News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs.
Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from March 24 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

Chemlite Innovation Listed

Kuala Lumpur, March 26: Chemlite Innovation Berhad (“CLITE”) debuted on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia today, marking a major milestone for the engineering support services provider. The company’s shares opened at RM0.23 per share, slightly below its IPO price of RM0.25.
Founded in 2007, Chemlite Innovation specializes in surface finishing treatment services for industries such as semiconductors, electronics, and machinery. The IPO raised RM30 million, with funds allocated for facility expansion, cleanroom setup, automation, R&D, debt repayment, and working capital.
UOB Kay Hian Securities (M) Sdn Bhd acted as the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Underwriter, and Placement Agent.

Max April Premieres

Kuala Lumpur, March 26: Max is set to launch highly anticipated premieres this April, including new seasons of The Last of Us (April 14) and Hacks (April 11), alongside blockbuster movies Smile 2 (April 5) and The Wild Robot (April 12). Fans can also celebrate Superman Day on April 18 with a special lineup of Superman films and series.
Reality enthusiasts can stream A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read (April 4), Field Trip with Curtis Stone (April 17), and more. Additional highlights include new episodes of Totally Spies (April 3), Mr Bean: The Animated Series (April 10/24), and the season finale of The White Lotus on April 7.
Max subscriptions start at RM34.90 per month and are available via the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Astro, and Unifi TV.

Trident Joins E-Commerce Forces

Singapore, March 26: Trident Digital Tech Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ: TDTH) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Silkoo Dutyfree Limited and Haitu Trade Co., Limited to enhance digital commerce innovation.
The partnership focuses on data analytics, supply chain optimization, and customer experience enhancement. Trident will contribute its Web 3.0-based identity platform, Tridentity, while Silkoo leverages its regional e-commerce presence and Haitu brings expertise in cosmetics distribution.
This collaboration aims to expand market reach, streamline operations, and integrate digital solutions for improved e-commerce efficiency across Southeast Asia.

Qantas Opens Applications for $10M Regional Grants Program

Sydney, March 27: Qantas has launched applications for its $10 million Regional Grants program, offering $2 million in funding for Australian-based not-for-profits supporting regional communities in 2025. Now in its fourth year, the program provides financial, flight, and marketing support for projects focused on health, education, sport, and community wellbeing.
Previous recipients include BlazeAid, Reading out of Poverty, and GP Lyf Hacks, which have used the grants to enhance volunteer support, literacy programs, and rural healthcare education.
QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan encouraged regional groups to apply, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to supporting local communities beyond air travel. Applications close on May 10, 2025, with recipients announced in July.
More details at qantas.com/regionalgrants.

Ring Launches AI Search

Sydney, March 27: Ring has introduced Smart Video Search in Australia and New Zealand, allowing customers to quickly locate specific moments in their Ring Event History via the app. The AI-powered feature, part of Ring IQ, uses Visual Language Modelling (VLM) to match text with images for instant results.
Users can search for everyday events like package deliveries, pet movements, or unusual activity outside their homes. The feature is now available in public beta for customers subscribed to the Ring Home Premium plan, priced at A$29.95/NZ$29.95 per month.

Natixis Marks 10 Years

Sydney, March 27: Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM) celebrates a decade in Australia, reaffirming its commitment to the market with a focus on active investment strategies. Since establishing its Sydney office in 2015, the firm has expanded through its affiliate managers, including IML, Loomis Sayles, and Harris Oakmark.
With assets under management growing over 50 per cent in the past decade, Natixis IM has strengthened its presence in the wholesale and retail sectors, serving over 3,000 advice businesses across Australia and New Zealand. The firm now has 21 staff in Australia and recently relocated its Sydney office to a new collaborative workspace.

MN Holdings Wins RM137.8m Contract

Kuala Lumpur, March 28: MN Holdings Berhad has secured its largest direct contract to date, a RM137.8 million deal from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) for a new 275kV Kenyir Switching Station Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) in Terengganu. The project, awarded to its subsidiaries MN Power Transmission Sdn Bhd and Mutu Nusantara Sdn Bhd, involves supply, installation, and commissioning, with completion expected by March 2027. This contract boosts MN Holdings’ order book to RM977.8 million, reinforcing its role in Malaysia’s power infrastructure sector.

Qatar, Virgin Deal Approved

Sydney, March 28: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given final approval for Qatar Airways Group and Virgin Australia’s integrated alliance, allowing Virgin Australia to launch 28 weekly long-haul flights to Doha starting June 2025. Operated under a wet-lease with Qatar Airways, the new services from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth will expand to Melbourne in December 2025, offering over 100 connections across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa via Hamad International Airport.
The partnership is expected to generate AUD$3 billion in economic value over five years and create aviation and tourism jobs in Australia, including secondment opportunities for 20 pilots and 40 cabin crew at Qatar Airways in 2025. Qatar Airways’ 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia was approved by the Australian Government in February 2025, with Bain Capital remaining the majority shareholder. Sustainability efforts, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel initiatives, are also a key focus of the partnership.

SumiSaujana IPO Oversubscribed

Kuala Lumpur, March 28: SumiSaujana Group Berhad’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad has been oversubscribed by 1.85 times, reflecting strong investor confidence. The IPO consists of 310 million new shares and an offer for sale of up to 90 million existing shares via private placement.
The public portion saw 5,512 applications for 206.64 million shares, with the Bumiputera segment oversubscribed by 1.23 times and the non-Bumiputera portion by 2.47 times. All Pink Form allocations and private placements, including those to Bumiputera investors approved by MITI, were fully subscribed.
RHB Investment Bank Berhad served as the Principal Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter, and Sole Placement Agent for the IPO.