Industry News
Semico Capital boosts Q2 earnings by 29.3%
Semico Capital Berhad, a provider of family entertainment products and services, has announced a significant rise in its financial performance for the second quarter of the financial year 2026 (Q2FY26), ending 31 December 2025. The company reported a 29.3% increase in revenue, reaching RM9.4m, compared to RM7.3m in the previous quarter. This growth was primarily driven by a 47.5% increase in the family entertainment segment, which contributed RM5m.
The first half of the financial year 2026 (1HFY26) saw Semico Capital achieving a profit after tax (PAT) of RM3.1m, supported by RM16.7m in revenue. The company maintained a balanced revenue distribution, with the family entertainment segment accounting for 50.5% of total revenue and the toys and collectables segment contributing 49.5%.
Tai Lee Chuen, Executive Director and CEO of Semico Capital, expressed satisfaction with the results, attributing the success to increased consumer demand during the festive season. “We are pleased to have delivered another set of positive results in Q2FY26,” he stated. Looking forward, he highlighted the favourable outlook for the theme park and family attraction industry, supported by government initiatives like Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
In a strategic move, Semico Capital secured licensing rights for Upin & Ipin characters, allowing the company to manufacture and distribute related products across several Southeast Asian countries. This follows the company’s recent listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, which raised RM23.2m in fresh capital.
NPCI partners with PayNet for QR payment integration in Malaysia
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, has partnered with Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) to facilitate QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia. This agreement, announced on 13 February 2026, aims to enhance cross-border payment connectivity by allowing Indian travellers in Malaysia to use their Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps at DuitNow QR acceptance points. Subsequently, Malaysian visitors to India will be able to make payments using their DuitNow apps at UPI QR-enabled locations.
The initiative will be rolled out in phases, starting with Indian tourists accessing millions of DuitNow QR merchant touchpoints in Malaysia, including restaurants, retail stores, and tourist attractions. In return, Malaysian travellers will benefit from UPI QR acceptance across numerous locations in India.
Ritesh Shukla, Managing Director and CEO of NIPL, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with PayNet marks an important step in enabling seamless QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia, offering travellers a familiar, secure, and convenient payment experience.” Praveen Rajan, CEO of PayNet, added that the linkage between DuitNow QR and UPI will bolster payment connectivity for travellers, merchants, and the financial services ecosystem.
This collaboration is expected to contribute significantly to trade and economic activity between the two nations, especially in the context of Visit Malaysia 2026 and increasing two-way travel. The integration of these payment systems underscores a commitment to simplifying cross-border transactions and enhancing digital connectivity.
Wawasan Dengkil wins RM24.8m data centre contract
Wawasan Dengkil Holdings Berhad, through its subsidiary Wawasan Dengkil Sdn Bhd, has been awarded a RM24.8m contract by Gamuda Engineering Sdn. Bhd. for the construction of external works at a hyperscale data centre in Puncak Alam, Selangor. The project involves road and landscape works at Eco Business Park V, specifically for the SGW1A and 2A: Shell and Core sections.
The contract, formalised through a letter of award, marks a significant milestone for Wawasan Dengkil as it expands its portfolio in the civil engineering sector. The company, known for its expertise in earthworks and civil engineering, will be responsible for the completion of the external infrastructure necessary for the data centre’s operation.
This development is part of the broader expansion of data infrastructure in Malaysia, driven by increasing demand for digital services and data storage solutions. The hyperscale data centre is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the region’s digital economy, providing essential services to businesses and consumers alike.
The project at Eco Business Park V underscores Wawasan Dengkil’s capability in handling large-scale engineering projects and its commitment to contributing to Malaysia’s growing digital infrastructure. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, such projects are pivotal in ensuring that the necessary physical infrastructure is in place to support future technological advancements.
Trinasolar completes a Malaysian airport solar project
Trinasolar, a leader in photovoltaic and energy storage solutions, has supplied 530 Vertex N 710W modules for a 376kW rooftop solar installation at ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, located at Subang Airport. This installation is significant due to the regulatory approvals and anti-glare measures required to ensure flight safety. The modules feature a special anti-glare coating to prevent light reflection from affecting flight operations.
ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, the largest business aviation maintenance company in the country, utilises 110,000 square feet of its 149,500-square-foot facility for solar deployment. The Vertex N modules were chosen to maximise energy generation within the limited rooftop space. These modules incorporate n-type i-TOPCon cell technology, offering higher power output and efficiency, and are designed to withstand Malaysia’s tropical climate.
Elva Wang, Group Director of South, Southeast and Central Asia at Trinasolar, stated, “Airports are among the most safety- and regulation-intensive environments. With our Vertex N modules, we support EPCs, developers and operators in delivering high-output systems within constrained spaces whilst meeting stringent technical and operational requirements of regulated infrastructure.”
Trinasolar has pioneered airport rooftop solar installations globally, with projects in China, Australia, and India. The company’s Vertex N modules are designed to reduce balance-of-system costs and simplify installation in restricted airport zones, making them ideal for such applications.
HLB Priority disrupts traditional wealth management
Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has launched HLB Priority, a revamped wealth management service aimed at high net-worth individuals, shifting from traditional banking to an advisory-led model. This transformation, announced on 11 February 2026, integrates institutional financial solutions with personalised advisory services and exclusive lifestyle privileges, focusing on five core goals: Preservation, Income, Growth, Diversification, and Legacy.
The initiative is part of HLB’s 3-5 Year Transformative Plan, building on strategic alliances such as its partnership with Lombard Odier and the renewed Shariah-compliant offerings under Hong Leong Islamic Bank. Kevin Lam, HLB’s Group Managing Director and CEO, emphasised the importance of this shift, stating, “We believe wealth management can no longer be viewed as a peripheral service. Our strategy is built on the principle of mutual growth.”
HLB Priority aims to cater to the next generation of high net-worth individuals who seek sophisticated, value-added services. Jeffrey Yap, HLB’s Managing Director and Regional Head of Wealth Management, highlighted the need for a partner who provides clients with their most precious asset—time.
To support this vision, HLB has introduced the “Health is Wealth” pillar through a partnership with Asia OneHealthcare, offering access to specialised medical care across Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Additionally, HLB Priority provides Regional Mobility and Multi-Currency Solutions to support global lifestyles in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Mainland China.
This comprehensive approach positions HLB Priority as a key driver of the bank’s long-term growth and a vital pillar of its non-interest income strategy.
Calls for sustainable seafood increase in Singapore and Malaysia
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has called on retailers to enhance their sustainable seafood offerings, following a YouGov survey revealing that a significant majority of consumers in Malaysia and Singapore prioritise sustainability in their seafood choices. The survey, conducted from 15 to 19 January 2026, highlighted that 85% of Malaysians and 74% of Singaporeans consider sustainable seafood important, yet many struggle to identify such products due to inadequate labelling.
As Chinese New Year approaches, seafood consumption is expected to surge, making it a crucial time for sustainable shopping. Despite this, 58% of Singaporeans have never noticed an ecolabel when purchasing seafood, and only 21% recognise the MSC blue ecolabel. This lack of awareness poses a challenge for consumers eager to make informed choices.
In Malaysia, where seafood consumption is more than double the global average, 75% of respondents believe that local fishermen need support to fish sustainably. Meanwhile, in Singapore, where most seafood is imported, 55% of consumers rely on government standards and 54% on origin information to ensure sustainability.
Anne Gabriel, Programme Director for Oceania and Singapore at MSC, stated, “It’s clear that consumers are ready and willing to seek out credible certification, so we’re urging retailers and businesses to make MSC ecolabel products visible and accessible.”
The survey also found that 52% of Singaporeans think supermarkets should commit to sourcing sustainable seafood, and 38% are willing to pay more for it, even amidst cost-of-living pressures. As festive demand peaks, clearer ecolabelling could help consumers align their values with their purchases without altering traditional meals. MSC-certified products are available at various supermarkets in Singapore and Malaysia, including Cold Storage, FairPrice Group, and AEON Retail.
Medisana taps DKSH to boost healthcare access in Malaysia and Brunei
Medisana, a global leader in home health and wellness solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with DKSH Business Unit Healthcare to expand its medical device distribution in Malaysia and Brunei. This collaboration, revealed on 11 February 2026, aims to make home healthcare monitoring solutions more accessible to individuals and communities in these regions.
DKSH will provide comprehensive market expansion services, including sales, merchandising, distribution, and logistics, across retail and institutional pharmacy channels. The partnership will focus on key medical device categories such as blood pressure monitors, thermometers, inhalers, TENS machines, pulse oximeters, and blood glucose metres and strips.
