Hey, Potterheads! Four more books are coming next month!

JK Rowling is now releasing a set of Hogwarts â€œtextbooksâ€ next month.

The best thing is that this time, you wonâ€™t need to line up like cray cray at 6 in the morning in front of MPH because they’re going to be an online series!

Keeping up with technology, JK Rowling will now release her latest creations as a series of e-books.
From what we hear, the books will revolve around the lessons set in Hogwarts, from the Defence Against the Dark Arts to the arts of Divination.
 Just looking at â€˜erm gives me the goosebumps!(Pic Credit: Pottermore.com)
Way to feel like you are in Hogwarts right?

You can pre-order them on Amazon, Kindle, and Apple Books, and they are REALLY affordable at $2.99 (RM12.53) each!

Save June 27th in your calendars because  A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts and A Journey Through Potions and Herbology will be released together!

(Pic Credit: Amazon)

(Pic Credit: Amazon)

It has been more than a decade since JK Rowling dropped her books, so yaâ€™ll must be super excited.
Well there are bound to be some who aren’t very happy about it, but hey, Snape approves, so it must mean something right?


You Can Actually Renew Your Driving License Online, Here’s How

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Did you know that you can renew your driver’s license online?

Since 16th October 2020 through the MYEG website, you can select a list of services they provide such as vehicle insurance renewal or road tax renewal, but more pertinently, the driving license renewal.
Before you start, make sure you have the right picture
Screenshot from myeg.com.my
You can either choose to upload a new picture or choose to use the current picture they have on file.
You must ensure that the background of the picture displayed is white. You also need to make sure the picture displayed on the screen is clear and the information displayed on your license is correct.
If the picture displayed has a background other than white, for example blue, MYEG will not print out your license. Instead, a letter of notification from MYEG will be issued to you for you to update your license at the nearest JPJ counter.
How to renew your driving license online
Screenshot from myeg.com.my
You simply fill up your details on a quick form, listing:
your Identity Card number, your citizenship category, a renewal period of up to five years (each year costing RM30 each), a phone number, e-mail address, and collection method
Screenshot from myeg.com.my
In this case, you can choose ‘delivery’ as a collection method to save yourself the hassle of going out of your way to the JPJ office or the post office – which is the whole point of doing it online.
Then your delivery information is required and you’re almost done! Simply confirm that the image they have is the one you still want to use, and make the payment.
Depending on where you live, delivery charges vary from RM6.00 within the Klang Valley, to RM10.00 in Sabah and Sarawak, or RM8.00 in most peninsular locations. Delivery times also vary from 2 to 5 working days, depending on your location.
And voilà! You now have a new driver’s license!

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Source:
MyEG


Good Or Bad? Opinion Divided Over Housing Loan Without Permanent Job And Pay Slip

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Many Malaysians would want to own a home one day, and the government has made this easier.

People who do not have a permanent job and salary slip can make a housing loan under the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (HCGS).
The loan is made available through Syarikat Jaminan Kredit Perumahan Berhad (SJKP), which is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the loan scheme is another government effort to help more people purchase their own homes, including those who have difficulty obtaining bank loans.
SJKP offers financing up to RM300,000.00 (including MRTA/ MRTT), with a 100 percent guarantee of total financing from participating financial institutions.
Properties that can be purchased under the loan scheme include Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA) housing.

Those without a permanent job and salary slip can apply with a confirmation letter from an authorised person.
The authorised person include Category A civil servant (Grade 41 and above), chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), the penghulu, elected representative and bank branch manager.

Opinions are divided on whether it is alright to give housing loans to buyers who lack good credit rating.
Those who supported the initiative praised the government as being caring and attentive to the needs of the people.
They said affordable housing needs to be a right, and not a privilege.
At the same time, those who support the loan scheme lauded its ease of application.

Are We Heading Toward A Subprime Mortgage Crisis?
Despite the seemingly good news, some pointed out that terms and condition still apply, such as Credit Reference Information System (CCRIS) record and debt-to-income ratio.

Some claimed it is nothing more than a populist move as election is near.
Others are doubtful if any banks would give out loans without payslips to support the application.
Some raised the issue of what will happen if the applicants default on the loans since they do not have a steady job, which is why banks refuse to lend in the first place.
At the same time, some questioned why the government can loosened the conditions to get a loan, but not the withdrawal of one’s own saving from the Employee Provident Fund (EPF).

Real estate consultant and property management professional Calvin Chai Kuen Keong said it is generally much harder for people without steady job and low-income earners to get housing loan from banks.
The decision to purchase a property is a serious financial commitment that is not to be taken lightly. It will tie you to regular monthly payments for the next 30 years or more, hence banks would much prefer borrowers with a steady income. Banks hate bad debts as it would hit their profits.Real estate consultant Calvin Chai on why borrowers ability to consistently pay their loan is important to banks.

Chai said potential homebuyers had always found it difficult to obtain mortgages if they do not meet the required credit score, as it means they generally have problems with debt.
As such, it would not be too far fetched to draw comparison to the subprime mortgage crisis that hit United States that lasted from 2007 to 2010 as homeowners defaulted on their loans.
The subprime mortgage crisis of 2007–10 was due to expansion of housing loans including to borrowers who previously would have had difficulty getting approval from banks.Real estate consultant Calvin Chai on why banks deny loans to borrowers who are deemed high risk.
Chai said it would be more economically sustainable for the government to rent out affordable homes, with the option for the tenants to purchase the property once they are financially stable.

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No Death Penalty For Yasin, Artist Free From Drug Trafficking Charges

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Nasyid singer and composer Muhammad Yasin Sulaiman can breathe a sigh of relief after he escaped the gallows as he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for trafficking ganja by the Petaling Jaya Magistrate Court today.

According to mStar, Yasin, 47, expressed his gratitude for the ruling.
“Alhamdulillah, I am fine…I went through all the processes of the law and I am grateful for this decision,” he was quoted as saying.
The singer previously faced a possible death penalty sentence after he was charged with trafficking 214g of cannabis at a condominium in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, on 24 March.
He was charged on 31 March under Section 39B (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which was punishable under Section 39B (2) of the same Act.
Magistrate Court Judge Iskandar Zainol however allowed the prosecution request to re-charge Yasin for the possession of 193.7g of ganja under Section 39A (2) of the Act at the Petaling Jaya Session Court.
Yasin pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him in front of  Session Court Judge Jamaluddin Mat.
He is facing imprisonment of five years to life and no fewer than 20 strokes of the cane if he was found guilty.
Yasin was also charged with cultivating 17 cannabis plants in his home.
For this offence, he was charged under Section 6B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for life imprisonment and whipping of at least six strokes of the cane, upon conviction.
Yasin was arrested at his condominium unit in Kota Damansara on 24 March where the police found 214g of ganja as well as 17 ganja plants inside his home.
The dried leaves and plants were believed to be worth RM10,200 but the police investigation found that it was for personal use.
It was learned that Yasin, who had a history of drugs and mental issues, used social media to learn how to grow the plants.
READ MORE: [Watch] Yasin Sends His Regards To Syed Saddiq Before Getting Charged For Cultivating Ganja Plants


Tosai, Tosei, Tose? Which Spelling Is It In Bahasa Malaysia?

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Let’s settle this once and for all. Is it Tosai, Tosei or Thosei in Malay? *EKK* (buzzer sound) ALL WRONG.

It’s Tose, everyone. Tose. 😌
Yes, we are surprised as well but hey, it’s Malaysia’s Institute of Language and Literature (DBP – Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka). Whatever they say, goes…
Even if this word was in the Bahasa Malaysia dictionary a long time ago, DBP just recently reiterated their content and put it in a fun fact on their social media.
Ejaan Bahasa Melayu: tose#DekadBahasaKebangsaan#BahasaJiwaBangsa pic.twitter.com/FxOLkOa6oA— Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (@DBPMalaysia) October 17, 2022
Okay, so the spelling to describe Tose is usually spelt in different variations in Malaysia. But they all mean the same thing, which is this:
Thosai / Dosa – A thin crepe originating from South India, made from a fermented batter of rice and lentil. It’s eaten as a breakfast meal and served with three different gravy – chutney, curry and dhal.
However, in a formal context, DBP has reminded us all that the correct spelling for the staple South Indian food in Bahasa Malaysia is Tose.
Netizens don’t really agree on the topic…
Be it in Malay or not, it’s still traditional Indian cuisine. The use of ‘Tose’ actually sparked quite an amount of rage from the Indian community in Malaysia.

Since Deepavali is around the corner, a lot of people are celebrating Indian food and the news ultimately will use the word ‘Tose’. And this is probably why the DBP backed up the local news outlets with their fun fact post today. 🤷🏽♀
Hi, guys!☺ I’m aware of how the DBP spells it. Cuma given that it's an Indian food, don't you think the kamus writers should take our spelling into consideration? If an English dictionary spelled Nasi Lemak as Naysee Lehmak to cater to native English speakers' pronunciation— https://t.co/nhRPOEIfMU— Nandini Balakrishnan (@Nandinibundini) October 17, 2022
Here’s the Bahasa Malaysia spelling for other food in Malaysia
Yes. It’s Martabak. Not Murtabak… (Our whole lives have been nothing but a lie)

It’s Mi. Short and simple. Who needs a double ee when you can replace it with an i?

