Private, Government Functions, Skills Training And Vocational Colleges Are Allowed In PPN Phase 3, Says PM

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The government has allowed for more Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) relaxations in Phase 2 and 3 states, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said that the Special Pandemic Management Committee meeting also made the following resolutions:
Official government and private functions including inaugurations and workshops, are allowed in Phase 2 and Phase 3 states, provided guests have received complete vaccinations and 50% capacity of the premises space, while 100% full capacity for Phase 4. For unvaccinated individuals, need to undergo a pre-event test using a self-test kit (saliva) witnessed by the organizer or confirmation from a medical practitioner before attending.Opening of skills training sector and industrial training centres including vocational colleges, TVET etc. in all phases in compliance with SOPs in line with the opening of institutes of higher learning (IPT) starting 15 October 2021.Allow spectators/supporters to attend sports and recreational venues in the state Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. This attendance includes before, during and after sports and recreational events provided, spectators/supporters have received complete vaccinations, wear facemasks throughout the match as well as no eating and drinking activities while in the stadium. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to watch a match at the venue of a sporting event.
The Prime Minister recently announced that starting 1 October, Klang Valley (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya) and Melaka will transition to PPN Phase 3 while Kedah will move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 – the last state to make the switch.
With this, he said, there are no more states under Phase 1.
READ MORE: Klang Valley Moves Into Phase 3 Starting 1 October
The government to be strict on people who break quarantine order
Ismail Sabri also mentioned that the government is taking seriously the issue of a handful of individuals moving about outside of their homes despite undergoing a Home Surveillance and Observation Order (HSO), and added that those found guilty will have to face consequences.
These irresponsible actions can invite security risks to the community as well as affect the government’s efforts to deal with this epidemic.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

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Ustaz Ebit Lew To Stand Trial For Sexual Harassment In Sept

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Celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ustaz Ebit Lew will stand trial on 11 counts of sexual harassment charges from 27 to 30 Sept at the Tenom Magistrate’s Court in Sabah.

He has pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts. According to Malay Mail, Section 509 covers the crime of intent to insult the modesty of any person, either verbally or through action. It carries a prison term of up to five years or a fine or both if convicted.
READ MORE: “It’s A Test From God” Says Ebit Lew On Sexual Harassment Charges, Believes That He Was Set Up
Previously, he became sort of a cultural paragon for his philanthropic humanitarian efforts, especially during the height of the Covid-19 crisis, when he was actively distributing food and other kinds of aid.
Then, allegations of sexual harassment, bribery, and fame-seeking scandals surfaced.
READ MORE: TLDR: What’s Up With All The Ustaz Ebit Lew Scandals?
However, he has continued his philanthropy and charity efforts during this time.

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No Flags Needed, Says PM With National Food Baskets Now Distributed To B40, M40 & T20

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“There is no need to put up white or black flags,” said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the launch of the national ‘Bakul Prihatin Negara’ food basket program – the government’s campaign to distribute 420,000 boxes of food to 1.68 million Malaysians affected by the Covid-19 crisis.

The program, which is being handled by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM), is said to be themed around the concept of “whole of society” involving cooperation from both the government and the private sector.
Reportedly, allocations of RM5 million from the Prime Minister’s Department and RM16 million from the private sector were made for the program.
A single food basket is said to contain RM50 worth of staple food items such as rice, flour, noodles, biscuits, canned sardines, salt, sugar, kicap, and coffee.
Each household would only receive one box, however, exceptions will be made by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) should a family deserves more aid.
The PM explained that aid will be provided to targeted groups from the B40, M40 and T20 whose income had been affected by the pandemic.
We know where (they are), the ministry has records. I was informed by Datuk Rina (KPWKM Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun) that the recipients will receive it. They will record it in their accounts that the person has received (the food basket). I feel that if we were to visit their homes, their kitchens would probably be full already.Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin via Twitter.
How to get a food basket/box?
Malaysian citizens in need of assistance can apply for the national food basked program by:
Visiting or directly contact any (JKM) offices located across the country. Click (HERE) for a list of State JKM contact details.
Contacting the Talian Kasih hotline at 15999 or WhatsApp to 0192615999
Getting in touch with the KPWKM or JKM on social media;KPWKM;Facebook – @kpwkmTwitter – @KPWKMInstagram – @KPWKMJKM;Facebook – @JKMHQTwitter – @JKMHQInstagram – @jkmhq
Contacting local leaders and representatives
How will people get it?
After an application has been confirmed, JKM will organise its Skuad Prihatin Negara (SPN) for distribution and delivery.
Food baskets will be delivered directly within 24-hours of making an application. However, delivery will depend on workdays, the number of daily applications and the location and topography of where it needs to go.
Netizens a little blue?
A 51-second video snippet of the PM explaining how the national food basket program worked was shared by local artist and activist Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin on Twitter.
“Tak payah naik bendera putih ke, hitam ke… Nak naik bendera biru takpa” – PM Muhyiddin Yassin pic.twitter.com/v7CI3VQX6f— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) July 15, 2021
The tweet prompted many to argue that the PM’s comments on the #BenderaPutih and #BenderaHitam campaigns were insensitive to the plight of the people struggling with the effects of the pandemic.
(Screenshot via Twitter)
Some were also triggered by the PM’s “bendera biru” or blue flag comment – dark blue being the colour known to be flown by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, and retrospectively, Barisan Nasional (BN).
(Screenshot via Twitter)
Flags of freedom
Recently, Malaysians initiated three separate flag-based campaigns to ask for assistance or as symbolic gestures of solidarity.
(Credit: Twitter/Facebook)
#BenderaPutih – Malaysians who fly white flags outside their home, cars or on their persons indicate that they are in need of financial or food assistance.
#BenderaMerah – Red flags were flown by pet owners who cannot afford their pets food or medical expenses and require help.
#BenderaHitam – On 3 July, black flags were flown by Malaysians as a form of civil protest of their dissatisfaction with the government.
(Credit: @jantansejuk via Twitter)

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Source:

'Tak payah naik bendera putih, bendera biru tak apa'
PM Muhyiddin: National food basket programme is govt’s proactive response to Covid-19 crisis
PM Muhyiddin checks out preparations of food baskets
SOALAN LAZIM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) BAKUL PRIHATIN NEGARA
“Bendera Putih” Movement Going Viral As Malaysians Try To Reach To Those In Need
A 300% Increase Of Pet Abandonment Last Year Could Possibly Be More Now
Operation Black Flag – Netizens Dissatisfied With Government


TLDR: The Low Down On The Alleged Telephone Convo Between Zahid Hamidi And Anwar Ibrahim

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An audio clip went viral recently which allegedly was a recorded conversation between UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and was reportedly first uploaded on Facebook.

It’s reported that the first half of the clip is of Zahid’s speech at the recent UMNO General Assembly before it cuts off to the alleged telephone call.
In the recording, the two individuals were having a friendly chat where the man who sounded like Anwar praised the other person for his speech.
The man also said that it’s the first time in 22 years that he watched the General Assembly.
The other person later replied that he learned it from his teacher – the man who sounded like Anwar.
Zahid denied that he was in the clip
Zahid reportedly denied that he had a phone conversation with Anwar Ibrahim and said that he will ask his officer to file a police report to find the ‘mastermind’.
On Facebook, the UMNO leader expressed his disgust on the matter and added that he was shocked to find out about the clip.
As the President of UMNO, I will not violate any decisions that have been decided by the UMNO Supreme Council and the UMNO General Assembly. I have directed my officer to immediately make a police report to investigate and identify the mastermind behind this “scheme of thing”.UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi via Facebook
Meanwhile, the PKR President hasn’t come out with a statement on the issue.

UMNO is not happy
UMNO Supreme Council Member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi slammed the leak and likened it to the time when US president Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal in 1972, based on reports by The Star.
Meanwhile, Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz was more interested in Zahid stepping down as UMNO President as Nazri feels Zahid is now a serious liability to the party.
He said to Malay Mail that the party must no longer be burdened by Zahid’s unresolved criminal charges.
Credit: Malay Mail

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Teresa Kok Slammed By Facebook Users For Calling Covid-19 Test Waste Of Her Time

https://www.facebook.com/TeresaKokSuhSim/posts/3680140915330336
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Malaysian Facebook users have criticised Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over a recent post on the social media platform where she seemed to imply that taking a Covid-19 test was a waste of her time.

Teresa’s Facebook post shared how health authorities had required her to take a Covid-19 test when she arrived in Sandakan a couple of days ago.
She explained that the test was required because in the mandatory health form she filled up to enter Sabah, she had ticked “yes” when asked if she was displaying any symptoms.
She then clarified that it was her assistant who had filled up the form for her at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport before their departure.

According to Teresa, the entire ordeal included her having to present herself at Sandakan Hospital and spending 45 minutes there to undergo the Covid-19 test which was negative.
She ended the post by pointing out that it was a “waste of time”
The post has almost 6k reactions and around 7k comments at the time of writing, most of which are negative.
(Credit: Facebook)
One of the top comments pointed out that the mistake was Teresa’s assistant’s fault and that the health authorities were just doing their job.
Another commenter explained to Teresa that the test is not a waste of time, but an effort to protect the people of Sabah from Covid-19 transmission.

Interestingly, last month, Teresa was the person to reveal that Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Khairuddin Amaz Razali had travelled to Turkey and failed to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period upon returning to Malaysia.

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Two-Year-Old Hospitalised, Suspected Of Inhaling Or Ingesting Vape Liquid

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A toddler in Bera, Pahang, is believed to have suffered from acute nicotine poisoning.

The incident, which occurred on May 30, involved a two-year-old girl with no history of chronic illness.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the child’s grandfather discovered her exhibiting symptoms such as coughing, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
The grandfather also noticed a disposable electronic cigarette device near the child.
It is suspected that the child either inhaled or ingested liquid from the device.

