Penang Hill Funicular Train Service Might Shut Down Due To Frequent Malfunctions

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The Penang Hill funicular train has been operating nearly non-stop for several days during the long holiday weekend and due to the high traffic, the wear and tear from the past year are starting to show.

The train service experienced a breakdown on 15 October and left about 180 visitors stranded for nearly two hours.
According to NST, the wear and tear of the on-track brakes were believed to be the cause of the breakdown.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng explained that the safety mechanism to lock the track brakes kicks in when it detects a potential fault.
The train service was stopped on Sunday (7 November) at 1.50pm on Sunday for maintenance work which went on until Monday morning at 10am.
However, the train service was disrupted again on Monday morning at 10am despite the maintenance work that was done.
The train service might be shut down
According to The Star, Penang is considering shutting down the funicular train service if it continues to experience frequent breakdowns.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stressed that passenger safety was way more important than revenue.
I will leave it to the management team of the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) but if it needs to close down even during the peak season, stop the train service.Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow
PHC also revealed that the train’s wire rope had begun to touch the haul rope drum underneath one of the train coaches.
Why is the train not fixed?
Based on a 2020 report by NST, the train is scheduled for two major maintenances every year under the supervision of engineers from the funicular manufacturer, Garaventa AG from Switzerland.
PHC also regularly conduct checks and maintenance on top of daily routine inspections after operation hours.
Major maintenance isn’t feasible this time around because the Swiss engineers could not travel to Malaysia during the pandemic and lockdowns.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the alternative solution is to get the necessary parts to fix since they do have local engineers who can carry out the engineering work.
Alternative routes to go uphill
Even if the funicular train service is shut down, visitors can still enjoy the beautiful views from Penang Hill.
Visitors have the option to get the privately-operated jeep service from Botanical Gardens or hike up to the summit of Penang Hill themselves.

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13 year old boy finds his missing tooth in his testicles

A 13 year old boy in Moscow visited the doctors when he felt a lump in his testicles. Initially after scanning, they thought it was a â€˜renal gravelâ€™ (something like a kidney stone).
Surgeons then immediately planned for a removal of the â€˜tumourâ€™ only to find a tooth instead of the kidney stone.
The medics at Morozov Children’s Hospital finds this surgery to be ‘truly unique’.

Tooth removed(Pic Credit: The Sun)

After examining his oral cavity, only then doctors noticed he indeed was missing a tooth.
To be exact: the second molar on the upper jaw, a tooth that would normally have been replaced by the time a person reaches 13 years of age.

Where the tooth should have been(Pic Credit: Metro UK)

Thankfully, doctors are confident that he will have a normal reproductive life ahead.
So donâ€™t worry guys!

via GIPHY
His condition is known as a teratoid tumour that occurs in the embryo life during pregnancy itself. It is a rare tumour with an incidence of about 2 cases per 100,000 people.
Normally these kinds of tumours are detected in children less than 3 years old.
Even more rare, the tooth ‘decided’ (as if it had a choice) to grow in his testicles. So far teeth have only been reported to grow in lung and on feet.

via GIPHY
Wonder what the tooth fairy would say?
If you do want to look at the picture of the tooth IN the testicles before it was removed, you can visit The Sun.
Warning, it might induce nausea or vomitting.

via GIPHY


Mizz Nina’s Ex-Husband Noh Hujan Gets Engaged To Law Graduate

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Malaysian band Hujan vocalist Noh Salleh gets engaged almost a year after divorcing ex-wife Mizz Nina.

According to reports by Kosmo! Online, the vocalist had exchanged rings with a young lawyer during a ceremony held at the bride-to-be’s family residence in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya.
Previously, the singer-cum-composer married singer Mizz Nina on July 2, 2011, but divorced early August last year.
The couple have an adopted son, Musa, who was introduced to the public around April last year
A source also told the online portal that the wedding date is set for 23 September.
The source, who is an acquaintance of Noh’s future wife’s parents, stated that Noh’s closest family member came from Kuching, Sarawak with hantaran trays.
They also added that her name was Fatin Athira Mustapa, a graduate of Bachelor of Laws, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor.
“We were informed that the host held his son’s engagement ceremony, along with a Syawal open house attended by family and close friends. When we arrived at their residence at around 3pm, the engagement ceremony was over, but Noh and his family were still there.” Kosmo, source
Additionally, according to the source, Noh’s future bride also has an interest in music, the same as Noh, in addition to being able to play the guitar and sing.

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Vegetable Prices Rise Sharply And Netizens Are Outraged

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If previously the public has talked about the increase in the price of raw materials such as chicken and eggs which was detected since last October, now reports have surfaced saying that the prices of vegetables have also increased tremendously recently.

According to an infographic shared by Harian Metro, there are 3 types of vegetables that have been reported to have almost doubled in price, including cauliflower from RM7 to RM16 per kilogram, broccoli from RM8 to RM20, and beans from RM8 to RM15 as reported by the Penang Consumers Association (CAP).
Prices of Bok Choy doubled
Several other vegetables such as cabbage and red chili recorded a slight increase while the price of bok choy tripled from RM3 to RM9.
All these prices are understood to have started to rise over the past two weeks based on monitoring from CAP.
#infografik Harga sayur naik (sekilogram) pic.twitter.com/B4Rsz7vOSm— Harian Metro (@hmetromy) November 24, 2021
The report clearly caused uneasiness among netizens on social media who described the sudden increase as absurd and should be taken seriously by the government.
The increase in these raw materials if not controlled can cause the country to experience extreme inflation.
There are also those who think that if the people want to live a healthy life, the government, especially the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) should control the price of vegetables well.

@Khairykj @kpdnhep tak ada jalan lain ke nak kurangkan? Jangan tanya kenapa rakyat obesiti dan kurang zat , harga sayur ayam naik gila babi Sedangkan makanan ruji . Gaji basic rakyat pon tak naik ² . Perihatin sikit @IsmailSabri60 kata dengar suara rakyat??— amin_hafiz 🇲🇾 (@amin_hafiszat) November 24, 2021
40% – 200% increase
Kangar Member of Parliament (MP), Noor Amin Ahmad through his Twitter account also uploaded an infographic comparing the price of the vegetables which showed an increase from 40% to 200%.
pic.twitter.com/KMjrTJVclM— Amin Ahmad 🏳🏴🚩 (@NoorAminAhmad) November 23, 2021
Unpredictable weather and crop damage in Cameron Highlands cause the hike in prices
Based on reports from Berita Harian, unpredictable weather, as well as damage to farmers’ crops in Cameron Highlands, caused the supply of vegetables in the market to decline.

This situation has caused vegetable prices across the country to face a sharp rise.Director of KPDNHEP Penang, Mohd Ridzuan Ab Ghapar

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Malaysia Will Only Be Covid-19 Free With 28 Days Straight Of No New Cases

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We now have a specific goal to end this fight with the coronavirus.
Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press conference that Malaysia will only declare itself free from the Covid-19 pandemic once we have registered zero new cases for 28 days straight.
He explained the reasoning for the 28 days benchmark.
Before announcing the end of a Covid-19 cluster, we monitor it for 28 days because that is two cycles of incubation. So by using the same method, if we have achieved zero cases for 28 days, then we will announce ourselves free of Covid-19Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abduallah
Yesterday, 11 June, saw 31 new cases but with zero deaths. 11 of the new cases were imported cases involving returning Malaysians who were infected overseas.
In the meantime, constant vigilance should still be practiced during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), such as appropriate social distancing, increased hand-washing, and no-contact deliveries.

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No, Lim Kok Wing Is NOT Dead, But He Is In The Hospital

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Recently, rumors have spread that Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing had passed away in Pantai Hospital Bangsar, following a bout of Covid-19 that landed him in the ICU.

Despite how specific the rumours were, it seems that Lim Kok Wing does not have Covid-19 and is not dead.
A press release issued by Limkokwing University notes that he is merely recuperating in hospital after a fall in his house. His condition is said to be stable and he is not at risk of death.
The press release was signed by Vice-President of Limkokwing University, Datuk Gail Phung, who also expressed that Lim Kok Wing should be given complete privacy to rest and recuperate.

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Why Is British Band Coldplay Paying To Clean Malaysian Rivers?

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Yet to take the stage in concert in Malaysia, British sensation Coldplay reaches out in a different manner. The band has long had green initiatives at heart, shifting its sights to the Klang river, saying “I will try, to fix you.”

The lads are treating us to a watercraft, the Interceptor 005, valued at USD 777,000 (~ RM 3.2 million), with hopes of stopping garbage from reaching the ocean. The craft is designed by Dutch non-profit organisation, The Ocean Cleanup.
Without action, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050, which is why The Ocean Cleanup’s work is so vital. We’re proud to sponsor the Interceptor 005 which will catch thousands of tons of waste before it reaches the ocean.Coldplay
The second of two Interceptors deployed in Malaysia, this one is locally built in partnership with Finnish firm Konecranes, at the MHE-Demag facility in Bukit Raja, Klang. Projected to make a considerable difference, the machine is expected to collect up to 100 tonnes of trash, especially plastics, on a daily basis.
Founder and chief executive officer and founder of The Ocean Cleanup, Boyan Slat, says Malaysia is the first to receive the Interceptor 005. The machine is the first of two, in a series production to tackle 1000 of the world’s most polluted rivers, also the first of the third generation design.
Known in production as Neon Moon 1, the Interceptor is currently under construction and will be completed in mid-2021, expected to hit the water soon after. Some of its features include a 50-cubic metre storage capacity, capable of holding up to 100,000 kilograms of waste. Best of all, it works autonomously, and can continue collecting even while the dumpsters are being emptied.
Slat says plastic wastes in the ocean eventually travels to ocean garbage patches where debris naturally accumulates in a vortex of circulating currents. With plastic wastes staying in the whirlpools for years, action needs to be taken to prevent pollution which threatens an adverse impact on ecosystems, economies and health.
The state of Malaysian rivers
Our rivers have long been polluted, more and more each day with waste management constantly overlooked. The Klang river is so heavily polluted due to industrial discharge, improper sewage treatment, residential discharge and soil erosion.
According to research by The Ocean Cleanup, the Klang river is in the world’s top 50 most polluted rivers, though it is not the most polluted in Malaysia. An Environmental Department (Jabatan Alam Sekitar) study showed, the number of polluted rivers significantly increased from 36.4% to 89.3% of 473 rivers observed over the course of four years.
In 2014, a total of 1.5 million sources of pollution were found in Malaysian rivers, ranging from food services establishments and wet markets, to rubber and palm oil mills.
The Ocean Cleanup has presented its Interceptor as a solution for heavily polluted waterways since 2019, for countries including the USA, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Jamaica and Thailand.

