The following has been emailed to MSWG and SC on March 27:
The followings are discussed during our conversation on Feb 24. Thank you for your time. Would appreciate if you could set up a forum for all concerned Puncak shareholders as soon as possible.
Best regards,
1. In Puncak Niaga’s second quarter report, the balance sheet is shown to have
Other investments 63,713 Cash & bank balances 280,358 Short-term investments 906,065 Total assets: 1,754,250
The 63.713 million investment is a L3 financial asset purchased during the second quarter that classified it as long-term asset. Had this L3 financial asset considered liquid, the cash & equivalent of Puncak Niaga would have crossed 70% threshold and be classified as PN 16 company ((63,713+280,358+906,065)/1754250)=71.26%. The issue is, what’s this other investments of 63.713 million so crucial to Puncak’s business development? Without doubt, if the significance of this investment can’t be explained, its nothing but an attempt to hide asset to avoid PN 16 classification.
Thus, we urge SC to investigate into this matter and classify Puncak as a PN 16 company regardless how Q3 and future financial reports are presented.
2. Misinformed Expensive Plantation Deal
Seller: Shin Yang Holding Sdn. Bhd. (shareholders include Tan Sri Datuk Ling Chiong Ho) Acquisition price: RM 446,505,690.45 (Puncak Niaga’s stake of 60% is RM 267,903,414) Date of announcement: Oct 17, 2016 Palm Oil price during the month: Should be about RM 2,600 Land (location): Murum District and Silat District, Sarawak (Lot 13-15, 18, 20-23, Murum District, Lot 1, Silat District). Land (size): 43,139.5 hectares (planted: 9,766.9 hectares, unplanted: 33,372.6 hectares) Palm age: Less than 18 months 7,258.10 hectares More than 18 months 2,508.80 hectares
A recent transaction deal announced on Bursa: Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad
Seller: Shin Yang Oil Palm (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. (Shareholders include Tan Sri Datuk Ling Chiong Ho) Acquisition price: RM 873,005,875.00 Date of announcement: July 04, 2016 Palm Oil price during the month: Should be about RM 2,300 Land (location): Between Batang Belaga and Sungai Murum, Belaga District, Kapit Division, Sarawak. (Lot 30-42 Murum Land District, Lot 40-64 Punan Land District) Land (size): 47,000 hectares (planted: 23,798 hectares, unplanted: 6,772 hectares) Palm age: Less than 4 years: 6,716 hectares 4 years – 10 years: 12, 388 hectares 11 – 16 years: 4,694 hectares
Puncak Niaga’s purchase is extremely expensive compared to what’s presented by Sarawak Oil Palm. Sarawak Oil Palm purchase prices its planted acreage at RM 34,224 per hectare while Puncak Niaga is paying RM 45,714 per hectare, a premium of 33.57%!
In addition, 52% of Sarawak Oil Palm purchase has trees between 4 – 10 years old while 74% of Puncak purchase has trees less than 18 months that the Board of Puncak considered as ‘matured’ trees that has clearly misled minority shareholders!
Finally, given trees planted are mostly less than 18 months, it is possible that the deal has been leaked to seller that has incentivized the seller to plant at a speed of at least 400 hectares per month (the planting speed of Sarawak Oil palm’s is 140 hectares per month for trees less than 4 years)!
3. Puncak Niaga is offering to purchase TRIPLC at RM 210 million while at the announcement date on Dec 16, 2016, TRIPLC has a market capitalization of RM 139 million at RM 2.03 per share. That’s a premium of 51%. What’s more, when the Head of Agreement was announced on April 18, 2016, TRIPLC was ONLY trading and closed at RM 1.41 per share with a market capitalization of RM 96,549,869. That’s a premium of 117% . Since the conclusion of the Selangor water asset disposal and distribution of special dividend of RM 1.00 per share, the share price of Puncak Niaga has dropped to new low. As of Feb 24, Puncak Niaga’s closing price is 0.985 with a market capitalization of RM 442 million, less than 40% of its cash in hand. The phenomenon is not temporary, in fact, it’s on a declining trend from RM 1.70 per share right after the special dividend is distributed. We are urging SC to intervene to defend minority shareholders by requiring Puncak Niaga to offer minority shareholders an exit option at a minimum price of 2.68 per share (the cash position of Puncak Niaga at the 2016 Q3 financial report (63.713 million other investment, 913.735 million short term investments, and 229.990 million cash and bank balances divided by shares outstanding of 449,283,784) on the following grounds:
