MalaysianUpdates

Category: place

  • Trip.com Strengthens Regional Presence with Expanded Malaysia Support Hub

    Trip.com, a leading international one-stop travel service provider, recently celebrated the official opening of its expanded Malaysia Customer Support Center, marking a significant milestone in its mission to enhance travel experiences for millions of travelers worldwide.

    As artificial intelligence continues to transform the travel industry with innovations such as AI-powered recommendations, instant translation tools, and real-time assistance, Trip.com believes that true service excellence comes from blending technological innovation with human expertise. With around 16,000 representatives across 16 support centers worldwide, Trip.com Group’s global customer service network reflects this philosophy by delivering 24/7 multilingual assistance. The majority of calls and chats related to flights and hotels are answered within 30 seconds, ensuring travelers always receive reliable, efficient, and empathetic support throughout their journey.

    Since its establishment in 2023, the Malaysia Customer Support Center has achieved tenfold growth in just two years, cementing its position as a strategic hub within Trip.com’s global operations. The center now supports a wide range of Trip.com products and plays a vital role in driving the company’s regional growth.

    “Automation enhances speed and efficiency, but at Trip.com we never lose sight of the human touch,” said Arvin Singh, Senior Service Manager at Trip.com Malaysia. “As a fully Malaysian team, we have the expertise, from local languages to cultural nuances, to better understand our customers and their needs. By combining this with cutting-edge technology, we are able to provide personalized and effective solutions that ensure our customers feel truly supported.”

    Trip.com’s strong service culture is reflected in its performance, with the majority of customer requests after sales receiving responses within 30 minutes to one hour. More than 85 percent of issues are successfully resolved on the first attempt, and the platform currently holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 out of 5, highlighting the trust and confidence customers place in its services.

    Stephane Thong, General Manager of Trip.com Malaysia, emphasized the importance of the local market to the company’s overall strategy. “Malaysia and Southeast Asia are among our most important markets, contributing significantly to Trip.com’s steady growth performance. Expanding our customer service operations here reflects our long-term vision of making Malaysia a hub not only for customer support but also for travel innovation, talent development, and collaboration with local industry partners. We see tremendous potential in strengthening the local tourism ecosystem, attracting more international visitors, and ensuring that every traveler who engages with Trip.com enjoys a seamless and memorable journey.”

    She added that with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, Trip.com is committed to supporting the country’s tourism goals. By leveraging its platform, the company aims to increase Malaysia’s visibility on the global stage and provide enhanced travel experiences for all.

    Trip.com Group’s customer-first philosophy has powered its growth over the past 25 years, balancing innovation with genuine human empathy. The expansion of the Malaysia Customer Support Center forms part of its global growth strategy and reinforces the company’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for travel service excellence across Southeast Asia and beyond.

  • Homes Within Reach: The Push for Affordable Living in Malaysia

    As Malaysia charts its development path under the recently announced 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), a five-year roadmap covering 2026 to 2031, housing reform has emerged at the forefront as both a timely and strategic priority. With the national economy navigating headwinds from global tariffs, persistent geopolitical tensions, and elevated uncertainty, the government’s focus on sustainable and inclusive development is not only necessary but also forward-looking.

    Affordable housing stands as a central pillar of 13MP, with the government setting an ambitious target to deliver one million affordable homes by 2035. This goal is supported by a series of expanded initiatives, including the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme, Rent-to-Own programmes, and the establishment of a centralised national housing agency tasked with coordinating affordable housing supply across Malaysia. Collectively, these measures aim to improve access to homeownership for the B40 and M40 groups while also reshaping the housing ecosystem to be more equitable, efficient, and resilient.

    This renewed emphasis on affordable housing comes at a critical juncture. Data from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) shows that Malaysia’s property market slowed in the first quarter of 2025, with transaction values dropping 8.9 percent year-on-year to RM51.42 billion and transaction volumes falling by 6.2 percent. Adding to these concerns, Bank Negara Malaysia recently revised the nation’s 2025 GDP growth forecast downwards to between 4.0 and 4.8 percent, reflecting a more cautious outlook amid global and domestic uncertainties.

    Despite these challenges, the demand for affordable homes remains strong. Using the median income of the lowest quartile of the B40 segment as a benchmark, homes priced below RM300,000 are considered affordable. Between December 2024 and April 2025, enquiries for homes in this range dipped by 11.8 percent due to mounting economic uncertainty. Encouragingly, however, search enquiries on PropertyGuru rebounded by 29 percent as economic sentiment improved and supportive housing policies were unveiled. This rebound suggests that underlying demand is resilient and closely tied to both affordability and consumer confidence.

