Negotiations between Malaysia and the United States on the Agreement Regarding Reciprocal Trade (ART) are gaining strong momentum, signalling a potential boost in bilateral economic relations.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the talks are progressing rapidly following a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer.
On 8 October 2025, AMCHAM attended the opening of UPS’s new Package Centre in Penang, represented by Dato’ Siobhan Das, CEO, and Kevin Roch, Business Development Manager. This expansion strengthens UPS’s services for a growing customer base in the region and enhances connectivity through the company’s enlarged air hub at Penang Airport.
Located in Penang Science Park North, the 20,000 sq. ft. facility sits at the heart of the state’s thriving high-tech and manufacturing corridor, providing local businesses with improved access to UPS’s global logistics network.
“Extending pickup times effectively gives our customers what they’ve been asking for — more hours in a day,” said Ingrid Sidiadinoto, Senior Managing Director, UPS Malaysia. “Our enhanced airport hub allows us to process shipments efficiently on any of our 11 weekly UPS flights serving Penang.”
Thank you to UPS for hosting us at this milestone event. AMCHAM looks forward to continued collaboration and partnership in driving growth and innovation in the region.
Read the press release here: https://about.ups.com/us/en/newsroom/press-releases/customer-first/ups-opens-new-package-centre–enhances-delivery-services-in-pena.html
On 7 October, AMCHAM hosted a Spotlight Session with Lyra Health on “Identifying Employees in Crisis and Guiding Them to Support”
The session provided an insightful look into how organizations can identify employees in crisis and effectively guide them to appropriate support channels. Participants learnt how modern Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can be a cornerstone of a resilient and productive workplace, helping HR and business leaders balance employee well-being with business performance.
Alex Diong, Director of Lyra Malaysia, spoke about workplace mental health and the stigma that surrounds it. He presented statistics on mental health in Malaysia and stressed the importance of open dialogue and proactive organizational support to foster a culture of care and understanding.
Tan Lin Jia, Senior Clinical Case Manager at Lyra Health, focused on practical methods for identifying employees in crisis and how to respond. She outlined what measures HR professionals and managers can take when dealing with employees in distress, including early intervention strategies, effective communication techniques, and referral pathways to professional support.
We extend our thanks to both speakers for sharing valuable perspectives and solutions to help businesses strengthen their approach to employee well-being and build healthier, more supportive workplaces.
AMCHAM’s Member Feature Series spotlights the various member companies of the Chamber and offers a platform for leaders to share their perspectives on being part of AMCHAM’s leadership network.
In this edition, we’re proud to feature a Bronze Tiered Member, Khalisha Sharifah, Practice Leader at Fragomen Malaysia. See her responses below.
1. What motivated Fragomen to join AMCHAM as a Tiered Corporate Member?
Allows Fragomen to gain access to the exclusive members-only events that provide invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders, as compared to the basic corporate membership.
2. In your experience, how has being a Tiered Member added value compared to regular membership?
Allows Fragomen to gain access to exclusive members-only events that provide invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders.
Our tiered membership has enabled us to play a strategic role in shaping policies, relating to the current issues. We are honoured to have been invited to provide strategic guidance on policy development, contributing insights and recommendations that have been formally presented to the relevant government ministries and authorities for their consideration and potential implementation.
3. Would you recommend Tiered Corporate Membership to other companies? If so, why?
Yes, it creates opportunities for companies to connect with regional and global networks of business communities, expanding their reach and reinforcing their presence in Malaysia and beyond.
The ICJ concluded that all States have legal obligations to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and that a breach of such obligations constitute internationally wrongful acts entailing the legal responsibility of the States in question.
These conclusions were reached unanimously, after the ICJ received hundreds of written statements and written comments and after having heard extensive oral statements from the various States and international organisations that participated in the proceedings before the ICJ.³ The scale and depth of the statements received by the ICJ undoubtedly represents the international community’s shared commitment to finding a lasting and satisfactory solution to the climate crisis.
In the evolving digital economy, the phrase “code is law” is taking on real world significance. Smart contracts have emerged as a revolutionary technology that is transforming the way we understand agreements, trust, and legal enforcement in the era of blockchain.
What Are Smart Contracts?
“Smart contracts” is a term used to describe computer code that automatically executes all or parts of an agreement and is stored on a blockchain-based platform. Smart contracts are self-executing agreements with terms directly written into software. They automatically enforce and carry out these terms once predefined conditions are met. This automation brings several advantages, including improved efficiency, lower costs, and the removal of third party involvement.
