EGP Energy Corporation Limited has announced its first overseas expansion through a joint venture with Kum Fatt Engineering Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of UUE Holdings Berhad. This strategic move aligns with the company’s growth plans set out during its initial public offering in July 2026. The joint venture aims to capitalise on Malaysia’s burgeoning extra-high-voltage power grid infrastructure market.

The newly formed entity, EGP-UUE Power System Engineering Sdn. Bhd., will be established with an initial capital of  RM1M. EGP Infrastructure Investments Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of EGP Energy, will hold a 60% stake, whilst Kum Fatt Engineering will own the remaining 40%. The joint venture will focus on delivering comprehensive power grid solutions, including the supply and installation of equipment for voltages up to 500kV.

This partnership positions EGP Energy to benefit from Malaysia’s increasing investment in power grid infrastructure, driven by Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s grid modernisation efforts and rising electricity demand from sectors such as data centres and renewable energy. Frankie Fan, Executive Chairman and CEO of EGP Energy, stated, “This joint venture is an important first step in EGP Energy’s overseas expansion… We see this as the foundation for a long-term platform in Malaysia.”

EGP Energy’s expertise in high voltage systems, honed over three decades in Singapore, will be complemented by Kum Fatt Engineering’s local market knowledge. This collaboration not only strengthens EGP Energy’s presence in Malaysia but also sets a precedent for future international growth.

FedEx recently hosted media representatives from Singapore and Malaysia on a cross-border journey, showcasing the logistics giant’s operations from Senai, Johor, to its South Pacific Regional Hub in Singapore. This initiative highlights FedEx’s role in facilitating trade and connectivity as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) develops.

The tour began at the FedEx facility in Senai, Johor, which opened in 2019. This integrated warehouse and sorting site handles up to 1,600 packages per hour, serving exporters and manufacturers across southern Malaysia. Johor is a significant player in Malaysia’s trade, accounting for 19.8% of exports and 22.3% of imports in 2025.

Woon Tien Long, Managing Director of FedEx Malaysia, explained the company’s operations, noting that the Senai facility connects to the FedEx Asia Road Network, a 3,800-kilometre system linking Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The facility processes international priority and economy shipments, including high-value freight and dangerous goods.

The journey continued with shipments loaded for the cross-border run to Singapore, where up to six lorries depart daily. This route underscores the importance of efficient connectivity, as the Johor-Singapore crossing is one of the world’s busiest land border crossings. In 2024, Malaysia and Singapore were each other’s second-largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $78.70b by October 2025.

Eric Tan, Managing Director of FedEx Singapore, highlighted Singapore’s role as a regional logistics hub. The FedEx South Pacific Regional Hub features an AI-powered sorting robot, introduced in 2022, capable of sorting up to 1,000 packages per hour with over 99.5% accuracy.

FedEx’s operations along the Johor-Singapore corridor provide businesses in southern Malaysia with seamless access to regional and global markets, enhancing trade efficiency and connectivity.

IJM Land has officially launched Merione Residences, the residential component of its latest mixed-use development at THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang. This follows the complete sell-out of commercial units at Merione Grand. Merione Residences features 145 low-density waterfront homes, designed to offer enhanced privacy and convenience in an integrated waterfront setting.

The residences, located on levels 11 to 39, range from 1,055 to 1,206 square feet and come semi-furnished with practical layouts. Each unit includes three bedrooms, a private balcony, and dedicated parking bays for two to three vehicles. Residents will also enjoy resort-inspired lifestyle facilities on level 10, including face recognition control and secured lift access.

A key feature of Merione Residences is its connectivity. The development offers a covered direct link to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, The Waterfront Shoppes, nearby hotels, and a future light rail transit (LRT) station. This integration aims to provide residents with seamless access to essential amenities and transport options.

The launch of Merione Residences is expected to attract interest from those keen on Penang’s evolving urban landscape and prestigious waterfront lifestyle. The development’s strategic location near major transport links, including the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, enhances its appeal by providing easy access to Penang Bridge, George Town, and Penang International Airport.

With the successful launch of Merione Grand and the anticipated completion of significant infrastructure projects, Merione Residences marks a new chapter in the award-winning THE LIGHT Waterfront Penang development.

