4 Ways to Beat the Heat!

Beauty
4 Ways to Beat the Heat!
What’s cooler than being cool?

18.07.2015
By Renyi Lim

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BURO Beauty Empties Giveaway Week 2: Win up to RM4,500 worth of beauty prizes

1. Deodorant
It’s all fun and games when you’re charging into the sea, vaulting across soft, sandy shores and bounding around under the sun. The thing is, when you’re out in the heat, the elements can start to take their toll and you’ll find yourself starting to feel less-than-fresh, or even slightly icky. Prep yourself for an action-packed day with an antiperspirant deodorant, which provides fast-drying, dependable protection against perspiration and odour. Plus, it’s unscented, so it won’t clash with your cologne of choice.

Try: Clinique Antiperspirant Deodorant, RM65
2. Sunscreen
Dust yourself up and down with Bálla for Men Powder (USD 17/RM 66) wherever you’re likely to experience chafing or clamminess (and yes, feel free to use it anywhere), then give yourself some sophisticated sun protection in the form of Aesop’s Protective Body Lotion – a water-resistant sunscreen that protects you from damaging UVA and UVB rays. It’s lightweight enough to be absorbed double-quick while keeping your skin matte and silky, and its evocative scent of spearmint and lemon will keep you uplifted as you bask beneath the rays.

Try: Aesop’s Protective Body Lotion SPF50, RM127
3. Anti-blemish
When the heat is set on high, the occasional breakout is bound to happen, what with all the sweat and oil your skin is likely to produce. All you have to do is keep it under control using the T-Pur Anti-Imperfections Concentrate, which tackles blemishes head-on without causing redness or irritation. Even painful acne or ingrown hairs will sink into submission under a powerful antibacterial formula that includes zinc, exfoliating salicylic acid, life plankton, and Vitamin B3 – smooth, clear and matte skin is yours for the taking this summer.

Try: Biotherm Homme’s T-Pur Anti-Imperfections Concentrate
4. Foot Spray
Take a few liberties as you style your hair and cheat a little: rather than waiting to get that sea-soaked, surfer dude hair after you’ve hit the water, Parlor by Jeff Chastain’s Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray (USD 24/RM 91) will give you exactly the same effect without sapping your hair dry, nourishing your scalp instead with sweet almond oil and algae extract. Lastly, before you step out the door, give your feet and shoes a spritz of a foot spray to keep them clean and wonderfully scented. Heck, pop it into your backpack and take it with you, if you’re so inclined – after all, what’s cooler than being cool? Minty-fresh and ice cold, that’s what.

Try: The Body Shop’s Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray, RM 45

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Fashion
Givenchy’s iconic Rottweiler print is given a graphic makeover
Black beauty

12.02.2017
By Buro247

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Since helming the brand in 2009, Ricardo Tisci has made Givenchy a street staple. Enter 2011, the French luxury house reached icon status when Tisci’s Rottweiler print debuted on the runway, becoming the unofficial emblem of Givenchy. Inspired by a Boy Scouts book, the growling canine motif was featured on every piece imaginable, from T-shirts to backpacks. A hit amongst the celebrities, stars including Usher, Rihanna and Kanye West were spotted donning the menacing dog.
While Tisci has announced his departure from the House earlier this month, the art director has given the menacing dog a makeover before his exit. No less fierce, the new manifestation sees the logo in a line-drawn format. Realized across a limited edition capsule collection for men, aptly named ‘The Rottweiler’, it is an extended part of the Givenchy’s Spring 2017 collection. Check out the cool white sketches in the gallery below:
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”Givenchy Spring/Summer 2017 Rottweiler Capsule Collection” rid=”4834″ order=”a_tstamp”}

Related stories:
Breaking: Riccardo Tisci leaves Givenchy after 12 years
10 Favourite Givenchy (by Riccardo Tisci) red carpet moments

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Travel
The latest Rimowa Essentials collection will have you gearing up for your next dreamy adventure

04.01.2021
By Sanjeeva Suresh

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Guide to ETIAS: The new travel pass for Malaysians visiting Europe

Yes, the government has just announced that Malaysia’s CMCO will be extended to the 14th of January while RMCO will be extended to the 31st of March. And while travelling abroad is still not permitted and Malaysians need to be extra cautious when travelling interstate, a reliable suitcase remains the number one travel essential when the borders do open up and things return to normal. Alternative: Staycations!

Photo: Rimowa
There are plenty of reasons to love Rimowa and now there are two more as the brand recently unveiled two new limited-edition colours to the Rimowa Essential collection. The new additions are inspired by nature and will have you yearning for an adventure. Previously, the inspiration came from the colours seen in Iceland’s majestic fjords. Now, it’s all about the exoticism of deserts, demonstrating that a Rimowa bag can be taken to just about any corner of the globe.

Photo: Rimowa
The first of the two subdued natural shades is the Desert Rose which features a dusty pink colour that is reminiscent of a beautiful evening skyline. Think pastel-skied sunsets meet your favourite childhood candy—it’s sweet, calm and serene. The next is Cactus and true to its name, the colour is both sharp and striking. This shade takes inspiration from the “moss green” seen on various succulents dotted across the desert.

Photo: Rimowa
What’s different about this collection isn’t just the addition of two new shades, it’s also the brand’s use of polycarbonate. The material is known for its durability, heat-resistance and is particularly useful in impact resistance. This latest Rimowa Essential range features a gleaming exterior with an expertly matched handle, badge, zipper and wheel housing for a look that will turn heads at baggage claim and hotel check-in.

Photo: Rimowa
The bags come in three different sizes, the “Cabin”, “Check-In” and the “Trunk Plus”. What better accessory to add to your luggage than a matching phone cover? This Rimowa collection also sees the addition of new cases for the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. They are chic, lightweight, shockproof and the thermoplastic polyurethane rubber provides a good grip and resistance against oil and grease.

Photo: Rimowa
The new shades of the Rimowa Essentials in the Desert Rose and Cactus will be available in selected Rimowa stores in Malaysia. You can get your hands on them from January 8th, 2021.
Find out more about Rimowa’s collection here.

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Froya launches another sweet treat

Music
Froya launches another sweet treat

01.07.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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First it was ‘Dark Chocolate’, then came ‘Sunny Side Down’. Now, just weeks before Froya is set to take the stage at Good Vibes Festival, she tantalises our (hearing) palate with her latest single, ‘Black Macaroon’.
The producer and singer-songwriter’s second release of the year, ‘Black Macaroon’ is a battle song of sorts, following the grittier edge of her previous two releases with a bold spirit. According to Froya, the song relates to one “struggling to escape anxiety, battling low self esteem and being overwhelmed by numerous insecurities…All before realising that we, ourselves, are our own biggest enemy”. It’s deeply personal and reflective, this one.
Devour ‘Black Macaroon’ in its entirety here:

See more Good Vibes Festival artist features here.

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24 Questions with Liyana Fizi

Culture
24 Questions with Liyana Fizi

10.11.2015
By Su Fen Tan

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1. How did you get involved with Titian Budaya?
I was graced with an invitation by the organizers to take part in Titian Budaya.

2. Your collaborations with Charlie Lim have always been a treat for the fans. Are there any other Singaporean artistes whom you’d love to work with?
Would love to collaborate with Sezairi one day 🙂

3. Favourite memory of Singapore?
As a kid, I fondly remember walking on Orchard Road with my family during school holidays, and feeling overexcited with the beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere!

4. How did you get into music?
I started playing around with the guitar and writing songs/lyrics at the age of 14. It has always been something that I’m fascinated with. I began performing at gigs and open mics with my band Estrella after completing university back in 2006.

5. Please describe your musical style?
Chilled, introspective, dreamy kind of pop stuff.

6. Who would you say has been your greatest influence, musically?
Joni Mitchell and P.Ramlee.

7. What are your constant sources of inspiration?
People are the most constant source of inspiration for me. The way we are and how we function as human beings – our nature, characters, emotions, memories, words, expressions, feelings, experiences etc.

8. You get to travel quite a bit for work. Which has been your favourite place to perform at?
My favorite outstation performance so far, is at Jarasum Jazz Festival in Korea.

9. Dream concert venue?
Too many to name.

10. Most defining moment in your career so far?
The moment when I received a carefully hand-written letter from a 10 year old, requesting for me to attend her school’s Canteen Day. I was so touched by her invitation and her effort. That’s when I realized that music makes me extremely happy. It touches others and brings me closer to strangers who relate to my music. To me, that is an amazing feeling.

11. Tell us about the sessionists you work with. How did you come to work together?
My sessionists are: Firdaus Zulkeple (Pito) on bass – he also played percussions for my old band Estrella, so we have worked together for about 8 years. Ruviyamin Ruslan on drums – Ruvi was introduced to me by Pito, as I was searching for sessionists after going solo in 2009. And my newest sessionist, Rudy Iskandar is from local KL band Nastia who I have worked with since 2012.
Music collaborators and sessionists are found through mutual friendships and introductions. The music scene in KL is pretty close-knit, and tons of friends end up playing or sessioning for one another.

12. If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?
I have previously worked as a PR practitioner/ Manager. If I was not a musician, I would most probably be busy pursuing more experience and growth in the PR/media industry.

13. A musical instrument you would love to be able to play?
I would love to play the piano well. I started picking it up about 2 years ago, and there is so much more to learn.

14. Thoughts on the local music industry?
It is thriving and bursting with new young talented musicians, songwriters, singers and performers. I’ve seen them myself at small gigs and cafes around town and am blown away every time. All of them will boom in due time, we just need to sit and wait.

15. Is there anything you would like to see done differently in the local music scene?
I am happy with the way local music is supported by organizers, media, brands and fans. There are plenty of good opportunities and outlets for independent artistes or up and coming acts, good music venues, and a growing appreciation for local talents. Of course there is always room for improvement i.e. we need better/ more radio airplay for local tunes. I feel that radio will help musicians a lot in building awareness for their songs. However, things are changing fast now with the availability of the Internet.

16. Music aside, what else are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about discovering new stuff – new ideas, people & experiences. I’m passionate about traveling, I’d like to do more of it. I love reading + animals + friends + flight tickets + desserts + cosy solitude.

17. Top 3 places in KL to chill out at?
These are my personal fav spots to chill out – Tous Le Jour bakery at Empire Damansara, Butter & Beans coffee at Seksyen 17 Petaling Jaya and Quartet in TTDI, KL.

18. Favourite cuisine?
Traditional Malay or Nyonya dishes and desserts. Banana leaf rice and cendol. And love Heong Peng biscuits. It’s a special kind of biscuit from Ipoh. I can live on those biscuits.

19. Things you never leave home without?
Wallet, mobile phone, power bank, lipbalm + sunblock.

20. What was the last favourite movie/TV show you watched?
Last fave movie was Polis Evo, it was pretty good!

21. Favourite Malaysian dishes?
Char Kuey Teow and Telur Masak Kicap with hot white rice.

22. What are 5 essential items we will find in your bag when travelling?
Money, passport, phone/power bank, earphones, clothes

23. Tell us one item off your bucket list.
To travel and visit world renowned art museums around the globe.

24. Where will we see you in the next 5 years?
I can’t foresee the future, but hopefully somewhere with a lot of sun, sea, passport stamps and music!

Liyana Fizi will be performing at Next Door @ Publika (part of Titian Budaya) on 21-22 November 2015.

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Skincare
This night cream costs RM900 and is totally worth it—here’s why

14.10.2021
By Redzhanna Jazmin

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In case you missed it, Elemis has finally arrived in the Malaysian market. This skin wellness brand was established in London in 1990, and has since gone on to garner a loyal celebrity clientele that includes the likes of Emily Blunt, Cara Delevingne, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Elemis was founded on the philosophy that your skin is a reflection of your lifestyle choices and that treating your skin has to come from the inside out. That’s why the brand boasts a product line-up that strikes the perfect balance between scientifically-proven results and wellness-driven rituals. In fact, Elemis was one of the very first brands to pioneer the use of natural ingredients in efficacious, clinically-vetted formulations for all skin sensitivities.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Elemis—the latest beauty brand on the block
I am a long-time fan of Elemis. I’ve been using their products for years (I particularly love their Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and their Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash), so I was thrilled to have them reach out to me for a review. The brand sent over their Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix—an anti-ageing night cream that has been formulated to smooth, firm, and hydrate your skin as you sleep.

The key ingredients in this night cream includes the brand’s Synergistic Microalgae Blend, Wild Indigo Oligosaccharides, and Drone Peptide Technology. These ingredients work together to create a protective matrix that seals in hydration, reduces the visible effects of modern skin stressors, and specifically targets wrinkles and sagging. Simply put, this product is a GPS that targets the signs of ageing and stress. By morning, you can expect to wake up with a complexion that looks rejuvenated, radiant and has visible bounce-back.
Getting ready to test drive this product, I had a look at the user trials. According to the trials, participants saw a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks. Does it sound too good to be true? I thought so too.
However, I thought it would be best to just try the product and see how it fared for myself. So, I’m here to report on how the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix performed during my 10-day review, complete with a telling before-and-after comparison that may just surprise you.
For context, at the beginning of this journey, my skin was not happy. In fact, this may have been the worst possible week for me to do this review. My oncoming period left my complexion looking dull, dehydrated, and sallow—for me, it’s business as usual at this time of the month.
Further, my terrible eating habits (governed entirely by my hormonal cravings) meant that my skin was covered in fresh, sugar-induced breakouts. I had also been sleeping very poorly in the past few weeks, which left me with a hefty pair of perpetual bags under my eyes. Needless to say, this night cream had its work cut out for it.

I wasn’t about to give it an easy ride, either—according to the brand, the protective matrix ensures that “you will always wake up looking like you slept well”. I intended to put that claim to the test. So, throughout my 10-day trial with the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix, I soldiered on and continued to sleep quite poorly. In fact, in the spirit of a fair assessment, I made little to no lifestyle changes during this review.
I also wanted to ensure that any changes in my skin could definitely be attributed to this night cream. As such, I used the cream as my only skincare step. The only other beauty products I used in this 10-day period were my usual go-tos:

The Kosé Sekkisei Skincare UV Gel, my current daily sunscreen
The Sisley Triple-Oil Cleansing Balm, which I used to remove my sunscreen and to carry out my twice-weekly 15-minute oil cleanse
The Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash, which contains salicylic acid to treat my acne
The Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, my daily physical exfoliant to help slough off my dead skin cells and allow the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix to better penetrate my skin
Whichever lip care product I had on hand at that particular point in time.

With this in mind, I was ready to be blown away. Once daily, I would take a pea-sized amount of the product (a little goes a very long way), warm it between my palms and gently smooth it onto my face, neck, and décolletage with upward strokes. The texture is beautifully rich and creamy, and leaves a luxuriously lightweight yet nourishing veil over the skin.
Here is what my skin looked like before and after my trial with the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix:

Now, the difference may not be obvious to you, but it is glaringly obvious to me. Overall, my skin looks more radiant, smoother, and more refined. My pores look less obvious (especially on and around my nose), my cheeks are far less blotchy, my skin looks glowy, and there has been a distinct improvement in the appearance of my acne scars.
The texture of my skin also looks much smoother than before—and it felt that way, too. Just compare my T-zone in the ‘before’ to the ‘after’. Obviously, my skin is by no means clear in the ‘after’ shot (nor would I expect it to be after just 10 days with this cream) but, to me, the improvement is marked.
As far as the claims of a more youthful-looking skin goes, I have to concur. If you look closely, you can see that the fine lines around my eyes have been plumped away. In addition, though I am equally sleep-deprived in both portraits, this cream has somehow made me look like I am a functioning human being in the ‘after’ shot.

I am aware that any before-and-after post is bound to have its naysayers. So, just in case you’re skeptical of my results, I would like to dispute any claims of image doctoring. Firstly, I kept the portraits as uniform as I possibly could—I used the same ring light setting and the same background for both pictures, and I did not retouch or filter the images in any way (that’s why my hair is such a mess, and why you can still see my real skin texture clearly in both pictures). The difference in shadows is caused by my change in hairstyle. I’m also not wearing any makeup in either of the portraits—just the Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry. Basically, if you happen to be seeing any significant changes, it’s probably because they are actually there.
Overall, this night cream was a pleasant surprise, to say the least. It did exactly what it said it would—and more. I am rarely so impressed with a product, but I do think that the results speak for themselves. On the whole, I think it’s safe to say that the Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix has cemented itself as a staple in my evening beauty routine.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix is available in the brand’s stand-alone stores at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and 1 Utama, and online here for RM900.
PSST: If the results of this review piqued your interest in the Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix, I bear some very good news: We’re doing a giveaway!
We’ve got three sets of the Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Best Trio (Worth RM555 each) up for grabs, which includes travel-sized editions of the brand’s Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix 15ml, Pro-Collagen Marine Cream 15ml, and Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm 20g.

If you’d like to enter this giveaway, here’s what you have to do:

Follow @buromalaysia and @elemis_my on Instagram
Fill in your details in the form below and tell us one thing that makes you feel beautiful
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TERMS & CONDITIONS
The BURO x Elemis Giveaway runs from Thursday, 14 October 2021 till Wednesday, 27 October 2021. Winners will be announced on Monday, 1 November, and will be contacted via email. Other terms and conditions apply*.
1. Employees of BURO Malaysia and its related corporations (“Indochine Media Ventures”) or BURO Malaysia partners and/or sponsors for the giveaway (if applicable), and their immediate family members (including spouses, children, parents, brothers and sisters) are not eligible to participate in the giveaway.
2. The winners of this giveaway are chosen at random.
3. This giveaway is organised by BURO Malaysia (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Organiser’).
4. The prizes for this giveaway are neither exchangeable for cash nor transferable.
5. All persons (‘Participants’) taking part in this giveaway agree that these rules shall be binding on them, and that the entries in this giveaway, including their name and likeness, may be used without restriction in any future publicity material by the Organiser.
6. The Organiser reserves the right to amend these rules or terminate the giveaway at any time at its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by the Organiser under these rules shall be final and no discussion or correspondence will be entertained. The Organiser may, but is not required to, justify any decisions relating to this giveaway.
7. The Participant acknowledges that the interest and good reputation of the Organiser are of paramount importance. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify a Participant from the giveaway, or to withdraw the prize if it is believed the Participant is in breach of its obligations under the rules. The Participants shall not by act or omission, directly or indirectly bring the Organiser into disrepute.
8. All entries are sent at the risk of the Participants and in the event that there are technical difficulties experienced arising out of the internet or from any associated equipment or internet security is compromised, the Organiser may at its sole and absolute discretion disqualify the entire entry and shall not accept any liability doing so.
9. Giveaway entries may only be submitted via the stated medium of communication.
10. This giveaway is open to anyone above 18 years old and within Klang Valley only.
11. Each entry must be completed in full. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any incomplete entries in its sole and absolute discretion.
12. Incomplete entries will be deemed void.
13. Winners will be notified via email.
14. Uses of ‘aliases’ shall be considered a form of deception and are prohibited.
15. The winner must produce their original IC / passport with legible IC / passport number in order to claim the prize. The winner may also be required to produce additional original proof of identity at the discretion of the Organiser.
16. All Prizes are accepted entirely at the risk of the winner, and the Organiser excludes all warranties in connection with the prize to the extent permitted by law.
17. All Participants release from, and indemnify the Organiser, its agencies, sponsors and representatives against, all liability, cost, loss or expense arising out of acceptance of any prize or participation in the giveaway including (but not limited to) personal injury and damage to property and whether direct or consequential, foreseeable, due to some negligent act or omission or otherwise.
18. All personal particulars furnished are meant for identification purposes and will not be sold or given to any third parties. In the case of giveaways, our partners may wish to offer you services which require your personal particulars. These specific requests will be expressly stated within relevant giveaways, with a choice to opt out.
19. Inability to contact the Lucky Winners by Friday, 5 November July will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.
20. Prizes are final; no cash equivalent or alternative prize will be given. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and strictly not for resale. If the winner is found to be selling the prize(s), the Organiser reserves the right to demand the return of the prize.
For more beauty reviews like this, click here.

