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.
Starting October 2025, Malaysia’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will automatically register non-Malaysian employees holding employment passes, requiring both employers and workers to make nominal monthly contributions. From October 2025, non-Malaysian employees holding a Visitor’s Pass (Temporary Employment) or Employment Pass (which covers virtually all working expats) will be automatically registered as EPF members, removing much of the administrative burden for employers, announced the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). Under the new directive, employers need not send workers to EPF offices to begin membership; they can verify registration status, update records, and handle thumbprint verification through i-Akaun (Employer). Employers have already been…
Affordable living, welcoming cultures, and rewarding careers are drawing more expats to Asia than ever before, with many saying life here simply feels better. The 2025 International Expat Insider Survey paints a clear picture of shifting global priorities. When over 10,000 expats from 172 nationalities were asked about life abroad, one factor stood out above all others: financial comfort. Where living costs are manageable, happiness tends to follow — and nowhere is that more apparent than in Asia. A recent article on BBC summed up the survey results, which paint an increasingly optimistic outlook for expat life in Asia. Indeed, this year’s…
The iconic restaurant group marked three amazing decades with an all-day Wonderfest party at the end of September that brought together music, food, and heart in true SOULed OUT fashion. We could tell something big was happening as soon as we turned into Sri Hartamas last weekend. Traffic was insane, parking was almost nonexistent, and there was a palpable buzz in the air. SOULed OUT, one of Malaysia’s most recognizable names in dining and entertainment, turned 30 in spectacular style with Wonderfest, a high-energy celebration that took over its flagship Hartamas outlet on September 27, 2025. The milestone event brought…
In Taman Megah, one unassuming bar has mastered the art of keeping things simple: good beer, good food, and good company. With eight craft brews on tap and some of PJ’s best pizzas, House of Hops proves that casual doesn’t mean ordinary. Tucked along an otherwise unremarkable stretch of shoplots in Taman Megah, House of Hops arrived on the scene in the post-pandemic haze, and has quickly earned its reputation as one of Petaling Jaya’s most relaxed yet well-curated craft beer spots. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still gets the details right —…
On October 1, the luxury hospitality world converged on Crowne Plaza KLCC for the LUXE Global Awards Gala — a showcase of excellence, culture, and global recognition. Kicking off the final quarter of 2025 in spectacular fashion, the 2025 LUXE Global Awards Gala was held on October 1 at Crowne Plaza Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The occasion gathered hoteliers, restaurateurs, and wellness innovators from across the world to celebrate outstanding achievements and lasting dedication to excellence. As the host hotel this year, Crowne Plaza KLCC stepped into the role previously held by InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest and Amari Bangkok. Its…
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 October 2025 edition of Airline and Travel News. BATIK AIR TO LAUNCH NINE NEW REGIONAL ROUTES Batik Air will expand its regional presence with the commencement of nine new routes on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in its efforts to strengthen connectivity across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The airline announced that the expansion will include new services from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport,…
With all components of the BUDI95 subsidy rationalization now having been announced, and implementation starting this week, it’s easy to wonder what possible benefits it’s expected to yield for the country. Okay, first a few disclaimers and caveats. First, and most importantly, this is an opinion piece, a simple sharing of my sometimes-scattered thoughts on this so-called rationalization exercise. Second, there may be future plans or ideas in play that have not been made public. I have no special insight into the government’s thinking, and they certainly did not consult me before putting this plan into motion. So take all…
A sinkhole of shocking proportions opened in central Bangkok near Vajira Hospital, swallowing vehicles and toppling power poles. Though no casualties have been reported, authorities evacuated nearby buildings and capped utilities as the ground continues to shift. In Bangkok on Wednesday morning, a section of road above an under-construction subway station collapsed, opening a sinkhole roughly 50 metres deep and spanning about 900 square metres. The collapse occurred along Samsen Road in the Dusit district, adjacent to Vajira Hospital. Local officials immediately declared an emergency zone and ordered evacuation of disaster-prone buildings nearby. The cave-in is believed to have originated…
Starting September 30, 2025, many Malaysians will enjoy subsidized RON95 petrol at RM1.99/L while foreigners will be excluded. How much will expats pay, and how do those rates stack up comparatively across Southeast Asia? Malaysia is taking a significant step in fuel subsidy reform. According to reports, from September 30, 2025, RON95 petrol will cost RM1.99 per litre for most Malaysian citizens under the new targeted scheme called BUDI95, so long as they hold a valid MyKad and driver’s licence. But there’s a sharp distinction: foreigners will pay the “full market rate” under the same policy. The government has introduced…
Official figures reveal a grim reality on Malaysian roads: an accident every 50 seconds and a fatality every two hours. While some enforcement measures have reduced crashes during key holidays, long-term challenges remain. Every day in Malaysia, an average of 14 people never make it home because of a road accident. The figures, published by the Cabinet committee on traffic congestion and road safety between March 2024 and March 2025, are sobering. Over that 12-month period, someone was killed in a traffic crash every one hour and 56 minutes. Accidents themselves occur even more frequently, with one happening roughly every…