MBMR entering property development

MBM Resources Bhd is turning out to be more than an automotive player. It has plans to develop a piece of prime land that is located near Mid Valley City and next to the Federal Highway.


MBMR, which owns a 20% stake in second national carmaker Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) and is its major dealer, announced to Bursa Malaysia on Oct 19 a plan to develop a commercial project on the land. But the announcement did not generate much interest in MBMR’s stock. This is probably because the location of the land was not made very clear. The land is actually where Volvo’s flagship showroom is situated — at Lot 15 Jalan Klang, which is within walking distance of Mid Valley City. It is freehold and measures 5,213 sq m. It is currently owned and occupied by MBMR’s indirect subsidiary Federal Auto Holdings Bhd. The latter is the main dealer for Volvo cars and is 69.6% owned by Galaxy Waves Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of MBMR.


MBMR has said it intends to develop the land with Federal Auto and Pembinaan Teknikhas Sdn Bhd, a company linked to MBMR’s director Aqil Ahmad Azizuddin. MBMR and Federal Auto will together own 70% of the project (MBMR 30% and Federal Auto 40%) while Pembinaan Teknikhas will hold the remaining 30%. “The plan is expected to enable MBMR and Federal Auto to realise the value of the prime piece of property. It will also enable Federal Auto to continue to stay at this site when the project is ready,” says an auto analyst with K&N Kenanga.


According to MBMR’s annual report for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2005, the land and the Volvo showroom on it had a book value of RM9.65 million, or about RM172 per sq ft. This means the value of the property accounted for a quarter of MBMR’s cost of investment in Federal Auto, which comes up to about RM36.3 million.


A development plan is still on the drawing board but given the size of the land, an office tower project may best suit management’s objective to maximise the value of the land and ensure recurring rental income for the company. It is learnt that the company is looking at a gross development value of about RM200 million, and may benchmark the project against the commercial office space in Mid Valley City. The group may sell half the space to recover part of the development cost and retain the other half for leasing purposes.


“The project should be well received based on the good take-up rate for Mid Valley currently. The office market in the vicinity of Mid Valley still has much potential. We can expect an average selling price of close to RM450 psf,” says the analyst with K&N Kenanga.


Financing should not be a problem for MBMR, which effectively has a 70% share in the project. The group has been able to generate strong cash flow from its Perodua dealership business. For the nine months ended Sept 30, it generated an operating profit before working capital charges of RM53.68 million and net operating cash flow of RM58.85 million. Group borrowings amounted to RM71.8 million against shareholders’ equity of RM653.31 million.


MBMR is taking its time to deliberate on the development project, which may only be completed in three years. It is worth noting that the company has signed a memorandum of understanding, which is valid for two years, with Federal Auto and Pembinaan Teknikhas. However, given the scant information available, the potential of the development project has not reached the attention of investors.


Based on its closing price of RM2.88 last Wednesday, MBMR is being valued at less than 10 times its FY2005 earnings and about seven times the consensus FY2006 earnings of 42.5 sen per share or RM91.3 million, according to AmResearch. Moreover, the stock is trading at only slightly higher than its net tangible assets per share of RM2.75 as of Sept 30.


Both AmResearch and Hwang-DBS Vickers have a “buy” rating on MBMR with respective target prices of RM3.40 and RM3.55. This is premised on the group’s strong earnings potential from its participation in Perodua. “Given the group’s earnings visibility and the likely successful regional play [as Perodua expands its sales to the export market], we deem current valuations of seven times FY2006 earnings and six times FY2007 earnings undemanding,” says Hwang-DBS Vickers in a recent note to clients.


Nevertheless, analysts’ evaluation of MBMR probably does not reflect the potential of the commercial development project on its Jalan Klang land. 
MBMR’s plans to venture into property investment would likely diversify its revenue streams, which are now predominantly from the car retailing business and its 20% stake in Perodua.

Qualifications

  • Diploma in Civil Engineering, University Technology MARA, Shah Alam
  • Degree in Civil Engineering, University Technology MARA, Shah Alam
  • Executive Diploma in Business Administration, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom.

