Friday, August 14, 2026

Tropicana builds Langkawi portfolio with six projects, taps foreign demand

By Sharen Kaur

August 7, 2026

LANGKAWI: Tropicana Corp Bhd is building up in Langkawi, Kedah, with six development projects backed by a land bank spanning about 730 hectares, positioning the property developer to tap into growing demand for resort-style living, hospitality and tourism-led real estate on the island.

The company, currently the largest developer in Langkawi, is developing an integrated lifestyle ecosystem across key tourism locations, including Pantai Cenang, Tanjung Rhu and Pantai Kok, combining residential, hospitality and commercial offerings to attract both lifestyle buyers and investors.

Tropicana is also exploring future developments near Bandar Padang Lalang, Padang Matsirat and Pulau Rebak Kecil, as it strengthens its long-term commitment to Langkawi's tourism potential and supports Langkawi's evolution as a premium lifestyle destination.

"For more than four decades, Tropicana has been creating vibrant communities where people aspire to live. Today, we are taking the next step by creating destinations where people aspire to stay, explore and return to," Tropicana managing director of marketing, sales and business development, Ixora Ang.

At the centre of its Langkawi expansion is Tropicana Cenang, a 2.14ha freehold beachfront integrated development in Pantai Cenang comprising serviced residences, retail outlets and hospitality components.

The development has gained strong market traction, with its first two phases, Assana Serviced Suites and Merissa Serviced Suites, fully sold.

Launched in September 2021, the first phase, Assana, comprises a 39-storey tower with 831 serviced suites and recorded strong demand, with Malaysians accounting for about 85 per cent of buyers. Units were launched from RM500,000.

The second phase, Merissa Serviced Suites, was launched in June 2023 with a gross development value (GDV) of RM115 million. The beachfront project comprises 60 units with built-up sizes ranging from 1,066 sq ft to 1,303 sq ft, with launch prices starting from RM1.71 million.

Both Assana and Merissa were completed in April this year, marking the first completed residential components under the broader Tropicana Cenang master plan.

The final phase, Clarissa Serviced Suites, has achieved about 20 per cent take-up since its launch in April last year, Ang said.

Ang said the company plans to further expand its Langkawi portfolio through future projects, including Tropicana Lagoon (Tanjung Rhu) and Tropicana Shores (Pantai Kok).

Tropicana Corp Bhd is building up in Langkawi, Kedah, with six development projects backed by a land bank spanning about 730 hectares, positioning the property developer to tap into growing demand for resort-style living, hospitality and tourism-led real estate on the island.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the T Journey Hospitality app at Assana, she said buyer profiles have shifted across the development phases, with Clarissa attracting stronger interest from foreign purchasers compared with the earlier phases.

She said the growing international participation reflects rising interest in Langkawi's premium beachfront property market.

With a GDV of RM922.6 million, the freehold 40-storey Clarissa will comprise 806 fully furnished serviced suites with built-up areas ranging from 536 sq ft to 1,356 sq ft. Prices start from RM668,800 and exceed RM1 million for selected units.

The launch of T Journey Hospitality also marks Tropicana's entry into hospitality operations at Tropicana Cenang.

The digital platform will serve as an integrated hospitality management and guest services ecosystem, supporting property owners while enhancing visitor experiences across Tropicana's developments. The group plans to expand the platform to future projects in Langkawi, Genting Highlands and Johor.

The launch also marked a strategic collaboration with AirAsia Rewards as T Journey's inaugural launch partner, alongside 10 other partners, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Langkawi Development Authority, Dream Forest Langkawi, Underwater World Langkawi, Langkawi Wildlife Park, Crocodile Adventureland Langkawi, Sedunia Travel Services, Mitra Malaysia and HostPlatform.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/property/2026/08/1506104/tropicana-builds-langkawi-portfolio-six-projects-taps-foreign-demand

Labuan Golf Club, Hotel Labuan site up for lease, redevelopment

By Sharen Kaur

August 7, 2026

Among the assets being offered is the 18-hole Labuan International Golf Club, one of East Malaysia’s established championship golf courses. Labuan International Gold Club pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Labuan Corp is opening five strategic assets to private investors through long-term lease and redevelopment partnerships as the federal territory seeks to attract fresh capital, revitalise underutilised properties and strengthen its tourism and economic growth prospects.

