Keeping batik art alive through local artisans
BATIK is an ancient art that has been practised for 2,000 years across Asia and parts of Africa. With authentic batik, both sides of the fabric are equally vibrant as the hot wax is drawn with a canting tool or stamped with a batik block and then hand-painted. Real batik is not perfectWhen it comes to real batik, every piece is hand-drawn or stamped then hand-dyed. This means that any authentic piece of batik you buy is unique, as no two pieces will be exactly the same. Local social enterprise, Batik Boutique, exists to empower artisans by creating demand for authentic, artisan-made batik products and appreciation of the process of authentic batik.
Source:The Star
June 29, 2021 00:11 UTC
Covid-19: What are variants, and do the vaccines still work on them?
Hot on the tail of better vaccine dissemination are concerns that more contagious SARS-CoV-2 variants are leading to an increase in the number of cases and deaths. The variant that is making the headlines at the moment is the Delta variant (B.1.617.2). The Delta variant is part of the reason India’s healthcare system was overwhelmed recently. What is most noticeable is the fact that both vaccines were only 33% effective against symptomatic disease from the Delta variant three weeks after the first dose. In other words, as the Delta variant cases increase in the community, it becomes even more essential that individuals register and be vaccinated for both doses of their vaccines.
Source:The Star
June 29, 2021 00:00 UTC
Manufacturing sector workers get their shots
GEORGE TOWN: By 8am, workers from the manufacturing sector who were selected to get their Covid-19 immunisation, were already eagerly waiting outside the vaccination centre (PPV) at Equatorial Hotel Penang. “I got the Sinovac vaccine and was asked to come again next month to get my second dose,” she said. The senior procurement executive urged all her colleagues and fellow industrial workers to get registered as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Equatorial Hotel property manager Teoh Eng Hin said the first day of the vaccination exercise went smoothly. Other than Equatorial Hotel, the PPV at Bukit Jawi Golf Resort has been in operation since June 16.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:48 UTC
Creative arts industry professionals call for help amid pandemic
PLAYERS in the creative arts industry, who have not been able to operate for more than a year, want the government to speed up vaccination so they can resume operations sooner rather than later. Mural artist and art instructor Wong Hwee Min, 33, said it was not easy for them to switch to another industry overnight. “I hope the government can help the creative arts industry,” she said in a virtual press conference organised by Pasir Gudang MCA. Pasir Gudang MCA public complaints and services bureau deputy chief Ang Tun Chek, who organised the virtual session, wants to provide a platform for industry players to air their views. “Many in the industry are struggling to cope while having to pay their employees’ salaries, rental and other expenses.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:37 UTC
Employers take extra precautions to safeguard workers and operations during lockdown
Factory operators in Johor are taking extra steps to safeguard their workers’ safety, including providing them with face shields. He said factory and business operators were aware of the large number of workplace clusters and have been doing their part to keep infections at bay. Lim, who manufactures engine parts in the Tebrau II industrial area, said his company had been providing face shields to staff in addition to face masks for added protection. “This is part of our efforts to ensure the safety of our employees and business partners. Tan said the management also made sure that its foreign workers complied with the SOP at construction sites as well as their dormitories.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:37 UTC
Family businesses prevail through turbulent times
Omar started making baju kebaya and baju melayu to meet local demand as many expatriates had left. “We also sell songket, songkok and traditional Malay accessories such as butang baju melayu, capal (traditional Malay footwear) and batik. One of the memorable moments for the brand was athletes wearing their bright red and maroon baju melayu during the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. “We were asked to modify the five-button baju melayu into a three-button version and it was named ‘Baju Melayu Kolar Tunku’ but now it’s more popularly known as ‘Baju Melayu Butang 3’,” he said. “Family members running the business have a common goal, to make the best baju melayu and maintain the quality.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:26 UTC
Press corps euphoric after receiving their vaccine doses
MY Penang media family received their first doses of the vaccine over the weekend and if I’m asked for just one word to describe the atmosphere, it will be joy. Not one to fear needles, I did not worry about the jab nor did I feel anything when injected. Watching the Penang press corps with relief shining on their faces as they acquired the shield to protect them in this pandemic made me feel mushy. Those of us who received our first doses on Sunday have been putting their lives on the line a lot more than they admit. “There are 192 media practitioners in Penang, and 117 were vaccinated today, which is a great step forward,” he said.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:26 UTC
Laying the groundwork for a bigger airport
MALAYSIA Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) is now working with its consultant to define the scope of work for the expansion of the Penang International Airport (PIA). “If the agreement is approved,it will allow Malaysia Airports to fund the development,” said MAHB in a statement to The Star. The PIA has the capacity to take in 25 million passengers a year in 30 years’ time, according to the Penang Airport Masterplan by MAHB. “It is bigger than the earlier plan (12 million capacity) as according to a survey, we will reach this level by the year 2028 and will receive 16 million passengers in 2033. At present, the PIA expansion project is on hold, pending the finalisation of the National Airport Strategic Plan (NASP).
