Latest news with #Khong
Daily Express
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
80-year-old bags gold in taekwondo
Published on: Friday, July 04, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 04, 2025 By: Abbey Junior Text Size: Khong stands on the podium after winning gold. SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Sports Complex was alive with energy as the DGTC 2025 Taekwondo Invitational Tournament drew 323 participants of all ages over the weekend. The two-day tournament showcased the growing popularity of taekwondo in Sabah, with athletes as young as five and as senior as 80 participating in various competitive categories. Advertisement The event, organised by Dragon Generation Taekwondo Club (DGTC), brought together athletes from six local clubs across Sandakan — DGTC, Warisan Sandakan Taekwondo Club, Nature City Taekwondo Club, Interior Taekwondo Club, High Kick Taekwondo Club and MBV Taekwondo Club. Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee, who officiated the closing ceremony, praised the tournament for promoting values that go beyond sport. 'Taekwondo is not just about physical fitness — it teaches perseverance, self-discipline and mental strength, which are all vital for building character,' she said. She said events like this not only uncover young talent but also help foster unity and resilience in the community through martial arts. Five categories were contested, namely Kyorugi (sparring), Virtual Taekwondo, Poomsae (forms), Freestyle Poomsae, and Gyeokpa (breaking techniques using hands and legs). One of the most inspiring moments came from 80-year-old Lily Khong Chau Fa, a housewife originally from Selangor who moved to Sandakan in 2013 to help care for her grandchildren. Khong, who only picked up taekwondo in March last year, clinched gold in the Recognised Poomsae Female 46 years old and above (Individual, Category B) — her fourth gold medal in as many tournaments. 'I used to just accompany my grandchildren to training. Then I thought, why not join them? It's good exercise, and I feel healthier since I started,' she said. Now holding a green-blue belt, Khong trains with DGTC and credits her coach for encouraging her participation and guiding her with dedication. 'We are so lucky to have a wonderful coach who believed in me. I'm grateful to be part of this club.' The tournament was judged by a panel of certified referees including Master Muhd Zaini Usop, Master Mujayal Ebno, Master Aduring @ Musri Habib Mohammad, Master Rizal Aninus, Kevin Amit, Muhd Hamzah Robert, Ibrahim Hussein, Siti Nuraini Mohd Ali, Chau Li Phin and Arman Juakaal. Supporting the event behind the scenes was a dedicated technical team made up of Mohd Eyzrol Syafiq Peter, Khairul Iman Mohd Firdaus and Daneal Adam Francis. DGTC president Rita Dragon and tournament co-organiser Master Ahmad Khalid @ Robert Dragon expressed pride in the participants' commitment, adding they hope the tournament will become an annual official event in Sandakan. The tournament concluded with a medal and certificate ceremony, followed by a crowd-pleasing freestyle poomsae performance by taekwondo athletes. * 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
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Celeb doctor injected Botox up my NOSE – people tell me I look great thanks to little known secret treatment
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LET me start by saying I'm not anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle - at 27, I've got no problem with the idea of looking more mature, and I've come to like the little lines that appear when I laugh and smile. Maybe that will all change. 12 Jess Lester tested out Baby Botox for the first time, above after the injections Credit: The Sun 12 She booked an appointment with Dr Brendan Khong Credit: The Sun 12 The aesthetics expert injected Botox up her nose Credit: The Sun 12 Jess says the results were noticeable about a week after the treatments Credit: The Sun But after months of looking at my face in Zoom meetings and feeling like I appeared a little more tired and weathered than I felt, I started to get curious about Botox. Not the frozen, wind-tunnel kind, I wanted the whisper of change… the kind that celebrities have before stepping out to say they've tried a new product that's entirely changed their face shape. The kind of tweak where your friends ask if you've 'been sleeping better lately' or started 'using laser treatments' because you've been looking 'more glowy lately'. Enter: Baby Botox. Now, I'd heard all the buzz, and the warnings, about microdoses of Botox that are there not to freeze your face in one place, but just soften things slightly, touch things up like Photoshop. And after a few deep dives on TikTok and a couple of late-night WhatsApp group chats (cue my entire family threatening to disown me), I booked an appointment with Dr Brendan Khong. Dr Khong is not your average injector. First off, he doesn't believe in the whole 'preventative Botox' craze that's everywhere online at the moment, even