Elon Musk Wants To Buy Manchester United Football Club

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In yet another baffling Tweet, Elon Musk has claimed that he will buy the Manchester United Football Club.

Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur welcome— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2022
This comes after the fiasco of him wanting to buy the Twitter social media platform for $44 billion (around RM195 billion) and pulling out midway through the deal. Both parties have filed lawsuits against each other.
The Tesla Motors CEO has a habit of tweeting funny (and oftentimes odd) thoughts and jokes, so much so that even his loyal fan base is no longer clear if he is serious or not.
How far has it come that even us tesla fans dont know whether hes trolling or not 💀— Werran Buffet (@Yeeeeeeeeeeet11) August 17, 2022
However, fans of Manchester United took the chance to criticise their team’s abysmal performance in their recent games.
If they keep playing like they have been you'll get a discount.— Cal (@CalElcombe) August 17, 2022
Manchester United recently lost 2 games in a row at the start of the season, to their fans’ great dismay.
In fact, fans were so unhappy at the team, which had struggled to reach their glory days in recent years, that they staged a protest against its American owners at Old Trafford, Manchester.
As of yet, no one is particularly sure if Elon Musk will follow through and really buy the football club. Still, perhaps the change of ownership wouldn’t upset Manchester United fans that much anymore.

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A Malaysian Newborn Baby Is Covid-19 Positive. No One Knows How They Got Infected

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During the daily Covid-19 briefing, Health Director General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah revealed that a newborn baby was found to be positive of the virus.
The 18-day-old infant was born to a mother who was also Covid-19 positive.
However, the health authorities have no idea if the child got infected by the virus in the womb or after birth.
There is an issue of a pregnant woman (Covid-19 positive) who gave birth. Her child, who is 18 days old, has tested positive but there was no complications with the pregnancy and delivery.Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Health Director General.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.(Credit: Choo Choy May/Malay Mail)
Dr Noor Hisham did not elaborate further on the case, so the mystery remains on how the newborn was infected by the coronavirus.
Malaysia records 31 new cases of Covid-19 with a total of 5,851 cases and 100 deaths.

https://twitter.com/KKMPutrajaya/status/1255054259676045314

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Coronavirus: How Prepared Is Malaysia Against A Viral Threat

The ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak has had the world on its toes.
With nations across the globe taking necessary action to prevent the spread of the disease as well as treating those who have been infected, how well is Malaysia prepared to face such a viral threat?
Travel restrictions
Although Malaysia has not imposed a travel ban to prevent Chinese nationals from coming into the country, the government has officially stopped issuing travel visas to all Chinese nationals from Wuhan city, China as well as areas in the surrounding province of Hubei.
An online petition signed by Malaysians insisting on a ban towards Chinese nationals entering Malaysia following news of the infection.(Credit: Screenshot via Change)
The restriction was made in response to coordinated efforts between Malaysia and China to contain the spread of the virus.
Wuhan city is said to be ground zero to the 2019-nCoV outbreak. The city along with other nearby areas, where more than 50 million people live, have been placed under strict quarantine by the Chinese government.
Aerial view of the quiet Hubei province in China.(Credit: Stewart Edward via Unsplash)
To keep close tabs on developments coming out of the republic, Malaysia has also set up an Emergency Response Team at its embassy in Beijing. The embassy is also on standby to provide any needed assistance to Malaysians who are currently in China.
MOH’s measures in handling tourists from Wuhan.1. Screening @ Points of Entry2. Triaging & containment at Health facilities3. Hospital Referral & Admission4. Investigation and patients treatment5. Contact tracing 6. Optimum Infection, Prevention & Control at all levels.. https://t.co/JbHjHRibsWâ€” Dzulkefly Ahmad (@DrDzul) January 23, 2020
As usual, the government has also advised Malaysians to refrain from traveling to China and cautioned those returning to take all necessary precautions to keep safe.
Those who are experiencing symptoms related to 2019-nCoV are also advised to immediately get medical attention.
(Credit: The Sun)
On high alert
The nation is currently on â€œhigh surveillanceâ€ mode and is working to detect and prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV with various agencies and medical facilities have been placed on high alert and are on standby to respond to any reports of the viral disease.
Health authority personnel stationed at KLIA.(Credit: Straits Times)
The Health Ministry was also prepared to freeze all leave applications for its healthcare personnel if the need arise
As part of the countryâ€™s first line of defense against the virus, Malaysia has deployed emergency response systems at all international points of entry.
This system includes more than 50 state-of-the-art thermal sensors set up at the countryâ€™s main entry points including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
 KLIAâ€™s sensors have reportedly scanned more than 200,000 people since the country first received warnings of the viral outbreak. (Credit: Malay Mail)
KLIA has also been equipped with a special Health Quarantine Center in order to manage any suspected cases.
The Health Ministry also said that anyone found positive for 2019-nCoV would be sent straight to the Sungai Buloh Hospital to receive immediate treatment.
Interestingly, the Sungai Buloh hospital was meant to be the site for Malaysia’s Centre for Infectious Diseases. In 2003 it was reported that the hospital would be equipped with advanced facilities to deal with cases of infectious disease.
(Credit: The Star)
Now the hospital stands as the countryâ€™s National Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases as mentioned by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
Not our first rodeo
Though tensions are high the government gives its reassurance that the country is well prepared to face major infectious disease outbreaks.
In 2019, the county was ranked 18th in the Global Health Security Index that evaluates a nationâ€™s preparedness in facing global biological events.
(Credit: National Cancer Institute via Unsplash)
This puts Malaysia ahead of Asian countries like Singapore and Japan as well as European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands in the detection, prevention, and response against biological threats.
The country has also been enhancing its public health response and preparedness strategies in accordance with the World Health Organisationâ€™s (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) with the implementation of the Malaysian Strategy for Emerging Diseases (MySED) Workplan.

The plan sets the basic framework in the countryâ€™s preventive and responsive measures towards acute public health risks and global epidemics. (You may take a peek at the full Workplan, HERE)
The Health Ministry also assured that the nation’s health authorities were well trained and qualified to handle cases of deadly infectious diseases.
Malaysian health authorities working during the toxic pollution incident in Johor in 2019.(Credit: Malay Mail)
Malaysia’s experienced health professionals have successfully managed a host of viral infections before, like the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-Cov) epidemic in 2008 as well as infectious diseases that have re-emerged in Malaysia such as polio and rabies in 2019.
The Health Ministry further clarifies that nationâ€™s healthcare systems were also well equipped to handle any possible cases of 2019-nCoV with every state having at least one facility that can quarantine and provide treatment to those infected.

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[Watch] Baby Wild Boar Praised For Removing Road Obstruction On Highway

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Although wild boars look adorable, people largely stay away from them because they can be dangerous when they feel threatened.

However, a brave wild boar has earned praise online for being super helpful on the road.
  @khairulikhwan856 seekor babi mengalihkan barang di atas jalan raya#terimakasih ♬ bunyi asal  – khairulikhwan856
In a viral video believed to be taken on a Malaysian highway, a young wild boar could be seemingly seen rolling away a cylindrical obstruction on the road away from the cars.
While the wild boar could just be playing around, its actions inadvertently helped clear the road for road users.
Netizens thanked the wild boar for helping and ensuring the roads were safe to use. The wild boar was also praised for its intelligence.

How intelligent are wild boars?
The wild boar’s ‘intelligent’ actions shouldn’t come as a surprise because it has been shown that these animals are able to ‘think’ and ‘care’ about others.
A paper published in Nature has shown that wild boars display a high level of intelligence and empathy.
In the observation, a wild boar freed two piglets trapped in a cage. Researchers of the paper stated that such rescue behaviour is an “extreme” form of prosociality only exhibited by a few other animal species.
The rescue behaviour shown is also considered a complex form of empathy.

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Cat Named ‘Money’ Brings Luck To Business, Gifted RM25,980 Gold Chain On Birthday

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It’s not unusual to see pet owners spoil their furkids with the best of things no matter the cost.

These lucky pets live an enviable life that most people and animals dream of because they get to enjoy the luxury lifestyle.
Local entrepreneur Haliza Maysuri recently went viral for gifting a gold chain worth RM25,980 for her cat named Money.
The gold chain is engraved with the cat’s name and birthday (9 May 2017). Haliza and her husband bought the chain as a gift to show their love for their cat.
The chain’s measurement is customised to suit Money so it can’t be sold or be worn by anyone else. Even if I’m not here anymore, the gold chain is still for Money.Haliza Maysuri told mStar

Haliza explained that her business greatly improved ever since she brought Money home. Haliza and her husband bought Money for RM1,800 in 2018 from a pet shop.
Initially, they were only there to buy items for Gora, their black and white Maine Coon but her husband spotted Money and immediately fell in love with the cat.
Money got its name after Haliza asked her followers for name suggestions. One of her followers suggested the iconic name and it stuck. Haliza believes calling the cat ‘Money’ daily will attract money into her life too.
Money the cat also helped to fill the void left by her children who have all grown up and live far away.

Since she treats the cat like her own child, Money has its own room too. Both husband and wife are willing to fly to Bangkok, Thailand every six months just to buy clothes and toys for Money.
They love dressing up Money in beautiful clothes every day. Money is so pampered that she has never once set foot on the floor and goes to a spa every month too. The cat is always carried by Haliza, her husband or a maid whether it’s at home or at the office.
Don’t you want to be a lucky cat like Money after knowing all this?

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#LRTDOWN And #takkanbuat2lupa Leading The Trending Chart On Malaysian Twitter

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It’s been a busy day for Malaysians on social media today and this can be seen in the top 5 trending hashtags on Twitter.

LRTDOWN was number two on the list earlier today. It all started when Rapid KL made a jaw-dropping announcement that 16 LRT stations on the Kelana Jaya line would be closed from today until 15 November.
As expected, commuters took their frustrations online.
In the number one spot is #takkanbuat2lupa. Now this is not a self-explanatory hashtag. Here’s a summary of how it came to be. Incumbent Pengerang MP Datuk Azalina Othman Said and incumbent Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman exchanged tweets over the much-debated citizenship issue.
Syed Saddiq posted on Twitter saying not to use the citizenship of Malaysian children issue as an election promise.

