Paradigm REIT Launches IPO: Set to Be Malaysia's Largest in Over a Decade

Valued at RM1.6 Billion: A Major Debut on Bursa Malaysia

PARADIGM REAL ESTATEMENT INVESTMENT TRUST ("Paradigm REIT") has officially launched its Prospectus for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. This landmark IPO is set to achieve an estimated market capitalization of RM1.6 billion, based on an illustrative issue price of RM1.00 per Offer Unit and the listing of 1.6 billion total units. This scale positions the offering as the largest Malaysian REIT IPO in the past 13 years, highlighting the resilience and depth of the nation's equity capital market, even amidst global uncertainties.

Anchor Portfolio: Prime Retail Powerhouses Drive Growth

Paradigm REIT's initial asset portfolio immediately establishes its position as a major player, focusing on generating stable income through a diversified mix of income-producing real estate. The initial lineup, known as the "Subject Properties," includes three core retail powerhouses: Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya (PMPJ), Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru (PMJB), and Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre (BTSC). PMJB, for example, is the largest shopping mall in Iskandar Malaysia, boasting around 1,292,956 square feet of Net Lettable Area (NLA), strategically attracting traffic from Singaporean tourists due to its proximity to the Woodlands Checkpoint. PMPJ adds value as the key component of an integrated commercial development in Petaling Jaya, while BTSC benefits from high visibility in a mature township.

IPO Structure: 560 Million Units Allocated for Broad Investment

The IPO comprises a significant offering of 560.0 million units (Offer Units), carefully structured to include broad participation. The Retail Offering accounts for approximately 254.7 million Offer Units, accessible to the Malaysian public, including a specific allocation for Bumiputera investors, eligible WCT Holdings Berhad (WCTH) directors/employees, and entitled WCTH shareholders. The remaining at least 305.3 million Offer Units are reserved for the Institutional Offering, ensuring strong institutional backing, including a dedicated portion for Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

Leadership Commits to Stable Income and Capital Appreciation

Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Bin Ridzuan, the Chairman of Paradigm REIT Management Sdn Bhd, emphasized the strategic vision: "With a strong portfolio of prime retail assets, we are well-positioned to capitalise on Malaysia’s resilient economy and dynamic consumer trends." This IPO is designed to provide investors and unitholders with an opportunity to invest in a trust that offers stable distribution of income and potential capital appreciation. The management team, led by CEO Chua Kah Noi Selena with over 30 years of experience in retail real estate, is well-equipped to execute this growth strategy, further leveraging the capital access provided by the Bursa Malaysia listing.