Recovered Covid-19 Patients In M’sia Donate Blood Plasma To Help Those Still Infected

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Recently recovered Covid-19 patients, such as UDA Holdings Covid-19 survivor Reza Huzairi Zainuddin, are coming forward to donate their blood plasma in hopes that it could be used to help other patients recover.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah explained that the study on using recovered patient blood plasma as a treatment option was still in the early stages and the Health Ministry is still determining the effectiveness of the treatment.
It may take some time before the ministry can find strong evidence to use it. The ministry is studying the use of blood plasma by looking at the antibody content and so on.Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah via Malay Mail.
Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that carries cells and proteins throughout the body. It makes up about 55% of the body’s total blood volume. (Credit: Medical News Today)
Using convalescent plasma – plasma from people convalescing (a.k.a recovering) – to treat illnesses isnâ€™t a new concept. For at least a century, doctors have been using the process to treat patients as far back as the Spanish flu in 1918.
More recently, the method has also been used for polio, measles, and SARS.
The rationale behind this is that once a person fully recovers from Covid-19, their blood contains antibodies (a blood protein produced in response to a specific foreign body in the blood) in its plasma that can attack the virus.
These antibodies can be extracted from a donorâ€™s blood and given to severely ill patients via transfusion with the hope that the donorâ€™s antibodies will help the severe patient recover.

There has been anecdotal evidence and new data that shows using convalescent plasma could be effective in treating patients with severe cases of Covid-19.
A study in the Scientific Journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, observed that the use of convalescent plasma in 10 adult patients with severe symptoms was safe and significantly improved their condition.
Several hospitals in the United States and the American Red Cross have also started requesting recovered Covid-19 patients to sign up and donate blood plasma for use in treatment of patients still infected.
Despite the anecdotal evidence that this treatment works, health authorities across the globe agree that there is still no conclusive evidence that convalescent plasma is an effective treatment for Covid-19.
Dr Noor Hisham explained that the Health Ministry is still studying this method as a potential treatment option. (Credit: Malay Mail)
According to Dr Noor Hisham, 12 recovered patients in Malaysia have come forward to donate their blood plasma and prior to doing so, the Health Ministry gave them counselling and had them undergo tests for bacterial infection.
After the counselling the Health Ministry will refer them to the National Blood Centre to take blood to conduct Covid-19 treatment studies using blood plasma.Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah via Malay Mail
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Stressed Out? Don’t Hit That Panic Button Just Yet

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It’s not a surprise that most Malaysians are stressed out. Why shouldn’t we be – with the rising costs of living, weaker currency value and never-ending new strains of viruses threatening our health.

To top that off, we also go through stress at work and managing personal relationships. It’s not an easy feat for us to juggle each aspect of our lives, with so many factors pushing our buttons.
Don’t hit the panic button!
There are healthy ways for us to manage stress. As simple as it sounds, going outside and getting some fresh air does more good than you might think.

(Credit: lilartsy via Pexels/schantalao via freepik)
We’re constantly surrounded by screens. The urge to ‘stay connected’ has become an unhealthy obsession that it feels uncomfortable to not have our phones with us all the time.
Taking long walks and just connecting with yourself and your surroundings really helps to clear your head and ground your thoughts. It might feel a lil’ weird at first, if you’re not one to take walks in nature with your phone on DnD. But positive lifestyle changes are always worth getting used to.

(Credit: Annushka Ahuja/cottonbro via Pexels)
Walking or exercising also lowers our body’s cortisol levels, effectively reducing stress. You can find other forms of exercise that you enjoy, such as lifting weights, yoga or dancing.
But, enjoying yourself doesn’t have to be limited to working out. The key to a balanced life is to have everything in moderation. Sometimes, it’s good to indulge in the things that make us happy.

(Credit: Julie’s Biscuits)
It’s scientifically proven that eating your favourite foods increases the happy hormones in your brain.
Who doesn’t love the feeling of kicking your feet up and watching a good movie while snacking on yummy treats after a long, tiring day?
What’s your perfect snack?

(Credit: Julie’s Biscuits)
Cute as a button this snack comes in 3 different flavours and the best part is – it keeps your hands clean, so no more grubby fingers reaching for the remote!
Julie’s Buttons are bite-sized, delicious snacks to enjoy while you unwind. Just like the many ways you can choose to keep stress levels at bay, Buttons comes in 3 savoury flavours to choose from:

Cheezy Cheddar: ‘Cause who doesn’t love cheese?
Mini Veggie: Bonus points for healthy snacks that taste good
Hot Curry: Spice up your snack game!

Don’t lose your buttons over the stresses of life. Reach for Buttons, and keep the panic away!
Get your hands on Julie’s Buttons at your nearest store or from Julie’s Biscuits official Shopee and Lazada online stores. Follow Julie’s Biscuits on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated!

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5,300 Stranded Filipino Immigrants Unable To Go Back

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Around 5,300 Filipino are stranded at temporary detention centres in Sabah because of the pandemic that has shut down global borders.
The Philippines would not accept the illegal immigrants during the course of their Covid-19 lockdown, but as they ease into a more relaxed state, the process of repatriation is expected to begin later this month.
No Filipinos have been deported since the movement control order (MCO) was put in place on March 18, but Sabah National Security Council director Sharifah Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof notes that the process of deportation may begin as early as June 15.
However, Indonesian illegal immigrants were able to be deported even throughout the MCO and CMCO period. According to Sharifah, the Indonesian government has helped in the deportation process through their consulate in Sabah.
A total of 322 Indonesians who had entered Sabah illegally through Tawau were deported during this time.
Malaysia’s stance on illegal immigrants is to deport them back to their home country so they can enjoy their rights to a normal life there.
So far, Malaysia has deported a total of 3,753 illegal immigrants in 2020 alone, including  those from Vietnam, China, and Pakistan.

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Two M’sian Teenagers Safely Return Home After Being Duped By “High-Paying” Job Scam In Myanmar

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Three months after being deceived by a human trafficking syndicate in Myanmar, two teenagers finally returned safely to Malaysia.

The 14 and 15-year-old boys from Bera, Pahang, arrived in Malaysia on 24 June after various matters, including documents, were settled.
The syndicate initially released them on 2 April after their families paid a ransom.
The syndicate could not find a use for them after failing to reach their targets.
Two Malaysian teenagers finally arrived home after being cheated on. (Pix: Facebook)
Tempted By Higher Pay
The 15-year-old victim said he was attracted to job advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
The posting offered customer service jobs with salaries of RM5,000 and RM7,000.
The high salary is very attractive because I also want more freedom. My friend and I were taken to Myanmar on 22 March, where we were detained at the compound in Marwadi.The 15-year-old victim relating his ordeal and why he fell for the scam.
The victims were speaking at a press conference organized by MCA Public Service and Complaints Department chief Datuk Seri Michael Chong at Wisma MCA on 25 June.
The Beginning Of A Nightmare
The boy only became aware of the syndicate’s cheating when he was forced to work for a transnational scam syndicate, which allegedly stole millions of dollars from victims.
The syndicate gave him a booklet on what to talk about and told him to con the victim, who was a Chinese national abroad.
The duo was forced to work from noon to midnight daily, and they were given about RM900 as food allowance.
They were also monitored by armed guards tightly guarding the syndicate’s compound.
On the accommodation, the victim said he was housed in a six-person room.
There are many people in the compound, including other Malaysians. I also see people being punished if they fail to do their job, including being cheated. Fortunately, I escaped such punishment because my friend and I were still too young.The 15-year-old victim on the treatment meted out by their captors.
The Myanmar Love Scam syndicate compound.Location: Southwest Myawaddy, MyanmarCoordinates: 16.630884°N 98.556680°EApproximately 1,000 Malaysians held hostage, victims from other nationalities expected.High density area based on the amount of parked cars alone. https://t.co/mljymst5Vo pic.twitter.com/3zf4hSnouh— GeoInt.MY (@GeoInt_MY) June 11, 2022
After about a week of work, the two victims failed to achieve any targets set by the syndicate.
They appealed to the ‘boss’ to release them, and they finally did it after their family paid the ransom.
Another Malaysian, also a job scam victim detained in Myanmar, endured beatings. (Pix: Facebook)
Paying The Price
Meanwhile, Chong said the kidnappers initially demanded 300,000 yuan (RM198,951) from the families of the two boys.
After some negotiations over the phone, they agreed to release both for a lower amount.
Chong said the traffickers were probably worried by the media coverage on the issue of human trafficking, so they want to get rid of the boy as soon as possible.
They took the boy to Thailand and placed them in a hotel in the border town of Mae Sot.
A friend who is a businessman based in Thailand takes care of them and manages their accommodation and food.
The friend cared for the boy for about a month, during which he helped with the boy’s documents with the help of Thai and Malaysian authorities.Datuk Seri Michael Chong on the teenagers’ journey to freedom.
READ MORE: 14-Year-Old KL Boy Falls Victim To Job Scam And Nearly Trafficked To Thailand
Long Road To Freedom
They were then taken to Bangkok, where they were placed in the Immigration detention centre while their documents were being prepared.
Finally, after three weeks in the detention centre, their documents were completed with the help of the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand, and they were sent home on Friday.
Chong said the department had received about 78 reports of Malaysians being cheated abroad by syndicates.
It involves 63 men and 15 women. Of the 78, 15 have returned.
The other eight are still in prison in Cambodia, and we hope they will be returned soon. We urge Malaysians to be more careful about accepting such dubious job offers abroad.Datuk Seri Michael Chong warns the public about scams.
READ MORE: Malaysians Sold For Up To RM50k As ‘Slaves’ In Myanmar
Love scam ring.Gais semua hati2.Kalo kena makan x habis.Depa offer kerja mcm2 offer gaji sampai 4-5k sebulan.Dah sign up,depa seludup keluar sampai Myanmar.Kt sana habis kena pegang.Pukul & belasah setengah mati.Ugut & ransom kat family sampai 70-80k kalo nak balik.Fakap !— Just call me Q (@MisterQ_14) June 9, 2022

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This Song Was Written, Recorded, And Produced Within 24 Hours After MCO 3.0 Was Announced

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When MCO 3.0 was announced on 28 May, many Malaysians were quick to moan and groan.

However, for four Malaysians it was motivation to channel their creative juices to release “Lockdown Lagi” – a song about the challenges we’ve all, as Malaysians have had to endure during this difficult time.
Once strangers, now collaborators
All independent artists in their own right, the foursome found each other through Museroom, the brainchild of the Livescape Group providing a one-stop solution for creatives to collaborate on projects.
Through Museroom, a 24-hour challenge was set and the community voted for the following the artists.

The project, comprising of instrumentalist Kent Lee, Barnabas Kong on guitar, and Thomas Chong on vocals and lyrics, was recorded in each musician’s respective space while Nishen Raven produced and mastered the track.
The song kicks off with an atmospheric layer with Thomas singing “It’s been a good whole year of lockdown / feels like three hundred years have passed by”, then picks up with a funky groove, throwing a bit of Bahasa Melayu into the mix.
 Take a listen to the track now:

*Video Animation & Edited by: @mirrdusa @chriistee_
“A constant cycle we’re going through”
The pandemic has posed many challenges to everyone in Malaysia with Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA) citing that 93% of Malaysian artists having been negatively impacted by Covid-19.
Everyone should be aware of how resilient the creative industry in Malaysia is. It’s not just the top tier of creatives, but the hidden gems like the “Lockdown Lagi” collaborators. -Clarice Chin, project lead at Museroom, to TRP
When asked whether this is a one-off collaboration or whether the musicians will come together again, Clarice replied that there are no confirmed plans yet but there were definitely good vibes among the four so only time (and hopefully not another MCO) will tell.

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2,200 Malindo Staff Sign Off With Heartbreaking Farewells Over Airline Retrenchment

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Malindo Air has undergone further retrenchments to cut costs during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is expected that its present workforce of 3,200 will shrink down to just 1,000.

For many Malindo staff, they were offered a three-month salary severance package during this retrenchment. Many took to social media to share their experiences at the airline, leading to a flood of love on social media, from air stewardesses to pilots to on-ground staff alike.
Me, signing off ✈Thank you for wonderful 4 years ❤ #malindo pic.twitter.com/9OKRFBtKBQ— AINA (@kaatnizz) November 1, 2020
last day kerja, thank you malindo for 5 amazing years pic.twitter.com/L92zwWsXR4— XXXASH (@Ashtasyy) October 31, 2020
31 oct is my last day with #malindo. I can’t believe I should write this but thanks for everything.Thanks for all the supports,experience and memories that you have given throughout this wonderful journey.This is the best team ever.Once aviators forever aviator.Signing off✈ pic.twitter.com/ggqxbUiHO4— nami 🙊 (@ninanazmi19) November 1, 2020
Some even offered helpful tips on walking into joblessness.
Dear all Malindo Air Staff please claim your EIS money from PERKESO. First month of being unemployed u will receive 80% from your prev salary. The next month and so on you will receive money too but the percentage will be reduced. U will receive allowances as well https://t.co/dHyNEK9uN7— ExpressoLatte (@imansinclair) November 1, 2020
While the outpouring of fondness from ex-crew and customers alike were tinged with sadness, a few raised some questions about the instability of the airline industry as a whole as well as Malindo Airway’s drastic retrenchment program.
Either synergise the entire flight industry in Malaysia or find a way to assist ALL the retrenched individuals by re-skilling or placing them in new industryI’ve also voiced this out during my meeting with Minister of FinanceHopefully together we’ll find the best solution 🙏🏽— Syed Saddiq 🇲🇾🌺 (@SyedSaddiq) October 31, 2020
Most notably, the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) has critisized the move, stating that Malindo was paid close to RM3 million by Socso under the Employee Retention Programme (ERP).
Nufam states that this payment meant that the airline should be able to retain most of its workers until the middle of next year.
Additionally, the airline had already put many of its workers on long-term leave until next July as well, as most Malindo staff have not received their salaries since June.
Regardless, many ex-airline staff are finding it difficult to hold on to their jobs as the industry stays crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Thailand Is Ranked The World’s Safest “New Normal” Travel Destination, But…

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Thailand was ranked as the world’s safest tourist destination during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A study conducted by German-based travel agency, Tourlane, created a ranking to determine the safest place people can travel to by taking into account each country’s Covid-19 infection data, population density, International Health Regulations (IHR) score, and other factors, even the hours of sunshine a place gets in a day.
And as it turns out, our northernmost neighbor, Thailand checks all the boxes to be ranked the best place to visit during the pandemic based on low infection numbers, great healthcare services, a moderate population density, and all the sun, sand and greenery anyone could ask for.
(Tourlane)
Making it to the top-5, Tourlane also lists Jordan, French Polynesia, Iceland, and Morocco as Covid-19-safe travel destinations.
(Tourlane)
As global travel restrictions ease up following the “new normal”, it’s understandable that people are anxious to break free after months of isolation.
But unfortunately, even though Thailand sits circumstantially as the world’s current best vacation spot, travelers may not get a chance to visit anytime soon as the country announced that its borders would be closed to tourists until 2021.
After taking a hit during the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) lockdown period, Malaysia’s own tourism industry is seeing gradual recovery with local, domestic tourists spending their time and earnings exploring what our country has to offer.
Reportedly, our local hotel occupancy rate had increased by 30% since the lockdowns were lifted.
Malaysia also plans to create a “travel bubble” to allow for safe cross-border travel and tourism between “green zone” countries like Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and others.

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Source:
Security expert presents criteria for safe travel despite Corona Ranking of the 15 travel countries that are particularly safe despite Covid-19
Thailand To Allow For Certain Travellers To Come Into The Country Starting 1 July
Thailand ‘will remain closed to travellers until 2021’
Local Hotel Bookings Jump To 30% As Malaysians Fill Reservations
Malaysia Will Open Borders To These 6 Green-Zone Countries, But…


Who Is Michelle Yeoh, The First “Anak Malaysia” To Win An Oscar?

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Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh won her first Oscar today for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, and claimed her seat in Hollywood history as the first Asian woman to win the coveted Best Actress award in the Academy’s 95-year-run.

READ MORE: Michelle Yeoh Wins ‘Best Actress’ At The Oscars
Although it seems like she’s gaining further recognition in Hollywood now, most of us in Asia have already recognised her star power when she appeared in Hong Kong films such as the iconic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000.
Born in Ipoh, Perak, on 6 August 1962 to Janet Yeoh and Yeoh Kian-teik, Michelle Yeoh received her early education in Main Convent Ipoh. She moved with her mother to the United Kingdom at 15 years old to study in an all-girls boarding school.
She was known to be highly active in sports such as swimming and rugby. However, she wanted to become a ballet dancer and began her lessons at four years old. She continued to pursue her dream in London and enrolled herself in the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance.
Unfortunately, her dreams were dashed when she suffered a back injury but that didn’t stop her. She pivoted and focused on studying choreography and the arts. She didn’t know it at the time but her background as a ballet dancer will serve her well when she enters the film industry.
Yeoh received her bachelor’s degree in creative arts with a minor a drama in 1982.
Mother knows best
Her break into the world of acting began in 1983 thanks to her mother who signed her up for the Miss Malaysia World beauty pageant.
In an interview with British talk-show host Graham Norton on The Graham Norton Show, she revealed that she was back in Malaysia from her studies in England when her mother revealed what she had done.
Her mother was worried that she would not get more audition opportunities as she gets older and encouraged her to go all out at 21 years old. She then promptly signed her up for the Miss Malaysia beauty pageant.
Yeoh explained that she participated in the pageant so that her mother would not bring up the matter again. Who could have guessed that Yeoh won the Miss Malaysia title after all?
Michelle Yeoh in Miss World 1983 pic.twitter.com/G5MNYeAMpX— @ (@anthraxxx781) March 13, 2023
She then proceeded to win other pageants such as Miss Moomba International 1984 in Australia, Queen of the Pacific, and Miss International Tourism Quest.
Her mother’s instincts were right because her pageant win opened doors for her in the Hong Kong film industry.
At the time, businessman and co-founder of D&B Films, Dickson Poon, was looking for an actress to appear with Jackie Chan in a commercial and Yeoh’s name came up when he dined with a friend.
Yeoh flew to Hong Kong to audition, secured the role, and bagged a contract with D&B Films. And the rest they say is history.
Yeoh appeared in several popular and iconic films alongside Jackie Chan in the 1990s such as Yes, Madam (1985), Police Story 3: Supercop (1992), and Holy Weapon (1993).
At the time, she’s credited as Michelle Khan, a nickname chosen by D&B Films as they believed it would be more marketable to international and western audiences.
Breaking into Hollywood as a Bond Girl
Yeoh increasingly rose to fame in the industry because she did most of her own stunts. She eventually became a Bond Girl in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), which further increased her profile as an actress in Hollywood.
From then on, she starred in Hollywood shows such as Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Reign of Assassins (2010), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), The Lady (2011), Star Trek: Discovery (2017), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and Last Christmas (2019).
She has also helmed roles in popular titles such as Marvel Studio’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022).
ACADEMY AWARD WINNER MICHELLE YEOH pic.twitter.com/LnxjSsraOD— ♡ (@taesdawn26) March 13, 2023
Due to her illustrious career, she was awarded Icon of the Year 2022 by TIME. In that same year, she was awarded Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Perak which carries the title Datuk Seri in conjunction with the birthday of Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah.
In 2013, she was awarded Panglima Setia Mahkota which carries the title Tan Sri in conjunction with the birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah.
In 2016, she was the first Malaysian citizen who was made an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French ambassador to Kuala Lumpur.
In 2022, Yeoh is the first Asian artist to be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by the American Film Institute (AFI) for her contributions to the arts.
Yeoh married Dickson Poon in 1988 and she retired from the acting industry. They divorced in 1992 because she found out that she couldn’t have children and she didn’t want them to live a bitter life. She soon returned to acting right after the divorce.
She changed her stage name back to Michelle Yeoh when she embarked on her Hollywood career. In 1998, she was briefly engaged to an American cardiologist Alan Heldman before they broke it off.
Fast forward to 2004, she met Jean Todt, the then general manager and CEO of Scuderia Ferrari, and have been together ever since. Yeoh announced her engagement to Todt in 2008 and they live in Geneva, Switzerland. Yeoh does not have any children.

