NGOs Forced To Waste Food Or Go Against Gov Aid Restrictions

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With the government banning non-governmental organizations (NGO) and charity groups from directly providing aid and donations to the needy, activists are left lost and disappointed.
Kembara Kitchen, a local charity group that has provided aid and supplies to the unprivileged since 2013, had to give away their stockpile of frozen foodstuff to their neighbors.
Some 100kgs of frozen udon, steamed buns and chicken fillets meant for the poor were simply donated to those who essentially did not need it to keep the perishables from going to waste.
The group said that they had some 7 or 8 tonnes of food left with no credible way of distributing it.
Following the Movement Control Order (MCO), a new ruling was set requiring NGOs to deliver food and aid to collection points managed by the Welfare Department. According to Putrajaya, these items would then be redistributed to where it’s needed by the countryâ€™s Rela or Civil Defence Force.
Homeless people in Kuala Lumpur are reportedly being round up by authorities to undergo Covi-19 testing and be placed in temporary shelters during the MCO.(Credit: Malay Mail)
Kembara Kitchen along with other NGOs remained skeptical of the government’s abilities to properly distribute the acquired aid.
Critics are concerned over the governmentâ€™s overall logistical capabilities at redistributing the supplies as well as its general presence within the community.
Many groups have come out pleading to the government to reconsider its directive and allow NGOs to continue with their charity work.
The Department of Statistics had previously reported that Malaysia’s poverty rate stood at 0.4%. However, a United Nations study had estimated that number to be closer to 16% – 20%.(Credit: Malay Mail)
Meanwhile, some organizations are choosing to be defiant of the governmentâ€™s rules as NGOs in Penang reportedly continue to give out food to the poor despite restrictions.
Penangâ€™s State Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh cations groups to carry on their work with discipline and encourage more efforts to help the stateâ€™s needy.
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) feels that organizations providing aid to the poor should be allowed to continue as long as no issues arise from them doing so.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy had also come out with a statement on Facebook saying that the restriction set by the government was unnecessary as NGOs were doing an excellent job at providing help to the poor.

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Source:
NGO left with no choice but to give away 100kg of frozen food
Should Charity Aid Groups Be Considered Frontliners And Be Exempt From MCO?
NGOs tell why barring them from delivering food, aid is problematic


Malaysian Marine Ecosystem Heals Due To Lack Of Human Activity During MCO

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While the Malaysian economy took a hit from the lack of human activity, nature thrived instead.
Since the early days of the MCO, our natural world has seen a marked improvement as most people stayed indoors.

Rivers In The Klang Valley Are Recovering Without Human Interference During MCO

In addition to lessened pollution and healthy rivers, it seems like we can add a recovering marine ecosystem to the list, as the founder of Future Ocean Borneo (FOB) noted with pleasant surprise that the ocean has healed itself during the months of no human activity.
The coral reefs are in incredible condition. While there are several corals that were already dead before the MCO, other species seem to thrive.Iqbal Abdollah, founder of Future Ocean Borneo
In fact, Iqbal cites the MCO period as being one of the best remedies for the marine ecosystem, stating that the extended time period gave the ocean a chance to repopulate and thrive.
However, he still noted that the marine environment should be under enforced protection to preserve its beauty, especially since it’s now proven that excessive human activity is detrimental to the ecosytem, including tourism pollution and overfishing.
Iqbal’s group was among the first to resume diving activities once the Miri-Sibuti Marine National Park was reopened by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation on June 22.
He enthused over the recovering coral reefs and incredible diversity of fish species during their dive, including sweetlips, snappers, porcupine puffer fish, sea snakes, and banded shrimps.

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The U.S, Iran & World War III

[This article has been updated to include Iran’s latest attack towards the U.S]

Looks like we’ve stepped into the new decade with the world in turmoil.
Across the internet, netizens and meme lords were hard at work jokingly making references over the possibility of World War III erupting and the consequences of a global conflict amidst growing tensions between the United States (U.S) and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
change my mind of 2020 will be my years#WWIII #worldwar3 #ww3memes pic.twitter.com/ZffjRdHD0bâ€” idk 🙁 (@idk93131269) January 4, 2020
2020 #worldwar3 Is gonna Trending on  Be a Twitter Great year pic.twitter.com/oA8yAdNSP3â€” a7Ð¼d (@alsuwaidiiiii1) January 4, 2020
With that, TRP brings you the gist of whatâ€™s been happening in the Middle East as the world anxiously awaits on how this latest conflict in the desert would develop.
The spark of World War III?
On December 27, 2019, a military base in Kirkuk, Iraq which housed U.S personnel came under attack. The strike left one U.S civilian contractor dead, and several U.S and Iraqi military personnel injured. [NY Times]

American troop carriers entering Iraq through Syria.(Credit: Al Jazeera)
The U.S claimed that the attack was perpetrated by Iranian-backed militia group, Kataib Hezbollah, while Iran denies any involvement in the incident. [Middle East Monitor]

Two days later, the U.S dispatched F-15 warplanes to target â€œundisclosedâ€ Kataib Hezbollahâ€™s weapons storage and command facilities in Iraq and Syria, reportedly killing more than 20 people. [Channel News Asia]

American F-15 fighters making aerial manoeuvres. (Credit: France24)
Following the airstrike, protests by Iranian-backed activists broke out at the American embassy in Baghdad. Demonstrators stormed into and damaged the embassy compound before being driven back by Iraqi security forces. [Al Jazeera]

Protestors demonstrating in front of the U.S embassy in Baghdad.(Credit: CNN)
Then on the second day of the new year, a U.S drone airstrike ordered by U.S President Donald Trump killed Iran’s top military leader, Major General Qasem Soleimani along with five others outside the Baghdad airport. [CNN]

Qassem Soleimani was the leader of the Quds Force of Iranâ€™s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and considered to be a key figure in Iran’s military presence in the Middle East. [The New Yorker]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attending the funeral of Qassem Soleimani in Tehran.(Credit: The Publics Radio)
Later in Iran, the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised harsh â€œpunishmentâ€ for the â€œassassinationâ€ of its military leader. [CNN]

Iranians marching with a picture of fallen Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani.(Credit: Times)
Thousands of Iranians marched on the streets of Tehran, Iran chanting “death to America” in protest of the killing of the nation’s military leader. [Channel News Asia]

Donald Trump continues with his “tough guy” approach and threatened to attack 52 Iranian â€œcultural sitesâ€ if the country were to retaliate against the U.S. [The Guardian]

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!â€” Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020
Amidst the rising tensions, Iraq’s parliament passed a resolution calling to expel all foreign military presence from the country declaring Americaâ€™s recent actions as a violation of Iraqâ€™s sovereignty. [Vox]

Iraqi former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned his post back in November 2019 amidst anti-government protest in the country but remains in office as a caretaker.(Credit: Aawsat)
There are an estimated 5,000 U.S soldiers in Iraq as part of the international coalition in the fight against Islamic State (Isis) terrorists. The U.S military had been aiding and training Iraqi forces in anti-terrorist operations, but this has come to a halt following the recent attacks. [The Guardian]

Iran later announced that it would no longer abide by restrictions set in the 2015 nuclear deal. [CNN]

Iran’s revenge
Following up on their threats to retaliate, Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two separate Iraqi military bases that housed American personnel on January 8, 2020. Reportedly there were no casualties from the attack. [NPR]

Surface-to-surface missiles launching.(Credit: The National Interest)
In response to the strike, the U.S announced that it would impose stricter sanctions on Iran. [Al Jazeera]
Caught in the crossfire between Washington and Tehran, the Iraqi government denounced Iranâ€™s missile attack as a violation of the nationâ€™s sovereignty and condemned the two foreign powers for turning the country into a battlefield for its rivalry. [Al Jazeera]

Unintended consequences?
Just hours after Iran fired a barrage of missiles into Iraq, a Ukrainian airliner carrying 176 passengers crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport, Iran. All passengers and crew were reportedly killed. [Al Jazeera]

Iranian first responders at the site of the downed flight in Tehran.(Credit: Twitter via @StratSentinel)
Though the cause of the crash remains unclear, Ukranian authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the aircraft might have gone down due to an attack in the conflict riddled region. [Al Jazeera]

Crisis averted?
Though tensions remain high, it appears that hostilities between the U.S and Iran are de-escalating. It was reported that both nations are currently standing down from further aggression. [BCC]

Soured relations
Tensions between the US and Iran have been building for years.
It began as the U.S withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the â€œIran nuclear dealâ€ back in 2018. [Vox]

Iran has been trying to develop its nuclear program for decades and insisting that it will be used for peaceful means an not to make weapons of mass destruction.(Credit Valeriy Melnikov via RT)
The JCPOA is an agreement between Iran and other nations including the U.K, France, Germany, Russia and China to restrict Iranâ€™s nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions which was set in place to put pressure on Iran’s economy and hinder the country from making nuclear weapons. [Council of Foreign Relations]

After the withdrawal from the agreement, the U.S reimposed sanctions on Iran. [NY Times]

Iraq is the No. 2 oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), behind Saudi Arabia. But economic sanctions limit the country’s oil exports.(Credit: DZ Breaking)
The world holding its breath
The conflict between the U.S and Iran has had the world on its toes.
The tensions in the Middle East have caused global oil prices to increase to over RM200 per barrel. Experts warn that the prices would climb further if the situation in the Middle East continues to escalate. [Independent]

Oil prices rose by almost 3%  as the conflict in the Middle East threatens the security of oil-producing countries and key supply routes.(Credit: Zbynek Burival via Unsplash)
With the threat of a full out war between the U.S and Iran looming, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General AntÃ³nio Guterres expressed concerns over the rising geopolitical tensions around the world and called for global leaders to de-escalate and cease hostilities. [UN News]

Countries like the U.K, France and Germany have cautioned all parties involved in the crisis to immediately back down before situations get worse. [DW]

Being an ally to both the U.S and Iran, Malaysia is â€œdeeply concernedâ€ over the developing conflict and advised both nations to resolve the situation peacefully. [Malaysiakini]

With such an “explosive” start to the decade, what else is in store for the world in 2020? Share us your thoughts on the crisis in the Middle East on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

[This article has been updated to include Iran’s latest attack towards the U.S]


“Just Wear Slippers And Ignore Your Haters” TMJ Questions The Commotion Around Johor MB’s New Shoes

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Johor Regent, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim advised Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi to keep his head down and focus on serving the state and its people following allegations of purchasing expensive shoes worth tens of thousands of Ringgit.

