“Allah” Ban In Christian Publications Not Valid, High Court Ruled Today

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The total ban on the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications imposed by the Malaysian government in 1986 has been ruled by the High Court as unconstitutional and invalid.

Based on reports from Malay Mail, the court has also declared orders to affirm Sarawak Bumiputera Jill Ireland Lawrence Bill’s right to not be discriminated against and practise her faith.
Justice Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin has granted three of the specific constitutional reliefs sought. Below were the three orders:
a declaration that it is Jill Ireland’s constitutional right under the Federal Constitution’s Article 3, 8, 11 and 12 to import the publications in exercise of her rights to practise religion and right to education.a declaration under Article 8 that Jill Ireland is guaranteed equality of all persons before the law and is protected from discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion in the administration of the law ― specifically the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Customs Act 1967a declaration that government directive issued by the Home Ministry’s publication control’s division via a circular dated December 5, 1986 is unlawful and unconstitutional.
With the ruling made by the court, this means that the ban which has been around since 1986, prohibiting the use of the word “Allah” in Christian publications in Malaysia has been declared invalid.
Based on the reports, this is the first time the validity of the directive has been challenged in the courts.
Credit: Malay Mail
How the ban came about
The Judge went through the process taken before the 1986 directive was issued.
It was reported that in 19 May 1986, a letter sent from the Prime Minister to the Home Ministry’s Secretary-General which stated that the Cabinet has assigned the Deputy Prime Minister to determine which words that can be used and which are prohibited.
Later in 16 May 1986, a memo was given from the Deputy Prime Minister to the Prime Minister, listing 12 words that can be used in the Alkitab – the Christian holy book which was translated into Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia.
In the memo, four words were banned from these publications – Allah, Baitullah, Kaabah and solah.
It was also stipulated that the cover of the books carry the words “Untuk Agama Kristian” (For the Christian religion).
The note then became the Cabinet’s policy decision on words that can be used in Christian publications written in Bahasa Malaysia, the government directive was then issued in December 1986.
It was signed by an officer in the Home Ministry’s publication control division on behalf of the home ministry’s secretary-general and the judge noted that the December 1986 directive was not signed by the Home Minister.
Why was directive challenged?
Based on reports from The Edge, the review came about when Ireland was challenging a ban on the use of the word “Allah” – after eight CD items that she brought from Indonesia was confiscated as they bear those words 13 years ago.
This includes a challenge of a circular issued by the Home Ministry over a total ban of the use of the four words unless there is a written word “Christian” published in front.
Credit: Malay Mail

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Local bar now serving up BOBA BEER

Look out Xing Fu Tang, Gong Cha and Tealive, there’s a new bubble tea contender in town.
And it’s very.. spirited..
Malaysia’s very own The Beer Factory has just unveiled their BOBA BEER series!
Yes, it looks like we have another bizzare beer beverage, Malaysia. (remember durian beer?)
This boozy boba brew was revealed on The Beer Factory’s Facebook and Instagram pages, presenting four extra bubbly bubble teas made with different types of beers.

There’s a Butter Beer made with Kirin Ichiban, Guinness Milkshake with Guinness, Strawberry Lime Cider with a splash of Apple Fox Cider and Watermelon Beer infused with Tiger Beer that may leave you saying “hari-hari-mau“(I want it every day).
Image via 614now
The post also states that the boba beers are here temporarily for RM28.
This boba beer move is hardly surprising though, as The Beer Factory was also responsible for the White Rabbit Beer April Fool’s prank this year. Plus it was only a matter of time ever since the crazy boba fandom took over the nation.

We have no idea what the boba beers taste like or if it’s another prank, but the internet already has.. feelings…
Screenshot from @thebeerfactory/Facebook
Screenshot from @thebeerfactory/Facebook
Screenshot from @thebeerfactory/Facebook
Beer pun nak ada boba juga ker 😂— waAiNi 🇲🇾 (@husnahasanudin) July 22, 2019
Hahaha wtf boba beer, now thats is one haram boba— Nekomancer (@Sobri_SS) July 22, 2019
So how now, boba baes? Will you be abandoning SS15 to give the boba beer a try?
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Undi 18: Dep Minister Says M’sian Youth Not Ready While The Passed Law Sits In Limbo For Almost 2 Years

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[UPDATE: Article has been rectified regarding gazettement of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019. The Deputy Minister has also replied to state his support for Undi 18 and that it wasn’t his intention to imply that Malaysian youth are not ready to vote. Read more HERE.]

“What’s happening with Undi 18?” asked Malaysians online as Senator and Youth & Sports Deputy Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal allegedly said that Malaysians are not ready to vote at 18 years old.

This is despite the bill passing Parliament in July 2019 and made history as the first successful constitutional amendment which received support from both sides of the political divide. The bill received 211 votes out of 222 in Dewan Rakyat with zero nays.
The senator allegedly made the statement during a discussion on the New Economic Policy (NEP) on Clubhouse – an invitation-only audio-chat social networking app.
The Clubhouse discussion room where Senator and Youth & Sports Deputy Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal spoke about NEP and several topics, including Undi 18.(Credit: Twitter)
According to listeners of the discussion, a panellist asked the senator about the present government continuing the work done by the previous government such as Undi 18 which received unanimous support.
Selangor State Executive Councillor private secretary Daniel Teoh, who posed the question to Wan Fayhsal, told TRP that the deputy minister initially did not dismiss or object to Undi 18.
He stressed the need for readiness among the soon-to-be voters. He continued in this vein on how important it is for young voters to be ready and informed, and after a while I felt like he was implying that young Malaysians are not yet ready to exercise their voting rights and they would need some form of prior institutionalised political education. He, however, stressed that it’s not like the infamous BTN.Daniel Teoh, Selangor State Executive Councillor private secretary to TRP.
BTN is the National Civics Bureau – an agency under Barisan Nasional that was abolished under Pakatan Harapan in 2018 due to “evidence showing that the programme was misused to spread misguided indoctrination.”
Several other witnesses confirmed with TRP that the Deputy Minister believed for Undi18 to be gazetted, there must be institutionalized political education first in order for Malaysian youth to be ready.
Why isn’t Undi18 in effect yet?
Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob showing his support for the Undi 18 Bill at Parliament on 16 July 2019.(Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail)
Though Bills passed in Parliament automatically become law 30 days after given to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) for royal assent, it is not applied or enforceable unless it has been gazetted (aka published).
According to the legal eagles at AskLegal.my, the rationale behind this is that the law should be made known to the public in order for the public to be aware of the law in place which might affect them.
The “Undi 18 Bill”, officially known as Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, was passed by Dewan Negara on 25 July 2019 and officially gazetted on 10 September 2019.
However, it is not yet in force as the date is to be determined by the Federal Government and notified by gazette as well.
Federal Constitution, Reprint as at 15 October 2020.(Credit: Attorney General Chambers Of Malaysia)
Election Commission deputy chairman Azmi Sharom also explained that the law can only come to effect after the automatic voter registration is sorted out, which is estimated to be completed by July 2021.
Why does Undi 18 matter anyway?
The Constitutional amendment meant three very important changes in Malaysian politics:
Lowering of the voting age to 18Automatic voter registration18 being the minimum age for a Malaysian citizen to run for public office
The advocacy team behind the Undi 18 campaign points out that Malaysian youth have a right to determine their nation’s political future, including choosing a government to run the country.
The Covid-19 pandemic has left a significant impact on the youth,especially in terms of job prospects and unemployment. According to the Statistics Department, youth unemployment rate recorded at 13.2% in December 2020- the highest rate since 1989.Undi 18.

According to The Star, Malaysia’s voter base is expected to increase from approximately 15 million in GE14 (14th General Election) to 21 million by GE15. Of this, about 3.8 million will consist of youth aged between 18 and 21.
However, with rumours of a general election expected to take place in soon after the end of the Emergency in August, these new young voters are deemed a “wild card”.
With no previous data available, these young and new voters remain unpredictable to both political divide in how they would cast their ballots.
Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail
Even the Election Commission doesn’t have the exact figure with several conflicting reports about the total population of those aged between 18 and 21 as estimates go up as high as 7.8 million new voters.
Sources within BERSATU had told Malay Mail that the party had been gearing up for an election as early as the first half of the year, in order to take advantage of the unknown factor.
Wan Fayhsal’s remarks also come shortly after Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim claimed that the decision to lower the voting age to 18-years-old starting this July was one made hastily and teenagers are still not ready to commit to the democratic process.
The Undi18 team has called for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin to state his commitment in implementing this Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, and to confirm whether such implementation will really happen in July 2021.
KERAJAAN PERIKATAN NASIONAL PERLU MEMAKLUMKAN STATUS TERKINI PELAKSANAAN PINDAAN PERKARA 119(1) pic.twitter.com/mioNNA4CBf— #Undi18 #ManaUndiKami (@UNDI18MY) February 10, 2021

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Source:
Why does Malaysia take so long to create or change laws?
Undi 18: With millions of new voters, Election Commission set to roll out automatic registration by June 2021
Cold feet among Perikatan? As parties gear up for early GE15, Undi18 voters remain a wild card
Undi 18 has been passed, but now what?
History made as Undi 18 Bill passed with bipartisan support
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION REPRINT As at 15 October 2020


Malaysia’s Human Rights Violations That We Keep Ignoring

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Living in Malaysia is pretty good. For the most part, it’s all pretty good and at the very least, we get to say; “syukurlah Malaysia masih aman” (thank goodness Malaysia is still peaceful).