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Source:
At 28, Michelle Yeoh Left Acting To Become A Mom
Kelahiran Ipoh, Miss Malaysia 1983, 15 info menarik Michelle Yeoh rakyat Malaysia pertama tercalon Pelakon Wanita Terbaik Oscar
10 facts about Michelle Yeoh you probably did not know


[Watch] Snake Crawls Out of Car Engine While Driving, Causes Panic Among Passengers

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In a terrifying incident that shocked many people, a snake crawled out of a car engine while the vehicle was in motion.

The reptile’s sudden appearance caused panic among the driver and passengers.
The incident, which happend in Klang, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
The footage shows the snake suddenly appearing while the car was being driven, causing the owner and passengers to scream in terror.
  @ohbulanofficial WEH 😂😂😂😭😭😭 #ohbulan #santai #ular #atas #kereta #belum #kena #azab #kubur #fyp ♬ original sound  – OHBULAN!
The snake could be seen sticking out its tongue as it climbed from the front mirror to the left window.
Panic Among The Driver and Passengers
Despite the windows being closed, the “uninvited passenger” kept sliding outside the car, adding to the fear of those inside.
The panicked voice of one of the men in the car can be heard in the video shouting, “Go away! Go away!” as he urged the snake to fall.
Fortunately, the driver remained calm and continued to drive safely without causing any accidents.
The video, about 1 minute and 4 seconds long, has sparked heated discussions among netizens.
While some found the interaction between the human and snake amusing, others found it too scary to watch.
Heat Wave Causes Reptiles to Crawl Out
According to reports, Malaysia has been hit by a heat wave recently, which has caused many reptiles, including snakes, to crawl out of their hiding places.
Many netizens have shared videos of pythons appearing at home, in cars or motorcycle engines, and even in toilets.
This incident reminds us to always be cautious and aware of our surroundings, especially when driving.
Taking necessary precautions to avoid such incidents and ensure our safety is important.
INFOGRAFIKCUACA PANAS & ULAR'Yang sahih di Berita RTM'#RTM #BeritaRTM #MalaysiaMadani pic.twitter.com/46Ne2FraZ2— Berita RTM (@beritartm) May 27, 2023

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Separated Family Waves To Each Other Across The Water Between Singapore And Johor

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The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of collateral damage. On top of killing more than 1 million people worldwide, it has wreaked havoc on the global economy, caused people to lose their jobs, and separated others from their family members.

One such family has managed to communicate exactly what that feels like through some posts on Facebook. The husband works in Singapore, and due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions between the two countries, he hasn’t seen his wife and kids for at least 200 days.
In a post shared on Facebook recently, you can see the husband excitedly making his way to the jetty at Woodlands Waterfront Park.

Posted by Muhamad Faiz FS on Monday, 5 October 2020

Holding his mobile phone in his hand, he asks the person on the other side of the line of their whereabouts. A woman’s voice answers telling him that she’s right there, wearing a black and white shirt, “Can you see me?”
In another clip, you can hear children’s laughter coming from his phone, “Hi papa!” The man approaches the edge of the jetty and waves.
(Credit: Facebook)
In a separate post, you get to see his family’s viewpoint from Johor
Two women with two young boys can be seen waving towards the Woodlands Waterfront Park jetty.

Posted by Muhamad Faiz FS on Monday, 5 October 2020

What makes the whole situation more sad is the fact that no matter how hard you look in the video, you can’t spot his family from across the water. From the other side, you can’t see him either.
Here’s a better picture of what they’re looking at
This is the family’s view of the husband from Johor.
(Credit: Facebook)
This is what he can see from Woodlands.
(Credit: Facebook)
Fortunately, the family has hope
Although the recovery movement control order (RMCO) in Malaysia has been extended to 31 December 2020, and travel restrictions have been said to remain closed until then as well, Johor has urged the government to consider reopening the border to Singapore.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad has shared that he’s met with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to discuss speeding up the process of fully opening the border between Singapore and Malaysia.
He has also reportedly submitted working papers and standard operating procedures for the move to the Foreign Ministry.
Let’s hope the Prime Minister will consider this, and that the proposed standard operating procedures can also keep the Covid-19 transmission between the two countries under control.

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Women Ministry’s “Doraemon-Voice” MCO Advice Makes International Headlines

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After the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s perplexing Movement Control Order (MCO) tips for women to wear makeup at home, and to talk in a Doraemon-like voice instead of nagging at their husbands were released on their social media channels, it immediately drew backlash from horrified Malaysians.
Many were outraged at the advice that were deemed “sexist and misogynistic” and the ministry quickly deleted the posters and issued an “apology“.
Naturally, it was quite the issue among Malaysians but it looks like the cat’s out of the bag as the ill-advised advice has grabbed headlines around the world.
The Guardian – UK
Screenshot from The Guardian
The UK news site ran the news saying there was “anger and disbelief” over the posts with a caption that “urged women to avoid nagging their husbands” and to “imitate the squeaky voice of Doraemon.”
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah -US
The popular US talk show mentioned the issue on their 1st April show where the host Trevor Noah had some very choice words.
While some countries are dealing with a wave of coronavirus, other countries are dealing with a wave of their own stupidity.Trevor Noah, The Daily Show.

Al-Jazeera – Qatar
Screenshot from Al-Jazeera.
The Qatari-based news organisation picked up the embarrassing news in an article that also highlighted Malaysia’s poor ranking on the latest World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap index. Malaysia ranks No 104 out of 153.
ABC News – Australia
Screenshot from ABC News Australia.
The Australian news site pointed out that the posters were strongly criticised on social media and by women’s advocacy groups. It also mentioned Malaysia’s poor scores on political empowerment and economic participation on the Global Gender Gap Index.
The Taipei Times – Taiwan
Screenshot from The Taipei Times
Taiwan’s English-language news carried the news on the ministry’s apology and the subsequent backlash. It also mentioned how the government helpline for the vulnerable and domestic violence victims had seen a surge in calls since the MCO was implemented.
The Independent – UK
Screenshot from The Independent.
The UK’s digital news site reported the incident while stating “the ministry also appeared to refer to the lockdown as a holiday.”
Arab News – Saudi Arabia
Screenshot from Arab News.
The Saudi-run news site mentioned that the women’s ministry issued guidelines for avoiding domestic conflict during lockdown, but rights groups fear domestic violence may be on the rise during the lockdown period.

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More Than Half Of Malaysians Say Their Savings Wont Last Them For More Than 3 Months

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The RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey (RMFLS 2020) shows that 53% of Malaysians think they would not be able to survive more than 3 months on their savings.

Youths under 35 are even more pessimistic as 60% admitted that their savings won’t last more than 3 months.
As the pandemic swept the country, the survey noted that 27% of Malaysians realised the importance of an emergency fund.
Spending habits have also changed with the spread of Covid-19 as 88% of Malaysians prefer contactless or cashless payment methods. In fact, 90% of the respondents say that they have e-wallets on their mobile devices.
The data also shows that 39% of the respondents prefer to do more online transactions now.
Looking to the future, Malaysians are less optimistic with their savings as 68% believe that their EPF savings can only last them for less than 10 years, while 70% think that their EPF savings alone is not sufficient for retirement.

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Petronas: Azerbaijan Asset Seizures Baseless, Legal Defense On Its Way

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Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) said that its two subsidiaries that had been seized in Azerbaijan – Petronas Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) S.à r.l. and Petronas South Caucasus S.à r.l. – had divested its entire assets in the country.

In a statement issued late yesterday, the national oil and gas company also said that the proceeds from the exercise had been duly repatriated.
“We confirm that our two subsidiaries mentioned in the report have been served with ‘Saisie-arret’ on 11 July 2022,”
“Petronas views the actions taken against it as baseless and is working vigorously to defend its legal position on this matter,” the statement reads.
‘Saisie-arret’ means an act of seizure to obtain the total judgment/decision (award) of the arbitration.
Yesterday, Financial Times reported the seizure of two Petronas subsidiaries in Azerbaijan –  by lawyers representing the heirs of the Sulu sultanate – reportedly worth more than USD2 billion (RM8.87 billion).
READ MORE: Petronas’ Azerbaijan Subsidiaries Worth USD2 Billion Seized By Sulu Sultanate’s Heirs
In March, an international court in Paris ruled that Malaysia had violated a treaty signed in 1878 and now will have to pay at least US$14.92 billion (RM62.59 billion) to the descendants of the Sulu sultan, almost 20 years after making the last payment to its heirs.
The treaty was signed on 22 January 1878 by Sultan Jamal Al Alam of Sulu with Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent of the British North Borneo Company that stipulates North Borneo (Sabah) was either ceded or leased (depending on the translation used) to the company in return for a yearly payment of 5,000 Malayan Dollar.
The government was ruled to violate the treaty after deciding to stop the Sulu sultan heirs’ annual RM5,300 cession money payment in 2013 following the Lahad Datu incursion.
READ MORE: International Court Ruled That Malaysia Must Pay RM62 Billion To Sulu Sultan’s Descendents
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had previously said that Malaysia had applied for the final award of RM62.59 billion given to a group claiming to be the heirs of the Sulu sultan to be cancelled.
The application was filed on 3 March in Paris’ Court of Appeals to nullify the decision, which was ruled by Spanish arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa.
READ MORE: PM: Malaysia Applies To Cancel RM62 Billion Award To Sulu Sultan Descendants

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A Japanese Man Explains Why Malaysian Life Is The Best [Video]

â€œPokemon, Ultraman, Sushi and Family Mart.â€
These are just some of the many reasons that Malaysians adore the Japanese.
While Malaysia has been favourably â€œLooking Eastâ€™ from culture to politics, it seems that love is mutual!
A Japanese YouTuber with the name Aki from Japan points out that Malaysia has been the No1 choice for a Japanese tourism trend called rongusutei or long-stay tourism.

 Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe
(Credit: Bernama via New Straits Times)

What happens is that the Japanese folk will stay in foreign destinations for long periods of time in order to experience living abroad. Apparently, Malaysia has been a top choice for the past 13 years!
Elderly Japanese, mostly retirees, take a trip down south to Malaysia under the â€œMalaysia My Second Homeâ€ (MM2H) program which took off in 2008. According to a study by Okayama University in Japan, Malaysia is No 1 in a ranking of top 10 long-stay destinations in 2006 and continues to be the most desired destination for long-stay tourism.
So what does Aki have to say about this equatorial sunspot?
Long story short, he LOVES it.
Geisha Heart GIF from Geisha GIFs

Well, he did make an 11-minute video titled â€œã€æ—¥æœ¬äººç§»ä½å…ˆå›½No1ã€‘ãƒžãƒ¬ãƒ¼ã‚·ã‚¢ã®ä½ã¿å¿ƒåœ°ãŒç¥žã™ãŽã‚‹ç†ç”±â€ which roughly translates to â€œThe reason why Malaysia is a divine place to live.â€
Speaking from his 1.5 years of living in Malaysia, he points out a couple of reasons why he thinks why his Japanese countrymen will adore our country as much as he does.
The Ringgits Are Good
Things are just waaaay cheaper in Malaysia for the
Japanese. He points out that the Japanese media often says that things are 3
times cheaper in Malaysia â€“ which is fair.
A 2019 Cost of Living survey puts Tokyo as the 2nd most expensive city in the world. Even a simple check online shows that prices for most aspects of living (from rent to groceries) in Kuala Lumpur are at least 50% lower than Tokyo.

Created via Imgflip

However, it should be noted that KLâ€™ites purchasing power is around 23% lower than Tokyo.
Visit Truly Asia, Malaysia
According to Aki, most Japanese who come to Malaysia for the
first time are shocked by our level of urbanisation. But he does point out that
thereâ€™s still a lot of nature left untouched.
â€œAmazing nature with indigenous tribes. Wonderful beaches. Beautiful beaches like Okinawa in Malaysia.â€
Aki from Japan via YouTube.

 View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Motoaki (@hmotoaki) on Apr 30, 2019 at 9:27pm PDT

As it turns out AirAsia is pretty well known in Japan for their low-cost flights and with its KL base, he likes how it makes it easy to travel around the region for a fair price.
â€œThe location is perfect. You could say that Malaysia is located in the centre of Southeast Asia.
Itâ€™s easy to travel around, just like visiting neighbours. Very different from Japan thatâ€™s an isolated island.â€
Aki from Japan via YouTube.
You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine
Yes, one of Malaysiaâ€™s biggest complaint is a beloved
feature for our foreign visitors.
Our humid days are nothing compared to the blazing Japanese
summers where temperatures can soar above 40Â°C.
Aki says that with no changing seasons in Malaysia, he
spends so much less money on buying new clothes for each season and can now use
the money for something more productive.

Screeshot from Aki from Japan/YouTube

Oh My English!
Hereâ€™s something that wouldnâ€™t have crossed most Malaysianâ€™s minds, it turns out that weâ€™re a great country for a beginner to practice their English!

Sourced from Pinterest

â€œSomehow it feels easy to speak English in Malaysia. When you observe Malaysians speaking English, they speak with confidence even when they donâ€™t have perfect knowledge of grammar.
This made me realise, you shouldnâ€™t be afraid to make mistakes!â€
Aki from Japan via YouTube.
He finds learning English in Malaysia a stress-free
experience and the environment just allows him to practice speaking his English
with confidence.
Speaking of stress-freeâ€¦
 Malaysian Timing
The Malaysian and Japanese treatment of time is as different as night and day.
Weâ€™ve grown up hearing â€œotw broâ€ for every gathering and Aki finds it interesting.
â€œI donâ€™t want to sound rude, but Malaysians are not punctual. Might be because of the warm weather, everybody is so laid back.
Iâ€™m not sure if this is a good or bad thing. But, in contrast with the stressful society in Japan, people are so relaxed in Malaysia.â€
Aki from Japan via YouTube.

Sourced from Reddit

While itâ€™s interesting to hear about the differences between Japanese and Malaysian culture, itâ€™s nice to know that our Malaysian quirks are largely welcomed by visitors to the nation.
You can watch Aki talking about his Malaysian experience below:

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“Robocop” Shows Up At KTM As Auxiliary Police Wear Temperature Scanner Helmets

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Robocop has arrived in Malaysia, sort of.

While the KTM Berhad (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) auxiliary police aren’t part robot, they sure do look like it now as they’ve been equipped with temperature scanner helmets in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Credit: @ktmberhad/Facebook
Announcing the flashy new gadget on social media, KTMB explains that the helmet will allow patrolling officers to detect passengers with high temperatures – one of the symptoms of a Covid-19 infection.
With the use of this helmet, members of the auxiliary police who patrol will be able to detect passengers with symptoms through this advanced technology tool. We hope that the methods implemented will increase the confidence of passengers to use KTMB services.KTM Berhad via Facebook.
Credit: @ktmberhad/Facebook
KTM reassures that regular SOPs are still in place, such as temperature checks at stations, providing hand sanitizers as well as regularly sanitising the trains.
These “robocops” won’t be taking down evil villains and shooting guns though, as KTM Berhad explains that the temperature scanner helmets are still under trial phase to evaluate its effectiveness.

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117 New Covid-19 Cases In Malaysia As Nation Settles In For Partial Lockdown

Malaysiaâ€™s Corvid-19 case count now stands at 790 as the country records 117 new infections.
According to the Health Ministry (MOH), 80 of the new patients were linked to the tabligh congregation cluster, which saw a gathering of nearly 20,000 people.
(Credit: Twitter/MOH)
In total, 513 people have been known to have contracted the virus at the religious event, including patient #178 who recently passed away from a fatal coronavirus infection.
The 34-year-old Malaysian man, one of the first two casualties in Malaysia, was safely laid to rest at a Muslim cemetery in Johor Baru on the night of March 17.
Men dressed in full protective gear burying the deceased. Supposedly, none but a few “qualified individuals” were allowed near the remains throughout the entire funeral process.(Credit: Twitter/@RimauXI)
Simultaneously, MOH also reported that another 11 patients undergoing treatment in the country had successfully recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Overall, Malaysia has registered 60 cases of recovery from Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the Movement Control Order, effective from March 18 to 31 2020, showed some parts of the country, normally bustling with crowds and noisy traffic, turning eerily quiet.
Reportedly, city streets, popular shopping malls, tourist centers and even the capitalâ€™s busy public transportation hub, KL Sentral, along with other various locations in the country are void of people as Malaysians opt to stay indoors following the two-week restriction period.
Suria KLCC which is normally full of locals and tourists now almost completely empty.(Credit: Firdaus Latif/Malay Mail)
However, it appears that some Malaysians are still finding it difficult to abide by the control order as a number of restaurants are still serving patrons who chose to dine in, instead of tapauing their food as instructed by the authorities.
Customers dining in at a local mamak stall during the first day of the Movement Control Order.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
But despite the reluctance of some Malaysians, the first day of the Movement Control Order sees the publicâ€™s previous panic-buying frenzy coming to an end.
Conditions around grocery stores, wet markets, and supermarkets nationwide look as though they have returned to normal with people no longer frantically rushing to stock up on supplies.
An auntie entertaining her customer at a wet market in Klang Valley.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
Globally, the world is slowly coming to grasp with the unsettling realities of living in a Covid-19 pandemic.
Increasingly, more and more nations are moving to close their borders and place restrictions on their citizens to contain the spread of the viral outbreak.
Even the entire European Union had agreed to close down the bloc’s borders for a whole month, forcing some 455 million of its citizens to live under restrictions.
People being temperature scanned as they step off a bus in Germany.(Credit: ITV/AP)
Across the globe, travelers are scrambling to find routes to their respective home countries as airports closed down and routine flights are being suspended leaving many, including a number of Malaysians, stranded with nowhere to go.
Long lines of incoming Malaysian travelers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Health Quarantine Center.(Credit: WhatsApp)
Though some of the restrictive measures being taken by Malaysia and other nations may seem harsh and interruptive, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that more â€œaggressiveâ€ actions were needed in order to contain and combat the spread of Covid-19, especially in Southeast Asia.
With cases increasing day by day, Malaysia remains the worst-affected country by the coronavirus outbreak within the SEA region and according to the Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the country could be faced with a â€œtsunamiâ€ of infections if Malaysians fail to adhere to the Movement Control Order, stay indoors and limit social activities.
(Credit: Reuters/Malay Mail)
As of writing, Covid-19 has infected more than 200,000 individuals and taken the lives of some 8,000 people all over the world.

So remember to play your part in the fight against coronavirus by implementing the correct hygiene practices, limiting social interactions and staying indoors, and be sure to keep yourself updated with the latest happenings from around the world, here at TRP.
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State Of Emergency Or Special Powers For PM, According To Reports

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Multiple news outlets are reporting that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is seeking to be conferred special emergency powers through an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

These powers are said to be necessary in order to fight this third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which has very rapidly doubled the number of cases here compared to the first two waves.
According to the Malay Mail, Muhyiddin is being rushed to Kuantan in Pahang to meet the Agong after a special meeting with his Cabinet was held this morning.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Insight says that a State of Emergency “seems like a done deal” in light of not only the Covid-19 pandemic but also the current state of political uncertainty in the country.
Earlier, fledgling site MalaysiaNow reported that an Emergency could be declared in order for the government to spend money to fight the pandemic without having to debate the Budget in Parliament.
If the Budget were not to pass due to a lack of votes, it could be construed as a vote of no confidence against Muhyiddin who, as of the last sitting, holds a razor thin majority of 113 out of 222 MPs in Parliament.
However, that majority has come into question after it surfaced that UMNO leaders, feeling that they were getting the short end of the stick in PN, had thrown their support behind Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

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Source:
Putrajaya seeks emergency powers in fighting Covid-19
Cabinet decides in favour of emergency
State of emergency looms as top officials make emotional plea for stability


MPAJ Tore Down Illegal Extension By Flat Owner In Ampang

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The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) had to demolish the extension built by an owner of the UTM Flat in Ampang recently as it went against the Strata Titles Act 1985.

