2014
2 September 2014
1Segamat mall has proudly won the Best Decoration, Cleanliness and Lighting Competition under commercial category at the Segamat District Council level in conjunction with 57th Merdeka Celebration.
8 July 2014
Published of business write-up on EcoFirst Group’s milestones and turnaround plans through interview session with Group CEO, Dato’ Tiong Kwing Hee in the 99th edition of International Business Review magazine.
25 July 2014
Pre-launching of high-end condominiums with five 12-storey blocks consisting of 7.5 acres of land at Upper-East @Tiger Lane in Ipoh received overwhelming response from buyers with sixty percent booked sales.
   
2013
25 August 2013
Thousands throng to 1Segamat shopping mall to greet Sultan of Johor, DYMM Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar in conjuction with the annual royal engagement with rakyat event. It was a great honour to have Sultan Johor officiated the grand opening of 1Segamat shopping mall. Other activities organized on the same day including a 15-minute recorded video of rakyat engagement with Sultan since 2007 and basketball throwing competition at the indoor amusement park in 1Segamat shopping mall.
14 March 2013
Dato’ Tiong Kwing Hee was awarded “Built-To-Last Award” in the inaugural Asia-Pacific Enterprise Leadership Awards (APELA) 2013 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This prestigious regional award recognizes and honors the achievements of leaders in the areas of sustainable development, corporate responsibility and CSR.
   
2012
11 May 2012
1Segamat mall has successfully attracted 45,000 patrons a month to the mall after its soft opening. One of the main attractions is the eight-hall cineplex, operated by Lotus Five Star. The mall will bring greater vibrancy to the area and enhance its real estate value.
7 Jan 2012
South City Plaza has been transformed as wholesale point with approximately 850 units to be tenanted. The Scope Wholesale Point covers an area of 226,000 square feet involving 5 zones with centralized airconditioners.
   
2011
22 Dec 2011
Tenants Signing Ceremony for 1Segamat mall was officiated by YDP Majlis Daerah Segamat, Encik Ismail Abu on 22 December 2011. This modern shopping mall will be a one-stop entertainment centre for Segamat residence besides providing ample business and job opportunities to nearby residence as well.
11 Dec 2011
The one and the only cinema in Segamat with 8 cineplex including 2 units with 3D facility has started operation at 1Segamat mall by Lotus Five Star Cinemas on 15 December 2011. Overwhelming response was received and the cineplex is definitely a crowd puller to the mall.
31 Oct 2011
Ecofirst Consolidated Bhd has turned around with a net profit of RM8.67 million for its financial year ended May 31 (FY11), is poised for new growth phase with the revival of long abandoned retail mall in Segamat, new property development projects including The Academia at South City Plaza, Taipan commercial centre at Ipoh and iron ore mining in Indonesia.
   
2010
22 Jul 2010
1Segamat mall which has been abandoned more than six years ago has been revived and started re-commencement of construction in May 2010. The construction was completed within 18 months.
 
2009
16 October 2009
Mr Tiong Kwing Hee was awarded the prestigious Golden Bull Award 2009 at Genting International Convention Centre on 16 October 2009 in recognition of his outstanding performance and achievements.
27 Jun 2009
25 Apr 2009
22 Apr 2009
Group CEO, Mr Tiong has been interviewed by Star about EcoFirst rebrands education mall.“We aim to sell the property to real estate investment trusts once we achieve our targeted yield within seven years,” he told StarBiz.Currently, about 4,000 students are receiving higher education and vocational training offered by eight institutions at the five-storey mall in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.The group targets to increase the number of students at the mall to 6,000 by year-end and 10,000 by end of next year. “We still have about 70,000 sq ft reserved for educational tenants.”To enhance the value of its property, EcoFirst plans to build two blocks of 13 to 14-storey apartments which can house about 3,000 students on top of the mall to be leased to SEGi.With a gross development value of RM75mil to RM80mil, the serviced apartments were expected to be completed within 24 months after construction starts in the fourth quarter."
 

CEO Forum on riding out the current Global Economic Crisis


27 June 2009 – Mr Tiong Kwing Hee, Group CEO, is named as one of the panelists for the “CEO Forum on riding out the current Global Economic Crisis” held on 27 June 2009 at the Exchange Square, Bursa Malaysia. Together with other panelists are Group CEO from Cuscapi Bhd, Group CEO from Khind Holdings Bhd, Director & Head of Research of Alliance Research Sdn Bhd and President of Help International Corporation Bhd. This forum is to talk about how public-listed companies are positioning themselves amidst the volatile market conditions. Several corporate leaders have been invited from various industries to share their insights on a range of topics related to the current economic situation.

