21/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JAN 21, 2026

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ECERDC concludes EMP 2.0 on high note, exceeds targets

SUBANG JAYA: Tropicana Corpo ration Bhd has handed over its former Tropicana Metropark pro perty gallery site to Bellworth Developments Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of LGB Group, for redevelopment into a boutique mixed-use project within the township. Tropicana Managing director of marketing and sales and business development Ixora Ang said the group welcomed Bellworth as Tropicana Metropark’s new develop ment partner as the township enters its final phase. “The entire parcel will be de veloped by Bellworth into a resort style residential project with curated lifestyle retail components. Bell worth has a strong track record in niche and boutique developments that integrate residential and com mercial elements, and this will add a fresh dimension to the Tropicana Metropark township,” she told SunBiz at the Tropicana-Bellworth key hand over ceremony held at the relocated Tropicana Metropark property gallery yesterday. Ang said Tropicana has relocated its Tropicana Metropark property PETALING JAYA: AHAM Asset Management Bhd (AHAM Capital) has declared a total income distribution of RM1.39 billion for financial year 2025, spanning 84 wholesale and retail funds managed by the company. The distributions were declared across a broad range of strategies and asset classes, including equities, bonds, and mixed-asset funds. Deputy managing director and chief fixed income officer Esther Teo said that, in a year marked by volatility, the company remained focused on delivering consistent income for investors. “Our flagship Select and World Series funds delivered income distri bution yields ranging between 4% and 8% in 2025, reflecting a disci plined investment approach across multiple strategies that we manage. “We believe income will continue to play a critical role in portfolio resilience by providing stability and compounding potential, particularly in periods of elevated uncertainty,” she said in a statement. Looking ahead to 2026, Teo remains constructive on the fixed income outlook. The distribution announcement also coincides with a significant corporate milestone for the com pany. As of Dec 31, 2025, AHAM Capital’s total assets under administration (AUA) reached RM101.5 billion, surpassing the RM100 billion mark for the first time since the company began operations in 2001. Total AUA comprises assets under manage-ment, investment advisory, and those under distribution. AHAM Capital declares income distribution of RM1.39b for FY25 Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

billion, 84-megawatt mini hydro power project in Kelantan. The strong realised performance was complemented by RM12.4 billion in committed investments, indicating a robust pipeline for future realisation. Manufacturing accounted for RM9.7 billion, followed by services and agriculture at RM1.1 billion each, tourism at RM500 million and oil and gas at RM1.5 million. Renewable energy projects, including mini hydro, floating solar and large-scale solar developments, featured prominently in the invest ment pipeline, underscoring ECER’s growing role in supporting Malay sia’s energy transition. In line with its development mandate, ECERDC completed several key catalytic projects in 2025, including the completion of the Jemaluang Dairy Valley in Mersing. ECERDC CEO Datuk Baidzawi Che Mat ( pic ) said the agency has continued to make steady strides in developing the ECER, with progress across investment, infrastructure, and employment initiatives. “This demonstrates that our strategies are translating into real outcomes for the rakyat . “As we move into EDP 2026 2030, our focus will be on sustaining investment momentum while deepening development impact across the ECER. “ECERDC remains committed to building a resilient, future-ready regional economy that generates long term value for investors and lasting benefits for local communities.” The freehold development features compact, efficient layouts, comprising studio units of approximately 500 sq ft and two-bedroom units of about 700 sq ft. These are complemented by open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas designed for flexible interior configurations. Selected unit types feature split open-plan layouts that allow spaces to be converted into an additional bedroom or study. All units are fitted with large eight-foot window panels to maximise natural light. The project also incorporates green building features, including water efficient fittings, inverter air-condi tioning systems and environmentally friendly materials. Units come partially furnished, with kitchen cabinets, a hood and hob, instant water heaters, and digital door locks. The development is located within a mature neighbourhood with convenient access to medical facilities such as Subang Jaya Medical Centre and KPJ Specialist, retail destinations including Empire Shopping Gallery and Aeon Big Hypermarket, educational institutions such as Fairview International School and MSU Medical Centre, as well as recreational attractions, including Stadium Shah Alam.

o East Coast Economic Region Development Council secures RM75b commitments, RM55b realised investments during 2018-2025 period

PETALING JAYA: The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) successfully concluded the ECER Master Plan 2.0 (EMP 2.0), which was implemented from 2018 to 2025, recording strong investment performance, timely project delivery and consistent progress in strengthening the socio economic foundations of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER). While preparing the region for its next phase of development under the ECER Development Plan 2026 2030 (EDP 2026-2030), ECERDC exceeded its targets, securing RM75 billion in committed investments and RM55 billion in realised investments under EMP 2.0, sur passing the original targets of RM70 billion and RM49 billion respectively. Throughout this time, more than 79,000 jobs and over 25,000 entre preneurship opportunities were created, supporting income growth, industrial expansion, and community involvement across Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the districts of Mersing and Segamat in Johor. This period of development also coincided with a positive shift in population and migration patterns on the East Coast, reflecting improving liveability and employ ment prospects in the region.

After years of net outmigration, ECER recorded a migration inflow in 2024. While multiple factors contribute to this turnaround, the expansion of jobs, improved connectivity, and the realisation of key development projects under EMP 2.0 has played a supporting role, with more than half of the migration comprising intra state movement, an indication of stronger local workforce retention. The turnaround was driven by expanding job opportunities, im proved connectivity and the reali sation of key development projects. More than half of this migration consisted of intra-state movement, indicating stronger local workforce retention. In 2025, ECERDC secured RM10.01 billion in realised invest ments, meeting its annual target of RM10 billion. The realised investment gene rated 5,300 job opportunities, re inforcing ECER’s role as a key contributor to balanced national growth despite a challenging global economic environment. Manufacturing remained the primary sector for realised invest ments in 2025, accounting for RM6.2 billion or 61.9% of the total, followed by oil and gas at RM2.2 billion

(22.2%), tourism at RM1.1 billion (10.8%), agriculture at RM471 million (4.7%), and services at RM37 million (0.4%). This distribution reflects a broadening economic base sup ported by both high-value industrial activities and community-oriented sectors. Pahang continued to lead regional investment growth with RM7.35 billion in realised investments, followed by Terengganu (RM1.41 billion), Kelantan (RM1.13 billion), and Johor’s districts of Mersing and Segamat (RM121 million). Among the key projects that began to be realised during the year were a RM1.5 billion petrochemical plant in Pahang, a RM638.6 million pulverised quartz manufacturing plant in Terengganu and an RM1

Tropicana Metropark’s property gallery relocated, in comes Bellworth

gallery to SouthPlace Shoppes as part of its strategy to enhance the buyer experience and support the town ship’s next phase of growth. She noted that Tropicana Metropark was first envisioned more than 13 years ago as a mixed-use development and has since evolved into a self-sustaining township offer ing integrated residential, retail and lifestyle components. “Through continued investment in growth and expansion, the township has matured into a vibrant environ ment that supports work-live-play learn-shop elements,” she said. At the heart of the development, SouthPlace Shoppes has emerged as a key placemaking hub, hosting regular bazaars and community events, sup ported by a growing and diverse tenant mix. “It is now also home to the all-new SouthPlace Shoppes Sales Gallery. The relocation was carried out with customers in mind, giving them direct access to the vibrancy and convenience of the township,” Ang said. The relocated gallery will continue to support sales for SouthPlace Residences 2, a freehold residential development within Tropicana Metropark. The project benefits from strong highway connectivity, with direct

Ang handing over a mock key to Bellworth assistant general manager of engineering and construction, project, Tan Art Peow.

33,000 visitors through events such as Corgi & Friends, the Yum Yum Food & Lifestyle Fair and Lai Bazaar. Units at SouthPlace Residences 2 offer views of the Urban Park and the Shah Alam skyline, with convenient access to the retail podium below.

access to the Federal Highway and links to major expressways including the North-South Expressway, LDP, NPE, NKVE, SKVE and Kesas. Anchored by a 9.2-acre Urban Park and an integrated retail podium, the development has attracted more than