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Source:
Health Impact of River Water Pollution in Malaysia
British band Coldplay sponsors watercraft to clean Malaysia’s rivers


Education Institutions In Klang Valley and Melaka Reopening on Oct 4, Says Education Ministry

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The Education Ministry (MOE) will still reopen education institutions in Selangor, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya on 4 October.

MOE mentioned in a recent statement that educational institutions under the MOE for the states of Selangor and Melaka as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will still reopen on 4 October 2021 based on the operating stipulations for the Phase 2 states.
READ MORE: Klang Valley Moves Into Phase 3 Starting 1 October
This involves:
Students with Special Needs (MBK) in Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SKPK), Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SMKPk), Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional (SMPKV) and Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI)Semester 2 Form 6 studentsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD) Year 2 studentsSemester 3 Pre-University Program at Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Students of international examination classes (IGCSE O-Level, A-Level, Australian Higher School Certificate and IBDP).
In a recent statement, the Ministry also said that if a state moves to the next phase, the operation of educational institutions under the MOE in accordance with the new phase will be implemented after two (2) weeks from the date of transition.
Starting October 1, 2021, the states of Selangor and Melaka as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya will move to Phase 3 of PPN. Therefore, the operation of educational institutions in the state in accordance with the provisions of PPN Phase 3 will begin on October 18, 2021.The Ministry of Education
This involves an increase in the enrollment of students including:
Preschool studentsPublic examination classes in full boarding schools/day schools/private schoolsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD)Sukan Sekolah Malaysia Pre-UniversityOther international examination classes
Kedah
Meanwhile, MOE mentioned that the opening of educational institutions under the Ministry in Kedah will remain on 10 October 2021 for Form 6 Semester 2 students and international examination classes (IGCSE O-Level).
As the state of Kedah will move to Phase 2 on 1 October 2021, the operation of educational institutions including Vocational Colleges based on the PPN Phase 2 regulations will only begin on 17 October 2021.The Ministry of Education
Sarawak
As for Sarawak, the Ministry said that with the Southern Zone of Sarawak transitioning to Phase 3 starting 1 October 2021, educational institutions under the Ministry for this zone will still reopen on 4 October 2021 based on PPN Phase 2 operating regulations.
The operation of educational institutions in the Southern Zone of Sarawak based on the state ruling Phase 3 PPN will only begin on 18 October 2021.
No face-to-face learning in EMCO Areas
For Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas, MOE said in such areas all educational institutions under them are closed and all students in the affected areas must follow home teaching and learning (PdPR) instead.
Educational institutions under the MOE in this media statement also refers to private educational institutions registered under the MOE for the school category and the centre category.The Ministry of Education

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Is There A Maintenance Culture In Malaysia? Our LRT Stations Show That We Don’t

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Recently, Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq was blamed when the field in Bukit Jalil National Stadium was flooded and waterlogged during the 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers.

He explained in a video that Malaysia spends billions of ringgit to build infrastructure but doesn’t have maintenance culture.
To look for proof, all we need to do is to look at our aging and poorly maintained LRT stations.
Twitter user Hariz (@HarizRahim) took netizens on a tour around a dilapidated LRT KJ Line station to demonstrate the lack of maintenance culture in the nation.
Cakap pasal maintenance culture, aku nak open table jap.Ni berkenaan salah satu stesen LRT KJ Line yang aku pernah naik waktu malam. Aku nak korang judge sendiri keadaan dia.@AskRapidKL @SyedSaddiq@transitmy @weekasiongmp @syahredzan @nektime_[Bebenang] https://t.co/Alf24myFR1 pic.twitter.com/T8KBH0ncW5— HRH The Duke of Taipan (@HarizRahim) June 15, 2022
The pictures shared by Hariz showed the level of deterioration around the station that some of us know fully well. It truly felt like a horror film set.
What’s sad is that the station is fairly new (less than 10 years old) and should be decently operable because it was an extension built under the 6th Prime Minister’s time in office.
At the LRT KJ line, Hariz found that:
Lighting is dim or non-existent, forcing some commuters to walk in dark passages. There are also faulty lights and signs that give ominous flickers.There’s a lack of proper lighting at the car park and along escalators.The roof is leaking and it wets the benches at the train platform. When the floor is wet, it can get slippery and it’s unsafe for the elderly. There should be cleaners to mop up the wet floor.The fans on the platform do not work and there are too few of them. If it does work, the wind barely made a difference.The public toilets are badly designed because the sinks and soap dispenser placement are not cohesive.
Hariz said the focus should be on maintaining and improving the current infrastructures instead of building more expensive new ones.
Kalau korang rasa aku exaggerate pasal lighting kat stesen ni, meh aku tunjuk satu lagi stesen.Ni dekat stesen USJ 7, interchange dengan BRT Sunway line.Now kau imagine mak or kakak or adik perempuan kau balik kerja lalu sini sorang-sorang. pic.twitter.com/BhO3HSncw2— HRH The Duke of Taipan (@HarizRahim) June 15, 2022
Out-of-service lifts and escalators are prevalent too
Another prevalent problem that seems to plague LRT stations is the constant out-of-service escalators or lifts.
Twitter user Farahin (@farahin65) shared picture evidence of closed escalators and lifts at a few LRT stations during her commute. Some of the lifts and escalators allegedly have not been repaired for a long time.
She also claimed that the spoiled escalators at KLCC station have not been repaired because the responsibility has been bounced around between KLCC and Rapid KL management.
Currently, commuters have to use the stairs whether or not they’re able-bodied.
READ MORE: Man With Crutches Forced To Climb Stairs At Ampang Park LRT Station, Lift Broken Since 2021
READ MORE: “Complain To DBKL” RapidKL Says Broken Escalator At LRT Station Not Their Problem To Fix
Here’s to hoping that the relevant authorities will buck up and maintain the current facilities well.
A mini thread featuring the fecked-up escalators and lifts I encountered during my little journey today, taken from my own IG stories.#1 : KL Sentral MRT.@AskRapidKL @MyRapidKL @transitmy pic.twitter.com/fMuDMXJxf3— nope. (@farahin65) June 15, 2022
#4 : KLCC LRTI've heard arguments that this is or is not under KLCC management lah, RapidKL lah. Aku tak peduli. Aku dengan beribu yang lain yang lalu tempat ni nak benda dibaiki ASAP.@AskRapidKL @MyRapidKL @transitmy pic.twitter.com/BHgZCCUqtU— nope. (@farahin65) June 15, 2022

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“I Won’t Take The So-Called ‘VVIP’ Vaccine,” Says Minister In Charge Of Vaccines

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Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says he is not taking Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine which has been administered to other Malaysian VVIPs and medical frontliners.

Among those who have already received the Pfizer vaccine are Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, and Health Director General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Instead Khairy, who is in charge of Malaysia’s vaccine procurement and rollout, says he will take whichever vaccine is the next approved by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).
“The people say ‘These leaders all take Pfizer’s because it’s good. The others are for the common people.’ So I made a decision yesterday to take the vaccine which is next approved.”
To boost vaccine confidence for other vaccines, I will be the first to take whichever vaccine is approved next by NPRA @KKMPutrajaya. Can be Sinovac, Sputnik, AstraZeneca or CanSino. Whatever is available next, I will take. Because I trust NPRA. https://t.co/ioOQ2NpMTs— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 27, 2021
Khairy said this was regardless of whether the next to be approved was developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac (called CoronaVac), Russia’s Sputnik V (developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology), or the European vaccine developed by AstraZeneca.
“I won’t take Pfizer’s vaccine, not because Pfizer’s is not good. Pfizer’s is good. Pfizer’s is safe and prooven (effective).
“But we’ll make it so that there are among the Ministers who set an example by taking the next vaccine. So whatever vaccine crosses the line next, I’ll take. And I don’t know which one it’s going to be.”
Khairy said this today as Malaysia received its first shipment of the Sinovac vaccine from China, which will be repackaged by local pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga.
Later, he tweeted that this was because he trusted the NPRA, a regulatory body under the Health Ministry which, among others, carries out analytical, pharmaceutical, microbiological and pharmacological tests on drugs and cosmetics to determine quality, efficacy and safety of such products.
NPRA is a world-class regulator. They are strict and fiercely independent. That’s why I will take any vaccine that NPRA has registered and approved for use in Malaysia. https://t.co/zz3OhMKIwR— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 26, 2021

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[Video] KL Traffic Cop Shoots Tire Of Fleeing Car

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Footage of an intense car chase is going viral on social media.
The scene shows a lone traffic police officer in pursuit of a black sedan on the crowded streets of Jalan Gombak, Kuala Lumpur.
The 40-second clip sees the cop chasing after the car on his motorcycle, trying to get it to stop.
As both vehicles were making their way through busy traffic, the officer quickly overtook the car, jumped off his bike and drew his firearm in attempts to order the driver to stop.
When the car failed to do so and attempted to run the cop over, the officer proceeded to fire several shots of his pistol into the side of the moving vehicle. A loud pop can be heard as the car’s front tyre deflates from the bullet.
The video ends with the officer continuing his chase on foot as the car swerves through traffic to escape.

