Category: Literacy

Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies company and global leader in machine vision technology, has announced its next generation artificial intelligence (AI)-powered BOA3 smart camera for industrial automation and inspection. 'The new BOA3 is an exciting next step in our smart camera development. Its modular and flexible architecture will allow us to offer new and powerful solutions for embedded machine vision inspections,' said Teledyne DALSA Product Line Manager, Vision Systems, Szymon Chawarski. The new BOA3 smart camera is designed to leverage the best features from previous BOA generations and combine them with new sensor and AI inspection technologies developed by Teledyne. In a statement, Teledyne DALSA said BOA3 is a highly integrated vision system in a compact, rugged smart camera format designed to meet the needs of the most complex, demanding machine vision applications. It offers sensor resolutions from 1.2 to 12 megapixels (MP), integrated or C-mount lens options, onboard input/output (I/O) , and includes easy-to-use machine vision software, all in one common platform. Furthermore, BOA3 smart cameras deliver the flexibility and uncompromised functionality to enable quick, cost-effective embedded machine vision deployments. BOA3 comes with iNspect, an easy-to-use, no-code inspection development software with tools for positioning, part locating, pattern matching, measuring, barcode reading, feature or defect detection, including automatic reading of characters (OCR) based on a pre-trained AI inference network. The smart camera models with 1.2MP, 5MP, and 12MP monochrome sensors are available now, while colour versions are planned for release at the end of this year. New sensor and lens options will be added to the platform in 2025. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The government is dedicated to advancing the country's digital transformation and digital economy as critical components in enhancing Malaysia's industrial economic complexity, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on X, Anwar said it is the government's objective to position Malaysia as a leading generative artificial intelligence (AI) hub, both regionally and globally, by fortifying its digital infrastructure through collaboration with investors and partners. He said Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com Inc. company, has been a steadfast partner in the nation's digital transformation journe'The launch of the AWS Region, along with its 15-year investment plan, demonstrates AWS's unwavering long-term commitment to Malaysia,' he added. Anwar said AWS' RM29.2 billion investment in the AWS (Malaysia) Region project is projected to contribute RM57.3 billion to Malaysia's gross domestic product between 2024 and 2038. The investment is expected to create over 3,500 jobs directly from new data centres, he said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has not yet reached a decision regarding the proposed Labuan Integrated Port, intended to replace the over 50-year-old Labuan Liberty Wharf. Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah said any discussions on the project could only begin after key assessments and plans are finalised. 'At the moment, the Ministry cannot provide details on the proposed Labuan Integrated Port at the Rancha-Rancha Industrial Area because the Labuan port master plan has not been completed, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has yet to be conducted, and the overall direction is unclear,' he told a press conference after visiting Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd at Labuan Liberty Wharf. Hasbi emphasised that a feasibility study must be conducted before any concrete decisions are made, noting that the Labuan Port Authority (LPA) will play a crucial role in this process. He also mentioned that the MoT is factoring in the Labuan Development Blueprint 2030, which allocates around 200 acres of land for the potential port. However, Hasbi said, the transition of the Labuan Port Authority into a standalone entity, separate from the Bintulu Port Authority, has not yet been finalised. 'The issue of land and ecosystem preparation must be resolved before further discussions on the Labuan Integrated Port can take place,' he said. Despite the current delays, Hasbi expressed optimism that once the LPA is officially recognised as a standalone authority, the proposed Labuan Integrated Port will receive the necessary attention for further development. Meanwhile, Hasbi highlighted the significant role played by the Labuan Port Authority (LPA) in ensuring the safety of the ageing jetty at the Labuan Liberty Wharf for both vessels and cargo operations. 'Safety measures must be undertaken by the LPA to guarantee that the jetty remains secure for port activities…the last major renovation was carried out in the 1980s,' he said. Hasbi said the RM22 million upgrade to the existing Labuan Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Ferry Terminal, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is set to proceed as planned. 