‘We Are Not Scared’, Says Syed Saddiq After Court Orders Him To Enter Defence

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“Kami tak takut, kami tak gentar (we are not afraid, we are not scared),” tweeted former Armada Bersatu chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman this morning.
This after he was ordered to enter his defence on several charges including money laundering by High Court judge Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid.
“Ini masa untuk kami membela diri. Now is the time. Kami tak akan lari dari sistem kehakiman. It is not over yet,” he posted on Twitter. (This is the time for us to defend ourselves. We will not run from the justice system).
In a report by Free Malaysia Today, the judge made the call after finding that the prosecution managed to establish a prima facie case against Syed Saddiq.
The president of newly established political party Muda, was charged with abetting Armada Bersatu’s former assistant treasurer Rafiq Hakim, in committing criminal breach of trust (CBT) of RM1 million at CIMB Bank Bhd, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 in Kuala Lumpur on 6 March, 2020.
With him being the head of Armada Bersatu at the time, he was entrusted with control of the youth wing’s funds.
Other charges faced by Syed Saddiq are misusing RM120,000 from Armada Bumi Bersatu Enterprise’s bank account and two counts of money laundering involving two transactions of RM50,000 each.
The amount from the money laundering charges were believed to be proceeds from unlawful activities.
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[Watch] Sarawakian Grab Rider Speaks Chinese With Confidence, Confusing Locals With Strange Dialect

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Having the skills to speak multiple languages has always been a bonus.
Multilingual speakers routinely strengthen complementary workplace skills while using their language talents on the job, such as expanded vocabularies, better problem-solving skills, listening skills and interpersonal skills.
Lately, a non-Chinese Grab rider has been drawing attention with his ability to speak the language.
People are amused because he speaks fluently and confidently, although it’s actually hard to tell if he says it in Mandarin or other Chinese dialects.
  @pakwerangers405 itu tokey memang tidal dapat tido fikir apa dia cakap….#sarawaktiktok #fypシ #fyp #tiktokmalaysia#tiktok ♬ original sound  – PAKWE_RANGERS405
Assimilating Like A True Malaysian
In a another video posted on TikTok, the Grab rider was seen walking to a kopitiam before ordering food with a Chinese hawker.
He starts to speaks with the fluency of a native speaker, although it was hard to make out what he was saying.
It is probable that he is speaking in a local dialect which only Sarawakians could understand.
It is not the first time that the Grab rider caught attention with his linguistic prowess.
One time, he was speaking Chinese while at a motorcycle workshop.
A Chinese man did not seem to understand what he was trying to convey, and could  laugh with his friend in amazement.
  @pakwerangers405 bila aku cakap bahasa cina….org cina sendiri x faham apa aku cakap…#kuchingtiktok #fypシ #tiktoksarawak #fyp ♬ bunyi asal – pakwerangers405 – PAKWE_RANGERS405
His exploits somewhat resembles a ‘gweilo’ (Cantonese slang term for Westerners) speaking the Southern China dialect.

Do Most Malaysians Speak Chinese?
Non-native Chinese dialect speakers in Malaysia are few and far in between, while Mandarin speakers are much more common as it is taught in schools.
Chinese language varieties, including both Mandarin and dialects such as Cantonese, Hakka, and Hokkien, are widely spoken in Malaysia, where the Chinese diaspora constitutes around 24.6 per cent of the total population.
Most of them are found on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the most urbanized part of the country, as well as in the major cities and towns of Sabah and Sarawak.
READ MORE: [Watch] Malay Aunty Selling Yau Char Kwai Speaks Fluent Cantonese, Netizens Praise Her For Being A True Malaysian
Malaysian Mandarin’s phonology is closer to the Mandarin accents of Southern China than the Beijing standard pronunciation due to the influence of other dialects such as Cantonese and Hokkien.

READ MORE: No, Chinese Malaysians Don’t ALL Speak “Chinese”

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[Watch] DBKL Cracks Down On Ramadan Bazaar Stalls Without Permits

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The Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) has confiscated items from stalls without license permits at the Pasar Ramadan (Ramadan bazaar), in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and Jalan Masjid.

Netizens shared videos showing a group of DBKL officers carting away food and drinks from these “illegal” stalls at the popular street market.
Displeased stall owners could be seen trying to fight and stop the officers from taking away their stalls.
A man kept shouting as he walked down the street while being surrounded by DBKL officers pushing carts filled with food and drinks.
In another video, a stall owner quickly pushed her cart of “air balang” drinks into a secluded alleyway when she saw a group of DBKL officers making their way through the crowd.
Some people near the stall also rushed to help her push and hide the cart in the alley.
Kesian, tapi tula peniaga lain bayar tapak. Apa pendapat korang? pic.twitter.com/9NaTelFgtp— keem (@AkeemSharyzal) April 2, 2023
  @hosnyizat Nak kesian tapi tu lah tak adil..ade yg faham?😌#dbkl #pukatkl #rushdbkl ♬ Raya Raya Raya – DOLLA
  @frdhyekal_ Kecoh isu DBKL dengan peniaga #jalantarmasjidindia #jalantarkualalumpur #bazaarrayajalantar ♬ original sound  – K I N G B E R R Y
Bincangkan. pic.twitter.com/iCpdJoPXnd— keem (@AkeemSharyzal) April 3, 2023
Opinions online regarding DBKL’s actions were split. Most people supported DBKL for seizing stalls without business permits to be fair to those who paid for theirs.
They believe stall owners should do their due diligence to get the permit if they wanted to open a stall.
For some, the stall owners operating without permits could be seen as accepting and making haram profits.
Meanwhile, a netizen said it would have been better if the owners were allowed to sell the items but still be issued a compound fine as a lesson.
By doing this, the netizen believes the food and drinks would not be wasted. The netizen also suggested DBKL provide temporary licenses for these stalls.
Another netizen suggested that these illegal stall owners, known as Rambo sellers, be given a space to conduct business, but they should be closely monitored because they usually mark up their prices.
Back in March 2023, Sinar Harian reported that DBKL rejected 48 Ramadan bazaar site applications because they failed to fulfil the criteria.
Of course when the evaluation is made, we provide criteria. We also look at the past records, whether the location is suitable for bazaar operations or can cause disturbance to the neighborhood and surrounding development.Kuala Lumpur City Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah
Kuala Lumpur City Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said DBKL also focused on the security aspects and the layout of the business premises so that it’s comfortable for visitors and ensures it doesn’t get too crowded.
Berniaga macam ni bukan tak berkat ke?🤔— s (@syaaamyn) April 3, 2023
Meniaga mcm ni tak dikira sumber jadi haram ke?— Fakhrul✈ (@AFakhrul_) April 3, 2023
tu lah dia gelagat puak ‘hanya cari rezeki Halal’. Mohon DBKL kutip dan rampas ‘periuk nasi’ mereka supaya peniaga bertauliah lain tidak teraniaya.— Min Lancer (@lesenkete117) April 3, 2023
Takde fikir ke pada peniaga-peniaga yang ikut cara betul berniaga. Kalau yang lain boleh minta lesen kenapa kita tak boleh. Macam tauliah la, kalau ustaz lain boleh, kenapa masih tak nak minta tauliah? Tiber.— M. Khanifa Anas (@Khanifa_Anas) April 3, 2023
orang lain susah susah bayar. dia sedap je meniaga takda lesen. bila kena rampas mulalah mengamuk. bodoh2 je— cincinati (@syafaim_) April 2, 2023
apa payahnya bayar sewa tapak, apply lesen. nak free aje, harga air kemain siao, pastu memekak melayu nak niaga payah, kau yang buat benda tu jadi payah smh— khyra (@khayrawknd) April 3, 2023
tak patut la org lain meniaga bayar lesen tapak bagai..ko senang2 nk meniaga free..tp elok jiika brg2 yg dirampas ni pulangkan blk tp sekolahkan elok2 dorg ni..suh bayar lesen bagi tapak seblm bagi brg2 dorg..dorg nk cari mkn juge— mzhan1411 (@mzhan1411) April 2, 2023
x yah kesian, berniaga haram, org lain byr tapak, ko x nak bayar. air balang Tu modal kecik untung besar, dah pakai air mana pon x tau la…— #kitajagakita (@MCOPKP) April 3, 2023
Angkut makanan & minuman tu diorg bawa ke mana? Buat apa? Buat buka puasa atau buang- Baik lagi bagi diorg berniaga dan kenakan compound dan beri lesen niaga sementara on-site kalau nak berniaga esok.— SlicesOfMyTime (@MyNameInYours) April 3, 2023
aku rasa patut. tapi patut juga beri solusi. offer tapak n etc sbb PMX pun cakap permudahkan orang nak berniaga. tp slalu nya yang rembo ni jual barang mahal. geng tolak air tuh slalu jual air 2 kali lipat. perlu jugak ada permantauan.— stingalues (@stingalues) April 3, 2023

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Malaysian Universities Shine Again

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Malaysian universities are in the top 50 of the 2022 edition of the QS University Rankings: Asia with Universiti Malaya (UM) in the top 10.

As the nation’s top public university, UM occupies the eighth spot on the list, rising from the previous year’s ninth place.
It’s no  mean feat, given that UM competed against the likes of National University of Singapore (first), University of Hong Kong and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) (third), Tsinghua University (fourth) and Zhejiang University (fifth).
The university has consistently improved its performance over the past years and remains the country’s best university.
UM is also the third best among ASEAN universities.
According to QS, UM is among the top two per cent of Asian universities in the list.
The university is the best among Asian universities for international research network indicators for the third year in a row.
Among other indicators that UM excels are in staff reputation, academic reputation and staff with PhDs.
Universiti Malaya is the oldest and highest ranking Malaysian institution of higher education.
Meanwhile, Taylor’s University has been ranked the best Malaysian private university by QS.
Taylor’s improved 36 places compared to the previous year to rank 53rd in Asia, and is among the top 1.1% of the most influential institutions globally.
Taylor’s performance saw a rise in the International Research Network and Citations Per Paper indicators, as well as Academic Reputation.
The university also proved its sterling quality by finishing 12th in Asia for the International Students indicator.
Released on Nov 2, the 2022 edition of the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2022 ranks the best universities, featuring 687 universities across Asia.
Other Malaysian universities that made it to the top 100 are Universiti Putra Malaysia (27), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (33), Universiti Sains Malaysia (35), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (38), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (72), UCSI University  (77), and Universiti Utara Malaysia (98).
The entire list can be found at https://www.topuniversities.com.
Taylor’s Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya.

