News

KAF Digital Bank Bhd has named Suzaini Mukhtar as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective Feb 1, 2026. Suzaini, who joined the bank as deputy CEO in late 2025, takes over from the founding leadership team as KAF Digital Bank enters its next growth phase. The bank said his nearly 30 years of experience in Islamic banking across Malaysia and the UAE will support the expansion of its digital-first, Shariah-compliant offerings. His expertise spans retail, wealth, and corporate banking, with a strong focus on digitisation, product innovation, and financial inclusion. Prior to joining KAF, Suzaini led deposit, payments, and financial inclusion initiatives at Bank Simpanan Nasional, overseeing sales, state performance, remittances, digital banking adoption, and business strategy. He has also held senior positions at Standard Chartered Saadiq, Emirates Islamic Bank in Dubai, HSBC Amanah, and Hong Leong Bank, earning recognition for excellence in banking.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that more than 1,000 general practitioner (GP) clinics will remain open from February 16 to 18 to provide medical care during the Chinese New Year period. The public can check clinic locations and operating hours for 1,095 clinics on the GPGoWhere website and are advised to make an appointment before visiting. MOH reminded people to seek care at the right facility based on the severity of their condition: minor ailments should be treated at GP or 24-hour clinics, while serious or life-threatening emergencies—such as chest pain, breathlessness, or uncontrolled bleeding—should go directly to hospital Accident & Emergency departments. The ministry also urged residents with minor conditions to avoid calling the 995 emergency hotline so that urgent help can reach those in critical need. For guidance on which medical facility to visit, the public can contact the NurseFirst helpline, available daily from 8am to 11pm at 6262 6262.

Pahang Aerospace City (PAC) today announced the appointment of Rajeeshwaran Moorthy as Board Advisor, a move that significantly strengthens PAC’s emergence as a globally credible, institutionally aligned space city and reinforces Malaysia’s positioning in the rapidly evolving global space economy. The appointment follows a series of landmark international developments achieved at Davos, in parallel with World Economic Forum, where PAC secured unprecedented validation on the global stage. These milestones were led and enabled by Rajeeshwaran Moorthy, whose international standing and institutional relationships were instrumental in advancing PAC’s global alignment. International Validation Led at Davos At Davos, PAC entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), a significant step in aligning the project with international space governance frameworks and multilateral cooperation. In parallel, The Karman Project, one of the world’s most influential space leadership and policy platforms, signed a collaboration agreement with PAC, positioning the city as a future hub for space leadership, talent development, and policy dialogue. These achievements were made possible through Rajeeshwaran Moorthy’s direct engagement and leadership at Davos, leveraging his deep involvement across global space institutions and policy networks. A Chief Architect of Global Space Ecosystems Rajeeshwaran Moorthy is internationally recognized for his work at the intersection of space economy strategy, governance, and institutional architecture. His advisory portfolio spans some of the most influential organizations shaping the future of space, including: · Appointed Advisor to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) (via MSRO) · Senior Advisor at The Karman Project, a premier global space leadership and policy platform · Advisor to Axiom Space, a leader in commercial space stations and orbital infrastructure · Strategic Advisor to the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO) · Senior Advisor to ARCHE Company, a venture based space research and technology firm Collectively, these roles position Rajeeshwaran as a trusted global interlocutor between governments, multilateral institutions, and commercial space actors bringing rare credibility to PAC at a formative stage. Architecting a Globally Relevant Space City As Board Advisor, Rajeeshwaran will guide PAC’s strategic direction across space governance, international partnerships, policy alignment, and the integration of terrestrial infrastructure with orbital and space-enabled systems. His role places him at the centre of PAC’s long-term architecture, effectively shaping how the city interfaces with global space markets, institutions, and sovereign stakeholders. PAC is being developed not merely as an aerospace cluster, but as a fully integrated aerospace city, designed to support space commerce, advanced manufacturing, research, talent development, and international cooperation under globally recognized norms. CEO Perspective “The future of economic competitiveness will be increasingly defined by space through data, infrastructure, security, and innovation,” said Muhamad Nurazmi, Chief Executive Officer of Pahang Aerospace City. “Rajeeshwaran Moorthy brings an exceptional combination of global credibility, policy fluency, and strategic vision. His leadership was instrumental in securing PAC’s international validation at Davos, and his appointment reflects our commitment to building PAC as a space city of global consequence.” A Strategic Inflection Point for Malaysia Rajeeshwaran’s appointment is widely viewed as a strategic inflection point for PAC and for Malaysia’s broader role in the international space landscape. His ability to operate across sovereign, multilateral, and commercial domains positions PAC as a trusted platform for long-term engagement with governments, investors, and global institutions. “Building a space city is ultimately about governance, trust, and global relevance,” said Rajeeshwaran Moorthy. “Pahang Aerospace City has the opportunity to set a new benchmark for how space-enabled cities are conceived, governed, and integrated into the global economy.” Positioning PAC on the World Stage With this appointment, PAC advances its ambition to serve as Asia’s gateway to the global space economy, supporting high-value innovation, international cooperation, and sustainable growth. The city is designed to attract sovereign partners, global enterprises, and next-generation space leaders while aligning with national priorities and international best practices.

