18/09/2025

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | SEPT 18, 2025

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Advancecon deepens footprint in Johor with RM66.9m Ibtec works contract PETALING JAYA: Advancecon Infra Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of earthworks and civil engineering services provider Advancecon Holdings Bhd, has accepted a letter of acceptance (LoA) from JLG Technopark Sdn Bhd for the construction and completion of earth works and ancillary works for Package 1, Phase 1, of Southern Ibrahim Technopolis (Ibtec) in Kulai, Johor, worth RM66.9 million. Ibtec is a flagship 7,290-acre township development located in Sedenak, Johor, designated in 2021 as the sixth flagship zone of Iskandar Malaysia. The develop ment has been planned as a major circular city within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. The latest win strengthens Advancecon’s footprint in Johor, where the group is steadily building a reputation as a trusted earthworks and civil engineering partner. The project also represents an opportunity for Advancecon to participate in the early development stages of one of Malaysia’s most ambitious township and economic zone initiatives. Group CEO Datuk Phum Ang Kia commented, “We are proud to contribute to the groundwork of Ibtec, a strategic township within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone that symbolises Johor’s growth aspirations. This project not only enhances our presence in Johor but also aligns with our commitment to building infrastructure that supports long-term economic development, sustainability and connectivity.” Advancecon said it remains committed to leveraging its core competencies in earthworks, quarry, construction, and renewable energy to position itself as a partner of choice in Malaysia’s fast growing infrastructure and township development landscape. Farmiera signs IPO underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities KUALA LUMPUR: Poultry producer and distributor Farmiera Bhd has inked an underwriting agreement with Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd for its initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. Malacca Securities will be the principal adviser, sponsor, underwriter and place ment agent for the IPO. Farmiera said in a statement yesterday that the IPO comprises a public issue of 117 million new ordinary shares, representing 26% of its enlarged issued share capital. The shares will be allocated as follows: 22.5 million shares for application by the Malaysian public; nine million shares for eligible key senior management and employees; and 29.25 million shares by way of private placement to selected investors. Another 56.25 million shares will be allocated to selected Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. Farmiera and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in poultry farming and processing activities, including the supply of live broilers as well as the processing and distribution of halal certified raw poultry products. The group currently operates 15 company-owned broiler farms, engages 44 contract farms and runs two halal certified processing plants. – Bernama

Scientex Q4 net profit increases to RM154.3m

ment pipeline in strategic loca tions. Meanwhile, the packaging division recorded revenue of RM2.48 billion in FY25 compared to RM2.59 billion in the previous year, weighed down by softer export demand, increased market competition and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Scientex recommended a single-tier final dividend of 6 sen per share in respect of FY25. Together with the interim dividend of 6 sen per share paid on July 18, the total dividend amounts to 12 sen per share or RM186.8 million, representing 35.2% of the group’s net profit in FY2025. The final dividend will be payable on Jan 23, 2026, subject to shareholders’ approval. The group continues to focus on accelerating digitalisation and developing skilled talent to drive sustainable growth. It completed the installation of about 21-mega watt peak rooftop solar photo voltaic systems across its facilities in Malaysia, contributing to lower energy costs and reducing Scope 2 emissions, reinforcing the group’s commitment to sustainability. CEO Lim Peng Jin said: “FY2025 has been a year of strategic execu tion and resilience for Scientex. “The consistent demand for affordable homes reinforces our long-term strategy of expanding our landbank and developments. With over 42,000 affordable homes completed to date, we are making solid progress towards our goal of delivering 50,000 affordable homes by 2028. We are also prepared to roll out a stronger pipeline of new launches in 2026.”

previous corresponding quarter, mainly due to softer export sales and unfavourable foreign exchange movements. For the full year ended July 31, 2025 (FY25), the group achieved record revenue of RM4.52 billion compared to RM4.48 billion in the previous year. Net profit stood at RM530.8 million compared to RM545.2 million last year. The property division generated RM2.03 billion in revenue in FY25, up from RM1.88 billion previously, supported by steady sales, resilient take-up rates, and higher new launches. The group completed land acquisitions totalling 3,735 acres in Muar, Bestari Jaya, Jawi, Pulai, Sungai Petani and Paya Rumput, strengthening its develop

main contributor, recording a 12.2% increase in revenue to RM580 million in Q4’25 from RM517 million previously. The growth was supported by steady construction progress in its ongoing projects and new launches across Penang, Perak, Selangor, Malacca and Johor. In a statement yesterday, Scientex said the packaging division proactively navigated a challenging market environment by focusing on efficiency and cost management for enhanced competitiveness. These actions, it added, helped mitigate external headwinds, allowing the division to remain resilient, with revenue of RM612.5 million in Q4’25, a 6% decrease from RM651.3 million in the

PETALING JAYA: Packaging manu facturer and property developer Scientex Bhd reported higher earnings for the fourth quarter ended July 31, 2025 (Q4’25), with net profit rising 13.6% to RM154.3 million compared to RM135.9 million in the previous year’s corresponding quarter. Revenue increased 2.1% to RM1.19 billion in Q4’25 from RM1.17 billion in Q4’24. The property division was the o Final dividend of 6 sen per share for FY25 proposed

Scientex continues to focus on accelerating digitalisation and developing skilled talent to drive sustainable growth.

Malaysia Airlines and Qantas enter into codeshare partnership, boost connectivity

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines and Qantas yesterday announced a codeshare partnership that will offer travellers greater connectivity, enhanced benefits and seamless travel experience across Australia, Malaysia and beyond. Building on their longstanding ties through the oneworld alliance, this collaboration will see Malaysia Airlines place its ‘MH’ code on 18 Qantas-operated domestic routes across Australia, providing smoother onward connections from key international gateways to cities such as Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and Launceston. Meanwhile, Qantas will place its ‘QF’ code on Malaysia Airlines flights between Kuala Lumpur and major Australian cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney – as well as to Singapore and popular Malaysian destinations such as Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi and Penang. The collaboration comes as Malaysia Airlines prepares for a

significant expansion in the Australian market later this year. The airline will resume services to Brisbane on Nov 29, with five weekly flights, while increasing services to Melbourne and Sydney to three flights daily from Oct 30 and Oct 31, respectively. Existing routes to Perth and Adelaide will also see enhanced frequencies, with Perth increasing from 12 to 14 weekly flights from Dec 1, and Adelaide rising from five to seven weekly flights from Feb 1, 2026. Malaysia Aviation Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail said, “Our partnership with Qantas marks an important step forward as we strengthen Malaysia Airlines’ presence in Australia, a key market in our long term strategy. Australia has long been a core part of our network, and our recent investments – including the deployment of the A330neo, increase in flight frequencies, and the resumption of services to

The collaboration comes as Malaysia Airlines prepares for a significant expansion in the Australian market later this year.

everything we do.” Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace said, “As one of our oneworld partners in Asia, we’re pleased to deepen our relationship with Malaysia Airlines, making it easier for Qantas customers to travel to Malaysia while enjoying frequent flyer rewards and premium service.”

Brisbane – reflect our commitment to meeting growing demand while enhancing our premium offering in this market. This partnership supports our broader strategy for sustainable growth, working alongside our partners to deliver a seamless travel experience that puts our passengers at the centre of