Malakoff set for big comeback after RM3.15b IPO

KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Corp Bhd's power unit, Malakoff Corp Bhd is setting for a big comeback with its relisting on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities, which is slated for May 15, 2015.
The company is expected to raise up to RM3.15 billion in proceeds from the offering of 1.75 billion shares (including the over-allotment option) at a maximum indicative price of RM1.80 per share, which is subject to final determination.
The initial public offering (IPO) is expected to be one of the biggest in Malaysia and Asia this year.
Malakoff was first listed on the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1976 and was subsequently taken private in July 2007 following the completion of its acquisition by MMC.
"Based on the indicative price of RM1.80 per share, we see our company with a market capitalization value at around RM9 billion upon listing," its chairman Tan Sri Syed Anwar Jamalullail told a press conference after the launch of the IPO prospectus last Friday.
"This IPO is likely the largest in the country since 2012," he added, noting the IPO represents up to 30.4% of Malakoff's enlarged issue and paid-up share capital.
Since its privatisation, Malakoff has been growing its stable of assets and expanded into international water production and the renewable energy business. The IPO will see the inclusion of several new assets under its stable including Port Dickson Power Plant, Macarthur Wind Farm in Australia and Al Hidd IWPP in Bahrain.
Syed Anwar said bulk of the IPO proceeds will be used to fully redeem an RM1.8 billion Junior Sukuk Musharakah.
The IPO secured 12 cornerstone investors for its relisting, which include Social Security Organisation (Socso) and Lembaga Tabung Haji, CIMB-Principal Asset Management Bhd, Maybank Asset Management Bhd, Maybank Islamic Asset Management Sdn Bhd, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Bhd, RHB Asset Management Sdn Bhd, UOB asset Management (Malaysia) Bhd, Hong Leong Asset Management Bhd, Eastspring Investments Bhd, Kencana Capital Sdn Bhd and Corston-Smith Asset Management Sdn Bhd.
The cornerstone investors have agreed to acquire about 533.8 million shares, representing some 10.7% of the enlarged issued and paid-up share capital of the company.
Maybank is the IPO's transaction manager as well as joint global coordinator with CIMB, Credit Suisse and JPMorgan. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Nomura and RHB are the joint bookrunners.
Syed Anwar said the company will continuously looking into opportunities to grow its assets on the back of the increasing demand of power in the region. It aims to increase its power generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts and expand its water production capacity approximately by 150% by 2020, through domestic and international expansion.
Malakoff's core focus is on power generation, water desalination and operation and maintenance services. It currently has a net generating capacity of 6,036 megawatts and water production capacity of 358,850 cubic metres.
"With our international portfolio of power generation and water desalination assets, backed by our experience and established track record in operation and maintenance business, we are well-positioned to leverage the opportunities from growth in electricity and water demand in our target markets," he said, noting currently the company is also the largest independent power producer in South East Asia by effective power generation capacity.
Currently it has a total of six operational plants in the country, in which one is under construction, namely Tanjung Bin Energy Power plant in Pontian, Johor. It is scheduled to start operations in March 2016. This will add 1,000 megawatts to Malakoff's power plant portfolio.
In the Middle East and North Africa, the company owns four plants, a combination of both power and water desalination plants, Syed Anwar said. Its international assets include power and water ventures in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Australia.
MMC is controlled by low-profile tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary.