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Property

Bursa Malaysia Greenlights Perak Corp’s Plan To Exit PN17 Status

Bursa Malaysia has approved Perak Corp Bhd’s proposed regularisation plan, clearing the path for the PN17-listed company to proceed with a multi-part restructuring aimed at restoring financial stability and lifting its financially distressed status. The approval is subject to standard conditions, including compliance with Bursa listing requirements, obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals, securing shareholder consent at a general meeting, and incorporating any required comments into the shareholder circular, Perak Corp said in a filing. First outlined in February 2025, the regularisation plan involves a combination of capital reduction, joint development projects, land sales, entitlement receipts, and preference share issuance to restructure outstanding debts. The capital reduction will cancel RM185 million of the company’s RM272.77 million share capital to offset accumulated losses of RM177.35 million as of September 2024. Perak Corp also entered into a joint venture with major shareholder Perak State Development Corp (PKNP) in January 2025 to co-develop the Silver Valley Technology Park Industrial Hub in Hulu Kinta. The plan includes land disposals of 424.7 acres in Bernam Timor for RM89.6 million, with 73.14 acres sold to Makmur Impian Property Sdn Bhd for RM21.13 million and 351.56 acres to Tanjung Malim Hi-Tech Park Sdn Bhd for RM68.44 million. In addition, the company is entitled to RM40.38 million via a supplemental agreement with PKNP and Uni-Poh Construction Works Sdn Bhd for the development of 56.3 acres of land in Teluk Dalam. To settle debts under a court-approved scheme of arrangement, Perak Corp will issue up to 39.73 million redeemable preference shares series B (RPS-B) at RM1 each to unsecured scheme creditors. The RPS-B carries a five-year tenure, a 2% preferential dividend, and is non-convertible. Outstanding debts not covered by the issuance will be fully waived, representing a RM357.6 million reduction against the company’s RM379.34 million verified debt. Perak Corp had previously issued two other preference share series — 20.9 million RPS-A1 and 14.91 million RPS-A2 — in January 2022 to CIMB Bank Bhd and Affin Islamic Bank Bhd as part of earlier debt-settlement arrangements. Proceeds of RM129.95 million from land sales and settlement entitlements will be used to redeem existing preference shares, fund sewerage treatment works at Bandar Meru Raya, and support working capital needs. Shares in Perak Corp were untraded on Monday. The counter last closed at 70 sen, giving it a market capitalisation of RM70 million.

News

IJM: MACC, IRB Visit Office To Collect Information Probe Confirmed

IJM Corp Bhd said officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) visited its office on Monday (Jan 19) to gather information as part of their review process. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the construction group said it is fully cooperating with the authorities and stressed that its business operations are continuing as normal. “IJM remains committed to high standards of corporate governance, transparency and integrity. The company will continue to monitor developments and will make the necessary disclosures should there be any material updates,” it said. When contacted, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that an investigation involving the company is ongoing. The development comes shortly after Sunway Bhd  announced a proposal to acquire IJM in a cash-and-share deal that values the group at slightly more than RM11 billion. IJM’s share price fell sharply on Monday following reports of the authorities’ visit, sliding as much as 16.4% at one point. The stock hit an intraday low of RM2.34 before paring losses to RM2.65 at 5pm, still down 15 sen or 5.36% from Friday’s close. Year to date, the counter remains up 16.74%. Bursa Malaysia triggered an intra-day short-selling (IDSS) suspension after the stock dropped more than 15% from its reference price. According to the exchange, IDSS will resume on Tuesday (Jan 20) at 8.30am. In a separate response, IJM said the IDSS suspension was a standard Bursa mechanism based on price movement, adding that it does not comment on share price fluctuations or market speculation. “Any material developments will be announced via Bursa Malaysia,” the group said. Sunway had announced on Jan 12 its intention to acquire IJM, offering 31.5 sen in cash and 501 Sunway shares for every 1,000 IJM shares held. IJM has since issued a notification to shareholders on the proposed takeover. The implied offer price of RM3.15 per share, based on Sunway’s issue price of RM5.65, is below most analysts’ target prices. Even so, several analysts have recommended shareholders accept the offer, citing value crystallisation and potential long-term upside from the enlarged Sunway group. The proposed acquisition is also taking place alongside Sunway’s plan to list Sunway Healthcare Holdings Bhd on Bursa Malaysia. Sunway plans to distribute 676.04 million Sunway Healthcare shares to its shareholders via a dividend-in-specie, on the basis of one share for every 10 Sunway shares held, with the entitlement date to be announced. After the listing, Sunway’s effective stake in Sunway Healthcare is expected to be diluted from 84% to about 70%.

