General

he global aviation industry was buoyed by the reopening of borders earlier in the year, but the new Omicron variant has thrown a spanner into the recovery path. We speak to Shantanu Gangakhedkar of Frost & Sullivan on the outlook for travel and aviation in the coming year. Image credit: Pixabay.com

疫情来袭，首当其冲，又最慢复苏的当属旅游业。眼见疫苗接种率逐步提高，全球逐渐开放，突如其来的Omicron更让这场疫情看似没有止尽。

素有旅游职人之称的拿督斯里李益辉aka李桑自疫情以来就选择跟病毒耗到底。他是如何打这场就快两年的持久战？

As local MSMEs continue to grapple with a post-pandemic landscape, solutions providers like TM have developed initiatives to help businesses thrive again. Through a number of key pillars and focus areas, Unifi Business aims to provide the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises community with a much-needed boost in terms of technology and connectivity. We speak to Sharliza Mohd Haris, Head of SME Business Solution, Unifi Business, about catering to the needs of the local MSME community as well as providing access to more robust business solutions.

With SMEs already struggling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we ask Chin Chee Seong from SME Association of Malaysia how are they handling this flood and what assistance do they need. Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Bank Indonesia has projected GDP growth to be more than 4.5% in the fourth quarter of the year, after growth slowed the previous quarter due to pandemic restrictions. To support the nation’s economic recovery efforts, the central bank has also kept interest rates at a record low of 3.5 per cent for now. Is the worst over for the Indonesian economy as we head in 2022? Economist Wellian Wiranto weighs in. Image credit: Bloomberg

Joe Biden's Built Back plans appear to have hit a roadblock but what damage will that have on US markets? Joe Quinlan, Chief Market Strategist at the US Trust-BOA Private Wealth Management tells us whilst giving us the investment strategy during this period of market volatility. Image credit: Pexels.com

With our eyes set on unearthing the freshest flavours from unexpected places, we widen our scope with hand-picked musical gems from all across Asia. As we're approaching the end of the year, here are some selections of best releases from the Asian region in 2021.

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Sunset Rollercoaster - Let There Be Light Again

Sogumm - Complex

Ginger Root - Loretta

ADOY - Baby

The Steve McQueens - Eye

BAP. - Painting With Suwage

Duara - Morning Sun (Feat. Vira Talisa)

Subsonic Eye - Fruitcake

Eyedress, Dent May - Something About You

Cayenne - Centrefold

Yaeji, DiAN - PAC-TIVE

Didi Han - Something Like This (feat. Lydia Lee, L-Like)

Mandark - Tattoo

LONER - Make Noise (Feat. Shelhiel)

We sit down to reminisce and share our thoughts on the year that was for the gaming industry and what we played and enjoyed throughout the year. We also shared what we are looking forward to next year.

Image Source: Shutterstock.com

The modern and the traditional come together in CAHAYA 004 - KITAB BASAH, where a sound and light presentation is used to showcase the Kumpulan Kuda Kepang Parit Raja. We review the show and discuss what it is like to experience these two very different art forms simultaneously.

Everyone's A Critic is jointly presented with CENDANA. For updates on Malaysian arts and culture, visit BASKL.

Image Source: Courtesy of PUSAKA, photos by Wong Horngyih

We look into the news of the massive floods that happened over the weekend as a result of the non-stop downpour. First, we get into what led to the floods, and the reason for them being as bad as they were. Next, we discuss the government's response to the crisis, and whether it is sufficient. Finally, we speak to a flood victim, whose home was affected.

Image Source: ibnu alias, Shutterstock