The child was subsequently taken to Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital (HoSHAS) in Temerloh, Pahang, where she received breathing assistance in the Child Intensive Care Unit.
During treatment, the child experienced two convulsions, but her condition has since stabilized, and she is breathing without the aid of a respirator.
The statement also pointed out that although initially considered a probable case of EVALI (Electronic Vape Associated Lung Injury), the clinical findings did not meet the criteria outlined in the 2021 Clinical Practice Guidelines on Management of E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).

High levels of nicotine were detected in the child’s urine test, and the electronic cigarette device found at the scene has been sent to a laboratory for further analysis.
The Ministry of Health
The patient’s condition was diagnosed as an Acute Life Threatening Event Secondary to Possible Alleged Nicotine Ingestion Complicated with Seizure.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health warned the public about the harmful effects of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes.

Nicotine poisoning from tobacco or electronic cigarette liquid can lead to immediate symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and seizures. This danger applies to all users, including children. Prolonged nicotine exposure, particularly in children, can negatively impact brain development.
The Ministry of Health

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Time To Break The Stereotype Of Success & Chase Our Dreams

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We’ve all heard the saying, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” But how many of us even like what we do for a living and are satisfied with the career paths we’ve chosen to take?

Well, not many of us, that’s for sure…
According to JobStreet’s 2021 survey, a large part of Malaysia’s workforce is dissatisfied with their jobs and is looking for better prospects. Meanwhile, Cilisos’ ‘Silap Cita-Cita Survey’ revealed that a majority of Malaysians felt that they’ve wasted time and money studying and did not end up with their dream careers.
But this is standard right? After all, work is work—we do it for the pay and success, not for the passion or satisfaction of achieving our goals…
Time to break the stereotype of success!
(Credit: Prostock-studio/ Garakta-Studio via Envato Elements)
Despite what society has programmed us to think and what some of the elder members of our generation might say, success doesn’t have to mean giving up on our dreams and ambitions.
It’s been proven that people who are passionate about following their dreams are fitter, happier, more productive, and find greater fulfilment in their lives, no matter how unconventional their ambitions might be — whether to start a thriving online business or produce creative and engaging content for the masses.
A report by TalentCorp Malaysia also noted that the country does need the rakyat to venture into traditionally unorthodox careers like becoming web developers, visual effects artists, gamers, and even content creators to aid in the nation’s growth.
Embracing the unconventional!
(Credit: friends_stock/s_kawee via Envato Elements)
With advancements in technology and the nation’s fast-growing gig economy, more and more Malaysians are pursuing unconventional career paths toward success by following their ambitions.
Last year alone, Malaysia saw around 4 million local ‘giggers’ using their talents, and tech-savviness to make a living through unconventional means.
The government has also been encouraging Malaysians of all ages to upskill and reskill themselves to meet shifting labour demands and to always be ahead in today’s digital age while helping the nation grow even stronger on the world stage.
And with the convenience of having access to technologies like Maxis’ high-speed internet at our disposal, we are seeing more and more Malaysians striving to acquire new skills and use the connectivity they have to showcase their talents and make their dreams come true.
This Merdeka and Malaysia Day, Maxis wants everyone to embrace their passions and celebrate the brave and innovative Malaysians who strive to always be ahead to achieve their dreams.
(Credit: Maxis)
Join the FREE Maxis eKelas Usahawan webinar this 24th of September to build your talents and skills and acquire the know-how to seize new opportunities and achieve new possibilities.
Maxis’ eKelas Usahawan is a community-driven program aimed at helping Malaysians develop digital entrepreneurial skills in marketing, photography, graphics design, copywriting and more to help us grow together as a nation.
Head on over to Maxis’ official website to register for the eKelas Usahawan program to learn more about making your dreams a reality.
Or catch the videos below to follow the inspiring stories of Malaysians who’ve made a success of their unconventional careers and passion:
Shoutcaster, Tashbunny

Content Creator, Vikarworld

Entertainer, Phat Fabes

Influencer, Ivor Xian Z

E-Sports Gamer, Bette Istarx

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Source:
More Malaysians Dissatisfied at Work
GUESS HOW MANY MALAYSIANS HAVE JOBS TOTALLY UNRELATED TO THEIR STUDIES?
Science suggests pursuing your passions does make you a happier person
Here’s Why Passion Is Good For Your Health
The Psychologist-Manager JournalPurpose, Passion, and Performance at the Workplace: Exploring the Nature, Structure, and Relationship
CRITICAL OCCUPATIONS LIST 2020/2021 TECHNICAL REPORT
Gig workers in Malaysia
GIG ECONOMY ON THE RISE
Huge potential in new collar jobs for Malaysians


“This Is My Adopted Brother,” Says Malaysian Man Before Kissing A Child On The Lips

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When Malaysians took notice of a video of a local man kissing a male child on the lips, it didn’t take long for it to go viral.

In the 10 second clip uploaded on Tik Tok, the man is seen with his arms around the boy and explained that he is an adopted brother who’s been cared for by the family for a long time. The two then kissed each other on the mouth.
Screenshot from Twitter
The clip was then shared multiple times on Facebook and Twitter where horrified Malaysians expressed concerns of the young child possibly being a victim of sexual grooming.
Sleuthing netizens then dug up more videos from the man’s Tik Tok account where he’s seen sharing mouthy kisses with boys.
Screenshot from Twitter
Screenshot via ohmymedia.com
Police are on the case
Though his TikTok account has since been deleted, the man has been identified as the founder of a local cosmetics company.
Berita Harian reports that the police have detained the man yesterday evening (16 Feb) in Kuala Lumpur while they conduct their investigations.
Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) principal assistant director Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan confirmed that investigation papers have been opened after receiving reports.
Credit: Ahmad Zamzahuri/Malay Mail
The police are in the process of recording his statement as they are investigating this case under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Section 14 addresses physical sexual assault on a child, which is defined as any person who, for sexual purposes:
touches any part of the body of a childmakes a child touch any part of the body of such person or of any other personmakes a child touch any part of the child’s own bodydoes any other acts that involve physical contact with a child without sexual intercourse
The law also explains that in determining what constitutes sexual purposes, the court may take into consideration the part of the body that is touched, the nature and extent of the act of touching or the physical contact and all other circumstances surrounding the conduct.
If found guilty, the man could be looking at a maximum of 20 years jail time and whipping.
The dangers of child sexual grooming
Credit: Pixabay
Sexual grooming or child grooming is when a person engages in predatory manner to prepare a child or young person for sexual activity at a later time.
According to a guide published by the State Government of Victoria, grooming can include communicating and/or attempting to befriend or establish a relationship or other emotional connection with the child or their parent/carer.
In grooming incidences, young people are often unaware of what’s happening and are tricked into thinking they are in a safe and normal relationship. So they may not know it’s happening or may feel they have no choice but to be abused.
It may be hard to identify when someone is being groomed until after they have been sexually abused, because grooming behaviour can sometimes look like ‘normal’ caring behaviour. This is not always the case, however.

If you or anyone you know are in danger or a possible victim, help is available at:
Women’s Aid OrganisationWebsite: wao.org.myHotline: 03-7956 3488WhatsApp TINA: 018-988 8058
Talian KasihHotline: 15999WhatsApp: 019 26 15999

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Source:
SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN ACT 2017
Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming
Cium bibir kanak-kanak, pengasas produk kecantikan ditahan


Mother Explains Misunderstanding After Malaysians Thought Her Family Disobeyed Quarantine SOP

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A woman came out to explain the misunderstanding triggered by a Twitter post she made about her family’s activities during their Covid home quarantine.

With coronavirus cases on the rise, it’s easy to understand why Malaysians are being extremely cautious of new normal rules and of anyone that disobey em’
This was true for some who spotted a picture shared by Aleena on social media which showed her child being outside during her family’s Covid-19 quarantine period.
Aleena apparently had to take down her posting after people suspected her family of breaching SOP by being outside.
(Credit: FarouqHaikal via Twitter)
The mother went on to confirm that her family was in fact under quarantine and apologised to netizens if she had caused a panic.
We are under quarantine now and will continue to quarantine until the 10th day. I apologize once again.aleenashafinaz via Twitter
She explained that the family was only taking in some fresh outside air near their home when no one else was around.
We were only breathing some fresh air in our yard at 12 o’clock noon when people are usually indoors and our surroundings were pretty quiet. Usually, only cars would pass by. But I apologize once again. I should’ve been more sensitive with the issue.aleenashafinaz via Twitter
Diharapkan semua dapat mendoakan kesihatan kami sekeluarga. Terima kasih & saya mohon maaf 🙏🏻Kami telah berkuaratin 1 hari dan akan terus berkuarantin sehingga hari ke 10.— Aleena (@aleenashafinaz) February 20, 2022
Haih… So it seems like in the new normal, we might need to be extra careful when sharing anecdotes of our lives online to avoid misconceptions. Thanks a lot, Covid! 😐
But, on a positive note, it’s good to know that people are vigilant of SOPs and the dangers of Covid-19.

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62 New Covid-19 Cases Breaks Single-Day Increase Record Since June 4

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7 September 2020 marks the highest cases of new Covid-19 cases since June 4, with 62 total cases nationwide.

56 of these were local cases, while only 6 were imported cases.
Sabah saw the majority of the increase, with a total of 51 cases blooming in the state.
This brings the number of total active cases in the country to 207.
Perincian kes baharu #COVID19 pada 7 Sept. Kuala Lumpur – 4 importSelangor – 2 importSabah – 51 tempatanKedah – 4 tempatanP. Pinang – 1 tempatan pic.twitter.com/UCsJycDrjV— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) September 7, 2020

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“Transferred Only?” Netizens Question Why Police Officer Suspected Of Viral Attack Was Still On Duty

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Malaysians were upset and also had a lil’ fun joking around when they learned that a police officer who allegedly attacked a woman inside an elevator at a building in Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur was only being transferred to another department while investigations are carried out.

