Long-Awaited BMW i7 xDrive 60 Hits Malaysian Market

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BMW has launched their most anticipated all electric BMW i7 xDrive 60, here. This EV vehicle is the all-electrical sedan of its class.

Pic Credit : BMW
The G70 BMW i7 premium EV saloon’s availability and official pricing have finally been confirmed by BMW Group Malaysia, after remaining quiet for nearly a year since it was privately showcased to consumers locally, as reported by Cari Carz.
Along with the recently unveiled new BMW 750e xDrive variations and the New BMW X7 xDrive40i Pure Excellence this year, the new All-Electric BMW i7 debuts in the M Sport variant and is one of the most recent models launched by the premium automaker for the BMW 7 Series lineup.
When it come to design, the BMW has never failed to deliver. The new i7 introduces the new BMW design aesthetic for the luxury market, known as Forwardism.
Pic Credit : BMW
The split BMW Iconic Glow crystal headlights and the impressively illuminated kidney grille frame establish the premium sedan’s unmistakable presence, which is complimented with top-notch amenities and a posh atmosphere.
BMW is always known for their performance, and this vehicle proves why the brand has a nickname which is “the driver’s car”.
The variation name and suffix of this i7 model accurately describe its dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration.
Through the latter, the former generates 544 HP and 795 NM, enabling a 0-100 KM/H time of just 4.7 seconds. Regarding distance, BMW Group Malaysia boasts WLTP numbers of up to 600 KM.
Pic Credit : BMW
The i7’s large 101.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is largely responsible for its quick speed and range. In addition to 11 kW of conventional AC charging, this battery also accepts inputs of up to 195 kW of DC fast charging, the latter of which provides 10-80% charges in under 50 minutes.
The new All-Electric BMW i7 xDrive 60 can be purchased using the Straight Line Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia with monthly payments starting at RM8,401 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a seven-year tenure).
Buyers also have the opportunity to grab the full BMW Group Malaysia Premium Ownership package which includes a BMW 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty with Free Scheduled Service Programme.
It also comes with BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Hotline, The BMW Group Loyalty+ Mobile App – BMW Privileges Card, and BMW Service Online.
Now for the question that everyone has been waiting for, the price. The i7 is priced at RM729,800 without insurance.


US Overtakes China And Italy. Becomes Most Infected Country In The World

The United States of America now has the highest number of COVID-19 cases with more than 85,000 cases and more than 1,100 casualties, overtaking China and Italy.
It’s reported that American hospitals are overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases and 40% of Americans are under lockdown to prevent the spread of the illness.
New York is cited as the center of the pandemic in the US, with its 37,802 infections accounting for nearly half of all cases in the country and tens of thousands more than any other state.
The coronavirus also affected workers in the country as 3.3 million filed for unemployment – the biggest single-week jump in history.
As a response to the pandemic, the US Senate approved a USD2 trillion (RM8.57 trillion) stimulus package to soften the blow on the economy caused by the coronavirus.

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Mask Acne Is The Next Outbreak We May Face

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The daily mantra for leaving the house used to be “phone, wallet, and keys”, but now during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), we need to add another thing to the list: face masks.
With face masks becoming a crucial part of our everyday activities, people have also reported the rise of something called “maskne“: basically, mask acne.

https://twitter.com/tkwos/status/1284895263681908736

Usually focused around the nose and mouth area that is covered by the face mask, even people who do not often have pimples on their face may be alarmed to see acne pop up. So why does it happen, and how should we deal with it?
Why it happens
The main change of wearing a face mask for long periods of time is the high humidity levels in the air within the mask and your face, and the friction caused by movement of the mask against your skin.
Proper usage and storage of face masks are also crucial. The Ministry of Health has already issued a guideline for wearing masks: do NOT pull it down to your chin. The exposed areas of your neck and chin may already have bacteria, virus, or germs on it. By pulling your mask down, it can easily contaminate the inside of the mask, so when you re-wear the mask, it can introduce such contaminants onto your skin, causing maskne.

We have only two choices, either  wear a mask properly or remove it completely. Bringing down the mask to the chin is not an option.#COVID19malaysia #KitaJagaKita #KitaMestiMenang pic.twitter.com/jffOHUZMFp— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) July 19, 2020

Acne develops when our body’s natural oils, called sebum, gets trapped in our pores. This, in addition with the humidity, creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
How to deal with it
Skin consultant Mieko Lee says that maskne can be prevented and dealt with relatively easily.
Firstly, always ensure your mask is clean. Remove your mask directly and fold it so that the inside areas are not exposed. Again, DO NOT pull your mask down to your chin area.
Secondly, if you do not have access to a sink, you can use a toner of your choice to wipe around your nose and mouth area to clean it. Then, dry the area with a clean tissue paper.
Plus, giving your face a quick wipe can cool down your skin from the unbearable Malaysian heat as well.Credit: jcomp/Freepik
Thirdly, either swap for a new mask, or re-wear your previous mask as long as it was not contaminated. Regardless, you should only wear a mask for a maximum duration of a day, and change to a fresh one the next day. This applies for both disposable and reusable masks.
However, if you already suffer from acne and are trying to find a way to get rid of it quickly, over-the-counter acne spot cream will work fine to dry out the acne.
While it might be tempting, do not use “acne stickers” on your skin unless it is medicated, as covering the acne with an additional layer of cover will cause even more sebum and moisture to be collected where the acne is, making it worse. Additionally, a lack of oxygen will also trigger a stronger inflammatory response.
What’s important to note in treating acne is to keep the area as clean and dry as you can. While wearing a mask is certainly important, don’t forget to care for your skin as well, too!

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The Secret Racist History of MSG

Do you have or know anyone with an allergy to MSG? The panic surrounding MSG has been around for decades, with people claiming that it gives them all kinds of strange symptoms after consumption.
What is MSG?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) was discovered by Professor Kikunae Ikeda, a Japanese chemist from Tokyo Imperial University.
In 1907, he began research on a traditional Japanese seaweed broth after he tasted how delicious the dashi broth was with the addition of kelp.
MSG is the chemical basis for the umami (savoury) flavour- one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, bitter, sour, and salty. Ikeda then named it Ajinomoto, the “essence of flavor”, and in 1907 invented and patented the process of mass-producing MSG in its more common salt-form.
Clear broth soup that packs a punch? There’s definitely MSG in it.Credit: TRP
However, the glutamic acid is naturally present in our bodies, and in many natural foods. In fact, MSG is long been part of our diet- we just didn’t have a particularly name for the thing that makes food taste really good.
The amino acid glutamate is found in meat, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, fish, seafood, sauces, and almost everything else we eat. The more free (unbound) glumate there is, the more umami flavour there will be.
For example, a ripe tomato has more glutamate than an unripe, pale-coloured tomato. A cured meat will also have more free glutamate than fresh meat, as aging a meat by curing or fermenting will break down proteins to release the free glutamate.
So why all the fuss?
The first mention of MSG appeared in a letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1968 by Dr Ho Man Kwok, describing the “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” of numbness in the neck, weakness, and palpitations after eating at Chinese restaurants.
 According to Colgate Magazine, however, was that Dr Ho Man Kwok was actually Robert Steel, writing the letter with a fake name from a fake medical institution on a dare for $10.
Historically, the New England Journal of Medicine published letters of satire for a knowing audience, and responding letters from other doctors seem to point that Robert Steel’s “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” letter was correctly identified as a joke piece.
Unfortunately, the letter took off and exploded when mainstream media who weren’t in the know picked it up and reported it, as fear is often the fastest driver of misinformation.
Another reason for this fear was the tension within America at the time. In the late 1900’s, America was coming to terms with over a century’s worth of racism and exclusion of the Chinese people.
America was very upfront about how ‘strange and dirty’ they found Asians to be, and MSG was an easy way to visualize the way they felt.(Credit: Library of Congress)
It was only in 1943 that the Chinese were allowed to immigrate into the US for the first time since the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. However, internalized racism lives on, and the general public latched on to the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome to make digs on the Chinese identity and their stereotypical food.
If MSG is so natural, why do I get the so-called “dry mouth” after Chinese food?
Despite the overwhelming fact that MSG is heavily prevalent in all foods such as pizzas, potato chips, burgers, and everything else, Chinese food still tends to be the unfortunate culprit of “MSG syndrome”, even within Malaysia.
Did you think “western food” is magically free of MSG?(Credit: TRP)
Dai chows and soup noodles are commonly cited to contain “a lot of MSG”, with patrons then later complaining of everything from headaches and a dry mouth to difficulty breathing.
However, the human psyche is a tricky thing. Confirmation bias and the self-fulfilling prophecy affirms your subconscious belief in the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.
Even if you don’t believe in the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, it’s easy to link any feeling of discomfort to recently-eaten Chinese food, because it’s a convenient explanation with a strong correlation that has already been reinforced numerous times in your life.
Yet, you may not make that same kind of connection even if you feel incredibly thirsty after a large burger, because your subconscious has never made that mental link between MSG and a burger before.
How do I remove that negative bias?
Simple: The next time you consume Chinese food and feel thirsty after, consider other factors: the food may be dry or salty, the weather may be hot, or you may simply not have had enough water that day.
Some people worry that a meal at a Chinese restaurant can cause discomfort and will preemptively request for no MSG to be used in their food.(Credit: TRP)
Ajinomoto is not your enemy. Numerous studies have been done that prove MSG has no negative effect on us.
Correlation does not equal causation, and to keep an open mind about other reasons for your “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” could possibly help you feel a lot more comfortable in the long run.
For more information on the secret racist history of MSG, watch our video here:

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14-Year-Old KL Boy Falls Victim To Job Scam And Nearly Trafficked To Thailand

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A 14-year-old boy from Kuala Lumpur had an absolute nightmare after being kidnapped and nearly trafficked to Thailand.

