Heightened insurance awareness leads AIA to expand workforce and digital ambition
What is worth noting is that the life insurance penetration rate in Malaysia has not moved from the 54% level over the last five years. “In AIA PUBLIC Takaful, we also leverage on our unique health programme, AIA Vitality, and provide differentiated healthcare services through various partnerships. Elmie said the 100% non-face-to-face remote capability has helped its Takaful life planners overcome the limitations of not having physical meetings. Extending reach into digital insuranceAt the end of last year, AIA General Bhd rolled out its first digital insurance offering, which marks the insurer’s first foray into the digital insurance space. AIA Online Shield is an affordable personal accident plan that also provides coverage for Covid-19.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 09, 2021 16:00 UTC
Germany's SPD appeal to working class before election
Scholz made the promise in a speech to SPD delegates who voted for him as their centre-left party's candidate for chancellor. His party is lagging both the Greens and Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in polls and is forecast to suffer its worst ever election result. "I will push for a minimum wage of 12 euros during my first year as chancellor," Scholz said. The SPD reluctantly joined a coalition with Merkel's conservative bloc after an election in 2017 despite stiff opposition from members who feared that a third alliance with Merkel would damage the party's working-class appeal. The SPD, which are on 14-16% in polls, last year pushed for the national minimum wage to increase in four stages, reaching 10.45 euros per hour by mid 2022.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 15:33 UTC
India's super rich criticised for not doing enough amid Covid-19 pandemic
It is not as if India's super rich were battered financially by the pandemic. According to the latest Hurun Global Rich List, India added 40 billionaires in 2020, taking its total to 177. India's rich have often been criticised for not giving enough to charityMuch of the philanthropy work is paid for not through their pockets, but through legislated corporate social responsibility (CSR), including during this crisis. Still, as India's Covid-19 crisis deepened, some of India's large corporate houses have rolled out help. Criticism has also been directed at India's rich Bollywood actors and cricketers who, but for the honourable exception of a few, have done little.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 12:11 UTC
Ain's expulsion warning sparks concern from parents' group
PETALING JAYA: The school expulsion warning letter sent to Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam - the teenager behind the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement - has sparked concern from a parent's group. Mak also questioned the message being given to students with the issuance of the warning letter. In a tweet at about 1am Sunday (May 9), Ain said she received the first warning letter of her expulsion for not coming to school for three days. According to the action guidelines for students who do not attend school, students would normally be given the first warning letter if they are absent for three consecutive days. The student will be expelled after 14 days of absence from the final warning.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 11:15 UTC
Galeri Petronas closure and how it impacts the Malaysian art scene
“Despite the closure of the gallery’s public space, artworks from the Petronas Art Collection remain available for loan to relevant programmes and initiatives. In the mid-1990s, plenty of art events circled around Menara Maybank, The National Art Gallery, Galeri Petronas (Dayabumi) and the Australian High Commission. CEO of Segaris Art Center Nizam Rahmat, who worked at Galeri Petronas for about two years in the art management department, is nostalgic about the gallery’s closure. “The exiting of Galeri Petronas from the Malaysian art scene means the loss of one more public art space that could complement the National Art Gallery in promoting and developing Malaysian art. Rahel Joseph, Ilham Gallery director, feels the closure of Galeri Petronas will be a huge loss for the Malaysian art scene.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 10:21 UTC
Bank Islam plans to hand over 30 homes under asnaf homeownership financing scheme this year
KUALA LUMPUR (May 9): Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (BIMB) plans to hand over 30 houses under the Asnaf Personal Financing-i facility scheme this year, and will also continue to work towards expanding the scheme nationwide, together with interested State Islamic Religious Councils. Chief executive officer Mohd Muazzam Mohamed said the bank pioneered a homeownership financing scheme for the asnaf group (those who are eligible to receive zakat payments) in July last year. The scheme was implemented via a joint venture with the State Zakat Management Agency, with both parties funding half of the house financing. "Through this scheme, asnaf with a fixed income of below RM1,500 per month can own a house built on their land or with the landowner's permission. He said BIMB started the Bank Islam Housing Aid Programme in 2008 to provide housing for the most affected and deserving group.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 09, 2021 08:26 UTC
Conflicting HIDE statements by Khairy, Ismail Sabri wreak havoc among retail outlets
"The weakness of the HIDE system is that shopping malls have been punished for following (Covid-19-driven) SOPs (standard operating procedures)," he said. News reports, quoting Khairy, reported yesterday that premises and locations listed under the HIDE early warning system were not confirmed Covid-19 clusters. "Premises listed under HIDE are different from the list of clusters issued each day by the Health director-general. Premises listed under HIDE do not need to close except when directed by the authorities. "It (three-day closure) involves shutting down my HQ (headquarters) and my CK (central kitchen).
