Energy & Technology

France and Malaysia are set to strengthen their “sovereignty partnership,” focusing on security, defence, and emerging energy sectors to boost strategic autonomy. French Ambassador Marc Abensour said the initiative aims to enhance both countries’ resilience amid growing global technological and security challenges. “Developing your own security and defence capabilities increases sovereignty and autonomy. France has a long-standing relationship with Malaysia in these sectors, and we aim to expand it further,” he explained. The announcement came during the “French Security Days ASEAN 2026 – Malaysia,” organised by Business France, which showcased French security and cybersecurity technologies and facilitated networking and industrial partnerships with Malaysian stakeholders. Beyond defence, the partnership is expanding into energy transition and critical minerals. Abensour highlighted cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and ASEAN power grid development, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to France in July 2025. “France generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy. We can share expertise on nuclear safety and inclusive management of such programmes,” he said. He also cited a recent agreement between Malaysian firm Malaco Mining San Bha and French company Carester on critical minerals as an example of technology transfer supporting Malaysia’s global value chain growth while meeting ESG standards. Jean-François Ambrosio, Director of Business France Malaysia, added that established French firms like Airbus and Sergi, along with newer companies, see Malaysia as a strategic regional hub. “Our next step is to help these companies find local partners and clients to build long-term operations in Malaysia,” he said.

Electricity transmission capacity to Sabah’s east coast has been significantly enhanced following the completion of a RM9.2 million grid upgrade aimed at strengthening supply stability and reducing generation costs in Tawau. Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said the project involved installing a 132kV capacitor bank at the main Tawau intake substation. Work began in November 2024 and was completed on Dec 31. The upgrade forms part of a broader strategy to channel lower-cost electricity generated on Sabah’s west coast to the east coast, where power production is more expensive due to heavier reliance on diesel generation. “The goal is to transmit more affordable energy from the west coast to the east coast, particularly Tawau, where generation costs are higher,” Yaakob said during a media site visit on Friday. He noted that the earlier upgrading of the 275kV transmission line from Sandakan to Lahad Datu in March last year had already raised east coast supply capacity from about 210MW to 260MW. With the completion of the capacitor bank installation, transmission capacity to Tawau can now reach up to 400MW. Yaakob added that the Energy Commission of Sabah had set a target for the project to be completed before the end of 2025. Sabah Electricity delivered the project on schedule, within budget and without workplace incidents. Tawau’s current electricity demand ranges between 170MW and 180MW daily. Supply is supported by the main grid and three local power stations — HDA Kubota, HDA Tawau and IPP Serudong — with no immediate supply constraints. Although the upgrade was primarily aimed at enabling the transfer of cheaper energy rather than directly reducing outages, service reliability has improved. Tawau’s System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) has improved from about 180 minutes previously to around 130 minutes. Looking ahead, Sabah Electricity is studying the installation of reactor systems in Sandakan to further strengthen power flow along the east coast corridor. Under the Sabah Energy Roadmap, the utility also plans to gradually phase out diesel power stations in Sandakan and Tawau between 2027 and 2029. These will be replaced with more cost-effective and sustainable energy sources, including large-scale solar projects on both the west and east coasts. Additional renewable energy capacity is also being planned to support long-term supply security in the region. “The objective is to reduce reliance on costly diesel generation and ensure a more stable, affordable and reliable electricity system for Sabah,” Yaakob said.