Jangan gunakan hak kewarganegaraan anak Malaysia sebagai ikat janji pilihan raya. Bila PRU, berani pula untuk perjuangkan hak ibu-ibu Malaysia.Di manakah kamu semua selama ini apabila mereka turun naik JPN, mahkamah hanya untuk dapatkan hak yang telah sekian lama dinafikan? pic.twitter.com/i9PO1ZntOP— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) November 8, 2022

“Where were you when they were going up and down JPN (National Registration Department) and courts just to get the rights they have been denied for so long?” he asked.
Azalina replied to him asking wasn’t it a Barisan Nasional (BN) MP who had led the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on women and children, asked multiple questions in Dewan Rakyat on the issue and was the initiator of the Private Members Bill that “you copied and pasted for submission”.
She was referring to herself as the BN MP in question.

@SyedSaddiq Bro.. seriously?? Wasn’t it a BN MP who led the PSSC on women & children, asked multiple questions in Dewan Rakyat on this issue & the initiator of the Private Members Bill that you “copied & pasted” for submission?#TakkanBuat2Lupa https://t.co/LyFpUa2J7l pic.twitter.com/5Drq1oS3uy— Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS) November 8, 2022

To this, Syed Saddiq replied:

Ma’am.You know the truth behind this.You even had the backing of so many opposition MPs like myself & @hannahyeoh .But the BN-led government didn’t even allow your bipartisan bill to see the light of day.If they won’t listen to you,Why would they listen to the mothers? https://t.co/NSJbRZmoRW— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) November 8, 2022

Azalina, not backing down, replied again, with the hashtag #takkanbuat2lupa.

Tuan ……when u were 22 months in Govt,  why didnt PH do the  Constitutional amendment on citizenship ?  #TakkanBuat2Lupa https://t.co/pJmxRDPW6S— Azalina Othman Said (@AzalinaOthmanS) November 8, 2022

Unfortunately for her, the hashtag made it to the trending list because Netizens chimed in and starting using it to berate BN.
In third place is RM 30, but we’re not sure why, and it could be because others were wondering too, so it trended because people were asking why it was trending. So we’ll just throw that into the ‘selingan’ pile.
Selangor is in the Top Five and that’s about the only good news we’ve had today. 18 November has been declared a public holiday for the state as well as Negeri Sembilan in conjunction with 19 November’s polling day (GE15). Another contributing factor to why Selangor was trending was the floods which hit several parts of Shah Alam yesterday.
Number 5 is related to Number 2. Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, the caretaker transport minister was trending because, well, #LRTDOWN.
So there you have it, the five major things Malaysians talked about on Elon Musk’s new baby.

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TLDR: Groups Try Last-Ditch Effort To Prevent Nagaenthran’s Imminent Execution In Singapore

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Nagaenthran a/l K Dharmalingam is facing execution on 10 November in Singapore for allegedly transporting drugs into the country and many groups in Malaysia have been protesting for his release.

The reason? It’s because the man who was convicted of trafficking in 42.72gm of diamorphine in 2011 actually has been diagnosed with a borderline intellectual disability with an IQ of 69 and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during his forensic psychiatric evaluation.
It’s also noted that he’s suffering from severe alcohol use disorder that would significantly affect his judgment and decision-making impulse control.
Nagaenthran is currently being charged under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act and according to reports from the Sydney Morning Herald, he is scheduled to become the first prisoner executed by the island republic since 2019.
What happened to Nagaenthran
He was caught while entering Singapore from Malaysia with 42.72g of heroin strapped to his thigh and Nagaenthran was convicted of drug trafficking a year later.
Reports have also stated that he was coerced to become a drug mule by a friend who had assaulted him and threatened to kill his girlfriend.
NGO groups, the public are pushing for a reduced sentence
Recently, multiple civil society groups, including the Anti Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) have handed over a memorandum to Parliament in a bid to stop the execution.
Anti Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) and other civil society groups about to send a memorandum to Parliament on the imminent execution of Nagaethran a/l K Dharmalingam in Singapore. pic.twitter.com/6QukS4wbnH— Elill (@Elill_E) November 3, 2021
Meanwhile, several legal professional bodies, such as the Malaysian Bar have submitted an appeal for clemency to the Singapore government to commute the death sentence.
1. A group of lawyers from the Malaysian Bar gathered at the Singapore High Commission yesterday to submit a petition seeking clemency for Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam.They have urged the Singaporean government to commute Nagaenthran’s death sentence. https://t.co/rNEJwp4H62 pic.twitter.com/6VJFOu5IGT— BFM News (@NewsBFM) November 3, 2021
Even the public has set up an online petition to pardon his death sentence, which has accumulated more than 31,000 signatures as of the time of the writing.
If you want to show your support, you can click the link here.

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DAP MP Steven Sim Spends RM7.5k From Own Pocket To Buy Motorbike For Delivery Rider

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Does it pay to be kind to strangers?

Most people might have the intention of being a little kinder, yet we feel that we cannot muster up willpower.
Former Deputy Youth and Sports Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim were in tears after buying a motorcycle for a disabled delivery rider named Mohamad Muadz Jaafar.

Muadz had been in dire straits after his motorcycle – an old Honda EX5, which was his rice bowl – was stolen.
When asked to meet at a motorcycle shop by Sim, Muadz thought he was being scammed but decided to meet anyway as he had nothing to lose.
Struggles And Hardships Will Always Be A Part Of Being Human
Muadz told his life story when met by Sim at the motorcycle shop.
Mohamad Muadz injured his right left after an accident and has to rely on crutches to move around.
He continued to work as a Lalamove rider to support his wife and children.
His burden includes personal debts and an outstanding electricity bill of almost RM1,000, with TNB about to cut the supply.
He also has to cough up RM1,000 to pay his 6-year-old child’s kindergarten fee arrears.
What Could Go Wrong?
Sim noted that the money for the new Honda Wave 125i motorcycle – registered under  Mohamad Muadz’s name – was from his savings.
The reason is that the case happens in Kuala Lumpur and not in his parliamentary area, so he can’t use his MP’s allocation.
Sim was in Kuala Lumpur to run his errands, including meeting Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

Sim had previously heard about Mohamad Muadz’s plight after it went viral on social media.
Being a father, he felt for the rider and decided to purchase a new motorcycle for him anyway.
Sim also offered to settle his debts, so he could continue his efforts to care for his family.
He also thanked Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar for contributing RM1,000 to pay off the kindergarten fee debt.
At the same time, Sim also posted the details of Mohamad Muadz’s bank account so that the public could assist him directly.
Skepticism Of ‘Good Deeds’
Generous people are happier and healthier, yet acts of kindness are often met with suspicion and scorn.
But some people can be so uncharitable to those doing good deeds and accuse Sim of putting on a show to gain popularity.

In any case, it’s not the first time Sim had been accused, as he had also helped others in the past.
Thankfully, discerning netizens stepped up to clear the air and rebuked those who slandered Sim.
YB Steven Sim bantu orang beli motor.Profesor kangkong tipu pasal kristianisasi, tipu pasal kedai motor tak wujud, tipu pasal budak panda tak wujud, tipu pasal motor tak wujud, tipu geran nama cina. Dia puasa ke tak?Kalau tak mampu tolong, jangan ganggu orang lain menolong. pic.twitter.com/oNICdj5TFV— GangUtara (@Gang_Utara) April 28, 2021

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Negeri Sembilan man makes RM8 million a month selling durians and fruits

You know how they say the durian is the King of Fruits?
Well, this Negeri Sembilan man is the King of Durians!
(Pic Credit: Utusan)
Chin Ken Soon is a 38-year-old who owns more than 80 hectares of fruit plantation in Pahang, growing an assortment of durians!
Thatâ€™s 80 football fields of durians!
From the famous Musang King to the sweet Kampung durians to the D24 durians, he has them all.
Durianruntuh Duit GIF from Durianruntuh GIFs

He describes that sales from his durians ALONE can reach up to RM4 million a month.
The rest of his sales come from the export of other kinds of fruits grown in his orchards.
Imagine RM4 million from just selling durians! And then making that same amount from selling other fruits from his orchard.
Top Gear Trailer GIF from Topgear GIFs

Chin explains that he also exports about 100 tonnes of other kinds of fruits to countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and Europe.
That is about 8 containers shipped overseas monthly!
The other types of fruits in his orchard, include papaya, starfruit, watermelon, and mangosteen.
Kirby Carry GIF from Kirby GIFs

On another more entrepreneurial note, Chin has now begun opening malls all over Negeri Sembilan dedicated to selling just fruits!
His first fruit mall was opened in Temiang last month!
Walaowei Malaysia GIF from Walaowei GIFs

We wish this King of fruits a fruitful life filled with more fruit sales!
[CORRECTION: In the previous article, it was stated that he made RM4 million in profits, instead, that is actually the amount he made in sales.]


Prudential Introduces PRUKasih Aman To Protect More Underserved Families Nationwide

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Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad (PAMB) has reinforced its commitment to build financial resilience among the underserved communities with the introduction of PRUKasih Aman, a new protection plan developed under its flagship PRUKasih corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The PRUKasih programme was initiated in 2011 to provide temporary financial relief for urban low-income families facing unexpected loss of income due to illness, accident and death. Approximately 34,000 individuals have benefited from Prudential’s PRUKasih programme with a total payout of RM18.5 million to date.
Under the new PRUKasih Aman protection plan, more families can be safeguarded while receiving better benefits up to total coverage of up to RM18,000, which includes daily hospitalisation allowance, funeral expenses and death benefit. In the event of unfortunate death due to accident, an additional death payout will be payable. All for a premium of only RM75 for 1 year coverage.
“We are highly supportive of the Government’s efforts to expand insurance protection for the B40 population. Our vision for PRUKasih Aman is to provide a safety net to the underserved communities who are financially vulnerable to income disruptions, so that they can continue providing for their families in difficult times,” said Eric Wong, Chief Marketing and Partnerships Distribution Officer of PAMB.
Families can now increase their household’s protection as multiple family members can sign up for PRUKasih Aman, unlike the previous PRUKasih programme where protection was only offered to the family breadwinner. To ease the transition of existing PRUKasih members to the new plan, Prudential will be offering them a RM50 premium discount voucher.
With the help of technology, the PRUKasih Aman protection plan will also be highly accessible to underserved families nationwide through easy application, premium payments and claims submission on Prudential’s mobile app Pulse, thus further ensuring more families are financially resilient.
Since its inception, the PRUKasih CSR programme has gone beyond providing temporary financial relief to include financial education and entrepreneurship training with the aim to advance the community’s socioeconomic standing. The strategic programme addresses the short and long-term financial challenges faced by the underserved community so that they can build a stronger financial future for themselves.
Wong added, “Prudential remains committed to bringing programmes that will help the community be more financially independent so that they can improve their socioeconomic status. As the saying goes if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime and that is what our CSR initiative is about – giving them an opportunity for a financially stable future so that they can get more out of life.”
In recognition of its visionary community programme, Prudential was awarded the “Company of The Year (Insurance & Investments)” and “Long-Standing Excellence Award” at the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022; and “Most Socially Responsible Life Insurance Company” at the International Finance Award 2022.

