Petronas at the Kuala Lumpur International MotorShow (KLIMS) 2018

[Automotive News]
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
If you’ve been following my social media, you’d know that I visited the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 (KLIMS’18), which was held from 23 November to 2 December 2018 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The event was organised by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA), with the theme “Beyond Mobility”, and as it’s only held once every 3 to 5 years, I visited the show 3 times over the show duration.
Among the concept cars, vehicles launches and previews, car shows, automotive product demonstrations, and activities by the 74 automotive companies participating at KLIMS’18 was a huge showcase by PETRONAS.
PETRONAS showcased the innovation and technology behind their products and services towards the future, with the theme “Man, Machine, Mobility”. There was an interactive zone that included an immersive room highlighting the story of PETRONAS Fluid Technology Solutions™ (FTS), their winning fluid solution that propelled them to win the Formula One World Constructors’ Championship for the 5th time.
The star attraction of their showcase was definitely the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 car, powered by the winning combination of PETRONAS PRIMAX and PETRONAS SYNTIUM.

PETRONAS is also showcased a whole suite of their products and services including the PETRONAS PRIMAX fuels and PETRONAS lubricants for the cars and motorcycles, and non-fuel products like Kedai Mesra, Mornings@Mesra, Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Hot Wheels and other lifestyle solutions available at PETRONAS stations.
Petronas might soon make available their Formula 1 inspired merchandise at their stations

The Formula 1 simulators were a great hit among the young visitors
Other activities that were popular especially among the youth (and young at heart) was the eGaming simulators where the visitors could race around various Formula 1 circuits in the Petronas Mercedes F1 car with a minimum purchase of RM30 fuel or merchandise on that day.
There were also live gaming by a couple of Malaysia’s e-Sports gamers like Aiman Aqeem, Kel Iskandar Tanaka, Shahril Nindar, Jeff Low and more.

The “Meet The Expert” talk connected petrolheads to the experts who delved deep into the technicalities, sharing their experiences and tips on the track and on the road.
An exhibit that I was very excited about was the mini cafe – where you can get a cup of premium coffee at affordable prices (think McCafe concept) within the stations. This was also pretty popular with us media and visitors as we could get freshly brewed coffee and some pastries like currypuffs, etc. etc.
Petronas is in the midst of gathering feedback on this new concept but I really hope that they role this out soon at their key stations in the Klang Valley (Ed – Petronas Ara Damansara, Kota Damansara and TTDI please!) and beyond.
Now as I mentioned earlier – I visited KLIMS 2019 three times during the show, I tried to time one visit to coincide with 2016 Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg’s visit to the Petronas exhibition area.
Did not manage to catch him however I did see Valterri Bottas who toured the Petronas Booth.

Setel

During my visit on the media preview day, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (PDB) introduced us to Setel, the first e-payment solution for fuel purchases directly from mobile devices. Setel is a customised solution designed to integrate directly to the fuel pumps – the first in Southeast Asia – enabling customers to purchase fuel within a few clicks directly in the comfort of their vehicles.
“Pumping fuel shouldn’t be a chore. Currently, the payment process involves walking to cashier, waiting in line, a RM200-hold on your cards, and having to use a separate card to earn loyalty points. Setel eradicates these pain points and integrates payment and loyalty benefits in a seamless, frictionless experience. At Setel, we settle for you!” said Iskandar Ezzahuddin, Head of Setel.
“Since our beta-launch in July 2018, we have received many positive responses and feedback from over 10,000 users in our current pool. We also received overwhelming response from visitors at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2018 held last week,” he continued.
Setel is part of PDB’s initiatives to engage the start-up communities in co-creating innovative solutions to enhance customer experience.
“PETRONAS has been focusing on creating a new customer experience in our retail business by leveraging on the power of digital. Setel enables a seamless end-to-end experience that focuses on providing convenient and ease for fuel purchases at our customers’ fingertips. We are proud to be the first to offer this service in Malaysia,” said Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, Managing Director/CEO of PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad.
Dato’ Sri Syed Zainal Syed Mohd Tahir gave us media a private tour of their showcase on the media day, and he was a very genuine person who didn’t have any airs or talked down to us even though he’s a very senior person in Petronas (with a Dato’ Sri title to boot too!).
[Ed – This was in stark contrast to some of the very stuck up and arrogant PR or marketing executives/ managers of certain brands. Don’t get me wrong – there are also some nice and friendly public relations or marketing PR executives/ managers, and they just need to ask and I’ll usually oblige with editorial support for their brand.]
Setel can now be used at more than 40 stations within the Klang Valley, reaching 600 sites by June 2019 and is expected to go nationwide by the end of 2019. Setel is available on both Android and iOS platforms via Google Play and App Store. Beyond fuel purchase, customers would be able to purchase items at the Mesra stores beginning January 2019.
I personally downloaded and topped up the app, and sync-ed it to my Mesra Card. It’s a good way to track my petrol expenses which is especially important for people like me who run their own business. Besides, I’m a big advocate of digital innovations that help make life more convenient or efficient.
For more information on KLIMS’18, visit website http://www.klims.com.my
For more info on Petronas, head over to http://www.petronas.com
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GUESS Spring 2016 Collections Preview & GUESS Girl Model Search 2015

[Fashion]

GUESS Malaysia recently invited me over for the preview of their Spring 2016 collection at the GUESS boutique in Pavilion KL on 10 September 2015. Among the various celebrities in attendance was Amber Chia who was selected as a face of GUESS timepieces back in 2004.
The Guess Spring-Summer 2016 collection brings to life the picture‐perfect images of the most beautiful beaches in the world, from the Brazilian Copacabana to the French Riviera and on to Italy’s spectacular island of Capri. Here’s a look at the description of the main collection themes of SS2016 as announced by GUESS.

Copacabana
This tropical city look is designed for globe‐trotting It‐girls with a sporty yet glamorous dress sense and draws inspiration from the pulsating energy and smart vitality of the famous Rio de Janeiro beach. The garments, marked by iconic body shapes and figure‐enhancing technical materials, are enlivened with tropical prints, leopard motifs and botanical inspirations. The hues, from paradise green to frozen papaya and pink cocktail, call to mind the pop colours typical of Brazil. For him, a style‐conscious sporty look features 70s‐inspired geometric patterns underscored by bright coral reef colours with charming results.

Riviera Lifestyle
Under the scorching sun of the French Riviera, the Guess woman stands out as an icon of pure femininity, ever seductive in flowing, embroidered silk and striped lace dresses. Irresistibly French are the fleur de la mer and BB gingham all‐over prints, while unmistakably Mediterranean are the sun‐kissed earthy colours combined with mandarin flower and Riviera lilac. A relaxed and playful mood pervades the menswear, marked by ultra‐light technical fabrics for utmost comfort. All‐over leaf prints are paired with refreshing sorbet colours such as pink sky and Atlantic blue.

Another Riviera, this time in Capri, is the perfect island destination. The sensual beach look is underlined by natural fibres such as silk and cotton, macramé lace and broderie voile, while bright‐coloured prints culminate in an explosion of flowers.
The casual and fresh look for men centres on comfortable yet stylish Bermuda shorts, sprayed polos, and slub cotton and linen tees. Parrots and jungle patterns heighten the sense of freedom, while colours such as blue river and Maldives blue mirror the island’s crystal clear waters.

Denim #Madeforme
Even in the hottest season of the year, the Guess denim collection offers fresh ideas for a unique style. Ever flattering, denim guarantees a perfect fit and a fabulous look by day and by night. The 70s‐style hippie flair revives in flared jeans and brightly coloured models, while an “athleisure” attitude is reflected in pieces that mix technical powerstretch fabrics with trendy details such as mesh inserts and shiny surfaces.

Riviera glam is accentuated by enchanting indigo Sangallo dresses and the explosive sensuality of shape‐up and push‐up jeans. With summer in full swing, denim embraces lightweight fabrics toned down from faded blue to raw white, for casual chic outfits.

 With Amber Chia

We were treated to a fashion show.

Click on the individual pics to open a larger version.

GUESS is famous for its iconic advertising images that launched the careers of many supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova, Anna Nicole Smith, Laetitia Casta and Kate Upton. Having successfully done the GUESS Girl Model Search in North America, Japan & China, this year the GUESS Girl Model Search comes to South-East-Asia.
“From my very first campaign for GUESS over 30 years ago to now, it always starts with finding the right model to portray the GUESS Girl,” said Paul Marciano, CEO and Creative Director of GUESS?, Inc. “When casting, a photo is very important to show me the chemistry the girl has with the camera. I am looking forward to seeing the entry photos and finding great new talent that personify the freedom, passion and wonder of GUESS.”

 The GUESS Girl Malaysia Top 15 finalists

This competition was held to find the new face of GUESS in South-East-Asia to represent the brand. The GUESS Girl must be young, sexy and adventurous, and embody the freedom and adventure of the brand, possess a passion for life and believe anything is possible.
The GUESS Girl Model Search SEA was open to contestants aged 16 years and above in Singapore, Indonesia & Malaysia. The winner and 1st runner-up will be flown to Los Angeles and have the opportunity to be photographed by the GUESS team, receive a cash prize and other gifts with the total value of USD 10,000 for the winner and USD 8,000 for the 1st runner-up.
The Top 40 finalists were announced on 17 August 2015 and meet the judges who then selected the Top 15 on 19 August 2015.  Voting was open to the public to select four (4) finalists per country. All 12 finalists (4 from each of the 3 countries) will then compete in Jakarta, Indonesia to win the title of GUESS Girl South East Asia.
Also present at the fashion show were the Top 15 GUESS Girl finalists, and GUESS Malaysia took the opportunity to unveil the top 4 finalists will be representing Malaysia at the SEA finals in Jakarta.

 Then one by one the top 4 finalists were called out
          Jenna gong             Deidre Walker
          Mae G             Charlotte Tan
 Mae G. Jenna Gong, Deidre Walker & Charlotte Tan

For more info, head over to http://guessgirl.com/
Photos courtesy of GUESS Malaysia.
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MINI by TUMI Collection

[Fashion]

TUMI Malaysia recently launched its new MINI by TUMI collection at Suria KLCC on 10 September 2015. This new collection provides customers with beautiful and world-class business and travel products designed to uncomplicate and upgrade all aspects of their life on the move.
The new collection was is collaboration with MINI to create an exclusive licensed premium line of travel bags and accessories customized to complement the look and feel of this automotive brand which has a loyal global fan base.
Since 1975, TUMI has been creating world-class business and travel essentials, designed to upgrade, uncomplicate, and beautify all aspects of life on the move. TUMI believes in blending flawless functionality with a spirit of ingenuity, with products that are designed in America, and sold in over 310 stores from New York to Paris to London and Tokyo, as well as the world’s top department and specialty stores and travel retail in more than 75 countries.

