KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday:

PK Green Fund — a Singapore-based green investment fund — has raised its stake in Jentayu Sustainables Bhd (KL:JSB) to 13.06% from 9.02% previously, after acquiring an additional 22 million shares on July 7, as it pushes ahead with its RM2.8 billion hydroelectric project in Sabah. The 22 million shares, worth RM4.4 million based on the 20 sen acquisition price, are believed to have been acquired from Jentayu managing director Datuk Beroz Nikmal Mirdin via an off-market transaction involving his spouse, Nurhaida Abu Sahid. Following the disposal, Beroz Nikmal ceased to be a substantial shareholder, with his stake reduced to 3.84% from 7.88%. — Singapore-based fund ups Jentayu stake as RM2.8b Sabah hydro project moves towards financial close

Aeon Credit Service (M) Bhd’s (KL:AEONCR) net profit for the first quarter ended May 31, 2026 (1QFY2027) grew 23% to RM95.15 million from RM77.55 million a year earlier. Quarterly revenue increased by 8% to RM647.57 million from RM599.92 million, driven by stronger loan and financing growth. — Aeon Credit reports 1Q net profit up 23% as non-performing loan creeps up

IHH Healthcare Bhd (Kl:IHH) said its hospitals in India admitted fewer patients from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia due to the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict has also affected IHH's hospitals in Singapore, which have long-term contracts with Middle Eastern health authorities to treat critical cases, chief executive officer Dr Prem Kumar Nair told Reuters in an interview. — IHH hospitals in India, Singapore see fewer patients from Middle East due to war — CEO

LPI Capital Bhd (KL:LPI) is expected to return about RM737 million to shareholders as special dividends after completing the sale of its 1.13% stake in Public Bank Bhd (KL:PBBANK), according to BIMB Securities Research. The insurer had completed the disposal of 220.3 million Public Bank shares for RM1.05 billion in May, with about 70% of the proceeds to be distributed progressively over 18 months.  A portion is expected to be paid towards the end of the financial year ending Dec 31, 2026 (FY2026), with the remainder in FY2027. — LPI Capital may return RM737 mil to shareholders as special dividends after Public Bank stake sale, says BIMB

TDM Bhd (KL:TDM) will pay nearly 10% more in annual rent for 32,089 acres of plantation land in Terengganu operated by its plantation unit, KLLT Kumpulan Ladang-Ladang Terengganu Sdn Bhd (KLLT). This follows a revision of the rates which cover land in Kemaman, Setiu and Hulu Terengganu leased from Perbadanan Memajukan Iktisad Negeri Terengganu (PMINT). KLLT has signed supplemental agreements with PMINT to formalise the revised rates under a provision allowing the Terengganu statutory body to review rental rates every five years based on prevailing market rates. — TDM to pay higher rents for over 32,000 acres of leased plantation land in Terengganu

Hartanah Kenyalang Bhd (KL:HKB) has secured a RM283.9 million contract from the Public Works Department Sarawak (JKR Sarawak) to build the Wisma JKR Sarawak complex. The contract was awarded to its wholly-owned Hartanah Construction Sdn Bhd, and will run for 30 months commencing July 23. — Hartanah Kenyalang wins RM284 mil job to build Wisma JKR Sarawak complex

Exsim Hospitality Bhd (KL:EXSIMHB) has secured a RM63.5 million contract to undertake interior design works. The contract, which commenced on July 9 and is scheduled for completion by Dec 31, was awarded by Cosmopolitan Avenue Sdn Bhd to the group's wholly-owned subsidiary, Exsim Concepto Sdn Bhd (ECSB). — Exsim Hospitality bags RM63.5 mil interior design works contract

AirAsia X Bhd (KL:AAX) is now known as AirAsia Group Bhd. The new name, effective July 9, reflects the aviation group’s full acquisition and consolidation of AirAsia Bhd and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited from Capital A Bhd (KL:CAPITALA) on Jan 18. This rebranding comes following the company’s 19th annual general meeting held on June 25, and registration for the new name on July 2 with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. — AirAsia X renamed AirAsia Group

PRG Holdings Bhd (KL:PRG) will commence a winding-up petition against  a company linked to its largest shareholder, Datuk Ng Yan Cheng over RM64.24 million in alleged outstanding payments for construction works on a residential project in Kuala Lumpur. PRG’s solicitors have been instructed to file the petition against the company, Premier De Muara Sdn Bhd (PDM). The move follows a statutory demand issued by PRG's wholly-owned unit, Premier Construction (International) Sdn Bhd (PCI), to PDM on June 8, giving the company 21 days to settle the amount, failing which winding-up proceedings would be initiated. PCI was the main contractor for the Picasso Residence project, which was developed by PDM and has since been completed. — PRG gives company linked to major shareholder 21 days to settle RM64.24m outstanding payment

Dagang NeXchange Bhd (KL:DNEX) has jumped on to the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon, launching an AI-powered office assistant system called XWHIZ.  Developed by DNeX's in-house IT team, the platform is able to convert spoken conversations into structured and accurate transcripts, summaries, customisable meeting minutes templates, decisions and action items.  DNeX aims to have 100 subscribers by the end of 2026, according to Shiraz Ramli, CEO of the group's IT division. — DNeX ventures into AI-powered office assistant system

PTT Synergy Group Bhd (KL:PTT) is disposing of a freehold industrial property in Klang for RM17 million cash to streamline its non-core assets and reduce operating and maintenance costs. The property, located in Bandar Bukit Raja, comprises a double-storey detached factory with a gross built-up area of 20,197 sq ft. The group said it plans to use RM11 million of the proceeds to repay bank borrowings, with the remaining RM6 million going towards working capital. — PTT Synergy sells industrial property in Klang to repay bank borrowings