‘Jerebu’ Mural Erased After 3 Days But Remains As Symbolic As Ever

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If the city sky has looked or smelled funny to you for the past few months, you’re not imagining things. The haze is indeed here and it felt like it has never left.

On 4 September, satirical artist Fahmi Reza painted a cautionary mural, “Caution: Jerebu (haze) Is Coming Back” on the side of the Wisma Megah building in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
According to Malay Mail, the mural is directed at Malaysian-owned companies involved with open burning which was behind the regional haze in previous years.
The haze will make a comeback if we don’t stop these Malaysian-owned companies who are responsible for the forest fires in Indonesia.Satirical artist Fahmi Reza
Fahmi design apa hari ini? #streetart #jerebu pic.twitter.com/A55vWFUlFJ— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 4, 2022
However, the mural was vandalised in less than 24 hours by allegedly irresponsible individuals.
Someone painted over the leg of the ‘R’ on the ‘Jerebu’ word with yellow spray paint.
Belum sampai 24 jam dah ada manusia yang paint over kaki huruf "R" perkataan JEREBU dengan cat atau spray paint warna kuning. Pantas betul mereka buat kerja! Betul-betul gigih 😂 pic.twitter.com/mQrMf1wAWR— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 5, 2022
Fahmi managed to repair the mural back to its original state but it didn’t last long.
After only three days, the mural was completely painted over. Despite this, the faint outline of the mural could still be seen from an angle so all isn’t lost!
Mural "Caution: Jerebu Is Coming Back" dipadam selepas bertahan selama 3 hari 😁 #jerebu pic.twitter.com/JtWIBvJLqF— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 8, 2022
pic.twitter.com/Br8tgzes3x— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) September 8, 2022
Netizens said the cover-up paint job ended up being kind of symbolic because the letters could still be seen. It was as if the haze truly covered up the words against the wall.
Others joked that Fahmi was given a blank canvas for his next great idea. A netizen also suggested Fahmi use glow-in-the-dark spray paint next time.
Since the public mural was covered up quickly, a netizen suggested a novel idea to paint over potholes so that the authorities would fix them as fast as they could.
However, some voiced their worries that a mural was erased, citing it as a cowardly and petty act.
dah jadi art berat pulak tengok tulisan sebalik cat kelabu tu. betul2 jerebu kannn ????— tashabar khan (@pewnardbutter) September 8, 2022
Still can see the writing…. actually kinda "symbolic" 👍👍👍— Norhisyam Hasim (@frankrxII) September 8, 2022
A blank grey canvas for your next idea ! pic.twitter.com/j31zefdoTI— islander (@domesticgod8) September 8, 2022
Bang, kalau ada jenis spray ya siang dia tak nampak tapi malam glow, spray je.— Bianglala 🇲🇾 (@ITS_BeanAWhile) September 8, 2022
Interesting. Maybe if you paint on jalan rosak diorang baiki kot cuba try— I'll see you in 40 (ukulele part) (@naurwahhh) September 8, 2022
its terrible and worrying to see a mural reminding of capitalistic repercussions being erased… its no surprise that people are money-driven but to take down a reminder of the annual haze is just, petty, cowardly and fascist— Alam! (@alamthemenace) September 8, 2022

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Sâ€™pore tried to stop stink of Mâ€™sianâ€™s durians, so FAMA brought Petai instead & Twitterjaya loves it

When Singapore held a 4-day long exhibition for a Malaysia fest on their little island, Singaporean authorities had prohibited durians from being showcased.

(Pic Credit: quickmeme)

So, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) cleverly brought the tasty petai (bitter bean) instead!
As many as 10,000 strands were brought into the tiny island of the south from Perak (instead of just 4,000 strands because there was high demand).
Pohon Petai GIF from Petai GIFs

Initially, Musang King and other variants of durians were supposed to be brought for the expo, but Singaporean officials feared the stink, hence, decided to forbid its display.
Visitors were, of course, very disappointed when durians were not to be seen at the expo.
å“æ³£ å¤§å“ GIF from å“æ³£ GIFs

Well, Twitterjaya has started to take a mickey out of this situation.

hsshshhsahahh i stan FAMA
â€” Tan Sri Patrick 🌟🐠 (@stxrfish_) July 28, 2019

 pic.twitter.com/neVtXGEzmG
â€” Danial (@dan_firdauss) July 28, 2019

Besides, did they forget the stink that petai causes in your urine?

Makan petai pastu kencing kt public toilet dorg..biar bau semerbak harum kasturi 😂😂
â€” Triple A (@azrulz89) July 28, 2019

Eat petai then pee in their public toilets..let it be fragrantly smelling 😂😂

the urinals are going to smell so 🤢 hahahahahahahahaha pic.twitter.com/KwI4HGpxCu
â€” nebula (@domesticgod8) July 28, 2019

(Pic Credit: herb)

Whilst some Malaysians are wary of Singapore’s next action;

We bring petai after singapore baned durian. Soon or later, Singapore gonna say petai is their main delicious food. Same happen to nasi lemak dan cendol.
â€” Kim Kimchi (@Muhammad_asyrff) July 28, 2019

via GIPHY
Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? More durian for us!


The Incredible Matcha Product I Can’t Live Without This Ramadan Raya Season

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Once again, the Ramadan and Raya season is upon us during lockdown – which has definitely put a damper on the festivities. But, through sheer luck (or the Almighty’s blessing) I’ve come to discover an incredible matcha product that I can’t live without this Ramadan-Raya season.

Enter: Oh Cha Matcha Raya Wellness Gift Box
Oh Cha Matcha Raya Wellness Gift Box(Credit: Oh Cha Matcha)
During the fasting month of Ramadhan, Oh Cha Matcha has launched its very own Oh Cha Matcha Raya Wellness Gift Box in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations – brimming with hand-made matcha goodies such as green brews, candles, hand sanitizer and candles.
While I am not a Muslim, I am a Malaysian and therefore no stranger to the faith and its practices – and the one thing I’ve admired about Ramadan is the the emphasis on empathy and well-being of your own soul and of your fellow man.
So in 2021 – the era of lockdowns and physical distancing – there is an added layer of self-care during this season that I can resonate with.
The matcha concoctions made with locally sourced Bunga Kantan, infused with rose and bamboo-whisked premium grade matcha is certainly a refreshing treat that made me feel clean inside and out.
Bunga Kantan Matcha(Credit: Oh Cha Matcha)
The sugar-free, dairy-free, low-calorie drink is sweetened with Stevia, packed with health benefits such as improving the digestive system – which frankly makes it the perfect opener for iftar or anyone who practices intermittent fasting.
The wellness treat doesn’t stop there though, the Raya Wellness Gift Box also includes a Geranium Rose Matcha Hand Sanitizer which frankly smells so much like bandung I had to physically resist the temptation to guzzle it down. But that’s just me and my foodie-driven brain.
Geranium Rose Matcha Hand Sanitizer.(Credit: Oh Cha Matcha)
Other normal people would relish in the lilting scent of matcha blended with geranium and rose. Despite being a bacteria-busting 75% Isopropyl Alcohol product, it’s not as harsh or drying to the skin thanks to the addition of geranium essential oil. Once again, if you’re a foodie-brain like me, you’d probably be sniffing your hands in delight.
What my foodies-self CAN eat is the box of Medjool Dates coated with 70.5% Callebaut Belgian Dark Chocolate and sprinkled with Sea Salt. These little morsels of pure indulgence are simply divine, because how can one resist?
Medjool Dates coated with 70.5% Callebaut Belgian Dark Chocolate.(Credit: Oh Cha Matcha)
There’s also a hand-poured Matcha Latte Geranium Rose Scented Candle made with soy wax and pure Geranium essential oil, perfect for washing away the stress of work (and a pandemic) for the day.
Matcha Latte Geranium Rose Scented Candle(Credit: Oh Cha Matcha)
Why Oh Cha Matcha?
Bursting into the scene in 2020 right in the heat of the pandemic, Oh Cha Matcha very quickly found success as the first and only matcha café in Malaysia that serves sugar-free, dairy-free and guilt-free premium grade matcha, concocted into delicious and healthy beverages.
While the matcha trend has been around for years, thanks to it’s well known benefits as the powdered green tea that is packed with powerful antioxidant properties and vitamins that energizes the body and soul, Oh Cha Matcha somehow managed to breathe new life into the brew.
         View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Oh Cha Matcha (OCMC) (@ohchamatcha.kl)
One could say it’s because of the high-quality matcha, or it’s strong Instagram presence, and maybe even the creative new brews. But the answer is likely a combination of all three factors.
So if you’d like to meet your match-a, the Oh Cha Matcha Raya Wellness Gift Box is available for pre-order now at the Oh Cha Matcha website (HERE) or via Instagram DM (HERE). Priced at RM155, it is available until 14th May 2021, or while stock lasts.

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G: For Those Who Want To Live In The Now [Review]

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While most smartphone makers say that they make exceptional smartphones, Samsung does it.

Although they stumbled at first, the third generation Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is proof there is still room for innovation.
In a market where every other Android smartphone is only differentiated by its chipset, interface, and marketing spiel, the Z Flip3 stands apart.
Samsung did more than just take a 6.7in smartphone and fold it in half.
The Specifications
Dimensions
Open:         73.6mm by 167.3mm by 7.2mm. Closed:      73.6mm by 87.4mm by 17.4mm.
Displays
Main:     6.7in FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display. 2640 by 1080px.425 PPI.120Hz adaptive refresh rate.Cover: 1.9in Super AMOLED.512 by 260px.303 PPI.
Cameras
Front: 10MP.1.22µm sensorF2.4 lensRear:Wide: 12MP with Dual Pixel.OIS.F1.8 lens.1.4µm sensorUltra Wide: 12MP.F2.2 lens.1.12µm sensor
Speakers
Stereo with Dolby Atmos.
Tech
Processor:     5nm 64-bit Octa-Core.Memory:     8GB of RAM.Storage:     128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Battery:     3,300 mAh dual battery.Security:     Fingerprint sensor on the power button
The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is available in seven colours and is priced at RM3,999 for the 128GB variant and RM4,199 for the 256GB variant.
If all the numbers seem confusing, remember, generally the bigger the better. Also, this is a Samsung flagship phone, which means it is fitted with the best the company has to offer.
A Quick Look
Previously I wrote on my first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G a mere four days after I started using it. There I went over the unboxing of the device and its initial setup process.
READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G [First Impressions]
These are my opinions after using the Z Flip3 for 10 days.
Stay Connected, Not Distracted
The Z Flip3 is a smartphone for those who don’t want to live behind a screen. It is for those who want to be in the moment, undistracted, while still staying connected.
There is so much you can do using the cover display single-handedly. You can check notifications, control music, pay with Samsung Pay, and even take photos and videos all while the phone is still closed.
Opening the Z Flip3 requires you to use both hands. Making engaging with the phone a conscious decision. It physically separates the moment you are in and the temptations of the phone.
This use flow alone, I feel, makes getting a Z Flip3 worthwhile.

