10/02/2026

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TUESDAY | FEB 10, 2026

Chestertons Global acquires stake in Rahim & Co

JS-SEZ investment blueprint, master

plan out on March 30 JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) invest ment blueprint and master plan will be launched on March 30 in Johor Bahru. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the decision was made following discussions with his Singa porean counterpart and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. “We have agreed to hold the launch in Johor Bahru so that the people of Johor can truly feel the impact,” he said in his speech during the Johor Dialogue 2026 at the Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru Tower here yesterday. Also present were Onn Hafiz and Johor Economic and Investment Adviser Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad. Akmal Nasrullah said the blueprint outlines the incentives, opportunities and operational framework of the JS-SEZ. He added that the JS-SEZ will funda mentally reshape Johor’s economic landscape. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: International reserves of Bank Negara Malaysia totalled US$126.9 billion (RM499.29 billion) as at Jan 30, compared with US$125.6 billion on Jan 15. The reserve position is sufficient to finance 4.8 months of imports of goods and services, and is 0.9 times the total short-term external debt. The main components were foreign currency reserves (US$111.3 billion), International Monetary Fund reserves (US$1.3 billion), special drawing rights or SDR (US$5.9 billion), gold (US$5.9 billion) and other reserve assets (US$2.5 billion). Total assets amounted to RM599.79 billion, comprising gold and foreign exchange and other reserves, including SDR (RM514.75 billion), Malaysian government papers (RM13.41 billion), deposits with financial institutions (RM3.31 billion), loans and advances (RM28.61 billion), property and equipment (RM4.56 billion), and other assets (RM35.14 billion). – Bernama BNM: US$126.9b international reserves on Jan 30

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

o UK and Malaysian property groups enter into strategic partnership to extend their international reach and footprint

KUALA LUMPUR: UK property group Chestertons Global has acquired a stake in Malaysian real estate firm Rahim & Co International as both parties seek to expand cross-border trans actions and strengthen their regional footprint. The size of the stake was not disclosed. Chestertons Global managing director Mohamed Mussa said the partnership would allow the group to enter the Malaysian market while leveraging its expertise across property services. “We are at the early stages of the relationship, but there are many ways in which we can support each other and enhance profitability. Firstly, through the referral of clients,” he told a press conference at the partnership announcement yesterday. He said both parties are ex ploring collaborations in other Asian markets, including potential projects in property development and investment funds. “At the same time, it is about delivering the best service to our clients and maintaining our reputations as market leaders in the real estate sectors in which we operate,” he added. Mohamed Mussa said Malaysia is at an “exciting moment”, citing property fundamentals, govern ment infrastructure spending and foreign investor interest. He noted that Malaysia re mains relatively affordable com pared with neighbouring markets, while special economic zones are attracting businesses and inter national investors. “And Asia in general is some PETALING JAYA: Technology-driven logistics company Diolko is posi tioning itself as a leader in green urban delivery by redesigning how goods move within cities, rather than relying solely on electric vehicles,cco founder and CEO Yoann Gueguen said. He explained that Diolko serves exclusively business-to-business clients, with companies increasingly seeking sustainable delivery solu tions to meet their environmental targets. “Companies like CompAsia, which is originally from the same region as us, are our clients because they are actively looking for green delivery,” Gueguen told SunBiz in an interview

consultancy and agency services to Malaysian investors seeking over seas properties, particularly in the UK. “In May, we will be organising an exhibition of London pro perties in Kuala Lumpur, as many Malaysians already own property in London and continue to show strong interest in that market,” he said. The firm said collaboration with a global player would strengthen its ability to tap multinational corporations and secure corporate accounts worldwide, positioning the group to service clients not only in Malaysia but across multiple markets. “Rising foreign direct invest ment (FDI) into Malaysia parti cularly in the industrial segment in recent years presents an oppor tunity for the partnership. We seem to be getting a lot of FDI from outside Malaysia, and it has increased over the past few years. We believe that trend will con tinue,” it added. Both companies provide a range of property services in cluding valuation, estate agency, research and consultancy and property and facilities manage ment, creating a roadmap to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Both companies said they will also explore joint initiatives aimed at sustainability and social respon sibility, reflecting their commit ment to making a positive impact in the communities that they serve.

Abdul Rahim (left) and Mohamed Mussa at the affiliation announcement yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

Rahim Abdul Rahman said the firm is leveraging the Chestertons brand to strengthen its global footprint. “We have been established for almost 50 years and now operate from 23 offices across Malaysia. But in order to grow further, we have to look into the international market,” he said. He added that the colla boration would enable the firm to expand regionally, beginning with Singapore, Thailand, the Philip pines and Indonesia, while en hancing its ability to provide

where that in many respects has outperformed the West last year. So it just goes to show the rate of growth out here,” he added. Mohamed Mussa said Chester tons currently has offices in India, which recently went public, and around 11 offices in South Korea. “This (partnership) is our next big announcement. Hopefully we’ll continue to grow the mo mentum around the Asia region and we’re committed to doing that,” he said. Rahim & Co International executive chairman Tan Sri Abdul at Diolko’s operation office. “Today, green delivery is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s becoming a key requirement for many companies,”he said. Unlike traditional logistics players, Gueguen said, Diolko has shifted to virtual hub system, allowing it to fully optimise electric vehicles and rail infrastructure. “The old logistic models has limitations, especially when you try to maximise carbon reduction.” According to Gueguen, Diolko’s hub model enables carbon savings of up to 70%, which is significantly higher than typically offered by other green logistics providers. He stressed that merely switching to electric vehicles is not enough. “People think that if you just buy a fleet of electric vehicles, you’re green.

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com Diolko shifts gear to position itself as leader in green urban delivery

The reality is electric vehicles come with challenges – range anxiety, charging time, and operational constraints. Without redesigning the operating model, you can’t fully leverage them,” he said. Explaining Diolko’s delivery flow, Gueguen said parcels are collected from client warehouses using electric vans, consolidated and sorted at Diolko’s facility before being transported overnight via urban rail across Klang Valley. “They are then dispatched the next day using electric vehicles for last-mile delivery.” Gueguen said the model not only reduces emissions but also improves efficiency in dense urban areas, positioning Diolko as a scalable solution for cities seeking sustainable logistics infrastructure.

Guegen says green delivery is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ as it is becoming a key requirement for many companies. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN