KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 2): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

Awanbiru Technology Bhd (KL:AWANTEC) has secured a one-year extension to its cloud framework agreement (CFA 1.0) with the government, under which it manages and delivers Google cloud services to the government. Awantec said the extension will be effective from Jan 1 until Dec 31, or until the launch of CFA 2.0, whichever comes earlier. The value of the extension was not detailed. The cloud-based service provider initially entered into the agreement with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) and Google Cloud Malaysia Sdn Bhd in March 2022, to provide the specified service for up to 35 months until Dec 31, 2024. — Awantec one year extension to provide Google cloud services to govt

Pentamaster Corp Bhd (KL:PENTA) has been served with a writ and statement of claim by Ocado Innovation Ltd, a subsidiary of UK-based online grocery technology company Ocado Group, over allegations of patent infringement involving warehouse automation and robotics technologies. In the suit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Ocado alleges Pentamaster of having developed, used or facilitated the use of such systems that infringe its intellectual property rights. Pentamaster strongly denied the allegations, stating its intention to file an application to strike out the suit, which it considers to be baseless allegations. — Pentamaster faces legal action from UK-based Ocado over alleged warehouse automation patent infringement

Velocity Capital Partner Bhd (KL:VELOCITY) sees the emergence of a new majority shareholder yet again. Datuk Fam Chee Way is now the single largest shareholder of Velocity Capital, formerly known as CSH Alliance Bhd, after he bought a 28.79% stake. Fam’s vehicle DB Atlantic Capital (M) Sdn Bhd bought out Datuk Liu Han Ming’s entire 229.5 million shares or 16.61% stake in Velocity Capital and executive director Tan Yip Jiun’s 168.17 million shares or 12.17% stake via a direct business transaction on Thursday. Bloomberg’s off-market data showed some 229.5 million shares changed hands at 9.5 sen per share or RM21.8 million in total, while another block of 168.17 million shares traded at six sen per share or RM10.09 million. On aggregate, the blocks were traded for RM31.89 million. — Velocity Capital sees emergence of single largest shareholder

Ecobuilt Holdings Bhd (KL:ECOHLDS) has until Jan 8 to submit its annual report for the financial year ended Aug 31, 2024, failing which the trading of its securities will be suspended the following day (Jan 9). The loss-making construction cum property firm has failed to submit the annual report — including its annual audited financial statements, as well as the auditors’ and directors’ reports — to Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd, for public release within the stipulated time frame on Dec 31, 2024. Pursuant to Bursa Securities’ Main Market listings requirements, trading in Ecobuilt’s securities will be suspended if the company fails to issue the 2024 annual report within five market days, that is by Jan 8. — Ecobuilt faces trading suspension from Jan 9 after failing to submit annual report

Condom maker Karex Bhd (KL:KAREX) has redesignated its independent director Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman as the group’s chairperson, effective immediately. The redesignation comes after Datuk Dr Ong Eng Long’s resignation from the post on Jan 2 due to “personal commitment”. Adeeba has been on the group’s board as an independent director since January 2019. — Karex elevates Adeeba Kamarulzaman to chairperson after Ong Eng Long’s resignation

Sunway Real Estate Investment Trust (KL:SUNREIT) said on Thursday it has completed the acquisition of Kluang Mall in Johor for RM158 million. Kluang Mall is expected to provide an estimated initial net property income yield of 7%. The mall, now rebranded as Sunway Kluang Mall, is nearly fully occupied with over 130 tenants and anchored by Pacific Hypermarket & Department Store. The acquisition expanded Sunway REIT’s property portfolio to 28 assets, worth RM10.3 billion. The trust now has 13 retail properties, six hotels, five office buildings, an education asset, and three industrial sites. — Sunway REIT completes Kluang Mall acquisition