So, imagine someone likes your post and left a comment. The Z Flip3 dings, you palm the device and without losing a beat, read the message on the cover display, get that dopamine hit, and ignore it in style.
In an instant, you return to what you were doing. There is no need to engage, nor the temptation to scroll through feeds.
Then you and your friends bump into a celebrity. You palm the Z Flip3, ask for a selfie while double-tapping the power button.
Before anyone else could take out their phone, you raise your arm with the phone in your palm, swipe right to switch to the ultra-wide lens, use the cover display to frame the shot and fit everyone in, and tap it to take a photo on the best camera on the Z Flip3.

All before anyone could unlock their phones.
That’s the speed and power of the Z Flip3.
What About The Photos?
To my eyes, the photos taken using the Z Flip3 are perfect for sharing. The colours are punchy, especially with greens and oranges.
However, for photorealistic pictures, I would tone down the colour saturation. I also prefer the natural look of the rear camera compared to the face tuned front-facing camera.
Here are some samples:
1X0.5XShot at high noon.
1X0.5XShot at dusk.
Flagship SmartphoneZ Flip3
Flagship SmartphoneZ Flip3
Keep in mind that these photos have been resized for this page. Also, the quality of these photos are subjective. If it looks good to you, it is good enough.
The UX Can Be Further Refined
I did not doubt that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 would deliver flagship performance. Its unique form convinced me that the Z Flip3 is the smartphone to get if you are in the market for a flagship Android smartphone.
However, because it is packed with all the features and the kitchen sink, the user experience can be clunky. You will end up not using all of the features the Z Flip3 has to offer. And that’s OK.

This is somewhat alleviated by how Samsung’s One UI staggered the introduction of features. It does not flood the user with everything that it can do, instead unveils them through the course of using the device, like a tutorial in a video game.
Still, some features that should work together feel like they work in silos. For example, when I set my bedtime in Samsung health, it does not automatically put my devices in bedtime mode because that option is in Digital wellbeing and parental controls.
Availability & Price
The Samsung Z Flip3 5G will be released on 22 September. It comes in 7 colours and prices start at RM3,999.
Samsung is always bundling their latest and greatest with promotions so check out the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G page for the most recent and upcoming offerings.

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[Watch] Motorcyclist Gets Punched After Asking Driver To Move His Car At Jalan Glenmarie

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A video showing a motorcyclist and a car driver getting into a fight at Jalan Glenmarie, Shah Alam, has gone viral.

A man, believed to be the driver, could be seen pummelling and tossing a motorcyclist onto the ground before they were both separated by onlookers.
Prior to the fight, the motorcyclist allegedly asked the car driver to move his car slightly so that the motorcyclist could pass.
However, that didn’t go down well with the driver and it lead to a physical faceoff on the congested road.
Siapa yg kenal rider moto yg kena pukul dlm video ni saya nk cari dia nk bg dia video bukti ni, saya ni tak ada dashcam record pkai phone je, cerita awal dia hari hujan, traffic light jam jln glenmarie ni, brother moto panas hati tgok kereta depan sy ni xnk ketepi skit, pic.twitter.com/RddQRBzBf2— MALAYSIA MOST VIRALL (@MALAYSIAVIRALL) June 14, 2022
It’s not made known whether the motorcyclist asked the driver politely but netizens said it still didn’t warrant a physical assault.
Another motorist on the road managed to capture the video on the phone and shared the video online so that they could track down the motorcyclist in case he needed the video evidence.
Netizens who frequently ride motorcycles explained that the situation wasn’t about an entitled motorist asking cars to give way.
They explained that sometimes it’s hard for motorists to pass in between vehicles on the narrow road because some cars stop right on the dotted line.
Motorists added that they don’t need a huge space but just a big enough gap to pass through and be on the way.
Netizens also criticised the driver for starting the fight. They believe the fight was unnecessary and the driver could have just moved the car a little without issues since he was shaded from the drizzle, unlike the motorist.
Tak minta pun bagi ruang seluas lautan tu. Bagi ruang untuk lepas motor nak jalan tengah tu pun dah okay lah. Bukannya kereta je yang guna jalan raya tu. Aku cakap macam ni sebab aku ni bawa motor memang hati hati, tapi selalu jmpa kereta bawa mnyakitkan hati— 努林 (@fflur_) June 14, 2022
tak perlu kot sampai nak bertumbuk buang masa laa dgn hujan2 ni. hengko stakat dduk dlm keta takda kene hujan apa salah nya klau gerakkan keta tu sikit bgi moto lalu, jalan situ dah la selalu nau jem— janna (@r0sethang) June 15, 2022
Tak entitle, tp timbang rasa ada tak? Hujan tu kan, xkan xleh alih skit bg org jalan? Susah ke?— PU Ronal (@adiksedaraCR7) June 14, 2022

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Klang Valley CMCO: Roads That Are Blocked & Not Blocked

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As the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) began on 14 October in Klang Valley, several roadblocks have been set up around Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Here’s the list of police roadblocks that Klang Valley residents can expect to encounter during the two-week period.
Roadblocks in Kuala Lumpur:
Jalan Duta toll plazaSungai Besi toll plazasJalan Syed PutraJalan Genting KlangAlam Damai CherasMiddle Ring Road 2Jalan Sultan Ismail, in front of Sungai Wang PlazaJalan Tuanku Abdul RahmanJalan Ampang
Roadblocks in Putrajaya:
Lebuh Sentosa near the National Cancer Institute towards Maju Expressway (MEX)Persiaran Selatan towards DengkilPersiaran Utara, second exit to KajangPersiaran Utara, third exit to Puchong
Roadblocks in Selangor:
Serdang towards Equine ParkLDP Puchong to SunwaySunway to LDP PuchongHicom junction near Persiaran Kuala Selangor, towards Shah AlamSetia Alam toll plaza exit towards SubangBukit Jelutong NKVE toll into Shah AlamKota Damansara towards Sungai BulohBandar Kinrara BK5KlangMeru
Roadblocks that have been removed
After one day of the CMCO, some roadblocks have also been removed for the public’s convenience.
In Kota Damansara, three roads have been reopened:
Jalan Persiaran Mahogani, Seksyen 9Jalan Persiaran Jati, Seksyen 8Jalan Persiaran Sungai Buloh
Petaling Jaya District Police chief ACP Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal said that this was to avoid traffic congestion, as well as to rearrange the movement of front liners for roadblock duties.

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Source:
Heavier than usual morning crawls as CMCO roadblocks slow traffic into Shah Alam, KL
Police: Three roads in Kota Damansara reopened after initial closure


Nightmare Tenant Leaves Behind Raw Fish And Bottle Of Urine For Horrified M’sian Homeowner

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A posting on TikTok went viral when an individual known as Rizalmaruhan revealed that his tenant from “hell” leaves his house in filthiest condition.

In the video, the man showed a series of photo of the mess left behind, including raw fish waste as well as urine stored in a mineral water bottle.

  @amirulrizalmaruhan #fypシ #fypage #fypシ゚viral #penyewapengotor #penyewapuaka #foryou ♬ Gadis Dan Bunga – Rahimah Rahim

Rizalmaruhan further explained that the tenant had never before hesitated or missed to make the monthly rental payment.
As such, it never dawned on him to making an inspection of the house from time to time.
However, the tenant’s dirty attitude was revealed when he received a complaint from another tenant.
Accordingly, there was an unpleasant smell coming from one of the rooms on the top floor of the house.
He has a decent job, and his car is above average. In addition, he always has a neat appearance  and never had a problem paying rent. I never expected his room to be like that.Landlord Rizalmaruhan on the carnage in his tenant’s room
According to other tenants, every week he would went out to wash the car, but they never saw him showering or cooking in the kitchen.
Horrendous And Unbelievable
Many social media users came forward to criticize the rotten attitude of the tenant and putting his landlord in this unenviable situation.
They said there will always be people who are dirty and make the house messy, be it women or men.
Netizens were also curious to find out the tenant is from which state.
However, Rizalmaruhan merely said that the tenant is from the East Coast.
He declined to name the state to avoid offending people.

Increase Earnings From Your Home & Do Less
Do you have any experience dealing with dirty house tenants?
Tenancy management consultant and real estate negotiator Calvin Chai said said it’s important that landlords  do not judge a book by its cover.
He said they need to carry out checks on their tenants prior to letting a property.
They should also carry out regular checks to ensure tenants are complying with their tenancy agreement and that the house is in a good state of repair.Tenancy management consultant Calvin Chai to TRP on precautions that landlords can take
He said there is tenancy management services are gaining popularity in Malaysia as it saves landlords from hassle.
Tenancy management services help to screen tenant pools, ensure regular maintenance services and deliver customized reporting to the landlords.

Tenancy management consultant Calvin Chai (left) standing outside a property under his care in Ipoh. (Source: LinkedIn)
Chai said tenancy management services usually charge about 10% of the monthly rental.
When you sign a lease with tenancy management services, you’ll enjoy the benefits of hands-off, full-service property management and care. Seamless and easy for landlords, they just have to sit back and collect rent and tenancy management services will take care of the rest.Tenancy management consultant Calvin Chai to TRP on how landlords can make their properties earn for them with minimal fuss

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AirTag Reunites Family With Missing Cat Tofu

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Apple’s AirTag has many uses and as a family in Singapore shared recently, it was instrumental in reuniting them with their cat Tofu.

