27/08/2025

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

WEDNESDAY | AUG 27, 2025

Berjaya Land posts turnaround in Q4 with RM15.45m pre-tax profit PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) recorded revenue of RM1.91 billion for the fourth quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Q4’25), while pre-tax profit stood at RM15.45 million, marking a turnaround from the same quarter last year when it registered a pre-tax loss of RM16.62 million. Bhd recorded higher revenue from its 4D Jackpot game, boosted by larger accumulated prizes despite the same number of draws in both quarters. The latest results highlight lower profit contribution from STM Lottery due to higher operating expenses, including corporate social responsibility sponsorships, previous year. The slight decline in revenue was primarily due to lower contributions from the property development and investment segment following the completion of The Tropika, Bukit Jalil project in the prior year.

of RM37.3 million on amounts owing by associated companies. BLand, in the filing, said Malaysia’s economic growth is expected to be driven by strong domestic demand and the moderation of the average inflation rate despite the uncertainties arising from ongoing geopolitical tensions and the inflationary tariffs being imposed by the US government. “BLand will monitor the prevailing global and local political develop ments in the countries where the group has business operations. The performance of the domestic business segments of the group is expected to improve on the back of strong consumer spending and improvement in tourism activities,“ it said. As for the NFO business, BLand expects the segment to continue delivering growth in line with the popularity of its Jackpot and Digit games and to maintain its lead in terms of market share in the legalised NFO business sector. Public Bank reports Q2 net profit of RM1.76b, declares 10.5 sen dividend KUALA LUMPUR: Public Bank Bhd reported a net profit of RM1.76 billion for the second quarter ended June 30, compared to RM1.78 billion recorded in the same period last year, due to the effect of lower non-taxable income in the current year. However, the banking group’s revenue for the quarter rose to RM7.35 billion compared to RM6.69 billion posted in the same period last year, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. For the quarter under review, it said net interest and Islamic banking income increased by RM138.6 million or 5.1% on healthy loan or financing growth while non-interest income increased by RM103.3 million or 15.3%, which was supported by the income contribution from the recently acquired general insurance business and higher investment income. “The improvement in revenue performance was partially offset by higher other operating expenses of RM100.1 million on higher personnel and administrative costs,“ said Public Bank. For the first six months, the banking group recorded net profit of RM3.5 billion on the back of revenue of RM14.66 billion, continued to be supported by healthy loan and customer deposit growth. In a press release, Public Bank managing director and CEO Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek said despite the significant headwinds, Public Bank group’s resilient business model and prudent management continued to enable the group to ride through challenges. Public Bank has declared an interim dividend of 10.5 sen per share, amounting to RM2.04 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2025. For the first half of 2025, the group said total loans grew at an annualised rate of 5.1%. – Bernama

as well as weaker perfor mance at HR Owen arising from lower revenue and higher costs tied to brand positioning initiatives. “In addition, the pro perty development and investment segment saw a reduced profit contribution due to

improved cost management and operational perfor mance, enabling the com pany to return to profitability despite a slight decline in revenue. BLand’s pre-tax profit of RM15.45 million in the

This was partly offset by stronger performances from STM Lottery, which benefited from an exceptional surge in the accumulated jackpot of the Supreme Toto 6/58 game despite fewer draws being conducted (164 versus 167 previously), and from the hotels and resorts segment, which achieved higher overall occupancy rates during the year, the Bursa Malaysia filing noted. Pre-tax profit fell to RM154.42 million from RM193.17 million last year, primarily impacted by the lower contribution from the property development and investment segment, an additional impairment of RM47.8 million on balance sale proceeds of the Great Mall project, and an impairment

According to a Bursa Malaysia filing, the group’s lower revenue was mainly due to two factors: reduced contributions from the property development and investment seg ment following the completion of The Tropika, Bukit Jalil project, and a 4.1% revenue drop at HR Owen Plc, driven by lower new car sales as a result of changes in distribution structures and the product life cycle of specific models. However, this was partly offset by stronger performances in other areas – the hotels and resorts segment reported higher revenue due to improved occupancy rates. At the same time, STM Lottery Sdn

lower revenue. The group also recorded an additional impairment of RM47.8 million on the balance sale proceeds of the Great Mall project and an impairment of RM29.7 million on amounts owed by associated com panies,“ it said. For FY25, BLand recorded revenue of RM7.55 billion and pre-tax profit of RM154.42 million, compared to revenue of RM7.65 billion and pre-tax profit of RM193.17 million in the

fourth quarter was supported by higher contributions from the hotels and resorts segment in line with stronger revenue, the recognition of a court-awarded compensation of RM38 million for the BCity Project, an improved share of profits from associate companies, and a favour able foreign currency translation effect. The exchange filing noted that these gains were partially offset by

WCE Holdings aims to complete West Coast Expressway by 2027

o Eight out of 11 sections already operational as construction enters last stretch

SHAH ALAM: WCE Holdings Bhd (WHB) is pushing ahead with the final stretch of its flagship West Coast Expressway (WCE), aiming to complete the 233km highway by 2027 as traffic volumes continue to build momentum on the operational sections. CEO Lyndon Alfred Felix told shareholders that eight out of 11 sections of the WCE are now operational, with the remaining three under active construction. “To date, eight out of 11 sections of the highway are completed and in operation. The remaining sections are Sections 3, 4, and 7. We are expecting Section 7 to be completed by the end of 2026 and hopefully Section 3 in the first quarter of 2027,” he said at a press briefing after the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday. The WCE, stretching from Banting in Selangor to Taiping in Perak, is considered one of the country’s most strategic infra structure projects. It connects key towns such as Klang, Kuala Selangor, Teluk Intan, Sitiawan and Manjung, while linking to major highways including the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas), Kuala Lumpur-Kuala Selangor Expressway (Latar), and Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

the North–South Expressway. With flatter terrain compared to traditional hilly routes, it is designed to be a safer and more fuel-efficient corridor for heavy and commercial vehicles. Lyndon noted that traffic volumes on the completed stretches have been encouraging and remain on track with projections. “Today, traffic on the open sections is quite positive. We are largely in line with our traffic projections. Once Sections 3, 4, and 7 are complete, the traffic growth will be even better, and we hope that once the full alignment is complete, the projections will be met,” he said. Despite steady progress, Section 3 remains a challenge due to a pending land acquisition issue. Lyndon confirmed that only one parcel, Lot 15672, remains to be vacated, despite compensation having been paid. “There is still one lot – 15672 – where the respective landowners are refusing to vacate. We have had several sessions with the state authorities and the federal government, and we are hopeful that with their support, we can resolve this issue. “We hope that within the next two months we will see some light in terms of resolving it,” he explained. Toll revenue for the quarter rose 61% sequentially to RM42 million, contributing to the group’s RM393.8 million total revenue, which surged more than fourfold from the

Lyndon speaking at a press conference after WCE Holdings’ AGM yesterday.

77% of total group revenue. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) jumped to RM98.2 million, compared with just RM3.8 million previously, on improved operating efficiency. Loss before tax narrowed 18% year-on-year to RM134.3 million, although high interest costs on completed sections continued to weigh on the bottom line. In the first quarter of FY26, group Ebitda climbed 84% to RM33.4 million, supported by higher toll income and construction contracts.

previous quarter. At the company’s 24th AGM yesterday, shareholders approved all resolutions, including the adoption of its audited financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2025 (FY25). For FY25, WHB reported revenue of RM629.1 million, up 2.3% from RM614.7 million in FY24, driven by higher construction progress and toll collections. Toll revenue more than doubled to RM125.2 million from RM60.4 million a year earlier, contributing