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Sabah School Teachers & Staff Built Wooden Desks So Students Can Socially Distance In Class

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With schools nationwide set to fully reopen by July 22, it appears that teachers and school staff are hard at work ensuring that their facilities and faculty are fully prepared to handle returning students in the “new normal” learning environment.
With strict Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) set in place, one school in Lahad Datu, Sabah is showing extra effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students during the pandemic.

SOP For Schools Reopening – Temperature Screening, Recess In Class & More

In a Twitter posting shared by primary school counselor and teacher Suryadi Lagga, the faculty at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sahabat II (SK Sahabat II) have taken up carpentry and built wooden desks for its classrooms.
Suryadi explained that 80 desks are to be assembled and painted by SK Sahabat II teachers and janitorial staff so that social distancing can be performed in the classroom.
The teacher went on to reveal that prior to the pandemic, several students were apparently sharing one long table instead of having their own separate desks.
Images shared by Suryadi showed stages of the school’s D.I.Y Build-A-Desk project as school staff hammered together wooden planks to construct their final products.
Kami (guru) sedang buat sebanyak 80 meja untuk persediaan minggu depan. Meja tak cukup sebab kena penjarakan sosial dalam kelas. Sebelum ni beberapa org murid kongsi 1 meja (meja panjang). pic.twitter.com/nIwPnfdRGg— Suryadi (@Suryadivic) July 17, 2020
Speaking to TRP, Cikgu Suryadi said that the entire project was funded from donations made by SK Sahabat II’s teachers and parents, and that the mastermind behind the idea was the school’s own headmaster, Jais Scotle, along with its administrators.
So far, the team of makeshift woodworkers managed to complete more than half of their 80 desks target.
If you’d like to know how SK Sahabat II is implementing government-mandated Covid-19 guidelines, check out this neat little video which was also shared by Cikgu Suryadi, on YouTube.

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KL Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Is Jaw-Droppingly Magnificent At Night

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So you’re in KL but you just don’t know where to go or what to do? Why not experience the wonders of KL on a bus tour?

This is perfect for those new to the area who wants to explore and see what’s really in KL.
For those experienced KL people, you can also join this if you wanna relax and see the city lights for two hours without actually driving (traffic, hello?).
With the KL Hop On Hop Off bus, the public can enjoy a 2-hour open-top drive in the city to explore the beauty and vibrancy of Kuala Lumpur after dark called the KL City Of Lights (Night Tour).
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Where Will You Visit
On this 2-hour tour, the bus will roam around 12 attractions and stop by for 10 minutes around 4 stops. The attractions during nighttime are focused on places with mesmerizing lights.
(Credit: @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
Among the places that you’ll go through are:
Sg Wang Plaza (Pickup & Drop Point)Saloma LinkKL TowerChina TownCentral MarketLittle IndiaKL SentralNational PalaceMerdeka SquareRiver of LifeIstana BudayaKLCC
You’ll only stop by KL Tower, National Palace, River of Life and also KLCC for 10 minutes. There, you can quickly get off the bus for a 10-minute photo session with the place.
(Credit: KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour / Facebook, @JalanCutiSantai / Twitter)
But all of this would depend on the traffic situation at the time. If the traffic is congested and there’s no room for the bus parks (especially KLCC), you might have to get your pics only from the bus.
How To Buy Tickets
At night, there’s only one slot, which is at 8 pm. So for those who wanna go on the trip, you would have to be there physically 30 minutes before so you don’t miss the bus. Their only boarding and drop-off station is at Stop 1 Bukit Bintang (located next to Sungei Wang Plaza’s main entrance).
(Credit: KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour / Facebook)
You can get the tickets online, with an authorized agent, or physically at their ticket station only at Main Kiosk Stop 1 Bukit Bintang.
The tickets are priced as below:
MalaysiansAdult – RM35Children – RM20
Non-MalaysiansAdult – RM55Children – RM30
When you’re buying the tickets, keep in mind that you’re not booking the seats (free seating concept). The seats are on a first come first serve basis, so whoever comes first gets the best seats!
Also, no food or drinks are allowed while you’re on the bus, but you can bring along your mineral water.
They Have Their Day Tours Too
For the day trip, it’s even cheaper and it tours a lot more places (but it’s hotter though).
They have two options for the day tour, one during the weekdays (Ronda Ronda KL) and one during the weekends (Hop On Hop Off). For the day trips, they have around 17 attractions like these:
Sg Wang Plaza (Pickup & Drop Point)Swiss GardenChina TownCentral MarketLittle IndiaKL SentralNational MuseumNational PalaceLake GardenBird ParkNational MosqueMerdeka SquareMedan MARAKLCCMaTICKL TowerAquaria
The weekday ride is a similar 2-hour tour as the night trip while the weekend ride is based on a Hop On Hop Off / Excursion concept.
(Credit: KL Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour / Facebook)
For day trips on weekends, you can hop on at any 17 stops listed there (buy tickets physically on the bus) and hop off at any stop to spend time there. If you want to travel to another stop, you’ll just have to wait at the bus stop every 30-40 minutes and another bus will come to pick you up.
Check out their Facebook and website for more info on timing and prices.
Just to clarify, these ‘Hop On Hop Off’ rides are different from Go KL bus rides (free rides around KL) and Rapid KL bus rides (paid rides around KL).
Happy Touring, peeps!
READ MORE: Free Rides For A Month In All Rapid KL Rides

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Castrol Hosts Game Changers Event to Award Winners Free Premier League Vacation Package

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Castrol, one of the country’s leading automotive lubricant companies, hosted the Castrol Game Changers event on 3 December at Tropicana Golf and Country Club.

The event witnessed the selection of two champions who won an all-expenses-paid trip to England and two tickets each for a Premier League (PL) match in 2023. Castrol’s global partnership with PL further enhanced Castrol’s visibility to a wider range of international audiences, driving the excitement of football fans and automobile enthusiasts
There were two phases to the event: The Castrol Race Off, which saw Meor Razzi Rizal Meor Faisal with the fastest time win two tickets to watch a PL match in England next year, compete against twenty teams comprising of 40 qualifiers pre-chosen from May to September. Each team picked one member of their team to race against the other teams in a driving simulator race. Following this, the Castrol Kick Off, which witnessed Lim Choo Leong, having secured the highest score in this round, won a second pair of tickets, had the eight top-ranked teams from the Castrol Race Off (barring the winner) compete in a two-vs-two futsal tournament. For their effort, the runners-up from the Kick-off was awarded with a signed Premier League jersey.
“We are excited to reward our two winners and their partners to witness a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a live PL match. It will be a momentous occasion as our Malaysian champions will join winners from other nations to enjoy the match next year,” said Keow Mei-Shan, Marketing Director of Castrol Malaysia & Singapore.
The Castrol-PL partnership pact was announced in the end of 2021; and is spurred by the automotive lubricant brand’s passion for football as well as its previous successful collaborations with associations such as FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships. With a worldwide television audience of more than 3.2 billion, the PL is the most-watched football league in the world – with averaging attendance of more than 38,000 passionate fans joined by a global audience of 643 million viewers per game.
In the previous months, the Castrol-PL partnership saw several activities organised, beginning with the Castrol x PL Rover, which visited 16 key locations nationwide that drove awareness of the Castrol Game Changers contest. Following the rover activation, Castrol also ran two digital contests Castrol PL Moment & Castrol PL Bi-weekly quiz, which saw consumers posting their most memorable football moments with the #CastrolPL.
“Castrol Malaysia hit several milestones starting with our PL partnership, Castrol Hari Mekanik Malaysia’s fourth anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of Castrol Auto Service (CAS) in the country, among others. We are elated to interact with our consumers through this event and looking forward to connecting with them through new activations in the future,” Mei-Shan concluded.

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Fancy Some Extinct Woolly Mammoth Meatballs?

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You’ve probably had a meatball sub from Subway or enjoyed IKEA’s famous meatballs on a Sunday, but have you ever wondered what a mammoth meatball would taste like?

According to the Guardian, Vow, an Australian company which has been taking a different approach to cultured meat, managed to resurrect the flesh of the long-extinct animal.
According to the report, the project aims to demonstrate the potential of lab grown meat that can be consumed without the need to slaughter animals.
The project also aims to highlight the link between large-scale livestock production and the destruction of wildlife and the climate crisis.
Vow also works on replacements for conventional meat, such as chicken, pork and beef and are also aiming to mix and match cells from unconventional species to create new kinds of meats.
These include other meats such as alpaca, buffalo, crocodile, kangaroo, peacocks and different types of fish.
As quoted by the Guardian, Tim Noakesmith, who cofounded Vow with George Peppou, said:
We chose the woolly mammoth because it’s a symbol of diversity loss and a symbol of climate change.Tim Noakesmith, Co-Founder of Vow
While the extinction of this prehistoric animal has been highly debated by scientists, some theories put forward include viruses, meteor strikes, and human hunting.
But it’s climate change that most scientists agree on, and when the population was reduced, human hunting sealed their fate.
Last year, our neighbour Singapore became the first country to approve the commercial sale of a protein grown “out of thin air”.
Singapore has also emerged as a global hotspot for the alternative protein industry.
A Guardian report last year said startups had been going to Singapore to develop and launch animal-free alternatives to traditional meat products.
In 2021, Good Meat, which also focuses on lab-grown meat, launched their lab-grown “chicken” nuggets in Singapore.
Vow too, will be investing in selling cultivated meat in Singapore this year.
According to the news report, the first cultivated meat to be sold to diners will be Japanese quail.
Would you be willing to try a mammoth meatball sub?

