Haze: Flights cancelled & fishermen lost at sea

The transboundary haze problem is impacting life on land, air and sea…
Flights between Malaysia and Singapore were cancelled today (September 19) due to haze.

(Image Credit: Make a Meme)

The flights were cancelled due to worsening haze forecasts that are affecting visibility.
Ken Jeong Cant See GIF from Kenjeong GIFs

Separately, several flights to and from Penang International Airport (LTAPP) yesterday (September 18) were also affected by the troublesome haze.
These flights were either delayed or cancelled altogether.
A number of planes departing from LTAPP were forced to turn around and land, and a few incoming flights were diverted to other airports.
Flight Delay Cancelled GIF from Flightdelay GIFs

In Perak, some 1,000 passengers were left stranded at Ipohâ€™s Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) as flights were cancelled.
On the high seas, 2 Malaysian fishermen lost their way due to the haze that has blanketed the oceans.
The father and son duo had lost their bearings in the cloud of smog for over an hour before their boat ran out of fuel some 10 nautical miles off the coast of Melaka.

(Image Credit: Detroit Metro Times)

They were later found and rescued by Indonesian fishermen who towed them back to Pulau Rupat, in Riau, Indonesia to refuel their vessel.
Apparently, since the duo had no cash on hand, they had to sell-off around 40kgs of fish that they had caught to the islanders in order to purchase 70 litres of petrol for their trip home to Pantai Puteri, Melaka.
The haze has doomed us all…


Boy scared of dog climbed into stranger’s car for cover [Video]

A viral video thatâ€™s making rounds on social media shows just how much fear can literally take you for a ride.
Cat Scared GIF from Cat GIFs

In a 45-second clip shared by Twitter user Istajib Mokhtar, a young boy is seen driven mad with terror when he apparently crossed paths with a stray dog.
The boy had been cycling around the neighbourhood when he had a run-in with the drifter doggo.
Panicking at the sight of the animal, the boy got off his bicycle and ran off to seek the help of an oncoming vehicle that was coincidentally in the area.
Good GIF from Car GIFs

The video shows the boy confessing his fear to the driver, who managed to record the boy’s reaction.

(Image Credit: Twitter)

In the clip, the kid can be seen trembling in fear, asking the woman for help.
Fully giving in to his fear, the boy then decided to jump for cover, climbing his way through the open driverâ€™s side window of the womanâ€™s car.

(Image Credit: Twitter)

After climbing into the car, the kid then crawled his way into the back seat, finally protected from the “vicious monster” that had been terrorizing his day.
 (Image Credit: Twitter)

“The dog! It’s chasing me…”
â€œThere! Itâ€™s over there! The brown one!â€
Gestured the boy as the woman recording the video went on to tease him, calling out to the dog to come and chase after the boy – via Twitter
The driver can be heard laughing away, shocked and humoured by the boyâ€™s actions.
The video posted on September 3 has since been viewed over 100,000 times, quickly becoming the talk of Twitterjaya.

Adik ni takut anjing. Muka tu mmg cuak teruk. Terus masuk kereta makcik yang tak dikenali dari tingkap. Mak cik tu pun… rajin menyakat. Haha. Mak cik u kebabom @infitahnatasha pic.twitter.com/ROq6LPOwzR
â€” Istajib Mokhtar (@Istajib_Mokhtar) September 3, 2019

Netizens came in droves commenting on the boyâ€™s cute and comical behaviour.

(Image Credit: Facebook @ Bork Bork I Am Doggo)

Ya Allah comelnya 😂😂
â€” naabahrin (@naabhrn) September 4, 2019

 “Oh my god, so cute!”

Makcik pun batu api😂
â€” charankÃ¶|🇲🇾 (@_jenniebabyjane) September 4, 2019

“The lady is so mean…”
via Twitter

Aku faham perasaan budak ni sbb aku pun fobia dgn anjing 😅
â€” Yosoywani (@HazwaniLee) September 5, 2019

“I feel what the kid is going through since I have a phobia of dogs too…”
 via Twitter

Adikkk ni comellnya masa dia ckp takut tu soooooo kiutt! Tp bahaya main masuk dlm kereta org tau😂
â€” 🧜🏾♀ (@shwwtyy) September 5, 2019

“This boy is so cute when he said he was scared. But it’s dangerous to just jump into a stranger’s cars…”
via Twitter
Commenters also shared their own experiences of being scared and chased by dogs.
Dog Eyebrow GIF from Dog GIFs

Dulu pernah lari tinggalkan adik masa dia 4tahun atas basikal lepas dengar anjing menyalak 😂
â€” Reynz (@nrazrenn) September 5, 2019

“I onced ran away from a barking dog leaving my four-year-old sibling behind…”
via Twitter

aku pon pernah kene kejar anjing 😭 time tu kawan aku tengah ajar aku bawak basikal , pastu ada anjing kejar then kawan aku terus lari , aku pon jatuh basikal . lepastu aku lupa la .
â€” Hafrize (@HafrizeKarim) September 4, 2019

“I was once chased by a dog when my friend was teaching me how to ride a bike. He ran away leaving me behind, then I fell off the bike and forgot what happened next…”
via Twitter

aku penah kena kejar anjing balik dari kedai beli jajan .. lari sampai rumah kasut tinggal sebelah, jajan pun dah buang tepi jalan 🤷🏻♀
â€” asyhlee🌸 (@asyhlee_) September 4, 2019

“Once I got chased by a dog when I went out to buy snacks. Only when I got home that I noticed I was missing a slipper and dropped all the snack I had bought…”
via Twitter
Do you have your own hilariously terrifying experiences with dogs?
Share us your stories in the comments on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!


Singaporean Neighbour Allegedly Poisoned Cats In Johor, Police Report Has Been Made

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When the Malaysia-Singapore borders reopened, it helped reunite many families after they were separated from each other for two years.

However, it was not a happy end for a family in Aliff Puteri, Damansara Aliff in Johor, because someone poisoned their cats.
A Twitter user Fadzlee (@fadmanson) shared that a neighbour had no choice but to release some cats because they couldn’t feed the cats anymore.
The cats were allowed to scavenge for food on their own. Sometimes, the cats were also fed by neighbours in the area.
Things were fine for the past two years until recently when all the cats were found poisoned and dead.
2 tahun Singaporean tak balik, elok semua kucing. Ada yg kucing jiran terpaksa lepaskan sebab tak mampu nak jaga masa PKP, jiran lain tolong bagi makan. Singaporean balik, habis mati semuanya diracun.Lokasi : Aliff Puteri, Damansara Aliff. pic.twitter.com/bE4YBtl6DD— F Δ D Z L E E (@fadmanson) April 5, 2022
It’s believed that the Singaporean neighbour, who returned once borders reopened, was the culprit for poisoning the cats.
Fadzlee explained that a few years ago a similar incident happened and the Singaporean neighbour allegedly claimed that the cat disturbed their pet birds.
The cats were all doing fine when that neighbour returned to Singapore when Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented. For the two years the neighbour was away, there were no cat poisoning incidents.
This changed once again when the borders reopened and the neighbour came back to Malaysia.
Few years ago memang ada perkara sama jadi. Katanya kacau burung peliharaan dia. Then bila PKP diorang balik sana. 2 years tak ada isu haiwan kena racun.Bila border dah buka 1/4 lepas, today jadi macam ni lagi.— F Δ D Z L E E (@fadmanson) April 5, 2022
Netizens were sad and angry that the poor cats suffered at the hands of the neighbour. A few of them advised Fadzlee to lodge a police report.
According to Fadzlee, a report has been lodged and another neighbour who witnessed the poisoning has given their statement.
The Department of Veterinary Services also advised Fadzlee to lodge a complaint through its MyAnimalWelfare official portal.
weh sampai hati pi racun 😭— coretan yi (@puyiyaeyo) April 5, 2022
Dah, report polis juga dah dibuat. Pihak polis dah datang mengambil keterangan jiran-jiran di sini.— F Δ D Z L E E (@fadmanson) April 5, 2022
Ya, jiran sebelah saksi mata. Dah beri keterangan pada pihak polis tadi.— F Δ D Z L E E (@fadmanson) April 5, 2022
Sebarang aduan Kebajikan Haiwan boleh di buat melalui portal rasmi MyAnimalWelfare di https://t.co/qBezM1PyucTerima kasih— Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar 🇲🇾 (@DVSMalaysia) April 5, 2022
A few netizens even asked Fadzlee to drop the address of the Singaporean neighbour. However, Fadzlee dare not do so in case of retaliation from the said neighbour.
It’s best to leave it up to the authorities instead of resorting to vigilantism.
Hopefully, the authorities will be able to settle the matter soon because animal cruelty is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2015.
Tak berani nak drop, nanti kena counter report pula dengan “manusia” tu— F Δ D Z L E E (@fadmanson) April 5, 2022
Animal cruelty is a criminal offence
According to SPCA Malaysia, animal abusers can be fined between RM20,000 to RM100,000 and a jail term of not more than 3 years or both under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 Part V Article 31: Cruelty to Animals.
Repeat offenders will be fined double the amount and face a minimum 3-month jail term.
READ MORE: How Malaysians Are Unknowingly Abusing Their Pets? Find Out If You Are Guilty

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TLDR: Rayhan Kabir Arrested, To Be Deported & Blacklisted From Malaysia Forever

