Malaysians have been ranked fourth among Asia’s top foodie travellers, according to a recent survey by digital travel platform Agoda. The survey, part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, highlights that one in three Malaysians prioritise discovering new culinary experiences when travelling. This trend underscores the increasing importance of gastronomy in travel decisions across Asia.

The survey reveals that food has become a significant motivator for Asian travellers, climbing into the top three reasons for travel, up from sixth place last year. Taiwanese travellers lead the list, with 47% citing culinary experiences as a primary travel motivator. Vietnam and South Korea follow, with 35% and 34% of respondents, respectively, emphasising their appreciation for diverse cuisines.

Malaysia, with 33% of respondents prioritising food, shares the fourth spot with Japan. Indonesian, Thai, and Indian travellers complete the top eight, showcasing their interest in global cuisines.

Fabian Teja, Country Director Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda, noted, “For many Malaysians, travel and food naturally go hand in hand. Whether it’s seeking out authentic street food or planning trips around trending dining spots, culinary exploration plays a big role in how Malaysians experience the world.”

Agoda supports this culinary enthusiasm by offering over 300,000 activities, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 130,000 flight routes, all bookable through its platform. As food continues to be a driving force in travel, Malaysians are set to explore even more global flavours.

Lincotrade & Associates Holdings Limited has announced the soft launch of its first property development in Kuala Lumpur, The Shang Residence. Situated in the established township of Kuchai Lama, this freehold residential project comprises 449 exclusive units. The development is strategically located near the proposed MRT Line 3 and major highways, providing easy access to lifestyle and retail hubs such as Mid Valley Megamall and Bangsar South.

The Shang Residence is designed as a modern urban sanctuary for multi-generational families, featuring a range of resort-inspired facilities. These include a 30-metre infinity pool, fitness and yoga studios, a Himalayan salt sauna, and various pavilions for dining and entertainment. The development also offers a co-working lounge and private meeting suites, catering to the needs of residents seeking a blend of comfort and functionality.

Jackie Soh Loong Chow, CEO of Lincotrade, expressed confidence in the project’s appeal, citing its strategic location and thoughtfully curated amenities. “The limited supply of freehold residential developments in a mature enclave like Kuchai Lama further enhances the attractiveness of The Shang Residence,” he noted.

Alan Tee Kai Loon, Managing Director of Linc Venture, highlighted the project’s design philosophy, which integrates Harmony, Vitality, Precision, and Stewardship. “The Shang Residence reflects our vision of creating well-located homes that combine thoughtful design with lifestyle-driven amenities,” he said.

The official launch of The Shang Residence is expected by June 2026, with completion anticipated by 2029. This development marks Lincotrade’s entry into the property development market in Malaysia, expanding its portfolio beyond interior fitting-out services.

Global lifestyle brand MINISO has launched Malaysia’s first MINISO LAND at Sunway Pyramid, Selangor, on 28 February. The 1,700-square-metre store features an immersive space with the most comprehensive IP product offering in the country, aiming to provide a joy-filled experience for local consumers.

Located on the first floor of Sunway Pyramid Mall, a prominent shopping destination, MINISO LAND is designed to attract both local and regional shoppers. The store’s strategic location and engaging design make it a popular spot for young consumers and families. It boasts over 8,000 curated stock-keeping units (SKUs), with IP merchandise accounting for more than 70% of the assortment.

The store’s interior, highlighted by gold tones and bulb-inspired elements, creates a lively atmosphere. Visitors can explore 15 themed zones offering a range of products, including IP-themed collections, home and lifestyle items, beauty and skincare products, and toys. Interactive installations, such as giant pyjama-Stitch figures and a Snoopy-themed zone, enhance the experience.

MINISO LAND also introduces several IPs making their debut in Malaysia, including Pac-Man, alongside popular names like Sanrio and Monchhichi. The store features MINISO’s proprietary IP lineup, the YOYO Cupid Ring series, with 10 character sculptures displayed throughout the space.

The opening was celebrated with appearances by MINISO’s Gift Bear and Friends mascots, engaging the crowd with interactive activities. Online campaigns and user-generated content challenges further amplified the launch’s success. As Southeast Asia’s largest MINISO LAND, the store underscores the brand’s expansion in the region, with more openings planned globally.