According to the local council, the additional structure that was built by the homeowner contradicts sections 133 and 757 of the act.
MPAJ, in a statement via Facebook today, stated that the homeowner had built the extension to their home on the flat’s common property space.
Credit: MPAJ Facebook
“Stratified homes such as flats, apartments and condominiums are bound by Act 757 where parcel lots are only limited to the area of the parcel purchased,” the statement reads.
MPAJ also said that homeowners must also take into consideration the safety of other residents when renovating their homes.
“The issue of the safety of the surrounding residents must also be taken into account if the addition of the house will disrupt the rescue work by the responsible party in the event of any disaster such as fire and so on.”
A picture of the demolition work had recently gone viral on social media. According to MPAJ, the operation was conducted on 25 May.
Commenting on the issue, several netizens said that it serves the homeowner’s right for an inconsiderate move on his part.
There are also others who suggest for the homeowner to sell the flat and buy another home since it seems like he is capable of it.
Yall really bought a square and thought you own the damn building. You don’t even own the land. https://t.co/k7pch6NGAr— 塔吴菲 (@topeqAG) May 30, 2022
satu benda yg aku xphm org perangai cmni, rezeki dah bertambah apa salah beli rumah baru yg lebih besar supaya rumah lama boleh dijual dengan org yg tak mampu. https://t.co/SMVAkSjejs— Tony Milfred (@TonyAmNizam) May 30, 2022
READ MORE: Uncle Kentang Defends Illegal Extensions, Says Flats Are Crowded And Cramped

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Anwar Gets Ministerial-Level Upgrade, Will Get The Same Perks, Says PH Chief Whip

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Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been given an upgrade from the government as his status now is equivalent with that of a Minister, according to Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chief Whip Coordinator Anthony Loke.

He said that the letter was personally handed over to the PKR President before the second meeting of the Steering Committee (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability in the Parliament Meeting Room.
Anthony added that with the upgrade, the confirmation letter entitles Anwar to receive Minister-level perks.
Before the meeting began, the Prime Minister handed over a letter of confirmation to the Leader of the Opposition to upgrade the status of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition with facilities equivalent to the Minister’s Office.Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chief Whip Coordinator Anthony Loke
Based on reports, the Transformation and Political Stability MoU covers six items:
Strengthening of the Covid-19 PlanAdministrative Transformation Parliamentary Reform, Independence of Judicial Institutions, The 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) Establishment of the Steering Committee

Once in a fortnight meeting
In the recent meeting, Loke said, both opposition and government parties discussed on the implementation of mutually agreed reforms.
It includes a number of amendments to the Federal Constitution to be tabled in the next parliamentary session.Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chief Whip Coordinator Anthony Loke
He mentioned that these meetings will happen once every two weeks on Mondays.
Meetings like this bring a new political culture to our country. Despite the political differences between the parties, we can still sit together to discuss and find common ground in the interest of the country.Pakatan Harapan (PH) Chief Whip Coordinator Anthony Loke

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Don’t Call Yourself Asian If You Won’t Try This Soy Sauce Scoop

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Soy sauce is the soul of Asian food, the ubiquitous black flavour-bomb found in every home, the condiment to rule all other condiments.

For all its praises, it’s not something you would think about putting in ice cream.
However, this is exactly what local ice cream brand Inside Scoop has done in a partnership with Japanese sauce brand Hamadaya: a curious soy sauce-flavoured ice cream called Soy-Desuka.
The Taste Test
The Caramel Soy Sauce looks relatively normal, made with a base of Inside Scoop’s timeless Jersey Milk Ice Cream, then infused with Hamadaya’s premium caramelised Japanese Seasoning Soy Sauce, to create a pleasant white-and-gold colour.
However, it does smell quite unmistakably of soy sauce. Sure, there’s light sweet note that carries the salty scent, but it’s clearly soy sauce.
The Hamadaya x Inside Scoop caramel soy sauce ice cream.(Credit: TRP)
However, all our doubts evaporated with a bite of the ice cream. Although the dessert did smell like soy sauce, the strongest flavour on the tongue is the light creamy milkiness and a wonderfully pleasant taste of caramel. The saltiness of soy sauce is less prominent, and acts more like a supporting character.
In fact, the flavour profile of the Soy-Desuka ice cream is extremely similar to something like salted caramel or sea salt ice cream flavour, where the hint of saltiness actually helps to draw out the rich sweetness of the caramel.
The Verdict
The Soy-Desuka is delicious. It’s sweet without being overly cloying, well-balanced with the saltiness of the soy sauce.
Although it may not taste like what you would expect, the ice cream knows its roots: it is unmistakably, unapologetically soy sauce. The Soy-Desuka is the result of 6 months of R&D to infused soy sauce wonderfully into ice cream, and that gamble paid off.
If you enjoy salted caramel flavours, you will definitely enjoy this one. (You may actually have to get more than one tub, just in case.)
Left: the Hamadaya Seasoning Soy Sauce used in the ice cream. Right: the Soy-Desuka ice cream.(Credit: TRP)
The Soy-Desuka limited edition soy sauce-flavoured ice cream was actually a collaboration between Inside Scoop and Hamadaya to celebrate Soy Sauce Day, which falls on 1 October.
As such, this special flavour will only be available for a month, from 1 to 31 October, both online and in-store.
The collaboration is also a way for Hamadaya to spark an interest in premium Japanese soy sauce, which of course varies quite a bit from our usual Malaysian soy sauces. The Japanese brand is fully Halal-certified and uses a closely-guarded recipe from 1818.

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Super Long Queues At KFC As Malaysian Cash In On Chicken Promo

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Who doesn’t love a discount?

Most people’s hearts leap when they see the words “50% off” or “Buy One, Get One Free.”
Unfortunately, discounts cause us to act quickly and spend more time and money than we should.
Is this behaviour logical? No. Does it happen frequently? Yes.
Such is the case with KFC’s latest promotional offer, with has been a massive hit.
However, people have complained of long queues and arduous waiting times.
A Facebook page, Malaysia Shopping Mall, posted pictures of people lining up in droves to take advantage of KFC’s latest offer.
READ MORE: Get 2 KFC Snack Plate For Just RM20, Only Available On 20 October

In some outlets, KFC had to put up notices to inform that the promotional snack plates were sold out the same day.
Netizens also posted their own experience in trying to get some cheap KFC.
Kfc bandar jengka. Nak jugakla merasa rm20 dpt dua snack plate. Tapi kalau dah gini, maleh la. Hahhaa. pic.twitter.com/GQepDOFceR— Zrahim Xsidek (@rs91media) October 20, 2022
SEMENTARA itu promosi selama 12 jam anjuran KFC Malaysia iaitu RM20 untuk dua set Snack Plate berakhir sebentar tadi dan berlangsung dengan jayanyaTerima kasih kepada semua kakitangan KFC yang terlibat pic.twitter.com/9gJvlnFyDV— HAZIQ ASYRAF JR (@Haziq_Escobar) October 20, 2022
Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Sales and promotional offers can make people assess value in ways that have little to do with actual value.
Netizens said there are simply wiser options, such as using FoodPanda.
They pointed out that consumers only pay an extra RM1.48 for people to bring it to their front door, no queuing, and 2 drinks are included.

At the same time, some noted that while the price is cheap, the quality of the chicken is questionable.

Others said it’s not worth the time to queue so long for just a few ringgit differences.

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This M’sian Is The Only Southeast Asian Featured In The ‘Strong Women In IT 2021’ List

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Earlier this year, it was reported there had been an increase in the percentage of women in the workforce, especially in the field of technology.

While this is good news for those looking to remove existing notions that information technology (IT) is a male-dominated industry, the representation of women in the industry is still only at 35%, with leadership roles accounting even less than that.
That’s why reports like the Strong Women in IT exist – to inspire other women at the beginning of their career in the IT industry and to eventually eradicate the common gender bias towards men in the industry.
Inspiring Malaysian Women
Just last week, the Strong Women in IT 2021 global report was revealed with Malaysian Sharala Axryd making the list as one of the 200 most influential people in the field of IT in the world.

Sharala, who is the founder and chief executive officer of the Centre for Applied Data Science (CADS), happens to be the first Malaysian and only Southeast Asian to be awarded the prestigious role by Come Creations Group – an independent research institution based in Warsaw, Poland.
So, what aspirational insight does the 49-year-old native of Bukit Mertajam offer to those starting in tech?
One common theme that I get from the conversations that I had and from my observation is that your first job will define your career. Hence, we must understand what’s around us and be able to pivot and explore for new opportunity and challenges.Sharala Axryd, Founder & CEO Of CADS
An example she gives is if you’re an accounting graduate, and your first job is in finance audit but not taxation, then your whole career would revolve around the financial audit.
She said that it’s not necessarily a good or bad thing, but we all should be able to see the more enormous opportunities that lie ahead of us.
The Ups And Downs Of Success
Working in a traditionally male-dominated industry does have its advantages.
For Sharala, being surrounded by men has opened doors for her to go further, and although it was a challenge to break the barrier, as soon as those men knew of her vision, they offered a helping hand.
However, she says it sometimes gets “lonely” and it’s tough to break into the “boys’ club”.
In 2017, Sharala she won the EY (Ernst & Young) Entrepreneur of the Year award in collaboration with the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWEM) to bring the “Data for Her” initiative to encourage women’s involvement in IT in Malaysia.
At the time, she felt there were more successful nominees, but when she won, it gave her reassurance that she was doing something right.

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Covid-19: Why Selangor Has The Most Cases & Which District Is Being Hit The Worst

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The state of Selangor remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia as daily Covid-19 cases nationwide soared to 5,725 new infections on 29 January 2021.

Read More: It’s Been One Year Since Malaysia’s First Covid-19 Case: Here’s Where We’re At Today
The state saw a tremendous jump in daily cases from 1,577 infections on 28 January, to 3,126 cases the following day – the highest recorded so far.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari explained that the sudden jump in cases was due to a backlog of identified infections that were not recorded in real-time.
He said that for a period of 10 days, positive cases detected at factories and prisons as well as from private clinics and hospitals were not reported directly to the State Health Department (JKNS).
To avoid this problem in the future, the MB said that JKNS will issue fines to private medical facilities that fail to report positive cases within 24 hours.
He added that Selangor would also introduce the Preventing Outbreak at Ignition Site (POIS) program in order to conduct Covid-19 screenings at factories and workplaces that have the potential to cause outbreaks.
Saya telah memanggil mesyuarat khas berikutan peningkatan kes COVID-19 semalam. Peningkatan kes disumbang oleh kes kumulatif dari saringan pekerja kilang, saringan di penjara serta saringan di klinik dan hospital swasta yg tidak dilaporkan secara terus. Ini menyebabkan ‘backlog’ pic.twitter.com/910iC7A1a1— Amirudin Shari (@AmirudinShari) January 30, 2021
Selangor presently has 7,599 active cases with 62,189 infections reported in total. There are also currently 932 active Covid-19 clusters across the state.
Red across the board
All nine districts in Selangor are currently classified as red zones with multiple areas having more than 41 active cases in the span of two weeks.
Data provided by the Selangor Task Force Covid-19 (STFC) between 16 to 29 January detailed that there are 29 sub-districts marked as red zones, eight orange zones (21 to 40 cases). 12 yellow zones (one to 20 cases), and 7 remaining green zones (zero cases).
The district of Petaling showed the highest number of active infections in the last 14 days with 6,481 cases, followed by Hulu Langat with 3,408 cases, Klang with 2,476 cases, Sepang with 1,665 cases, Gombak with 1,187 cases, Kuala Langat with 925 cases, Kuala Selangor with 702 cases, Hulu Selangor with 274 cases, and Sabak Bernam with 119 cases.

Packed into place
Amirudin Shari explains that population density or the number of people living within a particular area, are among the contributing factors to the continued rise in cases across the state and this was especially so in urban areas.
Targeted community screening
Amirudin Shari also mentioned that the Selangor State Government with the help of the Health Ministry (MOH) aims to increase the number of Covid-19 screenings within the community to identify and isolate infected patients.
Recently, the Selangor government announced its RM73.877 million “Pakej Kita Selangor” economic stimulus plan to assist the rakyat during the pandemic.
The package included a RM 6 million allocation to implement free targeted screening tests for 50,000 citizens in Selangor.
Read More: Here’s What You Will Get From Selangor’s Covid-19 Stimulus Package

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‘Millionaire By 30’ Rafizi Ramli Refutes Claims He Misused Public Funds

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In light of all the bribery and corruption happening in the country over the past few years, it isn’t surprising that asset declaration has been a much-talked-about topic among Malaysians.

With the 15th general election looming, the rakyat wants to be sure that they will elect politicians who have their best interests at heart.
One of the first people to declare his assets was none other than PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.
He declared RM18,851,350 in net assets as of 31 October this year. His total holding of ordinary shares in Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd was 2,087,598 shares (73% of all ordinary shares issued).
The full declaration of his assets can be found here.
Regarding the source of his wealth
Rafizi was quickly faced with allegations from opposition parties who accused him of misusing public funds to enrich himself.
Batu Pahat Perikatan Nasional candidate Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon claimed that Rafizi’s wealth totalling close to RM18.9 million was built using public funds before the 14th general election.
In response to the allegations, Rafizi explained that he didn’t need to use public funds for his personal interests because he was already a millionaire by the age of 30 while working in Petronas.
Prior to this, he worked as an accountant in London and earned in British pounds before returning to Malaysia.

He made RM2 million by the time he was 30 years old because he worked in the oil and gas industry in Malaysia.
He started earning RM3,750 in Petronas at 26 years old. After six months, he was confirmed as a manager and his salary then leapt to RM11,000 a month.
A year later, he was promoted to head of the Petrochemical Planning Division with a salary of RM25,000 a month.
Since Petronas shortened the service period and retirement age from 60 years to 55, he was paid RM400,000 in compensation at the age of 29 due to the shortened length of service.
He added that he was also working in the industry when oil prices rose sharply and the annual bonus was huge.
However, Rafizi admitted that he collected public funds up to 2018, which included money from souvenir sales and Invoke user subscriptions.
He explained that these funds have been fully used in PKR’s candidates’ campaign, including Rashid Hasnon’s, for GE14.
Regarding the value of the start-up Invoke
Saya baru isytiharkan harta. Kecoh budak-budak UMNO PAS BERSATU persoalkan macam mana aset bersih saya bernilai RM18 juta. Mana saya kumpul RM2.5 juta tunai masa muda?Tonton Video Penuh (9 minit):https://t.co/wWNcgK1fxL pic.twitter.com/7A7qxfXb7N— Rafizi Ramli (@rafiziramli) November 8, 2022
After GE14, the proceeds were all spent and he had no choice but to change Invoke’s business model to commercial to retain all 150 of Invoke’s staff.
All the records, salary statements, and Invoke’s financial and taxation statements are with the authorities.
Rafizi also said whoever disputed the value of Invoke’s shares and claimed that the start-up suffered losses, was not well-versed in financial reports.
He said Invoke’s loss was only at the group level when it first became a commercial company in 2019 but it has been making profits since 2020.
Invoke’s profit in the financial year 2020 is RM507,000, RM653,000 in 2021 and the expected profit for the financial year 2022 is RM1.5 million.
Invoke’s 2022 shares were valued at RM75 million, which is lesser than the valuation done by Cradle, a government agency, that valued Invoke at RM105 million.

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Rihanna Is Being Accused Of Disrespecting Islam During Savage X Fenty Show

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Rihanna is facing a lot of backlash from Muslim Twitter users across the globe over one of her recent Savage X Fenty fashion shows.

The Barbadian singer is being accused of disrespecting the values of Islam and Prophet Muhammad due to a song that was used during her fashion show.

rihanna is responsible for this even if she didn’t choose the music. she hired her team and she must’ve heard the songs beforehand and just because she’s rihanna doesn’t give her a free pass to disrespect a religion pic.twitter.com/V2oZErQhOg— Maria (@selenarules6) October 4, 2020

https://twitter.com/Kafiyaaaaa/status/1312880531692978177

The song at the centre of this controversy is called “Doom”, which was created more than two years ago by London-based music producer Coucou Chloe.

The song reportedly samples vocals of a Hadith being read in Arabic. The Hadith in question is about the signs of the day of judgement.
(Credit: Sunnah.com)
The Hadith is the collected traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on his sayings and actions, with accounts of his daily practice, which make up the sunnah. It constitutes one of the major sources of guidance for Muslims, apart from the Quran.
The Hadiths relate to a broad range of subjects, from theological concerns, such as revelation and the nature of God, to instructions on daily worship and rituals, to legal advice.
At the time of writing, Rihanna and her team have yet to respond to the backlash.

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Rengit Assemblyman Puad Zarkashi Appointed As New Johor State Assembly Speaker

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Rengit assemblyman and Batu Pahat UMNO division chief Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi has been appointed as the new Johor state assembly Speaker today.

Puad’s name was proposed as the new state assembly speaker by the 15th Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi earlier today during the state assembly sitting.
“I would like to bring forward a proposal for Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi to be appointed as the speaker for the Johor state assembly.
“I have ensured that he (Puad) would agree to take up the role as speaker,” Onn Hafiz was quoted as saying by The Star.
The proposal was supported by Buloh Kasap assemblyman Datuk Zahari Sarip, who is also state agriculture, agro-based and rural development committee chairman.
Puad, 64, is a UMNO supreme council member and had also previously served as the deputy minister of education between from April 2009 to May 2013.
He had also in the past served as a senator in Dewan Negara between October 2004 and October 2007 and helming the Special Affairs Department (JASA) from March 2015 to April 2018.
Following Barisan Nasional’s convincing win in the Johor state election last month, Puad’s name was one of the two names bandied about to be the next Johor menteri besar to replace Datuk Hasni Mohammad.
READ MORE:  Who Will Be The Next Johor MB?

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Unfolding the drama behind the latest Samsung Galaxy

There’s been a significant amount of uproar by tech reviewers about the Samsung Galaxy Fold breaking within hours or a day of being unboxed.
But Marques Brownlee of YouTube channel MKBHD can explain the reason behind this plague on the phone that took Samsung 8 years to make.
Spoiler warning! He reveals that the plastic screen protector that comes attached to the Galaxy Fold is not an accessory but a necessity.

He did partially removed the plastic cover on his sample Galaxy Fold but stopped when he realised he had damaged the device.

via GIPHY
He also laments that a warning should have been included in the packaging for review samples though it apparently appeared in the commercial units.

Dear future #GalaxyFold owners, I know I always say “No one ever read the instructions”… PLEASE READ THIS ONE!!!
(This is the wrap over the screen of the Galaxy Fold) pic.twitter.com/LuQPRfDZIE
â€” Des (@askdes) April 17, 2019

But Brownlee also suggested that warnings such as these should be bigger than just a mere fine print.
Samsung has also issued a statement on the matter.

 A limited number of early Galaxy Fold samples were provided to media for review. We have received a few reports regarding the main display on the samples provided. We will thoroughly inspect these units in person to determine the cause of the matter.
Separately, a few reviewers reported having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen. The main display on the Galaxy Fold features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches. Removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.
Samsung’s Official statement as posted by The Verge.
Meanwhile, look at Joanna Stern’s Galaxy Fold that has started gathering dust at the corners of the ‘protective layer’ after she pulled it away a little but stopped.

Same though I had started to peel this yesterday not knowing and then it got worse today pic.twitter.com/jzETs0mCR3
â€” Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) April 18, 2019

But, like Brownlee, we’re feeling optimistic and rooting for the phone to only get better.

Besides, Samsung too does not appear to consider the Galaxy Fold a failure as the Korean company is continuing with its plans to launch the Fold to the public.
For Malaysia, that will be on May 3rd.

Not quite an open-and-shut case huh?
Sourced via:1. Marques Brownlee YouTube, April 18, 2019 (The Broken Galaxy Folds: Explained!) 2. The Verge April 17, 2019 (Samsung responds to Galaxy Fold screen damage: â€˜we will thoroughly inspect these unitsâ€™)


5YO French Boy Dies In Pangkor Island After Being Stung By A Jellyfish

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A 5-year-old French boy tragically died last Monday after he was stung by jellyfish during a swim with his family at Teluk Nipah beach on Pangkor Island.

