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UMW Toyota Motor to support Ministry of Transport’s green mobility drive

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UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) is taking a major step in driving Malaysia’s clean mobility transition through a strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Transport (MOT). UMWT has extended a fleet of electrified vehicles to the Ministry, bridging cutting-edge product innovation with public policy development.

The fleet includes five advanced electrified vehicles comprising:
• Three Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), namely the Toyota Alphard, Camry and Corolla Cross, and
• Two Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ.

This initiative enables MOT to evaluate the real-world practicality, performance and benefits of electrified mobility technologies in daily operations, offering critical insights to inform future planning and policymaking.

“Malaysia’s journey to net-zero emissions by 2050 requires collaboration and action from all sectors,” said Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “Our support is beyond formality — it enables policymakers to experience the effectiveness of electrified vehicles first-hand. Toyota’s Multipathway approach is inclusive, practical, and tailored to Malaysia’s needs. This ensures that no one is left behind as we move toward a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

This partnership reflects UMW Toyota’s belief that achieving carbon neutrality requires engagement at every level, from individual consumers to national institutions. By aligning with the National Energy Policy 2022–2040 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), the initiative highlights how private-sector innovation can help translate national ambitions into practical, real-world outcomes.

Bridging Innovation and Public Policy

UMWT’s experience in hybrid technology reflects its commitment to delivering practical, scalable solutions that meet real-world needs. Through the deployment of its electrified vehicle line-up, UMWT is giving MOT officials the opportunity to experience infrastructure readiness, user interaction and operational dynamics across different electrification platforms. These first-hand learnings will support more informed and evidence-based policymaking as Malaysia moves toward a cleaner, more resilient mobility ecosystem. While full electrification remains a long-term goal, hybrid vehicles continue to offer a swift, accessible pathway to reduce emissions without placing excessive pressure on current infrastructure or consumer behaviour.

“Hybrid technology continues to be a critical enabler in Toyota’s electrification strategy, especially for markets like Malaysia,” said Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, Executive Director of UMW Toyota Motor. “It offers immediate reductions in emissions without the need for sweeping infrastructure changes. This makes it ideal for building mass-market confidence while paving the way toward full electrification.”

A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Progress

The collaboration also supports the Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint 2021–2030, which targets 15% xEV adoption by 2030 and 38% by 2040. Through access to a range of electrified drivetrains, the Ministry of Transport can experience these technologies first-hand, offering valuable insights that can inform future planning and infrastructure readiness.

This effort is part of Toyota’s Multipath way journey, which includes Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), as well as Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), and emerging technologies such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels. The company’s approach is grounded in a full well-to-wheel lifecycle view of emissions, ensuring that sustainability progress is meaningful, measurable and grounded in science.

Rooted in UMWT’s “Move Your World” vision, the collaboration reflects a broader commitment to people-first innovation that delivers practical, inclusive and environmentally responsible progress. This vision is aligned with Toyota’s global mission to ‘Produce Happiness for All’ by creating mobility solutions that go beyond vehicles to improve lives, empower communities, and protect the planet. Through this initiative, UMWT is not only moving people – it is moving policy, mindset, and the nation forward toward a low-carbon, high-impact future.

UMWT’s ongoing engagement with government, industry and the public is part of a larger movement to build a cleaner, more connected mobility ecosystem for Malaysia. From product deployment to policy dialogue and public education, UMWT continues to play a catalytic role in advancing the nation’s shift toward a sustainable transport future.

Alliance Bank expands access to cancer screening

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Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad (Alliance Bank or the Bank), Prince Court Medical Centre (Prince Court) and the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) have joined forces in a landmark partnership to improve access to cancer screening and encourage early detection among Malaysians. The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the SEA Healthcare and Pharma Conference 2025.

The signing was witnessed by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Haji Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of
Health, underscoring the collective commitment to improving public health initiatives in Malaysia.
Cancer remains a major health concern in Malaysia, with early detection playing a critical role in
improving patient outcomes. This partnership supports the Ministry of Health’s National Strategic Plan
for Cancer Control Programme 2021 – 2025, which aims to reduce cancer risk factors, strengthen
early detection through screening, and improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment. This
tripartite collaboration brings the three organisations together to support national efforts in advancing
cancer awareness and screening accessibility, ultimately improving survival rates and the overall wellbeing
of Malaysians.