The boy had left home and headed to Johor after hearing of a work offer in Thailand that pays RM1,800 a month.
He did not think much as he needed money to fund his online gaming habit.
Later, he was shocked to find out that he had fallen victim to human trafficking.
Upon reaching his destination, he was held by a syndicate and locked up in a wooden house.
Boys Will Be Boys
According to China Press, the boy ran had away from home on 22 March this year.
After 24 hours of unsuccessful contact, his family went to the police station to report the case and then posted a missing person notice on social media.
Finally, with the help of his primary school teacher, he was successfully found.
The teenager’s mother, a 49-year-old hawker, told the press that her son was encouraged to leave home by an online friend who was also 14 years old and lived in Johor.
My son met the person in the game, and the other person also dropped out of school and came out to work very early.The boy’s mother explaining on her son’s addiction to online gaming.
The mother said that her son hates going to school. He is addicted to online games and often asks his family for money to buy game credits.
When the online friend told him of the high-paying job, he fell for it.
Without informing the family, he left home and took a bus to Johor by himself to look for his friend.
READ MORE: Missing 14-Year-Old KL Girl Who Ran Away From Home With PUBG Friend Found In JB
The family operates a hawker stall in Kuala Lumpur. (Pix: China Press)
An Unforgettable Ordeal
The first night after he arrived in Johor and met his friend, he was locked in a wooden house.
He was terrified of the dark, and he also vaguely heard from people outside the house that they would sell him to Thailand.
The mother said her son’s photocopied ID was also confiscated when he arrived in Johor.
Fortunately, after seeing the missing person notice, his primary school teacher, who usually played games with the teenager, actively contacted his friends.
The teacher asked them to help find the boy’s whereabouts.
Finally, they successfully located the teenager the next day and told the family of his location.
When we went to Johor to pick up our son, we were told by a 14-year-old boy that he had to pay for food, clothing, housing and transportation for the past three days and asked us to pay him RM300. Otherwise, we would not have him. Now my son is back.The mother expressing relief that her son is rescued.
The family then went to the Petaling Jaya Police Station to close the case.
The investigating officer reprimanded them for disregarding their safety.
Police said they should not have gone to bring back the son without contacting the police, as the kidnappers could be armed.
Meanwhile, the boy’s friend – who persuaded him to take the job offer – could no longer be contacted.
READ MORE: Malaysians Sold For Up To RM50k As ‘Slaves’ In Myanmar
The family lodges a police report after the boy was rescued. (Pix: China Press)
A Rising Concern
There had been reports of Malaysian teenagers being lured by high-paying jobs in neighbouring countries.
MCA public services and complaints department chief Michael Chong said they received eight ransom demands from human trafficking syndicates in Myanmar alone since early April.
Families are asked to pay between RM50,000 and RM100,000 each for the release of their loved ones.
Chong advised families to lodge a report with the police, or seek help from Malaysian-owned businesses in the country where their loved ones are held.
He warned that many families had paid the ransom but their loved ones did not return.
More than 50 Malaysians held captive by syndicates in Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, says MCA’s Michael Chong https://t.co/4wqeMjWvLn— Malay Mail (@malaymail) April 7, 2022

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Crazy Things You Do At Home During The World Cup

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In a family unit, you’ll typically find these 3 characters: a father minding his own business, a mother who’s almost always cleaning up, and kids who leave a mess for her to clean up after.

When mom leaves the house and says she wants a clean home before she gets back, we’re all guilty of either forgetting what she said, or simply being too lazy to do it.
Most of us know that feeling of panic when we get a text from mom saying she’s coming home in 5 minutes, and the house still looked the way it did hours ago.
(Credit: tirachardz/stockking via freepik)
There’s always someone in the family that doesn’t pick up after themselves, because they’re too busy playing football games or they simply turn a blind eye (wouldn’t it be great if we could replay and see who left the dirty cup on the table?), but we’re all on the same team and playing at home ground means defending your turf.
And with the World Cup season officially here, crowding around a screen to watch the matches at home is fun – and 5 minutes to kick-off leaves no time for us to be watching on the sidelines.
Get a kick outta this
  @trpmsia Malaysians have gone gila-gila bola at home! #gilagilabola #celcom #worldcup #fifa #footballfever #goal #siu #redcard #footballseason #malaysians #ronaldo #angrymom #attack #header #freekick #recycle #family #beritamalaysia #beritaviral #tiktokmalaysia #newsattiktok #trendingnewsmalaysia #fyp #shorts #reels ♬ original sound  – TRPMsia
Don’t let things get out of hand when mom comes back to a messy house!
We’ve mastered the art of speed-cleaning, which means “hiding-stuff-in-places-she-can’t-see” cleaning, and the World Cup season definitely made us a lot more creative in devising a plan for us to win this game.
And while you’re winning at home, why not score some pretty sweet prizes too?
Join the football madness with Celcom’s ‘Spin-to-Score’!
(Credit: Celcom)
Celcom’s Gila-Gila Bola celebration rewards you with crazy prizes when you sign up, top up or pay your bills from now to 31 December.
With Celcom’s Spin-to-Score contest, subscribers stand a chance to win some insane prizes including a brand new Hyundai IONIQ 5, amazing 5G mobile phones, exclusive shopping and holiday vouchers and rewarding prepaid passes.
Become a Celcom Prepaid, Postpaid or Home plan subscriber now and earn a chance to spin the wheel and score your prizes on the Celcom Life app.
For more details, visit Celcom’s official websit, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube pages. You can also check out the Celcom Xpax Facebook and YouTube pages for more information on how to join the Celcom Bolaverse!

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Firefighters’ New Normal Now Includes Greater Risks And PPE

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Everyone has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and that includes our local heroes firefighters too.
According to Bernama, firefighters must now adjust to a ‘new normal’ of working with a new kind of risk in their daily jobs.
The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director-general Datuk Mohammad Hamdan Wahid has said that the department’s priorities will still be saving the lives of the people. Victims of road, domestic, and industrial accidents will remain the top concern for the firefighters.
However, they acknowledge that during times of emergencies, those that they are helping could be a Covid-19 positive or asymptomatic case. It’s a risk that firefighters can be infected with Covid-19 while doing their jobs.
Which is why the self-protection measures and the standard operating procedure must be complied by every JBPM member involved in COVID-19 operations as their job is not as â€˜normalâ€™ as before.Mohammad Hamdan to Bernama
Hence, whenever firefighters get an emergency call, they must put on personal protective equipment (PPE) as well, even if it may seem to be a regular emergency case.
For example, in cases where the victims are trapped in a road accident or fire, firefighters must wear face shields, masks, and gloves.
Even when firefighters are preparing to go out for their operations, they have to conduct self-disinfecting processes. Additionally, the fire-fighting training sessions conducted within the premises of the fire station or online now require firefighters to observe social distancing as well.

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Harris Jayaraj 2.0: The Trendsetter Does It Again

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Harris Jayaraj, also known as “Isai Minnal”, performed his second concert of the year, Heart of Harris 2.0 at the Axiata Arena last Sunday (19 February 2023).

Organised by Malik Streams Corporation, the show was held following high demand from fans who missed out on his first concert, Heart of Harris, in January.
The 2.0 edition featured many famous singers from Kollywood (South Indian Film Industry), among them Karthik, Krishh, Saindhavi, Haricharan, Harish Raghavendra, Naresh Iyer, Benny Dayal, Diwakar, Sharmila, Haripriya, Christopher Stanley, Vishnupriya, Sunita Sarathy, and Sridhar Sena who entertained the crowd with their talented performances and soulful voices.
Photo by: malikstreams
Harris also featured his son Nicholas who gave an amazing performance.
There were also local performers in the show such as Santesh, Lock Up (first local Indian band) and Darkey also known as Malaysia’s samba rock artist.
Emcee Jesz, a Malaysian Indian rapper also had the opportunity to share the stage with Harris.
The concert featured three DJs; DJ Dasz, DJ Jay and DJ Jolly who kept the early birds entertained and made sure the energy kept pumping throughout the show.
Harris, the star of the show, fulfilled his promise of making this a bigger and better concert than his first one.
Photo by: malikstreams
The song selection for the concert consists of his famous and favourite hits.
The concert was divided into 4 sessions. The first session was the feel good, love melodies and soft rock music of Harris.
Then came the session where he played his famous background music from the movies Thuppakki, Yenna Arindhaal and Minnale.
Here Harris brought out his iconic instrument, the electronic guitar piano, which sent chills and made the crowd jump in joy and excitement.
Photo by: malikstreams
The third session was more of a reprise version of his songs. Before starting the session, he told the crowd that he would like to give them the experience of being in his music studio and the people definitely felt that.
Photo by: malikstreams
The people were silently enjoying each and every song in this session as the songs were able to touch their emotions and soul.
Then came the fourth session which were all dance numbers and the people brought out their best moves, dancing to the beats of the song.
Before ending the concert, Harris brought all the singers on stage for a chat together with the audience.
The final song was a performance comprising all the singers on stage and it was a musical treat indeed.
Photo by: Keran Raj
The sound system in Axiata Arena made the whole experience even more special as the people could feel the base each time it dropped, could hear the instruments and the singers’ voices crystal clear amid the shouts that were echoing throughout the arena.
Shaam a famous Indian actor was invited as a special guest. A lucky fan had her dreams come true when she was invited on the stage to dance with him.
Photo by: Keran Raj
Former Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan was also invited to the concert as well as Indian film actress Sonia Agarwal.
Photo by: malikstreams
At the end of the concert, Harris announced that he will be back.

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Malaysia’s Healthcare System Is In Jeopardy & Doctors Are Angry

Ah, the Malaysian healthcare system. It’s no secret that while the affordability is admirable, the endless waiting times is the bane of the system.
This frustration is no secret to the rakyat, but there is a reason for this and it’s upsetting Malaysia’s doctors.

Credit: freepik

This sentiment was brought to light after an announcement by the Health Ministry on 8th November which focused on two key points:

1. They are unable to fully absorb house officers (housemen/HO) to permanent medical officer (MO) post.
2. They cannot provide government sponsorship for post-graduate studies.

The ministry also stated that 6,307 medical graduates have been offered the position of contract-based doctors while there are 1,152 people on the waiting list. Itâ€™s also reported that 50% new doctors will not be absorbed into permanent post.

