Cloud Chasers Beware: MOH Are Punishing Smoking In Smoke-Free Zones

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Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Authorities from the Health Ministry will be upping their enforcement game to look for and punish smokers who selfishly puff away in gazetted smoke-free areas.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said that enforcers would constantly be on patrol to compound those who go against the rule.
Khairy had shared several pictures on social media warning of what would happen if people still want to smoke in public.
Susulan arahan untuk penguatkuasaan yang lebih ketat terhadap larangan merokok ditempat awam, @KKMPutrajaya akan sentiasa berada di lapangan untuk melaksanakan operasi pematuhan. pic.twitter.com/nF4HRhZqOG— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 26, 2021
In 2019, the government had imposed a ban on smoking at restaurants and eateries nationwide under Regulation 11 (1)(d) of the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) Regulations 2004 (amended) 2018.
Those who still ‘light up’ or ‘vape on’ at these locations will be slapped with an RM150 fine for their first offence, RM250 for their second offence and RM350 if they continue to break the law.
Regulation 12 of PPKHT 2004 also state that eatery owners must ensure that their premises remain smoke-free and not provide smokers with tools to reinforce their habits such as ashtrays or even shisha or hookah services and make sure that they have the “no smoking’ stickers clearly displayed.
There are a total of 23 different places in Malaysia that had been designated as smoke-free areas under the PPKHT, including public toilets, public transportations, entertainment facilities and government offices.
However, it appears that a number of stubborn smokers still blatantly ignore this rule and simply smoke wherever they please despite proper warnings as shown in one viral video that the Health Minister was tagged in.
The clip witnessed a group of smokers puffing away at a restaurant in Johor Bharu right under a no-smoking sign.
Setiap kali aku port sini mesti ada yang langgar undang2 psl smoking. Ini kat Restoran Osman Bandar Baru Uda Johor Bahru. So apa tindakan susulan KKM or pihak berkuasa berkaitan wahai @Khairykj ? Any advise? Tq pic.twitter.com/pg7P4qweQT— Spit it out (@EppyFizul) October 24, 2021
The issue is seen as concerning considering Malaysia was still in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.
Though evidence on the matter is inconclusive, medical experts do warn that the airborne novel coronavirus may be transmitted through second-hand smoke.
Additionally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) smokers and even those who consume smokeless forms of tobacco, like chewing tobacco, are more vulnerable to contract, transmit and suffer from severe side effects of Covid-19 infections.

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Source:
Smoking ban at all eateries comes into force on Wednesday
Can you get coronavirus via secondhand smoke? The smell is a warning sign.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Tobacco


Syed Saddiq Starts “Bring It On” Crowdfunding Campaign To Fund Legal Costs

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In a follow-up to his ‘Not Guilty’ plea for misappropriating RM1 million belonging to Bersatu, former Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has now started a crowdfunding campaign to help fund his legal cost as well as his RM330,000 bail.

Syed Saddiq posted the first RM80,000 of the bail with the remaining RM250,000 to be paid by Tuesday (27 July).
READ MORE: Syed Saddiq Pleads Not Guilty In RM1 Million Bersatu Breach Of Trust Case
“Bring it on”
The Muar Member of Parliament took to his Twitter account yesterday (22 July) and posted a poster for his fundraising campaign accompanied by a caption that read:
Want to Fight? I’ll fight. Bring it on.
Nak lawan, saya lawan. Bring it on. https://t.co/QeRzS7IvuA pic.twitter.com/v4NmeWv9LP— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) July 22, 2021
Meanwhile, on his Instagram account, an hour and 18-minute video was recorded in which he maintained his innocence and asked his supporters to share the video and contribute to his crowdfunding campaign.
Until the case is adjudicated, Syed Saddiq has had to surrender his passport and will report to the nearest MACC office in Kuala Lumpur once a month.
Not new to crowdfunding
His latest request for crowdfunding may be to support his legal fund, but crowdfunding is not new to Syed Saddiq.
Last year, he formed the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA), a youth-focused political party that runs mainly on crowdfunds from a large donor base but with strict policies around how much each person can give to the party.
As reported on GovInsider, he wants MUDA to run like a “political startup, which is lean and mean, but very focused on policies”.
Syed Saddiq used the same crowdfunding strategy to help the underprivileged in his constituency of Muar, Johor where he launched two fundraising campaigns to buy laptops and tablets for underprivileged students.

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Uncle Kentang Defends Illegal Extensions, Says Flats Are Crowded And Cramped

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Community activist Kuan Chee Heng urged local governments (PBT) to consider lighter penalties such as fines against flat owners who renovate the structure of their houses without permission.

Kuan, better known as Uncle Kentang, said if the renovation of the flat had lasted for decades and did not interfere with the safety of the occupants of other units, it is enough to fine the homeowners.
He explained that this is because the old flats built by the government are too small to have only two rooms and one bathroom, thus making life difficult for families, especially the poor.
The government is building small flats. Many Malays who cannot afford to buy luxury houses or terrace houses are those who buy. Many Indians and Chinese alike cannot afford terrace houses.Uncle Kentang on why illegal renovation should be tolerated.
Uncle Kentang said that flats are also not family-friendly especially for couples with many children.
Citing the example of an illegal extension in Kampung Datuk Haron, Petaling Jaya, Uncle Kentang said local authorities need to weigh the matter thoroughly.

#Negaraku #Malaysia#MindBlowing #Mental Demolition done by #MPAJ on 25 May, 2022 at Block 4, UTM Flat, Jalan AU3/1 Pics sourced from Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya https://t.co/OxzP4zrdYG pic.twitter.com/6WJhRS1VBQ— shahrim (@shahrimtamrin) May 31, 2022
flat jadi kondo.. kaya sebenarnya B40 ni🤣.Apa pihak berkuasa buat? Tak kan tutup mata…https://t.co/5SOiNfZ3F4— EmKay (@mohdkhatim) May 26, 2022
Better To Be Homeless Than Living In A Flat?
Kuan said among the factors for the existence of homeless people in the country is the condition of houses or flats.
He noted that flats are cramped and uncomfortable, causing people to choose to sleep on the streets.
This thing is a long-standing problem. Just look at the Dato Harun village. It’s sad especially when the families have many children. Homeless people sleep better in the streets than in flats.Uncle Kentang on flats not having not having enough space for the whole family.
He added that the cramped living condition is also a factor that led to many divorces.
Kuan said it is difficult to have a harmonious marital relationship due to people not having their personal space, thus triggering marital conflict.
He said the condition is so bad that family members had to take turns using the toilet.
Large Apartments Are Perfect For Family
Therefore, he said, the government needs to build more comfortable flats if it sincerely wants to help the people.
Kuan said it would be good if the government can provide affordable flats with at least four rooms and two bathrooms.
At the same time, he also advised people who often feel envious of neighbours renovating their houses to be more open-minded and pure-hearted.
Kuan reiterated that it should be tolerated as long as it does not disturb others.
Not everyone lives happily, the renovation is from hard earned money gathered over the years. People save here and there where they could. Some even borrow from ah long or relatives.Uncle Kentang on loving your neighbour as yourself.
duduk flat selera kondo https://t.co/dTN8CXZPJM— Kita Malaysia 🇲🇾🌺 (@EncikAngkasawan) May 30, 2022

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Got Yourself Some Fresh Cut Flowers? Here Are 7 Tips To Care For Them Properly

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Say that somebody just gave you a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers. Awhhh that’s so sweet. But wait a minute, you don’t know the first thing about flowers. Wait, I’m supposed to keep them alive? How?!??!

Well, for those fresh flower virgins, we got your back. Fresh flowers (differs by type), can last about a week or more if you give them proper care. All flowers will eventually wilt but the better you take care of them, the longer the blooms will last.
Although some flowers have different ways to care for, they generally follow the same basic steps as these.
Here are some tips on how to handle your fresh blooms.
1. Fill A Clean Vase With Water
You might not know this but caring for fresh flowers involves a lot of sanitization. The vase needs to be clean and free from any dirt so that there are no bacteria (they’ll make your flowers rot faster).
(Credit: TRP)
Fill in some water at room temperature (distilled is more preferred because tap water may have some minerals that’ll affect the flowers) until 3/4 of the vase. The water needs to be clean as well to prevent the growth of bacteria.
2. Put In Some Flower Food
Flowers usually need three key ingredients to live which are carbohydrates (sugar), biocides (cleansing agent) and acidifiers. They are important for cell metabolism, killing bacteria, and adjusting the pH level of the water to increase water intake.
You can find all these in flower food (in powder form) packets that you can put in a vase and stir. You can get them from a florist shop or online.
(Credit: TRP)
If you don’t have those, then you can probably make your own flower food solution. There are plenty of ways to make flower food with daily household items. Some of them include mixing your water with
sugarsoda (Sprite to be specific)bleach coinaspirinvodka
3. Cut The Stems Diagonally
Before you place your flowers in the vase, you need to cut them (around 1 or 2 inches) diagonally or at a 45-degree angle compared to just cutting them flat with shears or kitchen scissors.
(Credit: @OpheliasFloral / Facebook)
This is to ensure a wider surface area for optimum water absorption. You also need to recut your stems every few days or every time you’re changing the water to avoid bacteria growth that’ll lead to rotting.
Also, the main causes of wilting for fresh cut flowers are the air in the stem and the bacteria blocking the stem to take up water. So to avoid the air bubble in the stem, after you receive the flowers, cut the stem directly under running water or with a wet knife and then put them straight into the vase.
4. Prune The Leaves Below The Water
You need to cut the extra leaves below the water level as they won’t only make the flowers look nicer but they will also prevent bacteria from the decaying leaves from attacking your flowers.
Leaves rot faster underwater than they do above. So you should remove anything that’ll infect your blooms with bacteria.
5. Avoid Direct Sunlight, Heat, Fruits
You should place your flowers away from direct sunlight such as windows and from places near heat sources like the stove, or near your laptop or TV. You should also avoid direct contact under air conditioners and ceiling fans as these places can make your flowers quickly dehydrate.
(Credit: Freepik)
Additionally, placing them near fruits will reduce the longevity of your blooms as fruits release ethylene gas which is not good for your flowers.
6. Change The Water Regularly
The water needs to be changed and replaced with a new one at least once every two or three days and some even recommend once a day. You should also add in the flower food or disinfectant every time.
This is to ensure your water will constantly be disinfected and filled with fresh nutrition for your flowers to stay blooming.
7. Remove Wilting Flowers Or Leaves
This is particularly true for flower arrangements with different flower types as some flowers wilt faster than others.
(Credit: Jessie Jess / Unsplash)
Removing the wilting parts will prevent them from affecting the rest of the blooms and at the same time prevent bacteria growth.
Another tip if your flowers are beginning to look droopy is to immerse them fully into a water bath for around 20-60 minutes and they’ll most probably perk back up. (This depends, really. It doesn’t work if your bouquet is too wilted)
So these are some of the tips for you to care for your fresh cut flowers.
Generally, all fresh flowers will follow the same rule after they’re cut but there are a few exceptions and some additional steps for some flowers.
(Credit: Freepik)
For example, you have to remove the pollen from Lilies to make them last longer and you have to dip the Hydrangea stems in boiling water before putting them in normal water to remove the sap.
Don’t know what type of flowers you’re getting and how to specifically take care of them? Find out the common types of flowers here.
 READ MORE: Want To Give Her Flowers? Here Are Some Types Of Flowers To Get You Started

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Century Old Historic Grave In Penang Demolished & Dumped In Landfill

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Pieces of the 138-year-old tombstone belonging to Foo Teng Nyong, the third wife of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Qwee, were allegedly dumped in Penang, without the family’s knowledge and consent.

