19/08/2025

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

TUESDAY | AUG 19, 2025

U Mobile aims to roll out in-building 5G coverage to 175 buildings within a year

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Apart from Berjaya Times Square, Woon said, the telco’s 5G network coverage has also been made available at the First Penang Bridge. “The rollout will include a mix of hospitals, shopping malls, trans portation hubs and airports. We have started work and almost completed in KK, Langkawi, and KLIA airports.” Woon said U Mobile is targeting 80% coverage of populated areas (CoPA) nationwide by the second half of next year. “Once we complete one year on 80% CoPA, we’ll move to 90% CoPA target In two years including Sabah and Sarawak.” At present, he said, over 30% of U Mobile’s subscribers are already using 5G services and with the rollout of Ultra5G, the company expects more than half of its total subscribers will be on 5G as coverage expands. U Mobile launched ULTRA5G at Berjaya Times Square, the telco’s headquarters, yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: U Mobile Sdn Bhd will roll out in-building 5G coverage to 175 buildings within a year and over 600 nationwide within four years, said chief technology officer Woon Ooi Yuen. He said the telco has already equipped more than 70 buildings with its 5G infrastructure with Berjaya Times Square becoming the first shopping mall to be fully enabled. “Over a period of one year, we are looking at more than 170 buildings, and over four years, more than 600 buildings for our 5G,” he told reporters at the launch of U Mobile’s 5G next-gen network, Ultra5G, at Berjaya Times Square yesterday. The telco believes the name ULTRA5G aptly emphasises U Mobile’s commitment to ultra-fast speeds, ultra-reliable connectivity, and ultra wide coverage.

From left: Woon, U Mobile chief information officer Neil Tomkinson, chief corporate services officer Norfazidah Abu Bakar, deputy CEO Kenneth Chang, CEO Wong Heang Tuck, chief financial officer Sandy Tsang, chief sales officer Alex Tan and chief marketing officer Navin Manian.

U Mobile users at the shopping complex will now see an ULTRA5G identifier on their devices, thanks to

the telco’s in-building coverage, which marks a key step forward in U Mobile’s strategy to deliver deep

and consistent 5G coverage across both indoor and outdoor environ ments.

Lim: Accountants are ‘guardians of integrity’

MyIPO pushes for stronger IP framework amid AI challenges KUALA LUMPUR: The Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) is intensifying its efforts to shape future policies and legislation that address the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the intellectual prop erty landscape. MyIPO said its priority, as the custodian of intellectual property rights in Malaysia, is to strike a balance between protecting the rights of creators and safeguarding public interest, while ensuring that the country’s IP framework remains progressive, resilient, and aligned with global technological developments. MyIPO deputy director general (operations) Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said the rapid adoption of AI has raised new questions about ownership and accountability in the creative and inno vation space. “Currently, IP laws recognise human creators through protection under copyright, patents, trademarks, and related rights. “However, with the increasing use of AI in generating content, inventions, and designs, the critical issue is determining who owns the rights when a creation is produced entirely by a machine. “Without clear ownership, it becomes difficult to take legal action in cases of infringement,” she said at the National Dialogue on Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence yesterday. Yusnieza said this challenge has prompted MyIPO to initiate broader discussions on how Malaysia’s IP legislation can evolve to remain relevant. “The aim is to assess whether current laws are sufficiently comprehensive, and to consider whether new provisions, exceptions, or limitations are required – particularly concerning fair use and digital applications of IP. “By driving national dialogue Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

“By championing lifelong learning and embedding sustainability, accountants will help shape not only a prosperous Malaysia, but also the future of finance globally,” she said. AICPA and CIMA chief executive of management accounting Andrew Harding cited the need to close the talent gap in digital finance skills, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and sustainability reporting. “We are currently seeing a war for talent, with demand outstripping supply, particularly for those with digital skills and new expertise in areas such as AI, data analytics and sustainability reporting,” he said. “Compounded by an ageing workforce, the profession risks being outpaced by digitally savvy competitors if we fail to act.” Harding urged finance professionals to view disruption as opportunity rather than threat. He noted that the profession has repeatedly adapted throughout history, evolving alongside technological and regu latory changes. “No one knows what the future holds, but our ability to think critically, transform and grow places us in a strong position. We are not just responding to change, we anticipate it, shape it and use it to create lasting value,” he said. Harding underscored the rising impor tance of management accounting, which he said now ranks among the most in-demand finance skills globally. “Technology does not replace us, it enables us,” he added. The two-day Engage Asia Conference 2025 themed “Empowering Finance Leaders in a Transforming World” will see participants discussing topics ranging from digital disruption and regulatory shifts to leadership evolution and sustainability in finance.

o Deputy finance minister says profession central to Malaysia’s economic resilience and future growth, can play role in spearheading sustainability and ESG initiatives

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

Sustainable Mindset learning pack, and the Fundamentals of ESG Certificate. According to her, this would help equip professionals to integrate sustainability into their work and champion green financing. Lim also highlighted Malaysia’s colla boration with AICPA and CIMA to expand the pool of chartered global management accountants (CGMA). She noted that nearly 250 CGMA have been developed within key government ministries through partnerships with the Accountant General’s Department, repre senting 60% of all globally qualified accountants in Malaysia’s public sector. Meanwhile, collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has facilitated the largest-ever conversion of members into CGMA, while partnerships with government agencies such as Yayasan Peneraju and MyPAC, as well as employers like Shell and FGV, continue to strengthen the profession’s talent pipeline. “In today’s rapidly changing environ ment, what we know today may not suffice for tomorrow,” Lim remarked. “Continuous learning is not optional, it is essential to staying relevant, competitive and impactful.” She called on accountants to embrace lifelong learning, collaborate across sectors and uphold the highest standards of pro fessionalism. Lim positioned the profession as an essential partner in realising Malaysia’s Madani vision of inclusive and sustainable development.

KUALA LUMPUR: The accountancy profession is central to Malaysia’s economic resilience and future growth, particularly in embedding sustainability into business models, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. She said accountants are no longer “mere number keepers” but “guardians of integrity”, upholding trust and transparency across both public and private sectors. “With sustainability now a central pillar of corporate strategy, accountants are uniquely positioned to embed environ mental, social and governance (ESG) principles into reporting and decision making,” Lim said in her keynote address at the inaugural Engage Asia Conference 2025 yesterday. She said that this strengthens trans parency, drives climate action and positions Malaysia as a low-carbon, resilient eco nomy. Her remarks aligned with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap and New Industrial Master Plan 2030, both of which aim to accelerate green growth and industrial transformation. Lim commended the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) for spearheading sustainability ini tiatives, such as their partnerships with global business schools on ESG courses, the

See page 14

and engaging with industry players, academics, and policy makers, MyIPO seeks to build an