Iphone 5s Cost RM350 More in Malaysia ?

Why Is Apple Malaysia Charging Up To RM350 More For The New iPhone 5S?

Wednesday, 30 October 2013 08:37

0 Comments Apple’s official Malaysian retail prices for the latest iPhone 5c and 5s were revealed last week, and for the first time since the iPhone 3G in Malaysia, the retail price of the new iPhone has gone up. And we’re not talking just a minor bump in price here: there’s been an increase of as much as RM350 compared to its now-discontinued predecessor. That got us thinking. Every iteration of the iPhone has naturally brought about all-round improvements, be it in the processor, camera sensor or even chassis – but with an ever-decreasing retail price. What’s changed this time? Two words: Touch ID. Could it really be that Apple Malaysia is charging a premium for the new iPhone 5s simply because of the new fingerprint sensor? For every iteration of the iPhone, there has always been a bump in specs, whether it is a minor one like the iPhone 3GS or a major one like the iPhone 4S. Yet, one of the more admirable things Apple has done with its iPhones is in the consistency of its retail prices. In the US, every new iPhone has stuck with the same $649, $749 and $849 retail price for the 16, 32 and 64GB variants since the iPhone 4. In Malaysia, it is slightly different. Since the days of the iPhone 3G in Malaysia, the retail prices have been steadily going down with each new iPhone launched here, as shown in the table below: Of course, the iPhone 3G and 3GS were exclusive only to Maxis in Malaysia, allowing them to charge quite a premium for the device. A good indicator here is from the iPhone 4, when it was no longer a carrier-exclusive device, where there were steady price reductions across the board. The only time the retail price of a new iPhone in Malaysia went up was for the iPhone 5, when the 16GB version rose an almost-insignificant RM9 (the 32 and 64GB versions remained cheaper from its previous iterations). This year, every variant of the iPhone 5s will see a price increase compared to the iPhone 5: the 16GB variant by RM200, the 32GB variant by RM250 and the 64GB variant by a whopping RM350. And that’s quite an oddity. Historically speaking, there shouldn’t be a reason why Apple should be raising its prices for its latest iPhones. The shift from the iPhone 4 to the 4S was seen by many as a significant upgrade, and yet the Malaysian retail prices dropped RM100 across the three storage options. The shift from the iPhone 5 to the 5s is just as significant, so why is there a price hike as much as RM350? The jump from an A6 processor to a 64-bit A7 processor is certainly a big one, as is the introduction of a better camera. But those are to be expected from a company producing flagship smartphones once a year. The other new addition here is the Touch ID fingerprint sensor – leaving us to deduce that this single addition alone could be responsible for the iPhone 5s’ price hike. Now, Apple has a reputation for dancing to its own beat when it comes to its retail prices. In almost every device segment, from laptops, tablets and smartphones, Apple’s products always come with a premium price tag. As I mentioned before, the company’s products have a certain pull that no other company can match, and are often priced out of the purchasing power of many. But surely, the new Touch ID fingerprint sensor does not justify such a steep hike in prices? In the face of increasingly stiff competition from Android, how does raising the price of your latest flagship product help in any way other than the unenviable record of being the first consumer smartphone to breach the RM3000 mark? Touch ID, as can be seen in the video above, enhances the user experience of the new iPhone 5s simply by the convenience it offers and the near-perfect integration with Apple’s flagship iPhone. But does it justify spending an extra RM350 just to unlock your phone a few seconds quicker? As consumers, you decide. Malaysian Digest

Wanted AMBANK Security Guards Security Company Ordered To Cease Operations Immediately

