
Brisk bookings at Johor hotels as PKR congress nears
JOHOR BARU: Hotels here are expecting a surge in bookings over the next few weeks as the PKR national congress draws closer.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Johor Chapter chairman Ivan Teo said some hotels, especially those around Johor Baru city, have started to see a steady increase in reservations over the past few days.
'Recently, many hotels have been recording a spike in bookings for dates between May 21 and 24 due to the congress.
'We expect the numbers to continue rising in the coming weeks as more party members prepare for the congress,' he said in an interview.
Teo added that some hotels, particularly those in the Johor Baru area, are expected to be fully booked ahead of the event.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) Johor Chapter chairman Jarod Chia said they are expecting to see a surge in the days leading up to the congress.
'Budget and business hotel guests attending such events typically make their reservations at the last minute.
'As such, it is still a bit too early to determine whether there will be a significant spike in bookings.
'However, we believe the event will help boost the local tourism industry one way or another,' he said.
He added that it is common for hotels here to see an uptick in visitors whenever there is an election or a major political event.
On Tuesday, PKR secretary-general Dr Fuziah Salleh said that the party's 2024 and 2025 annual congress, which was previously scheduled for May 23-25, has been rescheduled to May 21-24.
Dr Fuziah said the adjustment to the dates was made as party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has to perform official state duties in conjunction with the arrival of Asean leaders on May 25.
She said the event, which includes the congresses for the party's youth and women's wings, will be held at the Persada International Convention Centre here and is expected to draw some 10,000 delegates.
The PKR national congress was initially scheduled to be held on Dec 15 last year at the same convention centre here, with the youth and women's wing congresses scheduled for Dec 14 at a separate location.
However, it was postponed due to floods that hit several states.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Laos President commends Malaysian Chief Justice's visit to deepen judicial ties
- Photo: Laos News Agency VIENTIANE: (Bernama-KPL) President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, on Wednesday (June 4) expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, in visiting Laos, underscoring the visit's significance in deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the judicial sector. According to the Laos News Agency (KPL), Tengku Maimun is on an official visit to the country from Tuesday (June 3) until Friday (June 6). Thongloun noted that this exchange contributes meaningfully to strengthening ties between the two nations and fosters long-term support, mutual assistance, and the sharing of judicial experiences. The President also voiced strong support for ongoing collaboration between the judicial bodies of Laos and Malaysia and emphasised the Laos' commitment to nurturing its longstanding relations with Malaysia, an important Asean partner with a shared history of cooperation. He highlighted 2026 as a milestone year, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Tengku Maimun thanked President Thongloun for the warm welcome and outlined the objectives of her visit. She said the trip aims to enhance judicial cooperation among Asean countries and to support Laos in its preparations to establish the Laos Lawyers' Association, which is a step towards seeking membership in the Asean Law Association. - Bernama-KPL


The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia brings ASEAN voice to OECD meeting in Paris
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN, which is chaired by Malaysia this year, has expressed full support for all efforts to strengthen open markets and uphold a rules-based multilateral trading system as the foundation for sustainable and inclusive global growth. The Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ambassador Syahril Syazli Ghazali said the ASEAN chairmanship's theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' reflects Malaysia's priority in promoting a fair, sustainable and inclusive trade. 'In addressing the emerging global headwinds and uncertainties, ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force (AGTF) was established to monitor, assess and recommend policy responses to strengthen ASEAN – as a single market,' he said in a statement to Bernama today. Syahril Syazli represented Malaysia at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) held from June 3 to 4 in Paris. Malaysia is also spearheading various initiatives to build a digitally resilient ASEAN, in particular, driving the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) negotiations, towards substantial conclusion by the end of this year. 'DEFA is a cornerstone in facilitating and promoting the 'inclusivity' of ASEAN, and ensuring the region will continue to enjoy digital trade benefits,' he said. On empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as women, Syahril Syazli said Malaysia is fostering digital skills for women entrepreneurs via national programmes such as EmpowerHER Digital and Women Exporters Development Programme, aimed to integrate more women-led businesses into the international value chain. 'The landmark initiative to establish ASEAN's first Women's Economic Empowerment Centre in Kuala Lumpur, announced last month, would further enhance the role of women in economic development as well as promote inclusive growth in the region,' he added.


Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Ringgit ends higher on weaker US dollar, cautious inflation outlook
KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar today, supported by a weaker greenback following downbeat US economic data, as investors shifted into risk-on mode. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said traders and investors were weighing the prospects of an economic slowdown and the risk of higher inflation stemming from recent tariff shocks. 'This has led to a policy dilemma among federal open market committee (FOMC) members, and hence the scope for interest rate cuts is rather limited,' he told Bernama, adding that the next key data point would be the non-farm payroll (NFP) report due on Friday. Consensus estimates expect May's NFP to reach 130,000, down from 177,000 in April, while the unemployment rate is forecast to hold steady at 4.2%. At 6pm, the local note stood at 4.2245/4.2295 against the greenback, strengthening from yesterday's close of 4.2435/4.2490 At the close, the ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It slipped against the Japanese yen to 2.9495/2.9531 from yesterday's 2.9444/2.9486 but strengthened versus the euro to 4.8235/4.8292 from 4.8300/4.8362 and appreciated against the British pound to 5.7301/5.7369 from 5.7427/5.7502. The local currency also traded higher against most of its Asean peers. It appreciated versus the Singapore dollar to 3.2881/3.2922 from 3.2906/3.2951, advanced against the Indonesian rupiah to 259.3/259.8 from 260.4/260.8, and edged higher against the Philippine peso to 7.59/7.61 from 7.60/7.62. However, it fell against the Thai baht to 12.9925/13.0138 from 12.9679/12.9911.