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New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Exactly 10 years later, where are Malaysia's G20 GLCs now?
Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan, Diyana Isamudin KUALA LUMPUR: Exactly ten years ago today, 17 government-linked companies (GLCs), collectively known as the G20, "graduated" from a decade-long transformation programme. The programme, which began in 2004, was aimed at sharpening commercial performance, tightening governance and unlocking value across the country's key state-linked corporations. Originally consisting of 20 companies, the list had shrunk to 17 by the time the curtains fell on the initiative on July 28, 2015. A string of mergers, demergers, privatisations and strategic divestments over the years had redrawn the lineup. That milestone was celebrated at a graduation ceremony which also kicked off the three-day GLC Open Day 2015 in August that year, a showcase of achievements touted by Putrajaya as proof that government-linked businesses could hold their own in the open market. A decade on, 11 of those original companies are still trading on Bursa Malaysia. Some have grown their market presence, others have undergone restructuring and a few have seen their financials move sideways. What binds them is that most remain under the stewardship of Malaysia's five major government-linked investment companies, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) and Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). Leading the pack by a wide margin is Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), majority-owned by PNB. Maybank, Malaysia's largest bank, added nearly RM40 billion to its market capitalisation over the past ten years, growing from RM85.46 billion in 2014 to RM123.56 billion as of end-2024. The bank, which continues to be the heavyweight in both asset size and shareholder value, saw revenue climb from RM35.7 billion to RM68.9 billion, while net profit hit RM10 billion in financial year 2024 (FY2024), up from RM6.7 billion a decade earlier. Close on its heels is the country's second-largest bank, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, whose top shareholders include Khazanah and EPF. The bank more than doubled its net profit over the period, recording RM6.98 billion in FY2024, up from RM3 billion in FY2014. Revenue grew to RM21 billion from RM14 billion, while its market cap swelled to RM88 billion from RM46.3 billion. Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), the country's incumbent provider of fixed broadband and enterprise network services, also saw notable gains. The Khazanah-linked firm, with EPF among its key institutional investors, reported net profit of RM2 billion in FY2024, more than double the RM831.8 million booked in FY2014. Revenue edged up to RM11.7 billion, while market capitalisation held steady at RM25.5 billion, almost unchanged from its level a decade ago. National electricity provider Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), in which Khazanah holds a majority stake, recorded RM56.7 billion in revenue in FY2024, up from RM42.8 billion in 2014. During the period, TNB's net profit came in at RM4.7 billion, slightly lower than its RM6.47 billion result ten years earlier, though its market value rose to RM86.8 billion from RM69.9 billion. For Axiata Group Bhd, also part of Khazanah's stable, the story is more complex. Revenue improved from RM18.7 billion to RM22 billion, but net profit declined to RM946 million in FY2024 from RM2.3 billion in 2014. Its market capitalisation shrank to RM22.9 billion from RM60.5 billion. Sime Darby Bhd, a flagship of PNB's portfolio, reported revenue of RM67 billion in 2024, up from RM44 billion a decade earlier. Net profit was largely flat at RM3.3 billion versus RM3.35 billion previously. However, following the group's 2017 demerger, which saw its plantation and property businesses spun off into separate listed entities, Sime Darby's market capitalisation now stands at RM16.1 billion, compared to RM58.6 billion before the split. Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd, formerly listed under BIMB Holdings Bhd and tied to TH, posted revenue of RM4.7 billion in 2024, compared with RM2.97 billion in FY2014. Net profit rose slightly to RM569 million from RM532 million. Market capitalisation, however, eased to RM5.6 billion from RM6 billion over the same period. Affin Holdings Bhd, which falls under LTAT's control, recorded RM2.17 billion in revenue and net profit of RM509.7 million in 2024. Both figures were down from FY2014 levels of RM3.08 billion and RM605 million, respectively. Despite the dip in performance, its market cap rose to RM6.99 billion, up from RM5.64 billion. MBSB Bhd, majority-owned by EPF, saw revenue climb from RM2.6 billion to RM3.7 billion. Net profit, however, fell to RM406.7 million in FY2024 from RM1 billion in 2014. Market capitalisation also edged down to RM6.08 billion from RM6.2 billion. Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB), another EPF-linked company, reported flat revenue of RM1.6 billion in 2024, compared to RM1.5 billion in 2014. Net profit fell to RM63.67 million from RM152.6 million, although its market capitalisation rose modestly to RM2.35 billion from RM1.8 billion. TH Plantations Bhd, a subsidiary of TH, reported RM877.7 million in revenue and RM75 million in net profit for 2024, both improvements over its RM488.9 million revenue and RM48 million profit in 2014. However, its market cap more than halved, falling from RM1.5 billion to RM602 million. As these companies continue to navigate changing economic tides, their financial trajectories offer a glimpse into how Malaysia's GLC landscape has evolved since the 10-year transformation programme formally ended. Several others from the original G20 cohort have exited the market entirely. Proton Holdings Bhd was sold by Khazanah to DRB-Hicom and subsequently delisted, while Pos Malaysia Bhd was also divested to DRB-Hicom but remains listed. Boustead Holdings Bhd was taken private by LTAT. Malaysian Airline System Bhd, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd and UEM Group Bhd were all privatised. UMW Holdings Bhd was acquired by Sime Darby in 2023 and Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd was absorbed into Batu Kawan Bhd.
New Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
As neighbours cut rates, all eyes on Bank Negara's next move
Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan , Diyana Isamudin KUALA LUMPUR: As central banks across Southeast Asia move to cut interest rates in response to easing inflation and slowing global growth, Bank Negara Malaysia has so far resisted the trend. The central bank has maintained the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at three per cent for 12 consecutive meetings since May 2023. The upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Wednesday could mark a turning point. In recent weeks, more economists and research houses have revised their forecasts to include a possible rate cut, pointing to softening domestic demand, sluggish exports and dovish signals from Bank Negara's latest policy statement. Across the region, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam have already taken steps to ease monetary policy in 2025. Singapore, which manages monetary conditions through its exchange rate, has also shifted to a more accommodative stance. This has raised questions over whether Malaysia risks falling behind the curve as regional peers act to shore up growth momentum. At its last meeting on May 8, Bank Negara kept the OPR unchanged but surprised markets with a 100-basis-point cut in the Statutory Reserve Requirement (SRR) to inject liquidity into the banking system. The central bank said the move was in line with its assessment of inflation and growth prospects, supported by domestic demand and resilient global trade. However, unlike previous statements, it omitted references to monetary policy being "appropriate and supportive of the economy." That omission caught the attention of analysts, who interpreted it as a subtle shift in tone, possibly laying the groundwork for future easing. Since then, expectations of a rate cut have gathered momentum. At least five research houses, including HSBC Global Investment Research, CIMB Securities, UOB Global Economics and Markets Research and Kenanga Research, now expect Bank Negara to lower the OPR by 25 basis points at the July 9 meeting. They cite weak consumer spending, a muted recovery in exports and a more stable ringgit following the SRR cut. Their views are echoed by economists, including Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid and Putra Business School Associate Professor Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff, who have both said that a rate cut in July is warranted. In an earlier interview with Business Times, Afzanizam said the time may have come for Bank Negara to reduce the OPR. "This is to help bring down the cost of borrowing among businesses and consumers, as the impact of monetary policy typically takes about six months to be felt in the economy," he said. Razman also said the central bank should consider reducing the rate to 2.75 per cent, citing a range of pressures, including the ongoing tariff war, which necessitates stronger domestic spending. "The recent decision by the Thai central bank to cut interest rates also highlights growing concern over