Energy & Technology

The Penang Port Commission (PPC) is exploring a potential collaboration with Huawei Technologies to support the digital transformation of Penang Port. In a statement, both parties said the partnership aims to integrate advanced technologies into port operations, develop industry benchmark projects, and drive innovation to support the development of a world-class port. PPC chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin highlighted the critical role ports play in facilitating international trade and regional economic growth during a recent visit to Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. Huawei Malaysia Director of Transportation Solutions Hugh Lin (right) briefs Yeoh Soon Hin on Huawei’s innovation strategies and solutions in intelligent transportation and smart ports. He noted that with the rise of Industry 4.0 and digital technologies, traditional industries must increasingly adopt digital solutions to remain competitive. “To improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and enhance safety and environmental sustainability, ports must accelerate their digital transformation,” he said. Meanwhile, Huawei Malaysia deputy CEO Du Xianjun said the company’s Smart Port Solutions are built on advanced information and communication technology (ICT), incorporating 5G, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT). He explained that Huawei’s Smart Customs and Smart Gate solutions use visual monitoring, centralised control and intelligent approval systems to significantly shorten cargo clearance times while improving coordination and operational efficiency. The solutions also support remote equipment operations, intelligent tallying and production safety monitoring, enabling ports to strengthen automation, sustainability and digital capabilities. According to the statement, both parties held detailed discussions on how these technologies could be aligned with Malaysia’s port digitalisation needs.

The Selangor Life Sciences Accelerator Programme 2025 concluded with its Demo Day on Tuesday, featuring the programme’s top 10 startups and highlighting potential investment opportunities of RM50,000 to RM250,000 per company. Launched by Invest Selangor in October 2025 in collaboration with NEXEA, the seven-month accelerator drew 168 applications from early-stage and growth-stage companies across sectors including biotechnology, digital health, agritech, healthcare platforms, advanced materials and sustainability. After a rigorous selection process, 21 companies were chosen to participate in the programme. Throughout the accelerator, founders received over 280 hours of mentoring, covering investor readiness, scientific validation, commercialisation strategies and business development to support fundraising and growth. During Demo Day, the startups presented their business models, market potential and expansion strategies to an audience of investors, corporate partners and industry stakeholders. Selangor state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said the programme underscores the state’s commitment to strengthening its life sciences ecosystem. “This Demo Day reflects Selangor’s ongoing efforts to build a strong and competitive life sciences ecosystem. Through the Selangor Life Sciences Accelerator Programme 2025, we are not only nurturing promising companies but also strengthening the commercialisation pipeline that connects innovation with industry, investment and global markets,” he said. Invest Selangor chief executive officer Hasan Azhari Idris said the programme aims to equip founders with the fundamentals needed to build scalable and investor-ready businesses. “Beyond the programme, selected companies may receive potential investments of up to RM250,000 each through NEXEA, while continuing to benefit from mentorship and investor networks to support their next stage of growth,” he said. The top 10 startups from the 2025 cohort are PlusVibes, YSBiotik Sdn Bhd, GreenSHeart Sdn Bhd, Bioloop Sdn Bhd, Materials In Works, Ocean Rich Resources, Microbiome Sdn Bhd, Health Digital Technologies Sdn Bhd (DoctorOnCall), Pixelence Sdn Bhd and Promed Health Ventures Sdn Bhd. Invest Selangor said the accelerator forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s innovation ecosystem, alongside initiatives such as the SME–Investor Linkages Programme and the Mid-Tier Development Programme, which aim to help local companies scale and attract investment. Following Demo Day, participating startups are expected to enter the next phase of growth, focusing on fundraising and business expansion.

U Mobile has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to accelerate the development of advanced applications in line with the telco’s digital transformation strategy. The MoU, signed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, will focus on co-creating next-generation technological solutions and fostering a sustainable innovation ecosystem using 5G-Advanced (5G-A), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other emerging technologies. As part of the collaboration, the companies will conduct a 5G 3.5GHz dual-carrier trial to test and demonstrate more efficient spectrum utilisation. The trial incorporates 5G-A features such as 3CC carrier aggregation, with the aim of supporting evidence-based spectrum planning, informing policy decisions, and enabling the deployment of next-generation services. The partnership will also explore the development of 5G-A-enabled gaming experiences, leveraging advanced technologies such as 5G network slicing to improve latency, stability, and overall service quality. In addition, the companies will investigate the adoption of AI in U Mobile’s network to advance toward intelligent, autonomous network operations. U Mobile chief technology officer Woon Ooi Yuen said the collaboration aligns with the telco’s digital transformation goals. “We are pursuing 5G-A and AI innovations, including a 3.5GHz 5G trial for efficient spectrum utilisation and enhanced gaming experiences via network slicing. AI integration in our operations will move us toward Autonomous Network Level 4, shifting from reactive, human-dependent maintenance to a proactive, automated model,” he said. He added that this approach will reduce operational costs, simplify network management, and improve reliability and performance for customers. Huawei Malaysia deputy CEO Zac Chow highlighted that the collaboration would unlock significant gains in spectrum efficiency while providing faster and more stable user experiences. “Together, we aim to harness these technologies to deliver next-generation services, automate network operations, and build local expertise that will create lasting benefits for Malaysian consumers and businesses,” he said.

Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Holdings Bhd (KL: MHB) has won a four-year offshore contract from Thailand’s upstream company PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Ltd (PTTEP) for works in Sarawak. The contract, awarded to MHB’s wholly-owned subsidiary Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd, is structured as a price agreement and covers the engineering, procurement, and construction of marginal field development platforms, including up to 11 wellhead platform (WHP) facilities. According to a Bursa Malaysia filing on Tuesday, the 11 WHPs—each weighing between 1,500 and 2,000 tonnes—will be fabricated at MHB’s Pasir Gudang yard in Johor before being installed offshore Sarawak to support PTTEP’s field development plans. The total contract value was not disclosed, as revenue will depend on the number of work orders issued by PTTEP over the four-year period. MHB managing director and CEO Mohd Nazir Mohd Nor said the contract was secured through a competitive bidding process and highlights the group’s more than 50 years of offshore engineering expertise. “We sincerely thank PTTEP for their trust in MHB. This project marks our first direct collaboration with them and strengthens a partnership built on a shared commitment to delivering high-quality offshore solutions,” he said. Shares of MHB rose one sen, or 2.5%, to 41 sen on Tuesday, giving the group a market valuation of RM647.13 million.

Cepatwawasan Group Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cash Nexus (M) Sdn Bhd, has signed an agreement to sell a 40% stake in Cash Horse (M) Sdn Bhd — operator of a 12MW biomass power plant in Sandakan, Sabah — to its Australia Securities Exchange-listed subsidiary for RM31.61 million in cash. The conditional share sale agreement was entered into with Timah Resources Ltd, a 69.8%-owned subsidiary of Cash Nexus, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. Cepatwawasan said the disposal forms part of its long-term strategy to diversify into the renewable energy sector, providing a hedge against volatility in the crude palm oil market. The group noted that the value of its renewable assets is not fully reflected in its current share price. “The proposed disposal will help highlight and substantiate the value of Cepatwawasan’s renewable assets and provide greater liquidity through the trading of Timah shares. At the same time, the group will continue to maintain a majority stake in its renewable energy portfolio,” the company said. The filing noted that the original investment in the shares of Cash Nexus was RM23.5 million, incurred between 2009 and 2024. As of December 31, 2024, Cash Horse reported a profit after tax of RM2.33 million and net assets of RM77.41 million. The disposal is expected to generate a pro forma gain of approximately RM650,000 for Cepatwawasan, calculated as the difference between the disposal consideration and 40% of Cash Horse’s audited net assets as of December 31, 2024.

The government will continue to maintain the subsidised RON95 petrol price at RM1.99 per litre and has no plans to make any major changes to the current price or policy, said Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Nasir. He noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East does not provide sufficient reason for the government to alter domestic fuel prices or make drastic policy adjustments. “Our ministry is monitoring developments closely, but there is no indication that the government needs to make any significant changes to its policies. The government has implemented a targeted subsidy and continues to maintain a fair RON95 price for the public,” he told reporters after attending the OGSE100 CEOs Forum 2026. On March 1, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keeping the RON95 petrol price at RM1.99 per litre despite global market uncertainties following recent developments in the Middle East. He explained that while disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven global oil prices higher, the government remains determined to uphold the subsidised price under the Budi MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme. Akmal Nasrullah also said that Malaysia’s 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast remains at 4.0–4.5 per cent, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “If there is any need to revise the forecast, it will be done by Bank Negara Malaysia; for now, we are continuing with the current growth target for 2026,” he added. The statements underscore the government’s intention to shield Malaysians from volatile global oil prices while maintaining a stable and targeted subsidy for domestic fuel.

Velesto Energy Bhd (VEB) announced that its indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, Velesto Drilling Sdn Bhd, has secured a contract worth US$157 million from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) to provide a jack-up drilling rig for the 2026–2030 period. The contract marks a significant milestone for the Malaysian oil and gas drilling services provider as it strengthens the company’s order book and earnings visibility over the next five years. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Velesto Energy explained that Velesto Drilling is a wholly owned subsidiary of Velesto Malaysian Ventures Sdn Bhd, which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of VEB. Under the contract, Velesto Drilling will deploy its NAGA 2 rig to fulfil PCSB’s drilling requirements, starting in February 2026 and continuing through to 2030. The NAGA 2 is an independent-leg cantilever jack-up drilling rig capable of drilling to depths of up to 30,000 feet, with a rated operating water depth of 350 feet. The rig is designed to support complex offshore drilling operations and has been a key asset in Velesto’s fleet, allowing the group to offer specialised drilling services across Southeast Asia and Malaysia. “The contract is expected to contribute positively to the group’s earnings and net assets throughout the five-year period,” the company noted in its filing. VEB President Megat Zariman Abdul Rahim said the award represents a major achievement for the company and sets a strong tone for 2026. “The five-year engagement for NAGA 2 reflects our ongoing progress in maximising the utilisation of our core assets while strengthening earnings visibility,” he said. He added that the award demonstrates the trust placed in Velesto by one of Malaysia’s leading oil and gas operators and reinforces the group’s commitment to maintaining safe, reliable, and high-performance operations. “We remain focused on delivering consistent performance and disciplined execution across our operating markets in Southeast Asia and Malaysia,” Megat Zariman said in a separate filing. The contract also highlights Velesto’s continued efforts to expand its presence in the offshore drilling sector, leveraging its fleet of jack-up rigs to meet growing demand for reliable and efficient drilling solutions. With the deployment of NAGA 2, Velesto Energy aims to optimise the utilisation of its assets, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen its financial performance over the contract period. This award positions Velesto Energy to capture further opportunities in the regional offshore drilling market, reflecting both the company’s technical capabilities and its reputation as a trusted partner for major oil and gas operators.

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) plans to end its 5G access agreement with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and instead obtain 5G services from U Mobile Sdn Bhd, following Malaysia’s dual 5G network framework. The termination requires approval from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). TM submitted notice to both MCMC and DNB on Feb 24, 2026, to terminate the agreement, which originally started on Oct 30, 2022. The contract allows TM to exit within 30 days once 5G services are commercially available from another operator. With U Mobile launching its 5G services on Jan 26, 2026, TM has triggered this termination right. Unused prepaid capacity under the DNB agreement, valued at RM127.3 million as of Dec 31, 2025, will no longer be available. Instead, TM’s unit, TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd, has awarded a three-year 5G contract to U Mobile covering provisioning, integration, activation, testing, optimisation, and billing for multi-operator core network (MOCN) services. The contract is usage-based and starts upon milestone completion. Shareholder approval is not required. TM said mobile services are a key part of its convergence strategy, linking fixed, mobile, content, and smart services for consumers, SMEs, and enterprises. The dual-network framework allows TM to explore options that enhance competitiveness and long-term value. TM also acknowledged DNB’s pioneering role in accelerating nationwide 5G deployment and reaffirmed its commitment to collaboration in strengthening Malaysia’s digital infrastructure. In May 2025, U Mobile signed a RM2.4 billion, 10-year deal with TM to accelerate its nationwide 5G rollout, using TM’s 740,000 km fibre network — the largest in Malaysia — to cover 80% of the population by July 2026.

Zetrix AI Bhd, a Malaysian digital infrastructure provider, has raised about US$40 million (RM155.4 million) from the World Bank’s investment arm, the International Finance Corp (IFC), to expand its digital services in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and other emerging markets. The company plans to list its artificial intelligence (AI) unit, AI Foundation Lab, on Nasdaq by the end of 2026. The funding will support AI-driven public infrastructure projects, including Malaysia’s national digital identity system and blockchain service network. “Our AI unit is targeting a Nasdaq listing by year-end to strengthen public services and drive inclusive, sustainable growth,” said Wong Thean Soon, Zetrix’s group managing director. Judith Green, World Bank’s country manager for Malaysia, added that the partnership aims to enhance public service delivery across the region.

PayNet reported 58.7 million digital transactions across 44 Malaysian universities in 2025, more than double the 24.4 million recorded in 2024, under its PayNet Digital Campus 4.0 initiative. Launched in 2022, the programme encourages students, staff, campus merchants, and nearby businesses to adopt cashless payments using platforms like DuitNow QR, MyDebit, FPX, and JomPAY. Student representative councils (SRCs) lead campus campaigns, onboard local merchants, and promote ongoing digital payment usage. PayNet CEO Praveen Rajan. “The goal is to familiarise students—the next generation—with digital payments early on, starting from campus life,” said PayNet CEO Praveen Rajan at the PayNet Digital Campus Summit 2026 on Feb 25. He added that the initiative also strengthens SRC leadership, project management, and talent development skills. PayNet tracks actual transaction data to measure the initiative’s impact, ensuring real adoption rather than self-reported figures. Since 2022, the programme has reached nearly 600,000 students and over 7,500 merchants nationwide. In 2025, the fourth edition of the programme involved 20 public universities, including Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Universiti Malaya, and 11 private institutions, such as INTI International University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, and Universiti Teknologi Petronas. Campaigns ran from September to December 2025, with activities tailored to each campus. “Embedding digital payments early supports financial inclusion and builds long-term confidence in Malaysia’s payment infrastructure,” Praveen said, linking the initiative to Bank Negara Malaysia’s Financial Sector Blueprint and the national cashless agenda. This programme also contributes to the broader economic ecosystem by extending benefits beyond campuses, helping surrounding businesses adopt cashless operations and improving overall digital readiness.