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News
Here’s what you need to know about the Recovery MCO—beginning on 10 June 2020

02.10.2020
By Ronn Tan

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EDIT: 11 January 2021
Breaking: MCO for Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya) and four other states, effective 13 – 26 January 2021.
We’ve updated the story here for more info.
Update (12 October 2020):
Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be placed under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) from midnight 14 October to 27 October 2020.
During this period, inter-district travelling will not be allowed and only two persons from a household are allowed to go out at one time for essentials. Places that will be closed include schools, higher learning institutions, skills training institutes, kindergarten, nursery, tahfiz centres, public parks, recreational parks, mosques, and non-Muslim houses of worship.
In addition to night clubs and entertainment centres, sports activities, recreational, social, cultural, and wedding receptions will not be allowed.
The National Security Council will announce more detailed standard operating procedures (SOP) soon but for now—all economic activities in Selangor, KL, and Putrajaya can proceed as usual.
Update (5 October 2020):
Beginning 7 October 2020, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Putatan districts in Sabah will be put under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). According to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, “movement in and out of the areas under CMCO is strictly prohibited” and “only essential services, including factories and chains related to necessary services are allowed.” Businesses will only be allowed to open from 6am to 6pm and dine-ins will not be allowed.
He also said that this was decided in a meeting with the Ministry of Health (MOH), and Sabah’s state government. As of 4 October 2020, there are 12,381 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Malaysia—with 137 deaths.
Update (2 October 2020):
Beginning 3 October 2020, inter-district travel will be banned in Sabah. Restrictions will be in effect until 16 October, according to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. However, those in essential services will be exempted. If you’re working in a different district, you will need to show proof of work.
In addition, non-Sarawakians from Sabah and Labuan will be banned from entering Sarawak from 4 October until 18 October 2020. This is part of the state’s method of protecting the Sarawak, according to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
For Sarawakians in Sabah and Labuan that would like to return to the state, they will have to submit both the Enter Sarawak online application and e-health declaration form.
Update (10 September 2020):
According to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, operating hours for convenience stores and food outlets are now extended to 2am instead of 12am.
Update (28 August 2020):
The Prime Minister has announced that the RMCO will be extended to 31 December 2020. “The important thing is we must continue to get used to wearing face masks, washing our hands, maintaining personal hygiene, and avoiding crowded places. I believe we are all already doing this, which is why we have successfully prevented the spread of Covid-19 in our communities,” Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said during the announcement.

Update (6 August 2020):
To facilitate Covid-19 contact-tracing, the MySejahtera app will be made compulsory at all businesses with the exception of places with unstable Internet connection, such as rural areas.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said: “It is all right if [business premises] want to use other apps in addition to the MySejahtera App such as SeLangkah. But they must have the MySejahtera app.” The Attorney General Chambers will gazette the regulation soon.
As of 6 August 2020, Malaysia has 9,023 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 8,702 discharged and 125 deaths.

Update (1 August 2020):
According to Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, face masks will be mandatory in Malaysia whenever you’re in crowded public areas from 1 August 2020. A fine of up to RM1,000 will be given to those who do not comply—under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.
This includes cinemas, markets, and tourist destinations, as well as in public transportation such as trains, buses, and e-hailing vehicles. However, you are not required to wear a mask if you’re in your own private vehicle.

Update (21 July 2020):
Starting 24 July 2020, everyone returning to Malaysia from overseas will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine at hotels or quarantine centres. According to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, this rule applies to both Malaysians and non-citizens. They will also have to bear the total cost of the quarantine.
However, Malaysians no longer have to take a Covid-19 swab test three days prior to their flight from overseas. Non-citizens are still required to do so.

Update (14 July 2020):
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein announced that Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to implement Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) travel. This means that citizens from both countries are allowed to cross the border for work or official purposes—starting 10 August.
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said: “The RGL scheme will enable cross-border travels for essential business and official purposes between both countries. Eligible travellers will have to abide by prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries, including undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests. They will also be expected to submit to the relevant authorities of the receiving country a controlled itinerary and adhere to this controlled itinerary during their visit.”
In a joint statement with Singapore’s Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the pair mentioned that Singapore and Malaysia residents holding long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country are allowed to enter that country for work under the PCA scheme. 10 days prior to their implementation of the two schemes, requirements, health protocols, and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore will be published by both governments.
In addition to that, sports competitions and championships for non-contact sports—including diving, chess, racing, gymnastics, and badminton—are allowed starting 15 July. However, live spectators are still prohibited. Other sports such as silat, taekwondo, sepak takraw, squash, hockey, rugby, basketball, and football are also allowed except for competitions. This was announced by Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He added that local championships can reopen. They include Malaysia Rugby League, Sepak Takraw League (STL), Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), Malaysian Football League (MFL), Malaysia Premier League, and Malaysia Super League. However, health standard operating procedures (SOP) need to be followed at all times.

Update (10 July 2020):
Beginning 15 July, the 250-pax limit will no longer be in effect. According to Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the government has “agreed for the number of guests and participants to be based on the size of the event space and on condition that there is one-metre social distancing.” For example, only 800 people are allowed in a hall with a capacity of 1,000.
In addition to the above, “game arcades, indoor funfairs, edutainment centres, children’s play gym, machine operated amusement, game technology, and family karaoke centres” will also be allowed to start operating from 15 July. SOP that must be practised include maintaining social distancing, ensuring patrons have the MySejahtera app, taking temperature checks, and limiting the number of visitors to the size of the establishment. Take note that discos and pubs are still prohibited from operating.

Update (1 July 2020):
Beginning 3 July 2020, all mosques and suraus in Selangor will reopen for Friday prayers and daily congregational prayers—subject to SOPs. Depending on the mosque’s capacity, the number of congregants is set at a maximum of 500 people.
It was also announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) that the 2020 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or SPM will take place from 6 January 2021 to 9 February 2021. The specific dates for the beginning of the schooling year in 2021 will be revealed soon. You can read the full statement here.
Starting 1 July 2020, Malaysians can also start going to spa, wellness, and reflexology centres as they are now allowed to begin operations. SOPs such as wearing masks and taking temperature still apply. Take note that only local Malaysians are allowed in this context.
Remember that mandatory temperature checks are only required at building entrances. This means that you now only need to register at shops.

Update (25 June 2020):
From 1 July 2020, cinema, theatre operations, and indoor live events will be allowed to operate—according to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. However, strict SOPs set by authorities will have to be followed. Subject to hall capacity, attendance is limited to 250 people per show while practising social distancing.
In addition to that, the government will also allow recreational swimming in public swimming pools, hotel pools, condominiums and gated communities, as well as private swimming pools, the holding of meetings, conferences, seminars, courses, and training—beginning 1 July 2020. Water theme parks, however, are still not allowed to begin operations.
According to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, “these swimming pools should register the notification of opening with MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) and the local authorities for the purpose of compliance with the SOPs and monitoring by KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports)”. The website for MITI can be accessed here.

Update (18 June 2020):
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that restaurants can now operate at full capacity nationwide. This means that there will be no limit to the amount of people at a table. You are now allowed to dine with more than four people. However, compliance with SOP is still a necessity. Previously, restaurants were required to close at 10pm but they can now operate from 7am until 12am.
According to Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, Selangor exco for health, welfare, women empowerment, and family committee, non-Muslim places of worship can open their doors from 19 June 2020. However, they have to comply with standard operating procedures (SOP). Children below the age of 12 are prohibited from entering places of worship.

Update (12 June 2020):
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced that e-hailing and taxi services can operate without time limit. In addition to that, they are allowed to take in full capacity. As part of the SOP, drivers will have to make sure they have information of passengers for contact tracing.
Still on transport, the Defence Minister has also revealed that public buses, express buses, ferries, LRT. MRT, KTM, and planes are now allowed to operate on 100 per cent capacity—with the application of social distancing and SOP rules.
During RMCO, Friday prayers and the congregational obligatory prayers can be held in mosques nationwide. The surau is also subjected to the same rules to conduct prayers (with special permission). Face masks need to be worn at all times, worshipers are required to bring their own mat, and perform ablution at home. Worshipers are limited to one-third of the prayer space (or a maximum of 40).

