Who Is Mun Chol Myong? The North Korean Businessman Who Caused Malaysia & North Korea To Sever Ties

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A North Korean businessman named Mun Chol Myong is accused by the United States of laundering money to circumvent United States(US) and United Nations (UN) sanctions intended to curb his country’s nuclear weapons programme. He was recently extradited from Malaysia, causing North Korea to cut ties with it.

A 55-year-old Businessman
Prior to his arrest in 2019 and now pending extradition, Mun Chol Myong lived in Malaysia with his family for a decade.
Mun Chol Myong (left) and his lawyer, Jagjit Singh at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in 2019.(Image via Malaysia Gazette)
From there, the FBI alleges he laundered funds through front companies and facilitated shipments of prohibited luxury goods from Singapore on behalf of the North Korean regime, violating both UN and US sanctions.
In his affidavit, Mun denied all allegations and described himself as a victim of a “politically motivated” extradition, unfairly caught between diplomatic crosshairs aimed at pressuring North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program.
The North Korean Embassy in a luxurious section of Kuala Lumpur.(Credit: AFP)
The indictment also stated that Mun had relocated to Malaysia from Singapore, where he worked at a firm called Sinsar Trading which is alleged to have been predominantly focused on the procurement of sanctioned luxury goods such as liquor and tobacco.
A woman, believed to be a staff member, is seen outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.(Credit: Hari Anggara/Malay Mail)
According to US indictments, he is accused of money laundering
Mun is accused of defrauding US banks and laundering money in transactions totaling more than $1.5 million through the American financial system to evade sanctions imposed on North Korea by the US and UN.
North Korea has a well-documented record of cloaking its illicit financial activity abroad through sophisticated money laundering schemes and seemingly legitimate overseas business ventures in Southeast Asia.
The court papers indicated US authorities had indicted others in the case, including “Chinese co-conspirator” companies and individuals whose names were redacted.
Allegedly, he is affiliated with the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) in North Korea.
The indictment against Mun alleges that he is affiliated with the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the primary intelligence organization of North Korea. That entity is the subject of intense US and UN sanctions.
The Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB) is a North Korean intelligence agency that manages the state’s clandestine operations.
The RGB was established in 2009 to consolidate various intelligence and special operations agencies of the North Korean government, meaning that units previously tasked with “political warfare, foreign intelligence, propaganda, subversion and special operations” were merged into one single organization.
His extradition has caused a diplomatic rift between Malaysia & North Korea
Mun’s extradition has sparked a diplomatic dispute between his home country and Malaysia. Both countries have severed ties.
Malaysia had been one of Pyongyang’s few allies. However after the 2017 assassination of North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un’s half-brother at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), ties were severely strained.
After Pyongyang cut ties, Malaysia gave North Korean diplomats 48 hours to leave the country. The North Korean flag was taken down from the country’s embassy and the gates were chained up.
The North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 19 March 2021.(Credit: Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail)
Malaysia denounced Pyongyang’s move and announced it would officially close its mission in North Korea. Malaysia’s operations however had already been suspended since the murder of Kim Jong-un’s half-brother.
He is the first North Korean to be extradited to the United States
His extradition marks for the first time in history that a North Korean businessman has been extradited to the United states to face charges of money laundering as well as for the act of supplying luxury goods to North Korea.
It is also seen as a major development in sanctions enforcement against North Korean activity abroad.
From the Malaysian perspective, it signals Malaysia’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the global financial system as well as countering its global reputation as a hotspot for sanction evasion.
While this single extradition may not hamper North Korea’s overall illicit financial operations in Southeast Asia, responsible nations can leverage Malaysia’s decision when engaging in diplomatic dialogue with other ASEAN member states on issues pertaining to international law and North Korea.

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There’s A NYE Pool Party Happening And I Don’t Want You To Know About It [Review]

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Truth be told, I don’t want to write this article but it was agreed upon in exchange for one day of free access for my wife, our two little boys, my sister, and me at the Beach Pool Club in Gamuda Cove’s Discovery Park.

The Beach Pool Club is basically a restaurant/bar with an attached pool, and once you visit it, you realise this isn’t as common as it should be in the tropical country of Malaysia.
The pool
Pic Credit: Gamuda Cove Discovery Park
The pool is oddly shaped, deepens gradually from the edges, and is lined with small stones that make it practically impossible for wet or dry barefooted people to slip.
This is important to me as my 1-year-old is still learning to walk, my two-year-old runs everywhere, and neither can swim. They waded into the water to whatever depth was comfortable and splashed about.
There are also floaties in the shape of giant flamingos, unicorns, and sharks, and lifeguards watch over everything and keep everyone safe.
A little grotto under a waterfall that lights up towards the evening is a perfect spot to take pictures any time of day or night, and two sunken dry-seating areas are attached to the pool, so swimmers and non-swimmers can chill and chat together.
The poolside
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
I personally preferred to lay back one of about a dozen poolside “beds”. They’re about 6-by-6 feet and very comfortable with four big cushions and a food tray, but there were also many recliners and deck chairs, and four large picnic tables that could each sit around eight adults.
Under a bright shining sun, the whole place looks like it was plucked out of a movie filmed in Miami or L.A. Even the washrooms are remarkably Instagram-worthy.
The restaurant
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
If things get too warm for you, inside the restaurant is air-conditioned and there are tables and booths, as well as a bar to sit at. It’s pleasant enough, but we forgot to take pictures for a very good reason.
When we went, there was a buffet which my wife stormed again and again like it was the beach of Normandy and she was a fearless Allied soldier.
They were serving roasted meats with an array of sauces and good quality hotdogs, tacos and nachos, made-to-order pasta, and desserts like cakes and cream puffs, and ice cream.
Halfway through our visit, they set up a wok outside and fried kuey teow on the spot.
Also during the entirety of our visit, there was a DJ spinning dance tunes, joined by the occasional dance performance and at one point, even a live saxophone player.
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
Why now
The buffet, the DJ, and the live performances are temporary.
The Beach Club is holding a pool party promotion from 11am to midnight on Christmas  Eve and New Year’s Eve.
        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by GL PLAY by Gamuda Land (@glplay.my)
For RM98 per person, you can spend a whole day at the pool, stuffing your face at the aforementioned buffet for lunch, tea, dinner, and supper.
Then at night, you can continue to party and greet the new year in style.
Not only that, but they’re also throwing in a ride on the Cove Aerobar, which is a dining table about 100ft in the sky located just outside, and those who spring for the couple’s combo package priced at RM178 will also get to ride the nearby Goosebumps Rope Course.
For kids aged 3 to 12 years, the price is RM45, while kids under 3 enter and eat for free with a paying adult.
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
It’s a solid deal, especially for families, couples, and groups of friends who have yet to make plans this New Year’s Eve, have the day off work, and want to party affordably but in style.
This leads to the reason why I feel “forced” to write this article: I don’t actually want people to know about this. I want to keep it for myself.
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
It’s a great spot that I only want to share with my friends and family after swearing them to secrecy because I foresee it filling up fast once people learn about it.
But a deal’s a deal. Thanks for a great time, Gamuda. We’ll be back soon.
Pic Credit: Valerie Arnesto/TRP
Those interested can book tickets to The Beach Pool Club Xmas Buffet & Pool Party HERE.

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This Is Why The Malaysian Healthcare System Is The Best In The World

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An article published by a scientific journal website known as Nature negatively implied that Malaysia was lacking in terms of state healthcare.

The journal titled “The scientist-gardener who is harnessing tobacco’s power to heal” contained a quote from London-based molecular immunologist Audrey Teh, who claimed to be a Malaysian, mentioned how  families within the country were bankrupted by medical bills.
Such statements were rebuked by Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah via Twitter two days ago.

Wrong trespassing information on Malaysian Health Care System by molecular immunologist at University College London https://t.co/dvnMKw3VS4— Noor Hisham Abdullah (@DGHisham) November 1, 2020

It is an incorrect and gross misrepresentation of the national health system.Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Malaysian Health director-general via Malay Mail
The Health director-general went on to further state that Malaysia had achieved effective universal health coverage (UHC) in the 1990’s via tax-funded provision of healthcare services.
The Malaysian government provided highly subsidized healthcare for all residents through its extensive network of public hospitals and clinics. Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Malaysian Health director-general via The Star
He also added that a comprehensive range of services including health promotion, disease preventions, curative and rehabilitative care were covered by the system.
All Malaysians are able to gain access to healthcare services with affordable payments while populations that are less fortunate such as the poor, disabled and the elderly are provided free of charge, he continued in a statement released yesterday.
This creates a strong safety net as no one is denied access to required healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay.Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdulla, Malaysian Heath director-general via Malay Mail
According to Dr Noor Hisham, World Health Organization (WHO) also continues to acknowledge Malaysia in terms of providing a quality filled healthcare system and a well-trained workforce.
Dr Noor Hisham (Credit Malay Mail)
As a matter of fact, Malaysia was ranked no.1 in world’s best healthcare category in the 2019 International Living Annual Global Retirement Index.
As seen in the International Living website, our country was ranked first for its world-class healthcare services and sophisticated infrastructure.
There are both private and public hospitals to suit one’s needs albeit the private hospitals being a tad more expensive, it is more up to Western standards than the public hospitals and treatments are affordable for minor visits.International Living via their website
Besides that, the medicinal prescriptions in Malaysia costs a fraction less than what is paid overseas, the attractive services are an added bonus, the website continued.
(Credit: Malay Mail)
Pharmacists, similar to the rest of the Malaysian medical staff are also very well-trained and informed. The Malaysians are friendly people, but it is the genuine interest they take that never ceases to impress, the website finished.

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Via:
Healthcare in Malaysia
Dr Noor Hisham slams scientific journal 'Nature' for claim Malaysia lacks public healthcare.

Source:
Healthcare in Malaysia
Dr Noor Hisham slams scientific journal 'Nature' for claim Malaysia lacks public healthcare.


Cosplayer event this weekend at Quill City Mall

Back in March, Malaysia’s homegrown cosplay, anime, and manga community took a nasty hit due to immigration issues.
However another group have stepped up to organize a new event for this weekend called AniManGaki-Chan (or AMG-Chan).
Taking place at Quill City Mall, this event is going to be a â€œgathering for enthusiasts, fandoms, and followers to celebrate all things geeky.â€

So for two days the mall will be filled with costumes, exhibits, guest appearances, stage performances, and other activities.
You can get your tickets either at the door of the event or purchase them directly from their website.
When looking at events like these, the question on a lot of minds is why do people cosplay?
We asked local cosplayer Ciara Cross this exact question.
(Pic Credit: Adam Majid/GooGame)

â€œI cosplay because I get to dress up and touch more on my creative side. Bringing the character, Iâ€™m cosplaying to life is a real joy! It helps me express myself in many ways I never knew before.â€
 Ciara Cross
Turns out thereâ€™s more to cosplay than just having a costume.

â€œI learn a lot of things in Cosplay, such as make-up, and wig styling.â€
 Ciara Cross
To find out what her current and future cosplay plans look like, you can check out herÂ Instagram, or have a look at an interview she did about herself and cosplayÂ here.
If you want to see Malaysian cosplayers yourself, you can head to Quill City Mall this weekend.


Kind Teacher Wins Hearts After Buying New Shoes For Her Students

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A video of primary school teacher gifting two of her students new shoes recently made waves on social media.

The teacher known as Teacher Nana shared on TikTok that she noticed the two students wearing old school shoes.
From the video it can be observed that the shoes were worn and torn.
Teacher Nana decided to surprise the kids with new AllAmerica black shoes.
The reaction of the kids was pure and beautiful, tugging at the hearts of viewers. One of the kids when asked if the show was her size, replied by saying that it was fine even it was a little loose.
Also when asked why they did not purchase new shoes, one of the kids said her mother did not have the money for it.
Teacher Nana also made sure that the shoes were comfortable for them, which can be observed from the video.
Netizens were touched by the teacher’s actions and poured out their wishes in the comment section.

Such teachers not only impart knowledge and wisdom, but also help to shape the society to be better.
It is clear Teacher Nana has made a big difference in the kids’ lives.
We support kind teachers!

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The Kapitan Cina Of Perak: A Showcase Of The Splendours Of British Malaya

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From the start of the British colonial era to pre-war Malaya, the tin-mining industry created untold wealth for the overseas Chinese to flaunt their wealth.

Rare and precious artifacts from the era can now be seen through a multifaceted lens at Phin Kee Chan, the former headquarters of Kapitan Cina Chung Thye Phin.
Thye Phin, who inherited the tin empire from his father – the famous Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee – built Phin Kee Chan in Ipoh, and rightfully so.
Once upon a time not too long ago, Ipoh was the center of one of the world’s biggest tin mining towns.
Completed in 1905, the three-story building survived the passages of time.
It became a dispensary in the 30s until the early 2000s when it was sold to a private owner.
In 2011, history and heritage enthusiast Michael Chan bought the place and renamed it Arlene House after his wife Arlene Loke.
Visitors admiring a fully-functioning wind-up gramophone at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
A New Lease Of Life
After much labor of love, Arlene House is now a treasure trove of entertaining and informative exhibits.
Chan, together with his wife, returned Phin Kee Chan to its former glory with more than 10 years of preservation, conservation and restoration work.
Arlene House is setting an example in attracting younger audiences to museums. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
With the theme ‘Made In Ipoh’, Arlene House takes visitors on a journey of history and heritage edutainment.
Arlene House has sections on the different era that marks the pre-Merdeka history while exploring artifacts thematically such as war and plunder, personal luxuries, trade and sensual pleasures.
Taiping Heritage Society members posing with classic mahjong set at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Arlene House is a heritage, history, culture and art edutainment gallery cum museum that showcased the stories, life and legacy of the last Kapitan of Malaya and Ipoh.Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on the purpose of Arlene House
Chan took great pains to fill the place with wide-ranging items from the colonial days, such as a gramophone, Mandarin robe, gambling table, Baba Nyonya bed and more.
Chan (center) explaining the history of Malaya to visitors at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
He also replicated the Kapitan’s working desk, complete with the office equipment of that era such as a vintage cheque writer, a marble sculpture tray and an abacus.
Arlene House also turns back the clock with old photographs, posters and illustrations.
At the same time, the place evokes the memories of youth with games and toys of yesteryear.
Where It All Started
A staff curating the exhibits at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Chan said it was by chance that he came across the building sometime in 2010.
My wife and I knew its existence much earlier but did not really give it much thought. Neither did we notice its detailed built heritage until we admired it from afar. Its charming architectural designs and trademarks were unfolded when we scrutinized the facade carefully.Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on how Arlene House started
When he came up with the idea to turn the place into a museum, Chan was met with skepticism and ridicule.
The place was run down and required substantial money to give it the facelift it deserves.
Keng Kwee’s son Thye Phin was so influential as a businessman, he even minted his own money. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Family and friends advised him against the idea as they consider it to be financially risky.
But Chan, who worked as a corporate advisor previously, took the risk and decided to give it a go.
We hope that history and heritage will connect with Malaysians of all ages and background because it shows that we all share a common origin, and the nation had come together because of the people.Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on the value of history and heritage
Among the challenge was deciding which objects to put in.
It had to be something beautiful but also something with a really interesting story.
Traditional Chinese wedding dress on display at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
The Man From China
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Keng Kwee’s birthday.
But who is he?
According to Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang, both Keng Kwee and his son Thye Phin were prominent tin miners, with Thye Phin being the last Kapitan China of Perak and Malaya.
A philanthropic millionaire and a pioneer in the field of tin mining, Keng Kwee is the founder of the modern city of Taiping in Perak.
Keng Kwee was also among the first in Malaya to own an automobile, the Ford Model T.
READ MORE: From Gangsta’s Paradise To Nature’s Sanctuary: Taiping Lake Gardens Was Once Home To The Triads
An aerial view of Taiping Lake Gardens. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Based in Penang, he was revered by the Chinese and European communities in the Straits Settlements during the British colonial period. His survival in the turbulent era was due to his position as leader of Hai San, a Chinese secret society in British Malaya during the Larut Wars from 1862 to 1873.Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang to TRP on Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee
An artist’s impression of the Larut Wars between Hai San and its rival Ghee Hin. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
He was one of the six members of the Perak State Advisory Council appointed by the British Straits government.
When he passed away, Thye Phin, who is the fourth son, took over the family business.
When Thye Phin passed away in March 1935, he was said to be the wealthiest man in Penang.
A solitary tomb on a hill in Taiping where some of the battles in the Larut Wars were fought. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Why We Must Remember
Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said there’s more to history than knowing times and dates, and general facts surrounding a historical event.
The exploits of the Kapitan Cina, he said, are not only valuable for the nation’s history and heritage.
Their insights into the political contexts, the trading networks they established, and the partnertship they forged with the Malays, would help present generations to appreciate the nation’s racial diversity more thoroughly.Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng to TRP on the Kapitan Cina
Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang (left) and Taiping Heritage Association president Yeap Thean Eng presenting the front cover of an upcoming book on Chung Keng Kwee. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
He said the stories of the Kapitan Cina will increase Malaysians’ cultural awareness and moral understanding of the world we live in.
Playing its part, the Taiping Heritage Society and Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang conducted a three-day tour to mark the bicentennial of Keng Kwee and his Malay partner Ngah Ibrahim.
Ngah Ibrahim’s fort near Taiping still stands to this day. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
The celebration included a luncheon attended by Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Orang Besar Jajahan Larut Matang and Selama Wan Mohd Isa Wan Mohd Razali and Taiping MP Teh Kok Lim.
The association also visited various historical sites in Taiping, where Keng Kwee first forged his fame and fortune together with Long Jaafar, Ngah Ibrahim’s father.
The Taiping Heritage Society and Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang visit the official residence of Ngah Ibrahim in Taiping when he was the administrator of the district of Larut. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
A book to mark Chung Keng Kwee’s bi-centennial celebration will also be published.
At the same time, a gala dinner attended by descendants of Keng Kwee and his Malay partner Ngah Ibrahim was held in Taiping.
Keng Kwee’s fifth-generation descendants, Chung Lai Foong (left) and her sister Chung Lai Yin. (Credit: Fernando Fong)
Admittedly, much remains lost to the pages of history due to a lack of written accounts, especially concerning the everyday life of the common people from the era.
Yeap expressed hope that the void will spur the desire for informed citizenship and critical thinking, to research and to raise general awareness among the public.
Gaining knowledge and understanding of historical events and trends, especially during the colonial period, allows us to develop a much greater appreciation for where we are today.Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng to TRP on learning history and heritage
The gala dinner to commemorate Keng Kwee and Ngah Ibrahim brought Malaysians together. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

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Armed Forces Veterans Say They Received Approval For Demonstration & Question Police Probe

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An army veteran, Mior Rosli Mior Jaafar, questioned why the police are investigating a peaceful demonstration at Tugu Negara on Monday when the group already received the go-ahead.

