AWC Berhad, a leading engineering services group, has secured a RM39.7m subcontract through its subsidiary, Qudotech Sdn. Bhd., with Gamuda Engineering Sdn. Bhd. The agreement involves the installation of essential systems for a hyperscale data centre in Bandar Springhill, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. This contract is expected to positively impact AWC’s financial performance until its completion in the financial year ending 30 June 2027.

This latest contract marks the fourth data centre project AWC’s engineering division has won in the past year, bringing the total value of these projects to RM127.3m. The division’s order book now stands at RM139.2m as of June 2026, excluding two additional data centre jobs worth RM62.8m.

Group CEO, Ahmad Kabeer bin Mohamed Nagoor, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “This award reflects the position our Engineering Division has established in the data centre segment over the past two years. A number of these contracts have come from returning customers and we regard that continuity as a meaningful endorsement of our execution.”

AWC’s overall order book reached RM824.3m as of 30 June 2026, excluding this new contract and a RM23.1m data centre job secured in August 2026. The company continues to leverage its expertise in the rapidly expanding data centre sector, positioning itself as a key player in the industry.

RewardinMe Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian AI-driven marketing platform, has announced its expansion into Myanmar, marking its sixth market entry. This move, facilitated through a partnership with Thailand’s RevSEA, commenced last month with an 18-month gamified marketing campaign targeting one of Myanmar’s largest e-wallet providers. The campaign aims to transform passive users into daily transactors by using in-app games like spin-to-win and scratch cards, all localised in Burmese.

The expansion taps into Myanmar’s burgeoning mobile finance sector, characterised by a young, mobile-first population and increasing internet adoption. Steve Wan, Founder of RewardinMe, highlighted the shift in focus from app downloads to daily active usage in Myanmar’s e-wallet market. “Rather than interrupting people with ads, we let them enjoy fun games. Brands earn attention, loyalty and the customer data they need,” Wan stated.

May Ahyoneoo, Founder and Managing Director of RevSEA, praised the innovative approach, noting, “Working with RewardinMe has been rewarding because they bring something genuinely new to this market.”

Since 2023, RewardinMe has engaged over 360,000 participants across Southeast Asia, with brands seeing up to three times higher engagement than traditional digital campaigns. The company has collaborated with major brands like Maybank and RHB Bank and recently won a BEYOND Innovation Award in Macao.

Looking ahead, RewardinMe is optimistic about further regional growth, with ongoing discussions with other market players.

Leader Energy has commenced construction on a 100 MW/400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Pajam, Negeri Sembilan. This project, developed under Malaysia’s Battery Energy Storage System bidding programme (MyBeST), is expected to be operational by 2027. The facility is designed to improve grid flexibility and reliability in Peninsular Malaysia, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources and balancing electricity supply and demand.

The BESS project represents a significant step in Leader Energy’s expansion into grid-scale energy storage. By enhancing the grid’s ability to accommodate renewable energy, the project supports Malaysia’s broader goals of increasing sustainable energy use. Once completed, the facility will play a crucial role in stabilising the electricity grid, ensuring a more reliable power supply for the region.

Samantha Onn, Group Communications Manager at Leader Energy, highlighted the importance of the project, stating that it marks a milestone in the company’s efforts to support Malaysia’s energy transition. The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place recently, signifies the start of construction and the company’s commitment to advancing energy storage solutions.

As Malaysia continues to pursue its renewable energy targets, projects like this BESS are essential for managing the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind. The successful implementation of this project could pave the way for further developments in energy storage technology across the region.

Kelington Group Berhad, an integrated engineering solutions provider, has secured a RM128m contract for an advanced data storage manufacturing facility in Kuching, Sarawak. Awarded on 12 October 2026, this marks the third contract from the same customer within two weeks, bringing the total value of contracts for the project to RM544m.

The latest contract involves designing and building ultra-high-purity deionised water generation and wastewater treatment plant systems, crucial for the facility’s manufacturing infrastructure. Work is set to begin immediately, with completion expected by April 2028.

Previously, Kelington secured two contracts valued at RM172m and RM133m on 29 September and 5 October 2026, respectively. These contracts cover engineering, site infrastructure, and critical process utility systems, highlighting Kelington’s expanding role in the facility’s development.

Chief Executive Officer Lim Seng Chuan stated, “Securing three major contracts from the same customer within such a short period is a meaningful milestone for Kelington. More importantly, the successive awards have progressively expanded our role in the development, allowing us to undertake a wider range of engineering and construction works for this advanced manufacturing facility.”

