Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur has announced the introduction of its integrated urban wellness sanctuary, set to open on 30 October 2026. The sanctuary, spanning over 2,275 square metres across two floors, promises to be one of Malaysia’s most comprehensive luxury wellness destinations, featuring restorative spa rituals by La Prairie and personalised wellbeing programmes powered by Technogym.

The wellness centre is guided by two core philosophies: The Science of Recovery and The Art of Longevity. These approaches aim to help guests recover from daily stresses and invest in long-term vitality. “Today’s luxury traveller increasingly values experiences that help them feel better, perform better and live better,” said Etienne Dalançon, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur.

The spa will offer exclusive La Prairie treatments, inspired by Switzerland’s natural landscapes, and will feature hydrothermal and recovery facilities such as herbal steam rooms and vitality pools. The fitness studio will be the first in Malaysia to feature the complete Technogym Sand Stone Collection, alongside AI-powered fitness assessments.

In addition to its wellness offerings, the hotel will introduce a Masters in Residence programme, providing guests with access to experts in various wellness fields. A private Wellness Membership will also be available, offering year-round access to the sanctuary’s facilities and programmes.

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur aims to redefine luxury wellness by integrating it into every aspect of the guest experience, from in-suite wellness kits to a calming turndown ritual. The hotel positions itself as an urban sanctuary for lifelong wellbeing.

AWC Berhad, a prominent engineering services group, has announced that its subsidiary, Stream Industries Sdn. Bhd., has secured two contracts worth approximately RM13.1m for the implementation of Automated Waste Collection Systems (AWCS) in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), India. The agreements were signed with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited, covering developments in both the Domestic Tariff Area and Special Economic Zone.

The contracts, valued at INR 30.85 crore, highlight AWC Berhad’s expanding footprint in the Indian market. The Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Kabeer bin Mohamed Nagoor, emphasised the strategic importance of these agreements, stating that they align with the company’s growth objectives in Asia.

AWC Berhad, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia, operates through four key divisions: facilities management, environment, engineering, and rail. Its Environment Division, led by Stream Group Sdn. Bhd., is renowned for its automated pneumatic waste collection systems, having completed over 370 projects across Asia and the Middle East.

The implementation of the AWCS in GIFT City is expected to enhance waste management efficiency, leveraging Stream’s patented shuttle vacuum system, which reportedly uses 70% less energy than traditional systems. This project marks a significant milestone in AWC Berhad’s efforts to deliver sustainable engineering solutions globally.

As AWC Berhad continues to expand its regional presence, the successful execution of these contracts could pave the way for further opportunities in India’s growing infrastructure sector.

NWE Resources Group Berhad, a provider of hospitality amenities, personal care products, and health foods, has launched its prospectus for an initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. The company plans to raise RM28.6m to drive product innovation and expand its market presence.

The funds will be allocated towards new product development, enhancing research and development (R&D) capabilities, and marketing activities. Additionally, the company intends to establish a new sales office in Johor and invest in a rooftop solar system and transportation fleets. The IPO comprises 143,145,540 new ordinary shares, representing 26.5% of the enlarged issued share capital.

Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin, expressed confidence in the company’s growth prospects, citing opportunities in Malaysia’s consumer and tourism-linked sectors. Group Managing Director, Tan Hong Huat, highlighted plans to expand the product range and market reach, including new health food and personal care formulations.

For the financial year ending 31 March 2026, NWE Resources reported a 23.7% increase in profit after tax to RM8.5m, driven by strategic customer portfolio optimisation and a shift towards higher-margin offerings. The company expects to list on the ACE Market on 21 October 2026, with KAF Investment Bank Berhad serving as the principal adviser for the IPO.

HLB Private Bank has unveiled its flagship HLB Chief Investment Office Fund, marking a significant collaboration with Lombard Odier. This new wholesale fund, announced on 28 September, aims to serve as the cornerstone for future portfolio construction at HLB, providing investors with access to a curated selection of global assets. The fund combines HLB’s 120 years of regional expertise with Lombard Odier’s 230-year legacy in global investment.

Lombard Odier, recognised as the World’s Best Chief Investment Office at the 2025 Euromoney Private Banking Awards, contributes its proprietary research and portfolio engineering to HLB’s wealth management strategy. This partnership enhances HLB’s ability to offer a diversified portfolio management solution, spanning global equities, fixed income, and specialised market instruments.