According to Bernama, the boy suddenly screamed at around 6.45pm before several people nearby rushed him to the beach after realising that he was stung by a jellyfish.
“While the boy was brought ashore, he fell unconscious and his family took him to the Pangkor Health Clinic,” Manjung district police chief ACP Nor Omar Sappi was quoted as saying.
He added that several stings marks were found on the victim’s abdomen, left hand and on his left leg.
The body was sent to Seri Manjong Hospital and the post-mortem report stated that the boy had died due to jellyfish envenomation.
Perak Fisheries Department meanwhile said that while they didn’t find any poisonous and dangerous jellyfish at the beach, the department warned the public to be careful and not to touch any marine life they came across in the sea or surrounding area.
Its director, Noraishah Hashim, also added that the department would continue to monitor the area periodically to ensure everyone’s safety.
She also said that the Perak Fisheries Department would discuss with relevant parties about erecting signs to warn beachgoers of the presence of dangerous jellyfish at the location.

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14% Of Umrah Covid Cases Were Not Vaccinated, Says KJ

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Out of 122 cases detected cases that to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, around 14% of infections involved unvaccinated individuals, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

In a live press conference today, the stats from KKM show that 17 infected individuals who contracted the virus were not vaccinated.
There’s a clear violation of SOPs because only vaccinated individuals are allowed to go for Umrah. We will discuss with the relevant Ministries to talk to the travel agents because 14% of these cases are unvaccinated.Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
Credit: YouTube/MalaysiaKini/KKM
He said that discussions have also been ongoing between the Transport Ministry and also the Tourism Ministry to talk about rearranging flights.
Khairy also addressed the issue of the government choosing to restrict travel from Saudi Arabia, saying that the number of cases from there surged tremendously, hence the decision to do so.
The travel ban will be for a month, Khairy said, starting from 8 January.
He mentioned that if an influx of cases is recorded from any other country, the government will restrict travel to and from that country too, regardless of anything else.
Addressing allegations that he was not fully vaccinated himself, Khairy said only stupid people would believe such rumors, and ended the PC by holding his phone up to the camera to show his vaccination status.

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Malaysian Livestock Test Positive For Swine Flu But No Risk Of Transmission To Human

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Swine Influenza H1N1 (SIV H1N1) virus, or more commonly known as swine flu, was found in some samples of commercial livestock and wild boars in Malaysia recently, stated the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
However, Malaysia’s strain of H1N1 is different and carries little risk of transmission to humans.
This comes hot on the heels of a report that there is another possibly zoonotic influenza strain in China that can lead to another pandemic.

Scientists Find New Swine Flu That Has “Pandemic Potential”

This zoonotic strain in China is called the G4 EA H1N1, which the pigs here in Malaysia have tested negative for.
Malaysia tests for three different strains descended from the H1N1 swine flu under our national surveillance programme, namely the SIV H1N1, H1N1pdm09, and the G4 EA H1N1.
Only some samples tested positive for SIV H1N1, which does not transmit to humans. The pigs also did not show any symptoms of diseases or risk of infection.
If you’re still worried about the G4 EA H1N1, the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry has already taken various steps at the country’s entry points to check for signs of the disease with the help of the DVS as well as the Malaysia Quarantine and Inspection Services (Maqis).
The import of pork and swine products are already prohibited from high-risk countries, and there are continuous monitoring efforts on the country’s borders on the import of such items, as well as raising awareness about the risks of disease.

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Cheat Sheet: New MCO 3.0 SOP

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When Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob went off script during the press conference explaining the additional rules for MCO 3.0 that are going to be enforced on 25 May, we were confused too.

But now that we got our hands on the details, here is what’s important:
Almost all businesses can only operate between 8am to 8pm
Exceptions:
Night market: 4pm to 8pmPetrol stations: 6am to 8pmHighway petrol stations: 24 hoursPharmacy: 8am to 10pm
Work from home
80% of the public sector will work from home.Exception:
Necessary services and front line services.
40% of the private sector will work from home.Exception:
30% for management, total operational or support staff.
Public Transportation
MRT, Komuter, public buses, LRT, and other public transports will operate at 50% capacity.
This includes sea transportation as well.
Public sector
Public sector is also responsible for helping curb the infection.
Check staff and visitor MySejahtera status.Limit the number of visitors and staff on the premises.
Law enforcement
Law enforcement agencies will conduct more aggressive checks on both private and public premises.
All law enforcement agencies with the ability to issue compounds will monitor SOP compliance in public places or places that are relevant to their duties.Non- security agencies will conduct ops on weekends as well as weekdays.
HIDE
The government will identify high-risk areas such as shopping malls and industrial areas based on the Hotspot Identification For Dynamic Engagement (HIDE). Any location that is still considered high risk after a risk and involvement evaluation will be closed immediately.

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Govt interns entitled to RM900 allowance per month starting Sept 1

We have some good news for all university students!
The government has agreed to increase the allowance for interns undergoing practical training in ministries, government departments and agencies to RM5 an hour, starting from September 1.

Picture credit: Imgflip

The Youth and Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, shared the brilliant news today (Aug 16) in the most millennial way: by announcing it on his Twitter account.

Alhamdulillah. Kerajaan bersetuju untuk menaikkan kadar allowance #PaidInternship di Kementerian/Agensi/Jabatan, dari RM300 ke ~RM900 (RM5 setiap jam). We did it!Berkuatkuasa pada 1 September 2019. #YouthPower pic.twitter.com/4cSbIJDnSS
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) August 15, 2019

Based on his tweet, the agreement was reached during a special meeting of the Cabinet held today.
Syed Saddiq informed his followers that the change would mean interns in the government sector will be earning about RM900 a month
This is a promising change considering many interns in the government either didn’t get paid at all or earned at the previous rate of just RM1.60 an hour (RM300 a month).

Picture credit: Sprudge

At the time of writing, Syed Saddiqâ€™s tweet has been retweeted over 22k times and received 22.9k likes, with many replies thanking the minister for his hard work.

Youâ€™re one of the good things that happened to Malaysia YB. Youâ€™re doing an amazing job. 🔥🔥🔥
— Gayathiri (@Gayathiri_12) August 15, 2019

Alhamdulillah well done, so now YB bro perjuangkan kadar gaji minima RM1500 untuk anak-anak muda #YouthPower
— Thom Yorke (@yoijeff) August 15, 2019

Clapping Applause GIF from Clapping GIFs

However, there were also those who were seeking a little bit of clarification on the matter.

Sudah tertera disitu menggatakan tiada elaun😢 pic.twitter.com/MDdS2mwgQs
— Ety (@Ezzatizahari) August 15, 2019

Assalammualaikum, kalau mcm ni di tempat sektor kerajaan yg tidak diberikan elaun adakah akan dikuatkuasa #paidInternship ? Atau hanya utk agensi/jabatan kerajaan yg menawarkan elaun rm 300 dinaikkan ke rm 900? pic.twitter.com/vBs4Dmn85Y
— nashi (@ihsan_mohamad96) August 15, 2019

Picture credit: Imgflip

It appears that the rule only applies to federal governmentâ€™s ministries, agencies, and departments, and not state government agencies and departments.
On July 24, the minister first announced that he was working on making internship allowance mandatory.
He explained that he planned to start the change with government ministries and agencies first and eventually working on having the rule implemented in the private sector too.
What do you think of the change? How much you were paid during your internship (or how much you think interns should earn)?
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Kelantan’s EXCOs And Assemblymen Will Get A Wage Hike, Deputy Minister Says They Need Money

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EXCO and Kelantan State Assemblymen (ADUN) will enjoy a basic salary increase of between RM3,000 to RM5,000 per month, according to Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, who added that the increase was justified as there was a significant salary difference with colleagues in other states.

He said, at the Kelantan State Budget announcement 2021, that the state government is expected to table a bill to amend the Administration Members’ and Remuneration Enactment 1980, to enable the salary increase and adjustment to be approved.
So, to bring this difference closer is not necessarily the same but let there be no big difference between us and other states. That is why there is a proposal for us to coordinate. This is related to the current situation because the responsibilities of the people’s representatives are getting heavier. In today’s situation, he said if there is even an increase, it will also be enjoyed by the people.Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah via Berita Harian
Commenting further, Mohd Amar said elected representatives, whom he likened to welfare officers, are now facing bigger responsibilities because more and more people need attention.
Whoever becomes the people’s representative will know. People come to their homes, they need to have money. If they don’t have money, how can they help the people.Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah via Berita Harian
During the start of the pandemic, Kelantan joined other states such as Selangor, Terengganu and Pahang in cutting their their wages from 10% to 50% in 2020 which is then channelled to their respective Covid-19 state funds to fight the pandemic.
Earlier this year, Kelantan’s EXCOs and the Menteri Besar were given new Mercedes Benz cars, which is reported to cost around RM700,000 each for official purposes.

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Cops Clarify Only 6 Bodies Recovered, Not 9, In Kemaman Water Surge Incident

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Police have clarified that the search and rescue team only recovered six bodies at the Jeram Mawar waterfall instead of nine yesterday.

READ MORE: 8 Family Members Feared Drowned After Water Surge At Kemaman Waterfall
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mazli Mazlan said the confusion was due to miscommunication with the rescue team that was located deep in the jungle.
The bodies that have been recovered and identified so far  belonged to:

Putri Aryana Umaira Karim, 4
Putri Nurerina Natasya Karim, 10
Karim Abdullah, 39
Muhammad Haziq Ziqree Karim, 6
Azizah Eiyi, 40
Muhammad Zulqarnain Haikal Karim, 11

The search is now focused on recovering four more victims: Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, 18; Putri Alleya Maisarah Karim, 16; Putri Nor Fatin Karim, 14 and Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24.
Siti Aisyah Eiyi, 39, said her late sister Azizah invited the family to go for a picnic by the waterfall on Saturday.
However, she did not join them as she had work commitments. The last time they saw each other was on Aidiladha.
She only discovered the heartbreaking news about her family when the police informed her at their mother’s house on Sunday.
Siti Aisyah said the bodies would be buried in Felda Lepar Hilir in Kuantan, Pahang, after post-mortem in Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) in Kuala Terengganu.