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Group Advisor, PNA Technologies Sdn Bhd
  • Group Advisor, Syarikat Metal Industries of Malaysia Sdn Bhd

Past:

  • Group Advisor New Business Development of Ingress Corporation Berhad
  • President & Chief Executive Officer of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) from 2013 to 2018
  • Managing Director of Perodua from 2009 to 2012
  • Executive Director of Strategic Marketing Group, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd from 2007 to 2009
  • Executive Director of Strategic Planning Group, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd in 2006
  • Executive Director, Sales Group of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd from 2004 to 2005
  • Director, Human Capital Group of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd from 2001 to 2003
  • General Manager, HR and Administration of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd from 1996 to 2001
  • Manager, Property and Facilities of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd from 1992 to 1996
  • Property and Purchasing Manager of Utusan Melayu (M) Sdn Bhd in 1992
  • Property and Maintenance Manager of Techart Sdn Bhd from 1985 to 1991
  • Project Engineer of Techart Sdn Bhd from 1983 to 1985
  • Board of Director Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
  • Board of Director Universiti Teknologi Mara Holding (UiTMH)
  • Board of Director Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP)

Membership of Board Committees in MBMR:

  • Nominating and Remuneration Committee (Chairman)
  • Audit Committee (Member)
  • Group Transformation Committee* (Chairman)

*Dissolved on 27 January 2022

Date Appointed to the Board

  • 29 May 2019

Mr. Low Hin Choong was appointed to the Board on 18 May 2001. He is currently the Chairman of the Long Term Incentive Plan Committee and a member of the Risk Management and Sustainability Committee.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Business Administration and Computer Science from Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom.

Mr. Low has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry. He is the founding director of his own successful software applications company. Mr. Low has since retired but remains as a director and advisor to the company.

Mr. Low is presently a Director of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd and an alternate Director at Med-Bumikar MARA Sdn Bhd. He also holds directorships in Reliance Business Solutions Sdn Bhd, Rosen Sdn Bhd, RBS Technology Sdn Bhd and CathRx Ltd, an Australian-based medical device company.

His current directorships in other companies within the MBMR Group include Hirotako Holdings Berhad, Hirotako Acoustics Sdn Bhd, Autoliv Hirotako Sdn Bhd, Federal Auto Holdings Berhad, Oriental Metal Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, Daihatsu Malaysia Sdn Bhd and MBMR Properties Sdn Bhd.

Mr. Ng Seng Kong has been on the Board since 1 October 2015. He is currently a member of the Audit Committee.

Mr. Ng is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom. He is also a member of Chartered Global Management Accountant.

Mr. Ng started his career as an auditor at a chartered accounting firm in London from 1975 to 1979. Upon returning to Malaysia, he joined MKS Sdn Bhd as a Financial Controller from 1980 to 1981. Presently, Mr. Ng serves as Managing Director of UMS Holdings Berhad and UMS Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Mr. Ng also currently holds directorships in several companies within the MBMR Group namely, Hirotako Holdings Berhad, Hirotako Acoustics Sdn Bhd, Autoliv Hirotako Sdn Bhd, Federal Auto Holdings Berhad, Oriental Metal Industries (M) Sdn Bhd, MBMR Properties Sdn Bhd, Teck See Plastic Sdn Bhd, Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Hino Motors Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. He is also a Director on the Board of Med-Bumikar MARA Sdn Bhd.

Qualifications

  • Master of Arts, International Studies, Ohio University, United States of America
  • Bachelor of Economics (Hons), University of Malaya, Malaysia

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Chairman of Zelan Berhad

Past:

  • Director of CIMB Principal Asset Management Berhad
  • Chairman of Faber Group Berhad from 2001 to 2008
  • Various management positions in Khazanah Nasional Berhad from 1994 to 2004 including Managing Director position.
  • Special Assistant to the Secretary General of Ministry of Finance from 1993 to 1994
  • Principal Assistant Secretary in the Finance Division, Federal Treasury under Ministry of Finance from 1991 to 1993
  • Deputy Director of Petroleum Development Division under Prime Minister’s Department from 1986 to 1991
  • Principal Assistant Secretary in Foreign Investment Division, Economic Planning Unit under Prime Minister’s Department from 1982 to 1984
  • Attachment with Investment Division of the Malaysian Tobacco Company Berhad under the British Malaysia Industry & Trade Association training scheme from 1984 to 1985
  • Principal Assistant Secretary in Economic & International Division, Federal Treasury under Ministry of Finance from 1980 to 1981
  • Principal Assistant Secretary in Budget Division, Federal Treasury under Ministry of Finance from 1978 to 1980
  • Assistant Director in Industries Division under Ministry of International Trade & Industry from 1973 to 1978

Membership of Board Committees in MBMR:

  • Nominating and Remuneration Committee (Member)
  • Audit Committee (Chairman)
  • Long Term Incentive Plan Committee (Member)
  • Risk Management and Sustainability Committee (Member)

Date Appointed to the Board

  • 16 January 2018

Qualifications

  • Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
  • Member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants
  • Bachelor degree in Accountancy

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Chief Executive Officer of Berjaya Capital Berhad
  • Non-Independent Non- Executive Director of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad
  • Audit Committee Member of Razak School of Government

