently insured or covered by takaful, he sees untapped potential among the remaining 40%, primarily in underserved and unserved communities.

“Our goal is to make takaful an accessible option, particularly for groups like the BM40 (top 20% of B40 and bottom 40% M40), who often do not receive enough attention from traditional agents,” he told SunBiz at the recent launch of Hijrah27.

Radzuan said the takaful sector has struggled to expand its market share, currently at about 20% after four decades.

In response, he said, they are considering how digital transformation, distribution enhancements and technology can address these challenges.

“Malaysia’s transformation plan and recent initiatives, like the financial sector blueprint, outline steps to close this gap by focusing on underserved communities, leveraging financial literacy campaigns, and engaging technology to make takaful accessible,” he added.

Additionally, he said co-payments, a shared cost model between the insurer and the insured, is seen as a potential solution to rising premiums fuelled by medical inflation.

“Collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Bank Negara Malaysia, takaful providers aim to develop cost-sharing models that help balance affordability and coverage. With co-payments, premiums could become more manageable, helping to mitigate the effects of medical inflation and making Takaful accessible for more people.”
While the adoption of co-payments is currently optional, Radzuan said, making it mandatory could have far-reaching implications on the takaful industry. “A balanced co-payment structure can be beneficial, but affordability must remain a priority to avoid defeating the purpose of protection,” he emphasised.

Looking forward, Radzuan said the association is exploring new technology-driven initiatives, such as the Hijrah27 framework, to improve customer service and operational efficiency. “Collaborations with fintech firms and the rise of AI-based solutions also show promise in elevating the industry’s standards and expanding reach,” he added.

PETALING JAYA: The latest AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey conducted among German companies in Malaysia reveals an optimistic forecast for 2025, with positive sentiment about both current conditions and prospects.

The survey highlights key insights reflecting the resilience and growth expectations of German businesses operating in Malaysia.

When asked to assess the current performance of their company, 92% of German businesses in Malaysia report conditions as “good or satisfactory”, which marks a significant increase of 10% compared to the same period last year.

Strong economic development and confidence among German businesses in Malaysia are expected to continue into next year, with 97% of respondents describing the outlook for 2025 as “favourable or stable”.

While Malaysia has always been recognised for its strong economic foundation, this year’s survey results demonstrate a significant boost in confidence, surpassing expectations from last year’s outlook and highlighting the continued resilience of Malaysia’s economy.

Reflecting this confidence, more than 63% of companies expect positive business development over the next 12 months, while 35% anticipate the current stability will be maintained. Only 1.8% predict a decline in performance, showcasing a predominantly positive outlook for the year ahead.

Additionally, four in 10 companies intend to increase investments in the coming year, suggesting a commitment to further growth within the business community.

Employment plans also appear to be promising, with almost half of the German companies in Malaysia indicating plans to ramp up hiring. An equal percentage (47%) intend to retain their current workforce, emphasising a dual approach to growth and stability in human resources.

While the survey paints a generally encouraging outlook for businesses in Malaysia, respondents identified several challenges that could potentially impact their economic development in the coming years.

Survey participants view demand, economic policy conditions, and lack of skilled workers as potential challenges. These insights underscore the need for ongoing vigilance and strategic planning as companies navigate both opportunities and uncertainties in a highly competitive and volatile global market.

Overall, the findings of the survey illustrate a strong confidence among companies in Malaysia, highlighting a positive trajectory for business development and economic growth in the coming year.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MGCC) executive director Jan Noether said, “The results of the AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 Survey align perfectly with our expectations for the future of German business in Malaysia. The strong sentiment and optimism reflected in the survey highlight the positive situation we are experiencing here and underscore our confidence in Malaysia’s economic stability and growth prospects. German companies are comfortable and committed to the Malaysian market, with a clear outlook for continued success and expansion in the year ahead. Moreover, Malaysia’s stable economic environment and supportive policies play a key role in stimulating further investment, reinforcing our belief in the country as a reliable and attractive hub for business growth.”

In Malaysia, the survey was conducted between Sept 23 and Oct 16, with 111 respondents from MGCC member companies, comprising mostly German companies with branches or subsidiaries in Malaysia, primarily from the manufacturing, trade, and services sectors.

The survey is part of the broader AHK World Business Outlook, a biannual global research initiative conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It surveys member companies from the network of German chambers of commerce abroad (AHK), which represent more than 40,000 companies in 93 countries.

PETALING JAYA: The Cisco 2024 AI Readiness Index revealed that only 14% of organisations in Malaysia are fully prepared to deploy and leverage artificial intelligence-powered technologies, up slightly from 13% a year ago.