Kuetiau, not Kway Teow or any other spellings. Why do we need two words when we can combine them into one, right?

READ MORE: Koay Teow? Kuetiau? Kuetiaw? DBP Finally Rules On Official Spelling Of Our Favourite Noodle Dish
Generally, these are only applicable in formal contexts in Bahasa Malaysia, meaning, if you wanna do a proper debate about this food or probably do a Malay essay in SPM. Or maybe write a report about it in Malay or even read it in the Malay news.
Other than that, it doesn’t really matter how you spell it to your friends or to your local Mamak. As long as it sounds the same, the Mamak guy will totally understand and give you a Thosai when you ask. If he gives you a Chapati, well that’s another story.
READ MORE: [Watch] TikToker Mad Over ‘Dry’ CKT From Chinese Shop

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Fire Down Under: What You Need To Know About Australia’s Wildfires

Malaysians planning on taking a trip Down Under might want to take a raincheck as wildfires (or bushfires as Australians call it) continue to ravage across parts of the continent since July 2019.
Australia’s iconic kangaroo hoping for survival.(Credit: Matthew Abbott via CNN)
Wisma Putra cautioned Malaysians to stay clear of areas affected by what some are calling, the worst fires seen on the country in decades, after Australian authorities declared a 7-day emergency for the state of New South Wales beginning January 3, 2020.
Malaysians who are already in the country are advised to prioritise their safety and abide instructions given by local authorities or contact the Malaysian Embassy for needed assistance.
Continent on fire
According to reports, Australiaâ€™s wildfires have destroyed entire towns, displaced thousands of people and killed many of the continentâ€™s wildlife.
Australia as viewed from space. Red areas are hotspots where fires are occurring.(Credit: NASA)
Since the blaze began in mid-2019, flames as high as 70 meters have burned off close to 6 million hectares of land across several states of the country:
New South WalesQueenslandSouth AustraliaTasmaniaVictoria
Conditions were so bad that skies over Mallacoota, Victoria turned blood red as it did in Indonesia last year in a phenomenon called rayleigh scattering.
Australians taking refuge on the beach under a crimson sky.(Credit: Facebook via Philippe FranÃ§ois)
And tragically, the death toll across the nation has also been increasing. As of the time of writing more than 18 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing blaze.
Fire season
Between the scorching hot temperatures in the Outback, a host of deadly venomous creatures, and a terrifyingly long visa approval time, Australia is known to be the land of extremes.
While Malaysia has itâ€™s hot or rainy with the unwelcomed hazy seasons. Australia takes it up a notch by having a period of the year where certain areas of the country would burn for months at a time.
Brave firefighters risking their lives to extinguish flames.(Credit: CNN)
Commonly referred to as the â€œfire seasonâ€, it occurs during the continentâ€™s summer months where hot and dry weather conditions make it easy for blazes to start and spread.
Believe it or not, these fire events are actually a natural part of Australiaâ€™s ecology.
Fires in the Australian wilderness can occur naturally from lightning strikes and “dry thunderstorms” or thunderstorms with no rainfall in arid places.
The continentâ€™s flora and fauna have benefitted from this cycle of destruction and rebirth.
The eucalyptus tree leaves contain flammable oils that help fires to spread killing off competition and triggering its fire-resistant seeds to sprout.(Credit: Pinterest)
However, human encroachment and mismanagement have also attributed to the countryâ€™s wildfires, and through the years, reports have increased in frequency, and threaten the islandâ€™s inhabitants.
Firestorms
Incredibly, the largest and hottest wildfires burning accross the continent also have the ability to manipulate the weather.
Under certain conditions, smoke rising from fires can create what scientists call pyrocumulonimbus clouds or â€œfirestormsâ€.
How firestorms form.(Credit: Bureau of Meteorology)
They are considered extremely dangerous as it can create turbulent winds that spread embers everywhere and even create lightning which sparks more flames.
Amazingly, firestorms can also create a phenomenon known as a cyclonic fire-tornado.
A â€œfirenadoâ€ as their called, is exactly what it sounds like; a whirling torrent of fire spiraling up towards the sky that thankfully disappears as quickly as it can form.

The hottest time of the decade
The massive devastation of Australiaâ€™s current ongoing fire season is mainly attributed to the record-breaking high temperatures that the country is experiencing.
In December 2019, Australia recorded its hottest temperature to date where some parts of the country scorched at an average of 40Â°C.
Uluru, or Ayers Rock in the semi-arid desert of Northern Australia.(Credit: Kyle Hinkson via Unsplash)
2019 also became the driest time that the island has ever been where the country reportedly experienced extreme drought and the lowest amount of rainfall ever recorded in over 100 years.
And though the continent is known for its hot and dry climate, experts are confident that the global Climate Crisis is exacerbating the situation, making the fire seasons worst year by year.
The ripple effect
Much like how Indonesiaâ€™s forest fires sent suffocating smog our way, Australiaâ€™s nationwide wildfires are impacting environments well beyond its borders.
Smoke from the country has also reached neighboring New Zealand, enveloping the country in haze and covering the nationâ€™s prestige snowy mountain tops and glaciers in brown dust.
This the view from the top of the Tasman Glacier NZ today – whole South island experiencing bushfire clouds. We can actually smell the burning here in Christchurch. Thinking of you guys. 😢#nswbushfire #AustralianFires #AustraliaBurning pic.twitter.com/iCzOGkou4oâ€” Miss Roho (@MissRoho) January 1, 2020
On estimate, Australiaâ€™s fires have emitted some 350 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere causing the planet to warm even more. And a warmer planet increases the risk of even more fires occurring.
With the Amazon jungle and other parts of the world also ablaze, it looks like things aren’t going to get colder any time soon.

Share your thoughts on the fires that are raging across the planet on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Food Delivery Riders & Drivers Must Undergo Mandatory Health Screening To Work During MCO

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Local food delivery riders and drivers are required to undergo health screenings to work during the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
Dispatch workers who are either employed to food delivery companies (such as Grab or FoodPanda), restaurants (such as fast-food joints or local stores) or working individually (if say Mak Cik Kiah Pisang Goreng has her own delivery service), would need to take mandatory a checkup to ensure their health and safety to continue working during the pandemic.
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob mentioned that those in the food delivery business are still allowed to operate during the MCO and despite the government’s nationwide ban on Ramadan bazaars.
Ismail Sabri was speaking on live broadcast from Putrajaya on April 17.(Credit: Malay Mail)
The minister explained that as frontlineres with direct and widespread contact with the public, these delivery riders and drivers would need to be kept in check not only to maintain their health but also avoid the further spread of the coronavirus.
Ismail Sabri says that health screenings can be done at any public or private health institution across the country, however, did not mention if the ordered screenings would need to include tests for Covid-19.
(Credit: Giadinh Vietnam)
Putrajaya also wants small businesses and individuals within the food delivery service industry, especially in rural areas, to register themselves with local authorities so that the government can keep track of their health and movement during the pandemic.
The Transport Ministry is expected to circulate instructions and guidelines to the over 40 different major food delivery services operating in the country, while the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) will be responsible for keeping tabs on other local businesses and enterprises.

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Rapid KL Offers Free Rides For The Disabled Community From 4 to 12 December

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Rapid KL is offering complimentary rides to people with disabilities in conjunction with International Day of Disabled Persons which falls on 3 December.

From 4 to 12 December, the disabled community along with their assistants or guides are able to travel on public transports such as LRTs, MRTs, BRTs and Monorails for free from 6am to 12am.

Here’s how to qualify for the complimentary trips:
Show your OKU Card from the Social Welfare Department.
Show your guide’s MyKad to the officer at the counter.
Get a token each for your complimentary trips.
If you’re travelling with someone who’s visually impaired, they can get refreshments using the Braille-enabled vending machines in 10 LRT stations in Klang Valley, listed in the link below.
READ MORE: These Braille-Enabled Vending Machines Make Getting Drinks Easier For The Visually-Impaired Community
Enjoy and have a safe travel!

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Police Calls In 6 Individuals Over Veteran’s Rally At Tugu Negara

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Six individuals had been summoned by the police with regards to yesterday’s peaceful demonstration held by army veterans at Tugu Negara (National Monument) in Kuala Lumpur, Free Malaysia Today reported.

According to the report, all six individuals had their statements recorded by the police.
“An investigation paper has been opened under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act,” Dang Wangi district police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya was quoted by the new portal.
Section 9 of the Act states that organisers are required to notify the relevant district police chiefs at least 10 days before an assembly is held. Those that failed to do so can be fine not more than RM10,000.
The report further added that the police are also tracking several other individuals who attended yesterday’s rally.
Around 500 army veterans rallied in front of the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur yesterday demanding a review of the armed forces’ pension scheme.
The group also called for the government to grant pensions to those who served in the army for less than 21 years and for those that were dismissed for disciplinary misconduct to be granted amnesty in order for them to enjoy veteran privileges and receive their pension.
The group claimed that about 330,000 veterans were deprived of their rights, with some 135,000 of them not eligible for pension payments.
READ MORE: [Watch] “If They Can’t Take Care Of Us, Step Down” Veterans Rallied At Tugu Negara Urging For Pension Review

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Yuna Sings Praises About KL’s Music Scene On US Radio Station

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In a recent interview with KCRW, a radio station based in LA, internationally acclaimed Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna discusses the blooming music scene in Kuala Lumpur, compared to the matured music scene in Los Angeles.