So last week, the Cheras Police identified a suspect caught on CCTV footage assaulting the victim as a “public servant”.
Later, Free Malaysia Today reported Selangor Police Chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed clarifying that the suspect was not a “high ranking” police officer, but instead a “detective corporal” stationed with the Selangor police contingent.
The Chief explained that the 35-year-old officer was being relieved from detective work and temporarily transferred to administrative duties while the KL police investigate the case further.
The Chief mentions that a disciplinary enquiry was also being conducted on the officer on top of the criminal investigation.
Saying that the actions taken against the police officer were nothing more than a slap on the wrist, netizens came to question why the authorities were being lenient.
“If it was a civilian, would have been arrested, put into jail and remanded while under investigation and later charged. Why is he still out and about endangering the public?” questioned one commenter.
“How can he still be a police at this point? That’s my question,” asked another.
One commenter asked “Isn’t this a dangerous precedent when you transfer a gangster instead of terminating him,” and personally tagged Prime Minister Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri’s Twitter account and other public figures.
Isn't this a dangerous precedent when you transfer a gangster instead of terminating him, @HishammuddinH2O? @H2OComms @IsmailSabri60 @AzalinaOthmanS @sitikasim https://t.co/8215egqNeE— Joshua Lopez (@jalphonsalopez) November 22, 2021
“Transferred to another department instead of just getting fired? He hit somebody okay,” wrote another user.
While some poke fun at the “system” and how it seemed to somehow benefit public servants.
“That’s why everyone wants a government job. K-bye.” joked one commenter.
That’s why everyone want government job Kbye https://t.co/oktlz0pAG6— Nadia Conwoman (@NadiaConwoman) November 22, 2021
“Transfer, transfer, transfer straight to Mars,” said another commenter.
“Pension is still ON ;),” winked the other.
Pencen masih ON 😉 https://t.co/MUbzyTJv9H— Syahid 🏴 (@syahid) November 21, 2021
Leaked footage of the incident saw the suspect hitting the woman on the head and kicking her inside the lift before dragging her out by her hair.
Police investigations determined that the assault was set off by a misunderstanding between the suspect and the victim – a female matchmaking agent working for a service called ‘Matrimony’.
It’s said that the suspect had paid a sum of RM2,500 for the service and waited six months to still remain single.
The victim reportedly sustained injuries to the head and received treatment at a hospital following the assault.
(Credit: edisi_siasatmy via Twitter)
Read More: ‘Public Servant’ Beats Up Matchmaking Agent After They Couldn’t Find Him A Match

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Source:
Polis pukul wanita kerana tak dapat jodoh dipindah tugas


5 Basic Pantry Sauces & Pastes You MUST Have In Your Kitchen

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Most Malaysian kitchens have a full pantry, and for new cooks it’s really kind of daunting. But not to worry– whether you’re first moving out to a new place on your own, or just want to start cooking on your own for the first time, this guide should be useful in kickstarting your kitchen.

This time, we’ll be focusing on essentials. These are items that will need to pull double-duty and work well in any scenario. Here, versatility and ease of use is key. Most can be used for stir-fries, and some can even double as soup bases.
(This list is entirely subjective, but I’d like to think that some suggestions are at least agreeable.)
1. Tomyum Paste
Despite being Malaysian, the top essential sauce that I’d recommend is actually pre-made tomyum paste. They tend to already have enough flavour on their own that you only need to add dashes of soy sauce or salt to taste.
Hot, sour, and so savoury!(Credit: Envato)
Want it wet? Add a spoonful of paste to water for a quick soup. Want steamboat? Add more water together with meat, veggies, and frozen steamboat ingredients for a super quick “steamboat tomyum soup”. (This is also a fantastic way to clear out your fridge.)
Want it dry? Prepare your stir-fry ingredients then add a spoonful of tomyum paste straight in the pan together. Want tomyum fried rice? You can add it at the end of your fried rice or simply add the sauce together with rice water before the rice cooks.
If you want more oomph, just use more paste.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
I’m lucky enough to get my tomyum paste made by family, but otherwise, there are plenty of pre-made tom yum pastes you can buy at the store.
2. Chili Oil Topping
The Japanese have furikake, the Chinese have chili oil toppings. Both go exceptionally well on rice: in fact, they make it possible to eat plain rice with toppings on its own.
However, chili oil does much more than just go well on rice. The Chinese chili oil also adds a new dimension to clear soups or soup noodles, or works great as a dip for dumplings or nuggets.
Each scoop is a flavourbomb.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
And most importantly, you can cook with it: spread a layer over a block of silken tofu after steaming, beat it into scrambled eggs, or add it into stir-fry.
I prefer this local brand LaCust that you can get from Jaya Grocer, but you can also give the world-famous Lao Gan Ma a shot. (Thanks, John Cena!)
New day of filming = new jar of Lao Gan Ma for @JohnCena! This was taken on John’s first day of shooting fight scenes for Project X in Beijing! pic.twitter.com/jps3MjRsRf— JohnCenaCrews™ (@JohnCenaCrews) November 14, 2018
3. Sambal
There are plenty of different kinds of sambal out there but really, the best way around it is to find a kind of sambal that suits you best.
Even for our national dish, sambal is what makes or break a plate of nasi lemak.(Credit: Tourism Malaysia)
I doubt sambal requires much in the way of an explanation. Use it with rice, noodles, or cooking: much like the chili oil topping, sambal is extremely versatile and can be eaten on its own or paired with ingredients in cooking.
Sambal in general goes extremely well with rice and simple dishes like fried fish so that the sambal gets a chance to show off.
It’s a little pricey, but definitely super delicious.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
I personally am obsessed with the Sambal Cincalok Belimbing Buluh from Chef Sherson Lian’s line of Rencah pastes. It’s a black sambal with earthy and deeply savoury tones from the cincalok, perfect with seafood.
READ MORE: M’sian Cooking For Dummies: 4-Ingredient Udang Sambal Petai To Cook At Home
4. Black Pepper Paste
Black pepper sauce, in my opinion, is quite underrated. It’s a very versatile sauce, but truly shines when paired with noodles. (I can imagine this would raise some eyebrows.)
Stir-fried black pepper spaghetti is a popular dish in Hong Kong and easily recreated with black pepper paste. If that’s not your thing, try adding it to any dry noodle dish for an elevated flavour.
Additionally, it’s also a crowd-pleaser sauce when stir-fried with meat and veggies, too. Like the other pastes, just add salt to taste.
Simple, easily overlooked, but so delicious.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Personally, I am partial to the black pepper sauce from Lee Kum Kee because of its thick texture, but there are other brands that you can try.
5. Korean Gochujang
Even if you’re not a Korean fanatic, Korean Gochujang is just one of those pastes that really makes life easier.
See that red splash of sauce in the corner? Yes, that’s gochujang.(Credit: Envato)
Much like tomyum paste, it works as soup (or you might know it better as Korean Army Stew), as a base for stir-fried vegetables or meat, or even mixed directly with rice (you might also know this better as bibimbap).
Additionally, you can use Korean Gochujang to add more flavour to store-bought kimchi to really hit that Korean vibe.
There’s a few different brands available in Malaysia and they go on sale once in a while. One jar should last you quite a while!(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)

The fun thing about these pastes is that they definitely lend a lot strength to your cooking, so even if you experiment and don’t follow a recipe, your food will still taste pretty dang good.
So don’t worry about following recipes directly and just try a few of these for yourself!

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Ministers, MPs, NGOs And Universities Express Support For Uyghurs, Call For Closer Collaboration

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Malaysian lawmakers expressed commitment to address China’s ongoing human rights abuses against its Muslim minority Uyghur population.

