Public Can No Longer Access Ministers Asset Declaration After Details Removed From MACC Website

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It appears that the Cabinet Ministers’ asset declaration details have been removed from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) portal (HERE).

Checks by TRP shows that the monthly income statements for members of the government administration previously displayed on the website have been removed and only states if officials have declared their assets or not.
4th February 2021 screenshot of https://mydeclaration.sprm.gov.my/
4th February 2021 screenshot of https://mydeclaration.sprm.gov.my/(Credit: The Sun Daily)
The changes came to light as MACC recently relaunched its website on 2 February.
Last known reports from September 2020 indicate that Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan is the highest earner in the administration, with a monthly income of RM143,628.55, while Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s monthly income is RM104,000.
However, Saravanan’s declared assets of less than RM1 million is significantly lower than the prime minister’s declared assets ranging between RM10 million – RM15 million.
READ MORE: Turns Out, HR Minister Is Cabinet’s Highest Earner, Beating Out Even The Prime Minister
It is unclear when the details were removed from the portal that is updated every 3 months.
How Malaysia’s asset declaration works
Asset Declaration in Malaysia.(Credit: UNCAC & MACC)
The MACC Asset Declaration Portal was launched in November 2018 under the Pakatan Harapan administration.
Then in July 2019, Dewan Rakyat made a unanimous decision to compel all Members of Parliament (MP) to declare their assets, including those of their spouses, children, and trustees through a statutory declaration.
However, asset declaration is not yet legally mandatory in Malaysia. If MPs do not declare their assets, only Parliament can take action against them.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil later stated that the enforcement body is seeking a law to make it compulsory for MPs to declare their assets.
Without a compulsory asset declaration law, the MACC only played a “custodian” role in the case of asset declaration forms handed to it and does not perform any verification on the asset declaration documents submitted.
Currently, asset declaration is a precondition for confirmation and promotion of all public officials under Chapter A (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) of the General Order, which includes members of administration, judges, Members of Parliament and public officers.
Those who fail to declare their assets, shall be subjected to disciplinary action under the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) 1993. Possible punishments among others are warning, demotion and dismissal.

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Source:
MACC releases MPs' asset details; Guan Eng top, Dr M third
MACC seeks law to make asset declaration compulsory for MPs
Portal SPRM Kini Berwajah Baharu


Don’t Worry, Our Bananas Don’t Have Helicopter Worms, Says Agriculture Department

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‘Helicopter’ or ‘Helicobacter’ worms in Somalian bananas are not real and the claims made by a viral video is actually false and contain dubious information, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Director-General of Agriculture, Datuk Zahimi Hassan was quoted by Berita Harian saying that Helicobacter is a type of bacteria and not from the group of insects or worms.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, Helicobacter is actually a type of bacteria that infects your stomach that can damage the tissue and some parts of your small intestine. This can cause redness and soreness (inflammation) and in some cases, it can also cause painful sores called peptic ulcers in your upper digestive tract.
He said that his party had not received any complaints or reports regarding bacterial attacks on banana crops in the country.
Consumers should not worry or doubt because the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) through the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with relevant agencies always ensures that agricultural produce and products from domestic and foreign sources are safe to eat. Everything is free from pests and diseases that harm consumers and the environment.Director-General of Agriculture Datuk Zahimi Hassan
A video was circulating on the internet recently which shows worms coming out of bananas that allegedly came from Somalia dubbed as the “Helicobacter” worm.
It was claimed that those who ingest these bananas will allegedly die within 12 hours after consumption and will exhibit the following symptoms — diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and headaches, according to reports.

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5 Things You Shouldn’t Do If You Have Trouble Sleeping

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Bedtime can be a nightmare for some of us who have trouble dozing off. We want to sleep, but the mind doesn’t seem to want to switch off for the night.

Chances are, there are some of the things that you do that makes sleeping even harder.
Based on a tweet by Associate Professor Dr Amir Syahir, here are the five things not to do when you’re trying to doze off.
5 mistakes people who can't sleep probably didn't aware of.1/ stay on bed, when you can't sleepthis is a big mistake. it'll• put you under pressure to sleep. the harder you push it the harder you'll get to sleep.• And, it'll reprogram your brain->bed is not just for sleep— Amir Syahir (@amirsyahir19) January 27, 2022
1. Staying in bed
We’ve all been there. We toss and turn while squeezing our eyes shut to force ourselves to fall asleep. Sometimes, we just find ourselves lying awake in bed.
However, doing so actually puts pressure on us to sleep, and the effort backfires on us completely. The longer this goes on, it’ll reprogram our brain to register that the bed isn’t for sleep.
According to Verywell Health, you should leave your bed if you cannot fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes.
Once you’re out of bed, do some light and relaxing activities such as reading or do some stretches. You should only return to bed once you’re feeling sleepy or drowsy.
Remember to avoid using the computer, television or smartphones because the lights can affect your sleep.
According to the Sleep Foundation, the blue light emitted by gadgets can suppress melatonin, a natural hormone that helps to induce sleepiness.
2. Drinking caffeine in the evening
Some of us are more sensitive to caffeine than others. However, those who are not caffeine sensitive aren’t off the hook either.
According to Amir Syahir, caffeine stays in the blood circulation for 6 to 12 hours. Even if you manage to fall asleep after consuming caffeine, your deep sleep will be inhibited and you might not get a restful sleep.
If you can’t miss your caffeine fix for the day, you can manage it by limiting your caffeine intake before 2 pm.
3. Think that you can’t sleep on an empty stomach
It can be hard to sleep if the stomach makes noise because it’s empty. However, eating close to bedtime can keep the body awake longer.
This is because eating prompts the release of insulin, a hormone that helps the body use the food for energy, which also will shift your circadian rhythm (the body’s sleep-wake cycle).
Amir recommends that you should have your last meal at least 3 hours before bed. This is so the food is completely digested, making it easier for the body to rest and ‘sleep.’
4. Think that you don’t need sleep prep
Contrary to popular belief, the process of getting ready for bed for restful sleep is important. The steps or methods also differ for each person.
For those who are more sensitive to light, they might need to install blackout curtains in the bedroom or to sleep with an eye sleep mask.
Light sleepers probably need to muffle or dampen sounds when they sleep too. They can do this by using a towel to seal the bottom of the bedroom door or placing soft rugs over creaky floors.
5. Sleeping during the day
While it’s tempting to catch up on sleep during the day when you failed to snooze at night, it’s best not to do so.
To reset your body’s clock, you’ll have to fight against the urge to doze off during the day. You can do this by drinking coffee or going out of the house for sunlight.
Basically, you should do anything that wouldn’t put you to sleep in the daytime. Come night time, you might be able to finally sleep soundly.
Hopefully, you’ll get a good night’s rest soon now that you know what not to do.

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Malaysian Students Allowed To Continue Studies In China Starting 24 August

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About 8,000 Malaysian students could not return to China to resume their studies due to the pandemic lockdowns.

However, there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Malaysian students who are looking forward to continuing their studies in China.
Foreign students holding valid Chinese residence permits for study are allowed to enter China from 24 August.
According to Malay Mail, the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia posted a Facebook post on Saturday (20 August) saying it will accept visa applications from Malaysian students receiving long-term academic education in China.

The Chinese government attaches high importance to the return of foreign students to China. The responsible departments of China and Malaysia have been working closely with each other on the return of Malaysian students to China and have made some progress.Chine Embassy in Malaysia’s Facebook post
For more updates, please refer to the embassy’s website or social media accounts [Facebook, Instagram].

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MOH Scraps “Social Distancing” For Something Far More Effective

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The Health Ministry (MOH) announced on social media that it will retire the term “social distancing” for something far more accurate as new Covid-19 clusters emerged rapidly in July.

It’s called “physical distancing” now.
Pengumuman. Istilah penjarakan sosial kini diganti dengan penjarakan fizikal. #COVID19#KitaJagaKita #KitaMestiMenang— KKMPutrajaya (@KKMPutrajaya) July 31, 2020
Announcing the new term on 31 July, the Health Ministry explains that it is more suited for the one-metre apart distancing between individuals for their health and safety.
The term is also recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to its member countries as it is far more accurate from a medical point of view.
In fact, WHO has been advocating the use of “physical distancing” instead of “social distancing” since March 2020.
Credit: World Health Organisation (WHO)
The reason is because “social distancing” can imply a disconnection between loved ones and family.
Keeping the physical distance from people so that we can prevent the virus from transferring to one another; that’s absolutely essential. But it doesn’t mean that socially we have to disconnect from our loved ones, from our family. We’re changing to say physical distance and that’s on purpose because we want people to still remain connected.Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO COVID-19 technical lead & infectious disease epidemiologist.
According to the US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) the term physical distancing means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household.
WHO recommends keeping a distance of at least one-metre apart and avoid spending time in crowded places or in groups to break the chain of transmission.
Credit: World Health Organisation (WHO)

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Source:
World Health Organisation (WHO)
CDC - Social Distancing


This Vet Started A Food Bank For Our Feline Friends And Cat Lovers Should Know About It

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Kitty’s Food Bank was created by the team at Kitty’s Care Veterinary Clinic to help those in need of cat food.

Dr Muhammad Naim Md Kasim, 30, the owner of the veterinary clinic running the food bank said the Covid-19 pandemic motivated him to start the food bank.
The initiative began two months ago and aims to help anyone who is affected by the current situation.

Dr Naim also mentioned his clinic offered special rates to individuals who bring injured stray cats for treatment at his clinic.
Grateful for all the help
Since Kitty’s Food Bank first assumed its operations, RM10,000 has gone into the initiative with the help and support of his staff, animal lovers, and celebrities who helped to fund it.
I was impressed with their generosity and were able to provide premium cat food to ensure that animals had complete nutrition.Dr Muhammad Naim via Bernama
So far, Kitty’s Food Bank has distributed food to about 1,000 recipients, including cat owners, animal shelters, and stray cat breeders.
Cat food manufacturers have also assisted by supplying food to recipients every month.
One of the shelters that the food bank has helped is the Tuah Cat House. Its owner, Roslina Shari says it’s been a saviour to over 100 of her stray cats in care and has enabled animal shelter operators like herself to continue with their operation.
Get your cat food at these 3 locations
(Credit: Kitty’s Care Veterinary Clinic / Facebook)
Currently, the food banks are located at three of Kitty’s Care Veterinary Clinic’s in Kajang, Putrajaya, and Cheras.
Pick-ups are between 10:30 am – 5:30 pm.