Digital marketing agency LOCUS-T has launched a dedicated Xiaohongshu (XHS) marketing package, enabled by a strategic partnership with UFriend Media, a Tier-1 partner of Xiaohongshu, to help Malaysian brands reach and engage younger audiences as well as penetrate the Chinese consumer market through the fast-growing platform.  Deric Wong (right), Managing Director of LOCUS-T, and Victor Liu (left), Director of Ufriend Media, signing the MOU for the Xiaohongshu (XHS) partnership. The launch and memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing were held at LOCUS-T’s headquarters, formalising a collaboration that combines structured digital marketing strategy with platform-level expertise to support brand execution on Xiaohongshu. Xiaohongshu has more than 300 million users globally and continues to gain traction in Malaysia, where it records over 2.5 million monthly active users. The platform is particularly popular among users aged 18 to 35, offering brands opportunities to reach this segment through discovery-led content and community-driven interactions. As the platform prioritises peer recommendations and content discovery, early participation allows brands to build visibility and trust ahead of wider market adoption. The newly launched LOCUS-T XHS Package provides a structured pathway for brands to establish and grow their presence on the platform. It includes brand and audience strategy aligned to XHS content formats, content planning and posting cadence, creative direction guidance, advertising and lead-generation campaigns, as well as performance tracking and reporting. Through the partnership, UFriend Media supports campaign execution with platform expertise, access to Xiaohongshu’s creator ecosystem, and operational delivery capabilities, strengthening brands’ ability to activate campaigns effectively. LOCUS-T Co-Founder and Managing Director Deric Wong said the launch reflects evolving  audience behaviour and the agency’s service expansion. “With the addition of Xiaohongshu to our offerings, LOCUS-T now supports clients with a more complete, end-to-end digital marketing solution, covering full-funnel strategy from visibility to engagement and conversion,” he added. LOCUS-T currently provides digital marketing services across SEO, paid media including Google,  Meta and TikTok, website design and development, as well as website maintenance. The introduction of Xiaohongshu marketing expands the agency’s capabilities, enabling clients to integrate social discovery platforms into their broader digital growth strategy. The agency was recently recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for achieving the “Most Active SEO Service Contracts by an Agency,” reflecting the scale of its SEO operations in Malaysia.  Established in 2000, LOCUS-T has served more than 7,000 clients across 50 industries and marked its 25th anniversary in 2025. The MOU signing ceremony was attended by invited partners, selected clients, and senior business and marketing leaders, reflecting growing interest among Malaysian businesses in expanding their digital channel mix to reach younger markets.

Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) announced that its wholly owned unit, PC Oman Ventures Ltd, has signed a concession agreement with the Omani government and OQ Exploration and Production Batinah Offshore LLC (OQEP) to explore oil and gas in Block 18, located in the Sea of Oman. The offshore concession spans 21,000 sq km in Northeast Oman, covering a wide range of geological settings from shallow to ultra-deep water, and offers significant exploration potential, PETRONAS said. (From left) Mohd Redhani Abdul Rahman, CEO of PETRONAS Carigali International Ventures and PETRONAS vice president of International Assets, Sultanate of Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi and OQ OQ Exploration and Production CEO Mahmoud Al Hashmi at the signing ceremony. The agreement builds on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between PETRONAS and OQEP in October, marking an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two companies and reinforcing PETRONAS’ long-term presence in Oman. “The partnership enhances PETRONAS’ upstream portfolio by combining our offshore exploration expertise with OQEP’s regional knowledge, laying the foundation for a mutually beneficial venture,” PETRONAS said. Block 18, one of Oman’s largest offshore concession blocks, was launched in 2024 as part of the country’s renewed investment approach in the oil and gas sector. The framework allows for concession fees and supports integrated gas exploitation projects. PETRONAS Vice President of International Assets Mohd Redhani Abdul Rahman said: “Building on our technical strengths and past successes, PETRONAS continues to expand exploration into new frontiers. With innovative exploration approaches and OQEP’s basin expertise, we aim to unlock the potential of Block 18 and contribute to Oman’s long-term energy security.” The acquisition aligns with PETRONAS’ disciplined portfolio expansion strategy, providing strategic options across its international operations. The announcement follows a string of discoveries in 2025, including Malaysia’s Lebah Emas and Suriname Block 52. “As a global energy and solutions partner, PETRONAS remains committed to pursuing international opportunities while deepening collaboration with strategic partners,” the company said.