PRIMA Corporation Malaysia has named Brian Iskandar Zulkarim as its new Group CEO, effective Jan 1, 2026, succeeding Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Md Shariff, who led the company since May 2020. Brian Iskandar brings extensive experience in property development and corporate leadership. He was previously CEO of Bandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd, overseeing the 196.27-hectare Bandar Malaysia project, including the master plan for mixed-use developments and strategic infrastructure valued at RM173 billion. He also served as Group CEO of Damansara Realty Bhd, managing projects such as Bandar Damansara Aliff in Johor and Bandar Damansara Kuantan in Pahang, and held senior roles at Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, including CEO of Urusan Teknologi Wawasan and General Manager of Transformation Management and Overseas Ventures. PRIMA chairman Datuk Azrulnizam Abdul Aziz said the appointment ensures leadership continuity and reflects the company’s focus on performance and strategic growth. He also thanked Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri for his contributions in strengthening PRIMA’s operations during his tenure.

NexG Bhd has appointed PKF PLT as its new auditor after its previous choice, SBY Partners PLT, declined the role. Baker Tilly Monteiro Heng PLT had resigned in January 2026, just four months into the job, citing major changes in the company’s board. NexG initially sought SBY Partners to replace Baker Tilly, but the appointment did not proceed by mutual consent. The board said PKF PLT was selected after assessing their independence, expertise, team, and fees, noting that a new auditor could bring fresh perspectives. PKF confirmed its consent to act as auditor on Feb 13, 2026. The changes come after significant board reshuffles late last year following major government contract wins, including the resignation of several directors such as executive deputy chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman and executive director Datuk Puvanesan Subenthiran. NexG also completed corporate exercises, including the RM76.78 million purchase of a 32.61% stake and 414.3 million Classita Holdings Bhd warrants at a steep 87.5% premium. Classita has since been rebranded as NexG Bina Bhd. Shares in NexG closed at 28.5 sen on Friday, down 0.5 sen or 1.7%, valuing the company at RM994.4 million.

The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) reported a 28% increase in high-skilled job placements through its MYFutureJobs platform last year, with 32,887 positions filled in 2025 compared to 23,638 in 2024. Since 2020, MYFutureJobs has helped 1.4 million Malaysians secure employment, with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates alone accounting for 92,896 placements in 2025. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiative focuses on high-value industries such as electrical, electronics, and green energy, offering better wages and improving quality of life. “MYFutureJobs goes beyond traditional job matching by using labour market data and advanced analytics to align job seekers’ skills with employer demand,” he added. The platform now averages 7.5 million monthly visits, connecting three million job seekers with over 100,000 employers nationwide. With 54 branches, 290 satellite centres, more than 600 staff, and partnerships with over 50 institutions, MYFutureJobs aims to reduce skills mismatches and provide effective career guidance for students and professionals alike.

DFCITY Group Bhd has removed three directors from its board following an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held on Thursday. The directors removed, effective immediately, are non-independent non-executive director Datuk Dr Li Wei, executive director Zhang Dandan, and independent non-executive director Chong Yuen Shuen, according to a filing with Bursa Malaysia. The resolutions for their removal were passed by voting shareholders during the EGM. The EGM was convened at the request of three shareholders — Liew Lee Chin, Fong Yik Hon, and Marcus Tan Kok Wee — who collectively hold a 12.09% stake in DFCITY. Ahead of the EGM, Li and Zhang had filed an application at the High Court to block the meeting. The court dismissed the application, allowing the EGM to proceed as scheduled. The move comes amid an ongoing boardroom tussle at DFCITY. Substantial shareholder and managing director Low Kim Kiat, along with his spouse Liew Lee Chin, has been involved in a separate legal dispute with Li and Zhang concerning the validity of Kim Kiat’s redesignation from executive director to managing director in August 2025. The High Court dismissed that suit, which is now pending appeal at the Court of Appeal. On Aug 4, 2025, Liew ceased to be a substantial shareholder after Paddingtons Hospitality Sdn Bhd, owned by their son Low Yew Kuan, sold an 11.37% stake in the company. Kim Kiat also disposed of his 3.23% direct stake. On the same day, Samoa-based PWK Co Ltd emerged as a substantial shareholder with a 13.6% stake. Shares in DFCITY were untraded on Thursday. The stock was last traded on Feb 5 at 37 sen, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM42.24 million.

Heineken Malaysia Bhd said it will not be affected by the 6,000 global job cuts announced by its parent company, Heineken NV, despite reporting a slight decline in its financial year 2025 (FY2025) net profit. Managing director Martijn van Keulen said the layoffs primarily involve the group’s headquarters and European operations, and do not impact Malaysia. Heineken NV recently announced plans to reduce about 7% of its global workforce as it faces weaker beer demand amid rising prices and more moderate alcohol consumption. For the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025, Heineken Malaysia posted a 2% decline in net profit to RM459.3 million from RM466.7 million a year earlier. Revenue remained unchanged at RM2.8 billion. The lower earnings were mainly due to the absence of a one-off reinvestment tax allowance that boosted FY2024 results. Excluding this one-time benefit, underlying profit would have risen about 4% to RM607.7 million. The company said cost management efforts helped support profitability despite flat revenue growth. The board declared a final dividend of RM1.12 per share, bringing total dividends for FY2025 to RM1.52 per share, representing a 100% payout ratio. This translates to a dividend yield of 6.6%, the highest since the pandemic. In the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2025, revenue increased 2%, partly driven by the excise duty hike in November 2025. Net profit was flat year-on-year due to the absence of the tax allowance benefit. On an underlying basis, fourth-quarter profit would have increased about 8%. Looking ahead, the company expects operating conditions to remain challenging due to macroeconomic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and the impact of higher excise duties on consumer spending. Van Keulen said the company will focus on productivity improvements, operational efficiency, portfolio and channel optimisation, and accelerating digital transformation to sustain long-term growth. Heineken Malaysia is transitioning from its EverGreen 2025 strategy to a new five-year plan, EverGreen 2030, which will prioritise brand growth and innovation, cost efficiency, and becoming future-ready through digitalisation, sustainability and a performance-driven culture. The stock closed 1.25% lower at RM23.70, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM7.16 billion.

CelcomDigi Bhd has officially appointed Albern Murty as its Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb 10. Albern has been instrumental in steering the company through its formative integration phase following the landmark merger between Celcom and Digi, which was completed on Nov 30, 2022. He previously served as Deputy CEO and most recently as Acting CEO, playing a key leadership role in aligning operations, culture and strategy during the post-merger transition. With more than 22 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Albern brings deep operational and commercial expertise to the role. Notably, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Digi.Com Bhd for seven years, where he led the company through a period of digital transformation and market expansion. Albern brings over 22 years of leadership experience in the telecommunications industry, including seven years as CEO of Digi.Com Bhd. Over the course of his career with Digi, Albern also held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. His earlier regional experience includes serving as Executive Vice President and Head of Emerging Asia at Telenor Asia, where he oversaw growth strategies across multiple markets. CelcomDigi chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said Albern’s appointment follows the completion of a comprehensive and rigorous search process to identify the company’s next CEO. “The Board looks forward to working closely with him and the rest of the management team to deliver CelcomDigi’s strategic priorities, accelerate sustainable growth as Malaysia’s trusted connectivity and digital solutions partner, strengthen governance standards, and continue building an organisation that ranks among the best places to work in the country,” he said. In conjunction with the leadership transition, CelcomDigi has also announced a management restructuring. Datuk Kamal Khalid has been appointed Chief Strategy, Transformation and Regulatory Officer, reflecting the company’s continued focus on integration execution, regulatory alignment and long-term transformation initiatives. The appointments mark the next chapter in CelcomDigi’s evolution as Malaysia’s largest mobile network operator, as it moves from merger integration towards sustained growth, operational excellence and digital innovation.

Axiata Group Berhad has announced the appointment of Nik Rizal Kamil Nik Ibrahim Kamil as its new Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective 1 June 2026. He will succeed Vivek Sood, who has led the Group since 2023. Nik Rizal joined Axiata in January 2024 as Group Chief Financial Officer. He brings extensive experience in business finance, investments and accounting, and currently serves on the boards of several Axiata subsidiaries, including CelcomDigi, PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera, Robi Axiata, EDOTCO Group and Link Net. Prior to joining Axiata, Nik Rizal was Group Chief Financial Officer at RHB Bank from 2021. He also previously served as Executive Director of Investments at Khazanah Nasional, where he oversaw investment and divestment initiatives across the telecommunications, media and technology sectors. His earlier career includes board roles at Telekom Malaysia and Astro, as well as nearly a decade with Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Nik Rizal holds a Master of Science in Finance from London Business School and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Accounting from the University of Bristol. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Business Finance Professional with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants. Axiata chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan said the Board is confident that Nik Rizal’s experience within the Group, the industry and among key stakeholders will position Axiata for sustained performance and long-term value creation. Nik Rizal said he was honoured by the Board’s confidence and looks forward to working closely with Vivek Sood and the management team to ensure continuity and a smooth leadership transition.