Instagram User Incurs Netizens’ Wrath Over Racist Remark On Story At AR Rahman Concert

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Last Saturday (28 January), the AR Rahman concert, ‘Secret of Success: Live in Malaysia 2023’ was held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The concert saw some 60,000 attendees, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil was also present with his wife to witness the international spectacle.
AR Rahman’s concert certainly brought together a multiracial crowd that night, especially with Dato Siti Nurhaliza singing a Tamil song in the concert too.
READ MORE: Siti Nurhaliza Praised For Tamil Song Performance With AR Rahman On Stage
However, with such a mixed crowd, not everyone appreciated the concert as AR Rahman’s die-hard fans would.
One Instagram user named Fatin Amyra Lee posted on her Instagram story (IGS) about her experience at the concert. In her IGS, she used a term that was offensive to Indians.
The caption on her IGS was “These Kel**g songs are making me dizzy. (I) Want Hindustani songs, please. Just waiting for Tokti (Siti Nurhaliza) now…”.
A Twitter user, @Kesavan49, brought this to attention on Twitter with a screen record of her story.
Wow. The audacity. Seriously girl? pic.twitter.com/YiIhLT4GSI— Kesavan Vekraman (@Kesavan49) January 29, 2023
The woman’s nonchalant use of the offensive word made many people angry.
She used the word to describe what she thought was a Tamil song but it was actually a Hindi song.
Some were saying that she must have gotten a free ticket which was why she disrespected the performance with the racial slur.

Some backed her up claiming that she is from Kelantan and people there allegedly often use the term and are not aware it is derogatory.

She has since deleted the IGS and issued a public apology. In her apology, she said that she didn’t mean any racist remarks. She said that she was probably too overwhelmed being in a huge concert and she didn’t think about her words carefully.
her “apology” 💀😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Zg1tCgyt7z— bella hadn’t (@rnzntsha) January 29, 2023
Another one bites the dust
Not only did a person who went to the concert post a racial slur, but somebody else who didn’t even go to the concert also commented something racist in a public newspaper portal’s social post.
Hanis Nadiah Onn, a national women’s field hockey player, commented on Kosmo Online’s post about AR Rahman’s concert with the comment “It must smell nice in there.”
Malaysian National Women’s Field Hockey Player pic.twitter.com/OwXxIWezws— 🇲🇾✨ (@mygaminglyfe) January 29, 2023
Hanis also got shamed by netizens and issued a public apology afterwards.
In her apology, she stated that in her 10 years of experience in the hockey world, she also defended Malaysia in a multiracial team and she was sorry about her negligence on the negative connotation of her comment.
It doesn’t matter if you are brought up learning that word or joke around with friends, degrading terms towards other races should never be normalised, let alone in a public setting.
Malaysians are in a multiracial country, there’s no space for hate or insensitivity.

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Jho Low Paid RM5.56 Million For London Law Firm To Handle His PR

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Businessman and fugitive financier Low Thaek Jho, aka Jho Low, is reported to have spent USD $1.3 million (RM5.56 million) for a PR campaign handled by London law firm Schillings that also represents the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
According to a report by UK paper The Guardian, Jho Low had hired the firm to carry out a massive PR campaign from January 2019 to March 2020.
Schillings was tasked with several activities that include “informing public opinion” in the US, helping to prepare press releases, providing “legal and consulting advice and research in support of the work” of PR advisers and maintain the website www.jho-low.com for him as several governments around the world seek his arrest over money-laundering and embezzlement from the 1MDB state investment fund.
Mr. Low maintains his innocence, and believes he will be vindicated once all the relevant evidence has been presented in a fair and legitimate court of law.www.jho-low.com
The information was revealed by the firm’s US subsidiary in accordance with US lobbying disclosures submitted to the Department of Justice (DoJ) under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (Fara).
Jho Low has widely been accused as the mastermind of the alleged 1MDB fraud, siphoning USD $4.5 billion (RM19.47 billion) which led to the downfall and trial of former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najob Razak(Credit: Malay Mail)
He is currently wanted in the US, Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland.

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Source:
London law firm did PR for Malaysian fugitive accused of corruption
Jho Low remains a wanted man, says Singapore police


Who Is Dr. Cheah, The First Malaysian Female Oxford Associate Professor Highlighted By Dr. Masliza

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Recently, Malaysians rejoiced over news of Dr. Masliza Mahmod becoming the first Malaysian woman to be promoted as an Associate Professor at the prestigious Oxford University.
But as it turned out that honor had actually gone to another #AnakMalaysia by the name of Dr. Phaik Yeong Cheah who is the Associate Professor of Oxford University based in Bangkok, Thailand.
In a shorts statement made on Facebook, Dr. Masliza alluded to the fact that Dr. Cheah had been an Associate Professor in Biotechnics and Engineering with Oxford since 2016!

We’ve all been sleeping on Dr. Cheah
In fact, Dr. Cheah actually heads the Department of Bioethics and Engagement at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Thailand where her work focuses on conducting research and working with vulnerable members of society like women, children, migrants as well as the disadvantaged and disenfranchised on ethical related issues.
(MORU Tropical Health Network)
Graduating with a PhD on chronic prostatitis from a university in Penang, Dr. Cheah has been in the medical field since 1998 where she began her work in clinical trials.
She reportedly has been with Oxford since 2005 and was also the head of MORU’s Clinical Trials Support Group which worked on clinical trials and research. Prior to moving to Thailand, Dr.Cheah served at Oxford’s Clinical Trials and Research Governance department in the United Kingdom where she reviewed, monitored, and audited clinical trial procedures and research protocols for the university.
Apparently, Dr. Cheah harbors a passion for ethics and issues relating to the community as well as an interest in pediatric research – branch of medicine dealing with children and their diseases -, besides also being a major fan of the arts.
My very own copy of @MalariaPoems! You are wonderful @CameronConaway, @MORUBKK's poet in residence ! pic.twitter.com/vVQbAZpEUn— Phaik Yeong Cheah (@phaikyeong) December 18, 2014
Reportedly, Dr. Cheah had even led a community theater project in Cambodia where children were given singing and acting lessons to educate rural communities in the fight against malaria.

Moreover, Dr. Cheah’s name is also credited in several medical research publications since 2017.
If you’d like to find out more about Dr. Cheah’s work, you can check out her quick interview with Oxford, HERE;

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Source:
PROFESSOR PHAIK YEONG CHEAH
Phaik Yeong Cheah
Village drama against malaria project wins University Public Engagement with Research Award
Phaik Yeong Cheah


[Watch] “If They Can’t Take Care Of Us, Step Down” Veterans Rallied At Tugu Negara Urging For Pension Review

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Hundreds of army veterans rallied in front of the Tugu Negara (National Monument) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday demanding a review of the armed forces’ pension scheme.

The group said that some veterans still receive the old pension rate despite the revisions made to the scheme in 2007.
The army veterans also lamented the decision to revise the army’s personnel salary which saw an increment of 60% in 2013 while the veteran’s pension was only increased by 2%.
According to the group, most retired army personnel ranked Lieutenant Colonel and below are currently in the B40 group.
During the rally, the group also called for the government to grant pensions to those who served in the army for less than 21 years and for those that were dismissed for disciplinary misconduct to be granted amnesty.
“Discipline is very important in the military and I’m not saying people who committed wrongdoings can’t be punished but until now these people have had no chance to ask for forgiveness,” the rally organising committee deputy chairman Major (R) Mior Rosli Mior Mohd Jaafar was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
Mior Rosli added that those who were dismissed for disciplinary misconduct lose their veteran privilege and rights to receive a pension, as stated in the Army Veteran Act 2002.
He said that there are those who were dismissed a year prior to their retirement while some are dismissed on offences that do not merit a discharge or dismissal in other public services.
Despite not naming anybody, the group urged the minister in charge of the veterans to quit if he doesn’t want to take care of the veteran’s welfare.
“Kalau menteri pertahanan tak nak menjaga kita (veteran) letak jawatan” pic.twitter.com/8Tt00bzlpJ— zareen (@ZareenH_s) June 6, 2022
Meanwhile, the rally’s chairman, Commander (R) Datuk Abdul Rahman Hussin said, the movement has so far managed to gather a total of 12,800 members and will be registered as an association within a month.
“The association is established to fight for and improve the socio-economic status of ATM veterans and will be focused on the food industry,” he said.

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Sanitizers & Disinfectants – Keeping Your Cat Safe From Covid & Toxins

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As many diligently endeavour to sanitise and disinfect their homes and belongings in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, pet owners should be aware of the poisonous effects some of these products could have on their beloved furbabies.

Cats, in particular, are susceptible to toxins found in common household disinfectants due to their small size.
Disinfectants and sanitisers are now commonplace in the pandemic era.(Credit: @kellysikkema/Unsplash)
Disinfectants cat owners should avoid
1. Benzalkonium chloride
Lots of household disinfectants, including antibacterial products, contain the cationic detergent benzalkonium chloride.
Cationic detergents are irritants and can cause adverse effects in cats that have accidentally ingested the chemical – either by licking treated surfaces or walking on them and later licking their paws.
Signs of benzalonium chloride poisoning include:
DroolingRed, inflamed tongue with a painful mouthHigh body temperatureReduced appetite and/or drinkingRedness and irritation of skinBreathing difficulties and coughing
Veterinary advice should be sought if you believe your cat has been exposed to the disinfectant, and you should wash the product off to prevent any more being ingested.
Credit: TeamK/Pixabay
2. Chloroxylenol
The phenol chloroxylenol is dangerous for all animals but especially cats, because felines are unable to eliminate toxins following ingestion.
Chloroxylenol is the active ingredient found in antiseptic liquids (such as Dettol antiseptic liquid), and antibacterial soaps. It should never be used on cats at all.
3. Bleach
Bleach can be corrosive to skin, for example, if your cat walks across your kitchen counter while it’s still damp after you’ve wiped it down with diluted bleach solution.
It’s also harmful if ingested, and the harsh fumes can irritate your pet’s eyes and respiratory tract.
However, it’s not a hard No-No if proper steps are taken.
Use diluted bleach in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry completely before letting your pets have access to freshly cleaned surfaces.
What may be safer to use is hydrogen peroxide (3%) as it is milder than bleach and generally safe to use around animals.
However, caution should be exercised and it should be used in a well-ventilated area and allowed to dry completely before allowing your cat anywhere near.
What if my cat/dog licks my hand after I’ve used hand sanitizer?
Credit: Pixabay
Most hand sanitizers and disinfecting sprays contain alcohol (ethanol or ethyl alcohol). Pets arent generally attracted to alcohols but it can be toxic if ingested in large amounts.
According to a report by Reuters, a “large ingestion” of hand sanitizer would be dangerous for a pet. However, it is not a hazard for pets if owners use it properly in normal amounts.
A medical expert to told the news agency that while hand santizers may cause discomfort or irritation of the nose or eyes in pets, licking the skin of someone who used hand sanitizer properly (in a reasonable amount) would not be considered a veterinary emergency.
So before you start using any disinfectant, make sure to check the ingredients first!

