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TH Plantations Bhd has appointed Datuk Borhan Bachi as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective Nov 17, 2025. The announcement was made in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Monday. According to TH Plantations, Borhan’s appointment also follows the company’s earlier disclosure on July 18, 2025, regarding the formation of a board executive committee (board exco). With the new leadership now in place, the company said the board exco has been dissolved effective the same day as Borhan’s appointment. The leadership changes come after a period of internal scrutiny triggered by alleged unauthorised payments amounting to RM5.1 million to plantation workers. Former CEO Mohamed Zainurin Mohamed Zain and former chief financial officer (CFO) Marliyana Omar were both issued show-cause letters in relation to the matter. Mohamed Zainurin, who had been placed on garden leave pending the investigation, was subsequently terminated on Aug 26. Marliyana opted to resign with immediate effect on July 18. Mohamed Zainurin had served as CEO since his appointment on Oct 1, 2021. The appointment of Borhan marks a new chapter for TH Plantations as it moves to restore stability and strengthen governance following recent internal developments.

The International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) has issued and reissued a total of US$1.35 billion (US$1 = RM4.15) in short-term sukuk across five different tenors — marking its broadest range of maturities offered in a single auction to date. In a statement, the IILM said the sukuk were priced at 4.10% for US$290 million (one-month), 4.15% for US$385 million (two-month), 4.10% for US$365 million (three-month), 4.12% for US$210 million (six-month), and 4.05% for US$100 million for its newly introduced nine-month note. The addition of the nine-month tenor expands the IILM’s liquidity management tools and provides Islamic financial institutions with greater flexibility in managing Shariah-compliant funding requirements. With the latest issuance, the IILM’s outstanding sukuk will rise to a record US$6.4 billion. The auction attracted US$3.29 billion in bids, achieving an average bid-to-cover ratio of 2.44 times. IILM chief executive officer Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid said the new tenor addresses market demand for longer-dated short-term placements comparable to US dollar asset-backed commercial paper. “Broadening our maturity spectrum enhances our value proposition and delivers a more calibrated and efficient liquidity management toolkit to investors,” he said. This marks the IILM’s 20th auction of the year, bringing its total 2025 issuances to US$21.55 billion across 65 series under its US$8.5 billion programme, which carries an “A-1” rating from S&P Global Ratings and “F1” from Fitch Ratings. Primary dealers participating in the issuance include Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Baraka Turk, Affin Islamic Bank, Al Rayan Bank, Boubyan Bank, CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd, Dukhan Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Golden Global Investment Bank, Kuwait Finance House, Kuwait International Bank, Maybank Islamic Bhd, Meethaq Islamic Banking of Bank Muscat, Qatar Islamic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

China’s largest automaker, BYD, is accelerating its expansion across Europe with plans to double its sales network on the continent by the end of 2026, according to a senior company executive. The move marks one of BYD’s most ambitious pushes yet as it intensifies competition with established European and global automakers. Speaking at an event in Frankfurt, Maria Grazia Davino, BYD’s regional managing director for Europe, said the company expects to have 1,000 points of sale across Europe by the end of 2025, and is aiming to double that figure the following year. “To compete effectively, we need to be close to customers and build strong local relationships,” Davino said, noting that proximity and accessibility will be key advantages as the brand scales. Davino oversees BYD’s operations in German-speaking markets, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia—regions seen as strategically important for the company’s European growth. BYD’s expansion plan is supported by its “long-term localisation strategy” for Europe. The company already operates in 29 European markets, and its first manufacturing plant on the continent—located in Hungary—is expected to open soon. The automaker is also preparing to build a second facility in Turkey and is evaluating options for a third European production hub, with Spain emerging as a leading candidate. The push comes amid surging demand for BYD vehicles in Europe. In the first nine months of 2025, the company’s sales in the region more than tripled, reaching 80,807 units, compared with the same period a year earlier. The significant jump follows BYD’s decision to broaden its offerings by introducing both plug-in hybrid models and fully electric vehicles to European consumers. Davino emphasised that strengthening BYD’s footprint in Europe requires a sustained and well-coordinated effort.“Localising in a mature market like Europe is a major undertaking,” she said. “It demands deep expertise, significant investment and a commitment of resources across all levels of the organisation.” With its rapidly expanding network, growing production base, and rising sales momentum, BYD is positioning itself as one of the most aggressive and fast-growing new players in Europe’s increasingly competitive automotive landscape.

