Latest news with #Langkawi
Malay Mail
26-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Where tourists go to slow down: Tokyo tops list, KL ranks eighth in Asia
KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Malaysia's capital city has joined Asia's top ten slow travel destinations, based on Agoda data that also reveals where Malaysians prefer to linger overseas. It ranked eighth in Agoda's list, which highlights cities where travellers book longer stays to enjoy a more relaxed pace. In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi came in first and second respectively for slow travel, followed by Johor Bahru in third. Perhentian Islands, which topped the local list last year, has dropped out of the top three. 'As life moves faster, more travelers are embracing the idea of slowing down to truly experience a place rather than just pass through it,' said Fabian Teja, country director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda. 'Malaysia's diverse destinations, with its rich heritage and cultural offerings, make the perfect backdrop for unhurried exploration.' Malaysians heading abroad for a slower holiday spend the most time in Tokyo, the company revealed. Other international destinations preferred by slow travellers include Rayong, Kalegowa, Seoul, Taipei and Chennai. These places offer experiences that reward a longer stay, from beachside retreats to cultural walks and food adventures. In Kuala Lumpur, travellers take time exploring vibrant districts like Little India and Chinatown, enjoying the mix of old and new. The city's food scene and architecture make it a natural fit for travellers who want to go slow and savour each moment.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Roland's rise from ‘newspaper runs' to pioneering MAS pilot
Roland Abraham Thomas – airline pilot, trainer and manager – as a second officer with Malayan Airways in 1965. (Roland Thomas pic) LANGKAWI : Before becoming one of the pioneer pilots for Before becoming one of the pioneer pilots for Malaysia Airlines , Capt Roland Abraham Thomas did the graveyard shift 'ferrying newspapers' around the peninsula. In one of his last interviews, Roland shared that a typical round-trip flight from Singapore would begin at 3am as they flew propellor airplanes along the Kuala Lumpur-Ipoh-Penang route and return. 'The 'newspaper run' was a good foundation for young pilots, with a 10-minute turnaround time at each of the three stopover airports. We used to really work our butts off in those days!' he said. Roland noted that, unlike the luxury enjoyed by pilots today, 'there was no cabin pressurisation, cockpit air-conditioning, weather radar or proper navigational aids. 'Navigation was done by map reading, landmarks and dead reckoning,' he added, referring to the process of calculating one's position by estimating the direction and distance travelled. The highlight of the flight, he said, was the hot tomato soup the air hostess would serve after take-off. 'Of course, it would spill all over if we ran into bad weather!' quipped Roland, who died on May 20. He would have turned 82 in September. Roland with TK Pow, Choo Kok Liang and Foo Chee Wah as young cadet pilots attending Airwork Services Training in Perth, Scotland. (Roland Thomas pic) His 47 years in aviation – as an airline pilot, trainer and manager – began in April 1963 as a cadet pilot with Malayan Airways in Paya Lebar, Singapore. Along with TK Pow, Choo Kok Liang and Foo Chee Wah, Roland was among the second batch of pilots sent for 15 months of training in Perth, Scotland, to obtain their commercial pilot's licence. They returned to Singapore in 1964, during which time the majority of pilots were expatriates who would go on to lay the foundation for MAS and Singapore Airlines. Roland began as a second officer flying the Douglas DC-3 Dakota to Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) under the supervision of Capt Winkie Ho, a World War II pilot from China. 'Jesselton was the last of my bachelor days as I got married six months later upon my return to Singapore. I was just 22 years old!' said Roland, who later flew the F27-200 and the de Havilland Comet 4C as a first officer from 1965 to 1968. He would go on to gain experience with the expatriate crew as Malayan Airways became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966. 'We worked as a family with no racial prejudices or favour,' Roland recalled. McDonnell Douglas president John Brezendine cutting Roland's tie – a time-honoured tradition – upon the delivery of MAS's first DC-10-30 on Aug 12, 1976 at Subang Airport. (Roland Thomas pic) After obtaining his airline transport pilot's licence, he went for conversion training in Seattle, Washington, and was part of the first batch to fly the Boeing B707-312 as senior first officer. In 1970, at age 26, Roland was given command of the Fokker F27 and became captain the following year. 