HE Group Berhad has reported a profit after tax of RM2.6m for the first quarter ending 31 March 2026, a slight decrease from RM2.9m in the same period last year. Despite the dip in profit, the company’s gross profit margin improved to 22.1% from 19.4%, attributed to a favourable project mix and enhanced cost management.

The Power Distribution System segment was the primary revenue driver, contributing RM23.5m, or 89.6% of the total revenue for the quarter. The Electrical Equipment Hook-Up and Retrofitting segment added RM1.6m, whilst Other Building Systems and Works generated RM1.1m.

In a separate development, HE Group’s subsidiary, Hexatech Engineering Sdn. Bhd., secured a RM20m contract from a Malaysian manufacturer of advanced NAND flash memory products. The project, which involves power distribution system works, is expected to be completed by 17 November 2026.

The Managing Director of HE Group, Haw Chee Seng, expressed optimism about Malaysia’s growth as a digital and high-tech infrastructure hub. He noted, “We remain encouraged by Malaysia’s growth as a digital and high-technology infrastructure hub, driven by rising investments in data centres, semiconductor and E&E manufacturing.”

HE Group’s order book, bolstered by a recent RM86m substation project in Selangor and the new RM20m contract, stands at approximately RM170m as of 18 May 2026. The company maintains a robust net cash position, with RM66.5m in cash and cash equivalents significantly exceeding its total borrowings of RM0.7m.

TrustDecision, a Singapore-based AI risk decision intelligence firm, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) to cultivate an industry-ready AI talent pipeline. This initiative aligns with Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 vision, addressing the country’s growing demand for AI professionals.

The partnership will offer XMUM students structured internships, guest lectures, and exposure to applied research, integrating academic learning with practical AI applications across various sectors, including finance, e-commerce, and digital platforms. This comes as Malaysia faces a significant AI talent shortfall, with only 3,000 AI professionals currently available against a projected demand of 30,000 by 2030, according to the World Bank.

TrustDecision’s Chief Data and AI Officer, Simon Liu, emphasised the importance of real-world exposure for students, stating, “TrustDecision is pleased to support XMUM students with practical industry exposure and help bridge the gap between academic theory and high-stakes business applications.”

The programme will extend beyond the School of AI and Robotics, encompassing students from computing, marketing, finance, and e-commerce disciplines. This reflects AI’s expanding cross-functional role in the industry. The collaboration will also feature knowledge-sharing sessions, starting with a guest lecture by Liu on AI’s evolution.

Looking forward, the partnership aims to expand into joint applied research projects, offering postgraduate students opportunities for industry-informed research and innovation. This MoU represents a strategic collaboration between academia and industry, fostering Malaysia’s broader AI ecosystem.

Nam Cheong Limited, Malaysia’s leading Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) provider, has reported a significant 160% year-on-year increase in profit attributable to owners of the parent (PATMI) for the first quarter of 2026, reaching RM78.9m. This growth is attributed to higher vessel utilisation and the sale of a vessel, despite a smaller fleet size.

The company achieved a 1% rise in revenue to RM117.9m, driven by improved vessel utilisation, which increased to 58% from 48% in the same period last year. This improvement was largely due to more long-term charter contracts commencing and contributing to earnings. The disposal of a vessel during the quarter resulted in a gain of RM59.3m, significantly boosting other income to RM60.5m from RM4.3m in Q1 2025.

Nam Cheong’s net gearing ratio improved, falling to 0.17x from 0.27x in the previous quarter, with expectations of further reduction following accelerated debt repayment in the second quarter of 2026. The company plans to enhance its revenue base with the addition of five new vessels to its fleet throughout the year.

Chief Executive Officer Leong Seng Keat expressed optimism, stating, “With five new vessels scheduled to join our fleet for the remainder of 2026, we expect our revenue base to be further enhanced.” The company remains focused on balancing fleet growth with capital discipline amidst robust offshore demand.

Southern Score Builders Berhad (SSBB), an integrated engineering specialist, has secured a RM47.5m subcontract through its 51%-owned subsidiary, SJEE Engineering Sdn. Bhd. The project involves the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical, ELV, telco, and security works for a data centre. This contract, awarded by a local construction company, is expected to be completed by March 2027, positively impacting SSBB’s earnings from FY26 onwards.

