The opening of Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur marks a significant milestone not only for Malaysia’s hospitality scene, but also for Kuala Lumpur’s evolution as a world-class lifestyle and investment destination. Located within The Exchange TRX, the 466-room hotel is the first Kimpton property in the country, bringing with it a distinctive blend of modern luxury, design-led experiences and human-centric...

For generations, homeownership has been treated as a cornerstone of prosperity. The belief that owning a home is always better than renting has shaped public policy, personal aspirations and investment decisions across the world. In the United States, former president Herbert Hoover famously championed mass homeownership, arguing that people dream of owning roofs over their heads, not stacks of rent...

Kuala Lumpur’s office market is approaching a critical inflection point. With nearly six million square feet of new office space under construction, the capital city is facing renewed pressure on occupancy, rents and asset relevance. According to a recent outlook by Rahim & Co, the next phase of supply could further test an already competitive market, particularly for ageing buildings that struggle...

Malaysia’s proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) has emerged as one of the most debated pieces of draft legislation in recent years. Intended to accelerate the redevelopment of ageing or under-utilised urban areas, the Act sits at the intersection of urban planning, property rights and long-term investor confidence. While much of the public discourse has focused on Malaysian homeowners, the implications...

Malaysia’s real estate market is entering 2026 with a different tone from previous cycles. Rather than chasing rapid price appreciation or volume-driven growth, the focus is shifting toward relevance. According to CBRE WTW Valuation and Advisory Sdn Bhd, the market is evolving from resilience into a phase where quality, sustainability and long-term value creation matter more than ever. This transition...

Malaysians are increasingly choosing to travel closer to home for year-end holidays, and Kuala Lumpur is emerging as the clear beneficiary of this shift. New insights from Agoda reveal a strong rise in domestic travel interest, with the capital city recording the highest growth in accommodation searches among local destinations for December travel. While international travel remains attractive, the...

Langkawi is quietly registering another positive tourism signal as arrivals via roll-on roll-off (RoRo) passenger and vehicle ferry services are expected to rise this year. The projected increase in ferry traffic may appear incremental at first glance, but for an island destination, transport trends often provide early insight into broader tourism momentum and economic confidence. Tourist arrivals to...

Malaysia is quietly redefining what it means to retire securely. Under the Retirement Income Adequacy framework, a new benchmark of RM1.3 million to RM1.5 million is emerging as the level needed to support a dignified retirement. This recalibration reflects realities many households already feel, from higher daily expenses and medical costs to the likelihood of living well into old age. While the numbers...

The arrival of the first passenger train sets for the East Coast Rail Link marks a defining moment for one of Malaysia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. As the rail line edges closer to testing and commissioning, the physical presence of the trains transforms the ECRL from a construction narrative into an operational reality. For those tracking infrastructure, urban development and long-term...

Johor has officially set the tone for a high-impact tourism year by launching Visit Johor Year 2026 with welcoming events held simultaneously across air, land and sea entry points. The coordinated rollout sends a clear signal that the state is not only prepared for increased visitor numbers, but is also positioning tourism as a key economic driver with implications that extend beyond hospitality into...