'As a young captain and father of three boys, I decided to sport a beard to appear more authoritative,' said Roland. When MSA split to become MAS and Singapore Airlines in 1972, Roland and other senior pilots like Hassan Ahmad, Khairi Mohamad, Mohd Ali and Tengku Shamsul Bahari remained patriotic. 'As the pilot's association secretary, I established the 'straight-line seniority system' based on the date of recruitment for MSA pilots joining MAS. However, some former air-force pilots, who were already commanders in MSA, protested as they lost seniority when joining MAS. 'Eventually I, along with Hassan and Khairi, laid the foundation for MAS pilots with the assistance of expatriates from Qantas,' said Roland, who later served as captain of the newly acquired Boeing 737 fleet. Roland in Sydney, Australia, bidding farewell to MAS first engineering director Doug Scott upon the latter's retirement. (Roland Thomas pic) In 1974, MAS purchased several secondhand B707-338s from Qantas after Roland and a team of pilots, engineers and cabin crew underwent conversion training with Qantas in Sydney and Avalon, Australia. 'We pilots suffered weary legs during training due to constant and exhaustive rudder engagements, as we had to fly with simulated engines out. One Aussie instructor told us that the only way to have strong legs was to eat more sausages!' A year later, Roland underwent conversion training with Air New Zealand in Auckland before MAS took delivery of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30. In later years, Roland was involved as a lead pilot in the acceptance of the Airbus A300-B4 in 1979 from Toulouse, France; Boeing B747-200 in 1982 from British Airways, London; and B747-400 in 1989 from Seattle. He would go on to serve as flight operations chief with Jet Airways (1977-2003) and GoAir in India, as well as Firefly (2007).
Malay Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Despite rain, Lima'25 concludes with 450,000 turnout for defence and aerospace expo
LANGKAWI, May 24 — The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima'25) concluded today, recording an attendance of approximately 450,000 visitors from all commercial and business sectors, both domestic and international delegations, as well as the general public. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said this marks the Lima edition as a continuous platform and arena for sharing various ideas, the latest technologies, and strategic collaborations that are very important for the country. After the rain cleared, the Russian Knights' fighter jet display lifted the spirits of attendees at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25). — Bernama pic 'Even though the atmosphere is uncertain, with the rain like today, we still saw many people rushing into the exhibition hall to witness the technological developments being showcased. 'This year saw the participation of 860 exhibitors, a figure higher compared to Lima'23, consisting of 50 per cent local exhibitors and 50 per cent international exhibitors, a very commendable achievement,' he said in his closing speech at Lima'25 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) here today. Over the course of five days, Mohamed Khaled said Lima'25 also recorded 1,400 business-to-business (B2B) meetings and 920 business-to-government (B2G) sessions. Therefore, he said, all these achievements provide a positive outlook on the development and future of the country's defence industry, thus becoming the nation's hope and reliance to reduce the country's dependence on external parties. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin delivers the closing address for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima'25) at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) today. — Bernama pic Apart from the commercial aspects and business transactions, the defence minister said Lima'25 also expanded its vibrancy and excellence by recording an increase in the number of static asset exhibitions compared to previous editions. In fact, for the first time, Lima'25 featured a high immersive experience dome, known as the A.T.M.O.S Sphere, which stands for Aerospace, Technology, Maritime, and Operations for Sustainability. 'This is a glimpse of how many more things we do not know in this world... and if we want to become a successful nation, we must have the value of always learning and uncovering things that are still unknown to us,' he added. A.T.M.O.S Sphere is a high-tech exhibition that uses 360-degree technology and audiovisual immersion to reflect Malaysia's aspirations to lead advancements in land, sea, air and beyond. Despite the heavy rain in Langkawi, crowds still turned up and captured memories on the final day of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25) today. — Bernama pic Lima'25 is organised by the Defence Ministry, in collaboration with Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd (GEC), and emphasises innovation and enhancing competitiveness among industry players in line with current technological developments. This exhibition is the largest in the maritime and aerospace industry in Southeast Asia since it was first held in 1991. — Bernama
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Felons a no-show in LIMA '25 casts doubt over RMAF's MRCA ambitions
The biggest no-shows at this year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition were also meant to be its biggest stars – the two Sukhoi Su-57 'Felons' that never made it to the tarmac at Padang Matsirat. Their absence has thrown cold water on months of breathless speculation that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) was on the verge of announcing its next-generation multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) purchase. Whispers on the sidelines of LIMA '25 suggest the jets were grounded in Hainan, China, after being refused passage – reportedly by a third party. Some sources claim the presence of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the South China Sea may have prompted a quiet but firm diplomatic block. If true, it's a telling sign of just how geopolitically fraught this region has become. The MRCA programme has been in a state of suspended animation for years, dogged by budget constraints, shifting priorities, and the kind of bureaucratic inertia that has left the RMAF with a shrinking pool of airworthy fighters. The Su-57's intended appearance was widely interpreted as a bold signal – perhaps even a soft launch – that a deal was imminent. But with the Felons failing to turn up, that narrative has started to unravel. For defence watchers, the setback is more than symbolic. Russia's fifth-generation fighter, while wrapped in mystery and shrouded in marketing gloss, was never going to be an easy sell. Its production numbers remain low, its combat record sketchy, and Russia's ability to support such aircraft abroad – especially amid the Ukraine war and Western sanctions – is in question. Even before this hiccup, the Su-57 raised eyebrows among military planners. While it boasts thrust-vectoring engines, high off-boresight missile capabilities, and super-manoeuvrability, none of these features matter much if the aircraft can't be delivered – or worse, can't be sustained. Malaysia's MRCA needs are urgent. The RMAF is grappling with a capability gap that is becoming critical. It has just eight F/A-18D Hornets, 17 Sukhoi Su-30MKMs (of which fewer than 10 are regularly serviceable), and a fleet of ageing Hawk 108/208s. Attrition in a shooting war would be brutal, with too few jets and too many maintenance problems. The Hornets are nearing the end of their lifespan. The plan to acquire 20 to 30 ex-Kuwaiti Hornets – initially seen as a quick fix – now appears to have stalled, despite early momentum and official visits to Kuwait last year. The Su-30MKMs, the pride of the RMAF, are now showing their age. A proposal to upgrade them to 'Super Flanker' status with help from India's HAL was promising – until Sukhoi reportedly threatened to void the warranty. India's military entanglements with Pakistan haven't helped matters either. Meanwhile, the regional arms race continues apace. China's Chengdu J-20 and Shenyang J-35 are now both operational. Australia has received all 72 of its F-35s, while Singapore's RSAF is expecting 20 by 2030. These platforms bring cutting-edge capabilities in sensor fusion, battlefield networking, and stealth – areas where Malaysia's current fleet lags. Against this backdrop, two new contenders have emerged in the MRCA race: South Korea's KF-21 Boramae and Turkey's TAI Kaan. Both are still in development, but offer promising – and politically less sensitive – alternatives. The Boramae appears to have the inside track. South Korea's defence ties with Malaysia have deepened since the 2023 FA-50 deal, and the KF-21 is further along in testing. It aligns neatly with RMAF's possible heavy-light (hi-lo) fighter mix strategy. The Kaan, while ambitious, is still unproven. Having made its maiden flight in early 2024, it remains a wildcard with little track record. But regardless of the airframe, the MRCA programme faces political and financial headwinds. With no significant hike expected in Budget 2025, any procurement must be staggered and economically palatable. A full-fleet replacement is unlikely in the near term. Sources close to the project say the programme has been quietly shifted out of the 13th Malaysia Plan and may instead be parked under a 'Private Funding Initiative' (PFI). This would allow some degree of flexibility in financing and procurement. That said, the no-show of the Su-57s at LIMA '25 has taken the wind out of the sails. What was supposed to be a high-profile debut now feels like a diplomatic fumble – or another, all-too-familiar cautionary tale. And a major damper on the visitors to LIMA '25. Malaysia's MRCA saga is still far from over. But if this week's drama is anything to go by, the path to a fifth-generation future remains as clouded and contested as the skies over the South China Sea.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Defying age, pilot Halim still soars with aerobatic prowess
