Defiance ETFs Announces Resumption of Trading in the Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF (SPCL) on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.

 

MIAMI, June 16 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Defiance ETFs, a leader in thematic and leveraged exchange-traded funds, today announced that Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange”) has authorized the resumption of trading in shares of the Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF (Cboe BZX: SPCL), following the temporary trading halt initiated by the Exchange on June 12, 2026.

The temporary halt was the result of the Exchange exercising its broad discretionary authority to halt trading in a listed ETF, as authorized by Exchange rules. The Exchange has now exercised that same authority to lift the halt and permit trading in SPCL shares to resume.

Upon resumption, shares of SPCL may again be bought and sold on the secondary market during regular market hours. Throughout the temporary halt, the underlying portfolio assets remained secure and were not impacted by the halt of trading initiated by the Exchange.

For real-time updates on the status of SPCL, please monitor the Exchange’s Issuer Portal (SPCL) or contact your financial advisor.

For full fund details, the prospectus, holdings, and performance current to the most recent month-end, visit defianceetfs.com/spcl or call 833.333.9383.

An investment in SPCL is not a direct investment in the underlying securities. The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Fund pursues daily leveraged investment objectives, which means it is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage. The Fund magnifies the performance of the Target Portfolio and is designed strictly for short-term use. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund’s performance will be the result of compounded daily returns, which is very likely to differ from 200% of the return of the Target Portfolio over the same period. It is possible that investors could lose their entire principal within a single trading day.

Important Disclosures

Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information and can be obtained by calling 833.333.9383 or by visiting defianceetfs.com/spcl. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

An investment in the Fund involves a high degree of risk. An investor could lose the full principal value of his or her investment within a single day.

Strategy and Reconstitution Risk. The Fund is actively managed and, per its recently amended Prospectus, may reconstitute its portfolio to consist of exposure to a single Space Company security in response to a “Material Space Event” – defined to include an initial public offering of a company, such as SpaceX, which the Adviser determines to be a significant participant in the space economy. SpaceX’s IPO, a Material Space Event, will result in the Fund holding all or a predominant portion of its portfolio in instruments providing exposure to SpaceX shares, subjecting existing and future Shareholders to a substantially more concentrated and potentially more volatile investment portfolio due to such an event. Fund investment results following a reconstitution in response to a Material Space Event may differ materially from prior results and the Fund may as a result temporarily deviate from its daily targeted exposure level. The Fund’s prospectus does not require the Adviser to provide advance notice before a reconstitution; however, the Fund’s Target Portfolio is published daily on its website at www.defianceetfs.com/spcl.

An investment in the Fund is not an investment in SpaceX. The Fund seeks to obtain exposure to SpaceX Class A common stock, and to other Space Company securities, through derivatives, not by holding the underlying securities directly. Fund holdings are subject to change at any time and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Focused Portfolio and Concentration Risk. The Fund may seek exposure to one or a limited number of Space Company securities, including SpaceX. Given the Fund’s exposure is concentrated in a one or a limited number of underlying stocks, such as SpaceX, the Fund is subject to the price movements, business results, regulatory developments, and other risks specific to SpaceX or other Space Companies. The Fund is significantly less diversified than traditional ETFs, and its performance is more volatile than a fund seeking exposure to a broader market sector or seeking to track a broad-based securities index.

Leverage, Compounding and Daily Reset Risk. The Fund seeks daily investment results equal to 200% of the daily performance of a Target Portfolio consisting of one or a limited number of Space Company securities, which may include or consistent entirely of SpaceX Class A common stock due to the Material Space Event. The Fund obtains exposure in excess of its net assets through leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses. The Fund’s returns over periods longer than a single day will likely differ, in amount and possibly direction, from its stated daily target. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if its Target Portfolio performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if its Target Portfolio’s performance increases. The Fund is intended for short-term use and is not appropriate for investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios.

Newly Public Company Risk. SpaceX has recently completed, or is in the process of completing, its initial public offering. The first day of trading in a newly public company’s securities frequently involves extraordinary market activity and may differ significantly from subsequent trading days. For example, trading in SpaceX common stock may be characterized by substantial price volatility, rapid price movements, significant differences between the IPO price and the opening market price, wide bid-ask spreads, trading imbalances, limited liquidity, trading halts, and other market disruptions. These conditions may make it difficult for market participants to value SpaceX common stock and may contribute to significant fluctuations in the market price of the Fund’s Shares.

SpaceX-Specific Risks. The Fund’s exposure to SpaceX stock will subject it to risks specific to SpaceX, including its expected status as a controlled company with voting power concentrated in founder Elon Musk through Class B common stock (10 votes per share), the Fund’s dependence on Mr. Musk’s services and reputation, and the execution risk associated with unproven or novel technologies such as the Starship program, next-generation Starlink satellites, and orbital AI initiatives.

Initial Trading Day IPO Exposure Risk. The Fund expects to seek exposure to the performance of SpaceX common stock measured from the opening market price of SpaceX common stock on its first day of exchange trading. The Fund will not seek to provide exposure to the difference between the IPO offering price and the opening market price of SpaceX common stock. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to obtain, maintain, or rebalance its desired level of exposure to the performance of SpaceX common stock during its in initial day of trading.

Derivatives Capacity Constraints Risk. Because SpaceX will be a newly public company, the markets for swap agreements, options contracts, and other instruments that the Fund may use to obtain leveraged exposure may be limited, illiquid, volatile, costly, or unavailable. Counterparties may impose exposure limits, exchanges may impose position limits or other restrictions, and market participants may be unwilling or unable to provide the Fund with the desired level of exposure. These constraints may increase tracking error, cause the Fund to return substantially less than its desired daily leveraged exposure to the performance of SpaceX stock, or prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. These risks may be particularly pronounced during the period immediately following an IPO, when trading volumes, liquidity conditions, derivatives availability, counterparty capacity, price discovery, and market volatility may be highly uncertain.

Derivatives and Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund uses swap agreements and/or listed options contracts to obtain economic exposure to its Target Portfolio securities, which are subject to counterparty, liquidity, valuation, correlation, and leverage risks, as well as the risk that a derivative will not perform as expected. The Fund is classified as non-diversified and may invest a larger portion of its assets providing exposure to a single issuer.

Tax Risk. The Fund’s use of swaps and other derivatives may produce taxable income, including ordinary income and short-term capital gains, which are generally taxable at higher rates than long-term capital gains.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Fund holdings and exposures are subject to change at any time and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security.

Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

About Defiance ETFs

Founded in 2018, Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs. Our first-mover leveraged single-stock ETFs empower investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies, providing precise leverage exposure without the need to open a margin account.

Media Contact: Brenda Hentschel | bhentschel@gregoryagency.com | 201.705.3758

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5a5c0544-ce9e-448b-8fc2-3ed279f10583 

SOURCE: Defiance ETFs

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

MAVENIR RECEIVES GERMANY'S FIRST BSI NESAS CERTIFICATION FOR 5G NETWORK FUNCTION

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Mavenir, the software company building cloud-native, AI-by-design mobile networks, announced it has become the first tier-one telecommunications infrastructure software provider to receive Germany's BSI NESAS certification for a 5G Packet Core network function.

