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Catcha Digital Unit To Acquire F&B Trade Fair Organiser

Catcha Digital Bhd announced that its 60%-owned subsidiary, One International Exhibition Sdn Bhd, is acquiring Constellar Exhibitions Malaysia Sdn Bhd for RM3.97 million to expand its business-to-business (B2B) expo portfolio into the food and beverage (F&B) sector. Constellar has organised the Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) for the past 25 years, one of ASEAN’s leading trade events for the F&B industry. Catcha said the acquisition will broaden its B2B exhibition offerings and create operational synergies, including shared sales networks, consolidated venue and contractor arrangements, and unified event management across One International’s portfolio. One International currently manages Agri Malaysia, an agriculture technology expo, and co-organises the construction-and-infrastructure exhibition MBAM OneBuild as a 49% joint-venture partner with the Master Builders Association Malaysia.

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Favelle Favco Bags RM42.6 Million Crane Orders

Favelle Favco Bhd has secured four contracts worth a total of RM42.6 million to supply tower and offshore cranes. This marks the group’s second round of contract wins this year, following RM76.3 million in orders secured in January. In a Bursa Malaysia filing on Wednesday, Favelle Favco said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Favelle Favco Cranes (USA) Inc, will supply tower cranes to Select Crane Sales, LLC, with deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2027. The other three contracts involve offshore cranes, which will be supplied by Favelle Favco Cranes (M) Sdn Bhd to DESB Marine Services Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd, and Brooke Holding Sdn Bhd. Deliveries are scheduled for the first and second quarters of next year. The group said these contracts are expected to contribute positively to earnings and net assets for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2026, and beyond. AskEdge data shows Favelle Favco has trailing 12-month EBITDA margins of 14.6% and a return on equity of 6.4%. Shares in Favelle Favco closed one sen, or 0.63%, lower at RM1.59 on Wednesday, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM377 million.

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Heineken Shifts Production From Singapore To Malaysia And Vietnam

Heineken is set to shift its production from Singapore to Malaysia and Vietnam as the Dutch brewer gradually scales down its large-scale operations in Singapore. According to an exchange filing by Heineken Malaysia Bhd, the transition will be phased, with full impact expected by the third quarter of 2027. The move is aimed at boosting exports from Malaysia, which currently account for less than 1% of total sales to Singapore and other markets. “Additionally, it allows the company to optimise supply chain capacity, achieve greater economies of scale, and enhance operational efficiency,” Heineken Malaysia said. The relocation coincides with Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, Heineken’s wholly-owned subsidiary, shifting to an import-based supply model supported by the company’s breweries across the region. Singapore will remain the global home of Tiger Beer and the base for Heineken’s Asia-Pacific regional office. Over time, the Tuas brewery site will be redeveloped to support regional logistics and feature a pilot brewery for testing new products. To facilitate the transition, Heineken Malaysia, in collaboration with Heineken Vietnam, will produce and supply beer to Singapore and other Asia-Pacific export markets. The company emphasised that the gradual shift has been incorporated into its supply chain capacity planning. Heineken Malaysia, one of the Dutch brewer’s listed subsidiaries worldwide, employs over 500 people at its Petaling Jaya headquarters and brewery. Its portfolio includes brands such as Guinness, Edelweiss, Apple Fox, Kelkenny, Anglia Shandy, and Malta.

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Penang LRT Contract Delayed Amid Intense Lobbying

MRT Corp has extended the deadline for deciding the systems package of the Penang Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, with tender bonds now required to remain valid until the end of June. The contract is estimated to be worth about RM3 billion. Sources said the delay follows intense lobbying from competing groups, pushing back the decision multiple times. Tenderers were initially told a decision could be expected in January, but none has been announced. MRT Corp’s board had reportedly submitted its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance earlier this year, though the final approval is still pending. The Penang LRT, stretching nearly 30km from Silicon Island to Penang Sentral, is the largest infrastructure project under the current administration, with total costs estimated between RM13 billion and RM16 billion. Gamuda-led SRS Consortium has already secured the RM7.9 billion civil works package, leaving the systems package and a cross-sea link still to be awarded. Seven companies initially bid for the systems contract, with four understood to remain in contention: Gamuda, MMC Group, YTL Group, and a Lion Pacific–WCT Holdings joint venture, which reportedly submitted the lowest bid. The package includes rolling stock, signalling systems, and track works. The final decision is expected once approvals are obtained, though industry sources say lobbying efforts could continue to influence the outcome.

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Grab Buys Foodpanda Taiwan For US$600M

Grab has agreed to acquire Delivery Hero SE’s foodpanda Taiwan delivery business for US$600 million in cash on a cash-free, debt-free basis, marking its entry into Taiwan. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, with completion expected in the second half of 2026. Upon completion, Taiwan will become Grab’s ninth market and its first expansion outside Southeast Asia. Group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan said the acquisition strengthens Grab’s regional delivery network, noting that the company’s experience in managing logistics in dense urban environments is well suited for Taiwan’s cities. He added that Grab sees significant opportunities to grow food and grocery delivery services in the market. Following the acquisition, Grab will operate across 21 cities in Taiwan. The foodpanda Taiwan business generated approximately US$1.8 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025 and was profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis before group cost allocations. Delivery Hero CEO Niklas Östberg said the transaction reflects the strength and attractiveness of foodpanda’s Taiwan operations. Delivery Hero will continue running the business until completion, with transition support in place. Grab expects to complete the migration of users, merchants, and delivery partners to its platform by early 2027. Grab also plans to introduce AI-driven capabilities, including mapping, logistics optimisation, and merchant tools, to enhance operations. The acquisition is expected to support Grab’s financial outlook and contribute to its 2026 revenue guidance of US$4.04 billion to US$4.10 billion, along with longer-term adjusted EBITDA targets.

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Kenanga Raises Stake In Digital Exchange KDX To 81.7%

Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd has raised its stake in digital asset exchange Kinetic DAX Sdn Bhd (KDX) to 81.7%, up from 19%, through a fundraising and capitalisation exercise conducted by its unit, Kenanga Private Equity Sdn Bhd. The value of the investment was not disclosed, according to a statement on Thursday. Kenanga said the transaction strengthens KDX’s capital position, supporting platform growth, expanding offerings, and advancing strategic initiatives aligned with Kenanga’s broader digital strategy. The bank will also leverage its technology, marketing, and governance capabilities to accelerate KDX’s next phase of growth. Group managing director Datuk Chay Wai Leong described the move as a major milestone in Kenanga’s digital journey, enabling the integration of new capabilities and the evolution of a technology-driven investment ecosystem. Kenanga shares closed 0.5 sen lower at 86.5 sen, giving the company a market value of RM636.43 million.

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Pharmaniaga Set to Exit PN17 On Tuesday

Pharmaniaga Bhd will be lifted from Bursa Malaysia’s Practice Note 17 (PN17) category effective Tuesday (March 17), ending its three-year classification as a financially distressed company. The removal follows Bursa Malaysia Securities’ approval of Pharmaniaga’s application, according to a filing on Monday. The group initially fell into PN17 after recognising a RM552.3 million inventory provision for Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines, which led to a record quarterly net loss of RM664.39 million in 4QFY2022 and a full-year net loss of RM607.32 million. Pharmaniaga’s exit comes after completing its regularisation plan, which included a rights issue, private placement, and capital reduction exercise. In July last year, the group raised RM596.6 million through the issuance of 5.12 billion new shares, marking the largest fundraising in Malaysia’s healthcare sector. This was followed by a RM520 million capital reduction in August 2025 to eliminate accumulated losses. The two-year regularisation plan, launched in November 2023, underwent adjustments, including removing warrants from the rights issue and increasing the capital reduction from RM180 million to RM520 million. As of Dec 31, 2025, Pharmaniaga held RM110.59 million in cash against RM690.43 million in short-term and RM125.53 million in long-term borrowings. For FY2025, the group posted a net profit of RM48.5 million, down 63% from RM131.82 million in FY2024, despite revenue rising 4.5% to RM3.93 billion. Pharmaniaga shares closed one sen higher at 25.5 sen on Monday, valuing the company at RM1.67 billion. The stock has risen 82% over the past year.

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MIDA To Handle InvestKL Functions After Restructuring

Effective March 15, 2026, InvestKL will cease operating as an independent agency, with its investment promotion functions to be taken over by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). The transition was announced in a statement posted on MIDA’s official X social media account, where the agency said the move forms part of the government’s broader effort to streamline Malaysia’s investment promotion activities under a single coordinating body. According to MIDA, consolidating investment promotion functions is intended to reduce overlaps among agencies while improving efficiency and coordination in attracting foreign investments into the country. The restructuring is also expected to provide investors with a more seamless and integrated experience when engaging with Malaysia’s investment ecosystem. As part of the transition, MIDA said it will assume responsibility for InvestKL’s investment promotion initiatives and ensure continuity in all ongoing engagements with investors, multinational corporations and other stakeholders. The agency added that efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition so that current investment facilitation and support services continue without disruption. InvestKL was established in 2011 under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry — now known as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) — with a specific mandate to attract multinational corporations to set up regional headquarters and strategic hubs in Greater Kuala Lumpur. The agency initially set a target of bringing in 100 Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies by 2020. InvestKL successfully achieved this milestone in October 2020, marking a key milestone in its efforts to position Greater Kuala Lumpur as a leading regional business and investment hub. Following that achievement, InvestKL had set a new target of attracting an additional 100 multinational companies to establish their presence in the capital region as part of Malaysia’s long-term strategy to strengthen its role in the regional and global economy. With the latest restructuring, MIDA will now take over the responsibility of continuing these investment promotion efforts while further aligning them with the country’s broader national investment agenda.

