F-1/A 1 ea170555-f1a3_arbiot.htm AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO FORM F-1

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 21, 2022

Registration No. 333-267697

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO

FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

ARB IOT GROUP LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not Applicable

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)
 

Cayman Islands     7373   Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

No. 17-03, Q Sentral, 2A, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2

Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

+603-2276 1143

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Cogency Global Inc.

122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor

New York, NY 10168

(800) 221-0102

(Names, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

Louis A. Bevilacqua, Esq.

Kevin (Qixiang) Sun, Esq.

Bevilacqua PLLC

1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 869-0888

Mitchell Nussbaum, Esq.
Angela Dowd, Esq.
Loeb & Loeb LLP
345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154
(212) 407-4000

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement the same offering. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 

The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 21, 2022

 

 

 

ARB IOT GROUP LIMITED

 

1,300,000 Ordinary Shares

 

This is the initial public offering of ARB IOT Group Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability whose principal place of business is in Malaysia. We are offering on a firm commitment basis 1,300,000 ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, assuming an initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share. We anticipate that the initial public offering price per ordinary share will be between $4.00 and $6.00.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. We have applied for listing our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ARBB.” No assurance can be given that our application will be approved. This offering is contingent upon the final approval of our listing application by Nasdaq and we will not consummate and close this offering without such approval.

 

Investing in our ordinary shares involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our ordinary shares.

 

We are an “emerging growth company” and a “foreign private issuer,” each as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws, and, as such, are eligible for reduced public company reporting requirements for this and future filings.

 

ARB Berhad, through ARB Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and ARB IOT Limited, currently owns 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Upon the closing of this offering, we anticipate that ARB Berhad will own approximately 95.06 % of our outstanding ordinary shares assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering (or approximately 94.36% if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) and we will meet the definition of a “controlled company” under the corporate governance standards for Nasdaq listed companies. As a “controlled company,” we will be eligible to utilize certain exemptions from the corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market although we do not intend to avail ourselves of these exemptions.

 

    Per Share     Total  
Initial public offering price   $                    $                
Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)   $       $    
Proceeds to us, before expenses   $       $    

 

  (1) Represents underwriting discount and commissions equal to 7.0% per ordinary share. We have also agreed to issue warrants to purchase ordinary shares to the representative of the underwriters and reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in connection with this offering. See “Underwriting” beginning on page 104 for additional information regarding total underwriting compensation, including information on underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

 

We have granted the underwriter an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of the closing of this offering, to purchase up to an additional 195,000 ordinary shares on the same terms as the other shares being purchased by the underwriter from us to cover over-allotments, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The underwriter expects to deliver the ordinary shares to purchasers in this offering on or about [    ], 2023.

 

Maxim Group LLC

 

The date of this prospectus is [    ], 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
RISK FACTORS 11
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 37
USE OF PROCEEDS 38
DIVIDEND POLICY 39
CAPITALIZATION 40
DILUTION 41
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 42
CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE 54
INDUSTRY 58
BUSINESS 67
REGULATIONS 77
MANAGEMENT 83
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS 87
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 88
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL 90
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 97
TAXATION 98
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 103
UNDERWRITING 104
EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS OFFERING 114
LEGAL MATTERS 115
EXPERTS 115
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 115
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither we, nor the underwriter has authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, or any free writing prospectus, as the case may be, or any sale of ordinary shares.

 

For investors outside the United States: Neither we, nor the underwriter has done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the ordinary shares and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

 

i 

 

 

COMMONLY USED DEFINED TERMS

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context and for the purposes of this prospectus only, references in this prospectus to:

 

“ASEAN” are to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, currently comprised of ten member states in Southeast Asia, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.

 

“IFRS” are to the International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board;

 

“RM” or “Ringgit Malaysia” are to the legal currency of Malaysia;

 

“U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “USD” or “$” are to the legal currency of the United States; and

 

“we,” “us,” “the Company,” “our,” “our company” or “ARB IOT Group” are to the combined business of ARB IOT Group Limited, an exempted company incorporated in Cayman Islands, and its consolidated subsidiaries;

 

As all of our operations are conducted in Malaysia, all of our revenues are denominated in RM and our consolidated financial statements are presented in RM. This prospectus contains translations of RM amounts into USD at specific rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RM to USD in this prospectus were made at a rate of RM4.4055 to $1.00. We make no representation that any RM could have been, or could be, converted into USD, as the case may be, at any particular rate, at the rates stated below, or at all. The Malaysian government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of RM into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On June 30, 2022, the exchange rate was RM4.4055 to $1.00.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning exchange rates between the RM and the USD. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 

   For the year ended
June 30,
2022
   For the year ended
June 30,
2021
 
Period Ended RM: USD exchange rate   4.4055    4.2175 
Period Average RM: USD exchange rate   4.3180    4.1153 

 

Numerical figures included in this registration statement have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.

 

Our fiscal year end is June 30. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended June 30 of that calendar year. Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.

 

This prospectus includes statistical and other industry and market data that we obtained from industry publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies generally indicate that their information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information. While we believe these industry publications and third-party research, surveys and studies are reliable, you are cautioned not to give undue weight to this information.

 

We have proprietary rights to trademarks used in this prospectus that are important to our business. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are without the ®, ™ and other similar symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

This prospectus may contain additional trademarks, service marks and trade names of others. All trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this prospectus are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trademarks, service marks or trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other person.

 

ii 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights information that we present more fully in the rest of this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before buying shares in this offering. This summary contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, assumptions or future events. These statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” section and the financial statements and the notes to those statements.

 

The Company

 

Our Business

 

We are a provider of complete solutions to our clients for the integration of Internet of Things (“IoT”) systems and devices from designing to project deployment. Our mission is to become a leading player in the IoT landscape in the ASEAN region. We offer a wide range of IoT systems as well as provide customers a substantial range of services such as system integration and system support service. We deliver holistic solutions with full turnkey deployment from designing, installation, testing, pre-commissioning, and commissioning of various IoT systems and devices as well as integration of automated systems, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works.

 

Recent new technology trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, 5G, robotic process automation (RPA), IoT and hyper-connectivity continue to transform businesses and drive companies to seek digital changes to meet evolving demands of customers. We have built up an IoT development ecosystem to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities brought by new digital technologies, offering an array of design and development system software, application software and other software in providing digital solutions for various processes, sub-processes, transactions and activities.

 

Currently, we have organized our operations into four business lines:

 

IoT Smart Home & Building. We offer smart home solutions which include design, procurement and provision of smart home products and devices, integration services as well as comprehensive professional electrical wire installation and home data network setup for homeowners. We also provide smart building solutions which include design, procurement, installation, testing, pre-commissioning and commissioning of various IoT systems, solutions and devices as well as integration of automated systems for smart buildings, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works for property developers and contractors. As of the date of this prospectus, we have secured a total cumulative order book of approximately RM166 million ($37.7 million) for our smart home and building business since the launch of this line in 2019, serving Selangor, Perak and Penang, the population of which three states in aggregate account for approximately 33.1% of Malaysia’s total population, and unperformed contract sums were approximately RM91.8 million ($20.8 million) as of the date of this prospectus. For risks relating to the performance of the orders, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Our product supply and service agreements generally give our customers flexibility to terminate engagements without cause by giving notice in advance, and as such, subjects our revenue to uncertainty to some degree” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—All of our projects have agreed milestones and specific completion dates. If we fail to meet these contractual commitments, we could be subject to financial penalties or claims for liquidated damages, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.” For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM29.7 million ($6.74 million), accounting for 59.0% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM0.7 million ($0.2 million), accounting for 0.2% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

IoT Smart Agriculture. We carry out services of supply, installation, commissioning and testing of smart hydroponic system which includes IoT concept and functionality to the current existing hydroponic system. We started venturing into the provision of customized hydroponics IoT systems and solutions for the agriculture industry in 2021. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we installed a hydroponic system with cloud-based remote monitoring and control capability on approximately 30 acres of land in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia to plant various types of fruits and vegetables, generating revenue of approximately RM166.3 million ($37.7 million), accounting for 37.5% of our total revenue over the same period.

 

1

 

 

IoT System Development. We procure, supply and deliver to our customers industrial building systems (IBS) for construction projects to improve the efficiency and accuracy of construction works, as IBS enables contractors to reduce concrete mixing activities at construction sites as well as the overall duration of construction projects. Our IBS is equipped with IoT technologies that are designed to connect machines and provide accurate tracking of workloads. We intend to further develop and optimize our IBS systems with additional IoT applications. As of the date of this prospectus, we have secured multiple contracts, each worth tens of millions RM, from property developers and construction contractors. We are also expanding into IoT warehouse management systems as well as drone services for farms and plantations, with a view to establishing a versatile IoT system development ecosystem providing automation technologies and digital solutions for a broad range of industries. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM6.0 million ($1.4 million), accounting for 11.9% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this business line was RM258.9 million ($58.8 million), accounting for 58.4% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

IoT Gadget Distribution. We distribute mobile gadget accessories to end users in Malaysia via resellers, distributors and retailers. In the process, we provide certain services including shipping tracking and status updates, customer care line and online chat support, digital marketing, pre-installation and warranty services. Currently, we have a broad customer base with approximately 2,800 resellers, distributors and retailers who spread across eleven (11) major cities in Malaysia. These resellers, distributors and retailers directly purchase gadget products from us and we do not charge any fee for providing the marketing and sales services. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM14.6 million ($3.5 million), accounting for 29.0% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this segment was RM17.2 million ($3.9 million), accounting for 3.9% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

We have benefited from ARB Berhad’s experience, reputation and network in Malaysian information technology (“IT”) industry. As an operating segment of a seasoned Malaysian public company, we have gained from established business processes and a veteran leadership team, allowing us to focus our attention on growing and developing our IoT business. While our history with ARB Berhad has provided us with certain competitive advantages, we believe that the separation and this offering will promote clearer segregation of business responsibilities and operations for the IoT segment, thereby enabling efficient allocation of resources to accelerate the growth of our IoT business, and allow us to have direct access to a globally recognized stock exchange, which would increase our financial flexibility to explore expansion and growth prospects and enhance our corporate reputation and recognition. See “Corporate History and Structure” and “Related Party Transactions—Historical Relationship with ARB Berhad.

 

Our business has grown rapidly as demonstrated by the increase in revenue from approximately RM50.3 million ($11.4 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM443.0 million ($100.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of RM392.7 million ($89.1 million), or 780.7%, and in profit from approximately RM18.9 million ($4.3 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM73.4 million ($16.7 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of 289.0%. For additional information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths are essential to our success and differentiate us from our competitors:

 

Strong Core Competencies of Our In-House Research and Development. We invest resources in research and development to enhance our existing IT solutions and develop new IT platform and improve our core technology. We expect to continue to expand the capabilities of our technology in the future and to invest in continued research and development efforts. Our in-house R&D team is able to provide innovative solutions and user-friendly products. We are a customer-centric aggregator (platform and service enabler) who constantly seek to innovate new solutions and keep abreast with the new industry trends through continuous market research and maintain constant communication with strategic partners. Our R&D team is backed by a group of experienced chief scientific advisors who are responsible for working closely with the industrial needs that eventually will result in new or improved products, processes, systems or services that can increase our clients’ productivity.

 

Extensive National Sales and Distribution Network. ARB IOT Group’s IoT gadget distribution business has an extensive sales and distribution network of mobile gadget accessories from reputable brands, with an estimated close to 2,800 number of resellers and retailers, covering every major city in Malaysia. We can leverage on our existing reseller network to sell mobile gadget accessories to the end users and scout for cross-selling opportunities throughout the existing business networks.

 

Capability in Large Scale Engagements. ARB IOT Group has demonstrated its ability to implement large scale IoT deployments, differentiating itself from its competitors who primarily occupy the small and medium scale space, leading it to be perceived as a top-tier IoT system integrator. This allows ARB IOT Group to compete more effectively against larger players in future large scale implementation projects and secure collaborations with industry-leading players.

 

Ability to Integrate Solutions from a Variety of Vendors. In the Smart Home space, ARB IOT Group has the capability to develop centralized control and monitoring solutions that can integrate a wide range of smart home devices and allow users to access these solutions via smartphone or desktop applications.

 

2

 

 

Experienced Key Management Personnel. Our company’s success is supported by an experienced and committed key management team led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong who has more than 20 years of experience in IT industry. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of ARB IOT Group since ARB Berhad’s diversification efforts to include the provision of information technology solutions and services and related activities in 2018. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong has made contributions to the growth of ARB IOT Group with his management, business knowledge and experience in the industry. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is supported by the key management who have diverse experience in their respective fields, from finance to sales and marketing. Their combined experience, coupled with their drive and passion for our business have been instrumental to our company’s growth strategies and success. Our strategic planning and direction, and technology leadership have given us the competitive advantage to compete effectively with competitors. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong has won an award from the prestigious Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (“APEA”). APEA is a regional award recognition program recognizing entrepreneurial excellence. It aims to band leading entrepreneurs and organizations across Asia to spur greater innovation, fair practices and growth in entrepreneurship, creating a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem which will then shape Asia to sustainable economic and social growth.

 

Our Market Opportunity

 

We mainly focus on IoT growth market in the ASEAN region, driven by favorable factors such as rapid urbanization, proliferation of technology and mobile devices and shift from traditional agriculture to IoT agriculture in ASEAN countries. We aim to be one of the top IoT player in the ASEAN region, particularly in the agriculture, property development and logistic industries. We anticipate to collaborate with local partners for IoT products and services to penetrate the local market of ASEAN countries.

 

We expect to set up our regional center in Singapore to support our IoT business for ASEAN countries. Other than the existing sales office in Malaysia, we also plan to set-up sales representative offices in other major ASEAN cities such as Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Manila, Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Our Growth Strategies

 

We will continue to adhere to our business principles of helping businesses capitalize on new opportunities, inspire and implement innovative IoT solutions for businesses to achieve optimal efficiency. We believe that our pursuit of these goals will lead to sustainable growth driven by our capacity expansion based on market demand, solidify our position in the industry, and create long-term value for shareholders. To meet our competitive challenges, further grow our business and enhance our competitive position, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

 

Solidify our industry position by gaining additional market share. Our goal is to strengthen our market position and accelerate our expansion by expanding our scale and gaining additional market share. We plan to expand our business through horizontal or vertical acquisition, strategic partnership, and joint ventures in any complementary businesses. The potential projects and/or investments may include those relating to our existing IT business such as those relating to the provision of IoT systems and solutions, or such other businesses which our Board of Directors may deem beneficial and are complementary to our existing businesses. We also plan to invest in R&D of technology to improve our product development work. In addition, we intend to make investment across all areas of our business, including sales, marketing, lead generation and product development to acquire new customers.

 

Expand our customer base. We intend to expand our presence in targeted ASEAN countries by growing our direct sales force and regional sales channels, leveraging our local resources to quickly enter new markets, while also minimizing requirements for capital outlay. We believe our existing market and new markets will represent significant opportunities for growth. In particular, we are currently seeking to establish stronger customer ties in various ASEAN countries in anticipation of future growth in the IoT Smart Agriculture industry in those regions. With established long-term operations, broad coverage of project portfolio and high standard quality control, we intend to maintain solid relationships with our customers and distributors. In addition, we seek to further grow our business by boosting public recognition for our brand name and image through various digital marketing initiatives. These include a combination of marketing activities on both online and offline channels, including, among others, holding product launch events and issuing press releases.

 

3

 

 

Execute on operational improvement opportunities to drive earnings growth, expand margins, and increase cash flow. In addition to growing topline product offerings, our financial performance has also benefited from cross selling, and we believe there are still significant value-creation opportunities available from operational optimization efforts going forward. We anticipate these new opportunities, along with our existing value-creation programs, will generate cost savings, which are expected to more than offset inflation in our underlying costs. Key initiatives that we expect to contribute to these cost savings include leveraging the strength of our centralized business unit structure to increase commercial focus in local regions, optimizing our purchasing function, increasing coordination in our operations, and reducing general administrative costs. We expect these initiatives to help improve margins, reinforced by the implementation of management incentive programs tied to the initiatives’ performance.

 

Enhance our ability to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals. We believe our success greatly depends on our ability to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals. With a view to maintaining and improving our competitive advantages in the market, we plan to implement a series of initiatives to attract additional and retain mid-to high level personnel, including formulating a market-oriented employee compensation structure and implementing a standardized multi-level performance review mechanism.

 

Our Risks and Challenges

 

Our prospects should be considered in light of the risks, uncertainties, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by similar companies. Our ability to realize our business objectives and execute our strategies is subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the following:

 

We have a limited operating history and experience in the Malaysian IoT industry, which may make it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results.

 

We are subject to credit risks associated with a significant amount of accounts receivable, and if we are unable to collect accounts receivable from our customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

 

We are a holding company, and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries to service our debt and pay dividends, if any, taxes and other expenses.

 

If our customers fail to pay us in accordance with the terms of their agreements, we may have to bring actions to compel payment.

 

All of our projects have agreed milestones and specific completion dates. If we fail to meet these contractual commitments, we could be subject to financial penalties or claims for liquidated damages, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

 

A major safety incident relating to our business could be costly in terms of potential liabilities and reputational damage.

 

We have engaged in and plan to conduct additional strategic transactions, which could divert our management’s attention, result in additional dilution to our shareholders, disrupt our operations and adversely affect our operating results. We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses and technologies or achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions.

 

Our planned expansions outside Malaysia and in the ASEAN region subject us to risks inherent in international operations that can harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

As a IoT solution service provider, our success depends on our ability to recruit, deploy and manage employees.

 

A failure or breach of our security systems or infrastructure as a result of cyber-attacks could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs and cause losses.

 

We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key employees, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to cause a material adverse effect on our business.

 

As long as ARB Berhad controls us, your ability to influence matters requiring shareholder approval will be limited.

 

4

 

 

Some of our directors and executive officers own shares of ARB Berhad or other securities or rights to acquire ARB Berhad’s shares and hold positions with ARB Berhad, which could cause conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest.

 

The market we compete is competitive.

 

If we fail to adopt new technologies to address evolving customer needs or emerging industry standards, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We are subject to general business regulations and laws, as well as regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet, physical and e-commerce retail, digital content, web services, electronic devices, advertising, and other products and services that we offer or sell. Unfavorable changes could harm our business.

 

Our operations are subject to various laws and regulations in Malaysia.

 

Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

 

Because our principal assets are located outside of the United States and all of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States, it may be difficult for you to enforce your rights based on U.S. federal securities laws against us or our officers and directors or to enforce a judgment of a United States court against us or our officers and directors in Malaysia.

  

This offering is subject to the approval of the shareholders of ARB Berhad.

 

There has been no public market for our ordinary shares prior to this offering and an active trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop following the completion of this offering.

 

  Due to the relatively small offering size, the price of our ordinary shares after the offering may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price and suffer losses as a result.

 

As our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our shares.

 

We have limited experience operating as a stand-alone public company.

 

In addition, we face other risks and uncertainties that may materially affect our business prospects, financial condition, and results of operations. You should consider the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 and elsewhere in this prospectus before investing in our ordinary shares.

 

Our Corporate History and Structure

 

In October 1997, ARB Berhad, our indirect controlling shareholder, was incorporated in Malaysia, and became listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad in February 2004. ARB Berhad commenced IoT business in 2019, starting with offering smart home and building solutions.

 

On March 1, 2022, ARB IOT Group Limited was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. Upon our incorporation, one (1) ordinary share, $1.00 par value, was allotted and issued to Charlotte Cloete, who transferred the share to ARB IOT Limited, on the same day. On June 9, 2022, we subdivided our 50,000 authorized shares, par value $1.00 each, into 500,000,000 shares, resulting in our existing shareholder, ARB IOT Limited, holding 10,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.0001. On June 9, 2022, additional 9,990,000 ordinary shares were issued to ARB IOT Limited at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share. On September 19, 2022, ARB IOT Limited subscribed for another 15,000,000 ordinary shares, at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share. As a result, we have 25,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.

 

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Following the completion of a restructuring in March 2022, ARB IOT Group Limited became a holding company of our operating subsidiaries that conduct IoT Smart Home & Building, IoT Smart Agriculture, IoT System Development and IoT Gadget Distribution businesses. See “Corporate History and Structure—Restructuring.” As of the date of this prospectus, ARB Berhad indirectly owns 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares through its wholly owned subsidiaries, ARB Holdings Sdn. Bhd., a company limited by shares under the laws of Malaysia, and ARB IOT Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company.

 

This offering is subject to the approval of the shareholders of ARB Berhad. On October 21, 2022, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of ARB Berhad was held at which the shareholders of ARB Berhad approved the proposed listing of the ordinary shares of the Company on the Nasdaq Stock Market. In the event that the material terms of this offering as currently described in this prospectus change, ARB Berhad may be required to obtain an additional approval from its shareholders prior to the closing of this offering. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Ordinary shares—This offering is subject to the approval of the shareholders of ARB Berhad” on page 30.

 

Immediately following this offering, we expect that ARB Berhad will continue to indirectly own approximately 95.06% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in full, immediately following this offering, ARB Berhad is expected to indirectly own approximately 94.36% of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, we expect that ARB Berhad will continue to have the power acting alone to approve any action requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast and to elect all of our directors.

 

We will become a stand-alone public company following the completion of this offering. We plan to adopt a policy that all material transactions with a related party, as well as all material transactions in which there is an actual, or in some cases, perceived, conflict of interest, will be subject to prior review and approval by our Audit Committee and its independent members, who will determine whether such transactions or proposals are fair and reasonable to ARB IOT Group Limited and its shareholders. See “Related Party Transactions—Historical Relationship with ARB Berhad.

 

The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus. For more information on our operating subsidiaries in Malaysia, see “Corporate History and Structure—Operating Subsidiaries” beginning on page 55.

 

 

 

(1)Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong and his wife, Datin Lim Lee Kian, each holds 50% equity interests of Ukay One Sdn. Bhd.

 

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Corporate Information

 

Our principal executive offices are located at No. 17-03, Q Sentral, 2A, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The telephone number at our executive offices is 03-2276 1143.

 

ARB IOT Group’s registered office is currently located at the offices of Conyers Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box 2681, Grand Cayman, KY1-1111, Cayman Islands, which may be changed from time to time at the discretion of directors.

 

ARB IOT Group’s agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., located at 122 East 42nd Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.

 

Our website can be found at www.arbiotgroup.com. The information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus, nor is such content incorporated by reference herein, and should not be relied upon in determining whether to make an investment in our ordinary shares.

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We had less than $1.235 billion in annual gross revenue during our last fiscal year. As a result, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and may take advantage of reduced public reporting requirements. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

 

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;

 

reduced disclosure regarding executive compensation in periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

 

exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our ordinary shares pursuant to this offering. However, if certain events occur before the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” if our annual gross revenues exceed $1.235 billion or if we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company before the end of such five-year period.

 

Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

 

Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer

 

Upon consummation of this offering, we will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with “foreign private issuer” status. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:

 

the rules under the Exchange Act that require U.S. domestic public companies to issue financial statements prepared under U.S. GAAP;

 

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sections of the Exchange Act that regulate the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of any securities registered under the Exchange Act;

 

sections of the Exchange Act that require insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and that impose liability on insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

the rules under the Exchange Act that require the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, containing unaudited financial and other specified information, and current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events.

 

We will file with the SEC, within four months after the end of each fiscal year (or such other reports required by the SEC), an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent registered public accounting firm.

 

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.

 

Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain of the more extensive SEC executive compensation disclosure rules. Therefore, if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company but remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such rules and will continue to be permitted to follow our home country practice as to the disclosure of such matters.

 

Implications of Being a Controlled Company

 

Under the Nasdaq Rules, a controlled company is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company. We may be deemed a controlled company because we anticipate that ARB Berhad, through ARB IOT Limited, will own more than 50% of our voting power following the completion of this offering. For so long as we remain a controlled company, we are exempt from the obligation to comply with certain Nasdaq corporate governance requirements, including:

 

our board of directors is not required to be comprised of a majority of independent directors;

 

our board of directors is not subject to the compensation committee requirement; and

 

we are not subject to the requirement that director nominees be selected either by the independent directors or a nomination committee comprised solely of independent directors.

 

The controlled company exemptions do not apply to the audit committee requirement or the requirement for executive sessions of independent directors. We are required to disclose in our annual report that we are a controlled company and the basis for that determination. Although we do not plan to take advantage of the exemptions provided to controlled companies, we may in the future take advantage of such exemptions.

 

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The Offering

 

Shares offered  

1,300,000 ordinary shares (or 1,495,000 ordinary shares if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, being the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

     
Offering price   We currently estimate that the initial public offering price will be between $4.00 and $6.00 per share.
     
Ordinary shares outstanding immediately before the offering   25,000,000 ordinary shares. See “Description of Share Capital” for more information.
     
Ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the offering   26,300,000 ordinary shares (or 26,495,000 ordinary shares if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full).
     
Over-allotment option   We have granted to the underwriter a 45-day option to purchase from us up to an additional 15.0% of the ordinary shares sold in the offering (up to 195,000 additional shares) at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions to cover over-allotments.
     
Underwriter warrants   Upon the closing of this offering, we will issue to the underwriter warrants to purchase 5.0% of the total number of ordinary shares being sold in this offering. The exercise price of the underwriter warrants is equal to 110% of the offering price of the ordinary shares offered hereby. The warrants are exercisable commencing six (6) months from the effective date of the registration statement for this offering of which this prospectus forms a part and will terminate three (3) years after such date. The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part also covers the ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise thereof.
     
Use of proceeds  

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $5.0 million from this offering, assuming an initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, being the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and no exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

We plan to use the net proceeds of this offering for (i) future strategic acquisition or investment in other business or technologies, (ii) research and development activities, and (iii) working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” for more information on the use of proceeds.

     
Risk factors   Investing in our ordinary shares involves risks and purchasers of our ordinary shares may lose part or all of their investment. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our ordinary shares.
     
Lock-up   We, our directors and executive officers and any holder(s) of three percent (3.0%) or more of the outstanding ordinary shares of the Company (and all holders of securities exercisable for or convertible into ordinary shares) are expected to enter into lock-up agreements with the underwriter to agree not to sell, transfer or dispose of any ordinary shares, without the underwriter’s prior written consent, in the case of our company, for one hundred and twenty (120) days, and in the case of our directors, executive officers and three percent (3%) beneficial owners, for a period of six (6) months, from the effective date of this registration statement. See “Underwriting.”
     
Proposed trading market and symbol   We have applied to list our ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ARBB”. 

 

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Summary Consolidated Financial Information

 

The following summary historical financial information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in the prospectus and the information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below.

 

The following summary consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2021 and 2022 and for the years then ended have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee, or IFRIC. Our historical results for any period are not necessarily indicative of our future performance.

 

    Years Ended June 30  
    2021     2021     2022     2022  
    RM     USD     RM     USD  
    Restated     Restated              
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income Data                        
Revenue     50,325     $ 11,423       443,024     $ 100,562  
Cost of sales     (40,064 )     (9,095 )     (344,857 )     (78,279 )
Gross profit     10,261       2,328       98,167       22,283  
Other income     12,982       2,947       324       74  
Administrative expenses     (2,841 )     (644 )     (10,193 )     (2,314 )
Finance costs     -       -       (6 )     (1 )
Profit before tax     20,402       4,631       88,292       20,042  
Tax expense     (1,538 )     (349 )     (14,909 )     (3,384 )
Profit for the financial year/period, representing total comprehensive income for the year/period     18,864     $ 4,282       73,383     $ 16,658  
                                 
Profit for the financial year/period, representing total comprehensive income for the year/ period attributable to:                                
Owners of the Company     18,680     $ 4,240       73,582     $ 16,702  
Non-controlling interests     184       42       (199 )     (44 )
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:*                                
Basic     10,000       10,000       10,000,000       10,000,000  
Diluted     10,000       10,000       10,000,000       10,000,000  
                                 
Earnings per share attributable to Owners of the Company:*                                
Basic     1,868       424       7.36       1.67  
Diluted     1,868     $ 424       7.36     $ 1.67  

 

*Presented on a retroactive basis to reflect the share subdivision.

 

 

 

   

As of

June 30, 2021

   

As of

June 30, 2022

 
    RM     USD     RM     USD  
   Restated    Restated          
    (In thousands)  
Summary Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data                        
Current assets     47,236     $ 10,722       134,370     $ 30,500  
Non-current assets     74,143       16,830       194,243       44,091  
Total assets     121,379       27,552       328,613       74,591  
Current liabilities     28,117       6,381       16,005       3,633  
Non-current liabilities     9,284       2,107       18,113       4,112  
Total liabilities     37,401       8,490       34,118       7,745  
Equity attributable to Owners of the Company     80,258     $ 18,218       294,153     $ 66,769  
Non-controlling interests     3,720       844       342       77  
Total equity     83,978       19,062       294,495       66,846  
Total equity and liabilities     121,379     $ 27,552       328,613     $ 74,591  

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

The ordinary shares being offered by us are highly speculative in nature, involve a high degree of risk and should be purchased only by persons who can afford to lose the entire amount invested. Before purchasing any of our shares, you should carefully consider the following factors relating to our business and prospects. You should pay particular attention to the fact that we conduct substantially all of our operations outside the US and are governed by legal and regulatory environments that in some respects differ significantly from the environment that may prevail in the U.S. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results will suffer, the trading price of our shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We have a limited operating history and experience in the Malaysian IoT industry, which may make it difficult to evaluate our business and prospects and may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results.