'We are awaiting the details of the allocation to be confirmed in the upcoming 2025 Budget, set to be announced in October,' he said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The development of Westports Holdings Bhd's phase two container terminal expansion from terminals 10 to 17 is a significant step to strengthen Malaysia's position as a global maritime and logistics hub. Westports executive chairman and group managing director Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam Abdullah said the construction of eight new container terminals will double Westports' container handling capacity from 14 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 28 million TEUs. "The construction of these new container terminals (Westports 2 expansion) is not only crucial to meet current demand but also to prepare for the anticipated growth in trade volume over the next decade," he said in his welcoming speech at the groundbreaking ceremony today. Ruben noted that nine terminals are currently operating at an 80 per cent capacity and are expected to reach full capacity in the coming years. "This prompted us to make the decision to expand terminal capacity," he added. He said Westports 2 expansion is expected to c ontribute RM55 billion to the Malaysian economy over the project's duration based on PricewaterhouseCoopers's economic impact assessment report dated Dec 12, 2022. "To date, Westports has contributed nearly RM4 billion to the government through corporate taxes and lease payments," he said. This is projected to rise significantly over the next 30 years due to the new Westports 2 agreement. "In addition, the land purchased for the development of Westports 2, valued at over RM600 million, will eventually be transferred to the government free of charge," he said. Westports 2 will also include the creation of a new free zone covering 222.58 hectares. This is expected to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) and encourage regional and global distribution centres to be set up. IKEA, Robert Bosch, and Marks and Spencer are already operating there. A tripartite collaboration between Westports, the Federal and the Selangor State Government was also announced at the same event. "Westports is proud to launch the Selangor environmental conservation and cultural alliance in collaboration with Selangor Maritime Getaway and Yayasan Hijau Malaysia. The partnership is committed to sustainable environmental conservation of mangrove swamps, marine life, and community development, Ruben added. Port Klang took the 11th spot in Lloyd's 2023 list of top 100 ports from 13th place in 2022. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook targeted Port Klang to be in the top 10 next next year. The port showed positive growth in container handling, with a 10.5 per cent increase in import and export trade versus a year ago. In 2023, Port Klang handled a total of 14.06 million TEUs, representing a 6.3 per cent increase from 13.22 million TEUs in 2022. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Japan, South Korea and China have agreed to channel technical expertise to ASEAN to empower the development of the renewable energy (RE) and clean energy sector. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the commitment by the three countries was given during the ASEAN Energy Ministers' Meeting (AMEM) + 3 (China, Japan, South Korea) here today. "I made a statement earlier to thank them and we do expect technical assistance, especially in terms of technology to switch to clean energy and RE," he told Malaysian media on the last day of the 42nd AMEM and related meetings from Sept 26-27. As Vice Chairman of AMEM, Fadillah said the same assistance is also expected by ASEAN from other developed countries such as the United States, Russia and Australia for the development of the sector. In the meantime, after a bilateral meeting with Vietnam outside the 42nd AMEM conference today, Fadillah informed that Malaysia will accelerate efforts to extend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) of an existing oil and gas exploration cooperation between Petronas and a Vietnamese oil company. "The MOU will expire and Petronas already has a team to submit an extension of the MOU of up to 20 years so that the investment can continue. A Vietnam minister has said the matter will be brought back home to speed up the process and expressed hope that the MOU could be continued," he said. Apart from that, he said Malaysia also presented the interest of Gentari Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Petronas and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to invest in Vietnam in the wind energy industry. "The Vietnamese side asked us to give a concept proposal because they are also evaluating many other proposals, and it is certain that with a Malaysian company establishing a joint venture with a government subsidiary in Vietnam, it will be given relatively good consideration," he added. At the same time, Fadillah said Vietnam also asked for Malaysia's views on its plan to supply energy to Singapore via Malaysia through undersea cables. "We have presented o ur views and agreed for this matter to be discussed among Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore jointly," he said, adding that the plan would connect energy supplies from Vietnam to Singapore through Kelantan. Fadillah also shared about Philippines' desire to cooperate in the development of biofuels. "They have a lot of materials for biofuels. I suggest to them to submit officially so that we can form a team to evaluate the matter and work together," he said. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