Kawalan Prime Ordered To Shut Down

0 Comments pic:AFPKUALA LUMPUR — Security firm Kawalan Prima Sdn Bhd will have to cease operations today and surrender its firearms to the police immediately. Failure to do so will result in the police raiding the company’s premises and seizing all weapons. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the security firm has to comply as the company’s operating licence was revoked yesterday. His statement comes following revelation by The Malay Mail that Kawalan Prima guards were still stationed at the AmBank branch in Subang Jaya yesterday, where one of its guards allegedly shot dead a female bank officer before escaping with about RM450,000 from the bank’s vault. The rogue guard, an Indonesian, had not been vetted by the Home Ministry as required by law. Following this, the ministry issued a statement that the company's licence had been revoked. However, Junaidi clarified yesterday that only a show-cause letter was issued to the company last Friday, and that the company replied on Tuesday. "But the ministry decided today that Kawalan Prima will not be allowed to operate (as of today). They have to surrender their guns to the police immediately," he told The Malay Mail. He added that the company risks police action if they fail to do so. In last Wednesday's incident, bank officer Norazita Abu Talib, 37, was shot in the face with a pump-gun by the guard when she opened the bank's vault with another female officer. The security guard, who used the name Ardi Hamza, escaped with the cash. The Malay Mail also revealed that the guard was an Indonesian from Sulawesi and had been staying in the country for at least 10 years. He used a fake MyKad and is also said to be a compulsive gambler. He was believed to have been in debt. Police have so far arrested 11 people in connection with the case, including the suspect's wife, and recovered RM20,000, believed to be part of the loot. Malaysian Digest

Foreign Women Lured With Promise Of A Good Life End Up In Prostitution

Dozens of foreign women forced to entertain up to seven men daily

In safe hands: Police rescuing the women during the raid in Klang.

KLANG: They were lured from their homes holding on to a dream to live the good life away from the poverty back home.

But reality was a living nightmare for the dozens of foreign women who ended up trapped in a prostitution racket operating in the spas of several hotels here.

The women were forced to entertain up to seven men daily and subjected to intolerable living conditions, said Federal Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan.

“The women were kept locked in hotel rooms.

“There were about 20 of them to a room that is meant for two people,” said SAC Abdul Jalil.

In the rooms, the women slept side by side on three mattresses placed together, with a small table to place food and drinks.

Teddy bears and fluffy pillows comforted them while they slept before having to start work in dimly lit massage parlours.

The front counter of the spas had photo albums containing “glamour shots” of the women.

Police also found rooms which came with inflatable beds for “massages”.

The women were expected to be sex workers for a year to pay off the human traffickers who brought them into the country.

They were rescued when officers from Bukit Aman’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit simultaneously raided three premises at midnight yesterday.

A total of 54 women, comprising 42 Indonesians, eight Vietnamese, one Chinese and three Indians, aged between 20 and 36, were taken by the police.

SAC Abdul Jalil said some of the women had been in the country for at least four months while there were others who had been here for only a week.

He added that the women who had been interviewed so far had said they had been sexually exploited.

SAC Abdul Jalil also criticised local councils which issued licences to such premises without investigating the actual nature of the businesses.

He added that the renovations done inside the premises such as hidden partitions did not meet Fire and Rescue Department specifications.

Australian Missions Part of US Led Global Spying Network Including Intelligence Collecting

Australian High Comm in KL part of US spying network, Aussie media reports

Edward Snowden

   

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PETALING JAYA: Australia's missions across Asia, including its High Commission in Malaysia, are being used as part of a United States-led global spying network, according to whistleblower Edward Snowden and a former Australian intelligence officer.

Australian media reported Thursday that the country's Defence Signals Directorate was conducting such clandestine surveillance operations without the knowledge of most Australian diplomats.

Recent revelations have emerged of the US eavesdropping on foreign leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, highly embarrassing President Barack Obama's administration.

Various Australia dailies reported that intelligence collection took place from embassies in Bangkok, Jakarta, Beijing, Hanoi and Dili, and High Commissions in Kuala Lumpur and Port Moresby, apart from diplomatic offices.

A secret US National Security Agency document leaked by Snowden and published by Germany's Der Speigel revealed the existence of a highly sensitive signals intelligence collection operation conducted from sites at US embassies and consulates, and from the diplomatic missions of other "Five eyes" intelligence partners including Australia, Britain and Canada.

The operation involves the interception of radio, telecommunications and internet traffic. The document explicitly states that the Australian Defence Signals Directorate operates such facilities "at Australian diplomatic facilities".

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has declined to comment on the diplomatic implications of the disclosure. A spokesperson said it was the practice of the Australian government not to comment on intelligence matters.

A former Australian Defence Intelligence officer was also reported claiming that the directorate conducted surveillance operations from Australian embassies across Asia and the Pacific.

He said the interception facility at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta played an important role in collecting intelligence on terrorist threats and people-smuggling, "but the main focus is political, diplomatic and economic intelligence".

