News

Popular Korean convenience store chain emart24 today marked the opening of its 100th store in Malaysia at a launch event in their new outlet in Kota Damansara.  Vuitton Pang, CEO of emart24 Holdings Sdn Bhd, described the brand’s journey in Malaysia as both humbling and inspiring. “The 100th store is a milestone we’re truly thankful for, and has been made more meaningful by the trust and encouragement of the communities we serve.”  “We remain committed to growing hand-in-hand with Malaysians and building meaningful connections for many more years to come. We hope to open another 50 outlets over the next year to bring affordable halal Korean street food experience to even more neighbourhoods,” he said.  “What began with a single store in Bangsar South has grown into a familiar presence across the country,” Pang continued. “We’re always listening to our customers and will continue to optimise our network to better serve our customers by being closer to wherever they are.”  “The Retail scene is evolving, and Malaysians today seek more meaningful connections in their daily experiences. We are excited to be part of this shift by offering a blend of quality, culture and community.”  emart24 was the first and fastest Korean convenience chain to break into Malaysia’s East Coast, tapping into local demand for halal-certified Korean flavours. “The response in States like Terengganu and Kelantan has been incredibly encouraging, and we are grateful for the warm welcome and continuous support,” Pang added.  Backed by South Korea’s retail giant Shinsegae Group, emart24 is the fastest-growing convenience store brand in its home country, with over 6,500 outlets. Malaysia is its first overseas market, and the brand’s success here has been closely tied to the rise of Korean culture and local demand for accessible, high-quality convenience offerings.  Kang In Sok, COO of emart24 Korea, said: “We congratulate emart24 Malaysia on the opening of its 100th store in Malaysia. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has contributed to emart24’s remarkable growth in the Malaysian market. I look forward to seeing emart24 continue to lead the convenience store industry in Malaysia with even greater success in the future.”  The brand’s signature halal-certified Korean street food, including its bestselling cupbap and cheesy tteokbokki, continues to appeal to a wide range of consumers. The e-kafé product line, officially certified halal in February 2025, has been a key step in reinforcing emart24’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural respect.  “Securing halal certification was a proud milestone for us, showing our sincere intention to serve all Malaysians,” said Pang. “Our food is Korean at heart, but thoughtfully created for local tastes without compromising authenticity.”  “We have invested in a new and enlarged central kitchen which will deliver more variety of exciting halal ready-to-eat products to our customers,” he adds.  The 100th store celebration, themed “100 Stores. Endless Moments,” was held at the new flagship outlet in Kota Damansara. The store design, features a mural by local visual artist Nas Suha, capturing the spirit of cross-cultural connection between Korea and Malaysia, reflecting the brand’s core identity. The new store also features digital innovation powered by SOLUM ESL, including real-time pricing solutions and digital signage that enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience with a sleek, modern touch.  Adding to the festivity was the official introduction of emart24’s new mascot, Dilly, who made a playful appearance at the event. The event also marked the launch of a new menu through a collaboration with Pinkfong’s Baby Shark, the globally beloved character celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Designed to engage families with children, the collaboration aims to strengthen brand affinity across all age groups.  “Baby Shark is one of the most cherished family entertainment IPs of The Pinkfong Company, and this partnership allows us to create joyful, memorable brand experiences for our younger customers,” said Tan Chuan Hoe, Chief Commercial Officer of emart24 Holdings Sdn Bhd.  In conjunction with the momentous celebration, emart24 introduced limited edition apricot-hued ice cream cones called “party cone”, an edible wafer cup and brand-new Matcha Strawberry soft serve. A nationwide “Spend & Win” campaign will kick off nationwide from 1st to 31st July 2025, where over 100 lucky customers stand a chance to win amazing prizes such as Samsung S25 phones and Samsung Galaxy Watches alongside Flight and Hotel vouchers to South Korea and other destinations, courtesy of Traveloka.  This event was proudly supported by Korea Agro-Trade (aT) Center. “The rise of Korean food culture in Malaysia has opened the door for deeper agro-trade and consumer trust. Through emart24’s expanding footprint, more Malaysians are discovering the quality and creativity of Korean food products, many of which are proudly promoted by the Korea Agro-Trade Centre. We are proud to support emart24’s efforts in making premium Korean offerings more accessible, especially through its halal-certified innovations,” said Chang Chung Ho, Director of Korea aT Center Kuala Lumpur.  “Malaysians are emotionally connected to the food and lifestyle they see in K-dramas, and emart24 brings a part of that into their neighbourhoods,” said Pang. “It’s that sense of familiarity and joy that keeps customers coming back.”  With a store presence now spanning the entire Peninsular Malaysia, emart24 is preparing for its next phase of growth, focused on building density, rewarding loyalty, and becoming even more integrated into local communities. Looking ahead, emart24 will continue to serve more customers in their own neighbourhoods.

