Author: admin

Tourist arrivals from ASEAN countries have jumped 15.5% in the first six months of 2025, with Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair credited for boosting the nation’s regional appeal. Malaysia has recorded a sharp increase in visitors from neighbouring ASEAN nations, with arrivals rising 15.5% from January to June this year compared to the same period in 2024, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. In a Parliamentary reply, Tiong said the numbers reflected both Malaysia’s targeted promotional efforts and the country’s elevated profile as ASEAN Chair for 2025. “Tourism from our neighbouring ASEAN countries remains…

Petaling Jaya’s nightlife scene is set for a boost as the city council approves extended hours for entertainment outlets, promising a regulatory update that balances economic activity with urban governance. Petaling Jaya’s entertainment scene is on the cusp of at least a minor transformation. The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has approved the extension of operating hours for licensed entertainment outlets until 3am. The move, set to be formalized in the coming weeks, aims to revitalize the city’s after-hours economy while ensuring business operations remain aligned with updated licensing frameworks. The decision follows a series of internal meetings and consultations…

Recent months have seen the U.S. government deploy secretive, masked enforcers, detain critics without due process, ignore court orders, and intimidate dissenters – all clear hallmarks of authoritarianism. Do you remember the 1996 film Twister? It was an instant classic, a disaster film that gave us memorable characters, groundbreaking special effects, and – as everyone inevitably recalls – a flying cow. There was one particularly impactful scene ­­set at a rural drive-in theatre. As the night sky flashes ominously with lightning, a devastating storm looms – unseen but unmistakably near. The movie is still playing onscreen, but nature has already changed…

After five days of deadly clashes left over 300,000 displaced, Thailand and Cambodia have tentatively agreed on terms to monitor a fragile truce. Malaysian-mediated discussions aim to turn diplomacy into durable peace. Secretariat-level negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia, held in Kuala Lumpur from August 4 to 6, have produced a consensus in principle on a framework to implement their July 28 ceasefire. The talks focused on finalising the terms of reference for the interim ASEAN Defence Attache Observer Team, which began monitoring duties on August 3. Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar confirmed that while key…

At Kuala Lumpur’s newest cinematic sanctuary, GSC’s Aurum Theatre blends blockbuster brilliance with five-star comfort – and it’s changing the way film fans watch their favourite stories unfold. For decades, going to the movies meant popcorn in a paper bag, stiff seats, and likely a sticky floor or two. Especially for expats having grown up in Western countries, movie nights were a pretty straightforward affair. Show up early, stand in line (especially for popular new releases) in hopes of getting the best seat possible, get your popcorn or Milk Duds, and enjoy the movie while sitting in a very standard-issue…

With over four decades of expertise and a network of 30 hospitals nationwide, KPJ Healthcare has become a household name in Malaysia’s private medical sector, delivering award-winning care backed by global accreditation, international partnerships, and patient-focused services that bring trusted healthcare closer to home. Whether you have just arrived in Malaysia or have long called it home, having dependable medical care nearby brings peace of mind, especially when it is built on decades of experience and a deep understanding of diverse healthcare needs. With over 40 years of history and a network of 30 hospitals across the country, KPJ Healthcare…

Tiger’s latest flavour drop turns up the heat with Mighty Mango — a tropical, soju-kissed lager inspired by K-pop, bold beats, and playful energy. It’s fresh, fruity… and it’s only here for a limited time. Just when you thought Tiger Soju Flavoured Lager couldn’t get any bolder, along comes Mighty Mango — a juicy new twist that leans into tropical vibes and unapologetic fun. Released with a splash of K-pop flair (yes, there were choreographed deliveries), this limited-edition brew blends the smoothness of soju with the mellow sweetness of one of Asia’s most beloved fruits. The result? A lager that’s as refreshing…

EQ’s Sabayon welcomes Spanish culinary talent Xabier Goikoetxea to Kuala Lumpur for an exclusive 10-night residency this July and August. Expect turbot, caviar, poetry on plates, and views to match. Food lovers in Kuala Lumpur are in for an unforgettable culinary encounter as Sabayon at EQ hosts Chef Xabier Goikoetxea, the Michelin-starred Executive Chef of Oria at the Monument Hotel in Barcelona. From July 31 to August 9, 2025, diners will have the rare opportunity to savour the work of a chef whose roots run deep in the Basque Country, but whose vision extends far beyond it. Goikoetxea is no…

Ongoing fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has killed over 30 people and displaced more than 200,000 residents. Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, is actively promoting an immediate ceasefire and offering mediation, even as Thailand insists on bilateral talks. A simmering territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has exploded into full‑scale violence, marking the most deadly confrontation in years. Artillery and rockets now reverberate across the frontier, dozens have been killed and an estimated 200,000 people have fled their homes on both sides. The conflict is rooted in overlapping colonial-era maps, ambiguous post‑colonial borders and sensitive cultural sites such as Preah Vihear…

If you speak to anyone in Kuala Lumpur who is old enough to remember CD-ROMs, fax machines, and printed newspapers, they will all likely have a Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur story to tell. In 2012, one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest international standard hotels closed for a major redevelopment. The rebuilding and re-branding of Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur as EQ became a significant milestone in Malaysian hospitality. And it didn’t stop there – not by a long shot. Recently named by Travel + Leisure Asia as the Best City Hotel in Malaysia, EQ has also been TripAdvisor’s number-one-ranked Kuala Lumpur hotel since 2019, and…