Right?
Well, it’s not all sunshine and flowers because Malaysia’s human rights performance is not that great.
Credit: Shafwan Zaidon/Malay Mail
According to the United Nations, human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.
However, The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) notes that there is a difference between Malaysian foreign policy regarding human rights and what is done nationally.
The truth is, human rights still appear to be less of a priority in national policies.
SUARAM (Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd), the local NGO that advocates for human rights, points out that Malaysia’s violation of such rights stem from a culture of impunity, where people trample on the rights of others without facing consequences for their actions.
Credit: Human Rights Memes to Activate Politically Passive Teens/Facebook
In 2019, the conversation of human rights in Malaysia has largely revolved around child marriages but SUHAKAM stresses that there’s quite a number of disturbing violations that deserve attention as well.
1. Human Rights Education
Malaysia suffers from a lack of education and/or awareness and understanding on issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression as well as human rights, especially in the national education system.
But here’s the kicker, did you know that there are 30 fundamental human rights?
Known as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), it was established over 70 years ago in 1948, but Malaysia still has trouble adhering to some of these.
A TRP reader comment lamenting the lack of human rights education in Malaysia.
2. Children’s Rights
Raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 years old in Malaysia remains a hurdle in the nation with several states against the move.
Besides child marriages, children are also detained in immigration detention centres without trial. Meanwhile stateless children are denied the right to education, which ultimately keeps them trapped in poverty.
Children in a detention centre on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.(Credit: AP via news.com.au)
3. Orang Asal / Asli
Authorities are still lacklustre in recognising the land rights of Orang Asli. In fact, most state governments have enabled logging and plantation companies to encroach on Orang Asli land rights by leasing those lands to them instead of taking measures to protect the land of the indigenous peoples.
Orang Asli residents in Pos Tohoi, Gua Musang, put up a banner demanding recognition of customary land(Credit: Bernama via Free Malaysia Today)
4. Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)
PWD in Malaysia remain a disadvantaged group with most of them still left behind in terms of economic, social, cultural, religious, civil and political rights because of direct and/or indirect discrimination.
The most obvious form of discrimination is the lack and abuse of disabled-friendly facilities.
Credit: @AbdMydin/Twitter
5. Death in Custody & Health in Prisons
Malaysia still has inadequate legal safeguards against torture in custodial settings. SUHAKAM notes that action by the government to effectively reduce and prevent acts of torture on those in custody seems to be minimal.
The human rights watch group even states that allegations of torture and mistreatment while in the custody of enforcement authorities occur with alarming frequency.
Meanwhile, the outdated and extremely unhygienic â€œbucket systemâ€, where prisoners defecate and urinate in buckets or portable units, are still being practiced in two Malaysian prisons.
Credit: Poskita
6. Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Minimum wage, occupational hazards and exploitation of workers are some of the basic forms of discrimination faced by migrant workers. They’re also at risk of becoming victims of sexual and labour trafficking.
Credit: Bernama via Free Malaysia Today
What are we doing to fix it?
Malaysia first took a major step forward in 1999 when The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) was established by Parliament under the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999, Act 597.
Unfortunately, progress slowed to a hobble with the government continuously ignoring the commission’s reports and recommendations.
However, after 20 years, another major milestone was achieved when Parliament finally debated SUHAKAM’s annual report on 5th December 2019.
SUHAKAM at Parliament after their 2018 Annual Report was debated in Parliament on 5th December 2019.(Credit: SUHAKAM/Facebook)
In the session, Malaysia’s human rights issues highlighted in SUHAKAM;s 2018 Annual Report were brought up in Dewan Rakyat where the commission’s suggestions were discussed by Members of Parliament.
Following this historic debate, Free Malaysia Today reported that de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong said the government may implement some of the recommendations.
With this news, it means that Malaysia is finally taking a good hard look at ourselves on our treatment of others and their rights.
Unfortunately, the toppling of the Pakatan  Harapan government after February 2020’s “Sheraton Move” and Covid-19 pandemic has derailed these plans and it remains to be seen how Malaysia will address these issues.
While there’s some ways to go, every single step counts.
Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail

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RM200 Million Down The Drain Each Day: Poultry Farmers Said Ceiling Price Is Killing Them

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A total of 3,000 poultry farmers throughout the Peninsula are losing RM200 million a day.

The reason: implementation of the Keluarga Malaysia Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMKM) which forced them to bear the increase in production costs.
Speaking to Utusan Malaysia,  Federation of Livestock Farmers Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) advisor Datuk Jeffrey Ng said the losses of the farmers forced them to close operations.
They are not able to cover the cost and losses suffered on the value of each kilogram of chicken sold.FLFAM advisor Datuk Jeffrey Ng on the poultry farmers’ predicament.
He explained that the inevitable closure of operations was one of the reasons for the shortage of chicken and egg stocks, as what happened throughout the country recently.
When the government implements the price scheme, the selling price of chicken to consumers has to be reduced while the production cost increases. Ultimately the ones who bear the cost of the loss are the breeders. In addition we do not receive any subsidies or government assistance.FLFAM advisor Datuk Jeffrey Ng on the burden placed on poultry farmers.
When this happens, it directly affects the chicken supply chain throughout the country and even now it has happened recently, said Ng.
READ MORE: “20 Sen Je?” Malaysians Unhappy With PMO’s Fancy New Chicken Price Video
A worker putting up trays of eggs at a supermarket. (Credit: Malays Mail)
Chicken Or The Egg
A recent Special Meeting of the National Subsistence Action Council (NACCOL) decided to put a maximum on chickens.
The maximum retail price for standard chicken is reduced by 20 sen from the current ceiling price of RM8.90.
Meanwhile, the price of all grades of chicken eggs remains the same as the current SHMKM control price from 5 February until 5 June.
READ MORE: Selangor Sets Ceiling Price Of Chickens In PKPS Centres At RM8, Lower Than Federal Govt
Prior to that, from 1 January to 4 February, the government implemented SHMKM involving 12 items under the category of chicken, chicken eggs and vegetables.
The move is a short-term measure to stabilize the price of goods and the availability of supply in the market.

Still Waiting For Subsidy
In the meantime, Ng raised the subject of subsidies as promised by the government.
Until now, the farmers have not received any information on the matter to cover the costs incurred by them.
The farmers are in dire need of a subsidy to reduce the burden they had to bear and directly restore the chicken supply chain.
Indeed, we have news of subsidies, but until now we have not been informed of the mechanism and when the farmers will receive it.FLFAM advisor Datuk Jeffrey Ng on the promised subsidy which ahd yet to materialise.
The move is seen as a better solution than importing chickens in order to meet demand and stabilise prices.
Beri subsidi kepada penternak, bukan import ayam dari luar – @simtzetzin https://t.co/JQPRXgqAlY— Suara Keadilan (@suarakeadilan99) February 5, 2022

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Malaysia Joins Afghanistan And North Korea In The Lowest Rank Of Tier 3 In The Annual Human Trafficking Report

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Malaysia has been downgraded in the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report from its Tier 2 Watchlist to its worst ranking in Tier 3.

The recent placement now positions Malaysia among 17 countries listed alongside North Korea, Syria, and Afghanistan to name a few.
Prior to this move, Malaysia spent three years on the Tier 2 Watchlist, a level for countries whose governments do not fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.
Why the downgrade?
In a report by Reuters, the downgrade comes after complaints by rights groups and U.S. authorities over the alleged exploitation of migrant workers in plantations and factories.
In a transcript of the special briefing with the US Senior State Department Official on the release of the 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, only two countries were downgraded to Tier 3, Guinea-Bissau and Malaysia.
Their reason was that both countries exceeded their time in the Tier 2 Watchlist and did not make enough progress to support an upgrade to Tier 2.
(Source: 2021 Tip Report)
Despite the lack of progress, the study did note that Malaysia had taken some steps to address human trafficking.
The government prosecuted and convicted some traffickers, adopted victim identification standard operating procedures (SOPs), continued to identify and provide some protection services to trafficking victims, and publicly released the results of a survey it funded on the prevalence of forced and child labour in the palm oil sector.– 2021 Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report, page 369
READ MORE: Bangladeshi workers traded like slaves between M’sian firms (11 Sept 2019)READ MORE: Malaysia’s Human Rights Violations That We Keep Ignoring (10 December 2019)READ MORE: Why Did Another Malaysian Glovemaker Get Blocked By The US?

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These Are The Official Red Zones In Klang Valley

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There are 7 sub-districts in Selangor that are listed as Covid-19 red zones, according to reports.

The seven areas, as of October 20:
KlangKaparSungai BulohPetalingDamansaraKajangTanjung 12 (1) in Kuala Langat
It’s also reported that as of 20 October, the district of Klang recorded 175 cumulative cases, with 41 cases from the Kapar sub-district while the Klang sub-district recorded 134 cases.
Meanwhile in the Petaling district, a high number of cases have been detected in the sub-districts of Damansara (75), Petaling (94), and Sungai Buloh (233).
As for the other two areas, Tanjung 12 (1), which is in the Kuala Langat district recorded 55 cases while Kajang (in the Hulu Langat district) has 92 cases.
Picture Credit: Selangor Task Force
Health Director-General said in a recent press conference that a large majority of the current active Covid-19 clusters in Selangor are not linked to those who returned from Sabah which means that the virus is within the community.
Out of Selangor’s 26 active clusters, 18 of them or 69.2% are local infections, while only eight of these clusters or 30.8% have been linked to Sabah.
READ MORE: Selangor’s Biggest Cluster Is In Petaling & It Keeps Growing Everyday.

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Another Case Of Suicide At Penang Bridge

If you’re having problems or suicidal thoughts and need immediate assistance, reach out to Befrienders at:Telephone: 603-79568145E-MAIL: sam@befrienders.org.myAvailable 24 hours, 7 days a week.

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A woman was feared to have drowned after jumping from the Penang Bridge, which has been a hotspot for suicide attempts.
The incident happened early this morning at Kilometre 8.0 heading towards Perai.
The 22-year-old victim is said to have left her car, an orange Perodua Axia, with personal belongings by the bridge wall before diving into the sea.
According to the spokesperson of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) Jalan Perak, they received a call regarding the incident at 3.39 this morning.