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Source:
Keeping Cats Safe: Disinfectants
Your Pets & Using Disinfectants During COVID-19
False claim: If you touch your pet after using hand sanitizer, its highly toxic ingredients can kill it


Indonesians accuse Mâ€™sia of stealing AGAIN; this time for national costume at international male pageant

The relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia is like
siblings who fight over the same toy.
Sometimes itâ€™s batik, sometimes itâ€™s nasi goreng and other times itâ€™s football.
Seinfeld Jason Alexander GIF from Seinfeld GIFs

This time, however, the squabble is over the national costume worn by the Malaysian representative at the Mister Global 2019 male pageant.
Indonesians are accusing Malaysia of stealing
their national costume at the international male pageant!
Parks And Rec Rhetta GIF from Parksandrec GIFs

Chris Chan (aka Mr Global Malaysia) donned a stunning Bornean Dayak costume for the international pageant that took place in Bangkok, Thailand earlier this week.

Credit: Missosology – Male Pageants/Facebook

While we think heâ€™s absolutely rocking the Dayak garb, our Indonesian brothers were less than impressed.

Screenshot from Facebook

Claiming that the Dayak costume was Indonesian, the comment section of Mister Global Malaysia’s picture on Facebook blew up. (There were 1.3k comments at the time of writing)

Screenshot from Google Maps

However, many were quick to explain that the Dayaks were native to Borneo, and are spread across Indonesia, Brunei AND Malaysia.

 Screenshot from Facebook

 Credit: Missosology – Male Pageants/Facebook

Of course, there were the trolls as well…

  Screenshot from Facebook

The fight even spilled over to the Indonesian contestant’s national costume.
Screenshot from Facebook
While the fight was entirely pointless, at least the Malaysian and Indonesian costumes were freaking cool.
Which is more than we can say for the American costume…We’ll leave the pictures below for you to judge.

Credit: Missosology – Male Pageants/Facebook

Credit: Missosology/Facebook

In the end, the Mister Global 2019 title went to Kim Jongwoo of South Korea, so all the fighting was for nothing anyway.

 Credit: Missosology/Facebook

Moral of the story: Can we just please be friends and get along?
Group Hug Friends GIF from Grouphug GIFs


Malaysians Start Ridiculous Bidding War With Johor Police During Live PC For Limited-Edition Sneakers Worth Up To RM80,000

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Some intrepid online shoppers started a bidding war over an expensive pair of limited-edition shoes during a live press conference by the Johor police.

A pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 High OG Dior sneakers managed to steal the limelight during a live press conference on Facebook featuring Johor Police Chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and a haul of cash and luxury items worth RM4.9 million, confiscated from a local investment fraud syndicate.
How much do you think these shoes are worth? They’re 5,000 USD (RM20,392).Said Ayob Khan during the live Facebook press conference on 26 November 2020.
With the Chief showing off the goods, social media users began crowding the comment section in hopes to “lock” or book the shoes for purchase, besides admiring its craftsmanship and lavish price tag.
(PolisJohor /Facebook)
The OG Dior sneakers are part of an exclusive line of clothing made with the partnership between Nike and Dior – inspired by the style of the OG himself, Michael Jordan – The shoes are said to be highly praised by “hypebeasts” or those who enjoy fashion, and can cost up to RM80,000 on the open market.
As comments started piling up, Ayob Khan himself later took to responding that the sneakers and other items were obviously not for sale as they were evidence in a criminal investigation.
Screenshot of Ayob Khan’s reply captured netizens.(Yusrizat Idris/Facebook)

Good to see Malaysians still enjoying some laughs nearing the end of a long 2020. Share your thoughts with us on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


M’sian food waste enough to feed 12mil meals each day

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Food waste comes from two sources: household food waste and commercial food waste.
Until recently, Malaysian food waste data was mostly collected from household food waste.
The household waste takes up about 44.5% of total food waste, while the commercial food waste contributes about 31.4%. According to the Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), Malaysian households waste an estimated 16,688 tonnes of food!
It was difficult to calculate the total amount of food waste generated commercially, because no organisation was willing to voluntarily provide its food waste information.
Earlier this month, Tesco Malaysia announced that they will be publishing their food waste data, being the first commercial company to do so.
Before this, Tesco Malaysia has already been working closely with organisations that save and distribute unsold but edible foods to the needy.
But there are still tonnes of perfectly edible food that gets thrown out daily: from catering at functions to hotel buffets and day-old bread from bakeries. What happens then?
Not to worry, there are plenty of Malaysian organisations and foodbanks that distribute all these foods to the hungry.
1. Food Aid Foundation
The NGO is essentially a food bank where unwanted foods from the supply chain are rescued and then distributed to people in need.
They accept donations from manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, companies, as well as personal donations.

2. The Lost Food Project
The Lost Food Project also works with multiple grocery stores to save food that are near their expiry date or would have been otherwise trashed.

3. What A Waste
What A Waste does take donations of cooked foods, but they have a team of professional kitchen helpers to ensure that the food is well-packed and still good to eat.

4. Kechara Soup Kitchen
Kechara Soup Kitchen serves freshly cooked food every day (except Sunday) to those in need. They also collect surplus groceries and food from hypermarkets to be delivered to needy families.
They have soup kitchen branches in KL, Johor, Penang, while they have food banks in other states.

5. SESO Malaysia (Save Environment Save Ourselves)
SESO makes eating an experience for the needy and homeless. They set up tables and chairs by the road, take “orders”, and serve a three-course meal, just like a proper restaurant.
It’s a way to feed others while providing them dignity and fostering a community where they can have positive human interactions.

So if you or your company has a lot of food that sadly ends up in the landfills, please reach out to these NGOs and to not let the food go to waste!

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8 Hotspots For Delicious Plant-Based Meals In Klang Valley (And More)!

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Plant-based meats have taken over the world in the past two years – and it’s not just about veganism being in vogue. As more consumers consider a meatless future – for environmental, ethical, health, or taste reasons – plant-based food options have been springing up and added to menus all over the country.

If you’re on the hunt for the next green grub hotspot, we’ve got a list of the seven best places around Malaysia to grab your favourites!
1. Sala
Chick’n Ranch Wrap
Get your Tex-Mex flavour fix at Sala, a Latin-inspired vegan restaurant that packs a punch with its delicious offerings. For vegan options that taste so much like meat you can’t tell the difference, we recommend the delicious Chick’n Ranch Wrap. With an option to smother the wrap in delicious sauces such as vegan ranch, vegan honey mustard and sweet Thai chilli, this delicious treat is also served with coleslaw and fries. This plant-based treat is as indulgent as it is satisfying. *Chefs kiss*.
Location:
Available at all Sala outlets in Hartamas, The Row, Desa Park City, Mont Kiara, Bandar Rimbayu, Avenue K, and Alamanda.
2. Da Bao
Credit: Phuture Cheese-bao-ger [left] and the Spicy ‘Chicken’ Bao [right]
It’s time to tapau (or dine-in!) from Da Bao! This chic hangout spot is known for serving up unique and delicious twists on the Malaysian-favourite bao. If you’re looking to go plant-based, give their famed Phuture Cheese-bao-ger a go – stuffed with a deliciously juicy plant-based patty that’s smothered in vegan cheese, this treat will keep you coming back for more! And if you’re looking for a more classic bao flavour, the Spicy ‘Chicken’ Bao with sweet and sour pickles served with spicy garlic aioli is a treat that’s hard to beat!
Location:
145, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
3. Thursdvy by Hijau
Hijau Chick’n Burger
Famous for plant-based Japanese-fusion comfort foods that are good for the body and soul, you can’t go past Thursdvy by Hijau. The Hijau Chick’n Burger is a must-try, with its juicy plant-based chicken patty smothered in gooey vegan cheese… we can hear you drooling already.
Location:
22, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
4. LeFood
HFC Spicy Chick’
Attention Subangites! Enjoy a healthy meal at vegan-friendly restaurant LeFood. LeFood prides itself on serving freshly cooked meals with quality and natural ingredients. Try out their delicious HFC Classic Chick’n or Spicy Chick’n burgers for a wholesome meal that will surely satisfy!
Location:
No. 7G, Jalan SS18/1B, 47500, Subang Jaya
5. V-Life
Smoky n’ Picante Crispy Chicken Burger
For any plant-based vegan foodies in Ipoh, we’ve got you covered! V-Life is a local hotspot for plant-based grub, and we highly recommend checking out its Smoky n’ Picante Crispy Chicken Burger. This delicious plant-based burger is so good, it’s hard to only eat one!
Location:
42, Lintasan Perajurit 6, Taman Ipoh Timur, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
6. Bowl Bowl
Salted Egg & Butter Milk Bowl [left] and Longan Sweet & Sour ‘Chicken’ Rice Bowl [Right]
If you love your rice (who doesn’t?), then head to Bowl Bowl for their amazing signature Salted Egg & Buttermilk Bowl that is served with crispy chicken or a plant-based alternative. If you’re looking for a different flavour profile, try their unique Longan Sweet & Sour “Chicken” Rice Bowl, which is just as delicious – and just as meat-free!
Location:
Rinse KL, 15, Jalan Damar SD 15/1, Bandar Sri Damansara, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
7. Vintage 1988
High-Fibre Crispy Chick’n Burger

Vintage 1988 offers a myriad of wholesome meals for everyone to enjoy. They have a variety of vegetarian, vegan and non-vegan options – a must-try is their High-Fibre Crispy Chick’n Burger, featuring a delicious plant-based ‘chicken’ patty in their signature beetroot bun with butterhead lettuce, red frisee, and caramelised peaches, smothered in vegan mayonnaise and sliced mozzarella.
Location:
Vintage 1988, 34, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor

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Close to 2,000 Child Marriages Reported In Malaysia In 2018

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There were a total of 1,856 underage marriages recorded across Malaysia in just one year.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) revealed that some 1,542 Muslim and another 314 non-Muslim boys and girls were married off in 2018.
Girls make up the majority of underage marriages in the country, with 1,372 cases having involved Muslims and 293 non-Muslim youths.
Child marriages are highest in the state of Sabah with over 200 reported incidents of underaged marriage among Muslims and 10 cases involving non-Muslims.
Previously, the Pakatan Harapan government had tried to amend and strengthen child protection laws in Malaysia to ban the practice of underaged marriage. This was however put to a stop when 7 State Governments had rejected the idea.
Read more: How Msia’s Complex Laws Put Child Marriage Ban At A Standstill
The current government, reportedly, is trying to bring new life into the anti-child marriage laws.

