Brace For The Haze: Fires In Indonesia Have Started Again

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You might want to keep those masks on Malaysia, because experts are saying that the haze season might be returning to our shores sometime soon if forest fires in neighboring Indonesia continue.
With news of more than 700 forest fires in Indonesia’s province of Kalimantan, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) expects the seasonal cross-border haze to be back by August or September if the situation is not brought under control.
Reportedly, Indonesia has declared a state of emergency in the province and are deploying efforts to mitigate the problem.
In 2019 the region was hit with one of the worst transboundary haze seasons in recorded history as fires ravaged over 1.6 million hectares of forest and peatland, turning skies over Indonesia crimson red from smog, and made Malaysia one of the worst air polluted countries in the world.
For now, MetMalaysia says that the country’s Air Pollutant Index (API) remains normal and should continue to be based on the number and position of “hotspots” in Indonesia as well as the general direction of the winds.
However, according to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Social and Environmental Research and Development Studies lecturer, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Toriman the smog coming from fires in Kalimantan would still hit areas in East Malaysia.
The wind is moving southwest at a speed of 15 knots and is generally dry. So the haze caused by fires in Kalimantan would only affect the interior of Sarawak and Sabah.Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Ekhwan Toriman via New Straits Times
So enjoy the fresh air while it lasts Malaysia…

Malaysia’s Air Quality Improves After MCO

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Source:
MetMalaysia says cross-border haze not expected to occur soon
Indonesian province declares state of emergency over forest fires
Indonesia (finally) admits the haze is their fault
Haze: Indonesian sky turns BLOOD RED, here’s why
Haze: M’sia declared #1 most air polluted country in the world
Malaysia may be spared from haze due to fewer hotspots in Indonesia


Sun Bear rescued, authorities found animal living in unBEARable conditions

Remember the sun bear story that we’ve put out recently?
Turns out after some public outcry in social media, the authorities have taken action to rescue the bear in Sarawak.
Even our readers expressed their dissatisfaction when we broke the news
Allegedly the sun bear was locked-up under cruel conditions at a house in Demak Laut, Sarawak. (Poor thing)
Claimed to have been kept by a licensed owner for seven years, the 76-kilogram bear has been sent to the Matang Wildlife Centre here for medical examination and rehabilitation.
It is said that the owner has violated certain terms and conditions of the license.

In Sarawak, as previously mentioned, the animal is protected under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.
If found guilty of hunting or possessing the protected animals whether dead or alive or possessing just their parts without a license, you could end up being fined for RM10,000 and be locked up in jail for one year.

It is actually the second case this year. Why you guys just can’t get a cat or dog instead.
The first was in  June when a cub was discovered to have been locked up in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.
Look, if you guys really want to own a bear, just, don’t get a teddy bear


Hospital Patients Are Allowed To Have Visitors And Caretakers Who Meet The Criteria

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In a statement today, the Ministry of Health (KKM) has announced that visitors and caretakers are allowed to accompany some hospital patients.

The standard operating procedures must still be observed to curb the further spread of Covid-19.
Here’s a list of patients who are allowed to have visitors or caretakers:
Patients who are critically ill.
Patients under palliative care.
Patients under end-of-life care.
Disabled patients.
Senior citizen patients.
Patients who need communication aids.
Paediatric patients (children).
Mothers in labour.
Visitors and caretakers must also meet these requirements before being allowed to see the patient:
Age 18 and above.
Fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
Not part of a high-risk group for Covid-19 such as senior citizens, have comorbidities, or weak immune systems.
Not suspected of having Covid-19 or a Person Under Surveillance (PUS).
Does not exhibit Covid-19 symptoms.
Fill in the Covid-19 declaration form, follow SOP and wear personal protection equipment (PPE) properly.
Kenyataan Media Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia Polisi Lawatan Untuk Penjaga dan Pelawat di Hospital KKM Semasa COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/e2sGczcgjl— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) November 26, 2021
For the caretakers, they need to undergo a Covid-19 RT-PCR or RTK Antigen test within 72 hours before entering the hospital and they must test negative.
Individuals who wish to accompany a mother giving birth must undergo the Covid-19 RT-PCR or RTK Antigen within 72 hours before entering the hospital, or undergo the RTK Antigen Saliva test upon arrival at the hospital.
Patients who are receiving outpatient or emergency care are only allowed to have a caretaker with them.
If the patient is warded in a non-Covid-19 ward, they’re allowed to have a caretaker and a visitor with them throughout the visiting session.
Only two family members are also allowed to visit patients who are under end-of-life care and do not have Covid-19.
What about Covid-19 patients?
Despite lifting the restrictions for the other patients, Covid-19 patients are still not allowed to have visitors.
However, Covid-19 patients are only allowed one visitor if they are under end-of-life care or warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

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Meth Found In 3YO Kelantan Boy, Police Detain Kid’s Uncle

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Police have detained a 30-year man after doctors found a high amount of drugs inside the body of his three-year-old nephew, New Straits Times reported.

According to Kelantan acting police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun, the men in blue were alerted by the incident by a doctor in Kuala Krai hospital who treated the victim.
The child, from Kampung Sri Bintang near Kuala Krai, is currently in critical condition, the report said.
“Police received the report from the hospital about 5am yesterday and immediately sent a team to investigate.
“Police were informed by the doctor who treated the boy that the drugs found in his body were of methamphetamine type,” Muhamad Zakid was quoted as saying by the English daily.
The boy had since been transferred to Raja Perempuan Zainab hospital in Kota Baru for further treatment.
Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today reported that the boy’s uncle, who is a drug addict, was believed to have brought the victim to an undisclosed location on Saturday.
It was not immediately clear whether the victim was fed any drugs or he had consumed the drug himself after seeing it around.
The suspect, who denied feeding the boy any drugs, is remanded to assist in the investigation.
The case is classified under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which deals with neglect or exposing a child to danger so as to cause physical injury.
The suspect face a fine of not more than RM50,000, or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, if he is found guilty.
Last year, Malaysian were shocked when it was reported that a 38-year old tailor dosed his three-year-old stepson with drugs in Negeri Sembilan.
READ MORE: N. Sembilan Manhunt Begins For Cruel Stepfather After 3-Year-Old Toddler Tests Positive For Drugs

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63YO Man Gunned Down By Unknown Assailant After A Game Of Mahjong In Mont Kiara

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A 63-year-old man was shot dead by an unknown individual, after leaving his friend’s house in Amarin Kiara at midnight last night.

According to Free Malaysia Today, the elderly man had just left his friend’s house after finishing playing mahjong before he was gunned down.
The report said that the man’s car was parked outside Amarin Kiara’s residential area.
“A witness saw the victim crossing the road towards the car park. Shortly after that, the witness heard three gunshots from the car park and saw the victim on the ground near his car,” Brickfields police chief, Assistant Commissioner Amihizam Abdul Shukor was quoted by the news portal.
 The victim, a retired businessman, had no prior criminal record.
The motive of the incident is still under investigation and the case is classified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
Amihizam also urges the public who have information regarding the incident to call the Brickfields police hotline at 03-2297 9222, the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999, or to relay the information at any police station nearby.

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A Teacher-Student Marriage Video That Went Viral On Tiktok Has Malaysians Worried

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A compilation video of a student and his teacher over the years is gaining traction on social media– not only because of the many years that have passed between them as a student-and-teacher, but also because at the end, they get married despite the 25-year age gap.

The love story garnered positive comments on how ‘age is just a number’, but there were others who showed some concern over possibilities of child grooming.
The video, originally posted on TikTok, then drew discussion about child grooming and teacher-student relationships.
BRO? pic.twitter.com/ODlP6NmEzO— Haffiz (@MHaffizJ) August 18, 2021
Aku pun personally dont mind if the guy is like…. 25 and the wife is 43 or something. But ni mmg suggests child grooming in the video 🤨— Haffiz (@MHaffizJ) August 18, 2021
The first selfie with the teacher is in 2016. In 2018, the student is still wearing a school uniform. In 2020, the two were married, suggesting that the two tied the knot just shortly after the student’s graduation, likely only in his early 20’s.
I try not to judge the teacher. I tried. but I can't 😂😂 jauh nau umur. terpengaruh ngan novel ke odo— pq (@Aartsyqt3) August 18, 2021
20 and 45 ? Uish takpela da jodoh taknak ckp apa apa— nazihah (@zzihaa) August 18, 2021
Technically, the marriage and relationship are legal as both parties are adults over the age of 18.
I remember as a 14,15 year old girl,my friends pun ade crush over handsome temporary teachers. We swoon and admire them, we're kids. But is it normal for those 25,26 year old teachers to fancy a 15 year old girl that admires them that way? No.They should be fired if they were to.— 💀(بلقيس)💀 (@nolongerskek) August 8, 2021

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Covid-19: Malaysia Has 99 Active Clusters – What You Should Know

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Malaysia currently has 99 active clusters, revealed Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

At the daily Covid-19 press conference today, Dr Noor Hisham added that six new clusters were also detected today, which are:
Umboo Cluster in Alor Gajah, MelakaJambu Cluster in Hulu Langat SelangorSofi Cluster in Seremban, Negeri SembilanBah Mutiara Cluster in Hulu Langat, Selangor and Titiwangsa & Lembah Pantai, Kuala LumpurTinusa Cluster in SabahSauh Cluster in Sabah
Malaysia’s biggest cluster: Tembok Cluster in Kedah & Perak
This cluster involving several districts in Kedah and Perak was detected when a 46-year-old man died on 30 September in Alor Setar after suffering from breathing difficulties. He was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive after his death.
Further testing later revealed that the infection had spread like wildfire in the Alor Setar Prison and has since spread to Perak.
With a total of 1,583 infections and one death, Tembok Cluster is Malaysia’s biggest cluster.
Sabah’s biggest cluster: Benteng LD Cluster
Accounting for a majority of Malaysia’s daily new Covid-19 cases, Sabah currently has a total of 6, 087 active cases.
The biggest source of the state’s infections come from the Benteng LD cluster which has infected prisoners and the general public across Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kinabatangan and Tuaran.
This cluster was first detected at the Lahad Datu District Police Headquarters lockup and later spread to the Tawau prison.
Klang Valley’s biggest cluster – Utama Cluster
Named after the 1 Utama shopping mall in Bandar Utama, the cluster involves Gombak, Petaling, and Hulu Langat districts in Selangor, Lembah Pantai in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Alor Gajah in Melaka.
The cluster has also spread to the sixth generation with a total of 206 Covid-19 infections.
READ MORE: Selangor’s Biggest Cluster Is In Petaling & It Keeps Growing Everyday

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Source:
Situasi Terkini 21 Oktober 2020
Kluster Baharu : KLUSTER BENTENG LD


Netflix Plans To Expand Into Video Games, But Would You Play?

