Latest news with #Chua
The Star
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Tourism Malaysia anticipates boost in Australian visitors with new flight route
PETALING JAYA: Tourism Malaysia is eagerly anticipating an increase in Australian visitors with AirAsia now operating the Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route. Tourism Malaysia celebrated the arrival of AirAsia's inaugural flight from Darwin, Australia, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) on Friday (June 27). The route marks a significant step in enhancing connectivity and opening a new gateway for tourists and business travellers between Malaysia and Australia's Northern Territory. Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Chua Choon Hwa stated that the new route will build momentum towards the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). "The vital Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route is a testament to Australia's standing as one of Malaysia's top visitor-generating markets. The launch is perfectly timed as we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2025 and build momentum towards VM2026," he said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming more Australian visitors to experience our unique cultural diversity and commitment to sustainable tourism," added Chua. In 2024, Malaysia recorded 447,785 visitor arrivals from Australia, which is an 11.7% increase from 2023 and 6.3% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. For the year 2025, Malaysia is targeting 43 million international visitor arrivals, expected to generate RM283.8 billion in visitor receipts. The Darwin-Kuala Lumpur route will operate four times a week, namely on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The Airbus A320neo aircraft that will be used for the route has a seating capacity of 180 people.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Singaporean born food critic and TV personality Chua Lam dies at 83
Multi-talented Chua Lam was a writer, film producer, food connoisseur and TV programme host. Photo: Chua Lam/Facebook Renowned food critic and columnist Chua Lam, best known as one of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, has died at the age of 83. His death was announced on his Facebook and Weibo pages on June 27 afternoon. 'Our beloved Mr Chua Lam passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on June 25, ' said the announcement in Chinese. 'In accordance with Mr Chua's wishes, no ceremony was held to avoid troubling his friends and relatives, and his body has been cremated.' The Singaporean born media personality was the brother of Chua Liang, former principal of Nanyang Girls' High School, and former Singapore TV drama producer Chua Swan, who died in March at age 78. Chua Lam was in the news in 2023 after he fell and suffered a hip fracture while rushing to help his wife when she fell. His spouse, former film producer Cheung King Man, died later at age 84. He went for an operation and had to use a wheelchair after he was discharged. He was in Singapore in September 2023 to attend the opening of Chua Lam's Charity Calligraphy Exhibition held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. In late April, there were rumours that he was in poor health and had been admitted to the intensive care unit in hospital. His assistant told the Hong Kong media then that he suffered a small ailment and was on the road to recovery. Chua also took to social media on April 29, thanking everyone for their concern, and said he was not critically ill. Multi-talented Chua was a writer, film producer, food connoisseur and TV programme host. He was celebrated as one of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, who were known for their years of friendship and who all left their mark in their respective fields. The other three members were lyricist and songwriter James Wong, who died in 2004 at age 63; martial arts novelist Louis Cha, who died in 2018 at age 94; and science-fiction novelist Ni Kuang, who died in 2022 at age 87. Chua published his first article in newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau at the age of 14. He moved to Japan to study, majoring in film, when he was about 18. He then travelled to places such as New York, Seoul, Paris and Taipei before settling in Hong Kong at the age of 22 in 1963. He became a production manager at movie studio Shaw Brothers and moved to Golden Harvest more than 10 years later. He produced several movies including City Hunter (1993), Thunderbolt (1995) and Mr Nice Guy (1997), which starred Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan. Besides his film career, Chua was also actively involved in writing and hosting TV programmes. He was known as a food lover and food critic, whose food columns in newspapers proved popular with many readers. He has published more than 200 books on topics such as travel, personalities, food, humour and his philosophy of life. Chua caused a stir in 1989 when he co-hosted The Celebrity Talk Show with Wong and Ni Kuang. They smoked and drank on the set while grilling stars such as Chan, the late Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia and Cherie Chung on their private lives and their views on sex. Chua ventured into the food industry in the 1990s, opening restaurants and launching food products. He also hosted several food programmes such as Market Trotter (2007) and Chua's Choice (2008). – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
From Jackie Chan to Eighteen Chefs' Benny Se Teo: Tributes pour in after death of Singapore-born food critic Chua Lam, Lifestyle News
Renowned food critic, TV personality and former film producer Chua Lam has died at the age of 83. The news was announced on his Facebook and Weibo pages yesterday (June 27), with the posts reading: "Our beloved Mr Chua Lam passed away peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on June 25, 2025, accompanied by relatives and friends. "In accordance with his wishes, no ceremony will be held, and his body has been cremated. "Thank you all for your concern for Mr Chua." Jackie Chan was one of several celebrities who have paid tribute to Chua Lam, who produced several of the former's films including City Hunter (1993), Crime Story (1993), Thunderbolt (1995) and Mr Nice Guy (1997). Calling Chua Lam his "half-master" on Facebook, the 71-year-old wrote of the "fresh and inspiring" stories the former shared with him, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao while filming in Europe. "I was on the set when I heard the news my 'half-master' had passed away," he continued. "The first thing that surfaced in my mind were the times we filmed together overseas. "Back then, he taught me many meaningful lessons, and it wasn't until later in life that I started to slowly understand. I recall him saying how our time on earth is about learning how to live, how to die, and how to survive. "And the most important thing in life depends on whether