The initiative covers a mix of tourism, hospitality and commercial assets, with the statutory body inviting proposals from qualified local and international companies to unlock the development potential of these sites.

Among the assets being offered is the 18-hole Labuan International Golf Club, one of East Malaysia's established championship golf courses.

Also on offer is Pulau Rusukan Besar, a 2.43ha island with eco-tourism and resort development potential, together with the former Hotel Labuan site, a 0.48ha parcel in the town centre that is available for redevelopment following the demolition of the ageing hotel building.

The remaining assets comprise development parcels along Jalan Dewan and Jalan Tuanku Sharif Kedah, which are suitable for commercial, tourism-related or mixed-use projects as part of Labuan's broader economic development plans.

Labuan Corp chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail said the leasing exercise forms part of the corporation's efforts to accelerate Labuan's economic development by leveraging private sector expertise, investment and innovation.

He said the corporation is seeking proposals from financially capable and experienced local and international companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

Projects may be undertaken through long-term lease arrangements, privatisation models or other strategic development partnerships, he told Bernama.

Rithuan said the strategic assets have significant development potential, and their optimal utilisation could stimulate new economic activities, create employment opportunities and contribute to Labuan's long-term growth.

He added that proposals would be evaluated based on their commercial viability and alignment with Labuan Corp's development objectives, particularly their ability to strengthen the island's tourism sector, enhance the business ecosystem and deliver sustainable benefits to the local community.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/property/2026/08/1506188/labuan-golf-club-hotel-labuan-site-lease-redevelopment

AI helps Asian airports squeeze more from existing capacity

By Sharen Kaur

August 11, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help Asian airports handle rising passenger traffic by improving the use of existing runways, gates and terminals, reducing the need to wait years for costly infrastructure expansion, said Assaia chief executive officer Christiaan Hen.

KUALA LUMPUR: Artificial intelligence (AI) could help Asian airports handle rising passenger traffic by improving the use of existing runways, gates and terminals, reducing the need to wait years for costly infrastructure expansion, said Assaia chief executive officer Christiaan Hen.

AI can identify bottlenecks during aircraft turnarounds in real time, allowing airport and airline teams to intervene before disruptions on the ground develop into flight delays, he said.

AI offers a different approach by helping airports increase the capacity of existing infrastructure through efficient day-to-day operations and optimised resource allocation, he said.

The technology is becoming increasingly relevant as passenger traffic across Asia grows, while airports face labour shortages, rising operational complexity and the high cost and long lead times associated with physical expansion.

Hen said many flight delays begin on the ground rather than in the air, with aircraft turnarounds involving a tightly coordinated sequence of baggage handling, passenger disembarking, refuelling, cleaning, catering and boarding.

"The turnaround is a highly interconnected operation, so even a small delay in baggage handling, disembarking, refuelling, cleaning or boarding can quickly cascade through the rest of the process," he said.

Assaia's annual Turnaround Report, which analyses more than 450,000 aircraft turnarounds at airports globally, found that flights delayed by at least 15 minutes took longer to complete baggage offloading than flights that departed on time.

It also found that departure delays of more than six minutes are typically unrecoverable, increasing the risk of knock-on disruptions across an airline's daily schedule.

Assaia's ApronAI platform uses computer vision and AI to monitor aircraft turnaround activities and automatically timestamp key milestones, including disembarking, baggage loading and unloading, refuelling, catering, cleaning, boarding and pushback.

The system compares the progress of each activity against the planned turnaround timeline and alerts operations teams when a task begins to fall behind schedule.

"For example, if baggage unloading takes longer than expected or refuelling starts late, airport and airline operations teams can intervene immediately before the delay cascades into other turnaround activities and ultimately affects the aircraft's departure time," Hen said.

