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Shipping and helicopter services provider Hubline Bhd has established a joint venture (JV) with Sarawak state-linked firm Permodalan Satok to provide transportation services for methanol and other chemical products in Sarawak. The JV aims to support logistics operations linked to the Sarawak Methanol Complex in Bintulu, while positioning Hubline to benefit from opportunities under the state’s broader gas development initiatives, including the Sarawak Gas Roadmap. “The JV company shall carry on the business of transporting methanol and other chemical products, serving as the in-house transportation arm of Sarawak PetChem Sdn Bhd under long-term contract arrangements with minimum volume commitments,” Hubline said in a Bursa Malaysia filing on Friday. The venture is also expected to explore the potential for green methanol offtake, particularly for marine bunkering. The new entity, to be named PSB Hubline Sdn Bhd, will be established through Hubline’s wholly-owned unit, Hub Carrier Sdn Bhd, in a 60:40 partnership with Permodalan Satok. The JV will have an initial issued and paid-up share capital of RM1 million. Permodalan Satok is a real estate investment company and wholly owned by Yayasan Hartanah Bumiputera Sarawak. Sarawak PetChem, linked to Permodalan Satok, owns and operates the large-scale methanol complex in Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, and is involved in methanol production, downstream petrochemical processing, and fuel distribution. In a related development, Hubline also signed a non-binding letter of intent with China’s Zhoushan Ningshing Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd to build two 13,800 deadweight tonnage (DWT) stainless steel chemical tankers with dual-fuel methanol engines. Details on cost and delivery timelines were not disclosed. Shares of Hubline closed 0.5 sen, or 10%, higher at 5.5 sen on Friday, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM235.95 million. The stock has gained approximately 38% year-to-date.

iCents Group Holdings Bhd has secured a contract to supply a data centre system for a project in Indonesia, marking another regional expansion for the cleanroom engineering specialist. The contract was awarded in connection with a data centre development undertaken by a multinational construction company in the country. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday, iCents said the contract, valued at 59.5 billion rupiah (approximately RM14.1 million), was awarded to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Maytech Cleanroom Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, by an Indonesian dealer. The group did not disclose further details about the multinational construction firm or the local dealer involved in the project. The company expects the project to be completed by June 2026 and anticipates that it will contribute positively to earnings over the contract period. The latest award also strengthens iCents’ presence in the growing data centre segment, which has seen rising demand across Southeast Asia. iCents, which was listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia in July last year, provides cleanroom-related services including engineering, procurement, construction, as well as testing and commissioning. Its solutions cater to a range of industries such as semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, data centres, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences. The group has been expanding its footprint by leveraging demand for controlled environment facilities driven by technology and digital infrastructure growth. According to ASKEdge data, iCents currently trades at a trailing price-earnings (P/E) ratio of 38.7 times, which is higher than several peers. These include wire and cable manufacturer Supercomnet Technologies Bhd, which trades at around 18 times earnings, and medical device distributor and manufacturer UMediC Group Bhd, which has a P/E ratio of 14.2 times. Shares in iCents closed unchanged at 37.5 sen on Friday, giving the company a market capitalisation of approximately RM188 million. Compared with its initial public offering price of 24 sen, the stock has gained about 56%, reflecting investor interest since its listing.

Meta Bright Group Bhd has proposed to acquire controlling stakes in four companies specialising in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) services, as part of its strategy to expand into energy-related infrastructure. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday, the group said the purchase consideration will be negotiated and agreed upon at a later stage. The proposed acquisitions follow a heads of agreement signed with vendor Teo Hin Wee, under which Meta Bright plans to take majority stakes in TTOP Industrial & Engineering Sdn Bhd, Sangga Tiga (KL) Sdn Bhd, Flexitop Industrial & Engineering Sdn Bhd, and Green Core Consortium Sdn Bhd. Teo currently holds a direct 70% stake in TTOP and 51% in Flexitop, along with an indirect 60% interest in Sangga Tiga and full ownership of Green Core. Meta Bright has been granted a six-month exclusivity period to conduct due diligence before finalising the proposed transactions. The company said the four target firms possess EPCC capabilities and relevant industry certifications. One of the subsidiaries is also registered with Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to supply and install specialised equipment designed for hazardous environments, strengthening the group’s potential participation in energy-related projects. Meta Bright noted that the proposed acquisitions represent a strategic shift from being primarily an asset owner to becoming a broader energy infrastructure and energy efficiency solutions provider. By integrating engineering capabilities, the group aims to execute projects directly, manage development costs more effectively, and capture greater value across the project lifecycle. Executive director of corporate and strategic planning Derek Phang Kiew Lim said the move would enable the company to undertake end-to-end project execution, including renewable energy developments, battery storage systems, electric vehicle infrastructure, and electrical engineering works. Shares in Meta Bright rose half a sen, or 3.9%, to close at 13.5 sen on Friday, giving the company a market capitalisation of approximately RM366.4 million.

Japan is seeking to expand its investments in Malaysia’s digital industry, including niche areas such as high-tech semiconductor products and data centres. The move reflects growing interest in leveraging Japanese technology to support advanced applications and strengthen Malaysia’s role in regional supply chains. Masuo Kuremura, special advisor to the minister for regional head, Asia-Pacific at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti), said Japan plans to boost investments in Malaysia by introducing advanced applications powered by Japanese technology. These collaborations are expected to focus on sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and food innovation. “We will promote collaboration between Japanese and Malaysian companies, utilising Japanese technology in the digital industry for applications in AI, biotechnology and food sectors to enhance investment,” he told Bernama during the Malaysia-Japan Fast Track Pitch held recently. Kuremura added that Japanese investment in Malaysia’s retail sector is also expected to rise in 2026. He noted that Malaysia plays a pivotal role in Japan’s supply chain, supported by its strong manufacturing capabilities in semiconductors, chip products, and the automotive industry. He cited the long-standing collaboration between Perodua and Daihatsu as an example of successful industrial cooperation, which has helped position Malaysia as a reliable supplier within the automotive ecosystem. Japanese companies, he said, are keen to continue providing innovative solutions to enhance Malaysia’s manufacturing capacity and strengthen its position in global supply chains. Several major Japanese semiconductor companies already operating in Malaysia — including Renesas Electronics, ROHM Co Ltd, Murata Manufacturing, Toshiba Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical and Sumitomo Electric Industries — play key roles in supporting the chip ecosystem, particularly in specialised semiconductor components. Kuremura noted that Malaysia is Japan’s fourth-largest investment destination within Asean and serves as an important base for semiconductor-related investments. Singapore remains Japan’s top investment destination in the region, largely driven by financial services, while Thailand and Indonesia rank second and third, with investments mainly focused on the automotive sector. Japan is also introducing a matching platform to encourage investment collaboration between start-ups in Japan and Asean. Within the region, Japan is focusing on four key pillars — strengthening supply chain resilience, driving innovation, advancing digitalisation, and supporting energy transition. He added that Japan continues to play a significant role in the region through initiatives such as the Asia Zero Emission Community (Azec), which promotes energy transition and decarbonisation efforts across Asia. Azec partner countries include Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Beyond digital investments, Japan is also exploring opportunities in critical rare earth supply chains, which are essential for advanced materials used in automotive and aerospace industries. In computing resources, Kuremura said Japan is looking to share technology developed in Kyushu — known as Japan’s “Silicon Island” — with Asean companies to support AI and advanced computing development. He noted that major chip manufacturers such as Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which has anchored a semiconductor hub in Kyushu, could help provide infrastructure to promote AI and high-performance computing in the region. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Japan ranked among the top three sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia in the fourth quarter of 2025, with RM103.8 billion recorded.