you're happy or not. I know that he lived a free-spirited and joyful life, which is most important." Benny Se Teo, local founder of restaurant chain Eighteen Chefs, wrote on Instagram: "A towering figure in the culinary world... Chua's wit, unapologetic palate and lifelong passion for food shaped the way many including myself see and taste the world. "He wasn't just a gourmand, he was a storyteller whose insights and irreverent charm left a lasting legacy across Asia's food scene." The Singaporean chef also called Chua Lam "a flavour that lingers". [embed] Hong Kong director Patrick Kong posted in his Instagram Story that he had grown up reading Chua Lam's books, and learnt "what a tasteful life is" from him. Hong Kong-based French actress and patissier Amanda Strang wrote: "To my mentor, my master, thank you for inspiring my culinary journey. Because of you, I've learnt so much about cuisine and the connections it fosters between people." She added that losing Chua Lam is "deeply painful" and that he will be "dearly missed". Born in Singapore, Chua Lam was the brother of Chua Liang, 91, former principal of Nanyang Girls' High School, and late TV drama producer Chua Swan, according to The Straits Times. He was married to former film producer Cheung King-man, who died in 2023. Chua Lam moved to Hong Kong in 1963, where he worked with film houses Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest. He was also a food columnist for Oriental Daily and Next Media, and had over 150 books to his name. He co-hosted The Celebrity Talk Show with science fiction writer Ni Kuang and songwriter James Wong in 1989, interviewing the likes of Maggie Cheung, Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang and more. Chua Lam was also the last living member of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, a title he shared with James, Ni Kuang and martial arts writer Louis Cha. drimac@
AsiaOne
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
From Jackie Chan to Eighteen Chefs' Benny Se Teo: Tributes pour in after death of Singapore-born food critic Chua Lam, Entertainment News
Renowned food critic, TV personality and former film producer Chua Lam has died at the age of 83. The news was announced on his Facebook and Weibo pages yesterday (June 27), with the posts reading: "Our beloved Mr Chua Lam passed away peacefully at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on June 25, 2025, accompanied by relatives and friends. "In accordance with his wishes, no ceremony will be held, and his body has been cremated. "Thank you all for your concern for Mr Chua." Jackie Chan was one of several celebrities who have paid tribute to Chua Lam, who produced several of the former's films including City Hunter (1993), Crime Story (1993), Thunderbolt (1995) and Mr Nice Guy (1997). Calling Chua Lam his "half-master" on Facebook, the 71-year-old wrote of the "fresh and inspiring" stories the former shared with him, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao while filming in Europe. "I was on the set when I heard the news my 'half-master' had passed away," he continued. "The first thing that surfaced in my mind were the times we filmed together overseas. "Back then, he taught me many meaningful lessons, and it wasn't until later in life that I started to slowly understand. I recall him saying how our time on earth is about learning how to live, how to die, and how to survive. "And the most important thing in life depends on whether you're happy or not. I know that he lived a free-spirited and joyful life, which is most important." Benny Se Teo, local founder of restaurant chain Eighteen Chefs, wrote on Instagram: "A towering figure in the culinary world... Chua's wit, unapologetic palate and lifelong passion for food shaped the way many including myself see and taste the world. "He wasn't just a gourmand, he was a storyteller whose insights and irreverent charm left a lasting legacy across Asia's food scene." The Singaporean chef also called Chua Lam "a flavour that lingers". [embed] Hong Kong director Patrick Kong posted in his Instagram Story that he had grown up reading Chua Lam's books, and learnt "what a tasteful life is" from him. Hong Kong-based French actress and patissier Amanda Strang wrote: "To my mentor, my master, thank you for inspiring my culinary journey. Because of you, I've learnt so much about cuisine and the connections it fosters between people." She added that losing Chua Lam is "deeply painful" and that he will be "dearly missed". Born in Singapore, Chua Lam was the brother of Chua Liang, 91, former principal of Nanyang Girls' High School, and late TV drama producer Chua Swan, according to The Straits Times. He was married to former film producer Cheung King-man, who died in 2023. Chua Lam moved to Hong Kong in 1963, where he worked with film houses Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest. He was also a food columnist for Oriental Daily and Next Media, and had over 150 books to his name. He co-hosted The Celebrity Talk Show with science fiction writer Ni Kuang and songwriter James Wong in 1989, interviewing the likes of Maggie Cheung, Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, Joey Wang and more. Chua Lam was also the last living member of the Four Great Talents of Hong Kong, a title he shared with James, Ni Kuang and martial arts writer Louis Cha. drimac@
HKFP
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- HKFP
Renowned Hong Kong-based food critic Chua Lam passes away at 83
Renowned food critic Chua Lam has died at the age of 83, according to an announcement on his Facebook page on Friday. Chua, who was born in Singapore, spent most of his life in Hong Kong, where he built a career in the city's entertainment and culinary scenes as a movie producer, writer, and food critic. He passed away at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital on Wednesday. 'In accordance with [Chua's] wishes, and to avoid disturbing family and friends, no ceremony will be held. The body has been cremated,' the Chinese-language post read. 'We thank everybody for their concern for Mr Chua Lam,' it added. Born in 1941, Chua left Singapore for Japan when he was 16 to study film. He worked for Hong Kong film company Shaw Brothers Studio there and later also spent time in New York, Seoul, India, and Nepal, according to his biography. He moved to Hong Kong in 1963 at the age of 22, working as a production manager for Shaw Brothers Studio. Around a decade later, he joined local film company Golden Harvest, where he produced films for actor Jackie Chan. Chua ventured into the food industry in the 1990s, becoming a prominent food critic and host of cooking shows. In 2020, he started a YouTube channel called ChuaLam ColorfulWorld, where he posted food review videos of restaurants in Hong Kong. Chua was active on Facebook until April 2023, when he posted on his page that he was recovering from a fractured leg. It was his last update before the post announcing his death on Friday.