PKR leader and Hang Tuah Jaya MP Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said Malaysia would shine a light on the “systemic human rights violations against the Uyghur people”.
He assured Malaysia would work on providing support to the Uyghurs, especially in areas of education and social economics.
PKR leader Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (left) listening attentively during the meeting with the Uyghur delegation. With him is Secretary General Muhammad Fazril Mohd Salleh. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
At the same time, the former Deputy Minister of Primary Industries acknowledged that Malaysia’s commitment to good relations with China is profound.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, with bilateral trade hitting a record high of US$176.8 billion last year.
Yet, it’s very difficult not to talk clinically and dispassionately about the Uyghurs. Furthermore, UN human rights experts have raised serious concerns about the alleged detention and forced labour of Uyghurs in China.PKR leader and Hang Tuah Jaya MP Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin on the ongoing Uyghur crisis.
“The HRC should consider establishing a panel of experts to closely monitor, analyze and report annually on the human rights situation in China,” the group of UN experts said.The @UN must continue to follow-up on the @UNHumanRights Uyghur report.https://t.co/3ukOskdW7O— Uyghur Human Rights Project (@UyghurProject) September 8, 2022
He made the remarks during a meeting with an Uyghur delegation led by Hidayet Oguzhan, head of the East Turkestan Education and Solidarity Association (ETESA).
Hidayet said the ongoing genocide and mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other predominantly-Muslim ethnic minorities are heinous crimes executed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
READ MORE: Muslim Nations Must Stop Staying Silent Over China’s Abuse Of The Uyghurs
He thanked Malaysian NGOs for their support, notably Muslim Youth Movement Malaysia (Abim), which had been engaging with their audiences to raise awareness.
On the other hand, I feel very sad, because the message I’m conveying is a sad one. Our people are being destroyed. And this is why I believe this outpouring of support from Malaysia will have a positive effect.ETESA leader Hidayet Oguzhan expressing thanks to Malaysia on its effort to help the Uyghurs.
The Uyghur delegation also drew support and encouragement from Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub and Dewan Negara speaker Tan Sri Rais Yatim, among others.
Hidayet Oguzhan (left), head of the ETESA, meets Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad. in Putrajaya. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (right) and Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN) CEO Jamal Shamsudin in a meeting with the Uyghur delegation. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
The Uyghur delegation held brainstorming sessions with local NGOs leaders and political analysts, including the Commissioner to the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Datuk Ahmad Azam Rahman
Ahmad Azam, also the Foreign Minister’s special advisor on Afghanistan, said the Uyghurs is a core, sensitive issue requiring tactful, subtle and sophisticated judgments.
IPHRC commissioner Datuk Ahmad Azam Rahman sharing a light moment with the Uyghur delegation. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Chinese position is correct or anything like that.
At the same time, Azam pointed out that educational aid will be crucial because children’s future matters.
Because we know how important learning is to success later in life, we should made education for Uyghur children a priority. Education is about enhancing the well-being, life skills, and holistic development of children and advancing the goals and aspirations of a society.IPHRC commisioner Datuk Ahmad Azam Rahman on the collbaoration between Uyghurs and Malaysia.
Ahmad Azam added that there is an urgent need to counter China’s attempt to control the narrative on the Uyghur issue.
He warned that the propaganda campaign had reached a fever pitch, especially among Muslim countries.
Envoys from 30 Islamic countries visited #China‘s #Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region from Aug. 1-5 at the invitation of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They witnessed Xinjiang’s achievements and expressed their hopes exchanges & cooperation with the region would be deepened. pic.twitter.com/HJrSL1sN8w— China Economy (@CE_ChinaEconomy) August 8, 2022
The Uyghurs also sought advice for the areas of cooperation from Dr Abdul Razak Ahmad, the Founding Director of the think tank Bait Al Amanah.
Dr Razak said Malaysia needs a clear or defined position on the Uyghur issue since the government has not expressed support or rejected the Chinese government policies in Xinjiang.
Malaysia’s hedging strategy towards China means it is unlikely that Malaysia will directly challenge or confront China about what is happening in Xinjiang. But with mounting evidence of suppression of religion and the systematic manifestation of Islamophobia, silence is no longer an option.Bait Al Amanah founding director Dr Razak Ahmad on reconsidering the strategy and practice of engaging China constructively.
The delegation also met Azmi Abdul Hamid, president of the Malaysian Consultative Council Of Islamic Organizations (Mapim).
READ MORE: Why Does The Refugees’ Children’s Education Matter To Us? [Opinion]
Mapim president Azmi Abdul Hamid stressing a point during a discussion with Uyghur leaders. (Pix Fernando Fong)
Silent No More
Meanwhile, Australian Uyghur leader Nurmuhammad Majid said Malaysia cannot be silent as the CCP tortures and seeks to annihilate an entire people in Xinjiang, which is home to 10 million Uyghurs.
He urged Malaysia to do more and provide more deterrents against China without jeopardising bilateral relations.
The Uyghur delegations having a light moment with Abim members during a briefing session. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Majid, a graduate of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), also praised Malaysia for standing up for his people.
I am incredibly grateful for this development Malaysia, a true signal that the Uyghur cause is far from being ignored. However, it’s most regretted that some Malaysian mainstream media had been complicit in China propaganda’s blitz.Australian Uyghur leader Nurmuhammad Majid on Malaysia’s support the Uyghurs.
Nevertheless, he wants Malaysia to do much more, the same way the country has been helping others, such as Palestinians, Syrians and Rohingyas.
READ MORE: Malaysian NGOs Launch Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Condemn Israel’s Attack On The Al-Aqsa Mosque
Australian Uyghur leader Nurmuhammad Majid speaks at a brainstorming session with Malaysian NGOs in Kuala Lumpur. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
On another note, Majid reiterated that proposals on a business venture, restaurants, educational exchange and humanitarian aid had been discussed.
The highlight is the Uyghur cultural centre and restaurant, which will be a platform for helping Malaysians to understand the Uyghur situation.
For a start, an Uyghur food exhibition was recently held with the cuisines prepared by Uyghur chefs.
The Uyghurs are predominately Muslim, so their cooking is Halal, with noodles and lamb at the heart of many dishes. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
We need to humanise the situation, such as by bringing our cultural presencegender inequality, racial discrimination, unemployment, underdevelopment of Xinjiang, pollution in Xinjiang.Australian Uyghur leader Nurmuhammad Majid on spreading awareness among Malaysians.
PETALING JAYA – Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) memperkenalkan program pertukaran budaya dengan etnik Uyghur menerusi masakan dan makanan.https://t.co/0mi23060Uw #PeduliUighur #MeTooUyghur— ABIMalaysia 🇲🇾🇵🇸 (@abimalaysia) September 7, 2022
He added that China would interfere, but the Uyghurs are determined to persevere by engaging all the legal processes to start their projects in Malaysia.
READ MORE: Muslim Nations Must Stop Staying Silent Over China’s Abuse Of The Uyghurs
The Uyghur delegation presenting a memento to Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the Rector of IIUM. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Why Are Uyghurs Being Sent To China?
Local authorities in China reportedly hold hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in these camps.
Members of other ethnic minority groups in China are also detained to counter extremism and terrorism and promote social integration.
This Uyghur man died at home, the Uyghur people have been starving at home for several days, no food has been delivered to the Uyghur people, and no one has been taken to the hospital 😭😭😭😖 Is there justice in the world?#Saveuyghurs 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/xHExLRAUpr— Be voice of the Uyghurs (@standwithuy) September 9, 2022
More than one million Uighur and other Muslim minorities are forcibly held in mass detention camps in Xinjiang.
They face countless human rights cases of abuse from forced labour, coerced sterilisation, and destruction of their culture and religious identity.

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We Checked Out ‘Menu Rahmah’, Government’s Latest Initiative To Help With Rising Cost Of Living

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A meal that on average would cost RM8 is now available for only RM5 since yesterday at some 15,000 eateries nationwide.

We set out to look for Menu Rahmah today and landed at Ali Maju in Setapak. We were informed the choices under Menu Rahmah is served from 10am till 3pm daily.

It consists of rice, vegetables and either chicken or fish which is served together with a drink of either hot tea or iced tea.
The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry joined hands with Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owner’s Association (Prisma), Malaysian Tomyam Operators Association, Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysian Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association (MCSPGA), Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), and Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA)  to bring this initiative to fruition, as reported by The Star.
Anyone can order from Menu Rahmah and enjoy the meal. As for the chicken set, there is a choice of between 3 varieties of chicken.

As for the fish set, there is no choice given, however, for the vegetables, customers can choose one from the spread of vegetables that would be served on that day.

The portion of the food served is also very satisfying and if you wish to add more rice or more portion of vegetables, then the workers are happy to oblige.
According to Akhbar Ali, a 37-year-old worker at Ali Maju, around 40 to 60 people have benefited from this initiative just yesterday alone.
Maira, 21, who is working as a dental assistant and Mareena, 25, working as a dental admin, said that this meal set is worth the price and can be very helpful during the middle and end of the month.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister  Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub assured that this is not a one-off initiative and the cooperation between the ministry and stakeholders nationwide will be expanded, according to The Star.

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Survey says PH preferred despite ‘failings’

A phone survey of 1007 respondents published by KajiData Research found that regardless of its perceived failings, 40% would still prefer to vote PH.
That’s more than for PAS (16%) and BN (15%) combined.

(Pic via U.S. State Department)

“Whilst many are disappointed with the performance of Pakatan Harapan, people still see the coalition as the most viable government given the alternative of a Barisan Nasional that is tainted by amongst others, the misadventures of its previous leader and of PAS which is strongly distrusted by non-Muslims who make up around 35% of voters.”
KajiData Research
On the Prime Minister, 42% are satisfied with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with only 37% dissatisfied.
As for political party support, 39% are happy with PH while 34% are happy with BN.
On the negative side for PH, 42% believed the country is heading in the wrong direction while only 35% think it’s going the right way.
On PH performance, 39% are unhappy while 37% are happy and when it comes to economic management, 43% are unhappy with only 33% happy.
The survey also found that youth, low income earners, and support in the Malay heartlands of Kelantan and Terengganu for PH was still weak.


Budget 2021: BSH Replaced With Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR)

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The Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) assistance programme will be replaced with the Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) programme, announced Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz at today’s tabling of Budget 2021.

Under the new BPR programme, aid to B40 and M40 groups will be increased and allocated according to the household income as well as number of children in each household.
Households with monthly income below RM2,500 with one child will receive RM1,200, while households with two children will receive RM1,800.
Households with monthly income between RM2,501 – RM4,000 will with one child will receive RM800, while households with two children will receive RM1,200.
Single adults with monthly salary below RM2,500 will receive RM350. The age limit for single individuals is also reduced to 21 years old from the previous 40 years old.

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TikTok Denies Influence From PAS, Moderators Have No Access To Promotional Tools

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A Tiktok user recently claimed that an information chief at a Selangor PAS division works at TikTok’s parent company ByteDance and had a stint at its content moderation team (the details could allegedly be found on LinkedIn).

He questioned whether this was the reason why some TikTok users who created political content on the platform saw a huge dip in their viewership or felt like they were “shadowbanned”.
He also claimed, based on a Forbes article, that Tiktok has controls to determine which video would go viral, aside from using its automated algorithm in a user’s For You page (FYP).
  @yuwanatv Apa kaitan TikTok Malaysia dan Perikatan Nasional? #tiktok #tiktokmalaysia #tiktokmalaysia🇲🇾 #bytedance #perikatannasional #pasgombak #dppm #suffikamari #pembangkang #viral #kerajaanperpaduan #pakatanharapan ♬ original sound  – Yuwana TV
According to Malay Mail, TikTok Malaysia public policy head Hafizin Tajudin explained that the platform’s content moderators do not have any access to content promotional tools.
We have a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure that the political or personal opinions of our employees do not affect their work quality and ethics, including when performing content moderation tasks.TikTok Malaysia public policy head Hafizin Tajudin
Hafizin added that Tiktok’s content moderation decisions are based on a set of clearly defined community guidelines.
There are also layers of checks and balances including quality assurance and third-party fact-checkers to uphold safety and ensure fairness in moderation.
Any content that is found to be in violation of its guidelines may be removed or hidden from the For You page to limit its reach.
Although TikTok does promote a small fraction of videos to introduce celebrities and emerging creators to the community, Hafizin said they do not allow political advertising on the platform.
This decision was made by instituting changes to its policies regarding government, politicians, and political party accounts (GPPPA) in September 2022.
READ MORE: TikTok Won’t Allow Anyone, Even Politicians, To Spread Misinformation During GE15
The scrutiny on TikTok comes after the 15th General Election when many observers credited Perikatan Nasional’s achievements in the elections to its ability to garner youth support on TikTok, Malaysiakini reported.
During the run-up to election day, TikTok got into hot waters when videos insinuating the repeat of 13 May incident were spread on the platform. Some of the said videos were paid for.
At the time, TikTok said those videos initially evaded auto-moderation checks but were later flagged and deleted upon manual checks.
READ MORE: Alarming Rise In Number Of Inaccurate TikTok Videos On 13 May
READ MORE: Tiktok Has Removed Harmful 13 May Content From The Platform
READ MORE: MCMC & PDRM Call Up TikTok Over Paid 13 May Videos
READ MORE: Influencers Are Allegedly Being Paid To Promote Political Parties
READ MORE: CyberSecurity Malaysia Is Investigating Whether TikTok Is Harmful To Your Personal Data

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Why Giving Water To A Baby Could Potentially Kill Them

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There are a thousand things on the mind of new parents. But sometimes the purest of intentions may prove detrimental to your bundle of joy.

