KUCHING: Media Chinese International Ltd (MCIL) is leaning on its growing travel business to offset the continued weakness in its publishing and print operations.
Group chief executive officer Francis Tiong said the performance of MCIL’s tourism division is being lifted by an expanded portfolio that includes new destinations and immersive, single-location experiences tailored to changing consumer preferences.
“Hong Kong’s talent-attraction policies, mega-events, and Kai Tak Sports Park are boosting tourism and business confidence,” he said as the company released its latest quarterly results.
For the six months ended Sept 30, 2025 (6M2025), MCIL posted a 3.6 per cent decline in group turnover to US$83.65 million (6M2024: US$86.8 million). The drop was mainly due to a 10.2 per cent fall in publishing and printing revenue, partly cushioned by a 6.3 per cent rise in travel sales.
Tiong said the travel segment continued to register steady growth in the second quarter of FY2025/2026, with revenue rising 3.3 per cent to US$17.2 million from US$16.64 million a year earlier. However, pre-tax profit fell sharply by 53.4 per cent to US$413,000 (US$886,000 previously) amid tighter margins from market competition, higher operating costs and increased exchange losses.
He noted that “the segment’s CEO-led luxury group tours remain a strong differentiator, building a loyal community of travellers who value premium experiences and curated itineraries.”
MCIL added that “the group remains a leading player in the luxury travel segment, bolstered by strategic partnerships with key operators in mainland China, enabling access to premium deals and enhancing its competitive edge. While other market players have begun to replicate this model, the group continues to innovate by introducing new experiences, such as cruise itineraries and luxury expeditions to adventurous destinations.”
MCIL’s Malaysian business continued to struggle. For 6M2025, the segment’s net loss widened to RM23.4 million (6M2024: –RM8.1 million) as revenue slipped to RM352 million (RM365.2 million). In 2Q2025 alone, net loss deepened to about RM16 million (–RM4.55 million) on lower revenue of RM171.6 million (RM182.9 million).
The group, which owns Chinese-language titles including Sin Chew Daily and several magazines, cited a tough operating environment.
“Malaysia’s economy faced a mix of global headwinds and domestic structural challenges during the quarter under review. Amid these challenging business conditions, the group’s Malaysian operations recorded an 11.8% decline in turnover to US$14,932,000 from US$16,934,000 in the same quarter last year. As a result, the segment reported a loss before income tax of US$680,000 for the quarter in review, compared to a profit before income tax of US$952,000 a year ago,” MCIL said.
The group said it continued to engage audiences and advertisers through community events and a golf tournament, both of which received positive feedback.
Tiong said Malaysia’s SARA and Madani aid packages are expected to spur domestic consumption, providing “moderate support” to the company’s operations. MCIL will also enforce strict cost discipline to improve profitability.
MCIL, dual-listed in Hong Kong and Malaysia, also operates businesses in Hong Kong, Taiwan and North America.