He claimed that the veterans had a meeting with the police on 31 May and reached a “verbal agreement” to allow them to hold the event at Tugu Negara during which traffic control, ambulances and police protection would be provided, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
I assumed what they (police) said was true, that the event was approved. We were not marching, nor were we provoking the government. We just wanted to speak about our rights. We made sacrifices for this country during the Emergency. We were the ones who protected this country from the communists, and this is how we are treated? It is not right to treat the veterans this way.Army veteran, Mior Rosli Mior Jaafar
Di Tugu Negara hari ini pic.twitter.com/tWm9vMsK05— zareen (@ZareenH_s) June 6, 2022
Another veteran, Rafique Ali Ahmad Nordin, was also part of the group that met with the police on 31 May.
He said two police officers came to see him in Seremban on 2 June to clarify some matters.
We were sure that they (police) had given us verbal approval.Army veteran, Rafique Ali Ahmad Nordin
He also shared a Whatsapp message which outlined the alleged details of the “arrangement” reached between both parties.
What was the peaceful demonstration about?
On Monday (6 June), about 2,000 retired soldiers gathered at Tugu Negara to call for better treatment of army veterans in the nation.
They asked for a review of the pension rate and pension payments for those who served in the armed forces for fewer than 21 years.
READ MORE: [Watch] “If They Can’t Take Care Of Us, Step Down” Veterans Rallied At Tugu Negara Urging For Pension Review
The group of veterans also asked for those who were dismissed for disciplinary misconduct to be granted amnesty. Currently, those who were dismissed lose their veteran privilege and rights to receive a pension as stated in the Army Veteran Act 2002.
Some were dismissed a year before their retirement while some are dismissed on offences that do not merit a discharge or dismissal in other public services.
Image: @ZareenH_s/ Twitter
To make things worse, most retired army personnel ranked Lieutenant Colonel and below are currently in the B40 group.
READ MORE: Bekas Anggota ATM Terharu Terima Rumah Selepas 20 Tahun Tinggal Dalam Kereta
Without naming anyone, the group urged the minister in charge of the veterans of the armed forces to quit if he doesn’t want to take care of the veteran’s welfare.
Despite holding a peaceful demonstration, six individuals have been summoned by the police for questioning.
An investigation paper has been opened under Section 9 of the Peaceful Assembly Act. Under Section 9 of the Act, organisers are required to notify the relevant district police chiefs at least 10 days before an assembly is held. Guilty persons can be fined not more than RM10,000.
Dang Wangi district police chief Noor Dellhan Yahaya said the police were also looking for several others to assist in the investigation.
READ MORE: Police Calls In 6 Individuals Over Veteran’s Rally At Tugu Negara

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Everything You Know About Eggs Are Wrong: 7 Facts You Need To Know

The most universally beloved food is probably the humble egg. From roti telur to Maggi goreng tambah telur mata, eggs elevate every Malaysian dish.
Despite how popular flowing poached egg videos are on Instagram, plenty of people are still misteggken about key egg facts, and weâ€™re here to set things straight.
1. Limit yourself to three eggs a week
We believe this is a lie made up by egg-haters to deter us from enjoying the goodness of eggs.
Certainly there should be no limit on the most nutritious food on the planet?
If you scoff at an egg-limit, youâ€™re right. Thereâ€™s absolutely no reason to eat less delicious eggy goodness. Go ahead and get your tambah telur with pride!
The more telur, the tastier the roti.(Credit: Pinterest)
2. Egg yolk has high cholesterol
The cholesterol found in eggs does not affect blood cholesterol at all. In fact, egg yolks contain valuable nutrients including Omega-3, and shouldnâ€™t be overlooked.
Egg yolk wonâ€™t make you fat either! Itâ€™s a fantastic source of protein and is low in saturated fat. If anything, it helps you lose weight instead.
You can eat all these eggs and still be fine.(Credit: NutriPlus)
3. Colour of the egg follows the colour of the chicken
You would assume, logically, that the colors would match- but not necessarily.
Different breeds of chicken lay different colored eggs, but there isnâ€™t a difference between brown or white eggs either.
A brown chicken doesn’t necessarily mean brown eggs.(Credit: Pixabay)
4. Eggs must be refrigerated
Not in Malaysia. Only a few countries in the world machine-wash eggs, which strips the egg of its natural protective layer. Most Malaysian eggs are not machine-washed, which means they can be kept on the kitchen counter with no problem.
However, keeping your eggs in its original carton in your fridge will help to extend its shelf life and also keep it from absorbing funky odours.
Make sure youâ€™re eating yummy fresh eggs.(Credit: NutriPlus)
5. Eggs are cruel because they are baby chickens
Not true at all! Chickens lay eggs on their own every day due to the daylight cycle. Commercial eggs are also unfertilised, because the hens and roosters are separated.
Technically, chicken eggs are like the fowl-version of a daily menstrual cycle (instead of a monthly one!).
Mmm… eggs.(Credit: Pixabay)
6. Orange egg yolks are better
Did you grow up thinking that the darker the color of the yolk, the better? Actually, the color doesnâ€™t determine the taste or quality of the egg at all.
The color of the yolk is determined by what the chicken eats. If the chicken feed includes marigold, alfalfa, or corn, the yolk will end up dark orange.
(Credit: Shutterstock)
7. Bigger eggs are better
When it comes to eggs, size actually does matter. In short, the more nutrients a hen gets, the bigger her eggs.
Plus, most recipes call for large eggs, so you can get a better-tasting dish at the end of the day with a larger egg.
Plus, the Jumbo comes in either 6- or 10-packs!(Credit: Nutriplus)

We love eggs, especially when theyâ€™re locally-farmed and nutritious. Treat yourself to eggy goodness with NutriPlus Jumbo eggs this World Egg Day! Ps. thanks NutriPlus for sharing the egg love!
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Covid-19: Klang Valley Records 198 New Cases, Two New Clusters In Petaling & Titiwangsa

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Klang Valley records 198 new Covid-19 cases today – 19.6% of the 1,009 new cases nationwide.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah also revealed that two new clusters were detected today in Petaling, Selangor and Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur respectively.
Covid-19 in Selangor today
Selangor records 180 new cases today, largely from existing clusters (82 cases) but one case from the newly detected Tamar Cluster.
The Tamar Cluster is located in Petaling district with a total of 10 infections involving foreign nationals.
The index case (Case 32, 410) is a 32-year-old foreign national who tested positive for Covid-19 on November 1st after developing symptoms.
Close contact screening revealed further positive cases amongst his co-workers.
Selangor lapor 180 kes.82 dari kluster sedia ada, 1 dari kluster Tamar (baharu). 53 dari saringan kontak rapat. 3 pula saringan pulang dari kawasan berisiko tinggi.1 kes SARI turut dikesan manakala 37 kes lainnya adalah dari lain-lain saringan. Baki 3 lagi adalah kes import. pic.twitter.com/KX5xZOuajy— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) November 5, 2020
Covid-19 in Kuala Lumpur today
Kuala Lumpur reports 14 new Covid-19 cases today, of which four infections are from the new Danau Cluster in Titiwangsa.
The index case of this new cluster (Case 28,286) tested positive for Covid-19 on 28 October.
Screening of the 55-year-old man’s close contacts revealed 7 infections, including family members and social contacts.
Danau Cluster currently comprises 8 cases and has expanded to the third generation of infections.
KL lapor 17 kes.2 daripada kluster sedia ada, 4 dari kluster Danau (baharu). 3 daripada saringan kontak rapat dan 5 daripada lain-lain saringan. Baki 3 lagi adalah kes import.Putrajaya pula melaporkan 1 kes iaitu kes daripada lain-lain saringan. #kkm pic.twitter.com/H4WzHctnDA— KKMalaysia🇲🇾 (@KKMPutrajaya) November 5, 2020
Putrajaya is officially an orange zone
Although Putrajaya records only one new case today, it has officially been designated as an orange zone by the Health Ministry.
This classification is marked for areas where there are 21 to 40 Covid-19 cases detected.
Dr Noor Hisham had earlier stated the orange zone categorisation is an alert for authorities to take action, instead of waiting for the area to be considered as a red zone.
READ MORE: MOH Considering Adding “Orange Zone” As An Alert To Implement CMCO

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Sabah Tailor Forced To Work For Free By Fickle Customer

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Every job has its challenges.

That’s what Grettel Paul Lohuji, a tailor from Sandakan, Sabah, went through when she was recently faced with a picky customer.
According to the 27-year-old woman, she was sad because her efforts burning the midnight oil for three days were wasted and failed to bring her any profit.
Grettel said the customer is actually from Melaka and knows her through the TikTok app.
She had wanted to book her services for a long time, but Grettel didn’t accept it.
Speaking to mStar, Grettel said she felt sorry for her and finally took the order.
She gave me a picture to use as an example. I told her, this booking is difficult, it won’t be 100 percent the same as in the picture. But she told me to try. It’s really hard, I didn’t sleep for three days until dawn.Tailor Grettel Paul Lohuji on her hard work being in vain.
A screenshot of the conversation between Grettel and her customer. (Pix: TikTok/@grettelpll)
All For Nothing
Grettel was happy to inform the customer when the dress was ready.
But when Grettel sent her a picture, the customer said it didn’t suit her eyes, so she tried to change it slightly.
It’s almost the same even though it’s not 100 per cent, but still, he’s not satisfied.
Saddened by the response received, Grettel finally returned the deposit amounting to RM200 because she did not want to have a long argument with the customer.
Honestly, I was really sad. So I returned the RM200 deposit that she had paid before. The sad thing is not because of the cost, but because she is not satisfied. But that’s okay, I’ve only opened the shop for a year.Tailor Grettel Paul Lohuji on wanting to protect her name and not arguing with customers.
Grettel’s situation drew the sympathy of netizens who empathised with her.

At the time of writing, her TikTok post had been viewed more than 500,000 times and with over 3,000 comments.
Netizens also consoled her by saying that the finished dress was beautiful and of excellent workmanship.

Be Considerate Of Others
While cancelling an order after the product has been delivered is not ideal, it is sometimes necessary for certain situations.
For example, if the product is damaged or defective, the customer can cancel the order and request a refund or replacement.
Similarly, if the product does not meet the customer’s expectations or needs, they may choose to cancel the order.
Pukul 6 pagi tlg adik order grab nak pegi kerja,nampak mcm tak gerak trs cancel letak “Driver request to cancel”.Hidup ni jangan complicated sangat.Grab driver is carpool sbrnya bukan taxi.Diorg rasa Tak convenient nak ambil,they wont https://t.co/6OgciXlYfm cust pun kena bijak. pic.twitter.com/dJ0iIm4pd9— zheelyn (@Zheelyn2) February 27, 2023
However, cancelling an order after the product has been delivered can be costly for the seller, as they may have already incurred expenses related to shipping and handling.
Additionally, it can be time-consuming and inconvenient for the seller to process a cancellation and refund.
In general, it’s best for customers to carefully consider their purchase before placing an order to minimize the need for cancellations after delivery.
If a cancellation is necessary, it’s important to communicate with the seller promptly and clearly to ensure a smooth resolution.
READ MORE: “Cancel Lah Bye” – Customer Rudely Cancels 30 Packs Of Doughnut Order Last Minute

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5 People Who Should Definitely Get The New Samsung Galaxy A52

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The new Samsung Galaxy A52 looks like it could be the perfect smartphone for anyone who’s looking for an all-in-one gadget to put in their pocket.