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Malaysian Scientist Creates World’s First Covid-19 Rapid Test Kit

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A group of local scientists have successfully produced the world’s first rapid test kit that can detect Covid-19 as accurately as those performed in the laboratory.

This innovation was led by Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim, who is also the first Malaysian to launch the United States Aeronautics and Space Agency’s (NASA) sensory device to measure and monitor single cell organisms in space.
She said the test kit was able to detect Covid-19 using saliva compared to existing technology.
The Penang-born also explained that it can detect the coronavirus, even when the saliva of the individual doesn’t contain a lot traces of other viruses at a cheaper and faster rate.
Dr Wan Wardatul said in an interview with Berita Harian that the project was originally an attempt to develop a better glucose reading device that could detect sugar content through saliva.
This innovation began when I, in collaboration with the Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA), developed sensors to detect harmful bacteria used during the floods in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, in 2014. However, my group started thinking of ideas to help fight Covid-19, when the epidemic hit the whole country. From there we are trying to develop the technology used for COVID-19 screening.Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim via Berita Harian
Picture Credit: Facebook
The group of scientists was also listed as one of the 15 finalists for the Community Award organized by the prestigious university of the United States (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – MIT Solve Challenge.
It’s a marketing platform for social impact innovation from around the world as well as opportunities for technology entrepreneurs to expand their potential.
You can do your part by voting for Dr Wan Wardatul’s team by clicking this link.
She hopes to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Health’s Director-General, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah to present the results of their innovation.
We are still waiting for feedback from the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), apart from submitting an appeal to the Ministry of Higher Education which rejected our application. We hope Malaysia can become a hub for the production of this device because it is the result of local children’s innovation, apart from the sensor strip for this device can be sold for less than RM4, if it is widely marketed later.Associate Prof Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim via Berita Harian
Saya berbangga dengan pencapaian Prof Madya Dr. Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim serta pasukannya dari syarikat pemula…Posted by Khairy Jamaluddin on Monday, 14 September 2020

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Local Author Hanna Alkaf’s Latest Book Is A Finalist For The US Kirkus Prize

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Hanna Alkaf’s new book was released in August this year, and already it is on its way to being a prize-winner. Her earlier debut novel set during the May 13th racial riots, The Weight Of Our Sky, similarly bagged the Freeman Book award and has even been reproduced as a webcomic.
This time, The Girl and the Ghost is delightfully local tale that features Malaysian folklore, namely a ghostly grasshopper pelesit and his owner, and the extraordinary power of friendship between them.
HELLO. HI. I HAVE NEWS. THE GIRL & THE GHOST is a 2020 Kirkus Prize Finalist! https://t.co/jvmsknbl5z— Hanna Alkaf (@yesitshanna) September 9, 2020
The book is a finalist for the Kirkus Prize young reader’s literature category. Right now, the book is listed alongside three other books, all written by American authors. Hanna Alkaf is the only non-American author to have made it as a finalist in this category!
If you’re interested in picking up The Girl and the Ghost, it is now available in local bookstores, as is her previous novel, The Weight Of Our Sky.
It’s a wall of me! pic.twitter.com/yIY4iiMGiL— Hanna Alkaf (@yesitshanna) September 2, 2020

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It’s Ironic That Parasite’s Ramdon Is Being Sold For RM38

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9X-YemJFMn/
Certain upscale eateries in Malaysia are selling the hit noodle dish that was featured in Oscar-winning Korean film Parasite.
Parasite’s entire premise as a movie talks about socioeconomic class struggles, highlighting the stark difference between the lives of rich and poor people.
This is accentuated by an instant noodle dish that is served in the movie, ram-don topped with premium sirloin steak.
What we know as ram-don is actually the common Korean dish jjapaguri. The term “ram-don” was coined in the Parasite film’s English subtitles so that non-Korean audiences would be able to relate to the dish better.
Jjapaguri is essentially peasant food, made with two different kinds of Korean instant noodles, Chapaghetti and Noguri. It’s cheap, filling, and easy to make.
Even though these imported Korean noodles aren’t cheap here in Malaysia, they’re commonly eaten in Korean.(Credit: Facebook)
In a Malaysian context, it’s kind of like mixing a packet of Maggi Kari with Indomie Goreng. Then add an expensive strip of highest grade wagyu beef on top.
And now the irony is that the hype of selling you a bowl of cheap instant noodles with expensive meats has reached Malaysian shores.

Local upscale restaurant Ben’s is selling their version of steak ram-don for RM38. It’s made true to recipe from the movie, using a mix of Chapaghetti and Neoguri noodles.

Omggg! Benâ€™s KLCC ada Steak Ramdon yang Chung-sook masak dalam Parasite! Lepastu haruslah I cuba lol pic.twitter.com/uB6ZeYZQ8t— Izwan Mohd. Isa (@sutramaya) March 8, 2020

But does the ram-don fulfill its destiny of driving discussion around the socioeconomic conflicts our own Malaysians face?

RM38 for instant noodles is exactly why Bong Joon Ho made the movie lmao https://t.co/tpH6mODZS6— Qyira Yusri (@takterqyira) March 8, 2020

the capitalists win again https://t.co/NN3lwtkMih— â¿áµƒáµˆ (@shzndra) March 8, 2020

>RM38Imagine missing the point of the movie this far https://t.co/QCwQnx0IvO— awkaowkaowkao (@gulasintetis) March 9, 2020

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Make pizza with only iron and kettle? Mâ€™sian man amazes with Pizza Bujang recipe [Video]

Hostel meals are probably the most creative things weâ€™ve
ever seen.
Besides the traditional Maggi hot cup option, people have
ironed milo sachets to make chocolate bars or simply toasted bread using the
same iron.

Credit: Wanista.com

Now prepare to have your minds blown as we learn that you can make pizza without an oven, but using only an iron and kettle!
Wow Surprised GIF from Wow GIFs

This lifehack is brought to you by Khairulaming (@khairulaming) who shared his recipe and cooking tutorial for Pizza Bujang on Twitter

Screenshot from Twitter

Hereâ€™s what you need:

White Bread
Sausages
Butter
Pasta Sauce
Cheese slices
Aluminium foil
Iron

Step 1: Boil some sausages in a kettle

 Screenshot from Twitter

Step 2: Place a slice of bread on an aluminium foil

  Screenshot from Twitter

Step 3: Put pasta sauce, the cooked hotdogs (sliced) and
cheese slices on the bread.

Screenshot from Twitter

Step 4: Top it with another slice of bread & butter both
sides

 Screenshot from Twitter

Step 5: Wrap the aluminium foil tightly around the bread & iron away!

 Screenshot from Twitter

Step 6: Enjoy!

He does admit that itâ€™s like grilled cheese sandwich, but itâ€™s a fancy upgrade for the days when you’re especially broke.
Poor Money GIF from Poor GIFs

Whatever it is, it looks ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

Credit: Imgflip

Khairulaming is actually pretty popular online for his amazing tutorials with hilarious commentary. As he says, “I cook like a bujang, talk like a makcik.â€
His Instagram account is full of ridiculously funny cooking video tutorials as well, which his 1.9 million followers definitely enjoy.

 View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Khairulaming (@khairulaming) on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:27pm PDT

You can check out his Pizza Bujang cooking tutorial below:

Pizza Bujang (menggunakan iron baju) pic.twitter.com/TSiTbazalh
— Khairulaming (@khairulaming) September 12, 2019

Giving Piza Bujang recipe a try?Let us know how this recipe works out for you on TRPâ€™s Facebook,Â TwitterÂ &Â Instagram!


CMCO Briefing Today: Barbershops, Constructions Sites & Interstate Travel

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At the daily Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) press conference today, Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri touched on a few important topics.
Interstate travel
The Senior Minister revealed that police roadblocks are still active at state borders across the nation. Yesterday, 134 compounds were issued to those attempting interstate travel without a valid reason.
Of the compounds issued for interstate travel, he revealed that most of the violations took place in Perak (40 compounds), Selangor (29 compounds) and Penang (23 compounds).
Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail
I once again remind Malaysians that Interstate travel is not allowed, with the exception of four reasons I have previously mentioned, namely, emergency, death, work and long-distance spouses. There are no other exemptions.Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, Senior Minister (Defence).
Construction sites
Over 4,000 construction sites are still closed despite the partially lifted restrictions.
Nonetheless, inspections were carried out by the Construction Industry Development Board on 6,000 sites.
934 sites were found to be in full compliance with the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedure (SOP),  while 224 sites did not and were issued warnings.
Credit: Malay Mail
Barbershops & hair salons
In response to a reporter’s questions, the Senior Minister said that the National Security Council (MKN) is still in the process of forming health guidelines and SOPs for barbershops and hair salons with the Health Ministry.
He also stressed that house calls were strictly prohibited.
(Credit: Malay Mail)

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Source:


Dead body stuffed inside suitcase found at Pandan Indah

A dead man stuffed inside a suitcase was found at Pandan Indah Industrial Park, in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, August 6.
Shocked GIF from Antm GIFs

The horrific discovery was made by members of the public when passersby noticed a pair of feet poking out of a blue suitcase in an alley near some shop lots.
On the scene, police uncovered the remains of the deceased man inside the suitcase, wrapped in a rug, bounded together by wires.
Crime Scene GIF from Crimescene GIFs

A postmortem on the body revealed that the victim had been strangled to death.
The identity of the victim still remains a mystery.
Question Mark GIF from Question GIFs

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the incident, to immediately come forward or contact the authorities via the police hotline at 03-2052 9999 or the investigating officer in charge of the case, ASP Saiful Azhar Rahim at 011-12116458.
The case has been classified as murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.


