‘Don’t speak in Chinese when other Msians are around’

A young lawyer, Lim Wei Jiet, caught the attention of Twitterjaya over the weekend.
This after he tweeted that he personally hated it when people speak in their mother tongue while in the presence of other people who may not understand.

One thing I detest: when Chinese Msians speak to each other in Mandarin/Cantonese in d presence of other races who don't ustand d language.
I've seen it in professional settings, team lunches, etc.
It's just cringy, unbelievably rude & makes others feel vry excluded. Stop it!
— Lim Wei Jiet (@limweijiet) May 10, 2019

Lim is the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) Secretary-General.
However, he stressed to us that the tweets are made in his personal capacity and unrelated to his post in HAKAM.
Pic Credit Facebook
It’s pretty clear that almost everyone in Malaysia has been on multiple sides of this situation at some point.

Netizens also replied his tweet with their own experiences.

Happens all the time! Worse is those speaking in Malay, Mandarin or other languages in front of foreigners. It’s remarkably bad mannered. It’s even more deplorable when you do this to say things about the person who’s excluded!
â€” View from the top floor (@zazulazman) May 10, 2019

Yes felt awkward but will ask them like “sembang apa ni” and make everyone awkward
â€” Ahmad Firdaus (@AmadRocky) May 11, 2019

Always an alien during team lunches 😔😔 or even work discussions. So most of the time i just put on my earphones so i’ll be less lonely 😳😳
â€” okay (@strgglingfish) May 10, 2019

After seeing his tweet garnering a crowd of replies, Lim then added a thread to his tweet.
In his following tweet he asks those who face such situations to stand up and not tolerate such disrespect.

Ok so dis went a lil viral – cuz it reflects d bitter realities many go through everyday.
To Chinese Msians, let us pledge: if such scenario arises, speak up. Insist d group to speak BM/Eng.
Stand up up for yur non-Chinese friends/colleagues. Don’t tolerate such disrespect.
â€” Lim Wei Jiet (@limweijiet) May 12, 2019

Netizens are again agreeing with Lim.

Yes i thought the same too. And when my Chinese friends converse in Mandarin when my Malay/Indian friends are around, i wont participate in their conversation. Very rude and can further widen the gap between us.
â€” YIN YI (@_YinYi_) May 10, 2019

Not only chinese, other races too. Even in my workplace during meetings we have to remind them to speak in a language that everyone understands. One day i got annoyed and started speaking punjabi, and i had their attention. LOL
â€” Ravin Singh (@ravinsingh74) May 10, 2019

Our Prophet Muhammad ï·º taught us not to do this, he said â€If there is a group of three, then let not two of them be in conversation to the exclusion of the third.â€… and also language that everyone can understand is included
â€” 🕊 (@MhmdAmirKhalil) May 10, 2019

Some are even thanking him for bringing up this issue and raising awareness of this phenomena.

thats so kind and thoughtful of you. thank u so much bro 🙂
â€” OtakBasi (@TooEdgy4U09) May 10, 2019

Thx bro for raising up this point..we r all Malaysian anyway..
â€” AzmIsm (@selftots) May 10, 2019

Whilst some guilty ones tweeted their apologies.

Guilty as charged. I’m sorry I will change
â€” Dua Lipas (@SidneySheldon28) May 10, 2019

Regardless, Lim feels that no one should feel excluded in 2019 over such a gaff, and hopes for a change.

Tbf, there r many stories of how Chinese friends have spoken up or, at least, helped to translate. Many realise dis is wrong.
But dis can’t go on. We need a big shift in our education system & work culture. Any Msian shouldn’t feel excluded when talking 2 each other in 2019.
â€” Lim Wei Jiet (@limweijiet) May 12, 2019


‘Anwar Ibrahim’ In India’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Thrills Malaysians

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For those doubting Anwar Ibrahim’s international popularity, well, you’ll be surprised to know that he is quite well-known too in other countries.

Not only did he receive a ton of congratulatory wishes for being the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia from leaders all over the world, but his name made it into general knowledge trivia in India!
READ MORE: Anwar Ibrahim Terima Ucapan Tahniah Dari Pemimpin Seluruh Dunia
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? game show in India
In the Who Wants To Be A Billionare? (Kaun Banega Crorepati/KBC) game show aired on 23 December in India, a contestant named Nipun Ranjan was asked a general knowledge question by the host, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
The question posed was worth RM34,000 (640,000 rupees) and was the 11th question out of a total of 17 questions for the game. The question was as follows:
Which country elected Anwar Ibrahim as its Prime Minister in 2022? A. Iraq B. MalaysiaC. Bahrain D. Indonesia

For us Malaysians, we might answer this in the blink of an eye, but for Nipun Rajan from Delhi, he had to think for a bit.
After being presented with the four options, Nipun said that based on the names of the countries, it could be any one of them.
“I may have read somewhere recently, so I am going with the option B – Malaysia,” Nipun told Amitabh.
He failed the 12th question
Unfortunately for Nipun, right after the Malaysian Prime Minister’s question, he failed to answer the 12th question correctly which was worth around RM67,000.
The question entailed which one of the four names was an executive producer for the Marathi film ‘The Disciple’. He had to use two lifelines – Phone a Friend and 50:50 – to answer the question but still got the wrong answer.
Nevertheless, he still walked away with 640,000 Indian Rupees (RM34,300) in his hand.
Netizens were impressed
  @kingmshahrul1 Punyalah Famous PM kita Anwar Ibrahim dekat india..sambil senyum je dia jawab soalan dalam rancangan TV Who Want to be a milionaire India@anwaribrahimofficial ♬ original sound – Kingmshahrul – Ramosha
The video clip of the question on the show was shared on TikTok by @kingmshahrul1 a day ago and has since gone viral with 289.7 K views and 10.8 K likes at the time of writing.
Netizens there were quite impressed with Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s popularity internationally. They’re proud that DSAI is known all over the world as a Malaysian leader.
“Wow, his name made it into an Indian quiz, man.”

“Eh, he is even famous in Bollywood”

“The question for our Malaysian Prime Minister is worth RM34.2 K. Wow”

“He’s in general knowledge. That means the whole world read the news of our Prime Minister”

Besides that, some people even joked about how this question made it into their trivia game show.
“He answered correctly, he must be a Pakatan Harapan guy. Perikatan Nasional guys are going to hate him”

“This must be the works of DAP contacting Amitabh Bachan”

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Swatch CEO Says No LGBT Reference On Pride Watches

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Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the recent confiscation of Swatch’s watches from the Pride Collection is due to the inclusion of elements related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement on the products.

Anwar emphasized that the issue wasn’t solely about the colours of the watches but the inclusion of LGBT elements on them.
While he wasn’t given the details of the raid, he leaves the Home Ministry to provide an explanation.
READ MORE: Apple Launches Pride Watch Bands, Some Wonder If Raids Are Coming
Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek refuted Anwar’s claims and claimed the watches did not contain any reference to the LGBT community, New Straits Times reported.
Image: Swatch

The Malaysian prime minister Mr Anwar Ibrahim stated in a recent interview that Swatch’s latest collection of colourful watches includes the letters LGBT on their dials. Apparently, he was misinformed. Swatch has not included any reference to the LGBT community on the dials of this year’s Pride Collection.
Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek
Hayek said the colourful watches include the meaning of each pride colour (life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, spirit) on the minute hands and two loops that form a rainbow.
On 13 and 14 May, the Home Ministry raided several Swatch stores and confiscated the products from the Pride Collection.
Swatch also said it would take legal action to seek the return of the watches, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Swatch Malaysia marketing manager Sarah Kok said that Swatch will replenish the stock and display them on shelves based on instructions from Switzerland HQ.
READ MORE: Swatch’s “Pride Collection” Watches Confiscated By Home Ministry

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PENJANA: Govt Allocates RM9 Billion For Workers

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The government introduces the National Economic Rebuilding Plan (PENJANA) with 40 initiatives worth RM35 billion with RM10 billion being a direct fiscal injection from the Government.
One of the key areas addressed in the announcement is regarding the welfare of employees, the self-employed and the unemployed.
RM9 billion will benefit 3 million people through several initiatives.
1. RM5 billion Wage Subsidy Program Expansion
Since its introduction, Prihatin and Prihatin for PKS packages, the wage subsidy program has been welcomed by both employees and employers. This 3-month program has saved over 2.2 million jobs.
To assist the company in the transition period of economic reopening, the government will extend this wage subsidy for another 3 months.
As the economy is gradually opening up, the wage subsidy is set at RM600 per month for up to 200 workers per company.
For tourism sector workers and those who are involved in economic activities prohibited during the MCO period, and who have been required to take unpaid leave, employers may apply for a wage subsidy provided that the worker receives direct subsidy payments.
2. RM1.5 billion for Employee Incentive Program
To encourage employer recruitment, the Government will introduce the Employment Incentive Program where companies will be given financial incentives to provide employment to the unemployed and youth.
It is estimated that 300,000 job seekers will benefit from two incentives:
First: Incentives for hiring under 40 year olds at RM800 per employee; and
Second: Incentives for employing unemployed people 40 years and over and the disabled for RM1,000 a month.
These incentives will be given for 6 months.
3. Allowances for upskilling and to tackle youth unemployment
To help and encourage the unemployed to improve their skills, training allowances of up to RM4,000 can be claimed from SOCSO by those who are unemployed, even though they are not contributors under the Employment Insurance Scheme.
In addressing the issue of youth unemployment and increase the employability of graduates, the government will also provide incentives to employers who provide apprenticeships to school leavers and graduates at a rate of RM600 per month.
The government will also allocate RM2 billion for skills development programs for the unemployed and the youth. This is expected to benefit more than 200,000.
This includes training and placement programs, implementation of short courses at selected institutions and training subsidies.
The government also plans to implement skills upgrading programs in key industries such as electrical and electronics as well as information and communication technologies and encourage the extension of learning through short-term courses and training subsidies.
4. Initiatives for the gig economy
For gig economies the government will also formulate policies to support this sector and RM75 million will be allocated for the following measures:
First: A grant of RM50 million in match funding will be provided for the gig economy platform to contribute to its employees under the SOCSO Occupational Disaster Scheme and the EPF i-Remuneration Scheme.
Second: A RM25 million allocation to MDEC for the Global Online Workforce (GLOW) program aimed at guiding Malaysians to generate income online through international customers.
To coordinate and monitor the implementation of all of the above initiatives, the government will set up a National Working Committee. The Committee will be chaired by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources with representatives from the private and public sectors.

