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The Executives

Global Excellence, Local Relevance: ASB Convenes Presidential Dialogue At MIT Sloan

Three Presidents. One conversation. At MIT Sloan School of Management. What does it take for a business school to stay globally relevant — while remaining deeply rooted in its region — in an era shaped by AI and shifting geopolitical dynamics?’ At a recent dialogue, graciously hosted by MIT Sloan in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Asia School of Business (ASB) brought together three generations of the School’s leadership — current CEO, President and Dean, Professor Joseph Cherian; former President, Professor Sanjay Sarma; and Founding President, Professor Charles Fine — for a timely discussion on the future of education, leadership, and global competitiveness. “We have a cross-disciplinary approach… a very engineering way of thinking about problems,” shared Professor Joseph, our current CEO, President and Dean, highlighting ASB’s evolving trajectory as a globally relevant institution anchored in Southeast Asia. For Professor Sanjay, the shift is even more fundamental: “AI is no longer just another technology — it’s a way of thinking required to navigate a complex world.” Reflecting on ASB’s founding philosophy, Professor Charles emphasized the importance of cultural and intellectual bridging: “We built a culture that could engage both the East and the West — and understand the challenges of both.” Moderated by Andrew Foley (Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, NYU Stern, and MBA 2018 — ASB’s inaugural cohort), the session explored how institutions can translate global trends into meaningful impact for Malaysia, the wider Asian region, and beyond. As AI continues to reshape industries, the way we work and talent demands, the conversation reinforced a clear idea: The future of business education lies not just in global excellence — but in local relevance, contextual understanding, and the abilities to navigate and thrive across worlds. “Global Excellence, Local Relevance: Academic Leadership at the Intersection of AI and Global Fragmentation” held at MIT Sloan’s Wong Auditorium To learn more about the Asia School of Business (ASB), visit: https://asb.edu.my/

Lifestyle

The Recipe For Brand Loyalty: How NIMS Is Growing Beyond The Product

Some of the most successful consumer brands are born not from complex innovation, but from a simple understanding of human behaviour. People may buy a product once because they are curious, but they return because it becomes part of a feeling, a habit, or even a memory. In today’s social-media-driven world, food is no longer just about taste—it is about experience, conversation, identity, and community. That is precisely where NIMS Adeliciousz Sdn Bhd has carved out its own space. What started as the creator of the iconic NIMS Crispy Chocotub has evolved into something much larger than a snack manufacturer. The Malaysian FMCG brand has transformed a simple combination of crispy cereal and rich chocolate into a lifestyle product that resonates with consumers seeking convenience, indulgence, and shareable moments. Today, its products are available through modern retail, general trade, e-commerce, social commerce, and international distribution channels, with exports reaching more than 25 countries. Yet the company’s greatest achievement may not be the product itself. It is the ability to build a brand that people actively participate in rather than simply purchase. Behind every successful consumer product lies an understanding of changing lifestyles. Modern consumers, particularly younger generations, increasingly seek products that fit seamlessly into fast-paced routines while still delivering enjoyment. Snacking has evolved from satisfying hunger to becoming part of social gatherings, work breaks, road trips, movie nights, and digital content creation. Founder and Owner of NIMS Adeliciousz – Tengku Norhanim Tengku Othman. NIMS recognised this behavioural shift early. Instead of competing solely on flavour or price, it created a product that was visually appealing, convenient to carry, easy to share, and instantly recognisable. Long before “Instagrammable food” became a marketing strategy, the brand understood that experience could become a competitive advantage. However, as the business matured, success demanded more than product novelty. Sustaining relevance required consistent quality, food safety, operational excellence, innovation capability, and the ability to meet international standards. Building a recognised Malaysian brand capable of competing globally requires discipline that consumers rarely see behind the packaging. Today, the company’s strategic direction reflects a long-term vision rather than short-term expansion. Its priorities focus on strengthening the NIMS brand, expanding distribution both locally and internationally, and investing in the operational capabilities necessary to support sustainable growth. Market demand, profitability, brand impact, and long-term scalability now drive business decisions more than simply pursuing rapid sales growth. This philosophy is also evident in how the company defines success. For many businesses, growth is measured by turnover alone. For NIMS, growth encompasses stronger brand equity, better systems, more capable people, wider market access, and sustainable profitability. Equally important is the opportunity created for its network of agents, partners, and entrepreneurs who grow alongside the business. The company has also been deliberate about what it chooses not to pursue. Rapid expansion that compromises product quality, pricing discipline, financial stability, or brand reputation is viewed as inconsistent with its long-term ambitions. Remaining relevant a decade from now matters more than achieving temporary momentum today. As organisations grow, complexity inevitably replaces simplicity. Decisions that could once be made by founders alone must evolve into structured processes supported by capable teams and clear accountability. For NIMS, scaling has required a transition from founder-driven execution to system-driven leadership, supported by stronger middle management, defined operating procedures, and greater data visibility across the organisation. Interestingly, one of the company’s strongest competitive advantages cannot be found on supermarket shelves. Its true differentiator lies in the community ecosystem it has cultivated. Through social commerce, content-driven marketing, entrepreneurial opportunities, and continuous consumer engagement, NIMS has built emotional connections that extend beyond the product itself. While competitors may develop similar snacks, replicating years of trust, participation, and community loyalty is significantly more challenging. The same long-term thinking shapes its approach to sustainability. For NIMS, responsible growth is not limited to environmental initiatives but includes building resilient operations, maintaining financial discipline, strengthening food safety standards, and investing in efficient production capabilities. At the same time, its agent ecosystem continues to create meaningful income opportunities, particularly for women and small entrepreneurs, demonstrating that commercial success and social impact can reinforce one another. Looking ahead, the company’s ambition extends beyond entering more countries. Having already established an export presence across more than 25 markets, the next objective is to deepen international positioning and strengthen NIMS as a globally competitive Malaysian-born brand. Achieving this will require continued investment in automation, technology, leadership development, export readiness, and brand consistency across every market it serves. Ultimately, NIMS is proof that the most successful brands rarely sell products alone. They sell experiences, create communities, and become part of everyday lifestyles. In doing so, a simple snack can become something far more enduring—a Malaysian success story with global aspirations.  

