“Through UAD, we aim to empower communities across Asia and beyond to take charge of their health and unite against dengue. Our focus is clear – to educate communities, advocate for sustainable dengue prevention measures, and support affected individuals and communities with care and assistance. The collaboration with Takeda reinforces WHO and ASEAN Member States’ commitment to combating dengue through sustainable solutions, improving access to preventive health services, education, and healthcare support to reduce its impact on communities,” said Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific, IFRC.

“Joining forces with IFRC, we aim to strengthen the foundation of community resilience by advancing disease literacy, enhancing early action capabilities, and empowering local health systems. UAD is designed to strengthen and complement existing public and community efforts to combat dengue collectively and ensure that communities are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to dengue outbreaks,” said Dion Warren, Area Head of India & Southeast Asia (I-SEA), Takeda. “By collaborating across sectors, including governments, NGOs, medical societies and communities, and leveraging our collective strengths and resources, we can tackle dengue’s complex challenges more effectively and achieve greater impact, together. This collaboration is a call to action, underscoring the urgent need for unified, multi-sectoral action.”

Strategic Focus on Education, Advocacy and Support

The collaboration is structured around three strategic pillars: Educate, Advocate and Support.

1. Educate: Build community resilience and readiness through impactful disease education and early preparedness. Efforts include community awareness campaigns, volunteer training using the Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV) toolkit, and hygiene promotion through community engagement. Enhanced surveillance systems and early action protocols will also be introduced to guide community responses and improve outcomes.
2. Advocate: Ensure the sustainability of preventative measures through policy work and stakeholder engagement. This includes working closely with policymakers, medical societies, and community organizations to support the integration of dengue prevention, management and control into national strategies. Regional and national alignment across public health stakeholders is also prioritized to drive unified action and strengthen health system resilience for long-term impact.
3. Support: Provide care and assistance to communities and individuals affected by dengue.

These efforts represent the initial focus of UAD and are not exhaustive. Additional efforts will be introduced as UAD continues to respond to evolving community needs and opportunities for greater impact.

Kickstarting educational efforts is a partnership with popular comic platform, The Woke Salaryman for the initiative’s first regional dengue educational content, a comic that will be translated to multiple languages. Leveraging their unique brand of storytelling, the series brings to light the impact of urbanization on community ties in Asia and beyond. The series not only raises awareness about dengue but also underscores the critical role of community collaboration in disease prevention efforts.

Initially released in English, the comic series will be translated into Bahasa Melayu, with additional translations planned for languages beyond the region, including Spanish and French, which will be shared through IFRC’s platforms. This strategic initiative aims to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of the UAD campaign, making crucial information accessible to diverse audiences across the region.

The Burden of Dengue Continues to Rise

Driven by climate change and rapid urbanization, dengue has become endemic in over 100 countries, with Asia shouldering approximately 70% of the global disease burden. Thus far, in 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s IDENGUE dashboard recorded 14,310 cases with 16 people (as of 24 March 2025) losing their lives from the disease. While current efforts are valuable, a more integrated approach is crucial to achieving the goal of zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030. 

“Everyone has a role to play in the fight against dengue. UAD exemplifies the power of collaboration and community engagement in tackling this significant public health challenge. The WHO commends this creative approach to reaching and educating communities across the region. Together, we believe we can make zero preventable deaths by 2030 in Southeast Asia and beyond possible,” said Dr Deepa Gamage, Public Health Specialist, Disease Control, WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. 

“Dengue continues to pose a significant public health threat across Asia and beyond, requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral action at both regional and national levels,” said Prof. Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Ismail, Chairman of Asia Dengue Voice and Action (ADVA) and Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysiaand Chairman of Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia (DPAM). “Cross-sector collaboration will continue to be crucial for driving progress and protecting vulnerable populations from dengue. UAD collaboration reflects a clear intent to catalyse collaborative efforts to drive progress in dengue prevention and management.”

Complementing Existing Public Health Efforts

Aimed to enhance dengue awareness and bolster protection efforts, the UAD collaboration empowers communities to combat dengue through a multi-pronged approach: disease education, early action protocols, targeted public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and support for affected individuals and communities.

The initiative will be rolled out across Asia and beyond. Additional regional and local programs will be launched to further drive collective action, enhance dengue awareness, and support dengue prevention efforts.

More information about the UAD collaboration can be found here: www.ifrc.org/article/ifrc-and-takeda-initiate-united-against-dengue-alliance-combat-escalating-threat-mosquito 

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Value-driven consumers

Indonesian consumers are increasingly discerning when it comes to beauty purchases. Mintel Global Consumer research reveals that 91% of women compare products to find the best deal, while 84% frequently buy discounted beauty products – demonstrating a strong preference for value without compromising on quality. Digital engagement is also shaping purchasing behavior, with 21% of women aged 18-34 interacting with beauty content online in the three months leading to September 2024.

Chinese Beauty Brands Gaining Ground

Chinese beauty brands have a strong presence in Indonesia’s e-commerce space, with around 100 SKUs available on Sociolla and Watsons’ local online store. According to Mintel, these brands resonate with Indonesian consumers by focusing on hero ingredients, ingredient-led messaging, and innovative marketing strategies. To further strengthen their appeal, these brands are aligning with local beauty preferences at accessible price points.

Innovation Fuels Market Growth

New product development in color cosmetics is increasingly driven by beauty-enhancing and functional claims, which accounted for 77% and 76% of launches in 2024, respectively, according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD). This trend reflects growing consumer demand for transparency, safety, and efficacy in beauty products.

Korean-inspired skincare also continues to gain traction, driven by the Hallyu wave. Innovations focusing on skin-gut harmony and the integration of aesthetic treatments with skincare (such as microneedling and regenerative ingredients like PDRN) can resonate with consumers seeking advanced solutions. This presents an opportunity for brands to explore new formulations that cater to these evolving preferences.

Sensitive Skin: A Rising Focus

The sensitive skin market is emerging as a promising segment. Mintel GNPD data shows a rise in “suitable-for” claims from 34% in 2022 to 43% in 2024, while products featuring the word “sensitive” or a variant in their description grew from 30% to 38% over the same period.

According to Mintel, brands have the opportunity to develop products focusing on multidimensional barrier support and microbiome balance. This aligns with the broader trend of consumers prioritizing skincare that addresses specific needs and sensitivities. Younger consumers, in particular, are driving this shift—89% of Indonesian women aged 18-24 express interest in beauty products specifically designed for their age.

As Indonesia’s beauty market expands, brands that successfully balance affordability, efficacy, and local relevance will be well-positioned to thrive. The intersection of consumer demand for value and innovation offers opportunities for growth in the years ahead. 

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International Islamic University Malaysia’s Azre Nazerul Rahman clinched first place at CGS International Securities (CGS International)’s annual AIC 2024. The competition brought together top teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand – collectively known as M.I.S.T – who faced off in a high-stakes finale held at Bursa Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February.

Finalists of AIC 2024 at Bursa Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur

Contestants presented their investment strategies before a panel of judges comprising professionals from each country’s stock exchange. After a rigorous assessment, the champion walked away with a grand prize of over S$20,000.

Mr Kevin Lee, Group Head of Sustainability of CGS International, said: “AIC 2024 has once again highlighted the potential of our future leaders in finance. We hope their 8-month journey with AIC has provided them with a solid foundation in lifelong financial management skills, including the incorporation of ESG in their investment practices. Through initiatives such as AIC, CGS International is dedicated to empower the communities for a more sustainable tomorrow.”

The final placings for AIC 2024 are as follows:

1. Malaysia: Azre Nazerul Rahman, International Islamic University Malaysia
2. Indonesia: Ali Alexander, Universitas Gadjah Mada
3. Singapore: Team Scoop, Republic Polytechnic
4. Thailand: Naradith Aparprasith, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

Carol Fong, Group CEO of CGS International, said: “Looking at the talent here today, I am reminded of the significance of AIC as a beacon to build the next generation of finance leaders.

My heartiest congratulations to our four teams who made it to the finals. They stood out from over 5,000 participants with their thoughtful, innovative investment strategies – showing not just a sound grasp of market principles, but also a good knowledge of sustainable and responsible investing. In the end, Azre Nazerul from Malaysia excelled with his holistic investment strategy and impressive presentation.”

This year’s challenge saw the participation of over 5,000 students from 500 institutions of higher learning in M.I.S.T. Notably, AIC is the only investment challenge backed by all four local stock exchanges: Bursa Malaysia, Indonesia Stock Exchange, Singapore Exchange, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

A key highlight of AIC 2024 was the introduction of a new judging element, which evaluated participants’ portfolio performance against benchmark returns, offering a fresh perspective on investment success.

