KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 5 -- Malaysia's retail and tourism associations have urged the authorities to lift the suspension of coach services operating at shopping malls, warning that the move could harm the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

In a joint statement, they said the directive to suspend companies offering mall-based coach and bus services to outstation destinations would have a "tremendous negative impact" on tourism and retail.

The statement was jointly issued by the BB-KLCC Tourism Association, the Malaysia Association of Hotels, the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners, and the Persatuan Pengurusan Kompleks.

They said luxury and normal coach services from Singapore, Thailand and domestic destinations had long been crucial ...