Latest news with #RM4.6
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Reform agenda on track, investor confidence growing
KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister's Office rejected claims that reforms are not taking place, calling them unfounded. The prime minister's senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said the reform agenda is advancing steadily through structured action under the Madani Economy framework. "As presented by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) through the Madani Economy framework, the core objective is to raise the ceiling by strengthening the nation's economic resilience and ensuring the continued well-being of the people," he said during the Prime Minister's Office daily briefing today. Tunku Nashrul said Malaysia recorded RM89.8 billion in approved investments for the first quarter of this year, marking a 3.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, despite global economic challenges. "These investments are expected to generate 1,600 new projects and over 33,000 job opportunities across the country." In the microelectronics and semiconductor sectors, he said Malaysia secured RM4.6 billion in potential investments and RM507 million in potential exports from its participation in Semicon Southeast Asia 2025. "These announcements are clear evidence of investor confidence in the country's reform policies." Tunku Nashrul added that Malaysia's latest achievement in the IMD World Competitiveness Index 2025, where the country rose to 23rd position, up 11 places from 34th last year, the best performance since 2020, was not a coincidence. "The improvement is a result of continued commitment and comprehensive implementation by the Madani government through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach. "The progress also demonstrates how economic and bureaucratic reforms are bearing fruit and that the Madani Economic framework continues to place the national economy on the right track." He said the success also reflects collective efforts to strengthen fiscal policies, simplify business processes and accelerate public service delivery reforms, including more than 1,000 initiatives under the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform. "For example, the national bureaucratic perception index has jumped 22 places, an indication that reforms are producing tangible results, not only at the national level but also with international recognition." Tunku Nashrul said that the Madani government has consistently welcomed constructive criticism since taking office. "This stance is translated into action. Every piece of feedback is seen as an opportunity for improvement and today's achievements reflect that very approach," he said.
BusinessToday
2 days ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
Malaysia Nets RM4.6 Billion In Investment Leads At SEMICON SEA 2025
Malaysia has secured potential investments totalling RM4.6 billion following its participation in SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) 2025, the region's top platform for the global microelectronics and semiconductor industry. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, referred to the event as the 'World Cup' of the sector, noting that Malaysia's delegation engaged in strategic talks with key players in the electrical and electronics (E&E) engineering space — including prominent data centre investors. 'This is a golden opportunity for Malaysian producers to penetrate the Singaporean market, with a total potential investment of RM4.6 billion and export potential of RM507 million,' he said. In a video shared on Instagram Reels, Tengku Zafrul revealed that buyers from Singapore, Japan, China and the United States expressed interest in Malaysian offerings, contributing to an export potential of nearly RM237 million. The Malaysia Pavilion at SEMICON SEA also drew attention as nine local companies exhibited their technological strengths. These firms, with a combined annual revenue exceeding RM843 million — mostly from exports — showcased advanced testing systems, system solutions and electronic waste innovations aligned with ESG goals. Meanwhile, separate discussions with major food and beverage and fast-moving consumer goods firms from Singapore have opened the door for potential halal product exports worth RM270 million. Related
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia attracts potential investments of RM4.6 billion in SEMICON SEA 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has successfully attracted potential investments amounting to RM4.6 billion through its participation in the region's premier platform for the global electronics and semiconductor industry, SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) 2025, further proving Malaysia's appeal in the eyes of international investors. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the event — described as the 'World Cup' of the microelectronics and semiconductor industry — saw the Malaysian delegation holding strategic meetings with investors in the electrical and electronics (E&E) engineering sector, including major data centre players. In addition to its investment potential, Tengku Zafrul noted that the Malaysia Pavilion also garnered international attention when nine local companies showcased various high-tech products, including testing equipment, system solutions, and innovations in electronic waste management that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. 'These companies recorded annual revenue exceeding RM843 million, the majority of which came from exports to international markets. 'During the event, we also attracted buyers from Singapore, Japan, China, and the United States, resulting in an export potential of nearly RM237 million,' he said in a video posted on Instagram Reels. In another development, Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia also held discussions with major companies from Singapore in the food and beverage sector and fast-moving consumer goods to explore opportunities to export Malaysian-made halal products to the country. He said the discussions opened the door to additional export potential worth RM270 million. 'This is a golden opportunity for Malaysian producers to penetrate the Singaporean market, with a total potential investment of RM4.6 billion and export potential of RM507 million,' he said.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Analysts expect Axiata's core earnings to remain subdued until FY2027
