13/05/2026

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | MAY 13, 2026

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

16

@thesundaily

Ekuinas says 2025 a year of transition and progress

RBAC Malaysia Network to accelerate RCEP utilisation by local businesses PETALING JAYA: The East Asia Business Council (EABC) Malaysia Chapter has established the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Business Advisory Council (RBAC) Malaysia Network, a domestic platform aimed at strengthening coordination between Malaysian manufacturers and exporters and the government agencies responsible for imple menting RCEP. EABC Malaysia Chapter chairman Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the network was established to help address the low level of business utilisation of RCEP despite the significant market access opportunities available since the agreement entered into force for Malaysia on March 18, 2022. RCEP is the world’s largest free trade agreement, comprising 15 economies that collectively account for about 30% of global gross domestic product, trade and population, representing a market of around 2.2 billion people. For Malaysian manufacturers, the agreement provides commercial advantages by improving market access and preferential tariff treatment in key export destinations such as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, strengthening the competitiveness of Malaysian products against suppliers from countries outside the agreement. RCEP also introduces a common set of Rules of Origin and a single certificate of origin framework, helping to reduce compliance costs, simplify documentation and support regional cumulation, allowing manufacturers to source materials and components across RCEP member economies while maintaining preferential market access. Despite these advantages, business utili sation of RCEP remains limited, Soh said in a statement. The EABC-Jetro Business Outlook Survey 2025 covering companies across the Asean Plus Three region found that while awareness of RCEP had reached 60.3%, actual utilisation remained below 20%. Addressing this utilisation gap will be a key focus of the RBAC Malaysia Network. To support implementation of the RCEP, the RCEP Business Advisory Council (RBAC) was established in January 2022 as a dedicated private sector platform bringing together representatives from all 15 RCEP member economies, including Australia and New Zealand, to consolidate business input on the implementation of the agreement. Since its establishment, Soh said, RBAC has held 10 meetings, compiled data on certificates of origin issued across member economies and engaged directly with the RCEP governments on issues relating to rules of origin, customs procedures and digital trade facilitation. “The RBAC Malaysia Network extends this regional work into the domestic business community, providing Malaysian manufacturers with a structured platform to raise imple mentation issues, obtain practical guidance and contribute industry feedback to national and regional discussions on RCEP implementation,” he added. Soh said Malaysia’s manufacturing sector is well positioned to derive greater value from RCEP. He added that the benefits are real but realising them at scale requires businesses to move beyond awareness into active use. RBAC Malaysia Network will work directly with manufacturers to build practical understanding of RCEP requirements, resolve implementation obstacles and ensure that industry experience shapes how the agreement is applied and improved, Soh said.

bespoke financing solutions tailored to the needs of underserved mid-market companies. Aliff Omar said, “What differentiates Ekuinas in this space is our depth of operating experience and sector insights. Drawing on sixteen years of investing in and building mid market companies, we are able to structure financing solutions that reflect real business needs, rather than cookie-cutter lending frameworks. Private credit also provides a more predictable income stream for us while creating a pipeline of potential future equity investments.” Since inception, Ekuinas has committed RM5.1 billion across 49 companies and realised RM5.7 billion in proceeds, generating RM7.1 billion in Bumiputera equity value and RM8.5 billion in total shareholder value. Healthcare increased to 29% of Ekuinas’ active portfolio in 2025, while Bumiputera representation in management roles across portfolio companies rose to 36.9%. Ekuinas continued expanding its social impact platform, Iltizam, through initiatives focused on entrepreneurship, education and community development. In 2025, RM12.6 million was disbursed, bringing cumulative contributions since inception to more than RM115 million. Key programmes included SME capability development, graduate employability initiatives and skills develop ment programmes, and targeted community empowerment efforts. Looking ahead, Ekuinas remains focused on disciplined capital deployment, opera tional value creation and expanding opportunities across private equity, private credit and capacity building.

