Best of Malaysia vol2 by Sven Boermeester

M A L A Y S I A MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Best of Malaysia

M A L A Y S I A MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Best of Malaysia

P u b l i s h e r ’s N o t e

Marking Malaysia on the World Stage We’re back with the second edition of Best of Malaysia and we promise pages showcasing what this country has to offer every single one of you. Whether it is investment opportunities, the best places to visit in one of our 13 states and three Federal Territories, international partnerships with leading countries or achievements that Malaysian citizens are creating to stamp and solidify a global presence, this edition of Best of Malaysia will have you covered. International Group Publisher Sven Boemeester Publisher & Chief Editor John Lim Project Team Theresa Pok Fiona Lim Adeline Chin Creative Production Mooi Leng Max Tan Editorial Team Punitha Kumar Thiagarajan Duraisamy Siti Noor Aziah Binti Othman Published by AcePremier.com Sdn Bhd N-2-6 Plaza Damas, 60 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +603-6203 2522 Email: info@acepremier.com In association with Global Village Partnerships

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The year 2016 has not ended but Malaysia has been at the forefront of many strong agreements forging ties with the world. This includes being part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC). This is a historical milestone for the country as it taps into a 600 million-backed population with a market of USD2.6 trillion set to transform the region into a single market and production base with a highly competitive advantage to make it a region to be reckoned with. China’s largest ASEAN trading partner, Malaysia is also charting success by developing maritime links in a freight system dominated by European shippers via Beijing’s Maritime Silk Road. The plans to materialise this is ongoing but with all the global attention we are receiving, this publication will have you in the know of what’s essential to move forward. On that note, we would like to thank all our partners whose support and contributions have made the second edition of Best of Malaysia possible. It is our hope that this book presents Malaysia as the ideal business and lifestyle destination to a global audience.

Foreword

Message by

PRIME MINISTER MALAYSIA Malaysia, a country that has achieved great strides in economic and social development in the past 59 years of nation building, is well on its way of becoming a force to be reckoned with on a regional and global stage by the year 2020. As we embark on an important mission towards a progressive and high-income nation, as envisioned in Vision 2020, Malaysia can no longer rely on past strategies and approaches that had previously driven our economic growth. We need a new approach, a new enthusiasm and a new determination driven by the 1Malaysia spirit, to propel the country onto levels of higher growth. In line with this, we have rolled out several initiatives which include the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) which will drive Malaysia towards a highincome status and global competitiveness. Malaysia has been at the forefront for many key international partnerships and collaborations. This includes the culmination of an economic bloc by the 10-member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) called the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) followed by the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPPA) which allows freer trade, expanding markets and reducing tariffs and targeting projects along the Maritime Silk Road via joint venture initiatives with China. However, these initiatives will require time and effort. In fact, this requires redoubling our efforts to attract investment, drive productivity and innovation. With the publication of Best of Malaysia showcasing the contribution, achievements, ambition and aspirations of Malaysians, I would like to extend my invitation to both local and foreign investors to join and be a part of the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of transforming Malaysia into a highincome developed nation by 2020. As such, through the pages of Best of Malaysia, I hope you would be able to read, view and see for yourself the success stories and opportunities available in this country. I take great pride in all the institutions, companies and individuals featured in Best of Malaysia. I am also extending an invitation to both local and foreign investors to come and be a part of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of a better Malaysia. I hope you will be inspired as it is an honour to share these achievements with you as we, the government, continue to act as a regulator and catalyst while upholding the principles of 1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now.

DATUK SERI MOHD NAJIB RAZAK

Best of Malaysia

Foreword

Message by

MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY Malaysia is well on track to achieve its high-income nation status by the year 2020. As an open economy with a relatively small market of 30 million people, Malaysia needs to continuously look beyond its borders for trade, investment and economic growth. As such, we have been involved in several key regional economic integration initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). The formation of AEC is meant to promote closer economic integration within the region, especially through continuous removal of trade barriers that will help boost intra-ASEAN trade and investment. This initiative is vital given the potential of ASEAN to remain as a magnet in attracting investments from other parts of the world. Meanwhile, participation in the TPPA will provide Malaysia with preferential access to the market of more than 800 million people with a combined GDP of USD27.5 trillion. More importantly, Malaysia will gain access into four countries which it currently doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an FTA with, namely the United States, Mexico, Peru and Canada. This preferential market access in terms of goods, services, investment and government procurement, will help further promote our trade and investment agenda. It will also ensure that Malaysia moves in tandem with regional and global developments, especially in keeping abreast with our competitors and also to keep pace with international standards; which will continue to make Malaysia an attractive investment destination within the Asia Pacific region if not the rest of the world. MITI continues to drive productivity, promoting innovation and formulating policies that will be crucial in creating and enabling an environment that is conducive for business while strengthening our relationship with global trading partners. We are committed in driving the transformation to propel Malaysia into becoming a high-income nation by 2020. Despite facing global economic challenge, we are confident that our hard work for the country is paying dividends. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade in 2015 was RM1.446 trillion, an increase of 1.2% from RM1.448 trillion the previous year. Malaysia also registered a trade surplus of RM94.29 billion in 2015, a 14.3% growth from 2014. Thus, the publication of Best of Malaysia is timely in showcasing our initiatives and successes. I would like to congratulate the publishers for rolling out the second edition of this magazine and hopefully this publication will inspire Malaysians worldwide. MITI: Driving Transformation, Powering Growth

DATUK SERI MUSTAPA MOHAMED

Best of Malaysia

Foreword

Message by

MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE Malaysia was crowned Asia’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards Asia & Australasia 2015, the 4th World’s Best Retirement Haven, No.1 in the World’s Top Muslim-friendly Destination and Medical Travel Destination of the Year. With a bustling economy and melting pot of tradition, it comes as no surprise that Malaysia remains a top-of-the-mind destination for international tourists. Inseparable and complementary, culture and tourism are inevitably like two sides of a coin. Through tourism, we present our infinite natural heritage. It is a fact that both culture and tourism captivate visitors both domestic and international to reach the fascinating destinations in our country. The many tourism landscapes, abundance of biodiversity and unique blend of cultural heritage, cuisine and arts have positioned Malaysia as a must-visit global destination. I wish to congratulate the Best of Malaysia team for producing this meaningful representation of the country. In line with the mission and vision of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture (MOTAC), I am confident the synergy of tourism and culture shall provide Malaysia a greater impetus to move forward and contribute significantly in welcoming the world to Malaysia. As such, we are pleased to share the fascinating elements and culture of our beloved country with the world. Malaysia, Truly Asia

DATUK SERI MOHAMED NAZRI ABDUL AZIZ

Best of Malaysia

CHAPTERS

Property Development 110

Oil & Gas 134

Construction 118

Retail 140

Telecommunications 124

Automotive 150

Courier & Logistics 132

Education & Learning 154

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Health & Beauty 164

Timber & Wood 188

Travel Attractions 168

Plantation & Agriculture 192

Hotels 174

Halal Business 196

Medical Travel 180

Charity 200

Electrical & Electronics 184

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Executive Summary Malaysia has come a long way from its days breaking into the international arena as a spice route through Straits of Malacca. Today, a simple Google search yields thousands if not millions of results showcasing the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in key economic partnerships, humanitarian projects and services both on a national and international scale. The over 30-million people strong country is not only at the centre of trade and cultural exchanges, but is also fast becoming a home away

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from home for a growing number of expatriates realising the country has ample amounts of opportunities to work and lead a healthy lifestyle. STRATEGICALLY-PLACED The country amassed international limelight in the 16th century. In 1511, the state of Malacca was occupied by the Portuguese for its location as a port connecting countries from the Pacific Ocean to the east, during the booming times of the spice trade. The colonisation

soon left the hands of the Portuguese and went to the Dutch who, apart from expanding the spice trade route, also reaped another major natural resource that was abundant within the region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tin. However, by early 19th century the Dutch left and it was the British who ruled and made the most prominent mark within the country till this very day. Still adopting several concepts from federal administration to using British English as the medium taught in national schools and even to the extent of driving on the left side of the road, the country is grateful

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for several initiatives but it has certainly carved its own name on the international plaque through its own drive and determination. It has been 59 years since Malaysia achieved independence from the British. Today, the country is not only known for its rich and abundant natural resources, but as a world palm oil producer second only to Indonesia, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top sukuk (Islamic bond) issuer in 2014, won Olympic medals, a host nation for international sporting events such as Formula1 and Formula E and houses the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tallest twin towers apart from the sixth largest shopping mall, has dedicated entertainment zones and a growing

Best of Malaysia

number of international schools, colleges and universities. BEING MALAYSIAN The country has four main religions and races, a host of festivities throughout the year, food choices that will have you take time in deciding on what to eat for the day, a young and talented workforce and according to the Economist Intelligence Unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global Liveability Survey 2015, the country is ranked second among Southeast Asian countries, garnering a spot as a leading liveable nation. And if you ask a local, what does it mean being a Malaysian? The answer will most probably include all of the above factors, not forgetting the immensely insane traffic,

parking woes and the usage of Manglish (a combination of English and Malay spoken informally by most, if not all) if you are looking for a sarcasm-laced reply. But, which country does not have its ups and downs? What matters is how it pulls through it all and still performs at the end of the day. A part of this comes from the country’s talented citizens. This includes having the first female athlete to bag an Olympic medal through the diving skills of Sarawakian Pandelela Rinong and having entrepreneur Tan Sri Tony Fernandes successfully turning a governmentlinked airline into a commercial budget airliner, ranking him 33rd on Forbes Asia’s Malaysia’s Richest 2015. The Heart of Asia: A Fast-Rising Economy While the actual geographical centre of Asia is near Urumqi in East Turkestan (Xinjiang), literal location aside, Malaysia is a country regarded as the heart of Asia with its fast-rising economy.

Here’s several reasons why. The country recently inked a deal with China to develop the 21st century Maritime Silk Road – to create the modern-day equivalent of the historic Silk Road. The plan aims at having new land and water routes tying China to trading partners all the way to Europe and will also envision building high-speed railroads, roads and highways, energy transmission and distribution networks and fibre optic networks. Cities and ports along the route will be targeted for economic development. Apart from that, Malaysia is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), an economic bloc set to become the second largest common market after the European Union (EU). To give a solid picture of ASEAN’s collective potential, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicted ASEAN’s GDP growth at 5.4% in 2015,

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compared to the global economy’s 3.9% for the same year and has investors flocking into Southeast Asia’s over 600-million backed population consisting largely of a young community which is poised to form a huge market of USD2.6 trillion.

To boot, the country has a history of low inflation rate compared to neighbours within the region. Bank Negara Malaysia and IMF’s projection for price inflation showed that the average inflation rate for developing Asian economies will be higher than Malaysia by 36%.

Moreover, in accordance with the country’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), there are six economic growth corridors and 12 key industries under the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) that the government has identified in order to fuel the country’s ongoing economic expansion.

As for staying in line with the ever expanding information technology industry, Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia, managed by national ICT custodian Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC), aims to develop the ICT industry in the country, and has recently granted the state of Sabah a MSC status which comes with a slew of incentives, including tax breaks.

Collectively, the industries have been contributing to the country’s 6% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 with a target of creating 3.3 million jobs by 2020 and to create greater competitiveness in sectors that could potentially drive up Gross National Income (GNI) contribution. The corridors, on the other hand, will accelerate the development of urban conurbations with each corridor consisting of high-density clusters with sectorial and geographical advantages. This clustering will allow businesses to benefit from common resources, facilitate labour market matching and contribute to knowledge sharing. Furthermore, the country, home to flight carriers such as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and AirAsiaX, is within a six and eight hour flight radius to key business centres including Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Shanghai.

Sabah is poised to become the fourth shared services and outsourcing (SSO) hub in the country alongside the Klang Valley, Penang, and Iskandar in Johor. However, all this will not be possible if the Malaysian government was not constantly proactive and pro-business. It offers tax and other incentives to encourage business growth and development. Through economic reform initiatives, such as the ETP, the government is seeking to provide opportunities for business to expand and stay competitive which ultimately lines the country to be further developed into a world-class city.

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Business and Economy In line with driving Malaysia towards a high-income status and global competitiveness, the government identified 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). Under these areas, Entry Point Projects (EPPs) were created to enable the country to reach its targeted approach in achieving sustainable economic growth. Thus, we take a look at each of these areas, its achievements and future plans in making Malaysia a fully-developed country by 2020. OIL, GAS AND ENERGY Malaysia is Southeast Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest oil and natural gas producer apart from being the second largest exporter of liquefied natural gas globally.

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According to the Oil & Gas Journal (OGJ), it held proven oil reserves of 4 billion barrels as of January 2013, the 5th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; highest reserves in Asia-Pacific after China, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia. But, in order to keep its position within the top 5 oil and gas producers in the region, the government has identified projects and investment opportunities amounting to more than USD150 billion till the year 2020. A key takeaway is the rejuvenation of existing oil fields. The Tapis oil field (offshore Terengganu), the largest offshore field in the country, was discovered in 1969. It currently produces between 3,000 and 4,000 barrels of oil per day. However, through enhanced oil recovery technologies, the project

will extend the fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life by another 25 years and boost production up to 35,000 barrels of oil per day. The industry is also positioning itself in becoming a trading hub for petroleum and petroleum products. As such, it is keen on attracting major multinational firms to relocate or start regional operations in Malaysia and encourage these firms to form joint ventures with local firms to promote growth. In order to step up efforts on establishing its global presence, the government will also be looking into strengthening marketing channels such as trade shows to forge stronger ties between both local and foreign firms. On deriving a steady supply of sustainable energy, Malaysia is a goldmine of natural resources, especially with Borneo housing the states Sabah and Sarawak. The states

are filled with potential hydro generation sites which allow the country to tap into its hydroelectricity potentials. By doing so, the use of hydroelectricity will help in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and ensure a secure and sustainable power supply for the country, and potentially the ASEAN region. PALM OIL AND RUBBER Mention the words palm oil and one would immediately think of Southeast Asia, in particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. Being one of the biggest producers and exporters of palm oil and palm oil products, Malaysia has an important role to play in fulfilling the growing global need for oils and fats sustainably. The country currently accounts for 39% of world palm oil production and 44% of world exports. However, in order to maintain a steady supply of production, Malaysia is gearing

to overcome its shortage of suitable farming land by replanting and planting new trees on existing land banks by independent smallholders to replace ageing and unproductive trees with higher-yielding seedlings. This will be achieved by implementing a more proactive approach by replanting and new planting initiatives remaining on track and contributing towards a sustainable supply of the commodity to downstream palm oil operators within and outside the region. Another initiative in overcoming shortage of land is by increasing fresh fruit bunch yield. The numbers are increasing and this is largely due to the awareness the government stresses upon better farming methods and harvesting technologies. Besides helping to reduce greenhouse gas

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emissions, the higher blend of biodiesel – from 5% to 7% palm biodiesel with 95% petroleum diesel by the end of 2014 – will enhance palm oil utilisation, reduce palm oil stocks and boost prices, more so since there is an uptick in vegetable oil demand from Asia’s economic powerhouse – China. This will contribute towards an annual consumption of 575,000 tonnes of crude palm oil (CPO) annually and contribute to savings of 6.7 billion litres of diesel a year for the transportation and fisheries sector. Malaysia is home to the world’s leading rubber glove producers who collectively are a key employer and revenue generator in the country. The goal is to reach 65% world market share of latex gloves by 2020. However, as the industry faces labour shortages and tight rubber supply, it has embarked on automation to cut down its reliance on manual labour while investing in ensuring a steady supply of raw materials. In 2014, total export revenue of Malaysian latex products, of which latex gloves is a major contributor, was recorded at RM12.03 billion.

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Summing it up, the move towards a more integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market would also have a significant positive impact on rubber and palm oil, as it will encourage cross-border trade and investments in the region of over 600 million people. FINANCIAL SERVICES Malaysia’s niche in Islamic finance is chartering immense growth. Fast becoming the indisputable global hub for Islamic finance, as of the third quarter of 2014, the Islamic banking sector commanded 25% of total assets in Malaysia’s overall banking system. The country’s Islamic finance sector is growing rapidly to the extent that it is leading, managing and even providing technical assistance to countries including United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Japan. Malaysia has also bagged the title of world’s leading sukuk (Islamic bonds) issuer in 2014 with RM203.6 billion worth of Islamic papers offered, making up close to two-thirds of the global Islamic debt market. But, in order to maintain this title, relevant departments are keen on finding measures to increase sukuk issuances

and encourage trading to broaden and develop the sukuk and bond market. Malaysia’s financial industry contributes 11.6% of the country’s real GDP. An important component of the economy, its banks are well capitalised and governance applies equally to all financial institutions. With that being said, the industry also plans on insuring most if not all of its population. The country’s national bank has collaborated with insurance companies and Takaful (Islamic insurance) in rolling out pilot projects to seek feedback and experience that will form the basis for a concept paper in the future. The initiative is currently focused on addressing the needs of low-income individuals. On developing and expanding local banks onto ASEAN shores, several banks have kicked it off by setting up a branch in countries including Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. However, the government recognises that championing local banks

on a larger scale will be dependent on market and business needs of the respective banks as well as regulatory environment of host countries. TOURISM Malaysia’s warm weather, pristine sandy beaches and retail landscapes with dutyfree zones have an alluring charm. The numbers will add more weight to these claims as tourism in Malaysia was the sixth highest contributor to the 2014 economy. It attracts over 25 million tourist arrivals each year, contributing more than RM60 billion in tourist receipts. It is safe to say that a huge chunk of these receipts come from shopping. With the industry promoting its duty-free zones and growing number of shopping malls, it comes as no wonder that the government intends to dedicate specific entertainment zones to cater to respective audiences. Bukit Bintang has already been established as a leading shopping precinct within the capital while the country has

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moved onto completing construction on its second premium outlets. The first premium outlet is located in the state of Johor. As for dedicated entertainment zones, the capital will see the expansion of TREC (Taste, Relish, Experience and Celebrate) KL, which contains a variety of clubs, pubs and eateries, while the state of Penang will soon be receiving three such zones.

is a significant platform for Malaysia to promote itself as a vibrant travel destination. The country has a number of existing home grown events that will be repackaged and clustered with these international events to boost international spectatorship. Today, the country is proud to be part of international sports such as Formula 1, MotoGP and Formula E, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first fully-electric racing series.

Meanwhile, aiming to capitalise on its strategic location as a cruise destination, the authorities are centred on growing the number of cruise passengers coming to the country. Efforts will also focus on improving operations and attractiveness of six ports in the country with potential improvements to be considered for other ports as well. To show its commitment, the Malaysian government will continue to assist cruise terminal operators to promote their surrounding attractions. They will also engage with local tour operators to better develop targeted cruise tourism products.

BUSINESS SERVICES Malaysia, since 2004, is ranked third for its position based on financial attractiveness, people skills and availability, shared services and outsourcing (SSO) by AT Kearneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global Location Services Index. In order to retain or improve its ranking, core targets within this industry include positioning Malaysia as a data centre hub, garnering 15% revenue growth in overseas sales for SSO by offering higher-value services which is by moving away from basic call centre functions to analytics and pouring millions worth of investments into pure-play engineering services.

Keen on boosting the country on an international scale and in particularly towards other ASEAN countries, the hosting of international events

If unfamiliar with the term, pure-play refers to companies with a single business focus. Malaysia has been growing its aerospace and automotive

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engineering sectors in this aspect; however, plans are underway to extend the services to other areas such as rail, urban planning and manufacturing. As for positioning Malaysia as a worldclass data centre hub, this initiative, in 2014, achieved revenues of RM795 million surpassing its target by RM10 million. The formation of a data centre task force has been a significant reason for the achievement. However, the country intends to attract global cloud players into Malaysia to fill the gap in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital content and services ecosystem. By hosting more Internet and cloud content in the country,

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Malaysia will increase its attractiveness for regional traffic and achieve economies of scale for international connectivity. In aerospace, Malaysia currently ranks second in the ASEAN region in terms of market share, and key initiatives have been launched which will see a greater push towards making the country the regional leader in aerospace by 2030. This includes implementations from a new National Aerospace Blueprint, growing the expertise within the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry through Airbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and a Swissbased MRO company and having local aviation schools partner with international companies such as the recent partnership with Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lufthansa to operate an

aircraft maintenance training school in the country. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS (E&E) Who would have thought that Malaysia has a better and more conducive business environment than Asian economic leader – China? The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2014 ranked Malaysia 18th with the country’s regulatory environment more suitable for E&E business operations, surpassing China and Taiwan. The ranking comes as the industry is backed by a probusiness government.

Meanwhile, with the intent of increasing the number of silicon producers in the country, relevant government departments and agencies are providing tax incentive packages to promote and attract pioneer silicon producers. The industry is also keen on expanding, building and catering to home grown electrical brands which includes the recent completion of an electrical home appliance manufacturing hub and an international distribution network in late 2015. The hub will create opportunities for entry of its appliances into more markets as well as opening doors for other local brands to market their products internationally.

Furthermore, the future of electric vehicles is fast dawning upon us and is no longer a sight only permissible in the western world. In February 2016, American electric vehicle company Tesla Motors agreed to cooperate with Malaysia to promote electric vehicles in the country by providing 100 of its Model S units. This will make Malaysia the first country in ASEAN to receive Tesla’s cars. Locally, home grown electric scooter maker Eclimo SdnBhd, meanwhile, is expanding its production due to growing demand for electric scooters, especially in delivery services and the tourism industry. Moreover, the introduction of electric buses and setting a target of 2,000 electric buses

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on Malaysian roads by 2020, will serve as a catalyst for the electric vehicle industry. According to ETP’s annual report, in 2014, Malaysia made its way into the top 20 out of 144 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Index (GCI) for the first time. The report also ranked Malaysia fourth in financial market development, making it relatively easy for E&E companies to access capital. Malaysia was also ranked 10th in incentives for investment and 10th in the number of procedures and formalities to start a business for E&E companies. But, these rankings are set to improve as it is clear that the Malaysian government and relevant agencies have pledged to play vital roles in the advancement of E&E in Malaysia and to support the attainment of a GNI target of RM90 billion by the year 2020.

year-on-year, the flow of duty-free goods will continue to enter the country and hopefully through cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the numbers are set to increase. These days, pretty much anything and everything can be purchased online. As shoppers increasingly shop online within the confines of their homes, the government intends to create more opportunities for virtual malls. At present, online shopping on Malaysian websites are catered to limited product categories. As such, one key initiative in the pipeline is to encourage the involvement of the private sector in diversifying products available online. Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is set to become a retail hub. It only makes sense to do so with the place receiving around

70 million passengers each year. klia2 which began operations in 2014 will also be contributing to the hub as it received around 25 million passengers within the year it was launched. This will be done by attracting more retail tenants to utilise new vacant retail spaces within the buildings. EDUCATION Malaysia is gearing towards becoming both a regional and international education hub. The industry is keen on building and expanding international schools and its curriculum as the number of international students and the number of parents wanting their children to study said curriculum is on a steady rise. Since 2014, over 100 international schools have been built and is a healthy indicator of the demand from the expatriate community as well as Malaysians returning from abroad.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL Search through any top shopping mall destination worldwide and one is sure to stumble across a Malaysian mall ranked highly among the listing. To name a few, One Utama takes the cake as it spans across 5 million square feet and apart from being the largest in the country, it is the sixth largest in the world. Another shopping haven is Sunway Pyramid. Opening its doors to shoppers worldwide in 1997, it was thoroughly reconstructed and now has 900 stores on five floors. To top it off, Malaysia is definitely walking the talk when it comes to numbers, the wholesale and retail industry continues to account for a significant share of Malaysia’s economy, contributing 12.7% to the country’s GDP. To enhance the Malaysian retail landscape, the government intends to make the country a preferred dutyfree destination. This is despite the implementation of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) that was implemented in 2015 that slightly decreased the flow of goods into the country. But, with the continued increase in domestic consumption,

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The challenge, now, however, is to maintain the momentum of growth of student enrolment, while maintaining a high quality of education standards. The standards will be met since the country is keen on continuing its growth of partnerships with international universities, as well as educational hubs such as EduCity@Iskandar Malaysia. EduCity is the first fully contained, education-centric hub in Malaysia in an effort to transform Malaysia into a worldclass education hub. It is located in the state of Johor, which has been seeing rampant development over the years as it is poised to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region. However, in order to make EduCity more liveable, the administration has called on entrepreneurs to establish small businesses such as F&B outlets, leisure avenues, and retail outlets. Meanwhile, foreign universities such as Heriot-Watt University (HWU) and the University of Southampton extended their offerings in 2014. HWU, in attracting student enrolment, has been offering a slew of scholarships and research grants to well-deserving students. In efforts to champion Malaysia’s education brand further, Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) was formed to support Malaysia’s aspiration to be an international education hub and its key objectives includes managing the applications, processing and renewals

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of international student visas to Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) to enhance the management of international student welfare and engagement. HEALTHCARE “Let us be the ones who say we do not accept that a child dies every three seconds simply because he does not have the drugs you and I have. Let us be the ones to say we are not satisfied that your place of birth determines your right for life. Let us be outraged, let us be loud, and let us be bold,” American actor and philanthropist Brad Pitt said. Brad may not have a medical degree but he understands that a country can only function if its inhabitants are fit and well-cared for. Malaysia is giving utmost importance in developing and expanding the services and functions made available in this industry. One key takeaway is the rule implemented by the government in 2011, to make it compulsory for foreign workers to enrol in a foreign worker health insurance protection scheme. This move ensures adequate medical care is given to foreign workers as majority cannot afford in-patient medical services and also to reduce unpaid bills by such workers when using the Health Ministry’s facilities.Since 2011, almost 2 million workers have been insured giving them access to better healthcare. Due to the country’s proximity to the ASEAN, Middle Eastern and European

markets, Japanese multinational conglomerate Toshiba Corporation has become the first company to choose Malaysia as its main export hub for highvalue medical devices manufacturing by setting up a production base here. Also, with an aim to penetrate a new segment of hybrid manufacturing of medical devices and pharmaceutical products in Malaysia, a US-based pharmaceutical company is opting to move its contract manufacturing base here in order to take advantage of the hybrid manufacturing facilities apart from lending expertise and creating jobs for locals. In order to expand the methods in which healthcare services are provided, especially to the elderly, relevant

departments are in discussion to include mobile or home healthcare services for pensioners and to expand the services beyond the Klang Valley. The industry is also expanding services offered to the elderly by building care residences to make senior living and aged care facilities the preferred choice in Malaysia and establish international standards for senior citizens in Malaysia. An integrated senior active living lifestyle and care residence community to promote “active ageing” and “ageing in place”, these projects will be the first of its kind in Malaysia. In addition to maintaining global standards, these care residences will be operated by international joint venture partners.

