14/05/2026

BIZ & FINANCE THURSDAY | MAY 14, 2026

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UEM awards RM5.5 billion contracts to Bumi vendors

MAG offers extra flights, lower fares for festive season SEPANG: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), through Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, is supporting increased travel demand ahead of the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha, Kaamatan and Gawai festive period with subsidised fares on selected East Malaysia routes. To further accommodate the peak travel period, Malaysia Airlines will operate an additional 62 flights across high-demand routes including Kota Bharu, Labuan, Tawau, Sandakan, Kuching, Sibu and Miri. To ensure greater travel accessibility during the festive and school holiday period, both airlines will support the government’s festive travel initiative by capping base fares at RM499 one-way on selected East Malaysia routes. These fares are available for purchase from now until May 31. Travellers can enjoy the special fares for travel between May 26 and 29 on Malaysia Airlines flights to Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Sandakan and Tawau, as well as selected Firefly flights including Kota Kinabalu and Tawau. For flights to Sarawak, the fares apply for travel between May 28 to 31 to Kuching, Miri and Sibu via Malaysia Airlines, as well as on selected Firefly routes including Kuching. Both airlines provide complimentary checked baggage, in-flight refreshments, and a flexible flight change option across selected fare tiers. Firefly also offers added convenience of operating flights from both Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1 and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang (SZB). Malaysia Airlines’ Flex fare includes unlimited booking changes and refund options (subject to applicable fees and fare differences), alongside 35kg checked baggage allowance, standard seat selection, eligibility for upgrades with Enrich Points, 25% off child fares, as well as complimentary same-day flight changes. Meanwhile, Firefly’s Flex fare offers unlimited flight changes (fare difference applies), 30kg checked baggage, a complimentary hot meal, seat selection, as well as priority boarding for a smoother travel experience.

KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Group Bhd and its subsidiaries have recorded over RM5.5 billion in procurement spending that was awarded to Bumiputera vendors and suppliers between 2023 and 2025. During this period, UEM Group’s expressway arm Plus Malaysia Bhd and its asset and facility management arm UEM Edgenta Bhd, allocated 90% and 49% of their respective procurement budgets to Bumiputera businesses. This commitment has served as a primary growth catalyst for more than 5,000 Bumiputera enterprises, enabling their participation in high value projects across the infrastructure and engineering related sectors. This move by UEM Group, a wholly owned subsidiary and flagship infrastructure arm of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, ensures that the economic value generated by national development projects remains anchored within the domestic ecosystem, specifically driving the growth and scalability of Bumiputera-owned businesses. In addition to the procurement spending, UEM Group nurtures Bumiputera vendors through the ongoing implementation of the infrastructure and engineering sectors o More than 5,000 enterprises benefit as group expands participation of local businesses in

market supply. On enforcement, she said, KPK is working closely with the Finance Ministry, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. She said public awareness initiatives were also being coordinated with the Communications Ministry to ensure accurate and clear information was conveyed to consumers. – Bernama enhance capabilities, equipping them with the necessary technical competencies to compete in an evolving landscape and explore commercial opportunities beyond UEM Group of Companies. By integrating Bumiputera empowerment strategies into the core of its operations, UEM Group and its subsidiaries said they are strengthening Bumiputera economic participation, enabling them to compete on a level playing field, elevating the socio-economic status of the Bumiputera community and translating the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) national policy into tangible commercial outcomes. UEM Group managing director Datuk Amran Hafiz Affifudin ( pix ) noted that the RM5.5 billion expenditure represents a fundamental investment in the long-term resilience of the national economy. “By integrating over 5,000 Bumiputera vendors into our daily operations – spanning expressway management, asset and facility services, property development, and building material supply – we are developing a robust pipeline of skilled and competitive entrepreneurs, which helps de-risk the Malaysian economy,” he added. He said as UEM Group continues to grow and undertakes increasingly complex infrastructure projects, it is imperative that their local supply chain to mature in tandem to meet these demands. Amran also said that this ensures that the dividends of Malaysia’s development are shared equitably, fostering a foundation of self-reliance and excellence that will elevate their local ecosystem and sustain the nation’s economic growth well into the future. vendors’

Group said this structured initiative goes beyond merely awarding contracts as it provides comprehensive support in business development, financial management, and technical capacity building. The VDP programme is designed to

Bumiputera Vendor Development Programme (VDP) across its subsidiaries including Plus, UEM Edgenta, UEM Sunrise Bhd, and Cement Industries of Malaysia Bhd (CIMA). In a statement yesterday, UEM

Ministry completes technical consultations for B15 biodiesel rollout KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) has completed all technical engagement processes with petroleum companies to ensure supply chains, logistics and implemented through a mechanism coordinated by the high-level committee on biofuels. “The implementation of this initiative will reduce dependence on imported petroleum diesel, extend existing fuel stock National Energy Transition Roadmap,” she said in a statement yesterday. Noraini said the transition to B15 demonstrated the readiness of local infrastructure, engineering and technology capabilities in

blending depot infrastructure are fully prepared for the nationwide rollout of the higher B15 biodiesel blend, effective June 1. Minister Noraini Ahmad said the new blend rate would be

supporting the renewable energy agenda, while signalling Malaysia’s commitment to optimising palm oil usage for the domestic energy sector without affecting export

availability, stabilise domestic crude palm oil prices and lower carbon emissions from the transport sector, in line with the National Agricommodity Policy and the

Rehda supports ‘Options to Purchase’ clause under new Housing Act PETALING JAYA: Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia welcomes the announcement by Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Nga Kor Ming on the proposal to introduce an “Option to Purchase” (OTP) clause under the proposed Real Property Development Act, which is purchasers and developers would have the option to withdraw from the transaction before the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) is signed. “While the mechanism has yet to be finalised and there are still many uncertainties about the clause, in principle, the OTP mechanism is beneficial in protecting prospective home buyers who intend to purchase a specific residential unit. At the same time, it provides them with an opportunity to reconsider their purchase decision should their circumstances change,” said Rehda president Datuk Ho Hon Sang. better gauge genuine market interest from potential purchasers prior to signing binding commitments, and before any construction works begin. “We hope that the government, specifically KPKT, will continue to engage industry players including Rehda, in finalising the details and framework of the OTP mechanism. The clause however must be clear, practical and fair in safeguarding the interests of both purchasers and developers,” remarked Ho. He said the OTP introduction could also potentially provide a practical solution to the various issues both parties faced, including concerns relating to abandoned housing projects, as mentioned by the minister during his announcement. Ho also said Rehda will continue to encourage their members to uphold the nation building role in providing quality, affordable homes for the rakyat in a timely and sustainable manner. expected to replace the current Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118). Under the proposed clause, both For purchasers, this provides the flexibility to walk away from a purchase should circumstances change or if they changed their minds about the property. Likewise, developers are also given the flexibility to exit from projects that may no longer be commercially or financially feasible. He added that developers could also utilise the OTP mechanism to