UMW Holdings to contribute 3,000 boot covers, 15,000 disposable headscarves, 10,000 gowns and 10,000 face shields

UMW Holdings Berhad has contributed essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be distributed to several Malaysian hospitals tasked with the screening and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

A total of 15,000 disposable headscarves, 10,000 gowns and 3,000 boot covers, all of which were produced internally at the Toyota Boshoku UMW manufacturing plant in Bukit Raja, Klang, will be distributed to hospitals, where PPE are essential in keeping healthcare workers safe.

In order to distribute the PPE effectively, 7,000 disposable headscarves, 7,000 gowns and all boot covers will be delivered directly to the Ministry of Health, while the remaining 8,000 disposable headscarves and 3,000 gowns will be disbursed via NGOs such as the St John Ambulance of Malaysia.

Previously, on 15 April 2020, UMW .Holdings had distributed 3,000 face shields to the Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM and Jabatan Kesihatan Kuantan, Pahang.

The Group’s staff continues to produce the face shields internally in Shah Alam, targeting a total of 10,000 pieces.

UMW Holdings have also contributed blood pressure monitors, oximeters and stethoscopes to Hospital Sungai Buloh, besides previously collaborating with various reputable NGOs, such as MERCY Malaysia and Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia, to provide financial and livelihood support to various communities directly affected by the pandemic.

Furthermore, UMW Holdings is part of the GLC Disaster Response Network, contributing ventilators and other vital medical equipment. In total, UMW Holdings Berhad has contributed RM1.3 million in aid to help fight the effects of COVID-19 on Malaysians.

UMW Holdings Berhad President & Group CEO, Badrul Feisal bin Abdul Rahim said, “The Group would like to reiterate our heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Health and all healthcare workers for the relentless fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

We understood that until the end of the pandemic battle, PPEs will be a constant necessity and had taken it upon us to internally produce the most needed items. As a responsible corporate citizen, we must and will do all we can to protect our nation’s heroes over the course of our fight against the deadly virus.

Furthermore, as compassionate Malaysians, UMW is also extending assistance to at-risk communities such as the homeless, the differently-abled, stranded IPT students, welfare homes and families directly affected by the pandemic during these challenging times.”

The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) further fortifies its accolades with the latest success in obtaining the Green Building Index (GBI) certification, awarded by the GBI Accreditation Panel.

“From the start, MITEC is built with a vision for its functionality as Malaysia’s largest trade and exhibition centre but also with strict intentions to ensure that the development preserves the surrounding environment.

Being awarded with the GBI status reassures us that we are on the right track in our efforts to leave positive footprints for the environment,” said Gunther Beissel, Chief Executive Officer of MITEC.

MITEC earned its stripes based on 11 winning practices that is instrumental for a Venue of its size to adhere to:
1. Usage of recycle material during construction
2. Installation of a 70% UV repellent glass
3. Rainwater harvesting
4. Co2 censors and fresh air fans
5. Variable speed drives in the Centre’s chiller pumps
6. Motion sensor in all public toilets
7. Garden watering system based on timers
8. Hand basin in kitchens with censors
9. Building automation system applicable
10. Mould prevention system
11. No chemicals water treatment for cooling towers

“I am thankful for the experts whom we have worked with, to cultivate a culture and knowledge of sustainable designs and the practice of efficiency when it comes to impacting human health and the environment.

I am also very proud of MITECians who are very receptive to the culture of preservation, it is the little habits in every day’s operations that count and make a great difference,” said Beissel.

He continued to explain, “The benefits of a green and well-maintained building seeps through in many ways. Tangible advantages for a building include increased property value, increased employee productivity and the platform for us to gain government and utility incentives.

These benefits will enable MITEC to do more for the community. At the end of the day, it is about reducing carbon footprints and spreading the word out efficiently as the Centre is a massive convening point for business events”.

Following the 2018 round of financing led by KKR with participation of Battery Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Ribbit Capital & Credit Ease; Shefa Capital has decided to partner with V Capital Investments Limited to lead the Series C PRE IPO USD100 million investment in Cross River Bank (“CRB”).

Through this round of investment in CRB, V Capital also became CRB’s strategic partner in the South East Asia region. With the fintech offerings made available through this partnership, V Capital is also working toward the application for the Digital Bank Licence in Malaysia which will allow V Capital to offer its fintech offerings to a larger section of the public.

CRB, through its innovative and revolutionary fintech offerings, aims to disrupt the US and global commercial banking industry. In the USA, there are around 5,000 commercial banks as of 2019, generating approximately USD250 billion in annual revenue.

There is a paradigm shift in the financial industry. With the digitisation of the market economy, there is an increase in the number of commerce and service businesses embracing web and mobile interaction with their customers.

Due to the diverse needs of each business, it is no longer practical to rely on human execution of banking transactions. Major banking and financial institutions are turning to automated services to provide faster, easier banking experiences to their customers.

In the current market, fintech companies account for roughly 40% of the loan origination and payment markets, which is worth several trillions of dollars.