Energy & Technology

Technology Is Easy. Building Business Confidence Is Harder.

There is a misconception that successful technology companies sell hardware, software, or digital solutions. In reality, the most valuable technology businesses sell something far more important: confidence. Confidence that systems will work when they are needed, that critical data will remain secure, and that investments made today will still create value tomorrow. For more than two decades, Ipenet Solutions Sdn Bhd has quietly built its reputation around this principle. Established in 2005, the Malaysian technology solutions provider has grown into a trusted partner delivering end-to-end capabilities across networking, cybersecurity, systems and storage, cloud computing, managed services, automation, audio-visual technologies, and client solutions. Serving industries that range from manufacturing and education to healthcare, hospitality, retail, financial services, and telecommunications, the company has focused less on selling products and more on solving business problems. The distinction is significant. Technology itself changes rapidly, but business challenges remain remarkably consistent. Organisations want to operate more efficiently, protect their operations, connect their people, and prepare for future growth without unnecessary complexity or risk. The ability to translate sophisticated technologies into practical business outcomes has become one of the company’s defining strengths. Long before digital transformation became a boardroom priority, Ipenet Solutions recognised that many organisations faced a common dilemma. The market offered an abundance of technology solutions, yet many businesses lacked a trusted advisor capable of integrating those technologies into a coherent operational strategy. Purchasing equipment was straightforward; ensuring that it worked together to deliver measurable value was considerably more difficult. That gap has only widened as technology has evolved. Today’s business leaders must navigate cloud migration, cybersecurity threats, artificial intelligence, automation, and increasingly interconnected digital ecosystems. The conversation is no longer about installing infrastructure but about building resilience, scalability, and long-term competitiveness. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Ipenet Solutions – Fran Teh. Rather than attempting to participate in every emerging trend, Ipenet Solutions has adopted a disciplined strategy centred on areas where it can create meaningful impact. Cybersecurity, AI-powered solutions, cloud technologies, managed services, and modern workplace enablement represent strategic priorities that align with evolving customer needs. By concentrating resources and expertise in these areas, the company seeks to deliver sustainable value rather than short-lived market relevance. Its philosophy towards growth reflects the same measured approach. Expansion, while important, is not viewed simply through the lens of size or revenue. Growth means becoming increasingly valuable to customers, strengthening technical capabilities, and building recurring service relationships that create long-term partnerships rather than transactional engagements. Equally important is recognising what growth should not become. Rapid expansion that compromises service quality, technical standards, or customer experience ultimately weakens the very foundation on which sustainable businesses are built. Maintaining operational excellence therefore remains central to every stage of the company’s development. Scaling an organisation inevitably introduces new challenges. As teams expand and projects become more complex, maintaining consistency in service delivery, leadership, and execution requires stronger governance and clearer accountability. For Ipenet Solutions, organisational maturity has involved investing not only in technology but also in specialist talent, leadership development, and internal processes that support agility without sacrificing discipline. Much of the company’s competitive advantage exists behind the scenes. Customers may see successful implementations, but less visible are the countless hours devoted to solution design, technical validation, partner collaboration, project management, and post-deployment support. These capabilities ensure that technology investments translate into reliable operational outcomes rather than isolated technical achievements. The same long-term perspective also shapes the company’s understanding of sustainability. Responsible business is viewed not simply as environmental stewardship but as the ability to create enduring value through resilient infrastructure, scalable digital solutions, and disciplined investment decisions. By helping organisations modernise efficiently while maintaining operational reliability, Ipenet Solutions contributes to a more sustainable digital future for its customers and the broader economy. Looking ahead, the company’s ambition is clear. As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, Ipenet Solutions aims to strengthen its role as a strategic technology partner by deepening capabilities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and managed services. The objective is not merely to expand its market presence, but to become increasingly indispensable to organisations seeking to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. In the end, technology will continue to evolve. What will endure is the need for partners who can transform innovation into business confidence—and that is where Ipenet Solutions intends to create its greatest value.  

Investment & Market Trends

Brrandom Expands Operations To Singapore And Indonesia, Launches Six AI Practice Areas

Brrandom Founded three years ago in India and last year 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, March 2026, Brrandom Asia was founded on a conviction the industry called premature — that artificial intelligence would not merely assist marketing, but fundamentally reimagine it. Today, that conviction has become competitive reality. On its third anniversary, Brrandom  — India and Southeast Asia’s leading AI-native marketing technology company — is launching six fully integrated AI practice areas, forging strategic alliances with global AI technology leaders to deploy advanced agentic models, and announcing the establishment of new offices in Singapore and Indonesia before the close of 2026. This is not a company celebrating the past — it is a company declaring the future. Brrandom Asia Leadership Team [L-R] Sadhak Mandal (COO, India); Safder Ali (COO, Southeast Asia; Kavitha K (Chief Business Officer, Southeast Asia);  Anand Prakash (Head of Digital Growth India & South East Asia) & Avik Guha (CEO, India)  “When we started Brrandom, we were told AI in marketing was a nice-to-have. We disagreed. We believed it was the only sustainable competitive advantage a brand could build. Three years on, the market has caught up — and we are ready to lead it across the entire region,” said Avik Guha, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Brrandom. “Singapore and Indonesia are the two markets where the next decade of Southeast Asian brand growth will be won or lost. We are not entering these markets to participate — we are entering to lead. Our AI capabilities were built for exactly this scale, and this moment,” said Safder Ali, C-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Brrandom Asia.  Six AI Practices. One Integrated Intelligence. The anniversary marks the maturation of a complete AI marketing stack — six interconnected practices that address every layer of the modern brand-building equation. AI Ad Tech — AI & Machine learning across programmatic, paid social, and search recalibrates bidding, targeting, and channel allocation in real time, driving higher return on ad spend with AI fraud detection, agentic lead generation, and full-funnel attribution. AI Retail Marketing — Real-time shopper intelligence, AI-powered SEO and AEO, footfall tracking, and a unified dashboard bridge brand equity and basket conversion across Southeast Asia’s omnichannel landscape. AI Creative Lab — Generative AI paired with human creative direction delivers high-volume, brand-consistent assets and dynamic creative optimisation that personalises in real time across video, static, and rich media. AI Data Analytics — Unified data platforms, natural-language insight generation, and predictive consumer intelligence transform fragmented signals into clear, executive-ready strategy. AI Market Mix Modelling — Always-on, machine-learning-powered econometric models account for media saturation, competitive activity, seasonality, and macroeconomic variables in real time, delivering sharper attribution and better business decisions. AI Agentic Systems — Built with global AI Agentic system for B2B & B2C, autonomous agents plan, reason, execute, and optimise campaigns end-to-end, orchestrating media, personalising customer journeys, and generating executive-ready insight continuously and at scale. Planting the Flag in Singapore and Indonesia Brrandom ‘s third anniversary is the springboard for its most significant geographic expansion to date, with new offices confirmed in two of Southeast Asia’s most pivotal markets by 2026-2027. Singapore will serve as the company’s Regional AI Centre of Excellence — housing senior client leadership, AI research capabilities, and strategic partnerships that will accelerate growth across ASEAN and beyond. Indonesia — with over 200 million internet users, the world’s fourth-largest population, and an e-commerce sector growing at extraordinary velocity — represents a high-conviction move into one of the world’s most complex and rewarding digital environments. Powered by the World’s Best Through partnerships with global leaders in large language models, autonomous agent frameworks, and enterprise AI infrastructure, Brrandom  is embedding next-generation agentic AI across its stack — autonomous systems that orchestrate campaigns, monitor competitive signals, personalise customer journeys, and synthesise performance intelligence at scale. AI challenge We see AI as a creative catalyst, not a creative substitute. Its role is to eliminate limitations, while human talent continues to provide vision, emotion, and originality. At Brrandom, we believe AI should automate the process, not the purpose. Because great ideas will always begin and end with people – Avik Guha, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Brrandom. Leadership Update: In 2026, Brrandom Asia’s CEO Amol Deelip Kale stepped down from his role. Safder Ali, previously Chief Operating Officer, has since assumed expanded leadership responsibility as COO, South East Asia, steering the agency’s regional growth and operations going forward. Rafidah Binti Rozally ( Director Brrandom Asia ) – We bid a heartfelt farewell to Amol Deelip Kale, who has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Brrandom Asia in 2026 , We congratulate Safder on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the next chapter of growth under his stewardship.

