Hong Kong Express Airway picks Sabah as its third Malaysian destination
Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 Text Size: The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI). Kota Kinabalu: Hong Kong (HK) Express Airways is expanding its presence in Malaysia with the launch of a new direct route connecting Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The daily flights will begin on Nov 27 2025, operating to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI).
Advertisement This marks the airline's third destination in Malaysia, following Penang and the soon-to-be-launched Kuala Lumpur (Subang) route. In a statement, HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said Malaysia has emerged as one of Asia's most popular destinations, with tourist arrivals rising more than 20 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025. 'The easing of visa restrictions, especially for travellers from Mainland China, has made Malaysia the second-largest international tourist market. We're excited to add Kota Kinabalu to our growing Malaysian network, and remain committed to offering competitive fares and value-added services for travellers eager to explore this vibrant destination,' she said. The new route is expected to boost air connectivity between North Asia and East Malaysia while positioning Sabah as a key eco-tourism and adventure destination in the region. Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit welcomed the move, saying the direct link will open new opportunities for travellers to discover Sabah's natural beauty and unique culture. 'This is a significant milestone for Sabah. With seamless access via Hong Kong, one of the world's top aviation hubs, this new route will increase our global reach. We invite travellers to explore Sabah—from Kinabalu Park to Sipadan Island, and from orangutan sanctuaries to pristine beaches and stunning sunsets,' he said. He added that the state's tourism efforts are anchored in sustainability, with a focus on conservation, eco-adventures, and community engagement. To celebrate the launch, HK Express is offering one-way tickets starting from under HK$90 (Ultra Lite fare, includes one small personal item) across all its Malaysian routes: Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (Subang), and Penang. The promotional booking period runs from 11am on July 14 to 11.45pm on July 17 2025 via the HK Express website and mobile app. The promotional fares are valid for travel to Kota Kinabalu from Nov 27 2025 until March 28 2026. For Kuala Lumpur (Subang), the applicable travel period is from August 1 2025 to March 28 2026. Meanwhile, travel to Penang is valid from July 22 2025 through to March 28 2026. Flight UO790 will depart Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 9.25pm and arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) at 12.30am the following day. Flight UO791 will depart Kota Kinabalu (BKI) at 1.30am and arrive in Hong Kong (HKG) at 4.45am. Both flights will operate daily. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
27 minutes ago
- The Star
Maritime laws to be harmonised, but rights of Sabah, Sarawak stay, says Transport Minister
PETALING JAYA: Maritime laws will be harmonised to ensure better uniformity throughout the nation but the government assures it will not encroach into the authorities of Sabah and Sarawak, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister said that the current maritime laws need to be updated for Malaysia to stay in line with global developments and further enhance the maritime industry. Loke said this to the media after officiating the Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 at a hotel here Tuesday (July 15). 'We are not aiming to combine all three ordinances - (state, Federal and Sabah and Sarawak), but to harmonise them so that policies and regulations are consistent nationally. This is a challenge. Some ordinances are sometimes inconsistent with each other. Hence, we need to sit down, discuss, and create a framework to harmonise, not to take away powers. 'This is very important. I want to stress respect for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak regarding federal transport. We will continue to uphold and respect their maritime rights. 'But we need to discuss and harmonise legislation so we can move forward better as a country. 'What we are currently implementing is to review the legislative framework, especially laws and facts involving Malaysia as well. 'Many of these laws are old, not reviewed for a long time, and perhaps many parts are no longer relevant or not in line with current developments that we need to reconsider so that our country's maritime industry becomes more active. 'The Malaysia Maritime Law and Reform Committee is chaired by former Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nalini Pathmanathan, who is also an active legal expert. There are many other experts in the committee who will contribute proposals for amendments to the laws so that they can be brought to Parliament within a year. 'We have given the committee one year to review the six laws. We told them they don't have to wait a full year to complete the review; whenever they are ready, we will proceed with registration, starting with the ones regarding the Malaysian shipping. Once the review is done, of course, we will look at legislation and draft laws. 'This year and onwards, every particular sitting will bring something to Parliament for amendments. 'At the end of this year's parliamentary session, we will present a new view - so as to create a source of power to establish a special court for maritime matters, called Admiralty Court. 'Right now, we do not have a special court for maritime relief. Currently, the High Court handles maritime cases, with one of the High Courts specialised in maritime. What we want is to create a court to give future courses for our capacity. 'This will make our judiciary and legal system more complete in handling maritime disputes and issues,' said Loke. Loke also stated that Malaysia's reliance on international shipping has led to deficits in the country's balance of payment (purchase and sales) in the transport industry. 'Most of our exports - particularly international exports - are handled by foreign shipping lines because we do not yet have a strong local international shipping industry. We do have local shipping companies, but their operations are mostly domestic. 'So when it comes to international exports, a large portion is carried by foreign-owned vessels. 'The industry itself is highly consolidated now, making it very difficult for local players to compete with large international shipping lines. 'That said, we are working to reduce this gap. For example, in certain segments such as oil and gas, we have relatively strong local companies. So we are focusing more on those areas and trying to export our services - particularly in maritime logistics. "Take oil tankers, for instance. We hope our local oil tankers can secure more business and expand their international operations, helping us to reduce the transportation-related trade deficit. 