22/01/2026

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

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Aeon makes East Coast entry with Kuantan store KUANTAN: Aeon Co (M) Bhd continues to expand its presence on the East Coast with the opening of its first supermarket in Kuantan, Pahang. The 49,331 sq ft supermarket, located on Level 2 of East Coast Mall, Kuantan, is expected to become one of the city’s key shopping destinations. Aeon deputy managing director Tsugutoshi Seko said the opening of Aeon Kuantan further expands Aeon’s regional network. Aeon is also confident in the strong performance of East Coast Mall, supported by its strategic location in Kuantan city centre and its stable footfall. Aeon’s presence in East Coast Mall is expected to further enhance its position within the East Coast retail landscape, he added. To enhance payment efficiency, Aeon Kuantan is equipped with innovative retail technology, including self-checkout counters and smart trolleys. In December 2025, Aeon introduced the AEON STYLE Supermarket at Setia EcoHill, Semenyih. Several other new openings are also planned for this year including AEON KL Midtown, located in KL Metropolis, and an AEON STYLE Supermarket in Johor Bahru. At the same time, Aeon continues to undertake refurbishment initiatives at selected outlets nationwide to modernise its retail environments. Damai Suites, a 16-storey development with a GDV of RM148 million, has reached structural completion. Meta Bright expands ‘Renai’ brand to East M’sia KOTA KINABALU: Meta Bright Group Bhd is exporting its hospitality expertise to East Malaysia, securing a foothold in Kota Kinabalu through the expansion of its flagship Renai Hotel brand into the Damai Suites development. The initiative involves the group’s subsidiary Meta Bright Hospitality Sdn Bhd (operating Renai Hotel, the only 5-star hotel in Kota Bharu), acquiring 58 commercial suites (Levels 8 and 10) and entering a hotel management agreement for an additional three floors (Levels 12, 13, and 13A). This effectively transforms a significant portion of Damai Suites into a hospitality asset, managed directly by the group. This move signals a shift in Meta Bright’s strategy for Damai Suites—moving beyond a pure “build-and-sell“ model to an “own and-operate“ model. By retaining control over key assets within the building, the group secures long-term, recurring operating cash flow to complement its development earnings. Managing director Lee Chee Kiang said: “This is not just about filling units; it is about replicating the operational success of Renai Kota Bharu in a high-growth tourism market like Sabah. By bringing the Renai brand to Kota Kinabalu, we are creating an internal ecosystem where our property division builds the asset, and our hospitality division monetises it for the long term.” Furthermore, he added, Damai Suites will not be a typical hotel as they are curating a mixed-use lifestyle hub that includes retail, hospitality, and a purpose-built confinement centre. Director Datuk Alvin Lim said such development not only effectively creates synergistic benefits within the group but also further enhances the asset value for the stakeholders.

Higher Indonesian export levy could boost Malaysia’s market share in India. - BERNAMAPIX

CPO prices seen range-bound at RM4,000–4,300

and the fasting month, is likely to weigh on harvesting productivity and constrain near-term supply. In parallel, it said, optimism is building that US domestic soybean oil consumption will increase, supported by greater clarity on the 45Z biofuel policy and Renewable Volume Obligations in early March. This clarity is expected to help absorb domestic soybean oil and support crushing activity ahead of the large Brazilian soybean harvest between March and May. Brazilian soybean production is projected to exceed 180 million tonnes in 2026, up from 178 million tonnes estimated in late 2025, supported by favourable weather. Looking ahead, MPOC said palm oil prices in February are expected to remain range-bound between RM4,000 and RM4,300 per tonne, supported by seasonal declines in production and stocks. A sustained price rally in palm oil and other vegetable oils would require either a progressive rollout of Indonesia’s B45 biodiesel mandate, a recovery in crude oil prices, or clarity on US biofuel policy that boosts soybean oil demand, it added. systems generate value. By analysing each patient’s medical data to provide personalised recommendations, and allowing patients to consult their doctors before purchase, we are creating a safer, more convenient, and monetisable healthcare ecosystem. This milestone strengthens our growth profile and positions UCrest as a global innovator in digital health.” He added they believe this enhancement marks a pivotal step in UCrest’s growth journey, leveraging AI health-driven e-commerce to increase system adoption, improve monetisation, and build sustainable long term shareholder value. The AI health-driven architecture is modular and scalable, allowing the iMedic system to expand across multiple healthcare segments including pharmaceuticals, wellness supplements, and digital health services, as well as additional regional markets. Multiple patents have been filed on these innovative technologies in the US, China, Europe, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

demand for palm oil is expected to strengthen, potentially surpassing soybean oil in Q1’26. Soybean oil prices in Argentina reached a two year high in January and traded at a premium of US$140 per tonne over Malaysian RBD palm olein. Similarly, in India’s domestic market, soybean oil commanded a premium of US$84 per tonne over palm oil. Despite palm oil’s clear price advantage, India’s import demand for palm oil has yet to fully recover, likely due to the recent weakening of the Indian rupee against the Malaysian ringgit. This setback should be viewed as temporary, as India will ultimately need to import palm oil regardless of currency movements, given its structural cost competitiveness. In addition, Indonesia’s announced increase of the CPO export levy to 12.5% from March 1 is expected to improve Malaysia’s palm oil market share in India and contribute to a drawdown in domestic palm oil stocks,” said MPOC. It also disclosed that seasonal factors are also expected to support prices. February’s shorter trading month, combined with multiple public holidays such as Thaipusam, Lunar New Year

o Palm oil demand projected to strengthen in Q1’26 as it undercuts soybean oil on pricing globally KUALA LUMPUR: Crude palm oil (CPO) prices have remained firm above RM4,000 throughout January despite some fundamental headwinds, indicating that this price level is forming a near term structural floor with limited downside risks, said Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) yesterday. In a statement, it said, Indonesia’s biodiesel policy uncertainty has also eased following the clarification that B50 biodiesel programme will be postponed due to prevailing price relationship between palm oil and gas oil. With B50 biodiesel narrative temporarily sidelined, market attention has now shifted back to the core fundamentals – production, export performance and stock levels, said MPOC. Against this backdrop, it noted, global import

UCrest launches AI health e-commerce platform KUALA LUMPUR: UCrest Bhd announced the world-first

recommendations, which patients can review and discuss with their doctors before making a purchase. Orders are fulfilled and shipped directly to patients, delivering a fully end-to-end digital healthcare experience that no other clinic management system in Asia—or globally—currently offers. Effectively, iMedic system, the next generation AI digital health platform among others integrates the following into a single system

innovation with the integration of an AI health-driven e-commerce system into its iMedic digital health platform, making it the first clinic management and telehealth system globally to combine patient consultations, prescriptions, and personalised AI health-based recommendations for medicines and supplements in a single seamless workflow.

with a robust Electronic Medical Records – the next generation Clinical Management System, replacing the traditional CMS; telemedicine with over 30 wireless medical devices connected to iMedic Patient’s APP; the AI Health-Driven e-commerce platform and AI Specialists that perform diagnosis of specific diseases in ultra-high speed. UCrest chairman and CEO Kah Yee ( pix ) said: “With this world-first AI health-driven capability, iMedic is redefining how digital healthcare

With this enhancement, iMedic transforms from a digital healthcare management system into an integrated digital healthcare marketplace. Patients can consult doctors online and, upon receiving a prescription, purchase prescribed medicines as well as doctor-endorsed or recommended supplements directly within iMedic. The AI health-driven system analyses each patient’s personal medical data to provide tailored product and supplement