Taking it to Twitter, Tunku Ismail sarcastically suggests that Onn Hafiz should wear slippers instead of shoes after this.
Benda mcm ni pun jadi issue? Dato sy cadangkan lepas ni Dato pakai selipar aja. Baru smlm saya terfikir nak hadiahkan jam tangan pada Dato & beberapa pegawai kerajaan. Dato, nasihat sy jalankan tugas utk negeri Johor. Jgn melayan sangat apa org nak cakap. Yg penting buat kerja. https://t.co/XCOJ6Ua93c— HRH Crown Prince of Johor (@HRHJohorII) July 11, 2022
The Johor Regent, fondly known as TMJ, said that it is perplexing that people would make a fuss on this issue, adding that he himself was thinking of giving the Menteri Besar and other state officials a watch as a gift.
“Datuk (Onn Hafiz), I advise you to do your job for the state of Johor. Don’t pay too much attention to what the people wanted to say. What is pertinent is to carry out the work,” TMJ tweeted.
Onn Hafiz yesterday denied that he bought a pair of shoes, made by a popular Paris-based menswear manufacturer, which is worth tens of thousands of Ringgit.
The allegation was made by an individual on social media which was highlighted by several Chinese-language newspapers.
“Such accusations and attacks should be stopped. For the record, this is a gift from the Sultan of Johor.
“This is not a new thing, His Majesty had also gifted past state executive council members and state government officials to motivate them to work hard for the people,” Onn Hafiz said in his Facebook posting.

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A Malaysian Researcher Is Helping to Develop A Vaccine For Covid-19

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The spread of Covid-19 has affected the entire globe and Malaysians are helping to fight the spread of coronavirus whether it’s on local shores or around the world.
One of them is immunologist Professor Suresh Mahaligam, who is currently leading a team of researchers in an Australian university to develop a vaccine for Covid-19.
The Star reported that the “live-attenuated vaccine” would be highly effective as it will boost cellular and antibody immune responses against the virus.
According to vaccines.gov, live vaccines use a weakened (or attenuated) form of the germ that causes a disease and has been used to treat measles, mumps, rubella and rotavirus.
Professor Suresh also said live-attentuated vaccines can be manufactured on a large scale besides being a well-known regulatory approval pathway.
Currently, the team is at the pre-clinical stage and targets that the vaccine will hit the market sometime in late 2021.

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Some Areas In Seremban Faced Flash Floods, Affected 120 Families

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About 120 families involving 330 individuals were affected when flash floods hit several areas in Seremban, following heavy rainfall from 7pm yesterday (22 July).

Among the areas hit by the floods were Kampung Ismail, Kampung Chedang, Taman Happy, and Kampung Sri Mantau.
Negri Sembilan Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) director Lt Col (PA) Mohd Syukri Md Nor said the water level rose rapidly and flooded houses near the river and low-lying areas.

In some areas, the water levels rose up to 0.5 metres, but no relief centres were opened because most of the flood victims waited at the nearest community hall until the water receded.
According to Malay Mail, the peak rainfall was at 9pm which subsided about two hours later.
Over 20 APM and police personnel were mobilised to monitor the situation and help evacuate victims. The team also helped victims to move their household items to a safer place.
Berita Harian reported that a group of firefighters rushed to help move a man who weighed 260kg after receiving a call for help around 10.22pm.
The 40-year-old man got stuck at home when the water rose rapidly at Kampung Singh.
Upon being rescued, he was sent to Balai Raya Kampung Singh.

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Whatâ€™s this viral Sad Bear Meme taking over Mâ€™sian internet? [Photos]

Weâ€™re not sure if youâ€™ve noticed, but the internet is a strange
place full of strange people with strange ideas.

Credit: Imgur

Well in these last few weeks, a new meme started pawing its way across the Malaysian internet and we simply canâ€™t bear it!
Say hello to the new Sad Bear Meme!

Credit: Facebook

Awwwâ€¦ so kesian right? But where did he come from?
Well, the source of this unbearably cute meme is a peculiar advertisement by a Malaysian cat food brand called ProDiet.
It follows the journey of a hungry bear who’s looking for food all over the place – from a fish market to a fish spa-  before finally facing off with a cute lil’ kitty.

The ad, which was posted on Facebook earlier this August, went viral with over 3,000 reactions.
And Malaysians being, wellâ€¦ Malaysians, have spawned a whole bunch of other memes as well!

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

Credit: Facebook

What do you think of the strange ad and the hilarious memes?Share your thoughts (and memes) on TRPâ€™s Facebook, Twitter andInstagram!


Mob goes crazy at grand opening of Japanese bundle store in Setapak

A 2-minute clip uploaded to Facebook last week showed a huge crowd jostling at the grand opening of a Jalan Jalan Japan store in Setapak.

The crowd rushed in even before the shutters fully opened, in a situation eerily similar to mobs at Uniqlo when the Kaws collection was released.

I don’t understand… What’s there to buy?Picture credit: Facebook

While it’s somewhat understandable to mob for highly anticipated designer items, Jalan Jalan Japan is a store selling pre-loved second-hand items… from Japan.
Although the Japanese are very well known for keeping tidy and cute items, the fact of the matter is that the store stocks used goods and occasionally, very used goods.
As usual, netizens chimed in with their funny observations.

Usually it’s just the girls who do this, but I see a lot of guys too, what does this place sell?

Erm, are they only open for 2 hours? I thought only women would scramble like this for a sale…

Still, many netizens shared their love and support for the second-hand store.

Ade satu kedai ni. JJJ (jalan jalan jepun) dia jual bundle semua benda dari jepun. Bukan baju je. Sebelum pegi jepun try la dulu pegi sini. Boleh beli baju sejuk sekali untuk Jepun nanti. 😂
â€” faiqah chip (@faiqahchip) June 12, 2019

They claim that the store stocks all kinds of goods from Japan, not just clothing.

First time going to Jalan Jalan Jepun. They got a lot of beautiful heels sumpah rasa nak beli!!!!!!  😌 pic.twitter.com/mGPk8NjT6j
â€” Ù†ÙˆØ± (@Noreenzulkiflee) May 18, 2019

It seems that a lot of people certainly love Jalan Jalan Japan, since the store at M3 Mall in Gombak is the 4th branch to open in Malaysia.


Can You Get Covid-19 From Frozen Food? The Experts Say No.

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With news reports mentioning super-spreader strains and clusters that seem to be growing like mushrooms after rain, it’s not surprising that people are becoming extra paranoid about catching Covid-19.

Now, scientists in China are telling us that they’ve detected the virus that causes Covid-19 on imported pieces of frozen food.
Authorities there said they immediately screened everyone who had been in contact with the frozen wings and their relatives: all results came back negative.
So, does this mean we need to be suspicious of our food? Should we think twice before buying a certain produce?
WHO said there’s no need to panic
(Credit: Freepik)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) emergencies director Michael Ryan told a virtual press conference in Geneva that people should not fear food, food packaging, the processing, or delivery of food as there is no evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted through food.
Our food, from a Covid perspective, is safe.Michael Ryan via NST
WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said they are aware of the reports from China, and understand that scientists there were actively looking for the virus on food packaging.
She explained that the scientists in China have tested several thousand samples, and found positive results on less than 10 samples, pointing out that just like most other viruses, the one that causes Covid-19 can easily be killed through proper cooking methods.
We know that the virus can remain on surfaces for some time. If the virus is actually in food – and we have no examples of where this virus has been transmitted as a food-borne, whereas someone has consumed a food product – the viruses can be killed, like other viruses as well, if the meat is cooked.Maria Van Kerkhove via NST

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Studio Ghibli Allows You To Take Your Video Calls To Whimsical Worlds

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Feeling a little bored of the dull indoor background of your home during those long hours attending online video conferences, meetings, and classes during the extended Covid-19 lockdown?
Japanâ€™s award-winning animation company, Studio Ghibli, is offering up exclusive free wallpapers allowing you to essentially transform your virtual chatting atmosphere.
Ghibli is giving the public access to some of its beautiful artworks that can be legally downloaded and used by anyone (for non-commercial purposes only, of course) to spruce up their digital persona or to just simply hide the mess in their surroundings.
(Credit: Credit: Studio Ghibli)
The studio is currently giving away 8 different wallpapers to transport you (and others on the line) to magical scenes from its iconic films like; Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke and many more as Ghibli promises to share more of its exclusive content in the near future.
The wallpapers are available for free downloads on Studio Ghibliâ€™s official website, HERE.
How to change backgrounds?
Since the global Covid-19 pandemic had confined most of the world’s population to a life of social distancing behind the screen, many companies and content creators have come to offer up their inspiring artworks for public use during this bleak period in time.
Why not add a bit of flair to your Zoom video calls with a custom background?Mosey on over to the #SquareEnix Blog where weâ€™ve gathered together a number of #FinalFantasy VII Remake designs for you to use! #FF7R🖼 https://t.co/EYWAq4jpDR pic.twitter.com/pRJO51UzTj— FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE (@finalfantasyvii) April 2, 2020
Most video-call services like Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom (though we don’t recommend you using that one because, reasons) allow you to change and customize your background while youâ€™re on call, almost like how they do it in those fancy CGI movies.
Replacing the background on video calls is much easier than most people think, however the steps would differ depending on the service and application you use.
 Malaysian students taking classes online via video conferencing. Take note of the bottom-most picture and you can see virtual backgrounds being used very creatively.(Credit: Twitter/@agungmrheza)
For applications that do not support virtual background customizations, a quick workaround is to install a 3rd party virtual camera application on your devices such as the ChromaCam, ManyCam, XSplit VCam, and many more that allows you to change your background images as you please.
Unfortunately, apart from having to pay to utilize the applicationsâ€™ full features, most virtual camera app services are only available for Microsoft computers.

