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Proton Holdings and Yes, a 4G network provider under YTL Communications Sdn Bhd, today launched a collaboration to offer Malaysia’s first in-car 4G internet access in Proton’s high-end cars and the new sedan P3-21A to be launched next month.

In the partnership, Proton customers will enjoy 4G connectivity as a new value-added standard feature which will tap into Yes’ 4G mobile internet network that currently covers over 65 per cent of the country’s populated area.

Proton Group managing director Datuk Seri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said this innovation, the first endeavour in Proton’s rebranding exercise, opens a new spectrum of possibilities and offers customers speed, mobility, comfort and greater productivity while on the road.

"We have been working with YTL for about a year and signed an agreement last year. Today is one small step. Following this, we are trying to work together to integrate more features embedded in the car," he told reporters after the launching ceremony.

He said this initiative would make the Proton brand much more attractive and add income to the company.

Groomed to take family business forward

A civil engineer, Mr Francis Yeoh took over the running of YTL in 1978 and grew it into a global conglomerate comprising six listed companies, which will soon be down to five as it is in the midst of privatising YTL Cement through a share swap. They have a combined market capitalisation of more than RM34 billion.

A decade ago, the group was completely reliant on its Malaysian business. Today, it derives more than 75 per cent of its revenue from abroad. The plan to hedge the group’s business took place steadily and with calculation over a decade.

Mr Yeoh’s penchant for scooping up valuable assets in distressed times and turning them into gems in the cash-plump stable is widely known.

Ruth and Joshua are only two of a batch of 27 of the YTL bloodline (YTL stands for Yeoh Tiong Lay - founder of the group and the elder Mr Yeoh’s father) pottering about in the many units that represent the smorgasbord of businesses held under the sprawling YTL umbrella which spans Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Australia and Britain.

’They belong to the generation that tasted some wealth yet competed for the best universities on their own strength. That’s the first test of meritocracy. All 27 of them have not been mollycoddled. That’s my greatest joy,’ says Mr Yeoh.

The delegation of key tasks is very much a work in progress. In November last year, Ms Kemmy Tan, who joined YTL Group’s Singapore property development arm in 2008, was appointed chief executive officer of YTL Land & Development.

In 2009, YTL Communications appointed Wing K. Lee as CEO to oversee the launch of the group’s first step into telecommunications: its 4G mobile Internet services with a catchy ’Yes’ ring to it.

YTL Family hosts a grand feast at CNY Open House

The annual YTL Corporation Berhad Chinese New Year open house is a highlight of the year where the country’s leaders, dignitaries, royals, family and friends gather for a day of feasting and fun.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman graced the open house held at The JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

They were greeted on arrival by YTL Corporation Berhad managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh, and executive chairman Tan Sri Dato Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay.

Also present were Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, Muhyiddin and wife, as well as Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

YTL’s Shook! Shanghai named ’Best Modern Restaurant’ by Modern Weekly

Commenting on the award, James Mcbride, President of YTL Hotels said: "It is indeed a great honour for Shook! Shanghai to have been awarded ’Best Modern Restaurant’ at the Modern Weekly 2011 Best Restaurants Awards. Shook!�s distinctive concept in an iconic landmark that is The Swatch Art Peace Hotel, makes for a truly unforgettable dining experience. Its uniquely designed open-kitchen conveys the feel of "dining without borders" � intimate, nothing hidden, open to all."

Starhill Tea Salon on Bukit Bintang & Starhill Gallery � Authentic Spanish Churros

Churros was added to the menu at the Bukit Bintang Starhill Tea Salon just recently. This particular �salon� right on the busy Bukit Bintang walk (next to Sephora Malaysia) has a Churros Cart attached with a deep frying machine, ensuring that your churros are freshly fried to order.

"It is as authentic as it can get," Tan Sri Francis assured me. "We have flown in a spanish chef specifically to run things for the last week and the churros mix is a secret recipe that’s guaranteed to produce delicious churros, best eaten dipped in our special chocolate sauce," he added.