The new MINI collection consists of seven (7) travel and two (2) accessory silhouettes, and merges vibrant colour accents with TUMI’s signature texture and technical innovation. The collection is designed in America for “Global Citizens”, and is engineered by using TUMI’s propriety FXT® ballistic nylon which is abrasion proof.
Each style features a secondary bag for two-in-one versatility, a bag attached to a bag that can be opened to use when the situation warrants it. There’s also the colourful MINI by TUMI accent kits offer consumers striking personalization options for those who prefer a custom-made look. The styles within the collection utilize the colours and prints signature to MINI: Black/Volcanic Orange racing stripe and Black/Deep Blue Union Jack flag; while the lining of every bag is embossed with the MINI grill pattern.
“Driven by travel and adventure, the MINI by TUMI collection is rooted in innovation, iconic design and functionality,” stated TUMI Chief Executive Officer and President, Jerome Griffith. He continued, “bags and cars are natural extensions of the people who use them; they are expressions of personality and individuality.”

The collection will be available in TUMI collection stores and online at www.TUMI.com globally beginning Fall 2015, or head over to the Malaysian Tumi website – www.tumi.my

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ZTE Acqua Smartphone

[Sponsored Review – Mobile Phone]
Introducing the new ZTE Acqua smartphone!
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For those of you who are not so familiar with ZTE, here’s a little info –
ZTE Corporation is a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions with USD 10.61 billion revenue in 2010. The company delivers innovative products and business solutions through its network of operators across 140 countries and is certainly not new in Malaysia. In fact chances are you have a ZTE modem or router in your home now. Founded in 1985, ZTE is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges and is China’s largest listed telecoms equipment company.
Well I managed to get my hands on a ZTE Acqua smartphone which won the BEST VALUE PHONE Award in ‘Go Mobile 2012’.
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What’s inside the box – phone (duh!), battery, USB cable, charger, headphones, warranty and quick start guide
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The ZTE Acqua runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) software powered by a MSM7227A Snapdragon chip running at 1.0Ghz and comes with a 4.0″ TFT display. Playing around with the apps there wasn’t too much lag so I guess the processor is adequate for the phone.
The phone has 2GB of internal memory available to the user while the external memory slot allows eMMC up to 32GB. Now 2GB of storage is not much nowadays so I do recommend getting a micro SD card to augment the memory.
The phone’s dimensions are 120.5mm (L) x 63.6mm  x 10.9mm (H) and weights only 130 grams.
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The back of the phone is a matte material which looks like it won’t scratch easily.
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SOUND
The phone’s sound quality is average but the speaker is surprisingly loud. If you’d like better quality you can plug in the headphones provided with the phone or use your own high quality 3.5mm after-market headphones.
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CAMERA
The phone comes with a 3.2MP camera and is equipped with a flash. The app took roughly 2 seconds to start but took around 3 seconds to manually focus. There is also a front camera for those of you who like to camwhore.
The video records in VGA 640 x 480 pixels.
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Here’s an unedited photo taken with the phone’s 3.2MP camera. It took a few attempts to focus but the outcome was ok.
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The phone comes with a 1,600 mAh battery which provides a claimed 250 hours standby time and 4 hours talk time and is charged with the normal micro USB charger. The Acqua is also Bluetooth, GPS and Wifi enabled.
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4.0″ display with a 480 x 800 resolution
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For those of you who are more tech savvy here are some specs:

Category
Description

Hardware & Baseband Information

Model Name
Model Name
ZTE-U V880E

ID
Design Specifics

OS
Android 4.0

Form Factor
Candy Bar

Dimension
120.5mm*63.6mm*10.9mm

weight(g) (with battery)
about 130g

Antenna
Internal

QWERTY Keypad
Virtual QWERTY

TouchScreen
Yes，Capacity touch screen

Side Keys
Volume key，power key

Chipset
Chipset (BB/RF)
MSM7227A

GPRS (Multi-slot / MS Class / Coding Scheme)
Multi-slot: Class12 MS Class: BCoding Scheme: CS1/CS2/CS3/CS4
Bearer

EDGE (Multi-slot / Coding Schem)
Multi-slot: Class12 Coding Scheme:MCS1~MCS9

UMTS / HSDPA/HSPA/HSPA+
MSM7227A: HSPA (7.2 Mbps DL/5.76 Mbps UL)

Power Class
UMTS power class3

Band Mode (GSM / UMTS)
GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHzUMTS 900/2100 MHz

Main Display technology, size,resolution, color space
TFT 4.0“ 480*800, 262K color
Display

Sub Display type, size,resolution, color space
None

Camera Sensor Type
CMOS
Camera

Still Image Capture Resolution (in MP)
3M AF/0.3M FF Dual Camera

Flash
Yes

Auto-focus
Yes

Function
1.6× digital zoom, Auto white balance(AWB), contrast，brightness, photo Effects（None、Mono、Sepia、Negative）, Photo Quality Setting（Super fine/fine/normal）

Image (formats, preview framerates)
Format: JPEGPreview framerates: 15fps

Video (Formats,resolution, preview / record framerates)
Recording Resolution :VGA(640*480) CIF(352*288) QVGA(320*240) QCIF(176*144)Previewing Framerates:15fpsRecording Framerates: 15fpsRecording Video Format: MP4

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In conclusion I think that the Acqua is a pretty cost-effective smartphone which provides reasonable smartphone features at the affordable price of RM699.00.
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Expect more new ZTE smartphones and tablets to enter the Malaysian market in the months to come
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More info at https://www.facebook.com/ZTEMalaysia
Subscribe to my public updates at https://www.facebook.com/timchewkc
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Samsung ‘Galaxy Note Fan Edition’ Soon to be Launched in Malaysia

[Tech & Gadgets]

Samsung Malaysia Electronics announced on 12 October 2017 that their newly launched Galaxy Note Fan Edition will be available to purchase in Malaysia from 25 October 2017. The new smartphone is designed to deliver all key Galaxy Note features especially for the dedicated Note community, and is a new device that has been engineered with unused components from the Galaxy Note7.
“The Galaxy Note Fan Edition is Samsung’s way of showing its commitment to Note fans. We work very closely with dedicated specialists to reuse and recycle unused components from the Note7 to form the Galaxy Note Fan Edition. This is also our way of lessening the carbon footprint for our future generation. We would like to say thank you to our loyal Note fans for continuously supporting us through thick and thin. The Galaxy Note Fan Edition is for you”, said Mr KM Liew, Head of IT and Mobile Business, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.
The Galaxy Note Fan Edition is an entirely new device that inherits the design and innovative functions, offering the same productivity and entertainment features of the Note7. This includes an enhanced S Pen with a pen tip of 0.7mm, which gives the sensation of a real pen to give users a smoother writing experience. The S Pen is also useful in translating foreign languages online, and a hover-over function to translate words directly into the desired language.

Galaxy Note Fan Edition users can unlock their smartphone using biometric authentication technologies such as iris and fingerprint recognition, allowing for a more secure login. Similar to Samsung’s flagship offerings of late, the Galaxy Note Fan Edition comes equipped with ‘Bixby Home’ and ‘Bixby Reminder’ to assist users in daily tasks and elevate the smartphone experience. If you’re the clumsy type, fret not as the smartphone comes with an IP68 rating, with both the body and S Pen dust and water-resistant to a maximum depth of 5 feet for up to 30 minutes.
Compared with the Note7, the Galaxy Note Fan Edition has an upgraded processor, and a new and safe 3,200mAh battery which is compliant with Samsung’s 8 point safety check. The device has also met the safety standards of the relevant industry and regulatory bodies and has been reviewed by leading independent quality assurance experts.
The key aesthetic features that set the Galaxy Note Fan Edition apart are its symmetrical edge design and its ‘Fan Edition’ logo on the back. The Galaxy Note Fan Edition is available in 2 colours including Coral Blue and Black Onyx.
Samsung Galaxy Note Fan Edition will be available from 25 October 2017 onwards at all Samsung Experience Stores, authorised dealers and selected channel partners, retailing at the price of RM2,599.00 inclusive of GST.
For more information, head over to http://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-note-fe/

Nicole’s Birthday Celebration at PLOY @ Clearwater Damansara

Headed over to PLOY @ Clearwater recently for MHB’s Nicole Fu’s early birthday celebration. As it was just six (6) of us, PLOY which generously hosted the party, gave us one of their private rooms which incidentally had a curtain that doubled as a nice backdrop!
What’s a party without some good food and here are but some of the dishes we had that night.

 Crispy Baby Squid – These were great especially if eaten with beer/ wine as the lovely savoury flavours made these incredibly addictive!
 Avocado Salad – Romaine, Radicchio, and iceberg lettuce with ginger dressing. The richness of the avocado was balanced out nicely by the ginger dressing which provided a little zing to this salad!
 Crab in a Wrap – Soft shell crab, mango, avocado, spicy kani
 Popcorn Chicken Pizza – crispy chicken, tobiko and sweet pineapple. This has to be one of the best pizzas at PLOY!
 Spaghetti Corn Beef – Brazilian corn beef, olive oil with chili olio
 Green Curry Seabass – a fusion dish with a delicious green curry sauce!
                                       Happy Birthday Nicole!
 Happy Birthday Nicole!

If you’re looking for somewhere nice in the upmarket Damansara Heights that serves good fusion fare without breaking the bank, PLOY is certainly a viable option with its reasonably priced food and multiple private rooms.

PLOY DAMANSARA is located at:
G-02, Ground Floor, Work@Clearwater,
Changkat Semantan, off Jalan Semantan,
Damansara Heights,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Telephone: +603 2095 0999
Website: http://ploywithyourfood.com

OPENING HOURS:
Monday to Friday
12.00pm – 3.00pm ;
6.00pm – 10.30pm
Saturday
6.00pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Sundays
Public Holidays
6.00pm – 11.00pm

 Thanks for having us PLOY!