EcoFirst eyeing projects worth over RM200mil


25 April 2009 –MAIN board-listed EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd, which is undergoing a corporate restructuring exercise, is eyeing various mid-sized projects worth over RM200mil.

Executive director and group chief executive officer Tiong Kwing Hee says the group is in advanced talks on construction work for a new hospital and an educational institution.

“We are awaiting approval from the relevant bodies and expect to conclude both deals by next year,” he tells StarBizWeek after the official launch of Edu Mall @ South City yesterday.

As part of its turnaround plan, the group has rebranded its key property asset South City Plaza in Seri Kembangan to an educational mall with a view to increasing its occupancy rate to 90% by year-end from 75% now.

Tiong says the group hopes to raise about RM80mil to RM100mil through the issuance of sukuk bonds by year-end to finance the building of two high rise buildings on top of the mall as well as the mall’s refurbishment.

To reform its business model, the group has identified food ration and manufacturing as new income generating divisions.

“We plan to invest about RM40mil to RM50mil to acquire two manufacturing companies by the middle of next year and have identified three potential candidates.

“We are also currently negotiating for a long-term food ration supply contract. We anticipate an average additional income of RM3mil per annum from both divisions,” says Tiong.

Meanwhile, the group is also looking to establish a 50:50 joint venture in engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) under its construction division.

“We are talking to some government agencies to do EPCC work for government ports,” says Tiong. To date, the group has completed about 60% of its total government contracts worth some RM70mil.

“We hope to return to the black after the restructuring exercise is completed by the middle of next year,” says Tiong. EcoFirst currently operates four divisions – property investment, network marketing, construction and education.

By The Star (by Shannen Wong)

EcoFirst rebrands education mall


22 April 2009 –PETALING JAYA: EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd aims to achieve a yield of up to 7.5% annually for its South City Plaza in seven years after the rebranding of its key property asset into an educational mall due for launch on Friday.
Tiong Kwing Hee (inset) says South City Plaze will be rebranded as Edu Mall @ South City Executive director Tiong Kwing Hee said the rebranding of the Edu Mall @ South City was part of the group’s restructuring exercise to give a good return for its long-term investment in the property.

“We aim to sell the property to real estate investment trusts once we achieve our targeted yield within seven years,” he told StarBiz. Currently, about 4,000 students are receiving higher education and vocational training offered by eight institutions at the five-storey mall in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

Among them are EcoFirst’s 27%-owned associate SEG International Bhd (SEGi), International College of Health Sciences and Summit Multimedia Education Sdn Bhd. The group targets to increase the number of students at the mall to 6,000 by year-end and 10,000 by end of next year.

“We have allocated about 25% of the total lettable area of the mall, or 200,000 sq ft, for these educational providers, which received competitive rental rates of RM1.50 per sq ft from us,” said Tiong.

“We still have about 70,000 sq ft reserved for educational tenants.” To enhance the value of its property, EcoFirst plans to build two blocks of 13 to 14-storey apartments which can house about 3,000 students on top of the mall to be leased to SEGi.

With a gross development value of RM75mil to RM80mil, the serviced apartments were expected to be completed within 24 months after construction starts in the fourth quarter.

With a gross development value of RM75mil to RM80mil, the serviced apartments were expected to be completed within 24 months after construction starts in the fourth quarter.

“We plan to take about RM50mil in bank loans to fund the project, which would cover about 73% of the costs,” said Tiong.

“We are confident that the serviced apartments would give 6.5% to 7% returns to SEGi yearly.”

EcoFirst had last year invested about RM5mil to give the mall a facelift.

By The Star (by Shannen Wong)

EcoFirst Laboratories Secures Research and Development (R&D) Status from the Government of Malaysia


Dragon fruit plant
The most exciting feature of EFL, as a qualified R&D Company is the ability to offer the Double Taxation Credit incentive to its sponsors. Imagine sponsoring EFL on one of its project by giving RM1 million but in actual fact this sponsor is only spending RM440,000 (based on 2006 income), where the other RM560,000 (28% corporate tax times two on RM1 million) can be claimed as tax credit from the government to offset corporate tax payable by the sponsor. This is a very effective way in which the government is encouraging and supporting R&D activities in the private sector, an area not well understood by many.

