sarawak energy inks ppa with malaysian phosphate chronicles jan-oct 2015.pdf · sarawak energy inks...

Agreement to supply power to region’s 1st integrated phosphate complex in Sarawak

SARAWAK state-owned Sarawak Energy Bhd

announced that it had signed an agreement to

supply 150MW of power to Malaysian Phosphate

Additives (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (MPASSB) for RM1

billion phosphate plant. This was done through

its wholly-owned subsidiary Syarikat SESCO Bhd

via a power purchase agreement (PPA) term

sheet.

The signing followed an announcement to

the exchange on Dec 31, 2013, by integrated

infrastructure development company Cahya

Mata Sarawak Bhd that its wholly-owned

subsidiary Samalaju Industries Sdn Bhd (SISB)

has entered into a shareholders’ agreement with

Malaysian Phosphate Venture Sdn Bhd and its

parent company MPASSB, and Arif Enigma Sdn

Bhd (AESB) for the development of a 500,000

metric tonne per annum phosphorus plant.

This plant is said to be Malaysia’s and South-East

Asia’s first integrated phosphate complex and

will be located in Samalaju Industrial Park (SIP),

Sarawak, an area within the Sarawak Corridor of

Renewable Energy (SCORE).

January - October 2014 | Complimentary Issue

Sj0tveit (left) shaking hands with Wu after the signing of the agreement to supply power to Malaysian Phosphate Additives yesterday

“Sarawak Energy has created an avenue for

foreign investors and local players alike to

increase their presence through reliable channel

of renewable energy in Sarawak and the steady

pace of investment shows investors’ confidence

in the state.”

“This is expected to contribute positively towards

the state’s development and the economy of the

country in the long run,” said Sarawak Energy’s

CEO Datuk Torstein Dale Sj0tveit in a statement

yesterday.

The location of the plant is to take advantage

of the competitively priced long-term power

supply prices and supporting infrastructure that

have been successfully attracting other energy

intensive industries to SCORE’s SIR .

“We look forward to grow and sustain this

affiliation with the green energy power house in

Sarawak while expanding our business frontier.

In the present era of technology, it is imperative

that we keep ourselves aligned to a more efficient

and effective source of energy while moving

forward,” said MPASSB’s director Wu Sor Hwa in

the same statement.

The plant is expected to be completed in 2016

and will manufacture food phosphates, animal

feed phosphates and fertiliser phosphates for

use in local and export markets. Sarawak Energy’s

projections indicate that by the middle of the

next decade, residential, retail and commercial

customers in Sarawak will require 2,000MW while

SCORE customers will consume at least 6000MW.

The state’s gross domestic product is expected

to expand five-fold by 2030 with approximately

1.6 million jobs to be created when SCORE is fully

operational.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) anticipates the rate of commercialisation of research and development (R&D)-based products to go up to 10%-15% this year, from 8% currently, through its intensive MOSTI Commercialisation Year 2014 programme (MCY2014).

Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin (picture) said to achieve the target, MOSTI has taken the challenge to commercialise a minimum of 60 products per year to both domestic and international markets. “Previously, per year we only manage to commercialise about 20 products that had gone through intensive R&D works but this is not enough,” he told the media after the launching of MCY2014 in Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday.

MOSTI to Push Commercialisation of more R&D-based Products

Sarawak Energy Inks PPA with Malaysian Phosphate

Ewon said for the past three Malaysia Plans, the nation has invested RM4.8 billion to fund various R&D projects and managed to generate an income of RM5.12 billion. “In the Ninth Malaysia Plan alone about 311 projects out of 1,189 projects approved have been commercialised which contributed approximately RM2.6 billion to the nation.”

Ewon said 10 Malaysian companies that received R&D funds from the Malaysia R&D Grant Scheme (MGS) are now listed on the local exchange and the London Stock Exchange with total market capitalisation of RM938 million.

Knowing the capabilities and competitiveness of local companies in the global arena, the minister said MOSTI has drafted nine initiatives comprising

three components namely technology commercialisation platform, promotion and ICT. He said the industries in focus for the commercialisation purpose would be healthcare, biotech and energy sector.

Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah said the ministry will come out with an exclusive car number plate featuring “1MCY” in conjunction with MCY2014.

“Less than one month from today we can have it whereby only 500 number plates will be available in the market. Anyone interested may buy it from the Road Transport Department,” he said, adding that the move is part of the ministry’s promotional initiative.Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin

Source : The Malaysian Reserve

Source : The Malaysian Reserve

by AZU JAMUL

by R KAMALAVACINI

2 | MTDC NEWS January - October 2014

Usahawan muda Superb diumum setiap suku tahunKUALA LUMPUR 27 Jan. - Usahawan-usahawan muda Bumiputera yang berjaya memperoleh geran Skim Usahawan Permulaan Bumiputera (Superb) akan diumumkan pada setiap suku tahun bermula akhir Mac depan.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), Husni Salleh berkata, program di bawah kendalian pihaknya itu akan berjalan selama tiga tahun sehingga 2016 dengan dana berjumlah RM100 juta. Katanya, program itu menyasarkan usahawan Bumiputera berusia antara 18 hingga 40 tahun yang mempunyai idea kreatif untuk produk dan perkhidmatan, teknologi baharu ataupun inovasi dalam model perniagaan.

“Sektor-sektor yang mendapat tumpuan untuk program ini adalah sektor Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Ekonomi Negara (NKEA) selain sektor teknologi komunikasi maklumat (ICT) serta multimedia.

“Kami juga tidak menolak usahawan-usahawan daripada bidang pertanian, pembuatan, pembinaan, bioteknologi, tenaga, sains hayat serta teknologi hijau,” katanya dalam sidang akhbar di pejabatnya di Mutiara Damansara di sini hari ini.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dalam satu kenyataan hari ini mengumumkan program Superb yang menyediakan geran sehingga RM500,000 akan membuka permohonan penyertaannya bermula 2 Februari ini. Menurut Husni, antara

syarat-syarat untuk peserta program itu adalah usahawan berstatus Bumiputera atau syarikat yang mempunyai pegangan 60 peratus Bumiputera dengan Pengarah Urusan adalah Bumiputera dan majoriti ahli Lembaga Pengarah terdiri Bumiputera.

Katanya, tumpuan program itu adalah kepada usahawan atau syarikat baharu dengan operasi telah bermula tidak lebih tiga tahun. “Kita berharap mencari usahawan-usahawan yang berfikir ‘di luar kotak’ dan mempunyai

idea-idea yang kreatif serta bagus untuk dimajukan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, usahawan-usahawan muda Bumiputera yang layak untuk program Superb akan dipilih oleh Jawatankuasa Pemilihan yang dianggotai sekumpulan panel usahawan yang berjaya dalam perniagaan masing-masing.

Beliau memberitahu, pihaknya akan bekerjasama dengan pelbagai agensi bagi membantu usahawan-usahawan di bawah program Superb untuk mengembangkan perniagaan dan mendapat pelaburan.

Antara agensi berkenaan adalah Cradle Fund, Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), MyCreative Ventures, Malaysia Venture Capital Management (Mavcap), Modal Perdana dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Multimedia (MDeC).

-Utusan Online

Government Launches RM100 Million Superb Fund for Young Bumi EntrepreneursKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) — The government Monday launched the Skim Usahawan Permulaan Bumiputera (Superb) with a RM100 million fund for three years to help creative and innovative young Bumiputera entrepreneurs find their footing in business.

Superb, which is under the Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), provides grants of up to RM500,000 to new Bumiputera firms or those that have been operating for less than three years.

Teraju Chief Executive Officer Husni Salleh said RM30 million has been allocated this year, with the target to create 60 Bumiputera firms in the scheme’s first year of operation.

“This initiative will benefit Bumiputera entrepreneurs and help small firms to find their place in business,” he told reporters at a briefing here today.

Husni said Superb’s industry focus covers the communications technology, creative multimedia, software, new manufacturing and construction related

technologies, biotechnology, energy technology, electronics and semiconductors, and green technology sectors.

Superb will be supported by six government agencies — Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation, MyCreative Venture Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Venture Capital Management Bhd, Kumpulan Modal Perdana Sdn Bhd and Multimedia Development Corporation.

Husni said entrepreneurs aged 18 to 40 and Bumiputera-led

companies or partnerships with a minimum 60 per cent Bumiputera stake are eligible for the Superb grants.

Applications open on February 2 with the selection panel comprising high-calibre entrepreneurs, and successful applicants will be announced every quarter, with the first announcement expected in March, he said.

A separate selection committee will be formed in Sabah and Sarawak, he added.

MTDC NEWS January - October 2014|3

(Taiace adalah penerima dana CRDF di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9)

Dimulai April, Investor Malaysia Siap Bangun Industri Rp1,6 Triliun di KamparRiauterkini-KAMPARTIMUR-Dua tahun lagi, wajah Desa Birandang Kecamatan Kampar Timur bakal berubah drastis. Di sana bakal ada empat pabrik canggih yang dibangun di atas lahan seluas 41 hektar. Tak hanya dua Pabrik Kelapa Sawit (PKS) berkapasitas masing-masing 60 ton perjam. Tapi juga pabrik minyak goreng, mentega dan turunan, pabrik pupuk dan pembangkit listrik berkekuatan 20 MW.

Kalau tak ada halangan, bulan April nanti peletakan batu pertama pembangunan kawasan seluas 41 hektar itu dilakukan. “Ini adalah komplek pabrik terpadu paling canggih di dunia. Kami menginvestasikan dana sekitar Rp 1,6 triliun. Setelah peletakan batu pertama, kami butuh waktu 18 bulan untuk membangun kawasan itu hingga tuntas,” kata Julaini Mohammad Saleh, SVP Bisnis and Financial Advisor Malaysian Technology Development Corporation(MTDC). Dia

diteman Abdul Rahman Yasir yang juga dari MTDC dan Mr. Neo serta Neo Soon dari SAWIPac di lokasi pabrik di Desa Birandang Kecamatan Kampar Timur Rabu siang (5/2/14).

MTDC adalah lembaga resmi pemerintah Malaysia yang menjadi penasihat perniagaan dan pengurus pembiayaan untuk SAWIPac.Sementara SAWIPac sendiri adalah perusahaan join PT Sungai Pinang Malindo yang berinvestasi di Birandang itu.

Jika komplek itu sudah beroperasi, dipastikan harga Tandan Buah Segar (TBS) milik masyarakat di Kabupaten Kampar akan selalu stabil. Sebab itu tadi, Crude Palm Oil (CPO) yang dihasilkan PKS tak dijual keluar. Tapi diproses di Kampar menjadi industry hilir yang siap pakai.

Limbah-limbah pabrik itu juga tak akan

kemana-mana. Sebab bakal diolah menjadi pupuk dan pembangkit listrik yang bisa menerangi seluruh Kabupaten Kampar. “Pokoknya, apa-apa yang dihasilkan di komplek dimanfaatkan,” ujar Juliani.

Cikal bakal pendirian pabrik terpadu ini bermula dari pertemuan yang digelar oleh MTDC dan SAWIPac dengan Bupati Kampar Jefry Noer setahun lalu. Dari dua hingga tiga kali pertemuan, investor Malaysia ini langsung tertarik untuk berinvestasi di Kampar.

