On 28 June, AMCHAM members from various industries including key energy member companies had a chance to meet with Mr. Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM).
The discussion focused on Malaysia’s current developments on issues related to energy transition, decarbonization and U.S. policy on climate change and carbon capture industry in Malaysia. The discussion also touched upon the regulatory, legal framework and potential investments in the renewable energy and carbon capture industry in Malaysia.
Thank you to Mr. Brad Crabtree and the U.S. Embassy KL for the valuable session.
On 23 June, Angela Cheung returned to conduct a fun, lively and interactive workshop on how to influence without authority.
Since leadership skills and social influence are becoming some of the most sought-after attributes, Angela shared useful and practical tips about how to network, present, and find unique ways of communicating without coming off as overconfident or brash. This would be especially helpful for introverted personalities.
Thank you to Angela for conducting the session.
It is T-minus 7 days to the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the European Union (EU) of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. This is the latest of the legislative pillars of The European Green Deal.
22 June 2023, KUALA LUMPUR – The Hajj pilgrimage, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from 26 June to 1 July, is anticipated to draw two million participants1 including over 31, 000 Malaysians. It is expected that the number of pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia will reach its pre-pandemic levels as restrictions on age and travel are lifted. The number of flights from Malaysia has been increased from 49 to 70 per week according to media reports2. Saudi Arabia has established operational procedures to handle the increased number of travellers entering the Kingdom. As this year’s Hajj season occurs during the summer, pilgrims can expect to deal with the high summer temperatures and humidity. Therefore, International SOS recommends that organisations encourage their workforce to take the relevant precautions in order to have a safe and healthy Hajj.
Dr Marie Louise Van-Eck, Regional Medical Director at International SOS in Dubai, advises:
“Our bodies are naturally designed to maintain a constant temperature of around 37°C (98.6°F). The body automatically balances heat gain and loss; however, if it is unable to effectively cool down, the inner “core” temperature can rise to dangerous levels. This leads to the breakdown of bodily systems. Anyone can be overcome by heat, even people who are fit and healthy. Certain individuals are at higher risk than others, such as young children/babies, pregnant/nursing mothers, the elderly and those with medical conditions, so keeping a close eye on these individuals is important.
The great news is that we can prevent heat-related illnesses. To combat the challenges of extreme heat during the hot season, it is important for pilgrims to maintain proper hydration by drinking plenty of water. It is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and sugary drinks as they contribute to dehydration. Wearing suitable attire, such as loose-fitting, lightweight, and preferably light-coloured clothing enables the body to breathe and stay cool. Pilgrims should not forget to protect their head and face with a hat or an umbrella and reapply sunscreen frequently. It is advised to take regular breaks to rest in cool shaded areas and avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially during peak hours between 10 AM- 4 PM. Pilgrims should remember to listen to their bodies and to not overexert themselves. Lastly, it is essential for pilgrims to comply with all health regulations and be mindful of prevalent diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), by practising good hygiene.”
Gulnaz Ukassova, Security Director at International SOS in Dubai, said:
“Pilgrims undertaking Hajj should closely follow government directives and ensure they have obtained the correct approvals prior to departure. Utilise the services of a government-approved and trusted pilgrimage organiser that has the appropriate arrangements in place. Additionally, it is crucial for pilgrims to be aware of the challenges posed by being in crowded places during the Hajj and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
Travellers visiting Saudi Arabia during this period and who are not participating in Hajj should be mindful of heightened cultural and religious sensitivities. Visitors should ensure adherence to all local legal, religious and cultural norms, comply with instructions issued by the authorities at all times and exercise caution in crowded areas. Visitors should also anticipate potential travel disruption, as well as increased demand for transport and accommodation during this period. Travellers should reconfirm their bookings and travel arrangements and allow additional time for journeys, especially if using King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah (Mecca), where most pilgrims arrive.”
International SOS provides the following top advice for organisations and their workforce to ensure the health and safety of pilgrims during the hot season:
- Encourage employees to stay hydratedto avoid heatstroke. It is important to select safer food and beverages, such as using bottled water, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, ensuring thorough cooking of meat and avoiding non-pasteurised dairy items.
- Emphasise the importance of dressing appropriately by wearing loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres such as cotton or linen, which are cooler than synthetic materials. Advise the use of light-coloured clothes that reflect heat and recommend the use of wide-brimmed hats or umbrellas to protect against the sun.
- Highlight the need for rest and frequent breaks in cool places. Encourage individuals to listen to their bodies and avoid overexertion in hot weather. Remind individuals to protect their skin by applying sunscreen and applying it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Educate your employees about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat syncope (heat collapse), heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Emphasise the importance of taking these symptoms seriously and seeking medical attention if needed.
- Recommend the use of cool showers, baths, or sponging off with cool water to help lower body temperature and suggest the use of cool water sprays and fans to create a breeze and relieve the heat.
- Raise awareness about high-risk groups such as young children, elderly people, pregnant or nursing mothers, and those with underlying medical conditions or on medications who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Encourage extra precautions and monitor their well-being.
- If organisations are involved in conducting the pilgrimage, emphasise the importance of complying with instructions provided by Hajj operators. Inform individuals about the set times organised by Saudi Arabian authorities to minimise the potential for overcrowding. Advise pilgrims to be mindful of their belongings when moving through the crowds.