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Source:
Studio Ghibli shares iconic scenes to be used for video call backgrounds
Cyber Security Concerns Over Zoom? Here's Some Other Alternatives
Zoom App Suspended In Singapore After Hackers Show Porn In Online Classes
Virtual Background for Google Meet/Hangouts


No Thaipusam & Chingay Celebrations In 2022, Says Govt

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All festive processions which will be celebrated next year are not allowed.

The ban includes the kavadi procession for the Thaipusam and Chingay festivals in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.
Minister of National Unity Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying that the country is facing the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron.
Applications (for the processions) made in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration was not allowed (because) we are facing a new variant (Covid-19).National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique on Thaipusam restrictions
Secondly, regarding Chingay, she said that as the procession for the Thaipusam celebration is not allowed, any other procession will also be prohibited.
She added that the decision is decided by several committees.
A kavadi bearer. (Source: Facebook)
The Kota Tinggi MP was speaking in Parliament during the Minister’s Question Time (MQT) session in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (7 December).
She answered an additional question from Steven Choong Shiau Yoon, the independent MP for Tebrau.
Choong wanted to know if the Chingay parade can be allowed under the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
The Chingay parade is held annually in the streets of Penang and in Johor Bahru as part of Chinese New Year festivities.
A Chingay procession In Johor Bahru. (Source: Xinhuanet)
Decision Not Simply Made
Meanwhile, she also answered a question from Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar.
The DAP lawmaker wanted to know about the SOP drafted for the Thaipusam celebration on 18 January 2022.
Halimah said the proposed SOP for the festival including this year’s Christmas celebration is expected to be tabled during the committee meeting for approval, sometime in mid-December this year
Accordingly, it would be tabled at the Pandemic Management Technical Working Group Meeting on 13 December 13.
It will then be brought to the Ministerial Quartet Meeting on 14 December, before being presented to the Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, expected on December 15.
After getting the results of the meeting, a letter of notification on SOP approval will be sent to religious leaders and a media statement will also be issued.National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique on festive SOPs
Civil Movement Groups Weigh In
In response, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said the move is timely.
Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN) chief executive officer Jamal Shamsudin said
I would fully agree with the decision not to allow mass gathering of religious event that will gather a lot of adherents. This is to avoid any flare up of infections of Covid 19. We all agree on this, in my view. No religious gathering, be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or others are exempted.ACCIN chief executive officer Jamal Shamsudin to TRP on the ban
He added that since these gatherings are held infrequently, crowd control will be difficult, with SOP likely to be breached.
As such, it would be more prudent to avoid such mass gatherings especially in view of the Omicron variant which has made its way to Malaysia.
READ MORE: All 7 Close Contacts Of Malaysia’s First Omicron Case Tested Negative
Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN) chief executive officer Jamal Shamsudin. (Source: ACCIN)

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Cancelled Korean Holiday? This Putrajaya McDonald’s Restaurant Just Got A Mini Seoul Transformation

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If the travel restrictions currently in place has dashed dreams of visiting Korea any time soon, McDonald’s Malaysia is offering a pretty sweet alternative by transforming their Putrajaya Drive-Thru restaurant into a “little Soul” for three weeks!

In conjunction with their latest ‘Discover the World’ campaign, the restaurant in Presint 2, Putrajaya is an actual “Seoul Experience” with the crew decked in traditional Korean outfits as thematic lanterns and decor transform the fast food joint into a Korean fantasy land.
Credit: McDonald’s Malaysia
There’s even whimsical outdoor backdrops for customers to indulge in a little “vacation mode” photoshoot.
Credit: McDonald’s Malaysia
Credit: McDonald’s Malaysia
McDonald’s Malaysia Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Melati Abdul Hai said that the fast food company wanted to fulfil people’s yearning for travel by using food to transport them to their favourite destinations.
That is what we aim to achieve by bringing ‘Seoul’ to our Putrajaya restaurant – a true Korean experience right here in Malaysia.Melati Abdul Hai, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald’s Malaysia.
Of course, the food she refers to is the wildly popular limited-edition Spicy Korean Burger that comes with a beef and chicken iteration served with a special Spicy Korean sauce – or as McDonald’s calls them “Daebak” which is a Korean slang that means “wow” or “awesome”.
Credit: McDonald’s Malaysia
To spice things up even further, McDonald’s Malaysia has also introduced the #McDaebak TikTok Challenge that rewards participants with a 30% discount on their next Spicy Korean Burger purchase. But the real prize is the McDonald’s cash vouchers up to RM3,000 for the best entries.
All you have to do is record a video biting into the Spicy Korean Burger and show the “Daebak” transformation version of themselves to the song “Clap” on TikTok.
  @dewi.asyiquinn How you like it, my ##McDaebak style. @mcdmalaysia ♬ Clap – TikTok アシスタント
This TikTok #McDaebak Challenge will run until 2 August and entries must also be submitted on the McD App. For more information, visit the McDaebak Challenge website (HERE).
Good luck, and enjoy your Seoul-ful “vacation”!

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Every Friday Is Now “Jawi Day”, Says Government

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It’s official! The government has announced that Fridays will be known henceforth as “Jawi Day”, or the one day of the week where the use of the traditional Malay-Jawi script is encouraged for official and non-official matters.
So what is Jawi Day anyways?
Jawi Day is essentially Malaysia’s bid to embrace and elevate the cultural traditions and heritage that made our nation the diverse melting point that it is today.
As mentioned, starting July 10, Jawi Day would be the one day of the week where the use of Jawi would be made somewhat mandatory for all official government letterheads, releases, and even social media postings.
The government also plans to widen the use of Jawi in all aspects of Malaysian life by advocating its everyday use by members of the public as an official medium to communicate to one another.
Jawi calligraphy, also known as khat.(Bernama/Malay Mail)
Historically, the Jawi writing system or script has been a part of Malaysian culture for centuries and is simply a means of writing or spelling out Bahasa Malaysia or Malay, using characters derived from the Arabic language instead of the more modern Latin or Roman (Rumi) alphabets.
Additionally, Jawi is also recognized as the official Malay script or form of writing in the Federal Constitution under the purview of the National Language Acts 1963/1967.
And according to Religious Minister Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri, the implementation of Jawi Day has the full support of all ministers within the Cabinet.
With the introduction of Jawi Day, the government hopes that Malaysians of all races would pull together to preserve the country’s deeply rooted legacy.
An old Jawi newspaper.(Malaysiakini/Indanya Islam)
Previously, the Education Ministry under the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had introduced Jawi and its calligraphy form, known as khat, into the formal education system as well as to be taught in vernacular schools.
The idea was met with opposition from some members of the public supposedly due to concerns over the additional workload placed on students as well as fears of Islamisation in Malaysia.
To learn more about Jawi as well as its historical and cultural roots, check out our previous story, HERE;

GUYS! Calm Down! Jawi IS NOT Arabic. It’s Bahasa Malaysia

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Source:
Fridays now declared ‘Jawi Day’, effective today, says minister Zulkifli
Friday declared as use jawi day: Mujahid
Fridays now declared ‘Jawi Day’, effective today, says minister Zulkifli
NATIONAL LANGUAGE ACTS 1963/67
What is Dong Zong, anyway?


This Lemon-Themed Bakery Cafe In PJ Has A Large Lemon Tree In It! [Review]

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There’s a new fancy bakery cafe in town, this one with a large lemon tree and bright yellow decorations to fit its lemon theme.

The Lemon Tree is a sunny and bright cafe that just newly opened in Tropicana with a high arching ceiling, making it a very popular spot for pictures. But if you’re going to go all the way there, what about the food?
The Taste Test
They have the usual cafe offerings, but also more interesting drinks like the Fizzy Lemon Coffee.
The Fizzy Lemon Coffee (RM16) is an interesting mix of coffee with a citrus twist.(Credit: TRP)
Much like what its name implies, it is a cup of coffee with a twist of lemon. It’s an interesting drink for sure, because it draws out both the bitterness of the coffee and the sourness of the lemon. Generally speaking, those are the flavours you don’t want to empasize.
Still, it’s a bit of an acquired taste. Once you get past the initial taste, it starts to grow on you as rather refreshing, since the tart lemon cuts through the heaviness of the coffee.
Some of the pastries available at The Lemon Tree: from left, Pistachio Eclair (RM17), Tiramisu Cake (RM15), and Coconut Jelly Cake (RM15).(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
If you’re not here for the drinks, give their many pastries and cakes a shot. They have a wide variety, featuring interesting flavours such as pistachio eclair, coconut jelly, lemon napoleon, macadamia cheesecake, and more.
Otherwise, try a specialty croissant, such as the ever-popular Nutella-stuffed croissant or the pistachio croissant, or a savoury-type double cheese croissant.
Speaking of savoury foods, The Lemon Tree also serves savoury all-day breakfast.
The breakfast options include: left, Truffle & Portobello Mushroom (RM26) and the Morning Fuel (RM38).(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
The breakfast and savoury food items tend to be on the lighter side without heavy sauces and seasonings, which some people may enjoy but others may find bland.
The Verdict
If you’re keen on trying a cafe spot, The Lemon Tree might hit the mark with a few of their pastries and dessserts. Naturally, the bright sun-lit interior and the large lemon tree is also a great backdrop for the aesthetically-inclined.
Some food and drink items are a hit-or-a-miss, or rather: it’s very much up to personal preferences. As a general observation, The Lemon Tree is quite light on the palate, even for their desserts.
Croissants of various flavours. They also have bread loafs, tarts, and other baked goods.(Credit: TRP)
While I would recommend trying what catches your eye, the prices are relatively steep, even when compared to similar bakery cafes. If you’re looking to just try some of their best, you can’t quite go wrong with the pastries and little cakes.
However, getting there may not be so easy. Parking is very limited in Menara Lien Hoe, so it would be preferable to get a ride there instead or be prepared to park by the roadside. Get ready for a long wait as the cafe is rather small and is only on a walk-in basis.
The Lemon Tree might be worth the visit if you’re nearby during non-peak hours, so you can pick up some of their pastries without spending too much time waiting.
The Lemon TreeGround Floor, Menara Lien Hoe, 8, Persiaran Tropicana, Tropicana, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor8am – 6pm daily

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Scalpers At It Again, Taylor Swift Singapore Tickets Going At 10 Times Original Price

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Yesterday (5 July), fans in Southeast Asia queued for hours to get Taylor Swift presale tickets for her Eras tour in Singapore. More than 1 million UOB users joined the fiasco and waited for 3 hours until the tickets for all six days of the presale were sold out.