Update (10 June 2020):
Students who are about to take important exams in Malaysia will be allowed to return to school by 24 June 2020. This includes SPM and similar examinations. Education Minister Dr. Mohd Radzi bin Md Jidin also mentioned that every class can only have a maximum of 20 students each—with food and drinks packed beforehand by canteen operators. Moreover, students are required to eat in their classrooms.
Food delivery services can now operate until 12am instead of 10pm (as observed during CMCO).
Beginning on 15 June, hiking will also be allowed.

***

It seems like Malaysians are gradually adapting to the “New Normal” and adhering to recommended standard operating procedures (SOPs) given by the government. With the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) scheduled to end on 9 June 2020, Malaysians were (unsurprisingly) waiting to find out if the CMCO will be extended.
The answer is—yes. During a live telecast on 7 June 2020, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the CMCO ending on 9 June will be extended to 31 August 2020 as Recovery MCO (RCMO). He also said that the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia is contained, but the public will still have to follow the SOPs provided to be safe. After all, there are no vaccines for the novel coronavirus yet.
“During the implementation period of RMCO, more restrictions will be relaxed to allow the public to carry out their daily activities while complying to the standard operating procedures”, he said during the announcement.
Here’s what you need to know:

Interstate Travel
Many Malaysians have been waiting for this. According to the Prime Minister, interstate travelling will be permitted—except to and from red zones. This also means that domestic tourism can start again. Thinking of that island trip you’ve been planning? It’s a dream, no more.
As for international travelling, the country’s borders are still shut. Hence, Malaysians won’t be able to go overseas any time soon.

Businesses and Leisure
During RMCO, almost all social, religious, business, and educational activities are allowed to resume in stages—including hair and beauty salons and open markets (starting 15 June). In fact, operation hours for businesses are to resume as normal with adherence to strict standard operating procedures (SOP). The SOP for visiting markets and bazaars can be found here.
Filming and indoor busking will be permitted as well as visiting museums and creative outlets. Furthermore, the government has given the green light to Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations and Qurban activities. However, organisers are required to enforce and follow SOPs. The Prime Minister also said that an announcement will be made regarding allowing more worshippers to join congregational prayers at mosques and surau.
Some things that are barred during RMCO are large gatherings, reflexology centres, karaoke centres, theme parks, and nightclubs. During RMCO, shops (including restaurants, convenience stores, and mamaks) will be allowed to open until 12am.

Sports
Although recreational activities and sports are allowed during RMCO, sports events, competitions, and contact sports are still prohibited. This includes hockey, football, boxing, wrestling, and rugby.
You are allowed to cycle and go for activities such as bowling, archery, and badminton. Gyms, sports complexes, and badminton halls will be able to operate starting 15 June 2020. When exercising, Malaysians need to practise social distancing of three to five metres.

Schools
The Education Ministry will make an announcement soon but schools will re-open in stages. Students have been on an extended school holiday since 14 March 2020.
Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said that only Form Five and Form Six students will be involved in the re-opening of schools for now.

Home Quarantine
Malaysians returning from abroad no longer have to be quarantined at designated quarantine centres. They will be given a swab test upon landing and those who test positive will be sent to the hospital. As for Malaysians that test negative for COVID-19, they are required to quarantine at home for 14 days. The two-week period is mandatory.
According to Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, “they are required to download the MySejahtera application and wear the quarantine wristbands for identification purposes. Their movements will be monitored through the MySejahtera application”.

The Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) is slated to run until 31 August 2020. The implementation of RMCO will be based on protection of risk groups, community responsibility empowerment, embracing the “New Normal”, re-opening of all sectors of the economy, border control, and enhanced public health. What are your thoughts on RMCO and where in Malaysia will you be going to? As we wait for more updates, stay safe and continue to practise social distancing.
For more information on CMCO, click here.

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Balenciaga AW22 collection in photos

Fashion
Balenciaga AW22 collection in photos
While guests sat safely behind a protective glass screen, models walked down the circular runway in a snowstorm wearing pared-down looks with bold silhouettes, hybrid stretch dresses and exaggerated accessories. With this show, Creative Director Demna Gvasalia’s goal was to evoke and represent the hardship and desperation he had gone through as a young refugee in a war-torn country. Swipe through to see all the looks!

10.03.2022
By Sarah Hani Jamil

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Couture wedding gowns that will make you feel like a fairytale princess

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Culture
#BuroAList: Malaysian entrepreneurs get real with their work performance

20.06.2018
By Wei Yeen Loh

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This week on #BuroAList, we invited Kendrick Wong, CEO of Omnilytics and Shoppr, and Jeffri Cheong, co-founder and managing director of Kaodim, for a round table on their work performance. As it is that time of the year at work again (for appraisals, we mean), we let them decide for themselves on whether they’ve done a great job as an employer, grilling them thereafter on their key goals and past projects. Scroll down to find out more on their thoughts on their respective industries and key attributes that make a successful entrepreneur:
Kendrick Wong | Omnilytics and Shoppr

At only 26 years old and helming a data mining and marketing analytics company, Kendrick can be termed as a maverick in his field. Having started his first company at the age of 18 and selling it off at 22, he decided to build Shoppr back in 2014 with a vision of enriching the retail world with the power of data, and also because he was hungry for a challenge. Previously dabbling with the fashion industry, he spent the past three years amassing data from brands and retailers in the fashion industry, leading to the launch of Omnilytics today.

Share with us how Omnilytics started out, and what your company can offer to the market.
Back then, we realised there was a gap between reliable data that is provided in the market, online data and accessibility of that data by brands so we decided to connect the dots together. Often times, traditional market intelligence companies are unable to verify the source and the accuracy of the data, but Omnilytics can achieve that with a single click. Everything happens in real time and with 150 million SKUs on our dashboard currently, most of our clients refer us as their secret weapons where we help them in identifying market sizing, market trends, competitor comparison and more. We track every individual products on site — including the exact time of it selling out, when it gets replenished and the number of replenishments over its lifetime.

As South East Asia’s first fashion analytics platform, what are some of the challenges when it comes to fronting a market intelligence company at this day and age?
The perception of “stealing data and selling to competitors” is entirely false, and data mining is still highly relevant in the Malaysian market. A lot of education needs to be done, which can lead to difficulties in acquiring clients locally in Malaysia. But what the local clients don’t see is that they are missing out on an opportunity to access the world.
We have major retailers such as Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, ASOS, Nastygal, Zalora, Sephora and brands like Gucci, Celine, Aldo, Zara, just to name a few, where trends and strategies can be studied in real-time on our dashboard. As such, we have now shifted our client acquisition efforts to the rest of Southeast Asia, and some major fashion powerhouses have successfully implemented our services into their daily operation.

What are your thoughts on the Malaysian fashion market right now?
It’s definitely blooming. The rate of growth in ready-to-wear businesses is absolutely delightful to observe but if we’re talking about large-scale growth of the industry, that will only come with the adoption of data. A good example is retailers such as Boohoo or Zara — you’ll see how data plays an integral role in the success of a business. It’s a mixture of art and science. The rise and fall of local brands happens rapidly and it’s sad to see part of the business struggle is not knowing how to manipulate and interpret the vastness of data that they have acquired.
The comparison of competitors is equally as important as studying your own data because it helps you to position yourself better in the industry. Most of the decisions made by local fashion and beauty SMEs are based on gut feelings — which is very dangerous because it helps the business scale in an irregular rate that will eventually reach a stagnant stage where growth is almost deficit.

What are your thoughts on the future of data mining?
The future of data mining is distributed. Data mining is useless unless there’s processing behind it which can be turned into a business case, like what Omnilytics does. The future of data mining will be an extensive extension of different channels — that we can harvest data from anywhere in the world. More of our automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence will be implemented onto the process of data mining, and auto scraping from many geographical sites to obtain different types of information on the same subject.
I think there will be a smarter, more extensively distributed, and faster way of data mining. And it will be implemented to not only fashion but every possible industries in the market, e.g. beauty, home & living, business costs, etc. Businesses no longer need to hire an army of customer service and surveyors because a single computer will be able to achieve the same result or a better result in servicing many customers at the same time.

What is one thing that a potential client should know about Omnilytics?
You can now access to the world at your fingertips, from anywhere you are. Monitoring competitors and exploring the potential of a market that a business intends to venture into, understanding pricing to sizes of different markets is all on our dashboard. And for the first time, businesses can get exclusive access to accurate online market sizing — meaning that they can now position their brands better compared to other players who are on the same vertical.

What have you learned about leadership so far?
That communications is key no matter what. No one is less important or too important in an organisation. Keeping the communication lines open is the hardest yet the easiest thing to do, but it is also the most important (and often overlooked) thing to do.

What are some of the top qualities an entrepreneur should have?
Definitely passion but most importantly, perseverance to get through both the good and bad times. Passion without perseverance is like a five-second rah-rah session. When faced with obstacles that are common in any business, the latter is what will get you through.

What advice would you give an aspiring entrepreneur?
Find a mentor and ask plenty of questions like your life depends on it. Also, make sure that you understand the business, find the right team and always be prepared for the bad times and challenges before you reach your peak.

If you weren’t a CEO of Omnilytics, what would you be doing right now?
Working to be the CEO of Omnilytics!

Are there any plans on expanding your reach to other markets i.e. outside of fashion retailing?
Definitely. We are already working towards it by raising funds at the moment so we can scale to markets beyond Southeast Asia as we are already in all major SEA markets. Additionally, we are scaling new industries and are aiming to cut 50% of the time and resources that are typically spent on a traditional expansion strategies by utilising our own data to identify brands we can help and work with.

What exciting projects can we expect from you next?
We are now working towards our ICO in Singapore. We have been implementing blockchain into our technology and leveraging crowd-sourcing to train our artificial intelligence system — which powers our fashion data and is instrumental in our business as we must show provenance of data. It allows us to train our artificial intelligence to serve new markets. We’ve just expanded into the beauty market and we’re planning to delve into home & living, electronics, FMCG, financial markets and more in the future.

Jeffri Cheong | Kaodim

After realising that there was no proper platform for service providers in Malaysia, Jeffri decided to quit his 9 to 5 job as a commercial and intellectual property litigation lawyer, kickstarting Kaodim with co-founder Choong Fui-Yu. As the managing director of the startup, Jeffri now manages a team of 80 people across four countries in Southeast Asia. Last November, Kaodim successfully raised $7 million in a round of funding, with a focus on marketing and expansion this year.
What made you decide to start Kaodim?
I always wanted to live a life of creativity and authenticity, so I thought the best way of doing that was to start a business of my own. At the same time, we were seeing a lot of things that we do everyday being digitally assisted. You can shop online, you can get from one place to another using an app, but no one was trying to tackle the problem of finding a plumber or a contractor. That was a major pain point where we did not see any digital assistance or improvement.
On the service provider’s side, a lot of these small businesses are also struggling to get customers and to grow their businesses using their mobile phones. So there was a business opportunity there, and aligning that with my desire to live creatively and authentically, as well as to deliver social impact to millions of people in Southeast Asia, it is my true work and I’m really happy with what I’m doing now.

What is one thing first-time Kaodim users should know?
It’s a product that allows you to find almost any type of home service that you need, whether it’s a mover, air-con servicing, a contractor or a cleaner. You can get reviews from other customers who have hired them to be assured that the decision you’re making is the right one. All the service providers are verified and background-checked by us. We’re with you every step of the way to make sure that your experience from start to end is a satisfactory one.

How was the transition like, from being a lawyer to leading your own startup?
Entrepreneurship now is a life of really high rewards and very bad lows — it fluctuates tremendously. There’s no consistency, stability or certainty to it. Now I take a lot of risks and sometimes a lot of these decisions don’t pan out the way that you want it to. You need to understand that this is the life that you’ve chosen, this is the path that you’ll be taking and you need to be very comfortable with that. There’s a lot of anxiety involved and you might go a little bit crazy sometimes, but it can also be very rewarding when you make the right decisions.

Describe some of the challenges that you’ve faced with your startup from the beginning vs. now.
At the beginning, I was doing everything myself. It was just me and my co-founder working out of the house, so I was doing things like getting all the quotations from the service providers manually, learning the basics of digital marketing — these were all very new to me, so that was quite challenging. But now the business has stabilised a lot so it’s all about working with the team to figure out how do we get better and improve. Now that the product has exceeded the original aspirations that we had, how do we take it to the next level?

Back then, you were one of the first home service platforms. But now that there are similar apps out there, how do you distinguish yourself from the rest?
What I hear from our service providers is that we provide them with the most leads compared to anyone else. I think that is very important — that we are giving them a tremendous amount of stability for their businesses to grow. On the customer’s side, we are making sure that we are really fast with the responses and that the quality of the service providers is high. We also offer them money-back guarantees, insurance — basically we’re focussing on the product and the technology to make sure that the experience on both the vendors and customers’ sides is really flawless.

What are the key areas of expansion you’re looking to focus on with the recently acquired funding?
We’re able to hire a lot of people that we weren’t able to hire before along with building up divisions within teams. Money is also going into product development to see how we can improve the product even more, and also to use that technology to automate a lot of things that were previously done manually. We’ve also moved into a new office recently. Everyone is really happy with the new space, and it’s a great sign of things to come.

What has this journey taught you about leadership so far?
I’m still learning and growing as a leader. I think that you need to give your team empowerment, discretion and flexibility to try and achieve things that they thought was not possible. At the same time you need to give them the guidelines and the support in doing that, and set difficult targets for them to hit while also supporting them so they can graduate through those targets. Empathy and compassion are also really important. I think these are the things that have worked pretty well for me so far.

What are some of the top qualities that an entrepreneur should have?
I think you’ve got to be very creative. You need to have very powerful daily habits and routines that allow you to increase the chances of fortune coming at you. I think that if you’re consistent and diligent with your good habits, then success will be more likely. You should also persevere and remain positive all the time.

What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
You shouldn’t get into a business if you’re doing it with the sole intention of making a lot of money. You should do it if it’s going to make you happy, if it’s going to give you a life of authenticity and allow you to feel free and liberated — I think that’s the most important thing.

If you weren’t the MD of Kaodim, what would you be doing now?
I have tonnes of ideas, a lot of different projects and cool stuff that I have in my head. If I had time to do all of that, I’d definitely try out some of those things. If I could do something that associated with art and music, both of which I love, that would probably be pretty fun.

What exciting projects do you have coming up?
Right now we’re fully focussed on growing the business and making Kaodim an even better experience for both vendors and customers. So expect a lot of product improvements and developments in the coming year. There could be some personal art and music projects but I don’t think anyone is going to want to see those (laughs).

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#KLFW2015 Highlights of Day 1

Fashion
#KLFW2015 Highlights of Day 1
Modern geometry

14.08.2015
By Wei Yeen Loh

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As Day 1 of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2015 came and went, we’ve had a healthy dose of geometrics and prints, dreamy silhouettes and a dash of black and white here and there. Here are the highlights you should know from Wednesday, along with what we personally love from the runway:
1. Cassey Gan never disappoints with her wearable pieces of art—culottes, dresses and tops in brilliantly-hued geometric lines and curves of yellow, grey and mint green on midnight blue made most of her collection.
2. We’re glad that MimpiKita didn’t steer far from their signature style: dreamy and ultra feminine sheer silhouettes in muted shades of off-white and orange pinks with finely-detailed appliqués.
3. Afiq M’s rockstar-inspired pantsuit proves that androgyny still is and always will be trending.
4. A cocktail event at our digital lounge in the evening saw guests including Friends of Buro 24/7 Malaysia, fashion designers from KLFW and brand managers from luxury labels sipping bubbly while getting their hair and makeup retouched, thanks to L’Oreal Hair and Bobbi Brown Malaysia; even better yet, snap a GIF image with our own photobooth at the lounge—we promise that it’s plenty of fun!
{insert gallery tpl=”slide-freesize.tpl” id=”KLFW Day 1″ rid=”3218″ order=”a_tstamp”}

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Technology
BURO Gadget Guide: 5 New gadgets on our radar this July 2022
Technology, reinvented

28.07.2022
By Phyll Wu

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In this month’s edition of BURO Gadget Guide, we have rounded up something new, something improved, and something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for the latest smartphone, a portable projector, or a lightweight tech companion to help you take on your next project, read on to find out what’s new for your consideration.
Nothing Phone (1)

Nothing is the latest brand that has been generating buzz in the world of tech recently, especially in view of its creator, former OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei. Since releasing the Nothing Ear (1) Earbuds following its launch last year, tech geeks have been patiently anticipating what else the mysterious start-up had to offer. Well, the wait is finally over—presenting the Nothing Phone (1). So, what’s all the hype about?

As promised by Nothing, the new smartphone does indeed offer something a little different. Its futuristic design flaunts a transparent back with LED lights called ‘Glyphs’ that display unique light patterns triggered by notifications, charging status, incoming calls, and more—while also serving as a portable ring-light for snapping pictures in the dark. The Nothing Phone (1) also boasts a pair of 50MP camera lenses that capture images with crisp details and shoot exceptionally stable videos.
Unlike many gadgets in the market, the Nothing Phone (1) is brought to life with environmental impact in mind. Its sleek body is made with 100 per cent recycled aluminum and over 50 per cent of its plastic components come from bio-based and recycled sources. Another notable mention is its 15W wireless charging capabilities, providing a full charge within 120 minutes.
Price: RM2,399
Availability: Crossover online store
For more details, visit the Nothing website.
Huawei MateBook D16

Arriving as the latest addition to Huawei’s MateBook series is the all-new MateBook D16, now with major updates and a completely new metal case reflecting the design of the MateBook 16s. Upgrading the typical 16:9 display panel to a more conventional 16:10, the MateBook D16 provides a wider view with a 1920 x 1200px resolution.

The new lightweight yet powerful laptop features a 12th Gen Intel Core H-Series Processor and for the first time ever, the MateBook D16 will also include a full 1.5mm key travel and numeric keypad.
Price: RM3,999
Availability: Pre-order from 27 July to 5 August 2022 on the Huawei online store
For more information, visit the Huawei website.
Samsung The Freestyle

If you’ve been keeping up with the latest trendy gadget on social media, you’re probably familiar with The Freestyle. Taking entertainment technology to the next level, The Freestyle is an ultra-portable smart projector with high-quality visuals and 360-degree immersive audio. It allows users to enjoy a breathtaking entertainment experience on any adventure thanks to its portability, weighing only 0.7 kilograms.

