Malaysia

JAKARTA: Indonesia aims to halt rice imports this year for the first time in decades, backed by a surge in domestic production and stockpiles, according to Vice Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono. Driven by President Prabowo Subianto’s food self-sufficiency agenda, the country expects rice production to rise 11% in the first half of 2025, with national reserves more than doubling to 4 million tonnes in May. Annual output is targeted to reach 32.8 million tonnes, with a goal of 33.8 million tonnes in 2026. “Having food security is like preventing people from getting sick—it’s cheaper than curing them,” said Sudaryono. Indonesia, which imported a record 4.65 million tonnes of rice in 2023-24 due to El Niño-related crop damage, has long been dependent on imports, with records showing purchases every season since the 1960s. The recent production boost—8.61 million tonnes in Q1 alone, up 53% year-on-year—has opened up the possibility of exports. Malaysia and the Philippines have reportedly requested to buy rice, with 1,000 tonnes currently being prepared for shipment to Sabah and Sarawak. Efforts to sustain output include deploying 37,000 agriculture extension workers and assistance from the military. The government also plans to convert 500,000 hectares of swampland into farmland in 2025. — BLOOMBERG

KUALA LUMPUR: The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA) Malaysia has lauded the recent revision of Sewerage Capital Contribution (SCC) rates by the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), citing its potential to enhance housing affordability and support a more balanced property development landscape. Effective 1 March 2025, the revised SCC structure introduces a tiered pricing system that aligns sewerage charges with property value. Under the new framework, SCC rates now range from RM1,000 for units priced at RM80,000 and below, to a maximum of one per cent of the selling price for properties priced at RM500,000 and above. REHDA said in a statement that this recalibration is a significant step towards easing cost pressures on developers and, ultimately, delivering more affordable homes to the market. The association described the revision as a much-needed measure to ensure the long-term sustainability and accessibility of the housing sector. REHDA President Datuk Ho Hon Sang called the move a “positive step for all industry stakeholders” and praised the government for its attentiveness to industry feedback. He emphasised that the downward adjustment of SCC rates was one of several long-standing concerns raised by the association in its ongoing dialogues with policymakers. “We hope the reduction will enable developers to pass on cost savings to homebuyers,” said Datuk Ho. “In addition, we urge both federal and state-level authorities to undertake similar reviews of other contribution charges affecting the sector, ensuring they remain fair and reflective of current market conditions.” The SCC revision is expected to provide greater financial flexibility to developers, particularly those focused on the affordable housing segment, and may contribute to improved housing access for lower- and middle-income Malaysians. –Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR:  Technology services provider Heitech Padu Bhd has announced the appointment of Syed Omar Albar Abdullah as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 26 May 2025. Syed Omar, 38, takes over from Hasrul Azuan Mohd Yusof, who stepped down in March after a brief three-month tenure. The incoming CEO is currently serving his notice at Kemajuan Negeri Perak Group (PKNPk), where he has been Deputy Chief Executive since 2022. With over 13 years of experience spanning port and logistics, telecommunications, property development, renewable energy, and government services, Syed Omar brings a diverse background to the role. He holds an MBA from the University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Poland, and a Diploma in Internet Computing from Multimedia University. In a separate filing, Heitech Padu also announced the appointment of Toh Muda Datuk Rizal Ashram Tun Datuk Seri Utama Ramli as Independent Non-Executive Chairman. Rizal, 48, currently serves as Independent Non-Executive Chairman at XOX Bhd. Shares of Heitech Padu closed at RM2.18 on Monday, up 0.93%, valuing the group at RM234 million. Year-to-date, the stock has declined 31%.

KUALA LUMPUR: Demonstrating Malaysia’s leadership in line with its role as ASEAN Chair, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Malaysia launched ASEAN Connect 2025, a first-of-its-kind forum uniting ICAEW members from across ASEAN based in the UK, with their UK counterparts at London’s historic Chartered Accountants’ Hall. The event reflects ICAEW Malaysia’s commitment to fostering deeper regional collaboration and advancing ASEAN’s alignment with global economic and professional standards.  ASEAN Connect 2025 served as a platform to strengthen cross-border professional collaboration and position the region as a cohesive economic bloc. It highlights a broader strategy to elevate ASEAN’s professional capacity in tandem with its economic ambitions.  As ASEAN economies continue to integrate, the accountancy profession plays a foundational role in supporting this transition. Chartered accountants ensure consistency in financial reporting and robust governance frameworks, building trust that enables cross-border trade and investment.  The event was officiated by His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, underscoring the strategic importance of the occasion. Attendees included representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam and ASEAN professionals based in the UK. Discussions centred on how accountancy and finance professionals can work together to promote sustainable economic growth and workforce mobility within ASEAN.  The evening also featured an ICAEW World Prizegiving Ceremony, honouring outstanding chartered accountancy students from Malaysia. Malaysia is consistently developing high quality talent for the region and beyond, showcasing the mobility of the Associate Chartered Accountant qualification.   Through close collaboration with local regulators, universities, and the ICAEW Members’ Society Malaysian Chapter, the Institute is actively nurturing a globally recognised pool of accounting talent while aligning national practices with international standards.  “ASEAN Connect 2025 is the realisation of a vision we’ve long held: to consolidate two worlds, ASEAN’s dynamic regional economies and ICAEW’s global professional heritage,” said Shenola Gonzales, Head of ICAEW Malaysia. “As Malaysia leads ASEAN this year, we are proud to showcase how the strength of our profession can drive regional collaboration and enhance economic resilience.”  As part of its engagement under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, ICAEW has taken further steps to influence regional policy discourse. Earlier this year, ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance addressed the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, marking the first time an ICAEW leader has spoken at this influential regional platform. In addition, ICAEW convened the region’s first workshop on Scope 3 emissions reporting, bringing together ASEAN regulators, policymakers, and business leaders to strengthen transparency and consistency in ESG disclosures.  Vallance noted the urgency of this shift. “Sustainability and financial resilience go hand in hand. ICAEW is committed to providing businesses with the expertise to transition successfully to sustainable finance mechanisms that align with clear ESG reporting standards. Investors and financial markets demand greater transparency, and ASEAN must work towards a unified approach that supports both regulatory alignment and business competitiveness.”   These initiatives, including policy dialogues, regulatory roundtables, and capacity-building workshops, reflect ICAEW’s broader contribution to ASEAN’s economic architecture. By enabling cross-border collaboration and professional alignment, ICAEW is helping enhance competitiveness and unlock shared growth opportunities across the region.  The success of ICAEW ASEAN Connect 2025 reflects the region’s shared commitment to building a more globally competitive economic community. With Malaysia playing a strategic role through professional excellence and international collaboration, the forum reaffirmed the bloc’s readiness for sustainable and inclusive growth on the world stage. 