 

We began operations in 2019, starting with offering smart home and building solutions, and since then, have rapidly expanded our product and service offerings to provide IoT solutions for agriculture, construction, consumer electronics, retail and other industries. Our business has grown rapidly as demonstrated by the increase in revenue from approximately RM50.3 million ($11.4 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM443.0 million ($100.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of RM392.7 million ($89.1 million), or 780.7%, and in profit from approximately RM18.9 million ($4.3 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM73.3 million ($16.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of 287.8%. However, due to our limited operating history and experience in the Malaysian IoT industry, our recent rapid growth may not be indicative of our future growth or financial results and makes an evaluation of our business and prospects difficult and highly speculative. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical growth rates in future periods. Our growth prospects should be considered in light of the risks and uncertainties that fast-growing companies with a limited operating history and experience in our industry may encounter, including, among others, risks and uncertainties regarding our ability to:

 

introduce new products and services;

 

improve our existing products and services;

 

retain existing clients and attract new clients;

 

identify business synergies and enhance connectivity for our clients;

 

adjust and optimize our business model;

 

successfully compete with other companies that are currently in, or may in the future enter, our industry or similar industries; and

 

observe and strategize on the latest market trends.

 

All these endeavors involve risks and will require significant allocation of management and employee resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to effectively manage our growth or implement our business strategies effectively. If the market for our services does not develop as we expect or if we fail to address the needs of this dynamic market, our business, results of operations, and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.

 

Our expansion into new products, services, technologies, market segments and geographic regions subjects us to additional risks.

 

In 2021, we ventured into a number of new market segments, products and services, including IoT Smart Agriculture, industrial building management, drone services and warehouse management. We have limited or no experience in our newer market segments, and our customers may not adopt our product or service offerings. These offerings, which can present new and difficult technology challenges, may subject us to claims if customers of these offerings experience service disruptions or failures or other quality issues. In addition, profitability, if any, in our newer activities may not meet our expectations, and we may not be successful enough in these newer activities to recoup our investments in them. In response to new regulatory requirements or industry standards, or in connection with the introduction of new products, we may need to impose more rigorous risk management systems and policies, which may negatively affect the growth of our business. Any significant change to our business model may not achieve expected results and may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Failure to realize the benefits of amounts we invest in new technologies, products, or services could also result in the value of those investments being written down or written off.

 

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We are subject to credit risks associated with a significant amount of accounts receivable, and if we are unable to collect accounts receivable from our customers, our results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our normal trade credit terms range between 30 to 210 days. As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, we had approximately RM101.2 million ($23.0 million) and RM23.7 million ($5.4 million) in trade receivables. We provide a long credit period from 210 days to 365 days to some large customers to secure contracts from them. However, our customers sometimes still require additional time for payment, depending on their cash flow. Due to uncertainty of the timing of collection, we establish allowance for doubtful account based on individual account analysis and historical collection trends. We establish a provision for doubtful receivables when there is objective evidence that we may not be able to collect amounts due. The allowance is based on management’s best estimates of specific losses on individual exposures, as well as on past trends of collections. Considering customers’ credit and ongoing relationship, management makes conclusions whether any balances outstanding at the end of the period will be deemed uncollectible on an individual basis and on aging analysis basis. The provision is recorded against account receivable balance, with a corresponding charge recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income. Delinquent account balances are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. We did not have any bad debt write-off during the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Approximately 8.9% and 98.6% of the trade receivables as of June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, have been collected as of the date of this prospectus.

 

Although we manage credit risk related to our customers by performing periodic evaluations of credit worthiness and applying other credit risk monitoring procedures, if there is an occurrence of circumstances that affect our customers’ ability to pay us such as deteriorating conditions in, bankruptcies, or financial difficulties of a customer or within their industries generally, our operating cash flow will be under tremendous pressure, and we could experience payment delays or default in payment to our suppliers or other creditors, which may result in material and adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We are a holding company, and we are accordingly dependent upon distributions from our subsidiaries to service our debt and pay dividends, if any, taxes and other expenses.

 

We are a Cayman Islands holding company and have no material assets other than ownership of equity interests in our subsidiaries. We have no independent means of generating revenue. We intend to cause our subsidiaries to make distributions to their shareholders in an amount sufficient to cover all applicable taxes payable and dividends, if any, declared by us. Our ability to service our debt, if any, depends on the results of operations of our subsidiaries and upon the ability of such subsidiaries to provide us with cash, whether in the form of dividends, loans or other distributions, to pay amounts due on our obligations. Future financing arrangements may contain negative covenants that limit the ability of our subsidiaries to declare or pay dividends or make distributions. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities; to the extent that we need funds, and our subsidiaries are restricted from declaring or paying such dividends or making such distributions under applicable law or regulations or are otherwise unable to provide such funds (for example, due to restrictions in future financing arrangements that limit the ability of our operating subsidiaries to distribute funds), our liquidity and financial condition could be materially harmed.

 

We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present possible conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We have entered into a number of transactions with ARB Berhad, our indirect controlling shareholder, and its affiliated companies. In addition, we have entered into transactions with a subsidiary of Ageson Berhad, a Malaysia public listed company where Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is Executive Director. See “Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 88. We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with these transactions were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable, in arm’s-length transactions.

 

We may in the future enter into additional transactions with entities controlled by ARB Berhad or in which any of our directors, officers or principal shareholders (including ARB Berhad), or any members of their immediate family, have a direct or indirect material interest. Such transactions present potential for conflicts of interest, as the interests of these entities and their shareholders may not align with the interests of the Company and our unaffiliated shareholders with respect to the negotiation of, and certain other matters related to, our purchases from and other transactions with such entities. Conflicts of interest may also arise in connection with the exercise of contractual remedies under these transactions, such as for events of default.

 

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Our Board of Directors intends to authorize the Audit Committee upon its formation to review and approve all material related party transactions. We rely on the laws of the Cayman Islands, which provide that the directors owe a duty of care and a duty of loyalty to our company. Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a duty to act honestly, in good faith, and view our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care, diligence, and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. See “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” beginning on page 93 for additional information on our directors’ fiduciary duties under Cayman Islands law. Nevertheless, we may have achieved more favorable terms if such transactions had not been entered into with related parties. These transactions, individually or in the aggregate, may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations or may result in litigation or enforcement actions by the SEC or other agencies. 

 

There is no assurance that our hydroponics IoT project will operate as intended.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2022, we completed construction and deployment of our initial hydroponics IoT project on approximately 30 acres of land in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. However, as the project was recently completed and has not been in operation for long, it is subject to certain risks, including that it may not be able to achieve or maintain the intended benefits, such as high production yields, lower crop losses and reduced operation costs.

 

If our customers fail to pay us in accordance with the terms of their agreements, we may have to bring actions to compel payment.

 

We typically enter into multiple year arrangements with our customers. If customers fail to pay us under the terms of our agreements, we may be adversely affected both from the inability to collect amounts due and the cost of enforcing the terms of our contracts, including litigation. The risk of such negative effects increases with the term length of our customer arrangements. Furthermore, some of our customers may seek bankruptcy protection or other similar relief, including as a result of the impacts and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and fail to pay amounts due to us, or pay those amounts more slowly, either of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Our product supply and service agreements generally give our customers flexibility to terminate engagements without cause by giving notice in advance, and as such, subjects our revenue to uncertainty to some degree.

 

Our product supply and service agreements, such as our drones agreements, typically allow our clients to terminate our master agreements and work orders with or without cause, and, in the case of termination without cause, subject to 30 days’ prior notice.

 

Our clients may terminate or reduce their use of our services for a number of reasons, including that they are not satisfied with our services or our ability to meet their needs and expectations. Even if we successfully deliver on contracted services and maintain close relationships with our clients, factors beyond our control could cause the loss of or reduction in business or revenue from our existing clients. These factors include without limitation:

 

the business or financial condition of that client or the economy generally;

 

a change in strategic priorities by our clients, resulting in a reduced level of spending on technology services;

 

changes in the personnel at our clients who are responsible for procurement of information technology, services or with whom we primarily interact;

 

a demand for price reductions by our clients; and

 

a decision by that client to move work in-house or to one or several of our competitors.

 

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The ability of our clients to terminate their engagement with us at will makes our future sales amounts uncertain. We may not be able to replace any client that chooses to terminate or not renew its contract with us, which could materially adversely affect our revenue and thus our results of operations. Furthermore, terminations in engagements may make it difficult to plan our project resource requirements.

 

If a significant number of clients cease using or reduce their usage of our services, we may be required to spend significantly more on sales and marketing than we currently plan to spend in order to maintain or increase revenue from clients or lay off our IT professionals. Such changes could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We depend on a limited number of customers for a large portion of our revenues.

 

We consider our major customers in each period to be those customers that accounted for more than 10% of overall revenues in such period. For the year ended June 30, 2022, one major customer, Ageson Industrial Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as AB5 Sdn. Bhd.), accounted for 59.5% of the revenues from the IoT System Development line of business and 34.8% of the total revenues. Ageson Industrial Sdn. Bhd. is a related party. See “Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Related Parties.” For the year ended June 30, 2022, another major customer, who is an unrelated third party, accounted for 30.9% of the revenues from the IoT System Development line of business and 18.1% of the total revenues. For the year ended June 30, 2021, one (1) major customer, who is an unrelated third party, accounted for 95.1% of the revenues from the IoT Smart Home & Building line of business and 56.2% of the total revenues. For the year ended June 30, 2021, another major customer, ARB Cloud Sdn. Bhd., accounted for 100% of the revenues from the IoT System Development line of business and 11.9% of the total revenues. ARB Cloud Sdn. Bhd. is a related party. See “Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Related Parties.” The loss of, or a substantial decrease in the volume of, revenues by any of our top customers could harm our revenues and profitability. In addition, an adverse change in the terms of our dealings with, or in the financial wherewithal or viability of, one or more of our significant customers could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We expect that a significant portion of our revenues will continue to be derived from a small number of customers and that the percentage of revenues represented by these customers may increase. As a result, changes in the strategies of our largest customers may reduce our revenues. Further, the impact of COVID-19 may result in a change in demand for our services and products as a result of customers modifying their sales, pricing, or spending practices in response to the global pandemic. The loss of such sales could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

All of our projects have agreed milestones and specific completion dates. If we fail to meet these contractual commitments, we could be subject to financial penalties or claims for liquidated damages, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.

 

All of our projects have agreed milestones and specific completion dates. There is a risk that we may encounter delays in completing our projects or meeting agreed milestones. Failure to complete our projects on time or meet agreed milestones may subject us to financial penalties and claims arising for liquidated damages by our customers. Any extended service delays could adversely affect our reputation, ability to attract new customers and retain existing customers, revenue, and operating results.

 

We depend on third-party providers and suppliers for components of our IoT hydroponics, smart home and building and industrial building management systems and projects, third-party software licenses for our products and services, and third-party providers to transmit signals to our monitoring facilities and provide other services to our customers. Any failure or interruption in products or services provided by these third parties could harm our ability to operate our business.

 

We source a variety of hardware and software from third party suppliers for our IoT hydroponics, smart home and building, industrial building management systems and projects. As a result, our ability to implement IoT solutions for customers depends on third parties providing us with timely and reliable products and services at acceptable prices. In developing and operating our projects, we rely on products supplied by third parties meeting our design and other specifications and on components manufactured and delivered from third parties, and on certain services performed by third parties. We also rely on contractors to perform substantially all of the construction and installation work related to our projects, and we may need to engage subcontractors with whom we have no experience. Any delays, malfunctions, inefficiencies or interruptions in these products or services could adversely affect the quality and performance of our projects and require considerable expense to maintain and repair our projects, which could harm our brand, reputation or growth. In addition, if we are unable to avail ourselves of warranties and other contractual protections with providers of products and services, we may incur additional costs related to the affected products and services, which could adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition.

 

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We rely on third-party software for key automation features in certain of our offerings and on the interoperation of that software with our own, such as our mobile applications and related platform. We could experience service disruptions if customer usage patterns for such offerings exceed, or are otherwise outside of, design parameters for the system and the ability for us or our third-party provider to make corrections. Such interruptions in the provision of services could result in our inability to meet customer demand, damage our reputation and customer relationships, and materially and adversely affect our business. We also rely on certain software technology that we license from third parties and use in our products and services to perform key functions and provide critical functionality. For example, we license the software platform for our monitoring operations from third parties. Because a number of our products and services incorporate technology developed and maintained by third parties, we are, to a certain extent, dependent upon such third parties’ ability to update, maintain, or enhance their current products and services; to ensure that their products are free of defects or security vulnerabilities; to develop new products and services on a timely and cost-effective basis; and to respond to emerging industry standards, customer preferences, and other technological changes. Further, these third-party technology licenses may not always be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If our agreements with third-party vendors are not renewed or the third-party software becomes obsolete, is incompatible with future versions of our products or services, or otherwise fails to address our needs, we cannot provide assurance that we would be able to replace the functionality provided by the third-party software with technology from alternative providers. Furthermore, even if we obtain licenses to alternative software products or services that provide the functionality we need, we may be required to replace hardware installed at our monitoring centers and at our customers’ sites, including security system control panels and peripherals, in order to execute our integration of or migration to alternative software products. Any of these factors could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

We will rely on various third-party telecommunications providers (if any) and signal processing centers (if any) to transmit and communicate signals to our monitoring facility in a timely and consistent manner. These telecommunications providers and signal processing centers could deprioritize or fail to transmit or communicate these signals to the monitoring facility for many reasons, including disruptions from fire, natural disasters, pandemics, weather and the effects of climate change (such as flooding, wildfires, and increased storm severity), transmission interruption, malicious acts, provider preference, government action, or terrorism. The failure of one or more of these telecommunications providers or signal processing centers to transmit and communicate signals to the monitoring facility in a timely manner could affect our ability to provide alarm monitoring, automation, and interactive services to our customers. We also rely on third-party technology companies to provide automation and interactive services to our customers. These technology companies could fail to provide these services consistently, or at all, which could result in our inability to meet customer demand and damage our reputation. There can be no assurance that third-party telecommunications providers, signal processing centers, and other technology companies will continue to transmit and communicate signals to the monitoring facility or provide automation and interactive services to customers without disruption. Any such failure or disruption, particularly one of a prolonged duration, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

We source software and hardware from various local suppliers and any disruption in global supply chain may affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

We source hardware and software from local suppliers. While we are not dependent on any single supplier, any serious and prolonged global shortage of hardware and software required to implement our projects may lead to delay in delivery to customers which may affect our reputation, our business relationship with our customers, or expose us to late delivery penalties. This in turn could potentially result in loss of business opportunities or loss of revenue that may adversely affect our profitability and growth.

 

Our success in the IoT gadgets distribution business depends on our relationships with third party gadget suppliers and their continued performance.

 

We currently source IoT gadgets primarily from a third party supplier on an order-by-order basis and sell them through a large number of resellers, distributors and retailers. We provide sales services to these resellers, distributors and retailers to support their distribution to end users. If the products of the third party supplier have real or perceived quality or safety issues, we may experience negative effects to our reputation as a result of our procurement of products from them. In addition, such supplier may develop relationships with our competitors and such relationships may result in them terminating collaboration with us. If we fail to effectively manage our relationships with, or lose such supplier, we may not be able to substitute them with suitable alternative business partners in a timely manner on commercially acceptable terms or at all, which may negatively impact our revenues, financial condition, operations and prospects.

 

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Indemnity provisions in various agreements potentially expose us to substantial liability for intellectual property infringement and other losses.

 

Our agreements with customers and other third parties generally include indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify them for losses suffered or incurred as a result of claims of intellectual property infringement, or other liabilities relating to or arising from our software, services or other contractual obligations. Large indemnity payments could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Although we normally contractually limit our liability with respect to such indemnity obligations, those limitations may not be fully enforceable in all situations, and we may still incur substantial liability under those agreements. Any dispute with a customer with respect to such obligations could have adverse effects on our relationship with that customer and other existing customers and new customers and harm our business and results of operations.

 

Our ability to manage over 2,800 resellers, distributors and retailers for the distribution of IoT gadgets is subject to a number of risks.

 

Currently, we have a total of approximately 2,800 resellers, distributors and retailers for the distribution of mobile gadget accessories. This business line is primarily based on individual purchase orders placed by these resellers, distributors and retailers. If they fail to successfully market and sell gadget products to end users, or fail to obtain sufficient capital or effectively manage their business operations, consumer relationships, labor relationships or credit risks, it could adversely affect our revenues, as a result of reduced sales of gadget products to them.

 

A major safety incident relating to our business could be costly in terms of potential liabilities and reputational damage.

 

Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and provision of services to the construction, homebuilding and land development industries poses certain inherent health and safety risks. Due to health and safety regulatory requirements and the projects we work on, health and safety performance is critical to the success of our solutions in these fields.

 

Any failure in health and safety performance may result in penalties for non-compliance with relevant regulatory requirements or litigation, and a failure that results in a major or significant health and safety incident is likely to be costly in terms of potential liabilities incurred as a result. Such a failure could generate significant negative publicity and have a corresponding impact on our reputation and our relationships with relevant regulatory agencies, governmental authorities and local communities, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We have engaged in and plan to conduct additional strategic transactions, which could divert our management’s attention, result in additional dilution to our shareholders, disrupt our operations and adversely affect our operating results. We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses and technologies or achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions.

 

In pursuing our business strategy, we have in the past acquired and plan to seek to acquire or invest in businesses, products, technologies, or talent that we believe could complement or expand our business, augment our service and solution offerings, enhance our technical capabilities or otherwise offer growth opportunities. We intend to use 60% of net proceeds from this offering in such strategic acquisitions. We may compete with others for the same opportunities. The pursuit of any of these strategic transactions may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating, and pursuing suitable transactions, whether or not they are consummated.

 

Any strategic transaction may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. If we acquire additional businesses or enter into other strategic transactions, we may not be able to integrate the acquired personnel, operations, and technologies successfully, or effectively manage the combined business following the strategic transactions. In addition, we have limited experience in consummating strategic transactions. We also may not achieve the anticipated benefits from the strategic transactions due to a number of factors, including:

 

failure to evaluate, integrate, utilize or benefit from or accurately anticipate the adoption rates of acquired technologies or services;

 

product synergies, cost reductions, increases in revenue and economies of scale may not materialize as expected;

 

difficulty in retaining, motivating and integrating key management and other employees of the acquired business;

 

the business culture of the acquired entity may not match well with our culture;

 

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unforeseen delays, unanticipated costs and liabilities may arise when integrating operations, processes and systems in geographies where we have not conducted business;

 

unanticipated costs or liabilities associated with the strategic transactions;

 

incurrence of transaction-related costs;

 

assumption of the existing obligations or unforeseen liabilities of the acquired business that we were not able to mitigate through due diligence or other means;

 

difficulty integrating the accounting systems, security infrastructure, operations, and personnel of the acquired business;

 

difficulties and additional expenses associated with supporting legacy products and hosting infrastructure of the acquired business;

 

difficulty converting the current and prospective customers of the acquired business onto our platform and contract terms, including disparities in the revenue, licensing, support, or professional services model of the acquired company;

 

diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;

 

adverse effects to our existing business relationships with business partners and customers as a result of the strategic transactions;

 

unexpected costs may arise due to unforeseen changes in tax, payroll, pension, labor, trade, environmental and safety policies in new jurisdictions where the acquired entity operates;

 

use of resources that are needed in other parts of our business; and

 

use of substantial portions of our available cash to consummate the strategic transaction.

 

In addition, a significant portion of the purchase price of companies we acquire may be allocated to acquired goodwill and other intangible assets, which must be assessed for impairment at least annually. In the future, if our acquisitions do not yield expected returns, we may be required to take charges to our operating results based on this impairment assessment process, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Strategic transactions could also result in dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, which could adversely affect our operating results, increase our financial risk, restrict our ability to take certain actions and cause the market price of our ordinary shares to decline. In addition, if a strategic transaction fails to meet our expectations, our operating results, business, and financial position may suffer.

 

We may be required to record impairment charges against the carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets in the future.

 

As of June 30, 2022 and 2021, we had recorded goodwill and intangible assets with a net book value of RM139.1 million ($31.6 million) and RM68.7 million ($15.6 million), respectively. Besides amortizing intangible assets over 5 to 10 years, we are required to test for impairment at least annually and whenever evidence of impairment exists. During the year ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, amortization of intangible assets of approximately RM15.4 million ($3.5 million) and RM1.5 million ($0.3 million) were recorded in our statements of profit or loss, respectively. Other than that, we have not recorded any impairment charges against the carrying value of our goodwill and intangible assets in the past. The carrying value of our goodwill and intangible asset values are measured using a variety of factors, including values of comparable companies, overall stock market and economic data and our own projections of future financial performance. We may be required in the future to record impairment charges that could have a material adverse effect on our reported results.

 

We will likely need to increase the size and capabilities of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing our growth.

 

In order to execute our business plans, we expect that we will need to significantly increase the number of our employees and the scope of our operations. We currently rely on some of the employees of our ultimate controlling shareholder to administer and supervise some of our operations. See “Related Party Transactions—Arrangement Between ARB Berhad and Our Company.” Our future financial performance and our ability to deliver solutions and services that meet customers’ expectations and to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any future growth effectively. To manage our anticipated future growth, we will need to continue to implement and improve our managerial, operational and financial systems, expand our facilities and continue to recruit and train additional qualified personnel. In addition, the expansion of our systems and infrastructure may require us to commit financial, operational and managerial resources before our revenues increase and without assurances that our revenues will increase. Moreover, continued growth could strain our ability to maintain reliable service levels for our customers. If we fail to achieve the necessary level of efficiency as we grow, our growth rate may decline and investors’ perceptions of our business and our prospects may be adversely affected, and the market price of our securities could decline.

 

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Our lack of insurance could expose us to significant costs and business disruption.

 

The IoT industry in Malaysia is an emerging sector. We currently do not have any product liability or disruption insurance to cover our operations in Malaysia, which, based on public information available to us relating to Malaysia-based IoT companies, is consistent with customary industry practice in Malaysia. We have determined that the costs of insuring for these risks and the difficulties associated with acquiring such insurance on commercially reasonable terms make it impractical for us to have such insurance. If we suffer any losses, damages or liabilities in the course of our business operations, we would not have insurance coverage to provide funds to cover any such losses, damages or product claim liabilities. Therefore, there may be instances when we will sustain losses, damages and liabilities because of our lack of insurance coverage, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our planned expansions outside Malaysia and in the ASEAN region subject us to risks inherent in international operations that can harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

A key element of our strategy is to operate and sell our solutions to customers across the ASEAN region. Operating internationally requires significant resources and management attention. We cannot be certain that the investment and additional resources required to operate internationally will produce desired levels of revenue or profitability. Further, operating internationally subjects us to various risks, including:

 

increased management, travel, infrastructure and legal compliance costs associated with having operations in many countries;

 

increased financial accounting and reporting burdens and complexities;

 

variations in adoption and acceptance of our solutions and services in different countries, requirements or preferences for domestic products, and difficulties in replacing products offered by more established or known regional competitors;

 

new and different sources of competition;

 

laws and business practices favoring local competitors;

 

differing technical standards, existing or future regulatory and certification requirements and required features and functionality;

 

communication and integration problems related to entering and serving new markets with different languages, cultures, and political systems;

 

compliance with foreign privacy and security laws and regulations, including data privacy laws that require customer data to be stored and processed in a designated territory, and the risks and costs of non-compliance;

 

customer preference for data to be stored in a specific geography, location, or region based on unique customer requirements even if not required by applicable privacy and security laws and regulations;

 

compliance with laws and regulations for foreign operations, including anti-bribery laws (such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act), import and export control laws, tax laws, tariffs, trade barriers, economic sanctions, and other regulatory or contractual limitations on our ability to sell our products and services in certain foreign markets, and the risks and costs of non-compliance;

 

compliance with foreign laws, regulations and orders related to health and safety, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

 

heightened risks of unfair or corrupt business practices in certain geographies that may impact our financial results and result in restatements of our consolidated financial statements;

 

fluctuations in currency exchange rates and related effects on our results of operations;

 

difficulties in repatriating or transferring funds from or converting currencies in certain countries;

 

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different pricing environments, longer sales cycles, and longer accounts receivable payment cycles and collections issues;

 

political and economic conditions and uncertainty in the countries or regions in which we operate and around the world;

 

difficulties in recruiting, managing and retaining local partners, including consulting and implementation firms, to support our operations and sales;

 

differing labor standards, including restrictions related to, and the increased cost of, terminating employees in some countries;

 

difficulties in recruiting, hiring and retaining employees in certain countries;

 

difficulties in managing an international workforce and maintaining our corporate culture internationally;

 

the preference for localized software and licensing programs;

 

the preference for localized language support;

 

weaker protection in some jurisdictions for intellectual property and other legal rights than in Malaysia and practical difficulties in enforcing intellectual property and other rights outside of Malaysia, if any;

 

compliance with the laws of numerous foreign taxing jurisdictions, including withholding obligations, and overlapping of different tax regimes;

 

compliance challenges related to the complexity of multiple, conflicting and changing governmental laws and regulations, including employment, tax, privacy, and data protection laws and regulations; and
  
global pandemics such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions and other measures undertaken by governments in response to such pandemics.

 

Any of the above risks could adversely affect our planned international operations in the future, including reducing revenue from customers outside of Malaysia or increasing operating costs, each of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and growth prospects. Some of our business partners also have international operations and are subject to the risks described above. Even if we are able to successfully manage the risks of international operations, our business may be adversely affected if our business partners are not able to successfully manage these risks.

 

As a IoT solution service provider, our success depends on our ability to recruit, deploy and manage employees.

 

Our profitability and service costs are affected by the utilization rates of our employees. If we are unable to maintain appropriate utilization rates and productivity levels for our employees in delivering our services, our profit margin may suffer. Our employee utilization rates are subject to an array of factors including:

 

our ability to forecast demand for our services and maintain an appropriate number of employees;

 

our ability to hire and integrate new employees;

 

our ability to deploy employees with appropriate skills and seniority to projects;

 

our ability to manage the attrition of our employees; and

 

our need to devote appropriate time and resources to training, professional development and other activities that cannot be billed to our clients.

 

Our revenue could also suffer if we misjudge demand patterns and do not recruit sufficient personnel to satisfy our future demand. Employee shortages could prevent us from completing our contractual commitments in a timely manner and cause us to lose contracts or clients. Further, to the extent that we lack sufficient personnel with lower levels of seniority and daily or hourly rates, we may be required to deploy more senior employees with higher rates on projects without the ability to pass such higher rates along to our clients, which could adversely affect our profitability.

 

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If demand for our services and solutions does not develop as expected, our projected revenues and profits may not materialize.

 

Our future profits are influenced by many factors, including economics, technology advancements, and world events and changing customer preferences. We believe that our target markets will continue to grow, that we will be successful in marketing our services and solutions in these markets. If our expectations as to the size of these markets and our ability to sell our products and services in such markets are not correct, our revenue may not materialize, and our business will be adversely affected.

 

A failure or breach of our security systems or infrastructure as a result of cyber-attacks could disrupt our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs and cause losses.

 

Information security risks for technology companies, such as us, have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. These threats may derive from fraud or malice on the part of our employees or third parties or may result from human error or accidental technological failure. These threats include cyber-attacks such as computer viruses, malicious code, phishing attacks or information security breaches.

 

Our operations will, in part, rely on the secure processing, transmission and storage of confidential proprietary and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our customers will rely on our digital technologies, computer, email and messaging systems, software and networks to conduct their operations or to utilize our products or services. In addition, to access our products and services, our customers may use personal smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices that may be beyond our control.

 

If a cyber-attack or other information security breach occurs, it could lead to security breaches of the networks, systems or devices that our customers use to access our products and services which could result in the unauthorized disclosure, release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information (including account data information) or data security compromises. Such events could also cause service interruptions, malfunctions or other failures in the physical infrastructure or operations systems that will support our businesses and customers, as well as the operations of our customers or other third parties. Any actual attacks could lead to damage to our reputation with our customers and other parties and the market, additional costs to the Company (such as repairing systems, adding new personnel or protection technologies or compliance costs), regulatory penalties, financial losses to both us and our customers and partners and the loss of customers and business opportunities. If such attacks are not detected immediately, their effect could be compounded. Although we will attempt to mitigate these risks, there can be no assurance that we will be immune to these risks and not suffer losses in the future.

 

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If we fail to develop or protect our intellectual property adequately, our business could suffer.

 

The Company has attempted, and may attempt, to develop certain intellectual property of its own, but cannot assure that it will be able to develop and/or obtain exclusive rights in trade secrets, patents, trademark registrations and copyright registrations. Aside from two Malaysian trademark applications, we currently own no patents or copyrights in any jurisdiction. The cost of developing, applying for and obtaining such enforceable rights is expensive. Even after such enforceable rights are obtained, there are significant costs for maintaining and enforcing them. The Company may lack the resources to put in place exclusive protection and enforcement efforts. Also, certain of the Company’s product or service offerings initially draws from publicly available technology in the marketplace. The Company’s failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property rights for any reason could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

If the Company were to develop intellectual property, the Company may seek to enforce its intellectual property rights on others through litigation. The Company’s claims, even if meritorious, may be found invalid or inapplicable to a party the Company believes infringes or has misappropriated its intellectual property rights. In addition, litigation can:

 

be expensive and time consuming to prosecute or defend;

 

result in a finding that the Company does not have certain intellectual property rights or that such rights lack sufficient scope or strength;

 

divert management’s attention and resources; or require the Company to license its intellectual property.