With a variety of ways to stream content, all you need to do is place it on a flat surface, power it up via a Micro-HDMI cable, lock in your preferred angle, and leave it up to The Freestyle to automatically adjust the screen with its Auto Keystone feature, while its processor self-adjusts the lens. On top of that, the Auto Focus feature will ensure that the graphics remain crystal-clear along with Auto Leveling to keep the screen horizontal, even if it’s positioned on a tilted surface.
Price: RM4,999
Availability: Samsung’s online store, Lazada, Shopee, and all authorised Samsung dealers nationwide
For more information, visit the Samsung website.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Xiaomi has finally unveiled the new Xiaomi 12S Series that is co-engineered with Leica —the culmination of the Strategic Partnership in Imaging Technology between Xiaomi and Leica, presenting a new standard for smartphones and photography. With Leica’s in-depth understanding of optics, image processing, and image quality paired with Xiaomi’s expertise in smartphone computing photography, the Xiaomi 12S Series shines a spotlight on its range-topping model—the Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

The primary camera of Xiaomi 12S Ultra adopts an 8P aspheric lens enhanced with anti-glare lens coating, lens edge ink coating, cyclic olefin copolymer material, and infrared light filter with spin coating technology, which addresses common photography issues such as flare, ghosting, and chromatic aberration. It is also the first Android device to support Dolby Vision HDR video recording and playback, offering vivid colours, sharper contrast ratio, and richer details, while the HyperOIS ensures ultra-stable performance.
Equipped with two proprietary Xiaomi Surge chips, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra supports 67W wired fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging to keep up with the needs of performance users. Additionally, it adopts a whole new three-dimensional leaf vein pump cooling system with a bionic design that enhances heat dissipation performance, improves battery health, and offers lower heat emission and power consumption under high-load computing scenarios.
Price: ~RM3,957.02 to RM4,616.64
Availability: At the moment, the Xiaomi 12S series is only available in China, via the Xiaomi online store
For more information, visit the Xiaomi website.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Weighing only 1,127 grams and equipped with a large precision trackpad, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is the ideal companion for the classroom, office, coffee shop, and anywhere you may find yourself. Users can expect enhanced graphics and sound quality during video calls with a vibrant 3:2, 12.4-inch PixelSense touch display and an improved HD camera complemented with dual Studio Mics. It packs the power of the Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Following the signature Microsoft Surface efficient design, the Surface Laptop Go 2 features an Instant On and Windows Hello through the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button.

Price:

Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD for RM3,488
Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD for RM3,788

Availability: All authorised Microsoft retailers such as All IT, Gloo by SNS Network, Harvey Norman, PC Image, Senheng, and TMT by Thundermatch, as well as Maxis
For more information, visit the Microsoft website.
Stay updated with the latest tech launches in our monthly BURO Gadget Guide here.

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Lifestyle
Bella Kuan stars in Cathay Pacific’s ‘The Sounds of Travelling Well’ campaign
Discover #lifewelltravelled

25.07.2017
By Rachel Au

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We often talk about the sights we encounter on our travels. Even an Instagram photo is still a visual form. Cathay Pacific Airways’ new campaign challenges people to discover travelling from a different perspective: Sound.
Because it’s true—visiting a foreign and new place evokes all our senses that help create a memory. The familiar pre-announcement chimes of KLIA. The sound of luggages being wheeled with its owners in a rush to the gate. The noise an airplane makes as it takes off.

The campaign aptly titled ‘The Sounds of Travelling Well’ features Bella Kuan travelling to Hong Kong and Japan, and with her, a soundman with his furry boom mic. But it’s not just another visual travel diary. The soundtrack of the video is completely put together by the sounds recorded on her trip—the beeps made by a changing traffic light in Hong Kong, the crisp chop of a bamboo from a ceremony in Kyoto, everything.

A post shared by Isabella Wong (@bellakuan) on Jun 23, 2017 at 10:40pm PDT

Fun fact: The catchy ‘song’ is made by Fuse Asia, the same people who created Ikea’s “Get Cheras To Cheras” jingle. Watch the video below for an instant spike of wanderlust.

For more info, visit Cathay Pacific Airways Malaysia’s Facebook.

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Travel
7 Things you can do at Leica’s theme park, Leitz Park

10.07.2018
By Rachel Au

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With its wide open space peppered with four building complexes that boast of concrete architectural beauty, Leitz Park is a minimalist’s dream. Or rather, it was a dream to bring the brand back to its birthplace, the quaint town of Wetzlar. After all, it was here where the company branched out from its initial production of glasses, telescopes and binoculars to the compact 35mm film camera that would forever change the world of photography and make Leica a name to be known. I’ll save the history lesson for later — or you could always pop by the newly-opened Leitz Park for a more in-depth experience. I was there at the opening and I can assure you that it’s worth the trip if you’re a cult Leica fan.

1. Check in at the Leica hotel
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Officially called the arcona Living Ernst Leitz Hotel, it houses 129 rooms, apartments and suites; a common lounge area and a restaurant. The mood of the hotel is as minimal as the amenities within the room — expect only your most basic comforts met — while the design concept for the hotel is meant to reflect the various elements of photography. For example, 250 stunning works by more than 60 photographers make up for most of the art pieces around the building. In fact, each room features a different photograph and the wallpaper actually takes after the Ur-Leica’s drawing plans.

2. ‘Eyes wide open! 100 years of Leica photography’ at the Leitz-Park museum

Right next to the hotel is my favourite building in the whole of Leitz Park. There are a few things you can do here. One of them is checking out the anniversary exhibition, ‘Eyes wide open! 100 years of Leica photography’. Curated by Hans-Michael Koetzle and available only till October 2018, it features an impressive collection of 35mm images by Leica photographers, including the iconic kiss shared between a sailor and a nurse on Long Island. When you’re done, you can shop for souvenirs at the shop downstairs.

3. Or head upstairs to take a photo from the ‘lens’ of the building
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This floor is meant more for meetings and presentations but there is a mini balcony area where you can get a bird’s eye view of the compound. From below, you’ll be able to see that it’s actually in the designed to look like the body of the camera’s lens.

4. Sift through the Leica Archives
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Because we were there at the opening, Leitz Park actually included the archives as part of the tour.  Otherwise, it’s only open to departmental specialists, collectors, journalists and researchers as the staff is still arranging all the assets. These very assets, however, are phenomenal. From old plans to memorabilia commemorating every milestone to a replica of the Leica (Red) Camera designed by Apple’s Jony Ive and Marc Newson for Bono of U2’s charity (fun fact: it fetched US$1.8 million at the auction). While you can’t enter the Leica Archives, you can have a peek through the window at the museum.

5. Dive into the World of Leica at the Leica Galerie
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The building itself could well be the poster child of Leitz Park with its familiar red dot and a design meant to mirror the shape of a film roll and a loose strip flowing out of it. But enter the bright space and you could easily spend a day here. There are numerous exhibitions here, including having a look at how Leica products are manufactured and assembled; the extensive collection of historical cameras and lenses; and of course, some of the best works of the Leica Hall of Fame Award 2018 recipient, which was given to American photographer Bruce Davidson (this one’s only available till September 2018).

6. Shop at the Leica Store

Didn’t see anything you want at the museum shop? There’s more here, including the Huawei P20 smartphones (which features a Leica-powered camera), their wide range of cameras (including the Leitz Park-exclusive Leica M10, Leica Q and Leica D-Lux) and accessories, merchandise and the list goes on.

7. Take a break at Café Leitz

The Instagram-worthy spot doubles as a cafe offering some of the best coffees and teas as well as a wide range of biscuits and cakes baked by their very own master confectioner. Watch the day go by, run through the photos in your camera and just relax. It’s been a long day, after all.

For more info, visit their website. Leica’s Leitz Park is located at Am Leitz Park 5, 35578 Wetzlar, Hesse, Germany

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Technology
Apple AirPods Pro 2 review: The upgrades that matter
The second generation of AirPods Pro

23.12.2022
By Rachel Au

PHOTOS: APPLE

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The latest AirPods Pro may look similar to its predecessor, but its new features are probably worth the upgrade.
At first glance—even after a few months of using it—I, too, won’t be able to tell the difference between the two generations of AirPods Pro. Design-wise, not much has changed, and the clearest indicator that you’re holding the AirPods Pro 2 is the spot for a lanyard loop at its side. That, and the new speakers at the bottom of the case. However, it’s a design that works—it’s light, minimal and compact. The good stuff is within, after all.
Ahead, I’ve listed the upgrades that make it a worthy purchase.

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2x more Active Noise Cancellation
Previously, I was a tried-and-true fan of the AirPods Pro for its noise-cancelling capabilities. I’m no audiophile, but it was a great companion on commutes, at work and home. It blocked out the necessary distractions to allow better immersion, be it tuning out for work or enjoying whatever choice of entertainment of the hour. But then, I put on the AirPods Pro 2 for the first time, and the world was silent. Voices were inaudible, the bass was punchier, and the audio generally had better clarity and definition.
Other noise-cancelling headphones might appeal better to audiophiles, but for the everyday user, the AirPods Pro 2 is more than satisfactory as a whole. As I type this in my room with a fan blasting at me, admittedly, I can still hear its slight whirring sounds. On a train in Tokyo, I could still hear the beeps and alarms at a muffled decibel, but on a long-haul flight, the airplane noise was quiet, with only the crew’s announcements seeping through with an echo effect. But in the face of someone speaking to me, no words could be heard.

