Lifestyle

DESARU COAST: Minor International, a leading international hospitality and real estate company, welcomes the introduction of premium yachting experiences at Desaru Coast. Following a landmark agreement signed between Desaru Coast and ONE°15 Marina, a luxury waterfront marina in Singapore, Malaysia’s leading integrated resort destination will undergo a significant expansion of maritime facilities and luxury charter offerings. As a premier leisure and lifestyle hub, Desaru Coast spans 4,000 acres along the southern coastline of Johor, featuring luxury resorts, championship golf courses, a waterpark, premium residences – including Anantara Desaru Coast Residences – and a ferry terminal connecting it to Singapore. Through the new partnership, ONE°15 Marina Desaru Coast will manage both wet and dry berths at the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal and introduce curated sailing activities for visitors, further reinforcing Desaru Coast’s appeal to both holidaymakers and investors. The initiative also underscores the growing investor confidence in Desaru Coast and the deepening bilateral cooperation between Singapore and Johor, strengthened by the impending Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), of which Desaru Coast has been designated as the flagship area. With a focus on cutting-edge industries, the zone is expected to create 20,000 skilled jobs within its first five years and facilitate the expansion of 50 projects, driving demand for premium real estate. Minor International’s Anantara Desaru Coast Residences, with its strategic location and world-class amenities, is poised to benefit from both the surge in JS-SEZ development and the introduction of premium yachting experiences, offering discerning homeowners and visitors an unparalleled lifestyle. “With exclusive access to premium marina facilities and curated sailing experiences, residents and visitors alike can enjoy world-class hospitality, blending refined living with dynamic maritime adventures. This partnership has the potential to attract luxury segment customers, both international and local, to our property,” said Micah Tamthai, COO of Lifestyle and Real Estate at Minor International. The initiative aligns with Desaru Coast’s long-term strategy to enhance tourism infrastructure by leveraging existing assets such as the ferry terminal. Additionally, the partnership is expected to improve maritime access, further positioning Desaru Coast as a premier gateway for exclusive seaborne travel and leisure experiences. For more information about Anantara Desaru Coast Residences, please visit https://www.anantaradesaru-residences.com.  

KUALA LUMPUR: Prepare to be transported into the heart of your favourite films as the internationally renowned BN Team Ensemble brings their critically acclaimed concert, The World’s Best Music to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on June 18 at 8.00PM. As part of their international tour, this one-night-only event is a dazzling tribute to legendary film composers including Ennio Morricone, Ludovico Einaudi, Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli), Yiruma, and music from Bridgerton, Game of Thrones, Titanic and more. From the elegance of Bridgerton and the icy power of Game of Thrones to the timeless emotion of Titanic and the dazzling glamour of The Great Gatsby, this concert promises an evening of goosebumps and grandeur. Performed by a powerhouse collective of young virtuosos from Kazakhstan, the ensemble is celebrated for transforming classical music into rich, emotional storytelling. With more than 200 sold-out concerts across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tbilisi, Baku and beyond, BN Team Ensemble has built a devoted international fanbase. Now, for one night in Kuala Lumpur, audiences can experience the magic live. “Our mission is to make people feel like they’re living inside the soundtrack of their favorite film,” shares conductor and maestro, Yernar Nurtazin. “Every note is a memory, every melody a portal of pure emotion.” The ensemble features: Zhanara Makhmutova – 1st Violin Kamila Zhunussova – 2nd Violin Tomiris Bolat – Viola Alisher Dutbayev – Cello Rassul Izatov – Bass Guitar Rakhymzhan Serikbayev – Drums Aleksey Sokolov – Sound Engineer Whether you adore sweeping orchestral scores or minimalist piano masterpieces, The World’s Best Music is a soul-stirring celebration of film music’s power to move and inspire. Tickets are limited and available now at https://lolasia.bigtix.io Don’t miss your chance to experience movie magic, tears, thrills, and standing ovations — all in one unforgettable evening. Please note: Out of respect for both audience and performers, children under the age of 5 will not be admitted unless otherwise stated.

MELAKA: The Malaysia Midnight Sale Carnival made a spectacular return over the long weekend, drawing record-breaking crowds to Mahkota Parade, Melaka, and significantly boosting both tourism and the local economy. The event, held in conjunction with Melaka Bila Larut Malam – May edition 2025, delivered a high-energy mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural showcases that left a lasting impact on both locals and visitors, as well as on the state’s tourism and retail sectors. An influx of shoppers led to high hotel occupancy rates and brought significant benefits to local businesses – including vendors, performers, artisans, food & beverage outlets, ride-hailing drivers, and more. The carnival received an overwhelming response from domestic tourists as well as visitors from Singapore and Indonesia, many who took the opportunity to shop during their vacation. This successful event not only generates new income streams for the local business community but also further solidifies Melaka’s reputation as a premier shopping and tourism destination. Running from 10:00 AM to 12:00 midnight, the carnival offered an unforgettable shopping experience. A key highlight was the Special Sale Moment from 10:00 PM to 12:00 midnight on May 3rd, where shoppers with a minimum spend of RM250 stood a chance to win prizes worth over RM20,000. Adding to the excitement, the carnival featured a vibrant lineup of activities, including special appearance by Datuk Awie and Yasser Atak, raffles and giveaways, a balloon drop bonanza, “Lucky Pick” and “Spin & Win”, a mall treasure hunt, colouring and drawing contests, Labour Day outfit competition, traditional Melaka performances, flash mob, magic shows, balloon sculpting, face painting, sand art, giant Congkak and Connect 4 games, henna art, caricature, and a batik-making station. This event was proudly supported by Tourism Malaysia, Tourism Melaka, Mahkota Parade, Parkson, Grand Swiss-Belhotel Melaka, and Ojas Electronic. The organiser, Jalakx Sdn Bhd extends its heartfelt appreciation to all partners, sponsors, and supporters for making the event a resounding success. The Malaysia Midnight Sale Carnival is set to return next year, promising an even bigger and better shopping experience.