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COMMUNICATIONS CONTENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE Almost everyone today wishes to stay connected or online to keep abreast of developments regardless of whether it’s about your child at home or on the Syrian civil war. This only goes to show how much of an impact the Internet has on our daily lives. According to ETP’s 2014 annual report, Malaysia continues to push the availability of broadband access to its people, with household penetration now at 67.3%. This is now relatively better than most ASEAN countries. Beyond broadband, long-term evolution (LTE) penetration is now at an encouraging 25%, and is expected to reach 50% by 2017. As for the groundwork for high-speed broadband phase 2 (HSBB 2), the second phase of the high-speed broadband was finalised in late 2015 and aims to expand coverage in urban and suburban areas. In order to make Internet access more universal to the public, efforts are being made to push for the gazetting of the amended Uniform Building By-laws (UBBL) 1984 Act, which requires all developers to provide communication infrastructure such as internal and external ducting for all new housing and commercial developments. In 2014, Pahang was the latest state to have gazetted the amended UBBL, bringing the total to eight states. In an effort to extend broadband subscription to non-urban areas, over 4,000 wireless villages, 400 internet cafes and 1,100 telecommunication towers have been built in rural areas.

Critical targets under this NKEA include to record RM600 million of revenue from the export of creative content, to attract RM400 million in local film production incentives in efforts to attract foreign film producers to film in Malaysia and to showcase the country as a destination for international filming, to ensure 7,000 schools are connected with high-speed broadband and to ensure 200 health facilities are rolled out with e-health applications. AGRICULTURE Apart from being a top palm oil producer, Malaysia is considered a rice bowl nation and it comes as no surprise that Malaysians generally prefer to spend their time eating than doing anything else. Rice is an important main dish in almost all meals and the industry is fully aware of this to the point that it will be collaborating with relevant industries in increasing the number of fragrant rice varieties. As for strengthening paddy farming, 20,186 hectares of paddy land, roughly five times the size of Putrajaya, was amalgamated in an exercise that involved 8,817 farmers. Estate management has contributed significantly to increasing farmers’ yield, with some farmers seeing yields more than double and average incomes rise 19% since joining the programme. Malaysia’s rice states are predominantly Kedah and Perlis. In 2014, both these states produced 243,200 tonnes of paddy through this programme. Set on expanding its brand worldwide, especially in China, 145 tonnes of edible bird’s nest (EBN) products were

exported in 2014 with over 7,000 swiftlet premises registered to date. In line with tapping the market for premium shrimp, since 2011, 14 anchor companies have developed 5,713 hectares of land for shrimp farming. The reason for an increased supply is mainly due to its demand as it was also noted that the greatest demand for premium shrimp was from Malaysia, with the price per kilogramme of shrimp higher in Malaysia than in export markets. The NKEA also encourages business opportunities in the fields of herbal products, free-range chicken farming, button mushroom farming, increasing domestic production of fruits and dried fruit snacks and ornamental fish farming. On herbal products, an EPP has been refined to incorporate R&D partnerships between research universities and private companies to expand the number of herbal products in the market, enhance its value and reduce the timeto-market for the products. GREATER KUALA LUMPUR/ - KLANG VALLEY We are not boasting that it’s one of the greatest cities but read the rankings at your own pleasure. To begin with, Kuala Lumpur was ranked seventh and second among Asian and ASEAN cities, respectively. In another global ranking of 140 cities, Kuala Lumpur was ranked a respectable 25th in the Financial Times (UK) Global Cities of the Future and only second behind Seoul among Emerging Market Cities. This is where we say, “I told you so”. As such, under the NKEA, it is all about developing the country’s

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capital. To date, InvestKL, mandated by the government to attract and assist multinational corporations (MNCs) looking to invest in the country, has successfully attracted plenty of MNCs with approved investments totalling RM4 billion and commitment of over 6,000 jobs.

this game changing project. Discussions at this platform are expected to include various implementation aspects such as high speed rail design and operations aspects, security and immigration requirements, appropriate financing and governance framework.

Out of this, RM1 billion investments have been realised and over 3,000 jobs created. Also, this EPP is on track to reach its target of attracting top 100 MNCs by 2020. This has been driven by the Greater KL/Klang Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attractiveness as an investment destination, its ease of doing business and reasonable cost.

As for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, the constructions are expected to be completed in 2017 with the trains running by July of the same year. In the last quarter of 2015, the Malaysian government announced of a second MRT line and this is expected to be completed by the year 2022.The lines will be integrated with the existing KTM Komuter, LRT and ERL rail systems at various locations throughout the region.

Also, these MNCs will be setting up regional headquarters, global shared service centres and principal hub operation. The principal areas of operation include education, oil & gas, healthcare, IT, logistics, engineering services, business services, global trader and industrial products sectors. Meanwhile, looking to shorten travel time to 90 minutes between KL and Singapore, a High Speed Rail (HSR) system is expected to be completed in the next four years. Both the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore had, in 2013, jointly announced the Southern Corridor HSR project. At the same forum in 2014, the leaders had confirmed Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terminal location in Bandar Malaysia and three possible terminal locations in Singapore, being Tuas West, Jurong East and City Centre. In addition, a HSR Work Group under the Joint Ministerial Committee platform between Malaysia and Singapore has been formed to ensure steady progress of

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Redefining Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Regions Constantly being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to ensure efficient business transactions and deliver services sealed with nothing short of a top-notch quality is a promising factor that a country is on track to greater heights. However, this is not possible without the sheer dedication and efforts undertaken by both its government and citizens alike. With a young and growing workforce, we take a look at how the country continues to strive on placing itself on a global pedestal through its five economic regions and three Federal Territories.

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GREATER KL (GKL): A KEY ENGINE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, is a booming and well-populated city home to over six million inhabitants. According to the Malaysian government, come 2020, that figure is expected to reach 10 million. The reason for the rising number of people flocking into creating Kuala Lumpur as their home away from home is simple: A strategic location, ease of doing business, political stability, wealth of opportunity, incentives, highly-developed infrastructure and a generous supply of human workforce who are the very least bilingual, apart from competitive business costs, a robust legal framework and liveability factors make this city an obvious choice for multinational companies (MNCs) that have heard the clarion call to invest in Kuala Lumpur. The city is a hub for these global businesses raring to gear their strategies from a city perspective simply because of its central location with global connectivity. With no more than eight-hour flights to Asia’s key business centres such as Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Sydney and Tokyo, many countries are set to benefit from Malaysia’s strong investment and trade links with the world’s best. In 2013, the country recorded RM1.37 trillion

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in trade and has South Korea, the European Union and China as some of its largest trading partners. Last year, World Bank’s Doing Business: ‘Going Beyond Inefficiency’report stated Malaysia stood at the 18th rung. The ranking reflects the ease of dealing with time required for construction permit approvals, employment fund registrations and quintessentially, the time required to start a business from 37 days in 2005 to only taking less than six days today. Led by a democraticallyappointed government, the country has been enjoying political stability since its independence in 1957 and investors can be rest assured that with a government that is pro-business, incentives range from grants and funds to lower taxes and expatriate employment benefits. However, a business is only as good as its employees. With that in mind,

Malaysia was ranked second by the World Economic Forum in terms of its pay-to-productivity ratio in the Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014. The country’s productive workforce is also highly protected by a secure and well-oiled legal framework, affirmed by the same World Bank’s 2015 report that

Apart from the capital which is one of the three federal territories, the country is made up of 13 states. The states are Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Malacca, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak while the federal territories are Labuan and Putrajaya. GKL includes the government’s administration capital Putrajaya. Today, the ‘Green City’ houses almost all Ministries, possesses three monuments and home to the largest botanical gardens in Malaysia covering 92 hectares.

ranks Malaysia fourth for its investor protection policies. Complete with competitive salaries and lower office rentals compared to the likes of Melbourne, Shanghai and Singapore, the city that was once known as a tinmining district has definitely shed its former layers and grown into becoming one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world with a projection of Gross National Income (GNI) of USD54.9 billion by the year 2020.

Transformation Plan (ETP) to transform the country into a high-income economy by 2020. Investors are encouraged to leverage on these key economic areas that have been identified by the national government as these viable sectors provide high growth and endless potential for businesses and they include oil, gas and energy, tourism, electrical and electronics, education and agriculture among others.

Finally, going forward, GKL will be constructing a High Speed Rail System (HSR) that connects the cities to Singapore. The rail is expected to be completed in 2020, further strengthening connectivity and business ties between the two nations. In addition to that, construction has also begun for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system to reduce traffic congestion and accommodate the growing population’s needs, not only in terms of transportation, but to make GKL their home for years to come.

Furthermore, living in the city does not break your bank. According to Mercer’s 2015 Cost of Living Survey, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 113th out of 214 countries with the first place being the most expensive. The city’s extensive road, rail networks alongside shipping ports and air cargo terminals boosts the city’s liveability factors alongside having international schools and a healthcare system that was ranked 14th worldwide by HSBC’s 2013 Expat Explorer Survey. In addition to that, the GKL region is fully on board with encouraging foreign investment. The region is one of the 12 designated National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) under the government’s Economic

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SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR: THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY TO ASEAN The Southern Development Corridor or better known as Iskandar Malaysia, is set to become southern Peninsular Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business effortlessly converge within a bustling and vibrant metropolis. Located in the state of Johor Bahru, the southern gateway to Peninsular Malaysia, its advantages include reaching a global market of some 800 million people. Flanked by three major ports - the Pasir Gudang Port, Port of Tanjung Pelepas and Tanjung Langsat Port, Iskandar Malaysia is the largest single development project ever to be undertaken in the region.

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WHY INVEST IN ISKANDAR MALAYSIA? Because of its strategic location, Iskandar Malaysia is accessible to leading Asian cities which include its powerhouse neighbour Singapore, proximity to some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most rapidly growing and important economies, and a range of attractive fiscal incentives. Iskandar Malaysia is also poised to attract an exciting influx of foreign and highlevel corporate investments, create job opportunities within a space of 2,217 square kilometres as well as look at discerning investors who are seeking to benefit from its many advantages and high growth potential. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES In Iskandar Malaysia, there are various investment opportunities for investors to grab on especially on the nine promoted

sectors in Iskandar Malaysia. These opportunities are within the industries of electrical and electronics (E&E), petrochem and oleochem, financial services, food and agro-processing, creative, tourism, healthcare, logistics and education. THE 5 FLAGSHIP ZONES Having been allocated a sum of RM6.83 billion by the government, this corridor is divided into five flagship zones: (a) Johor Bahru City The key economic activities in this flagship are financial services, commerce and retail, arts and culture, hospitality, urban tourism, plastic manufacturing, E&E and food processing. Receiving 60% of foreign tourists who visit Malaysia, it is a major holiday and shopping destination for neighbouring Singaporeans due to the

Going forward, it would also be the hub for creative arts and entertainment, medical facilities, tourism, biotechnology and hi-tech manufacturing.

comparatively lower cost of goods and services. Apart from being the central business district to the state, it is also the main gateway in and out of Singapore via the Causeway. (b) Nusajaya This flagship’s key focus is on property development, state and federal administration and logistics. The area has 24,000 acres of contiguous developmentready land and will be expected to accommodate the projected population size of 500,000 by 2025. Poised to become an education hub, the region is also developing its EduCity@Iskandar which is a 305-acre fully integrated best-in-class education hub comprising universities and institutes of higher education which currently houses a branch of UK’s Newcastle University.

(c) Western Gate Development Port and marine services and logistics are key sectors in this flagship. With over 700 acres of land banks consisting of agricultural lands and mangrove forests, the government is set on developing the area into a maritime hub. In terms of logistics, convenient methods of transportation to connect the area to Johor Bahru city and Kuala Lumpur will be in the form of a Mass Rapid Transit or Light Rail Transit (MRT/LRT) system. (d) Eastern Gate Development A key industrial and manufacturing hub, to date, there are more than 300 factories in the Pasir Gudang area that have provided more than 30,000 employment opportunities to the community of 100,000 people in Pasir Gudang. To further develop this flagship, the government is looking to convert estate lands into industrial and housing areas.

(e) Senai-Skudai Meanwhile this flagship’s focus is airport services and becoming the hub for agro and food processing, ICT and retail tourism. With more than 1,000 acres of available land bank within the vicinity of Senai Airport, investors will have the advantage of setting up large-scale commercial and airport-related enterprises at attractive low rates. In the future, Senai Airport is envisaged to be the second airport in the region after Changi Airport by 2025. This will be achieved after the suggestion of building a multi-modal terminal and cyber city. NORTHERN CORRIDOR ECONOMIC REGION (NCER): A CHOICE DESTINATION FOR WORK, INVESTMENT AND LIVING The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) is a government initiative to direct, devise policies and strategies in relation to socio-economic development in 21 districts in northern Peninsular Malaysia in the states of Kedah, Perak, Perlis and Penang.

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improved irrigation and larger scale farm mechanisation. Focusing on the strengths of these regions, five key thrusts have been identified and they include agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, logistics, education and human capital.

The corridor contributes to over 20% of Gross Domestic Products (GDP), as well as more than 60% of the total agricultural area for paddy growing, over 30% of tourism expenditures and in excess of 45% of exports. For Kedah, the rice state, this translates into improving its long-term food security measures and increase the

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income of paddy farmers. This will be achieved by adopting an estate farming approach under a single management and introducing a land amalgamation scheme for 50,000 hectares (51% of the total 96,558 hectares) of paddy fields by 2020. The adoption of technologies will also be intensified across the production chain of the paddy and rice industry, such as the introduction of new seed varieties,

Within the manufacturing sector, Penang is at the frontier for the E&E sector in Malaysia and is aiming to strengthen the available ecosystem especially the semiconductor, solar and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) technologies. The E&E have contributed a total of RM9.8 billion towards the Malaysian economy. In 2013, Malaysia supports 12% of the global back-end support for semiconductor industry out of which Penang accounts for 8%. The goals within the logistics sector include, to strengthen transport infrastructure and proximity to Thailand

and Indonesia by becoming the centre for processing, logistics and trade and to service demands for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). The education and human capital sector, serve to complement the other sectors as a sector can only improve if its workforce is of a certain quality. Objectives to be met include enhancing the skills set and employability of human capital in the corridor to meet the needs of the private sector in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics and increasing the number of research and development based activities among high-tech companies. EAST COAST ECONOMIC REGION (ECER): A HUB FOR DIVERSE TOURISM RESOURCES The ECER of Malaysia covers Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the district of Mersing in Johor. It occupies an area of 66,000 square kilometres or 51% of the total area of Peninsular Malaysia. Serving as the principal east coast cross-border trading and tourism hub, this positioning seeks to exploit Kelantan’s geographical advantage as a border State to Thailand and the Indo-China Region. This capitalises on the synergy generated by IMT-GT.

In Terengganu, the government is intending to rebrand the state’s capital, Kuala Terengganu, as a vibrant Heritage Waterfront City which will offer an abundance of opportunities for tourism to flourish. Known as the state for a leading role in the oil and gas industry, the Kertih Integrated Petrochemical Complex’s (KIPC) 11 plants are intended to attract increasing number of global petrochemical investors to its shore. KIPC produces ethylene-based petrochemical products, mainly for the export market. As for Pahang, the focus is on making it known as an industrial and logistics hub. The Kuantan Port, one of the major ports in the country, plays a crucial role in making ECER a gateway to the Far East, rubbing shoulders with China. The port would play an integral role in Malaysia’s maritime industry by paving the way for it to welcome more cruise ships to dock here to promote tourism and ultimately represent the realisation of partnership between Malaysia and China in building a 21st century Maritime Silk Road. There are also plans to kick off the RM30 billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project that will be built under the 11th Malaysia Plan. ECRL is part of the infrastructure development plan for ECER which involves a

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620 kilometres rail track from Tumpat in Kelantan to Kuantan Port in Pahang and connecting to Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, Mersing, being developed as an important mainland coastal tourism destination, is poised to be equipped with highly developed tourist facilities as tourist arrivals increase by the year. It is also set to become a centre for ecotourism by virtue of its geography as it is the gateway to the Endau Rompin National Park. SABAH DEVELOPMENT CORRIDOR (SDC): A MECCA FOR NATURAL RESOURCES Set to become a major regional influence, Sabah is undergoing various transformations under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), an economic masterplan spanning for 18 years from 2008 to 2025. The goal is to turn Sabah into a leading economic region and a preferred destination for investment, work and living. For starters, the town of Lahad Datu is strategically located near other industry players in the Philippines and Indonesia. The palm oil clusters being developed in this area feature major infrastructure including two biodiesel plants. SDC is also keen on developing the Sandakan

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cluster to capture higher value-added downstream processing of palm oil. However, investors are not flocking into the state just for its attractive fiscal incentives, Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in the nation, with 5.2 million passengers annually. It is positioned strategically as a hub that connects to 13 major world destinations, including Singapore, Seoul, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Taipei and Perth. This makes KKIA ideal for low cost carriers and as a second hub already identified by low budget carrier AirAsia. SDC has also given much importance to the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP). Located on a 1,600-hectare site, SOGIP will serve as a new point for oil and gas investments within the Sabah, Brunei and Labuan economic centres. The park will promote industries such as industrial chemicals, plastic, fertilisers, pharmaceutical products and packaging materials. With the Kota Kinabalu port, an International Cruise Terminal (ICT) will be built as a complementary activity to the Jesselton waterfront development, bringing tourists directly to this new, mixed-use development. The ICT will back a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Straits Rivieraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project, also in

the making, that will tie together cruise terminals across Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime geography. This will tap Malaysia more fully into the Asian cruise market, which the ETP states is currently growing at around 14% per year. Banking on tourism, the Kinabalu Gold Coast Enclave (KGCE), stretching about 100 kilometres from the state capital to the northwestern tip at Kudat, covers 78.5 square kilometres of prime coastal tourism development spanning 15 years. With high-quality beaches and coastal assets, KGCE seeks to attract longstaying visitors, prime eco-adventure tourists and second-home buyers of luxury holiday villas. The key strength of the SDC is the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic location, abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage and access to mega biodiversity resources. With the implementation of SDC, Sabah

is expected to experience rapid economic growth attaining a four-fold increase in its gross domestic product (GDP) to RM63.2 billion in 2025. SARAWAK CORRIDOR OF RENEWABLE ENERGY (SCORE): PAVING WAY FOR GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS The core of this corridor is its energy

resources, particularly hydropower (28,000 megawatts), coal (1.46 billion tonnes), and natural gas (40.9 trillion square cubic feet) found abundantly within the Central Region. This will allow Sarawak to price its energy competitively and encourage investments in power generation and energy-intensive industries that will act as triggers for the development of a vibrant

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industrial development in the corridor. To achieve this, SCORE will adopt a 5-prong development strategy: • Drive priority industries investments towards three major growth nodes along the Corridor – Tanjung Manis (south), Mukah (centre) and Samalaju (north). : In Tanjung Manis, the state is also looking at improving its timber industry. One of the most important sources of revenue to Sarawak’s economy for the past five decades, the timber industry currently accounts for RM7.2 billion in export earnings and has created about 50,000 jobs. Its goals include increasing the state’s exports of timber products to between RM8 billion and RM10 billion a year. • Build a well-designed network of industrial class transport and

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communication infrastructure within the Corridor, extended outwards to systematically open up the hinterland. • Fast-forward the development of energy supply centring on currently known feasible hydro power (Murum, Limbang, Baram and Baleh) and coal deposit sites. • Accelerate human capital development within the Corridor with new learning centres and controlled immigration of skilled foreign workers. • Develop the tourism industry, focusing on the natural attractions of the Central Region, particularly the lakes upstream of the hydro power stations and the beaches along the northern part of the Corridor. On offshore oil, state-owned firm Petroliam

Nasional Bhd (Petronas) stated that Malaysia has more than 200 discovered oil and gas fields off the eastern state of Sarawak that have not been monetised. To make full use of this, projects are underway with one being the Petronas Floating LNG1 (PFLNG1), which is one of the world’s first floating liquefaction plants. The facility will be deployed at the Kanowit development, which is located slightly over 200 kilometres offshore Bintulu where it will produce, liquefy and offload gas from the field. FEDERAL TERRITORY OF LABUAN: A GROWING OFFSHORE FINANCIAL HUB A cross between a duty-free airport mall and a cluster of six small islands, Labuan was proclaimed a Federal Territory in 1984 and an International Offshore Financial Centre. Six years later, the region is home to over 86,000 people.

Predominantly known for its growing financial centre, the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) was created as Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only offshore financial hub on October 1990 and was operating under the name of Labuan International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC). At the time it was established to strengthen the contribution of financial services to the Gross National Products (GNP) of Malaysia as well as to develop the island and its surrounding

vicinity. At present, there are over 6,500 offshore companies and around 300 licensed financial institutions which includes world leading banks.