The tomb, which was described as Penang’s Taj Mahal, was found as rubbles at the dumpsite in Jelutong.
Her tomb was built in the Cantonese style and it’s considered unique due to its Anglo-Chinese East Meets West non-turtle-back design, internal stone crypt, crafted stone masonry and carved panelling.

Penang-based environmental and heritage conservationist Khoo Salma posted several photos of the destruction on Facebook and criticised the Penang government for its mishandling of the state’s most cherished historical artefacts.
As custodian of a World Heritage Site, is this how Penang with its UNESCO sites treats its heritage? The remains of Madam Foo deposited at Batu Gantang, the carved stones of her grave in Jelutong dumpsite and, whither her precious jewellery?Penang-based environmental and heritage conservationist Khoo Salma

Why was the gravesite demolished?
The gravesite was initially part of the Chung family burial plot at Mount Erskine. However, the land where her grave was is no longer under the family.
The current landowner intends to build a high-rise apartment building on site and published the notice of exhumation for the tomb on 16 February.
According to Malay Mail, Foo’s body has been exhumed and demolished last month despite appeals from her descendant for the tomb to be preserved.

Foo and Chung’s great-grandson, Jeffery Seow, said no one informed him about the exhumation. He added that he didn’t know who gave the landowner permission to exhume the tomb.
Seow sounded the alarm when he got wind of the news and appealed to the Penang Heritage Council and Penang heritage commissioner Rosli Nor to protect the site from demolition.
On 23 May, Rosli allegedly gave his reassurance through an email that there had been no progress regarding the proposed exhumation and demolition of the tomb for development.
He claimed that the developer would put the project on hold while considering the Penang heritage council’s proposal to retain the grave as part of the green reserve of the project. It was implied that the developer would give a fresh proposal.
Demand for perpetrators to be punished
New Straits Times reported that George Town Heritage Action co-founder, Mark Lay, demanded the fullest punishment under Malaysia’s heritage law against the land owner and developer who are responsible for the mess.
Severe punishment is the only way to teach developers that they can no longer play with Penang’s built heritage. Heritage is simply disposed like garbage in Penang as it gets in the way of developers’ greed.George Town Heritage Action co-founder, Mark Lay
He also challenged the State Planning Committee and the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) Heritage Department to answer to the charges that they had rezoned Lot 1682 (the site of Foo’s tomb) from low rise to 28-storey in May 2022.
In addition, he recommended a 50-year development ban, huge fines, jail time and the tomb be rebuilt exactly the way it was.
Who’s Foo Teng Nyong?
Foo Teng Nyong was the third wife of the 19th-century tin mining magnate Chung Keng Qwee, who’s said to be the founder of modern Taiping, now a bustling town in Perak.
Foo died at the age of 33 during childbirth in 1883. She was also the mother of another Kapitan Cina, Chung Thye Phin.
According to The Vibes, Foo was the aunt of Foo Choo Choon, who later became the Tin King of Malaya.

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Things All Malaysians Can Relate To OTW Balik Kampung

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Whether returning to your hometown or visiting friends and family out of state, balik kampung is truly a Malaysian custom.

The feeling of cruising down the wide open road in anticipation of reuniting with loved ones has Malaysians from all walks of life jumping for joy any time the holidays come around—in fact, we have a whole song dedicated to it!
Credit: HumbaFrame via Envato Elements
And no matter how short or long the journey is, every Malaysian knows that balik kampung is an outing filled with fun-tastic moments we’ve all grown to love.
So in anticipation of the upcoming Hari Raya celebration, we’ve compiled a list of the common things only true Malaysians would experience OTW balik kampung every year, along with some helpful tips to make your travels breezier and more memorable.
Waking up extra early to beat traffic
(Credit: Facebook/Twitter)
It’s not even daybreak yet, but your bags are stuffed in the boot, fresh coffee and snacks are sealed in the tupperware, and you’re already on the highway heading towards your destination in hopes of beating the balik kampung traffic—only to end up in gridlock anyways…
In 2022, we had close to 5 million vehicles travelling on major highways across the peninsular during the festive season—so you better download an audiobook and have a “good vibes” playlist prepared just in case you find yourself stuck in the balik kampung crawl.
Balik kampung in a new car
(Credit: Queenmoonlite via Envato Elements)
The very first balik kampung journey in a new car is one of the most enjoyable moments in our lives and a memory that many Malaysians treasure. Whether the car is brand new or “new to you,” the smell and shine of a new set of wheels is enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face—and being able to share that smile together with loved ones during the festivities only makes it better!
This year, spread the joy and make your balik kampung journey a trip to remember by getting a new ride with myTukar—your go-to online platform to buy and sell pre-owned cars.
All cars listed on the platform are myTukar Certified—a certification process and stamp of assurance that ensures peace of mind and safety. It encompasses a rigorous 160-point inspection where all faults will be found and fixed, 5-day money-back guarantee, a 12-month warranty for engine and gearbox, no mileage tampering, and no major accidents, fire and flood damage for all cars.
By the way, this festive season myTukar is running a menangful promo with up to RM27,000 off when you purchase a myTukar Certified car plus the chance to balik kampung with amazing prizes worth more than RM100,000, including a 6-day-and-4-night, all-expenses-paid trip for two to Seoul, South Korea!
(Credit: myTukar)
myTukar’s Have a Menangful Raya promotion begins March 1 till May 19, 2023. Terms and conditions do apply, so for more details head over to the myTukar website HERE.
Travelling in full festive attire
(Credit: HumbaFrame via Envato Elements)
Malaysians are a fashionable bunch, and we always do our best to dress for the occasion—especially during the festive balik kampung season.
But dressing up in colourful festive attire while being on the road for hours on end and still being fashionable when arriving at the destination is an art Malaysians can only perfect with experience.
So as a pro tip to keep your outfits looking fleek on the road this Aidilfitri, we recommend packing one of those portable handheld garment steamers in your luggage just in case you’d need to tidy up before getting into the festive mood.
Stopping for some snacks OTW
(Credit: HumbaFrame via Envato Elements)
Sure the fruits and sweets you’ve packed for the trip might be enough to last you all the way to your destination, but who can resist the tantalising allure of some good ol’ Malaysian food served fresh by the roadside?
Make sure you stop by the many R&Rs to take a short break from your journey and tapau your favourite Malaysian meals. Just remember to bring along some wet wipes so you won’t dirty up the car.
Taking the back roads and enjoying the scenery
(Credit: Lazy_Bear via Envato Elements)
Did you know that Malaysia has over 65,000 km of highways? That’s longer than the circumference of our planet! Plus, our country is well-known for having some of the best sceneries you can find on Earth that are worthy of any road trip.
Watching the view change from KL’s busy cityscapes to rustic towns and villages, lush greenery, or even sandy beaches while you’re travelling on the road is a feeling that’s hard to describe.
Famous roads like the Federal Route 3—which stretches across Johor, KL, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan—is credited as one of the most scenic coastal roads in Asia. So why not explore some alternative routes on your next balik kampung trip!
Taking the car for a checkup
(Credit: myTukar)
It can be hard to keep up with your car’s maintenance schedules. But luckily for Malaysians, each festive season brings a friendly reminder to take our cars to the workshop for a quick tune-up to make sure that the upcoming balik kampung trip is safer and more comfortable for the whole family.
This Aidilfitri, get a free car health check when you send your vehicles to selected myTukar Service Centres and enjoy 30% off on a whole car spray paint job, with complimentary headlamp coating and all rims respray worth RM800, as well as 50% off myTukar’s Alignment and Balancing service package.
Whether it’s paintwork or servicing, give your car a comprehensive makeover from the inside out. The promo begins on March 1 till April 30, 2023. For more info head over to myTukar’s website HERE.

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Source:
Jumlah kenderaan meningkat di semua lebuh raya utama
15 Random Facts About Malaysia To Impress Your Friends With In Your Next Teh Tarik Session
 Malaysia Federal Route 3
8 of Malaysia’s best road trips


[Watch] M’sian Schoolboys Criticised For Playing With Fire Extinguisher To Mark End Of SPM Exams

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High school students who have completed their Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (SPM) usually mark the end of their secondary school year by doing something fun together.

