Author: Chad Merchant
Chad Merchant
As TEG Media’s Group Editor, Chad manages the editorial team and has been heading up the myriad publications and platforms of the company since joining in February 2012. He also writes for the various magazines and websites. A lifelong writer and English language enthusiast, Chad's background is primarily in business management, though he majored in education at Auburn University, and held jobs with editorial responsibility in his home country of the United States. Chad's interests extend to photography, travel, and a passion for good food and wine, along with a love of whisky, which has led to him serving as the Event Director for TEG Media’s popular WhiskyPLUS event, held annually since 2018.
Indonesia has named Suharto a national hero, reopening long-simmering wounds from one of Southeast Asia’s darkest chapters. Supporters call him a stabilizing force. Survivors say it is an injustice that rewrites history. For many Indonesians, Suharto is a name that evokes both rapid development and extraordinary suffering. His 31-year rule shaped a generation, defined a region, and left deep scars that have never fully healed. So when Indonesia’s government announced this week that the former president would be posthumously honoured as a national hero, the decision did more than stir debate. It reignited a national argument over memory, accountability, and…
From bustling street stalls to refined fine-dining tables, Malaysia’s culinary landscape continues its evolution. The 2026 Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang celebrates a decade of growth, showcasing new stars, enduring favourites, and the creative spirit that makes these cities a must-visit for food lovers. The 2026 edition of the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang showcases a dining scene that has grown in confidence, creativity, and range over the past decade. Now in its fourth edition here in Malaysia, and with an impressive 151 recognized establishments across Michelin Star, Bib Gourmand, and Selected categories, the guide showcases dining in a country where…
Stay up to date with the latest in the travel and hospitality industry, from airline launches and route expansions to new trends and transportation developments shaping the way we explore the world. This is the November 2025 edition of Airline and Travel News. BATIK AIR MOVES SINGAPORE OPERATIONS TO CHANGI TERMINAL 4 THIS MONTH Lion Group, comprising Batik Air Malaysia, Batik Air Indonesia, and Thai Lion Air, will shift operations to Changi Airport Terminal 4 (T4) on November 11, 2025. The move aims to offer passengers a seamless journey, featuring automated check-in and boarding, terminal attractions, and improved connectivity across…
Football, friends, and the unmistakable taste of Guinness come together in a bold new experience as Guinness Malaysia unveils its first-ever football-themed stay — the Guinness Clubhouse — now open for exclusive overnight bookings through February 2026. Guinness Malaysia, the official beer of the Premier League, has launched the Guinness Clubhouse, a one-of-a-kind stay in Kuala Lumpur designed to celebrate the thrill of match nights in true Guinness style. Running until the end of February 2026, this immersive three-storey venue transforms the spirit of football fandom into a full-bodied overnight experience that’s as lively as it is luxurious. Housed in a…
From typhoons and earthquakes to flooding and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters. As the country reels from the devastation of Typhoon Kalmaegi, its people once again show the resilience that defines life in one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations. In the central Philippines, residents are now scraping mud from homes and clearing streets after the catastrophic Typhoon Kalmaegi left behind a trail of death and destruction, with at least 140 fatalities confirmed. In Cebu Province, a major tourism hub, floodwaters have finally receded, revealing the scale of the damage. Whole neighbourhoods were submerged, cars…
Join us for a relaxed evening of good company, great conversations, and seaside vibes at M Social Resort’s inviting poolside bar and restaurant, Breezy Bites, on Thursday, November 27. Chic, vibrant, and right by the water’s edge, M Social Resort Penang is the island’s newest lifestyle destination — and the perfect setting for our next TEG Mingle in Penang! This month, we’re taking the fun to Tanjung Bungah for an evening of social and professional networking in a lively, open-air setting that really captures the fun, island spirit of Penang. From 7pm onwards, come and enjoy refreshing drinks, delicious bites, and plenty of great…
When a 182-metre glass elevator began rising from the iconic cliffs of Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida, Bali, outrage erupted online – and in a twist of irony, overexposure on social media is what led to this problem in the first place. Authorities in Bali have ordered a halt to the construction of a cliff-side glass lift on one of Indonesia’s most photographed lookouts. The 182-metre (597 ft) elevator, along with a 64-metre (210 ft) bridge, was being installed on the T-Rex-shaped ridge of Kelingking Beach. The development, by Chinese developer China Kaishi Group and local partner PT Bangun Nusa…
With over two centuries of winemaking heritage behind it, M. Chapoutier has become one of the Rhône Valley’s most respected names — blending tradition, terroir, and a quietly forward-thinking approach that continues to resonate with wine lovers around the world, including those here in Malaysia. The Rhône Valley has long been one of France’s great wine heartlands, a place where steep granite hills and sun-drenched plains produce some of the country’s most expressive and enjoyable wines. Stretching from Lyon in the north to Avignon in the south, the valley is home to a patchwork of appellations, from the powerful reds…
As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) wraps up its summit in Kuala Lumpur, its ongoing failure to act decisively on Myanmar is raising fresh doubts about whether the bloc can rise beyond being a platform for diplomacy to become a genuine actor for regional stability. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was founded in 1967 on optimism and pragmatism. Born during the Cold War as a bulwark against communism, the bloc aimed to promote peace, stability, and cooperation across a diverse region. Over the decades, it evolved into a forum for economic integration, diplomacy, and conflict prevention, gaining…
As Malaysia continues to refine its flagship residency scheme, updated figures reveal a steady flow of long-term foreign residents, particularly from China, embracing the country as their second home. Malaysia’s long-running Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme has drawn nearly 6,000 active participants since the introduction of new requirements in 2023. According to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, as of August 31, a total of 5,972 foreigners currently hold MM2H passes. Of these, 2,134 are principal participants, while 3,838 are dependants. Chinese nationals make up the largest share by far, with 3,414 principal and dependant…