02/02/2026

Editorial T: 03-7784 6688 F: 03-7785 2625 E: sunbiz@thesundaily.com Advertising T: 03-7784 8888 E: advertise@thesundaily.com

SCAN ME

MONDAY | FEB 2, 2026

Tropicana to venture into affordable housing this year

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

SUBANG JAYA: Tropicana Corp Bhd is expanding into the affordable housing segment in the Klang Valley this year as a new growth driver, while continuing to accelerate its premium and resort-style developments in Johor, Genting Highlands and Langkawi. Managing director of marketing, sales and business development Ixora Ang said the group will make its first foray into the Rumah Idaman segment with a new phase in Kota Kemuning. The launch marks Tropicana’s entry into a new market segment and reflects its intention to broaden the brand’s reach while remaining responsive to evolving housing demand. Beyond the Klang Valley, Johor remains a key focus area. Ang said launches in Gelang Patah under Tropicana Uplands have performed strongly, with the first phase of terrace homes almost fully sold. The group will soon open mock-up units and continue sales for phases two and three of the landed homes. Johor is also home to Tropicana’s Lido Waterfront Boulevard, which includes the state’s first branded residences developed in partnership with Banyan Group under the Skypark Kepler project. Ang said marketing and sales efforts for the development are under way across local, regional and international markets. Tropicana is balancing its entry into the mass market with continued exposure to higher-margin resort and lifestyle projects that are already seeing solid sales momentum. In Genting Highlands, recent launches include resale shops and serviced apartments in Gohtong Jaya, alongside the upcoming opening of the Breeze Hill show unit. In Langkawi, the Clarissa Service Suites at Pantai Cenang have sold out in the first two phases, with the third phase already launched.

o Company to broaden reach with entry into Rumah Idaman segment in Klang Valley while stepping up development of premium offerings in Johor, Genting Highlands and Langkawi

These developments are positioned not only for the immediate local market but also for a wider buyer base concentrated in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. By centralising the three show units at Tropicana Gardens in the Klang Valley, purchasers and investors can experience all three signature offerings in a single, con venient location. Meanwhile, Tropicana Metropark is entering the final stretch of its 88-acre mixed use township development, which carries a gross development value of RM7.2 billion. Ang said the Subang Jaya project is nearing completion of its township rollout, with earlier phases such as Pandora, Paloma, Paisley, and SouthPlace fully taken up. The remaining focus will be on SouthPlace 2, the final major phase of the Tropicana Metropark master plan. With most components completed and residents already moved in, Ang said, the township is now demonstrating its vibrancy and delivering on the long-term vision laid out for the development.

Large-scale developments continue to anchor the group’s strategy, with the Klang Valley remaining its core market. This includes Tropicana Metropark, where SouthPlace 2 is the latest launch and mock-up units are set to be unveiled soon. At the same time, Tropicana continues to build momentum at Tropicana Alam, which caters to buyers seeking landed homes within a well-connected neighbourhood offering the conveniences of Puncak Alam. The group is also nearing the completion of its township development in Tropicana Aman, Kota Kemuning, with the final phase comprising Varia two-, three- and four-storey shop offices. Ang said Tropicana plans to open a flagship property gallery at its headquarters in Tropicana Gardens Office Tower in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya. The gallery will showcase the group’s key developments in Johor, Genting Highlands and Langkawi through three dedicated show units, each reflecting a distinct resort-style and lifestyle offering. township

Ang says Tropicana plans to open a flagship property gallery at its headquarters in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

MMAG Aviation partners Bluorbit to strengthen KL air cargo connectivity PETALING JAYA: MMAG Holdings Bhd’s aviation arm, MMAG Aviation Consortium Sdn Bhd (MAC), has formed a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Bluorbit Logistics Pte Ltd to strengthen Malaysia’s air cargo ecosystem and accelerate the development of long-haul air freight connectivity anchored out of Kuala Lumpur. extensive experience in airline cargo commercial strategy, network opti misation and cross-border logistics development across the Asia-Pacific region. clear and disciplined pathway for MJets Air to scale beyond regional trade lanes and expand into intercontinental markets. “This expansion would materially enhance MJets Air’s operating scale and place it among Malaysian carriers operating the largest active freighter capacity currently in the market.”

MAC’s aviation segment comprises air cargo operations and cargo terminal services delivered through its key subsidiaries, MJets Air Sdn Bhd, a commercial air cargo operator, and XCT Aviation Sdn Bhd, which operates an express cargo terminal within the KLIA Free Commercial Zone. Together, these businesses form an integrated aviation ecosystem sup porting regional uplift, cargo handling and transshipment activities. MMAG Holdings executive director and MJets Air Sdn Bhd CEO Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi said MJets Air currently operates a fleet of seven Boeing 737 freighters serving regional markets across Asia. “As a key milestone in its growth journey, the first Boeing 747-200F – the iconic Queen of the Skies – arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 22. “Subject to the requisite regulatory approvals, the planned induction of two Boeing 747-200 freighters starting from second quarter 2026 is expected to increase MJets Air’s overall cargo capacity by about 150% compared to current levels. “The introduction of wide-body freighter capability, together with Bluorbit’s commercial reach and long haul market experience, provides a

Looking ahead, Ahmad Luqman said the planned addition of a further two Boeing 747 freighters by 2027, followed by the potential introduction of up to five Boeing 777 freighters from 2028 onwards, would pro gressively expand the fleet to up to 16 aircraft, subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals. He said this phased growth is expected to lift overall cargo capacity to about 300% above current levels by 2027, and nearly 690% by 2028, providing a scalable and responsible growth trajectory while streng thening Malaysia’s long-term position in global air cargo connectivity. Beyond fleet growth, the part nership is expected to unlock interline and network connectivity oppor tunities, enabling regional cargo uplifted by MJets Air to connect seamlessly to longer-haul routes supported by Bluorbit’s international logistics network. This enhances cargo flows, improves aircraft utilisation and strengthens MAC’s role within global airfreight corridors, while preserving its regional strengths.

The partnership brings together MAC’s integrated aviation platform – encompassing air cargo operations, cargo terminal handling and trans shipment – and Bluorbit’s international logistics reach, commercial networks and long-haul cargo coordination expertise. Both parties aim to scale cargo capacity, expand global connectivity and reinforce Kuala Lumpur’s role as a key logistics and transit hub in Southeast Asia. Bluorbit founder and CEO Nasir Gaffar Khan said that by leveraging the combined strengths of MAC, the company is laying the groundwork for a substantially expanded long-haul cargo network anchored in Kuala Lumpur. “Subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals, our roadmap includes the deployment of two Boeing 747 freighters by the first half of 2026, followed by a further two Boeing 747 freighters in 2027, and the eventual introduction of up to five Boeing 777 freighters from 2028 onwards to support intercontinental trade lanes connecting Asia with the Middle East,

Ahmad Luqman posing in front of the Boeing 747-200F that arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 22. North Asia and Oceanic regions.

With deep commercial relationships and long-haul cargo expertise span ning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, Bluorbit brings complementary capabilities that strengthen MAC’s integrated air cargo and cargo terminal operations. As part of the collaboration, MAC welcomes Nasir and Francis Antony to its management team, strengthening leadership depth and execution capability as the group enters its next phase of growth. Francis, formerly group head of cargo commercial at Teleport, brings

“This phased expansion allows us to scale responsibly while creating strong interline opportunities that connect regional feeder traffic into long-haul networks, strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s role within global air cargo flows,“ he said in a statement. Bluorbit is an established inter national logistics group with more than two decades of industry experience, recognised for managing complex cross border cargo movements and sup porting multinational supply chains across major global trade lanes.