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New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia is accelerating economic transformation : Amir Hamzah
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is accelerating its economic transformation through regional collaboration, fiscal reform, and sustainable industrialisation, positioning itself as a central force in Asean's growth, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said during the Invest Asean Malaysia Conference 2025. Amir Hamzah emphasised Asean's collective economic strength, with a GDP of US$ 4 trillion and a population of 700 million and highlighted Malaysia's robust regional integration, with Asean accounting for 26.6 per cent of Malaysia's trade and over 10 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025), two-thirds from neighbouring Asean nations. A key focal point is the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which has emerged as a magnet for investments. Amir Hamzah revealed that JS-SEZ has secured RM16.7 billion in committed investments since its launch in January, with a government target of RM100 billion by year-end. "The Forest City Special Financial Zone within the JS-SEZ is particularly promising," said Amir Hamzah, citing its 20-year 0 per cent tax structure and the zone has drawn interest from 32 firms, with two already receiving regulatory approval to establish family offices. Malaysia's economic outlook remains resilient, with GDP growth for 2025 projected at 4.5 to 5.5 per cent, while the country's Q1 2025 growth of 4.4 per cent year-on-year was driven by private consumption, investments, and the services and manufacturing sectors, which helped offset moderating trade. On fiscal reform, Amir Hamzah reaffirmed the government's commitment to fiscal consolidation, targeting a deficit reduction to 3.8 per cent of GDP in 2025, down from 4.1 per cent in 2024. Measures such as subsidy rationalisation for RON95 petrol and the expansion of the Sales and Services Tax aim to broaden Malaysia's revenue base, enabling continued investments in infrastructure, talent development, and innovation. In the industrial and energy sectors, Amir Hamzah spotlighted three national strategies shaping Malaysia's future, including the National Industrial Master Plan 2030, which has attracted RM95 billion in investment over seven years, while the National Semiconductor Strategy secured RM55.8 billion in electrical and electronics investments in 2024. Additionally, the National Energy Transition Roadmap aims for renewable energy capacity of 70 per cent by 2050, supported by flagship projects like hybrid hydro-floating solar initiatives. Malaysia is also positioning itself as a green energy transit hub in Asean by spearheading the regional renewable energy grid, with the first phase involving exporting renewable energy from Vietnam to Singapore through Malaysia's grid, laying the groundwork for a scalable cross-border energy collaboration model. Further aligning with Asean's ESG and carbon neutrality goals, Malaysia has launched sustainability initiatives through Bursa Malaysia, including the Centralised Sustainability Intelligence platform to enhance transparency and the Bursa Carbon Exchange to support high-quality carbon projects across the region. Looking ahead, the upcoming Budget 2026 and the 13th Malaysia Plan will continue Malaysia's trajectory of reform, inclusivity, and resilience. "During times of great volatility, the opportunities are most apparent," Amir Hamzah concluded. "Malaysia and Asean stand ready to embrace them together."
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Water tariff revision potential catalyst for Ranhill
PETALING JAYA: The market outlook for Ranhill Utilities Bhd remains mixed, as the company's recent results again missed most brokerage firms and consensus expectations. MIDF Research in a report said it maintained a 'sell' call on Ranhill with a lower target price of RM1.02 per share after trimming its earnings estimates due to the cost overrun at Ranhill Worley Sdn Bhd (RWSB). 'While the entry of a strong controlling shareholder in YTL Power is one that could yield synergistic benefits due to its expertise in the water sector, we view that the strong run-up in Ranhill's share price since April 2024 values it at a stretched 24.2 times of financial year 2026 (FY26) price-to-earnings ratio as compared to a historical mean of 20 times and a compressed dividend yield of only 3.1%,' it noted. The research house also expects Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd to continue contributing strongly to the company's earnings moving forward, attributable to the data centre (DC) growth in Johor and the upcoming economic growth prospects from the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Special Financial Zone. 'We understand that the group is working closely with YTL Power and the state government in identifying new water resources and in restructuring the tariffs,' added MIDF Research. Given Ranhill's results underperformance, TA Research said it has trimmed Ranhill's FY25-FY26 earnings by 15% and 1% respectively, mainly to reflect the cost overrun at RWSB. On the water segment, the brokerage said Johor would benefit from the influx of DC infrastructure, in part, given spillover demand from Singapore. 'As Johor's source-to-tap water supply operator, Ranhill is expected to benefit from increased water demand from DCs for cooling purposes,' it noted. TA Research also gathered that the National Water Services Commission is currently reviewing water tariff for the non-domestic sector, in particular for high consumption users, including the DC industry. 'Should it materialise, the tariff revision could be a positive catalyst for Ranhill,' TA Research pointed out. As for the power segment, the research house said Ranhill had proposed an extension to the power purchase agreement for its 190MW Teluk Salut Power Plant beyond its existing concession term that expires in 2029 to address the growing energy demand in Sabah. Ranhill is also looking to participate in the Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme introduced by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra) which allows corporate consumers access to green electricity by procuring green electricity supply directly from a renewable energy producer. YTL Power, the group's major shareholder, has plans to develop a 500MW solar farm at its YTL Johor Data Centre Park in Kulai. 'We do not rule out possibilities of this project being parked under Ranhill, which could provide another catalyst for the group further out.' Despite the research house's downward tweak to Ranhill's earnings, it has raised the target price to RM1.40 as 'we reduce the risk premium for 80%-owned Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd in our valuations'. This is on the back of a potentially more favourable regulatory environment, which is more receptive to tariff increases that better reflects industry capex requirements. TA Research said 'In line with this, and following share price retracement in the past week, we upgrade Ranhill to a 'buy' from 'sell' previously.' Meanwhile, RHB Research said the catalysts for Ranhill include strong water demand in Johor in the coming years backed by industrial investments namely in DCs, manufacturing plants which could be part of the Johor-Singapore SEZ and Petra to introduce a new water tariff category for DCs. The research house, which has a 'buy' call on the stock, has kept its target price at RM1.37.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
32 firms queue up for Forest City's billion-ringgit financial zone
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Forest City is fast becoming a magnet for regional investment, with 32 companies expressing interest in setting up operations in its newly minted Special Financial Zone (SFZ), a key component of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Of the 32, at least 19 are looking to establish family offices, with interest pouring in from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Two companies namely CMY Capital and Yow Kee Family Office have secured approvals from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), marking them as pioneers in the zone. Johor Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Human Resources Committee chairman, Lee Ting Han said the momentum showed that Forest City was firmly on track of becoming a financial services powerhouse. "All agencies are actively driving investor interest, and we are seeing the results. The government's game plan is working," he said, in a statement today. Lee said CMY Capital and Yow Kee Family Office's entry had set a precedent for others to follow, creating a "demonstration effect" expected to attract a wave of family offices and financial institutions by year-end. Incentives under the SFZ include a zero per cent corporate tax for family offices with a zero to five per cent corporate tax range and a flat 15 per cent income tax rate for knowledge-based workers. The Finance Ministry is working to legally enshrine the packages, with current applications handled on a case-by-case basis to fast-track approvals. Lee said more than 250 investor inquiries have been received since January by the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre Johor (IMFCJ), the state's newly launched one-stop hub for investors. "The IMFCJ assigns dedicated account managers to assist with regulatory procedures, local authorities, utilities and federal agency dealings, to streamline what the process," he added. Forest City's momentum also gained traction following Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit, which culminated in a landmark Malaysia-China visa waiver agreement and renewed bilateral economic cooperation. In a Facebook post on April 16, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, highlighted the potential of Forest City under this enhanced regional connectivity. "There is great potential for Chinese companies and investors to explore opportunities in Malaysia, as it aligns with regional connectivity high-quality development under China's Belt and Road Initiative. "With strong strategic incentives and a favourable location, the Forest City SFZ within the JS-SEZ has emerged as one of the region's prime investment destinations," Sultan Ibrahim posted. Lee said engagement with anchor investors was ongoing, with the government ready to offer pre-packaged, tailored incentives to suit strategic investment needs. "With strategic location, investor-friendly incentives and political support, Forest City is emerging as Southeast Asia's next frontier for high-value financial investments," he added.
