Samaiden wins RM45mil solar EPCC contract in Kedah

KUALA LUMPUR: Samaiden Group Bhd has bagged a RM45 million contract to carry out engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) works for a large-scale solar photovoltaic (LSSPV) power plant in Kulim, Kedah.
The contract was awarded to its subsidiary, Samaiden Sdn Bhd, by PAXS Renewables Sdn Bhd, the group said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia today.
It said the scope includes the full design, engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of the 9.99 megawatt alternating current (MWac) facility.
"The project, approved by the Energy Commission in December 2024 under the Large Scale Solar 5 (LSS5) programme, reflects Samaiden's growing presence in Malaysia's utility-scale solar segment," it said.
Samaiden group managing director Datuk Chow Pui Hee said the win under LSS5 reinforces the group's position as a trusted solar EPCC partner.
"It also reaffirms our commitment to supporting the government's renewable energy agenda while creating long-term value through consistent execution and sustainable earnings contributions," she said.
The project will begin immediately from the May 19, 2025, letter of award date, with on-site works to commence following the issuance of a formal notice to proceed, pending fulfilment of all contractual conditions.
The plant is expected to achieve commercial operation by July 12, 2027.

Hashtags

Business

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Data protection officer rule creates SME compliance woes

New Straits Times

a day ago

New Straits Times

Data protection officer rule creates SME compliance woes

KUALA LUMPUR: An association representing more than 5,000 small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) has voiced concerns about the lack of clarity on the government's requirement for certain businesses to employ data protection officers (DPOs). Last July, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was amended, requiring, among other things, the appointment of DPOs for companies processing more than 20,000 individual personal data entries and 10,000 sensitive personal data entries. The amended PDPA comes into effect today, but the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) said many companies are in the dark over policy specifics. "Most SMEs are struggling to interpret what is expected of them, including the criteria for determining who qualifies as a DPO, the scope of responsibilities, and the consequences of non-compliance," Samenta president Datuk William Ng said. He said while SMEs understood the importance of data protection, there is a need to be realistic about the capacity of smaller companies to absorb additional costs linked to the rule. "Many SMEs subject to PDPA are using bare-bones templates for their policy statements. "The new rule requiring a data protection officer will raise costs and compliance requirements." He said the creation of such a role would set an SME back by RM45,000 to RM60,000 a year. Ng called on the government to extend the deadline for compliance. "We need the government to provide clearer, more detailed guidelines on the DPO role, including responsibilities, compliance expectations and enforcement mechanisms." The New Straits Times has reached out to the Digital Ministry for comment and clarification about the DPO role, enforcement plans and industry player concerns, but has not received a response. While the Personal Data Protection Commissioner's Office has released guidelines on the appointment of DPOs, employers say the guidelines lack clarity and specificity. According to the FAQ on the commission's website, no minimum requirements have been set for DPOs, although employers must ensure that appointed officers receive adequate training to perform their duties. It also states that DPOs must be knowledgeable about PDPA and have a sound understanding of data security. The FAQ said there is no directive on the duration of courses or training that DPOs must attend. "However, it is recommended that such courses or training be completed within a reasonable timeframe, and organisations should determine an appropriate duration based on the course content and their needs." Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Syed Hussain Syed Husman has called for the publication of detailed guidelines on the minimum qualifications required for DPOs. "The government should outline minimum competency standards to ensure consistency. "Without this standard, enforcement may be arbitrary, and employers acting in good faith may face penalties." "Without guidelines on credentials, employers face uncertainty when hiring and appointing DPOs." Syed Hussain said MSMEs, in particular, would struggle with role allocation, especially if the DPO role is part time or combined with other responsibilities. "For large employers, DPO responsibilities may be absorbed within the legal, compliance or IT departments. "But most SMEs will find it difficult to manage this as a separate requirement. "We need to be realistic in our execution and not rely on a textbook approach." He urged the government to consider extending the compliance deadline. "Additional time will allow employers to prepare and build the necessary infrastructure for sustained compliance and effective data protection governance." Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said hiring a full-time DPO would significantly increase salary and benefit costs for companies. "Annual salaries for an in-house DPO range from RM40,000 to RM150,000, depending on the company's size, the size and complexity of the data handled, and the talent's experience." Soh said a short extension period should be given to companies struggling to comply with the regulation. He said the government should provide additional guidance and support, such as training programmes and clearer communication about the requirements. Jobstreet by SEEK estimates that 27,000 DPOs are needed to fulfil the government's requirements, its managing director Nicholas Lam said. "There is no public estimate for thenumber of practising DPOs in Malaysia. "However, industry feedback on our platform indicates that while organisations recognise the importance of data protection, many do not yet have a dedicated DPO role." Lam said DPO job listings have been relatively unchanged since 2021 despite the new requirements. UiTM Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Safety Dr Muhamad Khairulnizam Zaini said university programmes at the bachelor's and master's levels and even certificates were sufficient to supply such talent. "The Human Resources Development Corporation's Data Privacy and Privacy by Design course is also applicable to develop the skills needed." Khairulnizam, however, said there would be a temporary shortage of DPOs as the June deadline looms. "We are on the right track. Preparedness is a challenge due to a lack of talent." He said that the government's mandate has aligned Malaysia more closely with international standards. He added that having qualified personnel will reduce data breaches and cybersecurity risks, and encourage companies to be more accountable in maintaining cyber hygiene.

Samaiden signs long-term lease for Kelantan solar project

The Star

4 days ago

The Star

Samaiden signs long-term lease for Kelantan solar project

Samaiden inks Kelantan land deal for 99.99MWac solar project

The Star

5 days ago

The Star

Samaiden inks Kelantan land deal for 99.99MWac solar project

From left: PKINK group chief executive officer Datuk Sr. Zamri Ismail, PKINK deputy group CEO - corporate affairs Ahmad Nazri Ismail, Kelantan Exco careers, infrastructure, water and rural development Datuk Dr Izani Husin, Samaiden group managing director Datuk Ir Chow Pui Hee and Samaiden Sdn Bhd project development director Ts. Makhzumi Ghazali. KUALA LUMPUR: Samaiden Group Bhd's wholly owned subsidiary, Samaiden Legasi Timur Sdn Bhd (SLTSB), has signed a long-term lease agreement with Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK) to develop a large-scale solar photovoltaic (LSS) power plant under Malaysia's LSS5 programme. In a statement, the renewable energy specialist said the 400-acre lease in Pasir Mas, Kelantan marks a key step in its renewable energy growth strategy. The land will be utilised to construct and operate a solar energy facility with a maximum export capacity of 99.99MWac, to supply clean electricity to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) under a power purchase agreement (PPA). The 23-year lease, which includes a two-year construction period, will begin once conditions such as the LSS5 project award by the Energy Commission and the signing of the PPA with TNB are met. 'Following our recent EPCC contract win under LSS5, this lease agreement with PKINK marks a major milestone in progressing our LSS5 solar project and aligns with Malaysia's national targets to achieve 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050 and reduce carbon intensity by 45% by 2030,' Samaiden group managing director Datuk Ir. Chow Pui Hee said. 'The site offers strategic advantages for solar development, and we deeply appreciate the strong support from the Kelantan state government in facilitating this initiative. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration extended by both the state government and PKINK in making this project possible. 'At Samaiden, we remain committed to integrity, professionalism, and sustainability, and we hope this collaboration will pave the way for more impactful green initiatives ahead.' In addition to the power facility, Samaiden will also prioritise local hiring and promote renewable energy awareness within the surrounding community. The lease agreement is expected to contribute positively to the local economy by creating job opportunities and fostering knowledge exchange in the renewable energy sector.