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Investment & Market Trends

Singapore’s PK Green Fund Buys 9.02% Stake In Jentayu Sustainables

Singapore-based PK Green Fund has become a substantial shareholder of Jentayu Sustainables Bhd (JSB) after acquiring a 9.018% equity stake in the renewable energy company. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, JSB said it received a notice dated July 1 informing the company that PK Green Fund had become a substantial shareholder in accordance with the Companies Act 2016 and Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market Listing Requirements. The fund acquired 49.1 million ordinary shares in JSB on June 30, representing approximately 9.02% of the company’s issued share capital. Prior to the acquisition, PK Green Fund did not own any shares in the company. JSB welcomed the investment, describing it as a strong vote of confidence in the group’s strategic direction and its ongoing transformation into a renewable energy-focused business. The company said the fund’s investment reflects support for the continued development of its renewable energy project pipeline, including its flagship Project Oriole. According to JSB, PK Green Fund has also expressed its intention to engage constructively with the company’s board and management on strategic, corporate governance and sustainability-related matters. The fund further indicated that it may, at a later stage, seek representation on the board, subject to the company’s nomination process, corporate governance framework and all applicable regulatory requirements. PK Green Fund is a Singapore-domiciled investment fund that focuses on environmental and social impact investments across emerging markets, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy. A separate Bursa Malaysia filing showed that the 49.1 million shares were acquired through an off-market transaction from Datin Nurhaida Abu Sahid, the spouse of group managing director Datuk Beroz Nikmal Mirdin, at a price of 20 sen per share. Following the transaction, Beroz’s deemed indirect shareholding in JSB fell to 22 million shares, or 4.041%, while his direct interest remained unchanged at 20.89 million shares, representing 3.837% of the company’s issued share capital.

Energy & Technology

Southern Cable Wins RM403.6mil TNB Supplementary Contract

Southern Cable Group Bhd has secured a supplementary contract worth RM403.6 million from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to continue supplying power cables for the national electricity distribution network. In a statement, the cable and wire manufacturer said the contract covers the supply of underground power cables and conductors to TNB’s Distribution Network Division. The latest award stems from TNB’s exercise of an add-on option under the original contract that was awarded to Southern Cable in February 2025. The supplementary contract extends the supply arrangement for an additional one-year period, from August 2026 to August 2027, while increasing the overall contract value. Following the latest award, Southern Cable’s outstanding order book has exceeded RM1 billion, providing the group with stronger earnings visibility through to 2027. Southern Cable Group Bhd, Managing Director – Tung Eng Hai. Managing director Tung Eng Hai said the supplementary contract reflects TNB’s continued confidence in the group’s ability to deliver high-quality products that meet the stringent technical and reliability standards required for Malaysia’s electricity grid. He added that the award also underscores the sustained demand for power cables amid ongoing investments in the country’s energy infrastructure. According to Tung, Malaysia’s power sector continues to benefit from key growth drivers, including the expansion of renewable energy projects, the rapid development of data centres and increasing industrial activities, all of which are expected to support long-term demand for power transmission and distribution infrastructure. The contract is expected to contribute positively to Southern Cable’s earnings over the duration of the supply period while reinforcing its position as one of TNB’s key cable suppliers.

Energy & Technology

Reservoir Link Secures PETRONAS CCUS Panel Appointment

Reservoir Link Energy Bhd has secured a five-year panel appointment from Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) to provide integrated discovered resource assessment services under its Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) programme. Reservoir Link executive deputy chairman Thien Chiet Chai. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group said the appointment was awarded to its 60%-owned subsidiary, Reservoir Link Solutions Sdn Bhd, under Package 2 – Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and Contaminant. The panel appointment is effective from May 14, 2026, to May 13, 2031. Under the appointment, Reservoir Link Solutions will provide a range of technical services, including data consolidation and management, geological and geophysical evaluation, subsurface and surface development planning, economic analysis, as well as the preparation and submission of final reports. The participating PETRONAS operating units for the appointment are PETRONAS and PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd. The company noted that the panel appointment does not guarantee any minimum volume of work. Instead, projects will be awarded through mini-bidding exercises and/or direct awards during the five-year tenure, depending on PETRONAS’ operational requirements. Reservoir Link expects the appointment to contribute positively to the group’s earnings for the financial year ending June 30, 2027, and in subsequent financial years as work orders are secured. Executive deputy chairman Thien Chiet Chai said the appointment reflects the group’s growing technical expertise and capabilities in carbon capture and storage-related services. He added that the panel appointment further strengthens Reservoir Link’s position in supporting Malaysia’s energy transition initiatives and reinforces its role in the country’s evolving low-carbon energy ecosystem.