The KL music scene is small, but it’s constantly growing.Yuna to KCRW
Because she’s been spending a lot of time back in Malaysia, she has been getting to know newer, younger artists in the scene. She describes them as being brave to themselves while having fun and being independent.
She also notes that the music scene is extremely competitive in Los Angeles, while Malaysian artists have a growing culture of collaborating together and ending up with refreshing music that intertwines different genres.

Yuna also expressed that her favourite city to play a live performance would be back home in Kuala Lumpur with her all-female band and performing all her songs, even the ones in Malay.
I’ve always wanted to play a stadium show in my city, bringing my all-female band and just have fun and perform all of my songs (even the ones in Malay). Yuna to KCRW
During the lockdown, Yuna has actually been in Kuala Lumpur, recording and filming the music video for her latest single “Stay Where You Are”, which was released during the RMCO period.

Although the song was written before the MCO, its theme of self-reflection and taking time for yourself is timeless and particularly poignant in the current state of the country.

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Masjids & Suraus In Green Zones Open For Congregational Prayers

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Malaysia is allowing masjids and suraus to reopen to the public.
The National Fatwa Committee is permitting communal and congregational prayers to be performed at selected mosques and suraus in Covid-19 green zones across the country.
Starting May 15, Muslims in Malaysia will be allowed to perform their obligatory daily prayers, weekly Friday prayers, Ramadan taraweeh prayers and the upcoming Aidilfitri prayers together in communion, during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.
The announcement was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri explaining that the reopening is to be done in stages and must abide by specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), as follow;
Congregational prayers must be conducted with a crowd of no less than 3 people (including the Imam).
Congregation must not exceed 30 people or the maximum amount allowed by state religious officials.
The public can only attend congregations in their own state and are strictly forbidden from interstate travel.
The congregation must practice social distancing, keeping 1 meter apart from each other at all times, even during prayers, and worshipers are required to wear face masks.
Those with chronic illnesses, senior citizens above 70 and children below 15 are strictly not allowed to attend communal worship activities.
Those attending the congregation must perform their Wudhu or ritual washing at home.
The congregation must disperse immediately after prayer activities have been concluded and are not allowed to gather or linger inside or around mosque/surau premises.
The congregation must enter and exit the place of worship in an orderly fashion; maintain social distancing practices
Notably, Perlis, Johor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, the Federal Territories, and soon Terengganu, have allowed congregational prayer activities to be conducted during the CMCO.
However, Selangor still maintains its ban on congregational prayer and is only allowing Friday prayers to be performed by mosque committee members.
Masjid Negara committee members maintaining social distancing practices while performing Taraweeh prayers.(Credit: Facebook/Masjid Negara Malaysia)
The Religious Affairs minister adds that each state has the autonomy to determine its own rules, and the public must also refer to guidelines made by their respective state religious departments that should be made available online.
Previously, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced that the government would be providing guidelines for Malaysian Muslims and non-Muslims to return to their respective houses of worship following the nationwide lockdown.
As of the moment, TRP has yet to find any specific SOPs for non-Muslim worshipers and religious activities, but weâ€™ll be sure to keep you posted when we do.

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Nobody Wants Bald, Thornless Durians But Scientists Are Pushing To Make More Anyway

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The thorns are such an integral part of the King of Fruits. After all, its name comes from these sharp spokes that literally put the duri (thorn) in durian.
Battling this spiky shell is half the joy of eating durian, almost as if you’ve battled to earn the right to the sweet, custardy flesh within.
But it turns out, a thornless version of the durian exists!
According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), the existence of this bald durian was first recorded in 2007. Durian gundul, as it’s called in Indonesia, was spotted growing alongside its thorny brothers, on a villager’s tree at Lombok.
The bald, thornless durian fruit found in Lombok.(Credit: South China Morning Post)
The singular bald fruit dangled from the tree, puzzling its owners. They were apprehensive of eating the fruit, fearing that it might be poisonous and let it be.
The next durian season, however, the thornicularly-challenged fruit reared its head again. Curious, the owner’s son cut open the fruit to taste the flesh, only to discover that it tasted just like any other durian.
As it turns out, the thornless durian wasn’t limited to Indonesia alone.
The city of Davao in the Philippines is also a producer of thornless durians. Even the Philippines’ tourism website proudly proclaims that “the Philippines has the only truly Thornless Durian, a kind that you wonâ€™t find anywhere else!”
A durian blog called Year of the Durian describes it resembles kampung durian with a sweet, sugary taste.

However, it seems that nobody really wants a bald, thornless durian.
Based on a June 2019 article by a local news portal, the Department of Agriculture-Davao is actually discouraging farmers to plant in large-scale the Thornless durian variety because there was simply no market for it – locally or internationally.
Amongst the biggest gripe against baldy is that the taste is far less inferior to its spiky cousins.
Thornless durian from Davao, Philippines.(Credit: year ofthedurian.com)
But scientists don’t care
Despite the thornless durian’s failure to launch in Davao, agricultural experts in Indonesia are hard at work trying to cultivate the bald durian.
SCMP reports that cuttings from that lone thornless durian tree in Lombok were taken by local agricultural officials in hope that they could produce more of the peculiar fruit.
As it turns out, it took a whopping 12 years and 50 grafts for their attempts to, well, bear fruit.
Thank God. From 50 trees – one finally bore bald durian fruit.Maisin, Head of seed inspection and certification in West Nusa Tenggara to SCMP.
The agricultural office produced over 23,000 seedlings, but none of them produced any bald durian-producing trees. This included earnest attempts by botanists from the Mekarsari Fruit Garden as well as the University of Mataram’s faculty of agriculture.
But why go through all the trouble?
It’s simple scientific curiosity.
All of the organisations diligently cultivating the durian tree have been trying to establish the nature of the phenomenon.
No one knows if it’s caused by a mutation or a recessive gene, but they’re determined to find out anyway.

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Dancing “Robot Kancil” Steals Spotlight At Local Expo, Impressing Onlookers

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The techlympics robots known as Robot Kancil attracted the audiences with it’s amazing performance.

The performance was performed during the World Radio Day 2023 at Pahang Skills Development Centre.

Dua Robot Kancil kendalian Pahang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) mencuri tumpuan dalam sambutan Hari Radio Sedunia 2023 di Jabatan Penyiaran Negeri Pahang hari ini.#malaysiagazette #mgnews #robotkancil #psdc #hariradiosedunia2023 pic.twitter.com/UdnLYwQgtv— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) February 13, 2023

From the video we can observe the in-sync movements of the robots which shows off the work that has been put into creating such machines by the engineers.
We also can observe that the people were amazed by the dance performance from the robots. It can be heard from the video a female audience saying “Fuyooh can menari”.
This is not the first time that these robots have been shown to the public as they have made appearances in various other places since last year.

#27032022 Program Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia

Robot 'Kancil Techlympics' dari Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi (MOSTI) di Studio Mini @perlis.fm di Kompleks Sukan Tuanku Syed Putra, Kangar, Perlis.

@officialmosti

#AspirasiKeluargaMalaysia
#RadioRTM
#34Stesen1SuaraPosted by Radio RTM Malaysia on Saturday, 26 March 2022
These robots are believed to be created as a promotion piece for the Techlympics which began last year.
This was an initiative that was taken by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) to encourage young talents in the AI, robotics, drones and code field.
More than 32 competition has been help so far in Axiata Arena where the competitors have represented their state.
Such initiatives should be supported more by us Malaysians in order for the growth of the young talents from our country.

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Letter From Peru: A Malaysian Finds His Way Home After A Landslide And 36 Hours On The Road

16 April 2020 – AM

Today’s the day.
Melvin Chen barely has the time to eat. He is too busy packing and organising, checking his bags and the room’s drawers to make sure nothing is left behind.
Everything went downhill since the Peru government announced a state of emergency on 15 March 2020. His flight home, scheduled to depart on 18 March, was cancelled as all airports are closed. What was originally a one-month work trip was extended to include another month of waiting.
But the wait was not that agonising – the Third Secretary at the Embassy of Malaysia in Peru, Pn. Lailatul-Akmal Abd. Rahman replied to his request for help almost immediately. Melvin was added to a WhatsApp group which included other Malaysians who are also stranded in Peru, and Pn. Lailatul gave them daily updates about the embassy’s efforts to secure a flight back home for them.
And today’s finally the day – the day he can finally go home to Malaysia.

