15/12/2025

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | DEC 15, 2025

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Manufacturing sector sales rise to RM171.7b in October

Kerjaya Prospek wins RM225m contract PETALING JAYA: Construction outfit Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd, has been awarded a RM225 million contract in Johor Bahru by Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd. The project entails the construction of Gen Sphere, a 50-storey serviced apartment tower with commercial components. It comprises 996 units, two levels of recreational facilities, along with commercial space, among others. Construction works, scheduled to begin on Jan 16, 2026, are slated for completion within 38 months. Kerjaya Prospek CEO and executive director Tee Eng Tiong said, “We are pleased to secure our second project win in Johor Bahru for 2025. With the establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, Johor Bahru is poised for robust growth, emerging as a vibrant and dynamic economic hub. We intend to deepen our footprint in the region while continuing to build our presence in Penang and Klang Valley.* To date, the group has secured 12 contracts totalling RM1.8 billion, bringing its total outstanding order book to RM4.3 billion. Approved by Bursa Malaysia on Aug 19, 2024, the regularisation plan includes the rights issue with warrants, scheme of arrangement with creditors, share capital reduction of RM137.52 million and establishment of an employee share scheme. Khee San said, it is on track to exit PN17 status and continue building on its more than 70-year track record as a trusted Malaysian confectionery brand. Khee San raises RM77m from rights issue PETALING JAYA: Khee San Bhd, a Malaysian confectionery manufacturer and distributor, reported a 80.25% subscription for its renounceable rights issue with warrants. In a statement, Khee San said the rights issue raised RM77.12 million, reflecting strong support from shareholders and reinforcing the group’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its financial position as part of its regularisation plan. Executive chairman Yong Loong Chen said: “We are grateful for the strong participation from our shareholders in this rights issue, demon strating confidence in the group’s strategy and prospects ahead. This milestone brings us closer to restoring financial stability and progressing towards exiting PN17 status.” CEO Edward JP Tan said, “The proceeds from the rights issue will enable us to implement our regularisation plan. By enhancing our financial position, this will support working capital requirements, settle amounts owed to scheme creditors and allow us to continue delivering long-term value to our stakeholders.” The funds raised from the rights issue will also support the group’s ongoing turnaround initiatives, including key operational and financial priorities outlined in the regularisation plan. This positions Khee San to strengthen its foundation for sustainable growth.

PETALING JAYA: The manufacturing sector posted sales of RM171.7 billion in October 2025, a year-on-year expansion of 6.3% (September 2025: 4.3%), according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said, “The growth in sales value within the manufacturing sector was mainly contributed by the electrical & electronic products sub-sector, which surged 11.5% in October 2025 (September 2025: 6.4%).” The growth was further supported by the food, beverages & tobacco and the non metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products sub-sectors, which rose by 11.6% (September 2025: 9.1%) and 4.6% (September 2025: 2.7%), respectively. Month-on-month, the sales value in October increased by 1.4%, from RM169.3 billion in September 2025. Sales value growth in export-oriented industries, which accounted for 71.9% of total sales, improved by 6.9% in October 2025 (September 2025: 3.8%). The performance was primarily influenced by the increase in the manufacture of computer, electronics & optical products by 12.1% (September 2025: 6.1%). Meanwhile, the manufacture of vegetable & animal oils & fats grew by 13.4% (September2025: 7.8%), and the manufacture of electrical equipment grew by 8.9% (September 2025: 10.1%). Month-on-month, export-oriented in dustries grew 0.9% (September 2025: 0.7%). Likewise, domestic-oriented industries increased 4.8% in October 2025, after regis tering 5.7% growth a month ago. The performance was supported by robust growth in the manufacture of food-processing products with 8.5% in October 2025 (September 2025: 10.5%), as well as in the manufacture of basic metals (6.6%) and manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery & equipment (6.3%). Furthermore, domestic-oriented industries increased 2.7% compared to the preceding month. Commenting on the number of employees, Mohd Uzir stated, “A total of 2.4 o Year-on-year growth of 6.3% driven mainly by electrical and electronic products sub-sector

Mohd Uzir said, “For the period of January to October 2025, the manufacturing sector recorded cumulative sales of RM1.6 trillion, growing 3.9% compared to the same period of 2024 (January-October 2024: 4.5%). The number of employees upticked by 1.1% to 2.4 million persons, while salaries and wages increased by 1.9% to RM83.7 billion.”

million employees were recorded in this sector during October 2025, augmented by 1.1% (September 2025: 1%). The augmentation was mainly driven by the food, beverages & tobacco (2%); electrical & electronic products (1.5%); and non-metallic mineral products, basic metal & fabricated metal products (1.1%). On a month-on-month basis, the number of employees in this sector increased at 0.5%. Correspondingly, the salaries and wages paid in the manufacturing sector posted an expansion of 2.4% (September 2025: 2%), amounting to RM8.5 billion in October 2025.

Malaysia has, for the first time, secured the top position globally in the biennial Open Data Inventory 2024/25 Report released by Open Data Watch, surpassing 197 other countries. This achievement marks a significant leap from its 67th position in the 2022/23 assessment. Hometown Hainan Coffee eyes 20 more outlets nationwide

PETALING JAYA: Hometown Hainan Coffee, one of Malaysia’s fastest growing casual dining chains, remains optimistic about the outlook of the country’s food and beverage (F&B) sector and plans to invest RM50 million in the next five years to strengthen and expand its presence nationwide. The chain, which currently operates 25 outlets across Malaysia, continues to attract a growing base of local diners and international visitors who value authentic Malaysian flavours rooted in heritage. In a statement, Hometown Hainan Coffee said, it aims to set up 20 more restaurants in strategic locations around the country.

These awards underscore the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship, con sistency and the preservation of traditional flavours. “We see tremendous potential in Malaysia’s F&B landscape, driven by discerning local consumers and the increasing number of travellers wanting an authentic taste of Malaysia,” said co-founder James Koh. “Our vision has always been to preserve true Hainanese traditions while modernising the kopitiam experience. As Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaches, we want Hometown Hainan Coffee to stand out as a place where visitors can savour the warmth, culture and identity of Malaysian food,” he added.

dients has also made it a rising tourist draw in its own right. Its growing visibility aligns with broader national efforts to promote Malaysia as a culinary hub, reinforcing the country’s unique position in the Southeast Asian F&B landscape,” it said in the statement. Adding to its momentum, Hometown Hainan Coffee clinched two major accolades at the World Top Gourmet Awards 2025, namely the Top Outstanding F&B Brand Award (Authentic Casual Dining Category) and the Top Authentic Casual Dining Restaurant. In addition, the chain was named one of the Top 10 Outstanding F&B Brands at the awards ceremony that took place in Guangzhou, China.

“The brand’s confidence is further supported by the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which is expected to draw a significant influx of tourists seeking genuine Malaysian dining experiences,” it added. As travellers increasingly look for culinary adventures that reflect local culture, Hometown Hainan Coffee is positioning itself as a must-visit destination that showcases the nation’s diversity, quality, taste, and authenticity. The company believes this will further solidify Malaysia’s reputation as a top global destination for food and travel. “Hometown Hainan Coffee’s com mitment to authenticity, nostalgic ambience and high-quality ingre

Koh displaying the awards that Hometown Hainan Coffee won.