Events

Tarantula Trail: The New Journey For Leaders To Embrace AI

Malaysia’s corporate leaders must humanise with artificial intelligence rather than watch from the sidelines, as the gap between awareness and readiness widens across the country’s boardrooms. PIKOM CEO Ong Kian Yew, Futurefirst Co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy, Green Packet Managing Director & Group CEO Datuk Wira Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood, MIHRM President Simon Benjamin, and Futurefirst Solutions Co-founder Shankar Nagalingam launching the Tarantula Trail at the Summit of Titans II. The distinction lies not in strategy or budget but in leaders personally getting familiar with AI and integrating it into their own work. “Leaders need to take the first step to get themselves to humanise with AI, as in familiarise, capitalise, understand, interpret and use it for their own benefit because awareness alone is no longer enough,,” Futurefirst Solutions Sdn Bhd co-founder Shankar Nagalingam said at the Summit of Titans II, themed “Decode AI. Reclaim the Future”, held yesterday. He said leaders who continued to wait and watch rather than act on AI’s impact risked falling behind. The conclave, which drew more than 300 C-suite executives, also saw the launch of Tarantula Trail, a new leadership venture by Futurefirst Solutions built on NETRA, a trademark framework centred on five traits: Neuroplasticity, Neuroempathy, Technosapient, Regenerative and Agentic.  Malaysian business, technology, and HR leaders at Summit of Titans II. Tarantula Trail is the first in the world to combine two elements in a leadership environment; technology-based assessment using EEG brainwave, AI facial recognition and voice modulation, and a cinematic experience where participants watch a film portraying distinct leadership styles to identify their own gaps.  “We are using technology that no one in the world is using in a leadership environment to connect and interpret future capabilities. Eventually, you can use this for hiring, promotion and organisational succession planning, to determine whether individuals have the traits needed for the future,” Shankar said. He added that the programme reads how leaders truly think, feel and decide, elevating human capabilities no machine can replace.  Unlike conventional assessments, he said the programme identifies individual gaps through technology rather than questionnaires and the reliability of its brainwave measurement surpassed that of a lie detector..  Meanwhile, co-founder Dr Chanthiran Veerasamy highlighted the cinematic element was key to creating the kind of self-realisation conventional training could not.  “Cinematic experience gives you that immersive learning experience, whereas the validation is through the AI app and EEG technology,” he said.  The full programme, including its cinematic production, is expected to be completed by year-end.  Summit of Titans II drew a formidable line-up of industry leadership. Academician Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Datuk Dr. Ir. Ahmad Tajuddin Ali officiated the conclave, while Managing Director and Group CEO of Green Packet, Datuk Wira Shahul Hameed Shaik Dawood launched the Tarantula Trail publications. He was joined on stage by PIKOM Chief Executive Officer Ong Kian Yew and Malaysian Institute of Human Resource Management President Simon Benjamin.  Their presence underscored the summit’s standing as a premier meeting point for Malaysia’s business, technology and human-capital leaders. Meanwhile, keynote speaker Professor Keith Carter, an AI strategist and TEDx speaker, said whether AI replaced or empowered people depended entirely on leadership intent. CEOs with vision, he said, were bringing AI into their organisations not to cut people but to unlock human potential.  Waiting gets punished in 2026, he added, saying that organisations that delayed action risked being left behind.  The Summit of Titans II comes as AI moves beyond pilot programmes into the core of business operations across Malaysia. 