In a TikTok video shared by user @osrastays, the story began when the family cat named Tofu went missing.
The user said Tofu wore an AirTag around his collar.
“We opened the app and found him located at Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE),” the user said.
At first they suspected someone had removed the AirTag, thrown it away and took Tofu with them.
The user shared several photos of Tofu in the video, a cute ginger cat or ‘Oyen’ as many call them here in Malaysia.
As they went on their mission to locate Tofu, @osrastays said the AirTag then began moving to a nearby carpark.
This made them rethink their suspicion that someone had thrown away the AirTag.
“In our hearts, why would the airtag move if someone threw the tag away at the expressway?”
They assumed then that the person who took Tofu had begun moving around.
At 11.30am on the day they went searching for him, Tofu was seen moving to a carpark off the Marina Coastal Drive.
At 12.30pm, the AirTag moved back to the expressway.
“This moment it was a little bit weird… Why would this person who took Tofu come back to the expressway,” Tofu’s owner said in the TikTok video.
The AirTag was later detected in some bushes in the middle of the highway leading them to assume that someone had tossed the AirTag into the bushes.
While they were not confident that the tag was still around Tofu’s neck, they pursued the only lead they had anyway.
They stopped by the Marina Coastal Expressway and eventhough it was dangerous, they said they did not give up, in the event it was really Tofu hiding in the bushes.
As they approached the bushes, the AirTag beeped like crazy, the TikTok user said.
To their surprise and relieve, the AirTag was still around Tofu’s neck which means they actually found their cat.
“Husband went in the bush and carried Tofu out… poor baby was frightened,” she said.
While they wondered how Tofu ended up on the MCE all the way from their home in Geylang, it was clear that they were thankful to be reunited with Tofu.
“Thank you to our family and friends for your dua’s and well wishes for Tofu boy,” the user posted.
We’re glad Tofu was found safe. Perhaps he just wanted to go on a little adventure, knowing the AirTag would come to his rescue once he felt he had had enough. We’ll never really know with cats!

https://www.tiktok.com/@osrastays/video/7189704048294022402

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This Young Malaysian Entrepreneur Went Viral For Her Inspirational Story Of Starting Up Her Own Accessory Brand

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A young Malaysian entrepreneur is making international waves with her inspirational story of becoming a self starting businesswoman.

In a minute-long video that’s taking over TikTok, 22-year-old student Nurul Fatini Zamri from Sungai Buloh, Selangor, narrates her journey of setting up her very own women’s accessory brand.
In her video, Fatini tells of how she struggled with being lost and out of place after graduating from college.
Feeling a bit down from being unable to pursue her dreams of studying abroad, Fatini got a motivational boost from a family member to make and sell her own jewelry.
As the story goes, Fatini had attended a wedding while styling one of her self-crafted pinrings – a set of earrings which she had made to be pinned on her hijab instead of wearing it on her ears.
Intrigued by the idea, a cousin of hers acknowledged her creativity and ushered her to start selling the handmade accessories.
And thus LushPins was born!
Receive your pinrings in a neatly packaged box.(Facebook/LushPins)
Open for business since 2018, LushPins specializes in making handmade pinrings or as Fatini calls em, hassle-free earrings designed for the fashionable hijabi.
Speaking to TRP, Fatini said that she had first come up with the idea for her pinrings while experimenting on her look for her college diploma graduation ceremony back in 2017.
Forced to look sharp and presentable for the event, Fatini gained inspiration from a friend who had fashioned a broach to dangle from her headscarf as an added accessory to her outfit.
Adapting the DIY look with a pair of simple earrings and some straight pins, Fatini had created a comfortable and stylish accessory for herself and her sisters since that day forward.
Taking us through her process, Fatini explains that she converts ready-made earrings that she buys online into her handmade pinrings by painstakingly recrafting each into her own uniquely designed product.
She then vigorously checks and tests the products for its fit and feel, making any needed alteration along the way to her finished collection.
Fatini even mentions that she has an entire book dedicated to the details and designs of her work.
Behind the scenes look at LushPins’ one-woman operation.(TikTok/fatizle)
Being a true self starter, Fatini had built LushPins entirely from the ground up, with her being in charge of designing, making, packaging as well as promoting her brand.
Impressively, the young entrepreneur had taught herself how to structure her own business as well as learning how to create and edit her own marketing materials.
Fatini even models and photographs the products for her self-run social media channels.
A sampling of LushPins collection on social media.(Facebook/LushPins)
Since her video gained viral attention, Fatini said that her business has boomed literally overnight and she managed to garner a lot of support from her new customers and fans.
Fatini says that with the help of her family, she will continue to run her growing business as she prepares to continue her studies.
Feel free to show Fatini some love and check out her crafty accessory collection at LushPins’ official Instagram and Facebook page.
You can also catch Fatini telling her own story, on TikTok.
  @fatizle If you paused to read my story, thank u so much 🥺 ##smallbusiness ##bossup ##tiktokmalaysia ##smallbusinessmalaysia ##yougotit ##hijabbusiness ##accessories ♬ You Got It – Vedo

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M’sian wins TWO gold medals in int’l violin-making competition in Italy

Tan Chin Seng smashed the 10th International Violin-Making Competition held in Italy with not just one, but TWO gold medals.
A luthier is someone who builds or repairs string instruments generally consisting of a neck and a sound box.
The proud Malaysian won gold for both his violin, named “Negaraku“, and his viola, named “Jalur Gemilang“.

Left: Negaraku | Right: Jalur GemilangPicture credit: Tan Chin Seng

Tan, 39, was shortlisted to compete with fellow luthiers from over 16 countries, including Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and China.
The competition hosted professional and non-professional instrument-makers from all over the world, judged by master luthiers.

Each instrument is judged on craftsmanship and tested for acoustic performance.
All the award-winning instruments will be on exhibit at the School of Violin Making of Tuscany from September 8 to 15.
Tan is the first ever Malaysian to win gold at the competition. Yet he is humble of this historic achievement, saying that “unlike badminton, this is a rather minority interest”.
Tan and the other winners of the 10th International Violin-Making Competition, Italy.
Tan is the pupil of renowned luthier Han Zhao Sheng of Beijing and Bertrand Yves Delisle of Cremona.
Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement, Tan Chin Seng!


[UPDATED] Here’s A List Of Roadblocks And Closures In Selangor

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The police will close down multiple roads and also conduct road blocks in strategic locations around Selangor during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period which is expected to end on 26 January.

In total, there are reportedly 120 road blocks in Selangor, but the police didn’t specify the location of every single one, so these are based on what we could compile from reliable sources and is subject to change.
READ MORE: MCO Is Back From Wednesday, 13 January, For Two Weeks (And Could Be Extended)
Below is the list:
Petaling Jaya/Damansara (road block)
Jalan Persiaran MahagoniJalan Persiaran Jati Jalan Persiaran Sungai BulohJalan 4/56, Gasing IndahPJU 8/1 traffic light intersectionDamansara PerdanaLebuh Raya Damansara – Puchong (LDP) at the Mutiara Damansara/Damansara Perdana exitPlaza Tol Damansara to Bayu Puteri
Hulu Selangor (road closed)
Tanjung Malim – Hulu Bernam border bridgeKilometer route (KM) 31.5 Jalan Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh, at the Hulu Selangor – Rawang borderRoute KM13 Jalan Sungai Tua – Ulu Yam at the Hulu Selangor – Selayang border Jalan Koskan to Kuala Garing
Hulu Selangor (road block)
M79 Jalan Ipoh – Kuala Lumpur nearby Dusun BayPlaza Tol Tanjung Malim, both directionsPlaza Tol Lembah Beringin, both directionsPlaza Tol Bukit Tagar, both directionsKM60 Jalan Kuala Kubu Bharu – Bukit Fraser in front of Taman SelesaGohtong Jaya – Batang Kali in front of the Genting Highlands checkpoint, both directions KM34 Jalan Kuala Lumpur – Ipoh (Serendah) in front of Balai Polis SerendahPlaza Tol Sungai Buaya, both directions
Kajang (road closed)
Jalan Genting PerasJalan Bangi – Nilai
Kajang (road block)
Balai Polis BeranangJalan BrogaPlaza Tol Eco MajesticPlaza Tol Bandar Seri Putra exitPlaza Tol Bangi exitPlaza Tol Kajang exitLebuh Raya Besraya near Minlon.
Ampang Jaya (road block)
Nearby routes to Apartmen Desa 288Jalan Pandan Indah – Cheras from Lebuh Raya Sungai Besi to AmpangJalan Lingkaran Tengah 2 (MRR2) near Petronas Klang Gates petrol station from Gombak to Ampang
Gombak (road block)
Gombak Toll Plaza, both directionsRawang Toll Plaza from Sungai Buloh and RawangAlong Jalan Desa Aman Puri, Desa JayaJalan Lama Gombak – Genting Sempah near Simpang KuariJalan Rawang towards Sg Choh (KM30)
Klang (road closed)
Jalan Musaeddin (Jalan Batu Tiga Lama)Jambatan Raja Nala ( Jalan Tanjung Syawal )Kilometer 3.5 Jalan Shapadu lamaKilometer Jalan Shapadu lama to Rantau Panjang
Klang (road block)
New North Klang Straits Bypass in front of AEON Bukit Raja Shopping MallBukit Raja Toll Plaza (from Klang to Shah Alam) Batu 10 Jalan Kapar (from Kuala Selangor to Klang).
Serdang (road block)
Bukit Jalil Highway in Bandar Kinrara 5Jalan Puchong Lama towards Jalan Klang Lama (in front of Telekom Taman Tenaga)Jalan Putra PermaiSection 8, Jalan Serdang Raya.
Also, just in case if you want to travel interstate or district, we’ve got you covered, too.
READ MORE: PDRM: Forms You Need For Interstate & Inter-district Travel In MCO & CMCO Areas

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Uncle Who Tried To Protect Dogs In MBPJ Case To Be Charged Friday

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The elderly man who allegedly got “assaulted” by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBSJ) enforcement officers will be charged in court this Friday.

READ MORE: Police Investigate Uncle Who Protected His Dogs From MBPJ
As reported by Harian Metro, Petaling Jaya police chief Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said that the man would be charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing government officials from carrying out their duties.
The investigation paper was referred to the deputy public prosecutor and we have been informed that the man will be charged this Friday (31 March). Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid, Petaling Jaya Police Chief
Fakhrudin acknowledged that the man was indeed injured after accidentally being hit by a rod used to catch stray dogs.
Last week, a video of the said man protecting his stray dogs against the the MBPJ enforcement officers went viral on social media. The man was seen being hit by a rod when he tried to protect them from being captured.

According to Fakhrudin, the elderly man tried to prevent the dogs from being caught by bringing them into his premises, which foiled the operation. That triggered a fight between him and the MBPJ enforcement officers, leading to him being accidentally hit.
The incident happened at Taman Kanagapuram, off Jalan Klang Lama on March 23, 9 pm.
READ MORE: Is It Right To Capture Or Feed Stray Animals?

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5 Natural DIY Cleaning Hacks That’ll Leave Your Sinks Sparkling & Floors Shining

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Whether you’re disinfecting the place during the pandemic, hosing down your homes after the floods or just sprucing up your living spaces for the holidays, cleaning up can be a pain. Literally!