According to KL traffic police, the cat and mouse chase that occurred around 4 pm on May 19 began when the black Nissan Teana had first run a traffic light.
It was then that the officer seen in the video began his pursuit of the 2 suspects in the vehicle, which had also crashed into several other vehicles as it sped on to escape.
Apparently the chase ended later when the car was found abandoned on the DUKE highway with the 2 suspects nowhere in sight.
The car seen left on the side of the highway.(Credit: Twitter/Ahmad Razzidy)
Upon searching the vehicle, police found a packet which they believed to be a bag of meth.
Police say that the car was registered to a woman from Senai, Johor.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstruction of justice.

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Source:
Larikan diri dan cuba langgar polis, dua das tembakan dilepaskan


The Capacity Of Covid-19 ICU’s Nationwide Is Reaching Critical Levels

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Covid-19 hospitals are doing their best to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of Covid-19 patients through repurposing ordinary wards.

However, according to the Health Director General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, this reduces the chances of non-Covid-19 patients receiving proper critical care.
Chart courtesy of Noor HIsham Abdullah’s Facebook.
In a Facebook post, Dr Noor Hisham shared the latest statistics on the occupancy of Covid-19 ICUs across the country. As of Mei 18, the Covid-19 critical care bed and ICU utilisation nationwide are at an average of 74%.
ICUs in the Klang Valley alone has reached 89% capacity. States like Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah, Sarawak, and Negeri Sembilan are at over 80%.
Previously it was reported that Penang has run out of ICU beds while the ICUs at Johor and Klang Valley are maxed out.
READ MORE: Penang Now Has No More ICU Beds To Treat Covid-19 Patients, Non-ICU Beds At 70% Capacity
Field ICU
Since then field ICU’s have been added and are planned to be established, with the help of the Armed Forces, at critical hospitals to handle the surge. NST reports that 27 modular bedded field ICUs had already been deployed in Kepala Batas Hospital in Penang.
The DG added that a modular laboratory and a modular radiology unit is also set up to treat critically ill patients in the field ICU.
Yesterday Malaysia recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths. Out of the 47 deaths, 5 are recorded in Penang, and 22 are recorded in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

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“We Can’t Just Fine Mak Cik Goreng Pisang” PM Admits Controlling Subsidised Oil Is Difficult But They’re Trying

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob explained that some parties distorted his statement regarding the packet oil used by aunties selling goreng pisang (banana fritters).

The Bera MP and Umno vice-president said he only meant that subsidized packet oil was for domestic use, not commercial use.
However, when small traders use packet oil, will we sue them? Of course, we are not going to file a lawsuit against small traders who use packet oil. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on his goreng pisang statement being misquoted.
Without going into the specifics, he stressed that the government would do its best to deal with this matter.

Earlier, in the Dewan Rakyat session, Ismail Sabri admitted that targeted subsidies could not be implemented, but appropriate mechanisms are being devised so that no party would be left out.
He said the proper use of packet cooking oil is not easy to control as big restaurant operators also use it.
As for the makciks, they too cannot use packet cooking oil to sell goreng pisang because it is not for commercial use.
…mgikut kefahaman aku, spt yg di sebut oleh PM Ismail di Parlimen, tidak boleh guna minyak masak utk berniaga..x boleh buat goreng pisang, goreng ayam utk jual, x boleh utk kegunaan Restoran kedai makan…salah dn boleh di dakwa…— Tokone Loak Derahman (@Tokloak) July 18, 2022
But if action is taken against the makciks, the government will be accused of being cruel to these poor people.
Ismail Sabri said this in an oral question session at the Dewan Rakyat to answer additional questions from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson), who asked about the government’s action to address the rising cost of living for the people.
The prime minister released a video clearing the issue of makcik’goreng pisang’.. still it is clearly not fair to Tht makcik.. I hope the makcik happy with the video release.. but don’t increase price for pisang goreng anymore okie.. it’s way pretty expensive— shan (ஷான்) 🇲🇾🌺🐯 (@Shan_6183) July 19, 2022
Public Backlash
Earlier, Ismail Sabri had drawn criticism for training his sights on the makciks.
Critics condemned his statement as disrespectful and insensitive as makcik goreng pisang are generally from the low-income category.
They said it was heartless to take potshots against ordinary people trying to make a living.
Makcik2 tak kisah pun guna minyak botol utk goreng pisang, yg kisah ni macai2 UMNO yang miskin nak beli goreng pisang tepi jalan tu, harga pisang goreng pun jadi mahal @IsmailSabri60 oiii…Jgn ada macai suruh goreng guna pasir pulak. Makan pasir la korang. pic.twitter.com/zIZLZ51GFZ— KamiKeadiLan #PerangiRasuah (@kamikeadilan) July 18, 2022
Makcik Kiah goreng pisang will always remain a legend.Unfortunately now she has buy bottled or canned oil.— Sam. 🇲🇾 (@sameerkhanlgk) July 19, 2022
Some said Ismail Sabri could see the speck in a friend’s eye but failed to notice the beam in his own eye.
@@IsmailSabri60 is good at observing makcik goreng pisang uses packet oil, but doesn't care about RM5 million wasted on Keluarga Malaysia campaign.Probably the makciks are not his Keluarga.— Thanda (@JohnT69863736) July 19, 2022
Bread And Butter Issue
Cooking oil on the market is getting more expensive, thus burdening consumers.
The price of a 5-kilogram bottled cooking oil is being sold between RM28 to RM43.
READ MORE: Govt Maintains Subsidy For Polybag Packet Cooking Oil
The average bottled cooking oil weighing 3 kg is sold at the maximum sharp price set by the government, which is RM18.70, while for 2kg-bottle, it is RM12.70, and for a kilogram is RM6.70.
In August last year, the government set a ceiling price for palm cooking oil sold in 5 kg bottles, which was RM29.70
READ MORE: PM Says Ministers Meet Twice A Week On Inflation, But People Are Unhappy That Prices Remain High
Mixed cooking oil is not a controlled item, according to the Price Control and Anti-Profitability Act (AKHAP) 2011.
@IsmailSabri60 ingat penjual Pisang Goreng tu berniaga utk beli Bungalow, Kereta Mewah dan Melancong ke luar Negara kot bukannya utk menyara hidup keluarga. Sebab tu tak dibenarkan beli minyak subsidi. Menteri2 yg kaya dapat subsidi tak ada masalah! Sebab buat lawak hari2— Anonymous 700 (@Musafir2020) July 19, 2022

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“Unfair To Single Out Chinese Tourists” Kedah Exco Says Stricter Health SOP Better Than Denying Entry

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After months of relentless lockdowns, China will finally reopen their borders and other countries are expecting an influx of Chinese tourists as a result.

This move has largely been met with wariness from many people, including Malaysians, who are worried that the arrival of tourists from China will cause a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Tourism minister Dato Seri Tiong King Sing was criticised when he called for a rational reopening of Malaysia’s borders to welcome Chinese tourists to revive the tourism industry.
READ MORE: Tourism Minister Criticised For Prioritising Friendship With China Over Rakyat’s Wellbeing
Kedah Tourism Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad pointed out that it’s also unfair to single out visitors from China when other countries that are experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases such as India aren’t treated the same way.
Firdaus suggested imposing stricter health rules or standard operating procedure (SOP) for incoming visitors will be a better option rather than denying them entry, New Straits Times reported.
If there is no recommendation from health experts, what is the point of blocking (visitors from China)? If we just block visitors from one country, it is not fair, because other countries, including India, are also recording a high number of cases too. I believe it is important for us to heed the advice by experts from the Health Ministry.Kedah Tourism Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad
He said visitors should be allowed to travel anywhere in the country if they tested negative for the virus, just like how it was done in the previous SOP.
On top of that, tourism players in Kedah, especially Langkawi, should also do their part in managing the Covid-19 threat, such as testing foreign visitors upon their arrival.
Tourist destinations such as Langkawi still need to woo Chinese tourists to rejuvenate businesses. For illustration purposes.
Langkawi Tourist Guide Association president Ardi Bahador said Langkawi needed to woo visitors from China to rejuvenate businesses.
This is because it’s still relatively quiet during the weekdays and attractions such as cruises are slowly returning but not as many as before the pandemic.
He suggested the government have visitors test themselves 48 hours prior to their trip and upon their arrival.
Ardi hopes that the Health Ministry, the Transport Ministry, and Tourism Malaysia would act fast with a clear SOP to ensure tourist arrivals in the resort island would not be affected.
To date, the two main Covid-19 variants, namely the BA.5.2. and BF.7, have been detected in Malaysia.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was no data to link serious cases or deaths to both variants so far.
Previously, he announced that the sewage samples from aircraft arriving from China will be tested and there will be an increase in surveillance at international entry points.
Visitors entering the country will also go through temperature checks and symptomatic visitors will be referred to the health authorities.

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[Breaking] Malaysia Records Highest New 17,045 Covid-19 As We Break 1 Million Cases Total

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Malaysia hit another new high record of Covid-19 cases today with 17,045 cases. Previously, the highest record was at 15,573 new cases were recorded on 23 July 2021.

