Malaysia border control glitch hits travellers
Among major gateways affected since Friday afternoon are Kuala Lumpur International Airport's two main terminals, as well as southern land crossings with Singapore.
"It should be more than tens of thousands of travellers who have to wait longer at the manual counters to clear immigration," estimated Zakaria Shaaban, director-general of Malaysia's Immigration Department.
Zakaria was unable to give a precise number of people affected when asked by AFP.
"We don't have many manual counters over in Johor because we have converted most of them into autogates," Zakaria said, referring to the southern state neighbouring Singapore.
Malaysian daily The Star said the breakdown has been described as the "worst ever", involving over 200 machines and affecting only foreign passport holders.
Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority warned people intending to travel to Malaysia to expect delays.
"Those who are already at the land checkpoints and need to U-turn can approach officers for assistance," it said in a Facebook post.
Since June 2024 travellers from 63 countries, as well as accredited diplomats and their families, have been allowed to use Malaysia's self-service machines for immigration clearance.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency said initial investigations found the "technical disruption" was due to a data integration issue.
"This caused the delays in the cross-checking process within the MyIMMS (immigration) system," it said in a statement.
"All manual counters have been fully activated and additional personnel have been deployed to manage the flow of visitors and control the queues at the best capacity," the agency added.
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
30 best dim sum spots in Singapore [Aug 2025 update]
Good ol' perfectly matches the saying 'good things come in small packages'. Whether it's a fluffy pau that's filled with succulent minced pork and egg, or a plump har kow stuffed with succulent prawns, it's a perennial favourite comfort food of Singaporeans. Though we probably can't match the quality and taste of those served in Hong Kong, Singapore (thankfully) has several dim sum spots that offer decent — if not solid — quality ones. That might just save us the cost of purchasing air tickets to HK. Needless to say, we Singaporeans love our dim sum and will leap at any opportunity to devour some good ones. So, we've compiled this comprehensive guide to the 30 best dim sum spots in Singapore. Do note that each of them have varying price points — choose the one that best fits your budget! 1. Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Tim Sum Ji Tuo Hong Kong Style Tim Sum is yet another hidden gem nestled in an industrial complex. This quaint stall sits in the quiet rooftop kopitiam of the SkyTech building situated in the heartlands of Bukit Batok. Now, don't give it a skip just because of its 'ulu' location; brave the journey and you'll be rewarded with delicious dim sum against picturesque rooftop views of the neighbourhood and forests on the horizon. Don't expect to see a sprawling menu like you would at better-known establishments. Ji Tuo's has just 14 items for you to pick from; you could practically order the whole menu if you're dining in a big group. Where steamed items are concerned, we recommend the Siew Mai (S$3 for 3 pieces) and the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (S$4 for 3 pieces), both of which star meticulously-crafted morsels stuffed with juicy meat and shrimp filling respectively. As for the fried goodies, get the Fried Carrot Cake (S$3.50 for 3 pieces) which has an addictive crispy exterior and silky, chewy interior. There's also much to shout about the Crispy Beancurd Skin Roll (S$3 for 3 pieces), which features a tasty minced meat filling encased in a light crispy skin. Don't forget to pair these with their hae bee-laced sambal. 2 Bukit Batok St 24, SkyTech, #09-18, Singapore 659480 +65 8150 8784 Sat to Mon, Wed & Thu: 7.30am – 3.30pm Closed on Tue & Fri Facebook 2. Dim Sum Haus Leading this list is Dim Sum Haus, the underdog out of the trio of dim sum joints along the Jalan Besar stretch with lesser social media presence. Though prices have increased significantly over the years, the quality of their handcrafted offerings still remain solid. If you love carrot cake as much as I do, ordering the Pan Fried Carrot Cake with Chinese Sausage (S$4.70) is a must! The surface has nicely charred golden-brown surfaces, giving way to a fluffy and tasty filling which contains bits of dried shrimp and lup cheong. The lip-smacking Steamed Pork & Shrimp Dumpling 'Siew Mai' (S$5.40 for 3 pieces) is extremely juicy and stuffed with fresh shrimps. The Har Kow (S$5.70 for 3 pieces) features thin and delicate skin that encases firm and succulent prawns. If you're looking for more interesting options, try the Crispy Shrimp & Mango Roll (S$6.10 for 3 pieces), Avocado Black Pearl (S$6.80 for 3 pieces) and the Japanese Dumpling (S$6.80 for 5 pieces). Order delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo 57 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208809 +65 6909 0777 Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 8.30pm Closed on Mon | | 3. Yi Dian Xin Hong Kong Dim Sum 一点心 Yi Dian Xin Hong Kong Dim Sum 一点心 is the undoubted epitome of no-frills, fuss-free and affordable hawker dim sum. Located along the popular midnight supper stretch of Upper Serangoon, it is easy to miss this little corner shop with massive crowds for Teochew porridge right beside them. Chef Foong, the mastermind behind Yi Dian Xin, brings over 25 years of culinary experience to the table, including a notable stint at the Tung Lok restaurant group. The dim sum at Yi Dian Xin are well-worth the price in terms of quality. If we had to pick favourites, try the Yi Dian Xin Prawn Dumpling (S$4.80 for 3 pieces) and Signature Salted Egg Custard Bun (S$4.50 for 3 pieces). Just look at that gorgeous yellow custard; need we say more? Alternatively, go for the unique Otah & Chicken Siew Mai (S$4.20 for 3 pieces) or Chicken Claw with Black Pepper Sauce (S$4) if you fancy. Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo 973 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534752 +65 9168 5587 Wed to Mon: 7.30am – 8.30pm Closed on Tue Facebook 4. Victor's Kitchen With a centrally-located outlet in Sunshine Plaza and another in Chinatown Point, Victor's Kitchen is a convenient spot for you to satisfy your dim sum cravings. It gets really packed at lunch and dinner times, though, so you best make a reservation or visit during off-peak hours to secure your fix. Victor's Kitchen stands among the 'more expensive' joints within this section of no-frills hawker dim sum. It's a happy problem, to be honest; they've raised prices in recent years due to their growing popularity — in that sense, you essentially know that you're paying for quality. You can rest assured that you'll be getting bang for your buck, too — the size of their dim sum is larger than average. They also punch above their price points by incorporating unique spins in classic dishes. Take the Scallop, Sausage Carrot Cake with XO Sauce (S$5.30) and the Prawn Spinach Dumpings (S$4.80 for 3 pieces). Oh, I forgot to mention that they also have luscious Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun (S$4.80 for 3 pieces). Why not give that a whirl? You might very well be nodding your head in agreement. Order Delivery: For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here. Facebook | Instagram | Website 5. Sum Dim Sum Sum Dim Sum offers dim sum that's slightly pricier than those from hawker stalls but is well worth the price. Besides, you can't really complain while enjoying your dim sum in air-conditioned comfort. It is well-noted as the more atas alternative to Swee Choon, considering how both establishments have their flagship outlets situated across the road from each other in Jalan Besar. The Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee (S$5.70) is silky, thick and delicious with bits of tender pork, century egg, ginger strips and spring onions. Instead of the usual you tiao, ikan bilis is added for a burst of umami goodness. Juicy and scrumptious, the (S$6.10 for 3 pieces, S$11.70 for 6 pieces) features a thin and soft skin packed with tons of savoury broth and delicious pork filling. Order Delivery: foodpanda For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here. Facebook | Instagram | Website 6. Five Star Hong Kong Style Handmade Dim Sum Five Star Hong Kong Style Handmade Dim Sum is a humble establishment that entered the dim sum scene just a few years ago in 2021, and has garnered much popularity since. Of their 6 outlets islandwide, their most notable one is tucked away in Shun Li Industrial Complex, an industrial building at Sims Drive. This outlet also offers zi char dishes (11am – 9pm only) on top of an already-extensive selection of dim sum. You'll be in good hands when you dine at Five Star. It's helmed by Chef Yiu Wah Tai, a seasoned professional in the realm of Cantonese dim sum with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Their menu features a plethora of delectable dim sum that is handmade with quality ingredients on a daily basis. Some familiar favourites include Steamed Prawn Siew Mai (S$5) and Crystal Steamed Prawn Dumplings (S$5), each morsel chock-full of filling encased in silky smooth skins. Another notable item is the Mala Fresh Prawn Beancurd Rolls (S$5), a dish of savoury stuffed beancurd rolls doused in a spicy-sweet Szechuan peppercorn sauce. If you love char siew in your dim sum, the fluffy BBQ Char Siew Buns (S$4) and hand-crafted HK Char Siew Cheong Fun (S$5) will be right up your alley. 