Trust us when we say that it’s not just the elbow grease it’ll take to clean up a mess that’ll leave you in agony.
A lot of over-the-counter cleaning solutions often include chemicals that can either leave you irritated or worse, make an unwanted stop to the clinic.
Some cleaning solutions can cause mild or even severe skin problems if not properly addressed or if you have underline conditions like eczema.
Some may even be fatal, especially to children, when accidentally ingested, and may also have a long-lasting impact on our precious mother nature.
However, there are ways that you can avoid these problems by applying a bit of DIY ingenuity and using all-natural and organic ingredients that are less harmful and also effective at removing any unwanted grease, grimes and germs.
The best part about all that is that these ingredients can even be found in your kitchen and your local grocery stores.
So here are some of the DIY hacks for you;
1. Swipe those nasty dust away with this homemade dusting spray
This tip comes from a professional and certified cleaning expert, Kimberly Button who shares her homemade Dusting Spray hack that’s cheap and uses natural ingredients that’ll save a lot of your time.
Ingredients needed:
One Cup Water (preferably distilled) 1/2 Cup White Vinegar2 Teaspoons Olive Oil10-15 drops Essential Oil
Credit: Freepik
All of the ingredients should be put inside a spray bottle and shaken well every time before using.
Spray the concoction where needed (tables, cupboard, chairs, doors, etc) and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
The oils help to naturally shine and protect the surfaces while white vinegar (acetic acid) acts as a disinfectant (not as effective as bleach) that can destroy some bacteria and viruses (not including coronavirus).
Note: Do keep in mind that vinegar (being acidic) can cause etching and can damage wood and granite surfaces if used too much.
2. Get a streak-free sparkle on your faucet & sink with this organic kitchen cleaner & deodorizer
This hack from Good Housekeeping says that all you need to clean kitchen counters, appliances, the insides of your fridge and more is baking soda.
Ingredients needed:
4 Tablespoons of Baking Soda1 Quart (around 0.95 Litres) of Warm Water
Credit: Freepik
Mix these two ingredients up into a paste. Apply it on a damp cloth and rub the metal surfaces (sink and faucets) gently.  Then rinse the area and buff it dry.
As an added tip to eliminate foul sink odours, simply pour baking soda powder straight from the box and into your drain or garbage disposal.
Baking soda makes a good deodorizer as a result of its ability to neutralise smells and can also shine stainless steel due to its mild alkali properties which can cause dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water for easy removal.
3. Mop the stains to oblivion with this natural floor cleaner
Vinegar is the go-to choice for any and all-natural cleaning applications and can be used on almost all hard-surface floors, including tile, laminate, and wood, but with a diluted amount.
Ingredients needed:
One Gallon (around 3.8 Litres) of Distilled water 1/2 Cup of Vinegar
Credit: Freepik
Mix these two up in a bucket and mop your floors with them. The acidic properties of vinegar help dissolve dirt and grime build-up.
Caution: Avoid cleaning egg stains with vinegar as it will coagulate and make them harder to clean.
4. Make your house smell like paradise with this amazing air freshener
Don’t have a potpourri? Make one!
This method by Better Homes & Gardens is a natural way to make your home feel amazing by simmering a pot of ingredients that you probably already have around the house.
Ingredients needed:
2-3 Oranges/Lemons/Limes A Handful of Fresh Herbs (basil/rosemary/lavender)2-4 Cinnamon Sticks 1 Teaspoon of Whole Cloves
Credit: Steven McDonald / Better Homes & Gardens
Get yourself a saucepan, place all the ingredients above and fill it with about 3/4 of water. Bring it to boil and later reduce it to a simmer to infuse the house with a divine and fresh aroma.
The mixture can be stored overnight by placing it in an airtight jar and refrigerating it. Simply boil and simmer it again for the next use.
5. Clean & sanitize your house with this green & effective multisurface cleaner
But hey, if you’re not in the DIY mood and want a fast and hassle-free way to clean up the place, try Lifebuoy’s latest line of natural multi-surface disinfectants that you can just purchase at the store.
Without compromising on efficacy, this organic disinfectant provides 24-hour protection on all surfaces and protects you and your loved ones from 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, including, that pesky Coronavirus that’s always in the news.
It’s been proven safe to be used in food preparation areas as well as children play areas as the products are free from harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and phosphates that irritates the skin, besides being environmental hazards.
Dermatologically tested, this disinfectant is made up of 100% naturally derived ingredients like tea tree and eucalyptus oil with 100% biodegradable fragrance so it doesn’t hurt you, your family, and even Mother Nature herself.
Credit: Unilever
You can find all these good properties in Lifebuoy’s BotaniTech disinfectants. Check their various products (HERE)

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DAP Leader Blames Malaysia’s Covid-19 Crisis On ‘Sheraton Move’

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Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang blames the so-called ‘Sheraton Move‘, which resulted in the change of government, to have contributed to the worsening of Malaysia’s current Covid-19 crisis.
In a statement posted on his official blog, the DAP leader wrote that the country would not have faced the 2nd wave of infections and be forced into a nationwide lockdown if not for the events that led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.
Kit Siang explained that half of the country’s identified infections could be traced back to the Sri Petaling tabligh gathering that occurred during the time of the political upheaval.
(Credit: Reuters/Malay Mail)
The MP claimed that the government had failed the rakyat during such a critical moment by being more concerned with consolidating power while calling several ministers and their departments out on their embarrassing moments and allegations that occurred since they took over leadership.
I shudder to think of the disastrous outcomes that await the country if it had to depend solely on the political leadership in government for action and direction, going by the farces, buffoonery, and abuses of powers which it had caused, like the ‘warm water cure for Covid-19′, ’15 states’, ‘500 countries’, ‘Doraemon’, ‘Menteri’, ‘Tik Tok’, serious allegations of discrimination of food aid parcels for needy B40 families in Opposition constituencies and the rotten Riza Abdul Aziz plea bargain.Lim Kit Siang
Kit Siang also said that the government had wasted its opportunity to present and discuss the nation’s strategy and exit plans for Covid-19 during the one-day Dewan Rakyat seating on May 18 and asks what the current administration was planning to do to address not only the pandemic but the economic uncertainties that follow.
Previously, former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad had criticized the current Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Adham Baba, for blaming the existence of the Covid-19 tabligh cluster on PH’s mismanagement when they were in power.

When will the political blame game ever end? Your guess is as good as ours, so share your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Source:
If not for the Sheraton Move and the ensuing political turmoil, Malaysia would not have suffered the second wave of Covid-19 outbreak and would be spared the MCO and CMCO with their devastating effect on lives and livelihood in Malaysia
Malaysian Politics – An Eventful Leap Year
May 18 Parliament Sitting – The King’s Speech
After “Warm Water Method”, Health Minister Reportedly Had Video Conference With “500 Countries”


M’sia records more road accidents in 2019, over 280,000 cases in first 6 months

There have been more than 280,000 road accidents recorded nationwide during the first six months of this year.
Bukit Aman Investigation and Traffic Enforcement director, Datuk Azisman Alias said between January to June 2019, 281,527 accidents have been reported all over the country. This number is a 2.5% increase from last year, which saw 274,556 accidents in the same period.
Picture credit: Malay Mail
According to Azisman, Selangor held 29.7% of all road accidents nationwide (83,607 cases), followed by Johor with 14.6% (41,161 cases) and Kuala Lumpur with 12.9% (36,288 cases).
FYI, Selangor and Johor recorded the most number of fatalities at 482 followed by Perak with 302 fatalities.
With so many unnecessary injuries and deaths caused by road accidents, we here at The Rakyat Post would like to remind our readers to slow down and follow these 8 tips to keep collisions and accidents to a minimum!

via GIPHY
1. Slow down when merging into traffic.
Is it just us, or do makciks really like to swerve out from a turn into the middle lane without checking for traffic first? It’s “Stop, Look, Listen”, aunty.
Be aware of blind spots, including those in rear view mirrors and behind windshield pillars or highway road signs and check for these before you merge. Nanti kalau kena side-swiped jangan marah.

via GIPHY
2. Watch for red light runners
Picture credit: memedroid
Firstly, yellow means slow down and red means stop. But since we’re living in Malaysia, even when the light turns green, wait a moment before moving. Look both ways and confirm no one is speeding through a red light before you jalan.
3. Keep at least one hand on the steering wheel AT ALL TIMES.
Keep distractions inside your car to a minimum. Avoid changing the music, checking your phone, eating or doing anything that will momentarily cause you to take a hand off the wheel and eyes off the road.
Dah la Malaysia has a lot of potholes, even a gust of wind, or a blown tire can cause your vehicle to swerve into another lane and cause a serious accident.

via GIPHY
4. Watch for kids and animals
Children and animals tend to suddenly pop out from between parked cars and onto the road. So, if you’re driving in a residential area or next to a school, slow down.

Throwback to when an ostrich ran down Federal Highway. 😂 I wonder who was playing Jumanji then? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/guOLxaNv6I
â€” Celcom Axiata (@Celcom) December 18, 2017

5. Send your vehicle for regular maintenance
Avoid vehicle failures by changing the oil regularly, keeping the battery in check and keeping tires properly inflated.
6. Look behind you when you gostan

via GIPHY
Donâ€™t completely depend on your mirrors when reversing out of a parking space. Instead, physically look over your right shoulder while steering and slowly reversing to alleviate blind spots created by your mirrors.
7. Donâ€™t tailgate
Malaysians are no strangers to these kind of a**holes. Not only do they melekat to your rear, they also flash their high beams to momentarily blind you (it’s almost like they think that by blinding you, it’ll make it easier for you to move out of the way).
Always leave some space between you and the car in front of you so that if they suddenly brake, you will have some time and space to slow down without rear-ending them.
But if you’re driving slow, don’t hog the fast lane.
8. Share the road with other drivers and motorcyclists.
The road doesnâ€™t belong to your father. Even Datuk Seri Najib Razak doesnâ€™t own Jalan Tun Razak. So, share the road with other drivers, treat them with respect and report any suspicious driving activity to the authorities.
Najib Ahjib GIF from Najib GIFs

Itâ€™s up to us, the road users, to keep ourselves and other people using the road, safe.


Caretaker Minister Posts Reminder As Covid-19 Cases Continue To Climb

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Caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today reminded the people to wear face masks in crowded and enclosed areas.

In a tweet, Khairy said today’s Covid-19 cases showed a climb, nearing 4,000.
Data on KKMNOW for yesterday showed that there were 2,913 new Covid-19 cases.
For today’s figures, Khairy said 96 per cent were in Categories 1 and 2.
“We are facing a wave of infections. Whether this is a small or big wave, that depends on our actions,” he said.
Apart from masking, Khairy reminded the people to practise TRIIS; Test, Report, Inform, Isolate and Seek medical treatment.
He also recommended the anti-viral drug Paxlovid for high-risk Covid-19 patients.