Photos were shot using the Panasonic Lumix LX10.
 Panasonic Lumix LX10
To find out more about the camera, head over to http://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras/advanced-creative/dmc-lx10.html

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International Motorcycle Festival (Malaysia) 2014 & THRILLER LIVE Live in Malaysia 2015

[News]

The International Motorcycle Festival (Malaysia) 2014 is an annual celebration for motorcycle enthusiasts organized by DMEO Exhibit Sdn Bhd and will be held at the Bukit Jalil Open Air Car Park from 19 to 21 December 2014. IMF 2014 which is a festival organized by bikers for bikers, and is supported by the Ministry of Transport, Tourism Malaysia & Ministry of Youth & Sports. The organiser expects this event to be the largest open biker festival in Malaysia and South East Asia, and is targeting to have between 150,000 to 180,000 visitors from Malaysia, and neighbouring countries.
IMF 2014 will also incorporate the very first EnduroCross Championship (Friendly Match) in Asia as part of its main attraction, with some of the best riders from the world heading to Malaysia to compete, as well as the SuperMoto race. A custom built motocross track will be laid out for the race, which will be managed by experienced race director Colin Robin. Look out for The Galleria, which is a one-stop retail hub featuring over 168 booths featuring the widest range of motorcycle related products and services, with bargains galore.
Also planned for the festival is a variety of activities that will include an Outdoor bikers gathering, Supermoto bike stunt, Wheelie simulator, all type of bike show, riders workshop, a rock concert featuring Amy Search & Bunkface, lucky draws and retail of premium items, and a large food & beverage section featuring a wide range of local and international delicacies. Convoys of bikers from Singapore and Thailand (organized by IMF & Xtreme Biker), will be provided with police escort from their respective borders to ensure their safety and smooth transition to the venue on the 20th December 2014.
IMF 2014 will also be hosting RIDE RIGHT Workshops & Presentation sessions, which will educate bikers on bike safety & maintenance checks, safety clothing, safe riding techniques, road safety practices, riding tips from experienced and expert riders, as well as sharing sessions. As a prelude to IMF 2014, there was an ongoing nationwide RIDE RIGHT with IMF (Celebrities and Street bikers) Campaign leading up to the festival, which featured group rides, biker and celebrity interviews among other things.
IMF 2014 will run from 10am to 10pm daily, Admission to the festival is free but ticketed. Tickets will be made available through various promotional channels.

*Schedule might be subject to change

Post updated with a photo of the sweet and sexy Miko at the event! (Photo provided by Miko herself).
For more info do head over to http://imf.dmeoexhibit.com/

THRILLER LIVE live in Malaysia

THRILLER LIVE will be showing in Kuala Lumpur from 19 to 25 March 2015, and Malaysia will be the only country in South East Asia to be staging this show for 2015.
THRILLER LIVE tickets are open for sale starting from 4 December 2014. Enjoy early bird promotion up to 25% discount till 12th January 2015 for all ticket tiers. Tickets are priced at RM538 (VVIP), RM468 (VIP), RM398 (CAT A), RM298 (CAT B), RM168 (CAT C) and RM128 (CAT D).
SHOW DATES & TIMES

19 March (Thursday), 8.30pm
20 March (Friday), 8.30pm
21 March (Saturday) – 3.00pm & 8.30pm
22 March (Sunday) – 3.00pm & 8.30pm
24 March (Tuesday), 8.30pm
25 March (Wednesday), 8.30pm

VENUE: Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
For more info on the show: www.milestone-entertainment.com
Purchase your tickets at www.ticketcharge.com.my
Hotline: 03-9222 8811
Email address: info@ticketcharge.com.my
Corporate tickets: charmaine.teh@milestone-production.com

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Burberry Celebrates Lunar New Year 2016

[Fashion]

Burberry celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday season with a dedicated experience on Chinese social messaging platform WeChat, and a gifting assortment of iconic products for men and women. Building on its long-standing partnership with the platform, the Burberry WeChat account has launched ‘A Lunar New Year Gift’, a dedicated interactive messaging service for its followers.
The experience invites users to use native app functionality – tapping, swiping and shaking – to unwrap some of the brand’s iconic gifts. At the end of the experience, users can also create and personalise digital Lunar New Year envelopes to send to friends and family to celebrate the holiday through the platform. WeChat users in China will also be given the chance to win limited edition physical Burberry Lunar New Year envelopes.
Burberry first partnered with WeChat in February 2014 with the launch of personalised platform activity during the brand’s womenswear show in London, followed by a platform-exclusive experience for Burberry’s event in Shanghai in April 2014. Through a parallel social event experience, followers were able to interact with a series of London and Shanghai skylines by shaking, swiping or tapping their devices before the event. After the event, interactive event panoramas could be brought to life, allowing users to immerse themselves in dynamic, 360° views of the London and Shanghai set.

The Burberry gift assortment for the season highlights the brand’s iconic products in a special colour palette of blues and pinks, together with Burberry’s iconic Parade Red and flashes of gold, and includes Scottish-woven cashmere scarves which can be personalised with up to three letters, in two font sizes, and made-in-England trench coats for men and women.
Burberry’s signature tote, The Banner, is also available as part of the offering alongside men’s backpacks, leather wallets and cashmere Thomas Bear key charms.
Burberry Lunar New Year gifts will be available in-store and on Burberry.com from 6 January 2016. A Collect-in-Store service allows customers to shop online at Burberry.com globally and collect the order at a Burberry store of their choice as early as the next day. For those of you who want an extra special Lunar New Year envelope to send to your friends, the Burberry Lunar New Year envelopes are currently available in their stores.
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Ford Expands Ranger Lineup with the Launch of the New Ranger FX4 in Malaysia

[Automotive News]

The Ford Ranger is renowned globally as one of the toughest and most capable pickup trucks in the market, with its distinctive looks, and a platform that combines smart technology and sheer capability. Its iconic designs make it instantly recognisable on the roads, and many roam the rural states of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia as well as urban jungles in the Peninsula, used for its functionality and reliability.
Sime Darby Auto Connexion, the official distributor of Ford automobiles in Malaysia, launched the new Ford Ranger FX4 on 20 April 2017, bringing a tough and sporty new look and premium features to the Ford pickup.
“The Ford Ranger FX4 takes its inspiration from the enthusiast community with an updated grille and striking technical graphics. These emphasize the Ranger’s impressive performance and make a strong visual impression,” said Nick Eterovic, design manager, Ford Asia Pacific.
The Ranger FX4 features an exclusive new grille with a mesh pattern that complements its strong trapezoidal shape, and a bold matte decal design drawing attention to the muscular bonnet, housing a powerful and proven 2.2-liter Duratorq diesel engine. Blacked out fog light bezels add to the sporty new look.
Along the sides, additional technical graphics identify the truck as a unique FX4 variant, while 18-inch Stark Grey painted wheels and a black sports bar were chosen for a cohesive, unified design. On the tailgate, a blacked-out decal features the word RANGER in negative space, allowing the body color to show through.
The Ranger FX4’s cabin, is consistent with the exterior with darker finishes for a bold, technical look while leather seats complement the dark interior and offer a unique level of refinement within the Ranger lineup.

The Ranger FX4 also features advanced technologies such as the SYNC in-car connectivity system that allows drivers to keep their focus on the road. Advanced driver assistance technologies include Rear Park Assist with reverse camera, Electric Power Assisted Steering, and Electronic Stability Program.
The Ford Ranger FX4 has a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800 mm deep, 230 mm of ground clearance, towing capability of up to 3,500 kg and a large payload capacity. For those off-road adventures, the robust electronically controlled transfer case on 4×4 models, electronic locking rear differential and Hill Descent Control helps drivers deal with challenging terrains with confidence.
“Our customers in Malaysia already know the Ranger for its raw capability, advanced technologies and rugged, tough appearance,” said Syed Ahmad Muzri Syed Faiz, Managing Director, Sime Darby Auto Connexion. “The Ranger FX4 builds on this foundation with a bold new look and premium features that we think they will love.”
The Ford Ranger FX4 is available in Aluminum Metallic, Meteor Grey at dealerships nationwide. Official on the road pricing for New Ranger FX4 in Peninsular Malaysia is RM121,888.00 including GST.
For more info, head over to http://www.sdacford.com.my/
Visuals courtesy of Sime Darby Auto Connexion.

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Editor’s Note – May 2016

[Editor’s Note]
Preview of Naughty Nuri’s Life Centre Kuala Lumpur

The nice folks behind Naughty Nuri’s Desa Sri Hartamas and SS15 Subang Jaya invited me and my Malaysia’s Hottest Bloggers girls over for the preview of their newest outlet at the Life Centre in downtown Kuala Lumpur last week.