slowing economic growth in the region," he added. Meanhile, other regional central banks have already moved decisively. Bank Indonesia has cut its benchmark rate twice this year, bringing it to 5.50 per cent. The Bank of Thailand has also lowered its policy rate to 1.75 per cent, citing persistent economic softness. In June, the Philippines' central bank trimmed its rate to 5.25 per cent and signalled further cuts may follow. Vietnam's central bank reduced short-term bill rates and encouraged commercial banks to lower deposit and lending rates. Meanwhile, Singapore's Monetary Authority took action in April by slowing the pace of appreciation for the Singapore dollar, effectively relaxing financial conditions without changing interest rates directly. Against this backdrop, Malaysia now stands out as one of the few economies in the region that has yet to cut interest rates this year. Whether Bank Negara joins the club on July 9 remains to be seen. Headline inflation has stayed manageable and the ringgit has stabilised somewhat after the SRR cut. Still, some economists argue that acting now, even pre-emptively, could help support domestic confidence and credit growth amid an uncertain external environment.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
EPF accumulates Gamuda shares, cuts position in KPJ Healthcare
Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has been snapping up shares in Gamuda Bhd, lifting its stake in the property and infrastructure giant by more than four percentage points since the start of the year. EPF now holds an 11.91 per cent stake or 686.64 million shares in Gamuda, up from 7.51 per cent or 427.37 million shares on Jan 2. This represents a net accumulation of 259.27 million shares over the past four months. Gamuda's stock last changed hands at RM3.99, 15.11 per cent or 71 sen lower than RM4.70 at the start of the year. It's market capitalisation stood at RM20.01 billion. Year-to-date, the stock has traded between a low of RM3.59 and a high of RM5.20, compared to its 52-week range of RM2.60 to RM5.38. The counter has received five 'strong buy', 12 'buy' and two 'hold' calls, with a consensus target price of RM5.27, according to Bursa Marketplace. The 12-month target price implies an upside potential of 32.15 per cent from the current price of RM3.99. Gamuda, which pays semiannual dividends, declared a first interim payout of five sen per share on Jan 23, together with a dividend reinvestment plan at RM3.81 per share. For the second quarter ended Jan 31, 2025, the group posted a 17 per cent year-on-year jump in revenue to RM3.90 billion, while net profit climbed five per cent to RM218.85 million. Cumulatively, for the first half of its financial year, revenue surged 31 per cent to RM8.04 billion, with net profit rising five per cent to RM424.24 million compared to the same period a year ago. RHB Investment Bank Bhd, which has a 'buy' call on Gamuda, said the group boasts strong prospects from upcoming infrastructure projects. It cited Gamuda's secured role in the Penang Light Rail Transit project and its potential participation in water infrastructure projects, including the Sungai Perak–Bukit Merah Dam and Sungai Rasau Water Supply Scheme Stage 2. It said Gamuda is also a key partner in the Upper Padas Hydroelectric Dam project in Sabah and is among the contenders for major contracts under the Mass Rapid Transit 3 project. Meanwhile, EPF has also been increasing its holdings in several other blue-chip companies, including Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), MISC Bhd, Sunway Bhd, and Sime Darby Property Bhd. Year-to-date, the fund has raised its stake in TNB by 2.23 percentage points to 20.46 per cent, representing a net accumulation of 132.89 million shares. TNB last traded at RM13.56, giving it a market capitalisation of RM79.05 billion, down 8.07 per cent or RM6.94 billion from RM85.99 billion when it was trading at RM14.76 on Jan 2. EPF also accumulated 46.90 million shares in MISC to raise its stake to 13.69 per cent, 59.63 million shares in Sunway to 8.65 per cent and 66.95 million shares in Sime Darby Property to 8.51 per cent. On the flip side, EPF has trimmed its stakes in several companies, notably KPJ Healthcare Bhd, where it sold 107.09 million shares, reducing its stake to 9.7 per cent from 12.16 per cent. KPJ last traded at RM2.72, 15.74 per cent higher than its Jan 2 price of RM2.35, giving the healthcare group a market capitalisation of RM12.31 billion. The fund also cut its holdings in Axiata Group Bhd by 75.63 million shares to 17.55 per cent, in AMMB Holdings Bhd by 23.90 million shares to 12.70 per cent, and in Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust by 7.07 million units to 15.95 per cent.
