LMS Compliance has announced a significant 32.5% increase in revenue for the financial year 2025, reaching RM33.63m. The company’s net profit also saw a substantial rise, growing by 29.8% to RM6.76m. This growth is attributed to the company’s strategic shift from a traditional laboratory testing firm to a comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) assurance platform.

The Executive Director and CEO of LMS Compliance, Louis Ooi, highlighted the company’s operational discipline and strategic expansion as key drivers of this robust performance. He stated, “This strong performance reinforces our strategic shift from a traditional laboratory testing company to a comprehensive ESG assurance platform, powered by regulation-led growth.”

In addition to its financial success, LMS Compliance has proposed a final cash dividend of 1.00 Singapore cent per share, increasing the total dividend payout to S$1.37m. This move underscores the company’s commitment to rewarding shareholders whilst reinvesting for sustainable growth.

The strategic acquisition of ACC and the establishment of MY CO2 Inspection have expanded LMS Compliance’s capabilities into the novel food sector and electric vehicle and goods inspection services. As global regulatory standards evolve, the company is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities and accelerate scalable growth.

Looking ahead, LMS Compliance aims to continue delivering enduring value to its stakeholders, leveraging its strengthened position in the ESG assurance market.

Nam Cheong Limited, a leading Malaysian Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) provider, has announced a significant rise in its profit attributable to owners of the parent (PATMI) for the second half of 2025, reaching RM189.6m. This marks a 17.4% year-on-year increase and a 138.2% rise half-year-on-half-year, attributed to stronger vessel utilisation and gains from vessel sales.

Revenue for the second half of 2025 climbed to RM341.5m, a 22.7% increase from the first half of the year, as more long-term charter contracts commenced. However, the full-year revenue saw a decline of 9.5% year-on-year to RM619.7m, reflecting a normalised vessel utilisation rate compared to the peak in 2024.

Gross profit for the period rose by 13.2% half-year-on-half-year to RM160m, although the gross margin narrowed to 46.9% due to scheduled vessel maintenance completed in the fourth quarter. Other income surged to RM115.4m, driven by higher gains from vessel sales and foreign exchange gains.

Looking ahead, Nam Cheong anticipates higher vessel utilisation in 2026, supported by long-term charters and potential vessel monetisation. CEO Leong Seng Keat expressed optimism, stating, “We expect a higher vessel utilisation compared to 2025 and see opportunities to unlock further value through the monetisation of some of our vessels.”

The Malaysian OSV market is expected to remain stable, with Petronas maintaining domestic output and increasing exploration activities, which could sustain demand for OSVs. Nam Cheong, with its young and technologically advanced fleet, is well-positioned to capitalise on these opportunities and deliver long-term value to shareholders.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has announced a net profit of RM7.9b for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, marking a 1.7% increase from the previous year. The Group’s profit before tax rose by 2.7% year-on-year to RM10.7b, with earnings per share reaching 73.1 sen. This performance has led to an improved return on average equity of 11.3%, driven by the disciplined execution of its Forward30 (F30) strategy amidst challenging economic conditions.

The Group has proposed a second interim dividend of 20.35 sen per share, culminating in a record total dividend payout of RM5.1b. This move underscores CIMB’s commitment to rewarding shareholders through robust earnings and strategic capital management.

CIMB’s F30 strategy, now in its first year, is progressing well, focusing on capital reallocation, enhancing cash franchises, and boosting digital capabilities. The Group reported a 6.1% growth in assets on a constant currency basis, with a notable increase in profit before tax contribution from Malaysia.

The Group’s cash strategy has yielded positive results, with total deposits and current account savings account balances growing by 5.4% year-on-year. This has helped reduce the cost of funds by 21 basis points, mitigating the impact of rate cuts and stabilising net interest income at RM15.3b.

CIMB continues to invest in technology, spending RM1.7b in FY25 to enhance customer solutions and reduce operational costs. The Group is also advancing its sustainability agenda, committing RM200m to community investments by 2030 and setting a sustainable finance target of RM300b.

Novan Amirudin, Group CEO, stated, “2025 marked the first year of the F30 strategy and CIMB delivered record financial performance despite a challenging year of regional and global headwinds.” Looking forward, CIMB aims to build a stronger, more sustainable organisation that delivers long-term value for shareholders and communities.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, has announced a RM155.6m equity investment in Malaysia’s Zetrix AI Berhad. This investment is set to bolster the development and deployment of blockchain-based Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) applications and AI-enabled products, enhancing digital inclusion and economic efficiency in Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region.

Zetrix AI’s innovative solutions aim to streamline services such as digital ID verification, international trade digitalisation, and asset tokenisation. These services will integrate with Malaysia’s digital ecosystem, including MyDigital ID and the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI). The investment will also support Zetrix AI’s expansion into emerging markets within ASEAN and globally.

Judith Green, World Bank Group country manager for Malaysia, stated, “This investment reflects IFC’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda, in line with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan, 2026-2030.” She emphasised the importance of DPI services in improving public service delivery and economic competitiveness.

TS Wong, Group Managing Director of Zetrix AI, highlighted the transformative potential of their blockchain and AI solutions, saying, “With the participation and market access from IFC, we will accelerate our global expansion plans.”

The investment underscores IFC’s strategy to leverage private sector solutions to foster inclusive and sustainable growth in developing regions. As Zetrix AI continues to innovate, the collaboration is poised to drive significant socio-economic integration across ASEAN.
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Oxford Innotech Berhad (OXB), an integrated engineering solutions provider, has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025, ending 31 December 2025. The company reported a revenue of RM12.7m, with the precision engineering components solutions segment contributing 60.1%, mechanical assembly solutions 34.8%, and automation and robotics solutions 5.1%. Profit after tax (PAT) for the quarter stood at RM1.0m, reflecting an 8.1% PAT margin.

For the full year, OXB achieved a revenue of RM63.2m, with the mechanical assembly solutions segment leading at 54.3%. The precision engineering components solutions segment followed with 42.6%, and automation and robotics solutions contributed 3.1%. The company reported a PAT of RM7.1m, which, after adjusting for listing expenses, resulted in an adjusted PAT of RM8.4m, translating to a 13.3% margin.

OXB Managing Director, Ng Thean Gin, expressed satisfaction with the FY 2025 results despite a challenging environment. He highlighted the company’s successful entry into the data centre industry, securing contracts worth RM9.6m, expected to be fully recognised in FY 2026. Additionally, OXB is witnessing progress in its semiconductor sector, with increased demand anticipated following First Article Inspection Reports (FAIRs) approvals.

Looking forward, OXB remains optimistic about FY 2026, supported by an order book of RM21.0m and expected new orders. The company maintains a strong balance sheet, with a net cash position and a current ratio of 7.3 times as of 31 December 2025.
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CIMB Group Holdings Berhad and Ant International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore innovations in cross-border payments and treasury and liquidity management solutions for businesses in Malaysia. This strategic partnership will leverage Ant International’s blockchain-based treasury management solutions, subject to regulatory approvals, to enhance capital efficiency and transparency.

The collaboration will involve CIMB working with Ant International’s key businesses, including Alipay+, Antom, and Bettr Treasury, across various financial services such as cash management, credit facilities, and sustainability initiatives. Novan Amirudin, Group CEO of CIMB, stated, “The partnership marks a milestone in our Forward30 strategy, where innovation is embedded into the core of how we operate and compete.”

Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the shared goal of leveraging technology for seamless cross-border payments. “By combining our strengths, we will scale the institutional adoption of tokenisation—a key pillar of next-generation financial infrastructure,” he said.

The initiative underscores CIMB’s commitment to digital transformation and aligns with its participation in Bank Negara Malaysia’s Digital Assets Innovation Hub. The partnership aims to build a more efficient and inclusive financial ecosystem, reinforcing the resilience and competitiveness of regional financial systems to better serve customers in Malaysia.
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Sunway Property, the real estate division of Sunway Group, has set an ambitious sales target of RM4.2b for 2026. This goal is supported by a robust RM4.8b launch pipeline across Malaysia and key regional markets. The company exceeded its 2025 target by achieving RM3.8 billion in sales, up from RM3b in 2024 and RM2.4b in 2023, reflecting strong buyer confidence and demand for well-located developments.

The company’s strategy aligns with Malaysia’s transformative phase under the 13th Malaysia Plan, focusing on connectivity and integrated living. Sunway Property’s Managing Director, Chung Soo Kiong, noted, ““Homebuyers today are more deliberate and value-driven. They prioritise certainty, liveability and long-term value, not just a unit.”

Sunway Property’s 2026 plans include significant projects in Johor, Klang Valley, Penang, and Ipoh. In Johor, the Sunway City Iskandar Puteri will see the launch of Sunway Sakura’s second phase and additional residential projects. In Klang Valley, new phases of Sunway Serene and Sunway Velocity 3 are set to cater to urban dwellers. Penang and Ipoh will also witness new developments, enhancing the regions’ appeal.

