KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 16): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Monday:

Gamuda Bhd's (KL:GAMUDA) Australian subsidiary, DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd, has secured a A$625 million (RM1.8 billion) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the 585MW Goulburn River Solar Farm in New South Wales. The project, awarded by Lightsource bp's subsidiary, will commence on Jan 1, 2025, and includes civil, structural and electrical infrastructure works. — Gamuda's Australian unit bags RM1.8 bil EPC job for Goulburn River Solar Farm

Aluminium products manufacturer Winstar Capital Bhd, set to debut on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market on Dec 19, posted a 3QFY2024 net profit of RM3.31 million on revenue of RM58.76 million. Its aluminium extrusion segment contributed 57.7% of total revenue, followed by building materials and solar PV system installation. For the first nine months of FY2024, Winstar reported a net profit of RM6.99 million on RM147.93 million in revenue. — Sunview-backed Winstar posts 3Q net profit of RM3.3m ahead of listing

MClean Technologies Bhd's (KL:MCLEAN) shareholders have approved its plan to diversify into plastic injection moulding and undertake a private placement. The company will acquire We Total Engineering's plastic injection moulding business for RM6.04 million. The private placement will issue up to 49.3 million new shares to raise RM12.3 million, which will fund the acquisition and support working capital. Shareholders also approved a RM35 million capital reduction to offset accumulated losses. — MClean's shareholders approve firm's diversification into plastic moulding

DRB-Hicom Bhd (KL:DRBHCOM) has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) to enhance Malaysia’s automotive industry through the Automotive Hi-Tech Valley (AHTV) project in Tanjung Malim, Perak. The agreements, made with its JV partner Zhejiang Geely Holding, aim to transform AHTV into a global automotive hub for next-generation vehicles and high-tech components. — DRB-Hicom, Geely ink MOUs with Mida, MARii to spearhead next-gen vehicle production in Tanjung Malim

Puncak Exotika Sdn Bhd is no longer a substantial shareholder of Sapura Industrial Bhd (KL:SAPIND) after disposing of 500,000 shares on Dec 13 at 82 sen apiece, totalling RM410,000. This transaction reduced Puncak Exotika's stake from 5.63% to 4.95%, falling below the 5% substantial shareholding threshold. — Puncak Exotika ceases to be substantial shareholder in Sapura Industrial

Tissue paper manufacturer NTPM Holdings Bhd (KL:NTPM) reported a net profit of RM162,000 for 2QFY2025, compared to a RM4.03 million net loss a year earlier, supported by a RM5.92 million forex gain. This is despite revenue declining 2.6% to RM218.77 million from RM224.66 million, as both its tissue paper and personal care product segments recorded weaker sales. The company declared a first interim dividend of 0.4 sen per share, payable on Jan 20. — NTPM posts second straight quarterly profit on forex gain

Crest Group Bhd (KL:CREST) is acquiring a RM16.5 million industrial property in Puchong, Selangor, from Oasis Harvest Corp Bhd (KL:OASIS) to establish its new headquarters and consolidate central region operations. The purchase, funded by IPO proceeds and internal funds, is below the property's RM20.05 million net book value, leading to a RM3.85 million net loss for Oasis Harvest. The loss-making seller plans to use the proceeds for debt repayment, marketing and working capital. The deal is expected to complete in 2Q2025. — Crest Group acquires industrial property in Puchong to house new HQ

Marine & General Bhd's (KL:M&G) net profit for 2QFY2025 rose 46.7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM12.1 million from RM8.22 million, driven by higher charter rates. Revenue increased 1.3% y-o-y to RM93.1 million, supported by rising oil drilling activities and improved regional economic conditions. Despite lower utilisation rates in both upstream (75%) and downstream (77%) divisions, its upstream division remained the primary revenue contributor, making up 84% of total revenue. No dividend was proposed for the quarter. — Marine & General's 2Q profit up 46% as higher charter rates offset weaker utilisation

George Kent (M) Bhd (KL:GKENT) has won a RM45.5 million contract from Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd for the Kwasa Damansara township development in Sungai Buloh, Selangor. The project includes constructing a suction tank, pump house, water reservoir, 11kV switching station and associated works. It will begin on January 9, 2025, with a completion target of July 8, 2027. — George Kent clinches RM46m infrastructure project in Kwasa Damansara

IT services provider Infomina Bhd (KL:INFOM) has secured a US$2.6 million (RM11.6 million) purchase order from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEX) for technology application, infrastructure operations and support services. The order, effective from December 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027, includes renewing licence subscriptions, providing training, overseeing hardware and software installation, and ongoing maintenance and support services for HKEX's software environment. — Infomina secures US$2.6 mil technology services order from Hong-Kong based firm

Perdana Petroleum Bhd (KL:PERDANA) has secured a charter contract for an anchor handling tug and supply (AHTS) vessel from IPC Malaysia BV. The contract, awarded to its subsidiary Perdana Nautika Sdn Bhd, is for a three-year period with a possible three-year extension. The contract value depends on the vessel’s assignment location. The vessel will support drilling rigs, offshore installations and derrick barges, performing towing and anchor handling operations. — Perdana Petroleum secures anchor handling tug and supply vessel charter contract

Advancecon Holdings Bhd (KL:ADVCON) has secured a RM44.6 million main infrastructure contract from Sime Darby Property Bhd (KL:SIMEPROP) for the Elmina West development. Awarded to its subsidiary, Advancecon Infra Sdn Bhd, the project will run from January 2, 2025, to July 1, 2026. The scope includes roads, drainage, water reticulation, sewerage, telecommunications and other essential infrastructure. With this contract, the group's unbilled order book has increased to RM321.6 million. — Advancecon clinches RM45 mil infra works job from Sime Darby Property