28/04/2026

BIZ & FINANCE TUESDAY | APR 28, 2026

14

Local airports record strong growth in first quarter

ACE Market-bound Gold Li plans first high-rise venture

passenger traffic PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) recorded strong growth across its local network in the first quarter of 2026, with Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) registering 16.9 million passenger movements, a 14.4% increase compared to the same period last year. In a statement yesterday, MAHB said that in March alone, local airports handled 9.1 million passenger movements, of which 5.6 million travelled through KLIA, while the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period from March 14 to 29 saw more than 3.1 million passengers passing through the airport. MAHB managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said the continued growth across the network demonstrates the increasing relevance of Malaysia’s airports as regional gateways. “Our priority is to match this momentum with the right capacity, seamless operations and targeted improvements on the ground, ensuring we remain competitive while unlocking further growth opportunities for Malaysia,“ he said. MAHB said during the same month, Penang International Airport saw an 11% rise in international passenger numbers, moving from 371,601 in February to 412,958. Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu International Airport recorded a 2% increase in domestic passenger numbers, rising from 541,248 in February to 551,049. It said this contributed to a total of 27.4 million passenger movements across the local network in the first quarter. “MAHB’s wholly owned international subsidiary, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, recorded 11.7 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 12% increase compared to the corresponding period last year,“ it added. Meanwhile, the airport operator said ongoing improvements to airport facilities and services are being implemented to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency across its network. At KLIA, it said a large-scale ketupat -inspired installation brought festive cheer to the terminal, seamlessly blending cultural identity with modern design. Regional airports are also seeing targeted improvements, with Langkawi and Kuching introducing upgraded baby care rooms, while Alor Star, Kuantan, Labuan and Lahad Datu now welcome passengers with refreshed check in counters. According to MAHB, operational enhance ments have also been introduced to improve passenger flow, including the early baggage drop-off service for Malaysia Airlines passengers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, providing greater flexibility and a smoother pre-departure experience. Alongside these efforts, it said connectivity across the network continued to expand in March with the addition of three new inter national airlines, namely AeroDili from Timor Leste, Air Algerie from Algeria and Chongqing Airlines from China. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Property developer Gold Li Holdings Bhd plans to expand its product offerings, including the construction of its first high-rise residential project in Muar, Johor, which is expected to begin in the first half of 2027. Executive director and chief operating officer Datin Lau Siew Su said this development marks an important step forward as the group adapts to changing market demand while continuing to focus on landed properties. “With 97.9 acres of future project and 59.1 acres of landbank, we are well-positioned to support our long-term growth and sustain a steady pipeline of developments in our core markets,” she said at the launch of the group’s IPO prospectus yesterday. The IPO exercise comprises a public issue of 117 million new ordinary shares, representing 19.5% of the group’s enlarged issued share capital of 600 million shares, and an offer for sale of 36 million existing shares, representing 6% of the enlarged issued share capital. The IPO shares are priced at 13 sen per share, raising gross proceeds of approximately RM15.21 million for the group. From the proceeds from the public issue, RM11.21 million for working capital to supplement property development costs for identified ongoing and future projects, including building and infrastructure works, and RM4 million to meet the estimated expenses incidental to the listing. M&A Securities Sdn Bhd is the adviser, sponsor, underwriter and placement agent for the IPO. Lau said Gold Li’s business objectives are to maintain sustainable growth and create long-term shareholder value. Over the next 24 months, the group plans to further strengthen its market presence as an established property developer primarily in the districts of Muar, Tangkak and Batu Pahat. “We intend to expand our business through acquiring new landbanks for future projects, primarily located in the districts of Muar, Tangkak and Batu Pahat. We also intend to expand our project portfolio to include the development of high-rise o Project in Muar, Johor, marks big step forward as group adapts to changing market demand while continuing to focus on landed properties Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

From left: Lau, Gold Li managing director Lee Tiau Huat, and M&A Securities executive director Datuk Bill Tan and head of corporate finance Gary Ting.

capital for property development, including three ongoing projects, namely Taman Permatang Pasir II, Taman Kesang Mawar and Taman Naib Kadir Suria. The allocation will also be used for one future project, namely Lot 3797 at Mukim Linau, and 26.3% (RM4.0 million) of the funds raised will be allocated to listing expenses. “This will allow us to grow our project pipeline while reducing reliance on external financing,” Lau said. According to the group’s prospectus, Gold Li has 29 parcels of land comprising 17 parcels owned landbank and 12 parcels of land under joint venture development, which are not owned by the group. These joint venture lands are intended for future development purposes, notwithstanding that the group have yet to undertake development planning for these parcels of land. “We have entered into joint venture agreements with the owners of these 12 parcels of land for joint venture development,” it said. The 17 parcels of land owned by Gold Li for future development are in Muar (16.7 acres), with smaller plots in Tangkak (1 acre) and Batu Pahat (1.1 acres). One plot in Muar may be sold, with the company offering to design and build a bungalow based on the buyer’s needs. As for the group’s 12 joint venture projects on land it does not own, these are located across Muar, Tangkak and Batu Pahat, covering about 28.5 acres in total. These projects will only be reflected in their accounts once development work begins.

residential properties,” she said. Gold Li’s journey started in 1999 with its first property development in Muar, namely Taman Ria, which developed 20 units of single-storey terrace houses. Over the years, the group has expanded its presence to Tangkak and Batu Pahat. “Over the past 27 years, we have evolved from a nascent firm into an established developer with a strong track record, where we have completed more than 110 projects,” Lau said. According to the Independent Market Research (IMR) report, the residential property market in Muar, Tangkak, and Batu Pahat has shown resilience, with total value of property transactions in 2025 reaching RM766.34 million, RM314.90 million, and RM881.2 million, respectively. The report notes that the supply of new properties in these districts is well absorbed, as evidenced by a relatively low overhang of units compared to the national average. Furthermore, Johor’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew from RM142.73 billion in 2022 to an estimated RM158.02 billion in 2024, while GDP per capita rose at a compound annual growth rate of 7.09% between 2021 and 2024, signalling increased disposable income and local demand for housing. Lau said the listing on the ACE Market is a strategic tool for the group to raise funds, gain public recognition and tap into the equity capital market for future growth. Specifically, 73.7% (RM11.21 million) of the funds raised will be used as working

Domestic institutions extend net buying into second week with RM534 million inflow KUALA LUMPUR: Local institutions extended their net buying on Bursa Malaysia into a second week, recording a net inflow of RM534.2 million, according to MBSB Investment Bank Bhd (MBSB IB) yesterday. consecutive streak of net selling to two weeks, recording net outflows of RM497.4 million. trading days during the week, with the largest outflow of RM128.7 million recorded on Monday, followed by Wednesday (RM88 million). recorded net foreign inflows were Industrial Products and Services (RM129.7 million), Financial Services (RM85.7 million), and Energy (RM23.8 million). and Services (RM90.9 million), and Construction (RM53.7 million),” MBSB IB said.

The average daily trading volume saw a broad-based decline: retailers rose by 11.2%, local institutions declined by 0.3%, and foreign institutions saw a decrease of 4.3%. – Bernama

Meanwhile, foreign institutions extended to a two-week consecutive streak of net selling, recording RM36.9 million in outflows. MBSB IB said foreign institutions were net sellers on two out of five

The largest inflow was recorded on Thursday (RM93.3 million), followed by Friday (RM43.8 million) and Tuesday (RM42.8 million). “The top three sectors that

“Meanwhile, the top three sectors that recorded net foreign outflows were Transportation and Logistics (RM151.2 million), Consumer Products

In its fund flow report for the week ended April 24, the investment bank said local retailers extended their