The procedures required [to bring us home] aren’t easy. Good job and credit to the Malaysian embassy in Peru for all the efforts.Melvin Chen to TRP

16 April 2020 – Noon

According to Pn. Lailatul, it is almost impossible for the embassy to get a flight from Peru to Malaysia due to the closure of airports and borders in Peru. However, they managed to charter a short-haul flight that will bring Melvin and the other Malaysians from Peru to Brazil, where they will board a plane back to Malaysia. For this to happen, approvals were needed from three countries’ governments – Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil.
In order for Melvin to catch the plane home, he needs to first make his way to Lima, where the flight will depart.
But that is also one of the biggest problems – Melvin is currently in the Peruvian city of Pucallpa, almost 800km away from Lima.
He remembers feeling really grateful when the embassy informed him that they have arranged transportation to bring him from Pucallpa to Lima.

I brought two bottles of large mineral water, biscuit, and bread with me as the journey would take 20 hours. The Malaysian embassy has already asked me to bring all this as the journey from Pucallpa to Lima can’t stop, unless it’s to pump petrol.Melvin Chen to TRP

16 April 2020 – PM

Landslide in the Ucayali district.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

This cannot be happening.
Five hours into his journey to Lima and Melvin is now looking at the aftermath of a landslide. There is a hill of soil, rocks, and fallen trees blocking the road. It is impossible for any vehicle to drive through it.
With at least 15 hours of driving time ahead, he realises that time is slowly running out for him. Melvin takes out his phone, wanting to make a call to the Malaysian embassy to alert them about his situation.
There is no mobile coverage. The bars that indicate network coverage on his phone are flat.
Panicking, he asks one of the locals around for help. They tell him that this is a hill area and mobile coverage is only available further down the hill – but the trip will take him about 45 minutes.
Not having much of a choice, he makes his way down the hill to call the embassy.

16 April 2020 – late PM

(Credit: Melvin Chen)

Just as the embassy promised, help arrived as soon as it could in the form of a tractor and more police personnel.
The embassy called the local police station immediately after Melvin informed them about the landslide. The authorities then quickly arranged for help to remove the soil and debris from the road. But it will take a while before the road is fully cleared – and both he and the driver need rest.
However, there are no hotels or rooms that are available for rent nearby. They then decide to make some minor adjustments to convert the car into an ‘overnight accommodation’.

Melvin’s ‘overnight accommodation’ on the hill.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

Tonight, the temperature outside is 4°C.

17 April 2020 – PM

The road is finally clear! The police informs Melvin that they can continue their journey to Lima now.
They even offer to escort Melvin and his driver down the hill, so they can make up for lost time. All in all, he was stuck on that hill for 18 hours, and now prays that there will not be anymore hiccups on the journey.

Melvin posing with one of the police officers who helped clear the landslide.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

18 April 2020 – AM

It is exactly four hours before his flight to Brazil takes off – and Melvin has finally safely arrived in Lima.
Thankfully, Pn. Lailatul has arranged for him to rest at her house for the time being. The country is still under lockdown, and there is nowhere Melvin can wait till his departure time.
Thinking that he must be hungry upon arrival, she even prepared some bihun goreng and fried eggs for him.

Meal prepared by Pn. Lailatul.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

He then follows Pn. Lailatul to the assembly point, where he and the other Malaysians are driven to the airport. Once there, they go through the usual boarding checks and screening while waiting for their flight to be ready. This is probably the first time in the past two days that he is finally relaxed and at ease.
He is one step closer to home now.

The plane chartered by the Embassy of Malaysia in Peru.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

Melvin also seizes the opportunity to thank Pn. Lailatul and the other members of the Malaysian embassy in Peru. This repatriation mission would not have been possible without the embassy’s team, who has been working around the clock for the past month to make this happen.

Members from the Embassy of Malaysia in Peru waving goodbye to Melvin and the other departing Malaysians.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

23 April 2020

Arriving passengers queueing at KLIA to be screened.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

There are no words that can really describe how happy Melvin and his fellow Malaysians felt when the plane finally landed in KLIA.
As per the latest government regulations, all returning Malaysians will be sent to gazetted hotels and hostels for 14 days of quarantine. After all that he has gone through in the past week, this is only a minor inconvenience for Melvin. He is confident that he will be reunited with his family again soon.

A frontliner at a gazetted hotel waving towards the returning Malaysians.(Credit: Melvin Chen)

TRP would like to thank Melvin Chen again for sharing his story with us. If you are a Malaysian who is currently stranded overseas, do contact the Malaysian embassy of the country you are located in.
TRP also takes this chance to applaud the efforts and hard work by Wisma Putra in bringing our fellow Malaysians back home.
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Today (23 May) Is World Turtle Day

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Turtles and tortoises have been around for more than 200 million years and probably existed during the time of dinosaurs. These reptiles have seen and been through it all so let’s take a moment to celebrate these amazing creatures.

The purpose of World Turtle Day
It started 21 years ago by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of the American Tortoise Rescue, to bring attention and spread knowledge about turtles and tortoises to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. It is now celebrated around the world in many different ways but the main aim is to educate.
(Credit: Richard Segal / Pexel)
You may be thinking, ‘they’ve been around for like, forever – don’t you think they’ll be fine for another million years?’
As resilient as these creatures are, it is the act of man that are endangering them.
Turtles are kind of a big deal here
Did you know that one of Malaysia’s national heritage is the sea turtle? They are one of the main attractions for tourism here. Pictures of them are repeatedly used in promoting the country. They are also part of Malaysia’s rich history and culture having been featured on stamps and banknotes.
Sea turtles are most at risk
Due to the rising pollution of plastic, toxic metals, oil, and petroleum in our seas, these beloved sea animals are suffering immediate and long term health problems. And to add to that, their eggs are often stolen while their meat, skin, and shells are used for trade. According to the World Wildlife Organisation (WWF), these heinous acts are the reason these beings are endangered with three of seven existing species CRITICALLY endangered.
How does this affect me?
Sea Turtles are part of two vital ecosystems – beaches and marine systems. If they become extinct, both systems will weaken. The ocean as a food source would be affected, and the smell in the air as we know it would change too. Why? Because turtles are great scavengers and some will eat up dead fish.
Since these turtles can live on both land and in water, they act as a “bridge” by redistributing energy from one ecosystem to another. If these relatively harmless animals were to go extinct, let’s just say dune vegetation would lose a major source of nutrients which would result in increased erosion.
Another reason why sea turtles are important is that they eat jellyfish. We’ve all been to the beach before and know how painful it is to get stung by those barbed tentacles. With sea turtles eating them, it makes our waters safe to swim in. Sadly, it is also one of the reasons they die – because they end up thinking plastic bags are jellyfish.
Malaysia is serious about turtle conservation
For example, the Sea Turtle Conservation Project on Perhentian Island has helped to create an effective conservation and management plan by studying the local sea turtle population with snorkel surveys to create a photo identification database.
The project also helps conservation efforts by protecting nests on the island and relocating the eggs to safety until they hatch and can be released back into the ocean.
Measuring a Terrapin(Credit: Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia)
Another organisation, the Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia was founded in 2011. It was formed when co-founders Drs. Chan Eng Heng and Chen Pelf Nyok realised that there wasn’t an organisation or agency in charge of both tortoises and freshwater turtles in the country, despite being home to 18 native species.
Turtle vs’ tortoises vs’ terrapins?
Let’s distinguish between the three: turtles, tortoises and terrapins. In a nut (turtle) shell, it all comes down to what habitat they are adapted to live in, though terminology will slightly different depending on what country you’re in.
The term ‘turtle’ for example, can be used to refer to all the species, whereas it could also apply to the water-dwelling species. Tortoises on the other hand live exclusively on dry land. Terrapins are a cross of the two – semi-aquatic and freshwater-living. Even though they can swim, they don’t have flippers like a turtle but rather legs akin to tortoises.
While the Sea turtle may be the most commonly known species when it comes to conservation, let’s not forget about tortoises and terrapins. They too are facing extinction due to pet trade, overconsumption for food and medicine, loss of habitat, pollution, and climate change.
Black tortoise standing(Credit: Pixabay / Pexel)
Interesting facts about turtles
They are the oldest reptiles in the world. I mean, who doesn’t love a wise and adorable grandparent.Their shell is not an exoskeleton, meaning it is fused to their spine. It’s kind of like how the skin on our backs is attached to us.Tortoises have more rounded and domed shells, can’t swim and spend most of their time on land. Turtles have thinner, more water-durable shells and can live on both land and water. The term “turtle” is an umbrella term for all the species though.Some turtles are carnivores, others are herbivores, and some a mix of the two (omnivores).Baby turtles start life as carnivores but grow to eat more plants as they mature.Turtles make a range of noises from chicken-like clucks to even dog-like barking, depending on the species.
As you probably would have noticed by now, there is so much more to turtles than meets the eye.
We hope we did our part to educate you on the 21st World Turtle Day. With that, the theme this year is “Turtles Rock!” – in hopes the world sees turtles as more than just rocks with legs but eco saviours instead.
Do your part and visit The Turtle Conservation Society of Malaysia for more information on how you can help.

