Johari backs DRB-HICOM, Proton push into India's auto sector [WATCH)

 By Sharen Kaur, September 16, 2026 

NEW DELHI: Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has backed DRB-HICOM Bhd and Proton Holdings Bhd's efforts to explore opportunities in India's automotive industry.

This includes the potential use of the group's Tanjung Malim manufacturing capabilities in Perak to supply components or establish partnerships with Indian automotive players.

Johari said DRB-HICOM was exploring ways to leverage its manufacturing and automotive capabilities in Malaysia to participate directly in India.

This includes component supply, technology and engineering cooperation or joint ventures with local industry players.

"I believe DRB-HICOM has just started to explore this," he told the New Straits Times after the conclusion of the 18th BRICS summit, here on Sept 13.

"As the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister, I would certainly give full support to DRB-HICOM to explore its capacity in Tanjung Malim as one of the plants that can be directly involved in its efforts to participate in the automotive industry in India," the minister said.

The move comes as Malaysia seeks to deepen industrial cooperation with India and encourage Malaysian companies to tap the country's large consumer market and established automotive ecosystem.

Johari said the opportunity should not be viewed solely as an attempt to export finished vehicles but as a broader industrial play involving automotive components, manufacturing, technology and potential partnerships with Indian companies.

For DRB-HICOM, the Tanjung Malim complex provides an increasingly integrated manufacturing and technology base.

Proton has consolidated its manufacturing and R&D operations there, while its powertrain facility produces engines, transmissions and electric drive units for current and future vehicles.

Johari said DRB-HICOM could potentially use these capabilities as a platform to develop partnerships with Indian automotive companies and participate in the country's wider automotive supply chain.

"There is a lot of work in progress for Proton to emerge as a player in India's automotive market," he said.

The latest exploration marks a renewed look at India by Proton, which has previously studied opportunities in the market but has never established a commercial manufacturing or sales presence there.

During the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said DRB-HICOM and potential Indian industry partners had discussed opportunities.

However, no decision has been announced on a local plant, distributor, vehicle line-up or launch timetable.

India's scale adds to the attraction.

Passenger-vehicle registrations reached about 412,000 units in July 2026, up 15.4 per cent from a year earlier, according to JATO Dynamics India, with SUVs continuing to account for a significant share of demand.

For Proton, India could also provide an opportunity to extend its international expansion as the company builds its export business and develops electric and next-generation vehicles.

Proton recorded 6,000 export units in 2025, its highest export volume since 2012, while sales momentum continued into 2026.

In the first eight months of the year, Proton sold a total of 141,421 vehicles, up about 40 per cent year-on-year, driven in part by growing demand for its electrified models.

In August alone Proton sold 22,632 vehicles globally, its highest monthly sales performance since January 2010.

Johari said Malaysia's broader objective was to use India's huge market to create a more balanced two-way trading relationship, rather than simply increasing Malaysian exports.

His comments followed discussions with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Malaysia's sizeable trade surplus with India and the need to expand two-way trade.

Johari said both countries were looking at ways to strengthen their trade framework, including potentially finalising or revising the existing free trade agreement within the next three to six months.

He said India's population of about 1.4 billion to 1.5 billion offered Malaysian companies a substantial market, while partnerships with Indian companies could allow Malaysian businesses to participate more deeply in the country's domestic economy.

"As a small nation, we want to see how we can work together with India, which has a huge population, and create a win-win situation between both nations instead of a one-way relationship," he said.

For DRB-HICOM, that strategy could extend beyond Proton-branded vehicles to components, engineering, manufacturing, technology and mobility solutions, potentially giving the group multiple entry points into India's automotive value chain.

The exploration also comes as DRB-HICOM develops Tanjung Malim as a broader automotive and next-generation vehicle hub.

The group has been positioning the Automotive High-Tech Valley as an ecosystem encompassing R&D, manufacturing, logistics and supporting automotive services.

Johari said the government would support efforts by Malaysian companies to use domestic industrial capabilities as a springboard for greater participation in large overseas markets.