KUALA LUMPUR: Analysts are projecting subdued core earnings per share (EPS) for Axiata Group Bhd in the financial years 2025 and 2026, citing anticipated losses from XLS following its consolidation with Smartfren and costs related to merger integration. According to CIMB Securities, Axiata's EPS is expected to only exceed pre-merger levels by the financial year 2027 (FY27), as the group begins to realise the full benefits of synergies stemming from the merger. "Nevertheless, we have kept our 'Buy' rating with a 19 per cent lower target price (TP) of RM2.60 post earnings revision and lowering Edotco's enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EV/EBITDA) target multiple to 8 times from 10 times (-22 sen). "We see potential asset monetisation initiatives in the next 12 to 18 months as a re-rating catalyst," it said. CIMB Securities stated that based on an enterprise value of US$3.5 billion or RM15.1 billion, Edotco is reasonably valued at a financial year 2024 (FY24) EV/EBITDA multiple of 8.4 times. It said after accounting for a pro forma net debt of RM4.6 billion at end-FY24, which includes expected proceeds from the pending US$150 million sale of Edotco Myanmar (EMM), the estimated equity value comes to RM10.5 billion. "Thus, Axiata could receive RM6.6 billion in cash (72 sen per Axiata share) for its 63 per cent stake. If entirely used to repay debt, we estimate interest cost savings of RM218 million, which will largely offset the removal of Edotco's earnings contribution," it added. The firm said Axiata's ability to pay dividends per share (DPS) could increase to 12.3 sen in FY26, compared to its current estimate of 10.5 sen. This potential increase is mainly due to lower interest payments on Axiata's holding company (HoldCo) debt, which are expected to more than offset the loss of relatively small dividends from Edotco, estimated at RM32 million to RM83 million between FY25 and FY27. "In turn, this may result in Axiata raising its DPS from FY26, a year ahead of our expectations. Balance sheet-wise, HoldCo debt may fall from RM9.5 billion at end-FY24 to just RM1.4 billion by end-2025, with group net debt/EBITDA at 1.0 times. Alternatively, Axiata could also pay out part of the sale proceeds in the form of a special DPS," CIMB Securities said. The firm has updated its FY25-FY27 core net profit forecasts for Axiata based on the operating companies' 2024 results and recent mergers, including the Dialog-Airtel merger completed in June 2024 and the XLS merger in April 2025. It also factored in the structural shift in Indonesia, with Link Net's B2C business transferring to XL in the third quarter of 2024. "Post revisions, we now forecast Axiata's core net profit (from continuing and discontinuing operations) to decline 49 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to RM439 million in FY25 and then recover by 71 per cent YoY to RM750 million in FY26, albeit still remaining below the FY24 level (RM852 million). "We only expect Axiata's core net profit to climb above pre-XLS merger levels in FY27, with a further 68 per cent YoY growth to RM1.26 billion," CIMB Securities added.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Kerjaya Prospek's Johor win boosts order book to RM4.6bil
KUALA LUMPUR: Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd's maiden project win in Johor has pushed its outstanding order book to RM4.6 billion, providing earnings visibility for the next three years. Kenanga Research is positive on this sixth contract job win for financial year 2025 (FY25), which is Kerjaya Prospek's first non-related party win for the year. "It has guided a 10 per cent profit after tax margin for this project. This win brings year-to-date contract wins to RM870.3 million, against our FY25 job replenishment assumption of RM1.8 billion. "This formed 48 per cent of our target and 54 per cent of management's target. Its current total outstanding order book stands at RM4.6 billion, which will keep them busy for the next three years," it said in a note. Kerjaya Prospek's subsidiary Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd has secured a RM162 million building contract in Johor Baru from Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd. The contract involves main building works for Gen Rise, a 47-storey transit-oriented serviced apartment development located near customs, immigration and quarantine and the Bukit Chagar rapid transit system. Additionally, Kerjaya Prospek has set a job replenishment target of RM1.6 billion for FY25, backed by a RM2 billion tender book for building jobs. In addition, together with its joint venture partner Samsung, the company is tendering for three data centre jobs worth RM3 billion with targeted outcomes by the third quarter of 2025. "Its related party company E&O plans to launch projects with building jobs worth RM2 billion in 2025. For its property development segment, its 55 per cent-owned Rivanis will sustain its construction and property earnings in the next seven years," it added. Kenanga Research maintained its 'Outperform' call on the stock with an unchanged target price of RM2.10.
