Covid-19 Patient Jumps To Death Right Before Discharge, Highlighting The Importance Of Mental Health

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A Covid-19 patient at Hospital Queen Elizabeth I, Sabah jumped out an 8th floor window and fell to her death last night.

According to Berita Harian, the 63-year-old patient was supposed to be discharged today after she was cleared of the virus.
The situation is tragic and upsetting, but it points to another aspect of treatment missing for Malaysia’s Covid-19 patients – mental health.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah revealed that the Health Ministry does not have a formal support-group for Covid-19 patients and survivors.
However, he urged survivors to form one as it would be good for them to share their experiences in overcoming the mental exhaustion of going through the disease.
No one really talks about the mental health of Covid-19 patients
Credit: Barcroft Media/Getty Images
The Health Ministry’s daily Covid-19 updates are largely numbers driven with focus on the number of new cases, recoveries and deaths so the general public has little to no idea on the patient’s condition.
The data compiled on Covid-19 is done in such a way that the public can get updates of the general situation while still protecting the patient’s confidentiality.
Status Terkini COVID-19 Di Malaysia,21 Okt 2020Kes sembuh=580Jumlah kes sembuh=14,931 kesKes baharu positif=732(kes import=8, kes tempatan=724)Jumlah positif=22,957 kesKes kematian=6Jumlah kes kematian=199 kesKes dirawat di ICU= 102 kesBantuan Alat Pernafasan= 31 kes pic.twitter.com/2Bd7Wc1Bzf— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) October 21, 2020
While this is technically a good thing, it also dehumanises the patient into just a number, or a statistic.
Even the official Covid-19 treatment guide focuses on treating patients physically, and not mentally.
Patients with Covid-19 illness should receive symptomatic treatment such as antipyretics, optimal nutritional support, maintenance of fluid and electrolytes balance.Annex 2e : Clinical Management For Confirmed COVID-19 in Adult and Paediatric, Ministry of Health.
But having Covid-19 does leave a mark on the patient’s mental health.
Mayo Clinic points out that patients who survive the experience, especially in intensive care unit (ICU), are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress syndrome, depression and anxiety.
A study in the International Journal of Nursing Practice also highlights that hospitalisation results in many negative feelings that have detrimental effects on a patients psychological well being, but the effect was higher in patients who were isolated.
More significantly, infected subjects who were isolated demonstrated feelings of anxiety, and depression that were significantly higher, and feelings of self esteem and sense of control that were significantly lower than those demonstrated by hospitalised subjects.International Journal of Nursing Practice
The study argues that isolation – such as in the case of Covid-19 treatment – has an even greater negative effect on their coping.
Credit: Freepik
In Malaysia, the anxiety surrounding becoming infected with Covid-19 is very high. This can be seen among patients in Sabah who run away from frontliners and refuse to go to the hospital, requiring forceful intervention from healthcare personnel.
With mental health issues spiking alongside lockdowns and rising infections, it’s high time we do something about it.

If you’re having problems or suicidal thoughts and need immediate assistance, reach out to Befrienders at:
TEL: 603-79568145E-MAIL: sam@befrienders.org.myAvailable 24 hours, 7 days a week.
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Source:
COVID-19: Pesakit terjun dari tingkat 8
Dr Noor Hisham: Covid-19 survivors should form support group, Health Ministry can provide guidance
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASE IN ADULT AND PAEDIATRIC
GARIS PANDUAN KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
COVID-19 (coronavirus): Long-term effects
Analysis of the stressful effects of hospitalisation and source isolation on coping and psychological constructs


Malaysia Now Has Oversupply Of Cheap Chickens Because No One Is Buying Them

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After months of shortage, Malaysia has an oversupply of chickens now. The Agriculture and Food Industries (Mafi) Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the chicken industry had stabilised thanks to the steps taken by the government.

According to Malay Mail, Malaysia’s move to abolish the approved permits (APs), allow the import of chickens from other countries and disallow the export of chicken overseas have contributed to the industry’s recovery.
Since there are a lot of chickens to go around, the prices of chickens have also dropped lower than the ceiling price set by the government.
For illustration purposes. Image: Farhan Najib/ Malay Mail
While cheap chickens sound like good news and a good deal, it has bought another problem.
According to Kosmo, cheap chickens aren’t doing well in Terengganu. Chicken sellers in Kuala Nerus and Kuala Terengganu reported a 40% drop in sales although the price of chicken was reduced to RM7.30 per kg, as compared to the ceiling price of RM9.40.
A seller, Ahmad Ibni Hasan, 38, said only 100 chickens were sold daily compared to 180 chickens previously.
He believes there are lesser customers because there are cheaper chickens sold elsewhere.
I sold raw chickens for RM7.50 per kg and that’s the lowest since 2021. Before this, it cost RM11.50 before the prices dropped to RM8.50 per kg last week.Ahmad Ibni Hasan
Kosmo reported that the price range of chicken sold is between RM7.30 and RM7.50 per kg.
Another seller, Abdullah Endot, 55, said chicken prices have gone down because it has become cheaper at all levels including suppliers.
Previously, he could sell 200 chickens in a day but now he could only sell less than 100 chickens and had to keep the extras to sell the next day.

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Want to Balik Kampung? Here’s Some Useful Tips From TNB

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Planning to balik kampung? Tenaga Nasional has listed out a few tips that help you save electricity and also prevent any unwanted accidents from happening while you’re away to see your loved ones

Here are some steps to take before leaving:
Switch off all electrical appliances such as water heaters and ironsConduct outdoor inspections to avoid things that could cause electrical accidents such as some electrical wires exposed to moisture and plants that could disconnect nearby electrical linesConsider the use of a timer so that the lights are not turned on 24 hours a day. In addition to saving energy consumption, it can also prevent the occurrence of unwanted incidentsUnplug the extension wire completely to prevent overload that can cause fire due to short circuitTest the Residual Current Device (RCD) at least once a month by pressing the test button. Please contact an electrical contractor registered with the Energy Commission (EC) to replace the RCD approved by the EC if the power supply doesn’t not cut off immediately when the test button is pressed.
TNB mentioned that the Residual Current Device (RCD) should be tested at least once a month by pressing the test button.
Please contact an electrical contractor registered with the Energy Commission (EC) to replace a RCD approved by the EC if the test button is pressed and the power supply is not cut off immediately.Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Just in case you run into problems such as power outages, you can contact TNB’s CareLine at 15454 or search “TNB CareLine” on Facebook for assistance.
Credit: TNB

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Realme Smartphones Goes Magnetic With MagDart Ecosystem For Android

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A smartphone with a circular array of magnets that can be used to attach wireless chargers and other accessories is probably something you have heard before, but probably not on an Android device.

The folks at Realme want to change that with the introduction of the MagDart, a magnetic ecosystem of chargers and accessories for their Android smartphones.
Realme Flash

The hero of the lineup is the Realme Flash, the first Android smartphone that supports MagDart.
It will have a 4500mAh battery and can support the 50W MagDart wireless charger, which is said to be able to charge the battery to full in less than an hour, almost as fast as the Realme 50W SuperDart wired charger.

However, little else is known about the upcoming smartphone.
50W MagDart Charger

Hailed as the world’s fastest magnetic wireless charger, the 50W MagDart Charger is said to be able to charge a phone wirelessly and keep cool even when the smartphone is in use.
To get the full potential of the 50W MagDart Charger it has to be plugged into the 65W SuperDart wired charger.

We don’t know how quiet the fans are but there is a cooling system inside the 50W MagDart Charger to keep the mainboard and charging coil at operating temperature.
Although Realme says that it is as fast as wired charging, they have not said anything about its efficiency.
15W MagDart Charger

This charger is touted as the thinnest magnetic wireless charger at only 3.9mm thick. It achieves this by separating the board from the coil and placing each on either end of the cable.
According to Realme, the 15W MagDart Charger can charge the 45000mAh battery of the Realme Flash, from flat to full, in 90 minutes.
2-in-1 MagDart Power Bank.

It comes in two parts, the magnetically attachable power bank and a stand. When combined, it becomes a wireless charging stand that can charge both the power bank and the smartphone at the same time.
MagDart Accessories
Of course, like the original it is based on, the MagDart can be used for more than just charging.
However, Realme took the concept further with accessories that are powered wirelessly by the smartphone.

The MagDart Beauty Light is a selfie light with 60 mini LEDs and dedicated controls. It attaches directly to the smartphone and is powered by reverse charging.

The MagDart Wallet holds up to three cards but also has a kickstand.

In an interesting twist, Realme also revealed the GT MagDart Charging Case that adds MagDart charging compatibility and some bulk to the Realme GT.
Price And Availability
If you find any of these latest techs from Realme interesting, too bad because they did not announce availability nor pricing for any of the products mentioned.
That said, expect to see the same tech being adopted by other Android manufacturers, like Oppo.
MagDart is novel for Android and could be a staple in the future if there are no competing standards to muddy the waters.

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Almost 2,500 Vehicles Stopped Over The Weekend For Trying To Balik Kampung

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Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob revealed that nearly 2,500 Malaysians attempted to balik kampung over the weekend.
At the daily Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) briefing today, he revealed that 156,096 vehicles were stopped and examined at 148 roadblocks at state borders.
Surprisingly, many more people still want to balik kampung.Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Defence Minister.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister (Defence).(Credit: Bernama via Malay Mail)
Yesterday on 17 May (Sunday) 1,175 vehicles tried to cross state borders to balik kampung. However, PDRM instructed these vehicles to turn back.
The day before, 1,248 vehicles were ordered to turn back by the authorities.
Cumulatively, 2,423 vehicles over the weekend were stopped.
Ismail Sabri then said he hoped that Malaysians will refrain from interstate travel to balik kampung.
Yesterday, the minister stated that police will issue compounds from today to those caught violating the CMCO.

