Latest news with #RM270
The Sun
28-05-2025
- The Sun
Over 600 illegal immigrants detained since January
KUALA TERENGGANU: A total of 603 illegal immigrants have been detained in 260 operations carried out by the Terengganu Immigration Department from Jan 1 until today. Its director Mohd Yusri Mohd Nor said the arrests were made following checks on 3,381 foreign nationals for various violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63. During the same period, 24 employers were also penalised through compounds, fines, and court charges for harbouring and employing foreign workers without valid authorisation. 'The majority of those detained are from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Myanmar,' he said after the Migrant Repatriation 2.0 (PRM 2.0) operation at three factories in Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu today. Mohd Yusri said this year, the department would prioritise enforcement actions against employers under PRM 2.0 programme, which has been extended until April 30 next year. He said this move is to ensure that employers only hire non-citizens who have valid documents and possess all necessary paperwork to avoid legal actions. 'Last year, 26 employers were issued compounds amounting to RM270,000 for violating immigration regulations,' he said.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Promote ASEAN as single tourism destination to boost regional travel
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has called for a more integrated and aggressive push to promote ASEAN as a single, cohesive tourism destination — a concept that highlights the region as a unified travel experience — rather than marketing individual countries separately. MATTA President Nigel Wong Chun Teim said the 10-member regional bloc should capitalise on this approach to boost intra-ASEAN travel and attract more international tourists to Southeast Asia. 'In some places like Europe, we help promote ASEAN as a single destination while still highlighting each country's unique attractions. Travellers may enter through Malaysia or another ASEAN country, but Malaysia remains a key stop on their itinerary,' he told Bernama when contacted. Wong said coordinated efforts by ASEAN nations to present the region as an interconnected travel zone would not only enhance visibility on the global tourism map but also boost tourist arrivals, particularly to Malaysia. 'One of the key growth markets is intra-ASEAN travel. ASEAN should do more to encourage its own citizens to explore the region. Promoting this aggressively will benefit every member state and uplift overall inbound tourism,' he said. Wong noted that ASEAN continues to appeal to global travellers due to its favourable climate, rich cultural diversity, warm hospitality and affordability. However, he pointed out that poor regional and international connectivity remains one of the main barriers to tourism growth. 'Take Kuching, for example. It's geographically close to several ASEAN destinations, yet flight options remain limited. It's encouraging to see the government working with airline partners to expand connectivity within the region,' he said. On Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Wong said it presents a strategic opportunity to position the country as a central travel hub in Southeast Asia. He said the hundreds of high-level meetings and official events planned throughout the year could directly or indirectly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen Malaysia's international tourism profile. Wong also pointed to Thailand's 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative introduced last year, which seeks to make ASEAN more accessible by simplifying travel across six participating countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand — with Singapore expected to join. The initiative aims to encourage international tourists to visit multiple ASEAN countries in a single trip, reinforcing the bloc's position as a unified tourism hub. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) reported that Malaysia recorded 13.4 million tourist arrivals from January to April 2025, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. MOTAC has set a target of 45 million international visitors for 2025, with projected tourism receipts totalling RM270 billion. As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is currently hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. This is the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, after previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Promote ASEAN as single tourism destination
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has called for a more integrated and aggressive push to promote ASEAN as a single, cohesive tourism destination — a concept that highlights the region as a unified travel experience — rather than marketing individual countries separately. MATTA President Nigel Wong Chun Teim said the 10-member regional bloc should capitalise on this approach to boost intra-ASEAN travel and attract more international tourists to Southeast Asia. 'In some places like Europe, we help promote ASEAN as a single destination while still highlighting each country's unique attractions. Travellers may enter through Malaysia or another ASEAN country, but Malaysia remains a key stop on their itinerary,' he told Bernama when contacted. Wong said coordinated efforts by ASEAN nations to present the region as an interconnected travel zone would not only enhance visibility on the global tourism map but also boost tourist arrivals, particularly to Malaysia. 'One of the key growth markets is intra-ASEAN travel. ASEAN should do more to encourage its own citizens to explore the region. Promoting this aggressively will benefit every member state and uplift overall inbound tourism,' he said. Wong noted that ASEAN continues to appeal to global travellers due to its favourable climate, rich cultural diversity, warm hospitality and affordability. However, he pointed out that poor regional and international connectivity remains one of the main barriers to tourism growth. 'Take Kuching, for example. It's geographically close to several ASEAN destinations, yet flight options remain limited. It's encouraging to see the government working with airline partners to expand connectivity within the region,' he said. On Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Wong said it presents a strategic opportunity to position the country as a central travel hub in Southeast Asia. He said the hundreds of high-level meetings and official events planned throughout the year could directly or indirectly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen Malaysia's international tourism profile. Wong also pointed to Thailand's 'Six Countries, One Destination' initiative introduced last year, which seeks to make ASEAN more accessible by simplifying travel across six participating countries — Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand — with Singapore expected to join. The initiative aims to encourage international tourists to visit multiple ASEAN countries in a single trip, reinforcing the bloc's position as a unified tourism hub. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) reported that Malaysia recorded 13.4 million tourist arrivals from January to April 2025, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. MOTAC has set a target of 45 million international visitors for 2025, with projected tourism receipts totalling RM270 billion. As the chair and host of ASEAN 2025, Malaysia is currently hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings. This is the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, after previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
A ‘formidable force' for tourism
Enduring legacy: Khairul Firdaus (centre, right) receiving a token of appreciation from Wong at the MATTA 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) celebrated its golden jubilee in style on Saturday with a gala dinner, marking 50 years of unwavering service to Malaysia's tourism landscape. The event brought together leaders from the public and private sectors, united in their commitment to shaping the next chapter of Malaysian tourism. Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, delivering a keynote address on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, lauded MATTA's enduring legacy. Khairul Firdaus highlighted MATTA's evolution from humble beginnings into a formidable force representing thousands of agents and shaping national tourism policies. He noted the record-breaking success of this year's MATTA Fair, which hosted 1,754 booths and welcomed over 210,000 visitors, generating RM270 million in projected sales. 'MATTA has not only supported the growth of the tourism ecosystem but has also contributed meaningfully to national economic development. 'Tourism has become a major contributor to our GDP, creating countless job opportunities and supporting local communities across Malaysia,' he said during his speech at Sunway Resort Hotel here. Shared culture: Dancers performing a traditional routine during the MATTA 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. Despite falling short of the original target, Khairul Firdaus said Malaysia welcomed over 38 million international visitors in 2024 – a notable 31.1% increase from the previous year. Tourism receipts soared to a record RM106.8bil, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reflecting a 43.7% increase from 2023. Domestically, Khairul Firdaus said 193.3 million visits were recorded by September 2024, with RM77.8bil spent – a 27.2% year-on-year increase. As the nation prepares for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026, Khairul Firdaus emphasised three strategic pillars which include sustainability, digitalisation and collaboration. 'The tourism industry is more than just an economic engine. It connects cultures, fosters understanding and showcases the beauty of Malaysia to the world,' he said. MATTA President Nigel Wong echoed this spirit of progress, reflecting on the association's journey from inception to national prominence. 'MATTA was born over the simple idea to come together as an industry, to find strength in unity. 'Our story is one of resilience. Through economic shifts, global crises and challenging times, MATTA has remained steadfast. 'This milestone isn't just about the years. It's about people – the pioneers, the volunteers, the members who make MATTA what it is today.' Looking to the future, Wong outlined MATTA's four guiding pillars: sustainability, youth empowerment, digitalisation and industry empowerment. He revealed plans to revive the MATTA Academy as a centre of excellence, nurturing new leaders and recognising existing talent. He also highlighted upcoming AI initiatives, including the MATTA Incident Response System (IRS), designed to support government efforts with real-time data and insights. 'VMY 2026 represents more than just a tourism campaign. It is a national mission to reintroduce Malaysia to the world, to create new stories, and to unlock new opportunities for all. 'We must protect what makes Malaysia truly special – our nature, our culture, our communities – through responsible and sustainable tourism practices,' he said. The gala dinner also paid tribute to all of MATTA's past presidents, honouring their contributions to the association's legacy. Bringing the celebration to life, the evening also featured a captivating display of Malaysia's rich cultural tapestry through traditional dances from across the nation.