It could be going for dinner or catching up with the latest flick at the cinemas together. However, some go a bit too far to leave their mark in school.
Recently, a video went viral on Twitter because it showed several schoolboys playing with a fire extinguisher at the school canteen.
The group of boys were allegedly celebrating the end of their SPM exams and decided that spraying the fire extinguisher was the best way to mark the event.
Budak lelaki, lepas buat dia lari. pic.twitter.com/OVuoFFFPdI— Jabatan Netizen Malaysia (@jnmalaysia) February 10, 2022
They sprayed half of the canteen before running away and leaving a cloud of brown residue from the fire extinguisher behind.
The other students just looked to see the commotion behind them before walking away from the canteen.
Netizens did not take kindly to the school boys’ antics and pointed out how irresponsible they were.
A netizen added that it was so wasteful because fire extinguishers aren’t cheap to replace.
They said the boys shouldn’t have recorded their prank and posted it online either.
Haaa memang adik² dia y lain tak guna dh sekolah. Dia hbs skolah, skolah tutup terus. Y lain xyh guna, rosakkn terus. Bende tu ingat murah ke— YouSejahteraDah? (@heymangge) February 10, 2022
zaman dulu pun bodoh jugak tapi tak sebodoh yang record ni pastu post, buat keje tak clean tol..— ThisisAmirS (@redblueblurr95) February 10, 2022
After having their fun, a netizen said the boys should take responsibility and replace the losses and damages incurred.
The boys were criticised for giving more work to the school cleaners too.
okay dah seronok main, bayar balik ganti rugi.— Nesst (@maeuntofu) February 10, 2022
pukimak menyusahkan cleaner betul lah diorang ni. https://t.co/Vq2BlsHj1v— cai (@syaaaaiiii) February 10, 2022
However, another netizen reminded others not to judge the boys because everyone was naughty when they were young too.
They were just fortunate that social media wasn’t big then to expose their ‘crimes.’
Ala..mcm la dulu kita tak nakal cam gini..jgn acah2 suci sangat.— Ash 아세리크 🇲🇾 (@ashriqbasri) February 10, 2022
Zaman kita dulu pun sama je teruk. Cuma takde Twitter/ TikTok je nak post— Muadz (@MuadzMahfud) February 10, 2022
It’s understandable that everyone wants to leave a mark in school but it’s best to make sure it’s not known for bad reasons.

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RM200,000 Donation Is Given To The Fuzzy Giant Pandas In Zoo Negara by Foodpanda

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Known for their cute, cuddly and clumsy behaviour, Zoo Negara’s giant pandas Xing Xing (the father), Liang Liang (the mother) and Sheng Yi (one-year-old panda) today received a donation from their ‘distant cousin’ Pau Pau the Foodpanda.

It is only fitting that food delivery company Foodpanda, whose pink panda Pau Pau is famous nationwide, held the donation ceremony at the Giant Panda Conservation Centre in Zoo Negara, earlier today.
3rd donation by Foodpanda
Back at it for the third consecutive year, Foodpanda made a donation again this year to the giant pandas at Zoo Negara. The donation given will be used for the welfare and comfort of these fuzzy creatures.
As part of their heart-warming CSR initiative, Foodpanda has been donating to the giant pandas since 2020. They have also installed pink signages in the zoo to direct visitors to the Giant Panda Conservation Centre.
Jay Ar Juan (left), Senior Commercial Director, Foodpanda Malaysia, Rosly @ Rahmat bin Amat Lana (right), Deputy President of Zoo Negara Malaysia together with Foodpanda’s pink mascot, Pau Pau. (Credit: Foodpanda Malaysia)
I am incredibly pleased that we are able to work together once again withthe National Zoo. It all started back in 2020 when we heeded the National Zoo’s call for the public and corporate sector to adopt its animals, following the long closure due to the pandemic. As we are in the transition to endemicity stage and that zoo visitors are back, we are committed to continue contributing to the giant pandas as they are the personification of the Foodpanda brand with their fun, warm and vibrant personality.Jay Ar Juan, Senior Commercial Director of Foodpanda Malaysia
About the giant pandas
Xing Xing and Liang Liang are a Giant Panda couple from China. The pandas are a symbol of 40 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. Under the Giant Panda International Conservation Cooperation Agreement Programme, they arrived in the country in 2014 and will be here for 10 years before going back to China.
Sheng Yi (left) and Liang Liang (right), enjoying their bamboo treats while posing for the cameras. (Credit: Melissa Suraya Ismail / TRP)
Sheng Yi is actually the couple’s third-born giant panda, born here in Malaysia on May 31, 2021. Before this, the couple already had two cubs named Nuan Nuan (born in August 2015) and Yi Yi (born in January 2018).
Xing Xing striking his best pose for the media. (Credit: Melissa Suraya Ismail / TRP)
Nuan Nuan was already sent back to China in November 2017 while Yi Yi will be leaving in just a few months. Every cub born to the giant panda couple must be sent back to China at a minimum age of 24 months and not beyond four years old.

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Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council Accuse Attorney-General Of ‘Derhaka’ And Calls Him To Resign

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The Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council said that the statement made by the Attorney-General Idrus Harun yesterday (4 September) was in opposition to the command of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

On 17 August, leaders of all political parties were called to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara.
The Agong told all in attendance that the Prime Minister that he has appointed,
according to Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, must table a vote of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to legitimise his position.
However, the Idrus, in a statement said that there is no need for the Prime Minister to do so citing that doing so would mean the absolute power of the Agong could be overridden which is not in line with the Federal Constitution.
The Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council calls this statement a ‘derhaka’ to the Agong and demands that Idrus resign.
They also stated that a vote of confidence will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat when it reconvenes on 13 September.
Kenyataan MediaMajlis Presiden Pakatan Harapan5 September 2021Peguam Negara Derhaka, Lupa Usul Tidak Percaya Dititah Seri Paduka Baginda? pic.twitter.com/kaZn3R4Ht9— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) September 5, 2021

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Sabah Police Arrest Five Drivers For Drunk Driving

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Sabah Royal Malaysian Police have arrested five drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol last night.
According to Penampang District Police chief Deputy Superintendent Mohd Haris Ibrahim, the arrests were made at roadblocks across Penampang and Putatan under the Ops Mabuk police operation which was conducted during the Hari Raya festive weekend.
During the operation at Jalan Bundusan here, we arrested five male drivers for driving inebriated above the allowed blood alcohol limit.Deputy Superintendent Mohd Haris Ibrahim
He added that the police also issued as many as 21 summonses to both motorcyclist and drivers for a variety of offences.
He explained that throughout the festive weekend, the Penampang district police headquarters cooperated with the Sabah Contingent Police headquarters to increase the number of roadblocks and monitor road safety in the district.
The operation was also aimed to raise awareness among road users of road accidents. They were advised to adhere to road safety laws and regulations as they are not just endangering themselves, but also those around them.

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[Watch] Axia Driver Stops On Busy Bangi Road To Buy Fruits, Caused Motorcyclist To Hit A Car

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A motorcyclist became a victim of an accident due to a few irresponsible motorists on the road in Bangi, Selangor.

Based on a dashcam video dated 9 September 2022, a driver of a blue Perodua Axia stopped on a busy road to buy fruits from a street peddler.
This sudden stop caused the Nissan X-Trail behind the Axia to swerve to the left and hit an oncoming motorcyclist.
What irked netizens was when both drivers drove off without stopping to help the motorcyclist.
Sbb jual mangga tengah jalan kereta berhenti mengejut . Kalau jumpa Nissan xtrail kemek tepi bagitau. No plat tak nampak sangat area traffic lights bangi. pic.twitter.com/D2GTJOn943— r₃miiiiiiiiiiiii (@wnremi) September 9, 2022
Instead, the street peddler was the one who crossed over the road to help up the fallen motorcyclist.
A postman came later to help move the motorcycle with the street peddler.
Netizens blamed the X-Trail and Axia drivers for not stopping to help the fallen motorcyclist. They added that the street peddler should share the blame for endangering the other road users.
Some also think the motorcyclist shouldn’t have sped up and travelled between both lanes.
Due to this incident, netizens hope that others wouldn’t normalise buying fruits from street peddlers.
It poses a danger to road users, and the public road is not the right place to conduct business.
kalau nak ikutkan memang takleh jual mangga tepi jalan, and xtrail tu masuk kiri takde signal and secara mengejut.— Zunnurhaq× (@ZunnurhaqZ) September 9, 2022
Xtrail tu belum betul2 tukar lorong. Jenis bawa motor cenggini plak selalu dlm kepala dia line tengah tu dia je punya! Tu yg selalu merembat tak tengok keadaan sekeliling.— ◼MK Ultra◼ 🏴☠ (@mk_ultra667) September 9, 2022
sebab tu orang tak bagi jual mangga/apa2 sekalipun dekat tengah2 jalan tapi nanti datang laa terpaling bagus cakap nak tutup rezeki orang la apa la. benda macamni laa orang nak elak woii— aliff (@liffmuq) September 9, 2022
Penjual mangga tu punca utama. Trend jual mangga cara ni ada di merata negeri. Pihak berwajib kena ambik tindakan dkt pengusaha mangga yg tmptkan budak2 dia meniaga di jalanan mcm ni. Mmg buat semak kt jalan.— Naim Zaini (@naimbinzaini) September 10, 2022
Aku harap org Malaysia tolong jgn normalise kan beli beli mangga/jeruk tepi jalan mcm ni. Selagi ada org membeli selagi tu ada org menjual. Jalan raya bukan tempat berniaga— Zul Norizan 🇲🇾 (@mzulfiqor) September 9, 2022
Aku dh stop beli mangga tepi jln mcm nu,sebab benda2 mcm ni bahayakan nyawa org.— NZRin (@NazrinProperty) September 9, 2022

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People Are Writing Steamy Romance Novels About The Coronavirus

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The global Covid-19 pandemic has locked everyone at home, drastically reducing the chances of romantic meet-cutes and dates. For the romantic-at-heart, there are always steamy romance novels to delve in.

Romance novels, for the most part, are often written according to trends, so are we really all that surprised that there are now novels about falling in love with the coronavirus?
STAHP. pic.twitter.com/3CwbUo0Zlz— Lisa A. Diamond (@lisajariffin) October 5, 2020
Books with titles like “Kissing the Coronavirus” and “Courting Coronavirus” are being published, complete with the usual steamy cover image of a hapless girl being held by a muscular man… who is green.
Kissing the Coronavirus‘ blurb states that it “is a steamy tale about forbidden love and dark desires come to life”. The main character is a scientist who ends up falling in love with the coronavirus while trying to find a cure for it.
This is also M. J. Edwards’ debut book, which she published in an attempt to pay the bills after losing her job in the pandemic. The ebook on Kindle is available for just $0.99 (about RM4.50, which is extremely cheap as far as books are concerned).
Desperation makes anything seem like a good business opportunity, even writing.(Credit: Freepik)
Another such book, Courting the Coronavirus, has a similar scope, except this one includes time travel back to the nineteenth century. Whether or not author Lee Taylor wrote it to pay bills still remain to be seen, but the ebook is also priced at just $0.99.
With the number of Covid-19 cases rising fast in Malaysia again, many people are opting to stay at home. Perhaps it’s time to curl up and have an at-home date with the these stories about romancing the virus instead?

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Selangor Is Free From Red Zones Again After 23 Days

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Selangor is no longer a red zone after the Hulu Langat district recorded a sharp decline in active cases and was classified as a yellow zone.
According to information shared by the Selangor COVID-19 Prevention Task Force (STFC) on Facebook, Hulu Langat registered 11 active cases on 14 June compared to 62 cases a day earlier.
In total, 629 cases were recorded in the district.
After high recovery rates were recorded in Semenyih, in Hulu Langat, the mukim is now a yellow zone while Cheras (which is partially located within Hulu Langat) has become a green zone, making the Hulu Langat district a yellow zone.
This is the first time Selangor is free from red zones in the past 23 days.
Besides Hulu Langat, eight other districts are also classified as yellow zone and continue to show declines in active cases:
Gombak (12)Sepang (12)Kuala Langat (11)Petaling (7)Kuala Selangor (4)Sabak Bernam ( 3)Hulu Selangor (2)Klang (1)

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This Can’t Be Real! Milo Suggests Putting Lemongrass, Spinach & Chilis In Your Drink

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Mee-lo or Mai-lo? There has been quite a debate among Malaysians to figure out how to properly pronounce the popular chocolate malt drink.

But whatever we call it, we just can’t get enough of the drink that came all the way from Australia, now can we?
Our mamaks like to invent new drink recipes all the time, but it turns out that Milo itself has recipes with unconventional drink pairings.
They are around 46 different recipes to try out but we’ve highlighted some of the top creative ways you can prepare your next cup of Milo. Here are some of them:
1. Milo Spinach Smoothie
Imagine Boost. But with Milo and Spinach. That’s about right.
We bet this is for those healthy green shake drinkers.
Spinach is known to be incorporated in green smoothies as they have a mild taste than kale or other green juices.
Credit: Milo Malaysia
But some people would add other elements such as fruits like banana, apple, or strawberries to complement the green taste of spinach in their shakes.
Similarly in this Milo recipe, bananas are also added to the mix. Here are the full ingredients.
30g MILO® POWDER35g Banana30g Spinach (fresh or frozen)80ml Cold milk1tbsp Lemon juiceIce (optional)
 You blend these all out and serve. Fairly easy recipe to try.
2. Milo Spicylicious
Milo and Chilli Pepper?!? Really?
Did you know that hot chocolate with chilli is a popular drink in Mexico? It’s called Xocolatl, an Aztec and Mayan hot chocolate delicacy.
This time around, Milo has tried pairing its chocolate malt drink with chillies, creating a spicy but creamy drink.
Credit: Milo Malaysia / TRP
They may sound a bit peculiar but think of it as a peppermint or cinnamon hot chocolate. Sounds tempting.
The ingredients in the recipe are:
1 stick pack MILO® 3 IN 1¼ tsp Chilli powder3g Chilli pepper (deseeded)150ml Low-fat milkIce cubesKeep some MILO®, chili powder, and chilies for garnishing
Put all the ingredients except ice cubes and garnishing into a pot and cook it until it simmers. Then fill a glass with ice and pour the Milo mixture.
You can also enjoy it hot like the Mexicans do.
3. Milo Turmeric Orange
Apparently, hot chocolate with turmeric is a healthy drink.
Tumeric is associated with anti-inflammatory benefits as well as strengthening the overall energy of the body.
Did you know that turmeric can also be infused into tea? They can also be made into a latte or any other creamy drink.
Credit: Milo Malaysia / TRP
This time though, we’re infusing it into a chocolate malt drink. The orange zest will give off a nice citrusy flavor to the nice aromatic chocolate.
1 stickpack MILO® KOSONG200ml Low-fat milk¼ tsp Turmeric powderOrange zest from an orange
All of the ingredients should be put into a pot and boiled for three minutes. Then pour it into a cup and serve it while it’s hot.
However, one question still remains. Does it look chocolate or yellow in color?
4. Milo With Lemongrass
Lemongrass usually goes best with teas. Especially if you add on mint or flavors like lime or lemon. It’s a very refreshing citrus drink.
Lemongrass is also packed with antioxidants and is used to help reduce PMS symptoms. It can also be used as an air freshener!
But lemongrass with Milo? Sounds a bit weird but it could work.
Credit: Milo Malaysia / TRP
The ingredients are very simple to find and work with too.
1 stick pack MILO® 3 IN 11 stalk Lemongrass120ml Hot water
Milo Malaysia recommends boiling the water with lemongrass for 10 minutes to get that aromatic flavor out. Then add in Milo and stir.
Serve it hot and you’ll have a taste to soothe your soul.
5. Milo With Ginger
You’ve heard of Ginger Milk Tea right? But have you ever heard of Milo Ginger drink?
Picture your regular ‘Teh Tarik Halia’ but with Milo. Malaysians will love this.
Credit: Milo Malaysia / TRP
Plus, the ingredients are usually there in your kitchen. Give it a try.
30g MILO® POWDER1 inch Ginger120ml Hot water
The preparation is the same as the lemongrass Milo drink. Just boil the ginger in water for 10 minutes and mix in Milo.
While the recipes here are all quite interesting, these are acquired tastes and probably work best as a novel idea.
Still, give the rest of their recipes which feature common creamy tastes like the Milo Pudding at their website here.
Those other recipes include Milo Cincau, Milo Brulee, Buttery Hot Coconut Milo, Milo with Barley, Milo Salted Vanilla Smoothie, and many more.
They even have nutritional information for each serving of their recipe. Talk about commitment to the consumer, right?
So, try these awesome recipes out. Your favorite Milo drink might not be ‘Milo Ais Kaw’ anymore. It might be ‘Milo Serai’. Who knows?

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LCW Turns Down Coaching Offers From Abroad, Says He Loves Malaysia Too Much To Leave

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Despite receiving offers to become the national badminton coach from several Asian countries, former world no 1 and Malaysian hero Datuk Lee Chong Wei says that he is not interested to pursue the path of coaching just yet.

Confessing his love for the game, Lee, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, however said that he intends to stay put in Malaysia for the time being.
“It is true that Chong Wei received an offer, of course I still love badminton but at the moment, I do not intend to be a coach.
“Chong Wei will continue to hang out in Malaysia, attend Ramadan Bazaars and wait for the Raya open house invitations,” Lee wrote on his Instagram update last night.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei (@leechongweiofficial)
It was previously reported that Lee had been courted by several Asian countries that wanted him to coach their national teams.
He, however, did not disclose which nations are pursuing his service.
Lee’s mentor and former coach Datuk Misbun Sidek also encouraged him to make his name abroad before returning to coach the country’s national badminton squad.

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Are Weddings For The Bride & Groom Or For The Parents? Netizens Weighed In

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Weddings. They are supposed to be blissful and happy, right? Wait till you think about the expenses. Yikes.

READ MORE: All Your Friends Are Getting Married? Here are The Top 10 Practical Wedding Gifts For Their New Home Together
People can plan their weddings however they want and can afford as long as it’s a celebration of love and family. If you’re on a budget, then do a small ceremony. If you have the resources and wish for your dream wedding, then go ahead, splurge all you want (but don’t forget the Covid-19 SOPs still).
However, too much splurging can cost you quite a fuss in the future. Marriage should be a happy union. Not a till debt to us part kinda union. Right?
Recently, a Twitter user, @magmalaya has shared his thoughts on the costs of a Malay Muslim wedding these days.

Bab kahwin ni, mudah je. Nikah je, panggil saksi, ikut syarak, dua family saling tahu, ikut Islam. Minimize kos kenduri kahwin tu, ini yg paling menekan. Kenduri sampai 30k? Save it utk beli barang2 penting, honeymoon, downpayments.— Mag (@magmalaya) February 6, 2022

He expressed that marriage is actually easy. As long as you follow the syarak (law) in an Islamic marriage, then you can get married easily. The wedding cost should be minimized as that’s the most pressing financial matter. A wedding with a budget of around RM30k is quite costly. People should save it to buy more important stuff, go on a honeymoon or even use it as a downpayment.
To his tweet, a lot of netizens commented and weighed in their opinions on the matter.
One person agreed that marriage is indeed simple. The complicated part is just the traditions and customs.

Some were agreeing too saying weddings are too costly not because of their wants but because of their parents’ wants. It’s actually no problem at all if they’re the ones paying it, but it is a problem if they just let their sons or daughters bear the expense of them wanting to see their extended families and friends.

One person even joked that a wedding is just your parents’ reunion sponsored by their future son-in-law. This is because, usually, the dowry from the groom in most Malay marriages is used to cover the wedding reception of the bride’s side.
READ MORE: M’sian Man Burns RM15,000 Dowry Cheque After Fiancée Breaks Up A Month Before Wedding

Another user shared that a couple should be prepared for other costs of marriage apart from the wedding cost, such as their children’s education. They said if you’re thinking long and hard about marriage expenses, think about this too.
(Credit: @adibhazlami / Twitter )
However, Not Everyone Agrees That Going Big Is Not Worth It
There’s nothing wrong in doing a grand wedding reception if you have the money for it as they’re not just for show, they’re actually just an occasion for long lost people to finally meet again.
People might have not have seen their friends and family since forever and this reception is how they make up for all those stolen moments.
One user explained that actually, one wedding reception is like one precious get-together. You can never know when you, your friend or your family member are going to die. That’s why we should make the best of it.

Another person also doesn’t mind a big and costly wedding. His perspective is that it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you can do a big wedding. You can also help small businesses make some income during your wedding, and share in the joy together.

All in all, big or small, it’s just depends on how much the bride or groom can handle. It may be for a long awaited reunion but being in debt because of too much unnecessary splurging is going to be a problem one day.
Moderation is key, they say.