This underscores the challenges companies face in adopting, deploying, and fully leveraging AI. Given the rapid market evolution and the significant impact AI is anticipated to have on business operations, this readiness gap is especially critical.

The Index is based on a double-blind survey of 3,660 senior business leaders from organisations with 500 or more employees across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific, Japan, and China (APJC). These leaders are responsible for AI integration and deployment within their organisations. The AI readiness index is measured across six pillars – strategy, infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture.

AI has become a cornerstone for business strategy, and there is increasing urgency among companies to adopt and deploy AI technologies. In Malaysia, 98% of companies report an increased urgency to deploy AI in the past year, driven primarily by the CEO and leadership team. Additionally, companies are committing a significant amount of resources towards AI, with 55% reporting that as much as 10% to 30% of their information technology (IT) budget is being allocated to AI deployment.

Despite significant AI investments in strategic areas such as cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data analytics and management, many companies report that returns on these investments are not meeting their expectations.

“As companies accelerate their AI journeys, it’s critical they adopt a comprehensive approach to implementation and connect the dots to link AI ambition with readiness,” said Cisco Malaysia managing director Hana Raja.

“This year's AI Readiness Index reveals that to fully leverage the potential of AI, companies need a modern digital infrastructure capable of meeting evolving power needs and network latency requirements from growing AI workloads. This must be supported with the right visibility to achieve their business objectives.”

Anupam Trehan, vice-president, people and communities APJC, at Cisco, said: “As the race to adopt AI picks up pace, talent will be a key differentiator for companies. There is already a shortage of skilled talent across various aspects of AI. This means companies will need to invest in their existing talent pool to meet the growing demand. At the same time, it is crucial that all stakeholders – the private and public sectors, educational institutions, and governments – work together to develop local talent so that the entire ecosystem can benefit from the immense potential that AI offers.”

GOODYEAR is proud to be the official tyre sponsor of the Tokyo Auto Salon Kuala Lumpur 2024, happening from 8 – 10 November 2024 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur. Known as the world’s premier customised car show, this event promises to showcase the latest in automotive technology, design, and more, drawing car enthusiasts from across the region.

Event Details

Date: 8 – 10 November 2024

Time: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm

Venue: MITEC, Kuala Lumpur

At the Goodyear booth, attendees can explore the latest in high-performance tyre technology and see how Goodyear is driving innovation in tyre performance and quality. This event offers automotive fans the perfect chance to engage with Goodyear and witness the exceptional standards that Goodyear tyres bring to every journey.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow car enthusiasts!

CONTINENTAL has launched its Mini Program on the TNG eWallet, allowing Malaysian drivers to purchase Continental tyres with ease through their mobile phones. This launch is celebrated with exclusive promotions from 7 November to 30 November, coinciding with the 11.11 Mega Sale. Customers can enjoy up to RM1 million in cashback, with an average of 15% per transaction.

Additionally, any customer spending a minimum of RM300 from 7 November 2024 to 31 January 2025 will be entered into a lucky draw, with one entry for each RM300 spent. The grand prize includes a gold bar worth RM10,000, with other prizes like three iPhone 16 Pros, two PS5 consoles, two Huawei MatePad 11.5” PaperMatte Editions, and two Trapo Vouchers. Weekly winners can also receive cashback, a Limited-Edition Continental x Touch ‘n Go NFC Card, and more.

Andrea Somorova, Managing Director of Continental Tyre Malaysia, shared that this partnership reinforces Continental’s commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience in Malaysia, expanding their reach through the TNG eWallet alongside existing platforms like Shopee and Lazada. Alan Ni, CEO of TNG Digital, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the TNG eWallet’s role as a lifestyle app, which, with over 22 million verified users, now offers a streamlined, digital tyre purchase and installation experience.

The Mini Program simplifies tyre shopping by helping users find the right tyre pattern and size, apply promo codes, select dealers, and schedule installations at over 120 Continental outlets across Malaysia. Once payment is confirmed, customers can proceed to their selected dealer for free installation, with balancing and optional alignment services.

Alongside the AMG models that were introduced, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia also unveiled the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupe.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupe is a plug-in hybrid model that emphasises both luxury and practicality. The GLC 350 e offers an impressive all-electric range of over 100km (WLTP) and supports speeds up to 140km/h on electric power alone, making it a versatile choice for urban and longer-distance driving.

Design and Exterior Features

The GLC Coupe’s sporty silhouette is complemented by an AMG Line exterior, highlighted with 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, a panoramic sliding sunroof, and aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs. Polished aluminium roof rails enhance its premium profile, while the Digital Light technology with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus ensures high visibility across various driving conditions.