KKM tidak mampu menyerap sepenuhnya Pegawai Perubatan Siswazah (HO) ke jawatan tetap termasuk graduan tajaan kerajaan.
16,407 HO telah dilantik secara kontrak dan 1,152 masih menunggu.
Kenyataan penuh Men. Kesihatan @DrDzul pic.twitter.com/6vnsaIqs5k
â€” KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) November 8, 2019

What this means: We have too many medical graduates, but not enough positions despite needing more doctors.
A bit of background
In the past, completing your housemanship automatically equates to a permanent MO position to complete the 2 years of compulsory service.
However this is no longer a guaranteed and many doctors who complete their housemanship are offered contract MO positions instead.

â€œFollowing the increase in the number of graduates, the government is unable to provide sufficient job opportunities to graduates because vacancies are solely created based on the needs of medical facilities.â€
Dzulkefly Ahmad, Health Minister via Code Blue.

Dzulkefly Ahmad, Health Minister.(Credit: Mukhriz Hazim/Malay Mail)

To clarify his statement, there is a need for doctors in Malaysia but the government does not have positions for them.
It’s essentially 10 years of hard work that leaves doctors without the guarantee of a good job.

Issue #1 â€“ Unfair Payment Scheme
The main problem: All contract medical officers would continue their two-year mandatory service on housemenâ€™s UD41 civil service grade, instead of being promoted like their permanent counterparts to UD43.
This means that contract MOâ€™s are
being paid the same as HOs. MOâ€™s also have noticeable salary differences
despite having the same position and doing equal work.

Credit: Hospital Kuala Lumpur

Malay Mail reports that Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) pointed out the salary difference reaches up to RM400 between contract and permanent MOs.
Dr Kevin Ng, Chairman of Section Concerning House Officers, Medical Officers and Specialists in MMA, told the news site that lower pay for UD41 officers who have completed their housemanship is discriminatory and has a profound negative effect on many of them.
Issue #2 â€“ Unequal Postgrad Opportunities
To pursue their Masters (or any
postgraduate opportunities) for specialisation, doctors in the civil service
have to complete at least 3 years of permanent service.
This would mean that MOâ€™s under
contract position have no access to local postgraduate training programmes.

Credit: Hospital Kuala Lumpur

For Malaysians, this is a HUGE problem as there have been reports since 2017 that the nation simply does not have enough specialist doctors. The Star even states that the numbers are nowhere near enough and the nation is looking at a chronic shortage of medical specialist to treat patients.
Issue #3 â€“ No transparency in selection of permanent positions
Another gripe is the apparent lack of transparency in the selection of doctors for permanent or contract posts.
Code Blue, the Malaysian healthcare news site, pointed out that a Facebook survey in a doctorâ€™s group (Doctors Only Bulletin Boards aka DOBBS) found that many felt that the government doctorâ€™s evaluation system was open to abuse.

Credit: Free Malaysia Today

Government doctors are evaluated using
the SKT/LNPT (Sasaran Kerja Tahunan/ Laporan Penilaian Prestasi Tahunan). Each doctor
is assessed by two superiors and given a mark based on their performance over
the past year.
However, Dr Timothy Cheng of University Malaya Medical Centre has pointed out that many doctors are assessed based on how well they impress the two superiors, regardless of work ethics or attitude. He also highlights that SKT has been used to suppress subordinates, â€˜punishingâ€™ those that voice out against injustice and dishonesty.
How it impacts the Malaysian
healthcare system
Dr Kevin Ng (whom we’ve mentioned earlier) straight up says that the unfair system is demoralising and stressful for contractual MOs.
Malaysian Medics International (MMI) chairman Dr S. S. Vikkineshwaran also told The Star that many HOs who worked hard and performed well are frustrated and losing hope after failing to get a permanent doctorâ€™s post.
In addition to that, MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran has stated that any public sector doctors are already facing serious emotional and psychological stress due to the job requirements.

MMA president Dr N. Ganabaskaran speaks during a press conference at Malaysian Medical Association headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)

He explains that many problems in the current healthcare system such as long waiting times, rushed consultations, overworked doctors and health care staff are due to shortage of doctors.
This sentiment is echoed by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah who also wrote about it on Facebook.

The Health Ministry is not completely oblivious to the issues though.
In July 2018, the Health Ministry requested for 21,741 additional job positions from the federal government. However, the Health Ministry was asked to review the request (most likely due to budget reasons).
It’s interesting to note that despite having the largest allocation in Budget 2020, World Health Organisation (WHO) found that Malaysia’s health expenditure is only 4-5% of the GDP, lower than 7% and 6% spent by other low and middle-income nations.
Now, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says that the federal government in considering their application to create 10,675 vacancies in new facilities and those undergoing upgrades.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) has also chimed in.
They are asking the government to exempt the Health Ministry from a staff recruitment curb to accommodate the increasing number of patients at health clinics and government hospitals while reducing the burden of medical staff.
Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur (KKKL) at Jalan Fletcher is known for its crowds and long waiting times.(Credit: The Star)
[UPDATE: On 20th November, it’s reported that the Cabinet has agreed with the to raise the grade of contract medical officers from UD41 to UD43.]
For now, itâ€™s still an ongoing debate between Malaysiaâ€™s doctors and the government but the impact of these policies and decisions are sure to affect the Malaysian healthcare system for decades to come.

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Here Are 18 Ramadan-Themed Menu From Your Favourite F&B Chains

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Besides Bazaar Ramadan and Hotel Buffets, there are plenty of places that offer Ramadan-themed food for Iftar, Sahur and Moreh (meal after Tarawih prayers).

Some of them are our well-known fast-food chains such as these. Some of them offer Ramadan promos on their regular meals and some of them introduced new Ramadan-themed menus for you to try.
Check these out:
1. McDonald’s
McDonald’s brings back its signature Ramadan foldovers as part of their Indahnya Ramadan special; the Beef and Chicken Foldovers. The foldovers are patties (beef or chicken) wrapped in a flatbread with veggies and special sauces.

You can get them ala carte or in a set with Iced Lemon Tea and Apple Pie at RM17.45 for beef and RM16.51 for chicken.
2. KFC
KFC is introducing their new exotic Middle East delight called the Arabian Spice Crunch this Ramadan. The Hot & Spicy Chicken is infused with smoky Arabic herbs and spices such as sweet paprika, olive oil, cardamom, and many more. They start from RM17.49 for a 2 pc Combo.
Additionally, this Ramadan season, KFC is also offering their sahur meals starting at 4 am at selected KFC Breakfast (24-hour) stores nationwide until 21 April.

Besides that, you could also try their whole chicken in the Original or Hot & Spicy flavours. But do note that you need to pre-order those three days before you pick them up.

3. Pizza Hut
This Ramadan & Raya, Pizza Hut is coming up with new ways to innovate your regular joe pizza. Introducing, the new Pizza Hut X Mamee Monster collaboration, the Spicy Krunch Pizza.

It features a stuffed crust pizza with crispy chicken balls and a special spicy sauce – it is served alongside the signature Mamee Monster Black Pepper snack noodle which can be sprinkled all over for a crunch-filled gastronomic time.
READ MORE: Pizza Hut Collaborates With Mamee For That Extra “Krunch”
4. US Pizza – Pizza Buffet
Do you know what’s better than pizzas? A Pizza Buffet! That’s what.
US Pizza is welcoming the holy month of Ramadan by having a Pizza Buffet for only RM39 per pax for iftar.
So what’s in their buffet spread? Over 20 types of all-you-can-eat pizza, spaghetti, fries, salads, soups, desserts and many more.
This buffet is only available until 21 April.

5. Dominos Pizza
For Dominos, they’re bringing back the 2 Regular Pizzas for only RM19 (take-away only) this Ramadan. You can get them delivered to you too for RM29.

6. Texas Chicken
Texas Chicken is welcoming Ramadan with their comeback menu, Ayam 8 Lada. The chicken is prepped with 8 types of peppers ranging from Thai green and Szechuan pepper to Ancho and Cayenne pepper.

Besides that, they’re also extending their Menu Rahmah hours from 12 pm – 3 pm to 12 pm – 8 pm for Ramadan.

READ MORE: Here Are 10 F&B Brands With New Menu Rahmah Items So You Can Feed Yourself At The End Of The Month
7. Marrybrown
At Marrybrown, you can enjoy their annual Riang Ramadan Raya promotion with their Double Rendang Ayam Burger, Nasi Rendang Ayam, Riang Rendang Meal, and Meriah Bucket MB. They also have a new menu in-store which is the Pai Nangka.

8. Secret Recipe
At Secret Recipe, you can have their new Nasi Kerabu Specials in collaboration with celebrity chef, Anis Nabilah. The Nasi Kerabu comes in three offerings, the Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Kerabu Ayam Percik and Nasi Kerabu Ikan Saba Percik.

Since Secret Recipe is known for its cakes, try their new Onde-Onde cake from the Platinum Collection, special for this Ramadan period only.

9. Subway
Subway’s welcoming the month of Ramadan with their promotion of 4 classic menu of the 6-inch sub at a discounted price.
Get the popular Italian B.M.T., homely Chicken Slice, rich Roasted Chicken, or Chicken Teriyaki subs which start from RM10.90.

10. Kenny Rogers Roasters
You can enjoy a whole chicken with spicy buttermilk sauce this Ramadan at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Kenny’s Jom Berbuka Buttermilk Pedas set is RM67.90 (normal price: RM119) for four pax.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Kenny Rogers ROASTERS Malaysia (@krrmalaysia)
11. OldTown White Coffee
At OldTown, enjoy their Ramadan Raya OldTown menus such as the Nasi Lemak Dulang Assam Pedas, Rendang or Sambal Sotong. You can also switch the nasi lemak to Bihun Dulang or get some chicken popcorn bites too for appetizers.

12. Burger King
For Burger King, they have their Ramadan Bundle sets from 1 pax to 5 pax.
These are still their daily menu but at fairly discounted prices for sets.