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Source:
Sabah tops list of underage marriages in 2018, says ministry
How Msia’s Complex Laws Put Child Marriage Ban At A Standstill


“It’s A Farewell Gathering For Staff” Ismail Sabri Rubbishes ‘Langkah Tropicana’ Claims

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A day after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia, several Barisan Nasional and PAS members were spotted gathering at the Tropicana Golf Resort in Petaling Jaya.

The gathering was allegedly held from 10.30am until 12pm and rumours quickly sprung that the group was plotting to defect ala the Sheraton Move.
As such, the recent gathering among BN and PAS members was dubbed the Tropicana Move.
Misi Underground*Perjumpaan Tertutup Tertutup Pemimpin BN dan PAS*Pada 25 November 2022 (Jumaat)jam 10.30 am hingga 12.00 pm bertempat di Tropicana Golf Resort Petaling Jaya berlangsung perjumpaan tertutup beberapa pemimpin BN dan PAS yang diketuai oleh Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri pic.twitter.com/XYUDL4JrMn— CIKY🔺NIE (@lady_bugg11) November 26, 2022
According to Malaysiakini, 10 BN and PAS members allegedly attended the meeting.
Among those who were spotted at the golf club were former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, BN treasurer-general Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Ketereh Umno chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, and Annuar’s aide Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz.
According to Malay Mail, Ismail Sabri dismissed the allegations and said it was a meeting between friends.
He said it was a farewell gathering with former Prime Minister’s Office staff members and lamented that he couldn’t see his friends anymore without being accused of planning to topple the government.
Nowadays, I can’t even meet my friends. One becomes a traitor when he meets with PAS friends, but turns into a saviour when he meets [Pakatan Harapan] leaders. This is crazy.Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri
He also called out his party members for dividing the party with slanders.
There were even rumours that former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin is plotting to take on Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Umno leaders slander each other and even divide the party, just because [some] want to support certain people to become the prime minister and form a government.Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri

Former transport minister Wee also rubbished the allegations and said he was there to have dim sum brunch with two friends in a Chinese restaurant.
He claimed to have spotted Ismail Sabri’s bodyguard and went over to say hello. Wee also questioned how a meeting could have occurred when Ismail Sabri was there on his own.
He maintained that MCA accepted the decision made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form a unity government and told everyone to move on.
Meanwhile, Annuar claimed he was there to play golf.
READ MORE: Umno Hits Back At ‘Malay Dependant’ Wee Ka Siong For Telling Ahmad Zahid To Resign

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[Watch] Touching Moments From Families Finally Returning Home In Malaysia Make Netizens Tear Up

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The Malaysian-Singapore borders reopening have reunited many families who have been separated for 2 years due to the pandemic.

Videos of people queuing in cars or running out of airports to be reunited with their loved ones flooded social media. It was an incredibly touching sight since it was also the start of the Ramadan month.
A netizen on TikTok, waiting to welcome his brother home at the airport after being separated for three years, managed to record a touching family reunion that wasn’t his.
A man in a black shirt kneeled and touched his forehead on the ground (sujud) to show his gratefulness before hugging his young son. He then embraced his wife and their baby in a group hug.
The video quickly garnered 65.7k likes and 685.1k views.
Credit: @akupedeliofficial
The netizen who recorded the entire moment spoke to the man who introduced himself as Malik. Malik, who lives in Rawang, has been working in Singapore which was why he couldn’t make it home when the pandemic struck.
He couldn’t hold back his tears and said he was very grateful to be back with his family. He thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for reopening the borders.
Glad to be back home
In another video, a man prostrated himself on a road in Johor because he was grateful that he was finally able to return home.
He buried his face into his hands and sobbed, unperturbed by the motorcycles zooming past around him.
  @faiqahroslyy Tears of joyness, Alhamdulilah ya allah! Syukur alhamdulilah! #kenanganindah @pis_1930 ♬ Syukur Alhamdulillah – Wafiq Azizah
His wife, who was with him, told Berita Harian that he had not been home since 18 March 2020.
Netizens were touched by all the scenes of family reunions and sent well wishes to their neighbours across the Straits.

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Malaysia’s Nia Atasha Is Victoria’s Secrets First Malay Model

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Recently, news of Nia Atasha making it big in Malaysia’s modelling industry went viral on social media.

She revealed that she was chosen to be a part of an exciting new campaign by one of the most well-known lingerie companies, Victoria’s Secret.
Nia got to be the face of the #BeAuthenticBeYou campaign alongside 2018’s Miss Universe Malaysia, Jane Teoh and Thailand’s model and actress Janie Tienphosuwan.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Women Photographers Malaysia (@womenphotographersmy)
Just yesterday, Victoria’s Secret Malaysia had a launch for their first-ever global campaign highlighting women’s empowerment while showcasing VS’s T-shirt Bra collection.
The local actress shared her excitement on Instagram at @sleepylllama.

In an interview with Eh Malaysia, Nia revealed that she was honoured to be one of the faces for VS and it was a big dream of her as a model.
“It’s an honour honestly. This is like a big opportunity. I always had a dream since I started modelling to be the face of or in a campaign for Victoria’s Secret and here we are (gestures to herself in the poster). It’s gonna be in all stores internationally and it’s a big deal. I’m so happy.”
  @ehmalaysia Pertama di Asia, model @sleepylllama menjadi antara wajah kempen baharu @victoriassecretmy disamping peserta Miss Universe 2018 @janeteoh_  dan pelakon Thailand @janienineeleven memperagakan koleksi T-Shirt Bra meraikan keberanian dan menyerlahkan keyakinan wanita.  #ehmalaysia #BeAuthenticBeYou ♬ original sound  – ehmalaysia

A lot of people are happy for her but some were on the fence
A lot of Malaysian celebrities were proud of her achievement in representing Malaysia on a popular global brand.

However, some Malaysians weren’t too happy that a Malay Muslim is on the cover of a lingerie brand.
They expressed their disagreement as her actions were not in accordance with Islamic teachings where a woman’s aurat (certain body parts) should be covered.

(Credit: @BMVFM / Twitter)

Who is Nia Atasha?
Nia Atasha Rosli is a 27-year-old Malaysian model and actress born and bred in Kuala Lumpur. She has been climbing the fashion career ladder for almost a decade now, starting in 2014.
Graduating from UiTM in Graphic Design, Nia also dabbles in art, creating colourful works of art through paintings, ceramics, embroidery and more. She displays her works of art on her other Instagram account, @sleepystudio.
Being a local actress, Nia has acted in several dramas and movies such as Inikah Dikatakan Cinta, Budak Tebing 3, Ceroboh, Life Lila, Gila Gusti, Kuasa, Souers and many more.
Besides VS, Nia also worked as a model for other famous brands such as Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and many more.

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Economy Loses RM2.4bil A Day Under MCO, Govt To Provide RM250bil Stimulus

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During an interview yesterday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that the Malaysian economy loses RM2.4 billion in revenue every single day under the Movement Control Order (MCO).
This is a huge impact on everyone, and it’s understood that businesses- big or small- are struggling to stay afloat during these times.
As such, the government will be preparing a RM250 billion stimulus package to shield the economy and the people. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has noted that the public’s welfare will be taken care of.
According to Malay Mail, the government has various strategies planned to ensure Malaysians are not denied necessary aid to overcome the obstacles of the MCO.
What is the purpose of the government, if it is not to help and take care of the people? That is the top priority in any government. Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
The new RM250 billion Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (PRIHATIN) will not leave out any category as each and every citizen has been affected by the pandemic.
Credit: Bernama/Malay Mail
According to the Prime Minister, the stimulus package covers every segment from those in the B40 income group, M40, businesses, individuals, or groups.
An additional RM10 billion stimulus package will be available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
We will not allow itÂ (economy) to collapse as the government collects taxes from economic activities. If businesses are to wind up or suffer losses, how is the government going to earn revenue to fund the peopleâ€™s needs? Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
He claims that the government is aiming to prevent job losses by assisting industries, factories, and businesses through different methods such as the wage subsidy program.
While the MCO extensions mean that businesses stay closed, he stressed that it was impossible to put a price tag on human lives. However, the government is confident that the country’s economy can recover quickly once the virus is contained, especially with the stimulus package planned.
Credit: Freepik
The prime minister also acknowledged that a large portion of the nation’s economy depends on SME activities. 95% of all businesses in the country are SMEs, involving 70% of the workforce while generating around 35% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
He conceded that there will be some businesses that cannot sustain itself after the MCO and will be force to close down, but the government is taking every available step to keep as many SMEs going as possible in order to preserve jobs and reinvigorate the economy.

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Driving This Festive Season? You Might Wanna Consider Getting A SOCAR

Letâ€™s face it, most of us working adults own a small cheap car. And while a small cheap car is actually a perfect car for city driving, itâ€™s not the number one choice for those who need to drive long distances with lots of people.
But have you ever realised that you actually have options? Like…renting a different car?
We rent rooms and apartments all the time. Why not a car? Especially since now you can do it easily through an app on your phone.
If you havenâ€™t ever heard of SOCAR yet, theyâ€™re those cars with the huge SOCAR logo on them parked at special parking spaces in Petronas.
(Credit: Soya Cincau)
So, how SOCAR works is, you just download and register on their app, then you select a time and date when you need to use the car, and also the type of car that you want.
Then you head on over to the location of the car according to the zone specified. Youâ€™ll see the car youâ€™ve chosen nicely chilling there.
Then you simply unlock the car using the app, get into it and literally drive off.

