News In Brief: Aug 2, 2021

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ASSOCIATION (SAMENTA) MALAYSIA urges the Pearl View Hotel, a vaccination centre (PPV) in Seberang Prai, to explain the problem of a temporary closure and what steps to be taken to prevent similar problems from occurring.

In a statement today, SAMENTA said the Pearl View PPV which is run by the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Association has issued a notice of a temporary closure of the PPV for what they blame as ‘shortage of vaccine supply’ and ‘a technical glitch on the Ministry of International Trade and Industry's (MITI), platform resulting in double booking’.

On Aug 1, 2021, Pearl View Hotel PPV issued notices to some SME owners and their employees that their appointments for COVID-19 vaccination was cancelled, despite the SME owners having paid RM90 per employee to the PPV under PIKAS.

SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng said the situation was quite unfortunate as it has clarified with MITI who confirmed no shortage of vaccine nor any ‘technical glitch resulting in double booking’. However, he said its members who were affected by this incident has been given new appointments at another PPV, following SAMENTA's intervention through MITI.

-- BERNAMA

AMBANK GROUP's credit and debit card customers are now able to enjoy savings for a variety of categories such as groceries, dining, online shopping and petrol via AmBank ‘Amazing 30’ promotional campaign with daily rewards including RM30 cashback or enjoy RM30 discount or 30 per cent off.

AmBank managing director, retail banking, Aaron Loo said the campaign was a tremendous success last year and enabled the bank to sharply grow it's debit and credit card usage.

"Clients found our campaigns relevant especially during the pandemic and I am confident that this year’s ‘Amazing 30’ will be as, if not more, successful than the previous one," he said.

Since its launch in September 2020, the campaign has over 30 participating merchant partners, including food and beverage outlets and online retailers, it said.

-- BERNAMA

REV ASIA BHD has changed its name to Catcha Digital Bhd, with the new stock short name of CATCHA.

In a statement today, Bursa Malaysia said the company’s shares will be traded and quoted under the new name with effect from 9 am on Wednesday.

It said the stock number remains unchanged.

-- BERNAMA

BOOST is running an e-donation drive for the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) to provide relief for the less fortunate and in-need communities facing difficulties caused by the pandemic, by tapping on the ‘Charity’ button and selecting MRA.

In a statement today, the homegrown e-wallet said this e-donation drive was one of several initiatives under Boost’s newly launched ‘Untuk Rakyat’ initiative, through which the digital financial services provider aims to lend a hand to people and communities who are struggling to survive this unprecedented period.

It said alternatively, users can donate using Boost Coins by tapping the ‘For Rakyat’ button. 

-- BERNAMA

SEEK ASIA, which combines two leading brands JobStreet and JobsDB under one roof, has today appointed Vic Sithasanan as JobStreet Malaysia's new managing director.

In his new role, Vic will be responsible for leading and driving JobStreet Malaysia's business growth and operations, while building on the company's success and presence of more than two decades, the company said in a statement.

Vic is a seasoned senior executive with over 15 years of experience in leadership positions.

-- BERNAMA