1. Dubious purchase of level 3 financial asset to avoid PN 16 classification.
2. Expensive plantation and TRIPLC deals that clearly disregard minority shareholders interest (a clear case of Puncak Niaga suffering from principal agent problem.)
3. Given recent cases of majority shareholders offering a heavy discount to net asset citing unfavorable market condition, it is better to let minority shareholders an option to leave when the cash is in the company and the asset easier to evaluate. Please do not let us suffer financial losses after being humiliated by independent adviser trying to educate us the terminology ‘reasonable’ but ‘unfair’ or ‘unreasonable’ but ‘fair.’
I have received acknowledgement of email from SC but yet to receive any call from them. Meanwhile, Mr. Wong of MSWG has replied as follow:
We are currently discussing with Bursa on the definition on the classification of the “Other Long Term Investments” in Puncak Niaga which lasted for only 2 quarters, hopefully we will get clarifications from Bursa over this matter before we decide the next move on the possible trigger of PN16 by Puncak Niaga.
Regards, Wong Kin Wing, CFA (黄建融) Manager Corporate Monitoring Division Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG) 11th Floor, Bangunan KWSP No. 3, Changkat Raja Chulan Off Jalan Raja Chulan 50200 Kuala Lumpur Tel : 03-2070 9090 Fax : 03-2070 9107
In return, I have emailed him with the following content:
Dear Mr. Wong,
Thank you for your reply. Your effort and work on Puncak Niaga is much appreciated. Given my initial email, may I know what's MSWG on the rest of the matters I have raised?
If you are minority shareholder and would like to seek further clarification, kindly call MSWG or SC. Meanwhile, I will insist on my request and hope for support here, given this is the only platform that I can use to reach out to minorities. Thanks!
Practice Note No. 16/2005 or PN16 in short, is issued by Bursa to address Cash Companies, deciding whether to maintain the company’s listing status or proceed with de-listing exercises. During this period as a Cash Company, the listed company is obliged regularize its condition by:- 1.Submiting a proposal to regularize its condition; and 2.Upon approval from relevant authorities, the listed company must implement its proposal within the timeframe approved by the relevant authorities.
A Cash Company that fails to regularize its condition or its proposal is rejected by the authority, will face the situation where its shares and securities will be suspended and subsequent de-listing procedures will commence.
Pertaining to my email to MSWG, the followings are the reply:
As per your complaint, please find below our investigation and findings:
1. Puncak Niaga’s second quarter 2016 report As mentioned previously, we are seeking clarification with Bursa Malaysia on the definition of “Other Long Term Investments”. We will revert back to you on this issue once we got the response from Bursa Malaysia.
2. Plantation deal According to the analysis done by our plantation analyst, her finding was that the acquisition is for the entire issued and paid up capital of Danum Sinar S/B together with the land, estate office building, estate management and staff quarter, guests house, storage and other ancillary facilities relating to the oil palm business. The lands were priced at RM18,500 per acre for planted portion and RM3,500 per acre for unplanted portion. However, MSWG has no expertise to comment on the acquisition price because:-
(i) The acquisition is for the equity stake in the company, not any particular assets, e.g. estate land. As this is a private company, we would not be able to value the company without further research on the financial stand and the outlook of the company. (ii) The price of any estate land and the biological assets are not just based on the acreage and the age of the crops. There are many other factors, such as location, geographical condition of the land, soil condition, etc, to be taken into consideration.
For a broad comparison with the recent acquisition by Sarawak Oil palm, the price paid by Puncak Niaga seemed to be on the high side as highlighted by the complainer. However, compare with the price offered by KLK for the proposed acquisition of a plantation company with operations in Kalimantan, the price seemed reasonable.