The Straits to Luxury Experience by YTL Hotels

Representing the finest in luxury hospitality, the YTL Hotels� collection offers experiences that are unique yet consistent in quality, luxury, authenticity and service. Crafting yet another inspired experience, discover The Straits to Luxury Experience, the latest five day, four night programme in this prestigious collection, available from November to March only.

Niseko, Japan�s Own St. Moritz

Earlier that day I had been communing with the snow in a more conventional way, skiing my way through deep blankets of powder on Mount Annupuri in Niseko. The network of ski areas around the small resort village of Hirafu on Hokkaido, Japan�s northernmost island, see almost constant snowfall from December to April, a type of �Champagne powder,� as aficionados call it, that is a result of low pressure systems over northeast Hokkaido meeting high pressure systems over northwest Siberia. The winds from Siberia pick up moisture from the Sea of Japan, and the resulting bands of clouds dump huge amounts of snow when they reach the mountains.

The Greenleaf resort, part of the Singapore-based YTL group, where I stayed, was revamped in late 2010 by Alexandra Champalimaud, a New York-based interior designer, with a fashionable lobby bar featuring cowhide armchairs and murals by a local artist, Emi Shiratori. Despite being more than 15 minutes from the main village, its outdoor onsen, where I retired apr�s ski every day, and easy slope access made it a well-priced option.

Peace of Art

Leading Watchmaker Swatch Group has lovingly restored the former South Building of the Peace Hotel, located at the corner of Nanjing Road and The Bund, Shanghai.

 At the recent grand evening, Asian business titans and prominent Shanghai government officials joined Swatch Groups�s executive management team for the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the day, followed a cocktail reception on the hotel�s roof terrace. Attending included chairman and CEO of Swatch Group Nick Hayek, chairman and CEO of PPR Francois - Henri Pinault and his wife, actress Salma Hayek Pinault, and chairman of YTL Francis Yeoh.

YTL Hotels has been appointed to manage and operate the seven residences at The Swatch Art Peace Hotel including the artist ateliers and Shook! restaurant, which opened on the premises in May 2011. Since it opened, Shook! voted number one restaurant in Shanghai by TripAdvisory.

Recently, Shook! Shanghai was also awarded the title �Best Modern Restaurant� in the Modern Weekly 2011 Best Restaurants Awards.

The environment comes first
Ruth Yeoh Pei Cheen � Director of Investments YTL Corporation Bhd

While Ruth Yeoh � the eldest child of YTL Group�s managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh � is not the only third-generation Yeoh in the family business, she is perhaps the most prominent. She is certainly the most vocal when it comes to environmental initiative and efforts of the group.

YTL�s Starhill Gallery the perfect home for Hermes� watch boutique

FANS of Hermes will be pleased to know that the French luxury brand has opened a boutique dedicated to its watch collections in Kuala Lumpur.

The 86sqm boutique is located at Starhill Gallery, continuing Hermes� retailing approach that began in March 2009 with a shop-in-shop in the Wangfujing department store in Beijing, China. YTL�s Starhill Gallery is touted to be the perfect home for Hermes� watch boutique. The upscale mall already features more than a hundred renowned luxury timepiece and jewellery brands, and dozens of fashion designer label and recently reaffirmed its standings as Kuala Lumpur�s anchor of luxury shopping when it celebrated its re-launch featuring an iconic fa�ade which transforms the thriving landscape of Bintang Walk.

The event was graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, in the company of the legendary Grammy Award Winner, Julio Iglesias. They were joined by hosts, Tan Sri Dato� Sri Yeoh Tiong Lay, Group Executive Chairman of YTL Corporation Berhad and Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Corporation Berhad together with the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad.

The re-imaging project of the new iconic landmark was brought to life by a team of architects and around the globe and spearheaded by renowned British architect, Stephen Pimbley, is not only eye-catching, but also a true feat in engineering. Devised with the combination of lightweight steel and state of the art glass technology, the dynamic re-development of Starhill Gallery is also designed to keep the building cool and reduce energy consumption.

The re-launch also kicked off Asia�s grandest luxury watch and jewellery showcase �A Journey Through Time V� which saw Julio Iglesias performing for the second night in Kuala Lumpur, after a free performance at YTL Corporation Berhad�s Concert of Celebration held along the streets of Bintang Walk.

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