An Australian intelligence expert was quoted saying that the Defence Signals Directorate had long co-operated with the US in monitoring the Asia-Pacific region, including using listening posts in embassies and consulates.

"Knowing what our neighbours are really thinking is important for all sorts of diplomatic and trade negotiations," he told Fairfax Media.

Attempted Snatch Theft Incident Caught On On Board Car Camera

Attempted Snatch Theft Incident Caught On Camera

0 Comments Screenshot of the snatch theft attempt in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong, yesterday. Pic: YouTubeKUALA LUMPUR: An attempted snatch theft incident was caught on video camera. The video, which was shared by civilian Lim Kwee Han through the Facebook page, “Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign”, showed a lady trying to resist a snatch theft attempt in a middle of the road. The video of the incident, which occurred at noon yesterday, showed the victim walking by a grey compact MPV that had stopped in the middle of a road in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong. A man in the car then suddenly opened the passenger door and attempted to snatch the handbag from the victim. Fortunately, the victim managed to give a struggle, holding on tight to her bag but was thrown back when the assailant let go of his grip. The 19-second video ended with the driver speeding off from the scene and the woman winded but seemed unharmed in the video. The car’s licence plate number - ADN 1555 - was also visible. The video that was posted early this morning now has over 1,000 shares on Facebook via “Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign” page. The moderator of the Facebook page advised civilians to be on the lookout for the vehicle and be alert of their surroundings. “Malaysian Crime Awareness Campaign” is a social media page on Facebook that creates awareness by consolidating news, experience, video, blogs on crimes nationwide. Watch It On  YOUTUBE : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T4fTU6BxqE Malaysian Digest

The Best Satay in KL and Kajang

FEATURE
Hot off the grill, sizzling satay is possibly Malaysia’s biggest party crowd-puller.  

 

Kajang is the town that satay built. According to local council records, it was Javanese entrepreneur Tasmin Sakiban – a family ancestor of satay entrepreneur Datuk Samuri Juraimi’s wife who pioneered the satay business in Kajang way back in 1917.

What makes Kajang satay different? Ardent fans claim that the pieces of meat threaded on lidi (coconut leaf spine skewers) are chunkier compared to other versions. The distinct marinade – an aromatic blend of turmeric, lemongrass and other local spices – also gives Kajang satay its characteristic yellow tinge and deep-seated, appetising flavour. Lastly, the sweet chunky peanut sauce usually comes with a dollop of fried sambal (chilli paste).

Sate Kajang Haji Samuri is possibly Kajang’s most famous export. Founder Datuk Haji Samuri Juraimi started his satay business back in the 1960s, and finally expanded the enterprise with his sons’ help in 1992. Today, there are 20 Sate Kajang Haji Samuri outlets throughout the Klang Valley; three of which are located in Kajang. Besides the ubiquitous chicken and beef satay, Sate Kajang Haji Samuri’s menu include venison, rabbit and fish satay as well as skewers of innards: chicken’s gizzard and liver, cow’s lungs and tripe.

The other popular satay stop in Kajang is Restoran Malaysia. Established in 1971 by three siblings: Choi Nyok Lan, Choi Wai and Choi Yok Lin, the no-frills restaurant initially sold nasi lemak, chicken rice and fried noodles as the main specialities.

“Satay was just a side offering to us in the beginning but after the highway was built, we found that more customers would purposely detoured here to eat Kajang satay,” says 78-year-old Choi Yok Lin. “Instead of leasing out the stall, we took it back and learned to prepare satay from scratch ourselves.”

“What sets our satay apart is the use of lean chicken breast meat; there’s no chicken skin or fatty bits to be found on our satay. We also prefer to serve traditional ketupat (rice cakes in coconut leaf casings) instead of nasi impit (compactly pressed rice cut into cubes) to accompany the satay.”

Obviously the best proof is definitely in the eating. Droves of customers would pack the Choi siblings’ restaurant to the rafters come weekends and major holidays.

Attempts to modernise the satay business in the past such as Satay Anika have sadly faltered. New players on the scene now include Sate Palace and Satay Satay – two modern eateries that serve freshly grilled satay in clean, air-conditioned comfort.

Opened about four months ago at 231TR Service Suites in Jalan Tun Razak, Sate Palace’s signature satay boasts a bolder flavour profile compared to Haji Samuri’s. Its peanut sauce is shades darker with a stronger belacan (shrimp paste) overtone.

