Latest news with #ZainalIskandar
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Hektar REIT expands into industrial and green energy with RM26mil Terramark deal
Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd executive director and chief executive officer Zainal Iskandar PETALING JAYA: Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar REIT) is acquiring a 90% stake in Terramark Sdn Bhd from Wan Realty Sdn Bhd and Darul Modal Sdn Bhd for RM26mil to diversify its portfolio into the industrial and renewable energy sectors. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Hektar REIT said Terramark owns a 60-year piece of leasehold agricultural land in Perlis measuring approximately 197.76 acres that is intended for conversion to industrial land use. 'By acquiring a controlling stake in Terramark, which owns a substantial landbank in Chuping, Perlis, Hektar REIT will expand its asset exposure beyond retail properties. 'This move not only strengthens the REIT's presence in high-growth sectors but also strategically positions it to benefit from Malaysia's renewable energy transition through the potential development of a solar farm on the acquired property.' Hektar REIT said the land is a former sugarcane plantation area undergoing transformation into an industrial and renewable energy hub. It is well connected, being only 8.8 km from Jalan Kangar–Padang Besar and 10.9 km from the Changlun–Kuala Perlis Expressway. 'This acquisition marks a quantum leap in Hektar REIT's diversification strategy. By securing a prime solar-ready landbank, we are sowing the seeds for long-term, inflation-protected income while supporting Malaysia's renewable energy goals. 'Coupled with our rooftop solar rollout and recent industrial investment, this first move on a pure ground-lease model positions Hektar REIT as a multi-asset platform creating sustainable value. Globally, REITs integrating renewable infrastructure into their portfolios have seen increasing institutional investor interest, driven by the shift toward ESG mandates and stable yield profiles,' Hektar Asset Management chief executive officer Zainal Iskandar said in a statement.
New Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hektar Reit buys 90pct of Terramark for RM26mil
KUALA LUMPUR: Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd, the manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar Reit), has signed share sale and purchase agreement (SPA) to buy a 90 per cent stake in Terramark Sdn Bhd for RM26 million. Terramark is a real estate holding company supported by a parcel of land measuring 80.1 hectares in Chuping, Perlis. Hektar Asset said the acquisition represents Hektar Reit's entry as the first Malaysian Reit to undertake a transaction based solely on a ground lease model. The company noted that while the ground lease model is still relatively new in Malaysia, it has already proven successful in more established Reit markets like the United States, showcasing its potential for long-term value creation. "This landmark transaction further marks a pioneering move by a listed Malaysian Reit into the renewable energy sector, underscoring Hektar Reit's strategy to future-proof its income streams and diversify into environmental, social and governance (ESG) aligned asset classes," it said. Hektar Asset said the acquisition presents strategic opportunities, including the potential to source clean energy from the solar farm at competitive rates for use across its property portfolio. This would help manage operational costs amid inflation, lower its carbon footprint, and improve its ESG performance, ultimately supporting its goal of strengthening its triple-bottom-line outcomes. "The acquisition represents a strategic seed investment, a deployment of capital into long-duration, ESG-driven assets that are expected to deliver inflation-protected, high-visibility income for decades to come. "This transaction is a material step in Hektar Reit's diversification strategy, aimed at building a Reit model with embedded sustainability drivers, stable, long-duration low-risk rental income," it added. Hektar Asset said by investing in the land, it helps Hektar Reit reduce the upfront capital needed by renewable energy developers, making it easier for it to enter the market and improving the financial viability of its projects. Hektar Asset executive director and chief executive officer Zainal Iskandar said the acquisition lays the foundation for generating long-term, inflation-hedged income while contributing to Malaysia's renewable energy objectives. "Coupled with its rooftop solar rollout and recent industrial investment, this first move on a pure ground-lease model positions Hektar Reit as a multi-asset platform creating sustainable value. "Globally, Reits integrating renewable infrastructure into their portfolios have seen increasing institutional investor interest, driven by the shift toward ESG mandates and stable yield profiles," he said.
New Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hektar Reit posts 8.9pct higher income in Q1
KUALA LUMPUR: Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar Reit) posted RM30.9 million revenue in the first quarter of financial year 2025 (Q1 FY25), up 8.9 per cent from RM28.4 million a year earlier. This was driven by income contributions from the newly-acquired Kolej Yayasan Saad (KYS) education asset and improved performance from Hektar Reit's retail properties. Its net property income rose 4.4 per cent to RM15 million, while net realised income stood at RM4.2 million, lower than the RM5.1 million in the same quarter last year. This was due to the absence of one-off fund placement income recognised in prior period and slightly higher administrative and financing expenses. In line with its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ambitions, Hektar Reit partnered with Samaiden Group Bhd to implement solar project at five of its shopping centres. The initiative is projected to deliver long-term energy cost savings of about RM2.05 million annually or RM41.3 million over 20 years. The Reit's manager Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd, said in a statement that a comprehensive asset enhancement initiative is underway at Subang Parade, with the first phase of interior upgrades targeted for completion by the first quarter of 2026. Hektar Asset executive director and chief executive officer Zainal Iskandar said the positive start to the Reit's financial year is encouraging, supported by the strategic diversification of portfolio and prudent cost management. "Our retail assets are now consistently recording positive rental reversions, while our education asset continues to provide consistent income. "These results reflect our continued discipline in maintaining stable returns and strengthening the resilience of our portfolio," he added, The company remains optimistic on the value enhancements to be generated by its retail assets upon completion of asset enhancement initiatives and strategic leasing initiatives. It noted that early gains are already seen in elevated occupancy rate which currently stands at 85.6 per cent, positive rental reversions and higher footfall, boosting yields across Hektar malls. It added that the acquisition of a 15-year master-leased industrial asset in Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone is progressing as planned and is poised to further diversify and strengthen the Reit's income profile. Hektar Reit's total assets stood at RM1.44 billion as at March 31, 2025, while the net asset value per unit was RM1.0396. Hektar Reit's portfolio of diversified properties includes Subang Parade in Selangor, Mahkota Parade and Kolej Yayasan Saad in Melaka, Wetex Parade & Classic Hotel and Segamat Central in Johor, as well as Central Square and Kulim Central in Kedah.
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hektar Reit's education asset scores stellar SPM results
KUALA LUMPUR: Hektar Asset Management Sdn Bhd says Kolej Yayasan Saad's (KYS) performance in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations underscores the school's dedication to academic excellence and holistic development. Hektar Asset is the manager of Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar Reit), which bought KYS campus in Melaka late last year. The acquisition was completed in the third quarter of 2024, in line with Hektar Reit's portfolio diversification strategy. KYS maintained its position as one of Malaysia's top-performing schools, ranking 9th nationwide based on the Ministry of Education's results. About fifty per cent of its students achieved straight As in the SPM examinations. Furthermore, 50 per cent of students from the previous cohort received full scholarships for tertiary education, demonstrating the school's continued success in nurturing high-achieving, future-ready individuals. Hektar Asset chief executive officer Zainal Iskandar said the achievement reflects KYS' academic strength, emphasis on leadership and consistent pursuit of excellence. "For Hektar Reit, KYS' remarkable achievements exemplify the importance of high-quality education infrastructure in shaping Malaysia's future leaders. "We remain committed to investing in resilient assets that create long-term value while supporting national development goals," he added.