    The question of location remains pivotal. The focus under 13MP is not just on the quantity of homes built, but where these homes are situated. PropertyGuru’s July 2025 data highlights that low-income households continue to prioritise proximity to jobs, transport, and essential services. States such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, and Penang remain key demand hotspots due to their urban amenities and economic opportunities. Enquiry volumes for homes under RM300,000 remain particularly elevated in these states, with Kuala Lumpur showing the strongest rebound. For many households, older housing stock, established public housing projects, and neighbourhoods close to transit and economic hubs are the most attractive options.

    In the short term, Rent-to-Own schemes offer a practical pathway to homeownership, particularly for those in the lower income brackets who may not immediately qualify for traditional financing. For households in the bottom income quartile of the B40 group, where 30 percent of median monthly income translates to a rental affordability threshold of about RM1,500, rental demand remains strong. With proper implementation under 13MP, RTO could provide a vital bridge to homeownership while newly built affordable units are still in the pipeline.

    The 13MP also introduces long-awaited structural reforms designed to address persistent inefficiencies in the housing market. These include the mandatory adoption of a build-then-sell model to minimise the risk of abandoned projects, amendments to the Housing Development Act to enhance consumer protection, and the creation of an integrated housing data repository to strengthen planning and oversight. The Plan also encourages urban redevelopment of underutilised areas, the use of Pesuruhjaya Tanah Persekutuan, Wakaf and Malay Reserve land, and the large-scale adoption of industrialised building systems and Building Information Modelling. These measures are intended to accelerate construction, lower costs, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Malaysia’s housing sector.

    Ultimately, 13MP positions affordable housing as a foundation for inclusive growth. Access to affordable, well-located homes is not only a matter of meeting current market needs but also of building a more upwardly mobile and equitable society. By aligning housing supply with genuine demand and embedding resilience into urban planning, Malaysia is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future.

  • 20 Years of Excellence: KLCC Convention Centre Looks to the Future

    20 Years of Excellence: KLCC Convention Centre Looks to the Future

    The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre), Malaysia’s premier destination for world-class events, proudly marks its 20th anniversary with the theme “Celebrating the Past 20. Shaping the Next 20.” In a special reception held on 12 June, the Centre brought together partners, stakeholders and clients for an evening of celebration, reflection, and vision-setting for the future.

    Hosted by singer and actress Atilia Haron, the evening featured soulful performances and a feast of culinary delights prepared with local, sustainable ingredients including dishes dramatically served on ice sculptures showcasing the Centre’s award-winning catering team.

    “Over the past two decades, we’ve adapted to the changing needs of the industry,” said John Burke, General Manager of the Centre since 2023. “From space refurbishments to agile event support and a strong push towards sustainability we’re ready for the next chapter. We’re powered by green energy, compost all food waste, and source 70% of our ingredients locally.”

    Since opening its doors in 2005, the Centre has hosted more than 22,000 events, welcomed over 29 million visitors, and contributed RM12.6 billion to the national economy. It is also the only venue in Malaysia to have hosted multiple ASEAN Summits, including the most recent 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025. The Centre has welcomed icons such as Barack Obama, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and David Beckham.

    During the celebration, heartfelt gratitude was extended to KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, joint venture partner ASM Global, and key clients, many of whom have been part of the Centre’s journey since day one. The KLCC Business Events Alliance (KLCCBEA), comprising key precinct partners such as Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Traders Hotel, Suria KLCC, and airline collaborators, was also recognised.

    Acknowledgements were also given to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), MyCEB, MACEOS, and international partners like ICCA, UFI, AIPC, and PCMA, whose support continues to elevate Malaysia’s status on the global business events map.

    To commemorate its 20th year, the Centre has launched KLCC Connects, a forward-thinking platform aimed at unifying sustainability efforts and community partnerships. The initiative engages a broad network including industry stakeholders, NGOs, tertiary institutions and UNSDG-aligned partners like Urbanice Malaysia.

    For more information and updates, visit the Centre’s Newsroom: www.klccconventioncentre.com

  • Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Di Sebalik Kota Canggih Cyberaya

    Ejen Ali The Movie 2: Di Sebalik Kota Canggih Cyberaya

    Dalam alam futuristik yang ditampilkan dalam siri Ejen Ali, kota Cyberaya muncul sebagai simbol kemajuan teknologi yang mengagumkan. Di sebalik keunikan reka bentuk dan fungsinya, Cyberaya sebenarnya diinspirasikan daripada Cyberjaya, sebuah bandar digital di Malaysia yang dibangunkan sebagai hab inovasi dalam sains dan teknologi. Bandar ini mencerminkan impian masa depan yang dihidupkan dalam dunia animasi penuh aksi.

