Allianz Malaysia Berhad has announced the expansion of its environmental and educational initiative, Allianz Eco Quest, to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Langkawi. This marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to fostering sustainable community empowerment on the island. The launch event was attended by key figures including Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz Malaysia, and Zakri Khir, Chairman of Allianz Malaysia.

The three-year programme, running from 2026 to 2028, builds on the success of Allianz Eco Quest in Pulau Tuba. It aims to empower secondary school students by equipping them with leadership and practical life skills. Sean Wang highlighted the importance of empowering youth, stating, “Allianz Malaysia believes that creating sustainable impact requires consistency, continuity and community ownership.”

The programme will organise students into clubs such as STEM, Sports, and Expression, with sessions held twice a month. These sessions will blend facilitator-led and student-led learning to encourage peer leadership. A unique aspect of the initiative is its multiplier effect, where secondary students mentor younger peers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Tuba, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem of knowledge and skills transfer.

Incorporating elements like gamification, digitalisation, and financial literacy, the programme also includes annual camps to foster character development and teamwork. Since its inception, Allianz Eco Quest has shown measurable impacts, such as improved English communication skills and positive behavioural changes among participants. To date, it has engaged 45 primary school learners and 30 alumni, many of whom now serve as facilitators.

Nearly 93% of organisations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are opting to outsource at least part of their Security Operations Centre (SOC) operations, according to a recent survey by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. The survey reveals that 64% of these organisations prefer a hybrid model, combining internal and external resources, whilst 29% are moving towards a full SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) approach. This shift is driven by the need for round-the-clock protection, regulatory compliance, and access to advanced cybersecurity expertise.

As cyberthreats grow more sophisticated, companies are re-evaluating their SOC strategies. The survey highlights that only 9% of organisations plan to maintain entirely in-house SOCs, underscoring the challenges of continuous monitoring and attracting skilled specialists. In Malaysia, where internet penetration reached 97.7% in early 2025, the digital economy is expected to contribute up to 30% of GDP by 2030, further emphasising the importance of robust security operations.

Outsourcing SOC functions allows organisations to delegate tasks such as SOC design, technology deployment, and monitoring to external providers. This approach not only ensures 24/7 protection but also reduces the workload on internal IT teams, enabling them to focus on strategic initiatives. Sergey Soldatov, Head of Security Operations Centre at Kaspersky, noted, “The trend towards outsourcing SOC functions is primarily driven by the necessity for enhanced operational focus and strategic agility.”

The survey also found that the most commonly outsourced tasks include solution installation, development, and SOC design. Companies are increasingly seeking external support for compliance and advanced technologies, with first-line and second-line analysts being the most in-demand roles. Adrian Hia, Managing Director for APAC at Kaspersky, stated, “As digital dependence and regulatory expectations increase, leaders are recognising that resilience depends on how expertise and responsibility are structured.”

Kaspersky advises organisations planning to build a SOC to engage with their consulting services and leverage advanced solutions like Kaspersky SIEM and Threat Intelligence to enhance security performance.

WTK Holdings Berhad, a diversified group based in Sarawak, has received unanimous shareholder approval for its proposed acquisition of Desacorp Sdn Bhd, Imbok Enterprise Sdn Bhd, and WTK Oil Mill Sdn Bhd. The acquisitions, valued at $118.5m (RM555m), aim to significantly expand WTK’s plantation business by increasing its planted oil palm area by 82.6% to 31,809.86 hectares.

The acquisitions are expected to enhance WTK’s operational scale and efficiency, particularly with the addition of a dedicated in-estate mill. This move aligns with WTK’s strategic shift away from timber operations, focusing instead on its plantation division as the core business segment. Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Sulong Bin Matjeraie expressed confidence in the group’s strategic direction, stating, “Our immediate priority will be the execution and orderly integration of the acquired assets into the Group’s existing operations.”

The outlook for the plantation sector remains positive, with crude palm oil prices expected to stay firm, supported by constrained stock levels and improved export competitiveness, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. The recent increase in Indonesia’s crude palm oil export levy structure is also anticipated to benefit Malaysia’s market share.

WTK’s divestment from timber operations is expected to stabilise its earnings profile, with the new acquisitions set to be earnings accretive. The group anticipates completing the acquisitions by the second quarter of 2026, further solidifying its position in the plantation sector.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines have formalised a strategic joint business partnership, following regulatory approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore. This collaboration, announced on 29 January 2026, aims to enhance connectivity and offer greater flexibility for customers travelling between the two countries.

The partnership will be implemented progressively, featuring initiatives such as revenue-sharing flights, joint fare products, coordinated flight schedules, and joint corporate travel arrangements. This move is expected to strengthen both airlines’ operations and deliver enhanced value to customers across their combined networks.

Datuk Captain Izham bin Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, stated that this partnership is a step forward in the Group’s Long-Term Business Plan 3.0, positioning Malaysia Airlines for future growth. “This collaboration brings together complementary frequencies and aligned schedules, enabling deeper connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.

Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, expressed gratitude to the authorities in both countries for their approvals, which pave the way for this strategic partnership. “Our win-win collaboration strengthens both carriers’ operations, whilst delivering enhanced value to customers across our combined networks,” he noted.

Since their initial agreement in October 2019, the airlines have expanded their codeshare arrangements, allowing for greater connectivity between key destinations. Additionally, in February 2024, both carriers introduced reciprocal cross-participation in their frequent flyer programmes, enabling members to earn and redeem points on selected flights.

This partnership not only reinforces the long-standing ties between Singapore and Malaysia but also supports economic growth and connectivity, benefiting both nations.

RE&S Enterprises, a prominent Singapore-based Japanese food and beverage group, has successfully modernised its core business systems by migrating key applications onto the Nutanix Cloud Platform. This strategic move supports brands such as Mister Donut, Kuriya Dining, and Ichiban Sushi across over 70 outlets in Singapore and Malaysia. The transition aims to enhance system performance and prepare the company for future AI-driven capabilities.

The migration to Nutanix has resulted in a 73% reduction in the company’s hardware footprint, significantly improving system uptime and performance whilst reducing operational overheads. Adrian Tan, Senior Manager of IT at RE&S Enterprises, noted, “Nutanix gave us the ability to modernise, scale for future growth, and maintain high application performance without the disruption issues we had been experiencing.”

With the new platform, RE&S Enterprises plans to deepen its use of data analytics to guide decision-making and enhance customer experiences. The company is now well-positioned to introduce advanced analytics and AI-driven capabilities, ensuring a stable foundation for future growth.

The streamlined setup provided by Nutanix has simplified management and strengthened the resilience of business-critical systems. “Our users can retrieve data faster and work without interruption, and the IT team no longer faces the stress of recovering failed servers,” Tan added.

Ho Chye Soon, Singapore Country Manager at Nutanix, praised RE&S Enterprises for building a future-ready foundation that not only strengthens uptime but also accelerates innovation. This modernisation effort underscores the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards of food consistency and quality whilst pursuing strategic innovation.

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.