Industry News

The Malaysia Sarong Music Run (MSMR) 2025, a unique fusion of music and athletics, transformed Kuala Lumpur’s city centre into a lively celebration. Jetour, a leading Chinese SUV brand, joined as the exclusive automotive partner, showcasing its DASHING and VT9 models through interactive displays and engagements. The event, held at the iconic KLCC square beneath the Petronas Twin Towers, attracted over 10,000 runners and 30,000 concert-goers.

Jetour’s involvement in MSMR highlights its “Travel+” philosophy, aiming to blend driving with music and sports to create a dynamic lifestyle experience. Since launching its first model in April 2025, Jetour has quickly risen to become one of the best-selling Chinese SUV brands, emphasising its commitment to an exploratory lifestyle.

During the race kit collection period on 18-19 September, participants had the chance to view static displays of Jetour’s models. On the event day, 20 September, Jetour expanded its presence across multiple key locations, further integrating its brand with the vibrant atmosphere of the run. This partnership not only underscores Jetour’s rapid growth but also its innovative approach to redefining the car as a lifestyle choice.

Zurich Insurance Group has unveiled a global study revealing that empathy is a crucial factor for businesses seeking a competitive edge. Conducted in collaboration with Professor Jamil Zaki from Stanford University, the report titled “Addressing the Empathy Gap” highlights a significant disconnect between consumer expectations and their experiences with businesses. The study, based on a YouGov survey of over 11,500 consumers across 11 countries, underscores the importance of empathy in customer interactions.

The findings show that 73% of consumers avoid companies that fail to demonstrate empathy, with 43% having switched brands due to a lack of empathetic engagement. Furthermore, 61% of respondents expressed willingness to pay more for brands that genuinely care. The study also reveals that whilst artificial intelligence (AI) is recognised for its utility, 71% of consumers believe it cannot replicate genuine human connections, and 92% prefer direct human interaction over 24/7 availability.

The report emphasises the need for empathy, particularly in financial services, where 88% of consumers deem it important, yet only 63% feel the industry meets this expectation. Conny Kalcher, Zurich’s Group Chief Customer Officer, stated, “Empathy is key to shaping customer experience and building lasting relationships.”

Zurich’s Global Empathy Training Programme, co-designed with Be Human Partnership, has seen 26% of its global employees complete nearly 46,000 hours of training since 2023. This initiative has led to measurable improvements in customer advocacy and loyalty, with a 7-point rise in the Transactional Net Promoter Score from January 2024 to June 2025. The study advocates for integrating empathy into business strategies to foster trust and sustainable growth.

Allianz Malaysia Berhad has announced its support for the government’s Perlindungan Tenang Voucher (PTV) 3.0 programme through its PerlindunganKu Allianz4All product. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive insurance coverage at affordable premiums, made more accessible with the PTV3.0 vouchers. The programme is designed to enhance social protection, particularly for lower-income households, by offering individual coverage for personal accidents, medical needs, and emergency relief.

Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz Malaysia, stated, “We are committed to supporting the government’s initiative to provide financial security to all eligible Malaysians through the PTV3.0 programme. PerlindunganKu Allianz4All is designed to offer the best coverage in times of need with affordable premiums, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.”

The PTV3.0 programme is available to two million eligible recipients of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) on a first-come, first-served basis, with a redemption period from 1 September to 31 December 2025. STR recipients can redeem a RM30 voucher subsidised by the government to purchase simple and affordable insurance or takaful products.

PerlindunganKu Allianz4All offers two plans tailored to meet diverse needs. Plan 1 provides coverage of up to RM30,000 for death or permanent disablement due to accidents, with additional benefits for hospitalisation and medical expenses. Plan 2 offers higher coverage of up to RM50,000, with increased benefits for hospital income and medical expenses. Both plans include emergency relief in the event of evacuation due to floods.

A unique aspect of PerlindunganKu Allianz4All is the allocation of 53.5% of the premium to a Claims Allocation Fund (CAF), used to pay out claims. Surplus from the CAF is distributed to charitable causes, with a portion allocated to the government for policyholders using PTV3.0. In 2024, Allianz Malaysia distributed a surplus of RM219,148 from the CAF to charitable causes, highlighting its commitment to social responsibility.

PerlindunganKu Allianz4All can be purchased through authorised distributors using PTV3.0 vouchers.

Charge+, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging company in Southeast Asia, and XPENG Motors, a high-tech firm from China, have announced a strategic partnership to establish a supercharging network across Southeast Asia. This collaboration aims to facilitate long-distance EV travel by offering ultrafast charging speeds of up to 480kW DC, enabling a charge from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes.

