AirAsia MOVE, Asia’s leading travel booking app, has announced the addition of four new direct airline partners in the second quarter of 2026. The new partnerships with Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines aim to enhance travel options across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and China, providing travellers with greater choice and seamless access to emerging destinations.

The expansion reflects growing confidence in AirAsia MOVE as a preferred distribution channel for airlines seeking to tap into the region’s rapidly growing traveller base. The platform continues to expand its flights inventory, catering to both full-service and low-cost carriers.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, commented on the development, stating, “Travel across Asean is evolving rapidly, with travellers demanding greater choice and seamless control all on one platform. As a flights-first OTA, expanding our network offering is core to our mission. Securing the trust of major carriers like Oman Air, Uzbekistan Airways, FitsAir, and Hainan Airlines, particularly amidst ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and volatility, is a powerful testament to the commercial strength of the MOVE ecosystem and the regional reach we deliver to our partners.”

This strategic move by AirAsia MOVE not only strengthens its position in the travel booking market but also underscores its commitment to providing comprehensive travel solutions to its users. As the platform continues to grow, it is expected to further enhance its offerings, providing even more options for travellers in the future.

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur is now accepting reservations, marking the brand’s debut in Malaysia and setting a new standard for luxury hospitality in the region. Located in the prestigious Golden Triangle district, the hotel offers 268 all-suite accommodations, ranging from 80 square metre one-bedroom suites to the expansive 745 square metre Waldorf Astoria Suite.

The hotel promises a blend of timeless elegance and personalised service, embodying the reimagined Malaysian hospitality philosophy, Layan Tetamu. This philosophy focuses on sincerity, intuition, and deeply personalised service, providing a tranquil haven amidst the vibrant cityscape.

Dining at the Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur will feature collaborations with renowned chefs Garima Arora and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, offering a variety of distinct culinary experiences. The hotel also boasts a comprehensive wellness centre, including the Waldorf Astoria Spa, which offers personalised rituals and advanced therapies.

General Manager Etienne Dalançon expressed enthusiasm about the opening, stating, “Now open for reservations, Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur marks the reawakening of a truly iconic address, reimagined for a new generation of discerning travellers. We look forward to welcoming our first guests as the hotel begins to come to life.”

Ahead of its official opening in late 2026, the hotel is offering the Waldorf Astoria Indulgence Escape package, which includes breakfast and 15,000 Hilton Honors Points for members booking a minimum two-night stay. This offer is available on the hotel’s website.

Serial Achieva Limited has announced that its subsidiary, Achieva Cloud Services Sdn. Bhd., has secured a MYR17.8m contract to provide co-location data centre space and related facilities in Malaysia. The agreement, signed with a regional cloud services provider, marks the company’s second major contract in this sector and will commence in October 2026, spanning an initial term of three years.

This contract follows Serial Achieva’s first co-location services agreement secured in September 2025, which established the company’s presence in the data centre market. Chief Executive Officer Victoria Goh stated, “Building on the momentum of our first contract, this second win further validates our capabilities in this market segment and our ability to scale and enhance our service offerings.”

The contract highlights Serial Achieva’s strategic focus on capitalising on the increasing demand for data centre capacity, cloud services, and AI-driven workloads in Southeast Asia. The company, known for distributing consumer and enterprise IT products, is expanding its services to include AI infrastructure and cloud solutions, aligning with the region’s digitalisation trends.

Serial Achieva’s operations span Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, partnering with major brands like MSI, Intel, and AMD. The company aims to drive innovation and growth in Asia’s IT sector by enhancing its technology and distribution solutions to meet evolving demands.

The Global Electronics Association has officially inaugurated its regional hub in Bayan Lepas, Penang, reinforcing its commitment to the electronics and semiconductor industry in Malaysia. This strategic move, announced on 24 June 2026, aims to enhance industry collaboration, standards adoption, and workforce development across Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Since its operations began in January 2026, the Malaysia office, led by Country Manager Dr. Ranee Ramya, has delivered over 200 training sessions and technical workshops in key locations such as Melaka, Selangor, and Johor Bahru. These initiatives focus on building capabilities in areas like PCB assembly, semiconductor processes, and smart factory practices.

The office’s role was highlighted during the inauguration of the National Technology and Innovation Centre, attended by Malaysia’s Minister of Economy, Akmal Nasrullah, and Penang’s Chief Minister, Chow Kon Yeow. These visits underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration between the industry and government.