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Malaysia: Your Gateway To Asean

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Apart from being an ASEAN member, Malaysia is now part of AEC. This is a historical milestone for the country as it taps into a 600 million-backed population with a market of USD2.6 trillion set to transform the region into a single market and production base with a highly competitive advantage to make it a stable and prosperous region. At the stroke of the midnight hour, as countries and people worldwide revelled and ushered the year 2016, 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joined hands and officially marked the integration of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), an economic bloc set to become the second largest common market after the European Union (EU). To give a solid picture of ASEAN’s collective potential, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) predicted ASEAN’s GDP growth at 5.4% in 2015, compared to the global economy’s 3.9% for the same year. This means that the integration of AEC presents real opportunities for growth, particularly outside China and India who often overshadow ASEAN, and is a

key historic step to the development of what would be the fourth or fifth largest economy in the world. ASEAN, conceived in 1967, is made up of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Since its establishment, it has been making efforts to develop and refine various policies to promote trade and collaborative economic activities among its members. Over the years, despite being extremely diverse in size, geography, culture, income level and resource endowment, it remains an example for other regional groups of how a carefully crafted organisation can benefit all member nations. Thus, with PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) annual global CEO survey 2012 stating that global economic uncertainty will remain the top threat to prospects of growth within advanced economies, it comes as no surprise that investors are paying more attention towards Southeast Asia’s over 600 million-backed population consisting largely of a young community which is poised to form a huge market of USD2.6 trillion. Malaysia, with its population of over 29 million people, has been at the

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forefront of this growing partnership as it joined, participated and recognised the importance of AEC. Its capital, Kuala Lumpur, was the venue for unveiling and adopting the AEC Blueprint 2025 at the ASEAN Leaders’ 27th ASEAN Summit on November 2015. AN INCLUSIVE BLUEPRINT According to AEC, the blueprint consists of five interrelated and mutually reinforcing characteristics, namely: (i) a highly integrated and cohesive economy; (ii) a competitive, innovative, and dynamic ASEAN; (iii) enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation; (iv) a resilient, inclusive, people-oriented, and peoplecentred ASEAN; and (v) a global ASEAN. In short, the blueprint plans to achieve the strategic measures under each of the five characteristics of AEC 2025. To smoothly roll out this implementation, these strategic measures will be further elaborated in and implemented through the work plans of various sectoral bodies in ASEAN. The sectoral work plans will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. Partnership arrangements have been made with the private sector, industry associations and the wider community at regional and national levels as this will also be actively sought and fostered to ensure an inclusive and participatory approach to the integration process. Institutions will be strengthened and enhanced approaches to monitoring and public outreach will likewise be developed to support the effective implementation of the blueprint. The blueprint will lead towards an ASEAN that is more proactive, having had in place the structure and framework to operate as an economic community, cultivating a unified identity and strength to engage with the world, responding to new and upcoming developments, and seizing new opportunities. This will not only ensure that the 10 ASEAN member states are economically integrated, but are also sustainably and gainfully integrated on a global economic scale, thus contributing to the goal of shared wealth. This is of course for the future. The previous blueprint, detailing measures to be achieved between 2008 and 2015, had achieved some 506 measures which

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equals to a 95% success rate. Malaysia’s International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) noted that a 95% success rate marked notable achievement since it was almost impossible to attain a 100% economic integration. On a microscopic scale, Malaysia, part of ASEAN-5 which involves developing economies within the region such as Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, is evolving in becoming a gateway for investors looking to forage into Southeast Asia. ACCESSING A HUGE ECONOMIC BLOC Malaysia’s projected real GDP growth between 2007 and 2050 is 5.8%, combined with ASEAN-5, that figure is a whopping 7% surpassing China’s 6.8%. Out of 185 countries surveyed, World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report placed the country at 18th spot for the year 2015. Proving that it has the ability to manage, retain and allow for the development of entrepreneurs to face

Single market and Production base  Free flow of:

regional challenges, the report also stated that Malaysia made starting a business less costly by reducing the company registration fees and made paying taxes easier and less costly for companies by making electronic filing mandatory and reducing the property tax rate. The ranking also reflects improvements in the ease of dealing with construction permits, as the one-stop shop for permits implemented in 2013 led to further reductions in the time required to obtain a development approval. In terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), Malaysia is expected to gain a significant momentum. The Malaysian government stated that FDIs in ASEAN surpassed two of the world’s biggest economies – the United States and China – valued at USD136 million in 2014. As for intra-ASEAN trade and investments, MITI revealed that removing the barrier encircling the 10-member states has led to an increase from USD1.22 billion in 2000 to USD24.4 billion in 2014. This

Competitive Economic Region

 Goods

 Strengthen consumer protection  Intellectual property rights  Promote infrastructural development

 Skilled

labour  Services  Investment

and e-commerce

 Capital

 Reduce double taxation  Develop competition policy

 Food and agricultural security Integration of 12 priority sectors

4 PILLARS OF Global Economy Integration

AEC

 Form and manage Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnerships (CEPs)

 Enhance participation in global supply networks

 Develop coherent approach towards external economic relations

Equitable Economic Development

 Accelerate the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

 Enhance ASEAN integration to

reduce development gap between member countries

Myanmar

Indonesia

Population (Million): 52.797 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 53,140

Population (Million): 246.864 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 878,043 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 37.79

ASEAN GDP (overall %): 2.29

MYANMAR Thailand Population (Million): 66.785 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 365,966 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 15.75

Cambodia Population (Million): 14.865 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 14,038 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 1.60

LAOS

Laos VIETNAM PHILIPPINES

THAILAND

Brunei

CAMBODIA

Population (Million): 0.412 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 16,954 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 1.93

BRUNEI MALAYSIA

Malaysia Population (Million): 29.240 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 305,033 Thailand ASEAN GDP (overall %): 15.75

Vietnam Population (Million): 88.775 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 155,820 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 6.71

INDONESIA

Singapore Population (Million): 5.312 Nominal GDP in Cambodia Billion USD: 274,702 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 11.82

Population (Million): 6.646 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 9,418 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 1.07

Philippines SINGAPORE Sources: World Data Bank 2012, aseanup.com

accounted for 17.9% of the total FDI inflows into the region in 2014. Similarly, the intra-ASEAN trade accounted for 24% of the total ASEAN trade or USD608 billion. As ASEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s per capita income stood at around USD4, 130 in 2015, the intra-ASEAN trade was expected to grow to 30% by 2020.

as China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. In real terms, apart from lowering tariffs, this will mean greater mobility to facilitate the movement of professionals across borders as this will allow the skilled labour force to practice in different countries using just one, unified set of credentials.

AEC, which focuses on four economic pillars, is set to chart a strong impact on the global economy. Its pillars are to create a single market and production base where goods, services, investments, capital and skilled labour flow freely, to establish a highly competitive economic region, backed by a competition policy and interconnected infrastructure, develop a region of equitable economic development, narrowing development gaps and levelling the playing field for small businesses and finally integrating with the global economy, including free trade deals with major economies such

SMALLER FIRMS SET TO BENEFIT Another key generator of jobs and economic growth to be observed from this partnership is the presence of an increasing number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In Malaysia, dedication to develop the bulk of businesses which are SMEs, are well underway. The SME Corporation Malaysia works closely with all government ministries and over 60 governmental agencies in conducting outreach programmes to ensure that the people within the industry are well-prepared for the AEC.

Population (Million): 96.707 Nominal GDP in Billion USD: 250,182 ASEAN GDP (overall %): 10.77

SMEs are the backbone of the national economy and the Malaysian government has vowed to continue supporting them. This is evident through the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025. The plan includes measures for capacity building in areas such as ICT adoption, e-commerce and standards conformance and compliance; facilitating inter-firm networks and linkages within ASEAN for economies of scale; and sectoral and geographicalbased SME clusters for shared resources to reduce costs. In addition, Malaysian companies operating in ASEAN have formed networks of Malaysian business councils that can provide advisory services for Malaysian companies interested in doing business in the region. By investing in Malaysia, it could mean investors would be able to reap from a profitable, cost competitive centre as many Malaysian-

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ASEAN GDP GROWTH VS MAJOR ECONOMIES 2013

2014

2015

WORLD

3.0%

3.6%

3.9%

ADVANCED ECONOMIES

1.3%

2.2%

2.3%

DEVELOPING ECONOMIES

4.7%

4.9%

4.3%

ASEAN

5.0%

5.4%

(US, EURO AND JAPAN)

Sources: International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook 2014, Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Outlook April 2014

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listed companies have among the highest operating margins and returns in Southeast Asia, a well-known business services centre, possess the infrastructure and facilities to access a trillion dollar market and have the continuous support of pro-business governmental support offering tax and other incentives to encourage business growth and development. PROGRESS UNDERWAY IN OTHER COUNTRIES In Indonesia, the largest economy of the AEC and ASEAN’s most populous nation, the government is reaching out

and providing training to some 74,000 of its SMEs on exportation methods. Apart from that, as improving interagency coordination will be equally important, the Indonesian government will be establishing a creative economy board and supporting SME’s marketing through a public university. The Indonesian government also increased its infrastructure development budget to IDR313.5 trillion (approximately USD23 billion) for 2016, significantly higher than the budget allocation for infrastructure in the 2015 budget. Vietnam too has beefed up its efforts

in anticipation of the AEC. Two years ago, the New Enterprise Law simplified procedures for establishing businesses while the country’s Investment Law loosened regulations. Notable amendments to the Investment Law for both domestic and foreign investors included revamping and streamlining the system by shortening the application processing days and allowing foreign investors to own charter capital of an enterprise in Vietnam without being subject to any limit, unless otherwise provided by Vietnamese law.

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As for Singapore, in 2013, it was reported that hundreds of multinational corporations used it as their regional headquarters, and there were approximately 4,000 companies from mainland China that did the same in order to tap into trade in Southeast Asia. With its world-class infrastructure and ports, the developed nation is a hub for research and development and logistics. Singapore has the lowest corporate tax among all ASEAN member states; as a result companies may attempt to shift their profits to Singapore. According to Thailand’s Real Estate Information Centre, the country’s property market is set to benefit from the AEC integration. The second largest economy in ASEAN after Indonesia, its income level and purchasing power is higher than its neighbouring countries Myanmar and Vietnam and it also possesses enough land area for development and future investments. The profits are set to flow in through foreign investors expanding their businesses in ASEAN countries with firms moving their management and operation staff into this region which ultimately mean space for work and living. Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines are likely to become major sources of growth within ASEAN before long, thanks largely to the growing number of labourintensive businesses setting up shop within their borders.

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This is attributable to a variety of factors, such as better distribution of investment from abroad into ASEAN countries, betteralignment of international division of labour in manufacturing within the zone and stronger inter-industry relations among bloc members. Moreover, foreign and Chinese manufacturers alike are relocating to other Asian countries to escape China’s rising labour costs and its stronger currency. This is due to the factor that labour costs in these countries are still comparatively lower than those of other ASEAN members. Furthermore, these countries possess populations large enough to ensure and maintain a steady supply of human resource. THE GLOBAL ECONOMY Meanwhile, ASEAN Plus Three (APT), formed in 1997, is a forum which includes the 10-member states plus China, Japan and South Korea. For South Korea, AEC could provide tremendous opportunities. ASEAN-Korean centre revealed that leaders from ASEAN and South Korea have set a target for two-way trade to reach USD200 billion by 2020, up from USD138.2 billion in 2014. The ASEAN-Korean centre stated that the reason for the increased target stems from an abundance of opportunities for

investment and intra-regional economic cooperation which also leads to higher changes of economic cooperation for ASEAN and other partners in Korea. ASEAN has emerged as the hub of free trade agreement (FTA) activity in Asia and plays a leadership role in negotiating trade rules for connecting Asia. FTAs have been concluded with ASEAN’s six dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. Moreover, negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), covering ASEAN and its dialogue partners, were launched in 2012. When signed and implemented, RCEP will become the world’s biggest trade bloc, with comprehensive trade rules covering 40% of world trade, GDP at a staggering USD17. 1 trillion and will provide significant economic gains to its members. With the sheer size of the opportunities that will be opened up by a fully-realised AEC, many of the larger firms are keeping an eye on this progress as different industries across the region establishes a stronger network that enhances ASEAN’s participation in the global supply chain.

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MALAYSIA

VIETNAM

CANADA BRUNEI SINGAPORE

USA

T P PA

MEXICO

TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

AUSTRALIA

PERU NEW ZEALAND CHILE

TPPA Malaysia has signed onto what is known as the biggest free-trade deal in history. But, why does it matter? In a nutshell, it leads to an increase in gross domestic products, investments and economic gains. It is set to be a leap forward for Malaysia as it looks to reduce tariffs, expand markets and promote freer trade. Malaysia and 11 other countries -Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the United States and Vietnam -concluded the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations since its proposed agreement in 2005 on February 4, 2016. Set to become a regional regulatory and investment treaty, it is aimed at creating a platform for economic integration across the Asia Pacific region. Having originated as the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TSEP or P4) with New Zealand, Chile, Singapore and Brunei as

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its first member countries, the entry and participation of the United States (US) in 2008 resulted in an expansion of the remaining countries. Today, after having joined the trade pact in 2010, Malaysia is expected to increase its gross domestic product (GDP) by 5.6% and also its export by 11.9% by year 2025. So, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s put things into perspective. 1. Why does Malaysia want to be a part of TPPA? Malaysia has signed free trade agreements with several countries and trade blocs, including TPPA members Japan, New Zealand and Australia. But, these free trade agreements are usually limited to agreements between countries to lower their tariffs for certain goods and services. The TPPA has 29 chapters and covers issues that are beyond most free trade agreements. The new rules that are negotiated will determine how TPPA member countries approach

JAPAN

competition, labour, environment, government procurement and intellectual property rights. In short, Malaysia wants more international market access for its exports under TPPA. The country intends to reduce bureaucracy, increase delivery system which would indirectly reduce incidences of corruption, protect the interest of government-linked conglomerates which have invested heavily abroad and ultimately boost the country as a favourite investment destination among foreign investors. 2. How will the country gain from the agreement? With the TPPA, Malaysia is set to gain access to a market of 800 million people with a total GDP of USD27.5 trillion. The Peterson Institute of Economics stated that Malaysia stood to gain over USD41.7 billion (RM133.9 billion) increase in exports and USD26.3 billion in income gains by 2025 if it stays committed towards the developments within the TPPA. As Malaysia is an open economy that is often reliant on international trade, the

Malaysian government has assured that the TPPA will be the chosen gateway leading into an unprecedented and growing market – including the US – after the Malaysia-US Foreign Trade Agreement (FTA) talks fall through. On expanding markets, Malaysian negotiators are currently pursuing more access for Malaysian textiles to the US market and plywood to the Japanese market. For the over 29-million populated country, a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) revealed that the industries most likely to benefit from the pact are textiles, apparel, electrical and electronics (E&E) and automotive. PwC also stated that the sheer amount of investments was set to increase between USD136 billion and USD239 billion over 2018 and 2027 following the country’s participation in the pact. It said the textile sector was bound to register the largest increase in investment growth in 2027, followed by construction and distributive trade sectors.

negotiations that are hosted by all member countries. The culmination was achieved after Malaysia released the full text of the agreement for public viewing and signed their approval in February after ironing out issues in chapters concerning government procurement, intellectual property and state-owned enterprises. Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) revealed that non-participation could place the country’s policy of close and friendly relations with other member nations at risk. As such, ISIS concluded that the TPPA participation is consistent with Malaysia’s New Economic Model and ambitions to become a high income economy. Malaysia will have fewer tariff restrictions in four new markets – the United States (90%), Canada (95%), Mexico (77%) and Peru (81%) of all tariff lines adding that Malaysian exporters would gain a competitive advantage in market access compared with competitors who are not party to the TPPA.

3. What does the future hold? There have been 19 rounds of official

POTENTIAL IMPACT OF TPPA ON

ECONOMIC SECTORS Yarn forward rule to boost exports and investments in upstream activities

Textile Electrical and Electronics Automotive Plastic

Wood

Large export opportunities from access to US government procurement

Component manufacturers to benefit from greater market access

Cheaper imports and lower tariffs to enhance export competitiveness

Lower trade barriers to raise export prospects

Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers’ report on Potential Economic Impact of TPPA on the Malaysian Economy and Selected Key Economic Sectors.

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One Belt, One Road China will be revitalising the ancient Silk Road overland and maritime trade routes in efforts to link the East and West. This is set to boost Malaysia’s presence with it being China’s largest ASEAN trading partner. Also, this economic initiative will allow Malaysia to expand its business opportunities, tap into larger markets and allow the country to elevate its global status. A leading trading nation in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with rich natural resources, strong economic fundamentals and a probusiness government, Malaysia is set to develop maritime links in a freight system dominated by European shippers via Beijing’s Maritime Silk Road.

In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled an ambitious plan - to create the modern-day equivalent of the historic Silk Road. The plan aimed at having new land and water routes tying China to trading partners all the way to Europe. Officially the 21st century Maritime Silk Route Economic Belt, this initiative is a development strategy and framework focusing on connectivity and cooperation involving over 60 countries, covering a population of 4.4 billion with an estimated economic output of USD21 trillion. It consists of two main components which are the land-based “Silk Road Economic Belt” and ocean-going “Maritime Silk Road”.

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Europe (Baltic Sea)

Russia

Europe

Central Asia

China

Mediterranean Sea Persian West Gulf Asia

South Asia

South China Sea South East Asia

Indian Ocean

Silk Road Economic Belt

A strategic initiative to increase investments and foster collaborations across the historic Silk Road, Malaysia’s Transport Ministry stated that its country is located in an important strategic road along the route as it is situated in the centre of Southeast Asia as well as positioned along the Straits of Malacca, one of the busiest trade routes in the world. THE ROUTE’S HISTORY The route, under obvious reasons, derived its name from China’s monopoly on silk production since Emperor Han’s dynasty between 206 BC and 220 AD. A textile of ancient Chinese origin and woven from the protein fibre produced by silkworms to make its cocoon, the Chinese empire initially used the fabric as a diplomatic gift but as the years progressed, it was traded with the country’s immediate neighbours and ultimately became one of its chief exports. As countries joining the route increased, the route extending till Europe gradually linked up to form what is known today as the Silk Roads, a path of trade across both land and sea, along which silk and many other goods were exchanged between people from across the world. However, the term ‘Silk Road’ is in fact a relatively recent term and for a long time in history, these roads had no particular

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South Pacific

21st Century Maritime Silk Road

name. Only in the mid-nineteenth century, German geologist Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen named the network ‘Die Seidenstrasse’ which meant ‘Silk Road’. The road allowed Malaysia, most importantly the state of Malacca, to serve as an international port for centuries. THE PRESENT DAY ROUTE Fast forward to present day, the landbased road will begin in Xi’an in central China before stretching west through Lanzhou (Gansu province), Urumqi (Xinjiang), and Khorgas (Xinjiang), which is near the border with Kazakhstan. The Silk Road then runs southwest from Central Asia to northern Iran before swinging west through Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. From Istanbul, the Silk Road

crosses the Bosporus Strait and heads northwest through Europe, including Bulgaria, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Reaching Duisburg in Germany, it swings north to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. From Rotterdam, the path runs south to Venice, Italy — where it meets up with the equally ambitious Maritime Silk Road. The Maritime Silk Road will begin in Quanzhou in Fujian province, and also hit Guangzhou (Guangdong province), Beihai (Guangxi), and Haikou (Hainan) before heading south to the Malacca Strait. From Kuala Lumpur, the Maritime Silk Road heads to Kolkata, India then crosses the rest of the Indian Ocean to Nairobi, Kenya. From Nairobi, the Maritime Silk

Road goes north around the Horn of Africa and moves through the Red Sea into the Mediterranean, with a stop in Athens before meeting the land-based Silk Road in Venice. AN ECONOMIC BOOM The geographic vision is no less impressive than the economic vision. Between 2001 and 2008, China was the fourth largest trading partner for Malaysia. Since 2009, China has become the largest trading partner. China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009 while ASEAN has been China’s third largest trading partner since 2010. In 2014, Malaysia’s bilateral trade with China increased to RM207.85 billion, or a 14.3% share of Malaysia’s total external trade. As such, it comes as no surprise that Malaysia intends to bank on its continued stream of opportunities from this initiative. Furthermore, in late 2015, China’s premier Li Keqiang offered up to USD10 billion in loans to ASEAN members, to be used for infrastructure building. In addition, Li promised to hold a USD7.8 billion quota for Malaysian investors under the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII), paving the way for more Malaysian investment in China. The plan envisions building high-speed railroads, roads and highways, energy

transmission and distributions networks, and fibre optic networks. Cities and ports along the route will be targeted for economic development. With that being said, the Malaysian and Chinese governments signed a five-year plan to strive for USD160 billion by 2017, by expanding trade, investment, tourism, education, financial and infrastructure projects. China is also expected to open up the ASEAN route of the Trans-Asian railway, in order to link up Southeast Asian countries as well as to allow goods to be sent in both directions: east to Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and other places; west to reach Central Asia. For Malaysia, the opportunities will come knocking. For starters, the TransAsian railway will be instrumental in expanding the economy and would present as a gateway to many countries especially ASEAN. Furthermore, the state of Sarawak, a region rich with resources and huge potential will be used as a cooperative platform for Chinese investors. In 2015, China’s Yunnan and Fujian Provinces signed letters of intent for friendly ties with Sarawak’s Corridor for Renewable Energy sector.

providing seed funding for the project, with an initial Chinese contribution of USD47 billion. The country has invited the international community of nations to take a major role as bank charter members and partners in the project. Members will be expected to contribute, with additional funding by international funds, including the World Bank, investments from private and public companies, and local governments. The vision here is to resurrect the ancient Silk Road as a modern transit, trade, and economic corridor that runs from Shanghai to Berlin. Traversing through countries including China, Mongolia, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany, extending more than 12,000 kilometres, this will create an economic zone which stretches to over one third the circumference of the earth. Building this will take decades, but if it aims at no less than a revolutionary change in the economic map of the world, one will have to be patient before the benefits can be reaped.

FUNDING THE DREAM In terms of financing this plan, in 2014, China announced the launch of an Asian International Infrastructure Bank (AIIB),

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Be A Wanderlust A country home to over 30 million citizens from a plethora of races and religion, the melting pot of cultures does not end there. A diverse country with a mix of Malays, Chinese, Indians, indigenous tribes and a growing number of expatriates, Malaysia also offers a great deal of variety in terms of its historic buildings, iconic skyscrapers, shopping havens, hipster coffee cafes, pristine beaches and islands, mountains and lush forests. With a minimum of two million tourists flocking into the country each month, there is always something to see, do or eat and it rings true to an old adage by English poet Rudyard Kipling who once said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.â&#x20AC;?

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Kuala Lumpur

Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bustling Metropolitan Capital PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS Once the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tallest building, this 88-storey skyscraper still remains the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tallest twin towers standing majestically at 452 metres from ground level. Each tower weighs 30,000 tonnes which is equivalent to the weight of over 40,000 elephants. The towers feature multi-faceted walls of 33,000 stainless steel and 55,000 glass panels. These specialised panels with light filtering and noise reduction properties provide a comfortable inner environment while stainless steel visors on the panels are provided to further protect visitors from the tropical sun. Officially opened to the public in 1999, the building which also houses a shopping mall, international offices and a science discovery centre attracts a minimum of 100,000 visitors on a daily basis. KL TOWER The KL Tower is the seventh tallest freestanding structure in the world and a meagre 31 metres shorter than the Petronas Twin Towers. Apart from housing a 360 degree-revolving restaurant, a theatre and an amphitheatre, the tower has a tropical rainforest aquarium which allows visitors to view fishes and other aquatic species swimming against a lush rainforest background. Furthermore, apart from being the tallest lookout point for a view of the city, the tower is annually used as an observatory by the government to view the formation of crescent moons that marks several celebrations including Eid in the Islamic calendar. Best of Malaysia

NATIONAL MONUMENT The National Monument pays homage to those who gave up their lives during the nation’s struggle against the threat of communism. Within its grounds is one of the world’s largest free-standing bronze sculptures. It was sculpted in 1966 by American sculptor Felix de Weldon, who was also the creator of the famous Iwo Jima monument in Washington DC. There are seven bronze human figures atop an oblong base with each figure denoting one of seven qualities: courage, leadership, sacrifice, strength, suffering, unity and vigilance. The topmost central figure holds the Malaysian flag. He is flanked on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a rifle and a bayonet.

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CENTRAL MARKET, CHINATOWN, LITTLE INDIA Formerly known as a wet market, Central Market is at present a cultural heritage site brimming with arts and craft stores, restaurants and a popular venue among tourists to buy souvenirs when visiting the city. Authentic Malaysian batik prints, sweet toffees known as ‘dodol’ and durian-infused coffee are regular items that can be found throughout the year at this place. Over a century old, the building’s decoration and stores often change in accordance with the many festivals celebrated in Malaysia. Located a stone throw’s away from Central Market is Chinatown. Based in Petaling Street, the place is also known as ‘Chee Cheong Kai’ (starch factory street) which is a reference to its roots as a former tapioca-

producing district. A bargain hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise, notable items on this street are Chinese herbs and imitation goods. As for Little India, the place holds a 35-foot fountain at the junction, an information kiosk and a three-storey Indian bazaar apart from other stores and stalls selling Indian clothing and sweets while blasting the streets with Bollywood music. The place, located in Brickfields, was created as a tribute to the early Indian settlements located within the city. BUKIT BINTANG A haven for night owls and shoppers alike, this entertainment district attracts people from all walks of life throughout the day. The streets are packed with malls which include a premier shopping mall that carries international brands such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce and Gabbana and

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Juicy Couture, an array of Middle Eastern restaurants and bars and nightclubs with live music scenes and rooftop locations that cater to both the young and old. NATIONAL MUSEUM The National Museum provides a holistic view of various periods within the Malaysian history and an appreciation of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diverse ethnic groups. Two years after independence in 1959, the government appointed an architect to design the proposed National Museum to be built on the ruins of the Selangor Museum which was destroyed by war bombings in 1945. The museum began construction in 1962 and on August 31, 1963, the building was finally completed. At present, the museum houses four main galleries which are split into the prehistoric era, Malay kingdoms, colonial eras and present-day Malaysia.