In a statement, the company said the certification was awarded for its Network Repository Function (NRF), confirming that the product meets security requirements for use as a critical component in public telecommunications networks in Germany.

Mavenir Senior Vice President, Operations, Omar Shahdad said the certification demonstrates the company's commitment to meeting stringent national cybersecurity requirements for 5G software and network infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) Head of Certification, Fabian Hodouschek said the certification marked an important step in strengthening the cybersecurity of Germany's mobile telecommunications networks.

He said the certification confirms that Mavenir's Network Repository Function, including its development and lifecycle processes, complies with the standards of the internationally recognised NESAS security framework.

According to Mavenir, the milestone follows the implementation of mandatory BSI NESAS certification requirements under Germany's Telecommunications Act and BSI Act, which took effect on Jan 1, 2026.

The certification was issued by Germany's BSI under the BSI NESAS certification scheme, which builds on the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) framework.

The company said it is continuing certification of its broader Packet Core and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) portfolio, with completion targeted by the third quarter of 2026 to support operators deploying compliant cloud-native network architectures.

-- BERNAMA

Analysis of SKHTU Exchange Compliance Progress from International Regulatory Trends

DENVER, June 15 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) of the United Kingdom has been rapidly increasing its regulatory influence over the crypto industry and gradually strengthening compliance requirements for trading platforms. Against this backdrop, the application of SKHTU Exchange for an FCA license has attracted industry attention.

Compared to the relatively relaxed development environment in the early stages, the FCA now requires applicant institutions to establish a complete customer identification mechanism, fund flow monitoring, and internal risk control mechanisms, and to reduce potential financial risks through ongoing reviews. This has also made FCA registration an important compliance threshold for entering the UK market.

The high regard for UK regulatory authorization is closely tied to the long-standing status of the country as a global financial center. For digital asset platforms, entering the UK regulatory framework also helps enhance their compliance recognition within Commonwealth markets. Therefore, the importance of FCA registration is continuously increasing.

Public information indicates that SKHTU Exchange is currently advancing its registration process with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and has entered the relevant regulatory stage. Market analysts believe that this move is not only a key component of its European market expansion strategy but also reflects the platform accelerating the construction of its global compliance framework.

At the same time, regulatory scrutiny of the digital asset industry is intensifying simultaneously across major global jurisdictions. The focus of regulation is gradually converging on fund security, operational transparency, and user protection mechanisms. This implies that future industry competition will further shift toward a comprehensive contest of compliance systems and long-term operational capabilities.

A complete compliance framework is no longer merely a market access requirement for a single region; it is gradually becoming a critical compliance benchmark for international digital asset platforms. Against this backdrop, the progress of the FCA application by SKHTU Exchange is also emerging as an important reference for observing its European strategy.

From an industry trend perspective, a comprehensive compliance framework is no longer merely a market access requirement for a single jurisdiction but has gradually become a foundational standard for cryptocurrency exchanges operating across multiple markets. Against this backdrop, the progress of SKHTU Exchange in pursuing a license from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also become a key reference for evaluating its global strategic layout.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/451ce58b-eca1-43ae-b75a-6a4c0578c7a8

Contact: Ridzuan-support@skhtu.org

SOURCE: Skhtu Exchange Services Ltd

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

Compassion Across Borders: Maybank drives Group-Wide Qurban programme, uplifting over 29,000 communities in ASEAN

Photo 1

R-L: President & Group CEO of Maybank, Dato’ Sri Khairussaleh Ramli, Group CEO of Islamic Banking & CEO of Maybank Islamic, Mohamad Yasin Abdullah, Mohd Rafie Ali, Nazir of Masjid Al-Iman Kemensah Heights and Mohamad Zaharul Azrul Mohamad Pauzi, Branch Manager of Maybank Taman Melawati participating in the Salam Qurban Perdana programme at Masjid Al-Iman Kemensah Heights, Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Maybank Group via its Islamic Banking arm initiated its FY2026 Qurban programmes and activities through Maybank Group Islamic Banking’s (MGIB) ‘Salam Qurban Perdana’, benefitting 29,760 individuals from underprivileged families across Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines.

The large-scale regional initiative reflects the Group’s continued commitment towards advancing inclusive and sustainable social impact, in line with its ROAR30 strategy and purpose of Humanising Financial Services.

The Salam Qurban Perdana was implemented across 69 mosques and distribution locations regionally with a cumulative spend of over RM1.3 million, delivering measurable social impact in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration. This initiative saw MGIB mobilising charitable and zakat funds across ASEAN to facilitate qurban distributions to vulnerable communities.

With the aim of strengthening community resilience and fostering meaningful engagement beyond banking, the initiative was funded through contributions from Maybank Islamic Ikhwan Card Charity Fund, Maybank Indonesia’s Unit Pengelola Dana Kebajikan Fund and Maybank Singapore Zakat Fund.

Group CEO, Islamic Banking and CEO of Maybank Islamic Berhad, Mohamad Yasin Abdullah said “Salam Qurban Perdana is a reflection of Islamic values in action, anchored on generosity, unity and the collective responsibility to uplift underserved communities. Through this meaningful initiative which is a part of MGIB’s Salam Festival, we aspire to unite communities across borders and backgrounds, while strengthening the role of Islamic finance as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive social development.”

In Malaysia, the initiative reached 20,400 beneficiaries through strategic collaborations with 33 mosques nationwide. It was implemented across multiple states, enabling qurban meat distribution to underprivileged families, single mothers, senior citizens and vulnerable communities in both urban and rural areas.

In Indonesia, the initiative benefited 4,810 recipients through 20 Syariah branches across 20 cities. The qurban distributions were carried out in collaboration with 25 institutions and local partners to ensure efficient delivery to targeted beneficiaries, including low-income households and vulnerable groups.

In Singapore, the initiative made a meaningful impact on the community with approximately 3,500 kg of fresh Qurban meat distributed to 2,500 beneficiaries. Beyond the distribution of fresh meat, the spirit of giving was further extended through the preparation and serving of 250 kg of cooked Qurban meals to approximately 2,000 beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, around 50 beneficiaries received qurban meat contributions through targeted community distribution efforts. The ceremonial turnover of two live cows was held at Al-Irshad Mosque, Taguig City bringing together representatives from 11 beneficiary mosques outside Maharlika Village.

The Salam Qurban Perdana initiative forms part of the broader MGIB Salam Festival programme comprising of Salam Iftar Perdana, Salam Syawal Open House and Salam Qurban Perdana, which collectively aim to unite communities through peace, faith and compassion across ASEAN.