Priced at just RM1,499, the phone includes some decently high-end features that are usually only available on more expensive devices.
Since Samsung was gracious enough to give us an AWESOME blue A52 in exchange for a review, we’re giving you our take on who should get one and why, keeping in mind that some features are attractive to more than one type of person.
READ MORE: Our First Look At The AWESOME Blue Samsung Galaxy A52
1. The content consumer
If you’re looking to overdose on your daily content and entertainment then you’ll be more than satisfied with the A52’s 6.5-inch “Super AMOLED Infinity-O” display which, in normal speak, means that it’s a very nice screen to watch videos on.
Able to support full high definition (Full-HD) content, the screen is bright and colourful to the eyes, and once you get used to it, you won’t even notice the phone’s slim bezels and the tiny punch-hole selfie camera.
Easily watch HD videos outdoors.(CreditL TRP)
The A52 also sounds good. The two, top and bottom, speakers are pretty clear even with the volume at low and really fill a room when you crank them up high.
Additionally, it also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack which is always a win and not guaranteed nowadays.
(Credit: TRP)
On the very plus side, the A52’s IP67 water and dust resistance rating also means that you can continue streaming your videos while taking a steamy shower without being too worried about it getting wet.
Let the phone get wet.(Credit: TRP)
2. The ‘git-gud’ gamers
The A52 does a rather amazing job at being a mobile gaming device. Its slim design means that it fits just nicely into your palms whether you’re holding it vertically or horizontally, and it’s lightweight enough that you won’t be straining those giggity gaming fingers.
(Credit: TRP)
Running on Samsung’s signature Octa-core processor together with 256GB of storage and 8GB of memory means that you can definitely download and play the bigger and more graphic intensive games out there like Genshin Impact or fast-paced multiplayer games like Call of Duty Mobile.
However, the A52 really shines at giving you a smooth gaming experience with a screen refresh rate of 90Hz, a rare feature for smartphones at this price range. Having a high refresh rate means that any movement on your screen would appear more fluid as the display updates or refreshes itself quickly.
The device performs admirably with the graphics settings set on high. However, it can struggle to maintain a high frame rate at the same time which can make your game lag a little here and there. Just keep your settings at default and things should be fine.
Genshin Impact running on the highest graphic settings.(Credit: TRP)
It also does warm up slightly as you pile on your gaming hours, but not too much for it to be a distraction.
Of course, the A52’s 4,500mAh battery can only last you so long while gaming, which makes its fast charging mode even more interesting if you have a 25W charger available.
3. The endless scrollers
High screen refresh rates are not only good for gaming but great for just using the A52 to endlessly scroll through the internet. Browsing through social media apps like Instagram or Facebook somehow feels lighter as you glide through pages without the screen jittering.
(Credit TRP)
The A52 also comes pre-installed with Samsung’s “Eye Comfort Shield” and quick feature, enabling you to automatically adjust the phone’s brightness and colour temperature so it’s easier on the eyes at any time of the day.
4. Tik-Tokers
For those who are active on social media or enjoy taking a few quick shots for the photo bank, the A52’s quad-camera setup does a well enough job at capturing vibrant pictures with its 64MP main camera and 12MP ultrawide angle camera.
(Credit: TRP)
Plus its 5MP macro camera and 5MP depth sensor also allow you to get nice close-up shots and portrait photos.
(Credit: TRP)
For those who are aiming at Tik-Tok’s “For You” page, then you’ll be happy to find that the A52 can capture full-HD videos and can go all the way up to recording ultra-HD, 4K videos.
The phone can also record in “Super Steady” mode which is great for people with shaky hands or for you to be shakin while making those bussin Tik-Tok dance videos. The A52 also come with Samsung’s “Fun” mode as well as interactive artificial reality (AR) features to splash more colour into your content.
(Credit: TRP)
5. WFH-ers
With online classes and working from home (WFH) being the norm today, the A52’s selfie camera does a great job at making you look decent on a conference call – though we would recommend sitting in good lighting to get the best out of the 32MP front camera.
The phone also doesn’t slow down too much when you have multiple apps opened at the same time and its “split-screen” function comes in really handy for the times you’d need to multitask on a small device such as this.
(Credit: TRP)
Its 4,500mAh battery can also provide you with enough power for 24 hours on a single charge and it also comes with a dual-sim card tray and expandable storage.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that Samsung promises to keep providing regular software updates for the A52 for up to four years, giving the phone some longevity.
Nitpicks
Despite being a well-rounded device with some great features, the A52’s plastic body can feel a bit flimsy at times and tends to rattle around the frames when you give it a tight squeeze. But as most people would be using a phone casing anyway, it won’t be too much of a problem.
The phone also comes with a lot of bloatware or less than useful apps that you can’t actually get rid of. However, if you are a fan of Samsung’s mobile ecosystem then you’ll feel right at home with the redesigned One UI 3 operating system which makes things slightly more organised while maintaining that standard Android device feel.
Final thoughts
Overall, the A52 makes a good fit for being the phone to have if you’re looking for something that feels and functions like it’s expensive, but not too much of a burden on your bank account.
Samsung’s interface also makes it relatively easy for anyone who’s not too tech-savvy to quickly pick up on how to use this smartphone besides helping those who already own an Android device to easily switch over to the A52.
I myself will be replacing my now-obsolete 2017 Galaxy Note 8 for the A52 so do keep an eye out on TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more content coming from this awesome phone.

BTW, If you are instead looking for more advance features and willing to spend a bit more cash, check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ which starts at RM3,499.
READ MORE: Samsung Galaxy S21: A Great Compact Phone For 2021 [Showcase]
Or, find out our thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro noise-cancelling earphones.
READ MORE: Active Noise Cancelling & Great Sound For Under RM1k? Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro [Showcase]

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Malaysia Looking At RM12 Billion Loss Due To Palm Oil Workers Shortage

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The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has a new victim in the palm oil industry where worker shortages means that farmers are set to lose 25% of their annual production, which translates to a staggering loss of USD2.8 billion (~ RM12 billion).
Bloomberg reports that the tightened restrictions on travel for workers and deportation of migrants as the industry relies heavily on documented and undocumented workers, especially from Indonesia, Bangladesh and India.
Dutch financial services and banking company Rabobank estimates that over 70% of Malaysia’s palm oil workers are migrants.
Chief executive at the Malaysian Palm Oil Association Datuk Nageeb Wahab told the news agency that when people left in the past, new people also came. However, with the Movement Control Order (MCO) in place, there is no one coming in and there may be more leaving soon after.
Analysts at Fitch are also expecting the government to implement stricter immigration regulations to battle the pandemic. They say this will likely aggravate the labour challenges in the palm oil industry.
Despite being Malaysia’s most important agricultural crop -it is the largest agricultural contributor to the Gross Domestic Product – there is little progress in the way of automation, largely due to the fragility of the fruit.

Palm Oil: How This West African Plant Became Malaysiaâ€™s Cash Cow

Palm oil is mostly harvested by hand, the trees need regular pruning and the fruits need to be harvested quickly or the rotting will increase the acidity of the soil.
The industry is also facing stiff competition from Indonesia where the growing industry offers higher wages.
Bloomberg states that in better times, farmers might have raised wages to attract labour but with the economic turbulence and volatility of the market, it’s simply not an option.

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Source:
Malaysia Farms Face $3 Billion Hit From Palm Oil Worker Shortage
Selected Agricultural Indicators, Malaysia, 2019


“Almost Didn’t See It!” Thin Butter Slices On Toast Shocked Customer At Local Eatery

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The prices of goods are expected to go up next month, but some citizens are already feeling the pinch when they’re shopping or eating out.

A netizen Shawn Wee recently shared pictures of his kaya butter toast supposedly from OldTown White Coffee, and there were super thin slices of butter on all of his toasts.
Wow! I almost didn’t see the butter!Facebook user Shawn Wee wrote in the caption.
Shawn posted the pictures in a Facebook group on 18 May and it gained 1.3k shares and 4.5k likes.
Image: Shawn Wee/ FB
Netizens were both amused and shocked at the tiny amount of butter on the toasts because the butter spread was more generous before. A few of them honestly thought the thin strips of butter were French fries.
To demonstrate how little butter there was, they joked that the picture had to be enlarged to spot it. Another netizen said it was just best not to serve the kaya and butter toast at this rate.
Hopefully, this serving at the eatery was only a fluke and not a sign of times to come.

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MySejahtera Helpdesk Now Addresses Appointment Issues

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As much as we depend on the MySejahtera app for almost everything mobility and vaccine related, it is not perfect. Even today, the folks from the app released a statement on Twitter which basically said ‘try uninstalling and installing it back again’ if your app is unresponsive.

For some of you, who face unresponsive 'Check-In' page, kindly uninstall and reinstall the MYSJ app. Kindly note that 'Check-In' history in the app will be reset when reinstalled due to security reasons. MOH contact tracing database has a record of all your check-ins.— MySejahtera (@my_sejahtera) June 5, 2021

It’s a terrible hassle especially when you’re in a hurry and it crashes on the check-in screen.
For those of us who are concerned about our vaccination appointments and check the app every day, The Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) today tweeted out that there are some new options in the MySejahtera Helpdesk section.

Here are some notable options you should check out:
Vaccination Appointment

This option is for those who had trouble during the second AstraZeneca vaccination signup. Sadly it is not for us who just want our vaccine appointments now.
60 years old and above but haven’t received my appointment (Phase 2)

If you have an elderly parent or loved one and they have not got their appointment, tap this. Whatever you do, make sure they get on that vaccination list.
I want more information on Vaccine – Covid 19

There are a lot of options for useful information here. It answers questions that you may have ranging from ‘hey, why is my vaccination status stuck at assessment’, to ‘when is my appointment’, to ‘can me and my spouse get the same appointment date?’.
As expected, most of the options at the help desk would lead you to information instead of a form where you can voice your concerns. Still, information can be very useful and if you are still not satisfied, you can email the JKJAV at info@vaksincovid.gov.my or call them at the JKJAV hotline: 1 800-888-828.

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Sg Petani Drain Water Turns Shocking Shade Of Green, Residents Alarmed

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According to Berita Harian Online, residents of Kampung Bakar Kapur, Penghulu Him, Sungai Petani, are worried after seeing their nearby drain water turned green.

They believe that this is due to water pollution by irresponsible disposal of toxic waste from a housing contractor project nearby.
With the polluted water only seen in the drain, the residents were worried if it’ll affect the water flowing there as the drain is connected to the Muda River, the longest river in Kedah, and a source of income for some villagers.
Besides that, glimpses of dead fishes accompanied by the foul-smelling water have been bothering the residents since last Wednesday.
The drain water captured on Wednesday was an unusual bright shade of green.(Credit: Warga Sungai Petani Kedah/Facebook)
A local eatery owner, Ramizan Marzukir, 54, said that he noticed the weird looking water when one of his customers pointed out that there’s an awful smell.
The customer further investigated and found that the smell was coming from the drain near his restaurant which surprisingly turned green at the time. The matter was brought to him and also the village head.
Another determined villager tried to find the cause of this problem and detected around 16 big blue barrels believed to be filled with toxic waste in the housing construction site in Penghulu Him, said Ramizan.
(Credit: Anis Farhana / Facebook)
Both Ramizan and the village head went to the housing construction site and asked the contractor about the incident, only to be given a fishy answer saying that that is only the case of the use of shampoo to clean the houses there.
Doubtful of the incredulous answer, they contacted the Kedah Environmental Department (JAS) to investigate further. It is believed that a water sample from the drain is taken for testing and the area is sealed temporarily by them until the results are acquired.
Reports note that the water returned to a normal colour after the incident. However, deposits of waste material were still seen in the drain near the residential homes.

According to Minister of Environment and Water, Yang Berhormat Ustaz Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim bin Tuan Man through his Facebook, in an ongoing investigation, JAS Kedah has found around 52 blue barrels, 22 of them believed to contain paint before.
(Credit: Dato’ Sri Tuan Ibrahim bin Tuan Man / Facebook)
JAS also found plenty of cosmetic waste at the location nearby. They have confiscated the barrels and took samples for further inspection. Besides calling the contractor representative for questioning, JAS has also sent this issue to Solid Waste And Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) for more action.

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BNM: Please Change Your Cash If It Looks Like This

You might think that money is still money, no matter what. But it turns out there are a number of things that could actually make your banknotes valueless andâ€¦basically useless.
Besides being the only legal organisation to issue Malaysian banknotes and coins, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is also responsible for making sure that the Malaysian currency that passes through our hands on a daily basis are in good condition (read: clean and pretty).
â€œFitâ€ banknotes
Trying To Get Fit Like GIF from Healthy GIFs

For one, this ensures that the notes and coins can be easily and reliably checked for genuineness. Besides that, the cleanliness of our banknotes will, to some extent, be reflective of the image of the country.
To figure out whether or not your banknotes have value, you can carry out a â€œfitness checkâ€ on each individual banknote and coin. Yep, even money has fitness tests.
Notes and coins that fall below the accepted quality are labelled as â€œunfit currencyâ€.
1. Soiled notes
(Credit: BNM)
Basically dirty notes lah.
It doesnâ€™t matter if the dirt is dry or liquid or if the dirt is localised or smeared across the entire banknote, theyâ€™re all considered soiled.
2. Limp note
(Credit: BNM)
Itâ€™s those banknotes that have been in your friendâ€™s pockets for too long while they sweated in the sweltering heat of Malaysian weather. The type that when you hold it youâ€™re also like â€œeuwâ€.
Sometimes the money also smells like their sweaty pocket. Though we would not recommend that you do a smell test.
3. Crumpled/Shrunk notes
(Credit: BNM)
You know those banknotes that get smushed into your wallet in a panic after you pay for your lunch in line at a busy food court?
Yeah, those are technically unfit currency now. So try not to do that anymore, okay.
Also, now you know that exposing that new plastic-y notes to heat will make them melt and shrink.
4. Defaced notes
(Credit: BNM)
Just because money is â€œtechnicallyâ€ made from paper, that doesnâ€™t mean you should write on them. And even if you do, you should know that these notes no longer have any monetary value.
So, make sure itâ€™s worth it. Like getting the autograph of a famous person, or writing on it to mark a special occasion. That way, even if theyâ€™re valueless, they are also priceless.

5. Ink worn notes
(Credit: BNM)
You know those notes that look like theyâ€™ve had a really hard life.
Like, theyâ€™ve been through so much that now the ink on the notes have started to fade. Yeah, have those changed. Itâ€™s time to let them rest.
6. Torn notes
(Credit: BNM)
These are literally the worst. Sometimes the aunty at the food court wonâ€™t accept them and the autopay machines will always reject them.
How does one accidentally tear money?! And how did it end up in MY wallet???
7. Holy Holey notes
(Credit: BNM)
Personally, weâ€™ve never seen these ourselves. But like, seriously thoughâ€¦what happened?
8. Repaired notes
(Credit: BNM)
JUST 👏🏼 BECAUSE 👏🏼 YOU 👏🏼 TAPED 👏🏼 IT 👏🏼 UP 👏🏼 THAT 👏🏼 DOESNâ€™T 👏🏼 MAKE 👏🏼 IT 👏🏼 OKAY 👏🏼.
9. Notes with folded corners
(Credit: BNM)
Wait, what? But thatâ€™s basically all our banknotes.
No wonder autopay machines always spit these back out.
10. Burnt/Termite infested notes
(Credit: BNM)
DONâ€™T. EVER. BURN. YOUR. MONEY.
Like whyyy??? Youâ€™re literally burning your money.
On top of that, we believe that termite-infested notes are probably a sign that you might have an even bigger problemâ€¦
11. Composed banknote
(Credit: BNM)
Composed banknotes are banknotes that are made up of two or more different banknotes being taped together to create a single banknote.
And we repeat: JUST 👏🏼 BECAUSE 👏🏼 YOU 👏🏼 TAPED 👏🏼 IT 👏🏼 UP 👏🏼 THAT 👏🏼 DOESNâ€™T 👏🏼 MAKE 👏🏼 IT 👏🏼 OKAY 👏🏼.
12. Missing security feature
(Credit: BNM)
Yes, that shiny thing that runs down the side of your banknote isnâ€™t just to make the note look good. That holographic design LEAD (Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device) strip is meant as a security feature. There are other security features on our banknotes too.
If these get worn or removed, your money cannot be used anymore.
Rich Ringgit GIF from Rich GIFs

Thankfully all monies falling into any of the 12 categories mentioned above can be replaced or exchanged for fit currency at any BNM branch or bank.
Only counterfeit banknotes cannot be exchanged for valuable currency.

Did this article help clear out anything you didnâ€™t know about Malaysian currency? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!


Malaysian Face Mask Manufacturers Might Go Out Of Business

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As the coronavirus throws a wrench into global economies and trade, Malaysian businesses are inevitably feeling the financial crunch of the Covid-19 pandemic.Â
Local face mask manufacturers say that the new fixed ceiling price for face masks, set at RM1.50 per piece, might consequently drive them out of business.
Haminnuddin Hamid, CEO of Ideal Healthcare Sdn Bhd told FMT that high import duties and increasing costs for raw materials put pressure on domestic producers to compete with importers.
Most stores have sold out their supply of face masks and shortages have been reported across the world.(Credit: Miera Zulyana/Malay Mail)
Haminnuddin said that itâ€™s currently difficult to import raw materials from overseas and that the cost to produce face masks had spiked to more than 600%.
He explained that his company, one of the countryâ€™s major manufacturers of disposable medical products, will stop its production line once they’ve used up all available materials.
The Health Ministry also advocates the use of face masks only when you are sick or showing symptoms of illness.(Credit MOH/Twitter)
The CEO said that Ideal Healthcare was responsible for roughly 25% of Malaysiaâ€™s domestic production of face masks.
Reportedly, our supply of surgical masks used in hospitals and clinics nationwide is mainly imported from China.
China is ramping up its production of face masks amid global demand.(Credit: Nikkei New Asia Review/ Reuters)
Face masks, including the three-ply surgical masks, are items that are priced-controlled by the government. The new ceiling price is 50 sen cheaper than the RM2 price previously announced before it was revised due to public backlash.
Before the pandemic, the price of face masks was set at RM0.80 per piece.

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Source:
Price too low, face mask producer says will stop output
Unmasking the story behind the shortage
Government Will Lower Price Of Masks After Backlash For Increasing It


A Herd Of Cows Spotted In Front Of Bank In Klang

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*Insert your preferred â€œNature is healing, we are the virusâ€ meme*
A small herd of cows had apparently hoofed their way to the bank, assumingly to make a quick withdrawal.
In an udderly amusing viral video, the cash cows were seen queuing up in front of a Bank Islam outlet, supposedly somewhere in sub-urban Klang, Selangor.
Posted by Twitter user Nadia Azlan, the 31-second clip shows the animals idly standing in a line towards the entrances of the bank.
Bank Islam viral! Queue sampai kat luar bank! Ramai betul yang nak keluarkan duit hari ni. Mohon jaga social distancing masing masing. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/gHrBoQrhQCâ€” Nadia Azlan (@NadiaAzlan) April 16, 2020
Then in the following image, several members of the herd were seen making themselves comfortable for a quiet afternoon nap in front of the â€œhuman money buildingâ€.
Customer Bank Islam sampai terduduk di kaki lima bank. Harap pegawai speed up sikit servis masing masing. Bank dah la tutup awal sekarang. pic.twitter.com/gVbWnNgHnTâ€” Nadia Azlan (@NadiaAzlan) April 16, 2020
Here’s to hoping that they don’t milk their accounts dry!

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RapidKLâ€™s new minibus is now available in PJ and Gombak

Headâ€™s up Klang Valley peeps. RapidKLâ€™s new minibuses are already in service near you!
(Image Credit: Motoring-Malaysia)
This October, the minibus will begin ferrying commuters on the T784 LRT Taman Bahagia route.

(Image credit: moovit)

And the T201 LRT Gombak route.

(Image credit: moovit)ï»¿

These tiny busses can carry up to 30 people and are also disabled-friendly!

(Image Credit: Reddit)

For the moment, these minibuses will be operating on a trial run from October till January 2020.
It has as already been operating on the T300 and T304 bus routes which services Bukit Indah to Ampang Point and apparently been very well received by the public.
Prasarana – the company that operates the LRT, Monorail, MRT and bus services in KL, Penang, Kuantan and Kamunting – says that the minibus is already transporting close to 2,000 passengers per day!

via GIPHY
Though small in size, the minibuses has the upper hand over their bigger 10 to 12-meter long cousins as they are able to navigate through narrow and often busy residential and housing areas.

(Image Credit: The Star)

Apparently the commute time on the minibus is also shorter, and they can operate at a rapid frequency of 15 minutes during peak hours, or so the company says.
The only disadvantage of the new minibuses is that they arenâ€™t pink! But thatâ€™s just our little nostalgic nitpick 🙂

(Image Credit: AutoBuzz)

The Transport Ministry said that they will fully introduce the minibus in all its miniature glory next year.
Looks like our prayers have finally been answered and the national public transportation system might be on the way to improvement!
Have a suggestion on routes you think the minibus should be operating on? Let us know in the comments on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Wangsa Maju MP Suggests Use Of Food Coupons For Urban Poor Struggling Under MCO

https://www.facebook.com/TanYeeKew/posts/1579622722203170
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Malaysiaâ€™s urban poor are struggling to cope under the movement control order (MCO) and are in need of urgent measures by the government to keep them afloat.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Wangsa Maju member of parliament, Datin Dr Tan Yee Kew was referring to the responses she received for the Food Aid programme in her constituency, which she said is clear many are suffering and in desperate need of aid.
We have distributed food rations to 1,400 families in Wangsa Maju since April, and many are struggling to cope.Dr Tan Yee Kew via Facebook
According to Dr Tan, there were many online applicants for the programme. Aside from those already receiving welfare aid, such as the disabled and single mothers, there are now new applicants who have suddenly found themselves impoverished by the effects of the pandemic.
(Credit: Facebook)
She pointed out that this problem needs to be addressed in the short term and long term. In the short term, she said that the government needs to provide charitable and immediate relief to the urban poor.
I would like to call on the government to consider implementing a food coupon system. This can be like the RM100 public transport scheme introduced by the Pakatan Harapan government.Dr Tan Yee Kew via Malaysiakini
To address this issue in the long term, she opined that the low wages the urban poor are earning is not even enough for low-cost housing in KL. She shared that the waiting list for that is at 17,000 and the government needs to speed this process up and maybe even look at other methods considering the fact that land is limited in the city.
Dr Tan said that her team has been calling each applicant to better understand their needs and gain insight on how the MCO has impacted them.
She found that more than half of the applicants were between 31 and 55 years old, representing the main breadwinners of a family. Meanwhile, about 33% of the recipients were retirees and those above 54-years-old.
(Credit: Facebook)
Only about 10% of the recipients were younger than 30-years-old.
The majority of the 1,400 recipients are Malays that is 967 (69%), which is understandable as a majority of the Wangsa Maju population are Malays. There are 240 (17%) Chinese recipients and 185 (13%) Indians.Dr Tan Yee Kew via Facebook
Many of these recipients are self-employed hawkers and small traders, cleaners, taxi/Grab drivers, sales attendants, marketing agents, despatch boys, cooks, drivers, clerks, junior technicians, teachers and odd-job workers.
Their normal incomes are generally low even prior to the enforcement of MCO and only 13 percent earn more than RM2,000.Dr Tan Yee Kew via Facebook
Check out Dr Tan’s full Facebook post below:

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J&T Express Perak Staff Apologise For Destroying Parcels, Management Clarifies There’s No Paycut

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After videos of J&T Express staff protesting and destroying packages due to an alleged change in earned comission shocked Malaysians, the courier company and the staff involved has stepped forward to clear the air.

READ MORE: J&T Express Protests: What’s Going On & How To Claim Your Money Back
In a video posted to the J&T Express Perak Facebook page, seven staff who were involved in the viral incident made a public apology.
We want to apologise and want to state that there are no internal issues or wage deductions between the company and employees of J&T Express Perak. We want to explain that we didn’t resort to a protest. We want to again apologise because we affected the name of the company and spoilt the items of Malaysians.J&T staff
The group of seven then apologised again in unison to the customers of J&T Express and the company as well.
The video ended with them shouting ‘J&T boleh!’

J&T Express: It was all just a misunderstanding
The courier company also released a public statement regarding the incident, claiming that the alleged change of commission is false.
First of all, we express our deepest apologies to all Malaysians. Everyone’s opinions and suggestions are truly accepted and adopted by the company.J&T Express
They clarified that it was a misunderstanding, and that no worker’s commission would be deducted. Instead, there was confusion over the year-end bonuses that led to the feeling of disgruntlement.
Accoring to J&T Express, workers who have been with the company for a full year or more received a full bonus, while those who worked for less than a year received a bonus according to their length of employment. However, this difference caused some confusion among the workers which led to dissatisfaction.
Staff of courier service company J&T Express check parcels that are ready for delivery at their warehouse in Seri Rampai April 7, 2020. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon

However, their Perak management team has handled and clarified the incident immediately. The workers involved resumed their normal working status with the proper handling of customer’s packages the next day, on February 5th.
Additionally, J&T Express addressed certain complaints of their workers stealing food and drinks from their delivery packages.
The company clarified that because of the increased amount of packages, they had to hire more temporary workers. These temporary workers were only provided a simple training. J&T Express acknowledged that this was a fault in their management.
J&T Express promised to bear all responsibilities and improve their services.

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Strictly No Balik Kampung This Ramadan, Says Government

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Malaysians would have to contend with Ramadan in isolation as the public is prohibited from traveling to their kampungs and hometowns during the nationwide Movement Control Period (MCO).
Senior Minister (Defense) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob explains that Malaysians would still need to social distance themselves and avoid non-essential traveling in celebration of the upcoming holy month.
Following the MCO, all interstate travel activities have been barred in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had previously implored Muslims to brace and adapt to a change in lifestyle this Ramadan as food bazaars and places of worship would be closed, indefinitely.
The holy month of Ramadan is a spiritual season for Muslims around the globe to celebrate and perform duties related to their faith.(Credit: Malay Mail)
The nationwide MCO is currently in its third phase, set to end this April 28.
However, many share the opinion that the quarantine period should be extended beyond the month of April, over fears that people would start to move around ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri and other national holidays and celebrations.
The government had hinted that the MCO would be prolonged as needed to prevent the spread of the pandemic and that the extent of the lockdown depends on how Malaysians comply with the rules and restrictions set in place.

Do you think we should extend the MCO beyond Phase 3? Share your thoughts with us on TRPâ€™s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Paternity AND Maternity Leaves Increased After Amendments To Employment Act

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After many years of discussion from various parties, some real changes will be seen in the Malaysian workplace for fathers and mothers.

Amendments to the Employment Act yesterday means that now, paternity leave will finally be legally introduced. Prior to this, the private sector was not required to provide paternity leave at all.
The extensions are as follows:
Paternity leave: 0 days → 7 daysMaternity leave: 60 days → 98 days
Additionally, pregnant workers will be protected from being terminated by their workplace. This protection also applies to those who are suffering from preganancy-related illnesses as well.

More protections for everyone, too
The amendments also introduced the option of flexible working arrangements. Hires can apply for flexible working arangements depending on the type of workplace and working hours.
There are also protections for the employees to leave work on time, as the amendment to Section 90B says that any employer who threatens, deceives or forces workers to do any type of work or prevents their workers from leaving their place of work could now be prosecuted.
Employees shouldn’t have to feel bad for leaving work on time.(Credit: tirachardz/Freepik)
Those found guilty could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or two years imprisonment or both.
However, while the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been approved by the Dewan Rakyat, it will still need to pass in senate before the government sets the date of enforcement for these new rules.
Still, this is definitely a step in the right direction for workers and their rights.

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CCRIS BNM: How To Review eCCRIS Reports Online Without Going To The Bank

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Anyone who wants to make a bank loan must obtain a financial report such as CCRIS, which stands for Central Credit Reference Information System.

CCRIS is owned and operated by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to facilitate credit risk management among banks.
CCRIS processes data from participating financial institutions and turns them into credit reports.
All your loan records with the bank will come out in a straightforward statement, and the bank will use this CCRIS report to assess your loan eligibility.
Many people misunderstand CCRIS as a system that blacklists borrowers.
CCRIS only issues reports that the respective financial institutions update to analyze the following:
Payment recordsTotal loan amountApplication record
Thanks to partner that allow us to check CTOS report. CTOS & CCRIS report is very important sebab boleh tahu commitment pasangan & mudah nak susun atur kewangan lepas kahwin nnti😉 Apa apa pon ask permission partner dulu. Good Luck semua ❤— Ain Potter (@Nainrahman) October 16, 2021
Understanding The CCRIS Report
Here are the three main components that can be found through the CCRIS review
Existing loan records – information, type, amount, credit provider, legal action and so onAccounts under special supervision – unpaid credits placed under the special supervision of a financial institutionApplication for credit – the status of the application for the loan made
Through the CCRIS report, you can see your payment records to the bank.
If you often pay on time, before the deadline, your record will be written with the number ‘0’ every month.
The number ‘0’ indicates that you have never paid late to the bank.
However, if you pay late, your record will be written with the number ‘1’ if one month late, ‘2’ if two months late and so on.