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Selangor

A Vibrant Industrial State BATU CAVES The site of several Hindu temples and shrines, Batu Caves is a limestone hill, discovered in 1892, that attracts almost a million devotees and tourists especially during the annual Hindu festival, Thaipusam. The site has three main caves and its main attraction is a large statue of Hindu God â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Muruganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the ground entrance before one chooses to climb 272 steps up the hill. The statue, which stands proud at 42.7 metres, is the tallest statue of a Hindu deity in Malaysia and the second tallest statue of a Hindu deity in the world. FIREFLY PARK, KUALA SELANGOR Housing one of the biggest firefly colonies in the country, this park allows visitors to go on scheduled tours once the sun sets in order to see thousands of fireflies in their natural habitat. The place also boasts that visitors will be able to see large numbers of fireflies moving in perfect synchrony making way for a magnificent picture. As such, each night there is a stream of electric motor boats that ferry tourists up along the Selangor River as silently as possible to listen to the spectacular harmony of these fireflies while viewing their luminous flashes of light.

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FRIM The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is one of the leading institutions in tropical forestry research in the world. The Institute, which was founded in 1929, sits on a 545-hectare site adjacent to the Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve in Kepong. Apart from being a research centre, the site offers visitors a chance to experience nature trails, waterfalls, a nature education centre, camping and picnic sites, botanic gardens and arboreta. One of its main attractions is its canopy walkway, spanning 150 metres and suspended 30 metres above ground.

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BROGA HILL Broga Hill, also known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lalang Hillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - after the local species of grass that grows abundantly here, is a hill in Semenyih, at 400 metres high. The hill is famed for its incredibly panoramic views of the plains, oil palm plantations, nearby villages and towns, distant mountains and mixture of lush rainforest. At dawn, mist rising from the ground can be seen enveloping the green landscape in a carpet of white, evoking a surreal atmosphere. A popular hiking spot among locals and tourists, it is easily accessible via foot, taking anywhere between 20 and 45

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minutes to reach its highest peak. There are three peaks in total, each one ascends above the other through a clear path fringed by tall grass at each side. From the summit, a proper jungle trail leads through primary rainforest to Tok Wan Mountain which stands at 675 metres, roughly one and a half hour hike on meandering slopes. NATIONAL ZOO Zoo Negara was officially opened in 1963 and has matured into a well-known zoo all around the world. It has over 5,137 specimens from 476 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The zoo covers 110 acres of land and over the years, it has transformed itself to an open concept zoo with over 90% of its animals being kept in spacious exhibits with landscape befitting its nature. A well-known exhibit at the zoo is the Giant Panda exhibit. On a 10-year loan from China, two pandas will make Malaysia its home for a period of 10 years. The arrival of these Chinese bears represent peace and a symbol of diplomatic relationship between both countries for 40 years. Apart from boosting the number of visitors to the zoo, the arrival of these pandas are also a great opportunity for the zoo to highlight the issue of endemic endangered animals and champion wildlife appreciation and conservation education. I-CITY SHAH ALAM A 72-acre ICT-based urban development consisting of residential homes, offices and hotels, this technology park is best visited at night. This is when the place comes alive with an amazing forest of man-made trees brightly illuminated with millions of colourful LED lights. The site also houses an indoor snow park which allows visitors to escape the Malaysian heat and experience a temperature of 5 degrees and below. The snow park has igloos, ice houses, slides, a mini-bobsled run, ice penguins and various other ice sculptures fully-illuminated by more LED lights.

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Pahang

A Land Of Hills And Valleys Cameron Highlands The country’s largest hill resort, the highland is a popular destination for lovely quaint little villages, butterfly parks, strawberry and honey bee farms, sprawling tea plantations or meals at the quintessentially Tudor-styled country inns. Situated 1,500 metres above sea level, temperatures vary often around 16 degrees and above which is considered chilly for local residents and a treat for foreigners who get to escape the sweltering heat of the lowlands. Apart from tea, strawberries and scones, the place is known for trekking and bird-watching. The tradition of having tea and scones dates back to the days English colonial officers used this place as a cool retreat during their occupation of Malaysia. Genting Highlands Dubbed the ‘city of entertainment’, the highlands is another cool retreat for many Malaysians. Attractions at this place include massive hotel chains and retail stores from the Genting Group which includes casinos, a winter wonderland, a video game park, a

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Ripley’s Believe or Not museum, a bowling centre, a movie theatre and an indoor theme park. Apart from capturing a scenic view of the cities below, Genting is a family retreat as it has activities for all. Tioman Island Pulau Tioman is an island off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, acclaimed as a geological wonder, ecological paradise and one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful travel destinations. The island enchants visitors with its warm beaches, lovely seas and lush rainforests. Budget and mid-range hotels provide quick accommodation at every village, but there are also luxury resorts nestled within private coves and beaches. A melting pot of cultures, the island attracts travellers throughout the year. As for its name, legend has it that the island got its name from a pet mynah called ‘Tiong’ by locals. It was an excellent singer that greatly entertained villagers and as it was a favourite, locals named the island after its passing, a portmanteau of ‘Tiong’ and ‘teman’ which translates to ‘friend’.

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Terengganu

A Bedazzling Hub Of Tropical Islands REDANG ISLAND The island is the first of Malaysian Marine Parks to have a Marine Park Centre. The centre was established in 1990 and located off the southern tip of the island near the state of Penang. The centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focal point is administration, management and providing facilities for marine research and education. As a marine park, impact from human activities are managed to protect the marine environment and to conserve its coral reefs. Fishing is not

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allowed within the 3.2 kilometre radius while collection of all marine life including shells and corals are strictly prohibited. Besides the centre, the island is a popular snorkelling destination due to its large number of fishes and other species. Trekking through island trails are probably one of the best ways to appreciate the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surroundings which includes its flora and fauna and touted to have turtles coming to the beaches during nesting periods throughout the year. Favourite

nesting spots on the island include Pasir Chagar Hutang, Pasir Mak Simpan, Pasir Mak Kepit, Pasir Bujang and Teluk Dalam. PERHENTIAN ISLANDS Perhentian is comprised of two islands named Pulau Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian Island) and Pulau Perhentian Besar (Large Perhentian Island). The Malay word ‘Perhentian’ is translated as “place to stop” and this is exactly what these two islands were for traders travelling between Malaysia and Bangkok in the past. The islands are no longer used for trade purposes but rather a place to disconnect and de-stress. Simple chalets and some moderately luxurious resorts line the picturesque beaches along with restaurants, dive centres and boat operators advertising their services with hand-painted signs. A mecca for scuba-diving, top spots are Tokong Laut (Temple of the Sea, also known as the Pinnacle) and the Sugar Wreck. Tokong Laut is a pointed rock protruding from the seabed, surrounded by all kinds of coral and home to numerous species of reef fish and other marine life. The Sugar Wreck is an eerie-looking sunken freight ship that lies at around 15-22 metres. Marine life is in abundance here and apart from the many species of hard and soft coral that form the backbone of these ecosystems, you can also expect to encounter turtles, several species of sharks, mackerel, jacks, moray eels, nudibranchs and various other reef fish.

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Perak

A Former Tin-Mining State Turned Cultural Region PANGKOR ISLAND Pangkor, derived from the Thai words ‘Pang Ko’ which translates to ‘beautiful island’, is a mountainous island with its highest point at 1,216 metres. As the island consists of just mountains, roads were built to encircle it. Apart from the obvious reason to trek or hike on this island, other notable activities include hornbill-feeding, kayaking, parasailing and snorkelling. For those with an interest in sitting back and relaxing as the cool breeze rushes across your face, boat trips around the bay and visiting the boat-building industries come highly recommended for both locals and tourists alike. KELLIE’S CASTLE Once infamously known as a hangout for teens skipping schools, the castle was meant to be a home away from home for Scotsman William Kellie Smith in the 20th century. Wishing to retain the charm of his home back in Scotland, William began construction of his home in 1915. However, the construction came to a halt when he died from pneumonia. Today, the Perak State Government has rescued this structure, a solitary building projecting a strong personality and layers of mystery apart from being touted as a haunted castle by locals, and turned it around

into a tourist attraction for those who wish to take a glimpse into the lives that lived there in the past. TAIPING ZOO AND NIGHT SAFARI Taiping Zoo is located in a lovely natural setting in Taiping Lake Gardens with streams, lakes and abundance of flora that gives the zoo a unique advantage of being able to use nature to its best. Amassing an area of 34 acres, the Taiping Zoo has embarked on an expansion programme which includes the building of new ‘Open Concept’ animal enclosures. Taiping Zoo is currently home to more than 180 species of animals totalling – 1,300. These include tigers, lions, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffes, hornbills, and orang utans. The Taiping Night Safari is a first of its kind in the country. Bathed in lighting similar to moonlight, the beauty and splendour of nature is enhanced and in an effort to maintain the experience of a natural environment, the Taiping Night Safari attempts to display nocturnal animals in natural looking settings. This provides the opportunity for visitors to appreciate and value the treasures of nature while enjoying oneself.

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Kedah

Best of Malaysia

Kedah

The Rice Bowl Of Malaysia LANGKAWI ISLAND Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of over 100 islands in the Andaman Sea. The islands are blessed with an intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends of ogres and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princesses, battles and romance. With a geological history dating back 500 million odd years, the islands contain unique rock formations that stir the imagination and baffle the mind. Numerous caves with their stunning stalactites and stalagmites taunt the adventurous to unravel their ancient secrets while its fine beaches offer sun-filled days of complete relaxation. The clear emerald

waters around the islands provide numerous opportunities for a host of water sports and recreational activities. The enchanting marine life beneath the waters of Langkawi’s islands also beckon diving enthusiasts. A dutyfree island, travellers who visit the place often come home with bags of chocolates and alcohol. SEVEN WELLS WATERFALL ‘Telaga Tujuh’ Waterfalls is billed as Langkawi’s most wonderful natural attraction. Set on its western headlands, its name means Seven Wells Waterfalls, referring to a series of seven connected natural pools fed by seven separate

waterfalls in Mount Mat Cincang. As with any old settings, the mystery surrounding this attraction belongs to fairies. Locals often say fairies come to these pools to bathe but it is probably the crystal-clear water and extensive range of plants and flowers that would entice visitors into thinking it is indeed a magical place. For the adrenaline junkies, a hike up the steep climb to the top of the waterfalls, past huge rocks and through the seven pools is well-worth the journey that will take you approximately 45 minutes and along the way one is likely to spot macaques, hornbills or giant squirrels.

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Penang

The Food Capital Of Malaysia KEK LOK SI TEMPLE A Buddhist temple situated in the town of Air Itam, the Kek Lok Si is one of the best known temples on the island. The construction of the temple began in 1893 while the seven storey main pagoda or the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas’ was completed in 1930. The pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown; reflecting the temple’s embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. In 2002, a 30.2-metre bronze statue of Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy, was completed and opened to public. The statue is located on the hillside above the pagoda. The temple consists of many prayer halls, pagodas, bell towers and just about every other typical temple structure you can think of, in varying styles from Burmese to Chinese to Thai. GEORGE TOWN The capital of Penang, the town is named after British King George III. In the past, the city with its English influences was predominantly used for trading and cultural exchanges between the East and the West in the Straits of Malacca. Today however, the city is home to over 500,000 inhabitants with a multicultural life and heritage buildings that can be seen peppered along the streets. Retaining its rustic British charm, the city was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008. This historic city has over 12,000 buildings comprising shophouses, churches, mosques, government offices and monuments. The core areas of the site encompass the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave and sites such as the Lebuh Acheh Malay mosque, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling mosque, Sri Mariamman Temple, Khoo Kongsi, St George’s Church, Assumption Church, St Xavier’s

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Institution, Convent Light Street, Little India, museums and court buildings, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and port areas. BATU FERINGGHI The allure of this spot is its beaches. Lose the concrete view of cities and head for some much needed sun, sand and beach; perfect for a weekend picnic getaway. Sinking into the cool clear waters at this paradise will not be an issue as bathing areas are often cordoned off by floating buoys to protect swimmers from speeding jetskis, banana boat rides and parasailing. Also, occasionally, dolphins can be seen swimming from one side of the island to the other side. At night, the scene changes as both locals and tourists often flock the night markets - perfect for bargain hunters and foodies alike.

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Malacca

A Historical State On The Straits Of Malacca JONKER’S STREET A street in the city’s Chinatown with many antiques, textile and handicraft stores as well as galleries, Jalan Hang Jebat, or Jonker’s Street as it is commonly known, is the street to go to if you intend to satiate hunger pangs with local cuisines or indulge in some clothing apparel or trinkets. Flanked on both sides of the road with heritage houses dating back to the 17th century, the street was home to Baba Nyonyas, also known as Peranakans, who were descendants of the 15th century Chinese immigrants who married local Malay women. Today, the street houses are mostly converted into stores selling a variety of things imaginable under the sun. On weekends, the street is closed to traffic and transforms into a very lively and crowded night market. Coming to life with a street party-like atmosphere, the place is a haven for those intending to spend without breaking the bank, enjoy the laidback vibe with live music and savour local dishes such as the ‘chicken rice ball’ dish, dim sums, fresh spring rolls or ‘bakchang’ which is sticky rice stuffed with pork and wrapped in bamboo leaves. ST PAUL’S HILL The Portuguese colonised Malacca for 130 years. As defence is of great importance in holding ground, a fort called A’Famosa was built overlooking

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the state’s river. Within the fort walls were housing and food stores, a castle, a meeting room for the Portuguese Council and five churches. A sevenmonth attack by the Dutch just about destroyed the entire fortress, leaving only the entrance facade and the structure of a church at the top of the hill. Today, this hill is a popular site for a simple morning or late afternoon stroll while reminiscing through the historical remnants of the site. The exteriors are mostly ruins and the white-washed church, dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle, will greet you as soon as you reach the top. RED SQUARE Also known as the Dutch Square, this attraction is hard to miss as the buildings are all painted in maroon colour that stands out amongst its surroundings. The former Dutch administration site consist of the Stadthuys building, a church, a fountain erected during the British colonisation and a clock tower paying homage to the population of Chinese settlers and in particularly to a local philanthropic businessman. A square looking to celebrate a carnival on any given day, the hustle and bustle will keep one on their toes at all times.

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Johor Bahru

Malaysia’s Southern Gateway LEGOLAND AND HELLO KITTY TOWN These amusement parks, named after the famed international toys, will deliver and keep your family, especially younger kids entertained for the whole day. Legoland, an amusement and water park dedicated solely to the infamous toy bricks lying around one’s house and being stepped on most often by adults, opened its door to the public in 2012 and is the first of its kind in Asia and the sixth such park built, worldwide. It is a family holiday destination with more than 70 handson rides, slides, shows and attractions.

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Meanwhile, a town for Sanrio’s iconic character ‘Hello Kitty’ that has been taking the world by storm since the 80s and quite recently was revealed not to be a cat but a Japanese-British third grader, is the place to be if one owns everything Kitty.

was included in the Malaysian Book of Records for its unique glass architecture in 2010. The temple has over 90% of glasswork as it is embellished by a mosaic of 300,000 pieces of red, blue, yellow, green, purple and white glass.

SRI RAJAKALIAMMAN GLASS TEMPLE Religious places of worships are often a place for self-reflection. At this temple, however, one is able to literally view their reflection with every step they take. The first and only Hindu glass temple in the country, the Sri Rajakaliamman temple

DANGA BAY This recreational avenue possesses a myriad of high end retail outlets and fine dining restaurants. It is considered the biggest recreation park in Johor Baru as there are many activities suitable for all ages. The Danga Park is suitable

for children while the bay area is a romantic spot for couples with top-notch restaurants with a breath-taking night view. For shoppers, there is Danga City Mall and after a day of shopping, there are plenty of premier luxury of budget hotels within the area to choose and stay in.

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Sabah

Blanketed By A Rug Of Trees And Mountains MOUNT KINABALU The mountain, called “Aki Nabalu” by the Kadazan Dusun tribe, is sacred to locals and thought to be the “revered abode of the dead”. Local tribes believe that spirits of their ancestors inhabit the top of the mountain. Standing majestically at 4,095m (13,435 feet above sea level), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. A World Heritage Site, it is well-known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species biodiversity with plants of Himalayan, Australasian, and Indomalayan origin. It is also blessed with beautiful sceneries while taking a climb up. SIPADAN ISLAND Located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, the island is one of the most beautiful scuba diving spots in the world. The only oceanic island in Malaysia, the huge pillar that forms the atoll functions as a shelter for many sea animals and fish. Furthermore, there are only a few places in the world that have such a concentration of sea turtles. It is almost impossible to list all the fish and other sea creatures that you might encounter underwater when diving at

Sipadan but among the species are schools of big-eye trevallies, many turtles, tornado-like formations of barracudas, schools of humphead parrotfishes, giant mantas and if lucky, hammerhead and white sharks. LABUK BAY PROBOSCIS MONKEY SANCTUARY For those wishing to get a glimpse of other primates apart from orang utans, the proboscis monkey is a treat to eyes with its large nose, webbed toes and pot bellies. In the centre of the mangrove forests of Semawang is the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where one can see Borneo’s indigenous proboscis monkeys. This privately-owned sanctuary located within an oil palm estate gives one the chance to observe these animals up close and personal. Apart from the monkeys, a night tour enables visitors to see wild boars, flying squirrels, fireflies and crocodiles.

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Sarawak

A Goldmine Of Nature And Wildlife Resources MULU NATIONAL PARK A national park located near the town of Miri and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses caves and karst formations all within a mountain setting. Over a thousand of years, the flow of water draining from the slopes of Mount Mulu towards the sea has sliced deep gorges through the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s limestone mountains and, within the rock itself, an intricate network of vast caves has been formed. Since 1978, these caves have been the focus for a succession of expeditions and a world of great beauty and mystery formed over thousands of years by the most elemental of forces the passage of water through rock. This world, the domain of caves, is a huge hit among explorers, researchers and geologists. MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE A wildlife refuge rehabilitation centre for endangered animals, predominantly orang utans, and the place trains animals who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity on surviving in

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the wild. Apart from orang utans, sun bears, deers, civet cats, sea eagles and hornbills are a common sight. Jungle trekking is also possible at this location. BAKO NATIONAL PARK This park packs a punch with its limited area. With its rainforest, abundant wildlife, jungle streams, waterfalls, interesting plant life, secluded beaches, panoramic rocky shoreline and extensive network of trekking trails, Bako offers visitors an excellent introduction to the rainforest and coastline of Borneo. Just slightly over 30 kilometres from Kuching, its accessibility and sheer range of attractions and activities have made Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak. Gazetted in 1957, it is Sarawakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest national park, covering an area of 2,727 hectares. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in the state, it remains one of the most interesting as it contains almost every type of vegetation found in Borneo.

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Perlis

A Hidden Gem Of A State KELAM CAVE It is called the ‘cave of darkness’ but this brightly-lit cave is a 370-metre long limestone cave over 30 kilometres from the state’s capital, Kangar. Formerly used as a pathway for tinmining activities within surrounding areas since World War 1, visitors can still find remnants of the tin mine operation within the cave. The only path to the cave is via an eight-foot wide wooden suspension bridge built by an Englishman in 1935. The place is also popular for its enchanting ‘cave walk’ where one can enter from one end of the cave and come out at a different location. AL HUSSAIN FLOATING MOSQUE Built next to the Kuala Perlis Jetty, the mosque’s structure extends over the Straits of Malacca, earning it the nickname of a floating mosque. A 50-metre bridge connects to the main prayer hall above the water and it was built at a cost of about RM12 million. Distinctive features at this religious place of worship are its twin hexagon minarets at 7.1 metres, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the world and Quranic verses carved on the walls with translations in English and Malay. When dusk falls, the minarets are lighted with different colours signalling a different prayer time and used by fishermen as a prayer time guide.

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Faith, Food and Festivities It is a common sight to see cars parked illegally by the side of Malaysian roads as it could mean one of the following: there is a mosque or temple nearby and it’s prayer time, there’s a food stall selling snacks or local delicacies or it just could simply mean someone could not find a proper parking spot and is about to get towed away by authorities sooner or later. But, in a strange and quirky way, the system works and we have learnt to accept this as the Malaysian way. OUR DIFFERENCES BRING US TOGETHER Malaysia has come a long way since its first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman chanted ‘Merdeka’ seven times at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on August 31st, 1957. The country broke free from the clutches of British administration since it entered the region in 1786. Today, comprising three main religions and an intriguing mix of race and culture, its people have learnt to work and live among one another despite being raised from varying backgrounds. LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR Islam is the official religion and the largest ethnic group are Malays who make up slightly over half of the 30-million strong population. The language spoken is Bahasa Malaysia or simply known as Malay, the country’s national language and spoken by a large majority if not all Malaysians. Simple phrases that can be used to initiate conversation includes: How are you? = Apa Khabar (pronounced as a-pah car-bah) Thank you = Terima Kasih (pronounced as te-ri-mah car-say) Good morning = Selamat Pagi (pronounced se-lah-mutt pah-gee) The country also celebrates major festivals observed by the Muslim community and the most prominent celebrations are

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Eid or Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hajj celebration day and Prophet Muhammad’s birthday which are all national holidays. Hari Raya which is celebrated after Muslims fast for one month during Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar), is ushered in with prayers, food and firecrackers with family and friends. A common tradition in the country is ‘open houses’. Not to be confused with the western definition of a realtor showing a property to interested individuals, the Malaysian definition of the phrase refers to people ‘opening their houses’ to friends and families to visit, mingle and celebrate a particular festivity. If unfamiliar to the concept, there are plenty of ministries and government bodies that organise public open houses and it is often a place for both locals and tourists to attend and soak in the celebrations. However, once invited to a person’s house, it is a common Asian thing to leave your shoes outside the house as most do not wear their footwear inside. This has nothing to do with religion but rather a form of maintaining a clean and tidy home. A COUNTRY THAT LOVES TO EAT If something goes well with holidays, it’s the food. Malaysians are huge fans of spicy food and the Malay cuisine is no different. A food nation that loves its rice, the most famous Malay dish and touted as the country’s national food is ‘Nasi Lemak’. Do not be fooled by its literal translation which means ‘rice fat’. The coconut milk-infused rice that comes with spicy ‘sambal’ (hot sauce), fried anchovies, sliced cucumbers, a boiled egg and peanuts will have one’s mouth salivating just by its sheer sight. Other popular dishes are satay (meat skewers that are grilled over a pit of charcoal fire and eaten with peanut sauce), ‘roti canai’ (a flatbread often eaten with fish or chicken curry) and curry puffs (puff pastries filled with baked potatoes or meat). CHEONGSAMS AND CHOPSTICKS The second largest ethnic group in the country is the Chinese. Having entered the country through diplomatic relations and wanting to earn a living, predominantly at tin mines, today, Malaysia is home to almost 30% of the race. Most Malaysian Chinese are Mandarin literate with vernacular schools in the country using it as the medium of instruction but many are well-versed in other dialects which include Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka and Teochew. The majority of the race are Buddhists who celebrate Chinese New Year and Wesak Day among its more notable festivities. During Chinese New Year, common sights are lion dances with firecrackers, both those celebrating and not celebrating dress in their finest traditional attire known as cheongsams and present red envelopes containing money known as ‘angpow’ packets, usually given to children and unmarried adults by family members.