3. Puncak Niaga’s offer to purchase TRIPLC According to our investigation, the realisable net asset value of TRIPLC should be RM360 million, which is at a deep discount to the offer price of RM210 million made by Puncak Niaga. Indeed, the deal is unfair to the shareholders of TRIPLC rather than to the shareholders of Puncak Niaga.
Regards, Wong Kin Wing, CFA (黄建融) Manager Corporate Monitoring Division Minority Shareholder Watchdog Group (MSWG) 11th Floor, Bangunan KWSP No. 3, Changkat Raja Chulan Off Jalan Raja Chulan 50200 Kuala Lumpur Tel : 03-2070 9090 Fax : 03-2070 9107
Should you find the above insufficient, please contact Mr. Wong to seek further clarification. Thanks.
All the money put in by Bursa to come up with the hardware software rules and regulations for a properly operating Bursa market to establish a fair market price... ended up with a totally irrelevant market price???
If NTA is the basis to go... PUNCAK should do shares swap instead of paying cash
long time ago I already said the deal is good for puncak bad for triplc, clouded shareholders don't want to believe, now even MSWG agrees. anyone who does a bit of homework on concession biz and the land price would have known that.
Triplc price is low now because people don't know how long this deal is going to take to complete, just like why Puncak price is low because nobody knows when they will turn profitable
r°Moi is still in denial. if market is so efficient, then don't bother investing already. everything is reflected in the price where got upside
but kudos to kahhoeng. regardless whether it has changed your mind, but at lest you have the guts to share what MSWG actually mention although it contradicts your initial thinking
Jay, I believe I have mentioned before I am no expert and can't decide on TRIPLC's value, but if the market is an indicator, TRIPLC is definitely NOT worth the money, despite how you run the math. In addition, I am only asking the board to table an option to minorities, to let go with at least an offer price of 2.50 per share. Rozali can laugh to the end after seeing those short-sighted minorities, including me, go while he is making tons and tons of money for all I care... What's more, I have emailed SC my concern over plantation deal, how the board had twisted the classification of L3 investment to avoid PN 15 classification, and how minorities have not benefited from any asset accumulation by the listed companies.
the market is not always right but it's usually fair.
Triplc was undervalued back then because nobody really understood the university concession biz. all they see is the high gearing and they freaked out. plus it's a very small company with low liquidity so it's does not really appeal to most. but now more people understand that high gearing in concession biz is not all bad, it's just the nature of the biz. that's why now you see stocks like ekovest, WCE, ahmad zaki are all surging
after puncak started the negotiations (and maybe some have read my articles), people start to appreciate the company more until the highest it went up around 2.40. so if according to your theory that market is always the best indicator, then that shows the value
after the deal was announced, people sold on news as the deal like I said was not entirely favourable to Triplc plus the timeline seems longer than initially expected. price is low now most likely because of 1) deal execution risk and 2) opportunity cost (most don't want to invest in laggard stock in a bull market). so like I said, market may not be right but it is fair
in any disposals, it is meant to unlock value, just like disposing a plot of land, you will sell it at market value regardless of what your old book value is. similarly puncak cannot expect to buy Triplc at price, but should buy at value, if not what's the purpose of disposal?
puncak's price now is also fair because despite the so called high NTA and high cash, it is still bleeding losses and burning cash. lastly, I have stress it many times, the deal is good for puncak bad for triplc. it is the golden ticket for puncak to finally return to profitability and let market re-rate it. too bad many shareholders are still too blind to see it.
it's more realistic to bet that once puncak makes profit again after the acquisition, the price will move back up rather than hoping for an unrealistic cash windfall of RM2.50
What the hell are you talking about... If market is fair... it follows then that market price must be fair... then PUNCAK should be just paying the fair market price for TRIPLC under the RPT... why then 3.04 when the market price which is fair is only 1.74??!!!