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Should 100% Of Vaccinated Workers In All Sectors Return To The Workplace? These Associations Say Yes

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Industry stakeholders are making a case that fully vaccinated workers from private and public sectors should immediately be allowed to physically return to the workplace at 100% capacity.

In a joint statement addressed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the National Security Council (MKN), industry players want workers to be able to go back to the office in order to kick-start the economy and save people’s livelihoods.
We would advocate that this is applicable for all sectors, without any distinction on whether any sectors are ‘essential’ or not, because of the very fact that if a particular sector exists, it is already playing an essential role in the eco-system and supply chain.
(Credit: REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng via Malay Mail)
They say that since the country was transitioning to the endemic stages of the Covid-19 crisis, there was no longer a need for quotas limiting the maximum number of workers allowed to be at the office or the need for employers to apply for special operating permits with the Ministry of Trade and Industries (MITI).
Those at work under their respective Vaccination Privileges should be exempted from the count of the existing maximum of 60% for Phase 1 and 80% for Phase 2 of total employees allowed to go back physically to work (according to the National Recovery Program).
The statement noted that it would be impossible for the government to have a comprehensive list of all economic activities operating in the country, and those left out would undoubtedly be stuck in the long process of attaining approvals to operate.
This will alleviate all the current backlog in applications and delays and uncertainties in approvals either from MITI or other authorities.
(Credit: Zinkevych_D via Envato Eliments)
The statement also points out how important your everyday blue and white-collar Malaysians were in our market-driven economy. See, us spending our money is basically what makes our domestic economy function.
It is very pertinent to note that employees contribute significantly to spending in the domestic economic systems especially for food and beverages which will create the much-needed multiplier effect for the overall rapid revival of our country’s economy.
They also advocated for workers in the public sector to return to work at 100% capacity to mirror the private sectors and get the economy going again.
The statement was signed by the coalition of 117 trade associations & chambers of commerce under Industries Unite (IU), the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association (PPK) Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA), Bumiputra Retailers Organisation (BRO), Malaysia REIT Managers Association (MRMA), Malaysian Association of Theme Park and Family Attractions (MATFA), and the Malaysian Association of Film Exhibitors (MAFE).

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Malaysia’s Ranking Of The Top 10 Housing Market Hot Zones In 2021 Has Been Released! Is Petaling Jaya No.1?

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Some people say that it is very satisfying to have your own car and house in life.

Of course, there are those who have no desire for these, over concerns that they can’t afford to repay the loan or something like that.
Some people are afraid that they can’t afford the downpayment, while others think it’s better to rent than to buy a house.
A condo project under construction in USJ, Subang Jaya. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
However, buying a house can still be said to be the dream of many people. They put owning a home above financial security, getting fit or even having children/starting a family.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic still lingers, it can’t stop people’s desire to buy a house.
Malaysian property site, iProperty.com.my has published the top 10 residential areas searched by people who want to buy a house.
A housing area in Kota Damansara. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
According to the ranking of house data searched by consumers, Petaling Jaya, which ranked second last year, took first place this year with a browsing rate of 15.2%.
The second is Shah Alam, with a view rate of 14.64% followed by Cheras at 14.56% of views.
Other sought after neighborhoods ranked by percentage of searches:
4th – Johor Bahru (9.39%)5th – Puchong (9.21%)   6th – Subang Jaya (9.07)% 7th – Kuala Lumpur City Centre (7.62%) 8th – Kota Damansara (7.05%)9th – Ampang (6.77%)10th – Cyberjaya
An upmarket condominium near Bukit Jalil. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Among the top 10, Klang Valley accounts for nine out of ten, and the remaining one in Johor Bahru.
This year, Petaling Jaya took first place due to its advantages such as surrounding environment and modern conveniences which are suitable for residents with families.
Johor Bahru, which ranked first last year and in 2020, fell to fourth place this year.
Is 2022 A Smart Time To Buy A House
The best time to purchase a property is when the falling prices are beginning to go up again.
iPropertyGuru.com.my country manager Shylendra Nathan said buyer confidence in the Malaysian property market is improving, as the country transitions to the endemic phase.
Now that people have developed a better feel for living with the Covid-19 pandemic, more property seekers are keen to take advantage of the low-interest rates for home loans imposed by Bank Negara Malaysia. iPropertyGuru.com.my country manager Shylendra Nathan
He added that overall, the consumer sentiment has been improving in H2 2021.
Shylendra expressed hope it will continue to do so next year as the country’s economy steadily recovers.
An aerial view of Cahaya SPK, Shah Alam. Infrastructure is among the factors that impact real estate prices, availability, and investment potential. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

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Msian students bag 5 medals at international robotics competition in S. Korea

Malaysian kids never cease to amaze!
Primary students from 2 local schools made the nation proud at the international 2019 Maker Robot Festival which took place in South Korea.
The robotics team from SK Seri Terentang (SKST), Pahang and SK Putrajaya Presint 11-3 (SKPP 11), terminated their competition and won 5 medals including gold!

via GIPHY
Making their very first international debut, 5 students from SKST managed to wipe out 30 other teams from South Korea, Japan, China and the Philipines in the Sumo-Bot tournament to take home the gold!

via GIPHY
Sumo-Bot or Robot-Sumo is a fighting competition where pilots control miniature robot sumo wrestlers in a duel to the death! (we’re obviously exaggerating here…)

(Image Credit: Facebook @lensapekanofficial)

Previously, the team had dominated at the Malaysia National MakeX Robotics Competition.
SKST would soon be representing Malaysia at the international MakeX World Championship 2019 set to take place in China this November.

Amazingly, the school was initially unable to provide funding for the team to compete in any national or international competitions.
But the persistent efforts of students, teachers and parents, who even spent money out of their own pocket clearly paid off as the kids were given a chance to showcase their marvellous robotic talents on the world stage.
Meanwhile, students from SKPP 11 took home 4 medals in different categories of the international tournament!

(Image Credit: Facebook @skputrajayapresint113)

The students lead the competition and managed to bring home; 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze!

 (Image Credit: Facebook @skputrajayapresint113)

Congratulations to SKST and SKPP 11 for the amazing effort and performance!
You can congratulate these young robotic engineers personally through SKST and SKPP 11 official Facebook pages, or show them your love on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Prime Minister Calls For MPs To Cooperate On Budget 2021

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Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the government will announce Budget 2021 in Parliament on 6 November.

He said allocations will be made for government agencies, aid for the rakyat and incentives to the business sector.
In his speech, Muhyiddin also expressed his hope that Members of Parliment (MPs) can set aside their political differences to ensure that the budget will be passed for the good of the people and the nation.
An agreement can be formed among MPs with support from the government and opposition sides. I guarantee that the Perikatan Nasional government will look for the best way to handle this massive crisis. We only have one aim; to win the fight against Covid-19 and ensure the safety and security of the rakyat.Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
More to come

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Singaporean Army ‘Rebranded’ As Stormtroopers Baffles Netizens

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There’s no doubt that the Star Wars universe is packed full of interesting characters which totally relatable to movie buffs and critics alike.

However, Singaporean Army attempts to celebrate the Star Wars day which fell on 4 May (giving birth to the May the Fourth be with you mantra) perhaps doesn’t go according to the plan.

In its Facebook post yesterday, the Singaporean Army posted a poster that asked for the Stormtroopers to step aside to make way for the republic’s army.
This however doesn’t sit well with the republic’s netizens who were left puzzled with the post.
This is either very unfortunate or very revealing pic.twitter.com/DJLoZzmPuO— Kirsten Han 韩俐颖 (@kixes) May 4, 2022
For starters, the stormtroopers are the bad guy in Star Wars as the white armies served the Galactic Empire under the rule of Emperor Palpatine a.k.a Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord that turns Anakin Skywalker to the dark side and later assumes the identity of the Darth Vader.
Some Singaporean netizens even jokingly question whether the fact that Singaporean Armed Force is likened to the Stormtroopers prove that the republic is the “bad guy”.
 pic.twitter.com/RTWhFi4FGP— Hadi Azmi (@amerhadiazmi) May 4, 2022
But that is not the worse part as several netizens also point out that Stormtroopers are famously bad at shooting, often missing the target that lies in front of them.
Do they not know that the one defining feature of the stormtroopers is their inability to hit anything with any level of accuracy? https://t.co/zmuupD4nkE— Kai Xiang (@teo_kai_xiang) May 4, 2022
Stormtroopers are infamous for being bobo shooters..— Aaron Koh (@AaronUnKoch) May 4, 2022
Despite being an informal commemorative day, Star Wars Day was annually observed on May 4 by fans globally.

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How Wabi-sabi Can Help You Embrace The Pandemic

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Wabi-sabi gives us something that SOPs and vaccines don’t or can’t – help with the anxiety we have experienced during the pandemic to navigate through life.