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When it comes to food, stir-fried rice noodles in a wok known as ‘Char Kway Teow’ is a known favourite Malaysian Chinese dish. The dish is usually a mix of chives, egg, prawns or slices of chicken fried with a little soy and fish sauce. Hainanese chicken rice, yong tau foo (pieces of tofu or vegetables filled with fish paste) and wonton noodles are other favourites. EAT WITH YOUR HANDS Yes, that’s right. Forgo the fork and spoon, wash your hands and dig in. This is the best way to enjoy an Indian meal served on a banana leaf. The reason for using your hands dates back to ancient customs as it is believed that the joining of all fingers while eating improves our consciousness of the taste of the food we eat. As for the meal itself, it usually consists of white rice, a meat or lentil curry dish accompanied by a slew of vegetables, pickles and pappadum. Apart from that, other Malaysian Indian favourites are ‘thosai’ (fermented crepe made from rice batter eaten with curry) and ‘vadai’ which are fried lentilfilled savoury doughnuts. Indians make up almost 10% of this country’s population. Entering the country to work at rubber estate plantations during the early years, today, many hold high-paying jobs and posts both within the government and private sectors. Mostly descendants from the south of India, the majority speak Tamil apart from Malayalam, Telugu or Hindi. While most are Hindus, there are also those who embrace other religions. Hindus celebrate Deepavali, the festival of lights and how good triumphed over evil, each year by going to the temple, also having ‘open houses’, baking traditional Indian cookies and creating a ruckus with firecrackers. PEOPLE OF THE LAND Malaysia has its fair share of indigenous tribes. This includes tribes such as Kadazan-Dusun, Bidayuh, Dayak,

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Bajau, Murut and Iban. Historically the natives or better known as Orang Asli, regardless of their tribe, kept to themselves. However, in order to survive, communication with the outside world was still of importance. As such, those living in remote areas often traded with those living outside the forests for items such as salt, knives or weaponry not possible to make with things found in a jungle. In the past, most were animists and prayed to trees, plants or various other objects believing in the presence of spirits in them. But, as time progressed, a huge number embraced monotheistic religions such as Islam and Christianity due to missionary presence and state-sponsored programmes. These tribes often celebrate harvest festivals which are state holidays or celebrations as per their faith. A UNITED FRONT If one were to take a walk on Piccadilly Street in London, chances of bumping into a non-Caucasian is relatively high. This shows how far nations have come in having a diverse crowd all living under one roof. The case is no different with

Malaysia. Apart from the races and religions mentioned, the country also has a significant number of Sikhs and NyonyaPeranakans. Christianity together with Christmas are also given importance with the country receiving a public holiday for the day. Furthermore, apart from generally being bilinguals or trilingual the very least, English is considered second language to most and increasingly the first language for those in urban areas. Taught at government schools as a standalone subject, English language is taken seriously in the country where funds were even allocated for a Dual Language Programme in the 2016 national budget. This is a pilot project allowing 300 primary schools the option to teach subjects such as Science and Mathematics in English. To end on a lighter note, with 24-hour eatery outlets peppered throughout the country, it does come across to outsiders that all we Malaysians do is eat and enjoy our public holidays. Perhaps to the oblivious, we do. But, as the saying goes, we work hard and play hard too.

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Datuk Lee Chong Wei

Datuk Zang Toi

Pandelela Rinong

Malaysian Icons Malaysia may be a small country but there is a growing stream of ordinary Malaysians who have become extraordinary heroes for the country and its people, ultimately placing the country on a global pedestal. They come from various settings and backgrounds including from smalltown badminton courts, American film studios or fashion runways in Milan. But, as presenters announce their arrivals onto these arenas, the name of a Malaysian who has succeeded on a worldwide scale is truly an achievement only reserved to some. Here, we take a look at six of those icons who have made both the country and its citizens proud. DATUK LEE CHONG WEI Datuk Lee Chong Wei is a Malaysian Chinese professional badminton player. He was ranked first worldwide between 21 August 2008 and 14 June 2012. He is the only Malaysian shuttler to hold the number one ranking for more than a year. Chong Wei is a silver medallist in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, making him the sixth Malaysian to win an Olympic medal and the first Malaysian to reach the finals in the men’s singles event. A treasured gem to the Malaysian sports industry, in 2015, Chong Wei won three Super Series titles which were the French Open, China Open and the Hong Kong Open. As of January 2016, he is ranked second worldwide and now aged 34, he is married with two sons, intermittently coaches other badminton players, is UNICEF Malaysia’s National Ambassador and published an autobiography in 2012.

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DATUK ZANG TOI Fashion icon Datuk Zang Toi is a renowned fashion designer. Zang was born and raised in a small village in the state of Kelantan and was the youngest of seven children of a local grocer. But that did not stop his dreams of achieving big in the fashion industry. At the age of 20, he got himself to New York and enrolled into the distinguished Parsons School of Design. His hard work and determination soon paid off when he opened an atelier in the United States and a year later, Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour featured his collection in the March 1990 issue. During the same year, he was awarded the Mouton Cadet Young Designer of the Year which highlights top US designers. His clientele includes Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, Kirstie Alley, Patti LaBelle, Gong Li, Eva Longoria, Bill Gates’s wife Melinda and Saudi Princess Haifa Bandar Al-Saud. PANDELELA RINONG She is the first Malaysian female athlete to win a medal at the Olympics. But don’t be fooled as this Sarawakian diver is only 23 years old. A sports science student at the Bukit Jalil Sports School in Malaysia, her most coveted win came in 2012 when she bagged the bronze medal for the 10-metre diving event at the Summer Olympics in London. Her first international event was the International Swimming Federation (FINA) Diving World Cup in Beijing in 2008 where she finished sixth out of 24 and earned a spot in the 2008 summer Olympics. A fan of Korean pop music, the youngster has grown over the years and is definitely on track for greater achievements.

In July 2015, she made history when she became the first Malaysian to finish on the podium in an individual event in the World Aquatics Championships. She took home a bronze medal in the women’s 10-metre platform individual discipline in the event held in Kazan, Russia. With that win, Pandelela has become the first Malaysian athlete to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil. JAMES WAN If you are a horror fan, his name should be ringing bells. But, not many know that the man responsible behind the ‘Saw’ film franchise, director of ‘The Conjuring’, ‘Insidious’, ‘Death Sentence’ and ‘Fast and Furious 7’ is actually a 39-year-old Sarawakian lad from the town of Kuching. Apart from directing, the man of many tricks is also a prominent horror film scriptwriter and has written several of the ‘Saw’ films apart from being a producer for movies including ‘Annabelle’, ‘Mortal Kombat’ and quite recently being announced as the director for ‘The Conjuring 2’ and DC fictional superhero flick ‘Aquaman’. He may have left the country at a young age to pursue his education in Australia and currently resides in Los Angeles, albeit having an Australian citizenship. But, to many, he is still a Malaysian at heart. TAN SRI TONY FERNANDES He turned a government-linked commercial airline into a highly successful budget airline. One year after his takeover, the company cleared its debts and was recognised as a strong industry player. This was all made possible by none other than the man responsible for AirAsia’s

tagline “Now Everyone Can Fly”. Apart from AirAsia, Fernandes is also the founder of Caterham F1 Formula One, chairman of London football club Queens Park Rangers and the proprietor of Tune Hotels, a budget boutique chain of hotels located in cities within Malaysia, United Kingdom, Australia, India and Indonesia. As of 2015, Forbes Asia’s Malaysia’s Richest valued Fernandes’ net worth at USD530 million, ranking him 33rd on the list. YUNA She may have a law degree but Yunalis Mat Zara’ai’s passion is to sing, write songs and become a fully-fledged entrepreneur. She began composing music at the age of 14 and went on to perform her own songs when she was 19. Since 2006, she has performed in numerous acoustic shows and events throughout Malaysia. Yuna is currently signed with the Verve Music Group with Grammy-winning producer David Foster heading the creative operations. In 2012, her single “Live Your Life”, produced by Pharrell Williams debuted on iTunes and she was recognised with a National Youth Icon Award by the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri NajibRazak. In June 2015, she was appointed as Malaysia’s tourism adviser to boost tourist arrivals in the country alongside other Malaysian icons Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Datuk Jimmy Choo.

DATUK DR MAZLAN OTHMAN The country’s first Malaysian astrophysicist and the former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, she also pushed for space science to be part of the school curriculum in 1990 and established the National Planetarium in 1986. She oversaw the formation of the Malaysian National Space Agency apart from leading it, which played an important role in sending the country’s first Malaysian astronaut, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, to space. She is also the creative mastermind behind the National Microsatellite Programme and the Langkawi National Observatory. In 2013, the 65-year-old received the Polarstar Award from the Austrian Space Forum for her engagement in space discussions. DATUK A. SAMAD SAID Having started out as an office clerk and later as a writer with several Malaysian Malay language dailies, Samad eventually got the opportunity to do what he did best – authoring poems and short stories. Today, he is a renowned poet and novelist having been awarded with the Malaysian National Laureate for his continuous contributions to Malay literature. In 1976, he was also named a ‘Literary Exponent’ by the Malay literature community and shortly after was awarded with the Southeast Asia Write Award. His poem, “The Dead Crow” was translated into the English language and included in the Malaysian lower secondary school English literature curriculum between 2000 and 2009.

Datuk A. Samad Said Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman

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James Wan

Tan Sri Tony Fernandes

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Yuna

In With The New Malaysia is a key node in ASEANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bustling markets with its matured and intricate network of airports, roads, railways, highways and ports. Apart from being strategically-placed on the world map and owning world-class infrastructures, there are other factors that need to be considered in order to achieve its goal of becoming a highincome developed nation in the next four years. This includes maintaining and stepping up in areas such as cost competitiveness, political stability, talent availability, a mature legal judiciary and a pro-business government. Fully aware of the tide of interest flowing towards Asia, - the government of Malaysia - is however making sure and aiming to redouble efforts to expand Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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presence, both on a national and international scale. MOVING FORWARD Today, many global businesses are considering Malaysia as its location for regional operations and expansion strategies. The reason for it is an emerging market, liberal policies, government privatisations and quite recently the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and Malaysia joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). In addition, this is all possible through three key factors that will drive the country further. This is its pool of growing talent, 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) categorised into industries

listed under the ETP and ultimately a government that is determined to help companies bank in on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique investment opportunities. A DIVERSED AND TALENTED RECRUITMENT HUB If you are looking to tap into the local talent, there is a pool of some 3.19 million experienced Malaysian professionals spread across various industries in the country. Malaysia also has a distinct advantage over its regional peers, with its large base of relatively young and well-educated talent. Literacy rates in Malaysia have reached nearly 93%. More than 50% of graduates from higher education institutes have studied in the fields of social science, business and law or science, mathematics and computer studies.

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With over 40 local universities supplying an approximate 110,000 graduates each year, the government estimates to generate over 3.3 million jobs by 2020 and over 60% of these jobs will be between the middle and high-income bracket. However, multinational companies who wish to bring in their own industry experts need not break a sweat as the government is keen on promoting the sharing of knowledge and technology between foreign experts and the local talent pool as this constant exchange of ideas will ultimately create a more dynamic work environment.

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Due to Malaysia’s colonial past and multiracial demography, most of its citizens are multilingual — fluent in English and other languages, such as Bahasa Melayu and various Chinese or Indian dialects which leads to a workforce that has a diverse set of communication skills and are able to cater to a larger group of people due to their ability to comprehend several languages. As for ensuring that efforts are well on track to bring in the best into the country, the Malaysian Prime Minister launched the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) in 2014 with the aim of streamlining and enhancing immigration service

delivery for expatriate talent, especially those with expertise required by priority sectors spearheading Malaysia’s economic transformation. Executed through a joint cooperation between the Home Affairs Ministry, Immigration Department and TalentCorp which is the government’s think tank to formulate and facilitate initiatives that address the availability of talent, the ESD acts as a one–stop centre for expatriates and provides a single channel for expatriates or companies to submit all expatriate-related immigration matters via an integrated data platform.

At the end of the day, Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, languages and backgrounds. This diversity has provided it with a competitive advantage to nurture, attract and retain world-class talent. As a result, investors have access to a highly educated and multilingual talent pool. SCALING NEW HEIGHTS Taking a glimpse at Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, it was an agrarian economy during independence in 1957 and then it moved into a more commodity-based economy. Agriculture is one of the 12 national key industries identified under the ETP. But, in order to expand its horizon, the manufacturing arm has been given more importance. Through a slew of incentives and as evidenced by the establishment of more oleo chemical refineries, it is looking to produce more downstream products. Apart from agriculture, other industries in the ETP include oil, gas and energy, business services, education, agriculture and financial services. In terms of business services, Malaysia is a preferred direction for international companies. As of early 2016, the country is ranked third by A.T. Kearneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global Services Location Index. In 2012, it was reported that over 5,000 foreign companies from more than 40 countries are operating in Malaysia.

However, in order to build resilience within the Malaysian economy, through these key industries, the government is committed to ensure the government debt is below the 55% threshold and maintaining a fiscal deficit below 6%. The deficit as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 was 3.4% compared with 6.4% in 2009, with public debt at 53.7% of GDP as at end of June 2015. A PRO-BUSINESS GOVERNMENT Malaysia has become highly efficient and the good news today is that we have been able to improve the ease of doing business. It is very easy to do business in Malaysia. The World Bank assessed Malaysia in 2009 at number 23. As of early 2016, the country stands at the 18th rung. Change and transformation is inevitable. However, in order to keep track with other countries, new technologies and trends, Malaysia will be able to adapt quickly to changes that are happening if among other factors, the government is fiscally prudent and it brings in all fiscal reforms, securing its spot as an optimal hub for multinational companies in Asia and maintaining a growing talent pool.

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Property Development 110

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Chapter 1 Best of Malaysia

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Malaysia’s Booming Property Market

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital and home to almost two million people which include a significant number of expats is a city to keep an eye on. This comes after a recent report unveiled that the country’s real estate offers many property-related opportunities to both local and international developers and institutional investors. Independent global property consultancy firm, Knight Frank, in its ‘Global Cities: The 2016 Report’ revealed that Kuala Lumpur is one of five cities to watch in having the capacity to become a global city of the future alongside Bangkok, Dubai, Moscow and Nairobi. These cities are on the ‘Watch List’, a new section of Knight Frank’s report which examines the market performance of 20 global cities of which 10 are located in the Asia Pacific region.

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Kuala Lumpur made the list due to its infrastructure investment being key to the city’s future growth. Malaysia Property Inc (MPI), a Malaysian government initiative under the Economic Planning Unit, reported that Knight Frank Malaysia’s Managing Director, Sarkunan Subramaniam said, “Future improvements in urban mobility such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in Malaysia is expected to revitalise the economic, business and social activities within the city centre while countering the pace of office decentralisation. There will be renewed interest in the city to live and work and also as a destination for entertainment and tourism.” He also said, “The impending entry of upscale hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Fairmont, Kempinksi and Jumeirah in the

city will further catapult Malaysia further into the global tourism market.” He added that there were several familyowned businesses especially from the Middle East looking out for hotel chains varying from budget to luxury hotels as new investments. Malaysia is placed on the 10th spot out of 14 cities in Asia with 9 kilometres of metro lines provided to every million residents, compared with Seoul which tops the chart at 40 kilometres per one million residents. With new infrastructure and residential and commercial building around the LRT and MRT stations, many new and exciting developments can be anticipated.

office supply is mostly sited within masterplanned developments such as Medini Business District, Medini Central, Iskandar Waterfront District, Iskandar Financial District and Sunway Iskandar.

Sarkunan’s comments are corroborated in the 2016 report as the Malaysian capital is evidently becoming the centre of a rapidly expanding rail network.

KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE HIGH SPEED RAIL (HSR) Apart from the MRT, the report states that the much anticipated HSR will also promote real estate opportunities. The report states, “Real estate opportunities are abundant along the route, and successful implementation will promote more development activities in the urban centres of Seremban, Melaka and Johor, as well as along the coastal corridor of Malaysia. The HSR project is also key to the proposed 495-acre Bandar Malaysia project which involves the redevelopment of the old airport at Sungai Besi, in Kuala Lumpur’s city fringe. The urban mixed-use development will house the HSR terminus and be integrated with the MRT Line, helping to transform the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley region into a world-class metropolis.” HSR is looking to shorten travel time to 90 minutes between KL and Singapore and expected to be completed in the next four years.

Another notable development is the Damansara City Project which is a prime example of owners developing and refurbishing their current properties to become more attractive to tenants. Several new buildings operating on pre-lease tenancy had shown a very healthy 95% occupancy rate. In Johor, where much of the property focus is centred on Iskandar Malaysia, global real estate services provider Savills, in its May 2015 property market overview, stated that overall occupancy rate averages 73% across Iskandar Malaysia, with only a few well-located office building that manage to achieve higher than 85%, such as Menara MSC Cyberport, JB City Square Office Tower, Menara TJB, Menara Ansar and Menara Landmark. Menara Landmark is located within an integrated development that consists of four levels of medical suites as well as the Doubletree by Hilton. As of May 2015, rental rates for prime office space in Johor Bahru City Centre are ranging between RM2.50 per square feet and RM3.50 per square feet per month. Future

MPI also reported that Knight Frank Malaysia’s Capital Markets Executive Director, James Buckley said that they were seeing foreign buyers from Japan, Singapore, the Middle East, Indonesia and China enter the market ‘hunting’ for opportunities in Malaysia, particularly in Kuala Lumpur. He said investors were attracted to the relative ease of transacting in Malaysia, the favourable foreign ownership rules relative to other Southeast Asian markets and the weakness of the Malaysian ringgit against the US Dollar. Globally, cities will continue to grow. As more and more people work and live in the city, space will be scarce and property value will increase. But, the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), which is under the purview of Malaysia’s Finance Ministry has predicted that the year 2016 will see the property sector enduring these challenging periods with adjustments and corrections expected from both the demand and supply side. Although the property sector may see moderation in market activity, the slowdown would still be manageable more so with several infrastructure projects including public transport networks proving to be game-changers that would help boost values in areas where the networks run.

Both the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore had, in 2013, jointly announced the Southern Corridor HSR project. At the same forum, the following year, the leaders had confirmed Malaysia’s terminal location in Bandar Malaysia and three possible terminal locations in Singapore, being Tuas West, Jurong East and City Centre.

OFFICE PROPERTY MARKET The Kuala Lumpur perspective is of the view that the office market, with its upcoming supply of good quality dualcompliant space available at competitive rates, may see improved demand from multinational corporations when the HSR becomes operational.

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REHDA is an association of real estate and housing developers founded in 1970. It is recognised as the leading representative body for private property developers in Malaysia. REHDA is highly regarded by the public and private sectors as a non-government organisation (NGO) for its commitment to nation building and betterment of life through sustainable property development.

Advocacy

Facilities available for rent @ WISMA REHDA

REHDA - A ‘Responsive, Respected, Responsible, Relevant’ NGO For inquires, kindly contact REHDA Secretariat at: 03-78032978 secretariat@rehda.com www.rehda.com

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Together with our 11 Branches, we actively engage the Federal and State governments and their relevant agencies in channelling members’ feedback and advocating better policies and providing problem resolution in various areas and matters related to the property industry.

Governance We actively encourage best practices among member developers through regularly organised seminars and published literature, keeping members informed of the latest developments in the industry.

Industry Networking We create opportunities for interaction among members, industry partners and government agencies through several industry-wide events within the year to enhance information sharing and build rapport.

Contributions to the Industry Through REHDA’s initiative and leadership, the housing and property industry in Malaysia has grown and matured over the years, delivering over 4 million units of housing to date. Through housing development activities, REHDA members contribute in excess of RM20 billion annually to Malaysia’s GDP impacting at least 140 upstream and downstream industries, to emerge as one of the key contributors to the socioeconomic goals of the nation.

REHDA Institute Set up as the research, education and training arm for REHDA Malaysia, REHDA Institute was launched on 12 July 2004 by the then Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi to support the activities of the Association. It was specifically created to address the need to train up high calibre industry players at all levels and bridge the knowledge gap in this dynamic and ever-advancing housing sector. www.rehdainstitute.com

GreenRE Sdn Bhd GreenRE (Green Real Estate) is the leading green building certification tool developed locally by the industry for the industry in Malaysia. It was established by REHDA Malaysia back in 2013 as an independent alternative green building certification tool to provide competitive choices for property developers to certify their buildings as green. Since then, our prestigious GreenRE logo has been the hallmark symbol for buildings nationwide that promotes sustainable and liveable built environment. www.greenre.org

fair of the nation, the Malaysian Property Expo or ‘MAPEX’, several times a year. Since its inception in 1998, MAPEX continues to be the largest one-stop showcase for house buyers featuring the latest in housing and property. MAPEX offers an unparalleled sales opportunity for those involved in the real estate industry as well as allied industries to showcase their products and services to interested audience of homebuyers and property investors. The exposition is well established as a convenient one-stop centre on property purchase and provides an incredible opportunity for participants to: • market directly to potential property buyers • meet interested investors • showcase latest products and services • establish networking • increase media exposure • brand building www.mapex.com.my

Malaysian Property Exposition (MAPEX) REHDA Malaysia and its Branches host the most renowned and longest running property

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A Robust and Highly Competitive Market

The construction sector has not seen busier days than this. The 11th Malaysia Plan unveiled last year reaffirms the strong and sturdy number of construction jobs to be generated till 2020. Last year, Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Research report stated that four major infrastructure projects with a total value of RM80 billion have been recorded and if the contracts are rolled out according to plan, there will be a continuous and strong job flow. This is expected to be driven from new tenders in public transport, oil and gas downstream infrastructure and water-related jobs. The Klang Valley Light Railway Transit Line 3 (KVLRT 3) rail project, Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Line 2, Gemas-JB electrified double track rail project and the Pan Borneo Highway Sarawak are some of the projects involved. Rail-related construction jobs are already set to be aplenty. This will come as a major significance to the Malaysian economy as it is estimated that construction accounts for 9.5% of Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total registered workforce. The construction sector in Malaysia is estimated to contribute about 5.5% or RM36.3 billion to the Malaysian economy, with strong forward and backward linkages and more than 100 types of businesses which are related to the construction industry. An important gear in the Malaysian economy, construction is playing a pivotal role in the transformation, industrialisation and

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urbanisation process of Malaysia from developing nation status to developed nation status as imagined in Vision 2020. Vision 2020 has created the environment for development of the sector. It has enhanced the growth and scope of the sector by execution of large scale advanced and modern infrastructure projects. Today, the Malaysian construction industry is more advanced, modernised and well-equipped. It has a potential to deliver complex heavy infrastructure and skyscraper projects by using highly sophisticated mechanised techniques. This has resulted in rapid execution of many projects like high rise commercial and industrial buildings, highways, expressways, bridges and tunnels, housing schemes, schools and hospitals and sports and spa centres, monorail and power plants. The expansion of

tourism and manufacturing sectors has also been playing an effective role to maintain growth momentum of the construction industry. Some of the major projects that were completed by the Malaysian construction industry are the world tallest twin towers, Petronas Twin Towers, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), klia2, the North-South Expressway, Penang Bridge, Storm-water management and road tunnels, Commonwealth Games Village and several other projects. But, as Malaysia moves rapidly towards achieving the Vision, the government will have to take strong measures to uplift its economy including the construction sector as it is vital and essential for infrastructure development and has strong positive correlation with the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (CITP) The CITP blueprint was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last year and is spearheaded by the Works Ministry and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). In 2015, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was quoted as saying that part of attaining Vision 2020 included having CIDB achieve Malaysia’s national agenda to transform the construction industry through the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) which was launched last year. CITP is a comprehensive implementation plan which encompasses 18 initiatives, from four strategic thrusts namely Quality, Safety and Professionalism (QSP), Environment Sustainability, Productivity and Internationalisation. The four thrusts focus on ingraining quality, safety and professionalism into the industry; ensuring

environmental sustainability measures are in place at the design, construction and subsequent maintenance of buildings, cities and infrastructure; raising overall productivity level of the industry; and, focusing on improving the competitiveness and subsequent ability of construction players to internationalise. Besides the four thrusts, CITP will also be pushing for the adoption of the quality assessment system in construction to measure the quality of workmanship in the industry, reduce accidents and fatalities in the industry, reduce the reliance on foreign labour and strengthen Malaysian companies to compete with international players.

construction industry will help accelerate social and economic development and fight against poverty and unemployment. It also has multiple links with other sectors of economy, therefore, it is considered a driver of economic growth especially in developing economies like India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia. Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the sector recorded a growth of 11.1% and as such is expected to continue growing by double-digits moving forward.

With all these projects and programmes in place, the construction sector thus has a great impact not only on the country’s economic status but as well as socioeconomic development. A key sector that governs the lion’s share of financial resources of any economy and can play a role as a stepping stone towards improved social well-being in the country, the

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Swissma Building Technologies Sdn. Bhd. Total Solution Provider in Roofing and Wall Cladding

Swissma’s office and factory located in Seksyen 15, Shah Alam

Swissma Building Technologies Sdn Bhd was established with the expertise of European master-craftsmen and incorporation of European technologies, poised in providing high-end premium roofing and wall cladding system in Malaysia. Swissma together with its partners Sanko Metal Industries Co. Ltd (Japan) and Nippon Steel & Sumikin Bussan Corporation (Japan) provides total solution for roofing and wall cladding in terms of design, fabrication and installation. Swissma’s Sanko range of metal roof has a proven track record in Malaysia since 1974, supplying

long length metal roofs to industrial buildings owned by foreign direct investors such as Intel, Infineon, First Solar and B. Braun just to name a few. Swissma’s total solutions are able to cater to all design requirements including buildings of three dimensional shapes, industrial buildings that require long length metal roof installation, residential homes, airports, institutional and commercial buildings. Their forte is the ability to provide value engineering to meet both technical and budgetary requirements.