if I desperately wanted him to. This is not, he was clear, about injecting twenty-something's into oblivion to change their appearance, and it's not a rocket into the space of an entire new look, just a gentle nudge into the stratosphere. Think a refresh without diving headfirst into the ever-growing pool of fillers, from lips to cheeks to chin to nose, and it all made perfect sense to me. I went in asking for three things: a lip flip to lift my top lip slightly without using filler, jaw Botox to slim the face and ease my clenching habit, and a bit of brow Botox to give me that snatched, slightly lifted look, think high fashion catwalk model, not permanently surprised. Instead of plumping the lips with filler, Dr Khong popped a tiny amount of Botox just above my lip, to relax the muscle enough to encourage it to flip up, giving a poutier look without adding volume. I'm Olivia Attwood's beautician here's why you should avoid 'preventative Botox' It doesn't make you look like you've had anything done, just like my top lip, which for a while felt like it was on strike in smiley photos, decided to show up to the party for once. The jaw Botox was a little more… spicy - I was warned the needle might feel a little deeper in the skin. I've had tattoos in places that I've been warned will hurt and still managed to nap through it, but there's something about being pricked in your jaw muscles that makes you want to clench even harder. Not ideal. The magic is, if you can get through it, in the weeks that follow it slims your face by relaxing the masseter muscles, seeing them get smaller and smaller until they felt almost like they'd disappeared. My jaw hasn't felt this relaxed in years, though, eating anything chewy became a chore and I soon realised I'd have to cut my food up into tiny bits to handle the tiredness I'd feel from trying to work muscles that had been, essentially, put to sleep. Diet hack, I guess. The brow Botox was the cherry on top - a secret move Dr Khong told me was his 'signature'. Should I be worried? No. He showed me the results on other clients, and I was sold. 12 Botox was injected just above Jess' lip to relax the muscle enough to encourage it to flip up Credit: The Sun 12 The brow Botox is Dr Khong's 'signature' move Credit: The Sun 12 Jess also got jaw Botox which, although quite uncomfortable, helped slim her face by relaxing the masseter muscles Credit: The Sun It's not a full-on brow lift, but the difference is real, as a friend told me just days after, I looked 'like I'd had a holiday, or a facial, or both at the same time.' I'll take it. And to top things off, Dr Khong surprised me by sticking the needle up my nose. Yes, you read that right - in the name facial balancing, one prick more didn't seem a bad idea. What surprised me most was how little Botox was actually used. Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream. Dr Khong was conservative with the amount. He'd rather I come back for a top-up than overdo it. So what's it like immediately afterwards? Honestly, sort of anticlimactic. You're left with a few tiny needle marks which fade fast, and you can't lie down for four hours, no hardcore workouts, no drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours, no sun tanning, and no sex. Luckily, I went on a Wednesday. No plans in store. What surprised me most was how little Botox was actually used. Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream The results don't show up right away. It took about a week before I noticed the difference, but when I did? Everyone kept telling me how good my skin looked - and I got ID'd buying a pair of scissors. Not one person guessed Botox, so I could tell them green juice, and eight hours of sleep. Lies, all lies - and here I am, spoiling it all for myself. My face still moves, I can still frown (albeit mildly), and I haven't had to defend myself against a single 'you've had work done'. Instead, I just keep hearing: 'You look really well, what's your secret?' Just a few tiny jabs. But let's keep that between us, shall we? 12 Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream, says Jess Lester Credit: The Sun WILL BOTOX KNOCK YEARS OFF MY FACE? By Jack Hardwick "No gym, no sex and certainly no sunbeds for 24-48 hours" - words most guys would hate to hear. But as I sat in the plush clinic at 41 Harley Street, this was my reality. 