13. Starbucks
At Starbucks, indulge in their Jom Iftar promotion with a Buy One Free One handcrafted beverage with any food purchase. It’s valid until 22 April only.

Besides that, you can also enjoy their new Raya Cookies which come in three flavours, Brownie Brittle, Gula Melaka Biscotti and Kurma Cookies.

14. Tealive
Tealive wants you to celebrate Ramadan with their Bang Bang Bazaar combo for only RM16. You can either go for two drinks or one drink and a snack according to which four celebrity combos (Combo Mark, Fikry, Mierul and Imran) you choose.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Tealive (@tealiveasia)
READ MORE: Tealive Partners With Local Celebrities In Bang Bang Bazaar Ramadan Campaign
There’s also a Mac & Cheese promotion where you can get them for only RM9.90! But you would have to buy a drink first before you can get the Meletop Aussie Beef Mac & Cheese or Tom Yam Prawn Mac & Cheese.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Tealive (@tealiveasia)
15. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
At The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), they have a new line of Limited Edition Ramadan Delights. From Pine-Lemon Sugee and Mango & Cheese Tart to Hummus and Chicken Shawarma, these delights are sure to bring out the delicious flavours of Ramadan.

Quench your thirst when breaking fast with their Heart of Raya beverages; Vanilla Cardamom Cold Brew Coffee, Cardamom Oat Milk Macchiato, Mangoes & Cream Ice Blended and Mangoes & Cream Cold Brew Tea.

16. San Francisco Coffee
At San Francisco Coffee (SF), they are celebrating the month of blessing by introducing their new drink called Sweet Corn Pudding Frappe and bringing back their limited-time drink called Ketayap Frisco Frappe and Talam Keladi Frappe.

They also have an all-new Chicken Rendang Pasta for you to try.

17. ZUS Coffee
Ramadan is definitely not complete without Dates, right?
Try ZUS Coffee’s brand new Kurma Spanish Frappe, a sweet and refreshing mixture of dates, milk and ice.
There’s also the Bottled Necessity, where the Spanish Latte is made bottled and ready to go, perfect for those wanting to tapau their caffeine fix for iftar.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by ZUS COFFEE® (@zus.coffee)
18. Inside Scoop
You know it’s Ramadan when the whispering ad comes to play. *Yusufff Taiyoobbbb*
 Inside Scoop is making this Ramadan more meaningful with their collaboration with the Kurma King, Yusuf Taiyoob. The Kurma Ice Cream is made from the most premium date in the Yusuf Taiyoob series, Kurma Ajwa.
They’re also having a 50% off promotion for one scoop of this ice cream when you whisper the word “Yusuf Taiyoob” to them until this 26 March.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Inside Scoop Ice Cream (@myinsidescoop)
Besides that, they also have their Onde-onde Ice Cream and Onde Cake to further sweeten up your Ramadan.
All in all, these are some of the Ramadan as well as Raya Aidilfitri-themed meals and promotions that you can get from these food chain stores in Malaysia.
Share this with your friends and family to enjoy the festive deals together!

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Malaysia’s Unemployment Rate Could Reach 6.5% By End Of Q2 2020

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Local economic think-tank, Socio-Economic Research Centre (SERC), predicts that Malaysia’s unemployment rate may reach 6.5% by the end of the second quarter (Q2) for 2020.
According to SERC’s Quarterly Economic Tracker, financial slowdowns during the Covid-19 crisis had resulted in over 50,000 Malaysians out of work – not accounting for another estimated 2.7 million people who are self-employed – although the government’s Covid-19 relief programs like the Wage Subsidy Program (PSU) and the Employment Retention Programme (ERP) had managed to save some 2.7 million workers from retrenchment.
Moreover, SERC says that the unemployment rate would likely peak in Q3 of 2020, and would only stabilize once the economy improves.

Malaysia On Its Way To Become A High-Income Nation, But Must Focus On 6 Areas, World Bank Says

SERC noted that a simple way to measure how the nation’s economy was doing was to observe consumer spending and the number of people frequenting shopping centers and malls, adding that around 10% of retail outlets and stores in several mid-tier malls across the nation had closed shops.
Presently, the average footfall or number of visitors to a mall, in Malaysia, is somewhere between 50% to 70%, with sales figures averaging at 40%.
Previously, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) revealed that the country’s unemployment rate had spiked to 5%, the highest it’s ever been in over a decade as the number of unemployment went up by 48.8% year-on-year (y-o-y), translating to more than 770,000 people losing their livelihoods.

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Source:
Post-lockdown unemployment rate could hit 6.5%, says think tank
QUARTERLY ECONOMY TRACKER (APR-JUN 2020)
Finance Minister Threatens Companies Who Misuse Wage Subsidy Aid
Economy Tumbled, Unemployment Went Up In April, Says DOSM
Malaysia’s Unemployment Rate Jump To Decade Record High Amid Pandemic


[Watch] Malaysians Loved This Wife’s Frank Response To Losing Prized Wedding Pics In Floods

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Malaysians loved the chill “vibes” and felt the melancholy expressed by a woman who lost her prized wedding photos during the recent floods in Selangor.

In a video originally published by Malaysian Gazette, a local lady expressed her sorrow when the 20-year-old wedding albums she took with her husband were left damaged following the floodwaters.
Though saddened by the loss, the “auntie’s” lax demeanour in conveying her emotions captured Malaysia’s hearts as she lightheartedly said that “you can only get married once”.
“Our sweet memories were all destroyed, we can’t get married again right?” said the lady, telling reporters that they don’t have copies of the pictures that were taken a long time ago at a photo studio.
“We can’t get married again?! My face isn’t as cun (pretty) as it was before also right?” the auntie continued, saying that she had asked her husband to get married again but the man refused.
-Many punchlines in 30 secs-Positive vibes despites the hardship she’s facing-Too much loves towards her marriage shown-That “Allah” sighing😂😂😂😂😂😂p/s: Hope got photographer can give free photography service to this akak— Plato_Hitam 🌚🏴 (@PlatoHitam) December 23, 2021
shsjshdj it’s supposed to be sad but when she said that it’s cute 😭😭 https://t.co/DpiCDaMsJU— miso 💫 (@babychiizu) December 23, 2021
i love how she expressed her disappointment, funny in critical situation 😂 https://t.co/PLiZahcrLC— ☆ (@fatiihalya) December 23, 2021
Providing some explanation to what the auntie meant by getting married “again”, Twitter user Evonia chipped in to say that it’s sometimes customary for Indian couples to celebrate their 25th or 50th wedding anniversaries by tying the knot for a second or maybe even a third time.
If you all might be wondering what she meant by kahwin lagi, is that indians used to have wedding anniversary by having a wedding ceremony again.Usually at 25th or 50th anniversary. https://t.co/pRqDxvKryZ— Evonia (@evonia01) December 23, 2021

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Long Queues And Wait At KLIA Anger Travellers

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Travellers arriving in KLIA have complained about the long queues and waiting time at the immigration.

The problem is a long-standing one despite Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing calling for a faster process and it happened again last night to the disdain of fellow travellers.
A few travellers claimed they had to wait for up to three hours before they could clear immigration.
With no announcements given, many of them are left confused and wondering why the process goes at a snail-like pace.
Speaking to New Strait Times, a tourist from Jakarta known as Shivani said she spent one and a half hours lining up to get her passport stamped by the immigration officers.
The aerotrain, which was not in operation, exacerbates the matter and causes even more frustration among tired travellers.
The current option for travellers is to use the shuttle bus service to get to and fro the main terminal building to the satellite building, according to Malaysia Airports on Facebook.

A similar situation is seemingly happening in KLIA 2 as well. A Twitter user Theeban (@TheebanVadivel) said people queued for three hours and claimed the officers kept talking to each other.
Travellers are calling for the untenable situation to be resolved. The calls for improvement include reimagining and revamping the Immigration Department and weeding out incompetence in the civil service.
Other suggestions include having more reliable autogates and having sufficient counters open to hasten the checking process.
It was recently announced in Budget 2023 that the government will add 42 border control posts for the police, Immigration, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) to fortify national borders.
Hopefully, there will also be plans to improve the immigration checking process at airports.
Again Immigration officers at KLIA 2 is a piece of shit today. People still waiting for 3 hours and more and they are chit chatting with each other. Unfortunately I can't take video of the situationbut they can check through CCTV 😅 @imigresenmy @JIM_KLIA @NST_Online @staronline— THEEBAN VADIVEL (@TheebanVadivel) February 26, 2023
Replace the Immigration DG and the senior officer in charge of KLIA Immigration immediately. Govt needs to weed out incompetence among the civil service.— SengatWak Moris (@Sengat) February 26, 2023
Seriously need reliable auto Gates. And don't make it complicated with registration for non Malaysians….atleast for some passports…— Mid_Life_Circus (@Sudsy74) February 26, 2023
its usually caused by insufficient available counters. Has been going on for years and nobody cares— Robert (@Robertwheatland) February 26, 2023

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No More SMS, Maybank Debit Card Transaction Notifications Only Via App

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Beginning 3 December, if you use your Maybank Debit Card for transactions, you will receive notifications straight from the app instead via a text message.

Based on the FAQs, if you made transactions made via online, mail or telephone order (MOTO) or use your debit card for the first time, SMS alerts will be sent regardless of the amount.
But for transactions at POS (Point of Sale) terminals, SMS alert will only be sent when the transaction amount exceeds RM500.
To enable this feature, you need to turn on the notification.

The bank also mentioned that the notification feature will be available even if you’re abroad as long as your phone is connected to the internet.
The details that you’ll get in the notification is the amount, location of transaction, date of transaction, time of transaction and Maybank’s contact number and payments made in foreign currency will be indicated in that particular currency.

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Malaysians Share Responsibility To Protect These 4 Types Of At-Risk Individuals From Covid-19

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As Malaysia holds back the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Health Ministry (MOH) reminds the rakyat to protect the country’s most at-risk individuals from the deadly plague.

