25/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 25, 2026

3 Malaysians opting for local holidays due to rising airfares

Governor calls for smooth conduct of Malacca polls

MALACCA: Malacca Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam has called for smooth, transparent and professional preparations for the next state election. He said logistics, security and the holding of the state polls must be managed with high integrity to ensure that public confidence in the democratic system is preserved. “We are now in the fifth session, which is the final year of the 15th Malacca State Legislative Assembly. In view of this, Malacca will go through the state election process as part of a democratic practice that must be respected and upheld,” he said when opening the Malacca State Legislative Assembly meeting at Seri Negeri yesterday. The fifth session of the Malacca State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end in December, paving the way for the state polls this year. Commenting on the global geopolitical situation, particularly the West Asia conflict, Mohd Ali said it not only affects international security but also has an impact on the global economy. “The tensions taking place have a direct implication on the global energy supply chain, especially when it involves strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which is a main artery of global oil trade. “Any disruption along this route has the potential to affect energy supplies, increase oil prices and create ripple effects on the global economy, including countries in the Asia-Pacific region.” Mohd Ali said these effects are also felt in Malaysia through rising energy import costs, inflationary pressures and increased operating costs in the transport, manufacturing and services sectors. He said the situation indirectly places pressure on the people’s cost of living and requires effective mitigation measures from the government. He added that Malacca is also affected, particularly in the industrial, logistics and tourism sectors that depend on stable fuel costs and supply chains, Bernama reported. “I hope the state government will continue to strengthen economic resilience through economic diversification, improved energy efficiency and increased use of technology and innovation to reduce dependence on external factors. “The state’s food supply must also be managed effectively and systematically.”

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Significant portion of recent gains in domestic tourism expected to be reversed if international flight costs drop within next few months, says expert

to strengthen Malaysia’s AI readiness. Gobind said collaboration between the government and industry players, including companies like Microsoft, is crucial for expanding training and awareness programmes to drive AI adoption nationwide. He added that various organisations, including government and private sectors, are already offering training initiatives, and such efforts should be strengthened to ensure wider participation. “We must continue to push collaborations with industry to organise more programmes that educate the public, create awareness and encourage adoption of new technologies.” – Bernama “This is where the industry must be careful. Some price increases are justified due to higher operating costs. But when prices rise without corresponding improvements in quality, it creates dissatisfaction. “Affordability is already being tested, especially among M40 and even T20 travellers.” Mohd Hafiz also warned that domestic travel could eventually become as expensive as travel to regional destinations if pricing is not managed carefully. “When a domestic holiday begins to cost nearly the same as a trip to a neighbouring country, consumers will naturally question the value.” He said Malaysians still perceive stronger value in nearby destinations such as Thailand and Indonesia, which offer competitive pricing and more predictable travel experiences. “Malaysia is not lacking in attractions. The issue lies in consistency and alignment between pricing and overall experience. “Some destinations offer excellent value while others are clearly overpriced. The challenge is ensuring that what travellers pay matches what they actually receive.” Mohd Hafiz said Malaysians are currently travelling both by choice and necessity, with some opting for domestic holidays for convenience while others are priced out of international travel. He said there is clear behavioural adjustment among travellers who are now more price sensitive, selective and strategic in their spending, often opting for shorter stays or lower-tier accommodation. He added that the sustainability of domestic tourism rebound depends on structural reforms across the industry. “The industry must focus on three key areas – pricing discipline to avoid opportunistic price hikes, value enhancement by improving service rather than just increasing rates and diversification through the development of more destinations to ease congestion.”

PETALING JAYA: Rising airfares for international travel may be forcing more Malaysians to spend their holidays locally, said Universiti Teknologi Mara tourism economics expert Prof Dr Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah. “A significant portion of the recent gains in domestic tourism is expected to be reversed if international airfares drop within the next six to 12 months, particularly among price-sensitive travellers. “However, not all will travel abroad. Some will continue travelling domestically out of habit. The key question is how much of this segment the industry can retain,” he said, adding that government efforts such as the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign should be revived. Mohd Hafiz said the current

“It would be naive to say this is purely temporary. While cost pressures may ease, travellers’ behavioural patterns are already shifting.” Mohd Hafiz said Malaysians are increasingly comfortable with short-haul, flexible and lower commitment travel, although some segments may revert to overseas trips once international travel becomes more affordable. He said rising demand for domestic tourism has also raised concerns over pricing and value consistency as some operators may have increased prices without improvements in quality.

uptick in local tourism is largely a short-term distortion rather than a structurally sustainable recovery as external pressures continue to shape consumer behaviour. “For this to become structurally sustainable, Malaysia must improve value, pricing integrity and product quality. Otherwise, the momentum for domestic tourism will fade once external conditions normalise.” He said Malaysians are not only reacting to higher airfares but also recalibrating spending amid rising living costs and broader financial uncertainty, making domestic travel a more rational choice for many households.

Mohd Hafiz said rising demand for domestic tourism has also raised concerns over pricing and value consistency as some operators may have increased prices without corresponding improvements in quality. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/ THESUN

Digital Ministry to study expansion of EDP centres to states ALOR GAJAH: The Digital Ministry is discussing measures to expand Executive Digital Leadership (EDP) training centres to states to facilitate easier access for participants. data and make more accurate decisions regarding the student’s future direction.” He added that the programme is currently entering its 11th cohort, with each cohort consisting of 50 participants. “We are focusing

on understanding the unique needs of different sectors and communities to ensure that the adoption of AI translates into tangible benefits, particularly in strengthening businesses and overcoming existing challenges. “In terms of infrastructure, the ministry has focused on providing infrastructure over the last two years. “Now, the question is whether or not the technology is actually reaching those groups that need those solutions. And I think that’s something that we are aware of,” he said yesterday after attending the Microsoft Elevate, an expanded national AI capacity-building initiative

Gobind was speaking after attending the Digital Leadership Symposium for National-Type Tamil School (SJKT) headmasters in Simpang Ampat yesterday. A total of 470 headmasters from SJKTs nationwide are attending the three-day symposium. Gobind said the programme is offered free of charge to civil servants at Grade 13 (federal officers) and Grade 12 (state officers). He said the cost of the programme is RM25,000, with 100% sponsorship for civil servants, 50% for SMEs and 25% for other Malaysian companies.

Individuals interested in joining the programme may visit the ministry’s website at digital.gov.my. Meanwhile, Gobind said the Digital Ministry would identify specific requirements across sectors to ensure that technology solutions reach its target groups effectively under the Microsoft Elevate: National Artificial Intelligence Capacity-Building initiative, in line with AI Nation 2030. The target groups include educators, MSMEs, learning institutions and members of the civil service.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the training centre is currently located only in Kuala Lumpur, posing a logistical challenge for participants who must undergo three months of training. “The EDP programme focuses on training participants to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance performance in various fields by using data for analyses. “For example, if a teacher joins this programme, he would be able to assess a student’s potential based on