SOURCE: Malayan Banking Berhad (MAYBANK)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Maybank Group Corporate Affairs
Name: Izlyn Ramli
Tel: +60 19 200 0248
Email: corporateaffairs@maybank.com

--BERNAMA

Horizon Quantum Announces Dublin as Its Second Quantum Computer Testbed Location, Bringing A Frontier Quantum System to Ireland

 

^{This photo depicts a current trapped ion system from IonQ. The system to be delivered to Horizon will be IonQ’s next-generation 256-qubit technology.}


DUBLIN & SINGAPORE, June 12 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Horizon Quantum Holdings Ltd. (“Horizon Quantum”), a pioneer of software infrastructure for quantum applications, today announced that it expects to locate its second quantum computer—anticipated to be one of the most advanced commercial quantum systems in the world—in Dublin, Ireland.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611797092/en/ 

By placing this IonQ 256-qubit system at its European headquarters, Horizon Quantum aims to benefit from Ireland’s growing quantum ecosystem, strong university network, and robust talent pool for deep-tech development, both within the country and across the EU.

Horizon Quantum believes the installation of this frontier system will be a significant technology milestone for the nation, positioning Ireland to play an increasingly prominent role in frontier quantum computing.

Minister Peter Burke, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said: “I welcome Horizon Quantum’s decision to locate its second quantum computer testbed in Dublin. This significant investment reinforces Ireland’s position at the forefront of advanced technologies and reflects the strength of our growing quantum ecosystem, world-class research base, and highly skilled workforce. The establishment of one of the most advanced commercial quantum systems here is an important milestone that will support innovation, collaboration, and economic growth, while further enhancing Ireland’s ambition to be a global hub for cutting-edge technologies. This also aligns with our strategic focus in Silicon Island—Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy —on harnessing opportunities in rapidly evolving fields, including quantum technologies.”

IonQ’s sixth-generation, chip-based 256-qubit trapped-ion system is anticipated to be among the most sophisticated quantum computers globally. With its expected qubit count and high gate fidelities, the system could be capable of solving some challenging computational problems. By integrating this system with its software infrastructure, Horizon Quantum plans to expand support for trapped-ion systems in its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha, and to enhance the real-time runtime capabilities of its execution stack—furthering the company’s mission to unlock broad quantum advantage with its software infrastructure.

To oversee the establishment and management of its second quantum system, Horizon Quantum anticipates expanding its Irish-based science and engineering teams and deepening its engagement with Ireland’s quantum ecosystem. By anchoring this system and its accompanying high-value operations in Dublin, Horizon Quantum expects to further catalyze this ecosystem through increased involvement with industry, academia, and the local supply chain.

“Expanding our hardware testbed to Ireland with the addition of a frontier system is a significant step forward for both our company in our mission to unlock broad quantum advantage and for the country in strengthening its quantum ecosystem,” said Horizon Quantum CEO & Founder Dr. Joe Fitzsimons. “We are excited to extend our testbed capabilities to include a trapped-ion system by deploying this state-of-the-art quantum computer in Dublin.”

In December 2025, Horizon Quantum announced that it had assembled and integrated the first quantum system in its hardware testbed—a multi-vendor superconducting system—at its Singapore headquarters. The expansion of the company’s testbed facilities to its European headquarters with a second, technologically distinct system will help further its goal of delivering the most capable hardware-agnostic tools for quantum software development.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said: “I warmly congratulate Horizon Quantum on this significant investment in Ireland and on selecting Dublin as the location for its second quantum computer testbed. Quantum development is an important strategic priority for IDA Ireland, and this announcement is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s growing technology ecosystem, our research capabilities, and the talent available here. Horizon Quantum’s decision to invest in Ireland further strengthens our position in frontier technologies and will help support continued innovation and collaboration across the quantum sector. I wish the team every success with this exciting next phase of growth in Ireland.”

About Horizon Quantum
Horizon Quantum [Nasdaq: HQ] is on a mission to unlock broad quantum advantage by building software infrastructure that empowers developers to use quantum computing to solve the world’s toughest computational problems. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Fitzsimons, a leading researcher and former professor with more than two decades of experience in quantum computing, Horizon Quantum seeks to bridge the gap between today’s quantum hardware and tomorrow’s applications through the creation of advanced software development tools. Its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha, enables developers to write sophisticated, hardware-agnostic quantum programs at multiple levels of abstraction. Learn more at www.horizonquantum.com.

Note to Investors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements. The expectations, estimates, and projections of the business of Horizon Quantum may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “potential,” “plan” “enable,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and Horizon Quantum cautions against placing undue reliance on any of these forward- looking statements. Many of these factors are outside of the control of Horizon Quantum and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) references with respect to the anticipated benefits of the trapped ion system purchased from IonQ; (2) the outcome of any efforts to integrate IonQ’s trapped-ion technology with Horizon Quantum’s software infrastructure; (3) Horizon Quantum’s ability to scale and grow its business, and the advantages and expected growth of Horizon Quantum; (4) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the locating the trapped ion system in Ireland, including the ability to which Horizon Quantum will be able to participate in or integrate with Ireland’s quantum ecosystem; (5) changes in applicable laws and regulations or political and economic developments; (6) the possibility that Horizon Quantum may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (7) difficulties operating Horizon Quantum’s quantum processors and the possibility that the quantum processors do not provide the advantages that Horizon Quantum expects; (8) the ability of Horizon Quantum to integrate access to its quantum computing test bed, including IonQ’s technology, within its Triple Alpha platform; (9) the ability of Horizon Quantum’s coding languages to provide additional abstraction when compared to other quantum computing solutions; and (10) other risks and uncertainties included in the “Risk Factors” sections of Horizon Quantum’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Horizon Quantum. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. New risks emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risks, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Horizon Quantum does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260611797092/en/

Contact

Horizon Quantum media contact
Yanina Blaclard
media@horizonquantum.com

Horizon Quantum investor contact
Katherine Bailon
investors@horizonquantum.com

Source : Horizon Quantum Holdings Ltd.

PENGERANG ENERGY COMPLEX AWARDS EPCC CONTRACT TO CNCEC

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Pengerang Energy Complex Sdn Bhd (PEC) has awarded the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contract for its Pengerang Energy Complex project in Johor, Malaysia, to China National Chemical Engineering Company Limited (CNCEC).

The award marks a key milestone for PEC as the project progresses through the final approval process with global export credit agencies and project finance lenders.

A PEC spokesperson said the award reflects the project’s continued progress towards construction and the company’s commitment to delivering a world-scale facility.

According to a statement, CNCEC was selected following a comprehensive evaluation of its technical expertise, financial strength and project execution capabilities.

As a global engineering and construction group, CNCEC brings extensive experience in large-scale energy and petrochemical projects, including familiarity with Honeywell UOP technologies that form part of the project's process design.

The collaboration is expected to strengthen the strategic partnership between PEC and CNCEC and support future cooperation on PEC’s planned energy and petrochemical developments.

PEC is developing the Pengerang Energy Complex in Johor, Malaysia, an integrated refinery and petrochemical project aimed at serving regional and international markets.