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Johor Childcare Centre Involved In Abuse Claims Ordered To Close

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A childcare centre in Taman Mutiara Rini, Skudai which was linked to the viral case of a babysitter allegedly abusing two infants has been ordered to close immediately by the Johor Social Welfare Department (JKM).

The closure order was issued after it was found that the daycare centre was operating without a valid licence.
As reported by the New Straits Times, two more of the childcare centres outlets in Jalan Abd Samad and Gelang Patah were also told to close, according to Khairin-Nisa Ismail @ Md On, the chairman of the State Women, Family, and Community Development Committee.
“The childcare centre in question has not obtained a licence from JKM yet due to their failure to secure approvals from the local councils, the State Health Department as well as the Fire and Rescue Department,” stated Khairin-Nisa as reported by the Malay Mail.
She also added that to obtain the licence form JKM, childcare centres need to get approval from the authorities mentioned above.
Khairin-Nisa visited the daycare centre and met with the manager to discuss the matter.
The closure order was issued under Section 20a of the Child Care Centre Act 1984.
According to the Act, offenders are subject to a RM10,000 fine, a maximum two-year jail sentence, or both.
Khairin-Nisa said that although the proprietor of the childcare facility had applied for a licence earlier this year, it had been operating unlawfully for the previous three to four months.
She recommended that parents of infants and small children refer any childcare centres or child nurseries with JKM so that their legitimacy may be verified.
Yesterday, the Johor Police had already sought a four-day remand for the suspect who was arrested in order to expedite their investigations into the alleged mistreatment of two infants under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act of 2001.
READ MORE: Viral Johor Babysitter Now In Police Custody

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Just How Regulated Is Malaysia’s Vape Industry? Let’s Look Past The Smoke Screen

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There have been vigorous discussions among industry players, consumers and the public health community as of late over the need to regulate vape products in Malaysia.

In an interview with TRP, Rizani Zakaria – President of the Malaysian Vape Industry Association (MVIA), told us that vaping has a role to play as a ‘tobacco harm reduction tool’ in offering an alternative way to consume nicotine without the smoke produced through the burning of tobacco.
The majority of Malaysian vapers have successfully quit smoking
(Credit: Toan Nguyen / Unsplash)
The Public Health of England (PHE) maintains vaping is 95% less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
A survey commissioned by MVIA revealed 88% of Malaysian vapers who used to smoke cigarettes have successfully quit smoking with the aid of a vape.
And the number of vapers in Malaysia is significant with the Ministry of Health reporting there are more than 1 million vapers in the country.
Based on the astoundingly high number of vapers, Rizani believes vaping needs regulations to ensure vapers have access to products that are regulated and meet safety and product standards.
This is important because it protects consumers from using unregulated products.Rizani Zakaria – President of the Malaysian Vape Industry Association (MVIA), to TRP
Regulation on vape products should be different from traditional cigarettes
Rizani Zakaria, President of the Malaysian Vape Industry Association (MVIA)
Considering the risks involved, Rizani tells TRP:
The first step in regulations entail differentiating traditional cigarettes and vape products given that they are not the same and this level of understanding among policymakers are crucial. These two different products, one is less harmful and one is known to be dangerous to health, should not share the same regulatory treatment. To insist that, will remove an option from millions of Malaysian smokers who are seeking harm-reduced alternatives to cigarettes.
In addition, he says any regulatory framework must be supported by credible and impartial evidence that shows the proposed measure will be effective in achieving a legitimate, stated goal.
A taxing issue
Malaysia’s Budget 2021 revealed an excise duty on electronic, non-electronic cigarette devices and vape liquids.
Rizani feels the tax should be expanded to include vape e-liquids with nicotine. In addition, he hopes the tax rate imposed on vape products is sensible and not too high as it will deter the efforts by smokers to switch to a less harmful alternative.
Malaysia’s vape industry and the economy

In addition to meeting national health targets, Rizani says the vape industry can also contribute to the country’s economy if regulated sensibly.
Read More: Taking On The Habit: How Regulating The Vape Industry Can Breath Fresh Air Into Malaysia’s Economy
From an economic perspective, there is strong potential for the industry to grow rapidly as there is interest in our products from multiple countries including the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.Rizani Zakaria – President of the Malaysian Vape Industry Association (MVIA), to TRP
International interest shows the Malaysian vape industry is on the right track to potentially attract large investments into the country.
This will not only contribute to the country’s revenue but also create employment opportunities and develop small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).Rizani Zakaria – President of the Malaysian Vape Industry Association (MVIA), to TRP
The vape industry is currently valued at some RM2.27 billion and commands more than 3,000 businesses and a workforce of more than 15,000.
Read More: Revenue From Vape Industry Can Help Finance Covid-19 Economic Stimulus Packages

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Divers Missing Off Johor Coast, 1 Found 20 Hours Later, 3 Still Missing

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A 35-year-old Norwegian woman, Kristine Grodem, has been found safe yesterday (7 April) 20 hours after she and three other European tourists went missing off the coast of Mersing, Johor, during a diving trip.

The incident took place off Pulau Tokong Sanggul, near Pulau Sibu on Wednesday, 6 April.
A crew on a tugboat that was travelling from Indonesia to Thailand spotted her around 8.15am and pulled her on board.
She was then airlifted to Mersing Hospital. According to The Star, Grodem was in stable condition and did not suffer any serious injury.

The search and rescue operation (SAR) now continues for British man Adrian Peter, 46; his son Nathan Renze, 14, who’s a Dutch citizen; and French woman Alexia Alexandra, 18.
They were undergoing a diving course in advanced open waters with Grodem as their instructor.
What happened?
The group made the first dive for 45 minutes before emerging on the surface. On the second dive, they resurfaced after 20 minutes but were pulled away from each other by a strong current.
Grodem frantically called out to the boat skipper but she could not be heard because they had drifted about 500 metres away from the boat.
The Star reported that she tried to swim to Pulau Lima to get help but was unable to due to strong currents.
The missing divers. Image: Utusan Malaysia
She was later found drifting at Tanjung Sedili waters near Kota Tinggi by the crew on a tugboat with her diving equipment intact.
Mersing police district police chief Superintendent Cyril Edward Nuing said there’s a good chance to find the other divers safe because they’ve resurfaced and are experienced divers who have recorded over 50 dives.
Therefore, we believe the chance for us to find them alive (and well) is very good based on their experience and with diving equipment (fins, vest) and supplies on them.Mersing police district police chief Superintendent Cyril Edward Nuing
The SAR operation is still underway
According to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s Facebook post, 90 rescuers, 18 boats, and two helicopters were deployed for the SAR operation led by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
The operation also involves the fisheries department, the police, the fire department, the coastguard and the Mersing district office.
The Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also lent two diving boats to aid the search.

In the meantime, the sultan called for all diving activities off Mersing to be banned temporarily until it’s safe for diving.
I want all diving activities in the waters off Mersing to be temporarily halted until we know for sure what happened to the unfortunate divers. We cannot allow diving to continue if safety measures are compromised. Diving rules and regulations must also be reviewed in their entirety before these activities can be allowed to resume.Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, as quoted by The Star.
Sultan Ibrahim said reviews must be made public once they are completed to restore public and tourist confidence.

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Not all hope lost for Terengganu female gymnasts as Syed Saddiq intervenes

Back in September, the Terengganu state government, led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia(PAS), introduced a shariah-compliant code of conduct for sports. One of the most impacted sports is female gymnastics, said to involve â€œindecent sportswearâ€ and â€œarousing movementsâ€.
Farah Ann deja vu, anyone?
Flashback Timewarp GIF from Flashback GIFs

As soon as this was brought to light by the media, Syed Saddiq took to Twitter to speak out, saying that the government will take over the National Sports Council (NSC) of Terengganu, should the report be proven true.

I will never tolerate this.
If true, KBS will take over control of MSN Terengganu & absorb their young aspiring athletes who are discriminated.
I personally will meet up with the athletes affected to ensure that their future in Gymnastics will not be compromised. https://t.co/99c6HA9ofO
â€” Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) November 9, 2019

The Muar MP also mentioned via the ministry Whatsapp channel that he is still getting to the bottom of it due to the confusing stance of Terengganuâ€™s state government about the issue.

 “They told me that theyâ€™ll allow for the gymnasts to participate in Sukma. That they will be taken care.  But at the same time, insisting something else when asked by the media. Uncertainty kills talents.”
Syed Saddiq via ministry Whatsapp channel
Meanwhile, Channel News Asia reported that the Terengganu Gymnastics Association is cutting back on training potential female gymnasts in schools and shifting the focus to male gymnasts instead, as per the new guidelines.
Despite having sent the largest contingent of gymnasts in 2018, Terengganu will cease to send female gymnasts for SUKMA (Sukan Malaysia) in July 2020.
Farah Ann Abdul Hadi qualifies for Tokyo Olympics 2020. Photo credit: Malaymail
Terengganuâ€™s Youth, Sports and NGO Development executive councillor Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah, also highlighted that these guidelines have been implemented since August 2018 in stages, so as to prevent Terengganu from being seen as a â€œradical Islamic state like Talibanâ€.