READ MORE: Lebih 1 Juta Pengguna UOB Sertai Pra-Jualan Tiket Konsert Taylor Swift Hari Ini, 5 Julai
For your information, Swift will be playing six nights at the National Stadium from March 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 next year.
The tickets start from S$108 (RM372) for CAT 6 to S$348 (RM1,199) for CAT 1 with VIP packages available from S$328 (RM1,130) for VIP 6 to S$1,228 (RM4,232) for VIP 1.
Ticket prices marked up by 10 times by scalpers
According to Mothership, tickets for the 2024 concert were already resold on Carousell just two hours from the start of the UOB presale. CAT 1 tickets which were S$348 (RM1,199) were listed at prices ranging from S$480 (RM1,654) to as much as S$3,000 (RM10,340).
Cheaper listings were clearly in high demand as sellers were being spammed by a lot of interested buyers. Most of them will sell to the highest bidder if the ticket is in high demand.
The most expensive CAT 1 ticket on Carousell was going for S$3,000 (RM10,340), a markup of almost 10 times.

For VIP packages, the most expensive VIP 1 ticket was being sold for as much as S$10,488 (RM36,150), which is more than eight times the price. There’s even a CAT 1 ticket being sold for S$12,000 (RM41,362). That’s just crazy.
Other unlucky users flooded Carousell with “Looking For” or “Willing to Buy” posts, which are ticket-buying requests. Mothership explains that these types of posts were usually listed for S$0 which means that it’s likely open to negotiations.

What’s crazy about all these is most of the tickets sold by scalpers are sold out. Based on our findings, we can’t find any more ticket offers on the Carousell app except for ticketing services and WTB (willing to buy) requests.
So what happened to the S$12,000 (RM41,362) ticket? Did anyone really buy it? Tay Tay fans are quite scary, don’t you think?
Queue Numbers & Access Passes are valuable too
Who knew things like queue numbers and access passes could be sold too?
A few resourceful individuals even went to desperate lengths to secure their Tay Tay tickets by buying queue numbers. One was being sold for S$200 (RM689).
Scalpers were also selling access codes for the general sale tickets tomorrow (7 July).
Some access codes were being sold for S$380 (RM1,309) and RM2,000. These people are definitely targeting desperate die-hard fans.

General ticket sales starts tomorrow (7 July) at 12 pm (SGT) and only access code holders will have the opportunity to purchase the tickets.
Access codes are codes that were sent to individuals who previously registered their interest on Ticketmaster from 23 June to 28 June. Those fans get access codes on 5 July including details on how to access on sale tickets for this 7 July general sale.
However, they also note that those who have the codes do not guarantee tickets. It’s still based on luck.
To Swifties, we wish you all the best for the war tomorrow. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Don’t be frustrated if you can’t get the tickets okay, there are still some spaces outside the stadium for us to set up camp. “CAT 7 tickets” anyone? 👀
Ah Stressed GIFfrom Ah GIFs

READ MORE: Why Does Singapore Get More Mega Concerts Compared To Malaysia? Time To Revamp The Process
READ MORE: Scalpers Already Selling Coldplay Tickets Online After CIMB Pre-Sale Ended

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Klang Valley Looks Good For Phase 2, Close To Herd Immunity, Says PM

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said it’s likely that Klang Valley can enter Phase 2 of the National Recovery Programme (NRP) soon.

He said 89.5% of the Klang Valley adult population has received complete vaccination, which is close to the herd immunity requirement, making the shift appear possible.
According to Ismail Sabri, at this rate the Klang Valley will have surpassed the herd immunity target, though he said it has not been discussed as there is no Cabinet at the moment. The Cabinet is set to be sworn in today.
“We will look at it in detail later. Maybe many other states can be moved into the next phase, so wait for the announcement,” he said while visiting the WTC mega vaccination centre yesterday, witnessing the one millionth vaccine recipient.
Credit: Malay Mail
The three requirements in order to make the move to Phase 2 include the daily average Covid cases must be below 4,000, the utilisation of ICU beds must be at moderate level (or lower), and at least 10% of the adult population must be fully vaccinated.

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[Watch] RM1 Nasi Lemak In Sungai Buloh Draws Long Queues, Sold Out Everyday

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Times are tough and will get tougher with increases in prices of essential items, affecting all consumers regardless of income level.

Many traders raise their selling prices based on the price of raw materials and other cost factors.
But a trader known as Bangsudu is bucking the trend by selling nasi lemak at RM1.
  @khairulaming Lupa nak mintak sudu tapi selamat bangsudu kasi sudu lebih tadi 🤣  #MakanLokal #NasiLemak  @TAUKE NASI LEMAK RM1 ♬ New Home – Austin Farwell
Many asked to increase the price, but the trader refused.
He still wants to sell RM1 nasi lemak for several reasons, mainly for the sake of his customers so they would not be burdened financially.
He also felt sorry for the students who always came to buy with him.
Many people told me to raise the price. Because I don’t want to raise the price because I want to make things easier for people. I feel sorry for the younger siblings who go to school.Bangsudu explaining why he refused to sell his nasi lemak at a higher price.
At the same time, Bangsudu said he must redouble his best effort since his customers are willing to put 100% energy into standing in a long queue.
The challenge is to make sure the stock of nasi lemak is enough for everyone, as it’s a bit disappointing when someone has queued for a long time but can’t buy.
It is estimated that 600 packs of nasi lemak are sold every day and can finish in just 30 minutes.
“Ada untung ke jual rm1 bang?”Meh sini saya ceritakan1. Tujuan utama saya jual nasi lemak rm1 ni sebab bantu permudahkan urusan orang. Yelah dalam masa sekarang ni kalau nak sarapan pun dah kena habis RM10 untuk sorang, bukan semua orang mampu kan?sambungg bawah pic.twitter.com/sDEEOBLpTq— bangsudu (@FazrieHaiqal_) August 27, 2022
  @bangsudu Reply to @neshram5 saya takut mahal .. #fyp #foryou #suduada #abgtaram #myfoodie ♬ original sound  – TAUKE NASI LEMAK RM1
Public Praise
Despite selling for RM1, customers praised his nasi lemak as tasty with flavourful sambal.
People complimented him for being hardworking and noted that he was open about his struggles as he interacted with customers.
He sells nasi lemak, which his parents cook, at Desa Coalfields in Sungai Buloh daily.
They pointed out he was selling for at an even cheaper price previously.
same goes w/ my nenek. dia fikir budak sekolah, kesian sebab dorang tak bawak duit banyak gi sekolah. nak naikkan harga kuih pon fikir banyak kali. at last dia jual nasi lemak rm1 & kuih 3pcs rm1. tu pon baru je dia tukar harga dari dulu harga nasi lemak 50$ & kuih 4pcs rm1 ✨ https://t.co/fXinS1HUV4— nuna (@jiaa4_) August 29, 2022
READ MORE: Hawker Gives Free Food For University Students Who Struggle To Pay For Meals
Nevertheless, some customers simply could not believe that it was possible to make a profit by selling at RM1.
Kisah Nasi LemakPelik macam mana sesetengah peniaga boleh jual nasi lemak dgn kuantiti mcm ni RM 1, siap sekali dengan sambal ikan bilis dan kacang, sedangkan jikalau kita pergi ke warung atau kedai makan, nak tambah nasi putih dicajnya RM1.5.Wallahua’lam pic.twitter.com/xU3F4Q5OCe— Daneal (@amrlldnl) August 28, 2022

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RM30 e-Tunai Rakyat: How To Maximise It With Boost

It was recently announced that Boost is one of the e-wallets that eligible Malaysians can use to redeem their RM30 e-Tunai Rakyat from the government. With that, we thought itâ€™d be helpful to share a list of ways you can make the most out of this one-time government initiative.
A quick recap of who’s eligible for the e-Tunai Rakyat
The e-Tunai Rakyat Programme is a Ministry of Finance initiative aimed at encouraging e-wallet usage. According to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, you need to fulfil the following criteria to be eligible for this one-off:
Be a Malaysian citizen;Aged 18 and above in 2020; andReceive an annual income of not more than RM100,000 in tax assessment as of year 2018.
Basically, the RM30 can be redeemed by any college and university student, as well as those who earn a monthly salary of (roughly) below RM8,333.33 – which is most of us.
via GIPHY
You need to be verified to redeem your e-Tunai Rakyat
This is required because your eligibility needs to be verified through data from the National Registration Department (JPN). On top of that, this will ensure fair distribution of the e-Tunai Rakyat so that people cannot claim it more than once.
You can get yourself verified by upgrading to become a Premium wallet user on the Boost app, which can be done FOC. To do so, you are required to upload:
Photos of the front and back of your MyKad; andA selfie that shows your face clearly.
All these can be done in a secure manner through the Boost e-wallet app. As Boost is regulated by Bank Negara, their security features are of the highest standards – so you can rest assured that your personal information is protected in the app.
On top of being able to redeem RM30 from the government, you can enjoy additional perks as a Premium wallet user. This includes a higher wallet limit (up to RM1,500) as well as the ability to transfer money from your Boost wallet into your bank account.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of all your Boost transactions