Triplc is undervalue because people don like RZL's company. He is brainless, didnt know to operate his business without concession business. He only know to get money out from company. His whole brain is thinking how to get money out from his company n not business
Market is dynamic... so.. market price can change.. will change.. of course
But... THE market price... is always the fair price.. at... as at the very moment when it is quoted
You cannot tell the bank... you cannot margin call on my TRIPLC shares pledged to you now... when it is at 1.74... cause later it will be worth 3.04.. 9 months later if sneaky rosxli was alowed to do his sneaky RPT
Jay, if your market efficient idea holds true, the Puncak price dropped and TRIPLC price upped (but price can't fully reflect the offer) after the TRIPLC deal is announced should suggest the deal is not good for Puncak. In addition, its either market thinks the TRIPLC is overvalued or the money received in the deal will not fully pass on to TRIPLC shareholders. Puncak has a cash and equivalent of more than 1 billion besides other hard assets over 400 millions but with a market capitalization of less than 450 millions. Yet, you believe the current Puncak share price is right because its bleeding with losses. With no core business, its as if the losses can be more than 1 billion? I suppose I would have believed more if you have suggested another possibility, the board of Puncak could possibly trying to benefit themselves at the cost of Puncak's balance sheet and minority shareholders. But then, given how Puncak's been managed, how would TRIPLC be different once its cash rich with nothing else but 310 millions?
Frankly, I don't know how to express my doubts on the functioning of Malaysia equity market. However, through interaction with SC, MSWG, and various other investors/traders in i3investor of late, I have found the following to be intriguing and paradoxical:
Market capitalization vs net asset vs net cash
Net asset is the accumulated wealth of a company through years of operation. Intriguingly, though, I have seen so many MGO, private placements and so forth at a level so much below net asset with experts citing not well perceived by the market (low market capitalization) and deemed the offer not fair but acceptable. This is as if the efforts put in to accumulate the wealth should be ignored and the asset reflected in the balance sheet is bogus. What's more, there's little effort seen from SC to address this, as if there is nothing else could be done. Paradoxically, simply citing the intention of NOT intervening how each corporation should micro-manage itself, SC has allowed the wealth accumulated be awarded to a certain group of people but not minority shareholders.
Hasn't SC realized the inaction is equivalent to denying minority shareholders rightful and equal ownership of the firm, encouraged further withdrawal of retail investors participation in the equity market for fear wealth be destructed overnight despite health balance sheets?
Might announce for right issue in the near future just like L&G. These days are so hard to predict. L&G have about 300 over million in cash and nobody expect them to announce for right issues for some land deals. Nowadays, aiiiiiiiiiii...susah to invest.
Actually Puncak do not need the land from Triplc. Getting Triplc to dispose the land to 3rd party and only buy the concession is a better deal for Puncak.
Pineapple123, please refer to my earlier posts on Puncak. I am not at war with Puncak Rozali, just seek a better treatment for minorities... Tired of keep posting the same stuff
steveooikp, if you are shareholder and worry about the situation, you can always call SC, attend AGM, MSWG, or any other measure to help. What you are doing now won't change a thing...
Sigh! Can only hope Rozali offering capital repayment option or SC intervene, otherwise, minorities will be squeezed harder and harder...
Make it easier, Big fish eats small fish. U cant blame anyone. But i can tell u one thing, be ready..... We r going to sing "I believe i can fly" soon.
Time to exercise your proxy vote. Voted NO to resolution to reappoint 2 directors & Rozali's son. Voted NO to allocated renumeration - no performance, no payment deal. Also voted NO for the company to issue additional shares - dilution of shareholding's value. Only voted Yes for 2 non director's role.
This book is the result of the author's many years of experience and observation throughout his 26 years in the stockbroking industry. It was written for general public to learn to invest based on facts and not on fantasies or hearsay....
kahhoeng
3,950 posts
Posted by kahhoeng > 2017-03-31 18:19 | Report Abuse
The following has been emailed to MSWG and SC on March 27:
The followings are discussed during our conversation on Feb 24. Thank you for your time. Would appreciate if you could set up a forum for all concerned Puncak shareholders as soon as possible.