As of today, Malaysia has officially crossed more than 1 million Covid-19 cases in total. We now have 1,013,438 cumulative Covid-19 cases in Malaysia as of 25 July 2021.
The highest number of cases today were recorded in the Klang Valley.
The total cases by state are as follows:
Selangor – 8,500 (367,469)WPKL – 2,045 (110,051)Johor – 950 (84,258)Sabah – 818 (79,470)Sarawak – 407 (73,986)Negeri Sembilan – 513 (66,615)Pulau Pinang – 573 (42,097)Kelantan – 266 (39,673)Kedah – 1,216 (38,477)Perak – 609 (33,919)Melaka – 370 (28,094)Pahang – 424 (21,387)Terengganu – 273 (14,318)WP Labuan – 21 (9,599)WP Putrajaya – 50 (3,367)Perlis – 10 (658)
#COVID19 Pecahan kes baharu mengikut negeri, 25 Julai. Lembah Klang, Kedah dan Johor merekodkan kes tertinggi. pic.twitter.com/39J5qiR16F— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) July 25, 2021

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“Be Like Armpit Hair” Hijab Wearing Malaysian Studying In Korea Tells Other ‘Hijabters’

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A Malaysian woman studying in South Korea revealed that it was not easy for a hijab-wearing woman like her to land a part-time job in the country.

On TikTok, the woman shared her experience turning down two job offers last year because the employer requested her to remove her headscarf when working inside their premise.
Inside the video, the TikTok user, @kimseri_aina said that her roommate, a non-Muslim Indonesian had told her that there were vacancies available at the factory where she is working.
  @kimseri_eina Replying to @ziah0058 orang Korea ambil ke pekerja pakai hijab? #studyinkorea #studyabroad #kimseridiseoul ♬ original sound  – KIM SERI 세리
She went on to say that she had gone to the factory for an interview the very next day. She added that the interview had gone well, but the boss told her that she can work there with one condition – that she cannot wear her hijab inside the factory.
Similarly, she was told that she could not wear her hijab during working hours when she applied for a part-time job as a kitchen helper through a social media application Kakao Talk.
When she sends her identification card to the interviewer, she was asked whether she was a Muslim since her ID photo showed that she was wearing the hijab.
When she replied yes, the interviewer said that she can’t wear her hijab while working at the restaurant.
She then said that she turned down both jobs as she wouldn’t want to remove her hijab while working.
The woman also added that she was not sad at all about the matter, saying that she holds to this saying: “Be like armpit hair, although (it grew) at narrow spaces and often being shaved off, it continues to grow thick.”
The one-day-old video had been shared 1142 times by TikTok users and has received over 250,000 ‘hearts’ by the time of writing.
In the comment section, several users applaud her for sticking with her beliefs.
There are also those who said that the phrase that she used at the end of the video, while funny, has a very deep meaning.

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“Does It Even Work?” Angry M’sians Question MySejahtera’s Missing Covid-19 Hotspots

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Malaysians online have been angrily questioning the function of the MySejahtera contact tracing mobile application after users report its ‘Hotspot Tracker’ failure to notify users of recent, nearby Covid-19 cases.

The issue became especially prevalent after reports Covid-19 positive cases at several Klang Valley malls flooded social media, but were not indicated on the government-run application.
MySejahtera is expected to provide immediate update for public safety but it seemed that there's no reported case at Nu Sentral. 🤷♂ pic.twitter.com/renShaIL9W— Izwan 😷 🇲🇾 (@izwanshahmin) September 27, 2020
Searched several locations on the MySejahtera app hotspot tracker and there is absolutely no results. Brilliant— Oden Fujiyama (@FujiyamaOden) September 27, 2020
So, you’re telling me that I can’t be alerted on MySejahtera itself if I’ve been in the same place as someone who tested positive? So I’ve been scanning a thousand times for… nothing???????— Dhanya 🌻 (@dhanyabalan99) September 27, 2020
How MySejahtera’s Covid-19 ‘Hotspot Tracker’ actually works
When the ‘Hotspot Tracker’ function was released, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that it was aimed at helping the public to plan their commute and avoid non-essential travel into risky areas.
The app defines a hotspot as an area with reports of Covid-19 cases within the last 14 days, but does not reveal the number of cases in the area or which specific premises are affected.
READ MORE: The Government Created The MySejahtera App So We Can Monitor Our Covid-19 Risk
Why MySejahtera doesn’t show Covid-19 hotspots even when there are confirmed cases
Following the uproar, MySejahtera and the Health Ministry released a statement explaining the absence of these hotspots on the app.
As a matter of fact, a location being considered a hotspot is purely based on in-depth investigation by MOH on the definite and possible source of infection. All these are based on facts and science.MySejahtera & Health Ministry via Twitter.
Credit: @KKMPutrajaya/Twitter
An anonymous MOH officer had also previously told healthcare news portal CodeBlue that the tracker works based on data provided by the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre’s (CPRC) daily investigations.
What you see on MySejahtera hotspot tracker comes directly from CPRC, so it is based on investigations and massive collaboration with manual data. Don’t dispute — there is no need for the public to dispute because this is done by CPRC, by epidemiologists, it is not that we simply want to mark that area red.MOH officer (anonymous) to CodeBlue.
However, the function had caused some confusion in late August when several users found that two areas in Subang Jaya were marked as Covid-19 hotspots, but authorities denied that the areas had reported positive infections.

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Source:
Misuse Of MySejahtera Hotspot Tracker Stigmatises Penang Hawkers
MoH: ‘Hotspot Tracker’ in MySejahtera app helps to detect Covid-19 cases within 1km radius


MTUC Questions Tengku Zafrul’s 70% Statement, Says Many Have Lost Their Jobs Due To Poor Policies

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The Malaysian Trades Union Congress doubted the statement made by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz that 70% of workers have returned to work, which they said is contradictory of the official data that indicate businesses have laid off workers.
The union said the reality of the situation is that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost due to the government being unable to implement policies to protect workers.
Besides being retrenched, many employees are forced to take pay cuts due to the current situation.
According to reports by Malay Mail, MTUC claimed that because the government refused to implement policies which protect workers such as the Emergency Employment Regulations (EER), many were left unemployed.
The policy essentially bars businesses from laying off their employees within a certain time period.
MTUC also added that instead of protecting the livelihoods of workers, the government’s policies seemed to favour employers.

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5 future tech we need in Malaysia right now

Apparently, Malaysia is ripe for new innovations and game-changing businesses, according to associate Director of Vickers Venture Partners Terence Sim at the premiere tech conference Wild Digital 2019.

The panel discussing Malaysia’s potential for serious market growth.(Picture credit: TRP)

Southeast Asia is now at a situation very similar to where China was 10 years ago: at the cusp of global domination a skyrocketing market for unicorn companies.
If that’s really true, it means that there is untapped potential for all the better things that can be introduced in our lives. Such as…
1. Convenience store delivery
Yes, we know, there are food-delivery services and drone delivery services. But sometimes we don’t want just food. Sometimes, we just really, really need that Mentos delivered to our door.

via GIPHY
Despite what they’re named, sometimes convienience stores aren’t… super convenient. At the very least they always require a walk. (Who even does that anymore?)
2. An app to track buses in real time
We’re living in 2019 and Malaysian buses still run like it’s 2009. We can’t blame them for delays because we know the traffic is a nightmare. What we do want is an actual reliable way to track where these buses are.

via GIPHY
Probably the worst feeling is sitting at a bus stop wondering if you should just walk to your destination and then right as you leave, 2 buses on the exact same route show up. Why lah like that.
3. Food and health diary
We all just really need a super simple easy way to track your health. Take a snapshot of everything you eat and drink, then an app magically tracks exactly how many calories were consumed.
Anyone who has tried to track calories knows how difficult it is, especially with Malaysian food! How much is one serving? How many calories does a banana leaf rice have? What if I ordered extra dhal? What if I asked for teh tarik kurang manis? Life is hard enough as it is, it’s even more difficult when you add math to food.

via GIPHY
Bonus if it also lists all your dietary recommendations for the best health and goals.
4. Jarvis (or, an actual smart home)
I said what I said. We all need our personal Jarvis to rant to. “Jarvis, watch the houseplants and don’t let them die.” Automated scheduled plant watering. “Javis, cook my breakfast.” Perfectly fluffy roti telur prepped in the kitchen. “Jarvis, restock the fridge.” Groceries scheduled for delivery straight to your house.
Like Alexa but literally 3000x better.

via GIPHY
5. Real life “Facebook”
It’s a life-saver for everyone with anxiety. We want fancy glasses that can recognise faces and tell us who we’re talking to. Like Black Mirror, but way less creepy.

via GIPHY
Anyone who has ever panicked about saying the wrong name or forgetting faces can understand the urgency of needing this technology available immediately.
We as a human race should have evolved past human gaffes. Hopefully just like how memorising phone numbers is a thing of the past, we can slowly forget about trying to remember names too.

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5 Royal Facts About The Agong Institution You Should Know