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Delivery Guy Using COD To Cheat Vendor’s Money, Claims Fellow Rider

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Nowadays, people can choose to pay by cash on delivery (COD) when making online purchases.

People choose COD because for various reasons. For example, they do not have a credit/debit card. Or, they could have been a victim of online card fraud and they don’t want to risk it again
However, COD also has its weakness. It is allegedly being manipulated by unscrupulous delivery guys who cheat the vendors out of their money.
Accordingly, there was a delivery guy who collected cash from his customer and then falsely claimed that the meal could not be delivered.
By doing so, he was able to skim the money paid for the meal, with the vendor having to bear the loss!
(Credit: Facebook)
This was revealed in a TikTok video by @khuzaimie_lemat1.0, a former security guard who now works as a delivery guy.
  @khuzaimie_lemat1.0 Harap pihak Foodpanda ambil berat tentang kes ini,ramai yang tahu tapi ramai tutup mata perkara ini ##fyp ##foryoupage ##fypシ ##foodpanda ♬ bunyi asal  – CEO OF FOODPANDA
The Modus Operandi
He said that the unscrupulous delivery guy would first deliver the food to the customer’s address.
After the customer had paid in cash, the delivery guy would tell the customer not to answer calls from the delivery platform’s customer service.
The call is essential to confirm that the customer has received the order
Accordingly, if the call went unanswered after several attempts by customer service, the order would be cancelled.
The delivery guy would complete the scam by informing customer service that the order could not be completed due to the wrong address given.
And so, he gets to pocket the money paid while the customer – who would have had a satisfying meal by then – is none the wiser.

@khuzaimie_lemat1.0 went on to explain that once an order is classified as cancelled, the delivery platform will cover 40% of the amount and 60% will be borne by the shop itself, so it will be the shop that suffers the loss.
At the same time, he stressed that not all delivery guys would try to scam money, especially in such a manner.
He warned customers and vendors to be careful and expressed hoped that delivery platforms would pay more attention as well.
More Dirty Laundry To Be Washed In Public
@khuzaimie_lemat1.0 added that he will reveal more dirty tricks by delivery guys in due course.
He had previously been verbally attacked by delivery guys for criticising their work ethics.
  @khuzaimie_lemat1.0 Balas kepada @mohamedfariz19 Sejahat aku,aku tak bodoh nak bagi anak bini aku makan dari hasil yanb haram ##foodpanda ##fypシ ##foryoupage ##fyp ##viral ♬ bunyi asal  – CEO OF FOODPANDA
At the time of this writing, his latest video on TikTok was viewed more than 1.4 million times with 3,398 comments.
Netizens praised him for the informative video, and also shared their experience.

What do you think of this?

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“No Need For Cinemas When You Have Netflix” Deputy MB Reiterates Stand On Not Having Theaters In Kelantan

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There have been no complaints from Kelantan people over the absence of cinemas operating in the PAS-ruled state, said the state Deputy Menteri Besar, Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah.

According to a report by Sinar Harian, the Panchor assemblyman said that this is because the people in the state didn’t think that cinema is a necessity for them.
“We (the PAS government) discussed at length the pros and cons of cinema during the time of (former menteri besar) Tok Guru (the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) based on the circumstances and needs.
“So we decided not to allow cinemas (to operate in Kelantan) and that is our stand,” he was quoted as saying.
He said this during an interview with Youtuber Feng Ren Guan.

He said people could still watch movies through various platforms available over the internet or other service providers including Netflix.
Recently, PAS Youth Chief, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari drew flak after pictures of him attending the screening of the film Mat Kilau in Kuala Lumpur went viral.
The Pasir Mas MP had in the past staunchly defended the Kelantan state government’s stand on not having movie theatres in the state.
READ MORE: “It’s Haram In Kelantan But Not In KL?” Activist Chided PAS Youth Chief For Cinema Double Standards
PAS had barred cinemas in Kelantan after it took over the administration of the state from Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1990, citing that the party doesn’t want to allow room for social ills.
READ MORE: “Halal Only” PAS Won’t Say No To Movies In Kelantan If It Obeys Islam

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Haidilao Will Now Open Past 2AM For All Your Late-Night Cravings!

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Popular hot pot chain Haidilao just announced that all their outlets will now open until late night to fulfill all your late-night cravings!

All 13 of their outlets across Malaysia will be open past midnight once again. Previously, their operating hours were shortened due to the MCO.
Who’s down for some hot hot hot pot?(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
According to their official announcement, all outlets will be open until 2am. However, their Dataran Pahlawan Mall, Gurney Paragon, Queensbay Mall, and Sunway Carnival Mall outlets will be open one hour later, until 3am!

Currently, only the Aeon Station 18 outlet in Ipoh will remain open until 10pm only as it still a trial outlet.
So, will you be indulging in some late-night steamboat anytime soon?

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Buy And Sell Artisanal Goods On This Uniquely Malaysian e-Commerce Platform

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The Artisans Haven (TAH) is an online platform that showcases talented Malaysian artisans and their handmade products.

First formed in September 2020, TAH was created as an answer to individuals who suddenly lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and had turned to the handmade artisan sector as a financial lifeline.
According to Rosalie Lin, Brand & PR Advisory and co-Founder of TAH, what makes their platform different from other e-Commerce sites is how dedicated the team are to tell the story behind particular products and the sellers behind them.
Another distinctive feature is also how nothing is ever the same on the platform as most things are handmade, and can be customised to your preference – like a painting of your pet.
A boost in confidence
Jade Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of TAH has made it the company’s mission to boost the confidence of local artisans and micro-entrepreneurs.
One such entrepreneur is Aesos Lai, who used to run a souvenir gift shop and durian-centric café at tourist hot spot Central Market. However, due to the pandemic, he had to look into a new business strategy and was introduced to TAH to sustain his businesses in the new normal.
He credits the platform to have brought him back into “relevance”.
Support is a two-way street

Founded by a group of ex-bankers who used their expertise in numbers, what started with 30 tenants on their site has now grown to 250 tenants with a projected growth to cross 1,000 tenants in the next 12 months.
In their launch of #HandmadeIsHeartmade today (18 August), TAH has pledged RM1 million in sales for its tenants in the next 12 months – supported by a transformed full-fledged e-commerce website interface and several major collaborations with corporates.
More than just a figure, this number represents the many lives and families TAH is supporting through its platform.
We believe that with strong public support, the local creative industry ranging from handmade traditional crafts to modern unique pieces to visual and performing arts can be reinforced while new ones are created. We each have a role to play to safeguard their livelihoods and ensure that artisans’ skills and knowledge are preserved. Jade Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of The Artisans Haven
By championing local artisans in making #HandmadeisHeartmade products accessible to Malaysians, TAH hopes to spark a trend for consumers to shop ‘artisanal’ to not only support local businesses but to reinforce Malaysia’s local culture and heritage.
Support the local artisanal scene at www.artisanshaven.com.my where your gift to yourself (or someone else) is also a gift to those artisans.

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[Watch] Young Boy Rushes To Dad’s Grave To Show Off His Achievement, Netizens Are Proud Too

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A young boy’s dash to his father’s grave to show his achievements melted the hearts of many netizens.

In a TikTok video shared by his mother (@arysu87), the young boy could be seen clutching his award of excellence slip while running towards his father’s grave.
The video has garnered more than 87.9k likes and viewed 735.6k times.
  @arysu87 allahhuakbar..jtuh air mate ibu..bile ank yg rapat n manje gn ayh,dtg bwa anugerah cmerlang dpusara.nk cerita kt arwah ayh. ♬ Ayah – Laoneis
He squatted beside his father’s grave and excitedly told him all about his achievement.
According to his mother, the boy has promised his late father that he’ll do his best in school and win the award.
She said that he was close to his father and perhaps it’s the reason why he was so excited to bring the good news to his dad.
Netizens were touched to see the boy’s happiness and love for his dad. They believe that the father was equally proud of his son’s hard work and achievements.
The netizens were also proud of him and wished him further success in life. They hope he’ll look after his mother and family when he grows up too.

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[Watch] Hell Breaks Loose Over Late Food Arrival At Mamak Restaurant

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Waiting to get food at restaurants is a common thing. However, waiting too long can be frustrating and in some cases, lead to open display of anger.