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Netflix confirmed recently that it will include video games free as part of its subscription packages and are currently in the early stages of its expansion.
 The time is right to learn more about how our members value games.Netflix, 20 July 2021
A step into its transition, the streaming giants have already made a few moves by hiring Mike Verdu, former Vice President of Game Development at Electronic Arts (EA), and is also reportedly expanding its deal with Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes to include gaming.
Unique offering among stiff competition
With increased competition from newer streaming services like Disney+, gaming could provide Netflix a unique offer following in the footsteps of popular series Black Mirror’s interactive “choose your own adventure” episode ‘Bandersnatch’.
In the special one-off production, viewers were given the choice to dictate what happens next based on choices given to them on the screen. This would then lead to various plot points and endings.
The technical design of Bandersnatch was widely praised with IGN saying it does a solid job of explaining how the experience works.
The innovative approach to storytelling won Black Mirror: Bandersnatch several awards including the Innovation Award at the Broadcasting Press Guild TV And Radio Awards.
A secret marketing weapon?
(Credit: Maya Suraya / TRP)
Another unique benefit of an interactive format Netflix would have, according to an article by The Verge, is the difficulty for it to be pirated like films or TV shows as it requires more active engagement.
The greatest advantage though? Data gathered from user participation and the ways that data could be used to create an internal programmatic marketing infrastructure.
In other words, Netflix previously studied how users engaged with its content, hence why your Netflix homepage looks different from others as it is based on the titles you like to watch. Now, with an interactive “gaming” aspect, it can track real decisions.
The decisions tracked when “playing” offers insight about what Netflix’s subscribers want out of a story and what choices they most want to see characters take.
In a nutshell, games that suit the type of gamer you are based on how you make decisions!
Time and investment with no guaranteed success
In a report by the BBC, independent telecoms analyst Paolo Pescatore said Netflix would have to dedicate significant resources including time and investment with no guaranteed success. As the move is a long-term play, the company would also need to strongly think about retention and engagement.
Having said that, Netflix thinks the main value of its games will be keeping existing subscribers more engaged in the Netflix app which not only may make it less likely for them to unsubscribe but could also help drive new subscriptions.

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Boy, Suspected Abuse Victim, Found Sitting At Cheras Junction Alone

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A member of the public found a boy, believed to be 3 or 4 years old, abandoned by the roadside near the Cheras Utama apartment in Batu 9, Cheras, around 11.30pm.

Kajang police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaid Hassan said a man alerted the police about the young boy who was found sitting alone near a junction.
The incident was also shared on Tiktok by a netizen who hoped to track down the boy’s parents.
  @cheliy_gtr Allahuakbar…. name tahu kot2 ade yg kenal ♬ original sound  – cheliy_gtr
While trying to talk to the boy, members of the public realized the boy sustained several injuries all over his body and believed he was a victim of abuse.
According to the police statement, the boy has injuries on his body, arms, fingers, and forehead.
He has been sent to the paediatric ward in Kajang Hospital for treatment and is currently in stable condition.
Mohd Zaid said the boy couldn’t converse in the local language and the lack of a vaccination scar on his arm indicates that he might be a foreigner. The boy didn’t have any identification documents on him either.
He added that the boy will be referred to the Hulu Langat Welfare Department soon.
The case will be investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children’s Act 2001 for ill-treatment, neglect, abandonment, or exposure to physical or emotional injury.
Anyone with information regarding the boy is advised to contact the investigating officer, Inspector Mohd Zaiyaudi Mohd Yaakub at 019-5355395 or head over to the nearest police station.

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The Sound Of Music Musical Is Coming To Malaysia This 27 December!

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Are you a fan of musical theatre? If you do, then this is just for you.

The classic musical theatre ‘The Sound Of Music’ is here in Malaysia and will be premiering this 27 December in Istana Budaya with an all-new international production.
International production but with a few Malaysian casts
Produced by Broadway International Group, supported by Dominus Arts Venue and presented by Base Entertainment Asia, this new Broadway production tours globally and has now arrived in Southeast Asia for the Malaysian season.
(Credit: Base Entertainment Asia)
Besides their own original performers, they also casted local talents for the roles of the Von Trapp children. So we’ll be seeing our talented kids performing alongside Broadway actors!
The children are aged 6 to 14, picked among a pool of 400 brilliant applicants that went for the audition on 28 and 29 June at Wangsa Maju previously.
We’ll be seeing these skilled young performers on stage this December! (Credit: Base Entertainment Asia)
17 kids were chosen to play the roles of 6 Von Trapp children, alternately through the 2-week production. They all have high-level skills in acting, singing (including parts with harmonies) and also dancing.
The Classic Story
The uplifting story tells the life of Maria, a jovial and loving governess who changed the lives of a widowed Naval Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music. She fell in love with the family and went through great challenges across the Austrian mountains as tensions rose prior to the World War II outbreak.
The Sound Of Music is a production that was based on the true story of Maria von Trapp’s life. She was in the ‘Von Trapp Family Singers’ which was one of the world’s best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. She wrote a book about her life called ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’ which was published on 1949 and became a bestseller.
(Credit: Base Entertainment Asia)
The story then became a highly acclaimed theatre production that appeared on Broadway in 1959. It won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, a Grammy Award for Best Show Album and was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s biggest success.
The famous theatre was then made into a film in 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and remains one of the most popular movies of all time.
The Sound of Music Tour Choreographer, James Gray & The Sound of Music Associate Tour Director, Anthony C. Daniel, local children selected to play members of the von Trapp family, Tremendous Entertainment Group Chief Executive Officer, Chantal Prudhomme and Chairman, Datuk Jared Lim.(Credit: Base Entertainment Asia)
If you’re not familiar with ‘The Sound of Music’, here, take a look at the classic trailer of the movie. Maybe there are a few songs in there you’ll be familiar with.
Ticket Prices
The lowest is priced at RM320 (Category D) while the highest is at RM630 (Premium). It varies according to the dates also (weekends are pricier than weekdays).
Additionally, if you wanna buy Category A box seats (those private seats), they are priced from RM2,200 to RM2,320 (4 seats).
(Credit: Base Entertainment Asia)
However, do bear in mind that these prices don’t include the processing fee yet. It’ll be charged just a bit more.
Check out the available tickets now here for booking.
We can’t wait to see these gifted performers live at the end of the year. Go book your tickets now!
The Sound Of Music Malaysia
Venue: Istana Budaya, Kuala LumpurDate: 27 December 2022 – 15 January 2023 (3 Weeks)Tickets: Lowest around RM325 and highest RM605 per seatDuration: 155 minutes (20-minute intermission)Showtimes: Tuesday – Friday: 8.30 pm Saturday: 3.00 pm & 8.30 pmSunday: 1.00 pm & 5.00 pm
READ MORE: We Talked To The Cute Malaysian Cast Of The Sound Of Music – Here Are A Few Of Their Favorite Things

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Recreational Activities At Langkawi Beaches To Halt, Weather Warning Issued For Northern States

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Anyone planning to enjoy the Langkawi seaside over the next few days must postpone their plans for a while longer.

Due to unpredictable weather, the authorities have advised people to halt recreational activities at Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah for the next four days.
District Civil Defence Force officer Ahmad Shahfikri Darus said red flags have been put up at the two popular beaches to warn people about the heightened risks, New Straits Times reported.
He said the flag will remain there until it’s deemed safe to hold recreational activities.

As of 9am today, both areas recorded a high tide of 3.1m and wind speeds of 42 kilometres per hour, which could cause large waves.
Shahfikri advised the public to immediately inform the authorities if they have an emergency.
This morning’s heavy rain caused the water level at Sungai Melaka at Padang Matsirat to rise to 3.1m.
Meanwhile, Sungai Melaka at Bukit Kemboja and Sungai Kuah are still at normal levels (5.39m and 1.18m respectively), but show an increasing trend due to continuous rainfall.

Weather warning in Northern states
MetMalaysia also announced a weather warning for the northern states in the peninsular.
In a statement, MetMalaysia said the northern states are expected to experience strong westerly winds until 5 July.
The condition may cause thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds in the affected states.
Thunderstorms with heavy rain and strong winds may occur in Kelantan and Terengganu from the afternoon until early evening.
Strong winds and rough seas are also expected along the Phuket waters and the northern Straits of Melaka.
The public is advised to visit www.met.gov.my and MetMalaysia’s official social media pages or MyCuaca app for up-to-date and verified information.

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Fight At Pelita Restaurant In Cyberjaya Was Over Finger Taste Test?

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A video showing a chaotic brawl between a staff member and a customer at a Pelita restaurant in Cyberjaya has been making rounds on Twitter recently.

The clip has since garnered an estimate of 1.3 million views and 2,700 retweets, where netizens were stunned to see the fight happen at a public place.

https://twitter.com/Twt_Cyberjaya/status/1636530392714084352?s=20

In a statement today reported by Sinar Harian, Sepang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said, the police have received a report from the manager of a restaurant regarding the incident and have managed to arrest three suspects aged 50 to 51 at two separate locations.
The initial investigation found that the three suspects had gone to the restaurant and when they were in the nasi kandar section, one of the suspects had used his finger to take a side dish while drunk. The worker’s reprimand caused the suspect to act out aggressively by hitting him.Sepang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof
Additionally, Wan Kamarul Azran noted that following the incident, the victim claimed to have bruises on his neck, head, left shoulder and ear as a result of being beaten by the suspect.
The complainant, who is also the restaurant manager, claims to have faced losses when the shop’s equipment was damaged, including plates, and many side dishes were contaminated and had to be thrown away. Investigation also found that two of the suspects, who each worked as a tourist guide and a taxi driver, had criminal and drug records.Sepang District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof
He said the case was investigated according to Sections 324, 327 and 506 of the Penal Code.
Meanwhile, some netizens joked that the man was probably mad over being charged exorbitant prices at the restaurant.
Motoring journalist Paul Tan said:
Maybe (this was him) after taking the squid and seeing the price.Motoring journalist Paul Tan
On the other hand, Twitter user @HazwanAfifi said:
Asked for Menu Rahmah but got Menu Rosmah instead. How not to be angry?@HazwanAfifi via Twitter
Meanwhile, Twitter user @amuse_gueule suggested that restaurants should place signs not allowing drunk people in.
Next time restaurants letak sign lah, Drunks are not allowed in. But you know, restaurants love drunks, because they can really eat after a full night of drinking.@amuse_gueule via Twitter
Nevertheless, what would you have done in a situation like this?

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Who Is Bersatu, Where Did They Come From, And How Did They Get Here?

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Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) already has a colourful history although the party has only been around since 2016.
Set up by UMNO defectors along with some new faces, the party was originally part of the coalition (Pakatan Harapan) that was bent on ending the 60-year Barisan Nasional rule.
After the collapse of Pakatan, Bersatu went on to form Perikatan Nasional – a new coalition that’s made up of UMNO, Bersatu and Pas.
We take a look at Bersatu’s beginnings to becoming what it is today.
Early beginnings of the party
Driven to bring down Barisan, the party was founded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was at the time, Malaysia’s former and fourth Prime Minister along with other politicians in August 2016.
Bersatu teamed up with PH, a coalition comprised of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and a few parties from Sabah and Sarawak.
On their website, they’ve underlined what the party stands for:
Observing institutional reforms to restore integrity in the Federal administration.Restoring democracy and the rule of law have been denied and misused.To uphold the integrity of the separation of powers between Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.Striving to improve the performance of the Government and provide a better life for Malaysians regardless of race or religion.To restore the honor and honor of the world to Malaysia and its people.Collaborate with political parties and non-governmental organizations with aspirations and principles in an effort to build better government leadership in the interests of the Nation and the People of Malaysia.
Picture Credit: Bersatu
During the 14th General Election, the coalition managed to do the impossible – topple the ruling government, BN and becoming the new party that was set to change the country for the better.
After GE14 in May 2018, Dr Mahathir became Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister, making him the oldest statesman in the world to hold that position at the age of 92.
With his Cabinet made up of people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, it looked like there was actual progress. They even had a female Deputy Prime Minister in Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
It was a simpler timePhoto Credit: Bersatu
Then it turned sour
After being in power, the coalition came across many challenges including the khat and black shoes debacle, the legislation to punish drunk drivers and that thing about succeeding the premiership to PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
There was a lot of bickering over the transition as some want Dr Mahathir to stay in power while others want Anwar to succeed him as soon as possible.
Picture Credit: Malay Mail
Except, it never happened.
Bersatu President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin decided to withdraw Bersatu from PH on 23 Feb, a few hours before the infamous “Sheraton move” which also gave birth to Perikatan Nasional.
The next day (24 Feb), Dr Mahathir resigned from his position as Prime Minister and tried to resign from Bersatu as well, but would instead stay on in the latter.
Kenyataan Akhbar : Peletakan Jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri Malaysia pic.twitter.com/naW2MajfsG— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) February 24, 2020
Dr Mahathir was reinstated as the interim Prime Minister on the same day that he resigned his post.
He then announced on 25 February that he wants to establish a non-partisan national administration.
This was cut short after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah decreed that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to become the next Prime Minister instead.
The decision was made after interviewing the Members of Parliament.
Muhyiddin swore into office on 1 March 2020.
Enter Perikatan Nasional
After the confusion in the Malaysia’s political landscape, which is around the same time when Covid-19 cases started to increase in the country, Perikatan Nasional It was made up of Bersatu, UMNO and Pas emerged as the ruling coalition.

Muhyiddin made his first address on 10 May.

Dr Mahathir then contested the legitimacy of Perikatan as he argued that they don’t have the majority to take control.
Perikatan brought along changes to the government including replacing chief ministers in certain states and also placing their own party members in Government-Linked Companies (GLCs).
During this time, Dr Mahathir was vocal about Bersatu, disagreeing with party although he was the party’s Chairman.
He was then ousted on 28 May along with several other party members, including his son, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.


AWAM Calls For Individuals, Organisations, And All Political Parties To #EmbraceEquity

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Today, Malaysia, as well as various countries worldwide, commemorate International Women’s Day; also known by its acronym IWD.

This date recognizes the achievements and rights achieved by and for women over the years.
International Women’s Day celebrations have been championed in Malaysia since the 70s and years later, our fight still continues with an increase in challenges that continue to impact marginalised women.
Joining in on the push for equality and commemorating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women are the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM).
With this year’s focus on #EmbraceEquity combined with the spirit of Malaysia MADANI, we hope the Unity Government takes substantial matters in its plight to ensure all women in our nation are protected.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
According to AWAM, this year’s theme, reminds us of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and calls on all of us to embrace a future where every member of society is treated equally and equitably.
Based on a report released in 2022 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, women only received RM96.21 in wages for every RM100 a man makes.
The report also noted that 62.2% from 8,252 reported cases of violence against women were domestic violence.
In terms of political participation, according to the Gender Inequality Index (GII), neighbouring countries like Vietnam have 30.3% of women representation in Parliament yet here in Malaysia only 14.9% of elected Parliamentarians were women.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Further findings suggest a larger number of our population are still earning below the recommended living wage of RM2968.
It is shocking that after years of advocacy, women are still underrepresented in decision-making positions, face unequal pay and discrimination in the workplace, and are often subjected to violence and harassment in public and private spaces. Thus, AWAM believes that gender equity is crucial in achieving gender justice.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
AWAM also noted that through equity, it is recognisable that people have different needs, and therefore, treating everyone the same does not result in fairness.
Gender equity ensures that women have the same opportunities and access to resources as men, enabling them to reach their full potential.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
In order to achieve gender equity, AWAM calls for the following actions:
● Accelerating the implementation of the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment
● Addressing gender-based violence and discrimination in all its forms, including sexual harassment and assault, domestic violence, and trafficking.
● Acknowledging the alarming drop of female representation in the Dewan Rakyat to ensure equal women’s participation in decision-making processes and political representation.
● Eliminating gender pay gap and providing equal opportunities and access to resources for all genders.
● Fostering a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls in all public and private spaces.
● Increase minimum wage closer to the living wage allowing a direct impact to the economic status of women in the country.
They also urged individuals, organisations, and all political parties to #EmbraceEquity and work towards a society that values and upholds gender equity and justice by ensuring that women have substantive access to equal opportunities across the board.
We specifically urge the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to expedite the process of setting up the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment as further delays will only impact women and should not be tolerated. We also acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in achieving true gender equity, both in our local communities and around the world but that will not hinder our continued struggle for women’s rights.All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)

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[Watch] Ministers Called Out For ‘Bullying’ English Speaking Reporter

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“Such bullies,” cried netizens in complaint of a viral video that captured Federal Government Ministers and a Member of Parliament (MP) allegedly being rude to journalists during an interview.

At less than a minute long, the clip featured Islamic Affairs Minister and Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) Vice-president Idris Ahmad together with Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim being queried by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reporter Minderjeet Kaur, according to the Malay Mail.
During the interview, Awang supposedly patronised the journalist for asking questions in English and said “You ask [the question] in Bahasa Malaysia la, we are Malaysian what? You are Malaysian speak Bahasa la.”
The Minister was quickly confronted by the reporter who said, “I am a Malaysian. Please don’t do that,” and asked the politician to be a little nicer.
In reply, Awang said “You must also ask proper questions, you know. You want me to respect you, you must respect us first. Can you speak in Bahasa? Please speak in Bahasa.”
Undeterred, Minderjeet continued on with her line of questioning directed to Idris, asking for his comments about PAS’s policy towards gambling.
Weirdly enough, Idris took to fire his own questions to the reporter asking, “Would you agree if your husband was a gambling addict. I ask you first. You must first answer my question,” before laughing it off and ending the interview.
Kaki buli. Apa punya Menteri Agama daaaaa. pic.twitter.com/ViYeWj0NFE— PakYob Kayuh (@YobKayuh) November 15, 2021
Naturally, the video drew some criticism from Malaysians online who find the behaviour shown by the two Ministers to be unprofessional.
“Disgracefully rude. We are so stuck in a culture of demanding respect and not giving any in return,” wrote one commenter.
“Pulling out that ‘whataboutism’ because clearly, he can’t answer that question with a solid answer,” insinuated the other.
“Respect needs to be earned, and this is a bullying mentality. No elegance in action and speech. If you do not want to answer in English, just answer the question in Bahasa is okay enough.” said another commenter.
This is unacceptable. It's okay not to answer questions from a journalist, but attacking media personnel is the lowest form of democracy. You, as a policymaker are answerable to media (rakyat). Do better PAS! https://t.co/RWCl0hcYia— Hakim Rahman (@AHakimRahman) November 15, 2021
While some also pointed to the fact that Awang was not wearing his face mask properly during the short interview.
“How can someone who wears a mask like this be a Minister?” noted one observer.
Pakai pelitup macam ini pun boleh jadi menteri Malaysia kah?😩😩😩 pic.twitter.com/ha9J3EK5ay— Billi Bear (@BilliBear3) November 15, 2021
In an article published by Harakahdaily, PAS Youth Information Chief Nadzir Helmi defended the seniors by saying that the reporter had apparently met her match during the interview.
The journalist seemed bewildered because her husband was used as an example, while this is the real fact that gambling has damaged many family institutions.PAS Youth Information Chief Nadzir Helmi via Harakahdaily
Nadzir later went on to describe PAS’s mission to “save” the public from the woes of gambling and that gambling has damaged many family institutions here in Malaysia.
Don’t be provoked by political interests that prey on [our] non-Muslim friends as if gambling is part of their life and culture. Take pity on our friends’ children, wives and husbands, by saving them from wallowing in the excrement that is gambling. This is PAS’s struggle for the people. Bring an end to polemics. We have much bigger tasks to complete in this world and hereafter.PAS Youth Information Chief Nadzir Helmi via Harakahdaily