The new contract is expected to positively impact Kelington’s earnings and net assets through to 2028. The company’s total contract wins for the year now stand at RM4.34b, enhancing its order book and earnings visibility.

German construction solutions provider Fischer has launched a new subsidiary in Malaysia, marking its 53rd global operation and third in Southeast Asia. This strategic move, announced on 13 October 2026, aims to deliver localised engineering support and German-engineered solutions to meet the evolving needs of Malaysia’s infrastructure, commercial, industrial, and data centre developments.

Fischer has been serving the Malaysian market for over a decade, contributing to significant projects across various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, and data centres. The establishment of Fischer Systems Malaysia Sdn Bhd is expected to provide more tailored solutions and enhanced customer support throughout the entire project lifecycle—from planning and design to construction and completion.

The new subsidiary underscores Fischer’s commitment to expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, where it already operates in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Allen Heng, Country Manager of Fischer Malaysia, stated, “The opening of Malaysia Subsidiary marks an important milestone in our growth journey, strengthening our presence and enabling us to better serve our customers and partners whilst creating new opportunities for sustainable growth in the market.”

Fischer’s expansion into Malaysia is part of its broader strategy to leverage its global expertise and innovative solutions to support local markets. The company specialises in high-performance chemical fixings, steel fixings, and fire-stop systems, providing contractors and structural engineers with compliance, fast installation, and technical support.

As Fischer continues to grow its footprint in Southeast Asia, the new Malaysian subsidiary is poised to play a crucial role in the region’s construction and engineering sectors.

Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad Group (BPMB Group) has been allocated over RM7 billion by the Malaysian Government to implement strategic initiatives across seven priority sectors as part of the National Budget 2027. These sectors include export empowerment, sustainability, transportation and logistics, entrepreneur development, high-growth and high-value industries, tourism, and infrastructure.

The initiatives align with the budget’s theme, “Malaysia MADANI: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi,” focusing on enhancing productivity, investment, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth. The integration of SME Bank Malaysia Berhad and EXIM Bank Malaysia Berhad strengthens BPMB Group’s mandate as a comprehensive development financial institution, enhancing access to development financing and accelerating strategic investments.

Key initiatives include RM1b for export empowerment, with programmes like the Local Acceleration and Growth Programme and the Export Leap Scheme, each receiving RM500m. The sustainability mandate, valued at RM2b, includes the Alam Sustainability Fund 2.0 and the National Energy Transition Facility.

In transportation and logistics, RM1b is allocated to bolster the sector, including RM800m for logistics and transportation projects and RM200m for aerospace activities. Entrepreneur development receives RM858m, focusing on Bumiputera entrepreneurs and the halal industry.

High-growth industries are supported with RM750m, including the Technology Adaptation Fund and Semiconductor Financing Programme. The tourism sector benefits from RM700m, with initiatives like the Tourism Special Fund and Tourism Programme. Lastly, RM700m is dedicated to infrastructure projects under the MADANI Infrastructure Programme.

These initiatives aim to address financing gaps, advance strategic sectors, and support Malaysian businesses from domestic growth to international market expansion.

Big Apple Donuts & Coffee, a beloved Malaysian brand, has opened its 100th store at IOI Mall Puchong, marking a significant milestone in its 19-year history. To commemorate this achievement, the company is offering its popular Ola Pandan and Dreamy Pandan doughnuts for RM1 each at all outlets across Malaysia until 31 October 2026, whilst stocks last.

The brand, which launched its first store at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, in 2007, has grown steadily, with a mix of company-owned and franchised outlets. Managing Director Yasuo Mizoguchi expressed gratitude to Malaysian customers, the team, and franchise partners, stating, “This milestone belongs to them, and we are deeply grateful.”

The RM1 promotion is available in-store only, with each location offering 100 pieces daily. Mizoguchi highlighted the significance of the pandan flavour, saying, “Pandan is a flavour close to Malaysian hearts, so for the rest of October, Ola Pandan and Dreamy Pandan are RM1 at every outlet.”

Looking ahead, Big Apple plans to expand further with 10 additional stores in 2027, aiming to strengthen its presence and become Malaysia’s leading doughnut brand. The company continues to welcome new franchise partners as part of its growth strategy.

Big Apple Donuts & Coffee’s products are halal-certified, ensuring they cater to a wide range of customers.