1. Register for the Premium wallet and enjoy RM5 cashback
Click on either of these two tiles to register for the RM5 cashback.
Before you redeem the e-Tunai or use your Boost wallet for any purchases, make sure you upgrade it to a Premium wallet. This is because Boost is currently giving a one-time RM5 cashback to Premium wallet users as long as they make a minimum transaction of RM10.
Transactions include topping up your Boost wallet (through the “Add Money” function), purchasing anything within the Boost app, as well as using the scan-and-pay function at any online and physical stores that accept Boost as a payment method.
So what we plan to do is to first upgrade our wallets, then top up RM10 immediately to get the RM5 cashback. We’ll then wait for 15 January to redeem the RM30 e-Tunai Rakyat through Boost, which will put our total wallet sum at RM45.
Top up RM10 and get RM35 extra – that’s a pretty good deal.
2. Sign up for all the free Boost Missions

Because who doesn’t like double cashback?
Firstly, all Boost users earn Coins for every ringgit you spend via Boost. The amount of Coins you earn depends on your tier – the higher your tier, the more coins you get.
You’ll also receive Shake Rewards for every transaction you perform on Boost. These rewards include either more Coins, cashback, or even prizes like the latest iPhones or free holidays (rumour has it that the reward you get depends on how vigorous you shake your phone *wink*).
To earn more Coins from our transactions, savvy Boost users (like us *ahem*) would use Boost Missions to get more coins or cashback. Boost Coins can then be used to redeem cash rewards, vouchers, as well as gifts like smartphones and other gadgets.
This way, you get to put your additional RM35 to good use – aka ‘generating’ money back for yourself!
3. Link Boost to your Fave account

Why stop at double cashback when you can enjoy triple cashback?
By making Boost your primary payment method on Fave, you get earn both Boost Coins and partner cashback on Fave.
While you can use your Boost Coins to redeem cash rewards; you can also use partner cashbacks on Fave to subsidise your other Fave purchases.
Now you can start earning rewards and cashback for all your Boost transactions!
But first, we suggest you do the “adult” thing of putting that e-Tunai Rakyat to good use – settling your bills. Here are some of the services you can pay via the app:
Everything from home utilities to telco, and even insurance!(Credit: Boost)
And since you’ve signed up for a Mission beforehand, you’ll be awarded with cashback and Coins for every ringgit paid.
If you’re in the mood for some shopping after that, the tip is to do it through Boost’s CashUp feature.

CashUp allows you to get cashback from more brands like Watsons, Malaysia Airlines, and Photobook – on top of the Coins you get from Shake Rewards. Depending on the merchants, you’ll be able to get up to 11.2% in cashback out of your total spend, which will be made available in your Boost wallet.
The e-Tunai Rakyat will be ready for redemption on 15 January 2020
We highly recommend that you get yourself verified before that so that you can redeem the RM30 as soon as it’s available.
It’s also important to note that you can only redeem and use the RM30 up till 14 March 2020. Any balance not used by then will expire and deducted from your wallet. So remember to utilise it before the expiry date!
Think of it this way: The e-Tunai Rakyat is the rakyat’s money – our money. Make the most out of it and use it wisely.

We would like to thank Boost, Malaysia’s lifestyle homegrown e-wallet app, for sharing some of the tips with us. Click here for a more detailed guide on how to claim your RM30 e-Tunai Rakyat.
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Construction Site Trespasser Learns Valuable Lesson

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It started out like any other typical day. He had no idea that things would take a dramatic turn later on.

Some would say it was to be expected but not for him. Everything he did was normal. Even muddling his way up a high-rise that’s still under construction.
People don’t understand me, he thought to himself as he happily trotted into the construction site.
“They say no don’t go there, don’t climb that, don’t go here, don’t do that. Bah humbug,” he muttered under his breath.
“I’m a free agent! I do what I want and go where I please,” he grumbled as he hobbled past the 15th floor of the high-rise building.
The piles of wood and metal, screws and bolts did not deter him. All he wanted to do was see how high the building was.
“These people keep building skyscrapers and for what? I could do with a nice clubhouse but nooo they need their tall buildings,” he rambled to himself, now passing the 20th floor.
The view was fantastic. He could see for miles and he stopped for a second to admire his kingdom below.
The daredevil in him however had not been satisfied. Not yet.
“Damn, this thing has more floors still. If the view is gorgeous at 20, I wonder what it looks like at 30,” he said.
Not wanting to let his curiousity go unanswered, he made his way up. And up. And up. Until he landed on the 30th floor.
Again, he took some time to admire the view. It was then something caught his eye. He thought it could have been a mouse. Oh what a story that would be to tell my friends that I caught a mouse on the 30th floor, he thought to himself.
He moved towards what he thought was a mouse. All of a sudden he found himself performing a balancing act on the metal rebar. The height didn’t scare him much but he figured he’d pushed his luck far enough for one day.
There was no mouse in sight and he was beginning to feel hungry. It was time to make his way down.
Just before stepping off the rebar to get back on solid ground, he saw a hole in the middle of the metal.
“Hmm that’s a pretty hole. Maybe the mouse went through it. Perhaps I should just take a peek?” he mulled.
Curiousity got the better of him and he stuck his head down the hole. He looked around and saw no mouse. He figured it really was time to get out.
“Errr help?” He panicked as he realised he couldn’t get his head out of the hole.
“Help!” he began to scream.
Fortunately for him, there were other people on the 30th floor and someone soon came to see the fuss he was kicking up with his shrieks.
“Ya Allah ya Tuhanku, kepala dia lekat rupanya kat lubang ni (Oh my God, his head is stuck in the hole!),” one man exclaimed in horror.
“Jap eh, jap eh (Hold on okay),” the man tried to calm him down. At this point, he was half scared and half angry.
“Help me out of here, you fool,” he yelped.
The man called for help and soon he heard the voice of another man, saying, “Ya ya nak tolong ni (Yes, I’m going to help you).”
The other man who was decked in an orange safety attire and white helmet, gently held his head and slowly moved it side to side, trying to wiggle it out of the hole. All the while he kept grumbling wondering why it was taking so long. It’s not like he had never gotten his head stuck in weird places before.
After more gentle wiggling, the helmet man managed to free his head and he was taken off the metal rebar. They took him inside and he looked at the people who just rescued him.
The helmet man gave a thumbs up and he thought to himself: “Yea what do you want from me? A hug?! Bah humbug!”
He casually walked away and made his way down, eager to tell his buddies about his little adventure.
Does this mean he would be more careful next time?
Nahhh, he thought. This just means I gotta find a slightly bigger hole to peek through. He trotted away, wagging his tail, happy that he survived another day.
“9 lives, they said. I’m probably just at 3 now,” he snickered in glee.
PS: Thank you TikTok user @hasiruddin_hadi for sharing a video of the rescue.

  @hasiruddin_hadi Selamatkan kucing #kucing #malaysia #xyzbca #meow #trending #fypdongggggggg  ♬ Biarlah  Semua Berlalu – Willy Anggawinata

Writer’s note: The above is obviously a fictitious dramatization of the rescue.

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Huge fire broke out at Mid Valley JB mall, but people started recording instead of running away [Videos]

In these hazy conditions, the mall is one of the few places we
can seek respite from the noxious smog.
However, it seemed like the smog made its way indoors when a
HUGE fire broke out at Mid Valley Southkey mall in Johor Bahru yesterday
afternoon (18th September).

Credit: @qritqorgus/Twitter

Through numerous videos that were shared across social media, it could be seen that the fire broke out at a furniture display and the flames were lashing upwards as high as the 2nd floor.
Clouds of black smoke could also be seen engulfing the area
while the fire alarmâ€™s shrill tone rang out loud.

 Credit: @Shxhrlkamal/Twitter

The scene was clearly one of danger. Unfortunately, these circulating videos all showed one rather depressing thing: people recording the incident instead of running away.
Star Trek Patrick Stewart GIF from Startrek GIFs

In several of these videos, people were seen walking towards
the fire instead of escaping the threat to safety.
Chilling next to the fire…

I dont know who's vid is this but I got the vid from family's ws group
Midvalley, johor is on fire pic.twitter.com/tn8BCAG09i
— ë‚˜ë‚˜ 'ã……' í¥ 🐶 (@qritqorgus) September 18, 2019

“Fuyooo”

Promotion area Mid Valley Southkey JB terbakar guys🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/I5dK1m8leh
— Mufasa 🦁 (@Shxhrlkamal) September 18, 2019

Another footage. Ramai cakap kerusi urut. Bukan bukan, tilam. tilam yang terbakar. pic.twitter.com/bJU9yxvlF5
— Ary Maslan (@arymaslan) September 18, 2019

Getting a front-seat view of the action

Midvalley southkey Jb terbakar and thatâ€™s the tweet. pic.twitter.com/mVa4J6E0Xy
— Ary Maslan (@arymaslan) September 18, 2019

Semoga dipermudahkan🤲🏻 pic.twitter.com/7OpHCWuwPv
— Mufasa 🦁 (@Shxhrlkamal) September 18, 2019

Created via Imgflip

The proximity of the recorders to the fire did not go unnoticed on the internet.