But what is Wabi-sabi and why is this Japanese philosophy important today?
In short, in traditional Japanese aesthetics, it is a world view centered on accepting and embracing the imperfections of life.
It is a concept that has roots in the Bhuddist teaching of the three marks of existence: Impermanence, suffering, and emptiness, or the absence of an egoic self.
When applying to today’s reality, instead of dwelling on the plans that fell through just when we thought we had Covid-19 under control, why not embrace the Wabi-sabi way of life.
It started with an imperfect teacup
(Credit: Joe Coca @ robyngriggslawrence.com)
It was first manifested centuries ago in Japan with a tea ceremony celebrating the beauty of tea, and in the past, the teacups themselves.
Historically, the teacup had to be “perfect” (e.g. smooth, symmetrical and aesthetically flawless) but changed when the philosophy of Wabi-sabi was introduced.
Going back to impermanence, in this context means that life will never stay the same, the same way the “perfect” teacup may chip or fade over time. Instead of seeing the expected wear and tear as an imperfection as a bad thing, people began to see them as beautiful.
This kind of acceptance saw potters making teacups that no longer had to be perfect and the ‘flaws’ were now seen as things to embrace and cherish.
Inconsistency is the only consistent thing about life
Implementing Wabi-Sabi can help us to embrace life’s imperfections because it’s nearly impossible to change certain aspects of it.
As this article on Psychology Today puts it, one thing that is consistent about life is inconsistency and when we get attached to plans and ideas, and things change, we suffer as a result.
Incorporating Wabi-sabi into your life
(Credit: Pedro Figueras / Pexels)
It has taken a global pandemic for people to re-evaluate their priorities.
Accepting that we cannot control the existing state of affairs is a powerful teaching from Wabi-sabi. It reminds us to treasure the good we have right now and know that the bad will eventually pass.
In a write-up on Blinkist, Beth Kempton, a Japanologist and best-selling author of Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life, asks: “In this present moment, what is true about your life?”
Are you scrolling through your phone right now, drinking a cup of your favourite tea, or getting distracted by a fly buzzing around the room?
Think about the facts of your life at this exact moment. This moment is the one you are living right now. At some point you know you’ll stop scrolling, finish your tea, and that fly – it’ll fly away eventually to pester someone else.
Any time you feel stressed, worried, lost, or lonely, Beth tells us to notice what’s going on in your body and what’s going on around you. Know that this is just a moment and soon it will give way to another.
Also, if there’s a moment of joy- soak it all up so they become a precious memory.
The secret of Wabi-sabi lies in seeing the world not with the logical mind but through the feeling heart. Perhaps that is the way to navigate this pandemic and come out the other side with a sense of hope. Beth Kempton, a Japanologist and best selling author of Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life,

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Volkswagen reveals funky new â€˜psychedelicâ€™ fully electric Microbus to fulfill your 70s fantasy

Volkswagen recently unveiled its latest concept for the Kombi and it looks amazing!

Image Credit: Green Car Report)

Considered to be one of the most recognisable and iconic
cars ever. The Volkswagen Type 2 bus was made popular back in the 1960s
and â€™70s. (You can thank the hippies for thatâ€¦) And continues to be a favourite
among car enthusiast and camper-life psychedelics around the world.

A recreation of the famous Woodstock ’69 Light busImage Credit: Road and Track)

The car was officially discontinued in 2013 due to safety concerns. But rumors of Volkswagen bringing back the symbolic transporter had been buzzing around over the years, with the company even revealed plans to reintroduce it as a fully electric vehicle supposedly hitting dealerships in 2022.

Volkswagen I.D.Buzz first introduced sometime in 2017Image Credit: Business Insider)

But for now, this pimped out version of the van
unveiled at the companyâ€™s new, Innovation and Engineering Center in California
already have people going nuts.

Image Credit: Green Car Report)

Calling it the Type 20, this modern version of the 1962
Microbus was built for the future.
Giving it a total tech-makeover, the model comes sporting a 10-kilowatt-hour battery and a 2,500-watt onboard charger to power it’s 120 horsepower electric motor, electronics, and even two custom skateboards attached at the back.

Image Credit: Green Car Report)

It looks absolutely gnarly with a black, white and orange finish and retro interior aesthetics.
Image Credit: Green Car Report)
The car also comes with a bunch of awesome features including facial recognition systems, a touchscreen infotainment center equipped with an on-board virtual assistant, and a futuristic holographic display placed in the dashboard.
Volkswagen also partnered with Porsche to develop a pneumatic suspension system for this concept, allowing it to be raised and lowered on command.
Even the custom steering wheel dons a freaky spider-web like design.

Image Credit: Green Car Report)

Just look at those rims!

Image Credit: Green Car Report)

Unfortunately, donâ€™t expect to see one of these babies in the streets anytime soon.
For now, the carâ€™s remains nothing but a concept design, meant only for decoration and display at the companyâ€™s plant in California.


The Day After A Pakatan Harapan Government (Timeline)

The Pakatan Harapan government is no more. Cabinet has been dissolved and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now the interim prime minister of a nation caught in a political hailstorm.
TRP continues to bring you updates on the current power transition happening in the country.
Tuesday – Feb 25, 2020
12:03am – Protesters gather at Dataran Merdeka voicing frustrations over Malaysiaâ€™s current political turmoil. [Malay Mail]

(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)
11:51pm – Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth (Armada) rejects cooperation with Umno and voice support for Dr Mahathir. [The Star]

10:20pm – 90 out of 222 MPs have concluded their private interviews with the YDPA. Interview sessions to continue on Wednesday. [Malay Mail]

9:22pm – PHâ€™s emergency meeting attended by leaders from PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) concluded with a unanimous decision that will be revealed on Wednesday. [Free Malaysia Today]
8:58pm – Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Abdul Samad claims that PH has enough MPs to form a government. [The Star]

6:53pm – BN withdrew its support for Dr Mahathirâ€™s candidacy as prime minister and calls for fresh elections. [Malay Mail]
6:28pm – Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS call to dissolve the parliament and for the country to host new elections. [Free Malaysia Today]
#SuaraRakyat Suara Keramat❗Bubar #ParlimenPilihan Yang Tepat✅Gambar di #IstanaNegaraDan di #PWTC 25/2/2020 pic.twitter.com/NTwECr0wA8â€” Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) February 25, 2020
5:55pm – GPS express support for Dr Mahathirâ€™s leadership as prime minister. [New Straits Times]
5:48pm – PH members gather at PKR headquarters in Merchant Square, Petaling Jaya for an emergency meeting. [Malay Mail]
5:37pm – MCA makes preparations for the possibility of a snap election taking place. [New Straits Times]
5:31pm – Dr Mahathir meets with top political party leaders at the PMO. [The Star]
5:29pm – Dr Mahathir is considering the idea of forming a unity government comprised of leaders from all political parties under one grand coalition. [Malay Mail]
4:59pm – PAS is against forming a new government together with DAP. [Malay Mail]
4:54pm – The Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Datuk A. Kadir Jasin claims that Dr Mahathirâ€™s exit from Bersatu was because he was losing control of his party. [Malay Mail]
4:13pm – PKR Youth launches #TeguhSetiaDSAI campaign to rally public support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahimâ€™s candidacy as the nationâ€™s next prime minister. [Malay Mail]
(Credit: Malay Mail)
 4:32pm – The YDPA will meet with Azminâ€™s Eleven tomorrow. [Malay Mail]
3:59pm – Former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that an economic stimulus package finalised before Dr Mahatihr resigned from his post as prime minister was given the go-ahead to proceed by the now, interim premier. [Malay Mail]
3:45pm – GPS MPs arriving at the Istana Negara via bus. [Malay Mail]
3:38pm – Busses full of Umno and PAS MPs to be interviewed by the YDPA arrives at the Royal Palace. [Malay Mail]
 PAS Deputy President Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man among those arriving via the motorcade.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
3:15pm – Police are standing by at Dataran Merdeka to monitor a public protest staged at the nation’s capital. [The Star]

(Credit: Malay Mail)
3:08pm – Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) supports Dr Mahathir to continue as Malaysiaâ€™s prime minister. [New Straits Times]
3:06pm – The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) proposed for the country to hold elections to resolve the nationâ€™s current political situation. [Malay Mail]

2:20pm – Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and his team of 10 former PKR MPs (Azminâ€™s Eleven), expressed unconditional support for Dr Mahathir to remain as prime minister. [Malay Mail]
2:58pm – The nationâ€™s state governments are reportedly functioning as normal. [New Straits Times]

2:01pm – Malaysian markets are fairing better than yesterday. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) reportedly rose by 0.7% to 1,500.73 points. [The Star]
1:24pm – Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said that the state government will continue to operate as a PH-run administration. [New Straits times]
1:13pm – The King will conduct the first round of interviews for the first 90 MPs today. The rest to follow suit tomorrow. [New Straits Times]
1:05pm – The YDPA will interview all MPs one by one to determine who commands the majority of the Dewan Rakyat and be named Malaysiaâ€™s next prime minister. [Malay Mail]
The YDPA seen personally catering journalists to a “happy-meal” outside the Royal Palace.(Credit:  Miera Zulyana/ Malay Mail)
12:23pm – Former PKR MPs are scheduled for an audience with the YDPA. [Malay Mail]
11:53am – Leaders from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the Opposition are expected to meet with interim or acting Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Prime Ministerâ€™s Office (PMO) in Putrajaya. [New Straits Times]
11:07am – Chief Justice Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Attorney General Tommy Thomas arrive at the Royal Palace. [Malay Mail]
11:03am – Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak corruption trial today was cut short as he is expected by the King at Istana Negara. [Malay Mail]

10:58am – Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa says the party has formed a coalition and will be meeting the YDPA later today. [Malay Mail]

10:07am – Dr Mahathir present for duty as the nationâ€™s acting prime minister. [Malay Mail]
         View this post on Instagram           Just another day in the office. A post shared by  Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) on Feb 24, 2020 at 8:42pm PST
10:00am – Several Members of Parliament (MPs) are expected to meet with the YDPA. [New Straits Times]
8:56am – Leaders from Umno, PAS, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) are meeting ahead of an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) Al-Sultan Abdullah Riâ€™ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara, today. [Free Malaysia Today]

You can read up on yesterday’s happening, HERE or catch up on what happened last weekend, HERE.
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Johor Man Loses All Remaining Teeth Due To Cheap And Badly Made Dentures

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A dentist in Kota Tinggi, Johor Bahru, cautioned the public from going to fake or unlicensed dentists for dental work after extracting badly made dentures from a patient.

A 52-year-old patient came in complaining that his teeth felt very loose and that they hurt whenever he ate.
Dr Arif, who works at a government clinic in Johor, took one look at the teeth and immediately knew something was wrong.
"Demi Jodoh, Aku Relakan"Seorang lelaki berusia 52 tahun datang ke klinik untuk cabutan. Katanya gigi dah goyang sangat kalau makan sakit. Apabila diperiksa, aku nampak sesuatu yang janggal."Encik, gigi palsu ini buat di mana?" pic.twitter.com/Gq6Kn8vLfR— A J 🦷🧚🏼♂ (@ArepJawa) June 7, 2022
At first, the patient said he had the dentures done at a private clinic in Kuala Lumpur but didn’t know the name of the clinic.
Dr Arif asked if it was done at a hotel, a house or a rented room. The patient admitted that it was done at a hotel.
He was embarrassed about his missing teeth and was due to get married. When he saw an ad for cheap dentures costing about RM500 and went for it without thinking twice. This happened two years ago.
Unfortunately, the damage was done. Dr Arif had to extract all of the patient’s teeth because the fake dentures and bad oral hygiene left a lot of damage that could lead to gum diseases.
The dentures didn’t restore the patient’s normal bite and there were metal wires everywhere.
Sayang, disebabkan mengambil jalan pintas gigi lelaki ini terpaksa dicabut semua, atas & bawah. Tak dapat diselamatkan sebab denture yang dia pakai langsung tak ada kualiti. Tak mengembalikan fungsi asal & gigitan gigi. Sudahlah ikat dawai sana sini. pic.twitter.com/RkRsUFX3lR— A J 🦷🧚🏼♂ (@ArepJawa) June 7, 2022
Dr Arif shared that getting full dentures done – for the top and bottom jaw – in a government clinic only costs about RM100. Partial dentures will cost much less.
He also reminded everyone that maintaining good dental hygiene from a young age, getting regular dental check-ups and avoiding fake dentists will keep our teeth and gums healthy in the long run.

