01/05/2026

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FRIDAY | MAY 1, 2026

Mutiara Taman Negara boosts efficiency for Visit Malaysia 2026

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Tradewinds Corporation Bhd’s hospitality unit, Mutiara Taman Negara, is empha sising operational efficiency during Visit Malaysia 2026, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East and global air travel disruptions. Resort manager Lex Lam said Mutiara Taman Negara is prioritising essential infrastructure upgrades, strengthening safety and compliance standards, reviewing power and utility systems and improving selected room facilities to ensure reliability during high-demand periods. “At the same time, we are tightening SOPs (standard operating procedures), manpower planning and coordination with local operators around Taman Negara to ensure smoother guest movement and service delivery during Visit Malaysia 2026,” he told SunBiz . Lam said the resort’s approach is practical, ensuring it can efficiently manage increased demand without compromising the guest experience or sustainability. Mutiara Taman Negara is managed by Tradewinds Hotels & Resorts, a hotel management arm associated with Tradewinds Corp. Lam said that despite the global disruptions, tourists from China and continue to show strong potential, and the focus is on attracting the right fit in terms of travellers’ mindset and interests, he added. “Rather than mass tour groups, the emphasis is on experience-driven guests who appreciate nature, culture, and authentic encounters. “Strategic collaboration with quality inbound operators, sup ported by stronger digital posi tioning, will help connect with travellers who value meaningful travel experiences. Tailored itiner aries and well-prepared guides will further enhance the experience for this segment.” Lam said Mutiara Taman Negara’s approach prioritises stability and India continue to see a positive market for the resort. The visa-free policies for tourists from the two countries

o Resort ensures it can manage increased demand without compromising guest experience or sustainability, even amid conflict in the Middle East and global air travel disruptions

long-term value over aggressive ex pansion. “For 2026, we are targeting revenue growth of around 8-10%, driven by disciplined rate manage ment, an improved occupancy mix, and tighter cost control. “Looking further ahead, our goal is to achieve cumulative revenue growth of approximately 25% to 30% by 2028, in line with the rising demand for quality ecotourism experiences. “At the same time, we intend to reinforce our position as a leading eco-lodge in feasibility and approvals. “Any growth will be carefully paced to ensure financial prudence, operational readiness, and long-term sustainability,” Lam noted. He said these depend on developments in the US-Iran war. “In March, we already witnessed a drop in occupancy, cancellations due to flight accessibility, and an increase in airfares.” With Malaysia’s tourism sector potentially hitting a 15% contribution to gross domestic product by 2027, Mutiara Taman Negara aims to contribute by attracting niche, high yield travellers seeking authentic nature and biodiversity experiences, supporting rural and community Taman Negara, with a potential full revamp and product en hancement cur rently being eva luated, subject to

based tourism around Taman Negara in Pahang, and extending visitor stays through special packages such as birding, macro photography and immersive jungle experiences that complement Malaysia’s broader tourism growth. Lam said that, as the only resort within the boundaries of the 130 million-year-old rainforest, it serves as the premier gateway for nature based tourism. This segment is growing at over 11% annually, faster than traditional sun-and-sand tourism, he added. “By offering specialised key attraction activities such as the canopy walkway, which is currently undergoing maintenance, and is one of the world’s longest in the world, night safaris and boat rides, we provide the surreal experiences that are the core theme of Visit Malaysia 2026, helping to differentiate Malaysia from its regional com petitors,” he said. Lam said Mutiara Taman Negara is not positioning itself as a wellness retreat, as the resort’s strength lies in the rainforest experience itself. “Instead, we continue our efforts in nature-based tourism, focusing primarily on special interest segments that naturally fit Taman Negara. This includes birding groups, wildlife enthusiasts, macro photo graphers (those who specialise in insects, frogs and small rainforest species), nature documentarians and soft-adventure travellers,” he said. Lam said Taman Negara is one of the oldest rainforests in the world –

Lam says Mutiara Taman Negara’s approach prioritises stability and long-term value over aggressive expansion.

Lam said many communities here are the Batek, who have lived in the rainforest for generations. Tradi tionally, they depend on the forest for survival through hunting, fishing, and gathering natural resources. The Orang Asli have a deep cultural and spiritual connection with the rainforest, which plays an important role in their daily life and traditions. “We are designing experience-led stays rather than room-only pro motions. That includes guided night walks, river experiences, engagement with indigenous culture, and curated nature programmes led by nature guides. “Eco travellers want authenticity, sustainability and comfort, not mass tourism,” Lam said.

that alone attracts serious hobbyists and enthusiasts. “For millennials, we see strong interest in guided photography trails, night walks, conservation-focused experiences and content-driven stays. “For families, we will enhance educational jungle experiences – simple survival skills, biodiversity discovery and ranger-style learning sessions for children. “Rather than creating artificial attractions, we are strengthening what we already have: authentic rainforest access, knowledgeable guides and real biodiversity,” Lam elaborated. He also said that visiting Taman Negara National Park allows guests the opportunity to learn more about the Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia.

CIMB looks forward to participating in Asean’s next phase of development PETALING JAYA: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd remains focused on strong governance and forward-looking oversight to ensure account ability, preserve stakeholder confidence and deliver long-term sustainable value. statements for FY25 were duly received. Group CEO Novan Amirudin said, “In the first year of Forward30, we not only laid strong foundations for future growth but also delivered another year of record financial performance. billion capital return programme announced earlier this year.” He added,“As we move into the next phase of Forward30, we remain relentlessly focused on execution to deliver enhanced shareholder with its Common Equity Tier 1 ratio at 14.3% as of December 2025.

During the year, the group announced an additional RM2 billion capital return programme to shareholders by 2027 and declared a total annual dividend of 47.1 sen per share, resulting in a record total dividend payout of RM5.1 billion. Islamic banking remains a key growth pillar for the group. In Malaysia, CIMB Group is expanding investment access to the banking sector for syariah-compliant investors by piloting Islamic capital market products in collaboration with the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia. At the same time, the planned spin-off of CIMB Niaga Syariah is expected to strengthen its position as the number two syariah bank in Indonesia.

value, supported by disci plined investments to build a stronger, more resilient CIMB Group, as we work towards our ambition to become the

This builds on our con sistent track record, generating total share holder returns of close to 3x over the past decade, significantly outperform ing the broader market.

“Anchored by our diversified Asean footprint, sound balance sheet and a franchise built on trust, CIMB Group is well-positioned to participate in the region’s next phase of development. “The board’s mandate is to steward Forward30 with focus and continuity, ensuring that the group’s strategic ambitions remain grounded in sustainable growth, resilience and disciplined capital allocation,“ chairman Datuk Syed Zaid Albar said at the group’s 69th annual general meeting (AGM) and extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Wednesday Shareholders passed all 14 ordinary resolutions tabled, and the audited financial

top-of-mind Asean bank by 2030.” CIMB Group delivered a record net profit of RM7.9 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2025, up 4.2% on a constant currency basis from the preceding year, while annualised return on average equity improved to 11.3%, up 10 basis points from 11.2% in 2024. It also maintained a strong capital position,

“Our long-term value creation has been underpinned by diversified income streams, resilient margins, strong liquidity and asset quality as well as disciplined capital manage ment. This has enabled us to deliver sustainable returns on equity of 11.3% and consistent dividend distributions, including a special RM2