Grab Is Expensive Now? Yes, You’re Right. Here’s Why.

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Many people have noticed that Grab is getting more expensive now, whether it’s Grab rides or food delivery or any of ther other services. Now, this is actually something that even Grab themselves have acknowledged, so you’re totally right!

But why is the price increasing? We asked Grab for an explanation.
The Dynamic Pricing Model
Everyone should be rather familiar with Grab’s dynamic pricing model, which sees a price surge during high demand.
This is to ensure that the drivers are compensated fairly for their time and effort, whether that means driving through bad weather, traffic jams, or low-traffic areas to get to you.
The fares ‘surge’ basically encourages more drivers to head to where passengers are waiting, because then they get paid more.
The little red arrows indicate surge prices.(Credit: TRP)
In a statement, Transport Minister notes that the government allows e-hailing operators (EHOs) to set their own pricing models in accordance with the free market.
The Government does not regulate the base fare and the surcharge cannot be more than two times the base fare, taking peak rates and fuel prices into account. The EHOs are permitted to set their fare structures based on their own formulae and their terms of service with their consumers in a free market.Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong in a statement
But this current price increase we’re seeing isn’t because Grab changed their pricing model at all.
The “Constant” Surge
The “raised prices” we’ve seen recently is not because Grab made changes to the way they charge customers. Instead, it’s because right now there’s simply way more riders than drivers on the road.
The sharp increase in demand for rides, coupled with the few drivers on the road to accept those requests, led to a price surge for most people.
As of mid-May 2022, the number of Grab drivers is still less than 70% of their drivership pre-pandemic!
Many riders have experienced the higher surge fares plus longer wait times.(Credit: TRP)
But Why?
Grab says that there are a couple of reasons for the imbalance in demand:
Shifting to endemic phase and recent festive periods means increased activity for riders, but drivers who have become inactive during the pandemic over Covid concerns and lack of demand during that time did not fully return to driving for Grab.Strict Grab requirements for new drivers means a delay before drivers can start servicing riders. Because all new drivers are required to meet various regulatory requirements; such as 6 hours of training, exams at driving schools, vehicle inspection, purchasing insurance, and collating and submitting documents to various government agencies for processing; it takes them a while before they can actually hit the road to pick up riders.The traffic got way, way worse during after the lockdowns. Yeah, you’re not crazy: traffic congestion is worse than pre-pandemic, and it affects Grab drivers too. Because they are also caught in the jam, it means more time and fuel needed to serve each ride while also reducing the effectiveness and number or rides a driver can provide in the same amount of time.
It’s like we’ll never be rid of the traffic.(Credit: Sayuti Zainudin/Malay Mail)
So What Now?
Not to worry, it doesn’t mean that you’ll need to live with this high surge pricing forever. Grab Malaysia is already implementing steps to incentivise drivers to pick up more passengers or join as new drivers.
So far, they have:
Increased incentives for driver-partners to get back on the road during peak hoursSubsidised up to 100% of total driver-partner regulatory compliance costOffered referral bonuses up to RM300 to existing driver-partners to refer and help onboard new driver-partnersOffered a bonus of up to RM1,000 to any Malaysians who get onboarded as a driver-partner on their platformAssisted new driver-partners to navigate through various regulatory processes from medical checks, training, exams, vehicle inspection and licensing
No one likes being on the road during a traffic jam, even drivers!(Credit: Dan Gold/Unsplash)
In the meantime, riders can use some of these tips for more affordable Grab rides:
Plan their trip and book earlier than usual: Book your ride earlier and be ready when the driver arrives, especially if you have a flight to catch or need to get to an important meeting. Please do not cancel a ride if you manage to get one even though the waiting time may seem unusually long!You can also set an alert via the ‘Fare Alert Notification’ feature in their Grab app.  You will be notified if the fare drops within the next 15 minutes.

So not to worry, you can still rely on Grab for getting around! You just need to get ready earlier.

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Please Don’t Dump Your Pets: Just Wash Your Hands When Handling Them

https://www.facebook.com/DGHisham/photos/a.656071844416707/3187029617987571/?type=3&theater
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Recent news that a Malayan Tiger in New York being infected by Covid-19 has sparked a new wave of panic among pet-owners.
In response, Director-General of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah noted on his Facebook that pets are considered part of the family and we should keep good hygiene at all times.

The Ministry of Health is also following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guideline for dealing with animals during the pandemic. Which is to say they are suggesting us to just practice good hygiene.
There was no suggestion for people to maintain a distance from their pets, so please do not panic and abandon your pets out of fear of the virus!
While the coronavirus is indeed zoonotic, which means that it can transfer from animal to human and vice versa, there is no current evidence to suggest that this should be a cause for concern right now.
Most coronaviruses are commonly found in animals, and of the different kinds of coronaviruses, there are only 7 that can infect people.
Pets are very domesticated and often stay within the home compound already. Your pets most likely have been practicing #StayAtHome before you did. In fact, known cases of pets with Covid-19 caught it from their owners and handlers who were infected with the virus first, including the case of the Bronx Zoo’s Malayan Tiger Nadia.
Your pets are probably more compliant to the MCO than you are.(Credit: Unsplash)
Current global human Covid-19 infections are over a million, while known cases of pets with the coronavirus are less than ten.
If you really do worry about your pets, then have them practice social distancing and stay in the house with you instead. Practice good hygiene including cleaning and sanitizing the house. Wash your hands before and after handling your pets.
Please remember that pets are part of your family and should be treated as such!

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Traders Warn Of Fresh Food Supply Disruption In Shah Alam, Subang & Damansara After Wet Markets Closure

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After the closure of PJ Old Town wet market at Jalan Othman on 27th April, traders have warned that supply of fresh food in the district could be affected.
The Taman Megah wet market in Petaling Jaya was also ordered to close over the weekend.
Authorities shut down the two wet markets after a seafood trader from the old town market and a vegetable seller from the Taman Megah market each tested positive with Covid-19 over the weekend.
Taman Megah wet market in Petaling Jaya.(Credit: Ahmad Zamzahuri/Malay Mail)
The markets are expected to remain closed for 5 days while screening and sanitation works are carried out.
Malay Mail reports that traders are warning that this will most likely disrupt fresh produce supply in Shah Alam, Subang and Damansara areas.
A poultry trader told the news site that the PJ Old Town Market, also known as Pasar Besar Jalan Othman, serves these areas as a wholesale market. Those in Sungei Way and parts of Petaling are also dependent on this market for fresh produce.
Traders have been encouraged to sell their produce online as the uncertainty of Covid-19 affects their business.
Petaling District Disaster Management Committee urged anyone who visited the Jalan Othman market from 5th to 18th April and in contact with the seafood traders to get tested for Covid-19 at the Taman Medan or Kelana Jaya SS6 health clinics.

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Artist of iconic Penang murals regrets contributing to overtourism mayhem, calls it a circus

Penang is one of the must visit places for tourists who come to Malaysia. Even to local Malaysians, Penang is a favourite long-weekend getaway spot.
Is the damage caused by overtourism worth all the income generated by promoting our country as a travel destination?

Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, the same man who painted the famous Children on Bicycle mural on Armenian Street in Georgetown, Penang, doesnâ€™t believe itâ€™s worth it.
Picture credit: Aliran
In a recent post on Instagram, the artist voiced his dismay over the gentrification that is happening to the UNESCO World Heritage site.

 View this post on Instagram

 The fading kids on bike are still there, the people are still linning up for pictures, but today is not a regular day at Armenian Street. The steet has not been the same as it used to when I first moved there, quiet heritage street with few local residents offering antiques or 6RM haircut on a ground floor of their family home has been replace with souvenir shops, restaurants, and all kind of insta friendly quickly consumable concept stores to satisfy ever increasing traffic of holiday goers looking for ‘authentic penang experiance’. One of those had been torn to ground this morning, just weeks since its grand opening. Not exactly sure of reasons but local goss says they had no proper building permits for such a construction and did not cooperate with council to address that. As much as I feel for the business owners who put their money and effort to open this shop I can’t hide the joy of seeing council actually acting on its promises and enforcing the regulations that they established. It looks brutal but I don’t think there is a polite way of demolishing a building. This part of Georgetown is a unesco haritage, and it has been threatened with the removal from unesco list due to failure to protect its culture, architecture and the community. Myself and many others blame my work for Armenian Street being a center of tourist route in Penang and honestly I’ve been contemplating of simply painting over it in hopes to put an end to that circus. But I think the time where it would make any difference has passed. You can barely see the artwork anymore but people are still lining up there. And if not kids on bicycle people will line up for something else. End of the day art does not issue construction permits, sell entire row of heritage houses to foreign investors, give out business licenses, docking permits to cruise boats or opens new flight routes. It’s something to be strickly regulated especially in culturaly fragile places like Georgetown. We can only hope that what happen today will make business owners think twice before thay open another bubble tea shop or 3d art museum in this town. #penang #georgetown #gentrificationsucks
A post shared by  Ernest Zacharevic (@ernestzacharevic) on Jul 2, 2019 at 12:38am PDT

Ernest explained how the street was no longer what it was when he first came to Penang.
Once a quiet heritage street with local residents selling antiques or RM6 haircuts from the ground floor of their homes, he now likens the street to a circus – filled with people lining up to take pictures with his mural or shop at overpriced souvenir stores while looking for an â€˜authentic Penang experienceâ€™.
Picture credit: Malay Mail
He goes on to explain how Georgetown is under threat of being removed as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to the failure of preserving the rich culture, architecture and the community that was there.
Blaming his own mural for catalysing gentrification in the area, Ernest contemplates painting over it in hopes to put an end to the circus.
His followers on Instagram, both local Malaysians and foreigners, shared his woes.