Every time a major event in Malaysian politics or royalty happens, we see many people rushing to crack open their Form 6 Pengajian Am (General Studies) notes or call up their lawyer friends to ask whatâ€™s up.
One example was the time when Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan resigned from his position as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in January 2019, a first in the nation’s history.
Sultan Muhammad V of Kelantan is the first royalty to resign from his role as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Malaysian history.(Credit: Majilis Raja-Raja)
Another is the political drama of February 2020 when the Prime Minister resigned and all eyes turned to YDPA Al-Sultan Abdullah Riâ€™ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as he took the time to interview every single Member of Parliament to decide the who’ll be the next PM.
While Malaysians generally know that the role of the Agong rotates amongst rulers every 5 years, not many may be aware of other aspects of the role and its long history.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong  Al-Sultan Abdullah Riâ€™ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is Malaysia’s 16th Agong.(Credit: Istana Negara)
1. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong was nearly called Yang di-Pertuan Besar
When the role of the YDPA was recommended into the Malayan constitution by the Reid Commission, the Conference of Rulers had a choice to name the â€œKing of Malaysiaâ€ as Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
The term Yang di-Pertuan Agong was selected, which translates to â€œHe Who is Made Supreme Lordâ€.
Conference of Rulers.(Credit: PeKhabar)
2. Only rulers of 9 states are eligible to be Agong
This is due to the establishment of the Conference of Rulers which consists of the rulers of Malay states prior to independence.
The 9 states are:
Negeri SembilanSelangorPerlisTerengganuKedahKelantanPahangJohorPerak
 (Credit: PeKhabar)
3. The cycle of rotation was initially established based on seniority
When the office was established in 1957, the order of seniority of the rulers was based on the length of their reigns on the state thrones.
When the first cycle of rotation was completed in 1994, the order of the states in the first cycle became the basis of the order for the second cycle.
The installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad.(Credit: warisanpermaisuri.blogspot)
The established cycle of rotation is:
Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri SembilanSultan of SelangorRaja of PerlisSultan of TerengganuSultan of KedahSultan of KelantanSultan of PahangSultan of JohorSultan of Perak
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong will not be re-elected until after all the other states had taken their turns.
4. Malaysiaâ€™s first YDPA wasnâ€™t the first choice!
As mentioned before, the cycle of rotation was established based on seniority (length of reign) of the rulers.
Based on this criteria, Major-Jeneral Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor, who was appointed Sultan of Johor in 1895 was the longest serving sultan in Malaya during 1957.
 Major-Jeneral Sultan Ibrahim ibni Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor.(Credit: Wikipedia)
But he declined due to his advanced age (84 years old).
Next in line was Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Riayatuddin Al-Muadzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdullah Al-Mutassim Billah Shah of Pahang who had begun his rule in 1932.
However, he did not secure the necessary votes in the Conference of Rulers, so the honour went to Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad of Negeri Sembilan who had ascended to his throne in 1933.
 Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad of Negeri Sembilan.(Credit: Istana Negara)
His Majesty was then appointed as the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of then Federation of Malaya, and forever immortalised on our Ringgit notes.
Malaysia’s ringgit notes depict the image of the country’s first Yang di-Pertuan Agong.(Credit: The Star)
5. The YDPAâ€™s installation ceremony features a special headdress known as Tengkolok Diraja (Royal Headdress)
The Tengkolok Diraja has graced the heads of wellâ€¦ the Heads of Malaysia since 1957. The only exception was during the reign of the Sultan of Johor as their royal regalia differs from traditional Malay clothing.
Sultan Iskandar ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail and Tunku Puan Zanariah of Johor.(Credit: warisanpermaisuri.blogspot)
While the tengkolok is a traditional fixture for most of the Malay royalties, this particular headdress is folded, or solek, in a special design called â€œDendam Tak Sudahâ€ which originates from Negeri Sembilan.
(Credit: Istana Negara)
Made with songket fabric, the Tengkolok Diraja is embellished with a sparkling new moon and 14-point star made of white gold. In the middle of the star is the colourful emblem of the Government of Malaysia.

There you have it, folks! TRPâ€™s 5 royal facts about the Agong institution you should know.

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9 Things Malaysians Must Follow During Conditional MCO From 4th May, Says Health Ministry

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Following Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassinâ€™s announcement to relax the Movement Control Order (MCO) from 4th May, the Health Ministry has released 9 guidelines for Malaysians to navigate the Conditional MCO (CMCO).
1. Practice a safe social distance of at least 1 metre
Shoppers line up to get groceries.(Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail)
2. Frequently was your hands with water and soap, or use hand sanitizer

3. Use a face mask that covers your nose and mouth
Credit: Malay Mail
4. Practice screening at the entrance of premises
Temperature screening at the entrance of a grocery store during MCO.(Credit: Shafwan Zaidon/Malay Mail)
5. Prioritise the protection of at-risk groups such as children, infants, the elderly and the disabled
Credit: Freepik
6. Sick and symptomatic individuals are required to undergo a medical examination immediately
Credit: Choo Choy May/Malay Mail
7. The number of passengers in public transport should take into account social distancing
MRT commuters observe social distancing aboard a train in Kuala Lumpur during MCO.(Credit: Shafwan Zaidon/Malay Mail)
8. Online transactions are encouraged

9. Report to the local Health Department immediately if you have any information on Covid-19 infection
Credit: Malay Mail

Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Berperingkat (PKPB) membolehkan operasi beberapa sektor ekonomi dibuka semula bermula 4 Mei. 9 SOP ini perlu dipatuhi semua pihak terlibat termasuk kita sebagai pengguna.1. Amalan jarak sosial yg selamat iaitu sekurang-kurangnya 1 meter; pic.twitter.com/88jLQ4llRO— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) May 1, 2020

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The New Fantastic Beasts Movie Is Coming Out! Here’s How To Binge All The Harry Potter Movies At Home

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 If you’re a Potterhead, you’ll know when the next Wizarding World movie is coming out, right? If you don’t, don’t worry, we’re muggles (human), after all.

For those who didn’t know, the new Fantastic Beasts (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore) movie is going to hit the cinemas in Malaysia on 14th April 2022. That’s about a week away!
READ MORE: 15 Anticipated Movies Coming In The Cinemas This Year

So what are you waiting for? For those Potterheads (Harry Potter fans) and also those Wizarding World virgins who are interested in the Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling, let’s get on a marathon of the movies to catch up with the upcoming storyline.
To make sense of the new movie, you need to equip yourself with the storyline of two of its previous movies which are Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The Fantastic Beast series are in the same Wizarding World Universe but it’s not in the Harry Potter Universe. It’s actually a spin-off prequel five-film series (the new film being the third out of five) of the famous Harry Potter 8-film series (note that the book is only a series of 7). The timeline is set before there even was a Harry Potter.
The scene where Harry Potter pets a Hippogriff called Buckbeak in their Care Of Magical Creature Class (left). The spin-off books after all the 7 Harry Potter books included this Fantastic Beast And Where To Find Them ‘textbook’ that Newt Scamander apparently wrote (right).(Credit: Harry Potter Wiki, Wizarding World / Facebook)
Fun Fact: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was actually the name of a textbook from one of Harry Potter’s classes back in Hogwarts that explains the magical creatures there in their world, such as hippogriffs and dragons. It was a textbook for a subject called A Care For Magical Creatures, written by the then famous Magizoologist (boy, we wished this was a real thing), Newt Scamander. The Fantastic Beast pentalogy is actually based on the challenges and adventures of Newt Scamander before he became the most well-known Magizoologist and author (in their world, of course).
Have You Watched All The New Shows Too?
Apart from the Fantastic Beasts series and Harry Potter series, there are also some other types of spin-offs from the Wizarding World such as the Hogwarts Tournament of Houses show and the Return To Hogwarts film documentary. These are a must for the true-blue Potterheads.
Here are a few of the Wizarding World’s hit shows and movies with their synopsis that have captivated fans globally:
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
(Credit: Warner Media)
In the first Fantastic Beasts movie, Newt Scamander (Academy Award® winner Eddie Redmayne) is the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist. In 1926, Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident… were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
(Credit: Warner Media)
In the second Fantastic Beasts film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) is captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. To thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers ahead.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
(Credit: Warner Media)
Fans are invited on a magical first-person journey through the beloved film franchise as it reunites Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and other esteemed cast members and filmmakers across all eight Harry Potter films for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This film documentary is actually a reunion of the past cast having nostalgic conversations with each other about their wonderful memories on screen.
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses
(Credit: Warner Media)
Hosted by Academy Award®-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses celebrates the 20th anniversary of the film and continues the Wizarding World spirit showcasing ultimate fan glory on a never-before-seen scale. Watch how real live fans from four different Hogwarts houses (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff) battle each other with hundreds of trivia questions to win the House Cup Champion. 10 points to Gryffindor!
List Of Wizarding World Wonders
Here’s a list of the movies set in the Wizarding World that you should know:
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses (2021)Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (2021)Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
(Credit: Warner Media)
But Where To Watch The Marathon?
Now that you know the background, you can watch the Harry Potter Movie Marathon for all the Harry Potter movies only (number 5 to 12 on the list) on Cartoon Network (Astro Ch 615). It will air from April 8 – 23, daily at 8 pm.
But to have the full Wizarding experience (all of the movies and shows on the list), you can stream, download and enjoy the Harry Potter movies, Fantastic Beasts movies and additional shows on HBO GO.
Don’t miss out on these Potterheads!

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Why it’s totally okay to do nothing this weekend

Whenever there’s a weekend, long or not, it often quickly gets filled up with “things that have to be done”.
This can range anywhere from meeting an old friend, visiting relatives, checking out an event, or even just laundry at home.
For a lot of people, the weekend quickly becomes tiring with obligations and trying to fit in as many things as possible.
Busy Pirates Of The Carribean GIF from Busy GIFs

So whether or not you’re an introvert, here are some reasons for doing nothing the next time you feel bad for “being lazy”.
1. Much-needed rest
Our brains work non-stop all week. In fact, this actually includes all the time we spend on our phone! Using our phones stresses out the brain and doesn’t allow it time to chill.
Therefore, it’s super important that we take that time to do nothing so we can relax and refresh the mind.
Plus, you can catch up on that sleep debt.
Lazy Cat GIF from Lazy GIFs

2. Me-time
Yes, you-time. Which means for once you get to call the shots and decide on what you want to do and not feel guilty about it.
A lot of people unintentionally work their lives around others by putting other people’s needs in front of their own.
Think about it: do you not consider your parents, your significant other, your friends, or even your children, before you do things for yourself?
Butbut Think GIF from Butbut GIFs

What about the things you want to do, too?
3. Increased creativity and productivity
I know, sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it! But once you’ve given yourself a chance to reboot your brain, you’ll find energy and joy to start on all these personal projects you love.
It could be finishing a book, going for a swim, or even cleaning up the house KonMari-style, but after a good rest you will definitely have more energy to do the things you really want to do.
Nodding Yeah GIF from Nodding GIFs

4. Spontaneous activities
Or revel in the wondrous possibilities of an empty weekend and simply do whatever you feel like, no matter how “absurd” it may be.
If you wake up and think, hey it would be cool to go to the beach today, what’s stopping you from packing a towel and driving down to Port Dickson? Or taking a long stroll at the Butterfly Park in Lake Gardens? Or dancing naked in the rain? (Actually, please don’t do that.)
Up GIF from Yolo GIFs

Let your inner child through and just enjoy the time to yourself!
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[Review] Velvety Smooth New Choux Cream Frappucinos From Starbucks Will Sweeten Up Your Summer

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Starbucks has released another new line of drinks to beat the heat, this time sticking to their signature flavoured Frappucinos.