- Remind individuals to pay attention to people who may appear sick, to maintain distance, wash hands frequently, and avoid touching their faces.
Instruct pilgrims to avoid direct contact with animals, including camels, due to the potential presence of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in camels and their products.
- Advise individuals to save emergency contacts on their mobile phones and ensure their phones are charged. Recommend including important contacts such as police, ambulance services, embassy, and local contacts.
- Encourage the workforce to monitor the situation and stay updated with the latest news and recommendations.
- Encourage pilgrims and travellers to familiarise themselves with the surroundings, including designated exits and to remain alert whilst in crowds. Individuals should be mindful of the valuables that they carry with them whilst in crowds.
- Stress the need for heightened caution regarding religious and cultural sensitivities, particularly on social media platforms. Remind employees to respect all local legal, religious, and cultural conventions at all times.
- Forewarn about the likelihood of tighter security at transport hubs, increased traffic and congestion, as well as increased demand for various services, including transport and accommodation during the pilgrimage.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, June 20, 2023 — FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced the six winners of the 2023 FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx / JA ITC) Malaysia Finals. The FedEx / JA ITC fosters business knowledge through practical teamwork exercises and classroom learning. The winners attended a local trade workshop and competed with twelve other teams in a local competition.
The six students who will represent Malaysia at the regional finals are:
1. Team : MushroFoam DUO
Names of students : Audric Kwan & Foong Sharlyne
School : Catholic High School
Product presented : A biodegradable and eco-friendly product solution designed to replace traditional packaging materials such as Styrofoam, plastic, and polystyrene.th
Brand name : MushroFoam
2. Team : THE PAPADAM ADDICTS
Names of students : Lim Ann Nee & Phoemie Tan Sin Lin
School : SMK Convent Green Lane
Product presented : A biodegradable, plant-based, food-grade cling wrap, specifically developed to cater to a diverse market including household members, the food industry, culinary institutes, and catering services.
Brand name : BioMax Cling
3. Team : OrbGuard
Names of students : Shavetha Gopi Chander & Aveenash Kumar
School : Global Indian International School
Product presented : An innovative solution for toothpaste pills that minimizes the need for toothpaste tubes. The product is designed for urban areas and targets the Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban markets.
Brand name : Oracare – Toothpaste Pills
To foster collaborative thinking and encourage diverse ideas from different cultural backgrounds, the six Malaysia winners will go on to work with students from other Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) markets at the 2023 Asia Pacific International Trade Challenge regional finals in August. This team setting enables contestants to exchange experiences with students from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, get a global perspective, and brainstorm ideas that work towards achieving a common goal.
This year’s Malaysia finals was held with eight workshops attended by more than 800 students to heighten their knowledge on global trade and acquire skills to prepare a detailed marketing entry strategy plan. The students were challenged to develop a sustainable alternative to a single-use product of their choice for the South Africa market. This aligns with the FedEx approach to “reduce, replace, and revolutionize” across business activities in order to minimize environmental impacts and add value.
“I am pleased to witness the exceptional level of passion, perseverance, and unwavering fighting spirit exhibited by all the participants in this year’s program. Their determination serves as an inspiration to us all,” said Tien Long Woon, Managing Director, FedEx Express Malaysia. “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with JA in organizing the competition this year, which is aligned with our hope of nurturing the next generation of leaders and equipping them for the dynamic and evolving landscape of tomorrow’s workplace.”
Since 2008, FedEx Express Malaysia and JA have been at the forefront of nurturing young minds through FedEx Express / JA ITC, which has to date positively impacted more than 8,620 Malaysian students. The program remains dedicated to empowering and equipping students with essential knowledge, hands-on experience and critical business and project management skills to foster their development into visionary entrepreneurs, ready to meet the challenges of the modern world.
On the 22nd of June, AMCHAM held our 46th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Executive Office. This year, the AGM was conducted as a hybrid event allowing members to attend virtually.
Anushia Soosaipillai, Treasurer, AMCHAM, Senior Executive Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers Malaysia, went over AMCHAM’s financial performance in 2022. The financial performance of the Chamber continued to improve from the previous year as we recorded total revenues of more than RM3.0 million in 2022.
Siobhan Das, CEO, AMCHAM, spoke about the Chamber’s notable activities from 2022 as well as what the ongoing initiatives are. During the AGM, five Governors were elected to serve a two year term with the returning four board members. members.
The elected Governors are Antony Lee, Chief Executive Officer, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad; Dato’ P’ng Soo Hong, VP of Manufacturing Operations, Managing Director, First Solar Malaysia; Datuk Tim Garland, Chief Executive Officer, START by TBWA; Soon K. Kuek, General Manager, Lam Research International Sdn. Bhd; and Steven R. Clayton, Vice Chairman, Asia Pacific, J.P. Morgan Chase.
After the meeting ended, members who attended in-person proceeded to a lunch at Celestial Court in Sheraton Hotel KL. Thank you to our members for making time to attend and ensure a quorum was reached to proceed with the meeting. The AGM ran smoothly with a successful adoption of the Governor’s slate.
