Kim Jong Unâ€™s Recent Absence From The Media Prompts Speculations About His Health

Speculations about Kim Jong Unâ€™s health have recently made international news headlines as members of the media noticed his unusual absence during North Koreaâ€™s Day of the Sun celebrations.
The Day of the Sun (15 April) is the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the founder and first President of North Korea, as well as Kimâ€™s grandfather. It is said to be the most important national holiday in the country and every citizen is expected to pay respects to their nationâ€™s founder, who was declared Eternal President in 1998.
Photos of Kim at his grandfatherâ€™s birth anniversary would usually be published by the state media every year. As such, his absence from the photos of this yearâ€™s celebrations sparked rumours that the countryâ€™ Supreme Leader may be unwell.
He was also reportedly last seen at the Workersâ€™ Partyâ€™s politburo on April 11.

Kim Jong Un could have â€œunderwent heart surgeryâ€

Mount Myohyang.(Credit: Young Pioneer Tours)

According to Daily NK (a news platform affiliated with the South Korean Unification Ministry), one of its North Korean sources said that Kim received heart surgery at Hyangsan Hospital, located near Mount Myohyang.
The surgery is said to have taken place on 12 April, and Kim is believed to be recuperating in a villa outside Pyongyang.
Daily NKâ€™s source also mentioned that the heart surgery could be triggered by the Supreme Leaderâ€™s daily habits and health conditions – mainly obesity, smoking, and overwork.

Both the Chinese and South Korean governments denied that Kim Jong Un was ill

When asked about the North Korean leaderâ€™s health condition, Chinaâ€™s International Liaison Department said that they believe Kim â€œwas not critically illâ€.
South Korea’s presidential spokesman also dismissed the speculations, saying that they cannot confirm Kim’s health condition as there are “no unusual signs” in North Korea.

Kim Jong Unâ€™s half-brother was assassinated at KLIA back in 2017

(Credit: WSJ)

The assassination of the North Korean leaderâ€™s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, was one of the biggest news in Malaysia. The incident took place on 13 February 2017 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim Jong Nam was smeared with a deadly nerve agent.
Kim Jong Nam was dead within half an hour.
Four North Koreans were questioned by the Malaysian police, whereas two women who were seen attacking Kim Jong Nam were arrested. There are still speculations that it was Kim who ordered the assassination of his half-brother.

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Selangor Man Dies While Helping Friend Care For Exotic Pet Snake, It’s On The Loose Now

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A Selangor man in his 30s died after he was bitten by a puff adder, a highly venomous snake brought in from the African continent.

New Straits Times reported that the man was helping his friend, an exotic pet keeper, when he was bitten on both arms on Friday, 6 May.
Unfortunately, the high venom load led to a more severe envenomation syndrome. The victim died 23 hours post-incident while the antivenom (Antivipmyn-Africa) was being procured from the Singapore Zoo.
A puff adder. For illustration purposes. Image: Wikimedia
Local snake experts wanted to prevent the serpent from escaping into the wild but attempts to capture the exotic snake have been futile. The authorities believe the animal might still be in the owner’s possession and hidden somewhere.
It seemed like the snake got away while the owner was trying to save the victim. Both the victim and owner told doctors they didn’t know where it went.
Dr Teo Eng Wah, a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya and a co-author of a book on snakes in Malaysia, was asked to help look out for the snake.
The snake could be anywhere after two days and I am not even sure if the snake had escaped.Dr Teo Eng Wah, a sports scientist by profession but helps the government in snake-related issues.
Exotic pet owners should have proper anti-venom
Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Khaldun Ismail from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Department of Emergency Medicine said this was the first recorded case of a snakebite envenoming from this snake species in Malaysia.
Previously, there were only two cases of bite envenoming from exotic rattlesnakes.
This incident highlights the danger of keeping exotic venomous animals without proper documentation and registration with the authorities.Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Khaldun Ismail from Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Department of Emergency Medicine
It’s up to exotic pet owners to make a plan and stock up on anti-venoms for emergencies. Image: Lad Fury/ Pexels
The puff adder (Bitis arietans) has caused an estimated 40,000 deaths annually in Africa. The outcome is poor if there’s no proper clinical management and anti-venom.
Thus, it’s important for exotic pet owners to have a plan and access to the appropriate and adequate anti-venom if they’re going to keep a medically significant species.
However, it is entirely inappropriate to expect any medical facility in the country to stock exotic animals’ anti-venoms or to get it from zoos. It is the responsibility of the one bringing in the exotic venomous species, to also bring in the appropriate and adequate anti-venom for the exotic species.Associate Professor Dr Ahmad Khaldun Ismail

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Two year-old electrocuted after placing phone charger in mouth

A toddler in India died of electrocution last Saturday after placing a mobile phone charger cable into her mouth.
A report by The Times of India noted that the child, identified as Shehvar, along with her mother Razia, was visiting her grandmother’s home in Jahangirabad, India for Ramadan when the incident happened.
According to the reported accounts, the child had been playing alone and unattended when she had apparently placed a live charging cable into her mouth which was left plugged in.
It is said that the child was rushed to the hospital after the freak electrocution but was pronounced dead on arrival.
A representative from the Jahangirabad police station, Akhilesh Pradhan mentioned that no official police report has been made regarding the incident.
â€œThe family has not approached us with any police complaint, so a case has not been filed.
â€œHowever, if somebody approaches us for a complaint, it will be done according to the norms.â€ said Pradhan.
Earlier in March, a seven year-old boy from Indonesia had been electrocuted to death playing with his grandmotherâ€™s phone while it was charging.
The boy was apparently playing with the phone while the grandmother
was busy tending to her chores. After several hours, the grandmother had approached
the boy to wake him, thinking that he was asleep.
Receiving a shock herself when she touched him, the woman panicked and her calls for help were answered by a neighbor who immediately turned off the main power supply to the home, but found the boy was no longer breathing.
Police later said that the child had died on the spot during the incident.


Penang Guy Buys RM1 Banknote With ‘8888888’ For RM1,000

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A coin collector from Penang bought a 1 ringgit banknote with seven “8s” printed on it at a high price of RM1,000.

The purchase was shared on social media which then caught the attention of netizens who commented if it was worth such a price.
The 31-year-old coin collector, Ah Kai, said a seller from Kuala Lumpur sent him a photo of a 1 ringgit banknote.
The banknote from the photo is not too old or special.
The signature on the banknote is that of Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, from 2000 to 2016.
  @wanglamamalaysia Rezeki Abang John dapat RM1000🙏🙏 #WangLama #Malaysia #WangLamaMalaysia #DuitLama #SyilingLama #Collection #Koleksi #DuitMalaysia #高价收购旧钞票 #收购旧钞票 #高价收购旧钞 #Antik #收购旧硬币 #JualBeliDuitLama #Penang ♬ original sound  – Ah Kai Wang Lama
He said there are generally many banknotes with Zeti’s signature on the market, but what attracts him the most is the set of numbers on the banknotes, “WY 8888888”.
The number eight (八) is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture.
This is because the pronunciation of “eight” in Mandarin Chinese (bā) sounds similar to the word for “prosperity” or “wealth” (发, fā).
To verify the banknotes, he drove from Penang to Kuala Lumpur to meet the seller.
The number 8 is really attractive to me, so I decided to buy it at a high price; other buyers were only willing to bid RM300 to RM700. I was willing to pay a higher price to get what I wanted. In the end, I successfully bought it for RM1,000.Coin collector Ah Kai on his prized catch.
He said it is difficult to simultaneously find all the same numbers on a banknote.
Often these are considered ‘hot’ and will be snapped up.
AhKai told mStar that he has a soft spot for all the same banknotes, and he likes to collect old banknotes with these “popular” numbers.
He already owns banknotes with all the same digits of 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9.
Ah Kai started collecting and buying old banknotes in 2012, treating it not only as a hobby but also as a business.
He likes to collect ringgit, even coins from the Malayan era because he loves Malaysia and its history.
So far, he has collected nearly 500 pieces of ringgit notes and coins from the Malayan era and some banknotes from China and Singapore.
Extremely Collectible And Valuable
Money with unique serial numbers is worth the same amount as any other currency with the same denomination.
The unique serial number does not give the currency any extra intrinsic value.
However, some collectors may be willing to pay a premium for banknotes with unusual or rare serial numbers, such as those with repeating digits, low serial numbers, or other unique patterns.
The value of a banknote with a unique serial number is largely determined by its rarity and desirability among collectors.
For example, a $1 bill with a serial number that reads “12345678” or “00000001” may be considered rare and desirable and, therefore, may be worth more than its face value to a collector.
This PMG-certified Malaysia, Bank Negara ND (2001) 50 Ringgit note with an Ascending Ladder Serial Number is featured in a Trigometric sale. This note is joined in the sale by hundreds of rarities certified by PMG and NGC. View the sale highlights at https://t.co/txnlwTaxBb pic.twitter.com/mIv81720vF— PMG (@PMGnotes) October 5, 2022
Additionally, banknotes in excellent condition may be worth more than those worn or damaged, regardless of the serial number.
It’s important to note that the value of these banknotes is subjective and can vary depending on the collector’s interest, availability, and demand.
Ultimately, the market determines the value of a currency with unique serial numbers, and collectors are willing to pay what they believe the banknote is worth.

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In The Pandemic Economy, This Digital Conference Is What You Need

Southeast Asia’s premier tech conference Wild Digital 2020 will be starting its sixth edition on 3 November this year. The conference will also be held virtually for the very first time, allowing attendees from around the region to participate from wherever they are.
Powered by the Catcha Group, Wild Digital Southeast Asia (SEA) 2020 is set to be “the biggest virtual event in the region”. Some of the topics that attendees will get to hear discussed during the conference include the role of technology in the new normal, as well as its impact on various industries.

