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Daily Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
China's Guizhou eyes strategic ties with Sabah
Published on: Thursday, July 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jul 24, 2025 Text Size: Liew (first right) in discussion with Liu Baochang and Datuk Frankie Liew. Kota Kinabalu: A delegation from the Guizhou Provincial Foreign Affairs Office visited Sabah on Tuesday with the aim of establishing a friendly provincial-state relationship with Sabah, marking a potential new chapter in bilateral cooperation between China's Guizhou Province and the Malaysian state. The proposal, which centres on strengthening ties in economy, culture, trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, was well-received by State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, and State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. The visit, facilitated by the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), saw the Guizhou delegation pay courtesy calls to both ministers to present the province's vision for collaboration. Leading the delegation, Deputy Director-General Liu Baochang outlined Guizhou's strengths, including its status as a hub for new energy, computing power infrastructure, scientific innovation, and liquor production, as well as being home to tech giants like Apple and Huawei, and the globally renowned 500-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, 'Sky Eye'. He said Guizhou is now actively expanding its reach to Central, South, and Southeast Asia, and sees Sabah as a strategic partner in the region. Liu also extended an invitation for Sabah leaders to visit Guizhou and witness firsthand the province's industrial and technological advancements. 'We hope to deepen and broaden cooperation in economic, cultural, and tourism fields, and establish a formal friendly relationship between our two governments,' Liu said. Christina welcomed the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to connect with one of China's dynamic provinces. 'This visit opens doors for greater understanding and collaboration, especially in areas like eco-tourism and the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme,' she said. She introduced Sabah's strengths in sustainable tourism, its rich biodiversity, and ongoing efforts to preserve indigenous cultures. She also revealed plans for a 65-acre Cultural Centre in Kinolok, where all 35 indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah will showcase their heritage, further enriching the state's tourism appeal. Meanwhile, Phoong highlighted Sabah's push toward industrialisation and infrastructure development, citing upcoming projects like the Pan Borneo Highway, airport expansions in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau, and the upgrading of Sepangar Port. 'Sabah is undergoing transformation through innovation and infrastructure. We see Guizhou as a valuable partner in this journey,' said Phoong, who also invited the delegation to participate in the 2nd Sabah-China Expo this November. He added that the state is working towards increasing its power supply by 700 megawatts by 2030, including launching Malaysia's first wind power plant. Datuk Frankie Liew, President of the SCCC, praised the high-level composition of the Guizhou delegation, which includes senior officials from the foreign affairs office, commerce department, and municipal governments. 'Sabah and Guizhou share similarities in natural resources and cultural heritage. With strong will from both sides, I believe we can foster pragmatic cooperation,' he said. He noted strong potential in areas such as ecological protection, creative industries, environmental technology, and green development, expressing confidence that the partnership would spur mutual growth. Also present during the visit were SCCC Deputy President Brett Chua, Vice President Ir. Ts. KJ Tan, JP, Datuk Jonathan Koh, JP, and officials from Invest Sabah including CEO Dr. Firdausi Suffian. The visit is seen as a stepping stone toward building a long-term cooperative relationship between Guizhou and Sabah, paving the way for increased economic opportunities and cultural exchange between the two regions. * 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
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Guizhou hopes to enhance cooperation with Sabah
Phoong (center, front row) with the Guizhou Provincial Government delegation and SCCC representatives. KOTA KINABALU (July 23): A delegation from the Guizhou Provincial Foreign Affairs Office visited Sabah and expressed a desire to establish a friendly provincial-state relationship between Guizhou and Sabah. This proposal received positive responses from Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew and Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. Both sides look forward to greater cooperation and exchanges in areas such as economy, culture, trade, tourism and people-to-people relations, to promote bilateral economic collaboration. Arranged by the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), the Guizhou delegation on Tuesday paid courtesy visits to Christina