14/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JAN 14, 2026

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Archidex 2026 will be held under one roof – for the first time PETALING JAYA: Archidex 2026 is positioning itself for stronger business outcomes and deeper industry engagement as the 25th edition of the architecture and built environment exhibition moves fully under one roof at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec). Jointly organised by Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and CIS, this year’s edition will be held from July 29 to Aug 1, marking the first time the exhibition is fully consolidated at a single venue. Organisers said the move addresses feedback from previous editions and allows for a more integrated experience for exhibitors and visitors. CIS project director Jason Lim said past editions held across multiple venues limited the time visitors could spend engaging with exhibitors, ultimately affecting business connections. “By housing everything at Mitec, which offers about 45,000 square metres of space, we gain more flexibility to introduce new thematic experiences and allow visitors to spend more quality time on the show floor,” he said during the Archidex 2026 soft launch press conference. Lim noted that the consolidation also enables the introduction of new thematic highlights covering various segments of the industry, including digital architecture, workplace solutions and hospitality-related design, providing broader exposure for exhibitors and more targeted engagement for visitors. Archidex 2025 recorded RM1.4 billion in business transactions, driven largely by project ready visitors, with about 85% of attendees comprising specifiers actively involved in ongoing developments. While organisers have yet to finalise a transaction target for 2026, Lim said expectations are for a higher value this year. “We are aiming to exceed last year’s performance, but the figures will be shared once they are properly supported and finalised,” he said, adding that longer dwell time and stronger networking opportunities are expected to translate into improved business outcomes. PAM president Adjunct Prof Ar Adrianta Aziz said Archidex 2026, themed “The Bold Future”, reflects a broader vision for Malaysia’s architectural identity and its role in shaping cities of the future. He said the theme aligns closely with the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival, which carries the concept of “Future Culture”. “The future is not something far away. It is already here,” he said, stressing the importance of recognising Malaysia’s architectural diversity and cultural strength.

Semico Capital makes strong ACE Market debut

o Group to prioritise organic growth within Malaysia in expansion due to strong demand, says executive director

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Family entertainment and toys distributor Semico Capital Bhd made a strong debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia yesterday, opening at 45 sen, a 20 sen or 80% premium over its initial public offering (IPO) price of 25 sen, as investor appetite remained firm for consumer-facing growth stories. At the opening bell, 23.48 million shares were traded, following an IPO oversubscription of 28.09 times, underscoring strong demand for the group’s arcade, amusement machine and toys distribution businesses. The stock closed at 37.5 sen, 12.5 sen or 50% above the IPO price, on volume of 132 million shares. Semico, listed under the Consumer Products and Services Sector, raised RM23.2 million from the IPO to fund expansion across its two core segments, family entertainment and toys and collectables. Executive director and CEO Tai Lee Chuen said the listing marked a key milestone for the group, which has spent nearly two decades building its presence in Malaysia’s family entertainment ecosystem. “We are very happy with today’s share price performance. It is what we hoped for and we believe this is a good start for the company,” Tai told reporters after the listing ceremony. “We are confident we can continue to do better year-on-year as our fundamentals remain strong.” Semico’s family entertainment segment involves the distribution of arcade and amusement machines to operators such as arcade centres, theme parks and family entertainment centres, as well as operating its own arcade outlet in Selangor.

From left: Semico Capital independent non-executive directors Ooi Guan Hoe and Agnes Yap Choo Cheng; executive director and human resources head Ang Sew Fong; Tai; independent non executive chairman Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf; independent non-executive director Andrea Huong Jia Mei; Affin Hwang CEO Hanif Ghulam Mohammed; Capital markets managing director Johan Hashim; and equity capital market head Arvin Chia at the listing ceremony.