Tertarik melihat gerak cepat Jefry Noer yang bukan birokrat murni, menggeber pertanian, perikanan dan peternakan. Tertarik dengan gaya jemput bola yang dilakukan Pemkab Kampar. “Naluri bisnis Bupati Kampar menjadi daya tarik investor. Terus, daerahnya strategis dan permintaan minyak goreng tinggi pula. Lokasi pabrik yang dikelilingi kebun kelapa sawit hanya berjarak sekitar

setengah jam dari Pekanbaru. Untuk urusan perizinan pun tak payah. Tak sampai sebulan semuanya sudah kelar,” cerita Abdul Rahman.

Jefry Noer tak menampik omongan Abdul Rahman tadi. Proses perizinan untuk pabrik itu katanya hanya butuh waktu dua pekan. “Kami sudah menerapkan layanan prima. Sebab itulah kata kunci biar investasi berlomba-lomba datang ke daerah. Hanya saja, yang membikin lama itu justru rekomendasi dari Kementerian Pertanian,” katanya.

Kalau pabrik itu sudah berjalan kata Jefry, harga sawit masyarakat akan stabil. Terus harga minyak goring akan lebih murah. Sebab pabriknya sudah sangat dekat. Kemudian, aktivitas pabrik itu kelak akan menambah pundi-pundi negara. “Lapangan kerja tentu akan terbuka lebar,” kata Jefry.

TAIACE CIPTA PRODUK INOVASI BAHARU JIMAT TENAGA

KUASA PENGGALAK TANAMAN

NILAI, 6 Feb (Bernama) -- Taiace Engineering Sdn Bhd (Taiace), syarikat Bumiputera, mencipta satu produk inovasi baharu berteknologi tinggi berasaskan teknologi hijau yang mampu memberikan penjimatan sehingga 17 peratus tenaga elektrik setiap bulan.

Timbalan Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah berkata produk itu telah diuji pada Ogos 2012 di Politeknik Merlimau, Melaka dan didapati berkesan untuk penjimatan tenaga yang berpanjangan.

“Peralatan ini sudah diluluskan untuk digunakan di semua 32 politeknik di seluruh negara,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat kilang Taiace di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata syarikat tersebut telah membekalkan alat tersebut kepada 12 negara termasuk Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Singapura, Sweden dan Amerika Syarikat.

“Kerajaan telah mengiktiraf keberkesanannya dan Taiace sedang melihat untuk memasang produk itu di premis perniagaan, kilang dan bangunan kerajaan di sini yang menggunakan tenaga elektrik dalam jumlah yang besar.

“Kementerian saya juga sedang mengkaji cara untuk menggunakan produk ini di bangunan kami,” katanya.

Mohd. Rosli Salleh masih membuat percubaan ke atas produk Bio-Striker di kawasan penanaman padi miliknya.

Keriangan jelas terpancar di wajah pesawah Mohd. Rosli Salleh yang telah lebih tiga dekad membanting tulang mengusahakan sawah padi di Simpang Empat Alor Setar Kedah.

Telah dua musim dia mengorak senyum melihat tanaman padi yang tumbuh agak berbeza berbanding sebelumnya dan memberi satu keyakinan bahawa hasil pendapatan boleh meningkat pada kos yang munasabah.

Dua musim terakhir penanaman, Mohd. Rosli menggunakan Bio-Striker yang juga penggalak tanaman growth enhancer selepas diperkenalkan oleh pegawai Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Muda (MADA). Penggalak tanaman merupakan produk yang berfungsi lebih daripada sekadar baja.

Bio-Striker tersebut dihasilkan oleh Agribolics Technology Sdn. Bhd. yang beroperasi di Pusat UPM-MTDC di Serdang, Selangor.Bio-Striker mampu meningkatkan

ketahanan hasil tanaman dan berasaskan bahan mentah organik menggunakan bakteria Pseudomonas flourescent.

Mohd. Rosli telah mencuba dengan menggunakan cecair baja tersebut sebanyak lima liter untuk kawasan percubaan seluas satu hektar.

Dia yang menggunakan benih padi varieti MR269 merendamkannya dalam larutan mengandungi bahan penggalak tanaman tersebut selama 24 jam bagi menunggu peringkat bertunas.

Selepas rendaman selama 48 jam, benih ditabur ke kawasan penanaman. Selepas padi tumbuh, teknik semburan boleh digunakan yang mana Bio-Striker dicampurkan dengan Bio GS 2, satu lagi produk keluaran syarikat terbabit.

Selama tempoh penanaman sebelum dituai, empat kali semburan pada hari tertentu boleh dijalankan menggunakan campuran tersebut.Komposisi campuran ialah 20 liter air, dan

masing-masing 100 milliliters(ml) Bio-Striker dan Bio GS2.

“Saya dapati ada perubahan kepada pokok padi yang ditanam iaitu akarnya lebih banyak, batang lebih besar, tangkai lebih panjang, tegah dah kukuh manakala padi lebih besar dan lonjong,” katanya.

Dia yang mengusahakan empat hektar sawah padi berkata, meskipun ada peningkatan daripada segi kos kira-kira 10 hingga 15 peratus, dia juga mendapati pengeluaran hasil yang berbaloi.

Menurut Mohd. Rosli, padi matang dalam tempoh 112 hari berbanding pengunaan baja sebelum ini iaitu 120 hari.

Dia juga mendapati, benih padi yang digunakan mempunyai ketahanan tenggelam dua kali dalam kejadian banjir iaitu 14 hari dan 19 hari tetapi tidak menunjukkan masalah, berkemungkinan

kerana akar benih yang kukuh.

Bio-Striker yang merupakan sebahagian daripada produk dihasilkan syarikat terbabit dapat membantu petani meningkatkan hasil tanaman.

Berdasarkan testimoni, pokok padi yang ditanam di Seberang Perak dan disembur dengan Bio-Striker berkembang lebih baik daripada segi bilangan anak, perkembangan akar batang dan tahap kesuburan.

Pada satu ujian terhadap pokok cili yang mempunyai masalah daun, selepas disembur dengan Bio-Striker, dedaunnya lebih subur dan hasil cili meningkat. Baja tersebut juga selamat digunakan kerana mesra alam.

Selain, Bio-Striker dan Bio GS2, syarikat terbabit juga menghasilkan Foliar AT3 dan Ferti-Booster.

Sumber : Riauterkini.com

- BERNAMA

- Utusan Malaysia


400 trees for Kepong Botanic GardenGREENERY: FRIM plants saplings in Kepong Botanic Garden to mark International Day of Forests

By SER NOR NADIAH KORIS

KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with the International Day of Forests, 400 saplings were planted at Kepong Botanic Garden in the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) recently.

Among the participants who took part in the tree-planting exercise were 80 students from the Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University (KLMU) and 400 residents from the Klang Valley. FRIM director-general Datuk Dr Abd Latif Mohmod said that FRIM has organised various activities for the public.

“Apart from tree planting there was also a botany fun hunt and a talk on plants to educate the public on trees and a green environment.” There was also a Green Symbiosis carnival which was conducted at the FRIM-MTDC Technology Centre II.

“The carnival aims to introduce new products by local young entrepreneurs.”

Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos said the research and new discovery by FRIM should help improve Malaysia’s timber industry.

During the event, the Malaysian Institute of Accountants also presented RM3,000 to FRIM.

Source : [email protected]

Sumber : Berita Harian

COMMS-MediaMonitoring (011/March2014 )

Date : 11 March 2014. Title : RM200 juta bantu syarikat Bumiputera Publication: Berita Harian (pg 2)-Nasional

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Hutan Bukan Sekadar Kehijauan

“Spesies yang terkandung dalam hutan terutamanya hutan primer adalah satu aset yang perlu dipulihara. Meskipun kita menggantikan pokok yang kita ambil dalam hutan berkenaan dan menanamnya semula, tidak mungkin kita dapat pokok yang sama.”

Demikian pesanan ringkas Timbalan Menteri Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Seri Dr. James Dawos Mamit sempena Pelancaran Hari Hutan Antarabangsa Peringkat Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia (FRIM) 2014 baru-baru ini.Bagi mana-mana pencinta alam sekitar, mereka mementingkan kehijauan yang datang daripada pokok dan spesies hutan kerana itulah aset dan khazanah sumber semula jadi yang kita dimiliki. Bagi James, masyarakat perlu menjaga khazanah itu, daripada laut sehingga ke gunung, tetapi hutan bukan sekadar kehijauan.

Majlis sambutan di peringkat FRIM merupakan susulan kepada sambutan Hari Hutan Antarabangsa 2014 yang diadakan di Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan pada 21 Mac lalu dengan tema Hutan Untuk Kesejahteraan.Oleh sebab itulah, sambutan Hari Hutan bukan hanya menghargai sumber semulajadi seperti hutan tetapi juga memastikan kelangsungan hidup manusia, dan sebagai jantung kepada dunia yang kita miliki. Menurut James, Malaysia amat bertuah dianugerahi sumber hutan yang asli, kaya dengan flora dan fauna yang bukan sahaja menyumbang secara signifikan kepada pembangunan sosioekonomi, malah menjana sumber kekayaan.

“Tanpa penjagaan hutan yang baik, kawasan tadahan air akan terjejas

cuaca menjadi semakin panas dan kualiti udara merosot,” katanya.

Ketika dunia berdepan dengan pelbagai masalah alam sekitar seperti pelepasan karbon, jerebu, masalah air bersih, dan kebakaran hutan, hutan menjadi satu-satunya aset yang dapat membantu mengurangkan beban penduduk dunia berdepan situasi tersebut.

Dalam pada itu, beliau berkata, selain konsep pelancongan alam sekitar atau ekopelancongan yang diperkenalkan sebelum ini, bio-pelancongan juga wajar diketengahkan. Konsep tersebut merujuk kepada kawasan hutan dikekalkan keasliannya dan hanya dibina dengan kemudahan minimum untuk dilawati.

Beliau menjelaskan, ekopelancongan adalah kunjungan ke kawasan hutan belum ada gangguan atau sebarang aktiviti manusia yang menjejaskan keasliannya manakala bio-pelancongan memerlukan pembinaan sedikit kemudahan untuk pengunjung seperti laluan pejalan kaki, wakaf dan calet.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan beliau berkata, lima negeri yang mempunyai kawasan hutan yang popular di negara ini khususnya yang telah diwartakan sebagai taman negara dan menjadi tumpuan perlu memanfaafkan aset tersebut sebagai produk pelancongan.

Lima negeri terbabit ialah Johor, Selangor, Perak, Sabah dan Sarawak.Negeri berkenaan sering menjadi tumpuan konsep pelancongan inap desa (homestay) kerana memiliki hutan yang menarik minat pelancong asing.

Sempena program tersebut, beliau merakamkan penghargaan kepada FRIM kerana kejayaannya menjalankan pelbagai penyelidikan yang meningkatkan nilai kayu.Dalam hutan kita, terdapat pokok balak dan FRIM telah banyak menjalankan penyelidikan berkaitan teknologi kayu.