and Phoong. Deputy Director-General of the Guizhou Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, Liu Baochang, conveyed to both ministers Guizhou's hopes to deepen and broaden cooperation in economic, cultural and tourism fields. He also presented Guizhou's strengths and characteristics, including the province's six major industrial bases – new energy power batteries and materials R&D and production, computing power infrastructure and liquor production, among others – highlighting the integration of scientific innovation and industrial development. In the realm of technology, Guizhou is home to data centers for Apple and Huawei. It also hosts the globally renowned 'Sky Eye' (the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope). Guizhou is advancing its new energy industry with developments in trucks, cars and batteries. In traditional sectors, it is the home of Moutai liquor and has over seven million acres of tea plantations. The province has also made significant achievements in ecological and tourism development. Liu revealed that the Guizhou government is encouraging enterprises to expand cooperation with Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Thus, this visit was specifically intended to explore collaborative opportunities and promote the establishment of a friendly provincial-state relationship. He also expressed hope that the two ministers could visit Guizhou in the near future for firsthand experience and to further advance the friendly ties. Christina Liew (first right) having a discussion with Liu Baochang and Frankie Liew. During the meeting, Christina welcomed the Guizhou delegation and expressed her hope for deeper exchanges, particularly in eco-tourism and the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program. 'We appreciate the visit from the Guizhou delegation, which gives us the opportunity to learn more about another beautiful province in China. We also hope there will be more collaborative opportunities in the future,' said the minister, who looks forward to formalizing the establishment of friendly ties. Christina introduced Sabah's tourism advantages, including its natural beauty and abundant resources. She emphasized the state government's commitment to preserving the natural forests and wildlife. Most major tourist sites in Sabah remain largely untouched and natural. She also revealed that the Sabah government is planning to build a 65-acre cultural center in Kinarut to allow the state's 35 indigenous ethnic groups to construct their own iconic structures, preserving and showcasing their unique cultural heritage and enriching Sabah's tourism offerings. During his meeting with the Guizhou delegation, Phoong emphasized that Sabah is moving beyond traditional industries and toward a path of industrialization and diversification, aiming for a leapfrogging development model to spur economic growth. He highlighted the concept of 'No Wealth Without Industry' and underscored the importance of industrialization for Sabah's economic future. The state government is actively enhancing infrastructure. All Sabah-related packages under the Pan Borneo Highway are expected to commence this year. Upgrading works at Kota Kinabalu International Airport will begin within the next one–two months, and Tawau Airport will begin its enhancement project next month. He also shared that Sepangar Port will undergo upgrades that will double its container handling capacity from 500,000 to 1.2 million TEUs annually upon completion. In terms of electricity supply, the state government plans to increase capacity by 700 MW by 2030, including the construction of Malaysia's first wind power plant. 'Sabah is transforming through new technologies!' said Phoong. He also extended an invitation to the Guizhou delegation and enterprises to participate in the Second Sabah-China Expo on November 21–23 this year. Datuk Frankie Liew, president of the Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), noted that the Guizhou delegation is a high-level team comprising leaders from several important agencies including the Foreign Affairs Office, Department of Commerce, Federation of Industry and Commerce, and municipal governments. He believes this visit will foster pragmatic cooperation and help identify future opportunities. 'Combining the resources and strengths of Guizhou and Sabah, I'm confident we can enhance economic growth on both sides,' said Frankie. He remarked that although Guizhou and Sabah are geographically located in different regions of China and Malaysia, they both enjoy rich natural resources, diverse cultural heritages, and robust tourism assets. He hopes both sides can explore more platforms and opportunities for cooperation in promotion, ecological protection and cultural exchanges. 'In the future, we hope to deepen cooperation in cultural and creative industries, environmental technologies, and jointly promote green development to build a better tomorrow,' added Frankie. Also present at the meeting were SCCC Deputy President Brett Chua, Vice Presidents Ir. Ts. KJ Tan, JP, Datuk Jonathan Koh, JP, Chiew Heng Hock and Tan Siew Ling, and CEO of Invest Sabah, Dr Firdausi Suffian.
