The worst for WCEHB is over. Toll collection submitted and will be approved soon, l

In high gear to complete 233km West Coast Expressway

https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2020/01/11/in-high-gear-to-complete-233km-west-coast-expressway

AMIDST all the hoopla surrounding the possible buyout of PLUS Malaysia Bhd, the other long stretching highway in Peninsular Malaysia has been making some notable progress.

While West Coast Expressway Holdings Bhd (WCE) has been perceived as having faced numerous delays and challenges with its land acquisitions, its CEO Datuk Neoh Soon Hiong says the company is in high gear to complete the 233km expressway connecting Banting in Selangor to Taiping in Perak.

The worst is over for us. The land acquisitions are about 95% completed and we have commenced construction works for Sections 7 and 11 – the last two sections, which is estimated to be completed by 2022, ” Neoh tells StarBizWeek.

Section 4 of the WCE is targeted to be opened by the first half of this year, followed by Sections 1,2, 3 and 6 in 2021, and lastly, Sections 7 and 11 in 2022.


To recap, WCE is a greenfield highway project with its 50-year concession agreement signed with the government in January 2013.

It runs parallel to PLUS’ North South Expressway (NSE), and is expected to offload some of the traffic from the NSE as well as provide connectivity to towns along the west coast.

Construction of the expressway commenced in 2014 and was initially slated for completion in 2019.

However, there were delays stemming from land acquisition proceedings and route realignment plans by the previous government.

WCE has just completed the second tranche of a rights issue that saw it raise a total of RM481.31mil

Its major shareholders IJM Corp Bhd, MWE Holdings Sdn Bhd and United Frontiers Holdings Ltd had all subscribed to their portions.

Neoh says that the funds raised from the rights issue, coupled with funds from the earlier government support loan (RM2.24bil), its syndicated term loan (RM1.5bil) and sukuk (RM1bil), in turn, puts WCE in a good position to complete construction of the highway.

Notably, there has been an increase in the project cost for WCE by RM750mil to RM6.69bil largely due to higher estimated land acquisition costs.

However, WCE chief financial officer Lyndon Alfred Felix explains that the company has embarked on wide-reaching project cost savings on actual construction costs. In addition, there have been renegotiations in court for the land acquisition compensations. All of these, he says, will offset the total cost overrun.

As a result, it is highly unlikely for WCE to have another cash call in the near future.

“We are able to bridge the gap in land acquisition cost overrun through recourse from legal cases – the cases completed so far have been successful, ” says Lyndon.

To recap, late last year, WCE completed its rights issue that entailed the offer of 2.005 billion new redeemable convertible preference shares (RCPS) at an issue price of 24 sen per RCPS, together with 501.368 million free warrants, on the basis of two RCPS for every one WCE share held on Oct 24, with one free warrant for every four RCPS subscribed for.

As for toll collections for the WCE highway, which are stipulated in the concession agreement, Neoh says the WCE has submitted documents seeking approval from the government to commence toll collection.

“We expect to receive approval soon.

“Toll collection shall commence with three sections that are already operational, ” says Neoh.

However, some sceptics reckon that the government may not approve the toll collections on WCE so soon, considering that this is a contention issue.

But assuming WCE receives the approval to collect toll charges following the rates stipulated in their concession agreement, another question is, will there be sufficient users? This is also considering that the parallel NSE is likely to see a reduction in toll charges soon.

WCE’s management reckon that their highway has compelling reasons why some users would opt for it.

For one, the WCE highway boasts more interchanges than other highways in Malaysia.

“We have provided 21 interchanges over the 233km stretch – that’s almost one interchange at every 10km. Highways are a catalyst for development, but it is a chicken and egg situation. If there isn’t a big enough development, highway owners are not compelled to connect to towns that are deemed too small.

“For us, it does not matter if the population is small, we will connect to anywhere along the WCE where there is a population. Even if there is no chicken (matured development or sizeable population), we will connect our highway and bring the egg there!” quips Neoh.

Secondly, note that there are two stretches on the WCE that are federal roads managed by the Works Ministry (JKR).

These two sections will be toll-free, meaning that a long haul journey that passes through these two sections will be cheaper compared to the NSE.

80% occupancy for what? Do you know jaks gives free rentals?

Director also cabut already.

Malaysia business treated as zero? I thought we should treat it as negatives or below zero

You chase high, you increased your risk in the process. When this stock is heavily promoted with all kind wonderful justifications (by forgetting its company's other lost-making divisions, plus its CEO's integrity is questionable), a tiny drop will cause margin calls set in.

If you don't sell, you are actually allowing others to sell first.

