Kuala Lumpur, August 28, 2025 — IJM Corporation Bhd is charting a robust growth trajectory, driven by surging demand for data centres in Johor while its UK-based assets contribute a steady stream of recurring income. The group’s CEO, Datuk Lee Chun Fai, expressed confidence following the company’s recent shareholders meeting, stressing that while sectors like steel and property face near-term challenges, these emerging growth engines are enhancing its overall resilience.
He highlighted that there is a healthy pipeline for digital infrastructure in the region, particularly in Johor, where the state is emerging as a strategic hub for hyperscale and enterprise data centre development. “With the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone gaining traction, opportunities are expanding—not only for data centres but also for electrical and electronic facilities relocating to the state,” Lee noted.
A key milestone underpinning this momentum is the RM1.4 billion contract secured by IJM Construction—IJM’s wholly-owned subsidiary—for a fast-track data centre in Pulai, Johor Bahru. This six-storey project, featuring integrated office space, refuse and recycling facilities, spans approximately 62,000 square metres. It is designed with sustainability in mind, targeting LEED Gold and GreenRE Platinum certifications and incorporating a distinctive green wall façade with integrated irrigation. Scheduled for completion by September 2026, this marks IJM’s fourth data centre project in Johor and expands its order book to RM9.2 billion, from RM7.6 billion at end-March 2025.
On the international front, IJM continues to strengthen its real estate footprint in the UK. Its London-based assets include Royal Mint Gardens—a hotel fully leased to StayCity—and the 25 Finsbury Circus office development, which recently secured a 20-year lease from Simmons & Simmons LLP. These investments underpin IJM’s strategic shift toward enhancing recurring income, with a goal to elevate its contribution from the current 20% of group earnings to one-third in the years ahead.
Despite wider macroeconomic pressures—such as the expanded Sales and Service Tax, subsidy rationalization, and global uncertainties affecting consumer sentiment—IJM remains confident in its performance outlook. Its port division, buoyed by commodities like bauxite, coal, and iron ore, continues to benefit from global supply chain realignment as more Chinese firms adopt a “China + 1” strategy. The group targets RM2 billion in FY25 sales, up from RM1.5 billion last year.
Overall, IJM’s balanced portfolio—spanning robust construction prospects in Johor, an expanding international rental asset base, and consistent performance in its infrastructure operations—positions it for sustained growth. With gearing at a conservative 0.38 times, IJM’s financial flexibility supports further capital deployment in high-value ventures, backed by a commitment to stable dividend payouts.