With Personalised Spatial Audio, listening with the AirPods Pro 2 is even more immersive as it requires setting up a personal profile that detects the size and shape of your head and ears so that sound is precisely tuned for you. And it includes dynamic head tracking, so it feels as if the artist is performing right there with you—or you’re genuinely getting coached by Ted Lasso.
Let’s not also forget the Ear Tip Fit Test! The box includes four sizes of flexible silicone ear tips (from XS to L). Try them on individually with the Ear Tip Fit Test (available on the iPhone) to find the best acoustic seal and fit for you.

Adaptive Transparency
I rarely put it on Adaptive Transparency mode, though it has been vastly improved thanks to the powerful H2 chip. Under this mode, listeners can tune in to their devices while staying connected with their surroundings. But sometimes, some noises are too loud for our ear health’s sake. With the improvement of the H2 chip, loud environmental noises such as a passing vehicle siren, construction work and speakers at a concert are significantly reduced for more comfortable listening.

Battery life

This made all the difference. With travel back in full swing, it was good to rely on the AirPods Pro 2 throughout a long flight. I like to load up my iPad with shows to watch or games to play versus using the in-flight entertainment system. But I would use wired earphones since the first generation of AirPods Pro wouldn’t last long enough on a flight to anywhere beyond Southeast Asia. However, putting them back in the case would boost them up pretty quickly, but I was too lazy to handle that disruption.
On the other hand, the AirPods Pro 2’s battery life is a total game-changer, clocking in at six hours of listening time (ANC mode) on a single charge or a total of 30 hours with the charging case. And a mere five minutes in the case instantly boosts the battery by one hour of listening time. So I can attest that the new AirPods Pro are disruption-free and perfect for travelling.

MagSafe Charging Case
MagSafe Duo Charger, RM589
Getting an audio-listening device from Apple makes a lot of sense if you’re already invested in most of its ecosystem. The downside is the number of chargers or cables you need to juice up everything simultaneously. While some might not be impressed by the AirPods Pro 2 now being paired with a MagSafe charging case, I found it incredibly useful, having more fluidity in how and when I charge my devices, especially when travelling. The MagSafe Duo Charger is my travel must-have; now, I can place the AirPods Pro 2 on either the designated iPhone spot or the Apple Watch spot. Yes, you can charge the AirPods Pro 2 with your Apple Watch charger, in addition to the traditional method of using the lightning cable.

Precision Finding
The newly designed charging case—that’s also sweat- and water-resistant—features a built-in speaker so it can send louder pings to make it even easier to locate. With Precision Finding, you can use your iPhone’s Find My app to locate the case and the individual left or right bud. That includes location tracking and sending out pinging tones if you misplace them in your house or bag.

Enhanced Touch control

The new AirPods Pro 2 buds have been redesigned to include Touch control, allowing you to swipe up or down on the stem to control the volume instantly. Otherwise, like before, you can press the stem to use Siri, change music, answer phone calls and more.

Should you get the AirPods Pro 2?
I love it for being an all-in-one package. Firstly, it offers even better active noise cancellation with no compromise on the battery life. It’s light, pocketable and fits in my tiniest handbag. Plus, it’s easier to find with its louder pings. This is perfect for everyday use if you have yet to procure active noise-cancelling earphones. If you have a previous generation of AirPods or AirPods Pro and have the monetary means, I would highly recommend upgrading to this second generation of AirPods Pro for the long term, primarily due to its battery life.

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) retails at RM1,099. For more information or to make a purchase, head to their website.

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Motoring
Buro Driving School: What to check on your car before you balik kampung/go on a long road trip

31.05.2019
By Rachel Au

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Come Raya season, the Balik Kampung song by Sudirman is sure to be one of the anthems for the celebration. While it does take a lot of strategic planning (should we leave on the weekend before Raya or on the eve of Raya?), mostly to avoid the dreaded journey and possible traffic, one shouldn’t forget about checking the car to make sure it’s road trip-ready. Ideally, the real cheat is to send your car for service before the trip, but otherwise, Erik Winter, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM), has a simple three-point checklist for you, as well as some extra tips, to help you prepare for your balik kampung journey.
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Three important things to check on the car before a long drive
1. Engine oil

Make sure your car is parked with the engine turned off, pop open your bonnet and look for the ring of the dipstick. Pull it out and clean off any excess oil with a cloth or a paper towel. Dip the stick back in and pull it out again, paying close attention to the oil level. The level should be between the two marked points on the dipstick. If the level is low, top up your car’s engine oil.
2. Tires

Your tires are your car’s only contact with the road and ensuring that they are in the best condition helps increase your fuel economy. If your tires are poorly inflated, they are prone to blowouts and it can be difficult to brake or steer. In Volkswagen cars, this is made easier as the Volkswagen tire pressure load indicator will help warn the driver if the tires are over or under-inflated. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for any damages such as stuck nails, swelling and treadwear depth and grooves before you begin your journey.
READ MORE: Does driving in eco mode really save fuel?
3. Wipers

Parking under the hot sun can sometimes harden or damage the rubber. Before a long drive, check your wipers to ensure they are in good working condition for clear visibility. Be sure to also check on your washer fluid level—it is always good to top up before your long drive. Tip: Use the Volkswagen Genuine Windscreen Cleaner for a squeaky-clean windscreen.
READ MORE: 6 Hidden gems in Malaysia worth going on a road trip for
Driving tips and more for long drives
1. Use cruise control
It really is heaven-sent for long-distance driving as it not only helps reduce driver fatigue but also increases fuel efficiency. It takes the strain of your journey by maintaining your vehicle speed, so your right foot can take a break once awhile. Fun fact: Volkswagen offers the cruise control function as standard on all models sold in Malaysia.
2. Know your warning lights
When driving, it is important to always be alert of your surroundings as well as the other drivers on the road. But you also need to keep an eye on your car’s dashboard. Take the time to read the manual to familiarise yourself with the respective warning icons and what they mean.
3. Notice the small things
While driving, take note of how your car feels and responds. Look out for small changes such as sudden wobbliness of the tires, unresponsive steering, unusual noises, or sluggishness in the way the car responds. These could be signs that something is not right, so head over to the nearest car workshop for a quick check if any lights go on.
4. Keeping a safe distance
Always keep a safe distance from the car in front of you and don’t tailgate other cars as you may not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. A safe distance in-between car is about 2 seconds from the car in front of you.
5. Pack along your charger cables
Don’t leave it in the boot only to realise you need it mid-journey on the highway. Keep it juiced up so you can jam to endless Spotify playlists while driving. It also helps to keep you awake and alert. Some impromptu car-aoke performance won’t hurt either.
Do you have more burning questions about cars or driving tips and tricks? DM us on Instagram or shoot us an email at [email protected] and you might see it in a future Buro Driving School story.

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Watches
Understated yet beautiful jewellery that won’t outshine the bride
Simple elegance

01.05.2018
By Su Fen Tan

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It is an unspoken rule that one should not upstage the bride at the wedding—it’s her big day after all—yet you’ll still want to dress your best out of respect for the occasion (and don’t forget, all the photos!). When it comes to the perfect wedding guest ensemble, we’d say that jewellery can play a pretty big part. Pick jewels that will make you shine, but not outshine the bride. It’s a delicate balance. Below, we’ve got just the list that will do the trick:

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1. Ellery Babylon flounce earrings
2. Balenciaga faux pearl earrings
3. Loren Stewart gold and white topaz hoop earrings
4. Piaget Possession rose gold, carnelian and diamond cuff
5. Chopard Happy Diamonds rose gold diamond bracelet
6. Delfina Delettrez gold multi-stone cuff
7. Pippa Small gold amethyst necklace
8. Tiffany & Co. T Smile gold diamond necklace
9. Anita Ko Harlow rose gold necklace

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Beauty
Pro Fiber: The new treatment that will change your hair forever
#IWokeUpLikeThis

31.10.2015
By Terry Saw

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I’ve developed a somewhat love-hate relationship with hair treatments over time. The thing many people may not realise about in-salon treatments is that they are necessary – there’s a reason why you should leave it to the experts to repair your hair and get it back to the glossy, luscious state that its capable of, and of course, leaving you feeling like a million dollars afterwards. But if like me, you’ll also understand that this feeling – at best – lasts the day or at least until your next hair wash.

That was until L’Oreal Professionnel recently revealed Pro Fiber; its newest breakthrough in hair treatments that took 15 years in the making and secured 15 patents, set to revolutionise the way we see or experience in-salon hair treatments once and for all. Here’s what you can expect from an in-salon experience:
1. Targeted results to address your hair concerns
Pro Fiber features three levels of hair solutions, each targeting specific areas including hair texture, shine, ends and colour.
Level 1: Rectify for dry, thinning and less than vibrant hair
Level 2: Restore for coarse and dull hair, and fading hair colour

Level 3: Reconstruct for extremely damaged hair with extreme fading
You will be led through a Hair Damage Evaluation by an expert at the start of your treatment to assess your hair condition as well as to diagnose the category of your hair and the corresponding products to suit.