Check Your CCRIS Online (eCCRIS)
The service is free to use but requires initial in-person registration at any branch of BNM Malaysia.
Once registered, you can check your CCRIS report at leisure through the dedicated online eCCRIS portal.
With this facility, you no longer need to go to the counter and can only get your credit report online.
To register for eCCRIS, please follow these steps:
Complete the form at the BNM Telelink eCCRIS link: bnm.my/LINKUpload the following documentsCopy of MyKad (front and back)Current phone billTwo other supporting documents, i.e. driver’s license, utility bill, bank account statement, credit card statement and so onA 6-digit temporary PIN will be sent to the registered mobile numberVisit eCCRIS and click First Time Login.Enter the MyKad number and 6-digit temporary PIN. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete registration.To check the statement, please visit the  CCRIS website.
Please refer to the infographic below for more information:

Is CCRIS The Same As CTOS?
CTOS is a credit reporting agencies registered by the Ministry of Finance under the Credit Reporting Agencies Act 2010.
CTOS stands for Credit Tip-Off Service, and the company is categorised as Credit Agency.
It provides an information system widely used by most of the country’s financial institutions, commercial companies and businesses, legal firms and other institutions.
CTOS Score is a 3-digit number that represents your creditworthiness.
It evaluates individual credit history and capability to repay financial obligations.
The higher the score, the higher your chances of securing a loan.

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Several UMNO Heavyweights To Be Dropped For GE15?

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Speculation is rife that UMNO leaders that were seen as critical and not aligned to party President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be dropped from contesting in the 19 November 15th General Election.

These include caretaker Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, caretaker Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa and his deputy Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, caretaker National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, as well as Pasir Salak incumbent lawmaker Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
In his Facebook posting last night, four-term Arau MP said that for the first time in history the Barisan Nasional election machinery in his constituency had ceased operations.
“Tonight is a night of extreme sadness,” he wrote.

Another leader rumoured to be sidelined by UMNO for GE15, is Annuar. The incumbent Ketereh MP, on his Facebook, said that UMNO had once again ignored the party’s constitution in selecting the party’s candidates for GE15.
“It was also promised that the (UMNO) Top Five would be given the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Supreme Council (which has the power to choose election candidates), but the Top Five members confirmed that the list was further filtered by the higher-ups,” Annuar wrote last night.

He added that rumours have it that many leaders that are close to caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will not be fielded by UMNO as their candidates.
Ahmad Zahid is expected to announce the full list of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the parliamentary seats nationwide today at the World Trade Centre.
Could it be that Ahmad Zahid is taking a page out of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s alleged playbook of sidelining party leaders critical of his leadership?
The Anwar-led PKR had also dropped several heavyweights from contesting in GE15. This includes incumbent Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah and Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa, while former party vice-president Chua Tian Chang, popularly known as Tian Chua was dropped from the race for the Batu parliamentary constituency.
Observers had deemed that the move was Anwar’s bid to rid the leaders in PKR that were vocal against his leadership.

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“Lu Dengan Family Mesti Mati” – Mentega Terbang Controversy Yet To End

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Over the past few weeks, the movie Mentega Terbang has caught the attention of many due to it being a film that allegedly goes against the faith and sensitivities of Muslims.

The film became an issue after non-governmental organisations lodged police reports against it for containing scenes disturbing to Muslims.
This includes discussions about Muslims eating pork and comparisons between the teachings on life after death according to different religions.
Although the movie has been removed from the VIU application, there still remain several parties who are clearly not satisfied with the actors and director of the film.
Earlier today, South China Morning Post’s Malaysian Correspondent Hadi Azmi tweeted several pictures showing the conditions of the cars of the actor and director of the film after being splashed by acid and paint.
His tweet read:
Paint and acid thrown on Mentega Terbang director and actor’s cars by assailants who also left death threats against them and family.South China Morning Post’s Malaysian Correspondent Hadi Azmi
Death threats reading “Lu dengan family mesti mati” which translates to “You and your family must die” were also left behind for the director and actors of the film.

Paint and acid thrown on Mentega Terbang director and actor's cars by assailants who also left death threats against them and family. pic.twitter.com/dvK0y4hWvf— Hadi Azmi (@amerhadiazmi) March 16, 2023

The tweet which has since gone viral, received a ton of comments from both netizens as well as Communication and Digital minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi tweeted saying he strongly condemned these threats and any illegal actions.
Malaysians must obey the law, do not take actions that can damage property or threaten lives. Follow the law, don’t take matters into your own hands.Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
Besides Fahmi, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also commented on the issue via Twitter.
This is outrageous! We have the space to disagree on certain matters, but sending death threats and outright damaging people’s properties like this is an absolute disgrace. Islam has never condoned violent behaviour as such! Extremists should be stopped at once.Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
Many netizens also called out the actions of these people online calling this a form of extremism as well as a bad outlook towards Islam which is known as a peaceful religion.
Quoting American political activist Angela Davis, Twitter user @nzranasr said:
In a racist society, it is not enough to be non racist, we must be anti-racist.@nzranasr via Twitter
She added that similarly, in a country where fundamentalism has been growing insidiously, it’s insufficient to not support extremists, we must also be anti-extremists.
One Twitter user @vanhuizen_john questioned what the police and the government will be doing to stop these forms of extremism.
It went from online hate to physical forms of violence/threats all while it was fuelled by further unreasonable actions towards the directors and actors of the movie.@vanhuizen_john via Twitter
Another Twitter user @ListentomyName said:
When people do stuff like this because of religion, it really contradicts what religion actually teaches. Because whether you’re Muslim or Christian, both religions never actually teach violence or hatred. Such a shame.@ListentomyName via Twitter
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that police have summoned the actors as well as the producers of the film for questioning.
Actors Firdaus Karim, Nik Waheeda Shyamala, and Khairunazwan Rodzy, budding teen actress Syumaila Salihin as well as producer Tan Meng Kheng were at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters to have their statements taken.

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Gardenia Breads To Raise Prices Starting 1 September 2022

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Gardenia will be raising the prices of most of their food items beginning 1 September 2022, though a few will remain the same.

For example, the retail price for Gardenia Original Classic will be RM3.00, a 20sen increase from RM2.80. The Jumbo size will go for RM4.30, a 30 sen increase from RM4.00.
The retail price for Gardenia Whole Wheat Bread will be RM4.00, a 40sen increase from RM3.60.
Some of the other food items affected will be Twiggies, Squiggles, QuickBites, Fluffy Buns, Puazz!, Toast’em, their flavoured bread spreads, and NuMee noodles.

Rising operating costs
In response to customer inquiries, Gardenia said that this price increase is due to a sudden rise in costs of raw materials and logistics.
They say that these rises have been significant enough that the company is unable to absorb the difference, hence they have no choice but to pass on the increasing costs to retailers and consumers.
Gardenia’s response to a customer inquiry on their Facebook page.(Credit: Facebook/Gardenia Bakeries)
However, this price hike comes less than a year after their last price hike in December 2021.
READ MORE: Harga Roti Gardenia Mula Naik Bermula 1 Disember

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Jakarta residents are suing Indonesian government for air pollution

Looks like itâ€™s not only Malaysians who are sick of the haze
that blankets our cities almost every year.

Pic Credit: Saw Siow Feng/Malay Mail

Sick and tired of the coughing, wheezing and stinging eyes,
residents of Jakarta are saying â€œENOUGHâ€ by suing the Indonesian
government for air pollution.

via GIPHY
Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that 31 residents of the Indonesian capital are suing President Joko Widodo, the environment and forestry ministry, health ministry, AND Jakarta’s governor over the toxic levels of air pollution in the city.

Pic Credit: The Jakarta Post/Wendra Ajistyatama

The group thatâ€™s suing the government include activists,
university students, office workers and motorcycle taxi drivers.

â€œ(The government) has neglected people’s rights to breathe healthy air.They have not maintained air quality at a level that is healthy enough for the 10 million people living here.â€
 Nelson Nikodemus Simamora, Lawyer via Channel News Asia

Pic Credit: Phoenix Communications

How did they get here?
In 2016, a coalition of environmental groups and the Legal
Aid Foundation began collecting data on the air pollution in the city.
They then spent two years trying to show their findings to various ministries and agencies. But no one did anything.

â€œThey even ignored us when we gave them an ultimatum in December. We threatened them that we will take this to court if they do nothing within 60 days.â€
 Ayu Eza Tiara, the lawyer in the case via Channel News Asia
As you may have guessed, they went ahead and sued them all.
Social media also played a huge role. When Jakarta was named the worldâ€™s top 10 most polluted city by air quality monitor IQAir AirVisual, it became a hot topic on Indonesian social media.
Jakartans started posting images of the smog-covered city with the hashtag #SetorFotoPolusi to illustrate how bad the situation really is.

Was taken from a plane #SetorFotoPolusi pic.twitter.com/qxKmQjzC21
â€” ifA (@ifahnfh) June 25, 2019

Taken from my office, 24th floor. SCBD. #SetorFotoPolusi pic.twitter.com/UZSCgMk9ed
â€” Varadhita Eriyadi (@dhitavarra) June 26, 2019

Versi video. Whew. #SetorFotoPolusi pic.twitter.com/nKsYCFZNYr
â€” Arie Riswandy (@ArieRiswandy) June 28, 2019

Jakarta’s sky today, It’s not getting better, it’s get even worse than yesterday 😷😷 #SetorFotoPolusi from Menara Sentraya 22nd floor, South Jakarta ( 09:20 AM) pic.twitter.com/Xe4tildeJX
â€” Uwi Kurniati (@uwi_kurniati) June 28, 2019

Soâ€¦ How bad is the air pollution in Jakarta, really?
Itâ€™s bad. Like REAL bad.

via GIPHY
The IQAir AirVisual 2018 report showed that Jakarta is Southeast Asiaâ€™s most polluted city with an air quality index of 45.3.
This puts the city in the â€œUnhealthy for Sensitive Groupsâ€ category, which means that general public and sensitive individuals are at risk to experience irritation and respiratory problems.