-- BERNAMA

PETRONAS STRENGTHENS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND STATE PARTICIPATION TO SUSTAIN DOMESTIC ENERGY VALUE

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- PETRONAS, through its wholly owned subsidiary, PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, has entered into several agreements involving selected producing upstream assets in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, reinforcing its commitment to sustaining long-term value creation for Malaysia by further leveraging on a partnership-led approach. The agreements form part of PETRONAS’ broader portfolio optimisation efforts to develop upstream assets responsibly and sustainably, in support of Malaysia’s long-term energy security and industry development.
As part of this approach, EnQuest Petroleum Production Malaysia Ltd is to assume operatorship and participating interests (PI) in the Balingian PSC, SK8 PSC and D35 PSC, while also participating as a nonoperating partner in the PM6/12 PSC. The company is envisaged to leverage its Group’s integrated technical capabilities and experience in managing brownfield and late-life assets to support the continued operations and redevelopment of these producing assets.

A key component of one of these agreements is the participation of Terengganu’s TI Exploration & Production Sdn. Bhd. (TI EP), which will hold a non-operated PI in the PM6/12 PSC. The participation reflects PETRONAS’ continued efforts to facilitate state involvement in Malaysia’s upstream industry, enabling state-linked entities to build capabilities and participate meaningfully in the development of the nation’s petroleum resources. TI EP is a joint venture company between TI Petroleum Sdn. Bhd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Terengganu Inc., the state-owned strategic investment arm and Ping Petroleum Limited, an independent upstream company focused in the niche area of late-life oil and gas assets, particularly in brownfield redevelopment of producing fields in the North Sea of the United Kingdom.

These strategic partnerships bring together complementary strengths to support the continued and efficient operations of these upstream assets, while facilitating operational learning, technical exchange and capability enhancement within Malaysia’s upstream sector, ensuring continued stewardship of Malaysia’s petroleum resources under the Petroleum Arrangement framework. By combining PETRONAS’ deep understanding of the domestic resource base with the specialised expertise of its partners, the arrangements are expected to support sustained production, maximise resource recovery and strengthen the resilience of Malaysia’s upstream ecosystem.

Mohd Jukris Abdul Wahab, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President & CEO of Upstream PETRONAS, said the partnerships reflect PETRONAS’ responsibility to steward the nation’s resources responsibly while ensuring continued value creation for the country and its stakeholders.

“As these assets mature, it is important that they continue to be supported by the right partnerships to sustain value creation responsibly and over the long term. This includes creating opportunities for state participation, while bringing in partners with complementary capabilities and relevant operating experience. This approach will position us to attract continued investment, strengthen industry capabilities, and support Malaysia’s energy security, while ensuring these assets continue to deliver value for the nation.”

PETRONAS remains committed to advancing Malaysia’s energy interests responsibly, while continuing to foster collaboration across federal and state stakeholders, industry partners, and the broader upstream ecosystem.

Issued by
Media Management, Channels & Media Relations
Group Strategic Relations & Communications
PETRONAS

SOURCE: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Nabil Basaruddin:
Tel: +6012-424 9750
Email: nabil.basaruddin@petronas.com

Name: Hana Naz Harun
Tel: +6010-455 3378
Email: hananazsulaeeqa.haru@petronas.com

--BERNAMA

KPMG in Malaysia continues to support Malaysian graduates in becoming future-ready talents

PIC 001: Foong Mun Kong, Managing Partner of KPMG in Malaysia, with the 2026 cohort of Young Star scholars

To date, the Education Trust Fund (ETF) has invested more than RM1.8 million

PETALING JAYA, June 10 (Bernama) -- Coming back strong in its third year, KPMG in Malaysia recently awarded 24 scholars through its Young Star Scholarship Program, with a one-time financial support ranging from RM 8,000 to RM 10,000. This reinforces its ongoing commitment to supporting accessible higher education and cultivating future-ready talents, particularly those from B40 and underserved communities.

Established in 2022, the Young Star Scholarship Program is part of the broader umbrella of the KPMG Education Trust Fund (ETF), together with KPMG Young Spark Sponsorship, which supports primary and secondary school students, and the KPMG Young Excellence Sponsorship, that recognize the children of KPMG in Malaysia employees. This ETF is backed by a RM5 million pledge from the Partners of KPMG in Malaysia, structured to disburse RM500,000 annually over 10 years.

Since its establishment, the Education Trust Fund (ETF) has supported 983 beneficiaries, with a total investment of more than RM1.8 million. This includes RM682,000 awarded through the Young Star Scholarship Program to 77 scholars over the past three years, underscoring KPMG’s global 10by30 commitment to positively impact 10 million underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth by 2030 by expanding access to education and opportunity.

Foong Mun Kong, Managing Partner of KPMG in Malaysia, said: “At KPMG in Malaysia, we recognize that the next generation will enter a world defined by rapid transformation, including the rise of AI and increasing macroeconomic complexity. In this context, success will not be defined by having all the answers, but by adaptability, agility, and continuous learning. The Young Star Scholarship Program reflects this conviction. It provides access to higher education and builds the resilience and capabilities students need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Besides financial support to complete their professional papers, the scholarship also provides a structured pathway that includes a guaranteed internship placement and a one-year employment bond upon graduation. Scholars are also supported through ongoing mentorship and professional development, complemented by exposure to firm-led learning, leadership development, and sustainability-focused CSR initiatives throughout their journey.

“The future belongs to those who learn, unlearn, and relearn. This is the spirit behind our commitment to shaping future-ready talent, and individuals who are prepared not just for today’s challenges, but for the possibilities of tomorrow.” added Foong.

For more information, visit: kpmg.com.my/EducationTrustFund. A brochure is attached for further details on the program.

Link: KPMG Young Star Brochure 2026

SOURCE: KPMG PLT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Andrew Leong
Assistant Manager, Marketing & Communications
KPMG in Malaysia
Tel: 017-4737042
Email: kaijianleong@kpmg.com.my

Name: Khadijah Zainal
Senior Executive, Marketing & Communications
KPMG in Malaysia
Tel: 011-11468571
Email: khadijahzainal@kpmg.com.my

--BERNAMA

Fiamma Sharpens Product Development Strategy to Capture Malaysia’s Evolving Home Appliance Market

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) -- Fiamma Holdings Bhd is sharpening its product development strategy as it expands beyond its traditional kitchen appliance base into broader home, lifestyle, cooling and healthcare-related categories.

Group chief executive officer Jimmy Tan Chee Wee said the group’s focus remains on understanding Malaysian consumers and developing products that are practical, relevant and suited to local living conditions.

“Malaysia is our home market. We understand how consumers live, cook, renovate and use appliances. That gives us an advantage when we work with partners to develop products that solve real pain points.”

Fiamma owns and distributes brands including ELBA, RUBINE, FABER, TUSCANI and HAUSTERN. It also distributes selected international brands across home appliance, healthcare and medical device categories.

Tan said Fiamma’s advantage lies in combining consumer insights, dealer feedback and supplier relationships to introduce products that meet local needs. Rather than moving immediately into manufacturing, the group remains focused on asset-light sourcing, product customisation and co-development with established factories.

“For now, our priority is product relevance, quality, speed to market and customer experience. Manufacturing is not something we are rushing into. It has to make commercial sense.”

