An Indonesian petrochemical titan owned by one of Southeast Asia’s wealthiest billionaires just made a S$265 million (RM868 million) power move into Malaysia and Singapore.
In a massive deal that has caught the regional auto industry by surprise, Jardine Cycle & Carriage is selling off its entire network of showrooms and service centers across both countries to Jakarta-based Chandra Asri Group, controlled by tycoon Prajogo Pangestu.
The acquisition marks a dramatic shift for Cycle & Carriage, a legendary brand whose roots trace all the way back to KL in 1899, as it officially pivots into a regional energy and mobility ecosystem.
According to bourse filings on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), Jardine Cycle & Carriage is divesting the business to "crystallise value" and pay down debt, allowing the group to focus its capital allocation on its core growth markets in Indonesia (via Astra International) and Vietnam (via THACO).
The assets being sold carry a net tangible asset value of approximately US$292 million (RM1.3 billion) as of June 2026, generating roughly US$16 million (RM71 million) in net profit for the first half of 2026.
For readers unfamiliar with the buyer, Chandra Asri Group is a Jakarta-listed petrochemical, energy, and infrastructure powerhouse controlled by PT Barito Pacific Tbk. Its founder, Prajogo Pangestu, holds an estimated net worth of $17.2 billion, making him one of Indonesia's wealthiest individuals.
This buyout marks Chandra Asri’s first major expansion into automotive retail and mobility solutions. It complements the group's recent aggressive regional expansion in Singapore, which included the acquisition of Shell's petrochemical refinery assets and Esso's network of petrol stations.
Even though ownership is switching to an Indonesian company, it is business as usual on the ground in Malaysia. If you own, service, or plan to buy a car from Cycle & Carriage, here is what you need to know:
Before the takeover is official, the sale requires sign-offs from car brands, distributors, property landlords, and Singapore's JTC Corporation. If these approvals aren't cleared or waived by 28 February 2027, the deal will be called off.
Sources: Forbes | Singapore Business | NST | Investor Trust | DSF
