Can-One's major shareholder and friendly parties are considering a privatisation or merger with Kian Joo Can Factory, sources said. The move is said to be related to Can-One's acquisition of a 32.9% stake in Kian Joo, which should be completed today after a lengthy court battle. Last week, the Federal Court ruled in favour of the liquidators of Kian Joo Holdings SB (KJH) to proceed with the sale of 146.13m Kian Joo shares held by KJH to Can-One for RM241.12m, or RM1.65 per share. KJH is the vehicle of Kian Joo's founding See family. It still isn't clear how Can-One's major shareholder would raise funds for the privatisation exercise. (StarBiz)
Gamuda part of potential Gemas-Johor Baru double-track deal
Gamuda has been roped in to be part of a group which is the front-runner for the construction of the Gemas-Johor Baru electrified double-track railway line (EDTP). A source said Gamuda was in a consortium led by China Railway Construction (CRCC) and another local party linked to the Johor royal family and that this group is the current front-runner for the RM8bn project. A source from the Government confirmed that it was “close to” choosing CRCC for the extension of the railway line, but also wanted to know if the group could keep “possible cost-overruns in check”. Two other China firms confirmed to be in the running for the job are China Railway Engineering and China Communication Construction. (StarBiz) Please see accompanying report
DRB-Hicom confirms bid for Proton stake
DRB-HICOM confirmed that it has submitted a bid for the acquisition of Khazanah’s 42.7% equity stake in Proton Holdings and is currently awaiting Khazanah’s decision. The group said it has always viewed the national carmaker as an important automotive industry player and was on the lookout for viable proposals that will add value to DRB-HICOM’s business and expansion plans. No further details on the group’s bid were provided. (Malaysian Reserve)
DRB-HICOM to find growth opportunities for Pos Malaysia
DRB-HICOM plans to take Pos Malaysia to the next level of growth, despite traditional snail mail being a sunset industry. Group MD Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil said there is no need for Pos Malaysia to limit itself to providing postal services. DRB-HICOM is looking into Pos Malaysia’s 39-point pre-acquisition transformation plans to blend with the business plan DRB-HICOM has for it. The group has identified 17 new businesses that it could tap via Pos Malaysia. (Financial Daily)
AMMB: AmBank and UK’s Friends Life Group in takaful JV
AmBank, the subsidiary of AMMB Holdings (AMM MK, Buy, TP: RM7.40) and Friends Life Group of UK have teamed up to set up AmFamily Takaful Bhd (AmTakaful) to tap into the family takaful business where the market penetration is very low. The companies said that AmTakaful, the 12th licensed takaful operator in Malaysia, would carry on the family takaful business with effect from Monday following the soft launch ceremony. The chairman of AmBank Group and AmTakaful, Tan Sri Azman Hashim pointed out there was a huge business opportunity as market penetration rate for family takaful business in Malaysia was relatively low and remains largely untapped. The company will be led by Wan Zamri Wan Zain as chief executive officer, who has over two decades of experience in the field of banking, investment, insurance and takaful. (Financial Daily)
Felda: FGVH to be listed April or May
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH) will be listed either in April or May this year. He said the listing would be carried out upon advice made by the merchant bankers appointed in the initial public offering (IPO) exercise. Three foreign and two local merchant bankers are currently undertaking studies to determine "the appropriate" time for the listing. Upon completion of the studies, the bankers would forward their findings and recommendations to the Felda board of directors to decide on the listing date. He added that no outside elements or interference by other third parties can thwart the proposed listing of FGVH as planned by the Government. (Bernama)
MBSB: Gains access to CCRIS
Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) announced Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) approval for the company to participate in its Central Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) effective this month. MBSB’s CEO Datuk Ahmad Zaini Othman said inclusion in CCRIS bodes well with the good intentions of the central bank's new 'Guidelines on Responsible Finance' and will help to enhance MBSB's credit risk management. (Bernama)
KHSB: Confirms privatisation option by KPS
Kumpulan Hartanah Selangor Bhd (KHSB) has confirmed report that its major shareholder Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor (KPS) has been given the mandate to enhance or revive its investments. KHSB said that KPS was mandated by the board to explore and evaluate the available options, which might include a reorganisation and restructuring of its investments and mergers, acquisitions or divestments of its non-performing investments. As part of the available options to enhance or revive its investments, KPS has also been mandated to study the feasibility of taking KHSB private. (Financial Daily)
LPI Capital: Kicks off 4Q reporting season with RM39m net profit
LPI Capital was the first company to report its financial results for the Oct-Dec 2011 quarter, registering a 6.5% increase in net profit to RM39.33m from RM36.94m a year ago, boosted by the general insurance business. Revenue rose 25.5% to RM239.32m from RM190.63m largely contributed by the general insurance segment which marked a commendable growth of 26.2% over the corresponding quarter. LPI said EPS were 17.85 sen compared with 16.77 sen. It announced a second interim single tier dividend of 50 sen per share versus 45 sen a year ago. For FY2011, its earnings rose 12% to RM154.49m compared with RM137.91m in FY2010. Its profit before tax of RM200.10m showed an increase of RM18.80m (10.4%) compared to last year. (Financial Daily)
Century Bond: Unit gets direct sales license
Century Bond announced that its wholly-owned unit CenGreen Global Sdn Bhd has obtained a direct sales license to market healthcare, skin care and household care products. The company said CenGreen Global's business is expected to commence in Jan 2012. It noted that it is not expected to have any material effect on the earnings and net assets of Century Bond for the FY2012. However, the company said that it is expected to contribute positively to the earnings of the Group in the future. (Bernama)
Inari: Eyes 3-fold revenue jump with Amertron Global acquisition
Inari Bhd is optimistic the proposed 100% equity acquisition of Amertron Inc (Global) Ltd will boost its revenue by three fold. The two companies had inked a memorandum of understanding to start negotiations for the acquisition, expected to be completed in the second half of this year. Inari’s MD, Dr Tan Seng Chuan said the company expects to achieve a revenue of US$60m for the FY2012 (excluding the proposed acquisition) while on a combined basis, upon completion in eight to ten months, the entity will have a revenue of US$180m. He added that the purchase value would be based on the audited NTA of Amertron Global, indicatively at US$32m as at June 30, 2011. Amertron has 3 EMS plants, 2 operating in the Philippines and one in China, with about 3,700 employees worldwide. (Starbiz)
RHB: Kellee Kam appointed MD
RHB Banking Group has appointed Kellee Kam Chee Khiong as its group MD. Kam, who was earlier appointed as MD of RHB Capital Bhd, had played a key role in the group’s transformation and in assisting to formulate the group’s strategic directions. RHB Capital said that having been with the group for the last 7 years, he carries with him an in-depth knowledge of the group in terms of strategic growth and business directions. As group MD, Kellee would lead and provide strategic direction as well as ensuring execution of the group’s strategic initiatives and roadmap towards achieving the long-term aspiration of becoming the leading financial services provider in Asia. (Starbiz)
Takaso: Into timber ops in Papua New Guinea
Sources said Takaso Resources will acquire a Papua New Guinea company that has a timber licence and concession, in a bid to diversify its business. Upon acquiring this company, Takaso, whose core business is condom manufacturing, will gain immediate technical expertise in the area of timber. The source said Takaso would acquire Kayumas Plantation PNG Ltd, which holds the rights to a net loggable area of 40,000ha of timber, possibly worth up to RM500m, in Inland Pomio, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. The length of extraction was up to 9 years. The signing between the parties for this deal is expected to take place on Thursday. (Starbiz)
Sime: Sets up company in China
Sime Darby has set up Nanjing Sime Darby Motors Sales & Services Co Ltd (NSDM) in China, adding that the business licence approval was received on Friday. The entire registered capital of NSDM of 5m renminbi (about RM2.49m) will be held by Shanghai Sime Darby Motor Commerce Co Ltd, a 60%-owned unit of Sime Darby. It also said the principal activities of NSDM were sales of motor vehicles, display of motor vehicles and provision of technical consultancy services for motor vehicles. NSDM was not expected to have a material effect on the earnings or net assets of the company for the FY2012. (Starbiz)
Jaks Resources: Unit in Vietnam deal with Meiya and Island Circle
Jaks Power Holding Ltd (JPH), Meiya Power (HD) Ltd and Island Circle Investment Holding Ltd have formed a 80-10-10 joint venture in Jaks Pacific Power Ltd (JPP). JPP is the holding company for Jaks Hai Duong Power Ltd (JHDP) that will undertake the investment in a 2 x 600 megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in Hai Duong Province, Vietnam. The estimated project cost is US$2bn (RM6.32bn) to be financed 75% by debt and 25% by equity. JPH and Meiya will also equally own Jaks-MPC (HD) Ltd (JMHD). JMHD shareholders plan to then list JMHD, JPP or other holding company which holds the business and operation either in Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia. (Starbiz)
Xidelang: Board to meet over Navis' buyout offer
Xidelang‘s board is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss the approach made by private equity firm Navis Capital to buy out the company's major stakeholder. Xidelang is 54.6% owned by HongPeng International Holdings Ltd while HongPeng is in turn controlled by Mark Ding Peng Peng, who is also the MD of Xidelang. (Business Times)
Xidelang: Confirms major shareholder HongPeng not selling stake
Xidelang said its major shareholder HongPeng International Holdings Ltd does not have any plans to sell its stake. Xidelang said it had made due and diligent enquiry with HongPeng which replied while it had been receiving enquiries from external parties including private equity firms, but HongPeng has no intention of selling its stake at this juncture. Xidelang also said the discussions between Navis Capital and HongPeng held during Oct and Nov last year were solely exploratory in nature and there was no offer being made or a price range indicated by Navis Capital. These exploratory discussions were discontinued in late Nov 2011. (Financial Daily)
Power: Energy Commission plans increase generation in renewable energy
The Energy Commission of Malaysia is set to increase the percentage of electricity generated from renewable energy (RE) to 5.5% compared with less than 1% currently. CEO Datuk Ir Ahmad Fauzi Hasan said the higher percentage was achievable through the establishment of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority citing that the nation has the RE Act, feed-in tariff mechanism and the infrastructures needed. (Bernama)
Economy: Bank Negara foreign reserves up RM94.8bn to RM423.4bn in 2011
Bank Negara Malaysia international reserves in 2011 rose by RM94.8bn to RM423.4bn from RM328.7bn a year earlier. The central bank said the reserves level as at Dec 31, 2011 had taken into account the quarterly adjustment of foreign exchange revaluation loss, following the strengthening of the ringgit against some major currencies during the quarter. It added that the reserves position is sufficient to finance 9.7 months of retained imports and is 4 times the short-term external debt. Bank Negara said the higher reserves reflected mainly the current account surplus and inflows of foreign direct investment, portfolio capital and other investments. (Financial Daily)
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