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NexG Confirms Ishak Ismail As Board Member After Becoming Shareholder

Businessman Datuk Ishak Ismail and his son, Mohamed Najib Ishak, have joined the board of Malaysian passport and MyKad contractor NexG Bhd as non-executive directors, alongside seven newly appointed independent directors, following a brief boardroom tussle. The father-and-son duo joined the board after emerging as the company’s largest shareholders through Raya Aviation Holdings Bhd on March 4. In its first key decision, the new board confirmed in a Bursa Malaysia filing that NexG’s previous investments in listed shares — which had been under review by the former board — were made strategically and complied with laws and listing requirements. However, the investments recorded a fair value loss of RM145.6 million, contributing to NexG’s net loss of RM130.88 million for the third quarter ended Dec 31, 2025. The losses stemmed partly from NexG’s RM88 million investment in March 2025 to acquire 220 million shares, or a 9.53% stake, in MMAG Holdings Bhd at 40 sen per share. MMAG’s share price has since fallen by about 93%, closing at three sen on March 13. Separately, NexG’s 32.61% stake in Classita Holdings Bhd — now known as NexG Bina Bhd — together with 414.31 million warrants acquired in August 2025 for RM76.78 million, is now valued at RM14.19 million, representing an 81.5% decline. The shares last traded at 2.5 sen, while the warrants were at one sen. NexG co-founder and executive chairman Datuk Hanifah Noordin previously had his executive powers temporarily suspended while the investments were under review. His powers were reinstated after the previous board resigned en masse. “The executive directors of the company believe these investments are integral to the company’s strategic transformation and expansion plans,” the new board said in the filing, adding that the share price declines reflected market sentiment rather than wrongdoing or poor decisions. The board’s executive directors include remaining members of the previous board — Hanifah, Datuk Ab Hamid Mohamad Hanipah and Hajah Erna Ismail, who also serves as the company’s chief financial officer. The new board appointments follow the resignation of six directors on March 11: Syed Farid Syed Ahmad Al-Attas, Kunal Tayal, Aswath Ramakrishnan, Mohd Zafil Ibrahim, Mohamed Fairuz Mohamed Fauzy and Badrul Hisham Abdul Aziz. Executive director Datuk Chong Loong Men had earlier stepped down on March 8. New independent directors appointed include Michelle Yong Voon Sze, Lt Col (R) Roseli Abdul Gani, Mohd Azmi Mat Nayan, Datuk Amirudin Abdul Wahab, Muthanna Abdullah and Datuk Anas Alam Faizli. Yong, who previously served on NexG’s board between August 2023 and August 2025, has been appointed chairman of the audit committee. Her appointment comes a day after the Securities Commission Malaysia’s Audit Oversight Board reprimanded her over insufficient audit procedures in a prior public interest entity report. The board said it will provide updates on the extraordinary general meeting — initially called to replace the previous board — and a related legal suit in due course. Shares of NexG closed at 29 sen on March 13, giving the company a market capitalisation of about RM1.06 billion.

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Arrest Warrant Issued For Serba Dinamik CEO Abdul Karim

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has obtained an arrest warrant for Serba Dinamik Holdings Bhd’s group managing director and CEO, Datuk Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah. He previously served as chairman and non-executive, non-independent director of Sarawak Consolidated Industries Bhd (SCIB). In a statement, the SC said Abdul Karim had earlier been charged in 2021 over a similar offence involving the furnishing of false information in Serba Dinamik’s financial statements. The case was later resolved through a compound after the Public Prosecutor accepted his representation, with Abdul Karim paying a RM3 million compound. The regulator said Abdul Karim is currently at large and is now wanted for the same offence under Section 369(b)(B) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA). The Public Prosecutor has granted consent for criminal prosecution against him for his alleged role in causing SCIB to submit a false statement to Bursa Malaysia. According to the SC, Abdul Karim’s last known address in Malaysia was at Lake Garden Villas, Cahaya SPK, Shah Alam, and he is also linked to an address at Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The commission has urged members of the public with information on his whereabouts to contact the SC via phone or email. Separately, the SC has charged former SCIB group managing director and CEO Rosland Othman at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for allegedly causing the submission of a false statement by SCIB to Bursa Malaysia. Rosland faces a charge under Section 369(b)(B) of the CMSA for the submission of SCIB’s interim financial report for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, which reported revenue of RM852.8 million when it was filed with Bursa Malaysia on Sept 30, 2021. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Sessions Court judge Tuan Azrul Darus granted Rosland bail of RM500,000 with one local surety, and ordered him to surrender his passport and report to the SC’s investigating officer monthly until the trial concludes. If convicted, Rosland faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RM3 million under the CMSA.

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