Aziff Azuddin's Blog

In a previous article published a few months ago, we explored how the Airbnb (short-term rental, or STR) market in Kuala Lumpur operated. What we found was a sophisticated infrastructure of high-rise towers turned into ‘shadow hotels’, operating like a traditional hotel without the regulations required for one. These short-term rentals were run by an oligopoly of individuals and firms who utilised a variety of strategies—from SEO optimisation to marketing a property’s amenities to controlling th...

As a society, we picked up many idiosyncrasies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The anxiety of crowds and closed spaces. A hyper-sensitivity towards the most minute of ailments. A cough, a sneeze—these were almost death sentences in those lost years when we suspended rules of engagement. As we exited 2022, many were talking about the ‘new normal’, whatever that meant.

It’s been a good three years since we moved into this ‘new normal’. But the new normal appears to be simply a reversal of pre-pandem...

What does the Airbnb market look like in Kuala Lumpur?

On the surface, it is a significant economic driver. In 2024, Airbnb contributed an estimated RM9.2bil (0.47%) to Malaysia’s GDP, and its commissioned report claimed it supported 0.6% of the national job market1. Since its founding in 2008, Airbnb has positioned itself as a platform for individuals to host like-minded travellers in their homes, connecting them to communities and a hyper-localised experience2. However, Airbnb in cities across...

How are histories remembered or forgotten? It is unquestionable that histories, shared or personal, are a core part of identity and belonging. We use history as a way of describing ourselves—a thread of stories that lead from the past to the present. When it comes to communities, history is at the core of how we connect with each other. National history, on the other hand, is a heavily curated narrative. By design, it seeks to abridge the histories of different constituencies and weave a grand o...

I’ve been thinking about the country a lot these past few months. What does it mean to be Malaysian? This is such a simple question that invites so many answers. We usually get surface-level answers on diversity, multiculturalism and unity. At this point, almost seventy years into our formation, these adjectives ring hollow. Our politics don’t reflect multiculturalism. Neither does it inspire unity. Nor does it value diversity. There seems to be, as is part of a global trend, for polarisation to...

Since the fall of the Barisan Nasional government in 2018, much has been discussed about Malay unity. This culminated in Muafakat Nasional, an alliance between Umno and PAS, and then Perikatan Nasional, with both PAS and Bersatu. The PN marriage appears resilient, with both political partners sharing a common enemy: the Madani government.

In the past six years, Malay society has posed the question of ideological and political fracturing, particularly on issues of race and religion. When Tun Maha...

The last time I read a magazine was six years ago. It was at the dentist, and I chose not to pick up my phone to pass away time and go through a lifestyle trade. Much of the information in the magazine could have otherwise been found in a blog or website dedicated to the subject. Better yet, for free and up to date. This is the losing battle of the printed word. Not only magazines but also the newspaper.

In the last decade, many newspapers and magazines have gone online, leaving behind the print...

How much does it cost a working individual to get around? The answer depends on where you live. Choosing where to live takes into account multiple factors, but very often, it has to satisfy one’s balance between access to work, public and commercial amenities – and for parents, education options for their children. It’s one of the reasons why buying or renting a house is a big decision. Property developers and salespersons will consistently market their properties as being within accessible dist...

What does the presence of a McDonald’s say about an area’s urban development? In the Malaysian context, McDonald’s is seen as a feature of localised progress and urban development. This is exemplified best through statements by politicians – in the recent 15th General Elections, a political candidate promised to set up a McDonald’s in his constituency if he won1. In another instance, a former politician claimed the establishment of a McDonald’s in his constituency when asked about his contributi...

The DASH Highway has been open for a few weeks now. A few months before that, it was the SUKE Highway in the eastern crevices of Kuala Lumpur. Both highways sold the premise of relieving congestion issues across the Klang Valley. Waiting in the wings is the PJD Link which is currently facing opposition from PJ residents but is pushed by both federal and state governments. While marketed to the public as a solution to traffic woes, countless studies have shown that building more expressways does ...