With a PSA on its social media channels, MOH calls to attention the individual groups that are most susceptible to the coronavirus being; the elderly, pregnant mothers, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac heart problems, and asthma, as well as individuals with immunodeficiency such as cancer patients and people with HIV and AIDS.
These are the four groups of people, we as healthy, able-bodied Malaysians must work to protect from the viral plague by maintaining Covid-19 guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP).
MOH advocates a shared responsibility for Malaysians to maintain social distancing by isolating themselves and avoiding public spaces as much as possible as well as preserving the 1 meter new normal “safe space” we’re supposed to have with one another at all times.
Besides the usual hygiene practices, MOH also reminds Malaysians to basically not turn one’s isolation into a dull affair by emphasizing the need to keep up with an active, fulfilling lifestyle as well as a healthy, well balanced diet.
#COVID19 Lindungi golongan berisiko tinggi.1. Warga emas2. Wanita mengandung3. Pesakit kronik4. Pesakit imuniti rendah (kanser, HIV) pic.twitter.com/gfWd9lwIXR— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) July 24, 2020
The public is also reminded of the country’s new mandatory mask rule for public spaces, beginning August 1, 2020.
Pakai pelitup muka di tempat awam terutama di tempat ramai orang untuk melindungi diri sendiri dan orang lain. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/rdn3CZF6aD— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) July 21, 2020
As of writing, Malaysia records a total of 8,840 cases of Covid-19 with 143 of them still active.

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How To Become A Malaysian Politician

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A career in politics might not be something that many people would strive for. I mean, who really wants a job where it would take a majority vote by the good citizens of the country in order for one person to land that said job.

However, for the fearless few who dream of making things better (or worse) for the nation, the best bet at getting things done here in Malaysia (legally speaking of course) is being elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Representatives (a.k.a. the Dewan Rakyat), or as an Assemblyman (ADUN) within the 13 State Assemblies (a.k.a the Dewan Undangan Negeri or DUN).
Read More: How Is Malaysia’s Prime Minister Actually Chosen?
This is because the main job of MPs and ADUNs is simply to oversee their respective branches of government and enact laws that govern the country.
MPs basically propose, debate, vote for, approve or reject laws at the federal level while ADUNs do the same at the state level.
Read More: What Does Malaysia’s Parliament Actually Do?
As Malaysian citizens, we have the authority to elect the people we want to represent us in Parliament as our MP, and people who live in one of the 13 states can vote for the person they want as their ADUN. (This is why we cast two separate ballots during elections).
So how does one actually become an MP or an ADUN?
(Credit: Malay Mail)
There are basically three avenues for a person to either become an MP or an ADUN;
Join an established political party – according to the Election Commission (SPR) there are 56 registered political parties in Malaysia that one can join to contest during an election. This sounds simple enough, but for the people who join these parties, you would still face the hurdle of actually being nominated as a candidate for your party before you can even think of running in an election for any given constituency.Start your own political party – in order to do this your political party must be registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS). The RoS requires that an organization such as political parties host a meeting with at least seven people, agree on the name of the party as well as having a registered mailing address, determine the party’s rules and regulations and also possess a formal record or minutes of meetings for everything that is said and done during party assemblies.Running as an independent candidate – meaning that one is not tied with any political party.
Symbols used on election ballots to represent independent candidates.(Credit: SPR)
To become an MP or an ADUN, a person must be nominated as a candidate and of course win elections at either the Parliamentary or DUN level.
Election candidate requirements
To run in Parliamentary elections one would need to be;
A Malaysian citizen who resides in the country at the time of nomination.No less than 21-years-old during the day candidates are nominated.
For DUNs, the same rules apply. But one must also reside in the state that they want to contest in.
Surprisingly, unlike most careers in public service, there are no academic requirements or qualifications necessary for a person to become an MP or an ADUN.
Read More: Just How Much Do Malaysian Parliamentarians Get Paid?
Prepare money
The country’s laws require a person running in an election to pay a deposit. If a person fails to do so the SPR has the power to reject that person’s nomination.
Parliamentary election – RM10,000.DUN election – RM5,000.
Election candidates would also need to pay a deposit for election campaign materials. Failing to do so means that a person or party is not allowed to put up any campaigning materials such as the usual flags, posters, and advertisement stuff to promote themselves that you’d normally see during election time.
(Credit: Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail)
Putting up campaign materials without paying the deposit can land a candidate in jail for up to a year or pay fines of up to RM3,000 or both.
Parliamentary election – RM5,000.DUN election – RM3,000.
Electoral candidates would also have to provide a statement of all the expenses that they receive or paid during the election process.
What’s so special about being an election candidate?
Besides the honor and prestige of representing the rakyat, election candidates have special privileges during election times where they are allowed to visit and oversee the polling process and how each vote is tallied.
Disqualification of an election candidate
A person can be disqualified from becoming an election candidate if;
Determined to be unsound of mind.Declared bankrupt.Holds a position with an organization that makes a profit.Failure to provide a statement of their election expenses.Convicted of a crime that carries a punishment of at least one year in prison or having to pay fines of more than RM2,000 and have not been pardoned for those crimes.Having citizenship in another country.
Having done all that, all a person needs to do now is simply win the hearts and minds of the people, as well as the corporations, special interest groups and lobbyists, to garner enough support to achieve victory.
So good luck, and may the odds be in your favour for the next elections.

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Source:
Do You Want to Be An MP?
Thinking of becoming a politician in Malaysia? Here's 2 steps you should take
MyConstitution: Of Executive Power, Federal and State Governments
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 _ Malaysia
FAKTA-FAKTA UMUM UNTUK CALON
Understanding the Federation of Malaysia
Rakyat Service Advertisement 3 @ MyConstitution PerlembagaanKu


Mohamad Ariff Was A Judge And Politician Before Becoming Dewan Rakyat Speaker

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Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof has been the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat since July 2018. Formerly a politician, he resigned from AMANAH after being appointed.
Born in Sungai Petani, Kedah, in 1949, Mohamad Ariff attended Royal Military College in Sungai Besi and later graduated from the London School of Economics (LSE) with a Masters in Law.
He started his career in law by joining the Faculty of Law in University Malaya. Then in 1986, Mohamad Ariff became a solicitor at his own legal practice, Cheang & Ariff.
Later, Mohamad Ariff joined the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) as the first Market supervision Department Director in 1993. He then spent the next several years as Director of Kuala Lumpur Options and Super Exchange (KLOSE), a member of the Company’s Commission of Malaysia advisory board, and a member of the Rating Review Committee and Malaysian Rating Agency.
In 2008, Mohamad Ariff was appointed as Judicial Commissioner for the High Court of Malaya and was made a full judge within a year. In 2012, he was elevated to Court of Appeal but retired from the Malaysian Judiciary in 2015 to return to Cheang & Ariff.
(Credit: Twitter)
During his time as a High Court judge, Mohamad Ariff removed the Home Ministry’s ban on a book by Sisters in Islam (SIS) titled “Muslim Women and the Challenges of Islamic Extremism”. Meanwhile, as a Court of Appeal judge, Mohamad Ariff led a panel of judges in the Teoh Beng Hock case.
Meanwhile, in politics, Mohamad Ariff was made a candidate of PAS for Kota Damansara, Selangor in 2004 General Election. He failed to win the position and then joined AMANAH in 2015.
Despite his successful career, Mohamad Ariff hasn’t been much of a controversial figure. His biggest scandal was when his son, Lutfi, began working as Lim Guan Eng’s press secretary.
The issue was brought up in Parliament, during which Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob claimed it was a potential conflict of interest. Mohamad Ariff confirmed the news but assured the MPs that his son’s employment with Guan Eng had nothing to do with his judgment in the House.
Find out more about Mohamad Ariff’s experience during his time as Dewan Rakyat Speaker in this interview by the New Straits Times.
If you want to know more about Mohamad Ariff’s replacement as Dewan Rakyat Speaker, check out our other articles on this topic.

For more updates on Covid-19, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Read More
PM To Propose Ex-EC Chairman & Ex-BN Minister To Replace Dewan Rakyat Speakers Next Week
Bersih 2.0 Sets Up Petition Rejecting Dewan Rakyat Speaker Removal
Can The Dewan Rakyat Speaker Be Replaced? Here’s What The Law Says


E-Cigs Must Have SIRIM Certification Or Manufacturers & Importers Will Be Slapped With Fines

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Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) has made it compulsory for all manufacturers and importers of electronic cigarette devices in the country to apply for SIRIM certification and labelling beginning tomorrow.

The certification and label can be obtained from SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd, the designated competent authority for user safety.
This following the ministry’s decision to gazette the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking) of Electronic Cigarette Devices Order 2022 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 on Tuesday.
The ministry said the SIRIM marking too should be easily visible and placed on the electronic cigarette device, its spare parts or on the container of the supplied device.
“This is to ensure that all electronic cigarette devices manufactured (locally) or imported (into the country) meet the safety standards that have been set.
“The SIRIM label on electronic cigarettes indicates that they have met all applicable standards and are safe to use,” KPDNHEP said in a statement.
According to KPDNHEP, enforcement action can be taken against any parties that did not comply with the law.
“For companies, a fine of RM200,000 can be imposed for the first offence and up to RM500,000 for a second or subsequent offense.
“Meanwhile, individuals will face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison or both for the first offence, and a maximum fine of RM250,000 or maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, or both for the second or subsequent offense.

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Peak Hour Ban For Heavy Vehicles Entering KL Continues, Says FT Deputy Minister

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Heavy vehicle drivers have been reminded not to enter the city centre of Kuala Lumpur during the morning and evening peak hours.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said that the drivers need to stick with the existing travel time advisory.
The peak hours in the morning are set between 6.30am to 9.30 am while in the evening, it was set from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall has taken necessary steps to ensure that the travel ban is obeyed including displaying the peak hour travel ban on the Variable Message Signs (VMS) alongside Kuala Lumpur’s main roads.
“This is besides from the public notice that is clearly visible at strategic locations at the main entry point (of the city centre),” Jalaluddin said in a statement.
He said that DBKL, together with its strategic partners namely the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the police will carry out joint operations to ensure that the travel ban is complied with.
According to Jalaluddin, those who were found to disobey the travel ban can be compounded under the Transportation of Materials. (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) By-laws 1997.

