Kuala Lumpur (Feb 12) - Bentley Music Group Bhd (BMGB) is looking to establish a presence in Sabah and Sarawak before the year ends, marking a significant step in its growth strategy beyond Peninsular Malaysia.
Executive director Lewis Siu Man Hooper said the company is currently identifying a suitable location for its expansion, noting that its distribution network in both Sabah and Sarawak is already operational. He explained that the move is aimed not only at increasing market share but also at strengthening the company’s brand presence and showcasing its five decades of contribution to nurturing musical talent.
BMGB focuses on the retail and wholesale of musical instruments and sound reinforcement systems. The group also operates the Bentley Music Academy, which provides music education at its showrooms in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. At present, the company manages four Bentley Music retail outlets located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.
The announcement came as BMGB made its debut on the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia. The company’s shares opened at 15 sen, three sen above its initial public offering (IPO) price of 12 sen, with 10,000 shares traded at the start. By the close of its first trading day, the share price had climbed 50% to 18 sen. Upon listing, the company achieved a market capitalisation of RM30 million.
According to the company, part of the IPO proceeds will be used to strengthen operational capabilities and broaden its market reach, particularly through geographical expansion. Of the gross proceeds raised from a private subscription, RM2 million — representing 66.67% — has been allocated as start-up capital to set up a retail showroom in either Kota Kinabalu or Kuching. The move is intended to tap into growth opportunities in regional markets that are considered underserved and to diversify revenue streams outside Peninsular Malaysia.
On the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry, Siu said while AI can enhance certain aspects of music production, creativity from composers and musicians remains essential. He noted that AI can complement songs that have already been written, but human input and actual musical instruments are still necessary as core tools in music creation. He added that AI could support and complement the group’s business moving forward.
For Sabahans, the potential opening of a Bentley Music showroom in Kota Kinabalu would provide greater access to musical instruments, sound systems and music education opportunities without needing to source them from Peninsular Malaysia. It could also create new jobs locally and contribute to the development of Sabah’s music and creative industry scene.