Taiping Named Malaysia’s First Angels Region for Excellence in Stroke Care
Recognition highlights Taiping’s commitment to improving stroke care and patient outcomes under the global Angels Initiative
Taiping has been officially recognised as Malaysia’s first Angels Region, marking a major milestone in the nation’s ongoing efforts to improve stroke care and patient outcomes. The Angels Region Award, presented by the Angels Initiative in collaboration with the World Stroke Organization (WSO), celebrates the outstanding partnerships of hospitals, emergency services, local authorities and educators within the region for one mission: delivering better outcomes for stroke patients.
The Angels Region certification was awarded to Perak State Health Department, in recognition of the exceptional coordination between Hospital Taiping, Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Larut Matang dan Selama (LMS), Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah LMS and Pejabat Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) Taiping.
During the ceremony, Hospital Taiping, a specialist hospital within the Northern Perak cluster hospitals, was also awarded the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Angels Award Q2 2025 Platinum Status and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Angels Award Q2 2025 Diamond Status, in recognition of their commitment in delivering timely, high-quality stroke treatment.
“Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in Malaysia. An estimated 41,000 stroke patients are admitted to Ministry of Health hospitals each year1, highlighting the urgent need for stronger, coordinated stroke care nationwide. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a community affected by stroke. The Angels Initiative is about enabling hospitals to act quickly and effectively when every minute counts because timely, high-quality care can mean the difference between recovery and lifelong disability,” said Dr. Jamal Malik, Head of Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim Malaysia Singapore and Indonesia.
“Taiping’s recognition reflects what’s possible when hospitals, healthcare professionals, and partners unite with a shared purpose, to give every stroke patient the best chance at survival and recovery. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all at Taiping whose commitment and collaboration have made this achievement possible. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are committed working closely with hospitals, stroke teams, and the Ministry of Health to expand the Angels Initiative to more hospitals and regions across Malaysia, helping to create a nationwide network of stroke-ready centers,” he added.
Taiping has also exceeded its population-based target for FAST Heroes campaign, one of the key requirements for the Angels Region award, reaching 777 children with life-saving stroke awareness education. Endorsed by the World Stroke Organisation (WSO), FAST Heroes is an award-winning, school-based program designed to empower young children to share their knowledge with parents and grandparents, helping to build greater public awareness of the warning signs of stroke and the urgency of seeking medical help quickly.
In recognition of their participation, 14 organizations and schools in Taiping received certification for the FAST Heroes campaign, including Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah Larut Matang dan Selama (LMS), Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah LMS, Pejabat Kemajuan Masyarakat (KEMAS) Taiping as well as one public school, three private kindergartens and seven KEMAS schools.
“We are deeply proud that our state has been recognised as Malaysia’s first Angels Region. This recognition reflects the progress we’ve made in strengthening stroke care under the Ministry of Health’s ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for non-communicable diseases. Through initiatives like the Angels Initiative, we are building a more responsive and coordinated stroke care system. Our success is the result of strong collaboration between hospitals, healthcare professionals, and partners who share a common goal: to give every stroke patient in Malaysia, regardless of where they live, the best possible chance at recovery,” said Dr. Feisul Idzwan Mustapha, Perak State Health Director.
Launched in 2024, the 100 Angels Region Strategy is a global effort to make stroke care safer by transforming 100 regions into fully coordinated stroke-ready ecosystems by December 2027. A region qualifies when it achieves four key pillars: widespread community awareness through campaigns like FAST Heroes; gold -standard EMS performance to ensure stroke is recognized and patients reach care fast; a sufficient network of stroke-ready hospitals capable of delivering timely, evidence-based treatment; and all hospitals achieving at least Gold status in the ESO/WSO Angels Awards with continuous data-driven quality improvement.
Reference:
1 Teoh, C. S. C., Ho, Y. H., Schee, J. P., Lim, C. T., Looi, I., Wan Zaidi, W. A., & Hoo, F. K. (2023, May). Malaysia Stroke Conference 2022: Report and Stroke Update [Conference report]. Stroke Council. https://www.strokecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Malaysia-Stroke-Conference-2022-Report-and-Stroke-Update050523.pdf
Sai Ngon Coffee, a proudly Malaysian brand inspired by Vietnam, celebrates 1 million cans sold and expands regionally
There’s a new buzz in town for coffee lovers who crave something real. Introducing Sai Ngon Coffee, a proudly Malaysian ready-to-drink brand inspired by the lively coffee culture of Vietnam.
Born from the vibrant streets of Saigon, Sai Ngon Coffee captures the authentic flavour of Vietnamese coffee, bold, smooth, and full of character. Made from 100% real brewed Robusta beans, not instant coffee, every can is crafted to give you that perfect coffee kick wherever life takes you.
“We wanted to bring the real Vietnamese coffee experience to everyone, something you can enjoy anytime, anywhere,” said Jonathan Bong, founder of Sai Ngon Coffee. “It’s not just coffee; it’s a taste of Vietnam in every sip.”
The idea for Sai Ngon Coffee began in October 2023, inspired by a trip to Saigon, where the founder first tasted the famous Cà Phê Sữa Đá, a perfect blend of strong coffee and creamy condensed milk. That unforgettable experience sparked a mission to create an authentic, ready-to-drink Vietnamese coffee for the Malaysian market.
After months of research, testing, and perfecting the recipe, Sai Ngon Coffee officially hit Malaysian shelves in October 2024. By November, it was already available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide, and today you can find it in over 3,500 outlets, including AEON, emart24, and Petronas Mesra.
Sai Ngon Coffee is made for people who are always on the move, dreamers, doers, students, and working adults who need real energy to keep going. Its two signature flavours are:
Since launching, Sai Ngon Coffee has sold over one million cans in Malaysia, all through word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
“We’re humbled by the response,” says Jonathan. “Even without marketing spend, people kept coming back because they loved the taste. That tells us we’ve created something special.”
The coffee beans are sourced from Đắk Lắk and Lâm Đồng, two regions in Vietnam’s Central Highlands known for their rich volcanic soil and cool climate, the perfect conditions for growing high-quality Robusta beans. These beans are naturally high in caffeine and full of bold flavour, giving Sai Ngon Coffee its distinctive taste and aroma.
Sai Ngon Coffee is proudly Halal-certified, making it suitable for everyone. The brand is also preparing for international expansion in 2026, with upcoming collaborations across ASEAN and Central Asia.
“We started small, but our dream is big, to share the taste of Vietnam with the world, one can at a time.”
Fans can look forward to a new flavour launch soon, so stay tuned to Sai Ngon Coffee’s social media channels for exciting updates.
For more information
Please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaiNgonMalaysia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saingon.malaysia
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AEON SHAH ALAM REOPENS WITH A NEW LOOK AND EXCITING OFFERS
AEON CO. (M) BHD. (AEON) announces the reopening of AEON Shah Alam, now revitalised with a fresh new look and upgraded amenities designed to meet the evolving lifestyle needs of the growing community. This transformation marks another key milestone in AEON’s ongoing commitment to innovation and customer-centric experiences.
The rejuvenated AEON Shah Alam now offers a bigger, brighter, and better shopping experience. The refreshed look features an expanded delicatessen section, the introduction of an all-new La Boheme Café, and 12 brand-new food concept counters catering to diverse tastes. This expansion is designed to offer more choices to customers and further elevate their dining experience.
The supermarket has also been upgraded for greater convenience with the introduction of smart trolleys, additional to self check-out (SCO) counters and a new Grab N Go section to make everyday shopping quicker, simpler, and smarter than ever.
The refreshed layout also highlights AEON’s wide range of private brands, including Inner Casual, Home Coordy, TopValu, JKids, JBaby, Puteri, and Scarletteen. Meanwhile, beauty and wellness enthusiasts will be delighted with the enhanced Glam Beautique section, now offering an even wider selection of fragrances, cosmetics, skincare, and personal care products all under one roof.
In conjunction with the event, AEON Mall Shah Alam also introduced three new dining outlets, Maruki Ramen, Genki Sushi, and Hock Kee Kopitiam, which celebrates the opening of its first outlet in AEON Mall Shah Alam.
The reopening ceremony, held on 28 October 2025, was officiated by Dato' Rohaizi Bahari, Senior Director, Distributive Trade and Business Sector, Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
AEON remains steadfast in strengthening its business fundamentals, enhancing customer value, and driving long-term competitiveness. The company will continue to expand its private brand assortment, accelerate digital transformation, optimize tenant mix, maximise the value of our retail spaces to drive higher foot traffic and improve customer experience.
This year, AEON has undertaken several enhancement and reopening initiatives across its stores and malls. AEON Mall Ipoh Station 18 reopened in June with a refreshed look and an enhanced tenant mix, followed by the rejuvenation of AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka in mid October. Meanwhile, AEON Bukit Raja in Klang will soon reopen with a refreshed and modernised supermarket design.
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NGC Energy Nears 10 Mil Safe Man-Hours Amid Growing Demand for Safe Gas & Utilities Solutions
Engineering firm NGC Energy Sdn Bhd is closing in on a major safety milestone, having clocked nearly 10 million man-hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), a feat that underscores its strong safety culture as demand grows for reliable and compliant gas and utilities solutions across Malaysia.
The company’s achievement comes at a time when industries are under mounting pressure to operate more safely and efficiently, in line with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and broader sustainability goals.
Chief Executive Officer, Julianna Kamaruddin said the company’s goal is to make complex systems safer and simpler to manage and every solution designed is aimed at ensuring reliability, efficiency, and long-term performance.
“Safety has always been at the heart of what we do. As we support Malaysia’s energy transition, our focus remains on helping clients operate responsibly while maintaining the highest safety standards,” she added.
Founded in 2012, NGC Energy provides end-to-end gas and utilities engineering services, covering the full project lifecycle from design and regulatory approval to construction, testing, commissioning, and maintenance. The company’s expertise helps industrial and commercial clients reduce risks, improve operational performance, and achieve long-term compliance.
With a team of experienced engineers and maintenance specialists, NGC Energy has built a track record of delivering projects that meet both international safety standards and Malaysian regulatory requirements.
NGC Energy’s clients span manufacturing, logistics, hospitality, and infrastructure sectors, including hotels, central kitchens, district cooling facilities, and industrial gas operations.
As Malaysia targets 31 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2025 and 40 per cent by 2035 under NETR and the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap (MyRER), NGC Energy’s engineering solutions are helping businesses transition towards cleaner and safer energy systems.
By combining industry best practices with technical innovation, the company supports clients in improving energy efficiency while reducing operational risks.
“Smarter energy starts with safer systems. We’re proud to play a part in Malaysia’s journey towards a more sustainable, secure energy future,” Julianna shared.
Businesses can learn more about NGC Energy’s Gas and Utilities Engineering Solutions at www.ngcenergy.com.my.
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