Recently, a video of a woman screaming in a mamak restaurant went viral on social media platforms.
The reason behind her rage is because the food that she ordered arrived late and her children were hungry, thus she demanded a refund which was not given.
Drama raya ke-3Kejadian dekat kedai mamak. kerugian sebiji helmet kura-kura dengan 1 bekas kari. Cameraman tiptop! pic.twitter.com/tTcxcSveNc— MALAYSIA MOST VIRAL (@MALAYSIAVIRALLL) April 24, 2023
The atmosphere became even more tense when she threw her helmet towards one of the workers and took a pot of curry and dropped it on the floor.
This worsened the situation as the worker got upset and started shouting at the lady. At the end of the video, it seems like the lady wanted to contact the police over the matter.
From the video it can also be observed that she threatened the worker stating that she will call her lawyer on the matter.
As soon as the video hit social media platforms, netizens applauded the “cameraman” for capturing the incident clearly.
Ini barulah kamera-man, audio jelas. Time klimaks pun dia bangun supaya makin suspen walaupun berisiko, aware dgn reaction org sekeliling dan dia masukkan ke dalam prologue yg akhirnya lead kpd pengorbanan satu tong kari (dramatik scene). Tak rugi 2.05 minit di raya ke-3 hari ni.— Sakhril (@BanMakhiavelli) April 24, 2023
Netizens also highlighted a few individuals in the video and their reactions. One of them appears to be a food delivery rider.
His reaction to the lady suddenly speaking in Tamil caught the attention of many.
Abang Rider Grab be like: “Noh! boleh cakap Tamil!”. pic.twitter.com/MrWyIWtKQV— 🅰ndy🏨ardZea (@mnss2903) April 24, 2023
Another individual’s reaction that was captured was of an old man who had to endure the whole chaos while he was just trying to have a cup of tea.
Kesian pakcik ni. Nak pekena teh pun susah pic.twitter.com/i42V8EmxKb— E i E i E i O !! (@PhuttzLee) April 24, 2023
A netizen also shared a screenshot of the reviews that was given to the mamak restaurant.
Lelaki di dlm video tu dah review dlm google. pic.twitter.com/5j2607ZbUq— ac yaacob (@acyaacob) April 24, 2023
Some said the incident was the lady’s fault and there was no use to call the cops or her lawyer.
Tak kisah la sapa salah. Bukti yg wujud skrg ialah dia ambil tray kuah tu dan lempar ke lantai. Itu saja bukti polis blh tgk. Bak kata dari cerita Law Abiding Citizen“It’s not what you know, but it’s what you can prove”— Pejal (@MrPumpkinHead2) April 24, 2023
kau tunggu loyar ku datang katanya. pada pendapat saya dia juga salah kerana melepaskan "tumbukan" pertama. Malaysia needs to be more tolerant with one another. Love happily. In the end everyone is a loser if we fight.— xxMIGpy (@xx7808) April 24, 2023
In whatever we do, remember that patience is a virtue.

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How A Perak Lass Became A Major Shareholder In One Of US’s Largest Electronic Factory

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It’s safe to say that Rupa Shanmugam, the majority shareholder, President and Chief Operating Officer of US’s leading technological firm SoPark Corp, had began her training in engineering at a very tender age.

While most kids her age are rather comfortable playing with children’s toys and whatnot, Shanmugam had set her eyes on mastering a set of skills that would define her life later on.
This is according to a Cyberjaya-based tech enthusiast Richard Ker, who recently shared a thread with his followers regarding Shanmugam’s success story in the US.
“His father called her his right hand (wo)man because (she) helped her father in DIY projects since (she was) 6,” Richard, who goes by the Twitter handle @richardker tweeted recently.
She was the only girl in her engineering class.… and the only woman engineer in her previous companies.But now she owns Western New York’s 🇺🇸 largest electronics factory.Here’s the inspiring story of Rupa Shanmugam from Malaysia. 👇 pic.twitter.com/nICBQBZpm5— Richard Ker (@richardker) May 4, 2022
Malaysia’s own ‘Wonder Woman’
Despite being a Physics school teacher, Shanmugam’s dad however turned her to the path of electrical engineering, during a time when the field was dominantly filled by men.
Back then, she was the sole women of her batch when she enrolled to study Diploma in Electronics Engineering at the Federal Institute of Technology in Kuala Lumpur.
After graduating, Shanmugam had experience working abroad when she was employed by Singapore-based multinational companies including, Thomson, Western Digital and Carsem in Malaysia.
“She was the only woman engineer in those companies (too),” Richard added.
The rise of a leader
The Ipoh raised engineer is a well known and respected figure in the industry.
She then went on to further her study in Indiana, USA, and graduated with a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from Trine University, where she also met her soulmate and partner.
The couple then relocate to Buffalo, New York in 2017 where she started to work at SoPark, and began her climb up the corporate ladder.
It was not a smooth sailing for her at the firm. Luckily, she remains loyal to the company even when times are hard , eventually becoming part of the team that helps to turn things around at the company.
Empowering the next line of wonder woman
By doing her part, Shanmugam has become an icon in her community. She had also been advocating for a more participation from the women in the field of Science, Tech, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Being a champion of women’s issues, Shanmugam believes in empowering the women which would later helps stimulate local and national economy.
“She is a committee member with the University at Buffalo (UB) Women. Here, she initiated a programme for students to be hired at SoPark. They get to learn the best of industry engineering practices,” said Richard.
In recognising her effort and success, she was awarded the 2016 STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Ahead Award at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.
Shanmugam obtained the majority shares of SoPark in 2018. The company which makes circuit boards for a mostly regional set of customers has about 80 employees.

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Gov’t Rolls Out Mobile Vaccine Program To Housing Projects & Plantations In Selangor

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The government is rolling out the mobile community vaccination programme (Movak) to plantations and Selangor’s public housing projects (PPR) to get them vaccinated.

The programme was initially for 500,000 small and petty traders but has now been expanded to those communities because of the high number of cases which doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin said that it will involve the use of 15 buses which will focus on 12 local authority (PBT) areas and high-density PPR in the state, before heading to other states.
It’s reported that 10 more buses will be added to the programme and sent to plantations across the country to ensure no one is left out.
Besides Selangor, the programme will also be deployed in Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, based on reports from Berita Harian.

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Marvel’s X-Men Make Some Delicious Vegetarian Laksa In Latest Comic

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The greatness of Malaysian food has been recognised abroad again, this time being featured in the latest issue of an X-Men comic.
In last week’s issue #10 of New Mutants by Ed Brisson and Flaviano, characters Magik a.k.a Illyana Rasputin visits Glob, or Robert Herman at his home in Krakoa.
(Credit: Kakuchopurei.com)
In the scene, Magik is asking Glob the current whereabouts of the New Mutants team. Unfortunately, Glob explains to her, they had left him behind while he was busy preparing a hearty dinner of Laksa for them.
In the strip, Glob can actually be seen preparing the Laksa while Magik is speaking to him.
(Credit: Kakuchopurei.com)
And thats not all. The writers Ed Brisson and Flaviano also dedicated an entire page in the issue to Glob’s own unique vegetarian Laksa recipe. If you’re interested in trying it out, check it out below.
(Credit: Kakuchopurei.com)
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Laksa has made an appearance in an X-Men Marvel comic.
In issue #1 of Hunt For Wolverine: Mystery In Madripoor by Jim Zub and Thony Silas, Magneto himself recommends the popular noodle dish.

#Malaysia represent!#Laksa in a @Marvel comic. pic.twitter.com/RqPUWEI2Hd— Emperor Alleef (@ComicsLord) May 29, 2018

In issue #4 of the same comic, Jim Zub and Thony Silas feature another popular Malaysian dish – the Lepat Pisang.
(Credit: Kakuchopurei.com)
If you were wondering why the X-Men are eating Laksa and Lepat Pisang, it’s because Madripoor, the country where they are depicted to be in is essentially the Marvel universe’s version of a Southeast Asian country.
But whatever it is, it’s definitely nice to see Malaysian cuisine being appreciated, even by fictional characters.

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Man Fakes TnG Receipt To Buy RM94 Worth Of Cheesecake

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A young man recently attempted to buy a RM94 cake using a fake Touch ‘n Go (TnG) eWallet receipt.

The shop later discovered the fraud and posted the CCTV recording on social media.
The shop also urged the young man to pay in full; otherwise, a police report would be made.

The incident happened at a coffee shop in a mall in Johor Bahru at noon on 12 April.
The post went viral and was hotly talked about by netizens.
In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, the shop owner said he wanted to give the young man a chance to repent.
He has to show up and pay within 48 hours.
Smooth Operator
According to CCTV videos posted on Facebook, the young man was seen making ‘fake moves’ when paying.
He pretended to scan the QR code of the store but did not turn on the camera function.
From the cashier’s point of view, the man seemed to swipe on the screen, which looked like he was entering the password and amount.
However, when the shop owner checked the CCTV footage, it was discovered that the man had shown a fake TnG payment page.
He immediately contacted the head office and asked the technical team to help check the CCTV in the store.
He said the company was taken aback when it checked the CCTV and saw the customer editing the receipt of the Touch-to-Go e-wallet very quickly.
On Thursday evening (13 April), the shop posted that the young man had owned up and paid the RM94.
The shop received a payment of RM100 through TnG.

To avoid similar incidents, the shop owner has asked the staff to ensure the payment has been posted before letting the customer leave.
At the same time, the staff had been told to ask the customer to use another channel or platform to pay again if the initial payment did not go through.
Customers will be asked to leave their phone numbers, and the shop will refund them if there are double payments.

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Is This Hot Pot Buffet With Wagyu Beef Worth The Money? [Review]

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Hot pot fans will be pleased to hear that a new hot pot buffet restaurant chain has opened up in the Klang Valley: Shabu-yo.

The Japanese hot pot buffet chain serves wagyu beef as a meat option– and yes, it is unlimited!
The fresh vegetable bar is one of the first things you see.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
However, do take note that the restaurant is non-halal as they serve pork. The available meat options are:
Australian Wagyu beef & pork & chickenBeef & pork & chickenPork & chicken

