31/07/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | JULY 31, 2025

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Alliance Bank posts record net profit of RM751m o CEO says loan growth of over 12% in FY25 outpaces industry average

Batik Air’s new Bangkok-Subang service bolsters key connectivity

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism Malaysia yesterday welcomed the inaugural Batik Air’s direct flight, OD 533, from Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), Bangkok, to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) (SZB), marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand. This daily new service not only underscores Batik Air’s commitment to position Subang Airport as a key hub city airport but also supports national efforts to boost inbound tourism and enhance travel accessibility in anticipation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. Operating on a Boeing 737 aircraft, the Subang-Bangkok route is Batik Air’s first international service from SZB, offering seamless access for both business and leisure travellers. In addition to the Bangkok route, Batik Air also commenced direct flights from SZB to Kuching yesterday, further enhancing its domestic network and complementing its existing routes from SZB to Penang, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, and Tawau (via BKI). “We applaud Batik Air’s commitment in expanding Malaysia’s regional and domestic air connectivity,” said Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. “These new routes are timely as we gear up for VM2026. “Thailand remains one of our most important source markets, and enhanced accessibility will play a pivotal role in boosting visitor arrivals and supporting the growth of Malaysia’s tourism industry.” Batik Air CEO Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said: “With these new routes, we are not only deepening our presence in Subang but also bringing travellers closer to the destinations they love – whether it’s exploring Bangkok’s vibrant streets or experiencing Kuching’s rich cultural charm.” Batik Air currently operates 57 weekly flights between Malaysia and Thailand, connecting Kuala Lumpur (via KLIA Terminal 1) and Johor Bahru with several key Thai destinations, including Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai, offering a total of 9,234 seats. Steel Hawk unit bags scaffoldings services contract from EPOMS KUALA LUMPUR: Steel Hawk Bhd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Steel Hawk Engineering Sdn Bhd (SHESB), has secured a contract to provide scaffolding services for EPOMS Sdn Bhd’s operations. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the company said SHESB was awarded the contract on July 25, 2025, but only obtained written consent from EPOMS yesterday to release the announcement to Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd. The contract duration is for two years starting from July 25, 2025 to July 24, 2027, with one-year extension option. “For clarification, the contract is on a call out basis (which does not have a fixed contract value), and the company is engaged by EPOMS to provide specified services for the duration of the said contract, as and when such services are required,” it said. The contract is expected to contribute positively to the earnings of Steel Hawk Group for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2025. – Bernama

narrow by about three basis points from the current 2.45%, though guidance remains between 2.4% and 2.45%. For FY26, the bank projects loan growth of 8% to 10%, slightly below the 12%–14% achieved in previous years, reflecting rising business costs and global uncertainties. Credit cost guidance remains at 30-35 basis points versus 31.9 basis points last year. Alliance Bank expects to complete its relocation to Menara Alliance by August, which will eliminate annual rental expenses of about RM13 million and help offset higher costs from the 8% service tax hike. Executives noted that while GDP growth has been revised to 4–4.5%, domestic demand remains resilient and unemployment is at multi-year lows, supporting asset quality and growth prospects. The bank also expects the 13th Malaysia Plan to spur high-value sectors such as energy transition and technology, potentially boosting credit demand.

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

bank’s loan growth outpaced the industry average, rising over 12% in FY25. “We have erased five years of market share losses and are now midway through our Acceler8 journey, with leading indicators progressing positively,” he told reporters at a press conference. The Acceler8 2027 strategy is built on eight pillars, focusing on areas including digital innovation and sustainability. Alliance Bank recently won awards for its virtual credit card and SME digital offerings and reaffirmed its commitment to environmental, social and governance principles. Commenting on the overnight policy rate cut, Kam said net interest margins could

KUALA LUMPUR: Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd has posted a record net profit of RM751 million for the financial year ended March 31 2025 (FY25), supported by double-digit loan growth and the ongoing execution of its Acceler8 transformation plan. At its 43rd annual general meeting and subsequent extraordinary general meeting yesterday, shareholders approved all resolutions, including a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) comprising a share issuance scheme and share grant scheme to retain and motivate key staff. CEO Kellee Kam Chee Khiong said the

UEM Edgenta’s premix plant represents a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure development.

UEM Edgenta unveils premix plant with recycling facility PERAK: UEM Edgenta Bhd, an asset management and infrastructure solutions company, has developed its operational readiness first premix plant with recycling facility in Chenderiang, Tapah, to produce Recycled Asphalt Premix (RAP). It is also equipped with advanced technology that enables it to produce asphalt mixtures containing recycled materials, supporting more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices. The premix plant, UEM Edgenta said in a statement yesterday reflects its strong commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance infrastructure solutions that benefit not only our clients but the nation as a whole.

“By incorporating recycled materials and energy-efficient processes, we’re helping our clients reduce their environmental footprint while promoting long-term sustainability as well as significantly reduces environmental impact through material circularity,” said infrastructure services head Raihana Ahmad. In alignment with Khazanah Nasional’s sustainability agenda and Malaysia’s 2050 renewable energy goals, the plant serves as a model for resource-efficient engineering. It supports the NETR by promoting recycled materials, reducing landfill waste and advancing environmentally responsible infrastructure development.

Developed through its infrastructure services subsidiary Edgenta Propel Berhad, the plant represents a strategic step forward in the company’s mission to lead sustainable infrastructure solutions aligned with Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). Operational since September 2024, UEM Edgenta’s premix plant represents a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure development. The plant is built with a production capacity of 240 tonnes per hour, allowing it to handle large-scale asphalt production efficiently.

commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles by reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and enabling circular economy practices in road maintenance. The facility is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by up to 15% compared to traditional asphalt production methods. It also supports more than 200km of pavement rehabilitation annually. The energy-efficient process consumes less power per tonne due to the reuse of recycled materials. “The premix plant reflects our