Source:The Edge Markets
May 09, 2021 08:01 UTC
Sibu student falls to his death from Taiwan university building
SIBU: An electrical and electronic engineering student from Sibu at the National Taipei University of Technology is reported to have fallen to his death at about 3.30pm on Saturday (May 8). According to the See Hua Daily online portal, the 20-year-old male student went up to the eight floor of a building in the university and fell accidentally. The daily said that police in Taiwan had ruled out external factors in the victim's death. However, the student was not allowed to fly as he had not undergone a mandatory Covid-19 screening. The association, he said, is arranging for a visa for his mother and sister to fly to Taiwan to make the necessary arrangements.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 06:02 UTC
DBKL busts 'hidden' Bollywood club following public tip-offs
KUALA LUMPUR: A hidden Bollywood club operating illegally in Kompleks Wilayah, Bukit Bintang was shut down after a raid by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on Saturday (May 8). DBKL said it acted on a public tip-off and found that patrons used the emergency entrance behind the premises to avoid detection. “Four Bangladeshi women who were working as waitresses as well as dancers were within the premises during the raid, ” DBKL said Sunday (May 9). It said DBKL will continue to carry out operations to stem illegal activities from time to time. Those with information on such activities can channel it to DBKL via http://ispaaadbkl.dbkl.gov.my/eApps/system/index.do
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 05:48 UTC
Have a phobia about needles? Here's how to conquer your fear
“Now is a really great time to confront a fear that has maybe been holding you back for years. Fortunately, experts say there are ways to overcome a fear of needles, whether it’s preventing you from making an appointment or causing panic when you show up. You may, for example, be shown photos of needles, then actual needles, and gradually work your way up to videos of people getting shots. > Talk with the vaccinatorOnce you show up at your appointment, tell the nurse or vaccine administrator about your fear. “You can focus on the excitement and the big picture, and try to expand your attention to things beyond the fear,” says Dr Gallagher.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 04:52 UTC
Sandakan photographer adds humour to 'balik kampung' restrictions with viral Facebook post
KOTA KINABALU: A Sandakan photographer’s Facebook post offering to "spend time with your elderly during Raya" was an instant hit, despite it being a joke. But the lad said it was not the first time a Facebook post of his had garnered a huge reaction, as he experienced something similar last year, but on a more serious matter. In a recent post, Mohammad Farid said his friends know him to be playful, but he did receive some responses from Internet users about the services being offered. “But I believe they knew it was a joke, and were just trying to show appreciation for my funny post, ” he said, adding that he will continue to post funny things on Facebook to entertain people. Screen grab of the viral post by Mohammad Farid Md Ariffin, where he joked about offering services to accompany parents for those who could not make it home for Hari Raya.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 04:30 UTC
Ministry to ensure adequate supplies despite partial closure of Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market
PUTRAJAYA (May 9): The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is taking steps to ensure that the supply of essentials is not affected by the partial closure of the Kuala Lumpur Wholesale Market in Selayang. He said the ministry is consistently carrying out inspections and monitoring to ensure all parties adhere to trade laws. "The ministry will not hesitate to take stern action against any parties who try to exploit the situation, especially by raising prices indiscriminately," he said. He said consumers can become the eyes and ears of the ministry by providing information on improper trade practices. Complaints can be forwarded to the ministry's portal [email protected], email to [email protected], EzADU KPDNHEP application, the Enforcement Command Centre at 03-8882 6088/6245 or via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317.
Source:The Edge Markets
May 09, 2021 03:45 UTC
Ain Husniza receives warning of expulsion from school
PETALING JAYA: Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam - the teenager behind the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement - has received a warning notice of expulsion from her school. In a tweet at about 1.00am Sunday (May 9), Ain said she received the first warning letter of her expulsion for not coming to school for three days. Ain, who goes by @ant33ater on Twitter, said she was disheartened that the school that she loved had acted against her for speaking up. Ain questioned why she was being punished for having her own opinion and thoughts, things that her own teachers had taught her in school. Ain criticised educators who hid stories and silenced students, and urged for reform in the education system to avoid more students being silenced and punished for speaking the truth.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 03:01 UTC
Lifestyle influencer reveals she had to put down her dog for aggression; Internet bites back
A YouTube influencer couple is being lambasted on social media for putting down their dog after it bit their infant son. “Bowser was the ultimate cuddle bug, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that if you just dropped by our house...he just acted crazy,” the family and lifestyle influencer wrote on Instagram. “This is the hardest decision we’ve ever made,” the 33-year-old told her 1.29 million followers on YouTube. “Thank you to everyone who has messaged me with kind words of encouragement and prayers. And as heartbreaking as it is, it sometimes happens.” – New York Daily News/TNS
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 01:00 UTC
Free phones, SIM cards for B40
ELIGIBLE B40 families and individuals can apply for free smartphones, one year’s worth of free data and free access to online learning content, offered through YES Prihatin plans. On May 5, YES in partnership with YTL Foundation and learning content platform FrogAsia, launched the YES Prihatin plans under the government’s Jaringan Prihatin initiative. “That is why we feel it is imperative that B40 families have devices, free data and the learning content, ” he said in a press release. Meanwhile, children from B40 families can continue to apply for the foundation’s free phone and data programme, which has been extended to Sept 30. To help a B40 family by nominating them for a free phone and data, log on to ytlfoundation.org/learnfromhome.
Source:The Star
May 09, 2021 00:06 UTC