Providing best-in-class content to support hoteliers return to normalcy
unifi Business, the preferred digital partner for close to 400,000 SMEs in Malaysia, have signed an agreement to provide innovative hospitality entertainment solutions to five high-value business customers namely, the Genesis Life Care Centre, Aturan Lagenda-Ideas Hotel, Capitol Hotel, Federal Hotel and Corus Hotel.
The agreement provides these businesses access to premium and exclusive content from unifi Business through unifi TV’s hospitality entertainment solutions. Customers will be able to choose from three attractive packs to mix and match over 50 channels in genres ranging from live sports, drama series, blockbuster movies, global news, kids/edutainment, lifestyle and many more.
Mohamad Yusman Ammeran, unifi’s Head of SME Segment shared, “Foreign tourist arrivals reportedly dipped from about 26 million in 2019 to only about 135,000 in 2021 – hitting Malaysia’s tourism industry harder than most other sectors.
“As of June 2022, however, tourist numbers have exceeded 1 million and are expected to rise to 4.5 million by the end of the year. Hoteliers are revitalising their businesses and striving to provide more rewarding, comprehensive experiences in their effort to attract more customers.”
He added, “To support the hospitality industry’s effort to create greater value for their customers, unifi is excited to offer these local businesses our new hospitality entertainment solutions. These are part of our convergence solutions that include connectivity, content, and digital solutions to empower the hospitality industry to ramp up their offerings more quickly.
“In addition to more than 50 world-class channels from which they can choose, this solution provides the best in-room guest experience with five exciting new premium channels, including beIN Sports.”
Ho Hock Doong, Head of unifi TV, explained that the new hospitality entertainment solutions were designed to allow these businesses the flexibility to customise their TV channels, elevating in-room guest experiences while saving costs at the same time. In addition to BEIN SPORTS 1 and 3 HD, the new premium channels selection will include DEGUP HD, CGTN HD and CCTV-4 HD – catering to these businesses’ diverse customers.
The signing ceremony was held at the Kuala Lumpur Tower with Dr Phang Sue Ling, Chief Operating Officer, Genesis Life Care Centre Sdn Bhd; Kharil Hafez Harith Yahya, Aturan Lagenda-Ideas Hotel General Manager; Thomas A/L Anthony of Capitol Hotel; Lim Kae Juang from Federal Hotel; and Teoh Gee Chuan from Corus Hotel representing their respective businesses. In addition to Mohamad Yusman Ammeran and Ho Hock Doong, the signing ceremony was also witnessed by Kenneth Oh, Deputy Secretary, The Malaysia Budget Hotel Association; and Maznan Deraman, Head of SME Medium Business Segment, unifi Business.
Mohamad Yusman concluded, “In supporting SMEs regain their footing post pandemic, we remain committed to helping these local industries become more sustainable and resilient through our comprehensive business solutions. Through these offerings, we strive to empower the hospitality industry to attract more customers, and revitalise both their businesses and the nation’s economy.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

TM's addresses data breach of Unifi mobile customers contact information
Telekom Malaysia (“TM” or “the Group”) has been made aware of a data breach (specific to contact information only) on 28 December involving a limited amount of Unifi Mobile customers’ information. After investigations, TM has found 250,248 Unifi Mobile customers to be affected in this data breach, constituting both individual customers as well as SMEs. The type of data that was breached involved customer names, phone numbers and emails. No other information was breached. TM confirms that the breach has been contained and have taken steps to minimise the potential impact to these 250,248 customers. The specific customers affected have been notified. Customers who have not received any notification are not impacted. TM has also reported this matter to the relevant authorities (National Cyber Coordination & Command Centre (NC4); Department of Privacy & Data Protection (JPDP); and the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC)). While additional security measures have been put in place to isolate the risk and protect our customers, we wish to inform that our customers did not experience any service disruptions in this incident. TM is closely monitoring the situation and is conducting additional assessments. We advise customers to take extra precautions when receiving communications from unknown parties, as well as to secure their online information at all times. The privacy and security of TM’s customers remain our highest priority and we take such matters seriously. We will continue to strengthen and ensure our data security framework, policies, systems and processes are continuously benchmarked against Bank Negara Malaysia's Risk Management in Technology (RMiT) standard and ISO27001, as well as other global standards to prevent such occurrences.

Nurturing future digital leaders through YTM Future Skills Champion Schools
Enhances its adopted schools programme to be more holistic by embedding digital technology and leadership skills TM, through Yayasan TM (YTM), recognises the need to equip the next generation with the digital and technology skills required for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). In view of this, in 2014, YTM began its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) oriented programmes, such as robotics, 3D modelling, coding, and big data analytics, to promote those subjects amongst students and education communities at schools nationwide. In 2020, the modules were conslidated into TM Future Skills (TMFS) programme, with the aim of making it more comprehensive and beneficial to the intended participants. The programme was tailored to the syllabus outlined by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and covered the nine (9) pillars of the IR4.0. It has been receiving positive feedback from the teachers and students involved and more schools have requested to be part of the programme. Supporting MOE’s aspiration for digital education transformation, YTM continues to spread the positive impact of TMFS in a more structured approach. Towards this end, the foundation has embarked on TM Future Skills Champion School (TMFS School) initiative, as a continuation of the TM School Adoption Programme with enhanced contents. TMFS Schools foster future digital skills by embracing digital technology in its classroom activities where leadership, design thinking and cognitive abilities were emphasised to prepare the students for future employment. SMK Gunung Semanggol (SMKGS) in Perak, with more than 90% of its students from B40 families, was selected as the first TMFS School, aligned with YTM’s aspiration to assist B40 students in rural areas. To further facilitate the initiative, YTM is establishing TMFS Digital Hub at TMFS Schools where the schools will be equipped with a PocketLab, robotics set, 3D printer, smart TV, desktop, and digital learning content to gain more interest from its students as well as the neighbouring schools. "SMK Gunung Semanggol was identified based on its active involvement in various STEM initiatives, including previous TMFS programmes. The school also has passionate and dedicated teachers, where they adopt integrated and innovative approach for more in-depth understanding of the modules among the students. With such exposure and capabilities, we are confident that SMK Gunung Semanggol is able to play the role as a hub to spread the digital technology knowledge to more students and teachers including at the five (5) neighbouring schools, and approximately over 20 secondary schools in the Kerian district," said Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM, during the launching ceremony of TMFS School in November 2022. Throughout this three-year programme, YTM, together with its strategic partner, Creative Minds, will work with Multimedia University (MMU), Yayasan Universiti Multimedia (YUM), TM Perak, and other YTM's partners to design and deliver engaging programmes providing the tools and support for students in rural schools to flourish. "We are also happy to see that SMK Gunung Semanggol promotes the development of other skills, such as urban farming and entrepreneurship, to empower the local communities sustainably. So as we continue to identify more potential schools in more states of Malaysia, we hope this programme will unearth more talented students towards building a competitive and sustainable community in the future," she added. Salmah Iman, the Principal of SMK Gunung Semanggol, expressed her enthusiasm, "We feel honoured and privileged to be chosen as the first TMFS School in the Northern Zone and Malaysia. We are excited and look forward to share the positive impact of this programme with the nearby schools. As we are committed to ensuring that this programme achieves its goals, we are also confident that YTM's support and assistance will help these students be prepared for future employment and enhance their standard of living." At the event, Bakri Arsad, Chief Assistant Director of Mathematics and Science, Learning Sector, Perak State Education Department, said, "We welcome such initiatives through collaboration with the private sector, especially for rural schools that need exposure to digital technology. These programmes will inspire students to explore their potential beyond academics and increase the number of students choosing STEM-related fields." During the launch, guests had the opportunity to visit the Pusat Sumber Sekolah Pendeta Za'aba and experience content and materials created by the students based on specific themes including unique handicrafts and martial arts performances. Guests toured the school's urban farm, where they sampled delicious cuisine prepared by students from the special education class using produce from the farm. SMK Gunung Semanggol provided a wonderful ambience of positive vibes that attract students' engagement and boosted their creativity. To date, STEM-related programmes by YTM, including TMFS, have benefited over 15,000 students and teachers from over 500 schools across the country. With the support and assistance of various interested partners, we hope this initiative will spark students' interest in pursuing their tertiary studies in technology and digital fields and equip the young generation with future-proof skills relevant to the future workforce.

YTM and Istana Negara equips higher risk communities with disaster preparedness
Facilitates the development of localised Emergency Response Plans Over the years, Yayasan TM (YTM) has been actively involved in disaster emergency response efforts and lent its helping hand to affected communities in various ways. With many tragic losses of life and property due to natural disasters, it is imperative to help the public better understand the importance of preparedness, the risks involved and build capacities for pre-emptive and early action, including identifying vulnerabilities and potential impact on people and assets. Through its latest initiative, the YTM-Istana Negara Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Programme (CBDRRM), organised in collaboration with Istana Negara, the programme is aimed at empowering communities especially women and children as well as building community resilience during disasters with the necessary knowledge and skills in disaster preparedness - in alignment to the Government's aspiration to nurture a disaster preparedness culture among Malaysians. For the inaugural edition of the programme, YTM identified three (3) high risk areas in Kuantan, Maran and Bentong districts in Pahang. This is also a continuation from the support to the local communities post-flood early this year where YTM, together with Istana Negara provided basic necessities, workforce and monetary assistance to citizens in Karak, Ulu Tembeling and Kuantan districts. “This CBDRRM programme is both important and timely, in view of frequent heavy rain and storms of late. We hope that the local communities will fully utilise the skills and knowledge obtained from the initiative, to be better prepared for in the event of any flood incidents in their respective areas, minimising the impact and ultimately, saving lives,” said Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM. “We were delighted to find that these modules were very helpful for them based on their feedback. Meanwhile, we remain on the ready to deploy response and humanitarian aid should the need arise,” she added. The first one was held in August 2022 for the community in Perumahan Awam Kos Rendah (PAKR) Sungai Pandan, Kuantan, which saw a total of 120 participants attending, while the second was held in Maran in September. With the support of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) as well as the TM Reaching Out Volunteers (TMROVers), the programme was conducted by 12 humanitarian experts with vast disaster response experience, including risk and reduction management from Red A Humanitarian Global. The modules highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness, hands-on session to develop localised Emergency Response Plans, water safety and practical swimming, as well as simulation exercises. The participants were also briefed on mental health management and creating children-friendly spaces (CFS) as an added element. For any emergency response plan to work, active participation from the community becomes crucial. During the programme, the communities were also connected to their local government agencies such as the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), Jabatan Pengairan & Saliran (JPS) Negeri Pahang for better disaster response in the future. The third and final session was organised recently in Bentong in collaboration with Istana Negara and attended by 125 participants. Via the three (3) series of CBDRRM in Pahang, YTM have reached a total of 458 community members and local government agencies; inclusively, empowering 123 female participants and 167 children and teenagers. This initiative is aligned with our aspiration to build capacity in disaster preparedness among community members, especially women and children, who are considered first responders’ priority when a disaster occurs. YTM will continuously support the community for better disaster preparedness and response through community leadership and self-empowerment.