The new Strawberry Choux Cream Frappucino and Chocolate Choux Cream Frappucino are inspired by French choux pastries, which are light and delicate, and often used in airy desserts such as cream puffs and eclairs.

The Taste Test
The drink is creamy-smooth with a velvety pudding-like texture, which truly is reminiscent of the dessert.
Both Choux Cream Frappucinos feature a base of creamy vanilla bean custard sauce, milk, and ice blended together, then topped with vanilla bean custard-flavoured whipped cream and crumbly graham cracker bits.
Left: The Strawberry Choux Cream Frappucino features a generous amount of strawberry chunks, while the Chocolate Choux Cream Frappucino features plenty of mocha sauce.(Credit: TRP)
The Strawberry Choux Cream Frappucino then adds layers of fresh strawberry chunks throughout the drink. The real fruit chunks are sweet with a light hint of tang which adds a wonderful fruity bite, while the graham cracker crumbles lends a crunchy texture which keeps the drink interesting.
The Chocolate Choux Cream Frappucino, on the other hand, uses layers of mocha sauce for a silky smooth drink with a royal aftertaste. The graham cracker crumbles with the whipped cream adds a little crunch that goes delightfully well with the richness of the frappucino. The mocha sauce on the bottom of the cup is a velvety, rich treat on its own, although you may want to taste a little sip of it before stirring the drink well.
The vanilla bean custard-whipped cream and crumbly graham crackers are a delightful topping selection for the drinks.(Credit: TRP)
The Verdict
The Choux Cream Frappucinos are definitely one of Starbucks’ better drink offerings this year, blending their signature ice-blended frappucino drinks seamlessly with classic dessert flavours that evoke a summer feel.
The Strawberry Choux Cream Frappucino will be great for those who are fond of fresh strawberries-and-cream in drink form, while the Chocolate Choux Cream Frappucino will be perfect for chocolate lovers without being too jelak.

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3,309 Covid-19 Cases On 12 Jan, New Malaysian Record

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Malaysia has broken another record today as the country reports 3,309 new Covid-19 cases on 12 January 2021. From these cases, 3,303 were local transmissions and six were imported.

The Health Ministry (MOH) said that 78% of cases were identified in states that would be placed under the Movement Control Order (MCO) starting tomorrow as Selangor reported the most infections with 1,007 cases, followed by Johor with 442 and Sabah with 409.
Four more deaths were also recorded today as well as 110,584 patient recoveries.
Malaysia’s Covid-19 case total now stands at 141,533 recorded cases, 30,390 active cases, 110,584 recoveries and 559 fatalities.
Malaysia’s previous all-time-high daily case report was 3,021 cases recorded on 7 January.
Status Terkini #COVID19, 12 Januari 2021 Kes sembuh=1,469Jumlah kes sembuh=110,584 kes Kes baharu positif=3,309 kes (3,303 tempatan, 6 import) Jumlah positif=141,533Kes kematian=4Jumlah kes kematian=559 kes Kes dirawat di ICU=190 kes Bantuan Alat Pernafasan=83 kes pic.twitter.com/35LLURVLna— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) January 12, 2021

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KTMB Suspends Employee For Causing 100 Students To Miss First Day Of School In Kelantan

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Today was supposed to be an exciting first day of school for many students in Kelantan.

However, about 100 SMK Dabong students had no choice but to skip school when the train they were supposed to board did not stop at the Kuala Gris Station.
READ MORE: 100 Kelantan Students Had To Skip School, Trains Nowhere In Sight
In a report by The Star, KTMB has suspended a Shuttle Timuran 51 employee after investigations.
According to the statement posted on Facebook, KTMB confirmed that Shuttle Timuran No. 51 train left Tumpat station at 4.05 am but did not stop at Hentian Kuala Gris at 7.08  am.
KTMB apologised to the students, parents, and the school involved for the situation today.
They also promised to make improvements and not to repeat a similar incident.

Netizens praised KTMB for the speedy response and action taken.
A few of them also felt sorry for the train driver. It’s not said whether it was an honest mistake by the train driver for forgetting since it was the school holidays a while ago.

They said the train driver should be forgiven for his mistakes and be given a second chance.
After all, everyone deserves a do-over as long as they learned their lesson.

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Why Buy More Than 1? M’sia 1st 3-in-1 Online Combo Insurance Package From AXA

We often hear the English phrase “third time’s a charm”, which describes that the third effort spent on something usually results in a positive outcome.
Similarly in many different disciplines – from military strategies to even photography – practitioners are often taught to achieve perfection or success through the Rule Of Thirds or the Rule Of Threes. This rule usually refers to a set of guiding principles for each subject: be it composition of a photo, or the proper way to descend an aircraft.

Why three?
Probably because of the famous phrase mentioned earlier, the number three is associated with good luck and all things positive.
(Credit: Benjamin Rascoe/Unsplash)
The concept of three is also a recurring pattern in things like fashion, take the three-piece suit for example. You will also notice that the more sophisticated fashionistas follow the fashion rule of three, which is statement piece + in-between piece + plain piece.
Another rule of three that you probably see on a regular basis but didn’t notice? Your meal combos: one main + one side + one drink.
If the perfect combo comes in threes, then why not insurance?
We’re used to purchasing individual insurance plans – ie. medical plan separate from life plan – and rarely do you see different plans being bundled together.
(Credit: AXA)
This was probably what inspired AXA to introduce a 3-in-1 combo that combines three of the most important and sought-after insurance plans into one package: namely medical, life, and critical illness.
The combo, called the AXA eCombo, is also the first ever online insurance product of its kind in Malaysia. This probably comes as no surprise, since the company was also responsible for creating the first online medical insurance in the country.
The eCombo starts from RM71 per month, and is only available via online purchase. This is perfect for those who are looking for a comprehensive insurance plan that is affordable, instead of having to purchase and pay for different plans separately.
How does the 3-in-1 coverage work?
(Credit: Pranidchakan Boonrom/Pexels)
You have the option to customise your insurance combo, meaning it’s not necessary for you to choose all three plans – you can opt for just two (eg. medical + life insurance) if you feel that those are the only ones you need. You can also adjust the coverage amount for each of them, depending on your lifestyle and needs.
Depending on the coverage you chose, the eCombo’s medical plan comes with a limit of up to RM100,000 per year and cashless admission to over 150 of the insurance provider’s panel hospitals (including Prince Court Medical Centre, Gleneagles, and more). There is also no lifetime limit for the coverage, and no medical check-up required.
The critical illness plan (eCritical Early Care) covers 50 different medical conditions from early to advanced stages, ranging from cancer, heart attack, to stroke, and more. Upon early detection, you can receive a payout of 50% of the sum insured; and 100% payout should your illness be at an advanced stage. This way, you don’t need to worry much about finances when you’re seeking treatment.
(Credit: Pixabay)
Finally, the eLife Protector+ plan in the eCombo protects you and your family in the event of any unfortunate incidents. This life insurance plan allows you to be insured up to RM250,000, covering both death and total permanent disability. Should this happen, it offers 100% payout of the insured amount; or in the case of an accidental death, 200% payout.
Signing up for the eCombo is easy and rewarding
To purchase the AXA eCombo, you just need to click on the “Let’s Get Started” button on the website, fill in the relevant health as well as personal details, and a personalised quotation will be generated for you instantly.
As the purchasing process is done completely online, you’ll be able to get insurance coverage as fast as 10 minutes.

Another great thing is that those who sign up for the eCombo by 31 December 2020 will receive up to RM50 in GrabFood vouchers as gifts from AXA. So don’t let this opportunity go to waste!
Note that the eCombo is only available for Malaysians who are at least 15 days old, to a maximum age of 49. Note that the life insurance plan is only eligible for those who are aged 16 and above.
Once purchased, the eCombo will cover you till you’re 80. The plans are auto-renewable, giving customers peace of mind and assurance that they are always protected. You can find out more about the AXA eCombo here.

This story is sponsored by AXA.
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The Rise Of Malaysia’s Boutique Agencies

Local brand agency Sambal Lab was just recognised as the Boutique Agency of the Year (Gold) at the recent advertising + marketing’s Agency of the Year (AOTY) Awards ceremony.
The boutique agency took home a total of 10 medals, including three MARKies Golds for Most Creative Consumer Event, Most Effective Use – Apps / Mobile, and Most Effective Use – Experiential.

Speaking on the night’s win, Founder and Chief of Sambal Lab Balreet Gill attributed the agency’s success to the fact that it’s motivated by growth and strategically driven.

What is a “boutique agency”?

(Credit: KOBU Agency/Unsplash)

Boutique agencies refer to small agencies, usually operated by highly-qualified specialists, which offer customised digital, media, and creative services.
Their size is their advantage, as it allows for more flexibility in the working and creative process. Most importantly, brands and companies will be able to have direct access to the people working on their projects.
This sentiment is echoed by Gill, who mentioned that their strong relationship with clients is developed through their fuss-free and zero redtapes work style.

Our resolute relationships cultivated with clients over the years stem from what we bring to the table – no fluff, no excuses and absolutely no bureaucracy.Founder & Chief of Sambal Lab Balreet Gill

More and more big brands are starting to engage boutique agencies

While boutique agencies are a norm overseas, they have just started to gain traction in Malaysia recently. This is observed as more big brands are opting to engage boutique agencies to manage their media campaigns as well as their digital communication channels.