Former Kedah Amanah Chief Phahrolrazi Says Sacking Not Logical But Won’t Appeal

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Former Kedah Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) chief Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi stressed that he wouldn’t be challenging the party’s decision to sack him.

“I will not be disputing my dismissal as I am of the opinion that it was not logical for me to be sacked by the party. If I were to plead my case then it would be akin to me accepting the party’s decision to sack me,” the Alor Mengkudu assemblyman told TRP when contacted today.
He said that his current focus is to help Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates win their respective seats in the upcoming 19 November general election (GE15).
“I will continue to back PH candidates. I’ve yet to think of my own direction at the moment,” he said when asked whether he would be joining another political party following his sacking from Amanah.
Yesterday, Amanah announced Phahrolrazi’s immediate dismissal from the party for failing to toe the party’s line and violating the party’s constitution.
Phahrolrazi was vocal about PH’s decision to allow DAP to contest in the Jerai parliamentary seat in Kedah, citing that the seat comprises a big majority of Malay voters and the move is akin to giving an advantage to PAS and BN to play up the Malay sentiment against PH.
Phahrolrazi also insisted that the seat should be contested by Amanah instead of DAP for the Opposition coalition.
The former PAS leader was among the earliest members of Amanah and was also instrumental in helping to form the PAS offshoot party in 2015.

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M’sia Gender Imbalance Means There’s More Men Than Women

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For all of you boys feeling sad because you’re single, don’t be. It might not be your fault. There’s simply not enough girls.
According to the Malay Mail, the total number of males in Malaysia outnumber females.
“The sex ratio remains at 107 males per 100 females,” says Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
He also said the current population of the country was 32.66 million people.
The ‘natural’ sex ratio at birth is around 105 boys for every 100 girls. From an evolutionary standpoint, this is because men tend to die earlier, which creates a “need” for slightly more men.
Malaysia isn’t the only country that has an unnatural gender imbalance. Most notoriously, China and India, the world’s two most populous countries, have sex ratios exceeding 120 boys for every 100 girls.
This means that on average there are not enough women for men to marry. Which makes us wonder, perhaps it might be a good time to suggest a reverse harem, where one woman can have 4 husbands instead of the other way around. (My Muslim editor didn’t laugh at this joke, probably because he doesn’t want the competition…)
It’s true though.(Credit: Twitter)
But while an imbalanced gender ratio happens more frequently in Asian countries due to a cultural emphasis on male heirs and sons, it isn’t neccessarily true globally.
There are countries that have an imbalanced gender ratio of more girls than boys, where they have the opposite problem: there are too many women compared to the men!
So if you’re looking for love in a hopeless place, perhaps you can try vacationing in one of these countries and see if love will bloom for you.
Credit: Wikipedia
So the next time someone asks why you don’t have a girlfriend, tell them that it’s not your fault… the game is rigged.

Single and ready to mingle? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.


Sarawak Election Commission Staff Tests Positive For Covid-19

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An Election Commission (EC) staff in Sarawak has tested positive for Covid-19, leading to the temporary closure of the office.

Who said what: EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak confirmed that the Sarawak office has been closed until 2 August in line with the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedures (SOPs). All staff who had been in close contact are under mandatory 14-days self-quarantine and will undergo Covid-19 testing.
Why it matters: Speculations have been swirling that the Sarawak state election might be carried out this year, as early as September. However, the state has been witnessing a spike in Covid-19 infections this July with as many as 8 new clusters emerging in three weeks. The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has announced that Sarawak is currently facing a second wave of Covid-19 infections.
Read more:
EC staff in Sarawak tests positive for Covid-19 (NST)
EC ready for Sarawak state election anytime – Azmi (The Borneo Post)
Sarawak facing second wave of COVID-19, says Uggah (Bernama)
This Is Where All Of Malaysia’s New Covid-19 Clusters Are (July 2020) (TRP)

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Source:
EC staff in Sarawak tests positive for Covid-19
EC ready for Sarawak state election anytime – Azmi
Sarawak facing second wave of COVID-19, says Uggah


East Malaysians Voice Out The Cultural Significance Alcohol Has For Their Community

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Top members of the government have (jokingly) noted that it was “probably a good thing” that pubs and bars are currently still closed for the duration of the RMCO.

The context for this ties in to Malaysia’s long struggle with drunk driving, with certain parties calling for a complete eradication of the alcohol industry throughout the country, and some even citing religious scriptures to support the total ban.
While no one is actually denying that drunk driving is a problem, there has been much conflict over the “total ban” of alcohol. Many in the country see it as creeping Islamisation, while others see it as an encroachment of their freedoms.
An old man selling various drinks and alcohol at a hotel in Belaga, Sarawak.(Credit: ZiJing/Flickr)
For the Orang Asal in East Malaysia, it is an affront to their culture, which uses alcohol as a way to strengthen social bonds.
Twitter user Bethany, a native Sarawakian, explains the context of alcohol in their social culture.
But what many West Malaysians don't understand is that, to East Malaysians, it's about so much more than just getting drunk on the weekends. Consuming alcohol is literally part of our cultural heritage. It's a bonding experience. It's lowkey ceremonial.https://t.co/SCj5R4sunv— Bethany Luhong Balan (@BeeBalan) September 6, 2020
Twitter user Suren Vynn agrees, and also notes that there is a spiritual significance to drinking, although modern times have changed the act of drinking into something profane.
The cultural significance to the Orang Asal is well-documented. After all, tuak plays a big part in their celebrations of the harvest festivals, particularly during Hari Gawai.
Sipping tuak from a clay jar.(Credit: John Ragai/Flickr)
According to a research paper, local wine (arak) and rice wine (tuak) in Sarawak has been produced and consumed for centuries before Islam came to dominate the Malaysian Peninsula.
Alcohol production and consumption in Sarawak have long historical roots and such alcoholic beverages are integral in daily life, ceremonies, and ritual of the various indigenous ethnic groups.
In fact, in the early twentieth century, the production and sales of arak was one of the main sources of income for the indigenous groups, particularly the Iban.
A drinking culture is also one that opens its arms to other communities. A time for reconciliation between former enemies. Drinking gives an excuse for members of other communities to partake in the revelry.— TheOtherVynn (@SurenVynn) May 22, 2020
Whether or not Malaysia will gradually move towards a complete ban on alcohol is still unknown, but perhaps at this time, we can acknowledge its cultural significance for our fellow Malaysians.

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M’sian Shares Experience In “Notorious” MAEPS Quarantine Centre

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With the increasing number of Covid-19 cases being reported in Malaysia, many are fearful, not of the contracting the virus, but of being quarantined at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) Quarantine Centre.

However, a Twitter user under the handle AfifieChan has shared in a thread his experience of being in the centre itself which he says isn’t as bad as some are making it out to be.
AfifieChan said the thread was originally a Q&A on his Instagram account after he was admitted on 7 January 2021.
Here is a thread of Q&A on my Instagram about my quarantine experience in MAEPS, Serdang starting from 7th January 2021. Hope to spread some positivity and show the real situation. pic.twitter.com/cfbVdrt2D3— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021
When asked if the centre was as scary as it looked, AfifieChan said it wasn’t scary at all. Instead, he described it as comfortable and clean, and the sheets hanging off beds were to block out the lights which were on 24 hours a day.
The condition inside the centre. Menakutkan ke? Tak pun. Selesa and bersih. Tengok la sendiri. Yang gantung2 kain putih kat katil tu sebab lampu on 24 jam. So silau. Haha pic.twitter.com/YFIM92xzAw— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021
Regarding toilets, he said there were 6 washrooms, each having 4 to 6 cubicles, and that so far he had never had to queue or wait to use them. Furthermore, the toilets and showers were clean, well-maintained, and comfortable, even if they weren’t “hotel toilets”.
Condition inside one of the toilet cubicle. Clean and well maintained. Selesa nak buat business and mandi. Jangan la expect cam tandas kat hotel. pic.twitter.com/mGYz1naQcq— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021
Regarding the food, AfifieChan replied that delicious meals were served 3 times a day (by Civil Defence Force personnel in full personal protective equipment) and some helpful patients would lend a hand in distributing the food.
Even patients help serve the food. Because there aren’t many staff and there are thousands of us. I love the spirit in here. We are in this together.AfifieChan via Twitter
Food! Served 3 times daily and so far the taste is not bad. Sedap!😋 pic.twitter.com/9GUxulfSBk— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021
AfifieChan said that patients in MAEPs were confirmed positive, asymptomatic and low risk, adding that from what he understood, they were no longer able to infect each other and thus could share facilities.
He added that foreigners and locals were housed in separate halls to make it easier for registration, observation, and announcements. For example, in his hall, the announcements are made in Bahasa Malaysia and are pretty funny.
He shared a clip of a nurse named “Syima” who he said was cool and cheered up the hall with her announcements.
Syima should be promoted!AfifieChan via Twitter
Nurse yang buat announcement ni sangat sempoi dan suntik sedikit keceriaan dalam dewan. Lawak giler. Syima patut dinaikkan pangkat! pic.twitter.com/C4m8yrcW5u— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021
In the above clip, Syima the nurse can be heard speaking in the third person and asking everyone to sit on their respective beds, to which a chorus of voices loudly reply “Yes, Mah”.
On the climate within the hall, AfifieChan said it was fully air-conditioned and very comfortable.
In response to some asking how he charged his devices, AfifieChan said there were charging stations all around the hall, and while it was important to always be vigilant, so far people were comfortable leaving their phones to charge unattended and there were no cases of thefts reported.
But the thing he said he would actually miss the most about staying in MAEPS was the entrance. Showing a clip of a rolling shutter, AfifieChan said that as they entered, new patients would be cheered by those already inside in order to raise their spirits and rid them of any fears.
Bila orang baru admitted, pintu ni akan dibuka dan sound effect mantap. Macam dalam movie. Saya panggil ni pintu Maze Runner. Sorakan tu untuk bagi semangat pada yang baru masuk supaya diorang tak rasa takut. What a spirit in here. pic.twitter.com/rQIBLxDyp5— Afifie Chan (@AfifieChan) January 8, 2021

Yesterday (8 January 2021) Malaysia just saw the highest number of deaths in one day (16) due to the virus so far. The number of new cases continues to rise and is expected to keep on rising.
Please stay home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out, always be diligent in fighting the virus and following the SOPs, inform the authorities and medical personnel if you have been exposed to the virus and together, we can win the fight against the virus.

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Fun Events In The Klang Valley This Weekend From 24 To 25 March

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Don’t know what to do this weekend in the Klang Valley? No worries, we got you. 👀

Head on over to art exhibits, markets and shows and more this weekend.
Note that some of these events only happen for a day or can last for a whole month so look at the dates carefully.
If you wanna skip to the specific day you want, choose your preferred day here.
FridaySaturday & Sunday
Here are some of the events that are still ongoing from our previous list.
READ MORE: Fun Events In The Klang Valley This Weekend From 17 To 19 March
Ongoing Events
1. The World Of Tim Burton (Exhibition) @ Pavilion Bukit Jalil (21 March – 30 July, 10 am – 10 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Pavilion Bukit Jalil (@pavilionbukitjalil.mall)
For the first time in Southeast Asia and the last stop in Asia – The long-awaited ‘The World of Tim Burton’ Pop-Up Museum is finally here at Pavilion Bukit Jalil!
Featuring numerous talented works from Tim Burton’s early stages of sketches and drawings to the talented artist’s most recent projects of puppets and life-sized sculptures used in his film work, you’ll be sure to step into an incredible experience like no other!
Tickets are priced at RM88 per pax but they have discounts for kids, seniors, students and OKUs. For more details, visit here.
Read our review of the first look at the exhibition below.
READ MORE: A Glimpse Into The World Of Tim Burton
2. One Piece Asia Tour Exhibition @ Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, Resorts World Genting (23 March – 8 May, 10 am – 10 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by One Piece Asia Tour (@onepieceasiatour)
For 47 days, the biggest, largest and first-ever One Piece Exhibition in Southeast Asia is happening here in Malaysia.
Fans will get to enjoy an incredible 45 to 90 minutes tour around the 21 Iconic Zones which will showcase the series’ iconic scenes from Luffy’s adventure from the series in a 25,000 square feet layout. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Get your tickets here. They are priced at RM94 per pax. For more details, visit here.
READ MORE: Iconic One Piece Anime Exhibition Coming To Malaysia
3. Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition @ Pavilion Bukit Jalil (18 Feb – 18 May, 10 am – 10 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by ACO有种传媒 (@acomedia.one)
Demon Slayer is a well-known Anime and has a massive fan following in Malaysia. This exhibition is a definite treat to fans as it brings you into the world of anime as soon as you enter the exhibition.
Step into an experience like no other, immerse yourself in some of the memorable scenes and become part of a Demon Slayer Corps at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Level 2, Pink Zone.
Get the tickets here. Tickets cost RM48 for adults and RM38 for kids.
Check out our experience at the exhibition:
READ MORE: Most Awaited Demon Slayer Exhibition Arrives In Malaysia
Visit their Instagram to know more.
4. The World Of DC Exhibition @ Tropicana Gardens Hall Convention Centre (23 Dec – 1 Apr)

Being the first-ever DC Exhibition launch in Asia, The World Of DC Exhibition will feature interactive games, life-seized exhibits, behind-the-scene concept art, limited-edition merchandise and more at the Tropicana Gardens Mall.
Grab your tickets here. For more info, visit their Facebook page here.
5. Van Gogh Alive Exhibition @ Pavillion Bukit Jalil (17 Dec –  9 April, 10 am – 10 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Pavilion Bukit Jalil (@pavilionbukitjalil.mall)
Great news guys, the Van Gogh Exhibition is extended until 9 April 2023!
Witness Van Gogh’s legendary works of art displayed digitally at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. Get ready for a multi-sensory experience with a symphony of light, colour, sound and fragrance for you there.
READ MORE: Catch the Immersive ‘Van Gogh Alive’ Exhibition In KL This Dec-March
6. Arts On The Move (Art Installation + Performances) @ MRT Pasar Seni (Feb – June, 5 pm – 6 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Think City (@mythinkcity)
Next time you change your trains at Pasar Seni, drop by their MRT station to witness this new art installation called “Sunnyside Up” by the talented Pamela Tan of Poh Sin Studio. For the next three months, this yellow futuristic installation hopes to reimagine everyday pedestrian routes and transform them into a unique and enjoyable experience for all.
Additionally, every fortnight on Thursday from 5 pm – 6 pm, visit the station for various live performances, exciting workshops and creative art installations.
For more info about the upcoming performances, keep up to date with Think City’s Instagram.
7. Masters of Disguise (Photography Exhibition) @ Darkroom Gallery, GMBB (Extended till 30 April 2023, 11 am – 6 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Chien C. Lee (@chienleephotography)
Biologist, guide and wildlife photographer Chien C. Lee’s latest photography exhibit focuses on the art of deception used by wildlife. This exhibit features more than 60 fantastic photos of various kinds of camouflage and mimicry employed by insects, reptiles, birds, and even plants; with many species hailing from Malaysia’s very own Sabah and Sarawak.
According to GMBB, this exhibition is just so mesmerizing and immersive that it’s extended until 30 April 2023.
READ MORE: Catch This Fantastic Nature Photography Exhibit For A Free Fun Time In KL
Here are specific events to enjoy with your family and friends on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
24 March (Friday)
1. Jaya Ram Season 2 (Odissi Performance) @ The Temple Of Fine Arts KL, Brickfields (23 – 25 March, 8.30 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Sutra Dance Theatre (@sutradancetheatre)
Jaya Ram is a totally new and original Odissi production (among 8 classical dances of India) that features a love story with spellbinding dance movements.
 Under the direction of both Guru Gajendra Panda and Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, Jaya Ram is a performance that combines both contemporary and classical elements of folklore and Odissi.
Following their successful run at KLPAC last September, the production has toured the world, in particular to India to perform and was granted the honourable privilege to open the show at the prestigious Konark Festival 2022 in Odisha.
READ MORE: This Is My Second Time Watching An Odissi Performance & I Was Captivated [Review]
Get the tickets here. The tickets are priced between RM35 to RM105.
2. Teratak Nostalgia (Weekend Market) @ Central Market (24 – 26 March, 10 am – 8 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Central Market Kuala Lumpur (@centralmarketkualalumpur)
Now that we’re in Ramadan, shop for your upcoming Raya essentials this weekend at Pasar Seni. There will be more than 50 vendors there this weekend selling items from stunning Eid clothes to eye-catching accessories.
Visit Central Market’s Instagram for more info.
3. Funny Pieces (Comedy Show) @ The Joke Factory (24 & 25 March, 8.30 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by By Harith Iskander™ (@thejokefactory.com.my)
Calling all Pisces fish babies, The Joke Factory has assembled the funniest Pisceans in the country for an all-out comedy (and maybe some tears thrown in) fest for the highly emotional, intuitive and daydreamers of the Zodiac!
Get the tickets here. They are priced at RM68 each.
Visions: Music & Imagery Of The Baroque (Orchestra) @ KLPAC (24 – 26 March, 3 pm, 8.30 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (@theklpac)
Following the successful sold-out show ‘Baroque Elegance’ last year, Wicked Music People and the klpac Orchestra are back with another exciting collaboration! VISIONS-Music & Imagery of the Baroque is a confluence of the past and present — baroque music on period and modern instruments in unison with a rich digital tapestry crafted by award-winning creative talent Zen Lin Tan.
With operatic arias of the 17th and 18th centuries sung by veterans Chi Hoe Mak and YiLing Chaing, as well as a diverse selection of instrumental works by Henry Purcell, Michel Corrette and J.S. Bach featuring guest flautist Keiko Nakagawa, Visions reaches into history through the technology of today to present an experience that is unique and immersive.
Get the tickets here. They are priced at RM55 each.
25 & 26 March (Saturday & Sunday)
1. Pop Up Bazaar Pasar KL (Weekend Market) @ My Naturi, Chinatown KL (25 & 26 March, 11 am – 8 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Pasar KL+ | The Entrepreneurship Company (@thepasarkl)
Pasar KL is a group that does pop-up markets at My Naturi, Chinatown. From appetizing food, trendy clothes and handmade crafts, support our local brands and small businesses by stopping by Chinatown KL.
While you’re in Chinatown, visit these cool places too for a fun day out with friends.
READ MORE: What To Do In Chinatown KL: Itinerary For Your Weekend in Petaling Street
READ MORE: Hidden Bars Help To Revive Petaling Street, The ‘Chinatown’ Of Malaysia’s Capital
Visit their Instagram to know more.
2. Photography Trail Workshop – Arts on the move (iPhone Photography Workshop) @ MRT Pasar Seni (25 & 26 March, 10 am)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Think City (@mythinkcity)
Embrace the beauty of modern and heritage architectural structures in the heart of Kuala Lumpur by embarking on this mobile photography workshop trail.
Learn the best ways to take amazing pictures of history, culture and Downtown Kuala Lumpur using your own iPhone with our guest photographer Eddy Izuwan.
Visit Think City’s Instagram for more info on their Arts On The Move initiative.
3. Perception vs. Deception – Understanding the Art of Nature’s Disguises (Talk & Book Launch) @ The Grey Box, GMBB (25 March, 2 pm – 4 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by GMBB (@gmbb.kl)
This talk is an extension of our Kuching-based biologist turned photographer, Chien Lee’s current wildlife photography exhibition at GMBB, “Masters of Disguise”.
In this talk, Chien will delve deeper into the topic of camouflage and mimicry, exploring the roles of sensory perception, biological evolution, and the intricate web that connects all living things. Admission to this talk is free so feel free to be captivated by his work of art there.
For registration, scan the QR code in the poster above.
Besides that, there’s also a Nightwalk Photography & Editing Workshop on 25 & 26 March for avid photographers who wanna get up close to the beauty of mother nature. It’s led by Chien too but spots are limited so do book your slot here.
 For more info, follow updates from GMBB’s Instagram.
4. Finding Solo (Short Film Screening) @ The Grey Box, GMBB (25 March, 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by GMBB (@gmbb.kl)
The 15-minute documentary follows Myles, a Malaysian-born filmmaker, as he embarks on a journey to find Solo, a white-handed gibbon believed to be the last of his kind in Bukit Serdang.
Come and learn about Solo’s story and the lessons he can teach us about ourselves and the forests around us. Stick around after the 15-minute screening for a Q&A session with the filmmaker Myles and his collaborators.
Seats are limited, so don’t forget to pre-book your slot. Scan the QR code for registration.
Whimsical Candle-Making Workshop @ MTMT Studios, PJ (26 March, 10 am – 12 pm)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by MTMT Studios (@mtmtstudios)
If you don’t have plans this weekend, why not release your inner Picasso?
Go to several art workshops such as pottery, painting, candle-making and more at MTMT Studios in PJ. Besides a whimsical candle-making and 3D geometry textured painting workshop this Sunday, they also have a whimsical wax sachet workshop and 2D freestyle painting this Saturday. Their workshop fees start at RM130 per pax.
And good news readers! MTMT Studios is giving away a 10% discount exclusive for TRP readers only! Just use the promo code ‘TRP10’ on their website and get your 10% discount when you check out. Each user can use it once and there are no expiration dates to this promo, so bring your friends and family here too while you’re at it.
Visit their Instagram and website for more info.
Upcoming Shows
Here are some of the ticketed events for upcoming shows. Don’t miss out on the chance to secure a spot at your favourite performance or event.
Dreams We Tell Ourselves – Solo Theatre Performance (29 March – 5 April @ M Gallery, Bandar Sunway)Get tickets here.Kenny G Live In Malaysia 2023 – Concert (2 April @ Arena Of Starts, Genting)Get tickets here.Louis Tomlinson: Faith In The Future World Tour – Concert (26 April @ Plenary Hall, KLCC)Get the tickets here.Pinkfish Music & Art Festival – Concert (30 April @ Surf Beach Sunway Lagoon) [Line up: DJ Snake, Meduza, Joe Flizzow, etc]Get your tickets here.Honne May 2023 Asia Tour – Concert (21 May @ Zepp KL)Get tickets here.NusaFest – Concert (8 & 9 June @ Bandar Malaysia, Sungai Besi) [Line Up: Bunkface, Masdo, Forceparkbois]Get Your tickets here. More info here.Muse: Will Of The People World Tour KL – Concert (29 July @ Bukit Kiara Equestrian Resort)Get tickets here.Disney In Concert: Live Your Dream (6 & 7 May @ Plenary Hall, KLCC)Get tickets here.
Check out upcoming concerts this February till May in the listicle below.
READ MORE: 2023 Sees Concert Scene In Malaysia Alive And Kicking, Check Out What’s In Store February Till May
P/S: If you have any future events you want the world to know about, submit your suggestions to melissasu@therakyatpost.com.

