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KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 30): Aquawalk Group Bhd, the operator of Aquaria KLCC, is set to introduce a new penguin exhibit by the middle of 2026 as part of its plans to expand its flagship oceanarium.
The new tank, which will house rockhopper penguins, will be funded through a portion of the company’s initial public offering (IPO) proceeds, Aquawalk chief executive officer Daryl Foong told reporters at the launch of the listing prospectus on Thursday.
“We will be using part of the IPO proceeds to do a penguin tank,” Foong said. “So that will hopefully be coming on board sometime in the middle of next year.”
Aquawalk plans to invest RM7 million for the penguin exhibit at Aquaria KLCC, according to the prospectus. The company has also earmarked RM3.2 million for interior refurbishment and RM2 million for back-of-house upgrades at the 20-year-old oceanarium.
Beyond Malaysia, Aquawalk is setting aside RM20.7 million for development of new attractions for Aquaria Phuket that will include star animals such as seals, penguins and sand tiger sharks, as well as the expansion of a new aviary area.
The company is also allocating RM39.57 million for an aquarium in Kota Kinabalu in a joint venture with Sabah’s state investment arm Qhazanah Sabah Bhd and another RM17.3 million for a marine theme park in Java, Indonesia.
The ongoing expansion efforts are part of a long-term strategy to strengthen its position in the aquarium industry while promoting marine education, tourism, and conservation awareness across Southeast Asia, Aquawalk added.