CGS International aims to encourage sustainable investing amongst the new generation. The Challenge imparts investment fundamentals, including ESG investing and risk management. The participants receive practical training in addition to theory lessons from CGS International’s investment experts. Winners are also offered internships with the Group to put their new skills to practice, making it a truly holistic learning experience.

Azre Nazerul, International Islamic University Malaysia and AIC 2024 winner, said: “Like so many of my peers, I have wanted to start investing for a while but lacked the know-how. Hence, when AIC came to our school, many of us took the chance to learn. Throughout the challenge, CGS International provided us with many tools and resources to hone our investment skills. I really appreciated the opportunity to try our hand at investing without having to take on any actual risks. With the benchmark returns as part of the judging criteria this year, we could also tell how well our portfolios performed against industry benchmarks. This was immensely useful in our own performance evaluation.”

The next AIC will be launched on 8 April 2025 at the ASEAN Investment Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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He expressed that the fans in Malaysia are the ‘craziest’ and feels the bonding with them. “When I am feeling low, I always think of Malaysian fans and it lifts my spirit”. Rahman said that he’s so excited to be able to meet his fans again in Malaysia. Reflecting on his journey, Rahman reminisces about his inaugural concert in Malaysia, a moment that forged a deep-seated connection with the audience and the land. He speaks of an enduring attachment and a sense of belonging that permeates his performances in the region, infusing them with an added layer of significance and intimacy.

It will be a powerful and unforgettable 3 hours performance comprising Tamil songs of the 90s, 2000s and other latest hits for his Tamil fans in Malaysia.  He also expressed his love for the Tamil language which he will be using to entertain his fans. Rahman added that fans can also look forward to some pleasant surprises in the upcoming concert.

He acknowledges the evolving preferences across generations, acknowledging a nostalgic allure attached to certain compositions. When speaking about his process of curating the song list for his concerts, Rahman explains that, like any artist, he aims to strike a balance between timeless classics and newer gems.

AR Rahman’s concerts are not merely musical spectacles but transformative experiences that traverse realms of joy, nostalgia, and profound emotion. With each performance, he reaffirms his status as a luminary in the world of music, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts of his audience.

AR Rahman’s concert showcases many well-known playback singers and Rahman mentioned that he will reveal the details bit by bit in the run up to the show.

Besides performing in Malaysia, Rahman also enjoys the local food and visiting Melaka. He shared his experience of visiting local markets wearing a face mask and also an IT centre where he purchased a gaming laptop.

With a career spanning over three decades, Rahman has garnered global accolades for his unparalleled contributions to music, earning prestigious recognitions including Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

Rahman’s blend of soul-stirring melodies and electrifying beats promises a musical journey like no other. His mastery of diverse genres, from classical to contemporary, ensures a dynamic and engaging experience for fans of all tastes. From iconic hits that have defined generations to fresh compositions that push artistic boundaries, Rahman’s concert is a celebration of musical innovation and cultural resonance.

Get ready to be swept away by his unparalleled talent and immerse yourself in an evening of pure musical magic. Organised by Star Planet, the event is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm at National Stadium Bukit Jalil.

Tickets for the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 will be available for purchase starting 8th May 2024 at 2:00 pm via my.bookmyshow.com and ticket2U.com.my. Tickets are priced from RM98 onwards. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure they do not miss out on this historic musical event. For more information and ticketing details, please visit www.starplanet.com.my.

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The press conference was graced by Dato Alan Foo, Star Planet’s Managing Director, alongside Dato R. Rajendran, Director of Star Planet. Joining them was Mr. Senthil Velavan, the Show Coordinator for AR Rahman, whose proficiency guarantees the seamless realisation of the concert’s artistic vision, assuring a remarkable experience for all attendees. Moreover, the assembly hosted more than 30 members of the Rahmaniac Malaysia fan club.

“We are thrilled to bring AR Rahman, a true icon of the music industry, to Malaysia for what promises to be a momentous event,” said Dato’ Alan Foo, managing director of Star Planet. “This AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 represents a significant milestone for Star Planet as we continue our mission to deliver world-class entertainment experiences to Malaysian audiences. Rahman’s music transcends boundaries and speaks to the hearts of millions worldwide, and we are honoured to present this extraordinary opportunity for fans to witness his brilliance live on stage.”

Dato R. Rajendran, Star Planet’s Director, conveys that the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 event, organised by Star Planet, will present an impressive blend of musical genres. This will include Rahman’s classic tracks alongside fresh compositions, all performed by a remarkable group of artists. Audiences can look forward to an engaging exploration of Rahman’s distinguished career in Indian cinema, accompanied by captivating reinterpretations of beloved songs, with a focus on a carefully selected array of Tamil melodies.