It’s rare to find satay outlets in urban shopping malls but Satay Satay seems to have hit pay dirt at 1Utama Shopping Centre. Although they only offer chicken and beef satay, the speciality is enough to draw a capacity crowd to the outlet daily especially during lunch.

No doubt about it, properly marinated and cooked, a stick of satay is a marvellous thing. Here then are some of our favourite satay hot spots.

Sate Kajang Haji SamuriProduced following HACCP (international food safety) standards at its own factory, the satay here is manually grilled only upon order. The meaty skewers are cooked just long enough to render the edges charred and crisp whilst ensuring the meat remains tender to the bite.

Every order comes with a big bowl of peanut sauce for diners to portion out into smaller bowls and a separate portion of fried sambal on the side. Cucumber and nasi impit are the usual accompaniments served. The beef and chicken satay are delicious enough to be eaten on their own but it is the fish satay that leaves an indelible impression. Thoroughly suffused with a gorgeous turmeric and lemongrass-scented marinade, the tilapia’s inherent sweetness remains discernible.

Prices: Chicken, beef or fish satay 70 sen per stick, beef tripe 80 sen per stick, mutton RM1.40 per stick, rabbit satay RM2 per stick and nasi impit with cucumber RM1.50 per plate

Sate Kajang Haji Samuri| Address: Lot 1, 2 & 3, Ground & 2nd Floor, Bangunan Dato’ Nazir, Jalan Kelab, Kajang, Selangor | Tel: 03-8737-1853| Opening hours: Mon – Thu 10.30am – 12.30am, Fri 4pm – 1am, Sat – Sun 10.30am – 1am| GPS Coordinates: 2.59618, 101.47188 | Halal

Note: Complete outlet listing available from www.satekajang.com.my

Restoran MalaysiaThe delicate turmeric-based marinade lends an aromatic edge to the chunky satay here. Chicken, beef and mutton are the perennial crowd-pleasers; the grilled meat pieces tender with slightly burnt edges. We love the distinctively pale peanut sauce best. It isn’t too smooth or gritty and becomes robustly spicy once a dollop of fiery fried sambal is stirred in to it.

Prices: Chicken 80 sen per stick, beef 90 sen, mutton or fish RM1.40 per stick, ketupat 80 sen, cucumber 50 sen, onion RM1

Restoran Malaysia (Nyok Lan Kajang Satay) | Address: 31 Jalan Semenyih, Kajang, Selangor | Tel: 03-8733-1160 | Opening hours: Wed – Mon 9am -11pm (Closed on Tuesdays)| GPS Coordinates: 3.076111, 101.589444 | Halal

Sate PalaceBesides chicken and beef, this restaurant offers lamb, seafood (prawn, squid, scallop and fish) and beancurd satay. Each set comprises half a dozen skewers with a serving of nasi impit and peanut sauce. We find the lamb satay slightly fatty and a tad chewy although the meat chunks are well-imbued with a fragrantly piquant marinade. The chicken fares better with or without the mocha-hued, chunky peanut sauce.

Prices: Half dozen chicken satay RM9.90, half dozen beef satay RM10.90, half dozen lamb satay RM16.90, half dozen of seafood satay RM16.90 and half dozen of beancurd satay RM8.90

Sate Palace| Address:G02, Ground Floor, Bangunan 231TR Service Suites, Jalan Tun Razak, KL | Opening hours: Daily 10 am – 10 pm| GPS Coordinates: 3.1346327, 101.7185266 | Halal

Satay SatayA little show kitchen sited prominently at the entrance lets you observe the satay being grilled over a long charcoal-filled pit. The chicken and beef satay come up to scratch taste-wise – nice but not outstanding. Texture-wise, they’re slightly drier compared to the other versions we had sampled.

Price: RM14.50 for half dozen of chicken and beef satay (3 skewers of each) with cucumber, onion and peanut sauce

Restaurant Satay Satay| Address: Lot S143, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama City Centre, Petaling Jaya, Selangor| Tel: 03-7728 4828 | Opening hours: 11 am – 10 pm daily| GPS Coordinates: 3.137617, 101.609121 |Halal

THE STAR HUNGRY GO WHERE

Malaysian Immigration Former Director General Found Guilty on Corruption, Sent To Kajang Prison

Former Immigration Department D-G found guilty by judge that previously acquitted him

BY QISHIN TARIQ

Former Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don.