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Who Is Rafizi Ramli & Why Are Some People Excited About His Return To Politics?

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People have been chanting “welcome back Rafizi” following former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) strongman Rafizi Ramli’s announcement that he’s returning to politics after being absent in the public eye since 2018.

The one-time Pandan Member of Parliament (MP) was once famous for being a strong proponent against corruption as well as a well-known whistleblower in a number of high profile cases involving mismanagement within the Malaysian government and its subsidiaries.
TRP takes a quick look at his history and why some people might be excited about his comeback.
Read More: Rafizi Is Making A Comeback Into Politics, Eyeing For PKR’s No 2 Post
Rafizi who?
Mohd Rafizi Bin Ramli was born and raised in Terengganu and supposedly spent his youth being a top student — involving himself in a range of extracurricular activities like writing, debating and even being the president of his college military band.
On his Linkedin page, Rafizi noted that he’s done different things at different points of his life — from pursuing a degree in engineering to taking on a charted accountant accreditation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) overseas.
(Credit: RafiziRamli.com)
He began his career as an accountant and held several positions working with the national oil and gas giant, Petronas, from 2003 till 2009, and later, briefly worked with the local healthcare company Pharmaniaga in 2009.
That same year, Rafizi took on the position of the chief executive officer of the Selangor Economic Advisor’s Office before quitting in 2012 where some speculated that he had a falling out with then Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
It’s said that Rafizi began taking an active role in politics and activism during his studies in the late 90s following Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s exit from the government at the start of the Reformasi movement and protests against the then BN-lead government.
(Credit: Rafizi Ramli via Facebook)
Rafizi was PKR Youth’s treasurer in 2003 before later being appointed as a member of PKR’s high council that same year and was the youngest person to be given the position at the time.
Rafizi was also PKR’s strategic director from 2010 till 2014 and was selected as the central party’s vice-president that same year and held the position till 2018.
In 2018, Rafizi contested to become PKR’s deputy president but lost to former Pakatan Harapan (PH) minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
In 2019, Rafizi announced his departure from politics to pursue other goals mainly associated with the non-profit organisation, Invoke Malaysia, a political campaign management firm he founded in 2016.
The formula king
Rafizi was elected as the Pandan MP in 2013 and did not contest in the 2018 general election (GE14) following a string of convictions where he was sentenced to 30-months in prison after being found guilty of leaking confidential banking documents relating to the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) in 2012, known to many as the “cow conspiracy”.
Rafizi was also responsible for establishing the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre (NOW) in 2012 which fought to protect and encourage transparency and accountability within all levels of the government.
Throughout his political career, Rafizi built a reputation as being the “formula king” for his detailed breakdowns against the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), increased petrol prices and subsidies, as well as exposing corruption and the mishandling of public funds.

Among his most notable revelations had involved alleged scandals within NFC, Tabung Haji, the Armed Forces Fund (LTAT) and other organisations.
Rafizi was also heavily involved in exposing the 1Malaysia Development Berhad’s (1MDB) scandal when he leaked a 98 paged classified auditor general’s report in 2016 where he was accused of sedition and later sentenced to about 18-months in jail under the Official Secrets Act 1972 (OSA) — a move which was highly criticized by observers as silencing dissent.
Since his comeback announcement, Rafizi seems to be looking forward to returning to politics and asks his supporters to be patient while he gets reaccustomed to his “new routine” to rebuild the rakyat’s trust in Malaysian politics.

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Source:
Rafizi Ramli
18-month jail sentence against Rafizi upheld
EC: Too soon to decide if Rafizi can contest in GE14
Rafizi quits as CEO of Selangor economic advisor’s office
Rafizi Ramli
BIODATA|Rafizi Ramli
Malaysia: Quash sentence against whistle-blowing MP
Malaysia Silences 1MDB Whistleblower in Blow to Rights
Please don’t go missing again, Farhash tells Rafizi
PKR VP Rafizi Ramli announces he is quitting politics
Court of Appeal lifts Rafizi's jail sentence for exposing 1MDB report
Sedition returns to Malaysia’s legal toolbox
Malaysian opposition lawmaker charged over 1MDB leaks
Rafizi: Tabung Haji should also be probed


3 Major Covid-19 Coronavirus Mutations Exist In Malaysia & It Just Might Save Us

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Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin revealed today that 3 mutated strains of the coronavirus that cause Covid-19 exist in Malaysia.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Covid-19 vaccine and medication development via international collaboration, Khairy said that strains A, B and C of the novel coronavirus mutations have happened in Malaysia.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge mapping the spread of the virus from the epicentre in Wuhan China, discovered that it mutated into three distinct strains that spread unevenly across the globe.
Strain A –  Closely related to the virus found in both bats and pangolins, considered root of the outbreak and present in Wuhan.Strain B – Separated by two mutations from A, caused the majority of infections in Wuhan and patients in East Asia.Strain C – Daughter of B, source of majority of European infections, possibly spread via Singapore.
The three major SARS-CoV-2 strains.(Credit: metro.co.uk)
The researchers also note that the A and C types are found in significant proportions outside East Asia, especially in Europeans and Americans.
How did the 3 strains get here?
Phylogenetic network analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes.(Credit: PNAS)
Last week, Health Director General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah suggested that there was a possibility of three strains of the virus present in Malaysia.
He also postulated that Malaysia’s current Covid-19 infections could be from a different strain of the virus.
Remember phase 1 of our first wave, basically 16 of our patients came from China … so we know that probably this group was from the Wuhan group. Whether we are seeing a different strain of the virus depends, as they say now in China probably it is strain B and they say in Asia is strain C and in US and Europe is strain A for example.Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Health Director General.
However, Dr Noor Hisham was quick to point out that it is too early to confirm as local strains of the virus must first be isolated and tagged.
Spread of the three novel coronavirus strains across the world.(Credit: metro.co.uk)
Every cloud has a silver lining
While there have been hypotheses of the virulence and pathogenicity of each of these novel coronavirus strains, their presence in Malaysia may actually present us with an advantage in vaccine development.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein together with Khairy revealed that several nations have expressed interest in collaborating with Malaysia on Covid-19 vaccine development.
Through a move they call “science diplomacy”, the government plans to place Malaysia in the position of first mover advantage to receive Covid-19 vaccine and medication.
With the presence of the three major novel coronavirus strains in the country, it makes Malaysia a highly attractive location for vaccine testing.
This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round blue objects) emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus shown was isolated from a patient in the U.S.(Credit: NIAID-RML/Flickr)
The plan is to get Malaysia involved in Covid-19 vaccine development and human trials by various countries. Among the possible collaborative relationships are with China, United Kingdom, South Korea and India.
Another home advantage is the country’s racial diversity that can allow researchers to observe the effects of the vaccines in Chinese, Indian and Malay genes among others.
While the ministries are working their diplomacy muscles, Malaysia is also set to begin drug trials for Covid-19 treatment in a mega-project by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that spans across the globe.

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Source:
Phylogenetic network analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes
Possibly three Covid-19 strains in Malaysia, but Health D-G says too early to tell
Coronavirus mutated into three distinct strains as it spread across the world   Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/04/10/coronavirus-mutated-three-distinct-strains-spread-across-world-12536852/?ito=cbshare  Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/


Hamzah Zainudin’s Son Charged With Cooking Oil Subsidy Violations

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Muhammad Faisal Hamzah, the son of opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, was charged in the Sessions Court on Wednesday (5 April) with nine counts of violations related to the cooking oil subsidy.