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Do You Know How To Switch From Fahrenheit To Celsius On Your Air Cond Remote?

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It can be said that we are surrounded by technology, living in the 21st century. However, the question arises as to how much we know how to operate the technologies around us.

Recently, a netizen asked on Facebook how to switch the air conditioner’s remote control display from Fahrenheit to Celcius.
Apparently, his child made the switch to Fahrenheit and they didn’t know how to switch it back to Celcius.
This prompted him to seek for help on social media.
Netizens took to the comment section with a solution to the problem.
If you suddenly find your air conditioner’s remote control displaying the temperature in Fahrenheit, all you have to do is press the up and down buttons at the same time. This will immediately switch the display to Celcius.

One of the netizens shared the same situation he faced with his children at home.

It is always wise to learn the little hacks when it comes to the devices that we have around us.

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Muhyiddin To Make Announcement For Short Term Economic Measures At 3PM

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Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is planning to make an announcement today on the short term economic recovery plan at 3 pm.
According to Astro Awani, the plan is being announced a day after Malaysia reportedly registered a trade deficit in April, the first time after recording a trade surplus for 269 consecutive months, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the short-term economic recovery plan for June to December 2020 would focus on four key features:
Being agile and dynamic a focus on public-private sector cooperation comprehensive communications with greater outreach data-driven approach
The pandemic has left the economy in tatters as almost all industries have been affected.
Reports surfaced that many have lost their jobs or faced salary cuts because companies can’t cope with the current situation and the worst is yet to come as associations foresee that it will be worse in the coming months.

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LEAKED: TM’s plan for new ‘Unifi Air’ high-speed wireless broadband internet

Headâ€™s up people, cuz rumor has it that Telekom Malaysia (TM) might be coming up with a new internet solution for its customers.

via GIPHY
Calling it the Unifi Air, the internet plan is set to provide high-speed wireless broadband connection through the mobile 4G LTE network.
This revelation was brought to light when images of the proposed internet service were apparently leaked online.

(Image Credit: Amanz)

According to the available details, it appears that the broadband device is set to work via the use of a Huawei B618-65D LTE device which operates on the 2.3MHz band frequency.

(Image Credit: Science ABC)

Claiming that the system can manage up to 64 connected devices at any given time, the plan supposedly provides for unlimited internet quota at a  discounted starting price of RM79.

(Image Credit: MEME)

By comparison, current TM internet Wireless Broadband Plan provides only 60GB of data at RM79 per month on top of the RM565 wireless router that youâ€™d need to connect to it.

TM Wireless Broadband internet plan currently available for consumers(Image Credit: TM)

Supposedly, the new Unifi Air would come with a 24-month contract and no upfront fees.
Its proposed plug-and-play design is also set to have users instantly connect online without the need for a technician to install the system.

(Image Credit: MEME)

Itâ€™s speculated that this new high-speed broadband solution was proposed as an answer to TMâ€™s longstanding infrastructure limitations, allowing for high-speed connectivity to be available to everyone at an affordable price.
So fingers crossed people, Malaysians might get more connected real soon!

via GIPHY


KL WORST in work-life balance, 4th overworked city in latest study

Hello, fellow burnt-out adults. We’ve got some bad news that’s not surprising AT ALL.
KL has the worst work-life balance in a new global index!
The list comes courtesy of keyless access technology company Kisi, which selected 40 cities around the world that were known for attracting professionals and families for work opportunities and lifestyle offerings.
With a total maximum score of 100, each city was given points under 3 main categories:
Work Intensity Score – Hours Worked/Week, Vacations Taken, Unemployment (%), Paid Maternal and Parental leave (days), Commuting (one-way, minutes), etcSociety & Institutions Score – Social Spending (% of GDP), Healthcare Score, Gender Equality Score, etc.City Livability Score – Safety Score, Happiness Score, City Stress Score, etc.
So how well did KL do?
Errr… not that great tbh!
Out of 100, KL accumulated a grand total of ONE.
See la…(Pic credit: Kisi)
According to Kisi, a score of 1 indicates that the city performs the poorest in comparison to the other cities in the study.
KL is the 4th most overworked city, surpassed by Tokyo, Washington and Singapore.

Besides that, KL employees work on average, 46 hours a week, with 22% employees working MORE than 48 hours.

KL workers are also the 3rd least likely to take their annual leave days, with an average of only 12.3 off days taken.

To put that into context, KL-ites spend 96.6% of the year at work.

If you think all that hard work pays off, then you’re wrong.
According to the study, KL-ites are the unhappiest of the lot with the lowest happiness score and also the 5th most stressed city.

Is there any good news?
Got la some okay news.
The unemployment rate for KL was pretty low at 2.4%. Plus, the paid paternity and maternity leave isn‘t the lowest.
KL averages 98 paid mommy-daddy-baby leave, which is the same as Tokyo and Singapore and MUCH better than some US cities which gives parents ZERO DAYS.
In conclusion: Work Hard, Stay Unhappy.


Hit The Ground Running With The New Adidas 4DFWD 2 [Review]

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With countless options of running shoes available in the market, it’s almost impossible to not find something that’ll suit your needs and style.

However, to create a genuinely groundbreaking pair of running shoes is no walk in the park.
(Credit: TRP)
I had the chance to try out the new Adidas 4DFWD 2, which claims to be the running shoe of the future.
Two steps FWD
The 4DFWD 2 doesn’t look like your average running shoes. One look at the pair of kicks and you’d immediately notice the unique lattice structure of the 4DFWD 2’s midsole. This unique design is based on research, millions of midsole variations and the hard work of dozens of experts.
(Credit: TRP)
It’s a shoe Adidas told me is suited to heel-strikers, who will gain the most benefit from the propulsive midsole.
The 4D-printed midsole and the new Primeknit+ upper provide extra support and a snug fit. Adidas fine-tuned these aspects of the shoe based on user feedback from the previous 4DFWD as users felt it was not supportive enough.
The 4DFWD 2 also has a new integrated heel counter for better support at the rear. Additional grip is provided by the Continental rubber outsole, used in many of the best Adidas running shoes.
READ MORE: Here’s Why The New Adidas 4DFWD Is The Running Shoe You Need
Out of the box
I’m not what one would call a professional runner, but I am a heel-striker when I run, so I was curious to experience the ‘forward motion benefit’ from the midsole. All foams in running shoes return energy, but the main point of the 4DFWD 2 is to turn downward force into forward momentum.
(Credit: TRP)
It feels different, for sure. It’s a smooth, fluid-like sensation – like you’re moving forward in one, singular motion. The moment you pick up the pace, the responsiveness dials up and offers the sort of energy feedback that helps propel you forward.
The shoes aren’t exactly light, but I don’t feel the weight when I run. I didn’t test these out for long-distance running, so if you run for anything more than 30 minutes you might start to feel it a little.
(Credit: TRP)
The Continental outsole didn’t catch my attention that much, maybe because I’ve seen this in other Adidas shoes already. But I did find the shoes soft and comfortable to use for leisure wear as much as I did for running.
However, the design of the lattice structure might warrant some unwanted effort on your part. It will catch a lot of dirt within its structure, so it will need more attention and regular cleaning, unless you’re not too bothered about all this.
(Credit: TRP)
Aesthetically, the 4DFWD 2 doesn’t really chalk up to being one of the best-looking shoes out there, but it is a performance shoe so it doesn’t matter as much. Personally, I think it looks pretty good for a running shoe and you can definitely put together an athleisure look with the right outfit.
The new Adidas 4DFWD 2 is now available in several colorways including a Carbon Cloud White and Impact Orange for men, and Grey Five and Cloud White for women. The shoes are priced at RM899 and are available to purchase online or in Adidas stores near you.

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Group Of Doctors Going On Strike Next Week?

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After threatening a nationwide strike, the Mogok Doktor Malaysia group has warned people not to go to health clinics and public hospitals from 3 to 5 April.

The group also noted that waiting hours are expected to be longer at these facilities, amid a nationwide strike.
On its Instagram page, the group claimed that more than 8,000 contract doctors would be striking to protest “unfair systems” and “low wages”.
The post read:
Dear Malaysians, do not visit any general hospitals or klinik kesihatan from April 3 to 5, 2023, as more than 8,000 contract doctors will go on strike by taking medical or emergency leave as a protest against the unfair system and low wages. Your waiting time is expected to be much longer than usual. Thank you. #MogokDoktorKontrakMogok Doktor Malaysia via Instagram
In reply to these threats, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has come out asking doctors to maintain professional conduct and remember the oath they took to become doctors.
We urge this group to call off its plans to go on strike and refrain from any move that may cause worry and anxiety among the public. A strike will cause major inconveniences for the sick, injured and the elderly who may be relying on public health care. We wish to remind the doctors group of the oath they took to ‘first do no harm’ when they were sworn in as doctors.MMA president, Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai
He added that the doctors should understand that even their friends and family who rely on public healthcare can also be affected if they were to proceed with the strike and hoped these doctors make the wise decision of not proceeding with the strike.
We also urge the group to immediately stop motivating mass resignations as it can have serious consequences. Not only can it cripple individual departments, but by extension, it can also cause a major crisis in the entire healthcare system.MMA president, Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai
Muruga added that health care delivery could also be compromised and may even result in loss of lives if this strike were to take place.
The MMA takes a serious view of this and hopes the group will not resort to such actions. If anyone plans to resign, it should be done responsibly with proper notice given.MMA president, Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai
Murugan also added that MMA does not condone a strike as a means to pressure the government into resolving the issues of contract doctors.
The MMA has been engaging with the government on these matters and will continue to engage with them on the various issues to bring about the needed improvements to the system.MMA president, Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai

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Who Were The Sulu Who Invaded Lahad Datu In 2013

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It’s been several years since boats crossed the Sulu sea carrying a group of around 200 men who were determined to reclaim what they thought was part of their ancient kingdom.

They were the part of the Royal Army of Sulu, a group under the command of the late Jamalul Kiram III – a self-proclaimed monarch of a kingdom that used to be one of the largest in Southeast Asia.
The Sulu Sultanate has withered in power and influence and is now relegated to just a corner in the southwest of the Philippines in the Jolo island cluster – near Mindanao.
When they first landed on shore and regrouped in Lahad Datu, demands were made against the Malaysian government to reclaim Sabah, a Malaysian state which used to be part of their territory.
The incident lasted a month with casualties from both sides before it subsided but from it came the creation of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) and also Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) which is still around years after its inception.
Who are the Sulu and why were they interested in Sabah?
Picture Credit: Philippine-American War, 1899-1902
The Sulu invasion
On 11 February 2013, the followers of Jamalul Kiram III landed on Sabah shores in their bid to restore their former territory in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
The invasion turned bloody when a shootout occurred between the insurgents and the police which prompted “Ops Daulat” to flush out invaders.
The conflict lasted for two months with multiple skirmishes occurring between Malaysia’s armed forces and both sides recorded casualties throughout the conflict.
In total, the Lahad Datu incident reportedly saw a total of 68 casualties – 56 rebels, 9 from the Malaysian authorities and 6 civilians.
9 Filipinos were charged with the death penalty for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, including Basad Manuel, the son of the late Jamalul Kiram.
Picture Credit: FMT
Why the Sulu were interested in Sabah
Although there are many pretenders to the Sulu throne, the Sultanate actually dates back to the 15th century and was recognised by the Brunei Sultanate as one of the oldest and largest in the world at the time.
The Sulu is an ethnic group that now primarily resides in Jolo, at the southeastern tip of the Philippines but they have settled in Indonesia and Malaysia, namely Sabah.
They are also known as the Moro – a named used to refer to Filipino Muslims coined by the Spanish, also used to refer to inhabitants of the ancient Roman province of Mauritania in northwest Africa.
Picture Credit: PhilHistoryInColor
Although Sabah was part of the Sulu dominion hundreds of years ago – which was given by Brunei for their help – there are three things that make it difficult for them to claim the state.
These are – the leasing or ceding of Sabah to the North Borneo Company, Spain relinquishing all Sulu territories in Borneo to the British, and the Cobbold Commission.
Sabah, previously known as North Borneo, was a territory of the Sulu before it was leased or ceded to the British after an agreement was made with the North Borneo Company in 1878.
Part of the agreement was a yearly payment of 5,000 Malaysian Dollars to the Sultanate until 2013, when the Malaysian government stopped paying the heirs of the Sulu Sultanate, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
Picture Credit: Wikipedia
During the time, many parts of the Philippines were already under Spanish rule which considered the Sulu Sultanate as a vassal that couldn’t dispose of territories without Spain’s consent.
Close to a decade after, a treaty in 1885 was signed between Spain, Britain and The United States where Spain relinquished all claims relating to northeastern Borneo to the British North Borneo Company in 1885 and it eventually became part of the British colony.
The territory governed by the British North Borneo Company had a coastline of over 600 miles and an area of more than 30,000 square miles.
The third issue is the Cobbold Commission in 1962 – a consensus that engaged Borneons on whether the locals were interested in joining Malaysia during which both Sabah and Sarawak agreed.
History of disputes
Although the 2013 insurgence centred around sovereignty claims, it’s not the first time that Sabah has been disputed.
In the early 1960s, a year before the state joined the Federation of Malaya along with Sarawak, the Philippines claimed the state as theirs but eventually withdrew.
In 1966, then president Ferdinand Marcos declared his recognition of Malaysia soon after he came to power which means recognition of Sabah as part of Malaysia and not the Philippines.
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
However, in 1967, the Republic Act 5446 was signed into law in the Philippines.
Also known as the Baseline Law, its wording includes “the territory of Sabah, situated in North Borneo, over which the Republic of the Philippines has acquired dominion and sovereignty” – but this was amended in 2009.
Also in 1973, the Philippine constitution said the national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all the other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic right or legal title.
This didn’t sit well with Malaysia but eventually, it was amended in the 1987 Constitution where the phrase was removed.
 In 1977, Marcos formally announced the withdrawal of the Philippine claim to Sabah in his speech at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
It wasn’t until more than 40 years later that Jamalul Kiram III decided to try and take over Sabah via Lahad Datu in 2013 but was thwarted by authorities a month after.
He died a few months later due to organ failure.

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Get Your Crisp New Ringgit Hassle-Free At These ATMs

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It has always been a tradition to give new notes during Chinese New Year.

As usual, some banks are making new banknotes available at selected automated teller machines (ATMs) nationwide.
The banknotes are primarily in denominations of RM10 and RM50.
12Jan:CNY is coming in just 10 days! Reminder to draw new notes for your parents’ red packets 🧧🧧I haven’t done mine yet, if you happen to have excess new notes, may I exchange them with you? ☺— spade (@loverofspade) January 12, 2023
For Maybank, most branches only have only one denomination.
Maybank provided a list of branches and the denominations available for the public’s convenience.
The new notes will be available for withdrawal until 24 January 2023.
Someone please enlighten me what’s the point of getting new notes for CNY. I think it’s a waste of resources LOL— kimberly (@byulmin96) January 5, 2023
Meanwhile, CIMB Bank is also providing fresh RM10 and RM50 notes at selected ATMs until 23 January 2023.
However, those looking for fresh RM50 notes can only get them at selected ATMs in Menara CIMB and Suria KLCC (Petronas Tower 3).

A Waiting Game
At the same time, ATM withdrawals are generally fast, but they could take a long time due to the long queues.
A customer needs a much longer time if they’re withdrawing a considerable amount, especially for RM10 denominations.

The reason is that the ATMs can only dispense a maximum of 30 pieces in a single transaction.
At the same time, other banks, such as Hong Leong, are providing new and fit notes over the counter.
Fit notes are used currency notes that are typically clean and good enough for recirculation, including for festive gifting.
Remember that over-the-counter services for exchanging notes are usually only available during certain business hours.
Those who want to exchange bank notes for CNY angpow can do so – Maybank started today, 10am – 12pm every day until the stock of notes run out. It's recycled notes. Mix of some new notes. First come, first serve. Line up at counter. pic.twitter.com/ubex7lTGPS— Ooi Beng Cheang (@luxentX) January 10, 2023
A way to avoid wasting time is to call the bank to reserve some notes before heading over.
Some banks might only accept requests for new notes via pre-booking through the respective bank’s online reservation system.
Over the years, many have taken to social media to voice their frustration when they were unable to get their hands on new banknotes.

Ye aku faham krg nak new notes untuk cny tapi sabar je la kasi kita buat kerja kita. Aku sepak jugak muka krg satu2— Pelat🐍 (@nazrullah26) January 7, 2023

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This Country’s Government Took More Than 1 Year To Form, Will The Same Happen In Malaysia?

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At this point, it has been 4 days after our 15th General Election and we are no closer to forming a government. It’s been a roller-coaster of wondering which coalitions are going to form the government together or who will be our next Prime Minister.

For many Malaysians, it is 4 days too long.
But it’s not even considered that long
4 days is not very long, as many other countries around the world have struggled to form governments after a big divide in public sentiment without much space for mutual agreements.
Globally, people have moved away from being centrists– large groups of the population are swinging left or right in more extreme manners, something that is reflected in politics.
Members of the media surround a car as supporters (top C) help escort a protester (not visible), who is facing one count of taking part in a riot on February 9 in the district of Mongkok, to the vehicle after a court hearing in Hong Kong on February 11, 2016.  More than 30 people were expected to appear in court charged with rioting after clashes erupted in the city over official attempts to remove illegal street hawkers during the Lunar New Year.       AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY / AFP / DALE de la REY
Due to this sort of divide and the prickly, tenuous faith held in politics, navigating to an agreeable result for all parties is a difficult situation that takes a lot of time and negotiation.
Belgium holds the record for the longest hung parliament
In fact, it took Belgium 652 days to form a government. That’s 1 year and 9 months that the Belgians were chugging along without a formed government in a hung parliament.
The previous government was dissolved in December 2018. Election day was on 26 May 2019, and 6 new governments were required to be formed: the federal government and 5 new regional governments.
A temporary federal government was formed in 2020, but was only given powers to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Putting aside differences to deal with a global healthcare crisis? Yeah.(Credit: MalayMail)
However, after 16 months of waiting, Belgium did finally get a proper government on 30 September 2020.
This breaks their previous record of 541 days, which saw the formation of a government from election day on 13 June 2010 until 6 December 2011.
The main reason for this is their divided populace: the Dutch-speaking north leans to the right, the French-speaking south leans to the left, and there is little room in the middle for compromise.
Did the government just stop working?
An interim government handled the country during that time, and apparently things kind of just chugged along as usual.
Work goes on and on.(Credit: tirachardz via Freepik)
According to the Washington Post, life simply continued for the average Belgian. Trains still operated, farmers still grew food, and businesses still ran.
Majority of the government departments continued to do their daily jobs, using the previous year’s budget as a guide.
However, experts did warn that Belgium should prepare for long-term issues such as poverty, dwindling pension budget, climate change, societal issues, and growing rate of unemployment.

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Can An Adult Legally Be In A Relationship With A 17-Year-Old In Malaysia?

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17-year-old public figure Athalia Buswani recently caused a stir when she uploaded a Tiktok video with 29-year-old Malaysian actor Alvin Chong together with the caption, “You think you can hurt our feelings? People judge us because of our age gap”.