The recent disruptions to the KLIA Aerotrain have placed the system under renewed public and regulatory attention. The Aerotrain, which resumed operations earlier this year after a major upgrade, encountered several breakdowns that affected passenger movement between the main terminal and the satellite building. These incidents have since prompted further review, including Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) intention to investigate aspects of the project. For Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), which oversees KLIA’s operations, the Aerotrain issue represents both an operational challenge and a test of system resilience ahead of a significant travel cycle. Led by Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, MAHB has outlined several measures intended to stabilise the system, ensure passenger continuity, and support ongoing regulatory assessments. Following news of MACC’s intended investigation, MAHB clarified that no formal request had yet been issued to the organisation. Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani has stated that it stands ready to provide full cooperation when required, reaffirming its support for a thorough and transparent review process. MAHB is also working with the Transport Ministry and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), both of which are directly involved in the technical evaluation and oversight of the Aerotrain system. Their participation forms part of a broader multi-agency approach to understanding the system’s recent shortcomings. A structured technical roadmap: The Comprehensive Action Plan On 14 November, MAHB announced the activation of a Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) to address the Aerotrain disruptions. Developed with guidance from the Transport Ministry and APAD, the CAP outlines a multi-phase engineering roadmap intended to review, rectify, and validate the full system. The plan includes: Nightly engineering shutdowns from 9pm to 7am to facilitate detailed inspections, component adjustments, and recalibrations. Root-cause analysis covering mechanical, electrical, and control-system elements. Simulated operations to verify performance before reintroducing the system to public use. Trial operations monitored jointly with regulators to confirm reliability prior to full reinstatement. While the CAP is underway, MAHB has deployed a full shuttle bus service to maintain uninterrupted passenger movement between terminals. The arrangement ensures that essential airport processes — including flight connections and gate transfers — continue without significant operational impact. Gate optimisation and other internal adjustments have also been implemented to minimise the number of passengers requiring inter-terminal travel during the rectification period. From July to the onset of the recent disruptions, MAHB reported that the Aerotrain achieved an Operational Service Availability (OSA) of 98.41%, completing more than 50,000 return trips and carrying over seven million passengers. These data points illustrate the system’s operational baseline and provide useful reference for ongoing engineering diagnostics. As technical inspections progress, MAHB is expected to release further updates to keep stakeholders informed of system stability, expected timelines, and regulatory assessments. Positioning KLIA ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 The Aerotrain issue comes at a pivotal time for the aviation sector, with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 projected to bring a significant increase in passenger volume. Ensuring reliable internal mobility within KLIA is therefore a priority not only for MAHB but for broader tourism and economic objectives. MAHB has stated that the CAP is designed with long-term readiness in mind, ensuring that all system enhancements meet the requirements for higher traffic flow and international expectations.

Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan, an experienced Malaysian finance professional, has been elected as deputy president of ACCA. She will work alongside newly-elected president Melanie Proffitt and vice president Cristina Gutu in leading ACCA’s global community of more than 257,000 members and 530,000 future members across 180 countries. Having been elected to ACCA’s Council in 2016, Datuk Zaiton has contributed actively to the organisation’s strategy and engagement in Asia Pacific and beyond. She currently serves as CEO of the Malaysia Professional Accountancy Centre (MyPAC), a non-profit organisation that helps students from lower-income backgrounds access careers in accountancy. She is also chair of GX Bank, Malaysia’s first digital bank, and holds a number of board and advisory roles promoting sound governance and professional development. Datuk Zaiton Mohd Hassan said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of deputy president of ACCA and to continue contributing to an organisation that has always stood for opportunity and inclusion. I’ve seen first-hand how the ACCA Qualification changes lives, opening doors to rewarding careers and enabling people to give back to their communities. I look forward to supporting this mission in the year ahead.” Datuk Zaiton has also served as president of the ACCA Malaysia Advisory Committee and as deputy chair of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group. She is recognised for her calm, collaborative leadership and her strong belief in ethics, education, and access. Through her work with MyPAC and various national boards, she has consistently advocated for social mobility, transparency, and integrity in finance. This year marks the second time that all three ACCA officer roles are held by women, reflecting ACCA’s continued commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.