The new outlet is big and well ventilated
Naughty Nuri’s world famous ribs!
There’s also a full bar which serves draught beers, liquor, wine and cocktails!
Order a mojito and you’ll get a special presentation dance with it!
Me with the girls
Also at the event is outgoing Managing Director of Carlsberg Malaysia Henrik Andersen
Am sure gonna miss him and his lovely wife!
Yukisan with her friend
With pretty Michelle from Tong Woh Enterprise
With cute Erin
With sexy Evian and Evonne
Each night there will also be a dance presentation by the staff of Naughty Nuri’s

Naughty Nuri’s Life Centre is located at:
Lot G-05, Ground Floor, KL Life Centre,
20 Jalan Sultan Ismail,
50250 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Telephone: 019-300 7221
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Naughty-Nuris-KL-Life-Centre-1505020086473502/

A Shocking Tale
I don’t normally write about religion as I prefer to keep this site secular. Therefore kindly note that I’m just sharing the passages from the Bible below as it relates to my system of beliefs and morals and not for any other reason.
The Bible tells us believers not to judge others and I try to keep to that as much as possible for it says (rather frighteningly too) that you will be judged (by God) the same way as you judge others. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not spend my afterlife in hell.
Mathew chapter 7 verses 1 and 2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
I try my best as a Christian to follow the 10 commandments, though sometimes it’s really easier said than done.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
“You shall not murder.”
“You shall not commit adultery.”
“You shall not steal.”
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.”
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”

OK in this modern age, it is REALLY REALLY hard to follow all ten of the commandments. I mean “You shall not murder” is relatively easy to follow (although there are times when I do get the urge to kill some people especially when faced with stupid drivers on our infamous KL roads).
Anyway on to the point of this story.
After eight (8) years in the media and being in close affiliation with its related industries, I thought I’d seen it all (how naive of me). From relationship/ business scandals to unethical practices by competitors, or suppliers, it’s gotten to a point that I’ve pretty much lost faith in humanity (the Bible asks us to put our faith in God and not people anyway).
Sure I’ve always had a positive outlook on life, I want to believe that there are still good people out there, and I have encountered good people (many of whom are not Christians just in case you were wondering, I’m not promoting Christianity in this post). There are good people from all walks of life and from different religions and races. Don’t let corrupt politicians who are trying to keep themselves in power use religion/ race/ ethnicity to divide us.
Just that with the way the local and international situation is – massive corruption, a weakening economy, religious extremism/ bigotry, to wars and terrorism, there’s just not enough good news around.
So lately I’ve become rather numb… and even apathetic at times because it’s simply easier than caring. In fact I think that caring too much can make you go stark raving mad.
But every now and then, along comes an incident that shocks you to the core. Just when you thought you know a person well, they do something so totally unexpected that it leaves you speechless. OK I’m trying very very hard not to judge as I’m certainly nowhere near perfect so who am I to judge. However some actions, really conflict with my value and moral systems so badly that I can’t help but wonder what drove the individual to make such a choice and its subsequent actions.
Now I’m sure many of you would have faced a similar situation, if not once, probably many times. But my issue is – how do you deal with it when it’s someone rather close to you?
If the action is socially, morally and religiously wrong (but not against the laws of the land), trying not to be judgemental is a real challenge in itself. Every time I try to address the issue or even analyse it I get rather depressed and have to keep reminding myself not to be judgemental.
So what should I do? Ignore it? It’s a big issue although it doesn’t involve me, the close association of that person to me affects the perception of the people around me regarding that person, and to some extent even me.
I cannot say anything…it’s not that I didn’t try during the lead up to the (shocking) event. I tried many times only to be faced by an ice cold wall. And ultimately it’s that person’s decision and it involves their life. Not mine…
But deep down inside, from experience, I know how the story will end. And there’s no fairytale ending for these types of situations.
So I’ve decided not to take any action. Apathy? No…I feel very strongly about the issue. Just that sometimes, the best action is not to take any action. Just be prepared for the inevitable outcome, and try to deal with it then, as horrible as it may be. Trying to change someone who is dead set on their decision will only lead to a lot of conflict, so intervention might just cause you the relationship entirely.
Some of you might say – but perhaps that relationship is not worth it. Yes you may be right.
But I’m not someone to quit on people, no matter how bad the situation appears to be.
(Disclaimer – if the person is toxic to you, you need to distance yourself from that person, even if it’s a family member. Pray that that person will change one day.)
Oh BTW…don’t be like me being apathetic and all. I’ve learned to care about the things I can change (and try to take actions that affect change) and pray for the things that I can’t. Perhaps that’s the lesson God is trying to teach me from this situation – to have faith and leave it in His hands. A lesson to us arrogant humans who think we can control everything…

So May didn’t start too well for me this year but hey Mother’s Day is coming up this month!
I wrote a review of the special Mother’s Day brunch menu at Soleil a couple of weeks ago – https://timchew.net/2016/04/26/mothers-day-family-brunch-set-menu-at-soleil/
It’s really pretty good but of course quality doesn’t come cheap.
The seafood platter was simply awesome!

However, that being said, you don’t need to spend tons of money for a special meal on Mother’s Day. Sometimes, just the action of you taking the time out of your busy schedule to spend some time with mom or bring her out for lunch/ dinner to somewhere decent is good enough.
Here’s a nice TV ad that I found on YouTube (and no this is NOT a sponsored post, I just thought it’s a nice TVC).

Make sure you make time to go see your mother, or if you’re not in the same country, do give her a call. You only have one (1) mom ok!
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers out there!

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Finance News – November 2020

Hong Leong Bank Q1FY21 Results Announcement
Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad
Hong Leong Bank Berhad announced its results for the first quarter ended 30 September 2020 (“Q1FY21”).
“The environment which we operate in remains challenging, affected by the ongoing pandemic and cautious consumer and business sentiment. Nonetheless, our strategic and tactical plans provided us a strong foundation to start the financial year on a positive note, delivering net profit of RM729 million for the quarter, up 5.9% y-o-y underpinned by reasonable topline performance, prudent cost control and robust contributions from our associates. Gross loans and financing sustained its growth momentum, with a 6.8% y-o-y expansion buoyed by signs of economic recovery during the quarter, coupled with funding disbursed to support SMEs and corporate businesses. We continue to closely monitor our asset quality during this period of uncertainty, ending the quarter with a healthy GIL ratio of 0.48%. In view of the prolonged recovery situation, to err on the side of caution, we have continued to proactively build up pre-emptive credit loss buffers during the quarter.”Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB
Recovery in Business Performance
Total income for Q1FY21 increased 11.0% y-o-y or 12.7% quarter-on-quarter (“q-o-q”) to RM1,349 million, attributable to loan/financing expansion, prudent asset-liability management and sustained non-interest income contribution. Net interest income was higher by 12.5% y-o-y at RM992 million, as a result of asset growth and lower funding cost from repricing of fixed deposits post OPR cuts. Consequently, net interest margin (“NIM”) for Q1FY21 recovered to 2.00%.Non-interest income for Q1FY21 rose 7.0% y-o-y to RM357 million with a stable non-interest income ratio of 26.5%. This was attributable to solid Markets/Treasury performance and pick up in wealth management and cards activities.Expenses continue to be prudently managed, with overall expenses relatively flat quarter on quarter.Consequently, operating profit before allowances for Q1FY21 increased 19.5% y-o-y or 22.5% q-o-q to RM828 million.
Maintained Loan/Financing Growth Momentum
Gross loans, advances and financing maintained its growth trajectory into the new financial year with a 6.8% y-o-y expansion to RM148.1 billion, led by key segments of mortgages, SME and commercial banking, as well as overseas operations. Domestic loans/financing continues to outperform the industry growth rate, at 6.8% y-o-y.Residential mortgages increased 8.0% y-o-y to RM74.5 billion, supported by a healthy loan/financing pipeline while transport vehicle loans/financing growth remains muted with overall portfolio at RM17.2 billion.Domestic loans/financing to business enterprises expanded 8.4% y-o-y to RM43.3 billion, whilst loans and financing to SME increased by 9.4% y-o-y to RM23.8 billion. The Bank’s community banking initiative continues to see strong growth of 37.9% y-o-y or 10.8% q-o-q, partially aided by disbursement of Special Relief Facility (“SRF”) to support SMEs.Loans and financing from overseas operations recorded a 7.0% y-o-y growth, led by expansion in Cambodia and Vietnam by 19.2% and 21.0% y-o-y respectively.
Healthy Funding and Liquidity Position
Maintaining a strong funding and liquidity positions during these unprecedented times is paramount. LDR remain prudent at 84.1% while LCR improved further to 157%, compared to 126% for the same period last year, well exceeding regulatory requirements. Customer deposits for Q1FY21 was higher by 6.8% y-o-y at RM174.7 billion, whilst CASA grew at a stronger pace of 21.0% y-o-y to RM50.6 billion, leading to an improved CASA mix of 29.0%. The Bank’s stable funding base continues to be backed by strong individual deposit base which expanded 7.7% y-o-y to RM93.5 billion, represented by an industry leading mix of 53.5%.
Strong Asset Quality and Capital Position
The Bank continues to focus on maintaining solid asset quality in preparation for unexpected headwinds ahead. GIL ratio ended lower at 0.48% as at 30 September 2020, down from 0.81% the prior year.With the pre-emptive credit loss buffer built up during the quarter, the Bank’s loan/financing impairment coverage (“LIC”) ratio improved to 190% as at 30 September 2020. Inclusive of regulatory reserve, the Bank’s LIC ratio stood at a comfortable 295%.The Bank ensures that capital position remains robust to withstand shocks from the ongoing pandemic, with solid CET 1, Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios at 13.5%, 14.1% and 16.3% respectively as at 30 September 2020.
Regional Contribution
International operations contributed 21.3% to the Bank’s pre-tax profit in Q1FY21, mainly contributed by Bank of Chengdu (“BOCD”). In line with the encouraging rebound of China’s GDP growth, profit contribution from BOCD remains robust, improving 17.1% y-o-y to RM165 million in Q1FY21, representing 18.6% of the Bank’s pre-tax profit.
Helping Customers Recover with ResilienceFor as long as the situation requires, the Bank is committed to providing targeted HLB Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“HLB PRAP”) to help customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes customers who have started making their regular payments, but could face challenges down the road where they will still be able to apply for HLB PRAP before 30 June 2021. As at 16 November 2020, the Bank has helped more than 44,000 customers under HLB PRAP, comprising 8% of total gross loans/financing base.
Fuda said, “Since the start of COVID-19, HLB has been focused on helping affected customers recover with resilience from the socio-economic repercussions which have been keenly felt by businesses and individuals alike. While the industry-wide loan/financing payments deferment period has been important in providing relief to all Malaysians during the MCO and RMCO periods, the Bank is fully committed to providing further assistance to those who needed it by proactively reaching out to customers since early on in February to engage in conversation as to their financial stability and to extend assistance where needed and will continue to do so to ensure our customers can focus on the recovery efforts with the knowledge that we are here to help.”
Acceleration of Digital InnovationsDespite the pandemic, HLB continued to accelerate product innovation and push digital offerings to enable greater business efficiency and cost optimisation for its customers while contributing towards building a cashless society. In fact, COVID-19 has accelerated the rapid shift to a digital and contactless way of life – from buying essentials to working online.  In an effort to further assist SMEs, especially the micro and smaller businesses and traders to be more digital and embrace cashless as a way to improve resiliency, recover and eventually grow their businesses, the Bank introduced the Hong Leong Bank Tap on Phone POS terminal to help them adapt to the new way of payment transactions. This new contactless mobile payment acceptance service is a simple, seamless and secure payment solution that is low-cost and accessible to all types of businesses targeted at increasing sales as it allows consumers to have more cost-effective payment options.
To serve both young savers and their parents, the Bank launched HLB Pocket Connect which is the first in-market interactive digital banking platform for school going children and teenagers. It enables young savers to take charge of their own pocket money and savings and for parents to cultivate a responsible and healthy financial lifestyle in their children from a young age in a fun and interactive way. HLB Pocket Connect is the manifestation of a fit-for-purpose digital banking experience for customers who are raising a family consisting of young digital natives who are exposed to hyper personalisation, real-time gratification and highly interactive content and experiences.
Additionally, following the publication of Bank Negara Malaysia’s guidelines on Electronic Know-Your-Customer (“e-KYC”) on 30 June 2020, the Bank made history by becoming the first bank in Malaysia to offer a truly digital onboarding experience for Malaysians looking to open a bank account. The experience is fully digital, eliminating the need to visit a physical branch or Self-Service Terminal where customers only need to download the ‘Apply@HLB’ mobile app to open an account anytime, anywhere and their Debit Card will be delivered to them wherever they are in Malaysia. This simple, hassle-free and convenient way of banking is timely given the ongoing COVID-19 health concerns and corresponding shift to digital ‘everything’. In addition to account opening, a fully digital credit card and personal loan application, without requiring customers to meet face-to-face or visit any physical branches, will be introduced soon.
According to Fuda, “We are pleased to be able to help Malaysians bank safely amidst the on-going pandemic and we are proud to be doing our part in pushing for greater digital innovation in the financial sector which would further stimulate the growth of the country’s digital economy, while meeting the needs and expectations of an increasingly digital and mobile-first generation of consumers. We also hope that this will deliver a significantly higher value-added customer experience which will set a new benchmark for the industry.”
Building a Vibrant and Sustainable CommunityWith over 110 years of deeply rooted history in Malaysia, HLB has truly embraced the value of being here for the long term, long before sustainability became a common business practice. From innovating banking products to talent management, the Bank always maintains a long-term mindset which includes the essential role it has in creating and sustaining a vibrant ecosystem of communities and the environment. To further drive this, the Bank introduced its ESG Framework which incorporates Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations in the credit evaluation of SME and Corporate Customers. This framework not only underlines HLB’s commitments towards building a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem in the communities it operates in, but also promotes adoption of sustainable business strategies and practices amongst customers and business partners.
The COVID-19 crisis is a prime example of disruptive change exposing the vulnerabilities in old structures and practices. However, it has also prompted acceptance, and hence further investments, into areas that will enhance the prospects of a more sustainable and resilient recovery. With the introduction of the ESG Framework, the Bank looks forward to working with customers to transform business operations, encouraging sustainability and promoting that we all play a part in building a better legacy to leave for future generations.
To take care of the less fortunate, we also enhanced a few ATMs to cater for the blind, underlining our commitment to ensuring inclusivity in providing services to all segments of society.
Business OutlookFuda commented, “We continue to see recovering signs in the global as well as domestic economy, although growth momentum appears to have lost some steam in recent weeks because of the CMCO and increased number of infections in some other countries. Lingering weaknesses in the labour market and still soft sentiments would dampen consumer spending, while resurging new cases could pose further risks to overall economic activities.
Nevertheless, we remain focused in our vision to build a highly digital and innovative ASEAN financial services institution. Emphasis continues to be on building products and services propositions that ring true to our brand promise of “Built Around You” where clients are at the centre of everything we do.
We will ensure that we continue to provide targeted assistance to clients that are and might experience financial difficulties emanating from the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. The new normal operating environment will no doubt present us with new growth opportunities which we will endeavour to capture by being agile and responsive to the changing landscape. Concurrently, we continue to revamp our cost structure, enabling us to invest in growth opportunities and deliver sustainable results to our stakeholders.”