“Improving access to cancer care is not just a medical priority, it is a moral imperative. These
symposiums mark an important step in bringing together minds, expertise, and commitment from
across sectors to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against cancer. Collaboration is our
most powerful tool — and together, we can build a future where quality cancer care is within reach for
all,” said Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Ms. Gan Pai Li, Group Chief Consumer Banking Officer of Alliance Bank, said, “At Alliance Bank, we
recognise that health and financial security are closely linked. When individuals are financially secure,
they are able to better invest in their health, and good health allows them to focus on achieving their
financial goals. In tandem with the MOH’s initiative to elevate awareness of early cancer detection,
our partnership with Prince Court and NCSM reflects our commitment to empowering our customers
and employees to take charge of their health, while also easing some of the financial constraints
associated with health screenings. As The Bank For Life, we strive to make a meaningful impact on
our customers by being a trusted partner at every stage of their lives.”

Dr. Shuba Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer of Prince Court, said, “At Prince Court, we see health
screening not as a service, but as a responsibility. Early detection changes outcomes, but more
importantly, it changes lives. This partnership reflects what’s possible when healthcare, community,
and corporate responsibility come together with a shared purpose. With Alliance Bank and NCSM, we
are removing barriers and creating pathways so more Malaysians have the opportunity to act early,
understand their risks, and take control of their health. We are proud to play a role in advancing this
effort and to stand alongside partners who share our commitment to better health for all.”
“Through this series of cancer symposiums, we aim to empower our communities with knowledge,
connect professionals across disciplines, and drive forward our mission of early detection, better treatment, and compassionate care. Together with our partners, we are building a future where no
one faces cancer alone,” said NCSM Managing Director, Kol. Bersekutu Assoc. Professor Dr
Murallitharan Munisamy.

As part of the campaign, NCSM will organise cancer awareness symposiums at Prince Court,
featuring leading surgeons, oncologists, and cancer care experts. Each session will focus on a
different aspect of cancer education, from understanding risk factors to the latest advancements in
treatment. Attendees will gain practical insights into prevention, early detection, and care, while
having the rare opportunity to engage directly with specialists. Open to all Alliance Bank customers
and business partners, these symposiums aim to equip individuals with the knowledge to make
informed decisions about their health and encourage proactive steps towards cancer prevention.

From 2 May to 31 December 2025, all Alliance Bank cardholders will enjoy a 10% discount on all
health screening packages and selected aesthetics, along with a 25% discount on maternity
packages at Prince Court Medical Centre. This exclusive offer is designed to encourage individuals to
prioritise their health and undergo regular health screenings as a preventive measure, as well as
ensure that a trusted medical centre is selected, ensuring safety and professional care.
For more information on the Bank’s products and services, please visit
https://www.alliancebank.com.my.

Hong Leong Islamic Bank distributes 1,000 food packets to foodpanda riders

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In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLISB/Bank) distributed 1,000 buka puasa meals to foodpanda e-hailing delivery riders in its ‘Senyum-Senyum Ramadhan’ initiative, bringing the festive spirit and putting smiles on the faces of foodpanda riders as they continue to deliver food to Malaysians throughout the month of Ramadhan.

Through its partnership with foodpanda, the Bank has also sponsored buka puasa meals for over 300 foodpanda riders and their families in Melaka, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan and Perak, spreading warmth, positivity, and appreciation in the community.

Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, Chief Executive Officer of HLISB commented on the impactful event, “Ramadhan is a time for gratitude and appreciation, and for many Muslims, it represents an opportunity to give back to the community. This year, we wanted to recognise the sacrifice and dedication of our e-hailing delivery riders, who in many ways are the unsung heroes of our country, especially during festive seasons. During Ramadhan, they brave the heavy traffic and face high volumes of orders, with a majority of them fasting themselves. At HLISB, we wanted to find a way to appreciate their sacrifices, give back to this community, and bring a smile to these riders, which led to us forging our partnership with foodpanda.”

