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BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JAN 28, 2026

EcoCeres opens Malaysia’s first sustainable aviation fuel plant

Pang leaves after FSBM exits PN17 with financial viability restored KUALA LUMPUR: After successfully steering FSBM Holdings Bhd out of its PN17 classification and restoring financial viability, Pang Kiew Kun (KK Pang) has tendered his resignation as managing director, effective yes terday. During his tenure, Pang led the strategic repositioning of FSBM from a traditional technology services provider into a smart manufacturing and AI-driven solutions company, with a strong focus on supporting Malaysian manufacturers – particularly SMEs – in their Industry 4.0 and digitalisation initiatives. His leadership period included the successful upliftment of FSBM from PN17 status, marking the closure of a critical chapter in the group’s restructuring journey. In the course of this transformation, FSBM’s smart manufacturing arm FSBM MES Elite Sdn Bhd also received industry recognition at the Malaysia Smart Manufacturing Awards 2025, where it was conferred a Special Award for Technology Excellence by former minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, acknowledging the company’s contribution as an Industry 4.0 enabler in Malaysia. As FSBM continues to evolve, the company has changed its business directions alongside its existing smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 ini tiatives. Pang said, “I joined FSBM with a clear mandate: to rescue the company and rebuild its credibility. That mandate has been delivered. I am handing over a company with its house fully in order. The accounts are reconciled, the PN17 status is resolved, and the governance frame work is gradually restored. “Whatever financial or strategic deci sions the board takes from tomorrow onwards are theirs to make on this clean foundation.” He added: “As the company has changed its business direction, I believe it is appropriate for me to move on and remain focused on the areas where I can create the most direct impact.”

JOHOR BAHRU: EcoCeres Inc, a pure play renewable fuels producer rooted in Hong Kong and recognised as a homegrown “unicorn”, has launched its state-of-the-art renewable fuel facility in Pasir Gudang, Johor – marking a historic milestone as the country’s first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plant. Commissioning and start-up of the plant were achieved in October 2025. The facility also produces hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and renewable naphtha, with a combined licensed production capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year, reinforcing the company’s position in the global renewable fuels landscape and underscoring Hong Kong’s contribution as a platform for green innovation and investment. EcoCeres founding investor and chairman of Towngas and Principal of Full Vision Capital, Dr Peter Lee said: “EcoCeres has grown from a laboratory in Hong Kong into one of the world’s leading producers of SAF, and this new Johor plant shows how regional commitment to sustainability can feed into the global search for climate solutions. With supportive government policies and the dedication of all our partners, we can turn the tide on climate change for future generations.”

Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad. She added that by fostering innovation in renewable fuels, they are creating high-value jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening Malaysia’s role as a leader in the green economy and this project exemplifies their commitment to sustainable industrial development. EcoCeres said it remains committed to expanding its global footprint in renewable fuels, leveraging pioneering proprietary technologies to meet the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. From its Zhangjiagang plant in China to the new Johor facility in Malaysia, the company is building a regional platform anchored in Hong Kong that turns waste to wonders, supports global decarbonisation efforts and reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a super-connector for green development in Asia. In addition to the Malaysian facility, EcoCeres’ Zhangjiagang plan also to produce SAF and HVO bringing its combined maximum global renewable fuels capacity to approximately 770,000 tonnes per year and further enhancing Hong Kong’s role as the headquarters of an integrated regional renewable fuels platform.

o Pasir Gudang facility converts waste into high-value renewables for transport and industrial sectors

enabling the supply of sustainable fuels to global industries. Our waste-to-fuel technology proves that economic growth and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand,” said Lievonen. The establishment of this facility is aligned with Malaysia’s commitment to advancing renewable fuel development and adopting waste-to fuel approaches to achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050. By converting waste and residue feedstocks into high-value, low carbon renewable fuels, EcoCeres supports Malaysia’s transition towards a sustainable and circular economy while addressing the growing demand for renewable fuels across aviation, maritime, transportation, mining, and chemical industries. “The Malaysian government proudly supports EcoCeres’ pioneering facility, which aligns with our National Energy Transition Roadmap and National Agri-commodity Policy 2030,” said Plantation and

Hong Kong special administrative region permanent secretary for environment and ecology Eddie Cheung said EcoCeres shares Hong Kong SAR government’s vision of achieving carbon neutrality and being a superconnector. The Johor SAF plant is a shining example of a Hong Kong company with a global vision putting one of its production facilities in a strategic location in the region, he added. “The Johor plant is a major step forward for EcoCeres’ regional platform and for Malaysia’s renewable fuel industry,” said EcoCeres CEO Matti Lievonen, adding that it also demonstrates their commitment to reliable supply capability and high product quality as customers’ demand for renewable fuel solutions accelerates. “This facility supports Malaysia’s transition towards net-zero while strengthening Hong Kong’s strategic position as a regional hub for financing and scaling sustainable energy projects,

KJTS, Chinese company to jointly pursue data centre, infra projects KUALA LUMPUR: KJTS Group Bhd through its wholly owned subsidiary KJ Technical Services Sdn Bhd (KJTS SB) has entered into a collaboration agreement with China Construction Yangtze River Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CCYRM). and other infrastructure or building related projects in Malaysia and other jurisdictions as may be mutually agreed between the parties in writing, including but not limited to Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and Turkey. facilities management, and long-term operations and maintenance. CCYRM will be responsible for civil and structural works, core architectural and construction works, integration of non-cooling systems, and overall project coordination where applicable. coordinated project delivery approach, in line with the indicative roles set out in the agreement.

The board of KJTS is of the view that the collaboration supports the group’s strategy to expand its presence in the data centre and infrastructure segment, strengthen its value proposition to clients, and pursue sustainable long-term growth through strategic part nerships.

Under the agreement, KJTS SB will contribute its specialist capabilities in cooling and heating system design, engineering, supply, installation, commissioning, energy management,

The agreement provides a framework for both parties to collaborate on the identification, development, bidding, and execution of data centre projects

In a statement yesterday, KJTS said that the collaboration combines the respective capabilities of both parties, enabling a more holistic and

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

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