12 Jack Hardwick popped his Botox cherry as his crows feet were becoming more and more visible Credit: The Sun 12 He says he felt his forehead freezing up within 48 hours of the injections Credit: The Sun 12 Jack is very happy with his new complexation Credit: The Sun Though I was promised the short term loss was worth it for the long term gain, as I was about to pop my Botox cherry. As for the reason for my self imposed gym and sex ban? Any strenuous exercise that would raise my heartrate runs the risk of causing the Botox to migrate before it settles into the muscles. The areas of concern? My very expressive 31-year-old forehead which seems to have a life of its own - especially after I have a drink - and my eyes. More and more over the past 12 months I've noticed my eyes were beginning to look tired. Dreaded crows feet were becoming more and more visible - especially in certain lighting like on the gym floor or in the office lifts. After months of deliberating with friends - both male and female - I have decided to take matters into my own hands. Many of my friends have been splashing out on Botox for years but for me it's always been a female option - somehow emasculating to admit I've given in to the age old quest of turning back the clock. But the past decade has seen a strong rise in men seeking out tweakments. The amount of money spent by men on Botox rose by 400 per cent between 2000 and 2023, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2020 alone, it's estimated that 265,000 men had Botox procedures. Even with that in mind, as I sat down to pop my Botox cherry with Dr Ross at Cosmedics on Harley Street, my brief was clear - I wanted subtle touch ups rather than looking like I was frozen in time. Enough to enhance my look, but subtle enough I could deny if anyone were to ask me. When it comes to the six injections I had to remove my crows feet, I couldn't be happier from the get go After being marked up with no less than 20 injection points, it was time to receive my Botox. The best way to describe the feeling is a wasp bite - a quick unpleasant crunch similar to being stung that's over as quick as it began. 'Exactly what I wanted' The worst of these came in the six - three each side - around my eyes. But even then, it was hardly painful. I was told it could take up to a week for the Botox to kick in but due to it being my first time I could feel my forehead freezing up within 48 hours. Some of my mates love the feeling, I on the other hand was unsure. Initially I admit I missed my formerly very expressive forehead but within a week I was super happy with my new smooth complexation. When it comes to the six injections I had to remove my crows feet, I couldn't be happier from the get go. Thanks to a few little pricks, this issue has gone. Has it knocked years off my face? No. But do I look fresher and more youthful? Yes. At least I think so - and to be honest that's more than enough for me. In fact, the few people I have told about my trip to Cosemedics had zero idea I'd had anything done - exactly what I wanted. Though after showing them before and after pictures everyone can see the improvement. Even my mum, who living in a rural village in Derbyshire couldn't be further away from the often shallowness of London, conceded she thought it looked good. 12 The reporter feels more youthful, although the Botox hasn't knocked off years off his face Credit: The Sun
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Celeb doctor injected Botox up my NOSE – people tell me I look great thanks to little known secret treatment
LET me start by saying I'm not anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle - at 27, I've got no problem with the idea of looking more mature, and I've come to like the little lines that appear when I laugh and smile. Maybe that will all change. Advertisement 12 Jess Lester tested out Baby Botox for the first time, above after the injections Credit: The Sun 12 She booked an appointment with Dr Brendan Khong Credit: The Sun 12 The aesthetics expert injected Botox up her nose Credit: The Sun 12 Jess says the results were noticeable about a week after the treatments Credit: The Sun But after months of looking at my face in Zoom meetings and feeling like I appeared a little more tired and weathered than I felt, I started to get curious about Botox. Advertisement Not the frozen , wind-tunnel kind, I wanted the whisper of change… the kind that celebrities have before stepping out to say they've tried a new product that's entirely changed their face shape. The kind of tweak where your friends ask if you've 'been sleeping better lately' or started 'using laser treatments' because you've been looking 'more glowy lately'. Enter: Now, I'd heard all the buzz, and the warnings, about microdoses of Botox that are there not to freeze your face in one place, but just soften things slightly, touch things up like Photoshop. And after a few deep dives on TikTok and a couple of late-night WhatsApp group chats (cue my entire family threatening to disown me), I booked an appointment with Dr Brendan Khong. Dr Khong is not your average injector. First off, he doesn't believe in the whole ' Advertisement This is not, he was clear, about injecting twenty-something's into oblivion to change their appearance, and it's not a rocket into the space of an entire new look , just a gentle nudge into the stratosphere. Think a refresh without diving headfirst into the ever-growing pool of I went in asking for three things: a lip flip to lift my top lip slightly without using filler, jaw Botox to slim the face and ease my clenching habit, and a bit of brow Botox to give me that snatched, slightly lifted look, think high fashion catwalk model, not permanently surprised. Instead