The video was later shared onto Twitter, which drew outrage from fans and Twitter users alike, balking at the implications that the two were dating.
pls say sike pic.twitter.com/PQYg7RtAnh— ً (@penatIah) September 26, 2020
While it was later clarified that they are NOT dating, and were only together for an upcoming marketing campaign, it still sparked heavy discussion in terms of a large age gap in dating, especially when nearly-of-age minors are involved.
Is it legal?
In Malaysia, the Child Act 2001 defines a ‘child’ as ‘a person under the age of 18 years’, and the Age of Majority Act 1971 considers every person within Malaysia shall be at the age of majority at 18 years old. This generally means that in the eyes of the law, they are children and cannot be held to standards of adults, and are generally not capable of certain legal matters such as signing contracts or getting married without parental permission.
According to the Malaysian Penal Code (Act 574), Section 375, the age of consent to have sex in Malaysia is at 16 years old. Sex with someone under the age of 16 is automatically classified as statutory rape, even with “consent” from both parties.
No-go is no-go.(Credit: Freepik)
However, that doesn’t mean teenagers above the age of 16 years old can have sex! According to the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act of 2017, which states that any sexual conduct with a minor or child below the age of 18 is illegal and a sexual offense. Additionally, Malaysia does not have close-in-age exemptions, so even if both parties are underage, it will still be considered statutory rape, though rare.
While the legal system has an age limit in place, the fact of the matter is that relationships involving large age gaps with nearly-of-age minors or even young adults could be a red flag signalling child grooming.
What is child grooming?
Child grooming is the intention to sexually communicate with a child (any person under 18 years of age), or who encourages a child to sexually communicate, according to the Sexual Offenses Against Children Act of 2017.
Even if there is no physical sexual activity, sexual communication includes non-physical acts like verbal suggestions or indecent actions!
Being asked to send nudes is also considered sexual communication.(Credit: Freepik)
Minors under the age of 18 are easily manipulated due to their curious natures and lack of knowledge and boundaries. They can be easily coerced into engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour with their abuser without feeling uncomfortable.
A child being groomed for sexual relations often do not realize it, especially so if they are past the age of consent.
Why are such relationships with age gaps dubious at best?
The biggest problem of relationships involving teenagers or a young adult with a significantly older partner is the power imbalance.
Even if both parties are legally of age (over 18), such age gaps are still dubious because of the power imbalance it creates within the relationship. These kind of relationships are prone to involve manipulation, coercion, abuse, and violence.
The imbalance stems from all facets of the relationship, from finances to life experience, and the younger individual is almost always the victim of it, with consequences that stretch onto adulthood.
What about real people in relationships with large age-gaps?
The relationship involving a 40-year-old and a 55-year-old is starkly different from a relationship involving a 15-year-old and a 30-year-old despite both having a 15-year age gap.
However, when it comes to large age gaps involving minors or young adults, we must not normalize it just because “it is legal”. Legality is not a basis for moral behaviour, and subjects minors to dangerous predators.
The “rule” makes an appearance on the American TV show Parks & Recreation.(Credit: NBC)
If in doubt, there is a popular mathematical formula to help you figure it out, popularly coined as “half your age plus seven”. It is a rough guideline for acceptable age gaps according to your age.
The formula is to take your own age, divide by 2, then add 7 to find the minimum age acceptable for your relationship. Similarly, to find the maximum age acceptable for your relationship, subtract your age by 7, then multiply by 2.
For instance, if we follow this guideline, someone at the age of 18 should have a dating range of 16 to 22 years old, which is a much more reasonable age gap.

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“It’s A Test From God” Says Ebit Lew On Sexual Harassment Charges, Believes That He Was Set Up

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Ustaz Ebit Lew pleaded not guilty to 11 charges related to sexual harassment at the magistrate court in Tenom, Sabah.

Ebit (37) was charged under Section 509 of the Penal Code for sending lewd text messages and photos via WhatsApp to a woman in Tenom between March and June 2021.
READ MORE: Celebrity Preacher Ebit Lew Slapped With 11 Charges, Including For Sexual Harassment
According to Malay Mail, Section 509 covers the crime of intent to insult the modesty of any person, either verbally or through action. It carries a prison term of up to five years or a fine or both if convicted.
Magistrate Nur Asyraf Zolhani has set 20 to 23 April for submission of documents while Ebit has been released on bail of RM1,000 for each charge (totalling RM11,000) and two sureties.
Based on New Straits Times, the trial date is tentatively set sometime in June.
Ebit was in Sabah to conduct charity works and was only told about the charges against him a few days ago.
He told The Star that he was shocked when he received the news because he was in Sabah for charity work and not to go to court.
I believe someone or a group of people had planned for this, I will get through it and I see this as a test from God.Ustaz Ebit Lew told The Star.
Despite the charges, he said that it will not stop him from continuing his community work in Sabah.

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Malaysians Shocked That Dummy iPhone Sold For RM23 Doesn’t Work

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If something is being sold on the internet for a price that’s too good to believe, you better check it once, read it twice, and think thrice about buying it.

A tweet had gone viral after it highlighted how a listing on an online shopping app for dummy display iPhones, selling at RM23, inevitably caught the eye of opportunistic shoppers.

Although the listing itself clearly states that the item is a dummy for display, plenty of customers were disappointed that the phones… do not work.

A surprising number of buyers left negative reviews on the listing, claiming problems such as the phone not being able to turn on. Most of the negative reviews called the item fraudulent.

One buyer even noted his disappointment that the dummy phone didn’t come with a charger!

Thankfully, not everyone were swept away by the excitement of a cheap phone. Many other buyers bought it for its intended use as a prop. One parent even got it to keep their child entertained.

Comprehension is crucial in daily life for various reasons, but in the case of online shopping, where goods are only portrayed through pictures and texts, it’s even more important to read carefully to make sure you know what you’re buying.
Not to mention the importance of common sense- what iPhone costs RM23?
sebodoh bodoh aku, rupanya ada yang lagi bodoh kat luar sana pic.twitter.com/RrLA7X01ZZ— jib (@muhdnajib103) November 21, 2020

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Malaysian oBikes given a second life to help Myanmar students to go to school

Remember oBikes?
The yellow-silver, stationless, app-controlled bicycles that caught Malaysia by storm around mid 2017 during the SEA games?
(Pic Credit: oBike)
The one that DBKL sold off by the thousands to a man who tore it a part for scrap?

 (Pic Credit: Star Online)

Well guess what, the remaining oBikes have been given a new lease of life in Myanmar.

via GIPHY
Over 10,000 bicycles that have been abandoned in Malaysia and Singapore were bought by Mike Than Tun Win, the founder of ‘Lesswalk’ a non profit organisation in Myanmar.
About 200 students have received their bicycles and will spend their time more on childlike activities such as playing and studying.
Currently students in Myanmar take up to 2 hours a day walking to school, as their schools are about 10 km away from home.

via GIPHY
US$350,000 (RM1,452,535) was spent buying, shipping and refurbishing these bicycles -half of which was paid by sponsors to the trust, the other half by Mike.
The first batch of bicycles have been given out to the less fortunate in Myanmar.

It is estimated by the end of five years, a total of 100,000 bikes would have been distributed all over Myanmar.
This is because more than half of the population live below the poverty line and through this initiative, it will give them easier access to education.

(Pic Credit: Straits Times)

Talk about re-cycling (pun intended) huh?

via GIPHY


5 Tea-riffic Spots In Klang Valley To Go On A Date To After Lockdown

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Twitter user Ceddy said what we were all thinking: why are there so many cafes for coffee, and where are all the nice places for the obviously superior drink, tea? Judging by the response he received on the Tweet, plenty of Malaysians agree.