KUALA LUMPUR: Homegrown café chain Richiamo Coffee has teamed up with wellness brand Good Virtues Co to roll out a new line of habbatus sauda (black cumin) beverages, targeting nationwide sales of over 30,000 cups. The collaboration, announced today, is expected to drive a 30% sales boost for Citychemo Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, the parent company of Good Virtues Co. “This partnership allows us to deliver a different level of wellness experience, especially aimed at Muslim women looking for functional, health-forward coffee options,” said Citychemo senior brand manager Nur Wahidah Mohd Ra. The product line is designed to appeal to a growing consumer segment interested in traditional wellness ingredients, according to Richiamo Coffee chief operating officer Nurul Nabilah Muhamad Zamry. “There’s a strong demand for habbatus sauda-based beverages, particularly among women who start their day with it. We’re tapping into that audience,” she said. As part of the launch campaign, customers purchasing two or more habbatus sauda drinks will receive a complimentary Good Virtues Co travel pack. The new beverages are now available at all Richiamo Coffee outlets nationwide.

Petaling Jaya : Visitors to 3 Damansara can soon look forward to a fresh and immersive experience with the opening of Idea Live Arena, a brand-new international entertainment and live performances event hall. Occupying a net lettable area (NLA) of approximately 61,000 square feet (sq ft) on level two, the international event hall operator will be making its Malaysian debut at 3 Damansara, offering premium quality multi-purpose spaces and facilities catering to a wide range of corporate, commercial and entertainment events. With a seating capacity of up to 5,000 and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, Idea Live Arena is Malaysia’s largest indoor arena within a shopping mall, promising to deliver unique and dynamic experiences for all attendees. To establish itself as the preferred community hub in Klang Valley, 3 Damansara will also embark on the next phase of its rejuvenation plans in the second half of 2025. The latest asset enhancement initiative (AEI) will focus on reconfiguring over 21,000 sq ft of NLA on the ground floor of the mall. Notably, the alfresco dining area will be expanded and enhanced to welcome exciting new food and beverage (F&B) brands to the diverse blend of dining options available at 3 Damansara. Selina Ng, Managing Director, Retail, Commercial Management, CapitaLand Investment (Malaysia), said: “As part of the rejuvenation plans for 3 Damansara, we are excited to introduce a brand-new international entertainment and live performances event hall, further elevating the lifestyle and retail experience for our shoppers. Visitors can expect an exciting calendar of engaging and crowd-pulling events at Idea Live Arena.” “The rejuvenation plans at 3 Damansara are part of a thoughtfully phased strategy, underscoring our commitment to evolving alongside the dynamic lifestyle needs of our shoppers. While the full transformation will unfold over time, visitors will soon experience the introduction of carefully curated brands, aligned across four key pillars. These enhancements are designed to create a vibrant, one-stop mall experience that caters to the surrounding residential and office communities, while nurturing a strong sense of connection and engagement. Building on the successful revitalisation of the lower ground floor in 2024, the upcoming AEI on the ground floor will focus on elevating the alfresco dining experience and expanding our F&B offerings. Together with the progressive rollout of new tenants, these changes will steadily reinforce 3 Damansara’s position as a must-visit lifestyle and community hub,” added Ng. Since the start of rejuvenation plans in 2023, 3 Damansara has successfully introduced over 30 new brands across four key pillars – daily essentials and services; F&B; beauty and wellness; and urban lifestyle. These additions have revitalised the tenant mix, enhancing the mall’s offerings to better serve the needs of the densely populated residential and office communities in the surrounding area. One-stop mall for all your essential needs Targeted at young urban families and working professionals living and working in the surrounding neighbourhoods in Petaling Jaya, 3 Damansara is a popular community mall that serves as a one-stop destination for all their essential needs. More than just a neighbourhood stop, 3 Damansara offers a dynamic blend of contemporary retail, dining, entertainment and lifestyle brands, all conveniently located under one roof. As part of its rejuvenation plans, 3 Damansara welcomed NSK Grocer, the largest fresh grocer in Petaling Jaya, to its tenant mix in January 2023, enhancing the community’s shopping experience with a premium yet affordable grocery option that caters to the varied tastes and preferences of its shoppers. Since then, NSK Grocer has expanded its offerings with Winetopia, featuring an extensive collection of fine wines and spirits, as well as Kafe Ruuma which serves popular local fares in a casual dining atmosphere. Since its official opening in February 2025, active lifestyle brand Batuu Climbing is fast becoming a go-to destination for climbing enthusiasts, offering a wide range of challenges to keep climbers engaged and inspired. Designed to cater to all skill level, Batuu Climbing features a climbing gym with bouldering and rope climbing facilities. It also houses Batuu Kids, the gym’s dedicated space for young climbers, as well as an in-house Pinch café, creating a vibrant, community-focused environment for visitors of all ages. Ultimate food haven with diverse dining options Foodies rejoice! 3 Damansara offers an impressive selection of dining and entertainment options, ensuring there is something for everyone – whether you are with family or colleagues. Following the revamp of the lower ground floor and optimising about 14,000 sq ft of retail space, the mall now boasts close to 40 tantalising international and local F&B offerings. Along with the latest addition of homegrown casual dining chain Brew House, which has received positive response from shoppers, 3 Damansara is also home to Kingdom Palace Restaurant, Oiso Korean Traditional Cuisine & Cafe, Sushi Han and Rise & Sip. For the latest shopping and dining news and promotions, visit https://3damansara.com.my/.