If you want to play momentum stocks, you will have to chase high which can cause you to lose a lot of money in the event that the growth is not materialised

When you buy at bottom say 0.56 which is below its Book Value, then what risk you are talking about? Dividend of 3 sen min is almost assured. In other words, it can only go upwards or worst case scenario, it will stagnant at this level.

Alhamdulilah...dapat Rm300

Hehe

Oversupply. It will take a while, maybe 2-3 years to arrest the oversupply issues. Until then, no need to see petro chemical companies that include Lctitan

Ok

red flag

Buy BAT & Genting ok or not?

If events panned out not as per projection is considered a lie, then many big Sifus fall into this category.

Not matter what figures or facts you deploy to defend your projection of future share price for a stock, it is still a guess game.

Simply put and it has been a norm. If one agrees with us, he is a true friend and deemed the smartest person. The opposite takes place if one did the otherwise

Very clever of LuckyG. Masih mampu meraih keuntungan dengan membantai saham bernilai besar secara kontra.

belum boleh tidur ke plane?

lu pun sama lah Calvin.

One more point, ie its QR profit has stabilised at Rm80-90mil or 30 sen per Q. In other words, the worst is over.

What a nonsense-infused write up. Skip.

That’s what he good at. Let him jack up Uncle. Don’t over jack or Uncle will be overturned

Good pick En. Cockroach. Wish you all the best come 2020

Hu hah hu hah... Bila 30sen tak mau beli.

Follow your tunnel vision. Now many trap in Bpuri

kawan, do focus on his strength.

During construction boom, Mudajaya can’t perform. Now in the doom time for construction industry. Completion is stiff. Some secured the jobs at slim margin. Worst there are others who are willing to do it at loss.

Boleh kah Mudajaya? I hope I’m wrong.

my goodness

All Sifu will keep the best for the day. They will come out with the best stock JAKS at the last day registration

Thanks Taiko icon8888.

Lucky managed to grab at 0.695.

TanKW,

Kindly add me

AWC 10%
BAT 10%
CCM 10%
CJCEN 10%
DKSH 10%
GENTING 10%
TASCO 10%
TUNEPRO 10%
WCEHB 10%
YTLPOWER 10%

Ini semua kaki kontra....

To win big, you must hold for 2-3 years,

Johor cops seized RM12mil illegal cigarettes yesterday. Total 20 new cargo scanners will be installed next year the 2020 as per approved budget last October.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/25/johor-customs-seizes-rm12mil-in-illicit-cigarettes#cxrecs_s

Soon, this illegal cigarettes will be wiped out. This ph government has no money and this seizure can help them to tap more taxes from legal cigarettes.

On average, the pro still wins. Apa mau bising?


Posted by gemfinder > Dec 25, 2019 1:49 PM | Report Abuse

exactly corect by bluebiznet
Very pandai hor.. lost counter u all forgot, win counter u anounce using speaker.. wat alzhimer illness u hv? So great geh?

when a pro talks, we better adhere to it.

Please read its AR.

Don't be suprised if WCE offer to upgrade from present 2-lane to 3-lane in the future, it can be extended to 80 years. Plus obtained extension by upgrading the highway.

Recent report said December 2019. So far no news.

I'm not too worry about this because the more delay the collection, the more traffic WCE will enjoy. The 60 year concessions is from the start date of toll collection.

Very simple.

Normally there are 3 kinds of risks for a project like this to resume.

Risk No. 1 - Finance risk
Risk No. 2 - Execution risk
Risk No. 3 - Operation risk

Risk No. 1 already resolved. Please read its AR. WCE has secured the fundings necessary to complete the job.

Risk No. 2 is getting lesser and lesser as the highway project is approaching its completion period. Further, IJM the father of construction giant is navigating the execution process.

Risk No. 3 - Partial of its sections already open for traffic. Toll collection soon. This operating risk is also gradually reducing.

As you can see Jaks & MFCB, their share prices will be trending higher as the project is at the last legs of completion. So will WCEHB.

James, now you have become a reporter.

Alhamdulilah. I think Rm8.00 is very soon.

If Rm goes up against foreign currency next year, BAT will benefit tremendously.

There is a Pak Pandir who still think 5sen is possible.

Pandangan yang tajam boleh En. Lim

Public company means public can voice out their opinions.

If it has legal implications, I think many Sifu have already been jailed.

Dia cakap yang betul

Merry krismas

Ok noted with thanks

Of course ock will deny like najib. But evidence is already compiled. Mana mau lari?

any latest news?

@sslee, what happened today?

Good luck folks.