YY Group (NASDAQ: YYGH) Expands Malaysia Operations to Melaka, Entering New High-Growth Hospitality

Partnership with international 5-star hotel broadens the Company's recurring revenue base and enhances regional visibility

SINGAPORE, May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YY Group Holding Limited $YY(YYGH.US) ("YY Group" or the "Company"), an AI-native workforce management platform and integrated facility management (IFM) provider operating across Asia and beyond, today announced that its Malaysian subsidiary, YY Circle Malaysia, has entered the Melaka market through a workforce partnership with a leading international 5-star hotel, extending the subsidiary's footprint beyond Kuala Lumpur and adding a new high-growth geography to YY Group's hospitality client base. Services commenced on May 8, 2026.

Melaka is a UNESCO World Heritage city and one of Malaysia's most-visited sites, with over 19 million tourist arrivals targeted for 2026. This year's state-level Visit Melaka campaign, along with the national Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative, positions Melaka as one of the country's standout destinations, driving increased investment by international hotel brands. Workforce capacity, however, has emerged as the binding constraint on hospitality growth: Southeast Asian employers consistently report talent shortages, high turnover, and training gaps. Meanwhile, employees report issues with stability, pay, and lack of development opportunities. 

YY Circle's AI-powered, on-demand workforce platform addresses both sides of this dynamic. For hotel operators, the platform matches trained personnel to daily occupancy and event demand, providing reliable day-by-day staffing without expanding fixed headcount. For workers, it provides more consistent earnings opportunities, with transparent pay and access to training and development pathways across the platform. These capabilities are complemented by YY Group's automation initiatives, which are designed to extend front-line teams' productivity.

"Across Southeast Asia, demand for trained hospitality staff is outpacing supply, and Melaka is a clear example of a market where innovative solutions are needed to keep pace with rising demand," said Mike Fu, Chief Executive Officer of YY Group. "Our AI-powered workforce platform closes that gap from both directions — giving operators access to reliable, pre-vetted, on-demand personnel, and providing hospitality workers with greater stability and opportunity. Combined with our automation initiatives, we offer a structural upgrade from traditional staffing models — positioning YY Group as a leader in the industry's shift to AI-native infrastructure as we pursue additional engagements throughout Southeast Asia."

Ken Teng, Director of Southeast Asia for YY Group, added, "This engagement reflects strong confidence from one of the region's leading hospitality brands, and our smooth launch across the hotel's full F&B and rooms departments demonstrates that trust was well-earned. We're excited to enter this thriving market with clear technology advantages, and expect our presence in Melaka to anchor further partnerships across Malaysia's broader tourism corridor."

Under the engagement, YY Circle Malaysia is providing staffing across the property's full operations, including banquet, restaurant, housekeeping, stewarding, and kitchen departments. The Company initially expects to deploy approximately 30 to 40 employees per day, contributing meaningfully to YY Circle Malaysia's recurring revenue base.