To achieve the R&D Company status of course EFL has to furnish the authorities and their evaluation panels with a very creditable and realistic yet novel R&D plan with sound business principles. The approved projects and R&D areas for EFL, which qualifies for the ITA is over RM15 million.

selections of plant tissue culture
The most exciting feature of EFL, as a qualified R&D Company is the ability to offer the Double Taxation Credit incentive to its sponsors. Imagine sponsoring EFL on one of its project by giving RM1 million but in actual fact this sponsor is only spending RM440,000 (based on 2006 income), where the other RM560,000 (28% corporate tax times two on RM1 million) can be claimed as tax credit from the government to offset corporate tax payable by the sponsor. This is a very effective way in which the government is encouraging and supporting R&D activities in the private sector, an area not well understood by many.
To achieve the R&D Company status of course EFL has to furnish the authorities and their evaluation panels with a very creditable and realistic yet novel R&D plan with sound business principles. The approved projects and R&D areas for EFL, which qualifies for the ITA is over RM15 million.
Among R&D activities that EFL plan to undertake are:
  • Establishing a cropping system using bio-sensors & wireless data acquisition and transmission technology for dragon fruit and peach palm.
  • Establishing an organic cropping system for dragon fruits and peach palm under green house environment
  • Inducing hibernation of fruits to extend shelf life,
  • Develop breeding programmes of oil palm suitable for planting in India via the production of eliteplanting materials through plant tissues culture technology, and
  • Extraction of biologically active compounds from dragon fruits, peach palm and herbs.
Dragon fruit
EFL is eligible for an allowance of 100% in respect of qualifying capital expenditure incurred within 10 years from the date from which the first capital expenditure is incurred. The allowance can be utilised to offset (exempt) up to 70% of the statutory income in the assessment year.

Investment Tax Allowance is an incentive granted to qualified companies in their respective fields, that entitle them for partial or total relief from the payment of income tax for a specified period.

With the granting of 100% ITA from the government, EFL strives to aid in providing better product and output through extensive R&D to be implemented.


selections of plant tissue culture
This will also help immensely in EFL fulfilling its mandate to be the R&D arm of the Group and contribute towards the development of a range of businesses of the group in agro-biotechnology, modern crop farming, nutraceutical products etc.

EFL will continuously promote the Double Taxation Credit incentive to its business associates, partners and other entities within its network of communications to actively encourage contributions to fund its R&D activities for the fulfilment of two major rationales:
  • Promote the culture of R&D among associates and partners to generate positive impacts for businesses, and 
  • To encourage Corporate Social Responsibility through R&D sponsorship for the betterment of the society.

selections of plant tissue culture
EFL is a fully owned subsidiary of EcoFirst Consolidated Berhad, a listed company on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange since 1984 with a diversified portfolio in agro-biotechnology, agro-farming, oil palm plantation, property development, manufacturing and construction.

ECOFIRST AGRO INDIA VENTURES INTO PATCHOULI PLANTING



selections of plant tissue culture
EcoFirst Agro India Pt. Ltd, a subsidiary of EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd, is venturing into the harvest of patchouli plants. Having seen the growing demand and many possible products that can be manufactured from this plant, EcoFirst Agro India has secured around 100 acres of patchouli cultivation land from farmers in India to commence its pilot scheme that will produce a first batch of 20,000 saplings by early January 2007.

The patchouli plant is a small southeastern Asian shrub (Pogostemon Cablin) in the mint family, having leaves that yield fragrant oil commonly used in the manufacture of perfumes. It is also a relaxant that is used as balancing oil and is helpful in skincare, particularly for the mature skin. Patchouli oil can also be used in the treatment of athlete’s foot, eczema, fatigue, frigidity, hair care, stress and is very effective as insect repellent.

As of October 2006, progress of the nursery development has reached 80% of completion, incurring a total expense of Rs343,926 used in the erection of irrigation pipes. In November 2006, the purchase of 21,000 patchouli mother plants worth Rs36,000 and stem cuttings of Rs35,000 were grown to multiply sapling plants before sold to farmers at Rs1.50 each.

Currently EcoFirst Agro India has a record of 54 farmers who showed keen interest in cultivating 92.5 acres of patchouli in their gardens. Apart from patchouli plants, EcoFirst Agro India has commenced initial steps towards developing a demonstration plot. This plot will house numerous MAP seedlings such as the Tulasi, Coleus, Isabgol, Kalmegh and Salacia roots. These 3-6 months crop is highly demanded by manufacturers of essential and medicinal oils thus giving it the value of a buy back guarantee.

EcoFirst Agro India is also in the process of identifying MAP plants to be processed and exported to EcoFirst in Malaysia particularly for its MLM operations, carried out by EcoFirst Products Sdn. Bhd.

Soft Launch of EcoFirst Products Sdn. Bhd.