So if you’re tired of coffee and want hot leaf juice instead, here are some to visit in the Klang Valley:
1. Miss Ellie Tea House
This quaint little tea house is located in Taman Melawati and the interior decoration here is just such a mood. Did you know that the tea house got its name from their cu-TEA little poodle? Awh, cuteness overload!
This place has both teas and tisanes. FYI, tisanes contain no caffeine and are made from herbs or floral ingredients, not tea leaves.
A nice example would be pure rosemary steeped in a drink, a rosemary tisane. But rosemary and tea steeped together, that’s rosemary flavored tea.Justin Wong, owner of Miss Ellie Tea House, to TRP
Miss Ellie Tea House serves tea for 1 or 2 persons in their cute little aesthetic teapots with various flavors blended in-house such as China Rose, Chocolate tea, French Lavender, Egyptian Chamomile, and loads more.
French Lavender Tisane (left) and delicious scones with homemade dips (right)Credit: Miss Ellie Tea House
Their specialty is homemade scones with condiments. They serve four flavored scones (Plain, Raisin, Oat, Chocolate) with four handmade condiments (strawberry jam, orange marmalade, clotted cream, and butter).
In addition to tea and scones, they also serve mains such as braised lamb shank and grilled salmon. The tea house is Muslim-friendly as they are pork and alcohol-free while being Halal compliant.
Braised Lamb Shank (left) Norweigian Salmon (right)Credit: Miss Ellie Tea House
Currently, they are on a first-come, first-serve basis and do not take reservations.
Miss Ellie Tea House
Operation Hours: Every day (12 pm-9.30 pm) except Sunday and Monday
Address: 7, Jalan H3, Taman Melawati, 53100, Kuala Lumpur
Facebook / Instagram
2. Tanah dan Air
Tanah dan Air offers mainly Chinese Teas as well as some special-TEAs around the world, in a bar setting. This cafe is owned by a tea artist, Siow Fei.
What’s fascinating about this place is that their tea artists brew the teas using a small-pot method instead of in a large pot. This way, you get to taste the best of what each tea has to offer, spread over three brews.
Small pot brew served in tiny cups (left) and Dian Hong, a type of black tea from Yunnan (right)Credit: Tanah & Air
This is a cafe that serves mainly drinks and a few snacks as well as desserts. They have your regular latte (tea+milk), cold brew (bottled teas), and their famous hand brewed tea served at the bar.
Some popular homemade tea-flavored desserts are the Osmanthus Jelly (Osmanthus jelly served with chilled longans) and Iron Buddha Jelly (Tie Luo Han and Red Bean jelly). They also do their own tea-infused rich ice cream with flavors such as Jasmine Green Tea, Pu Er Chocolate, and Oolong Tea Ice Creams.
Osmanthus Jelly (left) with Jamine Green Tea Ice Cream with Chocolate Chip (right)Credit: Tanah & Air
If all these names of tea confuse you, they have beginner’s tea tasting and brewing workshops as well as advanced classes for intermediate-level students.
They don’t serve pork or alcohol except for the one Banana Chocolate Tuak cake. So Muslims, do try out some really good teas there, at your own discretion, of course.
Currently, dine-ins are by appointment only.
Tanah dan Air
Operation Hours: Every day (1 pm-7 pm) except Monday and Tuesday
Address: C-G-3B, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, 46400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Facebook / Instagram
3. Tim’s Teapot Terrace
Located in Taman Melawati, this English Garden-themed cafe is the perfect place to feed in your British novel fantasy. Some people even say that they feel like they’ve been transported to the UK. Fancy.
Their second outlet, Tim’s Tea House (left), and their bestseller tea box preferences (right)Credit: @timsteapotterrace / Instagram
These cafes are well regarded for their afternoon tea sets which are available for dine-in, take-aways, and also deliveries! Very modern, yet English. Their most favored teas are English Rose, Very Berry Crush, and Apple Elder Flower.
Their quick sought-after Pavlova (left) and their daily wide array of delectable desserts (right)Credit: @timsteapotterrace / Instagram
Apart from the tea set, they also have savory bestsellers such as their beef lasagna as well as mac and cheese. Their famed desserts include the Daim Chocolate Cake and the much sought-after, Pavlova.
Do check with them for big reservations at both places. You should also scroll on their Instagram for that particular day as their everyday desserts might vary.
This cafe is Muslim-owned, so it’s 100% halal. Yall Muslims can rest on your laurels for that.
Tim’s Teapot Terrace
Operation Hours: Every day (11 am- 7 pm) except Monday
Address: 9128, Lorong Perak, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur / 342, Melawati Urban 1, Lorong Kedah, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
Instagram
Tim’s Tea House Cafe
Operation Hours: Every day (11 am- 7 pm) except Monday
Address: 342, Melawati Urban 1, Lorong Kedah, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
Instagram
4. Tea+ (also known as Teapluz)
For this pret-TEA place in Midvalley, Teapluz prides themselves on the artisanal handcrafted tea experience. They focus mainly on Chinese Teas.
They also offer tea workshops for those interested to know more about Chinese teas and what snack/dessert to pair them with. They suggest newcomers try their bestseller Nitro Tea and Mini Cheesecakes.
The calm ambiance of the place (left) and a pairing of Nitro Tea with Mini Cheesecakes (right)Credit: @teapluz / Facebook
Other than those, they also sell a variety of products like the Cold Brew and Tea Latte (all bottled in aesthetic bottles) on their website. From Tea Drip Bags to Teaware, they have it all there.
They advertise themselves as pork and alcohol-free and are currently available for dine-in.
Tea+ (also known as Teapluz)
Operation Hours: Every day (10 am- 10 pm)
Address: Lot LG206, LG Floor, The Garden, Mid Valley City, 59200, Kuala Lumpur
Facebook / Instagram
5. TEA Verandah
This European fine tea lounge is located at Level 2, of the Atria Shopping Gallery in PJ and offers over 30 different types of teas to choose from.
Not just that, they also serve affordable Tea Sets for the morning, afternoon, and evening meals. Their snacks and desserts are ranging from their savory Tuna Fillo Puff to their tasty Creme Brulee. They also serve pasta and salmon steak.
Some of the menus are displayed on their Facebook.Credit: @TVerandah / Facebook
Currently, their outlet in The Starling is closed but their first outlet in Atria Shopping Gallery is still open. If you want to make a reservation on busy weekends, you can contact them first, or else, it’ll be on a first come first serve basis.
TEA Verandah
Operation Hours: Every day (10 am- 7.30 pm) except Monday
Address: Atria Shopping Gallery, Lot SK 1, Jalan SS 22/23, Damansara Jaya, 47400, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47400 Petaling Jaya.
Facebook / 03 77331637
Now, there you have it, these are some of the best places to go for a sip of tranquili-TEA with your loved ones. But always remember to be responsible and follow the given SOP closely! Enjoy your BREW-TEA-ful weekend!

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Dewan Rakyat Secretary Replaced, Allegedly Over No-Confidence Motion Against PM

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Secretary to the Dewan Rakyat (SUDR) Riduan Rahmat has been replaced seemingly due to the Opposition’s motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin.
Malay Mail reported the news with a source from the Parliament who believed the SUDR was replaced for allegedly trying to keep the no-confidence motion by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal a secret.
Riduan, who was only just appointed to the role on 22nd February, is demoted to the role of Dewan Negara management secretary, which he held previously from 2014 to February this year.
He also began his civil service career in 1989 as an administrative officer at the Parliament.
Riduan Rahmat, 13th Secretary to Dewan Rakyat of the Malaysia Parliament.(Credit: parlimen.gov.my)
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Yusof released a statement today to confirm the  appointment of Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin as the 14th Secretary to the Dewan Rakyat, replacing Riduan.
Nizam was the Deputy Department Secretary, Cabinet, Constitution and Inter-Government Relation Division in the Prime Minister’s Department. The former lawyer also served as an Administrative and Diplomatic Service Officer (PTD) at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2005.
Following news of the appointment, some criticisms were made regarding the validity of the appointment.
Senator Yusmadi Yusoff told Malay Mail that Riduan was appointed to the position by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong through the Parliamentary Services Act.
He underlined that the SUDR should be independent, experienced, and qualified, not someone from the executive branch which will be biased towards the government.
Senator Liew Chin Tong also took to Twitter to question if the move was constitutional in reference to Article 65 and Article 125 of the Federal Constitution that states proper discharge from the role must be decided by a tribunal appointed by the YDPA.

A tribunal would be required to remove the Setiausaha Dewan Rakyat (SUDR)? Is the removal of SUDR constitutional? pic.twitter.com/GBsc1vUizo— Liew Chin Tong (@LiewChinTong) May 14, 2020

The SUDR is responsible for the proceedings of the Dewan Rakyat and assists the Speaker on matters regarding the Dewan during these proceedings.
Other duties include sending out notices for the commencement of meetings, collecting proposals, articles, Order Paper, votes and written enquiries from Members of Dewan Rakyat and producing verbatim reports of proceedings.

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DBKL Gets Rid Of Parking Machines, Only Cashless Payments From Four Apps Accepted

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Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) announced that payments via parking machines for street parking are no longer accepted from 1 October onwards.

In a statement, DBKL explains that the contract for the parking machines ended on 30 September – which means that payment via coins and physical Touch ‘n Go cards are no longer viable.
From now on, payments for all street parking can now only be done via four mobile application and e-wallets:
EZ Smart ParkFlexiparkingWilayah ParkingM-Cash
Credit: Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur/Facebook
DBKL says that there are currently works on integration planning with Boost and Touch ‘n Go eWallet, but silent on JomParking which was previously used for metered street parking spaces and city-owned parking lots regulated by DBKL.
Daily and monthly passes are also unfortunately unavailable for now as DBKL explains that this will only be available once the system upgrade is complete.
But with no specific timeline mentioned, the parking payment options for those in KL appear to be quite limited.

So it comes to no surprise that a lot of people were very, very unhappy with the news.
Comments on DBKL’s Facebook post lamented the absence of JomParking on the list, as the system had already been in use for three years and many had pre purchased credits in the app that are now essentially useless.
Hello JPeeps!We would like to inform you that JomParking will be temporarily unavailable in Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). We sincerely regret for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your kind understanding. pic.twitter.com/3fLZZPJ4Ew— hello@jomparkir.com (@JomParking) October 1, 2020
Some also criticized the suddenness of the announcement that informed the public of the change only 24 hours prior.
Several KL members of parliament (MPs) are now urging DBKL to grant a one-month grace period to users by halting summons on parked vehicles.
The MPs, through a joint statement, said that the new system would definitely require an adjustment period as users switch from the old method to the new one.
They also highlighted that the JomPay account balance issue affects roughly 330,000 users and urged the relevant parties to resolve it either by allowing transfer of balance to other e-wallets or return it to the user.
The joint statement was issued by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Batu MP P. Prabakaran, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and Wangsa Maju MP Datin Dr Tan Yee Kew.

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RM150 Billion In National Income Lost Due To Covid-19

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Covid-19 has badly hit the country’s economy as experts estimate that Malaysia has lost around RM100 billion to RM150 billion in national income or 7% to 10% of the gross domestic product (GDP) due to the pandemic.
The economy came to a grinding halt after cases in the country increased, as the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enforced to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
According to an The Sun, Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) estimate that businesses are seeing an average drop of 60% in revenue.
Among those badly affected were tourism and travel industries, with hotels and airlines suffering from loses.
The retail, food and education sectors were also impacted by Covid-19, given that schools and institutions of higher learning have not been allowed to operate since 18 March.
It will inevitably affect Budget 2021 as experts see a reduction of up to 6% in the allocation.
Although the country is suffering losses in revenue, experts expect that the economy would recover by the end of the year.

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19 Rewarding Things To Do On NYE That DON’T Involve Going Out

New Year’s Eve is one of the most hyped-up days of the year and going out to watch the fireworks at midnight with your friends tends to become the go-to activity. But honestly, this practice can sometimes end up being pretty stressful.
I mean, just thinking about the traffic jams and crowds of people you’ll have to endure. Doesn’t it make staying in and enjoying the comfort of your home sound super appealing instead?
And the truth is, there are all sorts of other things you can do to usher in the New Year besides going out.
The NYE crowd at KLCC Park in 2017 – thanks but no thanks. (Credit: Suria KLCC/Facebook)
Think about it: NYE is one of the only weeknights a year when you donâ€™t have to worry about work the next day. Do something you love!
Canâ€™t think of anything? No worries, weâ€™re here to help. Hereâ€™s a list of 19 things you can do right at home to celebrate the end of a decade!
1. Do something active
Go for a run. Practice some yoga. Heck, do a squat, a lunge, and a push-up. Arenâ€™t you already feeling a little bit more superior?
(Credit: Freepik)
2. Make a list of all your personal wins and best moments from the year
New Yearâ€™s Resolutions are so outdated. Instead, spend NYE in productive reflection and write out everything youâ€™re proud of from the past year.
Think about what youâ€™ve been grateful for, what you accomplished, and what you put a tonne of effort into. Begin the new year with a more positive vibe!
3. Make a list of everything you want to stop lying about in the New Year
All those times you lied about being too busy to hang out when you were actually just too tired, those “OTW”s when you were actually still at home, and the â€œIâ€™m fineâ€s when youâ€™re really not.
Lies. GIF from Yousitonathroneoflies GIFs
Same energy as the point above. Be honest to yourself, and the people around you. Youâ€™ll find that itâ€™s actually more rewarding when you stop pretending to be something youâ€™re not.
4. Call your parents
Honestly, when was the last time you actually spoke to them, asked them how they were doing and told them that you loved them? End and start the year with some love!
5. Have a DIY spa evening
Speaking of love. Show yourself some love by treating yourself right, mind, body, and soul.
Baie GIF from Oprah GIFs
Run a nice warm bubble bath, whip up one of those home-made DIY masks, slice some cucumbers for your eyes, put on a hair mask, then just sit back and relax as the clock strikes 12.
6. Make that Pinterest recipe youâ€™ve had saved all year
Whether itâ€™s something tricky like a soufflÃ©, or really simple like a batch of brownies youâ€™ve wanted to try out, the combination of plenty of time and probably an empty house make it an ideal evening to get those measuring cups out!
7. Learn something new
New Year, new knowledge. Finally learn how to pick a lock, change your engine oil or how to do a smokey eye. The internet is an endless source of information right at your fingertips!
An example of three random tutorial videos on YouTube. Take your pick! (Credit: YouTube)
8. Get creative
Feeling inspired? Draw, paint, knit, write a song or just break out the colouring books while you sip on wine if thatâ€™s more your thing.
Also, we never said these things need to be done alone. Invite some friends over and do these things together!
9. Have a romantic, candlelit dinner
Call up bae, invite them over to make dinner together instead of going out. Light some candles to make it cosier, talk, laugh, and cuddle the night away.
You could be enjoying this tonight (Credit: Pexels)
BTW, it’s perfectly acceptable to do this on your own or with a friend instead!
10. Watch some movies
Get some food delivered to your doorstep and settle in for a low-key movie night with some friends, your bae, family members, cats, dogs…or even alone!
Never watched Star Wars? Or Harry Potter? Or Lord of The Rings? Now is the best time to have a movie marathon. Feel like cranking up the NYE vibe instead? Watch NYE themed movies!
11. Read a book
If you feel like you never have time to read, you can end and start the year with a great book!
Beyonce Reading GIF from Beyonce GIFs
Not sure what to read? Try finishing one of the must-read books from 2019, or get a jump start on a book that will become a movie in 2020.
12. Go to sleep early, because you can.
Rest easily in the knowledge that while everyone else is paying surge charge fees for an e-hailing ride and starting their new year with a massive hangover, youâ€™re happily in bed, catching up on the sleep youâ€™ve been missing over the holidays (who are we kiddingâ€”the whole year).
13. Clean your bathroom/house/do some laundry
This might not sound like the most fun, but if you want to start the new year with a fresh state of mind, why not start with the house?
Laundry GIF from Laundry GIFs
Also, if you do your laundry at one of those DIY laundry centres, this is the perfect time to have all of the machines to yourself! And having a closet full of clean clothes on the first day of a new year is, really, the greatest gift you can give to yourself.
14. Delete all those unread spam emails from your inbox
Trust us, youâ€™ll not only feel liberated from the tyranny of a stuffed inbox, but youâ€™ll also get to revisit all your emails from the past year and take a quick walk down memory lane.
15. Unsubscribe from those mailing lists that keep spamming your inbox
Wouldnâ€™t it feel great to have a whole year without getting daily emails about 101 things you donâ€™t even remember signing up for?
White Girls Be Like GIF from Whitegirls GIFs
16. Finally download that update
Tonight, donâ€™t hit â€œnot nowâ€ or â€œremind me tomorrowâ€. Your computer/phone wants to start 2020 with a shiny new operating system â€” let it!
17. Make and listen to a playlist of all your favourite songs from 2019
Spotify makes a playlist of your most-played songs at the end of each year, but if you want to groove to your own vibe, feel free to make your own! Then, listen to it while you do everything else on this list!
18. Learn the choreography to your favourite dance song
Honestly, though. You know youâ€™re never gonna do this while people are around.
Blackpink Dancing GIF from Blackpink GIFs
Take advantage of the fact that everyone is out and prepare to become the person with the best dance moves at your next wedding/party/family reunion.
19. Read three weeks worth of TRP articles
Come on…we put a lot of work into our pieces okay. Also, you could be missing out on valuable information.

If you still feel like going out after this exhaustive list, you can check out possible options here!
After you read those articles, donâ€™t forget to follow us on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok!


Dog, Rat And Cockroach Infested Chinese Steamed Buns And Dim Sum Factory Raided, Operator Fined RM2,700

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A raid on a Chinese steamed buns factory in Penang revealed shocking food hygiene horror.

When authorities raided the factory in Medan Melor Selatan, they found three pet dogs, rats and cockroaches roaming the premise.
The raid was conducted by the Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) from the Penang Health Department.
Dubbed Ops Tegar, the operation started at 9.30 am on Wednesday.
Based on investigation, the factory had been operating illegally for the past 10 years at the back of a house.
State BKKM chief Mohd Wazir Khalid said the factory was clearly unfit to operate, judging from its environmental conditions and the level of hygiene compliance.

Not Learning From Past Mistakes
Mohd Wazir said the food product operators had previously been subjected to closure action in 2019.
Indeed, the condition of this premise is deplorable. We found the area unhygienic, the equipment used was not washed, not to mention rat and cockroach droppings in the storeroom as well as three dogs roaming around the food processing place.State BKKM chief Mohd Wazir Khalid on food safety violation at the factory.
Besides that, BKMM also found that foreign workers at the factory do not wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and headgear when processing food.
A closure notice for 14 days according to Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 was issued to the factory operator.
Three compounds amounting to RM2,700 for other offenses were also issued.
It is understood that the operator produces 1,000 Chinese steamed buns every day for the markets around Butterworth.
Meanwhile, in a separate raid at a fish ball processing factory here, the owner was issued with five compounds,
The owner failed to ensure workers use PPE equipment when processing food.
Mohd Wazir said the compounds was also issued because the product did not have a label and for placing food products on the floor.

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A Monument Dedicated To Dr Mahathir Was Just Unveiled In Europe For Ending The Most Controversial War In The 90s

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A monument dedicated to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed was just revealed in the Balkan nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to a local news site Dnevni avaz, the monument at Kemal Monteno Park in the capital city of Saravejo honours Dr Mahathir and Malaysia for providing “exceptional assistance and support in the most difficult days for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in the later period of reconstruction and recovery.”
The grey sculpture by academic sculptor Enes Sivac featured the last line from Dr Mahathir’s speech at the International Conference Of Parliamentarians On Bosnia-Herzegovina hosted by Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Ethnic cleansing of Bosnia-Herzegovina must be stopped or forever must those who mouth platitudes about democracy and human rights cease and desist from their pretense at righteousness.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, International Conference Of Parliamentarians On Bosnia-Herzegovina 1994 via PMO.
Monument of gratitude for Tun Mahathir @chedetofficial, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, unveiled in Alipašina Street. Led by Mahathir, Malaysia has provided exceptional assistance and support in the most difficult days for Bosnia and Herzegovina. pic.twitter.com/aHZphYOWB4— MR 🇲🇾 (@maliqueredzuan) December 26, 2020
How Malaysia helped end the world’s most controversial war in the 90s
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, a complicated bout of violence began in the Balkans as they fought to establish new, independent states.
Of these armed conflicts, the Bosnian Wars (1992- 1995) were the bloodiest ones seen in Europe since the end of World War 2.
The country faced a war with Serbia just after Bosnia announced her independence in February 1992, through United Nation’s recognition. The Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, proclaimed that Bosnia had declared independence from Yugoslavia against the wishes of its Serbian population. Therefore, it should not be recognised internationally.
Bosnian War map.(Credit: BBC)
Major violence broke out between three ethnic groups: the Bosniaks (Muslim), the Serbs (Orthodox) and the Croats (Catholic) – and things escalated to ethnic cleansing and systematic mass rape, with most of the victims being Bosnian Muslims.
At first, Malaysia did not pay serious attention to the Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict as the belief was that the UN and Western powers, especially America, were capable of restoring peace and justice. This is largely due to these states’ conviction of human rights and democracy.
However, global allies and a general lack of commitment from Western nations to deploy military operations at Bosnia and Herzegovina frustrated Dr Mahathir who later wrote in his 2011 memoir:
What the Serbs did was unimaginably cruel but what the Europeans did was equally appalling. European countries that make up NATO like to lecture us about human rights but their inconsistency is shameful… If a dog gets stuck in a drain, they spend time and money to rescue it… Yet they refused to help innocent people who were being killed.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
Things took a turn for the worse in 1993 when the Croats also launched attacks on the Muslims in Bosnia who had no weapons to fight back with due to an arms embargo placed by the UN in 1991. The Serbs, however, were armed with modern weapons which they acquired from the Yugoslav National Army.
With the worsening violence and massacre of the Bosniaks, Malaysia took a stand and officially recognised Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia as independent nations in May 1992.
The Malaysian government also welcomed Bosniaks stranded in Croatia with a visa-free entry for the refugees in 1993.
New Straits Times paper dated 7 September 1992 reporting Dr. Mahathir’s return from Non-Aligned Movement summit in Jakarta and announcement that Bosnians are welcome in Malaysia.(Image via Balkan Insight)
Mahathir’s then deputy and finance minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also played a crucial role in advocating for Bosnia on the international stage.
In 1993, Malaysia pressured the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to band together for a solution, which led to an agreement on Bosnia’s need for weapons for defence from the Serbs. Dr Mahathir also pushed for the OIC to support the plan to allow Malaysianan troops stationed in Bosnia to conduct both peacekeeping and war missions.
Malaysia then dispatched armed forces attached to a UN mission on 1 October 1993, under the command of Major General Datuk Md Hashim Hussein. This team was known as Malbatt I and had 996 members.
Malbatt’s responsibility was to prevent the escalation of the war situation, prevent people from starving, provide medical assistance to the ill and be prepared to face armed conflicts even if they were not involved in military operation.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1996.(Credit: EPA/ANJA NIEDRINGHAUS via Balkan Insight)
Malaysia had also lobbied the UN, through ‘the Contact Group’ (small countries among the OIC members) by actively maintaining relationships and negotiations with the UN so that they could continue to pressure and ensure that all the Muslim countries’ views were taken into account by the UN.
Malaysia acting as an OIC representative had also sent hard messages calling for the resignation of the then Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his failure to solve Bosnian’s conflict.
With all the international pressure, Bosnia was finally released from the horrors of a war that was eventually ended in December 1995 with the signing of the Dayton Agreement.
Though many events took place to end the war, Malaysia – and Dr Mahathir- is always remembered as Bosnia’s fiercest advocate.

