28/08/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | AUG 28, 2025

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DE-CIX earns Google Gold VPP status

Alliance Bank Q1 net profit up 12.5% to RM199 million KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd’s net profit rose by 12.5% to RM198.69 million in the first quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Q1’26), from RM176.65 million a year earlier. In a Bursa Malaysia filing yesterday, the bank said the growth in net profit was primarily driven by increased revenue for the quarter after taking into account higher allowances for expected credit losses and operating expenses. Revenue for the quarter increased to RM615.32 million against RM539.77 million year-on-year. The bank’s net interest income rose 7.4% to RM499 million from RM464.7 million in the previous corresponding quarter, driven by higher loan volume, while net interest margin stood at 2.42%. Alliance Bank’s non-interest income rose 54.9% to RM116.3 million, primarily from higher foreign exchange sales and trade fees, strong treasury and investment income, and increased banking service fees. Its cost-to-income ratio also improved to 45.1% from 48% in Q1’25. “Overall loans momentum continued with a 9.9% year-on-year growth, with broad-based expansion across all business segments,” the bank said. Small and medium enterprise loans rose 9.6%, consumer loans increased 11.2%, commercial loans were up 10.9%, and corporate loans recorded a 3.3% increase. Alliance Bank said its customer deposits strengthened by 12.5% year-on-year while maintaining one of the highest CASA ratios in the industry at 38%. It added that its Q1’26 net credit cost stood at 14.4 basis points, reflecting prudent provisioning, while the bank’s loan loss coverage ratio remained healthy at 113.3%. The bank said it remains well-capitalised with a Common Equity Tier-1 ratio of 12.4% and a total capital ratio of 16.9%. DE-CIX is accessible from data centres in over 600 cities worldwide and interconnects thousands of network operators (carriers), internet service providers (ISP), content providers, and enterprise networks from more than 100 countries. DE-CIX Frankfurt, with a data volume of close to 45 exabytes per year (as of 2024) and nearly 1,100 connected networks, is one of the largest internet exchanges in the world. At DE-CIX, he added they are always seeking ways to simplify interconnection services for their customers and push the evolution of peering for the benefit of all network operators. “As network technologies evolve and network operators adapt their policies, it is essential for companies like DE-CIX to find solutions to keep the world fully interconnected,” he said. Today, DE-CIX offers its peering, cloud connectivity, and other enterprise-grade interconnection services in 60 locations in Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia.

more stringent peering requirements can thus depend on DE-CIX’s expertise and resources to ensure ongoing connectivity to Google services, resources, and workloads in Google Cloud. Networks can use DE-CIX’s simplified Layer-3 connectivity to ensure uninterrupted access to Google services. DE-CIX’s offer of enterprise-grade connectivity to Google means that wholesale networks can use DE-CIX’s VPP status to provide continued access to Google’s services for their customers. It also means that enterprises that access Google Workspace or consume Secure Access Service Edge or other internet-facing applications hosted on Google Cloud can gain direct access to reliable and dedicated connectivity to support their business operations through the IX operator. “We are delighted to have been able to work with Google on the implementation of the VPP solution for IXs and to be one of the first IX providers globally to achieve Gold status as a Google VPP,” said DE-CIX CTO Dr Thomas King.

To enable other networks to continue peering with Google, DE-CIX – as a VPP – is making Google prefixes consumable at its IXs through its peering service. The service is already live at the DE-CIX locations in the US, India, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkiye and the Nordic region, and the operator is currently rolling out the service to its other IX locations globally. DE-CIX customers currently maintain thousands of peering sessions with Google globally, many across multiple DE-CIX locations. Peering with Google via DE-CIX ensures seamless, high-capacity access to all Google’s services, reducing latency and bypassing congestion in the public Internet. The service is being rolled-out location by location where both DE-CIX and Google have a point of presence and will be available to all connected customers in those locations. The service will be implemented in Kuala Lumpur in the coming months. Smaller ISPs and network operators in Malaysia that are unable to fulfil Google’s