The Association is also spearheading Malaysia’s standards development efforts, having convened the first Malaysia Standards Development Committee Meeting. This initiative aims to create a robust local standards ecosystem and address common industry challenges.

Looking ahead, the Association plans to further integrate Malaysia into the global electronics market through platforms like the Integrated Electronics Manufacturing & Interconnections Malaysia 2027. Dr. Ranee Ramya stated, “Establishing our physical presence in Penang allows us to work directly alongside Malaysian policymakers and industry leaders to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline trade flows.”

ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, a subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, has successfully transitioned its first batch of apprentices into full-time employees at its Kuala Lumpur facility. The six apprentices completed a rigorous programme developed in collaboration with Malaysian MRO training organisation D’viation, aimed at nurturing the next generation of aircraft maintenance professionals.

The apprenticeship programme is part of ExecuJet’s strategy to address the aviation industry’s growing challenges in attracting skilled talent, especially as aircraft systems become more advanced. The selection process was stringent, requiring candidates to hold relevant diplomas or degrees and pass technical and cognitive assessments, including IQ and EQ evaluations.

During the six-month programme, apprentices gained hands-on experience in a live maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) environment. They worked under the guidance of experienced licensed aircraft engineers, covering key maintenance areas across business aviation platforms such as Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault Aviation aircraft. Practical training included basic maintenance practices, engine and APU removal and installation, and paint touch-up works.

Suniljit Singh, General Manager Maintenance at ExecuJet MRO Services Malaysia, emphasised the programme’s focus on building solid foundational skills. “Our priority is not only to train apprentices but to develop competent professionals who can grow with the industry,” he stated.

The initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between industry players and training institutions in creating structured career pathways. ExecuJet MRO Services remains committed to investing in workforce development to ensure the sustainability of Malaysia’s aviation talent pipeline amidst increasing technical demands.

Ninja Van Malaysia has significantly enhanced its warehouse operations by integrating Zebra Technologies’ advanced warehousing solutions. The logistics provider, serving nearly 25 million recipients across Malaysia, has modernised its fulfilment processes to accommodate the growing demands of e-commerce and B2B clients.

The implementation of Zebra’s TC2 series mobile computers and the AC2 WAVE Warehouse Management System (WMS) has enabled Ninja Van to double its scanning speed, achieving 30 to 60 scans per minute. This improvement addresses the challenges of high order volumes and time-sensitive dispatch schedules, ensuring seamless operations without delays during peak periods.

Zebra’s ZD200 series desktop printers have also been deployed, allowing for the instant generation of accurate shipping labels. This advancement has virtually eliminated customer complaints related to missed or delayed deliveries, as labels remain legible throughout the delivery process.

Tzi Zhao Lee, Director of Supply Chain and Partnerships at Ninja Van Malaysia, highlighted the benefits: “With faster scanning and a system that keeps everything flowing seamlessly, our operations are now smoother, more efficient, and truly exceptional.”

The collaboration with Zebra Technologies underscores the importance of equipping logistics providers with the right technology to enhance productivity and service reliability. Joelle Booi, Country Lead for Singapore at Zebra Technologies, noted that Ninja Van Malaysia’s success demonstrates how modernising operations at scale can overcome peak-volume challenges and improve workforce morale.

This strategic move positions Ninja Van Malaysia to better serve its clients, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery services across the nation.

StarDream Cruises has announced a significant reduction in fuel surcharges across its regional operations, effective from 26 June 2026. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing assessment of operating conditions and its commitment to providing value to its passengers aboard the Genting Dream, Star Navigator, and Star Voyager.

Passengers departing from Singapore and Malaysia will benefit from a complete waiver of fuel surcharges. Meanwhile, those travelling from Taiwan and Hong Kong will see a 50% reduction in the current surcharge. This adjustment reflects the improving conditions in the fuel market and the company’s dedication to delivering memorable cruise experiences.

Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises, stated, “As fuel prices have continued to stabilise, we are pleased to reduce and, where possible, fully waive the fuel surcharge across our deployments. We have always taken a transparent approach to fuel surcharges, introducing them only when necessary and reviewing them regularly.”