"We cannot only trade with one or two countries. We want to trade with all countries, especially those with huge populations," he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/09/1534080/johari-backs-drb-hicom-proton-push-indias-auto-sector-watch

Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said DRB-HICOM was exploring ways to leverage its manufacturing and automotive capabilities in Malaysia to participate directly in India. NSTP/SAIFULLIZAN TAMADI

Johari: Malaysia steps up palm oil push in India to counter 'propaganda' [WATCH]

 By Sharen Kaur, September 17, 2026 

NEW DELHI: Malaysia will step up efforts to promote palm oil in India and counter what Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani described as "propaganda" aimed at undermining the commodity's reputation and marketability.

Johari said Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil exporter after Indonesia, will continue strengthening its presence in the Indian market by leveraging its integrated upstream and downstream industries.

He said Malaysia remained the world's second-largest palm oil exporter after Indonesia, with its production supported by an established upstream plantation sector and a sizeable downstream industry producing higher-value palm-based products.

"Malaysia is still the second-largest exporter of palm oil. The first is Indonesia. All the palm oil that we produce can easily be exported, either through our downstream activities or upstream," he told the New Straits Times on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sept 13.

Johari said Malaysia and Indonesia remained the two dominant players in the global palm oil industry, giving both countries a strong interest in defending the commodity's position in international markets.

He said Malaysia would therefore continue promoting palm oil in major markets such as India while countering what he described as negative campaigns against the industry.

"We will continue to promote palm oil and fight all this propaganda that people are trying to push against palm oil," he said.

The criticism is significant for Malaysia because palm oil has increasingly become the subject of international campaigns over deforestation, biodiversity, carbon emissions and labour practices.

Malaysia has rejected claims that its palm oil industry should be treated as inherently unsustainable, pointing instead to its national sustainability certification and traceability requirements.

The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) framework has been strengthened to cover traceability, deforestation, environmental requirements and labour practices, while the industry has also been working to demonstrate compliance with international sustainability requirements.

Malaysia's position has come into sharper focus over the European Union's deforestation rules, which require companies placing commodities including palm oil on the EU market to demonstrate that they are not linked to deforestation.

Malaysia has argued that such measures should recognise its existing sustainability systems rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

The Malaysian palm oil industry has also described some anti-palm oil campaigns as creating negative perceptions that can affect the competitiveness and marketability of Malaysian palm oil.

A study published by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board found that negative perceptions linked to environmental and health concerns had become a concern for the industry's export competitiveness.

Johari said the response should not be to retreat from international markets but to strengthen Malaysia's engagement with consumers and trading partners and provide greater clarity on the industry's production and sustainability practices.

He said this was particularly important in India, where Malaysia sees significant potential to expand palm oil and other commodity exports as part of efforts to create greater two-way trade.

Palm oil was among the commodities discussed during Malaysia's engagement with India, alongside other products such as wheat and rice, as both countries look to broaden their trade relationship.

Johari said Malaysia's ability to export both crude palm oil and processed downstream products gave the country an opportunity to capture more value from its production while expanding its presence in large consumer markets.

The strategy is also aimed at ensuring that negative narratives do not translate into weaker demand for Malaysian palm oil, particularly as Malaysia seeks to diversify its export markets and strengthen trade with countries with large populations such as India.

He said Malaysia would continue making the case for palm oil internationally while ensuring the industry remained competitive and able to meet increasingly stringent sustainability requirements.

"Slowly, we can see that the negative impact we are witnessing has actually provided a source of strength," he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1534451/johari-malaysia-steps-palm-oil-push-india-counter-propaganda-watch

Johari said Malaysia, the world’s second-largest palm oil exporter after Indonesia, will continue strengthening its presence in the Indian market. NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

Malaysia's median wages rise 5.3pct to RM2,940 in 2025, Putrajaya tops pay at RM5,417

 By Sharen Kaur, September 21, 2026 

Mean monthly salaries and wages among Malaysian citizens rose 4.1 per cent to RM3,803 in 2025, while median wages grew faster by 5.3 per cent to RM2,940, according to the Statistics Department. STR/ AHMAD UKASYAH

KUALA LUMPUR: Mean monthly salaries and wages among Malaysian citizens rose 4.1 per cent to RM3,803 in 2025, while median wages grew faster by 5.3 per cent to RM2,940, according to the Statistics Department.