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Pentagon Officially Releases Previously Leaked “UFO” Footage

It’s not a conspiracy theory, the Pentagon has recently released videos of unidentified flying objects flying in the sky previously caught on camera by the US Navy.
The footage showed that the army personnel were at awe with what they’ve seen as the objects flew at tremendous speeds.
The announcement was made by the Petagon to clear up misconceptions as the video has been circulating since 2007.
These videos were taken during training flights in 2004 and 2015 that show the objects from the pilots’ point of view and first surfaced online after the New York Times published an article about the sightingÂ in 2017.
Another interesting thing to note is that they’ve also said that sightings of these UFOs have increased recently and are in the midst of developing guidelines on how to report the encounters.
You can watch the video below:

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Here’s The Deal: RM0.99 For 6 Months Membership To Foodpanda’s Pandapro

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We Malaysians love a deal, but some deals are too good and look like a steal, but in this case, it’s real.

The short of it is that until 15 February 2023, you can sign up for Foodpanda’s pandapro membership program at a whopping 98% off.

That’s RM0.16 per month (RM0.99 for 6 months) for free delivery, or up to 30% off food delivery, 25% off for dine-in, 20% off pandamart and shops, and up to 5% off pick-up orders.

Foodpanda currently has over 25,000 pandapro partner restaurants and vendors offering extra discounts for members and over 700 restaurants offering dine-in benefits, including Carl’s Jr, Daves Deli, Syed Bistro, Al-Amar, The Bee, Delifrance, and The Humble Food Company, among others.
This offer was mentioned when Foodpanda treated the media to lunch recently at Quan’s Kitchen, located on the 8th floor of Four Points by Sheraton near Petaling Street, in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
(Pic via Quan’s Kitchen)
Quan’s Kitchen is an all-day dining and buffet affair with Chinatown-inspired cuisines which is appropriate since it’s located in KL’s Chinatown.
The food is decent (a standout being their Slow Baked Char Sui Lamb Leg) – and you’ll get 25% off with pandapro – but their kopitiam-style coffee tarik should not be underestimated.
It’s rich and earthy, and definitely helped stave off sleepiness after the buffet lunch.
You can ask for their coffee tarik. That would be the stall on the right. The air mata kucing is probably the best you’ll ever taste, too. (Pic Credit: Foodpanda)
In total, Four Points by Sheraton houses three F&B outlets, with the other two being Jann, a cocktail bar with an amazing view of KL, and Lady Yi’s Tea House, a Peranakan-themed place for fancier folk.

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[Watch] Pearly, Thinaah Set New Record With 211-Shot Rally At Malaysian Masters 2023

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Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, the country’s leading women’s doubles pair, have advanced to the quarter-finals at the Malaysian Masters 2023 tournament.

The pair won a long rally of 211 shots, touted as a new record, against Rena Miyaura and Ayako Sakuramoto from Japan.

Despite losing the second set 8-21, Pearly and Thinaah managed to win the match in three sets, securing a thrilling victory at Axiata Arena.
The pair, seeded sixth in the tournament, are determined to compensate for their disappointment at the Indonesia Masters 2023.
It was a gruelling match for both the Malaysian and Japanese pair, stretching their endurance to the limits. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
They lost in the semi-finals to another Japanese pair, Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota.
The long rally was a key moment in the match, with both pairs exchanging blows and fighting for every point.
Pearly later told reporters that despite the tough match, it yielded results and that she was happy to have scored points in the long rally.

I didn’t think to make a shot, it was a long rally, and I knew they were ready, so we were ready too. We know we’re tired, but the opponent is tired too; in our minds, we want to win the rally, so we’re mentally ready, and I’m very happy we won the point.
Women doubles player Pearly Tan on her latest triumph with M. Thinaah.
Women doubles player M. Thinaah returning a shot during the game. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Dominant Performance
Meanwhile, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, the defending world men’s doubles champions, have qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating Choi Sol Gyu and Kim Won Ho in two sets.
The Malaysian pair won a close first set 21-19 before dominating the second set 21-14.
Chia and Wooi Yik will face Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin from Indonesia in the quarter-finals.
Men’s doubles player Aaron Chia prepares for a smash. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Another national men’s doubles pair, Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun came from behind to defeat Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall from Scotland in a rubber-set fight that lasted for 57 minutes.
The duo, ranked 26th in the world, will face Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan from Indonesia in their next match.
At the same time, Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi also booked a quarter-final ticket after defeating the Taiwanese pair, Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han 15-21, 21-12, 21-19.
They will be up against South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae, who had defeated world number one pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto from Indonesia.
Almost Perfect Day For Malaysia
Meanwhile, national singles player Lee Zii Jia lost to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi, 19-21, 21-16, 15-21.
The 10th ranked player in the world eventually succumbed to fatigue, as he sat down and lay down in the middle of the court during the third game.
National singles player Lee Zii Jia gave his all but it was not his day. (Pix: Fernando Fong)
Zii Jia’s loss in the second round of the Malaysia Masters 2023 saw the player continue to be unlucky at the Axiata Arena.
In last year’s edition, Zii Jia had to withdraw before the tournament started.
In the Malaysian Open earlier this year, he was eliminated in the first round.
The Malaysian Masters 2023 tournament, with a sold-out final on 28 May (Sunday), has seen some thrilling matches, with top players worldwide competing for the title.
Fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming matches, which promise to be just as exciting as those that have already occurred.

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New Emojis Are Coming Out To Reflect How Woeful 2020 Has Been

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2020 has been a tough year for humanity, with the spread of a global pandemic, freak accidents, earthquakes, bushfires, tsunamis, and we still have a few more months to go before we end the year.

Even on local shores, things haven’t been going smoothly with the Movement Control Order (MCO), change in government, and job cuts, to name a few.
To reflect how bad things have been going on right now, there are a new set of emojis that have been approved to better show how you’re feeling this year, which is probably, not good.
This emoji is spot onPicture Credit: Unicode Consortium
Probably for accuracy’s sake, beards will also make an appearance, which is great given that many of us haven’t shaved to the point that some are starting to look a bit, feral.
Picture Credit: Unicode Consortium
The new emojis won’t pop up in your phone just yet as it’ll be available some time around 2021.

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Teachers Back In Schools Next Week As SOP For Reopening Goes Out Today

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Teachers have been ordered to standby at their posts, signalling that schools may reopen soon.
A circular released by the Education Ministry today states that teachers are instructed to return to schools next week on 7th June and 8th June, following the end of the mid-year school holidays for each state.
Released by the Deputy Director-General of Education (School Operation Sector) Adzman Talib, the circular states that all civil servants are to return to their places of duty in preparation for their return to work.
The Education Ministry has also begun distributing a 34-page detailed guideline for reopening schools from today.

SOP For Schools Reopening – Temperature Screening, Recess In Class & More

There is no official date for the reopening of schools. However, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin states the announcement will be made two weeks prior.

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Mydin Boss Criticised Over Extra Holiday Remarks, Netizens Spare A Thought For Its Social Media Admin

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Recently, the news of our extra public holiday made by the Prime Minister had us all in a happy Raya mood.

READ MORE: [Updated] Anwar Announces Extra Public Holiday And 4 Days Of Free Tolls For Raya
READ MORE: Still Confused How Many Off Days We Get For Raya? Here’s An Explainer
But, of course, as usual, not everyone will benefit from this last-minute announcement of public holidays as businesses will suffer some losses.

One such business is Mydin. Besides being known for its cheap and wholesale product prices, Mydin is also popular because of its funny and cheeky social media administrator.
The admin would always hop on the latest trend or news and react to it with slick commentaries that will in turn be an effective marketing technique.
One of which is this.
The uniquely cheeky Mydin Twitter account posted a meme about cashiers having to work even though it’s a long weekend.
Jumaat cuti ✅Isnin cuti ✅Cashier Mydin: pic.twitter.com/1XHr2uKmgp— MYDIN (@MydinMalaysia) April 18, 2023
But Mydin’s CEO said they’ll bear losses because of the holiday
In a recent interview by Astro Awani with Mydin’s CEO, Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin, he said that the announcement will make a lot of businesses suffer losses.
He gave an example that Mydin stood to lose RM500,000 due to the last minute holiday announcement, which could have been channelled into the Rahmah Menu initiative.
Pengarah Urusan Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd., Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin berkata pengumuman cuti khas oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di saat akhir telah menyebabkan banyak perniagaan menanggung kerugian. #AWANInews #AgendaAWANI pic.twitter.com/pNSqmogiQb— 🇲🇾Astro AWANI🇲🇾 (@501Awani) April 18, 2023
Netizens don’t agree
However, a lot of people do not agree with Mydin’s CEO. Some of them think that he is only complaining because he has to pay double wages for his workers or grant them paid leaves.
Rugi sebab kena bayar cuti bergaji atau double pay bagi yang bekerja hari Jumaat dan Isnin. Tu je dia nak komplen sebenarnya.Bukan pasal jualan. Sebab orang tetap beli barang makanan lebih banyak waktu raya. https://t.co/s0USLnQAi4— Afiq #NeedAHoliday (@A_Hxrrxz) April 19, 2023
Some of them even said that he only wants to talk about losses, what about his profit on other days?
tak payah la nak kecoh rugi sgt, keuntungan berlipat kali ganda, setakat sehari je ko tutup or 4 hari je untuk hari raya, ximpact sgt la. setahun keuntungan bersih brapa? lain la company mydin rugi -100 juta setahun smpai xmampu nak baya gaji pekerja tu lain la cite.— Izudin | 🇲🇾 Real Estate (@izudinrealtors) April 18, 2023
Boss boss memang tak suka cuti umum ni. Faham faham je la kenapa 😜— 🏴🏴🏴 (@braindrainbb) April 18, 2023
Rugi kau sehari boleh cover dgn untung kau dlm kurang seminggu.Bila fokuskan kpd yg hilang daripada yg diraih, semuanya jadi buta.Memang mudah mengulas.— Afiq Azni (@afiqazni) April 18, 2023
As a lot of people are disagreeing with Mydin CEO’s statement, some of them even targeted Mydin’s active social media admin, asking for his reaction to the situation.
the replies to this tweet exposing how Mydin is manipulating and taking advantage of its employees is not surprising cause this is how the rich stay rich – by exploiting those below them. mana admin Mydin yang active sangat tu takde nak reply pulak? https://t.co/p5XF9eC3iB— Zee Zaki (@_zxezki) April 19, 2023
Somebody is in the hot seat right now…
You could say that the social media admin is in a little pickle right now. Let’s pray for their wellbeing. 🤞🏼
Dude being cancelled in just a day after all his mydin page admin hard work https://t.co/0Xg5t7DQT2— Orpheus #freePalestine🇵🇸 (@AkuBukanHipster) April 19, 2023
I know admin mydin tengah buntu fikir memes apa yang boleh redakan kemarahan nurtizen.— Garina Mamba (@evvok) April 19, 2023
Admin Mydin lepas dengar statement dari bos pic.twitter.com/ifph5oAEsf— mStar Online (@mstaronline) April 19, 2023
Fail takes, susah2 admin @MydinMalaysia naikkan nama Mydin last2 menjunam masuk gaung… https://t.co/DeGMwz9ai9— ابو راقيب 🪐 (@Putera_Sains) April 19, 2023
Pening admin mydin nak pikir point bekap isu bos dia rini. Takkan nak suruh menari lagi.— 🏳🌈TeamRayaAnakYatim🏳🌈 (@meinmokhtar) April 19, 2023