The Bank’s partnership with foodpanda to sponsor and distribute buka puasa meals to delivery riders is aligned with its Raya theme of “Amal”, where it encourages Malaysians to engage in good deeds which will lead to positive outcomes and multiplied rewards. This concept of “Amal” extends beyond doing good, and also includes inculcating healthy financial habits. The Bank highlights that robust financial habits such as consistent savings, regular investing, and smart protection strategies can set Malaysians up for a brighter financial future.

Zalman Zainal, Hong Leong Bank’s (HLB) Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, who also heads the Bank’s CSR department, commented, “We at HLB and HLISB have always been committed to engaging in community investment initiatives, where we not only give back to the community but also actively work to uplift and empower them towards a brighter future. With the spirit of “Amal”, we want to continue putting our words to action and engage in more community-centric initiatives such as this one with foodpanda, bringing the Raya spirit and recognising the hardships of these unsung heroes. We believe that good habits, generosity, and kindness are important values to instill, which are the reasons for our smiles as we reap the rewards of a brighter future ahead.”

HLB and HLISB have a proud tradition of community service during festive seasons, with the Bank organizing Employee Donation Drives where employees donate meal kits and essential goods to welfare homes across the country. Since its inception in 2019, the Bank’s employees have donated more than RM100,000 worth of food, goods, and household items to welfare homes. Employees also regularly engage in spring cleaning initiatives at welfare homes, ensuring that these underserved communities receive the help and support they need.

In conjunction with the Raya season and to highlight its “Amal” theme, the Bank recently unveiled its Raya campaign with brand ambassador Alif Satar, which features a Raya song and music video titled ‘Senyum-Senyum Raya’, presented by Alif Satar & The Locos. Besides bringing about a positive Raya spirit, the song also emphasises on the importance of good deeds that can multiply and be the reason for your smile this Raya season.

Senyum-Senyum Raya is available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music, and the music video can be seen on HLB’s YouTube Channel. You may watch the music video here: https://youtu.be/3Tm4O0uNxxA?si=GY1xPTeEFz1R_st7

ARC Group commemorates 10 Years with flagship forum in Kuala Lumpur

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ARC Group recently hosted the Capital Markets & M&A Forum 2025: Malaysia Edition, bringing together over 400 distinguished guests, including senior executives, investors, legal and advisory professionals and entrepreneurs.

Themed around growth, strategy, and cross-border collaboration, this year’s forum offered timely insights into Southeast Asia’s evolving financial landscape, bridging capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and long-term economic strategy.

The event featured international expertise as speakers and panelist, including Arc Group’s local venture partner, Paul Chong who provided a strategic deep dive into “Going Public – Choosing Between IPO, RTO, and De-SPAC. Drawing on his vast experience in global capital markets, Paul Chong delivered a nuanced comparison of public listing routes, offering actionable insights for Malaysian and regional companies considering international capital markets.

Other featured sessions include topics such as ‘Company Preparations for Going Public’, “From Startup to Exit” and “The Future of M&A in Emerging Asia”. The Forum was closed by Xi Zhang, Partner at ARC Group who delivered a thought-provoking keynote on “China 2030 and Implications for Southeast Asia”, offering macroeconomic lens on China’s long-term transformation and actionable takeaways for ASEAN businesses navigating trade shifts, digital acceleration, and supply chain evolution.

The event also marked the firm’s 10th anniversary. Carlos Lopez, COO of ARC Group commented, “These events have always held a special place for us—not just as platforms for sharing insights, but for building lasting relationships. This year’s forum was particularly meaningful as we marked ARC Group’s 10-year anniversary. It was a proud moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and an inspiring one to envision where we’re headed next.”

PMCK Berhad gains Bursa approval for ACE Market IPO listing

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PMCK Berhad (PMCK), a healthcare services provider in Northern Malaysia, has gained the approval of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa Securities) to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities.

This milestone underscores PMCK’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint through the development of PMC Kulim, a state-of-the-art private medical centre and mixed-use facility in Kedah, poised to address critical gaps in regional healthcare access.

The IPO comprises 272.6 million new shares (25% of enlarged issued share capital), with proceeds allocated for:

1. Repayment of bank borrowings for PMC Kulim’s construction
2. Acquisition of equipment for PMC
3. Estimated expenses related to the listing exercises

“PMC Kulim is not just a hospital. We are a holistic ecosystem designed to elevate healthcare accessibility in the region,” said PMCK Berhad Managing Director, Dato’ Lee Gaik Cheng. “This listing enables us to accelerate our vision while maintaining financial discipline through strategic partnerships and streamlined operations.”