All rental prices are inclusive of a full tank of petrol and insurance coverage.
Currently, SOCAR has 2,000 zones available throughout Malaysia, located at 52 Petronas stations in Klang Valley, Johor, and Penang. Which makes picking one up and returning it a complete breeze.
If you donâ€™t have the means to travel to the car, you can have it come right to your doorstep via SOCAR2U (though this service applies to select locations across the Klang Valley only).
People using SOCAR appear to be really happy (Credit: SOCAR/Facebook)
If youâ€™ve never used the service before, or are familiar with it already, now is the best time to use the service because theyâ€™re having a bunch of year-end promotions.
GRABPAY
Credit: (SOCAR)
If you use GrabPay (but for reals though, who doesnâ€™t?), you can earn 500 Grabrewards points when you use GrabPay for the first time as your payment option on the SOCAR app.
This promo is valid until 31st January 2020
*Grabrewards points will only be credited on the 6th of the month after you make the booking (so either on 6th January or on 6th February).
HONG LEONG BANK or CITIBANK
(Credit: Hong Leong)
Using either a Hong Leong Bank or Citibank card as your payment methods on the app gets you 15% off your booking fee.
This promo is also valid until 31 January 2020
*This promotion is capped to RM80 ringgit and limited to only one redemption per day. But realistically, who would book two different SOCARs in a dayâ€¦?

So, turns out you arenâ€™t really stuck with just the option of driving that little car parked in your parking lot after all, huh?
Have you ever used SOCAR before? Share them with us our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!


TLDR: The Taliban Controls Afghanistan Again, Here’s What Happened

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Afghanistan, a country with a population of over 30 million people, recently fell into the hands of the Taliban militant group after 20 years at war.

In just a matter of days, Taliban forces had managed to capture all major cities there before occupying the nation’s capital, Kabul, on 16 August with little to no resistance from the Afghan government and security forces.
Thousands of Afghan civilians have tried to flee the country via its airport and crossing its borders into neighbouring countries, including the country’s President, Ashraf Ghani, who’s been accused of running away to Uzbekistan with bags full of cash a day before insurgents reached the capital – saying that he left in order to avoid bloodshed.
Who are the Taliban & how did they take over?
Translating to mean “students”, the Taliban are a conservative Islamist organization that ran Afghanistan from 1996 until the United States (US) invaded the country in 2001. The United Nations (UN) had also labelled the organization as a terrorist group.
The group’s roots go back to the early 80s when it was formed by former Afghan resistance fighters known as the Mujahideen who fought a proxy war against the Soviets with the US and its allies’ help.
(Credit: Erwin Lux via Wikimedia)
During their rule, the Taliban imposed their interpretation of strict Sharia or Islamic law, which was brimming with human rights violations, besides restricting the rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens.
Among them, banning most forms of entertainment, requiring men to grow beards, having women cover themselves up entirely with the burka and not allowing girls to attend school.
Afghanistan’s economy at the time was also pretty much non-existent and they relied heavily on international aid.
(Credit: Joel Heard via Unsplash)
The US invaded Afghanistan following the events of 9/11, an attack planned by the Al Qaeda terrorist organization which was using the country as their base of operations.
The invasion managed to bring down the Taliban and in its place, the US installed a new Afghan government through general elections. However, the Taliban was never truly defeated and have remained in opposition to the US-backed administration for decades.
The US on the other hand has been trying to leave Afghanistan for years now and aim to pull all their military forces out of the country by the end of August, after having negotiated a peace deal with the Taliban in 2017 – leaving the country under its own government’s control.
(Credit: Andre Klimke via Unsplash)
However, as the US withdraws, the Taliban has been gaining control over most parts of Afghanistan, culminating in the final takeover. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the insurgents managed to reclaim control of the country without much of a fight from an uncoordinated and demoralized Afghan military.
Observers also cite corruption within the US-backed Afghan administration, as well as the Taliban using alternative strategies like employing social media to either appeal for, or force, local support and surrender to be the reason for the country’s swift takeover.
After seizing control the Taliban declared that the war was now over and are currently in the process of forming an official Islamic government.
Why are people desperate to leave?
Because they’re scared…
Stories coming out of Afghanistan say that people are afraid of being victims of the numerous atrocities committed by the Taliban as well as being singled out as traitors for having worked with the US and the government.
Desperate citizens including women and children had stormed Kabul’s main airport in the bid to escape the country in any way that they could, even by clinging onto the outside of aeroplanes when they took off. The chaos alone resulted in more than seven deaths.
Tragic footage from Kabul airport. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/TBbfuqIP6J— Farnaz Fassihi (@farnazfassihi) August 16, 2021
Other nations, including Malaysia, have begun evacuating or advising their citizens to leave the country.
Peace at last?
Promising to maintain peace and diplomatic relations with the world, the Taliban said that no harm would come to civilians as they transition into power.
A spokesperson for the Taliban appeared on an unprecedented local news broadcast while being interviewed by a female presenter where it was said that they would forgive those who stood against them and honour the rights of women.
But critics still remain sceptical of the Taliban’s intentions and what’s in store for the future of Afghanistan.
(Credit: TOLOnews via Twitter)
The current situation in the country is also considered relatively calm despite Taliban forces patrolling many of the countries cities.
Citizens are said to be going about their lives as normal with businesses remaining open and people moving about freely.
However, there are reports that civilian protests have erupted in some parts of the country as well as rumours that the Taliban were arresting people.
Yesterday, Khost and today Jalalabad: People protest asking Taliban to not change the #AfghanFlag 🇦🇫.A participant tells me the Taliban shot at them but no exact info on casualties. Taliban have not said anything as well.—Taliban have returned to a changed #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/iZQ7B7KKJc— Bashir Ahmad Gwakh (@bashirgwakh) August 18, 2021
These brave women took to the streets in Kabul to protest against Taliban. They simplify asking for their rights, the right to work, the right for education and the right to political participation.The right to live in a safe society. I hope more women and men join them. pic.twitter.com/pK7OnF2wm2— Masih Alinejad 🏳 (@AlinejadMasih) August 17, 2021

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Source:
What’s Happening in Afghanistan?
Who Are the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Reassurances From Taliban, but Fearful Afghans Look for the Exits
Remarks by President Biden on Afghanistan
The U.N. chief urges the Security Council to ‘use all tools’ to help Afghanistan.
United Nations designated terrorist groups and targeted sanctions
Taliban says will respect women’s rights, press freedom
Dua rakyat Malaysia masih berada di Afghanistan
Taliban take over Afghanistan: What we know and what’s next
Taliban Consolidate Control in Afghanistan’s Capital as Thousands Remain Stranded
Afghanistan updates: US Embassy destroyed some Afghans’ passports during evacuation
Afghanistan-Taliban news
Calm and fear on the streets of Kabul as jubilant Taliban celebrate their victory
Calm and fear on the streets of Kabul as jubilant Taliban celebrate their victory
Uzbekistan Says It Detained 84 Afghan Soldiers Who Crossed Border
Russia says Afghan president fled with cars and helicopter full of cash - RIA
 Afghan president Ashraf Ghani: intellectual who had no answer to the Taliban
Ashraf Ghani: departing Afghan president who failed to make peace with Taliban
‘Intelligence failure of the highest order’ — How Afghanistan fell to the Taliban so quickly
Who are the Taliban and how did they take control of Afghanistan so swiftly?
The U.S. War in Afghanistan
The U.N. chief urges the Security Council to ‘use all tools’ to help Afghanistan.
Who are the Taliban?
"You Have No Right to Complain” Education, Social Restrictions, and Justice in Taliban-Held Afghanistan


Govt Urges Malaysians In US & UK To Come Home While You Can

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As countries across the globe go into lockdown in efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19, Wisma Putra has beseeched  Malaysians in the United States and United Kingdom to come home while they still can.
While the two nations have gone into lockdown, commercial flights are still allowed.
I urge those who are there to return as soon as possible before the countries enforce travel ban and flight cancellation. I also advise them to register at the Malaysian Embassy there to get the necessary help.Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Foreign Minister via Malay Mail.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
Despite Malaysians in the US and UK still having the opportunity to come home, Malay Mail reports that 3,468 Malaysian citizens are stranded in 61 countries around the globe (as of 27th March) due to travel restrictions implemented by various nations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
These stranded Malaysians refer to those who went abroad for work, family matters as well as holidays. However, they cannot return home despite having flight tickets due to travel bans or flight cancellations.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar said that Wisma Putra is working hard to solve the issue and is currently in contact with various governments and parties to negotiate flight landing approvals to bring these stranded Malaysians home.
In some countries, no commercial flights were allowed to fly in and back. Even if we managed to get the flight landing approval, we still need to find special rental aircraft.Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, Deputy Foreign Minister via Malay Mail.
Nonetheless, he explained that the Malaysian government managed to secure assistance from private companies and associations, such as MIC and T7 Global Berhad, who funded the rent for the aircraft.
Wisma Putra is also working on securing an additional RM19 million to bring home Malaysians stranded in countries with no commercial flights at all.
Additionally, all Malaysian representatives have been instructed to conduct Covid-19 crisis evaluations every day at their respective countries and report it to the Malaysian citizens who are stranded.
Malaysians overseas are strongly advised to register themselves at the nearest Malaysian High Commission or embassy (full list HERE).
Malaysian High Commission, London.(Credit: Wisma Putra)

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Source:
Covid-19: 3,468 Malaysians still stranded in 61 countries, says deputy foreign minister
Coronavirus: Travel restrictions, border shutdowns by country


Oyen’s Signboard Missing In Zoo Negara? Here’s What Happened

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Just last week, Malaysians were greeted with happy news about a particular ginger “influencer” at Zoo Negara called Oyen. Oyen the famous cat has a signboard now with the Capybaras!

READ MORE: Zoo Negara’s Oyen Gets Long Due Recognition, Now Has Own Signage Next To Capybaras
However, many who went to see Oyen at Zoo Negara these past few days noticed that his signage was missing. Some people said they couldn’t even spot Oyen in the Capybara enclosure.
  @shahdanialmegatjiwa Excited nak jumpa oyen, it is my tujuan nak gi Zoo Negara, but unfortunely dh takde. Sumpah sad. Why 😿😭?? @ZOO NEGARA @Zoo Negara Malaysia #zoonegara #fyp ♬ Malampagi – Saixse
However, Oyen is still there according to some, but the signage is definitely missing.
  @iamrashidirashid Signboard &oyen dah takde, tapi oyen ada lagi dalam ni tau. Update 1 Julai 2023 #zoonegara #oyen #kucingoyen ♬ Capybara – Сто-Личный Она-Нас & BETSY

So what happened to it? Did Oyen get into some feline trouble and got demoted?
Netizens were also wondering about Oyen and his new signage. Some joked that Oyen’s disappearance was due to him taking a “medical leave” or he didn’t enter his “shift” yet.

