MalaysianUpdates

Category: Lifestyle

  • RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 Transforms Stadium Merdeka into a Celebration of Music and Culture

    RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 Transforms Stadium Merdeka into a Celebration of Music and Culture

    The spirit of creativity, community and culture will come alive at Stadium Merdeka this weekend as it plays host to the RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 from 24th to 26th October. The nation’s most iconic landmark, known for its deep historical significance, will once again open its doors to Malaysians and visitors from across the region for a vibrant celebration of art, music and entrepreneurship.

    As the venue sponsor for this year’s event, PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad (PNBMV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), is proud to welcome the public back to Stadium Merdeka for one special weekend. This collaboration reflects PNBMV’s ongoing dedication to the Warisan KL initiative, an effort to preserve and revitalise the heart of Kuala Lumpur by transforming it into a thriving hub for creativity and cultural exchange.

    PNBMV Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, expressed his excitement over the partnership, highlighting the event’s alignment with the company’s vision to connect communities and showcase Malaysian talent. He shared that the RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace embodies the essence of unity, heritage and creativity that Stadium Merdeka stands for. The event will also feature several local entrepreneurs supported by PNBMV’s Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, providing small businesses and social enterprises with an opportunity to share their crafts, products and stories with a wider audience.

    Since its official reopening in 2024, Stadium Merdeka has been steadily reactivated as an inclusive public space for Malaysians to gather, celebrate and connect. The RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace further strengthens this mission by creating a lively platform where local and regional communities can come together in the spirit of creativity and collaboration.

    Visitors to the event can look forward to exploring a diverse range of stalls and showcases by Merdeka 118 Community Grants recipients, including handcrafted decoupage art by Hanuni Halim, sustainable upcycled plastic creations by Hara Maker and stingless bee honey products produced by International Islamic University Malaysia’s community enterprise. Art lovers will also enjoy the captivating photography exhibition by Jamal Tommy Gallery, while collectors can pick up exclusive Stadium Merdeka merchandise.

    Held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, the three-day festival will bring together more than 100 retail and F&B brands alongside a host of creative workshops and performances from across Southeast Asia. Among the highlights are Coffee Painting and Wau Making workshops, live performances by Malaysia’s own Aina Abdul, Estranged and Atilia Haron, as well as special appearances by regional acts such as Singapore’s ALYPH.

    Beyond the main festivities, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich surroundings of the revitalised Merdeka 118 precinct. The area is ideally located within walking distance of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage quarters, including Petaling Street and Chinatown, where traditional charm blends seamlessly with modern cafés, art spaces and boutique shops. Nearby, Kampung Attap continues to grow as one of the city’s creative hotspots, featuring independent studios, galleries and design collectives that capture the city’s evolving artistic pulse.

    As Stadium Merdeka once again fills with music, laughter and life, RIUH x ASEAN Marketplace 2025 stands as a testament to Kuala Lumpur’s enduring spirit of unity, diversity and innovation. The event not only celebrates the region’s shared cultural heritage but also reaffirms the historic venue’s role as a living landmark a place where past and present converge to inspire a vibrant and connected future.

  • Huawei and JS Solar Join Forces to Drive Malaysia’s Green Energy Future at IGEM 2025

    Huawei and JS Solar Join Forces to Drive Malaysia’s Green Energy Future at IGEM 2025

    Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia) and JS Solar Holding Berhad (JS Solar) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2025, marking a significant step towards advancing smart solar and energy storage projects across Malaysia.

    The collaboration between Huawei Malaysia and JS Solar aims to accelerate the nation’s clean energy transition and support Malaysia’s carbon neutrality goals. Under this partnership, JS Solar’s renewable energy portfolio which includes Large-Scale Solar (LSS) farms, Ground-Mounted Self-Consumption Solar (SELCO) farms, hybrid rooftop systems, and Corporate Renewable Energy Supply Scheme (CRESS) project will benefit from Huawei’s cutting-edge digital power technologies.

    JS Solar’s Managing Director, Chai Jeun Sian, expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing its strategic role in expanding JS Solar’s presence in East Malaysia. He stated that by integrating Huawei’s advanced Smart PV and energy storage technologies with JS Solar’s expertise in project delivery, the partnership will deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions. He added that this cooperation demonstrates both companies’ commitment to supporting Malaysia’s Net Zero aspirations and driving the nation’s renewable energy agenda forward.

    Huawei Malaysia’s Vice President of Digital Power Business, Chong Chern Peng, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential of Smart PV and energy storage solutions in optimizing power generation and improving energy management. He noted that Huawei’s technologies will enable JS Solar to enhance operational efficiency, ensure grid stability, and maintain consistent performance even in challenging conditions. The partnership, he said, reflects Huawei’s mission to establish a smarter and more resilient energy ecosystem for Malaysia’s future.

    As part of the agreement, JS Solar will serve as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner, while Huawei Malaysia will contribute its technological expertise as the enabler of Smart PV systems. Huawei’s intelligent inverters and digitally managed systems will be integrated into JS Solar’s projects to optimize solar generation, improve grid reliability, and enhance long-term system performance through advanced monitoring and predictive maintenance.

    Both companies also plan to collaborate on the development of Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technologies, exploring innovative business models and scalable solutions that boost renewable energy efficiency and strengthen grid resilience.

    The signing ceremony took place at IGEM 2025, held from 15 to 17 October 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre under the theme “Race Towards Net Zero: Inclusivity & Sustainability.” The MoU was signed by Chai Jeun Sian, Managing Director of JS Solar Holding Berhad, and Chong Chern Peng, Vice President of Huawei Malaysia, Digital Power Business. The event was witnessed by YBhg. Dato’ Leong Kin Mun and YBrs. Tuan Haji Ismail bin Mohd Amin, both Board Members of the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC), alongside Ahmad Fareez bin Abd Jamil, Vice President of Business & Strategy at JS Solar, and Zhang Xiaoming, Director of Smart PV and ESS at Huawei Malaysia.