With Malaysia’s hot weather, we’re naturally inclined to revive ourselves with water. While that may be the best way for us, it could potentially be fatal to our babies.
Yes, too much water given to your baby could kill them.
Before going off on a tirade of comments like “I’ve given water to my baby before and they are fine” here is some science to set you straight.
Reasons you should never give your babies water
(Credit: Hello Doctor PH)
For the first six months of their lives, babies should receive both nutrition and hydration from breastmilk or formula as made exactly instructed on the tin.
That may be obvious and you may be thinking that water is a safe liquid so why not? Well here’s why not:
Nutrient loss
A baby’s tummy is small and can only hold about 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 – 10 millilitres). Giving your baby water will fill their belly up with essentially a useless substance to them.
This then leaves no room for vitamins, minerals, fat, and calories that are so crucial for their growth and development.
Water intoxication
As pure a substance as water is, it can be toxic to anyone if drunk in large quantities. And with babies, filling up is quite easy given how tiny they are by default.
In short, when the kidneys are given more water than they can handle, the excess water ends up in your bloodstream.
The excess fluid then dilutes the bloodstream and lowers the concentration of important electrolytes, like sodium.
Too much dilution and you’re at risk for hyponatremia which literally translates to too little (hypo) salt in the blood (natremia). This can then cause brain swelling, coma, or even death.
Symptoms to be aware of
If you suspect you’ve given your baby too much water, take note of the following signs:
Unusual fussinessExtreme drowsinessLow body temperaturePale colour urineSwellingSeizures
You would know your child best so if you suspect something amiss, seek help immediately.
Take caution
When leaving your baby in the care of a babysitter, relative or day-care, make sure to let them know to NOT give them any water.
To be safe, since all babies grow at their own rate, they should stay clear of water until the age of 1.
In addition, make sure to not mix too much water with formula, or dilute breast milk. A couple in the US were charged 20 years jail time for killing their 10-week old for diluting breast milk with water before feeding her!
Also, be careful in the pool or bathtub. Your child could easily swallow an unassuming amount of water there too.

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Health Ministry Eyeing Restaurant After Owner Admits To Adding ‘Special Ingredient’ To Reviewer’s Food

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A restaurant known as Garden Western Grill is now on the radar of the Ministry of Health Malaysia after a Twitter post about the restaurant has gone viral.

In the viral post, an individual believed to be a restaurant owner admitted to putting a special ingredient, which netizens speculate may have been dirty, in the food that was served to a food reviewer.
KKM mengambil maklum dan akan menyusul dengan sewajarnya. https://t.co/vT9IUaEYuc— KKMalaysia🇲🇾😷 (@KKMPutrajaya) May 18, 2023
Twitter user @Cikgu_Anep, shared a screenshot of the post which was uploaded by the restaurant in question on their Facebook page.
The restaurant owner acknowledged in the message that he had added a “special ingredient” to the meal of an influencer who had previously visited his establishment and given it a bad review.
According to the restaurant’s owner, only individuals who work in the hospitality sector understand what is meant by that specific element.
“The Special Ingredient that is meant is a dirty and disgusting substance.”
Social media users who worked in hotels and restaurants said that a “special ingredient” usually referred to an offensive and filthy substance that the cook had knowingly added to the dish, such as phlegm or spit, or other bodily secretions.
They said it was a pretty common practice for “special customers” who complained or made a fuss in the restaurant.

Many voiced their disgust at the allegation and opined that the restaurant cannot accept criticism.
jijik gila. dia memang nak tunjuk kat orang ke dia buat benda jijik macamtu? tah tah orang taknak datang dah kedai dia nanti— anem hensem 🤏🏼 (@neymanem) May 17, 2023
Aku pun kerja kedai makan juga dulu, pernah je handle customer yang cerewet, byk complaint, tapi tak pernah terfikir untuk tuba makanan mereka.It is a food ethics as a chef.Wallahi, ingatlah hidup ini sentiasa berputar, dan janji Allah itu pasti untuk orang yg berlaku zalim.— The Pandalala (@Pandalalalameer) May 17, 2023
Pernah screenshot ni tahun lepas. Customer tgglkan review complain psl makanan dia. Kedai tu reply mcmni kt customer tu pic.twitter.com/07afVYUXpz— Fatin Jaafar (@fatinnjaafar) May 17, 2023

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M’sians Spend 4 Months In Jail In Australia Over Tea Misidentified As Drugs

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A Malaysian mother-and-daughter pair were jailed in Australia for trying to import over 25kg of ‘drugs’ in January this year.

Supposedly, the Australian Border Force (ABF) tested the substance and detected it as amphetamine. Then, heavily-armed police officers raided the Malaysians’ home in Sydney arresting them on the spot.
However, the ‘drugs’ in question was actually brown ginger tea, according to international news outlet Vice.
The two women, mother Vun Pui “Connie” Chong and daughter San Yan Melanie Lim, were thrown in jail for four months over the alleged ‘drug’ shipment, even after further tests revealed that the shipment was not drugs at all.
The brown sugar ginger tea is so popular this author actually had the exact product sitting in her pantry.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Failing tests
Accordingly, the ABF had tested the substances with a presumptive “hazmat” test, which identified the goods as Phenmetrazine.
Phenmetrazine is a stimulant drug that was once commonly used as an appetite suppresant, but has since been ruled illegal.
However, it was only later that Sydney’s Downing Local Court heard that this presumptive test was not definitive.
In reality, the test only generated a few possible substances, of which Phenmetrazine was listed as fourth most-likely, behind sugar, sucrose, and powdered sugar.
Some people could argue that sugar is a drug, but then we’d all be addicts.(Credit: kalhh/Pixabay)
Omitting information
The worst part was that this “false possibility” and undefined test results were not told to the duo’s defending lawyers. While the ABF did independent tests, the Malaysian mother-and-daughter pair continued to sit in jail.
In fact, it was only three whole months after the arrest that the ABF admitted that they could not detect ‘any substances that were prohibited’ in the imported goods. However, by then, it was already April, and no one bothered to notify the pair in jail.
Chong and her daughter were not released on bail until May, and the charges against them were not dropped until August, despite the fact that by this time three separate tests have been done (twice by the ABF forensics team and once by the New South Wales Police).
A little bit of income turned jailtime
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the mother-and-daughter pair had wanted to sell the popular Asian drink for a small profit, looking to earn AUD$90 (about RM272).
The JiuJiGong packaged ginger tea drinks are commonly drank to help ease period cramps or to ‘warm up’ the body during cold days.
Women know what I’m talking about.(Credit: Unsplash)
In fact, the packaged drink brand has been around for over 200 years, first established in 1790 in Guangzhou, China. They even have a whole website, which took Google less than 0.01 seconds to pull up.
Instead, they were thrown in jail for months despite the incorrect tests results, and were never told that of the potential inaccuracies of the first persumptive test.
The pair are now suing for costs over the false accusations, but the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions have adamantly refused to pay them anything.
Instead, their case has been adjourned until March 2022.

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Budget 2021: Quick Highlights On Everything That Happened

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Parliament meets on November 4, 2020 for the tabling of Budget 2021.

Before the Budget was even announced, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proposed that other Members of Parliament (MP) be allowed into the hall.
He received support from Umno-Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin, and Umno-Machang MP Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, among others.
However, the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan said the matter had been discussed and agreed upon previously by the whips.
Eventually, despite objections by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, the Speaker eventually relented and gave 10 minutes for the other MPs to enter.
TRP brings you quick highlights of today’s Dewan Rakyat session. Do check out our other stories for more details;
(YouTube/Parliamen Malaysia)

4:20 pm – The bell has rung as all MPs enter the the hall.
4:25 pm – Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz presents Budget 2021.
4:30 pm – Tengku Zafrul says that Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis and says that Malaysia faces the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
4:40 pm – The government allocates RM1billion to curb the 3rd wave of Covid-19 next year.
4: 45 pm – Government to expand social protection to the low-income Malaysians in the B40 group through the Program Baucar Perlindungan Tenang insurance program – each B40 recipient will be given RM50 vouchers as financial assistance to purchase Perlindungan Tenang products including Takaful life and personal accident insurance.
4:50 pm – Government allocates funds for public vaccination and mental health programs as well as allocations for Malaysia’s disabled persons (OKU).
4: 55 pm – Government to provide allowances to Malaysian households and unemployed single individuals and would allow Malaysians to withdraw RM500 to RM6000 per month from Account 1 of their Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
5:00 pm – Government to decrease the income tax rate by 1% and reduce employee EPF deductions from 11% to 9%.
5:05 pm – Government allocates RM3.7 billion on programs to provide training and job opportunities to mitigate the country’s unemployment problem.
5:10 pm – RM2 billion allocated for Bumiputera entrepreneurial programs and RM1.4 million on initiatives to enhance Islamic values.
5:08 pm – Government allocates RM177 and RM100 million respectively for development programs aimed towards the Chinese and Indian communities in Malaysia.
(YouTube/Parliamen Malaysia)
5:15 pm – Government allocates RM158 million allocated for Orang Asli development initiatives besides RM632 million and RM250 million respectively to develop infrastructure for the supply of water and electricity in rural areas.
5:16 pm – RM20 million allocated for programs targeted to provide training and work opportunities for prison inmates, ex-cons and drug addicts.
5:17 pm – RM19 million allocated for Malaysia’s National Health Agenda to improve the general health and quality of life in the country besides another RM103 million funded to improve and maintain the nation’s sports facilities.
5:17 pm – Government to provide certain exclusions and assistance programs and an allocation of RM1.2 billion to help Malaysians purchase homes.
5:18 pm – Allocations of RM400 million made to support local scientific and technological research and development (R&D).
5:20 pm – RM7.4 billion allocated for 2021 and 2022 to develop the country’s internet network while RM50 million funded to improve internet connection at tertiary education centres from 500Mbps to 10Gbps.
5:40 pm – Government to help relocation and training for 8,000 airline employees, unemployed by the pandemic.
6:00 pm – Government to introduce a Consumer Credit Act to legislate and increase consumer protection on credit lending activities.
6:05 pm – Budget 2021 will be Malaysia’s largest ever expenditure in the history of the country, amounting to RM322.5 billion.
6:10 pm Government to introduce a tax for e-cigarettes and vape devices beginning January 2021.
6:15 pm – RM15 billion allocated to develop the country’s infrastructure; roads, highways, rail and public transport systems.
6: 20 pm – Government introduced the Save 2.0 program providing rebates of RM200 to Malaysian households that purchase and install Malaysian made green and energy-saving electrical appliances.
6:24 pm – Public institutions will move towards a “paperless” working environment to protect the environment and reduce costs.
6:26 pm – Government servants and retirees receive cash aid of between RM300 to RM600.
6:29 pm – Tengku Zafrul reveals the theme of Budget 2021 – “Teguh kita, memang bersama.” (we are strong when we are together) and ended his speech with a poem to applause by MPs.
6:31 pm – The Dewan Rakyat is now adjourned.

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PM To Discuss COVID-19 And MCO Matters Tonight (Sunday, 23 May) At 9 pm

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Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will appear on RTM and Bernama TV tonight to discuss issues pertaining to MCO and the government’s efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Special Discussion on the Challenges of Covid-19 with YAB Prime Minister’ will touch on questions about Malaysia’s standard operating procedure (SOP), economic viability during the pandemic, and the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.
The exclusive interview, a collaboration between Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), will be hosted by Terrence Dass of RTM and Wan Syahrina Wan Ab Rahman of Bernama TV.
It airs tonight at 9 pm (Sunday, 23 May) and is available to watch online on Bernama TV’s YouTube and Facebook platforms.
Re-runs will also be made available at the following times:
Monday (24 May)2am, 8am, 4pmTuesday (25 May) 9:30amWednesday (26 May)5pm
The interview may also be watched on Bernama TV via Astro 502, myFreeview 121, and unifi TV 631.
This news comes aptly after the announcement yesterday that MCO 3.0 will be tightened.

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Taman Kucing Cyberjaya – Where Stray Cats Are Cared For And Find Forever Homes

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Cat lovers will be delighted to hear that a cat park has been opened in Cyberjaya to help care for stray felines in Sepang.

Known as Taman Kucing Cyberjaya, the park in Taman Tasik Cyberjaya has facilities such as an office, a vet clinic, an intensive care unit, a rehabilitation unit and a treatment unit.
The cat park finished building in January 2023 and has sheltered 31 cats. The park has the capacity to house 300 cats and is open to visitors from 9am to 5pm.
Suka sangat tempat ni sebab dibina dengan landskap dalam taman. Tenang je. Taman Kucing Cyberjaya ni dirasmikan tadi oleh Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin. Baginda berkenan melepaskan beberapa ekor kucing dari sangkar sebagai simbolik pelancaran. pic.twitter.com/A18o1rG9Ux— Nadia 🇲🇾 (@nadiazaman__) March 18, 2023
According to The Sun, the park was officiated by Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin on 18 March 2023.
During the ceremony, she released several cats from their cages as a symbolic gesture and spent time in the park with the animals.
Sepang Municipal Council chairman Datuk Abdul Hamid Hussain said some strategies had been drawn up for the park, including appointing a panel of part-time veterinarians, holding a spay and neuter programme, and an ‘adoption and release’ programme.
In the future, he plans to collaborate with students in universities and colleges nearby to help look after the animals.
The cat park ultimately serves as a transit for stray cats, and visitors can adopt cats to bring home if they’re interested.

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Covid-19 Vaccine: Here’s How Malaysians Can Register For Their Dose

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UPDATE: Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccinations will begin earlier on 24 February with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah receiving the first doses. Read more HERE.

The vaccines are coming soon and the Health Ministry expects up to 126,000 people will be vaccinated daily when the National Covid-19 Immunisation programme starts on 26 February.
According to reports by The Star, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba there will be 600 vaccination stations nationwide which include health clinics as well as government and private hospitals.
He added that there will be place seven vaccinators at each station with one vaccinator expected to be able to jab 30 individuals in one day. This means that one centre could vaccinate up to 210 people.
The first phase will start on 26 February.
How to register
For the rest of us, Science, Technology & Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that registrations will be open to the public starting next month and vaccination is done on a voluntary basis.
According to reports, he said, Malaysians can register via five methods:
MySejahtera appCovid-19 The Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) website (which will be launched next week by the Prime Minister)Via a hotline (the number will be given later)Manual registration in public and private clinics and hospitalsFor Malaysians living rural areas, the Federal government will work with the state government to register recipients including senior citizens
Khairy also confirms that the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be the first person to receive the Pfizer vaccine, followed by the Health Director General of Health Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
When asked why the registration is needed, Khairy explained that the government is using the appointment management system to better handle the vaccination process.
Most countries give out vaccinations based on appointments. Asking people to just show up will create huge queues and wastage. Appointments management system will also assist with vaccine logistics – how many to send where.Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
Perlu daftar untuk masuk appointments management system. Most countries give out vaccinations based on appointments. Asking people to just show up will create huge queues or wastage. Appointments management system will also assist with vaccine logistics – how many to send where. https://t.co/Ht4ZkPf73U— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 13, 2021

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Anwar, The Untold Story Receives Mixed Reviews After Last Night’s Premiere

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While local movies of this genre (or just biopics in general) have generally received lukewarm responses, Viva Westi’s “Anwar, The Untold Story” has received mixed reactions from netizens.

While some loved it, others felt that the storyline could have been better.
As Twitter user @lakiprihatin put it, the storyline and plot have been said to be disappointing.
Anwar the Untold Story Review. The storyline and plot were disappointing, and the language and acting style of the actors were somewhat strange and awkward. It may have suffered the same fate as ‘Ini Kali Lah’ which was also a flop. In my honest opinion, I would rate it 1.5/5.@lakiprihatin via Twitter
Another Twitter user @ShafwanZaidon gave the film a similar rating, noting that:
Rating untuk Anwar The Untold Story semalam 1.5/5. Skrip yang merapu, takde character building, pelakon utama tak capai standard. Plot/storyline yg chopping. Lakonan yg best daripada watak mak ayah Anwar & tentunya Hasnul Rahmat.@ShafwanZaidon via Twitter
He also added that the film should be remade as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is now prime minister and some parts of the storyline may now seem irrelevant.
Patut filem ni boleh peram dulu, remake balik since Anwar Ibrahim dah jadi PM. Jadi boleh buat balik babak2 yang tak kena tu. Mintak dana/bantuan dekat Finas untuk topup mana2 yg patut.@ShafwanZaidon via Twitter
Nevertheless, he added that this may just act as a stepping stone for many other biopics of Malaysians in the future.
Tapi mungkin ni suatu pemulaan untuk filem bergenre biografi dekat Malaysia. Lepas ni diharapakan banyak la penerbit2 filem bersungguh untuk keluarkan filem biopik lain.@ShafwanZaidon via Twitter
On the other hand, Twitter user @Syamsul_Azhar suggested that the story should have been told from the perspectives of people other than his friends and family.
Anwar the untold story should be told not from his friends and relatives perspectives obviously. In that sense should it be Anwar the told untold but retell stories?@Syamsul_Azhar via Twitter
However, not all film fanatics hated the movie.
Twitter user @LaksamanaTarong said:
Filem Anwar The Untold Story aku jangka, kutipan dalam Malaysia sahaja boleh cecah RM40 Juta. Habis Filem,mai pakat laung REFORMASI dalam pawagam.@LaksamanaTarong via Twitter
Meanwhile Twitter user @_nedxander said:
Rasa nak tengok jugak Anwar the Untold Story. Sebab masa kecik-kecik dulu, my family members memang ajar benci Anwar sebenci-bencinya. Duduk sanjung ke Mahathir tu macam apa.@_nedxander via Twitter
Directed by Viva Westi of Indonesia, with Farid Kamil as Anwar, Tanda Putera actor Hasnul Rahmat as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Indonesian actress Acha Septriasa as Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, the film portrays the trials and tribulations Anwar had gone through during his tenure as finance minister in 1991 up till his firing from the cabinet in 1998.
The film also showed the journey of his Reformasi campaign which peaked in his jailing back in 1999, where Anwar was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption and, on 8 August 2000, nine years in prison for sodomy.
On a separate note, Anwar said in a statement today that he felt touched after watching.
He added that although it was overwhelming to look back at a crucial part of his life, he credited the actors and director for keeping it real.
This is a story that must be told, the battle against corruption continues. Now that I am prime minister, I want to save this country and fight corruption and fight them hard.Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
The public screening of ‘Anwar, The Untold Story’ will be shown in all major cinemas nationwide beginning May 18, 2023. Advance booking for the film will open soon.

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Minister Says Nightclubs Should Close, Party At Home. Netizens Point Out He Didn’t Stay Home Either

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Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr. Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali agrees with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that bars, pubs, and nightclubs in Malaysia should remain closed throughout the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period and that it was even better if they shut down for good.