    Dalam siri televisyen dan filem Ejen Ali, Cyberaya digambarkan sebagai kota pintar masa depan yang menjadi nadi kepada pembangunan teknologi canggih. Tiga bidang utama menjadi teras pembangunan kota ini dan diketuai oleh saintis tersohor yang mahir dalam kepakaran masing-masing. Dr. Tong mewakili bidang bioteknologi, Dr. Mala pakar dalam kejuruteraan tenaga, manakala bapa kepada Ejen Ali sendiri, Dr. Ghazali, ialah ahli dalam sains perkomputeran. Melalui gabungan ilmu kedua ibu bapanya, Ali mewarisi semangat dan kemahiran dalam bidang teknologi, terutama dengan penggunaan IRIS yang dicipta oleh ibunya, Ejen Aliya.

    Tidak seperti kebanyakan kisah fiksyen lain yang menjadikan kuasa ajaib sebagai asas kekuatan, dunia Ejen Ali memberi pendekatan lebih realistik dengan menonjolkan latihan intensif, kepakaran individu dan penggunaan teknologi sebagai sumber kehebatan ejen-ejen perisik MATA. Setiap peranti dan senjata yang digunakan diinspirasikan daripada permainan tradisional dan budaya Asia, menjadikan pendekatan ini unik dan dekat dengan akar budaya kita. Contohnya, senjata yo-sing Ejen Ali menggabungkan gasing dan yoyo, manakala senjata Gada General Rama diilhamkan daripada seni mempertahankan diri India, dan kerambit plasma milik Ejen Rizka berasal dari senjata tradisi Melayu. Semua ini menjadikan Cyberaya sebagai gambaran masa depan yang boleh dicapai, didorong oleh kreativiti dan inovasi manusia.

    Sumber tenaga utama Cyberaya dikenali sebagai Azurium, sejenis mineral nadir yang memiliki kuasa luar biasa. Penggunaannya dihadkan kepada teknologi tinggi sahaja bagi memastikan keseimbangan dan keselamatan awam. Namun, perubahan kepimpinan kota ini membawa cadangan baru yang ingin menyebarkan penggunaan Azurium secara global, sekaligus menimbulkan risiko terhadap kestabilan dunia. Pertikaian antara kemajuan dan keselamatan menjadi konflik utama yang mendasari naratif Ejen Ali The Movie 2.

    Kemajuan teknologi Cyberaya menjadikannya sasaran pihak berkepentingan yang tamak dan tidak bertanggungjawab. Ancaman ini datang dalam pelbagai bentuk, sama ada terang-terangan atau tersembunyi. Bagi mengelakkan kekacauan dan panik, pengasas Cyberaya, Dato’ Othman, menyimpan banyak rahsia demi memastikan keselamatan kota. Dalam usaha mempertahankan keamanan, satu agensi rahsia yang dikenali sebagai MATA ditubuhkan. MATA beroperasi secara senyap untuk menghalang ancaman dari dalam dan luar, termasuk jenayah siber dan eksperimen berbahaya.

    Ejen MATA dibahagikan kepada empat teras utama iaitu NEURO untuk strategi, TEKNO untuk teknologi, KOMBAT untuk pertarungan dan INVISO untuk penyamaran. Latihan intensif dan disiplin yang tinggi membentuk asas kekuatan mereka, menjadikan mereka pelindung utama Cyberaya.

    Cyberaya dalam Ejen Ali bukan sekadar latar tempat dalam cerita, tetapi lambang pertembungan antara cita-cita kemajuan dan tanggungjawab sosial. Ia membawa mesej yang jelas bahawa masa depan hanya boleh dicapai dengan hati yang bijak dan tindakan yang beretika. Terinspirasi daripada Cyberjaya, filem ini mengangkat nilai tempatan ke pentas global dan menyampaikan naratif yang mencerminkan realiti dunia moden.

    Debaran menanti tayangan Ejen Ali The Movie 2 semakin terasa. Filem ini bakal menemui penonton pada 22 Mei 2025 dengan aksi yang lebih mendebarkan, teknologi lebih futuristik dan cabaran yang lebih besar. Tandakan tarikh ini dan jangan lepaskan peluang menjadi antara yang pertama menyaksikan sambungan epik dari dunia Cyberaya.

    Tonton trailer rasmi Ejen Ali The Movie 2 di:
    https://youtu.be/5nD1LWmAeKc?si=xPVusg_hDpqzHoTQ