PUTRAJAYA: Former Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don has been convicted on Wednesday by the same Session Court judge that had earlier acquitted him.

Sessions Court judge Rosbiahanin Arifin found Wahid guilty of corruption involving visa applications for 4,337 Bangladeshis, and sentenced him to six years prison and a RM300,000 fine.

She found that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubt, as it's argument was mere a after thought.

Judge Rosbiahanin also impeached Wahid's evidence, meaning she agreed with the prosecution's stand that the contradictions between Wahid's statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and his testimony in court made him a suspect witness.

The decision came as an about turn, as Judge Rosbiahanin had acquitted Wahid of his charges at the end of the prosecution stage on Oct 15 2010.

The MACC had appealed against the decision, but on May 31 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court upheld Judge Rosbiahanin's judgement that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.

However, the case was remitted to the same Sessions Judge when the Court of Appeal allowed the MACC's appeal.

The panel lead by Justice Abu Samah Nordin unanimously found that Judge Rosbiahanin had erred in her finding that the presumption of Wahid's corruption could be rebutted without hearing his defense.

Wahid, 59, was first charged on Aug 19, 2008, with agreeing to accept a RM60,000 bribe from businessman Datuk Low Chang Hian as part payment to expedite the approval of visa applications for 4,337 Bangladeshis, to enable them to enter Malaysia.

He is accused of committing the offence at Jalan Lembah Ledang, off Jalan Duta here, at 10.15pm on July 10, 2008, while still a director-general.

Counsel Datuk V. Sithambaram on Wednesday applied for a stay of execution against the jail time and fine, pending an appeal against the Session Court's decision.

However, Judge Rosbiahanin denied both points of the stay application, despite MACC legal and prosecution division director Datuk Abdul Razak Musa only objecting to the stay of jail time.

Sithambaram had filed for an appeal to the High Court against the trial judge's decision.

He told reporters that he would be applying to the High Court for a stay of execution and to bail his client, but in the interim, Wahid would be sent to Kajang prison.

Wahid, who served 35 years in Government service, had since retired.

Suspected African Drug Dealer Falls To His Death As He Tried To Escape From Police

PETALING JAYA: An African national, suspected to be a drug dealer died in his attempt to escape through the window of his house at Sunway Mentari flat, last night.

The 37-year-old man fell flat on the ground.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Arjunaidi Mohamed said the incident occurred when a police team from the narcotics unit raided the suspect’s house on the 10th floor at 11.35pm.

“The man then tried to flee through the window situated at the back of the unit. 

“However, he skidded and fell during the attempt,” said Arjunaidi.

The police seized  115 grammes of syabu from the flat unit, with an estimated market price of RM46,000.

He said the deceased has valid passports and documentations.

NST

FiFA President's Comment on Cristiano Ronaldo Sparks Anger

Blatter's Ronaldo remarks prompt angry response

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during their Spanish first division "Clasico" football match against Barcelona at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona October 26, 2013. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Real Madrid have responded angrily to comments from FIFA president Sepp Blatter that appeared to make fun of the Real and Portugal forward.

Blatter, who was forced by the reaction to apologise while insisting he meant no disrespect, was asked at the Oxford University Union in England on Friday for his opinion on Ronaldo and Barcelona's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.

The 77-year-old Swiss said they were both exceptional athletes but added that, unlike Messi, Ronaldo resembled "a commander on the field of play".

He then rose from his chair and strutted on the stage in military fashion in apparent imitation of the Portuguese.

"One (Ronaldo) has more expenses for the hairdresser than the other but that doesn't matter," he added to widespread laughter. "I cannot say who is the best, there will again be a contest this year - I like both of them but I prefer Messi."

Ronaldo, who was the last player to land the World Player award in 2008 before Argentine Messi won four in a row, posted a link to a video of Blatter's comments and a heavily ironic response on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

"This video shows clearly the respect and consideration that FIFA has for me, for my club and my country," Ronaldo wrote.

"Much is explained now. I wish Mr. Blatter health and a long life, with the certainty that he will continue to witness, as he deserves, the successes of his favourite teams and players."

NO RESPECT

FPF president Fernando Gomes described Blatter's remarks as "unfit and inappropriate.