successful delivery of our first Bumiputera ‘Relay-Race’ milestone via the Orkim Bhd IPO, we are demonstrating how value can be created, sustained and passed forward within the broader national investment institutions. “As part of the GLIC ecosystem, we remain aligned with national priorities such as GEAR uP, while maintaining our discipline in delivering sustainable long-term returns and impact.” Private equity remains the foundation of Ekuinas’ strategy, focused on transforming high-potential companies into market leaders

o Government-owned firm strengthens focus across private equity, private credit and capacity building

PETALING JAYA: Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) yesterday announced its Impact Report for 2025, marking a year of transition

through active ownership. A defining milestone in 2025 was the listing of Orkim on Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market, following Ekuinas’ 11-year investment journey since 2014. During this period, Orkim grew into Malaysia’s leading clean petroleum product tanker operator, com manding more than 50% market share of Malaysian-flagged vessels at the time of listing. Through the initial public offering and share transfer, Ekuinas realised

and positive progress as the firm advanced its role within Malaysia’s investment ecosystem, anchored on three verticals of value creation – private equity, private credit and capacity building.

The year reflects a more integrated approach to delivering both financial performance and socio-economic outcomes, aligned with the government-owned private equity firm’s mandate of advancing equitable and sustainable Bumi putera wealth creation and economic participation. In January 2025, Ekuinas entered a new phase as it was consolidated under Yayasan Pelaburan Bumiputera (YPB), followed by its transition to a fully-fledged subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) in July. This was accompanied by refreshed leadership with the appointment of Aliff Omar Mohamad Omar ( pic ) as CEO. Aliff Omar said: “Our progress in 2025 reflects Ekuinas’ continued evolution as an integrated private capital investor, supporting mid-market Malaysian businesses, across different stages of growth. By strengthening our focus across private equity, private credit and capacity building, alongside the PETALING JAYA: Petronas LNG Ltd (PLL) has signed a 20-year time charter agreement with MISC Group for five newbuild 174,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, reinforcing its long-term LNG supply reliability, while supporting customers’ energy transition towards a lower-carbon future. The agreement was signed recently by PLL CEO Ezran Mahadzir and MISC vice-president of gas assets and solutions, Hazrin Hasan. This follows the conclusion of shipbuilding contracts between MISC and Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd. in January and February. These state-of-the-art vessels will be constructed in Shanghai, China, with charter commencement expected between 2029 and 2030. Petronas executive vice-president and CEO of gas and maritime business Datuk Adif Zulkifli, said “The addition of these new LNG carriers marks another important milestone as we continue leveraging the collective strengths of our businesses to create long term value across the LNG value chain. By aligning our growth ambitions with MISC’s maritime expertise, we are strengthening the integrated capabilities that support Petronas’ position as a trusted and reliable global LNG supplier.” The vessels will incorporate modern and efficiency-driven technologies aligned with evolving environmental and operational standards. These include the latest XDF2.1 propulsion technology, shaft generators that

gross proceeds of RM828 million, of which RM350 million was distributed as dividends to PNB, for the benefit of its unit trust holders. The transaction also marked the first Bumiputera Relay-Race, with 60% stake in Orkim transitioning into long-term institutional ownership under PNB, to support the company’s next phase of growth. Besides Orkim, private equity delivered another strategic divestment in Medispec Sdn Bhd, while deploying capital into Bluesify Solutions, reinforcing Ekuinas’ focus on high growth sectors such as cybersecurity and digital services. Alongside private equity, Ekuinas’ RM800 million private credit completed its first two transactions, providing syariah-compliant,

Aliff Omar said, “Our priority going forward is disciplined execution; building resilient companies, supporting long-term growth and remaining well-positioned to seize the right opportunities as they emerge.” Petronas LNG signs time charter deal with MISC for five new carriers

From left: MISC president and group CEO Zahid Osman, Hazrin, Adif, Ezran, and Petronas vice president of LNG marketing and trading Shamsairi M Ibrahim at the signing ceremony.

management of the vessels upon delivery beginning 2029. This integrated approach ensures greater operational continuity and reliability from construction to commercial operations, leveraging MISC’s extensive experience in LNG vessel management.

enhance fuel efficiency during voyages, and an onboard reliquefaction plant to effectively manage boil-off. MISC will provide project management services throughout the shipbuilding phase, followed by operationalisation and ship