Events

Creators Circle Confronts the Question Every Creative Must Answer: Can AI Replace the Human Soul?

Artificial intelligence is no longer coming — it is here, rewriting the rules of every creative industry on the planet. On 4 June 2026, a room in Kuala Lumpur confronted that reality head-on. Held at the Hyatt Centric Kuala Lumpur, Creators Circle: The Soul of Creativity — AI, Art & The Future of Human Imagination brought together a curated gathering of founders, creators, business leaders, media professionals, and changemakers for an unfiltered conversation about one of the most pressing creative challenges of our generation. Moderated by Rizal Kamal, Founder of Creators Circle and CEO of LOL Asia, the session featured candid insights from Yasmin Suleiman (CEO and Producer, Studio Voxel) and Raz Gabriel Sho (Creative Technologist and Founder, Pixel Crest) — two practitioners operating at the intersection of technology and imagination. This was not a debate about whether AI will change things — it already has. The real question posed was: What do we fight to preserve? The Questions That Stopped the Room The session did not avoid uncomfortable conversations. As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, the discussion tackled difficult but necessary questions facing today’s creative leaders: → Is AI enhancing human creativity — or quietly eroding our ability to think for ourselves? → What happens when content becomes infinite but meaning becomes scarce? → Can an algorithm replicate intuition, empathy, cultural memory, and lived experience? → How will creative industries redefine value when the act of creation becomes automated? → Are we building smarter tools — or raising a generation that no longer needs to imagine? The conclusion was clear: while AI will continue to transform the way people work, create, and communicate, it cannot replicate imagination, emotional intelligence, cultural nuance, or the irreplaceable spark of original human thought. Five Forces Reshaping Southeast Asia’s Creative Economy The discussion surfaced five major shifts already taking place across Malaysia and the wider region — and accelerating rapidly. 1. AI as Creative Collaborator — Not Replacement The most forward-thinking creators are not resisting AI — they are learning how to direct it. AI is increasingly serving as an accelerator for ideation, production, research, and design, enabling human creators to focus on higher-value creative thinking. 2. Authenticity Becomes the Premium Asset As AI-generated content floods digital platforms, human perspective, originality, and authentic storytelling are becoming increasingly scarce — and more valuable than ever. 3. A New Creative Economy is Emerging The convergence of AI, media, entertainment, gaming, and immersive technologies is not merely disrupting traditional models — it is creating entirely new opportunities. Entrepreneurs who understand this shift are likely to build the defining companies of the next decade. 4. Creativity is Now a Competitive Advantage In a future where machines increasingly handle execution, uniquely human capabilities such as critical thinking, adaptability, emotional intelligence, cultural literacy, and innovation become even more important. 5. Southeast Asia’s Moment Has Arrived With a young, digitally native population, a fast-growing creator economy, and rich cultural diversity, Southeast Asia is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for human-centred creative innovation — if the region acts decisively. A Conversation Beyond Technology A recurring theme throughout the session was that the future should not be framed as a battle between humans and machines. Instead, speakers challenged participants to think about how technology can responsibly amplify human potential rather than diminish it. “One of the key takeaways from our conversation with Raz and Yasmin was that the future isn’t about choosing between humans and AI — it’s about how we work together. AI is transforming the way we create, communicate and innovate, but it also challenges us to think more deeply about what makes human creativity valuable. The qualities that drive meaningful progress — imagination, empathy, critical thinking and cultural understanding — remain uniquely human. At Creators Circle, we believe these conversations are essential because the decisions we make today will shape the future of creativity, business and society. As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, our responsibility is to ensure that technology amplifies human potential, rather than replaces it,” said Rizal Kamal, Founder of Creators Circle and CEO of LOL Asia.

