Cambodia Airways launches direct Phnom Penh–Penang flights
GEORGE TOWN, June 26 — The inaugural Cambodia Airways direct flight from Phnom Penh to Penang marks a key milestone in strengthening regional ties and enhancing connectivity with Asean neighbours.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the launch was both timely and significant, particularly as Malaysia assumes the Asean Chairmanship this year.
'This route not only creates a new aerial corridor linking Penang with an Asean neighbour, but also highlights Penang's growing strategic role in the regional aviation network,' Wong said in a statement today.
He noted that Cambodia is now the sixth Asean country with direct air links to Penang, after Thailand (Bangkok, Don Mueang, Phuket), Indonesia (Medan, Jakarta, Surabaya, Banda Aceh), Singapore, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) and Myanmar (Yangon).
Wong said the new route also carries strategic weight for the development of Penang's MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) tourism sector.
'Improved air connectivity not only offers greater convenience for delegates, business travellers and professionals, but also reinforces Penang's position as a regional MICE hub in South-east Asia,' he said.
He added that while Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Penang currently lead the Asean MICE market, the regional landscape is evolving.
He said cities such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta and Yangon have ramped up investments in convention infrastructure and city branding.
'Therefore, Penang must seize the momentum by strengthening its connectivity with Asean nations and forging strategic partnerships to attract more high-end professional events, ultimately expanding the state's presence in the Asean MICE ecosystem.
'The state will continue to uphold its strategy of 'air connectivity leading, industries flourishing' by actively expanding its network of direct flights and positioning Penang as a more open, diverse and high-quality international tourism destination,' he added.
Earlier today, the inaugural flight departed Phnom Penh International Airport at 8.05 am (local time) and landed at Penang International Airport at 10.31 am, where it was welcomed with a traditional water salute.
The service will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays.
Cambodia Airways was welcomed on behalf of the Penang government by Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau director and Kebun Bunga State Assemblyman Lee Boon Heng, representing Wong.
Also present were Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn and Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.
Meanwhile, Lee said the agency is actively targeting the incentive travel segment and looks forward to collaborating with stakeholders to position Penang as a top destination for high-impact international business events.
'The launch of this route is expected to boost international arrivals and support Penang's broader tourism and economic development strategies.
'It also gives Penangites greater access to Cambodia's rich cultural heritage, ancient temples and emerging travel experiences,' he added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
CPO Futures Ends Higher
By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives ended the short week higher following lower-than-expected palm oil production pace and robust June export performance, said a commodity analyst. Mumbai-based Sunvin Group commodity research head Anilkumar Bagani said the reduction in the Malaysian palm oil export tax and the signing of the Malaysia-European Free Trade Association Economic Partnership Agreement also supported the better performance today. 'However, renewed weakness in Chicago Board of Trade soybean oil futures, lack of destination buying apart from India, stronger ringgit and the likelihood of unchanged Indonesian palm oil export taxes and levies for July capped the gains in ringgit-denominated Malaysian palm oil futures,' he told Bernama. He said the Malaysian Palm Oil Association estimated Malaysian palm oil production during the June 1-20 period, down by 4.56 per cent, in line with the UOB Kay Hian estimate of a -1 per cent to -5 per cent reduction, but production is lower than previously thought of an unchanged to two per cent decline. At the close, the spot-month July and August 2025 contracts increased by RM47 each to RM3,986 per tonne and RM4,005 per tonne, respectively, while September 2025 improved by RM46 to RM4,011 per tonne. October 2025 went up RM42 to RM4,011 per tonne, November 2025 rose by RM39 to RM4,017 per tonne, and December 2025 gained RM37 to RM4,031 per tonne. Trading volume decreased to 63,167 lots from 64,359 on Wednesday, while open interest fell to 224,560 contracts from 231,315 previously. The physical CPO price for July South increased by RM20 to RM4,020 per tonne.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Anwar: Only positive reforms can safeguard nation's future
Anwar says the leaders and institutions need to commit to meaningful change to reverse societal decline and instil values rooted in justice and integrity. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 26): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reiterated that only positive reforms can ensure the nation's social stability, economic resilience and good governance. Delivering the keynote address at the Asean Symposium 2025 here today, Anwar said the leaders and institutions need to commit to meaningful change to reverse societal decline and instil values rooted in justice and integrity. 'For the growth, we use it for the benefit of our society and mankind. We are grounded with idealism, therefore strong values and ethics. But one, two, three generations passed, and then we find this degradation of ethical values and principles. 'We have lost that idealism. Those in power, we want to emerge well. Those elites, for whatever reasons, either support one side or are obsessed with a particular value or interest, disregarding the totality and the complexity of the economy,' he said. The one-day symposium themed 'Anchoring Asean's Future in Shared Wisdom: Empowering Communities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Civilisation' gathered policymakers, civil society leaders, academics and youth representatives from across the Asean region to deliberate on building a shared, inclusive future for the region. Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) deputy chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Othman. Anwar said that positive reforms must begin with moral clarity and political will, particularly in tackling corruption and strengthening institutions. He said that while Malaysia remains a multiracial and multireligious society, with Islam as the religion of the Federation and Muslims forming around 60 per cent of the population, a shared understanding and mutual respect among all communities is critical. Prime Minister also emphasised that economic empowerment remains fundamental, and all necessary efforts must be taken to drive growth and development, including attracting domestic and foreign direct investments. However, he said, while economic growth and attracting investments are important, they do not represent the whole picture. 'Economic empowerment is for a cause. That is why we talk about cultural empowerment,' he said. – Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit climbs as Trump ramps up pressure on Fed to cut interest rates
KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit extended its gains against the greenback at the close yesterday, as US president Donald Trump ramped up pressure on the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to cut interest rates. It has been reported that Trump is considering naming a new Fed chairman early, a move seen as undermining the current chairman, Jerome Powell, who has been reluctant to cut interest rates as demanded by the US president. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Rashid said news of Trump's intention for an early Fed chair appointment caused the US Dollar Index (DXY) to fall 0.60% to 97.093 points. 'It remains to be seen how this can be made possible as the current chairman's term will end in May next year. 'Despite that, the underlying tone is about pressing the Fed to lower the Fed funds rate as soon as possible,' he told Bernama. At 6pm, the local currency inched up to 4.2300/4.2355 versus the greenback from yesterday's close of 4.2335/4.2405. The ringgit traded lower against a basket of major currencies and Asean countries. It depreciated against the Japanese yen to 2.9359/2.9399 from 2.9070/2.9120, slid versus the British pound to 5.8141/5.8217 from 5.7631/5.7726, and slid against the euro to 4.9597/4.9661 from 4.9113/4.9194 yesterday. Against its Asean peers, the ringgit declined vis-à-vis the Singapore dollar to 3.3192/3.3240 from 3.3061/3.3121, and dipped against the Thai baht to 13.0254/13.0488 from 12.9584/12.9858 at yesterday's close. It eased against the Indonesian rupiah to 260.9/261.4 from 259.7/260.2, and slipped against the Philippine peso to 7.47/7.49 from 7.46/7.48, previously.