 

The Company may rely on trademarks or service marks to establish a market identity for its products or services. To maintain the value of the Company’s trademarks or service marks, the Company might have to file lawsuits against third parties to prevent them from using marks confusingly similar to or dilutive of the Company’s registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks. The Company also might not obtain registrations for its pending or future trademark or service marks applications, and might have to defend its registered trademark or service marks and pending applications from challenge by third parties. Enforcing or defending the Company’s registered and unregistered trademarks or service marks might result in significant litigation costs and damages, including the inability to continue using certain marks.

 

The laws of foreign countries in which the Company may contemplate doing business in the future may not recognize intellectual property rights or protect them to the same extent as do the laws of Malaysia. Adverse determinations in a judicial or administrative proceeding could prevent the Company from offering or providing its products or services or prevent the Company from stopping others from offering or providing competing products, and thereby have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Our products, services or processes could be subject to claims of infringement of the intellectual property of others.

 

Claims that products, services, business methods, or processes infringe upon the proprietary rights of others often are not asserted until after commencement of commercial sales. Third parties may make claims of infringement against the Company in connection with the use of its technology. Any claims, even those without merit, could:

 

be expensive and time consuming to defend;

 

cause the Company to cease making, licensing, or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;

 

divert management’s attention and resources; or

 

require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a necessary software product or system.

 

The Company cannot be certain of the outcome of any litigation. Any royalty or licensing agreement, if required, may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or at all. The Company’s failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other rights could prevent the development, or distribution of the Company’s products and services and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

 

We are dependent on the continued services and performance of our senior management and other key employees, the loss of any of whom could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Our businesses depend on the skills, reputation, and professional experience of our senior management and key employees, the network of resources and relationships they generate during the ordinary course of their activities, and the synergies among the diverse fields of expertise and knowledge held by our senior professionals. Therefore, the success of our business depends on the continued services of these individuals. If we lose their services, we may not be able to execute our existing business strategy effectively, and we may have to change our current business direction. These disruptions to our business may take up significant energy and resources of our company, and materially and adversely affect our future prospects. Specifically, our future performance depends on the continued services and contributions of our Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong, our Chief Financial Officer nominee, Ng Kok Wah and our Chief Technology Officer nominee, Hong Zi Shen who have in-depth knowledge and experience in the technological industry and in managing our operations. Without these key executives and employees, we may not have the ability to execute on our business plans and to identify and pursue new opportunities and innovations. The loss of services of senior management or other key employees could significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our development and strategic objectives. The loss of the services of our senior management or other key employees for any reason could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. We do not presently maintain any key man life insurance policies.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to cause a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly evolve. At this time, there continues to be significant volatility and uncertainty relating to the full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and the various responses to it will impact our business, operations and financial results. The Malaysian government has imposed varying measures to combat COVID-19, ranging from different degrees of movement control orders to nationwide lockdowns. See also “—Risks Related to Operations in Malaysia—Developments in the social, political, regulatory and economic environment in Malaysia may have a material adverse impact on us.” We implemented workplace protocols for our employees in accordance with government requirements. The implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in disruptions to our business development efforts which depend, in part, on attendance at in-person meetings, industry conferences and other events. In addition, economic slowdowns and uncertainty brought by COVID-19 have negatively affected market demand and customer spending on certain of our services and products such as smart home installations.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, revenue from the IoT Smart Home and Building line of business was RM0.7 million ($0.2 million), as compared to RM29.7 million ($6.7 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, a decrease of RM29.0 million ($6.6 million) or 97.6%. The Malaysian property market had softened since 2021 primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led developers to eschew integrating smart home solutions into their projects in order to cut costs and price their properties at more competitive levels. This market has seen gradual recovery recently as the Malaysian Government decided to lift pandemic restrictions on all economic sectors and move away from widespread restrictive measures in all economic sectors.

 

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The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted as of the date of this prospectus, including the effectiveness of vaccines and other treatments for COVID-19, and other new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the pandemic and steps taken to contain the pandemic or treat its impact, among others. The pandemic and the current financial, economic and capital markets environment, and future developments in the global supply chain and other areas present material uncertainty and risk with respect to our performance, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

Increases in costs, disruption of supply or shortage of materials, in particular for hardware and software, could harm our business.

 

We may experience increases in the cost or a sustained interruption in the supply or shortage of materials. Any such increase, supply interruption or shortage could materially and negatively impact our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. We use various materials in our business, including hardware and software, from suppliers.

 

The prices for these materials fluctuate, and their available supply may be unstable, depending on market conditions and global demand for these materials, and could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

These risks include:

 

an increase in the cost, or decrease in the available supply, of materials used;

 

disruption in the supply of materials due to quality issues or recalls by manufacturers;

 

tariffs on the materials we source; and

 

increases in global shipping costs have gone up due to shipping container shortages and delays at both shipping and receiving ports due to COVID and lack of appropriate workforce.

 

Substantial increases in the prices for our materials or prices charged to us would increase our operating costs, and could reduce our margins if we cannot recoup the increased costs through increased prices. Any attempts to increase prices in response to increased material costs could result in cancellations of orders for our services and solutions and therefore materially and adversely affect our brand, image, business, prospects and operating results.

 

We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions.

 

U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption following the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the start of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Although the length and impact of the ongoing military conflict is highly unpredictable, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to market disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain interruptions. We are continuing to monitor the situation in Ukraine and globally and assessing its potential impact on our business. In addition, Russian military actions and the resulting sanctions could adversely affect the global economy and financial markets and lead to instability and lack of liquidity in capital markets, potentially making it more difficult for us to obtain additional funds.

 

Any of the above mentioned factors could affect our business, prospects, financial condition, and operating results. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial. Any such disruptions may also magnify the impact of other risks described in this registration statement.

 

We may experience in the future, delays or other complications in the design and manufacture of products we distribute or source for use in our projects which could harm our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

We may encounter unanticipated challenges, such as supply chain or logistics constraints, that lead to delays in producing products we distribute or use in our projects. Any significant delay or other complication in the production of such products, including complications associated with expanding our supply chain or obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, and/or coronavirus impacts, could materially damage our brand, business, prospects, financial condition and operating results.

 

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Changes in our supply chain may result in increased cost. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to control supplier costs, our operating results may suffer.

 

There is no assurance that our suppliers will ultimately be able to meet our cost, quality and volume needs, or do so at the times needed. Furthermore, as the scale of our business increases, we will need to accurately forecast, purchase, warehouse and transport to our project sites components at much higher volumes than we have experience with. If we are unable to accurately match the timing and quantities of components purchases to our actual needs, or successfully implement automation, inventory management and other systems to accommodate the increased complexity in our supply chain, we may incur unexpected disruption, storage, transportation and write-off costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

 

Risks Related to Our Relationship with Our Controlling Shareholder

 

As long as ARB Berhad controls us, your ability to influence matters requiring shareholder approval will be limited.

 

After this offering, ARB Berhad will indirectly own 25,000,000 ordinary shares of the Company, representing approximately 95.06% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering (or approximately 94.36% if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). For so long as ARB Berhad beneficially owns our outstanding shares representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of our outstanding ordinary shares, ARB Berhad will be able to elect all of the members of our board of directors. We anticipate that, at the completion of this offering, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong will continue to serve as the Executive Director and chief executive officer of ARB Berhad. See “Management.”

 

Our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a stand-alone public company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

 

Our historical consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus are prepared on a stand-alone basis in accordance with IFRS and are derived from ARB Berhad’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to our operations, and include allocations of expenses from ARB Berhad. The historical financial information included in this prospectus does not reflect what our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been a stand-alone entity during the historical periods presented, or what our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows will be in the future as an independent entity.

 

The assets and resources that we acquire from ARB Berhad in the separation may not be sufficient for us to operate as a stand-alone company, and we may experience difficulty in separating our assets and resources from ARB Berhad.

 

We may need to acquire assets in addition to those contributed by ARB Berhad and its subsidiaries to us and our subsidiaries in connection with our separation from ARB Berhad. We may also face difficulty in separating our assets from ARB Berhad’s assets and integrating newly acquired assets into our business. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed if we fail to acquire assets that prove to be important to our operations or if we incur unexpected costs in separating our assets from ARB Berhad’s assets or integrating newly acquired assets.

 

Our ability to operate our business effectively may suffer if we are unable to cost-effectively establish our own administrative and other support functions in order to operate as a stand-alone company after this offering.

 

As an operating segment of ARB Berhad, we relied on administrative and other resources of ARB Berhad to operate our business. Following the completion of this offering, we will become a stand-alone public company and we will need to create our own administrative and other support systems or contract with third parties to replace the existing services ARB Berhad provides to us. Any failure in our efforts to establish our own administrative function could result in unexpected costs and adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and business prospect.

 

Some of our directors and executive officers own shares of ARB Berhad or other securities or rights to acquire ARB Berhad’s shares and hold positions with ARB Berhad, which could cause conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest.

 

Some of our directors and executive officers own ARB Berhad’s outstanding shares and other securities or rights to purchase ARB Berhad’s shares. In addition, we anticipate that, at the completion of this offering, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong will continue to serve as the Executive Director and chief executive officer of ARB Berhad.

 

Ownership of ARB Berhad’s shares and other securities or rights to purchase ARB Berhad’s shares by our directors and executive officers after this offering and the presence of executive officers or directors of ARB Berhad on our board of directors could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving both us and ARB Berhad that could have different implications for ARB Berhad than they do for us. Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if we enter into commercial arrangements with ARB Berhad in the future. As a result of these actual or apparent conflicts of interest, we may be precluded from pursuing certain growth initiatives.

 

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Risks Related to Our Industry and Governmental Regulation

 

The market we compete is competitive.

 

The market for IoT solutions and services is competitive. Companies in our industry compete on the basis of a number of factors, including technical expertise and industry knowledge, innovation competence, location, price, reputation, scale, financial stability, responsiveness to market demand and effective personnel training and retention.

 

Our current and potential competitors include traditional software companies developing IoT technologies to seize new growth opportunities, existing IoT players in agriculture, property development and logistics industries and consumer electronics brands that are investing in in-house IoT capabilities, and other smaller companies focused on single niche segments. Our competitors and potential competitors could have substantial competitive advantages such as substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources, greater name recognition, longer operating histories, greater client support resources, lower labor and development costs, and larger and more mature intellectual property portfolios. As a result, they may be able to compete more aggressively on pricing or devote greater resources to the development and promotion of technology and IoT services.

 

In addition, we have faced, and expect to continue to face, competition from new market entrants. Further, there is a risk that our clients may elect to increase their internal resources to satisfy their services needs as opposed to relying on a third-party service providers like us. Moreover, as we expand the scope and reach of our solutions, we may face additional competition. If one or more of our competitors were to merge or partner with other competitors, the change in the competitive landscape could also adversely affect our ability to compete effectively. Increased competition could also result in price reductions, reduced operating margins and loss of our market share. We may be unable to compete successfully with existing or new competitors and competitive pressures may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

If we fail to adopt new technologies to address evolving customer needs or emerging industry standards, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

 

The information technology industry has experienced rapid technological developments, changes in industry standards, changes in customer requirements and frequent new product introductions and improvements. If we are unable to respond quickly and successfully to these developments, we may lose our competitive position, and our products or technologies may become uncompetitive or obsolete.

 

Recent new technology trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, 5G, robotic process automation (RPA), IoT and hyper-connectivity continue to shape our industry and require us to keep pace with the changing technologies and evolving industry standards. Our ability to develop, alone or with third parties, or to acquire new products and services that are technologically innovative requires the investment of significant resources and can affect our competitive position. These acquisition and development efforts divert resources from other potential investments in our businesses, and they may not lead to the development of new commercially successful technologies, products, or services on a timely basis.

 

Our long-term success will depend on our ability to adapt quickly to rapidly changing technologies, to adapt our services and products to evolving industry standards and to improve the performance and reliability of our services and products. To achieve market acceptance for our product and service offerings, we must effectively anticipate and offer products and services that meet changing customer demands in a timely manner. Customers may require features and functionality that our current products and services do not have or cannot obtain. If we fail to develop products and services that satisfy customer preferences in a timely and cost-effective manner, our ability to retain existing customers and our ability to create or increase demand for our products will be harmed.

 

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If we fail to comply with constantly evolving laws, regulations, and industry standards addressing information and technology networks, privacy, and data security, we could face penalties, liability, and reputational harm, and our business, operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Along with our own confidential data and information retained in the normal course of our business, we or our partners collect and retain third party data, some of which is subject to certain laws and regulations. Our ability to analyze this data to provide the customer with an improved user experience is a valuable component of our services, but we cannot provide assurance that the data we require will be available from these sources in the future or that the cost of such data will not increase. If the data that we require is not available to us on commercially reasonable terms or at all, we may not be able to provide certain parts of our current or planned products and services, and our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

 

In addition, we may also collect and retain other sensitive types of data, including, among other things, audio recordings of telephone calls and video images of customer sites. We must comply with applicable laws and regulations governing the collection, retention, processing, storage, disclosure, access, use, security, and privacy of such information in addition to our own information security and privacy policies and applicable industry standards. The legal, regulatory, and contractual environment surrounding the foregoing continues to evolve, and there has been an increasing amount of focus on privacy and data security issues with the potential to affect our business. These privacy and data security laws, regulations, and standards, as well as contractual requirements, could increase our cost of doing business, and failure to comply with these laws, regulations, standards, and contractual requirements could result in government enforcement actions (which could include civil or criminal penalties), private litigation, and/or adverse publicity.

 

In the event of a breach of personal information that we hold or that is held by third parties on our behalf, we may be subject to governmental fines, imprisonment, legal claims, remediation expenses, and/or harm to our reputation. We could incur significant legal costs in defending existing or new claims or in the ultimate resolution of such claims, and we may suffer reputational harm and damage to our brand as a result of such claims or any related publicity. Further, if we fail to comply with applicable privacy and security laws, regulations, policies, and standards; properly protect the integrity and security of our facilities and systems and the data located within them; or defend against cybersecurity attacks; or if our third-party service providers, partners, or vendors fail to do any of the foregoing with respect to data and information assessed, used, stored, or collected on our behalf, our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

 

Examples of certain requirements we face include those with respect to Personal Data Protection Act 2010, Personal Data Protection Regulations 2013 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. These laws and regulations are examples of our need to comply with costly and complex requirements at state, federal, and international levels. As these requirements continue to evolve, and expand to additional jurisdictions, we may incur or be required to incur costs or change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business and failure to comply could result in significant penalties that may materially adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

We are subject to general business regulations and laws, as well as regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet, physical and e-commerce retail, digital content, web services, electronic devices, advertising, and other products and services that we offer or sell. Unfavorable changes could harm our business.

 

We are subject to general business regulations and laws, as well as regulations and laws specifically governing our business activities. These regulations and laws cover taxation, privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, copyrights, trademarks, distribution of goods, employment, operation of unmanned aircraft systems, premises occupied by us and other matters.

 

Unfavorable regulations, laws, decisions, or interpretations by government or regulatory authorities applying those laws and regulations, or inquiries, investigations, or enforcement actions initiated by them, could increase our cost of doing business and require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business, damage our reputation, impede our growth, or otherwise have a negative effect on our operations.

 

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Our business depends on our customers’ continued and unimpeded access to the Internet and the development and maintenance of Internet infrastructure. Internet access providers may be able to block, degrade or charge for access to certain of our products and services, which could lead to additional expenses and the loss of customers.

 

Our products and services depend on the ability of our customers to access the Internet. Currently, this access is provided by companies having significant market power in the broadband and Internet access marketplace, including incumbent telephone companies, cable companies, mobile communications companies and government-owned service providers. Some of these providers have the ability to take measures including legal actions, that could degrade, disrupt or increase the cost of user access to certain of our products and services by restricting or prohibiting the use of their infrastructure to support our products or services or charging increased fees to Internet users. Such interference could result in a loss of existing users, advertisers and goodwill, and could result in increased costs and could impair our ability to attract new customers, thereby harming our revenue and growth. Moreover, the adoption of any laws or regulations adversely affecting the growth, popularity or use of the Internet, including laws impacting Internet neutrality, could decrease the demand for our products and services and increase our operating costs. The legislative and regulatory landscape regarding the regulation of the Internet is subject to uncertainty.

 

Internationally, government regulation concerning the Internet, and in particular, network neutrality, may be developing or non-existent. Within such a regulatory environment, we could experience discriminatory or anticompetitive practices impeding both our and our customers’ domestic and international growth, increasing our costs or adversely affecting our business. Additional changes in the legislative and regulatory landscape regarding the regulation of the Internet, could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The drone industry is subject to various laws and government regulations which could complicate and delay our ability to introduce services, maintain compliance, and avoid violations, which could lead to increased costs or the interruption of business operations that could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We are developing our drone services business. The commercial drone operations industry is a regulated industry in Malaysia and many other jurisdictions. Flying drones is subject to permissions, licensing or clearance requirements from Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia. These regulations include Civil Aviation Regulations 2016. While we endeavor to take all the steps necessary to comply with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that we can maintain compliance on a continuing basis. Failure to comply could result in monetary liabilities and other sanctions which could increase our costs or decrease our revenue resulting in a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Changes in trade policy such as the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have adverse impacts on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We cannot predict future trade policy, or tariffs and their impact on our business. To the extent that trade tariffs and other restrictions imposed by Malaysia or other countries increase the price of, or limit the amount of, components or materials used in our products and services imported into Malaysia or other countries we operate in the future, or create adverse tax consequences, the sales, cost or gross margin of our operations may be adversely affected and the demand from our customers for products and services may be diminished. Uncertainty surrounding international trade policy and disputes and protectionist measures could also have an adverse effect on consumer confidence and spending. If we deem it necessary to alter all or a portion of our activities or operations in response to such policies, agreements or tariffs, our capital and operating costs may increase. As a result, changes in international trade policy, changes in trade agreements and tariffs could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Risks Related to Operations in Malaysia

 

Our operations are subject to various laws and regulations in Malaysia.

 

Our business is regulated by various laws and regulations in Malaysia such as regulations on business licenses, intellectual property rights, employment, personal data and privacy, dividends, unmanned aircraft, distribution trade services and cybersecurity. See “Regulations.” Certain registrations, certificates and/or licenses for the conduct of our business are required under the above laws.

 

Based on our experience, some of the laws and regulations of the place where we operate our business are subject to amendments, uncertainty in interpretation and administrative actions from time to time. Therefore, we cannot assure you that, for the implementation of our business plans and the introduction of any new services or products, we will be able to obtain all the necessary registrations, certificates and/or licenses. Any failure to comply with the above laws and regulations may give rise to fines, administrative penalties and/or prosecution against us, which may adversely affect our reputation, financial condition or results of operation.

 

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The economy of Malaysia in general might not grow as quickly as expected, which could adversely affect our revenues and business prospects.

 

Our business and prospects depend on the continuing development of the economy in Malaysia. We cannot assure you that the Malaysian economy will continue to grow at the same pace as in the past. Economic growth is determined by countless factors, and it is extremely difficult to predict with any level of absolute certainty. In the event that the Malaysian economy suffers, demand for the products we currently offer may diminish, which would in turn result in decreased likelihood of profitability. This could in turn result in a substantial need for restructuring of our business objectives and could result in a partial or entire loss of an investment in our company.

 

Developments in the social, political, regulatory and economic environment in Malaysia may have a material adverse impact on us.

 

Our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by social, political, regulatory and economic developments in Malaysia. Such political and economic uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks of war, terrorism, nationalism, nullification of contract, changes in interest rates, imposition of capital controls and methods of taxation.

 

Negative developments in Malaysia’s socio-political environment may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The Malaysian economy registered modest growth of approximately 3.1% in 2021 and after contraction of 5.6% in 2020, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Although the overall Malaysian economic environment (in which we predominantly operate) appears to be positive, there can be no assurance that this will continue to prevail in the future. Economic growth is determined by countless factors, and it is extremely difficult to predict with any level of absolute certainty. Furthermore, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization or WHO declared the corona virus or COVID-19 a pandemic. To help counter the transmission of COVID-19, the government of Malaysia initiated movement control orders (“MCO”), the first effective March 18, 2020. The MCO had resulted in quarantines, travel restrictions, and the temporary closure of stores and facilities in Malaysia. The first MCO was extended three times, each for a two-weeks period, until May 12, 2020. On May 13, 2020, the MCO was eased to a Conditional Movement Control Order (“CMCO”) where most business sectors were allowed to operate under strict rules and Standard Operating Procedures mandated by the government of Malaysia. The CMCO was further relaxed, and on June 8, 2020, Malaysia moved into the Recovery Movement Control Order (“RMCO”). Due to a resurgence of COVID-19, CMCO was reimposed in the states of Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya effective October 14, 2020. On November 7, 2020, the CMCO was extended to a wider geographical area to include another six states in the country. Effectively, ten of thirteen states in Malaysia were placed under CMCO with the exceptions of Perlis, Pahang and Kelantan. On January 1, 2021, the Government of Malaysia extended the Recovery Movement Control Order (“RMCO”) through March 31, 2021. On January 12, 2021, the Malaysian government declared a state of emergency nationwide to combat COVID-19. Intermittent lockdowns were imposed in various states and districts in the country. On March 5, 2021, lockdowns in most part of the country was eased to a CMCO, nevertheless, COVID-19 cases in the country continue to rise. On May 12, 2021, Malaysia was again put under a full lockdown nationwide, until the earlier of (i) daily COVID-19 cases infection of the country fall below 4,000; (ii) intensive Unit Care, or ICU, wards start operating at a moderate level; or (iii) 10% of the Malaysian population is fully vaccinated. The country is administering over 400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines daily. On July 17, 2021, the full lockdown was slightly eased as 13.9% of the Malaysian population was fully vaccinated, with another 30% having received at least one dose of the vaccine. As of March 2022, Malaysia stood at position 26 as the country with the highest COVID-19 cases as recorded under the coronavirus statistics of the “worldometer”. Total COVID-19 cases in Malaysia hit approximately 3.6 million and associated fatality of 33, 228. These figures are huge relative to the small size economy of the country. We are witnessing the adverse impact on the purchasing power of consumers in Malaysia, where our operations are mainly conducted as a direct result of the prolonged pandemic. A such, the extent to which the coronavirus may continue to adversely impact the Malaysian economy is uncertain. In the event that the Malaysia economy suffers, demand for our products may diminish, which would in turn result in adverse impacts on our revenues, cash flows, financial condition and business prospect.

 

We face the risk that changes in the policies of the Malaysian government could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in Malaysia and the profitability of such business.

 

Policies of the Malaysian government can have significant effects on the economic conditions of Malaysia. A change in policies by the Malaysian government could adversely affect our interests by, among other factors: changes in laws, regulations or the interpretation thereof, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports or sources of supplies, or the expropriation or nationalization of private enterprises. We cannot assure you that the government will continue to pursue current policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting Malaysia’s political, economic and social environment.

 

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Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

 

The value of the RM against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in Malaysia’s political and economic conditions. The value of our ordinary shares will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RM and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RM relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Currently, we rely entirely on revenues earned in Malaysia, any significant revaluation of RM may materially and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars we receive from an offering of our securities into RM for our operations, appreciation of the RM against the U.S. dollar could cause the RM equivalent of U.S. dollars to be reduced and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Conversely, if we decide to convert our RM into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making dividend payments on our ordinary shares or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates against the RM, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RM we convert would be reduced. In addition, the depreciation of significant U.S. dollar denominated assets could result in a change to our operations and a reduction in the value of these assets.

 

We are subject to foreign exchange control policies in Malaysia.

 

The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us may be restricted by the foreign exchange control policies in the countries where we operate. For example, there are foreign exchange policies in Malaysia which support the monitoring of capital flows into and out of the country in order to preserve its financial and economic stability. The foreign exchange policies are administered by the Foreign Exchange Administration, an arm of Bank Negara Malaysia (“BNM”), the central bank of Malaysia. The foreign exchange policies monitor and regulate both residents and non-residents. Under the current Foreign Exchange Administration rules issued by BNM, non-residents are free to repatriate any amount of funds from Malaysia in foreign currency other than the currency of Israel at any time (subject to limited exceptions), including capital, divestment proceeds, profits, dividends, rental, fees and interest arising from investment in Malaysia, subject to any withholding tax. In the event BNM or any other country where we operate introduces any restrictions in the future, we may be affected in our ability to repatriate dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries in Malaysia or in such other countries. Since we are a Cayman Islands holding company and rely principally on dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries for our cash requirements, any restrictions on such dividends or other payments could materially and adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Because our principal assets are located outside of the United States and all of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States, it may be difficult for you to enforce your rights based on U.S. federal securities laws against us or our officers and directors or to enforce a judgment of a United States court against us or our officers and directors in Malaysia.

 

All of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of a country other than the United States and all of their assets are located outside the United States. In addition, all of our assets are located outside of the United States. It may therefore be difficult for investors in the United States to effect service of process within the United States upon us or our directors and officers or to enforce their legal rights based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or our directors and officers in the courts of either the U.S., Cayman Islands or Malaysia and, even if civil judgments are obtained in U.S. courts, to enforce such judgments in Malaysian courts.

 

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Malaysia anti-corruption laws could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

 

We are required to comply the Malaysia’s anti-corruption laws and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which generally prohibit U.S.-based companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, directing business to another, or securing an advantage. In addition, U.S. public companies are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent their transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for the corrupt actions taken by directors, officers, employees, agents, or other strategic or local partners or representatives. As such, if we or our intermediaries fail to comply with the requirements of the FCPA or similar legislation, governmental authorities in the United States and elsewhere could seek to impose substantial civil and/or criminal fines and penalties which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, operating results and financial condition.

 

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Risks Related to This Offering and Ownership of Our Ordinary shares

 

This offering is subject to the approval of the shareholders of ARB Berhad.

 

Under the listing requirements of Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, the approval of the shareholders of ARB Berhad is required prior to the closing of this offering. On October 21, 2022, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of ARB Berhad was held at which the shareholders of ARB Berhad approved the proposed listing of the ordinary shares of the Company on the Nasdaq Stock Market. In the event that the material terms of this offering as currently described in this prospectus change, ARB Berhad may be required to obtain an additional approval from its shareholders prior to the closing of this offering. Any failure of ARB Berhad to obtain a required shareholder approval in a timely manner could cause significant delays or even result in an inability for us to successfully complete this offering. We have and expect to continue to incur significant costs in connection with this offering, including legal fees and expenses, accounting fees and expenses, printing fees, filing fees and other expenses. In the event that ARB Berhad is unable to receive any required shareholder approval for this offering, we will have to abandon this offering and our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected as a result of diversion of attention of our management and employees from our operations and the administrative costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

There has been no public market for our ordinary shares prior to this offering and an active trading market for our ordinary shares may not develop following the completion of this offering.

 

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our ordinary shares. We have applied for the listing of our ordinary shares on Nasdaq under the symbol “ARBB.” Even if our ordinary shares are approved for listing on Nasdaq, a liquid public market for our ordinary shares may not develop following the completion of this offering. The initial public offering price for our ordinary shares has been determined by us based upon several factors, including prevailing market conditions, our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, and the market valuations of similar companies. The price at which the ordinary shares are traded after this offering may decline below the initial public offering price and the liquidity of the ordinary shares may decrease significantly, meaning that you may experience a significant decrease in the value of your ordinary shares regardless of our operating performance or prospects.

 

The price of our ordinary shares may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

The public offering price of our ordinary shares has been determined by us based upon many factors and may not be indicative of prices that will prevail following the closing of this offering. After this offering, the market price for our ordinary shares is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to multiple factors beyond our control, including the following:

 

variations in our operating results compared to market expectations;

 

adverse publicity about us, the industries we participate in or individual scandals;

 

announcements of new offerings or significant price reductions by us or our competitors;

 

stock price performance of our competitors;

 

fluctuations in stock market prices and volumes;

 

changes in senior management or key personnel;

 

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

negative earnings or other announcements by us or our competitors;

 

incurrence of indebtedness, defaults on indebtedness, or issuances of additional capital stock;

 

global economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; and

 

the other factors listed in this “Risk Factors” section.

 

Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price at which the ordinary shares will trade.

 

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Volatility in the market price of our ordinary shares may also prevent investors from being able to sell their shares at or above the initial public offering price. As a result, you may suffer a loss on your investment.

 

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We may experience extreme stock price volatility unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance, financial condition or prospects, making it difficult for prospective investors to assess the rapidly changing value of our ordinary shares.