Past:

  • Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of MARA Corporation Sdn Bhd from 2016 to 2019
  • Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Unitar Capital Sdn Bhd from 2012 to 2016
  • Advisor of ECS Solutions Sdn Bhd from 2011 to 2012
  • Audit and Assurance Director of Ernst & Young from 2008 to 2011
  • Manager under Banking and Capital Market Group of Ernst & Young LLP, London from 2003 to 2008
  • Internal Auditor of Habib Bank AG Zurich from 2002 to 2003
  • Senior Auditor of John Cumming Ross, Ltd in 2001
  • Senior Auditor of Andersen & Co, Malaysia (formerly known as Arthur Andersen & Co) from 1998 to 2001

Membership of Board Committees in MBMR:

  • Audit and Risk Management Committee (Member)
  • Group Transformation Committee* (Member)

*Dissolved on 27 January 2022

Date Appointed to the Board

  • 28 January 2019

Ms. Wong Fay Lee was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 29 May 2019. She is currently the Chairman of the Risk Management and Sustainability Committee and a member of the Nominating and Remuneration Committee.

Ms. Wong graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investments from Securities Institute Australia.

She started her career in 1987 as a corporate finance lawyer with Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Sydney, Australia and later as a Senior Associate in Mallesons’ South East Asian practice. She then joined the Malaysian Securities Commission as Manager of Product Development from 1993 to 1995.

Her past leadership positions include serving as Chief Executive Officer at Malaysian Derivatives Clearing House Bhd (now known as Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Berhad) from 1995 to 2000, Adviser to the Clearing Division of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited from 2001 to 2002 and she was also an Independent Director at KFH Asset Management Sdn Bhd from 2002 to 2010.

Ms Wong was previously appointed as an Executive Director in MBMR from 2014 to 2017 while concurrently serving as MBMR’s Head of Governance, Legal Risk & Compliance between 2011 until 2018. She was also appointed as Managing Director of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad from 2016 to 2017.

She is currently the Chairman of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad and a Director at Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Med-Bumikar MARA Sdn Bhd, and Astute Fund Management Berhad (formerly Apex Investment Services Berhad).

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Economic, International Islamic University Malaysia
  • London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) Higher – Business Statistics
  • Six Sigma – Champion Training, Motorola University

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Group Chief Executive Officer
  • Director of Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad
  • Director of Autoliv Hirotako Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Teck See Plastic Sdn Bhd
  • Director of MBMR Properties Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Oriental Metal Industries (M) Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Hirotako Acoustics Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd

Past:

  • Head, Automotive Distribution Division, Hicom Holdings Berhad (HHB) – Holding
    company of listed DRB-Hicom Berhad
  • Director, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM)
  • Director, Isuzu Motors Sdn Bhd (IMSB)
  • Director, Edaran Otomobil Nasional (EON)
  • Director, EON Auto Mart Sdn Bhd
  • Director, Euromobil Sdn Bhd
  • Director, Hicom Auto Sdn Bhd
  • Director, AVIS Malaysia
  • Director, ACM
  • Director, DRB-Hicom Commercial Vehicles Sdn Bhd (DHCV)
  • Director, DRB-Hicom Auto Solution Sdn Bhd
  • Senior General Manager – Sales & Marketing Division, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • General Manager – Sales Division, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • Deputy General Manager – Sales Operations, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • Senior Manager – Sales Planning Department, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • Senior Manager – Distribution Department, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • Coordinator, MD’s Office, Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd
  • Manager – Market Planning, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd
  • Marketing Manager, UMW Engineering Sdn Bhd
  • Strategic Planning & Business Development Manager, UMW Auto Parts Sdn Bhd
  • Marketing Administration Executive, UMW Heavy Equipment Group
  • Corporate Planning & Project Executive, UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd
  • Economic Analyst, Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers (FMM)

Date Appointed to MBMR

  • 8th February 2021

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Accounting (Honours), Oklahoma State University, United States of America.
  • Member of Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Group Chief Financial Officer of MBM Resources Berhad

Past:

  • Group Financial Controller of MBM Resources Berhad
  • Director of Daihatsu (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Federal Auto Holdings Berhad
  • Director of Autoliv Hirotako Sdn Bhd
  • Director of Teck See Plastic Sdn Bhd
  • Acting President & CEO of MBM Resources Berhad
  • Partner of Annbren Management & Consultancy Services
  • Group Financial Controller of Scomi Group Berhad
  • Regional Finance Controller of Scomi Group Berhad, Oilfield services
  • Audit Manager of Ernst & Young