Ernest’s Children on Bicycle mural was part of a collaboration between himself and the Georgetown Festival 2012, an annual art and culture event. Besides this mural, Ernest painted several others around Georgetown too.
Picture credit: ernestzacharevic.com
 Picture credit: ernestzacharevic.com
 Picture credit: ernestzacharevic.com
Do you agree that there are too many tourists in Penang?


What’s The Difference Between Perfume, Cologne, Eau De Toilette And Other Fragrances

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Since father’s day is right around the corner (19 June), you must be wondering; “What kinds of gifts should I buy my old man?”

READ MORE: 13 generic Father’s Day gifts Malaysian dads are SO sick of
Some of the popular choices would definitely be perfume, cologne, eau de toilette or even aftershave.
“What? Those are all different things?!”
Yes, apparently they are. What differentiates them are only the amount of essential oils and of course, prices.
To avoid spending a dime on the wrong products, let’s study a bit on what’s what and how long would they last. These are also good to note for women’s fragrances as well.
Types of Fragrances
Well, fragrances in a bottle are made with various ingredients. Generally, they are a mixture of perfume essence (essential oils, absolutes, animal extracts, synthetic fragrances) diluted with alcohol (ethyl alcohol).
For a detailed view of a perfume essence’s three main notes, visit here. They’ll tell you more about which notes are the top, middle and base that you’ll smell in a fragrance.
According to Real Mean Real Style, here are some of the categories for types of fragrances with their concentration levels.
(Credit: Dapper Confidential)
Parfum
Pure perfume, Parfum, Parfum Extract, Extrait de Parfum, or Elixir is the one with the largest concentration of perfume essence which is around 15% to 40%. This means that the smell will last longer with heavier notes compared to others.
It comes in smaller bottles, usually more expensive as it should be used in very low quantities. It could last around 6-8 hours and is a perfect choice to wear during night events.
Because it is quite concentrated and oilier, it could also come in stoppered bottles, instead of a spray as it’s not very volatile (meaning it has low alcohol concentration).
Eau De Parfum (EDP)
Eau De Parfum has between 15% to 20% perfume essence and usually lasts around 5-6 hours. Also called ‘perfume water’ in French, they are the most common fragrance category and many perfumes in the department store are from this variation.
(Credit: Freepik)
They are generally less expensive than pure perfume but can still pack a heavy punch on the notes. Spray some sparingly as the scent can be overpowering if sprayed too much in closed areas or under hot conditions. Some say that this is perfect for nightwear too.
Eau De Toilette (EDT)
Next, Eau De Toilette has between 5-15% of concentration that lasts around 4-5 hours. Even though it literally translates to ‘toilet water‘, no, it isn’t referring to THE toilet water we’re all thinking about. In French, it means getting ready, from the phrase ‘faire sa toilette’, which means something that you put on an everyday basis generously while you’re getting ready.
(Credit: Hugo Boss)
It can cost a little less or the same as an EDP and is suitable for work as well as everyday use. Basically, it is accepted as daytime wear and the above two categories are considered nighttime wear. But there’s no specific rule to this. You can wear this whenever you want. You do you.
Additionally, EDT is also sold in larger bottles than the original perfumes because it has an atomizer which sprays more liquid.
Eau De Cologne (EDC)
With only 2-4% of perfume essence, EDC or simply, Cologne, is generally cheaper than the others and can last for only 2-3 hours. Originated in Cologne (Köln), Germany, it became very popular during the 1700s, especially among the royals. In contemporary culture, it may seem that the word ‘cologne’ is only referred to as a type of perfume marketed to men only. But it actually just means fragrance with a lower concentration of perfume essence.
(Credit: Jo Malone / Sephora)
They’re bigger in bottles, evaporate faster because of the alcohol content, and are unsuitable for all-day lasting wear. But you can bring it along with you for a spritz on or freshen-up spray anywhere you go.
Eau Fraiche
Also similar to EDC, Eau Fraiche has a very low concentration of perfume essence which is only around 1-3%. Literally translates to ‘fresh water’ in french, it can only last a maximum of two hours.
(Credit: Versace / Sephora)
What makes it different from EDC is the amount of alcohol. It has the least amount of alcohol in it and is actually a water-based fragrance. And that’s why it’s the cheapest option among all and even suitable for sensitive skin. So yes, if you wanna smell amazing all day with this, you need to bring along the bottle with you anywhere you go.
Bonus – Aftershave
For a little extra info, an aftershave is also considered a fragrance because it smells nice! It has a perfume essence of around 1-3% and really is not meant for a long-lasting scent for men.
(Crredit: Chanel / Sephora)
As the name suggests, it is applied to the palms of the hands (at the pulse points as opposed to the other fragrances) and patted to the neck and cheeks of men right after they shave. After a man shaves, they are prone to have tiny cuts and exposed pores, hence, an aftershave is meant to disinfect (contains alcohol) and soothe (can contain aloe vera) the skin afterwards.
Generally, the more concentrated the fragrances are with perfume essence or aromatic oils, the longer they’ll last and the pricier it is.
However, do note that the prices vary across brands too. So there might be brands that cost cheaper and there might be ones that cost more. But the important thing is, make sure you pick the scent that you or the one you’re gifting like the most. You don’t wanna spend too much and have a smell you don’t like, right? After all, perfume is like a symphony of music to our noses, so choose wisely.
READ MORE: Don’t Sweat The Smell Stuff: 5 Ways To Keep Yourself Smelling Great While You Workout

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Media Prima Will Axe 300 Employees By End Of July

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Around 300 employees will be laid off in the latest retrenchment exercise by Media Prima, according to reports.
Their last day of employment will be on 31 July.
The media giant announced earlier this month that they will undergo a business transformation as they’re trying to adapt with changes within the media sector and the economy which has been made worse by Covid-19.
It involves operational changes at selected units to address cost inefficiencies arising from work duplication. The business transformation is aimed to land the group on a robust and sustainable business model for the medium and long term.Media Prima via Bernama
In March, the company axed 543 staff members which affected their newspaper companies – New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Harian Metro.
Their bureaus nationwide were cut down or merged as a result.
Even before the pandemic, Media Prima has been posting losses since the third quarter of 2016, with a few exceptions – the fourth quarter of 2016, and the second and fourth quarter of 2018.
In 2018, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Bhd – a subsidiary of Media Prima and also the operator for TV3 retrenched around 190 employees and offered Mutual Separation Schemes (MSS) to 43 others.

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[Updated] Rosmah Gets 10 Years In Jail And Fined RM970 Million, Plus 10 More Years If She Fails To Pay

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Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor has been found guilty of three counts of corruption connected to the RM1.25 billion Sarawak rural school’s solar energy project.

According to Free Malaysia Today, High Court Judge Mohamed Zaini Mazlan ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following the verdict, Judge Zaini sentenced Rosmah to 10 years in jail and fined RM970 million.
The High Court also ruled that Rosmah will have to serve another 10 years in prison for each charge should she fail to pay the fine.
[Terkini] Judge Zaini meted out the punishment.1. 10 tahun bagi setiap pertuduhan, tapi berjalan secara serentak.2. Denda RM970 juta untuk tiga pertuduhan.3. Gagal bayar denda, akan ditambah 10 tahun penjara bagi setiap pertuduhan.— Firdaus Azil (@FirdausAzil) September 1, 2022
However, she was granted a stay of execution pending her appeal at the Court of Appeal (CoA).
The wife of incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was charged with three corruption charges involving an RM1.25 billion hybrid solar project.
She was charged with soliciting RM187.5 million from former Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Saidi Abang Samsudin, through her former aide Datuk Rizal Mansor to help the company secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel generator sets for 369 Sarawak rural schools worth RM1.25 billion from the Education Ministry through direct negotiation.
She was also accused of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5 million from Saidi, through Rizal, on two separate occasions.
Rosmah was asked to enter defence by Judge Zaini on 18 February last year after the prosecution had managed to prove a prima facie case against her.
The charges were framed in accordance with Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.
However, she maintained that she was the victim of a conspiracy and that Rizal was the real culprit for using her name to solicit and accept bribes.
Rosmah had earlier today failed in her bid to recuse Judge Zaini from hearing or making a decision on the case on the grounds that the judgement of her case had been leaked and went viral over the internet on 26 August.
READ MORE: Rosmah’s Judgment Draft ALSO Leaked, Court Seeks Police Action

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Bumi Quotas In Strategic Business Locations In Line With Keluarga Malaysia, Says Ismail Sabri

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has proposed quotas for Bumiputera-owned businesses in strategic locations such as shopping malls to increase the community’s participation in the economy.