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Valentine’s Day Brawl In Sarawak Caused A New Covid-19 Cluster, Says Deputy Chief Minister

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It’s silly to get into a fistfight over some girl but causing a Covid-19 cluster in the process requires a higher level of stupid.

That’s what happened in Sarawak as Bernama reported that a street fight during Valentine’s Day in Jalan Green, Kuching has led to the detection of one of the two new clusters in Sarawak.
It was reported that the index cases for the cluster – case 7,093 and 7,094 – involve detainees.
They quoted Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who said that the aftermath of the brawl affected around 130 police officers and personnel, all of which have to undergo quarantine.
He also said that so far, 148 individuals have been tested and it was revealed that six of them turned out to be positive.
Based on the stats by the Health Ministry, Sarawak recorded 199 new cases yesterday, the fourth highest number behind Kuala Lumpur (227), Johor (730) and Selangor (978).
The state now has 7,624 cases in total.

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Speed trap cameras working fine, JPJ confirms

Fair warning to all you speed demons out there!

via GIPHY
The Road Transport Department (JPJ) confirms that the Automated Awareness Safety System (AWAS) – formerly known as the Automated Enforcement System (AES) – is still fully operational.

via GIPHY
This comes after reports stating that JPJ had failed to keep the speed-trap cameras in working condition due to a lack in expertise since the department took over operations of the system late last year.
JPJ officials however denied those reports and reaffirmed that only 4 out of the 45 speed trap cameras located on major highways across the country are out-of-order.
The department also mentioned that since May of 2019, over 160,000
traffic summonses have been issued to delinquent road users.
So, it looks like thereâ€™s no way to cheat out of that speeding ticket anymore fellas…

via GIPHY
Since the Pakatan Harapan government took office, all previous recorded AES summons from 2012 up till August 2018 had been forfeited.

via GIPHY
Last May, the Transport Ministry had announced the installation of 11 new camera systems on the PLUS Highway, adding on to the existing 19 which were already in operation.

via GIPHY
In 2018, a total of 548,598 road accidents were reported.
This year alone, a total of 10,321 accidents, including 106 deaths have been recorded since Op Selamat 15 began for Aidilfitri.
Though the very existence of these cameras may seem like a nuisance to most, research data does conclude that enforcement systems such as AWAS do indeed play a role in curbing the number of road accidents.

via GIPHY
So with that being said, best to keep a close eye on that speedometer and that foot off that gas pedal this holiday season.
But, just in case… checkout this list here for current active speed trap locations.


Pos Malaysia Breaks Down Why Your Parcel Delivery Seems To Take Forever

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Malaysians have been losing their patience over unsatisfactory services provided by our national courier throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

Pos Malaysia has been bombarded with criticism and complaints of late deliveries and poor customer service.
A look through the company’s social media pages reveals numerous unhappy comments going as far back as March 2020.
Screenshot of comments from Pos Malaysia’s Facebook.(Facebook/PosMalaysiaBerhad)
Netizens also highlighted problems they experience with Pos Malaysia’s customer service channels taking too long to respond to enquiries.
@pos4you I’ve been trying to get in contact with Pos Malaysia International Hub customer service for past 3 weeks but the phone lines are always busy with “high call rate”. It’s impossible to get any feedback on my detained item. Please advise— Sucin (@sucin25) November 9, 2020
Pos Malaysia’s mobile application has also been noted to have its own issues and bugs.
i keep checking the pos malaysia app every single day but there’s no update on my parcel 😭 please don’t get lost this is the most i’ve spent for a photocard pic.twitter.com/I8QEzVM80G— mj (@xdjuns_) October 11, 2020
Coming soon…
In response to ongoing critique, Pos Malaysia says that they’re doing their best to ensure that deliveries across the country arrive as soon as possible.
Speaking to TRP, a company spokesperson explained that MCO restrictions and temporary closure of several of its facilities had effectively disrupted Pos Malaysia’s ability to deliver, and they are doing everything to keep up with demand.
Pos Malaysia has mitigation plans and alternative measures in place to ensure continuity of operations and to address any delivery challenges related to Covid-19, especially to and from East Malaysia.Pos Malaysia
Online shopping craze
According to Pos Malaysia the company experienced a 35% surge in the number of packages it handles since the start of the MCO.
Its spokesperson said that on average, the company processes around 487,000 parcels a day – topping at around 800,000 packages on peak days.
Despite this impact, we have increased our capacity to ensure the continuity of processing and deliveries of items, including sourcing for additional manpower to ramp up our operations to manage the high demand, especially for the recently concluded 11.11 sale and deliveries. Pos Malaysia
Doing their best
Addressing consumer complaints and questions, Pos Malaysia asks that Malaysians reach out for assistance directly with the company’s AskPos chatbot and to utilize its “enhanced website” and mobile app.
(Twitter/pos4you)
Customers are also advised to go through Pos Malaysia’s social media postings and webpage for any notices on delays in deliveries.
We assure our customers that we are doing our best to ensure courier items are delivered to their doorstep as soon as possible or in certain areas, as soon as the situation permits.Pos Malaysia
Pos Malaysia adds that the company is taking every precaution to ensure employees and by extension, customers, are well protected from Covid-19 by stressing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as hygiene and physical distancing practices.

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Source:
Boosting deliveries for e-commerce


Altantuya’s Murder: All The Details That Mattered

After her murder 13 years ago, Altantuya Shariibuu’s case finds new evidence in the form of a statutory declaration given by one of the perpetrators currently on death row.
We wrap-up all the details of the case from the fateful day of her death up until the most recent evidence.
It’s a long one, so get comfortable and prepare yourself for a JOURNEY.
Fragments of Altantuya Shariibuu’s body found (2006)
(Credit: The Times)
Altantuya Shariibuu’s bone fragments were found on a hill near Empangan Tasik Subang on 7th November. [The Star]
Based on the bone fragments, police believed she was shot twice in the head and her body blown to bits using C4 explosives to destroy evidence. [The Star]
She had been missing for three weeks (2006)
Altantuya had entered Malaysia on 8th October with her cousin and friend to meet her alleged “boyfriend/husband” political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda and were staying at Hotel Malaya on Jalan Hang Lekir.
On 19th October, Altantuya lodged a police report against Razak Baginda and his hired private investigator, P. Balasubramaniam, for harassment and death threats.
On the same day, Altantuya received a phone call to meet Abdul Razak at his house.
The next day, her cousin and friend lodged a missing person’s report when Altantuya failed to return, with the help of the honorary Mongolian consul-general Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi. [The Star]
Police personnel were arrested for her murder and charged (2006)
Sirul Azhar (left) and Azilah Hadri (right) (Credit: Malay Mail)
Three police personnel were arrested after Altantuya’s bone fragments were found; Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar and detective Rohaniza Roslan. [The Star]
Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azhar were members of the elite Special Action Force team assigned to the Prime Minister’s office as bodyguards. [The Star]
Razak Baginda was also arrested and remanded for the murder investigation. At the time he was known as a well-connected defence and political analyst close to the then-deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. [Malaysiakini]
Azilah and Sirul were charged on 15th November for the murder of Altantuya by the Shah Alam High Court. Razak Baginda was charged for abetting the two policemen. [BBC]
Trial begins (2007)
Abdul Razak Baginda (Credit: NST)
Altantuya was revealed to be in Malaysia to demand US$500,000 (worth about RM1.8 million at the time) from Razak Baginda.
She hired a private investigator (PI) to help her track down Razak Baginda. Razak Baginda also hired a PI, Balasubramaniam, on 13th October to keep Altantuya away.    [Malaysiakini]
Altantuya’s police report, lodged the day she was murdered, was tendered in court as evidence. [Malaysiakini]
Azilah testified he was instructed to pick up Altantuya and send her back to her hotel but ended up leaving her with Sirul. [Malaysiakini]
Sirul testified he was being used as a scapegoat by the police and those in power. [Malaysiakini]
A Chief Inspector witness testified that Azilah was at the crime scene during the murder because Azilah knew the exact location. [Malaysiakini]
Altantuya’s cousin testified Altantuya had shown her a photograph of Altantuya,  Razak Baginda and Najib Razak dining together. Najib then swore in a mosque that he didn’t know Altantuya. [The Star]
You can read the full testimonies of the witnesses here.
PI Bala retracts his statements (2008)
PI Bala (left) with his lawyer Arulampalam Mariam Pillai (right) (Credit: The Star)
PI Bala submits a second statutory declaration less than 24 hours after releasing the first saying that the first one was inaccurate and made under duress. [The Star]
High Court acquits Razak Baginda (2008)
During his remand, Razak Baginda was curiously released on bail. [The Star]
Later, the High Court acquitted him of all charges without ordering him to enter a defense. [Malaysiakini]
The deputy public prosecutor did not appeal against Razak Baginda’s acquittal. [Malaysiakini]
Azilah and Sirul are found guilty (2009)
On 9th April, the high court meted out the death sentence to Azilah and Sirul. [BBC]
Azilah and Sirul file an appeal to their death sentence (2009)
On 11th April, Azilah and Sirul’s lawyers file a notice of appeal at the Shah Alam High Court registry. [Malaysian Bar]
Scandalous Submarines (2012)
 Scorpene submarines purchased by Malaysia (Credit: Asia Sentinel)
Asia Sentinel published an article based on anonymous documents linking Najib Razak, Abdul Razak Baginda and Altantuya Shaariibuu in the sale of submarines by a French company to the Malaysian Ministry of Defence. [Asia Sentinel]
Court of Appeal acquits Azilah and Sirul (2013)
In August, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s guilty verdict and acquitted the two policemen. [Malay Mail]
FUN FACT:  The Court of Appeal panel was chaired by Justice Tan Sri MohaÂmed Apandi Ali who would later be appointed Attorney-General by Najib in 2015 after the termination of Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.
You can read the Appeals Court full judgement here.
Case goes to trial again in the Federal Courts (2014)
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah (Credit: The Star)
Prosecution files for a retrial against the Court of Appeals judgement on the same day Azilah and Sirul are acquitted. [The Star]
Azilah’s presence at the crime scene during the time of the murder is established. [The Star]
C4 explosives weren’t used during Altantuya’s murder. Instead, the substances found at the crime scene were of PETN and RDX explosives. [NST]
Federal court finds the accused guilty (2015)
In January, the Federal Court upholds its decision to convict Azilah and Sirul of murdering Altantuya Shaariibuu. [The Star]
You can read the courtâ€™s press summary here and the full court papers here.
Altantuya Shaariibuu (Credit: The Times)
Sirul is in an Australian detention centre (2015)
When the Federal Court sentenced Sirul and Azilah with the death penalty, Sirul was not present in the courtroom. [The Star]
He had been living with his son near Brisbane, Australia and was detained by Australian police after an Interpol red alert was issued. [ABC]
Altantuya’s family continues to try and get justice for her murder (2016)
Altantuya’s father Dr Setev Shaariibuu (Credit: Malaysiakini)
Altantuya’s father, Shaariibuu Setev, and their family lawyer continued to speak to the press and send letters to authorities in an attempt to get some justice for his daughter. [Malaysiakini]
Azilah tries to escape the death penalty (2016) while Sirul applies for a protection visa (2017)
One year after his conviction, Azilah seeks a royal pardon from the Sultan of Selangor in January. [NST]
In Australia, Sirul applies for a protection visa but is denied and has remained in the Villawood detention centre since. [NST]
Pakatan Harapan takes over as Malaysia’s government (2018)
Sirul says that he would be willing to assist the new government reveal what actually transpired during Altantuya’s murder as long as he is given a full pardon and allowed back in Malaysia. [Malaysiakini]
Altantuya’s family sues the Malaysian government over her murder (2018)
Altantuya’s cousin, Burmaa Oyunchimeg in court (Credit: NST)
Shaariibuu Setev files an RM100 million civil lawsuit against Sirul, Azilah, and the government in October. [NST]
Altantuya’s cousin again testifies that Altantuya was in a relationship with Razak Baginda and Altantuya had shown her pictures of their trip to Paris, with pictures of herself, Razak Baginda and Najib Razak. [NST]
Razak Baginda’s secretary, Siti Aisyah testifies that Razak Baginda did not instruct Azilah Hadri to kill Altantuya. [Malaysiakini]
Sirul loses his asylum appeal (2019)
In February, Sirul’s claim for asylum is rejected by Australia and he faces deportation back to Malaysia if the country decides to abolish the death penalty. [NST]
During his appeal, he tells an Australian court that he had been ordered to kill Altantuya because she was a “Russian spy”. [Malay Mail]
Azilah speaks up (2019)
While on death row, Azilah finally releases a statutory declaration saying that the order to kill Altantuya had come from the former prime minister, Najib Razak and his close associate, Abdul Razak Baginda. [Malaysiakini]