Hartalega Factory in Sepang, Selangor

Lexis Hibiscus Resort in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan

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Auditorium Cempaka Sari in Putrajaya

The company’s core value in delivering quality products and solutions are evident in them utilizing only premium quality materials such as Clean COLORBOND®, ZINCALUME®, Pure Titanium, Titanium Zinc, Copper, Aluminium and Stainless Steel. Swissma’s vision is to be the leading Global Provider in Total Roofing and Cladding Solution. They have exported their products to Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, Gabon and Sudan. They are the first company in Malaysia to secure FM (Factory Mutual) approval for metal deck roof. FM Approvals is an international company conducting in thirdparty testing and certification services, emphasizing on testing loss prevention products and services that applies to both commercial and industrial infrastructures. Recently, Swissma has been awarded The BrandLaureate BESTBRANDS Award 2015-

Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

2016 – President’s Award in Manufacturing Steel Roofing in recognition of its quality products and services.

Awards The BrandLaureate BESTBRANDS Award 2015-2016, President’s Award in Manufacturing Steel Roofing

SWISSMA BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD. (444319-T) Lot. 194, Jalan Utas (15/7), Shah Alam Industrial Estate, P.O. Box 7053, 40700 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: +603 5519 1360 Fax: +603 5510 1362 Email: enquiry@swissma.com www.swissma.com

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GDex New logo as in 2008 C100 M90 Y10 K60

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GD Express Malaysia’s Premier Express Carrier Company A Growing Player Within Asean

GD Express (GDEX), an express delivery and logistic services company with over 19 years of industrial experience is most definitely emerging as a formidable competitor within the industry. It may have come from humble beginnings but as it charts higher growth and gains significant market acceptance, the company is keen on boosting its presence within the e-commerce industry, securing its reputation as a growing industry player within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region and stamping its mark within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Joining the AEC, an economic bloc that allows free trade and movement of goods and services for a market size of 600 million, may not be an arduous task. As of January 2016, the company amassed a total market capitalisation worth RM2.17 billion. Cementing it reputation as a prominent express delivery company, GDEX has clearly proven that it is here to stay. BENCHMARKING WITH THE BEST Having a consistent and exponential growth since 2000, it was only natural for GDEX to strengthen ties with foreign express carriers to offer delivery services to over 212 countries worldwide, boasting a 67,000 square feet central all-weather clearing hub in Petaling Jaya, an integrated hub management system linked with 193 stations nationwide, a comprehensive

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security surveillance system, more than 600 delivery vans and trucks, a state-of-the-art IT system, a 105, 726 square feet packaging and warehouse complex, customised storage and bulk-handling equipment and a staff base of over 2,800 employees. As for its services, GDEX offers both domestic and international express deliveries, customised logistic solutions apart from comprehensive logistic services, enhanced liability coverage for shipping valuable items and four versions of GDEX prepaid products that offers hassle-free shipping with a flat rate price. GAINING RECOGNITION GDEX was listed on ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia in 2005 and transferred to the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in 2013. As of January 2016, the company welcomed Yamato Holdings as a new shareholder. Yamato, a Tokyo stock exchange listed company, is Japan’s top parcel delivery company with a 45.4% market share in 2015. Yamato has emerged as the second largest shareholder of GDEX, followed by Singapore Post Ltd. The company’s sheer dedication, excellent work ethics and a steady improvement led to it bagging the Frost & Sullivan Malaysia Excellence Awards - Domestic Express Service Provider of the Year for the Private Sector for three consecutive years between

2013 and 2015. The award was conferred in recognition and honour for outstanding industry achievements. The achievements were based on an evaluation study carried out by Frost & Sullivan to recognise companies and individuals that have pushed the boundaries of excellence – rising above the competition and demonstrating outstanding performance in the Malaysian market. RIDING THE TREND The demand for express delivery services is a growing trend from various segments including business to business (B2B),

business to consumer (B2C) and consumer to consumer (C2C). B2C, or more commonly known as e-commerce delivery, has been steadily growing in the past few years as a result of the emergence of key e-commerce players in Malaysia. With the global economic outlook looking to improve, the sharp spike in e-commerce worldwide and the emergence of the AEC bodes well for the express delivery industry. Having proven to run an organisation that works well as a team, GDEX is continuously exploring growth opportunities, both organic and inorganic, to fuel its growth trend. CLIMBING THE GROWTH LADDER The company reported a healthy set of results in financial year 2015, with revenue growing by 24% and net profit up by 21% due to a strong demand for its service. Having established operations in Malaysia, Singapore and business collaboration with PT Pos Indonesia, GDEX is looking at creating more presence in other ASEAN countries, as part of its expansion plan into Southeast Asia. The strong growth in demand for express delivery services also prompted the company to invest up to millions in capital expenditures to increase its resources in all areas of operations, particularly in systems and processes, infrastructure, warehousing, vehicles and manpower.

SEIZING REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES E-commerce is yet to make a steady appearance or impact in ASEAN countries including Malaysia. The bottleneck issue stems from the connectivity of logistics and last mile delivery. However, with a solid foundation and strengthening financial growth in its home country, GDEX is raring to move onto the next phase of growth â&#x20AC;&#x201C;brushing shoulders with regional opportunities made available on an ASEAN scale, staying true to its vision of becoming a leading role model in the logistic services industry.

GD Express Sdn Bhd No 19 Jalan Tandang, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia. General Line: 03-7787 2222 Fax: 03-7785 6818

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Forging A New Reality The oil and gas sector is facing a landscape of rapidly rising demand. This is due to the rise in energy consumption which will inevitably contribute to the change in fuel mix in Asia. Growth in the demand for gas will outstrip all other fuels, given its cleaner environmental characteristics and superior flexibility. Alongside energy consumption, demand for oil and gas will also grow as industrial inputs with Asia’s rising wealth fuelling demand for manufactured goods. In addition, with its growing population and economy, Asia stands out as the most promising part of the world for energy companies. With that being said, the demand for energy – increasingly sourced from oil and gas – is driven by two factors – the size of a country’s population and per capita Gross

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Domestic Product (GDP). It simply equals to the more people a country has, the more energy it needs and the richer that people become, the more energy they consume. This ultimately makes Asia the most important region in the world when thinking about the future of the oil and gas industry. For a continent that has more than half of the world’s people and a continuously growing population, it is a given that the continent is also the fastest growing part of the global economy. Furthermore, Asia’s share of global energy consumption is also rising given its giant share of the global population and fast growing income. According to petrochemical giant ExxonMobil’s ‘2013 Outlook for Energy’ report, it reckons that

Asia’s share of global energy consumption will rise from 38% in 2010 to 45% by 2040. Scaling it down among Asian countries, almost all countries within the region are importers of energy. One notable exception, however, is Malaysia. Ever since 1910, the year oil was first drilled in Sarawak, the country has been a producer of oil and gas, both for its domestic needs and for export, and the sector has played a huge role in the country’s development. Today, the industry contributes about 20% to the country’s GDP and almost 40% to the government’s revenues. Malaysia is also Southeast Asia’s second-largest oil producer and has the fifth-largest reserves in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Segments in the oil and gas industry are generally categorised as upstream, midstream and downstream activities. Upstream activities consist of exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources. Meanwhile, midstream and downstream activities range from refining, processing and transportation of oil and gas to marketing and trading of end products. Being a crude oil producer and exporter, Malaysia has a mature upstream oil and gas segment, leading to a well-established ecosystem of service and manufacturing companies that have set up base. However, to serve the rapidly growing domestic market more attention has been given to the development of downstream activities, such as refining and petrochemicals engineering. Another area of focus within the industry is the need for talented professionals which is likely to increase as demand for energy across Southeast Asia grows. To access the most experienced people or those with the greatest potential, employers will need to widen the talent pool significantly. That does not just mean geographically, but also means widening it culturally and socially where gender diversity is essential. Indeed, achieving a good balance of male and female employees at all levels of the organisation can be of huge benefit to oil and gas companies, as both genders bring different ideas and ways of working to the table that can benefit each other. Identifying, addressing and eventually solving these issues will allow the industry which is a key industry in the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) to achieve its 5% annual growth between 2010 and

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2020. The growth will stem from continuous development of sustainable oil and gas production, providing better supply of oil and gas to end users and eventually turning the country into a leading hub for oil and gas storage trading in Asia. Efforts to turn this into a reality include maximising the value of existing oil fields through implementing techniques of enhanced oil recovery (EOR), improved oil recovery (IOR) and improved gas recovery (IGR). These developments are headed by the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national oil company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas). On top of that, Malaysia requires a wide range of technical services to support the growth of the oil and gas industry. Accordingly, the Malaysian government has gazetted a set of incentives under the Petroleum Income Tax Act (2010) which includes tax allowances of up to 100%

of capital spending (CAPEX), reduced tax rate from 38% to 25% for marginal oil field development and waivers of export duties. Besides incentives from the government, the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC) and Labuan Financial Services Authority have jointly created a Global Incentives For Trading (GIFT) Programme for oil and gas initiatives in Labuan, Sabah. Some of the features of the programme include a 0% tax rate for liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading companies for the first three years of operation, a flat corporate tax rate of 3% and a 50% exemption on personal income tax for foreign professionals.

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Malaysia Is Asia’s Fastest Growing Retail Sector

The facts and figures will speak for themselves: because of the world’s 20 biggest shopping malls, 14 are now in Asia, including four in China, four in Malaysia and four in the Philippines. This proves that apart from domestic consumption which represents a key driver of economic growth, initiatives in the retail industry are moving global inevitably to transform Malaysia into Asia’s retail hub. Furthermore, US global management consultancy firm A.T. Kearney, in its 2013 report stated that Malaysia: “Is at the forefront of many international retailers’ expansion plans. Tesco expanded in both Malaysia and Thailand, in 2012, and

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Japanese grocer Aeon acquired Carrefour’s Malaysian assets in November 2012, part of a plan to make Malaysia its Southeast Asian headquarters… In other areas of retail, Italian jeweller Damaini named Malaysia as one of the brand’s most appealing emerging markets.”

according to a 2014 Economist Intelligence Unit Limited report, the retail picture is evolving, creating an intriguing backdrop for retail businesses. The opportunities for retail and wholesale companies are determined in large part by rising purchasing power.

These developments mean that retailers don’t have to build their own shops and so can avoid regulatory and real estate concerns as they expand. Malls also help to drive footfall by attracting shoppers from a wide area, something that retailers struggle to do in standalone retail stores. As these malls are built, the share of retail conducted in a modern, organised environment is rising. In addition, to keep with changing times,

Large populations in which incomes are rising rapidly present the best opportunities for the retail sector. In this regard, Asia stands out globally as a region of tremendous potential. For a start, Asia has more than half of the world’s people, and the population is growing. In 2010, Asia’s population stood at 3.8 billion people. By 2040, it will rise to 4.6 billion, creating an additional 800 million consumers, an

supermarkets to high-end luxury goods. A.T. Kearney ranks the relative attractiveness of retail markets around the world every year and concludes in its 2013 assessment that China offers the most exciting potential in the region, closely followed by Mongolia, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The report also stated that: “Consumer spending growth, continued adoption of modern retail, and solid economic fundamentals keep Asian markets attractive to global retailers.” Furthermore, the Malaysian government recognises the importance of this sector, listing it under one of its 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) with the industry expected to contribute RM45.2 billion to Gross National Income (GNI) and create 226,000 additional jobs by 2020. This growth will be driven by three economic drivers requiring RM187.6 billion in private sector funding and investments to capitalise on these business opportunities. The economic drivers comprise: • Higher retail expenditure per capita due to increased GNI per household by 2020. • Urbanisation from rural-to-urban migration, which is expected to create higher demand for goods and services, including higher value-added products.

• Malaysian population growth which is projected to result in higher demand for goods and services. Finally, the wholesale and retail industry will continue to account for a significant share of Malaysia’s economy because the government and relevant authorities are working together to, namely, transform small retailers into modern format stores inevitably improving retailers’ capabilities in information technology, customer service and stock management, among others. This will also involve exporting products to help the maturing local retail sector seek opportunities abroad and looking to tap into concepts and strategies which Malaysian retailers have yet to explore by removing import duties on luxury goods to increase affordability for locals and tourists. This will be done by assisting Malaysian mall operators and developers expand in foreign markets, and establishing virtual selling platforms to increase the global exposure of local products.

average of 27 million extra people every year. But not only is Asia’s population expanding, the average wealth of the population is also rising. In 2001, the region accounted for 26.8% of global GDP measured using purchasing power parity. By 2013, that share had risen to 36.6% and most observers expect Asia’s share to keep rising for the foreseeable future. Per capita incomes in Asia are growing faster than in any other region of the world. The numbers are looking good as with Asia’s rising spending power, the region offers opportunities for every kind of retailer, from petrol stations to convenience stores to

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SOGO (K.L.) Department Store Doulton, Royal Albert, Bohemia Crystal, Noritake and many other high brands for our esteemed customers to choose from. Up on our 6th Floor, we have set out “Saji Food Court”, and our fine dining Suma Japanese Restaurant and Siang Chinese Seafood Restaurant. This floor is cooled by a 30-foot waterfall which is unique and found only in KL SOGO. Our esteemed customers who need a break can enjoy welcome relief at our “Platinum Lounge” and/or “Gold Lounge” on the 7th Floor; which also features a children’s crèche and children’s “Starz Studio” Learning Centre. This floor also has an “Events Hall” where our esteemed customers know they can find the best bargains in town during our “Warehouse Sales”.

SOGO (K.L.) Department Store, affectionately known to our esteemed customers as “KL SOGO”, first opened our doors for business on 18th January 1994 at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur. Originally built by SOGO Co., Ltd. of Japan, today it is a wholly Malaysian owned iconic store, being the largest standalone department store in Malaysia. KL SOGO offers our esteemed customers a wide array of merchandise from affordable basics to luxury goods, complemented by an abundant choice of food and beverage outlets, a complete health and wellness centre, children’s play centre & crèche and 2 VIP customers’ lounges. Starting on the Lower Ground Floor, KL SOGO’s Food Hall has a full range “SOGO Supermarket” offering fresh produce and groceries, food outlets and speciality kiosks selling snacks and ready-to-eat meals. The “Beauty Arcade” on our Ground Floor houses the world’s finest cosmetics, fragrances and skin care products, including handbags, fine jewellery and fashion watches. The latest in women’s and men’s fashion, shoes and accessories are found on the “Ladies Gallery” and “Men’s Connection” at our 1st and 2nd Floors respectively.

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An exciting “Fashion Arena” on our 3rd Floor features the latest fast fashion, sportswear and equipment for our young and trendy customers.

Finally, our 8th Floor offers the “Peak Fitness Gym and Wellness Centre” for our esteemed members to work off their stress.

Our 4th Floor’s “Children’s World” is where you find the largest and most complete children’s department in Malaysia, offering the widest selection of children’s and babies’ clothing, maternity wear, children’s necessities and toys.

KL SOGO is well known for bringing the best of Japan to Malaysia; our store has personal shopper services, home delivery & porter services, click-and-collect services, and a generous “Refund and Returns Policy” – as part and parcel of our comprehensive list of customer-centric services to ensure every visit by our esteemed customers to our KL SOGO Store becomes a pleasant and memorable visit.

And the best place to shop for your home and kitchen needs is at our 5th Floor “Home Centre” with quality items from Royal

Currently celebrating our 22nd Anniversary, KL SOGO is trendsetting to remain at the forefront of the Malaysian retail trade and

fashion industry. Striving to render our esteemed customers the best possible shopping experience, KL SOGO constantly upgrades and renews our sales floors to bring in more new and popular brands. Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (formerly known as Batu Road), is easily accessible by public transport – LRT, KTM train, buses and taxis - and it is now gazetted as a heritage shopping precinct. The vicinity of KL SOGO is well populated with shops offering goods and merchandise from traditional ethnic apparel to imported fine tapestries and floor carpets. We, KL SOGO regard all the traders and businessmen along Batu Road as part of our one big family, and pursuant to this belief, KL SOGO is one of the founding members of the “Batu Road Retailers Association (BARRA)”, a NGO set up to promote and enhance the retail points and overall image of our Batu Road heritage shopping precinct; thereby bringing more attention and awareness of both Malaysian and foreign shoppers about Batu Road. KL SOGO’s competencies as a retailer have been recognised by many corporations and institutions, inter alia the Walt Disney Corporation of USA, the Brand Laureate Institution of Asia Pacific, the Malaysian Retailers Association and the Social Media Chambers of Malaysia.

At KL SOGO, we are especially proud to have been the humble awardee in the Best Retail Department Store category at the Brandlaureate Special Edition World Awards in 2015; as well as being the recipient of the Best Retail Execution of the Year (Southeast Asia) Award 2015, awarded by the Walt Disney Corporation of USA. This year KL SOGO was again honoured with the President’s Award 2015-2016 at the 10th Anniversary of The Brandlaureate

Awards. We have also been awarded the Fair Price Shop Award. In our 22 years of doing business at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, KL SOGO has been able to ascend to the top of the department store industry in Malaysia, due to the solid support and close business relationships we have garnered together with our esteemed

Business Partners. They help us to also bring the very best goods and merchandise offerings to our esteemed customers. We in KL SOGO now feel the time has come for our store to expand into other geographical areas and to better serve our esteemed customers all over Malaysia.

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Progressing Towards An Innovation-driven Nation

Searching for someone in Malaysia who does not own a car is increasingly becoming a difficult task and it is considered the norm for many Malaysian households to own more than two vehicles. Take a drive through any neighbourhood in the city and one will see garages filled with two to three cars. This is even apparent the case in rural areas. However, it’s not all about the performance and looks that increases a buyer’s purchasing interest. Numerous factors contribute to this situation. Malaysia has proved to be a market centre and gateway for attractive investment destinations and centre for automotive and component manufacturing activities. According to the Malaysian Automotive Association, in 2015, a total of 614,664 passenger and commercial vehicles were produced and assembled in the country. Of that figure, 563,883 were passenger vehicles

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while the remaining were commercial vehicles. Passenger vehicles include cars, 4WDs, SUVs, window vans and MPV models while commercial vehicles include trucks, prime movers, pick-ups, panel vans, buses and others.

GROWTH OF NATIONAL CARS

In 2005, the total vehicle figure stood at 563,510. As for the number of total new passenger and commercial vehicles registered in the country for the year 2015, it was 666,674. In 2005, the figure was 552,316. The numbers are slowly but steadily increasing. And here’s why:

The first national automotive project, Proton, in 1983, with the formation of a joint venture between the Heavy Industry Corporation of Malaysia (HICOM), Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) of Japan, was the Malaysian government’s attempt to increase local content, rationalise the industry to achieve economies of scale and upgrade the assembly industry to a manufacturing industry with international recognition and competitiveness.

CENTRAL ASEAN LOCATION Companies based in the country will be able to reach a market of more than 600 million people. Global automotive manufacturers also benefit from pro-business policies, welldeveloped infrastructure, and an educated and skilled labour force.

Malaysia has obtained much recognition regionally and internationally for its outstanding achievements in the automobile industry through two of its national automotive projects — Proton and Perodua.

Equipped with the protective measures and subsidies in various ways by the

government, the first Proton cars were rolled out in 1985. Subsequently, the national automotive programme also established small car manufacturer Perodua in 1993, a heavy vehicle company Malaysian Bus and Truck (MTB) in 1994, a motorcycle manufacturer MODENAS in 1995, and a light vehicle commercial manufacturer INOKOM in 1997.

The new policies and measures under the NAP Review are expected to provide significant contribution to the overall growth of the industry and the country. But, in 2014, the International Trade and Industry Ministry reviewed the policy again and this time the aim was to make Malaysia a regional automotive hub for energyefficient vehicles (EEVs).

Today, both Proton and Perodua has gone through many revamps and remains a favourite especially among Malaysian buyers. Set your sights on any street and you will not miss seeing the classic staple cars, namely the Perodua Myvi and Proton Saga on the road.

Under this review, Malaysia has liberalised the automotive sector where foreign carmakers can now invest to make EEVs with engine capacity of 1.8 litres or less without any equity restrictions.

NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY (NAP)

Foreign and local investors keen to invest in the EEV segment are also eligible for customised incentives, including pioneer status, incentive for research and development as well as training grants.

The NAP was introduced on 22 March 2006 to facilitate the required transformation and optimal integration of the local automotive industry into regional and global industry networks within the increasingly liberalised and competitive global environment. In October 2009, the Government reviewed the National Automotive Policy (NAP) with the objectives of: • ensuring orderly development as well as long term competitiveness and capability of the domestic automotive industry as a result of market liberalisation • creating a conducive environment to attract new investment and expand existing opportunities • enhancing the competitiveness of the national car manufacturer through strategic partnership • fostering the development of the latest, more sophisticated technology in the domestic automotive industry • developing high value-added manufacturing activities in niche areas • enhancing Bumiputera participation in the domestic automotive industry • improving safety standards for consumers and promoting environmentfriendly opportunities and enhancing the implementation of current NAP’s policy instruments.

The NAP provides a comprehensive financial package of about RM2 billion until 2019 which will also focus on raising the competitiveness of Bumiputra companies in the total value chain of the domestic automotive industry, from human capital to technology. Some RM1.89 billion would be channeled through soft loans and RM175 million in grants to support automotive infrastructurerelated and human capital development. By 2020, it is projected that some 85%

of vehicles produced in the country will be EEVs. Various strategies and measures have also been identified to strengthen the entire value chain of the automotive industry which will also lead to environment conservation, high-income job creation, transfer of technology as well as develop new economic opportunities for Malaysian companies.

TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (TPPA) The industry is also set to flourish further with the recent signing of the TPPA. The Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) sees tremendous opportunities for part and component manufacturers with the implementation of this agreement. Malaysia exports RM10 billion worth of parts and components annually and is geared to perform better under this agreement. This is because Malaysian automotive players could tap into other TPPA countries under the rule of origin provisions. Vehicles exported within TPPA countries are required to meet the rules of origin of 55% but with the agreement, Malaysian suppliers not only have the opportunities to supply to OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) within the country, but also to TPPA countries, especially the top four countries that produce cars, namely the US, Japan, Canada and Mexico.

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Chapter 8 GLOBAL APPEAL: UCSI is home to students from Best of Malaysia | 155 more than 80 countries who seek an education that prepares them for future-proof careers.

THE UCSI LEGACY The place. The promise. The people.

UCSI University is a vibrant community of learning and scholarship. It offers an education others don’t, provides experiences others can’t, and delivers life-defining outcomes for young people, everywhere. What are the hallmarks of excellence? For some, it’s a long track record of success. For others, it’s worldwide recognition. The list goes on: life-changing testimonies, industry-acclaimed offerings, international benchmarks, a dedication to quality and brand trust. At UCSI University, it’s all of the above and more. Established in 1986 to improve life chances through education, the University has opened doors for precocious and driven individuals, not only in Malaysia, but around the world. In essence, that’s a 30year commitment to social change. That’s also more than 10,000 students from over 80 nations each year. Ultimately, that’s thousands of lives changed for the better. Long acknowledged as one of Malaysia’s best private universities, UCSI is now cementing its status in the international arena. The University is classified as a top 300 varsity in the 2015 QS Asian University Rankings, becoming one of the few private universities to feature in the prestigious and competitive annual exercise that evaluates the performance of the world’s best universities. And in doing so, UCSI improved by almost 100 positions in a year. The meteoric rise was no product of luck. UCSI made marked improvements in each evaluation criterion, most notably, in the area of research. The University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff – one of Malaysia’s leading cardiologists – has been instrumental in this endeavour. As one of Malaysia’s leading researchers, Prof Khalid sets the example by driving worldclass research with fellow researchers from universities like Harvard, Duke, Melbourne, Sydney, McMaster and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

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HARVARD PEDIGREE: UCSI medical student Cherish Chong conducted high impact research at Harvard. UCSI’s top medical students are annually selected for year-long research programmes at Harvard.

Under his watch, UCSI has made it a point to engage academics who are at the forefront of their disciplines. The rationale is simple: An academic cannot inspire students to expand the boundaries of knowledge if he or she does not walk the talk or possess the ability to do so. This has influenced hiring policy and today, 30% of UCSI’s academic staff possess a PhD – far higher than the 16% average at Malaysian private higher education institutions in 2015 – and a further 16.5% are pursuing their doctorate. This initiative is more than a number’s game. UCSI academics drive high impact research and much has been accomplished in the past year. For starters, Professor Khalid received a coveted research grant through the prestigious Newton-Ungku Omar Fund for his immense contributions in medicine and science. Shortly after, UCSI Deputy ViceChancellor (Research and Postgraduate Studies) Professor Dr Ooi Keng Boon was recognised by Elsevier as the world’s most productive researcher in the field of mobile commerce. The same study also ranked him as the world’s second most influential author in the field. The achievements at the top do much to spur scholarly pursuit throughout the University. The number of academic publications has increased significantly, more research grants have been secured and research awards are won on the domestic and international front. Most recently, two academics and two students from UCSI’s Faculty of Applied Sciences finished in the top 5 in Elsevier’s inaugural Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge in Berlin, edging out 99% of all entrants worldwide. UCSI is also affiliated in top scientific papers published in leading journals like the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the American Medical Association, among many others. UCSI’s research endeavours are bolstered further by international collaboration with renowned universities in the Ivy League, the Russell Group, Australia’s Group of Eight and Universitas

LONDON CALLING: UCSI Engineering students like Leon Tan (left) and Wei Ming are also selected for research programmes at Imperial College London, one of the world’s best universities.