Ismail Sabri, who’s also the Chairman of the Bumiputera Prosperity Council (MKB) said the quotas will be managed transparently and fairly, and it’s in line with the aspirations of Keluarga Malaysia.
MKB consists of 17 Cabinet Ministers and Bumiputera leaders in business, education and economic sectors.
Here are some of the plans under the Bumiputera Development Action 2030 (TPB2030):
Large scale national projects and asset ownership
During the meeting, issues relating to Bumiputera involvement in large scale national projects such as 5G, Digital Bank, Government-Linked Companies (GLC) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLIC) procurement policies and issues relating to low Bumiputera equity were discussed.
According to The Malay Mail, the meeting also discussed the percentage of asset ownership by Bumiputera’s in areas such as housing ownership and commercial premises.
Businesses in strategic locations
According to Ismail Sabri, the number of Bumiputera businesses in prestigious malls and tourist hotspots is still low due to high rental fees and tough competition. Even establishments owned by GLCs struggle with the high rental rates.
To address this, the government intends to review the management of shopping centres owned by GLCs to be managed by local companies.
This is to ensure that local traders, especially Bumiputeras, can run their business there.
Government procurement
Bumiputera companies take 80% from the overall yearly contract cost across all government agencies.
Ismail Sabri said the government is committed to ensure GLCs and GLICs also support the involvement of Bumiputera companies in procurement.
He added that there are ample opportunities for Bumiputera-owned businesses to participate in 5G network development projects.
Bumiputera companies will benefit up to 60% of the estimated project cost for a period of 10 years. Once again, the procurement method will be managed transparently and fairly so that only Bumiputera companies that are eligible on merit will benefit from it.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Set up Bumiputera Agenda Empowerment Unit (UPAB)
UPAB will be set up in each Ministry and government agency to coordinate all Bumiputera initiatives, policies, and agendas.
Launch of Bumiputera Development Action 2030
The Bumiputera Development Action 2030 (TBP2030) is scheduled to take place on 6 December in Kuala Lumpur.
TPB2030 was developed based on the essence of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV2030) and supported by the 12th Malaysian Plan (12MP).
The functions and responsibilities of the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) will also be strengthened to ensure the Bumiputera agenda continues to be relevant and competitive in the current economic landscape.
Ismail Sabri proposed a similar plan before
Back in 2015, Ismail Sabri was the Rural and Regional Development Minister and he proposed a Malay-only digital mall which was eventually named Mara Digital.
The mall situated within the MARA building at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur started off quite well.
The government tried to open more malls in the other states but the underwhelming reception and low sales forced the malls to close down.
READ MORE: What Happened To Low Yat’s Contender, Mara Digital Mall?

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Club In Bangsar Responds To Claims Of Discrimination, Says It Doesn’t Have Unisex Toilet

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Segregation and discrimination are two things that most people don’t expect from the nightlife.

Over the weekend, Twitter user @umploops had the misfortune of not being allowed into a club.
To anyone who patronises Madras KL in Telawi, my friends and I got denied entry into the premises today because they ‘don’t allow transgender people in [their] premises’. Yeah. That happened after we reserved a table and were about to buy bottles. We were told to leave.@umploops via Twitter
The club later was said to have responded to @umploops tweets via their official Instagram but the post can no longer be found.
The complainant however shared a screenshot of the statement on the original Twitter thread.
Madras just posted this on their story and sent me this message. Their explanation: no unisex toilet in their premises and ‘past toilet sharing incidents’ have made them do this. Also put up a poll asking ‘ladies’ to vote on this. Where does one even begin.@umploops via Twitter
In the screenshot, the club allegedly said that this had been the practice since day one due to the absence of a unisex toilet at the establishment.
The decision to deny entry for a transgender person is purely made on the ground that we do not have a Unisex Toilet. We have faced past incidents on Toilet sharing that resulted in such a decision.Madras Club via Instagram
[UPDATE]Madras just posted this on their story and sent me this message. Their explanation: no unisex toilet in their premises and “past toilet sharing incidents” have made them do this. Also put up a poll asking “ladies” to vote on this. Where does one even begin… pic.twitter.com/I19TLMtQmA— deeps 🏳🌈 (@umploops) March 4, 2023
The poll and the statement by the club further fueled the anger of netizens, with many calling them out to be “transphobic since day one”.
Twitter user @IvanMarkDCruz said: “I’ve never been to Madras and will not be going either. It’s literally the bare minimum of just wanting to be respected and be given a safe space in return.”
While Twitter user @spicy_naan said: “Sorry that at this age, it’s still happening. Worried about sharing the toilet? Just make a unisex toilet, it’s not that difficult. Being courteous towards others irrespective of gender will bring good for people surrounding you and for yourself.”
Twitter user @ViggyStrdust described the whole ordeal as vile.
Yeah, that’s segregation isn’t it. It’s vile. Truly vile. I thought this was an Indian club. For Indian spaces to abuse other vulnerable groups is a whole other level of infuriating. Maybe we should let them know in the reviews.@ViggyStrdust via Twitter
If you’re a club goer, what are your opinions on this? Could the club have handled this better?

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This Filipino Lady Bakes Authentic Filipino Pastries That Are Soft, Fluffy, And Super Yummy

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Filipino native Micah Bulatao loves cooking and baking, and her Malaysian family and friends are more than happy to do the eating.

Her Malaysian husband brought her cooking to work to share with his colleagues and boss. They loved the food so much, they convinced Micah to open a small food business specializing in her native cuisine.
Thanks to the encouragement, she started La Comida in September 2020. La Comida is Spanish for ‘food’, and the simple name reflects her simple, authentic Filipino food offerings.
Since there are many home bakers in Malaysia and most of them sell ‘kuih’, I thought of making something different to share with Malaysians!Micah Bulatao to TRP
         View this post on Instagram            A post shared by La Comida by Micah B (@lacomida_my)
Soft, sweet, savoury breads
Filipino cuisine as a whole tend to draw together contrasting flavours, and the same extends to their pastries as well.
One of Micah’s bestsellers is the Filipino Cheese Streusel Bread. The soft fluffy bread is both sweet and savoury, made with butter and sugar and then topped with a mildy salty, crumbly cheese for a savoury kick.
Left: Spanish Bread, right: Cheese Bread. Micah’s top selling pastries are quite unlike common Malaysian breads.(Credit: Micah Bulatao/La Comida)
The recipe is authentically Pinoy, made just the way she remembers in the Philippines.
Being in quarantine, I had the time to try and do it myself. I wanted to make it taste as close to home as I could, so I worked hard to achieve the authenticity of a homemade Filipino bread I was looking for—soft, fluffy, and freshly made.Micah Bulatao to TRP
She also creates other more familiar desserts all made from scratch such as mini cheesecakes in various flavours like salted caramel, Oreo, blueberry, and lemon curd. Micah also keeps in mind that most Malaysians do not like desserts that are too sweet, and her desserts reflect that.
Left: Oreo mini cheesecakes and right: blueberry mini cheesecakes.(Credit: Micah Bulatao/La Comida)
A taste of the Philippines
Micah first began craving for Filipino pastries during the MCO, but she couldn’t find a bakery that was satisfactory. The taste of Malaysian pastries are very different compared to Filipino baked goods.
Left: ube Pan de Sal, yam-flavoured bread rolls and right: coffee banana pecan loaf bread.(Credit: Micah Bulatao/La Comida)
It was very much like when she first arrived in Malaysia in 2013 and was searching for Filipino comfort food: there were not much choices and eventually she simply cooked her own Filipino dishes with recipes she copied from her home.
Growing up, I usually stay in the kitchen and help my grandma with cooking- from there, I developed my love for cooking.Micah Bulatao to TRP
Now, she is offering an authentic taste of Filipino goodness to those in the Klang Valley, whether it is fluffy pastries, decadent desserts, or signature Filipino dishes such as chicken adobo.
         View this post on Instagram            A post shared by La Comida by Micah B (@lacomida_my)
My two personal faves are cheese bread and Spanish bread – these are the ones we usually have upon waking up from an afternoon nap when we were kids, partnered with cold black jelly pearl drink called sago’t gulaman.Micah Bulatao to TRP
She only operates her little kitchen on the weekends, so plan in advance for a weekend treat and indulge in a bit of tea-time siesta the Pinoy way. Find out more on the La Comida Instagram page here.

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AirAsia Agrees Inflight Social Distancing Not Necessary Due To Low Risk Of Infection

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AirAsia Bhd has announced that they are in agreement with the government’s decision to make social distancing on flights no longer mandatory.
Speaking to Bernama, the company’s chief executive officer, Riad Asmat quoted the International Airline Transport Association’s (IATA) statement that the risk of contracting Covid-19 while flying is very low.
Riat stressed that aeroplanes have features that lower the risk of infection, comparing the air quality inside an aircraft to that of a hospital operating room.
Planes have features that lower the risk of inflight infection such as High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that ensure the air inside planes is always clean, and the air quality is comparable to that in a hospital operating roomRiad Asmat via Bernama
So far, Malaysia has not recorded any Covid-19 clusters that arose from any infections on flights.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many airlines chose to keep middle seats empty in an effort to allow their customers to practice inflight social distancing. Credit: Star Tribune
Riad also stated that AirAsia welcomes the reopening of domestic travel and the RM1,000 income tax relief for expenses made within the domestic tourism industry until December 2021.
Holding strong to our mantra ‘Now Everyone Can Fly’, we wholeheartedly support the government’s launch of the Unlimited Pass to stimulate and revive Malaysia’s domestic tourism. Riad Asmat via Bernama
This comes after Malaysia reopens the domestic tourism industry following Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement of the recovery movement control order (RMCO) on 7 June 2020.
Under the RMCO, several standard operating procedures (SOP) that were put in place under the movement control order (MCO) has been relaxed, including allowing the public to travel from state to state across the country starting 10 June.

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Ismail Sabri: Work From Home Still Enforced In KL & Selangor CMCO Areas

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The government’s Work From Home (WFH) orders for employees in Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) areas are still in place, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

During his daily press conference on 9 December, Ismail Sabri explained employees in management and administration roles for all public and private sectors in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor CMCO areas are still required to WFH according to guidelines previously released by the International Trade & Industry Ministry (MITI) and the director-general of the civil service.
READ MORE: CMCO WFH: Who Can Go Office & Who Cannot
The Defence Minister further explained that this is because the states under CMCO are still considered red zones with a high number of Covid-19 cases.
When asked about WFH instructions for states that were recently put under CMCO on 7 December, he said that he has not been informed yet on the decision.
Ismail Sabri had previously said that the WFH directive will be reviewed and that the National Security Council (MKN) would discuss with MITI as well as the director-general of the civil service.