 “There is no compromise for these sports (rhythmic gymnastics and womenâ€™s gymnastics) as they display indecent movements, and unless the audience comprise only women, then maybe we will allow them. Even then, it would still be against the respective sportsâ€™ governing body regulations.“
Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah via FMT News
 Tracie Ang, Tan Ing Yueh and Farah Ann Abdul Hadi celebrate after qualifying for the team event final at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta August 21, 2018. JAKARTA, 21 Ogos . Photo credit: Bernama via Malay Mail.
Even if this new guideline takes effect and the government does end up taking over the Terengganu NSC, it still means that Terengganu-based female gymnasts will struggle.
They might have to travel back and forth to train with the national team in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, or under more extreme circumstances, migrate and reside in a different state.

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What My Popo Told Me: Married Daughters Can’t Have Reunion Dinner With Their Families

A married daughter is like water that has flowed away.(嫁出去的女儿，泼出去的水)– Old Chinese saying
This is a saying that I grew up with. I can’t remember exactly when or where I first heard it, but it’s something that I hear my ah ma (what I call my maternal grandmother) and mum say very often – even till today.
There was, however, an occasion when I was really affected by it as a child.
Most of the reunion dinners of my childhood and teenage years were held in KL, as my dad’s family is based here, plus he was born and raised in the capital city. Unfortunately for me, the cousins who were my age and whom I was very close to back then were all from my mother’s side of the family in Johor.
(Credit: Lycheeart/Unsplash)
The FOMO was real – I sulked at the fact that I couldn’t have reunion dinner and perform shousui (practice of children keeping vigil on Chinese New Year eve) with my cousins. So, I asked my mum why couldn’t we spend Chinese New Year eve at ah ma’s place.
“Because you’re only related to her through me, and married daughters can’t have reunion dinners with their family,” mum said.
“But why?” I asked.
“A married daughter is like water that has flowed away. That’s just how it is.”

How a daughter becomes an outsider

Chinese society – that of Mainland China and overseas Chinese – is still very much influenced by Confucian values.
These values are based on the teachings by Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher who believed that a perfect society is created by harmonious families. To create harmonious families, people need to practise the virtue of filial piety and follow traditional family hierarchy.
A statue of Confucius in China.(Credit: Kai Wind)
Daughters, like sons, are expected to be filial to their parents. This is demonstrated through obedience and respect towards her ancestors, parents, as well as elders (including older siblings).
However, the situation changes when the daughter gets married. She assumes the position of a wife after marriage and is expected to support her husband, as dictated by traditional family hierarchy. Part and parcel of that support includes assisting him in being filial towards his ancestors and parents, which are her in-laws.
A bride bidding her mother farewell on her wedding day.(Credit: Hun Li Ji)
With that, a daughter becomes an outsider to her biological family as she has “married into” her husband’s one.

Reunion dinner – a dinner for family members only

The dinner on Chinese New Year eve is arguably the most important aspect of the festival. Family members are expected to attend this dinner and usher in the new year together. This is why it’s called a “reunion dinner”, as it requires a reunion of family members.
(Credit: Malay Mail)
As such, a married daughter is required to attend the reunion dinner hosted by her husband’s family and not her own.
In fact, she might not even be welcomed to attend the dinner hosted by her biological family. There are people who believe that a married woman will “steal” her biological family’s wealth just because she visited them for reunion dinner or on the first day of Chinese New Year.
This doesn’t mean that a married daughter is not allowed to visit her family at all. Traditionally, she will visit her family on the second or third day of Chinese New Year. A feast will also be prepared by her family to welcome her, her husband, and children.

Thankfully, the rules are more relaxed these days

(Credit: Catherine Lim)
As women started to gain more social and economic freedom over the years, traditions such as this are no longer strictly followed. My family started to have reunion dinners with my mum’s side more often a few years after the passing of my popo (what I call my paternal grandmother) – something that made my maternal grandparents really happy.
Some of my friends could even have two rounds of reunion dinner on the same day because both sides of their families live in the same city. They would usually spend the first half at the husband’s place, then head for second round with the wife’s family.
This is, unfortunately, a luxury that both my grandmothers never got to enjoy. Not only did they miss reunion dinners with their families, they also rarely got the chance to visit them. In my popo‘s case, she lost contact with all her siblings since the day her parents passed away and never saw them again.

Appreciating every reunion dinner you have with your family

(Credit: On Liao Lah)
Like what they say, we don’t appreciate the things we have until they’re gone. Or until you realise that they could, one day, be gone.
While most Chinese parents are happy to let their married daughters join their reunion dinner, not all parents-in-law would be happy to miss their sons at their own dinners. That’s why some people take turns – one year with the husband’s family; one year at the wife’s family.
I used to groan about reunion dinners as that would mean extra chores. These days, I’m quite happy to help out with all the preparations, knowing that I may not always have the chance to do so as often in the near future.

“Ma, if possible, I still want to come back for reunion dinner even after I’m married”

My mum was surprised when I told her that. But she happily replied that she’ll be more than happy to have me for reunion dinner.
“娘家始终还是最好的,” she said, which means “There’s no place better than your own home”.

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[Watch] Penang Woman Falls From Motorcycle After She Was Hit By A Stray Coconut

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A female pillion rider cheated death after she was hit by a coconut that fell from a tree alongside Jalan Teluk Kumbar, causing her to fall from the motorcycle she was riding with her daughter at about 3.30pm on Sunday.

The victim, only known as Anita, suffered from a broken right shoulder bone, a broken left arm as well as a rib injury due to the incident, which was also caught on video and had since gone viral.
In the 28-second video clip, the woman is seen being hit by a fallen coconut as the motorcycle was moving.
Video tular menunjukkan pembonceng motosikal dihempap buah kelapa sebelum terjatuh dan terbaring di atas jalan.Kejadian dilaporkan berlaku di Telok Kumbar, Pulau Pinang.Video : Orang awam pic.twitter.com/9OyseUf49N— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) June 26, 2022
The impact caused her to be thrown off the moving motorcycle, losing her helmet in the process before lying in the middle of the road.
According to Berita Harian, the woman is currently receiving treatment at the Penang Hospital (HPP), while her daughter was left traumatised by the incident.
Meanwhile, the Malay daily reports also stated that Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz said that the Penang City Council (MBPP) will cut down 11 coconut trees as well as examine other risky trees alongside the road to prevent the same incident from recurring in the future.
A witness of the incident, Md Ghazali Shahari, 62, said that he heard a loud scream from the victim while he was tending to his customers at his durian stall when the incident occurred.
“The road was quite busy at that time and together with several other people we immediately halt the traffic,” he said.
Md Ghazali added that while it was not unusual for coconut to fall on the roadside at the accident’s spot, he said that the coconut never hit moving vehicles before.

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Telekom, Celcom and Maxis to supply internet to schools nationwide

For the past seven years, the Ministry of Education (MoE) have contracted YTL Communicationsâ€™ 1BestariNet to provide Internet connection to more than 10,000 schools nationwide.

via GIPHY
MoE announced today that the government will not be renewing itâ€™s 7-year contract with YTL Communicationsâ€™ 1BestariNet after it ends on June 30, 2019.
Instead, the ministry has decided to choose Celcom, Maxis and Telekom Malaysia to take over from YTL and become the new Internet service provider (ISP) for the schools.

via GIPHY
At the same time, the three telco companies will also be responsible for Internet connection at selected departments within the ministry as well as at 366 Pusat Kegiatan Guru nationwide.

Bermula 1/7/19, sekolah & PKG seluruh negara akan menerima perkhidmatan internet drpd Telekom Malaysia, Celcom dan Maxis. Manakala platform Frog VLE akan digantikan dgn Google Classroom.
Semoga adik-adik, guru-guru & seluruh warga pendidik akan menikmati perkhidmatan baru ini. pic.twitter.com/dlkgYNpSoA
â€” Maszlee Malik (@maszlee) June 27, 2019

However, the deal will only last for six months starting from July 1, 2019. During this period, the ministry will be looking for their next long-term ISP which they expect to begin its tenure from January 1, 2020.
MoEâ€™s statement didnâ€™t say if the three companies are being considered for that role or not.

via GIPHY
Most of the 10,211 schools nationwide will begin to receive an interim internet service as soon as July 1, 2019.
Meanwhile, a small number of schools, especially those in the rural areas, specifically in Sabah and Sarawak, will face slight disruptions to their Internet service. Though the ministry expects the disruptions to be ironed out before the end of July.

via GIPHY
At the same time, following the end of 1BestariNet Phase 2, the ministry has decided to replace the currently used Frog Virtual Learning Environment with Google Classroom.
For any enquiries regarding the internet service, you can contact the Ministryâ€™s Help Desk through MyGCC at 03-8000 8000 or via email to ihd@moe.gov.my or intern@moe.gov.my.


Annuar Musa Ordered To Undergo Covid-19 Quarantine In Sabah

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Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has been placed under Covid-19 quarantine in Sabah.

According to a statement released on Facebook, the Barisan Nasional (BN) Secretary-General was ordered to be put under observation by the Kota Kinabalu Health Department following his contact with Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Mohd Razlan Rafii, who was confirmed positive for the coronavirus.
Annuar will be under watch for an unspecified amount of time at a residence in Kota Kinabalu as he awaits the results of his Covid-19 tests, which will be out in a couple of days.
Earlier, Annuar had tested negative of Covid-19 in Kuala Lumpur, prior to his trip to Borneo.
The Ketereh Member of Parliament (MP) will also be canceling his plans to campaign for the Sabah state elections which are set to take place on September 26.

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Source:
Umno Supreme Council Member Tests Positive For Covid-19 While Campaigning In Sabah


Google Doodle Celebrates Life Of Keluang Man Animator Kamn Ismail

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While the name Kamn Ismail may not ring a bell to younger Malaysians, many should be familiar with his work in the local animation scene with characters like Usop Sontorian and Keluang Man.