GFM Services Berhad, a provider of Integrated Facilities Management services, has announced a significant increase in the value of its release order from Pengerang Refining Company Sdn Bhd. The revised order, valued at RM104.2m, marks a 56% increase from the previously announced RM66.8m on 4 August 2026. This order pertains to major turnaround work packages at the Pengerang Integrated Complex in Johor.

The cumulative value of release orders secured for the complex’s first major turnaround cycle has now reached RM268.7m. This includes an RM16.3m order from GFM’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Highbase Strategic Sdn Bhd, and RM148.2m across two orders secured by its 51%-owned subsidiary, HIMS Integrated Services Sdn Bhd.

The Group Managing Director of GFM, Ruslan Bin Nordin, stated, “The increase in SCRA’s release order value strengthens our Energy segment’s earnings visibility for 2027. With four release orders now carrying a combined gross estimated value of RM268.7m, our priority is to execute these works well and strengthen our position for future maintenance and turnaround opportunities.”

The works under these orders are set to commence in March 2027 and are expected to positively impact the Group’s earnings for the financial year ending 31 December 2027. The estimated values of these orders remain subject to adjustments based on client requirements.

GXBank has announced a pioneering partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to enhance its lending capabilities to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia. This landmark risk-sharing agreement will provide GXBank with unfunded first-loss coverage of up to $4.95m, targeting a loan portfolio of up to $110m for underserved businesses.

The collaboration with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, marks a first for a Malaysian digital bank. By absorbing initial default risks, the facility complements existing local guarantee frameworks, enabling GXBank to extend credit to businesses lacking traditional financial records or collateral. This initiative is expected to significantly boost the bank’s ability to support “thin-file” businesses.

The backing from a AAA-rated multilateral institution like IFC also enhances GXBank’s capital efficiency under Bank Negara Malaysia frameworks. This allows the bank to free up balance sheet capacity, facilitating more automated credit deployment without hindering growth. Kaushik Chowdhury, CEO of GXBank, stated, “This partnership with IFC is an international vote of confidence in GXBank’s proprietary risk engines and operational maturity.”

The initiative is part of GXBank’s broader strategy to address the credit gap faced by 97.4% of Malaysian MSMEs. Recent efforts include a successful proof-of-concept with Finory, a fintech start-up, to automate micro-vendor onboarding processes. The collaboration with IFC is expected to further support business expansion, job creation, and economic resilience in Malaysia.

Automex Penang is set to return for its second edition from 3 to 5 November 2026 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, aiming to further Malaysia’s journey into smart manufacturing. Organised by Informa Markets Malaysia, the event will gather technology providers, manufacturers, engineers, and industry professionals to explore solutions that enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Following its successful debut in 2025, which attracted 5,019 trade visitors and 177 brands from 24 countries, Automex Penang 2026 is expected to scale up significantly. The exhibition will feature over 300 brands and companies, showcasing 1,000 products and innovations across 6,000 square metres of space. This expansion reflects Penang’s growing role as a hub for advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and electrical and electronics industries.

The event aligns with Malaysia’s Industry4WRD National Policy on Industry 4.0 and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, which aim to drive digital transformation and establish 3,000 smart factories by 2030. The focus will be on automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics, supporting the country’s industrial development.

Geonice Chong, Deputy Event Director at Informa Markets Malaysia, stated, “Through Automex Penang 2026, we aim to create an environment where manufacturers can discover practical solutions, exchange knowledge, and build partnerships that will strengthen their competitiveness.”

Automex Penang 2026 promises to be a pivotal event for those involved in Malaysia’s advanced manufacturing sector, offering insights into the latest technological advancements and fostering business connections.

Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Berhad is rolling out exclusive rewards and savings on its travel protection plans this September, aiming to provide more value to customers gearing up for the year-end travel season. Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz General, emphasised the company’s commitment to ensuring Malaysians are well-protected during their travels, both domestically and internationally.

Beginning 1 September 2026, customers purchasing or renewing the Allianz Travel XPert Prestige Annual Plan with Worldwide or Domestic & Worldwide coverage will receive complimentary cabin luggage. A total of 2,500 units are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, from 4 to 18 September 2026, a 25% discount on premiums is offered for those purchasing Allianz Travel XPert or Allianz Travel Easy policies with Domestic or Overseas single-trip coverage. These plans include comprehensive travel protection, covering overseas medical expenses, trip cancellations, and leisure sports activities. They also offer benefits such as pet hotel coverage and compensation for travel delays.