Economic activities in CMCO areas
Currently, MKN’s official CMCO SOP released on 7 December for economic and work activities are as follows:
Occupational activities
Movement in / out across CMCO and RMCO areas is ALLOWED.Movement into EMCO areas is NOT ALLOWED.Occupational activities based on Public Service Department Circular / Directive for civil servants and private sector employees.Vehicles carrying employees including private vehicles are ALLOWED to operate with SOP compliance.
Meetings
Face-to-face meetings for official business / work held at offices, hotels and other institutions are allowed in compliance with physical distancing, mandatory face mask and only 50% of the meeting room’s capacity.
Activities In CMCO Area
Business / economy / industry are ALLOWED to operate as prescribed by the Government.Supermarkets, Shopping Malls and Retail Stores are ALLOWED to operate according to the SOP from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight.Restaurants, shops / food stalls, food trucks, roadside hawkers, circulating hawkers, food court / hawker center, roadside stalls / kiosks, grocery stores and convenience stores are ALLOWED to operate according to the Food Sector SOP from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight.Restaurants and eateries are ALLOWED to operate on a dine-in basis (WITH 1 METER DISTANCING BETWEEN CUSTOMERS according to table size), take away, delivery or drive-through in compliance with the Food Sector SOP (Business Premises , Non-Premises Hawkers, Building Markets and Retail / Retail Food & Beverage). Operation hours are allowed from 6.00am to 12.00 midnight (subject to license terms).Daily market, wholesale market, farmers market, night market and Bazar Larut Malam (uptown, downtown and the like) operation hours are according to licence/permit until 12.00 midnight with SOP compliance and supervision by RELA / local government personnel.Pumping operation hours at petrol stations are from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight (except petrol station operations on the highway which are allowed to operate 24 hours).Laundromat operations are ALLOWED from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight.Operations of other businesses for daily needs are ALLOWED from 6.00 am to 12.00 midnight (subject to license terms).
Medical / Health Services
Government and private clinics and hospitals are ALLOWED to operate 24 hours or according to time set by the Government.Pharmacies and drug stores operate from 8.00 am to 12.00 midnight.
Economic Sector Activities and Industry
Economic and industrial sector activities in CMCO areas are carried out as prescribed by the Government with compliance to the prescribed SOP.All vehicles related to industry, business and manufacturing are ALLOWED to operate including across districts and states.
Fisheries, Plantation and Agriculture Sector Activities
Fisheries, plantation, agriculture, livestock and all related sectors of the food chain are ALLOWED to operate.
READ MORE: Official CMCO SOP For States In Peninsular Malaysia As Of 7 December (In English)

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Source:
Tourism SOP, WFH directive to be reviewed - Ismail Sabri


Stricter Measures For SOP Flouters, Including Factories, Construction Companies, Says Muhyiddin

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The government will impose stricter measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said that the government will focus on factories, construction sites and workplaces as they contribute the highest number of infections.
Based on the latest data, he said, the stats show that 59% of the Covid-19 infection cases come from these places.
As of 3 February, he said that 197 businesses have been issued warnings while 34 of them have been ordered to close down due to violating the SOPs.
Muhyiddin also said that government is looking at increasing fines for repeat offenders and the police has issued compounds to 82,141 individuals so far.
He said that the government is aware that if a total lockdown can lower the infection curve but it will devastate the economy, hence why they opt to not do a total lockdown.
Based on his announcement today, the government is looking at:
Immediate closure instructions for business premises that do not comply with the rules and SOPs set by the GovernmentLegal action against business owners, franchisees, franchise operators and other stakeholders in the business organization chainLegal action against the foreign labor management chain includes employers, supplier suppliers, key contractors, sub-contractors and individualsHigher compound action against repeat offenders or offenders who have been warnedImprisonment of offenders in violation of rules and SOPs; andDisciplinary action against Civil Servants who do not comply with the Rules and SOPs including to the Head of Department regarding the implementation of the Work From Home policy

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Iconic 84-Year-Old Penang Restaurant Closes Down Due To Pandemic Economy

https://www.facebook.com/seekongooi/posts/3278182908882003
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The iconic 84-year-old See Kong Ooi restaurant in George Town, Penang is calling it quits after weeks of battered business due to the pandemic-ridden economy.
Penang Foodie writes that the immensely popular chu char (cook and fry) restaurant serving Hokkien and Hainanese home-cooked dishes is ceasing its operations for good.
Peter Tan, the third-generation owner of See Kong Ooi told The Star that the restaurant has not been able to fend off the effects of the movement control order (MCO) on its business, which has been closed since the MCO.
84 years in business
Credit: See Kong Ooi/Facebook
See Kong Ooi has been a household name for decades, first opening as a small coffee shop business in 1936 by Tan Kong Chye and his wife who sold drinks and toasted bread to customers of hotels along Transfer Road.
Tan, who moved to the island from the Fujian province in China decided to name his humble business See Kong Ooi after a lake on the Western part of China.
Even during the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the restaurant managed to stay afloat as the Japanese customers were fond of their dishes as well. Faded Japanese characters can also be seen on the restaurant’s signboard.
Faded Japanese characters can be seen at the top part of See Kong Ooi’s signboard.(Credit: See Kong Ooi/Facebook)
In the 1960s, the restaurant began welcoming more patrons as the area grew into a burgeoning red-light district. As more customers poured in, they began requesting for the porridge Tan and his wife used to eat in the shop.
At the behest of customers, they started cooking hot meals in the 70s and became one of the first few restaurants to offer home cooked meals according to customers’ demands.
The restaurant’s menu grew along with its popularity and it became a staple for family meals during lunch. In the recent years, See Kong Ooi was well known for its assam curry prawn or fish, steamed pork with shredded salted fish and kangkung sambal belacan.
The asam stingray curry is a popular dish at the restaurant as well.(Credit: Malay Mail)
Troubling times
Peter Tan, who took over the restaurant after his father died in 2008 that troubles had begun since the latter’s passing in a 2016 interview with Malay Mail.
After my father died, things went downhill… his friends who were our regulars stopped coming, we were struggling to get by and this was compounded by the road works in front of our restaurant in 2009.Peter Tan, third generation See Kong Ooi owner.
Peter Tan, third generation See Kong Ooi owner.(Credit: Malay Mail)
The restaurant faced  another obstacle in 2012 when its landlord wanted to sell the premises, a double-storey pre-war building.
Peter told the English daily that the exorbitant prices of property in George Town as well as the high rentals within the Heritage Zone meant that there was nowhere for the restaurant to move to.
Yet, the restaurant managed to hold on – that is, until the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Taking to Facebook to share the sombre news, See Kong Ooi wrote that after facing many trials and tribulations coupled with the pandemic, all good things will come to an end.
Unfortunately, the business that we guarded & inherited for 3 generations has to now enter the pages of history.  Thank you for the support throughout these years. Rest assured that we will return, albeit in another form.See Kong Ooi/Facebook.

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Source:
See Kong Ooi, Renowned 84-Year-Old Chu Char Restaurant In Penang Is Closing Down
See Kong Ooi: Serving up comforting home-style dishes for nearly 80 years
Covid-19 claims 84-year-old restaurant in Penang
See Kong Ooi Restaurant


Tajuddin Not Part Of The New 24 Ambassadors To Be Appointed By Malaysian Govt, Foreign Minister Confirms

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Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah today confirmed that all 24 candidates that will be appointed as Malaysian ambassadors overseas are all diplomatic officers and not a single politician has made the list.

This, according to Saifuddin, includes the position of Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia which was previously linked to maverick politician, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
“The candidates for the new high commissioner and ambassador including (to) Indonesia are all our own diplomatic officers,” Saifuddin was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
Saifuddin said that the list containing 24 candidates has been handed to Public Services Commission (SPA) for the final screening process by Wisma Putra.
“Following that, their names will be sent to the country involved for final consideration and after they pass, then only they will receive the letter of appointment,” he said.
The Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia’s post became vacant following the retirement of Datuk Zainal Abidin Bakar in April last year.
Tajuddin, who is also the Pasir Salak MP, was first linked to the position in 2021.
However, Free Malaysia Today reported that Tajuddin’s appointment had been revoked following several delays.

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IGP Says Not His People Who Contacted Youth-Led Parlimen Digital

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Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador denies that the police have contacted representatives of the youth-led Parlimen Digital in any official capacity.
What you need to know: Parlimen Digital was held online on the 4th and 5th July and was open to Malaysian youths between 15 to 35 years old. The platform was meant to be a place for youths to debate pressing issues affecting them. Several representatives of Parlimen Digital claimed to have been contacted by the police after the virtual Parliament sitting ended on 4 July. The representatives were asked for personal details of the participants through various social media platforms such as Instagram.
Who said what: Hamid Bador states that news of the alleged contact is news to him as no one on his side has reached out to the participants. Instead, he urges the representatives to come forward and aid in the investigation of this matter. He also said that no criminal offence was committed during the event, saying that he respects the freedom of expression as long as they make statements responsibly and be mindful of the law.
Read more:Malaysian Youth Organise First-Ever Digital Parliament To Prove It Can Be Done [TRP]Parlimen Digital representatives contacted by police, says organisers [Malay Mail]IGP claims unaware police contacted Parlimen Digital participants, says no offence committed [Malay Mail]

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“They Hate My Face” Home Minister Said Over Sosma’s Rejection

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Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin expressed his disappointment towards pro-government parliamentarians who were not present in Dewan Rakyat for the bloc vote to extend the enforcement of the sub-section 4(5) of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Hamzah claims that several MPs even exited the Dewan Rakyat just before the voting session, which saw the government motion was rejected as 86 MPs voted against the extension while only 84 MPs voted in favour.
50 MPs were not present for the voting.
“I was not very happy because some of them were already in the Dewan Rakyat, I can name those who just walked out during the bloc vote. That’s not fair,” the Larut MP was quoted as saying by The Vibes.
When asked why the pro-government MPs left Dewan Rakyat before the bloc vote took place, Hamzah sarcastically said “Because they do not like my face.”
Last Wednesday, Hamzah tabled a motion in Dewan Rakyat to seek an extension to the enforcement of subsection 4(5) of Sosma for another five years after July 31 this year.
Read More: “Malaysia Will Be Dominated By Criminals And Terrorists If We Don’t Enforce Sosma” Says Home Minister On 28-Day Detention Period
Subsection 4(5) of Sosma, which allows for a 28-day maximum detention period without trial, must be reviewed and agreed upon by both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara every five years.
Hamzah also accused Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs of over-politicking and pledged to re-table the motion again in Parliament.
“The question is of regaining the agreement from Parliament and continuing to push for its renewal in July.
“I will utilise all avenues available, and God willing, make sure that Sosma will continue to be enforced after July,” he said.