Khairuddin also known by his alias Ustaz Khairuddin at-Takiri, implied on Facebook that it was preferable for the country’s nightlife scene to come to an end forever and that the democratic voice of the majority are on his side on this one.

at-Takiri said that there was no need for people to “party”, “get drunk”, and “cause various other problems” and it was better for people to entertain themselves at home.
Comments on the minister’s statements show a number of Malaysians agreeing with his thoughts, saying that it was good to be rid the country of alcohol.
(Facebook/drtakiri)
Others were keener to tell the minister that people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones and shared their own democratic views.
at-Takiri is currently the subject of public discourse for flaunting mandatory Covid-19 quarantine orders following a recent overseas trip to Turkey.
Have the audacity to talk about ither thing… igt org lupa la tu apa dia dh buat… tolonglah… Malaysians, please be always remember what he did… please keep talking about it https://t.co/Jv7WT3Lv67— 살아있으니까  (@miraliyana) September 5, 2020
You should resign.— Kerk Chee Yee (@Kerkcheeyee) September 5, 2020
While some appeared to be looking at the bigger picture and were more concerned over the socio-economic implications of such blanket opinions on the night-entertainment industry, as not only is it a source of leisure for the masses, the industry obviously also serves the livelihoods of many Malaysians.
He forgot Malaysia does not consist of only a certain race or religion. Just shows he probably cannot accept people of different views, different race, different religion— City (@carmenitaneete) September 5, 2020
There is where the tax come from.— Tommy.C (@tommyyc) September 5, 2020
Recently Malaysiakini had quoted the PM as saying that bars and pubs would remain closed throughout the RMCO, which is set to end at the start of 2021, as it would be difficult to maintain Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).
In response, The Federation of Malaysian Entertainment Industry expressed shock over the move, revealing concerns that many businesses are struggling to stay afloat throughout the pandemic.

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Source:
MP Who Returned From Turkey Attended Parliament Without Serving Full 14-Day Quarantine
'We're struggling' - Federation shocked over PM's remark on nightclubs


Singaporean Man Charged For Posting Racist Tweets As “Sharon Liew” And He Wasn’t Even Chinese

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A 34-year-old man was charged in Singaporean court yesterday (2nd July) for stoking racial tensions online under the pseudonym “Sharon Liew”- he was neither Chinese, nor female.
Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that Zainal Abidin Shaiful Bahari was handed four charges, all relating to committing acts promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion or race and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.
Zainal had actually been posting numerous offensive and racially-charged comments under the twitter handle @sharonliew86 since 2019 and his tweets over Indians and migrant foreign workers.
If found guilty, Zainal may be punished with a jail term of up to three years, fined, or both.

In Malaysia, police reports lodged over social media posts also pertain to topics of royalty, race and religion.
These online incidents are often investigated and charged under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 505 of the Penal Code addresses for statements that could cause public mischief with a penalty of  imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine, or both.
Section 505 of the Penal Code.(Credit: Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia Portal)
On the other, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 describes sharing offensive and menacing content, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term not exceeding one year or both.
Credit: Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia

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Source:
Act 574 - Penal Code
34-year-old man charged over racially offensive tweets made under pseudonym 'Sharon Liew'
Content Sharing On Social Media Is A Shared Responsibility


Ustaz Ebit Lew Offering Free Samsung Tablets For Students In Need

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Continuing on his mission to help those in need, celebrity preacher and philanthropist Ustaz Ebit Lew offers free tablets to students who must study online during the pandemic.

Taking to social media, Ebit announced that he had purchased a total of 100 Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet.
Depending on the specifications and whether they have just WiFi or are also 4G LTE capable, these tablets can cost between RM600 to over RM1,000.
Running primarily on the Android-OS, the Galaxy Tab A is considered one of the many school-friendly tablet computers available on the market – equipped with quality resolution cameras and able to run popular remote learning tools like Google Classroom or the Education Ministry’s (MOE) “KPM eTextbook Reader”.
READ MORE: Students Can Now Get Free Digital School Textbooks For Online Learning Instead Of Buying New Textbooks
Depending on a student’s need, Samsung’s tablets can also easily be paired with a digital pen or stylus, or even be connected to a physical keyboard.

Just a call away
Hoping to spread his good cause, Ebit invites those who are in “real need” of the devices to proceed with Teaching and Learning at Home (PdPR) sessions, to get in touch with him directly at 0175870294.

READ MORE: Who Is This Ustaz Ebit Lew That The Agong Personally “Belanja” To Lunch?
Digital poverty
Schools across the country returned to session on 13 January. Both primary and secondary school students (Form one – Form four) have been ordered by the MOE to participate in PdPR sessions off-campus.
In 2020, a study by the MOE revealed that 37% or 1.7 million students in our public schools do not have access to electronic or digital devices to enable them to participate in online learning.
The pandemic has also highlighted major shortfalls in Malaysia’s telecommunication infrastructure as stories sprung up of children climbing trees and falling off bridges while in search of an internet connection to continue their education.
READ MORE: To Get Good Internet For Online Exams, This Sabah Student Spent 24 Hours In A Tree

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Botanica+Co Bamboo Hills – Highlighting Food With Bolder And Smokier Flavours [Review]

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Botanica+Co has opened its third and flagship branch in Bamboo Hills, Segambut. The new branch is its largest outlet to date and it fits a private dining room and an event space too!

Nestled within a lush greenery landscape, the flagship branch has plenty of outdoor seating and a cosy outdoor bar, perfect for parties and gatherings.
To go with the grown-up look, the menu is also updated with an array of delicious food focused on smoky char and fragrant heat to honour the ingredients in their most authentic flavours.
The taste test
Having Fumaso Fizz at the outdoor bar. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
We were welcomed with a refreshing welcome drink, the Fumaso Fizz, on a warm and sunny day. The sweet drink has a little tinge of sourness as it’s made using preserved lemons and raw sugar, and garnished with sage leaves.
While waiting for the wood-fired pizza to be ready, we munched on three lovely appetizers while taking in our new surroundings.
Clockwise from left: Char-Grilled Hokkaido Scallops, Rosemary Focaccia, and Panzanella. Image: Botanica+Co and Adeline Leong/ TRP
The first appetizer was the Panzanella, a salad made using a seasonal medley of tomato, burrata, red wine vinaigrette, cucumber, roasted bell peppers and herb croutons. The tomatoes in the salad were juicy while the burrata cheese balances out the flavours.
This was followed by the Rosemary Focaccia which comes with three spreads: balsamic dip, basil pesto, and tomato salsa for a slightly spicy kick. Among the three dips, I really liked the basil pesto but those who want something with spice will appreciate the tomato salsa.
The large Char-Grilled Hokkaido Scallop was nestled on a bed of Montpellier butter and carrot puree on an actual scallop shell. The sweetness from the carrot puree paired well with the smoky flavour of the scallop.
Roasted Cauliflower Pizza. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
The Roasted Cauliflower pizza was a surprise because no one would have expected the ‘star’ ingredient to be a vegetable.
As it turns out, the roasted tangy cauliflower added a unique, buttery flavour to the tomato and cheese pizza.
Beef Cheek Conchiglie Rigate and Pink Rigatoni. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
For the pasta, we tried the Beef Cheek Conchiglie Rigate and Pink Rigatoni. Of the two, I much preferred Pink Rigatoni. It’s delicious pasta mixed with chicken slices, green peas, alfredo marina sauce and parmigiano.
The Beef Cheek Conchiglie Rigate was a tad bit salty for me. Aside from that, the braised beef was tender and it still makes a hearty meal.
Pineapple-Fed Chicken and Butterflied Barramundi. Image: Botanica+Co and Adeline Leong/ TRP
For the mains, we had a go at the Pineapple-Fed Chicken and Butterflied Barramundi.
The Pineapple-Fed Chicken is a half-roast organic kampung chicken that’s sweetened by a diet of pineapple and grains, resulting in a slightly sweet taste to the meat. It’s further flavoured with a house-made rub and served with rosemary and rich porcini jus.
The Butterflied Barramundi is a whole-grilled barramundi served with citrus pesto on one-half of the fish and spiced adobo on the other, basically perfect for a group with varied tastes to share at a table.
The citrus pesto gives a tangy flavour while the spiced adobo adds some spicy hint to the dish. In the end, we mixed the remaining fish meat and the sauces together to have the best of both worlds.
Mushrooms and Char-grilled Brocollini. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
We also got to try some side dishes such as the mushrooms (which were so fragrant!) and char-grilled broccolini. The buttered broccolini was mixed with parmigiano and lemon with a little spice from the chilli oil.
No meal is truly complete without desserts so we had panna cotta, an 8-layer chocolate cake, and a salted caramel tart.
The panna cotta is made with white chocolate, strawberry compote, olive oil and thyme. The strawberry bits added a bit of tartness to the smooth and refreshing dessert.
Salted caramel tart and Panna Cotta. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
The 8-layer chocolate cake got its name because it’s literally composed of 8 layers of Guanaja chocolate mousse and 8 layers of sponge cake. Despite the many layers, the taste of chocolate wasn’t too heavy and its sweetness was rightly balanced.
The salted caramel tart was served with a beautiful helping of mascarpone cream. The taste of the salted caramel wasn’t overly sweet. If you need it sweeter, you can spread on more mascarpone cream.
8 Layer Chocolate Cake and Taro Almond Milkshake. Image: Adeline Leong/ TRP
We also got to try another refreshing and delicious beverage at the end of the meal. The Taro Almond Milkshake is like enjoying a slice of cake in a glass.
Maybe it was because it was made out of taro ice cream, almonds, cheesecake, and almond milk. The drink tasted like a vanilla milkshake with a nutty flavour to me.
The Verdict
Indoor seating at Botanica+Co Bamboo Hills. Image: Botanica+Co
The food and drinks are delicious. Some of our favourites are the Fumaso Fizz, Rosemary Focaccia, the chargrilled scallops, roasted cauliflower pizza, the chargrilled broccolini, Pink Rigatoni, and the Butterflied Barramundi.
For desserts, we love the salted caramel tart and recommend the Taro Almond Milkshake for something out of the ordinary.
Having been to the branches in Bangsar South and Alila, the flagship restaurant is certainly an upgrade with bigger spaces.
While it might be out of the way for some people, Botanica+Co Bamboo Hills is a great place for celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries.
Botanica+Co Bamboo Hills
Address: P-09, Taman Bukit Bambu Off, Lebuhraya Duta – Ulu Kelang, Taman Bamboo, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
Operation Hours:Closed every Monday. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Lunch : Tuesday to Friday : 12pm – 4pmSaturday to Sunday : 12pm – 6pm
Dinner : Tuesday to Sunday : 6pm – 10pmKitchen Last Call : 9.30pm
For reservations: https://letsumai.com/widget/botanica-co-bamboo-hills
Website: Botanica+Co Bamboo Hills
Contact: +60 17 659 1838 | inquiry@botanica.com.my

