20/09/2025

BIZ & FINANCE SATURDAY | SEPT 20, 2025

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L&G set to enter next growth phase

operating profit increased 28% to RM16 million from RM12.5 million. Low said the education division has proven to be a reliable buffer for the group. “Our Sri Bestari brand, with more than 30 years of history, con tinues to resonate with parents and students. This gives us a steady income stream that complements the cyclical nature of property development.” The group declared dividends totalling RM23.8 million, equivalent to 0.8 sen per share, representing a payout ratio of 65.4% for FY25. Shareholders approved the dividend distribution at the AGM. Despite uncertainties in the property market, Low said, L&G is maintaining a cautious but optimistic outlook. “The market remains competitive, and buyers are discerning, but there is still demand for well-planned projects in prime locations. Our focus is on the mid-market and affordable segments, which we believe will continue to show resilience,” he added. L&G plans to balance its expansion with prudent capital management. Low said the group’s approach of selective land disposals will continue as it recycles assets into higher-yielding opportunities.

o Group rides on pipeline of new launches with GDV of over RM700m, strong landbank and steady contribution from education arm

PETALING JAYA: Land & General Bhd (L&G) is positioning itself for its next transformative growth phase, supported by a sizeable landbank of 2,815 acres and a strong pipeline of launches worth more than RM700 million in gross development value (GDV) for the financial year ending March 31, 2026 (FY26). At its recent annual general meeting, the property and education group highlighted its strategy of leveraging its prime landbank while balancing recurring income contri butions from its Sri Bestari schools. For the financial year ended March 31, 2025 (FY25), L&G posted a 33% increase in revenue to RM287.6 million from RM216.6 million a year earlier. Net profit surged 56.9% to RM36.4 million from RM23.3 million, supported by stronger property sales, Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

land disposals and improved earnings from the education division. “The year under review was a good one for L&G. We strengthened our earnings base and laid the foundation for sustainable growth,” said managing director Low Gay Teck. “As we embark on FY26, we are confident in our ability to deliver long-term value creation. With a robust balance sheet, a strong landbank, and the established Sri Bestari education brand, we are well positioned to capture opportunities in the property market while ensuring stable recurring income streams from the schools.” The property division remained the group’s main earnings driver, contributing RM240.5 million in revenue compared with RM176.8 million previously. Operating profit rose 46.4% to RM62.2 million. During the year, L&G launched Sena Parc Phase 1E in Senawang,

Low (right) with chief financial officer Benjamin Leong at Land & General’s post AGM press conference.

upcoming launches will anchor its growth. “We are targeting more than RM700 million in new launches this year. These will be the key catalysts for the next phase of our journey.” The group’s education arm, Lang Education Sdn Bhd, which operates the Sri Bestari schools, continued to provide a stable income. Revenue rose 17.1% to RM40.5 million from RM34.6 million in FY24, while

Negeri Sembilan, comprising 80 single-storey affordable homes, and Residensi Kamelia, a 602-unit affordable serviced apartment project in Bandar Sri Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The group also disposed of 138 acres of land in Senawang for RM60.2 million, part of its strategy to recycle capital for new opportunities. Looking ahead, Low said L&G’s

Johor Port enhances capabilities with two new Post-Panamax quay cranes

January-August exports top RM1 trillion – one month earlier than in 2024 KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded higher trade for the first eight months of this year with exports surpassing RM1 trillion a month earlier compared with 2024, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) said. Total trade rose by 3.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM1.98 trillion between January and August, with exports and imports increasing by 3.9% to RM1.03 trillion and 3.6% to RM945.62 billion, respectively. “This has resulted in a trade surplus of RM86.07 billion,” Miti said a statement. However, Malaysia’s August trade eased slightly by 1.9% y-o-y to RM247.07 billion amid shifting global trade conditions, although exports grew for the second consecutive month by 1.9% to RM131.6 billion. Imports declined by 5.9% to RM115.47 billion. This resulted in a trade surplus of RM16.13 billion, the 64th consecutive month of trade surplus since May 2020, and an increase of 153.8% compared to August 2024,” Miti said. The ministry noted that export growth in August was driven by strong performances in both manufactured and agricultural goods, with agriculture exports rebounding from the negative growth recorded in July. The trade expansion was mainly contributed by electrical and electronic products, followed by machinery, equipment and parts, optical and scientific equipment, as well as palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products. Notably, Miti said, exports of optical and scientific equipment recorded their highest value to date. While Malaysia’s overall trade performance remained resilient from January to August this year, exporters are strongly encouraged to improve and diversify their product offerings, and to strengthen supply chain efficiencies to mitigate the transitional effects of policy shifts and uncertainties in the global trading landscape. Exporters are also encouraged to leverage the 18 free trade agreements ratified by Malaysia with various countries and economies. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Johor Port Bhd, a member of MMC Group, has strengthened its container handling capabilities with the arrival of two Post-Panamax container quay cranes, manufactured by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd (ZPMC). This strategic investment underscores Johor Port’s commitment to continuously enhancing efficiency and competitiveness as a premier multipurpose port in the region. With a total investment of RM71.2 million, the new cranes are engineered to handle the port’s growing container throughput with greater speed and precision. Built at ZPMC’s world-class facility in Changxing Island, Shanghai, the cranes are designed to manage Post-Panamax vessels and will be able to ensure consistent reliability and enhanced turnaround time for vessels calling at Johor Port. Johor Port CEO Md Derick Basir said the arrival of these two new quay cranes reflects Johor Port’s long-term vision of investing in modern infrastructure to support the evolving needs of global trade. “We will also be procuring a further two new quay cranes targeted to be operational in 2027. In addition, we have recently purchased four new level luffing cranes back in June of this year, valued at RM72.3 million, to be installed at our conventional terminal,” he said in a statement. Johor Port chairman Tan Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said this investment in new quay cranes and level luffing cranes underlines the company’s unwavering commitment to stakeholders and is part of our broader Five- Year Capex Enhancement Plan to rejuvenate the port. “It also marks an important step in Johor Port’s modernisation journey to deliver greater value to our customers, and reinforce the port’s position as the Southern Gateway multi purpose port of Malaysia.” “These additional modern cranes will also

The two new Post-Panamax container quay cranes will undergo a 45-day site acceptance test before being fully commissioned into operations. support the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) initiatives by providing first-class infrastructure that enhances the port’s opera tional capacity, increases efficiency in cargo handling, and improves overall service reliability. “By strengthening the port’s capabilities, this investment will help attract new businesses and investments into the JS-SEZ, stimulate regional economic activity, and create new opportunities for trade and employment,” Che Khalib said. The procurement of the quay cranes commenced on May 6, 2024, with all key milestones achieved, including the installation of the main components and the successful factory acceptance test, culminating in their delivery on Sept 6. The cranes will undergo a 45-day site acceptance test before being fully commissioned into operations, ensuring a smooth integration into Johor Port’s container terminal.

In preparation for the arrival of the new quay cranes, Johor Port undertook a carefully planned removal of its older quay cranes, with works commencing on Aug 25. Despite having to undertake the crane removal activities during one of the port’s busiest months, Johor Port managed to handle 103,159 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last month, achieving the highest-ever monthly container throughput in its history and surpassing the previous record of 102,324 TEUs achieved back in August 2024.

Association of Malaysian Hauliers vice president Dzulfariqh Abdul Manap expressed appreciation for Johor Port’s efforts in pushing productivity levels by investing in new port equipment. He said these new cranes, together with Johor Port’s modernisation initiatives, will be able to further improve the port’s berth productivity and reduce vessel and truck turnaround time, and deliver a more seamless and efficient cargo-handling experience.