Hong Leong Bank Announces its Simplified Application Process for B40, Microenterprise & M40 Customers
Following the recent Budget 2021 and Bank Negara Malaysia’s announcement, Hong Leong Bank and Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad (“HLB” or the “Bank”) announced on 23 November 20202 that the Bank will continue to make its Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“PRAP”) available with a simplified application process for customers affected by COVID-19 and the Conditional Movement Control Order (“CMCO”) especially the B40 and M40 customer category as well as Microenterprises customers.
Already approving more than 98% of applications received since the end of the moratorium, HLB is confident the simplified application process will further speed up the response to customers that apply for further assistance.
Under the dedicated B40 Category Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“B40PRAP”), individual customers or their spouses categorised as B40 and registered on Bantuan Sara Hidup (“BSH”) or Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (“BPR”), can now apply for relief without submission of documents starting 23 November until 30 June 2021. Under this simplified application process, customers can choose either a 3-month loan deferment plan or 50% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months. Additionally, the Bank is also offering a 25% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months for customers who wish to manage their repayment whilst reducing the additional interest/profit accrued.
For Microenterprises, including businesses across all sectors with an annual sales turnover of less than RM300,000 or have less than 5 full-time employees as defined by SME Corporation Malaysia, the Bank is extending additional relief facilities through Microenterprise Payment Relief Assistance Plans (“MPRAP”). Eligible microenterprises can apply for either a 3-month loan deferment or a 50% reduction in monthly instalments for 6 months, with just a declaration that their businesses have seen reduced income due COVID-19 and CMCO.
M40 category customers do not have to submit any documentation at the point of application for the Bank’s PRAP as validation of documents can be done after the application has been received and processed by the Bank.
Application starts from 23 November 2020 until 30 June 2021.
Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLB said “Since February 2020 at the start of the pandemic in our community, we realised that we needed to be very quick and efficient in responding to and processing our customers’ requests for payment relief assistance as it was crucial to ensure that they not only received the necessary cashflow to support their families and keep their business operations going, but it also provided them with the relief of knowing that financial assistance is promptly being made available for them so that they are able to better plan their finances during this difficult period. With these simplified processes, we reassure customers that getting the help they need will be simple and fast.”
Fuda continued, “On top of payment relief, the Bank also has a dedicated plan to help customers managing their credit card debt through the ‘Credit Card Conversion Relief Plan’ under HLB PRAP. This plan allows customers to convert their outstanding credit card balance into a term loan with the option to opt-in for a 36-month instalment plan at an effective interest rate of 13%p.a. (Flat interest rate 7.1%p.a.). Applications for this are open until 30 June 2021.”
For more info or to apply for HLB/ HLISB PRAP, head over to http://www.hlb.com.my/relief or visit any HLB/ HLISB branches.
Alternatively, customers can also call the dedicated HLB/HLISB Payment Relief Assistance Plan hotline: 03-7959 1888 (Monday – Thursday from 8:45am – 5:45am.; Friday from 8:45am – 4:45pm) or HLB/HLISB Contact Centre: 03-7626 8899 (Monday-Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm).

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Huawei Ascend P7 Launch

[Tech & Gadgets]

Headed over to the Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lumpur on 10 June 2014 for the launch of Huawei’s latest flagship smartphone – the Ascent P7 which replaces the P6. Huawei Ascend P7 launch in Malaysia comes hot on the heels of its international launch barely a few weeks ago. The Ascend P7 has a 5-inch FHD touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, and is protected by the strong Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 in both front and rear covers. Aesthetics wise, the Ascend P7 exudes a metallic appearance thanks to the seven-layered rear surface treatment with a refined “spin effect” micro-pattern design, while the phone is 6.5mm thin, making it one of the slimmest 4G LTE smartphones in the world.
The Ascend P7 is powered by a 1.8GHz HiSilicon Kirin 910 quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and Android’s latest Kit Kat 4.4.2 with Emotion UI 2.3. You can also access the smartphone’s management software to customize the permission, network and notification manager, among others to best suit your needs.
Powering the device running is a 2,500mAh lithium polymer battery which is equipped with an advanced power-saving mode, making it possible for remaining 10 per cent battery life to last 24 hours on standby.

The phone comes equipped with a 13MP non-spherical lens Back-illuminated sensor (BSI) rear-facing camera, with the Image Signal Processor (ISP), giving users functions that mimic those found in professional digital SLRs, including autofocus, white balance and noise reduction. To access the camera quickly, the rear camera can be activated within 1.2 seconds of double-clicking the down volume button while the device is locked.
For those who love taking selfies, the front camera is a 8MP non-spherical lens equipped with IMAGESmart 2.0 software that has 10 level auto-facial enhancements in beauty mode.
The Ascend P7 is equipped with Huawei’s unique dual antenna designed to improve signal receptions and enabling unlimited media viewing with 4G LTE speeds. The Ascend P7 also uses smart network switching technology that stabilizes the connection even during weak signal reception to minimize battery drainage.
Apart from the A7, Huawei also introduced a line-up of LTE-enabled (and normal 3G) devices – Huawei MediaPad X1 7.0, Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0, Ascend G6, and the wearable B1 TalkBand.

(click on the individual photos above to open a larger version)

The Ascend P7 is available in black and white and is priced at RM 1,499 while the other devices are priced at:

Huawei X1 7.0 LTE – RM1,399.00 or 3G – RM1,299.00
Huawei MediaPad M1 8.0 LTE – RM1,099.00 or 3G – RM899.00
Ascend G6 LTE (RM899.00 or 3G – RM749.00
TalkBand B1 at RM499.00

The devices are available immediately at all Huawei authorized stores.
For more information, head over to www.Vmall.my

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Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Introduces SHARP’s “Remote Life” Concept at the SHARP Virtual Dealer Convention 2020

[Technology]
Launching Sharp’s Remote Life Solutions. (sixth from left) SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Ting Yang Chung, (fifth from left) Deputy Managing Director (Sales Division), Tok Sang Man, and (third from left) Assistant General Manager (Sales) and Head of Smart Solution Division, Clement Ng, trying out Remote Fitness, one of SHARP’s Remote Life Solutions.