Investment & Market Trends

Karyon Acquires Johor Land Worth RM8.6mil

Karyon Industries Bhd (KIB) is proposing to acquire a 3,587 sq m freehold industrial land parcel in Johor Baru, Johor, from Tanah Temasik Sdn Bhd for RM8.6 million. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compound manufacturer said the acquisition is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen manufacturing operations and support future expansion plans. The company said the land is located near its existing factories and will provide additional space for the installation of new manufacturing lines, expansion of production capacity and enhancement of storage facilities. KIB added that the acquisition is expected to improve the group’s overall manufacturing footprint and support its growth plans in the coming years. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the company expects the proposed acquisition to contribute positively to future earnings.

The Executives

Teo Seng Capital Appoints Nam Ya Jun As Managing Director

Teo Seng Capital Bhd has appointed Nam Ya Jun as its new managing director, succeeding Nam Hiok Joo, who stepped down after serving in the role for about eight years. The group also appointed Na Yi Chan as its executive director, replacing Loh Wee Ching, who retired from the board. All appointments took effect on July 2. Hiok Joo, 59, who has more than 30 years of experience in the poultry industry, joined Teo Seng Feedmill Sdn Bhd as general manager in 2001 before becoming the group’s general manager in 2010. He had served as Teo Seng Capital’s managing director since June 2018 before stepping down. The group, however, did not disclose the reason for Hiok Joo’s resignation. Ya Jun, 44, who joined the group in 2005, is the nephew of Hiok Joo and also a cousin of Yi Chan. Teo Seng Capital’s shares price closed down half a sen or 0.63% to 79 sen, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM474 million. Year-to-date, the stock has fallen 19%.

Investment & Market Trends

Unisem Seeks Up To RM742mil To Expand Semiconductor Capacity

Unisem (M) Bhd plans to raise up to RM742 million through a private placement of up to 161.3 million new shares to fund the expansion of its semiconductor manufacturing capacity, particularly for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, while also reducing its borrowings. Trading in Unisem shares was suspended between 9am and 10am on Friday pending the announcement. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the semiconductor assembly and test services provider said the placement shares will be offered to local and foreign institutional investors through a book-building exercise. Based on an illustrative issue price of RM4.60 per share, the proposed private placement is expected to generate gross proceeds of approximately RM742 million. Of the total proceeds, RM444.5 million will be allocated for capital expenditure, including the purchase of assembly, test and wafer bumping equipment, as well as the establishment of cleanroom facilities to support future production growth. Meanwhile, RM269.9 million will be used to repay existing borrowings, RM22.9 million will be set aside for working capital requirements, while the remaining RM4.6 million will be utilised to cover expenses related to the fundraising exercise. Unisem said the fundraising follows significant investments in its new manufacturing facility in Gopeng, Perak, and the Phase 3 expansion of its Chengdu operations in China, both of which were partly financed through debt. The company said the additional capital will support its next phase of expansion by increasing production capacity to meet rising global demand for semiconductor solutions used in AI and high-performance computing, while also enhancing operational efficiency and lowering financing costs. Although the group had cash and bank balances of approximately RM258.9 million as at March 31, 2026, Unisem said the private placement would strengthen its financial flexibility without significantly depleting its cash reserves. “The proposed private placement will enable the group to preserve its existing cash for operational requirements and working capital while remaining well-positioned to pursue future expansion opportunities as they arise,” the company said. It added that the exercise reflects its commitment to maintaining prudent financial management, operational resilience and long-term sustainable growth amid the evolving global semiconductor landscape. The private placement is also expected to improve the company’s public shareholding spread to approximately 31.84% from 25.02%, while enhancing the liquidity of its shares. The exercise will be carried out under the company’s existing general mandate approved by shareholders at its annual general meeting on April 28, 2026, and will not require further shareholder approval. Subject to regulatory approvals and the successful placement of all shares in a single tranche, the fundraising exercise is expected to be completed by the third quarter of calendar year 2026.

ESG

Maybank Targets US$73bil In Asean Sustainable Finance By 2030

Maybank Group has committed to mobilise US$73 billion in sustainable finance across ASEAN by 2030, increasing its target as it continues to support what it describes as a responsible and orderly transition towards long-term growth and resilience. Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli said the revised target builds on the group’s earlier achievement of about US$43 billion in sustainable finance as of 2025, surpassing its previous commitment and reflecting stronger momentum in the region. Maybank president and group CEO Datuk Seri Khairussaleh Ramli. “Our focus is not only to finance what is already green, but also to support sectors that are in transition,” he said in his keynote address at the inaugural Maybank Indonesia Sustainable Finance Forum 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday. He said the new target underscores Maybank’s continued role in supporting both green and transition financing, including emission-intensive and hard-to-abate sectors. This includes helping clients improve efficiency, adopt cleaner technologies and develop credible transition pathways. Khairussaleh added that sustainability is not treated as a separate agenda within the group, but is embedded into its broader strategy of creating long-term value by supporting economic progress, strengthening business resilience and delivering impact to communities across ASEAN. The event was also attended by Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK) Board of Commissioners chairperson Friderica Widyasari Dewi, Indonesia Industry Vice Minister Faisol Riza, Maybank Group chief sustainability officer Datuk Shahril Azuar Jimin, and Maybank Indonesia president director Steffano Ridwan. Faisol said Indonesia remains committed to ensuring that industrial growth progresses alongside its transition towards a greener, more efficient and lower-carbon economy, noting that financial support, technology and international partnerships are critical to accelerating this shift. He said the Industry Ministry estimates that Indonesia will require around US$300 billion in investment for industrial decarbonisation between 2026 and 2060, while current green financing remains largely concentrated on already bankable projects. To bridge this gap, the ministry is developing a dedicated platform to connect industrial players with financing providers, supported by a proposed ministerial regulation on green financing expected to be implemented this year. The forum also marked the launch of Maybank Indonesia’s Sustainable Shariah Restricted Investment Account (SRIA), a Shariah-compliant investment product designed to channel funding into green projects supporting Indonesia’s energy transition and sustainable growth. Steffano said the SRIA reflects Maybank Indonesia’s efforts to integrate Islamic finance principles with sustainability-focused investment solutions in the market. He added that sustainability is now a key driver of competitiveness, not just a regulatory requirement, in both domestic and global markets.

Investment & Market Trends

MPOB Sees CPO Prices At RM4,000–RM4,300 Per Tonne

The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) expects crude palm oil (CPO) prices to remain strong at between RM4,000 and RM4,300 per tonne this year, supported by higher global petroleum prices. Its director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said palm oil prices are expected to stay firm, driven by movements in global oil markets following tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. “Looking at the current situation, palm oil prices have remained strong, and for this year we are targeting an average price of between RM4,000 and RM4,300 per tonne,” he said at a press conference after the MPOB 2026 Palm Oil Technology Transfer (TOT) Programme. He explained that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have affected global petroleum supply, which has in turn lifted prices of palm oil and other vegetable oils due to their close price relationship. On supply conditions, Ahmad Parveez said the industry is also facing potential production constraints due to the lingering effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which has impacted oil palm pollination. “We are monitoring the potential post-El Niño effects, which bring hotter weather and lower rainfall,” he said. “The impact is not immediate, but it affects pollination activities carried out by oil palm weevils. Hotter conditions reduce insect activity, leading to lower pollination rates and ultimately reduced oil yields.” On the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), he said more than 80% of smallholders in Peninsular Malaysia are already prepared to comply with the requirements. He added that MPOB is targeting 90% to 95% of eligible smallholders with valid licences and clear land ownership to be included in its compliance system before the regulation takes effect for smallholders in the middle of next year. “Once incorporated into the system, their palm oil will be able to enter the European Union market without compliance issues,” he said.

Investment & Market Trends

Public Mutual Declares RM96mil+ In Distributions Across Five Funds

Public Mutual, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Public Bank Bhd, has declared total distributions amounting to more than RM96 million for five of its funds for the financial year ended June 30, 2026. In a statement, the unit trust manager said the distributions reflect the performance of its fixed income and income-focused funds over the period under review. Among the funds, the PB Islamic Bond Fund led with a gross distribution of 5.50 sen per unit. This was followed by the PB Infrastructure Bond Fund at 5.00 sen per unit, and the PB Fixed Income Fund at 4.50 sen per unit. Meanwhile, the Public Institutional Bond Fund declared a distribution of 0.90 sen per unit, while the Public Islamic Savings Fund recorded a payout of 0.10 sen per unit. Public Mutual noted that the PB Islamic Bond Fund, PB Infrastructure Bond Fund, PB Fixed Income Fund, and Public Institutional Bond Fund follow an annual distribution policy. In contrast, the Public Islamic Savings Fund distributes income on a semi-annual basis, providing investors with more frequent payout cycles. The group said the latest distributions underscore its continued focus on delivering consistent returns through a diversified range of fixed income and savings-oriented investment solutions, catering to both retail and institutional investors. Public Mutual currently manages more than 180 unit trust funds across various asset classes and investment strategies. It is also an approved Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) provider, managing nine PRS funds nationwide, further strengthening its position as one of Malaysia’s largest private unit trust managers.

Energy & Technology

Critical Holdings Secures RM772mil Contract From Multinational Client

Critical Holdings Bhd has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth RM772.49 million for the development of a state-of-the-art industrial facility at Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group said the project involves the construction of a high-technology automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) warehouse, along with supporting infrastructure for a major industrial development within the park. The contract was awarded by a “renowned US-based multinational corporation” that supplies wafer fabrication equipment and related services to the global semiconductor industry. The company said construction works are scheduled to commence on June 15, 2026, with completion targeted for Dec 15, 2027. According to Critical Holdings, the project is expected to contribute positively to the group’s earnings and net assets for the financial years ending June 30, 2027, and June 30, 2028, reflecting the project’s scale and execution timeline. The latest win further strengthens the group’s order book position, which currently stands at approximately RM1.06 billion, providing greater earnings visibility over the medium term. The contract also reinforces Critical Holdings’ exposure to the fast-growing semiconductor ecosystem in Malaysia, particularly in high-value industrial infrastructure development supporting global technology supply chains.

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