PMCK reported robust FYE 2024 performance, with revenue rising to RM104.34 million (FYE 2023: RM99.85 million) and net profit climbing almost 40% to RM15.02 million, reflecting strong demand for its specialist consultant services and healthcare support services. The company’s existing PMC in Alor Setar has treated over between 115,000 patients and 128,000 patients over the past three FYEs 2022 to 2024, supported by 40 specialist consultants across 17 specialisations.

Post-listing, PMCK will consolidate its other businesses in Kulim (Poliklinik Unik and Klinik Pergigian Unik) under PMC Kulim to enhance operational efficiency. The project’s mixed-use component is also expected to diversify revenue streams, contributing to long-term sustainability.

“Our goal is to bridge the healthcare divide in the Northern region of Malaysia,” added Dato’ Lee. “The approval for our listing marks a significant milestone for PMCK Berhad and we are now poised to deliver world-class care closer to home.”

Malacca Securities is the IPO’s principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter, and placement agent.

The listing will propel PMCK’s RM193 million PMC Kulim project, a 12-storey medical centre integrated with a seven-storey mixed-use development (hotel, food court, and amenities). Slated for completion in Q1 2028, the facility will feature:

  • 90 in-patient beds (single and double rooms only), one endoscopic suite, one operating theatre, two labour rooms, two nursery units, and 15 specialist consultation clinics.
  • Strategic amenities for patients’ families and the public, managed by a third-party operator to ensure operational focus on healthcare.

The project targets underserved populations in Kulim, Bandar Baharu, and neighbouring districts, where private healthcare infrastructure remains sparse.

With only 7.72 private hospital beds per 10,000 persons in Northern Malaysia (versus 17.71 in Kuala Lumpur), PMC Kulim aims to alleviate the pressure on existing facilities while tapping into demand from Kulim Hi-Tech Park’s industrial workforce and growing middle-class communities.

Alibaba Cloud strengthens AI capabilities with for international customers

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Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, unveils new AI models, tools and infrastructure upgrades for its international customers, underscoring its ongoing commitment to driving AI innovation worldwide.

“We are launching a series of Platform-as-a-Service（PaaS) and AI capability updates to meet the growing demand for digital transformation from across the globe. These upgrades allow us to deliver even more secure and high-performance services that empower businesses to scale and innovate in an AI-driven world,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.

Alibaba Cloud announced new offerings to international customers by expanding access to its foundational models and upgrading infrastructure products. Available through the company’s availability zones in Singapore, these models include the latest from its proprietary large language model (LLM) series, Qwen, such as the large-scale Mixture of Experts (MoE) model Qwen-Max, the reasoning model QwQ-Plus, the visual reasoning model QVQ-Max and the end-to-end multimodal model Qwen2.5-Omni-7b.

QwQ-Plus is an advanced reasoning model specialising in deep analytical thinking, tackling complex challenges like sophisticated QA tasks and expert-level math problems with precise, algorithm-driven solutions. Meanwhile, QVQ-Max is a visual reasoning model that effectively addresses complex multimodal problems with high accuracy and extended reasoning capabilities, supporting visual input and chain-of-thought output.

To further support the AI models on the PaaS front, Alibaba Cloud’s Platform for AI (PAI) has rolled out major enhancements to support scalable, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions for generative AI and LLMs. PAI-Elastic Algorithm Service (EAS) debuts distributed inference capabilities with a multi-node architecture to satisfy the growing demands of super-large models fueled by the rise of MoE structure and ultra-long-text processing, addressing the limitations of traditional single-node architecture. To further boost performance and reduce costs, PAI-EAS introduces the prefill-decode disaggregation function which has led to a 92% increase in concurrency and a 91% boost in tokens per second (TPS) when deployed with the Qwen2.5-72B model, greatly improving scalability and efficiency.