To celebrate the 67th birthday of this leading figure in the Malaysian animation industry, Google Malaysia has dedicated a special doodle in memory of him.
Kamn passed away on 8 December 2019 at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre from a heart attack after two months of undergoing treatment.
“From having no experience to studying and experimenting with computer software to creating his animation and the successful outcome that we all saw on our TV screen.” Judy Wong, Product Marketing Manager of Google Malaysia
“Kamn’s efforts of building a community to uphold local content and giving back to the new generation is a testament to his legacy.
“On what would be his 67th birthday, we celebrate Kamn Ismail and his significant contribution to Malaysia’s animation.”
Clay models of the characters from Kamn Ismail’s first ever animation production Usop Sontorian. – TRP photo by Shivani Supramani
Local cartoonist Ibrahim Anon, more commonly known as Ujang, said he was elated that Google Malaysia chose to commemorate his late friend’s fruitful career.
I’m very happy because nobody believed in us when we started out. People said our project would fail. And we felt proud when it (Usop Sontorian) came out as Malaysia’s first animated seriesIbrahim Anon @ Ujang
Ujang, who had worked as a writer for Usop Sontorian noted that their success was achieved at a time when the local animation industry was still in its infancy, and had still been struggling with hurdles such as a lack of animators, equipment, funding and access to knowledge.
Kamn and I toured the country to look for animators, we ended up gathering 90 over artists at the end after we travelled the whole of Malaysia. And we also have problems with the artists’ parents as they asked us what is an animator. They call animation ‘aminasi’ because they haven’t seen a cartoon.Ibrahim Anon @ Ujang
(From the left) Muhd Firdaus Omar, Ujang and Ts. Marzuki Abdullah on their experience working with the late Kamn Ismail. – TRP photo by Shivani Supramani
In a short video that was played at the Google headquarters yesterday, Kamn’s daughter, Dalila Kamaruddin also shed some light on her father’s journey and passion in the animation world.
“Abah had always been interested in animation. And because of his passion, he made lots of references to Disney’s animations,” she shared.
Dalila also added that her father had always been a movie buff and that most of his personal movie collections were all animations.
My family grew up with animations from our childhood right up to our adulthood. We all watched animated movies and shows together. Abah used to join us kids whenever we watched cartoons and there was no such thing as ‘too many cartoons’ in our household.Dalila Kamaruddin
Also sharing fond memories of Kamn was Amir Hamzah Hashim, who is the president of the Malaysians Animation Association (Animas).
Kamn had produced many animations in the past but his most well known principle was that of nation building. He always expressed this word to produce a form of unity, harmony and national identity in his animation. That was his point of view when it came to producing local animationsAmir Hamzah Hashim, Animas president
Amir added that Kamn used to hold on to the belief that when making local animations, we need not copy foreign animations, instead we should create our own content and promote it in our own ways for our people.
“Kamn never steered away from his principles even from the very beginning during the productions of Usop Sontorian until the end of his life,” he said.
Following his first success with Malaysia’s first animated series — Usop Sontorian — that aired on TV1 from 1991 to 1997, he went on to produce and direct a number of popular animation series including Keluang Man, Che Nat, Legenda Kinabalu and Mat Kilau.
Kamn also co-founded Animas in 2001 and served as its first president.
He also won the Best Animation award for the telemovie Kumang at the 16th Malaysian Film Festival.

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World’s Best Lion Dance, Made In Malaysia

Every Chinese New Year, there will be lion dances everywhere. These stunning performers dance and jump around to the beat of clashing drums and cymbals, carrying a large and heavy “lion” head.
Sin Chee Tack, manager of Yuen Wei Dragon and Lion Dance Group, says that the lion dance is unique welcomed by all Malaysians regardless of race.
Lion dances in Malaysia are widely accepted and recognized within all the ethnic groups because they represent the “bringing of fortune”.Sin Chee Tack to TRP
He says that many events hire lion dance troupes to create a bustling, excited atmosphere.
They perform at weddings, grand openings, office parties, birthdays, and even once during the arrival of a VIP for a corporate event.
EVERYONE gets excited by lion dance performances, regardless of race.(Credit: Yuen Wei)
But did you know that the breathtaking high pole lion dance is a uniquely Malaysian invention?
A man called Master Siow Ho Phiew is hailed as the inventor of the high pole performance, which was praised for adding a vertical dimension to showcase the fluidity and agility of the lion dance.
The practice first started with large upturned flower pots and short wooden poles.
A lion dance performer practicing in this photo from 1993.(Credit: Albert Fong)
Eventually, as the performers got more skilled, the height of the poles were raised and more complex moves were added.
In 1992, together with the Muar Kunsengkeng, Master Siow Ho Phiew brought the high pole lion dance to the international stage.
Since then, the high pole lion dance is internationally known to be part of Malaysia’s unique charm and a testament to the ingenuity of the Chinese Malaysians.
In 1996, performers started performing on raised poles that were only about 6 inches in diameter.(Credit: Albert Fong)
We spoke to Albert Fong, a trained performer now coach and deputy president of the Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Association to find out more about this.
Malaysia has many lion dance troupes that participated in local competitions to transform today’s high pole lion dance.Albert Fong to TRP
Because of how popular the art was in the country, there are actually three different federations in Malaysia that host competitions which continuously pushes lion dance to greater heights.
The oldest is Malaysia Selangor & FT Dragon and Lion Dance Federation, which was founded in 1976, and their passion led them overseas to establish the International Dragon & Lion Dance Federation based in Beijing, China.
In fact, globally, the most prestigious and well-known lion dance competition is held biennially right here in Genting Highlands at the Genting World Lion Dance Championship! 36 of the best lion dance troupes from 15 different countries came together to compete for the championships in 2018.
Performers have to stand on small platforms, and sometimes on top of each other as well.(Credit: Khuan Loke)
Malaysia is so well-known for our high pole lion dancing that Malaysian lion dancers even coach teams in other countries.
In fact, we have a Hawaiian team training with us here in PJ!Albert Fong to TRP
However, countries like China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Myanmar are catching up to us quickly and are improving very fast.
Albert says that many of these teams have invented new techniques and moves to be used in the competitions.

In competitions, however, it’s not just about the “difficulty” of the jumps. The lion dance will be judged on the presentation of the story, music coordination, specialty moves, and even the expressions of the lions!(Take note of the lion’s perky bum and curious ears in this video.)
Malaysians may be so used to seeing high pole lion dances that they forget the sheer athleticism performers have to possess in order to perform such moves properly. It’s turned from a street cultural dance to an extreme sport.
If the dancers are physically fit and brave enough, they can start high pole lion dance immediately. However, the performer has to jump 1.8m, and that distance makes beginners afraid.Albert Fong to TRP
Frankly, if we needed to make these kinds of jumps, we’d be afraid too, especially since the diameter of the landing discs are only 32cm wide and often need to accommodate two pairs of feet!(Credit: Albert Fong)
The new 2019 layout. Organizers update the layout of the poles once in awhile too, and uses bridges and wires to make things REALLY interesting.(Credit: Albert Fong)
Should we worry that interest in the high pole lion dance would wane? Probably not, since Malaysia has won the Genting World Lion Dance Challenge Cup a full 13 times in a row.
In fact, there is a movement to get the high pole lion dance recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, which would be another addition to the list next to Malaysia’s Mak Yong theatre, Silat, and Dondang Sayang. If you’re interested, you can sign the petition [here].

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Anthony Loke Goes Undercover On LRT To Get A Feel Of What Commuters Face Daily

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After being appointed again as the Minister of Transport last Friday, Anthony Loke Siew Fook goes on and does his job the next working day.

Yesterday, he shared on Facebook that he took a ride on the LRT Kelana Jaya line, undercover, during peak hours which was between 5 pm and 7 pm. He discovered that the ride was packed and uncomfortable for the passengers.

He said he didn’t alert the media or the management of his ‘spot check’ because he wanted to get a feel of what it was really like for commuters. With a black cap and his mask on, he went incognito mode and experienced first hand how cramped it was for the public to face this situation every day.
Will meet with Prasarana’s Management
Now that he knows what it feels like to be packed like sardines in the LRT, he then decides to meet up with LRT’s management, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad.
(Credit: Anthony Loke Siew Fook / Facebook)
He shared on his Facebook right after the ride that he’ll go on a meeting with the higher-ups in Prasarana sometime this week to discuss how the situation can be improved.
Netizens are impressed with how low-key and fast Anthony Loke is at his job. Besides, it’s not the first time he’s been the Transport Minister.
Anthony Loke reunites with his driver after being reappointed
Since his reappointment as the Transport Minister again under Pakatan Harapan, Anthony Loke expressed his excitement in reuniting with his chauffeur, named Hazril.
Picture of Anthony Loke and his driver, Hazril in 2020 (left) and in 2022 (right)(Credit: Anthony Loke Siew Fook / Facebook)
Previously when he was also the same minister from 2018 to 2020, he shared that Hazril was a very good driver with impeccable time management skills. He was always early and had never been late for any meetings or events thanks to the punctuality of his driver.
After the collapse of PH’s administration in 2020, Anthony Loke wrote a post in March 2020 expressing his gratitude to have worked with Hazril. He appreciated Hazril’s efforts in driving him around and wished the latter all the best. Little did he know that he was going to be working with Hazril again in the future.

Flash forward to 3 years later, and he is again reunited with his favourite pilot, Hazril. Turns out good things come in unexpected ways.
He shared the happy news on Facebook yesterday with a selfie with Hazril. In a quick PSA as the Transport Minister, he reminded the public to always wear their seatbelts whether they’re seated in the front or at the back.

Transport Minister or not, don’t forget your seatbelts, everyone!

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Malaysian Indie Singer Brendan De Cruz Launches His First ‘LOVELIFEMUSIC’ Solo Concert

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Malaysian independent folk-pop artist Brendan de Cruz is holding his first-ever solo concert entitled LOVELIFEMUSIC this 12 March at PJPAC, 1 Utama.

The LOVELIFEMUSIC concert will showcase his repertoire of original works in a 2-hour, fully-immersive musical experience.
The LOVELIFEMUSIC concert will kick off with de Cruz in his element as a solo artist, performing his most emotional tunes for his audience in an intimate setting.

De Cruz will then grow the show into a totally unique visual and musical experience complete with a 13-piece backline.
The musical showcase aims to leave each spectator with a newfound appreciation for local music, brought to life entirely by homegrown talent.
The amount of talent and devotion to the arts right here in Malaysia is beyond belief. Local artists have been sustaining our music scene through sheer love and dedication to their craft. Over the years and despite the setbacks we have faced, I’ve seen artists put their music out with more passion than ever, determined to get their message out to the world”, he says, speaking from experience.Malaysian independent artist Brendan de Cruz

Since entering the local music scene, de Cruz has garnered recognition as a soulful singer with velvety smooth yet powerful vocals, known for deftly imbuing his music with sincerity and heart-tugging emotion.
Despite being an independent artist with a purely organic following, de Cruz has made waves with his 4 independently produced albums and has supported other indie artists through his company,  Very Indie Events.
With the online platform Nada Music, de Cruz has also mentored and showcased up-and-coming artists together with Nada Music co-founders, Az Samad and renowned Malaysian songbird,  Zee Avi.
On top of featuring local artists, the entire LOVELIFEMUSIC production is being built from the ground up by members of the community, determined to make this dream a reality. We have designed LOVELIFEMUSIC not just as my first concert, but as a stage to showcase the excellence and potential of Malaysian artists when given the support and space to shine.Malaysian independent artist Brendan de Cruz
The concert aims to kick off a series of events showcasing the vast catalogue of independent talent from all segments in the local arts and entertainment industry.
LOVELIFEMUSIC will be held in the PJAPC Stage 1 theatre in 1 Utama at 50% capacity with SOPS in place.
How to get tickets?

Tickets start at RM78 each and can be purchased at ONETIX’s website.
Additionally, fans can stand to win TWO (2) VIP tickets worth RM150 each via the LOVELIFEMUSIC contest from now until 9 March.
All you have to do is to:
Snap a fun selfie with any of the LOVELIFEMUSIC posters in and around 1 Utama Shopping Center.Tag @brendandecruz and hashtag #LOVELIFEMUSIC on Instagram.
Entries are unlimited and winners will be announced on 10 March.

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MH370 And MH17 “Departure Bookmarks” Found Insensitive To Families Of Victims

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The former director-general of the Malaysian Civil Aviation Department (DCA) and former chairman of Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) Dato’ Sri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman recently published his book about the two Malaysian airline tragedies.

The book entitled ‘Penerbangan Terakhir MH 370 & MH 17’ (The Last Flights Of MH 370 & MH 17) came with a bookmark resembling an airline ticket.
Upon a closer look, another netizen who saw the bookmark was shocked to see that it was a boarding pass for a ‘final flight’ and found the idea distasteful.
this is kinda fucked up… https://t.co/f1Xwh90D6A— Ipan (@satstackerMY) March 9, 2022
The other netizens agreed and said it was completely tone-deaf. They said it’s disrespectful and insensitive to the families of victims too.
The design of the bookmark was akin to romanticising the two greatest airline tragedies in the country.
Some said that it’s also unbecoming to profit from tragic events where many people have died too.
tiket penerbangan terakhir jadi bookmark? Seriously you want to feel like the victims or what? terrible terrible marketing— Ipan (@satstackerMY) March 9, 2022
People died, and you buat money on that?— fariq 🇲🇾 @ فاريق (@fariqhamid) March 9, 2022
However, a few netizens saw nothing wrong with it and said the design of the bookmark matched the content of the book.
dah kenapa semua benda nak sensitif, ada unsur2 negative ke dalam buku ni? its just penanda buku, tema penanda dia memang berkaitan flight lah..isi buku dia dah baca belum? https://t.co/n2CVN4M9vR— Mokan (@kanda_mol) March 9, 2022
What happened to MH 370 and MH 17?
On 8 March 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH 370 mysteriously disappeared without a trace somewhere over the Indian Ocean.
MH 370 was en route to Beijing, China from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) with 239 passengers and crew.
A grand multinational search kicked off but the missing plane, even the remains of the plane, couldn’t be found. For months, there were reports of sighting plane parts in various locations around the world such as Reunion Island, Madagascar and Tanzania.
After more than a year of searching, the Malaysian authorities officially declared the incident as an ‘accident’ and everyone on board the unfortunate flight were presumed to be dead.
READ MORE: Remembering MH370: 8 Years After The Mysterious Disappearance
On 17 July 2014, MH17 was en route to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam before it was shot down when it flew over eastern Ukraine airspace.
All 298 passengers and crew on board instantly perished. The tragedy took place in an instant as aviation bodies did not receive any distress call from the flight before it exploded.
The Dutch-led International Joint Investigation Team (JIT) named former field commander Leonid Kharchenko as one of the prime suspects accused of shooting down the plane with three other Russian suspects named Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Igor Girkin.
The four were charged in July 2014.
READ MORE: Ukrainian Suspected To Be Involved In MH17 Shooting Caught For Unrelated Charges

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Malaysian Duo Paid RM16k To Help Singapore Couple In RM103 Million Scam Escape To Johor

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Two Malaysians have been jailed for a year by the District Court in Singapore.

They pleaded guilty to helping a couple linked to a luxury goods scam worth SGD32 million (RM103 million) to flee the republic.
Mohamed Alias, 40, and Mohamad Fazli Abdul Rahman, 38, admitted wrongly helping local citizens Pi Jiapeng and his Thai wife Pansuk Siriwipa to leave Singapore illegally.
Both Mohamed Alias and Fazli work in the same logistics company in Malaysia.
According to Straits Times, an acquaintance of Fazli’s known only as “Anson” contacted him back in July.
Anson solicited his help to find a driver to smuggle two people out of Singapore to Johor through the Tuas Checkpoint on 4 July.
Andy Vermaut shares:Tradenation luxury goods scam: Two men to plead guilty to helping fugitive couple flee Singapore: Mohamad Fazli Abdul Rahman and Mohamed Alias are accused of helping Pi Jiapeng and Siriwipa Pansuk to flee Singapore while… https://t.co/CpBM6LaONI Thank you. pic.twitter.com/2qLb9bAygm— Andy Vermaut (@AndyVermaut) August 5, 2022
You Do Whatever That Pays The Wages
How much does crime pay?
Fazli agreed to do it for a fee of RM16,000 and enlisted the services of Mohamed Alias, a lorry driver who regularly makes deliveries from Malaysia to Singapore.
On 4 July, Mohamed Alias drove a lorry with a Malaysian registration number to a storage location in Ang Mo Kio to make a delivery.
After that, he picked up Pi and Pansuk for the escapade.
When approaching the Tuas Checkpoint, Mohamed Alias ordered the couple to hide in the back of the vehicle.
They managed to pass undetected, and Mohamed Alias contacted Fazli once they entered Johor.
Mohamed Alias then dropped Pi and Pansuk off at an overpass before another unidentified driver picked the pair up.
Facing The Music
Fazli received RM16,000 from Anson and handed over RM11,000 to Mohamed Alias.
However, they were eventually tracked down by the police, and Mohamed Alias was arrested on 14 July, while Fazli was arrested 15 days later.
During the appeal to lessen the sentence, the two said they had family dependents in Malaysia.
They were unrepresented.
Lie, Cheat And Steal
Pi and Pansuk, both 27 years old, allegedly failed to deliver SGD32 million in luxury goods to customers.
They were wanted in connection with a series of cheating cases involving companies Tradenation and Tradeluxury.
The couple reportedly tricked victims into believing they were buying luxury watches and handbags but did not deliver the items.
Singaporean Pi Jiapeng, 26, and his wife Pansuk Siriwipa, 27. (Pix: Facebook)
Pi, from Fujian, China, was initially arrested by the Singaporean police on 27 June.
His passport was confiscated, and he was released on SGD15,000 (RM48,000) bail the next day.
Andy Vermaut shares:Tradenation luxury goods scam: Couple remanded in prison as investigations continue: Pi Jiapeng and his wife Siriwipa Pansuk remain on remand as the judge notes investigations are likely to be "protracted". https://t.co/KtuH6ckkh0 Thank you. pic.twitter.com/kgn9NftyoI— Andy Vermaut (@AndyVermaut) August 26, 2022

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MACC Officers Attempted To Run From Attention And Ended Up Getting All Of The Attention

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It looked like a scene from a comedy movie when two MACC officers sprinted off from the Johor Bahru Sessions Court to a getaway car, all in the name of trying to evade the media attention.

MalaysiaKini reported the two officers were charged for scamming an individual for RM40,000 to “settle” a case.
One officer, Amir Izham Shahak, 32, who is an Assistant Superintendent at the Kluang branch MACC, pleaded guilty, while the other officer Wan Kamarul Za’im Wan Mansor, 34, a superintendent at the Johor MACC, pleaded not guilty.
Both were given bail of RM7,000 in one surety each and to surrender their passports to the court.
However, a 12-second video of them leaving court was uploaded on social media by MalaysiaGazette which caught the attention of netizens because of the nature of their escape.
Dua pegawai SPRM lari lintang pukang selepas didakwa rasuah#malaysiagazette pic.twitter.com/mYqc1znYpI— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) October 21, 2021
Malaysians went to town with the edits
Despite their best attempts at trying to outrun the media, the internet was faster and went to town.
Some even went the extra mile and come out with their own creative edits to the viral video clip.
Here’s a few that we found on Twitter:
with sound effects https://t.co/UPHV0LhATW pic.twitter.com/c8qomrsmaR— mijang (@mizanpilus_) October 21, 2021
Besides comedic sound effects, Twitter users also added songs to the clip, such as the opening soundtrack to one of the most well-known local tv series.
Gerak khas pic.twitter.com/Snnze3rzkQ— syahmi (@syahmisulong_) October 21, 2021
One user even put in a Bollywood song and slowed down the video so that it looks like something that Shah Rukh Khan would act in.
👀 it’s like in the Bollywood scene pic.twitter.com/od7ZDfpAda— . (@irealronnie) October 21, 2021

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60YO Perak Man Arrested For Swinging Sickle, Machete On A Police Car, In Front Of A Station

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Police have arrested a man who went berserk with a scythe in front of a police station in Gopeng, Perak.

Videos of the man surfaced online showing him semi-naked on top of a police car while flailing the weapon.
The man managed to create a scene in front of the police station before the police, along with the help of the Fire and Rescue Department stepped in to stop the man.

He was under the influence of drugs
Utusan reported that the man was found to be positive for drugs – methamphetamine and heroin – based on urine tests conducted on the 61-year-old.
Perak Police Chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid was quoted saying that the man had 16 previous records related to criminal and narcotics cases.
In the incident that happened at 8 am, the suspect entered the Gopeng Police Station area on a motorcycle while carrying a machete and sickle before swinging the weapon in front of the entrance of the station’s inquiry office where a police officer tried to calm him down.
The suspect then tried to run away to Jalan Ipoh-Kuala Lumpur but was blocked by the police at the station gate.
A patrol car was also parked in the middle of the road to prevent the public from passing through the area.
The Suspect then went towards the vehicle and climbed the roof while swinging the machete and sickle he was carrying to avoid being arrested. However, a team of members from the Gopeng Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene to help the police make the arrest. The suspect was arrested when he fell on the road due to water spray by firefighters.Perak Police Chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid via Utusan
He added that, based on preliminary information, the man involved had gone on a rampage in the Lawan Kuda Public Market area before heading to the Kopisan housing area and Gopeng Police Station.
The suspect was arrested along with a machete, sickle, a motorcycle and four keys. A remand application for the suspect will be carried out tomorrow.
The case is being investigated in accordance with Section 427 of the Penal Code, Section 90 of the Police Act 1967, Section 6 (1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958 and Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

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Facebook Scam: Shop Assistant Lost RM42,878 After Spending RM180 On A Table

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Some scammers are now taking advantage of advertising potential ads on social media platforms such as Facebook.

Netizens would probably have noticed that these fake ads are everywhere.
Unfortunately, many people continue to fall for fake ads as the offer is too good to resist.
Recently, a 51-year-old shop assistant became a victim after buying a dining table for RM180 on Facebook, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Instead of getting a good deal, he ended up losing RM42,878.
Head of the State Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), Superintendent Mohd. Wazir Mohd. Yusof said the victim came across the ad last Tuesday.
The victim bought a set of dining table set as the price is very cheap, only around RM180.Superintendent Mohd. Wazir Mohd. Yusof on why the victims fell for the scam.
Mohd. Wazir said the victim made the payment through a link provided by the suspect.
After clicking on the link, the victim had to enter his username and password for his bank account.
After the victim did so, he found that RM42,878 were gone from his bank account.
After the incident, the victim tried to contact the suspect but failed and suspected that he had been deceived. He then lodged a report at the Kuantan district police headquarters (IPD).Superintendent Mohd. Wazir Mohd. Yusof on the victim’s encounter.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and all the victim’s evidence has been recorded.
The Rise Of Online Shopping Scams
Scamming has long been a pitfall of the internet.
There is often an assumption that the victims have specific traits – that they are elderly or less well educated.
But no one is immune to fraud and sometimes people simply fall for scams due to the psychological techniques such as FOMO (the fear of missing out).
Even engineer pun kena tipu dengan African Scam via Facebook! Saltina my arse! pic.twitter.com/5BGA7j4Irl— MohdFaizalHassan 🇲🇾 (@f4izalhassan) November 7, 2015
Online scam continue to rise due to the lack of oversight on social media marketplaces.
The growing number of newbies in online shopping brought by pandemic quarantines also provided easy target for scammers.
Fake ads selling popular items at dirt cheap prices is the usual trick in the scammers book.
Scammers also convince victims by creating fake shopping websites and swiping product images from real businesses.
Tips To Avoid Getting Scammed When Shopping Online
There are many useful tips that you need to know to shop online safely.
Facebook has also taken steps to address the issue with information on how to spot and avoid scams.
At the same time, the authorities always remind the public to be vigilant.
Ditipu atau tertipu? 😢😢 Macam mana nak elak kena SCAM dalam jual beli online?Admin nak kongsi cara cegah online scam. Jika boleh tiada lagi istilah pisang berbuah dua kali. Bak kata pepatah “Mencegah Lebih Baik Daripada Mengubati”.. #KPDNHEP #CaraCegahOnlineScam pic.twitter.com/xZflp700va— Kpdnhep.Kelantan (@KPDNHEPKelantan) November 29, 2019
Good samaritans have also taken to social media to create awareness among netizens.
Cara nak elak dari kena scam di onlineSelain daripada check melalui website Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Komersial yang saya kongsikan sebelum ni boleh juga check Page History dia. Berhati-hati lah kalau tengok page name dia selalu sangat berubah seperti dalam gambar ni. B… pic.twitter.com/FsRKISM9Bc— Sophy Sufian (@visisufi) September 16, 2020
Accounts and phone numbers can be verified at http://ccid.rmp.gov.my/semakmule/ to verify if the account or phone number has been involved in reported scams before making any payment transactions.

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Twitterverse Hits Out At Dr Mahathir Over Marriage Thoughts

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Once again Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has shared a series of tweets online which have garnered mixed reactions from netizens due to their contents.

Yesterday the former Prime Minister tweeted that he had had the chance to speak at the Global Education Forum in Tokyo about several important things that the younger generation should focus on.
He also highlighted three big issues during the talk which were about climate change, that war is a terrible thing that needs to be eradicated and the institution of marriage in Malaysia.
Mahathir said that climate change needs to be taken seriously and we have to figure out how to handle the worst-case scenarios.
Even though some countries haven’t felt the effects of climate change yet, we can’t just ignore it. In Malaysia, we’re fortunate to avoid things like earthquakes and volcanoes, but floods are becoming more and more common there. We need to be prepared by doing more research on how to deal with climate change.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Besides that, he also noted that war is a terrible thing that needs to be gotten rid of.
The younger generation needs to say no to war as a way to solve problems. Killing people is never okay, no matter how many you kill. It’s not brave or heroic to take lives.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Instead, he added that we should focus on resolving conflicts peacefully through things such as the court system and “talking things out”.
By working towards peace, we can make a better world for future generations.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Many praised Mahathir for his excellent thoughts on the matters of war and climate change.
Twitter user @Journalist_Unis said:
Really feeling sad after reading this thread. The reason is that we don’t have leaders like Mahatir Mohammad. Our leaders don’t want to retire from politics until they die. Our leaders should retire from practical politics and give lectures like him.@Journalist_Unis via Twitter
Another Twitter user @SalahHaroon1 said:
Inspiring words from an exceptional individual.@SalahHaroon1 via Twitter
However, the tweets that drew the most flak towards were his tweets on the decline in the institution of marriage in Malaysia.
We’ve been taking on a lot of Western values without really thinking about them. It’s important to remember our own cultural values. Marriage is about having kids and keeping families together.Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
He added that nowadays, people do not seem to have much respect for the marriage institution and noted that many “sleep around all over the place”.
Additionally, the ex-PM said that we have come to a stage where same-sex marriages are possible and if we continue going down that road, there will be no children, and the whole generation will perish.
Twitter user @thepickykitty said:
How can you talk about climate change and complain about people who don’t want children in the same talk?@thepickykitty via Twitter
Another Twitter user @theshazana said:
Marriage is about being committed to your life partner. Plenty of marriages without children exist. It doesn’t invalidate the marriage nor does having children somehow elevate it.@theshazana via Twitter
On the other hand, Twitter user @guangpingxx said:
The world will reach its population of 8 billion people this year. The annual population growth rate of Malaysia is 1.1%, far greater than our neighbouring countries of Thailand and Indonesia at 0.7%. Don’t let your hatred cloud your senses.@guangpingxx via Twitter
What do you think about his views on marriage and our declining birth rates?

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Penang’s Waterslide Makes A Splash With Guinness World Records’ Global Audience!

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Penangites have the envious pleasure of literally possessing the world’s longest tube water slide. Now the Malaysian experience is making a splash with the Guinness World Records’ global audience!

The slippery experience at the Penang Escape theme park water slide was uploaded yesterday (21st April) onto the Guinness World Records’ YouTube channel which boasts 7.83 million subscribers worldwide.
In the video, footage of sliding down the 4-minute long ride is shown with all its speed changes as well as twists and turns along the lush foliage in an almost ASMR-like manner.
Credit: Guinness World Records/YouTube
With nearly 60,000 views at the time of writing, viewers were largely impressed by the 1.1km long ride by theme park operator SIM Leisure Group.
“Looks like it’s the most fun world record to actually beat,” wrote one commentator, while many others reminisced on the good old days when going to the water park was a fun, safe thing to do before the pandemic hit.
A number of Malaysians flooded the comments as well, taking the opportunity to showcase their pride and support.

Penang – a Guinness World Record holder for the world’s longest tube water slide.
Many Malaysians may have already been aware of this jaw-dropping waterslide as it made headlines back in 2019. But here’s a quick refresher.
On 25th September, theme park operator SIM Leisure Group received a Guinness World Record certificate from an official adjudicator for the 1,111 metre water slide, that’s nearly thrice as long as the previous record of 356 metres held by the Galaxy Erding in Germany.
Sim Choo Kheng, CEO of Sim Leisure Group, receiving Guinness World Record certification for the world’s longest tube water slide.(Credit: Hanidah Amin/CNA Lifestyle)
As seen in the YouTube clip, the record-breaking slide meanders through the rich rainforest of Teluk Bahang on Penang Island.
Riders take a cable car chairlift uphill to the slide entrance which is elevated 70 metres from the bottom of the hill. The slide is monitored by attendants and CCTV cameras along it.
Why create such a long ride?
Credit: Guinness World Records
Well, CEO of Sim Leisure Group Sim Choo Kheng simply wants to live in the moment as long as possible!
The idea of this water slide came about over frustration that most fun rides and water slides last merely a few seconds, and having the water slide start on a hilltop at a 70-metre elevation would make this ride last a good few minutes.Sim Choo Kheng, CEO of Sim Leisure Group via CNA Lifestyle.
The entire project took almost two years to complete from conception, in addition to over 8 months of installation.
In a bid to leave minimal damage to the trees surrounding the park, heavy machinery was not deployed. Construction was instead carefully done manually using scaffolding and chain hoists.
Credit: Guinness World Records
The design ensured no trees were cut down in the creation of the water slide. Throughout the installation process, many changes were made due to the hostile terrain and to meet safety and regulatory compliance.
If you’re keen to check out the ride for yourself, the theme park currently open during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in Penang. This is however limited to those currently residing in the state due to the interstate travel ban.
Credit: Guinness World Records

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Source:
World’s longest tube water slide in Penang enters record books
Ride through the trees on the world’s longest mat water slide – all 1,111 m of it


KL Wet Market Traders Are Struggling To Run Their Business Without Migrant Workers

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Traders at wet markets are struggling to operate ever since Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa released a directive to stop foreigners from working in wholesale markets under the Federal Territories’ jurisdiction.
Lau, a third-generation market trader who spoke to Malay Mail explained how the lack of migrant workers at the market has affected her business.
Working out of the Pudu wet market for the past 20 years after taking over from her parents, Lau described a typical day of work at the market and how migrant workers contribute to the market’s daily operations.
Managing a stall at the wet market is no easy task, as days usually start as early as 3am with her migrant employees unloading fresh produce from vendors’ vehicles and carting them to stalls before arranging and repacking the produce to be sold.
Workers unloading fresh produce from vendors’ vehicles in the early hours of the morning. (Credit: Malay Mail)
Then, business is non-stop from 5am to 12pm while customers arrive to shop. After 12pm, her workers clean and put away everything to close shop for the day. Some traders keep working until 5.30pm, with their migrant workers helping them unload more fresh produce for the following day. All before starting work again at 3am.
However, after the directive, traders have been prohibited from hiring migrant workers. Instead, they have been advised to hire locals to fill vacancies.
There is no one to help us load fresh produce at the Kuala Lumpur wholesale market.Lau via Malay Mail
Lau shared that vendors refuse to sell to traders who are unable to unload the fresh produce from the vehicles themselves, and Lau can’t do that on her own. So, she’s had no choice but to carry whatever she can and reduce her usual intake of stock – meaning she also makes less in sales.
Migrant workers are willing to do the tough jobs, work long hours and multitask. (Credit: Malay Mail)
Her experience has taught her that locals tend to be more selective with jobs and demand to do only packing or sales. They are also often reluctant to do any tough tasks like heavy lifting or cleaning and end up not lasting for more than a week.
So, we resorted to hiring migrant workers, not that we refused to source for local manpower. Some of the migrant workers I’ve hired have been working for me for 15 years and they have been a good help to me. They are willing to work long hours and they can multitask.Lau via Malay Mail
Lau added that while they try to pay both migrants and local employees equally based on the amount of work they do, they always end up paying the locals who demand higher pay. Traders end up agreeing to the higher wage because they need the manpower.
Annuar Musa’s directive happened after the government conducted a raid on the immigrant community in Kuala Lumpur, which was triggered by a spike in Covid-19 cases at the wholesale markets.
Residential areas near the Selayang market were placed under an EMCO. (Credit: Malay Mail)
This spike was largely blamed on the migrant workforce community in the area, and the market was ordered to temporarily cease operations while the residential areas nearby were placed under an enhanced movement control (EMCO) order so that residents and migrants could be screened and tested for the virus.

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Drug Smugglers Toss Bricks Of Marijuana Over Malaysia-Thailand Border Wall

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With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting down national borders, it appears that the illegal narcotics industry is arguably getting more desperate.

The Royal Malaysia Police General Operations Force (GOF) found two bricks of marijuana believed to have been tossed by drug traffickers over the Malaysia-Thailand border wall in Padang Besar, Perlis.
Officers from GOF’s 1st Northern Brigade had found 1.9 kilograms of drugs inside a box that was laying precariously next to the wall during a routine patrol early Wednesday (October 7) morning.
The narcotics are estimated to be worth some RM4,750.
(GOF/Berita Harian)
Authorities conducted seven hours of surveillance at the scene in hopes of catching a lead on suspects. But no one came to collect the express delivery.
The case is now being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Read More: How Much Drugs Can Land A Person The Death Penalty In Malaysia?
Malaysia had tightened control of our borders with the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March, as a means of preventing the spread of Covid-19.
(Facebook/TENTERAKITA)
Drug-related crimes have reportedly been on the rise since the nationwide lockdowns began with police having seized RM75 million worth of narcotics in just the first few weeks of the MCO.
It’s said that drug syndicates are moving their product through e-hailing services and delivery apps, even via aerial drones to reach their customers.
Authorities also note that criminals are becoming more aggressive as their businesses get interrupted by the pandemic.
It was reported that GOF’s 3rd Northern Brigade battalion came under attack by smugglers with air rifles as they patrolled the nation’s borders.

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Source:
PGA temui ketulan ganja 1.9 kg di tembok sempadan
How Much Drugs Can Land A Person The Death Penalty In Malaysia?
RM75 Million Worth Of Drugs Seized And 3,923 Arrests Made
Singapore Authorities Nab Singaporeans Transporting Drugs Via Drone From Malaysia
Tembak pos PGA dengan pistol angin


Three Kittens Stranded On ERL Train Platform Rescued By Staff

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Three adorable kittens were spotted by Twitter user Fatin Nadhirah, who was travelling on the KLIA Transit railway.

She saw the kittens stuck on the interior roof within the platform at Salak Tinggi station in the morning, noting that they seemed afraid. She also took to social media for a solution because she was unable to reach out to an on-ground staff at the time.

Luckily, the staff at KLIA Ekpres were quick to respond to Fatin’s call for help. Within 2 hours, the on-ground staff were able to catch one of the kittens, a cute fuzzy oyen.
The kitty has two more siblings, but they managed to evade capture… for the time being.
Thank you for letting us know about our station's fuzzy little tenants! We have managed to rescue one cutie but its other two siblings were more elusive. We will keep you updated on this ongoing rescue mission. pic.twitter.com/htzxBkGMeV— KLIA Ekspres (@KLIAekspres) August 9, 2022
Undeterred, the team at Salak Tinggi continued their efforts to catch the two other kittens.
Finally, the next morning, they announced that the remaining kittens have been rescued successfully. Not only that, all three kittens have been adopted into loving homes!
Good news! Our team has managed to rescue all three kittens. Even better, all the kittens have been adopted into loving homes. Thank you all for your concern.— KLIA Ekspres (@KLIAekspres) August 10, 2022
Netizens were quick to applaud the team’s quick and effective response.
Thanks for ur effort to save the babies…hope all goes well!— seri idawaty (@sherryzain) August 9, 2022
Fantastic job you guys!!— amirul bahri malek (@amirulbahri) August 10, 2022
Kudos to the team at Salak Tinggi station!

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Clip Shows Missing Malaysian Beautician In Thailand Safe And Sound, But Mom Not Convinced

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A young Malaysian woman named Angie, who went missing in Thailand, claims she is safe and sound there.

However, many are skeptical about her safety.
Twenty two year old Angie Chong Sum Yee who is a beautician from Puchong, informed her mother that she was in Thailand to work but then went unreachable.
Her mother took to Facebook to seek information about her daughter’s whereabouts.
In a surprising turn of events, Chong commented on her mother’s post through an unidentified Facebook account using the alias Moe Aye.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the videos which have since gone viral showed Chong stating that she was safe and not in any danger.

Hello, hello. Actually, I am fine. I am very safe and healthy. I didn’t get assaulted. So, my friends, family, and netizens, those who I don’t know, please don’t worry about me. I am very, very healthy.
Angie Chong
She also mentioned that the driver who brought her to Thailand should not be bothered as he is unaware of any wrongdoing.
The three videos, which have since been reshared by the Facebook page 爱旅客- Traveller, showed Chong assuring her safety and one video depicting her supposedly working happily in Myanmar.
However, according to a report by Oriental Daily, Chong’s mother remains concerned for her daughter’s safety and fears she may have fallen victim to a job scam in Thailand or Myanmar.
READ MORE: [Watch] Malaysian Beautician Missing In Thailand, Caught On CCTV Footages
Based on the surveillance footage shared by Thai media, the latest sighting of her shows her accompanied by a woman wearing white attire.
The footage captures Chong walking alongside this woman, but their destination remains unknown.
As of 8 June, Chong has not personally contacted her mother, and efforts are still underway to locate her.

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Tapir Wanders Into School, Eats, Falls Into Drain, Gets Rescued And Runs Away

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A male tapir wandered into a school where students were sitting for their Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM/MCE) paper and created chaos.

He had reportedly wandered off to eat the leaves of a jackfruit tree before falling into a drain and needing to be rescued.
The incident took place at SMK Sungai Soi in Kuantan, Pahang yesterday morning, though pictures of the rescue only surfaced on social media today.
A thread on the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN) twitter account chronicled the rescue, adding the operation involved staff from PERHILITAN Pahang, PERHILITAN Kuantan, and the Civil Defence Force (APM).
[OPERASI MENYELAMAT SEEKOR TAPIR DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN (SMK) SUNGAI SOI, KUANTAN, PAHANG] pic.twitter.com/lRWhPfTyVY— Jabatan PERHILITAN (@PERHILITAN) February 26, 2021
While photos show the tapir bleeding from the head and back, PERHILITAN said the wounds were only light and were believed to have been caused by it rubbing against the drain.
As soon as it was rescued from the drain, the tapir, estimated to weigh between 200kg and 250kg, ran off into the nearby jungle.
Speaking to Bernama, school principle Zolkifli Abd Ghani said it was not the first time such an incident had happened and he was “only worried the animal might wander into the examination hall and disrupt the students taking the exam”.

The Malayan tapir or more fondly known to locals as cipan, tenuk, or badak tampung is the largest of five species of tapir, and the only one found in Asia.
They’re easily recognized by their signature black and white body tone as well as their weird-looking but flexible proboscis.
The Malayan tapir is classified as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) where their numbers are expected to be less than 3,000 and decreasing due to human-made causes such as poaching, habitat loss and evidently the overall threat of the global climate crisis.

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Celebrate the free Japanese cultural festival in PJ this weekend

Bon Odori 2019 has come and passed, but there’s another chance to enjoy a celebration of cultural Japan at Aki Fest 2019!
Spanning 2 days from Friday to Saturday, the cultural festival is held annually as a bridge for the Malaysian and Japanese community to come together and celebrate.

Performers of a traditional Japanese dance at Aki Fest last year.(Picture credit: Aki Fest)

Japanese festivals, known as matsuri, are commonly held in Japan for many festive occasions.
Matsuris always include a wide array of Japanese street food and carnival game stalls, traditional music and dance, with attendees dressed in a casual summer kimono called a yukata.

Picture credit: Aki Fest

Aki Fest promises a family-friendly fun experience for all ages to celebrate authentic Japanese culture. To further heighten the experience, yukatas will be available for rent and sale as well.
Aki Fest will also include sushi-eating contests and various live performances from local and Japanese artists.

If you love sushi and competition, then it’s a no-brainer.(Picture credit: Pixabay)

The event is jointly organized by the Japanese Student Association Malaysia (JSAM) and Taylor’s Anime Society.
Aki Fest 2019Date: 27th (Fri) – 28th (Sat) SeptemberTime: 4pm – 10pmVenue: Taylor’s University LakesideEntry: FREE
For more information visit their official Facebook page here.


Malaysia’s Clinical Study On Ineffectiveness Of Ivermectin Is Published In Medical Journal

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Ivermectin has been proven in studies to be ineffective in reducing the risk of developing severe illness from Covid-19.

According to New Straits Times, Malaysia’s clinical trial study on the effectiveness of Ivermectin has been published in an international peer-reviewed medical journal.
The study entitled ‘Efficacy of Ivermectin Treatment on Disease Progression Among Adults With Mild to Moderate Covid-19 and Comorbidities’ was published on 18 February in the JAMA Internal Medicine, a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin congratulated the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR) and its director Dr Kalaiarasu Periasamy.
Malaysia’s clinical trial on Ivermectin’s ineffectiveness in reducing severe COVID-19 has been published in an international peer-reviewed medical journal. Congratulations @drkalai61 & @ICR_NIH. https://t.co/5RJvxqp2fq— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) February 19, 2022
The I-TECH study
The Ivermectin Treatment Efficacy in Covid-19 High-Risk Patients (I-TECH) study was an open-label randomised clinical trial to study the effectiveness of the antiparasitic drug in reducing the risk of developing severe disease in patients.
It was conducted at 20 public hospitals and a Covid-19 quarantine centre in Malaysia between 31 May 2021 and 25 October 2021.
The study enrolled patients 50 years and older with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19, comorbidities and mild to moderate disease, within the first week of showing symptoms.
The I-Tech study involved 490 patients who were given a five-day course of oral Ivermectin during the first week of illness.
The findings showed that Ivermectin did not reduce the risk of developing severe disease compared with the standard of care.
In this randomised clinical trial of high-risk patients with mild to moderate Covid-19, Ivermectin treatment during early illness did not prevent progression to severe disease. The study findings do not support the use of Ivermectin for patients with Covid-19.The conclusion in the I-Tech study.
Not recommended as a treatment
Due to the findings, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Ivermectin could not be recommended to be included as part of the current Covid-19 treatment guidelines.
Noor Hisham added that the results in the I-TECH study were in line with the large-scale studies such as IVERCOR-Covid-19 from Argentine and TOGETHER from Brazil.
Both studies did not support the routine use of Ivermectin in the clinical practice of Covid-19 treatment.
Previously, there were two cases of Ivermectin poisoning as reported by the National Poison Centre (NPC) in 2021.
One case involved a 35-year-old man who took an Ivermectin pill while another senior citizen went unconscious after ingesting 15 Ivermectin pills.
According to NPC, Ivermectin poisoning can cause adverse effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. Severe effects include low blood pressure, shortness of breath, lung damage, and death.
So far, there are no specific antidote or treatment for this case of poisoning.
READ MORE: Ivermectin Not Recommended To Treat Covid-19, More Data Needed To Confirm Whether It Is Safe

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EPF Rolls Out Simplified Approval For iSinar, Starts On 8 March

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The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has announced that members under the age of 55 who have applied for the i-Sinar assistance will be given approval starting 8 March.

This includes any new applications received after that date, which is subject to the available balance that’s in the member’s Account 1.
Based on a statement released by the fund, the total i-Sinar withdrawal as well as the maximum payment schedule for six months will remain:
a. For members with savings of RM100,000 and below in Account 1, they can withdraw up RM10,000 in total.
Payment will be made in stages within six (6) months, with the first payment being up to RM5,000.
b. For members who have more than RM100,000 (Account 1), they have access to total withdrawals up to 10% of their Account 1 savings, capped at RM60,000.
Payment will be made in stages within a maximum period of six (6) months with the first payment up to RM10,000.
READ MORE: i-Sinar: EPF Allows Account 1 Withdrawal Up To RM60,000. Here’s How
With the update, EPF said that the previous the interim payment of RM1,000 implemented last month will not continue.
Members who’ve never applied before and intend to apply during the transition period are advised to wait until the updated i-Sinar is launched on March 8 before applying.
They say this will shorten the time required for their application process and hasten the i-Sinar payout.
EPF has also given an example of how this works:
Credit: EPF
In case you have any more inquiries, you can contact the i-Sinar hotline at 03-8922 4848.
To date, EPF said a total of RM18.5 billion has been disbursed under the i-Sinar facility since the application opened in December 2020, benefiting 3.3 million members.

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Johor kayaker found dead in Terengganu waters after missing for 7 days

In the last few weeks, the internet was alight with discoveries of killer whales (orcas) and pilot whales in Terengganu waters.
However, something far less wondrous was discovered off the waters of the eastern state- a dead body.
Sherlock Shocked GIF from Sherlock GIFs

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), noted that a fisherman found a body wearing a life jacket around noon yesterday (14 August) off Kemaman, Teregganu.
According to The Straits Times, the body was confirmed to be of Puah Geok Tin, a Singaporean kayaker who – along with Tan Eng Soon- got separated from a kayaking group near Endau islands, Johor last Thursday.
Thatâ€™s about 200 kilometres away!

Facebook picture of Puah in 2013.(Credit: Facebook)

The sad news comes right after their bright green kayak with their belongings was found in Kuantan the day before, giving family members hope for a miracle.

Credit: Ariffin Jamar/The Straits Times

â€œThe kayak was a clue, out of the vast area of the sea, it was a clue for us. At the same time it was worrying for us because of the food rations inside, itâ€™s something we are worried about.â€
Haris Fadzillah Abdullah, MMEA Mersing zone director via Channel News Asia.
Despite the clue, it turns out that Puah did not survive the South China Sea. Her son, Louis Pang confirmed her death this morning (15 August).

Facebook picture of Puah from last year.(Credit: Facebook)

The 24-year-old young man took to Facebook to express his love for his mother.

His sister shared Louisâ€™s post, saying â€œI love you and I always will.â€

Friends also shared fond memories of Puah, recalling her as a wonderful, cheerful person.

Screenshot from Facebook

The other missing kayaker, Tan Eng Soon, has not been found
yet. Search operations are still ongoing for Tan with MMEA covering the area
between Endau, Mersing and Berserah Kuantan, Pahang.

Credit: Bernama via Malay Mail

4 helicopters, one aeroplane, 3 vessels and 7 boats have
been deployed.

This news of Puahâ€™s sad passing is a stark contrast to a Tioman diver who survived 4 days adrift at sea before he was found by a passing ship.
Rescue Water GIF from Rescue GIFs

Claude Piantadosi, Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical Center told National Geographic that the main challenges faced by a person adrift at sea are:

Freshwater supply
Ability to stay afloat
Shelter from sun
Food

However, dehydration is the most critical threat for survival. If protected from the sun, an adult could survive with an average water intake of 1.5 to 2 litres per day.

Credit: Baptist Health

In general, a healthy adult can live in moderate temperatures for 100 hours without any water at all.

Nonetheless, miracles do happen, and we hope that Tan will
be found soon.
Our condolences to Puahâ€™s family and loved ones.
Rip Rest In Peace GIF from Rip GIFs


4 Local Glove-Makers Pledge RM400 Million To Fight Covid-19 After Becoming Billionaires

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Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz announced that four local glovemaking companies have agreed to donate RM400 million to the country’s Covid-19 efforts.

The four major glovemaking companies are: Top Glove, Hartalega, Supermax, and Kossan.
They have expressed a commitment to contribute RM400 million, which would include covering part of the cost of the Covid-19 vaccine and the cost of health equipment expenses.
Tengku Zafrul expressed his thanks on the behalf of the government to the contributions from the private sector, NGOs, and individuals alike in this fight against Covid-19.
Earlier this year, Malaysia gained two new billionaires due to the rising demand for rubber gloves worldwide.
Datuk Seri Stanley Thai Kim Sim of Supermax Corp now has an estimated net worth about USD1 billion (RM4.2 billion) while Tan Sri Lim Kuang Sia of Kossan Rubber Industries has an estimated net worth of about USD1.1 billion (RM4.6 billion).
Still, despite turning into almost-overnight billionaires, at least they are willing to give back to their country and local community.

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