Pic Credit: IQAir AirVisual

The measure of pollution in the report focuses on the concentration of harmful microscopic particles known as PM2.5. Due to its small size, PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the human respiratory system and spread to the entire body, causing a wide range of short- and long-term health effects.

 Pic Credit: IQAir AirVisual

Whatâ€™s more concerning though, is that the report finds that Jakarta is at risk of overtaking Chinaâ€™s famously polluted capital, Beijing, where the air quality is actually getting better.
However, the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry told CNA that the Jakarta air quality is at moderate levels based on their data and standards.

â€œAs far as I know, they (Air Visual) based their assessment from satellite images and readings taken from several monitoring stations at the city centre. We have monitoring stations spread all across Jakarta, not just the city centre. So on average, the cityâ€™s air quality is not that bad.â€
Andono Warih, Chief Jakarta provincial governmentâ€™s environment office via Channel News Asia
What happens next?
Indonesian court will be hearing arguments from both sides
on 1st August, but Ayu Eza Tiara suspects that they will be facing a
long, tough battle in court.

via GIPHY

â€œI think the government will try to stall the proceedings by not showing up or ask for more time. I predict it will take months, or possibly more than a year before a ruling is issued.â€
 Ayu Eza Tiara, the lawyer in the case via Channel News Asia

This news comes hot on the heels of the ongoing conversation on the global climate crisis, where members of the public are starting to take matters into their own hands instead of waiting for governments to implement green restorative policies.

via GIPHY


Killing pets & pooping in homes – meet the gangster monkeys of PJ

Just a week ago, we were all reminded that you should never EVER mess with the Batu Caves monkeys. An unwitting American internet personality learned THAT the hard way.
But it seems like the monkey business isnâ€™t over yet.

Created via Imgflip

This week, we learn about the gangster monkeys that have been terrorising the residents of Taman Gasing Indah (near Bukit Gasing) in PJ.
Residents of the PJ suburb are apparently living in fear,
trapped in their own homes.
Monkey gangs that have been trawling the neighbourhoods not for protection money, but for food andâ€¦. well, sh*ts & giggles, literally.

via GIPHY
The Star reports that the macaques have gone WILD, swinging into homes & going bananas, like:
Biting into telecom cables

Picture Credit:  The Star

Ransacking rubbish bins

Picture Credit: Suchen SK via Poskod.my

Entering homes & going on a rampage, defecating everywhere

Picture Credit: The Star

KILLING house pets

Picture Credit: coolpun.com

Aggressively chasing residents, including children

via GIPHY
While the residents have a chimp on their shoulders when talking about the monkeys, most of them blame the rapid development of the area for the increase of monkey gangs in the â€˜hood.

â€œA proper impact study should have been done before clearing the primatesâ€™ natural habitat. There were always monkeys in the hills but they never came to our houses as is the case now.â€
Lee KL, Resident of Taman Gasing Indah via The Star.

Picture Credit: malaysia-traveller.com

Their theory is echoed by Derek Fernandez, Petaling Jaya councillor who stated that the decimation of the Bukit Gasing green lung from unsustainable development was to blame.

â€œThis has forced the monkeys to enter nearby housing areas for food in order to survive.
I hope the Government has the courage to do the right thing instead of perpetuating a policy of unsustainable development at the expense of the environment and the people.â€
Derek Fernandez, Petaling Jaya councillor via The Star.
Voices of concern have been pouring in over the last decade
as developers inch their way deeper and deeper into what is probably the only remaining
green lung in Lembah Pantai.

Picture Credit: savebukitgasing.wordpress

Back in 2008, Bukit Gasing residents actually filed for a judicial review to compel the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to hold a public hearing over its decision to grant a development order to Gasing Meridian for a hillside project in 2007. Unfortunately, they lost the case.

Picture Credit: Mayuri Mei Lin/Malay Mail

In 2013, The Edge reported that one of the condominium projects constructed on the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing breached the buffer zone of the green lung.
Currently, the residents of Taman Gasing Indah have been working
with authorities such as Perhilitan (Wildlife and National Parks Department) to
set up monkey traps, but the monkeys have been pretty good at avoiding them.

A Bukit Gasing Monkey chilling on a Perhilitan monkey trap. (Picture Credit: The Star)

For now, all they can do is fortify their homes against the rampaging monkey gangs and hope that the authorities will do something about the monkey on their backs.

via GIPHY


Nicotine Patches And Gum Can Now Be Sold Over-The-Counter In Malaysia

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In order to make it easier for people to stop smoking, the Health Ministry has taken steps to categorise nicotine replacement products as non-poisons so that people can gain better access to them.

According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, this move was done by granting an exemption to nicotine under the Poisons Act 1952 for products in the form of patches or gum registered under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
The exemption comes into force starting on 6 October, in accordance with the gazettement of the Poisons (Amendment of Poisons List) Order 2022 on 5 October 2022.
In other words, nicotine patches or gums, which are used as aids to quit smoking, will be easier to purchase through over-the-counter, including at retail or convenience stores.
Nicotine patch helps with smoking withdrawal symptoms. Image for illustration purposes.
The practice of using nicotine patches or gums to manage smoking withdrawal symptoms has been implemented in many countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.
Using nicotine patches or gums is found to have fewer harmful effects than smoking. Hopefully, this exemption will motivate and help those who intend to gradually quit smoking.
The exemption lifted for nicotine is part of the Ministry’s efforts and plans under the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill 2022 aka the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law.
The Ministry has presented the Bill to regulate the cigarette industry and smoking activities for the public’s benefit.
READ MORE: People Born After 2007 Can Be Fined Up To RM5k If Caught With Tobacco-Related Products
The GEG law is introduced to regulate the cigarette industry and smoking activities for the public’s benefit. For illustration purposes. Image: TRP File.
Additionally, the Ministry is actively implementing various programmes to create a smoke-free society such as the Quit Smoking Clinic which is available at health clinics nationwide.
Currently, there are two methods to stop smoking as outlined in the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG): Treatment for Tobacco Use Disorder:
Through medications such as the use of nicotine replacement productsThrough behaviour interventions
To make it easier for people to quit smoking, nicotine patches and gum can now be sold over-the-counter in Malaysia. #GEG https://t.co/BTbiH4VWkZ— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 6, 2022
The GEG law isn’t unanimously accepted
The Generational End Game (GEG) law has faced opposition from several groups, including from the medical and law community.
Some find that the rush to push the law might inadvertently harm or infringe on the rights of the rakyat.
READ MORE: Generational Endgame: 400,000 Malaysians Are Saying NO!
READ MORE: Rushing To Enact GEG Could Have Negative Outcomes
READ MORE: Why Over 700,000 Malaysians Are Against The GEG

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So hot that duck eggs are hatching

If you think it’s been hot here, a lady in Vietnam recently found 24 ducklings in her cupboard when she expected to have 24 eggs.

Out of the frying pan and into the poolPic Credit: China Press

China press reports that a lady who had bought the eggs with the intention of cooking, had the shock of her life when she discovered cute little ducklings in her kitchen cabinet.

via GIPHY

You were almost breakfast. Pic Credit: China Press

The article further explains that the recent heat caused the eggs to hatch.

“Let’s cool down in the pool guys!”  Pic Credit: China Press

Don’t expect the same to happen everywhere, though. Eggs sold for consumption are usually unfertilised or sterilised.
Sourced via:1. China Press, April 22, 2019 (The weather is hot… The duck eggs in the kitchen hatch the ducklings)


Future-Driven Gobind Singh: Was Cheap Internet All He Did?

YB Gobind Singh Deo, once Minister of Communications and Multimedia, has now been removed from his position due to the sudden political upheaval in Malaysia.
But before we part ways, let’s take a look at what he’s done for the country so far.
Ushering in 5G networks
Arguably the ministry’s greatest achievement was being one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to start the groundwork on 5G.
The fifth generation mobile technology (5G) ushers in the new future of internet with an approximate RM12.7bil contribution to the national GDP.
The implementation of 5G is paving a way for Malaysia to usher in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0). We can look forward to more disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, and virtual engineering.
The rapid embrace of 5G technology means that we’re one step closer to a scifi future, where advanced virtual reality overlaps with the real world, making a reality of remote medical surgery or a network of self-driving vehicles.
The 5G showcase in Langkawi was meant to feature the real-world applications of 5G technology to improve our society.(Credit: MCMC)
Mandatory Standard On Access Pricing (MSAP)
Since the end of 2018, Malaysians have enjoyed a discount on the price of their internet as well as greater internet speeds.
The country’s fixed broadband packages have increased from 10 Mbps to 30 Mbps, while the price has dropped from RM130 to RM79 per month.
This move made high quality and affordable digital connectivity available for the country’s citizens by removing a monopoly market and introducing more competitive terms from different internet service providers.
The more competition there is, the better options consumers have to choose from.(Credit: Unsplash)
National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP)
In addition to monitoring the prices of internet plans, the ministry had also pushed to be inclusive in all areas of the country, including rural areas.
The idea was that no one should be left without decent internet connectivity. A RM21.6 billion national connectivity plan was approved in August 2019 to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The plan also aimed to connect traditional industries to the digital economy. Farmers, fishermen, and the Orang Asli community would benefit from the digital inclusion.
Community hotspots such as schools, hospitals, libraries, police stations, transportation hubs, and post offices will be fitted with mobile coverage from telecommunication towers (supporting up to 5G).
There will come a day when we get internet connectivity everywhere.(Credit: Pixabay)
Internet and digital connectivity is basically the future of technology. Whoever the next Minister of Communications and Multimedia is, they will have to pave the way forward into the digital future for Malaysia.

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