17/10/2025

BIZ & FINANCE FRIDAY | OCT 17, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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KWAP rolls out RM2b climate-focused fund

Chin Hin Group secures right to develop RM1.1b

Kuala Lumpur project PETALING JAYA: Chin Hin Group Property Bhd announced that it has entered into a development agreement (DA) for a large scale residential project in Taman Con naught, Kuala Lumpur, with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM1.1 billion. The project will be undertaken by Avion Connaught Sdn Bhd, Chin Hin’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, following the execution of a DA with Grand Uptown Sdn Bhd, the proprietor of the 99-year leasehold land measuring about five acres. Pursuant to the DA, Avion Connaught will implement and complete the development by paying RM103 million to obtain full development rights for the project. These rights grant Avion Connaught complete authority over design, construction, marketing, sale, and all proceeds from the development. The proposed development – comprising high-rise residential towers complemented by retail and parking components – is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and be completed by the second quarter of 2031. The project is anticipated to deliver profit before tax of about RM210 million, translating into a pre-tax margin of around 18%. Funding will come from a mix of internal resources and bank borrowings. Property development division group CEO Chang Tze Yoong said: “The Taman Connaught project represents a significant addition to Chin Hin Group’s Kuala Lumpur development pipeline. It fits our strategy of pursuing high quality residential projects in prime urban areas with long-term demand potential. With a GDV exceeding RM1 billion, the project is expected to contribute meaningfully to our medium-term earnings.” The appointment reflects Chin Hin Group’s approach to securing quality developments in growth markets, supporting its objective of building a strong, sustainable pipeline of residential projects in Kuala Lumpur and other key regions. PETALING JAYA: PMB Investment Bhd, an Islamic fund management company under Pelaburan Mara Bhd, yesterday announced the income distribution for PMB Dana Bestari for the financial year ended Sept 30, 2025. The fund declared an income distribution of 1.56 sen per unit, amounting to a total gross distribution of RM3,210,618.35. The net asset value (NAV) per unit before the distribution was RM0.5448, adjusted to RM0.5292 after the distribution. The distribution, based on the ex date of Sept 30, 2025, represents a yield of 3.01% based on the fund’s closing NAV. PMB Investment CEO Hang Tuah Amin Tajudin reported that PMB Dana Bestari recorded a three year cumulative return of 45.68% (averaging 15.22% per annum) as of Sept 30, 2025. Its five year cumulative return is 67.90% (averaging 13.58% per annum) as of Sept 30, 2025. Launched in 1975, PMB Dana Bestari is PMB Investment’s eighth fund. Under normal circumstances, the Fund allocates between 70% and 99.5% of its NAV to Shariah-compliant equities and equity-related securities. The remaining portion is invested in Islamic money market instruments, Islamic deposits, sukuk, and other syariah-compliant permitted invest ments. Income distribution of 1.56 sen per unit for PMB Dana Bestari, totalling RM3.2m

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o New investment product Dana Iklim+ marks another milestone in Malaysia’s sustainable finance agenda

