Tag: infrastructure

KL has the potential to become a major regional concert destination – Live Nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur has the potential to rival major regional concert destinations such as Singapore, but stronger coordination in the country's live entertainment ecosystem is needed to attract more international tours and global artists. Live Nation Malaysia Managing Director, Paramananthan Rajagopal said the city has many of the key elements needed to become a major tour destination in Asia including infrastructure, passionate fans and strategic location, however improvements in terms of coordination, venue readiness and industry support remain essential. "Actually, Kuala Lumpur has everything. In fact, maybe better than some other cities, but what we need now is coordination. "An event cannot be made successful by one individual alone. All parties need to work together to ensure that a performance can be held," he told reporters after the launch of the KL Headline Season 2026 here, last night. Paramananthan said the live entertainment industry in Malaysia needs to work together to strengthen the international perception of Kuala Lumpur as a trusted concert destination. "Most international artists and management teams will search for Kuala Lumpur on Google before deciding to tour. Sometimes, what pops up in those searches are stories about cancellations, protests or approval issues (of a concert). "However, in a country like Singapore, the narrative is different. They promote positive things and position the country as a concert destination," he said. He said the issue was not just about facilities, as Kuala Lumpur already had the infrastructure needed to host large-scale productions, although some venues needed improvements to meet the expectations of fans and productions. "Fans pay high prices for tickets. They expect more comfortable seats, clearer views and better facilities. Therefore, venue maintenance and upgrades are very important," he said. Paramananthan said venue availability is one of the biggest challenges facing concert organisers in the country, especially when international tours operate according to a set schedule across various countries. "Our problem behind the scenes is the availability of venues. Tours already have fixed dates and sometimes we can't change them because there are no venues," he said, adding that some countries prioritize international artist tours as part of a broader economic strategy. He said the live entertainment industry should no longer be seen as mere entertainment, but rather concerts also generate huge economic spillovers in the tourism, hospitality, retail and transportation sectors. Malaysia has organised more than 400 concerts in 2024, generating more than RM553 million in tourism and economic impact, while for this year, the industry is expected to contribute almost RM1.7 billion to the national economy, he said. Paramananthan said that fans from neighbouring countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Philippines are increasingly coming to Kuala Lumpur, specifically to attend concerts, reflecting the capital's growing influence in the regional live entertainment landscape. He said the newly launched KL Headline Season 2026 was created to place Kuala Lumpur firmly on the global tour map and establish the city as the premier entertainment capital in Asia. The launch was attended by Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh. The initiative, developed by Live Nation Malaysia in collaboration with PR Worldwide, Tourism Malaysia and CelcomDigi, is expected to bring 25 international music acts across six major venues throughout 2026, attracting an estimated 500,000 fans from Malaysia and across the region, with a roster of artists including big names such as Post Malone, The Weeknd, BTS, Laufey and LANY. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 26 — Kuala Lumpur has the potential to rival major regional concert destinations such as Singapore, but stronger coordination in the country’s live entertainment ecosystem is needed to attract more international tours and global artists. Live Nation Malaysia Managing Director, Paramananthan Rajagopal said the city has many of the key elements needed […]

Asian Development Bank Announces US$70b Plan For Energy, Digital Infrastructure

ISTANBUL, May 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The Asian Development Bank on Sunday announced US$70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives through 2035, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "Energy and digital access will define the region’s future," said the bank's President Masato Kanda in a statement. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative will link national and subregional power systems to enable the flow of renewable energy, while the Asia-Pacific Digital Highway aims to close digital infrastructure gaps and support AI-driven growth across the region. "These two initiatives build the systems Asia and the Pacific need to grow, compete, and connect. "By linking power grids and digital networks across borders, we can lower costs, expand opportunity, and bring reliable power and digital access to hundreds of millions of people," he added. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative targets US$50 billion by 2035 for cross-border power infrastructure. The Asia-Pacific Digital Highway aims to mobilize US$20 billion by 2035 to fund digital infrastructure and AI-ready economies, including fiber networks, satellites, and regional data centers. The bank aims to integrate around 20 gigawatts of cross-border renewable energy, expand energy access to 200 million people, create 840,000 jobs, and cut regional power sector emissions by 15 per cent by 2035. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

ISTANBUL, May 4 — The Asian Development Bank on Sunday announced US$70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure initiatives through 2035, Anadolu Ajansi reported. “Energy and digital access will define the region’s future,” said the bank’s President Masato Kanda in a statement. The Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative will link national and subregional power systems […]

COURTESY CALL TO SARAWAK PREMIER STRENGTHENS FOCUS ON DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE’S WELFARE – DATUK SERI DR. ZAHID HAMIDI

KUCHING, April 15 — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continued his official agenda yesterday with a courtesy visit to the Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari Openg, at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi. During the meeting, Zahid expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions covering a range of issues, particularly those related to development initiatives and the welfare of the people in Sarawak. “Alhamdulillah, we were able to exchange views on key matters that will further enhance development and improve the well-being of the rakyat, especially in Sarawak,” he said. Zahid also took the opportunity to formally submit an official note regarding the implementation of the Rural Water Supply Project (BALB) on behalf of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), underscoring the government’s continued commitment to improving essential infrastructure in rural areas. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the federal and Sarawak state governments to ensure that development efforts are effectively implemented for the benefit of the people. “Insya-Allah, this strong relationship will continue to be reinforced and bring meaningful benefits to the rakyat,” he added. The visit reflects ongoing collaboration between federal leadership and the Sarawak state administration in advancing inclusive and sustainable development across the region. -- Minutes MY / Igneseous Noris -- Credit: FB Zahid Hamidi

KUCHING, April 15 — Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continued his official agenda yesterday with a courtesy visit to the Premier of Sarawak, Abang Johari Openg, at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi. During the meeting, Zahid expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions covering a range of issues, particularly those related to development […]

Malaysia Calls for Lebanon Ceasefire Expansion, Reaffirms Support in PM’s Call with Nawaf Salam

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has expressed concern over the escalating security situation in southern Lebanon and rising regional tensions following a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam. During the call, Anwar extended Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1447H greetings while discussing the latest developments in Lebanon, particularly the worsening security and humanitarian conditions. He also conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation to the Lebanese Government for its continued support in ensuring the safety and welfare of Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) personnel serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), enabling them to carry out their duties effectively despite challenging circumstances. Anwar noted that Malaysia is advocating for the expansion of the current ceasefire to include Lebanon, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict, which has reportedly displaced about one million people and resulted in over 1,000 casualties. Reaffirming Malaysia’s stance, he stressed the country’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, strongly condemned attacks on public infrastructure, and called on all parties involved to de-escalate tensions and return to diplomatic dialogue. He also raised concerns over the increasingly urgent humanitarian situation in the region. The conversation concluded with Malaysia reiterating its commitment to continue working closely with Lebanon and international partners to help restore peace and stability in the region.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has expressed concern over the escalating security situation in southern Lebanon and rising regional tensions following a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam. During the call, Anwar extended Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1447H greetings while discussing the latest developments in Lebanon, particularly the […]