Sebagai contoh, menggunakan teknologi tersebut, kayu getah boleh dijadikan kayu struktur dengan meningkatkan ketumpatannya manakala terdapat kayu yang boleh dilenturkan dengan tujuan tertentu khususnya sebagai bahan binaan.

“Sesungguhnya”, kata beliau, “hutan telah memberi sumbangan yang tidak ternilai kepada kehidupan manusia dalam aspek sosial atau ekonomi.”

Hutan menjadi penstabil kepada alam sekitar, menyimpan kelembapan dan sumber oksigen. Kejadian jerebu dan pembakaran hutan baru-baru ini melibatkan 1,478 kawasan memberi khabar buruk kepada kita bahawa sebahagian asset tersebut telah terjejas.

Sementara itu, Ketua Pengarah, FRIM, Datuk Dr. Abd. Latif Mohmod berkata, hampir 52 peratus spesies flora di negara ini hampir pupus atau terancam.Ujarnya, jika tiada tindakan yang diambil segera kemungkinan jumlah tersebut akan terus meningkat saban tahun.

Kebanyakan flora yang terancam ini memiliki nilai farmaseutikal yang tinggi yang mana masih banyak belum kita terokai.

“Malah, pelbagai spesies fauna kita juga turut diancam kepupusan, sebagai contoh kumbang tanduk yang dahulu sering kita katakan sebagai serangga perosak bagi pokok kelapa sawit kini sedang terancam kerana serangga ini diseludup keluar dan dijual pada kadar harga yang tinggi, iaitu sehingga RM300 seekor untuk dijadikan koleksi,” katanya ketika berucap pada majlis Penghargaan Media di FRIM, Kepong , Selangor baru-baru ini.

Jelasnya lagi, majoriti sumber makanan juga pada asalnya berasal daripada hutan justeru kawasan hijau tersebut perlu terus dipulihara dan dikekalkan.

“Tanggungjawab memelihara khazanah negara ini tidak hanya berada di bahu FRIM semata-mata, malah masyarakat di negara ini, agensi seperti FRIM pasti tidak akan berjaya melaksanakan tugasnya dengan baik tanpa sokongan orang ramai,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, selain menjadi habitat kepada kepelbagaian biologi dan sinki karbon, hutan juga berfungsi sebagai kawasan tadahan air yang kebiasannya dirujuk kepada sepan penyerap air hujan.

Air hujan yang diserap itu dituras dan dialirkan ke dalam sungai bagi memastikan bekalan air bersih yang kemudian dikeluarkan sebagai mata air atau dibebaskan dalam bentuk wap ke atomosfera.

Tegas beliau, pembukaan hutan yang tidak dirancang dan pengurusan yang tidak mampan menjejaskan sumber air, perubahan iklim dan cuaca panas dan mengakibatkan hakisan tanah dan banjir.

Dalam pada itu beliau berkata, pengenalan Symbiosis iaitu program Keusahawanan Siswazah menerusi kerjasama Malaysia Technology Development Corporatioan (MTDC) berjaya membangunkan 10 syarikat terbitan yang memanfaatkan teknologi daripada FRIM.

FRIM juga berjaya membentuk kaedah inovatif dalam memulihara hutan terosot dan bakau bagi perlindungan pesisiran pantai daripada hakisan serta bencana alam.

Usaha tersebut telah dijalankan di kawasan bekas lombong bijih timah di Bidor Perak, dan penghijauan sebahagian kawasan Paya Indah Wetlands.

Kampus FRIM di Kepong juga telah diiktiraf sebagai tapak warisan semula jadi negara dan warisan kebangsaan.

Kawasan FRIM merupakan hutan buatan manusia yang menjadi pusar rujukan antarabangsa sebagai model penghutanan semula kawasan bekas lombong selain menyimpan 20 peratus spesies terancam dan hampir pupus di negara ini.

Sumber : Utusan Malaysia Online

Dr. James Dawos Mamit menanam sebatang pokok sebagai sebagai simbolik acara perasmian.

oleh Laupa Junus & Ashriq Fahmy Ahmad


GranuMas tembuspasaran antarabangsa

SHAH ALAM 18 April - Produk graf tulang sintetik berasaskan batu kapur, GranuMaS yang berteknologi tinggi berjaya melakar kejayaan apabila mendapat tempat di pasaran antarabangsa.

Produk tersebut juga berjaya mendapat kelulusan pasaran daripada Kementerian Kesihatan Indonesia, Brunei dan Vietnam.

Selain itu, GranuMaS juga kini menunggu kelulusan daripada Thailand, Filipina, Myanmar, Kemboja dan Laos selain untuk menembusi pasaran Amerika Syarikat setelah mendapat kelulusan daripada Pentadbiran Makanan dan Perubatan Amerika Syarikat (FDA).

Menteri Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi, Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin berkata, produk berteknologi tinggi yang dihasilkan oleh pakar tempatan tersebut akan dipasarkan di Asia Barat seperti Turki dalam usaha untuk melonjak sehingga pasaran Eropah.

‘Penerimaan akreditasi pensijilan CE dari United Kingdom juga menjadi batu loncatan untuk menembusi pasaran global.

‘Selain itu, Kementerian Kesihatan juga telah menganugerahkan kontrak berpusat bagi membekalkan produk ini ke seluruh hospital kerajaan,’ katanya dalam sidang akhbar selepas melawat makmal GranuMaS di sini semalam.

Turut hadir ialah Presiden dan Ketua Eksekutif SIRIM Berhad (SIRM), Dr. Zainal Abidin Mohd. Yusof dan Pengarah Urusan Granulab Sdn. Bhd., Romli Ishak.

GranuMas adalah sebahagian kajian dan pembangunan (R&D) yang dibiayai oleh Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI), SIRIM, Agensi Nuklear Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM).

Ewon menjelaskan, produk GranuMaS juga dijual dengan harga berpatutan di pasaran dan mendapat permintaan tinggi kerana terbaik dari segi kualiti setanding produk antarabangsa lain.

‘Penemuan produk ini juga akan membantu mengurangkan kos rawatan kesihatan kerana sebelum ini tulang sintetik agak mahal berikutan perlu diimport dari negara luar,’ katanya.

Sementara itu, Zainal Abidin berkata, selain GranuMaS, terdapat juga produk penyelidikan lain untuk dikomersialkan seperti beta-TCP sebagai graf tulang bioresap dan simen tulang bioseramik terkeras sendiri, Osteopaste.

‘Osteopaste kini berada di peringkat penilaian pra-klinikal dan dijangka siap pada pertengahan tahun ini.

‘Keputusan yang didapati setakat ini menunjukkan hasil memberangsangkan yang mampu memberi faedah dalam pembangunan produk perubatan,’ katanya.

Ewon Ebin melihat seorang pekerja melakukan proses pembungkusan produk GranuMaS ketika lawatan kerja beliau ke Granulab (M) Sdn. Bhd. di Shah Alam, kelmarin.

Senat: MOSTI Terima Geran RM310 Juta Tahun LepasKUALA LUMPUR, 30 April (Bernama) -- Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) menerima geran berjumlah RM310 juta untuk penyelidikan dan pembangunan, kata timbalan menterinya Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

Beliau berkata geran itu disalurkan kepada enam dana yang terkandung di dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 selain bagi menggalakkan penyelidikan, pembangunan dan pengkomersialan penyelidik tempatan.

Katanya, enam dana itu ialah ScienceFund, Dana Prapengkomersialan (Innofund dan Technofund), Dana Pengkomersialan Bioteknologi (BCF), Dana Pengkomersialan R&D (CRDF), Dana Perolehan Teknologi (TAF) dan Dana untuk Program NanoMalaysia. Daripada jumlah itu, RM64 juta diluluskan kepada ScienceFund, RM113 juta TechnoFund, RM2 juta InnoFund,

RM36 juta BCF, RM86 juta CRDF manakala baki RM7 juta untuk TAF, katanya semasa menjawab pertanyaan Senator Datuk Jaspal Singh di Dewan Negara di sini Rabu.

Jaspal ingin tahu jenis dana serta jumlah yang disalurkan kementerian itu tahun lepas serta syarikat yang berjaya memperoleh dana berkenaan. Abu Bakar berkata 32 syarikat layak menerima dana TechnoFund, CRDF (49 syarikat), BioNexus (13 syarikat), TAF (4 syarikat) dan dua syarikat menerima Innofund.

Kesemua peruntukan bagi dana penyelidikan dan pembangunan itu diberikan kepada penyelidik atau pemohon melalui prosedur ketat manakala permohonan pula diluluskan oleh jawatankuasa penilaian yang dianggotai golongan pakar dan profesional dalam bidang tertentu, katanya.

- BERNAMA

oleh Mohd Shaharani Saibi

Sumber : Utusan Online Source : The Malaysian Reserve

COMMS-MediaMonitoring(010/March2014)

Date : 11 March 2014. Title : Najib launches new financial aid for Bumiputera firms

Publication: The Malaysian Reserve, (Pg.2) - Corporate Malaysia

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Najib launched new financial aid for Bumiputera firms

(Granulab (M) Sdn Bhd adalah penerima dana CRDF di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9)


THROUGHOUT the madness that was the weekend-long launch of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) in Cyberjaya in late April, there was one particular announcement that really caught my attention.

It was an agreement signed between Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP) and Silicon Valley-based fund manager Elixir Capital Management to launch the ECM Straits Fund which will target growth equity investment opportunities to help scale small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region.

The fund which currently has a commitment of USS50 million with a target of US5150 million, represents the first of the partnerships targeted

to be signed under MAVCAP third Outsourced Partners Programme (OSP3). To say I was pleased at the news is a slight understatement. There’s been much discussion over the past few years about a ‘funding gap’ in the region, lamenting the lack of available venture funding for entrepreneurs.

However, to drill down a little deeper into the specifics of this issue it is growth stage funding that Malaysia has a distinct lack of.

Really, only the Business Growth Fund offered by the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) comes to mind, offering up to RM4 million (USS1 2 million) in hybrid grant-equity funding.

In contrast, there are many funds which focus on pre-seed and seed stage startups, such as those offered by Cradle Fund and the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), in addition to others with a focus on commercialisation or research innovation objectives.

It is one thing to help kick-start the fledgling dreams of entrepreneurs. but it is when the survivors have emerged from that volatile first few years of existence that one could say the real fight begins.Indeed, one could say that if the first three years are the hardest, the next five will definitely be the longest.

Abrar Hussain, Elixir’s Managing director, agreed

Laying Down Growth Pipes for the Startup Ecosystem

3 OPP dipelawa bangun infrastruktur gentian optik di Arab Saudi

Source : Digital News Asia

Sumber : Utusan Online

by Gabey Goh

with the lack of growth equity funds active in this part of the world, but also sees it as a greenfield opportunity.

He noted that more often than not, it takes some time for a business to go from startup phase to be a target for a growth equity fund — enough time to create a viable business model, put the product on the market to get validation, and build a competent core team.

“The ecosystem in Malaysia has this: we have looked at over 50 companies in Malaysia over the past five months and we should be announcing a few things soon,” he shared.