KUALA LUMPUR: Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP) has launched Dana Iklim+, Malaysia’s first dedicated climate focused investment fund, with an initial target deployment of RM2 billion to accelerate the country’s transition to a low carbon and climate-resilient economy. The fund, launched at the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025 by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, marks another milestone in the nation’s sustainable finance agenda. Dana Iklim+ is structured as a multi-asset investment strategy spanning infrastructure, private equity, real estate and nature-based solutions. It aims to deliver sustainable financial returns while achieving measurable environmental outcomes, with a goal of reducing or mitigating up to one million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through its climate-aligned investments. “Dana Iklim+ is an integral part of our effort to advance Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. As a responsible institutional investor, KWAP is taking a significant step forward in mobilising capital to drive both environ mental impact and sustainable economic growth,” said KWAP chief investment officer Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin. The initiative is the third catalytic programme by KWAP, following Dana Pemacu and Dana Perintis, which were introduced to strengthen Malaysia’s private market ecosystem. Dana Iklim+ extends this mandate by placing climate action at the forefront of its investment strategy, aligning with national frameworks such as the National Energy Transition Roadmap, Madani Economy and the Ministry of Finance’s GEAR-uP initiative. Hazman said the “+” in Dana Iklim+ reflects its wider scope beyond carbon reduction, capturing co-benefit indicators such as food security, clean water, energy access and inclusive economic growth. “A credible climate strategy must also address interconnected development goals. Through this fund, we aim to invest in solutions that create lasting value for Malaysia’s future.” PETALING JAYA: Malakoff Corporation Bhd, through subsidiary Malakoff Silver Solar Sdn Bhd has provisionally selected Atlantic Blue Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Solarvest Holdings Bhd, as the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor for development of a 470MW project in Larut and Matang, Perak, under the LSS Petra 5+ Programme. The solar farm represents one of the largest ground-mounted solar developments in Malaysia. Upon commissioning, it is expected to generate 967,544MWh of clean energy annually, offsetting around 748,879 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This project will also strengthen national energy security and create high-value local employment opportunities within Malaysia’s growing clean energy sector.

Johari (third, right) launching the Iklim+ KWAP Fund at the opening of the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia 2025 and the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025 yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

“Dana Iklim+ reflects KWAP’s long-term commitment to embed sustainability into Malaysia’s financial ecosystem,” Hazman said. “Through this fund, we want to demonstrate that institutional capital can create exponential impact – not only in decarbonisation, but also in building resilience and delivering inclusive eco nomic growth.” The fund’s impact will be measured across six dimensions, including national alignment, climate resilience, and contri butions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This approach, according to KWAP, ensures that its investments are not only financially viable but also socially inclusive and environ mentally sustainable. Johari, in officiating the launch, underscored the importance of institutional Malakoff Group CEO Syahrunizam Samsudin said, “This is a major milestone for Malakoff as we take a leading role in developing the country’s largest solar project under the LSS Petra 5+ Programme. It reflects our ambition to reshape Malaysia’s energy landscape and speed up the shift towards cleaner, more secure power generation. “This project forms a significant part of Malakoff’s total renewable energy portfolio of 768MW and reflects our leadership in driving the country’s energy transition. As the project developer, we want to set a new benchmark for large-scale solar in Malaysia, while supporting national energy resilience and wider decarbonisation efforts. We look forward to working closely with Solarvest to deliver this project safely, efficiently and to the highest standards”.

investors playing a catalytic role in financing the green transition. “Malaysia’s path to Net Zero requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, and initiatives such as Dana Iklim+ demonstrate how capital markets can be harnessed to deliver sustainable economic growth while safeguarding the environment.” The initiative also ties into KWAP’s long term pledge to achieve a net zero investment portfolio by 2050. The fund will prioritise opportunities that offer scalable climate solutions, from renewable energy projects to sustainable real estate developments and conservation-driven nature-based invest ments. By positioning itself as a catalyst for climate investment, KWAP aims to stimulate greater participation from private markets and reinforce Malaysia’s standing as a regional leader in sustainable finance. Solarvest executive director and group CEO Datuk Davis Chong Chun Shiong said Malaysia aims to achieve a 70% renewable energy mix by 2050 which will require the annual build-up of renewable capacity to fourfold to around 2.2GW per year from 0.5GW previously and this project is therefore crucial in driving momentum, strengthening energy security, and positioning Malaysia as a leading regional clean energy hub. “We anticipate our orderbook to reach a new record high of approximately RM3 billion by the end of the financial year, driven by more LSS5 and LSS5+ EPCC wins and additional project in Borneo. This reflects Solarvest’s solid project execution capability, trusted partnerships, and growing role in advancing Malaysia’s clean energy landscape,” he added.

Malakoff appoints Solarvest unit as EPCC contractor for 470MW solar farm in Perak