Interior and Technology

Inside, the GLC Coupé continues the AMG Line’s sporty aesthetic, with Artico man-made leather upholstery crafted to play with layered surfaces for a premium feel. The instrument panel and beltlines feature Artico leather in a nappa look, paired with a metal structure trim element. Adding to the luxury is a multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather and a high-quality Burmester 3D surround sound system.

Safety and Assistance Features

Equipped with the Driving Assistance Plus package, the GLC 350 e offers Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side, delivering enhanced safety and driver support.

This new GLC 350 e 4MATIC Coupe is priced at RM425,888.

HYUNDAI’S recent acknowledgement of the challenges with touchscreens in vehicles highlights a growing trend that some are calling the “Tesla Effect.” Following in Tesla’s footsteps, many automakers have phased out traditional physical controls for digital interfaces on touchscreens, aiming to create sleek, tech-centric cabins. However, Hyundai has found that American buyers aren’t entirely on board with the touchscreen-only setup.

According to HDNA Vice President Ha Hak-soo, Hyundai’s experience with touchscreen-based controls revealed that drivers often feel frustrated when trying to quickly adjust settings on the go, especially when physical dials or buttons could have made adjustments more straightforward. Hyundai’s internal testing with focus groups found that drivers found it stressful to control certain functions on a touchscreen when needing immediate responsiveness.

Touchscreens undoubtedly allow designers more flexibility to achieve minimalist interiors and offer a greater range of functions than physical controls alone. But when it comes to real-world driving, bumping along a rough road can make it challenging to find and tap digital controls accurately. A simple adjustment that could once be handled by feel now demands more focus, taking the driver’s attention off the road.

In response, Hyundai has started reintroducing physical controls on some models, including the facelifted Ioniq 5. While Hyundai’s North American team believes driver attitudes might shift once advanced driver-assistance systems become more common, allowing drivers to focus less on the road, for now, it seems Hyundai is listening to the call for a balance between digital and physical controls.

Can't really say, Justin, without knowing how the Independent manages its content and social media presence. I have had two very interesting private conversations with a web content manager and a PR/social media consultant neither of whom, I hasten to add, work for The Independent. Both said that pressure is put on them to get as many "shares" and click throughs as possible. One confirmed that some of their clients clearly state in the commissioning briefs that titles are changed for social media to increase the click rate and that their performance is assessed and payments adjusted accordingly.

But the conclusion must be that The Independent, and not Facebook, is in the wrong here. (Although I suppose there could / should be an FB algorithm to prioritise the real title?)

I don't think we can blame Facebook for the misuse of the tags. They provide the technology and alternative social media titles usually do describe at least part of the original content, and the target audience maybe different compared with that for a website audience. In this case it has to be the Independent that is ultimately responsible, even if the title was written by a freelancer or contractor who, I presume, are paid by the Independent. It is clearly in the source code of the page on the Independent website, therefore they are responsible for it.

[…] has written a telling piece on her blog  with the example of this  newspaper article From Karen: How to write totally misleading headlines for social media :  Or how to seriously annoy intelligent people by telling deliberate […]

[…] occurred to me – but Karen Blakeman has posted this advice – SEASONAL OPENING TIMES – NEVER TRUST GOOGLE’S ANSWERS (OR BING’S) (Dec 29) – information about open and closed times of shops might not be right – always […]

I think Google is confused because most of the words are stop words. (Not sure about "internet" - always thought it was but not on the lists I just looked at which are mostly old, but probably still valid to an extent). Google has coded for known phrases with stop words e.g. "to be or not to be" but this search was not that sort of phrase. So I wonder if what is happening is that Google is confused as it doesn't know what words to actually include and which ones to ignore in its algorithm. You can test this by missing out words. I tried ["this is the best" * "on the internet"] and got 15 results. "this is the " * "on the internet" gave 19 results "this is the best" * "on the" gave 14 results as did "this is the best * on the" "this is the * on the" gave 40 results ["is the * on the" internet] gave 54 results ["is the * on the" planet] gave a number of 588m BUT only 111 were shown (although there was the option to see the rest!) Planet alone gave 754m results so around 30% more. [* "the planet"] gave 460m - with several pages of results. ["the best * the planet"] gave 206m with several result pages BUT ["is the best * the planet"] went down to 89 and ["this is the best * the planet"] gave only 13 results. So if I'm right, and it's stop words, it's an extra thing to include in search training.

Best solution: learn Dutch. This is the best * on the internet only results in 3 hits on google.nl, but when I repeat the search in Dutch (dit is de beste * op het internet) I get 158.000.000 results. Lucky me/gelukkige ik!