ESG

Weng Yat To Supply Biomass To Japan, Targets RM60 Mil Annual Revenue

Malaysian biomass producer Weng Yat Resources Sdn Bhd has signed a deal to build a biomass supply platform for Japan, targeting more than RM60 million in annual revenue once full-scale exports begin. Commercial shipments are expected to commence in early next year. The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan-based Daya Synergy Borneo Co Ltd (DSB) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to strengthen biomass fuel supply chains in support of Japan’s renewable energy and decarbonisation policies. Sunderaj Nagalingam, Executive Director of Weng Yat Resources Group Berhad, and Hideki Takizawa, Representative Director of Daya Synergy Borneo Co., Ltd., exchanging documents at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, formalising a partnership to develop a biomass supply platform for the Japanese market. “Long-term supply agreements are targeted to be finalised by the end of this year, with commercial shipments commencing in January 2027. This follows an initial trial shipment of 10,000 metric tonnes of wood pellets this year,” said Weng Yat Resources executive director Sunderaj Nagalingam during the signing ceremony. The initial shipment will serve as a trial run before both parties scale up to a larger recurring monthly supply arrangement upon successful implementation. Sunderaj said the company is targeting a five per cent share of Japan’s biomass import market over the next three years, noting that even a small market share represents a significant opportunity given the size of the market. The platform is intended to support Japan’s biomass power generation sector, which relies on imported biomass fuels such as wood pellets, palm kernel shells (PKS), and Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) pellets as part of its decarbonisation efforts. Japan’s biomass demand is estimated at approximately seven million tonnes of PKS and nine million tonnes of wood pellets annually, with EFB pellets emerging as a growing segment driven by feedstock availability and cost advantages. Under the partnership, DSB will facilitate market access into Japan for Weng Yat Resources, leveraging its existing relationships with biomass trading firms and power producers established through PKS export activities in Sabah. DSB is also involved in energy-related projects, including a proposed 100MW Battery Energy Storage System in Hokkaido, valued at approximately US$300 million. Weng Yat Resources currently operates biomass production facilities across Malaysia, supplying industrial users and international buyers. Its biomass feedstock strategy includes long-term supply agreements with 24 palm oil mills nationwide, targeting an estimated one million metric tonnes of Empty Fruit Bunch annually. Sunderaj said the agreement reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to converting biomass waste into exportable fuel products. “Work is progressing across our operations, with projects at different stages — from construction to equipment installation — while agreements are being finalised. Our focus remains on turning biomass materials that were once discarded into value-added products. This principle continues to define what we do,” he said. Meanwhile, DSB representative director Hideki Takizawa described the agreement as a foundation for long-term cooperation and stronger market access between Malaysian suppliers and Japanese buyers in the biomass sector. “Today is not just the signing of an MoU, but a meaningful first step in a new relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. We believe DSB can serve as a bridge between Weng Yat Resources and the Japanese market — not only for PKS, wood pellets, and EFB pellets, but also for broader business opportunities in the future,” he said. Established in 2007, Weng Yat Resources is involved in biomass production and other industrial sectors, including automotive and scaffolding, with a reported combined turnover of approximately RM150 million. The company also operates a Wood Waste Collection Centre contract in Klang District under the Klang City Council, where collected materials are channelled into biomass production. Its biomass facilities span Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, including a Tronoh, Perak plant that produces approximately 6,000 metric tonnes of wood pellets monthly. Expansion plans include a new EFB pellet production line with a capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes per month, expected to be operational by 2027, as well as a facility in Kapar, Klang, which will increase production capacity for wood pellets, sawdust, and wood chips upon completion in 2027.

News

No Cut To Budi95 Quota Unless Oil Prices Above US$200 — Amir Hamzah

Malaysia will maintain the current monthly subsidised fuel quota of 200 litres under the Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) programme for now, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. He said the government would only consider revising the quota if Brent crude prices — the global oil benchmark — rise sharply to between US$200 and US$300 per barrel. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at US$92.38 per barrel. “We reduced the quota from 300 litres to 200 litres, and I think that has helped. If prices were to reach US$200 to US$300 per barrel, then we would have to look again at that time,” he said at the Invest Malaysia conference on Tuesday. “As long as the government has the ability to manage the situation, we will continue to mitigate the impact on society,” he added. On fuel supply, Amir Hamzah said the government has been securing supplies on a rolling basis and intends to continue doing so. “We have been able to secure supply for up to three months ahead and will continue to do so. What we cannot guarantee is that prices will remain stable, as they must ultimately reflect global market conditions over the longer term,” he said. The Budi95 monthly quota was reduced from 300 litres to 200 litres effective April 1, as Malaysia’s fuel subsidy bill rose to about RM7 billion per month amid global supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and instability around the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for global oil and gas shipments. The Budi95 programme allows eligible Malaysians to purchase RON95 petrol at a subsidised rate of RM1.99 per litre. Malaysia, along with many countries, continues to face pressure from volatility in global energy markets due to ongoing geopolitical conflicts that have disrupted shipping routes and pushed crude oil prices above US$100 per barrel at times. Against this backdrop, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), which supplies about half of Malaysia’s fuel through its listed subsidiary PETRONAS Dagangan Bhd, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring supply security through end-July, according to earlier remarks by Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.