StarDream Cruises, which launched in March 2025, operates under two brands—StarCruises and Dream Cruises—offering diverse cruising experiences tailored to different markets. The company remains vigilant in monitoring global fuel price trends and will adjust its surcharge policies as needed to ensure value for its guests.

Bookings for these cruises can be made on the company’s website.

Malaysia Airlines (MAB) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have unveiled a strategic joint business partnership, introducing joint fare products for travel between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This initiative, formalised in January 2026 after regulatory approvals, builds upon the airlines’ existing codeshare partnership, offering customers a wider range of fare options and improved connectivity across their combined networks.

The joint fare products aim to provide greater flexibility and convenience for travellers between the two cities. Additionally, MAB and SIA are working on further customer benefits, such as reciprocal lounge access, coordinated flight schedules, and joint corporate travel arrangements. These enhancements reflect the airlines’ commitment to strengthening connectivity between Malaysia, Singapore, and the broader region.

Bryan Foong, CEO of Airline Business at Malaysia Aviation Group, stated, “This joint business partnership with Singapore Airlines marks a significant milestone in the expansion of our commercial collaboration. By introducing joint fare products, we are giving our customers greater choice, improved flexibility, and a more seamless travel experience.”

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, added, “The introduction of joint fare products with Malaysia Airlines expands the range of fare options available to customers travelling between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, offering more flexibility and convenience when planning their journeys.”

Since their commercial cooperation framework agreement in October 2019, MAB and SIA have expanded their collaboration, including codeshare services across multiple regions and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. This partnership aims to enhance travel experiences and strengthen the longstanding connections between Singapore and Malaysia.

MoneyMax Financial Services Ltd. has announced that its Malaysian subsidiary, MoneyMax Treasure Sdn. Bhd., has received AA-(cg) and MARC-1(cg) ratings from MARC Ratings for its RM200m Tranche 1 issuance. This issuance is part of a larger commercial paper/medium term note (CP/MTN) programme valued at up to RM500m, established on 18 June 2026.

The ratings reflect the strength of MoneyMax’s business model and its disciplined risk management practices. Executive Chairman and CEO, Lim Yong Guan, stated, “The ratings provide an independent validation of the Group’s credit profile and enhance our ability to access diversified and competitive funding sources.”

The establishment of this programme is set to bolster MoneyMax’s financial flexibility, supporting its growth strategy across Singapore and Malaysia. With 124 outlets in operation, the Group plans to use the enhanced access to capital to expand its lending activities and optimise working capital management.

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad has been appointed as the Principal Adviser, Lead Arranger, Lead Manager, and Facility Agent for the programme. The programme is jointly guaranteed by MoneyMax and its subsidiary, Cash Online Sdn Bhd.

MoneyMax, listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2013, is a leading financial services provider in Southeast Asia, offering a range of services including pawnbroking, secured financing, and luxury retail. The Group continues to innovate, having launched an e-commerce platform and mobile app, MoneyMax Online, in 2015.

CIMB Bank Berhad has unveiled its “First Car Solution,” a pioneering programme designed to support first-time car buyers in Malaysia. Targeting individuals aged 18 to 30, the initiative offers competitive financing rates, two years of complimentary road tax renewal, and extensive insurance and Takaful protection. This comprehensive package aims to ease the financial burden of car ownership whilst promoting responsible financial habits.

The First Car Solution stands out by providing a full payout of the purchase price in the event of a total loss through Purchase Price GAP insurance. This covers the difference between the motor insurance payout and the original purchase price, offering peace of mind to new car owners. Additionally, the programme includes credit card benefits, such as cashback on petrol and car-related expenses, which can amount to up to RM1,200 annually.

Gurdip Singh Sidhu, CEO of CIMB Malaysia, highlighted the importance of the programme in helping first-time buyers manage costs effectively. “CIMB’s First Car Solution reflects our approach to responsible lending by incorporating features that help reduce common cost pressures associated with car ownership,” he stated.

Haniz Nazlan, CEO of Group Consumer Banking at CIMB Group, emphasised the programme’s role in fostering financial independence among young adults. “We’re helping the next generation build financial resilience and make sustainable financial choices,” he said.

CIMB’s initiative not only addresses immediate financial concerns but also supports long-term financial wellbeing, aligning with the bank’s broader mission to advance customers and society. For more details, visit CIMB’s website. Terms and conditions apply.