17/07/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | JULY 17, 2025

15

AI slashes palm oil labour needs by 45%

TNG Digital, Kakitangan.com launch salary payment solution KUALA LUMPUR: TNG Digital Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s largest integrated fintech player, has partnered with Kakitangan.com, a human resource solutions provider, to offer businesses a smarter and more inclusive way to disburse salaries, especially to unbanked and underserved workers. TNG Digital CEO Alan Ni said financial inclusion has always been at the heart of the company’s mission. “With this partnership, TNG Digital and Kakitangan.com will be able to address the real pain points of individuals who lack access to traditional bank accounts by providing them with a secure and accessible salary solution through the TNG eWallet.” With the integration of the DuitNow Bulk Transfer, employers using Kakitangan.com can now disburse salaries in bulk directly to employees’ TNG eWallet accounts via any bank’s cash management system, quickly and securely, even without traditional bank accounts. Each TNG eWallet user has a DuitNow account number, enabling them to receive payments from any bank or e-wallet in Malaysia, just like a regular bank account. Recognised by the Department of Labour as a compliant salary account, TNG eWallet is especially valuable for migrant and underserved workers who often face barriers to opening bank accounts. It gives them immediate access to their income, along with tools to store, manage, and use their money confidently in the digital space.

efficiency and reduced process variability. Furthermore, the technology has also reduced dependence on manual labour by 45%, directly addressing Malaysia’s reliance on over 337,000 foreign workers, who comprise nearly 77% of the plantation workforce. “These improvements are not theoretical; they are measurable and operational. “Our goal has always been to deliver smart solutions that elevate industry performance in all areas, enable traceable operations from field to tank, and strengthen Malaysia’s global leadership in palm oil innovation,” said Surendran. Malaysia remains the second-largest producer of palm oil globally, contributing approximately 25% of the world’s supply, with 18.55 million tonnes of crude palm oil produced in 2023. With more than 400 mills across the country, the successful implementation of AI systems at Minsawi signals a potential turning point for the wider industry. The visit reflects the ministry’s continued emphasis on technological advancement and digitalisation, key pillars outlined in the National Agricommodity Policy 2021–2030. Through public-private partnerships, Malaysia aims to create an ecosystem that drives sustainability, competitiveness, and global relevance.

o Smart mill tech boosts efficiency, traceability and sustainability across Malaysia’s plantation sector

KUALA KANGSAR: Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being harnessed to revolutionise the palm oil industry, traditionally one of Malaysia’s most labour intensive sectors. Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who paid an official visit to Minsawi Industries (Minsawi) in Kuala Kangsar, highlighted Malaysia’s bold strides towards tech enabled industrial transformation. He witnessed firsthand the operational impact of the world’s first AI-integrated smart palm oil mill. The smart palm oil mill was launched late last year, featuring research and technology developed by Airei Sdn Bhd. “What Airei has built and showcased here at Minsawi Industries is more than a smart mill. It is a model for the future. “AI-driven innovation like this reduces over-reliance on foreign labour, boosts efficiency, and delivers what global buyers now demand – traceability. “That is the new standard of sustainability, and key to Malaysia’s global competitiveness in the palm oil industry,” Chan said.

The private tour included walkthroughs of the AI Control Room, mill floor, and ramp area – culminating in a dialogue session with Airei founder and CEO Surendran Kuranadan. The AI-powered smart mill represents a significant leap forward in system visibility and data-driven decision-making, leading to increased profitability. It integrates real-time data analytics, automation, and predictive maintenance into the core of operations. This enables greater traceability, accountability, and cost control throughout the production cycle, which is key to enhancing margins and meeting growing global demands for verified, responsible sourcing. It also allows mill teams to monitor and adjust in real-time, significantly reducing process inefficiencies. Through AI optimisation, the mill has increased oil extraction rate (OER) by 0.1%, ensuring more oil is recovered through process optimisation. It has also increased mill uptime by 5 10% through predictive maintenance, enabling revenue growth via greater asset

SUBSCRIBE TO theSun TODAY!

ONLY RM 1 PER COPY!

Enjoy daily access to:

The latest local & global news Top entertainment & sports stories All in 32 Full Colour pages

Stay informed 7 days a week! Just real news, straight to you.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!