of plumping the lips with filler, Dr Khong popped a tiny amount of Botox just above my lip, to relax the muscle enough to encourage it to flip up, giving a poutier look without adding volume. I'm Olivia Attwood's beautician here's why you should avoid 'preventative Botox' It doesn't make you look like you've had anything done, just like my top lip, which for a while felt like it was on strike in smiley photos, decided to show up to the party for once. Advertisement The jaw Botox was a little more… spicy - I was warned the needle might feel a little deeper in the skin. I've had tattoos in places that I've been warned will hurt and still managed to nap through it, but there's something about being pricked in your jaw muscles that makes you want to clench even harder. Not ideal. The magic is, if you can get through it, in the weeks that follow it slims your face by relaxing the masseter muscles, seeing them get smaller and smaller until they felt almost like they'd disappeared. My jaw hasn't felt this relaxed in years, though, eating anything chewy became a chore and I soon realised I'd have to cut my food up into tiny bits to handle the tiredness I'd feel from trying to work muscles that had been, essentially, put to sleep. Diet hack, I guess. Advertisement The brow Botox was the cherry on top - a secret move Dr Khong told me was his 'signature'. Should I be worried? No. He showed me the results on other clients, and I was sold. 12 Botox was injected just above Jess' lip to relax the muscle enough to encourage it to flip up Credit: The Sun 12 The brow Botox is Dr Khong's 'signature' move Credit: The Sun 12 Jess also got jaw Botox which, although quite uncomfortable, helped slim her face by relaxing the masseter muscles Credit: The Sun It's not a full-on brow lift, but the difference is real, as a friend told me just days after, I looked 'like I'd had a holiday, or a facial, or both at the same time.' I'll take it. Advertisement And to top things off, Dr Khong surprised me by sticking the needle up my nose. Yes, you read that right - in the name facial balancing, one prick more didn't seem a bad idea. What surprised me most was how little Botox was actually used. Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream. Dr Khong was conservative with the amount. He'd rather I come back for a top-up than overdo it. So what's it like immediately afterwards? Honestly, sort of anticlimactic. You're left with a few tiny needle marks which fade fast, and you can't lie down for four hours, no hardcore workouts, no drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours, no sun tanning, and no sex. Advertisement Luckily, I went on a Wednesday. No plans in store. What surprised me most was how little Botox was actually used. Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream The results don't show up right away. It took about a week before I noticed the difference, but when I did? Everyone kept telling me how good my skin looked - and I got ID'd buying a pair of scissors. Not one person guessed Botox, so I could tell them green juice, and eight hours of sleep. Lies, all lies - and here I am, spoiling it all for myself. My face still moves, I can still frown (albeit mildly), and I haven't had to defend myself against a single 'you've had work done'. Instead, I just keep hearing: 'You look really well, what's your secret?' Advertisement Just a few tiny jabs. But let's keep that between us, shall we? 12 Baby Botox really is a minimalist's dream, says Jess Lester Credit: The Sun WILL BOTOX KNOCK YEARS OFF MY FACE? By Jack Hardwick "No gym, no sex and certainly no sunbeds for 24-48 hours" - words most guys would hate to hear. But as I sat in the plush clinic at 41 Harley Street, this was my reality. Advertisement 12 Jack Hardwick popped his Botox cherry as his crows feet were becoming more and more visible Credit: The Sun 12 He says he felt his forehead freezing up within 48 hours of the injections Credit: The Sun 12 Jack is very happy with his new complexation Credit: The Sun Though I was promised the short term loss was worth it for the long term gain, as I was about to pop my Botox cherry. As for the reason for my self imposed gym and sex ban? Any strenuous exercise that would raise my heartrate runs the risk of causing the Botox to migrate before it settles into the muscles. Advertisement The areas of concern? My very expressive 31-year-old forehead which seems to have a life of its own - especially after I have a drink - and my eyes. More and more over the past 12 months I've noticed my eyes were beginning to look tired. Dreaded crows feet were becoming more and more visible - especially in certain lighting like on the gym floor or in the office lifts. After months of deliberating with friends - both male and female - I have decided to take matters into my own hands. Many of my friends have been splashing out on Botox for years but for me it's always been a female option - somehow emasculating to admit I've given in to the age old quest of turning back the clock. Advertisement But the past decade has