Latest news with #Selangor-based
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
APS's Apac facility in Shah Alam gets CAAM approval
KUALA LUMPUR: APS, a global leader in aircraft propeller maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), has received certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) for its Asia-Pacific facility in Shah Alam, Selangor. The CAAM certification is a key milestone in preparing the Malaysia facility to serve as APS' regional centre of excellence for propeller MRO services, and it confirms that APS meets the aviation regulatory standards required to carry out maintenance work in Malaysia. This milestone comes ahead of the facility's opening, which is scheduled to take place later this month. The Selangor-based facility will serve as APS' regional base and centre for specialised propeller MRO services to support operators across Asia Pacific. APS' Malaysia facility previously received certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), further reinforcing the company's commitment to meeting international regulatory standards. APS Asia Pacific managing director Fergus Lopez said: 'This approval reflects the dedication of our Malaysia-based team and the strength of our internal systems. We are now in a strong position to begin supporting operators across the region with high-quality MRO services.' Meanwhile, APS CEO Daniel Colbert remarked: 'Securing CAAM certification is a major step forward for APS in Asia Pacific. It allows us to bring our maintenance capabilities closer to customers in Southeast Asia and build long-term support capacity in the region.' The Asia Pacific region currently accounts for 37% of the global ATR fleet and is projected to require nearly 1,000 additional turboprop aircraft over the next two decades. The new facility is positioned to meet this growing demand and help establish Malaysia as a key aviation MRO centre in the region.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia's small businesses see red over plan to extend visa-free scheme for China visitors
Melaka Photographers Society chairman Alan Neh (left) and deputy chairman Jordison Tan are among the one million micro, small and medium enterprises in Malaysia who are worried about visa-free visitors from China muscling into their business. ST PHOTOS: CHEO YEE JING – Malaysia and China's plan to extend their mutual visa-free visits from 30 days to 90 days will mean more tourists flocking to historic Melaka, but local photography studio owner Alan Neh is not celebrating. He, like many small business owners across the country, is concerned that the growing influx of mainland Chinese will lead to those who illegally work while on tourist visas, and disrupt their livelihoods. In March , Mr Neh, 40, was approached by a Chinese citizen offering to rent his studio as a changing and make-up area for Chinese tourists on photoshoots. But Mr Neh rejected his offer , which was only half the prevailing market rate. 'Firstly, how could they operate here without a legal work permit? Secondly, they might be targeting the local wedding photography market, which is the primary source of income for our members,' Mr Neh, chairman of the Melaka Photographers Society, told The Straits Times. Fear of these newcomers is also fuelled by their 'neijuan', or overcompetitive attitudes, honed by tougher operating conditions in China . Echoing Mr Neh's concerns, deputy chair Jordison Tan says the society's 20-odd members have experienced a 70 per cent drop in business in the past 1.5 years due to competition from mainland Chinese photographers operating in Melaka. 'It all started from around 2024,' said Mr Tan, 38. He was referring to the start of mutual 30-day visa-free travel between Malaysia and China from December 2023, which drew around 3.7 million mainland Chinese tourists to Malaysia in 2024, up 131 per cent from 2023. Ph otographers Mr Neh and Mr Tan are among the one million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Malaysia who are worried about visa-free visitors from China muscling into their business. MSME s, which account for nearly half of Malaysia's workforce, are feeling the strain from the China factor beyond the photography sector. Businesses such as tour guide services, auto workshops, renovation contractors and beauty salons are also affected, said SME Assoc iation of Malaysia's president Chin Chee Seong. 'Some mainland Chinese tour groups bring in their own guides, which is clearly illegal. Some auto workshops here are using cheaper spare parts and workers from China too. 'If the impact is already significant with a 30-day visa-free stay, imagine the consequences if that extends to 90 days,' said Selangor-based Mr Chin, who represents 13,000 SME members nationwide. Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce president Loo Kok Seong said local SMEs are concerned about the influx of 'super-low-price competitors' if the 90-day visa-free policy for Chinese tourists takes effect. 