Headed down to Sharp Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (SHARP) facility this morning for the debut of their new products and ecosystem of solutions, at their SHARP Virtual Dealer Convention. The convention was held online (with a press conference attended by us media) this year due to the Covid-19 situation and featured the use of mixed reality technology for the press briefing and launch.
“SHARP continues to be a leading provider of innovative solutions with a legacy in Malaysia spanning 35 years. We constantly innovate solutions to help consumers address the challenges of today. Over the past few months, the whole world has been driven to adopt digital solutions faster than we’ve ever seen before. Given the current emphasis on seamless communication and safety of consumers as we embrace the ‘new normal’, the introduction of SHARP’s Remote Life concept this year is intentional and timely for smarter and connected environments in classrooms and offices,” explained Executive Managing Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, ASEAN Business and Chairman, SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd, Robert Wu.
SHARP shared its plans to strengthen its brand position and grow market share through its dynamic business strategy, even in the face of the challenges posed by Covid-19. SHARP remained among the top brands preferred by consumers according to global market research group. The insights of the market survey, for the period of June 2019 to May 2020, found that SHARP dominated the number one position in the refrigerator and washing machine product segment in comparison to its competitors, holding a majority market share of approximately 20% in Malaysia. SHARP is also in listed among the top three preferred brands in the television and air conditioning product segment.
SHARP unveiled its new “Remote Life” concept as a highlight of the virtual convention, focusing on seamless communication and safety of users. The concept comprises three solutions for three key areas namely, Remote Meeting for businesses, SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms and Remote Lifestyle for the general user or household to operate effectively and safely in the new normal.

Remote Meeting for businesses
SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms
SHARP Remote Education Systems for classrooms. Brickfields Asia College is one of the first institutions of higher learning to be equipped with the SHARP Sharp Smartboard which is available in different sizes, has a built-in interactive launcher for all-in-one interactive whiteboard functions, 4K Ultra-HD Quality, and Video conferencing system for remote presentation.
(From left) SHARP Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Ting Yang Chung, and Deputy Managing Director (Sales Division), Tok Sang Man, and Assistant General Manager (Sales) and Head of Smart Solution Division, Clement Ng, introducing eSHARP, SHARP Malaysia’s new e-commerce platform

To support the recovery of businesses within its dealer network, SHARP also took to opportunity to introduce its new e-commerce platform, eSHARP (https://www.esharp.com.my/), at the virtual convention. The new eSHARP platform aims to drive revenue back to dealers.
“Amid safety and health concerns, we understand our customers want better access to their favourite SHARP products. Our eSHARP platform represents a ‘second floor’ retail business concept for our customers to shop at and extend our authorised dealers’ physical store presence and compliment their business. Customers are assured of a secure online shopping experience and peace of mind knowing the quality of genuine SHARP products from authorised dealers. This new business strategy will help our dealers gain online revenue and enhance customer engagement,” explained Wu.
In view of the current social economic environment, SHARP understands the consumer’s need for affordability alongside quality solutions. As such, SHARP announced its plans to debut its new product line-up (at various price-points) including its signature BIG AQUOS TV range and home appliances this year. SHARP also previewed its partnership with BACFREE® to introduce water products that will complement SHARP’s ‘Air of Confidence’ Solutions comprising of Air Purifiers, Air Conditioners and Air Cooler products fitted with Plasmacluster technology.
For more info, head over to https://my.sharp/

Photo credits: SHARP Malaysia and author’s own
.

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Tech News – November 2021

[Tech News]
vivo Malaysia Debuts the vivo Y76 5G

vivo Malaysia unveiled the new vivo Y76 5G in Malaysia on 23 November 2021, debuting their new mid-range tier device that aims to deliver an immersive mobile experience for users. The new smartphone comes equipped with a large screen display, a sophisticated sleek design.
“Living in a digital age where most mobile users seek entertainment content and subscribe to a mobile gaming lifestyle, an undisrupted and immersive experience for them has become a must. We are excited to introduce the vivo Y76 5G in Malaysia as we believe that it would be a perfect mid-range device that suits these users’ everyday lifestyle. In line with our philosophy ‘Joy of Humanity’, it is also part of our endeavour to redefine our users’ daily content consumption experience.”Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer of vivo Malaysia
The newly-released That’s Y series device features a 6.58″ FHD+ Incell screen with FHD+ resolution (2408*1080) that supports high colour saturation and delivers a vivid visual experience without straining users’ eyes from blue light, thanks to its Eye Protection Mode.
The vivo Y76 5G reaffirms vivo’s craftsmanship by sporting an ultra-slender and sleek design, measuring 7.79mm thin (excluding camera) and weighing only 175g. The phone with its 2.8mm narrow frame to the 3D back cover, was carefully designed to offer an ultimate on-hand experience for mobile users.

The vivo Y76 5G features a sparkling AG frosted back cover surface that also prevents fingerprint smudges. The vivo Y76 5G is available in two eye-popping colours – Midnight Space and Cosmic Aurora. Midnight Space, a glitter-enhanced frosted surface, illustrates the twinkling stars in the mesmerising midnight sky to the vast space, while Cosmic Aurora portrays an aurora-illuminated horizon by perfectly blending shades of blue and orange together.
The vivo Y76 5G was designed to be a mid-range tier device for gaming, and comes with the upgraded Ultra Game Mode 2.0 and Multi-Turbo, which reduces lag. Users can instantly shift between multiple modes, including “Power Saving”, “Balanced”, and “Performance” with an optimised sidebar and dynamic dashboard that displays performance parameters.
The gaming experience is backed by 4D Game Vibration, which mimics the recoil sensation. With the Game Picture-in-Picture feature on standby, users can now play games while exchanging texts with friends and families. To push for a fuller experience, switch on Do Not Disturb to silence unwanted distractions by blocking notifications.
Switching between multiple apps without lags is made possible with vivo’s outstanding Extended RAM technology, which is now upgraded with version 2.0. It draws an extra 4GB from ROM to add to the generous 8GB of RAM, and by doing so vivo Y76 5G users can instantly enjoy a seamless 12GB RAM experience. It can now support more apps (keeping up to 25 apps) running in the background without compromising speed performance. To provide a seamless experience, the vivo Y76 5G is packed with a 7nm 5G chip and a CPU speed as high as 2.2GHz. Along with a 128GB memory, users can savour a smoother 5G experience with a faster connection and multiple app downloads.
The vivo Y76 5G comes equipped with a 50MP AI triple camera system, innovative sensor, and image processing system. The 50MP AI triple camera system consists of three lenses – 50MP main camera, 2MP bokeh camera and 2MP macro camera. The Bokeh camera can create artistic depth and quality effortlessly, while the macro camera can focus on objects as close as 4cm.
Complementing the imaging capabilities of the phone, a suite of vivo’s multi-modal photography and videography features – including 16MP AI Extreme Night Selfie, Super Night Mode, and Ultra Stable Video – are available on the vivo Y76 5G. The upgraded AI Extreme Night algorithms and Super Night Mode empower users to capture wonderful night selfies with more details, richer contrasts, and lesser noise. Its AI Face Beauty algorithm and Smart Softlight Band work to optimise night mode portraits.
The Ultra-Stable Video smartly senses phone motion and makes dynamic adjustments for clear and vivid images, and the camera also comes with Fun Shot features such as Double-View Video and Double exposure.
The vivo Y76 5G features 44W FlashCharge – a leading charging tech in the mid-range phones – which can power the 4,100 mAh (TYP) battery efficiently and quickly, while its VEG technology helps to preserve battery usage.
The vivo Y76 5G comes with a brand-new Funtouch OS 12, which sports a neat design and simple touch controls which was designed with a natural and eye-friendly layout.

The vivo Y76 5G has a pre-order price of RM1,299 and is now available at all vivo concept stores, authorized dealers, vivo Malaysia’s official E-store, and flagship store on Shopee and Lazada, until 26 November 2021. Free gifts worth RM587 upon pre-order include RM50 instant rebate, Y76 5G customised Vanzo Fragrance Gift Set worth RM138, 1 Year Extended Warranty and 1 Year Screen Crack Protection worth RM399.
The vivo Y76 5G will also be available for purchase on 27 November 2021 onwards (on the aforementioned channels) and comes with a customized Vanzo Fragrance Gift Set worth RM138, 1 Year Extended Warranty and 1 Year Screen Crack Protection worth RM399, a total of RM537 worth of free gifts upon purchasing the device.
vivo Y76 5G collaborates with Mobile Legends to offer customers a random limited Mobile Legends skin worth RM55 upon purchasing the Y76 5G smartphone. In addition, vivo will be hosting a “Super V Championship” Mobile Legends tournament at Central i-City on 27 and 28 November 2021, with a cash prize worth up to RM5,000.

OPPO Debuts the OPPO A95 Smartphone in Malaysia

OPPO recently launched its latest A series smartphone – OPPO A95 – in Malaysia. Continuing the characteristic features of the OPPO A series, the OPPO A95 features powerful hardware for a practical and long-lasting experience, finished with a stylish OPPO Glow design.
OPPO A95 comes equipped with a large 5000mAh battery and 33W Flash Charge to ensure longer battery life and usage time. It also features OPPO’s self-developed RAM Expansion technology, is 7.95 mm thin, and weighs only 175 grams.
“From work to play, OPPO A95 offers an all-round smartphone experience that allows you to take on each day with confidence,” said Garry Gong, Vice-President, OPPO Malaysia.
Powered by the Qualcomm® SnapdragonTM 662 platform, OPPO A95 delivers a smooth and efficient user experience that is further enhanced by System Booster, a suit of system-level optimizations that ensure the phone runs seamlessly. The OPPO A95 also comes with a RAM 8GB+5GB and ROM 128GB configuration, and RAM Expansion technology, allowing it to convert unused ROM storage into RAM when manually enabled.

OPPO A95 helps solve users’ anxiety around battery life and capacity with its large 5000mAh battery and 33W Flash Charge, which can reach a full charge in 72 minutes. With a 5-minute charge, users can enjoy 1.8 hours of YouTube video viewing and 5.7 hours of voice calls. OPPO has also added a series of charging features to OPPO A95 that makes charging the device safer and more convenient: Battery Guard helps personalize overnight charging intelligently, tailored to fit personal user habits; Charging Heat Control monitors heat dissipation and controls the phone’s temperature while charging to alleviate any charging-related safety concerns; and Super Power Saving Mode and Super Nighttime Standby both maximize that last leg of battery life when it is most needed.
For photos and videos, OPPO A95 features triple camera setup on the back of the device, including a 48MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor camera, and a 2MP macro lens, together with a series of AI-supported features to capture high quality images. These include 15 different image-enhancing filter presets; AI Scene Enhancement, which can intelligently recognize scenes such as food, flowers, sunsets and more, to optimize colors, saturation and brightness; and Night Mode, for taking bright and clear photos with rich details in the evenings or in low lighting settings. On the front of the OPPO A95 is a 16MP front camera with OPPO’s AI Beautification and Front Night Mode features. The OPPO A95 also is equipped with a series of features such as Steady Video, SLO-MO and SoLoop.