The median wage - which better reflects what the typical worker earns - rose from RM2,793 in 2024, pointing to continued improvement in pay levels as the labour market expanded.

The department's Salaries & Wages Survey Report 2025 showed that the number of full-time paid employees receiving monthly salaries and wages rose to 12.01 million from 11.96 million a year earlier.

Malaysian citizens accounted for 10.38 million, or 86.4 per cent, of the total full-time paid employees covered by the survey.

Selangor had the largest share of Malaysian citizen wage recipients at 25.6 per cent, followed by Johor at 13.6 per cent and Sarawak at 7.6 per cent.

Putrajaya recorded the highest mean monthly salaries and wages at RM5,417, followed by Kuala Lumpur at RM4,955 and Selangor at RM4,258.

Only five states and federal territories recorded mean monthly salaries and wages above the national level of RM3,803 (Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor), Penang at RM3,912 and Labuan at RM3,887.

The Statistics Department said the growth in both mean and median monthly salaries and wages reflected improvements in the labour market and workers' incomes.

It said sustained efforts to raise productivity, strengthen skills and create high-value jobs would be crucial to supporting sustainable real wage growth and workers' well-being.

"In line with the aspirations of the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, developing a competitive and productive workforce, alongside strengthening labour market reforms, is essential to supporting sustainable and inclusive wage growth," it said.

The report showed that the services sector remained the dominant source of wage employment, accounting for 71.5 per cent of wage recipients. The number of wage recipients in the sector rose 1.8 per cent to 7.42 million.

Mining and quarrying workers recorded the highest mean monthly salaries and wages at RM6,175, followed by services at RM3,993, manufacturing at RM3,357, construction at RM3,188 and agriculture at RM2,575.

The figures also highlighted a substantial pay gap across skill levels.

Skilled workers, who accounted for 36.6 per cent of wage recipients, recorded mean monthly salaries and wages of RM5,799, up from RM5,582 in 2024.

Semi-skilled workers made up the largest share of wage recipients at 55.6 per cent, with their mean monthly salaries and wages rising 4.2 per cent to RM2,714.

For low-skilled workers, mean monthly salaries and wages increased 2.6 per cent to RM2,184.

By gender, male Malaysian citizens accounted for 6.08 million, or 58.6 per cent, of citizen paid employees. Their mean monthly salaries and wages rose 4.3 per cent to RM3,921, compared with a 3.9 per cent increase to RM3,635 for female employees.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1537489/malaysias-median-wages-rise-53pct-rm2940-2025-putrajaya-tops-pay

Gamuda orderbook seen hitting RM60bil as contract pipeline builds

 By Sharen Kaur, September 22, 2026

Gamuda Bhd’s order book could rise to RM60 billion by year-end, about 20 per cent above its target, as strong contract wins and a visible pipeline support earnings growth, according to CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd's order book could rise to RM60 billion by year-end, about 20 per cent above its target, as strong contract wins and a visible pipeline support earnings growth, according to CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

CGS maintained its "Add" call and RM6.05 target price, based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation, with the construction division valued at 19 times financial year 2027 (FY27) earnings.

Gamuda's latest A$624 million (about RM1.8 billion) Australian contract takes its FY27 year-to-date order wins to RM10.2 billion, lifting its order book to RM62.5 billion as of September 2026, CGS said.

The latest award covers the Elizabeth Drive Upgrade and Mamre Road Upgrade Stage 2 projects in Western Sydney and was secured by a 50:50 joint venture between Gamuda Engineering Australia and B.M.D. Constructions Pty Ltd.

"Gamuda guided for a pre-tax margin of 5.0 per cent with a rise-and-fall provision for an increase in raw material costs embedded in the contract terms," CGS International analysts Chong Tjen-San said in a note.

The projects further expand Gamuda's road infrastructure portfolio in New South Wales, where it has undertaken the Coffs Harbour Bypass, the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension Black Hill to Tomago and the Richmond Road M7 Upgrade.