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25-year-old Bangladeshi national, Md Rayhan Kabir, a man who was critical of the government’s handling of migrants in Malaysia during the Covid-19 pandemic in an Al Jazeera interview, has been captured by authorities and would be deported and blacklisted from entering the country.
What you need to know: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) confirmed the capture of Md Rayhan who was detained in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 24) by the department’s Operation Intelligence Unit following a tip-off to his supposed hideout at a condominium in Jalan Pahang. JIM Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud was quoted as saying that Md Rayhan would be deported and banned from Malaysia “forever”.
What’s new: Before his capture, Md Rayhan reportedly told a Bangladeshi news agency, The Daily Star, that he was innocent of any crimes and only wanted dignity and justice for migrants in Malaysia.
How it got here:  The government had Md Rayhan’s work permit revoked following his appearance on Al Jazeera’s Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown documentary where he allegedly made claims of Malaysia’s mistreatment of migrants during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. Authorities had also released Md Rayhan’s information to the public to aid in his capture for offenses under the Immigration Act 1959/1963.
Why it matters: Md Rayhan along with Al Jazeera’s depiction of Malaysia’s migrant situation has been a major topic of public discourse and international criticism. The Malaysian government has taken the position to dismiss the report as inaccurate and slanderous to the country while moving to discredit the international news agency which has also resulted in the country having discussions on media freedoms and freedom of expression.
Read More:IMIGRESEN BERJAYA TANGKAP MD RAYHAN KABIR [Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia]Immigration Dept: Rayhan Kabir to be deported, permanently banned from entering Malaysia [Malay Mail]Bangladeshi in Al Jazeera documentary tracked down, arrested [New Straits Times]I committed no crime, says Bangladeshi man in Al Jazeera programme [FMT]Bangladeshi in Al Jazeera documentary arrested: Telling truth is not a crime [The Daily Star]Al Jazeera Documentary Backlash: 5 Important Things You Need To Know [TRP]Al Jazeera Defends Documentary Filmed During Lockdown in Malaysia [TRP]Rayhan Kabir’s Work Permit Revoked By Immigration Dept, Say Police [TRP]Al Jazeera’s License And Accreditation With Finas To Be Checked By Communications Ministry [TRP]Astro Is Being Fined By MCMC For An Al Jazeera Documentary They Aired In 2015 [TRP]Al Jazeera Dismisses Finas’ Requirement For A License, Saying It’s Not A Credible Argument [TRP]If Al Jazeera’s Documentary Was Illegal, So Is Any Other Malaysian Video Content, Says Lawyer [TRP]Film Producers Must Have Finas License, Even For Social Media, Apparently [TRP]What Did Saifuddin Actually Say In Parliament About FINAS? [TRP]Saifuddin Assures Govt Won’t Use FINAS To Restrict Personal Freedom On Social Media, MPs Ask For Review Anyway [TRP]Malaysian Journalist Under Police Investigation Added To Intl Info Hero List [TRP]Controversial Arrests, Charges & Investigations Under PN (So Far) [TRP]

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[Watch] Woman Boasts Of Abandoning Mother At Bus Stop In Malacca

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A woman in Malacca has caused outrage on social media after sharing a video in which she boasts of abandoning her mother at a bus stop in the middle of the night.

The woman has been widely condemned as being unfilial and rebellious.
In the video, the woman explained how she left her mother in the toilet of the Malacca bus terminal.
“Tak tinggal tepi jalan tapi tinggal EMAK dekat toilet melaka sentral.”So dia rembat duit mak dia RM400, tinggalkan mak dia dekat toilet lepas tu blah dan dia proudly cerita benda ni dekat live?Miss kepam oi even shaytan is confused! Ada neraka jahanam khas taw untuk kau. pic.twitter.com/GXlDaGHu08— Januar Haikal (@Januarhaikal) June 29, 2023
She had also taken RM400 from her mother.
The woman told her mother that she was going to the toilet, and when her mother followed, she took off her shoes and ran outside while her mother was not paying attention.
The woman had agreed with her husband to park the van in a convenient place to get on.
When her husband parked the van, the woman asked her father to wait while she went to the toilet with her mother.
She then ran away, leaving her mother at the bus stop.
Netizens Criticize Woman’s Behavior
Many netizens have condemned the woman’s behaviour as unfilial and brainless.
They expressed their shock and disappointment at the woman’s actions and criticized her for sharing the story through a live broadcast without any shame.
One netizen commented, “It’s unfilial and brainless.”
Malacca station has many platforms and many people. I felt a headache when I went there. She left her mother there cruelly.”
The woman’s behaviour has sparked a wider debate about filial piety and family values in Malaysian society.
 pic.twitter.com/4jiQoYvkQH— Jim Is Here To Take Care of Him (@RoastHimJim) June 30, 2023

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Zero Waste Malaysia Wins Top 3 In Int’l Festival For Community Innovation

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Zero Waste Malaysia has been recognized by the German-based Creative Bureaucracy Festival for the volunteer-created MY Zero Waste Life Handbook which is aimed to help people all over the world begin a less wasteful life.

The MY Zero Waste Life Handbook submission beat out over 200 nominations from 30 other countries to finish as one of the top 15 finalists, and community voting later pushed it to top 3. It is also the only Malaysian project to reach top 15 this year.
CBF2022 announced the winners of the Community Voting yesterday.(Credit: Creative Bureaucracy Festival)
Winners will be invited to present their project to an international audience at the Creative Bureaucracy Festival 2022 to be held in Berlin, Germany in June this year.
We are so thankful to our community, particularly the group on Facebook, for the support and help.Tasha Sabapathy, Communications & Marketing Officer at Zero Waste Malaysia, to TRP
The Creative Bureaucracy is an organisation dedicated to cultivating a more positive attitude towards the public sector as well as more drive and eagerness to experiment within the public sector for the betterment of communites and their governments around the globe.
The Little Book Of Zero Waste
The MY Zero Waste Life Handbook is a free online resource compiled by the Zero Waste Malaysia team together with the Zero Waste community on Facebook.
Examples of what’s in the MY Zero Waste Life Handbook.(Credit: Zero Waste Malaysia)
The guide includes topics such as how to shop sustainably, the truth of recycling, and how to get started with composting. It ranges from topics that help your personal daily lifestyle to things that require community support to issues that require systemic change to provide a comprehensive understanding of the zero waste concept.
Our organisation is about taking one step at a time, and not being too overwhelmed. That’s why we have all these resources available.Tasha Sabapathy, Communications & Marketing Officer at Zero Waste Malaysia, to TRP
Each topic is is formatted as infographics which can also double as posters or teaching material as well. While the information is mainly broad, it is written by the Malaysian community for Malaysians.
The guide is available in English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.
A Trashy Good Time
While the Zero Waste Malaysia community have held off on events these couple of years, their next physical event discusses trash.

The Trash Today, Fresh Tomorrow: Trash Encyclopedia 101 Launch! event will be held at The School, Jaya One on 23 April 2022 and feature a 3-metre tall art installation made from trash.
The idea behind the event is to educate the public on 101 kinds of common trash. When you know your waste, you’ll understand how to sort and dispose of them properly, or to use alternatives whenever possible.
Check out the Zero Waste Malaysia Facebook page for more information.

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Deadpool Fly? Scientists Name Newly Discovered Flies After Marvel Characters

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What happens when scientists are also comic book fans? Well, they might be inspired to name newly discovered things after their favourite comic book characters.

At least that was the case with a group of entomologists in Australia who have named five recently discovered fly species after characters from the Marvel universe and its creator, Stan Lee.
Speaking to Reuters, CSIRO entomologist Dr Bryan Lessard, who himself goes by superhero name Bry The Fly Guy on Twitter, said that naming a species is the first and most important step to understanding that species.
Without a scientific name, these species are invisible to science.Dr Bryan Lessard to Reuters via NY Post
The five flies with Marvel universe names are:
1. Stan Lee’s fly (Daptolestes leei), named because the species seems to share Stan’s characteristic sunglasses and white moustache.
(Credit: CSIRO)
2. Thor’s fly (Daptolestes bronteflavus), its scientific name means blond thunder.
(Credit: CSIRO)

3. Loki’s fly (Daptolestes illusiolautus), its scientific name means elegant deception.
(Credit: CSIRO)
(Credit: CSIRO)
4. Black widow’s fly (Daptolestes feminategus), its scientific name means woman wearing leather.
(Credit: CSIRO)
5. Deadpool’s fly (Humorolethalis sergius), its scientific name is Latin for wet or moist and dead, and the fly’s markings resemble Deadpool’s mask.
(Credit: CSIRO)
We chose the name Humorolethalis sergius. It sounds like lethal humour and is derived from the Latin words humorosus, meaning wet or moist, and lethalis meaning dead.Dr Bryan Lessar via CSIRO
According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), these superhero flies are a part of 165 new species discovered in the past year.
CSIRO bee and wasp expert Dr Juanita Rodriguez noted that while naming new species definitely has a fun side, it is also vital science for our everyday lives as it helps us understand the differences between species. This simple task could save their lives and our own.
Dr Juanita shares that they had also recently discovered a new species of spider wasp, a discovery that could be a key use in the healthcare industry.
Spider wasps have venom that could be useful for treating Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, but most Australian spider wasp species are unknown to science.Dr Juanita Rodriguez via CSIRO

Our newly named species are all the buzz around town, and the pond, and rightly so! Bee'ing that there are so many on the list (165), here are some of the newly named species highlights. pic.twitter.com/zcA0DuUPrz— CSIRO (@CSIRO) August 1, 2020

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Perak To Review Alcohol Sale And Consumption Policies

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Perak Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the state will review their policy on the sale and consumption of alcohol according to reports by The Star.
He said the review will be made on several factors, and added that an outright ban might cause consumers to seek illegal liquor as an alternative.
Ahmad Faizal mentioned to the media that while it’s not wrong for the public to consume alcohol, the problem starts when it affects others.
On the State Government’s stance on drunk driving, he said the state shares the same sentiments as the public in wanting to curb incidents from happening.
The Federal Government has been looking to amend existing laws and punishments relating to drunk driving after a slew of cases caught the public’s attention.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall recently stopped issuing new liquor licenses, in line with the call made by Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa to do so until amendments to laws are made to address the issue of drunk driving.

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“Insensitive And Unnecessary” Tahfiz School Criticised For Saying They Produced 23 Martyrs In 2017 Fire

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The management of a tahfiz centre where 21 students and two teachers perished in the fire has been criticised for claiming that the school produced 23 martyrs in the 2017 incident.

