Malaysia’s tourism industry struggling to recover as Chinese visitors trickle in

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While domestic travel in China has caught up with pre-pandemic numbers, outbound travel is experiencing a sluggish recovery.

Nonetheless, industry players are optimistic about a rebound in the next few months.

“China’s outbound travel has recovered by only about 20 to 30 per cent. By May, it’s expected to improve further to 50 per cent. When summer comes, I expect outbound travel to hit 80 to 90 per cent,” said mainland Chinese tour operator Li Cheng.

He added that with an anticipated increase in flight frequencies, more Chinese travellers are likely to visit Malaysia as well as the wider Southeast Asia region.

BUSINESSES NOT READY

While Malaysia is gearing up for a surge in mainland Chinese tourist arrivals, some are worried that the tourism industry would not be able to cope, given a lot of players were forced to close during the pandemic.

Those that remain open are struggling with staffing and rising costs.

“Compared to pre-pandemic, we are paying our staff more. Also electricity and utilities are more expensive, the rent as well, basically everything,” said Mr Ng Sin Leong, founder of Mingle guesthouse.

“It is not an issue of lack of workers – there are workers in the market. The problem is lack of management and skilled workers.”

Industry players said they hope the government can do more to help ease the cost of doing business, which has gone up by an average of 30 per cent.

Last year, Malaysia recorded 10.07 million international tourist arrivals who spent RM28.2 billion (US$6.3 billion).

It hopes to more than double that amount next year with a forecast of 23.5 million visitors with some US$17 billion in tourism receipts.

But meanwhile, Malaysia needs to speed up the recovery of its airline, hotels and transportation sectors if it wants to meet its target of generating US$11 billion in tourism revenue this year.

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After 377A, what will it take for LGBT persons to reconcile their sexuality with their family, faith?

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SINGAPORE: Since fitness and lifestyle content creator Cheryl Tay went public with her relationship with a woman two years ago, she has felt accepted on most fronts.

The 36-year-old, who has 50,000 followers on Instagram, works with international brands, and no one has told her things like, “I don’t want to work with you” or “I want to drop you”, she said.

Rather the opposite in fact. “I’ve had so many strangers sending me direct messages … about what an inspiration we are,” she shared. “I’m like, ‘Me?’”

But that is only one part of her life.

Crucially, when it comes to her family, “they can’t get their head … around this concept” that she “genuinely developed feelings for someone (who) happens to be a woman,” she said. “They didn’t speak to me for months.

“I’m very sad about it because I’m very close to my family … I wish I had the same kind of support and love from my family that I have from the public.”

As seen in the documentary Regardless of Sexuality, which premiered on Wednesday, some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and their parents have struggled to make peace even after years.

It has also been a struggle for some to be religious and LGBT. And these struggles are not any easier even now when Section 377A, which criminalised gay sex, has been repealed.

WATCH: Can Singapore reconcile sexuality, family and faith? (47:37)

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Nearly 3.2kg of heroin seized in drug busts, 10 people arrested

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SINGAPORE: Authorities arrested 10 people and seized drugs worth S$239,300 (US$179,250) in two recent operations. 

The haul comprised 3,172g of heroin, 81g of Ice, 30g of ketamine and four Erimin-5 tablets, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a news release on Friday (Apr 28).

Three male suspects aged between 45 and 57 were nabbed for alleged drug offences in the Jalan Bukit Merah area on Wednesday afternoon. A total of 477g of heroin, S$36,550 in cash and various drug paraphernalia were seized.

The 45-year-old man was later escorted to a residential unit in the vicinity where more drugs were found – 74g of heroin and 26g of Ice.

In a follow-up operation a day later, CNB officers arrested another three men and a woman, aged between 43 and 60, for suspected drug offences.

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Commentary: Could Thai voters put a third Shinawatra in power after Thaksin and Yingluck?

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Not many of the senators would vote for Paetongtarn or Pheu Thai’s two other candidates, real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin, and veteran lawyer Chaikasem Nitisiri, in the premiership selection in parliament after the general election. A majority of the senators is expected to support either Prayut, who switched to the new United Thai Nation party, or Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of Palang Pracharath.

Even if Pheu Thai can form the majority alone, senators may abstain from the vote. Pheu Thai would need the support of other opposition parties or major government parties to cross over to vote for Paetongtarn to win the premiership with 376 votes. This may not happen.