2. Professional in-salon ‘activation’ experience

Because Pro Fiber is designed as an exclusive salon-to-home system, it must first be ‘activated’ at the salon through these steps following your hair diagnosis:

A thorough hair cleanse and treatment experience using dedicated shampoo and concentrate solutions to prep your hair. Bonus: relaxing head massages are always a plus!

Application of the auto-regenerate masque, which is the highlight of the treatment. The hair masque is infused with APTYL 100, a patented, high-tech molecullar complex, which deeply seals itself into your hair fiber for instant hair regeneration and reactivation, and to really give you long-lasting results. In short, expect softer and intensely nourished hair by the end of the treatment.

To maintain the lusciousness and health of your renewed tresses, a homecare system will also be recommended to you, to be used along with Re-Boost – the home version of APTYL 100, where one tube is to be applied onto wet hair to reactivate the ‘salon treatment effect’.

3. Up to six weeks of the ‘salon effect’
Imagine never having to lose the joy of post-salon hair treatment results in a day or two again! Simply stick to an easy-to-follow home regimen of a dedicated Pro Fiber shampoo, conditioner and hair masque (replacing either the conditioner or masque step with the Re-Boost during every fourth hair wash) to keep your newfound healthy, vibrant tresses.

And yes, with proper care, that fresh-from-the-salon effect with Eva Green-worthy levels of lusciousness can last for up to six weeks. And don’t get us started on the potential time you could spend sleeping in because that’s just one of the perks of having a ‘good hair’ day, every day – you’re welcome.

Pro Fiber treatments, RM130 onwards, are now available exclusively at all L’Oreal Professionnel salons nationwide.

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Lifestyle
Montblanc takes the traditional writing experience into the digital world
Write, digitise, share

26.09.2016
By Su Fen Tan

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Typing everything out on a device—the way of the modern-day digital world—is quick, easily edited and shared, but here the font is but a setting instead of a projection of personality, and distraction is just a notification away. The hands-on feel one gets from the traditional writing experience, on the other hand, isn’t quite the same. Some may even find calm in putting pen to paper.

Here to reinvent the writing experience, Montblanc bridges these two worlds with a brand new writing innovation: the Montblanc Augmented Paper. Encased in a sleek and elegant leather envelope organiser, the Augmented Paper includes a notebook and a StarWalker writing instrument. Written notes and sketches done using the StarWalker writing instrument can be transferred from paper to your mobile device with the simple press of a button. Once on the device, your work can be translated into digital text, edited, and shared with others. The handwriting recognition technology embedded within the instrument can recognise 12 languages, including English, Chinese, German and Spanish.

Another cool talking point of the Montblanc Augmented Paper is its long battery life. It allows up to eight hours of continuous use, or up to a week of regular work use, along with the ability to store up to 100 pages in its internal storage. What this means is even if your laptop or smartphone ran out of battery, you can continue writing with the StarWalker and your work will be stored in its memory to be transferred later. This also encourages focus and concentration during meetings and other similar occasions, where one can take down notes or work without being distracted by digital devices.

See the Montblanc Augmented Paper in action here:

Montblanc Augmented Paper is available from October 2016 in Europe, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea. For Malaysia, kindly contact Montblanc Pavilion Boutique (03-21443323) or Montblanc KLCC Boutique (03-21662886) for more information.

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Culture
Being a race car driver in Malaysia, according to Nabil Jeffri
Life in the fast lane

10.08.2018
By Rachel Au

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At 24-going-on-25, national racer Nabil Jeffri has collected quite a string of accolades. From becoming the youngest ever Formula One test driver after his pivotal aerodynamic test drive for the Lotus Racing Formula One team in 2010 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford to finishing 6th in the world’s biggest kart-racing series — the 2009 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Egypt — to more recently, finishing 10th overall and 6th at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with his team. But it’s still just the beginning for the young Malaysian. We had a chat with Nabil on his motorsports career, his favourite place to race so far, the misconceptions of the job and more.

Let’s start off easy. When did you first realise you wanted to become a Formula One driver?
I think it was only a real goal when I was around 15 or 16 years old. I started karting when I was seven but it was a year-by-year thing. “If I do well this year, then I’ll continue,” was what I thought and I did get better with each year. Then, the chance to do the Formula 1 test came along and that’s when I felt like I have a chance.

What is it about racing on the track that beats everything else that you want to do?
It’s been a passion since I was young and it’s something that I’m good at. (laughs) More than that, it has become a part of me since I’ve been doing it for so long.

Tell us about the training.
I do about five days a week, either twice or sometimes once a day. We focus a lot on core and neck muscles because we get quite a lot of 3G-4G force around the corners and if you don’t train your neck properly, you might break it while racing. So you really need a strong neck and a strong heart, because your heart pumps really fast on the track. For me, I train a lot by cycling, running as well as doing the Ironman. Well, a half Ironman. (laughs) Personally, recovery is just as important. A lot of people emphasise on training, training and more training but if you take care of the quality of the training every day, it’s enough. If you’re bored of the training or feeling mentally tired, then you’re not as prepared either.

So how much time do you actually get to train with the car?
You actually don’t get to drive much on the track for training. There’s a certain amount of time you can get to drive on the track in a year because if you do get the chance, it’s super expensive. A day of testing on the track could go up to four hours and that would cost about RM80K. If you don’t have a sponsor to pay for it, that’s a crazy amount of money. So just to keep myself fit, I also do karting as well but it’s mostly with the simulator because it’s the closest thing I can get to real life. But there will usually be practice sessions right before the race too.

Are there any specific requirements to be a professional race car driver?
It’s a lot of dedication because you have to spend so much time training at the gym and in the simulator. Also, you need to love the sport because if you don’t, it’ll be quite difficult to spend all that time training and you’ll definitely get bored easily otherwise.

True. What about physical attributes though?
There isn’t any really but generally the lighter you are, the better. I’m about 68kg now, which is normal, while the Europeans are usually around 70-80kg. That 10-15kg doesn’t make a huge difference.

Do you have to be on a strict diet then?
I do take care of what I eat but (laughs) it’s hard too since I’m a Malaysian, right? There are days I want to eat rice and I do, but brown rice. I try to maintain a clean, balanced diet but nothing as extreme as a bodybuilder’s, for example. As long as I keep away from sugar because that’s the one that really kills your energy.

(laughs) Food, in general, is a challenge we all face as Malaysians. Any other challenges you face as a racing driver?
Well, if you have good discipline, you won’t have a problem with that. (laughs) But in all seriousness, I’d say sponsorship is the biggest one because the motorsports industry is really expensive. Four hours a day on the track alone costs RM80K. And sponsors don’t understand this is the amount of money needed to do just a single test. I’ve been quite lucky in the last few years to be supported by the government and Sepang but a lot of the other drivers don’t have that. It’s usually their family or someone who helps them. There really needs to be more support and initiatives for this industry from the government — or even private companies.

Yes, it’s only natural that if we want to see more Malaysian race car drivers then they have to be open to supporting those with the talent and skill financially as well.
The problem is they don’t want to support you on your journey to reaching that level but once you’re up there, they come. It’s normal but it’s not right. At least support a part of it. It doesn’t have to be the entire amount. Every bit counts.

On that note, you’re the first Mercedes AMG brand ambassador in Malaysia. That’s amazing!
I was quite lucky with that too. I had a few friends who went cycling with some of the people from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and somehow the topic of finding influencers for collaborations came up, and my friends showed them my Instagram profile. Mercedes-Benz was interested and arranged to meet me to see how I am as a person. They liked me, I fit their criteria and that’s how it happened.

I have to ask. Whenever it’s a profession in the limelight, people tend to have their assumptions about the job. Are there any for race car drivers?
Of course! They think that you have a lot of money — even the people in Europe think that — and that you’re earning like crazy and you’re always in the limelight but it’s not actually like that. It’s really a normal life but yes, you fly around the world but honestly, the money isn’t there. You’re really doing it out of passion. Once you reach the top of the motorsports world, that’s when you start making money.

So out of all the circuits you’ve raced at, which has been your favourite?
Monaco. It’s one of the biggest races and the atmosphere is amazing. Racing past the yachts, people on the streets and just through the town. It’s narrow which is challenging for drivers and the corners are fast.

When’s your next big competition?
The 6 Hours of Silverstone race in the UK that’s happening on August 18. I flew there recently for a quick test drive, which doesn’t happen often and actually, it was the first time for me. Thankfully, there were some sponsors who were willing to pay for it.

Moving on, for the people who aspire to follow your career path, what’s your best advice for them?
First of all, be sure of your passion. If you truly love the sport, do it and don’t care about what others might say or think. At the end of the day, it’s your career. Don’t give up either because things could happen that will change your life. I had moments when I felt like giving up but suddenly I get a phone call, I’m racing again and that changes everything.

But what’s the first step?
Go-karting. Join the karting races in Malaysia like the Rotax Max Asia Challenge but be prepared to spend about half a million ringgit unless you can find sponsors. One race could go up to RM20K.

Lastly, is it ever too old to start?
Admittedly, it’s always better to start young when it comes to sports and this applies even with motorsports because your motor control is better the younger you are. I started go-karting at 7 and that’s considered late. Some European drivers started when they were 4! So, no, I don’t think there’s like a ‘cut-off age’ per se. Just do it and you’ll never know what opportunities may come. Who’s going to stop you, right?

Good luck for your next race, Nabil! You can keep up with Nabil Jeffri on his Instagram.

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