Barnama
01-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MM2H Gains Popularity Among Thais For Education, Lifestyle Appeal
WORLD Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing launching the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign in Bangkok here on Tuesday. By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock BANGKOK, July 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme continues to gain traction among Thais, driven by cultural familiarity, proximity, and a competitive cost of living, said Tourism Malaysia's Bangkok office. Director of Tourism Malaysia in Bangkok, Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, noted that an increasing number of individuals and families from the region are looking beyond short-term travel, opting instead for longer-term stays in countries that offer quality of life, stability, and opportunity. "Thailand has emerged as a promising market for the MM2H segment. 'A key appeal for Thai MM2H applicants is our education sector. Malaysia is fast becoming an education hub in Asia, with globally ranked universities, international schools, and a multilingual learning environment," she told Bernama after a business matching session held in Bangkok on Monday. Nurul Ain added that thousands of international students, including those from Thailand, are choosing Malaysia for its proximity, affordability, and academic quality. She said that Malaysia offers all these and more - a safe, affordable, and multicultural living environment with access to world-class healthcare, modern infrastructure, and a strong sense of community. On Monday, Malaysia's Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing made a working visit to Bangkok to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation and lay the foundation for stronger ties ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Tiong paid a courtesy call to his Thai counterpart, the Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong, before meeting with tourism industry players in Thailand.
Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Business Insider
An American couple sold their house in California and retired in Malaysia. They love 'not owning anything.'
In the 1970s, Paul and Ellen Eggers taught in Malaysia as volunteers with the US Peace Corps. The experience left a lasting impression, and decades later, as they prepared to retire from their jobs as college professors in California, they decided to return. "I had read an article in Forbes Magazine about people retiring overseas," Ellen, now 70, told Business Insider. "We hadn't really thought a lot about it before, but then one of the places that was listed as very popular and very affordable was Penang in Malaysia." They were familiar with the Southeast Asian country, having returned for vacations over the years, and never forgot how much they enjoyed it. In 2015, with the goal of retiring in the next year or two, the couple spent five weeks in Malaysia to see if it felt right for the next chapter of their lives. "We knew that our income could go a lot farther in Malaysia, and we thought, 'We could actually do this. Why not?'" Ellen said. When it was finally time for them to retire, they didn't hesitate to say goodbye to their lives in the US. The couple got rid of almost everything they owned, including two cars, furniture, and hundreds of books, which they donated to their university. "It was a very easy decision for us," Paul, now 71, told BI. Moving across the world It's been seven years since the couple moved to Penang, a state in the northwestern part of Malaysia. They had spent just one weekend there back in the '70s, Paul said. "We didn't really know Penang well at all when we came on our reconnaissance trip, but we liked what we saw, so that made our decision for us." Unlike the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, they were drawn to Penang for its mix of natural and urban landscapes. Moreover, they didn't want to own a car, and Penang's reliable public transport system made getting around easy. However, the couple's decision to move across the world surprised some of their family and friends back home. They weren't familiar with Malaysia, and weren't sure what to make of it. Paul said. "Some of them thought we were nuts. I think some of them still do, seven years later," Ellen said. Not having children of their own made the move simpler. "I think it would be more difficult if you had children and grandchildren — although many of our friends do, and they make it work just fine with visits," Ellen said. The couple is on the Malaysia My Second Home, or MM2H, visa program, which was first introduced in 2002 to attract foreigners to retire and live in Malaysia. The most recent rule changes, announced in 2024, included stricter financial requirements, including the need to buy property in Malaysia. Since the couple obtained their visas under an earlier version of the program, they were grandfathered in under the old rules and weren't required to purchase property, Paul said. Back in the US, they owned a 2,000-square-foot home in the Sierra Nevada foothills, which they sold for $290,000 before relocating to Malaysia. Now, they're settled in a three-bedroom beachfront condo — their third home in Penang — which they moved into eight months ago. Rent is 8,000 Malaysian ringgit, or about $1,800, each month. "Honestly, we really like the idea of not owning anything. Not owning a house, not