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Source:
PAS leaders harass reporter after asked about gaming ban, mocking her husband (VIDEO)
‘You setuju tak kalau suami you kaki judi?’


Covid-19 Positive Woman Dies In A Road Accident During Hospital Transfer

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Fatimah Jusoh, 74, was Covid-19 positive but got into an accident that claimed her life yesterday (15 March) when she was on the way to the hospital.

Her daughter, Murniyati Harun, 47, said her mother passed away around 1.30pm after receiving treatment at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu five days ago.
According to Berita Harian, the loss of Fatimah compounded the whole family’s grief because their father, Harun Md Zin, 80, passed away 12 days ago.
All their life, mum and dad lived peacefully and were never separated from each other. That’s why Allah decided for them to pass away not too long from each other.Fatimah’s daughter, Murniyati Harun.
Prior to the accident, Fatimah was hospitalized in Hospital Kemaman when she was in Stage 4 of Covid-19 on Friday.
She was en-route to Hospital Setiu in the ambulance when she was involved in an accident with five other vehicles, including another ambulance.
Fatimah suffered a broken right thigh and jaw and was rushed to HSNZ. Throughout her treatment, she didn’t show signs of improvement and fully relied on the respirator.
Her children couldn’t visit her because she was a Covid-19 patient. They could only get updates on their mother from hospital staff.
Murniyati said her mother previously lived in Kampung Mak Kemas in Bukit Payong. She invited her mother to stay with her in Kampung Bukit Kuang Kemaman last year.
Her mother had difficulty walking after a fall but she was still able to converse with family members.
Fatimah was laid to rest in Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Bukit Kuang around 7pm on 15 March 2022.

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[Watch] Passenger Gets The Safest Ride Ever Complete With Aircond Holes

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Taking a ride with an e-hailing service is always an adventure. Either we, the passengers, try to strike up a conversation or the driver will start the banter.

However, a recent passenger may be the luckiest of us all because the driver literally put up a ‘wall’ between them.
In a Tiktok video, @tengkuasmadi shared that he thought he entered an ambulance when he was greeted by a wall of clear, plastic film separating the passenger area from the front of the car where the driver sat.
What tickled his bones were the two pipes made out of rolled-up manila cards so that passengers could still get the cool air from the air conditioner.
“I was confused whether I took a Grab or an ambulance. Haha there’s a hole for the aircond,” he wrote in the caption.
  @tengkuasmadi Grab  dah macam ambulance ##grab ♬ Oh No – Kreepa
The viral clip which garnered 1.4M views and 117k likes amused many netizens online.
The short video also caught the attention of a local radio station Era, writing “Safety is prioritised first.”
“If I get [a ride like this], I’ll rate 10 stars!!!” a netizen wrote.
“He did the right thing. Better to prevent than to treat later,” another person wrote.
There were cheeky comments too.
“If I farted, at least the driver couldn’t smell it,” someone commented.
Among all the comments, only one netizen pointed out that while the effort to keep both the driver and passengers are well-meaning, the ventilation in the car is still not improved.
“Hahah by doing this with the aircond on, it’s still the same in the end. The risks of getting Covid-19 is more or less the same because the ventilation from the aircond just circulates in the car,” @azrulindahouse1 wrote.
Based on advice from the CDC, it’s recommended to use the recirculated air option so that fresh air from the outside can be brought into the vehicle. The other option to improve the air circulation in the car is to keep the windows open.
A study by a team of Brown University researchers stressed that there’s no way to eliminate the risk of contamination by pathogens in a vehicle completely.
To be safe, it’s still best to wear a mask throughout the ride in case any of the ventilation options above do not work out.
Nevertheless, the driver’s thoughtfulness is enough to make our hearts full.

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Bank ATMs Can Resume Normal Operation Hours From 1st June Onwards

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Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that banks can resume the normal operational hours of their automated teller machines (ATMs) from 1st June onwards.
The Senior Minister explained that the government had decided to lift the previous ruling for ATMs to operate between from 8am to 8pm which was implemented during the Movement  Control Order (MCO).
This previous directive was put in place on 19th April after the police found many were out late at night on the pretext of making ATM withdrawals.
While ATMs are allowed to operate for their usual hours, Ismail Sabri reminded that the public must still adhere to social distancing guidelines while using the ATM.

https://twitter.com/KKMPutrajaya/status/1252848491820244995

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Americans fall in love with Mâ€™sian Maggi Kari on the streets of New York City

Malaysiaâ€™s broke millennial/student meal has gone INTERNATIONAL!
An American YouTuber, Xiaomanyc took to the bustling streets of New York City to share Maggi Kari, our hostel pantry staple.

Original Image from Azie Kitchen

In the video posted on 1st July, he explained that he ran into a couple of Malaysians who straight up told him that Maggi Kari noodles was something that Malaysians really love.

â€œItâ€™s the Malaysian curry flavour. Itâ€™s very unique, itâ€™s very special.I got some of it and I tried it and I was likeâ€¦ you know what? This is actually really good!â€
Xiaomanyc via YouTube
Armed with hot water and Maggi packets, he served it up to strangers
who were about to be blessed with the beautifully (not so) spicy, springy
noodles.

Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

Hereâ€™s how they reacted:
Confusion
To be fair, Maggi Kari isn’t a global dish, so we doubt many have heard or seen it.
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
Malaysia is also pretty low profile internationally, so….
  Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
Excellent noodle-handling skills
Perfect pulls, as high as they can go!

Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

â€œItâ€™s really spicyâ€

  Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
Fun fact, only the Asian didn’t think it was that spicy.
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
Though this comment basically sums up what weâ€™re all really thinking:
 Screenshot from YouTube
â€œOh wow, this is REALLY goodâ€
Despite, the teary eyes, burning tongues and coughs, there’s no hiding the oomph of the Maggi seasoning!
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube

Though weâ€™re not too sure why you would call the soup â€œjuiceâ€.
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
â€œThank you for the free foodâ€
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
We think sheâ€™s secretly Malaysian inside.

While we thoroughly enjoyed watching the reactions, we couldnâ€™t
help but flinch every time he pronounces Maggi as â€œmah-giâ€ instead of â€œmeh-giâ€.

Created via ImgFlip

Another interesting thing is how many people thought that it would go great with seafood, especially prawns. Which is kinda how most of us enjoy our curry noodles.
 Screenshot from Xiaomanyc/YouTube
This isnâ€™t the first time Xiaomanyc has introduced Malaysian deliciousness down the throats of unsuspecting Americans. Heâ€™s done videos on Milo, Ipoh White Coffee and bak kwa.
Despite the spicy comments, the Americans really did enjoy the Maggi. And we love it when people love our food!

Original Image via Ajinomoto

You can watch the full video below:


Generational Endgame: 400,000 Malaysians Are Saying NO!

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OK, so the Government wants to implement one of the most ambitious public health plans EVER—by banning the use, possession and sale of cigarette and vape products for people born after 2007.

The plan was introduced by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin earlier this year and a bill for the proposed law has already been tabled for reading in Parliament.
This law has been called many names like the Generational End Game (GEG) and ‘Anti-Rokok-18’. But the goal remains the same: to create a smoke-free Malaysia by making it illegal for the next generation or anyone born after 2007 to take a puff in their entire lifetime even after they’ve reached the age of 18 – which is the current legal age of smoking here in Malaysia.
Khairy calls this a “soft landing” approach to bring a gradual end to smoking and plans to get the bill passed by year’s end.
Although the law seems like a good idea, it is getting a lot of pushback from policymakers, medical professionals, industry players, experts in all sorts of fields and, of course, the public.
But if the GEG is seen as such a good plan, why are people saying that the Government might be rushing into its implementation?
Well, there have been several arguments made on why we might need more time to study the proposed prohibition and its effects on the country as a whole.
Legal perils aplenty
(Credit: Malay Mail)
Lawmakers, after reviewing the content of the Tobacco Bill, have brought up several concerns touching on matters of rights protected under the Federal Constitution.
Former Chief Justice Zaki Azmi for one has been vocal with his views, commenting that the GEG may be unconstitutional, discriminatory, and affect civil liberties.
He particularly cited Article 8 of the Federal Constitution which focuses on the right to equality and equal protection under the law.
In an open letter, he said, “in interpreting Article 8, it is crucial to note that it does not necessarily mean all persons must be treated alike, but rather that the law must operate alike on all persons under like circumstances. Thus, it is worth asking whether setting an age limit on a permanent prohibition to smoke is discriminatory and against the spirit of Article 8.”
Medical practitioners too have shared their concerns
(Credit: Unsplash)
Smoking levels in Malaysia have plateaued over the last decade, and although there are smoking cessation programmes in Malaysia, they have been largely ineffective. In countries like the United Kingdom and New Zealand, smoking levels have been successfully reduced through the adoption of harm reduction strategies.
Medical practitioners are therefore concerned that the GEG in Malaysia includes a prohibition of less harmful smoking alternatives such as vape, which has the potential to reduce smoking prevalence.
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) in particular, has urged the Ministry of Health (MOH) to consider harm reduction approaches before “rushing” to legislate the GEG on vape.
In a recent statement, the President of FPMPAM Dr Steven Chow said, “In Malaysia, the field of tobacco harm reduction is in sore need of comprehensive basic clinical epidemiological research, and we must take the time and use our resources to explore this option.”
Rushing the GEG and excluding harm reduction from the policy would be a missed opportunity, as we may be losing out on an achievable option that can have a meaningful impact on the tobacco epidemic.FPMPAM President Dr Steven Chow
Malaysians agree with these experts
Malaysians seem to share the same views as these experts, as a petition to reject the GEG on Malaysia Bersuara has garnered over 400,000 signatures.
Those interested in having their voices heard in opposition to GEG are also signing a petition, which you can find HERE.

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Source:
Legal perils of the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022
Doctors’ Group Wants Harm Reduction Considered Before ‘Rushing’ GEG Bill


Baby Monkey ‘Unboxing’ Video Sends Malaysians Into Outrage

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Malaysians were beyond outraged when footage of a baby monkey which was supposedly shipped to its new owner in a box was shared on social media.

Twitter user @___nnik brought netizens attention to a disturbing video uploaded on TikTok by a woman named Mieda Marsha which apparently showed her unpacking a cardboard box which contained an infant Dusky Leaf Monkey trapped inside.
The 25-second clip had witnessed the terrified looking creature being unboxed from its inhumane confinement – which was nothing more than a box with holes punched into it and a dirty old rag – to the sound of a woman making baby noises.
“Cak! Hey! Hey! I’m a bit squeamish too,” said a lady’s voice in the video, greeting her new pet.
Weh mendidih nak marahnya aku si perempuan bodoh ni???!!? Lepastu yang tukang menghantar KAU BUNGKUS MONYET TU MACAM KAU BELI BARANG KAT SHOPEE???! Dasar sial punya manusia!! pic.twitter.com/kdOKY1KYJh— ✨ (@___nnik) June 18, 2021
A screenshot of the woman’s page later showed the monkey dressed in a diaper and feeding on what appears to be a bottle of milk.
(Credit: Twitter/@___nnik)
Checks later found that the TikTok account @mieda_24, where the clip had originally been shared, was now unavailable.
Apparently, netizens who took the effort to contact the woman before her social media accounts went dark revealed that the video was supposedly taken two years ago and claimed that the animal had been released back into the wild.
Tgok apa dia reply. Lol pic.twitter.com/p7m90xm837— jay (@hzkrie) June 19, 2021
Comments online had Malaysians collectively expressing their horror and disgust with how the living animal had been treated.
the monkey pass the point of prison break, just sitting the even the box already opened traumatize, trapped in a box with little to none food or water and possibly rough journey and hot weather in delivery vanI hope there is justice for this little fella— Blake (@BlakeCononly) June 19, 2021
People also highlighted the insidious practice where baby monkeys are poached from the wilds and taken away from their mothers in order to cater the exotic pet market.
The process of capturing these primates is inhuman to begin with. Primates by nature are similar to us which means they live in groups/ families. Hence, to capture 1 baby means that their family will be killed. This act needs to be stopped! Join us voicing for #freeprimates pic.twitter.com/jrnrdSHgqV— Rin (@lucasnorts) June 19, 2021
Some also make note of how these exotic animals can easily be purchased simply on social media.
Terjumpa acc ni jugak pic.twitter.com/txJns0jTqK— Thomas Francis (@ThomasFCr7) June 19, 2021
Primates are not pets
The Dusky Langur a.k.a the Dusky Leaf Monkey or Lotong as they are known locally is a species of primates endemic only to Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.
Here in Malaysia, lontongs can be found in the Peninsular regions of Perlis, Penang, Langkawi as well as in the Perhentian Islands of Terengganu, where they make the jungles their home.
Due to habitat loss, lotongs are also found close to humans – living in patches of urban forests as well as plantations.
Like all primates (which includes us humans), lotongs are highly social creatures – with family groups of up to 20 individuals and spend most of their time up in the trees feeding on plants, fruits and flowers.
They are known as the ‘gardeners of the forests‘ where they maintain and rejuvenate the ecosystem by spreading plant seeds as they forage, eat and poop.
(Credit: LangurProjectPenang/Facebook)
There are exactly seven different sub-species of the monkey – each possessing slightly unique colours.
Newborn lotongs are coated in bright orange or yellow fur that almost gives them a golden appearance and can live to reach between 15 to 25 years of age.
(Credit: LangurProjectPenang/Facebook)
The lontong is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and are a protected species in Malaysia.
However, this hasn’t stopped humans from either encroaching on their habitats for development and agriculture or illegally poaching them for the exotic wildlife trade.
A 2019 report by the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network or TRAFFIC named Malaysia as a hub for the illegal trafficking of wildlife across Southeast Asia and the world with contraband easily being moved through our airports.

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Source:
Dusky Leaf Monkey
Social media enables the illegal wildlife pet trade in Malaysia
A Rapid Assessment on the use of Facebook to trade wildlife in Thailand
Trachypithecus obscurus
Malaysia and Southeast Asia at the heart of massive wildlife trade
Dusky Langur


Kyochon 1991 Has A Chikin’ Meal For Only RM9.95

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Inspired by the Menu Rahmah initiative, Kyochon 1991 is also joining the bandwagon by doing its version of a budget-friendly meal for approximately RM10.

Chikin’ Meal
Shout out to all drumstick lovers, be sure to head over to your nearest KyoChon 1991 restaurant this March to try KyoChon 1991’s Chikin’ Meal. For only RM9.95 (KLIA: RM13.95) you can enjoy:
1 x Drumstick (Soy Garlic / Red Pepper / Shinhwa)1 x Steamed Rice1 x DrinkFREE Seaweed SoupFREE Pickled Radish
KyoChon 1991’s Chikin’ Meal is available daily until 3 PM and is valid for Dine-In only.

This menu starts from the 1st of March 2023 until a limited only. So grab them while they last.
They’re available at selected outlets only so for more info, read the terms and conditions here.
They also have other promotions for March too such as the birthday and Ramadhan promotions.
For more info, visit their Facebook and website.

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How The 6% Digital Tax Is Going To Affect Your Favourite Online Services

Starting next year, we will be taxed for our favourite online services such as Netflix and Spotify as the government will impose a 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) for digital products and services starting January 1, 2020.
To recap, the announcement was made during Budget 2019 and has been confirmed in Budget 2020 as the government sees it as an untapped income stream.
So far, only Google, Facebook, and Amazon have clarified on how the tax is going to be implemented, but the government has said the tax would be applicable to online services such as Spotify, Netflix, and Steam.
Picture Credit: Freepik
Spotify
Picture Credit: Freepik
The company has yet to announce any revised prices but here’s a rough calculation if you include the 6% SST.
Currently, you have to RM14.99 monthly for the Premium subscription plan, after adding the SST, this could be increased to around RM15.79 or RM15.80.
As for their Family Plan that allows you to add up to 5 other family members, it’s priced around RM22.40.
If we were to add the 6% Services Tax, the estimated price will be around RM23.74 or RM23.75.
Again, these are estimates by adding the current monthly prices now with the 6% tax.
Netflix
Picture Credit: Freepik
Just like Spotify, Netflix has yet to announce its new prices.
The movie streaming platform has a few plans that users can choose from and which are Mobile (RM17) Basic (RM33), Standard (RM42), and Premium (RM51).
After adding in the SST, the adjusted prices could be around RM18 for Mobile, RM34.90 or RM35 for Basic, RM44.50 for Standard and RM54 for Premium.
But just like the Spotify prices, these are just estimations and we will have to wait and see if the company would announce revised prices in the near future.
Google
Picture Credit: Freepik
The search giant announced earlier this month that SST will be included in their digital services.
So far, the company has confirmed that it will be imposed on their G Suite services, and these include Gmail, Google Drive, Hangouts, etc.
Although it’s not confirmed, it’s likely that apps and subscription services such as YouTube Premium and YouTube Music will also be taxed as well.
Adobe
Gif Photoshop GIF from Gif GIFs

Like Google, Adobe too announced that they would apply the 6% service tax on their products.
If you want to use their products either via monthly or annual plans that are paid monthly, you are billed the SST starting January 2020.
If you have an existing prepaid annual plan, the SST will only be in effect when your plan renews.
Facebook
Picture Credit: Freepik
Facebook will still be free for users as the implementation of SST will only affect advertisers.
They’ll be charged with SST if they start to purchase ads either for business or personal purposes.
Amazon Web Services
Amazon has informed its users via email that they’ll adhere to the taxes imposed by the government. It applies to their AWS Cloud Services as well as purchases on the AWS Marketplace.

The government said SST is estimated to bring in about RM2.4 billion a year.
Malaysia is not alone in this as other countries also impose some sort of digital tax, and despite ours being 6%, there are countries that have higher tax rates.

Based on information taken from QuadernoPicture Credit TRP

In the budget announcement, the Ministry of Finance said online services includes downloaded software, music, video or digital advertising.
Bernama did a breakdown of the tax and identified the taxable products and services, these include:
Software, applications, video games, e-books and films, advertisements and online platforms used to trade products or services; search engines and social networks (for customised search-engine services).
SST will also be imposed on databases and hosting, such as website hosting, online data warehousing, file-sharing, and cloud storage services; internet-based telecommunication and online training such as e-learning, online courses, and webinars.
Also, subscription of online newspapers and journals; provision of other digital content like images, text, and information and payment processing services would also be taxed.

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CONFIRMED: AZ Phase 2 Vaccines Will Open For ALL Tomorrow

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At today’s press conference, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin confirmed that Phase 2 of the AstraZeneca vaccine opt-in program will be open to all ages starting tomorrow, 26 May 2021.

Registrations will be open beginning at 12 noon, on the Covid-19 vaccination website HERE.
To register for the AZ vaccine, you must register on both your MySejahtera app and online at the Covid-19 vaccination website.
READ MORE: If You Can’t Get Your Vaccine Appointment, Your MySejahtera App May Have A Bug
We have given a few days for the elderly, so we have decided that for AstraZeneca phase 2 in Klang Valley, Pulau Pinang, Johor, and Sarawak, registration will be open to all under the age of 60 starting 12 noon Wednesday, 26 May 2021, which is tomorrow.Khairy Jamaluddin
The AZ vaccine is the only vaccine available to the general public who are under the age of 60 and are not frontliners.(Credit: TRP)
As of now, there are 1.26 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine set aside for Phase 2, however, only 228,347 slots have been taken up so far.
Registrations for Phase 2 of the AstraZeneca vaccine were first only opened to the elderly above 60 years old. However, only 18% of the doses have been claimed.
As such, the remaining Phase 2 vaccines will be open to ALL, including those under the age of 60. However, the vaccines will only be available in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Johor, and Sarawak.
During the question and answer session Khairy said that in light of the new recommendations, lactating mothers who were previously rejected from getting the AstraZeneca vaccine will be reallocated.
They will be contacted by Special Committee on Ensuring Access To Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) or they can contact the JKJAV directly.
The new recommendations by JKJAV released on the 24th, changed the recommendation status of AstraZeneca for lactating mothers from “Available data on its safety is limited. Recommendation will be made after consultation” to “Suitable to be vaccinated.”
Also yesterday, 24th May 2021, the highest number of vaccine doses were provided to Malaysians at 95,000 doses given.

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Yamaha RXZ Bikers Leave Trash Everywhere After Event, And Netizens Are Furious

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Last Saturday, the Terengganu Motor Circuit at Gong Badak Sports Complex was filled with at least 30,000 bikers.

They were Yamaha RXZ bikers attending a mass gathering after two years of being unable to meet due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri even graced the event, during which he said drag racing circuits should be built in every state to develop motorsports.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri acknowledging the bikers during the event. (Pix: Facebook)
However, the festivities ended with something that angered many as garbage was scattered everywhere in the location.
Based on the photo uploaded on the Bernama Facebook page, it can be seen that the area has become dirty due to the irresponsible attitude at the end of the event.

In fact, to ensure that the area remains clean, many cleaning workers are needed to collect the garbage left behind.
The sharing has invited various criticisms from netizens who are generally angry about the third-class mentality of the end of the event.
However, some think the organizers do not provide enough trash bins to cause this.
Despicable Behaviour
Netizens criticised the bikers as behaving like monkeys.
They said such behaviour reflects poorly on the attitude of the Malays toward the cleanliness of public spaces.
Geng myvi yang busuk2 pun reti buang sampah lepas event. Geng rxz ni kebanyakkan monyet je yang join 🤣— adam (@adammuzam) August 15, 2022
Some said their behaviour is giving Islam a bad name as most participants are Muslim Malays.
Others made sarcastic remarks that the RXZ bikers did not have space to bring back the rubbish on their motorcycle.
Tmpt ni dekat dengan rumah saya.. dpn Taman je..bukan gathering RXZ je.. semua jenis gathering yg buat di sini mmg akan selalu penuh sampah.. ntah bila la masyarakat nk berubah— FF (@chamomile114) August 15, 2022
Rxz tade bakul nk bawak balik sampah. Hmm sian diorang.— FaesZ (@mesintaip23) August 14, 2022

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Malaysian Animated Short Film Wins Awards For Story About A Dedicated Teacher Tackling Learning Disabilities

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Local animation studio Brainy Bones Studios’ animated short film Kring! is a touching story about a teacher who went the extra mile for her student.

Director Hilmi Ismail recently shared the video again, which led to a new wave of interest.
how it's started vs how it's going 😄💪 pic.twitter.com/WprutimnWm— Hilmi Ismail | Made in مليسيا 🇲🇾 (@mhilmiismail) October 10, 2020
The short film itself is not new, having been published on YouTube in July 2019. It has also won awards locally and internationally, most recently at the France-based 4th International Film Festival on Disabilities, bagging the Best Animation Short Animation award against 6 other international entries.
You might be wondering what kind of disability comes into play, as the poster shows a normal-looking teacher and her happy student.
As it turns out, the 7-minute short film highlights one of the often misunderstood disability: the learning kind.
Not all students perform well in a classroom.(Credit: KE Ooi/Instagram)
Learning disabilities aren’t talked about enough in Malaysia. Students who struggle in school are usually dismissed as lazy or stupid, but the fact of the matter is that some kids simply have learning disabilities that prevent them from performing in the regular academic institutions.
But real genetic and/or neurobiological factors can alter brain functioning in a manner that affects cognitive processes related to learning. Common learning disabilities are dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
In the film, the young student shows a form of dyscalculia, a specific learning disability that affects a person’s ability to understand numbers and learn math facts, simply because their brain does not process numbers in a conventional manner.
In Mael’s mind, the number 7 and 8 are visualized as a car and a giant ant.(Credit: Brainy Bones Studio/YouTube)
The young student, Mael, visualizes numbers as little drawings, which results in an incoherent math homework, frustrating his teacher Suraya to no end.
After many attempts to teach him math, Suraya finally realizes that she should try to understand the way Mael’s mind understands math. When she tries teaching Mael through little drawings of her own, the two are delighted with Mael’s progress in math.
It’s an extremely heart-warming story about a teacher who didn’t give up on her student, and instead tried her best to adapt her teaching style to suit his needs.
Don’t believe us? Watch it for yourself below:

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4 Family Members On The Way To KL Wedding Died In Road Crash, Father Sole Survivor

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A family of five who was on their way to attend a wedding in Kuala Lumpur ended in a road accident at KM 2 Jalan Lebu – Mempaga heading towards the Central Spine Road (CSR) in Bentong yesterday (28 January).

A Nissan Navara rammed the family travelling in a Toyota Vellfire from Gua Musang at the traffic light around 2.30 pm.
The Vellfire turned to the right junction after the light changed to green, when the Navara hit the car from the opposite direction.
Image: Kelantan Darul Naim/ FB
Four people in the family, including three children, died in the crash. According to Bentong police chief Superintendent Zaiham Mohd Kahar, the four deceased are an adult woman, two girls and a boy.
Based on a report by Sinar Plus, they have been identified as housewife Raihan Mohamad (43) and her children Ahda Dalili Mohd Nazri (14), Ahmad Muaz (7) and Ahda Imtinan (8).
The driver of the Vellfire, who’s Raihan’s husband, Mohd Nazri Hamid (43), escaped with light injuries. He’s a teacher in Felda Aring 1, Gua Musang.
Investigations found that the driver of the Navara tested positive for drugs (opiates, amphetamine and methamphetamine).
Zaiham said the case is investigated under Section 33(1) Road Transport Act 1987.
The mother and her children have been laid to rest at Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Panchor, Pengkalan Chepa at 9.50 am today (29 January).

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Disney Pulling Plug On Multiple TV Channels, Wants To Focus On Streaming

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American media giant Disney is looking to shut down their television channels in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as the company wants to focus more on their online streaming services.

It’s reported that these channels are set to be shut down in the near future:
FoxFox CrimeFox LifeFXFox Action MoviesFox Family MoviesFox MoviesStar Movies ChinaFox SportsFox Sports 2Fox Sports 3Star Sports Disney Channel Disney JuniorNat Geo People SCM Legend
Their Disney+ streaming service is currently available in Singapore and Indonesia but it’s not here yet in Malaysia.
However, this year the media giant is planning to roll out the service in more markets in the region including Hong Kong.

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Sultan Johor Warns That State Assembly May Dissolve If Turmoil Continues

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The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, has warned that he may dissolve the State Assembly immediately if the a power struggle among representatives there continues.
In a post on his official Facebook account, Sultan Ibrahim expresses his disappointment with the ongoing political turmoil in the state.
He also criticised the power hungry politicians who are eager to capitalise on their self-interests during these dire times.
They clearly have no regard for the hardship being faced by the rakyat now, and seem bent on exacerbating the sufferings of the people. I cannot stand seeing my rakyat suffer. I will not allow my state to be in disarray. I took an oath to protect and safeguard the wellbeing of my subjects at all times. If the politicking goes on, I will immediately dissolve the Johor State Legislative Assembly.Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar

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[Spoiler-Free] Spider-Man: No Way Home – Why You Definitely Should Watch It ASAP [Review]

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Spider-Man: No Way Home is the latest, and one of the most highly-anticipated, movies to hit the silver screen– and Malaysians have been lucky enough to be able to watch it two full days before the global release.

READ MORE: M’sians Can Watch New Spider-Man Movie 2 Days Earlier Than Global Release
So here is our SPOILER-FREE review of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
MCU and Spider-Man knowledge is helpful
This movie is infinitely more enjoyable if you already have a prior knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as well as the previous Spider-Man movies.
The key people you should know are, of course, Dr Strange from the MCU (as well as Wong), as he is the one who sets the events of the movie into motion. (In short, he does the wibbly wobbly timey wimey magic stuff.)

