Latest news with #Heliconia
Business Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Temasek's Heliconia Capital awaits MAS approval for new CEO after departure of Derek Lau
[SINGAPORE] Temasek-owned Heliconia Capital Management is awaiting regulatory approval for a new chief executive, some four months after the retirement of its long-time chief Derek Lau. The appointment of Lau's successor has been approved by Heliconia's board but is pending approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), a spokesperson for the private equity firm said in response to queries from The Business Times. Lau, who had served as Heliconia's chief executive since 2013, retired in March. Upon his departure, Heliconia's board approved the formation of an interim executive committee, said the spokesperson. She declined to share details on the new chief executive, how long the appointment process has taken or the reasons for the duration taken to find Lau's replacement. 'We thank (Lau) for his service and wish him a fruitful retirement,' the spokesperson said. Lau is currently listed as a director of the Singapore Sports Hub on its website, as well as the founder of another company, Three2one Holdings. He is also a member of the listings advisory committee of the Singapore Exchange. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up Set up in 2010, Heliconia provides growth capital to Singapore small and medium-sized enterprises to help them expand abroad. It has about 25 portfolio companies in Singapore, most recently backing logistics player Sin Chew Woodpaq. Heliconia's past investments include gaming chair maker Secretlab and combat sports outfit One Championship, where Lau was previously a director, but later resigned. 'Over the years, we have balanced our portfolio and realised gains from the exits (and) divestments from some of our investments,' said the Heliconia spokesperson. Such investments include Singapore-listed Nanofilm Technologies International, seafood restaurant chain Jumbo and gaming peripherals maker Razer. In a 2021 interview with BT, Lau said that Heliconia was hunting for deals in new consumer trends, especially product companies with strong branding and user communities.
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
GOF seizes RM2.6mil worth of ornamental plants in Pasir Mas
KOTA BARU: Ornamental plants worth RM2.64mil were seized on Wednesday (May 14) by the General Operations Forces in an operation in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid ( pic ) said the seizure was made from a lorry by a patrol from Battalion 9 during Ops Taring Wawasan Kelantan. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. "These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process," he said in a statement on Thursday. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added. - Bernama
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF seizes RM2.6 million worth of ornamental plants in Pasir Mas
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) continues to tighten border controls following the seizure of RM2.64 million worth of ornamental plants and a lorry in 'Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan' in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement today. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
GOF seizes RM2.6 million worth of ornamental plants
KOTA BHARU: The General Operations Force (GOF) continues to tighten border controls following the seizure of RM2.64 million worth of ornamental plants and a lorry in 'Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan' in Kampung Gual Tinggi, Pasir Mas, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said the seizure was made by a team from Battalion 9 from a lorry during a patrol. He said a search of the lorry found it was carrying 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia SP saplings, suspected of being brought into the country without valid documents, in the cargo compartment of the vehicle. 'These ornamental plants are believed to be at risk of carrying harmful insects and diseases that could threaten the local agricultural industry if they do not go through the prescribed quarantine process,' he said in a statement today. It is understood that exotic plant species such as Pandanus and Heliconia are popular in landscapes, but can be a medium for the spread of fungi and foreign insects that are difficult to control Nik Ros Azhan said the lorry driver, aged 26, was arrested to facilitate the investigation under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976 (Act 167). The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action, including health analysis of the plants, he added.
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Smuggled ornamental plants worth RM2.6mil seized in Rantau Panjang
RANTAU PANJANG: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized more than 8,000 ornamental plants worth RM2.6 million, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand, in Kampung Gual Tinggi on Monday. The Ninth Battalion made the seizure after intercepting a lorry when its driver was seen acting suspiciously at around 12.10am. Southeast Brigade GOF commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid said a 26-year-old man, who was driving the lorry, was also arrested during the operation. "The enforcement team found 8,000 Pandanus saplings and 138 Heliconia saplings in the vehicle. "The plants are suspected to be infested with pests and diseases. "The estimated value of the seizure is RM2.64 million, including the lorry. :The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1976. "The suspect and the seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Agriculture Department for further action," he said.