Firefighters tried to locate the victim but it is feared that she has been washed away by the current.
The search and rescue operation was temporarily suspended and resumed this morning.
Dark Tide Rising
The incident was the second incident in 12 hours.
Prior to that, a 27-year-old woman also jumped from the Penang Bridge at Kilometre 7.4 from the island towards Perai at about 2.40 pm yesterday.
However, the woman was rescued by fishermen who were nearby.
  @madieutara terjun jambatan pulau pinang org kulim##fypシ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp ♬ Sedih – Instrumental – Asraf Studio
Wanita Tinggalkan Motosikal Di Tepi Jalan Sebelum Terjun Dari Jambatan Pulau Pinang https://t.co/CzNWHpxzxR— BuzzKini (@BuzzKini) May 24, 2022
Last week, the body of a 28-year-old man who jumped into the sea from the Penang Bridge was found after three days of search and rescue operations.
What Are The Signs Of Suicidal?
Suicide is death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die.
A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves with any intent to end their life, but they do not die as a result of their actions.
Many factors can increase the risk for suicide or protect against it.
Any of these could be potential warning signs for suicide:
Severe sadness or moodiness. Long-lasting sadness, mood swings, and unexpected rage.Hopelessness. Sleep problems.Sudden calmness.Withdrawal.Changes in personality or appearance.Dangerous or self-harmful behaviour.Recent trauma or life crisis.
“Malaysia has seen a 61.7 per cent jump in suicide attempts over the course of six years from 2016…”https://t.co/kuTY9h76rH#mentalhealth #health #SuicidePrevention— Relate Malaysia (@relatemalaysia) March 28, 2022
Urgent Need For Better Mental Health Infrastructure
The nation’s rising suicide rate has raised concern that there are not enough resources for those seeking help for mental health issues.
The demand for mental health services has increased in recent years.
Many people had no choice but to seek public services due to the high cost of consultation in private clinics.
A total of 720 psychiatrists are needed by 2025 and 952 by 2030 to serve a total population of 36 million in the country.
Currently, Malaysia has a total of 459 psychiatrists — 1.5 times fewer than the 2025 target and two-fold lower than the 2030 target.
Last year, the government announced its intention to amend the Penal Code to decriminalise suicide.
The move is to ensure that these individuals are given the necessary therapy and support needed.
What does the decriminalisation of suicide mean? It simply means that whoever attempts suicide will not have liability under criminal law, but perhaps under civil law.The wait for attempted suicide to be decriminalised in Malaysia has gone on for too long. pic.twitter.com/DpiHL8UdqX— Amnesty BAC (@amnestybac) November 22, 2021
READ MORE: Need Help? There Are Free Mental Health Resources For You In Your Preferred Languages

If you’re having problems or suicidal thoughts and need immediate assistance, reach out to Befrienders at:TEL: 603-79568145E-MAIL: sam@befrienders.org.myAvailable 24 hours, 7 days a week.

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20% Of M40 Malaysians Dropped To Low Income Group Due to Covid-19, Says PM

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Around 580,000 M40 households are now in the B40 income group due to the pandemic’s debilitating effects on the economy, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He was quoted by Malay Mail mentioning that around 20% of M40 households with incomes between RM4,850 and RM10,959 have shifted to the B40 group.
Covid-19 also affected the incidence of absolute poverty rate which has risen from 5.6% to 8.4%, he said in a written response to Kesavan Subramaniam (PH-Sungai Siput) and Natrah Ismail (PH-Sekijang).
READ MORE: B40, M40 & T20 – The New Figures In 2020
Covid affecting poverty income line
Ismail Sabri mentioned that the government will update the Poverty Line Income (PGK) next year along with the 2022 Household Income Expenditure Survey (HIES) and Basic Amenities (BA) survey.
Sinar Harian quoted the Prime Minister who said that the PGK currently used is based on the PGK, HIES and BA methodology in 2019.
By using this, it was determined that the national PGK is around RM2,209 monthly, compared to the 2016’s PGK (RM980 monthly), which used the 2005 methodology.
It was also revealed that the incidence of absolute poverty increased to 8.4% last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) from 5.6% in 2019.
Based on this study, the incidence of absolute poverty has increased to 8.4% from 5.6% in the same period. However, this study did not produce a new PGK value as the 2019 PGK value is still maintained.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob via Sinar Harian
As for the absolute poverty rate, Ismail Sabri said that it is at 5.6% (405,441 households) in 2019 compared to 7.6% (525,743 households) in 2016.
The urban poverty rate is 3.8% and the rural poverty rate is 12.4% for 2019.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob via Astro Awani
PGK is calculated based on the amount of income required by a household to meet the minimum food and non-food requirements to live healthy and active in society.

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We Might Have To Practice Social Distancing Until 2022, Harvard Researchers Say

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To overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists over at Harvard urged that we practice social distancing until 2022.
This is because they see that lockdowns and movement restrictions can only be done once to curb the spread of the pandemic, but the move is ultimately ineffective to reduce the risk coronavirus.
Social distancing is vital, the scientists say, as currently we don’t have a vaccine or drug that can treat the virus effectively.
The group of researchers also predicted that Covid-19 is a seasonal pandemic, relating it to the increase in infections throughout the winter season after running computer generated tests.
What’s grim about the research is that scientists say that it’s probable that this virus will never go away.
The team said it’s highly unlikely that we will develop an immunity that’s strong enough and can last long enough that Covid-19 will die out after an initial wave, as was the case with the SARS outbreak of 2002-2003.

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10 Malaysian Ghosts That Are Scarier Than The Western Ones

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Since it’s Halloween, there are lots of talks about ghosts, right? But the ones shown during Halloween are just Western ones. If you grew up in Malaysia, you’ll have heard about our ghosts and ghouls too.