AIMS Data Centre Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s largest homegrown data centre operator, has completed the acquisition of about 10 acres of land in Cyberjaya from Cyberview Sdn Bhd to develop a 200MW AI data centre. The project is estimated to cost US$1.01 billion (RM4 billion) and marks a key step in AIMS’ long-term landbank expansion strategy to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading digital infrastructure hub in Southeast Asia. Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad, Cyberview CEO Sdn Bhd and Chiew Kok Hin, AIMS Data Centre Sdn Bhd CEO. The newly acquired land will house AIMS’ next flagship hyperscale facility, with a planned capacity of up to 200MW, subject to final engineering confirmation. The AI-ready data centre is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will be designed with best-in-class power usage efficiency (PUE) and water usage efficiency (WUE), in line with AIMS’ sustainability goals. AIMS chief executive officer Chiew Kok Hin said the acquisition positions the company ahead of rising demand while contributing to national development. “Beyond adding capacity, we are investing in nation-building by creating jobs, upskilling talent and enabling Malaysia to serve as a base for global cloud providers, fintech companies and AI innovators,” he said. AIMS noted that such infrastructure investments are critical as Malaysia moves towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030. The expansion supports the national goal of generating 30% of GDP from the digital economy by 2030 and provides the computing backbone for AI, cloud, IoT and data-driven industries. The announcement was made following the signing of the sale and purchase agreement between Chiew and Cyberview chief executive officer Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Samad. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo praised AIMS for demonstrating that homegrown companies can deliver world-class digital infrastructure while creating opportunities for Malaysians. He said the investment aligns with the government’s vision to build a competitive, resilient and future-ready AI-driven economy. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Anuar Fariz said Cyberjaya has long been the centre of Malaysia’s digital ecosystem, and AIMS’ continued expansion would further strengthen the country’s appeal as a regional hub for cloud, AI and digital services. Since DigitalBridge Group Inc acquired a 49% stake in AIMS Data Centre Holding Sdn Bhd for US$500 million (RM2 billion) in 2023, AIMS has invested more than RM2 billion to expand Malaysia’s digital infrastructure. TIME dotCom Bhd currently holds a 30% stake in AIMS, while DigitalBridge increased its ownership after converting preference shares in 2024. AIMS has one of the largest data centre footprints in Cyberjaya and the Klang Valley and serves hyperscalers, enterprises and regional cloud operators. In July 2025, the company completed Cyberjaya Block 3 ahead of schedule, raising its total potential capacity in the Klang Valley to more than 100MW. Cyberview’s Kamarul said AIMS’ expansion reinforces Cyberjaya’s role as Malaysia’s leading hub for digital growth and innovation, supported by a strong ecosystem for high-impact and sustainable investments. AIMS added that the acquisition highlights Malaysia’s attractiveness as a data centre destination, supported by competitive land and power costs, regulatory support and proximity to ASEAN markets. The project is also backed by strong public-private collaboration involving the Ministry of Digital, MDEC, MIDA, Invest Selangor and local councils to ensure smooth execution.

Mooreast Holdings Ltd. (“Mooreast” or the “Group”) today announced that it intends to collaborate with Sime Darby Joy Industries Sdn Bhd (“SDJ”), a subsidiary of Sime Darby Berhad (“Sime”), to develop offshore-related business opportunities, including renewable energy. The Singapore Exchange Catalist-listed total mooring solutions provider said that under a non-binding indicative term sheet between its subsidiary, Mooreast Asia Pte. Ltd., and SDJ, both parties plan to explore, develop and undertake business opportunities to fabricate products related to offshore renewable energy, deep-sea offshore equipment and systems, as well as related services. Under the proposed collaboration, Mooreast will provide technical support, engineering expertise, and raw materials and components, while SDJ will undertake pilot fabrication of the products, including production scheduling, manpower and logistics. The collaboration between Mooreast and the Malaysian multinational listed on Bursa Malaysia comes amid growing demand for reliable engineering and equipment manufacturing for floating renewable energy projects in Malaysia and the region. Mooreast, a total mooring solutions specialist and Asia’s only drag embedment anchor designer and manufacturer, is leveraging more than 30 years of experience in the offshore and marine sector to support Malaysia’s growing renewable energy ambitions. SDJ specialises in the engineering and fabrication of heat exchangers and process equipment and has primarily served the oil and gas and petrochemical industries for more than 35 years. Mooreast Executive Director Mr Sim Koon Lam said: “Sime is one of the most well-established industrial groups in the region. The proposed collaboration will allow Mooreast to broaden its reach in Malaysia. We see strong potential in combining our respective capabilities to pursue the offshore renewable energy sector in Malaysia and the region.” Mr Scott Nicholls, Managing Director of Industrial Solutions under Sime’s Industrial division, said: “We are pleased to partner with Mooreast to pilot local fabrication of offshore and renewable energy equipment. SDJ’s long-standing expertise built over three decades, combined with Mooreast’s subsea know-how, will strengthen local supply chains, create skilled jobs and support the country’s clean energy transition. We look forward to working closely with Mooreast to deliver tangible value to our customers and stakeholders.”

PETRONAS has signed a 20-year agreement to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from QatarEnergy, the national oil and gas company said on Wednesday. Under the deal, Petroliam Nasional Bhd will offtake up to two million tonnes of LNG annually. Financial terms were not disclosed. PETRONAS said the long-term supply will strengthen Malaysia’s energy security by ensuring stable and reliable LNG availability to meet rising domestic demand. The agreement comes as PETRONAS moves to expand its LNG portfolio amid growing demand for cleaner energy, as countries transition away from higher-emission fuels such as coal and oil in power generation and transportation. Energy consumption in Malaysia is also increasing, driven by the rapid expansion of power-intensive data centres and artificial intelligence projects. “This agreement marks an important milestone for PETRONAS in enhancing energy security for those we serve,” said PETRONAS president and group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik. He added that LNG supply from QatarEnergy will complement cargoes from PETRONAS’ LNG operations in Malaysia and Canada, helping diversify supply sources while improving overall efficiency and value creation. Last year, PETRONAS signed a separate 15-year agreement with Australia’s Woodside Energy to import one million tonnes of LNG per year from 2028.

India’s government and central bank are reportedly in discussions with Ant International, the overseas arm of Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, about integrating Alipay+ with the country’s instant payments system for cross-border transactions, according to two government sources familiar with the matter. If implemented, the move could allow Indian tourists to make payments more conveniently abroad, enabling them to use India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at merchants in other countries that accept Alipay+. This could be a significant step toward facilitating international transactions for Indian travelers and promoting greater interoperability between domestic and global payment platforms. The sources, who declined to be identified, said the discussions are still ongoing and have not been publicly disclosed. India’s finance ministry, the Reserve Bank of India, and the National Payments Corporation of India did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ant International, headquartered in Singapore, also did not immediately respond to inquiries. The company operates Alipay+, a digital payments platform widely used in Asia, which enables seamless transactions across multiple countries and currencies. Experts say such integration could strengthen India’s role in cross-border digital payments and provide an additional convenience layer for consumers, while also increasing the reach of UPI beyond national borders.

MISC Bhd announced on Tuesday that it has secured a 20-year charter contract from PETRONAS LNG Ltd for three newly built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. The agreement, executed on Jan 30, 2026, is set to commence in 2029. The contract value was not disclosed. At the same time, MISC signed shipbuilding agreements with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), to construct the three carriers. Hudong-Zhonghua specialises in the design and construction of large LNG carriers, container ships, chemical tankers, heavy-lift vessels, and military ships. MISC said the contract aligns with PETRONAS’ expected LNG production growth and supports the company’s fleet rejuvenation programme, which aims to introduce modern, fuel-efficient vessels with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The time charters cover commercial, project execution, and operational risks, which MISC will manage using its established operational expertise. This marks the second charter contract MISC has secured this year. Last week, a consortium of MISC and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd won a 10-year time charter from Northern Lights JV DA for a newbuild 12,000-cubic-metre liquefied carbon dioxide carrier, with delivery scheduled between the second half of 2028 and the first half of 2029. Ahead of Tuesday’s announcement, MISC’s share price rose 13 sen, or 1.6%, to RM8.13, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM36.3 billion. According to AskEdge, MISC shares are currently trading at 28.2 times trailing price-to-earnings and 1.0 times price-to-book value.

Malakoff Corporation Bhd has received approval from the Energy Commission to extend the operations of its three gas-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 2,082MW, until December 31, 2029. The extension ensures these plants continue supplying electricity to the national grid, supporting Malaysia’s growing energy needs during periods of sustained demand and the ongoing energy transition. The approval covers: The 1,303MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant in Lumut, Perak, owned by Segari Energy Ventures Sdn Bhd (SEV); The 429MW Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plant in Lumut, Perak, owned by GB3 Sdn Bhd (GB3); and The 350MW CCGT Prai Power Plant in Pulau Pinang, owned by Prai Power Sdn Bhd (PPSB). New Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will be signed with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (KL:TENAGA), allowing Malakoff to continue generating and supplying electricity throughout the extension period. Commenting on the approval, Malakoff Group CEO Syahrunizam Tan Sri Samsudin said the extensions will enable these proven gas-fired facilities to provide reliable and flexible capacity, particularly during periods of high demand. “This supports national energy security while maximising the value of existing infrastructure in a cost-efficient manner,” he added. He also noted that CCGT and OCGT plants like these remain vital during the energy transition, offering efficient and responsive generation to complement renewable sources. The continued operations reflect the company’s disciplined maintenance and operational standards over the years. The SEV Lumut plant began operations in 1996, the GB3 Lumut plant in 2001, and the Prai Power Plant in 2003. Together, these three plants form a long-standing generation base that has reliably supported Peninsular Malaysia’s electricity supply. With a combined capacity of 2,082MW, the plants provide dependable and flexible generation, helping maintain grid stability and reserve margins, especially during peak electricity demand. The extensions are also expected to contribute positively to Malakoff’s earnings and net assets over the coming years.