seen a strong rise in men seeking out tweakments. The amount of money spent by men on Botox rose by 400 per cent between 2000 and 2023, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2020 alone, it's estimated that 265,000 men had Botox procedures. Even with that in mind, as I sat down to pop my Botox cherry with Dr Ross at Cosmedics on Harley Street, my brief was clear - I wanted subtle touch ups rather than looking like I was frozen in time. Enough to enhance my look, but subtle enough I could deny if anyone were to ask me. Advertisement When it comes to the six injections I had to remove my crows feet, I couldn't be happier from the get go After being marked up with no less than 20 injection points, it was time to receive my Botox. The best way to describe the feeling is a wasp bite - a quick unpleasant crunch similar to being stung that's over as quick as it began. 'Exactly what I wanted' The worst of these came in the six - three each side - around my eyes. But even then, it was hardly painful. I was told it could take up to a week for the Botox to kick in but due to it being my first time I could feel my forehead freezing up within 48 hours. Some of my mates love the feeling, I on the other hand was unsure. Advertisement Initially I admit I missed my formerly very expressive forehead but within a week I was super happy with my new smooth complexation. When it comes to the six injections I had to remove my crows feet, I couldn't be happier from the get go. Thanks to a few little pricks, this issue has gone. Has it knocked years off my face? No. But do I look fresher and more youthful? Yes. At least I think so - and to be honest that's more than enough for me. In fact, the few people I have told about my trip to Cosemedics had zero idea I'd had anything done - exactly what I wanted. Advertisement Though after showing them before and after pictures everyone can see the improvement. Even my mum, who living in a rural village in 12 The reporter feels more youthful, although the Botox hasn't knocked off years off his face Credit: The Sun Do's & Don'ts before and after Botox Dr. Aamer Khan reveals the do's and don'ts with Botox Do's Before Botox Consult a qualified practitioner with medical training and experience. Inform your practitioner about all medications, supplements, and medical conditions. Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E) for 24–48 hours. Stay hydrated and have a light meal before your appointment. Ask questions about the procedure, expectations, and outcomes. Don'ts Before Botox Avoid retinol, glycolic acid, or exfoliants on treatment areas for 24 hours. Don't schedule within 2 weeks of major events to allow time for the treatment to work and any healing. needed, possible bruising, which can occur. Reschedule if you're feeling unwell (cold, infection, etc.). Try to avoid makeup on the day of treatment, unless it is mineral make up. Do's After Botox Gently move treated muscles (smile, frown) to help Botox settle. Stay upright for 4–6 hours post-treatment. Apply cold compresses gently to reduce swelling if there is any. Use mild, non-active skincare to keep skin clean and calm. Don'ts After Botox Do not lie down or bend over for at least 4–6 hours. Avoid touching or rubbing the injected area for 24 hours. Skip workouts and heat exposure (gym, saunas, hot yoga) for 24 hours. Don't apply makeup or active skincare for at least 12–24 hours. Avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours post-treatment. For any concerns post-treatment, always contact your provider directly. Mild redness, swelling, or bruising is common and usually subsides within a few days.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Life stories of senior Malaysian Chinese artists highlighted in photo exhibition
The three-day photography exhibition Malaysian Chinese Painters In Their Golden Years by Khong Miaw Leong and Soon Yee Ling, which opened yesterday at the Kong Choi Room, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Jalan Maharajalela in Kuala Lumpur offers a rare chance to connect with the personal stories of pioneering artists who shaped Malaysian art history. The show, presented by Wayfinder Publishing House and the Cultural and Educational Committee of the KLSCAH, also marks the first public showing of selected works from The Face Of What We Are: Malaysian Chinese Painters In Their Golden Years, an upcoming photography collection and community documentation project. Through intimate portraits, the photographers Khong and Soon capture not just faces but lifetimes of artistic dedication - revealing the quiet routines, lived spaces, and enduring spirit of over 30 senior painters now in their 80s and 90s. At a time when the art world often focuses on the new, this exhibition shifts attention to memory, legacy, and the individuals whose brushstrokes helped define a nation's visual identity. Chew Teng Beng's professional career spans art, culture, administration, and education. He is also recognised for his research and influence on papermaking in Malaysia. Photo: Wayfinder Publishing House The team at Wayfinder Publishing House in Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with photographers Khong and Soon, have collectively assembled this project. This weekend, the exhibition (free admission, walk-in) at KLSCAH is open 10am-6pm. Among the many painters featured is Datuk Loke King Leong, now 94, who was once honoured as the Royal Painter of Negri Sembilan. Other notable names include Tan Chiang Kiong (Penang), Choong Kam Kow (Selangor), Tan Puay Tee (Johor), Lee Hock Kia (Sarawak), Chew Teng Beng (Penang), Michael Lim (Sarawak), Tay Mo-Leong (Penang), Cheah Yew Saik (Kuala Lumpur), Khoo Sui Hoe (United States), Chong Hon Fatt (Penang), Gan Sao Wah (Selangor), Jolly Koh (Kuala Lumpur), Tang Hon Yin (Penang), and Yap Hong Ngee (Selangor). These senior artists hail from diverse backgrounds: seven studied in Taiwan, predominantly graduating from the National Taiwan Normal University's Department of Fine Arts, an institution primarily dedicated to training art educators. Fifteen artists studied at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore, with most specialising in Western painting. Additionally, 12 artists pursued further formal art education in Britain, France, Japan, and the United States. Notably, some of these individuals continued their studies in cities like London, Paris, and New York after graduating from institutions in Singapore or Taiwan, indicating some overlap in their international training. Four artists are self-taught. Tan Chiang Kiong, recognised as Malaysia's longest-serving art educator, has dedicated six decades to the field. Photo: Wayfinder Publishing House Malaysian Chinese Painters In Their Golden Years is not an art exhibition; rather, it presents a photographic documentary exploring the lives and journeys of these senior Malaysian Chinese artists. Leading up to the exhibition, Chai Chang Hwang, artist-researcher and co-founder of Wayfinder Publishing House, explains that the working team is small and informal, consisting of just three to four core members. 'I handle planning, liaison, and coordination, while the photographers focus on image capture. Others contribute as needed,' says Chai. The main challenge, he adds, is time. 'Aside from Khong, who's now in his 70s, most of us have day jobs. And unlike established institutions, we lack major funding – so we have to work carefully and resourcefully.' Photographers (from left) Soon and Khong, collaborators with Wayfinder Publishing House on the book project. Photo: Wayfinder Publishing House "Initially, our core team – myself included – had envisioned a much larger project. The plan was to begin with artists in the 80 to 90 age bracket, then move on to those in their 70s, continuing in sequential phases," says Chai. 'However, after more than two years of fieldwork across the country, our collective perspectives have undoubtedly evolved. It remains to be seen, but perhaps after this exhibition, we will need to re-evaluate this undertaking (to move forward),' he adds. The plan is to introduce the Malaysian Chinese Painters In Their Golden Years exhibition to other venues nationwide to raise awareness. 'We acknowledge that our academic background is not in historical research, nor is writing art history our expertise. Our role is to ask questions. From our perspective, this photography and publication project is a creative practice rooted in visual culture, aiming to spark dialogue and, through the photographers' unique visual language, pay profound homage to a generation of Chinese painters who dedicated their lives and talent to advancing Malaysian art,' says Chai. Lee Hock Kia, an art teacher to many, has a career spanning generations and continues to draw and paint actively. Photo: Wayfinder Publishing House Yeo Eng Hin, a senior painter and member of the Cultural and Education Committee at KLSCAH, recognises both the challenges of undertaking an independent project like this and the importance of public support – including crowdfunding efforts – to help bring the book project to completion. 'This photo collection is a valuable cultural gift. It documents a generation of foundational figures in Malaysia's art history,' says Yeo. 'Through the images in this exhibition, we hope more people will encounter the spirit of these artists, gain a deeper understanding of their lives, and collectively cherish this shared cultural memory,' he concludes. A series of public programmes – including artist talks, guided tours, and interactive sessions – will take place through the weekend. The exhibition's opening ceremony will be held on Sunday (June 1), at 11am., with Datuk Lim Swee Tin – National Laureate and member of the National Visual Arts Development Board – as guest of honour.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Office market stable amid hybrid work, ESG trends