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:26 UTC
Soccer-Swiss history makers hailed by coach and captain
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Switzerland's extraordinary comeback to eliminate world champions France from the European Championship on Monday drew superlatives from both coach and captain after their penalty shootout success. “No normal side would have come back from 3-1 down against the world champions,” said Petkovic, who equalled the record for the most matches in charge of the Switzerland team. “I’ve always said this team deserved a lot more than you can read," he told the post-match news conference. They said we were arrogant but I can guarantee you one thing, we really wrote a history. “I will be asking for the same from them again,” he said of their quarter-final with Spain in St Petersburg on Friday.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 23:15 UTC
Pemulih: Aid package targets different income groups
PETALING JAYA: From the hardcore poor and students to the middle class and above, as well as businesses, most say they are thankful for the Pemulih. “There is no qualification requirement; borrowers only need to apply and approval will be given automatically by the banks. “This will certainly free up the cash flow of many companies, which is much needed in these trying times,” he said. Purchaser Nur Basirah Abdullah Chu, 38, said she was thankful there was finally something for her in a government aid package. INFOGRAPHICS:CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGE
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 22:41 UTC
Vaccine rollout is on track despite shortcomings
I REFER to the letter “What happened to priority for senior citizens?” (The Star, June 26). I must say that I, also a senior citizen, am fortunate to have received my two doses of Covid-19 vaccine already, the first on May 27 and second on June 17. Like many senior citizens who registered for the vaccination online, I also waited anxiously for my appointments to be set. By and large, the vaccination rollout has been in line with what was outlined in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme, which was launched on Feb 18, 2021. Calling the National Covid-19 vaccination line (1800 888-828) to know the status of their application for vaccination is another frustrating experience for many.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 21:56 UTC
Vaccines to be made available soon under NS Sejahtera
NILAI: Industries and private businesses in Negri Sembilan will soon be able to acquire Covid-19 vaccines for their workers under the NS Sejahtera programme, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. This programme is voluntary and companies wishing to buy the vaccines will have to bear the cost,” he said. He said the data of the vaccine recipients under the NS Sejahtera programme will be incorporated into the national data under MySejahtera. “Through NS Sejahtera, we also hope to be able to vaccinate more people and achieve herd immunity faster in the state,” he said. Aminuddin said the first vaccination centre under the NS Sejahtera initiative will be set up at Dewan Ube at the Nilai 3 Industrial Area.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 21:22 UTC
Google takes down maps targeting hundreds of Thais accused of opposing king
SINGAPORE/BANGKOK (June 28): Google took down two Google Maps documents on Monday that had listed the names and addresses of hundreds of Thai activists who were accused by royalists of opposing the monarchy, the technology company said. A spokesperson for Alphabet's Google said by email "the issue is now fixed", and noted: "We have clear policies about what's acceptable for user generated My Maps content. Songklod said that he and the team of volunteers sought to highlight those they accused of breaking that law. The government did not immediately respond to comment on the removal of the Google Maps or the content they contained. The royalist activist said the content in them had come from public research.
Source:The Edge Markets
June 28, 2021 20:15 UTC
IRB updates list of services during Phase One of PPN
PUTRAJAYA (June 28): The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has updated the list of services it will be offering during Phase One of Movement Control under the National Recovery Plan (PPN). “Applicants can also submit their complete appeal forms, along with documents at the dropbox facility provided at all IRB offices, including in Sabah and Sarawak,” it said. Meanwhile, it said the operating hours for payment counters in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching during Phase One of the PPN are from Monday to Friday from 8am to noon. According to the statement, the frequently asked questions on tax matters during Phase One of the PPN are available on IRB’s website at http://www.hasil.gov.my/pdf/pdfam/faq_pkp3_2.pdf. The public can also make inquiries by contacting the IRB through Hasil Care Line at 03-8911 1000/603-8911 1100 (overseas) or HASiL Live Chat or Feedback Form on the IRB's official portal at https://maklumbalaspelanggan.hasil.gov.my/MaklumBalas/ms-my/.
Source:The Edge Markets
June 28, 2021 15:11 UTC
Is anybody out there? A US report on UFOs falls short of hype
"There was then a little bit of research done, and the answer is no." However, Obama's next words sent a jolt of excitement through fans of UFOs all around the world. One person who had "no great expectations" of the report is Koehler, co-founder of the private Central Research Network for Extraordinary Celestial Phenomena (CENAP) in Germany. The report looked at about 140 celestial phenomena observed by US Navy pilots over the past 20 years and concluded the phenomena were not caused by the US military or US government technology. One person who had "no great expectations" of the report was Hansjuergen Koehler, co-founder of the private Central Research Network for Extraordinary Celestial Phenomena (CENAP) in Germany, which examines reports on celestial phenomena.
Source:The Star
June 28, 2021 14:37 UTC