LUXE LIFESTYLE FOCUS OF IM FIRST CLASS

Oo Lean Hooi (2nd from left) and Gibson Chan (far right) are two media personalities whose names are recognisable in Penang. The duo have teamed up to launch their bi-lingual luxury print magazine in Malaysia and on the digital platform.

 

Billed as IM First Class, Oo is the Managing Director while Chan undertakes the Editor-in-Chief role. Focused on Exclusive Luxury, Enriching Life, the Print Magazine positions itself as an inspiring insider lifestyle guide to collate the finer things in life, forge relationships with the right partners and collaborate with them for targeted special events designed to appeal to the elite market of high nett worth individuals.

The recent launch held at Glass House Seputeh, Managing Director of IM First Class Magazine Oo Lean Hooi said: “We see it as our mission to provide the latest consumer information that would suit our targeted audience’s lifestyle needs.”

GST showcased ultra-fresh, sashimi-grade fishes at the launch cocktail

He added the concept of Exclusive Luxury, Enriching Life lies not only in the content offered but in the network which differentiates IM First Class from other luxury magazines.

Guest of Honour and President of Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sam Cheah Swee Hee commended Ichi Media on the duo’s bold move. Also present was Ch’ng Huck Theng, a friend of Ichi Media who hailed “IM FIRST CLASS as a ray of hope in publishing – proclaimed as a sunset industry. The combination of print and digital media platforms will serve as a role model in reviving the publication business.”

Screenshot of IM First Class: The Digital Platform

According to the founders of Ichi Media, IM FIRST CLASS: The Digital Platform offers a seamless new media platform with responsive design interface. “Our built in intelligence is key to cut through the ‘noise’, to present information that would truly be of interest to readers.” 

For the launch event, invited guests from the local media, hospitality, tourism and travel industries were feted to sashimi-grade cocktail canapes prepared by Chef Tetsuya Yanagida (2nd from left), consultant for GST group. They also received the inaugural issue of the IM First Class magazine and goodies packed in a limited edition tote by Tourism Australia.

For more information on IM First class, please visit:

Website: www.imfirstclass.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imfirstclassmag
Instagram: www.instagram.com/imfirstclassmag

8 THINGS TRAVELLERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT KLIA

Sometimes we do take things in our own backyard for granted. We constantly hear about and are quick to know all about bad things: lousy service, sucky experiences and what-have-yous…funny how bad news travel faster than good huh?

Joining the recent Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) media fam tour of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) proved insightful. I went out of sheer curiosity but happily, I depart from the tour brimming with new, useful information and invaluable enriching experiences worth sharing with other avid travellers.

Here are 8 things every travellers should know about KLIA:

KLIA PREMIER ACCESS

Wanna travel like a VIP? Dream of being whisk through KLIA like a diva? Now, KLIA Premier Access can make it happen. Just purchase your Priority Access Pass – it’s the ‘magic carpet’ to whisk you through MINUS the usual hassle every ordinary Ahmad, Ah Chong and Samy has to undergo, starting from the airport kerbside up to your boarding gate in supersonic quick time.

You can either pre-buy the Priority Access Pass (refer to above chart for rates) in advance or upon arrival at KLIA, head over to the counter (shown above) to purchase. Premier Rate Access is ideal for travellers who are pressed for time, the old and infirm or families with young children as they are accorded Meet & Greet service and buggy service.

The Premier Access Pass also gives you entry into the KLIA Premier Lounge. Similar to an airline lounge, you can enjoy coffee/tea, refreshments and standard lounge facilities here.

Arrival passengers to KLIA can also buy the Premier Access Pass upon touchdown – just keep an eye out for this counter. The KLIA Premier Access is available daily, from 7am to 11pm. For pre-booking, email: [email protected]

PORTER SERVICE

Travelling with oversized luggage? Want to explore KLIA without pushing a laden trolley of baggage? You can approach the Porter Service counter for help. Different rates are applicable for the Porter Service, so feel free to ask the guys on duty.

KLIA JUNGLE WALK

I bet many of you have seen this patch of lush greenery at the centre core of the Satellite Building. There’s even a recreational walkway and manmade waterfall through the verdant space housing the original forest reserve that has existed before the Satellite Building was built.

Best of all, you can walk through the Jungle Broadwalk FREE of charge! This natural forest reserve is the epitome of KLIA’s 'Airport In The Forest, Forest In The Airport' concept, offering passengers the refreshing experience of walking through a tropical forest reserve. There’s also a Circular Viewing Gallery at the Mezzanine Level.

SPEEDY SHUTTLE SERVICE

KLIA now has 10 shuttle bus services as another mode of people mover between the main terminal and satellite building in addition to the Aerotrain services. The shuttle bus service is available 24 hours daily and only takes 5 minutes to transport passengers between the main building to the satellite terminal.

The clean and comfortable bus interior is also adorned with traditional motifs and highlight informative snippets of local crafts like Perak's labu sayong.

 VVIP LOUNGE

MAHB General Manager, Corporate Communications Nik Anis Nik Zakaria also led us to view the VVIP lounge – a rare chance for us to view the plush space where visiting heads of states and those in the highest echelons of power wait or convene prior and after their scheduled flights.

 

SAMA-SAMA EXPRESS

Refresh, Relax and Renew is the tagline for Sama-Sama Express Hotel, the 80-room airside property caters to transit passengers. Located at the satellite building inside KLIA, Sama-Sama Express boasts a spacious, cosy lounge with complimentary welcome drink at check-in.

Shower facilities are available for guests who wish to freshen up after a long haul flight. The use of lounge and shower facilities start from RM45 per person.

Complimentary Wi-Fi and internet facilities keep guests well connected while anyone needing to use a last minute meeting room can rent one at Sama-Sama Express at RM320 upwards.

For layovers between flights, travellers can check-in to a Deluxe room or Suite for 6 or 12 hours from RM265 onwards.

Feel peckish? Food & beverage such as the chef's much lauded sup daging and biryani should warm the tummy alongside sandwiches, salads and assorted dessert.

There's a huge signboard visible to travellers in the arrival/departure hall so a stopover at Sama-Sama Express is super convenient. Sama-Sama Express also provides frequent buggy shuttle service so just press the intercom button shown for instant response.

For more information, visit: https://www.samasamahotels.com/

AIRPORT FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE (AFRS)

Three (3) minutes. That is the target response time the Airport Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) team strives to meet in case there’s fire, aircraft accident, hazardous spillage on the runway or any other emergency occurring at KLIA.

Keeping a close eye 24/7, 365 days on the runway and planes in its tower office, the AFRS

priority is to save lives in emergency cases. The team also provides fire-fighting service, guides stakeholders on fire prevention and renders medical first-aid instantly in emergency incidents. 

We even had the rare chance of riding in one of the Rosenbauer 8x8 Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle – the world’s most advance aircraft firefighting vehicle. Yes, folks KLIA has 2 of them including the Rosenbauer model used in the blockbuster "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" movie!

We must salute these brave men who keep watch on the safety of KLIA as the job is a taxing and highly demanding one, especially when it comes to the crunch.

UPGRADED FACILITIES

It’s also heartening to know KLIA isn’t resting on its laurels as various airport facilities are continuously upgraded over time. For instance, Muslim travellers from around the world will be the first to commend and appreciate the spacious prayer rooms, separate for men and women Muslim travellers.

Prayer mats and robes as well as ablution area are provided for the convenience of Muslim travellers.

For the general public, airport users and frequent travellers, many of the existing restrooms have been given a facelift. They look much nicer and warmly lit, with new hand dryers and all the basic essentials so we can only hope users will treat the facilities well.