Kuala Lumpur News

Golden Destinations Enters Hong Kong

Malaysian outbound travel group Golden Destinations Group Berhad is expanding into Hong Kong by taking a 70 per cent controlling stake in a licensed local travel agency, Double Happiness Holidays Limited.
The total investment is HKD700,000 (about RM364,600). It is made up of HKD200,000 for 200,000 existing shares from vendor Chong Ching Lee and HKD500,000 for 500,000 new shares, which will provide fresh capital for the business. After completion, Yung Sing Wah will hold 20 per cent and Chong 10 per cent.
Hong Kong’s Travel Industry Authority approved the change in ownership on 28 September. Double Happiness, incorporated in January 2026, will be renamed Golden Destinations (HK) Limited.
The group plans to work with Hong Kong travel agents, giving them access to more than 2,000 travel packages across over 84 countries. It also sees potential in serving travellers from China who book outbound trips through Hong Kong.
Yung, who has more than 18 years in the travel industry, will become executive director and lead the Hong Kong operations. Golden Destinations managing director Mita Lim will be chairman.
“Hong Kong represents an exciting next step in our regional growth journey,” Lim said.
“Following our entry into Singapore, Hong Kong represents another important step in building our regional presence as we continue to pursue disciplined expansion and create lasting value for our shareholders.”

Malaysia Airlines Signs Three Indian Partnerships

Malaysia Airlines has signed agreements with three Indian companies to reach more travellers in India, where its passenger numbers are growing.
The airline signed memoranda of understanding with digital payments provider PayU, premium lifestyle platform Times Black and digital media network Jio Network. The partnerships will look at opportunities in digital payments, premium lifestyle experiences and online media.
Malaysia Airlines operates 80 weekly flights to 10 Indian cities. It carried close to a million passengers between India and Malaysia in the first half of 2026, up 10 per cent on the same period last year.
The airline also recognised its top travel agents at its annual India Trade Gala Dinner in Mumbai on 8 October.
Malaysia Aviation Group president and group chief executive officer Nasaruddin A. Bakar said: “India is an important market for us, not only for point-to-point demand, but also for the opportunities it presents through our Kuala Lumpur hub.”
“Our travel trade partners are central to how we reach and serve this market, and we value the role they play in growing travel between India and Malaysia and beyond,” he said.
The airline said it would continue to support Visit Malaysia 2026 by encouraging more Indian travellers to visit Malaysia.

Genting Malaysia and Alibaba Cloud Explore Partnership

Genting Malaysia Berhad (GENM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Alibaba Cloud to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing could be used across its business.
The agreement was signed at Alibaba Group’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China, by Genting Malaysia deputy chief executive and executive director Lim Keong Hui and Larry Meng, chief financial officer of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence’s international business unit.
The two companies will look at ways the technology could improve staff productivity, operational efficiency and the guest experience. The deal builds on an earlier collaboration at Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, where AI and cloud technology were tested to support visitors.
“This MoU allows us to take a structured approach to identifying relevant use cases, testing their suitability and assessing their value before considering wider adoption,” Lim said.
Alibaba Cloud Intelligence’s general manager for Malaysia, Choong Hon Keat, said: “Genting SkyWorlds demonstrated how AI and cloud technology can be applied to a practical operational challenge while enhancing the guest experience.”

iCents Wins RM36m Chip Plant Contract

Cleanroom specialist iCents Group Holdings Berhad has won a contract worth up to RM36.15 million to help build a semiconductor wafer processing facility in Selangor.
The work was awarded by the Malaysian subsidiary of a US-based company. It covers engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of a turnkey facility, which will be developed in four phases.
The award covers two stages of Phase 1. Stage 1, worth RM21.05 million, has been formally awarded to VC Engineering. Stage 2, worth RM15.01 million, still needs a separate written award from the client. Both figures exclude sales and service tax.
Managing director Vincent Ong Mum Fei said: “This contract represents another meaningful step in strengthening our participation within the semiconductor industry.”
Executive director Foo Siang Leng said: “Our immediate priority is to ensure the efficient execution of the awarded works while maintaining the quality, technical standards and cost discipline expected by our customers.”
The group expects the project to add to its earnings from the financial year ending 30 June 2027. It is also looking for work in data centres, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing, and plans to expand into Thailand and Indonesia.

Malaysia Airlines Suspends Saudi flights Until 17 October

Malaysia Airlines has cancelled all flights between Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Madinah from 12 to 17 October 2026, citing recent attacks on airports in Saudi Arabia.
The suspension covers services from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, and the airline described it as a precautionary measure.
Affected passengers can choose a full refund or rebook to a later date at no extra cost. Rebooked travel must take place within 30 days of the original departure date.
Flights to and from Doha are operating as normal, the airline said.
Malaysia Airlines said it was monitoring the situation closely and that the safety of passengers and crew remained its highest priority. It urged travellers to keep their contact details up to date so they receive notifications about their bookings.

Rebooking and refunds: via “My Booking” on the Malaysia Airlines website or app, or Live Chat
Global Contact Centre: 1 300 88 3000 (within Malaysia) | +603 7843 3000 (international)