With this announcement, Microlink is proud to join thousands of companies globally committed to taking responsible business actions to help create the world we all want. This membership underscores our dedication to sustainable business practices aligned with global goals.

The UN Global Compact is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies with Ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, while also supporting the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with over 20,000 companies from more than 160 countries participating, supported by 60+ Global Compact Networks.

“At Microlink, we are dedicated to driving sustainable growth through responsible innovation. Joining the UN Global Compact reflects our belief that businesses can be a force for good, helping build a better future for society while delivering long-term value,” said Wong Kwang Chwen, Executive Director, Microlink Solutions Berhad. As a participant of this initiative, we encourage you to visit our UN Global Compact profilehttps://unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants/166950 on the UN Global Compact website and learn more about our latest sustainability work.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 2024, First Solution, a leading distributor of digital solutions in Malaysia, announced a partnership with Alibaba Cloud, digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, to accelerate the adoption of cloud technology across Malaysia. This collaboration will harness Alibaba Cloud’s advanced technology and innovative services to enhance First Solution’s offerings, supporting the growth of the Malaysian digital economy.

Through this partnership, First Solution is now well positioned to provide our partners and customers access to Alibaba Cloud’s comprehensive suite of cutting-edge cloud solutions, including high-performance infrastructure, enhanced data security, and cost-effective services tailored to meet evolving business needs.

This joint effort highlights First Solution and Alibaba Cloud’s long-term commitment to empowering Malaysia as a high-value economy. Recently, Alibaba Cloud identified Malaysia as a key market for the investment plan to establish its third data centre locally within the next three years. These investments will play a crucial role in advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation by delivering advanced cloud technologies and streamlined solutions to local businesses.

This partnership underscores our commitment to equipping our partners with the digital tools that their clients need to stay competitive and succeed in an increasingly dynamic marketplace. We are dedicated to providing seamless integration, expert guidance, and continuous technical support to ensure our partners and their clients can fully harness the power of cloud technology.

About First Solution

First Solution is a trusted IT distributor, dedicated to empowering its partners with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to enable businesses achieve their goals and drive sustainable growth. Our offerings include advanced enterprise solutions such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, enterprise-grade servers, storage systems, and network infrastructure. These solutions enable First Solution’s partners to equip businesses with the tools they need to streamline operations, enhance technological capabilities, and thrive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

The awards are presented in three categories, across various industry sectors, these categories are:

• Highest Growth in Profit After Tax over three years
• Highest Returns on Equity over three years, and
• Highest Returns to Shareholders over three years

This year, Microlink secured the Award for Highest Return on Equity Over Three Years in the Technology Sector, last year Microlink won Highest Returns to Shareholders Over Three Years. Other sectors include Construction, Consumer Products & Services, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial Products & Services, Plantation, Property, REIT, Telecommunications, Media & Utilities, and Transportation & Logistics.   

Microlink Group Chief Operating Officer, Wong Kwang Chwen and Group Chief Financial Officer, Eddie Thoo, were on hand to receive the Award at a celebration event held at The Four Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. “We are deeply honoured to once again be chosen as a recipient of a prestigious award within this distinguished realm of business excellence. This award signifies an affirmation of Microlink’s unwavering commitment to enhancing our services and products by fostering innovation, and delivering optimal results to our esteemed clients.,” said Kwang Chwen. 

Microlink has experienced solid growth over the last few years and is now one of the leading enterprise solutions delivery and systems integration partners in the ICT sector. This strong financial performance has also enabled Microlink to successfully transfer its share listing from the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa Malaysia) to the Main Market, earlier this year.

Recent successes for Microlink have included a national project valued at some RM28.97 million awarded by the National Audit Department. This project to design, develop, and deliver a data warehouse, audit analytics application, audit dashboard, as well as hardware and other supporting infrastructure, aims to generate high-impact results by leveraging big data analytics and integrated data management. Under its Trading & Distribution business pillar, Microlink also represents some of the world’s leading hardware/software principals, including Oracle, IBM, and Lenovo, as well as HP Enterprise, Group-IB,  TMax Tibero DB and Stratus. The Distribution business has been recognised with multiple awards from several of the principals including IBM, Lenovo and HP Enterprise.

