ISF Group Berhad, a provider of end-to-end piping solutions, has made a notable entrance on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The company’s shares opened at 50 sen, marking a 51.52% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 33 sen, with an opening volume of 45,578,100 shares. This debut is a significant milestone for ISF, which operates under the Industrial Products & Services sector with the stock code 0390.

The IPO was managed by Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad, serving as the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter, and Placement Agent. Jeff Ai Boon Chen, Managing Director of ISF, expressed that the listing represents a major step in the company’s growth trajectory, enabling it to undertake larger projects and better serve its customers. “The listing of ISF on the ACE Market of Bursa Securities marks a significant milestone in our corporate journey,” he stated.

ISF plans to utilise the RM61.15m raised from the IPO to expand its operational facilities, develop existing business activities, and grow its workforce. Specifically, RM11.35m will be allocated for operational facilities, RM2.05m for business development, RM1.85m for workforce expansion, RM1.20m for loan repayments, RM39.90m for working capital, and RM4.80m for listing expenses.

The company anticipates benefiting from the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, which prioritises affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades, as well as the growth of the domestic data centre industry. This strategic positioning is expected to support ISF’s long-term growth and operational capacity.

Aurastone has officially expanded into Malaysia with the launch of a new fabrication hub and design showroom in Johor Bahru. This strategic move aims to bolster support for Malaysia’s vibrant design community, including architects, interior designers, and homeowners. The facility offers full in-house stone fabrication capabilities, enhancing the availability of modern surface solutions in the region.

The Johor facility introduces Mysa by Nabel, a premium range of sintered stone known for its durability and versatility. This collection includes a variety of designs such as Bold Marbled, Subtle Marbled, Speckled, Solid, and Timber-inspired options, providing designers with a broad palette for both contemporary and classic interiors. The showroom will feature a curated library of 30 to 40 sintered stone slabs, making it one of the largest collections in Johor.

Chris Goh, Marketing Director and Co-Founder of Aurastone, stated, “Aurastone’s expansion into Malaysia reflects our commitment to supporting the region’s growing design ambitions. With our product portfolio and a full in-house fabrication hub in Johor, we are focused on giving architects, designers, and homeowners access to well-considered materials, consistent craftsmanship, and a smoother, more reliable project experience.”

The Johor hub will also serve as a strategic centre for custom fabrication, consultation support, and fast-turnaround prototyping. It aligns with Singapore standards for quality-controlled fabrication and offers site measurement and installation support across Johor and Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, Aurastone is an authorised dealer for international brands like Caesarstone, Dekton, and Silestone, complementing its Mysa by Nabel range.

Aurastone prioritises environmentally sustainable materials, with its sintered stone surfaces supported by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These declarations provide credible environmental data, aiding architects and developers in green building documentation and sustainability frameworks.

Nam Cheong Limited, a leading offshore support vessel provider based in Sarawak, Malaysia, has announced the sale of a 3,000 deadweight tonne platform support vessel to an Indonesian customer for $19.8m. The 11-year-old vessel is set for immediate deployment, aligning with Indonesia’s surge in oil and gas investments, which reached a decade-high of $7.19b in the first half of 2025.

The transaction is part of Nam Cheong’s fleet reprofiling strategy and is expected to positively impact the company’s earnings for the financial year ending 2026. The sale proceeds will be used to accelerate debt repayment and support working capital needs. The vessel delivery is anticipated to conclude in the first quarter of 2026.

Nam Cheong’s CEO, Leong Seng Keat, highlighted the strategic benefits of the sale, stating, “We have the optionality to generate recurring income through the monetisation of our older vessels via ship sales or continue to generate revenue with our chartering services.”

Following this sale, Nam Cheong will manage a fleet of 36 offshore support vessels with an average age of nine years. This relatively young fleet positions the company to capitalise on charter contracts and potential future sales. The global offshore support vessel market, valued at $4.73b in 2024, is projected to grow at a 7.5% compound annual growth rate, reaching $9.75b by 2034.

The sale underscores Nam Cheong’s dual-pronged strategy to enhance growth momentum and unlock shareholder value through its complementary chartering and shipbuilding businesses.

PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey highlights that 84% of Malaysian CEOs are planning to expand beyond their traditional industry boundaries over the next three years. This marks a significant shift as 76% of Malaysian companies have already ventured into new sectors, up from 42% in 2025. However, this ambition is tempered by a decline in confidence, with only 33% of CEOs expressing high confidence in revenue growth over the next 12 months.

The survey, which gathered insights from 4,454 CEOs worldwide, identifies key concerns for Malaysian executives. Skills shortages, cyber risks, and technological disruption are the top challenges, each cited by 33% of respondents. Despite these challenges, only 24% of CEOs feel highly exposed to trade barriers, aligning with the Asia Pacific average.

AI adoption in Malaysia shows mixed results. Whilst 23% of CEOs report additional revenue from AI in the past year, only 17% have seen cost reductions, and 26% note an increase in their cost base due to AI implementation.

The full report is available on PwC’s website, offering deeper insights into the evolving strategies of Malaysian CEOs as they navigate a complex business landscape.

Maybank has announced its ambitious five-year strategy, ROAR30, aimed at reinforcing its purpose of Humanising Financial Services and achieving a return on equity (ROE) of 13-14% by 2030. The strategy, unveiled on 20 January 2026, focuses on three strategic pillars: values-based offerings, scaling businesses, and strengthening foundations.

The first pillar centres on delivering exceptional customer experiences, positively impacting society, and supporting the real economy. Maybank plans to leverage digital platforms and next-generation apps to enhance customer engagement. The bank is committed to mobilising RM300b in sustainable finance over the next five years and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

The second pillar involves expanding four key business areas: global Islamic finance, regional wealth management, regional transactions and payments, and regional corporate and investment banking. Maybank aims to capitalise on ASEAN’s growing prominence and the increasing demand for Islamic finance.

The third pillar focuses on building a sustainable foundation by enhancing workforce capabilities, embracing technology, and optimising productivity. Maybank President and Group CEO, Dato’ Sri Khairussaleh Ramli, highlighted the importance of ROAR30 in driving growth and profitability across Maybank’s home markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

ROAR30 aims to deliver a net interest margin of over 2.05%, a cost-to-income ratio of 47% or less, and a CASA ratio exceeding 41%. The strategy is designed to ensure meaningful impact and sustainable value creation for all stakeholders, including customers, communities, and economies served by Maybank.

Point Hope has unveiled the Anchor Generational Assets Fund, a global equities strategy aimed at investors with multidecade investment horizons. This new fund focuses on businesses with enduring competitive advantages, designed to sustain returns across economic cycles rather than short-term gains.

The fund’s strategy is informed by Point Hope’s research into business longevity, examining how companies maintain economic relevance amidst competition and technological change. “Over the years, we have run a range of different strategies, but once we began viewing investing through the lens of generational durability—asking which businesses could survive and thrive not just this cycle but across generations—everything changed,” said Guan Zhen Tan, Chief Investment Officer of Point Hope.

The Anchor Generational Assets Fund invests in a select group of high-quality businesses, primarily in the United States and China, known for their technological leadership and capital formation. These companies are characterised by strong pricing power, dominant market positions, and conservative balance sheets. The fund’s investment process emphasises deep research, disciplined capital allocation, and patience, resulting in a concentrated portfolio with low turnover.

Point Hope, operating from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, manages capital with an institutional mindset, prioritising risk management and long-term survivability. The firm’s principals are the largest investors in the fund, aligning their interests with those of their clients. The fund is intended for family offices and accredited investors, with further information available upon request.

Deutsche Bank Malaysia has announced the appointment of Datin Wan Daneena Liza binti Wan Abdul Rahman as its new Chairperson, marking the first time a woman has held this position in the bank’s history in Malaysia. Alongside her, Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Dato’ Seri Zain Al-‘Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz joins the board as an Independent Non-Executive Director, both appointments reflecting the bank’s commitment to strong governance and long-term presence in Malaysia.

Datin Wan Daneena brings over 25 years of experience in financial services, having held senior roles at Ernst & Young Malaysia and serving on the boards of several major companies. Her expertise in audit quality, risk management, and financial reporting is expected to enhance the bank’s governance framework. Tunku Zain, Founding President of the policy think tank IDEAS, adds significant public policy and governance insight from his experience with organisations such as the UK Houses of Parliament and the World Bank.

