Latest news with #RM400mil
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Gabungan AQRS poised for rebound on potential job wins
PETALING JAYA: Gabungan AQRS Bhd is expected to see improved earnings ahead, supported by the rollout of major infrastructure and property projects, following weaker results for the nine months ended March 31, 2025 (9M25). According to RHB Research, the group could benefit from potential job wins linked to the reinstatement of five Light Rail Transit 3 stations, due to its prior experience working on the Shah Alam Stadium and Glenmarie stations. It is also poised to gain from Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, where its 49%-owned SEDCO Precast Sdn Bhd is a contender to supply precast components worth an estimated RM400mil to RM500mil. The formation of new property joint ventures, such as the Serena Gambang project in Pahang, may further boost earnings. RHB Research noted that, as of today, the group has an outstanding construction order book of RM335mil, which the research house described as 'reasonable at this juncture, as job awards have yet to pick up.' Meanwhile, its Johor Baru development, The Peak, may gain traction due to its proximity to the Johor Baru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link station. The group has unbilled property sales of RM191mil. In the third quarter of financial year ending June 30, 2025 (3Q25), Gabungan AQRS posted a net loss of RM7.88mil, or a basic loss per share of 1.45 sen. This compared with a net profit of RM3.18mil, or a basic earnings per share of 0.58 sen, in the same quarter last year. Revenue also dropped from RM66.96mil to RM41.08mil during the quarter. For 9M25, the group recorded a net loss of RM16.13mil, compared to a net profit of RM16.91mil in the same period last year. Revenue also dipped from RM376.05mil to RM151.31mil. The negative deviation was due to a weaker-than-expected property division and higher-than-estimated sales costs. While Gabungan AQRS' results missed the research house's forecasts, they exceeded street expectations, accounting for 56% and 115% of the respective full-year projections. Following the results, RHB Research trimmed its FY25 to FY27 earnings forecasts by 14%, 10% and 13%, factoring in slower property revenue recognition and more conservative cost assumptions. 'We also take the opportunity to ascribe a lower target price-to-earnings (PE) (ratio) of eight times, as Gabungan AQRS' remaining orders have not been replenished at the same pace as that of peers,' it added. Nonetheless, RHB Research maintained a 'buy' call on the group, with a revised target price of 33 sen. 'Given the plethora of catalysts and its track record in infrastructure projects like Mass Rapid Transit 1 and Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway, the stock remains undervalued relative to peers, trading more than two standard deviations below its five-year mean PE – which justifies our firm 'buy' call,' it added.
Daily Express
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
‘Review perks of rural docs'
Published on: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 21, 2025 Text Size: James said this after launching the Sandakan-level Kaamatan Festival at the Sandakan Community Hall on Saturday (May 17). SANDAKAN: The lack of incentives for doctors serving in rural areas discourages them from working in challenging locations, prompting calls to review their allowances, says Datuk James Ratib. The State Community Development and People's Wellbeing Minister said that while basic salaries for doctors had been raised, their rural allowances had been 'frozen,' resulting in no significant difference in compensation between those working in rural and urban settings. He said this after launching the Sandakan-level Kaamatan Festival at the Sandakan Community Hall on Saturday (May 17). 'I am urging the Federal Government, especially the Health Ministry, to reconsider this decision, as it affects the willingness of doctors to work in remote areas,' he said. James noted that the difficult working conditions, including limited facilities and housing challenges, add to the struggles faced by doctors in rural areas, making it harder to retain medical personnel in places like Sabah and Sarawak. James, who also oversees community wellbeing, said that finding suitable housing for doctors in rural areas was a persistent issue, as many are reluctant to move due to the lack of proper accommodation. Advertisement Meanwhile, James said that Sabah had received 100 additional dialysis machines for government hospitals and health clinics across the state, including six for the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in Sandakan. He said the new machines would complement the existing units and replace faulty ones. James also thanked the Sabah government, under the leadership of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, for approving the funding for these machines. He added that the Sandakan Hospital would be upgraded to a state-level facility, with an estimated RM400mil allocated for the project under the 13th Malaysia Plan. 'The preliminary work, costing around RM400,000, is already underway, and the project has received federal approval in principle. We hope this upgrade will proceed quickly once the costing is finalised,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Stronger line of defence in Sabah, S'wak
Ever ready: Saifuddin Nasution (centre, front row) posing for a group photo at the launch of the three battalions at the Sabah GOF Brigade in Papar. KOTA KINABALU: Three new General Operations Force (GOF) battalions in Sabah and Sarawak will play a significant role in strengthening the country's internal security, says the Home Minister. Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the launch of its operations reaffirmed the police's unwavering commitment to their core duty of safeguarding national security and public order. Speaking at the launch of the three battalions at the Sabah GOF Brigade in Papar yesterday, he said the key aspects are the readiness of the police force to respond to security threats, the government's continued investment in personnel welfare and operational facilities, and Malaysia's improved ranking in the Global Peace Index. 'This confirms the state of preparedness of our police force for any scenario. We must always be alert, especially in light of past incidents such as the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion,' Saifuddin Nasution said, referring to the security crisis in eastern Sabah over a decade ago. Two of the three battalions are in Sabah. The 21st, 22nd and 23rd GOF battalions are based in Sabah's interior Keningau and its east coast district Kunak, and in Sarawak's Sri Aman, respectively. This brings the total number of GOF battalions nationwide to 23, with a combined strength of around 12,000 personnel. Saifuddin Nasution said the new battalions will enhance the GOF's elite operational capacity across land, sea and air. 