As for the villains, it’s worth rewatching the old Spider-Man films: the 3 Raimi-verse films starring Tobey Maguire, since then you’ll get a refresher on the villains Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Sandman; as well as the The Amazing Spider-Man films starring Andrew Garfield for a refresher on Electro and the Lizard.
The villains are great
The reason why it’s pretty important to get a refresher is because the villains are great in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
They are given much more screentime for their characters to be fleshed out, and they do make many references to their respective movies. Each of them have their own personal vendetta against their respective wall-crawler, which they bring up repeatedly to the (hilarious) confusion of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
Alfred Molina reprises his role as our favourite Doc Ock.(Credit: Marvel Entertainment)
Knowing the background of each villain and their relationship with the Spider-Man of their own universe will truly help viewers enjoy the movie on a deeper level.
It’s a super strong movie
But that doesn’t mean you need to be a super fan to enjoy the jokes, quips, and general story arc of the movie, which is extremely strong on its own.
In short, this movie is about how Tom Holland’s Spider-Man messes up, and how he has to deal with the consequences of his actions.
This movie is also much more aligned with Spider-Man’s journey in the comics and previous films: Spider-Man makes a mistake, he tries to fix it but it gets worse, and he must always try to do what’s morally right, even if it’s the hardest decision to make. Basically, with great power comes great responsibility.
Spider-Man versus his alternate universe villains: Electro, Sandman, and the Lizard.(Credit: Marvel Entertainment)
Spider-Man: No Way Home hits all the right emotional highs and lows, the important plot points, and the development of relationships between the characters.
As for whether it’s a coming-of-age movie or a superhero movie: it is both. Plot-wise, it is definitely a must-watch as it sets up future Marvel movies; while character-wise, it is a huge leap for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
The entire movie exceeded expectations, and my expectations were quite high to begin with.
Which is why it’s doubly important that you go and watch Spider-Man: No Way Home now before spoilers flood the internet.
Bonus picture: some superfans cosplaying as Spider-Man villains and the various Spider-Men at the premier screening at TGV cinemas.(Credit: TGV Cinemas)

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Being Stuck In Traffic Jams Regularly Detrimental Towards Mental Health, Induces Depression And Anxiety

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Living in Nilai but working in Kuala Lumpur, Aida had to travel 120-kilometre a day back and forth from her home to the office.

She had to leave as early as 6.15am to be in time to her office, and would only reach back home at 9pm, which by then her only child usually had fallen asleep.
In a month, Aida would be driving on the road for about 120 hours – equivalent to five days – which had been her routine since last April when the country began transitioning into the endemic phase.
The long hours on the road and lack of family time did not only take a toll on the civil servant’s body but also on her state of mind.
“There are times when I feel so stressed, I hear whispers, that I feel like crashing into the car in front,” Aida was quoted as saying by Bernama.
This, according to Universiti Malaya’s psychiatrist Associate Prof Dr Muhammad Muhsin Ahmad Zahari, could be caused by continuously getting stuck in traffic jams as it affected one’s mental health, which in turn could lead to depression and anxiety.
“The stress will increase if the person is often late for work and is reprimanded or given a warning by the employer, which in turn affects his/her emotion and work productivity,” said Dr Muhamad Muhsin.
He also added that prolonged stress could also lead to further complications including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Professor Dr Rozmi Ismail said that flexible working hours could alleviate the issue while also creating a healthier work environment.
“This means having staggered working hours so that employees do not come to work and leave at the same time.
“For example, having a shift system that starts at 8am to 5pm and the second shift starts at 10am to 8pm.
“Alternatively, we can also implement a rotation system that requires employees to be present in rotation in the office,” he added.
Dr Rozmi said by implementing flexible working hours, employers can help reduce stress while also helping to improve the quality of life of its employee as well as their mental well-being.
“After all, we went through it during the implementation of the Movement Control Order which required almost all organisations to adopt the work from home concept.
“This not only allows workers to give full attention to the tasks given because there is no need to commute to work and this can save time and work can be more productive,” he said.
The government introduced flexible working hours (FWH) for the civil servants in the country in 2019 – with civil servants may started working anytime between 7.30am to 9am and leave between 4.30am to 6pm – to complete one working day.
This is applicable to all states except on Thursday for Kedah, Kelantan and Johor with the civil servants in the states may choose to end their work day between 3pm to 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, the government announced that employees who want to work flexibly – be it on non-traditional working hours or days as well as from home or outside the office – can apply for the Flexible Working Arrangement (FWA) with their respective employers.
This is provided under the amendment to the Employment Act 1955 which will be effective on 1 September.
READ MORE: Get Ready Employees! You Can Request For Flexible Work Arrangements From Your Employer Starting 1 September

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Malaysian SMART Squad Rescues Family Of 5 Trapped Under Turkey Earthquake Rubble

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Members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) were in disbelief and shock when they discovered and rescued five members of a family who were trapped under the rubble of their residential building on Saturday.

The family of five were trapped for the past six days after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkiye and northwestern Syria on Monday.
According to Malay Mail, SMART MAS-01 search and rescue operations officer (SAR) Inspector Muhamad Zul Khairi Idris said the team cried ‘takbir’ (Allahuakbar) when they pulled out the first victim – a teenage boy – at 1.20pm (6.20pm Malaysian time).
The touching moment almost brought the whole team to tears but they kept their feelings in check in order to complete the rescue mission.
The remaining family members were successfully extricated from under the rubble by 2.20pm (7.20pm MYT) in safe condition before being looked at by the local medical team.
The five victims were the first to be found safe by the national SAR team since being deployed there.
So far, the team had brought out 25 bodies and five survivors.

How did it happen?
Muhamad Zul Khairi said his team of 24 members and a tracking dog named Frankie searched a new area at 11am (4pm MYT).
The search was carried out following information from the reconnaissance team about 1.3km from the national rescue team camp at Nurdagi Stadium.
A local team on the ground heard a sound coming from under the rubble at 1pm (6pm MYT).
The Malaysian rescue team then used the Life Detector Six Sensor System and Victim Simulator (Delsar) equipment to locate the victims and found out that the victims were trapped two metres under the rubble.
70 members of 🇲🇾SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team) with equipments are enroute to 🇹🇷 for the critical SAR (Search And Rescue) of earthquake victims.#Pray4TurkeySyria pic.twitter.com/kpjESpsJYn— Dr Musa Mohd Nordin (@drmusanordin) February 6, 2023
The team initially expected there to be three victims. After communicating through the Delsar equipment, the victims said five of them were trapped in a room.
The rescue team dug up and removed obstacles in the frigid “one degree Celcius” weather to get all victims out safely.
Muhamad Zul Khairi and his team used special tools to cut the entangled concrete irons and used load-bearing struts to open a tunnel-like gap to allow the evacuation of victims.
The large earthquake on Monday claimed thousands of lives with aftershocks being felt in Cyprus and Lebanon.
The death toll from the large earthquake in southern Turkiye has risen to at least 7,108 people while over 40,000 are reported injured.
To ensure a smooth SAR operation, Turkiye on Tuesday declared a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces.
The affected provinces are:
AdanaAdiyamanDiyarbakirGaziantepHatayKahramanmarasKilisMalatyaOsmaniyeSanliurfa

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M’sian Artist With Autism Who Drew Dr Noor Hisham On A Cup Gets Special Invite From Starbucks

https://www.facebook.com/luqmanhakimarts/posts/1014815432309754
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After a photo of his hand-drawn portrait of Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on a Starbucks cup went viral on social media, this Malaysian artist with autism has been treated to a “Coffee Chat” by Starbucks Malaysia.
Luqman Hakim is a 27-year-old freelance artist who specialises in drawing realistically styled comics. Luqman drew the portrait of Dr Noor Hisham recently, as a tribute to the civil servant’s dedication and hard work.
The portrait was shared on Twitter by a friend of his and it quickly went viral before catching the attention of Dr Noor Hisham himself.
Dear @DGHisham– my friend is an autistic artist who drew this on his @StarbucksMY cup as a tribute for your dedication & wishes to pass this to you in-person.Pls help Luqman get noticed so he can pass this to DGH in-person!#heisLuqmanHakim #luqmanhakimarts pic.twitter.com/8IPHrcfoUg— Hubert Ian Lee (@ihubertlee) July 1, 2020
Luqman Hakim you are a very talented artist. It’s not easy to draw this portrait on a @StarbucksMY cup. Thank you and keep up the good work. Indeed you have a gifted skills.#heisLuqmanHakim #luqmanhakimarts pic.twitter.com/5nxrwusOW1— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) July 2, 2020
Speaking to Malay Mail about his viral work, Luqman shared how is also an avid coffee drinker, saying that he spends most of his time in a Starbucks cafe where he would usually draw various comic arts and even portraits.
His days usually start as early as 8am and at Starbucks Bangi Gateway, which is nearby where he lives.
But when inspiration comes, I also travel to Starbucks Reserve at Berjaya Times Square or the one in Bukit Bintang Junction for my daily drawing therapy.Luqman Hakim via Malay Mail
Incidentally, Starbucks Malaysia also noticed Luqman’s artwork and his love for coffee and invited him to come and hang out with them at their flagship store in Berjaya Times Square to treat him with a “Coffee Chat”.
At the Coffee Chat, Luqman got the chance to go on an interactive journey with a skilled barista and learned about the origin of the coffee, brewing methods, and exploring the different aromas and flavour notes.
Starbucks Malaysia also surprised Luqman with some nice goodies too, a newly launched Starbucks and Undefeated collaboration merchandise, and a rewards card that includes two-months worth of Starbucks beverages.
According to the company, their latest collaboration with Undefeated was designed to celebrate creativity, resilience, and the indomitable power of the human spirit, making it the perfect gift for Luqman.
Following up on this, we plan to work with Luqman to further create something that we hope to give back to the community and to people like Luqman.Starbucks Malaysia via Malay Mail
We’re sure Starbucks support must’ve meant a lot to Luqman who had told Malay Mail that he was very touched by all the positive responses he’s gotten from the public since his work went viral.
I felt like I wanted to cry after the pain and challenges that I’ve gone through, all the struggles as an autistic artist.Luqman Hakim via Malay Mail

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Have You Tried These Sunnah Superfoods For An Energizing Ramadan?

