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Maxis momentum continues into Q1 with double-digit

after-tax profit growth PETALING JAYA: Mobile telecommunication services provider Maxis Bhd reported robust performance for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 (Q1’26), with profit after tax (PAT) increasing 12.4% year-on-year (YoY) to RM417 million. The results were underpinned by steady service revenue growth of 3.3% YoY to RM2.24

billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) growth of 4.2% YoY to RM1.10 billion. Maxis posted higher operating free cash flow of RM983 million, supported by strong working capital man agement. Capital expenditure (capex) stood at RM142

NexQuantum AI Digital Park launched in Perak The NexQuantum AI Digital Park is envisioned as a long-term digital infrastructure platform comprising eight proposed data centre facilities, with NQ1 planned as the first flagship development.

million as the group continues to make focused investments in its integrated network infrastructure, including fibre expansion and essential mobile network capacity upgrades. Maxis’performance in the first quarter reflects continued momentum, with strong execution and operational discipline driving growth across the consumer and enterprise businesses. Maxis continues to provide converged offerings and leverage digitalisation and AI to deliver greater customer value and a seamless network experience. Consumer mobile service revenue increased by 3.5% YoY to RM1.57 billion, driven by targeted customer acquisition and relevant offerings for different segments. Total mobile subscribers grew by 1.6% YoY to 9.93 million, led by healthy year-on-year growth in postpaid subscribers. As for the consumer home segment, subscriptions rose 2.5% YoY to 807,000, while service revenue declined slightly by 1.2% to RM251 million due to heightened price competition. In the enterprise business segment, service revenue rose 5.3% YoY to RM419 million, driven by strong performance in fixed and solutions, particularly in IoT and fixed network solutions. Maxis CEO Goh Seow Eng ( pic ) said the group’s healthy Q1 performance demonstrates clear execution of its strategy. “Our disciplined approach continues to yield positive outcomes, translating steady revenue growth into accelerated profitability. In recognition of this strong performance, the board declared a dividend of 4 sen per share, reflecting our continued focus on maintaining a stable dividend payout.” He added that, building on this encouraging start to FY26, Maxis maintains its full-year guidance of low single-digit growth in service revenue and Ebitda, with capex intensity between 10% and 12%. “Mindful of macroeconomic volatility, we are actively optimising our supply chain and operations to mitigate external headwinds. Maxis remains focused on delivering sustainable growth and long-term value for our customers and shareholders,” Goh said. During the quarter, Maxis advanced several key initiatives to drive customer value and operational efficiency. The group was appointed as the single preferred infrastructure provider and telecom munications partner for the East Coast Rail Link project for 10 years. On digital transformation, Maxis migrated mission-critical workloads to the AWS Malaysia Region and deployed an AI-powered network firewall to enhance defence against digital fraud and scams. In retail innovation, Maxis unveiled a new retail concept at Maxis Centre 1 Utama, modernising the customer experience across mobile, home, and business segments. The group also launched new Maxis Family plans featuring faster home internet and greater value.

to contribute to AI readiness, skilled employ ment, local SME participation and colla boration with universities and TVET insti tutions,” Ong said. Suzhou EnnoTHING representative Liu Huoping described the partnership as a long term commitment to developing technology enabled infrastructure in Perak. “We see strong value in combining local development strengths with international technology capability to support the next generation of AI infrastructure.” Liu said the planned NQ1 facility would serve as an important first step in building a regional platform for advanced computing and cloud services. “Through this part nership, we hope to contribute not only technology exposure and systems experience, but also ecosystem connectivity that can help position Perak more strongly within the regional digital economy.” The ceremony was attended by Raja Di Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, as well as representatives from the state development ecosystem, investors and industry stakeholders.

o Cahya Suria and China’s Suzhou EnnoTHING team up to develop platform that will position state for the Greater Asian Digital Economy

PETALING JAYA: Cahya Suria Services Sdn Bhd and China-based Suzhou EnnoTHING Technology Co Ltd have formed a partnership through NexQuantum 1 Sdn Bhd to develop NexQuantum AI Digital Park in Perak, a project aimed at strengthening the state’s role in Malaysia’s growing digital economy. The collaboration, formalised at a signing ceremony in Ipoh, brings together local project execution and international tech nology expertise to build what the parties describe as a long-term AI-ready digital infrastructure platform for Malaysia and the wider Asean region. The broader master plan envisions eight proposed data centre facilities, with NQ1 set to be the flagship development. The first phase is planned as a 32MW Tier III data centre equipped with liquid-cooling technology. involving an estimated RM1 billion investment. The facility is intended to support rising demand for artificial intelligence computing, high-performance computing, cloud services, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has invited Chinese enterprises to deepen cooperation with local companies in advanced digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G applications and clean energy solutions as the country continues to strengthen its digital economy ecosystem. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said international collaboration remained a core driver of Malaysia’s digital economy growth and bilateral cooperation with China had continued to expand. “At the same time, Malaysia continues to welcome international collaboration as a core driver of our digital economy. We warmly invite Chinese enterprises to deepen cooperation with Malaysian counterparts in areas such as advanced digital technologies, artificial intelligence, 5G applications and clean energy

cybersecurity and enterprise digital applications. Cahya Suria Services and NexQuantum 1 representative Ong Teng Boon said the project goes beyond a conventional property or data centre development. “Our ambition is to build a Perak-born digital infrastructure platform that is connected to Malaysia and positioned to serve the wider Greater Asian digital economy.” Ong said the partnership combines Cahya Suria Services’ local development and stakeholder coordination capabilities with Suzhou EnnoTHING’s access to the broader Foxconn Ennoconn technology ecosystem, which includes expertise in AI infrastructure, automation, cloud and edge computing, industrial internet technologies and intelligent monitoring systems. He added that the project is aligned with the goals of Perak Sejahtera 2030 , the state’s long-term development blueprint focused on investment, infrastructure, talent and sustain able economic growth. “NexQuantum AI Digital Park is expected solutions,” she said in her speech at the 2026 China Smart Industry Trade Exhibition here yesterday. Also present were Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing and China Entre preneurs’ Association in Malaysia (PUCM) president Datuk Keith Li. Teo said enterprises from both countries should leverage their complementary strengths and work closely together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. “We encourage enterprises from both countries to learn from one another, leverage complementary strengths, and work in close partnership to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to our people,” she said. She said China had remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 17 consecutive

The companies said the project remains subject to planning, technical, utility and regulatory approvals, adding that develop ment would proceed in a structured manner, with an emphasis on sustainability and long term public confidence. Teo calls for deeper China-M’sia tech cooperation

years, with cooperation in smart technology and the digital economy growing from strength to strength. “Both nations share complementary strengths, with China bringing advanced tech innovation, while Malaysia offers a strategic Asean hub, digital infrastructure and a vibrant market,” she said. Teo also welcomed the establishment of the Malaysia-China Digital Economy Alliance, jointly promoted by PUCM, National Tech Association of Malaysia and Silk Road Group. She added that the alliance would serve as a bridge to foster policy alignment, industrial synergy and innovation exchange, while accelerating the deployment of smart technologies and unlocking greater potential for bilateral and regional digital growth. – Bernama