TM One and SME Bank sign agreement to provide technology funding to SMEs via SME Technology Transformation Fund (STTF)
TM One, the business and public sector solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank), an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative to offer technology funding for its Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) customers to accelerate their business and digital transformation.
The MoU was signed by Ahmad Taufek Omar, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, TM One while SME Bank was represented by Aria Putera Ismail, its Group President/Chief Executive Officer.
The SME Technology Transformation Fund (STTF), is a fund set up between SME Bank and the Ministry of Finance to offer financing assistance of up to RM3.0 million to local SMEs. This is part of the Government's Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (PENJANA) economic stimulus package to provide financial assistance to SMEs in adopting digitalisation and/or automation in their business operations.
Commenting on the collaboration, Ahmad Taufek said, "We are excited to work hand-in-hand with SME Bank to accelerate digital adoption amongst our customers particularly in the SME segment. This is in support of the Government's efforts under PENJANA to execute key initiatives to help SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim is to assist SMEs in addressing real business challenges and issues that they are currently facing with the digital solutions available. We have put in place dedicated teams and solutions to enable our customers to realise the full potential of their digital opportunities. Our Professional Services are a consultative approach in helping SMEs to understand how to plan their digital transformation based on their unique business requirements."
Meanwhile, Aria said, "With a fund size of RM500 million, STTF is expected to directly assist SME entrepreneurs to achieve higher productivity, process efficiency, efficient cost management and greater market penetration. As at 11 November 2020, SME Bank has approved 18 applications worth RM36.55 million under the STTF fund. SME Bank's role in encouraging the SMEs to adopt digital technology was further enhanced with the introduction of ODELA, the first one-stop e-commerce platform backed by a Development Financial Institution (DFI), that enabled B2B entrepreneurs to make transactions and foster partnership across vast ecosystems. The Bank's wholesome approach in providing financing and entrepreneur development assistance further adds value and accelerate the development of digital economy thus boosting the nation's economic growth in this challenging time."
STTF is to be used for financing the purchases of IT solutions and services, technology support services, computer hardware and software, equipment and/or machinery and other intangible assets to enhance productivity and efficiency. SMEs as defined by the National Entrepreneur and SME Development Council (NESDC) are eligible to apply for STTF.
TM One's solutions are aimed at helping SMEs to achieve higher productivity, better cost management and improved efficiency for wider market penetration through the adoption of digitalisation and automation. As the digital enabler for enterprise and public sector customers with enterprise-grade connectivity and end-to-end cloud offerings, the Company is well positioned to enable the ecosystem for digital society, digital business and digital government. Leveraging on its complete digital solutions offerings across connectivity (Internet & Data), voice and collaboration tools, business outsourcing services, cloud services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart services, TM One will fulfil the needs of businesses and the public sector in embracing digital convergence towards enabling Digital Malaysia.
This is in line with TM Group's unique role as the nation's connectivity and digital infrastructure provider. It is also in support of Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) Plan to drive Malaysia's Digital Economy through business digitalisation and new ways of working.
For more information on TM One solutions and how to apply for STTF, visit www.smebank.com.my and www.tmone.com.my.
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TM One and MPSJ embarks on 5G demonstration project in Subang Jaya
Local communities set to experience ultimate 5G experience with smart solutions; in line with the aspiration to become a Vibrant City by 2030 TM One, the enterprise and public sector business solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) today inked a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) for the deployment of three (3) 5G-enabled use cases, namely the Smart Traffic Light, Smart Parking and Smart Safety & Security solutions at SS15, in Subang Jaya as part of the 5G Demonstration Project (5GDP) undertaken by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The MoC was signed by Ahmad Taufek Omar, Executive Vice President / Chief Executive Officer, TM One while MPSJ was represented by TPr. Hjh Noraini Roslan, Yang DiPertua, MPSJ. YAB Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Menteri Besar of Selangor together with Tuan Haji Rosli Man, Chairman, TM and Gerard Lim, Chief Digital Officer of