 

The US stock market has witnessed instances of extreme stock price run-ups followed by rapid price declines in 2022 and such stock price volatility seemed unrelated to the issuers’ performance subsequent to their recent initial public offerings, especially among companies with relatively smaller public floats. After the consummation of this offering, we will have a relatively small public float due to the relatively small size of this offering and the concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares in our ultimate controlling shareholder, ARB Berhad, through its subsidiaries. As a relatively small-capitalized company with a small public float after this offering, the share price of our ordinary shares may experience extreme volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalized companies. Although the specific cause of such volatility is unclear, our anticipated small public float may amplify the impact the actions taken by a few shareholders have on the price of our ordinary shares, which may cause our share price to deviate, potentially significantly, from a price that better reflects the underlying performance of our business. The potential extreme volatility may confuse public investors regarding the value of our shares, distort the market perception of our share price and our company’s financial performance and public image, and negatively affect the long-term liquidity of our ordinary shares, regardless of our actual or expected operating performance. Should our ordinary shares experience run-ups and declines that are seemingly unrelated to our actual or expected operating performance and financial condition or prospects, prospective investors may have difficulty assessing the rapidly changing value of our ordinary shares and our ability to access the capital market may be materially adversely affected. In addition, if the trading volumes of our ordinary shares are low, holders of our ordinary shares may also not be able to readily liquidate their investment or may be forced to sell at depressed prices due to low volume trading. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our ordinary shares.

 

We may not be able to maintain a listing of our ordinary shares on Nasdaq.

 

Assuming that our ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq, we must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain such listing. If we fail to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements, our ordinary shares may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our ordinary shares from Nasdaq may materially impair our shareholders’ ability to buy and sell our ordinary shares and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our ordinary shares. The delisting of our ordinary shares could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your investment.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for the shares and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our ordinary shares will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ordinary shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ordinary shares would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ordinary shares to decline.

 

As our initial public offering price is substantially higher than our net tangible book value per share, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution.

 

If you purchase shares in this offering, you will pay more for your shares of ordinary shares than the amount paid by our existing shareholders for their shares on a per share basis. As a result, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per share in relation to the price that you paid for your shares. We expect the dilution as a result of the offering to be $3.26 per share to new investors purchasing our shares in this offering, assuming a public offering price of $5.00 per share and no exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment in our shares will be diluted upon completion of this offering.

 

We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for several purposes including (i) future strategic acquisition or investment in other business or technologies, (ii) research and development activities, and (iii) working capital and general corporate purposes. Accordingly, management of the Company will have substantial discretion in applying the net proceeds to be received by the Company. However, based on unforeseen technical, commercial or regulatory issues, we could spend the proceeds in ways with which you may not agree. Moreover, the proceeds may not be invested effectively or in a manner that yields a favorable or any return, and consequently, this could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will utilize the net proceeds in a manner that enhances value of the Company. If the Company fails to spend the proceeds effectively, the Company’s business and financial condition could be harmed, and there may be the need to seek additional financing sooner than expected.

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

We have paid no cash dividends on our ordinary shares to date and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the near term. For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their ordinary shares after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our ordinary shares. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our board deems relevant.

 

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Raising additional capital may cause dilution to our shareholders, including purchasers of ordinary shares in this offering, or restrict our operations.

 

To support our expanding business, we may need additional capital to continue to make significant investments in our new and existing business. We cannot assure you that cash generated by our operations will be sufficient to allow us to fund such expansion. If cash flows from operations are not sufficient, we may need additional equity or debt financing to provide the funds required to expand our business. If such financing is not available on satisfactory terms or at all, we may be unable to expand our business or to develop new business at the rate desired and our operating results may suffer. Debt financing increases expenses which may contain covenants that restrict the operation of our business, and must be repaid regardless of operating results. Equity financing, or debt financing that is convertible into equity, could result in additional dilution to our existing shareholders.

 

Our inability to obtain adequate capital resources, whether in the form of equity or debt, to fund our business and growth strategies may require us to delay, scale back or eliminate some or all of our operations or the expansion of our business, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or prospects.

 

We may issue additional equity or debt securities, which are senior to our ordinary shares as to distributions and in liquidation, which could materially adversely affect the market price of our ordinary shares.

 

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by entering into additional debt or debt-like financing that is secured by all or up to all of our assets, or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior notes, subordinated notes or shares. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of our debt securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to our shareholders. In addition, any additional preferred stock, if issued by our company, may have a preference with respect to distributions and upon liquidation, which could further limit our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. Because our decision to incur debt and issue securities in our future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financing.

 

Further, market conditions could require us to accept less favorable terms for the issuance of our securities in the future. Thus, you will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the value of your ordinary shares and diluting your interest in our company.

 

We will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, and our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will be required to publicly report on an ongoing basis as an “emerging growth company” (as defined in the JOBS Act) under the reporting rules set forth under the Exchange Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other Exchange Act reporting companies that are not emerging growth companies, including but not limited to:

 

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

being permitted to comply with reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements; and

 

being exempt from the requirement to hold a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

 

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies.

 

We expect to take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, although if the market value of our ordinary shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of any second fiscal quarter before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company as of the following year end.

 

Because we will be subject to ongoing public reporting requirements that are less rigorous than Exchange Act rules for companies that are not emerging growth companies, our shareholders could receive less information than they might expect to receive from more mature public companies. We cannot predict if investors will find our ordinary shares less attractive if we elect to rely on these exemptions, or if taking advantage of these exemptions would result in less active trading or more volatility in the price of our ordinary shares.

 

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Upon the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” under the rules of Nasdaq and as a result, we may choose to exempt our company from certain corporate governance requirements that could have an adverse effect on our public shareholders.

 

Under Nasdaq’s rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including, without limitation, (i) the requirement that a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (ii) the requirement that the compensation of our officers be determined or recommended to our board of directors by a compensation committee that is comprised solely of independent directors, and (iii) the requirement that director nominees be selected or recommended to the board of directors by a majority of independent directors or a nominating committee comprised solely of independent directors. Upon the completion of this offering, ARB Berhad will beneficially own approximately 25,000,000 ordinary shares and will be able to exercise approximately 94.36% of our total voting power, assuming we issue and sell 1,300,000 ordinary shares and the over-allotment option is fully exercised. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules. Although we currently do not intend to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, we could elect to rely on this exemption in the future. If we elected to rely on the “controlled company” exemption, a majority of the members of our board of directors might not be independent directors and our nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees might not consist entirely of independent directors. Our status as a controlled company could cause our ordinary shares to look less attractive to certain investors or otherwise harm our trading price.

 

You may face difficulties in protecting your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through U.S. courts may be limited, because we are incorporated under Cayman Islands law.

 

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (2022 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders to take action against our directors, actions by our minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands have a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

 

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder resolution or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

 

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by our management, members of our board of directors or our controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act (2022 Revision) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders. See “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law.”

 

Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

 

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. We conduct our operations outside the United States and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. In addition, substantially all of our directors and executive officers reside outside the United States, and most of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against them in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Cayman Islands, Malaysia or other relevant jurisdiction may render you unable to enforce a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors and officers. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and Malaysia, see “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

 

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We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

 

Because we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including:

 

the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K;

 

Section 14 of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

 

We are required to file an annual report on Form 20-F within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we may publish our results on a quarterly basis as press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will also be furnished to the SEC in reports on Form 6-K. However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers. As a result, you may not be afforded the same protections or information that would be made available to you were you investing in a U.S. domestic issuer.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our shares.

 

We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq by virtue of being a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow the governance practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands, in lieu of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. As result, the standards applicable to us are considerably different than the standards applied to domestic U.S. issuers. For instance, we are not required to:

 

have a majority of the board be independent (although all of the members of the audit committee must be independent under the Exchange Act);

 

have a compensation committee and a nominating committee to be comprised solely of “independent directors”; or

 

hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of our fiscal year.

 

Although we do not currently intend to rely these “home country” exemptions, we may rely on some of these exemptions in the future. As a result, our shareholders may not be provided with the benefits of certain corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

 

If the ownership of our ordinary shares continues to be highly concentrated, it may prevent you and other minority shareholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest.

 

Upon completion of this offering, ARB Berhad will own approximately 95.06% of our outstanding voting shares assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering (or approximately 94.36% if the underwriters exercise its option to purchase additional shares in full). As a result, it owns shares sufficient for majority votes over all matters requiring shareholder votes, including: the election of directors; mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions; the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other decisions affecting our capital structure; amendments to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; and our winding up and dissolution. This concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other shareholders. The interests of ARB Berhad may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other shareholders. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of our company. Also, ARB Berhad may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in its judgment, could enhance its investment in us, but which might involve risks to our other shareholders or adversely affect us or our other shareholders, including investors in this offering. As a result, the market price of our shares could decline, or shareholders might not receive a premium over the then-current market price of our shares upon a change in control. In addition, this concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our shares because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares in a company with significant shareholders.

 

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We have limited experience operating as a stand-alone public company.

 

We are a holding company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands on March 1, 2022, with all of our shares held by ARB IOT Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. ARB Berhad is a Malaysia-headquartered IT software and platform provider listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (KLSE: ARBB). However, we have limited experience conducting our operations as a stand-alone public company. Prior to this offering, our ARB Berhad has provided us with financial, administrative, human resources, and legal services, and also has provided us with the services of a number of its executives and employees. After we become a stand-alone public company, we expect ARB Berhad to continue to provide us with certain support services, but to the extent ARB Berhad does not continue to provide us with such support, we will need to create our own support system. We may encounter operational, administrative, and strategic difficulties as we adjust to operating as a stand-alone public company. This may cause us to react more slowly than our competitors to industry changes and may divert our management’s attention from running our business or otherwise harm our operations.

 

In addition, since we are becoming a public company, our management team will need to develop the expertise necessary to comply with the numerous regulatory and other requirements applicable to public companies, including requirements relating to corporate governance, listing standards and securities and investor relationships issues. As a stand-alone public company, our management will have to evaluate our internal controls system with new thresholds of materiality, and to implement necessary changes to our internal controls system. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so in a timely and effective manner.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could discourage a third party from acquiring us, which could limit our shareholders’ opportunity to sell their shares at a premium.

 

Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain provisions to limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association contain other provisions that could limit the ability of third parties to acquire control of our company or cause us to engage in a transaction resulting in a change of control.

 

There is a risk that we will be a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors in our ordinary shares.

 

In general, a non-U.S. corporation is a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for any taxable year in which (i) 75% or more of its gross income consists of passive income or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of its assets consists of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, a non-U.S. corporation that owns at least 25% by value of the shares of another corporation is treated as if it held its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation and received directly its proportionate share of the income of the other corporation. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, rents, royalties and certain gains. Cash is a passive asset for these purposes.

 

Based on the expected composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets, including goodwill, we do not expect to be a PFIC for our current taxable year. However, the proper application of the PFIC rules to a company with a business such as ours is not entirely clear. Because the proper characterization of certain components of our income and assets is not entirely clear, and because our PFIC status for any taxable year will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time (which may be determined, in part, by reference to the market price of our ordinary shares, which could be volatile), there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year or any future taxable year.

 

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. investor holds ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to such U.S. investor.

 

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General Risk Factors

 

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, particularly after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will become a public company and expect to incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, imposes various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We qualify as an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement under SOX 404 in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.

 

We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some corporate activities more time consuming and costly. After we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of SOX 404 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we will need to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. We also expect that operating as a public company will make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

 

We may have difficulty scaling and adapting our existing infrastructure to accommodate a larger customer base, technology advances or customer requirements.

 

In the future, advances in technology, increases in traffic, and new customer requirements may require us to change our infrastructure, expand our infrastructure or replace our infrastructure entirely. Scaling and adapting our infrastructure are likely to be complex and require additional technical expertise. If we are required to make any changes to our infrastructure, we may incur substantial costs and experience delays or interruptions in our service. These delays or interruptions may cause customers to become dissatisfied with our service and move to competing service providers. Our failure to accommodate increased traffic, increased costs, inefficiencies or failures to adapt to new technologies or customer requirements and the associated adjustments to our infrastructure could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in, but not limited to, the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

our goals and strategies;

 

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

expected changes in our revenue, costs or expenditure;

 

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services;

 

competition in our industry; and

 

government policies and regulations relating to our industry.

 

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect results. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance.

 

This prospectus also contains certain data and information, which we obtained from various government and private publications. Although we believe that the publications and reports are reliable, we have not independently verified the data. Statistical data in these publications includes projections that are based on a number of assumptions. If any one or more of the assumptions underlying the market data is later found to be incorrect, actual results may differ from the projections based on these assumptions.

 

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus. Although we will become a public company after this offering and have ongoing disclosure obligations under United States federal securities laws, we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $5.0 million, or approximately $5.9 million if the underwriter exercises the over-allotment option in full, after deducting underwriting discounts and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. These estimates are based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by $1.2 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.

 

The primary purposes of this offering are to create a public market for our ordinary shares for the benefit of all shareholders, retain talented employees by providing them with equity incentives and obtain additional working capital. We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering as follows:

 

approximately 60%, or $3.0 million, for strategic acquisitions or investment in complementary businesses and/or assets within, or similar, to our existing business. As of the date of this prospectus, our board of directors has not identified any specific projects to be undertaken or businesses and/or assets to be acquired or invested;

 

approximately 10%, or $0.5 million, for research and development activities, including setting up new centers and offices, acquiring new talent and expanding our R&D team, and investing in new systems and applications; and

 

approximately 30%, or $1.5 million, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The foregoing represents our current intentions to use and allocate the net proceeds of this offering based upon our present plans and business conditions. Our management, however, will have broad discretion in the way that we use the net proceeds of this offering. Pending the final application of the net proceeds of this offering, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to this Offering and the Market for Our Ordinary Shares Generally—We have broad discretion as to the use of the net proceeds from this offering and our use of the offering proceeds may not yield a favorable return on your investment. Additionally, we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree or in the most effective way.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not previously declared, or paid cash dividends and we have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future on our shares. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and future earnings to operate and expand our business.

 

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. We rely principally on dividends from our subsidiaries for our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders.

 

Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain restrictions under Cayman Islands law, namely that our company may only pay dividends out of profits or share premium, and provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. In addition, our shareholders may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by our board of directors. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our total capitalization as of June 30, 2022:

 

on an actual basis;

 

  on a pro forma basis to give effect to the issuance of 15,000,000 ordinary shares on September 19, 2022, as if such issuance had occurred on June 30, 2022; and

 

  on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to (i) the pro forma adjustments described above, and (ii) the sale of 1,300,000 ordinary shares by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised).

 

You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements, the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

    June 30, 2022  
                      Pro Forma  
    Actual     Pro Forma     As Adjusted(1)  
    RM     USD     RM     USD     RM     USD  
Shareholders’ Equity:                                                
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 Ordinary Shares authorized,  10,000,000 issued and outstanding as at June 30, 2022 on an actual basis (2)     4,416       1,000       11,024       2,500       11,597       2,630 (1)
Additional paid-in capital     -       -       -       -       22,171,868       5,032,770 (1)
Capital contribution     192,175,283       43,621,674       192,175,283       43,621,674       192,175,283       43,621,674  
Retained profits     101,972,912       23,146,728       101,972,912       23,146,728       101,972,912       23,146,728  
Exchange translation reserve     (6 )     (1 )     (6 )     (1 )     (6 )     (1 )
Equity attributable to owners of the Company     294,152,605       66,769,401       294,159,213       66,770,901       316,331,654       71,803,801  
Total capitalization     294,152,605       66,769,401       294,159,213       66,770,901       316,331,654       71,803,801  

 

(1) Pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only. Additional paid-in capital reflects the sale of 1,300,000 ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per share, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts, and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Our retained profits, equity attributable to owners of the Company and total capitalization following the completion of this offering are subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. We estimate that net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $5,032,900 based on gross proceeds of $6,500,000 (assuming the over-allotment option is not exercised), less underwriting discounts of $455,000 and estimated offering expenses of approximately $1,012,100.

 

(2)The share subdivision had no effect on the share capital of the Company.

 

Assuming the number of ordinary shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, a $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total shareholders’ equity and total capitalization by $1.2 million.

 

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DILUTION

 

If you invest in the ordinary shares, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per ordinary share and our net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering. Dilution results from the fact that the assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share is substantially in excess of the net tangible book value per ordinary share attributable to the existing shareholders for our presently outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Our pro forma net tangible book value was approximately $40.8 million, or $1.63 per ordinary share. Our pro forma net tangible book value represents the amount of our total consolidated tangible assets (which is calculated by subtracting intangible asset and tax recoverable from our total consolidated assets), less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities (which is calculated by subtracting deferred tax liabilities and current tax liabilities from our total consolidated liabilities). Our pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share at June 30, 2022 is determined by the quotient of our net tangible book value at June 30, 2022 divided by 25,000,000 ordinary shares, including 15,000,000 ordinary shares issued on September 19, 2022, as if such issuance had occurred on June 30, 2022. Dilution is determined by subtracting net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to the proceeds we will receive from this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

After giving effect to the sale of $6,500,000 of ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range, assuming no exercise of over-allotment option and after deducting underwriting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, but without adjusting for any other change in our net tangible book value subsequent to June 30, 2022, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value would have been $1.74 per ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $0.11 per ordinary share to our existing shareholders and immediate dilution of $3.26 per ordinary share to new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering. The following table illustrates this per ordinary share dilution to the new investors purchasing ordinary shares in this offering:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per ordinary share $ 5.00  
Pro form net tangible book value per ordinary share at June 30, 2022 $ 1.63 *
Pro forma net tangible book value per ordinary share after this offering $ 1.74  
Increase in net tangible book value per ordinary share to the existing shareholders $ 0.11  
Dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in this offering $ 3.26  

 

Note:

 

*Calculated based on 25,000,000 ordinary shares outstanding, including subsequent issuance of 15,000,000 ordinary shares on September 19, 2022.

 

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share would increase (decrease) our pro forma net tangible book value after giving effect to the offering by $1.2 million, the net tangible book value per ordinary share after giving effect to this offering by $0.05 per ordinary share and the dilution in net tangible book value per ordinary share to new investors in this offering by $0.95 per ordinary share, assuming no change to the number of ordinary shares offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, no exercise of over-allotment option and after deducting underwriting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only. Our net tangible book value following the completion of this offering is subject to adjustment based on the actual initial public offering price of our ordinary shares and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

The following tables summarize the differences between our existing shareholders and the new investors with respect to the number of ordinary shares purchased from us in this offering, the total consideration paid and the average price per ordinary share paid at an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per ordinary share, and before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses (assuming no exercise of over-allotment option).

 

    Share Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price
 
    Number     %     Amount     %     Per Share  
Existing shareholders     25,000,000       95.06     $ 2,500       0.04     $ 0.0001  
New investors     1,300,000       4.94     $ 6,500,000       99.96     $ 5.00  
Total     26,300,000       100     $ 6,502,500       100     $ 0.25  

 

The discussion and the table above exclude shares issuable upon exercise of warrants to be issued to the underwriters in this offering.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those which we discuss under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

 

We are a provider of complete solutions to our clients for the integration of IoT systems and devices from designing to project deployment and our mission is to become a leading player in the IoT landscape in the ASEAN region. We offer a wide range of IoT systems as well as provide customers a substantial range of services such as system integration and system support service. We deliver holistic solutions with full turnkey deployment from designing, installation, testing, pre-commissioning, and commissioning of various IoT systems and devices as well as integration of automated systems, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works.

 

Recent new technology trends such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, 5G, robotic process automation, IoT and hyper-connectivity continue to transform businesses and drive companies to seek digital changes to meet evolving demands of customers. We have built up an IoT development ecosystem to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities brought by new digital technologies, offering an array of design and development system software, application software and other software in providing digital solutions for various processes, sub-processes, transactions and activities.

 

Currently, we have organized our operations into four business lines:

 

IoT Smart Home & Building. We offer smart home solutions which include design, procurement and provision of smart home products and devices, integration services as well as comprehensive professional electrical wire installation and home data network setup for homeowners. We also provide smart building solutions which include design, procurement, installation, testing, pre-commissioning and commissioning of various IoT systems, solutions and devices as well as integration of automated systems for smart buildings, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works for property developers and contractors. As of the date of this prospectus, we have secured a total cumulative order book of approximately RM166 million ($37.7 million) for our smart home and building business since the launch of this line in 2019, serving Selangor, Perak and Penang, the population of which three states in aggregate account for approximately 33.1% of Malaysia’s total population, and unperformed contract sums were approximately RM91.8 million ($20.8 million) as of the date of this prospectus.

 

IoT Smart Agriculture. We carry out services of supply, installation, commissioning and testing of smart hydroponic system which includes IoT concept and functionality to the current existing hydroponic system. We started venturing into the provision of customized hydroponics IoT systems and solutions for the agriculture industry in 2021. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, we installed a hydroponic system with cloud-based remote monitoring and control capability on approximately 30 acres of land in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia to plant various types of fruits and vegetables, generating revenue of approximately RM166.3 million ($37.7 million), accounting for 37.5% of our total revenue over the same period.

 

IoT System Development. We procure, supply and deliver to our customers industrial building systems for construction projects to improve the efficiency and accuracy of construction works, as IBS enables contractors to reduce concrete mixing activities at construction sites as well as the overall duration of construction projects. Our IBS is equipped with IoT technologies that are designed to connect machines and provide accurate tracking of workloads. We intend to further develop and optimize our IBS systems with additional IoT applications. As of the date of this prospectus, we have secured multiple contracts, each worth tens of millions RM, from property developers and construction contractors. We are also expanding into IoT warehouse management systems as well as drone services for farms and plantations, with a view to establishing a versatile IoT system development ecosystem providing automation technologies and digital solutions for a broad range of industries.

 

IoT Gadget Distribution. We distribute mobile gadget accessories to end users in Malaysia via resellers, distributors and retailers. In the process, we provide certain services including shipping tracking and status updates, customer care line and online chat support, digital marketing, pre-installation and warranty services. Currently, we have a broad customer base with approximately 2,800 resellers, distributors and retailers who spread across eleven (11) major cities in Malaysia. These resellers, distributors and retailers directly purchase gadget products from us and we do not charge any fee for providing the marketing and sales services.

 

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We have benefited from ARB Berhad’s experience, reputation and network in Malaysian information technology industry. As an operating segment of a seasoned Malaysian public company, we have gained from established business processes and a veteran leadership team, allowing us to focus our attention on growing and developing our IoT business. While our history with ARB Berhad has provided us with certain competitive advantages, we believe that the separation and this offering will promote clearer segregation of business responsibilities and operations for the IoT segment, thereby enabling efficient allocation of resources to accelerate the growth of our IoT business, and allow us to have direct access to a globally recognized stock exchange, which would increase our financial flexibility to explore expansion and growth prospects and enhance our corporate reputation and recognition. See “Corporate History and Structure” and “Related Party Transactions—Historical Relationship with ARB Berhad.

 

Our business has grown rapidly as demonstrated by the increase in revenue from approximately RM50.3 million ($11.4 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM443.0 million ($100.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of RM392.7 million ($89.1 million), or 780.7%, and in profit from approximately RM18.9 million ($4.3 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM73.4 million ($16.7 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of 289.0%. For additional information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Effects of COVID-19

 

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions have affected our businesses, particularly our Smart Home and Building line of business, as well as those of our customers, suppliers, and third-party distributors. To serve our customers while also providing for the safety of our employees, we have implemented a number of employee and customer safety measures, such as enhanced cleaning and physical distancing, personal protective gear, disinfectant spraying, and temperature checks. We will continue to prioritize employee and customer safety and comply with evolving federal, state, and local standards of Malaysia as well as to implement standards or processes that we determine to be in the best interests of our employees, customers, and communities.  Also see “Risk Factors —Risks Related to Our Business—The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to cause a material adverse effect on our business.”

 

Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance

 

Our business, results of operations and financial condition are affected by general factors driving Malaysia’s economy, the IoT industry, and the markets where our customers operate such as property development, agriculture, logistics and consumer electronics sectors. These factors include urbanization rate, levels of per capita disposable income, levels of consumer spending, rate of internet and mobile penetration, development of technologies such as 5G and cloud computing, domestic and international supply chain stability, overall enterprise spending, and other general economic conditions in Malaysia that affect consumption and business activities in general.

 

While our business is influenced by general factors affecting our industry, especially for our IoT Gadget Distribution business, our operating results are more directly affected by company-specific factors, including the following major factors:

 

Our ability to secure IoT projects. The operations of our IoT Smart Home and Building, IoT Smart Agriculture and IoT System Development business lines are on a project-by-project basis. While we are still in the early stages of penetrating our addressable market, we have benefited from rapid customer growth. We believe there are significant untapped opportunities to win new large enterprises across different industries in Malaysia and the ASEAN region. In addition to large enterprises, we also seek to work with smaller, fast-growing companies that require a different set of services that allow us to test new offerings and develop new capabilities.

 

Our customers’ financial condition and ability to make payments. Our customers generally purchase our products on credit, and as a result, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected if our customers experience financial difficulties. We provide a long credit period from 210 days to 365 days to some large customers to secure contracts from them. Although we had significant amounts of accounts receivable as of the end of fiscal 2022 and 2021, we were able to collect all of such accounts receivable subsequently. We manage credit risk related to our customers by performing periodic evaluations of credit worthiness and applying other credit risk monitoring procedures.

 

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Our ability to complete IoT projects on schedule. All of our projects have agreed milestones and specific completion dates. Our ability to meet agreed milestones depends on our ability to manage overall projects as well as product sourcing and supply chain. We source hardware and software products for our IoT projects from Malaysian suppliers. Proximity to origin enables us to develop stronger relationships with local suppliers and contractors, which give us access to a stable supply of products and services. In addition, we lay out specific and measurable metrics in advance and remain focused and disciplined through the life of the projects which enable us to promptly identify any underlying issues and resolve them proactively. We believe that our strong project management ability and procedures are key to ensuring a high level of completion rate.

 

In addition, other significant factors affecting our performance and results of our operations include:

 

The impact of COVID-19 on the global macroeconomy;

 

Wage rates and operating costs in Malaysia;

 

Changes in foreign exchange rates, particularly fluctuations in exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Ringgit Malaysia;

 

Our ability to retain existing clients, as well as to increase our revenue from existing clients by expanding services provided to them;

 

Our ability to provide favorable pricing;

 

Our ability to expand and deepen the quality, range and diversity of our portfolio of service offerings while maintaining high quality standards;

 

Our ability to maintain and strengthen a strong brand and corporate reputation;

 

Our ability to continuously innovate, and continuously remain at the forefront of emerging technologies and related market trends; and

 

Our ability to identify, integrate and effectively manage future acquisitions.

 

Please refer to “Risk Factors” for additional information on factors that may affect our results of operations.

 

Comparability of Historical Results

 

Our historical consolidated financial statements, which are discussed below, are prepared on a stand-alone basis in accordance with IFRS and are derived from ARB Berhad’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records using the historical results of operations and assets and liabilities attributed to our operations, and include allocations of expenses from ARB Berhad. Our consolidated results are not necessarily indicative of our future performance and do not reflect what our financial performance would have been had we been a stand-alone public company during the periods presented.

 

ARB Berhad has provided administrative support services to us, and costs associated with these functions have been allocated to us. Such costs primarily related to human resources and have been primarily reflected within operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs were allocated on the basis of gross profit contribution and assets. Management believes the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to, or the benefit received by, us during the periods presented. The amount of such expenses allocated to us was RM0.7 million ($0.2 million) and RM0.1 million ($0.03 million) for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which comprised RM0.7 million ($0.2 million) and RM0.1 million ($0.03 million) in general and administrative expense.

 

Following the completion of this offering, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We will be required to establish procedures and practices as a stand-alone public company in order to comply with our obligations under the Exchange Act and related rules and regulations. As a result, we will incur additional costs, including internal audit, investor relations, share administration and regulatory compliance costs. These additional costs may differ from the costs that were historically allocated to us from ARB Berhad.

 

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Our Reportable Segment

 

An operating segment is defined as a component of an entity for which discrete financial information is available and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by our Chief Executive Officer. We report our results of operations in a single reportable segment dedicated to the provision of IoT solutions and the Chief Executive Officer makes decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance based on the Company as a whole. We provide breakdowns by business lines for certain components of our operating results as appropriate.

 

Key Components of Results of Operations

 

Revenue

 

Our revenue consists of (i) project management fees, (ii) sales of goods, and (iii) rendering of information technology system.

 

Revenue from project management and rendering of information technology system are recognized at a point in time when control of the goods is passed to the customer, which is the point in time when the significant risks and rewards are transferred to the customer and the transaction has met the probability of inflows and measurement reliability requirements of IFRS 15.

 

Revenue from sale of goods is recognized at a point in time when the Group satisfies a performance obligation by transferring a promised good (i.e. an asset) to a customer. An asset is transferred as and when a customer obtains control of that asset which coincides with the delivery of goods and acceptance by the customer. There is no material right of return and warranty provided to the customers on the sale of goods and there is no significant financing component in the revenue arising from sale of goods as the sales are made on the normal credit terms not exceeding twelve months.

 

We are engaged in supply and installation of customized IoT software or hardware. The majority of the sale of goods contracts relate to the supply and installation of a set of customized IoT Smart Agriculture solutions, sale of customized source codes in accordance with client requirements for IoT system development, as well as resale of mobile gadgets and accessories.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of Project Management and Rendering of Information Technology System Revenue

 

Cost of project management and rendering of information technology system revenue primarily consist of costs related to providing implementation and configuration services, personnel-related costs directly associated with our professional services, including costs of contracted third-party vendors.

 

Cost of Sales of Goods

 

Cost of sales of goods mainly consists of cost of products purchased from third party suppliers. 

 

Total Expenses

 

Total expenses consist of depreciation expenses, personnel expenses and general administrative expenses.

 

Other Income

 

Other Income consists of bank interest income and gain on bargain purchase in acquisitions.

 

Tax Expenses

 

Malaysian income tax is calculated at the statutory tax rate of 24% regarding the estimated taxable profit for the fiscal years.

 

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Results of Operations

 

Year Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Year Ended June 30, 2022

 

The following table shows key components of our results of operations during the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

    For the years ended June 30,     Change  
   

2021

(in thousands)

   

2022

(in thousands)

   

Amount

(in thousands)

   

Amount

(in thousands)

    %  
    RM     USD     RM     USD     RM     USD        
   Restated    Restated                      
Revenue     50,325     $ 11,423       443,024     $ 100,562       392,699     $ 89,138       780  
Cost of sales     (40,064 )     (8,809 )     (344,857 )     (78,279 )     (304,793 )     (69,185 )     761  
Gross profit     10,261       2,614       98,167       22,283       87,906       19,953       857  
Total expenses     (2,841 )     (930 )     (10,199 )     (2,315 )     (7,358 )     (1,670 )     259  
Other income     12,982       2,947       324       74       (12,658 )     (2,873 )     98  
Profit before tax     20,402       4,631       88,292       20,042       67,890       15,410       333  
Tax expenses     (1,538 )     (349 )     (14,909 )     (3,384 )     (13,371 )     (3,035 )     869  
Profit for the financial year, representing total comprehensive income for the year     18,864       4,282       73,383       16,658       54,519       12,375       289  
Item that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:     -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Exchange differences arising on translation of foreign operation     -       -       (6 )     (1 )     (6 )     (1 )     -  
Total comprehensive income for the year     18,864     $ 4,282       73,377     $ 16,657       54,513     $ 12,374       289  

 

Revenue. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue increased by RM392.7 million ($89.1 million) or 780% to RM443.0 million ($100.6 million), when compared with RM50.3 million ($11.4 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to expansion of business into the IoT System Development and IoT Smart Agriculture lines and a slight increase in revenue from the IoT Gadget Distribution business.

 

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our revenue by business lines.

 

    For the years ended June 30,  
   

2021

(in thousands)

   

2022

(in thousands)

 
    RM     USD     RM     USD  
IoT Smart Home and Building     29,708     $ 6,743       723     $ 164  
IoT Gadget Distribution     14,617       3,318       17,156       3,894  
IoT System Development     6,000       1,362       258,850       58,756  
IoT Smart Agriculture     -       -       166,295       37,748  
Total     50,325     $ 11,423       443,024     $ 100,562  

 

Revenue from the IoT System Development line of business reached RM258.9 million ($58.8 million) for the year ended June 30, 2022 from RM6.0 million ($1.4 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, an increase of RM252.9 million ($57.4 million), or 4,215%, mainly contributed by providing system integration business application services. The projects completed during the year ended June 30, 2022 included one performed by our wholly-owned Malaysian subsidiary ARB Innovation in the amount of RM154 million ($35 million) for a related party client, Ageson Industrial Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as AB5 Sdn. Bhd.). Ageson Industrial Sdn. Bhd. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ageson Berhad, a Malaysia public listed company primarily involved in property development and construction and Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is the Executive Director of Ageson Berhad. Under this contract, ARB Innovation procured and supplied an industrial building system with IoT technology for the customer’s property development projects.

 

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We had not started the IoT Smart Agriculture business as of June 30, 2021 and recorded nil in revenue for this line during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. We entered into this market in the second half of calendar 2021 and generated revenues of RM166.3 million ($37.7 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 from delivering a customized hydroponic system with IoT functionality on approximately 30 acres of land in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia.

 

Revenue from the IoT Gadget Distribution line of business amounted to RM17.2 million ($3.9 million) for the year ended June 30, 2022, from RM14.6 million ($3.3 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, an increase of RM2.6 million ($0.6 million) or 17.4%, as a result of economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and higher sales volume of mobile gadget accessories.

 

Although our aggregate revenue for the year ended June 30, 2022 increased significantly from the year ended June 30, 2021, revenue from the IoT Smart Home and Building line of business was only RM0.7 million ($0.2 million) for the year ended June 30, 2022, as compared to RM29.7 million ($6.7 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, a decrease of RM29.0 million ($6.5 million). The property market has a large impact on developers’ spending on smart home and building solutions. The Malaysian property market had softened since 2021 primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led developers to eschew integrating smart home solutions into their projects in order to cut costs and price their properties at more competitive levels. This market has seen gradual recovery recently as the Malaysian Government decided to lift pandemic restrictions on all economic sectors and move away from widespread restrictive measures in all economic sectors.

 

Cost of revenue. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the cost of revenue increased by RM304.8 million ($69.2 million) or 760.7% to RM344.9 million ($78.3 million), when compared with RM40.1 million ($9.1 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, which was in line with the increased revenue. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our cost of revenue by business lines. The cost of revenue included amortization of intangible assets of approximately RM12.2 million ($2.8 million) and RM1.3 million ($0.3 million) for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

 

   For the years ended June 30, 
   2021
(in thousands)
   2022
(in thousands)
 
   RM   USD   RM   USD 
IoT Smart Home and Building   26,498   $6,015    16   $4 
IoT Gadget Distribution   12,259    2,783    13,464    3,056 
IoT System Development   1,307    297    190,990    37,342 
IoT Smart Agriculture   -    -    140,387    31,866 
Total   40,064   $9,095    344,857   $78,279 

 

Total expenses. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the total expenses increased to RM10.1 million ($2.3 million) from RM2.8 million ($0.6 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, an increase of RM7.3 million ($1.7 million), or 260.7%. Our total expenses are comprised of depreciation expenses, personnel expenses and general administrative expenses as further described below.

 

    For the years ended June 30,  
    2021
(in thousands)
    2022
(in thousands)
 
    RM     USD     RM     USD  
    Restated     Restated              
Depreciation     -     $ -       1,051     $ 239  
Amortization     266       60       3,186       723  
Personnel     1,973       448       1,916       435  
General administrative     602       137       4,046       918  
Total     2,841     $ 645       10,199     $ 2,315  

 

RM1.1 million ($0.2 million) was recorded as depreciation for the year ended June 30, 2022 following new acquisitions of computer and equipment for IoT Smart Agriculture business activities.

 

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RM3.2 million ($0.7 million) and RM0.3 million ($0.1 million) were recorded as amortization for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, following recognition of intangible assets arising from acquisition of a subsidiary completed in June 3, 2021. The increase of RM2.9 million ($0.7 million) during the year ended June 30, 2022 from the year ended June 30, 2021 was attributable to amortization over a longer period of 11 months recorded in the year ended June 30, 2022.

 

The personnel expenses for the year ended June 30, 2022 were consistent with those for the year ended June 30, 2021, which was in line with our retention of a stable workforce and personnel cost control.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the general administrative expenses increased by RM3.4 million ($0.8 million) or 566.7% to RM4.0 million ($0.9 million), when compared with RM0.6 million ($0.1 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, mainly attributable to professional and legal advisory expenses as well as the administrative support services provided by our indirect controlling shareholder, ARB Berhad.

 

Other income. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the other income decreased by RM12.7 million ($2.9 million) or 98.4% to RM0.3 million ($0.1 million), when compared with RM13.0 ($3.0 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021, mainly as a result of absence of gain on bargain purchase arising from acquisition of a subsidiary recorded for the year ended June 30, 2021. 

 

    For the years ended June 30,  
    2021
(in thousands)
    2022
(in thousands)
 
    RM     USD     RM     USD  
    Restated     Restated              
Bargain purchase on consolidation     12,931       2,935       95       22  
Interest     51     $ 12       229     $ 52  
Total     12,982     $ 2,947       324     $ 74  

 

Tax expenses. We incurred income tax expenses of RM14.9 million ($3.4 million) and RM1.5 million ($0.3 million) for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase was mainly due to higher taxable profit during the year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Profit for the year. For the year ended June 30, 2022, the profit increased by RM54.5 million ($12.4 million) or 288.4% to RM73.4 million ($16.7 million) when compared with RM18.9 million ($4.3 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021. This was in line with increased revenues, which were mainly contributed by sale of customized source codes under the IoT System Development business line and provision of IoT Smart Agriculture solutions.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, we had cash and bank balances of RM28.2 million ($6.4 million) and RM8.1 million ($1.8 million), respectively. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through net cash flow from operations and proceeds from capital contribution from our indirect controlling shareholder ARB Berhad. We expect to finance our operations and working capital needs in the near future from part of our net proceeds of this offering and cash generated through operations.

 

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the years ended:

 

   Years Ended June 30, 
   2021
(in thousands)
   2022
(in thousands)
 
   RM   USD   RM   USD 
Net cash provided by operating activities   3,126   $710    29,760   $6,755 
Net cash used in investing activities   (24,987)  $(5,672)   (136,615)  $(31,010)
Net cash provided by financing activities   23,371   $5,305    126,920   $28,809 
Effect of currency translation   -    -    -    - 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalent   1,510   $343    20,065   $4,554 

 

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Operating Activities

 

Operating activities provided RM29.8 million ($6.8 million) in cash for the year ended June 30, 2022 compared to cash provided operating activities of RM3.1 million ($0.7 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021. The change in cash from operating activities was a result of the higher net profit recognized for the year ended June 30, 2022, when compared to the year ended June 30, 2021. 

 

Investing Activities

 

The cash used in investing activities for the year ended June 30 2022 was RM136.6 million ($31.0 million) compared to RM25.0 million ($6.0 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021. The increase in cash used in investing activities during the year ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to additions in property, plant and equipment and computer systems categorized as intangible assets. 

 

Financing Activities

 

Cash flows provided by financing activities for the year ended June 30, 2022 were RM126.9 million ($28.8 million) compared to RM23.4 million ($5.3 million) for the year ended June 30, 2021. The increase in cash provided by financing activities during the year ended June 30, 2022 was mainly due to capital contribution from our controlling shareholder ARB Berhad.

 

We believe that available cash and bank balances, and the current asset, such as accounts receivable, should enable the Company to meet anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months.

 

We may, however, in the future require additional cash resources due to changing business conditions, implementation of our strategy to expand our business, or other investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our own financial resources are insufficient to satisfy our capital requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain additional credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities could result in dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and financial covenants that would restrict our operations. Financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, could limit our ability to expand our business operations and could harm our overall business prospects.

 

Holding Company Structure

   

ARB IOT Group is a holding company with no material operations of its own. We conduct our operations primarily through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. If our existing subsidiaries or any newly formed subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing their debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the application of our accounting policies which affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from our expectations as a result of changes in our estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application and require us to make significant accounting estimates. The following descriptions of significant accounting judgments, and estimates should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and other disclosures included in this prospectus. When reviewing our financial statements, you should consider (i) our selection of significant accounting policies, (ii) the judgments and other uncertainties affecting the application of such policies, and (iii) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions.

 

Intangible Asset and Goodwill

 

Supply/Service Agreements

 

Supply Agreement, Service Agreement and the Reseller and Drone Service Agreement (“Supply/Service Agreements”) recognized in a business combination is a contract-based intangible asset at the acquisition date and is initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, Supply/Service Agreement is measured at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

 

For the purpose of initial cost recognition, the Company had appointed Independent Valuer (“the Valuer”) to value Supply/Service Agreement based on Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Model (“DCF valuation model”), where the Valuer has adopted the mid-point cost of equity (“Ke”) as the discount rate for future cash flows on June 3, 2021.

 

The initial cost recognition was taken the following basis into consideration:

 

the expected cash flows received by Digital Agrophonic Sdn Bhd (“DASB”) derived from the execution of the Supply/Service Agreements, whereby DASB is authorised to sell, promote, market the products and drone services to customers net present value of such cash flows. Subsequent to the execution of the Reseller and Drone Service Agreement, DASB has signed the Supply Agreement and Service Agreement for:

 

  (i)

provision of all-in-one drone services to streamline workflows on farms and plantations which includes but not limited to spraying pest protection solution for a variety of crops for a period of ten (10) years; and

 

  (ii) purchase of Multi-Rotor Agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”) manufactured and marketed under the trademark of Guangzhou Xaircraft Technology Co. Ltd (“GXT”) for a period of ten (10) years and Multi-Rotor Agricultural UAVs from other suppliers from other countries.

 

the potential future economic benefits expected to be derived from the Reseller and Drone Services Agreement for the next ten (10) years period with an option to renew for another five (5) years; and

 

rationale and prospects of the Subscription.

 

The calculation of initial cost of Supply/Service Agreements is based on the following assumptions:

 

(i)Revenue and income pursuant to the Reseller and Drone Service Agreement, the Supply Agreement, and the Service Agreement for the period from ten (10) years, which is derived from two main sources as follows:

 

(a)Sale of Products – Multi-Rotor Agricultural UAVs;

 

(b)Drone Services – Providing all-in-one drone services to streamline workflows on farms and plantations which includes but not limited to spraying pest protection solution for a variety of crops.

 

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The selling price per unit of the products is approximately RM5,800 per unit, inflated by 5% per annum for every 3-year intervals. Approximately 272 units are expected to be sold within these ten (10) years.

 

Drone Services provided will be charged at a rate of approximately RM342,800 per month and shall be inflated by 5% per annum for every 3-year intervals. Approximately 608 times of the monthly service rate are expected to be earned within these ten (10) years.

 

  (ii) The administrative and operation costs, except for salary and other staff costs, are expected to increase by 3% annually. The salary and other staff costs are expected to increase by ranging from 3% - 9% within these ten (10) years.
     
  (iii) The statutory tax rate is based on Malaysia’s corporate tax rate of 24%.
     
  (iv) There will be no significant changes to the prevailing national economic and political conditions or other abnormal changes and elsewhere.
     
  (v) There will be no significant changes in the present legislation or government regulations affecting the activities of DASB.
     
  (vi) There will be no major breakdown or disruption in the operations., arising from industrial disputes, shortages in labor, social, economic and political changes or other abnormal factors that will adversely affect the activities of DASB.
     
  (vii) There will be no unusual events or transactions that will materially affect the operations or results of DASB.
     
  (viii)  There will be no legal proceedings against DASB which will adversely affect the activities or performance of DASB or give rise to any contingent liabilities., which will materially affect the position or business of DASB.
     
  (ix) There will be no adverse effects from weather conditions, industrial accidents or other similar occurrence, climatic diseases, wars, terrorist attacks, and other natural risks, both domestically and internationally, that may affect the operations, income and expenditure of DASB.
     
  (x) DASB meets all the regulations and standards prescribed by the authorities.
     
  (xi) There will be not any substantial impairment to the carrying value of DASB’s non-current assets.
     
  (xii) Pre-tax discount rate of 11.79% per annum has been applied in determining the initial cost recognition.

 

Computer Systems

 

Computer systems comprise source codes recognized in a business combination at the acquisition date and source codes purchased from third parties, which were held for use in the production or supply of goods or services to customers. The source codes are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, source codes are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

 

Amortization is calculated to write down the cost of the assets to their residual values on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives represent common life expectancies applied in the various business segments of the Company. The principal annual rates used are 20%.

 

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Goodwill

 

Goodwill recognized in a business combination is an intangible asset at the acquisition date and is initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the Company’s cash generating units (CGUs) which represent the lowest level within the Company at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

 

The recoverable amounts of the CGUs have been determined based on value in use (“VIU”) calculations. The VIU is calculated using the pre-tax cash flow projections based on financial budgets approved by management covering a five-year period. VIU was determined by discounting the future cash flow generated from the business operation of the CGUs.

 

The calculations of VIU for the CGUs are most sensitive to the following assumptions:

 

(i) Revenue growth rates

 

The forecasted growth rates are determined based on past performance of the CGUs.

 

(ii) Expenses growth rate

 

Expenses are projected at annual increase of approximately 3.0% (2020: nil) per annum.

 

(iii) Pre-tax discount rates

 

Pre-tax discount rate of 4.09% (2021: 4.09%) per annum has been applied in determining the recoverable amount of the CGUs.

 

(iv) Profit margin

 

Profit margins are projected based on the historical profit margin achieved or predetermined profit margin for the CGUs.

 

With regards to the assessment of the value-in-use of the CGU relating to goodwill, no impairment loss was recognized for the intangible assets on consolidation for current financial year as its recoverable value was in excess of its carrying values.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Refer to the notes to the consolidated financial statements for a complete description of recent accounting standards which we have not yet been required to implement and may be applicable to our operation, as well as those significant accounting standards that have been adopted during the current year.

   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

All of our revenues and substantially all of our expenses are denominated in RM. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalent denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not believe that we currently have any significant direct foreign exchange risk and have not used derivative financial instruments to hedge exposure to such risk. Although our exposure to foreign exchange risks should be limited in general, the value of your investment in our shares will be affected by the exchange rate between U.S. dollar and RM because the value of our business is effectively denominated in RM, while our shares will be traded in U.S. dollars.

 

To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into RM for our operations, appreciation of the RM against the U.S. dollar would have an adverse effect on the RM amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert RM into U.S. dollars for business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RM would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

 

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $5.0 million in this offering, based upon an assumed initial public offering price of $5.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated initial public offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. Assuming that we convert the full amount of the net proceeds from this offering into RM, a 5.0% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RM, from the exchange rate of RM4.4055 for $1.00 as of June 30, 2022 to a rate of RM4.6258 to $1.00, will result in an increase of RM1.1 million in our net proceeds from this offering and from the exchange rate of RM4.2175 for $1.00 as of June 30, 2021 to a rate of RM4.4284 to $1.00, will result in an increase of RM1.1 million in our net proceeds from this offering. Conversely, a 5.0% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RM, from the exchange rate of RM4.4055 for $1.00 as of June 30, 2022 to a rate of RM4.1852 to $1.00, will result in a decrease of RM1.1 million in our net proceeds from this offering and from the exchange rate of RM4.2175 for $1.00 as of June 30, 2021 to a rate of RM4.0066 to $1.00, will result in a decrease of RM1.1 million in our net proceeds from this offering.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to the interest expenses incurred on income generated by excess cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. We have not been exposed to material risks due to changes in interest rates, and we have not used any derivative financial instruments to manage our interest risk exposure. However, our future interest income may fall short of expectations due to changes in market interest rates.

 

After completion of this offering, we may invest the net proceeds we receive from the offering in interest-earning instruments. Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates fall.

 

Inflation

 

To date, inflation in Malaysia has not materially impacted our results of operations. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia Official Portal, the year-over-year percent changes in the consumer price index for 2020 was decrease of 1.2% and for 2021, increase of 2.5%. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation in the past, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in Malaysia. For example, certain operating costs and expenses, such as employee compensation and office operating expenses may increase as a result of higher inflation. Additionally, because a substantial portion of our assets consists of cash and cash equivalent, high inflation could significantly reduce the value and purchasing power of these assets. We are not able to hedge our exposure to higher inflation in Malaysia. 

 

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CORPORATE HISTORY AND STRUCTURE

 

In October 1997, ARB Berhad, our indirect controlling shareholder, was incorporated in Malaysia. In February 2004, it became listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. ARB Berhad commenced IoT business in 2019, starting with offering smart home and building solutions.

 

On March 1, 2022, ARB IOT Group Limited was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. Following the completion of a restructuring in March 2022, it became an indirect holding company of our operating subsidiaries which conduct IoT Smart Home & Building, IoT Smart Agriculture, IoT System Development and IoT Gadget Distribution businesses. See “—Restructuring” below. As of the date of this prospectus, ARB Berhad indirectly owns 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares through its wholly owned subsidiaries, ARB Holdings Sdn. Bhd., a company limited by shares under the laws of Malaysia and ARB IOT Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company.

 

On June 9, 2022, we subdivided all of our 50,000 authorized shares of par value $1.00 each into 500,000,000 shares, par value $0.0001 each, resulting in our existing shareholder holding 10,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.0001. On June 9, 2022, additional 9,990,000 ordinary shares were issued to ARB IOT Limited for a purchase price of $0.0001 per share. On September 19, 2022, ARB IOT Limited subscribed for another 15,000,000 ordinary shares, at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share. As a result, as of the date of this prospectus, we have 25,000,000 ordinary shares issued and outstanding.

 

Immediately following this offering, we expect that ARB Berhad will continue to indirectly own approximately 95.06% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in full, immediately following this offering, ARB Berhad is expected to indirectly own approximately 94.36% of our outstanding ordinary shares. We expect that ARB Berhad will continue to have the power acting alone to approve any action requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast and to elect all of our directors.

 

We will become a stand-alone public company following the completion of this offering. We plan to adopt a policy that all material transactions with a related party, as well as all material transactions in which there is an actual, or in some cases, perceived, conflict of interest, will be subject to prior review and approval by our Audit Committee and its independent members, who will determine whether such transactions or proposals are fair and reasonable to ARB IOT Group Limited and its shareholders. See “Related Party Transactions—Transactions with Related Parties.

 

Restructuring

 

On March 15, 2022, ARB IOT Group Limited formed ARB IOT (M) Sdn. Bhd., a company limited by shares under the laws of Malaysia. On March 18, 2022, ARB IOT (M) Sdn. Bhd. acquired all equity interest of ARB IOT Group Sdn. Bhd., a company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Malaysia on October 7, 2021, from ARB Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd., an indirect wholly-owned Malaysian subsidiary of ARB Berhad. As a result of the acquisition of ARB IOT Group Sdn. Bhd., we have acquired and assumed the operations, assets, employees, contracts, facility, equipment and obligations of additional eighteen (18) subsidiaries from ARB Berhad, including ARB Lab Sdn. Bhd., ARB R&D Sdn. Bhd., ARB Innovation Sdn. Bhd., ARB AI Sdn. Bhd., ARBIOT Sdn. Bhd., ARB Midware Sdn. Bhd., ARB Distribution Sdn. Bhd., ARB Robotic Sdn. Bhd., ARB Intelligence Sdn. Bhd., ARB AI Agro Sdn. Bhd., ARB Agro Technology Sdn. Bhd., ARB 5G Sdn. Bhd., ARB Big Data Sdn. Bhd., ARB Techsymbol Sdn. Bhd., ARB Logistic Technologies Sdn. Bhd., ARB WMS Technologies Sdn. Bhd., ARB Information Sdn. Bhd. and ARB AI Technology Sdn. Bhd. On May 10, 2022, we acquired ARB R1 Technology Sdn. Bhd. through our Malaysian subsidiary ARB R&D Sdn. Bhd. from ARB Berhad For more information on our Malaysian subsidiaries, see “—Operating Subsidiaries” below.

 

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We operate our business through our indirect subsidiaries in Malaysia. The following diagram illustrates our corporate structure as of the date of this prospectus.

 

 

(1)Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong and his wife, Datin Lim Lee Kian, each holds 50% equity interests of Ukay One Sdn. Bhd.

 

Operating Subsidiaries

 

ARB Lab Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Lab”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on December 16, 2020, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1,000,000 comprising one million (1,000,000) ordinary shares. Subsequently, ARB Lab has issued four hundred thousand (400,000) preference shares with an issue price of RM0.001 to Polo Jasa Sdn. Bhd. Consequently, the issued share capital of ARB Lab has increased to RM1,000,400. The principal activities of ARB Lab are research and development of IT and IoT for software and hardware and investment holding.

 

ARB R&D Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB R&D”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on April 2, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB R&D are research & development of IT and IoT related software and hardware and investment holding.

 

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ARB Innovation Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Innovation”) formerly known as Aberys Innovation Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on July 5, 2021, with an issued share capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. It was acquired by ARB R&D on September 23, 2021. The principal activities of ARB Innovation are providing hardware, software, product development, installation and training to merchant clients.

 

ARB R1 Technology Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB R1 Technology”) formerly known as ARB Ukmresearch Technology Sdn. Bhd. was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on September 30, 2021, with an issued share capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. It was acquired by ARB R&D on May 10, 2022. The principal activities of ARB R1 Technology are research and development on engineering and technology.

 

ARB AI Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB AI”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on February 3, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB AI are management consultancy services and IT services.

 

ARBIOT Sdn. Bhd. (“ARBIOT”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on March 26, 2019, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM100 comprising one hundred (100) ordinary shares. On May 8, 2019 and February 26, 2021, ARBIOT increased its share capital to RM1,009,900 comprising one hundred million (100,000,000) ordinary shares. On December 31, 2021, ARB AI has acquired the remaining 1% equity interest of ARBIOT from ARB Development Sdn. Bhd. Consequently, ARBIOT became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB AI. The principal activities of ARBIOT are providing IoT, internet and multimedia development and consultancy services, and project management information control commission and installation, trading, re-energy solution and marketing consultants.

 

ARB Midware Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Midware”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on February 8, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising of one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB Midware are information services and management consultancy services.

 

ARB Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Distribution”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on July 1, 2020, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM100 comprising of one hundred (100) ordinary shares. It became a 51% owned subsidiary of ARB Midware after ARB Midware acquired 51% interest from ARBIOT on March 2, 2021. The principal activities of ARB Distribution are management consultancy services and information services.

 

ARB Robotic Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Robotic”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on February 8, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. On June 25, 2021, ARB Robotic increased its paid-up capital to RM100 comprising one hundred (100) ordinary shares whereby ten (10) ordinary shares were allotted to ARB Distribution and eighty-nine (89) ordinary shares were allotted to ARB Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd. Consequently, ARB IOT Group Sdn. Bhd. acquired 90% equity interests from ARB Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd. on October 8, 2021. As a result, ARB IOT Group Sdn. Bhd. now directly holds 90% equity interests, and its 51% owned subsidiary ARB Distribution owns the remaining 10% equity interests of ARB Robotic. The principal activities of ARB Robotic are management consultancy services and IT services.

 

ARB Intelligence Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Intelligence”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on June 21, 2018 with an issued share capital of RM100 comprising one hundred (100) ordinary shares. On April 13, 2021, ARB Intelligence has increased its share capital to RM1,000 comprising one thousand (1,000) ordinary shares. Subsequently, ARB Intelligence became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB Robotic after ARB Intelligence was acquired by ARB Robotic on July 8, 2021 for 100% of its equity interests. The principal activities of ARB Intelligence are providing information services and management consultancy services.

 

ARB AI Agro Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB AI Agro”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on May 18, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB AI Agro are investment holding and IT services.

 

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ARB Agro Technology Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Agro Tech”) formerly known as Digital Agrophonic Sdn. Bhd. was acquired by ARB AI Agro on June 3, 2021 for 90% of its equity interests. On October 12, 2021, ARB AI Agro acquired the remaining 10% equity interests of ARB Agro Tech. Consequently, ARB Agro Tech became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB AI Agro. ARB Agro Tech was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on May 27, 2021, with an issued share capital of RM1,000 comprising of one thousand (1,000) ordinary shares. The principal activities of ARB Agro Tech are providing investment holding and IT services.

 

ARB 5G Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB 5G”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on March 10, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. On December 20, 2021, ARB 5G increased its share capital to RM100 comprising one hundred (100) ordinary shares. The principal activities of ARB 5G are management consultancy services and IT services.

 

ARB Big Data Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Big Data”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on June 22, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising of one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB Big Data are IT services and information services.

 

ARB Techsymbol Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Techsymbol”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on February 8, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising one (1) ordinary share. On October 8, 2021, ARB IOT Group Sdn. Bhd. has acquired the entire equity interest from ARB Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd. The principal activities of ARB Techsymbol are IT services and management consultancy services.

 

ARB Logistic Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Logistic Technologies”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on January 25, 2021, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM100,000 comprising one hundred thousand (100,000) ordinary shares. Subsequently, ARB Logistic Technologies became 51% owned subsidiary of ARB Techsymbol on February 22, 2021 after acquiring 51% equity interest from ARB Digital Technology Sdn. Bhd. It became a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB Techsymbol after ARB Techsymbol acquired the remaining 49% equity interests on July 12, 2021 from BCSSoft Sdn. Bhd. The principal activities of ARB Logistic Technologies are information services and management consultancy services.

 

ARB WMS Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB WMS Technologies”) formerly known as Bluewave WMS Technologies was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on July 6, 2021, with an issued share capital of RM1 comprising of one (1) ordinary share. On August 12, 2021, ARB WMS Technologies increased its issued share capital of RM100,000 comprising of one hundred thousand (100,000) ordinary shares whereby fifty one thousand (51,000) ordinary shares were allotted to ARB Techsymbol for 51% of its equity interests. The principal activities of ARB WMS Technologies are providing IT services and investment holding.

 

ARB Information Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Information”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on March 14, 2022, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising of one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB Information are providing IT services and investment holding.

 

ARB AI Technology Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB AI Technology”) was incorporated in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares on March 16, 2022, with an issued and paid-up capital of RM1 comprising of one (1) ordinary share. The principal activities of ARB AI Technology are providing IT services and investment holding.

 

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INDUSTRY

 

Information included in this prospectus relating to our industry, industry size, share of industry sales, industry position, industry capacities, industry demand, growth rates, penetration rates, and other industry data consists of estimates based on reports compiled by professional third-party organizations and analysts, data from external sources, our knowledge of our sales and the industry in which we operate, and our own calculations based on such information. While we have compiled, extracted, and reproduced industry data from external sources, including third-party, industry, or general publications, we have not independently verified the data. Similarly, while we believe our management estimates to be reasonable, they have not been verified by any independent sources. Forecasts and other forward-looking information with respect to industry and ranking are subject to the same qualifications and additional uncertainties regarding the other forward-looking statements in this prospectus.