KUALA LUMPUR: NTT DATA Payment Services has launched ADAPTIS, a comprehensive suite of integrated payment solutions aimed at modernising transaction ecosystems and supporting business growth across Southeast Asia. In an official statement, the company described ADAPTIS as a strategic leap in its transformation journey, combining innovation, operational flexibility, and regional market expertise. The platform is designed to serve as a future-ready, scalable solution for businesses navigating the rapidly evolving digital economy. The ADAPTIS suite comprises five core offerings: ADAPTIS In-Store: Enables seamless in-person retail transactions; ADAPTIS e-Commerce: Provides secure and efficient online payment capabilities; ADAPTIS Financing: Supports growth through accessible financial solutions; ADAPTIS Enterprise: Delivers scalable infrastructure for large organisations; ADAPTIS VAS (Value-Added Services): Enhances business operations through tailored support tools. Sean Hesh, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of NTT DATA Payment Services, said the launch is grounded in decades of expertise and a regional footprint spanning over 500,000 merchant touchpoints in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. “ADAPTIS is built to be flexible, localised, and future-ready. It empowers businesses to scale efficiently while delivering seamless payment experiences to end customers,” Hesh said. The launch event featured a panel discussion titled “Next in Commerce: From Competition to Collaboration,” which included Shinichiro Nishikawa, Head of the Global Payments and Services Division at NTT DATA Japan, alongside other senior group executives. The session highlighted the company’s transition from a collection of competitive brands to a unified, synergistic ecosystem. Nishikawa noted that the initiative reflects a broader industry shift towards collaborative, ecosystem-based payment infrastructures. “The future of payments lies not merely in transactions, but in intelligent ecosystems. With ADAPTIS, we are building a more connected and resilient regional commerce infrastructure,” he said. “This launch underlines our commitment to seamless integration, localised solutions, and transformative innovation at scale.” The ADAPTIS roll-out follows the 2024 acquisition of GHL Systems Bhd by NTT DATA Japan, one of the world’s top ten global IT services firms. Subsequently, GHL was rebranded as NTT DATA Payment Services Sdn Bhd on 13 November 2024, marking its integration into the parent company’s global network while preserving its high service standards. After its initial launch in Malaysia, ADAPTIS is scheduled for regional expansion into Thailand and the Philippines later this year. –Bernama

Belgian semiconductor company Melexis (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is set to expand its operations in Kuching, with plans to hire more local talent over the next three to five years. The company, which specialises in integrated circuit (IC) design and testing, aims to recruit young Sarawakians with expertise in electronics and software engineering. In an interview with The Borneo Post, Marc Biron, CEO of Melexis, stated that the company’s growth strategy includes building strong connections with local universities and institutions. The goal is to create a long-term talent pipeline while fostering partnerships that benefit both the company and the community. “We are not just looking to hire people but to establish relationships with universities, students, and academicians. Kuching presents a promising talent pool,” Biron remarked. To support this initiative, Melexis collaborates with Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and strategic partners such as SMD Semiconductor and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (Centexs). These partnerships aim to bridge the skills gap by involving Melexis experts in supplementary lessons for students, equipping graduates with the competencies required for the semiconductor industry. Melexis, which previously operated from a small area within the XFAB facility, has relocated to a four-storey building in the Samajaya Free Industrial Zone. Currently utilising three-quarters of the space, the company plans to expand its operations further, with the potential to build a second facility after 2026. The company currently employs over 70 staff members at its Kuching site, focusing on wafer testing and innovation in R&D. As Melexis develops new automotive-grade IC products, it anticipates hiring 50 additional employees, including engineers, technicians, and operators, in the next growth phase. Founded 35 years ago by Roland Duchatelet, Françoise Chombar, and Rudi De Winter, Melexis has grown into a key player in the automotive electronics sector. The company’s chips are now integrated into major car brands worldwide. Reflecting on the journey, Biron said, “Thirty-five years ago, cars had no electronics. Today, our innovations reach nearly every continent. This progress is something Sarawakians can take pride in.” Strategic Positioning in a Changing World Biron also highlighted Malaysia’s geopolitical stability as an advantage for the company’s operations. He noted that the country’s neutral stance amid global uncertainties makes it an ideal location for business growth. “I believe Malaysia’s constructive relationships with major global powers provide an advantageous position for business operations,” Biron stated. As Melexis continues to expand, its commitment to fostering local talent and advancing automotive technology in Kuching remains at the core of its strategy. –The Borneo Post