Best regards,
1. In Puncak Niaga’s second quarter report, the balance sheet is shown to have
Other investments 63,713
Cash & bank balances 280,358
Short-term investments 906,065
Total assets: 1,754,250
The 63.713 million investment is a L3 financial asset purchased during the second quarter that classified it as long-term asset. Had this L3 financial asset considered liquid, the cash & equivalent of Puncak Niaga would have crossed 70% threshold and be classified as PN 16 company ((63,713+280,358+906,065)/1754250)=71.26%. The issue is, what’s this other investments of 63.713 million so crucial to Puncak’s business development? Without doubt, if the significance of this investment can’t be explained, its nothing but an attempt to hide asset to avoid PN 16 classification.
Thus, we urge SC to investigate into this matter and classify Puncak as a PN 16 company regardless how Q3 and future financial reports are presented.
2. Misinformed Expensive Plantation Deal
Seller: Shin Yang Holding Sdn. Bhd. (shareholders include Tan Sri Datuk Ling Chiong Ho)
Acquisition price: RM 446,505,690.45 (Puncak Niaga’s stake of 60% is RM 267,903,414)
Date of announcement: Oct 17, 2016
Palm Oil price during the month: Should be about RM 2,600
Land (location): Murum District and Silat District, Sarawak (Lot 13-15, 18, 20-23, Murum District, Lot 1, Silat District).
Land (size): 43,139.5 hectares (planted: 9,766.9 hectares, unplanted: 33,372.6 hectares)
Palm age: Less than 18 months 7,258.10 hectares
More than 18 months 2,508.80 hectares
A recent transaction deal announced on Bursa: Sarawak Oil Palm Berhad
Seller: Shin Yang Oil Palm (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. (Shareholders include Tan Sri Datuk Ling Chiong Ho)
Acquisition price: RM 873,005,875.00
Date of announcement: July 04, 2016
Palm Oil price during the month: Should be about RM 2,300
Land (location): Between Batang Belaga and Sungai Murum, Belaga District, Kapit Division, Sarawak. (Lot 30-42 Murum Land District, Lot 40-64 Punan Land District)
Land (size): 47,000 hectares (planted: 23,798 hectares, unplanted: 6,772 hectares)
Palm age: Less than 4 years: 6,716 hectares
4 years – 10 years: 12, 388 hectares
11 – 16 years: 4,694 hectares
Puncak Niaga’s purchase is extremely expensive compared to what’s presented by Sarawak Oil Palm. Sarawak Oil Palm purchase prices its planted acreage at RM 34,224 per hectare while Puncak Niaga is paying RM 45,714 per hectare, a premium of 33.57%!
In addition, 52% of Sarawak Oil Palm purchase has trees between 4 – 10 years old while 74% of Puncak purchase has trees less than 18 months that the Board of Puncak considered as ‘matured’ trees that has clearly misled minority shareholders!
Finally, given trees planted are mostly less than 18 months, it is possible that the deal has been leaked to seller that has incentivized the seller to plant at a speed of at least 400 hectares per month (the planting speed of Sarawak Oil palm’s is 140 hectares per month for trees less than 4 years)!
3. Puncak Niaga is offering to purchase TRIPLC at RM 210 million while at the announcement date on Dec 16, 2016, TRIPLC has a market capitalization of RM 139 million at RM 2.03 per share. That’s a premium of 51%. What’s more, when the Head of Agreement was announced on April 18, 2016, TRIPLC was ONLY trading and closed at RM 1.41 per share with a market capitalization of RM 96,549,869. That’s a premium of 117% .
Since the conclusion of the Selangor water asset disposal and distribution of special dividend of RM 1.00 per share, the share price of Puncak Niaga has dropped to new low. As of Feb 24, Puncak Niaga’s closing price is 0.985 with a market capitalization of RM 442 million, less than 40% of its cash in hand. The phenomenon is not temporary, in fact, it’s on a declining trend from RM 1.70 per share right after the special dividend is distributed. We are urging SC to intervene to defend minority shareholders by requiring Puncak Niaga to offer minority shareholders an exit option at a minimum price of 2.68 per share (the cash position of Puncak Niaga at the 2016 Q3 financial report (63.713 million other investment, 913.735 million short term investments, and 229.990 million cash and bank balances divided by shares outstanding of 449,283,784) on the following grounds: