Defensive play with selective bright spots
Partnership. double exposure image of investor business man handshake with partner for successful meeting deal with during sunrise and cityscape background, investment, partnership, teamwork concept
MALAYSIAN real estate investment trusts (REITs) are poised for steady, if not spectacular, growth in the medium term, as monetary policy, economic uncertainties and sector-specific factors shape their fortunes.
Although interest rates hold steady for now, analysts see room for opportunities, especially as the market eyes a potential rate cut later this year.
Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters.
RM12.33/month
RM8.63/month
Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters.
Free Trial
For new subscribers only
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
37 minutes ago
- Barnama
50 Pct Airfare Discount An Appreciation For Media Practitioners' Dedication
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The 50 per cent discount on flight tickets to 57 ASEAN destinations for local media practitioners is a major recognition of the important role played by journalists and helps foster regional understanding within the media fraternity. Media representatives from the Putrajaya Media Club (KMP), Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA), Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA) and Mutiara Media Club described the initiative as the result of a strategic collaboration between AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications, reflecting support for the role of media practitioners in building an informed and competitive society. KDJA president Ronnie Teo Teck Wei said the media in Sarawak, in particular, greatly appreciated AirAsia's recognition of their dedication and commitment to supporting media practitioners who help tell Malaysia's story. 'This initiative is in line with the broader goal of strengthening regional ties and promoting greater mobility in Southeast Asia by emphasising a shared vision of connectivity, cultural appreciation and media empowerment. 'On behalf of the Malaysian media community in general, and Sarawak in particular, my sincere thanks go to AirAsia and the Ministry of Communications for their unwavering support and generosity,' he told Bernama. NSJA president Chai Chon Chin described the incentive as a meaningful gesture of appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices of media practitioners, particularly in large areas such as Sarawak, which face logistical and accessibility challenges, in line with Malaysia's current role as ASEAN chair. 'This initiative opens up space for cross-border media cooperation and emphasises the importance of media freedom and regional awareness in the national development agenda,' he added. KMP president Tuan Buqhairah Tuan Muhamad Adnan said the facility not only benefited media personnel but also provided them with an opportunity to take time off and travel after working hard to fulfil their duties. 'KMP greatly appreciates this initiative and hopes to see more such collaborations in the future. It is a form of recognition for the efforts and sacrifices of journalists who are always on the front lines delivering accurate information to the people,' said the Sinar Harian journalist.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sayur Kita transforms nation's farms
KUALA LUMPUR: IN a world where consumers are increasingly conscious about the quality and safety of their food, one Malaysian startup is reshaping the fresh produce supply chain. Led by 30-year-old entrepreneur Naviin Thiaga, Sayur Kita Asia Sdn Bhd is an agritech company with a bold mission: to transform Malaysia's fragmented and often wasteful vegetable supply chain by creating a new generation of hyperlocal, pesticide-free farms, while empowering youth in the process. It is this socially driven vision, coupled with strong execution, that saw Naviin emerge as a winner of the Shell LiveWire Peninsular Malaysia programme in December 2022. Today, he continues to build momentum as a changemaker in the agriculture landscape. From Farm Crisis to Business Innovation A second-generation farmer from Johor Baru, Naviin grew up witnessing the many inequities and inefficiencies faced by farmers. "During the Covid-19 pandemic, this model collapsed. As a traditional farmer, I was forced to destroy harvests due to logistical failures and price distortions, despite rising consumer demand," he recalled. It was then that Naviin committed himself to fixing these systemic flaws through innovation. The result: Sayur Kita Asia, founded in 2022. The company's model leverages hydroponic systems, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered precision farming and the Internet of Things (IoT) automated greenhouses to deliver pesticide-free vegetables straight to consumers, often in less than 24 hours from harvest. This farm-to-door approach slashes traditional supply chains by days, reduces food miles and emissions, and ensures a fresher, healthier product. Empowering Young Farmers Sayur Kita's mission goes beyond farming innovation. At its core, the company is also a youth empowerment platform. Through partnerships with polytechnics, Sayur Kita has trained over 600 individuals in modern hydroponic techniques. Many of these young talent now operate or manage farms within Sayur Kita's growing network. "We need to cultivate a new generation of tech-savvy farmers. By giving them skills and ownership opportunities, we're not just improving agriculture — we're creating sustainable livelihoods," Naviin said. Sustainability at the Heart of Growth Sayur Kita Asia's operations are firmly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from promoting food security (SDG 2), to driving decent work (SDG 8), to reducing environmental impact (SDGs 12 and 13). The farms use 90 per cent less water compared with traditional farming, eliminate chemical inputs entirely and incorporate AI-based analytics to optimise yields and minimise waste. Already, Sayur Kita runs three modern hydroponic facilities across Johor — in Desaru, Simpang Renggam and Mersing — covering a total of one acre, with another 20-acre landbank earmarked for future deployment. The Shell LiveWire Journey Sayur Kita's innovation journey began humbly, by converting discarded polystyrene boxes into hydroponic growing systems for its first market test. This creative bootstrapping mindset was sharpened through the Shell LiveWire Startup Bootcamp, where Naviin embraced the "Lean Startup" methodology to validate his business model. "We learned to test market demand quickly, maximise limited resources and scale sustainably," he said. The programme's mentorship helped Sayur Kita secure RM230,000 in joint-venture funding from Singaporean and domestic investors, enabling the transition from small-scale proof of concept to a professional agritech operation. Overcoming Growing Pains Scaling an agritech startup came with unique challenges. One of the biggest hurdles, said Naviin, was building technical capacity to install and operate climate-controlled hydroponic systems. To address this, Sayur Kita developed in-house training programmes for workers and forged partnerships with agricultural institutions to create a talent pipeline. "We adopted modular greenhouse designs to streamline installation and improve scalability," said Naviin. These innovations have helped the company maintain high quality standards while expanding its farm footprint. A Mentor's Impact Throughout this journey, Naviin credits much of his strategic growth to the guidance of Azuar Zainuddin, the chief executive officer of Satu Creative, the implementing partner for Shell LiveWire Malaysia. "What sets Azuar apart is his rare combination of humility and sharp business acumen, he possesses the remarkable ability to break down complex business concepts into actionable steps, teaching founders how to strategically build ventures from the ground up. "His decades of experience as a successful entrepreneur and his standing as a respected authority in the startup ecosystem make his insights practical and visionary," Naviin shared. He said Azuar's mentorship extended far beyond typical business advice, constantly urging entrepreneurs to question traditional models and adopt a disruptive, forward-thinking approach. Looking Ahead Sayur Kita is accelerating its expansion. The company plans to launch more hyperlocal farms, offer subscription-based produce delivery and spearhead community initiatives to promote healthy food. "We are expanding our network of hyperlocal, sustainable farms to bring you the cleanest, pesticide-free vegetables harvested at peak freshness and delivered straight to your community. "Our innovative farming methods eliminate harmful chemicals while shortening traditional supply chains, ensuring you receive nutrient rich produce that's truly fresh," Naviin said. When asked for his advice to other founders, Naviin quoted United States professional boxer Mike Tyson: "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Naviin said this truth captured the essence of the startup journey better than any business textbook could. "While many obsess over perfect plans and funding, the harsh truth is your first strategy will likely fail — and that's exactly how it should be. "The key differentiator isn't your starting resources or even your idea, but your ability to take those punches and keep moving forward," he added. With this grit and vision, Sayur Kita is well on its way to transforming not only how Malaysia farms, but how it feeds its people. Dreams Turned Reality With Shell LiveWire Shell LiveWire is the flagship enterprise development programme of Shell that strengthens local economies across the globe by promoting entrepreneurship and developing entrepreneurs. This programme, which kicked started in Peninsular Malaysia in 2022, aims to inspire young entrepreneurs to innovate and produce real business solutions that meet today's socio-economic needs.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia, Indonesia to strengthen defence cooperation post-Indo Defence 2025
ALOR GAJAH: The Malaysian government is looking to enhance strategic defence cooperation with Indonesia through various bilateral initiatives following its participation in the Indo Defence 2025 expo and forum in Jakarta this week. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said Malaysian defence industry players have the potential to break into international markets, particularly Indonesia, through partnerships with local manufacturers. 'Under a new initiative introduced by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, we are not only participating in international defence forums and exhibitions, but also promoting Malaysian-made products to regional markets by bringing along our industry players, particularly those involved in arms manufacturing,' he said. 'We believe Malaysian defence companies have the potential to penetrate the much larger Indonesian market while also sharing expertise and experience. 'This is crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our defence industry, which must not rely solely on the domestic market,' he told reporters after officiating the Sentuhan Kasih Ibu Programme organised by the Alor Gajah parliamentary service centre at Kompleks Penyayang Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Lesung Batu. Elaborating further, Adly said one of the key outcomes of Malaysia's participation in Indo Defence 2025 was the signing of Memoranda of Agreement between two Malaysian defence firms and their strategic counterparts in Indonesia, building on earlier Memoranda of Understanding during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025. He added that the Ministry of Defence delegation had also visited several Indonesian weapons manufacturing plants to explore the use of polymer materials in the production of modern firearms, a move that opens the door to deeper technological collaboration between the two nations. 'Malaysia has a technological edge in polymer production, given our strong oil, gas, and palm oil industries, while Indonesia has extensive expertise in weapons manufacturing. 'By combining these strengths, we can establish a competitive regional defence industry ecosystem. In addition to mutual benefits, such collaborations also hold the potential to contribute to the sustainable growth of the defence sector across Southeast Asia,' he said. He said all planned collaborations and industry development efforts would be coordinated through the Malaysian Defence Research and Innovation Council (STRIDE). Adly also announced that a new strategic defence partnership project involving companies from both nations will commence in Shah Alam in October this year. The Indo Defence 2025 exhibition, held in Jakarta from June 11 to today, featured over 900 exhibitors from 60 countries and served as a key platform for strengthening defence cooperation and unlocking new market opportunities within the regional security sector.