'These troops are highly trained. Their recent successes, including multi-billion ringgit seizures under operations like Op Hazard and E-Waste, speak volumes,' he said. The minister also spoke of the government's commitment to ensuring a conducive working environment through budget allocations for improved welfare, office infrastructure and accommodation. 'A well-trained team with poor living conditions and inadequate assets will still be limited. 'So, we are also investing in new equipment and facilities, most of which will be rolled out this year,' he said. On Malaysia's security performance, Saifuddin Nasution said the country's standing in the Global Peace Index is currently in 10th place among more than 160 countries. 'This is no coincidence. It is the result of strategic planning and uncompromising security policies. 'It is also crucial for investor confidence. Safety remains a key metric for any country hoping to attract foreign investments.' Saifuddin Nasution also said the government has approved the development of eight GOF posts, seven in Sarawak and one in Sabah, along the Malaysia-Kalimantan border with an allocation of RM32mil. He said the construction of administrative complexes and staff quarters at Battalion 20 GOF in Beluran, Sabah, and Battalion 10 GOF in Sarikei, Sarawak, is underway. These projects, valued at RM400mil and RM200mil respectively, are expected to be completed within the year. He also announced that the GOF will replace its current operational uniforms with new camouflage attire featuring improved design, colour and pattern.
The Star
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Sabah minister urges review of rural doctors' allowances
SANDAKAN: The lack of incentives for doctors serving in rural areas discourages them from working in challenging locations, prompting calls to review their allowances, says Datuk James Ratib Datuk James Ratib. James Ratib, who also serves as the Sabah Health EXCO, said that while basic salaries for doctors have been raised, their rural allowances have been "frozen," resulting in no significant difference in compensation between those working in rural and urban settings. He said this after launching the Sandakan-level Kaamatan Festival at the Sandakan Community Hall on Saturday (May 17). "I am urging the federal government, especially the Health Ministry, to reconsider this decision, as it affects the willingness of doctors to work in remote areas," he said. James noted that the difficult working conditions, including limited facilities and housing challenges, add to the struggles faced by doctors in rural areas, making it harder to retain medical personnel in places like Sabah and Sarawak. James, who also oversees community wellbeing, said that finding suitable housing for doctors in rural areas was a persistent issue, as many are reluctant to move due to the lack of proper accommodation. Meanwhile, James said that Sabah has received 100 additional dialysis machines for government hospitals and health clinics across the state, including six for the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) in Sandakan. He said the new machines would complement the existing units and replace faulty ones. James also thanked the Sabah government, under the leadership of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, for approving the funding for these machines. He added that the Sandakan Hospital would be upgraded to a state-level facility, with an estimated RM400mil allocated for the project under the 13th Malaysia Plan. "The preliminary work, costing around RM400,000, is already underway, and the project has received federal approval in principle. We hope this upgrade will proceed quickly once the costing is finalised," he said.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Little progress under GRS, time for Warisan to return, says Shafie
KOTA KINABALU: Warisan is ready to return and lead Sabah again, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. The Warisan president said, despite five years in power, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government had failed to deliver meaningful progress, with Sabahans still facing the same unresolved issues while its leaders continue to rely on slogans like 'Sabah Maju Jaya.' 'GRS uses the slogan Sabah Maju Jaya, but when I look at it… They've been in power for five years, what progress have we actually seen in Sabah? The surau has no water, the toilets in the state assembly also have no water. What kind of management is this?' he asked during a Kaamatan celebration in Papar, Thursday (May 1). He added that basic infrastructure problem,s such as water shortages and unreliable electricity supply, continue to plague the state, with even the state assembly relying on water tankers to function. In some districts, Sabah is now depending on Sarawak to supply electricity — a situation Shafie described as unacceptable for a state so rich in resources. He said Sabah remains Malaysia's biggest petroleum producer, contributing 37% of the national domestic output, yet has little control over its oil and gas operations. He also claimed that official data backs Warisan's performance during its time in government. Citing the Statistics Department Malaysia, Shafie said his administration had delivered better outcomes in areas such as employment, GDP growth and social cohesion compared to the current state leadership. Shafie also raised concerns over the disappearance of RM400mil in public funds, referring to a court matter that, he said, has yet to be clearly explained. He also reminded the crowd of Warisan's record during its 22-month administration, which included increasing Sabah's GDP to RM85bil in 2019 and repaying RM1bil in federal debt — all while managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Defending Warisan's inclusive policies, he said his administration approved funding for churches in Tambunan and Penampang, adding that every community deserves support regardless of religion or ethnicity. 'I was not a chief minister for Muslims. I was the chief minister for all Sabahans,' he said. He urged voters to think beyond short-term handouts and political slogans. 'Think about your children's future. Don't stay dependent. Sabah is rich, but if we keep acting like beggars, what future do we have?' he said. Warisan has remained firm in its stance to contest the coming state election on its own. The party previously led the state government from 2018 to 2020.