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Malaysians proud of soldier for picking up Jalur Gemilang that had fallen on an expressway

A flag is not only the symbol of the nation’s identity but stands as a symbol of the peopleâ€™s pride and glory.
Harapan Malaysia GIF from Harapan GIFs

Which was why images of a soldier rescuing a fallen Jalur Gemilang spread like wildfire online.
The images posted by Facebook user Mohd Fitri, who apparently had served in the military for some 20 years, showed an army-man clad in camo boldly walking by a busy expressway to collect a Malaysian flag that was on the ground.

 â€œThis is the heart and soul of each serving, retired and even the families and supporters of the armed forces. We donâ€™t worship the flag, but we recognize the meaning and value of our nationâ€™s flag!â€
via Facebook
The soldier’s respect towards the national banner sparked patriotism among Malaysians who are already fired up for the Merdeka celebrations coming up at the end of August.Â

(Image Credit: Facebook)

Comments quickly followed praising the warrior for his noble actions.

(Image Credit: Facebook)

â€œOur soldier boy is so awesome!â€
â€œHow would defend a country if not its people?â€
â€œAchieving independence was not easy, the stripes and colours of the Malaysian flag remind us of this factâ€¦â€
via Facebook
Letâ€™s all try to emulate the same love and respect towards our national flag and follow in this brave soldierâ€™s example.

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A post shared by Komik Picnic (@noliefys) on Sep 1, 2018 at 4:00am PDT

If youâ€™d like to know more about the history of our beloved Jalur Gemilang, you can do so by reading our brief summary of Malaysiaâ€™s journey in creating our honoured national symbol, here.


University Students Expected To Return To Campus In March For In-Person Classes Pending NSC’s Approval

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After spending most of the year learning online due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), the Higher Education Ministry has proposed for university students to return to study on campus by March next year.

According to Berita Harian, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad said that her ministry will submit an application on the matter to the National Security Council (NSC) for their approval.
It is still at the discussion stage. The ministry proposed March for the start of the semester, but this cannot be confirmed until the NSC agreesDatuk Seri Noraini Ahmad, Higher Education Minister of Malaysia
She added that the proposal will be presented to NSC in the near future and an official announcement will be made if it is approved.
Until then, classes set to take place next month will continue online as per the current practice.
Malay Mail reported that Noraini also revealed that her ministry and universities will be reinforcing all related standard operating procedures in preparation for their students’ return.
New SOPs are also being proposed, such as special isolation areas (tempat pengasingan) and hybrid classes to further reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission on campus.

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Covid-19: 5 New Clusters Revealed In KL, Selangor & Johor Today

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Malaysia records 851 new Covid-19 infections, two fatalities and five new clusters today (2 December 2020) with most cases in Selangor (249) followed by Sabah (229) and Johor (102).

According to the Health Ministry (MOH) four clusters were identified in the Klang Valley while another was pinpointed in Johor;
5 kluster baharu dilaporkan membabitkan KL (3), Selangor (2) dan Johor (1).Secara keseluruhan, jumlah kes baharu dalam kluster baharu ini adalah; 85 kes.#kkm pic.twitter.com/dLk3iZBqtF— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) December 2, 2020
Jernai Cluster – Kuala Lumpur
The cluster was discovered in the Titiwangsa district where 13 individuals have been confirmed positive. The index case (Case 64,196) tested positive for Covid-19 on 29 November as a result of screenings before traveling abroad.
Seri Wangsa Cluster – Kuala Lumpur
The cluster involves areas in Titiwangsa. 8 people were tested positive for coronavirus with cases originating from index case (Case 64, 193) who tested positive on 29 November.
Desa Pinang Cluster – Kuala Lumpur & Selangor
The cluster involves areas in Kepong, Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa, and Cheras in KL as well as Gombak in Selangor.
25 cases have been identified originating from the index case (Case 62,596) who tested positive for Covid-19 on 28 November.
Impian Cluster – Selangor
9 cases have been identified involving areas in Gombak. The index case (Case 63,700) tested positive on 29 November.
Baloi Cluster – Johor
30 active cases were identified involving areas in Johor Bahru and Pontian. The index case (Case 63, 152) was reported positive for Covid-19 on 28 November.

In total, Malaysia records 68,020 Covid-19 infections and 365 deaths.
(KKMPutrajaya/Twitter)

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Source:
Kenyataan Akhbar KPK 2 Disember 2020 – Situasi Semasa Jangkitan Penyakit Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) di Malaysia


Travelling Inter-state? Apply Through The Gerak Malaysia App, Police Say

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Those who want to travel inter-state that’s permissible under the Movement Control Order (MCO) must first apply through the “Gerak Malaysia” app starting 26 April.
The police has announced that those who are eligible can apply online after inter-state travel was authorised for 3 days from 1 May to 3 May, according to Bernama.
Bukit Aman CID Director Datuk Huzir Mohamed also said applicants can check their online application on 1 May.
Those who don’t have the app can also submit a written application for a permit at the nearest police station but priority would be given to those who’ve applied through the app.
The police also reminded that eating facilities and suraus will be closed at Rest and Recreation (R&R) stops, while any congregational prayer activities are not allowed in the area.
Only public toilets would be operational while the car park area is reserved for people to rest from travelling but they’re not allowed to go out of their cars except if they want to use the toilet.
Petrol stations will be operational from 6 am to 12 am.
You can download the “Gerak Malaysia” from the Play Store or the App Store on your mobile device.

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“Aggresive” dog carries ownerâ€™s handbag in Bkt Bintang; melts hearts online [Video]

Loyal, adorable and the best friend youâ€™ll ever have. Thatâ€™s just some of the reasons why we love doggos.
Today, we find another reason when a video of a “dangerous” dog carrying its ownerâ€™s handbag on a walk at Bukit Bintang made an appearance online.
Posted by Facebook user Nahur Bhai, the video shows a black Rottweiler dutifully carrying its ownersâ€™ handbag while walking behind her.

 Screenshot from Facebook

The 24-second clip of the adorable scene is believed to have
been recorded in Bukit Bintang.
In the video, the doggo is seen trotting down some stairs
and onto the road with a beige handbag in its mouth while a woman walks in front
of it.

 Screenshot from Facebook

With such an unusual sight for Malaysia, the clip captioned
with â€œAda berani ragut kaaa???â€ (Anyone brave enough to snatch?) has gone
viral since it was shared on Tuesday (8th October).
Many Malaysians were tickled by the scene, heaping praises
for the good boy.

 Screenshot from Facebook

However, criticisms were launched at the owner as well as
the dog could be seen walking with a slight limp.

Screenshot from Facebook

It’s actually not unusual to spot a Rottweiler with a limp. Hip dysplasia is a common hereditary health issue in Rotties due to pure breeding.
While Rottweilers are considered an “aggressive” breed with restricted ownership in Malaysia (find out how to get a Rottie license HERE), it’s actually a pretty chill dog.

Credit: Buzzsharer

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Rottweilers are territorial but also calm, confident and responds quietly with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in its environment.
Fun fact: Rotties were amongst the first guide dogs for the blind.

Nonetheless, the emergence of this video serves as a timely reminder after the viral dog catching video that these creatures are not all dangerous and can be the loveliest companions.
You can see the doggo in action at the video below:

Are you a fan of Rottweilers? Share your thoughts on the doggyâ€™s deed on TRPâ€™s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!


New Huawei phones will not have Facebook’s family of apps pre-installed

Let’s get this straight, for most of you the most frequented apps on your phones have got to be WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Right?
So would you buy a phone if there’s a possibility that these apps might not be on them?

via GIPHY
Because it looks like future owners of any Huawei phones might eventually have to look for other apps to share their brunch photos on.
According to Reuters, Facebook is no longer allowing pre-installation of its apps onto Huawei phones.

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 Le festin de @labelleduseigneur 😍 : : : : : : : #coffeeshop #coffeeshopvibes #breakfast #brunch #coffeeinparis #specialitycoffee #foodporn #foodie #instafood #france #food #paris #lunch #instagood #foodphotography #homemade #gourmet #yummy #foodstagram #foodlover
A post shared by  Coffee Shop & Cantine (@cafeoberkampf) on Jun 7, 2019 at 2:11am PDT

This news comes after Google’s earlier statement that it would no longer provide Android software for Huawei phones.
Thankfully, the Facebook ban doesn’t affect users who are already using Huawei prior to the ban or buyers of current Huawei phone models in the market.
For now, future owners of Huawei phones will have to manually install apps belonging to Facebook instead of having these apps pre-installed for them.
(Picture credit: digitaltrends)
However, future versions of Huawei phones may not have access to the Google Playstore and its apps unless the US government changes their mind.
This means that there might be a time when the Facebook family of apps might disappear from Huawei phones completely.
So how? Do you think you can live without Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook? At least Twitter should still be available, right?


Bad Northern Influenza Season Poses Health Risk to Malaysian Tourists

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It’s the holiday season! Some of you will be travelling abroad for a much-needed getaway over the Christmas, New Year or Chinese New Year periods. Malaysia will also be seeing an influx of tourists from all over the world during this time. What a refreshing change from the restrictions of the last two years.

