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.

Lion Group, encompassing Batik Air Indonesia, Batik Air Malaysia, and Thai Lion Air, is set to bolster its presence at Singapore’s Changi Airport by relocating to Terminal 4 from November 2025. This strategic move will support the airline’s expansion plans, including new flights to Ipoh, Penang, and Subang, starting December 2025. Currently, Lion Group operates 88 weekly services connecting Singapore to five cities across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The relocation to Terminal 4, which can handle up to 16 million passenger movements annually, aims to accommodate Lion Group’s growth and rising air travel demand in the region. The terminal offers a high degree of automation and a variety of retail and dining options, enhancing the passenger experience. Changi Airport Group (CAG) is collaborating with Lion Group to integrate its airlines into FAST, a suite of automated self-service options.

Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President, Lim Ching Kiat, expressed enthusiasm for the new services, stating, “With this, services from Singapore to Malaysia will reach over 460 weekly departing flights, entrenching Malaysia’s position as one of Changi’s top markets.”

Lion Group’s President Director, Capt. Daniel Putut, highlighted the benefits of the move, saying, “This move enables Batik Air to better connect Indonesia and Singapore, two important gateways in the region.”

The expansion aligns with Lion Group’s long-term vision to grow alongside customer needs, offering more routes and strengthening regional connectivity. The new routes will also support the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, providing seamless onward connections via Kuala Lumpur to over 63 destinations across 20 countries.

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach recently hosted the “Journey to the Sea” event, releasing rehabilitated green sea turtles into the wild. This event, held from 6 to 8 September, was a collaboration with the Royal Thai Navy, the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, and the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, showcasing the resort’s commitment to conservation under Marriott’s Serve 360 initiative.

The turtles, named by guests as King Julian, Mr Turtle Junior, Flipper, Timmy, and Chokdee, were released at Merlin Beach, marking their first return to the ocean. The journey began in the Similan Islands, where rising sea levels threatened over 80% of turtle nests. The Royal Thai Navy rescued the eggs, which were then incubated at the Phuket Marine Biological Centre. After 10 months of care at the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, the turtles were ready for release.

Trevor May, Multi-Property General Manager, stated, “This successful event shows the positive impact we can have when we come together.” The event included an Ocean Scavenger Hunt, where winners named the turtles, and an educational session with WildAid on the global 30×30 conservation initiative.

As the International Day of Peace approaches on 21 September, the release of these turtles symbolises peace and resilience. The event is part of Marriott’s global Serve 360 project, aiming to create sustainable impacts and protect marine life. The resort’s Merlin House Reef Educational Centre further underscores this commitment.

Brookfield, a global investment firm, has partnered with Malaysian clean energy company Solarvest Holdings Bhd to develop over 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar and battery storage projects in Malaysia. This collaboration marks Brookfield’s inaugural investment in Malaysia through its Catalytic Transition Fund, which focuses on decarbonisation in emerging markets.

The decision to invest in Malaysia is driven by the country’s robust renewable energy market, supported by strong demand and favourable policies. Daniel Cheng, Brookfield’s Head of Renewable Power & Transition for Asia Pacific, highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in clean energy, noting the country’s role as a hub for data centres and semiconductor manufacturing. “Brookfield is committed to deploying significant capital into Malaysia,” Cheng stated, emphasising the alignment of market fundamentals with Brookfield’s capabilities.

Solarvest, with a track record of over 2.3 GW of solar photovoltaic projects in Malaysia, will leverage its local expertise, whilst Brookfield will provide large-scale capital and operational capabilities. Solarvest’s CEO, Dato’ Davis Chong, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating it will drive Malaysia’s decarbonisation agenda and expand Solarvest’s regional footprint.

This partnership is expected to significantly contribute to Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap, advancing clean energy adoption and supporting the region’s journey towards carbon neutrality.

Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) has introduced the Golden Hands for Golden Care programme, a new initiative designed to enhance access to crucial surgical and medical procedures for seniors in Malaysia. Running from 10 September to 10 November 2025, the programme targets self-paying patients aged 60 and above, aiming to improve their mobility, independence, and quality of life through timely medical interventions.

The programme not only covers surgical treatments but also provides medical support for post-stroke recovery, focusing on restoring motor function, speech, and cognitive abilities. This dual approach is intended to alleviate the burden on families and empower seniors to remain active within their communities. “Timely surgery can significantly alter the outcomes for many elderly patients,” said Dr Wee Tong Ming, SMCV’s Medical Director. “Early intervention can lead to safer, quicker recoveries and a higher likelihood of maintaining independence.”

Malaysia is experiencing a demographic shift towards an ageing population, with projections indicating that by 2030, seniors will comprise 15.3% of the population. This shift is expected to increase the incidence of non-communicable diseases, placing additional pressure on the healthcare system. SMCV’s initiative seeks to address these challenges by making essential surgical procedures more accessible to seniors, thereby reducing the strain on carers and the healthcare system.

A team from Monash University Malaysia has clinched the prestigious Universities for Goal 13 competition, organised by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network in partnership with Siemens Energy. The team’s project, “Turning algae into the future of a clean industry,” demonstrates how microalgae can capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources whilst producing high-value products for food, energy, and pharmaceuticals.

Led by Associate Professor Saman Ilankoon, the team included PhD scholars Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali, Manuja Dayanath, and Lourdes Loh Ye Shing Morgan. Their proposal outperformed entries from other top universities, including University College London and Tsinghua University. The project was awarded during the SDSN’s 25th Leadership Council Meeting in New York.

The innovative concept utilises microalgae photobioreactors to convert carbon dioxide from industrial flue gases into valuable biomass. Simulated pilot studies showed the system could capture 85 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually and generate 5 tonnes of biomass, with a payback period of just two years. This process also produces natural pigments, biofertilisers, and clean energy, contributing to circular economy models.

Shafeeq Ahmed Syed Ali expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Monash University Malaysia on a global stage, whilst Manuja Dayanath highlighted the recognition’s impact on his PhD research. Lourdes Loh Ye Shing noted the valuable mentorship from Siemens Energy, which provided a multidisciplinary perspective.

The project is part of the Centre for Net-Zero Technology at Monash University Malaysia, which aims to pioneer net-zero innovation in ASEAN. The team will receive a $10,000 cash prize and international networking opportunities to further their project.