Orang risau benda terbakar, but that uncle went 'fuyoo'😂🤣
— Skincare Sl*t (@ajidddddd) September 18, 2019

Orang Johor memang tak takut mati ke? Semua tak nak lari 😔🤘🏻
— TrasH (@RussRaz) September 18, 2019

Translation: “Are Johoreans not afraid to die? Nobody wanted to run”

idk why ppl were so chilled. kalo aku dah lama lari keluar dari mall tu. 🤦
— i 🍑 you will all my butt (@kinkycokelat) September 18, 2019

Translation: “I don’t know why people were so chill. If it was me, I would’ve ran out of the mall a lot sooner.”

Nyawa tukang rekod ni ada 9 agaknya. Paling hampir dgn api.. mujur takde meletop apa2, kalau tak habis la bukti pembakaran tu 🥴
— maryam (@jfdaughter) September 18, 2019

Translation: “The person who took the video must have 9 lives. So close to the fire… Luckily there was no explosion. Otherwise, your proof of a fire will be all gone.”

They were lucky, though, as the blaze was successfully put
out by the buildingâ€™s management. The mallâ€™s management also later updated on Facebook
that there were no casualties or injuries.

Meanwhile, the Johor Fire and Rescue Brigade states that source
of the fire remains undetermined, but investigations are underway.
In the event of a fire, Bomba Malaysia advices one to evacuate immediately to a safe open area. If there is thick smoke, you should crawl on the floor to prevent choking.

Credit: Bomba Malaysia

This incident also harkens back to the time when a Malaysian recorded a preventable highway accident instead of honking the sleeping driver awake. You can read about it HERE.


Bangkok Embraces Its Thai Name ‘Krung Thep Maha Nakhon’ In Official Documents

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Thailand’s Office of the Royal Society (ORST) has announced that Bangkok will be known by its official name, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon.

On 15 February 2022, Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office with the updated names of countries, territories, administrative zones, and capitals, including the new name for Bangkok.
The name change isn’t a surprise to some because the Thai locals have been calling the capital city Krung Thep for some time now.
Interestingly, the name Krung Thep Maha Nakhon is still a short form of the full name.
The actual name is even longer: Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.
However, the new name doesn’t mean the name Bangkok is going away. Instead, the Thai capital will be listed as ‘Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)’ on official documents.
The name Krung Thep Maha Nakhon roughly translates to The City of Angels, The Great City and The Eternal Jewel City.
According to theSun, the name Bangkok has been in use officially since November 2001. The name comes from an old area of Bangkok, which is now part of the greater metropolitan area of the capital, Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai districts.
If you’re curious how to pronounce Bangkok’s new name, give this voice and video clip a listen.

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Deputy Minister Says Sorry For His Staff’s Traffic Violation In Kelantan After Viral Video

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“Sorry and thanks for the advice,” says Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary who has publicly apologised, thus confirming that the black Toyota Alphard with the numberplate reading P45 that was caught on camera breaking traffic rules in Kelantan, was his.
Assumingly responding to the countless social media comments asking him about the incident, the Deputy Minister went on Facebook to write an apology/thank you note for the individuals who had recorded and reprimanded the violation.
“As an imperfect being, I take responsibility for the criticism that was given and take it to improve myself and my staff,” wrote Ahmad Marzuk saying that his staffer was fully cooperating with the authorities.
It was reported that a 31-year-old official driver was behind the wheel of the black van during the incident.
He was said to be in a rush to pick up his boss from home in order to send him to the airport. But the identity of the van’s owner or the driver’s boss had never been officially confirmed.
Read More: “Rushing To Pick Up Boss” Police Probe Viral ‘P45’ Van Caught Cutting Kelantan Traffic
Ahmad Marzuk hopes that his staff would learn from this lesson and improve if charges were to be brought on him.
“Let the punishment be in this world if, for that reason, it frees us from the punishment hereafter.”Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary via Facebook
The case was said to be investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) for reckless and dangerous driving – which if a person is found guilty of, may be punishable by a prison sentence of no less than two years or a maximum of 10 years, as well as fines up to RM20,000.

Previously, the Deputy Minister had chimed in on the issue involving VIP treatment at the Putrajaya mosque and ask that everyone is provided equal treatment.
Read More: “30 VIP Quota” Says Grand Imam At Masjid Putra But People Aren’t Having It

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Touching Short Film Teaches Us That Sometimes, The Kindness Of Strangers Can Get Us Through Tough Times

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It used to be different in Malaysia when communities used to be more tightly knit with neighbours knowing each other and looking after one another.
Now in that we’re in the digital age, although we’re connected to the world with the rise of the technological marvel that is the Internet, changes in lifestyle throughout the years have made us more distant, to the point where the community bond that was common in yesteryears is a rare commodity in today’s neighbourhoods.
But that doesn’t mean that it should stay that way, as we are social creatures. Those who are physically around us are as equally important as those who appear on our screens.
To bring back some of that communal spirit, Gamuda Land has released a new Hari Raya short film this year titled Salam Eid-Moji. The short flick is a combination of the old and new as it centres on two individuals who communicate using emojis but in an unconventional manner.
Credit: Gamuda Land
It’s a light-hearted take on bonding that tells the story of Amin, a sulky boy who was not too thrilled to move into a new neighbourhood after being bullied in his previous school.
Pictured as being in crutches, he was terrified to go back to school, as being victimised clearly took a toll on his psyche to the point where Amin begins to throw tantrums every time he is reminded of his past trauma.
Seeing that her new neighbour was a defeated figure, his neighbour, Mozareen Jihan, knew that the child was in distress and was determined to help him bounce back.
Credit: Gamuda Land
With the tagline – Hulurkan Tangan, Ringankan Beban, Ukirkan Senyuman Pada Yang Memerlukan – the flick shows that sometimes, we need to be kind to those around us to bring out the best in them.
You can watch the Hari Raya short film here:

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PM Jokes He’s More 007 Than The MI6 Agent While Giving Speech To JPM Officers

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Malaysia’s recently appointed 10th Prime Minister gave a speech at the Prime Minister’s Department’s (JPM) monthly gathering today at Dataran Perdana Putra in Putrajaya.

Israeli Agent? Nope, more like Agent 007
In the monthly gathering, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed the claims of him being an Israeli agent with a sarcastic joke.
He said that he didn’t mind the slander made against him, especially being an agent of Israel, because all he cares is focusing on the task at hand and the welfare of the people, rather than entertaining ridiculous claims.
As for the agent part, I’m known to be an agent of many countries. The United Staes, Israel, India, and now Turkey, it seems like I’ve surpassed 007 in many aspects.Anwar Ibrahim, 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia
He then urged everyone from the department to focus on the job at hand, instead of slanders. He also encouraged the civil servants to bring positive change to the country together in his speech.
Here’s a TikTok video made by Getikchannel on Anwar Ibrahim’s subtle joke.
  @getikchannel Saya mengatasi 007 dalam banyak hal… Video : Credit to Astro Awani. #anwaribrahim #kerajaanmalaysia #kerajaanperpaduan #pakatanharapan #barisannasional #gps #grs #pkr #dap #amanah #umno #pru15 ♬ 007 James Bond  – Band in a drive
A police complaint has been made
Since his appointment as the Prime Minister of Malaysia earlier last week, Anwar Ibrahim has been facing allegations of him being an Israeli agent.
According to MalayMail, Syazreen Ezam Saidi – the chief of Putrajaya’s PKR Youth wing, said that the allegations made it seem as if Anwar was made PM with help from Israel instead of with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers.
He then filed a report at the Putrajaya district police headquarters earlier this afternoon, to avoid people from slandering the Prime Minister with such claims. He further mentioned that these types of claims can threaten the unity of our country made up of multiple races.
So what do you think? Even if he was a 007 agent, is he more of a Pierce Brosnan kinda guy or Daniel Craig kinda guy?
READ MORE: Reactions To Anwar Ibrahim Finally Becoming The Tenth Prime Minister Of Malaysia
READ MORE: Cars Dominate Long Weekend Conversations: From Brunei Sultan Driving Beemer To Anwar Declining Mercedes S600

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Hero Bomba Rescued Drowning Cat From Puchong River

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Malaysians were impressed by the coordinated efforts of the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) who managed to fish out a cat from what could’ve been its watery grave in Puchong, Selangor.

11 firemen and a team of Emergency Medical Retrieval Services (EMRS) personnel from Cyberjaya successfully rescued an orange cat that somehow tumbled into a river in Taman Putra Perdana after a rainy evening on 17 November 2020.
Viral footage from the incident shows one brave officer being hoisted above the turbulent river, rappelling down to save the distress kitty that was clinging on for dear life on a pile of garbage stuck to one the bride’s pillar.
Terbaik la abang bomba 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻— Ady Kent (@ady_kent) November 17, 2020
The cat was later seen in a tearful reunion with its owner.

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Source:
Cat named 'Oyen' rescued from Puchong river by dedicated firemen


[Watch] Fishmonger Fined After His Vehicle Got Hit From Behind By Police Van In Pahang

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If the police hit your car, are you automatically wrong?

The police fined a man after a police van hit his Ford Ranger four-wheel drive vehicle at KM 16, Jalan Jerantut-Temerloh in Pahang.
The details of the incident were shared via Twitter @itslyzaa on Thursday and went viral with 17,500 likes and 16,500 retweets.
Van polis ni mmg bawak laju Mcm gampanh haritu aku drive balik dari kota tinggi lalu jalan kulai-kota tinggi tu van polis ni potong line sikit lagi nak langgar dgn motor from opposite lane sampai mat motor tu terpaksa elak masuk lane kecemasan https://t.co/C52HjZYHJ3— nerm 🏴 (@naim1697) August 25, 2022
The post also revealed the condition of both vehicles with damage to the rear (Ford Ranger) and front (police van), along with the summons received by the man.
However, it was claimed that the police van hit the man’s vehicle, and the incident was recorded through a dashcam video.