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[Breaking] Sam Ke Ting Allowed To Leave Prison After Public Outrage Over ‘Basikal Lajak’ Court Ruling

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The driver in the controversial ‘basikal lajak’ case has been granted a stay of excution and leave for application for appeal, meaning that she has been allowed out of jail to return home.

Additionally, her bail has been set at RM10,000.
“The applicant will be released on RM10,000 bail with one surety and we will grant the stay of execution and leave for application for appeal,” Judge Datuk P. Ravinthran said today while delivering his judgment.
More to come.
What happened last week?
The court ruling on the controversial ‘basikal lajak’ case last week caused an uproar when the driver, Sam Ke Ting, was slapped with 6 years of jail, a RM6,000 fine, and was not given a stay of execution, which meant that she was hauled off to jail on the day the ruling was made.
READ MORE: 6 Years Jail And RM6,000 Fine For Woman Involved In “Basikal Lajak” Accident, Johor High Court Ruled
However, during this time, public support poured in for her, including from lawyers who offered their legal services pro bono.
READ MORE: Petitions & Support Pour In For ‘Basikal Lajak’ Driver After Court Charge

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[Watch] Malaysia’s First National Car Has Its Own Theme Song That Even Millennials Don’t Know About

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Malaysian singer Francissca Peter shared a throwback photo of her being the face of Proton on her Twitter today.

In the photo, she proudly held a helmet while wearing the gear provided to her for the Proton launch in the 1980s.
#flashbackprotonsaga During the launch of our Malaysian National car Proton Saga. I was the Proton gal. This was the gear I was given to wear on the day of the launch years back. And below is an acapella short clip of the Proton Saga theme song. I shared a short story on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/G2EYjqIg6F— Francissca Peter (@FranticKL) November 23, 2021
Most of us have also forgotten that Peter sang Proton Saga’s theme song, titled Kejayaan Malaysia, too.
Since she couldn’t find the full theme song and jingle on Youtube to share, she decided to sing the song acapella and posted a Youtube video for all to hear.
In the video, she shared fond memories of being the Proton girl and the pride she felt when she saw a Proton Saga being used as a London cab.

She was all smiles and kept telling the cab driver excitedly that he was driving a Malaysian car.
Her heart burst with pride when the cab driver commented that it was a good car.
Proton Saga pride was huge then
Malaysians, like Peter, were proud of the first generation Proton Saga because it was a fully Malaysian-made car and a symbol of achievement.
According to Carsome, a Sagathon Rally was held in Sabah-Sarawak a week before the official launch of the first generation Proton Saga to prove the vehicle’s capabilities.
The 12 Proton Sagas in the race proved to be durable and held well without issues in the 4,109km journey over mountainous roads.
Since Proton’s merger with Geely in 2017, Malaysians are feeling torn whether the cars produced can still be legitimately be known as a national car brand and whether Malaysia still needs one.

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RMCO: A Few Things You Can Do Starting Today

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As Malaysia reopens again and starting to ease measures as part of the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), here are a few things that you can do starting today:
You can travel interstate again
Malaysians can now travel from state-to-state again, except for areas under the Emergency Movement Control Order (EMCO) and Semi Emergency Movement Control Order (SEMCO).
You can even stop at an R&R
Those traveling interstate are allowed to stop at the Rest & Relaxation (R&R) centres nationwide, provided they follow preventive measures. Even the musollahs can be used by Muslims to perform their prayers.
You can finally cut your hair
After being forced to close their shops for months, barbers can now reopen starting today.
Bernama reported certain shops have already equipped themselves with plastic ponchos, face masks, face shields and gloves to get ready for customers.
You can eat out ’til midnight
Eateries, grocery stores and mini marts nationwide can now operate up to 12am during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
Previously, it was set to 6pm before it was extended to 8pm.

The list is pretty short, as indoor activities such as gyms; outdoor activities such as hiking, bazaars will only be allowed by 15 June, we’ll bring you the latest updates once more activities are announced.

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Selangor Bans Entry Into Forest Reserves, Here Are 72 Locations That You Can’t Visit For A While

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For those who love outdoor activities, there are many hiking spots in this country, especially in Selangor.

Sadly, the state’s permanent forest reserve will be closed starting today (1 December).
The closure will be from 1 December 2021 until 31 January 2022 under the direction of the state Forestry Department.
No clear reason was stated why the forest is closed. Instead, it was just shared on the official Facebook of the Selangor Forestry Department.

In the meantime, a ban on entering and carrying out activities in the Gunung Nuang area has also been issued and it came into effect on 26 November.
These closures and bans are due to landslide problems and the monsoon season.
Violation of the bans is an offense under Sections 47 (1) and 81 (1) (g) of the National Forestry Act 1985 (Application) Enactment.
Outdoor lovers enjoying a dip in Sg Chiling, Kuala Kubu Bharu. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
The No-Go Areas
Naturally, netizens were disappointed by the closure.
After a long period of COVID-19 restrictions, many had been looking forward to opportunities to enjoy mother nature.
Klang Valley folks will have to travel further for outdoor recreations, such as this river in Pos Menson near Cameron Highlands. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
As the frequency of recreation trips taken by Malaysians increases, even roadsides up in the mountains are not spared.
READ MORE: Picnic As Usual In Genting Highlands, Minus The Tents
At the same time, people are trying to find out the places that are classified as permanent forest reserves.

In total, there are 72 permanent forest reserves in the state.
List Of Selangor State Permanent Forest Reserve
Hutan Simpan Ampang Pechah Hutan Simpan Batang Kali Hutan Simpan Bukit Belata Hutan Simpan Bukit Belata Tambahan Bukit TunggalHutan Simpan Bukit Belata (Tambahan Ii) Hutan Simpan Bukit Cherakah Hutan Simpan Bukit Kutu Hutan Simpan Bukit Lagong Hutan Simpan Bukit Tarek Hutan Simpan Bukit Tarek Tambahan Hutan Simpan Bukit Tarek (Tambahan Ii)Hutan Simpan Gading Hutan Simpan Hulu Selangor Hutan Simpan Kanching Hutan Simpan Rantau PanjangHutan Simpan Rantaupanjang TambahanHutan Simpan Semangko Hutan Simpan Semangko(Tambahan)Hutan Simpan Serendah Hutan Simpan Sungai Dusun Hutan Simpan Raja MusaHutan Simpan Templer Hutan Simpan Ampang Hutan Simpan Bukit Cherakah Tambahan Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam Hutan Simpan Ayer Hitam Tambahan Hutan Simpan Bukit Sungai Puteh Utara Hutan Simpan Bukit Lagong Hutan Simpan Bukit Sungai Puteh Selatan Hutan Simpan Sungai Buloh Hutan Simpan Kota DamansaraHutan Simpan Sungai Jeloh Hutan Simpan Sungai Lalang Hutan Simpan Sungai Lalang Tambahan Hutan Simpan Hulu Gombak Hutan Simpan Hulu Gombak Tambahan Hutan Simpan Hulu Gombak Tambahan 1 Hutan Simpan Hulu Langat Hutan Simpan Banjar Utara Hutan Simpan Banjar Utara Tambahan Hutan Simpan Bukit Jugra Hutan Simpan Bukit Jugra Tambahan Hutan Simpan Jugra Kompok 1 Hutan Simpan Jugra Kompok 2 Hutan Simpan Kapar Hutan Simpan Kapar Tambahan Hutan Simpan Kuala Bernam Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Selatan Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Selatan Tambahan Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Selatan Tambahan Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Utara Hutan Simpan Kuala Sepang Hutan Simpan Pualau Ketam Hutan Simpan Pulau Che Mat Hutan Simpan Pulau Che Mat Zin Tambahan Hutan Simpan Pulau Kelang Hutan Simpan Pulau Kelang Tambahan Hutan Simpan Pulau Pintu Gedong Hutan Simpan Pulau Rusa Hutan Simpan Pulau Selat Kering Hutan Simpan Pulau Selat Mahang Hutan Simpan Pulau Selat Meriam Hutan Simpan Pulau Tengah Hutan Simpan Pulau Tengah Tambahan Hutan Simpan Pulau Tonggok Hutan Simpan Pulau Selat Kering Tambahan Hutan Simpan Sungai Karang Hutan Simpan Telok Gedong Hutan Simpan Telok Gedong Tambahan Hutan Simpan Sepang Kechil Hutan Simpan Sepang Kechil Tambahan

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[UPDATED] Two M’sian Border Officers Shot While On Duty At M’sian-Thai Border

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UPDATE: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has confirmed that the shootout happened spontaneously between a group of smugglers and two border officers who were on an intelligence operation.

READ MORE: M’sian-Thai Border Shootout Was Because Of Drug Smugglers

Two members of the General Operation Force (GOF) were shot at while on duty at the Malaysia-Thailand border post near Padang Besar, Perlis this morning (24 November).
In the 3am incident, Corporal Baharuddin Ramli, 54, died at the scene, while his patrol partner Corporal Norihan Tari, 39, is in critical condition.
According to The Star, both men are from the GOF Bidor’s Battalion 3 and were at the TS9 post along the border when they were shot.
The incident was confirmed by North Brigate GOD commander Senior Asst Comm Abdul Ghani Mohamad Ji who said he will provide the full details of the incident after an investigation is carried out.
Norihan was initially treated at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah in Kangar before being transferred to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, while Baharuddin’s body was taken to the latter hospital for a post-mortem.
The Star also reported that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has made his way to Perlis to visit the victims and get a briefing on the situation.

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Struggling With Lockdown? Just Imagine Next With Malaysian Mavericks

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As the lockdown in Malaysia continues, it’s easy to feel isolated from friends and family – grappling with loneliness while a cloud of hopelessness descends on you.