As helpful as the Government is in facilitating and funding companies in their ventures internationally positioned private sector funding is the real ticket to accessing that global network of resources and contacts required to carve out an international footprint. Indeed during the signing ceremony between Elixir and Mavcap, the latter’s Chief Executive Officer Jamaludin Bujang said that the decision to partner with Elixir was based on the fund manager’s “extensive experience” in private equity society, as well as its “deep network” of fund managers and companies operating across the globe.

“We believe that its focus on growth equity investment opportunities is one of the best ways to provide exit avenues to our investee companies

and give them exposure to a wider market, and thus command higher valuations.” he said.

When asked what Elixir looks for in potential investees, Abrar said that his team is “vertical agnostic” but focuses on four core fundamentals: Suitability to fund strategy; company fundamentals; their potential value-adds; and exit opportunity.

What should growth-stage startups know before they begin looking for funding? Abrar had this to say. “Remember that investment funds are not ‘permanent’ capital — we invest with a target return in mind.

Entrepreneurs looking for growth capital should be able to clearly articulate how much money they need, how it will be spent, and what sort of growth it will lead to within three to five years,

“They should be able to back up assumptions regarding growth and scaling the company. And, remember that most investment funds are targeting at least a 3 to 5 times return on invested capital so their growth plan should try to articulate that.

“It’s fine to include inorganic as well as organic growth,” he said. So hang in there dear entrepreneurs for the pipes to growth are being laid down as we speak waiting for you once you’ve proven that you are ready for a global stage.

PETALING JAYA 6 Okt. - Syarikat bumiputera, Three-Opp (M) Sdn. Bhd. (3 OPP) merupakan satu-satunya syarikat pembekal gentian optik telekomunikasi di Asia Tenggara yang dipelawa menyertai projek pembangunan infrastruktur tujuh buah bandar di Arab Saudi.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Mohamed Shajahan Mohd. Iqbal (gambar) berkata, sebagai permulaan, pihaknya diminta membekal dan memasang kabel gentian optik sejauh 2,100 kilometer di Riyadh.

Katanya, kos permulaan dijangka menelan sebanyak RM50 juta dan sekarang masih dalam peringkat perbincangan dengan pihak berkuasa Arab Saudi.

“Kami masih di peringkat mempertimbangkan tawaran projek tersebut kerana terpaksa memikirkan banyak perkara lain.

“Jika sudah mencapai keputusan muktamad, projek ini dijangka dijalankan pada tahun depan,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia ketika ditemui di sini baru-baru ini.

3 OPP ditubuhkan pada 1991 dengan menjalankan projek gentian optik dan kini mampu menyediakan keseluruhan sistem

pembangunan pintar.Syarikat itu dilantik oleh Telekom Malaysia Bhd. (TM), bagi membekalkan kabel gentian optik untuk projek Jalur Lebar Berkelajuan Tinggi (HSBB) fasa pertama dengan membuat pemasangan penuh bagi 17,000 buah kediaman dan turut membekalkan kabel gentian optik untuk 1.4 juta kediaman di seluruh Malaysia di bawah projek itu.

Tambah Mohamed Shajahan, bagi menjalankan projek di Arab Saudi, pihaknya akan bergerak dengan menggunakan platform syarikat kerjasama.

Jelasnya, 3 OPP mempunyai kepakaran teknikal dan sumber dan bersedia untuk menjalankan projek mega tersebut.

Ditanya mengenai nilai tempahan yang dimiliki 3-OPP setakat

ini, kata Mohamed Shajahan, pihaknya kini memiliki nilai tempahan sebanyak RM30 juta hingga RM40 juta setahun bagi tempoh tiga tahun.

Mengenai perancangan lain, Mohamed Shajahan berkata, pihaknya dalam peringkat perancangan untuk menyediakan sistem pembangunan bandar pintar di beberapa buah bandar raya di Indonesia yang kini masih di peringkat perbincangan.

Katanya, 3-OPP dijangka ke Indonesia akhir tahun ini bagi memuktamadkan perjanjian projek tersebut.

“Selain Indonesia, 3-OPP sudah mempunyai pejabat operasi dan projek semasa di Australia, India dan Sri Lanka,” ujarnya.(3-OPP (M) Sdn Bhd adalah penerima dana TAF di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9)


Four High Impact Programmes to Accelerate SMEs Growth

Diving into detritusHelping industries stay clean pays dividens

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday announced four high impact programmes (HIPs) under the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Masterplan to accelerate the annual growth of SMEs from 6.3 per cent to 9.3 per cent.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the four HIPs – creating a single window to integrate business registration and licensing, SME Investment Programme, Going Export Programme (GoEx), and Catalyst Programme — will be implemented in stages over the next few years.

He said the SME Masterplan, which began in 2012, is aimed at raising SMEs’ contribution to the Gross Domestic Product to 41 per cent by 2020.

“This means that in the years to come, the rate of growth of SMEs needs to be raised from 6.3 per cent to 9.3 per cent a year.

“If SMEs expand at their usual rate or business as usual, we will not be able to reach the target.

“The National SME Development Council has laid down several measures that need to be taken immediately in order to accelerate the growth of SMEs through innovation, productivity and knowledge enhancement,” he said after chairing the Council’s 16th meeting here yesterday.

The biannual meeting was attended by ministers and heads of 16 ministries and agencies, including from Sabah

and Sarawak, that are involved in SME development in the country.

Najib said a single window for business registration and licensing would lower SMEs’ cost of doing business, while the SME Investment Programme would encourage the private sector to provide early stage financing for SMEs, and under the GoEx programme the government would enhance exports in order to raise

SMEs’ participation in international markets.

“Under the Catalyst Programme, we will identify several SMEs every year, and we will help them to become home-grown champions with minimum annual sales growth of 20 per cent,” he said.

The HIPs will be under the International Trade and Industry Ministry and SME Corp, he added.

Meanwhle, Najib said strategic collaborations relating to productivity and innovation will be forged, including involving SME Corp and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) with universities and SMEs, between Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute and SIRIM Bhd, and between Steinbeis Institute and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM).

“With these strategic collaborations, SME operators will be able to get help with commercialising their products,” he said. - Bernama

Najib (centre) is seen speaking to the press after chairing the National SME Development Council’s 16th Meeting yesterday. Also present were Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz (right) and Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed. — Bernama photo

WHEN THE price of gold hit its all time high of over US$1,800 (RM5,800) an ounce in 2011, Time magazine reported that about US$130,000 worth of scrap gold was recovered from electronic waste retrieved from around 100,000 used phones alone.

Unfortunately, not all waste has similar economic value.

The dumping of chemical waste in Penang (specifically, Butterworth, Gelugor and Kampung Teluk Tempoyak, Batu Maung) in 1995 had the late Commisioner Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Som, the Federal Police Director for Internal Security and Public Order, up in arms. He said illegal dumping of sheduled waste, which includes chemical waste, was tantamount to manslaughter.

Scheduled waste is material with chemical substances that are toxic, non-degradable and bio-accumulative and is usually a by-product from industrial activities such as oil and gas refining and manufacturing. It also includes discarded medical products and products.

Joe Wong, managing director and co-founder of Nasmech Technology Sdn Bhd, says coming up with waste treatment system to deal with scheduled waste would helps to address the waste disposal, treatment, compliance and a host of other costs that these industries have to deal with.

Nasmech Technology, a provider of environmental engineering services and air

pollution control systems, was founded in 2000. It expanded into the scheduled waste segment in 2005.

“The provision of air pollution control systems was lucrative because there weren’t many players back then. As the market matured, we decided to diversify to meet another market need,” Wong told Metrobiz.

The company developed the Carbonator, a system which used indirect heating to convert scheduled waste with organic properties into non-hazardous, stable and odourless granular carbon while segregating the non-organic residue to be sent for recycling.

Constant R&D

Since 2005, the company has invested up to RM13mil to improve its waste treatment system.

The company also received grants from the Technofund under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, and the Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund (CRDF) under the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation to help its R&D activities.

Wong said the early development required expertise in the fields of structural, mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering and the investments were used mainly for acquiring talent and equipment.

The former aeronautical engineering graduate who spent his early days designing air pollution

control systems added that the company had to test the parameters ranging from the heat, pressure, and fuel, to the safety mechanisms needed and then devise a system for the processes to work.

Building a database of waste

A research plant with the capacity to treat half a tonne of waste a day, serves this purpose.

“This plant allows us to create a database for waste with various properties, from solid to flammable ,via the tests, hence enriching our insight in this matter,” he said.

This then led the company to devise a system that can also treat medical biohazard and domestic waste.

Through R&D, the company created the Carbonator system which uses indirect heating between 450°C to 550°C to heat the waste, removing up to 99.9% of the moisture in it.

A slightly positive pressure of between zero to 100 Pascal (similar to a puff of air from the mouth) moves the less poisonous fumes produced during the heating process to a deodoriser which neutralises dangerous compunds it is released through chimneys.

This is unlike incineration which uses direct heating and requires careful management of the poisonous fumes emitted from the process.

Wong said the company outsource most of

the manufacturing of the parts to other local manufacturers, except the critical components which were manufactured in-house. A small percentage of the components were imported.As a precaution, the company assembled all the parts in their factory to test out the system before assembling it in a client’s premise. As they grew in experience, all the parts were assembled, tested and commissioned at the client’s premise.

Money from waste

He says the company handles three to four projects a year with project values of between RM500,000 to RM6mil. Each project takes about six months to complete and about 25 projects have been completed to date.

The company has also filed eight patents in Malaysia and overseas for products and processes, which Wong says could serve as collateral to finance future expansion.

The company, which started in a 8,000 sq ft factory lot in Subang Jaya’s industrial area with 10 staff, has since expanded to their current 12,000 sq ft plant in Semenyih and a sales office in Seri Kembangan with 25 staff.

Moving on to the next phase, he said the company is looking at generating recurring income from the waste from the palm oil industry. The processed fruit bunch or palm kernel shell which can be processed to make green fuel or biomass charcoal.

by Lim Wing Hooi

Source : The Star Metrobiz


Sumber : Harian Metro

Tapping flower powerIN the 16th century, tulip mania became the first recorded speculative bubble. At its peak, 12 acres of land was offered for a Semper agustus bulb.

During the Victorian era, Orchidelirium became the name of the game. Wealthy orchid fanatics of the 19th century sent explorers and collectors to almost every part of the world in search of new varieties of orchids.

Orchids became status symbols for the rich and famous of the day.

Today, there are still some levels of ‘madness’ for orchids. In 2012 alone, the global orchid trade was valued at US$504mil (RM1.6bil).

Capitalising on the growing appreciation and demand for orchids, Orchid Life Sdn Bhd founder and chief executive officer Abdul Razak Mohd Isa, together with his chief operating officer Mustadza Muhamad, looked at the possibility of growing orchids on a larger scale through tissue culturing.

“We chose to go into business with orchids as there is global demand,” said Abdul Razak.

From cell

In 2006, the former manager of a multinational oil and gas company partnered with architect Mustadza to set up the venture.

A year into the business, they secured funding from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) to commercialise Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Agribiotech’s research and development. Orchid Life received a RM2.5mil allocation from the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) under the BioNexus Seed Development Fund to grow their business.

Abdul Razak said the first phase of their business saw them establishing a 1,000sq ft lab at UPM, buying equipment for tissue

culture activities and funding the research and development programme.