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian office market is expected to remain stable this year, underpinned by demand for newer high-grade offices featuring sustainable designs and up-to-date specifications. Savills Malaysia Sdn Bhd group managing director Datuk Paul Khong said older Grade B and Grade C offices would struggle with major tenant retention issues and would continue to rely on lower rentals to stay competitive. 'Overall market stability is underpinned by moderate incoming supply, a steady performance in the prime market rents and a gradual uplift in occupancy,' he told StarBiz. On a micro level, Khong said shifts in workplace dynamics and the growing focus on corporate social responsibility have pushed organisations to right-size and consolidate into high-quality spaces. 'Flexible office space is gaining traction as evolving work habits reshape the market. 'Post-pandemic, hybrid work, flexible leases and modular layouts drive demand and create more opportunities for co-working operators with landlords.' Looking ahead, Khong expects demand for new offices to remain strong, supported by tenants' growing appetite for modern high-quality buildings with ESG (environmental, social and governance) features. 'The ageing office segment will need major refurbishments to continue staying relevant,' he said. Meanwhile, Knight Frank Malaysia believes the outlook for the next 12 months suggests continued stability in Malaysia's office sector, with a tenant-favourable market environment expected to persist as businesses reassess long-term space needs and embrace more flexible, future-ready office strategies. 'With an annual change of 2.6% and a quarterly increase of 0.8%, Kuala Lumpur's (KL) office market is showing signs of steady, measured recovery.' However, Knight Frank noted that high supply levels and evolving workplace expectations may continue to weigh on rental growth. 'Occupiers are likely to prioritise flight-to-quality strategies, while landlords may focus on improving building specifications and sustainability features to remain competitive in an increasingly discerning market.' Olive Tree Property Consultants founder and chief executive officer Samuel Tan remains cautiously optimistic on the outlook for Johor's office sector in 2025. 'Strategic initiatives like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Rapid Transit System, elevated automated rapid transit and the influx of data centres are all key catalysts driving the demand for office spaces.' Moving forward, he said multinational corporations (MNCs) and service providers are expected to set up regional or representative offices in Johor Baru to ride on the promising growth within the state. 'Some Singapore-based companies and startups, capitalising on lower operation costs, could be keen to set up offices in the JS-SEZ.' Meanwhile, Olive Tree Property Consultants director Tan Wee Tiam said the escalating trade war triggered by the US' reciprocal tariff is another key consideration for companies intending to set up or expand their office space within the JS-SEZ. 'The risk is compounded by the extremely fluid trade policy adopted unilaterally by the United States. 'Investors do not like uncertainties. 'As a result, while many companies may be keen to use the JS-SEZ as a platform to ride on the growth, many would adopt a wait-and-see stance, at least in the short term, for more clarity to unfold.' Wee Tiam added that tenants, especially MNCs, are increasingly looking for high-quality office spaces that adhere to ESG standards. 'In general, office tenants, especially MNCs, are increasingly seeking offices with modern amenities, energy efficiency and sustainable features.' Meanwhile, Tan said the adoption of hybrid work models has led to increased demand for flexible workspace solutions. 'Companies are looking for adaptable office environments that can accommodate fluctuating occupancy levels and foster collaboration. 'Landlords of older buildings would need to consider refurbishments or repositioning strategies to attract and retain tenants.' On the sector's performance for the first quarter of this year (1Q25), Knight Frank said KL's prime office market continued to improve, as occupier activity strengthened in select sectors despite headline vacancy rates remaining elevated at 24.6%. 'The city's rental levels held steady at RM6.01 per sq ft per month, with no quarter-on-quarter change – underscoring market resilience in the face of ongoing global and regional uncertainties. 'Notably, improving occupancy has been observed, bolstered by expansions from technology firms and MNCs aiming to reinforce their regional footprint in Malaysia.' Khong said the general office sector in Greater KL moved positively during 1Q25, with good improvements in both net absorption rates and office rentals. 'This was well driven, mainly by demand for high-grade office spaces due to improved investor sentiments. 'Greater KL continued to record a net absorption of 0.46 million sq ft in 1Q25, a strong performance compared to an annual absorption of 1.2 million sq ft for 2024.' Khong highlighted that the key drivers during the quarter were 'flight-to-quality' in tenant movements, right-sizing efforts and a growing emphasis on ESG trends.
