28/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 28, 2025

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Govt mulls new Bill to safeguard shop lot buyers

UPM developing AI software to interpret slang terms GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) is developing artificial intelligence (AI) software that can interpret the communication style of young people, especially their use of abbreviations and short forms. Its deputy vice-chancellor (Industry and Community Network) Prof Dr Hang Tuah Baharudin said young people are more inclined to communicate using abbreviations and contemporary expressions. He said the initiative was part of the university’s efforts to maintain proper language use while safeguarding its authenticity amid digital communication trends. “We have linguistic experts conducting research on how to process and interpret language so it can be used correctly. For example, if grandchildren use abbreviations when texting their grandparents, this AI can translate the message into simpler language that is easier to understand,” he said after attending the 13th Malaysia International Conference on Languages, Literatures and Cultures on Tuesday He said the project is still at the data collection stage, as tens of thousands of contemporary terms are used by young people today. He described the initiative as a step to utilise AI as a tool to support communication rather than substitute human thinking. “For example, abbreviations such as IDK (I don’t know), IMO (in my opinion), LOL (laugh out loud) and G2G (got to go). If people do not understand them, they could cause confusion, but once the database is ready, this AI will be able to translate (slang terms) into more formal language.” – Bernama Sarawak allocates RM10b for state water grid system KUCHING: The Sarawak government has allocated about RM10 billion for piping systems and water treatment plants throughout the state to provide clean and sustainable water to the people and support the needs of foreign investors. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg said the allocation covers the replacement of old and leaking pipes, the development and upgrading of water treatment plants and the implementation of a water grid system in the state. “We are targeting all these projects to be fully completed by 2030. The allocation will be channelled in stages, with priority given to densely populated areas and remote areas that previously faced difficulties in obtaining clean water supplies,” he said at a press conference after launching Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd. He also said apart from water supply, the state government also places emphasis on the development of other strategic infrastructure such as coastal highways, rural link roads and a network of major highways connecting the whole of Sarawak by 2030. He expressed optimism that Sarawak would achieve full water supply coverage by that year, thus boosting the state’s progress with modern and investor-friendly infrastructure. Meanwhile, Sarawak Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the establishment of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd is aimed at strengthening the state’s water management system. The state government approved the establishment of a water supply service company under the Companies Act 2016 in 2024, which merged three agencies, the Kuching Water Authority, Sibu Water Authority and the Northern Region Water Board. – Bernama

o Study being conducted to ensure commercial premises protected under law: Minister

Department director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli said the agency engaged stakeholders through the National Council for Local Government to gather feedback from state authorities on the Bill, including the four SG4 states: Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis. “Under Article 95A of the Federal Constitution, the federal government must consult state governments on local government policies. Some of these views have been acknowledged and incorporated into the Bill, including responsibilities on identifying redevelopment sites, which fall under state authority with support from local councils,” he said in Parliament. Alias added that state governments hold the power to declare and gazette sites for urban renewal projects, except in the Federal Territories. The Urban Renewal Bill, due for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, aims to redevelop dilapidated housing areas in a systematic, fair and inclusive way to support community well-being and sustainable urban growth.

response to a supplementary question from Maran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib. Nga also reported progress on abandoned housing projects, saying the ministry’s special task force has revived 1,171 developments since 2023, restoring nearly 140,000 homes worth RM113.55 billion in gross development value (GDV). For the first half of 2025, 244 projects comprising 27,101 units were revived, with a GDV of RM21.07 billion. On a separate matter, Nga received a memorandum of support from residents for the Urban Renewal Bill outside Parliament. Nearly 100 residents, including from Desa Bakti in Selayang and the Taman Maluri flats in Cheras, urged the government to fast track the legislation. “They asked the government to speed up the Bill, and many also suggested that the Opposition should live in dilapidated flats to experience the hardship faced by the people. Do not politicise initiatives that are sincerely meant to help the people,” he said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Town and Country Planning

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is considering drafting a new Bill to safeguard buyers of abandoned commercial shop lot projects, which currently fall outside housing protection laws. Minister Nga Kor Ming said shop units are classified as commercial premises and not covered under the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118). “The ministry is conducting a study so that we can propose a new Bill to ensure shop buyers are also protected under the law,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, in

M’sian consumers embracing international e-commerce

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian consumers are emerging as confident and frequent participants in cross-border e-commerce activity, according to a recent study by Airwallex. Its Malaysia manager Aren Yip advised merchants to prioritise seamless and secure checkout experiences to meet rising expectations. Yip said both Malaysian and global consumers are increasingly confident shopping internationally, particularly from well-known brands. “The key takeaway is that shoppers are comfortable buying from international merchants. But there are three top-of-mind concerns: payment security, stability of payment methods and transparent pricing, especially in local currencies without hidden fees.” The study showed that 94% of Malaysian shoppers are confident buying internationally, with 72% doing so at least once a month, compared with 56% globally. “Marketplaces such as Shopee, Lazada and Taobao remain the preferred platforms in Malaysia, while social commerce is also gaining traction.” Yip added that influencers matter more in Malaysia, with 76% of Malaysian shoppers saying influencer recommendations impact their purchasing decisions, higher than the global average of 53%. He also said consumers dislike encountering obstacles during payment, particularly when they are redirected to unfamiliar platforms or faced with unclear fees and exchange rates, which often leads to cart abandonment. On the question of how Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) could scale globally, Yip said online shopping platforms such as Shopee remain an important sales channel. “I recommend that SMEs invest in their own branded e-commerce websites. When you have your own store, you own the customer experience. It allows you to build brand loyalty, attract repeat customers and create a long

Yip said while physical cards remain the top payment method, Malaysians favour digital wallets and local bank transfer systems such as FPX and DuitNow. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

expand across the regional Asean markets. “You cannot just rely on card payments when selling in countries such as Indonesia or Thailand. You need to support local methods, such as PromptPay in Thailand, which is their version of DuitNow, if you want to succeed regionally.” The growing demand for affordability and flexibility in spending is also driving the popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions, both in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia. “The more payment methods a business offers, whether it’s digital wallets, BNPL or local transfer systems, the greater the likelihood of completing a sale.”

term relationship with your buyers.” He also said 93% of Malaysian shoppers plan their purchases around occasions such as double digit Sales, Hari Raya and the Lunar New Year. On the local digital payment landscape, Yip said while physical cards remain the top payment method in many markets, Malaysian consumers favour digital wallets and local bank transfer systems such as FPX and DuitNow. “This is a consumer trend that sets Malaysia apart. For businesses operating here, offering a broad range of local payment options is essential to drive conversions.” Yip said payment diversity becomes more critical when Malaysian businesses look to