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Anwar Ibrahim Returns To Parliament, This Time As Malaysia’s Prime Minister

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Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is no stranger to the Parliament House.

He has sat in the August House both as a member of Parliament for various constituencies and as a minister.
The highest ministerial post he held was Deputy Prime Minister back in the 90s, when he was part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
However, since his sacking in 1998 and subsequently forming PKR, he has not held a ministerial post.
Today’s parliament sitting is a historic one for the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman as he makes a return to the August House as Malaysia’s prime minister.
The first meeting of the first session of the 15th Parliament today will take place for two days.
It will see the swearing-in of members of Parliament and the appointment of the Speaker and deputy Speaker.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan yesterday on Twitter noted that today would be a historical day.

Esok Isnin, Speaker baru #DewanRakyat akan dipilih/undi, #AhliParlimen akan mengangkat sumpah, usul undi percaya kpd #PerdanaMenteri DS @anwaribrahim akan dibahas & diundi. Suatu hari yg bersejarah. Disertakan antara kedudukan kerusi MP. Saya akan lakukan yg terbaik selaku TMK. pic.twitter.com/qsk5lusitd— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) December 18, 2022

Number eight on the order paper, according to Bernama, is the vote of confidence to determine Anwar’s legitimacy as the 10th prime minister.
The confidence vote is to prove that Anwar has the support of the majority of Dewan Rakyat members to lead the coalition government formed after the 15th General Election (GE15).
The coalition government is made up of PH, BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), among others.

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MySejahtera App Developer Is Actually Internationally-Renowned Malaysian Company

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Following allegations that our government sidelined local tech talent in the development of Covid-19 tracker app MySejahtera, the National Security Council (NSC) clarified that the developer is actually a Malaysian firm.
On 30 June, the Malaysian Association of Bumiputera ICT Industry and Entrepreneurs (NEF) accused Putrajaya of sidelining them, and of favouring Western-based companies instead of local firms.
The association claimed that the company behind MySejahtera was developed by a foreign company, KPISoft Inc, that is based in the United States. Indeed, the KPISoft website lists its closest Asia HQ in Sinagapore.
The headquarters closest to us is based in Singapore.(Credit: KPISoft)
The association noted that plenty of Malaysian firms were not selected or invited from the get-go to help the government in developing its own technology.
The group then urged for an official policy to prioritize local companies instead of overseas companies for information and communication technology (ICT) projects.
Naturally, this allegation got Malaysians rather angry that local talent was sidelined. However, the National Security Council (NSC) was quick to release a statement clarifying that KPISoft is indeed a Malaysian company that has made its way into the international market.
According to the NSC, they state that KPISoft is a local company with the MSC (Multimedia Super Corridor) status founded in 2010.
They state that the company has two Malaysian founders, Anuar Rozhan and Raveenderan Ramamoothie.
The website currently only lists Raveenderan Ramamoothie as one of their founders and group COO.(Credit: KPISoft)
NSC also states that the company has offices in 15 different countries spanning the Asia Pacific, US, Middle East, Europe, Singapore, and India, but their main management team is still based in Malaysia. In fact, the KPISoft office in Malaysia is located at Q Sentral, right in KL Sentral.
The NSC also noted that in addition to KPISoft’s global achievements, the company also had a mobile application that was the readiest for national implementation compared to those offered by other companies at that time, which is why the NSC ultimately went with KPISoft to develop MySejahtera as time was of the essence.

Redeem Your RM50 ePenjana Credit By Downloading MySejahtera App

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More Than Half Of Children In The Asia Pacific Prefer In-Person Education

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Although 1 in 2 kids in the Asia Pacific (APAC) like face-to-face classrooms more than online sessions (55%), it is less than other regions globally.

According to the Kaspersky survey, children in Latin America have the strongest preference for traditional education (75%), followed by Africa (73%), and the Middle East (58%).
Screen time is cited as the biggest reason why APAC kids dislike online classes (74%). The second biggest reason is technical issues (60%).
That leaves almost half of the students (45%) preferring remote learning.
Difficulty By Subject
Aaron Burden / Unsplash
When asked further, children in APAC countries said that mathematics is the most difficult subject to study remotely (48%). This is followed by chemistry (28%), physics (25%), and biology (25%).
These numbers are generally the same across all regions, according to Kaspersky.
So who has the most problems with children studying from home? Parents!
68% of parents in APAC stated they don’t want to continue this learning format after the pandemic.
The main reason given is too much time in front of the screen (68%) and a general decline in the quality of education (48%).
Remote learning during the pandemic has turned out to be stressful for everyone involved: children, parents and teachers. However, adults didn’t always make the right decisions to help simplify their children’s lives because they too were adapting to the new format. This can be seen clearly in the poll. The conclusion is simple: when the modern world deals with a wild card, teachers have to master new teaching skills for remote learning using various digital tools in combination with offline learning.Chris Connell, Managing Director for the Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

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Jokowi ashamed to face Malaysia & Singapore as haze continues to engulf the region

Indonesian President Joko Widodo feels ashamed of the haze and smog caused by fires in the republic nation.

(Image Credit: Twitter)

Jokowi who is scheduled to visit Malaysia and Singapore this week said that he was embarrassed by the transboundary haze season which had soured relations between the neighbouring countries.
In a separate post on Instagram, Jokowi mentions of a four-step plan to combat the ongoing forest fires and the resulting haze which has clouded the region.

 View this post on Instagram

 Setiap kemarau datang, saya teringat kebakaran hutan dan lahan yang terjadi tahun 2015. Lahan yang terbakar di Kalimantan dan Sumatra kurang lebih 2,6 juta hektare dan menimbulkan kerugian sampai Rp221 triliun. Ini sebuah angka yang besar dan saya berharap tidak terjadi lagi. Seperti kemarin, di hadapan sejumlah kepala daerah, perangkat kepolisian serta TNI dari berbagai wilayah yang hadir di Rakornas Pengendalian Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan, saya menyampaikan empat arahan. Pertama, prioritaskan pencegahan melalui patroli terpadu, deteksi dini, sehingga kondisi harian di lapangan selalu terpantau. Kedua, saya meminta jajaran pemerintahan terkait, khususnya Badan Restorasi Gambut, untuk menata pengelolaan ekosistem gambut secara berkelanjutan. Ketiga, kalau ada api, padamkan sesegera mungkin. Jangan biarkan api itu membesar. Keempat, penegakan hukum bagi pelaku pembakaran hutan dan lahan dilakukan tanpa kompromi.
A post shared by  Joko Widodo (@jokowi) on Aug 6, 2019 at 6:46pm PDT

Step 1
Prioritizing the prevention of fires through integrated patrols and early detection, where monitoring of the situation will be conducted round the clock.
Team Work GIF from Spy GIFs

The president mentions that the country must look towards the use of modern technology to detect fires and hotspots occurring across the region, even stating that he would pay for the equipment from his own pocket.
Step 2
The restoration, conservation and management of the natural peat swamp forests.

(Image Credit: CHEEZburger)

These areas are basically bogs made up of highly flammable decomposing plant material which are usually drained away to make room for farmland.
Mismanagement of these areas attribute greatly to the spread of wildfires in Indonesia.
Step 3
To detect and extinguish blazes as fast as possible. Hence preventing the fire from spreading and affecting other areas.
Firefighter Family Guy GIF from Firefighter GIFs

The president even went as far as stating that he would sack personnel if they fail to extinguish the blaze.
Step 4
Increased enforcement against perpetrators of forest and land burnings would be carried out without compromise.
By law, Indonesian farmers are allowed to clear land by the ironic means of controlled burning, where areas are simply burned away to make room for farmland.

(Image Credit: imgflip)

However, the lack of enforcement and ongoing illegal activities from unscrupulous individuals have resulted in the ongoing catastrophe that the republic nation faces today.

Reportedly, there have been some 900 different hotspots detected across 18 provinces in Indonesia.

(Image Credit: LAPAN)

Experts estimate that some 130,000 hectares of land has turned to ash within the year alone…


[Watch] The Highs And Lows Of Blackpink’s Bukit Jalil Concert

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Blackpink returned to Malaysia yesterday ( 4 March) for their BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] KUALA LUMPUR at Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

The popular K-pop group first performed in Malaysia in 2019 and has garnered more fans, known as Blinks, over the years.
The excitement to watch Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rose perform live was evident with fans travelling across the nation arriving to wait at the stadium as early as 7am.
Some fans also performed in a flash mob while waiting outside the stadium to show their passion and love for the band.
Fans with VIP access also showed equal excitement during the sound check process.
However, it was also hard to satisfy everyone; even good plans come with their pitfalls.
A netizen pointed out that the VIP merchandise could be better for their ticket price after a fan posted up a picture of the VIP lanyard.
Some also complained that they lost their seats, possibly due to the concert organiser’s alleged last-minute addition of new seating zones.
Meanwhile, another fan was disappointed by the seat they got. They allegedly did not pay for a seat with a restricted view, but their view was partially blocked by the fence.
Due to this, other netizens advised the fans to lodge a complaint with the organisers for refunds.
FOR RM1,888 you’d think they’d at least have a decent tag worth the price. LOLThe VIP merch is lame as it is. https://t.co/AJz9G98a4N— ᴊᴏᴇ ʟᴇᴇ (@iamjoelee) March 4, 2023
Lodge a complaint with organiser. Get a refund. Menganiaya org.— #EndChildMarriage – Azira 🇲🇾 🌺 (@ladymissazira) March 4, 2023
I already know Blackpink are gonna get dragged for this in the future but Malaysia was SOLD OUT before Livenation decided to add thousands of new seats literally 24 hours before the show which gives MY blinks literally zero time to plan— ℬ (@globaIpinks) March 3, 2023
Ingatkan penyokong bola, rupanya peminat Blackpink datang tengok konsert dekat Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil.#majoriti#blackpinkconcertmalaysia#BLACKPINK_BORNPINKENCORE Kredit: Sosial media pic.twitter.com/ZX9C6VAI4s— Majoriti (@majoritionline) March 5, 2023
  @absolutevent LIVE UPDATE VIP SOUNDCHECK 😱 #blackpink #blackpinkofficial #blackpinkinyourarea #kualalumpur ♬ original sound  – Absolut Bazaar
  @jessicachaw #BORNPINKKUALALUMPUR SOUND CHECK!!! IM CRYING! @blackpinkofficial #blackpinkinkl2023 #FYPMALAYSIA ♬ original sound  – Jessica C

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Wedding guest throws out snack goodies claiming that it’s “fake food”

Itâ€™s always lovely to finally see our friends getting hitched. Sometimes, it really feels as though the bride and groom are spoiling us; not only do they feed us free food, we also get to leave with cute, custom door gifts.
Be Our Guest GIF from Beourguest GIFs

You would think that wedding guests would appreciate the effort the bride and groom and their family have put into organising the wedding, but apparently that’s not always the case.
Twitter user @MeowPhone took to social media to criticise a wedding guest who took pride in throwing away snacks he received from a wedding.
The Guild Vork GIF from Theguild GIFs

 This was what the guest said:

â€œThese are what my kids got from yesterdayâ€™s wedding. To me, these are fake food, filled with sugar, artificial flavouring, additives, and chemicals. We donâ€™t regret throwing these into the trash.
 I donâ€™t even have the heart to give it to other kids. Please give out real food like fruits instead of junk food for your weddings next time.â€
 @Meowphone tweeted in response:

â€œEven though itâ€™s â€˜fake foodâ€™, food is still food. What if hungry, less fortunate people see him throwing away the food, isnâ€™t it cruel to them? Let alone the wedding hosts, Iâ€™m sure theyâ€™d be devastated reading his status updateâ€.
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This tweet quickly went viral with Twitterville weighing in about how manners maketh man.