The management of Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah at Dato Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, posted the notice online to seek donations from the public.
According to Free Malaysia Today, the tahfiz centre’s headmaster Mohd Zahid Mahmood said the donations would be used for the children’s sahur and breaking of fast.
He said the sentence was not wrong and had been misinterpreted. He also claimed that the issue was played up to tarnish his image.
Not all tahfiz schools can produce martyrs. God chooses the ones that produce martyrs, and God has produced martyrs in this tahfiz. This tahfiz was chosen. God doesn’t allow martyrdom to happen at all tahfiz schools.Tahfiz centre’s headmaster Mohd Zahid Mahmood told Free Malaysia Today.
The post on Facebook has been taken down due to criticisms.
A relative of the deceased wasn’t happy about the sentence on the poster, which said: “Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah has produced 23 martyrs in the fire on Sept 14, 2017.”
 That sentence made it seem like the management was proud of the fire. I’m not sure about the family members of the other victims, but I am disappointed with that statement. How dare they ask for donations by claiming that they ‘produced’ martyrs.A relative of the deceased
The relative who lost his child in the tragedy added that it was “totally unnecessary” for the tahfiz to claim that they produced martyrs in order to get donations.
That fire was a tragedy that continues to break my heart and is still subject of a court hearing.A relative of the deceased
What happened in 2017?
A fire broke out in the tahfiz centre between 4.15am and 6.45am on 14 September 2017.
According to New Straits Times, the fire trapped students and two teachers inside.
This is because the main door nearest to the victims had been shut, while another door had been walled up and turned into a supervisor’s room.

A 19-year-old boy was found guilty of murdering the students and teachers in the fire.
He had been detained in prison at the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 2020.
READ MORE: Teenager Found Guilty & Detained For Murdering 23 People In A Fire At A Tahfiz School
The victims’ next of kin filed a civil suit against the tahfiz management. Both sides failed to reach a deal over millions of ringgit in public donations sent to the tahfiz centre.

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Students Criticised For Planning To Marry In Thailand Without Telling Parents

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Is it good to get married at a young age?

This seems to be the trend lately with young people deciding to get married at a young age.
The problem is, they want to end their bachelorhood while they are still students or without a stable job.
Recently, a student asked for an opinion on social media on how to end singlehood.
In a screenshot posted by @twtmalaywedding, the student said he plans to get married in Thailand.
Kenapa perlu kahwin kat siam?Adakah masalah-masalah berkaitan wali tidak boleh diselesaikan di Malaysia?Hukum wali dalam soal nikah kahwin bukan boleh buat main. Risau nanti, berlaku salah faham yg menyebabkan nikah itu tidak sah. pic.twitter.com/8kQSblIpbA— TwtWedding (@twtmalaywedding) February 25, 2022
It is understood that the student couple depends on their parents for living expenses.
When it comes to money, we can get enough money from our parents. Plan to get married in Thailand because of the problem concerning wali (guardian).The student on why he wants to wed in Thailand.
We plan to announce our marriage right after finishing our studies and are stable. So my question is what else do I need to worry about before getting married in this way?The student on his future plans after getting wed in Thailand.
Online Firestorm
The question posed by the student has sparked a debate among netizens.
They debated on the need to get married early and also the importance of a guardian in a marriage.
Some said the role played by a guardian in the matter of marriage is not something that can be taken lightly, as it will have implications in the long run.
They questioned the motive of the student for wanting to get married at such an early age and in such a secretive manner.
Penerangan from UAI ttg nikah siam guna wali hakim. https://t.co/4wmOqIO51FFor those that thinking nikah siam can solve problems, i want ask you. U nikah atas rasa cinta, nak mghalalkan zina but U membelakangkan fmily. Is it okay for U ?— zuze (ノ｀;´)ノ (@zhyrzlkifl2) February 25, 2022
Others advised the student couple to wait until they are financially stable on their own.
They pointed out that there are many financial responsibilities that should be expected when starting a family.

Cheap And Easy To Get Married In Thailand
Islamic matchmaker and human rights activist Zuhri Yuhyi said it is not uncommon for Malaysian Muslim couples to get married in Thailand despite knowing it is not valid.
Islamic matchmaker and human rights activist Zuhri Yuhyi.
The marriage is not valid mainly because there is no consent from the guardian.
It is easy to get married in Thailand because the kadi will take the couple’s word at face value. For example, the couple can just say the guardian is not around. It’s basically cheating the system while lessening the guilt. Islamic matchmaker Zuhri Yuhyi on why people choose to get married in Thailand.
Zuhri also pointed out that a couple would also choose to get married in Thailand if the man is already married and could not get a blessing from the first wife.
He added that traditional Malay weddings can be expensive, starting from RM30,000 upwards not including dowries which is a cultural requirement.

The penalty for getting married in Thailand for Malaysian Muslim couples is to pay a fine.
Hence, many are undeterred especially for those who can afford to pay their way out of it.
In fact, there are even inter-border syndicates that arrange for weddings in Thailand.

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Ismail Sabri Confirms  Viral Support Letter For Pharmaniaga Appointment Is Real

https://www.facebook.com/38016124221/posts/10158702381044222
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Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed that he received a letter from Deputy Defence Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz asking for his support on the latter’s son’s appointment to Pharmaniaga’s board of directors. However, Ismail Sabri said he stopped short of seeing through the appointment to avert accusations of nepotism.

What you need to know: According to Malaysiakini, Ismail Sabri claimed the support was because Ikmal Hisham had experience in business.
FYI, three board members of Pharmaniaga reportedly resigned before the company’s annual general meeting on 2 July. Later, the company appointed three new members as per its announcement to Bursa Malaysia on 3 August.
The three new members are Azhar Ahmad, Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris and Zulkifli Jafar.
Why it matters: Boustead Holdings, a major defence contractor whose biggest stakeholder is Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), is Pharmaniaga’s majority shareholder. The Armed Forces pension fund also owns a smaller stake in Pharmaniaga.
Who said what:
Yes, I did give my support. He is a businessperson, so his experience can be useful. Politically, he is also an Umno Youth exco member. Yes, (I agree this could be nepotism). This was why I did not appoint him.Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob via Malay Mail
What’s next: Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) director Cynthia Gabriel criticised the issuance of the support letter calling the act a blatant abuse of power. She also urged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to respond and the authorities to launch a probe.
Separately, Malaysiakini said it has contacted Ikmal Hisham for his comments on the matter.
How it got here: The letter in question went viral on social media yesterday. It contained a note believed to be handwritten by Ismail Sabri expressing his support to the chairman of the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT).

Read more:Minister confirms viral support letter, acknowledges nepotism concernReport: Ismail Sabri confirms authenticity of viral support letter for Pharmaniaga hire

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Taco Bell’s Second Store Is Opening In Cheras Soon!

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Taco lovers and pop culture fans rejoice because Taco Bell’s next store in Malaysia will be in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur!

While the exact location and opening date is still under wraps, this new store will be warmly welcomed by Klang Valley residents who may find Cyberjaya too far to travel to.
What’s better than nachos? LOADED nachos!(Credit: TRP)
Still, wherever the new store is located, it’s likely to be revealed very soon!
As for whether or not you should be hyped for items such as the Taco Supreme, Crunchwrap Supreme, the Bell Rice Bowl and more, check out our review on their opening.
READ MORE: [Review] Ring-A-Ding-Ding! We Try Out Malaysia’s First Ever Taco Bell In Cyberjaya
Celebrate with FREE TACOS!
The Mexican-inspired American restaurant chain revealed this new information together with their celebration for National Taco Day, which falls on 4 October 2021.
The taco calls!(Credit: Tacobell/Twitter)
To celebrate, Taco Bell will be giving away 1,000 free tacos on this day!
How do you claim them? Well, the brand is counting down the days for the reveal on 3 October via their Twitter account, so keep an eye out for that!

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Goodbye City, Hello Suburbs: This Is The ‘New Normal’ Housing Trend

When it comes to purchasing residential property, our decision-making is heavily influenced by our lifestyle preferences. As such, it is no surprise that current housing trends will see a significant change in the ‘new normal’.
Most Malaysians cite location as the top criteria in their house-hunting list. Ideally, a home should be near – or at least connected to – our workplaces and other areas that we frequent. Traffic jams in major Malaysian cities are legendary, and no one wants to spend hours on the road just to go to work or hang out with friends.

(Credit: d: :p/Unsplash)

According to SCMP, location is still key in the ‘new normal’ – except that people are choosing to move further away from their workplaces, instead of near it. Forbes noted that people are opting to live in “horizontal cities”, where homes and infrastructure are spread across the suburbs side-by-side; as opposed to being stacked one on top of the other as they are in concrete jungles.
It is also found that more people are starting to prioritise size over location: preferring to live in a bigger house further away from city, rather than a shoebox unit that is minutes away from a prime business district.

Physical distancing and remote working is the ‘new normal’ lifestyle

These days, most of us would probably shudder at the thought of being in a crowded space or living in congested housing estates. Months of living under the Movement Control Order (MCO) have made us alert to the risks brought on by being in close proximity to one another.

(Credit: Gamuda Land)

The demand for bigger house sizes and spread-out neighbourhoods is no longer about enjoying a luxury of more personal space; but rather a necessity that stems from the need of practising safe physical distancing.
And with more people being allowed to work and learn from home, there is a growing demand for properties with sufficient space to set up a home office or study room. A conducive learning and working environment is also needed, which explains the preference for residential properties in the lush green suburbs.

The demand for more space at home and in the neighbourhood

It is not enough for a home to just be a living space in the ‘new normal’. It needs to also be able to function as a working space, a learning space, and a recreational space.

