Bus Cap appts Ma Xiyin as INED, strengthens new-energy expertise following BYD M’sia collab

BUS Cap Bhd, Malaysia’s only pure-play bus builder listed on Bursa Malaysia, has appointed Chinese national Ma Xiyin as an independent non-executive director (INED) effective Oct 16.

The appointment strengthens the board’s collective experience in new-energy technologies, electric mobility and international commercial development.

Ma, 40, is an entrepreneur and business leader with over 15 years of experience in corporate management and commercial development within China’s new-energy and electric mobility sector.

She currently serves as managing director of the Aiduke business group where her enterprises are involved in electric vehicles (EVs), electric buses, EV charging infrastructure, battery and energy storage systems, solar and renewable energy projects as well as new-energy components and strategic investments.

Her background also covers technology localisation and cross-border new-energy partnerships, thus adding practical commercial insights as Bus Cap expands beyond conventional bus manufacturing.

Ma holds a degree in Business Administration from École Supérieure de Commerce d’Amiens in France and a diploma in Business Administration from China’s Open University.

Her appointment comes as Bus Cap executes its post-listing strategy to build an integrated mobility ecosystem by combining its established manufacturing base with new opportunities in new-energy commercial vehicles, intelligent technology, distribution and transportation lifecycle services.

Embracing technology transformation

“We welcome Ma Xiyin to the Bus Cap board. Her experience across China’s new-energy and electric mobility industries brings valuable perspectives at an important stage of our group’s development,” commented Bus Cap’s executive director Bernard Ng Chong Yan.

“Over the past 58 years, Bus Cap has built its foundation in bus manufacturing. As the transportation industry evolves, we recognise that the next phase of growth will involve much more than manufacturing vehicles.”

However, technology, charging infrastructure, energy storage and lifecycle services will become increasingly important components of the mobility ecosystem, according to Ng.

“Ma’s commercial exposure to these areas is particularly relevant as we evaluate new opportunities in the new-energy commercial vehicle market,” he envisages.

“Her experience will complement our existing board and contribute an independent perspective as we assess international partnerships, technology localisation and potential business expansion.”

On Bus Cap’s collaboration with BYD Malaysia, Ng said it represents an important development in the group’s future endeavours.

Bus Cap Bhd’s executive director Bernard Ng Chong Yan

“We’re now looking beyond traditional bus building towards a broader mobility platform while remaining focused on commercial viability, disciplined execution and sustainable long-term value creation.”

More broadly, Ma’s noard appointment follows Bus Cap’s entry into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BYD Malaysia Sdn Bhd on Aug 18 to exclusively explore a strategic cooperation framework for a Malaysia-based new-energy commercial vehicle platform.

The proposed cooperation includes establishing a local assembly and manufacturing facility in Perak for electric buses and related ancillary activities.

The framework also covers product localisation, sales, marketing and distribution, after-sales services and the evaluation of a suitable investment and operating structure.

This aligns with Bus Cap’s goal to participate across a wider segment of the new-energy commercial vehicle value chain.

While conventional bus building remains the group’s primary earnings foundation, Bus Cap is steadily building out its longer-term capabilities in new-energy commercial vehicles, intelligent technology and lifecycle services – guided by its “Build. Connect. Support.” vision to make transportation ownership smarter, safer and more sustainable across Southeast Asia.

At the close of today’s (Oct 19) mid-day market trading, Bus Cap was down 8 sen or 7.41% to RM1 with 3.73 million shares traded, thus valuing the company at RM383 mil. – Oct 19, 2026

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