"It was with surprise I watched and analysed the words of Sepp Blatter about the captain of our national team," Gomes said in a statement.

"I think the comments... show a clear lack of respect both towards Ronaldo and Portugal, a country that lives its football intensely."

Gomes also said it was "inappropriate" that only a few days before Ronaldo was nominated as a candidate for FIFA's World Player award on Tuesday, the head of soccer's governing body expressed a preference for Messi, who is also a candidate.

"We sent FIFA a letter asking for the president to tell us what are the real intentions of his words since we do not understand how he could make such comments," added Gomes.

Earlier, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said club president Florentino Perez had written to Blatter to ask for clarification of remarks the Italian said showed "a lack of respect to a very serious and very professional player".

Real later published Perez's letter on their website (www.realmadrid.com), as well as Blatter's reply.

The FIFA chief's comments were "unfortunate and unacceptable" and had caused "enormous disappointment" to the club and their fans, Perez wrote.

Blatter's admission that he preferred Messi over Ronaldo could also affect the voting for the World Player award, due to be announced in January, the construction magnate added.

Blatter, who also referred to Messi as "Leonard" during his appearance in Oxford, wrote in his reply to Perez that he had been surprised by the reaction.

"I want to make clear that for me Cristiano Ronaldo is at the same level as Messi and that the two are exceptional players, each in their own way," he added.

"I regret very much that this situation arising from a university event is causing so much pain and I apologise for that. It was never my intention to annoy or show a lack of respect to Real Madrid, or one of their players or their fans."

Ancelotti said he was "completely in agreement" with Perez.

"I haven't spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo about it," he told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's La Liga home game with Sevilla. "He trained very well today, as always. He is showing every day he is a great player and that he respects everyone."

Lonely Planet List's Malaysia as One of the Top 10 Countries To Visit In the World.

Malaysia is the only Asian country to have made the cut in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014 – Top 10 countries, ranking 10th on the list.

The list published by the travel publication placed Malaysia as one of the countries to visit due to “an array of new attractions”.

“The headline grabbers are the largest bird park in Southeast Asia in Malacca, Legoland Malaysia and Hello Kitty Land in Nusajaya, which are packing in both locals and Singaporeans flocking across the causeway,” said the world’s largest publisher of travel guide books.

“The new second terminal in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, catering mainly to the booming budget airline sector, is another major factor in attracting more visitors,” it added.

The travel guide recommended sights in Borneo, including Kudat as an off-the-beaten-track spot, Pulau Gaya and cycling-tourism in Sabah.

The guide book described Malaysia as “like two countries in one, cleaved in half by the South China Sea”.

“The multicultural peninsula flaunts Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, while Borneo hosts a wild jungle of orang-utans, granite peaks and remote tribes,” it said.

The list, published on the travel site yesterday, named Brazil as the top country to visit in 2014 since the FIFA World Cup will be held there next June and July. Other countries/regions making the cut are Antartica (2), Scotland (3), Sweden (4), Malawi (5), Mexico (6), Seychelles (7), Belgium (8) and Macedonia (9).

In the same category in 2013, two Asian nations were listed – namely Sri Lanka and South Korea.

Last month, CNN published the world’s 10 best shopping cities according to data in the Globe Shopper City Index by Global Blue, a firm that mediates transactions between consumers, merchants and banks. Kuala Lumpur ranked 4th, besting Hong Kong, Paris, Dubai and Madrid in the index. - October 29, 2013.

From the 2014 guide:

Top 10 countries for 2014 
1. Brazil 
2. Antarctica 
3. Scotland 
4. Sweden 
5. Malawi 
6. Mexico 
7. Seychelles 
8. Belgium 
9. Macedonia 
10. Malaysia

Top 10 regions for 2014 
1. Sikkim, India 
2. Kimberly 
3. Yorkshire 
4. Hokuriku, Japan 
5. Texas 
6. Victoria Falls 
7. Mallorca 
8. West Coast, New Zealand 
9. Hunan, China 
10. Ha'apai Tonga

Top 10 cities for 2014 
1. Paris 
2. Trinidad 
3. Cape Town 
4. Riga 
5. Zurich 
6. Shanghai 
7. Vancouver 
8. Chicago 
9. Adelaide 
10. Auckland

Best value destinations for 2014 
1. Greek Islands 
2. Italy's Heel (Puglia) 
3. Nicaragua