05/12/2025

FRIDAY | DEC 5, 2025

15

BIZ & FINANCE

Majestic Gen grows footprint in Penang

Agroz, UBTech team up to tap robotics for farming

KUALA LUMPUR: Agroz Inc, an innovative, fully vertically integrated agricultural technology company specialising in AI-powered Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) vertical farms, has launched Agroz Robotics in collaboration with UBTech Robotics, a leader in humanoid robotics. In a statement, Agroz Inc said, this collaboration represents a strategic step forward for Agroz. Agroz Robotics is a programme which combines engineering innovation with real-time agricultural intelligence to create a fully integrated, automated CEA ecosystem in Agroz OS, the company’s proprietary farm operating system. As part of Agroz Robotics, UBTech’s self-developed industrial humanoid robot – Walker S – will be the first robot introduced into Agroz’s controlled-environment farming facilities. Walker S will be integrated as a hardware platform into Agroz OS. This AI robotics technology is designed to automate key agricultural processes such as seeding, monitoring, harvesting, and crop optimisation. This next-generation autonomous farming system will significantly boost productivity, reduce reliance on human labour, and ensure more precise and consistent crop quality. “Through Agroz Robotics, we hope to make sustainable agriculture a reality,” said Agroz CEO Gerard Lim. KUALA LUMPUR: The storage of imported carbon dioxide (CO2) in Malaysia, Indonesia, and potentially Thailand may emerge as a viable new business model, driven by plans from Japan, South Korea and Singapore to ship greenhouse gas captured from industrial sources to Southeast Asia for storage. CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd said the value chain would require new liquid CO2 (LCO2) carriers, CO2 terminals at both export and import points, pipelines to transport CO2 to offshore injection

“Our collaboration with UBTech is a major milestone in our mission to redefine agriculture by using robots and artificial intelligence. This new collaboration enables us to combine cutting-edge humanoid robotics with data intelligence to build smart, self optimising farms to support the scalable production of cleaner, safer, and more sustainable food,” he added. Lim thanked the government for cultivating an environment where such deep-tech solutions can thrive, directly strengthening the nation’s food security, sustainability, and economic resilience. UBTech’s Industrial Robotics Division general manager Leon Li said they are happy to collaborate with Agroz to apply their artificial intelligence and robotics technologies across a wider range of industries, contributing to the sustainable development of agriculture in Asia and around the world. Through deep integration with UBTech’s automation systems, Agroz will be able to deploy modular robotic solutions tailored for vertical farms, smart greenhouses, and hybrid indoor outdoor facilities across Southeast Asia.

This acquisition follows the launch of Majestic Aman in July 2025, a freehold residential and commercial development in Taman Sungai Dua Utama. Majestic Aman features 73 double-storey terrace homes and 23 two-storey shop offices, designed to support the needs of growing families and local businesses within a connected and community-focused environment. Spanning 5.66 acres with a GDV of RM66.8 million, Majestic Aman is designed as a sanctuary for modern families to grow and thrive. Beyond residential and commercial offerings, Majestic Gen is also involved in Penang’s industrial growth through Suling Hill Development Sdn Bhd, its joint venture with AME Elite Consortium Bhd. The JV is the driving force behind Northern TechValley @ BKE, a 176-acre integrated industrial park with a projected GDV of RM1.3 billion. Majestic Gen remains committed to contributing to Penang’s growth through developments shaped by clear vision, careful planning and community relevance. Vietnam Commercial Arrangement Area), the BIGST fields (offshore Terengganu), and the Lang Lebah field (offshore Sarawak). “General public perception of CCS is unlikely to be negative, as Malaysia’s storage hubs are offshore. “However, securing public acceptance of CCS mandates and high carbon prices may be challenging, since cost pass-through could raise living costs and affect standards of living among a price sensitive population,” the brokerage added. – Bernama

UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College. In a statement, the company said the purchase price reflects a premium above the RM70 million valuation carried out on Nov 13. “This acquisition represents an important step in our expansion in the Northern Region. Penang remains a resilient and forward moving market, and strengthening our presence here aligns with our vision to build developments that carry meaningful value. We aim to create destinations that communities can trust for many years,” said Majestic Gen CEO Datuk Hoo Kim See. Majestic Gen executive director Ta Wee Dher said that the Jalan Anson site offers a valuable foundation for their next phase of growth in Penang. “Its location and surroundings carry strong potential. This acquisition allows us to plan with foresight while honouring the character of George Town. Our intention is to create a development that reflects the standards and values Majestic Gen upholds, and one that will stand the test of time,” he added. Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as for developing sour gas reserves through CO2 capture and permanent sequestration during natural gas processing,” it added. The firm noted that Malaysia has no explicit carbon capture targets and has not ratified the London Convention, which is necessary for cross-border CO2 shipping. Petronas and other petroleum arrangement contractors are leading CCS projects, primarily linked to sour gas development at the Kasawari field (Sarawak), PM3 CAA block (Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Majestic Gen has reinforced its position in the Northern Region with the strategic acquisition of a prime freehold site along Jalan Anson in the heart of George Town. Purchased for RM75 million through Dynamic Gates Sdn Bhd (DGSB), a special purpose vehicle under Paramount Corporation Bhd’s earlier securitisation exercise, the acquisition marks a significant move for the group as it advances its presence in one of Penang’s most established cultural and educational districts. The site comprises three adjoining parcels of freehold land with a combined gross floor area of approximately 295,508 sq ft. It is currently under occupancy by freehold site as it deepens northern expansion strategy Havstjerne carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, aiming to provide maritime solutions for CO2 transport and injection by 2027, while Bumi Armada is pursuing opportunities for its floating storage injection unit. In Malaysia, CGS International Securities said incentives for CCS advancement are largely absent, limiting the pace and scale of development. “However, viable business cases may exist for offshore CO2 storage hubs to handle CO2 exports from o Developer secures prime George Town

The company said this innovation aligns with Malaysia’s vision for sustainable food security, reinforcing Agroz’s mission to improve reliability, efficiency, and resilience in the regional food supply chain. Analyst: Three Southeast Asian markets tipped as future hubs for imported CO Ɗ storage

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infrastructure. “MISC is planning to be the owner and operator of LCO2 ships and may also supply offshore injection assets via MMHE. “We expect that by 2030, Petronas Gas could own and operate CO2 terminals in Malaysia, potentially under long-term contracts with Petronas, the key driver of offshore storage assets in the country,” the research note said yesterday. The firm noted that in Europe, Yinson holds a 40% stake in Norway’s