 

Among others, we refer to estimates compiled by using publicly available data from the following industry sources:

 

  National IoT Strategic Roadmap: A Summary, by Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia, 2015
     
  Salmiah Aziz & Siti Nuratirah Mohd Nasir, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Home Technology in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges for Research in Adoption IoT and Latest Technology for Home Building, Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Advanced Materials Engineering & Technology (2020) (hereinafter “Aziz & Nasir [2020]”)
     
  Farah Salwati Ibrahim et al., The Adoption of IOT in the Malaysian Construction Industry: Towards Construction 4.0, International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology, Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021) 56-67 (hereinafter “Ibrahim et al. [2021]”)

 

  MarketsandMarkets, a competitive intelligence and market search platform

 

  Research and Markets, the world’s largest market search store

 

  Green Our Planet, a U.S. non-profit organization running the largest school garden and hydroponics programs in the United States

 

  WhaTech, a global information technology and market research news provider

 

  Market Data Forecast, a firm working in the areas of market research, business intelligence and consulting

 

  Al Jazeera, a global news organization
     
  Precedence Research, a worldwide market research and consulting organization
     
  Emergen Research, a market research and consulting company
     
  AIBP, a business unit of Industry Platform, a growth consulting firm based in Singapore

 

IoT Market Opportunity in Malaysia

 

IoT, or Internet of Things, is a convergence of smart devices that generate data through sensors to create new information and knowledge to boost human intelligence, efficacy and productivity to enhance the quality of life. It is a complex yet complete solution encompassing three main technology components: (i) connected things with embedded sensors, (ii) connectivity and infrastructure, and (iii) most importantly, analytics and applications.

 

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Source: National IoT Strategic Roadmap: A Summary

 

According to Aziz & Nasir [2020], Malaysia is one of the countries that are in the development stage as to IoT technology adoption but is comparable to other countries with growing IoT applications. Malaysia is also one of the few Southeast Asian countries that possess the infrastructure requisite for IoT adoption. The Malaysian government released the National Internet of Things (IoT) Strategic Roadmap in 2015 with the goals of enabling the proliferation of use and industrialization of IoT as a new source of economic growth and making Malaysia the premier regional IoT development hub.

 

 

Source: National IoT Strategic Roadmap: A Summary

 

According to the National IoT Strategic Roadmap, the initial IoT economic potential for Malaysia will be RM9.5 billion GNI creation by 2020 and it is expected to experience exponential growth beyond 2020 and reach RM42.5 billion. Technology opportunities can be created by IoT in Malaysia with forecast technology opportunities for, for example, application and services amounting to RM34 billion in 2025 compared to RM7.5 billion for 2020, and device producers at RM1.0 billion and RM4.3 billion for years 2020 and 2025, respectively. The chart below presents forecasts of IoT technology opportunities globally and in Malaysia across the value chain for years 2020 and 2025, respectively.

 

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Source: National IoT Strategic Roadmap: A Summary

 

The National IoT Strategic Roadmap concludes that IoT will be the transformative and pervasive driver of change and improvement by potentially adding new dimensions to the industry in the following ways:

 

Testing facilities for interoperability, standards compliance and export-related testing;

 

Software development standardization to address standard silos and facilitate the creation of niche applications and services; and

 

System integration services to produce experts from entrepreneurs through interaction with various stakeholders in the ecosystem.

 

The National IoT Strategic Roadmap observes that Malaysia has an encouraging environment and a strong starting point to foster and spur IoT within the domestic market due to the following:

 

High mobile penetration at 143.7 percent and observation of multiple handset ownership;

 

65.8 percent of Malaysians are Internet users with 59 percent being active users;

 

Social media penetration in Malaysia is at 45 percent; and

 

Domestic information and communications technology (ICT) consumption is projected at RM117.6 billion in 2015 and will register RM118.6 billion by 2020 with a CAGR of 8.32 percent

 

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Source: National IoT Strategic Roadmap: A Summary

 

Smart Home & Building Sector

 

Some applications of IoT include automation at homes (or more commonly known as “smart homes”) where lighting, air-conditioners and home appliances such as refrigerators and coffee makers are connected to the internet, enabling these devices to be remotely-controlled or automated; and automation at buildings (or more commonly known as “smart buildings”) where the buildings’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, lighting, access control, security systems and other building systems are connected to the internet to form a centralized building management system to enable remote monitoring and ease building management.

 

According to Aziz & Nasir [2020], the Malaysian smart home market is expected to exceed $235 million by 2025. There is a growing demand in Malaysia for safe and secure living environments, particularly safety functionalities and discrete monitoring for elderly people. In 2018, 77.3% of the Malaysian population lived in urban areas; by 2030, roughly 83.4% of the population is expected to live in urban areas (Aziz & Nasir [2020]). This creates enormous opportunities for smart home market players. The figure below shows revenue forecasts for the smart home market in Malaysia from 2015 to 2021 (in millions of US dollars). The revenue from the smart home market in Malaysia is projected to reach $71.69 million in 2021.

 

 

Source: Aziz & Nasir [2020]

Construction Sector

 

The construction industry is one of the most significant sectors in Malaysia, specifically in terms of its contribution to the Malaysian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and facilitation of other industries to enhance their productivity outcome by constructing buildings and facilities for them. According to Ibrahim et al. [2021], the establishment of IoT in construction development is beneficial to improving productivity levels and reducing the construction time as well as the cost. The use of IoT construction technologies such as building information modeling (BIM), smart communication, sensor, big data, augmented reality, location services and remote operation during the construction process has made a massive impact on the monitoring of the construction process and help reduce the risk of construction error, defects and avoiding construction delay. Among the nine (9) pillars of the fourth industrial revolution, IoT is highlighted as one of the core elements to facilitate the construction industry in improving productivity outcomes (Ibrahim et al. [2021], citing Alaloul et al. [2018] and Ibrahim et al. [2019]).

 

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Ibrahim et al. [2021] summarizes that IoT is particularly instrumental in managing the following five aspects of the construction process:

 

Site monitoring. Site monitoring is an essential part of the construction process. It consists of two parts: tracking of human and tracking of machinery activities on site. The use of IoT for monitoring facilities the project team to keep track of and record massive volume and variety of data during the entire project life cycle automatically and precisely. Such information is beneficial in managing the time and cost of the project in every development stage.

 

Machine control. The construction industry involves lots of heavy machinery. With IoT, such machines can be efficiently controlled and managed autonomously by using sensors and remote operation. The IoT system continuously transfers information from the machinery to operators via sensor and radio-frequency identification (RFID) detection to control the machinery maintenance schedule, fuel usage, machinery temperature and equipment status which results in reduced maintenance cost and prolonged lifespan for the machinery.

 

Construction safety. It is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of site workers and project teams. The adoption of IoT facilitates project managers to more efficiently track workers’ activity, location and site hazards and allows for instant delivery of safety alerts to the construction site when potential dangers are identified. In addition, IoT can be used to track the worker’s health through recording his pulse rate and body temperature to ensure that the worker is in good condition when at the construction site.

 

Fleet management. Unpredicted weathers and road traffic are typically the major causes of delay in delivery of construction materials and machinery on time. IoT can be used to facilitate project managers and site supervisors to track the travelling route, vehicle speed, location and vehicle maintenance schedule as to the transportation of construction materials and equipment.

 

Project management. The primary key indicators for project success are time, cost, quality and scope of the project. With IoT applications, project management becomes more manageable by using 3D models to monitor the entire project process. Digital 3D models assist project managers with optimizing project resources, monitoring construction equipment, tracking project progress, detecting errors and clashes, real-time reporting, scheduling and cost management in efficient ways.

 

The Malaysian government has promoted the importance of IoT application in enhancing project performance and productivity and has taken initiatives in collaboration with the Public Works Department (PWD) and Construction Industrial Development Board (CIDB) to ensure that the construction players are aware of and highly optimize IoT applications in the construction industry by conducting numerous IoT workshops, seminars and training (Ibrahim et al. [2021], citing Ibrahim et al. [2019]). Additionally, the Malaysian construction industry is currently working on the application of IoT that is connected to BIM, augmented reality, cloud computing and big data analytics. However, the implementation is still at an early stage and IoT is not yet widely used in Malaysian construction industry (Ibrahim et al. [2021]).

 

Ibrahim et al. [2021] (citing Mahmud et al. [2018]) observes that, in Malaysian construction industry, the most highly adopted IoT tools are for smart communication such as WhatsApp, Telegram, video call, teleconference and email which provide construction players the medium to exchange information regularly. The use of remotely operated devices such as drones in the Malaysian construction industry is on the rise, as many seminars and workshops have advanced awareness of drones and the way they can help optimize the construction process, worker productivity, and work monitoring and controlling. However, it is still difficult for small to medium sized construction companies to get latest high-tech drones. In addition, they may lack skilled operators to operate such drones. In Malaysia, the use of location services is common in managing and controlling the delivery of construction resources and the main location services used in Malaysia are Google Maps, Waze and GPS. Also, the Malaysian construction industry has started to adopt sensors at construction sites. The usage of sensors has been increasing in monitoring location, time and maintenance of equipment and machinery, and in tracking and saving fuel, power and energy usage of machines.

 

According to Ibrahim et al. [2021], the Malaysian government has encouraged construction players to adopt BIM in construction projects by making it compulsory for public projects worth RM100 million or more. The Malaysian government, in collaboration with MyBIM Centre, has provided construction players with BIM training and consultation through workshops and seminars. At the same time, universities also provide BIM consultation through CIDB associated centers that study BIM learning, including Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Swinburne Universiti. Besides, the Malaysian government also encourages construction players to explore big data technology, either in operational big data or analytical big data to ensure the large data can be stored in a proper database that can be accessed by other project teams. For this purpose, a national BIM library has been established by the government.

 

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Hydroponic Agriculture Sector

 

The anticipated growth of the Malaysian hydroponics market is viewed in the context of the trends in the global hydroponics market. We believe that the trends in the global hydroponics market represent where the Malaysian hydroponics market will go. We alert ourselves to emerging opportunities, innovations and developments in the global hydroponics market with a view to using them to shape our solutions and offerings.

 

According to MarketsandMarkets, the global hydroponics market was valued at $9.5 billion in 2020; it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% to reach $17.9 billion by 2026. The pressure on the agriculture industry to meet the growing demand for grains and food leads to the search for high-yielding farming techniques, such as precision farming and urban farming. Hydroponics thus is looked upon as a potential solution for the growing concern about food security in the coming years.1

 

Green Our Planet observes that through the use of hydroponics systems, growers can achieve potentially larger crop yields, faster growth time (up to twice as fast), up to a 90% increase in water efficiency, and require a substantially smaller footprint (up to 10x more yield in the same amount of space). By using hydroponics growth systems, gardeners and growers will not be affected by unfavorable climates and soil conditions, and will not require chemical or pest control products, resulting in safer and healthier growing environments.2

 

 

According to a report offered by Research and Markets, the global hydroponics market size is estimated to reach $9.76 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.7% from 2021 to 2028. The adoption of smart farming technologies, such as vertical farming, which has helped the evolution of hydroponics, is expected to spur market growth. Continuous improvements in hydroponics technologies and the introduction of innovative, state-of-the-art technologies, including environmental and temperature sensing, remote growth monitoring, and automatic nutrient reading, are likely to fuel the demand.3

 

1https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hydroponic-market-94055021.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImdXlvvTV9AIVDRwrCh1RoQN-EAAYAiAAEgKp8PD_BwE

2https://greenourplanet.org/hydroponics/benefits-of-hydroponics/
3    https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-hydroponics-market-report-2021-continuous-improvements-of-innovative-state-of-the-art-technologies-including-environmental-and-temperature-sensing-remote-growth-monitoring-301406706.html
4    https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hydroponic-market-94055021.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImdXlvvTV9AIVDRwrCh1RoQN-EAAYAiAAEgKp8PD_BwE

 

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MarketsandMarkets notes that, according to the UN reports on global population, plants grown in hydroponic systems have achieved 20%–25% higher yield than the traditional agriculture system, with its productivity being 2 to 5 times higher. Also, owing to controlled environmental conditions, the effect of climatic changes can be balanced with the help of these systems, thereby not affecting the annual crop production. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the demand for automated indoor production, as the agriculture industry faced labor shortages and other challenges as a result of COVID-19.4

 

MarketsandMarkets finds that with the increased adoption of hydroponics globally, manufacturers and researchers are working on improving the efficiency of hydroponics technology to increase the quality and quantity of the produce. Many companies in the market are investing heavily into R&D for obtaining state-of-art technologies that boost the productions and also bring about a variety of cultivations possible. Strategic partnerships with research labs and institutes further drive the growth of the hydroponics market.5

 

According to Precedence Research, the global IoT in agriculture market size is expected to hit around $28.56 billion by 2030 and poised to grow at a CAGR of 9.62% from 2022 to 2030.6 Farming operations are increasingly a highly mechanized and computer-driven operation, which allows corporations to treat agriculture like manufacturing in the sense that measurements, data, and control are very important to manage costs, maximize yields, and boost profits. A report offered by Research and Markets found that the largest IoT agricultural application by revenue is monitoring, which is forecast to reach $7.31 billion globally by 2027; the fastest growing IoT solution area by revenue is automation, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 64.1% through 2027; the market for smart sensor systems is estimated to reach $2.93 billion globally by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 67.1% through 2027; and, the global market for agriculture drones is predicted to reach $1.39 billion by 2027 with an average price of $1,250 per unit for UAVs.7

 

IoT in Hydroponics Industry in Malaysia8

 

According to a survey conducted by Department of Statistics Malaysia, in 2015, 2017 and 2019, the respondents from the agriculture sector who use computerised systems in their operations increased by 9.62% from 69.20% to 78.82%. The information on the size of the hydroponics industry and the industry size specifically on the computerised hydroponic system or smart hydroponic system are not publicly available.

 

Usage of computerized systems in Malaysian agriculture sector, 2015, 2017 and 2019

 

 

Note: Latest available as of August 5, 2022. Data for 2016 and 2018 is not publicly available.

Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia

 

In addition, based on the same survey, in 2019, 54.68% of respondents from the agriculture sector responded that they adopt mobile internet and related technologies in their business operations, and 9.03% of respondents from the agriculture sector responded that they adopt data analytics in their business operations.

 

The key driving factors for continued growth in the hydroponics industry and smart hydroponic systems in Malaysia are as follows:

 

  (i) Increasing urbanization and scarcity of land drive hydroponic farming and smart hydroponic systems.

 

5 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/hydroponic-market-94055021.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImdXlvvTV9AIVDRwrCh1RoQN-EAAYAiAAEgKp8PD_BwE.
6 https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/07/12/2478604/0/en/IoT-in-Agriculture-Market-Size-to-Hit-USD-28-56-Billion-by-2030.html.
7 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-iot-in-agriculture-markets-report-2022-2027-need-for-over-70-more-food-globally-by-2050-is-driving-robust-demand-301570217.html.
Unless otherwise indicated, the information and data under this heading “IoT for Hydroponics Industry in Malaysia” is drawn from the Independent Market Report on the Hydroponic Industry in Malaysia, a report commissioned by us and prepared by Smith Zander International.

 

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Unlike traditional farming, hydroponic farming consumes relatively less space as it can be established in indoor areas (i.e. greenhouses) and/or at a vertical setup utilizing multiple layers of racks to grow crops. Increasing urbanization and scarcity of land as a result of growing population and increasing infrastructure development are expected to drive adoption of hydroponic farming to ensure sustainability.

 

Over the period of 2017 to 2021, the percentage of urban population in Malaysia increased from 75.45% of the total population to 77.70% of the total population. The increasing urbanization may lead to continuous development of infrastructure and buildings which may subsequently lead to diminishing land for agricultural activities. The total planted areas for selected vegetables reduced from 63.50 hectares in 2017 to 59.80 hectares in 2020; out of which the total planted areas for tomatoes, cucumbers and long beans increased slightly from 11.80 hectares to 12.00 hectares during the same period.

 

The increase in urbanization and overall reduction in planted areas for vegetables have led to a growing proliferation of hydroponic farming, including urban farming that utilizes hydroponic technique. With the anticipated increase in the adoption of hydroponic systems in commercial farming, it is expected to drive the demand for computerized hydroponic systems or smart hydroponic systems to maximize yield, productivity and efficiency while keeping the costs minimal.

   

  (ii) Advantages of hydroponic farming and smart hydroponic systems will continue to drive the growth of the hydroponics industry.

 

Hydroponics is an efficient farming technique that promotes rapid growth, higher yield and better quality of crops. It involves growing crops by feeding all the nutrients and substances required for the crops to grow by dissolving the nutrients and substances in water. The amount and concentration of nutrients and substances provided are adjusted according to the crops’ growing conditions to avoid over- or under-nutrition which may affect the crop quality. Hydroponics also eliminates or reduces the risks/ damages arising from uncontrollable events which often happen in traditional farming, such as adverse weather that may lead to drought soil or flood, attacks from bugs, pests and rats, as well as damages by wildlife and animals; all of which may affect crop quality and harvest.

 

In addition, hydroponics allows visibility of the plants’ roots to enable detection of diseases and identification of unhealthy plants easily, which is especially important for medicinal herbs. As opposed to traditional farming which requires a piece of land with suitable soil materials for commercial farming, farming with hydroponic can be carried out anywhere in a much smaller space including indoor areas (i.e. greenhouse). Hydroponic farming in greenhouses allows crops to grow in highly controlled environment where the light, temperature and humidity are strictly monitored and controlled to maintain the optimized environment for the growing of crops. Further, there is also no wait period required after harvesting a crop cycle which is a common practice in traditional farming for the soil to regain nutrients.

 

Hydroponic farming, with sensors, real-time monitoring, automated irrigation, fertilizer spraying and pest control, and data analytics, will contribute to reduction in wastage from spoilage or low quality of crops which may otherwise occur in traditional farming. Hence, the advantages of hydroponic farming and smart hydroponic systems will continue to drive the growth of hydroponics industry in Malaysia.

 

  (iii) Growing demand for food supply as a result of population growth presents growth opportunities to the hydroponics industry and smart hydroponic systems

 

The adoption of hydroponics technique in commercial farming is driven by the increasing food needs as a result of the country’s population growth. Based on latest available data, the food supply in Malaysia increased from 16.69 million tons in 2017 to 17.00 million tons in 2019, at a CAGR of 0.92%, in order to cater to the food consumption of an increasing population. Malaysia’s population stood at 32.66 million in 2021 and is projected to reach 38.06 million in 2030. As the population of Malaysia increases, more food including vegetables harvested from hydroponic farms will be required to feed the population.

 

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Hydroponics is mainly used for the planting of vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and long beans. From 2018 to 2020, the total production of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and long beans in Malaysia increased from 387.77 thousand metric tons (“MT”) to 400.83 thousand MT, at a CAGR of 1.67%. In 2020, the production of tomatoes ranked the top among the four types of vegetables, followed by cucumbers, lettuce and long beans.

 

Production of selected vegetables in Malaysia, 2018 – 2020

 

 

Source: Smith Zander International analysis

 

The increase in the production of these vegetables as a result of continuous demand for these vegetables from the growing population presents growth opportunities to the hydroponics industry in Malaysia. This also includes driving the adoption of computerized hydroponic systems and smart hydroponic systems which use information and communication technologies to maximize yield, productivity and efficiency.

 

IoT in Hydroponics Industry in the ASEAN Region

 

Increasing Asia population, rising usage of hydroponics for indoor agriculture for fruits and vegetables, growing advent of alternate yielding options, legalization of seeds like marijuana in some countries, are the major factors for driving the growth of Asia Hydroponics market.

 

AIBP notes that, in the ASEAN region, smart farming initiatives are being pushed through at various levels from the government, large enterprises and small medium enterprises. The use of drones and IoT are amongst the most common practices in smart farming. With sensors in place, farms are able to reduce their cost by optimizing the usage of water and fertilizer.

 

For example, as a part of Philippines’ wide-scale agricultural initiative, the Department of Agriculture Philippines uses drones to spray fertilizers and pesticides on a strawberry farm in Benguet, which has allowed farmers to cover more area on their farms as it only takes the drone a few minutes to cover one patch of area.9 Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), the Malaysia headquartered and world’s largest palm oil plantation company utilizes drones to capture real time information about their plantations. By monitoring trials, plant growth and field conditions through the use of technology, SDP is able to better manage their resources and assets, identifying any early signs of diseases and pest infestations in their crops. Through digitalization of their data aggregation process, SDP has managed to save RM1 million per year on manpower, paper, and transportation fuel. On a smaller scale, wholesaler of agricultural raw materials Nong Phat High-Tech Agriculture JSC from Vietnam has leveraged IoT-based management services to manage their water and fertilizer for their greenhouses. The application has allowed one worker to cover all the 2,100 square meter greenhouses instead of the usual eight workers.

 

In addition, in Thailand, $3.3 billion was allocated to introduce and implement smart farming to 4,500 communities to boost the Thai agriculture sector. Singapore has also set aside $60 million for the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund to support technological adoption in the agriculture sector.

 

However, there are still some gaps when it comes to the massive transformation from traditional to smart farms in ASEAN. Money and finance remain a challenge for farmers across ASEAN, especially in rural areas. Grow Asia, a partnership platform established by the World Economic Forum and the ASEAN Secretariat, found that its 60 proposed digital technology solutions are used by just 2.5 percent of Southeast Asia’s 71 million smallholder farmers.10 It is forecast that the IoT in agriculture market, including the hydroponics segment, will register significant growth in ASEAN.

 

9 https://iotbusiness-platform.com/insights/food-for-thought-agricultural-evolution-in-the-digital-age/.

10 https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2019/12/30/growing-pains-southeast-asian-farmers-need-cheaper-agritech.

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are a provider of complete solutions to our clients for the integration of Internet of Things (“IoT”) systems and devices from designing to project deployment. We offer a wide range of IoT systems as well as provide customers a substantial range of services such as system integration and system support service. We deliver holistic solutions with full turnkey deployment from designing, installation, testing, pre-commissioning, and commissioning of various IoT systems and devices as well as integration of automated systems, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works.

 

Recent new technology trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, 5G, robotic process automation (RPA), IoT and hyper-connectivity continue to transform businesses and drive companies to seek digital changes to meet evolving demands of customers. We have built up an IoT development ecosystem to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities brought by new digital technologies, offering an array of design and development system software, application software and other software in providing digital solutions for various processes, sub-processes, transactions and activities.

 

Currently, we have organized our operations into four business lines:

 

  IoT Smart Home & Building. Design and implement smart home & building solutions which can integrate a range of electrical appliances, centralized control and remote monitoring, accessible via mobile devices and Windows operating systems.

 

  IoT Smart Agriculture. Carry out services of supply, installation, commissioning and testing of smart hydroponic system which includes IoT concept and functionality to the current existing hydroponic system.

 

  IoT System Development. Provide industrial building management system on construction projects to improve the efficiency and accuracy of construction projects. We are also expanding into warehouse management as well as drone services for farms and plantations.

 

  IoT Gadget Distribution. Support the marketing and sales of mobile gadget accessories by resellers, distributors and retailers, who are responsible for distribution to end users in Malaysia.

 

We have benefited from ARB Berhad’s experience, reputation and network in the IT industry. As an operating segment of a seasoned public company, we have gained from established business processes and a veteran leadership team, allowing us to focus our attention on growing and developing our IoT business. While our history with ARB Berhad has provided us with certain competitive advantages, we believe that the separation and this offering will promote clearer segregation of business responsibilities and operations for the IoT segment, thereby enabling efficient allocation of resources to accelerate the growth of our IoT business, and allow us to have direct access to a globally recognized stock exchange, which would increase our financial flexibility to explore expansion and growth prospects and enhance our corporate reputation and recognition. See “Corporate History and Structure” and “Related Party Transactions—Historical Relationship with ARB Berhad.

 

Our business has grown rapidly as demonstrated by the increase in revenue from approximately RM50.3 million ($11.4 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM443.0 million ($100.6 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of RM392.7 million ($89.1 million), or 780.7%, and in profit from approximately RM18.9 million ($4.3 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 to approximately RM73.4 million ($16.7 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, an increase of RM54.5 million ($12.4 million) or 288.4%. For additional information regarding our financial performance, see “Summary Consolidated Financial Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

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Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths are essential to our success and differentiate us from our competitors:

 

 

Strong Core Competencies of Our In-House Research and Development. We invest resources in research and development to enhance our existing IT solutions and develop new IT platform and improve our core technology. We expect to continue to expand the capabilities of our technology in the future and to invest significantly in continued research and development efforts. Our in-house R&D team is able to provide innovative solutions and user-friendly products. We are a customer-centric aggregator (platform and service enabler) who constantly seek to innovate new solutions and keep abreast with the new industry trends through continuous market research and maintain constant communication with strategic partners. Our R&D team is backed by a group of experienced chief scientific advisors who are responsible for working closely with the industrial needs that eventually will result in new or improved products, processes, systems or services that can increase our clients’ productivity.

 

  Extensive National Sales and Distribution Network. ARB IOT Group’s IoT gadget distribution business has an extensive sales and distribution network of mobile gadget accessories from reputable brands, with an estimated close to 2,800 number of resellers and retailers, covering every major cities in Malaysia. We can leverage on our existing reseller network to sell the mobile gadget accessories to the end users and scout for cross-selling opportunities throughout the existing business networks.

 

  Capability in Large Scale Engagements. ARB IOT Group has demonstrated its ability to implement large scale IoT deployments, differentiating itself from its competitors who primarily occupy the small and medium scale space, leading it to be perceived as a top-tier IoT system integrator. This allows ARB IOT Group to compete more effectively against larger players in future large scale implementation projects and secure collaborations with industry-leading players.

 

  Ability to Integrate Solutions from a Variety of Vendors. In the “Smart Home” space, ARB IOT Group has the capability to develop centralized control and monitoring solutions that can integrate a wide range of smart home devices and allow users to access these solutions via smartphone or desktop applications.

 

  Experienced Key Management Personnel. Our company’s success is supported by an experienced and committed key management team led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong who has more than 20 years of experience in IT industry. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of ARB IOT Group since ARB Berhad’s diversification efforts to include the provision of information technology solutions and services and related activities in 2018. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong has made contributions to the growth of ARB IOT Group with his management, business knowledge and experience in the industry. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is supported by the key management who have diverse experience in their respective fields, from finance to sales and marketing. Their combined experience, coupled with their drive and passion for our business have been instrumental to our company’s growth strategies and success. Our strategic planning and direction, and technology leadership have given us the competitive advantage to compete effectively with competitors. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong has won an award from the prestigious Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (“APEA”). APEA is a regional award recognition program recognizing entrepreneurial excellence. It aims to band leading entrepreneurs and organizations across Asia to spur greater innovation, fair practices and growth in entrepreneurship, creating a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem which will then shape Asia to sustainable economic and social growth.

 

Our Market Opportunity – ASEAN Region

 

We mainly focus on IoT growth market in ASEAN region, driven by favorable factors such as rapid urbanization, proliferation of technology and mobile devices and shift from traditional agriculture to IoT agriculture in ASEAN countries. We aim to be one of the top IoT player in the ASEAN region, particularly in the agriculture, property development and logistic industries. We anticipate to collaborate with local partners for IoT products and services to penetrate the local market of ASEAN countries.

 

According to data from Analysys Mason, a world’s leading management consultancy, total IoT revenue in Singapore is projected to be $714 million in 2025, of which connectivity and services will account for $95 million while applications will account for $349 million.[1] The numbers signal Singapore’s position as the epicenter and hub for IoT Technology in ASEAN as infrastructures have been laid out to support IoT deployments in both the public and private sectors.

 

1 Mark Johnston, Singapore Projects Receive Boost Through IoT-aaS Platform Launch, Channel Asia (June 26, 2018) https://www.channelasia.tech/article/642983/singapore-projects-receive-boost-through-iot-aas-platform-launch/.

 

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We expect to set up our regional center in Singapore to support our IoT business for ASEAN countries. Other than the existing sales office in Malaysia, we also plan to set-up sales representative offices in other major ASEAN cities such as Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Manila, Bangkok, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Our Services and Solutions

 

IoT Smart Home & Building

 

We offer smart home solutions which include design, procurement and provision of smart home products and devices, integration services as well as comprehensive professional electrical wire installation and home data network setup for homeowners.

 

Smart home functionality is fast becoming an essential feature for new home buyers. In a smart home system, various home electrical appliances and devices are integrated thus connecting the kitchen, living room, study room, bed room etc. through a centralized control and remote monitoring smart home network. This allows homeowners to remotely control and monitor various electrical appliances and devices such as closed- circuit television (CCTV), lighting and air-conditioning via mobile devices (iOS and Android). In this way, we create smart surroundings which make the lives of the people more convenient and comfortable. We work closely with all stakeholders to develop a solution that would reflect their idea contributions.

 

We also provide smart building solutions which include design, procurement, installation, testing, pre-commissioning and commissioning of various IoT systems, solutions and devices as well as integration of automated systems for smart buildings, including installation of wire and wireless and mechatronic works for property developers and contractors.

 

With a smart building system, building managers will be able to remotely control and monitor various aspects of a building including security, temperature control, ventilation and energy saving features.

