[RAM] RAM Ratings reaffirms rating of Glacier Assets' water receivables-backed Senior Notes

RAM Ratings has reaffirmed the AAA/Stable rating of Glacier Assets Berhad’s (the Issuer) RM555 mil Senior Notes under an Asset-Backed Medium-Term Notes Facility. The Senior Notes rank above the unrated Junior Notes (collectively, the Notes) under the facility.  

The transaction has been structured to monetise the balance of receivables due under the Termination and Settlement Agreement (TSA) dated 24 May 2019 between Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH or the Obligor) and Gamuda Water Sdn Bhd (the Originator). The Issuer has ultimate recourse to Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor or the Guarantor), which guarantees and undertakes in the TSA to pay any missed instalments payable by SPLASH, including default interest, upon written demand. 

The reaffirmation of the rating reflects Air Selangor’s credit profile which hinges on its critical public policy role and importance to the Selangor state government (SSG). Air Selangor – Malaysia’s largest water operator – is the sole licence holder of water supply and distribution services in Selangor and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Highly anticipated support from the SSG in times of financial distress underpins our view that the Guarantor’s credit strength mirrors that of the state. 

As the TSA forms a key part of the resolution of long-drawn negotiations on Selangor’s water restructuring exercise, Air Selangor is viewed as having strong incentives to meet obligations under the TSA and therefore unlikely to reprioritise these obligations vis-à-vis other payment commitments. Glacier duly received the scheduled annual payment from Air Selangor on 26 September 2021. The designated accounts report as at 31 August 2021 indicates that actual transaction expenses incurred were largely in line with the levels estimated. 

The transaction includes a pre-funded maintenance account to meet the Issuer’s expenses over the life of the Notes and a pre-funded Early Redemption Account to cover early redemption premiums on the Senior Notes, if any. Prepayment terms of the Senior Notes, which mirror the terms of the Obligor’s early redemption option under the TSA, minimise potential negative carry risk. The five-month difference between the due dates of the annual instalments (starting September 2021) and payment dates of the Senior Notes (starting March 2022) provides a buffer against any potential delay in payments from the Obligor. Funds in the Settlement Account cannot be used to make payments in respect of the Junior Notes until all Senior Notes have been fully redeemed. This mitigates any cashflow leakage. The rating does not reflect the prepayment risk on the Notes.


Analytical contacts
Joel Thum
(603) 3385 2517
joel@ram.com.my

Tan Han Nee
(603) 3385 2529
hannee@ram.com.my