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Canada said NO to taking back plastic waste from Malaysia

Last week, Canada (allegedly the ‘nicest’ country in the world…) announced plans to ban some single-use plastics as a step to address the global problem of plastic pollution and climate change.
They even passed the Free Willy legislation, banning the capture and breeding of ocean mammals like whales and dolphins.
Rick And Morty Booyah GIF from Rickandmorty GIFs

But today, the Canucks are saying they wonâ€™t be taking back their garbage from here in Malaysiaâ€¦(that’s not nice, ay?)
Rick And Morty Boonah GIF from Rickandmorty GIFs

Recently it was revealed to the world that western nations have been dumping millions of tons of waste in Southeast Asian countries.
Malaysia and Philippines pushed back and announced they are returning huge shipments of illegal plastic waste back to the origin countries, with Canada caving to Filipinos’ demands in order to avoid tensions.

(Picture Credit: imgflip)

However, Reuters today reports that the Canadian government received no information of waste shipments from Canada to Malaysia, and so had no plans on picking up the plastic waste which Malaysia is prepared to return.

(Picture Credit: imgflip)

The report also mentioned that right now there is no way to determine how much of the waste left sitting here came from the Great White North so the Mounties are currently reaching out to our government for answers.

“There are no plans for the Canadian Government to pick up waste in Malaysia.”
Canada Environment and Climate Change spokesman, Gabrielle Lamontagne

(Picture Credit: Knowyourmeme)

The plastic problem has become a global dilemma as most of the plastics made, some 6.3 billion metric tons of it, ends up as waste material. Pilling up in landfills, burned, and eventually ends up in our oceans.
With the planet heading towards a climate crisis, most are left to wonder; Is it too late for us to take action and what sort of action should we make to fix it?
Catch this quick video on how plastics are affecting you and how we might together come to a conclusion to solve this problem.


Catfish kills cat; terrified owner calls Bomba

Yesterday at 7am, the Shah Alam Fire Brigade received a distress call from a 49-year-old woman.
Unlike other damsels in distress locked in towers, hers involved her pet catfish that stung her cat.

Don’t think you can help with this one(Pic Credit: meme)

The 49-year-old feared for her safety and her sonâ€™s after their pet cat died from being stung from the catfish. Well, the cat did try to eat the fish.

via GIPHY
Initially, the Kota Anggerik Fire Brigade control room tried to dismiss her call, saying it was not an emergency.
But after the woman pleaded for help, arguing that there was no one else to help her, 5 firemen showed up.
(Pic Credit: Kosmo)
The firemen successfully caught the 3kg catfish and brought it to their fire station.
We aren’t very sure what kind of catfish this woman possessed, because generally catfishes don’t kill humans. Though, they might sting if attacked.

via GIPHY


Families In Johor Take Boat Ride To Be Closer With Loved Ones Who Are Stuck In Singapore

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Smiles, waves and tears describe the touching scene captured near the shores of the Malaysian-Singapore border as loved ones separated by the Covid-19 pandemic shared a quick glimpse at one another from across the water

This came about after several Malaysians were given a chance to be closer to their loved ones who are stuck in Singapore due to the international travel restrictions enforced during the pandemic.
An online contest hosted by the R&F Princess Cove property development project in Johor offered lucky winners a special cruise aboard a yacht that sailed from Malaysia and got as close as they could to our island neighbour.
Contestants were asked to leave a short message detailing how long they have been separated from their loved ones, and winners were supposedly selected at random.
Images shared online saw men, women and children holding up signs and waving their hearts out at their loved ones as they float by the Woodlands Waterfront Park jetty in Singapore.

The tender moment was also captured from across the sea as footage of Malaysian citizens waving back as their families sailed by proved to be too much for some to take.
At Woodlands jetty this morning, some Malaysians stuck in #Singapore since the March #MCO were finally able to catch a glimpse of their loved ones who were on a yacht that came as close to the border as it could pic.twitter.com/mBUFvZCdEE— Afifah Ariffin (@AfifahCNA) October 24, 2020
Malaysians in Singapore holding up signs to their loved ones.(Facebook/princesscove.rf)
Previously, Malaysians witnessed a similarly stirring scene when a family said “hello” to one another from across the Singapore Strait.
Read More: Separated Family Waves To Each Other Across The Water Between Singapore And Johor(Facebook)
Travel between Malaysia and Singapore is only allowed for essential businesses and official purposes via the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) made by both countries to facilitate safe travel during the pandemic.
However, Malaysians working there can still return to the country for short-term leave provided approval and strict standard operating procedures (SOP).
Read More: Malaysians Can Enter Singapore Under Two Special Passes – All The Details

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Pizza From An Actual Italian Wood-Fired Oven? Yes, At Roberto’s In Bangsar

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Italian dining is all about authentic recipes, traditional ingredients, and family moments, according to Roberto Guiati, Chief Executive of PETRA Cucina which opened their flagship Italian restaurant serving high-end casual Tuscan cuisine, Roberto’s 1020 Osteria.

Roberto’s at Bangsar Shopping Center.(Credit: TRP)
A majority of Roberto’s is imported from Italy- from the flour, the cold cuts of meat, and the cheese selection to the olive oil and wine.
In fact, they imported a whole pizza oven from Italy, the Alfa Forni wood-and-gas fired pizza oven, to make sure their pizzas are as authentic as possible.
The Alfa Forni pizza oven (left), a signature feature of Roberto’s, was imported directly from Italy- the only one in Malaysia!(Credit: TRP)
Are the pizzas worth it?
Pizzas take the center-stage of Roberto’s menu, featuring plenty of traditional and classic pizza combinations. Christmas pizzas are available until the end of the year, though Roberto notes that any kind of pizza can be made upon request.
The “Christmas Star” pizza which is part of their Christmas menu.(Credit: TRP)
The pizzas have a thin, crisp base with a mild sweetness to truly let the simplicity and fresh flavours of its ingredients shine. Whether it’s a simple pizza sauce and cheese pizza or topped with cold cut meats and olives, the grasp of flavours are immensely satisfying and warm.
They made me wish I had an Italian grandmother. Unfortunately for me, I do not have any Italian relations, so i’ll have to make do at Roberto’s.
Featuring head chef Cristian Grandi’s expert pizza-making.(Credit: TRP)
A meal shared with Italian hospitality
In Italy, eating together is what connects us with family members and friends.Roberto Guiati on Italian hospitality
Like Malaysians, Italians bond over sharing food and eating together. As such, the restaurant serves relatively big portions meant for sharing and has a wide menu other than pizzas, such as handmade pastas, paninis, and meat-based mains.
They also serve typical Italian fare such as this simple but delectable cold cuts platter, featuring ingredients sourced from Italy such as sliced cold meats and various cheeses.(Credit: Roberto’s)
The outdoor alfresco dining is indeed quite comfortable, even with Malaysia’s hot weather. The large tables and soft seating fits larger groups quite well, even while observing SOPs, making it ideal for the “Italian-style” gathering of friends and family.
(Clockwise from left) Beef Tenderloin Carpaccio, Cold Cuts Platter, White Pizza, Burrata Pugliese, Beef Ragout Pappardelle.(Credit: Roberto’s)
Additionally, their selection of alcohol pairs well with the food, featuring specialty wines from the Tuscan countryside as well as refreshing cocktails mixed with local flavours.
Expect a relaxing outdoors-y experience at Roberto’s. Portions shown are not accurate.(Credit: TRP)
All in all, Roberto’s seems like a promising addition to Bangsar’s gourmet food scene.
Roberto’s 1020 OsteriaGF, Bangsar Shopping CenterJalan Maarof, KL+6017 3948 050

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Tealive’s RM8-A-Drink Promotion is Back Till This 21 October

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Back by popular demand, Tealive is doing their RM8 per drink again.

READ MORE: RM8 Only For Any Drink At Tealive! Promotion Runs Till 9 September
You can get any drink for the price of RM8, which means you can go crazy with toppings and all. Order the large size too while you’re at it.
Promotion is available in all outlets except Tealive+ and through walk -in purchase only. However, your drink will be charged for the 6% sst too so it’ll be a bit more than RM8.
It’s only valid until this 21 October so grab your fancy RM8 drink now!

For more info, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Education Ministry To Review School Syllabus After Claims That It’s “Too Advanced” For Students

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Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said 2022 will be a busy year for the ministry as it will review the syllabus taught in schools.

According to New Straits Times, the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah (KSSM) had completed its first cohort cycle last year while the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) first cohort cycle will conclude later this year.
Radzi said it is part of the education framework to review the syllabus once the cohort cycle has been completed. The review will help determine if there’s any room for improvement.
Previously, a viral social media post claimed that the Standard One Mathematics syllabus was “too advanced” for students.
In response to the claims, the ministry will look into the matter to determine whether the syllabus in the current cohort is deemed “complex” or it’s merely something unfamiliar for students.
Radzi said if the syllabus was generally “not complex” but instead was something students weren’t familiar with, then it’s possible that the syllabus is complex.
However, he added that he had gone through the Standard One textbook and the syllabus has been used widely in foreign countries.
On another note, the ministry also has no intention to do away with the mandatory requirement to pass the History subject for the SPM examination.
However, the ministry will look into the factors that contributed to students failing the subject.
This comes after about 70,000 SPM 2021 candidates failed the subject.

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