To be honest, we think Malaysian ghosts are way way scarier than Western ones, no offense. There’s something about Asians that are so scary…
So to fight their Chucky or Valak, we have our own Kak Ponti and Jiangshi to scare us senseless. The question is, how many of these Malaysian terrifying ghosts do you recognize?
P/S: This article doesn’t really have much real pictures because the writer is terribly scared looking at the pictures while writing this. She gets easily spooked. 🙁
Here are some of the Malaysian ghosts you may or may not know roaming around rent-free in our country:
1. Pocong
We actually share this ghost with our Indonesian peeps. Pocong, Hantu Bungkus or the Shroud Ghost is a jumping ghost trapped in a long white shroud (kain kafan) used to wrap Muslim bodies in a burial.
The dead body is then tied with a few strings above the head, along the body and by the feet. These strings are tied so that people can manage the dead body better before they are buried. Once they’re in the ground, these strings should be untied.
This pocong at Sunway Lagoon’s Nights Of Fright successfully played his part well. (Credit: Melissa Suraya Ismail / TRP)
This is where it gets interesting. According to myths, if the strings are not untied after 40 days, the body is said to jump out of the grave and harass anyone in its way, demanding to be freed.
Pocongs usually move by jumping as the knot on their feet restricts their movements. They can jump as high as 50 metres if they’re feeling a bit athletic. Some sources also say that they can float or teleport from one place to another.
READ MORE: We Went To The Nights Of Fright 8 At Sunway Lagoon – Were We Spooked?
2. Mohini
Mohini is popular among the Indian community. She is said to be a beautiful female ghost who killed herself without experiencing physical pleasure or finding a romantic partner before. She then returns as a vengeful spirit and seduces yummy bachelors to fulfil her physical needs until they die. Uh… that’s some rough love right there.
Well, she’s not called the goddess of enchantment for nothing, right?
(Credit: Azha Fizah / Blog)
Mohini is said to have long black hair and is dressed in a white sari. She can entice a man with her beautiful charm or tempt him with food she prepares by setting her legs on fire and cooking them. Hey, a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, right?
3. Jiangshi
Jiangshi is a hopping vampire popular in Chinese legends and folklore. Dressed in a Chinese shroud (often associated with the Qing Dynasty official garments), it moves around by hopping with its arms outstretched.
They are said to come out at night, killing living creatures. No, they don’t devour blood or brains, they devour people’s qi or life force. The word jiangshi itself means stiff corpse. Due to rigor mortis, the stiff bodies can only move by hopping.
(Credit: Dick Thomas Johnson / Flickr)
A popular way to stop this monster in its tracks is to paste a Taoist symbol on its forehead. As long as the symbol is held against its head, the jiangshi won’t be able to move. Another less scary way that doesn’t require a face-to-face encounter is to hold up a mirror facing them. Yes, apparently they are scared of their own reflections.
4. Toyol
Toyol is mostly described as a baby or toddler spirit acting on the instruction of its master. People could keep this spirit and train them to steal valuables from their targets.
(Credit: Sinar Harian, Supernatural Confessions / Blog)
Because they are so small (measuring around 15 centimetres), they are skilled at doing petty or minor crimes like stealing money or jewellery from cupboards and tight spaces. Toyol is said to be the corpse of a baby that’s brought back to life with black magic. They look like a mummified baby with green or black skin, bulbous heads, pointed ears, piercing red eyes and sharp teeth.
People who own a toyol would have to treat it exactly like a child by feeding it milk, sweet candies and also a prick of their blood from their thumbs. If they do not give their own blood, the toyol will proceed to suck the toes of the owner or the people closest to them to satisfy their hunger. Talk about having a foot fetish…
5. Nu Gui
Nu Gui literally means female ghost in Mandarin. It is said the female ghost was wrongfully treated when she was still alive. Some say she died of suicide after being abused by men. After death, she became a vengeful spirit that vows to seek justice and revenge on her perpetrators.
(Credit: Chloe C / Blog)
Like all-female ghosts, Nu Gui is said to have an eerie long black hair and she wears a white dress. Nu Gui can also be seen in red dresses as well. Folklore suggests that the odds of the dying female becoming a Nu Gui are greater if she dies wearing a red dress. Then, she’d be called the Hong Yi Nü Gui or red clothes female ghost.
So guys, watch out, this ghost is going to come after you due to some bad trauma. It’s also said that because she is abused by men, she’ll hunt and kill men but only scare women. That’s what we call sisterhood. 🤝🏼
6. Pontianak / Kuntilanak
Pontianak is perhaps the most popular ghost of them all in Malaysia. They’re called Kuntilanak in Indonesia. Pontianak is a vampiric ghost, said to be the spirit of a woman who died while pregnant or during childbirth.
She attacks mostly men but welcomes other prey too if she feels like it. She loves to steal babies too because hey, the lady didn’t get to hold her baby when she was alive. Give her a chance.
(Credit: @marsmagd / Twitter)
Legends have it that if you suddenly smell something fragrant like plumeria flowers, or hear a crying baby or a dog whining, she’s near. It’s a bonus if you hear her famous laugh too. If the laugh is loud, it means that she’s far but if the laugh is suddenly quiet and slow, she’s right behind you. RUN!
Pontianaks are terrifying beings with frizzy long hair, long nails, bloodshot eyes and blood-smeared white dresses. But once you hammer a long nail at the back of their necks, they transform into a beautiful and polite lady. Try pulling the nail out and you can witness a real-life transformation right in front of you. 🙂
7. Hantu Kopek / Naru Susu
This ghost is a bit peculiar but the weirder, the better, right?
Also called Naru Susu in the Dusun language, this ghost is created by Malaysian folks to scare their children and to stop them from playing outside at dusk. The true origin of this ghost remains a mystery but the story behind it is interesting.
(Credit: Dahaga Mistik Crew – D.M.C / Facebook, @kuwuskenkek / Twitter)
This ghost is called the ‘boob ghost’ because it has long elongated breasts. Yes, you heard that right. Breasts. It is said that this ghost would hunt for children and trap them under her breasts, to hide them from their parents. The trapped kid may see other kids around him but the others cannot seem to find him as he’s invisible, under the bosom of the ghost.
The ghost would also disguise herself as a big-chested lady to lure young boys to come to her. It’s all about tactics, guys. She’s a cunning hustler.
8. Penanggal / Balan-Balan
Penanggal or Penanggalan is a flying head with hanging internal organs. It’s called Balan-balan in Sabah but people strongly advise not to say the word out loud as it’ll summon the vampire. Talk about Voldermort-ish.
Penanggal is also said to be a woman who also died during childbirth (there are so many other tragic ways to die though) with her head severed from her body. Another source says that penanggal is actually a living woman, just practising black magic to chase beauty and youth.
(Credit: Raja Lepak / Blog)
Penanggal has an affinity towards pregnant ladies and babies and will hunt for their meat and blood. When she hunts during nighttime, she detaches the head with a few of her entrails and floats around the village, creeping under kampung house floorboards and using her long tongue to lick the blood of women in labour during the night.
One way to notice its presence is by smelling vinegar. Penanggal is said to dip its internal organs in a jar of vinegar so they could shrink and fit back into its body before sunrise. The floating head is also described as looking like a flaming fireball or a will-o’-the-wisp from afar. You might wanna run when you see a flying ball of flame coming towards you.
9. Orang Minyak
If we have the horny female ghost, we also have the horny male ghost. Hey, Malaysia has everything, okay??
(Credit: Fiksyen Shasha / Blog)
Orang Minyak or ‘oily man’ is a supernatural being with a naked male human body that’s covered in black oil. It targets virgin women at night. Some people also believe it’s just a real-life man who’s practising black magic. The oily surface is said to aid the man to avoid being captured easily (although if you think about it, he’ll slip and trip a lot…).
According to folklore, Orang Minyak struck a deal with the devil to achieve supernatural powers by raping several virgins (some say 21 some say 40) within seven days. Women in rural areas are terribly scared of them and some even pretended to wear men’s clothes to act as if they’re already married and living with a man.
10. Pelesit
This ghost or spirit is a bit more unique. It’s in the form of a small animal, usually a grasshopper or a cricket. A scary-looking black magic grasshopper. Yes, we Malaysians are so creative when it comes to envy and jealousy, aren’t we?
Pelesit is a spirit in the form of a small animal and is made using black magic from the tongue of a dead child. After some incantations and magic, this tongue will transform into a small harmless creature, ready to take orders from its master (usually a female shaman).
(Credit: Alam Cyber 2020 / Blog)
It’s usually sent to invade other people’s homes and send poison or mysterious diseases until the other person falls ill. It’s like a miniature animal spy you see in sci-fi movies.
Pelesit is also what you call a saka, a ghost that needs to be passed down from one generation to another. If it doesn’t have an owner (the family doesn’t want it), it’ll wreak havoc on the whole village.
So these are some of the Malaysian ghosts that are roaming Malaysia’s empty homes or lonely streets at night time. We have several others too like the Langsuir, Jerangkung, Banana Tree Ghost and more but let’s elaborate on those another time.
Do you have any more Malaysian ghosts that we don’t know about? List them out in the comments and maybe we’ll do a part two soon!

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Fake ‘The Alley’ canned drinks are being sold in Melaka

The Alley Malaysia company just posted on Instagram denying having any canned drinks in the market.
This following news that some places in Melaka have been selling instant bubble tea with the famous Alley logo to the public.

via GIPHY
This is quite upsetting, as the company is very strict about their drink production, handcrafting their own syrups and tapioca pearls.
With branches spread across Penang and Johor, it should be easy for people there to avoid these imitation canned Alley drinks.
There are over a dozen legit Alley drink stalls all around the Klang Valley to quench our thirst, especially during this hot weather.

via GIPHY
 Please do stay away from these fake drinks as they might be hazardous to our body and remember to always keep well-hydrated OK, guys!

Fake vs realPic Credit: Facebook

Stacks of “Alley” milk tea being soldPic Credit: Facebook

Sourced via:1. World of Buzz, April 22, 2019 (The Alley Malaysia Confirms Canned Bubble Teas Using Their Logo Are Fakes) 2. hongkongfp, October 21, 2015 (Fake Chinese bubble tea pearls made from old tyres, shoe soles â€“ report)


Motorsports is for the CRAZY, says veteran M’sian race car driver

â€œDonâ€™t do it… Just donâ€™t go into motorsports.â€
Being absolutely â€˜realâ€™ in regards to the cut-throat world of motorsports, veteran Malaysian race car driver, Zen Suan Chuan Low or Zen Low for short, wouldn’t recommend racing as a career for anyone.

(Image Credit: TRP)

Calling those in the industry, including himself, â€˜crazyâ€™, Zen explains that it takes a lot more than passion and a need for speed to make it in the racing scene.
With over a decade of racing experience under his hood, Zen says that there exists many challenges in the industry and it’s very difficult for anyone, especially new and upcoming racers to get a start in the sport.

 (Image Credit: TRP)

He said that racing not only requires immense talent and skill behind the steering wheel, the sport also demands great discipline, focus and a level of sacrifice that no average person can accomplish easily.
Explaining that racing is a â€˜rich manâ€™s gameâ€™, Zen says that one would also need very deep pockets to even have a chance to be involved in the industry.
Snob Rich GIF from Snob GIFs

â€œItâ€™s a sh*tty career… It’s expensive and the odds are always stacked up against you.â€
â€œIf you are looking to start off in the game with absolutely nothing than it will be very tough.â€
â€œLook at the top racers and drivers in the world (Formula 1 drivers) all come from well-off families.â€
â€œIf you don’t have the money to start, it is very difficult and rather impossible to have a career in racing.â€
Zen Low speaking to TRP
Expressing his frustrations towards the gloomy state of the current industry, Zen wished that there was more support and endorsement towards the national motorsport scene, especially from the government.
Moral Support GIF from Moralsupport GIFs

â€œWho would want to race if you only have the janitors sitting at the stand (at the Sepang International Circuit) looking at you?â€
â€œWhich is why I prefer racing internationally, like in Japan, for instance, no matter rain, shine or snow, there are always people sitting in the stands to watch you race… This is a thrill and becomes a great motivator on its own.â€
â€œI personally have never taken any money from the government, but I see that in order for the sport to grow, the government has to at least give recognition to those in the industry and show support towards the sport.â€
Zen Low speaking to TRP
Growing up as a small kampung boy from Kuching, Sarawak, Zen shares that his journey in motorsports had not been a cakewalk.
From having little to no support from his family to not having the proper avenues to pursue his dreams, this veteran has spent the major part of his life hustling his way to become the fully-fledged racer that he is today.
Knowing first hand how expensive the racing game can be, Zen went about his adult life working his way in the corporate world, setting up businesses, making connections and collecting funds to pursue his goals.

(Image Credit: Aylezo)

One time during his youth, Zen even worked as an errand boy at an underground gambling den in London, just to fuel his addiction for racing!
From humble beginnings riding BMX bicycles around town, racing Go-Karts that he borrowed from friends, to racing jet skis along the Sarawak River.
Zen has since taken part in numerous motorsports events collecting more than 50 podium places and some 17 wins in the local and international scene including; the Asian Le Mans Series in 2013 and 2016, and the 2015 GT Asia Series.

(Image Credit: TRP)

His most notable and memorable moments on the track included his win at the 2016 Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race as well as finishing 3rd in the 2017 Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific Series.
He even had the chance to burn rubber at the prestigious, Circuito da Guia – a race track that cut across the city streets of Macau – which remains one of the most intimidating racing tracks in the world and is only open via invitation.
When not on the track, Zen spends most of his time training for the next race as well as feeding his newfound love for the high adrenaline-fuelled sport of Drifting!

(Image Credit: Aylezo)


Johor Father Of 2 Allegedly Beaten To Death By His Wife With Blunt Weapon

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A father of two, Lee Ming How, was allegedly beaten to death by his wife at their home in Taman Daya, Johor Baru around 7.50am yesterday (15 July).

New Straits Times reported that the 44-year-old victim was found lying face down on the floor at their home in Flat Paya Nipah with injuries to the face and head.
According to Malay Mail, Johor police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said there were stab wounds and bandages on the victim’s legs.
It’s believed that his 36-year-old wife allegedly struck him with a blunt weapon. They have two children, aged 2 and 11.
The victim’s son was in the house when the incident occurred and is the main witness in the case.
The suspect has been detained and remanded for seven days until 22 July. Reports indicate that the children are under the care of the victim’s family.
Investigators also found syabu and drug-related equipment in the house. Initial investigations revealed that the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.
In addition, she has three previous records, including two drug-related cases and one criminal case of causing injury.
The motive of the murder is still under investigation. Police are also tracking a man believed to be involved in the case to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

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Family Paid Almost RM2K For 1 ‘Ikan Siakap’ At Langkawi Floating Restaurant

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There’s no denying that some people struggle to say no to a spot of sea bass served at the dinner table. But what happens when your meal cost more than what most Malaysians make in minimum wage?

Costing a total of RM1,855.20, the seafood spread supposedly enjoyed by Facebook user Muhamad Faris Zulkarnain with his family and friends at a local eatery in Langkawi had managed to turn some heads.
The reason for the expense was shown to be a plate of ‘ikan siakap’ or sea bass that alone cost a total of RM1,196.80.
Sharing snapshots of receipts dated 3 October, the man conveyed his dismay when he had to fork out nearly RM2,000 to pay for the meal they had ordered to serve seven people.
“We ordered half of the fish to be packed. Even after we finished eating, there was still a lot leftover. After eating I headed to the counter to make the payment. To my surprise, I saw the bill was RM 1852.50,” explained the man, telling of how they had initially planned to order two plates of ikan siakap but later changed their minds when a waiter came to describe how big the fish was and double confirming their order.
The fish apparently came to be approximately 7kgs in weight and was described to be slightly bigger than the fish normally served at other eateries.
(Credit: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon)
The man also claimed that the restaurant had asked for a 5% charge if a payment was made with a credit card, which the guy promptly refused and instead paid the meal via online transfer.
The receipts that accompany the post showed that the bill was made out by the Sas Rimba floating restaurant.

A look through the comment section of the post revealed how some people were more than aware of the extreme price of seafood served at some restaurants on the island.
“Be careful when you’re eating in Langkawi, the prices are extreme,” wrote one commenter.
While others instead question why the diners didn’t make sure exactly what they were paying for before eating.
“Each and every place is different ya. Next time ask or look for the price. That’s why the restaurant staff asked to double confirm.” noted another commenter.
Later, another Facebook posting surfaced claiming to be a reply from the Sas Rimba floating restaurant.
The reply had allegedly come from the restaurant’s representative, Norasyikin Musa, who claimed that they had already explained the meal to the customers before taking their orders.
According to the representative, the prices of live fish served at the restaurant had been clearly stated on the menu and came at RM16 per 100 grams.
Apparently, the sea bass that was served to the customers was actually a fish that had been put on display at the restaurant.
I myself explained to the customer about how big the fish was because it’s a show fish displayed in our tanks and we normally don’t sell those.Norasyikin Musa via Facebook
The eatery also denied asking for extra credit card charges as claimed in the post.

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Malaysian Men Stay In Abusive Relationships Too & That’s A Problem

When talking about abusive relationships, most people might form a mental image of women battered and bruised from being physically assaulted by their male partners. But in reality, cases of domestic violence extends well beyond brute force and physical contact.
While it is common for women to make up the majority of domestic abuse cases and headlines here in Malaysia (and all over the world, tough luck ladies…), it shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that men can also be victims of domestic violence.
According to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, there has been a growing trend of domestic violence cases against men.
(Credit: Tom Pumford via Unsplash)
A large majority of those reports involve incidents of emotional and psychological abuse.
Unlike physical and sexual abuse which can leave visible marks and scars on a victim. Emotional abuse is harder to recognise but can be equally disturbing and traumatising to the person on the receiving end.
What is emotional abuse?
According to health psychology researchers, emotional abuse involves any nonphysical attitudes or behaviours that a person exhibits towards another (in this case an intimate or romantic partner) with the intent to control, subdue, isolate, or punish that particular person.
(Credit: Imgflip)
It can be simplified as any actions taken by an individual to assert and maintain power in a relationship through the use of intimidation, manipulation, humiliation and fear.
Emotional abuse happens when a person feels entitled and possessive of their companion and would use any means necessary to keep hold of that power dynamic of control over their partnerâ€™s lives.
Of Trauma and Men
Malaysian law does recognise the gravity and impact that emotional and psychological abuse has on a person.
In 2017, the Malaysian Domestic Violence Act was amended to expand the definition of domestic violence to include emotional injury and psychological abuse, as well as provide equal protection for both men and women.
(Credit: rebcenter-moscow via Pixabay)
But alarmingly, cases of emotional abuse, especially among men, would still largely remain unreported.
International Medical University lecturer, Dr Nicole Chen Lee Peng as reported by the NST said that men would prefer to suffer in silence instead of face up to the stigma thatâ€™s associated with being victims of domestic violence.
And just like women, men who suffer through abuse are more than likely to stick with the relationship because of certain family, cultural or religious commitments.
(Credit: kalhh via Pixabay)
In a report by The Star, Malaysian Mental Health Association president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj explains that men generally would stay with their abusive partners out of shame of being ridiculed as weak and unmanly.
How to spot emotionally abusive behaviour?
(Credit: Know Your Meme)
Emotional abuse is often subtle, and those who are suffering from it may not know that they are being ill-treated.
This is generally because an emotionally abusive partner would showcase actions that, at first glance, appear caring and nurturing, in order to take advantage of their partnerâ€™s vulnerabilities and insecurities.
Below are some of the toxic behaviours that are prevalent in an emotionally abusive relationship;
1. Inferiority complex
Abusive partners would think of themself as better than their companions, doubting their abilities and blaming the other for any problem that arises in the relationship.
Credit: Times of India)
They would also take verbal jabs at their partner by belittling or humiliating them either out in public or in a more personal setting and masking the insults as mere jokes and sarcasm.
2. Have unrealistic expectations
An emotionally abusive person would set unreasonable expectations and demands on their partner, expecting them to cater to their every need.
Abusers would aggressively want their partners to pay attention to them and only them, at all times and be overly clingy and protective of their companions.
(Credit: Alex Iby via Unsplash)
They would also be dissatisfied by their partnerâ€™s actions and criticise the other having different opinions and not meeting their standards.
3. Control freak
An abusive partner would control and limit their companionâ€™s movements, actions and freedom. To maintain power over their companion, the abuser would set rules and boundaries on what their partner is allowed to do, where they are allowed to go, and even what they are allowed to do.
via GIPHY
They would isolate their partners from other people, and be overly jealous and possessive of the other person, watching their every move like monitoring their phone calls and social media, following them everywhere they go or even holding on to their money.
4. Constantly invalidating
Emotionally abusive partners would be dismissive and judging of their partnerâ€™s thoughts and feelings, saying that the other person is merely exaggerating.
(Credit: Bold Sky)
 An emotionally abusive person would also manipulate their partner by â€œgaslightingâ€ them, making the other fall into a cycle of doubting their perception, self-worth and identity.
5. Guilt-tripping and confusion tactics
Though arguments and misunderstandings are normal in any healthy relationship, emotionally abusive people would just start a fight for the sake of it.
The would also hold heir partners â€œhostageâ€ by using emotional blackmail to manipulate them with shame, fear and guilt to do anything they want.
via GIPHY
A common example of this would be when an emotionally abusive person would threaten to hurt or kill themselves if their partner attempts to put an end to the relationship.
Abusers would also have drastic mood swings and behave unpredictable and erratic.

There’s no question that emotional and psychological abuse is a serious public health issue.
Those tortured by emotional abuse can be left with feelings of isolation and trapped with feelings of uselessness, helplessness, anxiety, depression or in extreme cases, destructive thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
If you or anyone you know is a victim of emotional abuse please reach out and seek help.
Contact the 24-hour Talian Nur hotline at 15999 for immediate assistance and support or check out TRPâ€™s complete guide to counselling and therapy services in Klang Valley, HERE.
Share with us your thought and comments on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Source:
The complete guide to Counselling & Mental Health Therapy services in Klang Valley
7 Stages of Gaslighting in a Relationship
How to Identify and Cope With Emotional Abuse
Experts: Men more likely to keep quiet
The taboo of domestic violence
Thousands of domestic violence cases not reported to welfare dept
Amended Domestic Violence Act to cover male victims and emotional abuse cases as well
Domestic violence
Emotional abuse in intimate relationships: The role of gender and age
11 Subtle Signs You Might Be In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship
Feature: Monster wives


Scientists: The Largest-Ever Ozone Hole Above The Arctic Has Closed

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All environment-lovers out there might be happy to know that an ozone hole located above the Arctic has reportedly closed.
According to CNN, the ozone hole had formed earlier this year and eventually became the largest ozone hole ever recorded there.
Ozone-rich air (red) floods the atmosphere over the North Pole on April 23, closing the single largest ozone hole ever detected in the Arctic. (Credit: Livescience)
Before you get any ideas, weâ€™d like to clarify that the ozone hole was not caused by human activity. The scientists at Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) who were tracking the hole announced the news late last week explaining that the hole was caused by a particularly strong Arctic polar vortex.
Therefore, its closing was most likely not caused by the â€œreduction of pollutionâ€ from the Covid-19 pandemic which lowered global warming rates.
Covid-19 and the associated lockdowns probably had nothing to do with this. It’s been driven by an unusually strong and long-lived polar vortex, and isn’t related to air quality changes.Scientists observing the ozone hole at CAMS via CNN

This Arctic ozone hole actually has nothing to do with coronavirus-related lockdowns, but rather was caused by an unusually strong and long-lived polar vortex. This article explains what caused it in more detail: https://t.co/Nf6AfjaYRi— Copernicus ECMWF (@CopernicusECMWF) April 26, 2020

Even so, the hole was massive. The scientists said that most of the ozone typically found around 18 kilometres into the stratosphere was depleted. The last time such a strong chemical ozone depletion in the Arctic occurred was almost 10 years ago.
The ozone layer is located between 14 and 35 kilometres above the Earth and protects us from ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
Differing from the hole that developed over the Arctic, ozone holes in the Antarctic in the Southern Hemisphere are typically caused by human activity and the release of chemicals such as chlorine and bromine. These have caused an ozone hole to develop annually there for the last 35 years.

The unprecedented 2020 northern hemisphere #OzoneHole has come to an end. The #PolarVortex split, allowing #ozone-rich air into the Arctic, closely matching last week's forecast from the #CopernicusAtmosphere Monitoring Service.More on the NH Ozone holeâž¡ï¸https://t.co/Nf6AfjaYRi pic.twitter.com/qVPu70ycn4— Copernicus ECMWF (@CopernicusECMWF) April 23, 2020

However, fortunately, there has been some good news from there too: Last year, the ozone hole above the Antarctic was observed to be at its smallest since it was first discovered.

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Music by M’sian featured in Disneyâ€™s Maleficent 2 movie trailer!

Our favourite Disney Villain, Maleficent will be returning
to the big screen once again this October.
Yes, youâ€™ll soon get to journey with the sorceress on another dramatic adventure while staring at Angelina Jolieâ€™s impossibly beautiful face.

Credit: FamilyandMedia.eu

Of course, with any Disney movie release, you can bet thereâ€™ll
be an incredible trailer.
Besides stunning visuals and incredible acting, the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil trailer holds a very special surpriseâ€¦
It features music produced by a Malaysian!
Maleficent Wellwell GIF from Maleficent GIFs

The powerful track titled â€œTurned to Dustâ€ sets the mood for the tension between Maleficent, Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) and the Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) was produced by a local talent named Amirul Hisham.
Composed by Lisa Van Hal, the score is produced by CalaPM (Calabasas Production Music) which was founded by Amirul (also known as Sham) and another composer named Michael J. Elliott.

Amirul Hisham aka Sham.(Credit: Facebook)

Working together with more composer friends, their debut album called â€œInfinityâ€ was then published through Dos Brains, a production / trailer music library.
To Sham’s surprise, a track on their debut album was selected for Disneyâ€™s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil trailer after a few short weeks!

Credit: @DisneyMaleficent/Facebook

While the company is based in the US, Sham is based in Malaysia and also composes music!
His past experiences include composing music at Atom Music
Studio, a music production company that also provided the score for the Men in
Black: International (2019) trailer.

 Amirul Hisham, creating another masterpiece.(Credit: Facebook)

With the Maleficent trailer added to his credentials, itâ€™s clear
that we can expect more great things from our Malaysian talent.
Proud Ron Swanson GIF from Proud GIFs

Congratulations to Sham and the team!
Check out his music on the Maleficent trailer below:


Driver Asks For Help After Metal Pipe Pierces Car’s Windshield On NKVE Highway

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A Twitter user Ftha (@btsvvtboys) shared his scary ordeal while driving along the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), between the Damansara Exit Toll and Subang Jaya Exit Toll.

Around 6.40pm, a metal pipe from a lorry carrying metal parts fell and pierced the windshield of Ftha’s car on the passenger side.
Ftha said the lorry driver probably didn’t secure the tarps properly so the loose metal pipe went flying.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a dashcam in the car and does not know how else to retrieve any info about the lorry to make a report.
He said the lorry’s number plate starts with ‘JS’ but he couldn’t remember the rest of it. It was a huge lorry that was being driven in the middle lane.
i was driving on the NKVE highway and one of the lorries yang bawak besi buruk didn't secure their tarps properly. one of it went flying straight to the car's windshield and luckily didn't hurt me while driving on the highway. @plustrafik #NKVE #Damansara #SubangJaya pic.twitter.com/HFq9OLhTr6— ftha⁷ (@btsvtboys) May 15, 2023
While netizens were glad that he escaped unscathed, they were also spooked that it was a close shave.
Some advised Ftha to report to the highway authorities and maybe the traffic cameras caught something that can be helpful.
Hopefully, the other drivers with dashcams on the same road that day could help him out too.
Meanwhile, another netizen advised road users to overtake any lorries that carry loose spare parts.
Earlier this year, a woman experienced something similar while driving along PLUS highway. A metal pole flew out of a lorry in the next lane and embedded itself in her car’s windshield.
Just like Ftha, she couldn’t capture the lorry’s number plate. At the time, she hoped that the Transport Ministry and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) could enforce lorry regulations for everyone’s safety.
READ MORE: [Watch] Metal Rod From Lorry Slams Into A Car’s Passenger Side Windscreen
Oh my. Glad you are okay. That’s so dangerous! Cc @PDRMsia— janetsayshello (@thenameisJanetJ) May 16, 2023
Highway boleh claim dgn highway. Make a report.— Ameerah Ismail (@amorey84) May 16, 2023
Call plus. Nanti dia explain next step.— ᏗᏗ 🤍🕊 (@bungamutyaraa) May 16, 2023
mungkin boleh retrieve dari kamera trafik atau mane2 dashcam dari kereta yang lain— a f i k (@AfikkkCr7) May 16, 2023
skrg dah x nmpk kereta peronda lebuhraya yg boleh pantau lori2 besi buruk yg x secure muatan gini. hopefully perondaan boleh ditingkatkan lagi.sementara tu, bagi pihak kita, kalau depan ada lori besi buruk, esp yg cover nylon dia melayang2 x ikat properly…cepat2 overtake la ye— crewmy (@crewmy2) May 16, 2023

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As Malaysia-Singapore Border Travel Opens Today, Travellers Confused Over Quarantine Orders

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After releasing the procedures on cross border travel between Malaysia and Singapore at the beginning of August, residents of both countries finally begin their journey today on 17 August.

But as travellers embark via the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA) schemes, confusion is still abound regarding the Covid-19 testing and quarantine orders as some complaints have popped up on social media.
For one, Malaysians returning from Singapore have to take the PCR test, which takes 48 to 72 hours for results to come back. However, Singaporean travellers entering Malaysia are required to take the Covid-19 RTK Antibody test instead whereby results are available within 30 to 45 minutes.
Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail
Another important point to note is that Malaysians returning from Singapore under RGL and PCA schemes have to adhere to home quarantine rules.
However, this only applies to those who are from Johor with a Johor address.
Under the scheme, those from Johor are allowed to undergo quarantine at home, while those from outside Johor will be quarantined at two designated hotels in Johor Bahru.
Only when the result is negative can travellers be exempted from the 14-day Home Surveillance Order (HSO) mandatory self-quarantine.
This has left some Malaysians feeling blindsided upon return as Singaporeans under PCA are subject to a modified 7-day Home Surveillance Order where they will be released if the Covid-19 RTK-Antibody test on Day 7 comes back negative.
However, there is a very good reason for this.
A Health Ministry official revealed to Malaysiakini that Malaysians returning from overseas pose a big risk in spreading Covid-19 in the country.
The expert in the ministry’s Disease Control Unit told the news site that up to two percent of those returning home tested positive, thus presenting an urgent need for them to be quarantined.
As such Johor State Public Works, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Mohd Solihan Badri has warned that stern action will be taken against those who are found to have broken their quarantine rules.
Speaking to media personnel at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI), NST reports Solihan saying that those entering and exiting the country are required to undergo swab tests, as well as carry the necessary documents and approvals before they are allowed to proceed to the Immigration counter.
Sultan Iskandar Building’s Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ).(Credit: Ben Tan/Malay Mail)
Application for crossing the border between the two countries are open until 21 August. For more information, check out TRP’s article on the procedures, “Malaysians Can Enter Singapore Under Two Special Passes – All The Details” (HERE).

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Source:
Singapore-Malaysia cross-border travel resumes; returnees quarantined
Returning M'sians more dangerous than foreign workers - MOH expert
Covid-19 – to test or not to test?
Malaysia - Singapore Border Crossing Arrangement


Batang Kali Landslide: Death Toll At 21, PM Announces Cash Aid For Victims’ Families

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday visited the campsite in Batang Kali where a landslide struck early Friday morning.

He announced that the government would be giving special compassionate payments to the families of those killed in the tragedy, according to the Malay Mail.
Anwar said the National Disaster Management Agency would channel the funds to the Selangor state secretary and the families of those killed would receive RM10,000 while the surviving victims will receive RM1,000.
12 people are still missing as the search and rescue (SAR) operations had to be halted last night due to rain.
Harian Metro said the operations would resume at 8am today.
The death toll from the landslide is now at 21, which includes young children.
The campsite, situated near the Father’s Organic Farm was struck by landslide after midnight on Friday.
The incident happened near the road connecting Batang Kali with Genting Highlands.
According to locals, the area in Batang Kali near Gohtong Jaya has witnessed a mushrooming of campsites in recent years.
The area is popular given its cool weather and proximity to Genting Highlands.

