Author: Alvin Tang

Press Metal sees aluminium demand exceeding supply

KUCHING: Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, which owns aluminium smelting plants in Bintulu and Mukah, expects aluminium demand to outstrip supply going forward. According to group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Koon Poh Keong, aluminium demand is still expected to increase in 2019 due to its inherent advantages and key

Upsurge in construction projects to continue: HSL

KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL), which chalked up stronger earnings last year, expects the trend in the increase in construction activities that has benefitted the company, to continue going forward. The marine engineering and infrastructure firm said the Sarawak government’s newly rolled out mega sized infrastructure projects offer new

YKGI sells off coated coil business to NS Bluescope

KUCHING: YKGI Holdings Bhd is selling its loss-making coated coil business to NS Bluescope (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for RM125 million. Shareholders gave their nod to the proposed disposal at the company’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Wednesday (Feb 20). The disposal is expected to be completed in May. Selangor-based NS

Higher wage, tax pushing up Sarawak log prices

KUCHING: The implementation of the new minimum wage and increase in timber harvest tax from last month have further driven up the export prices of Sarawak logs and plywood. Higher minimum wage and harvest tax have pushed up production cost of logs and plywood, which is labour intensive. “By increased

Pansar sees renewed shipbuilding activity as beneficial to its bottomline

KUCHING: Pansar Bhd foresees renewed shipbuilding activity to benefit the company. “Renewed shipbuilding activity is expected to have a positive impact on our company,” said Pansar, which is a supplier of marine engines for ship construction. The company said the state government’s thrust of infrastructure development would give an impetus

BPA ended contract with Muhibbah Viccana JV due to commercial, operational issues

KUCHING: Bintulu Port Authority (BPA) terminated a multi-million ringgit contract with Muhibbah Viccana JV recently due to its commercial and operational issues. Muhibbah Engineering (M) Bhd, which has a 51 percent stake in the Muhibbah Viccana JV,  had sought clarification from BPA on the reason for the termination. The contract

Ta Ann’s Southwood veneer rotary mill operations affected by bush fires

KUCHING: One of Ta Ann Holdings Bhd’s veneer rotary mills in Southwood site, southern Tasmania, Australia has its operation disrupted by recent bush fires. According to Ta Ann, the bush fires are now under control and the extent of the damages to the mill is under assessment. “The plant is

HSL bags two Sarawak Energy contracts

KUCHING: Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL) has been awarded two contracts worth RM54.3 million by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB). The contracts secured through open tender are related to the 2 x 312MW Balingian Coal-Fired Power plant project in Mukah. These comprise Package C05A – earthworks and common facilities – and

Price gap of plywood widening

KUCHING: The price gap is widening between import prices of Sarawak plywood and its selling price in Japan. This is because export prices of Sarawak plywood to Japan are going up but the demand for such plywood in Japan has been stagnant. “The price of 3×6 concrete forming panels have

Hubline sees its tugs and barges staying highly utilised

KUCHING: Hubline Bhd expects its operating tugs and barges involved in dry bulk shipping to remain highly utilised. The Sarawak-based shipping firm anticipates that demand for operating tugs and barges would continue into the foreseeable future based on its observation of the barge logistics industry in South East Asia region.