Latest news with #Bumiputera
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
JAKIM investigates hospital catering firm without halal certification
NILAI: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is investigating the appointment of a catering company without halal certification to supply meals at a hospital. Director-General Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee stated that JAKIM is gathering detailed information to address the issue collaboratively. Sirajuddin clarified that JAKIM only became aware of the matter after it was highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report. He emphasised that the Ministry of Finance requires all food suppliers to have halal certification and urged agencies to verify certification before appointing vendors. JAKIM is prepared to assist companies in obtaining halal certification. Sirajuddin also noted that some Bumiputera businesses mistakenly believe their Muslim status exempts them from certification, stressing the need for mindset change. Last year, JAKIM received 19,686 halal certification applications, with a majority from non-Bumiputera firms. Sirajuddin highlighted Malaysia's global halal recognition, with certification accepted in 47 countries through 85 foreign bodies. - Bernama
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
JAKIM Probes Appointment Of Hospital Catering Company Without Halal Certification
NILAI, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is currently gathering detailed information following the appointment of a catering company without halal certification to supply meals to patients at a hospital. Its director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee said JAKIM aimed to find the best approach and would collaborate with the relevant parties to ensure the matter could be addressed collectively in a harmonious manner. 'There may be confusion or misunderstanding, which is why we are gathering further information and investigating. We are not looking to blame any party. 'JAKIM only became aware of this issue after it was mentioned in the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN),' he told reporters after launching the 2025 Halal and Fatwa Seminar (Sehalwa) organised by the Institute of Fatwa and Halal, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), here today. Sirajuddin said JAKIM would also explore the most suitable solution to address the appointment of companies without halal certification to operate catering services, including at government premises. Sirajuddin explained that halal certification inspections at such premises fall under the jurisdiction of the appointing agency, and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has stipulated that all food suppliers must have halal certification. He added that JAKIM is ready to assist food suppliers in obtaining halal certification, and reiterated that all agencies must ensure the companies possess halal certificates before being appointed. Meanwhile, Sirajuddin said JAKIM received 19,686 applications for the Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) last year, comprising 5,650 from Bumiputera companies and 13,206 from non-Bumiputera companies, with the remainder from foreign-owned companies. 'Some Bumiputera companies may assume that being Malay and Muslim means they don't need halal certification, but this mindset must change. JAKIM has never closed its doors, and we will continue encouraging Bumiputera players to apply for SPHM,' he said.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia strengthens response to US tariffs, focuses on strategic industries
KUALA LUMPUR: Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) across the country will continue working closely with state governments to ensure that local industries in each state are not adversely affected by the United States (US) tariff issue. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the government's establishment of the National Geoeconomic Command Centre (NGCC) would play a key role in monitoring, evaluating, and coordinating responses to shifts in the global trade landscape, including tariff shocks and non-tariff barriers. "This effort aims to ensure that the country's strategic and economic industries remain resilient and competitive in an increasingly challenging and uncertain global environment," he said in the Dewan Rakyat, responding to a question from Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok). Mohd Syahir enquired about the government's steps to address the US tariff issue with the involvement of state governments to coordinate investment responses, restructure state incentives, and help local industries adapt to a more challenging trade environment. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul said that on May 5, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim convened a Special Parliament Session on US retaliatory tariffs, during which several incentives were announced to support the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. Among these, the government has allocated RM20 million to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation to help SMEs penetrate new markets. "The easy financing fund has also been increased by RM500 million through development financial institutions (DFIs) for the benefit of affected SMEs," said Tengku Zafrul. Additionally, the government has raised its guarantee facility under the Business Financing Guarantee Scheme (SJPP) by RM1 billion, specifically to assist SME exporters in obtaining loans. The Ministry of Finance has also spearheaded the Government-linked Enterprises Activation and Reform Programme (GEAR-uP) with funds totalling RM25 billion to drive high-growth and high-value sectors. Tengku Zafrul noted that since US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of retaliatory tariffs on Malaysia and other trading partners on April 1, 2025, the government has made a strategic decision not to respond with retaliatory measures, opting instead to negotiate with the US administration. The Prime Minister has assured that in pursuing a reciprocal trade agreement, the government will not compromise on matters related to national sovereignty. "Although we are proactive, firm, and open in our negotiations with the US, we have several 'red lines' that were recently agreed upon by the new Cabinet," he said. These include the Bumiputera policy on ownership of local industries and strategic sectors, priority for local and Bumiputera companies in government procurement, adherence to halal guidelines recognised by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), and the protection of intellectual property rights. "We will continue to engage with the US in a careful, transparent, and professional manner to ensure that every decision made benefits the people and supports balanced economic development," added Tengku Zafrul.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Express Powerr eyes ACE Market debut in Q3