705 Sims Drive, Shun Li Industrial Complex, #07-01 , Singapore 387384 +65 8110 7299 Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm Fri to Sun: 8am – 9pm 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-46/50, Singapore 120106 +65 8529 6311 Daily: 8am – 10pm 158 Mei Ling Street, #01-74, Singapore 140158 Daily: 7am – 9pm Facebook | Instagram 7. Warung Dim Sum Boasting a menu of over 20 items, Warung Dimsum at 925 Central is a Muslim-owned stall with some unique handcrafted items. The stall is mainly owned by 23-year-old Mr Imran Mean, a young social entrepreneur. He turned his life around, from staying in a shelter with his family to running an expanding business. He not only provides professional services in Singapore and Malaysia, but also employs youths to give them a platform to learn and earn some income. Its lineup of Classic spans 15 varieties that goes for just S$3 each. With every 5 types ordered, you'll receive 1 item FREE! Options include 3 Pcs Breaded Prawn, 3 Pcs Thai Fish Cake, 2 Pcs Chives Dumpling, and 2 Pcs Salted Egg Bun. Some of my favourites dishes which I thoroughly enjoyed are the unique handmade Coriander Chicken (S$5.50), Steamed Chunky Fish Muar Halves (S$6), and the colossal Premium Jumbo Nury (S$8). 925 Yishun Central 1, Kedai Kopi Coffeeshop, #01-211, Singapore 760925 Daily: 9am – 8pm 8. Uncle Kun's Delicacies (根叔美食世家) Sometimes, the best dim sum comes from the stalls tucked away in our hawker centres. Uncle Kun's Delicacies (根叔美食世家) is one such gem where you can enjoy quality Hong Kong dim sum at wallet-friendly prices. Uncle Kun's Delicacies is named after its Hong Kong-born owner Chef Lam Kun, affectionately known as Uncle Kun. Having been in the F&B business since he was 13 years old, he brings decades of experience to every dish. He arrived in Singapore in 1978 and worked in Shangri-La Hotel's Shang Palace. He also served as the head chef and consultant of Mouth Restaurant for 15 years before retiring. Restless at home, he then decided to open his own stall at Toa Payoh Vista Market in 2003. You have to try their most iconic dish, the Oblong Lor Mai Kai 长形糯米鸡 (S$4.80). This one-of-a-kind dish, created by Uncle Kun, can only be found here in the whole of Singapore. Though Uncle Kun has already retired and the stall is currently run by the 2nd generation, he still drops by every now and then. This unique lor mai kai is studded with a generous amount of ingredients such as chicken, salted egg, Chinese sausage, dried shrimps, dried scallops and mushrooms. Another popular dish worth a try is the Signature Yam Cake (S$3.20). Here, 2 large slabs of yam cake are doused in a generous amount of savoury sauce and garnished with spring onions, fried shallots and peanuts. The dishes at Uncle Kun's Delicacies are almost on par with the ones from Cantonese restaurants, so pay a visit if you're in the area. 74 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, Toa Payoh Vista Market, #01-03, Singapore 310074 +65 9739 1318 Tue to Thu, Sat & Sun: 5.30am – 12pm Closed on Mon & Fri 9. Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant As one of Singapore's oldest and most renowned roadside dim sum places, Swee Choon requires absolutely no introduction. One of the most wonderful things about Swee Choon is that their flagship Jalan Besar outlet stays open into the wee hours of the morning. It has thus become a popular spot among supper seekers and ravenous late-night party people. It also goes without saying that their extensive menu of delicious wallet-friendly dim sum is a major draw for many, myself included. As much as we might lament about their (inevitable) price hikes over the years, we've got to be grateful that their dim sum remains very much affordable. In recent years, they've opened a 24-hour outlet in Changi Airport as well as several Swee Choon Express takeaway kiosks islandwide. Yay, convenience! While you can't go wrong with most of their dim sum, their signature Mee Suah Kueh (S$3.30 for 2 pieces) is a definite must-try. These fried slabs of vermicelli goodness, packed with bits of shrimp and Chinese sausage, are crispy on the outside and bouncy on the inside. Where are my fellow liu sha lovers? I fervently recommend the Salted Egg Custard Yolk Bao (S$5.80 for 3 pieces) and Sweet Potato Salted Egg Custard Ball (S$3.80 for 2 pieces). These morsels ooze with the most indulgent molten custard that'll have you ordering them in multiples. Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo For a list of locations, contact numbers and opening hours, click here. Facebook | Instagram | Website 10. Bei-Ing Dim Sum Club Fancy a unique twist on your dim sum? Bei-Ing Dim Sum Club, located at The Bullion Hawker Bar along East Coast Road, has just what you're looking for. This modern dim sum concept, the brainchild of the folks behind Bei-Ing Wanton Noodle, boasts a variety of ultra-unique dim sum dishes. Over here, you'll find interesting options that'll either entice you or have you raising your eyebrows include the Cheesy Chicken Pizza Pau (S$3.90 for 2), Cocoa Chocolate Lava Pau (S$3.90 for 2) and the Aburi-Mentai Siu Mai (S$4.50 for 3), which features siu mai topped with smoky torched mentaiko mayonnaise. Fret not if you're more of a dim sum purist; there are plenty of traditional options available as well. Opt for the fruity yet savoury Sesame Mango Prawn Fritter (S$4.90 for 3 pieces) or the comforting Steamed Chicken Yam Wrap (S$4.90). Order Delivery: foodpanda Deliveroo 396 East Coast Rd, The Bullion Hawker Bar, Singapore 428994 +65 9046 7176 Mon, Wed & Fri: 11am – 8.30pm Tue, Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 8.30pm Thu: 10.30am – 7.30pm Facebook | Instagram 11. Dim Sum Express The post 30 best dim sum spots in Singapore [Aug 2025 update] appeared first on
