NEWS IN BRIEF: JULY 20, 2022

MALAYSIAN GENOMICS RESOURCE CENTRE BHD (MGRC) has entered into a service level agreement with UCrest Bhd to integrate genomic testing services into digital health platform, iMedic, elevating healthcare services to the next level.

Under the agreement, a virtual genome service centre will be developed on iMedic platform enabling the genomic testing services of MGRC to be made available to hospitals and clinics and to patients directly, widening its market access globally, MGRC said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today.

It said the global genomics market size was valued at US$20.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 15.35 per cent from 2021 to 2028.

“The agreement shall be valid for a period of three years and may be extended for a further period of three years or until otherwise requested by any of the parties,” it added.

-- BERNAMA

SURFSHARK, a cybersecurity company, has found that Malaysia is the 11th most breached country for the second quarter of 2022, with a higher rate of 733 per cent than it was in Q1 2021, increasing from one to five breached accounts per minute.

According to Surfshark's latest study, more than 665,200 Malaysian users had been breached during this period, and 44.2 million accounts had been breached since 2004.

It said Surfshark’s analysis showed how data breaches in Malaysia continue to grow rapidly, especially in light of the recent alleged National Registration Department (NRD) data breach, which contained information of 22.5 million Malaysians born between 1940 and 2004.

“In Southeast Asia, every second person, or 64 out of every 100, have been affected by data breaches. In Malaysia, this number goes up to 138 per 100 people and statistically, an average Malaysian has been affected by data breaches at least one time,” said data researcher Agneska Sablovskaja.

-- BERNAMA

TELEKOM RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) recently received the ‘Data Sharing Technology Excellence’ award in recognition of its contribution as a partner to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in growing the data ecosystem in Malaysia.

In a statement today, TM said the recognition was given away at the inaugural Malaysia Digital Economy Industry Awards 2022 organised by MDEC, to show appreciation and recognise industry players who have been supporting the agency.

TM R&D chief executive officer Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah said this recognition reaffirmed the company's efforts in developing digital ecosystems to facilitate Malaysians in embracing a more digital lifestyle.

-- BERNAMA

FGV HOLDINGS BHD (FGV) has appointed Azmi Yaakop as the group chief strategic communication officer effective July 15, 2022.

In a statement today, FGV said Azmi has more than 22 years of working experience in the corporate world mainly in the strategic communication area.

“He joins FGV from British American Tobacco (BAT) Malaysia Bhd, where he was the head of external affairs, primarily responsible for BAT’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda and new categories portfolio,” it added.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA AIRLINES BHD is pleased to double its capacity between Kuala Lumpur and Doha with a second daily non-stop flight commencing Aug 10, 2022 in response to high passenger demand on this route.

In a statement today, the national carrier said the additional daily service will depart from Kuala Lumpur at 2.55 am via MH164 and from Doha at 8.05 am via MH165.

“It is in addition to the existing daily services MH160 departing Kuala Lumpur at 9.20 pm and MH161 departing Doha at 1.30 am, bringing the number of Malaysia Airlines flights to Doha to 14 flights weekly.

“The twice-daily flights will be operated by the A330-300 aircraft with 27 state-of-the-art seats in Business Class, 16 seats in Economy with extra legroom and 247 seats in Economy Class,” it added.

-- BERNAMA