He also transformed a one-acre plot of land he inherited from his father in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, into an orchid nursery where he grew orchids.

Using the lab, the company grows orchid using tissue and suspension-culture techniques. Gel, in the form of purified agar and an in-house formula, is used in tissue culture technique to grow orchid plants.

In the suspension culture, a large quantity of orchid cells are kept in glass containers that are continuously stirred and aerated to promote growth of new orchids.

Mixed with special plant hormones and other chemical compounds, a cell, from 0.5cm can grow to 6cm within six months. Up to 5,000 orchid plants can be cultivated using a 500ml jar.

He said skilled and experience tissue culturists are critical in growing orchids from cells.“Once a shoot emerges from the culture, the plant is put into pots and kept in the greenhouse or nursery for it to grow.”

He said among the orchids commonly reproduced using the tissue culture techniques are Aranda Tiger Green, Mokara Char Kuan Pink and eight types of orchids.

Abdul Razak said the company faced many challenges in sustaining the business, including obtaining bank loans for expansion.Slowly but surely, he said, they managed to overcome the obstacles.

Meeting challenges

Having grown over 100,000 orchid plants since 2009, the company now provides cut orchids to local and international buyers.“We pick hybrid orchids that have long stems,

interesting colours and flower freely to meet the demand for cut orchids,” he said.

He said they export their cut flowers to Australia, India, South Korea, Europe, North America, Latin America and Middle East.

Abdul Razak said they have to reject some of the orders, as they were unable to cope with the demands.

He said Orchid Life was also appointed by Kedah BioResources Corporation Sdn Bhd (KBioCorp), a subsidiary of Kulim High Tech Park, from 2010 to 2013 as consultant to help develop an agribiotechnology plan, which involves the setting up of the Plant Science and Tissue Culture Node (PSTCN) as part of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) to enhance economic growth in northern peninsular Malaysia.

“The project was handed back to the state agency after the facility and the protocols were established for propagating the misai kucing traditional herb, together with the technology

transfer from research institutions to young local researchers working on the project.”With the profit generated from cultivating and selling orchid plants and flowers over the years, as well as consultancy fees, the company secured 70 acres of agricultural land in Rawang recently, to prepare itself for more expansion.

“The company is also looking at hiring more tissue culturists. Currently, it has 10 people but aims to employ up to 30.”

He said, with several strategic arrangements with local institutions like Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia and their expansion plan, the company is set to transform into a full-fledged agri-biotechnology firm.

Abdul Razak said they anticipate growth in the business especially the overseas market, where there is strong demand for orchids.

Source : The Star Online

by Lim Wing Hooi

Sub-culture process of the Berangana orchid.


Gaining momentum for a greater and positive change

Labur RM350,000

Source : New Straits Times Online

oleh Sofyan Rizal Ishak

Kuala Lumpur: Rayt Enterprise Sdn Bhd (Rayt Enterprise) melabur RM350,000 bagi meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran produk minuman kesihatan jenama Se7en di Pusat Teknologi Universiti Putra Malaysia-Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia (UPM-MTDC) sejak Mei lalu.

Pengerusi Eksekutifnya, Ramlan Osman berkata syarikat memperuntukkan modal sebanyak RM150,000 bagi pemasangan tiga mesin, RM100,000 untuk pengubahsuaian di kawasan premis pengeluaran, RM50,000 bagi tujuan kajian dan penyelidikan serta RM50,000 untuk pembungkusan dan pengiklanan.

“Kami optimis pelaburan ini mampu memenuhi permintaan terhadap produk Se7en yang dilihat semakin meningkat berdasarkan sambutan diterima sejak ia dipasarkan secara kecil-kecilan setahun lalu,” katanya pada Bisnes Metro. Se7en adalah minuman kesihatan yang menggabungkan beberapa bahan-bahan semula jadi seperti bawang putih, halia, limau, madu dan cuka sider epal di mana ia membantu dalam menjaga kesihatan tubuh badan individu.

Beliau berkata, pelaburan terbabit membantu syarikat dalam mencapai

sasaran pengeluaran 500 botol minuman kesihatan jenama Se7en sehari berbanding 30 botol sebelum ini. Menurutnya, beliau yakin mampu mencapai angka terbabit melalui penggunaan kemudahan di Pusat Teknologi Universiti UPM-MTDC yang memiliki keluasan 3,000 kaki persegi dan berfungsi sebagai premis penghasilan produk jenama terbabit dan gudang simpanan.

“Sebelum ini, pengeluaran produk hanya dijalankan secara manual di Kepong dan kami lihat kemudahan ini membantu langkah syarikat untuk mula memasarkan produk ini secara komersial,” katanya. Ramlan berkata, syarikat menyasarkan untuk melantik pengedar negeri di seluruh negara bersempena pengenalan produk minuman kesihatan Se7en di pasaran dalam tempoh 12 bulan akan datang.

“Orang ramai yang berminat boleh menjadi pengedar negeri dengan bayaran RM18,000 bagi 25 kartun produk di mana setiap kartun mengandungi lapan botol dengan isi kandungan sebanyak 300 mililiter per botol serta berharga RM133 sekotak. Kami turut mencari pengedar kawasan dan pengedar bebas dengan bayaran pendahuluan RM4,500 dan RM720,” katanya.

Sumber : My Metro

IN fighting many battles in the professional world (like many), I, too, have come to believe that when you find a window of opportunity, you need to pull all the resources and do as much as you can and move as swiftly as possible — not only creating, but also gaining momentum for change along the way — and that makes the journey so promising.

The formulation of the SME Masterplan (2012-2020) was one such opportunity, not just for the small and medium enterprises, but also for SME Corp Malaysia to consolidate its track record, strengths and future capabilities in delivering its objectives and services with the highest impact.

Ever since the launch of the SME Masterplan in 2012, every small success attained by SMEs creates a new milestone in terms of achievement and sparks a new momentum for change, which makes our role and our journey with SMEs so meaningful.

In our vision to increase the contribution of SMEs to the economy to 41 per cent of Gross Domestic Product by 2020, there is a dire need to review the current growth rate of 6.2 per cent to 9.3 per cent annually. This can only be achieved through an innovation-led and productivity-driven approach with knowledge enhancement as the fundamental lever.

In this respect, I am happy to share that the SME Masterplan (2012-2020) recorded another head start after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak endorsed four high-impact programmes (HIPs) at the 16th National SME Development Council (NSDC) Meeting in the first week of July.

Emphasising the importance of accelerating productivity and growth among SMEs through innovation, the implementation of the HIPs from now until 2020 and beyond will indeed be a catalyst for positive change.

The four HIPs are: HIP 1: Integration of Business Registration and Licensing; HIP 3: SME Investment Programme; HIP 4: GoEx Programme; and HIP 5: Catalyst Programme.

These are in addition to HIP 2: Technology Commercialisation Platform (TCP), which was launched in April.

HIP 3 and HIP 5, to be implemented under the auspices of SME Corp Malaysia, will assist SMEs in two of the most critical areas of development.

While HIP 3 will help facilitate financing for high potential, innovative SMEs in their start-up and early stages of business development, HIP 5 will lead SMEs towards exponential growth of 20 per cent and more by building capacity and benchmarking with globally established companies and SMEs.

Similarly, HIP 1 will help achieve ease of doing business and lower transaction costs for the SMEs, by establishing a single window or information portal for SMEs to register their businesses, as well as apply for all the pertinent licences.

HIP 4 (especially in the lead-up to the Asean Economic Community formation in 2015) will prepare the export-ready SMEs to establish a regional and global footprint. A range of comprehensive assistance ranging from expert advisory, trade facilitation and market linkages to networking with international buyers, distributors and agents through market immersions have been put in place to expedite the internationalisation process of our SMEs.

In the words of the prime minister: “It is important that all the six HIPs are implemented together to ensure the synergy and see the full impact on the economy as they are inter-connected and mutually reinforcing”.

SME Corp is both excited and energised at the growing prospects for SME development and with its apex role, is committed to deliver performance at its best, especially in implementing its responsibilities carved out by the SME Masterplan and its six HIPs.

As they say, it is not important where we stand, but the direction in which we are all moving at any point in time. What thrills me is the clear direction of SME Corp and what is most encouraging is that we are not alone in this journey. For instance, it is with the support of 15 ministries and more than 61 agencies, we have been able to achieve an 85 per cent average success rate in the implementation of 157 SME development programmes, with a total expenditure of RM12 billion and benefiting 887,581 beneficiaries last year.

The government has also been focusing its efforts to identify synergies and has recently agreed to strengthen three strategic cooperations, which are related to the growth of innovation and productivity, as effective one-stop centres for the commercialisation of SMEs’ products and services, as well as one referral centres to assist SMEs enhance their productivity-related efforts.

These three cooperations are between SME Corp and Malaysian Technology Development Corp; Fraunhofer Institute and SIRIM Bhd; and Steinbeis Institute and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia.

These three centres will act as focal points where SMEs, budding entrepreneurs, as well as researchers can go to seek information and assistance on various aspects of commercialisation. The noble idea is to create an “all solution centre” for ease of reference for all entrepreneurs, so that the process from ideation to commercialisation and time to market of new products and services is much simpler and shorter.

Moving forward, I believe that with our eyes firmly set on various goalposts and unwavering commitment to SME development, we can only gain new momentum for greater and positive change. We need to consolidate and sustain our efforts and push for consistent and commendable performance from our SMEs to achieve a leapfrog growth from the business-as-usual growth performance of 6.3 per cent to 9.3 per cent annually.

I am being reminded of what former United States president George W. Bush said: “The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable — and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power Who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that his purposes are just and true.”

On this inspiring note, I conclude with a hope that during this holy month of Ramadan everyone (including our SMEs) will realise their worthy purpose of personal, professional and national growth, with a momentum created by their strong will power and perseverance.

Hasfah Hashim Speaks


Source : Digital News Asia

Source : MSME News Network

Soft drink manufacturer sets to gain bigger local and international market share

Malaysia, Nov 1: Market intelligence firm Euromonitor International reported that the Malaysian soft drink industry has seen robust demand, with growth in total value and volume sales. Although multinational industry giants are still dominating the soft drink market, local players are making inroads into the industry and are gradually gaining both local and international market share. One of the thriving local manufacturers is MGV Industries Sdn Bhd, formerly known as Madura Industries Sdn Bhd. The company specialises in the production of soft drinks, isotonic energy drinks and clarified sparkling juices. Founded in 1991, MGV began with a clear aim to offer quality and innovative halal food and beverage products to Malaysia and the world market. MGV started small with a simple factory in the humble town of Besut, Terengganu. From there, MGV grew to a much larger and advanced factory in the Gong Medan Industrial Zone in Besut. Growing from strength to strength, MGV’s production capacity is now three million litres packed into 3.275 billion pieces of assorted bottle sizes. With an annual revenue of RM30m (approximately US$9.1m), MGV seems to be on the right track for growth and

success. Currently, MGV’s products are distributed through various channels both big and small, including hypermarkets such as Giant, Mydin, Tesco, AEON BiG and convenience stores such as Petronas Mesra Store, 7-Eleven, KK Mart and Felda D’Mart. For the next stage of its growth plans, MGV intends to tap into the international market through its registered ‘S-Sotic’ brand of tropical sparkling fruit juices. The company is also exporting its products to Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Maldives, Dubai and China. In line with this, MGV has participated in various expositions such as the Food Asia 2012 in Singapore, as well as the Musiad Fair 2012 in Istanbul, Turkey. It is steps such as these that put MGV ahead of the competition in terms of international market reach. Apart from its “S-Sotic” brand, MGV also offers a variety of other products, such as the Frutela soft drink, Maduria carbonated drink and isotonic energy drink. All of these products go through a stringent quality and certification process that has achieved the HACCP standard. Innovation is a key part of the process at MGV and this is reflected in their products. MGV’s Frutela soft drink range boasts seven flavours including apple, pomegranate, blackcurrant, cranberry, sarsi, guava and orange tangerine.