MCMC witnessed the signing. Also present at the event were YB Michelle Ng, ADUN for Subang Jaya as well as representatives from the State Executive Council. Commenting on the collaboration, Tuan Haji Rosli said; "We are proud and excited to join forces with MPSJ in supporting MCMC's 5G Demonstration Project to deploy 5G infrastructure and services to Malaysians. The use cases that we are rolling out in all of our 5GDP locations are particularly selected to address the specific challenges faced by the community and stakeholders at the respective locations. For Subang Jaya, we have, together with MPSJ, identified prior to the project that parking, congestion and safety issues are among the community's top concerns. Today, TM and MPSJ are together in demonstrating how smart cities can be powered by 5G and Subang Jaya is indeed a perfect location to demonstrate these capabilities. We hope that throughout the 5GDP period, we will be able to show how 5G-enabled solutions can solve the challenges and create an Ultimate Smart City Experience for Subang Jaya, making it a smart city pioneer in Malaysia. This is in support of the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) efforts in progressing humanity towards improving the quality of lives of the Rakyat." "We hope as 5G becomes a reality, the communities will experience better streaming and connectivity and this will certainly bring a multitude of benefits to Subang Jaya city. Streets, buildings, public and personal devices need to be interconnected in order to manage the resources and operations in Subang Jaya. This can only be cost-effective and efficient if they are automated and connected and this is in line with MPSJ efforts to make Subang Jaya a safe, green, smart, prosperous, healthy and women-friendly municipality. MPSJ plans to install more than 100 high-tech CCTV cameras in the SS15 commercial area to monitor parking and traffic flow and under the proposed pilot project, the CCTVs would be equipped with enhanced technology and algorithms that could gauge the behaviour of motorists and alert MPSJ or the police if any urgent action is required," said TPr. Hjh Noraini. Noraini added that it is MPSJ's hope that this initiative and collaboration will realise MPSJ's aspiration to become a Smart City by 2030 and at the same time, support the Selangor state government vision towards making Selangor as the pioneer smart city by 2025. Through this partnership, TM One and MPSJ agree to jointly collaborate in the deployment of the 5G network with the rollout of the three (3) use cases, where the transmission of TM's 5G service and the use cases have been fully operational since November 2019. Both parties have also agreed to undertake joint marketing and promotion activities of the use cases in SS15, Subang Jaya for a duration of six (6) months. Ahmad Taufek added, "5G is the next-generation network that will serve as the enabling technology for the Internet of Things (IoT), leading to many transformative smart solutions such as the Smart City Solutions and beyond. TM, via our innovative and comprehensive products and solutions will continue to lay the foundation for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and enabling IoT – to serve a more digital society and lifestyle, digital businesses and industry verticals, as well as digital Government. TM ONE as the enterprise and public sector business solutions arm of TM is committed to support the Group's role as the national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia's Digital Nation aspirations - that has established the communications backbone of Malaysia with the widest connectivity and convergence network." TM ONE's 5G-enabled Smart Traffic Light solution programmes traffic lights to respond to real-time, rich data collected by connected high-definition (HD) cameras and sensors, to enable improved traffic flow and reduces idle time at red lights. The Smart Parking solution enables real time parking bay monitoring using HD camera and Artificial Intelligence (AI), so users are able to search for vacant parking bay and navigate via path finder to reduce the time spent searching for the spot. Meanwhile, MPSJ enforcers can monitor parking occupancy and illegal parking incidents from the command centre and deploy resources more efficiently, thereby reducing traffic congestion at outdoor parking areas. The Smart Safety and Security solution provides advanced surveillance and real-time monitoring through video streaming from sensors and HD camera. Powered by AI capabilities, and integrated with TM's emergency response team, immediate action can be deployed in case of emergencies, as well as predictive analysis on actual incident situation for proactive response. Apart from the three use cases deployed in partnership with MPSJ, TM deploys three (3) other use cases through its research and development arm, TM R&D Sdn Bhd (TM R&D). Two (2) use cases - Smart Retail Analytics and Smart Water System are deployed at private commercial premises in SS15, Subang Jaya while Smart Vehicle will be implemented at TM Fleet in the area. Earlier last week, the Company announced that it has begun transmission of 5G service in Pulau Langkawi, where it is deploying the first 5G Stand Alone (SA) network, and will be demonstrating more 5G use cases there.