“We anticipate the event to draw a remarkable turnout of enthusiastic audiences. This significant interest underscores the widespread excitement surrounding the event, marking it as a standout highlight on the entertainment calendar. Moreover, we anticipate a surge in domestic travel as fans from various regions eagerly converge to partake in this extraordinary musical experience,” added Dato Alan.

AR Rahman, the maestro behind countless timeless melodies and groundbreaking compositions, is set to deliver an unforgettable performance, marking a historic moment in Malaysian entertainment history. With a career spanning over three decades, Rahman has garnered global acclaim for his unparalleled contributions to music, earning prestigious accolades including Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

Get ready to be spellbound by an enthralling spectacle as a constellation of celebrated artists and dancers grace the stage in seamless unity. With cutting-edge, international-class audio-visual technology illuminating each moment, attendees are in for an immersive journey that defies expectations and ignites the senses. From electrifying choreography to soul-stirring melodies, this star-studded performance promises to transcend boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on all who witness its brilliance.

Tickets for the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 will be available for purchase starting 8th May 2024 at 2:00 pm via my.bookmyshow.com and ticket2U.com.my. Tickets are priced from RM98 onwards. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure they do not miss out on this historic musical event. For more information and ticketing details, please visit www.starplanet.com.my

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Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, and Eclat Media Group, a premier broadcaster of global sports content, today announced the expansion of Eclat’s sports content broadcasting to viewers across Asian countries, including Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. This new agreement powers Eclat Media Group’s newly launched channels, SPOTV and SPOTV2 to broadcast 4000+ hours of content annually.

Tata Communications Media Ecosystem, coupled with Video Connect and Satellite Uplink services, will allow commentators of SPOTV and SPOTV2 to overlay commentary in their local language, which is added to the viewers’ video feeds for relevant regions. Fans across Asia will now be able to watch their favourite global sports in their preferred language commentary, thereby expanding the reach of content to millions of new potential viewers.

“It is our pleasure to have Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler, as our valuable network partner. As we expand the distribution of our content pan-region, we aim to focus on growing localised and relevant content for the individual markets. With this exciting partnership, SPOTV and SPOTV2 can achieve seamless localisation and delivery of our premium sports contents to fans across Asia,” said Lee Choong Khay (CK), CEO of SPOTV.

Dhaval Ponda, Global Head of Media & Entertainment Services, Tata Communications, said, “Sports viewership has dramatically shifted over the years with technology playing a key role in evolving the at-home viewing experience.” He adds, “By joining forces with Eclat Media Group, we aim to give sports fans across Asia an enhanced experience to enjoy their favourite global and local sports – be it motorsports, tennis, baseball or volleyball. Our world class media infrastructure coupled with Eclat’s ambition to be the pioneer in providing language-customised sports content to fans in each country is driving the transformation of sports consumption pan-Asia.”

Eclat Media Group has recently launched two new channels – SPOTV and SPOTV2 – across multiple Southeast Asia and select East Asia territories such as Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Mongolia, and the Philippines. The channels broadcast content such as tennis Grand Slam tournaments Wimbledon and US Open, motorsport championships MotoGP and WorldSBK, World Table Tennis and Badminton World Federation events, as well as popular Asian sports including the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) League, Korean Basketball League (KBL), V-League (volleyball) and V.League (Japan) competition.

Tata Communications Media & Entertainment Services offer a comprehensive suite of solutions for global media value chain workflow including contribution, processing and distribution. With an infrastructure spanning the world that allows end-to-end content delivery at scale, the company enables over 9,000 live events, 700 TV channels and 60,000 hours of live content, reaching over 2 billion sports fans globally. To learn further about Tata Communications Media & Entertainment Services, please visit https://www.tatacommunications.com/media-entertainment/

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 • Acquisition comes on the back of strong organic expansion, having grown to over 110 employees across over 21 cities since 2014

Redhill, the full-service global communications agency, has acquired Hong Kong-based Creative Consulting Group Inc. Limited (CCG) to strengthen its presence and service offering in Asia. With the acquisition, CCG will become part of the growing Redhill family, serving clients in Hong Kong and the Greater China region. This is the first acquisition for Redhill and is part of the firm’s continued efforts to strengthen its global reach and expertise.