Tai said the group remains selective in brand partnerships and is focused on leveraging its distribution strength, rather than depending on short-term product trends. “Our strength is in our distribution channel. Trends come and go, so we are always looking to bring in new brands and catch the next wave,” he said, while declining to name upcoming partnerships. Head of finance Amilia Sabtu added that Malaysia remains a healthy market for family entertainment spending, providing good visibility for 2026. “Based on our internal data, we are still growing at a healthy pace. The local market continues to show resilience,” she said. On expansion plans, Tai said the group will prioritise organic growth within Malaysia, citing strong domestic demand. Overseas expansion is not on the immediate agenda. “When the time is right, we will explore it, but for now our focus is on strengthening what we already have,” he said.

Superwing, Dreamfuns and UNIS. Tai said the arcade business remains the group’s largest profit contributor, providing earnings stability even amid changing consumer trends in collectibles. “Whatever is happening in the art toy or collectibles space will not affect us too much. Arcade continues to be our biggest contributor,” he said, adding that the group does not rely on a single product or brand to drive growth. Under the IPO proceeds allocation, RM8.5 million will be used to purchase 188 new arcade and amusement machines for expansion, while RM2.1 million is set aside to replace 55 older machines, many of which are over five years old and fully depreciated. The group currently operates about 650 machines nationwide. Another RM2.5 million will be channelled towards expanding the toys and collectables segment, while RM4 million is allocated for working capital and RM1.6 million for repayment of bank borrowings.

A key focus of Archidex 2026 will continue to be talent development, particularly for young architects and students. The ArchiTalent programme, now in its eighth year, provides architecture students and young professionals with opportunities to pitch ideas and present their work on an international platform. - by DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM Micsea supports AI-powered podcast series on actual industrial relations cases The group adopts a mix of revenue sharing, rental and outright sales models, offering machines such as claw machines, racing games and sports games. It currently serves 77 customer stores nationwide and distributes machines from brands including Semico’s toys and collectables business focuses on the wholesale and distribution of items such as action figures and blind boxes. The group currently carries 68 brands, with products available at 303 customer outlets nationwide, including convenience stores, hobby shops, toy retailers, cinemas and family entertainment centres. Semico also plans to strengthen its workforce, particularly technical teams, to support the rollout of new machines and ensure operational efficiency as its footprint expands. Affin Hwang Investment Bank Bhd is the principal adviser, sponsor, sole placement agent and sole underwriter for the IPO.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Industrial, Commercial and Service Employers Association (Micsea) is backing an innovative artificial intelligence-powered podcast series that addresses a key challenge for Malaysian employers – learning from real industrial relations disputes quickly and conveniently. The series is hosted by AI podcasters Zayn Faris and Chloe Wong, who present complex industrial relations cases in clear, practical language. Each episode helps human resources (HR) teams and business leaders understand

disputes can save organisations significant time and resources. Micsea said it is also supportive of Malaysia’s transformation in AI and initiatives like this demonstrate how the association plays its role in equipping employers with innovative tools and knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital workplace. Micsea said that by encouraging AI-driven solutions for HR and industrial relations challenges, it rein forces Malaysia’s progress in technology adoption while streng thening workforce management practices nationwide.

practical equips organisations with insights to prevent conflicts before they escalate and manage workplace relations confi dently.” By combining AI technology with real-case learning, the podcast provides HR teams and employers with a convenient, accessible way to stay informed, understand emerging workplace trends, and apply practical lessons before issues become critical. The series also reflects the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly evolving workplace environment, where staying ahead of potential terms. It

mon mistakes and actionable strategies that organisations can implement immediately. The AI podcasters present the information in a structured and engaging way, ensuring that listeners not only learn but also gain practical steps to strengthen workplace compliance and improve industrial relations practices. Micsea president YK Lai said: “Employers often face difficulties learning from real cases efficiently. This AI-powered podcast solves that challenge by presenting complex industrial relations disputes in simple,

what went wrong, why decisions mattered, and how to apply the lessons effectively in their own workplaces. In a statement, Micsea said that by breaking down complex legal rulings into easy-to-understand insights, the series allows busy professionals to absorb critical lessons anytime, anywhere, without wading through lengthy court documents or legal jargon. The series covers a wide range of topics, including discipline manage ment, dismissals, misconduct, and dispute resolution, highlighting com