TM R&D collaborates with Maldives’ leading digital services provider, Dhiraagu to bring ewar to businesses in Maldives
EWAR, A.I. driven contactless temperature screening solution made in Malaysia has now entered the international market Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), through its innovation arm, TM Research & Development (TM R&D), is expanding the delivery of its Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) driven contactless temperature screening solution – Early Warning, Alert & Response or "EWAR" – to Maldives. For the expansion, TM R&D is working alongside Dhiraagu, the leading and largest provider of telecommunications and digital services in Maldives, to assist local businesses in resuming full operations while maintaining a safe environment by installing EWAR at their premises. This initiative is set to provide businesses in Maldives and their stakeholders with the confidence for business continuity through the provisioning of the complete solution. Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, "We are excited to collaborate with Dhiraagu to introduce EWAR, a reliable and accurate contactless thermal screening solution to businesses in Maldives. As we are facing an unprecedented period, health procedures to curb the Covid-19 pandemic are universal which is why we believe EWAR serves two main purposes – to provide early warning alerts of high temperature efficiently and to minimise human contacts. We believe other countries can also reap the benefits of EWAR to better face this pandemic. We see this as our first step into showcasing how innovative digital solutions developed by Malaysian talents such as EWAR can assist in the fight against COVID-19 at the global front." "As we are navigating through a new normal, we will continue to introduce smart digital solutions that focus on safety and to help fulfil the digital requirements of businesses. This is befitting of our aim to serve a more digital lifestyle and in line with our support for TM's unique role of enabling a more Digital Malaysia," she added. Harnessing their expertise in digital platforms and digital solutions, TM R&D introduced two (2) main products under EWAR, namely EWAR Crowds and EWAR Compact in April. EWAR Crowds is designed to conduct a rapid body temperature screening of approximately 10-15 individuals per second simultaneously at high traffic areas. The solution is non-intrusive and can easily be deployed in locations with mass traffic flow such as offices, shopping complexes, transportation hubs, universities, schools, tourist attractions, airports, immigration centres, and hospitals. EWAR Compact on the other hand is more suitable for one-on-one contactless thermal screening. This helps to eliminate the need for hand-held temperature taking devices which can subsequently minimise long queues and increase efficiency. Both EWAR products also come with cloud-based software and real-time monitoring app which makes this innovative solution unique. If any visitor entering the premises records a higher temperature, an alert will be triggered and a notification will be sent to the mobile device of the designated person in charge. The system also allows storing of individual temperature reports over a cloud system where it can be accessed remotely for tracking or analysis. "As we all are collectively working towards the same goal, health, and safety of our employees, customers, and communities are given the utmost priority. The EWAR solution has been developed with the highest accuracy for thermal screening. We are delighted to be collaborating with TM R&D to bring this complete solution to local businesses towards ensuring business continuity," said Mahmoud Dasser, Chief Marketing Officer of Dhiraagu. Currently, EWAR has been deployed at more than 150 sites across several industry verticals to provide accurate, hassle-free screening of employees and visitors. The sites include the quarantine and treatment centre for COVID-19 cases at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, large and mid-size office lobbies, 12 schools, hotels, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) payment counters, various sales galleries, Gamuda Land construction sites, just to name a few. TM R&D has been growing from strength to strength since 2016, winning seven (7) globally recognised awards over the last two (2) years. With more than 2,800 IPRs and 1,400 digital assets generated to-date, TM R&D's innovations, all developed in-house cut across multiple verticals such as Telco, Retail, Logistics, Agriculture, Healthcare and Education with safety and productivity as the top priority. As the organisation continues to expand beyond connectivity and into new value-added digital and smarter platforms, its role in TM has become more prominent and exciting. For more information about TM R&D and its products and services, please log on to www.tmrnd.com.my. Follow us on LinkedIn (TM Research & Development) for more news and updates.

TM Announces Upcoming Change In MD / Group CEO
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), is pleased to announce a change in its executive leadership effective 1 August 2023. The change sees Amar Huzaimi Md Deris as the new Managing Director / Group CEO of TM, succeeding Datuk Imri Mokhtar, who completes his 3-year term on 31 July 2023. Currently heading TM's domestic and global wholesale business, Amar is another example of TM's home-grown talent, after Datuk Imri. Beginning his career with TM after graduating in 1998, Amar’s roles have ranged from financial control, internal audit, corporate and regulatory affairs, Group CEO’s office, culminating in his current P&L position at TM Global. His strategic vision, combined with operational experience and grasp of global leading technologies, ideally positions him to steer TM's evolution from a Telco to a TechCo. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his recognition as one of CPA Australia's 40 young business leaders (2012) and by Capacity Media's 'Power 100' list in wholesale carrier community (2019, 2023). These accolades further attest to his leadership capabilities and the promising future he holds at the helm of TM. Speaking about his upcoming role, Amar said, "Datuk Imri has set the right path for TM, with the strengthened foundation from the turnaround and pursuit of new growth areas – charting the shift from a Telco to a TechCo. I am proud to have been part of that journey; and now, I am enthusiastic to follow through and lead TM to the next level." Datuk Imri expressed his confidence in Amar’s appointment, saying, “Amar is an exceptional TM-grown leader with a proven ability to navigate the business and deliver results. I have full confidence that TM shall attain greater success under Amar’s leadership. I extend my best wishes to Amar, the leadership team and Warga TM as they embark on the next chapter of TM’s growth journey.” The company wishes to extend its gratitude to Datuk Imri for his tenure as MD/GCEO which has seen notable turnaround and growth, and his total of 21 years serving in TM. With the appointment of Amar Huzaimi as the new MD/GCEO, TM is confident it will continue to innovate and grow, building upon its success and further enhancing its role as the enabler of Digital Malaysia.