OB Holdings Bhd (OB Holdings) aims to raise RM28.8 million from its initial public offering (IPO), pursuant to its listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia on Oct 29. OB Holdings provides fully customisable, end-to-end manufacturing services for fortified food and beverages (F and B) and dietary supplements to third-party brand owners. Its managing director Teoh Eng Sia said of the total proceeds, RM14.9 million will be used to repay bank borrowings incurred from the construction of its new factory and land acquisition in Serendah, Selangor. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Malaysia must act swiftly in navigating the intensifying regional competition to avoid being left behind, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In his keynote address at the Westports 2 groundbreaking ceremony here today, he emphasised the importance of implementing government policies to attract investments and trade. 'We cannot operate in isolation as we are facing a dynamic region and the competition is fierce. If we are slow, and if we think minor achievements are enough to be proud of, we will fall behind,' said Anwar. He noted that investors place great importance on a nation's capability in implementing its industrial and digital policies, along with transparency in executing investor-friendly policies The Prime Minister said the government's efforts to facilitate businesses, including fast-tracking approvals, improving efficiency, and eradicating corruption, have been acknowledged by foreign investors, such as Amazon Web Services, a subsidiary of Amazon.com Inc., which has committed to inv esting in the country. He also urged agencies and corporations to adopt a similar approach to ensure Malaysia remains a preferred economic and industrial hub in the region, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and digital industries. On the same note, Anwar commended Westports' strong performance and encouraged Malaysian ports to enhance their infrastructure and ecosystem to support the nation's aspirations in boosting investments and trade. He added that Westports' capability as a global maritime and logistics hub is internationally recognised, and its position will be further strengthened with the expansion of new container terminals under Westports 2. The second phase of the terminal expansion by Westports Holdings Bhd, covering terminals CT10 to CT17, will double Westports' container handling capacity to 28 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from the current 14 million TEUs. Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Mitsubishi Corporation have signed new agreements to further leverage Petronas' capabilities in delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to international markets, primarily targeting customers in Japan. The agreements outline Mitsubishi Corporation's investment in the Malaysia LNG (MLNG) Dua and MLNG Tiga projects for the next decade. This includes extending its 10 per cent equity shareholding in MLNG Dua and reinvesting in a 10 per cent equity shareholding in MLNG Tiga. In a statement today, Petronas said the agreements reaffirm Mitsubishi Corporation's ongoing participation in both ventures, as well as in related marketing activities and LNG deliveries from Bintulu to Japan. It said the strategic partnership underscores Malaysia's robust economic landscape, particularly in Sarawak, as an attractive destination for foreign direct investments. Petronas president/group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik said that with the strengthened synergy, the nat ional oil firm is looking forward to further successes in the MLNG Dua and MLNG Tiga projects. 'Together with Mitsubishi Corporation and with the support of the Sarawak state government, Petronas remains fully committed to ensuring a safe and reliable supply of LNG to fuel the economies of Malaysia, Japan, and our global customers as we work towards a sustainable, lower-carbon future,' he added. The Petronas LNG complex, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation, has been supplying LNG to long-term Japanese contract buyers since 1983. Petronas also shared that the complex comprises four joint ventures: MLNG, MLNG Dua, MLNG Tiga, and PETRONAS LNG 9, with a combined production capacity of 29.3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), making it one of the world's largest LNG facilities in a single location. In addition to its core natural gas business in Malaysia, Mitsubishi Corporation is also involved in 10 gas upstream blocks in Sarawak. The company has expanded its investments in Malaysia across other sectors such as automobiles, food, petrochemicals, metals, and steel, contributing approximately RM5 billion in total investment to the country last year. Source: BERNAMA News Agency