Disappointingly, the man could only claim his insurance because he could not claim from the police insurance.
In the summons, the man was asked to appear in person or through a lawyer at the Temerloh Magistrate’s Court in October.
The summons was issued for parking a vehicle dangerously and obstructing.
However, it was claimed that the man did not park on the side of the road or block it, but instead wanted to enter the intersection and signalled.
Police Held Accountable
Meanwhile, Temerloh District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusoff confirmed the incident in a statement and said that further investigation would be carried out.
The Operations Room of the Temerloh District Police Office (IPD), which received information about the incident, identified an accident involving a Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) van from the Lipis IPD and a civilian vehicle.Temerloh OCPD Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusoff confirming the incident.

The driver and passengers in both vehicles did not suffer any injuries.
The investigation is being conducted under Section 43(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987, which is reckless and dangerous driving.
The investigation results have been submitted to the Temerloh Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Pressing Charges
The public vehicle driver is to be charged for obstructing traffic under Rule 12(4) LN 166/59, which means vehicles cannot stop and cut across double white lines.
The Temerloh District Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Division has issued a summons to the driver of the public vehicle, while the driver of the police van has also been sued for failing to control the vehicle and causing an accident.Temerloh OCPD Mohd Azhar Mohd Yusoff on action taken against the Ford Ranger driver.
Meanwhile, he hoped that with the explanation, there would be no more speculation about the actions of the PDRM in carrying out their duties.
The police thanked the members of the public who were concerned and provided information to assist the police in carrying out the investigation.
Mohd Azhar also advised the public members always to be careful and obey the rules of the road.

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What My Parents Tell Me: You Must Own A House

Josh* was 27 when his parents first asked him to buy a house. “They told me I should start looking around to find a place I like because I’m not young anymore,” he said. The ‘asking’ eventually turned into ‘nagging’, which only stopped last month – after Josh placed the down payment for a condominium in Ampang.
On the other hand, Ram* bought his current home about 10 years ago for a slightly different reason. He explained, “All my elders, as well as the people whom I look up to, told me I should get a house before I turn 30 because it’s a good form of investment. So that’s what I did.”

(Credit: iProperty.com.my)

Home ownership is a hot topic among Malaysians as some of us feel the pressure or need to own a house as soon as possible. The reasons for it are similar to those listed above, which all boils down to one thing – expectations from our parents, elders, and society in general.

Why is home ownership so important to our elders?

(Credit: Reuters/The Star Online)

A long time ago, landowners were either royalty or their nobles. These people would then allocate pieces of that land to farmers, whose job was to harvest crops and raise cattle for the landowners. In return, the farmers get to build houses on the allocated plot and call it home.
However, the farmers do not own the land or the houses built on it. These technically belonged to the nobles. The farmers could spend years working and living there, but the fate of their living arrangements was still at the mercy of the landowners.
This changed later with the birth of rich merchants, who could afford to buy land and buildings from the nobles. Only then could the non-ruling class be the ultimate decision makers of their place of residence.
As such, home ownership is traditionally associated with stability and security. Owning a house means you don’t need to worry about not having a roof over your head – a sentiment shared by people of our parents’™ generation.

For the younger generation, renting seems to be the more appealing option

(Credit: Malay Mail)

Malaysia is said to be experiencing a renters market situation currently, and you could stand to save more by renting instead of buying a home. Aside from the price war, landlords will have to compete with co-living companies that offer shorter lock-in period.
The fact that Malaysian houses are deemed “seriously unaffordable“by Bank Negara also makes renting the only wallet-friendly option at the moment.
For Amirah* and her husband, they would only consider buying a house if they have money to spare. “Even if we were to have children, we still won’t be buying a house. I feel that it’s more important to use that money for the children’s food and education. The condo we’re renting now isn’t too expensive and is spacious enough for us to start a family,”she said.
Meng* also thinks it’s better to rent as he appreciates the flexibility. He sees buying a house as a long-term commitment, which he isn’t ready for right now.

But there are those who still prefer to buy a house

It’s worth to note that as of today, there is no law that governs the rental market in Malaysia. The signed tenancy agreement would be used to settle any disputes between a landlord and tenant.

(Credit: Energe Pic/Pexels)

So, it’s still up to your landlord to set the terms of your tenancy contract.
This is why renting was never an option for Emily*, “I don’t like the idea of being in a space that’s not my own. Also, there may be too many rules that I need to follow, so I cannot decorate the place as I like.”
For the financially savvy bunch, a house can always be turned into an investment opportunity. Joon* said that she would buy a house if she had the money as not only can she live in it, she can also rent it out or sell it. “If I can afford it lah,”she emphasised.

It all comes down to personal preference and financial capability

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to home ownership – but you do need to have a place to live as shelter is a basic human need.
If flexibility is more important for you, then renting would be the best option. If you prefer stability and security, then you should look for a house that suits your lifestyle and budget.
The government and property developers are also working together to make housing more affordable. There’s the Home Ownership Campaign where developers like Platinum Victory are offering a 10% discount on selected properties; and the Sabah government recently announced that they’ve allocated RM4.8 million for their affordable housing programme as well.

(Credit: Platinum Victory/Facebook)

Just because everyone says that you should own your first home by a certain age, it doesn’t mean that you have to. It’s fine to set a milestone that suits your lifestyle and arrive at it in your own time.
So yeah, take your time guys.

*Names have been changed to respect their privacy.
This piece is sponsored by Platinum Victory Property, who is on a mission to empower and help Malaysians own their first home whenever they are ready. Click here to check out their current projects.
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How To Choose The Right Kind Of Mooncake To Gift Anyone

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The Mid-Autumn Festival (or fondly known as the Mooncake Festival for obvious reasons) is actually a day of reunion for families. The mooncakes are round to represent a reunion (团圆, where 圆 means round) or a family sitting around a round table together.

Mooncakes commercially sold in Malaysia can be roughly categorised into three popular kinds. If you’re not sure what kind of mooncake to get for yourself, or as gifts for your friends and family, then this guide is just for you!
The Classic
The classic mooncake has a shiny brown skin with traditional fillings. It is baked, and then served at room temperature.
Usually, you would find these mooncakes will fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean, mung bean, mixed nuts, and salted egg yolk.
A traditional mooncake featuring a golden brown skin with lotus seed paste filling and salted egg yolk.(Credit: TRP)
This kind of classic mooncake is a great for those who look for authenticity in their food choices and enjoy traditional tastes. The older generation will usually enjoy traditional mooncakes as it would remind them of the good ‘ol days.
However, nowadays there are more flavour options to choose from as well, such as various flavours of tea.
Perfect for: Your parents, older relatives, acquaintences, or those who like the taste of authentic foods.
The Cool
Snowskin mooncakes have also enjoyed great popularity over the years. These mooncakes boast a soft pale outer skin and must be kept in the fridge and served cold.
Snowskin mooncakes tend to have more colourful skins, which makes a very visually appealing gift.(Credit: topntp26/Freepik)
Snowskin mooncakes are more versatile, often carrying traditional filling options as well as more unconventional filling options. You will be able to find anything from durian to blueberry to taro and more!
Perfect for: Your friends, younger relatives, business associates, people trying mooncake for the first time, those who eat desserts for the sake of eating desserts.
The Fun
Some have taken the dessert to the next level, breaking down the constraints of the desserts of skins and fillings.
Jelly mooncakes have proven that really, anything can capture the essence of reunion as long as it is mooncake-shaped.
Jelly mooncakes often feature pretty jelly art or various flavours that wouldn’t be possible as a traditional filling.(Credit: @karmenlunarx/Twitter)
As a result, these mooncakes are bright, jiggly, and come in the widest possible variety of flavours and colours! Choose from mocha to red dragon fruit to pandan or even blue pea flower. As long as it can be made into a jelly, it can be made into a jelly mooncake.
Perfect for: Young children, people with no qualms about tradition, those who love jelly.
…And More!
There are way more options on the market now– much more than you can imagine.
We’ve seen everything from alcohol-infused mooncake to cake mooncake to ice cream mooncake to fruit mooncake.
Yes, if you wanted your mooncakes to be on the boozy side, it is most definitely possible.(Credit: Hennessy/Facebook)
In fact, if you can imagine it, you can probably find it. Why not explore what mooncake options there are for yourself?
You can look on e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee, find home-bakers on Kravve, visit local bakeries near you, or ask in your local community groups for recommendations!

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The Rarest Hennessy Cognac In The World, Unveiled In Malaysia

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Richard Hennessy, founder of the well-beloved Maison Hennessy brand, lives on in the most exclusive cognac named in his honour.

The legendary Maison dates all the way back to 1765, right on the quays of the Charente River in Cognac, France. Just like champagne, cognac must originate from this particular region to be called Cognac.
In the same way, the Richard Hennessy is a legendary piece of history, encapsulating generations of fine artistry and passion from Maison Hennessy.
Cheers to Richard Hennessy!(Credit: Hennessy Malaysia)
A Taste of History
Richard was an Irishman who fought in the army for the French King Louis XV. He was awarded land in Cognac, and built Maison Hennessy with his own hands. He was joined by gifted artisans who supported his legendary vision in creating outstanding, uncompromising cognacs.
The Fillioux families of Master Blenders, whose tastes are unfailing and hold themselves to the strictest qualities, joined the Hennessy in 1806– and remained closely entwined ever since, producing the finest cognacs even until today.
(Credit: Richard Hennessy)
The founding principles of Richard: to select only eaux de vie (water of life, double-distilled from the best grapes) that has an outstanding aging potential, and to pass on the secrets of his trade through the generations, would ultimately become the basis of an enduring legacy.
Enter the Richard
Hence, the Richard Hennessy was created in his honour, using a stunning blend of finely aged eaux de vie to create a luxurious, rich, and potent cognac, yet spicy and aromatic on the tongue.
Each glass of Richard Hennessy is a journey in history and distinction.(Credit: Hennessy Malaysia)
You can taste the decades of history in its assertive scent, as it uses some of the oldest eaux de vie in the world, some even hundreds of years old. The complex blend is unapologetically intense, yet confidently controlled.
It truly evokes the hardships and adventurous spirit that Richard himself went through, as a soldier into a visionary entrepreneur.
A taste of Richard Hennessy will take you on a journey.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Much like the masterpiece drink itself, the absolutely clear Baccarat crystal decanter that houses the Richard Hennessy is breathtaking.
The vessel in which a cognac is stored and decanted is equally as important as its smell and taste. For an extremely limited blend that has been made to be a living tribute to the Architect of Eternity, the vessel had to be even more extraordinary.Patrick Madendjian, Managing Director of Moët Hennessy Singapore & Malaysia
As designed by an architect for an architect.(Credit: Hennessy Malaysia)
This visually striking decanter boasts bold architectural lines while still being light and aesthetically brilliant, taking inspiration from the powerful emblem of Richard Hennessy. The stunning decanter itself is a collector’s piece in its own right, its unique design representing the past, present, and future intertwined.
Renowned architect Daniel Libeskind immersed himself in Hennessy’s rich history and legacy in order to craft the visionary decanter, using sharp edges, diagonal slices, and jagged edges to fuse with the classic rounded curves of the iconic Hennessy decanter in tribute to the Architect of Eternity.
The architectural play emerges as sharp edges and the classic shape of Hennessy.(Credit: Hennessy Malaysia)
Only 12 barrels of the Richard Hennessy are produced a year, making this extremely limited blend of cognac a luxury even money can’t buy.
For more details, visit Hennessy Malaysia’s Facebook page.

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Man In India Spends RM171,500 On Gold Mask To Protect Himself From Covid-19

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A man in India was willing to spend around US$40,000 (RM171,500) on a special face mask to protect him from Covid-19.
It was reported that the 60-gram gold mask took about eight days to produce and the man who splashed the cash on the all-gold mask, Shankar Kurhada, 49, said that he’s a huge fan of the precious metal.
He said that he likes to wear gold jewellery, including bracelets and chains weighing up to one kilogram regularly.
Although the mask is ludicrously expensive, Kurhada said that the gold mask doesn’t give him any extra protection from the coronavirus.
It was a thin face mask with small pores that allowed me to breathe. I wasn’t sure if it would protect me from the Covid-19 infection, but I did take other precautions.Shankar Kurhada via Sinar

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Faizal Azumu Would’ve Been Paid RM27,000 Monthly As Muhyiddin’s Special Advisor

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Former Ipoh Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was to be given a monthly pay of around RM27,000 as Special Advisor to Former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stated in a reply to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng that the Bersatu Deputy President will instead be given – RM27,227.20 paid on prorated basis and compensation of a month’s salary for his 11-day service.
For the Honorable’s information, as his service tenure is short (not enough for a month), his monthly salary amounting to RM27,227.20 is paid pro-rata, as well as a replacement notice of termination of service of 1 month’s salary. This position does not involve the payment of a pension.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
The reply was given after Lim asked the Prime Minister to state the salary received by the Tambun MP and whether he was eligible for any pension schemes.
It’s also stated in the reply that Faizal Azumu’s appointment was not eligible for pension payment.
Reports have also pointed out that his pay grade is the same level with that of a Federal Minister.
Ismail Sabri also said that Faizal’s job was to advise the Prime Minister on matters related to community communication.
Apart from that, the Tambun MP was also responsible for creating close cooperation between the government and community leaders.
(He also) increased the people’s understanding of government policies through effective communication channels, and improved the government’s delivery system in terms of the people’s socio-economic development.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob

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Heading To Ipoh? Try These 7 Places For A Perak-tastic Trip

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If you’re planning on a trip to Ipoh, you’ll need to have a full itinerary before you go.

Thanks to @JalanCutiSantai, they’ve listed a few interesting places for you to visit in Ipoh. Give these locations a try and tell us what you think!
1. Kek Lok Tong Cave
Also known as the Cave of Great Happiness, Kek Lok Tong is located at the base of Gunung Rapat. Relax your mind and enjoy recreational activities at this breathtaking cave. You can admire cave formations, jog at their picturesque gardens, feed Koi fish in the pond, birdwatch in the early morning and also cycle both on land and water!
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Find out more info here.
Address: Pesiaran Sepakat 3, Taman Endah Jaya, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: 7 am – 4 pm
Ticket: Free (Donations are always welcomed)
2. Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village
Another recreational place located near Gunung Rapat is Qing Xin Ling or also known as Serene Hill. Besides doing relaxing recreational activities here, you can also look at their antique collection, walk up Memory Lane (literal name, no pun intended), read your own future at the fortune-telling place (Ba Zhi) and write a wish by hanging red ribbons on the old Banyan wishing tree.
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Find out what to do at this place here.
Address: 22A, Persiaran Pinggir Rapat 5a, Taman Saikat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: 9.30 am – 5 pm
Ticket: RM12
Facebook
3. Japanese Garden
This Japanese Garden is located at the D.R. Seenivasagam Recreational Park, a park named after a famous lawyer and also considered the oldest park in Ipoh. Being a sister city to Fukuoka, Japan (Ipoh-Fukuoka), this garden is built according to the unique landscape structure of the Japanese garden there. You can enjoy the calming serene greenery around here and pretend you’re in Japan.
(Credit: @AmirulFitry95 / Twitter)
Address: Jalan Keliling Dalam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
Ticket: Free Admission
4. Ipoh Night Market (Gerbang Malam)
Ipoh has a lot of street markets and one of them is called Gerbang Malam. It’s like a common flea market selling toys, shoes, clothes, backpacks, watches, glasses and more. They also have some restaurants selling Ipoh’s famous Ayam Tauge (Lou Wong) and cafes (Konda Kondi) around here if you wanna hang out.
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
There’s also a new night market in Ipoh similar to this here.
Address: Jalan Dato Tahwil Azar, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: 6 pm – 12 am
Facebook
5. Hot Spring & Night
This place is actually located inside the Lost World of Tambun (waterpark). At night time, you can explore their Luminous Forest, Lost World Hot Springs and Spa, Flaming Percussion, Petting Zoo, Ipoh Street and Tarantula Alley here. The Hot Springs and Spa has around 12 pools for you to relax, unwind and enjoy the natural hot spring water.
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Address: No. 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway 1, Sunway City Perak, Ipoh, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: 6 pm – 11 pm
Ticket:  Adult – RM75, Child & Senior citizen – RM66
 Website
6. Mirror Lake
Also located around Gunung Rapat, this lake used to be an active quarry site but has now turned into a jaw-dropping picturesque tourist attraction. You would have to walk through a deep dark tunnel to make your way to this hidden paradise. This is just a place where you can enjoy the views and take mesmerizing pictures with.
(Credit: Malaymail)
For more info, visit here.
Caution: DO NOT JUMP IN THE LAKE!
READ MORE: Ipoh’s Famous Mirror Lake Closed After Diving Stunt
Address: 31350 Ipoh, Perak. (Enter Mirror Lake Entrance in your navigation system)
Operation Hours: 9 am – 5.30 am (closed on Wednesdays)
Ticket: RM2
7. Kinta Riverwalk
This place is ideal if you want to take your kids or bring your friends on a stroll down the riverwalk at night. The place is decorated with beautiful lights similar to I-City, especially at the two glow-in-the-dark bridges. Besides entertainment for kids, there are also shops and stalls selling arts and crafts as well as food and drinks there.
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Address: 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Operation Hours: Best at nighttime
Ticket: Free
These are only a few interesting places in Ipoh. You can discover more in these articles below.
READ MORE: Nak Roadtrip Ke Ipoh? Jom Terokai Tasik Cermin & 4 Lokasi Menarik Ini
READ MORE: Ipoh’s Famous Nasi Ganja Restaurant Has No Plans To Share Secret Recipe Despite Huge Demand

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Dugongs, Leatherback Turtles Sighted At Thai Islands During Covid-19 Lockdown

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Thailand’s tourism industry has taken a heavy hit since the outbreak of Covid-19, especially as they are under a national lockdown similar to Malaysia’s MCO.
Yet this lack of human activity has been good for the animals in Thai waters, a phenomenon that is echoed around the world. In particular, a herd of more than 30 dugongs were sighted drifting serenely off the coast of a Thai Island on 22 April.
All those white specks are dugongs, shown in this screenshot from Thailand’s National Marine Park Operation Center.(Credit: AFP)
The slow-moving critically-endangered species has resurfaced again due to clearer waters without boat traffic and less plastic waste. The Thai Department of National Parks Wildlife and Conservation (DNP) estimates that up to 80% of dugongs die due to getting entangled in fishing nets.
Dugongs are mammals and need to breath air every five to 10 minutes. However, when trapped by fishing nets, they suffocate and drown. Plastic contaminants in the dugong’s natural environment also poses a great risk ask the big animals tend to eat it and cause intestinal blockages.
Dugongs don’t have to worry about social distancing.(Credit: AFP)
Dugongs are not the only animals that have made a return in Thailand during this lockdown. Earlier this month, Thai beaches also saw a big boom in the nesting habits of the rare and vulnerable leatherback sea turtle in two decades.
84 baby leatherback turtles hatched and successfully made their way back to the sea from just one nest. There have been a total of 11 turtle nests found since last November, the highest number in 20 years. For the past 5 years, there were no nests found.
The leatherback turtle hatchlings making their way back to the sea.(Credit: DMCR)
Their return during the slowdown of human activities prove only one thing: that for nature to recover, humans must stop our usual detrimental activities that lead to pollution, and instead focus on sustainable practices for the community and our natural world.

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