Internationally, Sunway Property plans to launch the Pinery Residences in Singapore and expand in China. The company is also evaluating a return to the Cambodian market. These initiatives underscore Sunway Property’s commitment to sustainable growth and value creation, both domestically and regionally.

Weixin Mini Programmes experienced a significant increase in global transaction value during the Lunar New Year holiday from 15 to 23 February, with a 65% year-on-year rise. Chinese outbound tourists increasingly utilised the app for dining, transport, hotel bookings, and attraction tickets, contributing to this growth.

The Year of the Horse in 2026 spurred interest in horse-themed travel, with destinations featuring the character “马” (horse) in their names seeing a notable uptick in visitors. Malaysia, in particular, witnessed a 131% increase in offline transaction value by Chinese tourists, whilst transaction value on Malaysia-based Weixin Mini Programmes surged by over 140%.

Italy emerged as a standout destination, partly due to the Winter Olympics, recording a 190% increase in transaction value. Other “dark horse” markets included Qatar and Switzerland, which also saw significant growth in transactions.

In terms of inbound tourism, visitors to the Chinese mainland using Weixin Pay linked to international bank cards saw a doubling in average daily visits. The medical aesthetics sector experienced a doubling in transaction value, highlighting its rapid growth.

Weixin Pay’s support for 29 overseas wallets across 12 countries contributed to a 28% increase in transactions during the holiday period. This interoperability is expected to continue driving growth in international transactions. As the Year of the Horse progresses, these trends may further influence global travel patterns.

Nam Cheong Limited, a leading offshore support vessel provider based in Sarawak, Malaysia, has announced the acquisition of shipbuilding contracts valued at US$64.5m. The contracts, awarded by a UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company, mark Nam Cheong’s first newbuild order in over ten years, reflecting a resurgence in demand for offshore support vessels amid strengthening offshore oil and gas activities.

The contracts involve the construction of four offshore support vessels (OSVs), comprising two 60-metre Dive Support Vessels and two 60-metre Remote Operated Landing Crafts. These vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2027 and early 2028. Notably, the Remote Operated Landing Crafts will be among the first of their kind globally, featuring unmanned operations controlled remotely via satellite.

All vessels will be constructed at Nam Cheong’s Miri Yard in Sarawak, showcasing the company’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities developed over six decades. The newbuilds are expected to contribute positively to Nam Cheong’s earnings from 2026 to 2028, subject to contract conditions.

Nam Cheong’s CEO, Leong Seng Keat, expressed enthusiasm about the contracts, stating, “We are thrilled to have an established UAE-based global energy maritime logistics company as our new customer. This marks the beginning of the resurgence in demand for our shipbuilding activities after more than a decade.”

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) has recently announced another oil output hike, indicating a positive outlook for the oil industry. This development is expected to enhance demand for newbuild OSVs as the global fleet approaches its replacement cycle.

CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad and CIMB Foundation have committed over RM2.22m to their annual Harapan Ramadan programme, aiming to empower more than 45,000 beneficiaries from underserved communities across Malaysia. This year’s initiative focuses on integrating small business owners into the programme’s value chain, enhancing local economic participation.

The programme involves collaboration with 100 neighbourhood general stores to supply food box items, thereby supporting small businesses and reinforcing local supply chains. Additionally, CIMB is providing a RM1,000 seed fund to 50 asnaf micro-entrepreneurs, including alumni from its entrepreneurship programmes, to help them establish sustainable businesses during Ramadan.

The launch event, attended by key figures such as Senator Dr. Zulkifli Hasan and Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, saw the distribution of food boxes to 150 beneficiaries from various Malaysian agencies. The programme, funded through corporate donations and Zakat Wakalah funds, aims to deliver long-term socio-economic impact.

CIMB’s efforts extend beyond Malaysia, with additional Ramadan initiatives in Indonesia and Singapore. These include iftar distributions and aid to orphanages and low-income families, highlighting the bank’s commitment to diversity and community support.

Ahmad Shahriman, CEO of CIMB Islamic and CIMB Foundation, stated, “Harapan Ramadan reflects our commitment to uplifting communities in a meaningful and sustainable way.” Since its inception in 2022, the programme has channelled over RM8.7m, benefiting over 174,500 recipients and engaging more than 1,300 CIMB employees in volunteer activities.