KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 28): Kerjaya Prospek Group Bhd (KL:KERJAYA) plans to maintain its 31% stake in ES Sunlogy Bhd (KL:SUNLOGY), with the aim of tapping the company’s expertise in semiconductor, data centre and power-grid projects.

Kerjaya Prospek became ES Sunlogy’s largest shareholder after three acquisitions between July 16 and Aug 17, investing a total of RM64.3 million.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Tee Eng Ho told reporters at the group's second-quarter earnings briefing on Friday that the group intends to keep the 31% stake for now. Kerjaya Prospek has worked with ES Sunlogy for about 10 years, with the latter serving as one of its subcontractors.

ES Sunlogy, which listed on Bursa Malaysia’s ACE Market in February 2025, provides high- and low-voltage electrical systems, extra-low-voltage systems, mechanical engineering services and solar energy solutions.

Despite recent domestic political uncertainty, Tee said Kerjaya Prospek had not seen any impact on its construction tendering activities and orderbook replenishment.

“No, so far no. Business is still going,” he said when asked whether domestic political uncertainty could delay construction tenders.

On its construction business, Kerjaya Prospek expressed confidence to clinch more than RM3 billion in new orders for FY2026, having secured about RM2.37 billion in new jobs so far this year.

Kerjaya Prospek had an outstanding construction order book of about RM5 billion as at end-June this year, of which around 58% or RM2.9 billion comprised related-party projects.

On rising operating costs, including raw materials such as copper and cement, Tee said the group's strategy is to work harder and secure new jobs with higher margins.

Copper prices have risen about 16% this year so far. Copper was at about US$12,504 per tonne at end-2025, before rising to its peak of US$14,850 on Aug 17. It was traded at US$14,490 on Aug 27.

Kerjaya Prospek on Friday (Aug 28) reported a 22.6% year-on-year increase in second-quarter profit to RM66.67 million, despite revenue falling 25.3% to RM403.09 million.

The group attributed the earnings improvement mainly to prudent cost management and contributions from higher-margin projects. Its net profit margin improved to 16.54% in 2QFY2026 from 10.1% a year earlier.

For the first half of FY2026 (1HFY2026), its net profit rose 23% to RM 124 million from RM100.5 million a year ago, while revenue dropped 16% to RM849.9 million from RM1.01 billion.

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