PETALING JAYA: I-Berhad (I-Bhd) has commenced Financial Year 2026 (FY2026) on a firm footing, delivering resilient earnings while advancing its strategic transition into an AI-enabled, integrated urban ecosystem platform.
For the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 (Q1’26), the group recorded revenue of RM43.9 million and profit before tax (PBT) of RM12.7 million, an improvement from RM12.4 million in the corresponding period last year.
The results reflect not only operational discipline but also a continued shift in earnings quality, supported by margin optimisation, a stronger recurring income base, and the progressive integration of intelligence across its ecosystem.
“We are seeing a structural shift in how property is defined and valued. It is no longer just about physical space, but about how environments function as platforms for services, data and intelligent systems.
“Our focus at i-City is to build an ecosystem where AI and robotics are embedded into everyday life, not as a feature, but as an operating layer,” said I-Bhd chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong.
The property development segment’s revenue for the quarter moderated to RM10.5 million, while PBT increased by 21% to RM5.6 million, driven by higher-margin projects such as 8 Premier and Twenty8, cost optimisation, variation order gains, and margin-enhancement initiatives.
This reflects a deliberate shift from volume-driven growth towards higher-quality, margin-accretive earnings, with a remaining gross development value pipeline of about RM5 billion providing long-term visibility.
The property investment segment continued to provide a stable earnings base, delivering PBT of RM6.7 million.
Performance was supported by 95% occupancy at Mercu Maybank Corporate Tower, full occupancy at the group’s data centre assets and strong performance at Central i-City Mall (about 97% occupancy).
This reinforces the group’s strategy of building a resilient, income-generating portfolio within an integrated ecosystem, reducing reliance on development cycles while enhancing earnings predictability.
The continued scale and maturity of these assets also position the group to unlock value and pursue capital recycling initiatives over time.
While the leisure and hospitality segment saw lower PBT due to seasonal normalisation, it continues to play a strategic role beyond financial contribution.
Assets such as the AI World Experience Centre are increasingly functioning as real-world environments for AI deployment and testing, as well as catalysts for tourism and visitor engagement, while generating real-time user interaction and behavioural data.
This positions i-City not merely as a destination but as a living ecosystem where AI applications can be experienced, refined, and scaled.
Looking ahead, the group is accelerating the rollout of AI Living, which redefines residential property as part of an intelligent ecosystem.
Unlike conventional developments, AI Living is designed as AI-native environments rather than retrofitted residences, compatible with domestic robotics as functional occupants.
This will be supported by a Robotics-as-a-Service model to lower adoption barriers.
This approach aligns with structural trends including ageing populations, labour constraints and the increasing role of automation in daily life.
By integrating architecture, digital infrastructure and intelligent services, I-Bhd is positioning its developments for long-term adaptability rather than short-term obsolescence.
As Malaysia’s property market evolves, value is increasingly determined not just by location, but by how developments function as integrated ecosystems.
I-Bhd’s strategy reflects this shift, in which property is no longer viewed as a static asset but as infrastructure for services, data, and intelligent systems.
The group’s strategy at i-City is aligned with this transition, integrating residential, commercial, hospitality, and digital infrastructure into a cohesive environment designed to support the way people live, work, and interact on a daily basis.
In this context, initiatives such as AI World and AI Living represent not isolated developments, but key components of a broader platform approach to urban development.
With a diversified earnings base, strong recurring income, and a clear AI-led roadmap, I-Bhd is moving beyond traditional property development to build integrated, intelligent environments designed for long-term relevance.
As AI and robotics increasingly shape how people live and interact, the group’s focus on ecosystem development places i-City at the forefront of this structural shift.