PAI-Model Gallery has been upgraded to provide a comprehensive selection of nearly 300 cutting-edge open-source models, including the full range of Alibaba Cloud’s proprietary open-source models Qwen and Wan series, all accessible through a seamless, no-code deployment and management experience. It offers diverse deployment methods with underlying computing resources, along with new features like model evaluation for performance insights and model distillation, which reduces deployment costs by transferring knowledge from large to small models.

To enhance data management efficiency in the AI era, Alibaba Cloud has integrated its native AI inference capabilities – powered by Qwen – into its flagship cloud-native relational database PolarDB. With in-database machine learning capabilities, it eliminates data shifting typically required for inference workflow, significantly reducing processing latency while boosting efficiency and data security. Engineered for text-centric workloads, the new feature is ideal for scenarios including conversational RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) agent development, text embedding generation, and semantic similarity search.

It also integrates its data warehouse AnalyticDB into Model Studio, Alibaba Cloud’s generative AI model and application development platform, as the recommended vector database for RAG solutions. This enhancement connects organizations’ proprietary knowledge bases directly to AI models and tools available on Model Studio, streamlining development of context-aware applications.

Alibaba Cloud also launched a new AI search function on its official website. Powered by Qwen, this AI assistant is designed to help potential enterprise clients, especially SMEs, speed up their solution discovery and gain key insights to facilitate strategic decision-making. It also offers access to cost-effective and scalable cloud solutions, along with free AI and cloud computing training resources.
Upgraded partner incentive policies were also introduced to better support resellers and distributors by providing increased flexibility, higher commission rates, and more rewarding opportunities for mutual growth. This commitment to empowering partners is further reinforced by enhanced training and support resources, designed to strengthen their capabilities and drive success within evolving ecosystem.

In February 2025, Alibaba Group announced an investment of US $53 billion (RMB 380 billion) over the next three years to advance its cloud computing and AI infrastructure, reinforcing its commitment to long-term technological innovation. This historic investment, which exceeds Alibaba’s total AI and cloud spending over the past decade, underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to AI-driven growth and its role as a leading global cloud provider. Alibaba Cloud now operates a global infrastructure network with 87 availability zones across 29 regions.

Maybank Investment Banking Group named Syndicated Loan House of the Year in Malaysia and Vietnam

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Maybank Investment Banking Group (Maybank IBG) continues to stamp its leadership in Southeast Asia, winning recognition from the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA) as Syndicated Loan House of the Year in Malaysia for the fifth consecutive year and in Vietnam for the fourth consecutive year.

The repeat wins are even more impressive given that 2024 loan volumes were concentrated on fewer deals in both countries. Nonetheless loan volumes rebounded by +1.9% in Malaysia and +13.2% in Vietnam, boosted by a couple of mega transactions that closed in 2024.

The Asia Pacific Syndicated Loan Market Awards 2024 recognised outstanding achievements across 32 categories, with winners selected through an independent vote by more than 400 APLMA members, without any application or promotion process.

Michael Oh-Lau, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Investment Banking Group, said, “Maybank IBG is proud to receive these accolades once again from our peers in the APLMA, attesting to our market leading position in Malaysia and Vietnam. Despite a cautious sentiment in 2024, we remained watchful to unlock opportunities for our clients. Our strong network combined with our commitment to sustainability and Islamic finance position us at the forefront of investment banking in the region.”

In 2024, Maybank IBG was mandated as the sole Coordinator Bank for various onshore and offshore syndicated transactions. Among the key deals were the refinancing of the iconic Battersea Power Station building in London under PNB-Kwasa International 2 Limited’s GBP1.11 billion Syndicated Green Loan Facility; Yarra Park City’s AUD265 million Syndicated Term Loan facility to part finance the development of a residential apartment in Melbourne; and the USD400 million dual tranche (Islamic and conventional) Syndicated Term Financing for Bumi Armada Holdings Labuan Limited.

In Vietnam, Maybank IBG acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, Underwriter and Bookrunner for Vietnam Prosperity Bank’s Syndicated USD400 million Green Loan facility as well as the back-to-back syndications for Vinpearl and Vingroup that raised USD200 million and USD115 million respectively.
Michael added, “These are high profile repeat mandates that successfully closed with overwhelming response from the market — a testament of Maybank’s ability to structure, underwrite, distribute and arrange successful fundraising exercises for our clients.