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
Nasdaq Listing Fuels Philippine Hotel Magnate's Global Ambitions
This story is part of Forbes' coverage of Philippines' Richest 2025. See the full list here . The June SPAC listing of Hotel101 Global Holdings made history as the first Filipino-owned company to debut on the Nasdaq market. The Singapore-based hospitality arm of Philippine property developer DoubleDragon, set up by chairman and CEO Edgar Sia II together with his longtime business partner, fast food billionaire Tony Tan Caktiong (DoubleDragon's cochairman), operates what it calls 'condotels.' These are condos with standardized rooms—a compact 21-square-meter unit, including a kitchenette—which are presold while the properties are under construction and operated as hotels after completion. The investor is entitled to a 30% share of gross room revenue every month plus free stays. Hotel101 currently has 1,100 rooms in two such condo hotels in the Philippines, with three more under construction. Projects are underway in Japan and Spain with a site secured in Los Angeles. In May, Hotel101 announced a joint venture with Saudi investment firm Horizon Group to build 10,000 rooms across Saudi Arabia. Though its market cap of $850 million is well below its pre-listing valuation of $2.3 billion, the Nasdaq IPO takes Sia closer to his goal of making Hotel101 a globe-girdling brand—with 1 million hotel rooms in 100 countries by 2050.
Travel Weekly
18 hours ago
- Travel Weekly
Disney's big Singapore ship is a big opportunity
Disney Cruise Line's expansion to a new region will not only expose new consumers to the cruise experience but to the Disney brand itself, CEO Bob Iger said during Disney's fiscal Q3 earnings call Wednesday. The Disney Adventure, Disney's largest cruise ship yet, will begin sailing from Singapore in December. At full occupancy, the ship is expected to accommodate between 6,000 and 7,000 guests. In comparison, Disney's Wish-class ships have a capacity for about 4,000 passengers. "This will give us an opportunity to float the Disney brand in all of its glory into a region that we think has a huge Disney brand affinity," Iger said. In addition to the Adventure, the Disney Destiny (Disney's third Wish-class ship), will debut in November in Fort Lauderdale. The newest ship currently sailing, Disney Treasure, has "gotten off to a strong start and continues to perform well," Disney wrote in prepared executive remarks Wednesday. The Treasure began sailing last December. "Forward bookings look great, and we're running at very high occupancies," CFO Hugh Johnston said. Disney Cruise Line is about half booked for 2026, he said, and the percentage is even higher for its newer ships. Domestic park spending rises Disney Cruise Line is part of the Disney Experiences division, along with the theme parks, hotels, Disney Vacation Club, the Adventures by Disney tour operator and consumer products. The segment performed well in the quarter with operating income up 13%, to $2.5 billion. Domestic operating income soared 22%, to $1.7 billion, driven by growth at theme parks, resorts and Disney Cruise Line. Disney attributed the bump to guests spending more at its parks as well as an increase in passenger cruise days from the Treasure. It also includes a $40 million benefit from the Easter holiday, which fell in the third fiscal quarter this year. Disney Experiences had higher costs, including about $30 million in pre-opening expenses related to the Destiny and Treasure ships. Another $50 million in pre-opening cruise costs is expected in the fourth fiscal quarter. Disney's theme parks, especially its domestic parks, are performing well. Executives pointed to two anniversaries and their accompanying in-park celebrations: Disneyland's 70th and Hong Kong Disneyland's 20th. Johnston said Walt Disney World compiled record revenue in its fiscal Q3. Asked if Disney's guest mix for domestic parks has been impacted by international visitation to the U.S. or the opening of Universal Orlando's Epic Universe in May, Johnston said there was "nothing material going on there." Disneyland Paris is also performing strongly, according to Johnston. Next year, a new World of Frozen land will open there. Disney has faced some headwinds in China, the CFO said, mainly because of reduced guest spending, not attendance.