Hopefully, with these new details, the innocent will be freed, those truly guilty are punished and Altantuya and her family finally get the justice they deserve.
Who do you think was behind Altantuya’s murder? Share your thoughts with us our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!


[Watch] Is The New OPV 1 Vessel Sinking? MMEA Says The Ship Is Working Fine

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The first Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV 1) belonging to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) was successfully launched in Port Klang, Selangor on Monday, 10 October 2022.

According to Malay Mail, it was launched using the ‘Air Balloon’ launch system at the TH Heavy Engineering (THHE) Shipyard at 5.57am.
The OPV 1 vessel, measuring 83 metres long and 13.7 metres wide, is capable of long-range surveillance reach of up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as areas beyond the range of small vessels.

The ship’s design follows the design of the Damen 1800 ship, which is capable of operating at sea for a maximum of 21 days without resupply.
Upon handover to the MMEA, the OPV 1 vessel is expected to operate in the waters around Beting Patinggi Ali in Sarawak.
Akhirnya kapal Maritim Malaysia yang menjadi kontroversi politik di Malaysia yang membabitkan kerjasama syarikat THHE-Deatini berjaya dilancarkan di air. pic.twitter.com/mOgxmUVpAt— Don Juan De Ryezal (@donjuanderyezal) October 10, 2022
Is it sinking already?
It didn’t take long for rumours to swirl when videos of the vessel tipping sideways spread online.
The video showed the ship tilting sideways in the water, giving the illusion that the vessel is taking on water and sinking.
MMEA director-general Zubil Mat Som told Free Malaysia Today that there was nothing wrong with the new vessel.
Kapal Maritim (KM) Tun Fatimah senget disebabkan air yang cetek di Klang. Semoga semuanya dipermudahkan.Sumber : Warganet pic.twitter.com/BWFAPWwlDk— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) October 12, 2022
THHE general manager Azizul Hanafee Zain explained that the ship tilted to one side after one of the steel cables attached to the supporting structure underneath the ship was cut.
When the cables were cut on one side, it resulted in the ship being pulled towards the other side. We had expected this. The ship’s position returned to normal after all the cables were cut.THHE general manager Azizul Hanafee Zain
Azizul assured everyone that the vessel is in good condition. Based on reports, the OPV 1 vessel will undergo several tests and training sessions involving the crew for three months before being deployed to Beting Patinggi Ali, Sarawak, in early 2023.

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The FF1 Number Plate Belongs To Johor Sultan

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Transport Minister Anthony Loke recently presented the FF 1 number plate to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who now owns the unique number plate.

His Majesty paid the government RM1.2 million for the highly coveted number plate.
Loke said it was the highest value ever collected by the government for a vehicle number plate.
He added that this payment brings the total government revenue from the FF series number plates to RM35.4 million.

The FF series number plates were launched in conjunction with the Road Transport Department’s 77th anniversary.
It drew a competitive bidding spree for several number plates such as FF8, FF9, FF199, FF51, FF155, FF555 and FF1688.
A businesswoman, Ivon Wong, also made the news by bidding RM909,999 for the FF9 number plate.
READ MORE: Businesswoman Shares Heartfelt Reason Why She Wanted ‘FF9’ Number Plate
On 22 May, Loke said the series reached a record-high collection of RM34.29 million.
READ MORE: FF9 License Plate Bidding Approaches RM1 Million In Malaysia
READ MORE: ‘FF’ Nets Record RM34.2 Million In Revenue For JPJ

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Local Rock Legend ‘Search’ To Perform In Genting This August – Tickets Go On Sale 16 May

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Search’s ‘Fantasia Bulan Salju’ Concert On 12 August 2023 At Arena Of Stars, Resorts World Genting, Is Set To Bring The Heat

SEARCH, featuring its renowned members Amy, Nasir, Hillary Ang and Man Kidal, announced today that they will be involved in another legendary concert called KONSERT FANTASIA BULAN SALJU on 12 August 2023 (Saturday) at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting. With years of experience under their belt especially in organising concerts for famous international artists such as Super Junior – D&E (Korea), Jeff Chang (Taiwan), Liza Wang (Hong Kong) and Michael Learns to Rock (Denmark), SEARCH is both proud and humbled to be given the opportunity by MIC Entertainment Group as their first local artist and rock band to perform at the prestigious venue thus cementing SEARCH’s status as the number one rock band in Malaysia, acknowledged by rock and roll fans all across the country.
“Since its inception way back in the 80s and up to this day, SEARCH has consistently been on the radar of internationally acclaimed concert and/or event organisers resulting in a steady stream of invitations to entertain our fans from around this region. As much as this has been part of our lives, we also perceive this as a huge responsibility especially with the advancement of technology and music fans are a lot more sophisticated and spoilt for choice. Having said that, SEARCH is not one to turn down a challenge. We respect our fans and care about the SEARCH legacy too much to say no to rocking out on stage”.
“Each one of our concert are unique in its own way, and KONSERT FANTASIA BULAN SALJU is no exception. Die hard fans of SEARCH would notice that the title of this concert is inspired by one of SEARCH’s monster hit, ‘Fantasia Bulan Madu’, which other than Isabella, is widely regarded as one of the most important 90s rock anthem”, explains Nasir  who is one of SEARCH’s earliest member.
Amy then continues, “KONSERT FANTASIA BULAN SALJU is the culmination of SEARCH’s career spanning four decades. We have all experienced so much during this period – both good and bad. As a group, this is the core of SEARCH and I wouldn’t have it any other way”.
“However, I must say that one of the most outstanding pull of this concert is the venue itself. Other than it being located at one of the country’s most popular holiday destination at Resorts World Genting, this venue also has all the facilities required for a concert of international level and I am confident that our fans, the ones that have been supporting us since the beginning as well as new fans from the younger generation, will get to experience the magnificence and calibre of KONSERT FANTASIA BULAN SALJU in many ways. Other than comfort, it is important for us to ensure that the concert is delivered at highest standard, so we are not compromising on quality, safety and all other factors that makes a memorable, entertaining and an all-around brilliant night,” Amy enthuses further.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by AMY SEARCH ( エイミー・サーチ ) (@akuamysearch)
As an added information, Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting has the capacity to receive up to 5,000 audience member at one time. Due to its fantastic facilities, the venue has played host to a number of entertainment award shows. After creating history last year by being acknowledged as the first artist or rock band to perform at ZeppKL, this could be anotherhistory in the making as SEARCH became the first Malay act to be given the opportunity by MIC Entertainment Group to perform at Arena of Stars.
Brian Lim, CEO of MIC Entertainment Group, said, “We are very proud of this three-pronged collaboration between SEARCH, MIC Entertainment Group and Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting”
“Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting is a global brand and as a rock band with such a legendary status, SEARCH is the right choice as MIC Entertainment Group’s  first local act to hold a solo concert at the venue. With its state-of-the-art facilities including a high-tech audio and lighting system, a stadium-style audience layout,  VIP boxes and other features that promises an epic concert that will definitely go down in the country’s music industry history, especially the rock and roll scene.”
Amy adds, “Together with my band members, Nasir, Hillary and Man Kidal, we can’t wait to meet all our fans amidst the clouds and cool gentle breeze. Besides our signature SEARCH songs, there will also be various surprises. It’s definitely a concert that can’t be missed. See you at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on 12 August 2023!”
Tickets for KONSERT FANTASIA BULAN SALJU will go on sale starting on 16 May 2023 (Tuesday) from 12 noon onwards. Prices start from RM128.00 up to RM388.00 (VIP Fantasia) exclude processing fee. All VIP ticket holders are entitled to attend the Meet and Greet as well as a signed poster of the band. Kindly visit rwgenting.com and my.bookmyshow.com for more information.