Some even joked that he was evicted or fired. Perhaps he was fired for sleeping on the job. Or maybe he was too cute to handle?
(Credit: @feifik, @iamrashidirashid / TikTok)

Zoo Negara Said The Sign Is Already Broken
Relax, Oyen fans! We spoke to Zoo Negara and no, Oyen did not get fired. (Zoo Negara probably won’t survive the legal battle by Oyen’s lawyers should he drag them to court for wrongful termination).
Zoo Negara assured visitors that Oyen is still there. The signboard is the only thing missing.
“The signboard got broken by a visitor just a day after it was installed. We’re currently fixing it and will put it up once it’s ready,” Zoo Negara told TRP.
Well, seems like Oyen now has some haters, doesn’t he?
Oyen has now become one of the biggest attractions at the Zoo aside from the pandas and this is apparently good for the zoo as well to promote tourism.
However, with every viral place, visitors should be careful and mindful of their behaviours. That means no littering and no tampering with the signage in public places.
Let’s hope we can see Oyen and his Capybara friends on our trip to Zoo Negara in the near future.

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Sarawak’s Deputy CM Wants To Build A Wall To Stop Immigrants From Coming Into Malaysia

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To reduce the number of immigrants coming from Indonesia into Sarawak, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing wants walls or fences to be built at strategic places along the border between Malaysia and Indonesia.

On the construction of the walls and fences, Sarawak needs Putrajaya (federal government) to assist. After all, we aren’t only protecting Sarawak’s territory but the country’s.Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing via MalaysiaKini
It’s reported that in his recent visit to Telok Melano, a border point located at the south end of Sarawak, Dr James pointed out that he could see a village, a road built by the Indonesian National Army (TNI) and a ‘rat trail’ or illegal border crossing trail near the border.
Due to Sarawak being next door neighbours to Indonesia, there have been attempts made previously by Indonesians to cross the border.
Credit: Malay Mail
It was reported that in the first week of 2021 alone, the Malaysian army managed to block the entry of 34 illegal immigrants who were trying to sneak into the state
They’ve also noted that attempts were also made to smuggle food items from Sarawak to Indonesia.
Dr James also proposed a 1,032km highway along the border from the Biawak Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) complex at the south of the state, all the way up to Lawas, the most northern district.
It’s estimated that will cost around RM24 billion.

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[Watch] Smart Tables To The Rescue! Heavy Backpacks Could Be History In This Penang School

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About 214 standard 6 students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Permai, Jalan Tengah in Penang will be the first group to use smart tables to manage the issue of heavy school bags starting next week.

READ MORE: School Bags Shouldn’t Weigh More Than 10% Of The Child’s Weight, Says Study
READ MORE: Heavy School Bags: Education Ministry To Provide Locker Facilities In Primary Schools
Utusan reported that the Smart and Easy Table (SnET) 2.0 was the brainchild of the school’s principal Mohammad Sabarullah.
SK Seri Permai principal Mohammad Sabarullah showing the Smart and Easy Table (SnET) 2.0. Image: Kosmo
Institut Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Sungai Petani, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Raja Tun Uda (SMKRTU) and Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri (JPN) helped to come up with the design of the tables and chairs.
The table comes with two shelves for books and three side compartments that can be used to store stationeries and a water bottle. The table comes with a chair that has a pull-out ledge or rack to hold the schoolbag.

Mohammad Sabarullah believes that the new tables will trigger students’ excitement to attend school with lighter backpacks.
Initially, 32 smart tables were tested in both morning and afternoon sessions thanks to funds from the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG).
IKM Sungai Petani director Timelow Jauk said the pilot testing phase with the students was a good start.
We’re proud to see the work produced by students in semester four of Diploma in Furniture Production. They worked hard to complete the wood cutting in a week.IKM Sungai Petani director Timelow Jauk
Heavy school bags have been a longtime problem for students in schools. In one case, the bag was so heavy on a primary school student that they needed help from a schoolmate to carry the bag together.
There were calls to provide lockers to lighten the load of school bags but it hasn’t been feasible due to the lack of funds and spaces in schools.
With this smart table innovation, hopefully, it’ll provide a long-term and space-saving solution in place of school lockers.
READ MORE: [Watch] Mum Praises School Boy For Helping Her Son Carry Heavy Bag Downstairs

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Black Shoes And Khat: Is That All There Is To This Guy?

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik is a much-maligned figure that people on both sides of Malaysia’s political divide seem to love to criticise.
Much of his fame rests on two issues – khat and black school shoes, so much so that he’s even joked that the latter is his Ministry’s greatest achievement this year.
There’s even a petition with around 150,000 signees asking for him to be replaced as the Education Minister because of it.
Picture Credit: Change.org
But despite the bad press that he gets during his tenure over some of the more controversial and well-discussed issues, we’ve searched some of the things where he actually did a good job:
1. Empowering OKU
Maszlee is a supporter of providing OKUs access to education, he even said that it’s something which is close to his heart and promises to deliver on uplifting and improving special education schools in the country.
“Pendidikan Untuk Semua” a publication by the Education Ministry highlighted that 10,200 disabled students classes were opened in 2019 compared to 9,674 the year before.
In the same year, the Ministry reported that 75 schools with OKU student classes have been built.
It wasn’t just the number of schools but students as well, as the number also increased from 83,598 last year to 88,419.
The support for OKUs extends to higher education with the establishment of a special committee to monitor their issues and IPTA’s inclusive guidelines.
14,911 admission offers were also made through a special route for OKUs, athletes, the indigenous and the B40 to enroll in higher education.

2. Changing how students learn
Besides the aforementioned black shoes issue, Dr Maszlee was also responsible for other policies that affects school children.
One of it is the abolishment of exams for students from standard 1 until 3 as schools now are adopting a “learning centered” approach instead of an “exam-oriented” one.
10 Sebab kenapa Peperiksaan Tahap 1 DimansuhkanSelari dengan pendekatan pendidikan ke arah “learning centered”, bukan lagi “exam oriented”. #pendidikanuntuksemua#malaysiamembaca pic.twitter.com/FeGzbBzEgoâ€” Maszlee Malik (@maszlee) January 6, 2019
As part of the Ministry’s aim to provide children with access to schools, the Education Act 1996 is currently in review to make it compulsory for parents to send their children to obtain primary and secondary education.
The access to education was also for undocumented children as well as 2,636 were allowed to enter public schools.
3. Empowering the less fortunate
When it comes to providing education, Maszlee ensures that all facets of the community are given a chance and that includes those living in rural or impoverished areas.
A special committee has also been established to ensure the educational needs of the Orang Asli are met.
The Ministry has also built 452 out of 534 schools in rural areas, with 90% of the schools have been completed.

4. Supporting students beyond the classroom
We might have to pay back our PTPTN loans but at least the Ministry has tried to lessen the burden the rakyat, especially low-income earners.
The Ministry has abolished the blacklist system besides providing reliefs for those earning below RM2,000, offering discounts to exceptional students, and also tax incentives to employers to pay back the loan without deducting wages.
5. Statesman contributing to the community
Beyond his capacity as Malaysia’s Education Minister, Dr Maszlee is also Simpang Renggam’s parliament representative as well and he recently tabled out his contributions for his constituency.
These include education (RM488,400), development of infrastructure and people (RM1.65 million), community and programmes (RM1.85 million), and welfare (RM509,000).
With the aim to empower and improve the lives of his constituents, the money would be used for activities such as donations to schools and also improving Simpang Renggam’s drainage system.

6. Getting a doctorate and helping out the needy
Dr Maszlee’s contributions to improving Malaysia’s education system is significant that it has garnered international recognition.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Shukutoku University in Japan for contributions in increasing educational collaborations between the two countries.
His contribution is not just tied to education as there’s also that one time when he actually carried a disabled person to help a family affected by a recent flood evacuate to a relief centre.

Do you know his contributions besides the much talked-about issues? Let us know on ourÂ Facebook,Â TwitterÂ andÂ Instagram!


[Photos] Opposition MP’s Tried Marching To Parliament But Halted By FRU Today

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At around 10 am, leaders of the opposition coalition gathered at Dataran Merdeka as they were barred from entering the parliament.

Anwar Ibrahim / FB
It was reported that all roads leading to parliament were blocked off by the police this morning to prevent the Special Parliament Sitting to commence as it was suspended due to Covid-19 worries.
Roads to Parliament are closed#occupyParliament pic.twitter.com/ghRDEDvjYh— Kelvin yii (@Kelvinyii88) August 2, 2021
As more MPs arrived, the crowd moved on from the gazebo to the stage at the square as politicians had their say, pointing out their dissatisfaction with the current government’s move to disobey the Agong and suspend parliament.
Astro Awani / YouTube
With a banner that read “Mahiaddin & Kabinet Letak Jawatan” (Mahiaddin and Cabinet Resign) in hand, the opposition MPs marched across Dataran Merdeka, heading towards Parliament with chants demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister and for a reformation.
Anwar Ibrahim / FB
However, as the procession approached Jalan Parliamen, they were met by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) in full riot gear and a command truck
Selamat. pic.twitter.com/7QJ0Ry61Fw— Fahmi Fadzil 🇲🇾🏴 (@fahmi_fadzil) August 2, 2021
After further negotiations the march was halted and everyone was asked to disperse at 10:48am.

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[Watch] Red Carpet Treatment For Onn Hafiz’s First Day Of Work, Netizens Think It’s Unnecessary

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Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, 44, was sworn in as the 19th Johor Menteri Besar on 15 March 2022 but he’s already facing criticism on his first day of work.

READ MORE: Who Is Onn Hafiz, The Dark Horse Who Became 19th Johor MB?
A video on Twitter allegedly showed workers rolling out a red carpet to welcome Onn Ghazi on his first day of work. His working hour starts at 10am.
Malaysia in a nutshell: rolling out a red carpet for an elected rep, who is meant to serve the people, just for turning up to work on their first day. And he starts work at 10am. https://t.co/NEGqXBf2hU— Rahmah Ghazali (@rahmahghazali) March 17, 2022
Netizens said the red carpet treatment showed a feudalistic mindset in the country and it was akin to idol worshipping.
They believe that an elected representative is meant to serve the people and the whole fanfare was unnecessary.
By prioritising a government servant like royalty, a netizen said it’s no wonder Malaysia has its priorities upside down.
Sikap feudalistik yang tidak berkesudahan.— Syam (@saifulhisyam) March 17, 2022
Can an elected rep request not to have this? This culture needs to stop. This feels like false idol worshipping. Just assign a work buddy and set a time to meet departments. Also, if he started at 10am, did he leave at 7pm?— Hakim Ariff 🇲🇾 🎨 (@hakimostudio) March 17, 2022
Govt servant treated like royalty on the first day of work 🤭 that’s why M’sia has their priorities upside down— islander (@domesticgod8) March 17, 2022
Another netizen said elected representatives could request not to have the red carpet treatment.
Some of them pointed out former Transport Minister Anthony Loke who refused to have the red carpet rolled out for him and instructed his office against such protocols on his first day in office.
He also said time was wasted when civil servants were told to queue and welcome ministers or escort them during events.
 pic.twitter.com/ov5u6WeATH— Lan (@MD_Lan_) March 17, 2022
yyepp https://t.co/at7orxZX5A— Calvin (@shrumpish) March 17, 2022
This showed that elected representatives have the power to put a stop to these practices and it all comes down to their choices.