Columbia Asia Hospital Bukit Jalil has unveiled its new Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab), a significant enhancement to its heart and vascular care services. The launch, officiated by the hospital’s CEO, Sharonpal Singh, and Consultant Cardiologist Prem Nathan Arumuganathan, marks a continued investment in specialist capabilities since the hospital’s opening in 2023.

The Cath Lab aims to address Malaysia’s pressing heart disease concerns, as ischaemic heart disease remains the leading cause of death, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s 2024 report. The facility provides faster, minimally invasive treatments, crucial for early detection and intervention.

Sharonpal Singh emphasised the importance of the new lab, stating, “This facility enables faster, minimally invasive treatment and improved access to specialist care, closer to home.” The lab is expected to significantly improve patient outcomes by offering advanced procedures that were previously less accessible.

The launch of the Cath Lab is part of Columbia Asia Hospital’s broader strategy to expand its cardiac care services, ensuring that patients receive timely and effective treatment. This development not only enhances the hospital’s capabilities but also strengthens its role in combating heart disease in Malaysia.

As the hospital continues to invest in state-of-the-art medical facilities, the new Cath Lab is poised to play a pivotal role in reducing the burden of heart disease, providing patients with the care they need without the need to travel far from home.

Aonic, a Malaysia-based drone technology company, has secured $10m in Series A funding to expand its operations globally. The investment, led by Kairous Capital and supported by Jelawang Capital through Malaysia’s National Fund-of-Funds, will enable Aonic to enhance its research and development, scale its drone technology, and broaden its reach beyond Southeast Asia.

Founded by Cheong Jin Xi, Aonic has developed a comprehensive ecosystem that designs, engineers, and manufactures drones and proprietary software in-house. This approach allows the company to maintain control over product performance and costs. “Aonic is scaling a proven system,” said Cheong. “This funding enables us to expand globally with the same level of consistency and reliability we’ve achieved in Southeast Asia.”

Aonic’s drones are designed to modernise agriculture by addressing labour-intensive and hazardous tasks. By automating processes like spraying, the drones have increased farmers’ incomes by 50% and farm output by 54%, whilst reducing water usage by 75%. The company also supports farmers with training, financing, and retail services to lower adoption barriers.

With over 50 3S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts) centres across Southeast Asia, Aonic provides robust after-sales support. As a leader in the agri-drone sector in Malaysia and Thailand, Aonic’s technology is widely used for plantation and farm spraying operations. The recent funding will further bolster its position as a transformative force in food and agri-technology.

UCrest Berhad, a digital health service provider, has unveiled iMedicT Longevity, an innovative addition to its iMedicT platform. This new suite of capabilities is designed to support functional and longevity medicine, offering healthcare providers digital tools for personalised care. The platform is already in use by doctors to manage patient health effectively.

iMedicT Longevity aligns with preventive and personalised medicine principles, drawing on historical practices of long-term health management. It supports functional medicine, anti-ageing medicine, and longevity medicine, focusing on maintaining health and extending the healthspan. These disciplines are gaining traction among healthcare providers and patients seeking comprehensive health maintenance strategies.

The platform enables healthcare providers to maintain patient health records, document personalised health plans, and communicate securely with patients. Patients can access their health information and receive communications from their healthcare providers through the iMedicT app, which is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The introduction of iMedicT Longevity comes amid growing interest in health optimisation and personalised care, with the health and wellness sector expanding across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region. The healthy ageing supplements market in Malaysia is projected to grow significantly, reflecting increased consumer awareness of health maintenance.

Eg Kah Yee, Chairman and Managing Director of UCrest Berhad, stated, “We are pleased to introduce iMedicT Longevity as an expansion of our iMedicT platform’s capabilities.” The module is available to healthcare providers and patients in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, India, China, and Taiwan, supporting the delivery of quality care through digital tools.

Hilton has announced the opening of its latest hotel, Hilton Shah Alam Glenmarie, in Selangor, Malaysia. This new establishment, overlooking the Glenmarie championship golf courses, marks a significant expansion of Hilton’s flagship brand in the region. The hotel features 261 rooms and is designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers with its extensive event facilities, five dining options, and resort-style amenities.

Located just 10 minutes from Subang Airport and 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Hilton Shah Alam Glenmarie provides convenient access to major attractions such as Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and the Shah Alam Botanical Garden. The hotel offers a variety of room configurations, including 107 guest rooms, 74 deluxe rooms with golf course views, and 55 premium executive rooms. Additionally, there are 25 suites available for longer stays and family getaways.

Dining options at the hotel include the all-day dining restaurant Gingerfire, the al fresco Garden Terrace Restaurant, and the elegant Fūrin Restaurant for Japanese cuisine. Guests can also enjoy leisure facilities such as an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a fitness centre, and access to the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

The hotel boasts over 2,800 square metres of meeting and event spaces, including the 556-square-metre Glenmarie Ballroom, capable of hosting up to 500 guests. Alexandra Murray, area vice president and regional head of South East Asia for Hilton, stated, “Hilton Shah Alam Glenmarie is an important addition to our Malaysia portfolio as we continue to grow in step with evolving travel demand.”

Hilton Honours members can earn an additional 1,000 points per stay from 1 March to 31 August 2026, celebrating the hotel’s opening.

Allianz Malaysia Berhad has announced a strong financial performance for the year 2025, with total business volume increasing by 10.4% to RM6.24b. This growth was supported by positive developments in both its general and life insurance segments. The company’s operating profit also saw a significant rise of 15.9%, reaching RM1.17b, underscoring its commitment to excellence and adaptability in a changing market.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sean Wang, highlighted the importance of technical excellence and adaptability in meeting customer needs. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2026, we are grateful for the trust placed in us and we remain focused on ensuring sustainable growth in the year ahead,” he stated.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Allianz Malaysia recorded a business volume of RM1.60b, marking a 6.7% increase. However, the operating profit for this period saw a slight decline of 2.2% to RM278.3m. Despite this, Gross Written Premiums rose by 4.6% to RM1.81b, driven by the Fire, Motor, and Bancassurance businesses.

Allianz General Insurance Company, a subsidiary, reported an 11.2% increase in business volume to RM3.58b for 2025, with the Motor and Commercial sectors being key growth drivers. Meanwhile, Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad achieved a 6% rise in annualised new premiums, supported by its Employee Benefits and Bancassurance businesses.

Dezign Format has announced an adjusted net profit of S$2.2m for the financial year 2025, despite incurring significant costs related to its initial public offering (IPO) and strategic expansion efforts. The company is poised for growth with plans to enter key Southeast Asian markets and the upcoming launch of a new production facility in Malaysia.

The board has recommended a final dividend of 0.25 Singapore cents per share, reflecting confidence in the company’s future prospects. Chairman and CEO Mike Chong stated, “FY2025 was a pivotal, transitional year for Dezign Format. Whilst our headline numbers reflect the upfront costs of our IPO and strategic expansion, our Adjusted Net Profit of S$2.2m reveals the underlying resilience of our core business.”

The new Malaysian facility is expected to enhance cost efficiencies, whilst expansion into high-growth markets such as Vietnam and Thailand aims to solidify Dezign Format’s presence in the region. Chong added, “We remain optimistic about the path ahead and are focused on scaling our bespoke, experiential offerings to deliver sustained value to all our stakeholders.”

This strategic positioning is anticipated to improve long-term margins and scalability, setting the stage for sustained growth in the competitive Southeast Asian market.

Raffles Education Limited has announced the completion of its property disposal at 51 Merchant Road, generating net cash proceeds of S$121.3m. This strategic move, approved by shareholders earlier this month, is set to enhance the company’s balance sheet and support its expansion strategy across ASEAN markets, including Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The company also declared a tax-exempt special interim dividend of 0.4 Singapore cents per share, with the record date set for 9 March 2026.

The proceeds from the sale will primarily be used to repay the majority of the Group’s bank loans, significantly reducing interest expenses and strengthening its financial position. Additionally, S$12.25m of non-convertible bonds will be redeemed, further contributing to interest savings. The company aims to utilise the capital to accelerate growth initiatives in key ASEAN markets.

In Malaysia, Raffles Education plans to expand its Raffles American School and Raffles University in Iskandar, focusing on increasing enrolment and launching new programmes. In Thailand, the company will expand its Raffles American School in Bangkok to accommodate more students. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, a new premium K-12 school is set to open in Jakarta, targeting high-income households and expatriate communities.

Chew Hua Seng, Chairman and CEO of Raffles Education, stated, “The completion of the sale marks a key milestone in optimising our capital and providing the Group with the agility and means for expansion without reliance on external borrowings.” The company’s strategic focus remains on leveraging its established brand and operational expertise to drive growth across the region.