Allianz General’s “Our Promise, Or Else We Pay Double” initiative ensures claims up to RM5,000 are processed within three working days, or the company will pay double the claim amount. For emergencies abroad, policyholders can access a 24/7 hotline for various support services.

This initiative underscores Allianz General’s dedication to customer care, providing peace of mind and allowing travellers to focus on memorable experiences. Terms and conditions apply.

KLK Land has officially opened the Coalfields Retail Park, a 21-acre lifestyle destination in Bandar Seri Coalfields, Malaysia. This marks KLK Land’s first foray into retail development, with the park achieving an impressive 90% occupancy at its launch. The retail park is set to become a key attraction in the Greater North Klang Valley, drawing an estimated 5 million visitors annually.

The Coalfields Retail Park spans approximately 1 million square feet of gross built-up area and features a diverse mix of over 100 brands. These include dining, entertainment, wellness, and lifestyle options, designed to cater to young families and the wider community. Notable tenants include Maybank, ToysRUs, Skechers, Village Grocer, and Decathlon, among others.

The development is directly connected to a scenic 7-acre lake park and has been awarded the GreenRE Gold Certification Provisional for its environmental efforts. KLK Land’s Managing Director, Lee Wen Ling, highlighted the park’s role in elevating the community, stating, “As Bandar Seri Coalfields evolves into a thriving township, we recognise that beyond homes, people need spaces to gather, unwind, celebrate, and share everyday life.”

To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, KLK Land has invested in infrastructure upgrades, including road widening and improved pedestrian connectivity. The retail park complements existing residential areas, recreational facilities, and educational institutions, reinforcing Bandar Seri Coalfields as a self-sustaining township.

The opening celebrations featured live performances and will continue with an Opening Carnival and exclusive promotions until 30 September. The park aims to be a vibrant hub where “Joy Happens Here,” as Lee Wen Ling noted, bringing people together for memorable experiences.

A recent study by Milieu highlights that the cost of living is the predominant concern for Southeast Asians, with significant variations in optimism about the future across the region. The survey, which included 3,000 participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, found that only 38% of respondents believe their country is on the right track regarding key issues.

In Malaysia, 50% of respondents identified the cost of living as a major social concern. Despite these pressures, 51% of Malaysians expressed optimism about the country’s direction. The study also uncovered generational differences in priorities, with younger respondents focusing on jobs and opportunities, whilst older groups are more concerned with healthcare costs.

The findings underscore the diverse perspectives within Southeast Asia, as sentiment about national progress varies significantly between countries. This disparity suggests that whilst economic pressures are a common thread, cultural and national contexts heavily influence perceptions of progress and optimism.

The Milieu study provides a snapshot of the region’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting the challenges and hopes of its people. As Southeast Asia continues to navigate these issues, understanding these varied perspectives will be crucial for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to address the region’s concerns effectively.

TP in Malaysia has announced the opening of a new operations centre in Johor Bahru, marking a significant expansion of its presence in Malaysia. This development aims to bolster the company’s ability to serve businesses across Singapore and Southeast Asia by creating a strategic nearshore hub for customer experience, digital operations, and revenue services.

The Johor Bahru site complements TP’s existing facilities in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, extending its national coverage. It offers Singapore-based businesses access to Malaysia’s skilled multilingual workforce, supported by a flexible cross-border operating model. Situated within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, the site is strategically positioned to meet the growing demand from Singapore-headquartered companies and multinational organisations expanding in the region.

Andy Rangel, CEO of TP in Malaysia, stated, “Johor Bahru enhances our national footprint and represents an important milestone in TP’s growth across Malaysia. It provides access to exceptional multilingual talent whilst creating a unique nearshore proposition for Singapore-based businesses.”

Malaysia’s appeal as a digital services destination is underscored by its Global Business Services industry, which is home to 749 companies and projected to generate RM28.14b in revenue. Johor’s rapid economic growth further strengthens its potential as a hub for technology-enabled services.

The new facility will initially support a leading global e-commerce company, with future growth anticipated from multinational and Singapore-based enterprises. It will also bolster TP’s Revenue as a Service capabilities, aiding companies in extending their sales and revenue operations through specialised talent and AI-enabled solutions.