Mind you, COVID-19 is not gone yet, and everyone still needs to guard against it. However, we are here to spotlight another looming respiratory illness that could ruin your holidays, not to mention your health as well.
It is none other than influenza. Also known as the flu, this disease is not something to sneeze at (pardon the pun). This is especially if you are aged 65 or older, more so if you have diabetes, kidney disease and/or other chronic health conditions.
The flu can cause acute respiratory distress, pneumonia, as well as a host of other serious complications. It can also increase the risk of a heart attack by more than 10 times in the first 7 days of catching the flu. Stroke risk may also double or triple in the first 2 weeks of an infection.
It is sobering to think that the flu can be associated with heart attack, pneumonia and stroke which rank as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th principal causes of death (after COVID-19) in Malaysia in 2022.
Early Northern Flu Season
In light of this, Professor Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail, Technical Committee Chairman of the Immunise4Life programme, advises caution if you are planning to visit the northern hemisphere where flu cases are surging at this time.
He explains: “Whereas the flu circulates all year round in Malaysia, temperate countries tend to have their flu season in the winter months – December to March in the northern hemisphere, and June to August in the south.
“This year, however, flu season started early in the northern hemisphere. Cases have been increasing dramatically since October and have already overtaken the number of cases reported this time last year.
“The rise is expected to continue, and we can expect a rough flu season in most northern destinations that are popular with Malaysian vacationers.”
As at December 2, 2022, the United States Centres for Disease Control (CDC) estimated 8.7 million Americans had been infected, 78,000 hospitalised, and 4,500 died of flu-related causes in what media outlets have called the country’s ‘worst flu outbreak in a decade’.
Meanwhile, the French Health Authority has declared a flu epidemic in three areas in France, while identifying another five – including Paris and its surrounding areas – to be in a pre-epidemic phase.
In its first winter update this year, the National Health Service (NHS) of England reported an average of 344 flu patients in hospital per day in a single week – 10 times more than the number seen at the beginning of December 2021.
Over in the Far East, the health authorities of South Korea, Taiwan and Japan are also expressing concern over the steadily increasing number of flu cases, amid mounting fears of a possible twindemic – the concurrent spread of flu and COVID-19.
Close Encounters
Datuk Dr Christopher Lee feels travellers would do well to understand how flu viruses get around.
He is a Consultant Infectious Diseases Physician and a member of the Malaysian Influenza Working Group under the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases & Chemotherapy.
He says: “Picture yourself enjoying the crisp, chilly outdoors. Before long, you hastily make your way into a cosy café, joining other patrons warming up over steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
“It all sounds wonderful, except that you are more likely to catch the flu indoors in winter. By coughing, sneezing or speaking, infected persons could send flu viruses circulating inside the crowded and poorly ventilated environment. You might also pick up flu viruses that had settled onto the tabletops, door handles and other surfaces.
“Depending on your proximity to the source and duration of exposure, you might end up with a full-blown bout of the flu, and waste precious holidays in bed or in hospital.”
Datuk Christopher continues: “Now, let’s say you managed to evade the flu throughout the trip.  Don’t be too quick to think you are flying home flu-free.
“On board the plane, you have an 80% chance of getting the flu if there is an infected person – who may or may not have symptoms – sitting one row in front or behind you, within 2 seats to either side.
“Additionally, flu viruses can survive for up to 48 hours on certain surfaces, including your overhead compartment handle, seat-belt buckle, video screen, food tray, arm-rest and control panel.
“You might try disinfecting these items. However, it would be impractical to disinfect everything you will touch when you land, such as your luggage bag, trolley, the toilet flush, car door handle and so on.”
Flu Prevention Tips for Travellers
Datuk Christopher says: “Follow the COVID-19 SOPs when possible. Masking, although no longer promoted in most countries, may help reduce the chances of catching the flu. It is however less effective when those around you are not masked. The additional protection conferred by the annual flu vaccination is therefore recommended to prevent the disease.”
“When injected, the vaccine introduces inactivated flu viruses into the body. These have been killed and are unable to cause disease. However, they stimulate your body to produce antibodies that will spring to your defence if you happen to be exposed to the flu. Allow two weeks to reach the desired level of immunity before flying off.”
Like COVID-19 vaccination, flu vaccination helps prevent severe disease, hospitalisation and death. Flu vaccination is also associated with a 34% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. There was also an 18% reduced risk of death reported in patients with heart failure.
In people with type 2 diabetes, flu vaccination has been associated with a reduced risk of heart failure by 22%, stroke by 30%, heart attack by 19% and pneumonia by 15%.
Noting that flu viruses mutate constantly, Datuk Christopher adds that currently available flu vaccines have been updated to effectively fight virus sub-types that are circulating in the northern hemisphere at this time.
He says: “This will help reduce your risk of contracting the disease. The flu vaccination is not only recommended for those travelling abroad but for everyone especially high-risk groups as the importation of flu cases through air travel can result in the spread of flu within the community. So, if you have not been vaccinated against the flu, now is a good time to get it done. The annual flu vaccination is your passport to healthy holidays. Don’t leave home without it.”
The flu vaccination is available at most private clinics in Malaysia. Click here to find a clinic near you. Learn more here.

This article was contributed by the Flu Prevention is An Act of Love campaign under Immunise4Life, a major initiative to promote life course vaccination by the Ministry of Health, Malaysian Paediatric Association, and the Malaysian Society of Infectious Diseases & Chemotherapy.

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Lifeless Bodies Of A Young Couple Found In A Car In Melaka, Suspected Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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A pair of lovebirds were found dead in a car outside a community hall in Ayer Limau, Alor Gajah earlier this morning, reported The Star.

According to Melaka deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm Razali Abu Samah, the victims are believed to have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning, with the police already ruling out any criminal element in the case.
SAC Razali said the 20-year-old male and his 16-year-old girlfriend were found dead at around 9.25 am today, adding that the men-in-blue is now trying to contact the deceased family members to assist in their investigation.
“We are trying to find out whether their relationship was objected to by any of the family members or any other reasons that could have led to the incident,” he was quoted as saying.
He said that based on preliminary investigation, the 16-year-old female victim was sent by a friend to meet with her boyfriend at the community hall at 4pm yesterday.
He also added that the police is waiting for the autopsy reports on the actual cause of death.
Similarly, in May, three individuals were found dead inside of a car in two separate incidents.
READ MORE: 2 Teens Found Dead In A Toyota Alphard That Was Parked In Cheras Apartment
READ MORE: [Watch] Man From Klang Found Dead In A Luxury Car During Broad Daylight

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These 5 Ways Of Wearing Traditional Malay Tengkolok For Women Mean Different Things

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Tengkolok is a term used to describe a traditional headgear, worn by both Malay men and women once upon a time. It used to have different styles and materials to signify different statuses and identities of the wearer.

The umbrella term for the Malay headgear is said to be Destar. Under it, there are other names like Tengkolok, Semutar, Tanjak, Getam and possibly others. Most of them are for men but Tengkolok is also meant for women.
Thanks to PERNILAM and ML Studios, they’ve compiled a few ways of wearing Tengkolok for women back in the days.
Here are five examples of Tengkolok styles:
1. Tengkolok Segulung
This type of headgear is meant for women doing day-to-day work. There are variations to this Tengkolok, one with the crossed cloth on the forehead (called the Segulung Embuai) and another simple one (called Segulung Getok), which can be regarded as the basic one.
Tengkolok Segulung Embuai (left) and Tengkolok Segulung Getol (right).(Credit: PERNILAM / Facebook, @H_Bakkaniy / Twitter)
This cloth is also used for praying as praying veils (telekung) were not available back then. Women working could use their headdresses as something to cover themselves during praying. To avoid it getting dirty while they work, they tie it in a Segulung technique, a simple and effective way to put on and take off.
Tengkolok Segulung Embuai (left) and Tengkolok Segulung Getol (right).(Credit: Bising Media TV / YouTube)
Below is a tutorial for the Segulung Embuai. It was worn by both workers and maids in palaces (dayang-dayang).

Another version, the Segulung Getok, fairly the basic (and easiest) of them all, can be worn like this. This was usually worn by workers working in the paddy fields or rubber plantations. You can actually still see this style worn by the older generation now, in some rural places.

2. Tengkolok Bulang
This type of Tengkolok is usually worn by virgins, women who aren’t married or don’t have a child yet, and also warriors. It is also worn during strenuous outdoor activities like silat (Malay martial art).
(Credit: Destar Alam Melayu / Johan Iskandar)
This type of Tengkolok has an extra section at the side of it, cascading down to the shoulders. This part is called ‘sipu-sipu’. It is used to cover the face while in battle or if these women were just shy shy cat in public.
READ MORE: Did You Know Malaysia Has A Lot of Fairytale Princesses And Legends As Well? [Part 1]
Here’s a tutorial on how to do the Bulang Sipu-Sipu style.