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YouTube Kids Is Not Totally Child-Friendly – Keep An Eye On Your Children’s Screentime

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YouTube Kids is a colourful, stripped-down version of YouTube, full of animations, bright colours, and cartoon avatars meant to keep young internet users engaged.

While scrolling through the app, children can see everything from Nickelodeon song mashups to prank series to baking videos — in other words, it’s the cheerful and colourful version of the actual YouTube.
However, over the years, more and more parents and guardians have begun to realise that the kids’ app has a rabbit hole problem.
While on the surface it is known to be kid-friendly, the app contains dark corners too, as videos that are disturbing for children escape its filters.
Whether this is by mistake or because bad actors have found ways to fool the YouTube Kids algorithm, it is still something that the app is looking into.
Many have taken to Facebook to warn others, and share video screenshots showing moments ranging from a Claymation Spider-Man urinating on Elsa of “Frozen” to Nick Jr characters in a strip club.
There have also been several videos that portray child favourite characters engaging in suicide as well as lewd acts.
Recently, a viral tweet on social media has Malaysians discussing their very own issues with the app as well.
Twitter user @SueKz93 posted a series of Tweets paired with TikTok videos to explain how bad the YouTube Kids’ channel rabbit hole could get.

https://twitter.com/SueKz93/status/1640250849908916224?s=20

This is why I am not surprised when I read about seven year olds raping five year olds. We always think YouTube Kids is a safe space for children but nope. Just nope.@SueKz93 via Twitter
The user also asked parents to stop letting their children watch videos on the app as well as TikTok unsupervised.
I’m so stressed that the little kids look at these videos and find it funny while laughing. But you don’t realise how it can impact the children. No wonder the mental health of today’s generation is severely affected.@SueKz93 via Twitter
Netizens have flocked to the comments as well as the quote tweets to share their opinions on this as well.
Twitter user @dontaskrenelle said:
I wanna tell y’all something about YouTube, you can’t block a channel. And that would help A LOT of parents trying to monitor their kids. One of the most disgusting channels I’ve ever seen my nephew watch is Fat Tv and we’ve been trying to softblock it for months now.@dontaskrenelle via Twitter
Another Twitter user @bloomingsdale said:
Youtube’s algorithm is just whack, even on its platform intended for children. It’s like they don’t even care what kind of content goes out, as long as they’re making bucks. Disgusting. Parents (like me) have to be more careful and vigilant.@bloomingsdale via Twitter
On the other hand, Twitter user @liyanafaireul shared that he once saw his six year old student searching up the words ‘bontot’ (buttocks) and ‘sexy’ on YouTube.
I witnessed my student who’s 6 years old, searching ‘bontot’ & ‘sexy’ in YT and laughing his ass off while watching real f- up explicit videos in front of me. It’s madness and upsetting to be honest.@liyanafaireul via Twitter
Meanwhile, Twitter user @FAliaHMS said:
Yep! This is why my kids are off YouTube and have edu apps instead. Whatever movies/videos are off of Netflix, where it’s the original content, not some weird animation by weird people with weird intentions etc.@FAliaHMS via Twitter
The conclusion that one can draw from this whole experience is that parents and guardians should keep an eye peeled when their children use apps online.
The internet is a wide sea of things, and children being as curious as they are, can get lost.

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Legendary Kancil Buruk Is BACK! This Time With A New Paint Job In Kepong

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One of Malaysia’s best modern day urban legend is without a doubt the adventures of the legendary Kancil buruk – the busted compact car looking like it should be in the junkyard, yet somehow manages to chug along the roads, defying all odds and logic.

Back in 2019, the legendary Kancil buruk held together by sheer will (or magic) gained new heights of virality as Malaysians all across the peninsular came together to share their tales of spotting the car in their neck of the woods.
Unfortunately, the Kancil was soon taken away by authorities. Malaysians wept over the fallen legend and that seemed to be its end.

But guess what? Kancil buruk is BACK
Once again defying all odds, logic and even the authorities, this barely held together vehicle has been spotted along the roads of Kepong as jubilant Malaysians share clips of their encounter with the legend.
“Make way for the king” writes one TikTok user on a clip of the Kancil buruk looking as busted as ever – even with a sporadic lick of yellow paint – with the driver’s door hanging ajar as it weaves through Kuala Lumpur traffic.
Credit: @yazidismaill /TikTok
“Guys, I found him!” exclaimed another Malaysian on TikTok with similar footage of the shambolic car parked somewhere in Kepong.
Credit: @peanutbutternutella/TikTok
Authorities are looking for the Kancil buruk legend once again
Needless to say, the Kancil buruk’s reputation and fame cannot be stifled and Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has sent out a call looking for its driver to help him.
Credit: @limlipengOfficialPage/Facebook
“This car is seen many times wandering around the Taman Usahawan Kepong,” he writes on Facebook. “When I took the picture myself, I didn’t know what to say.”
The police and JPJ also know about the existence of this car, they also do not know what to do. My party planned to help, but we were a little stuck, not knowing how to give help to this brother.Lim Lip Eng, Kepong MP via Facebook.

RIP Legend (Part 2)
Due to the car’s condition – deflated tyres, sunken roof, broken windshield – Lim fears of an unfortunate incident if it continues to be driven on the already busy roads of Kepong.
The MP explained today (22 April) that his office has already reported the car to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for it to be towed away.
The important thing now is that this car cannot be on the road, for the safety of other road users. It’s time for this car to take a break from the battlefield. RIP Kancil Legend.Lim Lip Eng, Kepong MP via Facebook.

The owner and origin of the legendary Kancil buruk still remains a mystery, but it has certainly been an interesting sight on Malaysian roads.
Rest in pieces, Si Kancil buruk (again). May you find new life in scrapyard heaven (maybe).

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Police contradict each other on new car tint laws. Netizens even more so

A day after the new JPJ car tint law came into effect and police are already giving conflicting views on it.
Pic Credit: Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Malaysia Facebook
The tints will reduce crime!
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Chief Asst Comm Zulkefly Yahya, has a positive outlook on car window tints.
He welcomes the change and believes it may hinder thieves from breaking into vehicles because they won’t be able to spot items in the back seat.
He also adds that the increasingly hot weather has caused an increasing demand for car tints.

via GIPHY
The tints may increase crime!
Meanwhile at PDRM Headquarters in Bukit Aman, Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department Director Datuk Azisman Alias has a different view.
While he respects the decision made by the Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, he felt that some discussions between the two bodies should have been made prior to the announcement.
Especially when he feels that minor offences are difficult to track if cars are tinted heavily.
Worse still, now, the police would face difficulty in carrying out spot checks on passengers when car tints are installed in the back.

via GIPHY
On the web
There are mixed reactions from the public with some agreeing with KL Traffic police on the benefits of the new rules.

Others agree with Bukit Aman Traffic police and see this change as a negative.

Related posts:Car window tint laws changed today. Sorta
Sourced via:1. Star Online, May 8, 2019 (Police: New ruling will help deter car thieves)2. Star, May 8, 2019 (Many fear crime rate will go up with darker windows)3. Harian Metro, May 7, 2019 (Polis tak setuju cermin gelap)


BMW Group Malaysia Introduces New BMW Charging In Collaboration With JomCharge

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BMW Group Malaysia further elevates the Premium Electric Ownership Experience with the introduction of BMW Charging, in partnership with local electric vehicle (EV) charging provider – JomCharge.

Sashi Ambi, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at BMW Group Malaysia said, “An integral part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the electromobility landscape in Malaysia are our strategic partnerships with industry leaders in the charging infrastructure for EVs such as JomCharge as well as ChargEV and Tenaga Nasional Berhad in the coming months. With our shared goals and diversified expertise, we are bringing more key infrastructure and access to these charging platforms to our ever-growing community of existing and potential EV owners here.”
Ir. Lee Yuen How, Managing Director of EV Connection said, “As the operator of the JomCharge network in Malaysia, our goal is to promote greater Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) adoption in Malaysia by offering transformative, customer-centric infrastructure – which is exemplified through our extensive public charging network. This partnership with BMW – a leading premium EV automaker here, enables us to meet our ZEV adoption goals by working together to instil greater confidence amongst the public in our local electromobility ecosystem.”
BMW Charging in partnership with JomCharge brings with it convenient access to more than 100 charging facilities strategically placed throughout the city centre and national highways, alleviating range anxiety and providing BMW EV owners peace-of-mind on every journey.

