The investment arm of the Johor state government is asking bankers for pitches for the potential listing of Kulim Malaysia Bhd, and is targeting a valuation of around US$1bil (RM4.4bil) for the unit, the people said. An IPO in Kuala Lumpur could happen as early as next year, The Kulim listing would come as a three-year rally in crude palm oil prices has begun to sputter, falling from its peak in March as Indonesia ramps up exports.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s state-owned investment firm Johor Corp could seek to raise about RM1bil in an initial public offering (IPO) of its plantation unit, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The investment arm of the Johor state government is asking bankers for pitches for the potential listing of Kulim Malaysia Bhd, and is targeting a valuation of around US$1bil (RM4.4bil) for the unit, the people said.
An IPO in Kuala Lumpur could happen as early as next year, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the process is private.
The Kulim listing would come as a three-year rally in crude palm oil prices has begun to sputter, falling from its peak in March as Indonesia ramps up exports.
Deliberations are ongoing and details of the IPO such as size and timing could change, the people said. Johor Corp is continuously reviewing its investments, and is committed to improving the value proposition of Kulim, said Hasnina Hafiz, head of group corporate communications, in response to a query from Bloomberg News.
Should Johor Corp proceed with the plan, Kulim will be joining Malaysia IPO candidates including Weststar Aviation Services’ helicopter services unit and QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, which runs KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in South-East Asia.
Malaysia hosted US$408mil (RM1.8bil) worth of IPOs so far this year, up from US$130mil (RM572mil) in the same period in 2021, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.
Kulim traces its roots to 1933 when Kulim Rubber Plantations Ltd was incorporated in the United Kingdom, according to its website.
It was listed on the the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange in 1975 and Johor Corp became a major shareholder of Kulim a year later. The state-owned firm took Kulim private in 2016.
The agricultural company has 55,796 ha of planted areas with oil palm trees in Malaysia and 7,362 ha in Indonesia, the website showed. Along with plantation, Kulim’s core business areas are fruit and vegetable farming, livestock and trading and services.
Meanwhile, Carsome Group, which operates a South-East Asian used-car online marketplace, is delaying its dual listing plans in Singapore and the United States on concerns that deteriorating macroeconomic conditions could dent its valuation, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Malaysia’s most valuable technology startup has halted work on the planned offerings that were set for this year, the people said.
Carsome may revive the first-time share sales next year if markets improve, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the process is private.
A representative for Carsome declined to comment.
Carsome raised US$290mil (RM1.28bil) in January at a valuation of US$1.7bil (RM7.48bil) in a series E round led by the Qatar Investment Authority as well as 65 Equity Partners and Seatown Private Capital Master Fund, both of which are backed by Temasek Holdings Pte.Founded in 2015, Carsome has expanded into Indonesia and Singapore. — Bloomberg