'If you look at our ports, our volumes have increased significantly. "In fact, we are preparing for an announcement by Lloyd's List this coming August, which is expected to confirm that the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) will be ranked among the top 10 busiest ports in the world. 'As of June 2025, we've seen a consistent increase - with almost 10% monthly growth in port throughput (PDP) so far this year,' said Loke. Earlier in his speech at the event, Loke said that the maritime balance of payments highlights a core economic paradox. 'It is a world-leading trading nation with globally ranked ports, yet it has a structural dependency on foreign shipping to carry its trade. This leads to a persistent and significant deficit in its sea transport account, which is a major contributor to the overall services deficit. 'As stated in the Fourth Malaysia Plan (1981-1985), the main policy objective is to make Malaysia a 'Maritime Nation'. Making Malaysia a maritime nation can therefore be interpreted as promoting the growth of all sectors that are directly involved in this industry,' said Loke.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
SDB launches DaMai, redefining luxury multigenerational living in Melawati
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB) has unveiled DaMai, a first-of-its-kind hilltop residence in Taman Melawati, offering a unique blend of luxury, cultural heritage and multigenerational living in a boutique, mid-rise development. Set on a 7.158-acre freehold site, DaMai features a single 17-storey block with 306 spacious units ranging from 2,056 to 5,038 square feet. With its distinctive 'parking at your doorstep' concept, culturally inspired design and earthquake-resistant structure, DaMai is positioned to be a new architectural landmark in one of Kuala Lumpur's most established hillside townships. SDB group managing director Teh Lip Kim described DaMai as a reimagining of what a home can be for today's families. 'Every project is an opportunity to break new ground, not just for the sake of innovation, but to truly enhance lives. 'With DaMai, we have created something never before done in Malaysia — a mid-rise residence with the intimacy and accessibility of landed living, redefined for the modern family,' she said in a statement. DaMai takes inspiration from the traditional Malaysian craft of anyaman (weaving), which is reflected in the building's façade and interiors. Designed with multigenerational living in mind, each home features private terraces, family areas, powder rooms and, in select penthouses, rooftop openings that bring nature and light into the home. Among its standout features is a car-to-door experience rarely seen in medium-rise settings. An innovative speed-ramp system allows direct vehicular access to every level, bypassing lifts and lobbies entirely — a boon for families with children, elderly members or bulky loads. Residents can have up to six carparks per unit, all located just outside their doors. 'In Malaysia's car-centric culture, parking is a necessity,' Teh said. 'DaMai addresses this with thoughtful convenience, enhanced privacy and greater security through controlled access points.' Security and structural resilience are also hallmarks of the development. After detailed studies of nearby fault lines, the entire building was designed to meet international earthquake-resistance standards, incorporating reinforced walls and foundation slabs to absorb seismic movement. 'Every layer of DaMai has been engineered with care, so families can live with peace of mind knowing their home is built to stand strong,' she said. Residents will enjoy a host of facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, sports hall, children's play areas, function rooms, reading lounges, surau, parcel rooms and a rooftop garden. The rooftop sanctuary features yoga decks, reflexology paths, garden swings, viewing platforms and a jogging trail with a natural elevation, promoting a connection with nature and wellness. In total, over 3.65 acres of landscaped greenery have been incorporated into the design. Located within the mature enclave of Taman Melawati, DaMai is well-connected to the city centre via MRR2, DUKE, SUKE, EKVE, SPE and AKLEH highways. SDB, known for its boutique developments in Malaysia and Singapore, continues to push boundaries under Teh's leadership. The company, which has won 18 FIABCI awards, is celebrated for its focus on sustainability, thoughtful design and user-centric living. Last year, Teh was named FIABCI's Malaysia Property Woman of the Year. She said her philosophy is simple: 'Every detail matters — from the flow of light to where a child might play or a grandparent might rest. If it's not good enough for my own loved ones, it's not good enough for the families we build for.'
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Malaysian Media Council appoints members to founding board
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: The Malaysian Media Council invites industry players to join through its official website. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The members of the founding board of the Malaysian Media Council were officially appointed today, comprising representatives from media publishers, professionals, as well as public interest groups. In a statement, the founding board said that applications for membership to the council would open in early August and close at the end of September. Advertisement The following members were appointed to the founding board: Media owners Phyllis Wong (Utusan Borneo) James Sarda (Sabah Publishing House) Premesh Chandran (Malaysiakini) Ashwad Ismail (Astro Awani) Media professionals Teh Athira Yusof (National Union of Journalists) Radzi Razak (Gerakan Media Merdeka) Ronnie Teo (Kuching Division Journalists Association) Muthameez Manan (Tamil Media Association) Public interest representatives Gayathry Venkiteswaran (University of Nottingham, Malaysia) Celine Lim (SAVE Rivers) Terence Ooi (Wiki Impact) Azmyl Yunor (Sunway University) The government may also appoint two representatives to the board. The founding board announced that at its first meeting, it appointed Premesh as interim chairman pending the election of the full board this year. 'We recognise that the formation of the council is not a silver bullet,' Premesh said. 'Building a credible, effective council that protects media independence and supports the viability of the industry requires a large, active, and committed membership. We invite all stakeholders to take ownership of this institution,' he added. Media owners, professionals, as well as individuals and organisations involved in the media ecosystem may apply to join the council through its official website, with a nominal fee of RM10. The first annual general meeting is scheduled for Nov 7 in Kuala Lumpur, at which a new board will be elected and discussions held on the membership fee structure, industry code of conduct, complaints mechanism, budget, and relevant council by-laws. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
