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.
The Majapahit, located in Arcoris Mont Kiara, is named after the once-powerful 13th-century Javanese empire that extended throughout several parts of Southeast Asia. Their extensive menu reflects this with dishes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, with some Western comfort dishes (burgers, pizza, etc.) in there to satisfy the demanding palates of the many expats who choose to reside in Mont Kiara. It makes for an especially eclectic menu, that’s for sure, but the benefit of such diversity is that most diners will be able to find plenty on offer that appeals to them. We dropped in on a relaxed…
Stay updated with the latest in the travel industry, from airline launches and route expansions to travel trends and industry developments shaping the way we explore the world. This is the February 2025 edition of Airline and Travel News. lyf GEORGETOWN PENANG INTRODUCES A NEW ERA OF SOCIAL LIVING lyf Georgetown Penang, the latest co-living space by The Ascott Limited, has officially opened in the heart of George Town, redefining modern hospitality with a focus on community-driven experiences and cultural immersion. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site area, the property blends heritage charm with contemporary innovation, offering a unique…
With its ‘prosperity toss’ article this week, CNN also questioned whether the celebratory dish was invented in Malaysia or Singapore, and received a sensible answer. Here in Malaysia, and in neighbouring Singapore, it’s a fair question to ask: Is it really Chinese New Year until you’ve participated in a joyful yee sang toss? This unusual ritual (which is also pretty tasty) is a staple of the festive season around the biggest holiday on the Chinese calendar… but it’s largely confined to Malaysia and Singapore. Outside of this little part of the world, the ‘prosperity toss’ is little-known and even less-practiced. So it…
As Australia and Malaysia commemorate 70 years of diplomatic ties, 2025 promises a year-long celebration of their shared history and vibrant partnership across culture, education, trade, and more. The Australian High Commission in Malaysia has launched a campaign celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The milestone was officially marked on January 23, 2025, coinciding with Australia Day celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. Distinguished guests, including Malaysia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, joined Australian High Commissioner Danielle Heinecke and over 1,500 attendees at the launch event. In addition to all the wonderful (and of course…
Royal Salute, renowned for its exceptional Scotch whisky, which is always aged a minimum of 21 years, recently unveiled the amazing Royal Salute 21-Year-Old Harris Reed Edition in Kuala Lumpur. The launch took place at Skillet KL, the Michelin-selected restaurant well-known for its exquisite cuisine and consistent dedication to quality. Guests at the exclusive event were treated to a curated dining experience that perfectly complemented the nuanced profiles of Royal Salute’s whiskies, including the 21-year-old Signature Blend, 24-year-old Cognac Cask, and the star of the evening, the 21-year-old Harris Reed Edition. Harris Reed, the young and visionary designer known for his demi-couture…
The whimsical, colourful bulls that festoon the entryway to Torito give away the game: this is a different sort of Peruvian-Japanese restaurant. How so? Well, the continuing rise of Nikkei cuisine – a blend of Japanese and Peruvian cooking whose backstory is as fascinating as it is unlikely – seems to follow a trend here; that is to say, it typically leans a lot more towards Japanese food (which enjoys both familiarity and popularity in Malaysia) than Peruvian. Take one very well-known global fine dining chain that bills itself as Japanese-Peruvian… and yet when you visit (at least in the…
The fares are limited, but offer residents a great way to escape the city while avoiding the usual highway jams. Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB, or KTM) has announced a special Chinese New Year ‘Excursion’ Train service, set to operate on 27 and 28 January, in conjunction with the festive season. In a statement released today, KTMB confirmed that the service will offer two special round trips, with 792 tickets available for the journey connecting KL Sentral Station and Butterworth Station. “Tickets are on sale starting today, 21 January, from 10 am. The one-way fare is priced from RM60 for…
As Malaysia’s e-hailing market becomes more competitive, new players are aiming to make a dent in Grab’s long-standing dominance. The e-hailing market in Malaysia has seen quite a few changes in recent years, with new players entering the scene and aiming to challenge Grab’s long-standing dominance. The government’s approval of Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia operations in 2018 led to a near-monopoly, but recent developments suggest a more competitive market may now be taking shape… or at least in the early stages of doing so. THE GRAB-UBER MERGER: A NEAR-MONOPOLY In March 2018, Grab acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations, solidifying…
As of January 19, 2025, TikTok has become inaccessible to nearly all of its 170 million users in the United States. Will it last? Why did this happen in the first place? Editor’s Note: Less than 24 hours after TikTok took its services offline, it began restoring access for many users, based on positive-leaving comments from President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in at 12 noon Eastern Time on January 20th. As of January 19, 2025, TikTok has officially gone dark – or become inaccessible – for its 170 million users in the United States. This comes after the…
Malaysia’s new 1:3 Practical Training Policy mandates companies who hire expatriates to offer paid internships to local students. Starting February 15, 2025, companies employing expatriates in Malaysia will need to provide structured internship placements for local tertiary students under a new policy announced by the Human Resources Ministry. Known as the 1:3 Practical Training Policy (Dasar Latihan Amali 1:3), the initiative aims to benefit 100,000 students by the end of its pilot phase on December 31, 2025. Full implementation is slated for January 2026. THE NEW RULE The policy requires companies to offer three paid internships for every approved Expatriate…