CRB has built a modular approach that provide its consumer, including fintech companies and regular companies such as Amazon, Google, Uber and Coinbase with access to the digital payment services, digital lending options and digital deposits services.

And due to the fact that CRB is an FDIC insured bank regulated under the relevant regulations, the above mentioned fintech services provided by CRB have fully complied with the relevant rules and regulations.

CRB’s customers can also provide an enhanced cross-platform experience for their customers thanks to CRB’s seamless integration of the digital banking platforms of these companies.

This symbiotic relationship between CRB and its customer is leading to huge growth. And there is further growth in the near future, with CRB currently on-boarding around 200 new companies to their platform, making them the bridge between the conventional, outdated banking paradigm to the new digital banking and financing age.

V Capital chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said its partnership with CRB would bring together some of the latest financial technology that western fintech has to offer, with the resources, market reach and technical know-how in South-East Asia to be provided by VCI.

“This partnership will ensure that VCI and CRB will be the leading players in the South-East Asian fintech ecosystem in the next five years.”

Speaking at the announcement of the partnership, Mohamad Fuzi said that even though Malaysia was still a predominantly cash-based society, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has already engaged with start-ups, investors and innovators from around the world to create a vibrant fintech environment here.

For example, he said, MDEC has initiated the Accelerators initiatives to provide fintech start-ups with opportunities for local and foreign investment.

“And with the technological breakthroughs brought about by the partnership between VCI and CRB, Malaysia is set to witness a major fintech breakthrough which could be a catalyst that leads to further advancements in fintech,” he said.

In an effort to mitigate any potential risks, CRB does not only rely on single source of revenue. The multiple source of income for CRB includes banking fees from loan origination and transaction fees from payment services.

CRB’s strong financial performances are testaments to the work and effort which CRB had put in to constantly improve its business structure. CRB had recorded USD200 million in revenue in 2019 with the revenue expected to increase to USD 550 million.

CRB, which is slated to for an IPO in the US next year, was listed as among the 50 most innovative fintech companies in 2019 by Forbes.

The third phase of MCO saw an increase in green zones, signifying a positive outlook for Malaysia.

Despite the further extension of MCO, Netizens are hopeful for life and outdoor activities to resume after the pandemic while businesses are setting operations in preparation including an increase in active communications.

The 6th edition of this study covers chatter surrounding the repeated MCO extensions, differences in the Ramadan celebrations this year, students who are allowed to return home, highlights on four industries crucial in the recovery, and top trending topics among Netizens during this period.

The decrease in total active cases by over 30% from the beginning of the month is an indicator that we are at a crucial turning point in our battle against Covid19. Malaysians have adapted from a phase of enforced control to focusing on recovery at this stage.

The restrictions are loosened for businesses to resume operations in order to revive our economy, while students are now allowed to return home to their families for the festive season.

Meanwhile a few sectors are focusing their efforts on coping with the pandemic and the recovery thereafter.

This edition’s highlight covers the Education, Insurance, Banking, and Hospital sectors, taking a look at how they have adapted and contributed to the recovery from the pandemic.

From the hardest hit hospital sector whose medical professionals form our front line defenses, to education sector being forced to adapt to online learning, and from banking institutions monitoring the increase in online transactions while providing financial aids, to insurance providers offering policies and coverage to safeguard us from loss and medical expenses, all these sectors work hand-in-hand to future-proof our interests and stability in the face of future crises.

Wisesight’s Founder and Regional Director of APAC, Shakthi DC said, “The current chatter and communications trend will indicate the direction and recovery efforts in these sectors for the coming years.

Just as businesses adapt to the demands and availability of supplies, these sectors will adapt and respond to input from the general public. Service industries are designed to fulfill the needs and demands of the majority because that’s where the sales volume comes from.

These are often readjusted when the voices of the mass become a unified collective on a certain topic. Now more than ever, Netizens need to be aware that their collective input, no matter how casual, may play a role in shaping these sectors’ direction moving forward.”

She added, “Those who are hit the hardest will be the most driven to change as they become aware of how limited their resources are or how under-prepared they are in the face of difficulty.

These groups will learn to adapt to the digital advancements through education, or plan for financial safety net through insurance or bank savings and investments. As a society, we are also learning to appreciate our healthcare professionals and educators.

A change in demand of these professions and their market value is very likely after the pandemic.”

Wisesight’s study details the events from 22nd – 28th April analysing the reactions and impact of these changes in comparison to findings from the previous weeks. The latest study includes:

1. Netizens reactions to the 4th phase of MCO
2. Increase in green zones and ease on travel restrictions
3. Top Malaysian’s concerns over the past five weeks
4. Current trending topics Malaysians shared online
5. Selected Industries’ performance during the MCO (Education, Insurance, Banking,
Hospital)
6. Best practice recommendations for Brands content strategy
7. Case Study – Strategies adopted by highlighted industries to remain relevant during the MCO and the strategies for post lockdown.
8. Other stories of key interest among Malaysians during the period analysed

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