KUALA LUMPUR: Generator rental firm Express Powerr Solutions (M) Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with Mercury Securities Sdn Bhd for its planned listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia, targeted for the third quarter. The initial public offering (IPO) involves a public issue of 180 million new shares or 19.3 per cent of its enlarged issued share capital, as well as an offer for sale of 65.4 million existing shares, representing 7.0 per cent of its enlarged share capital. Of the 180 million new shares, 46.7 million shares will be made available to the Malaysian public via balloting, while 18.7 million shares to its eligible directors, employees and persons who have contributed to the company's success. Meanwhile, 63.2 million new shares are allocated for private placement to selected investors and 51.4 million shares through private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. Additionally, all 65.4 million offer shares to be offered for sale will be made available to Bumiputera investors approved by the ministry through private placement. Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, Mercury Securities has agreed to underwrite a total of 65.4 million new shares made available to the Malaysian public and pink form allocations. Mercury Securities serves as the principal adviser, sponsor, sole underwriter and sole placement agent for the IPO. Managing director Lim Cheng Ten said the listing will accelerate the company's expansion into new end-user markets, including the oil and gas industry, and broaden its geographical coverage. "With this in mind, we see great potential in the oil and gas sector. The industry typically operates in remote and challenging environments, where generators are required as temporary power solutions during exploration, drilling and production operations," he said. Lim said in the first nine months of 2024 alone, 27 oil and gas projects worth RM4.46 billion were approved, presenting strong prospects for the industry. He added that in the utility sector, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has invested RM21 billion in its Grid of the Future programme to enhance its transmission and distribution network. "As generator sets are widely used in the engineering, procurement, and construction of power grids as well as other generation and transmission projects, these developments reinforce the continued relevance of the generator rental business," Lim said. Express Powerr is mainly involved in the provision of generator rental services, which are used in critical emergency situations such as power outages, planned maintenance and serve as standby power for events and special occasions, providing a reliable power source when needed most. It also supplies ancillary items such as distribution boards, generator synchronisation panels, transformers, switchgears, load banks and cables to meet the varied requirements of its customers. With a 20-year track record, the company owns a fleet of 111 generator units across various capacities from low and high voltage systems with over 70 per cent of the fleet comprises mobile generator units mounted on a truck, designed for easy transportation and deployment to various locations. In addition to its core business, Express Powerr is also a solar photovoltaics investor under the Net Energy Metering programme and a PV service provider by Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia. The company became an approved vendor of TNB in 2021 and subsequently secured service contracts with TNB in 2022 after having supplied generators indirectly since 2005. The company has also expanded its geographical footprint to Sabah last year, providing services indirectly to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd. Express Powerr also serves a diverse range of end-user industries, including mechanical and electrical, manufacturing, construction and event industries, as well as government agencies.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Oxford Innotech's IPO oversubscribed by 3.42 times
KUALA LUMPUR: Oxford Innotech Bhd has attracted strong investor interest for its initial public offering (IPO). It was oversubscribed by 3.42 times ahead of Oxford Innotech's upcoming debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia. The integrated engineering solutions provider is offering 143.5 million new shares at 29 sen each. This represents 20.2 per cent of its enlarged share capital. The IPO is expected to raise RM41.6 million in gross proceeds. Additionally, 50.0 million existing shares equivalent to 7.0 per cent of the enlarged share capital will be offered via private placement to selected investors and Bumiputera investors approved by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. Out of the 35.5 million issue shares allocated to the public, Oxford Innotech received 2,729 applications for a total of 156.9 million shares, with a total value of approximately RM45.51 million. This reflects an overall oversubscription rate of 3.42 times. The Bumiputera portion received 1,039 applications for 36.7 million shares, translating to an oversubscription rate of 1.07 times. The public portion saw 1,690 applications for 120.2 million shares, resulting in an oversubscription rate of 5.77 times. The 27.0 million shares reserved for eligible directors, employees and contributors to the company's success were fully subscribed. Additionally, the private placement of 81.0 million issue shares and 7.8 million offer shares to approved Bumiputera investors has been fully placed out. This follows the application of relevant clawback and reallocation provisions outlined in the prospectus. The private placement of 42.2 million offer shares to selected investors was also fully taken up. Oxford Innotech managing director Ng Thean Gin said the overwhelming response reflects investors' confidence not only in the company's strong fundamentals, but also in its growth potential moving forward. "The proceeds raised will play a pivotal role in accelerating our strategic expansion plans, as they enable us to scale more decisively and advance our capabilities. "The market for modular building systems is evolving, driven by the global demand for energy-efficient, cost-effective alternatives in construction. "At the same time, the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market projected to reach US$142.7 billion by 2030 from US$92.5 billion in 2024 is on an upward trajectory, fuelled by rising demand for electronics and smart devices," he said. Oxford Innotech is scheduled to be listed on the ACE Market on July 29. The company is expected to have a market capitalisation of RM205.9 million upon listing.