“The journey to entrepreneurial success can be rocky and confusing. EcoFirst is passionate about bringing new life to the Network Marketing industry, allowing all those who touch our model to prosper. Suffice to say, we shall take you from inspiration to transformation!”
Saturday, 11 November 2006 - saw the birth of EcoFirst Products Sdn Bhd, a new yet innovative company that is set to blaze new trails in Network Marketing in the country! With some 300-odd guests thronging the event at the Headquarters located on the 4 th Floor of Menara Summit, USJ1, there was more than adequate evidence of the sizzle that is promised.

EcoFirst Products is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EcoFirst Consolidated Sdn Bhd, a public-listed Malaysian group of companies with investments in the Asian region, with a 20-year proven track record of managing successful, high-growth sectors including higher learning institutions, properties, retail complexes, and oil palm plantations.

With a team of management visionaries, technology- enabled experts, hands-on marketers, as well as seasoned entrepreneurs with sharp business acumen, EcoFirst Products is set to bring about a refreshing blast of reality about what it takes to make a rather complex Network Marketing initiative really materialise. With a tagline that reads Premier Products, Nature Inspired , the Company manufactures and distributes their own special line of nutraceuticals, natural health supplements and personal care products. The clinically–tested nutraceutical products draw on advanced formulations and nature-based ingredients, The food supplements and products have international certification and endorsement, assuring consumers of whole, natural and organic ingredients and the use of proprietary processes in their manufacture.

“EcoFirst Products is destined to be one of the fastest growing Network Marketing businesses around and seeks to effectively engage in a sustainable and long-term business! We look forward to the years to come in our mission to build and better articulate the voice of people from all stations of life seeking to be engaged in free enterprise in a borderless world,” mentioned, the Senior Vice President.

Why Network Marketing?


"Network Marketing encourages individual potential and the spirit of free enterprise. The company believes in strengthening families and assisting communities to succeed. We multiply our happiness when we share our prosperity among others. Life takes on a richer, fuller meaning when we reach out to help others. What better vehicle than Network Marketing?” added the Senior Vice President of the company. All distributors joining the EcoFirst programme further enjoy free Personal Accident Insurance, Education Subsidies, as well free use of sports facilities at the 3K Sports Complex at SS13, Subang Jaya.


EcoFirst Secures India Oil Palm Plantation Contract



(L-R): Dato' Clement Hii with Mr H.Rammawi, Minister of Agriculture and Horticulture of Mizoram, India and Mr Anthony Chew, Executive Director of PalmTech India Ltd.
19 October 2006
Ecofirst Consolidated Bhd. has secured 10,000 hectare of land for oil palm plantation in the State of Mizoram, India, via its wholly owned subsidiary, EcoFist Agro India Private Limited. The company has recently concluded a series of crucial negotiations with the State Government of Mizoram which resulted in the recent signing of an agreement between the parties.

“Based on EcoFirst's over a decade of successes in the field of contract farming of oil palm and the development of the oil palm industry in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Kanataka, the Government of the State of Mizoram decided to invite us to expand our expertise in this north-eastern state” , said Dato ' Clement Hii, Group Managing Director of EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd.


This jo int venture will result in a “win-win” partnership between a Malaysian and a Hong Kong entity, tapping on each other's expertise and competitive advantage in the booming markets of the Middle East and South Asia.

Dato' Hii reiterates: “In addition to setting up our own oil palm plantation at the 10,000 ha site allocated, we will also extend our proven contract farming business model to Mizoram to assist local farmers in taking part in the development of oil palm industry in the State. This will further add to the acreage of oil palm for our operation. We plan to build a new palm oil mill of 8,000 tonnes capacity to process fresh fruit bunches from our plantation as well as from our contract farmers.”

Currently, EcoFirst's subsidiary, PalmTech India Ltd. has a concession of 280,000 hectares of gazetted land from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for intergrated oil palm development. It is operating two oil mills producing about 10,000 metric tons of CPO per year.

PalmTech is expected to increase substantially its CPO production when more of its planted areas mature over the next two years. The recent announcement by the Indian Government to assist Myanmar in developing Myanmar's Sittwe port on the Bay of Bengal will open up the land-locked Mizoram state's sea link via the river Kaladan which flows through the district where EcoFirst's 10,000 ha plantation is located. With this link taking around 3 years to be built, EcoFirst's new oil palm plantation will be able to take full advantage of the new route to ship its palm oil from Mizoram to its market, which is the rest of India . With India 's high demand for palm oil, EcoFirst is assured of a strong domestic market for its palm oil.