Fiamma has been refreshing its brand portfolio. ELBA targets the mass-market segment, RUBINE is positioned around design and innovation, while FABER has been repositioned with a contemporary identity focused on small domestic appliances and lifestyle-led products.

Tan said the product strategy is built around products, partners and people. Before launching new models, Fiamma studies consumer behaviour, market data, competitor offerings and dealer feedback, followed by prototype testing, technical vetting, certification and after-sales readiness.

Recent developments include a slimline instantaneous water heater with energy optimisation and sensing features to help maintain water temperature despite water pressure fluctuations.

Fiamma is also enhancing kitchen ventilation products, including cooker hoods for condominiums and homes without external ducting, with some models using sensor-driven features to adjust fan speed based on cooking fumes.

Beyond kitchen appliances, Fiamma is expanding into laundry, cleaning, dishwashing and cooling solutions as part of its broader home-solutions strategy.

In air-conditioning, the group established a distribution joint venture under the VINO brand with a Zhuhai-based manufacturer. Operations began in July 2025, with Fiamma focusing on channel development, installer training, after-sales readiness and project specification work.

“The first two to three years are about building confidence. Air-conditioning is not just about selling a box. Installation and service quality are critical.”

The group is also building its healthcare and medical devices business, covering hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and consumer healthcare outlets, supported by rising health awareness and an ageing population.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, Fiamma’s revenue rose 5.9% year-on-year to RM104.36 million, supported mainly by the Trading and Services segment, which grew 11.6% to RM87.0 million. Profit normalised to RM10.75 million from RM36.19 million a year earlier, as the previous corresponding quarter included non-recurring gains.

“We want growth, but it must be profitable growth. The market is competitive, so we must be disciplined.”

SOURCE : Aegis Communication

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Jason Fong
Tel: +6012-8631134
Email: jason@aegiscomm.com.my

--BERNAMA

DIGITAL REALTY LAUNCHES MALAYSIA PLATFORM, TARGETS 32MW DATA CENTRE CAPACITY

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) -- Digital Realty has launched its Malaysia platform, marking a key milestone in its Asia Pacific expansion, with plans to develop and scale its data centre capacity in the country to approximately 32 megawatts (MW).

The launch signals Digital Realty's commitment to supporting Malaysia's ambition to become a leading digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Southeast Asia, while integrating the country into its global platform designed for interconnection, resilience and scale.

Malaysia's Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo said the investment represents an important step in strengthening the country's position as a sovereign, interconnected and sustainable digital infrastructure hub, adding that investments in advanced digital infrastructure such as this are essential to supporting Malaysia's AI ambitions and strengthening its position as a regional innovation hub.

Meanwhile, Digital Realty Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, Serene Nah said growing digital adoption and increasingly distributed AI-driven workloads are driving demand for scalable and highly interconnected infrastructure.

“Malaysia plays a key role as an interconnection hub within our regional footprint, enabling customers to seamlessly deploy and manage workloads across markets. By integrating our Cyberjaya facilities into PlatformDIGITAL, we will extend a connected data community that spans key hubs such as Singapore and Jakarta,” she said.

Anchored in Cyberjaya, the campus is designed to support Malaysian enterprises as they transition from traditional information technology (IT) environments to hybrid architectures and AI-driven applications, according to Digital Realty in a statement.

The campus will comprise three facilities connected by dedicated fibre, namely KUL10, an operational carrier-dense facility with 1.5MW of IT capacity; KUL11, a newly acquired purpose-built data centre with 15MW of IT capacity; and a future expansion site planned for a new 14MW data centre.

Digital Realty plans to upgrade KUL10 to its global standards, nearly doubling its capacity by the fourth quarter of 2027, while the new facility is targeted for completion in mid-2028 to support hybrid colocation and AI-ready deployments.

Together, the facilities will form a highly connected platform supported by more than 40 network service providers and a broad ecosystem of cloud and connectivity partners.

Customers in Malaysia will also be able to connect to Digital Realty's global platform of more than 300 data centres across over 30 countries, enabling low-latency connectivity and seamless deployment of workloads across key regional hubs, including Singapore and Jakarta.

-- BERNAMA

12B SPORTS Secures Main Sponsorship Deal With VR46 Racing Team

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- 12B SPORTS has been appointed Main Sponsor of the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team for the 2026 MotoGP World Championship season, marking the sports media platform’s largest motorsport partnership to date.

Under the agreement, the 12B SPORTS brand will feature prominently on the team’s motorcycles and racing suits throughout the season, according to a statement.

“VR46 is more than a racing team. It is a symbol of passion, authenticity and the spirit of MotoGP.

“As Main Sponsor, we are proud to stand alongside one of the sport’s most iconic teams and bring fans even closer to the moments that define it,” said 12B SPORTS spokesperson, Rory Anderson.

Meanwhile, VR46 Agency chief executive officer, Gianluca Falcioni said the partnership would help both parties engage a global audience of sports fans and strengthen the team’s international reach.

Founded by nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi, the VR46 Racing Team is among the most recognisable outfits in MotoGP and fields riders Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli.

The partnership aims to strengthen fan engagement and expand access to MotoGP content, stories and experiences for audiences worldwide.

-- BERNAMA

Shipping industry expo in China's Tianjin highlights AI opportunities

TIANJIN, China, June 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 4th Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo (TISIE) opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on June 2, was organized by Zhenwei International Exhibition Group, showcasing growing AI opportunities in the shipping industry.
Themed shipping to the world and navigating towards the future with AI leading new opportunities for the development of ports and shipping, the four-day expo covered fields such as green shipping, maritime equipment, logistics services and more. It aimed to promote global shipping cooperation, industry investment, and trade exchange.

Xu Kai, chief information officer of Shanghai International Shipping Institute, said that China has built the world's largest network of automated container terminals, with notable breakthroughs in unmanned shore cranes, intelligent guided vehicles and automated yards.

"Terminal equipment should not only operate efficiently but also perform regional dynamic optimization based on real-time fluctuations in vessel arrivals, sudden weather changes and instantaneous cargo flow surges," Xu said. "This requires AI to evolve from executing commands to autonomous reasoning, and from single-machine intelligence to group collaboration."

Waqas Samad, CEO of Lloyd's List Intelligence, said that with the world's largest fleet, and as the world's biggest shipbuilder and producer of shipping containers, China plays a key role in today's shipping landscape. But more importantly, China represents something significant about the future of shipping, not just scale and infrastructure, but the combination of connectivity, technology and intelligence.

"AI will reshape our industry in practical and powerful ways," said Thomas Sim, President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations.

He noted that AI should empower freight forwarders, not replace their professional judgment; enhance human capability, not remove accountability; and strengthen the role of freight forwarders as trusted logistics architects, not reduce them to platform users.

Feng Boming, vice president of China Merchants Group Limited, said that AI was evolving from a conversational assistant that supports decision-making and improves efficiency to an action-oriented intelligent agent capable of autonomously understanding intentions, invoking tools and executing specific tasks.

"However, greater autonomy also entails greater security responsibilities," Feng said. "We must clearly recognize that behind AI's empowerment of thousands of industries, various new types of security risks and governance challenges continue to emerge, posing entirely new challenges to the orderly development of the industry and the safe operation of the sector."

Zhenwei International Exhibition Group
Xuexia Zhang
xuexia@zhenweiexpo.com
https://zhenweiexpo.com
Tianjin

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cb6ee53a-e66b-427a-b116-4cfdd7b41a55

SOURCE: Zhenwei International Exhibition Group

--BERNAMA

SKHTU Obtains US SEC License, Ushering in a New Era of Crypto Compliance

DENVER, June 3 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As global crypto market regulatory systems become increasingly sophisticated, compliance has become an inevitable trend for trading platform development. SKHTU Exchange recently announced its official acquisition of an operating license from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), making it one of the few compliant trading platforms meeting US securities regulatory standards. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough in the SKHTU compliance framework and lays a solid foundation for its global strategy.

The SEC, as the most authoritative financial regulator worldwide, sets licensing standards covering asset custody, investor protection, information disclosure, and anti-money laundering (AML), among other stringent requirements. Obtaining this certification means the platform must achieve the same standards as traditional securities markets in operational transparency, fund security, and compliance governance.

With the SEC license, SKHTU Exchange can provide legitimate trading services in the US and other regulated markets, covering spot, derivatives, asset management, and RWA (real-world asset) business areas. This gives the platform higher market access qualifications and provides institutional clients and multinational investors with a secure, regulation-compliant investment environment.

The SKHTU Exchange compliance team stated: “Obtaining the SEC license is not only a breakthrough in compliance, but also represents our long-term commitment to global users. Regulatory involvement is not a restriction, but the starting point for trust. We aim to provide reliable financial services for investors with a higher-standard regulatory framework.”

Industry experts believe that the SEC license is a key sign of crypto trading platforms entering the institutional stage, enabling platforms to play a deeper role in capital markets and providing a legal foundation for RWA tokenization, compliant issuance of financial derivatives, and cross-border asset allocation. As global regulatory consensus forms, platforms with SEC qualifications will have significant advantages in future market competition.

This milestone symbolizes a critical leap in the compliance landscape of SKHTU Exchange. From the crypto ecosystem to traditional finance, SKHTU uses compliance as a bridge to build safe and sustainable digital financial infrastructure, offering global users a more robust investment environment.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8505d29a-d3fe-4f9f-8ef3-e5ce250001b5

Contact: Ridzuan-support@skhtu.org

SOURCE: Skhtu Exchange Services Ltd

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA

BLACKSTONE CLOSES LARGEST ASIA PRIVATE EQUITY FUND AT US$13.1 BLN

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- Blackstone, an alternative asset manager, has announced the final close of Blackstone Capital Partners Asia III (BCP Asia III) at US$13.1 billion, exceeding its US$10 billion target and marking the firm's largest private equity fundraise in Asia. (US$1=RM3.96)

The oversubscribed fund reached its hard cap and builds on the strong performance of the strategy’s first two vintages, with this close representing more than double the amount of capital raised for its predecessor vehicle.

“We are grateful for the continued trust of our investors in Blackstone and our leading Asia Private Equity franchise. This successful fundraise reflects the strength of our platform and our ability to perform through cycles,” said Blackstone Private Equity Strategies Global Head, Joe Baratta in a statement.

Meanwhile, Blackstone Private Equity Head of Asia, Amit Dixit said: “We believe our differentiation lies in our scale, supported by homegrown teams across the region’s major markets; strong performance; and our control-orientated strategy that enables us to have a hands-on, proactive approach to supporting business transformations. We thank our investors for their support and partnership.”

The firm invested more than US$7 billion across 12 transactions in the region over the past 24 months.

The investments include Neysa, a fast-growing Indian artificial intelligence cloud platform; TechnoPro, Japan's leading specialised engineering services provider; and JUNO, South Korea's top hair salon franchise.

Blackstone also completed 15 exits during the same period, including the listings of International Gemological Institute and Aadhar Housing Finance, as well as its exit from Alinamin Pharmaceutical in Japan.

-- BERNAMA

INSTRUQT REPORT FINDS 92 PCT FACE DEVELOPER ADOPTION CHALLENGES

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- Instruqt has released its annual report, The State of Developer Adoption, revealing that 92 per cent of respondents face at least one significant developer adoption challenge.

According to Instruqt in a statement, the most cited causes are misalignment across teams (27 per cent), technology complexity (26 per cent), and the difficulty of keeping content accurate as products ship weekly (25 per cent).

The report is the first independent benchmark examining how marketing, sales and education teams are responding to the widening gap between the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) feature releases and the pace at which customers can adopt them.

Based on a SlashData 2026 survey involving 424 marketing, sales and developer education practitioners at North American software companies, the report found that organisations using hands-on learning experiences were approximately 50 per cent more likely to report developers reaching productivity within two months than those that did not.

The findings also point to a structural shift in how business-to-business (B2B) software companies need to operate as AI adoption accelerates.

Other notable findings include developer communities remaining the most underutilised adoption lever, high-impact pre-sales experiences being underused, differing definitions of successful hands-on experiences across teams, and growing AI adoption despite declining confidence in some applications.

For developer-focused software companies, the report suggests that customer adoption is becoming an increasingly important determinant of growth as innovation cycles accelerate.

As part of broader adoption strategies, many fast-growing software companies have invested heavily in hands-on education, self-paced labs, interactive product experiences and developer enablement programmes.

Earlier this month, Google Cloud Security selected Instruqt to launch its Agentic SOC experience at Google Cloud Next 2026, training 50 practitioners in a single workshop with a dedicated Vertex AI environment for each participant.

-- BERNAMA

ANCIENT ROYAL ANTIQUITIES HEADLINE TIMELINE AUCTIONS SALE

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 (Bernama) -- TimeLine Auctions showcased museum-quality antiquities from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and the western Mediterranean at its Antiquities & Ancient Art Auction, featuring rare artefacts linked to ancient kings, religious figures and classical civilisations.

Among the headline lots is a hemispherical bronze bowl bearing the cuneiform name of Manishtushu, who ruled the Akkadian Empire around 2270 to 2255 B.C., according to TimeLine Auctions in a statement.

The auction also feature an agate eye-bead inscribed with the name of Kurigalzu II and a banded agate cylinder seal carrying a Sumerian prayer to the storm god Adad from the Kassite period.


The Egyptian collection is led by a 40-centimetre basalt figure of the Saite customs official Wahibre, depicted kneeling while supporting an offering basin. The sculpture’s components, separated in the 19th century and held in different collections, have been reunited for auction for the first time.

Other Egyptian highlights include a 70-centimetre hollow-cast bronze figure of Osiris dating to the 26th Dynasty and a painted wooden stele linking Amun at Luxor with Osiris at Abydos.

In the Greek section, a sixth-century B.C. black-figure pyxis depicting the wedding procession of an Athenian bride and a fifth-century B.C. red-figure column krater featuring Europa alongside a Dionysian scene are featured.

The sale will also feature the Gravona bronzes, a group of 10 artefacts recovered from a railway cutting in Corsica in the 1880s and later documented by archaeologist Robert Forrer in 1924.

Following the live auction, TimeLine will continue with an online-only sale from June 3, covering a broad range of ancient art categories. The programme will conclude with an Ancient Coins auction on June 9 and 10 featuring weights, tokens, medals and books.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 1pm British Summer Time, with bidding available through absentee bids, telephone participation and online platforms. Worldwide shipping will be offered, with payments accepted in British pounds sterling.

-- BERNAMA

CGC TO IMPLEMENT RM10 BILLION BNM-CGC PORTFOLIO GUARANTEE SCHEMES FOR MSME GROWTH, INCLUSION AND RESILIENCE

PETALING JAYA, June 3 (Bernama) -- Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (“CGC”) will roll out the BNM-CGC Portfolio Guarantee (PG) and Portfolio Guarantee-i (PG-i) schemes, supporting up to RM10 billion in guaranteed financing for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Building on Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) earlier announcement, the schemes are designed to broaden MSMEs’ access to financing across growth and strategic sectors, with CGC serving as the implementation and risk-sharing platform alongside participating financial institutions.

This marks a shift from direct lending support through non-relief facilities toward a scalable, guarantee-based model that enables participating financial institutions to support viable MSMEs, including first-time borrowers and businesses investing in future growth.

The PG and PG-i schemes are structured around four policy objectives: expanding financial inclusion for underserved MSMEs, supporting climate and sustainability transition, improving productivity, and strengthening business resilience. These objectives translate into targeted support for microenterprises, startups, sustainability-focused businesses, enterprises in emerging and strategic sectors, and MSMEs investing in innovation, productivity and resilience.

President and Chief Executive Officer of CGC, Encik Mohamed Nazri Omar, said: “This signals a move from direct lending support toward a larger, guarantee-based financing model that enables financial institutions to lend with greater confidence to viable MSMEs, including first-time borrowers, smaller businesses, and enterprises investing in future growth. Through our targeted risk-sharing approach with participating financial institutions, we want to change the way they evaluate these underserved market segments to create new opportunities and contribute to a stronger and resilient economy.”

Unlike short-term facilities that primarily address immediate cash-flow and working-capital pressures, the PG and PG-i schemes are designed to support longer-term MSME growth, productivity upgrading, sustainability transition and resilience-building. They complement BNM’s SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF), which provides short-term relief of up to RM750,000 in working capital over tenures of up to 5 years, and the earlier RM300 million PG Relief Scheme, which offers targeted relief of RM20,000 to RM500,000, up to 90% coverage, and up to 7 years for affected MSMEs. Together, these initiatives span the full spectrum from immediate relief to long-term growth.

Under the PG and PG-i schemes, eligible MSMEs can access:

• Financing of up to RM10 million per MSME, supporting expansion and long-term investment
• Tenures of up to 10 years, offering flexible and manageable repayment terms
• Guarantee coverage of up to 85%, helping eligible MSMEs with limited collateral improve their access to financing, subject to credit assessment by participating financial institutions
• Guarantee fees from as low as 1%, keeping overall costs affordable

For further details on the schemes, visit CGC’s website at www.cgc.com.my (BNM-CGC Portfolio Guarantee schemes page). Alternatively, MSMEs may contact CGC’s Client Service Centre at 03-7880 0088, email csc@cgc.com.my, or reach out to any of CGC’s branches nationwide.

About CGC

Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Berhad (CGC) was established on 5 July 1972. It is 78.65% owned by Bank Negara Malaysia and 21.35% by the commercial banks in Malaysia. CGC aims to assist Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) with inadequate or without collateral and track records to obtain credit facilities from financial institutions by providing guarantee cover on such facilities. As of April 2026, CGC has availed over 547,000 guarantees and financing to MSMEs valued at over RM104 billion since its establishment.

On 9 February 2018, CGC introduced imSME, Malaysia’s first MSME online financing/loan referral platform. The imSME serves as an alternative channel for MSMEs to source for financing products, saving them both the time and the hassle of going through time-consuming processes. Since inception, the imSME portal had received more than 3.19 million visits, with more than 144,987 registered MSMEs under the portal.

For more information, please visit www.cgc.com.my and imsme.com.my.

SOURCE: Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Azman Idrus
Head of Strategic Management & Communications
Name: Azri Zulfadli Fadil
Head of Branding & Events
Email: ccsr@cgc.com.my

--BERNAMA

Mevion Medical Systems and Tam Anh General Hospital Partner to Bring Advanced Proton Therapy to Vietnam

Bridging the Gap in Cancer Care with Practical, Accessible, and High-Precision Technology

LITTLETON, Mass., May 28 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mevion Medical Systems has signed a definitive purchase agreement to bring the MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System™ to Tam Anh General Hospital in Vietnam. This would be the first proton therapy system in Vietnam. This signing reflects a broader shift in cancer care: proton therapy is becoming more practical to deploy, enabling more hospitals to bring advanced treatment closer to the patients who need it. Both the MEVION S250-FIT™ and MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System® have recently received regulatory approval in Vietnam, marking an important step toward clinical implementation. 

The introduction of proton therapy at Tam Anh General Hospital marks a turning point for cancer care in Southeast Asia and is facilitated by TD Tech Company, Mevion’s distributor in Vietnam. By establishing this domestic capability, Vietnam joins a growing group of countries expanding access to advanced proton therapy, ensuring that Vietnamese patients have access to world-class treatment within their own borders. The MEVION S250-FIT system at Tam Anh General Hospital is expected to become operational as early as late 2027, upon the inauguration of Tam Anh’s new facility in Phu My Hung, one of Vietnam’s most modern urban areas. 

Proton therapy is widely regarded as one of the most advanced forms of radiation treatment available today. Unlike conventional photon (X-ray) radiation therapy, proton beams can precisely deposit the majority of their energy directly within the tumor while minimizing exit dose beyond the target. This level of precision reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues and helps lessen treatment-related side effects in select clinical scenarios, particularly for complex tumors and pediatric cancers. 

MEVION S250-FIT™: Making Proton Therapy a Reality 

The cornerstone of this partnership is the MEVION S250-FIT, a breakthrough technology designed to make proton therapy a practical reality for hospitals worldwide. Historically, proton therapy required massive, multi-story facilities and decade-long planning cycles. The FIT™ platform changes this paradigm, enabling advanced care to be deployed with unprecedented ease:

• Bunker-Ready Design: It is the only FDA-cleared proton system designed for installation in a standard, existing radiation therapy vault.
• Rapid Deployment: By eliminating the need for massive new construction, the FIT allows hospitals to begin treating patients much faster than traditional systems.
• Operational Simplicity: The FIT system fits directly into conventional oncology workflows, using AI-driven treatment planning and integrated diagnostic CT imaging.
• Upright Patient Positioning: The installation will feature an upright patient positioning system from Leo Cancer Care, providing enhanced flexibility in patient setup and a more comfortable experience for those treated in a seated position.
• State-of-the-art Treatment Planning: Powered by RaySearch Laboratories, the RayStation®* treatment planning system features multi-criteria optimization, HYPERSCAN® and DirectARC™ planning, and highly accurate dose engines tailored specifically for advanced proton therapy.