“That man shouldn’t have posted online. If he wants to throw away those fake food, just do it privately. No need to publicize it.
Have some respect for the host. What if they’re on his friend list?“
Manners Maketh Man GIF from Mannersmakethman GIFs

Some of the users also shared their personal encounters with â€œoverly strict parentsâ€.

“I know someone like this. They won’t let their kids touch candies or junk food. One time, the kid’s uncle gave him candy, and his mom dug it out of his mouth in public. Unbelievable.“
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Things took an interesting turn when the host herself replied with a comment on Facebook saying,

â€œDear sir,
First of all, thank you for attending our wedding. I agree with what you said. Iâ€™m not too keen on giving junk food to kids either. But in our defence, the junk food was served in a buffet where you had the choice to either take it or not.
So it really makes me wonder, how is there so much junk food in that plastic bag?â€
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So he took the junk food home just to dispose of them right after? THE AUDACITY.
However, the wedding guest eventually retracted his statement and apologised for offending the host.

“I would like to humbly apologise for offending multiple parties, including the host, through my previous posting. I realise my mistake now. I hope you can forgive me.“
As good as it is to teach your kids healthy eating, itâ€™s more important to teach them manners when it comes to appreciating gifts from other people, no matter what it is.
Do you agree? Let us know on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!


Malaysians Going For The Gold in POPCAT With Support From A Politician And Malaysian Burger Joint

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Malaysia is currently battling with Thailand and Taiwan for a seat in the golden throne of the useless but addictive web app POPCAT.

Read More: Malaysia In 10th Place On Useless But Addictive Web App
Pop who? Popcat, a popular clicking game where you either click (on your computer) or tap (on your phone) a cat named Oatmeal for points.
On Friday, we made the top 10 but in the true spirit of “Malaysia boleh”, here we are currently in 3rd place.
Did someone say free burgers?
A Facebook post by home-grown Malaysian burger joint myBurgerLab (mBL) yesterday (14 August) said that if Malaysia gets to number 1, they will treat us to burgers!

And you know how Malaysians are with free food.
Their post has since received 3.9k reactions, over 1,000 comments and 2,000 shares.
Now if all those who engaged in the post did their part to play the game and scored at least 1,000, we’d easily get 7 million to our score.
When Malaysia does get to number one, mBL said they will issue the voucher in the coming days via their app.
It even caught the attention of Syed Saddiq
Even Muar MP and former Youth and Sports Minister was taken aback by Malaysia’s unrelenting efforts to win with a tweet displaying three ”face exhaling” emojis.
😮💨😮💨😮💨 pic.twitter.com/l378cHZSKc— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) August 14, 2021
Turns out Syed Saddiq’s supporters are also big fans of POPCAT with one Twitter user replying to his post with her ‘Oyen’ playing the game.
Oyen pun support 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FahZ7MfHPb— asterisk (@intanyazid) August 14, 2021
Blink and you’ll miss it
The tallying of clicks is in real-time and so quick that we might even miss the moment Malaysia makes it to number one.
Wehhh laju gila HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAAH pic.twitter.com/avQb7fJ9ql— ｏｒｋｉｄ jual kek ♡ (@ShafizahMS) August 14, 2021
But seeing how competitive we are, we’re sure that someone will capture the moment and victory will finally be ours!
Netizens “get it”
As a whole, Malaysian Netizens “get it”. The sense of unity is strong in the three “S”s: Sport, (thrashing on) Singapore, and now silly games/social media:
The few things that unite us as Malaysians: watching Lee Chong Wei play, trashing on Singaporean food and trying to become number 1 on PopCat.— Jit #ManaUndiKami 🏴 (@jigleepaff) August 14, 2021
Some even feel they’ve done their part as a patriot like one of TRP’s very own readers:

Whatever your stance is on the game, we should consider ourselves lucky we still have our sense of humour. Some countries don’t have that kind of luxury it seems (hint: look at the very bottom of the leaderboard).
Want to keep Popcat going? Help the developers by donating money for their server fees here.

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Ghosting Your Friends Over Work? It’s Time To Change That

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Remote working is becoming popular and work flexibility is encouraged, but the idea that longer work hours equals increased productivity is still prevalent in our country.

According to a report from Kisi, KL ranks as the third most overworked city in the world in 2022. In 2021, it was ranked eighth, while in 2020 and 2019, it was ranked fourth.
We dare say, this isn’t a ladder we ought to climb.
While experts suggest that there’s still a long way to go to achieve work-life balance in Malaysia, taking our minds off work to unwind and chill is necessary regardless of our current environment.
All work and no play…
(Credit: Heineken® Malaysia)
We know that it’s important to take breaks, but how often do we actually do it? When was the last time your friends invited you out for a drink and you said ‘yes’?
Let’s face it, sometimes you don’t actually want to ghost your friends. But we all have that one colleague or employer that loves making the office their home, and they refuse to leave even though it’s past office hours. And no matter how hard you try to leave (or sneak away without them noticing), it’s impossible to do so.
The culture of overworking stems from many reasons. Sometimes, it’s not just a boss or a colleague that holds you back from leaving the office on time. When you get a boost of inspiration, you’d rather keep working than let the idea float away.
(Credit: Heineken® Malaysia)
Us Malaysians are determined people. Whenever we get a task, we love to see it to completion and we always strive for perfection. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if it’s at the expense of valuable relationships with the people closest to you, then it’s time to reevaluate your priorities and make time for what’s more important.
Overworking doesn’t just take away your time. When you’re overworked, your cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone) increases. This can lead to brain fog, high blood pressure, heart diseases, anxiety, and a host of other health issues.
No matter the demands of your work, it’s okay to unplug and take some time for yourself or even for your friends, ‘cause sometimes they need it more than you do.
And Heineken® has just the thing to help remind you and your friends to #WorkResponsibly!
Heineken® Ghost GIF Generator
Have a friend that always ghosts you ‘cause they’re doing overtime every time you call them out?
Send them this personalised message to remind them to quit ‘ghosting’ you and to #WorkResponsibly.
Heineken® Ghosted Bar
(Credit: Heineken® Malaysia)
From 9 to 31 May, join the Heineken® Ghosted Bar experiences happening throughout Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, and Johor and have a blast with your friends!
At the Ghosted Bar experiences, you and your squad can participate in fun activities such as the Heineken® Work Buster, a Whack-a-Mole style game that’s sure to release all your work stress.
You can also participate in the Heineken® Live Draw and stand to win amazing prizes worth a total of RM100,000, including 6x Squad Goal tickets to Good Vibes Festival, 5x Heineken® Birthday Experiences and 5x Heineken® Dining Experiences.
Invite your friends who are stuck in the office while you’re at the Heineken® Ghosted Bar and get a complimentary bucket of Heineken® if they show up! Happy hour is just getting started, so get your Unghosted moments captured at the Ghosted Bar, leave work woes behind, and catch up with your friends.
All work made Jack a dull boy. Don’t be like Jack.
(Credit: Heineken® Malaysia)
Listen, if your name is Jack, we’re not throwing shade at you. We’re just saying that it’s probably time to stop ghosting your friends and it’s okay to leave work on time.
RSVP HERE to the Heineken® Ghosted Bar experiences. Remember to invite your friends and remind them not to ghost you!
*Only for non-Muslims aged 21 and above. Enjoy Heineken® responsibly. When you drive, never drink. Terms and conditions apply.

#WorkResponsibly #HeinekenMY

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Malaysian Miriam Omar The Only SEA Designer To Debut Her Collection In Shein Fashion Show

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Malaysian designer Miriam Omar was the only Southeast Asian designer selected for the #SheinForAll Spring/ Summer 2022 Virtual Runway Show.

Shein is a global fast-fashion company that has seen enormous growth in Malaysia. The online retailer is mostly popular for their affordable and cute clothing.
The show was broadcasted live via the Shein app and the brand’s official social media pages on Sunday, 20 February.
It features models from around the world wearing the season’s hottest styles and trends. True to its name, the runway concept celebrates body inclusivity and diversity.

According to The Vibes, Miriam showcased designs from her new collection titled ‘Walk in the Meadow.’
The collection by the Kuala Lumpur-based artist was inspired by romantic evening walks in a meadow filled with colourful wildflowers. Each design featured her signature floral prints.

The Walk in the Meadow collection features dresses, skirts, blouses, a cami crop top and even high-waisted pants with pockets.
This collaborative collection was possible thanks to Shein X, which offers emerging designers around the world the chance to showcase their creations to the global market.
Shein X works with young, independent designers and provides them with the resources to build their brand and bring their creative idea to life.

Miriam initially started out in the creative industry in marketing and business development before fully dedicating herself to art in 2018.
Since then, she has ventured into textile design, furniture design, paintings, illustrations and murals.
The vibrant Shein X Miriam Omar 12-piece collection can be found in the Shein app with prices ranging from RM34 to RM133.

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These “Not Bad, Not Too Sweet” Cakes Will Sweeten Up Father’s Day

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Local cakery Elevete Patisserie is releasing three new specialty cake flavours in their Father’s Day collection, each looking tastier than the last. Indeed, knowing our fathers’ quiet disapproval for anything overly sweet, these cakes are carefully balances the sweetness. Look out for the highest praise possible from your father: “Not bad, not too sweet”!