Halim Othman, better known by his callsign TooGoo, is the commander of Krisakti, Malaysia's elite national aerobatic team. (Halim Othman Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : While most people look forward to retirement at 60, one Malaysian pilot is still reaching for the skies – literally. Halim Othman, better known by his callsign TooGoo, is 59 and shows no signs of slowing down. As the commander of Malaysia's elite national aerobatic team, Krisakti, he continues to perform high-adrenaline stunts in the sky, manoeuvring through complex formations thousands of feet above ground. 'I've never stopped flying, and I don't intend to,' he told Bernama, his calm composure reflecting a lifetime of focus and discipline – and just a hint of adrenaline. Halim's journey into aerobatics began in 1991, the same year the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) made its debut. Back then, he was a young Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fighter pilot, flying the legendary Skyhawk jet. Today, over three decades later, he remains active, not only as an aerobatic maestro but also as the chief executive officer of Aerotree Group. With Lima held every two years, preparation for the event is no small task. About two months before every showcase, Halim and his team begin intensive training to condition their bodies for the high G-forces – the powerful gravitational pull experienced during rapid aerial manoeuvres. 'Most of the performers are still serving in the military. For us retired pilots, staying in top form takes extra effort. It requires discipline and consistent training,' he said. Safety, he stressed, remains the top priority. Halim and his teammates performing aerobatic stunts during Lima 2023. (Halim Othman Facebook pics) To ensure peak performance, Halim has developed a three-phase training approach. Phase one focuses on physical fitness and aircraft readiness. Phase two covers formation design and manoeuvre rehearsals. The final phase involves the actual performance, carried out under strict safety protocols. 'During live shows, there's always a temptation to push the limits. That's why training and experience are essential – we must know where the line is and never cross it,' he added. And while the pilots are the ones in the spotlight, Halim emphasised that aerobatics is a team effort. 'Behind every aerial stunt is a dedicated crew – engineers, safety pilots, and ground operations – all working together to make each performance a success,' he said. For Lima 2025, Halim promises a performance unlike anything Malaysia has seen before. 'This year, we're going beyond the usual. Some of our stunts involve moves that jets can't do – but propeller aircraft like the X-300 can,' he teased. Among the new aerial displays are the cutwind – an inverted roll turn that creates a breathtaking visual from the ground – and the frisbee, a boomerang-style stunt where the aircraft flips, rolls, and reverses mid-flight. Enhanced with vibrant smoke trails, these stunts offer a thrilling spectacle of skill, control, and beauty. But the highlight? A sunset performance complete with fireworks. 'For the first time in Malaysia, we'll fly with fireworks at sunset,' said Halim. 'Up in the sky, age disappears. What matters is precision, passion, and the pursuit of flight,' Halim says. (Halim Othman Facebook pic) Inspired by the public's love for festive pyrotechnics, his team has modified their aircraft to carry and launch fireworks midair. The special performance will take place over Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. 'The golden hour only lasts about 10 minutes, so we'll take off just before sunset. I encourage everyone to have their phones ready – it's a show you won't want to miss,' Halim added. Organised by the defence ministry in collaboration with Global Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd, Lima 2025 returns to Langkawi from today until Saturday with the theme 'Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow'. As one of Southeast Asia's largest maritime and aerospace exhibitions, it continues to showcase cutting-edge advancements while honouring its legacy. For Halim, Lima is more than a stage – it's a calling. 'I may be nearing 60, but up in the sky, age disappears. What matters is precision, passion, and the pursuit of flight,' he concluded. Follow Halim Othman on Facebook and Instagram.