MGV’s Maduria carbonated drinks takes its cues from successful international brands, with all-time favourites, such as the Maduria cola, Maduria cream soda and Maduria fruitade. Another one of MGV’s flagship products is the Maduria isotonic drink. Being a keen and savvy player in the marketplace, MGV has developed strategic alliances with various organisations, such as the state government of Terengganu, Malaysian Technology Development Corporation as well as Marditech Corporation. Delivering consistent results and top quality products, MGV has been duly recognised for its outstanding performance with awards such as the Prime Minister Award for

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Sector in 2012 and the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2009. Apart from the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in the industry, MGV is also seeking to expand and solidify its reach in the local market. So far, this effort has been carried out through TV advertisements. Strongly equipped with a capable and competent management team, all of whom possess more than 20 years of experience in their relative fields, MGV stands to gain a bigger piece of the local and international market share in the coming years.

Local flavours for global taste-buds

Globetronics on track for another year of growth


Cabaran kepada saintis

Ewon Ebin (dua dari kanan) dan Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah tertarik dengan inovasi yang dipamerkan pada MCCE 2014 di Shah Alam, baru -baru ini. Yang turut hadir Ketua Setiau-saha MOSTI, Datuk Seri Dr. Noorul Ainur Mohd. Nur (kiri).

oleh Laupa Junus

Penyelidik tempatan banyak memenangi anugerah di peringkat domestik dan luar negara sebagai sebahagian daripada bukti kejayaan dan pengiktirafan hasil usaha mereka.

Sekadar menyebut beberapa nama ,pertandingan di Geneva, Pittsburgh, Seoul serta beberapa pertandingan penyelidikan di peringkat domestik membutirkan pingat pelbagai warga sama ada emas, perak dan gangsa.

Namun seperti kata Kementerian Sains Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) menerusi Timbalan Menterinya , Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah bahawa berbilion ringgit telah dilaburkan dalam setiap rancangan pembangunan lima tahun yang sepatutnya diterjemah dalam bentuk hasil yang boleh digunakan.

“Kita tidak pertikai soal anugerah (pingat) yang dikalung di leher (penerima), jurnal yang disenaraikan dalam penerbitan antarabangsa, jumlah hak cipta, paten, dan modal insan yang dilahirkan tetapi bagi MOSTI, adakah ia boleh dikomersialkan,” katanya.

Malah katanya, pelajar Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) juga berjaya memenangi anugerah penyelidikan di luar negara.

Beliau juga tidak bimbang dengan budaya inovasi yang dianggapnya berkembang subur ketika ini, tetapi apa yang mahu diberi penekanan ialah pengkomersialan hasil penyelidikan tersebut.

Kalau tidak dikomersialkan, ia hanyalah reka cipta,” ujar beliau pada majlis penutupan Persidangan Pameran Pengkomersialan MOSTI (MCCE) 2014 di Pusat Konvensyen Shah Alam baru-baru ini.

MCCE 2014 itu dianjurkan sebagai komitmen kementerian terbabit memartabatkan Tahun Pengkomersialan MOSTI (MCY) 2014.

Menurut Abu Bakar, sepanjang Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) sebanyak RM2.9 bilion telah dibelanjakan dengan 4, 566 projek diluluskan manakala 3,851 berjaya disiapkan.

Daripada jumlah itu, sebanyak 537 prototaip berjaya dihasilkan dan 2, 627 harta intelek , 16,732 penerbitan dalam dan luar negara dihasilkan dan 1,232

anugerah diraih di peringkat domestik dan antarabangsa.

Pada masa sama, angka yang cukup memberangsangkan daripada segi pembangunan modal insan dengan jumlah 8,685 pemegang diploma, sarjana muda (pasca siswazah) , sarjana, doktor falsafah dan post doctoral dapat dilahirkan sepanjang tempoh lima tahun itu.

Bagaimanapun sepanjang tempoh tersebut hanya 314 projek berjaya dikomersialkan. Inilah isu yang sering dibangkitkan oleh MOSTI, sebagai antara penyumbang dana penyelidikan terbesar di peringkat kerajaan.Dengan purata antara lapan dan sembilan peratus penyelidikan dikomersialkan setahun, angka tersebut tidaklah terlalu rendah kerana dianggap menyamai pencapaian negara-negara maju.

MCCE adalah salah satu program sempena MCY 2014 dan dihadiri kira-kira 700 peserta.

Penganjuran MCCE merupakan salah satu inisiatif bagi menggiatkan pengkomersialan produk dan perkhidmatan yang dihasilkan penyelidik dan pencipta inovasi oleh penerima dana MOSTI dan agensi di bawahnya.

Menteri MOSTI, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin juga berkongsi harapan beliau semasa merasmikan MCCE 2104 yang menjelaskan penganjurannya sebagai satu komitmen berterusan dalam usaha ke arah penjanaan ekonomi dalam bidang penyelidikan yang berteraskan sains dan teknologi selari dengan wawasan negara .

Sebagai kementerian yang menerajui sains, teknologi dan inovasi, MOSTI turut memainkan peranan dalam menerokai pelbagai inisiatif yang digariskan melalui Dasar Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (STI) yang digubal bagi tempoh pelaksanaan tahun 2013 hingga tahun 2020, katanya.

Perkara utama yang digariskan dalam dasar tersebut ialah memajukan bidang-bidang penyelidikan dan pembangunan saintifik, sosial dan pengkomersialan selain mempertingkatkan transformasi tadbir urus yang ada hubung kait dengan sains dan teknologi.

Beliau turut menarik perhatian bahawa salah satu petunjuk kejayaan sesebuah Sumber : Utusan Online

negara dalam menerokai kemajuan sains dan teknologi ada hubungkaitnya dengan sistem penyampaian.Katanya International index For Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014 telah menyenaraikan Malaysia di tangga ke-12; berbanding kedudukannya di tempat ke-15 pada tahun sebelumnya.

Pencapaian ini diukur melalui keupayaan Malaysia dalam menyediakan persekitaran perniagaan yang kompetitif untuk perkembangan sektor swasta. Ini satu pencapaian dan output yang membanggakan buat negara kita.

Walau bagaimanapun, dalam laporan Global Innovation Index 2014 pula, kedudukan Malaysia telah jatuh ke tangga 33 berbanding tangga ke 32 pada tahun lalu.

Pencapaian kita yang menurun ini adalah satu isyarat untuk berusaha lebih gigih dalam memastikan Malaysia tidak ketinggalan di arena global malah dapat mengatasi cabaran-cabaran melalui langkah penyelesaian yang kreatif dan inovatif,” katanya.

Ewon berkata, MOSTI telah menetapkan sekurang-kurangnya 60 produk R&D dikomersialkan dari pelbagai sektor barangan dan perkhidmatan pada tahun ini san seterusnya mencapai sasaran 360 produk menjelang tahun 2020.

Sehingga kini, katanya platform MCY2014 telah berjaya melancarkan sejumlah 40 produk yang berjaya dikomersialkan.

“Pada hari ini juga, kita akan menyaksikan tambahan sebanyak 18 produk lagi dan menjumlahkan keseluruhan sebanyak 58 produk yang sedia untuk dikomersialkan,” ujar beliau.

Produk-produk tersebut telah dihasilkan oleh Agensi Nuklear Malaysia, SIRIM Berhad, serta produk-produk yang dihasilkan oleh syarikat-syarikat yang dibiayai melalui dana dan program Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp), Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) dan Technology Park Malaysia (TPM).

Satu lagi kejayaan MCY telah ditampilkan melalui pelancaran BioShoppe atas usaha Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation dengan menyediakan rangkaian pemasaran bagi produk kesihatan dan penjagaan diri dari kumpulan syarikat berstatus BioNexus.

BioShoppe ialah satu pendekatan yang dapat memberi laluan yang lebih luas kepada produk-produk R&D bioteknologi tempatan.

Pada masa sama Galeri R&D dan Program Keusahawanan Maya (IVM) juga telah dilancarkan di TPM pada 23 April lalu.

Galeri tersebut mempamerkan produk-produk syarikat teknologi dan inovasi tempatan dalam sektor teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT), kejuruteraan, bioteknologi dan teknologi hijau.


Top Talents Meet at Oil & Gas Exhibition (MOGSEC 2014)KUALA LUMPUR -- An initiative by the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) to set up a University Pavilion at an oil and gas event to promote direct industry-academia discussion was a success with the participation of six local universities.

This pavilion was well patronised at the three-day Second Malaysia Oil and Gas Services Exhibition and Conference (MOGSEC 2014) which ended on Thursday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The event saw hundreds of top executives, including those in charge of recruitment and human capital management, checking out the many booths and display areas.

MPRC, an agency formed under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and reporting to the Prime Minister’s Department, created a University Pavilion which showcased the research and development (R&D) prowess and relevant courses offered by the six public universities in Malaysia.

This first-ever University Pavilion at the event proved to be a hit as oil and gas executives thronged its exhibits to learn more about the beneficial offerings from the current academic sector. Also present to support this inaugural pavilion were representatives from

Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad and Malaysia Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC).

One such visitor was Encik Hasnan Abdullah, Chairman of MSET Engineering Corporation Sdn Bhd, who described this exercise of talent-industry engagement as ‘fruitful’.

“At this University Pavilion, universities are able to engage directly with key industry players who are able to provide concrete recommendations on how to enhance their training modules,” he said.

MPRC President and CEO Datuk Shahrol Halmi said the University Pavilion was the result of close cooperation and support of the tertiary institutions, namely Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

“This has been a real opportunity for students to engage directly with industry players while for the companies, it’s an opportunity to see up close the various R&D programmes and discuss with academic leaders,” Shahrol said.

“This is one way which MPRC

can promote industry-university collaboration with the aim of providing a steady flow of quality human capital to support the industry as well as R&D cooperation,” he added.

Feedback from academia has also been positive. Many heads of faculties and lecturers were grateful for the opportunity to get direct industry response to their R&D initiatives.

“We had invaluable insight from top oil and gas executives on how to enhance and customise our R&D direction to match industry needs,” said Dr Noor Shawal Bin Nasri, Director/ Associate Professor, Faculty of Petroleum and Renewable Energy Engineering, UTM.

In view of human capital and technology development are deemed as key factors for Malaysia to succeed as a regional oil and gas services and manufacturing hub, Shahrol said MPRC was glad this initiative had turned out very well.