CEO of Deutsche Bank Malaysia, Dato’ Yusof Annuar bin Yaacob, stated, “These appointments demonstrate Deutsche Bank’s commitment to the highest standards of governance. Datin Wan Daneena’s significant financial services expertise and Tunku Zain’s broad policy and stakeholder background will strengthen the Board’s independence, risk oversight, and strategic guidance.”

Deutsche Bank has been operating in Malaysia for over 55 years, focusing on responsible growth, risk management, and investment in local talent. The new board appointments are set to support the bank’s strategic ambitions and contribute to Malaysia’s economic growth, aligning with Bank Negara Malaysia’s expectations and global best practices.

YTL Cement’s CDL Academy and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have formalised their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 9 January 2026. This agreement aims to advance talent development and research innovation in sustainable construction within Malaysia’s engineering sector. The MoU, signed by UTM Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and CDL Academy Chairman Dato Sr Mohd Zaid Zakaria, seeks to provide students with industry exposure and practical experience.

The partnership will focus on initiatives such as professional training programmes, student internships, academic exchanges, and workshops. These efforts will concentrate on green building materials, advanced construction technologies, and cost management solutions. UTM, known for its commitment to engineering, science, and technology, aims to equip graduates with the skills necessary for the nation’s development.

Since its inception in 2019, CDL Academy has conducted over 100 seminars, benefiting more than 10,000 participants. The collaboration with UTM expands these efforts, supporting the development of industry-ready graduates and addressing emerging needs in sustainable construction. The MoU will be effective for three years, with opportunities for renewal, and will be overseen by coordinators from both parties to ensure measurable outcomes.

CDL Academy, part of the YTL Cement Group, focuses on developing well-trained professionals through structured training and practical knowledge-sharing. The academy serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, bringing together practitioners, academics, and industry leaders. This collaboration underscores the commitment to strengthening industry talent pipelines and supporting the long-term advancement of the construction ecosystem.

Risen Energy and Eco Persona, a Malaysian solar EPC enterprise, has announced a significant expansion in Southeast Asia by signing a strategic agreement to develop new photovoltaic (PV) projects in four northern states of Malaysia.

This cooperation will prioritize the use of Risen Energy’s high-power Heterojunction (HJT) modules, string inverters, and commercial and industrial energy storage cabinets to construct an efficient power generation PV-storage integrated system.

With the acceleration of the global carbon neutrality process, the photovoltaic market in Southeast Asia is experiencing explosive growth.

This project between Risen Energy and Eco Persona not only consolidates their leading positions in the Malaysian PV market but also, through the deep synergy of cutting-edge technology and local services, provides global clients with more efficient and reliable green energy solutions, jointly outlining a blueprint for carbon neutrality.

Fasset, a global banking and investment platform, has announced the appointment of Rafiza Ghazali as Managing Director, Consumer Banking, effective 1 February 2026. Ghazali, a seasoned banker with over two decades of experience, will lead Fasset’s strategy to become a full-service, Shariah-aligned digital bank, following its recent approval to launch the world’s first stablecoin-based Islamic digital bank in Malaysia.

Ghazali’s extensive background includes leading the establishment and public launch of KAF Digital Bank, Malaysia’s second Islamic digital bank. Her expertise spans central banking, capital markets, Islamic finance, and digital banking. At Fasset, she will focus on expanding the company’s stablecoin-led banking strategy across retail, private SME, and trade finance segments, leveraging the Labuan regulatory framework in Malaysia.

“Fasset’s mission to expand financial access and build inclusive digital infrastructure strongly resonates with me,” Ghazali stated. Her role will involve scaling digital banking operations and enhancing Fasset’s multi-jurisdictional banking infrastructure.

Fasset, co-founded by Mohammad Raafi Hossain and Daniel Ahmed, aims to enhance financial inclusion in high-growth markets. The platform has seen significant growth, with 1 million retail app downloads in 2025 and a US$12b annualised volume. Hossain remarked, “Rafiza brings firsthand end-to-end experience in building and running a regulated digital bank.”

Ghazali’s appointment marks a significant step in Fasset’s journey to scale its consumer banking operations globally, aligning with regulatory expectations and institutional-grade governance.