KUALA LUMPUR: Medical devices and solutions provider LAC Med Bhd signed a multi-year subscription-based agreement with KPJ Healthcare Bhd to implement an advanced medical image-management solution across 30 KPJ hospitals nationwide. The project, supported by LAC Med’s technology partner Philips, will significantly advance KPJ Healthcare’s digital transformation under KPJ Health System. The project involves LAC Medical Supplies Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of LAC Med, supplying and implementing software and systems integration solutions, powered by the enterprise imaging PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) solution from Philips. The project will connect KPJ hospitals on a single imaging platform, enabling secure access for clinicians and patients. LAC Med Bhd group CEO Liew Yoon Poh said: “We are grateful for the trust KPJ Healthcare has placed in LAC Med over the past eight years. This new project builds on our in-depth understandings of their operational needs and reflects our shared commitment to enhancing healthcare services provided to patients across all KPJ hospitals in Malaysia.” He added the project is not just the first of its kind in Malaysia, it is also a new revenue stream for them as they build the group’s recurring source of income and through this, they aim to play a defining role in shaping the future of Malaysia’s vibrant and fast-growing healthcare sector. KPJ Healthcare Bhd president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan said: “This initiative marks a milestone and a step forward in the KPJ Health System transformation journey, moving us towards a more connected and patient-centred model of care. By linking medical imaging across all 30 hospitals, with plans to integrate it into the KPJ Cares app, we are enhancing patient access, supporting clinical collaboration and KUALA LUMPUR: DE-CIX, an internet exchange (IX) operator, announced yesterday that it has been recognised as a Google Gold Verified Peering Provider (VPP), becoming one of the first IX operators worldwide to achieve Gold Status. The Google VPP Programme identifies and endorses ISPs and IXs that provide diverse and highly available connectivity to Google’s global network. For Google customers in Malaysia, whether a small business, a large enterprise or somewhere in between, choosing a VPP helps to ensure that their connection to Google is as available as possible. o Recognition strengthens Malaysian ISPs’ and enterprises’ direct access to search giant’s services

LAC Med, Philips roll out imaging system in KPJ hospitals

From left: Partovi, Liew, Chin and KPJ Healthcare chief digital officer Shahril Mizani Ariffin.

KPJ with our next-generation Enterprise PACS technology – built for speed, security, and scalability. Our platform enables real-time image access across the enterprise, supports AI-enabled diagnostic and streamlines radiology workflows, helping clinicians make confident decisions and contributing to better patient outcomes.”

building a system that is more efficient and responsive. This is an investment not only in technology, but in the quality, safety and overall experience of care we deliver to our patients and communities.” Philips chief innovation officer and chief business leader of enterprise informatics Dr Shez Partovi said: “Philips is proud to support

“Liquidity coverage ratio was 162.6%, with a loan fund ratio at 87.2%,” it added. – Bernama Pro-Net hands over EVs to Transport Ministry, supporting low carbon mobility blueprint

PUTRAJAYA: Pro-Net, the distributor of Proton e.MAS and smart Malaysia vehicles, handed over a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) to the Transport Ministry (MoT) on Aug 26. This initiative is in line with the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021–2030 and demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting Malaysia’s transition to sustainable transportation.

with firsthand experience of Proton e.MAS and smart vehicles, we are fostering a deeper understanding and readiness for the electrified future.” Pro-Net said it remains committed to supporting the government’s efforts in promoting sustainable transportation and advancing the nation’s low-carbon mobility agenda.

makers gain a clearer understanding of the benefits and challenges of EV adoption, supporting the development of effective policies, infrastructure planning, and long-term strategies that benefit all Malaysians. CEO Zhang Qiang said, “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to driving Malaysia’s transition towards sustainable mobility. By empowering government agencies

The EV fleet provided by Pro-Net, which includes Malaysia’s No.1 EV, the Proton e.MAS 7, alongside the smart #1 and smart #3, gives government stakeholders hands-on experience to explore vehicle performance, range, and the potential of EV technology. This initiative is a significant step towards achieving Malaysia’s target of 15% electrified vehicle adoption by 2030 and helps decision