It sounds bleak but studies have shown that lockdowns are associated with intensified anxiety symptoms, lower mental well-being and lower capabilities.
While dealing with so much uncertainty in our daily lives is hardly the best feeling in the world, Scottish whisky maker Glenfiddich believes that embracing the unknown is an opportunity to grow stronger.
There’s always hope
And so, they’re rolling out a series of activities over the next few months with the goal of inspiring people to step out of their comfort zone to create meaningful growth.
Through the Where Next? campaign, the world’s most awarded single malt whisky has partnered with TEDx-communities to present ImagineNext, a series of powerful talks by local speakers -or Mavericks – across South East Asia.
Credit: Glenfiddich
Being the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky says a lot about how much we constantly push ourselves out of our comfort zone to be better. We believe everyone possesses this Maverick spirit -one that inspires them to always look at ways to improve, aiming for the next stage in their personal and professional growth.Brett Bayly, Regional Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich in South East Asia.
Kuala Lumpur: Imagine Action
ImagineNext spotlights each city’s Mavericks, visionaries and trailblazers of new paths, to share their take on the word ‘Imagine’, exploring the unique diversity within the region, bringing about bold new conversations triggered by audacious transformations and inventive solutions.
And who better to inspire masses of Malaysians than the legendary Datuk Nicol Ann David?
The 2021 World Games’ Greatest Athlete of All Time shares about her fervent tenacity in the face of adversity.
Datuk Nicol David (left), former Wolrd No 1 squash player and Cheryl Goh (right), Founding CMO of Grab. (Credit: Glenfiddich)
Cheryl Goh, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Grab, has also been selected and offers her insight into how marketers can enhance their impact on brand decision making and strengthen brand equity and consumer trust during an economic downturn.
Then again, doing it alone isn’t fun.
To remedy the social isolation caused by the physical distancing, Glenfiddich has launched a digital experience to encourage its community to start thinking about how they can challenge themselves and their norms.
Simply follow Glenfiddich on Instagram (@glenfiddichsea) and start the thoughtful exercise of questions on your inspiration and dreams together with your friends.
Brett Bayly, Regional Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich in South East Asia, with the Where Next Instagram Filter.(Credit: Glenfiddich)
With this step, Glenfiddich seeks to motivate more Mavericks to develop an unwavering spirit to improve themselves.
So go on, you deserve to have meaningful conversations – especially when the world seems dark.
Check out the ImagineNext episodes HERE.

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Did You Know That Corals Are Animals? Here Are 10 Fun Facts About Them

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Apart from World Ocean Day on 8 June every year, did you know that June is a month to appreciate all things about the ocean? Every year, we raise awareness about the vital importance of our oceans and the role they play in sustaining a healthy planet.

Raja Ampat in West Papua, Indonesia is the richest and most biodiverse coral reef on Earth. (Credit: Carlos Fernandez-Cid / Flickr)
In conjunction with World’s Ocean Day today, let’s learn a bit about the rainforest of the sea – the corals. Actually, most nations also denote 1 June as World’s Reef Day and 9 June as Coral Triangle Day. June is all about those under the sea, baby!
Since we’re talking all about corals, here are 10 amazing fun facts about them that you might not know of:
1. They’re animals, not plants
Corals may look like plants and “take root” on the ocean floor like plants do, but they’re actually classified as animals. This is because they don’t make their own food, as plants do. In fact, they’re cousins of animals like jellyfish and sea anemones!
They’re also considered colonial organisms, which means individuals grow into a large living structure while being connected to each other.
2. They eat plankton
Corals have thousands of cylindrical-bodied polyps that have a single opening each which serves as both the mouth and anus.
The opening is surrounded by tentacle-like arms that they use to capture their food from the water and sweep it into their inscrutable mouths. They feed on small fish and plankton.
A close-up of tiny polyps.  (Credit: Elias Levy, Yohancha / Flickr)
For another source of energy, they also rely on algae (symbiosis by living inside the coral) to provide them with food (carbohydrates) from the process of photosynthesis.
3. They can’t move but they can swim?
Corals are sessile animals, meaning, they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor once they’re adults, so they cannot move. However, corals in the larval or baby life stage can swim!
When corals reproduce, they release sperm and eggs (this event is called coral spawning) into the water and form tiny baby-swimming coral larvae (planula) when they fertilize.
Coral spawning is when corals release their sperm and eggs at the same time to fertilize around them. (Credit: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reefs Studies / Flickr)
The babies can ride ocean currents and when they find a new suitable place to live, they will swim down and attach themselves to the bottom and grow into a new coral colony.
4. They come in many shapes, sizes & colours
There are about six thousand species of corals around the world and they come in various shapes, sizes, texture and colours.
They can either be hard or soft-bodied corals and are divided further into different types. Some are thought to resemble deer antlers, trees, giant fans, city skylines, brains and honeycombs.
Brain coral (upper left). Sea Fan coral (upper right). Elkhorn coral (below left). Branching coral (below right).(Credit: Roban Cramer, NOAA Photo Library, Carlos Fernandez-Cid / Flickr)
For example, a brain coral is hard and has maze-like patterns weaving across its shape. Sea fans are soft corals that have giant flat fans which wave gently back and forth with the water’s current.
5. Home to 25% of marine life
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. They can form a living colony as big as a car or a house. They are also one of the world’s largest living structures and can even be seen from outer space (The Great Barrier Reef).
Hence, they are often considered ecosystem architects or engineers for constructing the physical spaces where some animals live.
(Credit: Flickr)
An estimated 25% of all marine life, including over 4,000 species of fish, are dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle. They find shelter, food, reproduce and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals.
6. They’re older than dinosaurs!
Corals may have teamed up with the microscopic algae which live inside them as much as 160 million years ago. The reef algae may have weathered significant environmental changes over time, including the mass extinction that wiped out most dinosaurs.
In great environmental conditions, coral colonies have been documented to live for hundreds or thousands of years. Some can live up to 5,000 years. In perfect conditions, researchers think they could live forever.
Diverse corals in Raja Ampat.(Credit: Carlos Fernandez-Cid / Flickr)
This is because they grow very slowly, at an average rate of just two centimetres per year!
7. Algaes make them colourful
By itself, the skeleton is ghostly white. It’s the algae (called zooxanthellae) living in the skeleton that gives it its colour.
These zooxanthellae produce pigment, and because they reside in the clear tissue of the polyp, the pigments are visible, and the corals get their beautiful colours.
They can be seen in colours like purple, green, blue, red and even fluorescent ones.
8. Malaysia’s in the great Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle is one of the richest centres of biodiversity on the planet, which is a 6 million km2 triangular area spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
(Credit: WWF)
It has the largest coral diversity (76% of coral species) in the world and is home to 30% of the planet’s coral reefs. It’s actually 10 times as biodiverse as the Great Barrier Reef.
 It’s also home to 6 out of 7 species of marine turtles and even migrating whales!
9. They’re white because they’re stressed
When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. This event is called coral bleaching.
Bleached staghorn corals (left) & bleaching brain corals (right).(Credit: Eco Cafe’ Pranburi, NOAA’s National Ocean Service / Flickr)
When a coral bleaches, it is not dead yet. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress (vulnerable to diseases & starvation) and are subject to mortality if preventive steps are not taken.
10. Climate change is the biggest threat to them
Aside from water pollution, warming waters due to climate change are putting immense stress on our vulnerable coral populations.
Half of the world’s coral has already died in the last 70 years since 1950 according to a study. In fact, in the next 30 years by the year 2055, scientists predict that 90% of the world’s coral will disappear due to severe annual bleaching.
In Malaysia, massive bleaching events happened multiple times which were in 1998, 2010, 2014-2016 and most recently in 2019-2020.
Bleached Staghorn corals. (Credit: Stop Adani / Flickr)
If this trend continues, not only will our marine life be affected, but humans will also suffer. Coral reefs provide food and income for hundreds of millions of people through fisheries and tourism. They also act as a barrier to protect our shores from up to 90% of potentially damaging waves and flooding.
Hence, with 25% of marine life gone, some species on your seafood plate will go extinct in the future if we don’t act now.
READ MORE: M’sia Is Running Out of Seafood, And It’s All Your Fault
What can you do to help?
Not all of us can do extensive research and help the corals directly like professionals do, but each individual plays an important role in conserving the environment when we work together.
Here are things that the public can do that would ultimately make a difference in the long run:

Be aware and spread the awareness to others too
Dive responsibly when you visit them
Don’t touch or step on them
Avoid anchoring your boat on the reef
Don’t leave unwanted fishing nets or trash in the ocean or on the beach
Avoid wearing sunscreens with chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate as they cause corals to bleach
Minimize the use of fertilizers as chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorus can lead to coral bleaching too when they finally end up in the oceans
Volunteer for beach clean-ups
Make conscious decisions when buying aquarium fish – make sure they’re collected in a sustainable manner
Support companies with sustainability goals that put the environment first

Small steps do matter. Let’s save our coral reefs together.
READ MORE: Aquaria KLCC Donates RM200,000 To UMT For Phase 2 Of Coral Conservation Campaign
READ MORE: Help Coral Reef Restoration By Watching This Short Video

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PAS Responsible For Langkawi’s Decline, Claims Teresa Kok

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Malaysia is filled with places that attracts tourist. Langkawi is one of these places. It is a well-liked vacation spot recognised for its lovely beaches, azure oceans, dense jungles, and breath-taking scenery.

However, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, member of parliament for Langkawi called the government to help Langkawi from the dwindling tourism in the parliament yesterday as reported by The Vibes.
As reported by the New Straits Times, Langkawi had a sluggish start even during the early school holidays for the year 2023.
The chairman of the Langkawi branch of the Malaysia Budget and Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Datuk Noorazly Rosly, calculated that the number of guests had plummeted by a staggering 70% in comparison to the same period before the pandemic era.
Noorazly also stated that they did not receive the targeted number of guests during the January Chinese New Year holidays and observed the pattern to be repeating itself during the long school break.
This drop has shown its effects on Langkawi’s economy which has many businesses such as car and boat rentals, restaurants and bars, hotels, homestays and chalets.
Suhaimi’s cry for help was however shutdown by DAP’s Teresa Kok who claimed that the island’s recent decline in the number of visitors was the result of the stringent restrictions imposed by the PAS state government.
Kok asked the member of parliament how visitors would come if the state government has placed strict restrictions on the sale of alcohol and organising concerts.
She even shared a post on her social media pages stating that she has not received an answer for her question.
The people however have a different opinion on why the numbers are dropping and they have voiced out their opinion in the comment sections.
Actually it's not about the alcohol or concerts. But how is quality of things against the ridiculously high prices. Arrogant is the service industry quality. How about development and maintenance? There's Penang, Phuket, Bali. Thank you but no thank you Langkawi— Rajam (@Rajam80160116) March 21, 2023
I think it is more on high price, arrogant sellers and poor services. Even people who lives in mainland Kedah also would avoid Langkawi due to the cost.— 🔺Azman Daud🔺 (@daud_azman) March 22, 2023
While this is going there are people who agree with Kok on her statement.
Tutup terus la Langkawi, no point to go there anymore when you have Penang and Thailand (world apart). When you put such restrictions habis la economy. Bodoh betul.— Human Being (@sarfabian) March 22, 2023
They sowed the seeds and now they are bearing the fruits.If I'm a tourist, I want to enjoy myself IF I am told I cannot have certain drinks or wear a certain clothing at the beach, I will avoid that place like the plague.Langkawi U chose this ? Live with it 🤷— Sulaiman Hamzah (@NightcrawlerIII) March 22, 2023
Despite the things that are being said, Langkawi does not need alcohol or concerts to attract tourists as the island offers a lot more than just booze and entertainment.
What are your thoughts on this?