Right now, we are witnessing first-hand the effects of remote working, the boom of e-commerce platforms, the rise of telehealth and other tech-centric impacts on the collective community. We’re excited to bring these topics to the fore on our Main Stage.Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Catcha Group Patrick Grove

What to expect from Wild Digital SEA 2020

(Credit: Wild Digital SEA 2020)

Over 180 speakers are slated to share their learnings throughout the four-day event. Some of the notable ones include:
Chee Soon Ng, Managing Director of CarousellSam Canavan, General Manager (APAC) of ClassPassFiras Alsuwaigh, Chief Strategy Officer of Ninja VanKaren Chan, Chief Executive Officer of airasia.comEduard Fabian, Chief Technology Officer & Vice President of RazerSurina Shukri, Chief Executive Officer of MDECMarc Woo, Country Manager (Malaysia) at Google
You may check out the full list of speakers here. Virtual networking lounges will also be set up during the conference for attendees to mingle and network with.
Attendees can look forward to the Startup Disruptor Arena as well, where SEA’s most innovative startups will ‘battle’ through live-pitching for a chance to compete at the Startup World Cup held in Silicon Valley next year. The winner will bring home a Grand Investment Prize of USD1 million (around RM4.1 million) for the development of their startup.

(Credit: Wild Digital/Facebook)

Participating startups are invited to participate in the Startup Showcase, where they are allowed to set up virtual booths to network and promote their products to attendees as well as the speakers who will be sharing in the conference. Interested participants can sign up to be part of the showcase here.

Tickets are still available

Those who are interested to join Wild Digital SEA 2020 can still do so by purchasing their tickets through their website.
General admission tickets start from USD500 (around RM2,073). There are also special packages for Women In Tech, Startups, and Enterprises that offer discounts of up to 60%. More information about this can be found on wilddigital.com.

TRP is a media partner of Wild Digital SEA 2020.
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Rosmah’s Collection Of Expensive Handbags Ruined By Authorities, Says Lawyer

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In the midst of a pandemic, mass unemployment, and a global economic downturn, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s lawyer is complaining that his client’s family heirlooms – branded goods and handbags owned by Najib’s wife and daughter – had been destroyed by police.
Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah explained that police had ruined the extravagant collection of handbags (and other stuff) worth some RM680 million that was seized as part of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) investigation in 2018.
The lawyer claimed that authorities did not follow proper procedure and “couldn’t care less” about the expensive items that had supposedly been ruined by magic markers as authorities labeled the items as evidence.
Authorities seizing items belonging to the Najib family during raids in 2018.(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)
All of this came to light after the Najib family was allowed by the High Court to inspect their seized property which was taken from their high-end property and offices in Kuala Lumpur and is currently being held in a secure vault at Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).
If you’d remember correctly, it was reported that up to RM1.1 billion worth of cash, jewelry, sunglasses, watches, and of course handbags were confiscated from the Najib family, marking the biggest asset seizure in the history of Malaysia.
The infamous crocodile skin Hermes Birkin bag valued around RM550,000.(Credit: AFP/South China Morning Post)

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Source:
Rosmah's handbags destroyed by 'magic ink' markers used by police
‘Biggest seizure in our history’
From Malaysia’s ‘first lady’ to ‘bag lady’: why Rosmah Mansor’s vast collection of Hermes Birkins caused a social media storm
Najib wins bid to inspect items seized from Pavilion apartment


Environment Minister Suggests Reusing Treated Sewage To Water City Plants

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The Ministry of Environment and Water (KASA) had proposed that all local authorities (PBT) reuse treated effluent produced by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) sewage treatment plants.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the treated effluent can be used for watering trees and landscapes in the cities.
He said such a move, aside from being environmental friendly, will also help PBTs save cost as treated water is expensive.
The move will also ensure more treated water can be allocated for consumer use, meaning less water cuts.
READ MORE: 2020: The Year Of Klang Valley Water Cuts
This initiative is not only capable of generating a cyclical economy. It is also an important effort in the sustainable management of water resources through the use of treated effluent as an alternative water source.Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
IWK is a Malaysian national wastewater and sanitation company. (Credit: Mukhriz Hazim/Malay Mail)

The minister also described the move as being in line with the government’s efforts to achieve targets in Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG), especially those related to the provision of quality sanitation systems to Malaysians.
Treated effluent from these sewage treatment plants has great potential to be reused as an alternative water source for non-drinking purposes. This initiative aims to optimize the country’s existing water resources while preserving the environment towards a sustainable water services industry.Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
He added that agreements are already in place in certain states such as Selangor and Malacca to reuse sewage effluent at industrial areas.
Tuan Ibrahim was speaking at the launch of IWK’s Sewerage Gallery at it central treatment plant in Pantai Dalam on Monday.
The Sewerage Gallery is to showcase the evolutionary history of the country’s sewerage system.
The gallery is housed in the first pump station in Kuala Lumpur which was built in 1956 during the British rule.
The IWK Sewerage Gallery has been gazetted as part of the National Heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
Tuan Ibrahim Man speaking at the launch of IWK’s sewage gallery. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
The launch was also in conjunction with World Toilet Day 2021.
World Toilet Day is an official United Nations international observance day on 19 November to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
With the theme ‘Valuing Toilets’ chosen by the United Nations (UN) this year, the aim is to draw attention to the fact that toilets and sanitation systems have very low funding compared to other sectors.
This has impacted health, economy and the environment especially in poor and marginalized communities.
Who cares about toilets?3.6 billion people do. Because they have nowhere safe to go.If you have a toilet, thank it for maintaining our dignity and health. Toilets at schools means girls can keep learning while menstruating. 🚽 Toilets for all by 2030. #WorldToiletDay pic.twitter.com/QpN1zNA4EI— UN-Water (@UN_Water) November 16, 2021
At the same time, Tuan Ibrahim reminded the general public to appreciate unsung heroes who manned the sewage plants.
This treated wastewater is to ensure that the effluent discharged back into the water is safe and does not pollute the environment.Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
Also present at the launch was Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) deputy minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muttalib and  IWK chief executive officer Narendran Maniam.
Tuan Ibrahim Man (centre) touring the IWK’s sewage gallery. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

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Sweet, Hot Balls: Greek-Style Doughnuts At Lukamades, SS15

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Loukoumades are a popular Greek dessert commonly described as Greek donuts with honey. Now, we get to try it for ourselves in Malaysia with the opening of Lukumades, an Australian chain that has made its way to SS15, Subang Jaya.

Lukumades serves fried dough balls with a modern twist. Instead of more traditional toppings like honey and chopped nuts, Lukumades instead gives you “modern” sweet toppings like Nutella, matcha, hazelnut, Lotus Biscoff, Oreo, and more. You can even add on a scoop of ice-cream over your doughnut balls too!
Their offerings are simple: Each box of doughnuts come in a set of 10 balls with up to two different toppings of your choice.
A box of Greek doughnuts drowned in chocolate sauces.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
The Taste Test
I tried a box of ten balls with two toppings: Nutella and dark chocolate with pistachio, both coming highly recommended. Matcha was also one of their popular flavours, according to the server.
The dough balls were freshly fried upon order in an open kitchen you can see from the seating area. Then, the balls are portioned into boxes and the hot dessert sauce of your choice is drizzled over the whole thing.
The sauces are kept warm and drizzled generously over the doughnut balls.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
The balls themselves are beautifully crispy on the outside yet chewy and soft on the inside. In terms of texture, I find it closer to fried mochi than a typical doughnut, as it has some elasticity in the dough. However, I really enjoyed that the dough balls were not as oily as I expected.
The sauce is quite typical of dessert shops, but they’re certainly generous with the amount given. Even if you roll the dough ball around for maximum sauce saturation, there’s still a good amount of sauce left at the end, perfect for those who just really like their sweet sauces.
Hot sweet fried dough balls.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
The Verdict
If you enjoy visiting new places for its pleasant ambience and a comfortable dining experience, then Lukumades certainly hits the spot with its bright interior design and colourful vibes.
Tables are smallish with plenty of space, which makes it a great place for couples or small groups to gather over some sweet balls.
A small but brightly decorated place.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Portion-wise, I find it more comfortable to share a box of 10 especially after a full meal, but those with a sweet tooth will probably be able to finish a whole box on their own.
A box of ten balls with 2 different toppings will set you back RM22, but the price is slightly cheaper when you get just 1 flavour if you already know exactly what you want.
Lukumades MalaysiaThe Grand, Jalan SS 15/8a, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Open daily 12pm-11pm

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Trains Are Back On Track On The Kelana Jaya LRT Line After Train Collision

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It all started last night when a collision occurred between train number 40 and 81 on the Kelana Jaya LRT line.

The underground train accident happened despite the Kelana Jaya line being the first fully automated metro line in Malaysia when it was opened in 1998.
The incident was said to have happened at approximately 8.45pm on Monday (24 May) in a tunnel between KLCC LRT station and Kampung Baru LRT station.
One was said to be a train that was being test-driven by a driver following a fault while the other is an automated train with passengers.
213 passengers were injured including 47 seriously injured.