'There is nothing wrong (with Chinese enterprises) seeking business opportunities here, but we prefer a cooperative model with local businesses to align with the principle of sustainability,' Mr Loo was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily on May 4. Representing 2,000 members, he added that mainland Chinese enterprises should be properly registered and operate legally in Malaysia. In the meantime, Malaysia's consumers have been inundated with social media advertisements offering low-priced packages for portrait shots by China-based businesses. This cut-throat rivalry has drawn complaints from Malaysia's photography industry, comprising 100 shop lots, 500 studios, and 2,000 freelance photographers, according to Mr Neh's estimates. A viral social media post on April 23 by a local freelance photographer lamented that mainland Chinese photographers were offering packages comprising two portrait shots to Malaysian customers for just RM299 (S$90). This raised eyebrows among local photographers and studios, who typically charge around RM2,000 for 30 photos. One mainland Chinese outfit styling itself as a 'China Celebrity Portrait Photographer' has posted on social networking sites Instagram and Xiaohongshu (RedNote), offering its services in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, and Kuching. Its RM299 basic portrait package includes two makeup looks and two costume changes, with additional photos priced at RM300 each. Anecdotal evidence however, shows that local photographers can still compete on service, if not pricin g. One disgruntled customer is sales executive Kommy Yee, 31, who patronised a photo studio in Kuala Lumpur in October 2024. She said the team of 15 comprised makeup artists and photographers who spoke Mandarin 'with a Beijing accent'. While impressed with the wide variety of attire and accessories on hand, Ms Yee said the three-hour session felt rushed and involved aggressive sales tactics. In the end, she spent RM5,199 – well over her original RM3,600 budget – and found the heavily AI-edited photos unnatural and not to her liking. 'I won't be going back,' she told ST. On the plus side, these mainland Chinese set-ups are well equipped, with bigger teams and a broad range of outfits and costume jewellery options for the portrait photography shoots, noted veteran photographer Sharkman Beh , 37, who has 15 years of experience under his belt . ' China has helped raise awareness of portrait photography. With more people exposed to their (working) model, we have a chance to offer a more refined customer experience,' he said, adding however that tourist visas should not be used for business purposes. Rather than viewing the influx as a threat, Mr Sharkman Beh believes Malaysian photographers should see it as a catalyst for growth. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHARKMAN BEH Under the current visa-free arrangement, China nationals are allowed to enter Malaysia strictly for social visits , but are not permitted to work, engage in direct sales, or distribute goods . In a video posted on its Facebook page on April 25 addressing the issue of overstayers , Malaysia's Immigration Department emphasised its commitment to strengthening national security by enforcing immigration laws, while also supporting the easing of visa terms for visitors from China. ST has approached Malaysia's Immigration Department and Home Ministry for a response on the issue of tourists working or conducting business illegally in the country. For now, the start date for the 90-day visa for China visitors has not been fixed. But for Mr Neh, the damage to his 16-year-old business has already begun. 'We don't fear competition, but it should follow the right channels. I worry that if these issues aren't tackled, mainland Chinese will be the boss in our land by the next 10 years,' he said. Lu Wei Hoong is Malaysia correspondent at The Straits Times. He loves to travel and discover hidden gems of stories. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Barnama
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
Selangor Gears Up for World Expo 2025 Osaka with Promotional Video Launch
SHAH ALAM, April 29 (Bernama) -- Selangor is set to take center stage at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, with its highly anticipated Selangor Week, happening from 5th–9th May 2025 at Malaysia's Pavilion. In collaboration with Monsta Studios Sdn Bhd—a renowned Selangor-based global animation company with a strong Japanese following for its hit animated series Mechamato—the state has produced a dynamic 3D animated promotional video to mark this prestigious global event. Unveiled today, the 30-second promotional video offers an exclusive first look into Selangor's showcase under the theme 'Building a Resilient Future.' Featuring cutting-edge visuals and an engaging narrative, the video also includes a special appearance by YAB Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari, Dato' Menteri Besar Selangor, alongside Mechamato, joining forces to promote Selangor Week at Expo 2025 Osaka.