Faisak, 39, was charged along with Azizul Abdul Halim, 55, both of whom were directors of Rimba Merpati Sdn Bhd, a wholesale cooking oil license holder.
They allegedly provided false information by producing fake invoices on the purported sale of oil to a local retail company, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Since cooking oil is a controlled item, they allegedly violated Section 8(4) of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
The matter was revealed after fake invoices were found during a raid conducted on the company’s premises on 12 August 2022.
Both men were jointly charged by Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living enforcement officers with possession of more than the limited amount of 50 metric tons of cooking oil on the premises in Sinar Andalas, Senawang.
This offence is said to be a violation of Regulation 9(1) of the Control of Supplies Regulations 1974, which is punishable under Section 22(2) of the Control of Supplies Act.
If found guilty, the two men face a maximum fine of RM2 million for the first offence, and a subsequent RM5 million fine for the second and subsequent offences.
Hamzah Zainudin was formerly the home minister during the Perikatan Nasional administration. He was the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister during the Barisan Nasional government from July 2015 to May 2018.

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BERSATU To Join Muafakat Nasional, Purging All But One Founding Member

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BERSATU president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in an address to party members that was published on Facebook, said they would be joining the UMNO and PAS-led Muafakat Nasional coalition.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Prime Minister, said this move would create political stability in the country, to the benefit of all people.
As for the split with former party chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who has gone off to form another party called PEJUANG, Muhyiddin said he respects the elder statesman and wishes him well.

Perutusan YAB Tan Sri Dato Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd Yassin , Pemangku Pengerusi dan Presiden Parti Pribumi BERSATU MalaysiaPerutusan YAB Tan Sri Dato Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd Yassin , Pemangku Pengerusi dan Presiden Parti Pribumi BERSATU Malaysia Sempena Persidangan Srikandi, ARMADA, dan Bahagian BERSATU 2020Posted by Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday, August 14, 2020

Earlier in his speech, probably in response to accusations by former party members, Muhyiddin said that there was also no reason for him to betray the party he founded.
At the same time, BERSATU today took out full page advertisements in newspapers listing 282 party members who have been expelled from the party.
Among those expelled are three Selangor state assemblyman — Harumaini Omar (Batang Kali), Shaid Rosli (Jeram) and Sallehudin Amiruddin (Kuang).
Also on the list is Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi who is one of the seven founding members of BERSATU.
With Akhramsyah’s removal from the party, Muhyiddin is the sole founding member left in the party.

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Parcel Delays Incoming: Floods Causing Deliveries To Slow Down

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Most Malaysian courier services are affected by the flood that happened in some parts of the country since December 18.

They all issued public announcements to clarify that deliveries may be delayed in some areas because of the flood.
Here are some of the affected courier services:
Pos Laju
Pos Laju shared on their website and social media that customers should expect some delays to both their parcel and mail deliveries, particularly in Selangor and Pahang.

Click here for more info.
J&T
J&T has released a notice to inform their customers that delivery packages are affected due to heavy downpours, flash floods, and stormy weather in areas such as Klang Valley, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang.

Read more on the notice for further info.
NinjaVan
NinjaVan also updated their delivery delay to the affected states (Kelantan, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, & Melaka) due to bad weather.

City Link
CityLink also released a notice to inform and apologize to their customers. The continuous rain has put an effect on the deliveries and may delay their pick-up arrangements.

Shopee
Shopee also regrettably informed that some of their local sellers are deeply affected by the flood and encourages support and understanding from their buyers to expect delays, cancellations, refunds.

DHL
DHL updated its social media about the service disruption due to heavy rain and flooding. Floods on roads in Klang, Shah Alam, and KL-Karak highway have unfortunately created delays in their pick-up and delivery services.

GDex
Another courier service affected, GDex also put up an announcement informing of delayed delivery and pick up due to the massive flood.
The affected states for them are Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.

What’s happening now in some parts of Malaysia is truly an unfortunate event.
Even if we’re not affected, it goes a long way to show concern and understanding to those parties who are, in fact, afflicted by it. It’s the least we can do.

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Things You Can Claim For Your 2021 Income Tax Relief

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In Budget 2021, the government has announced measures to reduce the monetary burden faced of the rakyat with tax reliefs and reductions.

READ MORE: Budget 2021 Passed After Final Reading In Parliament
It was previously announced that those with a chargeable income of RM50,001 to RM70,000 will see a tax reduction from 14% to 13%, which is expected to benefit 1.4 million taxpayers in the country.
The Finance Ministry has also announced tax relief measures for the year of assessment 2021 and they are:
Upgrade your lifestyle
Credit: Malay Mail
If you’re thinking of subscribing to an electronic newspaper outlet, now is the best time as it’s now included as a lifestyle relief.
The amount has also been increased from RM2,500 to RM3,000 with the extra RM500 for costs of purchasing sports, equipment, entry or rental fees for sports facilities and participation fees in sports competitions.
The lifestyle relief can also be claimed to buy books, journals, magazines, devices such as personal computers, smartphones, or tablets, internet and gym membership fees.
Get a new phone, or laptop, or tablet…
Credit: Malay Mail
It’s time to get a new device.
In addition to the existing lifestyle relief, there’s also the new “special tax relief” where you can buy a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a limit of up to RM2,500 between 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2020.
Take care of your parents
Credit: Freepik
Expenses on medical treatment, special needs, or a carer incurred for one’s own parents certified by medical practitioner is now increased from RM5,000 to RM8,000.
Take care of your and your family’s health
Credit: Malay Mail
The medical expenses expenses for you, your spouse and children has been increased to RM8,000 (which check-ups of up to RM1,000) from RM6,000 (with check-ups of up to RM500).
It can be for serious diseases or the cost of fertility treatment and the scope of medical treatment has also been expanded to include expenses such as vaccination of up to RM1,000 for these illneses:
PneumococcalHuman Papillomavirus (HPV)InfluenzaRotavirusVaricellaMeningococcalTDAP combination (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis)Covid-19.
Help the differently-abled
Credit: Freepik
If you’re taking care of a disable spouse, the yearly tax relief now has been increased from RM3,500 to RM5,000.
Time for daycare
Credit: Malay Mail
The fees paid for kindergarten of child-care centres has now been increased to RM3,000 from RM2,000 for the year of assessment 2020 and 2021.
Go on a holiday, you deserve it
Credit: Malay Mail
With the government allowing interstate travel and also the new relief of up to RM1,000, so why not cuti-cuti Malaysia?
The relief given on the following expenses incurred on local travelling from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2021:
payment for accommodation at premises registered under the Tourism Industry Act 1992.entrance fees to tourist attractions.
Treat yourself to a new skill
Credit: Malay Mail
If you want to change a job and you need to learn the skills to be in a new industry, the government has allowed relief of up to RM1,000.
The catch is, you need to attend the upskilling course at an institution that’s recognised by the Department of Skills Development, Ministry of Human Resources.
Save for your own future (retirement)
Credit: Freepik
The RM3,000 yearly tax relief for the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS), which was supposed to end in 2021 will be extended until the year 2025 assessment, based on reports from The Star.
Based on reports, its proven to be effective in encouraging Malaysians to save more for retirement.
Save for your kid’s future
Credit: Malay Mail
The government has also decided to extend the SSPN period to 2022, so that means you can still save up for your child’s future, while also get some tax reliefs.

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Aliff Syukri Goes “Terlajak Durian”, Says Doing It For Fun

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Durian, dubbed Malaysia’s king of fruits has always been a favourite of many. When it is sold at a cheap price, you can imagine the crowd it will attract especially when it involves premium durians which are usually expensive.

Entrepreneur Datuk Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman, known by his tagline “Terlajak Laris”, together with his wife Datin Seri Nur Shahida Abdul Rashid drew a huge crowd at their Wisma D’Herbs last Sunday as they were selling premium durians for a very cheap price.
Durians such as Musang King, Tekka and BlackThorn were sold for as low as RM5 per kilogramme.
Aliff Syukri, who is the founder of D’Herbs Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd shared about this incident on his Instagram page.
He said that he is very grateful for the responses received from the public and that his durian business is made possible with the blessings from his mother and his late father.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Aliff syukri kamarzaman (@aliffsyukriterlajaklaris)
However, he has no plans on opening the business in another location despite the overwhelming response, as reported by Sinar Harian.
“I opened it specifically for Kota Damansara only. In the beginning, I sold durian because I always gave alms to the mosque, for friends, and relatives.”
However, taking into account the expenses of labour and such, he started selling the durians near a housing area using a car boot sale concept and managed to rake in RM5,000 in just three hours.
“From there, I started seriously selling produce to the public at Wisma D’ Herbs. I have my own durian orchard, that’s because I want everyone to taste it (eat durian),” he said.
According to him, about 1,500 kilogrammes of durians were sold each day, including the enormous durian kampung, which were offered for as little as RM5 each and would sell out by 3pm.
In an Instagram post, Aliff Syukri said his late father was the reason he started having a durian orchard.
However, he expressed his sadness that his father could not taste the durian.
“Those days I could not effort to even buy one durian. If I have money and could buy a durian for my dad then that would be a blessing”.
He believes that his father would be very happy to see him having his own orchard and durian business.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Aliff syukri kamarzaman (@aliffsyukriterlajaklaris)
Aliff Syukri’s father passed away on 28 February 2019 due to a heart attack.
Many reacted positively to this entrepreneur’s latest endeavour.
Tak tipu, memang sedap durian dia. Aku pergi sampai 2x. Dua dua hari tu sedappp! Musang king, musang queen/tekka, and blackthorn. Fuh memang nikmat betul! 😫 pic.twitter.com/qJyOf2cgTt— Caca (@Chapienat) June 13, 2023
Alhamdulillah back to good old days. Orang kampung dulu memang jual murah² untuk bersihkan kebun je. Penuh jatuh atas tanah— Daisy (@epria5) June 13, 2023
Nampak buah2an durian fresh, kulit cantik, isi ramai kata sedap & puas hati. Betul kata ramai… "jgn masa raya je." 😄 semoga dimurahkan rezeki, dipelihara dan diberkati.— dawn harun (@dawnharun67) June 13, 2023
Aliff Syukri’s durian stall operates daily from 12pm to 7pm.

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