The network includes the infrastructures owned by Gentari – the Green Mobility and Clean Energy division of Petronas.
Further completing the Premium Electric Ownership Experience, all new and existing BMW EV owners are entitled to register for the BMW Charging package. For a one-time fee of RM640, this one-year non-renewable subscription comes with complimentary JomCharge credits worth RM160 to provide a total package value of RM800. Once registered, customers will be able to enjoy this package as a pay-per-use service with an additional 10% discount on each charging transaction for a year.
To date, BMW Group Malaysia has provided BMW and MINI EV owners with access to over 550 charging facilities nationwide, mainly powered by industry partners such as: JomCharge with over 65 charging stations, Gentari with approximately 50 charging stations, and ChargEV with over 330 charging stations – including the 26 charging facilities powered by ChargEV and Yinson GreenTech at 17 Starbucks stores within Klang Valley, Penang, Melaka and Johor. Over 80 BMW i charging facilities are also available at most authorised BMW and MINI dealerships across the country, with a strategic infrastructure expansion plan already in place for 2023.

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“I’m Not Asking Malaysia To Claim The Land That We Had Lost” Mahathir Says His Recent Statement Was Taken Out Of Context

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Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today denied suggesting that Malaysia should reclaim the lands that it lost in the past.

According to the 96-years old Langkawi MP, his remarks regarding the position of Riau and Singapore were taken out of context.
“I am trying to point out that we are so concerned over losing a table-size rock but never about bigger parts of Malaysia when they were taken from us.
“Losing Pulau Batu Puteh is no big deal,” Dr Mahathir said in a statement uploaded on his Facebook today.

He also shifted the blame to the Johor state government for Malaysia losing Pulau Batu Puteh, which was also known as Pedra Branca to Singapore.
“It was the mistake of the Johor government to deny that the rock belonged to Johor. Had that denial not been made, there would be no dispute now.”
“We should be grateful that the world court awarded Pulau Ligitan and Sipadan to us. They are much more valuable than Pulau Batu Puteh – just a rock outcrop.
“We should be thankful that Indonesia has not disputed the award. Really, we are not grateful for our gains,” he said.
Dr Mahathir, who spoke at a congress on Sunday, was quoted in several reports to suggest that Riau and Singapore should be reclaimed as well as Pedra Branca as they were historically “Malay lands”.
On 16 June, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said that Putrajaya decided to drop the review application for Pedra Branca case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018 without consulting the state first.
The decision – made during Dr. Mahathir’s second term as prime minister – was described by the Johor Ruler as a clear breach of the state’s rights as enshrined in the Federation of Malaya Agreement.
READ MORE: “Allocate More For Johor And Stop Treating Us Like A Stepchild” Sultan Ibrahim Slams Putrajaya For Lack Of Support

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Stop! Are You On The Verge Of Burnout?

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Frontliners (bless them) in Malaysia aren’t the only ones facing burnout due to the pandemic.

The Covid-19 breakout has also left no choice for many Malaysians to work from home, which has resulted in many to burnout which can sometimes lead to physical illness.
What is burnout? And how you can tell you’re on the brink of one
(Credit: Gerd Altmann @ Pixabay)
But what exactly is burnout? Burnout is a syndrome resulting from prolonged exposure to stress.
Employees working remotely from home are experiencing this dilemma due to the lack of separation between work and home life.
According to an article published 10 July on Psychology Today, burnout occurs in three phases:
(1) Emotional exhaustionThis phase happens when there are excessive demands are placed on the individual, like too much of a workload or difficult interpersonal relationships with your team.
With WFH as a default for many, demands like child or elder care, housekeeping, relationship conflict and trying to balance work and home life can also lead to emotional exhaustion.
Ask yourself, “are my bad days more than my good days?” at work or home? If yes, you are probably experiencing emotional exhaustion.
(2) DepersonalisationThe second phase of burnout is the feeling of being disconnected which results in strained relationships with those working with you.
At this point of burnout, you will probably have an “I don’t care” attitude towards your job or home life.
(3) Low sense of personal accomplishmentThe last phase before that little fuse in your head blows is feeling a low sense of personal accomplishment.
You may think “nothing is working” or feel frustrated, helpless, and that the work you’re doing is unimportant and meaningless.
While replacing a light bulb after it has fused is easy, replacing your health is not an easy feat.
Sleeplessness, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety are all associated with burn out with some evidence that this can also lead to heart diseases/arrhythmias, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders and suppressed immune systems.
Finding it hard to disconnect from work
Although 55% of Malaysian respondents in PwC’s Hopes and Fears Survey 2021 preferred a mostly virtual work environment, only 28% are able to disconnect outside of working hours, weekends and annual leave included.
Technology in a time of a pandemic is heaven-sent, but at the same time also makes people feel like they are always “on”, which leads to a deterioration in physical and mental wellbeing. Same reason why light bulbs burn out when they’ve been left on for too long.
The report also noted that burnout is not a phenomenon born out of Covid-19, but it does appear to have heightened the likelihood of employees experiencing its symptoms due to the blurring of boundaries.
In short, employees felt they needed to prove that they were not slacking and felt compelled to work for longer hours which could signal underlying problems like anxiety over job security or the perception they are not trusted.
I’m burnt out. What do I do?
(Credit: Saneej Kallingal / Unsplash)
Does the above sound like you? Then you may be on the verge of burning out. Pat yourself on the back for coming to this realisation before it’s too late.
Ronald E. Riggio PhD at Cutting-Edge Leadership shares his best strategy for combatting burnout.
Remove yourself from the stressful situationIt may not be physically possible considering the situation, but something to consider is to review your career options. Can you change positions within your industry for example?
Of course, not everyone has the luxury to do so. If that’s the case, take some time away to help you recover with the conscious effort to completely turn off.
Human connectionIf the pandemic has taught us anything it’s how important human connection is.
Whether it is counselling, turning to a mentor or friend or simply creating a support group of your closest friends and family through WhatsApp, human connection can help.
Meditation/Relaxation/ExerciseKeeping yourself in good physical shape also works wonders to combat the stress that leads to burnout.
It doesn’t need to take long. Even a 7-minute workout has scientifically proven to produce results.
Breathing exercises also works wonders at keeping stress and anxiety at bay.  This one is called the 4-7-8 technique and it goes like this:
(Credit: Duff The Psyche)
Employers, do your part too!
In reference back to PwC’s survey, 25% of respondents said their employers helped them manage the stress and 22% were encouraged to take short breaks in the working day.
Having said that, if you’re in the position to implement a better work-life balance at work, look into ways to reduce employee stress and burnout BEFORE it becomes an issue in your company (middle management, I’m looking at you!)
According to global analytics and advice firm Gallup, the most immediate way to reduce employee burnout is for managers and employees to discuss which factors are most relevant to them.
This includes fostering positive employee experiences, learning how to reduce stress at work, setting clear expectations, communicating effectively, removing barriers and ensuring that employees feel supported.

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[Watch] Top 13 Raya Aidilfitri Videos Of 2021 According To Unscientific Observation

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Raya was a little different this year since we couldn’t go visiting, but one thing that stayed the same was Malaysia’s tradition of a seasonal barrage of Raya ads designed to tug at our heart strings

So, although Raya is over, here are a few of our favourites from 2021.
Petronas

In a short 5 minute animated musical called ‘Syukur Raya’, Petronas highlights the importance of being kind and forgiving to our neighbours.
The main character, Poji can’t go home for Raya this year and misses his mother. Poji  also deals with his fierce neighbour Mak Jah but tries to make himself useful anyway.
Gamuda Land

This short film is about a boy named Amin who refuses to go to school after being bullied at his last school. He then strikes up an unlikely friendship with his next-door neighbour which inspires him to want to go back to school.
Jakel

Fearing they don’t have time to shop for their new clothes for Raya this year, a son asks his father to take the family shopping.
In a comical gameshow parody, the father and son are asked by the mother and daughter questions which most men might find a little hard to answer.
Maxis

In a brief 3 minutes Maxis, in collaboration with Shopee, presents a delightful story called ‘Raya Si Sakan.’ It’s the tale of an enthusiastic wife who does things for her husband only to be disappointed by his responses.
MBSB Bank

A 3 minute presentation entitled ‘Seerat Jalinan Semesra Ikatan’ tells the story of a young woman named Kalsum who is neighbours with Mak Timah. Kalsum, being a nosy neighbour, expresses her pity for Mak Timah because the latter is always alone.
 She became quite concerned because Mak Timah had begun to talk to herself day and night. Rallying the kampung to come visit Mak Timah with food for Raya, she discovers the truth.
SP Setia

In a short 3 minute story, called ‘Tradisi di hati, setia di sisi’, we follow a young boy named  Yusof as he goes about his day with his father on a quest to make rendang with fresh ingredients.
Yusof laments that his father doesn’t like to take shortcuts and insists on doing things the hard way. The final twist at the end is a real tearjerker though.
Julie’s

In an advertisement about making an advertisement entitled ‘Ini iklan Raya tau?’, a director has trouble with his actors.
The ad was lauded on social media for breaking the fourth wall and gender stereotypes, but also poked fun at nosy aunties always asking when young people are gonna get married.
Boustead Properties

In a 4 minute story called ‘Demi Masa’ we follow the story of Julia, a young girl who has a fall then has her father take care of her. Years later, Julia now all grown up, received a phone call that her father has had a fall and is rushed to the hospital.
Chicken Rice Shop

A short 1 minute clip, we follow the story of a family with a mother who is over-enthusiastic about Raya and forgets about buka puasa.
Yoodo

In a comical presentation entitled “Siapakah Ketua Kuih Raya 2021” a mock newscast is presented regarding two political candidates in the form of a pineapple tart and a sam-perit, both vying for leadership as the winning kuih raya.
KPJ

In a 5 minute short film entitled ‘Cahaya Syawal’, we follow the story of a worrying mother in Ramadan, with a front-liner daughter who is a nurse not being able to come home for raya.
Toyota

Enjoy the ride in this 5 -minute video about a somewhat strict mother who is particular about everything – especially when it comes to Raya preparations. Notice how she measures everything with a ruler?
Sunway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uPM-HoHdu8

A front liner’s work is tough as you’re always on-call even when you’re not. This is Suraya’s journey and why she was late on the way to break fast with her friends after work.

