KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower on Friday amid mixed regional market performance as investors turned cautious over a possible rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and upcoming US economic data that may influence the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision next week. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) pared most earlier losses to settle 4.55 points easier, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,616.52 from Thursday’s close of 1,621.07. The benchmark index, which opened 0.37 of-a-point lower at 1,620.70, moved between 1,609.67 and 1,621.25 throughout the day. The broader market was negative, with decliners outpacing advancers 604 to 439. A total of 550 counters were unchanged, 1,151 untraded, and 18 suspended. Turnover declined to 3.17 billion units worth RM2.24 billion from 4.48 billion units worth RM2.75 billion yesterday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd vice-presiden...
Thomson Medical Group Ltd (SGX: A50) has launched the RM18 billion (US$4.3 billion) Johor Bay project, one of Southeast Asia’s largest private healthcare-linked property ventures, signaling its ambition to tap into Malaysia’s growing medical tourism and ageing population trends.
Project Highlights
Location: 26-acre site within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
Healthcare focus:
Thomson Hospital Iskandariah (flagship private hospital).
Specialist suites and aged care facilities.
Life sciences tower to support medical R&D and biotech.
Lifestyle integration:
Luxury residences and a five-star hotel.
Commercial and lifestyle precincts for integrated living.
Strategic Rationale
Rising healthcare demand: Driven by regional demographic shifts, particularly an ageing population and growing middle-class affluence.
Medical tourism catalyst: Malaysia and Singapore have become key hubs for cross-border medical travel, with Johor Bay positioned to capture high-value patients.
Economic convergence: Kiat Lim, executive vice-chairman of Thomson Medical, said the project aligns with “economic tailwinds, infrastructure momentum, and demographic shifts” across the region.
Johor’s Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi called the investment a “strategic boost” to both healthcare access and state-level economic growth.
Investment Implications
Healthcare-property hybrid model: The integration of medical, residential, and lifestyle assets creates diversified revenue streams for Thomson Medical beyond traditional hospital operations.
Regional positioning: By anchoring within the JS-SEZ, the project leverages proximity to Singapore’s high-income patient base while benefiting from Johor’s lower operating costs.
Long-term growth driver: RM18b investment underscores Thomson Medical’s regional expansion strategy, potentially reshaping its earnings profile over the next decade.
Key Watchpoints for Investors:
Execution risks in mega-project rollouts.
Patient inflow and cross-border medical tourism traction.
Potential for REIT spin-offs or partnerships in healthcare real estate.
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