The implementation of these innovative measures will also enhance efficiency and support the auditing and digital management processes, as well as improve JAN’s ICT network and security infrastructure, thereby enhancing the efficiency of auditing work. The project also stands to enhance JAN’s ICT infrastructure ensuring effective service delivery as well as guaranteeing the security and integrity of data. This commitment to data protection is crucial in an increasingly digital world where safeguarding sensitive information is of paramount importance.

The work on this project is scheduled to commence in August 2023 and development is expected to last for three years, concluding in July 2026. During this period, Microlink will work closely with JAN to develop and deliver these cutting-edge solutions and achieve the project’s objectives successfully.

 Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah, expressed the company’s vision of providing “Data-driven: Actionable Insights” to clients through innovative data analytics solutions. By utilising data analytics, advanced algorithms and machine learning, Microlink’s solutions can analyse extensive datasets to reveal patterns, trends, and correlations. This capability enables clients to unlock the full value of their data, leading to meaningful outcomes.

In 2017, LPPSA had embarked on a project to replace its previous Sistem Pinjaman Perumahan Bersepadu (SPPB) with a new LMS. Developed by Microlink, the LMS went live in 2019 and has since enabled work processes and existing IT systems to be streamlined to provide improved deliverables in turnaround time and quality of service.

Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah, said, “Our five years of experience of working with LPPSA have equipped us with in-depth knowledge of the LMS and the workings of the current processes and functionalities in the LPPSA environment. This knowledge, together with our technical expertise in providing Financial Services solutions will ensure that the LMS continues to operate well and can seamlessly handle the processes in managing borrower information. We look forward to continuing our working partnership with this valued client.”

Microlink recently transferred its share listing from the ACE Market to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, marking an important milestone in the Group’s history. Microlink has experienced solid growth over the last few years and is now one of the leading enterprise solutions delivery and systems integration partners in the ICT sector with a primary focus on technology solutions and system integration for clients in financial services, telecommunications and the public sector.

Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah, said, “Today is a momentous day for the Microlink Group and is a strong testament to the positive progress we have achieved in recent years. On behalf of all stakeholders involved in this transfer process, we would like to extend our deep appreciation for the dedication and support received to bring this to fruition. We are truly proud to now be a fellow member of the prestigious body of companies who are listed on the Bursa Main Market.”

The Group’s sound track record of complex project implementation has enabled expansion beyond its strong legacy in Financial Services [FSI], into telecommunications and the public sector, progress which is demonstrated by a number of recent contract successes.

These include a RM48.55 million project for Koperasi Co-opbank Pertama Malaysia Berhad (CBP) for the upgrade of its existing MiBS core banking platform, which includes the digital enablement of mobile and internet banking.

Further afield, Microlink also secured its first win in Vietnam in the Insurance sector with a project for the digitalisation of Vien Dong Assurance [VASS] operations. In the Middle East, the Group is also working on a project for Saudi Telecomm Company Bahrain in partnership with Huawei Technologies.

The transfer proposal received the approval of the Securities Commission of Malaysia in mid-January 2023, followed by approval also being granted by Bursa Malaysia on 21 February 2023. Trading on the Main Market began at market open on Monday 27 February 2023 under its existing stock code 0126.

Microlink was first listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities back in 2006, with a market capitalisation of RM62.43 million. The current market capitalisation of the Company has grown more than tenfold to approximately RM879 million.

The Group’s steady financial performance is illustrated in its FY2023 Q3 results announced recently, which record revenue of RM73.17 million for the quarter, up 31% on revenue posted for the second quarter of FY2023. Cumulative revenue for the year to date was recorded at RM183 million, a 10% increase on the previous corresponding period. This was mainly attributable to higher order fulfilments and progress billings, particularly in the Financial Services segment. PBT of RM8.25 million was recorded for the current quarter, a slight increase as compared to the preceding quarter, in tandem with the higher revenue posted. “Our move to the Main Market opens a new chapter for the Microlink Group, building on our continued progress and evolution in the ICT and technology space for the delivery of large-scale enterprise projects,” added Ramlee. “This progress has contributed significantly to our financial performance in the last few years that has helped us meet the requirements for transferring to the Main Market.”  The Group’s performance has also allowed for a dividend to be paid.

AquaOne is one of the leading water supply and treatment companies in Vietnam. The MOU between Microlink and AquaOne will explore a number of areas including digitalisation of business automation processes, business analytics, Internet of things (IOT) and advanced automation and monitoring technologies.

Present at the MOU signing was Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah, who said, “We are delighted to be signing this MOU with AquaOne, another of Vietnam’s leading businesses and one with a vital mission: to provide a reliable and consistent supply of clean water to the local community. The digitalisation initiatives that we will explore together via this MOU will contribute to ensuring that AquaOne is able to achieve its drive for advanced business automation and becoming a pioneer in the field of environmental technology.

AquaOne Chairman Madam Lien, said, “Our goal is for AquaOne to grow even faster to help fulfil our Government’s targets in resolving the urgent social issues for the Vietnamese people, particularly in terms of basic utilities such as clean water. In order to achieve that goal, we need a worthy technology partner to help the corporation move forward in the time of Industry 4.0. We are confident that Microlink will be that partner, supporting us in terms of technology, giving us wings to achieve our sustainable development goals “for a healthy Vietnam”.”

(Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with AquaOne Corporation)

The new venture continues the digitalisation work that Microlink is already carrying out in-country for Vien Dong Assurance Corporation(VASS), one of the most popular household names in the local Insurance industry. VASS began its digital journey back in 2018 when it became one of the first Insurance providers in Vietnam to offer mobile engagement capabilities to its partner ecosystem. In order to take its digital transformation journey to the next level, VASS approached Microlink to develop a blueprint for a Customer Data Platform, comprising several key components to achieve swift go-to-market and increased customer base.

VASS Founder & Chairman Madam Lien, said, “With the new Microlink Insurtech platform in place, we at VASS will be able to leverage on our strong foundation in the insurance industry to drive and build an ecosystem of businesses that is centred around our insurance products and services, while ensuring that our customers are at the heart of that ecosystem. We very much look forward to launching the new platform to the market.”

Ramlee added, “We are truly excited to be working in this dynamic environment with such visionary companies as VASS and AquaOne and we look forward to building a successful and productive partnership with both organisations to achieve their digital transformation.”

The Insurtech platform is being implemented via a phased approach, enabling faster go-to-market, which will be key to VASS securing increased customer base and generating new revenue.

The key modules of the Insurtech platform are the Digital Sales Portal, a one-stop-shop for all VASS products and services where customers will be able to digitally purchase their insurance policies via the Portal, obtain quotations, perform plan comparisons, and purchase add-ons and value-added services. VASS’ current pool of partners and agents will also be able to access the Portal from any location or device.

The Customer Portal allows customers and agents to check and validate policies online and make online claims, helping to speed up claims processing, elevating customer service to the next level. The third key component is the Insurance Marketplace, providing open choices for customers via a true marketplace where various ecosystem partners are able to provide their services and offerings in the same environment.

Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah, said, “We are truly honored to be entrusted with this milestone project by Huawei Technologies. The project provides the foundation for our expansion into the dynamic Middle East region, where businesses are embarking on rapid digitalisation programmes in order to meet evolving market demand. This growth is being accelerated with the advent of 5G.”

Microlink has established a dedicated project office in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, ensuring a full-time local presence on the ground. A team of experienced Microlink personnel with a track record in Information Technology Outsourcing [ITO} has already been deployed from Malaysia to assist in the project set-up and onward development.

“This experience will see the Microlink team bringing the full extent of their ITO and other leading technology knowledge and expertise to the Middle East region,” added Ramlee. “In addition to the burgeoning telco sector, there are also attractive potential opportunities in our other key business segments of Financial Services [FSI] and Public Sector.”

The scope of work for the project encompasses the maintenance of existing applications, as well as the provision of managed services and helpdesk support. These existing applications include the Business Support System (BSS), ERP suite, office productivity tool and helpdesk.

Since 2010, Bahrain Telecom Regulatory Authority has been driving the transformation of the nation’s telecommunications landscape to achieve the highest international standards. In June 2018, Bahrain became one of the first countries in the world to introduce 5G elements across its national network. Then, 2019 saw the adoption of the latest 5G core technologies, Massive MIMO, spectrum sharing between LTE and 5G, the latest spectrum management technologies, and agile transport layer technologies, using Huawei’s solutions.

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. Its vision and mission are to bring digital to every person, home and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world.

(Photo: Bahrain by Charles Adrien Fournier on Unsplash)

Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah said, “Microlink has been CBP’s trusted core banking partner and solution provider for more than 20 years. As such, we have in-depth knowledge of CBP’s banking operations and our team is very familiar with their working processes. With the upgrades enshrined in our new core banking system, we will be able to help drive CBP’s banking operations into the digital era. We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with CBP and embarking on this new phase of digitalisation with them.”

