Taxi Driver’s “EPF Walk” From Skudai To KL Gets Netizens Questioning Its Logic

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Taxi driver known as Noorazlan Ismail made headlines for walking all the way from the Skudai Toll Plaza to Istana Negara in an effort to urge the government to allow for a targeted Employees Provident Fund (EPF) withdrawal.

According to BFM, he was allowed to enter the palace gates at 11.15am on Monday to submit his memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Also present were Wan Saiful Wan Jan, the member of parliament for Tasek Gelugor and representatives of several NGOs.
However, a netizen known as @bumilangit raised questions on the inconsistency of several news reports of Noorazlan’s “EPF walk”.
It was said that he had walked 350km and the number of days he took to complete the endeavour varies from 3 days, 5 days, 6 days and 7 days. Therefore, another Twitter user @ams160 shared the journey that Noorazlan recoded and posted TikTok.
Khilaf pic.twitter.com/YNcAupHc9I— Jon Weak (sebab posa) (@bumilangit) April 4, 2023
Semalam @ams1610 senaraikan jarak pakcik tu jalan berdasarkan tiktok video dia, jadi aku compile dan susun balik Kesimpulan: 3 hari pertama, Skudai ke Pagoh 129km 3 hari berikutnya Pagoh ke Istana 213km pic.twitter.com/9PWlHTKL8e— Jon Weak (sebab posa) (@bumilangit) April 4, 2023
From the compilation that he posted, it can be assumed that Noorazlan took 6 days to complete his on-foot journey.
Google Maps puts a duration of 3 days to walk from the Skudai Toll Plaza to Istana Negara but that is if a person were to walk non-stop.
Looking at Noorazlan’s 6 days, it does make sense.
However some believe it was a scam.
Hari ni, 1 msia kna scammed dgn Noorazlan Ismail yg claimed dia jalan kaki 300+km sepanjang 3/5/6 hari nonstop JB-KL. 3 tahun lepas, 1 msia kna scammed dgn Azhar Ali yg claimed berjaya menang scholarship drpd NASA. 🤷🏻♀#MalaysiaBoleh #scammed— 🤦🏻♀ (@minonymouse) April 3, 2023
hm takda warm-up, tak sunburn,takda cerita terserempak dengan kebaya merah,tak nampak penat update cuma 3hari,Pace dia berapa? berdiri depan media pun selamber je tak ketar kaki. aku rasa yang muda macam aku pun mesti nak shutdown dulu satu hari. air mana air— Eapitkanjo.. (@Eapit_96) April 4, 2023
Buat laporan #pdrm je akan penipuan dia .— tripple seven (@seven_tripple) April 4, 2023
In his TikTok videos covering his journey, Noorazlan always had a black face mask on.
There are also videos of him being helped by people he encountered along the way.
 pic.twitter.com/obRDNJ9UPy— Saje sembang channel (@fagameuan86) April 3, 2023

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PNB Announces 4.6 Sen Dividend For This Year’s ASB

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The much anticipated dividend for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for this year was announced today.

The dividend is 4.6 sen made up of 3.35 sen dividend and 1.25 sen bonus dividend.
There is also a special bonus of 0.5 sen for the first 30,000 units.
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) said the total payout was RM8.9 billion for 10.6 million unit holders.

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More Than RM1.6 Billion Lost To Online Scams Between 2019 And 2021, Says Deputy Minister

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51,631 fraud cases resulting in more than RM1.61 billion in losses were recorded between 2019 and 2021, said Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Jonathan Yasin.

Jonathan said that the highest case recorded was online purchase cheating with 18,857 cases, followed by non-existent loan with 15,546 cases.
“Various efforts were carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) to combat syndicates including stepping up law enforcement, operations and charging against those involved.
“We also created the ‘CCID Scam Response Center’ where members of the public could obtain information and validate calls for doubtful transactions, “Jonathan told the Parliament, today.
He was replying to a question by Su Keong Siong (PH-Kampar) who wanted the government to detail the statistics on cheating in online purchases and state the measures taken to curb the problem.
Jonathan added that the government is looking to review laws pertaining to the issue at hand.
“We would be reviewing the Consumer Protection Act 2007 if it could curb all types of crimes taking place in the country,” he said.

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Kuantan is fining businesses that donâ€™t fly Jalur Gemilang & Pahang flag on their premises

In conjunction with the 62nd Merdeka day celebration, Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) has sent out a circular to business owners to fly the Jalur Gemilang and the Pahang State Flag.
This is not the first time MPK has enforced such rules.

 (Pic Credit: zazzle)

Last year, it was reported, that a compound of RM250 was slapped onto business proprietors who fail to erect the flag at their business premises.
Business proprietors have till tomorrow (August 28) to fly the flags before MPK issue fines under Section 107(2) of the Local Government Act.

via GIPHY
MPK’s public relations officer, Norkamawati Kamal explains that Kuantan will also be lit with decorative lights from August 15 to September 16 to honour the National Independence month.
Lights GIF from Lights GIFs

(Pic Credit: Ezneihan/NikonClub)

Looks like Kuantan will be one festive town this Merdeka!
If you’re in Kuantan, do share with us pictures of the city on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


How Door-To-Door Grocery Delivery Can Save The Country

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Stay at home, unless you have urgent matters to attend to. For many people right now, part of those urgent matters include grocery shopping.
When Wuhan started their lockdown, grocery delivery was immediately mobilized by local grocery stores and delivery riders. Orders for groceries were made online and dropped directly at citizens’ doorsteps.
While Malaysians have online grocery deliveries as well, almost every large grocery-chain has delivery slots fully booked.
Delivery up to 14 April is completely booked up.(Credit: Eshop Tesco)
Online grocery orders through other third-party apps can get complicated and expensive as well, since oftentimes there is a weight limit or higher delivery charges.
Most people in the country are also not familiar with online deliveries, which is why they opt to go to grocery shopping themselves.
This could be risky, as it’s still possible to come into contact with Covid-19 positive patients at grocery stores.
In addition to that, produce sellers have barely been able to sell their goods. Many have a surplus of vegetables that can’t be sold because not enough people are buying from fresh wet markets. Instead, vegetables are left to sit around and rot.
Farmers in Cameron Highlands are also facing difficulties in sending produce to other states, since many major highways have closed down. Instead, they are now donating the vegetables to the needy in Ipoh.
Many Malaysians are still making trip to the grocery store for food because delivery options are grossly limited.(Credit: Malay Mail)
So now we have both sides of the equation: produce sellers who can’t sell produce, and the Malaysians stuck at home who have to continuously leave the house to stock up on food.
The obvious logic here is to find a way to connect farmers and residents directly, but Malaysia doesn’t yet have a working infrastructure to support that.
Instead, farmers have taken to social media to try to sell their own goods online so it doesn’t go to waste.
Our Department of Agriculture has tried to help out by asking farmers to list their available goods on a Facebook post, but response has been lukewarm and clunky.

So far, around 100 farmers have commented on the post, offerings all kinds of produce and located in all areas of Malaysia. It’s worth taking a look to support our local farmers!
Until a better platform is created to connect the supply of produce to the demand of #StayAtHome Malaysians, we have to continuously take our chances at a grocery store while small-time farmers struggle to sell their produce.
So why not try connecting to your local farmers directly and get fresh produce delivered straight to you instead?

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Here’s Why Telling Malaysian Teens Not To Have Sex Doesn’t Work

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Religious conservatives in Malaysia often blame things like Valentine’s Day, pornography and Western media as the main causes behind social ills affecting Malaysian teenagers, especially in terms of premarital sex, unwanted pregnancies and, worst of all, baby dumping.

While most of us would label these parties as being overzealous, the reality is that their concerns aren’t entirely unfounded.
Concerns Are Valid
Statistics show that since 2014, Malaysia has recorded an upward trend of baby dumping cases.
Info via The Star.
Meanwhile, the trend for HIV cases in the country has shifted to sexual transmission as its main cause.
Besides the obvious effects like unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, Unicef Malaysia reported that unsafe sex can also affect teenagers mentally, put their developing bodies at risk through childbearing, lead to adolescent father and motherhood which also affects their education and employment opportunities.
Info via Kementerian Kesihatan.
While these religious authorities are justifiably worried, it seems that their understanding of these social problems is wholly misled. This is why despite their continuous efforts to warn and threaten our youth against partaking in social vices, the numbers are not decreasing.
These Activities Are The Result Of Sexual Curiosity
Premarital sex, as well as other sexually explorative activities like watching pornography, are the result of our teens being sexually curious.
Blaming Valentine’s Day and the media for these social ills is a complete cop-out on our responsibility as a community to properly educate and inform our teenagers about this curiosity.
Screenshot of a news headline from The Telegraph.
Research shows that sexuality is an intrinsic part of human nature, and sexual curiosity is a natural part of human development which starts during the teenage years as people undergo biological changes during puberty.
Instead of trying to suppress sexuality in teens, we should strive to help all teens, including teenage boys, achieve a healthy understanding of intimacy, sex, and reproduction.
Why Teens Become Sexually Curious
Adolescence is a phase when major developments of sexuality take place. Biological changes cause their secondary sexual organs to mature. At the same time, these hormones also influence a teenager’s interest in sexual relationships.
(Credit: Ageless Medica)
During puberty, a teen’s need for closeness and intimacy increases, this drives them to explore different appropriate ways to express these feelings – this is sexual curiosity – and it can lead to exposure to pornography, indulgence in sexual activities and if not managed properly, make them vulnerable to sexual abuse.
This development doesn’t occur in isolation but is influenced by their relationships with their family, society, and culture.
Studies found that boys who experience puberty earlier and have good body image are more confident, secure, and independent compared to late bloomers. However, they also tend to have increased aggressiveness due to the surge of hormones and are more likely to be sexually active and have risky behaviour.
Risky behaviour includes drug abuse, smoking and underage drinking. (Credit: The Oz Blog)
On the other hand, early maturing girls tend to be more self-conscious, insecure, and more likely to face sexual advances from older boys. This results in higher chances of unwanted pregnancies and exposure to alcohol and drug abuse.
Understanding Teenage Sexual Development Is Incredibly Important.
Decades of research show that abstinence-focused sex education programs are ineffective, stigmatising, and harmful to young people in the long-run. Parents and the rest of society can’t continue to ignore sexual curiosity in our teenagers and just expect them to abstain.
Instead, understanding the factors that influence sexuality would help parents and society understand the difficulties their children are facing and help them guide their children through it better.

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[Watch] Toyota Hilux Driver Turns Himself In After Video Of Him Driving Recklessly Goes Viral

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The Toyota Hilux driver who allegedly drove dangerously and almost caused a road collision at KM138.7 of the North-South Expressway, southbound on 18 March had turned himself in yesterday.

The suspect, a 30-year old local man, surrendered himself at the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) District Police Headquarters at 11.30 am.
“Investigation is in progress and the case is investigated under Section 42 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” the SPT police chief ACP Shafee Abd Samad was quoted as saying by Bernama.
A video recording showing a white Hilux bearing the plate number PMX 3338 being driven dangerously and almost causing an accident went viral on social media.
In the one-minute and 35 seconds video, the Hilux is seen on several occasions trying to ram into another car and almost made it crash into a lorry that was parked in the emergency lane.

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Jakim Denies Issuing Directive To Post ‘Non-Halal Lift’ Signage To Hotels

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The Islamic development department (Jakim) has denied that the department necessitates hotels and premises to put up the ‘non-halal lift’ signs as part of halal certification requirements.

According to Bernama, the department stated that there is no clause in the Malaysian Halal Certification Procedure Manual (Domestic) 2020 and the Malaysian Halal Management System 2020 which requires hotels or premises to put up the “non-halal lift” sign.
Hotels or premises however can establish any mechanism they see fit in accordance with the procedures set to maintain the integrity of Malaysia’s Halal Certification.
“Jakim would like to refer to a media report regarding a hotel in Kuala Lumpur that put a ‘non-halal lift’ sign on one of its elevators to move non-halal perishable goods.
“In the report, it was also stated that the instruction regarding the placing of the sign was a regulation stipulated by Jakim,” the department said in a statement.
Previously, lawyer Siti Kasim uploaded a picture of a sign stating “non-halal lift” in a four-star hotel on Twitter and asked why the hotel needed to put up such a sign.
So, a friend of mine took this photo at Sheraton Four Points. Can @FourSheraton explain the rationale behind this? 🤔 🤯 pic.twitter.com/LeG34wW3Ie— Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) October 3, 2022
The Star reported that the hotel management, in commenting on the matter, said that the hotel needs to put up a sign on the lift which carries non-halal and perishable goods as “part of the halal certification requirements.”

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Asia’s Got Talent Winner ‘The Sacred Riana’ Will Creep You Out This July With Her Chilling Conjuring Magic Show

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The Sacred Riana Conjuring Live In Kuala Lumpur is coming to Malaysia this 15 July 2023 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Her spine-chilling act is going to blow your socks off as she is one of the world’s most famous and bizarre illusionists.

Hailing from Indonesia, The Sacred Riana, or Marie Antoinette Riana Graharani is a renowned gothic-inspired magician who won season two of Asia’s Got Talent in 2017.
In 2018, she also managed to be a quarter-finalist in season 13 of America’s Got Talent and managed to enter the first round of Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions in 2019. She was also featured on Forbes  Asia’s 30 Under 30 list.
Here’s a clip of her performance in America’s Got Talent in 2018.

With her distinctive long and loose hair that covers most of her face and the creepy little doll that’s dressed like her, her eerie goosebumps stunts and enigmatic personality have captured millions of hearts.
According to the organizer of the upcoming magic show, Mediaberg Productions, they said, “With an incredible talent like Riana infusing her signature horror theme, which is also a favourite genre within the Malaysian viewers, we know for sure that this unique style of the magic act will be a hit amongst the Malaysian audience. Her creepy persona with her long hair covering half of her face and  holding Riani, her Annabel-like doll that accompanies her on stage tmakes it even more terrifying.”
Curious to see how she does her magic tricks? Come and see her this 15 July, at 8 pm in the Plenary Hall of KLCC.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Mediaberg Concerts & Shows (@mediaberg)
You can get the tickets here; they start from RM300 since the RM166 and RM269 tickets have sold out.
Kids from the age of 7 are allowed but they should be accompanied by an adult.
For more details and updates, follow The Sacred Riana and Mediaberg on Instagram.

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Sudden Water Cut In KL & Petaling Today Due To Landslide At Damansara Utama

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Unfortunate news for a number of Kuala Lumpur and Petaling residents today as a landslide at Damansara Utama last night (29 Dec) led to a broken distribution pipe – which means it’s an unscheduled water cut.

Air Selangor announced that 43 areas in the Petaling region and 20 areas in Kuala Lumpur will be facing dry taps today.
Though repair works for the broken pipes began last night, it is expected to take up to 30 hours and fully complete at 6am tomorrow (31 Dec). Air Selangor projects that water supply will be fully restored by 6pm, 1st January 2021.
Repair work at the broken pipes in Damansara Utama.(Credit: Air Selangor/Twitter)
Air Selangor assures that it will mobillise water tankers to the affected areas, with priority given to hospitals and dialysis centres.
Air Selangor fully understands the consumers’ need for clean water, especially with the increase in Covid-19 cases and the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order by taking all efforts to minimise the impact of disruption on affected consumers.Air Selangor
Alternatively, consumers can get water supply assistance at the Pusat Khidmat Setempat (PKS) in SS7 and Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 17.
Below is the list of affected areas:
Credit: Air Selangor
Credit: Air Selangor

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Source:
EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK OF THE BROKEN PIPE DUE TO LANDSLIDE IN DAMANSARA UTAMA


[Watch] “Sibuk Want To Take Video” Rude Frontliner Angers Netizens

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“Why you gotta be so rude?” asked Malaysians when a video showing a healthcare frontliner allegedly being rude to a foreigner during his Covid-19 vaccination made its way onto social media.

The 15-second clip originally posted on TikTok was reshared by netizens who took offence at the unprofessionalism shown by the medical worker when it came time for the man to be injected.
“Busy want to take video, but not ready,” said the lady when telling the man to lift up his sleeves as she prepared to stick the needle in his arm.
Many who saw the video felt sorry for the man who had apparently set up his camera to record the event. The treatment he received triggered many to acknowledge how some Malaysians tend to mistreat foreign migrants.
Treat people how you want to be treated. The tables could turn anytime and let’s just hope that you won’t be as unlucky to have to deal with someone like you. https://t.co/HWVNpymw9w— sara (@thesaralisa) August 23, 2021
the way he’s so unfazed by this treatment j shows that it happens ALL THE TIME https://t.co/4traGW8MHm— B🍒 (@batrisyiaak) August 23, 2021
Some were also moved to share examples of how professional medical workers treat their patients, regardless of their nationality.
Seharusnya begini. Contohi la doctor ni, anda terbaik 🙌 pic.twitter.com/iN6fUKXv0J— saudagar inai 💅 (@wanaaairish) August 23, 2021
Read More: ‘Hindustani’ Speaking Vaccine Volunteer Brings Joy To Foreigners & Has A Message For Malaysians
But, others are also of the opinion that the issue might have been blown way out of proportion.
Am I the only one who don’t think this is as bad as people are making it out to be? https://t.co/Njk2sMoMgx— #FreePalestine 🏳 (@AshrafAriff) August 24, 2021
However, comments seen on the original video posted by user3292892820 have some people openly apologizing to the ‘uncle’ for the treatment he had received and promised that not all of us behaved in such a way.
  @user3292892820  ♬ original sound  – Tik Toker

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2020: The Year Of Klang Valley Water Cuts

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In case you hadn’t realized, the Klang Valley is hit with yet another water cut a mere 2 days before the end of 2020. It’s only fitting that we have our final dry spell to send off the year after a brilliant rerun of constant water cuts. Here are the highlights.

February
February 7: 57 areas in Gombak faced water cuts when there was a burst pipe at the Hulu Kelang Pump House.
March
March 17: Air Selangor detected odour pollution and suspended the operations of their water treatment plants. Operations only resumed the following day.
April
April 16: 1.2 million residents were affected when four Sungai Selangor water treatment plants had to be shut down due to odour pollution.
One of the four water treatment plants at Air Selangor, responsible for treating our water to be clean and free of pollutants.(Credit: Amirudin Shari/Twitter)
September
September 3: Pollution at Sungai Gong industrial area caused one of the largest water cuts of the year, lasting almost 6 days. The pollution was traced back to a factory in Rawang, which was shut down immediately. The four owners of the business were arrested and charged.
This water cut in September was such a big deal that it even prompted Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos to reappear in his iconic towel, which he donned in 2016 to protest water cuts as well.
Left: Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos in 2020. Right: Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos in 2016.(Credit: Facebook/AstroAwani)
This was also when Malaysians were treated to a tone-deaf Instagram post by the wife of Selangor Menteri Besar, which showed a whole water tanker on the driveway of her house and her whole family taking a dip in their swimming pool, which she has since apologized for.
October
October 4: Four districts faced a water cut during another incident of raw water pollution at Sungai Semenyih.
October 13: A burst pipe in Shah Alam caused a short water cut of 12 hours.
October 17: Another burst pipe at the Sungai Selangor Phase 1 Water Treatment Plant resulted in water cuts in 686 areas.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari smelling the water at one of the Air Selangor water treatment plants during the an inspection over pollutants.(Credit: Amirudin Shari/Twitter)
October 19 : Pollution of Sungai Selangor forced a water supply disruption that lasted 5 days.
November
November 10: Chemical pollutants were illegally dumped down toilets, causing a water cut. Four suspects were remanded operating out of a rented premises which had stockpiles of chemical materials classified as scheduled waste.
The stockpile of chemical pollutants found at the rented premise which were poured down a toilet.(Credit: Fareez Azman/Twitter)
December
December 7: 1,274 areas in Klang Valley experienced a water cut in the wee hours of the morning due to pollution at Sungai Selangor. The cut lasted for a single day.
December 29: A burst main pipe led to water cuts in Petaling, Klang, and Shah Alam. However, water services are expected to resume within the day.
December 30: A landslide in Damansara Utama caused a sudden water cut which will affect KL and the Petaling areas. Repairs have already begun but full water supply is only expected to resume next year in 1 Jan 2021.

If you’re wondering what Air Selangor does throughout all these water cuts, it turns out to be quite a lot. Read the full story HERE. They are working to reduce the frequency of water cuts, though, and have bought new reserves of water so that our taps won’t run dry in the event of a drought.
In fact, they’ve even been commended in the international water industry for their work thus far. Highlighted among Air Selangor’s achievements was how they took over the entire state’s water supply in 2019, reversing decades of fragmentation, “smashing targets” for non-revenue water reduction and major replacement, and securing a revenue base with a rationalized tariff structure.
Let’s hope 2021 will be the Year Of Klang Valley Water Supply.

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8 things Malaysians say to hide their broke-ness

There’s no need to be embarrassed- we’re all not as rich as we would like to be. Yet for some reason, we can’t actually say that we’re struggling to make ends meet and therefore cannot actually be baller and throw down the bills.
 So, Malaysians have come up with all sorts of creative ways to say we’re broke – but nicely. (We’re not kiam siap okay! We’re just smart with money!)

via GIPHY
Fasting/Diet
With the rise of diets that promote short-term fasting, it’s so much easier to feel validated to skip meals.
You can also avoid the lectures from your parents/concerned aunties on skipping meals, because it’s “intermittent fasting”, not “being too poor to afford a meal”.

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Going vegetarian
Even the meat dishes at mamaks and banana leaf rice places have increased in price. Often times they’re much more expensive than the main meal itself (which is carbs, yes, we know).
It’s easy to bypass that extra meaty expense entirely when you just… claim to be going vegetarian. The plus point is that you are already participating in #MeatlessMonday, but like, everyday.

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Craving mamak
You know that moment when your gut shrinks internally when you’re out with friends and they suggest a ridiculously expensive restaurant to eat and you know you will have to eat air for the next week if you go? You can’t get out of it because, well, it’s a social dinner.
The best thing to do here is a diversion. Say that you’re absolutely craving for a maggi goreng or roti telur. Suggest a mamak closest to you, and 9 times out of 10 someone else in the group will agree and the dinner will move to the mamak.
(No need to thank us.)

You may or may not fail.(Picture credit: Me.me)

“Something else” is not worth it
When your friend suggests a kinda pricey place and you actually really want to go but you need to simultaneously fool your friend and yourself:
“No la, the wait is not worth it. Let’s go to the mamak instead.”
Saving up for something expensive
“Hey man, Air Asia has a flash sale yo, let’s go to Thailand.”
“Bro no man, I’m saving up to go solo-travelling in the UK next year.”

via GIPHY
I’m busy
…busy staying at home and not going out to spend money, that is!
You know, they’re the friends who are always available online. You can text them, call them, play online games with them at 3am. The minute you ask to hang out irl, they are “busy” and suddenly offline.
Of course, they might possibly just have severe social anxiety (but they’re probably just broke).

via GIPHY
Ask for a full itinerary (then decline anyway)
And then there are those who, if you want to jio them out, require a full itinerary on where to go. This is because they are doing mental calculations, a pro/con list, and assessing the risk of overspending in their head.
Usually, after calculations, they will politely decline, unless you invoke I Belanja, Got Discount or Free Food.

via GIPHY
FFK
The plans are made, everyone is super excited in the group chat, and then there’s always that one person who decides to just fong fei kei.
Usually, it’s also the one who’s always saying “Eh jom pergi!” and ends up standing everyone up.
But hey at least you save some cash, even if you may lose a friendship or two.

via GIPHY

We don’t actually encourage the above behavior, but we totally understand if you do it.
What other truly Malaysian ways do you save money? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter!


Japanese Man Picks Up Over 4,000 Cigarette Butts Littered In Putrajaya

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A Japanese man shared on Twitter how he recently picked up 4,500 cigarette butts at Ayer@8 in Putrajaya during a volunteer clean-up programme earlier this year.
Posting a picture of the cigarettes, the man known as @NanaCyber2 lamented on how there were so many cigarette butts littered throughout the area.

https://twitter.com/NanaCyber2/status/1265287774472527874

So many cigarette butts littered everywhere.@NanaCyber2 via Twitter
In a follow-up tweet written in Malay, @NanaCyber2 explained that he picked up the cigarette butts during a one and a half hours volunteer clean-up session with environmentalist group Trash Hero Putrajaya several months ago.
Based on his Twitter bio, @NanaCyber2 currently lives in Cyberjaya, enjoys volunteering for various charity initiatives and is learning the Malay language.
Replies to @NanaCyber2’s tweet had one user pointing out how we should not only be embarrassed by Japanese nationals picking up our trash, but instead be embarrassed when anyone has to pick up our trash.
Malunya dekat orang luar. Tapi cuba bayangkan kalau Indo, Bangla atau Melayu yg kutip. Ada x kita malu?Apa2 pun x kisah la sapa yg kutip, janji perasaan malu tu kena ada. Okay, rak lu 😃— Tuan M. Siddiq® (@siddiq11gratte) May 27, 2020
We’re so embarrassed towards outsiders. But imagine if it was an Indonesian, a Bangladeshi, or even another Malaysian who picked up the trash. Would we still feel embarrassed? No matter who picks up the trash, we should still feel embarrassed.@siddiq11gratte via Twitter
Meanwhile, another Twitter user said that Malaysians still have a long way to go when it comes to being mindful of disposing of their litter properly.
掃除のおばさんがゴミを拾ってくれるから大丈夫だという考え方が問題だと思います。マレーシア人は「自分のゴミ、自分で捨てなきゃ」と小さい時から教育しなければいけないです。— Dayah Megat (@deiahdayahdaiah) May 27, 2020
I think the problem is that people think it’s okay to litter since their rubbish will be picked up by cleaners anyway. We need to instil the mindset of ‘I have to throw away my own rubbish’ from a young age.@deiahdayahdaiah via Twitter
It appears that this isn’t @NanaCyber2’s first clean-up volunteer work. In another Twitter thread, @NanaCyber2 shared pictures of plastic bottles he picked up with another group of volunteers in February near Gem In Mall in Cyberjaya.

MCO前の2/29。GEM-IN-MALLの裏でごみ拾いをやった時の1枚。ペットボトル、タバコのポイ捨て多かった。2時間で202kgのゴミを拾いましたよ pic.twitter.com/yc4ks36uU5— Nana (@NanaCyber2) May 24, 2020

On February 29 before the movement control order, I did a clean-up near the Gem In Mall with volunteers from Trash Hero Putrajaya. We picked up 202 kilogrammes of rubbish including bottles, cigarette butts, and more.@NanaCyber2 via Twitter

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Zen By Mel – Welcoming Spring With Fresh Flavours From Japan And Malaysia [Review]

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Zen by Mel introduces their Spring dinnertime menu called Niisho. The dishes are inspired by the springtime in Japan and the forests in Malaysia

The special menu will last until June/July and they’ll be refreshing the menu to greet another season.
Niisho features an 11-course menu but diners can also opt for the 9-course menu.
Here’s the food you’ll be served on the 11-course menu:
Starters
HajimeToho-kenNettaebbiDaiya
Soup Course
Clam Latte
Mains
KaiyonoMoriShinKarubiJi-tsubu
Desserts
Borneo SharbettoHana FubukiPetit Four
The Taste Test
The first starter, Hajime and Tohoken, arrived on a beautifully decorated plate. At first glance, you’ll spot the panni puri and inside there’s a bit of sambal sudachi aioli, lime, pomelo, and Thai fish.
Meanwhile, the crystal bread is topped with flounder’s tail fin, uni paste and caviar from the Caspian Sea in Iran. It has a slightly salty or briny taste that leaves you wanting more.
Clockwise from top left: Hajime and Tohoken, Nettaebbi, Clam Latte, and Daiya. Image: Adeline Leong/TRP
Next up is the Nettaebbi and the roll comes nestled in a bird’s nest.
At the bottom, there are shishio leaves which give the dish a peppery yet nutty flavour. The Japanese tiger prawn is wrapped with sweet nori (seaweed) and kadaifi pastry strands fried with clarified butter. It’s topped with roasted Miyazaki mango with togarashi for a hint of spice.
To enjoy it fully, it’s best to wrap it all up like a taco and eaten in one to two bites.
The last appetiser is the Daiya, which means ‘diamond.’ It’s smoked hamachi doused with kelulut and dashi jelly and topped with uni crema mixed with asparagus cream and lantana flowers for a sweet and sour flavour.
Underneath the sashimi, there’s pickled sengkuang with sauce made from almond milk and caramelised onions. A few drops of sesame oil bring balance to the dish.
The Daiya has a citrusy flavour and the crunch from the pickled sengkuang bits felt like tasting a burst of Spring.
After enjoying all the tasty starters, we come to the soup course known as the Clam Latte. The unique name intrigued us and it came served in a bowl with foam on top.
The Clam Latte is a warm palate cleanser featuring peppery flavours from Bentong ginger and a hint of chilli padi with the addition of goji berries, sweet Hamaguri clams and baby scallops.
Clockwise from left: KaiyonoMori, Shinkarubi, and Ji-tsubu. Image: Adeline Leong/TRP
The first main dish is the KaiyonoMori featuring the red snapper. The fish is cooked using the kobujime technique, where the fish is prepared between layers of konbu to bring out the best flavours.
The fish is accompanied by the béarnaise sauce with bunga kantan (ginger rose), confit Japanese sweet potatoes and finished with brown butter and brown sugar for a caramelized effect.
The result was a delicious, buttery fish and the sweet potatoes help balance out the flavour profiles. I loved that I could add more sauce to the dish.
Next up is the Shinkarubi which is a must for all beef lovers. The beef dish also features kampung vegetables such as ulam raja, kacang botol (four-angled bean), and daun seluk dressed with wasabi vinegar for a slight kick and sour touch to the salad.
The beef has been braised for over 9 hours which explains why it melts right in the mouth and it goes well with the umeboshi (Japanese plum), Granny Smith gel and is sweetened with pomegranates.
After finishing the beef dish, we dive right into a rice dish called the Ji-tsubu. At first glance, it reminded me of risotto.
The Akitakomachi rice is marinated with a bit of shallot oil, smoked mushroom vinegar, and handmade furikake for the umami effect.
On top of the rice is the Japanese octopus capriccio (sliced thinly) with a hint of sea salt and two different types of mushrooms: the enoki and king oyster mushrooms.
The enoki is braised with brown butter, mirin, soy sauce and ginger. The king oyster mushroom was grilled using binchotan for a charred flavour and rubbed with roasted konbu powder.
The whole dish is drizzled with mushroom tea that has been steeped for 19 hours, making it a really hearty dish.
From left to right: Hana Fubuki, Borneo Sharbetto, and Petit Four. Image: Adeline Leong/TRP
Finally, it’s dessert time! The first dessert is the Borneo Sharbetto featuring a mango sorbet together with roasted walnuts and raspberry crispies. Below, it’s raspberry consommé mixed with fermented melon.
The Borneo Sharbetto was sweet and citrusy which doubles as a refreshing palate cleanser reminiscent of springtime.
The second dessert, Hana Fubuki, was a dessert for the eyes as well. The pink Sakura floss resembles a beautiful tree and it’s held up by a biscuit as a tree trunk. A dollop of soursop ice cream sits beside the tree.
Below the tree is a cheesecake with a strawberry puree centre and covered with biscoff soil. The candy floss has a sweet, Sakura flavour while the soursop ice cream is smooth and creamy.
Lastly, the Petit Fours are as adorable as ever. The four tiny sweets are Sakura Yuzu Jelly, Chocolate Orange biscuit, Matcha Mousse, and a Charcoal chocolate biscuit.
The Verdict
Overall, I have a favourite dish from each course. For the Appetisers, I liked the Hajime and Tohoken. The Clam Latte was delicious but I might be biased because I love soups.
For the mains, I love the KaiyonoMori for the soft, buttery fish.
When it comes to dessert, I find it hard to choose between the Borneo Sharbetto and Hana Fubuki. Both were equally tasty to me.
The Niisho 11-course menu costs RM420++ while the 9-course menu costs RM320++.
READ MORE: Zen By Mel – Bringing Japanese And European Fusion Dishes In Omakase Style [Review]

Zen By Mel
Address: F-10-01, Pusat Perdagangan Bandar, Persiaran Jalil 1, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur (next to Tokyo 9 Bar, across Chagee).
Operation Hours:Monday to Sunday, Closed on TuesdaysFirst Session: 6.00pm to 8.00pmSecond Session: 8.30pm to 10.30pm
Instagram: Zen By Mel
For reservations: https://letsumai.com/widget/zen-by-mel

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Malaysia Football Legend V Krishnasamy Passes Away At 72

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Malaysia has lost a footballing legend as a V. Krishnasamy, who was part of the national team who made their way to the 1972 Olympics in Munich recently passed away.
He was 72.
According to The Star, he was admitted to the hospital on 31 July shortly before he died on 2 August and had previously suffered from illnesses.
The former footballer reportedly had diabetes – which resulted in his left leg being amputated.
Known as the ‘Iron Man’ during his playing career, Krishnasamy was part of the team which played in the Olympic Games in Munich.
The former midfielder played for the national team from 1970 to 1976 and represented local clubs, Penang and Perak.
Besides being a footballer, Krishnasamy also served with the Prisons Department.
Despite not advancing further than the group stages, that team did notch a victory in Europe against the United States, 3-0, and was placed third.
Picture Credit: Wikipedia

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[Watch] Bossku Supporters Cry, Pray And Chant ‘Hidup Najib’ Outside The Federal Court

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If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or stay with them, even if it doesn’t make sense to others.

Supporters of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, fondly known as ‘Bossku’, have painted a dramatic picture as his SRC International conviction appeal nears the end.
They wept over his looming jail term and prayed to the Almighty to vindicate him, chanting ‘takbir’, a typical Islamic Arabic expression meaning God is great.
With much zeal, Najib’s supporters also chanted ‘Hidup Najib’ (long live Najib).
Social media have been flooded with videos showing pro-Najib loyalists in deep emotions as they gather outside the Federal Court in Putrajaya.

Undying Loyalty
Their passion for the Pekan MP drew the ire and amazement of netizens who see it as something that defies logic.
Najib’s critics said his supporters must have lost their minds to blindly support a convicted criminal.

They also compared Najib’s supporters to former American president Donald Trump’s fans.
Not surprising at all, Tom.In Malaysia, there are Najib aka Bossku die-hards/loyalists groups.In US, there are the Trump MAGA fans, which the left/liberals prefer to call them as Trump cults.— Islam☆Malaysia 🇲🇾☆Cats☆AnwarIbrahimMYPM (@camancher2012) August 17, 2022
Others claimed that Najib’s supporters are only there because they are paid and would no longer appear once their paymaster is behind bars.
Imagine all the support Mail would get if Najib can be thrown to jail before PRU15, heck even from PH supporters. Penyokong Najib akan lari ke tempat lain sebab paymaster dah ke dalam, siapa nak bela depa ye dak.— Zul, Kawan NPC Anda (@senangnakingat) August 16, 2022
Don’t Judge!
In Najib’s defence, some said it’s not right to judge people sent to prison.
They added that Najib must have done many good things, which is why some Malaysians continue to stand by him.
They added that his immense popularity on Facebook after he lost the election in 2018 would surely count for something.

READ MORE: “Your Truth, My Truth And The Truth” Zahid Urged Najib To Continue His Fight To Clear His Name
At the same time, Najib’s supporters said his imprisonment would not be in vain.
They believe it would galvanise the people to vote for his party Umno and Barisan Nasional in the next general election.
READ MORE: Ahmad Zahid Wants General Election By This Year As LCS Scandal Is Killing BN
Umno akan menang jika @NajibRazak di penjarakan. Bersatulah korbankan Najib demi kemenangan umno— 5•m•4•2•4•d•4•m•h•4 (@5m424d4mh4) August 17, 2022

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Malaysian Wins World’s Most Prestigious Scholarship To Oxford To Help Fix Education Access

They always say that the youth is the future and Malaysia is
certainly a fertile ground of potential.
For one, meet Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah, a Malaysian student who was awarded the 2020 Rhodes Scholarship to continue her studies at the University of Oxford in UK!

Congratulations @ezzatyhasbullah! 🇲🇾🎉#RhodesScholar2020 pic.twitter.com/LWDaqe3KdF
â€” Rhodes Trust (@rhodes_trust) November 7, 2019

To fill you in, the Rhodes Scholarship is the worldâ€™s oldest international scholarship (handing out scholarships since 1902) that enables young people from around the globe to continue their postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.
It is widely considered the most prestigious scholarship programme in the world and only 5 Malaysians have ever received this scholarship. So itâ€™s a pretty big deal!

While Ezzatyâ€™s scholarly achievement is worthy of applause, her hard work in actively making the lives of people better is one thatâ€™s the most impressive. (Thereâ€™s a reason why the Rhodes Trust were impressed by her, you know!)
â€œMainly I applied because I truly believed that the Rhodes Scholarship would be a great opportunity that would bring me one step closer towards my dream of ensuring that all Malaysians have equal access to opportunities and a good quality of life.â€
Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah to TRP.

 Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah
(Credit: Penn Today, University of Pennsylvania)

The 23-year-old Selangorian was already making a difference here in Malaysia before she embarked on her academic journey to the United States, where she is currently doing her bachelorâ€™s degree in health and societies (concentration in global health) and a minor in anthropology at the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).
As someone whoâ€™s passionate about social impact, Ezzaty told us that a lot of her volunteer work in Malaysia was in reducing education inequality through student-run NGOs, namely The Kalsom Movement and Charisma Movement.
Via The Kalsom Movement (where sheâ€™s been involved for 2 years), sheâ€™s been to secondary schools across Malaysia where they run education and motivational camps for high achieving Form 4 and 5 students from low-income backgrounds. The goal is to empower the students to succeed in their SPM and pursue tertiary education.

One of The Kalsom Movementâ€™s motivational projects to empower Malaysian school students.
(Credit: @TheKalsomMovement/Facebook)

â€œOne of the years I was a volunteer, I remember having a student who expressed to me that he simply was not interested in university. To my greatest delight he reached out to me a few months ago asking me for advice on applying to scholarships.
These students have amazing potential, and to be able to nudge them and inspire them of their own capabilities is truly rewarding.â€
Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah to TRP.
According a 2004 Education Ministry and UNESCO study quoted by The Star, 85% of school dropouts in Malaysia come from poor families.
While the numbers have been declining through the years, Malay Mail reports that the implications for school dropouts is far reaching and a slippery slope down that leads to a life of crime and violence, missed opportunities, unemployment rate, and lower socioeconomic status.
This is something that Ezzaty is acutely aware of.

In July 2019, she spent two weeks tutoring students and living in a primary school located in the rural depths of Sabah with Charisma Movementâ€™s Temuno-Teringai Project.
â€œFor the first time in my life, I was experiencing what it felt like to be in school with no water, no phone connection, interacting with young students who have never seen the world beyond their villages.
To think that there are hundreds if not thousands of kids in Malaysia who face similar circumstances is devastating.â€
Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah to TRP.

 View this post on Instagram

 [Charisma Movementâ€™s Project Teringai Temunda] I spent my first two weeks of July literally living IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL in a rural area of Sabah. Imagine this; no running water, no internet, no phone coverage. However, I still wouldnâ€™t trade my experience for the world. Because what I lost in water and cellular connectivity, I gained a whole lot in human connection and life experience. I tutored english and maths to 12 year olds and to my heartâ€™s dismay, a significant number of these UPSR students could bare read english or do basic maths. But the things is, by the end of just the mere two weeks, I saw my studnet grow from not being able to memorize his multiplications to doing complex maths questions involving decimals, fractions and even long division! It made me realize that truly, the only thing holding these kids back is there life circumstances. Had the had the educational opportunities I had when I was their age, I am 100% sure they would be more than ready to face the UPSR. The random fortune in life you were born into really should not determine your ability to succeed. These kids are some of the kindest, most independent, strongest kids I have ever come across. There are many like them out there and, as a nation and as individuals, there is a whole lot more we can do to help them get education they deserve.
A post shared by  Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah (@ezzatyhasbullah) on Aug 8, 2019 at 8:58pm PDT

This experience made her truly realise her privilege in living and growing up in a middle-class background with ample opportunities available to someone in her position.
So how does she plan to fight this inequality with
the Rhodes Scholarship?
Ezzatyâ€™s goal is to ensure that all children in
Malaysia have access to quality education regardless of their geography or
socioeconomic background.

Credit: Shafwan Zaidon/Malay Mail

With the Rhodes Scholarship, Ezzaty is optimistic that sheâ€™ll be one step closer to her dream of ensuring that all Malaysians have access to opportunities and a good quality of life. So while at Oxford, sheâ€™ll be doing not one, but TWO masters programmes to maximise her time there.
First, she plans to do masterâ€™s in social data science and then continue with Oxfordâ€™s masterâ€™s in public policy.
â€œAs much as I dream of an ideal world where data informs policy and no man, woman or child gets left behind, I recognize that reality is complicated. The MPP program would ground me in the real-world considerations of public policy whilst inspiring me of its possibilities.â€
Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah to TRP.

Ezzaty while volunteering teaching primary school kids in a rural Sabah village.
(Credit: @ezzatyhasbullah/Instagram)

Thereâ€™s three ways she plans to execute her dream for an equal-opportunity Malaysia:

Enhancing Malaysiaâ€™s data collection mechanism to be more grounded and people-centric through the incorporation of qualitative data.
Create data-driven and contextually specific public policies.
Represent the Malaysian people and, eventually, enter the Cabinet to create opportunities for disenfranchised voices.

Besides eradicating inequality for Malaysiaâ€™s children, Ezzaty also wants to help eliminate violence towards women, to create a society where even the very idea of violence against women does not exist.

 View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Penn President Amy Gutmann (@dramygutmann) on Nov 24, 2019 at 11:38am PST

While she may sound like an idealist, Ezzatyâ€™s heart (and vision) is certainly in the right place.
â€œWe canâ€™t determine the circumstance a person in born into, but we can make those circumstances more favourable for many by understanding that equality is not the same as equity.
At the end of the day, I know I will be asked what I used my privilege for and I would like to be able to answer that I used it to uplift others. Everyone deserves the opportunity to realize their potential and to live a dignified life.â€
Nurul Ezzaty Hasbullah to TRP.
And to that, we wish Ezzaty the best of luck in achieving this noble goal and a great big congratulations on her achievement!
Vote Rosiethe Riveter GIF from Vote GIFs

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Good Samaritans Band Together To Clean Up Glass Debris On Federal Highway

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Often when objects, especially large or heavy ones, fall on the road, it can be dangerous for motorists as it increases the risks of unwanted accidents.
That’s what happened on Monday when a mirror fell on the Federal Highway.
Luckily, a good samaritan by the name of the Muhd Rizan was riding by and he quickly took action.
This moment was caught by Ain Shaz Juahir, who immediately halted her vehicle to allow Rizan to pick up the frame of the mirror and place it at the side of the road.
The footage was caught on Ain’s dashcam.

She was on her way to Puchong from Shah Alam when the incident happened.
The mirror was in the box with a bunch of wooden blocks which could be the frame.Ain Shaz Juahir
After making way for Rizan, she then braved herself amidst the heavy traffic to help clean up the debris before other motorcyclists came by to assist them.
The video caught attention of netizens who applauded her bravery for making way and helping out a stranger.
At the time of writing, it has already received more than 2,000 reactions and 4,000 shares.


Bosses Should Give Time Off To Employees To Vote If Polls Fall On A Workday, Says HR Minister

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Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, minister of human resources, stated that if election day occurs on a working day, employers must provide employees with time off or leave.

He says that every Malaysian citizen older than 18 has the power to vote and fulfill their responsibilities.
The employers must comply with the government’s directive. They must allow employees to vote whether the employees are given occasional public holidays (cuti peristiwa), replacement leave or time off.Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan
Saravanan stated that any employer that does not comply with this order would be punished.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yakoob announced the dissolution of Parliament on the 10th of October.
Dates for the next 15th General Election will be discussed and finalised during a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) on October 20.

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Sarawak Allows Venues To Fill Up To 50% Capacity For Events

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Sarawak only allows venues to fill up 50% of their capacity for social and official events.

Previously, the state capped the capacity at 250 people.
According to reports, Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that if the venue can accommodate up to 1,000 people, the maximum would be 500.
The directive came into force today (24 August) and must comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been set such as maintaining physical distancing.Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas via Bernama
After being hit with several clusters last month, Sarawak is now a green zone again after the state didn’t record any new infections in the span of two weeks.

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183,000 Covid-19 Cases Recorded In A Single Day, 9 Million In Total Worldwide

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While Malaysia has been relatively successful in containing Covid-19, countries worldwide are still struggling to cope with the spread of the pandemic.
On 20 June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that 183,000 people tested positive for the coronavirus within a 24-hour period, the largest single-day increase.
The spread now is more concentrated in the Americas, both North and South which contributed more than 116,000 cases.
In that period same period, Brazil saw 50,000 new cases.
Worldwide, as of 23 June, there are more than 9 million cases with the United States recording 2.3 million cases and Brazil 1.1 million, according to data by the John Hopkins University.
Russia recorded 7,600 COVID-19 cases on 22 June, taking its total to 592,28. The death toll also grew on that day by 95 to 8,206.
The pandemic has severely hampered their economy as Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 10.9% year-on-year in May.
As for India, the number of cases have surpassed the 400,000 mark on 21 June, reaching 410,461, with the total number of deaths due to the virus crossing the 13,000-mark.

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Source:
India Covid-19: Cases surpass 400,000, deaths cross 13,000-mark
Russian COVID-19 cases grow to 592,280
John Hopkins Covid-19 Tracker


Policemen Allegedly Finishes Flood Victim’s GrabFood After She Braved The Flood To Get It

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Vaishnavi is a Taman Sri Muda resident who was badly impacted by the flood. Like others who were stranded in the residential area, she and her family only had limited supplies that were not damaged by the flood.

After Vaishnavi’s family had not eaten for a whole day, she finally decided to order food via Grab so that they could finally eat.
However, when the Grab rider arrived, she was told to go and pick it up at the police tent 1 hour away because the rider could not deliver the food into her flooded residential area.
She did so, but to her shock and dismay, her food wasn’t there by the time she arrived.
It was all eaten by police
According to a post shared by Vaishnavi’s cousin which has since been deleted, the order of food was allegedly devoured completely by the policemen manning the booth.
Vaishnavi was devastated and confronted the policemen about why they ate her food. She was sure that it was hers because the large white plastic bag still had her order receipt stapled to it.
The police guys told me to balik beacause it’s not safe to stand there. They covered the story that way. Who to blame here?Vaishnavi

Bitter and hungry, she was forced to walk another hour to find food for her family closer to home.
Vaishnavi and her family later only received aid and food from NGOs and volunteers, and have not yet received any help from the government. Luckily, they have received neccessary supplies and are beginning to bounce back from the flood situation.
As for whether or not she is planning to follow up on the case of stolen food, Vaishnavi’s cousin told TRP that the family is busy cleaning out their home and have not yet had the time to lodge a police report.
TRP has reached out to PDRM for further comments.

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30-Pax Private Party During MCO Ends In Police Arrests

At a time when many are staying at their homes during the Movement Control Order (MCO), some would prefer defy the order and  have a private party instead. 30 individuals were caught by the police during a raid recently in Johor.
The police said the party also involved minors as a 15 year old girl and a 17 year old boy were also apprehended by the police.
It was reported that 20 men and 10 women were tested for drugs, out of which, 10 were positive on methamphetamine while 7 were on ketamines.
Meanwhile, the police also nabbed three teenage girls during a roadblock conducted at the Sultan Iskandar highway.
They said the girls were caught flouting the MCO and one of them was found positive on drugs and even possessed 0.58 grams of ketamine.

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Covid-19: JKR Confirms Staff At KL HQ Infected

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The Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) has confirmed a Covid-19 case at their headquarters at Jalan Sultan Salahuddin, Kuala Lumpur.

In a statement, JKR explains that a staff member working at their headquarters tested positive for the coronavirus on 16 September and has been admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital for treatment.
Details of close contacts of the infected staff have been submitted to the Health Ministry for screening, while disinfection and sanitisation will be carried out in the building.
Credit: Google Maps
JKR also affirms that the identified close contact individuals will undergo home quarantine.
Along with the statement, JKR also released the infected staff member’s movements for public information which showed the staff had visited Parliament and travelled to Kuching, Sarawak for a meeting.
The staff had undergone Covid-19 swab testing during random selection at Kuching International Airport upon landing on 14 September.
Credit: kpkesihatan.com
The JKR employee has stayed at Hilton Hotel in Kuching and was informed by a Kuching hospital of his positive test result while on the way back home to Kuala Lumpur on 16 September.
Both flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching were on AirAsia.
Credit: @jkr.malaysia/Facebook
With this new Covid-19 case, CodeBlue reports that KL is no longer a green zone.

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Source:
KL Loses Green Status After JKR HQ Reports Coronavirus Case


1/3 Students Could Not Participate In Online Classes During MCO

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A survey of 670,118 parents of 893,331 students conducted during the months of MCO showed that more than a third of students did not have any proper access to the internet for online learning.
What you need to know: The Movement Control Order (MCO) closed schools, meaning that students and teachers had to teach and learn through online lessons very quickly. During this time, a little under half (46.5%) of students had to rely on smartphones to join their lessons, 15% had access to personal computers, and 5.8% had access to a tablet. A whopping 36.9% of students did not have access to any device at all.
Why it matters: If these students have no access to a working device or reliable internet, they could not participate in their education for over three months. This lack of devices is a significant obstacle to learning.
Who said what: Senior Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin (Education) noted that in addition to the lack of devices, there were also restrictions from limited internet access. If online learning were to be adopted in the long-term, matters must be addressed such as the diversity of students in terms of demographics and socio-economic standing. However, he assured that his ministry would continue efforts to enhance online learning and teaching.
What you can do: If you have an old PC or laptop lying around and want to donate it to the children, local NGO Medical Awareness Camp Outreach (MACO) is running a Computer Empowerment Programme in addition to their free medical services and daily meals provided to the poor. They will accept your donations of old technology, refurbish the gadgets, and donate them to the children in need.

Read more: Education Ministry: Over one in three students couldn’t access online learning during MCO [Malay Mail]To Get Good Internet For Online Exams, This Sabah Student Spent 24 Hours In A Tree [TRP]Veveonah’s 24 Hours In A Tree Inspires TM To Upgrade Her Village To 300Mbps Internet [TRP]

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Popular Bentong Thong Kee Kopitiam Opening Its Doors In Cheras

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Local favourite coffeeshop Thong Kee is opening its 8th physical outlet in Taman Connaught, Cheras!

This means that Cheras residents will no longer need to order delivery from its other outlets, and get to enjoy it much closer to home.
         View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Since 1988 💛 溏记海南茶室 (@thongkeecafe)
They are famous for a wide variety of kopitiam breakfast fare such as roti bakar, soft-boiled eggs, croissants, and even savoury muffins!
Thong Kee also offers noodle dishes like laushufen, but they are probably best beloved for their ‘1+1 coffee’, which is a delightful mix of Hainan tea + coffee but different from a usual cham.
Thong Kee is an old school Hainanese favourite that originated in Bentong, Pahang. It was first established in 1988, and has since built a name and legacy for itself as a must-visit eatery.
Now, the younger generation of the Thong Kee team has boldly expanded the dream into the Klang Valley and equipped the eatery with modern convieniences to keep up with demand.
In fact, their usage of modern tech systems to optimize efficiency drew praise from netizens who were certainly not expecting this level of sophistication from an old school eatery.

Still, it only means that hungry patrons won’t have to wait longer than they need to before digging in to breakfast!

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13-Year-Old Girl Falls To Her Death From 16th Floor

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High-rise homes often lack safety measures to prevent a child from falling from the balcony or window.

Recently, a 13-year-old girl became another victim of a high-rise building death.
She died after falling from the 16th floor of an apartment in Jinjang Utara, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday afternoon (31 March).
Sentul District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Beh Eng Lai said he received a call about the incident from the public at 4.15 pm.

The investigation at the scene found that the victim lived alone with her sister.
During the incident, the victim’s sister left the victim who was playing computer games in the main room of the house to go to the toilet. However, when she came out of the toilet, the victim’s sister saw the victim climbing through the window in the room. ACP Beh Eng Lai explaining how the victim’s sister ran to pull the victim, but did not have time because the victim had already fallen.
He said the investigation also found that the window was not equipped with an iron grille, and the victim is suspected of slipping out of it while climbing.
Further investigation found that there was no criminal element in this incident.
Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) paramedics have confirmed the victim’s death.
The body has been referred to the HKL Forensic Unit for an autopsy to identify the cause of death.
The case is classified as sudden death.
The Sentul Police call on the public who have any information about this case to contact the Sentul District Police Headquarters (IPD) Operations Room at 03-40482206.
Too Many Similar Heartbreaking Cases
The latest incident saddens netizens, as they pointed out that such deaths are completely preventable.
Yet repeatedly, we read news stories about children falling to death from high-rise buildings.
The lucky ones are injured, but these little ones often have no way out from certain death.
Many reminded parents, especially high-rise dwellers, which is common in big cities, to implement basic prevention measures such as installing safety grilles.
Again. Sokmo jugak baca news budak jatuh bangunan ni. Take care kawan2 yg stay high rise with kids. https://t.co/Qsy2c2SXeV— Khairunnisa (@khyenisaa) April 16, 2022

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Instagram wants to hide your likes! Currently testing in 7 countries

Instagram has announced that for users in seven countries, the number of likes displayed under their posts will no longer be visible.

According to Instagramâ€™s official Twitter account, theyâ€™re testing the change because they want users to focus on the photos and videos shared on the platform rather than how many likes the posts get.

We want your friends to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get. You can still see your own likes by tapping on the list of people who’ve liked it, but your friends will not be able to see how many likes your post has received.
â€” Instagram (@instagram) July 17, 2019

But Malaysians don’t need to panic!
Firstly, Malaysia is not among the countries included in the test…yet.

via GIPHY
Secondly, the move is merely a test at the moment.
Instagram first implemented “invisible likes” (this is a term we made up ourselves) in Canada last May. Now, theyâ€™re expanding the test to a number of countries so they can gauge how the change resonates with Instagramâ€™s global community.
Which means that itâ€™s still possible that they might just scrap the whole thing entirely.

via GIPHY
Thirdly, you will still be able to see the number of likes and views on your own posts, just not the number of likes on posts by other users.
Naturally, the internet is divided. There are those supporting the move, there are those against it. And then there are those who just want chronological order of the timeline back.

Actually Instagram is right and this will ONLY benefit society! This is a GOOD thing. DEAL WITH IT.
â€” Diogo Filipe (@ph3ux) July 18, 2019

No one asked for this. No one wants this except insecure snowflakes. Thanks.
â€” CJ Pearson (@thecjpearson) July 18, 2019

Cool story, bro.
But we want OUR FEED in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
â€” Ongina (@ongina) July 18, 2019

via GIPHY
This news comes at the heels of Instagram introducing a slew of new tools and policies to prevent online bullying taking place on the app.
Another new feature on Instagram is Restrict. It allows users to have better control over how other users contact them and interact with their accounts.
Picture credit: Tech a Peek
Besides that, Instagram will also now alert users when their accounts are at risk of being disabled.

Today weâ€™re updating our account disable policy and introducing a new notification system for accounts at risk of being disabled. Learn more: https://t.co/eiRu9hG6kn pic.twitter.com/zf8TLQfWgK
â€” Instagram (@instagram) July 18, 2019

Picture credit: Mememaker

Personally, we think this might be a positive change for the social media platform.
Although research has shown that social media platforms such as Instagram allows us the freedom of self-expression and an avenue to receive social support from our peers, it also shows that receiving likes on your Instagram posts sends a rush of dopamine to the brain.
Picture credit: imgflip
This is not good. In fact, the dopamine rush means social media affects the brain the same way gambling does, which is the reason why social media is so addictive.
Furthermore, scrolling through endless pictures of your friends constantly on holiday or enjoying nights out can promote a â€˜compare and despairâ€™ attitude, resulting in feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety.

via GIPHY
The only people who might actually be negatively affected by “invisible likes” are social media influencers.
Since influencers typically use their number of likes and follower count as their marketing angle to clients, having their likes invisible MIGHT affect their clout with followers.

Malaysian influencers could especially be affected by this, considering they have it pretty tough already based on a recent survey revealing that they are not as influential as influencers from other countries.


Man jumps off Penang ferry to escape wife

PSA – If you or anyone you know may be suffering episodes of depressions or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out.
Call Befrienders KL at 03-79568145 or Talian Kasih at 15999 for help or if you need someone to talk to.
Being married is tough… Dealing with so many pressures coming from all sides of the spectrum, both internally and externally can sometimes push people to the brink of insanity.

via GIPHY
This was surely true for one man who unfortunately decided to take a quick plunge off of a ferry in Butterworth, Penang after supposedly being tired of his â€œqueen controlâ€ of a wife.
The 36-year-old man had attempted to take his own life by jumping off the back of the moving Rapid Ferry service just as it was nearing the Butterworth coastline at sometime around 7 pm on July 18.
According to reports, apparently, the man had first taken a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth before taking a ferry bound for the island city of Georgetown.

via GIPHY
After boarding the ferry at Butterworth, the man then stayed on the boat throughout its journey from Butterworth to Georgetown and then back to its original port in Butterworth. (possibly contemplating his decision…)
It was then that the distraught husband decided to take his leap into the great blue beyond, but was thankfully rescued shortly after his dive.
Forrest Gump Jump GIF from Forrestgump GIFs

Upon questioning it was determined that guy who had been married for a course of a decade and having two children, could no longer stand the tension and strain caused from the constant bickering and fighting he had with his charming wife.
Boxing Lets Fight GIF from Boxing GIFs

Supposedly, the couple were also riddled with financial problems due to a slump in business.
After the incident, the man is said to be in stable condition and referred to a professional psychologist for further treatment.
There had been no word on where the wife was and had been at the time of the incident.

via GIPHY
The case is currently being investigated under Section 309 of the Penal Code for attempted suicide, a ruling that most Malaysians find archaic and rather detrimental to society.
Though it’s easy to speculate that the number of suicide cases in Malaysia is made up of lonely single people, in truth it is quite the opposite.

via GIPHY
According to the National Suicide Registry Malaysia which came out back in 2007, showed that a significant number of suicide cases in the country were committed by persons who are married.
Data showed that married men attributed to 50% of the suicidal death rates in the country where only  29% of married women had taken their lives during the course of the study.

(Image Credit: Pinterest)

Moreover, numbers based on the 2008 NSRM report showed that suicide deaths among married couples lingered at 43.1% and the report that came out in 2009 notes 151 reported cases of suicide among those who are married.
If you or anyone you know may be suffering episodes of depressions or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out.
Call Befrienders KL at 03-79568145 or Talian Kasih at 15999 for help or if you need someone to talk to.


Malaysian Government Officials ‘Hexed’ In Viral TikTok Trend

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International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and others became the target of a bewitching new trend on TikTok.

A string of clips had materialized on the video-sharing platform depicting netizens supposedly conjuring hexes, jinxes, curses and all manner of magic on the Gombak Member of Parliament (MP).
Read More: TIL That Black Magic “Susuk” Charm Needles Are Real And Show Up On X-Ray Scans
From mosquito repellents to eleven herbs and spices, the trend saw content creators playfully casting their dissatisfaction towards the Minister’s photographs as spooky music plays in the background.
  @fazhancf Satu cara nak tutup kilang #fyp #fypシ #azminali ♬ original sound  – MAWANG
Netizens claim that their performance was a last-ditch attempt at putting an end to the Covid-19 crisis.
  @akubudakbuah kita cuba cara lagu ni pulak .. manatau bgn esok pagi die tergerak hati nak tutup kilang ##azminali ##lockdown ##deritarakyat ##politikmalaysia ##covid19 ♬ original sound  – MAWANG
Many point fingers at prominent figures for the rise in infections and allowing factories to operate during lockdowns.
Other government officials, including Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, did not escape from becoming enchanted in the viral social media ritual.
  @cinthrosy ##fyp ##foryoupage ##azminali ##muhyiddin ##dghisham ##fypシ ##funny ##malaysiatiktok ##malaysia ##kerajaangagal ##kerajaanlangit ##kayangan ♬ original sound  – what
Unfair to blame factories
Azmin had previously explained that it was unfair to blame the manufacturing sector for contributing to Covid-19 outbreaks.
According to the Minister, data from the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) showed that the manufacturing industry only contributed to 9.3% of infections detected between 1 to 23 June.
Citing the Health Ministry (KKM), Azmin said that 75% of new infections found nationwide were sporadic cases and are linked to various sectors and activities.
He also mentioned that workplace clusters on average contributed between 5% to 10% of new Covid-19 cases.
On a similar note, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) President Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai also quoted KKM in stating that the industry only contributed to a fraction of new Covid-19 cases.
Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Director-General of Health, was also most recently quoted during an engagement with the business community on July 4, 2021 that of the total cases, close to 70% were sporadic cases. 30% came from clusters of which 62% are workplace clusters. Factories only account for 30% of these workplace clusters. This works out to be around only 6% of the total number of cases that can be attributed to factoriesFederation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) President Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai via Malay Mail

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Source:
TIL That Black Magic “Susuk” Charm Needles Are Real And Show Up On X-Ray Scans
Azmin: Don't blame factories for virus clusters
Manufacturers say media reports about workplace clusters mislead public to blame factories for Malaysia’s rising Covid-19 infections


Is My Child Too Short?

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By: Dr Wu Loo Ling

No parent wants to suspect their child of having a medical condition or health disorder, but catching a condition early could mean the difference between optimum treatment and outcome, and not being able to do anything effective to help the child.
This is especially so when it comes to short stature or stunting.
According to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, over one in five (21.8%) Malaysian children below the age of five years is considered stunted, making this a fairly common condition.
As height is a measurement that varies naturally within a population, it may be difficult for parents to tell whether their child is naturally short or is not actually growing well.
In view of this, there are three things parents can keep in mind when considering their child’s growth.
First is the child’s expected height based on their sex and age.
This can be measured against standardised growth charts, which come in the form of percentiles or standard deviations.
If your child’s height falls below the third percentile for age or is more than two standard deviations below the norm on the appropriate growth chart, then they can be considered short.
Credit: Pixabay
Such growth charts are available online from reputable organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as from your child’s paediatrician and in your child’s school report once they start attending primary school.
The second factor is the child’s genetic height potential.
How tall your child can grow is dependent on the associated genes he or she inherits from both you and your partner.
Therefore, if you and your partner are both naturally short, it shouldn’t be a surprise if your child is also short.
However, if both of you are tall and your child is short, then it might be a sign that something is preventing your child from achieving his or her full height potential.
Third is the child’s growth velocity, i.e. how fast is he or she growing?
If your child is growing at a normal rate, then starts to slow down, it is definitely a cause for concern.
This can be observed by tracking their growth on the appropriate sex- and age-based growth charts.
Your child’s growth should be fairly steady, i.e. more or less on the same percentile or standard deviation, throughout their childhood and adolescent years.

Growth faltering to a lower percentile is a sign of slowing down in growth rate and should be investigated.
Causes and types of short stature
There are many potential causes of short stature, but they can generally be grouped into three categories.
The first – and most common – is normal variant short stature.
Those within this category are generally short by nature.
It could be due to either their genetic potential, i.e. their parents are naturally short, or some unknown reason, i.e. idiopathic. Children in this group are usually otherwise healthy – just shorter than the norm.
Those who are “late bloomers” or “late developers” also fall within this normal variant short stature. Known medically as having a constitutional delay in growth and puberty, such children typically grow steadily, but slowly (usually below the third percentile, according to the growth charts). They achieve puberty much later than their peers,  however, they will continue to grow even after their peers have completed their growth, hence will catch up in height with their peers.
The second category comprises intrinsic or primary short stature, i.e. being born with the cause of your short stature.
Tanaphong Toochinda/Unsplash
A common reason for this is syndromic disorders, which are typically a result of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. In such cases, short stature is usually one out of a number of symptoms resulting from the main disorder.
Examples of such disorders include Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Noonan syndrome and achondroplasia, among others.
An intrauterine infection – where the mother catches an infection during pregnancy that also affects the foetus – can also cause the baby to be small. Such infections can usually be recognized and diagnosed at birth, allowing the baby to receive appropriate treatment.
Also in this category are babies who are considered small for their gestational age.
This can be due to factors concerning the mother (e.g. having chronic conditions like high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease), the baby (e.g. being a twin or having a birth defect) or the placenta (e.g. decreased blood flow to the placenta, placenta previa or placenta abruption).
While most children in this group tend to catch up in growth after birth, about 15% don’t and will remain small throughout their lives if not diagnosed and treated early enough.
The final category covers secondary causes of short stature.
There are multiple causes within this category, but one of the most common in Malaysia is that of nutritional deficiency including protein calorie malnutrition, iron and vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency is common among children as many children tend to spend most of their time indoors nowadays, resulting in a lack of exposure to sunlight.
Children at school classroom
The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) ray is a critical component in the production of vitamin D in our body. Vitamin D is, in turn, vital for the absorption of calcium to build and maintain our bones. In vitamin D deficiency, the bones are soft and bowed especially in the weight-bearing lower limbs resulting in short stature.
Other secondary causes of short stature include systemic disorders like gut problems, heart disease or a weak immune system, as well as hormone deficiencies, like growth hormone deficiency.
Act fast
It is important that parents bring their child to see the appropriate specialist – a paediatric endocrinologist, or at least, a general paediatrician – if they have any doubts in their mind about their child’s growth.
Do not be complacent and hope your child  will catch up in height later.  Delaying diagnosis shortens the window period for remedy as the bones continue to mature with time.  Once fully mature, nothing more can be done to help them to grow any taller.  Besides this,  if your child has an underlying medical condition that is hindering his/her growth, delaying diagnosis and treatment may lead to prolongation of a poor quality life and emergence of complications.
Credit: Ketut Subiyanto / Pexels
Hence, if you notice that your child does not seem to be growing as he/she should be, seek help from a paediatric endocrinologist.  Do not delay. You may make a significant difference to your child’s future.
As regular measurement of your child’s growth is important, parents can play an active role in monitoring their child’s height. Convenient digital tools such as the Growth JourneyTM mobile app endorsed by the Malaysian Paediatric Association can help parents chart their child’s growth as well as getting serial measurements to ensure growth is on track.

Dr Wu Loo Ling is a Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Endocrinologist at Subang Jaya Medical Centre.

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Making The Case For Cheaper Cigarettes In Malaysia

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In the last Dewan Rakyat sitting in December 2020, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan suggested that halving tobacco taxes to curb the black market as 64% of cigarettes sold in the country were illegal sticks, while only 36% were taxed, legal cigarettes.

The Pontian MP and former deputy finance minister proposed this be carried out in a two-year pilot programme to allow tobacco companies to sell legal cigarettes at RM8 per pack, which is closer to the price of a pack of illicit cigarettes in a bid to address a RM5 billion annual loss in tobacco tax revenue.
Will cutting cigarette prices work?
While Ahmad’s suggestion received no small amount of backlash online, this move is already in practice in some countries.
In late December 2020, Turkey lowered the special consumption tax on cigarettes and tobacco products to 63% in a move that could help ease some upwards pressure on inflation.
This move comes just five months after Turkey imposed a ban on the sale of hand-rolled cigarettes after hiking cigarette prices drove smokers to tobacco shops whose prices are far cheaper but its contents are difficult to trace – which is a problem Malaysia is extremely familiar with.
Tobacco and cigarettes on wood table background. World No Tobacco Day.
** Note: Soft Focus at 100%, best at smaller sizes
Malaysia’s HUGE illegal cigarette problem
Malaysia, unfortunately, is the global leader in illegal cigarette trade. Yes, 64.5% of total cigarettes sold in the country today are illegal cigarettes; translating to roughly 12 billion sticks of contraband cigarettes sold in a year.
This issue is part of Malaysia’s shadow economy which Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz states accounts for 21% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or around RM300 billion annually.
The government has already announced steps to address the illegal cigarette trade during the tabling of Budget 2021, including a multi taskforce agency, restricting transshipment of cigarettes and freezing the issuance of import licenses for cigarettes.
READ MORE: Malaysia Takes Giant Steps To Stub Out Illegal Cigarettes In Budget 2021
But some are saying that’s not enough.
Experts agree cheaper cigarettes can destroy the black market
In a recent roundtable by NST on the shadow economy, newspaper columnist and investment and economic analyst and commentator Pankaj Kumar said that the demographics of smokers today are dominated by the B40 segment.
Assuming a pack of 20 cigarettes costs RM17.40 and if one smokes 20 packs a month, that’s RM350 a month or equivalent to 16% of our current Poverty Line Income (PLI) at RM2,208 per month for 2019.Pankaj Kumar, newspaper columnist and investment and economic analyst and commentator via NST.
Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail
With such high concentration in expenditure, Pankaj points out that seeking out cheaper cigarettes is a natural consequence for poor smokers – they just can’t afford legal cigarettes.
To address this, Dr Veerinderjeet Singh, Chairman of Tricor Malaysia and Malaysian Institute of Accountants President, recommended that tobacco companies be allowed to introduce a new product that is taxed at a lower rate via a new excise tier.
He said this will create a lower segment of legal cigarettes that can viably compete with illegal cigarettes based on price.

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Source:
Ahmad Maslan Moots RM8 Cigarette Packs To Fight Black Market
Turkey lowers tax on tobacco products
Turkey bans sale of hand-rolled cigarettes, sellers to be sentenced
Price solution, enforcement to stop tobacco black market


[Watch] Sg Petani Fireworks Display Gone Wrong, People Run Helter Skelter

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To celebrate Hari Raya 2023, a group gathered at the SP Uptown market in Sg Petani to set off fireworks.

They intended to add to the lively atmosphere of the festival, but some made a mistake in setting off the fireworks, causing them to burst into fireballs and fly horizontally.
The scene got out of control and almost caused an accident.
According to the video circulated on social media, the accident happened at one of the entrances of SP Uptown, next to a famous nasi lemak stall.
The scene of the accident was also crowded with people.

Pandemonium
When the fireworks ignited, a box was shot up to nearly 4 storeys high and fell to the ground.
Sparks were scattered everywhere, and the scene was very dangerous.
Dozens of motorcycles were parked around the scene, and some people were sitting on the motorcycles.
The sudden situation made them retreat in a hurry and cover their faces with their hands to avoid injury.
Many netizens criticized that fireworks should not be set off in crowded places as it may cause fire, especially when many motorcycles are parked nearby.
It is reported that after the incident, the local police immediately prohibited people from setting off fireworks.
Fireworks: The Law
Fireworks are typically allowed during cultural and religious celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Hari Raya.
However, strict regulations and guidelines exist on their usage.
Perang mercun pop pop je. Mat Ri Ye! pic.twitter.com/buS2gmIbu9— ノラちゃん (@norachan07) April 21, 2023
The Home Ministry (KDN) recently said it allowing as many as 45 types of fireworks and firecrackers to be imported, stored and sold only during the festive season.
It is among the six guidelines set by the KDN, with the monitoring to be carried out by the police and the local authorities.
However, online sales of fireworks and firecrackers are prohibited.

Despite the online restrictions, the decision has been criticised by some as endangering the public.
Critics pointed out many instances of irresponsible and dangerous use of fireworks and firecrackers, leading to injuries and rising tensions.
harap KDN @saifnasution boleh review semula keputusan membenarkan penjualan/pembakaran mercun secara terbuka, ini dah menggugat nyawa org awam, harap usul ke Dewan Rakyat la. https://t.co/OVqqb6EBkI— hafiz | TeamRayaKedah (@cygaraga) April 8, 2023
Playing with or setting prohibited firecrackers or fireworks can be punished with imprisonment of not more than one month or a fine of up to RM100 or both.
Anyone who sells firecrackers without a permit can be prosecuted according to Sections 7 and 8 of the Minor Offenses Act 1955 (Act 207), which provides for a prison sentence of up to seven years or a fine of RM10,000.
Mostly yang beli mercun mahal2 gini puak m40 dan T20. Bukannya puak b40 yang minta pengeluaran kwsp. Klau nak tahu tahun ni bnyk orang2 yang susah baju raya pun tkde anak beranak. Ckap tk pkai otak hang ni. https://t.co/T1PdpfFVB0— sergiosyafiqdebruyne (@syafiqzikriii) April 22, 2023

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[Watch] Police Arrests Man Who Gets Dragged After Clinging On To Myvi

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A man who was seen clinging to a Perodua Myvi before being dragged by the car in a video that went viral recently has been arrested by the police early this morning.

The man was detained for further investigations after claiming public members had threatened him.
Accordingly, there was an accident involving four vehicles on the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) near a Chinese school in Jalan Imbi.
In the video, the man was seen trying to cling to the left side rear door pedal of a Perodua Myvi.

Head of the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT), Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh, said in a statement that the incident occurred after an accident involving a pedestrian.
The pedestrian was trying to get into a Perodua Myvi passing through the accident area.
He was worried about being threatened by the public due to the accident.
The pedestrian was taken by a MPV patrol car unit to the Cheras District Police Headquarters (IPD) for documentation purposes as he complained of being threatened by the public at the accident scene.Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh elaborating on the incident.
Traffic Mayhem
Preliminary investigation found that the incident occurred at about 2.15 am this morning involving two cars, namely a Proton Exora and a Toyota Vios, two motorcycles and a pedestrian, he added.
The Proton Exora, which was in the middle lane, braked suddenly to avoid a man who suddenly crossed the road.
At the same time, a Toyota Vios came from behind but managed to stop his vehicle.
Suddenly, a motorcycle from behind could not dodge and hit the Toyota Vios and skidded before hitting the Proton Exora. Then another motorcycle came from the same direction and crashed into the motorcycle involved in the accident earlier.Assistant Commissioner Sarifudin Mohd Salleh explaining how the accident happened.
As a result of the accident, the Yamaha-type motorcyclist suffered facial injuries while another motorcyclist broke his left leg.
Both victims were treated at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) in Cheras while the vehicle driver was not injured.
The accident is being investigated under Section 43 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1978 for careless and inconsiderate driving.

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Viral Image Of “Skinny” Lion At Zoo Negara Upsets Malaysians Online, BUT…

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Just as visitors return to Zoo Negara as it opens its door during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO), a picture of a “skinny” lion at the zoo has caused quite a stir online.
Shared by Twitter user @f4izalhassan with the caption “pray for our skinny lion”, the feline’s seemingly scrawny figure became the centre of attention on social media from Thursday, 11 June.
Many social media users were upset, concerned about the lion’s health and nutritional needs. Some even questioned the use of funds donated by the public for the zoo’s adoption programme during the MCO.

Definitely a malnourished lion. Hurmmmmm https://t.co/OwUkvf9mt0— ZoologiMY (@ZoologiMY) June 11, 2020

Genuine question, can these animals be send to other zoo? Where they can be in better care? People have been donating and its still not enough cause the cost is high, with current situation i dont think they can gain profit soon, but why do we need to let these animals to suffer?— (っ◔◡◔)っ (@cryingasmaa) June 11, 2020
Prayers aren’t going to help. He needs food. Is the zoo short of funds? If it is say so. Posting messages asking people to pray is distressing. @zoonegara_theme— Instant Café Theatre ☕🥃 (@ICTweeets) June 11, 2020
@iamkamilia ingat tak when I questioned Zoo Negara. Fund yang masuk melimpah2. At the end look at that poor lion. I’m not an animal lover/expert but that lion looks like it doesn’t get enough food.— hiraeth (@boujiemonji) June 12, 2020
Since Zoo Negara is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) operated by the Malaysian Zoological Society, they depend on donations and ticket sales to cover their operating costs.
When TRP reached out to the organisation, the initial response reads as follows:
Just like any of the zoos around the globe, the animals are following strict dietary controls in place.Zoo Negara Malaysia.
We are still awaiting for a full statement from Zoo Negara at the time of writing and will update the article accordingly.
Another Twitter user shared screenshots of her conversation with someone presumed to be working with Zoo Negara. The conversation seems to point towards the viral image being that of an old lion and that the zoo’s veterinarians are constantly monitoring the health of the animals.

https://twitter.com/SheIsGlowinggg/status/1271295691768262656?s=20

Based on the image, the “skinny” feline appears to be an asiatic lion that generally weighs between 110-190kg.
Research says that in captivity, asiatic lions with an average body mass of 100kg consume 6% of their total body mass.
We also checked for more images of the asiatic lion and in comparison, the specimen in Zoo Negara appears slightly leaner, but not quite “skinny”.
Credit: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE Bernard Gagnon via Wikipedia.
A young male asiatic lion.(Credit: Tanmay Haldar via Wikipedia)
With a total population size is about 350 animals, the asiatic lion is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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Source:
Implications of diet composition of Asiatic lions for their conservation
Asiatic lion


Parents Surrendered Themselves To Cops After Their 10YO Son Drove Red Kancil To School

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A married couple surrendered themselves at the Pontian police station around 10am yesterday (12 May) after the video showing their 10-year-old child driving a car to school went viral on TikTok.

According to Pontian police chief Superintendent Mohamed Shofee Tayib, the video was uploaded on Facebook by someone else on 10 May.
The video, which has been removed online, showed a boy driving a red Perodua Kancil with two of his siblings as passengers (a 3-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl).
Screenshot from the video before it was removed.
Berita Harian reported that the children decided to get themselves to school in a car when their mother was running late.
Investigations revealed that the incident happened on Tuesday, 10 May at around 7am in Pekan Nanas in Pontian, Johor.
The case is investigated under Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 33 of the Children’s Act 2001 for leaving an underage child without reasonable supervision and allowing the child to drive.
The car owner can be fined under Section 39(5) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

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