3. Tengkolok Kerudung
Next, the Kerudung technique is actually how we get our current ‘tudung‘ style here in Tanah Melayu. It evolved from just covering the head and the back to covering the whole upper part of the body. Additionally, the word ‘tudung‘ was likely derived from ‘kerudung‘.
(Credit: Destar Alam Melayu / Johan Iskandar)
This type of Tengkolok is worn during official ceremonies, ceremonial events, or also on the bride during her wedding ceremony. Other than that, it is also worn by women who went out to teach classes and women who went out to learning classes.
You can watch how to don this style in the video below.

4. Tengkolok Suri
This Tengkolok is only worn by a certain group of women. These women are categorized as someone with great knowledge in a certain field, like gurus or leaders of an association, group or area. They are treated and respected like mentors or experts in their fields and should always set a good example for their followers.
(Credit: Destar Alam Melayu / Johan Iskandar)
There are two types of Tengkolok Suri, one is the double wrap called the Suri Besar and another with a single wrap called the Suri Kecil. The ones seen wearing the Suri Besar were known to have more knowledge and expertise compared to the Suri Kecil ones. You could say they’re like senior and junior experts.
This video below shows how to don a Suri Besar Tengkolok (minute 0.40) and how to don the simple Segulung Tengkolok (minute 3.00) that we talked about earlier.

5. Tengkolok Siput
Now, this type of Tengkolok is only worn by pregnant, old or sick women present at an event or function. So usually in a function where everyone present there are only women, these ‘vulnerable’ women will wear this headgear and another veil covering their upper body.
When they get into the event and people start to help out with the chores, they’ll remove the outer veil to reveal the shell-like Tengkolok. Basically, this headgear is a symbol of politely telling the others “I’m fragile, I can’t do strenuous work, sorry not sorry.” Quite fancy, isn’t it?
Unfortunately, there’s no tutorial on how to wear this style yet but it looks something like this.
(Credit: Destar Alam Melayu / Johan Iskandar)
So, who said women can’t wear Tengkolok? We can and we used to too. But the women’s style of course. If a woman wears a man’s style of Tengkolok or vice versa, well, that won’t really sit well with society. Old customs and traditions should be treated respectfully.
READ MORE: Did You Know You’re Wearing Your Relationship Status On Your Kain Batik?

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Malay Mail Editor-in-chief Wong Sai Wan Passes Due To Heart Attack

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Malay Mail editor-in-chief Datuk Wong Sai Wan passed away this morning at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre.

Bernama reports that, his son Wong Chee Mun, confirmed news of Sai Wan’s passing.
Chee Mun said his father, who was 59 years old, had a history of heart problems and stroke.
Aside from his role at Malay Mail, Sai Wan was also the Chief Media Officer for Ancom Group, and Special Projects Director at Redberry Sdn Bhd.
He had previously worked at Star Publications Bhd and The Star.
He was also an avid golfer in his spare time.
The Rakyat Post would like to extend our condolences to the family of the late Sai Wan.
He will be missed.

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There May Be Malaysians Still In Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Ministry Will Help Where They Can

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not deny the possibility that there may be one or two Malaysians who did not register themselves with the Malaysian embassy in Ukraine.

Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said it’s one of the unofficial intel that they’ve received so far.
According to Utusan, Saifuddin said any Malaysians who are still in Ukraine and need help should contact the Malaysian embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
Right now, the Malaysian embassy in Ukraine is suspended because there are no officers on duty. However, there might be a few Malaysians who did not register with the embassy who are still in the country. We did not make it compulsory for any Malaysians to register. However, we will still try to help them in times of disaster and tragedy.Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah
So far, the seven Malaysians who travelled all the way to Warsaw from Kyiv have reached Malaysia safely.
The Star reported that all of the 24 Malaysians registered with the embassy in Ukraine were safely evacuated.
READ MORE: Malaysian Convoy In Ukraine Safely Reached Poland, Now On The Way To Warsaw
Meanwhile, Saifuddin added that Malaysia supports the ‘Aggression Against Ukraine’ resolution to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine.
The Malay Mail reported 141 countries including Malaysia supported the resolution with 35 abstentions. Five countries – Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea – voted against it.
Although Malaysia has good relations with both countries, we still hold the principles of respecting sovereignty, integrity and freedom of a country. In this matter, Malaysia is of the opinion that both countries involved should find a solution through dialogues and peaceful negotiations.Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.

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‘Fashionable’ Woman Asks For RM3,600 Donation To Pay Rent

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Recently, a 65-year-old fashionably dressed woman complained that she was in arrears of RM3,600 in rent.

She lacked the money because she could not find a job and had no income, so she asked the public for donations, causing heated discussions among netizens.
According to a post on social activist Kuan Chee Heng’s Facebook page, the woman was in arrears with her rent for many months and was about to be evicted.
Coupled with her advanced age, she couldn’t find a job which put her in more trouble.
She pointed out that she is willing to accept the job as long as it does not require too much labour and moving.
Nevertheless, she still worries about not having a job and no income because of her age.
She was quoted by Kuan, also known as Uncle Kentang, as saying that the landlord has been very tolerant of her.
She had been given a deadline to pack up and leave.

At the same time, she also revealed that if she really can’t get donations, she is willing to live in a nursing home.
After all, she is single and has no family to rely on.
She has a 75-year-old brother, but he has also been living in a nursing home.
However, after the post was uploaded, netizens did not sympathize with the woman’s life experience but rather had opinions on her appearance and dress.
Some netizens raised doubts, pointing out that the women’s clothes and hairstyles make it impossible to tell that she is a poor person.
Some netizens believe that as long as they are healthy and physically strong, it is not difficult to find a job, so they will not live in poverty.
They said many people her age can still find a job and be self-reliant.
If it is not possible, she can still seek help from the government’s welfare agency.
In response to netizens’ doubts, Uncle Kentang thanked everyone for their concern and suggestions, and most importantly, he hoped to help the woman solve the problem.
Thank you for your concern and advice; let’s solve this woman’s problem together, thank you for your hard work.Uncle Kentang thanking the public for their concerns.
Uncle Kentang also joked that the woman looked young because of the lighting in the cafe where they met.

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“We’re Not Probing Mahathir” Says Police After Former PM Posts Critical Remarks On Najib

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The police have confirmed that there are no new investigations being carried out on former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

According to Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan, the last time Dr Mahathir was called in by the police was on March 23.
This, according to Abd Jalil, was to facilitate an investigation of the case involving former Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ memoir.
“His statement was taken as a witness to several matters raised in the book ‘My Story: Justice in the Wilderness’,” Abd Jalil said in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Mahathir, who is also the chairman of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) had previously on his Facebook, said that he would be called in for questioning by the men in blue.
He made the claim in his posting titled “Malaysian Justice“.

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Police Report Lodged Over Sensitive Language Used In Namawee’s “Babi” Movie Poster

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Perikatan Nasional (PN) Youth lodge a police report against controversial Malaysian entertainer, Namewee, over the sensitive language used in a poster of his latest independent film titled, Babi.

PN Youth sees the words used in the film poster as insulting and fear that it may provoke racial tensions in Malaysia.
They are also asking the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block any materials related to the film from being accessed by Malaysians on the internet.
Namewee – whose real name is Wee Meng Chee – recently took to social media to share news that Babi received nominations at four international film festivals.
The film is summarised to depict real life racial tensions and violence in Malaysian schools.
Among the many posters used to promote Babi.(Facebook/namewee)
A close up look at one of the film posters reveal racially charged and derogatory terms “Melayu Bodoh”, “India Keling”, and “Cina Babi” written in graffiti all over the walls of a restroom urinal.

The movie is set to hit international theatres on 20 November 2020 and is apparently banned from being shown in Malaysia.
READ MORE: Namewee’s Controversial Film ‘Babi’ Nominated At Multiple International Film Festivals

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Source:
Police report lodged against Namewee over poster for his new movie, ‘Babi’
Namewee’s Controversial Film ‘Babi’ Nominated At Multiple International Film Festivals


GE15: KJ In Sungai Buloh?

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It was previously confirmed that caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar will not be defending his Rembau parliamentary seat in the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15).