Chong said the latest win was significant, as it came from a recurring client, the NSW state government, strengthening Gamuda's track record in road and rail infrastructure in the state.

Gamuda also secured the Sydney Metro West-Parramatta Integrated Station Development project in September, its sixth win out of nine stations along the Sydney Metro West line.

CGS estimates Gamuda will end CY26 with an orderbook of RM55 billion to RM56 billion, about 10 per cent above its RM50 billion target, assuming a monthly orderbook burn rate of RM1 billion and no further contract wins.

However, it expects the order book to reach RM60 billion by end-CY26, given the strength of the group's project pipeline.

"In our view, the more important catalyst for Gamuda now is earnings delivery (vs. contract wins) and the ability to beat Bloomberg's consensus EPS forecast for FY27F," Chong said.

CGS expects Gamuda to report a core net profit of RM376 million for 4QFY26, up 13 per cent year-on-year and 60 per cent quarter-on-quarter, when it releases its results on Sept 29.

It expects earnings momentum to continue into FY27, with first-quarter earnings potentially marking a meaningful inflection point as major domestic construction projects move further up the S-curve.

CGS maintained its 23 per cent two-year EPS compound annual growth rate for FY26F-FY28F, saying the group's S-curve earnings trajectory remains intact.

Other analysts also remain positive about Gamuda.

Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) maintained its "Buy" rating and RM5.27 target price, based on a 10 per cent discount to its SOP valuation of RM6.02.

HLIB cited Gamuda's growing presence in Australia's real estate market, robust orderbook replenishment supporting earnings visibility into FY27-FY28, and its sizeable project pipeline and exposure to Vietnam's property market.

The research house expects earnings growth to accelerate from CY27 as projects progress further up the S-curve and higher-margin contributions begin to materialise.

"With Gamuda securing RM10 billion worth of jobs in just two months into FY27, we believe there is upside risk to our RM20bn job replenishment assumption," it said in a note.

RHB Research also maintained its "Buy" rating and RM6.20 target price, implying about 30 per cent upside, with an estimated FY27F dividend yield of 2 per cent.

RHB made no changes to its earnings estimates, saying the latest contract win remains within its RM25 billion FY27 job replenishment target.

A potential catalyst would be a faster-than-expected margin expansion as major data-centre projects progress, particularly after Gamuda secured about RM7 billion of new data-centre-related contracts in 2026, RHB said.

"We believe the growth of the Western Sydney region and opening of the WSIA will drive greater road sector investments in the coming years," the firm said.

For Gamuda, key downside risks include delays in contract awards and sustained high raw material costs, while potential catalysts include easing input costs, additional construction wins and stronger property sales.

Gamuda's major shareholders include the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), with an 18 per cent stake, and Amanah Saham Nasional, with an 8.6 per cent stake.

The stock has fallen from RM4.94 at the start of the year, while its lowest point for the year was RM3.73 on March 31. Its market capitalisation currently stands at about RM29.25 billion.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/09/1538029/gamuda-orderbook-seen-hitting-rm60bil-contract-pipeline-builds

Tera Data Centers buys 90ha in Malaysia Vision Valley for RM1.01bil

 By Sharen Kaur, September 22, 2026 

Eco Business Park 7 Sdn Bhd has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement (SPA) to sell two parcels of industrial land in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, to Tera Data Centers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for about RM1.013 billion. Pic courtesy of EcoWorld

KUALA LUMPUR: Eco Business Park 7 Sdn Bhd has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement (SPA) to sell two parcels of industrial land in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, to Tera Data Centers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for about RM1.013 billion.

The two parcels, spanning a combined 90 hectares, are located within Eco Business Park 7 (EBP 7), positioning the project to capture growing demand for large-scale industrial and digital infrastructure facilities.

The transaction marks a significant investment commitment to Negri Sembilan as the state seeks to attract more high-value, technology-driven industries and foreign direct investment.

Tera is part of a Singapore-headquartered digital infrastructure platform with operations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, focusing on the development and operation of large-scale digital infrastructure for hyperscale customers.

The deal also strengthens EBP 7's positioning as a major industrial development under the Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0) masterplan.

EBP 7 is being developed through a public-private partnership between Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld), SD Guthrie Bhd and NS Corporation, the state agency responsible for coordinating and driving the MVV 2.0 masterplan.

The partnership combines EcoWorld's industrial park development expertise, SD Guthrie's extensive land resources and NS Corp's strategic planning role in driving industrial and economic development in Negri Sembilan.

EBP 7 is the first industrial development launched within Parcel C of MVV 2.0, with the project envisioned as a catalyst for new investment and technological advancement, fostering collaboration among industries, investors and local communities.

EBP 7 chief development officer Datuk Ho Kwee Hong said the project had recorded strong take-up since its launch in November 2025, with more than RM800 million worth of industrial lots and ready-built factories sold during its first phase.

She said the development includes SME Core, an anchor component aimed at supporting the growth of local small and medium enterprises as well as larger Malaysian industrial players, while contributing to the creation of skilled employment in the state.

The substantial investment by Tera further reinforces EBP 7's vision of creating a high-value, future-ready industrial ecosystem, Ho said.

She said the investment would strengthen the development's ability to attract both domestic investors and significant inflows of quality FDI.

Ho added that Tera's commitment represented a strong vote of confidence in Negri Sembilan's competitiveness as a destination for high-tech and high-value investments.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/property/2026/09/1538308/tera-data-centers-buys-90ha-malaysia-vision-valley-rm101bil

Bank Rakyat, Alibaba, Lenovo team up to drive MSME digital growth

By Sharen Kaur

September 23, 2026 

Bank Rakyat is stepping up its digital transformation and efforts to help Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand overseas through strategic engagements with Alibaba and Lenovo in China.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Rakyat is stepping up its digital transformation and efforts to help Malaysian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand overseas through strategic engagements with Alibaba and Lenovo in China.

The initiatives, undertaken during the bank's Shanghai mission, are focused on strengthening its technology capabilities while opening new opportunities in cross-border e-commerce, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech and digital innovation for Malaysian businesses and cooperative members.

The Shanghai mission followed discussions attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Malaysia's Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad.

Bank Rakyat said the engagements would support its broader efforts to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, facilitate cross-border trade and develop new digital financial capabilities while creating greater opportunities for Malaysian MSMEs and cooperative businesses.

Bank Rakyat chairman Datuk Mohd Irwan Mohd Mubarak said the engagements would allow the bank to combine global technology capabilities with its understanding of the Malaysian market to develop solutions that improve customer experience, operational efficiency and business opportunities.

"The financial services landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and technology will increasingly shape how we serve our customers and support businesses.

"Through these strategic engagements, Bank Rakyat is bringing together global technology capabilities and our understanding of the Malaysian market to explore solutions that can enhance customer experience, strengthen operational efficiency and create new opportunities for Malaysian businesses," he said in a statement.

Under its engagement with Alibaba Cloud, a business arm of Alibaba Group, Bank Rakyat will explore the use of cloud computing, AI, data analytics and other digital technologies to strengthen the capabilities and competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.

A key focus will be helping Bank Rakyat's MSME customers gain access to Alibaba's e-commerce platforms, potentially enabling them to showcase and sell products to a wider international customer base.

The initiative is also aimed at strengthening the export readiness of Malaysian MSMEs by leveraging Alibaba's digital infrastructure and global ecosystem to facilitate cross-border trade.

Meanwhile, Lenovo will be invited as an ecosystem partner of Bank Rakyat's Fintech Community Hub, with the collaboration focused on identifying fintech companies and technology solutions for potential participation in the bank's accelerator programme.

The initiative will tap Lenovo's wider startup and fintech network to identify potential partners and support the co-development of digital financial solutions.

Bank Rakyat group chief executive officer Ahmad Shahril Mohd Shariff said the partnerships were intended to extend digital transformation beyond banking operations to the wider business ecosystem.

"Importantly, these engagements allow us to connect Malaysian MSMEs with technology, digital platforms and international opportunities. By bringing together financing, market access and innovation, we aim to create a stronger ecosystem that enables businesses to scale and participate more effectively in the global economy," he said.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/09/1538952/bank-rakyat-alibaba-lenovo-team-drive-msme-digital-growth