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Ramadan is now upon us, and Muslims around the world are observing a month of fasting – waking up before dawn to eat their first meal of the day, which has to last until sunset when they break their fast. Eating right during the Holy Month is key to keeping revitalised and energised to perform our daily activities while fasting.

Just for additional info, sunnah here means traditional customs and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who constitute a model for all Muslims to follow. Some of these food were loved by the prophet and that’s why they’re sunnah.
We spoke to home cook and Middle Eastern food specialist Rouba Shahin about some of her favourite superfood ingredients to incorporate into sahur and iftar meals. Not only do these super snacks keep your overall energy levels up, they also have a host of health benefits!
1. Dates
We begin our superfood list with none other than the icon of the fasting season – dates! Mentioned in the Qur’an more than 20 times, dates are a well-known and delicious fruit to break fast with.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
While the proverb “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a commonly-known saying in the West, the Muslim equivalent is “seven dates a day keeps the doctor away”. The Prophet (PBUH) prescribed eating seven dates in the morning as protection against poison and witchcraft – but mystical benefits aside, numerous studies have also solidified dates as a superfood!
READ MORE: This Is Why Everyone Eats Dates During Fasting Month
With a good amount of natural sugar and full of fibre, there’s no question why these bite-sized beauties are a Ramadan staple. Dates also contain a long list of key vitamins and minerals like potassium (one date has more potassium than a whole banana!), calcium, magnesium, iron, and fluorine just to name a few. Dates are not only delicious on their own, but you can also enjoy them in salads, desserts or a smoothie – yummy!
2. Habbatus Sauda (Black Cumin)
Habbatus Sauda, or Black Cumin Seeds, has a plethora of benefits that strengthens the body’s immune system, and is often used as a natural remedy against a variety of ailments. Habbatus Sauda has been studied extensively and is touted for its strong antioxidant properties, specifically thymoquinone, which combats free radicals (unstable molecules) in your body that could lead to negative health conditions.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
In cooking, it is used in spice blends and seasonings to elevate the dish. Black Cumin has a fragrant toasted onion flavour that is lovely in soups, spiced potato dishes, fish and vegetable dishes – the possibilities are endless!
3. Figs
Yet another famous fruit from the Middle East! Figs can be eaten fresh or dried, grilled or chilled, and are great as toppings on salads or an accompaniment to desserts.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
This fruit’s popularity has spanned centuries, just like dates. They’re also mentioned in the Quran, hailed for their health benefits, given they contain a rich source of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin B6 and potassium. Figs are not only low in fat, but also high in fibre to aid in digestive health. The consumption of figs has been shown to support healthy bacteria in the gut, acting as an aid for constipation and bloating.
4. Pomegranate
The pomegranate – also known to Muslims as the fruit of Jannah (paradise) – is mentioned in the Qur’an three times and mentioned in the hadith as being good for digestion and spiritual health. The sweet and slightly tart fruit refreshes the palate, and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and folic acid.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
These gem-like seeds act as beautiful garnishes for several Middle Eastern dishes, such as dips, salads and mains. Plus, they’re equally delicious on their own or with some yoghurt!
5. Grapes
Grapes are another sunnah fruit that has been mentioned in the Quran six times, and is one of the fruits found in Jannah. Ibn al-Qayyim in his great work “The Prophetic Medicine” said grapes are good to prevent weight gain, as well as being an excellent source of nourishment. Grapes are high in vitamin C and potassium, with an abundance of antioxidants (20 times greater antioxidant power than vitamin E, and 50 times greater than vitamin C)!
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
This fruit is excellent on its own, and also great tossed in a refreshing fruit salad!
6. Natural Honey
Who would have thought that being healthy could also be so sweet? Another stunning sunnah fruit and our sixth superfood pick is honey!
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
If you’ve heard the age-old suggestion of mixing honey into warm water to ease a sore throat, it turns out there’s scientific merit to this home remedy! Honey is full of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to neutralise harmful bacteria.
Other than drinking honey water (recommended with a twist of lemon), we also love honey drizzled on grilled figs, spread on toast, or as a topping on some delicious Greek Yoghurt and granola!
7. Olive Oil
Many people often complain of dull skin and breakouts during Ramadan due to the lack of hydration (wearing a face mask doesn’t help either!). While drinking sufficient water during the non-fasting hours is essential, incorporating olives and olive oil into your diet will also work well.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
Not only is it rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamin E, olive oil is super versatile and can be drizzled onto almost any food to provide a beautiful freshness and glistening sheen to your dish to make it all the more appetising!
8. Kiwi
So far every other entry on the list has historically been a beloved food in the Middle East, but here we present to you a superfood that our Middle Eastern ancestors may not have had a chance to enjoy.
(Credit: Muslim Pro)
Easily found in your supermarket’s fruit aisle, these fuzzy little fruits can stand alongside other famous fruits as being a rich source of fibre, vitamin C and K, that highly surpasses that of bananas, apples, strawberries, and even oranges.
Kiwis have also been suggested to improve sleep and even bring about a better overall mood. After all, how can you not feel better with healthy eating tasting so good?
So there you go, a list of superfoods to get you vitalized during Ramadan. Some of these superfoods were also the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) favourite ones.
Be sure to check out more delicious recipes using these key ingredients on the Muslim Pro app!
READ MORE: 5 Tips To Keep Hydrated During This Ramadan

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Syed Saddiq Nominated For International Young Politician Of The Year Award

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Malaysia’s former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq has been shortlisted for the One Young World Politician of the Year award.
He is among 14 other young politicians from various countries nominated for the award. These nominees will be reviewed by a panel of experts who decide on five winners out of the 15 shortlisted.
The panel of judges includes former prime ministers, leaders, and attorneys.
The award recognises outstanding young politicians across the globe who use their positions to make a positive impact on politics and the youth in their communities and country.
On the website, One Young World Politician highlights Syed Saddiq’s many positions –  a member of Parliament, Youth Chief of Bersatu and served as Youth and Sports Minister from 2018 to 2020.
         View this post on Instagram           Kawan, susah & senang bersama. #ExKBS A post shared by  Syed Saddiq (@syedsaddiq) on May 18, 2020 at 12:54am PDT
They also mentioned Syed Saddiq’s Yellow R Project (Project Reben Kuning) which was launched during his time as the Minister of Youth and Sports and aimed at giving chances of employment to young ex-convicts.
Also on the list are young politicians from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, UAE, Japan, Afghanistan and the US.
The only other Southeast Asian politician on the list is Sarah Elago, a member of the Philippines House of Representatives and first female representative of her youth party. Sarah is also a member of the ASEAN Parliamentary for Human Rights and serves as Ambassador for a range of non-profit organisations.
The winners will be announced in July and presented with an award at the One Young World 2021 Summit in Munich.

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30-40 Years Needed To Fix Kelantan’s Water Issues, Says Water And Environment Ministry

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30 to 40 years, that’s how long it’ll take for Kelantan to fix its water woes, according to estimations by the Water and Environment Ministry.
Its Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said around RM7.3 billion would be needed to solve the problem of floods and provide water supply in Kelantan.
He said that the state’s water supply problem would require the replacement of pipes to reduce water loss.
He said the Ministry would apply for the Economic Planning Unit to enable the proposal to be included in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
The allocation involved several major projects including the three-phase Flood Mitigation Project in Tumpat, Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas. In addition, Tunjung has already approved an integrated sewerage project involving RM600 million and other projects for flood and water supply issues.Water and Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man via MalaysiaKini
Tuan Ibrahim also said that there are some projects already underway such as flood mitigation for phase one which is scheduled for completion in October.

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5 Students Perished In Road Collision With Lorry Trailers, Driver Has Been Remanded

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Five students of Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) were burnt to death when the car they were travelling in caught fire after a collision with two trailers.

The accident happened at KM245.2 of the North-South Expressway early today, 12 May, around 12.52am.
According to Kosmo, the five students were:
Muhammad Nasrun Aidol Munir Akbar, 22 from Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, who was also the driverAhmad Naim Najmi Ahmad Hafizan, 21 from Cukai, Terengganu, who was in the front passenger seatIqbal Hasnun Halimi, 23 from Senai, JohorMuhammad Nabil Haikal Muhammad Fariz, 19 from Batu Caves, SelangorAhmad Akmal Ahmad Mokhlis, 20 from Parit Buntar
The bodies of all victims were sent to the Kuala Kangsar Hospital for post-mortem.
Free Malaysia Today reported that the first trailer and the car were 90% burnt while the second trailer did not catch fire. The three men in the trailers escaped unhurt.
Image: Kosmo
New Straits Times wrote that the group was returning from a holiday in Ipoh in a Honda City. The car slowed down and stopped behind a trailer carrying mosaic tiles.
However, a second 20-tonne trailer laden with iron rods failed to brake on time and rammed into the car and dragged it until it hit the back of the first trailer. The impact caused the car to burst into flames and killed all victims on the spot.
According to Free Malaysia Today, USAS vice-chancellor Nordin Kardi described the students as the best students in the university.
He said the university would help the families by providing accommodation and other necessities until the last rites were completed.
The trailer driver has been remanded
The 28-year-old trailer lorry driver has been remanded for four days as part of investigations.
Perak police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the trailer driver from Jitra, Kedah, had 22 traffic summonses issued against him, including for speeding.
The driver’s urine and alcohol tests came back negative.
The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving.

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