owning a car; it's very freeing," Ellen said. Their complex has a pool, gym, and tennis courts, and they're within walking distance of grocery stores and clinics. Georgetown, the capital of Penang, is a 15-minute car ride away. While they don't track every expense month to month, they always keep a close eye on what's coming in and going out. They estimate that their living expenses — inclusive of rent — usually come up to around 12,000 ringgit to 13,000 ringgit, or about $2,800 to $3,060, each month. Retired life in Penang The couple says they're enjoying their retirement in Penang. "Of course, when we were in the US, we were working, so that took up a very big part of the day," Ellen said. "We have much more time for personal hobbies and pastimes. We both read a lot. We try to exercise quite a lot." Paul says their lifestyle in Malaysia isn't that different from the US. "We pretty much do what we did in the States," he added. With one exception — they've learned how to play Mahjong, a tile-based strategy game that's extremely popular all over Asia. "I've met many people through that," Ellen said. "It's a lovely thing that you meet people from all over the world here and think nothing of sitting down at a table with two people from Europe and two people from Australia. It's just so natural." The other friends they've made came through mutual connections, she added. Penang also has an international airport, which makes it easy for them to travel around the region and beyond, including New Zealand and Australia. They recently returned from a cruise in Norway, Paul said. "Malaysia is so accessible to everywhere, not just Southeast Asia. It's easy to get a flight to Europe, and because we are saving so much money here, we can afford to travel," Ellen said. They both speak Malay from living in Malaysia years ago, but Paul says you can easily get by in Penang with just English. Those who want to make a similar move should pay attention to one thing: The heat. "It seems like a minor thing, but a lot of people are quite shocked at the tropical heat and don't realize how careful you have to be with the sun and hydration and things like that," Ellen said. Penang has come to feel like home in the years they've lived here. "We're just very familiar with Malaysian lifestyle, the language, the customs, and so on," Paul said. "In fact, the things that are different are the things that we love. We like the food, the nature, the climate, and the friendliness of Malaysians," Ellen added. "And no snow."
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Police report filed against Sungai Buloh PAS chief over ‘inflammatory' post
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: The police report was filed at the Seberang Perai Tengah police headquarters last night. (DAP pic) PETALING JAYA: A police report has been lodged against Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad over his recent social media post allegedly inciting racial sentiments by speculating about the possibility of a Malaysian of Chinese descent becoming prime minister. Kolektif Jalan Teruih, the Seberang Perai Tengah Youth Council, and Anak Muda Permatang Pauh said that Zaharudin's act was a form of provocation disguised as political satire, aimed at inciting racial tensions in a sly and irresponsible manner. The report was filed by Kolektif Jalan Teruih coordinator Nazirullah Nordin at the Seberang Perai Tengah police headquarters at 9.05pm yesterday. 'On the battlefield, there is no room for racial sentiment – only loyalty, courage, and love for the nation. It is only right that we firmly reject any attempt to stain the military with racial politics,' the groups said in a joint statement. The groups also said that the army was the nation's final line of defence, deserving of respect, dignity, and support, not mockery or weaponised to create fear. They called for Zaharudin to be investigated under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act. Zaharudin had attempted to defend his now-deleted Facebook post which included a photo of Johnny Lim, who was promoted to armed forces lieutenant-general earlier this week, becoming the first Malaysian of Chinese descent to attain the three-star rank. The PAS man said his post was aimed at raising awareness about the possibility of Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa holders having children in Malaysia, seeking citizenship, and even voting in the country. He claimed the programme might result in an influx of foreigners into the country who would then apply for citizenship. That would allow for a 'prime minister born from among these foreigners by 2058', he said. Zaharudin, the son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, also claimed to have included Lim's photo in his post merely for 'decorative purposes'. It was not intended to convey any explicit or implicit message, he said. DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim called for legal action to be taken against Zaharudin, while PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the post went against the Islamic party's stance. The MM2H Consultants Association meanwhile urged Zaharudin to apologise for claiming that the MM2H programme could lead to visa holders eventually becoming citizens and voting in Malaysia. Its president, Anthony Liew, said the programme's policy clearly states that MM2H passes cannot be converted. * 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