Clients are waking up to the reality that big agencies don’t always guarantee big results; a cadre of tightly knit and capable individuals working together is all you need to deliver a lethal strike.Partner of Sambal Lab Jodh Dheensay

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean that multinational network agencies do not deliver effective campaigns and results. Quality work has been continuously churned out by agencies – big and small – and each has their own competitive edge. At the end of the day, it comes down to what the brand wants to achieve, and what resources it has to achieve it.
Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see small and medium-sized enterprises thrive in Malaysia! Congratulations to all the AOTY winners!

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Azmin Ali’s Sister Tests Positive For Covid-19

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The eldest sister of Senior Minister (International trade and Industry) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is revealed to have tested positive for Covid-19.
According to Malay Mail, his eldest sister, Norlia Ali is 62 years old.
Azmin Ali (in white) with his eldest sister Norlia (far right) in this 2017 picture.(Credit: @AzminAli/Twitter)
Their sibling, Umi Hafilda Ali, revealed the shocking news in a Facebook post today, stating that their older sibling is currently admitted at Sungai Buloh Hospital.

According to the latest figures by the Health Ministry (dated 21 May), Malaysia has  7,059 reported Covid-19 cases of which 1,149 are active. Deaths due to the virus currently stands at 114.

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Azmin Ali's eldest sister tested positive to Covid-19


Sabahan civil servants can now wear traditional ethnic outfits to the office!

Good news for our Bornean brothers!
Picture Credit: The Borneo Post
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau has announced that state civil servants can now wear the traditional ethnic outfits (busana) as formal office wear every Thursday.

Picture Credit: New Straits Times

According to The Borneo Post, Datuk Seri Wilfred stated this had been agreed by United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), who passed a resolution back in October 2018 to make Sabahâ€™s traditional ethnic costume as the official dress at any official government function.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau (left) and Upko honorary president Bernard Dompok (Picture Credit: Free Malaysia Today)
As the traditional outfit includes the sigar (menâ€™s headgear) and womenâ€™s head scarf and limpogot (waist band), these will also be allowed to be worn in the office.

 â€œBah, its busana, so it means a complete traditional outfit. We try to dress as such as much as possible.â€
Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister via The Borneo Post
Sabah is home to 32 officially recognised ethnic groups, who each possess distinctly unique traditional outfits. Amongst them include the Kadazan-Dusun, Bahau, Murut and Rungus ethicities.

Kadazan-Dusun traditional outfits(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)

Murut traditional outfits(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)

These outfits show off impressive needle-work as well as
intricate embroidery with beads and sequins. Theyâ€™re often paired with headgear,
belts and other ornaments.

Bajau traditional outfits(Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)

Rungus traditional outfit (Picture Credit: Sabah Tourist Association)

This is a welcome move that allows the Sabahans to proudly showcase their cultural heritage.
Currently, civil servants wear batik to the office every Thursday. Maybe one day, we can all wear traditional outfits everyday to the office?


10 Chinese New Year Movies To Enjoy With Your Family This Long Weekend

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In the blink of an eye, Chinese New Year is once again upon us! Here are some films you can watch together with your family and friends during the festive week.

1. Sakra
Release date: 16 January 2023

Based on a bestselling 1960s wuxia novel by Jin Yong, Sakra is set in the early days of the Song dynasty. Donnie Yen plays Qiao Feng, a skilled martial artist and leader of the Beggars’ Sect (a gang whose members are all alleged to be Song people).
He was suddenly accused of being a Khitan (enemies of the Song empire) and that made him a pariah to his friends and allies.
On his journey to find out about his origins, Qiao Feng meets new friends and eventually finds out he is a pawn of a mastermind’s deadly trap.
2. What! The Heist
Release date: 19 January 2023

A criminal named the Godfather broke out of jail in order to complete a mission given by his boss. His task is to swap lotto balls to win a prize worth $100 million. After recruiting an actor who’s in need of money to help his sick daughter, Godfather soon realizes there’s a bigger thing at play in his boss’s plans. This comedy stars Mark Lee, Jack Lim, and Patricia Mok.
3. Little Sunshine
Release date: 19 January 2023

Xiao Pang is a mischievous boy who is not interested in studying but loves to eat. At the end of their wits, his parents promised him a mobile phone if he does well in his exams. However, he soon develops a phone addiction. When his parents called in a renowned child psychologist, Dr Ke, to help, Xiao Pang went missing. The film stars Louis Lau, Tommy Kuan, Beauty Teoh, Danny One, and Eric Lin.
4. A Guilty Conscience
Release date: 21 January 2023

A scandal breaks out when it’s revealed that a famous supermodel might be abusing her daughter. This triggered the rich and famous to rush to take sides and the same happens in the legal field, resulting in an attempt of a cover-up.
5. The Wandering Earth 2
Release date: 22 January 2023

Based on a novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, the second instalment tells the story of life in space in the future. In the first film, humankind joined hands to form an ambitious global project to build powerful engines on Earth’s surface and propel the planet away from impending doom.
At the same time, protests have broken out to demand the restart of the controversial Digital Life Project, which digitises human beings after they have passed. The tensions soon escalate with the protestors planning to sabotage the Wandering Earth Project by attacking the Ark Space Station.
The film stars Andy Lau as Tu Yuheng, Wu Jing as Liu Peiqiang, Li Xuejian as Zhou Jiechi, Sha Yi as Zhang Peng, Ning Li as Ma Zhao, and Wang Zhi as Han Duoduo.
6. Ma, I Love You
Release date: 22 January 2023

When Mei Ling finds out that her daughter Kiki wants to further her studies in France, she takes it upon herself to learn French and earns more money so that she could follow her daughter.
7. The King of Musang King
Release date: 22 January 2023

Mei Lian’s husband left her for another woman, leaving her to tend to her late father’s durian plantation on her own while she raises her three children.  She wants to pass down the business to her children but not all of them share her passion and vision. She soon develops feelings for her childhood friend Mao Shan but her ex-husband Jin Shui returns to the picture after 20 years.
8. Someday Or One Day
Release date: 26 January 2023

In 2019, 28-year-old Li Zi Wei and 17-year-old Huang Yu Xuan felt like they have met each other before. After an accident kept them in a loop, they realized that they once shared a true, deep love for one another across countless timelines but it came with a deep price.
9. Returning Home: Kembalinya Wiraku
Release date: 2 February 2023

This local film that’s shot in Penang tells the story of our heroes from the Civil Defence Force (APM), St John Ambulance (SJAM), Lions Club, and the Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (PBS) who put their lives on the line. This time around, can they make it home safely for the Chinese New Year?
10. Everything Under Control
Release date: 2 February 2023

During a heist, a security escort steals the diamonds and flees. Two other security personnel Yau Shing and Jelly are forced to help the robber track the diamond. The group soon stumbles into a secluded village and clashed with the strange villagers while being haunted by a female ghost.
Bonus movie
Journey to the West: Sawah Padi Road
Journey to the West: Sawah Padi Road is a Malaysian parody of the popular tale of the Monkey King. The two-episode movie can be viewed on Youtube.

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MACC Investigating 5 Telco Companies For An SMS Syndicate Worth Millions

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Five telco companies are currently involved in a SMS scam investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), based on reports on Harian Metro.

It’s also revealed that 100 content provider companies have been identified to be involved in a scam which has conned people out of RM100 million over the past five years.
These content provider companies would actively steal money belonging to prepaid users via SMS and the victim will be charged between 50 sen to RM5 for each message.
Based on the reports, the user’s prepaid information is collected by bribing employees at local telecommunications companies with millions of ringgit.
Many technical experts and ‘important people’ of telco companies were identified to be involved in selling personal data belonging to prepaid registered customers.
It is understood that the money was not handed over in the country, but instead was transferred to banks in other countries, making it difficult for the authorities to sniff out the activity.
The bribe recipients (telco staff) were also found boarding flights abroad just to open a bank account to siphon the illegal money.
Among the positions identified as accepting this bribe are payment process managers, budget coordinators, exclusive content providers, governance providers, product managers, project leaders and various other important positions.
Further investigation also found that the personal data of prepaid online users sold was also misused by affiliate agencies or agencies advertising products on the Internet and cases involving syndicates using the application programming interface (API) system to suck user data through phone calls.
Based on reports by Harian Metro, MACC has detained 16 individuals to assist in the investigation, including three company directors, two of whom hold the title of ‘Datuk’ on suspicion of bribing millions of ringgit to telco company officials to obtain customer phone numbers for the purpose of fraud.

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Obey SOP To Stop Covid-19 From Spreading, Says Minister Who Didn’t

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Obey quarantine orders and other prevention methods to curb the spread of Covid-19, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.

In a Facebook post, Khairuddin said that the pandemic should not be politicised as the rakyat is being negatively affected by it.
Covid-19 is not a cheap political item. It’s a disaster that needs to be addressed by all. Congratulations to the frontliners who’ve worked hard to deal with the situation. Comply with social distancing SOPs and wear a face mask. Quarantine orders either at home or at the center as directed by the MOH must be complied by all. Pray that this pandemic will end soon. Pray that those who are positive will be healed immediately. Help friends and neighbors affected economically by covid-19.Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin bin Aman Razali via Facebook

Khairuddin made headlines recently for allegedly violating his own quarantine order after visiting Turkey in July.
He was fined RM1,000 for the offense and investigations are still on-going.
It’s reported that according to the National Security Council’s SOP, returnees are required to be tested on arrival.
Those with negative results must then serve out their 14-day quarantine while those testing positive are sent to a hospital for further treatment.
Breaching this order is punishable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 which means jail time of two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.

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Toll free journey for 4 Klang Valley Highways coming soon!