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Singapore Sees Spike In Covid-19 Infections

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Covid-19 infections in Singapore jumped to close to 14,000 cases as more than 900 patients were detected over the weekend.
Singaporeâ€™s Ministry of Health reported that the majority of the cases were identified among foreign labor with work permits in the country.
The ministry explains that over 70% of the new cases were linked to known infection clusters in the small island nation, while the rest are still being traced.
Reportedly the country has more than 230,000 foreign and migrant workers housed in “dormitories” across the island that the government worries will become a serious problem if left unchecked.
Singapore’s migrant camps.(Credit: The Star)
Singapore promised that its migrant workforce would not be left in the dirt and would be given the necessary care akin to Singaporean citizens.Â Â
Singapore has been going hard in its efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic.
Taking rather similar approaches to Malaysiaâ€™s nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO), the country had instituted its own lockdowns and border shutdowns since April, which has now been extended to June.
Earlier this month, Singapore overtook Malaysia as the country most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in the Southeast Asian region, second only by Indonesia with its over 8,000 confirmed cases.
Globally, Covid-19 has infected close to 3 million people and killed over 200,000 individuals.

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Perak BN Ready To ‘Recapture’ The Silver State

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Barisan Nasional (BN) are not deterred by Pakatan Harapan (PH) campaigns to make Perak part of the coalition’s “corridor” post 15th general election (GE15).

According to caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, BN has also identified Perak as a “frontline state” in preparation for the upcoming election.
“Not a problem for BN because we have also been making Perak our ‘frontline state’…it’s not an issue for PH to make Perak its target.
“God willing, we are confident that we can win Perak this time around,” the Perak BN’s state chief was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.
Saarani said that BN has been making preparations since losing Perak and the federal governments to PH in GE14, stating that the coalition is now ready to face the poll.
Last Friday, Perak DAP chairman Ngar Kor Ming said that PH will make Perak the frontline state in facing GE15 in order to form “PH Corridor” in Peninsula Malaysia.
“The PH presidential council has already set Perak as the frontline state for the upcoming election.
“We have won Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan, and are short of one – Perak.
“If we win Perak in GE15, all the states from the north to south will become a ‘Harapan corridor’. And from there on, we can expand to Johor and Pahang,” Nga was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
Perak state legislative assembly was dissolved today after Perak Sultan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, gave his consent.
This makes it three out of three BN’s controlled state that has dissolved their legislative assembly to pave way for a simultaneous election together with the Parliament.
Perlis was the first state to dissolve its legislative assembly followed by Pahang.
PH which ruled Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, and PAS who formed the government in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, however, are adamant that they will not dissolve the state legislative assembly together with the Parliament.
Meanwhile, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak have already held their state polls between 2020 and 2022.
Perak offers 59 state seats, 25 of which are currently being held by BN, 23 by PH, six by Perikatan Nasional (PN) and one by an independent assemblyman.
Although PH won the state twice in 2008 and 2018, the coalition was forced out of the state administration following defection from its assemblymen.
It is also worth noting that Perak has yet to table and pass the Anti-Hopping Law in the legislative assembly.

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Last Victim Of Batang Kali Landslide Found, A Recap Of The 16 Dec Tragedy

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The body of the last victim, Eng Shao Qi, was found in a sleeping bag at 4.53pm in Sector A of the Batang Kali landslide on 24 December 2022.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Wan Md Razali Wan Md Ismail said the team finally found the body after spotting fluid flowing at a bank of earth.
NST reported that one of the rescue personnel initially suspected it was body fluid but found the victim in the sleeping bag upon digging.
The sleeping bag was found in a 1.5m depth of the four-metre bank with the male body still in perfect condition but starting to decompose.

Shao Qi, a Year 5 student of SJKC Mun Choong, was the son of the school’s canteen operator. His father, Gary Eng, and his sister also died in the landslide.
Wan Md Razali said out of 31 victims, 20 bodies were found in Sector A, one in Sector B, and 10 bodies in Sector C.
Hulu Selangor police chief Superintendent Suffian Abdullah said the search and rescue (SAR) operation will now continue for flushing and investigation at the site.
A total of 92 victims were caught in the 16 December landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite and only 61 survived.

What happened on 16 December?
On 15 December, 92 people which also included teachers and staff of SJKC Mun Choong and their families camped at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali, Gohtong Jaya.
The deadly landslide struck the campsite around 2.30am on 16 December. Upon receiving the distress call at 2.42am, Bernama reported that the search and rescue teams (SAR) reached the scene at 3.04am.
According to Free Malaysia Today, first responders said the chaotic situation saw survivors signalling to rescuers with torchlights.
The landslide site at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali. Image: TRP File
While the search for the victims went on, there were controversies regarding the campsite’s operating licence or permit.
Local government development minister Nga Kor Ming alleged that the campsite operated without a licence.
At the same time, the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) said although there was no specific license for campsites, it was the business operator’s responsibility to file an application with the local council and ensure their business is in line with approved plans.
The operator of Father’s Organic Farm, Frankie Tan, claimed that various government bodies told him it wasn’t necessary to apply for a permit because campsites aren’t permanent structures and that there was no such licence to apply for.
Tan added that the landslide didn’t occur within their campsite but they will still take responsibility and help the victims and their families in any way they could.
READ MORE: Father’s Organic Farm Operator Takes Responsibility Although Landslide Didn’t Occur On Their Land
On 24 December, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) released the names of the 30 victims who perished in the landslide.
The final victim, Shao Qi, was found on Christmas Eve later in the day.
READ MORE: Names Of Batang Kali Landslide Victims Released, Search Continues For Sole Victim
READ MORE: Rescuers Focus On Sector A In Batang Kali Campsite As They Search For 11-Year-Old Eng Shao Qi
The SAR teams comprised groups from the Fire and Rescue Department, the armed forces, the Civil Defence Force, Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance, Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart), and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem).
The SAR efforts were assisted by 10 dogs from the tracker dog unit (K9) and nine excavators.
READ MORE: [Watch] Tracker Dogs Put Their Energy And Intelligence Into Honourable Work In Batang Kali

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Alarm Over Prevalence Of Underage Vaping, Vaping-Related Illnesses In Malaysia

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The Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM) has renewed its call to regulate the country’s vape industry.
The message came after recent Electronic Vape Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) cases and concerns about underage vaping.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported 38 cases of vaping-related illnesses in Malaysia since 2022, with 18 cases linked to EVALI.
VCAM said it opposes any form of underage vaping and believes that proper regulation can help prevent it.
However, the association also believes banning vape flavours can push people to pick up smoking because they no longer have their preferred flavours to replace smoking.
It cited a study in Canada that found 29% of vapers to be at risk of switching back to cigarettes, and retailers have seen a sharp increase in cigarette sales since the pandemic began due to the ban on flavoured vape products.

VCAM is deeply concerned about the prevalence of underage vaping and vaping-related illnesses in Malaysia. The association is urging the government to act and regulate the vape industry to protect consumers and the youth of Malaysia.
VCAM on proper regulation to help ensure the safety of vape products and curb the prevalence of EVALI in Malaysia while preventing underage vaping.

Prevention Of EVALI
EVALI is a severe inflammatory lung illness that can cause hospitalization, primarily affecting breathing and causing abdominal discomfort, fever, and chills.
The exact cause of EVALI is still unknown, but it can result from wrongful use and abuse of e-cigarettes.
Studies have linked vitamin E acetate, a chemical added to e-cigarettes and vaping products to make the vapour thicker and more flavorful, to EVALI.
Vitamin E acetate is unsafe to inhale and can form harmful byproducts that damage the lungs when heated.
The US experienced an outbreak of EVALI in 2019 due to a lack of regulations that allowed for the proliferation of e-cigarettes containing harmful ingredients.
The EU has been a leader in regulating e-cigarettes since adopting the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in 2014.
TPD regulates several aspects of e-cigarettes and has helped prevent EVALI outbreaks in the region.

READ MORE: Experts Call For Sensible Vape Regulation In Media Workshop
READ MORE: Vape Consumer Association Push For Regulation Instead Of Endgame Ban

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Regulate Vaping E-Liquids To Protect Consumers & Prevent Misuse

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Vapes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are widely accepted as a less harmful alternative to traditional tobacco products like cigarettes.

They are also considered a means to an end for hardcore smokers to deal with their addiction and eventually quit lighting up for good.
These products use what’s known as “e-liquid” containing nicotine, flavouring and other substances that are believed to be less harmful as it doesn’t produce smoke like smoking cigarettes.
(Credit: Ahmad Zamzahuri via Malay Mail)
But these products can be misused by people who are looking to get a different kind of fix.
Malaysian law enforcement and anti-narcotics agencies have uncovered multiple incidents where illegal street drugs like CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are being pushed and consumed in e-liquid form.
These drug-containing e-liquids are said to be priced between RM100 to upwards of RM300 a bottle, and can even be bought and sold openly on online platforms.
The police and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) are keeping a close watch on vaping, especially among youths, to curb such cases from becoming a serious problem in Malaysia.
Do not equate vaping with drug use
(Credit: Antonin FELS via Unsplash)
“The endgame is for society to lead a healthier lifestyle”, said Malaysian Harm Awareness Association (HAA) Program Director and President of the Malaysian Organization of Vape Entities (MOVE) Samsul Kamal Ariffin.
He explained that it’s completely unfair to affiliate vaping with illegal drug use as the product’s original purpose is to help smokers move away from their bad habits.
It’s been scientifically proven again and again that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking by none other than PHE (Public Health England). Vapers are a group of people who want to quit smoking and are opting for a healthier lifestyleSamsul Kamal Ariffin
Samsul lamented that although there are cases of vaping e-liquids being mixed with drugs, he stressed that those who do so are drug users and should not be equated as vapers.
He considers the use of banned substances and drugs with vaping as an isolated case and does not represent Malaysia’s vaping community as a whole. He also suspects that drug users are choosing to vape drug-containing e-liquids simply to avoid being detected.
They are using drugs with vape devices so when they walk around in public and no one knows what they’re doing.Samsul Kamal Ariffin
Samsul further elaborated that there is a serious danger when it comes to consuming illegal drugs via vaping.
Of course using illegal drugs is already wrong, but on top of that, the intake method of vaping drugs can cause serious health repercussions and even death.Samsul Kamal Ariffin
Regulation is a win-win for all
(Credit: Flickr/Escape Travel)
Samsul stressed that regulations and enforcement on vaping products is the best way to prevent misuse and assure the health and safety of consumers.
We do not encourage and disagree that non-smokers should be vaping and are fully against underaged children vaping, let alone people who misuse it with drugs.Samsul Kamal Ariffin
He explained that having proper laws and regulations would not only benefit consumers but society as a whole.
We want the products that are in the market to be tested, approved and safe for use and only regulation can ensure that. That is a win for consumers. As Malaysia’s vape market is among the largest in the world, the government can also enjoy the tax collection from these products, making it beneficial for the economy. So everyone wins.Samsul Kamal Ariffin
Providing a framework on how vaping regulation can work here in Malaysia, Samsul said that the government must play a major role in;
Testing, approving and installing quality control standards for vape products.Provide proper labelling and information on vaping products for consumption.Enforce rules for vaping products and penalise entities that sell products that do not meet standards.
He noted that Malaysia’s vape industry and products are already recognised and sought after by consumers globally, and among the challenges that we have here is the enforcement of regulations once it comes in place.

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Why Aren’t You Proud To Be A Malaysian?

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In recent years we’ve seen a lot of disdainful comments about the country and its administration.

Despite our shortcomings, this country is still a melting pot success story, a land of bountiful blessings.
How on earth did we get here as a nation? Are we still on track to achieve great things as one big Malaysian family?
The love and appreciation for our country were recently highlighted on social media by a netizen, Richard Ker.
Ker, Chief Marketing Officer of drone company Aerodyne Malaysia, pointed out how good Malaysia has it.
He highlighted the many areas in which Malaysia is among the best globally.

What Is The Best Thing About Malaysia?
What makes Malaysia so fascinating is its diversity.
You can explore thriving, modern cities with some of the world’s tallest buildings, explore colonial architecture, relax on some of the most beautiful beaches, and hike through lush green jungles in the same country.
One of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests and the largest national park in Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara boasts endless nature and ecotourism experiences for anyone who loves green and the outdoors.
In netizens’ opinion, this country should be a top priority on anyone’s globetrotting adventure.
Tropical rainforests encompass between 59% to 70% of Malaysia’s total land area, of which 11.6% is pristine. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Malaysia Is A Food Heaven
Food is also one of the most engaging and enjoyable experiences in Malaysia.
Malaysian cuisine combines Malay, Chinese and Indian ingredients and recipes for the vibrant and delicious food.
Tourists can sample some tasty food that is best served in this country, such as nasi lemak, char kuey teow, rojak, cendol, apam balik and asam laksa.
Malaysia has some of the best street foods you can find. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
An Abundance Of Natural Resources
Malaysia is rich in mineral resources, and mining (including petroleum extraction) accounts for a significant portion of GDP.
The country is a major producer of rubber and palm oil and is one of the world’s largest sources of commercial hardwoods.
Malaysia is also strategically situated with easy accessibility to other countries and has a robust infrastructure, connectivity and economic stability.
Which industry is thriving during this Pandemic?#COVID19 #pandemic #Businessman #Malaysia #Billionaire #glove #industry #TopGloveCorp #HartalegaHoldingsBhd #UnitedStates #NewZealand #staff #trading pic.twitter.com/l00HzdVDVV— SPOTL!GHT News Malaysia (@spotlightnewsmy) August 22, 2020
As an upper-middle-income country, Malaysia contributes to the development of low and middle-income countries.
In terms of modernisation, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has been identified as the key growth sector in the country.
In 1998, when Malaysia first hosted APEC and I was the 4th Prime Minister then, we chose Cyberjaya for the Leaders’ Meeting as we wanted to showcase Malaysia’s Multimedia Super Corridor, our very own hub for the future development of the ICT, multimedia products and services. pic.twitter.com/HS8i6m2pfx— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) December 4, 2019
Leader In Halal And Islamic Finance
Malaysia continues to lead the Global Islamic Economic Indicator (GIEI) for the seventh year.
Thanks to a robust halal economic ecosystem, the country enjoys a substantial lead in the Islamic finance and halal food sectors.
The Malaysian government has also implemented Halal Industry Master Plan (2008-2020).
The plan is a blueprint for establishing the country as the global leader in innovation, production and trade within several halal‑related sectors.

According to a report, outside of Silicon Valley/San Francisco, industry insiders ranked Kuala Lumpur the 9th top city in the Asia-Pacific region, seen as a leading technology innovation hub over the next four years.
Malaysian individuals and companies have produced advancements in medicine, technology, and every other conceivable discipline that has improved the lives of humans everywhere.
READ MORE: How A Perak Lass Became A Major Shareholder In One Of US’s Largest Electronic Factory
READ MORE: Chinese Malaysian From Johor Is NASA’s Deputy Chief Technologist

Aiding People In Other Countries
Malaysia has been blessed with great riches, and no nation has given more generously of itself.
At a high cost, in both time and money, Malaysians have repeatedly fought to preserve and extend freedom in other parts of the globe.
READ MORE: Muslim Nations Must Stop Staying Silent Over China’s Abuse Of The Uyghurs
READ MORE: Malaysian NGOs Launch Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Condemn Israel’s Attack On The Al-Aqsa Mosque
We will always support Palestine – PM Mahathir @chedetofficial pic.twitter.com/PGFvNvKlqp— BERNAMA (@bernamadotcom) February 8, 2020
Love Will Keep Our Remarkable Country Together
There is nothing new in all of the above.
And yet, since many Malaysians don’t know or remember these facts, we need to make an effort to celebrate and teach them consciously.
The Malaysian flag remains a powerful symbol of freedom, peace and prosperity for protestors in the Middle East, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Hong Kong and countless other countries.
The people there dream of someday experiencing what we are so fortunate to be able to take for granted.
As we strive to make Malaysia a better place, it is ok, and even necessary, to appreciate what we already have.
A cartoon by Malaysia’s favourite cartoonist, Datuk Mohammad Nor Mohammad Khalid, popularly known as Lat.

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Mâ€™sian man loses RM9,000 ringgit from a scam; couldnâ€™t get bank to block credit card in time

We hear of people falling victim to scammers pretty often. When reading these stories, we think: how could someone be so gullible to believe the lies of a scammer?â€
Well, the thing about scammers is they know exactly how to make you feel secure and comfortable enough that you divulge sensitive information to them.
Otherwise, they wouldnâ€™t be called scammers now, would they?
Its A Trap GIF from Starwars GIFs

Facebook user Jin Wai Choo had the unfortunate luck of becoming a victim to one very smooth scammer who obviously came prepared.
Jin had noticed an advert on Malaysian-based online shopping platform Mudah, for a Huawei P30 Pro that was being offered at a price marginally lower than the market price.
The advert had been posted by a â€œFelix Tanâ€, knowing that the price was a steal, Jin contacted â€œFelixâ€ for a COD deal.

Picture credit: Imgflip

The two planned to meet for the COD at Starbucks in Solaris at 2pm on Sept 24, on the day of the deal, Jin did not suspect anything amiss.
Upon arriving at Starbucks, Jin meets â€œFelixâ€, a Chinese man in his late 20â€™s, early 30â€™s carrying a blue bag containing a sealed iPhoneXS. According to â€œFelixâ€, the iPhoneXS was for another â€œcustomerâ€.

Picture credit: PropSocial

RED FLAG NO.1
â€œFelixâ€ tells Jin that he needs to â€œgo upâ€ to get the Huawei phone. He also says that he would need to process the payment using the credit card terminal in his office.
Initially, Jin refused, insisting that he would follow him and they would do the transaction together on the spot.
â€œFelixâ€ rejects the suggestion saying that his â€œbossâ€ wouldnâ€™t allow him to bring â€œoutsidersâ€ into the office as he is purchasing the phone for Jin at a â€œstaffâ€™s discountâ€.
Frye Stare GIF from Frye GIFs

RED FLAG NO.2
â€œFelixâ€ instead reassures Jin and offers to leave the sealed iPhoneXS and â€œhis ownâ€ credit card as he passes Jin a credit card with the name â€œFelix Tanâ€ printed upon it.
RED FLAG NO.3
Jin then passes â€œFelixâ€ his credit card at 2.10pm.
While â€˜processingâ€™ the payment, â€œFelixâ€ tells Jin he had swiped the card and asked if Jin received an OTP code – a code he didnâ€™t receive.
Stevecarrell The Office GIF from Stevecarrell GIFs

â€œFelixâ€ follows up the question with a phone call asking Jin if he would just pass â€œFelixâ€ his pin to settle the payment as soon as possible.
At this point in the story, Jin admits that giving â€œFelixâ€ his pin was definitely a mistake on his part.
However, considering Jin was holding the iPhoneXS AND â€œFelixâ€™sâ€ credit card, he felt secure enough to trust this person.
Mark Zuckerberg And Im Sorry GIF from Markzuckerberg GIFs

At 2.14pm, Jin receives a notification from CIMB that RM1,500 was withdrawn from his credit card at a CIMB ATM.
It then dawns on Jin that the transaction should not be a â€˜withdrawalâ€™, and it should definitely not take place via a CIMB ATM.
IMMEDIATELY, Jin dials the CIMB Hotline to block his card. The time is 2.15pm.
The rest of the story is told best in Jinâ€™s own words:

â€œAlas, the hotline rang for a good 5 seconds before you hear the â€˜Thank you for calling CIMB, for English press 1â€™.
Following that, youâ€™re forced to listen to a LONG NOTICE on CIMBâ€™s latest bank charged (A good 1 minute which felt like 10 minutes).
At this point whilst still on the call, 2:16pm, RM1,500 withdrawn. 2:17pm, RM1,500 withdrawn.
Iâ€™m sweating bricks. Next you hear, for credit card opening or activation press 1, for banking etc press 2, AND FINALLY, for reporting on lost or stolen card PRESS 3, this was at 2:18pm.
At 2:19pm and 2:20pm 2 more transactions have gone through for RM1,500 each.
Took a good 10 seconds when a customer representative answered the phone, gave her my details and told her to block my card immediately.
As usual, they need to VERIFY YOU even when youâ€™re panicking as s**t!
Guess what, there goes another withdrawal at 2:21pm for RM1,500.
In total, 6 transactions were made in that short span of time (5-6 minutes).â€

Jin Wai Choo via Facebook
Scam Titus Andromedon GIF from Scam GIFs

After posting the incident on Facebook, Jin was contacted by a previous victim of the same scammer.
In fact, the scammer has supposedly been caught previously due to his dubious ways and had served a jail sentence before being released.
Taking into account the scammer’s modus operandi, Jin also predicts that “Felix Tan” is possibly the scammerâ€™s previous victim.
BTW, judging by one of the pictures shared by Jin in his post, the “sealed iPhoneXS” turned out to be a box filled with nails and screws.
Jin is appalled at how long it took his bank to respond to emergency situations such as his and believes that if he was able to block his card sooner, it would have saved him a whole lot of money.
TRP has since contacted CIMB for a comment on this issue and are still awaiting a reply.
In the meantime, we urge our readers to stay vigilant and be careful of scammers!
You can read Jin’s full Facebook post below:


#CucukMYAZ Trends As 1st Klang Valley Residents Gets AstraZeneca Vaccine

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It appears that the folks in Klang Valley are excited to receive their Covid-19 AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines today (5 May).

Thousands of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur residents who volunteered to be inoculated early were spotted lining up for their first dose of vaccine injections at special vaccination centres (PPV) at the Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), University Malaya (UM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
Thrilled by the experience, many began sharing their first-hand accounts of the vaccination process at their respective PPVs and how smooth things had gone for them.
Social media became filled with images and videos of people anxiously waiting to be vaccinated as well as their happy faces after being jabbed under the hashtag #CucukMYAZ.
My experience getting vaccinated and what you can do:ARRIVAL1. Arrived at the PPV and was given two copies of the consent form. It’s double sided with one side English and the other in Malay. (a #CucukMYAZ thread) pic.twitter.com/ou1EAo9IvV— SHARMINE ISHAK (SAM） (@sharmineishak) May 5, 2021
Many also share tips for other volunteers to follow like; remembering to bring your I.C and vaccination appointment letter, get to the appointment on time and follow the instructions that are provided by healthcare personnel.
There were also thoughtful individuals who suggested for people to wear loose and comfortable clothes to make the whole procedure easier.
Oh, and tip for my fellow muslimahs: Either pakai baju with loose sleeves, or do what I did and pakai cardigan over baju sleeveless. When it’s time to cucuk, just pull the cardigan down a bit. Done!— Hanna Alkaf (@yesitshanna) May 5, 2021
Some also shared how painless it was to receive their injections and only felt minor discomfort.
1530 hours (5 hours in) : Left arm feels a bit sore although it feels better a bit after some rest. Otherwise, I am feeling alright. Have not consumed any analgesics like Paracetamol until now and just had my usual lunch/diet #CucukMYAZ— sakthitech (@MohandasSakthi) May 5, 2021
Netizens also revealed that once vaccinated, volunteers would receive a card indicating the date for their second vaccine appointment.
(Credit: yesitshanna/rozlatiff/Twitter)
On Sunday, the government had opened online registrations allowing the public a chance to volunteer to receive AZ vaccines ahead of schedule. The aim of the program was to boost the country’s vaccination rate and improve public perception of the AZ vaccine
All 268,000 AZ vaccine slots in Klang Valley have been filled, however, the government is also looking to offer AZ vaccines for Malaysians living outside of Selangor and KL.

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Source:
Klang Valley AstraZeneca Vaccine Appointments All Snapped Up, But More Slots Maybe Coming Soon
Gov’t Thinking About Extending AstraZeneca Vaccine To Those Outside Of Klang Valley


4 Swimming Pool Safety Tips For Dipping During The Pandemic

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In the past two years, the activity of swimming has become more of a luxury for the majority of us who do not have private pools in our residences, as most sports and recreation activities in public areas were prohibited to combat the spread of Covid-19.

With the nation achieving more than 90% vaccination rate among adults and is now transitioning to the endemic phase, the government has announced the loosening of restrictions – which means we can now conduct or participate in sports and recreational activities outdoors and partially indoor areas such as swimming.
With this easing of restrictions, there are many who could not wait to indulge in a rejuvenating swim under the hot sun or simply splash about in the pool with their friends and family.
(Credit: lifeforstock via Freepik)
Despite that, this pandemic has made us realise the importance of maintaining cleanliness especially in public areas to minimise the risk of getting sick and spreading germs, and the safety of water-related activities during the pandemic remains a concern among the public especially.
The good news is, so far, there is no evidence showing that Covid-19 can be transmitted through water while swimming, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Although the virus is not proven to be waterborne and is unlikely to spread among humans through the use of recreational water, proper pool sanitisation and safety guidelines are crucial.
Malaysia Swimmers and Swimming Coaches Association (MASWIM) President Richmond Ho explain that to maintain a sterile water environment for swimming pools (especially public ones), thorough and regular cleaning, filtration and sanitisation are absolute requirements to keep unwanted germs and bacteria that may be harmful to us at bay.
Pool sanitisation is now more important than ever to maintain the highest standard of water hygiene while protecting the body and skin of the swimmers, especially children and babies from being harmed by the chemical substances in the water. It is important for public pools and swimming centres to install high-quality pool sanitisation systems such as those from Waterco (a leading one-stop solutions provider for safe and healthy water environment company) to adjust the level of chlorine to the standard that is safe and hygienic for swimmers.MASWIM President Richmond Ho.
Richmond also shared that although the water itself is relatively safe with proper disinfection, it is important to be reminded that there are risks for the virus to spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets during close physical contact in crowded places.
As such, swimming pool operators must adhere to strict SOPs set by the authorities inside and outside of the swimming pool to ensure the safety of swimmers and the operational staff members.
Staff must be well-trained to monitor and control the capacity and physical distance among the swimmers in the swimming pools to avoid them congregating closely together. Common places and touch points such as benches and tables near the swimming pools, swimming pool ladders and lockers will also need to be disinfected regularly.MASWIM President Richmond Ho.
While the government has set the standard operating procedures and swimming pool operators have taken precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, those planning to go for a swim need to also do their part to ensure their safety and their little ones who are not vaccinated.
Just practising 4 safety precautions can do a lot in helping us visitors ensure a safe trip to the swimming pool.
1. Bring along your hand sanitisers and sanitisation wipes
When we are in a shared space, it is difficult to avoid touching the surfaces that are exposed to numerous people throughout the day. Maintaining good hand hygiene is the most basic yet one of the utmost importance in keeping ourselves safe and healthy.
Keep your hands as clean as possible by washing your hands after you have touched the objects shared by all such as the swimming pool ladder.
(Credit: jcomp via Freepik)
Besides bringing a hand sanitiser with you to the pool, it is advisable to wipe down the tables and lounge chairs that you will be using with sanitisation wipes.
There is no harm to be extra cautious when staying long hours in a public space!
2. Bring your own set of swimming gears
When you are having a fun time in the pool, it will be hard to avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with your hands.
Hence, it is recommended to bring your own swimming equipment such as goggles, kickboards, floats and so on instead of borrowing from others.
(Credit: Toni Cuenca via Unsplash)
As the virus is likely to transmit through respiratory droplets and shared surfaces, it is not safe to share the equipment that you will be using with people that are not from the same household.
3. Social distancing in the pool
Maintaining social distance in the water and anywhere out of the pool is important in this new normal.
While we are filled with excitement to be allowed to take a refreshing dip in the pool again, we should pay extra attention to the distance (at least six feet away!) with the people around us from time to time.
(Credit: Freepik)
You can also contact the pool management team beforehand to know more about their standard operating procedures and capacity limits. With the information obtained, you can then decide on visiting the pool that you are more comfortable and confident with.
To enjoy quality time with friends and family (or only for yourself) without worrying about getting close contact with strangers, consider booking a slot for a visit to a private pool for a safer environment.
4. Keep your mask on when out of the water
The crowd is the real danger and a mask can reduce the risk of us getting infected and also prevent us from transmitting the virus. Even when we have been living in the pandemic for almost two years, many will still forget to put their masks on occasionally.
Even though you should not wear a mask in the pool as you will experience difficulties in breathing when it gets wet, make sure to put on your face mask whenever you are out of the water to lower the risk of getting infected.
(Credit: SLPR Worldwide Group)
Curbing the spread of COVID-19 requires the effort of all parties.
With the authorities and swimming pool operators taking extra precautions in keeping swimming pools safe, we should also play our part and be cooperative when visiting the pools as we would not want to see our most-loved activity, swimming be prohibited again!

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Malaysian Claims Fuel Siphoned From Car While In Singapore

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Have you ever had an experience of fuel being stolen from your vehicle? Well, many would have watched such an incident in movies or videos, but a Twitter user known as @syahmiAzhari shared his experience of fuel allegedly being stolen from his car during his visit to Singapore.

Yes, as much as you are shocked, netizens who read the post were taken aback as well. The owner of the car stated that a few litres had been stolen from his vehicle.
Pergi ke Singapura membawa kereta, minyak kena curi da pic.twitter.com/ArGK7IGDpp— F O X Z 🦊 (@syahmiAzhari) July 4, 2023
From the picture he shared it can be seen that his fuel cap has been left open.
Many who read the post also left their comments behind.
Wtf 1st world country siaaa— Neef 🔥 (@HaneefRoslan) July 4, 2023
Eh takkanlah??? Singapore kan negara terpaling kaya terpaling selamat terpaling jenayah rendah terpaling kecik terpaling penduduk intelligent— Lee Saena (@ngjunjia) July 5, 2023
Bapak hina, minyak pun boleh kene curi— Salem The Cat ᓚᘏᗢ (@SalemTheCats) July 5, 2023
Siphoning Fuel
From the picture of the car that was shared by the owner and the condition that the vehicle is in, safe to assume that the process of fuel siphoning was employed by the thief.
Here is how one can siphon fuel from a vehicle.
However, this process should only be used in case of an emergency and not for stealing fuel.
According to an article by Art of Manliness, syphoning starts the flow of water from a higher point to a lower point by producing a vacuum. One would need a hose and a container to perform the process.
First one must remove the vehicle’s fuel cap and insert a portion of the hose into the fuel tank. Then prepare the container where the other end of the hose goes.
Once the equipment is prepared, the next step is to suck on the hose like a straw to draw the fuel from the tank. Once you feel the fuel in your mouth immediately transfer the hose to the container.
Then quickly spit the fuel from your mouth and rinse it with clean water. Never swallow the fuel, not even by mistake!
Then make sure that the container is kept below the fuel tank’s level to keep syphoning. Once you have taken enough fuel, then just remove the hose from the fuel tank.
Below is a tutorial video to show how it’s done.

As mentioned above, this process should only be used in an emergency situation.

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“Poop every other day to save the planet,” says Brazil president

We already know how sick our planet is, with haze polluting us, and the earthâ€™s temperature steadily rising.
Apocalypse GIF from Thesimpsons GIFs

So when Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro was told that the rate of deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil this year increased by 278%, for the same period last year, he came out with his own life-altering-full-of-crap (pun intended) statement.

“It’s enough to eat a little less… It’s enough to poop every other day. That will be better for the whole world,”
Jair Bolsonaro via BBC
Toilet Stuck GIF from Bathroom GIFs

Before he spoke to the press, he had already fired the head of Brazil’s National Space Research Institute, the agency responsible for reporting the increase in deforestation.

(Pic Credit: dopl3r)

Brazil is home to 60% of the Amazon.
By cutting down the Amazon, the world will face accelerated climate change and an increase in carbon storage.

An example of how the rainforest gave way to farms in Brazil back in 2009(Pic Credit: Vox)

An aerial view of the shrinking Amazon last year(Pic Credit: weforum.org)

Mr. Bolsonaro, the president of Brazil, who just assumed his position earlier this year has been known to be vocal and has controversial ideas in many issues.
Currently, the Brazillian government is sacrificing the Amazon jungles to make way for new pastures for cattle.

(Pic Credit: 9gag)

What do you think can be done to tackle deforestation? Or more importantly, the climate crisis that it leads to?
Well, we at TRP have outlined 6 ways to help save mother earth without even moving from your office chairs here.
Share with us, what have you done to help slow this global phenomenon on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


The Top Foods You Should (And Maybe Shouldn’t) Get In Melaka When It Reopens For Tourists

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Melaka is reopening as a tourism bubble on 1st October, so antsy Malaysians can finally quench their travel lust! What better way to get back our travel legs, so to speak, than a trip to makan angin and makan sedap!

Melaka food is special due to its foreign influences, including the Portuguese, resulting in delectable specialties that they do best. Here are some Melaka specialties you should look out for:
1. Nyonya/Peranankan Food
If you’ve never had authentic nyonya food, we don’t blame you. It’s hard to find and harder to cook.
Melaka, having its colonial heritage and blend of cultures, enjoys a good number of restaurants that do offer delicious and authentic nyonya food.
You might have seen pie tee before but never knew what it was called.(Credit: Alpha/Flickr)
Try fantastic delights such as pie tee, crispy cups topped with spicy salad; ayam pong teh, a savoury-sweet chicken dish with fermented soy beans and gula Melaka; and nyonya laksa, which is richer and creamier with a different flavour profile than our usual curry laksa.
2. Satay Celup
You can’t go two minutes into a conversation about Melaka food without bringing up satay celup.
If you’re unfamiliar, the concept marries satay and hotpot together. The bold may even claim that satay celup is basically lok lok in satay sauce.
Yes, you cook the raw ingredients directly in the boiling satay sauce. It’s a whole experience.(Credit: Chee Hong/Flickr)
The satay celup ingredients aren’t anything like the chargrilled meat on sticks we know. Rather, all satay celup ingredients are cooked in boiling satay sauce in a deep, narrow pot in the middle of the table.
The variety of ingredients is plentiful, though most common is seafood like sotong and prawns or local vegetables such as kangkung. Just pick your favourite sticks and dip away!
(There has been some concerns about hygiene as some restaurants reuse the same satay sauce for different tables, so either make sure you’re the first round of patrons seated or ask for new satay sauce before you eat!)
3. Seafood
Melaka, being a port town, will certainly have plenty of delicious seafood to eat.
In fact, you can get anything you want from piles of freshly boiled cockles to fragrant Portuguese-style grilled fish wrapped in banana leaves.
The seafood here is abundant, and comes prepared in all sorts of ways: to be served with rice, dug into with your bare hands, or eaten as is grilled or fried. Eat your fill of seafood at fancy restaurants with a gorgeous view of the Melaka straits, or enjoy a more humble meal at a simpler eatery.
Nyonya-style curry fried fish featuring a freshly fried whole fish and veggies.(Credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi/Flickr)
However and whatever you eat, be prepared to walk away sea-riously satisfied.
4. Portuguese Egg Tart
This delectable treat is super binge-worthy and quite different from the flaky-style egg tarts more common in the Klang Valley.
Melaka’s Portuguese egg tarts follow real Portugese recipes featuring a crispier crust, jiggly custard center, and the most recognizable blistered top layer.
A freshly made Portugese egg tart is something like heaven.(Credit: Envato)
There are plenty of bakeries selling them near the town center, often in nice boxes for you buy back as perfect gifts for your friends and family who missed out on visiting Melaka.
5. NOT Chicken Rice Balls
When I learned that Melaka was also famous for something called “chicken rice balls”, I was shamelessly excited as both a chicken rice lover and a Japanese onigiri lover. I wasn’t particularly sure what to expect, but with the way the dish was hyped up, I was expecting something for sure.
Perhaps that expectation was my downfall after all, because all I could taste was metaphorical bitterness when I learned that Melaka chicken rice balls are called exactly what they are: chicken rice, but the rice is rolled into ping-pong sized balls.
It’s really good chicken rice, except the rice is in balls. That’s pretty much it.(Credit: Hoe Kee Chicken Rice)
If you break the balls down and fluff them up a little, it will be a regular plate of chicken rice.
That’s not to say that it was bad. Flavour- and taste-wise, the chicken rice balls were quite delicious. In fact, I do admit that having the rice rolled into balls lent a kind of new texture to the dish: with the rice packed a little neater, it lent a bit more bite to the rice that goes with soft, tender chicken.
Still, don’t come in with expectations of a brand new fusion dish to knock your socks off; instead, just enjoy the chicken rice balls as you would enjoy a plate of humble chicken rice.

Of course, if you’re looking to fill up your travel itenerary with more than just food, try checking out these 5 awesome things to do in Melaka when it reopens!

What dish are you most looking forward to? Did we miss anything? Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Driver Caused An Oil Spill After Crashing Into Petrol Pump At LDP Station

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A car crashed into a pump at a petrol station along the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) around 12.13am today (17 September).

The crash not only damaged the car but also caused an oil spill at the petrol station.
In a statement, the Fire and Rescue Department said a fire truck was sent to the scene upon receiving a call.
The mystery deepened when firefighters said they found no driver was found in the car when they arrived.
Photos on a Facebook page showed firefighters proceeding with the cleanup work to prevent further mishaps. The cleanup work concluded at 12.49am.

Netizens expressed confusion and curiosity as to how the accident happened. It is believed that the driver lost control of the vehicle which led to the crash.
A netizen explained that the petrol station in question can be tricky to enter due to the angle of the entrance.

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