[…] Update vom 10.2.2017, Karen Blakeman’s Blog: New Creative Commons image search – back to the drawing board I’m afraid […]

How does this compare to using the "site:No" syntax to force Google to only return result from .No domains. https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=100&ei=oLL1WeX8NYPtaKS9k4AP&btnG=Search&q=site%3Ano+brexit

Yes, David, I really should have included that in the possible strategies. Thanks for reminding me. It works well for this particular example (Norway) and gives good but slightly different results and will, of course, miss Norwegian sites that are registered as .com or other international domains. The amount of overlap (or lack of it) will vary depending on the country.

Would adding the parameter &gl=no to the result URL, still do the job?

Doesn't work here, Eric :-(

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A couple of years ago (I think just after the initial acquisition and when Flickr was being expanded) they offered an "automatic uploader" that scoured your computer and uploaded all images automatically. This sounded great - until I realised you had no control on what was uploaded. My Flickr account has so much junk in it that it would be really hard to clear out - as I have my photos PLUS images I've purchased PLUS images I've downloaded and even scans and stuff like that which I'd never wanted uploaded. These aren't even in albums - so I can't delete them except one-by-one. Fortunately I have my privacy settings set - but not everybody did, and Flickr is a great source for competitive intelligence as a result. Some of the stuff you can find is in the category of "how stupid can you get" (and is a real lesson in the importance of privacy settings). I found a table for a major manufacturer giving volume sales per month 2016 vs. volume sales per month 2015 and YTD value sales. When I was doing the work it was actually current data - invaluable to my client as it was the sort of stuff you cannot ever expect to find but proves there is such as thing as serendipity.

I do recall some colleagues and friends saying that one of the mobile apps that did exactly that by default. Thankfully I have never used any of automatic uploaders. All photos are added manually one by one. Not exactly high tech but a lot safer.

Higher system-wide sales and contributions of recently acquired South Korean value coffee brand boosted earnings of Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. by nearly a quarter in the nine months ending September.

City of Dreams Manila, part of the Melco Resorts and Entertainment Group, has taken the initiative to promote and observe responsible gaming practices in the Philippines.

Earnings of Cosco Capital Inc., the listed retail holding firm of tycoon Lucio Co, increased by 10 percent in the nine months ending September on the back of strong operating performance across all its business segments.

The Keepers Holdings Inc. of tycoon Lucio Co is gobbling up a local beer importer, further boosting the company’s extensive portfolio.

The Bureau of Customs saw its collections rise to P90 billion in October as it ramped up proper tax verification on various imported goods.

Mental health problems in the country are on the rise.

What were some DOTr advisers thinking when they recommended to Secretary Jimmy Bautista that the EDSA Bus Lane be redesigned to counterflow so that non-buses will stop entering the lane? If the President of the Philippines can finally outlaw POGO in the Philippines by simply signing a piece of legislation, why can’t the DOTr, the MMDA, the LTO or the DPWH declare that the BUS LANE IS FOR BUSES ONLY!

Actress Lovi Poe launched her debut makeup collection under local cosmetics line Ready Set Glow.

The House of Representatives saw quite a toned-down but more gutsy version of former President Rodrigo Duterte as he refrained from swearing at the House probe into his bloody anti-narcotics campaign.

Given a life extension, the Quezon Huskers hope to complete their recovery when they tackle the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in a Game 3 decider for the South Division crown at 7 p.m. Thursday

Former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons head coach Ricky Dandan has passed away. He was 61.

La Salle star Kevin Quiambao will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers despite his ongoing UAAP Season 87 stint.

Search Engine Roundtable reports today that Google is advising against using the link operator in search. It seems that there have been complaints on Twitter and elsewhere that it is returning some odd results. I have never been a fan of the command; it only ever returned a small sample of pages that link to … Continue reading Google link command gone – never much good anyway! →

Locating images that can be re-used, modified and incorporated into commercial or non-commercial projects is always a hot topic on my search workshops.  As soon as we start looking at tools that identify Creative Commons and public domain images the delegates start scribbling. Yes, Google and Bing both have tools that allow you to specify … Continue reading New Creative Commons image search – back to the drawing board I’m afraid →

Google has made a major change to search and it does not bode well. Results are now based on your current location. So what’s new?  Google has always looked at your location, even down to city/town level, and changed the results accordingly. That is fine if you are travelling and want to find the nearest … Continue reading Google makes it harder to change location for country specific research →

Dell OS Recovery Tool is a freeware app that can be used to create a USB recovery drive to reinstall the Windows or Linux that came with your PC. Dell OS Recovery Tool is easy enough for anyone to use following the simple four steps in order. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8 | Size: 25 MB ]

Comodo Dragon is a Chromium technology-based Browser that offers you all of Chrome's features. [License: Freeware | Requires: 11|10|8|7 | Size: Size Varies ]

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