In its ongoing commitment to promote responsible short-term rental activities (STRA) in Malaysia, Airbnb has unveiled its Guide to Responsible Hosting in Buildings. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive resources for strata hosts, property managers, joint management bodies (JMB), management corporations (MC), and developers to manage short-term rentals responsibly in apartment buildings and...

Road B66 Reopens: Restoring Connectivity to Genting Highlands and the East Coast Travellers once again have access to Genting Highlands and the East Coast with the reopening of Road B66, which connects Batang Kali to Genting Highlands. The road officially reopened on Monday at 3pm, one-and-a-half years after the tragic landslide at the Father's Organic Farm campsite. The Tragic Landslide and Road...

Luckin Coffee Inc, the US-listed Chinese coffeehouse chain, is preparing to make its debut in Malaysia. This move comes at a time when the Malaysian coffee market is experiencing fierce competition, with numerous brands vying to fill the gap left by Starbucks amidst ongoing consumer boycotts due to Middle East tensions. According to sources, Luckin Coffee will partner with a Bursa Malaysia-listed firm,...

Travellers from 63 countries can now benefit from Malaysia’s expanded autogate immigration clearance system when entering via Kuala Lumpur or Johor. This system, which was previously available to travellers from 36 low-risk countries, has been enhanced to include an additional 27 countries, making the entry process more efficient and streamlined. Expansion of the Autogate System The expansion of the...

Malaysia has long been a popular destination for Singaporeans, thanks to its close proximity, delicious food, and the favorable exchange rate. However, recent trends show a growing number of Singaporeans considering Malaysia not just for short visits but as a retirement destination. According to a survey by Blackbox Research and Qualtrics, up to one in three Singaporeans is now contemplating retirement in...

Malaysia needs to move upstream both vertically and horizontally to enhance its global share of semiconductor exports and market presence, according to a policy paper by the Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. This approach involves advancing assembly, testing, and packaging capabilities and moving towards integrated circuit (IC) design and wafer fabrication. Vertical...

Fan Bingbing, the renowned Chinese actress, has been appointed as the Melaka Friendship Tourism Ambassador 2024. Describing the role as both a heavy responsibility and a stroke of luck, Fan is set to promote Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM2024). This appointment aims to rejuvenate tourism in Melaka, emphasizing its unique appeal and deep historical ties with China. A Unique Tourist Destination Fan Bingbing...

Malaysia's competitiveness has been on a downward trend for years, a phenomenon that cannot be attributed solely to short-term factors such as recent economic performance, US interest rates, or geopolitics. Prominent economist Prof Tan Sri Noor Azlan Ghazali emphasizes that the decline in Malaysia's competitiveness ranking is the result of the entire country's lack of full commitment to enacting necessary...

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s vibrant capital, has firmly established itself as a burgeoning hub for startups. From July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023, the city's startup ecosystem has generated over RM220 billion (US$47 billion) in ecosystem value, according to Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd (Cradle). This remarkable achievement underscores Kuala Lumpur's rapid growth and substantial economic impact, as highlighted in...

The Penang state government has finalized the alignment for the Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) project proposed by Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp). This decision marks a significant step forward in enhancing Penang's public transportation infrastructure. Alignment Selection Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the state has agreed to the alignment proposed by MRT Corp,...