The HLB CIO Fund features a robust curation engine, granting clients access to over 50,000 global funds, including active fund managers and high-conviction direct equity holdings. Integrated yield overlays aim to boost cash generation through dividends, coupons, and options strategies, ensuring consistent income alongside capital growth.

Jeffrey Yap, HLB’s Managing Director and Regional Head of Wealth Management, emphasised the fund’s strength in delivering elite investment solutions. “We have always advocated for strategic diversification as a solid foundation for long-term portfolio growth,” he stated.

Marc Giesbrecht, Deputy Global CIO at Lombard Odier, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the fund’s rigorous investment framework designed to achieve sustainable outcomes across market cycles.

Skyro, a rapidly growing consumer finance group, has obtained a moneylending licence from Malaysia’s Ministry of Housing and Local Government, allowing it to offer online loans in the country. This marks Skyro’s second venture in Southeast Asia, following its success in the Philippines. The company plans to introduce its first Malaysian product, cash loans, in the coming months.

Founded in 2022, Skyro has already made significant strides in the Philippines, using an AI-powered credit-scoring model to serve customers often overlooked by traditional banks. The company has disbursed over $600 million in loans and expanded its user base to more than 7 million, achieving operating break-even in the first half of 2026.

Skyro’s entry into Malaysia coincides with major regulatory changes in the country’s consumer credit sector, including the Consumer Credit Act 2025 and the establishment of the Consumer Credit Commission. Co-founder and Co-CEO Arsen Liametov stated, “We use advanced AI-based scoring tools to provide convenient and intuitive credit products to people underserved by traditional banks.”

Malaysia, with a population of around 35 million, presents a promising market for digital financial services. Many Malaysians, despite having bank accounts, struggle to secure traditional loans due to limited credit histories. Skyro aims to address this gap by adapting its successful Philippine model to local conditions and regulations.

Co-founder and Co-CEO Nasim Aliev emphasised the company’s mission: “Ambitions shouldn’t have to wait. In Malaysia, we plan to develop credit products that give people a solution to this challenge whilst ensuring full control and transparency over their spending.”

Skyro’s future plans include expanding into other markets, such as Saudi Arabia, and developing a comprehensive ecosystem of financial products.

Lion Parcel, a prominent logistics service provider from Indonesia, has officially launched its first international office in Subang Jaya, Malaysia. This marks the company’s initial foray into the international market, aiming to strengthen logistics connectivity between Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond. The strategic choice of Malaysia as the first international market is attributed to its position as a regional hub.

Farian Kirana, CEO of Lion Parcel, highlighted the significance of this expansion, stating, “Malaysia is an important first step in Lion Parcel’s international journey. We see significant opportunities to optimise the Lion Group ecosystem, particularly Batik Air Malaysia’s air connectivity.” This expansion is set to provide Lion Parcel’s business partners with access to a broader international network, supported by Batik Air Malaysia’s Cargo Terminal Operator (CTO) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Alvin Williams, Country Head of Lion Parcel Malaysia, noted the strategic importance of Malaysia within the region’s logistics landscape. “Malaysia has an important role to play in the development of regional logistics connectivity,” he said, emphasising the opportunities to connect logistics services with the wider air cargo network.

Lion Parcel Malaysia currently offers delivery services for both business-to-business (B2B) and retail customers, leveraging the Lion Group’s extensive flight network. The company plans to use this network to expand delivery connectivity between Malaysia, Indonesia, and other international markets. As Lion Parcel embarks on this international journey, it continues to explore further opportunities to enhance its connectivity and collaborate with partners across various markets.

Southern Alliance Mining (SAM) has reported a significant 29.3% increase in revenue for FY2026, reaching RM257.8m, largely due to the first-time contribution from its rare earth segment. This new segment delivered RM58.4m in EBITDA attributable to the parent company and RM31.5m in profit before tax, marking a strong debut.

The company’s gross profit surged eightfold to RM25.3m, with the gross profit margin improving to 9.8%. Additionally, SAM managed to narrow its loss before tax by 53.2%, bringing it down to RM14.8m. The net cash generated from operating activities also saw a substantial increase, rising to RM65.9m from RM4m in the previous fiscal year.

SAM’s Managing Director, Pek Kok Sam, highlighted the success of the group’s diversification strategy, stating, “FY2026 demonstrated the value of the Group’s diversification strategy, with our rare earth business making a strong maiden contribution to the Group’s performance.”

