5 July, 2017
Wong & Partners is advising S P Setia Berhad ("S P Setia") in connection with the acquisition of the entire share capital of I&P Group Sdn Bhd ("I&P Group") from Permodalan Nasional Berhad, AmanahRaya Trustees Bhd (as Trustee for Amanah Saham Bumiputera) and Dato’ Mohd Nizam bin Zainordin for a cash consideration of MYR 3.65 billion.
In conjunction with the acquisition, S P Setia has proposed to undertake equity fund raising proposals comprising (a) a proposed rights issue of ordinary shares, (b) a proposed rights issue of new Class B Islamic redeemable convertible preference shares and (c) a proposed placement of new S P Setia shares. Each proposal is intended to raise gross proceeds of up to MYR 1.2 billion and the fund raising proposals are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2017. Of the MYR 2.4 billion proceeds to be raised from the proposed rights issue, approximately MYR 2 billion will be used to part-finance the acquisition of I&P Group while the remainder will be used for property development projects and general working capital.
The acquisition will be an avenue for S P Setia to tap the synergistic opportunities that I&P Group could offer given that its landbanks are located within the growth areas in the central part of Klang Valley and Johor Bahru, where S P Setia has had successful projects and which form the stronghold of its "Setia" brand. I&P Group currently has a landbank of approximately 4,276 acres, and the acquisition will significantly boost S P Setia group's landbank by 83% to approximately 10,000 acres.
Wong & Partners acted as lead transaction counsel. Partner Brian Chia led the team, supported by senior associate Cindy Sek, as well as associates Jacklyn Lim, Siew Yen Tai, Cheng Wei Cheah, Calvin Koay and Jordan Tsen.
"We are privileged to be part of this landmark transaction, particularly when this investment will form the largest property developer in Malaysia and one of the largest in the region. This significant transaction will strengthen S P Setia’s market standing," said Brian.
Tan Mui Hiang, General Counsel of S P Setia said, "It was a pleasure to work alongside Brian and his team at Wong & Partners on this transaction. The team displayed both legal and commercial acumen, more so with some of the more technical and multi-faceted aspects of the transaction.”