Prices differ per meat option, and there are additional charges for dinner and weekend times as well.
What To Expect
If the staff know that it’s your first time at Shabu-yo, they will give you a quick guided tour on where everything is. (But we can do that for you too.)
Before you even sit down at your table for the hot pot, there will be plenty of ready-to-eat Japanese dishes waiting for you: fragrant Japanese curry made with minced beef, ochazuke (seasoned rice steeped in tea and topped with simple vegetables), piping hot chicken karaage (fried chicken), takoyaki, and more.
Each food item has signage to teach you the best way to savour the dish. Pictured here is Japanese beef curry (left) and ochazuke (right).(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Then, it’s time for your hot pot buffet. Choose a meat course and two soups (there’s sukiyaki, Japanese Amber soup, tomato soup, chicken & pork milky soup). We recommend the sukiyaki if you want a truly authentic Japanese hot pot experience.
All your meat is ordered on a tablet attached to the table, and you are also provided separate chopsticks and utensils for handling the raw meat slices for hygiene reasons.
At the table, use the red chopsticks to handle the raw meat.(Credit: Shabu-yo/Facebook)
I tried the beef & pork & chicken course. This comes with 6 different kinds of meat: beef chuck, beef karubi (boneless short-rib/flanken-cut rib), pork collar, pork belly, chicken, and tsukune (pork and chicken mince).
(I didn’t get the course with Australian Wagyu, so I can’t review that. But judging by the quality and standards of everything else, if you love Wagyu beef, it’s likely worth it.)
It is also recommended to eat the meat with the special Shabu-yo veggies (thinly cut mix of spring onions, carrots, and the like), which helps to cut through the fattiness and heaviness of the meat.
The tsukune, which is surprisingly tender and definitely worth a try.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
While you wait for your hot pot soup to boil, head over to the extensive vegetable bar for fresh vegetables. I particularly love that there are lots of vegetable options not often seen at other hot pot buffets such as bean sprouts, cauliflowers, red spinach, and even wood ear mushrooms.
They do not carry many of the usual frozen steamboat favourites such as seafood tofu or fake crabmeat. The only processed food items here are fishballs and cocktail sausages.
Many, many vegetables for a fibrous meal.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Then, pick up some of the surprisingly fresh and crispy fried food items for a mid-meal snack. The fried food is checked on regularly and not too much is served at once, so you can assured of getting a non-soggy piece.
Take your pick of fried chicken, octopus balls, or potato wedges.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Do make sure to save space for dessert, because in addition to the usual ice cream soft serves of chocolate and vanilla, Shabu-yo’s dessert bar lets you make your own shaved ice and waffles in the easiest, fool-proof ways. There are plenty of syrups and sauces to go with your dessert, ranging from chocolate to mixed berries and pink grapefruit.
Left: Shaved ice maker with instructions, and right: waffles being made with the simple waffle maker.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
The restaurant chain has perfected the recipe for crisp yet fluffy waffles cooked in just 3 minutes.(Credit: Anne Dorall/TRP)
Must-try items: the Japanese beef curry, chicken karaage, cooked meat slices wrapped around Shabu-yo special veggies, DIY waffles.
The Verdict
Shabu-yo does not skimp on quality, so you can expect the meat to be fresh and the sides to be delicious. Even the fried items are maintaned regularly to ensure that customers will always have fresh options and not soggy, cold rocks.
As someone who loves vegetables in my hot pot, I was very impressed by the freshness and variety of vegetables. Additionally, all the other “add-ons” like Japanese curry rice and chicken karaage were also extremely well-done, perhaps even better than other restaurants that specialize in those items on their menu.

The prices are a little steeper compared to other more accessible Japanese hot pot buffet chains, but the value of the available fresh food and sheer range of diverse options is definitely worth the price.
If you love Japanese hot pot, Shabu-yo is worth at least a visit.
Locations:
Shabu-yo @ Sunway Velocity Mall, KL3-58 (3rd Floor)
Shabu-yo @ Sunway Pyramid Mall, Subang JayaLot G1.112, 113 (Ground floor) Blue Atrium

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PM’s Public Health Advisor Explains Why Govt Is Easing The MCO On 4th May

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The Prime Minister’s special advisor on Public Health, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood says that she understands that many feel the government is easing the movement control order (MCO) too early, as there are still new positive cases being reported on a daily basis.
However, she explains that Malaysia is ready. This is based on a report written by a group of Chinese experts who visited the country, as well as based on the World Health Organisationâ€™s (WHO) criteria.
She outlines the full details of the current state of Covid-19 outbreak in the country through an open letter to the people.Â
Below are my standard responses so you may want to share with your family and friends.Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood via Malay Mail
Below are the pointers from Dr Jemilah’s open letter:
1. MCOs are not to end Covid-19 but flatten the curve.  And we have. We have flattened the curve to ensure health systems are protected and able to cope.
2. Our health systems can cope. We have more than enough ventilators. Utilisation capacity is now only at 30 per cent, with the Health Ministry starting to give frontliners leave.  Most cases â€” above 80 per cent â€” are mild.
3. Covid-19 will not end for the next two years. There will be small spikes but we must not panic.
4. When there is a spike in an area, an enhance movement control order very localised to the area can be implemented immediately.
5. Enforcement will be important to ensure compliance. Both from the government but also self-enforcement â€” individual, community, companies.
6. The pandemic can be ended only when the whole of society participates and is empowered. If you see something, say something.
7.Â  Economic impact and mental health are important. We have to face the bitter challenges of MCO and Covid-19 but only if we pull together in the same direction can we win this.
8. The new normal is a reality.  Stay home as much as you can. Keep a safe distance and wear a mask.
9. We need to live with Covid-19. Just as we need to live with dengue.
10. A vaccine at earliest may be available next year. Herd immunity is questionable as data on antibodies is still showing a low conversion rate. So travel is limited.
11. Donâ€™t compare Malaysia with Hokkaido. When it opened up, it didnâ€™t protect its borders. Malaysia is protecting her borders. This is critical and one of the requisites of WHO.Â  We have taken steps beyond what was done in Japan as we have learnt from their experience.

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No More Physical Distancing During Friday Prayers In Federal Territories Starting 1 April

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Friday prayers at Federal Territories’ (FT) mosques and suraus can now be performed without having to observe physical distancing SOPs as the country is transitioning to the Endemic Phase starting from 1 April.

Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said that the matter was consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and is in line with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for congregational prayers in mosques and suraus.
Mohd Ajib also said that worshippers of all ages that have completed their Covid-19 vaccination will be allowed to attend the prayer, adding that all Muslims attending the Friday prayers are encouraged to use their own prayer mats.
These places of worship will also be allowed to hold Tarawih prayers as well Qiamullail.
“Breaking fast ceremonies, moreh and sahur are allowed at mosques and suraus, while the food is encouraged to be prepared in packages,” Mohd Ajib said in a statement issued today.
He added that Quran recital activities are allowed to be held at any suitable time in small groups.
Previously, all Muslims attending congregational prayers all mosques and suraus need to adhere to the one-meter physical distancing rule and wear face masks.

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Confirmed: Dead elephant found in Sabah river killed for tusks by poachers

Last week, photos of what was believed to have been a dead elephant calf, went viral on social media.
The photos showed the elephant, tied to a tree by the Sungai Udin riverbank in Dumpas, Tawau.

Picture credit: The Star Online

Many speculated that the elephant had been shot dead due to a large hole in its back.
Alarmed by the photos, Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga instructed for investigations for the elephant’s cause of death to be conducted.
Today, reports confirm that the elephant was actually an adult male pygmy elephant believed to have been shot over 70 times by poachers before they removed its two tusks.

Picture credit: The Borneo Post

This conclusion was reached by the team of vets and wildlife officials who conducted a post-mortem on the animal after heavy machinery was used to drag the elephantâ€™s carcass out of the river and onto dry land.
According to The Borneo Post, the elephant is believed to have been shot by poachers using semi-automatic guns from a close range.Â
The shots had fractured and penetrated the elephantâ€™s skull and decimated its brain.
Confirming the post-mortem, Augustine Tuuga described the elephantâ€™s circumstances of death as cruel.
No Love GIF from Heartless GIFs

FYI, in Malaysia, pygmy elephants are protected under (Schedule 1) in the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.
The enactments states that anyone found guilty of killing protected animals could be jailed up to five years and slapped with a fine of RM250,000.
Currently, there is an estimate of only 1,500 surviving Borneo pygmy elephants in the wild.
Pygmy elephants in BorneoPicture credit: World Wildlife Fund
They are regularly found dead, increasing concern about their declining numbers.
According to Tuuga, at least 100 pygmy elephants have died in the last 10 years, some of which were deliberately killed by poisoning or by gun-shots.


All Your Friends Are Getting Married? Here’s The Top 10 Practical Wedding Gifts For Their New Home Together

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Have you noticed how many of your friends are married since the first Movement Control Order? A LOT!

With many weddings around the corner, of course, you would want your beloved newlywed friends or family to have a good gift to ease their journey to marriage.
Here are some suggestions on what you should get them for their wedding!
1. Blender / Juicer
What’s a kitchen without a blender huh?
Get them a set with multiple jugs and mills together so that they can blend separate ingredients with separate jugs.
You don’t want to be using your chili and onion jug to also blend your fruits. Ick.
Credit: @ajay_suresh @nenadstojkovic / Flickr
Even better, if they already have a blender, spice things up with a healthier option, a juicer!
Basically, it’s quite a subtle way to tell your friends to cut down those unhealthy sugar and replace them with better and fresher sugar from fruits.
They’ll be thanking you in the long run!
Starting Price: RM100
2. Air Fryer
It’s a trend to have these nowadays. You are bound to see one in a household.
This is not just another fad that comes and goes like your waffle maker (be honest, when was the last time you used this if you have one?) but something that might actually be worth the investment.
Credit: @Aaron Yoo / Flickr
An air fryer is like a perfect combination of a frying pan, a microwave, and even an oven. Fry, reheat, and bake all in one device!
Plus, it’s smaller in size compared to a big microwave or oven, which is why it’s perfect for starting couples.
Starting Price: RM150
3. Coffee Machine
Now, this is for those coffee lovers!
If your friend is an avid coffee drinker, surprise them and their partner with a coffee machine.
You can get them automatic coffee machines like the coffee drip ones you see in American movies or the kind that uses pre-prepared coffee capsules.
Credit: @aaronpaxson / Flickr
Alternatively, you can get a more advanced espresso machine with portafilter and steam wand attachments for serious coffee lovers. It may cost a little more, but there are definitely affordable ones out there!
Who knows, next time when you stop by their house, they’ll serve you coffee with latte arts.
Starting Price: RM200
4. Cordless Vacuum / Robot Vacuum
In this new era of technology, cleaning appliances must also be modern right?
A cordless vacuum is one of the most brilliant inventions ever as you can use those for many types of cleaning.
Not just the floor, the carpet, or the nook and crannies, you can also vacuum other surfaces such as your wall, your spiderwebs on the ceiling, and your furniture!
Credit: @MacroVerchProfessionalPhotographer @AaronYoo / Flickr
Well, for those who don’t mind a worthy budget, get a robot vacuum for your wedded pair. Wanna know something awesome? They can mop too! My oh my.
They’ll be thankful to you for the rest of their lives!
Starting Price: RM200/RM500
5. Iron Steamer / Garment Steamer
Why get your friends a normal dry iron when you can get them a steamer iron!
An iron steamer is basically just dry iron but with a steam option. The steam helps in removing the stubborn wrinkles faster on sturdy fabrics such as denim or wool.
It can also do a crisp crease for trousers, blazers, and fabric pleats.
Credit: Freepik
A garment steamer, on the other hand, doesn’t need an ironing board and can deal with delicate fabric such as silk, satin, cashmere, and beaded material.
They often come in a standing form where you can hang your cloth on a rack and steam, steam away.
Starting Price: RM300
6. Standing Fan
Okay even if your fav couple already has air conditioning in their house, they would still need a fan.
Why? Well, they might need extra air circulation in spaces like the kitchen, outdoor in their front porch, the storeroom, basement, attic, wine cellar?
Honestly, who knows, they might need it in spaces where’s there are no ceiling fans or air conditioning.
Credit: @LeonidMamchenkov / Flickr
So get them one. A standing fan can be easier to move and has an adjustable height compared to a table fan as you need a surface to put it onto.
Starting Price: RM100
7. Luggage
If your wedded couple loves to travel, this could be the best gift you can give.
Luggages may look too big for certain people, but trust us, once they have one, they won’t use any other type of bag for travel.
Credit: Freepik
It’s easy, spacious, fashionable, has 360-degree rollers, and comes in different sizes! You can choose the smallest for those who like to travel light.
Hey, they’ll be thanking you for their honeymoon trips with your luggage gift.
Starting Price: RM150
8. Tupperware / Tiffin Carriers
With the rise of the eco-friendly movement, more and more people are looking for quality and aesthetic alternatives such as a set of Tupperware or Tiffin Carriers.
Just imagine, your happy couple going to work with your lunch box, they’ll definitely remember you every time they bring their lunchboxes, that’s for sure.
Credit: @asgw / Flickr, Annas Series / famsymall.com
Whole sets of Tupperwares may be a bit pricey but you can get the most decent ones like a set of 4 pieces at a reasonable price.
Tiffin carriers, on the other hand, are just so cute and trendy these days. They usually come in three tiers. You can search for custom-made tiffin designs with the personalized names of your fav couple.
Starting Price: RM80/RM60
9. Comforter Set
When a couple gets married, of course, they sleep on the same bed. Hence, bed sheets and comforters are always a safe option.
However, it’s best to ask your soon-to-be-married pair what size their bed is so you can get the perfect fit. (Though as a general rule, it’s better to err on the side of caution and go a size bigger.)
Credit: Freepik
Since this is always a safe option, your couple might have a lot of these as gifts. But hey, that means they can always change their sheets regularly, right? Cleaner sheets equal better sleep.
Starting Price: RM150
10. Voucher / Gift Card
Now if you’re one of those guys who don’t really want a hassle in shopping, let them do the shopping themselves. And they’d appreciate it too, we’re sure.
You’ll be sparing them the nuisance of returning the products or reselling them again. This way, they can pick their own products with their own liking.

You can get these vouchers and gift cards from Malaysia’s favorite brands, including fashion retail shops, electronic stores, fast food outlets, and more.
Starting Price: RM20/RM50
If any of these are too pricey, you can always get a group of friends close to the wedded couple and share the cost.
These are basic household items and to get these in their new house, they’ll surely be thankful.
Tip: A lot of online e-commerce sites are having sales right now, so grab these once hefty prices of products at a bargain at your online shopping platform. Just make sure they’re from the mall section, just so you know the buyer is trustworthy.
PS. You can consider having these items delivered straight to their new home so that they won’t need to carry the big items around after their wedding!

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There’s A Tree In Sabah That Bleeds Metal & Scientists Say It Might Help Us Save The Environment

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Not many may be aware, but Malaysia is officially recognised as the 12th most megadiverse (biodiversity-rich) country in the world. This green crown was bestowed to the equatorial nation for harbouring the majority of the Earth’s species along with high numbers of endemic species.
According to the Malaysia Biodiversity Information System, the full extent of the country’s flora diversity is not fully known but it is estimated to consist of at least 15,000 species.
Due to this, new species of plants continue to be discovered in the region, such as the Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi: the tree that bleeds metal.
The accidental discovery of the metal-bleeding tree
In 2013, a staff at Kinabalu Park planted a bunch of Phyllanthus plants of unknown species in the garden. The plant was collected from an unknown location near the Kinabalu Park boundary.
Around that time, a group of scientists led by Dr Antony van
der Ent, a researcher at the University of Queensland, were collecting plant
samples of plants around Sabah to look for hyperaccumulators.
Kinabalu Park.(Credit: Tourism Malaysia)
Hyperaccumulators are plants that have evolved to take up usually toxic metals like nickel and zinc into their stems, leaves and even seeds. They don’t just tolerate these toxic metals though, they crave it. The roots of these hyperaccumulators eagerly soak up the metal from the soil, and no one really knows why.
Scientists think that it could be an evolutionary trait to fight
off pests, or even help in the uptake of potassium from the soil.
What scientists found in the plant was the evidence of a strong nickel hyperaccumulator, among the strongest known globally with the exciting potential for future agromining, where metal is extracted through plants.
 Production of nickel products from harvested biomass.(Credit: EcoRCE/IAC/G Losfeld, A Baker, Sociétéle Nickel, R. Chaney, A. Bani, J. Vaughan)
So when you cut into the Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi tree, it “bleeds” a dark blue-green sap full of nickel. This nickel-rich sap is also far more concentrated than nickel ores currently used in the world’s metal smelters.
The Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi species was discovered again during scientific fieldwork in 2015 at Lompoyou Hill in the Kinabalu Park. This time the plant was growing abundantly. Further testing revealed that the metal-bleeding tree was the best known tropical “metal crop” due to some pretty advantageous characteristics.
For one, the tree has extremely high levels of nickel
accumulation. It also grows pretty fast and has tolerance for exposed conditions
on eroded soils.
Different habitats of  Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi around  Lompoyou Hill in Sabah.(Credit: Anthony van der Ent)
Once the scientists realised metal nickel-philia trait of this plant, they set up a small farm near Pahu village in Sabah. They also grew Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi plants collected from the wild inside pots filled with ultramafic soil, which is soil with high concentrations of trace elements.
Every 6 to 12 months, a farmer takes a piece of these metal-collecting trees for nickel extraction. According to The New York Times, the farmers could hold in their hands roughly 200 kilograms of nickel citrate after purification, which is potentially worth thousands of dollars on international markets.
Sukaibin Sumail of Sabah Parks collects green nickel-rich sap (20% nickel) from a rainforest tree for laboratory analysis.(Credit: Antony van der Ent via Science X Network)
How the metal-bleeding tree is going to save the environment
The Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is actually classified as an endangered species according to International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) criteria.
This is because the tree exists in limited populations, growing in ultramafic soils and is highly vulnerable to recurring forest fires, excessive logging and the expansion of oil palm plantations in Sabah.
Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi plants. The bottom image shows its fruit capsules.(Credit: Anthony van der Ent)
But the discovery of its metal absorbing and metal-bleeding capabilities just might be its saving grace. The New York Times says it could be the world’s most efficient, solar-powered mineral smelters.
Researchers who’ve spent years growing and extracting nickel from the tree suggest that this could have major implications for economic agromining.
However, the most valuable trait of this tree is its potential to rehabilitate toxic mining sites.
Mining activities generates large quantities of heavy metal waste (like nickel) which are often released in an uncontrolled manner and cause widespread contamination of the ecosystem.  This leads to polluted waterways, great loss of biodiversity as well as health problems.
Heavy metal pollution is a common side effect of mining activities. This is a 2015 view of Sungai Balok in Kuantan, Pahang where the river is believed to turn red due to bauxite pollution.(Credit: Bernama via Malay Mail)
Roderick Bouman, one of the researchers involved in the Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi, told Science X Network that the plant had great potential in cleaning old mining areas polluted with heavy metals.
Since the plants can be harvested after a while, the dangerous metals are also taken out of the soil, leaving behind an environment suitable for the regrowth of lost flora and fauna.
Mining companies and even small-time farmers both can potentially benefit from cleaning up former mines while collecting some revenue as nickel is often used to make batteries, mobile phones, medical equipment, transportation and the creation of the ubiquitous stainless steel.
Stainless steel is a widely used alloy made from nickel.(Credit: Pixabay)
The future of the Sabah metal-bleeding tree
Right now, large scale metal farming has been conducted in Albania and USA. But with the promising research surrounding Sabah’s Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi, there is potential for the first tropical “metal farm”.
Different species of equally impressive nickel hyperaccumulators plants have also been discovered in New Caledonia, Indonesia and the Philippines, so it could be just a matter of time before the region becomes a hotbed of nickel agromining.
Global target regions for agromining and main metal crop genera data on growth and nickel yield. Colour-shaded areas indicate countries with significant surface expanses of ultramafic soils.(Credit: A. Bani, G. Echevarria, A. van der Ent, P. Erskine)
Suffice to say, this Sabah tree that bleeds metal is probably the most metal thing about nature we’ve ever seen.

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Death Of 15-Year-Old A Day After Vaccination Still Under Investigation A Week Later

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It happened on the morning of Sunday, 24 October. At 9:30 am, the teenager was found having trouble breathing and had lost consciousness thereafter.

He was taken to a private hospital for emergency treatment and was pronounced dead at 10:40 am.
State Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said that the initial post-mortem examination carried out on the same day at 3:40 pm shows that the 15-year-old had Spontaneous Bronchospasm. His lungs constricted making it difficult for him to breathe.
Currently, all his tissue samples have been sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital forensic pathologist for further examination, according to Dr Ding.
The post-mortem report is incomplete because there are test results that have not been receivedState Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming told Bernama.
On the day before he died, the boy received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Gunung Rapat National Secondary School vaccination centre.
His first dose was uneventful. He had no allergic reactions to any vaccines or drugs and it is not known if he had any chronic illnesses.
However, he reported pain at the injection site after receiving the second vaccine jab, added Dr Ding.
It is prudent to remember that correlation does not imply causation.
Malaysia has begun vaccinating teenagers since September.
Currently, 74.8% of the Malaysian population has been fully vaccinated. That includes 65.5% of children between 12-17 years of age and 95.5% of adults.

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The One For You: KFC Returns With 6 Fan Favourites All In One Box

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KFC is bringing back its popular The One Box, which features 6 fan-favourite menu items together in one box.

The next time you visit, you won’t have to choose between a Zinger burger or a spicy fried chicken, because with The One Box, you can have them all.
Due to popular demand, KFC’s limited-time The One Box is making a return with a new addition: the Cheezy Popcorn Bowl.
It’s got popcorn chicken, it’s got fries, it’s got cheese sauce. What more do you need?(Credit: KFC Malaysia)
Customers can now choose to have the new Cheezy Popcorn Bowl, which features fries topped with popcorn chicken and a generous drizzle of Jalapeno cheese sauce; or the classic Cheezy Wedges with their box.

The rest of the box includes one piece of KFC fried chicken, one Zinger classic, coleslaw, whipped potato, and a refreshing Sjora mango juice.
It’s definitely a welcome return for fans of KFC who want to try everything on the menu!

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Drunk Drivers Will Now Face Harsher Penalties

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Amendments to Sections 41 to 45 of the Road Transport Act has been approved by the Cabinet to allow for harsher penalties against those found to be driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
What you need to know: Currently, the maximum jail time is 10 years and maximum fine is RM20,000. The amendment will see an increased penalty. First offences will see a jail time of 15 years and a maximum fine of RM100,000, while subsequent offences will see a jail time of 20 years and a fine of RM150,000. In addition to that, the duration of the suspension of their drivers’ license will be increased from 10 years to 20 years.
The benchmark for permissible alcohol content will also be lowered to match with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. It will be lowered from 35 micrograms per 100ml of breath to 22 micrograms, from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50 mg, and from 107mg per 100ml of urine to 67mg.
Why it matters: Malaysia has a drunk driving problem, and many voices have called for stricter punishments to curb such accidents. With the new amendments in place, those who drink may think twice about driving, and instead make use other safer methods such as e-hailing.

Malaysia’s Drunk Driving Problem

Who said what: Transport minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said that the Attorney General’s Chambers have gone through the draft Bill that shall be presented for the Cabinet’s final approval on July 17 prior to its tabling a week later.
Read more:Malaysia’s Drunk Driving Problem [TRP]Transport Ministry Plans To Amend DUI Laws On Next Parliament Sitting [TRP]

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5 Highway Tolls To Accept Credit And Debit Card Payment

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Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said drivers can soon pay tolls on five highways using credit and debit cards.

The five roads are:
Sungai Besi ExpresswayAmpang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated HighwayNew Pantai ExpresswayGuthrie Corridor ExpresswayPenang Bridge
Nanta also said the open payment system would be implemented on all five roads by September 2023.
A proof-of-concept (POC) assessment would be held in October 2023 before it could be implemented on all highways nationwide, The Star reported.
If the system proves successful, more highways could switch to the open payment system. So, everyone please help make sure the system works!
It’s a transition to barrier-free tolls
The open payment system is one of the early initiatives to transition to the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), which is a barrier or boom gate-free toll system.
READ MORE: No More Toll Bars And Boom Gates By 2025 To Reduce Toll Plaza Traffic Congestion
Nanta said the MLFF implementation will be done in phases and is expected to be done by the third quarter of 2024.
Once MLFF is implemented, the open payment system can be carried out for toll collections on all highways.
However, as Soya Cincau pointed out, paying by credit and debit cards defeats the purpose of having a barrier-free MLFF system.
In a barrier-free toll, toll payments are expected to be done automatically instead of tapping on physical terminals. As it stands, time is needed to authenticate card payments compared to a stored-value card like Touch ‘n Go.
Regardless, the ability to pay using credit or debit cards would end the monopoly of Touch ‘n Go and create healthy competition among industry players such as opening up more opportunities for eWallet providers.
It’ll also provide road users with more payment options which could help ease traffic bottlenecks at tolls.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was at the Temu Anwar forum on 19 March, said the Touch ‘n Go monopoly in the toll payment system and public transportation would be reviewed.
READ MORE: The Gov’t Will Review Touch ‘n Go Monopoly Due To Lack Of Innovation And Development
On 20 March, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the ministry has instructed all agencies including public transport operators under its purview to create an open payment system application.
READ MORE: Loke: You Can Use Credit And Debit Cards To Pay For Public Transport Soon

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Pos Malaysia KLIA Hub Overwhelmed With 600,000 Parcels A Day During MCO

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Our national postal service, Pos Malaysia, is still operating as an essential service during the movement control order (MCO). During this time, many Malaysians are resorting to buying things online, not just from online giants like Lazada, but also from the many small-time micro-business owners such as local crafters, artists, or second-hand sellers.
This results in an increase of parcels moving through the country these few weeks, as shown in a viral video taken at Pos Malaysia’s processing hub at KLIA which is filled to the brim.

https://twitter.com/kaymanbeaustore/status/1255432216148152321

Many people were alarmed at the sheer number of parcels in just the KLIA hub itself, which is because almost all packages must be routed to the hub before reaching the destination as according to Pos Malaysia’s standard operating procedures.
Pos Malaysia themselves retweeted the video together with a statement, claiming that they receive up to 600,000 parcels on a daily basis during the MCO.
Our staff are working diligently to ensure all parcels reach their recipient. However, our operating hours have to abide by the guidelines and rules under the MCO. Pos Malaysia on their Tweet
They then ask Malaysians to be patient knowing that they are working as hard as they can.

Namun, waktu operasi kami adalah tertakluk kepada garis panduan dan pematuhan PKP. Kami sedang berusaha sebaik mungkin untuk menghantar barangan anda dan berharap agar anda dapat bersabar. Kerjasama anda amat kami hargai. #bersamakitaboleh— Pos Malaysia Berhad (@pos4you) April 29, 2020

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The Future Of Foreign Workers’ Accommodation Is Here

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Although some Malaysian companies have been accused of subjecting workers to inhumane living conditions, there’s at least one that is offering employers a means to provide their foreign workers with a proper place to stay.

Showcasing Malaysia’s first-class hospitality and meeting up to international standards of providing foreign workers with comfortable living accommodations, STF Saujana Sdn. Bhd. recently debuted the “Q Centre” —- its first Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and private housing unit for STF Group of Companies.
The quarters are located in Sungai Kapar Indah in Selangor and strategically nestled within the surrounding industrial park and closely connected to local businesses in the area.
The Q Centre was designed to prioritize workers’ welfare and is equipped with top of line facilities to ensure employee wellbeing.
“Q Centre was built with the objective of providing planned and systematic housing for foreign labours as well as providing them with amenities to create a quality, safe and conducive living environment in order to safeguard the welfare and protect their rights,” said STF Groups Chairperson Datuk Yan Lee Chin during Q Centre’s official launch.
She explained that the quarters were also created to ensure employers’ “ease of mind” about their foreign worker’s welfare — especially as Malaysia moves towards the endemic stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Q Centre was constructed in compliance with Act 446 (Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990) and is equipped with quality amenities and 24-hour security, strict entry and exit controls as well as health status monitoring and close contact of hostel residents will also be implemented at all times.STF Groups Chairperson Datuk Yan Lee Chin
She elaborated that accommodations provided at the Q Centre would indirectly attribute to employee performance and productivity, and ultimately provide an archetype for better housing and living conditions for foreign workers in Malaysia.
STF Group is dedicated to practising trustworthy labour management and promises to ensure that the rights of all workers are guaranteed at all times in support of the government’s efforts to safeguard foreign workers’ human rights and wellbeing.STF Groups Chairperson Datuk Yan Lee Chin
Taking a tour of Q Centre, the quarter’s amenities and aesthetics can best be compared to that of local college dormitories or school hostels that we have here in Malaysia.
It features 30 rooms split between two main levels and can accommodate a total of 210 tenants.
It also houses its own kitchen, canteen, laundry facilities, and recreation areas like a TV room and open spaces for people to relax and hang out, as well as, spaces for residents to park their bicycles or other modes of transportation.
MIC President Datuk T. Murugiah inspecting Q Centre’s wide-open corridors during its official launch.(Credit: STF Group)
Additionally, Q Centre is equipped with facial recognition entrance systems as well as thermal sensors which is an extra step that the operator takes to mitigate the risk of Covid-19.
To prevent outbreaks, tenants will be isolated in a special quarantine area that has been provided on a separate floor.
Q Centre also uses access cards for room entrances for added security measures.
Q Centres security features and other amenities.(Credit: TRP)
The quarters offer three different types of accommodation rooms, namely: type A1, A2 and B.
The buildup of each Type A1 unit is 215.3 sqft and is equipped with fans and six beds.
For a more premium room, Q Centre offers air conditioners in Type A2 units and maintains six beds, while each Type B unit has a buildup of 395.2sqft and is equipped with fans and eight beds.
Each level has its own community bathroom and prayer facilities for Muslim tenants.
Each room has bunk beds, storage space, work stations and adequate power supply for every tenant.(Credit: STF Group)
According to Yan, the STF Group will actively focus on developing CLQs to provide dormitory rentals for business owners in order to properly accommodate their employees under the government’s mandate in compliance with Act 446.
Yan also disclosed that the Sungai Kapar Indah CLQ will officially house employees from Alpine Pipe Manufacturing Sdn Bhd a subsidiary of Hiap Teck Venture Bhd, starting 16 April 2022.
Q Centre also recently entered into the second phase of expanding its CLQs.
The second facility will be located in Klang Sentral and can accommodate a total of 420 tenants.
Q Centre plans on having a total of five separate CLQs by the end of 2022 and will be expanding the project throughout Peninsular Malaysia within the next five years.
They’re also making efforts to reduce carbon emissions by installing things like solar panels at all their facilities nationwide.
For more information, head on over to STF Saujana’s official website, HERE.

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Mob mentality strikes again over Uniqlo x Kaws collection

Even as we watch the slow descent of human decency and common sense, at the very least we can agree that Uniqlo has once again brought in a very coveted t-shirt collection.
The Kaws: Summer collection had people losing their minds, with huge crowds in China and other Southeast Asian countries buying whole stocks and people pulling shirts off of mannequins.

2019 #Kaws X UNIQLO series products released in the Chinese mainland were sold out within minutes after going on sale Sunday midnight. Some customers even came to blows in order to get the clothing. Some 99 yuan ($14.33) T-shirts are being resold online for about 200 yuan. pic.twitter.com/F3ec2J6vTf
â€” Global Times (@globaltimesnews) June 3, 2019

my family died in the great uniqlo x kaws riots of 2019
â€” L.A.S. (@SartoriallyInc) June 3, 2019

Even some Malaysians have tried anything and everything to get their hands some Kaws.

Sapa tauk sine ada jual online Uniqlo Ã— Kaws? Doesn’t matter harga resell pun resell lah.
â€” AZ (@vlacknife) June 3, 2019

The thing I hate, uniqlo staff place kaws shirts on the table and a guy with 2 full baskets literally push ALL last 6 L sized shirts i want into his basket. Like, bro, you’re a size M!! He’s definitely reselling. Why no in store limit for kaws?? 🙁 #sad @Uniqlomalay @UNIQLO_JP
â€” Zariff (@zrfrstm) June 3, 2019

Kaws kaws uniqlo eh pic.twitter.com/te8g55uaKq
â€” Farid Omar (@farid_omar) June 3, 2019

The Uniqlo Malaysia online store is already sold out of the Kaws Summer collection, priced at RM59.90 each.

Picture credit: Uniqlo Malaysia

Some netizens on Weibo, in startling self-awareness, have even said that they don’t care about the shirts.
â€œI finally understand now,â€ one Weibo user writes: â€œWhat I love is not UNIQLO, nor KAWS â€“ what I love is to rush and clash with all these people!â€
The mob mentality over this limited edition collection clothing is astounding, but it’s definitely not unheard of.

via GIPHY
As an upstanding citizen of society, sitting comfortably in your chair (probably with one leg on top of the other), you may be telling yourself that you are educated and smarter than this and you will be wrong.
According to researchers from the University of Exeter, humans are pretty much programmed to make bad decisions.

via GIPHY
History is our best teacher, and Malaysians have had their fair share of mob mentality that defies logic.

The internet never forgot the Minion Craze of 2013.

Picture credit: The Star Online

…Or the time we trampled two elderly women to death for free food coupons.
Mob mentality shouldn’t be the default, though it takes some effort to get out of the groupthink.
The best way to stop mob mentality is to resist the Malaysian in you and not join the crowd.

via GIPHY
Stop and think about why you are doing what you are doing.
Like if a store us only selling 200 iPhones on sale and there are 11,000 people in front of you, maybe just walk away.


Sony To Reveal More About PS5 On 16 September

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Sony is holding a PlayStation event on 16 September, showcasing some of the games that will be on their next generation console, the PS5.

On their blog, the company said that their next digital showcase will be 40 minutes, and feature updates on the latest titles from their Worldwide Studios and development partners.
Sony revealed the machine to consumers earlier this year, with a white and black finish alongside a slew of accessories including a new headset.
Besides the specs and the design of the new PlayStation, not much else is known about their upcoming hardware either in price or when will be available, but Sony did offer pre-orders to customers, albeit on a limited scale.
Their rivals, Microsoft has revealed their next-gen consoles, the Xbox Series X and Series S, and with the holidays coming up, Sony would want to grab some of the gamers’ attention towards the PS5.
You can watch the reveal on their YouTube channel:

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[VIDEO] M’sians Motorists Attempt To Save Cute Dog Who’s Been Missing For Weeks

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Freedommmm! must’ve been on the mind of Dafi, the brown poodle, who made a daring dash to nowhere on a busy stretch of the MRR2 Highway in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, recently.

A series of viral videos that had Malaysians overloading on cute aggression saw Dafi as the main character during a long and arduous motor chase to get the canine off the road.
Refusing to be caught, Dafi ran circles around it’s pursuers, even causing one man to trip and fall on his belly in an attempt to capture the animal.
At the end of the video, as many as 10 bikers, a lorry and several other motorists joined in the slow-speed pursuit in order to rescue the dog and escort it to safety.
Last the puppy escort everyone to be behind it!! Like all the drivers were following the puppy. The best part 😭😭😭😭all the Malaysian helped out. Everyone. To Malays to Indians to Chinese. Yoo!! Malaysia is going well with young generations😭😭😭 yoooo I am so happy forreal pic.twitter.com/5YPMvjQqbM— it’s you babeeee!! (@shebzzzzzzzzz) April 25, 2021
Lost and found
On April 14, Dafi had escaped and ran away from a local Petsway pets hotel in Taman Segar after it was placed there by its owner Steven Chong who had to go away for work.
Following the viral video, Steven had put up a ‘lost dog’ posting on social media asking for information on Dafis whereabouts with a RM2,000 reward.
(Steven Chong/Facebook)
Dafi was finally reunited with Steven on 26 April, thanks to the help of a Mr Siva who was said to be one of the motorcyclists in Dafi’s chase video.
Apparently, Mr Siva not only managed to get Dafi to safety, it is said that he also fed the animal some tasty treats before it finally found its way back to Steven who is eternally grateful to be together with his lovable pet again.

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“We Saved 2.9 Million Jobs During The Pandemic”, Says HR Minister

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As the Covid-19 situation continues to improve in the country gradually, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri M Saravanan heralded what has become a lifesaver for the people: the government’s wage subsidy to handle the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a minister, if asked what my achievements are, we have saved and protected 2.9 million workers with a (government) contribution of more than RM18 billion.
A foreign worker hard at work at a farm in Cameron Highlands. (TRP/Fernando Fong)
“The country saved them (employees) and more than 300,000 companies from going bankrupt,” he said.
Saravanan remarked in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu) during an oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
With its massive taxpayer-funded allocation, the Wage Subsidy Program (PSU) has been trumpeted by the MIC president as the pivot.
However, the Wage Subsidy Program did not prevent more people from losing their jobs.
According to Saravanan in his response to Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim (BN-Baling), the number of unemployed increased by 9,500 people, bringing the total to 778,200 people.
An unemployed man gathering scraps to eke out a living on the streets of Ipoh. (TRP/Fernando Fong)
In fighting for the people, the government set up the National Employment Council (MPN) to create 500,000 job opportunities.
The Special Task Force on Human Resources and Entrepreneurship by Saravanan’s ministry has achieved a performance indicator (KPI) of 98 percent as of Aug 31.
A total of 359,677 out of the target of 367,500 for job placement and income creation were met, said Saravanan in nailing down the numbers.
The PSU is paid monthly to employers who continue their operations and retain their employees despite being affected by COVID-19.
Only employers registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) or the Local Authority (PBT) before June 1 are eligible.
The claim is limited to a maximum of 500 employees per employer.
Applications for the wage subsidy can be made through the Social Security Organisation (Socso).
Version 4.0 of the PSU is open for application till October 31.

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No Laughing Matter, Preacher Firdaus Wong Slams Muslims For Making Fun Of Prayer Oil

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Malaysians have started to feel the pinch due to inflation which directly contributed to the rise of good prices as well as the cost of living.

Many people take it to social media to vent their frustration over the matter, with some posting the prices of goods that were sold in supermarkets and sundry shops.
Cooking oil, one of the essential items of each household, has seen its price increase in recent months especially after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out.
However, recently, a Facebook page posted a picture of bottled oil that was used for prayers by non-Muslims, claiming that it was low-priced cooking oil.
This despite the label of the oil clearly stating that the oil is used for prayer purposes.
Preacher reprimanded Muslims not to lie even for a joke
Responding to the viral post, preacher and activist Firdaus Wong Wai Hung said that while he understands the predicament felt by the public due to the rise in living costs, he reminded Muslims that it is forbidden for believers to lie even if it’s for joke purposes.
Firdaus quoted a hadith by Abu Daud that says: “Woe to the one who talks about something to make the people laugh, in which he lies. Woe to him! Woe to him!”

He also added that the packaging of the oil clearly states that the oil is used for prayer purposes only, and he believed that the admin of the Facebook page shouldn’t have any problem understanding it.
“We do not like people to insult Islam or joke with equipment that is synonymous with Islam such as songkok, kopiah, telekung, sejadah and so on, so we should not joke about the prayer tools of other religions,” he wrote on his Facebook.
The public agrees with Firdaus
Meanwhile, in the comment section, the majority of the commenters agree with Firdaus, with some Facebook users describing the joke as rude.
There are also those who thank Firdaus for voicing out on the matter and reprimanded the Muslims in the country to be more sensitive to others.

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‘Virgin’ anaconda gives birth without needing a man-aconda

The New England Aquarium was in for a miracle when a female anaconda gave birth to a new litter but Anna the anaconda has had no male anaconda contact in her life.
Suspicious if the male anacondas had sneaked into the separate female anaconda enclosure, the biologists did a genetic test on the new born baby snakes.
Picture credit: New England Aquarium
What they found was that the two baby snakes were a genetic copy of Anna, the female anaconda.

via GIPHY
They had been born through parthenogenesis, which is Greek for ‘virgin birth’, a form of self-impregnation for female organisms.

via GIPHY
Anna the anaconda is the second known green anaconda to give birth through parthenogenesis, with Thelma of the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky being the first.
Virgin births do not only occur in stressful environments, or when mating is unlikely.
Wild viper snakes have been observed to produce offspring via parthenogenesis, even when there are plenty of male viper snakes around.

via GIPHY
While parthenogenesis is more common in insects and plants, it is not unusual for reptiles to undergo the virgin birth as well.
Who knows, there may be a day when women won’t need men to get pregnant.

via GIPHY


“He’s A Hero!” M’sian Boy Saves Toddler From Drowning In Hotel Pool

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Unlike in movies, drowning in real life is silent, quick and deadly. This is why parents are always reminded to keep a watch on their children whenever they’re in any body of water.

A Twitter user Dr Muiz Murad (@drmuizmurad) shared a story of how his young son’s quick action saved a drowning toddler in the hotel’s swimming pool.
Muiz explained that the toddler was playing with her big sisters on a big float.
The sisters thought their toddler sister had her float on and were unaware that she slipped off the float into the water.
my son the hero. ali just saved a toddler from drowning at the hotel pool. so proud of him. toddler was playing with her big sisters on a big floaty. sisters thought toddlers had her floaty on. toddler slipped off the floaty into the water… pic.twitter.com/EWVe27fu7D— Dr Muiz Murad (@drmuizmurad) May 5, 2022
By the time Muiz’s son Ali saw the whole thing, the toddler was already in the water and struggling.
Ali quickly jumped in and pulled the toddler out of the pool. The toddler was gasping for air and cried.
Muiz said if it was 10 seconds more, things would have ended worse. He added that the near-drowning incident happened because the mother was busy on her phone.
He reminded parents to supervise and monitor their children in the hotel pool because most of the time there aren’t lifeguards on duty.
Praises to the young hero
Netizens praised Ali for his quick thinking and courage to jump into the water and save the toddler right away.
The incident has also brought up conversations about careless parenting.
It seems like other netizens have also witnessed parents who left their young children on their own devices not only in swimming pools but also in other public areas.
What’s also worrying is that these parents are unfazed even after knowing their children could be in danger.
Hopefully, this near-miss incident will serve as a reminder to others to supervise young children closely.
Oh my…. Well done! ❤ 🙏 Brave little hero…… ! So proud of him….— Francissca Peter (@FranticKL) May 5, 2022
Proud of your boy!Have seen mothers and fathers either busy with their phones on social media, texting, taking selfies or chit chatting with friends & families instead of keeping an eye on their kids.When unfortunate things happened, whole world got blamed!— Bigsnorlax (@Bigsnorlax1985) May 5, 2022
Amazing boy !! So relieved he was there to make things right ! 2 weeks ago i passed a lost 4yo to the salesgirl at clothes dept to locate his mom …— HanTy75🏴 (@HanTy75) May 5, 2022
I’ve gone up to parents in busy malls asking if a trailing kid was theirs. One time, a mum at Zara didn’t have line of sight of kid in the pram because it was hidden behind a pillar. Anyone could have wheeled out the kid. When I asked the mum, she didn’t seem worried at all.— thatsmyfullname (@thatsmyfullname) May 5, 2022
We have to be extra vigilant when we mix kids with water.Bila berseronok, ramai yang alpa tentang keselamatan. Yes, it's on us, the adults to be super protective without being overly "ibu ayam jaga anak". Getting that balance right is an art form few are able to master.— AbahAtok (@zainisaari) May 6, 2022

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Smoking Ban At Eateries Is Still In Effect, Says Health Minister

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The smoking ban at eateries which was implemented back in 2019 is still valid and the Health Ministry is beefing up enforcement to ensure compliance, according to Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He mentioned on Twitter that the ban is a good initiative by the previous government and that it should be continued.
The Minister made the statement as a reply to a user who wondered if the ban was still in effect.
In the same tweet, he also said that law enforcement officers who monitor the streets for Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance can also be on the lookout for these offenders and take appropriate action.
It’s reported that the Health Ministry previously gazetted all food and beverage outlets in Malaysia as smoke-free areas starting from 1 January 2019.
Malaysians were then given an educational enforcement period of 12 months before compounds of up to RM250 were handed out to offenders in 2020.
READ MORE: Smoking Ban: Week 1 Review
Setuju. Ini dasar yang bagus dari zaman @DrDzul. Semalam saya telah minta penguatkuasaan terhadap larangan merokok ini ditingkatkan lagi. Sambil memantau pematuhan SOP pandemik, boleh denda perokok yang langgar larangan tersebut. Sekali harung. https://t.co/jxYeIWbbp3— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 21, 2021

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[Watch] Woman Driver Trapped Under Fallen Tree In Bukit Bintang Rescued, Suffered Broken Leg

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A woman was trapped when a tree fell on her car at Menara Worldwide in Jalan Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang around 5.40pm yesterday (27 May).

The tree fell on the woman’s Volkswagen Polo and a Perodua Myvi with two other people in it.
Fire and rescue department operations director Sandra Segaran Gandi said they received a call at 5.42pm.

They quickly mobilised two rescue units to the scene and successfully extricated the victims from their vehicles.
Kosmo reported that the woman stuck in the Volkswagen suffered a broken leg while two other women escaped with some injuries.
All victims were sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for treatment. The rescue operation was completed at 7.11pm.

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Xiaomi introduces Redmi Note 8 Pro in M’sia; great phone without breaking the bank

Looking for a new phone that doesn’t hurt your budget? You might want to take a peek at this.
Xiaomi recently announced the Redmi Note 8 Pro – its first-ever 64MP camera smartphone that is perfect for gamers and mobile photographers.
Picture Credit : Facebook/Xiaomi Malaysia
Powered by an octa-core CPU, the latest MediaTek processors and 6GB RAM, the Note 8 Pro can handle graphic-intensive games without breaking a sweat.
With this phone, you can play popular games like PUBG or Mobile Legends with your friends on the fly without worrying about the phone slowing down.

With a quad-camera setup, you would also be able to take stunning photos with that 64MP camera, either its a landscape, your cat, that delicious food that you’re having for lunch or even yourself.
It also has the highest battery capacity (4,500mAH) on a Note which should last you all day long and it is priced from RM1099.

If you’re on an even tighter budget, the company also announced the Redmi Note 8 starting from RM599 which comes with high-end specifications and premium design.
The device will come in three color variants.
Picture Credit : Xiaomi Malaysia
To complement the new devices Xiaomi also launched three brand new audio products: Mi True Wireless Earbuds, Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic and Mi True Wireless Earphones.
Picture Credit : Xiaomi Malaysia

“The series illustrates perfectly our philosophy of providing the latest technology for everyone at very attractive prices because we believe that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves to enjoy the latest technology. This has been in our DNA from day one.â€
Xiaomi Country Manager of Malaysia & Singapore Allen An
If you’re going to change to a brand spanking new phone that doesn’t hurt your wallet, these models are worth a look.
Do you think that this might be your new phone? Let us know on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!


After Instagram, now Facebook may remove â€œLikesâ€ too!

Remember when Instagram announced that they were hiding post likes back in July?
Scared Nervous GIF from Scared GIFs

People were losing their minds over what they deemed was the
â€œkeyâ€ element for using the photo and video-sharing social app. But it turns out,
the hidden likes feature is limited to users in 7 countries for testing phase.
Now that everyone has calmed down, Facebook (who owns Instagram btw) is stirring things up with another shocking moveâ€¦
Facebook may remove the number of â€œLikesâ€ on posts soon!

Credit: Pinterest

Tech Crunch has reported that the social network giant could soon start hiding the number of likes on Facebook posts.
The hidden like/reaction count was first spotted by Twitter user Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) who noticed it on Facebookâ€™s Android app.

Credit: @wongmjane/Twitter

It seems like the hidden Like feature works the same as the one tested on Instagram.  The number is hidden from everyone except the person who made the post. You can also see people who reacted to the post, but not the amount.

Credit: Quickmeme

Facebook then confirmed the news to Tech Crunch that it IS considering testing the removal of Like counts, but thereâ€™s no news of when, where or how itâ€™s going to happen.
Why remove Like counts?
The apparent reason for this move is to protect users from getting
jealous and to prevent self-censorship.

Credit: Quickmeme

It could also have something to do with aiding mental health as studies have shown the correlation between social media use with depression and anxiety.

Weâ€™ll be honest, itâ€™ll be hard to imagine Facebook without
the iconic Likes. But a healthier online community is far more important.

Credit: Meme Center

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Malaysians spinning the #bottlecapchallenge into #cabaranpenutupbotol on social media

Social media is on a spin once again!
This time with #bottlecapchallenge.
It went viral when buff Transporter hero Jason Statham posted it on his Twitter account with a 23-second clip of his swift move uncapping a bottle.

“#bottlecapchallenge #challengeaccepted This thing landed on my head from @johnmayer but will quickly go to a couple of fellas weâ€™ve seen do push ups badly. All yours Guy Ritchie and @jmoontasri” | https://t.co/J1X9XWKxHl pic.twitter.com/RT16VahcMv
â€” Jason Statham (@realjstatham) July 1, 2019

Hong Kong Martial Arts Artist, Donnie Yen took it a step up by doing the challenge blindfolded and purely with a sweep’s kick.

 View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Donnie Yen ç”„åä¸¹ (@donnieyenofficial) on Jul 3, 2019 at 2:31am PDT

Malaysians too have started picking up this challenge claiming it as #cabaranpenutupbotol.
Local celebrities like the famous health enthusiast Hairul Azreen (husband to beautiful model Hanis Zalikha) has over 755,000 views and over 150,000 likes in just 1 day with his swing at a 100 plus bottle.

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A post shared by HAIRUL AZREEN IDRIS (@hairulazreen) on Jul 2, 2019 at 4:45am PDT

Of course, Malaysians have tried to be funny with their own versions too.

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A post shared by Namie | 23 | N9 (@namiesmy) on Jul 2, 2019 at 11:49pm PDT

Instagram user namiesmy started off with a silat kind of move which turned out to be him just flicking the bottle cap with his thumb. Well, he has 335,000 views in a mere 19 hours.

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A post shared by SYAMRIAIDIL (@syamriaidilx_) on Jul 2, 2019 at 8:42pm PDT

This martial arts phenomenon has even been caught in classrooms.
Girls don’t worry! There are women who are also participating this smooth martial arts challenge.

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A post shared by Elka & Elza | Women Trainer (@elkaelza) on Jul 3, 2019 at 4:22am PDT

(Pic Credit: Meme generator)

So what are you waiting for? Get those kicks practicing and unleash your inner martial artist!

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A post shared by Hakim Nordin (@akimnordinz) on Jul 3, 2019 at 2:27am PDT