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Yuna featured on Times Square billboard in New York AGAIN

It seems like New York just canâ€™t get enough of Malaysia.
After Maggi Kariâ€™s successful debut on the streets of New York city earlier this month, another Malaysian treasure has impressed Americans: Yuna.
Yunaâ€™s face is now part the iconic billboards of Times
Square in New York City!
The singer-songwriter shared the good news to her fans by sharing it on her Instagram and Twitter accounts.

From KL to the world❤ My new album #yunarouge is out today! Thanks @Spotify this is freakin awesome! #TimesSquare pic.twitter.com/VVGzM5LEtl
â€” Yuna Zarai (@yunamusic) July 12, 2019

Captioned â€œFrom KL to the WORLD!â€, the Malaysian songstress urged fans to take photos of the billboard and tag her.

 View this post on Instagram

 From KL to the WORLD! ITâ€™S ROUGE DAY EVERYWHERE AND ITâ€™S DEFINITELY ROUGE DAY IN TIMES SQUARE NYC! ❤❤❤ ROUGE OUT NOW!! Also go take photos there and tag me!! #yunarouge thanks @spotify!
A post shared by  Yuna ãƒ¦ãƒŠ (@yuna) on Jul 12, 2019 at 8:54am PDT

The billboard, at the core of the Big Apple, is by Spotify to promote her latest album, Rouge, that was released last Friday.

Picture Credit: Verve Label Group

Naturally, Malaysians were super stoked for the
#MalaysiaRepresent and flooded her posts with love and support.

Picture Credit: @yuna/Instagram

Proud of you, my Yuna! Been a fan of yours since forever! ♥ Sending you lots of love and doa 🌸💗
â€” UYAINA (@UyainaArshad) July 13, 2019

congratsss!!! keep dominating, girl!! ❤❤❤
â€” muhammadnajmi (@muhammadnajmi) July 13, 2019

yo iâ€™m malaysian and proud of SIS
â€” lil beach 🏖 (@gorjoeyeous) July 13, 2019

In case youâ€™ve been living under a rock, the Kedah-born lass has been rocking the indie music scene since 2008.
Remember, her incredibly catchy â€˜Crushâ€™ with Usher?

This isnâ€™t the first time Yunaâ€™s stunning face graced Times Square though. Her pensive pose was plastered across the NASDAQ Billboard back in 2016.

Your Kedah-born girl just went up on the @NASDAQ billboard in Times Square New York today. pic.twitter.com/cLeRVkng0R
â€” Yuna Zarai (@yunamusic) November 23, 2016

Despite going Rouge, it looks like Yuna is still Crush-ing it hard!

via GIPHY


3 New Golds, Records Broken By Malaysian Athletes In Asean Para Games

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Malaysia won three gold medals on day three of the 11th Asean Para Games (APG) in Solo, Indonesia, yesterday, with two coming from the track and field contingent and another one from the swimming team.

To make it sweeter, national swimmer Mohd Adib Iqbal Abdullah also set a new Games record en route to bagging the gold medal in the men’s 50m breaststroke SB14 (intellectual impairment).
Earlier, two-time world champion and Paralympic gold medallist Datuk Abdul Latif Romly won the men’s long jump F20 (intellectual impairment) event while his teammate Zulkifly Abdullah finished second to claim the silver medal.
Another gold medal was won by Mohd Saifudin Ishak who won the men’s long jump T11/12 (vision impairment) category.
Other podium finishers include Muhamad Ashraf Mohamad Mohamad Haisham in men’s 5000m T46 (physical impairment), Muhamad Nurdin Ibrahim in men’s 1500m T20 (intellectual impairment), Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in men’s 200m T36/37 (cerebral palsy) and Nur Alia Ardiela Natasya Ibrahim in women’s long jump T20 who all won the silver medal.
The single bronze medal won by the national contingent yesterday was contributed by Muhammad Faiz Haizat Rosdi who came third in the men’s 1500m T37/38 category.
All in all, it was a good outing by our para-athletes in the APG 2022 with 13 golds, 10 silvers and one bronze medal already in the bag, as Malaysia currently in fourth place behind Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam in the medal tally.
Meanwhile, nine Malaysian para-athletes are competing in the finals of their respective events today; including the athletics, swimming and recurve archeries events.

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Indonesian Groom Surprises Bride With Coldplay Tickets As Dowry

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The news of Coldplay touring Asia for their World Tour is definitely a big deal. From ticket wars and TikTok trends, people are on the hype for Coldplay. It is said that their concert is one of a kind and among one the best performances in the world.  So you get the hype why people are keen on getting those tickets, right?

READ MORE: Coldplay Tickets From Scalpers Will Be Cancelled, Netizens Aren’t Confident It’ll Happen
Well, believe it or not, one couple even made the news by involving the British band in their solemnization ceremony.
Groom, Faridz Kyab actually made Coldplay’s concert ticket as one of the things in his “mas kahwin” (dowry) for his bride, Anestasya Ayu Widyadana. The couple tied the knot last Sunday (21 May) in Bekasi, West Java and the solemnization was recorded by their family member, @rhfndtaaa who posted it on social media.
“My brother got married with a dowry of Coldplay tickets. Seems like Chris Martin supports the marriage,” shared @rhfndtaaa on Twitter.
In the solemnization ceremony, the bride’s father gave his daughter away with a dowry of 21 grams of gold, a set of prayer clothes and … well, Coldplay tickets. That’s quite a unique dowry.
Saudara gua nikah pke maharnya tiket coldplay 🤣🤣, nikahnya di support chris martin pic.twitter.com/elNYNWEwzH— rhfndtaaa (@orangdalamkamu) May 21, 2023
Usually, people would pay the mas kahwin in the form of money, gold or jewellery, which are things that are deemed valuable by the bride. But this bride is unique, that’s for sure!
He didn’t plan it at first
According to an Indonesian news portal, Kompass, Anestasya revealed that she didn’t expect to get the tickets from him as dowry.
She did say that she wished to go to the concert as it was her dream to see them perform live. Tempted to fulfil the wishes of his soon-to-be wife, Faridz tried his best to get tickets to Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on 15 November.
He didn’t expect to successfully secure them on the day of the BCA presale but he managed to eventually buy two Category 3 tickets which cost 3,250,000 Rp each, approximately equivalent to RM998 per ticket.
(Credit: @rhfndtaaa,  / Freepik)
Since it was a full-fledged online war to get the tickets, his parents gave the idea of turning the valuable tickets into Anestasya’s dowry, knowing how their daughter-in-law would love it.
Faridz then decided to do so as the tickets were something valuable to both of them.
Well, now isn’t that romantic? Maybe you guys can give this a try too in the future. But not with Coldplay tickets though, unfortunately. They are sold out in both Malaysia and Indonesia! Let’s hope Chris Martin and his members can surprise us all with a second-day concert in both countries.
READ MORE: Coldplay Fan With 2 Tickets Realises He’s Single, Runs Carousell Post Looking For Concert Date

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Want to pick fruits & work on Australian farms? THIS is the visa you need

Lately, news of Malaysians abusing their tourist visas to overstay and work illegally in Australian farms have been quite a hot topic.
Combine that with netizens lamenting tales of rejected visa applications and denied boarding on flights to Australia, everyone is feeling nervous about their chances to holiday in the land down under.
Chewing GIF from Raven GIFs

But weâ€™ve been thinking lah, â€œIs there a visa out there for those fellas die die wanna work in Australian farms?â€
So after asking Pak Cik Gugel (Google), turns out; YES,
there is such a visa!
Wow Oh GIF from Wow GIFs

Itâ€™s called the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462).

Pic Credit: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs

What can you do with this visa?
Quite a lot tbh, you can do short-term work in Australia, like all the fruit-pickers and farm workers lah.
Apple Picking GIF from Wizardofoz GIFs

You can also study (4 months max) and travel in and out of the country as many times as you want.
Nice.. So who can apply?
Any Malaysian passport holder aged 18 to 30 years old (sorry mak ciks & pak ciks).
BUT sorry to say lah, itâ€™s not that easy. The Australian government has a whole LIST of requirements that seriously sounds like an Asian parentâ€™s minimum requirement list.

Credit: Imgflip

For instance, applicants of this visa:
1. MUST BE CLEVER â€“ Degree holders & above, or already completed 2 years undergrad.
B99 Smort GIF from B99 GIFs

2. CAN SPEAKING â€“ English lah. Functional English, not Manglish â€“ complete with proof of â€œrelevant educationâ€ (like 1119 or MUET).

Credit: Saw Siow Feng/Malay Mail

3. GOT CABLE â€“ We mean letter of support from government. (Cable is a joke, geddit? Hahahahahahapleasedontsueushahahaha) Just apply for the Good Conduct Certificate online at the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry site (here).
Chop Approve Cop Approve GIF from Chopapprove GIFs

4. GOT MONEY â€“ At least AUD5,000 (~ RM14,250) for initial stay plus a bit extra for your flight outta Oz.
Money Make It Rain GIF from Money GIFs

5. BE HEALTHY â€“ Just like applying for a new job (or a PSV license), you need to do a medical examination.

6. BE A GOOD BOY/GIRL â€“ Yeah, thereâ€™s something called a character requirement. Which is short for â€œdonâ€™t be a criminal.â€

Credit: imgur

Okay, youâ€™re a good boy/good girl. How much ah?
Okay, so umâ€¦ the visa application fee is AUD 485, which is
around RM1,400.
Oh My GIF from Antm GIFs

We know, youâ€™re thinking â€œWADAHEL, SO EXPENSIVE!!!!!â€. But trust us, itâ€™s not really.
Once your visa is approved and youâ€™re off gallivanting across the Great Outback, working on the farms, the 2.85 exchange rate (at time of writing) will make it all worth it.
Sad Money GIF from Zombieland GIFs

If you kaw kaw enjoy your working holiday in Australia, you can actually apply for this visa AGAIN.