Property

CAB Cakaran Acquires Building And Land In Pahang

CAB Cakaran Corp Bhd is proposing to acquire a single-storey detached industrial building with an adjoining double-storey office in Kuantan, Pahang, for RM2.8 million from Fah Leong Sdn Bhd. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the poultry and food products group said the proposed acquisition is aimed at securing ownership of the premises currently leased and occupied by its subsidiary, Pasaraya Jaya Gading Sdn Bhd (PJG). The property is presently used as a supermarket outlet, office and warehouse to support PJG’s operations in the region. CAB Cakaran said the move will enable the group to reduce recurring rental expenses and shield itself from future rental increases, thereby improving cost visibility and long-term financial planning. “The acquisition is expected to result in annual rental savings and mitigate exposure to rental escalation, which will enhance cost certainty and provide greater operational control over the premises,” the company said. It added that owning the property will allow PJG to plan its operations more efficiently and support business continuity and stability over the longer term, in line with the group’s strategy to strengthen its operational footprint.

Investment & Market Trends

Gold, Silver Hit Record Highs On Greenland Tariff Concerns

Gold and silver surged to fresh record highs as escalating geopolitical tensions linked to US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to take control of Greenland rattled markets and fuelled safe-haven demand. Spot gold climbed to around US$4,660 an ounce, while silver jumped as much as 4.4%, supported by a weaker US dollar and heightened investor appetite for defensive assets. Market jitters intensified after the United States announced plans to impose tariffs on eight European countries — including France, Germany and the United Kingdom — that oppose the Greenland move. Initial levies of 10% are set to take effect on Feb 1, rising to 25% by June. European leaders are expected to convene emergency talks in the coming days to discuss possible countermeasures. Options under consideration include retaliatory tariffs on up to €93 billion (US$108 billion) worth of US goods, according to sources familiar with the discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron may also push for the activation of the European Union’s anti-coercion instrument, one of the bloc’s strongest trade retaliation tools. Analysts said the current tensions represent a deeper geopolitical rift compared with previous trade disputes. “Using tariff threats within alliances creates a trust shock that leaves a lasting risk premium,” said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets in Singapore. Precious metals have extended their strong rally this year, building on sharp gains in 2025, amid rising geopolitical risks, renewed pressure on the US Federal Reserve, and concerns over the independence of the central bank. These factors have strengthened the so-called debasement trade, as investors move away from currencies and government bonds. Demand has also been boosted by increased buying from China and a broader rotation into metals. Gold-backed exchange-traded fund holdings rose 0.9% last week, the largest weekly increase since September, and have expanded in seven of the past eight weeks. Bullish forecasts remain intact, with Citigroup Inc recently projecting gold prices could reach US$5,000 an ounce within three months, while silver may climb to US$100. “Geopolitical risks are intensifying, trade uncertainty is undermining growth, and confidence in the US dollar is weakening,” said Kyle Rodda, an analyst at Capital.com in Melbourne. “It’s an ideal environment for gold and silver.” In Asian trading, spot gold rose 1.4% to US$4,658.31 an ounce after touching an intraday high of US$4,690.59. Silver gained 3% to US$92.84, after hitting a peak of US$94.12. Platinum edged higher, palladium slipped, and the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell 0.1%. Investors are also watching closely an upcoming US Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s bid to remove Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, which could have significant implications for the central bank’s independence.