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People Are Trying To Buy Elephant Dung From Zoo Negara For The Most Bizarre Reason

In December 2019, I was surprised to read that people have been begging a Zoo Negara zookeeper to sell them elephant excrement.
The odd requests werenâ€™t few and far between either. The zookeeper reportedly is asked for the â€œcommodityâ€ so often (at least 10 times a month), that he even considered it as a viable source of income for the zoo.
Those asking for elephant dung apparently always had the same story. Someone in the family was ill, and their bomoh told them they will need elephant faeces to be cured.
The elephants at Zoo Negara, probably unaware that people think their poop has medicinal properties. (Credit: Zoo Negara)
And if you thought that was shocking, wait until you find out that these desperate people were apparently applying the muck on their skin. Worried that the dung was infected and could cause complications, the zookeeper would usually turn them away.
This had me thinking: What kind of illness were these people facing that they would go so far as to look for elephant poop and apply it on their skin? Do their desperate attempts even work? And could this be the answer to the poor zooâ€™s financial woes since the government stopped giving them grants in 2004?
Would you slather this all over your body? (Credit: Africa Geographic)
So, I started researching and asking around for more information on the topic. Guys, the things I found out, whew! Man, it has been a JOURNEY!
After doing a quick Google search, the first thing I found out was that, apparently, in Malay history, elephant faeces is legit a thing people use to treat illnesses.
According to a research article I found in the International Journal of Creative Future & Heritage on the importance of plants and animals in the â€œSulalatus Salatinâ€ or the â€œMalay Annalsâ€ a Malay history book, besides elephant excrement, tiger liver, elephant tusks, and squid bones are also used as tools for medicine.
The cover page of Sulalatus Salatin book. (Credit: ILHAM Books)
The article did not, however, explain how these tools were used and what they treated.
My internet search also unearthed what looked like an old news article about a man who went to a traditional Malay medicine practitioner to look for a cure for his elephantiasis.
This man was apparently told to apply elephant droppings (how convenient that elephant droppings might cure elephantiasis) all over the affected area. Sadly, the faecal matter, which he coincidentally obtained from Zoo Negara, didnâ€™t work very well for him.
Elephantiasis cannot be cured using elephant poop. (Credit: Imperial College London)
I then tried reaching out to several bomohs for a comment on the use of elephant dung for medicinal purposes, as well as some elephant experts to find out if there were any benefits of elephant excrement known by the scientific community.
Although the bomoh contacts didnâ€™t work out, my search for an elephant expert did.
Prof Dr Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, who is a professor in Tropical Conservation Ecology and Principal Investigator at a local NGO called the Management and Ecology of Elephants (MEME) helpfully entertained my strange questions about elephant poop.
Prof Dr Ahimsa, the elephant expert. (Credit: The University of Nottingham)
â€œI am not aware â€” and canâ€™t think of any â€” medical properties of elephant dung. The use of dung as medicine sounds like superstition more than any sensible reason.â€Dr Ahimsa to TRP
On the benefits of the large animalâ€™s excrement, Dr Ahimsa lists fertiliser, fuel and a source of paper as possible benefits.
He also shared a story he heard from an old man in Sri Lanka who told him that fresh elephant dung could be squeezed for drinking water during desperate times – though Dr Ahimsa admits itâ€™s not a use heâ€™d personally try, even if he was desperate.
Would you squeeze this and drink the residual liquid? (Credit: Africa Geographic)
But on its use as medicine, Dr Ahimsa says that it is unlikely to do any good because faeces tend to be a source of infections rather than cures.
Fortunately for all those who have been applying it on their skin, it turns out that since elephants are herbivores and they donâ€™t share many pathogens with humans, their poop is relatively safe.
So, the verdict is: It probably wonâ€™t cure you. But it wonâ€™t hurt you either.
Elephant GIF from Elephant GIFs

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Russian Couple Takes Pics On Top Of Merdeka 118, Netizens Question Building Security

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A daredevil Russian couple, Ivan Beerkus and Angela Nikolau, uploaded pictures of themselves posing on top of the Merdeka 118 building online and it led netizens to question the security of the building.

The couple is known for their thrill-seeking and death-defying feats across the globe and has scaled tall buildings everywhere they went just to take a good shot for their followers.
Comments on Reddit.
The pictures of the couple on Merdeka 118 were first posted by Ivan Beerkus on Monday on SkyscraperCity.com, and it spread to other sites such as the Malaysia community subreddit.
It’s believed the couple used a drone to capture the images. Based on Beerkus’s reply on the website, the couple climbed the stairs inside the building to get to the spire.
Screenshot from SkyscraperCity.com
Over on Instagram, Beerkus wrote that he heard many stories about people trying to illegally climb Merdeka 118 and felt sad for those who allegedly ended up in prison for several months.
He also mentioned that there were plenty of closed doors and CCTV inside the building, which made it the most desirable building in the world (to climb, probably).
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by IVAN BEERKUS (@beerkus)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U | C R E A T O R (@angela_nikolau)
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by A N G E L A N I K O L A U | C R E A T O R (@angela_nikolau)
According to New Straits Times, it has not been verified whether anyone was jailed for attempting to climb Merdeka 118 as claimed by Beerkus.
However, a Frenchman and urban climber Alain Robert was arrested for climbing the Petronas Twin Towers in 2009.
The “French Spiderman” was fined RM2,000 for his actions.

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If You Catch Covid & Survive, Your Quality of Life Is Still Affected, Say Doctors

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Combating Covid-19 is a little more complexed than just getting vaccinated, masking up, practicing physical distancing and washing/sanitising hands.

You may have followed SOPs but one little mistake could land you in enemy hands. It’s one thing to survive, but once you have, the effects still linger.
The long and winding road
Recovered Covid-19 patients who are still experiencing some symptoms may be something the World Health Organisation (WHO) refers to as post-Covid condition or “long Covid”.
The three common symptoms of long Covid include shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog), and fatigue.
There are however 200 other symptoms that have been reported in patients.
Covid-19 intensive care unit (ICU) in Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selangor.(Credit: @DGHisham / Facebook )
In Malaysia, a clinical study conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) shows that 66% of 1,004 Covid-19 patients from categories 4 and 5 who received treatment, were found to have suffered from long Covid.
Long Covid in this instance lasted up to 12 weeks or more after infection with patients citing fatigue, breathing difficulties during activity (exertional dyspnea), insomnia, cough, and anxiety as symptoms.
You can add hair loss to the long list of symptoms
(Credit: Freepik)
A respiratory specialist in Bangkok has said hair loss is a new symptom found to be affecting people who have recovered from Covid-19.
Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, a pulmonologist with Vichaiyut Hospital, reported that many patients began losing their hair two to three months after recovery.
People normally lose approximately 100 strands of hair daily, but after two to three months of recovery, they may lose up to 300 strands per day and this problem may last for six months.Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs via The Straits Times
However, he says the hair loss problem is not directly caused by Covid-19 but is the consequence of high fever, stress and anxiety.
Quality of life affected
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GKL) endocrinology, internal medicine and bariatric surgery specialist Dr Saiful B. Kassim chimed in to say that symptoms may be severe with a lot of patients reporting that they are unable to access health services, and are struggling to have their cases taken seriously to get treatment.
Many patients are unable to return to work or resume a normal social life. Many have also described how it affects their mental health.Dr Saiful B. Kassim via NST
He also says that after excluding serious complications or co-morbidities, and until the results of long-term follow-up studies are available, long Covid patients should be managed pragmatically and symptomatically with emphasis on holistic support, while avoiding over-investigation.
Will it get better?
(Credit: Elsa Tonkinwise @ Unsplash)
According to Dr Saiful, patients can recover but not fully, especially if they suffered multiple organ failures during infection.
Experts believe that it may even take months for a Covid-19 patient’s lungs to recover.
One study shows that 60% of people who recover from Covid-19 have signs of heart inflammation. This occurs even in patients with no prior history of cardiac problems.
In addition, studies of recovered Covid-19 patients have reported:
If the infection has damaged the kidneys, there is a risk of long-term kidney disease and the need for dialysis.If loss of smell or taste is a symptom, the problem will resolve in a couple of weeks.Patients who are hospitalised and treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) also seem to have a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The majority of people who have had this disease are only one year or less into their recovery. It will take longer to know and understand what is next for patients who suffer from long Covid.Dr Saiful B. Kassim  via NST

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Nagaenthran Has Been Executed, Last-Ditch Effort To Save Him Failed

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According to The Star, Nagaenthran’s brother, Navin Kumar, 22, said his brother has been executed today, 27 April, and the funeral would be held in Ipoh.

The last-ditch effort to get Nagaenthran Dharmalingam out of death row by his mother yesterday, 26 April, had failed.
Panchalai Supermaniam filed the legal challenge with help of friends and activists and was not represented by a lawyer. The Star reported that she was accompanied by her niece Thenmoli Sunniah.
The basis of the challenge is that judge Sundaresh Menon, who presided and dismissed Nagaenthran’s appeals, was also the attorney general who had prosecuted Nagaenthran and secured his conviction.
After the case was dismissed, the court granted Nagaenthran to hold hands with seven of his family members present in the courtroom. He was reportedly calm while talking to his mother and family.
The Malay Mail reported that a vigil was held yesterday night outside the Singapore Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as a show of support for Nagaenthran.
The crowd sang Negaraku before being asked to slowly disperse around 9.02pm.
Nagaenthran was sentenced to death in 2010 for trafficking 42.72g of heroin into Singapore. Despite several appeals, Nagaenthran remained on death row due to Singapore’s tough narcotics laws.
READ MORE: “It’s Heartbreaking” Nagaenthran’s Lawyer Says SG Court Set Execution Date On 27 April
READ MORE: [Watch] “Please Help My Son” Nagaenthran’s Mother Pleads To Save Son’s Life
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also wrote to his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong seeking leniency in the case in November 2021.
In December 2021, Singapore President Halimah Yacob said Nagaenthran had been accorded full due process under the law.

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22YO USM Student Fell To His Death While Trying To Retrieve Laundry In Penang

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A student from the School of Education Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was found dead after he was believed to have fallen from the eighth floor of Desa Siswa Tekun on 25 April.