(Credit: Gamuda Land)

Aside from that, home buyers are also looking for townships that are planned and built with generous space around their personal units. This is so that recreational activities – cycling, jogging, etc. – can still be carried out near homes, but with ample ground for physical distancing.
In short, people want to minimise the need to venture out to crowded spaces for work and play. And the key to this is strategic placemaking and flexible home designs.
These are not new concepts – in fact, building holistic and sustainable houses as well as townships has always been a guiding philosophy for Gamuda Land’s developments. You can see this in some of their projects, namely Jade Hills, Gamuda Cove, Twentyfive.7, and their latest Gamuda Gardens.

(Credit: Gamuda Land)

Each of the property developer’s projects are built around a natural centrepiece. For example: Twentyfive.7 is known for offering residents the “quayside living” experience as it is built around a huge lake; whereas Gamuda Cove is a residential, leisure, and business enclave nestled near the famous Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands.
On top of fusing lifestyle with nature, Gamuda Land also builds spacious homes with room for working and study spaces, as well as community gardens for exercises and wellness activities.

Gamuda Gardens presents a great example of placemaking and flexible home layout
As the name suggests, Gamuda Gardens is a town built in a green setting. Residential units are situated away from the commercial centre (Waterfront Village), but close enough that you can cycle there via the garden trails.

(Credit: Gamuda Land)

The town also has recreational facilities catered for the community, this includes: a spacious Garden Arena for football games; the scenic Le Garden Pavilion for mini gatherings; a waterplay park for weekend family fun; and even a lush pet-friendly Central Park that transforms into a Garden of Lights in the evening.
Back at the Illaria hillside houses of Gamuda Gardens, the concept of “home” is extended to the outdoors as well with the designs of open kitchen and multipurpose rooms. The flexible home design provides residents with freedom on how they want utilise the available space, be it as a playroom, fitness room, or even a home office.
Last but not least, Gamuda Land acknowledges that there are activities that people may want to enjoy as a community. This insight resulted in the creation of community kitchens, outdoor barbecue areas, community farms, and putting green where residents can mingle with each other comfortably and safely.

(Credit: Gamuda Land)

Home buyers are also searching for self-sufficient townships as well

As Gamuda Land is first and foremost a town maker, all of their projects are designed to be sustainable towns. The award-winning developer is working towards building more of these with their latest Smart City Framework, aiming to improve connectivity, improve inclusivity, enhancing convenience, as well as creating and better managing public spaces.
You can see this in the works at townships like Gamuda Cove, Gamuda Gardens, and Twentyfive.7. Every project comes with a commercial centre to cater to its residents’ needs, ranging from convenience stores to boutiques and quaint cafes. Gamuda Cove is now even the country’s first 5G town.

The post-pandemic housing preference is probably here to stay

And perhaps this is for the better as well.
With more people opting for the suburbs, congestions in the cities could slowly become a thing of the past. It is high time we take the time off our busy, metropolitan schedules and reconnect with nature as well as each other – and what better place to do so than in a cosy home?

This article was made possible by Gamuda Land. Find out more about their projects here. Don’t forget to follow TRP on Facebook, Telegram, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest stories.


CLP Candidates Get Special 2-Hour Briefing For Tips To Pass The Exam

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The Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) is the final step for law graduates of private and foreign universities to determine whether they qualify for admission to the Malaysian Bar.

However, it’s notorious for having a low passing rate every year.
Around 2,000 candidates sign up for the CLP but only 20% to 25% pass the examination, judging by the results from the past years.
Members of the public believe there’s a form of a quota set for the CLP, but the attorney-general himself denied the existence of it each year.
For illustration purposes. Image: TRP File
After recent media reports had questioned the low passing rate, the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) is organising a two-hour preparatory session for those sitting for the examination in October.
The special briefing is held on 24 September to highlight the frequent mistakes made by past candidates when answering questions.
This is to help CLP candidates answer the questions correctly. This session will be coordinated by the CLP team helped by a number of senior legal practitioners.CLP director Salwani Abdullah
According to Free Malaysia Today, some past and present candidates said the briefing is the first time the board has organised a session.
A law degree holder who’s sitting for CLP for the third time this year said the briefing session was “something better than nothing” and hoped to get some pointers out of it.
What happens when candidates fail?
Candidates who fail to pass are allowed to retake the examination up to four times within five years.
Due to the low passing rate each year, there have been calls to scrap CLP and replace it with a better common bar exam for all.
In another report by Free Malaysia Today, Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet has previously said that CLP was a total waste of time and it doesn’t prepare candidates for the realities of legal practice.
He believes a common bar exam for all law graduates can replace CLP. It’s even better if the syllabus covers skills that some law graduates lack such as procedural regulations and the practice of conducting a trial and drafting corporate agreements.
Failed candidates can retake CLP up to four times within five years. Image for illustration purposes: Ekaterina Bolovtsova/ Pexels
Bryan Wong, an in-house counsel who passed his CLP last year, agreed that CLP doesn’t equip graduates with practical skills because it’s mostly memorisation of case law and copying from statutes.
Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir said law graduates from local universities are exempted from sitting for CLP because the module is already part of the final-year course.

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Jail Time For Foreigner Who Broke The Law To Get Vaccinated

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At a time when some Malaysians are turning down vaccines, a Bangladesh national risked deportation and jail time to get the crucial jab that saves lives.

Undoubtedly an illegal move on his part, said person was then found guilty today (24 September) after admitting to using someone else’s passport to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Mizan Nur Rahman, 26, committed the offence at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USIM) PPV in Nilai at 10 am on September 13 and deceived PPV officer Muhammad Nur Ikhwan Hamzah. The Star reported that he claimed his name was ‘Saddam Hossien’, which bears an uncanny similarity to former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
The NST reports that according to the police report lodged by the PPV officer, Mizan had forged a vaccine appointment using the identity of another man named Helal.
Mizan, who was unrepresented in his prosecution, was charged under Section 419 of the Penal Code: Punishment for cheating by personation.
419. Whoever cheats by personation shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.
He was then sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment from the date of arrest. The accused pleaded guilty after the charge was read to him before Magistrate Norzaliza Tesmin.
Guilty of a second charge
On top of cheating by personation, Mizan, who also works as a cleaner at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban, also pleaded guilty to a second charge of not having a valid document or pass to enter Malaysia.
He was then charged under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 which provides a fine of not more than RM10,000, or a jail term not exceeding five years, or both upon conviction.
For this offence, Norzaliza sentenced him to serve three months in jail but ordered that both sentences run concurrently.

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Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Will Stream On Disney+ Hotstar In Time For Kids’ Year-End Holidays!

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Remember Greg Heffley? The wimpy kid from the cartoonish books? Well, he’s not just going to be in the books anymore, you’ll be seeing his animated self on your screens too this 3rd December.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid is based on the worldwide bestselling book series written by the author, Jeff Kinney. To date, the series has 16 books with a few spin-offs stories as well.
This animated film is based on Jeff Kinney’s first book of the series, which tells us a coming-of-age story of Greg Heffley. Greg documents his first few moments in middle school to us in form of a journal. Mind you, he’s going to be famous one day and this is his way of doing an autobiography, smart kid.
Credit: Wimpykid website
The famous story of our wimpy kid has already had four live-action remakes starting from 2010 till 2017. Three of the first live-action films featured Zachary Gordon as Greg Heffley while the fourth had all the original casts changed due to them outgrowing their roles.
Although we love the live-action remake of the books, however, Diary Of Wimpy Kid fans are more than excited to see the well-loved stick figure drawing in live animation.
Who’s The Voice Over Cast For The New Film?
The new film features the voices of Brady Noon (“The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers”) as Greg Heffley, Ethan William Childress (“mixed-ish”) as Rowley Jefferson, Hunter Dillon (“Holly Hobbie”) as Rodrick, Christian Convery (“Sweet Tooth”) as Fregley, Erica Cerra (“Power Rangers”) as Susan Heffley and Chris Diamantopoulos (“Silicon Valley”) as Frank Heffley.
Credit: Disney
Jeff Kinney Takes Us Back To The Beginning Of His Journey With The Series
Author Jeff Kinney originally wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist. He did try to get his work syndicated for around three years but to no avail.
He started writing a journal in his twenties, just for fun and that got him an inspiration for the story.
He worked on it for eight years until he finally showed it to someone. Then from there, success started to pick up and bam, a bestselling book to a whole upcoming series.
Greg is actually a version of myself. I was a messy kid just like him. My family members are reflected in the Heffleys in some way. My brother literally lived in the basement and played in a band, just like Rodrick. The parents are just like my parents, in some way. Everybody has sorta been put into the fiction blender, so it comes out as fiction but everybody that watches this movie in my family, they know what I’m writing about. Jeff Kinney in a global press conference on December 1st.
Brady, Were You Familiar With This Book Before You Auditioned as Greg Heffley?
Credit: Disney
Brady Noon, the voice talent for Greg this time, tells a story of him competing with his classmates on library day where they all wanted to get their hands on the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Book.
He was addicted to reading the series and admits he’s a bit of a nerd back in middle school.
Just the fact that there was another movie coming out was, the most exciting part for me. Even if I didn’t get that part, I would still get very excited.Brady Noon in a press conference with Jeff Kinney hosted by Disney
He was so glad he had the opportunity to audition for the part and dived back into studying the books and live-action films again. With tremendous hard work, talent, and luck, Brady Noon eventually got the part.
Favorite Wimpy Kid Character Aside Greg Heffley?
For Jeff Kinney, although he relates to Greg a lot and that will be his ultimate favorite character, next to him was Rowley, Greg’s best friend.
Rowley is a fun and laidback character. He likes being a kid and doesn’t care about growing up, just enjoying the moment.
He’s a very incorruptible kid. That’s what I like about him, it creates tension between him and Greg which wishes for both of them to grow up. Rowley, he’s just not ready to grow up yet.Jeff Kinney, author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Credit: Disney
For Brady, personally, he kinda relates himself to Fregley a little bit.
Although the same age as Greg and Rowley and their neighbor, Fregley is a big nerd as well as a bit quirky.
Greg tries his best to avoid him initially because of his somewhat creepiness but in the middle, tried to be best friends with him just to spite Rowley.
As Brady was saying, he sees himself in Fregley, a nerd. He’s a big bookworm who likes comic books and star wars. But for the weirdness part, maybe not too similar.
When Is It Streaming?
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid is coming to Disney+ on December 3, 2021. After 14 years of publishing the first book, Jeff Kinney is retelling the story of Greg, authentically to a brand new audience, which he finds thrilling.
Catch the trailer for the movie here.