Credit: dopl3r

BUT only if you do the following specified work during your first stint:

plant and animal cultivation in northern Australia and other specified areas of regional Australia
fishing and pearling in northern Australia only
tree farming and felling in northern Australia only
tourism and hospitality in northern Australia only

If youâ€™d like to apply for this Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462), you can get all the info on the Australian Immigration website HERE.
G’day Mate Goodday Good Day GIF from Australia GIFs

Now you all know whatâ€™s the PROPER visa to apply for going fruit-picking in the land down under. So, PLEASE share this information around to prevent future tourist visa abusers.
Kesian us TRP fellas who also want to go holiday in Aussie and boast loudly how much better the coffee in Melbourne is compared to KL. #doneclaim

Created via Imgflip


JPA To Free Contract Doctors And Other Officers In Gov Service From Scholarship Bonds

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In an attempt to reduce the number of contract medical professionals stuck in government service, the Public Service Department (JPA) has decided to cancel the bonds of thousands of contract officers who successfully apply for release.

This move will ‘free’ doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are on government scholarships. Otherwise, scholarship holders must serve the government for 10 years upon graduation, including the internship period and mandatory service.
The situation was further exacerbated because there is also a lack of job placements in government hospitals.
READ MORE: More Job Positions For Contract Doctors After #HartalDoktorKontrak Protests Last Year
According to Free Malaysia Today, the contract officers still retain the option to continue serving with the government even after the bonds are cancelled, and their appointment to permanent posts will not be affected as well.
Previously, those who broke their bonds faced a penalty of at least RM300,000 to RM1 million, depending on their country of study.
Those who are eligible to apply to end their bonds are contract doctors appointed after 2016, and those who had taken loans before 2016.
Unfortunately, those who took convertible loans after 2016 are ineligible because convertible loans are regarded as a scholarship if the officers fully serve the government.
They must pay back 50% of the loan if they leave to work for government-linked companies or 100% if they join the private sector.
However, this category of contract officers could still try their luck to apply to have their bonds cancelled without having to repay the loans, but it’s on a case-by-case basis.
Additionally, contract officers on scholarships who had quit or did not continue their contracts could also apply to have their bonds cancelled if they meet all requirements.

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Yee Sang, The Prosperity Toss Dish – The Higher You Toss, The Better The New Year

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Other than the big dinner reunion, lion dances, ang paos and mandarin oranges, one thing that defines Chinese New Year here in Malaysia is Yee Sang.

What is it?
Yee Sang or Lou Sang – also known as The Prosperity Toss is a Cantonese-style raw fish salad. It’s usually a dish of sliced raw fish, mixed with shredded vegetables, seasonings and condiments.
The Yee Sang before the toss. (Credit: CCFoodTravel / Flickr)
This dish is made for a lot of people and the fun thing about it is the tossing part or the ‘Lo Hei’, which simply means “tossing up good fortune” in Cantonese.
In Malaysia and Singapore, the dish is served during the Chinese New Year celebration as an appetiser. Traditionally, it was served on the 7th day of CNY (called Ren Ri) but nowadays people just ‘wing it’, as long as it’s within the CNY period (the first to the 15th day of the new lunar year).
Where did it come from?
Yee Sang originally came from China as just a dish of raw fish called Yusheng, eaten with side dishes separately. It was brought to Malaya by Cantonese and Hokkien immigrants in the late 1800s onwards but the traditional Yusheng was not popular at that time.
The original Yusheng. Raw fish is the main star of the dish. (Credit: lk99zbf.lofter.com)
Only when somebody in Malaya modified it, did the mixing and tossing start and the Yee Sang became popular.
There are two opinions as to where the popular Yee Sang came about. One is in Malaysia and another is in Singapore.
*sighs* Haih, Malaysia and Singapore, food fights are in our GENES!
Storytime!
Malaysia’s Seremban Chef
Around the 1920s, a man named Loke Ching Fatt came to Malaya and settled down in Seremban. He opened up a catering business but the business was slow after World War II.
Brainstorming to save his career, he came out with the idea of Yusheng and modified it to become more colourful and fun during CNY in the 1940s. His recipe had over 30 ingredients and was a mix of Cantonese, Teochew and Hokkien Yusheng traditions.
He also did it banquet style and people loved it as they could eat it in a big crowd with a joyous atmosphere. His plan worked and around the 1960s, people would come from all over Malaya to try Loke Ching Kee Yee Sang in Seremban.
The mixing or tossing started because of the customers, not because he taught them to. Initially, one person would stand up and mix the ingredients thoroughly and the rest was probably impatient… so they joined and mixed the Yee Sang too. It was faster and more fun to do it together too. And soon, it became a norm.
Fast forward to today, Malaysians still love this version of the colourful Yee Sang that we could eat with families and friends.
Singapore’s Four Heavenly Kings
In Singapore, they have these four master chefs, dubbed the four Heavenly Kings of Singapore, thanks to their culinary expertise. Back in the day, they worked together as apprentices in a restaurant in the 60s and regularly brainstormed ideas for iconic dishes before they left to launch their own careers.
The four chefs are the late Than Mui Kai (Tham Yu Kai, co-head chef of Lai Wah Restaurant), the late Lau Yoke Pui (co-head chef of Lai Wah Restaurant), Hooi Kok Wai (founder of Dragon-Phoenix Restaurant) and Sin Leong (founder of Sin Leong Restaurant).
In 1964, the chefs reinvented the traditional CNY Yusheng with a newer version by adding more ingredients and improving the fragrance, colour and flavour of the dish. They came together to help flourish their business at the time and the customers loved their brilliant creation.
The tossing part was also the same as the Malaysian theory. The customers did it by themselves, and none of the chefs taught them to do so.
Nevertheless, one thing both countries did agree on was, Yusheng came all the way from ancient China and this is a dish to bring people together, not divide them.
What do the ingredients mean?
The ingredients differ over the years with the cook’s creativity, which means some of the Yee Sang may have some other additional ingredients and some may leave them out.
But these are the common ingredients that you can find in most Yee Sang and their bountiful meanings.
Raw Fish – Abundance and prosperityCarrot – Good luck & auspiciousnessWhite Radish – Good job opportunities coming this yearGreen Radish/Cucumbers/Spring Onions – Eternal youthPomelo/Lime Segment – LuckPepper & Cinnamon Powder/5 spices powder – Wealth Oil – Poured in a circular motion, signifying that money will come from all directions. Plum Sauce – Stronger ties among family and friends & sweetness in lifeGround Peanut – Wealth & treasuresSesame Seeds – Good businessPillow-Shaped Crackers – GOLD!
How do you eat it?
There’s no right or wrong way in mixing the Yee Sang but there are certain phrases that you should say before you eat it.
Nowadays, Yee Sang comes prepacked if you eat it at home and certain condiments and ingredients are packed separately. These separate ingredients “should” be added onto the Yee Sang step by step with certain phrases for more luck. But well, as we said, there’s no right or wrong nowadays.
(Credit: Ernest Ng)
 If you go to a restaurant, the waiter will pour the ingredients for you (you can do it yourself if you want to) and you can just start tossing the dish with your family and friends.
Aside from that, the phrases usually contain homophones, so the wishes are related to the ingredients. For example, ‘Yu’ means ‘abundance’ or ‘plenty’. The word for ‘fish’ is also pronounced ‘Yu’, which is why fishes became used as a symbol of abundance.
Here are some of the phrases you can say when you add the ingredients one by one to the Yee Sang. Alternatively, you can also say these while the tossing commences too.
Fish – nián nián yǒu yú – “Abundance throughout the year”Carrot – hóng yùn dāng tóu – “Good luck is approaching”Green ingredients – qīng chūn měi lì – “Youth and beauty forever”Pomelo – dà jí dà lì – “Good luck and smooth sailing”5 Spices – cái yuán guǎng jìn – “Numerous sources of wealth”Ground peanuts –  jīn yù mǎn táng – “Household filled with gold and silver” Sesame seeds – sheng yì xīng lóng – “Prosperity for the business”Plum sauce – tián tián mì mì – “May life always be sweet with loving relationships”Oil – shùn shùn lì lì – “All goes smoothly”Crackers – mǎn dì huáng jīn – “May the whole floor be filled with gold”
When all of the ingredients are poured, using your chopsticks, it’s time to start mixing and tossing the Yee Sang with more auspicious phrases or words.
(Credit: CCFoodTravel / Flickr)
Some of the popular phrases are “gong xi fa cai” (may you be rich and wealthy), “lou hei” (move upwards), “huat ah” (wish for prosperity) and many more.
And remember, the higher you toss, the more auspicious your year will be. So don’t be afraid to make a mess!
Just don’t waste food too much though. Here’s a creative way to save the mess.
Enjoy your Chinese New Year, everyone!
READ MORE: How Many Calories Are These 7 CNY Snacks Going To Cost You?
READ MORE: Why Is Bak Kwa A Must-Eat During Chinese New Year?
READ MORE: Why Mandarin Oranges Are Given Out At CNY & Surprise Twist: They Aren’t “Oranges”

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[Watch] Gigantic Thangka Sunned At Malaysia’s Largest Tibetan Buddhist Temple

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Over 1,000 Buddhist devotees from all over the region gathered at the tranquil Enlightened Heart Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Tambun, Perak.

