14/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | APR 14, 2026

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Major milestone in Proton’s sustainability drive o First passenger car manufacturer to receive ISO 50001 certification for energy management systems

Palm oil inventory expected to dip in Q2

KUALA LUMPUR: Crude palm oil inventory is expected to inch down in the second quarter (Q2) of the year, driven by stronger exports as buyers stock up amid uncertainty over the current ceasefire in West Asia. Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB) said that March’s closing inventory remained above the historical average but was the lowest year-to-date. It said that despite stronger month-on-month production, palm oil inventory closed 16% lower in March, due to a surge in exports to a near 10-year high. “We expect Malaysian inventory to approach the 10-year average in Q2 due to stronger exports as countries build up reserves in the event of supply or shipping disruptions,” it said. Kenanga IB said the strong March exports of 1.55 million tonnes occurred alongside a firmer March CPO price of RM4,321 per tonne. This inelasticity in exports to higher prices suggests rising food security concerns arising from the Middle East conflict. “As such, whether the current Middle East conflict sees a ceasefire or otherwise, supportive demand for edible oils, including palm oil, is expected as buyers stock up for another quarter or two,” it said. The investment bank said that with the spike in energy prices, demand for biodiesel has surged, along with demand for edible oils such as palm oil. “Although planters face rising fertiliser and energy costs, the sector is expected to be a net gainer as edible oil prices have surged with CPO prices rising from RM4,019 per tonne in January to RM4,500-RM4,700 per tonne in April, and consumption is expected to be resilient and grow three per cent to four per cent year on-year (y-o-y) or more depending on biodiesel demand. Kenanga IB maintained its 2026 forecast CPO price at RM4,250 per tonne and its 2027 forecast at RM4,200 per tonne. “We maintained an ‘overweight’ call on the plantation sector, with planters offering value and growth being preferred, such as Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd with a target price (TP) of RM24.50 per share, PPB Group Bhd (TP: RM14.85 per share), and TSH Resources Bhd (TP: RM1.55 per share),” it said. Meanwhile, Public Investment Bank Bhd (PIBB) said Malaysia’s palm oil inventories recorded the sharpest decline since March 2023, as major consuming countries accelerated stockpiling amid heightened geopolitical tensions. “Concurrently, CPO prices rallied in March, rising more than 19%, supported by higher crude oil prices and rising freight costs following the escalation of Middle East conflicts. Looking ahead, the investment bank expects CPO prices to remain well supported by tightening regional export availability amid Thailand and Indonesia’s prioritisation of domestic biodiesel programmes, as well as weather risks associated with the developing El Nino phenomenon. PIBB maintained its ‘overweight’ call on the sector and reiterated a full year CPO price forecast of RM4,400 per tonne. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Proton Holdings Bhd has marked a major milestone in its sustainability journey, becoming the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia to achieve the ISO 50001 certification for energy management systems. Proton said this landmark achievement reinforces its commit ment to advancing energy efficiency and supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a low carbon future. The certification is

At Proton, this framework is implemented across its manu facturing operations, including the Proton Tanjung Malim plant in Perak, which has an annual production capacity of up to 250,000 vehicles. At this scale,energy con sumption is linked to production output, making efficiency at the per vehicle level a critical focus area where even incremental improvements in energy usage per unit can deliver significant impact across total production volume. Under this system, Proton is targeting a 2% annual improvement in energy efficiency, in line with production growth and long-term man ufacturing sustainability goals. This has been driven by a structured multiphase energy

Proton says the landmark achievement reinforces its commitment to advancing energy efficiency and supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a low-carbon future.

implementation in the future to manage peak demand. The roadmap also includes con tinuous shopfloor-level efficiency programmes across production areas including stamping, body, painting, trim and final, and assembly.

facility at Proton Tanjung Malim, reflecting a consistent shift towards cleaner energy and more res ponsible operations.

aligned with the govern ment’s push for more robust energy manage ment practices under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2024. Furthermore, it supports broader national

initiatives including the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the net-zero ambitions of Proton’s parent company, DRB-Hicom. Awarded by the British Standards Institution, a global business standards company, Proton’s ISO 50001: 2018 certification reflects its investment in having a structured framework to monitor, control and continuously improve energy performance across operations. roadmap implemented at its Tanjung Malim plant, covering key initiatives such as large-scale solar photovoltaic deployment, energy digitalisation and real-time monitoring, LED lighting upgrades, fan and chiller system optimisation, compressor efficiency improvements, as well as Battery Energy Storage System ACE Market-bound Inspace Creation aims to raise RM17.13m from IPO Beyond operational gains, this milestone underscores Proton’s role as a national automotive leader supporting Malaysia’s transition towards a low-carbon future. As the Automotive High-Tech Valley de velops into a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, Proton is setting the direction for how sustainability can be embedded into industrial growth. The certification builds on earlier initiatives such as the 2021 installation of Malaysia’s largest parking lot bifacial solar panel “As the automotive industry evolves, efficiency and sustainability will be key to long-term competi tiveness. For Proton, this means strengthening our capabilities today to ensure our operations remain future-ready, adaptable, and aligned with the direction of global automotive manufacturing. As the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in Malaysia to achieve ISO 50001: 2018, we are also setting clearer benchmarks for energy performance, not just within our operations, but across the broader automotive ecosystem we are building in Tanjung Malim,” said Proton deputy CEO, Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa.

KUALA LUMPUR: Interior fit-out firm Inspace Creation Bhd aims to raise RM17.13 million from its initial public offering (IPO) in conjunction with its listing on Bursa Malaysia Securities’ ACE Market on May 8. The IPO involves the issuance of 68.5 million new shares at an issue price of 25 sen per share. Of the total proceeds expected to be raised, the company said RM6 million will be allocated for the setting up of a new storage and mock-up facility, RM4.39 million for working capital, RM2.74 million for repayment of bank borrowings, and RM4.0 million for listing expenses. Executive director Wong Chong Siong said the company’s immediate priority after listing is to strengthen its core corporate segment while pursuing larger-scale projects. “At the same time, we are diversifying into other commercial spaces by working with developers on their show units, sales galleries and ongoing projects while also tendering for commercial and hospitality projects,”he said at a press conference held in conjunction with the prospectus launch here yes terday. Wong added that the company is also looking to expand its project portfolio over the next one to two years by venturing into government related projects.

From left: Inspace Creation independent non-executive director Voong Kian Yee; independent non-executive chairperson Datuk S e ri Dr Shahril Mokhtar; Cheong; Wong; TA Securities Holdings executive director of operations Tah Heong Beng and head of corporate finance Ku Mun Fong; and Inspace Creation independent non-executive directors Saw Wai Chuan and Ang Mei Ping.

single material cost. Meanwhile, challenges, executive director Edward Cheong Han Bin said the company faces difficulties in balancing client expectations with tight timelines and budget constraints. Applications for the IPO will close at 5pm on April 22. TA Securities Holdings Bhd is the principal adviser, sponsor, sole place ment agent, and sole underwriter for the IPO. – Bernama on

demic, but we were able to secure projects during that period as some offices were restructuring and still required interior design and contracting services,” he said, adding that as long as commercial activities continue, whether from multinational corporations or local companies, there will still be demand. Wong explained that the company is not directly involved in construction and that its materials are diversified, reducing heavy dependence on any

On the impact of global geopolitical tensions, he said, the company has not experienced signi ficant disruption to its operations. “We do not really feel the impact of the tensions because we are focused on commercial office spaces. In any economic cycle, there will definitely be some impact, but companies that are doing well will continue to operate. “For example, Inspace Creation went through the Covid-19 pan