The entire phone is manufactured to be both dustproof and waterproof, with an IPX4 rating. It has also been tested for durability by being put through a series of rubbing tests against a range of common household materials designed to simulate everyday wear.
The OPPO A95 is available in two colours: Glowing Rainbow Silver and Glowing Starry Black. Both models feature OPPO’s exclusive OPPO Glow design, which gives the back cover of the phone a subtle shimmering appearance, creating a dual matte finish with glittery details. The phone’s cover feels ultra-fine and smooth to hold, and it is also fingerprint-resistant, scratch-resistant, wear-resistant, and fire-resistant.
OPPO A95 features a 6.43-inch display with a 90.8% ultra-high screen-to-body ratio and a high 2400×1080 resolution. The display is fitted with All-day AI Eye Care – a series of features comprising AI Smart Backlight and DC Dimming.
ColorOS 11.1 on OPPO A95 provides the foundation for an efficient and convenient user experience, helping to improve everyday productivity for all kinds of tasks. FlexDrop, for example, ensures smooth multi-task among different apps through resized windows. Meanwhile, saving private images, videos, audio, documents, and other files in the Private Safe can help prevent other people from accessing them. ColorOS 11.1 protects user safety and privacy with several customized features included as standard, such as All-scenarios SOS.

OPPO A95 includes a number of customized features for mobile gaming including OPPO’s patented Hyper Boost technology that privides a more stable gaming experience, with less power consumption and better temperature control. Additionally, features like Game Space, Game Assistant, Game Focus Mode and Bullet Notifications all contribute to creating a fully-immersive and interruption-free gaming experience.
The OPPO A95 is priced at RM1,099. Customers can purchase the device a My OPPO Space, OPPO Brand Stores, OPPO Official Online Store, OPPO Authorized Dealers, OPPO Authorised Online Store, Chain Store Partners and E-commerce partners such as including Shopee and Lazada.
For more information, head over to https://www.oppo.com/my/event/oppo-a95-launch/

Photo credits: Respective brands
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Tech News – March 2023

vivo Malaysia Unveils the vivo V27e

vivo launched its latest addition to the vivo V series – the V27e on 1 March 2023 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. vivo V27e is a light-weight, stylish phone which combines functionality and style for users looking for a lower mid-range smartphone that offers an all-round photography experience.

“With its eye-catching appearance and outstanding image capabilities, vivo V27e allows users the power to capture special, aesthetically pleasing moments. To achieve this, vivo constantly strives to develop leading technology in its smartphones to improve performance in a slim design. The V series smartphones are also well-known for their aesthetic beauty and vivo has continued this strong tradition with an amazing range of colours for vivo V27e. Looking ahead, vivo will continue to push the boundaries with its smartphones to ensure users enjoy the best experience.”
Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer at vivo Malaysia

With vivo being the portrait specialist, it was not surprising that the v27e places an emphasis on portrait photography with the Aura Light Portrait feature that vivo claims to provide natural night portraits, thanks to its ultra-sensing rear main camera, studio-level soft lighting effect and portrait-enhancing capabilities. The Aura Light and Portrait Mode work in tandem to help the camera light up faces for better portraits at night (more light usually results in less noise in photos).
The 64MP OIS Ultra-Sensing Camera on the back of vivo V27e offers a longer exposure and increases light intake by six times, producing more stable snapshots, boosting the quality and success rate of images taken in low-light conditions. vivo claims that the 32MP front camera takes clearer selfies, and being a vivo user myself (I use the vivo X80 Pro) I can attest to the fact that vivo’s selfie capabilities are usually pretty good while being natural so much so that it amazes most of my female friends. The V27e also comes with the multi-style portrait system which offers different templates to personalise images taken on the front and rear cameras.
Vivo also claims that the V27e can shoot brighter, more dynamic, detailed videos thanks to the Hybrid Image Stabilisation (OIS + EIS) which can perform stabilisation computations and movements up to 10,000 times per second. (I cannot substantiate these claims as I have not had the opportunity to test the phone in the field/ real-life scenarios).
The Vlog Movie Creator feature offers a new one-stop video creation experience, providing 26 templates with rich video effects to show users how to shoot objects, people, or landscapes, along with real-time guidance for camera movement. The Vlog Movie Creator also enables users to edit videos efficiently with a built-in time slider, allowing users to easily crop and delete redundant segments of videos. It also comes with portrait optimisation to enhance skin texture, focus, lighting and stabilisation, a feature I’m sure most females will undoubtedly appreciate.
The vivo V27e’s design pays tribute to the vibrant colours of nature with a design flow which gives it a dynamic, artistic, simple and elegant look. Both the colour variants offers a different visual experience. The Lavender Purple edition uses the nano-scale photoetching technique and features a glowing peacock feather pattern, giving it an eye-catching look. The phone is also carefully designed to exude an airy, lively and elegant feel. Meanwhile, the Glory Black edition features a silky, glittery pattern which was designed to exude a sense of glamour and refined luxury.

The vivo V27e has a large 6.62′′ 2.5D screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and ultra-high brightness and contrast. The 120Hz Sunlight AMOLED Display also features self-developed ambient light sensors combined with luminescent materials which intelligently adjust the screen’s brightness and deliver vivid authentic colours.
The flat frame, slim body of 7.7mm thickness and a weight of 185g provides an ultra-thin grip that gives the phone a slender and elegant look which is accentuated by the stunning flat screen.
The new vivo V27e is equipped with a 4600 mAh (TYP) battery. Coupled with vivo’s in-house developed FlashCharge technology, it supports up to 66W of charging power (the V27e comes with a vivo standard charger that supports up to 66W charging) and a peak energy conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%. Further supported with an advanced cooling system, the phone can be charged to 50% in only 19 minutes while the screen is off. The vivo V27e battery has twice the lifespan compared to the industry standard and supports up to 1,600 charging cycles compared to the industry standard of 800 charging cycles.
The vivo V27e is equipped with MediaTek’s Helio G99 platform, which features a 6nm advanced process. It combines graphite sheets of ultra-high thermal conductivity with high-efficiency heat dissipation materials to create an efficient cooling system to boost performance.
The vivo V27e is equipped with Extended RAM technology, which supports up to 8GB of virtual RAM. The Extended RAM works in tandem with the 6nm chip to seamlessly switch between apps and store data.
The vivo V27e is priced at RM1,299 and is currently available at all vivo concept stores, authorised dealers, vivo Malaysia’s official E-Store and vivo Malaysia’s official flagship stores on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok.
From 4 March 2023 onwards for a month, customers who purchase the vivo V27e will receive free gifts worth RM666, which includes a smart tag worth RM69, Bluetooth speaker worth RM99, 1-year extended warranty and 1-year screen protection.

With Mike Xu, Chief Executive Officer at vivo Malaysia

.
Photo credits: vivo Malaysia and author’s own

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Mitsubishi ASX (CBU) Launched in Malaysia

[Automotive News]

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Malaysia, officially launched the first locally-assembled Mitsubishi ASX on 12 February 2014 at the Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA) plant. The mid-size SUV is contract assembled at the Segambut plant of Tan Chong Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd (TCMA) with the initial production volume expected to be 5,000 units per annum.
 “All cars produced by Mitsubishi Motors worldwide are governed by high quality standard set by Mitsubishi Motors which ensures consistent quality level of all Mitsubishi cars. This means the cars that are locally assembled will have the same quality level with models assembled in Japan,” said Tetsuya Oda, Chief Executive Officer of MMM.

The ASX was developed to combine the utility and practicality of an SUV with the comfort of a sedan. This has resulted in a mid-sized SUV which not too big or small, with high ride point, easy maneuvering, good handling and comfort. The ASX is powered by a 2.0-litre MIVEC engine with 150 PS of power and 197 Nm of torque. There are two (2) variants are available – 2WD and 4WD – and both are mated to an INVECS-III CVT (continuous variable transmission) with Sports Mode.
The ASX comes with three (3) airbags, ABS and EBD standard across the range, while the 4WD variant comes with Traction Control, Active Stability Control (ASC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). MMM claims that the ASX has a class leading turning radius of 5.3 meters.
Meanwhile the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) ASX variants are equipped with automatic lights and wipers (auto rain and light sensors), leather seats, GPS navigation, front and rear parking sensors with reverse camera, automatic air conditioning and a high contrast instrument panel. Additional equipment for the 4WD variant includes a panoramic roof, steering paddle shifters, push start button and solar/security window tint.

Since 2005, MMM has sold more than 70,000 units in Malaysia. To date, Mitsubishi Motors operates 57 showrooms (out of which 40 are 3S Centres) and 50 service outlets throughout Malaysia. Current line-up of vehicles include the Mirage compact hatchback, Lancer GT sedan, ASX mid-sized SUV, Triton pick-up trucks, Pajero Sport and Pajero Exceed SUVs, 100% electric car i-MiEV and the newly launched Attrage compact sedan.

The Mitsubishi ASX (CBU) is now available at all Mitsubishi showrooms nationwide in 2WD and 4WD variants. Prices start from RM114,743.50 for the 2WD variant, while the 4WD is priced at RM128,879.50, both on the road without insurance. The first 300 customers who have successfully registered their 2014 ASX vehicle will also be rewarded with a Special Leather case (terms and conditions apply).
The ASX comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and is available in four colours – Black Mica, Titanium Grey, Cool Silver and Solid White.
For more information, visit www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my or http://www.facebook.com/MitsubishiMotorsMalaysia

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Dior Homme Spring 2016: Les Essentials #1 – Sportswear.

[Fashion]

For the Spring 2016 collection, Dior Homme revisits sportswear essentials with pieces featuring tailored construction that provides a sartorial allure. The blouson is a key anchor piece of the collection, whether in navy blue, crimson and stone-coloured nylon, or in a hooded version in yellow and beige bonded cotton canvas. It corresponds equally with the tradition of a straight pant in cool wool and the modernity of a virgin wool jersey knit or a stone-coloured cotton poplin shirt.

