Photo: En Yeoh's Bak Kut TehThe earliest known bak kut teh restaurant was opened in Klang in 1941 by Lee Boon Teh, who is said to have lent the ‘Teh’ part of his name to ‘bak kut teh’, although this assertion remains unproven as the fledgling edition of bak kut teh was likely created long before 1941. “Bak kut teh could well be nearly 100 years old, but bak kut teh shops keep opening – even though prices for pork, herbs and labour have shot up dramatically. Sang har mee probably arose as a result of the wide availability of roe-filled Malaysian freshwater prawns in the 1950s. In the 1950s, people in Seremban were regularly dining at his restaurant and eating yee sang, according to the book A Toss Of Yee Sang, written by his grandson. Kam heong (cooking style)Perhaps the most demonstrable Malaysian Chinese dish to showcase love for the nation and the influence other communities have had on Chinese cooking styles is kam heong.

I was 71 years, 10 months and 14 days old when I stood under a signpost that read, “Annapurna Base Camp”, in Nepal. The next challenge was walking up to Machhapuchhre Base Camp or MBC at 3,700m. The Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) had always been on my bucket list. Printed on the cloth were the words: “Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) at 71 years, 10 months, 14 days, 23 September, 2025”. When we finally got to our final destination, we stood proudly under the signpost that read: “Namaste, Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) 4130”.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin appears to be taking recent developments in his stride by the looks of a Facebook post. Amid 17 expulsions from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, the sacked deputy party president shared a photo of him having tea with PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, other PAS leaders and sacked Bersatu MPs. Also present in the photo are Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who is also the Beluran MP, and PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, who is also the Kota Baru MP. Earlier, Bersatu had sacked Hamzah and 16 other party leaders following a disciplinary board meeting on Thursday. The notice said Hamzah, who is the Larut MP, was dismissed from his membership rights under Clause 22.5 of the party’s constitution.

KUALA LUMPUR: A supreme council member of Bersatu has questioned the transparency and integrity of the party’s disciplinary process after he was dismissed without what he described as a fair hearing. Datuk Zulkifli Bujang, who is also the Johor Baru division chief, said he only received the summons to appear before the party’s disciplinary board while he was overseas on a pre-scheduled engagement. However, Zulkifli said the party proceeded with the decision to expel him without convening any disciplinary hearing or giving him reasonable space to defend himself. The dismissal was formally communicated to him via a letter sent through WhatsApp late on Friday evening. Zulkifli was among 17 dismissed from Bersatu, which included party deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin along with three other MPs following disciplinary action.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have sent an invitation to the Paris Olympic bronze medallist to take part in a centralised training camp ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3. Jonassen said assembling the strongest possible squad is not solely dependent on Zii Jia’s availability but also on the overall depth of the team. The latest update received by the national set-up was that Zii Jia was nursing an injury during the Thailand Masters, where he was forced to retire in the quarter-finals against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. “Of course we are preparing this week and next week with a major focus on the Thomas Cup for the top players here. These weeks were designed not for short term international tournaments but as preparation for the Thomas Cup,” he said.

THE opening of the elevated U-turn ramp, as part of the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE), in Ukay Perdana, Hulu Kelang, has noticeably relieved traffic congestion in the area. Ukay Perdana resident Rosli Sharafuddin said the elevated U-turn has a sharp bend that splits into two lanes that lead to different areas. The original design for the elevated U-turn was amended following a legal proceeding a few years back. Kamri says the elevated U-turn had undergone a road safety audit before it was opened to traffic. Section 2, which will connect this route directly to Ukay Perdana, is currently under development.

Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh recently went on a vacation with her mother in Thailand. Despite dressing casually in a light blue top and going makeup-free, Sheh, 50, still managed to steal the spotlight with her striking appearance. Netizens were quick to gush over her fresh-faced glow, with many saying she looks far younger than her age. Another added: “She’s such a filial daughter!”For the record, Sheh shares a strong bond with her mother and has long been known as a devoted, filial daughter. The award-winning actress was five years old when her father passed away, leaving behind her mother to raise her and her two siblings.