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George Town Festival 2023 Invites Art Enthusiasts For A Two Week Cultural & Creative Fiesta In July

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It’s that time of the year again, where Penangites alike join in to celebrate George Town Festival, a festival of arts, culture and heritage.

In this 14th edition, GTF2023 will be having over 50 programmes across 16 days, from 15 to 30 July 2023 at over 20 locations in Penang. It aims to unite local communities and festival-goers across ages, backgrounds, localities, and nationalities around a shared love of art.
The festival celebrates outstanding works by Malaysian and international artists across different disciplines with productions ranging from traditional, contemporary, experimental, and multidisciplinary works.
(Credit: George Town Festival)
The George Town Festival first came in the works in 2010 to honour George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Now 14 years after, GTF has raised the visilibily of the city’s heritage while creating spaces and platforms for increased cultural engagement through the arts.
This year’s curation tethers exceptional creations by artists and performers acrossdifferent disciplines, many of which will premiere at GTF, giving audiences new perspectives on how the arts can reflect and celebrate the human experience.
Besides that, to fruther widen the global artistic partnerships, GTF 2023 will facilitate performances and events between artists from East and West Malaysia and creative exchange with Taiwan and Australia.
(Credit: George Town Festival)
It will then end with a Light in the City display on 30 July along Beach Street, presenting an eclectic display of colours, patterns, textures, and narratives.
Check out some the programmes they’re having this July:
What’s in store for this year’s GTF2023?
Free To Attend Activities
Inspirations from the Southeast: Penang, Malaysia – 22 – 23 July @ GSC Cinemas, Gurney Plaza (Free)A free screening of documentary which features the diverse forms of heritage in George Town.
Riso Art Jam (Exhibition, Bazaar & Forum) 15 – 30 July @ The Whiteaways Arcade (Some free & some ticketed at RM60 per pax)Riso Art Jam celebrates the vibrant Riso art scene in our community and brings together artists and art enthusiasts from around the world.
(Credit: George Town Festival)
The Library of Unread Books (Exhibition) – 8 July – 3 September @ Blank Canvas (Free)The Library of Unread Books is a travelling public reference library hosted within art spaces and museums around the world. It has surfaced in cities such as Manila, Utrecht, Milan, Prague, Dubai and Singapore.
Ticketed Shows
Pulu’em – 22 & 23 July @ Dewan Budaya USM (RM70 per pax) A musical offering by Sangpuy, a musician from Taiwan’s Pinuyumayan tribe, who pays tribute to the cultural, natural, and spiritual heritage of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples with songs from his latest album ‘pulu’em’.
(Credit: George Town Festival)
Luna – 22 & 23 July @ Dewan Budaya USM (RM70 per pax)A performance by the highly acclaimed Bulareyaung Dance Company which integrates contemporary dance with inspiration from the rituals and singing of the Bunun people, also listed as a cultural heritage in Taiwan.
The Monkey King Adventures: Love of Onibaba – 29 – 30 July @ Majestic Theatre (RM50 per pax) The Japanese Team ITO collaborates with Penang’s Ombak Potehi to stage a localised sequel to the literary classic Journey to the West, with puppets!
(Credit: George Town Festival)
The Senses (Concert) – 16 July @ The Habitat Penang Hill (RM150 per pax)A sensory and immersive musical experience within the naturescapes of Penang Hill’s 130-million-year-old rainforest that will feature Frank Yamma and David Bridie from Australia and Sangpuy Katatepan of Taitung’s Pinuyumayan community.
bhumiMATA – 28 -& 29 July @ Penang Institute, Jalan Brown (RM30 per pax) A multidisciplinary production incorporating elements of classical, ritualistic, and contemporary dance forms to uncover and embody the woman’s voice across generations.
(Credit: George Town Festival)
Check out their video of last year’s wrap up here.
For more information on the George Town Festival, check out their website or Facebook.
READ MORE: George Town Festival Is Back For Two Weeks In Penang From 9-24 July!

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KitKat Invites Malaysians To ‘Cele-break’ Ramadan & Aidilfitri With Ketupat & Anime

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Nestlé’s KitKat welcomes Ramadan and Aidilfitri with the “Rezeki Dikongsi Bersama” campaign—showcasing the spirit of sharing and togetherness amongst Malaysians.

The campaign features exciting Hari Raya limited edition products, an animated music video and various unique collaborations.
Nestlé Confectionery Business Executive Officer Frederic Porchet said that the campaign aims to connect people through tasty, memorable moments together and ‘cele-break’ the joy and festivities.
Just like our catchphrase: Have a Break, Have a KitKat. It’s all about enjoying a break, having a wonderful time together and sharing rezeki all around.Nestlé Confectionery Business Executive Officer Frederic Porchet.
This year, KitKat comes in with a special Raya limited edition KitKat Ketupat which offers consumers a perfect balance of smooth milk chocolate and crispy wafer encased in a first-of-its-kind Ketupat motif stamped onto the KitKat 4-Fingers chocolate bars.
The intricate weaving pattern of Ketupat also represents Silaturrahim and relationships that are celebrated in Malaysian culture as well as Islamic traditions—signifying the spirit of KitKat’s campaign.
KitKat hopes to spread love, joy and togetherness into many homes over the Raya celebrations and inspire Malaysians to share their rezeki with everyone!
(Credit: KitKat Malaysia)
The KitKat Ketupat comes in four unique collectible designs—each showcasing significant moments of Raya traditions, making it the perfect Raya gift to share with friends and family.
The snack is available in two different pack formats: KitKat Ketupat 4-Fingers Multipack of 4 and KitKat Ketupat 4-Fingers Multipack of 2.
KitKat also collaborates with popular contemporary fashion brand, Mimpikita to launch the limited-edition KitKat x Mimpikita Raya Edition pack which includes a Luminarc drinking glass specially designed by Mimpikita with 2 packs of KitKat Mini 9g Sharebags.
These stylish glass mugs come in three exclusive designs to be collected.
The campaign is also serenaded with a Raya theme song complete with an animated music video performed by local talents Nabila Razali and MK K-Clique.

As part of the campaign, KitKat also contributed RM10,000 to AEON Mesra, a community outreach initiative by the Malaysian AEON Foundation.
This community outreach effort enables underprivileged children to enjoy shopping sprees at AEON outlets during the Ramadan festive season and further spread joy for the upcoming Raya celebration.
In addition, Malaysians can also share their rezeki by visiting KitKat’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram and “like” the Raya music video.
For each like, KitKat will contribute RM2, and up to a total of RM100,000, with all proceeds going to selected charity organisations.
Before we forget, from 30 March until 2 April 2023, KitKat will be staging a 4-day consumer roadshow at LG2 Central Avenue, Sunway Pyramid with exciting activities and offers not to be missed.
For more information, visit KitKat’s official website and their social media pages.

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Keep Calm: How To Talk To Your Anti-Vax/Mask Friend Or Family Member

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There is an unwritten rule that politics and religion should never be discussed at the dinner table.

Why ruin a good meal because of different opinions, right?
With Covid-19 taking the world by storm, you can add talking about getting vaccinated and masking up to that list.
But why would the two things that are most important at combating the virus be something people disagree on?
Well, there’s a group of people who are not complying, giving unsubstantiated claims that they do more harm than help, and “my body, my choice.”
And I bet you there is at least one person you are “friends” with on social media that fall into that group.
You could choose to block or even delete this person from your friend’s list, but sometimes decades of friendship or a lifetime of being family is worth the time to brave the white noise.
Here are 4 tips given by experts on how to talk to anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers.
1. Understand their stance
(Credit: Muhammad Dzaki Zaidan / Pexels)
Before going all pro-vaccine/ masking on your friend or family, try to understand on what basis they oppose getting the vaccine or masking up.
It’s easy to get angry when someone opposes your views. I guess you could say that’s how they feel when mainstream media and authorities debunk theirs.
So, just stay calm, ok?
Dr Jessica Steier of the Unbiased Science Podcast advises listening first. Try to address their specific concerns while being aware that they may have been exposed to distortions of science that gives them a false sense of authority and confidence.
2. Validate first, lay it on them second
(Credit: Priscilla Du Preez / Unsplash)
If there are a lot of apprehensions about their reluctance to get vaccinated or mask up, psychologist Xialou Jiang tells Verywell Family we should “one hundred percent validate” their concerns.
For example, if there are worried about what is injected into their bodies, you could say, “Yes, we are all concerned about what we inject into our bodies.”
Be sure that the message and how it is presented is delivered in such a way that will resonate with the person you are speaking to.
Are they more emotional, or logical?
Dr Jiang also says she found the word ‘but’ can immediately put someone on the defensive. So, don’t use ‘but’ and instead rephrase to say something like ‘at the same time’ or ‘can we look at it from this angle?’.
After all the Internet research your anti-vax/mask friend or family member has done, encouraging critical thinking by asking more questions may coerce rational thought in them and perhaps even change what they are curious or sceptical about.
3. Know when to stop
(Credit: Kristina Flour / Unsplash)
It’s easy to get carried away in discussion sometimes. And hopefully, before even having this conversation with your anti-vax/mask friend, you too would have had solid, science-based facts to back up your stance.
Unfortunately, our views and feeling about health and well-being are deeply personal and complex, and unlikely to change overnight.
Once you’ve said your piece, your heart and mind can be in peace.
4. Threats only make them stronger
(Credit: Malaysian Freedom Movement / Facebook)
The government has a lot of authority to crack down on these anti-vaxxers/maskers with legal action to be taken against anyone spreading “fake news”.
Read More: Police Reports Already Made Against “Annoying” Anti-Vaxxers, Says Khairy Jamaluddin
Unfortunately, these kinds of threats sometimes make them stronger.
Take for example Kerry, aka KLCC Karen who became a viral (no pun intended) sensation for choosing not to wear a mask while trying to enter a luxury fashion store.
You’d think after getting caught that first time, she would lay low. Instead, she was seen again trying to enter mall premises without a mask.
Not long after the repeat offence, she took to social media not to apologise, but to contest her actions by saying it’s her freedom to choose.
Read More: [WATCH] KLCC Karen Speaks Out In Bizarre 2-Minute Video About Freedom
In retrospect, what netizens should have done instead of mock her was to just be compassionate and try to understand where she was coming from… then lay it on her with science.

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