Heineken Malaysia Berhad reported steady earnings for the first quarter ended 31 March 2025 (1QFY2025), demonstrating resilience in a dynamic operating environment. The Group maintained its profitability despite a slight revenue contraction, showcasing strong cost control and financial prudence.
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Revenue: RM764 million, down 3% YoY (1QFY2024: RM789 million)
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Profit Before Tax: RM161 million (unchanged YoY)
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Net Profit: RM122 million (unchanged YoY)
The marginal decline in revenue was attributed primarily to the timing of Chinese New Year (CNY). This year’s festivities fell in January, resulting in earlier sales activity being recorded in the previous quarter. In contrast, CNY 2024 occurred in February, boosting sales within the first quarter last year.
Despite this timing variance, Heineken Malaysia held firm on its bottom line. Managing Director Martijn van Keulen remarked, “Our performance reflects the strength of our financial discipline and the robustness of our EverGreen strategy. We are navigating headwinds with agility and a commitment to long-term growth.”
The Group’s EverGreen strategy continues to steer its operations, focusing on:
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Driving sustainable topline growth
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Embedding a cost-conscious culture
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Adapting to evolving consumer behaviours
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Advancing its sustainability agenda
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Developing internal talent and connectivity
Consumer Engagement & Brand Momentum
Heineken Malaysia sustained brand relevance through high-impact campaigns:
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Heineken®: The Celebrate Boring campaign encouraged digital detox, reclaiming over 1.2 million minutes of screen-free time.
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Tiger Beer: Its Together We Roar CNY campaign featured Tiger Town, a vibrant experiential activation with performances and games.
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Guinness: Brought the spirit of Ireland to Malaysian fans with nationwide St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Looking ahead, van Keulen cautioned that inflationary pressure and geopolitical uncertainties may weigh on consumer confidence. Nonetheless, the Group remains committed to driving commercial growth while protecting margins through operational efficiency.
No interim dividend was declared for the quarter.
Tax Contribution & Commitment to Responsibility
Heineken Malaysia paid RM1.45 billion in taxes in 2024, accounting for 52% of its total revenue, with Malaysia’s excise duties among the highest globally. The company welcomed the government’s decision to maintain beer duties in Budget 2025, warning that any increase could fuel illicit alcohol trade. It reiterated its commitment to curbing illicit trade through collaborative enforcement and public awareness.
Sustaining Communities
Under its Brew a Better World sustainability platform, the Heineken Cares programme continues to empower underserved communities through partnerships with Sokong and four NGOs, focusing on water access and food security. The initiative has disbursed RM220,000 to date.