THAKSIN’S FINAL BET

But Thaksin is probably still pinning his hopes on Pheu Thai’s landslide victory in May that could make his dream of returning home from exile come true. A resounding mandate to form the next government could give it more leverage to overcome the senate vote.

Thaksin had been instrumental in fielding Yingluck as a surprise candidate of Pheu Thai in the 2011 general election. It swept 265 House seats with the slogan “Thaksin thinks, Yingluck acts!”

This time, he has sent in yet another surprise candidate, Paetongtarn. But for now, he has avoided being seen to do anything for his daughter or Pheu Thai.

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High claim limits of Integrated Shield Plan riders may undermine efforts to reduce cancer costs: Experts

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ENSURING GOOD OUTCOMES

While placing limits on IPs may prompt providers and patients to think twice about using unnecessary treatments and help to reduce spending, experts said it is important that treatment outcomes are not compromised.

“The increase in cancer drug spending through MediShield Life and the IPs will almost certainly be moderated through the Cancer Drug List (CDL) and the claim limits,” said Assoc Prof Lim.

“However, we have to ensure that this spend reduction is not accompanied by poorer outcomes and I hope the government is actively tracking cancer survival rates – for example, the quality of life – especially in lower income groups that may not have the means to afford riders.”

Oncologists who CNA spoke to said patients who do not have a rider would be most affected by the changes.

According to them, the maximum IP claim limit for cancer treatment – five times that of MediShield Life – is “too low” to cover the cost of most treatments in the private sector.

This is because the MediShield Life claim limit for cancer drug treatments is based on subsidised prices at public hospitals.

“The reimbursement rate is pegged at an unrealistically low level and the acquisition cost for drugs in the private sector remains as high as before,” said one private oncologist.

Speaking to CNA on the condition of anonymity, he said most of his patients who are currently taking non-CDL drugs have either advanced or incurable cancer.

“It’s not a matter of being kiasu (the fear of losing out). Many of them will run out of options eventually because their disease can’t be cured, which is why those with incurable and advanced diseases are often the ones who are using all these very expensive drugs that could not get on the CDL.”

He added: “We must also remember that advanced cancer patients cannot be treated and so there is no end date to their treatment. All we can do is to try to retain control of the cancer and extend their life as much as possible until the disease becomes resistant, gets worse and the patient dies.”

Mr Ong said that all insurers will maintain the current IP coverage of policyholders at least until Sep 30.

Beyond Sep 30, cancer patients whose treatments are not on the MOH list may still be covered by IP riders or other insurance plans they have. If not, they would have to shift to treatments that are on the list. 

Those who require drug treatments not on the list and are unable to pay can opt for subsidised care at public healthcare institutions, where they may apply for financial assistance.

For some private healthcare providers, matching their cancer drug prices to public hospitals is simply “not possible”, they said.

“We have no leverage with the pharmaceutical companies in the private sector because we are not united,” said another oncologist.

“Even a group practice with 10 doctors – which is already considered quite big – won’t be able to get it at the same price as public hospitals because there’s no bargaining power.”

WAIT AND SEE

With Singapore’s spending on cancer drugs projected to reach S$2.7 billion (US$2 billion) by the end of this decade, experts said the country has to rein in healthcare spending as the current trajectory is unsustainable.

However, they stressed that efforts need to be based on data and guided by patient outcomes.

“There is a ‘price to life’ and we need to know as citizens the price we are paying as we trade off managing costs with restricting access to medicines outside the Cancer Drug List,” said Assoc Prof Lim.

He added that a wait-and-see approach might be needed so that the government can see how the situation evolves and make policy adjustments as needed.

Assoc Prof Wee said IP riders remain relevant as it is important that such coverage options are available.

“This will allow those with the means to seek care in the private sector to do so and relieve the patient load in the public sector,” she said.

“My greater concern is one of equity. It will be most unfortunate if only a small proportion of the population can afford higher coverage.”

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Mediacorp wins 39 awards at World Media Festivals 2023, including 22 golds

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SINGAPORE: Mediacorp won a total of 39 awards at this year’s World Media Festivals Television and Corporate Media Awards, including 22 golds. 

The company also took home 16 silver awards, as well as a prestigious grand award – which is conferred on the top entry in each category – for CNA’s “What causes mental illnesses? The human brain and its link to mental health”. 

The news report also bagged a gold award in the News Reports and Features category, the company said in a media release on Thursday (Apr 27).

“What causes mental illnesses? The human brain and its link to mental health” aired on CNA last October and examines the causes of mental illness and how various parts of the human brain affect one’s everyday life. 

“Presented by CNA presenter Steve Lai, the news report gives viewers an in-depth, visual look at the physiology of the brain and its link to mental health,” said the company. 

CNA won a total of nine golds and four silvers at this year’s awards. Of the nine gold awards, one went to an episode of Talking Point and two went to two episodes of Undercover Asia. 

Of the 22 gold awards won by Mediacorp, one was in the Documentaries: Activism category for “Looted”, a current affairs programme that looks at how activists, archaeologists and social media sleuths are working to retrieve priceless artefacts stolen during the colonial era. 

Produced by Make Waves, the programme shows how they gather first-hand testimonies from looters, with photographic and forensic evidence to prove from where and when they were stolen.

Another gold award went to Mediacorp’s Malay drama “Kaki Bola” in the Entertainment: Family Special category. 

Produced by Millenia Motion Pictures, the show recounts the story of Singapore’s football legends such as Fandi Ahmad and Sundram Moorthy, who played for The Lions national football team during the Malaysia Cup years.

In the Marketing and Promotions: Programme Openers and Titles category, “Abyss of Greed” took gold. The series also bagged a silver award in the Documentaries: Docudrama category. 

Hosted by Mediacorp artiste Ayden Sng, the series looks at how the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau successfully turned Singapore into one of the least corrupt nations in the world. The series also features various infamous corruption cases in both the public and private sectors over the decades. 

Chief Executive Officer of Mediacorp Tham Loke Kheng thanked the company’s production partners and colleagues for putting Mediacorp “firmly on the global map of content creation once again” at the 2023 awards. 

“This year’s total haul of 39 awards, which includes a coveted Grand Award, is a fitting tribute to your efforts at producing compelling, insightful and informative content that resonates with audiences both at home and abroad.” 

The award-winning programmes can be viewed on mewatch, Mediacorp’s video streaming service.

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Heavy traffic expected at Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints over Labour Day long weekend

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SINGAPORE: Heavy traffic is expected at the Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints over the upcoming Labour Day long weekend, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Thursday (Apr 27). 

ICA said it anticipates heavy traffic from Friday to Tuesday, advising those who wish to travel via the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints to factor in additional waiting time for immigration clearance.

During a similar long weekend over Good Friday this year, ICA said close to 1.4 million travellers crossed the land checkpoints, with an average of about 350,000 crossings per day.

ICA added that it noted long queues of passengers and cars waiting to clear departure, coupled with continuous tailbacks from Malaysia a day before the start of the long weekend. 

“Travellers departing by car should expect waiting times of up to three hours for peak periods over long weekends, similar to pre-COVID days,” said the authority. 

Singapore residents and eligible first-time foreign visitors including Malaysians who are travelling by bus can clear immigration via the automated lanes at the passenger halls. 

ICA said this initiative was introduced to alleviate the traffic situation and improve travellers’ experience. More officers can also be “deployed dynamically” to areas at the car and motorcycle zones to help manage traffic congestion.

The authority previously said that it had increased the number of automated lanes to 40 at both Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints since May 2022. 

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Study finds 1 in 10 teens suffers from mental health disorder; professionals call for more support from parents

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Teenagers whom CNA spoke to attributed mental health symptoms to high stress levels, largely stemming from the pressure to perform well in school.

“I put a lot of stress on myself to study harder and take time off of relaxation to practise more. Sometimes, the stress gets so high that I’ll sleep at 4am,” said a secondary school student who is preparing for his O’Levels, adding he worries about comparing grades with his classmates.  

“I face issues like anxiety because of school. I get anxious when there’s a lot of people. How I cope with it – I try to take deep breaths, I try to think rationally in the situation. Then if I cannot cope with some stuff, I will try to seek help, maybe go for counselling,” said a polytechnic student.

“Mental health is very important because if your mental state is not well, then it will really deter you from making a lot of good decisions in your life,” he added.

PARENTS LACK UNDERSTANDING

The research found parents lagging behind their teenagers in being able to identify mental health issues.

Only one in 10 parents said they would observe such symptoms in their children, compared to one in three youths who would self-report them.

The study affirmed the need for parents to be more deeply involved in understanding and identifying their children’s mental health concerns, said Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development.

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