Gan Yee Hin, Executive Director and CEO of SSBB, expressed satisfaction with the contract, stating, “Fresh from securing our largest-ever M&E contract, we are pleased to receive the continued trust of a returning client with this latest data centre job.” He highlighted the strong relationships and execution quality that the M&E division has built over the years, reinforcing SJEE’s reputation in the high-tech and data centre sectors.

This latest win brings SSBB’s total contract value for FY26 to RM456.1m, providing clear earnings visibility for the coming years. The company is actively pursuing opportunities in the data centre sector, with a promising tender pipeline. SSBB is also investing in strengthening its M&E team to support ongoing growth.

SSBB, listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia since November 2022, has evolved from a construction management specialist to an integrated engineering firm. It operates across construction, M&E, and specialised engineering solutions, leveraging over 30 years of industry experience.

TeleChoice International Limited has reported a robust start to the financial year 2026, with a 31% increase in revenue for the first quarter ending 31 March 2026. The Group’s revenue reached S$146.86m, up from S$111.8m in the same period last year. Profit before tax also saw a substantial rise, increasing by 78% to S$2.32m compared to S$1.3m in Q1 2025.

The Personal Communications Solutions Services (PCS) division was a major contributor, with revenue climbing 24% to S$101.13m and profit before tax surging 87% to S$2.09m. The division’s success was largely driven by its Malaysian operations, which benefited from a renewed fourth-party logistics contract with U Mobile Sdn Bhd. However, the Singapore operations faced challenges due to lower margins and increased marketing expenses.

The Info-Communications Technology Services (ICT) division reported a 79% revenue increase to S$27.09m, with a modest 20% rise in profit before tax. This growth was primarily attributed to the Digital Infrastructure business, which secured significant projects across various sectors, including a S$8m storage leasing arrangement with a financial institution.

Meanwhile, the Network Engineering Services (NES) division achieved a 22% revenue increase to S$18.64m, with profit before tax rising by 31%. The division’s Indonesian operations were pivotal, securing a S$24m order for coolant distribution units.

Looking ahead, TeleChoice anticipates stable business performance for FY2026, supported by ongoing demand in telecommunications and ICT sectors. The Group is also awaiting the outcome of a tender for a data centre project in Malaysia, which could further enhance its performance.

TotalEnergies, in collaboration with MK Land Holdings Berhad, has reached financial close and commenced construction on a 30 MWac solar power plant in Kulim, Kedah. The project, awarded by the Malaysian Energy Commission in August 2023 under the Corporate Green Power Programme, is set to begin operations in Q3 2027.

The solar farm will feature approximately 80,000 photovoltaic panels across 115 acres and will include a new 132 kV loop-in-loop-out substation to enhance Malaysia’s grid network. The entire output of around 1.5 TWh of electricity will be sold under 21-year Power Purchase Agreements to major technology and industrial players, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable energy.

Gregory Thomassin, Head of Business Development, Renewables APAC at TotalEnergies, stated, “We are pleased to reach this new milestone for our solar project in Malaysia. By leveraging our extensive upstream footprint in the country and our upcoming 50/50 joint venture with Masdar in Asia, we aim to contribute to the development of renewables to support the country’s decarbonisation objectives.”

The project financing, approximately MYR145m, was arranged with BNP Paribas Malaysia Berhad as the sole lender. TotalEnergies, operating in Malaysia since 1985, is the third-largest gas operator in the country and is actively developing renewable projects to support its B2B customers. The company aims to achieve over 100 TWh of net electricity production by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Kenanga Futures Sdn Bhd has unveiled its “Shining in Global Futures” campaign, aimed at enhancing retail investors’ access to global derivatives markets. Running until 31 July 2026, the campaign focuses on easing entry barriers and providing educational resources for trading selected Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) futures products.

The initiative, led by CEO Azila Abdul Aziz, seeks to empower new investors with interactive tools and strategic insights. “Shining in Global Futures aims to make global futures markets more accessible whilst equipping traders with the knowledge they need to manage risk,” said Abdul Aziz. The campaign aligns with Kenanga Futures’ goal of building a smart derivatives trading community by combining education, risk awareness, and seamless market access.

To encourage participation, Kenanga Futures has reduced account opening fees to RM10 during the campaign. Participants can also win prizes totalling RM20,000. The first 20 participants who trade a minimum of 30 CME products will receive RM500 Poh Kong Gold cash vouchers, whilst the top three traders with the highest volumes will share RM9,000 in vouchers.

The campaign also introduces a virtual trading challenge on the Kenanga Futures Virtual Trading platform, allowing participants to experience real-time market conditions without financial risk. The top 10 participants with the highest simulated profits will earn RM100 e-shopping vouchers.

Looking forward, Kenanga Futures plans to expand the initiative with advanced modules and partnerships, fostering a community of informed and confident traders.

EI Power Berhad, a power engineering solutions provider, has announced a profit after tax (PAT) of RM6m for the first quarter ending 31 March 2026. This marks the company’s first interim financial result in compliance with the ACE Market Listing Requirements of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

The company reported a revenue of RM20.7m, with mission critical power solutions contributing 98% of this figure. The remaining revenue was generated from conventional and renewable energy power solutions. Gross profit stood at RM9.8m, whilst profit before tax (PBT) was RM8m, reflecting a PBT margin of 38.5%.

Albert Chang Wan Siong, Executive Director and CEO of EI Power Berhad, highlighted the strong demand within the data centre sector as a key driver for their mission critical power solutions. He noted, “The ongoing expansion of hyperscale co-location facilities and AI-related infrastructure, alongside investments in the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, is supporting further opportunities within the industry.”

The company is also expanding its footprint beyond Malaysia, with plans to enter the Thai market, where digital infrastructure investments are increasing. As of 24 March 2026, EI Power Berhad’s unbilled order book was valued at RM99.9m, ensuring earnings visibility through 2027. Additionally, the company has submitted tenders in Thailand worth approximately RM75.3m.

EI Power Berhad is set to be listed on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities on 21 May 2026, aiming to raise RM62.2m through its initial public offering. The funds will support the establishment of a new headquarters, expansion into Thailand and Johor, and investments in building energy efficiency systems.

BGI Genomics has announced its participation in the HGP2 Rare Disease Alliance of the Asia-Pacific Region (HGP2 RaDiAnce–APAC), a coalition aimed at addressing the diagnostic challenges of rare diseases in the region. The alliance, launched on 10 May in Kuala Lumpur, brings together experts from 10 countries under the Human Genome Project II (HGP2) framework.

The initiative seeks to improve rare disease diagnosis and care by focusing on five key areas: ethics, accessibility, collaboration, acceleration, and public response. The alliance’s efforts are expected to enhance genomic medicine and public health responses across the Asia-Pacific.

Hou Yong, General Manager of BGI Genomics, highlighted the alliance’s potential to “advance the standardisation, intelligent transformation, and e-health” in the region. This collaboration is seen as a significant step towards integrating genomics, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies into healthcare systems.

YBhg. Datuk Dr. Nor Fariza Binti Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) at Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, emphasised the importance of transitioning from reactive to predictive and preventive healthcare. “Precision health is not a future ambition, but a present responsibility,” she stated, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to integrating genomics and strong policy frameworks into its health system.

The alliance’s formation marks a concerted effort to close the care gap for rare diseases, potentially transforming healthcare delivery and outcomes in the Asia-Pacific region.

SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 wrapped up its three-day event at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, underscoring the region’s growing influence in the global semiconductor industry. The event, themed “Transform Tomorrow,” attracted nearly 20,000 attendees from 57 countries, featuring over 700 exhibitors and 105 speakers.

The conference focused on key areas such as intelligent manufacturing, sustainability, talent development, and supply chain resilience. Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI, emphasised the importance of collaboration in scaling the industry sustainably: “SEMI’s role is to connect the global semiconductor ecosystem and help translate alignment into action.”

A highlight was the Intelligent Manufacturing Showcase, powered by Sandisk and SEMI, which demonstrated the transformative impact of digital technologies on semiconductor production. Boon Soo Lim, VP and GM of SDSM Operations at Sandisk, noted, “Intelligent manufacturing is no longer a future concept as it is already shaping how semiconductor fabs operate today.”

The event also aligned with Malaysia’s National Semiconductor Strategy, aiming to attract over RM 500b in investments. SEMICON Southeast Asia will return to Kuala Lumpur from 25-27 May 2027, continuing its mission to foster industry collaboration and innovation.