 

 

Photos of Construction in Progress

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM29.7 million ($7.1 million), accounting for 59.0% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM0.7 million ($0.2 million), accounting for 0.2% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

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IoT Smart Agriculture

 

We started venturing into the provision of customized hydroponics IoT systems and solutions for the agriculture industry in 2021. Hydroponic farming is a type of modern farming technique which involves the usage water to replace soil to grow plants. In the absence of soil, the roots of plants are exposed to water and nutrient rich solutions that contain all the nutrients and substances required to grow a plant. Computerised hydroponics system or smart hydroponic system is a type of agriculture technology that is increasingly used to maximise yield, productivity and efficiency while reducing costs. It plays a role in facilitating better management of limited resources for farming such as land, in order to feed a growing population, thus promoting sustainability.

 

Features such as sensors, which are connected to the Internet, can be installed in trays filled with water and nutrient solutions to monitor temperature, moisture, lighting, humidity and the pH of the water built within the system. From that, the information and data gathered from the sensors can be uploaded to a cloud server to enable farm operators to remotely monitor and control (via the Internet or through smart devices) parameters such as water level, room temperature and nutrient rich water-based solution in real time. In addition, the smart system can also be designed to alert farmers whenever there are any potential problems detected by the sensors, such as disease and lack of water or nutrients. In turn, this can allow farm operators to take preventive or mitigative actions. These smart features can assist farm operators in maximising yield and improving crop quality. 

 

Illustration of a Smart Hydroponic System

 

 

Source: Smith Zander International 

 

Our hydroponics IoT solutions involve the following:

 

  (i) design the layout of the smart hydroponic farm for the application and integration of IoT in hydroponics, which includes the procurement of sensors and surveillance cameras as well as other relevant hardware that are essential in a hydroponics farm (e.g., nutrient controllers, seedling tray, water tank and piping system);

 

  (ii) design software to enable transfer of data from the smart hydroponic farm to a cloud server, which can then be accessed remotely via smart devices;

 

  (iii) install, test and commission the hardware and software to ensure that the smart hydroponic farm operates as intended; and

 

  (iv) provide after-sales services such as data analytics and periodic maintenance services.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM nil ($ nil), accounting for 0.0% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM166.3 million ($37.7 million), accounting for 37.5% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

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IoT System Development

 

We procure, supply and deliver to our customers industrial building systems to meet their operational requirements. IBS is a technique of construction whereby components are manufactured in a controlled environment, either at site or off site, placed and assembled into construction works. This allows us to increase productivity and quality at construction sites. It needs close management to avoid the issues and obstacles that occur during timely delivery of construction components on the site.

 

Three main benefits gained by implementing IBS from the contractors’ perspective are (i) IBS increases the productivity of construction works, (ii) IBS reduces concrete mixing activities at construction sites and (iii) IBS reduces the overall duration of construction work. These results indicate that the contractors are focusing more on completing construction works with the help of IBS implementation at construction sites. Also with IBS, our clients are able to minimize the problem of site mismanagement/disorganization through a significant reduction of in-situ wet concrete works.

 

In addition, our IBS is equipped with IoT technologies that are designed to connect machines and provide accurate tracking of workloads. The adoption of IoT technologies in the construction process can assist with planning and skillful management of human and physical resources, improve productivity levels and reduce construction time and cost. IoT technologies such as building information modeling, sensor, big data and remote operation have the potential to reshape the IBS systems and the overall construction industry. We intend to further develop and optimize our IBS systems with additional IoT applications.

 

 

Photos of IBS on Construction Sites

 

In 2021, we began to enter into new sectors such as digital warehouse management systems and agricultural drone services, as we aim to establish a versatile IoT system development ecosystem providing automation technologies and digital solutions for a broad range of industries. See “Expansions into New Markets” below.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM6.0 million ($1.4 million), accounting for 11.9% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this business line was RM258.9 million ($58.8 million), accounting for 58.4% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

IoT Gadget Distribution

 

Our IoT Gadget Distribution line offers supply chain and distribution of smart phones, accessories and ICT and IoT products with an extensive sales and distribution network throughout Malaysia. Our services for the marketing and sales of mobile gadget accessories to resellers, distributors and retailers, who are responsible for distribution to end users in Malaysia include, among other things:

 

  warranty services, namely return and replacement for defective products;

 

  customer care line and online chat support to help customers solve problems and provide guidance;

 

  tracking and status updates for product delivery (end to end until product delivery is complete);

 

  pre-installation for certain products; and

 

  notifications of future product launch

 

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We cover approximately over 500 types of mobile gadget accessories such as smart phones, outdoor and indoor cameras of different types, wireless fast chargers, headphones and ear buds, screen protector, mobile pen, speaker, mobile covers, keyboard and wire ban. As we are well verse in the telecommunication solutions and products distribution, we are able to provide one-stop telecommunication solutions for resellers, distributors and retailers with multitude of IT products and services, thereby gaining loyalty through efficiency, convenience and excellent customer experiences.

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the revenue from this business line was approximately RM14.6 million ($3.5 million), accounting for 29.0% of the total revenue over the same period. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the revenue from this segment was RM17.2 million ($3.9 million), accounting for 3.9% of the total revenue over the same period.

 

Our Customers and Suppliers

 

IoT Smart Home and Development

 

As of the date of this prospectus, we have secured a total cumulative order book of approximately RM166 million ($37.7 million) for our smart home and building business since the launch of this business in 2019, serving Selangor, Perak and Penang, the population of which three states in aggregate account for approximately 33.1% of Malaysia’s total population and unperformed contract sums were approximately RM91.8 million ($20.8 million) as of the date of this prospectus. This will provide us with a platform for continuing business success and growth.

 

Our historical and current major projects include:

 

  Completed deployment of IoT systems, engineering, procurement, commissioning and management (SEPCM) for 260 units of serviced apartments in Shah Alam in September 2020 which project was worth RM60.4 million ($14.5 million);

 

  Completed deployment of IoT SEPCM for HYC Ventures Sdn. Bhd. in September 2022, which project was worth RM2.5 million ($0.6 million); and

 

  a pending IoT SEPCM project for a residential development comprising 130 units of single-story terrace houses in Perak which is worth RM18 million ($4.3 million).

 

We source the hardware and software required for the smart home and building systems from various reputable suppliers and distributors locally. We do not have any long-term supply agreements.

 

IoT Smart Agriculture

 

We offer hydroponics IoT solutions to hydroponic farm operators. Our services include initial setup and maintenance such as replacement of sensors, filters, and plant nutrient solutions for the farm operators. With the provision of maintenance service, we are able to retain the farm operators and increase our recurring income, while growing our customer base.

 

We completed constructing and deploying hydroponics IoT solutions on approximately 30 acres of land in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia to plant various types of fruits and vegetables, generating approximately RM166.3 million (approximately $37.7 million) in revenue for the year ended June 30, 2022.

 

We do not manufacture any of the hydroponic products that we sell through our distribution channels. We purchase the hardware and software required for the IoT hydroponics solutions from local suppliers. We do not have any long-term supply agreements.

 

IoT System Development

 

We started providing IBS systems to developers on construction projects in 2021. Our customers in this space are primarily comprised of large property developers and construction contractors as they are open to and have financial resources for adopting digital and automation technologies. Although we are relatively new to this field, our early-stage approach, focusing on improving efficiency and productivity for companies instead of merely tackling operational issues, distinguishes us and places us in a competitive position to develop potential business and opportunities with clients.

 

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We source the hardware and software required for the IBS systems from local suppliers. We do not have any long-term supply agreements.

 

IoT Gadget Distribution

 

There is a broad customer base for our IoT gadget distribution business. Currently, we have a total of approximately 2,800 resellers, distributors and retailers who spread across eleven (11) major cities in Malaysia for the distribution of electronic gadgets to end users. These resellers, distributors and retailers make direct purchases from us and we do not charge any fee to them for providing various sales and marketing services.

 

The gadgets have been sourced from a long-standing partner and supplier locally. We believe that we maintain a good relationship with this supplier. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not experienced any material disputes or supply shortages.

 

Expansions into New Markets

 

We constantly seek new opportunities and new markets. We are broadening our offerings under the IoT System Development business line, with a focus on the following two areas currently:

 

Warehouse Management System

 

A warehouse management system is a software application designed to support and optimize warehouse functionality and distribution center management. These systems facilitate management in using simplified automatic technologies useful in daily activities like planning, organizing, staffing, directing, warehouse keeping and controlling the utilization of available resources, to move and store materials inside, around and outside of a warehouse, while supporting staff in the performance of material movement and storage in and around a warehouse, without causing any large-scale disruption to business resources.

 

The warehouse management system uses a database configured to support warehouse operations, containing details describing a variety of standard warehouse elements including:

 

(i)individual stock keeping units (SKUs) that are handled and stored, e.g., weight, dimensions, case pack, automatic ID labels (bar codes, etc.), and inventory by location with manufacture date, lot code, etc.;

 

(ii)warehouse storage locations, e.g., individual location number, picking sequence, type of use (picking, reserve storage, etc.), type of storage (each, case, pallet), location size or capacity, storage restriction (flammable, hazardous, high value materials, outdoor, etc.), etc.; and

 

(iii)expected labor productivity rates by function or activity, e.g., cases picked per man-hour, etc.

 

We began exploring this market in 2021, specifically targeting customers from pharmaceutical, logistic and retail chain industries. We are partnering with a long-established industry player who has more than 20 years of experience in providing complex supply chain solutions and systems. Our value propositions to this partnership include upgrading digital capabilities of the partner’s existing supply chain (based on technical/business know-how) designed to generate an immediate impact on sales and profits. We also improve business outcomes for the sales channels of our partners by allowing our partners to cross-sell their products and/or upsell packages to end consumers through our network.

 

Commercial Drone Operations

 

We, through our wholly-owned Malaysian subsidiary ARB Agro Technology Sdn. Bhd., offer all-in-one drone services to farm operators to streamline workflows on farms and plantations which include spraying pest protection solution for a variety of crops. We also intend to capitalize on our strong IT capabilities to expand into agricultural data management which includes, among other things, collection, compilation, feeding, converting, processing, analysis and testing of agricultural data.

 

ARB Agro Technology Sdn. Bhd. has entered into a supply agreement with a Malaysian publicly listed company to supply drones to support its business activities. In addition, ARB Agro Technology Sdn. Bhd. will carry out drone services for the customer such as spraying pest protection solution under a ten (10) year service agreement with this customer. We plan to further diversify the supply model for drones and add supplemental service offerings such as lease, maintenance, repair, purchase and import of drones and related components and accessories.

 

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Our Growth Strategies

 

We will continue to adhere to our business principles of helping businesses capitalize on new opportunities, inspire and implement innovative IoT solutions for businesses to achieve optimal efficiency. We believe that our pursuit of these goals will lead to sustainable growth driven by our capacity expansion based on market demand, solidify our position in the industry, and create long-term value for shareholders. To meet our competitive challenges, further grow our business and enhance our competitive position, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

 

  Solidify our industry position by gaining additional market share. Our goal is to strengthen our market position and accelerate our expansion by expanding our scale and gaining additional market share. We plan to expand our business through horizontal or vertical acquisition, strategic partnership, and joint ventures in any complementary businesses. The potential projects and/or investments may include those relating to our existing IT business such as those relating to the provision of IoT systems and solutions, or such other businesses which our Board of Directors may deem beneficial and are complementary to our existing businesses. We also plan to invest in R&D of technology to improve our product development work. In addition, we intend to make significant investment across all areas of our business, including sales, marketing, lead generation and product development to acquire new customers.

 

  Expand our customer base. We intend to expand our presence in targeted ASEAN countries by growing our direct sales force and regional sales channels, leveraging our local resources to quickly enter new markets, while also minimizing requirements for capital outlay. We believe our existing market and new markets will represent significant opportunities for growth. In particular, we are currently seeking to establish stronger customer ties in various ASEAN countries in anticipation of future growth in the hydroponic IoT industry in those regions. With established long-term operations, broad coverage of project portfolio and high standard quality control, we intend to maintain solid relationships with our customers and distributors. In addition, we seek to further grow our business by boosting public recognition for our brand name and image through various digital marketing initiatives. These include a combination of marketing activities on both online and offline channels, including, among others, holding product launch events and issuing press releases.

 

  Execute on operational improvement opportunities to drive earnings growth, expand margins, and increase cash flow. In addition to growing topline product offerings, our financial performance has also benefited from cross selling, and we believe there are still significant value-creation opportunities available from operational optimization efforts going forward. We anticipate these new opportunities, along with our existing value-creation programs, will generate cost savings, which are expected to more than offset inflation in our underlying costs. Key initiatives that we expect to contribute to these cost savings include leveraging the strength of our centralized business unit structure to increase commercial focus in local regions, optimizing our purchasing function, increasing coordination in our operations, and reducing general administrative costs. We expect these initiatives to help improve margins, reinforced by the implementation of management incentive programs tied to the initiatives’ performance.

 

  Enhance our ability to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals. We believe our success greatly depends on our ability to attract, incentivize and retain talented professionals. With a view to maintaining and improving our competitive advantages in the market, we plan to implement a series of initiatives to attract additional and retain mid-to high level personnel, including formulating a market-oriented employee compensation structure and implementing a standardized multi-level performance review mechanism.

 

Our Research and Development

 

Our R&D team is responsible for the research, design, architecture, development, testing and quality of our software products as well as continued maintenance and improvement of our existing software and IT related solutions.

 

Our R&D team currently consists of six (6) persons primarily located in Malaysia which we believe is a strategic advantage for us, allowing us to develop and expand our technology capabilities more efficiently.

 

We invest resources in research and development to enhance our existing IT solutions and develop new IT platform and improve our core technology. We expect to continue to expand the capabilities of our technology in the future and to invest significantly in continued research and development efforts.

 

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Our in-house R&D team is able to provide innovative solutions and user-friendly products. We are a customer-centric aggregator (platform and service enabler) who constantly seek to innovate new solutions and keep abreast with the new industry trends through continuous market research and maintain constant communication with the strategic partners.

 

Our R&D team is backed by a group of six chief scientific advisors who are responsible for working closely with the industrial needs that eventually will result in new or improved products, processes, systems or services that aim to increase our clients’ productivity. They provide advice and feedback on the R&D projects, review the feasibility of the R&D projects as well as share experience and expertise to innovate R&D projects.

 

We believe that our team is highly skilled and knowledgeable in current technologies and is able to adapt and incorporate new technological developments in the market as they occur, to allow our products to evolve and improve in line with the market’s needs and demands.

 

We believe continued investment in our technology and bringing new products to market, is important to attaining our strategic objectives.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We primarily rely on internal procedures with our employees and confidentiality agreements with customers, partners, and others to protect our intellectual property. We own a domain name (www.arbiotgroup.com) and have applied for the trademarks as described below. As of the date of this prospectus, we do not own any patent or copyright registrations in any jurisdiction.

 

Our Malaysian subsidiaries have applied for the registration of the following trademarks in Malaysia:

 

Applicant   Trademark   Application No.   Application Date   Status
ARB Big Data     TM2021032095   November 17, 2021   Pending
                 
ARB Big Data     TM2021032093   November 17, 2021   Pending

 

Competition

 

We anticipate that the IoT industry will continue to evolve and will see rapid technological changes, evolving industry standards, shifting customer requirements, and frequent innovation. We must continually innovate to remain competitive. Companies in our industry compete on the basis of a number of factors, including technical expertise and industry knowledge, innovation competence, location, price, reputation, scale, financial stability, responsiveness to market demand and effective personnel training and retention.

 

Our current and potential competitors include traditional software companies that are developing IoT technologies to seize new growth opportunities, existing IoT players in agriculture, property development and logistics industries and consumer electronics brands that are investing in in-house IoT capabilities, and other smaller companies focused on single niche segments.

 

Although we operate in an attractive market with a large addressable market size and other companies may introduce new business models, innovations, products or services, we believe our strong in-house research and development competencies, extensive distribution network, large-scale execution capability, robust integration ability, experienced management team and visionary business models power and continuously improve client experience and efficiency and will enable us to capture significant market shares. See “Our Competitive Strengths” above.

 

Human Capital

 

As of June 30, 2022, we had a total of 41 full-time employees located in Malaysia to support our business operations.

 

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The following table sets forth the number of our employees by function as of June 30, 2022:

 

Function   Number of
 Employees
    Percentage  
Management     3       7 %
Sales and Business Developments     19       46 %
Finance     6       15 %
Sales and Technical Support     6       15 %
HR and Admin Assistant     5       12 %
IT Support     2       5 %
Total     41       100.0 %

 

None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any material labor disputes and we believe that we maintain a good working relationship with our employees.

 

Under Employees Provident Fund Act 1991, our Malaysian subsidiaries are required to make contributions, as employers, to the Employees Provident Fund for our employees who are Malaysian citizens and who are not Malaysian citizens but permanent residents in Malaysia. The contribution rates vary, depending on the monthly wages of our employees. Other than the contributions, we have no further obligation for the payment of retirement and other post-retirement benefits of our employees in Malaysia. As of the date of this prospectus, our Malaysian subsidiaries do not have any non-Malaysian employees.

 

In Malaysia, we are required to comply with regulations governing employment such as the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991, Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 and Income Tax (Deduction From Remuneration) Rules 1994 as described below. See “Regulations.” We enter into standard employment agreements with our employees pursuant to which we shall deduct from the employee’s salary for the purpose of paying the employees’ contributions to the relevant authorities in accordance with the prescribed rates of the stipulated laws. We also issue employees handbook which provides policy and procedure to be complied by all our employees, including, amongst others, that our employees are not allowed to divulge our confidential information except with our approval whether in employment or after termination of employment.

 

Facilities

 

We have leased office premises at No. 17-03, Q Sentral, 2A, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia occupying approximately 1,366 square meters, beginning August 1, 2021 and expiring April 30, 2023 with an option to renew for additional two years. The monthly rental is RM11,000 (approximately $2,500).

 

We believe our above facilities are adequate and suitable for our current needs and that, should it be needed, suitable additional or alternative space will be available to accommodate any such expansion of our operations.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

We may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that in the opinion of our management, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

Litigation or any other legal or administrative proceeding, regardless of the outcome, is likely to result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, including our management’s time and attention. For potential impact of legal or administrative proceedings on us, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our products, services or processes could be subject to claims of infringement of the intellectual property of others” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Industry and Governmental Regulation—If we fail to comply with constantly evolving laws, regulations, and industry standards addressing information and technology networks, privacy, and data security, we could face penalties, liability, and reputational harm, and our business, operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.”

 

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REGULATIONS

 

Currently, all of our business operations are conducted in Malaysia. This section sets forth a summary of the most significant rules and regulations that affect our business activities in Malaysia and our Cayman Islands holding company’s duties under the Data Protection Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands, or the DPA, based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.

 

Regulations on Business Licenses

 

Local Government Act 1976

 

The Local Government Act 1976 provides a local authority with the power to grant a license or permit for any trade, occupation or premises. Such license may be subject to such conditions and restrictions as the local authority may think fit. This license is generally required if a business occupies an office for business use or erects a signboard.

 

Regulations on Intellectual Property Rights

 

Trademarks Act 2019

 

Registration of a trademark under the Trademarks Act 2019 grants the registered proprietor the exclusive right to use the trademark or to authorize other persons to use the trademark. The registered proprietor also has the right to take legal action for infringement against any persons using such registered trademark without its consent. A certificate of registration provides prima facie evidence of ownership of the trademark. A trademark is valid for 10 years from the date of registration and may be renewed for a further period of 10 years.

 

Copyright Act 1987

 

The Copyright Act 1987 is the principal legislation that governs the copyright protection in Malaysia. Literary works, musical works, artistic works, films, sound recordings and broadcasts are eligible for copyright protection. Under the Copyright Act 1987, the definition of “literary work” includes computer programs. The copyright in a literary work subsists during the life of the author and shall continue to subsist until the expiry of a period of 50 years after his death. Where a literary work had not been published before the death of the author, copyright shall subsist until 50 years from the beginning of the calendar year next following the year in which the work was first published.

 

Regulations on Employment

 

Employees Provident Fund Act 1991

 

The Employees Provident Fund Act 1991 provides for the law relating to a scheme of savings for employees’ retirement and the management of the savings for the retirement purposes. Under the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991, all employers and employees shall be liable to pay monthly contributions based on the amount of wages received by the employee at the rate set out in the Third Schedule of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991.

 

Any person being an employer who fails to pay any contributions which he is liable under the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991 to pay in respect of or on behalf of any employee in respect of any month shall be guilty of an offense and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of up to RM10,000 and/or to imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years. Where any contributions remain unpaid by a company, a firm or an association of persons, the directors, the partners or office-bearers of such association of persons (including the directors, the partner or office-bearers of such association of persons during the period in which the contributions were liable to be paid), shall together with the company be jointly and severally liable for payment of the contributions.

 

Employees’ Social Security Act 1969

 

The Employees’ Social Security Act 1969, or the SOCSO Act, deals with the provision of social security in certain contingencies. The Social Security Organization, or the SOCSO, was established under the SOCSO Act to administer the SOCSO Act. The SOCSO Act applies to the industry of any business, trade, undertaking, manufacture or calling of employers, and includes any calling, service, employment, handicraft or industrial occupation or avocation of employees.

 

All employees, including the registered foreign employees, in industries to which the SOCSO Act applies are required to be insured. It is the obligation of the principal employer to pay the contribution (both the employer’s contribution and the employee’s contribution) to SOCSO at the rates according to the Third Schedule of the SOCSO Act. In the event of invalidity, disablement or employment injury, the insured person and their dependents are entitled to benefits stipulated under the SOCSO Act.

 

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Any person being an employer who fails to pay any contributions which he is liable under the SOCSO Act to pay in respect of or on behalf of any employee shall be punishable with a fine of up to RM10,000 and/or to imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years.

 

Employment Insurance System Act 2017

 

The Employment Insurance System Act 2017, or the Employment Insurance System Act provides for the establishment of an employment insurance system administered by SOCSO to provide certain benefits and a re-employment placement program for insured persons in the event of loss of employment which will promote active labour market policies.

 

All employees in the industries to which the Employment Insurance System Act applies shall be registered and insured by the employers according to Section 16 and Section 17 of the Employment Insurance System Act which shall then deemed to be an insured person. Under the Employment Insurance System Act, both employers and employees (age between 18 to 60) are required to contribute to the employment insurance system with the rates, subject to the revision by the Minister, as specified in the Second Schedule based on the amount of the monthly wages of the employee insured under Employment Insurance System Act. An insured person who considers that he has lost his employment shall submit an application to claim for benefits up to 6 months to SOCSO within 60 days from the date he considers that he has lost his employment. After considering if the contributions qualifying conditions are fulfilled (the fulfillment of which depends on the number of past claims and contributions made preceding to the loss of employment) in respect of a claim for benefits by an insured person, SOCSO may approve or reject the claim for benefits.

 

Income Tax (Deduction From Remuneration) Rules 1994

 

The Income Tax (Deduction From Remuneration) Rules 1994, or the Income Tax Rules provides that every employer shall deduct in each month or the relevant month the monthly deduction in accordance with the schedule of the Income Tax Rules in respect of income on account of tax from the remuneration of each of his employees. Every employer shall pay to the Director General of Inland Revenue Malaysia, not later than the 15th day of every calendar month, the total amount of tax deducted or that should have been deducted by him from the remuneration of employees during the preceding calendar month, and shall render to the Director General of Inland Revenue Malaysia a return setting out the details of those employees from whose remuneration he has or should have made deductions. Any person, who without reasonable excuse, fails to comply such rules shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction, be liable to a fine not less than RM200 and not more than RM20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

 

Minimum Wages Order 2022

 

Pursuant to the Minimum Wages Order 2022, commencing from May 1, 2022, the minimum wage for employees employed by an employer who employs five or more employees or employed by an employer who carries out such prescribed professional activity (regardless of the number of employees employed), shall be RM1,500 a month. For employee who is employed by an employer which does not fall under the above categories, such employee will continue to earn RM1,200 minimum wages (for place of employment in the area of City Council or Municipal Council) or RM1,100 minimum wages (other than place of employment in the area of City Council or Municipal Council) until December 31, 2022.

 

Thereafter, the minimum monthly wage will increase to RM1,500 to align with the minimum wage for employees being employed in Malaysia. Failure to comply with the minimum wages requirement may result in a fine of not more than RM10,000 for each employee. The Malaysian court may also order the employer to pay each employee the difference between statutory minimum wages and the employee’s basic wages paid by the employer to the employee, including outstanding differences.

 

Industrial Relations Act 1967

 

Industrial Relations Act 1967 seeks to promote and maintain industrial harmony and provides for the regulation of the relations between employers and workmen and their trade unions and the prevention and settlement of any differences or disputes arising from their relationship and generally to deal with trade disputes. Matters relating to trade disputes, including constructive dismissal and retrenchment may be referred by the Minister of Human Resources to the Industrial Court. Under the Industrial Relations Act 1967, an employer may not terminate the employment of an employee without just cause and excuse, regardless of the express provisions in the terms of employment. In the event that the that where a workman considers that he has been dismissed without just cause or excuse by his employer with notice, the workmen may file a representation at any time during the period of such notice but not later than sixty days from the expiry thereof.

 

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Regulations on Personal Data Protection

 

Personal Data Protection Act 2010 and Personal Data Protection Regulations 2013

 

Personal Data Protection Act 2010, or the PDPA deals with the laws and regulations regarding data privacy and the protection of data. The PDPA requires generally that an individual must consent to the processing and disclosure of his/her personal data unless otherwise stated in the provisions of the PDPA. The term “processing” is widely defined to include collecting, recording, holding, or storing personal data or carrying out any operation or set of operations on personal data, including:

 

  (a) the organization, adaptation or alteration of personal data;
     
  (b) the retrieval, consultation or utilization of personal data;
     
  (c) the disclosure of personal data by transmission, transfer, dissemination or otherwise making available; or
     
  (d) the alignment, combination, correction, erasure, or destruction of personal data.

 

The Personal Data Protection Regulations of 2013 provide that consent shall be obtained in relation to the processing of personal data in any form that can be recorded and maintained properly by the data user.

 

Data users are required to provide written notice of the personal data being processed, and such notice shall include, among others, a description of the personal data being processed, the purpose for which the personal data is being processed, the source of the personal data, the class of persons to whom the personal data will be disclosed to, whether it is obligatory or voluntary for the individual to supply the personal data, the individual’s rights to request access and correct the personal data and choices and means available to the individual to limit the processing of the personal data. The notice must be provided in both English and the national language of Bahasa Malaysia.

 

Regulations on Dividends

 

Companies Act 2016

 

The principal legislation governing the distribution of dividends of a Malaysian company is the Companies Act 2016, or the CA. Under the CA, a Malaysian company may only make a distribution to the shareholders out of profits of the company available if the company is solvent. The company, every officer and any other person or individual who contravene this provision commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding RM3,000,000.00 or to both.

 

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Foreign Exchange Notice by Central Bank of Malaysia

 

According to Notice 4 of the Foreign Exchange Notice issued by Central Bank of Malaysia, a non-resident is allowed to repatriate from Malaysia, funds including any income earned or proceeds from divestment of RM asset, provided that the repatriation is made in foreign currency. Any person who fails to comply with any direction of the Central Bank of Malaysia commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or to a fine not exceeding RM50,000,000 or to both.

 

Regulations on Drone Services

 

Civil Aviation Regulation 2016

 

All Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or more familiarly known as Drone flight activities are currently bound to regulations 140 -144 of the Civil Aviation Regulation 2016, or the CAR whereby an authorization from the Director General is required for circumstances specified in the CAR.

 

Regulations on IoT Gadget Distribution

 

Guidelines on Foreign Participation in Distribution Trade Services in Malaysia by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs of Malaysia, or the MDTCA

 

Any foreign involvement in various other distribution formats are required to be in compliance with the following conditions:

 

  (a) must be incorporated locally under the Companies Act 2016. This condition applies also to existing businesses operating under foreign branches.
     
  (b) The minimum capital investment in terms of a company’s shareholders funds, which include paid-up capital is RM1 million.
     
  (c) An application for additional branches is subject to approval by the Distributive Trade Committee of MDTCA.

 

Failure to comply with any provisions under these Guidelines by the business operators and for the purpose of national security, the Distributive Trade Committee of MDTCA has the right to reject the application to open a new business branch and to revoke any previous approval given by the Distributive Trade Committee of MDTCA

 

Regulations on Cybersecurity

 

Communications and Multimedia Act 1998

 

The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, or the CMA, is the principal legislation in Malaysia which regulates the converging communications and multimedia industries and for incidental matters related thereto. The CMA generally prohibits the use of network facilities or network services for the commission of any offense under Malaysian laws, prohibits fraudulent or improper use of network facilities or network services, prohibits the use and possession of counterfeit access devices, prohibits use of equipment or devices in order to obtain unauthorized access to any network services, applications services or content applications service and prohibits interception of any communications unless with lawful authority.

 

Breach of any of the provisions in the CMA may render a person liable, upon conviction, to a fine ranging between RM10,000 to RM500,000 or imprisonment term of 3 months to 5 years, or both.

 

The CMA is under the regulatory purview of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, or the MCMC.

 

MCMC Technical Code on Internet of Things – Security Management and High-Level Functional Architecture

 

Pursuant to section 95 of the CMA, the MCMC registered and issued the Technical Code on Internet of Things, or the Technical Code, which is the voluntary industry code sets out the requirements and best practices to ensure network facilities, services and equipment are interoperable and safe.