 Khaki basketweave parka with techno membrane, contrast beige interior, and drawstring

 Navy blue, crimson and stone nylon blouson, metal “cd”
 Yellow and stone bonded cotton blouson with detachable hood, adjuster tabs, horn buttons engraved “Dior homme” in white

The DIOR boutique in Kuala Lumpur is located at:
G20,21,22,25, 26,27 &28, Indulge Floor,
Starhill Gallery,
181, Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Telephone: 603 21431886
More info at www.dior.com

Images courtesy of Dior Malaysia.

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Sony Alpha 5100 Launch (ILCE-5100)

[Tech & Gadgets]

You might remember that earlier this year MHB attended the bloggers preview for the Sony Alpha 5000 camera (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2014/05/12/sony-alpha-5000-bloggers-preview-2/) and barely half a year later, Sony Malaysia launched another new inter-changeable lens camera. As MHB’s official photographer Andy Kho and I both were very familiar with the a5000 and its capabilities, we eagerly headed over to Pulp cafe in Bangsar on 26 August 2014 for the launch of the new Sony a5100 in Malaysia.
The new Sony Alpha 5100 or a5100 is more like the replacement model for the out-going Sony NEX 5T camera whereas the a5000 was the replacement for the NEX 3 series of inter-changeable lens cameras. The new a5100 is a marriage of sorts between the somewhat more basic a5000, and very capable and more professional a6000.
The α5100 is a small, lightweight and highly portable inter-changeable E-mount lens camera equipped with the latest 24.3 megapixels Exmor™ CMOS sensor and integrated editing functions. Sony claims that the α5100 is the world’s smallest interchangeable-lens digital camera (currently in the market) that comes with a big APS-C sensor plus a built-in flash and Wi-Fi.

The Fast Hybrid AF system of the α5100, the same that can be found in the α6000, has 179 phase detection points that freezes rapid action, and accurately tracks fast-paced targets – like blistering penalty shots or lively pets – for blur-free results. The camera comes with the very useful Touch Focus and Touch Shutter, which adjusts the focus on whatever you touch on the LCD screen and immediately fires the shutter giving you the added chance to capture that all important shot in clear focus.
The large APS-C sized sensor is Sony’s latest-generation Exmor™ CMOS with 24.3 effective megapixels which is paired with the BIONZ X image processor featured in the α7 Series. This makes all the difference with refinement and low-light sensitivity, whether shooting stills or movies.

Video recording includes support for the increasingly popular pro-focused XAVC S format at 50 Mbps which gives Full HD footage with high quality sound to match. The Fast Hybrid AF provides accurate focus that tracks your subject, and there’s also the option of using the Touch Focus while capturing videos.

For those of you who love taking selfies, simply flip the large 3-inch LCD screen 180° and snap away! The in-camera soft-skin effect enhances skin tone, producing even better looking selfies automatically.

The camera comes with one-touch NFC and Wi-Fi Direct which allows easy wireless transfer to compatible Android and iOS phones, tablets and TVs. The one-touch linkage also activates Smart Remote Control, letting you frame shots and fire the camera shutter right from your smartphone or tablet’s screen.

New accessories include the style-matching LCS-EBD body case – available in three colour variations – and the compact, easy-to-carry RM-SPR1 remote for shake-free tripod-mounted selfies.
The Sony α5100 interchangeable lens camera is currently available in three (3) colours – black, white and brown, in local camera outlets, Sony Stores and Sony Centres nationwide at the RRP of RM2,399.00

Technical Specifications

Lens compatibility
Sony E-mount lenses

Image sensor
APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), Exmor CMOS sensor

Number of pixels (effective)
Approx. 24.3 megapixels

Recording format
Still
JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3 format)

Movie
XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4

Media
Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory StickPRO-HG Duo, Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant), SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant)

Focus system
type
Fast Hybrid AF(phase-detection AF/contrast-detection AF)

Focus point
179 points (phase-detection AF) / 25 points (contrast-detection AF)

Sensitivity range
EV-1 to EV20 (ISO100 equivalent with F2.0 lens attached)

Exposure control
Metering type
1200-zone evaluative metering

ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)
Still images: ISO 100-25600 (1/3 EV step),AUTO (ISO 100-25600, selectable lower limit and upper limit)Movies: ISO 100-12800 equivalent (1/3 EV step) / AUTO (ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit)

Shutter
Shutter speed
Still images:1/4000 to 30 sec, Bulb,Movies: 1/4000 to 1/4(1/3 steps)

Electronic Front Curtain Shutter
Yes

Drive
Speed (approx., max.)[1]
Continuous shooting: Hi: max. 6 fps,Lo: max. 3 fps

No. of frame recordable(approx.)[2]
JPEG Fine L: 56 frames, JPEG Standard L:75 frames, RAW: 23 frames, RAW&JPG:22 frames

LCD
Type
7.5cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT electrostatictouch screen

Number of dots (total)
921,600 dots

Adjustable angle
Up by approx. 180 degrees

Audio
Microphone
Built-in stereo microphone

Speaker
Built-in, monaural

Interface
HDMI micro connector (Type-D), Multi /Micro USB Terminal

Wireless LAN (built-in)
Wi-Fi Compatible, IEEE 802.11b/g/n(2.4GHz band)

NFC
NFC forum Type 3 Tag compatible

PlayMemories Camera Apps
Yes6

Flash
Built-in / Guide No. 4 (in meters at ISO 100,Flash coverage 16mm）

Battery
One rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50

Weight
With battery and Memory Stick PRO Duoincluded: Approx. 283 g　(approx. 10oz),Body only: Approx. 224 g  (approx. 7.9oz)

Dimensions W x H x D (excluding protrusions)
approx. 109.6  x 62.8 (H) x 35.7 (D) mm(approx. 4 3/8 x 2 1/2 x 1 7/16 in.)

Operating temperature
32 – 104 degrees F /  0 – 40 degrees C

The best thing is that I was loaned a unit of the Sony a5100 so do look out for posts on this site and on my social media using it.
More info at http://www.sony.com.my/
Photo credits: Andy Kho Photography (www.andykho.com) using the Sony Alpha 5100 and author’s own also using the a5100.

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Honor 7 Smartphone – Latest Flagship by Honor

[Tech News]

Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, recently launched its latest Huawei honor 7 smartphone in Kuala Lumpur.
Honor is a sub-brand of Huawei and has been in the Malaysian market since April 2014. While Huawei smartphones target the more premium market, honor was introduced to meet the needs of Huawei’s younger consumers namely the ‘always on’ digital natives, a group that lives on the internet, spending one third of their time online for social and entertainment, shopping, studying or simply staying connected.
With that in mind, honor has a no-stores, no-gurus, no-contracts approach which is something very different in the mobile device marketplace, enabling customers to get the best technology at a great value price which holds quite to its tagline “Your unfair advantage”.
The new honor 7 is a fully metallic flagship smartphone that comes equipped with a host of innovative smart functions and multimedia capabilities that can be unlocked by using smart buttons and a gesture-enabled fingerprint reader.
Speaking at the launch, Allen An, Director of E-Commerce Malaysia, said: “Developed to make operating it as simple as possible, the honor 7’s solid performance will be a true reflection of user’s identity. Its multi-functionality enables digital natives – especially young working adults – to outperform their peers no matter if it is at work or leisure. Its smart and multimedia capabilities will also inspire action and creativity that will surprises everybody in their circles.”
“The device’s precise dimensions and metallic finish offer an optimal form-factor and premium feel, making it a highly reliable smartphone. All of these will allow digital natives to keep their competitive edge in today’s fast paced society,” An added.

The honor 7’s fully metallic body is air-brushed with a ceramic coating, offering a very premium look, while the device’s 5.2-inch encasing and well positioned buttons and sensors allows for ergonomic single-handed operation.
The honor 7’s frame-free metallic fingerprint reader allows for rapid 360-degree fingerprint authentication from various angles and even has a self-learning capability that allows scanning accuracy to be enhanced through the subtle re-recording of registered fingerprints during use. The reader also supports intuitive gesture control that enables you to answer calls to take photos.
The smartphone is powered by the HiSilicon octa-core Kirin 935 processor with its A53, 3GB RAM and 16GB ROM memory, ensuring that you can run the most resource intensive apps without a hitch. Its L-shaped circuit board keeps the device cool while Huawei’s Signal+ technology and a smart dual-antenna design allows for the networks with stronger signals to be found at 80-times the average speed of similar devices. The smartphone comes with a long-lasting 3,100mAh battery, which offers good standby and use times, and the device also has quick-charging* capabilities.
The honor 7’s rear camera is a monster 20MP camera, which is powered by a Sony IMX 230 sensor and honor’s PDAF fast-focusing technology that allows its f/2.0-aperture lens to capture vivid low-light-condition images. The 8MP front-facing camera comes with a wide-angle f/2.4 aperture lens and built-in LED flash which has an image enhancement capabilities and panorama feature, helping you to take selfies or groufies.

For those of you who love snapping photos of your food, the honor 7 has a Good Food mode that adjusts the colour to help you to take nice food shots. The device is also equipped with various filters and has the Huawei P8’s revolutionary light-painting capability through which users can construct vibrant artistic images.
The honor 7 was designed to redefine mobile Internet experiences, and thus offers smart capabilities aided in part by its smart key, an additional button placed on the left-side of the device that can be used for quick Google searches on-the-go. A really useful feature is the fingerprint reader on the back of the device which also functions as a camera trigger, enabling you to take selfies by just tapping their index finger on the fingerprint scanner in camera mode.
The honor 7 also comes with voice capabilities, such as the ability to be woken up with a designated command, like “Dear honor”. Follow that up with a “where are you” and the device will call the user to find out its location. Taking screenshots is also much easier with its knuckle-tap feature that allow you to tap the screen twice with your knuckles for an instant full-screen capture.
The honor 7 is also available in Mystery Gray.

My first thoughts is that this is one sleek and sexy flagship smartphone with its metal body and a great camera! There’s just no equivalent for the 20MP camera at this pricepoint at the moment so the honor 7 rules supreme in that department. There’s also the fingerprint scanner which is pretty useful and convenient for unlocking your phone. I have an honor 7 with me so look out for my product review in coming weeks.
The honor 7 is currently available in two colours, Mystery Gray and Fantasy Silver for RM1,399.00  at Vmall.my (*quick-charging charger sold separately).
For more info, head over to www.facebook.com/HuaweiHonorMY or vmall.my

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