    At IGEM 2025, Huawei Malaysia participated under the theme “Powering Malaysia Forward,” showcasing its full range of Smart PV solutions, successful regional projects, and its flagship Grid-Forming Energy Storage System (ESS). Designed for applications across utility, commercial, industrial, and residential settings, the ESS plays a vital role in ensuring grid stability throughout the power value chain.

    During the event, Huawei Malaysia Solutions Expert, Damon Leong Wei Jie, delivered two technical presentations. His sessions, titled “24 Years of Excellence: High-Quality and Utmost Safety in Serving Malaysia’s Energy Transition” and “Debunking the Myth of String Inverters on Floating Solar Power Plants,” highlighted Huawei’s dedication to safety standards and clarified common misconceptions about inverter technologies in solar power systems.

    Since its inception in 2010, IGEM has established itself as Southeast Asia’s premier green technology exhibition, organized with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and MGTC. Over the years, IGEM has generated more than RM58.1 billion in business leads and attracted over 650,000 visitors, including industry players, dignitaries, and companies from more than 122 countries.

  • Dragon Hot Pot Sets ASEAN Record, Strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s Global Appeal Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

    Dragon Hot Pot Sets ASEAN Record, Strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s Global Appeal Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

    The long-awaited arrival of Australia’s renowned Dragon Hot Pot has finally made its mark in Malaysia with a grand opening at Bukit Bintang’s Low Yat Park. Spanning 2,600 square feet, the outlet officially brings the brand’s globally viral custom-made malatang concept to local diners, making Kuala Lumpur its newest culinary hotspot. The opening ceremony was officiated by Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, who recognized Dragon Hot Pot as a timely and valuable addition to Malaysia’s evolving food and tourism landscape.

    In his address, Lee highlighted the significance of the launch in light of the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the nation’s largest tourism initiative. He pointed out that the event coincided with the recently tabled Budget 2026, in which Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced over RM700 million to strengthen the tourism sector. Of this amount, RM500 million was allocated specifically to support Visit Malaysia 2026. Lee noted that this investment demonstrated strong confidence in Malaysia’s tourism potential and emphasized the importance of promoting the nation’s vibrant culinary scene as one of its greatest attractions.

    He also referred to a new measure under Budget 2026 that has generated widespread public interest a special individual income tax relief of up to RM1,000 for expenses related to entrance fees to local attractions and cultural programs. Describing the move as a smart and practical initiative, Lee said it would encourage domestic travel while stimulating spending within the local economy. He explained that when Malaysians explore museums, parks, and cultural destinations, they not only enrich their own experiences but also support small and medium-sized enterprises in accommodation, transportation, food, and culture the true lifeblood of Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem.

    Lee added that Kuala Lumpur’s diverse food landscape is an integral part of the visitor experience, noting that destinations like Dragon Hot Pot enhance the capital’s growing reputation as a haven for food lovers.

    The highlight of the event was Dragon Hot Pot Malaysia’s recognition by ASEAN Records for achieving the title of “Most Hotpot Ingredient and Soup Base Variety by an Australian Mala Hotpot Brand.” With an impressive offering of 162 ingredients displayed on its self-service racks and 10 distinctive soup bases, the brand has established itself as one of the most diverse and customizable hot pot experiences in the region.

    Brand founder Louis Kuo expressed his enthusiasm about redefining the hot pot experience for modern lifestyles. He shared that while hot pot has traditionally been a slow, communal dining affair, Dragon Hot Pot’s concept aims to make it more accessible and convenient for urban diners. Whether it is a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or a late-night craving, the brand offers an authentic and flavourful experience without compromising on quality.

    At the core of Dragon Hot Pot’s success is its unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity, and inclusivity. The brand’s signature broths, including its famous Malatang, are prepared from century-old Sichuan recipes and simmered for over 12 hours using old chickens, more than 20 Chinese herbs, and real Sichuan pepper. In Malaysia, the menu has been tailored to be entirely pork-free, lard-free, and alcohol-free, ensuring a Muslim-friendly dining experience while retaining its original flavours. The company is also in the process of obtaining halal certification from JAKIM to further solidify its presence in the local market.

    Operated by Taste of Malaysia Hot Pot Sdn. Bhd., the Bukit Bintang outlet marks the beginning of Dragon Hot Pot’s regional expansion beyond Australia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with Japan slated to follow in 2026. Over the next two years, the brand plans to open five to six additional outlets across the Klang Valley and other major cities in Malaysia. It is also inviting local entrepreneurs to explore franchising opportunities as part of its growth strategy.

    The grand opening was a lively cultural celebration, featuring a captivating lion and dragon dance performance, a graceful traditional Chinese fan dance, and live entertainment by popular artists STEADYGANG and Diana Danielle. Guests were treated to interactive games and an exclusive promotion where eager visitors received a complimentary 300g portion of hot pot, creating long queues of excited diners eager to sample the much-talked-about Malatang.

    Throughout October, Dragon Hot Pot Malaysia continues to delight food enthusiasts with two major promotions. From 18 to 20 October, customers enjoy the first 300g of their malatang free, paying only for any additional weight. The excitement carries on from 21 to 31 October, where customers who spend RM25 or more will receive a scratch card with a chance to win prizes such as an iPad, AirPods, exclusive Labubu collectibles, dining vouchers, and the grand prize of one year’s worth of free Dragon Hot Pot meals. For the latest updates, promotions, and announcements, visit Dragon Hot Pot Malaysia’s official Instagram, Facebook, and Rednote accounts at @DragonHotPot_MY.