“MPRC believes that as we champion the initiative of making Malaysia a regional hub, we also need to ensure that the industry players grow their technical capabilities. We are pleased the University Pavilion has helped promote more collaboration between industries with our local universities. We hope to see this continuing in the future,” he said.

MPRC has been tasked to promote, catalyse and transform the oil and gas services and manufacturing sector with the aim of making Malaysia the number one oil and gas hub in the Asia Pacific region.

MOGSEC 2014 which ended on Sept 25 brought together dozens of local oil and gas services and manufacturing companies which showcased an extensive presentation of products and services that demonstrated the width and depth of the Malaysian oil and gas industry’s capabilities.

MPRC executive director Dr Ir Shahreen Madros (second right) briefing MOGSEC Taskforce chairman Sofiyan Yahya (right) .

Source : Malaysian Digest

Biomass isn’t limited to the palm oil plantation owners and millers. Johor Baru- based Heng Hiap Group has been in the business of collecting and processing unwanted municipal solid waste (MSW) from all over the country for the past 12 years.

The group’s recycled plastics have been exported to be used in the manufacturing of appliances. Three years ago, Seah Kian Hoe, managing director of Heng Hiap Industries Sdn Bhd, began research and development activities to unlock the thermal potential in waste plastics. Today, the company can produce biodiesel from MSW as well as safe-toburn solid plastic blocks dubbed “new coal”.

The Edge: How did you get into the business of turning garbage into biomass fuel?

Seah Kian Hoe: Short story, it is part of the family business. My parents started off as a ‘karung guni’ family where we recycled metal and paper. Then we started plastics recycling, where we converted MSW into niche and high-performance plastics for export.

Along the way, I realised that some of materials that we worked with had good thermal properties, but poor mechanical properties. Plastics are basically hydrocarbons and have high caloric value. By treating them and

processing them, we can remove the heavy metals and contaminants, and produce a high-quality biofuel, even better than what is available at the pump.

This is quite different from palm oil-based biomass projects. We use a reactor to conduct a pyrolysis process to convert plastic to biodiesel, which we can turn into electricity through a diesel generator. Because of the fuel source, it qualifi es as biomass.

What are the challenges in producing such a biodiesel?MSW is a challenging feedstock to work with. It comes with diff erent levels of contamination and types of contaminants. The material must be prepared to capture inherent thermal properties while removing contaminants such as moisture, sand, chlorine, sulphur and heavy metals.

The local recycling industry is also very fragmented. Diff erent companies collect, sort, wash and separate the waste. With seven or eight operators connecting the entire industrial chain, there is high labour cost and non-value added logistics. Also, operators do not communicate. The top of the chain doesn’t know what the guy at the end wants, so the material coming through has lower quality or the wrong properties.

As a group, we integrate all that. We understand the materials, the technology, and the intent at the end point, and we can craft it accordingly.

What are your current operations?For now, we have no operations as we are moving into new premises by the fourth quarter. Our conversion machine will come in in the fi rst quarter and we will start operations then.

We did not manage to get the FiT quota from Seda this year, but we will apply for it next year. In the meantime, we are marketing our biodiesel to industries and fueling our trucks.

What about your ‘new coal’?We are also producing plastic bricks that can be used like coal — burnt in a boiler to produce steam that powers a turbine for electricity. Because we are able to control the heavy metal content, they are safe to burn. We are already supplying them to certain industries

to burn. Initially, the DOE was sceptical, but after monitoring the exhaust gas, it was very satisfied with the emissions as long as they are monitored.

For now, we can’t compete directly with coal, which is very cheap at the moment (around US$80 per tonne). However, as a RE product, it has a niche market. Furthermore, our ‘new coal’ has a calorific value that is three times higher.

What is the biggest hurdle to scaling up your technology?Seah Kian Hoe: Scaling this up to be commercially viable can be done and the potential is huge. Hydrocarbons have a better yield than organic biomass because the calorifi c value is higher. The biggest challenge is the capital investment, but that is where the FiT rates come in. Right now, the FiT rate for biomass ranges from about 30 sen per kWh to as high as 41 sen per kWh, if you qualify for the bonuses. However, I also see a low tariff as a good thing. It ensures that we are not lazy and conduct research and development to maximise the efficiency of our technology.

The future is good. Just based on the 3% to 5% of our overall feedstock, we can run a 1mw project. If we scale this up, we can easily get 20mw. On top of that, there is no shortage of feedstock. Only 15% to 20% of MSW is recycled at the moment.

Boardroom – The Untapped Potential of Biomass and Biogas Energy in MalaysiaSeah Kian HoeMANAGING DIRECTORHENG HIAP INDUSTRIES SDN BHD

Source : The Edge

(Heng Hiap Industries Sdn Bhd is a CRDF recipient under Rancangan Malaysia Ke-9)


Timbalan Menteri Kesihatan, Dr. Hilmi Yahaya melihat kaki Mohd Haziq sambil diperhati-kan oleh Prof. Ruszymah (berdiri kiri) dan Dr. Khairul (berdiri empat dari kiri).

Kulit baharu harapan baruTAHUN lalu tarikh 14 Julai, hari ke lima Ramadan, Mohd Haziq Mohd Yusof, 14, pelajar Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan Baru Muar, Muar, Johor sedang asyik memasang pelita dengan adik-beradik, sepupu dan rakan-rakan di kampungnya. Entah macam mana botol yang berisi minyak tanah terbalik dan menyambar api pelita yang berada tidak jauh dari Haziq.

Haziq panik melihat seluar sukan sebelah kirinya terbakar. Api semakin marak. Haziq menjerit kesakitan dan cepat-cepat berlari dan apa yang ada di fikiran ialah parit di depan rumah. Dia melompat masuk ke dalam parit yang penuh dengan air. Jika tidak mungkin seluruh badannya boleh terbakar dan melecur.

Ayahnya Mohd Yusof yang berada di dalam rumah bergegas keluar dan menghantar Haziq ke Hospital Batu Pahat, Johor dan Haziq terpaksa tinggal lebih sebulan di sana bagi mendapatkan rawatan. Keadaannya yang tidak menujukkan sebarang perkembangan positif menyebabkan ayahnya membawa anaknya pulang ke rumah mendapatkan rawatan tradisional.

“Malangnya keadaan Haziq bertambah parah dan kami membawanya mendapatkan rawatan pakar di sebuah hospital swasta. Pihak hospital melakukan proses Skin Grafting,” katanya.

Skin Grafting ialah proses pencantuman kulit yang biasa dilakukan di hospital. Cantuman kulit ialah kaedah mengeluarkan lapisan kulit daripada bahagian tubuh yang sihat (dikenali sebagai kawasan penyumbang), untuk digunakan bagi menutupi bahagian badan yang telah melecur. Proses ini amat menyakitkan terutama ketika memotong kulit daripada kawasan penyumbang.

Dalam kes Haziq, kulit di kaki kanan diambil dan ditampal pada kawasan yang cedera di sebelah kiri.

“Bagaimanapun keadaan kaki kiri Haziq tidak sembuh manakala kaki kanannya pula dijangkiti kuman dan di sana saja kami telah menghabiskan lebih RM30,000,” katanya.

Tidak tahan melihat anak bongsunya yang merintih kesakitan, Mohd Yusof menebalkan muka mendapatkan bantuan orang ramai melalui akhbar dan media tempatan.

“Esoknya saya menerima panggilan daripada Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Cell Tissue Technology Sdn. Bhd., Dr. Khairul Idzwan Baharin yang menawarkan bantuan bagi merawat Haziq,” katanya.

Cell Tissue Technology ialah syarikat kelolaan UKM bagi mengkomersialkan hasil penyelidikan dari Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu UKM kepada pasaran tempatan dan global.

“Ketika itu saya bagaikan mati hidup semula, terasa ada cahaya,” katanya yang tidak berlengah ke Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM).

Dr. Khairul baru saja habis mesyuarat semasa mendapat panggilan daripada Mohd Yusof.

“Saya benar-benar terperanjat ketika mendapat panggilan daripada ayah Haziq kerana pihak kami belum membuat sebarang persiapan tetapi atas bantuan semua kakitangan akhirnya semua berjalan lancar dan Haziq dimasukkan ke wad Unit Kebakaran,” katanya.

Menurut Dr. Khairul, keadaan Haziq memang parah semasa dibawa ke PPUKM. Selain hanya terlantar di katil, kakinya telah dijangkiti kuman malah remaja itu tidak dapat bergerak dan hanya mengerang kesakitan. Emosinya tidak stabil dan murung kerana kesakitan yang dihadapinya.

“Setelah semua pemeriksaan dijalankan, kami mengambil 2cm x 6cm kulit di bahagian pelipat paha bagi memastikan parut tidak kelihatan. Kulit itu dikultur menggunakan darah yang diambil daripada bapanya kerana keadaan Haziq tidak mengizinkan,” katanya.

Proses dan teknik yang dinamakan MyDermTM ialah hasil daripada penyelidikan selama lebih 10 tahun oleh Pusat Kejuruteraan Tisu UKM, yang juga diketuai oleh Ketua Pegawai Teknologi (CTO) Cell Tissue Technology, Prof. Dr. Ruszymah Idrus. Hasil penyelidikannya sebelum ini berjaya merawat beberapa pesakit, termasuk seorang kanak-kanak berusia empat tahun yang melecur hampir seluruh badan kerana terbakar.

Teknologi MyDermTM telah dipatenkan di Malaysia dan luar negara, membolehkan Cell Tissue Technology menjadi satu-satunya syarikat yang boleh mengkomersialkan produk perubatan seumpama MyDermTM. Menariknya, Cell Tissue Technology mensasarkan untuk menghasilkan lebih banyak produk perubatan berteknologi tinggi yang bukan saja menjurus kepada kulit tetapi hampir ke semua organ tubuh manusia.

“Kulit ialah tisu dan dengan pengkulturan sel daripada sampel sebesar 2cm x 6cm yang diambil daripada tubuh Haziq telah membolehkan kami menghasilkan kulit baru tanpa memotong banyak kulit lain untuk proses pencantuman kulit yang ada.

“Pertama pakar kejuruteraan tisu kami meleraikan sampel tisu dalam makmal kejuruteraan tisu. Ini akan membolehkannya mengeluarkan sel kulit tersebut. Kulit terdiri daripada dua lapisan. Lapisan luar dikenali sebagai epidermis yang mengandungi sel keratinocyte. Lapisan dalaman kenali sebagai dermis, mengandungi sel fibroblast,” katanya.

Pengkulturan kedua-dua jenis sel dilakukan secara berasingan kerana keperluan sel yang berbeza. Apabila sel secukupnya telah berjaya dihasilkan, kedua-dua lapisan kulit itu akan dicantumkan satu sama lain.

“Semuanya diambil daripada pesakit seperti kulit dan darah tetapi dalam kes Haziq, kami menggunakan darah ayahnya bagi kultur kulit dan hasilnya memang tiada tindak balas penolakan kerana diambil daripada waris terdekat,” katanya.

MyDermTM dikatakan yang pertama di dunia kerana menggunakan sel daripada individu sendiri untuk dibiakkan dan lebih menarik tidak perlu risau dengan tindak balas penolakan.

Malah teknik ini tidak perlu diragui tahap halalnya kerana semua diambil daripada individu yang sama atau waris mereka dan tiada bendasing di dalamnya, terutama daripada haiwan.

“Dalam masa dua hingga tiga minggu, 10 keping kulit gantian telah dapat dihasilkan dan kemudian dilekatkan di bahagian melecur di kaki Haziq. Pembedahan itu telah dapat dilakukan dengan jayanya dan kini Haziq bukan saja boleh berjalan tetapi berlari dan bermain bola.” katanya.

Semua kultur kulit Haziq dijalankan di makmal ‘bilik bersih’ bertaraf cGMP di Makmal Cell Tissue Technology, PPUKM.

Dr. Khairul berkata, kes Haziq memerlukan kerjasama daripada pelbagai bidang perubatan daripada pakar kultur tisu, bedah, bius, motivasi, kejuruteraan tisu, psikitris dan pakar transplant.

Selepas dua bulan di hospital, Haziq kembali ke rumahnya dan mencuci luka di klinik kesihatan berhampiran rumahnya dan sebulan sekali perlu ke PPUKM untuk rawatan susulan.

“Buat masa ini pihak kami telah menjalankan ujian klinikal terhadap 10 orang pesakit dan semuanya berjaya. Istimewanya Haziq ialah pesakit kami paling muda,’ katanya.

Mereka yang berminat mengetahui lebih lanjut tentang Cell Tissue Technology dan rawatan MyDermTM boleh melawat laman web www.celltissue.com.my atau e-mel ke [email protected].

oleh KHAIRUNNISA SULAIMAN

Evolva announces collaboration with L’OréalReinach, Switzerland, 10 February 2014 - Evolva Holding SA (SIX: EVE) announced that it has signed a collaboration agreement with L’Oréal for the co-development of novel biosynthetic production routes for an undisclosed ingredient with broad applications in the cosmetics industry. Evolva and L’Oréal will apply Evolva’s fermentation technology platform to develop and optimise yeast strains for the sustainable, cost-effective production of this strategically important cosmetics ingredient.

This collaboration will begin immediately and conclude in late 2016, and includes an option to expand the ingredient focus. L’Oréal will pay Evolva research fees during the project period. Additionally, Evolva is eligible to receive milestone payments based on achieving research objectives.

L’Oréal is widely recognised as a global leader and innovator in cosmetics. Evolva is the global leader building the next blockbuster category in high-value wellness, health and nutrition ingredients. Leveraging its proprietary yeast and fermentation platform, Evolva can produce high-value ingredients that would otherwise be highly problematic or inaccessible to industry due to cost, functionality, supply chain, or sustainability issues.

Luc Aguilar, Global Head of L’Oréal’s Biotechnologies Department, said “Evolva’s biotech platform on yeast design, optimisation and fermentation could end in new cosmetic ingredients bringing a real breakthrough for our customers.”

“This collaboration further validates the broad industry applications potential of our technology platform and industry awareness of Evolva’s unique value proposition in health, wellness, and nutrition ingredient development,” Evolva CEO Neil Goldsmith said. “We look forward to working with L’Oréal. We are confident that together we can leverage new and sustainable production routes to improve this ingredient’s sustainability profile, reduce its production costs, improve its supply chain predictability, and increase its formulation flexibility in cosmetics”.

Source : Evolva

(EVOLVA is an investee company of MTDC) Sumber : Utusan Online

(Cell Tissue Technology Sdn Bhd adalah penerima dana CRDF di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Ke- 10)


Inventors get their ideas patented to stay competitive in business

Detachable rubber stamps still on sale from Yong’s Polycone heydays proves good ideas do last.

RM200,000. That was how much Bugs Tan, the inventor of a lightweight anti-slip galvanised steel grating system invested in his idea.

“I had to make the die and mould, pay Universiti Malaya to run the finite element analysis, buy a ton of aluminium and later, steel to make samples, get third party certification from SIRIM and file for the intellectual property rights,” reveals Tan.

It began when the 53-year-old father of two visited a friend’s steel fabrication workshop in Klang and tried to straighten a crooked grating, which had doubled as a welcome mat. The exertion of having to move the heavy grate gave Tan an idea to come up with a lighter version.

As a Pulau Ketam native where his family ran the Hiap Seng hardware shop, Tan was no stranger to innovation. Growing up in a small island where walkways are the only means of commute, he watched folks fixing small 5hp Honda multipurpose engines to bicycles and trolleys to add more zip in their lives.

Surely, he could do something about a heavy grate. “My first choice was to use aluminium as it was 60% lighter than steel. So, I bought one ton of it and started making samples,” recalls Tan.

Ambitiously, he targeted the oil and gas industry, confident his invention would be ideal for rig platforms.

“The Malaysian market for gratings is worth RM200 million a year. I knew there were only four major players in this sector. If I could win just 5% of this market share, it would be great,” says Tan.

Unfortunately, there was a snag.

“I was pitching for a contract with an oil company when an engineer alerted me that sparks can be created when steel falls on the aluminium grates. On an oilrig, this would be disastrous. Immediately, it was closed curtains for me,” recalls Tan.

Financial loss and a bruised ego followed next as before the contract pitch, Tan had a field day with the press.

“I went through hard times,” confesses the

former marine engines part salesman who now runs workshops on innovation and creativity and gives consultancy services.

To give up or go on?

Judging from statistics given by MyIPO, 2013 saw a total of 41,328 applications for intellectual property rights covering patterns, Source : The Star Online

by Grace Chen

trademarks and industrial design signifying keen competition for new products.

Innovative business

As Robest Yong, the inventor of the Polyclone instant rubber stamp machine, puts in succinctly, commercialisation of an idea is not simple.For one, the heart must be in the right place.

“For an invention to be a success, the first step is to identify the problem. Then comes the need to find a solution. To do this, an inventor must know what he wants as an end result,” says Yong, 54.The job is not done upon finding a solution either. He must have the ability to come up with a tangible product. For example, there is no point claiming one has discovered the formula for time travel if one cannot come up with an actual working machine to prove the theory.

Yong’s personal story harks back to 1994, when he introduced Polyclone into the market, when inventors still enjoyed a big playing field.

“My goal was to shorten the lead time needed to make rubber stamps for company and official stamps.

“The conventional process was tedious as it required someone to pick the letters, place them on a rubber plaster mould, burn the rubber sheet in, wait for it to cool, thus producing the relief piece of the rubber stamp pad. All this takes a week.

“From my main business as a print shop supplier, I saw the potential in coming up with a faster and less cumbersome way of making rubber stamps. Using my earlier experience as a printer technician, I knew of a photopolymerisation technique and incorporated it in a compact design reducing what had previously taken the space of an entire wall to the size of a lap top,” recalls Yong, who at his peak, made between RM1 to RM2 million in profit from his idea using an existing marketing route he had established with instant printers, office supply and business systems distributors from his client list.

“To be an inventor, you must have at least one source of steady, reliable income first to finance the experiments and support marketing efforts,” advises Yong.

Another thing is not to rest on one’s laurels.

“Like trends, ideas can become passe so an inventor must always come up with fresh ones,” says Yong who in line with the current rubber band craze is proposing a new design, which will make untangling easier. This will require the incorporating of a tiny latex tab during

the making of a rubber band so the user may leverage on the extra grip.

He is currently looking for a rubber band manufacturer who can follow his design specifications.

Meanwhile, Yong has also come up with a way for the visually impaired to utilise phone apps on touch screens using a perforated screen protector.

He also has his own brand of fertiliser, inspired by a personal love for gardening. The development is, supported by grants from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation and research and development was carried out by UiTM’s faculty of applied Sciences in Shah Alam.

Yong’s fertiliser formula, priced at RM29.90 and is sold via multi-level marketing in Indonesia and at local nurseries and has been in the market for the past eight years. Annual sales are reported to touch a few hundred thousand ringgit.

Now, back to Tan, who inadvertently made his comeback in 2007 when he won an RM25,000 cash prize for his grating system.

Though he had managed to sell his grates to a heavy lift and tower crane company, a power station and a paper factory, Tan was bent on

Cheap but effective solutions can be found anywhere, like this perforated screen protector that allows the blind to access a touch screen.

ABCs of the invention industry, according to Yong who conducts workshops on the subject.

Protection from copycats is a golden rule for inven-tors like Tan, seen here with his IPR certs.

redeeming his reputation.He went back to the drawing boards, this time using steel but in the form of flat plates turned into ‘U’ shapes.

In addition to building a machine to fabricate his U steel bars, Tan also made it a point to protect his product by filing for the intellectual property rights.

“The 20 year patent for Malaysia cost about RM8,000 including the lawyer’s fee. There is an additional RM2,000 for an examination to ensure the idea is novel.

The industrial design and brand patent cost me another RM5,000. Later on, I will be filing a patent for China and I believe this would cost another RM12,000” reveals Tan.

He admits to taking the above steps to appeal to his current investor, NCMC Manufacturing (formerly Nidec Copal) who has bought the license to produce the grates. The deal will see Tan receiving a monthly fee and a percentage of royalty from the gross profit. If the percentage amount is to exceed Tan’s monthly-agreed fee, the company will be exempted from this payment as an incentive for higher sales.

NCMC managing director Daniel Tan (not related) affirms legal protection is crucial from an investor’s point of view.

“This field sees a very small community. If it is copied, it’d only take a short time for us to find the culprit. However, before we can go after them, the legal work must already be in place and that is why an inventor’s rights to the intellectual property are important. Another is to see how many manufacturers are holding the license. If it has been sold to 10 other factories for example, the competition would be too great for us,” says Daniel whose company has invested a quarter of a million into the development of a production line over the past three months.

NCMC is expected to pump in another RM1 million to install a robotic system to double production capacity in anticipation of the response from an upcoming oil and gas services exhibition and conference this month at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.

“We are just starting to expose the product and have high hopes of its success,” says Daniel hinting at a possible happy ending for Tan.


themed “People Economy” at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said SIRIM would be re-branded.

“For this, an SME Technology Penetration and Upgrading Programme and technology auditing will be implemented,” he added.

He said the government was also allocating RM50 million for the introduction of a new initiative, the Public Private Research Network, spearheaded by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation.

An additional allocation of RM50 million is made to strengthen Technology Commercialisation Platform Programme by Agensi Inovasi Malaysia, he added.–BERNAMA

2015 budget: RM1.3b for innovation and commercialisation programmesKUALA LUMPUR: The government is allocating RM1.3 billion to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for innovation and commercialisation programmes.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said currently, Malaysia’s Research and Development (R&D) expenditure as a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was low compared with advanced economies, such as Japan and South Korea.

He said the programmes to be implemented would include commercialisation of 360 high-impact innovative products within the next five years.

Research funds, amounting to RM290 million, would also be provided to implement various high-impact R&D and commercialisation programmes, he said when tabling the Budget 2015

MTDC Signs MoU in Dubai

–BERNAMA

COMMS-MediaMonitoring(009_Oct2014 )

Date : 31st October 2014 Title : MTDC Signs Mou in Dubai

Retrieved from: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/bu/newsbusiness.php?id=1080673

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