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Netizens Shocked By Driver Jacking Up His Singapore-Registered Car At JB Petrol Station

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With the border reopening, Malaysians especially those in Johor Bahru are once again witnessing the phenomenon of ‘car shaking’.

Social media are flooded with images of a driver filling up his vehicle with a Singapore registration number.
The incident was said to have taken place at a petrol station in Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru.
The driver used a jack to tilt the car so that it could fill more petrol.

No Love Lost Lost
The kiasu (selfish) attitude of the driver, who was widely assumed to be a Singaporean, has drawn the ire of netizens.
Such actions had been happening long before the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the past, it has angered the public who had to wait in a long line for their turn to refuel.
These inconsiderate actions have sparked netizens’ anger who described them as ‘rich in other people’s country, poor in their own country’.

At the same time, netizens urge petrol station operators to be strict against foreigners filling up their vehicle while in Malaysia.
But it is feared that their words will once again fall on deaf ears.
Setuju atau tidak jika dikatakan sebenarnya pengusaha stesen minyak di Johor tak berkeras dgn larangan utk warga Singapura tak dibenar isi Ron 95. Pengusaha rasakan janji ada orang nak isi minyak sudahlah. pic.twitter.com/Qt1EXYc5q7— MyWatch (@My_CrimeWatch) May 28, 2019
Differences In Petrol Prices
The big difference between the retail price of petrol in the country compared to neighboring countries is what caused the kiasu acts.
The retail price of RON95 petrol in Malaysia at RM2.05 per liter is very low compared to the retail price of petrol in member countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and neighboring countries.Currently, the retail price of petrol in Saudi Arabia was RM2.59 per liter and in Indonesia it reached RM3.74 per liter, while neighboring Thailand (RM5.63 per liter) and Singapore (RM9.16 per liter).
The total petrol subsidy by the government is expected to increase to RM28 billion in 2022 from RM11 billion in 2021 if world crude oil prices remain above US$100 per barrel.
Orang Singapura tak peduli pun kena paksa isi minyak “hijau” RON 97 sebab di SG minyak “kuning” RON95 mereka harganya S$2.89/liter.Di sini RON 97 cuma RM3.91/liter (S$1.26/liter).Masuk Malaysia dapat minyak lebih tinggi rating pada harga lebih murah berbanding biasa. 🏎 https://t.co/GTP2HP3XWg— Pelabur Bijak (@Pelabur_Bijak) April 1, 2022
Shaking Car While Filling Petrol? Does It Help?
Some people shake the vehicle to remove any air pockets inside the fuel tank, thereby making space for more fuel.
But does it really work?
In fact, pumping petrol into the car tank can create foam and vapor.
If you do not shake the car, the vapor can dissipate faster, letting the tank have more space for fuel.
Based on the explanations, now you know that shaking the car while filling petrol is just a myth, and it does not work for vehicles nowadays.
when you know it's just a myth that by shaking the car, you can pour more gasoline, but for some reason you just wanna start shaking so more petrol can go into the gasoline tank, so you shake soft soft pic.twitter.com/PGhemLf4IQ— ハロアジ シンガポール情報 (@helloasiasing) June 4, 2019

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Health Ministry: Nearly Half Of Malaysia’s Alcoholic Drinkers Are Binge Drinking

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One in two or 45.8% of alcoholic drinkers in Malaysia are binge drinkers, according to the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS 2019).
The newly released findings by the Health Ministry also revealed that 11.8% or one in 10 Malaysian adults consume alcohol.
Of these, one in 10 binge drink with 6 or more standard drinks per sitting at least once a week.
A standard drink, according to the Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation, contains 10g of alcohol (12.5ml of pure alcohol).
Standard drink for different types of alcohol.(Credit: Alcohol and Drug Foundation Australia)
As a result, road traffic injuries remain the biggest cause of death for those who consume alcohol, followed by cancer and liver cirrhosis.
Credit: 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey
However, the proportion of binge drinkers among current drinkers show an improvement as the numbers have dropped from 2011 (50.2%) and 2015 (59.4%).

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Source:
NHMS 2019
Fact Sheet NHMS 2019
Infographic Booklet NHMS 2019
What is a standard drink?


Who’s to blame for M’sian flood woes?

Malaysia is located in a geographical sweet spot.
We are outside of the Pacific Ring of Fire and relatively safe from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
We’re also quite lucky to be mostly out of the path of major tropical storms that sweep across the region.
But the country is still often hit by a number of natural and man-made disasters, particularly from the heavy rainfall we received during the monsoon season that brings with it frequent cases of floods.
According to the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, between July 2012 and January 2019, more Malaysians were exposed and affected by floods than any other ASEAN country.
In the last 20 years, floods have impacted some 700,000 people, taken more than 100 lives and have cost the country an estimated RM5.82 billion, contributing to almost 70% of the overall disaster damage in Malaysia.
Floods can also be especially dangerous as they can carry and spread diseases and toxic chemicals.
Waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery can be deadly and there have been recorded cases of acute respiratory illnesses (ARI), leptospirosis (rat urine disease) and acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in Malaysia from the aftermath of flooding incidents.
Though the constant occurrence of floods in Malaysia can generally be attributed to mother nature, there is no denying that we humans play a major role in either causing or exacerbating the problem.
1. Environmental degradation
The rapid pace of development has changed the very face of our country leading to the transformation of our landscape and environment.
It’s been reported that areas most prone to flooding have also recorded the highest rate of deforestation in recent years with more than 10% of forest cover in Pahang, Kelantan, Trengganu, Perak and Johor have been lost between 2001 and 2012.
The lack of trees results in erosion where ground sediment would end up into the rivers and choaking its flow making it unable to contain water that would spill over to dry land.
2. Urbanization and development
Land areas are used to develop housing, infrastructure and repurposed for agricultural use.
Between 2000 and 2010 alone, the country’s urban areas had increased from 3,900 to 4,600 square kilometres with an annual growth rate of 1.5%.
This urbanisation and development mean that soils and natural plant cover is replaced with concrete structures and paved roads and highways, which can’t absorb water, resulting in floods.
We build town and cities with poorly managed drainage systems that get overwhelmed by the slightest excess of water.
Those drainage systems also get clogged up by the amount of garbage being indiscriminately dumped by Malaysians blocking some 50% of the drains and irrigation canals’ water flow.
All of these put together is inevitably worsening our flood woes.
With climate change brought upon by global warming predicted to bring more extreme weather to our shores, it’s evident that we need to be more aware and conscious on the direct and indirect impact that our activity has on our surroundings so that we don’t and up as the victims of our own negligence.

Share us your thoughts on how we could prevent further flood disasters in the comments on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Here’s how being a keyboard warrior will affect your life

The truth is, humans have always said highly inappropriate things. Malaysians are no strangers to racist remarks, rude comments, and sexist jokes. The only difference is that now, all these messages are being posted online to be immortalized on the internet.
When Twitter user Azfar called out fellow panelist Shazwan for an incendiary tweet on national TV, Shazwan looked like he didn’t even remember what he wrote.
Chances are, he had promptly forgotten about it after posting, and never thought that it would resurface again.
What Shazwan didn’t count on was a screenshot of his Tweet making rounds before he could delete it.
Oprah Winfrey Oh My GIF from Oprahwinfrey GIFs

People often share thoughtless posts on social media, but thanks to the permanence of online platforms, those posts stay around forever.
The internet can be a black hole of information, with more than half the world population having access to the internet. Every 1 minute on Facebook alone translates to 510,000 comments , 293,000 statuses, and 136,000 photos.
Yet despite the massive information dump every second, we cannot assume our comments will be buried away never to be seen.
The internet never forgets. With screenshots, caches, and archives floating around, it’s too easy to have evidence of a silly little thing you wrote, whether it’s a bad joke or an angry tirade.
Having those posts stay on social media also means that these people will eventually have to face the consequences of their words.
Unlike real life, where disparaging comments can be made behind closed doors and forgotten, social media records everything publicly.
Brooklyn99 Brooklyn Nine Nine GIF from Brooklyn99 GIFs

Old posts from years ago can resurface just like it did for Shazwan, even if he had deleted the post.
In recent years, the internet has also become a more serious place where posts are scrutinized and people are held accountable for what they say online.
There’s plenty of discussion about what you should or should not post on social media, but the core message of it all should be to always treat your social media as a public platform.
You really never know who is watching you.

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9 Spectacular & Historic Churches & Cathedrals in Malaysia

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Christianity is the largest religious group on the planet with over two billion followers believing in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the sacred Bible text. Among the biggest groups of Christians are the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Protestants.

Christianity is said to have arrived in Malaysia in the 7th century, brought by Christian Persian traders. The religion later grew with the coming of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonizers between the 16th and 19th century.
Throughout the centuries, many spectacular churches, chapels, cathedrals and minor basilicas have been constructed across the country as symbols of faith and places for worshipers to congregate.
Here are some of the oldest and often historic Christian religious buildings across the country;
St. Paul’s Church, Melaka
(Bjørn Christian Tørrissen/Wikipedia)
The iconic ruins of the St. Paul’s Church stand on top of the St. Paul’s Hill in Melaka and is said to also be the site of the former Sultan Melaka’s palace.
It was originally a chapel built by the Portuguese in 1521 and had several names throughout the years like “Our Lady of the Hill” and the “Church of the Mother of God”. When the Dutch came to Melaka in the 1600s, the building was renamed as the St. Paul’s Church.
The church had also been the temporary burial site of St. Francis Xavier, whose armless statue still stands on top of the hill till this day.
Ermida De Rosario, Melaka
(Malaccaguide/Facebook)
Ermida De Rosario or the Rosary Chapel is a ruin near the Melaka River which once stood in the 1700s. It was itself built by the Dutch on the ruins of the much older, Portuguese Church of St Lawrence in which was there in the 1600s.
In 2019, worshipers celebrated Mass at the historic site for the first time in centuries.

St Peter’s Church, Melaka
(Uhooep/Wikipedia)
With its construction finished at around 1710, the St. Peter’s Church in Melaka is the oldest, still functioning, Roman Catholic church in the country. It was also believed to be one of 14 churches that were available to some 7,400 Christians living in Melaka in the 1600s.
One of the church’s bells was cast in Goa, India in 1608 and was thought to have been salvaged from the ruins of the old Portuguese Church of St Lawrence.
Christ Church, Melaka
(Vmenkov/Wikipedia)
Standing as one of Melaka’s signature historical structures, the Christ Church was completed in 1753 and is the oldest functioning Protestant church in the country. It was built by the Dutch to celebrate their colonial takeover from the Portuguese.
It was originally white in colour but that was later changed to its iconic brick-red in 1911.
Church of the Assumption, Penang
(Supanut Arunoprayote/Wikipedia)
Completed in 1861, Church of the Assumption is recorded as the first church built by the British on the island. The church was said to have been founded by Francis Light himself.
All Saints Church, Perak
(Howcheng/Wikipedia)
The All Saints Church, in Taiping, Perak was the first church built in the Federated Malay States (FMS) – a government founded by the British – in 1887. The church’s aesthetics which exhibits gothic architecture is said to have remained largely unchanged since then.
St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, Sabah
(CEphoto/Uwe Aranas/Wikipedia)
The St. Michael’s church in Sandakan is known to be the oldest stone church in the state. The church was built in 1893 and took almost 20 years to complete.
Made from ironwood as well as stone bricks, the church survived a fire caused by bombings in Sabah during World War II.
St Thomas’s Cathedral, Sarawak
(stthomascathedralkuching.org)
What was originally a wooden structure in 1849, the St. Thomas’s Cathedral in Kuching was completed in 1954 and was the site of one of the first Christian missionaries in Borneo.
The land that the church stands on was noted to have been given by Rajah James Brooke.
Take a quick listen at the church’s angelic choir.

St. John’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
(stjohnkl.com)
The Cathedral of St John The Evangelist at Bukit Nanas, KL was founded in 1883. The building is said to have been constructed with the help of a Chinese “towkay” named Goh Ah Ngee, a miner who lived in Kajang, Selangor.
The church is also now used as a community center for residence in the area.

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Source:
Malaysian Churches
Churches in Malaysia of historical and architectural appeal
St Peter’s: Oldest church in Melaka still standing
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
Population Distribution and Basic Demographic Characteristic Report 2010
A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN MALAYSIA
Official Nationwide Christmas SOP For CMCO, RMCO & EMCO Areas
St. Paul’s Church in Melaka
Church of Saint Paul, Malacca
Ruins of Ermida de Rosario Melaka
Catholics celebrate first Mass at ruins of Rosary Chapel
St Peter’s: Oldest church in Melaka still standing
Christ Church Melaka
Church of the Assumption
St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, Sandakan
KUCHING ARCHITECTURE - ST. THOMAS CATHEDRAL
All Saints' Church, Taiping
All Saints Taiping Heritage Church
History of the Church


Sungai Pinang Continues To Be Polluted Due To Lack Of Aggressive Action, Says Environment Group

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News that a tonne of rubbish is being collected from the log boom in Sungai Pinang, daily is nothing surprising since it was a long-standing issue, according to Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM).

The environmental non-profit organization also said that the continuous littering of the river in Penang stemmed from a lack of aggressive enforcement action by the government.
Citing statement made by the Penang Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari that attributes the pollution to the attitude of the community who continued to throw their rubbish indiscriminately into the river, SAM questions why would the community continue to do so.
“We often associate littering with people’s behaviour but we need to find out why are they doing so.
“Is it a question of lack of education, apathy or is it a matter of poor management of waste disposal and inadequate infrastructure?” SAM president Meenakshi Raman said in a statement.
Meenakshi also points out that Penang’s Waste Segregation at Source (WSAS) Policy in 2016 had been enforced since 1 June 2017.
“Why are citizens not complying with the regulations under the Local Government Act where they are required to segregate their waste into two streams – recyclables and general waste before collection?
“We believe with education, adequate waste management planning, supporting facilities including for collection of bulky items, proper implementation and stringent enforcement the problem of waste dumping can be addressed,” she said.
She noted that the state government had planned to address the Sungai Pinang pollution by building parallel drains that would trap the rubbish from being washed into the river, adding that together with river clean-ups, it may help to reduce the volume of waste in the river.
She however points out that the river pollution would still be a problem if it was not stopped at the source.
“Solid waste in the form of trash, bulky waste and garbage in rivers are visible. We also need to be aware of other pollutants such as organic waste, sewage, chemicals and microplastics,” she said.
She also added that it is important to understand all the sources of this river pollution.
“The Penang government, many decades ago had identified the sources of pollution in the Sungai Pinang River Basin and come up with strategies to address the pollution problem, including environmental education to citizens to stop littering.
“It is high time the government starts to aggressively implement these action plans.”

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Discovering The Innovation Of Guinness Draught In A Can

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Earlier this year, Guinness Malaysia introduced Guinness Draught in a Can to the local market, offering lovers of the brew the smooth and creamy texture of a pub-poured pint from the comfort of their homes.

To officially introduce and to bring consumers through the innovation behind this product, Guinness Malaysia has launched the House of Guinness.
This hub gives fans of the brand an added dash of magic to their usual drinking experience, all while immersing themselves in the world of Guinness at APW Bangsar.
Upon arrival at the House of Guinness, participants will need to earn their taste of Guinness Draught in a Can by completing their mission to become Guinness Innovation Experts.
Guest learning more about the smooth and creamy Guinness Draught in a Can. (Pix: HEINEKEN Malaysia)
The History, Heart And Soul Of Ireland’s Most Iconic Beer
First, they have to check in and will be promptly transported to the Guinness Innovation Lab.
With no time to waste, they will be introduced to the world of Guinness and the new Guinness Draught in a Can.
After learning about the history and evolution of Guinness, as well as the technological advancement the brand has experienced over the years, guests will be sent off to complete their first mission with the hint ‘The Widget is the Key’.
This is where the nitrogen widget comes to play.
Hi there, the widget is a plastic molded device that sits on the top of the contents of each can of Guinness Draught. It creates the famous surge and creamy head that you find on a pint of Guinness Draught served in a pub. We hope this helps! Guinness— Guinness Ireland (@GuinnessIreland) April 6, 2022
Then, they will head onto their next task to ‘Activate the Widget’ before completing the ‘Release the Nitrogen’ mission and enter a giant can of Guinness Draught in a Can to feel the surge and settle.
Those who complete all three mission tasks will be awarded the title of Guinness Innovation Expert.
 Pablo Chabot, Marketing Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia, giving a speech at the House of Guinness media launch. (Pix: HEINEKEN Malaysia)
A Different Drinking Experience
Shaun Lim, Marketing Manager of Guinness Malaysia, said this new innovative product would provide a unique drinking experience for fans to enjoy smooth and creamy Guinness Draught wherever they are, thanks to the nitrogen widget.
We are excited to have launched Guinness Malaysia’s first-ever mission-based experience for fans to discover the innovation of Guinness Draught in a Can. Shaun Lim, Marketing Manager of Guinness Malaysia, on Guinness Draught in a Can.
He hopes that through the House of Guinness, fans will get to spark magical moments while learning more about the uniqueness of the product in a playful and fun way.
To secure a spot at the House of Guinness, fans can sign up for free at www.houseofguinness.my, and an email confirmation will be sent for participants to accept within 48 hours.
Guinness Brand Ambassador at the 360 photo booth at House of Guinness. (Pix: HEINEKEN Malaysia)
Upon successful registration, each participant will be entitled to receive a complimentary Guinness Draught in a Can and limited-edition Guinness merchandise on the event day.
Be sure to join in on the fun as House of Guinness is available for fans to experience from now until the 4th of September, on Wednesdays to Sundays.
So, do remember to book your slots in advance.
Each participant may experience House of Guinness three times total on separate days for the duration of this event and is entitled to a complimentary Guinness Draught in a Can for each visit, as well as receive one limited-edition Guinness merchandise.
Slots can only be booked one day before event day at the latest.
Cheers! This one is for you @SteveW69x a can of draught in the garden enjoying the Irish sunshine ☘💚🤍🧡 @GuinnessIreland #Guinness #home pic.twitter.com/2VA3nQsTxb— Melanie 🌱Ⓥ (@6milesup) July 9, 2022
For more information about House of Guinness and Guinness Draught in a Can, visit https://www.houseofguinness.my/ and Guinness Malaysia’s social media pages at www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia and www.instagram.com/guinnessmy.
Guinness and all related promotions and activities are strictly for non-Muslims aged 21 and above.
Guinness Malaysia advocates responsible consumption and urges consumers not to drink and drive.
 The interior at House of Guinness. (Pix: HEINEKEN Malaysia)

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[Watch] Motorcyclist Tries To Pay Toll Although They Can Travel For Free

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The fact is, nobody likes or wants to pay for the toll on highways. As it stands, there have been cases where the public witnessed a vehicle tailgating another vehicle in front in order to avoid paying the fare.

However, a motorist’s recent actions at the tollbooth made many Malaysians laugh and the viral scene was captured by a dashcam.
The funny video garnered 147.4k likes and 12k shares on TikTok.
  @ann8nadzri yg pelik2 je korang ni…hahaha#fypシツ♡ #🤣🤣🤣 #welcome2022goodbye2021 ♬ bunyi asal  – Din nenas
A motorist and a pillion rider slowly approached the toll booth after the blue car in front drove away.
At first glance, no one could be faulted to assume the motorcyclist probably wanted to ask the toll booth operator a question but they actually tried to tap their Touch n Go card to pay.
They kept tapping the card and waited for the boom gate to lift up. After a few minutes, the toll booth operator could be seen opening the window and gesturing at them to use the small gap beside the gate to get through.
For those who are unaware, motorcyclists don’t need to pay the toll because it’s free for them.
Despite laughing at them both, netizens pointed out that the motorcyclist and the pillion rider was good-hearted enough to be willing to pay for the toll.
A netizen jokingly implied that they wanted to befriend the motorist to avoid paying the toll too.
Netizens added that both of them probably never had a car before so it was their first time encountering a toll booth on the highway.
The motorcyclist and the pillion rider probably just wanted to do obey the law and do the right thing.

Some people wondered why the motorcyclist used the road meant for cars.
Other motorcyclists shared that sometimes they used the road meant for cars because travelling on motorcycle lanes could be dangerous.

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Study: Good Oral Hygiene Lowers Risk Of Heart Problems

If you needed more reason to take better care of your oral hygiene, a new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that practising good oral hygiene may lower the risk of heart disease.
Researchers from Korea found that regular tooth brushing and trips to the dentist decreases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) – a condition where a person has an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots and strokes – and heart failure.

via GIPHY
In the study that was conducted over a period of 10-years, scientists tracked the health and oral habits of over 150,000 people between the ages of 40 to 60-years-old who had no prior history of cardiovascular problems.
Their research concluded that those who brush their teeth at least three times a day also had a 10% lower chance of developing AFib and a 12% reduced risk to develop heart failure.
The reason behind this was attributed to the bacteria that live in your mouth.

(Image Credit: Johnson & Johnson)

As it turns out, the bacteria in your mouth not only causes bad breath and oral conditions like tooth decay and gum disease, but it could also be linked to a host of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems and even cancer.
This is mainly due to the spread of these microorganisms through the bloodstream leading to inflammation throughout the body.

via GIPHY
Experts have also stated that those who develop gum disease had a higher chance of developing heart problems.
Therefore itâ€™s argued that maintaining good oral health is a good way of keeping your overall health in check.

(Image Credit: Islam Itu Indah)

Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in Malaysia for the last 14 years.
The Malaysian Department of Statistics (DOSM) estimates that on average, 50 Malaysians die from cardiovascular problems every single day.
In 2017, some 18,000 people died due to heart problems with a majority of them being men between the ages of 40 to 60-years old.

(Image Credit: Know Your Meme)

Itâ€™s clear that more research is needed to find a conclusive link between oral hygiene and heart disease, but there is definitely no harm in keeping up with a good dental routine.
So brush, floss and mouthwash your way to a healthy body people!

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[Watch] Malaysia’s Own Planet Earth? New Documentary series On Malaysia’s Most Awe-Inspiring Biodiversity

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A local production house is striving to educate Malaysians to treat the nation’s biodiversity with kindness and respect through a new documentary series.

Nuvista Media, with support from Jabatan Perlindungan Hidupan Liar dan Taman Negara Semenanjung Malaysia (PERHILITAN) and Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), have produced the Layar Liar Malaysia.
Layar Liar Malaysia is an online documentary series of 52 episodes featuring Malaysia’s wildlife and nature locations.

A resource bank of ﬁlms, Layar Liar Malaysia is a platform of knowledge that will be easily accessible to all Malaysians especially school children to create awareness on Malaysia’s rich natural heritage.
The documentary series draw a comparison to BBC’s breathtaking nature documentary, Planet Earth.
Nuvista Media founders Harun Rahman and Lara Ariffin said Layar Liar Malaysia also paid tribute to individuals involved in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The Layar Liar Malaysia series aims to create and increase awareness for Malaysia’s rich biodiversity through clear and visually striking videos. This is important considering the general public’s low level of awareness of our local animals, their elusive nature, and obscure habitats.Nuvista Media founders Harun Rahman and Lara Ariffin on Layar Liar Malaysia
Many Malaysians have not been or explored some of the most beautiful natural locations in Malaysia.
In Layar Liar Malaysia, you can explore our amazing country without leaving your home.
The Malayan Tiger has been classified as critically endangered. (Credit: Nuvista Media)
The featured locations include:
Taman Negara Cameron Highlands Royal Belum Sungai Kinabatangan Kuala Selangor Nature Park The Habitat Penang Taman Tugu 08 Fraser’s Hill Perak Caves Lion Hill Estate Kuala Gula Setiu Wetlands Langkawi Geopark FRIM Ulu Segama Kenyir State Park Maxwell Hill
A total of 19 episodes on the Clouded Leopard, Asian Millipedes, veterinarians, forest rangers, Taman Negara and Cameron Highlands, among others, have already been published and 13 sets of workbooks uploaded on www.layarliar.my.
The episodes are also available on Layar Liar Malaysia’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and Tiktok. (Source: Twitter)
The Importance Of Businesses In Creating A Sustainable Future
Layar Liar Malaysia was launched at Menara Sime Darby recently. Present at the launch was Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson, Governing Council Member of YSD and Group Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Berhad.
Jeffri Salim said YSD prides itself as a great champion of the environment, supporting various initiatives over the years.
YSD strives not only to protect and preserve with scientific research and ecosystem conservation but also to raise awareness and to educate communities on how to live sustainably with their local environment.
The Layar Liar Malaysia documentary series is part of our ongoing efforts to educate young impressionable minds and the public in general, on the biodiversity that we are fortunate to have in Malaysia. Dato’ Jeffri Salim Davidson on YSD’s contribution in Layar Liar Malaysia
He added that YSD is proud to support the documentary series and instill a sense of appreciation for Malaysia’s natural flora and fauna, preserving these precious resources for future generations.
Sime Darby CEO Jeffri Salim Davidson. (Credit: The Edge Markets)

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What’s Going On So Far With The “Allah” Issue

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Ever since the ban on the word “Allah” was ruled as unconstitutional and invalid by the High Court, many were quick to jump on the issue including the government, lawyers and even common folk.

READ MORE: “Allah” Ban In Christian Publications Not Valid, High Court Ruled Today
Here’s the roundup of what happened:
The government wants to appeal against ruling
The Federal Government wants to appeal against last week’s High Court ruling, based on reports from Malay Mail.
The notice of appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya which was confirmed by Solicitor-General Datuk Abdul Razak Musa.
Religious Minister to have meeting over issue
Harian Metro reported that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri will have a meeting with muftis and legal experts nationwide to finalize a resolution on the issue of the word “Allah”.
Zulkifli said the proposed meeting was made after discussions with the Belief Study Panel of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Jakim’s Legal Adviser recently.
Credit: Malay Mail
Shafie Apdal says “Allah” can be used but with caution
Meanwhile, Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal believes the sensitivity in using the word “Allah” should be managed properly to prevent potential misuse and misinterpretation, based on reports from Malay Mail.
The word, he said, is universally understood as the Arabic word for God and should not be exclusive to Muslims.
Credit: Malay Mail
Lawyers urge issue to be revisited by Federal Court
Lawyers say to FMT that the Federal Court must get involved on the “Allah” issue as it involves the constitutional right of citizens to profess and practise their faith.
They said that it must revisited by the Federal Court, as it missed an opportunity in 2014 to make its position known.
The Federal Court is Malaysia’s highest legal authority.
Police receive reports on hate speech
The Police have received five reports against a woman over her alleged inflammatory remarks on social media over the recent issue.
Miri police chief ACP Hakemal Hawari told Bernama Post that the reports were lodged by individuals and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) between March 13 and 15.
The video shows a woman, who claimed to be from Selangor, making several remarks, among them warning non-Muslims in the country not to challenge the patience of the Muslim community.

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Johor Student Admitted In ICU After Running 30 Laps As Punishment

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A physical education (PE) teacher from Foon Yew High School in Kulai, Johor, punished his class by making them run 30 laps around the volleyball court with a facemask on.

China Press reported that the students were subjected to this punishment on 11 May because they didn’t complete their homework.
A female student started to feel unwell and experienced heart palpitations after running 15 rounds. She was allowed to walk for the remaining 15 rounds.
She continued experiencing breathing difficulties and chest pains when she returned home from school.
According to a Facebook post by the student’s aunt, the girl’s heart rate shot up to 200bpm when she was rushed to the hospital.
The student was admitted to the ICU. Image: Girl’s mother.
Before getting admitted into the intensive care unit (ICU), she had to undergo a cardioversion procedure for a few seconds to regulate her heartbeat.
The girl’s mother questioned why the entire class was subjected to the punishment when only a few students failed to complete their homework.
When I learned that my daughter had to undergo cardioversion, my heart ‘died’ too.The girl’s mother.
There was a misunderstanding
According to 8world News, the school allegedly denied the claim that the teacher told the class to keep their masks on. They were allowed to walk if they were feeling unwell.
However, the victim told her mother otherwise and there seems to be a misunderstanding.
The victim’s mother said her daughter isn’t an athlete and has mostly stayed home during MCO.
She thinks subjecting her daughter to such intense physical activity was unreasonable. She added that her daughter isn’t above being punished but there have to be some limits.
The ICU where she was admitted. Image: Girl’s mother.
The matter was settled peacefully
Free Malaysia Today reported that the school’s principal, Ng Fui Choo, said the teacher admitted his error in judgement and the parents have accepted the teacher’s apology.
The school also advised the parents to submit a letter regarding the student’s health condition.
She will be allowed to use the elevator instead of taking the stairs at school and will be excused from joining vigorous activities.
The PE teacher and co-curricular teacher will observe and keep track of her health condition in school too.
The parents have settled the issue with the school peacefully and decided not to pursue the matter any further.

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Perak MB Denies Rare Earth Mining Work In Hulu Perak Has Begun

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Lanthanide mining operations, a rare earth type in Hulu Perak, have yet to begin, as claimed by some parties.

Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, said the image in the area is preliminary work, such as making roads and catchment ponds.
According to him, the image displayed via the satellite is an old structure made for preliminary work to identify the presence of the material in the area.
I remember this long before I became the Menteri Besar, after the previous government announced the discovery of the new mineral. It (preliminary work) has started on a small scale in land owned by the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation.Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad on claims that lanthanide mining operations had started.
However, Saarani said, when he became Menteri Besar, he had ordered the work to be stopped in January 2021 until standard operating procedures (SOPs) on it were obtained.
Satellite image of the project location in Hulu Perak. (Pix: Google Map)
A Long Way To Go
Saarani said the project, in Kenering sub-district in Hulu Perak, is still waiting for the Cabinet to approve the SOPs.
Although the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) report was approved last May, many processes still need to be done before the mining work can begin.
Saarani said there were several SOPs that needed to be followed, including the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
The project also needs to obtain planning permission from the Gerik District Council.
Earlier, Malaysiakini claimed that the new mineral mining work had begun, based on satellite image displays.
The site has been earmarked for mining lanthanides, which are 15 chemical elements commonly known as rare earth, and used to make electronic components.
The project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA) together with the Perak state government.
The project is for non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE).
Despite assurances from the government, the public is not convinced that the project is safe.
Human greed truly has no boundary. And haven't we learned anything from Bukit Merah?Kudos to @SahabatAlamMsia for highlighting this potentially disastrous lanthanide rare-earth mining project in Hulu Perak. https://t.co/xZx5QQcfh0— Bakhtiar Talhah 🇲🇾 (@btalhah) May 27, 2022
Perak’s lanthanide rare earth mine timeline:Dec 2019 – forest clearedDec 2020 – structures upJuly 2021 – EIA report up for Public display2021 – EIA rejectedMay 2022 – EIA approvedLikely mine impacts: Class 1 forest, tigers + 11 threatened animals, rivers + drinking water https://t.co/LcL47Gij7G— macarangatweets (@macarangatweets) June 12, 2022
Is Rare Earth Harmful?
Mining for rare earth minerals generates large volumes of toxic and radioactive material.
The co-extraction of thorium and uranium are radioactive metals which can cause problems for the environment and human health.
Malaysians have expressed concern that the government did not learn from the ‘tragic lesson’ of the Bukit Merah Asian Rare Earth (ARE) plant.
The ARE tragedy caused serious radioactive poisoning among the surrounding population.

Currently, Lynas operates the world’s largest single rare earth processing plant in Kuantan.
It produces high-quality separated rare earth materials for export to manufacturing markets in Asia, Europe and the United States.
Critics claimed the facilities of the factory are not built with the best technology, causing serious environmental pollution.
Stop pollution, stop corruption, stop Lynas.The rare earth processing plant built by Australia in Malaysia is mainly for processing rare earth imported from Australia. The process of processing and processing rare earths causes great pollution to the environment. pic.twitter.com/a7RZIl3LUZ— Ann Treadwell (@AnnTreadwell11) June 8, 2022
Why Is Rare Earth So Important?
The rare earth price has done well because rare earth is in demand.
Rare-earth elements (REE) are necessary components of more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially high-tech consumer products.
They include cellular telephones, computer hard drives, electric and hybrid vehicles, flat-screen monitors and televisions.
China has the most amount of rare earth, topping the list for mine production and reserves of rare earth elements.
Processing rare-earth elements is an environmentally taxing, labor-intensive, time-consuming and expensive process that most Western countries, especially the US gradually outsourced to China. They now control about 97% or REE processing. Malaysia does the rest.— Emmanuel ☭ ❣ (@em_umoh) April 5, 2022
The Chinese have an estimated 44 million tons in reserves and 140,000 tons of annual mine production.
Meanwhile, Malaysia has about 30,000 tonnes of rare earth based on the finding in the residual tin deposits.

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Affordable Housing Not So Affordable After All

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The lack of affordable housing and high prices of properties have always been an issue in Malaysia.

Who is at fault? Is it the consequence of land usage regulations? Or is the public to blame for their spendthrift attitude that escalates prices? Are there no easy solutions?
Rising costs, stagnant wages
The issue affects the B40 (household income below RM4,850 per month) and M40 (household income between RM4,851 per to RM10,970 per month).
For many of these people, especially urbanites, owning a home is a challenging and frustrating, if not an ‘impossible dream’.
The only way is to rent because they lack savings and don’t have money for a down payment – attributed to the low salaries and high costs of living. A survey by the Department of Statistics (DOS) during movement control order (MCO) in March last year revealed that more than two-thirds of Malaysians had savings that could tide them over for only between two to four months.
We’ve all got too much bills to pay.(Credit: Freepik)
In 2019, Malaysia’s average house price stood at RM423,179, according to the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH).
That works out to a monthly repayment of more than RM2,000 with a loan tenure of 35 years.
The median income in Malaysia for the same year stood at RM5,873, and Bank Negara had said that a house is only affordable if its cost is no more than 30 per cent of an individual’s gross income.
Therefore, how is an average Malaysian going to afford a house? People are also resigned to the fact that housing prices are moving up way faster than their income.
According to James Pon, senior real estate negotiator with eight years experience, a flat in the Klang Valley bought for RM25,000 in the early 2000s can rise to RM100,000 today.
A low-cost flat in Kuala Lumpur.(Credit: Fernando Fong)
“Generally, as a rule of thumb, property prices in Klang Valley double in price every 10 years.
“That’s a 400% percent increase over 20 years while salaries have increased far less, especially when we look at what fresh graduates are getting.
“In 2000, starting pay for graduates was around RM1,500. Now, they are paid around RM2,500, that’s less than a 100% increase,” said Pon.
According to job listing firm Indeed, the average salary for a new graduate is RM 2,453 per month, based on 607 salaries reported and updated as of July 2021.
“The past four to five years, property prices have been stagnant since 2016-2017, mainly because of the economic environment and made worse at a later stage by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“But lower-end properties have been increasing more significantly because a lot of people, who can’t afford the mid-end, downgraded to lower-end properties and supply is limited.
For marketing executive Mohamad Shaffieq Abdullah, the only solution is hard work and financial prudence.
The 30-year-old was denied bank loans a few times when he tried to purchase a low-cost apartment as a fresh graduate.
Marketing executive Shaffieq Abdullah.(Credit: Fernando Fong)
“Instead of blaming the government, developers and the housing market, I realised I had to work hard towards a healthy financial position,” he said.
Tightening his belt, he succeeded in getting a loan to purchase a second-hand low-cost flat two years later.
The key is to understand why housing loans are approved or rejected. The bank looks at your Debt Service Ratio (DSR), whether you can afford the loan based on your commitments.
For many people, instant gratification and big-ticket items were their money mistakes. Being realistic and willing to compromise is also important.
“Everybody wants the best – be it location, quality, accessibility, facilities or future developments. But beggars can’t be choosers.”
Bumpy road to homeownership
Welfare worker Caesar Teh Kai Xiong, 36, had been applying for an affordable home since 2013.
“Staying in shape to qualify for a bank loan is the most critical factor. My loan application was rejected a few times due to car loans and other commitments,” he said.
Social worker Teh Kai Xiong.(Credit: Fernando Fong)
In 2018, he applied for a Rumawip (Federal Territories Affordable Housing) project in Salak Selatan that advertised on social media.
His housing loan was finally approved, but it has not been smooth sailing. He was randomly allotted a unit on the highest floor, the 45th.
The project was also severely delayed, partly due to the MCO and its various versions.  Even before the pandemic, throughout 2019, the construction progress was slow. It came to a halt during the pandemic. Workers at the construction site also tested positive for Covid-19.
The delayed housing project which affected Teh and his fellow homebuyers.(Credit: Fernando Fong)
He should have moved into his unit by the end of last year. The developer had only built nine storeys of car park.
Teh continues to pay around RM200 per month in interest payment because of the delay. He feels that home buyers have no effective channels to file complaints.
“We did not get any compensation for the delay as the project was granted exemption from the Extension of Time (EOT) under the COVID-19 Act (Act 829),” he said.
However, in November 2019, the Federal Court ruled that the Controller of Housing, under the Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, has no power to grant an extension of time (EOT) to developers to complete their property development projects.
In any case, Teh and fellow homebuyers never receive a single cent as compensation for the delay. His wait for home ownership continues. The latest completion date given is December 2022, or early 2023.
Subletting lowcost flats
For 38-year-old Kavitha (not her real name), she is renting a two-bedroom People’s Housing Project (PPR) flat in Batu, Kuala Lumpur.
An aerial view of PPR Batu Muda.(Credit: Fernando Fong)
She pays RM600 a month when DBKL only collects between RM94 and RM124 a month for the flats. Her testimonial all but confirms the long-standing, irresponsible practice of sub-letting out the residence to another.
The authorities had repeatedly said it would take action against offenders. Offenders risk up to three years jail or fine under the Statutory Declaration Act 1960 if found guilty.
Kavitha, who had been staying there for three years, is not too concerned.
“There had never been any inspections,” said the single mother of two.
During the pandemic, PPR tenants were given discounts and waivers on the monthly rentals– but not for her, as the actual tenant insisted on collecting every penny.
She tried a few times to rent directly from DBKL but lacked the complete set of documents each time.
As a day-care worker, she earned around RM1,000 a month before the pandemic. Now she makes about RM800 a month. Even then, it is not consistent.
People are frustrated that the government and developers are not doing more, but blaming them alone would not be an honest reckoning.
Like it or not, we need to control our finances while looking at areas to save money or increase income.
Financial literacy is the best bet for Malaysians looking to own a home.

This article was written as part of the Kiniacademy Investigative Journalism program. For more on this story click HERE.
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