Investment & Market Trends

Duopharma Unit Wins RM155.3 Million Insulin Supply Deal

Duopharma Biotech Bhd, whose shares have fallen 22% since mid-February, said its unit has secured a RM155.28 million contract to supply insulin products to public hospitals and clinics nationwide. In a filing on Tuesday, the pharmaceutical group said the government has accepted the tender submitted by its wholly owned subsidiary Duopharma (M) Sdn Bhd (DMSB) and issued a letter of award (LOA) for the contract. The supply covers recombinant human insulin 100 IU/ml Penfill/Refill, including short-, intermediate- and premixed-acting formulations, as well as reusable insulin pens. The contract runs for three years, from June 3, 2026 to June 2, 2029. Under the terms of the award, DMSB is required to provide an irrevocable performance bond of RM2.59 million within 30 days of accepting the LOA. The company must also ensure timely delivery and compliance with government-set quality specifications, with penalties or order cancellations applicable in cases of non-compliance or delays. The agreement also allows for termination under certain conditions, including failure to submit the performance bond, supply delays, breach of tender requirements, unauthorised equity changes, or reasons related to public interest, security, or national interest. Duopharma noted that Malaysia has an estimated 4.75 million diabetics, with around 450,000 patients receiving recombinant human insulin treatment at government healthcare facilities. The group said the contract is expected to contribute positively to earnings over its duration. Duopharma, in which Permodalan Nasional Bhd holds a 44.11% stake, is a long-standing supplier of human insulin to the government and the primary distributor for Biocon Biologics, which manufactures insulin in Johor. The group previously supplied about 80% of government insulin demand, while the remainder was supplied by Novo Nordisk, which exited the human insulin market in 2024, leaving Duopharma as the sole supplier. Duopharma shares closed unchanged at RM1.21, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM1.16 billion.

Investment & Market Trends

Collins Aerospace To Invest US$63 Million In Subang MRO Facility Expansion

Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, is investing US$63 million (RM255.8 million) to expand its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Subang Aerotech Park, significantly increasing its operational capacity in Malaysia. Collins Aerospace president Irene Markis. The expansion will quadruple the facility’s footprint from 46,000 square feet to 164,000 square feet, making it the largest MRO facility of its kind in the region. According to Collins Aerospace president Irene Markis, the expansion is aimed at capturing rising demand from the fast-growing Asia-Pacific aviation sector. She noted that the Asia-Pacific region is currently the fastest-growing aviation market globally, with the majority of its population yet to take their first flight. Over the next two decades, the global aircraft fleet is expected to grow from 30,000 to more than 45,000 aircraft, with Asia-Pacific expected to drive a significant share of that expansion. The expanded Subang facility will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for aircraft including the Boeing 787, Boeing 777 and Airbus A330, along with their associated systems. Services will cater not only to Malaysia and neighbouring markets but also to wider international clients. While the facility was officially launched on Tuesday, full transition into the expanded operations is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Talent expansion and Malaysia’s role Markis said Malaysia was chosen for the expansion due to Collins Aerospace’s more than 30 years of operations in the country, as well as the adaptability and technical capability of local talent in adopting advanced technologies. Currently, the Subang MRO facility employs about 150 people, with headcount expected to increase by 30% to 50% over the next five to 10 years as operations scale up. Minister of Transport Anthony Loke Siew Fook highlighted ongoing government efforts to support the industry, including a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Defence to reskill retired Royal Malaysian Air Force personnel for roles in the aerospace sector. He noted that these experienced personnel, many of whom are in their early 40s, represent a ready talent pool to support the industry’s expansion. “We have a ready workforce who have just retired and are in their early 40s who can come to fill these jobs. So bring in more investment, bring more jobs. We will have people ready for you,” he said.

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