 

Compliance with the registered voluntary Technical Code shall not be mandatory, unless specifically directed by the MCMC according to section 98 and section 99 of the CMA. Compliance with the Technical Code also acts as a legal defense against any prosecution, action or proceeding of any nature, whether in a court or otherwise, taken against a person (who is subject to the Technical Code) regarding a matter dealt with in that code pursuant to section 98(2) of the CMA. A person who fails to comply with a direction of the MCMC to comply with the Technical Code shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM200,000.

 

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Computer Crimes Act 1997

 

The Computer Crimes Act 1997, or the CCA provides for offenses relating to the misuse of computers. Amongst others, it deals with gaining unauthorized access to computer material, unauthorized access with intent to commit other offences, unauthorized modification of any program or data on a computer and wrongful communication of any means of access to a computer to an unauthorized person.

 

“Computer” in CCA is widely interpreted to include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other data processing device, or a group of such interconnected or related devices, performing logical, arithmetic, storage and display functions, and includes any data storage facility or communications facility directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device or group of such interconnected or related devices, but does not include an automated typewriter or typesetter, or a portable hand held calculator or other similar device which is non-programmable or which does not contain any data storage facility.

 

Depending on the type of offense committed, the fine for a convicted offense ranges from RM25,000 to RM150,000 or imprisonment term of 3 to 10 years, or both.

 

Penal Code

 

In cases where computer-related crime activities are involved, but do not specifically fall within the ambit of any of the previous mentioned statutes (for example, online fraud, cheating, theft, criminal defamation, intimidation, gambling, and pornography etc.) such offenses may be charged under the Penal Code, which is the primary legislation dealing with criminal offenses in Malaysia.

 

Cayman Islands Data Protection Act

 

We have certain duties under the Data Protection Act (as revised) of the Cayman Islands, or the DPA, based on internationally accepted principles of data privacy.

 

Privacy Notice

 

This privacy notice puts our shareholders on notice that through your investment into us you will provide us with certain personal information which constitutes personal data within the meaning of the DPA, or personal data.

 

Investor Data

 

We will collect, use, disclose, retain and secure personal data to the extent reasonably required only and within the parameters that could be reasonably expected during the normal course of business. We will only process, disclose, transfer or retain personal data to the extent legitimately required to conduct our activities on an ongoing basis or to comply with legal and regulatory obligations to which we are subject. We will only transfer personal data in accordance with the requirements of the DPA, and will apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against the accidental loss, destruction or damage to the personal data.

 

In our use of this personal data, we will be characterized as a “data controller” for the purposes of the DPA, while our affiliates and service providers who may receive this personal data from us in the conduct of our activities may either act as our “data processors” for the purposes of the DPA or may process personal information for their own lawful purposes in connection with services provided to us.

 

We may also obtain personal data from other public sources. Personal data includes, without limitation, the following information relating to a shareholder and/or any individuals connected with a shareholder as an investor: name, residential address, email address, contact details, corporate contact information, signature, nationality, place of birth, date of birth, tax identification, credit history, correspondence records, passport number, bank account details, source of funds details and details relating to the shareholder’s investment activity.

 

Who this Affects

 

If you are a natural person, this will affect you directly. If you are a corporate investor (including, for these purposes, legal arrangements such as trusts or exempted limited partnerships) that provides us with personal data on individuals connected to you for any reason in relation to your investment in us, this will be relevant for those individuals and you should transit the content of this Privacy Notice to such individuals or otherwise advise them of its content.

 

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How We May Use a Shareholder’s Personal Data

 

We may, as the data controller, collect, store and use personal data for lawful purposes, including, in particular: (i) where this is necessary for the performance of our rights and obligations under any agreements; (ii) where this is necessary for compliance with a legal and regulatory obligation to which we are or may be subject (such as compliance with anti-money laundering and FATCA/CRS requirements); and/or (iii) where this is necessary for the purposes of our legitimate interests and such interests are not overridden by your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms.

 

Should we wish to use personal data for other specific purposes (including, if applicable, any purpose that requires your consent), we will contact you.

 

Why We May Transfer Your Personal Data

 

In certain circumstances we may be legally obliged to share personal data and other information with respect to your shareholding with the relevant regulatory authorities such as the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority or the Tax Information Authority. They, in turn, may exchange this information with foreign authorities, including tax authorities.

 

We anticipate disclosing personal data to persons who provide services to us and their respective affiliates (which may include certain entities located outside the US, the Cayman Islands or the European Economic Area), who will process your personal data on our behalf.

 

The Data Protection Measures We Take

 

Any transfer of personal data by us or our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates outside of the Cayman Islands shall be in accordance with the requirements of the DPA.

 

We and our duly authorized affiliates and/or delegates shall apply appropriate technical and organizational information security measures designed to protect against unauthorized or unlawful processing of personal data, and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.

 

We shall notify you of any personal data breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to your interests, fundamental rights or freedoms or those data subjects to whom the relevant personal data relates.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our directors and executive officers.

 

NAME

  AGE     POSITION
Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong     49     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Addy) Ng Kok Wah*     44     Chief Financial Officer Nominee and Director Nominee
Hong Zi Shen*     42     Chief Technology Officer Nominee
(Kevin) Khor Chin Meng*     50     Independent Director Nominee
(Julia) Yuen Ya Ting*     42     Independent Director Nominee
Khor Ben Jin*     47     Independent Director Nominee

 

* We appointed Mr. (Addy) Ng Kok Wah as our Chief Financial Officer and a director and Mr. Hong Zi Shen as our Chief Technology Officer, and appointed (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng, (Julia) Yuen Ya Ting and Khor Ben Jin as our independent directors, all effective upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of this registration statement on Form F-1, of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong. Dato’ Sri Liew has been our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since our inception. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of ARB Berhad, our indirect controlling shareholder. He is currently primarily responsible for setting the business direction and overseeing the business development, finance and corporate strategy functions of us and ARB Berhad. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from The Robert Gordon University. Subsequently in 1998, he obtained a Master of Science in Communication Systems from University of Wales Swansea. Dato’ Sri Liew is a businessman and entrepreneur, having a wide spectrum of business with more than twenty (20) years of experience in information technology, manufacturing, telecommunication, property development and venture capital investment through his investments in public and private limited corporations. Dato’ Sri Liew is presently the Executive Director of Ageson Berhad, a construction and property development company, a public company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. He has established several companies and subsidiaries in Malaysia, Singapore and China. Dato’ Sri Liew played an active role in product development and innovation, which had contributed significantly to our Group and he was awarded in the Master Entrepreneur Category from the Asia Pacific Enterprise Award 2020.

 

(Addy) Ng Kok Wah. Mr. Ng has obtained Capital Market Services Representative License (CMSRL) in financial planning from the Securities Commission Malaysia pursuant to Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 on March 29, 2018. He started his career with a small accounting firm since year 1998 followed by an international medium accounting firm, Morison Anuarul Azizan Chew & Co., handling various audit and non-audit assignments for both listed and private companies involved in a wide range of business activities including banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Mr. Ng has more than 20 years of experiences in accounting and auditing of various industries. He graduated with a Diploma in Accounting from the London Chamber of Commercial and Industry (LCCI) in 1996.

 

Hong Zi Shen. Mr. Hong has served as the chief technology officer and co-founder of Axflix and ARB Axflix since 2018. He accelerates companies’ growth through key software and solutions delivery initiatives. He works closely with stakeholders, leadership teams, engineering and product management teams to drive industry-leading technologies into the market. Focused on delivering company solutions at a rapid cadence while enhancing core product capabilities, Mr. Hong is transitioning traditional industry and solution to a world of cloud-hosted deployments. With almost twenty (20) years of experience in the telecommunications and internet space, Mr. Hong has a proven track record of overseeing successful teams. Before joining Axflix and ARB Axflix, he held executive leadership positions with IT companies, including chief technology officer at AttreLogix. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University, China, and is currently earning a Master’s Degree of Science at University of Malaya, Malaysia.

 

(Kevin) Khor Chin Meng. Mr. Khor earned his professional degree from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1998 and has been a fellow member of the ACCA since 2005. Mr. Khor has more than twenty (20) years of experience in finance and auditing, advising clients in various industries. He started his career with Singam & Yong as an auditor junior in 1996. In 2010, Mr. Khor founded his own firms, Weld Asia Advisory Sdn. Bhd. and Weld Asia Corporate Advisory Sdn. Bhd., focusing on providing tax and business advisory services to corporate clients. Since 2015, Mr. Khor has served as a director and overseen the operations of Portable Power Products (M) Sdn. Bhd., a company engaged in wholesale of agriculture machinery, equipment and supplies. In December 2020, Mr. Khor joined the board of Annum Berhad, a Malaysian public company in the construction sector, as an independent director. In January 2019, Mr. Khor was appointed as an independent director of ARB Berhad, our indirect controlling shareholder. Mr. Khor graduated from Segi College in 1998 as an ACCA holder.

 

(Julia) Yuen Ya Ting. Ms. Yuen has extensive experience in corporate secretarial, corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters. Ms. Yuen practiced in company secretarial profession with secretarial firms in Kuala Lumpur from 2001 to 2007, including FKO Corporate Services Sdn Bhd from 2001 to 2004 where she served as a company secretarial assistant overseeing approximately 150 corporate clients’ portfolios independently and some of these clients were groups of companies, and XL Corporate Services Sdn Bhd from 2005 to 2007 where she served as a semi senior secretarial assistant and her portfolio was extended to approximately 170 corporate clients. From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Yuen worked at a corporate division of a publicly listed company, YTL Corporation Berhad, responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and laws, including Bursa Malaysia’s listing requirements and Malaysia’s Companies Act. While at YTL Corporation Berhad, Ms. Yuen was also in charge of organizing board meetings. From 2014 to 2016, Ms. Yuen served as a company secretarial senior at Tengis Corporate Services Sdn. Bhd., a secretarial firm in Sabah servicing groups of companies and public companies such as Priceworth International Berhad in corporate governance, regulatory and corporate secretarial matters. In 2017, Ms. Yuen founded her own secretarial firm, JY Management as a proprietor, and thereafter, expanded and changed the firm’s name to Boardroom Secretarial Services Sdn. Bhd. (“Boardroom”). In January 2019, Ms. Yuen was appointed as Executive Director of Boardroom to manage its overall business operations. Boardroom provides a wide array of corporate and secretarial support services, including among others, registration of companies, Companies Act compliance advisory services, customization of company constitution, reinstate of dissolved companies, winding up proceedings, production of corporate portfolios for business license application, preparation of resolutions and meeting minutes. Ms. Yuen is a graduate and associate member of Malaysian Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (MAICSA). She is also an associate chartered governance professional of the Chartered Governance Institute. In addition, she holds a practicing certificate issued by Companies Commission of Malaysia. 

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Khor Ben Jin. Mr. Khor spearheaded the advisory services, with a focus on risk management and internal audit services at Kloo Point Consulting Group (“Kloo Point”) since 2007. He has extensive experience in providing internal audit consulting services, risk assessments and corporate governance reviews with respect to risk management, control and governance processes in publicly listed companies in Malaysia. Prior to his appointment to the executive board of Kloo Point, he was a manager in Deloitte Malaysia where he was involved in reviews of internal control systems and risk-based internal auditing projects and was responsible for the planning, review and monitoring of internal audit assignments across a range of industries. Besides Deloitte, he also had working experience in external audit at another international accounting firm. Mr. Khor graduated with the Association of the Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom (“ACCA”) in July 1999. He later passed the Certified Internal Auditor examinations and obtained the certification in November 2005. He was admitted as a fellow of ACCA in September 2007.

 

Board of Directors

 

The Nasdaq listing rules generally require that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. Our board of directors will consist of five directors, including three independent directors, upon the SEC’s declaration of effectiveness of our registration statement on Form F-1 to which this prospectus forms a part.

 

A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, bonds and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third-party.

 

Board Committees

 

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to establish an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of directors. We intend to adopt a charter for each of the three committees prior to the completion of this offering. Each committee’s members and functions are described below.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our audit committee will consist of three independent directors, namely (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng, (Julia) Yuen Ya Ting and Khor Ben Jin, and will be chaired by (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng. Our board of directors has determined that each of the directors satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Rule5605(c)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. We have determined that (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” The audit committee will oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the financial statements of our company. The audit committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  appointing the independent auditors and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by the independent auditors;
     
  reviewing with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties and management’s response;
     
  discussing the annual audited financial statements with management and the independent auditors;
     
  reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our accounting and internal control policies and procedures and any steps taken to monitor and control major financial risk exposures;
     
  reviewing and approving all proposed related party transactions;
     
  meeting separately and periodically with management and the independent auditors; and
     
  monitoring compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, including reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our procedures to ensure proper compliance.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Our compensation committee will consist of three independent directors, namely (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng, (Julia) Yuen Ya Ting and Khor Ben Jin, and will be chaired by Khor Ben Jin. Our board of directors has determined that each of the directors satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Rule 5605(d)(2) of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The compensation committee will assist the board in reviewing and approving the compensation structure, including all forms of compensation, relating to our directors and executive officers. Our chief executive officer may not be present at any committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  reviewing and approving, or recommending to the board for its approval, the compensation for our chief executive officer and other executive officers;
     
  reviewing and recommending to the board for determination with respect to the compensation of our non-employee directors;
     
  reviewing periodically and approving any incentive compensation or equity plans, programs or similar arrangements; and
     
  selecting compensation consultant, legal counsel or other adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to that person’s independence from management.

 

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of three directors, namely (Kevin) Khor Chin Meng, (Julia) Yuen Ya Ting and Khor Ben Jin, and will be chaired by (Julia) Yuen Ya Ting. Our board of directors has determined that each of the directors satisfies the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Rule5605 of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The nominating and corporate governance committee will assist the board of directors in selecting individuals qualified to become our directors and in determining the composition of the board and its committees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

  selecting and recommending to the board nominees for election by the shareholders or appointment by the board;
     
  reviewing annually with the board the current composition of the board with regards to characteristics such as independence, knowledge, skills, experience and diversity;
     
  making recommendations on the frequency and structure of board meetings and monitoring the functioning of the committees of the board; and
     
  advising the board periodically with regards to significant developments in the law and practice of corporate governance as well as our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and making recommendations to the board on all matters of corporate governance and on any remedial action to be taken.

 

Duties of Directors

 

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors have a fiduciary duty to our company to act honestly, in good faith and with a view to our best interests. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum of association and articles of association. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached. You should refer to “Description of Share Capital—Differences in Corporate Law” for additional information on our standard of corporate governance under Cayman Islands law.

 

A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of our directors. A director may vote in respect of any contract, proposed contract, or arrangement notwithstanding that he may be interested therein, and if he does so his vote shall be counted and he may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of our directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all the powers of our company to borrow money, mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures, bonds and other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the company or of any third party.

 

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

  convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;
     
  declaring dividends and distributions;
     
  appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers;
     
  exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and
     
  approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register.

 

Terms of Directors and Officers

 

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of our board of directors. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by ordinary resolution of the shareholders or by the board of directors. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other thing, the director (i) dies; (ii) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; (iii) is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; (iv) resigns his office by notice in writing to our company; (v) is prohibited by law from being a director; and (vi) is removed from the office pursuant to any other provisions of our memorandum of association and articles of association.

 

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Employment and Indemnification Agreements

 

We intend to enter into an employment agreement with each of our executive officers. Our executive officers will be employed for a specified time period, which will be automatically extended unless either we or the executive officers give prior notice to terminate such employment. We will be able to terminate the employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration, for certain acts of the executive officer, including but not limited to the commitments of any serious or persistent breach or non-observance of the terms and conditions of the employment, conviction of a criminal offense other than one which in the opinion of the board does not affect the executive’s position, willful, disobedience of a lawful and reasonable order, misconducts being inconsistent with the due and faithful discharge of the executive officer’s material duties, fraud or dishonesty, or habitual neglect of his or her duties. An executive officer will be able to terminate his or her employment at any time with not less than one-month prior written notice.

 

Each executive officer will be required to agree to hold, both during and after the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in strict confidence and not to use or disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without written consent, any confidential information. Each executive officer will also be required to agree to assign to our company all his or her inventions, improvements, designs, original works of authorship, formulas, processes, compositions of matter, computer software programs, databases, mask works, concepts and trade secrets which the executive officer may solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or developed or reduced to practice, during the period of the executive officer’s employment with us that are either related to the scope of the employment or make use of the resources of the company. In addition, all executive officers will be required to agree to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions set forth in their agreements. Moreover, each executive officer will be required to agree not to, for a certain period following termination of his or her employment or expiration of the employment agreement: (i) carry on or be engaged, concerned or interested directly or indirectly whether as shareholder, director, employee, partner, agent or otherwise carry on any business in direct competition with us, (ii) solicit or entice away any of our user, client, representative or agent, or (iii) employ, solicit or entice away or attempt to employ, solicit or entice away any of our officer, manager, consultant or employee.

 

In addition, each executive officer will be required to agree to be bound by non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of his or her employment and typically for two years following the last date of employment. Specifically, each executive officer will be required to agree not to (i) approach our suppliers, clients, users or contacts or other persons or entities introduced to the executive officer in his or her capacity as a representative of us for the purpose of doing business with such persons or entities that will harm our business relationships with these persons or entities; (ii) assume employment with or provide services to any of our competitors, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, any of our competitors, without our express consent; or (iii) seek directly or indirectly, to solicit the services of any of our employees who is employed by us on or after the date of the executive officer’s termination, or in the year preceding such termination, without our express consent.

 

We expect to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify our directors and executive officers against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer. A copy of the form of such indemnification agreement is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Compensation of Directors and Officers

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, the aggregate cash compensation and benefits that we paid to our Chief Executive Officer, our sole executive officer during this period, was approximately $16,110. We did not have any non-executive directors during this period. None of our directors or executive officers received any equity awards, including, options, restricted shares or other equity incentives in the year ended June 30, 2022. Our Malaysian subsidiaries are required by law to make monthly contributions based on the amount of wages received by the employee to the Malaysian Employees Provident Fund which provides retirement benefits. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, our Malaysian subsidiaries contributed a total amount of approximately $1,743 for our executive officer, to the Employees Provident Fund.

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of December 21, 2022 by (i) each of our directors and executive officers; (ii) all of our directors and executive officers as a group; and (iii) each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our ordinary shares.

 

   

Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned Prior to

This Offering

    Ordinary Shares Beneficially
Owned Immediately After
This Offering
 
    Number(1)     Percent of
Class(2)
    Number(1)     Percent of
Class(3)
 
Directors and Executive Officers:                        
Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong, CEO(4)     25,000,000       100 %     25,000,000           95.06
(Addy) Ng Kok Wah, CFO Nominee and Director Nominee     -             -          
Hong Zi Shen, CTO Nominee     -       *       -          
(Kevin) Khor Chin Meng, Director Nominee     -       *       -          
(Julia) Yuen Ya Ting, Director Nominee     -       *       -          
Khor Ben Jin, Director Nominee     -       *       -          
All directors and executive officers as a group (6 persons)     25,000,000       100 %     25,000,000        95.06
                                 
Other Principal Shareholders:                                
ARB IOT Limited (4)     25,000,000       100 %     25,000,000      

95.06

 

 

*Less than 1%.

 

(1)Beneficial Ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as noted below, each of the beneficial owners listed above has direct ownership of and sole voting power and investment power with respect to the ordinary shares. For each beneficial owner above, any options exercisable within 60 days have been included in the denominator.

 

(2)

A total of 25,000,000 ordinary shares are considered to be outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1) as of December 21, 2022.

   
(3)

Based on 26,300,000 ordinary shares outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering, assuming the underwriter does not exercise the over-allotment option.

 

(4)

Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is the sole director of ARB IOT Limited and has voting and investment power over the shares held by ARB IOT Limited. ARB IOT Limited is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. For more information, see “Corporate History and Structure” beginning on page 54. As of December 21, 2022, Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong holds 12.586% equity interests of ARB Berhad directly and 8.808% equity interests of ARB Berhad indirectly through Ukay One Sdn. Bhd.

   

None of our outstanding ordinary shares are held in the United States. None of our major shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders.  We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company.

  

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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Prior to this offering, we have operated as an operating segment of ARB Berhad. Immediately following this offering, ARB Berhad will continue to own approximately 95.06% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering. If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in full, immediately following this offering, ARB Berhad will own approximately 94.36% of our outstanding ordinary shares. ARB Berhad will continue to have the power acting alone to approve any action requiring the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast and to elect all of our directors.

 

We do not currently expect to enter into any additional agreements or other transactions with ARB Berhad outside the ordinary course or with any of our directors, officers or other affiliates, other than those specified below. Any transactions with directors, officers or other affiliates will be subject to requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and SEC rules and regulations.

 

Historical Relationship with ARB Berhad

 

ARB Berhad has provided administrative support services to us, and costs associated with these functions have been allocated to us. Such costs primarily related to human resources and have been primarily reflected within operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. These costs were allocated on the basis of gross profit contribution and assets. Management believes the basis on which the expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to, or the benefit received by, us during the periods presented. The amount of such expenses allocated to us was RM0.7 million ($0.2 million) and RM0.1 million ($0.03 million) for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which comprised RM0.7 million ($0.2 million) and RM0.1 million ($0.03 million) in general and administrative expense.

 

Following the completion of this offering, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We will be required to establish procedures and practices as a stand-alone public company in order to comply with our obligations under the Exchange Act and related rules and regulations. As a result, we will incur additional costs, including internal audit, investor relations, share administration and regulatory compliance costs. These additional costs may differ from the costs that were historically allocated to us from ARB Berhad.

 

ARB Berhad as Our Controlling Shareholder

 

ARB Berhad currently owns 100% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Upon completion of this offering, ARB Berhad will hold approximately 95.06% of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming 1.3 million ordinary shares are issued in the offering (or approximately 94.36% if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

For as long as ARB Berhad continues to control more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities, ARB Berhad or its successor-in-interest will be able to direct the election of all the members of our board of directors. Similarly, ARB Berhad will have the power to determine matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders without the consent of our other shareholders, will have the power to prevent a change in control of us and will have the power to take certain other actions that might be favorable to ARB Berhad, which may limit our ability to pursue certain strategic transactions, equity issuances or repurchases or other transactions that we may believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders.

 

ARB Berhad has agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of our ordinary shares for a period of six (6) months from the effective date of this registration statement, without the prior written consent of Maxim Group LLC. See “Underwriting.” However, there can be no assurance concerning the period of time during which ARB Berhad will maintain its ownership of our ordinary shares following the lock-up period.

 

In addition, it is intended that we will be included in ARB Berhad’s consolidated group for Malaysian income tax, accounting and public company reporting purposes as long as ARB Berhad controls more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

Arrangement Between ARB Berhad and Our Company

 

As of the date of this prospectus, ARB Berhad has allocated between us and ARB Berhad of ARB Berhad’s assets, employees, liabilities and obligations attributable to periods prior to, at and after our separation from ARB Berhad by allocating twenty (20) Malaysian subsidiaries to us. Most of these Malaysian subsidiaries are 100% owned by us now except for ARB Distribution (51% owned), ARB Robotic (95% owned), ARB Intelligence (95% owned) and ARB WMS Technologies (51% owned). As a result of the allocation, we have assumed the operations, assets, employees, contracts, facility, equipment and obligations of these subsidiaries.

 

On September 15, 2020, we entered into a management services agreement with ARB Berhad and ARB Development Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian subsidiary of ARB Berhad (“ARB Development”) where ARB Berhad agreed to provide management services to us and ARB Development for the purposes of improving profitability and helping us attain our other corporate objectives. Under this agreement, the management services provided to us included review and evaluation of activities related to our Internet of Things Segment at all levels of operations, such as reviewing the key elements of our strategic plans and assisting us in establishing and implementing our policies, controls, procedures, and practices that govern the activities relating to our operations, financial management, internal controls, and other management and administerial functions. Pursuant to this agreement, we agreed to pay ARB Berhad a yearly fee that is based on the computation of 1.05 times the directors’ fees of ARB Berhad proportionate equally to the specific year it is paid and reimburse all out-of-pocket expenses that ARB Berhad incurs in connection with these services. In anticipating our initial public offering, we and ARB Berhad mutually terminated this management services agreement, effective from January 1, 2022.

 

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Transactions with Related Parties

 

For the year ended June 30, 2020, the Company engaged Baritech Sdn. Bhd. (“Baritech”), a related company, to provide project commissioning services for smart home installations, which incurred expense amounting to RM5.5 million ($1.3 million). Baritech is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. During the same period, Baritech subscribed for system integration business application and project management services from the Company for RM1.2 million ($0.3 million).

 

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company engaged Baritech to provide project commissioning services for smart home installations, which incurred expense of RM3.9 million ($0.9 million), and paid Baritech additional RM0.9 million ($0.2 million) for upgrading certain system modules. During the same period, Baritech subscribed for system integration business application and project management services from the Company for RM1.4 million ($0.3 million).

 

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company generated income of RM6.0 million ($1.4 million) relating to system development services from ARB Cloud Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB Cloud”). ARB Cloud is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company engaged the related company, ARB Axflix Sdn Bhd (“ARB Axflix”) to provide system development services, which incurred expense amounting to RM53,333 ($12,106). ARB Axflix is an indirect 51% owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2021, the Company paid ARB Berhad, our controlling shareholder, management service fees of RM0.1 million ($0.02 million).

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company paid ARB Berhad, our controlling shareholder, management service fees of RM0.7 million ($0.2 million). During the same period, ARB Berhad paid RM0.9 million ($0.2 million) to the Company for certain advisory services provided to ARB Berhad by the Company.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company engaged related companies, ARB Axflix and ARB System Sdn. Bhd. (“ARB System”), to provide project commissioning and system development services, which incurred expense amounting to RM1.5 million ($0.4 million). ARB System is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, Baritech subscribed system integration business application and project management services from the Company for RM0.7 million ($0.2 million). In addition, the Company generated income of RM6.0 million ($1.4 million) relating to system development services from ARB Cloud.

 

For the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company procures and supplies industrial building systems with IoT technology for RM154 million ($35.0 million) to Ageson Industrial Sdn. Bhd. (formerly known as AB5 Sdn. Bhd.) which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ageson Berhad, a Malaysia publicly listed company primarily involved in property development and construction. Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong is the Executive Director of Ageson Berhad.

 

On March 1, 2022, ARB IOT Group Limited was incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ARB Berhad. Upon our incorporation, one (1) ordinary share, $1.00 par value, was allotted and issued to Charlotte Cloete, who transferred the share to ARB IOT Limited, on the same day. On June 9, 2022, we subdivided our 50,000 authorized shares, par value $1.00 each, into 500,000,000 shares, resulting in our existing shareholder, ARB IOT Limited, holding 10,000 ordinary shares of par value $0.0001. On June 9, 2022, additional 9,990,000 ordinary shares were issued to ARB IOT Limited at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share. On September 19, 2022, ARB IOT Limited subscribed for another 15,000,000 ordinary shares, at a purchase price of $0.0001 per share.

 

Dato’ Sri Liew Kok Leong, who serves as the Chairman of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer, is also the Executive Director and chief executive officer of ARB Berhad.

 

We plan to adopt a policy that all material transactions with a related party, as well as all material transactions in which there is an actual, or in some cases, perceived, conflict of interest, will be subject to prior review and approval by our Audit Committee and its independent members, who will determine whether such transactions or proposals are fair and reasonable to ARB IOT Group and its shareholders. In general, potential related-party transactions will be identified by our management and discussed with our Audit Committee at its meetings. Detailed proposals, including, where applicable, financial and legal analyses, alternatives and management recommendations, will be provided to our Audit Committee with respect to each issue under consideration, and decisions will be made by our Audit Committee with respect to the foregoing related-party transactions after opportunity for discussion and review of materials. When applicable, our Audit Committee will request further information and, from time to time, will request guidance or confirmation from internal or external counsel or auditors.

 

Employment and Indemnification Agreements

 

See “Management—Employment and Indemnification Agreements.”

 

Compensation of Directors and Officers

 

See “Management—Compensation of Directors and Officers.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended from time to time, and the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, which we refer to as the Companies Act below, and the common law of Cayman Islands.

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized share capital is $50,000 divided into 500,000,000 shares, par value of $0.0001 each, comprising of 500,000,000 shares of a single class. As of the date of this prospectus, 25,000,000 ordinary shares are issued and outstanding.

 

All of our shares issued and outstanding prior to the completion of the offering are and will be fully paid, and all of our shares to be issued in the offering will be issued as fully paid.

 

Our Post-Offering Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

We will adopt an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, which will become effective and replace our current memorandum and articles of association in its entirety immediately prior to the completion of this offering. The following are summaries of material provisions of the post-offering memorandum and articles of association and of the Companies Act, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

 

Objects of Our Company.    Under our post-offering memorandum and articles of association, the objects of our company are unrestricted, and we are capable of exercising all the functions of a natural person of full capacity irrespective of any question of corporate benefit, as provided by section 27(2) of the Companies Act.

 

Ordinary Shares.    Our ordinary shares are issued in registered form and are issued when registered in our register of members. We may not issue shares to bearer. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their shares.

 

Dividends.    The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. Our post-offering memorandum and articles of association provide that dividends may be declared and paid out of the funds of our company lawfully available therefor. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, our company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account; provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid out of our share premium if this would result in our company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business.

 

Voting Rights.    Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by way of a poll save that in the case of a physical meeting, the chairman of the meeting may decide that a vote be on a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by:

 

at least three shareholders present in person or by proxy or (in the case