Michael Gao Feng, Managing Director at Medisana, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Our mission has always been to empower people to better manage their health at home. Partnering with DKSH enables us to strengthen our presence in Malaysia and Brunei whilst ensuring that our trusted home healthcare solutions are accessible through more pharmacy touchpoints.”
Sandeep Tewari, Vice President Healthcare and Head Country Leadership Malaysia at DKSH, added, “We are proud to welcome Medisana to DKSH’s healthcare portfolio. By combining Medisana’s trusted medical device solutions with DKSH’s extensive commercial reach and execution excellence, we aim to expand access to high-quality home healthcare monitoring devices.”
This partnership underscores Medisana’s commitment to innovation and accessibility in healthcare technology. As demand for home health monitoring rises, Medisana plans to leverage this collaboration to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia, providing greater support to healthcare professionals and consumers.
Oiltek International shows resilience, net profit rising by 7.9%
Oiltek International Limited, a Singapore Exchange Mainboard-listed company, reported a 7.9% increase in net profit for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, reaching RM32m. This growth comes despite foreign exchange losses of RM8.2m, contrasting with the previous year’s RM2.6m gains. Excluding these losses, the company’s net profit would have surged by 48.7% to RM40.2m.
The company, known for its integrated process technology and renewable energy solutions, has proposed a final dividend of 0.7 Singapore cents per share. Combined with the interim dividend paid in September 2025, this brings the total declared dividend for the year to 1.2 Singapore cents per share, representing 52.5% of the group’s net profit.
Oiltek’s order book remains robust at RM312.8m, and its financial health is underscored by zero debt and cash reserves of RM99.7m, nearly matching its net assets. CEO Henry Yong Khai Weng highlighted the company’s resilience amid challenging global conditions, noting its successful transfer to the SGX Mainboard as a significant milestone. He stated, “With our resilient business model, strong engineering capabilities, proprietary patented technology, and continuous innovation, we are primed for our next phase of growth.”
Looking forward, Oiltek plans to explore joint ventures aligned with its strategic goals to ensure sustainable long-term value for shareholders. This strategic direction aims to leverage its strong foundation for future expansion and innovation.
TechStore wins RM54.8m KDN contract
TechStore Berhad, an enterprise IT services provider, has been awarded a RM54.8m contract by Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) to upgrade the record system of the Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara in Putrajaya. The contract was accepted by TechStore’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tech-Store Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
The contract signifies a major step for TechStore in enhancing national IT infrastructure. The company, known for its expertise in IT security and automation solutions, will focus on seamless analogue-to-digital transformations to improve efficiency and security without requiring complete system overhauls.
TechStore Berhad, listed under stock code TECHSTORE/0343, has a history of delivering significant projects, including telecommunications systems for the MRT Kajang line and Automatic Fare Collection and Electronic Access Control systems for LRT3. The company also implemented an integrated bus system in Penang, showcasing its capability in providing tailored solutions across various industries such as transportation, utilities, and logistics.
Eugene Tan, Managing Director of TechStore, emphasised the company’s commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence. This new contract with KDN is expected to further solidify TechStore’s position as a leader in the IT services sector.
Waldorf Astoria taps Dalançon to lead Kuala Lumpur debut
Luxury hospitality veteran Etienne Dalançon has been appointed as the General Manager of the forthcoming Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur, Hilton announced. The hotel, marking the debut of the Waldorf Astoria brand in Malaysia, is set to open in late 2026 in Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant Golden Triangle, Bukit Bintang.
Dalançon brings over two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, having previously served as General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Under his leadership, the resort received accolades from Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveller, and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating. His career spans senior leadership roles across Asia and Europe, where he is recognised for his strategic vision and commitment to service excellence.
The Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur will feature 268 suites, seven unique dining and cocktail venues, a world-class wellness centre, and extensive meeting and event spaces. These facilities are designed to embody the brand’s signature blend of timeless elegance and personalised luxury.
“I am honoured to lead the launch of Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur and bring the brand’s sincerely elegant service to this dynamic city,” Dalançon stated. “Together with the team, we look forward to creating memorable guest experiences that reflect both Waldorf Astoria’s heritage and the vibrant spirit of Kuala Lumpur.”
The appointment of Dalançon is a significant step as Hilton prepares to introduce the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand to Malaysia, promising a new level of luxury hospitality in the region.
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