“For 2025, we expect overall loan volumes to remain robust, supported by favourable economic recovery conditions, good local market dynamics and positive regional trends. Sectors of focus in Malaysia are in
line with strategic government investments, such as real estate and data centres as well as potential infrastructure projects that will continue to drive loan activities.”

UOB Malaysia named Malaysia’s best bank at Global Finance Best Bank Awards 2025

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UOB Malaysia has been named the Best Bank in Malaysia at the 32nd annual World’s Best Bank Awards 2025 – Asia Pacific by Global Finance magazine.

Ms Ng Wei Wei, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Malaysia, said, “Over the past three years, we have been working relentlessly on the Bank’s transformation and the recognition by Global Finance affirms UOB Malaysia’s leadership as a progressive, purpose-driven bank that not only contributes to Malaysia’s growth but also supports customers and communities across Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region. We are proud to be acknowledged for our strong financial performance, as well as our commitment to innovation, sustainability, service excellence and community stewardship.”

The Global Finance World’s Best Bank Awards honour financial institutions that demonstrate long-term stability, technological innovation and excellence in service. In selecting the top banks, Global Finance considered a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors, including asset growth, profitability, geographic reach, strategic partnerships, innovation, and new business development. Input was gathered from industry experts, analysts, consultants, and corporate financial executives worldwide.

Advancing from a position of strength
Over the past year, UOB Malaysia has made significant strides in both retail and wholesale banking. On the retail front, the Bank successfully integrated the Citi consumer banking business and continues to enhance its digital capabilities with the award-winning UOB TMRW app. UOB Malaysia is now among the largest credit card issuers in the country and continue to be a key player in wealth management and residential mortgages.

In wholesale banking, UOB Malaysia has built a strong track record in Financial Supply Chain Management (FSCM), regional connectivity and sustainable financing. Its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Advisory unit continues to provide strategic support to foreign companies investing into Malaysia and Malaysian companies expanding into ASEAN. In 2024, the Bank also played a substantial role in strengthening regional economic connectivity to boost cross-border collaboration through initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).

A front runner in sustainability
UOB Malaysia is also a front runner in sustainability. The Bank’s sustainable financing portfolio has tripled over the last two years, supported by comprehensive frameworks across many strategic focus areas including smart cities, green buildings, circular economy and transition finance.

Operationally, UOB Malaysia achieved carbon neutrality for its own operations since 2021. Its headquarters, UOB Plaza 1 Kuala Lumpur, reflects its commitment to environmental responsibility and progressive workplace design – having earned double Platinum certifications and winning both the National Energy Award 2024 and ASEAN Energy Award 2024 for energy efficiency.

Customer experience remains a top priority for UOB Malaysia, with strong improvements in Net Promoter Scores (NPS) across segments, reflecting the Bank’s commitment to delivering quality service, digital innovation and client-centric solutions.

WCT Holdings Berhad shareholders approve listing of Paradigm REIT

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WCT Holdings Berhad (“WCT” or “the Group”), an investment holding company with businesses in engineering and construction, property development and investment in and management of retail malls and hotels, announces that its shareholders have approved the proposed listing of Paradigm Real Estate Investment Trust (“Paradigm REIT”) on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa Securities Main Market). The approval of the shareholders was obtained during the Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”).

The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT will mark a significant milestone in WCT’s strategic growth plans, enabling the Group to unlock the value of its retail assets while optimising its capital structure. As part of the proposed listing of Paradigm REIT, the shareholders also approved the proposed disposal of three prime retail properties – Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre (BTSC), Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya (PMPJ), and Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru (PMJB) – to Paradigm REIT for RM2,437,000,000 (“Disposal Consideration”). The Disposal Consideration will be settled through the issuance of 1,600,000,000 units in Paradigm REIT (“Consideration Units”) at an issue price of RM1.00 per Consideration Unit and a cash consideration of RM837,000,000.

In the approvals sought during the EGM, the shareholders also endorsed the proposed offering of 560,000,000 units in Paradigm REIT (“Offer Units”) by WCT (“Proposed Offering”).