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Source:
Madeleine Albright and Mahathir bin Mohamad received monuments in Sarajevo
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Haven Far From Home: The Bosniaks of Malaysia
Malaysia’s Foreign Policy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina 1992-1995


The Rock’s Wireless Headphones Is The Brahma Bull Of Workout Headphones

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What do you get when you combine Under Armour, JBL, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? A pair of unique over the ear headphones that touts 45 hours of battery life, IPX 4 sweat resistance, adaptive noise cancelling, and more.

The feature set of the JBL UA Project Rock Over-Ear Headphones is rare.
People who exercise tend to prefer wireless or true wireless earbuds. This is because of the heat and sweat caused by covering the ears with a pair of headphones. It gets uncomfortable.

Also, more often than not, earbuds are designed to be sweat resistant, but not headphones.
This pair of headphones however has all the standard features of a high-end pair of headphones like vents, adaptive noise canceling, ambient mode, voice commands, and uses USB-C. But, in a sweat resistance package.
It could also survive The Rock’s rigorous three to four hour daily routine for a whole week before needing a recharge.

Even the sound of the headphone is said to have been finely tuned by The Rock.
It does not look bad either. The JBL UA Project Rock Over-Ear Headphones features The Rock’s signature Brahma Bull Emblem, the symmetrical one, not the one with the raised eyebrow.
The Price
On the Under Armour website, these headphones have a price tag of 300USD (~RM1,258.50), which is actually on par with the price of good noise cancelling over the ear headphones.
Game changers 🎧🔥🔥🔥Engineered with highest of quality, technology, sound design, functionality and durability. Enjoy! https://t.co/vKGxfbc0Z6@ProjectRock @UnderArmour @JBLaudio https://t.co/WHIfVxBx26— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 26, 2021

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E-Reward Fraud Leads To RM4.6 Million Loss For Malaysians

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The Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) has urged the authorities to investigate scammers using e-reward apps.

MHO Secretary General, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, said an investigation should be conducted since many consumers have been cheated.
According to him, the service offers up to 50 per cent reward points for every purchase of a voucher through the app.
The voucher can be used at selected premises, including petrol stations.
He added that at least 100 police reports have been made by victims, with total losses estimated at more than RM4.6 million.

He said most of the victims complained that there were among the investigating officers who did not want to bring the case criminally and asked them to appoint a lawyer to file a civil suit.
I want to ask how to sue if the company no longer exists and has run away? Therefore, I request the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) through the Commercial Crime Investigation Department to look into the existing reports and conduct an investigation.MHO Secretary General, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim on the urgency of the situation.
He said if it leads to a criminal case, police can arrest the individuals involved instead of waiting for more reports to be lodged.
The police can then apply for remand and charge the accused for fraud and causing loss to the victims.
Hishamuddin stressed that many victims have lost enormous sums and only want to seek justice.
He was speaking at a press conference with e-Ganjaran fraud victims in front of the Sentul District Police Headquarters (IPD) today.
Ignorance, Greed Make For Easy Prey
Hishamuddin explained that the victims were tricked into buying vouchers in large numbers because the premises with the company in question had a good reputation.
Consumers are also deceived because the syndicate uses the names of famous people among the company’s advisors, including royal relatives, former high-ranking police officers and famous individuals.
Guna nama tokoh terkenal, rugi sehingga RM4.6 juta masuk aplikasi e-ganjaran https://t.co/vlU8vyGe7H pic.twitter.com/u9wqzggY1N— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) February 3, 2023
Hishamuddin said some of the victims bought vouchers worth between RM50,000 and RM490,000 because they were hoping for a subsidy to reduce purchases for savings.
Unfortunately, after many people bought the vouchers, the company stopped the e-reward app in April 2022. All the vouchers and the value of the money in the wallet system disappeared.MHO Secretary General, Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim on the sudden collapse of the e-reward app.
In the meantime, he advised Malaysians to be careful always and not be deceived by so many reward offers.
He warned the syndicates ‘reincarnate’ using different names but still using the same modus operandi.

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Sofyank Set To Collaborate With Chris “Thor” Hemsworth And Sam Hargrave

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Pride of Malaysia, Muhammad Sofian or Sofyank as he is more commonly known as on social media, announced his next collaboration project today.

The VFX content creator is all set to collaborate with Chris Hemsworth and Sam Hargrave in conjunction with the release of Extraction 2.
Before releasing this information, Sofian shared a teaser video regarding the collaboration.
Bismillah, jawapan utk video hari tu adalah Chris! InsyaAllah kejap lagi kalau tiada halangan, sy akan shoot 1 video effect bersama dengan Chris Hemsworth dan juga Sam Hargrave. Kali ini sangat nervous sbb akan shoot dengan mereka berdua sekali gus. Doakan sy tidak gagap 🥹🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/AjSg1cz6yn— sofyank96 (@sofyank96) June 6, 2023
Korang dapat teka tak siapa?🙋🏻♂ Clue dia : salah seorang pelakon action yang power pic.twitter.com/WKg7zrSte1— sofyank96 (@sofyank96) June 4, 2023
Sofian who has worked with several Hollywood stars will now have the honour of adding “Thor” (Hemsworth) himself to the list.
Previously, Sofian won the Ultimate VFX Challenge organised by Zach King in Los Angeles, California.
READ MORE: Anwar Congratulates Kelantan Chap ‘Sofyank’ Who Struck Gold In The US
In the announcement, he said that he is a bit nervous as he has to shoot a video with both Hemsworth and Hargrave together in one day.
Since the announcement, people have been sending him good wishes and expressed their excitement on the end product.
Sofyank! Tahniah. You're an inspiration 🥹🙏🏻 Terima kasih menjadi kebanggaan Malaysia.— ꜱᴜᴇᴀɴɴᴀᴊᴏᴇ 〄 🏴☠ (@sueannajoe_) June 6, 2023
Omgggg congratsss !!— ✨ (@imansyakirahh) June 6, 2023
Semoga berjaya. Jangan gagap. Kalau debar, boleh kira dengan @chrishemsworth. Dia handal mengira.— RAIN (@Rainism08) June 6, 2023
Extraction is a Netflix movie released in 2020. This action thriller film received mixed reviews but the movie managed to captivate many, leading to the release of a sequel.
The Extraction 2 fan meet was recently held in Manila where actors Datuk Aaron Aziz and Iedil Putra were also in attendance.
In an Instagram post, Aaron shared a video of him on stage with the cast of Extraction 2.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Aaron Aziz (@aarondwiaziz)

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Gov’t To Cut SOPs Down To 10, Making It Easier For Public To Understand, Says Defence Minister