Air Products has announced a definitive agreement with PG Cold Energy 1 Sdn. Bhd. (PGCE1), a joint venture led by PETRONAS Gas Berhad, to design, build, and operate Malaysia’s first LNG-based Air Separation Unit (ASU). The facility, located at the Pengerang LNG regasification terminal in Johor, is set to produce over 600 tonnes of liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and argon daily, with operations expected to commence by early 2027.

The collaboration involves PGCE1, a joint venture between PETRONAS Gas Berhad via PG Energia Sdn. Bhd. and DIALOG Group Berhad via DIALOG Equity (Three) Sdn. Bhd. Air Products, a global leader in industrial gases, will leverage its extensive experience of over 50 years in Malaysia to execute this project.

The new ASU is anticipated to significantly improve energy efficiency and support industrial growth in Malaysia. The production of essential gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and argon is crucial for various industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, thereby bolstering the country’s industrial capabilities.

Air Products’ involvement underscores its commitment to advancing energy solutions in Malaysia. The company’s spokesperson stated, “This project represents a significant milestone in our long-standing relationship with Malaysia, and we are proud to contribute to the country’s industrial growth and energy efficiency.”

As the project progresses, it is expected to create numerous opportunities for local businesses and enhance Malaysia’s position in the global energy market. The successful implementation of this LNG-based ASU could pave the way for similar initiatives in the region, promoting sustainable industrial development.

Sunway Medical Centre Damansara (SMCD), the fourth tertiary hospital under Sunway Healthcare Group, officially launched on 1 October 2026, marking a significant milestone since its operations began in December 2024. Located in Kota Damansara, the hospital aims to provide high-quality specialist healthcare to communities in the Klang Valley, focusing on the northern, northwestern, and western regions.

The Chief Minister of Selangor, Amirudin bin Shari, highlighted the importance of private hospitals like SMCD in supporting the state’s development plans. He noted the increasing complexity of healthcare needs due to an ageing population and the rise of non-communicable diseases. “The State Government welcomes investments that strengthen healthcare capacity and increase accessibility to quality healthcare,” he stated.

SMCD offers a comprehensive range of specialities supported by advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, including AI-enabled and robotic-assisted solutions. Dato Lau Beng Long, President of Sunway Healthcare Group, emphasised the hospital’s focus on expanding capabilities and multidisciplinary care to provide complex treatments closer to home.

Future plans for SMCD include a standalone Sunway Sanctuary for senior living and a dedicated Cancer and Nuclear Medicine Centre, which will feature Malaysia’s first Proton Beam Therapy Centre. These developments aim to position SMCD as a comprehensive healthcare destination for both Malaysians and international patients.

The hospital’s strategic location within an integrated township enhances its appeal to medical tourists, offering convenient access to amenities and transport links, including proximity to Subang Airport and the North-South Expressway. SMCD’s International Patient Centre provides dedicated support for international patients, ensuring a seamless healthcare experience.

SMCD achieved its first EBITDA-positive month within nine months of operation, outperforming the typical industry ramp-up period. The hospital plans to expand its services with the upcoming Sunway Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre in early 2027, further enhancing its holistic healthcare ecosystem.

OCBC has announced its collaboration with Ant International to introduce a tokenised deposit solution, marking a significant advancement in treasury management between Singapore and Malaysia. This innovative solution, available through Ant International’s WhaleRTP platform, leverages blockchain technology to enable 24/7 liquidity movement and real-time treasury transactions.

Tokenised deposits, which are digital representations of commercial bank deposits on a distributed ledger, offer enhanced transparency and efficiency. By utilising blockchain, these deposits create an immutable audit trail, reducing the need for manual reconciliation and improving operational efficiency. Initially, Ant International will manage SGD- and USD-denominated tokenised deposits, facilitating near real-time settlements across its entities.

The launch addresses the growing demand for real-time treasury and liquidity management, overcoming traditional constraints such as batch processing cycles and currency cut-off times. This development builds on OCBC’s history of innovation in blockchain and digital assets, following its recent successful cross-border tokenised deposit transactions with Citibank and other local banks.

Carmen Chan, Deputy Head of Global Transaction Banking at OCBC, highlighted the bank’s commitment to innovation: “By combining OCBC’s blockchain capabilities and transaction banking expertise with Ant International’s Whale platform, we are enabling businesses to manage liquidity with greater speed, visibility, and efficiency.”

Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “Through the Whale platform, we are enabling more efficient cross-border treasury across our ecosystem to unlock near real-time liquidity.”

This collaboration signifies a step towards scalable adoption of tokenisation, aiming to build a more connected and efficient financial ecosystem.