Meanwhile, EcoFirst Agro India Private Limited has also commenced contract farming of patchouli (under the category of medicinal and aromatic plant) under a cash crop farming model in East Godavari District of the State of Andhra Pradesh . A few hundred acres of farm land has been committed by farmers to this new cash crop contract farming scheme. It guarantees 100% buy back of dried leaves from the farmers and will sell them to patchouli oil manufacturers.

Patchouli oil is a ma jo r component in many high end perfumes, especially so in over half of the perfumes for men. Many products like laundry detergents, air fresheners and paper towels are scented using patchouli oil.

“EcoFirst is confident in achieving positive results from these two new Indian ventures. We are constantly seeking new opportunities to further expand our range of crops and the field of business in the agro-biotechnology and oil palm plantation sectors in India,” said Dato' Hii.

EcoFirst Acquires Hartz Chicken Rights for West Malaysia



KUCHING – An American fast food franchise which has a presence in Kuching for more than 10 years will be expanding its operations to Peninsular Malaysia in a big way.

This follows an agreement by Hartz Chicken (M) Sdn. Bhd., the master licensee of Hartz Chicken Buffet in Malaysia , for EcoFirst Hartz Sdn. Bhd. to take up exclusive rights to open new outlets in Peninsular Malaysia.

EcoFirst Hartz Sdn. Bhd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of main board listed EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd., a diversified group which is in plantations, properties, biotechnology and manufacturing activities.

Its Group Managing Director, Dato' Clement Hii said the Group had been keen to go into the fast food business “as it is a cash business with great potential to grow, given the right recipe and business model”.

The two Hartz outlets in Kuching have been operating profitably for many years, and the Kuching management led by Hartz Chicken (M) Sdn. Bhd.‘s Managing Director, Mr. Lau Tiong Ing has provided Hartz with the leadership necessary to be successful in the competitive fast food segment.

Hartz Chicken Buffet was founded in 1972 in Southeast Texas, USA . It began its global expansion in 1995 and now have restaurants in Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, India and European countries.

The present Hartz concept has a combination of take-out and dine-in service featuring an all-you-can-eat American taste buffet. The Hartz buffet service is known to be fast, efficient and low priced.

It is these unique features that EcoFirst hopes to draw the crowds for its new outlets. Dato' Hii said, “We see something unique and dynamic about Hartz.”

He added that EcoFirst planned to open up to 10 outlets within three years investing up to RM1 million for each outlet. The Klang Valley will be a prime location for Hartz's restaurants. Besides, it plans to sub-license the concept to entrepreneurs in other states such as Penang, Johor, Melaka and Perak. EcoFirst also has the option to acquire the East Malaysia and Brunei franchise at a later date.

Dato' Hii said his management team for the Hartz business would be “innovative and bold” to carry out the Company's vision to become a key player in Malaysia's fast food business.

EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd. Forms Strategic Alliance with Hong Kong's Leading Construction Technology Company.



Subang Jaya – Main boarder EcoFirst Consolidated Bhd. (EFC) has forged a strategic alliance with Hong Kong 's leading construction technology company with the signing of an agreement to set up a jo int venture company. The proposed JV will see EcoFirst having a 51% stake while Wai Shun System Formwork Co. Ltd. will hold the remaining equity.

Under this joint venture, EcoFirst will, in addition to the provision of corporate planning and strategies, provide a strong corporate profile for the setting up of overseas business networking, coordination work with key personnel of customers and consultants for the development of markets in the Middle East and South
Asia countries. Wai Shun, through its proprietary aluminium formwork system will provide a strong project profile and technical back-up for construction works, provision of management, control and implementation of secured projects from commencement to completion.
EcoFirst has currently through its wholly owned subsidiary, KEB Construction Sdn. Bhd., a book order of RM300 million. These include the ongoing project of One Subang Service Apartments in USJ and the upcoming Cova Villa Condominium & Apartments and Cova Square Commercial Complex in Kota Damansara. 
Wai Shun is one of the major companies engaged in the construction business in Hong Kong and Malaysia under the stewardship of its Managing Director, Mr. C.F. Mak. The group has over 14 years of experience in the field of construction engineering. Wai Shun's pioneering work using its proprietary Industrialised Building System Solution which relies on aluminum formwork for the construction of building has seen several major projects being successfully completed by the Group.
Notable projects of the Group in Hong Kong include:
  • International Finance Centre (one of the SAR's tallest buildings)
  •  Festival Walk (one of Hong Kong 's largest shopping mall & office building)
  • Kowloon Station – Phase 2
  • Hong Kong Electric Co. Headquarter
  • La Palais (The Palace)
  • Eaton Hotel Extension
  • Yoho Town
  • Shenzen Western Corridor…among others.