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The government wants to streamline SOPs from 180 to just 10, according Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said that his Ministry along with three other Ministers are streamlining the existing SOPs so that they are better understood by the people, the industry and those who carry out enforcement.
Currently, there are 181 SOPs covering all four phases of PPN. Through efforts to streamline the SOP, the goal is to reduce it to only 10 SOPs.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
He said that this will take some time but the Government is committed to resolve them before the transition to the endemic phase.
To determine how the existing SOPs can be streamlined, the Government not only takes into account scientific data, especially from the MOH, but also feedback and views from experts and the industry. Developments on it will be informed from time to time.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Hishamuddin mentioned that he met with three other Ministers – Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa with the consent of the Prime Minister and the Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting on 2 September.
He said that discussions focused on four main agendas including:
Look at the decisions regarding the relaxations that have been announced before and how the existing SOPs can be further refined to make them easier to understand.Examine the concessions that have been agreed in principle at the Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting level and detail the appropriate SOPs before announcing them to the public.Seeing the potential of opening more sectors in the future including further expanding flexibility in the tourism sector.Detailing the narrative ahead of the transition to the endemic phase beginning in late October.
PM to announce more relaxations soon
Hishammuddin mentioned that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will announce some additional flexibility for the social and economic sectors in the near future.
He said that the Pandemic Management Special Committee Meeting has agreed to allow a number of new concessions that are assessed to be at low risk.
In setting these concessions, the Government truly understands the pressure, fatigue and lethargy of the people after more than a year of being in a pandemic situation that limits activities and movement. This situation should not be allowed to linger as it risks leading to more serious effects especially affecting mental health.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
He was quoted by Berita Harian previously saying that certain sectors have already in principle obtained approvals on the condition that these four Ministers detail it before announcing it to the public.
We also look at certain sectors such as the ‘travel and tourism bubble’, where we all know that Langkawi has opened as a pilot project and it can be expanded if it runs smoothly, safely and meets the set SOPs. If there is another sector that needs to be considered, it can be expanded to other sectors.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
The fourth agenda, he said, is to see the pandemic in an endemic context October, how Malaysians can find a way to live with Covid-19.
Government also considering to open up more industries
In addition to the concessions to be announced, the Government is also examining and considering several other forms of additional concessions including:
Tourism activities other than destinations included in the tourism bubble initiative.Adding destinations under the tourism bubble initiative for non-island destinations.Opening of gyms
However, before the concessions are announced, the Government through the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) will first assess the level of risk of Covid-19 infection by applying the 3C/3S principle.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
If it meets the conditions and criteria set, Hishamuddin said, the Government is ready to allow its implementation.
Details on this will be discussed in the next Ministerial Meeting.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
SOP streamline based on 3C/3S Principle
Taking into account the spread of new violent variants including the Delta variant, the setting of the SOP hereafter will be made with the aim of ensuring that it is able to avoid, as much as possible, the 3C (or 3S) while reducing the risk of Covid-19 infection.
They are:
Crowded Places – Short-term physical distancing is safer.Confined Spaces (Narrow) – Open spaces outside are saferClose Conversation – Long distance physical distancing, wearing a face mask, short interactions are safer.
Through the SOP setting method that adopts the 3C/3S principle, the Government is ready to consider more flexibility to enable the people to carry out social and economic activities that are assessed to be at low risk.Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein

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KKM Recalls 2 Similac Baby Formulas Due To Bacteria Contamination

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The Health Ministry (KKM) has announced that two infant formula products produced by Abbott Nutrition’s facility in Sturgis, Michigan have been found to be contaminated with Cronobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella Newport bacteria.

The products concerned were Alimentum (400g) and Human Milk Fortifier (0.9gx50 sachets).

The affected products were with batch numbers starting with the digits 22 to 37 on the barcode on containers numbered K8, SH or Z2, with the expiration date of 1 April 2022, or later.
Image: FDA
Image: FDA
KKM has imposed an auto-rejection of the products involved at all entry points to the country.
The ministry has also contacted Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd and confirmed that the company has made a voluntary recall of the products involved in the local market and taken proactive action by contacting retailers, distributors and institutions that purchased the products to stop the sale of the product.Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah
Traders, including online traders, who still had stocks of the product should immediately stop selling them and contact the nearest District Health Office.
The Cronobacter Sakazakii bacteria can live in dry conditions such as infant formula and an infection can cause meningitis or sepsis, which rarely occurs.
Nevertheless, parents should watch out for symptoms in their babies such as fever, loss of appetite or lethargy.
Parents and guardians were advised to stop using the affected products and monitor their baby’s health and seek immediate medical attention if the baby exhibits any symptoms.
Consumers who have any concerns regarding food safety issues may contact the nearest State Health Department (PKD).
They can also visit the website or the BKKM’s Facebook page.

Abbott says no bacteria found
In an official statement, Abbott said the milk products did not test positive for both bacterias.
However, the company will continue testing their products.
In the meantime, parents and guardians are advised to discuss with their healthcare professional about suitable, alternative feeding options.
READ MORE: “No Bacterias In Similac Milk Products” Says Abbott, But Tests Will Continue

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Kelantan Orang Asli Protest RM5B Nenggiri Hydro Dam Project, Will Lose Homes And Ancestral Land

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Hundreds of Orang Asli from 17 states in Gua Musang, Kelantan, demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister’s Office Complex at Putrajaya on Tuesday, 7 June.

The group, known as Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan (JKOAK), protested the building of the RM5 billion Nenggiri hydroelectric dam that would flood their kampung and the forests.
In their memorandum, the group stated that the hydro dam would flood 5,384 hectares of the forest that has been their ancestral land for years.
Ratusan Orang Asli dari seluruh pelusuk kampung di bawah 17 wilayah di Gua Musang, Kelantan turun ke Putrajaya (Pejabat Perdana Menteri & Menteri Tenaga) bagi berdemonstrasi membantah pembinaan empangan Nenggiri yang bakal menenggelamkan kampung & wilayah hutan mereka semalam pic.twitter.com/Qe04DUhyx6— Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – KUASA (@aktivis_alam) June 8, 2022
The Malay Mail reported that the group marched in their traditional headgear made from woven leaves and flowers as they sang songs and held up hand-drawn banners, urging the government to cancel the dam project.
We ask the state and local governments, and Tenaga Nasional to cancel this project because it won’t solve the flood, drought, and electricity supply issues that the dam is intended to. We also want the relevant authorities to stop all logging and mining activities related to it because they are the main causes for floods and droughts in our state.Mustafa Along, chairman of Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan and the organiser of today’s demonstration.
He also claimed that Orang Asli has not benefited from the proposed hydroelectric dam project despite promises given by the government in the past.
Members of their community also shared their worries about losing their customary way of life, such as foraging and hunting in the rainforests that have been home to their ancestors.
If the hydro dam project goes forward, it would destroy four Orang Asli kampungs, namely, Pos Tohoi, Pos Pulat, Kampung Wias, and Kampung Bering.
While 1,185 people from 217 families will be moved to Kampung Kuala Yai, 18 other kampung or pos would lose their lands forever in the flood.
The group managed to hand over their memorandum to a representative from the prime minister’s office and the political secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources Syahir Sulaiman.
They ended the demonstration in front of the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) office in Kuala Lumpur.

JKOAK urge the government to find alternative solutions that will cause less damage such as building smaller hydro dams in several areas such as Machang, Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas to manage floods and drought seasons, as suggested by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS).
They also urge the government and TNB to choose other energy sources that are much more environmentally friendly rather than destroying nature.
What is the Nenggiri hydroelectric dam?
TNB is building the Nenggiri Gua Musang Dam in Kelantan to offer a multitude of benefits to the residents in the State such as mitigating floods, creating employment opportunities as well as new economic opportunities in its main reservoir lake.
According to Business Today, the project is expected to operate in 2026. TNB CEO Datuk Ir. Baharin Din said the dam will collect a large amount of water in the main reservoir lake before it gets released in a controlled manner into the Nenggiri River.

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Former Canadian Environment Minister Unintentionally Triggers Nasi Lemak Debate, Plans To Visit KL

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It can be said that Singapore is a touchy subject for Malaysians right now.

While netizens usually spend a maximum of two days on any particular viral topic, Jocelyn Chia has remained on the Twitter trending list for days now since her MH370 joke went viral on Wednesday.
READ MORE: Singapore High Commissioner Condemns Jocelyn Chia’s Offensive Remarks, Says She Is No Longer Singaporean
Yesterday, an unsuspecting Canadian politician saw some Malaysians responding to her tweet, all because she complimented Singapore’s nasi lemak.
Catherina McKenna is Canada’s former Environment and Climate Change Minister and she is currently in Singapore to attend the 2023 Ecosperity Week.
On 6 June, McKenna posted a photo of a plate of nasi lemak and innocently proclaimed it as “the most delicious breakfast in Singapore”.
Nasi Lemak! Most delicious breakfast in Singapore. #EcosperityWeek pic.twitter.com/m9HQZ5jfRq— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) June 5, 2023
There is absolutely nothing wrong with her tweet as taste is subjective and McKenna is simply enjoying the food in a place she’s visiting.
However some Malaysians chanced upon her tweet and felt the need to tell McKenna how Malaysia’s nasi lemak is better.
Nasi Lemak! Most delicious breakfast in “MALAYSIA”. There i fixed it for you. https://t.co/d1O4zXEhx2— Ributttttt🌪 (@Zoulfikri) June 10, 2023
WHAT THE HECK IS THIS https://t.co/AQWimPKUVi pic.twitter.com/F89d1ZMa9K— ʚїɞ (@eunhalilac) June 10, 2023
Singapore nasi lemak looks about as tasteless as Jocelyn Chia’s jokes. 😝Sorry, tak abih lagi, but it was right there. 🤷🏻♀ https://t.co/jTuz99auDW— Aunty Yun (@crazycatmakcik) June 10, 2023
One user @AbdFauzi shared a photo of a plate of nasi lemak with McKenna and told her: “This is how real nasi lemak looks like in Malaysia.”
This is how real nasi lemak looks like. In Malaysia. pic.twitter.com/QAEzZc2ndu— abd.fauzi (@AbdFauzi) June 10, 2023
McKenna replied by saying it looked delicious and said she would need to go to Kuala Lumpur to get somd nasi lemak and asked for recommendations.
Realising her tweet had gone viral, McKenna posted on Twitter yesterday that she appeared to have hit a real nerve with Malaysians who say nasi lemak is better in Malaysia.
She responded to the matter in a very diplomatic manner despite some of the tweets she received being unnecessary rants by people still sore about Chia’s stand-up comedy bit.
I seem to have hit a real nerve with Malaysians who say that nasi lemak is a Malay dish and much more delicious there. I don't disagree – will need to go to KL soon and check it out! (And yes the portions were very small and not enough sambal!) https://t.co/2hqKn2D3wN— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) June 10, 2023
She also said the nasi lemak debate is, hands down, the best on Twitter. Not only that, Mckenna took the time to translate her tweet in Bahasa Malaysia, jokingly using “turun tangan” as the literal translation of “hands down”.
Nasi lemak debate is the best of Twitter. Hands down. Debat nasi lemak adalah yang terbaik di Twitter. Turun tangan.— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) June 10, 2023

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