21. This extensive knowledge network also includes leading universities in France and Ireland, opening a world of opportunities for students and staff. Raising aspirations. Challenging expectations. While UCSI’s fast-growing international reputation is a shot in the arm, the

true measure of its impact lies with its students. Thousands flock to UCSI each year to realise their potential and pursue their affinities. They come with hopes and dreams and many do not realise how great they could be. UCSI makes it a point to help them find out. And for students whose ambitions already come in XL, it may be time for an upsize.

PROJECT RUNWAY: UCSI student Lee Bao En blew away the competition to win the prestigious AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search last year.

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BUILDING THE FUTURE: When completed, UCSI’s new academic blocks will expand the operational capacity at its South Wing campus by more than 1million square feet.

Enter UCSI’s Star Trek initiative – a programme that provides students with invaluable opportunities to advance knowledge at the world’s best universities. Star Trek began at the tail end of 2014 when Cherish Chong, UCSI’s top medical student in her cohort, was selected for a year-long research programme at Harvard University. At Harvard, Cherish conducted her own research projects and earned the respect of her research supervisors like renowned clinician-scientist Professor Dr Gordon Williams who heads the Hormonal Mechanisms of Cardiometabolic Injury programme at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She did not return empty handed as well. Her time in Boston resulted in two research papers that will be published soon.

GLOBAL IMPACT: UCSI Pharmacy graduate Alvin Teo has saved lives in some of the world’s most difficult warzones through his work with Doctors Without Borders.

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Conducting extensive research on the human body’s adrenal glands and the aldosterone steroid hormone, Cherish made a pivotal discovery. It was traditionally accepted that the production of aldosterone was regulated by the level of sodium in one’s body – less sodium would result in more aldosterone and vice versa – but her findings showed that

aldosterone production was regulated instead by the adrenal glands, specifically the mineralcorticoid receptors. She later found out that the receptors also regulated corticosterone – a hormone that regulates energy, immune reactions and stress responses. No one had discovered this prior to her research.

OPENING DOORS: Two more UCSI medical students have been selected for year-long research programmes at Harvard Medical School in 2015. Tan Jia Wei is making the full use of the opportunity to drive innovation in science with her mentor, Professor Dr Gordon Williams.

“Spending a year at Harvard opened my eyes to the endless possibilities a career in science can offer,” enthused Cherish, who is back in Malaysia. “Being there allowed me to interact with the world’s best minds, access state-ofthe-art facilities and pursue cutting-edge research! When I first got there, I thought it would be great if I could just tag along for research projects and learn from experienced mentors. So

to be able conduct projects on my own… it’s still quite unbelievable. UCSI made this possible and the University went out of its way to get me ready for Harvard. It’s great when a University goes the extra mile for its students and I’m happy to see my juniors enjoy similar opportunities each year.” Cherish’s positive experience – and glowing feedback from her supervisors at Harvard – showed that Star Trek was exceeding all expectations. The initiative was swiftly expanded and in 2015, two Engineering students were selected for summer research programmes at Imperial College London where they worked with Professor Dr Jerry Heng, a leading Malaysian researcher who co-heads Imperial’s Surfaces and and Particle Engineering research

IMPACTING KUCHING: UCSI’s new Sarawak is a Green Building Index-certified campus that many eco-friendly characteristics.

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RHAPSODIC QUALITY: UCSI’s Institute of Music grows from strength to strength by collaborating with world-class conductors, performers and orchestras.

group. The connection with Harvard was enhanced further when two more UCSI students were selected for year-long research programmes in Boston. To date, UCSI is the only university in Malaysia to provide students with such opportunities on an annual basis and more tie-ups with

leading universities will be announced in 2016. UCSI’s milestones in science are complemented by significant achievements in the arts. UCSI students enjoy numerous avenues to showcase

RISE UP: Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was one of the many policy makers, industry leaders and leading thinkers who shared insights with the UCSI community recently.

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their craft and fashion design student Lee Bao En stands out for winning the AirAsia Runway Ready Designer Search 2015 competition. Creating her own fabric using nuno felting techniques, Bao En’s collection set her apart from the other 350 contestants. She also used the runway to make a statement against female oppression. Her final design was worn by a model who hit the catwalk with her face covered and her hands tied – symbolic portrayals of the domination of female identity and free will. Bao En’s feminist undertones struck a chord with the audience and she even won special praise from Malaysia’s design heavyweights Khoon Hooi and Jovian Mandagie. For her efforts, the final-year student at UCSI’s De Institute of Creative Arts and Design won a couple of return flights to Tokyo, a guaranteed spot to showcase a full collection at the KL Fashion Week RTW 2016 and an invaluable one-year apprenticeship with Mandagie, among other prizes. Living up to its billing as Malaysia’s best music school, UCSI’s Institute of Music

DEEP FOCUS: Lee May Yan concentrates as she drives research in UCSI’s engineering labs. May Yan was recently selected for a summer research programme at Imperial College London.

continues to ochestrate a musical tour de force. The UCSI Chorale recently reached the new apotheosis of its performing history when it was selected to collaborate with Benjamin Zander and Andreas Delfs – two of the world’s most celebrated conductors – and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, earning rave reviews for its rhapsodic quality. “Receiving generous praise from such established conductors is significant as it shows how far UCSI has come as a musical force, not only in Malaysia, but in the region,” said UCSI Institute of Music Director Professor Dr P’ng Tean Hwa. “To date, the UCSI Chorale is the only university choir to partner with the MPO and this speaks volumes about our quality. The who’s who of Malaysian music have studied, are teaching or once taught at the Institute and we want to keep this tradition going.” Seismic change. Global reach. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016, UCSI is rapidly expanding when most education providers are grappling with budget cuts in the face of global economic headwinds. Two new colossal academic blocks – that pass as high-rise buildings in their own right – are being constructed at UCSI’s Kuala Lumpur campus. With more than 1 million square feet to consummate, the new blocks will accommodate more than 8,000 extra students at any given time. Featuring state-of-the-art labs and learning facilities, the new blocks will

also house a hostel and a lifestyle mall. Purposefully designed, the new blocks will tower over the Cheras skyline when they are completed at the end of the year. In fact, they already do. The two new academic blocks are just the first phase of a larger plan that will see UCSI’s main campus undergoing a major transformation. More new academic blocks, student hostels, a sports complex with a retractable roof and a music conservatory will be built in the coming years. On top of that, existing buildings will be refurbished to meet and exceed the demands of 21st century education. Away from the capital, UCSI is also building Malaysia’s first private teaching hospital in the education township of Springhill, Negeri Sembilan – part of its commitment to Malaysia’s Economic Transformation Programme. Progressively built in stages, the 1,000 bed hospital will complement a hotel, a lifestyle mall and an international school that is already operational in the area. UCSI is also building a new campus in Kuching, Sarawak. Designed and built with sustainable architecture, the eco-friendly campus is Green Building Index-certified and it promises to boost UCSI’s presence in East Malaysia. With these new additions and more, UCSI is building an eyeopening, if not mind-bending, testament to the future of higher education.

With these plans in place, UCSI will continue producing the best human capital, not only in the industry, but for it. UCSI has always been synonymous with graduate employability and the University runs Malaysia’s widest industry-university network involving more than 3,500 global companies. Many of UCSI’s industry partners like Accenture, CIMB, Citibank, Deloitte, DHL, KPMG, HSBC, Maybank, Nestle, Standard Chartered, Petronas and PWC, among many others, stand out as leaders in their respective fields. Their collaboration opens doors for students in the areas of structured internship programmes, technology transfers, industry exposure and job opportunities. Internships overseas are becoming increasingly common and UCSI annually sends students for internship in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and many other countries each year. International collaboration will be bolstered further. UCSI is in the midst of setting up a Centre for ASEAN Higher Education Partnership to tap into the best practices and opportunities of a region that is home to more than 620 million people and worth $2.6 trillion. At the same time, the University will also establish a Centre for Scandinavian Studies to promote cross-cultural dialogue and mobility programmes. On the home front, UCSI organises numerous public lectures featuring some of Malaysia’s most influential thinkers. To date, UCSI students have gained insights from acclaimed

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HIGH FLYERS: UCSI students frequently engage corporate figures in the industry like AirAsia Bhd CEO Aireen Omar to gain insights on the corporate world.

architect Hijjas Kasturi, squash queen Datuk Nicol David, AirAsia Bhd CEO Aireen Omar, the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) founding president Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Deputy Education Minister Dato’ P. Kamalanathan, among many others. Societal impact is another key focus area and UCSI students have been pivotal in this effort. Suzanne Ling, a final-year Psychology student, kick-started Hands of Hope – a voluntary project that educates refugee and underprivileged children. Encouraged by the keen response from the UCSI community, she soon cast a wider net by launching The Picha Project – a social enterprise that helps refugees make a living by utilising their culinary skills. The arrangement sees Suzanne and her team sourcing clients for refugee families who will pocket a fair share of all sales. What started off as a onefamily supplier has quickly flourished and Suzanne is now working with different families from different countries, offering clients a diverse menu selection. UCSI is also joining the nationwide effort to end statelessness in Malaysia 2024. The UCSI Scholar’s Circle recently launched Journey to Belong, a non-profit student movement dedicated to raise societal awareness on statelessness in

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the nation. The initiative will see UCSI scholars collaborating with Development of Human Resources for Rural Areas (DHRRA), a non-profit NGO that has been aiding stateless people since July 2014 and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. To strike a chord with Malaysian youth, Journey to Belong will run an online campaign featuring testimonies and stories of formerly stateless children and youth who attained identities and nationalities through DHRRA’s legal

services. Powerful and poignant, these stories put the spotlight on individuals who finally obtained their fundamental rights as citizens – a privilege so often overlooked – in their bid to be visible, to be heard and most importantly, to belong. On community health, UCSI medical students work with NGOs like Hospis Malaysia, the Family and Reproductive Health Association Malaysia and the Pink Triangle Foundation on health awareness COLLECTIVE EFFORTS: UCSI’s 30th anniversary celebration involves a year-long series of events. Its recent Family Day was launched by (from left) UCSI founder Dato’ Peter Ng, UCSI Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad and UCSI vicechancellor Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff.

campaigns. Pharmacy students also organise public health campaigns each year, educating local communities on specific medical complications and ways to safeguard one’s health. And in its bid to improve English proficiency in Malaysia, UCSI’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts organises campaigns like Right2Read and Poetry Slam to promote the language. UCSI’s commitment to social change is further exemplified by its generous scholarship programme. In line with its 30th anniversary, UCSI is disbursing more than RM30 million this year in scholarships and grants. The University was founded on the principle that no deserving student should ever be denied access to higher education. To date, more than RM100 million in scholarships has been disbursed. This commitment has changed the equation for thousands of talented individuals and much more will be done in years to come. The social agenda rubs off well on students. Many UCSI students are involved in community outreach programmes and Alvin Teo Kuo Jing – a UCSI Pharmacy graduate – stands out for his work with Doctors Without Borders. Undeterred by impediments that would make brave men cringe, he has brought

NATIONAL ICONS: Malaysian squash queen Datuk Nicol David is among the many successful personalities who encouraged the UCSI student community to realise their potential.

HOMECOMING: Acclaimed music and film score composer San Weng Onn (second from left) is a proud UCSI alumni who often comes back to engage the student community. He recently composed the score of Ola Bola and he brought the director and cast of the cult football film to campus.

medical aid to communities in some of the world’s most challenging war-torn and endemic-hit regions. His call of duty reads: South Sudan, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine. Although Alvin has come under fire, his ironclad resolve holds firm.

comfortable life. However, not everyone can get to a pharmacy so sometimes, I get to bring it to them. I had the privilege of learning in a caring and supportive community at UCSI. I’d like to provide the same support to others in my own way.”

“What’s the point of knowledge and skills if it doesn’t bring benefit to those who truly need it?” he answers unequivocally when asked about his burning desire to serve. “It’s a privilege to help those in need. Empathy is best practised when experiences are shared and you can find beauty even in the harshest environments. Yes, I suppose I could sit behind a counter or work on drug discovery and live a more

Alvin’s personal accounts sum up the UCSI legacy – a commitment anchored on the transformative power of education. A legacy that is intertwined with the lives of thousands of students from around the world. It may be a tad hard to digest but that legacy first started when a young Dato’ Peter founded UCSI on a shoestring budget of RM2,000. How far UCSI has come in the past 30 years is self-evident. Follow the shared narratives of achievement and you are dealing with an education that is far-reaching and consequential. Turning 30 is more than a milestone at UCSI. It’s a reason to believe – an assurance to students that that until they realise their potential, the University will not rest. Here’s to the next 30 years and beyond.

UCSI University Kuala Lumpur Campus No. 1, Jalan Menara Gading, UCSI Heights (Taman Connaught), Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: (+603) 9101 8880 Fax: (+603) 9102 2614 www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my

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Blackmores

Blackmores is Australia’s leading natural health company. Based on the vision of naturopath and founder Maurice Blackmore (1906-1977), we are passionate about natural health and inspiring people to take control of and invest in their wellbeing. Our quality range of vitamin, minerals, herbal and nutritional supplements, and continued support of the community and environment, are among the many reasons Blackmores is the most trusted name in natural health. We achieved this by translating our unrivalled heritage and knowledge into innovative, quality branded healthcare solutions that work. Our enthusiasm and belief in a natural, holistic approach to health inspires us to excellence in everything we do. Blackmores is a prominent supplement brand in Malaysia with a history of over 25 years of presence. The Nielsen Scan Data* reported that Blackmores is the No.1 health supplement brand in Malaysia and dominating the No.1 market share in 4 key product segments namely Fish Oil, Multivitamins,

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Glucosamine and Coenzyme Q10. Blackmores Malaysia has also won several prestigious award such as the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand, Superbrands and Brand Laureate awards for numerous years. Blackmores’ strong commitment to quality ensures that our products consistently meet or exceed the expectations of our customers as well as comply with high regulatory standards across the globe. Our work of quality includes • Working with the highest quality raw material suppliers to source and select the very best possible ingredients available. • Developing products by a highly experienced and dedicated team of formulators including naturopaths, chemists, scientists and product development pharmacists. We base each formulation on comprehensive review of the latest scientific advancements in natural medicine. • Commissioning independent chemical and microbiological testing at licensed laboratories for our products, as well as work with

with the wider of healthcare professionals, researches, industry and consumers. In 2015, we brought the Blackmores Institute to Malaysia by conducting Blackmores Institute Symposium participated by over 200 pharmacists and academicians. As responsible corporate citizens, Blackmores demonstrates care, respect and passion for the environment and our community. Hence, Blackmores’ employees are encouraged to participate in a charitable scheme whereby a certain percentage of their taxable pay is deducted each payday and placed in an interest-bearing trust account. The Company matches this and twice yearly each participating employee nominates a registered charity to receive the donation. These funds have gone wide

and far to support environmental projects including the planting of Mangrove trees in Kuala Selangor, the cleaning up of the Serendah Waterfalls surroundings and Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary and organised outings for orphanages to bird parks, the national science centre and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) and National Cancer Society of Malaysia. * Blackmores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd calculation based in part on data reported by The Nielsen Company based on scan data from 7 key account chains for Total Health Supplement category and Blackmores’ product definition for the Health Supplement category for 12 months ending June 2015 in Total Malaysia (Copyright © 2015, The Nielsen Company (M) Sdn Bhd)

a variety of regulatory and government bodies to understand the complexities of each markets’ requirements and successfully achieve compliant registrations. Since day one, Blackmores believes in empowering people to take control of their health. Therefore, we offer free personalised lifestyle, dietary and supplementation recommendations for consumer health and well-being via our naturopath consultation. Essentially, naturopathy is a system which focuses on building health and encouraging the body’s self-healing process through holistic health education with the ultimate goal of achieving holistic health and wellbeing. The free naturopath consultation can be arranged at any Blackmores Flagship Store at Mid Valley Megamall in KL, Queensbay Mall in Penang, Mediplex at Subang Jaya Medical Centre & Imperial City Mall in Miri on appointment basis. Blackmores Institute has been established with the purpose of becoming a centre of excellence in the field of natural health research and education. It brings together the best minds, knowledge, and evidence, and is dedicated to sharing this knowledge

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From Malaysia With Love From exploring the vast and colourful vegetable and flea markets, to examining British, Dutch and Portuguese colonial buildings, from taking boat trips to some of the best islands, quintessential Tudor-styled highland resorts, to bird watching, soaking in glorious hot spring tubs and meeting friendly local people. This is even before you start on a fabulous trek up the country’s Mount Kinabalu. Truly, to know Malaysia is to love Malaysia — a bubbling, bustling melting-pot of races and religions where Malays, Indians, Chinese and many other ethnic groups live together in peace and harmony. Our multiculturalism has made the country a gastronomical paradise and home to hundreds of

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colourful festivals. It’s no wonder that we love celebrating and socialising. Collectively, Malaysians are very relaxed, warm and friendly. Geographically, Malaysia is almost as diverse as its culture. Eleven states and two federal territories, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, form Peninsular Malaysia which is separated by the South China Sea from East Malaysia which includes the two states, Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, and a third federal territory, the island of Labuan. One of Malaysia’s key attractions is its extreme contrasts which further add to this theme of diversity. Towering skyscrapers

look down upon wooden houses built on stilts while five-star hotels are a stone’s throw away from old yet protected reefs. Majestic yet rugged mountains reach for the sky while their rainforest-clad slopes sweep down to floodplains teeming with forest life. This, together with the country’s warm weather, pristine sandy beaches, retail landscapes with duty-free zones and over 2,000 hotels have an alluring charm. The numbers will add more weight to these claims as tourism in Malaysia was the sixth highest contributor to the economy in 2014. It attracts over 25 million tourist arrivals each year, contributing more than RM60 billion in tourist receipts.

With the industry promoting its duty-free zones and growing number of shopping malls, it comes as no wonder that the government intends to dedicate specific entertainment zones to cater to respective audiences. Bukit Bintang has already been established as a leading shopping precinct within the capital while the country has moved onto completing construction on its second premium outlets. The first premium outlet is located in the state of Johor. As for dedicated entertainment zones, the capital will see the expansion of TREC (Taste, Relish, Experience and Celebrate) KL, which contains a variety of clubs, pubs and eateries, while the state of Penang will soon be receiving three such zones.

Furthermore, visiting Malaysia will be incomplete if one does not explore what the country has to offer. This includes the Petronas Twin Towers, an 88-storey skyscraper which still remains as the world’s tallest twin towers. Perhaps you are more inclined to discover life below the ocean waves and what better way to pursue that than to visit Sipadan Island, which is located in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah and the only oceanic island in Malaysia — a huge pillar that forms the atoll functions as a shelter for many sea animals and fish. Furthermore, there are only a few places in the world that have such a concentration of sea turtles. Penang’s capital, George Town, should also be listed in your top must-see as the city

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is home to over 500,000 inhabitants with a multicultural life and heritage buildings that can be seen peppered along the streets. Retaining its rustic British charm, the city was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008. This historic city has over 12,000 buildings comprising shop houses, churches, mosques, government offices, monuments and even a glamping resort still under construction. Young tourists are not forgotten in this equation as Malaysia is proud to be the only country in Asia to have a Legoland amusement park in Johor Bahru. It is a

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family holiday destination with more than 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions. Meanwhile, a town for Sanrio’s iconic character ‘Hello Kitty’ that has been taking the world by storm since the 80s and quite recently was revealed not to be a cat but a Japanese-British third grader, is the place to be if one owns everything Kitty. Malaysia is also a leading cruise destination with efforts focusing on improving operations and attractiveness of six ports in the country with potential improvements to be considered for other ports as well. The country is also widening its international

recognition by boosting its international spectatorship through international sports events such as Formula 1, MotoGP and Formula E, the world’s first fully-electric racing series. All these things aside, at first glance, Malaysians may seem rude for not greeting or helping you out with directions to a tourist attraction as we rush to work or school. To that we say, be bold and ask us again. We may be shy or we may not talk much but we are always eager to help to the best we can!

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Armada Petaling Jaya Hotel The Convenience Of Location And Comfort

ACCOMMODATION Stay at the Armada Petaling Jaya Hotel for all the comfort and convenience one would expect when travelling abroad. Towering majestically over the city’s prominent Federal Highway, the hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Petaling Jaya, with a population of over 600,000 residents. It is accessible via public transportation which includes LRT stations, buses and taxi stands allowing more options to all parts of the city and easy access to Klang, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur.

Designated Smoking Areas, Prayer Rooms and 600 Car Park Bays.

Sleek and contemporarily designed, the 24-storey hotel features 257 rooms, all meticulously designed and planned to give guests a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Each room comes with a USBequipped 40” plasma television set and complimentary WiFi to keep you wireless, yet wired.

SHOKUDO Our Japanese deli, delivers the best dishes from the Land of the Rising Sun, respecting traditions of the past, in a small cozy setting.

ROOM TYPES Deluxe Grand Deluxe Family Deluxe Premier Deluxe Admiral Premier Deluxe Admiral Suites SERVICES Restaurants, Bar, Club, Lounge, Private Karaoke Rooms, Multi-function Executive Rooms that come with attractive hotel meeting packages for your next meeting or conference, 24-Hour Reception, Luggage Storage, Gym, In-room Dining, Convention Facilities, Communication Centre, Laundry Services, Currency Exchange, Limo Transfer, Valet and WiFi. FACILITIES Disabled-friendly Rooms, Wheelchairs, Safe Deposit Boxes, Cable Television,

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DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT Utara Coffee House A gastronomical food haven which is well known for its delicious and addictive array of local and western cuisine that also includes its daily Buffet featured during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Utara Coffee House can accommodate up to 180 diners at a time and also serves as a venue for private functions, but only with prior booking and arrangements.

PIANO LOUNGE & KAFE’ 52 Those seeking to meet up for quick and convenient business meetings should

drop by the Armada’s Piano Lounge or Kafe’ 52 and discover coffee culture, delicious snacks as well as an extensive range of beverages. THE MERCHANT A new paradigm in bar experience, the bar offers a swanky comfort more akin to an updated London gentlemen’s club. Exuding elegance and style, different spaces are created catering to the various guests’ preferences. One such addition is ‘The Balcony’ an outdoor seating space with impressive views overlooking the busy Federal Highway and the PJ skyline. For those with a more sophisticated preference, a Cigar Lounge, where retro glamour meets contemporary style is chic yet relaxed. Enjoy the company of friends over a nightcap and fine cigar in the lounge to the soft sounds of jazz and swing. One of the many features of The Merchant is the illuminated Onyx Main Bar and

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a separate illuminated feature table for special occasions. A dedicated games area with bricked walls offers up a more rustic atmosphere. Here, guests can enjoy a game of pool or score a bull’s-eye on the electronic darts machines. THE MERCHANT LIVE A brand new addition to the hotel — The Merchant Live was built around the ambition to create a unique club where design, music and people form a new dimension of inspiration and quality live entertainment.

guests or 500 guests for conference meeting. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities, the ballroom is an excellent venue for seminars, conferences, weddings and annual dinners. Along with this, there are six other function rooms on the same level – Arcadia I,II,III (between 20 and 100 people), Aseana and Avenia (between 10 and 15 people) and Arista (between 20 and 50 people), for classroom seating.

Offering live band entertainment, The Merchant Live is an innovative entertainment venue equipped with a sleek island bar, state-of-the-art sound system, acoustic panelled walls, more than 1,000 LEDs offering inter-changing backlit colour visible throughout the club and three private suites with each suite offering touch screen karaoke entertainment, darts machine as well as an American pool table.

Located on Level 1, is The Latitude, a multi-event venue which is a recent addition to the existing function rooms on Level 3. The Latitude is a stylish and spacious venue consisting of three suites which combine multifunctional facilities for meetings and events in a contemporary setting that breaks away from the traditional meeting space. The three meeting suites are adjacent, so may easily be combined or partitioned according to requirements. The entire space can accommodate a standing cocktail group of up to 250 guests.