Leadership Vision

"Our partnership with Tam Anh General Hospital marks an important step in Mevion’s mission to make the most advanced cancer care accessible to patients worldwide," said Tina Yu, Ph.D., CEO and President of Mevion Medical Systems. "By integrating the MEVION S250-FIT into their oncology program, Tam Anh is demonstrating how the next generation of compact proton therapy can be seamlessly adopted by leading health systems to deliver precise, life-saving treatment closer to home."

“As one of Vietnam’s leading general hospital systems in terms of clinical excellence, advanced and specialized technologies, and comprehensive services, Tam Anh has consistently taken the lead in acquiring world-class, cutting-edge medical technologies and equipment,” said Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tam Anh General Hospital Group. “The purchase of the next-generation MEVION S250-FIT™ Proton Therapy System marks a significant milestone, not only for the Tam Anh General Hospital Group but also as a major step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to access and effectively deploy the world’s most advanced medical technologies in cancer care. This event reaffirms Tam Anh’s strategic vision of making large-scale, comprehensive investments in healthcare in general, and oncology in particular, serving millions of Vietnamese people as well as international patients, in alignment with international standards of quality, clinical effectiveness, and patient safety.”

About Mevion Medical Systems

Mevion Medical Systems is a leading provider of compact proton therapy systems for cancer care. Dedicated to advancing the design and accessibility of proton therapy worldwide, Mevion pioneered the single-room platform and continues to further the science and application of proton therapy. Since 2013, Mevion compact proton therapy single-room systems have been used by leading cancer centers for treating patients. Mevion’s series of products, including the flagship MEVION S250i® and MEVION S250-FIT™ with HYPERSCAN® pencil beam scanning, represent the world’s most compact proton therapy systems that eliminate the obstacles of size, complexity, and cost. Mevion is headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts with a presence in Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.mevion.com.

About Tam Anh General Hospital Group

Tam Anh General Hospital Group is a high-tech hospital system delivering advanced diagnostics and treatment, specialized care, and training and research meeting international standards. After a decade of development, the Tam Anh General Hospital Group has become one of Vietnam’s leading modern private healthcare systems. The system currently operates five facilities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, serving more than two million patient visits each year, including tens of thousands of international patients. For more information, please visit: https://tamanhhospital.vn. 

About TD Tech Company

Toan Dien Medical Technology Company Limited (TD Tech Company) is a medical device distributor in Vietnam with more than twenty years of experience in the field of radiation oncology. For more information, please visit: https://xatri.vn.

*RaySearch products are subject to regulatory clearance in some markets.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260526647140/en/ 

Contact
Media Contact:
Jacqueline Abner-Pongratz
Jacqueline.Pongratz@Mevion.com 

Source : Mevion Medical Systems

--BERNAMA

TSplus Deploys Remote Access Solution At Malaysia’s Kangar Municipal Council

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- TSplus marks a major milestone in Southeast Asia with the successful deployment of its Remote Access solution at the Kangar Municipal Council (MP Kangar), the capital municipal authority of Perlis State, Malaysia.

TSplus announced it has deployed its Remote Access solution at the Kangar Municipal Council (MP Kangar) in Perlis, Malaysia, in a project aimed at supporting the authority’s smart city development plans.

The deployment, delivered in partnership with Malaysian technology distributor Aswant Group, is intended to support MP Kangar’s roadmap to achieve Level 1 certification under Malaysia’s Smart City Framework by 2026, the company said in a statement.

TSplus said the system provides secure remote access for hybrid government operations, enabling municipal employees and smart city operators to access applications through a centralised digital workspace.

The solution integrates TSplus Remote Access, Centerm enterprise thin clients, KasperskyOS-based cybersecurity technology, TSplus Universal Printing, and a dedicated RDP-based connection client to simplify user access.

The company said the platform allows centralised management of information technology (IT) infrastructure and enables rapid recovery in the event of device failure, while reducing hardware and maintenance costs compared with traditional personal computer (PC) environments.

MP Kangar’s IT operations can replace endpoints within minutes without affecting municipal systems, the company said, adding that implementation was completed in less than one week.

TSplus said the deployment represents its first public reference in Malaysia and could serve as a model for other municipal councils in the country as demand for secure and scalable remote access infrastructure grows across Southeast Asia.

-- BERNAMA

Holafly partners with Valientes Colombia to support community-led initiatives and address the social impact of tourism

DUBLIN, May 28 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As discussions about responsible travel move beyond sustainability toward real impact, Holafly, the global eSIM provider for travelers, announces a partnership with Valientes Colombia, a locally led organization that prevents exploitation and supports vulnerable communities through education and long-term initiatives.

The collaboration comes as destinations such as Colombia see strong growth in international tourism, creating new opportunities while also revealing realities that are harder to ignore in certain regions. Among these realities, the presence of exploitative dynamics linked to tourism, including forms of sexual exploitation, remains a complex issue that cannot be addressed from a distance and requires sustained, on-the-ground work.

Holafly approaches this partnership with a clear conviction: that travel should care, not only about the experience itself, but about the people, communities, and environments that make it possible. “As a global travel brand, we see our role as extending beyond enabling travel and taking an active position in promoting a more responsible, conscious, and safe way of moving across borders, particularly in contexts where mobility and digital environments can intersect with social risks that are not always visible to travelers,” said Pedro Maiquez, co-founder and VP of Growth at Holafly.

This perspective reflects a growing awareness that travel can shape local realities in different ways, and that being part of the industry requires engaging with those contexts in a more thoughtful and consistent manner. The partnership with Valientes Colombia supports an organization that works directly with communities and combines research, school-based prevention programs, and on-the-ground action to better understand these challenges, raise awareness, and respond when needed.

The collaboration also reflects Holafly’s commitment to understanding responsibility beyond environmental terms, and to being part of a broader conversation about the role travel plays in society, one that increasingly includes people, communities, and local contexts.

By supporting Valientes Colombia, Holafly aims to contribute to a more responsible and inclusive approach to travel; one that extends beyond the experience itself and considers the lasting impact on the communities that make those journeys possible.

About Holafly
Holafly is the global leader in eSIMs for travelers, delivering coverage in over 200 destinations. With an outstanding 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and more than 15 million satisfied users, it has become the preferred eSIM choice for international travelers. Its unlimited data and build-in back up plan offering ensures peace of mind anywhere in the world.

About Valientes Colombia
Valientes Colombia is a locally led organization dedicated to preventing exploitation and supporting vulnerable communities through education, awareness, and long-term development programs. By working directly with communities, the organization creates opportunities that strengthen social resilience and promote safer, more sustainable local environments. 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af655282-d5a8-4df5-9cb0-1d282914357c 

Media contact: press@holafly.com 

SOURCE: Holafly

--BERNAMA