The Chaah Mine’s underground development is entering its final phase, with commercial operations expected to commence in the second quarter of FY2027. SAM is also advancing its Labis rare earth project and developing its third and largest parcel at Gerik, aiming for operations to begin by mid-FY2027.

As SAM continues to expand its rare earth portfolio in Malaysia, these initiatives are expected to broaden the company’s earnings base and position it for future growth.

Fugro has successfully completed a geohazard site survey for PETRONAS Carigali, targeting the Megah and Limbayong fields off Sabah’s coast in East Malaysia. This initiative is pivotal in advancing Malaysia’s offshore resource development by providing essential Geo-data to identify seabed and subsurface hazards, thus facilitating informed engineering decisions in challenging ultra-deepwater environments.

The project marks a significant application of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology, specifically the Echo Surveyor 8, deployed from the Fugro Equator. Operating near the seabed, the AUV collected high-resolution bathymetric, geophysical, and shallow subsurface data, crucial for geohazard assessment and engineering design. The operation, supported by Fugro’s Kuala Lumpur Remote Operations Centre, commenced in June 2026 and concluded in August 2026.

Safri Drahman, Regional Business Line Director, Marine Site Characterisation APAC at Fugro, stated: “Our collaboration with PETRONAS Carigali allows us to push the boundaries of how offshore projects are delivered. By integrating advanced technologies with real-time remote operations, we are enabling faster insights and more efficient execution.”

This project underscores Fugro’s commitment to innovation and its ability to deliver impactful solutions across the Asia Pacific region. The successful execution of this survey not only supports the safe development of offshore resources but also highlights the potential for future advancements in offshore project delivery through cutting-edge technology.

Malaysia is advocating for a transition from halal-certified to halal-competitive status as ASEAN targets a US$5t global halal economy. This call was made by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, during the World Halal Business Conference (WHBC) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, which has topped the Global Islamic Economy Indicator for 12 years, saw its halal exports reach RM68.52b in 2025, marking a 109% year-on-year growth.

The Minister emphasised the need for Malaysia to evolve from being market-ready to export-ready, aiming to become global champions in the halal sector. This involves focusing on commercialisation, international market access, and participation in global value chains. He also proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Halal Council to enhance regional cooperation and connectivity within the halal ecosystem.

The WHBC 2026, organised by the Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC), facilitated industry collaboration through two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). HDC partnered with Kings Park Development Sdn Bhd to bolster the halal ecosystem through advisory and capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, Tradewinds M Berhad and Saudi Arabia’s Tanmiah Food Company agreed to explore halal protein opportunities in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.

High-level discussions at the conference highlighted the importance of translating Malaysia’s halal strengths into increased international trade and investment. The Minister noted that the future success of the halal economy should be measured by global growth, investment attraction, job creation, and integration into ASEAN and global value chains.

AhaPay, a Malaysian buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider under the fintech holding Fingular, has announced a strategic partnership with Share Commerce, a leading digital payment solutions provider in Malaysia. This collaboration is set to integrate AhaPay’s flexible BNPL solutions into Share Commerce’s extensive network of over 5,000 merchant terminals nationwide, enhancing payment accessibility for consumers and expanding options for merchants.

The partnership allows existing merchants using Share Commerce’s terminals to accept AhaPay payments instantly through a dynamic QR code displayed on their current terminal screens, eliminating the need for new equipment. This integration is expected to drive higher basket sizes, increase conversion rates, and bolster customer loyalty.

The alliance is particularly beneficial for businesses in sectors such as food and beverage, healthcare, and retail, offering customers flexible payment options tailored to various financial needs. This approach has reportedly led to sales increases of over 20% in certain implementations.

AhaPay is also working on deep data integration to enable automated credit pre-approvals for repeat customers, allowing seamless purchases without repeated credit checks across Share Commerce’s merchant network.

Harold Chen, CEO of AhaPay, stated, “Our alliance with Share Commerce marks a significant step in bringing flexible payment solutions to everyday Malaysians.” Reeve Tan, CEO of Share Commerce, added, “Our alliance with AhaPay expands the capabilities of the Share Commerce ecosystem, enabling merchants to offer more flexible payment options whilst supporting stronger customer engagement and business growth.”

This partnership is poised to create a more seamless payment experience, delivering greater value to both merchants and consumers in Malaysia.