News

AAX Appoints Tharumalingam As Group CEO

AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) has reshuffled its top management as part of the ongoing consolidation of the AirAsia Group’s aviation businesses under AAX, with effect from yesterday. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the long-haul low-cost carrier said its chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail has been redesignated as general manager. Benyamin, 48, joined AirAsia in March 2010 and has served as CEO of AAX since Sept 1, 2015. The company credited Benyamin with steering AAX through a challenging period, including its successful debt restructuring. Under his leadership, AAX recorded consistent quarterly profitability, which played a key role in the airline’s exit from Practice Note 17 (PN17) status. In a separate filing, AAX also announced the appointment of Tharumalingam Kanagalingam as its new group chief executive officer, effective on the same date. Commonly known as Bo Lingam, Tharumalingam joined AirAsia in 2001 and has been a central figure in the group’s development for more than two decades. He has been instrumental in shaping the AirAsia Aviation Group’s strategic direction and operational framework, particularly in areas related to network planning, operations and group-wide integration. AAX said the leadership changes are intended to strengthen management continuity and support the group’s next phase of growth as it brings all aviation-related businesses under a single listed entity.

News

Atome Expands Debt Facility To US$345 Million

Singapore-based fintech firm Atome has expanded the size of its syndicated debt facility to US$345 million, strengthening its funding base to support continued regional expansion, according to a Reuters report. The enlarged facility marks a significant increase from the US$200 million debt financing Atome secured in 2024, reflecting growing lender confidence in the company’s business model and growth trajectory. HSBC remains the structuring bank and has been appointed as mandated lead arranger and bookrunner for the facility, while DBS has joined as a mandated lead arranger and bookrunner. Existing lenders returning to the facility include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation’s Singapore branch, Baiduri Bank and Cathay United Bank. New participating banks include Fubon Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. Atome said the proceeds will be used to scale its buy-now-pay-later and instalment payment offerings, expand its broader consumer lending portfolio, and grow adoption of its Pay Later Anywhere card across key Southeast Asian markets, including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Andy Tan, Atome’s chief commercial officer, said the upsized facility enhances the company’s ability to support a rapidly expanding and increasingly profitable loan book, while maintaining prudent risk management. Atome is part of Singapore-based Advance Intelligence Group, which is backed by global investors such as SoftBank Vision Fund 2 and Warburg Pincus. The company has been steadily expanding its suite of digital consumer credit products across the region, positioning itself as a key player in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing fintech and alternative lending space.

Property

Vestland Cancels RM550.7m Selangor Affordable Housing Projects

Vestland Bhd has decided not to proceed with three affordable housing projects in Selangor with a combined contract value of up to RM550.69 million that were awarded in 2022. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the construction group said its wholly owned unit, Vestland Resources Sdn Bhd, and developer Splendid Forte Development Sdn Bhd had mutually agreed to terminate the contracts. The projects involve Selangor Cyber Valley Phase 1 and Phase II in Dengkil, Sepang, as well as the Sierra Alam development in Bukit Raja, Petaling. The Selangor Cyber Valley Phase 1 project was valued at RM234.86 million, while Phase II was worth RM198.50 million. The Sierra Alam project carried a contract value of up to RM117.33 million. All three projects fall under the Selangor state government’s affordable housing scheme and cover residential construction, infrastructure works and landscaping. Vestland said construction work had not commenced on any of the projects. It did not disclose specific reasons for the termination, noting only that the decision was made after taking into account all relevant factors and was in the best interest of the company. The group added that the contract terminations are not expected to have any material impact on its earnings or net assets for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2026. Shares in Vestland ended unchanged at 46 sen on Thursday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM434.4 million.