JOHOR BARU: A foreign woman who was seven months pregnant was found dead and covered in blood at a house in Kampung Makam, Kota Tinggi, on Friday (Feb 13) morning. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said that the police received a tip-off the unconscious victim’s discovery at about 7:42am. Criminal Investigation Division officers were deployed from the Kota Tinggi police headquarters to the location to verify the incident. The pregnant woman was initially discovered lying in a pool of blood with head injuries believed to have been caused by a blow from a blunt object. The victim was later confirmed dead by Kota Tinggi Hospital medical officers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s development agenda must remain anchored in strong family values, even as the country advances economic reforms and technological transformation. MANIMARANIPOH: In the pursuit of economic growth, advanced education systems and modern facilities, the nation must not neglect the foundation of family education and love. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia's development agenda must remain anchored in strong family values, even as the country advances economic reforms and technological transformation. Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. "In Asean, Malaysia's economic performance is among the best, and the ringgit has shown strong performance across Asia.

NSTP/FILE PICKUALA LUMPUR: The government has no immediate plans to introduce policies to curb vehicle ownership amid reports of horrendous congestion in the Klang Valley. "At this stage, there is no specific policy to limit vehicle numbers," said Transport Minister Anthony Loke, adding ownership restrictions remain sensitive. Beyond festive surges, Loke pointed to structural challenges underpinning the country's congestion problem, highlighting the rapid rise in vehicle ownership. "Malaysia recorded vehicle sales of about 820,000 units last year, making it the largest vehicle market in Southeast Asia despite its comparatively smaller population than Indonesia. To mitigate the issue, the ministry is focusing on expanding and optimising public transport services, particularly during high-demand periods, he said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is carrying out cloud seeding operations in the Northern Zone to mitigate the effects of hot weather and declining water levels at several major dams. It said the focus will be on rain catchment areas in Kedah and Perlis, involving several strategic dams that are the main sources of water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural usage. The operations involved the use of RMAF's C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, which departed from the Subang air base. Nadma said it hoped the operation would help restore water reserves for the well-being of the people, particularly for the agricultural sector and domestic use. The operation is carried out to enhance the rain formation process and increase the amount of rainfall in selected areas during water shortage crises, haze and forest fires.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic), three other MPs and two state assemblymen were among 17 Bersatu members who have been sacked in a shocking move. Board chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan said yesterday that Larut MP Hamzah, who is also deputy president, was dismissed under the Clause 22.5 of the party’s constitution. “The dismissal is due to the actions of Datuk Seri violating Clause 9.1.4 of the Bersatu constitution,” Mohd Radzi said in the notice issued yesterday. Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the party’s top leadership had been informed of Hamzah’s sacking. Prior to the mass dismissal, Bersatu also expelled Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah in October last year and in January, respectively.

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have opted to keep their stance under wraps ahead of the April 25 vote on the proposed 15x3 scoring system. BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh said the association have taken note of the announcement made by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Thursday (Feb 12). As such, BAM will hold further internal discussions to gather more collective feedback from players and coaches. As one of the powerhouses in the badminton world, BAM will have five votes at the upcoming BWF annual general meeting that will be held in Horsens, Denmark, during the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals. "For me personally, it is difficult to say whether the 15 point system is suitable because the trials were mainly conducted at lower level tournaments.

PETALING JAYA: The expulsion of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Bersatu is shocking, says PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. However, he hoped that Bersatu could quell its internal strife as soon as possible. PAS is a component of opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, with Bersatu, Gerakan and MIPP. "PAS will soon discuss the Opposition Leader's position with our parliament bureau. "(The dismissal is) due to Datuk Seri's actions violating Clause 9.1.4 of the Bersatu constitution," he added.

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian detained at the Toyamanishi Police Station in Japan for allegedly being involved in an online fraud syndicate was charged in a Japanese court last month and pleaded guilty to two charges. Malaysian International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the charges against Muhammad Faiq Zafran Mohd Jailani, 23, were brought under Articles 246 and 60 of the Japanese Penal Code. Accordingly, Hishamuddin said MHO is seeking the intervention of the Malaysian government, particularly Wisma Putra, to help obtain a detailed explanation of the legal process being faced by Muhammad Faiq Zafran. He said the intervention is not intended to challenge Japan’s legal system, but to ensure that consular rights and access to proper legal defence are upheld. Efforts to trace the youth eventually led to the discovery that Muhammad Faiq was being detained at the Toyamanishi Police Station in Japan for his alleged involvement in an online fraud syndicate.