Date Appointed to MBMR

  • 1st November 2016

Qualifications

  • B. A. (Hons) Accounting and Financial Studies, University of Exter, UK
  • Certified Training Professional, ARTDO-ITD International
  • Member, Society for Human Resource Management
  • Member, International Coaching Federation

Working Experience / Other Directorships

Present:

  • Director, Group Corporate Services

Past:

  • Director, Transformation Office of MBMR Resources Berhad
  • Board of Trustees of Kelab Belia Kalsom (The Kalsom Movement)
  • Director/Head, Group Human Capital of MARA Corporation Sdn Bhd
  • Executive Director, UNITAR International Academy Sdn Bhd
  • Director, Vice Chancellor’s Office of UNITAR International University
  • Head of Collaboration of Arise Asia Sdn Bhd
  • Vice President, Strategic Human Capital Management of Khazanah National Berhad
  • Consultant of Mercer Human Capital Consulting

Date Appointed to MBMR

  • 4th February 2020

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

2022 was a highly successful year for MBMR with recordbreaking revenue and profits. As we celebrate the Groupwide achievements, we are also proud that the exceptional performance was achieved on the back of progress made in our sustainability strategies and objectives in the year.

Key environmental achievements in 2022 involved the increase in our Group-wide reduce, reuse and recycle initiatives from the preceding year. These initiatives included the installation of solar panels in our manufacturing plants and continued Group-wide upgrades from conventional to LED lighting. We also reduced the Group’s water and electricity intensity consumption even with the resumption of normal operating hours and a substantial increase in our manufacturing numbers.

Waste management saw an improvement along with the expansion of our recycling initiatives. In our manufacturing companies, the continued maintenance of the ISO 14001 environmental management system accreditation provides the assurance to our stakeholders that our operations comply with environmental regulations while also generating cost-savings through more efficient use of resources and waste management.

On the social front, we strongly believe that our investment in people is a key driver of commercial success throughout the Group, underpinned by employee engagement and a firmly integrated culture of employee appreciation, development, diversity and inclusion. From providing a safe working environment, encouraging diversity and inclusion at all levels to remuneration and benefits benchmarking and ensuring that our employees are rewarded for their respective contributions, have access to training and career development opportunities, we will continue to attract and retain the best talent.

The talent development programmes for the upskilling of our employees were undertaken with this belief in mind. We have also expanded the talent development to the communities, most notably our pledge towards the establishment of MBMR’s Scholarship Programme to support the younger generation to gain access to quality education, details of which will be announced in due course.

Additionally, our social sustainability initiatives, which included wellness programmes and our CSR activities throughout the year have helped us in being recognised as a better employer engaged in more responsible business practices. The employee and customer satisfaction surveys conducted have achieved an encouraging score, an indication that our sustainability and business strategieshavehadapositiveeffectonour stakeholders. As we expand our efforts in the respective overarching pillars, it is our hope that the satisfaction scores would increase further.

Concurrently, digitalisation initiatives have also enabled us to build closer relationships with our dealers and customers in our motor trading companies, contributing to better overall sales and service figures. In our manufacturing companies, improved monitoring and adoption of automation has improved the operational efficiencies in our manufacturing plants.

As the Group widens the adoption of digitalisation initiatives, the ongoing deployment of our Data Protection and Cyber Security programmes under the Governance pillar have improved the Group’s Cyber Security infrastructure and awareness.

Our efforts to improve our Group’s businesses are supported by a robust governance, risk management and internal control framework and practices. We aim to instil the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and transparency within the Group. Other significant initiatives under the Governance pillar involve the implementation of fundamental Group-wide policies with the aim of improving overall governance within the Group. This includes the adoption of a new Group Enterprise Risk Management Policy and Framework to ensure effective identification, assessment and management of the Group’s risks in a holistic manner towards achieving the Group’s business objectives.

We see environmental, social, economic and governance priorities as an important part of our mission to be the automotive partner of choice to our stakeholders. Through our ongoing investments in knowledge development and management, operational excellence, innovative technology adoption and digitalisation, we continue to drive our businesses to directly address these pillars to help in ensuring the sustainability of our planet. We do not see an alternative. Therefore, we believe continuous improvements in the material sustainability matters that we have identified are aligned with delivering sustainable returns to our shareholders. Having embarked on our transformation journey since 2019 and with our commitment to continue on that course, we aim to deliver additional and continuous improvements.

Moving forward, existing initiatives undertaken by the Group under all four pillars of sustainability will be further refined and expanded. The Group will also seek to further improve disclosures in line with recent enhanced sustainability reporting requirements.

Encik Aqil bin Ahmad Azizuddin
Chairman