01/12/2025

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | DEC 1, 2025

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TNB: We are ready to support M’sia’s data centre expansion

Senheng leverages loyalty platform as growth engine ahead of electronics replacement cycle PETALING JAYA: Senheng New Retail Bhd continues to evolve its business model, positioning its 4 million-strong PlusOne member loyalty platform as the primary growth engine ahead of the 2026 consumer electronics replacement cycle. The group reported revenue of RM820.1 million and a net profit of RM6.6 million for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2025 (9M’25), a moderation from RM908.6 million and RM13.5 million, respectively, in 9M’24. While 9M’25 performance reflects the impact of cautious consumer sentiment, the group prioritised portfolio optimisation and refined its merchandising to focus on higher-margin brand categories. The strategy drove a gross profit margin expansion to 21.4% in 9M’25 from 20.9% in 9M’24. Chairman and managing director Lim Kim Heng said FY25 is the year of strengthening the company’s foundation. “While navigating cautious con sumer sentiment for high-value discretionary, we focused on en hancing our ‘Territory Champion’ stores and optimising our product mix to deliver premium experiences. “We are now positioning Sen heng to lead the major consumer electronics replacement cycle anticipated in 2026, driven by the need to upgrade ageing pan demic-era devices and the surge in AI-enabled appliances. “We are transforming our loyalty ecosystem into a highly attractive rewards platform. Through our upcoming ‘Untung Gila’ campaign and the rollout of S Coin Redemption Centre Brand Corners, we are evolving S-Coin into a high-value currency that integrates seamlessly into our customers’ daily lifestyles. “By unlocking unrivalled rewards for our loyal base of 4 million PlusOne members and attracting a new generation of digital-savvy shoppers, we ensure Senheng remains the primary, top of-mind platform for the future,“ he said in a statement. With NielsenIQ forecasting a replacement surge for pandemic era tech devices starting in 2026 and BMI projecting a rebound in Malaysian consumer purchasing power next year, the group is well positioned to capture the in coming wave of high-value demand through its nationwide omnichannel network. For the third quarter of FY25, group revenue stood at RM272.7 million and net profit at RM700,000. This compares to revenue of RM279 million and net profit of RM3.6 million in the corresponding quarter last year, reflecting the broader industry trend of prudent consumer spending on dis cretionary goods. Notably, the group expanded its margins due to an improved product portfolio and by refining its merchandising strategy to increase the average basket size per transaction.

o Utility company has potential of delivering up to 5,000MW of sector’s demand by 2035

PETALING JAYA: TDM Bhd recorded a 29% increase in revenue to RM232.55 million for the third quarter ended Sept 30, 2025 (Q3’25), compared with RM179.87 million in the same period last year. The improvement reflects stronger profitability and solid operational momentum across both its plantation and healthcare divisions. Growth was mainly driven by the plantation division, which posted a RM47.4 million (54%) increase in revenue, while the healthcare division contributed an additional RM5.3 million (6%). Net profit for Q3’25 rose to RM3.78 million from RM2.39 million a year earlier. Profit before tax (PBT) improved significantly to RM24 million, compared to a loss before tax of RM6.4 million in Q3’24. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) nearly tripled year-on-year, with the plantation division contri buting RM38.2 million, an increase of RM26.7 million. The plantation division’s Q3’25 revenue was supported by higher sales volumes of crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel (PK), which increased by 35% and 50%, respectively. Stronger average selling prices for CPO (up 10%) and PK (up 31%) further lifted performance. PBT for the division improved sharply, swinging from a loss of RM4.9 million in the corresponding quarter last year to RM22.4 million in the current quarter. For the nine monthscof FY25 (9M’25), group revenue rose 14% year KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s digital future hinges on reliable energy ecosystem and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) stands ready to play a strategic role in positioning Malaysia as a regional data centre hub by delivering solutions that balance growth with responsibility. To this end, the utility firm has the potential of delivering up to 5,000MW of data centre demand by 2035, its chief retail officer, Datuk Kamal Arifin A. Rahman. said. Currently, TNB generation has an installed capacity of 27,690MW, representing a 51.4% market share, supported by 26,000km of trans mission lines and 734,000km of distribution networks. Its retail arm serves more than 10.4 million customers nationwide, delivering around 138,000GWh of electricity each year. “As the region’s data centre capacity continues to expand rapidly, especially in Malaysia, the challenge is no longer about choosing between affordability, reliability and sustain ability, it is about achieving all three simultaneously,” he said at the

Singapore International Energy Week 2025 recently. Kamal Arifin said from Green Lane pathways that accelerate data centre connections from 36 months to just 12 to dual-supply reliability frameworks and renewable energy integration, TNB is geared up to position Malaysia as a strong contender in the regional race for sustainable digital infrastructure. He said this pathway ensures efficient and environmentally responsible power solutions, stream lined onboarding and approval process and support from the one stop centre (OSC) for all data centre related requirements. “Through initiatives like Green Lane Pathway and OSC, TNB is also strategically positioning Malaysia as a green data centre regional hub,” he said. “TNB is aligning Malaysia’s energy transition with the digital economy’s rapid growth, especially data centres,” he said, citing the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the country’s target of 70% renewable energy (RE) capacity by 2050.

supply plan, Kamal Arifin said it is being done with strategic partnership and collaboration. Among others, it is collaborating with the Malaysian government to expand the Green Electricity Tariff Programme in the short term and facilitate RE supply models in the longer run. TNB, he said, has also partnered with Princeton Digital Group (PDG). “The collaboration between TNB and PDG is mutually beneficial. We were able to energise their operations rapidly under the fast-track Green Lane Pathway initiative, providing large-scale, greener data centre capacity in Johor.” PDG, he said, has become a valuable prime partner for TNB. For instance, PDG’s flagship data centre campus in Sedenak with a total capacity of 190MW is being powered under an electricity supply agreement with TNB, energised rapidly through TNB’s Green Lane support within 12 months period. PDG plans to expand its investment in Kulai with a 200MW site by 2027. – Bernama

Kamal Arifin says the challenge is to achieve affordability, reliability and sustainability simultaneously. – TNBPIC/BERNAMA TNB itself has set a target of 10GW RE by 2030, including 500MW solar and 2.5GW floating solar. Elaborating on its renewable

TDM posts improved Q3 results on strong profitability, momentum in core segments

TDM’s healthcare division delivered steady growth in Q3’25, driven primarily by KMI Kuala Terengganu and KMI Kuantan hospitals.

on-year, driven by a RM61.2 million (29%) increase in plantation revenue and a RM6 million (2%) rise in healthcare revenue. Group PBT for the period stood at RM600,000, compared to a loss before tax of RM18.2 million previously. Plantation revenue for 9M’25 increased 29% to RM273.5 million, supported by higher CPO and PK sales volumes (up 11% and 24%, respectively) and stronger average prices (up 9% and 37%). Ebitda for the division rose by RM19.7 million to RM57.4 million, while PBT improved from a loss of RM13.2 million to a profit of RM10.8 million. TDM said weather forecasts indicate a potential La Niña event in Q4 FY25, which may affect palm oil and soybean output.

TDM expects palm oil prices to remain firm for the rest of the year, hovering between RM4,300 and RM4,500 per tonne,, with a full-year average of around RM4,350. Meanwhile, the group’s healthcare division delivered steady growth in Q3’25, with revenue rising 6% year-on year, driven primarily by KMI Kuala Terengganu and KMI Kuantan hospitals. Outpatient numbers increased 12%, while average inpatient revenue rose 7%. PBT and Ebitda improved by 18% and 6%, respectively, marking a strong recovery from the festive related slowdown in Q2. For 9M’25, healthcare revenue grew to RM263.3 million from RM257.3 million. Outpatient volumes rose 6%, and inpatient revenue per patient

increased 3%. However, Ebitda declined 21% to RM28.1 million, and PBT fell 31% to RM13.1 million due to higher operating costs, including staff wages, supplies, and finance expenses related to sukuk and lease liabilities. TDM expects the healthcare division’s recovery to continue into Q4’25, supported by year-end demand and the absence of major festive interruptions. Growth will be underpinned by expanded sub-speciality services, increased bed capacity, and ongoing service optimisation. While cost pressures such as nursing salary adjustments and rising maintenance expenses remain, the group anticipates stronger revenue heading into FY26.