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Govt Working To Fill 440,000 Vacancies Left By Foreign Workers & Help Msians Who Lost Jobs In Singapore

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The government is looking for solutions for Malaysians who were retrenched in Singapore due to Covid-19, said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

He said a meeting was held with the country’s Ministry of Manpower to solve the issue.
The government is always concerned about the fate of Malaysians working in other countries. Not only in Singapore as we are in a health crisis (Covid-19). We (the government) will take a positive step towards addressing the issue. They can return to Malaysia and undergo the Covid-19 screening test. The government will find the best way to provide employment opportunities to them.Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan via Malay Mail
He also said that employment opportunities will be given to locals to fill jobs left by 440,000 foreign workers who left the country.
According to statistics, foreign workers has dropped from 1.98 million in January to 1.54 million in May 2020.
The government has proven that it can reduce dependency on foreign workersHuman Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan via MalaysiaKini

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Selangor Gov’t Considering Water Rebates, But Will Focus On Preventing Future Disruptions First

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After a series of water disruptions in Selangor, the state government will consider giving out rebates but wants to focus their attention on pollution issues first, according to reports.

We are discussing the matter (of giving rebates) and that would be decided later. It is better to spend more to prevent the recurrence of water pollution than leaving the matter to fate, and giving rebates whenever pollution occurs.Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari via NST
Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said RM4 million will be needed if a RM2 rebate was given to each affected consumer but the state would rather use that amount for beefing up security instead.
The amount (RM4 million) should be used to add more officers who can detect pollution at the early stage or before it enters the treatment plants. Therefore, we (the state government) are trying our best to prevent the recurrence of water pollution.Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari NST
He said, the state government has managed to prevent disruptions from April to September with 24-hour monitoring.
But lately it has happened too often. Hence, we will add more officers and beef up monitoring.Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari via NST
Read More: With All The Water Cuts Happening, What Does Air Selangor Actually Do?
It’s also reported by Malay Mail that Selangor’s water woes might end by end 2021, but will require millions of ringgit.
Among them, Amirudin said, is looking at implementing a system that can immediately block the passage of polluted water from the river from going into the water treatment plant.
He added that the long-term plan, estimated to take about a year, is to increase the quality of management and treatment of water.
On 19 October, work was halted at Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plants after 4 plants due to a supply disruption.
Around 1,196,457 accounts spread across 1,292 areas in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang/Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak and Kuala Langat were affected by the water cut.

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Hershey Products Made In Malaysia Are Halal, Says Jakim

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The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) has confirmed that Hershey products manufactured in Malaysia are halal.

Jakim said Hershey Malaysia Sdn Bhd has a Malaysian Halal Certification Certificate (SPHM), which is still valid today.
Hershey Malaysia offers a variety of chocolate and confectionery products such as Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kat, and Twizzlers

Jakim informed that the brand’s products were also certified as halal by the Halal Product Assurance Organization (BPJPH) of the Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia.
BPJPH is an Overseas Halal Certification Body recognized by Jakim in the country concerned.
Jakim said it is aware of photos and videos involving Hershey products from abroad that went viral on social media recently.
  @ahza1986 Produk minuman jenama Hershey's mengandungi bahan tidak halal ♬ bunyi asal  – Ahza
It added that the viral Hershey product did not hold any halal certification from overseas halal certification bodies recognized by Jakim.
According to Jakim, the management and use of raw materials differ depending on the country.
Some Hershey products are halal certified, while others are not.
It is important to check the ingredients list and look for halal certification symbols on the packaging.

The list of certification bodies or overseas halal logos recognised by Jakim can be found on its website.

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Forgot How To Celebrate Hari Raya? Here’s How To Do It Right!

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As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims all around the world are poised to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa as its more commonly known here.

Marking the end of a month of fasting and rigorous self-control, Raya is a joyous occasion and remains one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
Loosely translated as the “festival of Breaking Fast”, Aidilfitri sees millions of Muslims from across the globe coming together for a day of communion and festivities which only comes once a year.
Although each corner of the globe would have its own unique customs and traditions in celebrating this blissful occasion, we thought that it would be fun to give you a quick rundown of how Malaysians tend to celebrate their Hari Raya.
The Start Of Syawal
It is a widely accepted notion in Islam that a new day would begin at sundown. This is why Raya celebration tends to start before the actual holiday even begins.
Traditionally, Hari Raya would begin with the first sighting of the crescent moon, marking the end of Ramadan and the start of Syawal—the 10th month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
During the good ol’ days, families would crowd together in front of the TV, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the fable Pakcik Songkok   or the Keeper of the Rulers Seal to declare the official date for Aidilfitri.

Takbir Raya In The Air
The coming of Raya is typically accompanied by the soulful sounds of the takbeer or takbir, where Muslims chant the name of Allah (S.W.A) as a show of faithful gratitude and to give thanks for the blessings that they have been given throughout the month of Ramadan.
Reciting the takbir is also considered to be a declaration of one’s success in tying down one’s demons and lustful desires during the whole fasting month.
The Takbir Raya can be heard echoing through the night, from sundown till the following morning, as Muslims gather for the days Raya festivities.

Hari Raya Prayer
During the first day of Aidilfitri, Muslims would congregate to the mosques for prayer and listen to a short khutbah (religious sermon).
Generally, the Eid Prayers would only be attended by men, however, women are welcomed and encouraged to join in.
This is also the time where you would get the first look at your family, friends, neighbours (and even arch-nemesis) strutting out their glamorous looks for Aidilfitri.

Paying Zakat Fitrah
Zakat is the act of giving charity or alms to the poor. It is considered to be one of the main pillars of the Islamic faith.
The act of paying Zakat Al-Fitr or Zakat Fitrah is mandatory for all Muslims (man or woman) if they can afford to do so.
It is encouraged for Muslims to pay the Zakat Fitrah before the end of the morning Eid Prayer as the principle behind the collection is to be used and distributed to the needy in order to aid them during the festive period of Aidilfitri.
(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa via Malay Mail)
Visiting Deceased Loved Ones
The morning of Aidilfitri is also a sombre and reflective moment for some, as families would also take time to visit their deceased loved ones.
Families and friends would gather around gravesites in their festive baju raya attire, praying on their behalf and even taking time to clean and spruce up their loved one’s final resting places in the spirit of Hari Raya.
(Credit: KE Ooi via Malay Mail)
Family Time
Whether you’re having a small gathering at home or a huge family assembly at kampung, Raya time is best spent surrounded by those you love (or mildly annoy you).
The first hours of Aidilfitri are generally spent cherishing those around you and taking the opportunity to strengthen the bonds between one another and (at least, try to) enjoy each other’s company.
(Credit: Pexels)
Asking For Forgiveness
As the common Raya greeting goes…
Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin.Which basically translates to, “Happy Aidilfitri” and “I seek forgiveness from you.”
A big part of the Hari Raya celebration is the act of giving thanks and seeking forgiveness from those around you.
Aidilfitri is THAT time of the year (for most also the ONLY time :p) to ask for forgiveness and to pardon those who have done you wrong.
It is the time known for moving forward in life: wiping the slate clean and starting anew.

Duit Raya
We are all familiar with the saying “to give is better than to receive”, well it is a common belief in Islam that: the MORE you GIVE, the MORE you shall RECEIVE.
Though the history behind the practice of giving Duit Raya still remains a mystery, the act of giving out packets of money as customary gifts has become synonymous with the festivities of Aidilfitri.
It is generally considered to be an offering given from the elder members of society (regardless of your relations or ties) to the younger ones of the generation, with the notion of teaching them valuable lessons in effort, compassion and the faithful practice of giving.
(Credit: Berita Harian)
Eat all the food!
Well, this part comes as no surprise as Hari Raya is of course the time to indulge in delightful dishes!
Muslims are also forbidden to fast during the first day of Aidilfitri, so take time to relish in delectable traditional local delicacies, some of which you can only get during the Raya season.
(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)
Raiding Open Houses
It is a common custom here in Malaysia to invite guests over to celebrate the holiday seasons together.
A Hari Raya open house is the perfect occasion to spend quality time with friends, family, neighbours and even strangers. All in the festive spirit of Aidilfitri.
Malaysians would usually move from house to house, from pekan to kampung visiting as many homes as they can, while filling out their tummies (and pockets) along the way.
(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)
Bunga Api and Fireworks
Though fireworks are technically illegal here in Malaysia, it can’t be denied that no festive season would be the same without the sparkle, sounds and dazzle of fireworks filling the atmosphere.
Both children and adults share this common love for all things that go BOOM (even when the fear of losing an eye or a finger would loom in the back of everyone’s minds).
(Credit: Flickr/Escape Travel)
They say that Hari Raya lasts an entire month—As such, most of this is going to be relevant for at least a few more weeks, so share it with the people you know who could benefit from new info or a refresher at the least.
Selamat Hari Raya everyone!

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What Is An Ombudsman, And How Can Malaysia Benefit From Having One

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Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced that the Ombudsman Malaysia bill is in its last phase and will be presented to Parliament in October this year.

Additionally, Azalina stated that the policies of Ombudsman Malaysia will draw inspiration from similar institutions in other countries, specifically referencing the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The bill will provide clearer functions and power of Ombudsman Malaysia, which also include management of public complaints against government departments or agencies.
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
What Is An Ombudsman?
The term “ombudsman” is derived from Swedish and means “representative” or “agent of the people.”
An ombudsman typically is an independent and impartial official appointed to investigate and address complaints or concerns raised by individuals or groups regarding the actions, decisions, or policies of a particular organization or government body.
The role of an ombudsman also varies depending on the jurisdiction and the organization they serve.
However, their primary responsibility is to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability within the entity they oversee.
In other words, they act as a neutral intermediary between the organization and the individuals affected by its decisions or actions.
According to the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), 140 countries now have ombudsmen.
However, some of them are regional or local.

Common Functions of An Ombudsman
As stated previously, an ombudsman aims to promote accountability, fairness, and transparency within the organization or government body and provide individuals with a means to address their concerns and grievances.