Founded in 2001 by Belinda Chan, CCG is a marketing and public relations (PR) firm with an outstanding track record of delivering PR and communication solutions for clients across various business sectors, including banking & finance, real estate & professional services, lifestyle, and technology, among others. The firm boasts a client portfolio that includes Henderson Land Group, Cushman & Wakefield, Bank of Singapore, UBS, JP Morgan, Cyberport, Bang & Olufsen, MMD and Aruba.

“We’re excited to welcome Belinda and the CCG team to Redhill – we’ve long admired their excellent work and, together, built a strong working relationship over the past two years. CCG brings with it not only regional experience and presence but also a high-quality team in Hong Kong and Greater China region. This is an important milestone for Redhill as we set our sights on acquiring like-minded agencies across the world, as we further our mission to be a global agency with Asian roots,” said Jacob Puthenparambil, CEO, Redhill.

“We are thrilled to join the fast-growing, award-winning and highly-motivated Redhill family and are looking forward to incorporate a wider spectrum of clients with our diversified expertise. We have been in Hong Kong for 20 years and the team is ready to embark on a fuller professional journey and a promising breakthrough in our careers. With roots in the dynamic Greater China region, we join forces with Redhill to bring both our achievements to the next level,” said Belinda Chan, Founder & Managing Partner, CCG.

Since its inception in 2014, Redhill has grown from 30 employees in 2017 to over 110 employees in 2022, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.90 percent. Following an impressive year for Redhill in 2021, the company has continued the momentum into the new year, recently being listed as one of Singapore’s fastest-growing companies by The Straits Times and Statista in 2022. Redhill is the first full-service PR and communications agency to make the illustrious list and has been included in the list for the second year in a row.

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The funding round comes as Kopi Kenangan is seeing strong domestic demand for its expanded product offerings such as its bread brand Cerita Roti, its “chicken on the go” brand Chigo, and soft-cookies brand Kenangan Manis, as well as the continued rapid growth of its home-grown coffee brand including the latest topping addition, Sultan Boba. The company has delivered strong top-line growth during the past 12 months, with year-on-year sales more than doubling and it has maintained profitability due to its robust store-level margins and attractive store-level payback period. Over the past year, Kopi Kenangan’s app has become the most downloaded and best-rated coffee app in Indonesia.

With the latest round of funding, Kopi Kenangan will accelerate the expansion of its new brands, Cerita Roti, Chigo and Kenangan Manis across Indonesia, and will continue to build the Kopi Kenangan network and broaden its footprint internationally.

Edward Tirtanata, Co-founder and CEO of Kopi Kenangan said: “I am very pleased to announce this fundraising, which positions us as the first New Retail F&B Unicorn from Southeast Asia. The continuing support of our investors, as well as the new backers in this funding round, is a testament to our continued focus on increasing store productivity and using technology to create the best user experience for our customers. Our mission is to be the most-loved consumer brand in Southeast Asia and, as part of our five-year vision, we remain committed to rapidly expanding our footprint to thousands of stores across Southeast Asia and broadening our offerings.”

Kopi Kenangan was founded in 2017 by Edward Tirtanata, James Prananto, and Cynthia Chaerunnisa, targeting a gap in the market in Indonesia between the high-priced coffee served at international coffee chains, and the instant coffee sold in the country’s many street stalls. Customers were offered the convenience of ordering through an app and either having coffee delivered to their doorstep or picking it up at one of Kopi Kenangan’s many stores across the country. This new retail online and offline model has been embraced by consumers and in a little over 4 years Kopi Kenangan has grown to employ more than 3,000 staff in over 600 stores across 45 cities. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the company learnt to quickly adapt to the changing business environment and challenges by employing new strategies, such as adopting contactless booking requests which accelerated its revenue and user base. It has served 40 million cups of coffee in the last 12 months and is expected to serve 5.5 million cups per month in Q1 2022.

Bosun Hau, Managing Director of Tybourne Capital Management said: “In a few short years, Edward and James, together with the highly experienced management team, have grown the business significantly and helped it navigate the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We are extremely excited about the potential of Kopi Kenangan as it continues to tap into the rapidly growing F&B market in Southeast Asia. The strength of the Kopi Kenangan team, coupled with their entrepreneurial spirit, deep knowledge of the F&B industry and their ability to use technology to retain and engage with customers and improve efficiency and sales, bodes well for the future of this new Indonesian unicorn.”

Source: Kopi Kenangan via PR Newswire

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