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Residents Voiced Concerns After Perhilitan Shot Monkeys Dead At Batu Caves

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The wildlife protection and national parks department (Perhilitan) is under fire for culling wild monkeys in the vicinity of an apartment building in Batu Caves.

Avatar Singh Kundu Singh, a resident and former chairman of SunwayMas apartment’s joint management body (JMB), filed the complaint after he allegedly saw three plainclothes Perhilitan officers shooting the monkeys on 13 June.
Avatar said the three men stood beside a four-wheel drive with a Perhilitan sticker and shot at the monkeys with their rifles.
He claimed that some of the monkeys were put in cages and shot at point-blank.

Since there was no prior warning, residents were shocked and panicked when they heard the gunshots.
Avatar added that the area had an unpleasant smell as several carcasses were left behind. He believes at least 20 monkeys were killed that day.
In a New Straits Times report, a Facebook user @Vimalchanz Vmal said the monkeys did not attack residents and were just foraging for food.
Previously, videos that showed Perhilitan officers getting reprimanded by a resident for allegedly killing the monkeys went viral.
A man recording the video voiced his concerns that Perhilitan brought weapons to the housing area.
The officer told the man to lodge a police report if he has an issue with what they were doing to the monkeys.
It’s against the law to kill the monkeys
Lawyers for Animal Rights founder Rajesh Nagarajan said it’s against the law for Perhilitan to kill the long-tailed macaques because the animals are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act as a protected species.
He said Perhilitan should have opted for a more humane solution by catching the monkeys and relocating the animals. The NGO has urged Perhilitan to take action against its officers who allegedly killed the monkeys at Batu Caves.
Dusky leaf monkey. For illustration purposes. Image: Robertpollai/Wikimedia Commons
Not the first time it happened
It’s not the first time Perhilitan reacted poorly towards wild animals. In 2021, Free Malaysia Today reported that Perhilitan was accused of shooting dusty leaf monkeys in Port Dickson.
Pictures of the incident went viral with claims that Perhilitan officers killed 20 monkeys at the Seri Sentosa Education quarters area.
Perhilitan denied the allegations and said they only killed seven aggressive monkeys. It said the culling only took place after failed attempts to capture the animals.
Wildlife activists, including Lawyers for Animal Rights, planned to file a suit against Perhilitan after the agency failed to take action against its officers.

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Motif: Murder-mystery film by Mâ€™sian Cannes award winning director will leave you in awe [Review]

For the longest time, going to Malaysian cinemas would mean
watching another Hollywood blockbuster or foreign films. Local films barely
made a blip on our radars.
The winds of change are blowing, though, as weâ€™ve seen a rise in brilliantly made Malaysian films on the big screen. From Jagat to Ola Bola as well as the latest Upin & Ipin movie winning at an international film festival in Canada, the local filmmaking industry is finally shining under the spotlight.
About Time GIF from Growinguphiphop GIFs

The latest addition to this line-up of excellent Malaysian films is Motif, a murder-mystery that explores the nuances of polygamy. Produced by WayangWorks and Ore Struck Media, it’s directed by a Malaysian Cannes award winning director.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

TRP had the pleasure of catching this amazing film right
before it hits theatres nationwide on 26th September.
While we can launch into a 10-page essay on why you should watch this intriguing murder-mystery, hereâ€™s 4 terrific reasons why you should watch Motif.
1. Itâ€™s directed by a Malaysian Cannes Award winning
director!
Have we mentioned that Motif is directed by a Malaysian Cannes award winning director? Itâ€™s directed by a Malaysian Cannes award winning director.

Nadiah Hamzah, Director of Motif(Credit: WayangWorks)

Nadiah Hamzah, the brilliant director, was recently awarded
the bronze medal at the Cannes Gold Lion 2019 Award for a short yet powerful
anti-bullying PSA.
She was also called â€œone to watchâ€ by The Hollywood Reporter,
a wildly popular US Entertainment magazine.
With such accolade to her name, itâ€™s no wonder that her debut film, Motif, on the tale of a missing teenage girl in a small town and the frustrations of the investigating officer played by Sharifah Armani.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

2. The murder-mystery storyline will leave you in awe
No joke, throughout the 86-minute movie, this writer was
glued to her seat despite the protests of a very full bladder.
Munch Munch Stare GIF from Popcorn GIFs

To summarise the tale, Inspector Dewi (Sharifah Armani), a
talented policewoman from Bukit Aman is sent to the sleepy town of Tanah Merah
to investigate the case of a missing teenager named Anna (Khayrani Kemal).
However, she finds a less than warm welcome as the town views
the outsider with distrust, especially from her assigned partner Inspector
Rizal (Taqim Zaki) and the missing girlâ€™s father Hussein (Datuk Rosyam Nor) who
is also a powerful figure in the town.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

As Inspector Dewi dives further into the case, she starts getting
anonymous threats and her personal life seems to unravel concurrently with the investigations.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

Whatâ€™s interesting is how Nadiah dares to prod the extremely
touchy case of polygamy with thoughtful care, diving deep into the emotional
psyche of the parties involved.
For every minute of the movie, right until the end, the audience is kept guessing in this whodunit. Even when it cuts to black at the end, youâ€™ll be left in your seat with your mind whirring.
Millie Bobby Brown Mind Blown GIF from Milliebobbybrown GIFs

3. The brilliant acting
With stellar names such as Sharifah Armani and Datuk Rosyam
Nor leading the movie, there is no doubt that the acting is up to mark.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

In the film, the tension between the two is palpable and Rosyam
Noorâ€™s evil eye is scary even through the screen.
Special shotout to Taqim Zakiâ€™s as the local investigating
officer who provides unexpected moments of laughter through his earnest delivery.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

Of course, the rest of the cast with Iedil Dzuhrie Alaudin, Emma
Tosh, Sherie Merlis and many more are simply superb at drawing the audience
deeper into the darkness of the film.

 (Credit: WayangWorks)

4. THESE. GORGEOUS. SHOTS.

MOTIF | Official Trailer | 26.06.2019 from Wayangworks on Vimeo.
We have to admit, this is a BEAUTIFULLY shot film. The
scenery is BREATHTAKING with some of the finest views of Kuala Lumpur, Sungai
Penchala, Nilai dan Bukit Fraser, Pahang.
Itâ€™s dark and powerful as Nadiah was inspired by Scandinavian murder TV series, so the shots are majestic. Fans of Black Mirror may find the visual cues similar to the Crocodile episode that was shot in Iceland.

via GIPHY
Verdict: 9/10
Great cinematography, Riveting storyline & Solid acting.
Standing Ovation GIF from Oscars GIFs

Thatâ€™s all the â€œMotifâ€ you need to watch Motif, releasing nationwide on 26th September!

 (Credit: WayangWorks)


The Real Reason Why Lynas Is Still In Malaysia

For the past several years, Lynas keeps making headlines in Malaysia. This is due to the fear that this rare earth processing company is potentially endangering local communities, which has led us to question what rare earths are.
Did you know that rare earth elements are the reason why we have colour television today?
Due to their unique electrochemical properties, rare earths are contained in many devices we use every day, such as laptops and mobile phones.
(Credit: Research Gate)
Rare earth elements are also used in eco-friendly technology and medical devices.
But what are they?
Despite its name, rare earths are neither rare nor earth. They’re actually soft metals that are relatively abundant in the earth’s crust.
 The Rare Earth Elements are the 15 lanthanide series elements, plus yttrium. Scandium is found in most rare earth element deposits and is sometimes classified as a rare earth element.(Credit: Hastings Technology Metals)
Around the world, resources for rare earth metals are contained primarily in minerals called bastnasite and monazite.
Bastnasite is mainly found in China and the United States and make up most of the world’s rare earths resources. Monazite deposits in Australia, Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the U.S make up the rest.
Are they valuable?
The demand for rare earth elements first exploded in the mid-1960s when colour television sets became a thing.
A mining facility in California, Mountain Pass mine, began producing rare earths first and became the largest producer in the world until the 1980s when China began producing more and took over.
As we became more reliant on technology, the global demand for rare earth elements skyrocketed and China capitalised on its dominant position.
 This chart shows China’s dominance in the production of rare earth elements between 1994 and 2017.  (Credit: Geology.com)
As you can imagine, they made a lot of money exporting rare earths to countries all over the world.
Where does Malaysia and Lynas fit into this?
After years of heavily mining rare earths, China started feeling the environmental effects of the operations (we’ll get back to this later).
They raised the cost of rare earths, started to restrict exports and used their supply as leverage when it came to diplomatic ties with other countries.
In response, some industries found ways around using rare earths. Mining companies started looking at possible rare earth mining opportunities outside China. They also learned to recycle rare earths and developed more environmentally friendly mines.
This led to the birth of Lynas Corporation.
This Australian company is now known as the world’s only significant rare earths producer outside China.
Uniforms and safety helmets are pictured at Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Pahang, Malaysia. (Credit: The Star Online)
The company operates a mine at Mount Weld in Australia and sends ores to a separation facility in Malaysia for purification.
They are known for producing neodymium and praseodymium, key ingredients used in electric vehicles, energy-efficient consumer devices and in the aerospace and defence industries.
You mentioned environmental effects?
While rare earth elements themselves are quite safe, processing the elements is a dirty business.
Extraction of rare earths is complicated by the fact that in the earth’s crust, the elements are jumbled together with other minerals, often ones that are radioactive.
This means that raw rare earth ores have to go through several rounds of processing to separate the compounds. All that processing also requires huge amounts of carcinogenic toxins to do the job.
  A worker pours rare earth metal Lanthanum into a mould near the town of Damao, in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Credit: The Guardian)
In fact, processing one tonne of rare earths reportedly produces 2,000 tonnes of toxic waste.
Is Lynas operating dangerously?
In recent years, Lynas has been embroiled in controversy after it was found that some of their ores contained the radioactive element: thorium.
Local NGO, Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas (SMSL) alleged that the company has been improperly storing their radioactive and scheduled waste.
Meanwhile, Kuantan MP, Fuziah Salleh also wrote an open letter slamming the company and the government for allowing it to operate in the state.
SMSL protesting against Lynas (Credit: Malay Mail)
Fuziah urged that the operations were potentially harmful on the local community because the thorium contained in Lynas’ processing waste products has a very long half-life – 14-billion-years to be exact.
Should I be worried?
According to local experts, Lynas Malaysia’s operations are low risk, compliant with relevant regulations, and their storage facilities are operated in a proper manner.
Additionally, the thorium found in their WLP (water leach purification) were reportedly naturally-occurring and in small amounts.
 The Lynas Advance Material Plant (LAMP) in Malaysia. (Credit: Mining Dot Com)
The experts also clarified that radiation risk of radioactive substances does not depend on the presence of the said substance, but rather the mode and levels of exposure, which, in this case, were fully compliant with internationally accepted limits.
In May 2019, Lynas also announced that they will be moving their processing operations which involve radioactivity back to Australia, and keep the non-radioactive processing in Malaysia.
This move was reportedly aimed to boost production and appease Malaysian regulators.
It also means that whether their practices were endangering the community or not, the whole topic will soon become a non-issue for Malaysians.