The upgraded IT solution blueprint includes the digital banking enablement of mobile and internet banking, to deliver a new user experience and help expand the CBP customer base. In addition, new capabilities such as Hire-Purchase, financing origination and micro-financing will form part of the enhanced platform. The project is scheduled to be for a duration of 24 months with ongoing maintenance for a further three years.

“Our extensive experience of implementing our core banking solution includes several projects for clients in the Islamic sector. As such, we understand the requirements for Syariah-compliant co-op business and operations. This will help ensure a smooth transition for CBP and minimise any potential disruption to operations during the changeover to the new enhanced system,” added Ramlee.

Koperasi Co-opbank Pertama Malaysia Berhad is a cooperative bank established under the Cooperative Act 1993, initially registered in June 1950 under its original name “The Province Wellesley Co-operative Banking Union Limited”. From its original portfolio of providing credit services to farmers, Co-opbank has since expanded its services to the banking sector, including various financing products for individuals, cooperatives and corporates, as well as various savings and investment products. The Bank operates a network of branches across Malaysia and provides services to both individual and cooperative members.

Microlink’s enhanced core banking solution, known as Ultron, delivers a real-time Omni-Channel experience, enabling customers to perform banking and transactions anytime, anywhere, on any device, achieving the ultimate objective of Digital Banking.

Ultron is an open platform giving clients the flexibility and choices in selecting their preferred system platform and types of application server. This also allows clients to scale and resize infrastructure easily. All modules within the system reside in a single integrated platform, offering standardised and streamlined services to all customers via different channels/products. This eliminates multiple silo-ed systems, and delivers a consistent multi-channel experience across these channels.

The awards are presented in three categories namely: 

• Highest Growth in Profit After Tax over three years 
• Highest Return on Equity over three years, and 
• Highest Returns to Shareholders over three years 

across various industry sectors.  

Microlink secured the Award for Highest Returns to Shareholders Over Three Years in the Technology Sector. Other sectors include Construction, Consumer Products & Services, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial Products & Services, Plantation, Property, REIT, Telecommunications, Media & Utilities, and Transportation & Logistics. A total of 36 awards were presented to 29 companies this year. 

Microlink Group CEO Ramlee Abdullah and Group CFO Eddie Thoo were on hand to receive the Award at a celebration event held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, in the presence of Minister of Finance Malaysia, YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. “We are truly honoured to have been selected as the winner in this category and to be recognised within this prestigious circle of business excellence,” said Ramlee.  

“Our concerted efforts over the last few years to grow and strengthen the business are bearing fruit and this Award serves as a clear validation of those efforts. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the other companies who have achieved recognition with this year’s Awards,” he added. 

Microlink’s business is now organised in four clear pillars spanning FSI, Telecommunications, Public Sector and Trading & Distribution streams. The Centurion Award comes on the back of several years of steady financial growth for Microlink during which the Group’s sound track record of complex project implementation has enabled expansion beyond its strong legacy in the Financial Services Industry (FSI), into telecommunications and the public sector.  

This financial performance has also enabled Microlink to meet the criteria for its proposed transfer listing to the Main Market of Bursa Securities, which was announced on 12 July 2022. The official submission to the Securities Commission for the transfer was also completed recently, marking the next step in the transfer application and approvals process.   

Recent successes for Microlink have included a key project valued at some RM35.1 million awarded by Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) Malaysia.  The three-year project involves the development of an Open System Platform for the Automatic Awareness Security or AwAS System infrastructure.   

Under its Trading & Distribution business pillar, Microlink also represents some of the world’s leading hardware/software principals, including Hitachi Vantara, HP Enterprise, IBM, Lenovo and Oracle, as well as Aruba, Group-IB, Sangfor and Stratus. The Distribution business has been recognised with multiple awards from several of the principals including IBM, Lenovo and HP Enterprise.  

Photo: (L to R) YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Tong Kooi Ong ( Chairman of The Edge Media Group), YBhg Dato’ Abdul Rahman Ahmad (Group CEO of CIMB Group Holdings), Ramlee Abdullah, (Group CEO Microlink) YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (Minister of Finance Malaysia), and YBhg Dato’ Ho Kay Tat (Publisher and GCEO The Edge Media Group)