Although Father’s Day is right around the corner, these special cakes will be available all the way until the end of the month.
The Taste Test
We were lucky to snag a Hazelnut Burnt Butter cake for ourselves to try out. The cake boasts plenty of chopped hazelnuts and cookie crumbles with two generous layers of light butter cake, topped with a chocolate moustache.
It’s a LOT of hazelnuts.(Credit: TRP)
Brown butter frosting is dotted throughout the middle and the top of the cake and, because of how creamy and smooth it is, eliminates the need for extra icing on the side. Their decision to hold off on additional icing on the side is a good one, as the cream ends up being a wonderful highlight instead of overwhelming the delicate taste of cake.
The cake itself has a delicious nutty, toasty flavour, reminiscent of caramel. The hazelnuts are generously spread all over the cake so you get a good crunch in each bite.
The Verdict
Despite its humble and modest looks, the hazelnut burnt butter cake packs buttery smooth and nutty flavour within each tanned slice.
The ratio of cake to cream is just right.(Credit: Elevete Patisserie)
It would be a hit for people who love hazelnuts, but the crunchy tough nuts may pose a bit of a choking hazard to younger children, or cause some difficulty for those with sensitive or weak teeth.
Although the cake is delicious on its own, the experience is highly elevated (ha, ha) when you pair it with a cup of fresh coffee, which further enhances the creamy smooth taste.
The cake, which weighs 1kg, will be enough to feed 6-10 people, or last your father 2-3 meals.
Spoilt For Choice
In addition to the Hazelnut Burnt Butter Cake, they also have two other flavours: Midnight Sin, a rich dark chocolate cake, and the classic Blackforest Cake.
From left: Blackforest Cake, Hazelnut Burnt Butter Cake, and Midnight Sin.(Credit: Elevete Patisserie)
These three specialty cakes go perfectly with a hot cup of aromatic coffee, which is why Elevete Patisserie is collaborating with Ghostbird Coffee to offer a box of chocolate aroma drip coffee at a special price to go with your cake.
The Father’s Day collection cakes will be available exclusively on their website until 30 June 2021 and will require 24-hours advance notice for baking.

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[UPDATED] These Roads & Highways In Klang Valley Are Now Closed During MCO

[Update as of March 29] The police has set up four roadblocks in two districts in Dang Wangi and Brickfields districts, making the total 56 in Kuala Lumpur.
So far, 43 people, including 19 foreigners were arrested in the capital for not following MCO directives since it was enforced on March 18.
Highway operators and the police have announced that roads in Klang Valley will be closed temporarily as part of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The operators for Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP), Litrak have conducted a temporary partial closure of lanes at the Petaling Jaya toll plaza heading south until further notice.
It’ll involve the five rightmost lanes – the Express Lane heading towards Putrajaya, Shah Alam and Puchong (yellow lane) at the Petaling Jaya toll plaza (south bound).
Picture Credit: Litrak
Motorists coming form Petaling Jaya, Bandar Sunway towards Shah Alam (KESAS), Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil, Puchong, Shah Alam, Putrajaya will be most affected by the partial closure.
Earlier, the police have closed roads at Persiaran Mahogani Seksyen 9, Persiara Jati Seksyen 8 and Persiaran Sungai Buloh, which are around the Kota Damansara area and it was also reported that Jalan Gasing which borders Kuala Lumpur has also been closed.
To break the chain of infection, the second phase of the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be tightened to ensure that people comply to the order, Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
He added that currently Malaysia’s compliance towards the order is at 95% but said the remaining 5% have been defying the MCO despite the warning given by authorities.

 For more updates on COVID-19, check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!


Local NGO uses social media to reduce stray dogs in Klang Valley!

Stray dogs are not just an eyesore, theyâ€™re also really scary when they live in packs and bark at you while youâ€™re crossing the street.
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Stray dogs get a bad rep in Malaysia for being unclean and violent, when the sad reality is that theyâ€™re only like that because we humans treat them so badly.
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Thankfully, My Forever Doggo is working to help these poor strays!
The non-profit and shelter-neutral online service is working to increase the number of dog adoption rates at animal shelters across the Klang Valley.
Picture credit: Facebook/My Forever Doggo
How do they do this?Â
Theyâ€™ve basically set up an Instagram account as an easy online catalogue for people to browse for cute dogs available for adoption!

Picture credit: Instagram/myforeverdoggo

The dogs featured are from local pounds and shelters like PAWS, SPCA, and independent rescuers.
My Forever Doggo collaborates with them and photographs the dogs available for adoption to help raise awareness.

 View this post on Instagram

 Reggie and Ronnie are very active, loving and a whole lot of boisterous fun! . Think back to a time when you and your brother (or sister) would spend hours playing konda-kondi or kejar-kejar. . After that, you'd balik rumah and kena marah, right? Well, Reggie and Ronnie are just like that, but at the moment they don't have a Mama or Papa to balik to… . Reggie and Ronnie just can't be separated. They thrive on each other and love each other so much and it's been that way for 4 years. They complete each other, and now they need YOU to guide, care for and love them for who they are. . Take both of them bros home. Surely they would be attached to you like how theyâ€™re attached to one another 🐶❤🐶🥰 . Ready to adopt? Drop us a PM to arrange for a visit. Also, tag a friend who needs a pair of Reggie and Ronnie in their life. . #myforeverdoggo #adoptnotshop #dogsofinstagram #dogadoption Age: 4 years old Gender: males Size: medium smalls
A post shared by  My Forever Doggo (@myforeverdoggo) on Sep 2, 2019 at 7:31pm PDT

Why do they do this?
My Forever Doggo wanted to address the continuously increasing number of stray and abandoned dogs as well as the low rate of dog adoptions at shelters.

 View this post on Instagram

A post shared by My Forever Doggo (@myforeverdoggo) on Jul 30, 2019 at 4:38am PDT

Based on their research, the low rates of adoption was simply because the public wasnâ€™t aware all these dogs looking for homes.
This was due to the fact that the public wasnâ€™t visiting the shelters because they were out of the way and because some patrons had bad experiences there.
Puppy Face GIF from Puppyface GIFs

The truth is, stray, abandoned or sold, all dogs deserve a happy life in a good home. They are gentle protective animals who should be loved and cared for.
If youâ€™re interested in adopting one of the dogs on their page, visit their Facebook or Instagram and send them a DM!


[Watch] GE15: Hannah Yeoh And Nurul Izzah’s Campaign Banners Vandalised

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There are 11 more days until the 15th general election (GE15) and the political parties are racing to get their manifestos out in order to secure votes.

Unfortunately, there are a few irresponsible individuals who resorted to dirty tactics to sabotage the candidates they disagreed with.
Pakatan Harapan’s Segambut candidate Hannah Yeoh and Permatang Pauh candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar were alerted that some of their campaign banners and billboards had been vandalised.
Penduduk Taman Tun Dr Ismail maklumkan bahawa pagi ini bendera Harapan telah ditarik keluar, banner saya dipotong & billboard saya dihancurkan di beberapa lokasi. Sedih kerana kami bukan orang kaya. Permainan politik kotor dan menjijikkan. Bertanding secara bersih pls! #Segambut pic.twitter.com/1PeopawkOR— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) November 7, 2022
Residents of Taman Tun Dr Ismail shared with Hannah images of her banners and billboards cut, torn and pulled down in several locations in the area.
In the press conference uploaded on Facebook, Hannah Yeoh took netizens on a walkabout showing the extent of the damage.

She said they had obtained permits to put up the political banners and billboards in these targeted areas and a police report will be lodged today (8 November).
In the other locations, the Pakatan Harapan flags were also cut and left discarded on the ground.
Hannah added that she hopes these irresponsible acts such as vandalism and dirty politics will stop and the election campaign will be clean, fair and just.
She also asked residents with CCTV cameras in the affected locations to send the clips to her to aid police investigation.

On Twitter, Nurul Izzah urged youths to build a mature political legacy and leave the hate culture behind.
Although the banner is cut, the spirit remains strong. InshaaAllah.Pakatan Harapan’s Permatang Pauh candidate Nurul Izzah
Ayuh anak muda, kita bina legasi politik matang. Tinggalkan budaya kebencian yang akhirnya pasti merugikan. That’s just not who we are.Walau bunting dikoyak, tetapi semangat tetap kental, InshaaAllah✊🏽💪🏽#AyuhMalaysia #DemiPermatangPauh pic.twitter.com/qgNUzYaJQ3— Nurul Izzah Anwar 🇲🇾 🌺 (@n_izzah) November 6, 2022

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Travel Bubble Between Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei & Others In The Works

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With the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) in full effect and as Covid-19 cases in the country and across the Southeast Asian region reside, Malaysia is looking into establishing a “travel bubble” between us and neighbouring countries like Singapore and Brunei.
Apparently, Malaysia is in discussion with Singapore, Brunei, Australia, and New Zealand on creating “green bubbles” or “green lanes” between these nations to allow for less restrictive travel among its citizens.
Since the start of the Covid-19 in late December 2019, countries around the world had effectively restricted cross-border travel to mitigate the spread of the virus.
The travel bubble or lane would essentially allow for free travel between nations that have successfully managed outbreaks in their respective countries.

Malaysia Hasn’t Decided On A Travel Bubble With Neighbors

According to the Health Director-General Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, guidelines for the bubble must be set in place and the decision must be mutually agreed upon by participating nations.
Recently, Malaysia had agreed to allow foreigners and expats from “green zone” countries (Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand) without undergoing mandatory quarantine.
Malaysia also had asked Singapore to agree on implementing a Periodical Commuting Arrangement to facilitate cross-border travel and allow for migrant workers from both countries to travel freely.
However, Singapore was a bit apprehensive about the idea and prefers to take on a “step-by-step” approach to reopening its borders to Malaysia in order to minimize the spread of Covid-19.

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Source:
Malaysia Plans Travel Bubbles With Singapore and Brunei
Top management expats allowed to enter Malaysia from Wednesday
Malaysia Partially Reopens Borders to Expats, Medical Tourists
Singapore asked to consider allowing Malaysian workers to commute daily: PM Muhyiddin


Free Rides For A Month In All Rapid KL Rides

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all public transport services under Rapid KL will be free for one month starting immediately, in conjunction with the official opening of the MRT Putrajaya Line Phase One today.