The initial phase of the project includes the launch of four supercharging sites located in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. These sites are at Royal Square Novena and Downtown East in Singapore, KL Eco City in Kuala Lumpur, and One Bangkok in Thailand. Charge+ has installed six ultra-fast charging points at KL Eco City, making it the fastest EV charging station in Kuala Lumpur with speeds up to 350kW DC.

The second phase will see the expansion of the supercharging network to additional high-traffic locations, including commercial hubs and motorway rest stops in countries like Indonesia. This initiative aligns with Charge+’s ongoing project to create a 5,000km EV charging highway across five Southeast Asian countries.

XPENG EV owners will benefit from exclusive charging discounts at Charge+ public chargers and the new supercharging hubs for three years. By the end of 2025, XPENG users will be able to access Charge+’s network via the XPENG mobile app, with integration into vehicle dashboards and start-stop charging capabilities.

Goh Chee Kiong, CEO of Charge+, emphasised the partnership’s role in enhancing cross-border EV travel, whilst Gao Xiang, General Manager of XPENG Charging, highlighted the potential for unlocking new opportunities in the region.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) has been named the most connected airport in the Asia Pacific region, according to the latest Megahubs 2025 report by OAG, a leading data platform for the global travel industry. Released on 23 September, the report ranks KUL in joint fourth place globally, highlighting its significant growth in connectivity with a 22% increase in destinations served since 2015.

The report, now in its tenth year, underscores the rising prominence of Asia Pacific’s aviation sector, with three airports making it to the global top 10. Seoul Incheon (ICN) ranks sixth, marking a notable climb from tenth place in 2015, with a 58% increase in potential connections. Tokyo Haneda (HND), however, has dropped to ninth place from third in 2024.

In the Asia Pacific region, KUL, ICN, and HND are the top three most internationally connected airports, followed by Singapore Changi (SIN) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK). The report also highlights Kuala Lumpur’s dominance in low-cost aviation, ranking as the world’s leading low-cost carrier (LCC) Megahub, with AirAsia operating 36% of its flights.

Mayur Patel, Head of ASPAC at OAG, noted, “The Asia Pacific region has cemented its reputation as a global powerhouse in aviation, balancing world-class full-service hubs with dynamic low-cost connectivity.”

The findings reflect the region’s unique ability to cater to diverse traveller needs, reinforcing its status as a pivotal player in global aviation.

Food & Hospitality Malaysia (FHM) 2025 has commenced at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, marking a significant expansion as it occupies all 11 halls for the first time. Running from 23 to 26 September, the exhibition features over 1,500 brands from 15 countries and is expected to draw more than 25,000 trade visitors. Organised by Informa Markets Malaysia, the event aims to foster business growth and industry development through curated showcases, live competitions, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

This year’s theme, “Cultivating Solutions for the Food and Hospitality Industry,” is reflected in various event highlights. These include the International Signature Hall, Brew & Bake Hall, Malaysia Pastry Week featuring the World Pastry Cup Team Malaysia National Selection, and the Pastry Innovation Lab. The event also sees the return of popular segments such as Culinaire Malaysia, Housekeeping Malaysia, and Trend Talk.

Gerard Leeuwenburgh, Country General Manager of Informa Markets Malaysia, stated, “At FHM 2025, we are committed to developing innovative approaches that respond to the evolving needs of the food and hospitality industry.” The event also introduces a collaboration with local brand Bungkus Kaw Kaw to create exclusive merchandise, showcasing Malaysian creativity on an international stage.

Additionally, the FutureFWD Hospitality, Food & Beverage conference will take place on 25 September at EQ Kuala Lumpur, exploring topics like tech-driven transformation and sustainability. FHM 2025 continues its Food Share Initiative, redistributing surplus food to community kitchens in partnership with the Food Aid Foundation.

International planning and management consultancy TBH has launched a new office in Malaysia, marking a significant step in its expansion across Southeast Asia. This move coincides with the firm’s 60th anniversary and complements its established presence in Singapore since 2010. Michael Tan, with over 25 years of experience in the Asia-Pacific region, has been appointed as Country Manager to spearhead this growth.

The Malaysian construction industry is projected to grow by 9.6% year-on-year in 2025, driven by developments in housing, data centres, and semiconductor facilities. TBH aims to leverage its expertise in planning, project controls, and risk management to support this growth. Tan will focus on building strategic partnerships and delivering specialised services in Malaysia’s burgeoning infrastructure, energy, and digital sectors.

Michael Tan expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “Malaysia’s infrastructure, energy and digital sectors are entering an exciting phase of development, and I’m delighted to lead TBH’s efforts in helping deliver projects that will shape the country’s future economy and built environment.”

Trevor Lam, a partner at TBH, highlighted the strategic importance of the expansion, noting, “As TBH celebrates its 60th anniversary, we are delighted to welcome Michael to our leadership team. His depth of expertise in project controls and delay analysis will be instrumental in enhancing our service offering in Malaysia.”

As TBH continues to expand its footprint in Asia, the firm remains committed to contributing to the development of a resilient and future-ready built environment in Malaysia and beyond.

Eaton, a leader in intelligent power management, has announced a strategic partnership with Westcon-Comstor Malaysia to distribute its Power Quality (PQ) portfolio, focusing on Distributed Power Quality (DPQ) products. This collaboration will enable Westcon-Comstor’s Cisco-focused Comstor division to deliver Eaton’s solutions to Malaysian customers, enhancing power quality and resilience for large enterprises.

The partnership is set to strengthen Eaton’s distribution network in Malaysia, allowing both companies to better serve enterprise customers where business continuity is crucial. It also expands Comstor’s compute solutions portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to providing comprehensive and sustainable IT solutions. Wayne Chong, Country Manager of Comstor Malaysia, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “Eaton’s Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) product range helps businesses unlock a new level of reliable and efficient power.”

In addition to power solutions, Comstor will offer Eaton’s server racks, designed for versatile configuration and efficient thermal management. These racks are essential for modern data centres, enabling significant energy savings and supporting sustainability goals.

The collaboration is expected to drive operational performance improvements and energy consumption reductions for customers. As both companies leverage their market expertise and regional presence, the partnership is poised to deliver enhanced solutions and opportunities in the coming years.

Allianz Malaysia Berhad has called on the public to remain vigilant and prepared for natural disasters following recent earthquakes in Johor, Malaysia. Despite Malaysia’s usual immunity to seismic activities due to its location outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, these events underscore the importance of readiness for unexpected occurrences.

Allianz Malaysia is committed to equipping individuals and businesses with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect their assets. The company’s insurance solutions, such as Smart Home Cover and Allianz Business Shield, offer comprehensive protection in a single package, removing the need for multiple policies. “Recent events serve as a reminder that natural disasters can occur unexpectedly,” said Sean Wang, CEO of Allianz Malaysia. “With Smart Home Cover and Allianz Business Shield, our customers can focus on their lives and businesses, knowing that these important assets are well protected.”

Smart Home Cover automatically protects homeowners against 10 types of unexpected events, including natural disasters like earthquakes, without requiring further add-ons. This ensures peace of mind for homeowners, safeguarding their properties against unforeseen events. Meanwhile, Allianz Business Shield simplifies insurance for business owners by bundling protections such as burglary and fire coverage into a single, customisable package.

The occurrence of earthquakes in Malaysia may be attributed to factors like tectonic plate shifts and climate change. Allianz Malaysia encourages the public to stay informed and proactive, offering tips such as staying updated on news, evaluating insurance coverage, and customising policies to suit individual needs. Allianz Malaysia remains dedicated to supporting the community with reliable insurance solutions.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has announced a strategic partnership with PingPong Global Holding Limited, marking the first two-way collaboration between an ASEAN bank and the global payments leader. This partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to integrate CIMB’s banking infrastructure with PingPong’s global network to provide faster, more secure, and efficient cross-border payment services for businesses across the ASEAN region.

The initiative will initially launch in Malaysia, with plans to expand into Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia. This collaboration is set to benefit businesses by offering seamless cross-border payment solutions, integrated financial services, and expert support, enabling them to optimise operations and explore new growth opportunities in international markets.

Lawrence Loh, Co-CEO of Group Commercial and Transaction Banking at CIMB, stated, “Seamless cross border transactions are integral for businesses to thrive in today’s digital and connected economy.” He emphasised that the partnership would empower enterprises and SMEs to transact globally with greater ease and confidence.

PingPong’s APAC CEO, Jianqin Shu, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the potential to make cross-border B2B payments as simple as local transactions. The collaboration will allow businesses to access multi-currency virtual accounts, eliminating costly cross-border fees and enhancing payment flexibility.

Through this partnership, CIMB will also offer merchant financing solutions and white-label SME card solutions for PingPong’s customers, further enhancing their payment capabilities. This collaboration underscores CIMB’s commitment to driving regional business growth and trade within ASEAN.