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Sabah-Born Writer Shortlisted For 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

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A Sabah-born writer is shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writersâ€™ 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize.
25-year-old Sharmini Aphrodite and her short fiction entitled, Ouroboros, Ouroboros, is one of 20 entries to qualify for the contest out of over 5,000 works from writers across the world.
Her writing tells the tale of a young woman who goes on a journey to her ancestral village to visit her grandmother, before being haunted by a tiger that no one believes to exist.
Sharmini interprets the story in Ouroboros, Ouroboros to things that gets lost in translation and history, mentioning that it draws inspiration from her own experiences in life. The title of the story itself, she explains, relates to ancient symbols that signify life and death.
When she saw the tiger the world had been wet with colour. Trembling on the edge of evening, everything either as thick as blood or as delicate as water. Her skin was soft and gleaming from her well bath; walking along the pathway she felt protected, shrouded in a skin stitched with light. An excerp from Ouroboros, Ouroboros via Commonwealth Writers
Her writing has been featured on 2015’s Cha: An Asian Literary Journal and the Smokelong Quarterly, as well as accredited by the Frieze Magazine’s Art Writing Prize in 2017, and shortlisted in Singaporeâ€™s 2017 Golden Point Awards, and the Australian Book Reviewâ€™s Jolley Short Story Prize in 2018.
 Sharmini during a public reading session at a Smokelong Quarterly gathering in Singapore.(Credit; YouTube/Smokelong Quarterly)
Sharmini says that she is honored and humbled to be selected for such a prestigious prize and, like many Malaysians, is spending her time indoors coping with the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO).
Sharmini is currently staying in Johor and regularly navigates across the causeway to conduct work in Singapore.
Sharmini and her peers’ shares what’s its been like living under quarantine amid the Covid-19 pandemic.(Credit: YouTube/Commonwealth Writers)
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is an annual competition that awards writers of unpublished fiction from members in the 54 Commonwealth nations.
The contest is judged by writers, scholars, and artists from around the world where shortlisters are set to win cash prizes worth up to RM27,000.
In 2019, 2 Malaysian writers were shortlisted for the prize,  with one taking home the competitionâ€™s regional title.

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Source:
Malaysian writer Sharmini Aphrodite is up for Commonwealth Short Story Prize
2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize shortlist


[Watch] Caucasian KLCC ‘Karen’ Argues With Luxury Brand Staff To Let Her Shop Without A Mask

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Smile for the camera lady! Thank youuu~

So this lady, who sounds like she’s British, had allegedly tried to enter the Dior luxury fashion store at the Suria KLCC shopping mall without wearing a face mask and was rejected by the store’s staff for doing so.
A video of the lady’s outburst was recorded by another shopper who apparently got held up in line outside the store as staff members tried to resolve the situation.
The 23-second clip, which obviously became viral, saw the lady arguing with one male staff at the store’s entrance and accused the man of manhandling her.
From the recorded conversation, apparently, the lady was there to return a “faulty” bag that she had bought from the store.
“When I went to walk in, he put his hands on me and pushed me,” the lady moaned, as she held up her own mobile phone camera to record the interaction.
According to Twitter user DFE, who posted the video online, the lady allegedly opposed the ‘no mask, no entry’ rule and said that those with masks were communist.
Was in a que at @Dior KLCC!!! No entry for no mask!!! This lady resisted and said those with masks are communist!! Applying “white entitlement” in Malaysia!! Kudos to the @Dior KLCC and @SuriaKLCCMall staff @Khairykj @KKMPutrajaya please find and fine her!!! pic.twitter.com/hXzi9difRg— DFE (@DFEfiercefun) October 27, 2021
The scene later continues with the woman still insisting to enter the store while exclaiming “You can’t stop me! It’s a free country! You don’t own the shop,” to the employees guarding the entrance.
One of our Karen ended up in Malaysia 😁🤣 pic.twitter.com/S8dtYfW1PA— A H (@AbulHas61613225) October 27, 2021
Netizens who saw the video couldn’t help but call the lady a “Karen” – a globally used slang for describing entitled white women who use their “white privilege” to get their white way.
Tengok muka pun tau Karen 😂— Lissa (@zullysisters) October 27, 2021
Besides asking for authorities to quickly take action against the lady, people were also curious about how she managed to enter and walk around the mall without having a mask on in the first place.
How did she managed to got thru the mall guards at the escalators / entrance door before entering the mall? Just saman dia RM10k pls— Zue 🏴 (@runzuerun) October 27, 2021
The peculiar moment also got the attention of Malaysia’s Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar who Tweeted that he’d be looking into the matter.
“When in Rome do as the Romans do.”When in Malaysia, please mask up. Regardless of the rules elsewhere. @KKMPutrajaya is getting more information from KLCC.— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 27, 2021
By law, denizens (yes even the caucasian ones) are required to wear a face mask at all times while out in public.

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Combat Sports In Schools? It Could Happen

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Have you ever wanted your kid to try out cool sports like silat or wushu?

Well look no further because the Ministry of Education (MOE) is considering allocating resources to fund and develop combat sports in schools in the future.
According to reports by Bernama, Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying said these allocations aim to unearth talents in various combat sports such as wushu, silat and karate through training programs and the organization of events and competitions at the school level.

This decision has just been made, but we will certainly consider the allocation for combat sports. Most possibly through the MOE budget in the future. We will also discuss in more detail how to ensure that combat sports can be implemented as best as possible at the school level.
MOE Deputy Minister Lim Hui Ying
Speaking to reporters at the Closing and Award Presentation Ceremony of the 12th KPM-Wushu Federation of Malaysia (WFM) Wushu Championship at Bukit Serindit, Lim also added that students of all races are encouraged to participate in sports such as wushu as it can benefit everyone in terms of health and self-defense.
Lim also emphasized that combat sports will be included in the school co-curriculum, and the initiative will involve state and district education departments to ensure its comprehensive implementation.
Bernama also reported Lim saying that the ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide special training sessions for combat sports at the school level, thereby exposing students to these disciplines.
It was also mentioned that combat sports should be classified as a sports activity rather than a uniformed body in schools.

What Are Combat Sports And How Do They Help?
Combat sports refer to a range of physical activities and disciplines that involve combat or fighting techniques.
These sports often emphasize both physical and mental training, teaching participants various techniques, strategies, and skills for self-defense and competition.
Common examples of combat sports include boxing, karate, judo, taekwondo, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, among others.
Positive Impacts On Development
Engaging in combat sports can have several positive impacts on childhood development, such as:
1. Promotes Physical Fitness
Combat sports require rigorous physical training, promoting overall fitness, strength, agility, endurance, and flexibility. Thus it is no secret that these types of sports promotes and encourages physical fitness. Regular participation in these sports helps children develop a strong and healthy body.
2. Fine Tune Motor Skills
Combat sports involve a wide range of movements, such as punches, kicks, throws, and grappling techniques. Practicing these techniques improves coordination, balance, reflexes, and fine motor skills.
3. Discipline and Self-Control
These types of sports also instill discipline and self-control in children. For example, children learn to follow rules, listen to coaches, and develop patience and perseverance. Regular training and practice require focus and concentration, promoting self-discipline and the ability to control impulses.
4. Confidence and Self-Esteem
As children progress in combat sports and achieve milestones, they gain confidence in their abilities. Learning self-defense techniques and mastering new skills boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment.
5. Conflict Resolution and Self-Defense
Additionally, combat sports also teach children valuable conflict resolution skills, emphasizing non-violent approaches whenever possible. Additionally, they acquire self-defense techniques that can help them protect themselves if faced with threatening situations.

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Farah Ann Is Indeed Retiring, Report Says

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Malaysian gymnastic queen Farah Ann Abdul Hadi is set to leave the mat for good after growing frustrated with her injuries, New Straits Times (NST) reported.

It is learned that the 27 years old had been absent for the last two weeks from the national training camp which is preparing for the upcoming Vietnam Sea Games.
Farah, arguably the most successful gymnast in South East Asia with seven Sea Games gold medals under her name, however yet to make an official statement regarding the matter.
“She was still undecided in December. At that time, she was determined to recover from an injury. However, during the working committee meeting, her plans to retire were discussed.
“She wants to make a public announcement,” the unidentified source was quoted by NST.
The Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) is also awaiting Farah Ann’s confirmation on her status.
The national body had set four gold medals target for the 12-23 May Vietnam Sea Games.
Farah had previously expressed her wishes to retire after making her Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
READ MORE: Is Malaysia’s Gymnastic Queen Quitting?

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