These are some ways they do so:

1. Receiving and Investigating Complaints
An ombudsman has the authority to receive and investigate complaints lodged by individuals or groups who believe they have been treated unfairly or unjustly by the organization and aim to find resolutions and recommend appropriate actions to address the issues raised.
2. Providing Information and Guidance
An ombudsman also often serves as a source of information, providing guidance and clarification on policies, procedures, and rights.
They can explain the rights and options available to individuals seeking assistance.
3. Mediation and Conflict Resolution
They may also facilitate dialogue and mediate between parties involved in a dispute or conflict, with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
They can help facilitate communication, identify common interests, and propose solutions.
4. Advocacy and Systemic Change
An ombudsman may identify patterns or systemic issues based on the complaints they receive.
They can advocate for changes to policies or procedures to prevent future problems and promote fairness and efficiency within the organization.
5. Reporting and Recommendations
Ombudsman also typically have the authority to report their findings and recommendations to the organization or government body they oversee.
These reports may include suggestions for policy improvements, procedural changes, or remedial actions to address the issues identified.
Benefits of Having an Ombudsman in a Country
So the question still remains, how does having one help Malaysia?
As proved by many countries with an ombudsman, their presence can bring several benefits to an organization or government body, as well as to the individuals and groups they serve.

Some key benefits of having an ombudsman:

1. Fairness and Impartiality
2. Conflict Resolution and Mediation
3. Empowerment and Voice
4. Systemic Improvement
5. Trust and Confidence
6. Organizational Learning
7. Prevention of Legal Action
Hence, in conclusion, ombudsmen play a crucial role in promoting accountability and ensuring that individuals have a channel to voice their concerns or complaints when dealing with an organization or government entity.

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Dear M’sia, It’s Time To Stop The Art Stream Vs Science Stream Fight

Twitterjaya started talking about “art stream vs science stream” again the moment an interview footage of a local Korean language translator, Shah, went viral.
Shah may have flunked her SPM, but her determination in picking up the Korean language online scored her a career of her lifetime: becoming a Korean translator for big KPOP acts like Blackpink.
Armed with just her language skills and RM700 worth of savings, Shah took a leap of faith and flew over to Seoul, South Korea.
According to her interview with Astro Awani, Shah disclosed that she once became a victim of our society’s negative stigma towards art stream students.

She flunked her SPM, barely attending school due to migraine attacks since she was 10.
Through the Internet, she learned Korean and has since worked as a translator for groups like Blackpink.
Looking back, Shah wishes she had more support as an Arts stream student.
.@501Awani pic.twitter.com/vM9F4aYdOP
â€” Nailah Huda (@nylahuda) November 10, 2019

“For me, a society will only succeed if they recognise life skills and creativity the same way they do academic success. Even in school we have science stream and art stream,  but for some reason, being in the latter made me feel embarrassed.
No student should feel embarrassed about their talent. Just because you don’t excel in academics, it doesn’t mean you can’t excel in life.”
Shah, Korean language translator via Astro Awani
Remember back in school how our parents would pressure us to do well in PMR so we could join the science stream? The stigma back then was that if you end up in art stream, youâ€™re not the cream of the crop.
But have you ever wondered, is art stream really that pointless?
In fact, over the past couple of years, Malaysians have been soaring on the world stage with success in the art scene.
(Disclaimer: these may be special cases, but they’re proof that being in art major isn’t a guarantee that you won’t succeed in life.)
Take for instance our very own Crazy Rich Asian, YB Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng. She pursued choreography after a spinal injury from ballet and graduated with a BA degree in Creative Arts with a minor in Drama.

Michelle Yeoh attends the premiere of Netflix’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny” at AMC Universal City Walk on February 22, 2016 in Universal City, California. Photo credit: AFP via Malay Mail

She pursued acting and got her international break when she starred in one of the James Bond movies, Tomorrow Never Dies.
And then thereâ€™s Kuching-born James Wan, the director that defines the new era of horror movies with franchises like SAW, Insidious and The Conjuring. Before his debut, he went to RMIT University, Melbourne to pursue Bachelor of Arts in Media.

James Wan. Photo credit: Malay Mail

You can argue that these icons had to go abroad to pursue their dream, but if you think about it, the art scene in Malaysia is growing rapidly too. There are now various opportunities for stable art careers you can pursue.
In case you havenâ€™t heard, Sonyâ€™s first Southeast Asian game design studio is in Malaysia starting 2020!
This means more career opportunities for graphic designers, 3D modellers, game programmers, scriptwriters, audio engineers, voice actors – these are all art careers our parents wouldnâ€™t have approved!

 Burhanuddin Md Radzi and Ainon Ariff at Les’ Copaque Production office in Shah Alam. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

Meanwhile, the creators of Upin & Ipin from Lesâ€™ Copaque Production Sdn. Bhd. have proven that even our animation industry isnâ€™t too shabby! Thus far, they have been internationally recognized not just within the Malay Archipelago, but also as one of the Oscar 2020 nominations for Best Animated Film.
If parents are still worried about how competitive the art industry is, there are actually so many other production houses in Malaysia who are engaged by studios overseas for their animation work as well as established art schools like Lim Kok Wing University and KRU Academy.
In fact, according to our Minister of Education, Dr Maszlee Malik, there have already been conversations held amongst the ministry and their stakeholders about ending the separation of streams in the school curriculum.

Dr Maszlee Malik. Photo credit: Bernama

“The current global education trend is geared towards cross-streaming education because in 10 to 30 years, there will be many cross-streaming jobs.
We are going to allow students from the arts stream to take subjects under the science stream and we know there are science students who are good at arts but our present system does not allow that.
Cross-streaming is the way of the future; whether we want it or not, we must be prepared for it.”
Dr Maszlee Malik, Minister of Education via The Star
The good news is that the government did eventually follow through by abolishing arts/science stream for Form Four students in 2020.
Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Education Minister. Photo credit: Farhan Najib via Malay Mail

“This (the abolition of arts and science for Form 4 students) needs to be done according to the capabilities, availability, suitability (facilities/infrastructure), as well as considerations of each school.
We want schools to encourage students to choose a path or stream which they are keen on, so that they will excel in that subject.  Students can also pick up to five elective subjects and mix between the subjects in this new system.”
Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Education Minister via NST
It looks like the ministry is trying to level the playing field for all the students. We hope someday society will follow suit and end the negative stigma against art stream students too.

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Selangor Sultan: No Friday Prayers, Congregational Prayers & Sermons Until 31st May

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In the latest bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, the Selangor Sultan has decreed that there will be no Friday prayers, congregational prayers and sermons in mosques, suraus and musolla until 31st May 2020.
In a statement released by the Sultanâ€™s private secretary, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj also decreed that all mosques and surau activities throughout Selangor be suspended during this time.
The decision was made following a meeting with Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), Selangor Mufti Department and Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) on 13th April regarding the severity of Covid-19 in the state.
However, the statement also explained that this suspension might be shortened depending if the outbreak is controlled.

Titah DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj agar semua aktiviti di masjid dan surau seluruh Negeri Selangor ditangguh sehingga 31 Mei 2020. Pelanjutan ini dibuat untuk membendung penularan Covid-19. Menjunjung kasih Tuanku pic.twitter.com/IfvvNt5Hkm— Amirudin Shari (@AmirudinShari) April 13, 2020

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Police Investigate Hidden Camera Claims In Fitting Room Of Boutique At KL Mall

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A Twitter user revealed that there was a hidden camera in the fitting room of a shopping mall in Jalan Imbi.

The hidden camera managed to capture clips of shoppers trying on clothes and various stages of undress.
Netizens reminded each other to avoid going to the shop for the time being while the authorities are alerted.
The post, which has since been removed, garnered 3,080 retweets and 90 quote tweets before it was removed.
Dang Wangi police received a report lodged by the security manager of the outlet in the mall on 9 January 2023 around 4.38pm regarding the issue.
Dang Wangi OCPD Assistant Commissioner Noor Dellhan Yahaya said police have searched the outlet but could not find the camera.
The police believe the footage could have been recorded in another location, The Star reported.
The case has been classified under Section 509 of the Penal Code for intentionally insulting the modesty of any woman by word, through sound, gesture, or object.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Inspector Muhammad Fikri Abdul Manan at 013-414 9917, the City Police Hotline at 03-2115 9999, or head to any police station near you.

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Selangor Sultan: More Members Of Congregation Allowed To Join Prayer At Mosques And Surau

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Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has agreed to allow more worshippers to join daily and Friday prayers at mosques and surau in the state.
However, the number of worshippers in a given mosque or surau still depends on the capacity of the premises after observing 1.5m social distancing among the congregation.
According to Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad, this allowance includes the surau which has been given special permission to conduct Friday prayers.
TAHNIAH

SS TUAN HAJI MOHD SHAHZIHAN BIN AHMAD

Di atas perlantikan sebagai

PENGARAH JABATAN AGAMA ISLAM SELANGOR YANG BARU

ikhlas daripada:
Majlis Agama Islam Selangor
#menjunjungmanahPosted by Majlis Agama Islam Selangor on Saturday, 14 September 2019
Meanwhile, female members of the congregation are still disallowed from praying at mosques unless they do so at Masjid Diraja Tengku Ampuan Jemaah, Bukit Jelutong, and Masjid Diraja Raja Haji Fi Sabilillah, Cyberjaya.
Mohd Shahzihan said that Jais is forming a special committee to monitor standard operating procedures (SOP) are being complied to by worshippers in the mosques and surau.
Stern action will be taken for any non-compliance with the SOP, and JAIS will not hesitate to withdraw the permission in order to protect the safety and well-being of the congregation and image of Islam.Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad via Malay Mail
He added that at the moment, the congregation must get registered and wait for their turn to join Friday prayers in the mosques and surau. However, Jais is working on a more efficient system to ease the registration and feedback process on a congregate’s application for participation in Friday prayers.
Mohd Shahzihan also advised worshippers to perform their ablution at home, wear masks, and bring their own prayer mats when joining congregational prayers.

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