They were there to celebrate Wesak and pay homage to Lord Buddha.
The event’s highlight was sunning a magnificent thangka, a canvas painting of Buddha, to receive special blessings from Lord Sakyamuni Buddha.
The sunning of the gigantic thangka at the Wesak celebration. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
The 60-meter by 12-meter thangka was carried by worshippers, unrolled, and held head high to allow the devotees to walk under it and receive blessings and good luck for the coming year.
The sunning took place at about 1 pm, creating a serene atmosphere that enveloped the temple grounds.
Scenic view from the top of Enlightened Heart Tibetan Buddhist Temple. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
The thangka was carried by worshippers, unrolled, and held head high to enable the devotees to walk under it and receive blessings and good luck for the coming year.
The sunning created a serene atmosphere that enveloped the temple grounds, and many devotees felt a sense of awe and reverence as they walked under the thangka.
The thangka is considered a sacred object representing Buddha’s teachings and presence in the world.
A Buddhist priest wearing traditional mask and dress during the Wesak day celebration. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
By walking under the thangka, devotees seek blessings and good luck from Lord Sakyamuni Buddha for the coming year.
Using vibrant colours and ornate designs adds to the thangka’s beauty and creates a sense of wonder and awe among those who behold it.
  @shinichikeesoon #buddhist☸💫 #wesak #Tibet #Malaysia #Buddhism ♬ IN BUDDHA'S TEMPLE – Abaco
A Tranquil Oasis In Tambun
The Enlightened Heart Temple is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Malaysia.
It boasts a peaceful complex of halls, gardens, and pagodas with countless statues of Buddha and other religious symbols.
One of the most remarkable sights at the temple is the Enlightened Heart Medicine Buddha Bhaishaya Guru Pagoda.
The pagoda stands tall at 72 meters and houses a colossal statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha.
The statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha at the Enlightened Heart Tibetan Buddhist Temple. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
The temple was founded by a local named Yong Si Fu, who became Ge Li Rinpoche after embracing Tibetan Buddhism.
From humble beginnings in 1976, the temple has grown to its present size, embodying the spirit of harmony and tranquillity that Buddhism espouses.
The Wesak celebration at the Enlightened Heart Temple attracted devotees from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Kedah.
Carrying an idol of Lord Sakyamuni Buddha is considered a way of seeking his blessings and guidance in one’s spiritual journey. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Many devotees were seen carrying the Lord Sakyamuni Buddha or Lord Yellow Dzambhala idol on their backs.
The practice is believed to help rid oneself of bad karma and negative energy and bring good luck and prosperity.
Others lit oil lamps and offered prayers inside the temple halls.
The temple complex reflects the spirit of harmony and tranquillity that Buddhism espouses. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
The canvas painting depicted Buddha in all his radiance, emanating compassion and wisdom to all living beings.
The Wesak celebration at the Enlightened Heart Temple was a testament to the timeless appeal of Buddhism in Malaysia and its ability to unite people from different walks of life in a spirit of peace and serenity.
Lush greenery creates a serene atmosphere for visitors. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Hari Wesak adalah hari besar buat sahabat-sahabat kita dari kalangan penganut Buddha di mana mereka memperingati tiga peristiwa penting melalui satu perayaan (Trisuci Wesak).#MalaysiaMADANI pic.twitter.com/6rIpWrKdfu— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) May 4, 2023

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Standup Stripper And Boyfriend Successfully Crowdfunded Their RM40k Bail, And Public Outrage Ensues

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The public had come to the rescue of a woman accused of insulting Islam by raising more than RM40,000 as bail money.

Siti Nuramira Abdullah allegedly committed the offence during an open-mic performance at the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur recently.
According to the lawyer, the donation had reached RM40,000 this morning (18 July).
Any additional donations made after this would be returned to the donors.
Sivaraj, from the legal group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), said any additional donations made after this would be returned to the donors.
If we pass a certain hour, the court staff will ask us to come back tomorrow to bail them out due to transportation problems, as they are from Beranang and Kuala Kubu Bharu prisons.Lawyer R. Sivaraj updating on whether Siti Nuramira Abdullah and Alexander Navin Vijayachandran could post bail by today.
Last Friday, Sivaraj announced that LFL would help Siti Nuramira and her partner, Alexander Navin Vijayachandran, to raise RM20,000 for each person through public donations using LFL bank accounts.
Not Out Of The Woods Yet
On Wednesday (13 July), in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. Siti Nuramira pleaded not guilty to the charge of insulting Islam.
She is accused of committing the offence by confessing to being a Muslim and memorizing 15 verses of the Quran before removing the hijab and baju kurung at the Crackhouse Comedy Club on 4 June.
Siti Nuramira, 26, was charged under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, division, enmity, hatred or malice, or affecting the preservation of harmony or unity, on religious grounds.
Sessions Court judge Siti Aminah Ghazali allowed Siti Nuramira bail of RM20,000 with one surety and warned her not to comment on the case.
Siti Nuramira faces a maximum prison sentence of five years if found guilty.
  @majoritiofficial Apa motif dia ni? 😌 #hina #islam #melayu #malaysia #tular #ttdi #amy #crackhousecomedyclub #jawi #beritaditiktok #trendingnewsmalaysia ♬ Breaking news, topics. Moderate tension. – 3KTrack
On the same day, Navin, 38, pleaded not guilty to two charges of uploading insulting content on social media.
For the first charge, Navin allegedly shared a post on his Instagram account on 5 June with the intent to insult others.
In the second charge, he allegedly shared content through his YouTube account on June 16 with the intent to insult others.
Sessions Court Judge Azrul Darus allowed Navin bail of RM20,000 with one surety and set 1 Sept for mention of the case.
In Disbelief And Indignant
Meanwhile, many are unhappy and puzzled that anyone would help the woman.
They said it is an unhealthy precedent that would only encourage others to make jokes that insult religions.
People also wanted to know who were the ones that contributed to her cause.
Berjaya rupanya mereka kumpul RM40,000 untuk biayai ikat jamin dan dibebaskan, maksudnya ada kumpulan dengan kesanggupan memberikan dana kepada mereka yang hina Islam dan orang Melayu.— Sepatah Dua Media (@sepatahdua_my) July 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/sheikhfrs/status/1548559926330437633

READ MORE: Merdekarya Sheds Light On ‘Comedian’ Couple Who Insulted Islam During Crackhouse’s Open Mic Session
At the same time, some blamed the government, accusing ministers of not taking a tough stance on the matter.
Bila kerajaan,menteri agama tidak tegas dalam kes hina Islam memang menjadi2 la puak2 ni terus menerus hina..bila didakwa siap bagi ikat jamin bagai..sepatutnya x payah..ni bila jadi camni puak2 ni akan terus hina pastu bila kena tangkap,dakwa x pe nanti boleh bayar ikat jamin..— Bitcoinhunter (@bitcoinhunter_) July 17, 2022
Her critics added that the money should have been spent on the poor and needy, including orphanages and tahfiz schools.
Daripada ikat jamin dyrog ni baiklah sedekah kt anak yatim, budak tahfiz..sebelum buat apa2 fikirlah Masa depan sikit kak wei..— fai🇲🇾🇵🇸 (@akma_hamzah) July 16, 2022
Despite the outrage, some defended her action as exercising freedom of expression.
Nevertheless, many, if not everyone, agreed that what she did was foolish and unnecessary.
1. Siti Nuramira’s act was stupid and distasteful but she should not be charged. Except under very limited circumstances of inciting discrimination, hate and violence, no one should face criminal punishment for exercising their freedom of speech, appalling as it may be. pic.twitter.com/yRCX380TwK— Sin Yew (@S_Y_New) July 13, 2022
Besides splitting public opinion, her action had also landed the comedy club owner, Rizal Van Geyzel, in hot soup.
READ ALSO: Crackhouse Comedy’s Rizal Van Geyzel Will Be Released From Police Custody Today

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Lady raises concern on boba halal certification. PLOT TWIST: She’s not halal certified either

Restaurateur Siti Mariam Zainon’s post questioning the halal status of popular bubble tea chains went viral recently.
She brought up the question of whether or not the drinks were considered halal, stating that she felt doubtful about trying the drinks as they were not halal-certified, plus the shop name and writings were all in Chinese.

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She urged her fellow Muslims to not join the hype just because artists and the Insta-famous drink bubble tea. Instead, she cautioned that non-halal is not limited to pork, but has numerous other requirements that popular bubble tea shops allegedly may not fulfill.

Of course, netizens are divided.

Some found her concerns overbearing, claiming that the drinks, being vegetarian, wouldn’t require halal-certification as there is no animal products involved.
Others seemed to not be bothered, saying that less people would result in shorter lines.

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However, since then, Siti Mariam Zainon has been repeatedly asked to produce the halal-certification for the food she prepares, which she has yet to provide for her Arabic cuisine catering service.

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In a follow-up post, she clarifies that such concerns should only be pertinent to the Muslim community. She also expresses dissatisfaction that non-Muslims and young people are chiming in on this matter.
She goes on to say that while the popular drinks may seem like a simple issue, it is more of a concern for mothers of children to feel comforted with a halal-certification.

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In Malaysia, Halal certification is a reassurance that the Halal concept is well maintained and monitored; A green light provided by JAKIM and JAIS. This does not necessarily mean that non-certified foods or drinks are not Halal.
For additional reference, the Qur’an and Hadith relate to the issue of Halal as such:

He only prohibited for you carrion, blood, the flesh of the pig and what was dedicated to other than God, but if one is forced out of necessity rather than desire or greed, then he incurs no sin. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
The Qur’an, 2:173

Halal is what God has made halal in His book and Haram is what God has made haram in His Book and what He has been silenced about is forgiven.
Ibn Majah, 3367
Based on the above, in Malaysia at least, when we do not have a reliable and relevant evidence to consider something Haram, then that thing is probably Halal.

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Since most of the bubble tea chains do not sell meat and are in the process of applying for their Halal-certification, it’s pretty safe to say that the non-Halal fear-mongering is probably unfounded.
So perhaps we should all remember the Golden Rule:
 â€˜Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto Youâ€™

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Controversial Entrepreneur Criticised For Allowing Underage Daughter To Smoke

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Jamu (traditional medicine) entrepreneur Liana Rosli, famously known as Kak KM, could be in hot soup.

She allowed her daughter to smoke cigarettes, which is a violation of the Children Act 2001 for exposing minor to immoral practices.
Kak KM was quoted by mStar as saying that she did not know that it was an offence.
She admitted that her daughter had been given the cigarette to smoke under her watch.
However, she insisted that it would not endanger the child’s health.
As I said, my daughter smoked without tobacco and it happened under my control and in front of my own eyes. It’s just a moment for us to recall the activities I did with my late grandfather when I was a child. I also smoked leaf cigarettes without tobacco.Kak KM explaining why she allowed her daughter to smoke.

She offered to apologise if anyone is unhappy because of the incident.
Kak KM said she had no intention to create a controversy.
Kak KM’s son was also seen smoking. (Source: MK Media)
Online Firestorm
Earlier, a video showing a group of teenagers, including his 12-year-old daughter smoking a leaf cigarette, was uploaded by Kak KM on Instagram.
The posting had since been removed.
The video drew criticism from netizens who rebuked Kak KM for not carrying out her responsibilities as a mother.
Elaborating further, Kak KM said she is rational and would not give something to the her child that could be harmful to health.
I’m not stupid to give children smoking cigarettes or tobacco. In the video, my daughter only smokes leaf cigarettes without tobacco and there are no other stuff that can be harmful to health.Kak KM justifying her decision to let her daughter smoke.
For the record, such an action could be prosecuted under Child Act 2001 for exposing a child to immoral practices.
Offenders can be charged under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Children Act 2001 and can be punished under Section 31 (1) of the same act and read in conjunction with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The Act carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both, if convicted.
Kak LM is not stranger to criticism.
She had attracted controversy notably for her dancing.
Although it was part of marketing, her dance moves was deemed improper by some.
Despite the critics, Kak KM’s mother stands by her.

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