Property

Chin Hin Property’s Commercial Unit Sale Fails Due To Buyer’s Financing Issues

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd has called off the RM74 million sale of its commercial vehicle and bodyworks businesses after the buyer was unable to secure financing, delaying the company’s plan to concentrate fully on property development. In a Bursa Malaysia filing on Thursday, the group said it had mutually agreed with N&K Resources (M) Sdn Bhd to terminate the share sale agreement dated Aug 14, 2025, after the buyer failed to obtain bank financing covering at least 70% of the disposal price by the extended deadline of Jan 14. N&K Resources is a real estate company owned by All Trade Resources (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. Chin Hin had intended to divest its entire equity stakes in four subsidiaries: Boon Koon Vehicles Industries Sdn Bhd, BKCV Sdn Bhd, Boon Koon Fleet Management Sdn Bhd, and BK Fleet Management Sdn Bhd. The company said it will refund the RM7.4 million deposit paid by the buyer, without interest, and confirmed that both parties will have no further obligations under the agreement. Chin Hin Property added that the cancellation will not affect its issued share capital or have any material impact on its net assets, gearing, or earnings for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025. The divestment, initially announced in August 2025, was aimed at enabling the group to focus on residential property projects, strengthen cash flow, and redeploy proceeds for landbank acquisitions and ongoing developments. The sale was expected to generate a pre-tax gain of RM2.4 million and was targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2026. Shares of Chin Hin Property closed up one sen, or 0.85%, at RM1.18 on Thursday, giving the group a market value of about RM1.64 billion. The stock has gained more than 7% over the past year.

News

Pestec Names Ex-Siemens Malaysia CEO Adam Yee As New President

Pestec International Bhd has appointed Datuk Adam Yee Hee Hoon as its new president, effective Thursday, to steer the company’s strategic direction and new business development. Yee, formerly president and CEO of Siemens Malaysia, will oversee Pestec’s operational performance while reporting to group managing director Datuk Mohamed Razeek Hussain, who retains overall responsibility for the company. Deputy group CEO Manindar Singh Chawla will continue managing day-to-day operations and project delivery. The appointment comes after a recent leadership reshuffle at Pestec, following the departures of former group CEO Paul Lim Pay Chuan and ex-deputy chairman Lim Ah Hock, who both resigned in August 2025 after a legal settlement over alleged unpaid advances. Yee, 50, also previously served as deputy managing director of switchboard manufacturer Powerwell Holdings Bhd between 2022 and 2024. Pestec said the leadership changes aim to strengthen governance, collaboration, and strategic continuity across the group. Shares of Pestec closed 0.5 sen or 4.55% lower at 10.5 sen on Thursday, giving the company a market value of RM256.32 million.

Energy & Technology

Binastra Unit Signs RM305m Tripartite Contract Deal

Binastra Corporation Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, Binastra Green Energy Sdn Bhd (BGE), has signed a tripartite agreement linked to a RM305 million contract covering infrastructure and renewable energy projects. According to a Bursa Malaysia filing on Thursday, the agreement was signed with Bahru Stainless Sdn Bhd (BSSB) and Binastra Construction (M) Sdn Bhd (BCSB). Under the arrangement, BCSB takes over from BSSB as the client for the contract, while all existing terms and conditions remain unchanged. The contract, originally awarded via a letter of award on Oct 7, 2025, includes the design and construction of infrastructure works—such as site clearance, earthworks, civil and structural works—as well as a 65-megawatt peak solar photovoltaic system and a 200-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system. BCSB will now assume all rights and obligations of the original client, acting as both asset owner and financier for the project. The contract is classified as a recurrent related-party transaction of a revenue or trading nature, with shareholders’ approval obtained at the company’s annual general meeting on July 3, 2025. Datuk Tan Kak Seng, Binastra’s managing director, holds a direct 11.09% stake in the company and an indirect 41.18% interest via JT Conglomerate Sdn Bhd. BCSB is jointly owned by Tan (64.69%), his father Tan Nge (32.32%), and his mother Liu Soh Yon (2.99%), all of whom serve as directors of BCSB.

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