MEETINGS AND FUNCTION ROOMS The flamboyant Atlanta Ballroom on Level 3 can accommodate up to 350-seated

Complimentary wireless broadband Internet connectivity is also available throughout the Hotel including the

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Meetings & Functions Floor as well as all the Food & Beverage outlets. It’s the best of everything in the center of Petaling Jaya. WHAT’S NEARBY? Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 45 Minutes Low Cost Carrier Terminal / klia2 1 Hour SubangSkypark Terminal Airport 25 Minutes Light Rail Transit (LRT) station Opposite Hotel RapidKL / Metro buses Opposite Hotel KL Sentral

15 Minutes

KL Monorail Station

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An International Medical Destination of Choice

In Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent medical tourism destinations, there is no doubt that this is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors in the world as the country is strategically positioned as an attractive destination for medical tourism with lucrative returns. This is strengthened by the fact that Malaysia has won multiple international awards, including the “Medical Travel Destination of the Year” title at the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), Medical Travel Awards in 2015. And this is due to three key virtues which are quality, accessibility and affordability that sets the country’s healthcare system apart.

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Malaysia’s Health Minister Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam said, “In 2015, Malaysia witnessed more than 800,000 healthcare travellers arriving for healthcare treatments, raking in a revenue of almost RM1 billion.” He further added that while the government promoted various policies, programmes, incentives as well as put in place stringent regulatory framework for healthcare safety, developing a competitive industry as a whole would require a collective and concerted effort by various stakeholders, both in the public and private sectors. This is important as it provides the right and holistic ingredient for the development of a sustainable medical tourism industry.

Recognising the importance, the Malaysian government has listed medical tourism as an Entry Point Project (EPP) under Healthcare, one of the 12 sectors listed under Malaysia’s National Key Economic Area (NKEA). Under the EPP, the sector is projected to create 5,295 jobs by 2020 and contribute over RM4 million in Gross National Income (GNI). The sector has also grown at an average of 25% annually since 2010 and continues to record double-digit growth in terms of revenue and the number of health travellers. Healthcare travel revenue amounted to RM685 million in 2014. Moreover, according to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), an agency under the purview of the country’s

sustainable collaborations, domestically and abroad, to further strengthen our healthcare propositions and to create higher degrees of accessibility to our healthcare services for citizens of the world. Malaysia’s standing as a Global Halal Hub gives it a niche appeal to markets with consumers seeking halalcompliant options and environments, not only for themselves but also for accompanying family members. This, coupled with the favourable exchange rate, makes Malaysia an ideal healthcare travel destination.” The country’s healthcare system has grown from strength to strength in the last few years. The country was named the “Medical Travel Destination of the Year” at the Medical Travel Awards 2015 by the International Medical Travel Journal, and “Best Country in the World for Healthcare” by International Living’s Global Retirement Index for three consecutive years since 2014. Malaysia was also honoured as the “2015 Public Private Partnership Medical Travel Destination of the Year” at the 8th Annual World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress in Orlando, Florida (USA) for its highly successful public-private partnerships and collaborations.

MALAYSIA HAS THE RIGHT MIX

widely spoken, and matched with strong government backing and commitment from the private healthcare sector, Malaysia has everything it takes to achieve our ambition of becoming number one in the world for healthcare travel.” MHTC also said travellers are keen on looking at prevention, detoxification or alternative care such as Traditional Complementary Medicine, Ayurveda. The MHTC is also working closely with relevant authorities and medical hubs in Malaysia are being built in Penang, Malacca and Johor Bahru. These three key areas are slated for development under the 11th Malaysia Plan, a five-year development plan between 2016 and 2020. Summing things up, where healthcare tourism is concerned, this country has the perfect package. Offering world-class medical treatment at affordable prices in an English-speaking environment — allowing easy communication — and good infrastructure support with solid backing by the government, Malaysia has seen a rise in its reputation as an international medical destination of choice and is well on its way to achieve more and beyond.

Sherene Azli said, “We strongly believe that Malaysia has the right mix: excellence in quality care, ease of accessibility and competitive affordability. To top it off, it is easy for travellers to communicate with health professionals here, where English is

Health Ministry, Malaysia was recently awarded the Top Country for Muslim Travel in 2015 by Master CardCrescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index. The country’s affordable treatments with Arabic speaking translators available upon request as well as its Muslim-friendly hospital environment were deemed a sure appeal to the Middle East. MHTC Chief Executive Officer Sherene Azli said, “As we forge ahead in our mission, Malaysia Healthcare also seeks to build

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Rapid Economic Growth - Equals Wide Range Of Engineering Opportunities

The field of electrical and electronics industry (E&E) is extremely wide and varied, from aerospace to energy, from construction to automotive and from electric scooters to software. But no matter which sub-sector a company operates in, the region of Asia Pacific is likely to be the most exciting in the world, thanks to its high-growth economies. More specifically, Malaysia will be a choice destination for investments and business opportunities as the E&E industry is a leading sector in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, contributing significantly to the country’s exports at 33.4% and employment at 23.7% in 2014, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA). With the country’s participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC), the sector’s growth is projected to increase. Contributing factors to the growth will be made possible with the Engineers Act Malaysia being amended to accommodate foreign participation of engineers and

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consultancy firms and that green initiatives and pursuit of sustainability will continue to be a leading trend. The E&E industry in Malaysia can be categorised into four sub-sectors:

ELECTRICAL According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), the electrical sector had its beginning in the 1960s with the establishment of manufacturing plants for the import substitution of household appliances, electrical fittings, wires and cables and automotive batteries. The industry has then grown over the years, with capability to supply high-end electrical products including electrical components to both domestic and international markets. Also, major electrical products produced under this sub-sector are lightings, solarrelated products and household appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and vacuum cleaners.

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS This sub-sector includes the manufacture of LED television receivers, audio visual products such as Blu-ray disc players and recorders, digital home theatre systems, mini disc, electronics games consoles and digital cameras. The sector is represented by many renowned Japanese and Korean companies which have contributed significantly towards the rapid growth of the sector. The leading companies are now undertaking R&D activities in the country to support their global and Asian markets. Another notable key growth in this subsector is the mobile lifestyle affecting most if not all of us in today’s world. The lifestyles of consumers are becoming increasingly hectic, particularly in urban areas. Mobile consumer electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, are bringing speed and convenience to consumers in terms of their jobs and communication. Smartphones in particular have become a necessity

ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS Products and activities which fall under this sub-sector include semiconductor devices, passive components, printed circuits and other components such as media, substrates and connectors.

not only for communication, but also for entertainment purposes. Consumers can access popular social media websites or just browse the latest trends almost anywhere in Malaysia due to the increased coverage of the 3G or 4G networks. Besides entertainment, mobile internet brings along the ability to do professional work from mobile devices such as office suites, collaborative applications or even photo editing. These have given consumers greater freedom and have thus fuelled the demand for mobile devices. Given such lifestyle habits, consumers have become reliant on consumer electronics.

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS This sub-sector consists of multimedia and information technology products such as computers, computer peripherals, telecommunication products and office equipment. The industrial electronics subsector is the second largest sub-sector, comprising 28% of the total investments approved in the E&E sector for 2014.

Within the electronic components subsector, the semiconductor devices have been the leading contributor in the performance of exports for the E&E industry. In 2014, the electronic components subsector became the largest sub-sector with approved investments of RM5.8 billion. The presence of major (MNCs) such as Intel, AMD, Freescale Semiconductor, ASE, Infineon, STMicroelectronics, Texas Instruments, Renesas and major Malaysian-owned companies such as Silterra, Globetronics, Unisem and Inari have contributed to the steady growth of the semiconductor industry in Malaysia. To date, there are more than 50 companies, largely MNCs producing semiconductors devices. The presence of IC design firms strengthens the semiconductor ecosystem by providing IC design services for their own products or outsourced. Today, IC design firms have added more value to their capabilities. Companies such as MyMs and Symmid have diversified their product base to feed the needs of the financial, Halal and LED markets.

CAPABILITIES ON LOCAL SOIL Malaysian companies have accumulated vast experience in supporting the global E&E multinationals. Today, they are capable exporters that have been supplying various E&E products worldwide. It is important to highlight the following areas of specialisation that Malaysian companies are capable of: • • • •

• Parts and components for electrical products • Power and energy generation • Solar solutions • LED lighting solutions • Consumer electrical items and • IT parts and accessories Malaysian exporters have proven capabilities in producing high quality E&E products and meeting world standards. They are also ready with the current global trend for green and environmentally-friendly products as well as the move towards sustainability. Malaysia is a key player in the fast expanding E&E market with its major export destinations include China, US, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. As a result, Malaysian exporters are open to work with any interested business partners to embark on the highimpact joint-venture projects for new product development, innovation, R&D and other services within the E&E value chain.

Electronic manufacturing services Wafer fabrication IC designs Assembly, packaging and testing

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Rich Resources Trigger Future Growth

For many years now, Asia has been touted as a fresh source of demand for consumer products, attracting more and more global investments to its shores and fuelling new wealth. Malaysia, a country with rich natural resources, has a total forest area of 22,195,100 hectares (ha) or 67.6% which is more than two-thirds of the land area. In 2000, the coverage area was 21,591,000 ha. Between 2010 and 2015, forest area has risen by 14,000 ha per year. This equates to the fact that Malaysia’s forest area is increasing, not decreasing. Primary forest area is 5,041,1000ha (22.7% of forest area), other naturally regenerated forests are 15,188,000ha (68.4% of the total area), and planted forests, represent 1,966,000ha or 8.9% of forest area.

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Malaysia is one of the world’s leading exporters of tropical hardwood products. Some of the key timber products for domestic demand and export include sawn logs, sawn timber, veneer sheets, plywood, particleboard and furniture. Some of the main importers of Malaysian timber products are Belgium, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. The wood-based industry can also be classified into wood and wood products, paper products and furniture fixtures. The wood and wood products classification can be divided further into 10 subsectors of which three are of special importance: plywood, saw, timber and wooden furniture. Further categories include logs, medium density fibre board (MDF), builder‘s carpentry and joinery (BCJ), mouldings, veneer and other timber.

In 2009, the timber sector was the fifth largest export earner for the country and maintains its position as strong driving force within the industry. In 2010, the timber sector contributed to 3.7% of the GDP and 3.2% of the country‘s total merchandise export. In 2015, Malaysia’s exports of timber and timber products, including wooden and rattan furniture, plywood and saw and timber, reached RM22.1 billion, which was an increase of 6.5% over 2014 (RM20.5 billion). Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Nik was quoted in Timber Malaysia 2016 as saying: “The timber industry, including the export of wooden furniture, is a significant contributor to the economic development of tropical countries like

Malaysia. However, continued growth and progress of the industry is largely dependent upon its ability to shift from the current manufacturing-based mindset to one that is more innovation-centric, providing more value-added products for the international market.â&#x20AC;? Timber Malaysia 2016 also revealed that the Malaysian timber industry is among the top five export earners of the nation, just behind crude petroleum, electrical and electronic products, palm oil, and palm oil based products, and rubber and rubber-based products. The Malaysian timber industry had contributed 2% of the Malaysian GDP and 2.7% of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total merchandise exports in 2014, with the top exported timber-based product being wooden furniture.

the United States, Canada, Mexico and Peru. But, with the TPPA, Malaysian businesses have an opportunity to do business with these nations. CONSERVATION EFFORTS The country is also taking a more conscious effort in sustainably managing its forest resources in a transparent way. Measures taken include improving the investment climate for forest plantations as a supplementary source of wood supply, diversifying wood products and wood product markets to reduce commercial risk on the industry and increasing utilisation of lesser-known wood species and production of bio-fuel from palm oil. Furthermore, deforestation is not only a problem in Malaysia but a global

dilemma. Malaysia faces shortfalls in timber production from its native forest and therefore, forest plantations play an important role in keeping the timber industry sustainable. According to the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM), forest plantations covered an area of 75,672 hectares by 2001. However, for a total sustainable timber production this effort was not enough. Therefore, in March 2005, the government gave the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) the task to pursue an aggressive programme for the development of forest plantations in Malaysia. Ultimately, the goal of the Ministry hereby is to develop another 375,000 hectares of forest plantation at an annual planting rate of 25,000 hectares per year until 2020.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AEC, TPPA AND THE TIMBER INDUSTRY The Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is set to impact the foundations of business in Malaysia, including the timber industry. The AEC, a huge market with 600 million people and a market of USD2.6 trillion, is the 3rd largest market in Asia and 7th in the world. In that context, Malaysia has a good opportunity to provide exports. Currently, the biggest ASEAN markets for timber include Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines for the year 2014. Moreover, with the recent TPPA signing, among the 12 nations that are participating in the agreement, Malaysia does not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with four of these nations, namely

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Key Enabler In Economic And Social Transformation The plantation and agriculture sectors, along with fisheries and forestry, still account for 7-8% of Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is a high level for a country at Malaysia’s stage of economic development. The sector also involves around one million workers, with about half of these being temporary migrants creating a hub for employment opportunities. Apart from being known as an important sector that draws in both international and domestic investors, the plantation and agriculture sector is highly dynamic, deemed to possess good potential for the future. PALM OIL AND RUBBER Being one of the biggest producers and exporters of palm oil and palm oil products, Malaysia has an important role to play in fulfilling the growing global need

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for oils and fats sustainably. The country currently accounts for 39% of world palm oil production and 44% of world exports. However, in order to maintain a steady supply of production, Malaysia is gearing to overcome its shortage of suitable farming land by replanting and planting new trees on existing land banks by independent smallholders to replace ageing and unproductive trees with higher-yielding seedlings. This will be achieved by implementing a more proactive approach by replanting and new planting initiatives remaining on track and contributing towards a sustainable supply of the commodity to downstream palm oil operators within and outside the region.

According to a report by the Australian National University in 2012, “Palm oil commands relatively high international prices, which are sustained by high persisting demand in both the food and non-food sectors. The latter is especially connected with bio-fuels, where petroleum is predicted to grow scarcer in relation to burgeoning global consumption. Rubber too remains a vital industrial product, and has seen a quadrupling of price over the last decade. It also has favourable forecasts for the future. Returns to producers from these crops are accordingly high, and there is substantial ‘downstream’ development into manufactured products. “ When it comes to rubber, Malaysia is home to the world’s leading rubber glove producers who collectively are a key

employer and revenue generator in the country. The goal is to reach 65% world market share of latex gloves by 2020. However, as the industry faces labour shortages and tight rubber supply, it has embarked on automation to cut down its reliance on manual labour. In 2014, total export revenue of Malaysian latex products, of which latex gloves is a major contributor, was recorded at RM12.03 billion. Furthermore, the move towards a more integrated Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market would also have a significant positive impact on rubber and palm oil, as it will encourage crossborder trade and investments in the region of over 600 million people.

RICE Malaysia’s rice states are predominantly Kedah and Perlis. An important subsector under the Malaysian government’s National Key Economic Area (NKEA) Entry Point Project (EPP), efforts have been made to further strengthen paddy farming. This includes estate management which contributes significantly to increasing farmers’ yield, with some farmers seeing yields more than double and average incomes rising 19% since joining the government’s programme. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE WITH NICHE AREAS Edible bird’s nest (EBN) products were exported in 2014 with over 7,000 swiftlet premises registered to date while premium shrimp which receives its greatest demand from Malaysia has the price per kilogramme of shrimp tagged higher in Malaysia than in export markets. The Agriculture NKEA also encourages business opportunities in the fields of herbal products, free-range chicken farming, button mushroom farming, increasing domestic production of fruits

and dried fruit snacks and ornamental fish farming. The Malaysian agriculture is a sphere of major economic potential, whose transformation needs to be strengthened further by substantial social change. There are many possibilities of improvement, and these deserve to be actively canvassed. But, this is all possible with sustained investment from both the government and private companies. This will then lead the agriculture and plantation sectors which are traditionally small-scale and production-based sectors into a large-scale agribusiness industry that contributes to economic growth and sustainability leading up to 2020. Ultimately, the sector contributions to the economy will continue to grow along with enhancing the quality of life for both industry players, workers and the people.

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MIHAS A Stage For Trade With Ethics And Integrity

as tourism, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, media recreation and e-commerce.

Muslims represent an estimated 23% of the global population or about 1.8 billion people. By 2030, Muslims are expected to make up about 26% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total population. Clearly, Muslim consumers represent an important market segment in the global economy. With the Muslim market tagged as the fastest growing consumer segment in the world, there is enormous growth potential for the halal industry.

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The global halal industry is currently estimated to be worth USD2.3 trillion (RM9.2 trillion). Until a decade ago, the halal industry was largely confined to food and other food-related products. However, the changing purchasing habits among Muslim consumers and the rise in ethical consumerism worldwide, the halal industry has expanded beyond just food and today the industry comprises other segments such

Halal is no longer a mere religious obligation for Muslims â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is a lifestyle choice. The values promoted by halal revolve around social responsibility, economic and social justice, animal welfare and ethical investment and these values have garnered interest beyond religious compliance. The halal status to a product is not just a guarantee that the product is permissible for Muslims; it is a symbol for quality assurance and ethical consumerism applicable for nonMuslims as well. Many Western countries have recognised the emerging global trend in consumerism towards halal products and services, and are now moving towards gaining a footing in the global halal industry. Malaysia, strategically located at the centre of Southeast Asia, is one of the first Muslim majority countries to recognise the importance of the halal market and has pioneered many initiatives to fuel the halal industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s double digit growth. The Malaysian government and the private sector have collaborated with various relevant partners to create a plethora of opportunities in the global market for halal products and services.

Testament to this, MIHAS or Malaysia International Halal Showcase is the most comprehensive and integrated promotion and sourcing platform to energise the global halal ecosystem effectively. It also brings together businesses, organisations and governments closer to champion one single cause –developing a dynamic growth for

the halal industry. The premier trade show made its debut in 2004 and quickly became the world’s largest halal marketplace. Since its inauguration, MIHAS has congregated approximately 200,000 visitors from 70 nations, 5,000 companies from 30 countries and generated more than USD3 billion in sales. MIHAS is recognised globally as a value-adding platform that promotes cross-border economic investments and business partnerships.

components of the WHW are World Halal Conference organised by Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) and Halal Certification Bodies Convention organised by Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM). The WHW brings together industry players and halal experts from all over the world. It also embodies Malaysia’s aspiration to be the main driver in creating a dynamic ecosystem for the halal industry for the world players to draw inspirations from.

The recently concluded MIHAS 2016 reaped RM1.14 billion in sales -- an increase of four per cent from last year’s (RM1.1 billion). The sales generated included sales from the event’s two main components -- International Sourcing Programme (INSP) and the exhibition, over a period of four days.

MIHAS 2017 will continue to meet the growing demand for halal products and servicesaround the world. Buyers, retailers, trade delegates, foreign media and halal enthusiasts from all over the world are expected to grace the trade fair with their presence. The prestigious MIHAS 2017 will be held from 5th – 8th of April 2017 at the state-of-the-art Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

This is an exciting time for the global halal industry as the international trade for halal products and services is growing rapidly, driven by shifts in production and consumption patterns, continuing technological innovation and new ways of doing business. With over 500 businesses showcasing their premier products and services annually at MIHAS, it is an ideal platform for the world to penetrate into the global halal market and source for pioneering new innovations, discover emerging brands and expand trade opportunities.

Join us in our movement as we set a stage for commerce and trade, with ethics and integrity. Visit MIHAS 2017! For more info, log on to www.halal.com.my

MIHAS, organised by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), is part of the World Halal Week (WHW) – a brainchild of Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI). Besides MIHAS, other

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NATIONAL CANCER COUNCIL (MAKNA) Keeping The Torch Alight For The Fight Against Cancer Furthermore, under the Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship programme, MAKNA aims to help young cancer survivors aged 25 and below to further their tertiary studies. This is in efforts to lessen the financial burden of a family that has gone through cancer. A NEVER-ENDING BATTLE In line with its mission on to mobilise all resources to fight cancer, MAKNA has actively embarked on gaining a deeper understanding of the cause of cancer and the pathology of cancer initiation and progression. Since 2001, the organisation has collaborated with several public and private universities in Malaysia and approved over RM10 million in funds up to 2015. The fund will be used as a platform for Malaysian researchers to further their study and findings on detecting cancer early enough to make successful treatment possible, managing cancer as a chronic disease and making prevention the first line of defense against cancer.

Cancer is increasingly becoming a healthcare bane in Malaysia. It not only takes a toll on oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life but on finances as treatment and medication costs continue to escalate. This is where the National Cancer Council (MAKNA) lends a helping hand to those in need. A Malaysian cancer not-for-profit social enterprise since 1994, the group has been helping over 5,000 cancer-stricken patients each year, receives referrals from over 92 hospitals, assisted in over 450,000 cases and recently expanded its operations to Vietnam in its efforts to raise awareness and share expertise. A key pillar to the cancer community, MAKNA is as passionate about the people who trust in them as much as giving importance to ultimately finding a cure for cancer.

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PROVIDING FINANCIAL AID MAKNA hopes to one day eliminate all treatment costs for its patients. In the meantime, its cancer centre at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (MCC-UKMMC) is an ongoing working relationship for over 16 years. Consisting of an oncology ward, a sub-basement radiotherapy unit and a stem cell transplant unit, the cancer centre has treated over 160,000 patients, performed over 150 bone marrow transplants and continues to be operated by both parties with funding from MAKNA at an annual cost of RM4 million. Under the Bursary Assistance Programme, cancer patients in the lower income groups who are undergoing treatment with a government hospital can apply to MAKNA for financial aid. Provided that the patient is undergoing treatment at any government hospital, he or she can keep applying for assistance once their current assistance ends.

a mobile mammogram screening unit locator.

Another key initiative in foraging for a cure; MAKNA annually allocates around RM100, 000 between three and four Malaysian scientists as part of the Cancer Research Award for promising scientists with interesting proposals on cancer research. Successful recipients are screened and vetted with the help of scientists from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Up to 2015, MAKNA has disbursed over RM1.28 million to 45 scientist in Malaysia. SPREADING AWARENESS AND EDUCATION MAKNA accepts requests to speak about cancer, conduct breast self-examinations and put on educational presentations and exhibitions to increase the understanding of cancer. Stating that understanding cancer is one of its main priorities, the organisation conducts an average of 200 events annually. This is done either by themselves or in partnerships with companies, government agencies, universities or schools. Staying in line with technology, MAKNA has an interactive and educational app that helps one to understand more about breast cancer and even reminds women to perform regular self-examination. The app, Ludic, available only for iPhone users at the moment, also provides informative videos on breast cancer, updates on MAKNA’s awareness events complete with map directions and

On breast cancer awareness, MAKNA’s initiative to provide mobile mammogram services to local communities nationwide became a reality in 2012. The initiative was rolled out after a customised 40foot trailer complete with a mammogram machine and all necessary supporting equipment was approved and licensed by the Ministry of Health. The trailer has since travelled to various locations including rural areas and remote settlements. SECURING PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS Apart from partnerships with local companies, on an international front, MAKNA has been working with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) as a full-fledged member of the organisation. Its position has been to align and participate in programmes that are aimed at raising awareness of cancer and accelerating the fight against the disease. On a larger scale, since 2009, MAKNA has been contributing to a cancer infrastructure to cope with Vietnam’s rising cancer rates. In 2013, the group held breast and cervical training courses for young doctors from the poorest regions in Vietnam. Sixty-seven physicians and 49 doctors attended the courses in Hanoi and Hue respectively. An approximate of 10,000 women benefitted from the free health examinations. MAKNA’s impacts to take off further in Vietnam included having Vietnam’s Ministry of Health cancer support experts supporting the ‘Supportive Fund for the Cancer Patients – Bright Future’. In the long run, these are

accumulated efforts as MAKNA International Vietnam (MIV) wishes to replicate MAKNA’s mission in Southeast Asia: to mobilise resources from all walks of life in the common battle against cancer. MAKE YOUR DONATION COUNT The organisation has come a long way. This is largely due to its donors, volunteers and supporters. Diversifying its methods in allowing others to contribute, an individual or company can choose to partake from direct debit donations, fundraising campaigns such as going bald for cancer, loose change campaign run in accordance with the Ministry of Education at participating public schools nationwide, climbing Mount Kinabalu, taking part in an annually-held run or creating your own fundraising campaign. Money aside, time and offering support to cancer patients is equally important. MAKNA has its own cancer support group established at its office and in partnership with participating government hospitals nationwide. As for volunteering with the organisation, a volunteer is given the option to choose his or her area of interest which includes engaging and helping cancer patients during home visits, partaking in recreational activities with cancer patients, to helping with MAKNA’s administration work or fundraising for MAKNA through its events. Acknowledged by the slogan ‘A Work of Heart’, MAKNA highly regards its volunteers who have been a crucial part of its operations in reaching out to patients and communities nationwide. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit www.makna.org.my To make a donation please visit www.makna.org.my or call 03-2162 9178.

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