Malaysia

Kenanga Research has on Friday downgraded Malaysia’s technology sector rating to neutral from overweight as external risks have intensified, particularly from global memory tightness, supply-chain fragility and persistent cost pressure across the value chain.

Malaysia’s national public sector pension fund Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) is expected to commit up to MYR 190 million ($47.38 million) of capital in Lestari Cooling Energy Sdn. Bhd.

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) announced Thursday the establishment of the ICM Innovation Lab (FIKRALab), a structured co-creation and applied research and development (R&D) platform to develop new Islamic capital market (ICM) products and instruments.

Malaysia’s semiconductor industry, concentrated on assembly, test, and packaging (ATP), is relatively insulated from immediate supply disruptions caused by rising tensions in the Middle East, Maybank Investment Bank said Thursday.

Germany-based AIXTRON, a supplier of deposition equipment for compound semiconductors, is set to spend €40 million ($46 million) in building a new manufacturing facility in Malaysia, according to a release on Wednesday of the firm.

Malaysia-based Catcha Digital Berhad announced Wednesday that it has inked a deal to acquire Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB), a food and beverage trade event for a cash consideration of MYR 3.97 million.

Japan-based Cybozu, a collaborative office software company known for its Kintone platform, has committed an initial $6.4 million investment to expand its operations in Malaysia.

South Korea's POSCO International is targeting an annual rare earth supply of $230 million from Southeast Asia, as it accelerates efforts to build a stable global supply chain for heavy rare earth elements critical to electric vehicle (EV) traction motors.

Gobi Partners, a venture capital (VC) firm based in Malaysia and Hong Kong, seeks to invest in Vietnam, including the country's national VC fund.

Lim said the funds raised from the IPO would mainly be utilised for working capital, to develop its device ownership plan and to strengthen its omnichannel presence to ensure a seamless experience between online and physical retail in Malaysia.