The Penang Customs Department Raya Open house over the weekend was truly a festive one, as Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng officially announced that 4 major highways in the Klang Valley will be taken over by the government.
The 4 highways that have been approached are the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), Sistem Penyuraian Trafik KL Barat (Sprint), Shah Alam Expressway (Kesas) and the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) – all of which have Gamuda Bhd as their significant shareholder.

via GIPHY
It is estimated that Malaysians would save up to RM180 million per annum with the Governmentâ€™s move.

via GIPHY
Toll rates are expected to reduce between 5 and 30 percent respectively during non-peak hours.
Whereas at off-peak periods, road users will enjoy FREE travel.
In the proposal, off-peak period is suggested to be between 11pm and 5am.

via GIPHY
However, the current toll amount will be maintained during peak hours as part of the congestion charge that the government will start implementing on January 1, 2020.
Lim says that he has given his word to guarantee to not increase toll rates anymore. Clearly this move is an improvement from the past.

via GIPHY
About RM6.2billion will be spent by the government to acquire the highway concessionaires by the end of this year on December 31, 2019.
Other highways are still being discussed, as these 4 highways will act as a pilot project that will benchmark for the future.


GE15: Khairy Jamaluddin Intends To Rest And Reflect On Sungai Buloh Loss

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Khairy Jamaluddin lost in the seven-cornered fight for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) yesterday.

He expressed his disappointment on his Instagram account, mentioning that he tried his best but he wasn’t good enough at the end of the day.
Despite losing, he believes it’s not the end of the road for him.
Moving forward, he intends to reflect on what happened and plan what he wants to do next.
Khairy said he never really had time for a good rest ever since he was tasked to handle the Covid-19 situation in the nation, citing that it was a great privilege to serve the nation in critical times.
He added that he hoped the people who are elected to lead Malaysia will do so with wisdom and compassion.
For now, he will be unwinding and pondering while watching the upcoming World Cup on television.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Khairy Jamaluddin (@khairykj)
Last night, PH’s Ramanan Ramakrishnan won the Sungai Buloh seat with 50,943 votes, beating Khairy who received 48,250.
Also contesting were Mohd Ghazali (PN) who received 29,060 votes, Akmal Yusoff (Pejuang) who received 829, and Ahmad Jufliz (PRM) who received 279.
Independents Syed Razak Alsagoff and Sifu Linda received 165 and 113 respectively.

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Codename “Merpati”: Authorities Urged To Refute Allegations Of Preferential Treatment For Malaysian No. 1 Inmate

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Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang today questions the continuous silence from the Home Ministry and the Prison Department over the allegation that incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been accorded “preferential treatment” in jail.

The DAP supremo said that it has been two days since an anonymous Twitter user made the claim that the nation’s most popular inmate at the moment is being accorded privileges while serving his 12-year jail sentence.
These include a renovation for his cell in the Kajang Prison complex as well as plans to allow him to receive treatment at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) to allow more access to visitors as well as enjoy VVIP facilities at the hospital.
“The “Merpati” social media post had been in circulation for the last two days and it is most unlikely that the authorities are unaware of it.
“The authorities in the Home Ministry and the Prison Department should realise that 24 hours is a very long time in the era of social media, let alone 48 hours.
“In the circumstances, the question becomes even more pertinent as to why the Home Ministry and the Prisons Department are keeping a “thunderous silence”,” Lim said in a statement today.
Lim also pointed out that PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli as well as “Najib’s senior” and ex-Kajang Prison inmate Datuk Mahfuz Omar of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) had also sought clarification over the alleged preferential treatment afforded to Najib.
“Where is the Home Ministry’s quick response team to the “Merpati” post or are the allegations in the “Merpati” post true?”

Lim’s son, the chairman of DAP Lim Guan Eng had also voiced out that the government should firmly answer the allegation that is going about on social media with regard to the special treatment afforded to Najib.
“We don’t know whether the allegation is true or not but the authorities must answer it. There have always been new postings on his Facebook and we know that the account’s admin must have crafted it,” Utusan Malaysia quoted the junior Lim.
Agreeing with the Bagan MP, Pejuang deputy president Datuk Marzuki Yahya said that Najib should receive the same treatment as other prisoners in the country while adding that he believed that Najib’s Facebook is being run by his social media team.
The allegation that Najib had been receiving special treatment in prison was made on social media on Monday. The long Twitter thread had been retweeted over 11,000 times at the time of writing.
Najib tipu sakit!From an undisclosed source on DS Najib. Merpati is a codename for Najib:23.8.2022 Merpati masuk penjara kajang 6.00 petang Dalam keadaan tenang, masih berpakaian seperti di mahkamah , kemeja putih dan seluar hitam , berkasut.— Condor Hero (@CondorHero6) September 19, 2022
Najib, who retains his Pekan MP status after applying for a royal pardon and a judicial review of the Federal Court decision to reaffirm his prison sentence, is currently serving his 12-year jail time at Kajang Prison beginning on 23 August.
However, despite his incarceration, his Facebook remains active until today.
In a related matter, it was confirmed that the former UMNO president is currently being treated at CRH after being referred to by Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) last Monday.
READ MORE: Najib Warded At Cheras Rehab Hospital, To Return To Kajang Prison After Getting Clearance From Specialist

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What NOT to ask potential employers at the interview

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“Do you have any questions for me?” asks the your potential employer at the job interview.
If you’re among the 3.3% of Malaysians, or 10% of youth, who are unemployed, this is a question you might be dreading.
Recruiters say you should have a few questions ready to ask because it shows that you are interested, engaged and were prepared for this interview.
But here are some questions NOT to ask any stage of a job interview:
If you can do this job from home
If the job allowed you to do that, it would have specified you could do that in the Job Description.
Recruiters over at Balanced Careers make it plain that asking to work from home has a lot of negative connotations attached. These include that you don’t work well under direct supervision, have a difficult schedule or you dislike working with others.
(Update: With the pandemic, this has changed and many companies have shifted to working from home. However, if a company still insists on being present physically, it may not be wise to push further.)
That’s the impression. Whether it’s true does not matter.
Although, of course you can ask after their flexibility policies.(Credit: Freepik)
Anything related to salary or benefits
Company benefits, salaries, holidays, sick leave.
All of these don’t come into play until an offer has been extended, says recruiter Abby Kohut. When you know they are considering you, then it’s time to negotiate to the terms and benefits that you feel you should get.
Just remember not to overplay your hand and negotiate yourself out of a job.
Generic questions about the company
According to Forbes, a generic question will generally start with the word “Why” “What” or “Who”.
If you could find the answer to that question with a Google Search, that is also a question that will be considered generic and should not be asked either.
Some examples include “What will I be doing?” (Read the job description) and “Who are the competitors?”(Google the answer, please!)
Be prepared to stand out.(Credit: Freepik)
And if you want some suggestions of questions you SHOULD ask, we have that here.

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Three more containers of unrecyclable plastics arrived in Mâ€™sia from the UK

Early this year, Malaysia made international headlines for sending back plastic waste sent to our shores illegally back to the first world countries they came from.
We thought that taught these countries a lesson about using Malaysia as their landfill. But it turns out, THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED.
Three NEW containers filled with non-recyclable waste from THE UNITED KINGDOM found itâ€™s way to the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) in Penang on Sept 20.
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State Environment Committee chairman, Phee Boon Poh said that the 40-foot containers carried between 10 and 15 tonnes of plastic and municipal waste.
You might ask, why is the plastic contained in these containers non-recyclable? Itâ€™s plastic right?
For most of us (and those in the UK who keep sending us trash too), we think weâ€™ve done our part by simply throwing our trash into a large box marked with a recycling sign.
The truth is, ensuring plastic is successfully recycled is contingent upon everyone. And we, the consumers play possibly the most critical role in the whole process.
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The value and quality of our used recyclable products depend a lot on how we use them, and in what shape we throw them away.
You need to just look at the containers of useless plastic waste arriving on our shores to know how true this is.
Remember: Recycling is a business. If recycling factories canâ€™t make money out of your trash, your recyclables are useless and you might as well just throw them out your window (kidding, DONâ€™T LITTER!)
Here are 3 simple things you can do to increase the value of your trash so that it gets recycled.

Picture credit: Reddit

1. Know what plastic types can or cannot be recycled.
Weâ€™re sure youâ€™ve heard of the seven types of plastics.
In Malaysia, you REALLY need to know just three types, because only these three are 99% recyclable in our country. We donâ€™t have the equipment needed to recycle the other four types.
They are:
– Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
Picture credit: Star2
This type of plastic is used to make many common household items like beverage bottles (mineral water bottles), food trays and medicine jars.
– High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
 Picture credit: Star2
Items made from HDPE plastic include containers for milk and non-carbonated drinks, toys, buckets, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap bottles, detergents, and bleaches.
– Polypropylene (PP)
 Picture credit: Star2
PP is commonly used to make lunch boxes, margarine containers, yoghurt pots, syrup bottles, medicine bottles and plastic bottle caps.
2. Wash first, then recycle.
Workers in recycling factories sort through trash to find the usable goods and wash them multiple times (in a large washing machine) before they are cut, reheated and transformed.
A â€œdirtyâ€ recyclable is considered useless by the workers because it is too difficult to clean and can potentially contaminate their clean recycled plastic with dirt and lower its quality.
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3. Donate your old plastic toys instead of throwing them in the recycling bin
If you’re a parent, then you’ll know how tricky it can be to avoid buying toys, especially plastic ones. Theyâ€™re cheaper, more colourful and attractive to your child.
But let’s be real, your kid will play with that toy for at most a year before it ends up forgotten and left under their bed (Toy Story vibes right here).
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Unfortunately, plastic toys are so difficult to recycle that they end up being sent to the landfills.
So if you MUST buy plastic, do yourself a favour and save yourself some money by buying pre-loved plastic toys and consider donating your kid’s old plastic toys they no longer play with.
Curious about whether or not your trash is recyclable? Here are seven other things you didnâ€™t know canâ€™t be recycled.
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