Trinity Group Sdn Bhd, a boutique property developer, has announced a 100% take-up rate for Phase 1 of its latest residential project, Trinity Sensoria, achieving over RM 172 million in sales within just six months of its soft launch, with majority of buyers comprised young families and professionals seeking a secure, wellness-focused lifestyle near the city. Building on this strong momentum, Trinity Group will soon launch Phase 2 of the development, with units starting from just RM592,000. Strategically located in Beverly Heights, Ampang North, Phase 2 of Trinity Sensoria sits on 6.1 acres of freehold land and offers well-designed condominiums ranging from 1,008 to 1,286 sq ft. The project has a gross development value (GDV) of RM580 million and is targeted for completion by Q3 2028. Trinity Sensoria distinguishes itself as Malaysia’s first condominium to feature the pioneering 5X Protection System, a comprehensive approach to lifestyle safety and well-being. The five pillars include: Contactless Technology Wellness-Oriented Design Physical Wellness Amenities Social Wellness Amenities Mental Wellness Amenities Further reinforcing its commitment to quality and long-term value, Trinity Sensoria also introduces the Trinity Gold Assurance Program, providing buyers with extended warranties and peace of mind. Among the key highlights of the development is the Sensoria Garden Spa, a 11,000 sq ft. wellness sanctuary inspired by Austria’s iconic Aqua Dome. Thoughtfully designed to promote restorative living, the spa garden includes a Himalayan Salt Sauna, Outdoor Jacuzzi Pavilion, and Hydrotherapy Pods, providing residents with a serene, nature-inspired escape. Spanning an expansive 67,133 sq ft, the outdoor facility deck at Trinity Sensoria is carefully curated as a lifestyle sanctuary, offering residents an abundance of wellness, leisure, and family-centric amenities. Located just 10 km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre, Trinity Sensoria offers exceptional connectivity via major highways including MRR2, SUKE, DUKE, AKLEH, SPE, and the New Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE). The development is also conveniently close to lifestyle amenities such as Melawati Mall, Wangsa Walk, KL East Mall, and KLCC. “As a developer committed to redefining urban living, we’re proud that homebuyers have embraced Trinity Sensoria’s unique blend of innovation, security, and family-focused design,” said Dato’ Neoh Soo Keat, Managing Director of Trinity Group. “This milestone shows that today’s buyers are looking for more than space, they want peace of mind, enduring value, and a true sanctuary to call home.” To improve accessibility, Trinity Group has also invested RM6 million in infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of a new access road to the development. With Phase 2 on the horizon, the Group anticipates continued strong interest, building on its legacy of delivering high-quality, timely, and thoughtfully designed homes.

Gamuda Bhd is on course to solidify its status as a premier regional engineering and infrastructure powerhouse, underpinned by a robust project pipeline and sustained expansion into key international markets. The company is expected to achieve an impressive order book totalling between RM40 billion and RM45 billion by the end of 2025. This trajectory is being propelled by its increasing foothold in high-potential markets and participation in major infrastructure initiatives. According to MIDF Research, ongoing reports surrounding possible delays in the Sydney Metro West (SMW) project may actually present an upside for Gamuda. The research house noted that the group could stand to benefit from potential variation claims related to the delays. Awarded in March 2022, the Western Tunnelling Package of the SMW project is valued at approximately A$2.57 billion and was secured by Gamuda Australia in partnership with Laing O’Rourke, under a contract with the New South Wales Government. This value includes RM1.2 billion in variation orders. Recent developments in Australia have revealed that two tunnel boring machines were halted for six weeks due to proximity concerns involving the Telstra Exchange building on Church Street. While this has raised the prospect of significant additional costs and variation claims—potentially in the hundreds of millions of dollars—tunnelling has since resumed. Both NSW Premier Chris Minns and Sydney Metro have confirmed that the temporary suspension is not expected to impact the overall project budget or delivery timeline. MIDF Research reaffirmed its positive outlook on Gamuda, stating that any delays associated with the SMW project may ultimately benefit the company due to strategic workarounds and entitlement to variation claims. Elsewhere, Gamuda is poised to make its entry into the New Zealand market. The group, as part of the Together North consortium, has been shortlisted as one of three contenders for the initial phase of the Northland Corridor project. The scope includes the construction of a 26-kilometre expressway and a twin-bore tunnel, marking a significant milestone in the company’s international growth strategy. MIDF Research has maintained a “buy” call on Gamuda, with a target price of RM5.42, citing the company’s resilient fundamentals and expanding global footprint. -The Star

RHB Bank Berhad has confirmed the appointment of Vashta Mahendran as its new Group Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective 1 July. The transition follows the departure of current COO David Chong Ming Liang, whose term concludes on 30 June after three years in the role. Vashta brings with her more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, underpinned by a strong track record in operational leadership and strategic execution. She first joined RHB Bank a decade ago and has since led a number of key group-wide transformation initiatives, contributing significantly to the bank’s ongoing modernisation and performance optimisation efforts. Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad, Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of RHB Banking Group, expressed confidence in the appointment, stating that Vashta’s leadership will be instrumental in the bank’s continued transformation and operational excellence. “As we embark on the next phase of our growth journey, Vashta’s leadership and strength in driving operational transformation will be key in delivering our Progress27 strategy, and achieving our strategic objectives of being best in service, highly profitable and to be a responsible and purposeful organisation,” he said. Vashta holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Manchester. -The Edge