Value Partners appoints head of new office in Kuala Lumpur

Michael William Greenall was appointed managing director, Southeast Asia, at Value Partners Group to lead the Hong Kong-based money management boutique's newly opened office in Kuala Lumpur.

Value Partners Asset Management Malaysia will serve as the company's hub for product development, investment and distribution in Southeast Asia, with a focus on quantitative investment solutions and a new push into Shariah-compliant funds, company executives said Monday at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Cheah Cheng Hye, Value Partners' chairman and co-chief investment officer, said at the news conference that the new Malaysian office will eventually offer local investors Malaysian equity and fixed-income funds. Mr. Cheah noted that heavy ownership of stocks by government-linked entities leaves the market's free float at a regional low of 35% — suppressing the market's dynamism.

That low free float makes it difficult to put a lot of money to work in the Malaysian stock market, Mr. Cheah said, adding that if Value Partners can't invest $150 million to $200 million there within three to five years, it won't be easy to justify maintaining an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Greenall was managing director, regional head of research and ASEAN strategist at Kuala Lumpur-based CIMB Securities.