As it is not yet known where he will go, Khairy is now being linked to Sungai Buloh.
According to The Star, talks of Khairy, popularly known as KJ, contesting the seat held by PKR’s R. Sivarasa for the last three terms has been received well by the UMNO grassroots in the constituency.
“Khairy is a popular figure among the people, especially after how well he managed the Covid-19 pandemic. His popularity will get him the votes,” the English daily reported quoting an UMNO source.
Although Khairy had never stood in an election outside of Negeri Sembilan in the past, it would not be hard for the former UMNO Youth chief to garner support from party members there as the Sungai Buloh UMNO division chief Datuk Megat Firdouz Megat Junid has been his political secretary since he was still the youth and sports minister under the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government.
Megat Firdouz however was coy on the possibility of Khairy contesting in Sungai Buloh in GE15.
“Where did you hear this? Even I haven’t heard anything,” he was quoted as saying.
He however said that it would be good for BN if UMNO were to contest the Sungai Buloh seat since 65% of the voters there are Malays.
The seat was traditionally contested by MIC in the past.
“Maybe we should be given a chance (to contest),” added Megat Firdouz.
Khairy is poised to contest in a parliamentary seat that BN had lost to PH in the last general election after he was asked to give way to UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan to contest the Rembau parliamentary seat in GE15 set to take place on 19 November.
The three-term Rembau MP had also previously said that he was offered to contest in seats that PH won in the last general election – speculated to be either Kuala Pilah, Tampin or Port Dickson, all in Negeri Sembilan – although he stopped short of naming which seat exactly.
READ MORE: A United UMNO Will Help BN Reclaim Kuala Pilah, Says Its Former MP

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Patrick Teoh’s Arrest Over A Facebook Post About TMJ, All The Details That Matter

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Patrick Teoh is largely known as the “Voice of Malaysia” due to his voice work on a large chunk of English advertisements aired over electronic media.
However, the former Radio DJ’s name is now uttered by Malaysians when discussing his recent arrest over the use of an expletive in a Facebook post in response to an old video of Johor crown prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, also known as TMJ.
Here’s a timeline of what happened:
7 May, Thursday – Patrick shares a 2019 video from TMJ’s official Facebook account.
The now-deleted offending Facebook post.(Credit: Nabeel Naqie/Facebook)
In his response to the video, obscene language is used including a Hokkien curse word. The video allegedly shows the Johor prince handling firearms and training with personnel from the Johor Military Force (JMF).

According to Malay Mail, the offending post was deleted on the same day.
9 May, Saturday – The 73-year-old veteran radio announcer and actor is arrested in Petaling Jaya for allegations of insulting royalty.
He was brought to the Petaling Jaya Commercial Crime Investigation Department to have his statement recorded.
A police team from the Johor police Commercial Crime Investigations Department (CCID) took custody of Patrick at the Petaling Jaya police headquarters and brought him to his apartment in Damansara Perdana for a search and his laptop was confiscated.
South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports the police stated the investigation following complaints by two members of the public. The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper network use.
Patrick’s lawyer, Datuk Seri Rajan Navaratnam, told The Star that the 73-year-old veteran radio announcer and actor was brought to Johor Baru Selatan police headquarters that night itself.
10 May, Sunday – Patrick was remanded for three days until May 12.
11 May, Monday –  Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay accused Patrick of being uncooperative. In a statement, he revealed that Patrick stated he lost his phone a day before he was called in for questioning and could not remember his email password.
Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Johor Police Chief.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
12 May, Tuesday –  Johor Baru Magistrate’s Court grants a two-day extension on the remand order against the veteran radio DJ.
Ayob Khan told reporters that Patrick was showing some signs of cooperation and hoped with the additional remand, he will give his full cooperation.
Rajan told New Straits Times that the reasons given for the extension were that the police needed to record statements from other witnesses and to secure his handphone.
However, he argued that there was no evidence that Patrick will interfere with any witness as he is 73-years-old and has a medical condition. Rajan also explained that a suspect is entitled under the law to remain silent during the course of an investigation.
Patrick’s lawyer also said that he will either be released on 14th May or charged in court on that day, depending on the outcome of the investigations.

Criticisms of Patrick’s arrest
The arrest of the 73-year old veteran radio personality and actor drew criticisms from various rights groups.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) questioned the need for Johor police to cross state lines for an offence that poses no immediate threat to public safety, especially during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
It is bizarre for the Johor police contingent to cross its state borders to arrest an individual in Petaling Jaya when the offence itself could have been investigated remotely.Sevan Doraisamy, Suaram Executive Director.
The human rights group also explained that for a criminal arrest, preliminary investigation should have been conducted by the police prior to any arrest.
The National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) has also stepped out to express grave concerns over Patrick’s arrest, calling for his immediate release.
Lim Wei Jiet, HAKAM Secretary-General explains that there is no basis to invoke the remand procedure primarily because Patrick Teoh had at all times cooperated with the police.
The human rights society also questioned the use of Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, stating the section is unconstitutional due to the wording that can be easily abused by authorities to clamp down on any form of dissent.
Credit: Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia
Under Section 233, any person found guilty is liable to a maximum fine of RM50,000 or imprisonment up to one year, or both.

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Budget 2021: SOCSO Job Search Allowance Extended To 9 Months

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The government is extending the employment insurance system as one of the six initiatives meant to reduce the financial burden on Malaysians during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz, currently, SOCSO is supporting Malaysians who have lost their jobs through a programme called “Job Search Allowance” or “Elaun Mencari Pekerjaan”.
He said the allowance is provided to recipients for six months and recipients are eligible to receive 80% of their salary during the first month, which then gradually reduces on a monthly basis, to 30%.
Under Budget 2021, however, the allowance period will be extended for an extra three months and recipients can request to receive 80% of their salary during the first month, then 50% of their salary for the second to sixth month, and finally 30% for the last three months.
For this, the government is allocating RM150 million which is expected to assist as many as 130,000 unemployed Malaysians.

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Can Muslims Wish Non-Muslims “Merry Christmas”?

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The debate on whether or not it’s okay for Muslims to wish non-Muslims “Merry Christmas” or any religious and seasonal greetings for that matter, pops up every single year.
And every year, Muslims around Malaysia (and the world) would be divided as friends and family argue on the Halals and Harams of when it comes to celebrating and wishing non-Muslims on their respective festivities.
So to once and for all clear the air zam-zam on this confusing and controversial issue, here is a quick “halal compliance” guide to appropriately celebrate Christmas and any other non-Muslim religious festivities here in Malaysia as according to the Malaysian National Fatwa Council.
Is it okay to wish someone “Merry Christmas”?
According to the Fatwa Council, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Muslims giving celebratory wishes to non-Muslims during their religious or cultural festivities in any form; verbally or non-verbally via text messages, greeting cards and the likes.
Based on the official fatwa edict by the council back in 2007, it was permissible for Muslims to extend greetings and wishes to their non-Muslim counterparts, so long as the message does not glorify the other religion and faith.
Do’s and don’ts of wishing someone “Merry Christmas”. (Credit: wikiHow)
The council also concluded that it was okay for Muslims to wish and celebrate non-Muslims during their festivities just as long as no religious symbolism is used in the greetings and messages.
Do’s and don’ts of wishing someone “Merry Christmas” with symbols.(Credit: wikiHow)
Not only is it permissible to wish and celebrate non-Muslim festivities, but the act of sending good vibes and greetings is also encouraged in Islam as a means of maintaining a wholesome, homogenous relationship with people of different faiths.
The Johor monarch, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, official Christmas wish in 2018. The monarch is known to post festive and religious greetings to all Malaysians every year.(Credit: Malay Mail)
Is it okay to attend Christmas parties and celebrations?
The national fatwa allows Muslims to attend and together celebrate Christmas or any other religious festivals on the grounds that there is a “need” for it.
A customary Office Christmas Party celebrated by all regardless of faith.(Credit: Sunray Construction & Interior Sdn Bhd via Facebook)
Meaning that if you have Christian or non-Muslim friends and family members who invite you to a celebration party, open house, or even if your office is hosting an event, there is a clear “need” for you to attend and not be rude about it.
But there are certain boundaries that a Muslim must follow in order to comply with the Islamic way of celebrating;
A Muslim can attend the festivities as long as it is hosted outside of a house of worship and serves halal food.If the event does take place inside a house of worship, then it would be makruh – allowed but better to be avoided – for a Muslim to attend.Do not take part in the spiritual and religious acts and ceremonies during the event.Avoid wearing clothing and attire associated with different faiths and religion.
Can you give and accept presents on Christmas?
It’s customary during most religious or cultural celebration to exchange gifts, and there are no mentioned prohibitions for Muslims to either accept or give out gifts and presents during Christmas or any other festivities.
(This would also apply to cash gifts like ang pao during Chinese New Year).
Secret Santa is gaining massive popularity here in Malaysia over the past couple of years.(Credit: Kira auf der Heide via Unsplash)
But Muslims are still prohibited to accept or give haram items such as alcohol, drugs and the likes.

Islam at its core is a religion of peace and tolerance that encourages its believers to engage and interact harmoniously. With Malaysia being a multicultural society, let us all strive to embrace one another and celebrate our similarities instead of focusing on the extremes of our differences.
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Health DG Appears To Disagree With Health Minister On Warm Water Claim

On Thursday, our new Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba went on Live TV and gave a tip to Malaysians on preventing COVID-19.
The claim he made was  one that has been circulating on WhatsApp groups for a while now that the novel coronavirus â€œdoesnâ€™t like high temperaturesâ€ and that the virus would be flushed down into the digestive system by drinking warm water.
The ministry on the other hand seems to disagree with the statement by its minister. Yesterday, Health department  director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Health Ministry’s approach for patient treatment or management is always based on evidence.
Source: Malaysian Gazette Facebook
â€œThe practice of the Ministry of Health, whether for treatment or management, is based on evidence. Evidence-based medicine is one of our pillars in terms of embracing a practice before we can deal with any issues with regards to certain practiceâ€.
“In general [â€¦] our decision to treat and manage patients is based on science and data,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham was responding to a questions where he was a asked to comment on Health Minister Dr. Adham Baba’s claim that the Covid-19 infection could be prevented by drinking warm water.