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Malaysian Man Shot In South Thailand, Sustains Stomach Injury

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A Malaysian man, 55, was shot three times in an incident outside a convenience store on Chantharothai Road in Yala Province, South Thailand, on Saturday (11 February).

Pengkalan Hulu police chief Deputy Superintendent Zulkepli Ibrahim said the victim was riding a motorcycle when he was shot by an unknown man at 9pm (Thailand time).
He sustained injuries to his stomach and thigh and is currently undergoing treatment at the Betong Hospital, Sinar Harian reported.
The suspect who fled the scene is believed to be a Thai national and the police are on the hunt for him.
Thai police are investigating whether the motive behind the attack was personal or due to a business-related dispute.
The Malaysian police will also be working with their Thai counterparts in the investigation.
Initial investigations revealed that the victim frequently travelled between Betong and Pengkalan Hulu for years. He is believed to be married to a Thai woman and used to run an entertainment business in Betong town.
The victim also has prior drug-related criminal records in Malaysia.

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Guilty Or Not? Rosmah’s Verdict On Corruption Claims To Be Delivered By High Court In July

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The High Court will deliver the verdict in the Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor corruption case – linked to the RM1.25 billion solar hybrid energy project for 369 rural schools in Sarawak – on 7 July.

Judge Mohamad Zaini Mazlan said that the case, which started back in November 2018, had reached its conclusion and said that he would deliver his decision at said date.
“We’ve reached the end of the road. I propose to take two months from today and I propose July 7 to have my full written judgment ready when I deliver my decision,” said Zaini said.
Earlier, the ad hoc prosecutor Gopal Sri Ram had asked Zaini to fix a date to deliver the judgment.
Rosmah, 70, is accused of soliciting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor, turned prosecution witness, to help the company secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel generator sets for 369 Sarawak rural schools worth RM1.25 billion from the Education Ministry through direct negotiation.
She is also accused of receiving bribes totaling RM6.5 million from Saidi, through Rizal, on two separate occasions.
Rosmah was asked to enter defense by Judge Zaini on 18 February last year. The hearing took 42 days.
The prosecution said Rosmah had failed to rebut the presumption under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) act that she had solicited and accepted bribes.
However, the wife of former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, insisted that she is the victim of a conspiracy and that Rizal was the real culprit for using her name to solicit and accept bribes.

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Sacked Tian Chua Gets 14 Days To Submit Dismissal Appeal

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Former PKR vice-president Tian Chua has been sacked by his party for contesting as an independent in the 15th General Election (GE15).

However, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Tian Chua can still submit an appeal against his dismissal within 14 days and the appeal board will examine the basis of the request.
After getting sidelined by PKR and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, Tian Chua contested as an independent candidate for the Batu parliamentary seat against 9 other candidates, which included his own party member Prabakaran Parameswaran.
During GE15, party president Anwar Ibrahim said that any PKR member contesting as an independent candidate would be sacked.
At the time, Tian Chua said he was ready for any consequences from his beloved party and explained he decided to contest for the seat independently to ensure it doesn’t fall to PKR’s opponents.
READ MORE: The 10 Candidates Contesting For The Hot Seat In Batu
Four other PKR members were also sacked for contesting in GE15 and the 12th Sarawak state election without the party’s consent.
The other four members are Puah Chee Haur (Parit Buntar branch), Ahmad Tarmizi Ghazali (Gopeng), M Mohganan (Taiping) and Nur Khairunisa Abdullah (Sadong Jaya in Sarawak).
In GE15, Puah and Tarmizi represented Warisan to contest for the Keranji and Chenderiang seats in Perak.
Meanwhile, Mohganan contested for the Taiping parliamentary seat as an independent candidate and Nur Khairunisa, under Parti Sarawak Bersatu, contested for the Sadong Jaya seat during the Sarawak state election.

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4 Penang Assemblymen Asked To Vacate State Seats

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Four Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblymen, who withdrew their support for the administration, have been asked to vacate their seats by the Penang state legislative assembly.

The motion was passed with a verbal vote, with the majority of assemblymen supporting the motion.
The four getting the boot are:
Bertam assemblyman Khaliq Mehtab Mohd IshaqTeluk Bahang’s Zolkifly Md LazimSeberang Jaya’s Dr Afif BahardinSungai Acheh’s Zulkifli Ibrahim
According to New Straits Times, Khaliq claimed the motion by the government was politically motivated and not done in accordance with the law.
We expected the outcome. We vow to come back stronger.Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq
Although the four seats are now vacant, a by-election will not be triggered seeing that the term is almost up.
According to the law, a by-election is not needed if the vacancy arises at a date less than two years from the date on which the state assembly’s 5-year mandate is expiring.
However, the Election Commission has yet to respond to this turn of events.
What happened?
The four Bersatu assemblymen decided to leave the Pakatan Harapan coalition in 2020.
Their defection led the Penang state assembly speaker to table a motion for them to vacate their seats and for by-elections to be held since they violated Article 14(A) of the Penang State Constitution.
According to Article 14(a) of the state constitution, a state assemblyman must vacate his seat if he resigns, is stripped of his membership, ceases to be a politician or is chosen as a candidate by another political party.
The matter also brought forth the issue of the constitutionality of Article 14(a) of the state constitution.
The Federal Court has since ruled that Penang’s Article 14A on anti-party hopping does not go against the Federal Constitution.
The four assemblymen argued that Article 14A was unconstitutional, saying the law cannot influence their right to form associations guaranteed by Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution.
The seven-member bench of the Apex Court, led by Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, ruled that the right to change the political party membership of someone who was elected as a representative in the Assembly is not the same as the personal right of a citizen to form associations as envisioned in Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution.
In our judgment, an elected representative’s ability to change his membership of a political party does not take on the character of the personal right of a citizen to form associations as envisioned in Article 10(1)(c) of the Federal Constitution. It is instead, part and parcel of the proper functioning of Parliamentary democracy, for this to be validly restricted and regulated by laws passed.

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Taking Charge: Despite Losing Both Hands, This Man Chose to Work As A Delivery Rider

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We often hear about the challenges that people with disabilities face.

For them, physical obstacles, social rejection, academic failure, and medical crises can be more frequent and have a greater impact.
Yet some people do overcome significant challenges and lead productive lives.
Such is the inspiring story of a young man who works as a delivery rider, despite without both hands.
Through the sharing of @bulat_legends in Tiktok, the man’s circumstances gained the attention of netizens.
They praised him for working hard to earn an honest living despite his physical inadequacies.
  @bulat_legends Reply to @rafiq1347 ♬ Jalanku Masih Panjang – DJ Topeng
 How Does He Achieve It?
Naturally, questions pour in from curious netizens, which the man replies on his Tiktok account.
Some asked how he carries out his daily life, and he answered the questions in a humble manner.
His shortcomings also did not prevent him from meeting his life partner, with whom he has started a family recently.
  @bulat_legends Reply to @azuraahmed ♬ Kepingan Hati – ST12
They wondered how he rides a motorcycle, and he gladly showed them how he takes to the wheels.
  @bulat_legends Reply to @kakispamgift ♬ Mara Bahaya – Pop Shuvit
  @bulat_legends Bersyukur sangat 😭 #alhamdulillah @helloqiee._ ♬ DJ Senyumanmu Membuatku Tersenyum Malu – Yudha Paramata
An Angler Enthusiast
More impressively, his favourite activity in his spare time is fishing.
Netizens are very impressed with the seriousness and enthusiasm of this man in anything he does.
  @bulat_legends jarang dapat strike sungai semilang 😜 ♬ Cowok Baju Hitam – Marsya Matitaputty
Netizens also praised him for his seriousness and enthusiasm in doing just about anything in life.
In fact, many were also pleasantly surprised to see his perseverance to hold a steady job which can be physically demanding.

Hopefully, his life will serve as a testimony for others seeking to build their personal strengths and overcome the challenges in life.


We’re Not Fat, Netizen Reveals We’ve Been Using The Wrong Measuring Tape

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Online shopping can be tricky especially when we’re buying clothes and we have to measure ourselves.

We either receive clothes that fit us well or it’s either tight or loose in some areas of the body.
Based on a tweet by a Twitter user, the problem with our measurements depends on the type of tape measure we use.
Twitter user @cikguzel showed an image showing three different measuring tapes with varying measurements in inches.

https://twitter.com/cikguzel/status/1462063326381281281

It turns out that the green and yellow tape are used to measure clothes that are already sewn.
The white tape is used during clothes making (clothes that are not cut and sewn up yet).
How do we know which measuring tape to use?
While @cikguzel labelled the measuring tapes by colours as examples, she said the best way to know for sure is to measure the measuring tape with a centimetre ruler.
She also reminded others that clothes sold in Malaysia use the UK inch measurement and not the Chinese measurement (white measuring tape annotated with the Chinese characters ‘Cun’).
Another hint she provided is to check that there are seven lines in between each inch marked on the measuring tape.

Several netizens lamented the mistakes made during online shopping before coming across this helpful information.
A netizen said she mistakenly bought clothes of the wrong size. She didn’t dare say anything because the seller had shown the measurements during the live session.

Another person said they finally understood why they were told to take one size larger when buying clothes made in China.

A tailor joined in the conversation and shared that’s why tailors prefer to take their own measurements for clients.

Hopefully, with this new knowledge, buying clothes online will be a smoother experience from here on out!

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