The Sun reported that 22-year-old Lukman Hakim Mat Rani in Penang slipped and fell when he tried to retrieve his clothes which had dropped from the clothesline.
According to Al Hijrah, some of the Lukman’s friends explained that he climbed over the corridor pillar on the eighth floor to reach for the clothes before falling to his death.
They only realized he fell when he didn’t return to the room. They found his body when they went out to look for him around 10.30pm and alerted the university management and police.
According to Utusan, the body was sent to Hospital Pulau Pinang for post-mortem.
North East District police chief ACP Soffian Santong said there’s no foul play involved and it wasn’t a case of suicide. The case is investigated as sudden death.
In light of this incident, USM deputy vice-chancellor (Sustainability and Institutional Development), Prof Dr Md Roslan Hashim said the university had taken all the necessary measures including forming a team to look into all the student facilities, especially at hostels to ensure their safety.
He already bought a bus ticket home
Lukman, the fifth child out of eight children, was supposed to return to his home in Kampung Penambang, Kota Bharu in Kelantan by bus on 30 April for Hari Raya.
Lukman’s mother, Wan Rubiah Wan Abdullah, 50, told Utusan that her son had already bought bus tickets and was supposed to continue his one-month semester break.
The last time they spoke was during a video call two weeks ago and he told her that he didn’t manage to get new Raya clothes. Wan Rubiah said he bought blue Baju Melayu for him and the other children.
A netizen expressed shock at the news because the incident happened at her former university.
She said she used a broomstick, a broom or a mop to retrieve her laundry if it fell. She was also surprised to know that the victim dared to climb over at that height.

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Immigration Comes Out With Warning To Rohingyas To Stay Off Malaysian Shores

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The Malaysian Immigration Department today has come out with a warning to illegal immigrants, particularly the Rohingya to stay away from the country.

Complete with a poster very much like that of an action movie, featuring officers in uniform, the message was posted on social media platforms signaling the intent of denying Rohingyas entry and refuge in the country.
Rohingya ethnic migrants are reminded that their arrival is uninvited and never allowed. The masterminds and syndicates involved will continue to be hunted in combating cross-border crime as well as other crimes.The Malaysian Immigration Department via Facebook

Some Malaysians question the hostilities
When the post went on social media, it caught the attention of Malaysians who were shocked to see the authorities acting aggressively towards the ethnic group.
They were critical towards the message, saying that it’s inhumane to treat to the Rohingya in that manner.
The xenophobia of our Immigration Department. They just released a poster saying Rohingya ethnic migrants are not welcome to Malaysia. Firstly, they are refugees, not migrants, secondly, it is obvious our immigration department has no idea #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar, shameful https://t.co/39S5mag552— Milk Tea Alliance Malaysia (@MYmilkteh) June 11, 2021
A vital part of responding to a pandemic is creating trust & providing aid to refugees and migrant communities.This is not only the right thing to do but absolutely NECESSARY.Not wage war against victims of violence & brutality.This is incompetent & inhumane. https://t.co/V4aLeJM87r— Nash (@ViggyStrdust) June 11, 2021
Others supported the initiative
Although there were Malaysians who find the announcement distasteful, there were also those who supported the Department’s message.
Commenters who showed their support for the initiative urged authorities to check on immigrants in the Klang Valley area who are owning vehicles and businesses here in Malaysia.
Credit: Facebook

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Differentiated Vape Regulations Needed

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The electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) or vape culture is HUGE.

It’s estimated that there are around 68 million vape users across 49 countries worldwide in 2020.
Ever since vape products like pods, tanks, mods and disposables offer traditional cigarettes, cigars and pipe smokers a less harmful way to indulge in their nicotine habits — vaping became more than just another passing trend.
Promoted as a harm reduction alternative for people to eventually quit smoking for good, its proponents argue that vaping provides another solution to ending the global smoking epidemic and the public health problems that comes with it.
Dr Arifin Fii, a medical practitioner working with addiction therapy sees vape as a viable solution to phase out smoking as multiple studies asserted that vape products were far less harmful compared with cigarettes and were more efficient in getting smokers to quit.
For example, a report by Cochrane Review which reviewed 61 studies involving 16,759 adult smokers, found that more people stopped smoking for at least six months using nicotine vape than using nicotine replacement therapies. In New Zealand, which promotes vape as a smoking cessation tool, daily smoking rates have dropped from 16.4 per cent (between 2011 and 2012) to 9.4 per cent in 10 years (between 2020 and 2021). Similarly, in the United Kingdom (UK), smoking prevalence has declined since the country encouraged the use of vape to quit smoking. In England, the number of smokers dwindled from 7.7 million people in 2011 to 5.7 million in 2019.Dr Arifin Fii via New Straits Times
Malaysians say vape should not be regulated like cigarettes
(Credit: twenty20photos via Envato Elements/ Malay Mail)
Here in Malaysia, there are approximately 1.2 million vape users nationwide.
Stakeholders agree that clear control and regulations for vape are what Malaysia needs moving forward to resolve this epidemic.
A recent poll conducted by the Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) that surveyed around 1,000 local vape users found that 84% of them believed that they are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Meanwhile, 90% agreed that regulations must differentiate between vape and traditional tobacco products
Read More: Majority Of Malaysian Vapers Believe Vape & Cigarettes Shouldn’t Be Regulated The Same Way
(Credit: VapeClubMY/E-Liquids UK via Unsplash)
MVA President Khairil Azizi Khairuddin also stressed that vape products are entirely different from traditional tobacco products.
He said that a balance must be struck to ensure that vape remains available and safe for the users that need it.
Vape has already changed the lives of millions of smokers for the better globally and locally, and we can continue in this traction if regulators develop a framework that is differentiated and evidence-based. For example, 79% of vape users have indicated that they use vape liquids containing 40mg to 50mg nicotine. If regulations cap nicotine levels lower than that threshold, then 85% have said that they will resort to purchasing vape liquids that are not regulated.MVA President Khairil Azizi Khairuddin
Regulations needed for consumer safety and economic benefit
Pankajkumar Bipinchandrahad, the managing director of local think-tank Datametrics Research & Information Centre (DARE) implored the government to introduce regulations or guidelines for vape products to ensure their standard of quality and safety for consumers.
The economist also noted that the government should tax vape products appropriately at the right rate to encourage smokers to quit as well as a source of revenue for the country.
Pankajkumar said that not taxing vape means that Malaysia is potentially losing out on an estimated RM1 billion in uncollected tax revenue.
He also explains that taxes on vape products cannot be set too high because it would defeat the purpose of reducing smoking prevalence.
The taxation on vape products ought to be risk-proportionate to encourage smokers to switch to vaping and quit smoking. The RM1.20 per millilitre excise duty as announced under Budget 2022 by the Finance Minister is rather too high and effectively will make vaping more expensive than cigarettes. This defeats the purpose of using the product as a strategy to reduce smoking prevalence.DARE Managing Director via The Malaysian Reserve
Prohibition seen as ineffective
(Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail)
Additionally, local health experts agree that a prohibition on vape may be detrimental towards achieving this goal.
Dr Arifin also clarified that a ban on all things nicotine is unlikely to curb addiction.
It is also important to remember that it is not only nicotine dependence that makes quitting traditional cigarettes difficult. For some, smoking offers relief and other psycho-social pleasure. This often makes the physical act of smoking just as difficult to quit as nicotine smoking provides. Although nicotine addiction keeps people smoking, it is the smoke from combustion which releases thousands of harmful constituents into the body at dangerous levels, leading to deaths.Dr Arifin Fii via New Straits Times
Meanwhile, HELP University Institute of Crime and Criminology senior lecturer R. Paneir Selvam said that such a ban would only serve as a trigger for people to smoke instead.
Young adults are often tempted to rebel and seek for ʻforbidden pleasuresʼ. So, a generational tobacco ban intentionally targets them might actually provoke them to start smoking.HELP University Institute of Crime and Criminology senior lecturer R. Paneir Selvam via New Straits Times
He further explained that prohibition would only allow for criminals to make benefits out of the situation by selling contraband products.
A ban also enables organised crime gangs to flourish their illegal businesses through mass production of cheaper and harmful counterfeit alternatives. In the case of tobacco, contraband cigarettes are already gaining traction in Malaysia, and a ban will further exacerbate this.HELP University Institute of Crime and Criminology senior lecturer R. Paneir Selvam via New Straits Times
He concluded that the government should introduce regulations to distinguish vape products from traditional tobacco products to counter cases of underaged usage and remains strictly a tool to quit smoking.
Imposing a ban on tobacco consumption is neither practical nor economically viable in the long run. Furthermore, the state should guide consumers to make informed decisions, and not dictate their consumption options.HELP University Institute of Crime and Criminology senior lecturer R. Paneir Selvam via New Straits Times
Read More: Malaysia’s ‘Shadow Economy’ Explained By A Comedian & An Economist
In terms of policy, Sarawakian lawmaker Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah feels that the government should not be hasty to ban the sale of all smoking products including vape. He was referring to the Ministry of Health’s proposal to ban anyone born after 2005 to access both cigarettes and vaping.
He pointed out the government needed to study the repercussions of an all-out ban and what’s installed for the future and eluded to the fact that health policies tend to change over time and with each new administration.
Abdul Karim instead emphasised the need to educate the public and advocate a non-smoking culture in Malaysian society.
There is no need to make a hasty decision, and I am not encouraging anyone to smoke, but we should educate the public on the matter instead. There must be some kind of education or effort to ensure that the target group do not become smokers.Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah via Focus Malaysia
The vape industry is set to grow
However, the use of vape is still technically unregulated in Malaysia.
The Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM) explains that regulations are needed in order to ensure consumers are accessing regulated products.
Regulations can help ensure that nicotine vape products are only sold to adult consumers in a safe and legal manner. Promoting accurate information sharing by the authorities and regulating nicotine vapes is crucial to ensure proper usage, so that there is better awareness of vaping as a smoking cessation tool. Smokers, who are already buying nicotine vapes to help them stop smoking, can be assured of product safety when quality standards are implemented. Right now, consumers buying nicotine vapes have no choice but to purchase from the black market and the risks are real.VCAM president Tengku Aslahuddin Ja’afar via The Edge

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Source:
Estimation of the global number of e-cigarette users in 2020
Ban on tobacco and vape would be ineffective
NHMS 2019
Majority Of Malaysian Vapers Believe Vape & Cigarettes Shouldn’t Be Regulated The Same Way
Malaysia could lose RM1b tax revenue from vape products
Malaysia’s ‘Shadow Economy’ Explained By A Comedian & An Economist
“Do consider future of smoking ban law once Khairy is no longer Health Minister”
Regulate us, vaping industry players tell government