The technology can also identify recurring bottlenecks at specific aircraft stands, during particular processes or at certain times of day, allowing airports to address systemic problems rather than simply responding to individual delays.

New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Pic credit: Hokkaido Airports Co. (HAP).

The New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, the first airport in Japan to adopt Assaia's technology, illustrates the growing use of AI by airports seeking to maintain operational reliability as passenger demand increases, Hen said.

Japan has built a reputation for operational efficiency, while New Chitose serves as Hokkaido's main international gateway and is central to Hokkaido Airports' plans to expand international connectivity, particularly with Southeast Asia.

For passengers, greater use of AI could mean fewer unexpected delays, more reliable departure times and smoother journeys, including shorter waits for aircraft gates and baggage delivery.

"Passengers rarely think about what happens while an aircraft is on stand, but those activities have a direct impact on their journey.

"For passengers, including those travelling to and from Malaysia, this means fewer unexpected delays, greater confidence that flights will depart on time and a smoother experience on arrival, with less waiting for a jet bridge or baggage delivery," he said.

Assaia's technology integrates with existing airport and airline operational systems, including airport operational databases and systems supporting airport collaborative decision-making processes.

It also uses existing airside cameras to provide a real-time view of aircraft turnaround operations.

The system combines visual and operational data to identify and timestamp turnaround milestones, monitor activities and flag operational risks, giving airports, airlines and ground handlers a shared view of each aircraft's progress.

Hen said integrating AI into the complex airport ecosystem was a bigger challenge than the technology itself.

"An airport is an ecosystem of airlines, airports, ground handlers and service providers, each with their own systems and priorities and streams of data. For AI to deliver value, it needs to provide a shared, trusted operational picture that helps everyone make faster, better-informed decisions," he said.

"Cost is also naturally an important consideration, but AI is increasingly becoming a longer-term operational investment. And ultimately, adoption depends on demonstrating measurable improvements, whether that's reducing delays, increasing aircraft utilisation or protecting margins.

"As more airports report tangible operational and financial benefits, confidence in AI adoption will continue to grow," he said.

Potential gains can be significant, says Hen.

At JFK Terminal 4 in New York, Assaia said its technology reduced average ground delays by about five minutes per flight, representing potential annual cost savings of US$40 million.

Alaska Airlines reported a 17 per cent increase in on-time departures, while Berlin Brandenburg Airport achieved a 69 per cent reduction in ground delays, according to the company.

"These improvements translate into more reliable journeys for passengers and more consistent operations for airports," Hen said.

He said AI could also help airports increase flight capacity without immediately undertaking major physical expansion by improving the utilisation of existing infrastructure.

Hen said airports had two forms of capacity: physical capacity, determined by terminals, gates and runways, and operational capacity, determined by how efficiently those assets are used.

"Airports are beginning to recognise there is significant untapped capacity within existing operations. By reducing unnecessary delays and enabling gates to be used more efficiently, AI helps airports accommodate more flights without immediately building additional infrastructure," he said.

Assaia's ResourceManager has demonstrated the potential to increase stand capacity by up to 16 additional flights a day, he said.

For many airports operating close to capacity, AI-powered technology is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to support future growth," Hen said.

The technology could also become an increasingly important competitive tool as Asian airports vie to strengthen their positions as regional aviation hubs.

While geography and physical infrastructure remain important factors in determining hub locations, operational performance is becoming a bigger differentiator, Hen said.

Airlines need predictable operations because delays can affect aircraft utilisation across their wider networks, while passengers increasingly expect reliable and seamless journeys.

"The airports that combine modern infrastructure with intelligent, data-driven operations will be best placed to compete for airlines, passengers and future investment. In this sense, AI is becoming part of an airport's competitive strategy," he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/08/1508683/ai-helps-asian-airports-squeeze-more-existing-capacity

Malaysia's multi-billion BESS race [WATCH]

By Sharen Kaur

August 13, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Renewable energy (RE) construction activity in Malaysia is expected to pick up in the coming months, with battery energy storage systems (BESS) emerging as the next phase of growth.

Malaysia is increasingly integrating BESS into major solar projects to support grid stability.

The country aims to raise RE to 70 per cent of installed generation capacity by 2050, increasing the need for energy storage to manage fluctuations in generation.

The government has started procuring BESS.

In November 2024, the Energy Commission opened Malaysia's first competitive bidding process for utility-scale BESS, offering 400 MW/ 1,600 MWh across four projects.

Each project is 100 MW/ 400 MWh and was targeted for commercial operation in 2026.

Market insiders said this was a significant signal because it established BESS as part of Malaysia's electricity infrastructure rather than merely a private-sector add-on.

Malaysia has emerged as a major Southeast Asian data center hub, attracting billions of ringgit in investment as global technology firms expand their digital infrastructure.

This has increased demand for reliable, round-the-clock electricity.

Data centres consume huge amounts of electricity and cannot tolerate prolonged interruptions. Critical facilities have traditionally relied on diesel generators for backup, but BESS provides another option, an insider said.

"Data centres could combine grid power, solar, BESS and conventional backup.

"The battery can respond almost instantaneously when the grid fails or fluctuates, while also being used for other purposes when there is no outage."

A July 2026 Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) report described battery storage as the next phase of growth for Malaysia's RE construction sector and referred to the opportunity as a billion-ringgit opportunity.

HLIB said major RE programmes, including the large-scale solar 6 (LSS6) and corporate renewable energy supply scheme (CRESS), are expected to drive demand for storage, prompting developers to bring forward battery procurement plans in the second half of 2026.

PUC Bets on Multibillion-Ringgit BESS Boom

PUC Bhd is betting on a potential multibillion-ringgit BESS market in Malaysia, as the country ramps up solar deployment and faces rising power demand from data centres and other energy-intensive industries.

The digital services company is seeking to enter the sector through the proposed RM6.75 million acquisition of H BESS Sdn Bhd, giving PUC exposure to a fast-growing segment of the RE value chain.

PUC managing director Cheong Chia Chou said H BESS was a suitable strategic fit because it provides PUC with an existing platform, allowing the company to enter the sector without building capabilities from the ground up.

He said the timing was favourable as energy storage was shifting from a supporting technology to a critical part of the power system.

H BESS is involved in the assembly and trading of BESS solutions and has received a non-binding letter of intent for a 4,626-kilowatt-hour BESS system at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The company has a partnership with China-based battery storage manufacturer Hithium Tech HK to set up a BESS assembly line in Malaysia.

Cheong said the proposed facility could support local manufacturing capabilities, with a targeted production capacity of up to 2.0 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually if completed.

"For PUC, this creates the potential to grow the business with strong internal and external technology support, as well as local production capabilities."

Yong Tzen Wae, director of H BESS Sdn Bhd, said: "We will start by importing and installing systems, then gradually localise assembly and build up our capabilities in Malaysia.

"We see potential to become a regional player because every country will eventually require some level of localisation for energy storage solutions."

Hithium is among the major global battery storage manufacturers, while lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, technology has gained wider adoption because of its safety, durability and cost competitiveness.

"The technology is proven. It is already widely used globally and is now expanding into Southeast Asia," Yong added.

The proposed H BESS acquisition will be funded through a private placement of as many as 304.8 million new PUC shares, equivalent to 10 per cent of the company's existing issued share capital.

At an indicative issue price of 3.44 sen a share, the placement is expected to raise about RM10.49 million. Of the proceeds, RM6.75 million will fund the acquisition, RM3.02 million will go towards working capital and RM720,000 will cover related expenses.

The acquisition of H BESS is expected to create a new recurring growth avenue for PUC, Cheong said.

He said the deal includes a profit guarantee of RM3.5 million in aggregate audited net profit over financial years 2026 to 2028.

This provides additional earnings support during the expansion phase, he said.

"We believe the timing is right. Things are just beginning. The key is to accelerate and capture market share. We see BESS as a new growth pillar that complements our existing businesses."

RE GROWTH MAKES BESS INEVITABLE

Malaysia's electricity grid has nearly 32 per cent RE penetration, and a higher share would require greater storage capacity to maintain grid stability, said Datuk Chua Sai Men, director of H BESS Sdn Bhd.

Once RE reaches a certain threshold, the requirement for BESS becomes unavoidable, he said.

He said demand for BESS solutions is expected to rise alongside the growth of renewable energy adoption, supported by government-led initiatives such as the LSS6 programme.

The LSS6 programme, which includes 1,250MW of BESS capacity, would provide further support for the development of the sector, Chua said.

"With favourable policies and increasing market demand, we believe PUC is well positioned to capture long-term opportunities in the energy storage sector," he said.

Chua said the opportunity extended beyond utility-scale projects to commercial and industrial (C&I) users, particularly as electricity demand rises from data centres.

Data centres require large amounts of reliable power, while solar can provide an additional source of electricity. Batteries could therefore play a key role in managing the intermittency of solar generation and ensuring a more stable power supply.

The economics of BESS could also improve as electricity tariffs rise, potentially making energy storage more attractive to commercial and industrial customers seeking to optimise power consumption and reduce exposure to peak electricity costs.

"Once you put in solar, you need batteries. Data centres cannot depend on an intermittent power supply," he said.

BESS could also increasingly compete with conventional diesel backup systems used by critical facilities, offering a lower-emission alternative for backup power while supporting grid flexibility.

"Backup power is another major future application of BESS, especially as more data centres look for reliable energy solutions," Chua said.

PUC, meanwhile, plans to use the acquisition as a springboard to build capabilities beyond importing and installing battery systems, with ambitions to develop local assembly and eventually manufacturing capacity

Renewable energy (RE) construction flows in Malaysia are expected to pick up in the coming months, with battery energy storage systems (BESS) being the next phase of growth.

Selangor next big rail bet, eyes 2060 finish

By Sharen Kaur

August 13, 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor is still weighing development and financing options for a proposed rail network as the state seeks to improve connectivity between industrial areas, communities and major transport hubs.

State Investment, Trade and Mobility Exco Ng Sze Han said the state government, through Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated), which serves as the project's technical committee, is still in talks with various stakeholders, including private-sector players, to determine a suitable development and financing model for the proposed Selangor Rail Line.

The implementation model is also being refined to determine the most viable and commercially appropriate approach, he said, according to Bernama.

Ng was responding to a question from Mariam Abdul Rashid (PH-Meru) at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.

He said the first phase is expected to take about 10 years based on the feasibility study, with the final phase targeted for completion by 2060, subject to the implementation of the planned development phases, Ng said.

The proposed rail network was mooted by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari last year as part of efforts to complement the Selangor Aero Park (SAP).

At the SAP groundbreaking ceremony, Amirudin said the rail network would provide a missing link between key infrastructure and help unlock the potential of the state's aerospace sector.

The proposal, which was presented to the Transport Ministry in early 2025, is intended to connect industrial zones, communities and major transport hubs across Selangor and the Klang Valley, he said.

The Selangor Rail Line would be separate from the East Coast Rail Link, although the two networks could eventually improve connectivity across the state and integrate with other existing and planned rail infrastructure.

The ECRL's Selangor section, linking Gombak with Port Klang, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

The Selangor Rail Line is envisaged as a major network serving areas that are not adequately covered by existing MRT and LRT systems. Feasibility studies have identified an alignment of about 200 kilometres, broadly linking northern and southern parts of the state.

The network is also expected to support economic activity by improving access to tourism and agricultural areas, easing road congestion and strengthening logistics links.

Northern Selangor, in particular, could benefit from improved rail access to markets and lower transport costs given its sizeable agricultural sector.

Amirudin said when tabling the RS2 motion at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly recently that the state, which contributes 26.5 per cent to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP), would pursue a more ambitious growth strategy under the Second Selangor Plan (RS2) 2026-2030.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/08/1510050/selangor-next-big-rail-bet-eyes-2060-finish