Kelana Jaya Line Update: Pelan Operasi Alternatif LRT Laluan Kelana JayaMaklumat lanjut, rujuk kenyataan penuh di: https://t.co/fOn48tlttn pic.twitter.com/ESdsONOyd5— AskRapidKL (@AskRapidKL) May 24, 2021

As of 6am today, the Kelana Jaya LRT line is operational again, but only on a single track. It would take three days for the clean-up, repairs, and sanitisation work to be completed.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said that his ministry will form a special investigation committee to investigate the crash, the first involving LRT trains in 23 years.
He added that the committee should be able to determine if the accident was caused by a signalling error or human error within two weeks.
READ MORE: [JUST IN] Train Collision On LRT Kelana Jaya Line Leaves 47 Passengers Severely Injured

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Car’s sudden lane switching sends motorcyclist flying on Sg Besi highway [Video]

When it comes to driving, even when you’re trying your best to avoid it, sometimes the worst things can happen where you might run into an accident that may lead to injuries or even worse, death.

That is what exactly happened in a recent 23-second video recorded from a dashcam at the Sungai Besi Expressway where an unfortunate motorcyclist was sent flying after colliding into a car.

Akibat tukar lorong mengejut ,orang lain jadi mangsa😠😠😠...Lebuhraya Sungai Besi. pic.twitter.com/SZcQRFRboe
â€” 999 Malaysia 🇲🇾 (@999Malaysia) September 28, 2019

It shows a white sedan trying to enter the road exit from the middle lane before it was hit by a motorcycle from behind.
According to reports, the motorcyclist flew to the front of the car and suffered a broken hand.
He is now being treated at the Kuala Lumpur hospital.
Some are blaming the car driver for being negligent and making a sudden turn into the exit.

Kete tuh konfius nak terus atau nak masuk smart tunnel….then dah dekat baru ubah pikiran nak masuk smart tunnel…pengajaran buat semua pemandu…dah dekat dgn simpang jgn ubah pikiran
â€” zynen (@zyzyn) September 28, 2019

The driver was confused to either go straight or turn into the smart tunnel, then at the very end decided to turn… it is a lesson for all drivers, do not change your mind suddenly to turn into the exit when you are near it

While some are blaming the motorcyclist for not slowing down, thus causing the crash.

Motosikal tu tak slam brake tapi picit horn jer ? Tengok gambar tak ada langsung moto tu brake daripada lampu .. hanya horn dan lepaskan minyak.
Patut tarik clucth bukan horn dan guna brake depan belakang terus bukan main horn
â€” Hanif Harun (@cikgu_hanif) September 29, 2019

Why did the motorcyclist was honking instead of slamming the brakes? From the picture, there is no indication of him slowing down, he only honked and released the throttle.
He should’ve pulled the clutch, used his front and back brakes instead of honking

And the rest were sympathetic towards the motorcyclist due to the nature of the impact.

Kuatnya impak. Semoga penunggang motor tu selamat
â€” Wan MH 🍭 (@SonyRX100m5) September 28, 2019

That was a strong impact. Hope the rider is not harmed.

It is not known the extent of the injuries sustained by the motorcyclist due to the accident, but we hope that he is all right.
Be safe on the roads everybody and drive safe to prevent freak accidents like this from happening.


Haze: Employers can be fined up to RM50,000 for not letting staff work from home

Haze = bad for everyone. Schools are closed, parents want to stay home to look after their children, and conjunctivitis cases are through the roof.
Now, the government is strongly urging everyone to just stay at home.
Pajamas Farnsworth GIF from Pajamas GIFs

The Ministry of Human Resources (MoHR) has been recommending that employers let their staff work from home.
This is to avoid prolonged exposure to the haze and air pollution as it is proven to be detrimental to your health.
Even if many may choose to struggle through the day in the office, the long-term health effects may actually lead to missing even more work due to falling ill.
Bbt Sheldon GIF from Bbt GIFs

At a weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, MoHR states that the primary responsibility of employers is to ensure the safety and health of employees at work.
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) can order affected work to stop in situations where the haze poses an immediate threat to the safety and health of workers.
If measures have not been taken to mitigate those risks under the Occupational Safety & Health Act 1994, companies are liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.
If the offence continues, there can also be a daily fine of RM500.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports became the first ministry to allow its staff to work from home amid haze season.

Stay safe and if your work can be done from home, do so.


The Knife Strapped To A Children’s Playground Happened In Taiwan Last Year, Not Malaysia

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Recently, a picture of a long machete-like blade taped to a bloodied railing at a playground has spread across Malaysian social media.

The post in question already has around 7.1K comments and 7.6K shares on Facebook and has led many to believe this happened in Malaysia, causing paranoia among parents here.

However, after thorough fact-checking, it appears to be an isolated case in Taiwan that happened in June last year.
It happened in Taiwan
According to a local Taiwan news agency, PTS, on 31 May 2022, a five-year-old child was found minimally injured after slightly cutting his index finger on a railing in a children’s playground in Dingmei Park in Annan District, Taiwan around dusk.
His parents later found out that there was a machete-like knife strapped to the railing of the stairs where their son had been playing at. They identified the knife to be a watermelon knife and it was smeared with what appeared to be red paint.  They quickly informed the authorities about the incident.
Police came to the scene and collected evidence from blood found on the railing and playground mat. Later on, they also checked over 100 CCTV footage and found the culprit.
(Credit: PTS News, Taiwan)
The culprit was a 75-year-old man who was later found deceased. On the day of the incident, a witness saw him around 11.50 am, with bloodstains on his head. Before identifying him as the culprit, the police had already spoken to him in the park. They found out that he couldn’t talk and was injured at the time.
Later on, after studying the surveillance footage and confirming that it was him, the police came for him again and found out that he had already died. The police found footage of him carrying the watermelon knife from his house into a box on his scooter and riding the scooter to the park, which was around 100 meters away from his house.
After questioning his family members, his granddaughter told them that her grandfather was experiencing a loss of appetite and told her that he might die over the next several days.
The 75-year-old man had no criminal record and his motive may never be known. The Tainan police believed that this was an isolated incident but they stepped up patrols afterwards.
Although it is a case to be wary of, parents and netizens should check the news first before spreading it to avoid misinformation and general paranoia.

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LEGO Unveils 8 New Diverse Characters

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The LEGO Group has created 8 new LEGO® Friends from different backgrounds to celebrate the diversity and friendship in the community of the modern world.

The objective behind this is to make sure that more kids from different backgrounds are given the opportunity to connect and also to be represented while playing with the characters.
The World of LEGO® Friends Re-imagined
The new world of LEGO® Friends with a variety of characters is the outcome of the 2022 LEGO® Play Well Study which consists of 32,781 parents and 24,593 children who showed tremendous desire for more representation of children in the game.
97% of the parents believe that it is important to have a discussion about the individual uniqueness among us with 85% agreeing to the fact that games and toys can play an important role in helping children to understand individual uniqueness.
LEGO fans can now expect new characters with a variety of skin tones, cultures, physical and non-physical disabilities, including differences in the body structure in addition to Down Syndrome, Anxiety, Vitiligo, and a dog in a wheelchair.
Besides that, the objective is also to shape the children to be a better friend by offering social and emotional development through playing with the characters.
As part of the storyline, the characters will try to overcome the modern challenges they face, the passion to overcome the obstacles and differences, all while trying to create friendship.
“Through this new addition to the world of LEGO® Friends, we not only aim to inspire children to form diverse and deep friendships but to make them feel cared for and heard through play. We’re excited to see children interact and build lasting relationships with the new LEGO® Friends characters, and hope this empowers them to form meaningful relationships in their everyday lives too,”Rohan Mathur, Marketing Director of LEGO Southeast Asia
New Sets of Games From LEGO
Together with the introduction of the new characters, LEGO has also introduced eight new sets of games:
41739 Liann’s room

41730 Autumn’s House

41743 Hair Saloon

41732 Downtown Flower and Design Stores

41728 Heartlake Downtown Diner

41727 Dog Rescue Center

41733 Mobile Bubble Tea Shop

41731 Heartlake International School

In conjunction with the new characters, we received two of the new sets which were Liann’s Room and Hair Salon.
Having the opportunity to explore these sets, we found that it featured several new characters including Liann, Autumn, Paisley, and Olly.
These characters do not only stimulate the development of the mind and creativity, but also opens the child’s eyes to the various uniqueness of human personalities.
For example, the character Autumn is without her left hand but is an adventurous person while Liann is an artistic person and even her bedroom can be turned into a studio.
This set allows children to be more imaginative and they start to realize that their rooms can be turned into a new area if it is designed and arranged according to what they want.
In addition, this game set also exposes children to the importance of loving each other regardless of the background and circumstances of the people around them.

As for the Hair Salon set, the appearance of Paisley who suffers from anxiety but has a good talent in art and music caught the attention of many.
In this set, another new character that also appeared is Olly, a child who grew up in a simple family but has dreams of becoming a prominent figure in the fashion world.
He is very charismatic, hard-working, persuasive and is skilled in various fields including editing photos, videos, sewing, and designing clothes.
The game set with the background of a beauty salon also allows the children to know and learn about the services, equipment and fittings that are usually found in a salon.

It becomes more interesting when we combined the two sets as if they represented a room in a house and a shop located within the same residential area!
Collect all these great games!
If you want something different, maybe you can try the other new play sets such as the Dog Rescue Center which is sure to be the dream of children who love animals, or the Downtown Flower and Design Stores set for flora lovers.
Other play sets such as Autumn’s House, and Heartlake International School are also cool.
For more information, visit LEGO’s official website or visit their official online stores on Lazada and  Shopee.

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The Sims 4 is FREE RIGHT NOW

If you’re feeling like life has got you down right now, don’t worry.
The Sims 4 is now free on Origin so you can truly live your life the way you want it, without worrying about things like… work or ethics or consequences of your actions.

via GIPHY
Control your virtual mini-me and do all the cool things you wished you could do in real life! Better get it fast because the offer ends May 28th!
The game is available on both Windows and MacOS.


Less obese countries eat more rice?

A recent study of 136 countries shows that countries with higher levels of rice intake have lower levels of obesity.
“Countries that eat lots of rice are less obese?!” Well, maybe not exactly.
Remember, the Asian country with the highest rate of diabetes and obesity is Malaysia and we eat rice here.
Obesity rates according to the Economist Intelligence Unit 2017. Thanks.
While the recent study didn’t account for some factors that contribute to obesity such as genetics, the researchers did take into account lifestyle and socioeconomic factors.
And, while they could give supporting comments for wholegrain rice to reducing obesity, they weren’t sure why white rice would make a difference.
In the end, they played it safe summarized based on portion size.

“An appropriate amount of rice intake may prevent obesity”, says Professor Tomoko Imai from Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts.
“There are also reports that people who overeat rice are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome and diabetes.”
In other words, they couldn’t confirm a direct link between rice intake and obesity.
Al they could say was is that wholegrain rice is good for you because you don’t overeat, white rice is still unknown but if you overeat rice then you’ll get diabetes.
Probably because no one actually likes brown rice.
Sourced via:1. Eurekalert, April 30, 2019 (International study suggests that eating more rice could be protective against obesity)2. Star2, August 14, 2018 (Malaysia is Asiaâ€™s fattest country)3. The Star, July 25, 2018 (Malaysia has highest rate of diabetes in Asia, says Nadi chairman) 4. Mayoclinic (Obesity – Symptoms and causes)


Our Local Songbirds Are Being Trafficked Illegally, Says National Geographic Explorer

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Did you know that Malaysia also has illegal bird trade going on? Brazil or Mexico are not the only places that see illegal bird trafficking, you know. And parrots are not the only birds being trafficked, FYI (cue scenes from RIO, the animated movie with the blue parrot). Guys, this is definitely not something to be proud of.

Oriental magpie-robin (left), usually on the hunt in Malaysia to Indonesia. Straw-headed bulbul (right), also a songbird who’s critically endangered due to illegal trades. (Credit: James A. Eaton / Birdtour Asia, Serene Chng)
The Oriental magpie-robin is a type of songbird with black and white feathers which are prized for their melodious songs. It is commonly found in parts of Southeast Asia (in the wilds of Malaysia and other regions) and the Indian subcontinent. We may find them ubiquitous once here in Malaysia but who knows, because of a staggering amount of illegal trade, we won’t see them in our gardens or forests anymore.
A recent exclusive talk with our very own National Geographic Explorer Serene Chng told us the reality of what’s happening in Malaysia in regards to bird smuggling.
What’s Happening in Malaysia?
Serene Chng has had years of experience as a program officer in TRAFFIC, a global NGO that focuses on the wildlife trade. This experience earned her a grant from National Geographic to fund her research on “Investigating the bird trade on the Malaysia-Thailand border”.
Serene Chng on the interview (left) and her in her nature doing what she loves: birdwatching (right).(Credit: Melissa Suraya Ismail / TRP, Serene Chng)
Born in Singapore but spending 9 years in Malaysia till now, Serene has dedicated her life to conserving the wildlife, especially birds, which has lead to the formation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Asian Songbird Specialist Trade Group (ASTSG) of which she is one of the coordinators.
With that grant and also her years of research on the wildlife bird trade, she and her team found out that the trend of seizures for Malaysia’s Oriental magpie-robin (burung murai kampung/cacing) has increased between 2015 and 2020 with around 26,950 of these birds confiscated in 44 incidents involving Malaysia.
This means that even though seizures have increased, the sheer number of illegal tradings has also increased.
Caged birds in Pramuka bird market, Jakarta.(Credit: Serene Chng / TRAFFIC)
In addition to that, around 64% of the seized birds were being trafficked from Malaysia to Indonesia. Before this, Indonesia also had a healthy population of these oriental magpie-robins in their country as well. However, this strong demand from Indonesia shows that the number of wild birds is depleting.
What Happens To Trafficked Birds?
If the birds reach the end consumer safely (not saying this is an okay thing to do) then at least they’re alive and safe. However, Serene and her team got the numbers from other researchers and found out there’s a possibility that approximately 30-90% of the birds in transport will not make it out alive.
This can be due to their conditions while being in transport. Some of them can be put into plastic tubes (to avoid the birds from struggling so much), cardbox boxes/ crates or even cages with tons of different species lumped together in one (zoonotic diseases, hello!).
A stall in a bird market, Bali. Those poor birds.(Credit: Serene Chng / TRAFFIC)
Compare a healthy happy bird in the wild and a really sad bird dying in a cage. It’s sad, really. Serene Chng, National Geographic Explorer to TRP
These birds would get open wounds, their feathers ripped out, and injuries from sticking out their heads in the cages desperately trying to get out. Some of these birds will not survive the transport and these deaths would only be a waste.
Who’s Doing What?
The wildlife trade is damaging the populations of animals. There’s no doubt about that. In order to do something about this, we need to study the supply chain of this event and understand what keeps the demand going.
The trappers trap these birds, the middlemen are all about the money and the buyers drive the demand going. Usually, the trappers are locals who don’t really get much out of it. They just have access to the birds and some of the jobs have lucrative deals, which made them do it.
The middlemen handle the business and illegal poachings like giving directions, handling the transportation, finding smugglers and more. The buyers drive the demand either because of their hobby or because they just wanna be close to nature while in the city.
The authorities help by updating the laws and enforcing them (see how many seizures we get? Way to go!). Whereas we regular citizens can do a lot just by being aware.
What Can We Do About It
Awareness among the public plays a pivotal role in advocating for the silenced. By knowing about this issue, you can spread the awareness to others and maybe report to the authorities if you come across an exotic bird that’s not supposed to be there. Influencers or celebrities can play a big role too in spreading awareness. Even you yourself can share info and stories about the trade issue on your social media. This is the time to use your social media platforms responsibly!
Learning about the issue can have a bigger impact than you think. Serene Chng, National Geographic Explorer to TRP
Did you know that there’s a competition for singing birds out there? What about the fact that you can buy these exotic birds online? Guys! Don’t do that! Whatever you guys do, for passion or hobby, make sure that you get your birds legally and sustainably (there are also legal trades and sustainable trades you know). Illegal trade, of course, violates the law while unsustainable trade in a species can cause declining in population, fast.
All The Info And Stories In The Form Of A Podcast
In conjunction with World Environment Day on 5 June, National Geographic is doing a free 12-episode podcast series sharing stories about protecting the wonders of the world. National Geographic Explorers from all around the world have come together to create the said podcast named Expedition: Earth, including our very own Serene Chng in her episode called Expedition: Caged.

Other episodes bring you on an adventure to the depths of the Mekong river, the darkest caves in SEA, the most endangered forest of the Philippines, the death customs of Indonesians and many more thrilling stories about our Asian nature and environment. All of the 12 30-minutes episodes are available on Spotify, YouTube, as well as Apple Podcasts and you can have a listen to them for free here.
READ MORE: Uncaged: Malaysian Bird Keeper Tells Us Why He Lets His Birds Fly Away

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Netizens melancholic over abandoned baby found with mother’s heartfelt letter

Netizens are melancholy over a baby which was left abandoned on a doorstep of a home in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Sunday.

The new-born baby boy was found by the owner of the home during the wee hours of the morning together with what appeared to be a handwritten letter from the childâ€™s mother.
The heartfelt note, which was addressed to the homeowner identified only as Puan Sumarti, revealed how the unknown mother had come to the decision to leave her child in the care of a stranger.

â€œIâ€™m sorry for leaving (the baby) at your doorstep. I just want the best for (the baby) because I believe you are the best choice to care for him.â€
via Facebook
According to the letter, the women felt that she was
undeserving of the child as she was unable to provide him.

â€œI can’t afford to buy diapers, milk, or send him to get vaccinated. Please take care of him as you would your ownâ€¦ I beg youâ€¦â€
via Facebook
This heart-rending story which was shared by Facebook users Irranun Peace had since gone viral, receiving more than 2,000 shares.
Commenters can be seen showing empathy towards the unidentified mother and giving props for her brave actions in giving-up her child in a humane manner.

 (Picture Credit: Facebook)

Translation 1:
“So sad. I hope the mother is okay during such a trying time. Grateful that she didn’t dump the baby. May (the baby) grow up well. I hope the family that takes care of would do so with ease and blessings.”
Translation 2:
“It’s wasn’t an easy decision for the mother. Poor (baby). Surely God has a better plan.”
Translation 3:
“It’s a good thing (the mother) gave (the baby) to someone. Better than dumping the child (to be left for dead) just like that. There might be a reason why the mother chose to give him away. Maybe she was truly desperate.”
via Facebook
Malaysian’s are all too familiar with disheartening reports of baby dumping cases that have been plaguing the country.
According to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, there have been more than 500 baby dumping cases reported between 2014 to 2018 with over 1,000 incidents happening over the past 10 years.

We are glad to report that the baby boy was stable and healthy and is currently under the care of local welfare authorities.


Meet Sugu Pavithra, Local YouTubers That Won Malaysian Hearts Through Their Cooking Tutorials

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S. Pavithra, a 28-year-old housewife, and her estate worker husband, 39-year-old M. Sugu started sharing simple cooking tutorial videos on YouTube in January 2020. Within a few months, their humble videos became a hit among Malaysians and they started garnering major attention.
Boasting 388K subscribers in just a few months, the couple who is known affectionately as Sugu Pavithra, post videos that basically consist of the two of them cooking various local dishes together, while Pavithra narrates cooking instructions in fluent Malay.
The videos don’t include any fancy shots or creative transitions either, in fact, Pavithra told Bernama during an interview that she doesn’t even use a tripod while filming the videos on her smartphone. Instead, she just places it in a cup perched on a stable surface.
Sugu (left) and Pavithra (right) make the tutorials by cooking together. (Credit: Bernama)
While her husband is cooking, she’ll sometimes hold the phone for him, and vice versa. She also edits the videos herself after eating the meal they cooked together, and when her two children are asleep.
Sugu Pavithra’s most famous video is their tutorial for chicken curry. Another fan favourite is Sugu’s stir-fry eggplant tutorial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epm9xjq8nIo

While the couple mostly cooks Malay style dishes, theyâ€™ve been getting more and more requests by Malaysians of all races for some Indian recipes instead. Sugu Pavithraâ€™s video on making Puri has over 500k views to date.

If you’re wondering why Sugu Pavithra’s videos do so well, it could be due to the fact that the humble couple is extremely soft-spoken and polite in their videos. Pavithra has also shared that she and her husband chose to share simple recipes that use commonly found items so that more people can benefit from their videos.
Living on an estate, Pavithra only had one wok, a spatula, and two pots including a rice cooker in her kitchen when she first started her videos.
With over 11 million total views and counting, Pavithra also shared that she chose to speak Malay in her videos so that Malaysians from all walks of life would be able to understand her instructions.
The two have undoubtedly been pretty viral, to the point where a Japanese YouTube couple, iChang RM, uploaded a video of themselves trying out Sugu Pavithra’s famous chicken curry recipe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YpaUhsZyJc

Speaking to Bernama in an interview, Pavithra explained that the first cooking tutorial she published online was for grilled tilapia.
I spoke Malay throughout the video. In just four days, I managed to get 5,000 subscribers on my channel and then I received an e-mail from YouTube to become their partner.S. Pavithra via Bernama
Their success as YouTube partners means that the humble couple is now allowed to monetize the content on the platform and receive a monthly income off YouTube.
But their success has not been protected by the usual internet fame drama, and the couple has been open about being cyberbullied by some who are supposedly dissatisfied with their success.
Well, we at TRP encourage them to ignore the haters and keep posting these awesome cooking tutorials!
For more easy recipes, visit their YouTube channel here.

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Putrajaya Allowing Charity Aid Groups To Resume, But With Supervision

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Just a few days ago, charity organisations were called to stop their activities under the movement control order (MCO). They were told that all food and donated items should be directed to government agencies, which will then distribute as necessary.
Though they disagreed with the decision, the NGOs complied with the directive in the end, and had to give away their stockpile of food that was meant for the needy to prevent it from going to waste.
Now, the government has backed down from their initial decision, citing that charity groups can continue their activities but only if they follow the standard operating procedure.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun said that her ministry and the Welfare Department has set certain new guidelines for the charity groups.
Credit: Facebook/Caremongering
According to the new SOP, groups wanting to distribute aid must prove that they belong to a welfare-oriented organisation and not individuals doing so out of goodwill.
These groups must notify the state Welfare Department a day before their aid distribution activities and are only allowed to distribute dry food or cooking ingredients.
All NGO personnel must be equipped with face masks, gloves, and hand sanitisers during the distribution process. They must have their temperatures checked and cannot show any kind of symptoms.
During distribution activities, social distancing must be observed. Only a maximum of two people can be deployed, to be accompanied by personnel from the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) and Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM).
The ministry appreciates the concerns expressed by NGOs in helping to channel contributions to the needy during the MCO period.Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun
Interested NGOs are advised to contact their respective state Welfare Department office 24-hours operations room or visit their website here.

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Durian Traders In Kelantan Lament Poor Sales Due To High Prices

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Whenever the name Musang King, IOI, D24 and Red Prawn are mentioned, durian lovers would pay attention.

Despite the seemingly evergreen demand for durian, it has not been a bed of roses for durian traders.
There is no doubt that the price of durian is high when sold by the kilo, causing many not to be able to afford it.
The high price affects the younger generation, especially those who do not like the taste of durian.
In the end, durian does not sell because the younger generation is not exposed to the taste of durian in advance.
These remarks were made by Facebook user Ahmad Sahir Jais who was trying to explain why durian sales have been bad for some traders.
It’s much less affordable, and durians are no longer a priority in a family’s purchase. Durian became a luxury food, no longer for commoners. When the head of the family no longer buys, the younger generation in the family also starts to dislike the taste of durian.Facebook user Ahmad Sahir Jais on why less Malaysians eat durian.
Waning Interest In The King Of Fruits
After chatting with a durian seller yesterday, he admitted that the younger generation is no longer interested in eating durian even though the price is dropping.
He said the response was lacklustre even when traders offer a durian buffet at RM20 per head.
His words were echoed by many consumers, adding that durian traders had only themselves to blame for turning away prospective customers.
Boleh dah kot salahkan peniaga durian zaman dulu. Tiba-tiba jual durian timbang kilo sampai jadi mahal sangat. Sekarang lelong pun orang taknak beli sebab generasi baru memang tak makan. Yang gen lama nak makan tak banyak sebab dah tua.— ⁂̩̩͙͙ ⁑̩͙̩͙ ⁎̩͙ Soyya (@dimsdeluxe) July 2, 2022
Some said that people would rather spend on groceries due to rising prices which are putting a financial burden on the people.
READ MORE: [Watch] If Eggs Are Expensive, Eat Fewer Eggs, KPDNHEP Gives Brilliant Solution

READ MORE: Scammers Use Cheap “Durian Buying App” To Cheat Customers, Police Warns
Others believe that the situation will only get worse for durian traders, with new varieties coming in from other countries, including China.
Will this bring down durian prices in the future : Chinese Durians Are Almost Here: Hainan Durians To Hit Market in 2024 | Produce Report https://t.co/0KrLWRyAw9— Dr. Rais Hussin (@raishussin) June 27, 2022

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Strong Winds And Rough Seas Warning Issued For Malaysian Coasts

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MetMalaysia issued a strong wind and rough seas warning (Category 1) in Section A, the Malaysian coasts.

The strong wind in the northeast is expected to reach 40-50 kmph with waves reaching 3.5m in the coastlines of Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan until today (8 January).
A similar warning is also issued for the Sabah east coast from 11 to 14 January.
MetMalaysia says the strong winds and rough seas pose a danger to small boats, water activities, and water sports.
Under Section B for shipping, a strong wind and rough seas (Categrory 2) warning is issued with the northeast winds expected to reach 50-60 kmph and waves reaching a height of 4.5m.
The weather forecast is expected in north Condore and northwest Reef North waters until today.
The inclement weather is dangerous for all shipping and beach activities, such as fishing and ferry services.
The strong wind and rough seas (Category 1) warning is expected to occur on the coasts of Samui, Tioman, south Condore, north Bunguran, Reef North, and Layang-Layang island until today.
A similar warning is issued for east Palawan and Sulu from 11 to 14 January.

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Lee Zii Jia Says BAM President Gave Blessings For Him To Turn Pro

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When shuttler Lee Zii Jia first announced his intention to go pro and break away from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), the backlash and subsequent banning drew many raised eyebrows from athletes and fans alike.

BAM had banned him from joining international competitions for 2 years, which he has tried to appeal.
READ MORE: Zii Jia Meets BAM To Appeal Their Two-Year Ban On Him
Luckily, in a recent Instagram post, he announced that after a heart-to-heart talk with BAM president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, the latter gave his blessing for Zii Jia to become a professional player.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Lee Zii Jia 李梓嘉 (@leeziijia)
Lee Zii Jia notes that Norza has given his blessings for the athlete to compete in the Asia Team Championships.
He is also grateful for all the guidance, nurture, and opportunities provided to BAM and considers his past and future achievements due to BAM and Malaysia’s support.

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Former PNB Chairman & CEO Exposes How Malaysia’s State Funds Work

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Former Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed has given the low-down on Malaysia’s state funds and how each of them work.

In a series a Tweets recently, he explained about the three funds in the country – the catalytic development fund (Khazanah), the pension fund (KWSP) and unit trust (PNB).
We have many different state funds in Malaysia, and often many are confused as to what they do and how they operate. I thought I’ll make a thread to explain— Jalil Rasheed (@TheManajemen) September 11, 2020
Catalytic development funds
Catalytic development funds, he said, are designed to align themselves with the country’s policies, which is why in Khazanah the Prime Minister is the Chairman.
Khazanah received a seed injection upon inception in early 90s; and since then had to raise money from raising debt and selling down stake.Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
However, unlike other sovereign wealth funds, he said Khazanah does not receive cash injection from the government.
Hence it’s vital that Khazanah continues selling assets (non strategic assets) in order to make new investments and continue paying the government dividends, that has been agreed upon.Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
In Singapore, Temasik Holdings is a similar entity but he said that it has a more diversified asset class. Jalil added that it holds some of Singapore’s key strategic national assets like Khazanah.
Picture Credit: Malay Mail
Pension Funds
Next, he explained about pension funds, which has two systems;
Defined contribution (EPF) – both employee & employer contribute.Defined benefit (KWAP) – the employer pays for the pension.
The investment challenge within the pension fund system is the asset & liability matching where the money coming in monthly needs to be deployed to be invested in a manner that would be enough to sustain one’s retirement (asset allocation).Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
Compared to Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF), EPF doesn’t have a contribution limit while CPF caps it at S$5,000 per month in total from the employer & employee.
This was done to avoid a situation where the fund size gets unequally disproportionate. The aim was that CPF money is to help in basic retirement, buy HDB but not really to go beyond that.Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
Picture Credit: Malay Mail
Unit Trust
Lastly, Jalil talked about Unit trust (PNB), which works like any other unit trust fund but is huge in size.
He added that unit trust can be in many forms, dividend paying or capital appreciation.
The common thing about the three examples above is that they may overlap in certain investments; for example investing in same sectors, stocks, countries, but how the funds are managed is completely different because each has its own payment obligation, different ways of receiving money, and importantly different mandates (and end objective).Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
Commenting on other sovereign funds that Singapore has, he said that the republic also has the GIC, which is formerly known as the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.
It’s responsible for managing money given by the Singapore government through various agencies.
This also reduces the need to duplicate investment teams across each investment entity. GIC focuses on managing money, across different asset classes, with one ultimate client, the government.Former PNB President & Group Chief Executive Officer Jalil Rasheed via Twitter
To summarise, catalytic development funds put money into things the government wants to grow, pension funds try to grow your pension so you can live off it later, and unit trust funds are just huge.

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Malaysia Targets To Reopen Borders For International Tourists Starting January

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Malaysia is looking at reopening its borders by January for international visitors, according to the National Security Council (MKN) Chairman Tan Sri Mahiaddin Md Yassin.

Reports from CNN state that the government wants to do that by 1 January 2022.
He said that Malaysia is ready to open our borders given the country has a high vaccination rate.
The Former Prime Minister was also quoted saying that the tourism industry was recovering too slowly without foreign tourists and noted that operators needed time to resume business.
Taking into account the good vaccination level of the country, today the NRC has decided that the country’s borders should be opened to international visitors by 1 January 2022.National Security Council Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
But Malaysia won’t just open for any country, Muhyiddin said, as authorities to determine entry based on the Covid-19 situation in originating countries and other factors.
He also said that Malaysia will follow infection control measures such as implementing Covid-19 tests.
Reports from CNA meanwhile, pointed out that closing down the borders has hurt the country with Malaysia losing out on RM90 billion in tourism receipts.
Malaysia reopens slowly
International borders were closed due to the pandemic which hit the country in 2020 but the government has rolled back on restrictions after a large portion of the adult population were vaccinated.
Domestic tourism was then allowed, along with interstate travel.
The country has also reached an agreement recently with neighbours Singapore and Indonesia for tourism purposes.
READ MORE: Singapore-Malaysia Air Travel Is Back Via Vaccinated Travel Lane Starting 29 November

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Dataran Merdeka Street Brawl Video Raises Netizens Concerns Over Covid-19

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A massive street fight had apparently broken out near Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur in the wee hours of Sunday morning (August 23).

Videos posted online showed an altercation between several young men who have been stereotypically labeled as a rowdy gang of mat rempits.
The fight scenes showed a band of boys doing it out in the middle of a street, punching, kicking and screaming at each other, as a group of onlookers watched by.
Some were even seen armed with motorcycle helmets as their preferred choice of weapon.

Footage of the brawl had of course gone viral and prompted coronavirus concerns from the public.
Aside from the scenes of violence, netizens also had raised their eyebrows over the fact that most of the people who were there were clearly violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).
Among the offenses seen committed during the delirious duel were the obvious lack of physical distancing as well as the absence of face masks on many of the people on location.
It is still unclear what exactly had caused the battle royal, but the police believe it might have only been a misunderstanding, and not at all related to gangsterism.
Apparently, no police reports had been made concerning the fight, but the cops said that the incident was being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting and causing a public disturbance.

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Source:
No reports of Dataran Merdeka clash, say cops


KKM Warns Malaysians Of The Hidden Sugar In Coffee

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There’s nothing like a good ‘ol cup of kopi to start your day or give you a little boost of energy in the afternoon.

Despite how much Malaysians enjoy the drink, the Health Ministry reminds you that not all coffee are made equal, and some contain hidden sugars that can lead to other illnesses such as diabetes and obesity.
Coffee, or coffee-flavoured sugar drink?
Most drinks in Malaysia err on the side of being sweet, such as teh tarik, but the same applies for kopi as well.
Most coffee sold in Malaysia includes the addition of sweetened condensed milk, sugar, full cream milk, or any variation, which heavily adds to the sugar and calorie content of the drink.
Anda minum kopi setiap hari? Tahukah anda kandungan kalori dalam secawan kopi? ☕Kalori diperlukan oleh tubuh untuk pelbagai aktiviti harian.Namun, harus diingatkan pengambilan kalori yang lebih daripada keperluan boleh menyumbang kepada masalah berat badan dan obesiti. pic.twitter.com/yn2nh3yogk— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) January 11, 2022
While pure black coffee itself has 0 calories, not many Malaysians can drink bitter Kopi O directly. Most people will certainly add some amount of sugar, cream, milk, or condensed milk to help it go down smoother.
According to KKM’s post, a “regular” cup of coffee that includes both full cream milk and sugar can contain around 144 calories per cup!
Coffee with added condensed milk contains around 113 calories, coffee with skim milk and sugar is around 109 calories, and coffee with just sugar is around 60 calories.
That kopi you order at the mamak may have more calories than you realize.(Credit: TRP)
For Malaysians who may regularly consume coffee with added sugar or milk, it may be a good time to observe how much extra calories you unintentionally consume a day.

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Penang Man Arrested By Police After Feeding Alcohol To Five-Month-Old Baby

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A man has been arrested in Teluk Bahang by the police to assist in investigations after a viral video surfaced recently which showed a baby being fed with alcohol.

Malay Mail quoted Southwest District Police Chief Supt Kamarul Rizal Jenal who said that incident took place in a flat and the 19-year-old was arrested after the police received a report.
Police received a report on a 30-second viral video showing a man giving a canned drink believed to be beer to a baby on social media today which caught the attention of the public. Following this, police conducted an investigation and detained the man who was the father of the baby to assist in the investigation.Penang Southwest District Police Chief Supt Kamarul Rizal Jenal via Malay Mail
Kamarul Rizal said the five-month-old baby boy was sent to the hospital for further examination and was reported to be in good health.
He said investigations reveal that the man has 14 previous criminal records to his name and was also a person under surveillance.
Heavy penalties for reckless behaviour
The 19-year-old will be remanded and the case is being investigated under Section 31 (1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998.
Under the Child Act, the suspect can be fined up to RM20,000 or jail time of not more than ten years or both.
Meanwhile, upon conviction, he will be liable to a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year or both under the CMA.
The law also states that he will also be liable to a further fine of RM1,000 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction.
Alcohol a big no for children
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom has advised children and young people to not drink alcohol before the age of 18 as its use during the teenage years is related to a wide range of health and social problems.
They said that drinking alcohol is damaging towards a child’s health, even if they’re 15 or older.
It has the ability to affect the normal development of vital organs and functions, including the brain, liver, bones and hormones.

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IKEA Malaysia Releases Plant-Based Menu For The Month Of October!

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More and more people are adopting a plant-based and meatless diets these days for a variety of reasons. The good news is that in response, large brands are doing the same to cater to them.

Furniture store IKEA often draws a cult following due to their delicious meatballs, but there were little options for vegetarians. However, for the month of October 2021, they are releasing a full plant-based menu that will be suitable for vegetarian and meatless diets!
There are a total of 7 meatless items, including mains such as a burger, wrap, and pasta, with kid-friendly options such as “fishless” fingers.

Check out their website for more details.

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[Watch] China Film Festival 2022 To Promote Bilateral Ties, Showcases Film By Malaysian Movie Director Chiu Keng Guan

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The inaugural China Film Festival 2022 will promote close ties between Malaysia and China.

Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the four-day festival is not only a platform for filmmakers and producers from both countries to exchange ideas.
He said it also identifies opportunities for cooperation in developing the film industry.

2022 marks the 48th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. The Malaysia-China relationship is essential for economic reasons, cultural initiatives, creativity and innovation that become similarities, and cross-cultural communication.Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin on Malaysia-China relations through film industry.
He said this in a recent speech at the China Film Festival 2022.
Zahidi, also Padang Besar MP, said the ministry would continue to be committed to supporting local creative talent and ensuring they can penetrate the international film market.
Film collaboration is a fertile common ground for Malaysia-China collaboration — 2022 China Film Festival kicks off in Malaysia https://t.co/CoEu5Kpnye pic.twitter.com/kgcu13UgY0— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) September 17, 2022
Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing also graced the festival launch.
He remarked that there was a longstanding tradition of film collaboration between China and Malaysia.
People have become more approachable and closer to each other thanks to films. Films help enormously to increase mutual understanding between people.Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing on enhancing people-to-people understanding and friendship between Malaysia and China.
The ambassador added that the films would allow people to learn the extraordinary history and achievements of Chinese films in the past 100 years.
Quality Entertainment
China Film Festival 2022, with the theme of “China Film Centennial — The Inheritance of Films”, takes place at Dadi Cinema from 15 to 18 September.
18 excellent Chinese films and two Malaysian movies will be presented to the audience, including newly produced and restored classics.
The festival started with the screening of On Your Mark, which marked Chiu Keng Guan’s directorial debut in China.
The movie topped the Chinese box office on its opening day with RM8.7 million from 9,000 cinemas.

Chiu is well known among Malaysians for his movie Ola Bola, inspired by Malaysia’s national football team that qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Ola Bola impressed the audience at the 2016 Shanghai Film Festival, and a Chinese producer approached Chiu with the script for On Your Mark
Each ticket at the Chinese Film Festival costs RM10, and each film is only screened once at Dadi Cinema in Pavilion KL.
The Chinese films include Cliff Walkers, Hi Mom, A Writer’s Odyssey, Leap, and The Wandering Earth.

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Minimum Wage Leads To Higher Prices, People Fear They Will End Up Worse Off Than Before

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When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the increase in the minimum wage of RM1500, it was well received by the public.

However, people are now worrying that the salary increase will be outpaced by inflation, like a race between a tortoise and a hare.
There are real concerns that businesses would take the opportunity to increase the price of goods and services at will.
After all, many businesses wouldn’t bother giving their employees a pay rise if there were no minimum wage legislation.
The wage increase will be especially burdensome for small traders as labour costs is a substantial part of their overheads.
If they try to increase prices further, they risk losing customers, and this can result in them closing down.
Its a good news for sure. But also bad news for SME for non-big city. Hope the government structuring win win incentives for employers— RAKAN BELIA 🇲🇾 (@RakanBelia) March 19, 2022
Scenario yang saya jangka akan berlaku seperti berikut:1. Gaji minimum naik ke RM 1,5002. Vacancy tiada3. Retrenchment berlaku untuk seimbangkan semula pada kos asal4. Harga barang tetap naik sebab alasan gaji minima naikDari awal, kenaikan gaji minima bukan solusi— Iskandar Danial (@_IskandarDanial) March 19, 2022
People fear that at the end of the day, they could afford even less.
The situation would force them to demand a higher minimum wage again, and the vicious cycle would continue.
In other words, raising the minimum wage is not a sustainable solution.

The implementation of the RM1,500 minimum wage will begin on 1 May nationwide except for micro, small and medium enterprises (PMKS).
The minimum wage is to protect low-income employees against excessively low wages.
READ MORE: Minimum Wage Officially Raised To RM1,500 On 1 May

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[Watch] Man Waves ‘Gun’ In PJ Shopping Mall, Police On The Hunt

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The police are looking for a man who was waving around a ‘gun’ at the recent Anime Fest in Paradigm Mall.

It is unsure if the gun is real or a prop.
The Chief District Police of Petaling Jaya, Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Fakhruddin Abdul Hamid said the video was filmed around 5.30p.m. on the 17th of May.
According to him, the man was a cosplayer at the event. It appears that he is cosplaying the character Big Smoke from the video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, who is part of the Ballas gang and thus carries guns in the game.

Rate his fit. (Credit: clotheswapbot2 via Twitter/UtusanTV via TikTok)
“The incident occurred at an anime festival in Petaling Jaya that was held last Friday to Monday.”
“The police are searching for the man and the case is being investigated according to Section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He also stated that the police are searching for the individual who uploaded the video to aid in the investigation.
Despite the guidelines set forth by organizers, con-goers reported cases of harassment and inappropriate behaviour as well.
READ MORE: PJ Police Probing One Of Their Officers For Victim Blaming A Cosplayer, Says District Chief

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Stateless Malay Student In Kedah Faces Uncertain Future Despite Doing Well In STPM

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Examinations have always been the most reliable method to assess pupils.

But do good exam results at school or college guarantee success?
An outstanding student of Sijil Tinggi Pendidikan Malaysia (STPM), Muhammad Omar Mokhtar Abdul Rahman, finds himself in limbo despite passing with flying colours.
Despite being born on Merdeka Day, he does not have an identity card and is unable to have the opportunity to pursue his ambitions as an educator.
Even more agonising, the 20-year-old can’t proceed despite receiving a scholarship offer to continue his study at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
Scholarships Focusing On Low-Income Students and Families
UUM Vice-Chancellor Haim Hilman Abdullah recently visited the outstanding student around Pokok Sena in Kedah.
During the visit, Muhammad Omar offered a scholarship and a letter of offer for Muhammad Omar and two others to study at UUM.
I would like to state that UUM is ready to offer them a scholarship if they choose this university to further their studies.UUM Vice-Chancellor Haim Hilman Abdullah on UUM helping low-income students on the path toward completion of university education.
Besides Omar, Haim also visited Salmah Aminudin and Nurasyikin Azizan.
All three have a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 in their STPM 2021 exam.

More Help Pouring In
Meanwhile, Kosmo reports that Perlis Islamic University College (Kuips) offers full scholarships for Omar and Salmah.
They will be sponsored by the Council of Islamic Religion and Malay Customs of Perlis (Maips).
Kuips has contacted the students involved to offer a full scholarship sponsored by Maips, including total tuition fees for the duration of their studies.
It also includes dormitory accommodation until graduation and a living allowance of RM300 per month until graduation.
No registration fee will be charged to them.

Meanwhile, Sinar Harian quoted Omar saying he would consider UUM’s offer.
I am grateful to receive a visit from the Vice Chancellor of UUM and am willing to consider the opportunity because I am worried that obtaining an identity card will take a long time.STPM high achiever Muhammad Omar Mokhtar Abdul Rahman on his lack of an identity card.
Muhammad Omar said he aspired since childhood to become an educator such as a lecturer or teacher, and to fulfill that dream, he needs to continue his studies to the IPT level.
Citizenship Cannot Simply Be Taken Away
Previously, the human rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) highlighted the plight of Muhammad Omar, who lost his citizenship at 12.
LFL has also highlighted similar cases in the past with successful results, which should give Muhammad Omar a good reason to be optimistic.
Stateless top student Roisah Abdullah has been offered a place to further her studies at Universiti Utara Malaysia (Official FB) . Higher Education Minister, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh said he had met Roisah, 20, to offer the student the… https://t.co/6dwaEoI0GC— Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi (@MOHEOfficial) March 28, 2018
Raised by his Malaysian father Mohd Roslan Saad, he used to hold a Malaysian birth certificate.
The trouble started when his father took him to apply for a MyKad when he was 12.
The National Registration Department (JPN) flagged an undisclosed anomaly about her mother’s untraceable identity and revoked her citizenship.
His citizenship was then revoked by JPN due to uncertainties about his parent’s marriage certificate.
Omar’s parents already separated and his (birth) mother could not be traced.
A Temporary Solution
JPN advised Omar’s father to get him adopted under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution, which provides a special power for the Federal Government to register children as citizens.
By doing so, Muhammad Omar can use the documents to pursue his studies as a foreign student.
He was later adopted by his aunt (birth father’s sister) Jamaliah Saad when he was 13 years old so that he can study in secondary school.
Following that, he was given a new birth certificate in which his citizenship status has been changed to “non-citizen”.
Muhammad Omar and his father poses for a pictures with his STPM results during a press conference at the Lawyer for Liberty office in Petaling Jaya on 29 August 2022. (Pix: Malay Mail)
Muhammad Omar told reporters at a recent press conference by LFL that he could not open a bank account or get a driver’s license.
He is currently working as a part-timer at a factory in Sungai Petani and is paid in cash.
But he is burdened the most by the prospect of furthering his education, which is slim, to say the least.
LFL adviser and former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya said the department has no right to cancel Muhammad Omar’s citizenship despite discrepancies in his parent’s documents.
The plight has also caught the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who presented Muhammad Omar and Salmah with RM1,500 each during the Keluarga Malaysia tour in Alor Setar recently.

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Two-week Lockdown In Two Areas In Kluang, Effective Midnight

In Johor, two housing areas in Simpang Renggam, involving some 3,570 residents, have been ordered to stay indoors after there was a spike of people testing positive for Covid-19.
The two areas are Kampung Datoâ€™ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Datoâ€™ Ibrahim Majid in Simpang Renggam, Kluang.
The lockdown will last from tonight till 9 April.
Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the order was issued on the advice of the Health Minister after a sudden increase in cases there.
In total, 83 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Kluang, with 61 of the cases coming from the aforementioned housing areas.
Due to the order, residents and their visitors in the affected areas are not allowed to leave their homes while it remains in effect.
All entrances and exits to the areas will be closed and outsiders are not allowed in.
All business activities are suspended and food will be supplied to all locals by the Social Welfare Department.
A medical base will also be established in the area.
The police, army, civil defence force, and RELA volunteers will be enforcing the order.
Those requiring assistance or clarification can call 07-7735224 or 07-7722434.


Klang Valley Goes Into Phase 2 On 10th Sept, Inter District Travel Allowed

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur will go into Phase of the National Recovery Plan starting this Friday (10 September).

This transition will mean relaxed SOP for almost all sectors including entertainment, commercial, sports, and social industries.
This also means that inter district travel between Selangor, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur is allowed.
The official new SOPS have yet to be announced, but we will update when such information becomes available.
         View this post on Instagram            A post shared by ismailsabri60 (@ismailsabri60)

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US Death Toll To Reach 135,000 By August, Says Research Centre

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The death toll in the United States of America (US) is expected to reach 135,000 by August, according to a prediction model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
The numbers were projected based on the actions taken by the states in the US who are beginning to relax on social distancing measures and allowing Americans to move freely again.
Currently, the US has around 1.2 million confirmed coronavirus infections resulting in more than 70,000 deaths nationwide with the death toll reaching 2,000 per day over the past week.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is disbanding the Covid-19 team which includes world-renowned health expert Dr Anthony Fauci to restart the country’s economy.
This is despite health officials urging not to do so as the virus may spread when businesses begin to reopen.
Headstrong on the decision to kickstart the country, Trump said Americans must go back to their daily lives even if it may lead them to their deaths.

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Malaysian Couple Has No Regrets Working As Fruit Pickers In Australia

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Wan Siti Hajar Wan Yaacob, 35, and her husband have immigrated to Australia for six years.

She said that she does not regret her decision to leave Malaysia.
The couple did everything they could to survive in Kuala Lumpur but earned barely enough to make ends meet.
So they decided to look for better opportunities abroad.
The New Straits Times reported Wan Siti Hajar was an Information Sciences Record Management graduate.
She was a public relations executive before moving to Melbourne.
However, in Australia, she was a fruit picker in a factory.
After picking fruits for two years, the couple saved enough to open a restaurant.
Wan Siti Hajar said they have been in business for three years, which is not without its challenges.
When they first arrived, they encountered many difficulties and did not know anyone.
 The weather was extremely cold or hot, and sometimes it was so hot that people fainted.
Australia’s Work-Life Balance
Wan Siti Hajar pointed out that whether you are a worker or a professional, they pay you by the hour and every fortnight.
Everything is done systematically, even if you are working on a farm.
They have their standard operating procedures; the staff are very disciplined.
If they start work at 8 am, they will be ready by 7.55 am, stop working at 5 pm, and the rest of the work continues the next day.

However, Wan Siti Hajar believes Malaysia is still the “best” place and hopes to find better opportunities in her hometown one day.
She said most Malaysians here are willing to return if they can get paid reasonably; she hopes to return and start a business when the economy recovers.
Wan Siti Hajar also hopes that more diverse job opportunities will encourage those working overseas to return to Malaysia.
How Much Does A Fruit Picker Get Paid In Australia?
The pay rate for a fruit picker in Australia can vary depending on factors such as the type of fruit being picked, the region, and the employment agreement.
Generally, most fruit pickers in Australia are paid based on a piece-rate system, where they are paid for the amount of fruit they pick.
According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, the minimum wage for casual fruit and vegetable picking employees in Australia is $25.41 per hour, including 25% casual loading.
However, many fruit pickers are paid on a piece-rate basis, which means they are paid a certain amount for each kilogram or bin of fruit they pick.
The piece rate varies depending on the type of fruit, with some fruits being more difficult to pick than others.
https://t.co/IrLWuKUTAHSebastian, a young gay guy, breaks out of his everyday life & takes up a job as a fruit picker in Australia. He gets to know the country in all its facets; from the rigid Australian court system to the depths of the Aboriginal spiritual world. pic.twitter.com/ghhCoI9DjF— Bea Eschen (@bestsellerblume) July 31, 2021
As a rough estimate, the Fair Work Ombudsman suggests that fruit pickers could earn between AUD24 (RM72) and AUD30 (RM90) per hour based on a piece-rate system.
But this can vary greatly depending on the specific fruit and the farm they are working on.
It’s important to note that fruit pickers in Australia are entitled to certain rights and protection under Australian law.
They include minimum wage rates, workplace health and safety standards, and the right to join a union.
 Australia has a higher average income than Malaysia. (Pix: Carlist)
Not A Bed Of Roses
There have been reports of exploitation and mistreatment of foreign workers, including those from Malaysia, in various industries in Australia, including the agriculture and fruit-picking sectors.
These reports include allegations of workers being forced to work long hours in harsh conditions for low wages, sometimes well below the legal minimum wage in Australia.
I met a young man in Malaysia who had been hired by a Labour Hire Firm to pick fruit. After deductions for accom, food, transport to work site, water on work site, access to electricity & well below accepted pay rates, he was out of pocket. Australia the pariah under #LNP?— Revd Andrew Klein ( Chaplain) (@KleinRevd) August 25, 2022
The Australian government and various organizations have addressed these issues and improved conditions for foreign workers.
These include stronger regulations, enforcement measures, and initiatives to raise awareness among workers and employers.
In 2019, 33,000 Malaysians entered using tourist visa and later applied for asylum in Australia.That’s more than the number of foreigners our government plan to bring in to Malaysia! Who said our people are not interested in farm works? It’s the pay!https://t.co/9Gx25bPRNi— Mebert (@c1t0d0s1) October 17, 2021
If you or someone you know is a victim of exploitation or mistreatment as a foreign worker in Australia, resources are available to help.
The Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman provides information and support for employees, including those on temporary visas, who may be experiencing workplace issues or mistreatment.
Additionally, several organizations provide legal assistance and advocacy for workers in Australia, such as the Migrant Workers Centre and the Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA organization.
“Australia is primarily a destination country for people trafficked from Asia, particularly Thailand,Korea, the Philippines & Malaysia. Australia’s slavery, slavery-like and human trafficking offences are set out in Division 270 and 271 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995”— (((Anne ODonoghue))) (@immsollawyers) January 2, 2022

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Cashless Pasar, Here We Come – E-Wallet To Be Mandatory For Market Traders To Renew License

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Cashless pasars might soon be the norm for Malaysians as the government will soon be making e-wallet payment a requirement for license renewal at farmers’ and public markets in Putrajaya.

Bernama reports Deputy Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid explaining that this requirement by Putrajaya Corporation is to encourage traders to digitalise their businesses.
I am confident it will motivate many other micro, small and medium businesses to participate in going cashless.Datuk Rosol Wahid, Deputy Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Minister
Credit: @kpdnhep/Facebook
This move is a part of the Retail Digitalisation Initiative (ReDI) – a collaboration between the ministry and various government and private agencies.
According to FMT, these include the Federal Territories ministry, Housing & Local Government Ministry, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Maybank and Touch n’ Go.
The cashless revolution
A ministry survey found the level of e-wallet acceptance at 50% among traders at farmers’ and public markets in Putrajaya. Rosol is confident that with the “‘onboarding’ efforts”, that figure should top 90% by year-end.
However, for this year, the ministry is targeting 100 farmers’ markets and public markets to use the e-wallet facility in every transaction.
Eventually, the target is for 12,844 traders at 306 farmers’ markets and public markets nationwide to use the e-wallet system.

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Source:
E-wallet among licensing requirements for market traders - Rosol
E-wallet to be mandatory for market traders to renew licence


[UPDATED] Govt Announces Inter-District Travel Ban For Sabah From October 3 Onwards

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UPDATE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that a travel ban has been imposed on entries to-and-from Sabah. The article has since been corrected.

The National Security Council (MKN) has announced an inter-district travel ban for Sabah that comes into effect at 12.01 am on 3rd October.
Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob states that the travel ban prohibits anyone from travelling between districts in Sabah for 14 days until 16 October.
However, essential services such as supply needs food, medical, safety are exempted from the travel ban.

The Senior Minister says that those whose mandatory quarantine ends during this period are allowed to return to their respective districts or to the Peninsula, Sarawak and Labuan.
The Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) currently in place in four Sabah districts – Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak and Semporna- remains in force.

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Public Transport In Klang Valley Will Be Reduced Until End Of CMCO

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Public transport services across the Klang Valley will be reduced until the end of the conditional movement control order (CMCO), starting today.

According to Chief Operating Officer of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad Group Datin Norlia Noah, there has been a decrease in passengers lately due to the on-going CMCO.
In light of this, the Ministry of Transport has allowed the company to reduce the frequency of public transport vehicles to meet the current demand.
Based on data, the trend shows that the number of passengers is decreasing, including during peak hours. Passengers during off-peak hours, although remain the same, the numbers are extremely low.Datin Norlia Noah via NST
This includes all trains, such as the LRT, MRT, and monorail services, as well as the Rapid KL buses and Jom Naik MRT shuttle buses.
The LRT, MRT, and monorail services will continue to operate at its usual times, from 6 am to midnight daily. Only the frequency of trains arriving at the station will be changed according to time and demand.
The number of passengers have decreased during the CMCO period. Even during peak hours. (Credit: Malay Mail)
Though, the set frequency is merely a guide and trains will be added if the number of passengers increases, said Norlia.
The operation of our trains on all routes will be closely monitored by the operations control centre, which was empowered to add trains if needed to meet the increase in demand at certain times.Datin Norlia Noah via NST
Meanwhile, the Rapid Bus service frequency will be reduced by 20% and follow its weekend travel plan.
Public transport users are encouraged to use Google Maps, Moovit, or refer to this link to see buses in real-time and better plan their journey.
The frequency of trains will be as follows:
Ampang and Sri Petaling LRT Line
6 am – 7 am (build-up) non-Central Business District (CBD): Every 6.9 minutesCBD: Every 3.4 minutes7 am – 9 am (morning peak hour) Non-CBD: Every 5.6 minutesCBD: Every 2.8 minutes9 am – 5 pm (morning off-peak hours)non-CBD: Every 11.7 minutesCBD: Every 5.8 minutes5 pm – 7 pm (evening peak hours)non-CBD: Every 5.6 minutesCBD: Every 2.8 minutes7 pm – 10 pm (evening off-peak hours)non-CBD: Every 11.7 minutesCBD: Every 5.8 minutes10 pm-midnight (scale down)non-CBD: Every 14 minutesCBD: Every 7 minutes.
Kelana Jaya LRT Line
6 am – 7 am (build-up): Every 4.4 minutes7 am – 9 am (morning peak hour): Every 3.5 minutes9 am – 5 pm (morning off-peak hours): Every 9.3 minutes5 pm – 7 pm (evening peak hours): Every 3.5 minutes7 pm – 10 pm (evening off-peak hours): Every 5.6 minutes10 pm-midnight (scale down): Every 14 minutes.
Monorail
6 am – 7 am (build-up): Every 8.2 minutes7 am – 9 am (morning peak hour): Every 6.2 minutes9 am – 5 pm (morning off-peak hours): Every 8.2 minutes5 pm – 7 pm (evening peak hours): Every 6.2 minutes7 pm – 10 pm (evening off-peak hours): Every 8.2 minutes10 pm-midnight (scale down): Every 10 minutes.
Kajang MRT Line
6 am – 7 am (build-up): Every 5.3 minutes7 am – 9 am (morning peak hour): Every 4 minutes9 am – 5 pm (morning off-peak hours): Every 9.9 minutes5 pm – 7 pm (evening peak hours): Every 4 minutes7 pm – 10 pm (evening off-peak hours): Every 9.9 minutes10 pm-midnight (scale down): Every 12 minutes.

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