This includes a proposed retail offering of up to 254,657,500 Offer Units for the entitled shareholders of WCT, eligible directors and employees of the Group and Paradigm REIT Management Sdn Bhd, being the management company of Paradigm REIT, and the Malaysian public. From the proposed retail offering, 194,862,500 Offer Units will be made available to entitled shareholders of WCT on the basis of 1 Offer Unit for every 8 existing ordinary shares of WCT held by the shareholders whose names appear on the record of depositors of WCT as at the close of business on an entitlement date to be determined and announced later by WCT.

The Proposed Offering also includes a proposed institutional offering at least 305,342,500 Offer Units, of which 200,000,000 Offer Units are reserved for Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) of Malaysia and at least 105,342,500 Offer Units to other institutional investors and selected investors.

The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT is expected to strengthen WCT’s balance sheet by reducing borrowings while offering investors the opportunity to participate in a diversified portfolio of income-generating retail assets, delivering stable cash distributions and long-term capital appreciation.

Dato’ Lee Tuck Fook, Group Managing Director, WCT Holdings Berhad, said, “We are grateful for the strong support from our shareholders in approving the proposed listing of Paradigm REIT. This strategic initiative not only unlocks the value of our retail assets but also provide WCT with greater financial flexibility to pursue new growth opportunities. We are confident that Paradigm REIT will be a valuable addition to the Bursa Securities Main Market and deliver sustainable returns to our investors.”

The retail properties under Paradigm REIT are strategically located in populous urban areas in Malaysia. The proposed listing of Paradigm REIT reinforces WCT’s commitment to creating long-term value for stakeholders while solidifying its presence in Malaysia’s real estate investment sector.

CelcomDigi-Ericsson’s strategic partnership to accelerate O&G sector

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CelcomDigi Berhad (“CelcomDigi”) and Ericsson (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (“Ericsson”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost Malaysia’s digital transformation by accelerating 5G adoption in Malaysia’s oil and gas (O&G) industry, advancing the nation’s key sector to the forefront of industrial digitalisation.

By combining CelcomDigi’s robust network infrastructure and deep local expertise with Ericsson’s global leadership in 5G technology, the partnership will drive the creation of 5G-powered solutions tailored to the unique demands of the O&G sector. Through CelcomDigi’s newly established 5G Standalone (SA) test lab, both companies will develop and deploy 5G use cases, focusing on:

  • Enhanced safety – Deploying 5G-enabled solutions to improve worker safety and hazard detection in high-risk environments
  • Advanced tracking – Utilising 5G technology for real-time asset and personnel tracking to optimise operational efficiency
  • Digitalisation and automation – Empowering O&G operations with real-time data analytics and automation for seamless decision-making
  • Mission-critical connectivity – Delivering reliable, ultra-fast 5G connectivity to support critical functions and industrial applications

This partnership marks a pivotal step in modernising Malaysia’s O&G sector to a smarter, safer, and more efficient industrial ecosystem powered by next-generation connectivity solutions.

The MoU was signed at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain by CelcomDigi’s Deputy CEO, Albern Murty and Head of Ericsson Malaysia, David Hagerbro, witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching.

Commenting on the partnership, CelcomDigi’s Deputy CEO, Albern Murty said, “As CelcomDigi evolves beyond connectivity into a telco-tech company, we recognise that the key to unlocking the full potential of 5G-AI lies in strong industry partnerships. Collaborations like this allow us to co-create meaningful solutions that go beyond technology, directly addressing industry challenges and transforming operations. We look forward to shaping a safer, more efficient, and future-ready O&G sector, as well as accelerating 5G adoption across industries as we continue to drive the nation’s development into a 5G-AI digital society.”

David Hagerbro, Head of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, commented, “We stay committed to ensuring that Malaysia remains at the forefront of digital innovation. This collaboration with CelcomDigi is a strategic leap forward in the digital transformation of Malaysia. Our partnership in the O&G sector will drive real-time solutions in terms of enhanced efficiency, safety and digitalising operations that will redefine how industries operate in the country.”

As Malaysia accelerates its 5G adoption, this strategic collaboration underscores CelcomDigi and Ericsson’s shared vision of pioneering innovative solutions that elevate industries, empower businesses, and contribute to the nation’s digital economy aspirations.