The Malay Mail reported that the move was to help alleviate the cost of living Malaysians currently face.
Services under Rapid KL that will be free for one month starting today are MRT, LRT, BRT, Monorail and Rapid KL buses.
Image: TRP File
The new MRT Putrajaya Line will be developed in two phases and will serve about two million residents from Kwasa Damansara all the way to Putrajaya.
The MRT Putrajaya line is comprised 12 stations between Kwasa Damansara and Kampung Batu, and can be used by the public from 3pm today.
Free Malaysia Today reported that Phase 2 of the MRT line will pass through “strategic areas” in the Kuala Lumpur city centre such as Titiwangsa, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ampang Park, and the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX).
It’s also hoped that the new line will help ease traffic congestion in the city.

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Malaysia’s ‘Shadow Economy’ Explained By A Comedian & An Economist

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Malaysia’s illegal black market is alive and thriving, and we’re the ones to blame.

In an interview with local comedian Harith Iskander, Datametrics Research and Information Sdn. Bhd. (DARE) Managing Director and economist Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad discussed the country’s booming ‘shadow economy’ and how it detrementally impacts the nation.
Harith, if you talk about us, we’re going to write about you 😉(Credit: Harith Iskander via Facebook)
So what is the shadow economy?
A shadow economy can be described as an informal means of production, distribution, and the consumption of goods and services that either goes unreported or is entirely illegal in nature.
According to Pankajkumar, the shadow economy is basically made up of two parts; legal and illegal.
Let say you work a standard 9 – 5 job with an income that is legally taxed by the government. But on the side, you run your own home business from which the income you get was not formally declared to the government.
This is what’s known as a legal shadow economy.
Mimi Thian/Unsplash
The illegal shadow economy is what you would call the ‘black market’.
It is made up of everything; from fake or imitation merchandise that you get at Petaling Street, to contraband such as drugs, alcohol or illicit cigarettes.
Services like prostitution and illegal gambling are also part of the black market – all of which are not tracked or taxed by the government.
(Credit: Ravin Rau via Unsplash)
Pankajkumar explained that the shadow economy makes up between 18% to 20% or between RM200 to RM300 billion in terms of Malaysia’s total economic output.
So why is it a problem?
The existence of a shadow economy creates many repercussions for the country.
Besides costing the nation billions of ringgit in lost tax revenue, the black market also casts a dark image on the country’s international reputation and impacts the market in a way that forces businesses to shut down from lack of profits – evidently causing the unemployment rate to rise.
To put it in simpler terms, without tax revenue, the government has no money to pay for all of the programs and infrastructure that we need. And as consumers continue to purchase illicit goods, businesses suffer from unfair competition.
Additionally, no decent investor would want to waste money in a country with a questionable track record, a thriving criminal underground and citizens who have little to no money to spend.
(Credit: Firdaus Latif via Malay Mail)
Pankajkumar says that Malaysians themselves are responsible for the growth of the black market over the years through their purchase of illicit goods and supporting this shadowy ecosystem.
However, he mentions that the government’s lax enforcement of these illegal activities is equally exacerbating the problem.
When they (smugglers) import goods, they have to make sure they have covered their track in terms of how it’s done. So effectively as a consumer if you are buying these goods you are actually helping them to corrupt the officials, simple as that.DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
Pankajkumar explains that things like corruption as well as the government’s misguided tax policies on things such as cigarettes present the perfect opportunity for the shadow economy to flourish.
Providing an example of this, he said that the government’s plan to increase taxes on cigarettes, to supposedly lower the number of smokers in the country, has failed miserably and only adds to the problem.
In the space of just three years, the government raised taxes, excise duties from RM220 per 1000 cigarettes to RM400 per 1000 cigarettes. That cost a significant jump in cigarette prices, and before this boom, the incidents of illicit cigarettes in the market was about one-third or 33%. And in the space of 2013 until 2020, illicit cigarettes have gone up to 63%.DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
The economist demonstrated that the government’s policy in increasing ‘excise duties’ on cigarettes has raised the price gap between legal and illicit cigarettes so much that everyone is losing out in the long run.
If you look at statistics, it tells you that everytime the government raised excise duties by 10%, the government loses a quarter bilion in terms of revenue or tax collection and the incidents of illicit cigerettes in the market will go up by 2 percentage points.DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
What are we to do about it?
Overall, the shadow economy is highly damaging towards the general state of the country, but there are ways to counter it, as the economist would move to explain;
1. Increase people’s purchasing power
(Credit: Bernama)
Pankajkumar says Malaysia should push to increase how much our citizens get paid.
It’s easy to justify that higher wages will provide consumers with more purchasing power to buy premium, legal goods instead of seeking out the cheaper, illegal options.
He was also forward with the fact that the government should move towards cutting down on taxes, such as the excise duties on cigarettes, to press down on the overall prices of commodities to avoid inflation.
2. Enhanced enforcement
Credit: TRP
Action also speaks louder than words, according to Pankajkumar.
The economist made it clear that Malaysia needs to up its game when it comes to law enforcement, security as well as in dealing with corruption to halt the black market’s growth on every level.
For example, some of these goods that are being sold at the retail point, the point of sale. Why don’t we confiscate all these goods that are being sold if they are illegal? Why do we allow the traders to sell them in the first place?DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
A more critical concern he raised was that we, as consumers, simply could never truly know how these illegal products were made or what actually goes into em’ – making it quite harmful and even deadly.
It’s very dangerous if you allow illicit products to expand in the market like this. So the government needs to think hard to have greater scrutiny in terms of how enforcement is done, actions being taken, and using the law. We have all the laws but how much of the law are we using to tackle incidents of smuggling activities, corruption related to enforcement. All this is important, it has to come hand in hand.DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
Additionally, we as consumers should also move towards changing our own buying behaviour by making smarter decisions and avoid using those cheap, fake, imitations or illicit products and services.
3. Regulate and innovate
(Credit:  Don Delfin Almonte/ Landovan via Unsplash)
Lastly, the economist suggests that the government work to both expand and regulate Malaysia’s already world-renowned industries.
Homegrown producers, like local e-cigarettes and vaping brands, already have more than enough potential to create jobs, attract foreign investments and elevate our economy.
Nicotine based vaping e-liquids is about 95% to 97% of the market. Where as the non-nicotine one is only about 3% or 5%. So the government can actually increase it’s revenue by introducing taxes for vaping products, nicotine-based e-liquids.DARE Managing Director Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad via Facebook
Be sure to catch the whole interview on Harith Iskander’s ‘What’s Going On Malaysia’ show on social media.
Read More: Finance Ministry To Introduce Ways To Disincentivise Malaysia’s Shadow Economy

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Got 10,000 YouTube followers? You can be accepted by a university in Jakarta

Entering a university can sometimes be quite daunting with some requiring straight Aâ€™s while others may charge high entrance fees.

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But a university in Indonesia is offering a place to anyone with a YouTube channel that has over 10,000 subscribers, or has a video with over 10,000 views.

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 Boleh dicoba nih, selain prestasi Ketua OSIS, Hafiz Quran 5 Juz dan juga prestasi Olimpiade Tag teman kamu 😎 Info lengkap : penmaru.upnvj.ac.id
A post shared by  INFOMASUKPTN 2019 (@infomasukptn) on Jun 12, 2019 at 7:49am PDT

What kind of university is this?
The first yhing that might pop into your mind would be a hipster, cool kind of university.
Influencers where you at?

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But, on the contrary…
National Development University Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ) is a reputable university in the capital city of Jakarta that offers a wide range of courses, from veterinary science, to agriculture, and economics.

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However, UPNVJ explains that actually having 10,000 subscribers or having a video with views doesnâ€™t automatically secure you a place in the university.
Instead, the applicants’ YouTube channel would be screened by a committee after which, applicants need to make a video of about 2-3 minutes whilst on campus.
The university explains that their main goal of having a YouTube â€˜influencerâ€™ is to convey positive messages and influence society for the better.

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Besides, after all that, you would still need to take a a computer-based written test (UTBK).
So no guys, being an influencer and getting into uni isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Though at least this university provides the opportunity for influencers to have an academic future.

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Though… how many of us have 10,000 YouTube followers anyway?


Free breakfast for all primary students next year: Everything you need to know

All children in primary schools will get breakfast for free every morning starting January next year.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik announced the initiative on Facebook yesterday (Aug 26).
In the post, he said that the ministry believes students need healthy eating patterns and balanced meals to ensure that they are in good physical condition and able to focus on their studies
Starting from January 2020, the ministry will launch a special free breakfast program for children in primary schools across the country. The children will be provided with a good breakfast with a healthy menu.Dr Maszlee Malik via Facebook

The reactions to the initiative were mostly good, although some Malaysians had valid concerns and some advice for the minister.

“Such a good programme. I hope the programme will remain even when the government changes after GE15”“I suggest that the time formal teaching in classes begin at 8am so that between 7.30am and 8am, students have time to eat breakfast in a calm and orderly atmosphere. At the same time, lessons on good values, discipline and civic-mindedness can be applied. (For example, have the kids line up to get their food, read their supplications, tidy the dining tables etc.)”
Today, Maszlee Malik posted again on Facebook addressing several issues parents and the general public might have about the initiative.
Here’s everything you need to know about the free breakfast programme.
1. The programme is aimed at feeding ALL primary school students nationwide.
That includes all SRJK(C) and SRJK(T) schools as well. In total, an estimated 2.7 million children will be fed under the programme.
2. Preschool and secondary school students aren’t included in the programme.
Preschooled children cannot be included in this programme as food served in preschools involve different procurement procedures.
3. The initiative will be managed through the existing Rancangan Makanan Tambahan (RMT) programme.
And the food will be prepared by the canteen operators at each participating school.
4. The programme has been proposed to take place during both morning and afternoon sessions.
During the morning session, food will be available for students between 7am and 8.30am. Meanwhile, for the afternoon session, food will be served between 12pm and 4pm.
5. The ministry is still calculating the appropriate cost per head.
They are still figuring out how much they’ll need to ensure each student can enjoy good quality meals.
6. The programmes’ menu will be decided following advice from the Health Ministry and other food and nutrition experts from local universities.
The Education ministry is also taking appropriate steps through collaboration with the Health Ministry, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry and nutritionists from local universities to ensure a quality breakfast is provided.
7. To ensure the programme is successfully implemented, the ministry initiated a pilot project at selected schools since early August 2019.
Based on the results of the pilot project, which will end on October 2019, the ministry will take the necessary measures to ensure the free breakfast programme is successfully implemented.
8. A special committee will be established to discuss the budget required for the programme.
Funds earned from the sugar tax implemented earlier this year has been suggested to be used for this programme and the special committee will look into this possibility.

Do you think this programme is a good idea? Do you have any concerns over the programme that were not addressed above?
Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
You can take a look at Dr Maszlee’s full Facebook post below: