#NSTviral: Brother shares heartbreaking birthday video of Gerik crash victim
Nor Ayuni, a Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student, was among those killed in the crash along the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat), near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, on Monday.
Her brother, using the handle @faezbesut on social media, shared that he had surprised her with a birthday cake just hours before she boarded the ill-fated bus.
"This is a memory I will never forget, sis. I surprised you for your birthday… and you gave me a 'surprise' that left me speechless.
"All I could do was cry… this was the night before she boarded the bus. We managed to celebrate her birthday together," he said.
He also shared a 15-second video of Nor Ayuni smiling as she received the cake, a moment that has since moved thousands of Malaysians online.
Many who viewed the post were deeply touched and heartbroken by the grief experienced by Ayuni's brother and family, even more so after watching the birthday video, recorded just hours before the tragedy.
"We who have no blood ties to them are already mourning their passing, imagine what the family must be feeling. Hold on to the memories as comfort for the longing, and may you be reunited with your sister in paradise one day," said one user.
"Allahuakbar, the sadness still lingers… Al-Fatihah for the departed. My heartfelt condolences to all the family members," said @SalinaAbdullah.
"As a man, even though I don't have a younger sister, only a younger brother, just the two of us, I still feel the deep sorrow of being a big brother. Especially when watching a video like this, with such a heartfelt caption… it brings tears to my eyes," said another.
Earlier, Nor Ayuni's father, Maslan Abdul Rahman, 58, revealed that the birthday celebration, held just two hours before her departure, in front of Masjid Hadhari in Jertih, was the last time they saw her alive.
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Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Revisiting classical Malay is not nostalgia — Amir Rashad Mustaffa
AUGUST 20 — According to William Shakespeare, 'what is past is prologue'. This serves as a poignant reminder that history lays the foundation for what lies ahead. Just as students around the world study Shakespeare and Chaucer to understand the evolution of English thought, culture, and language, so too should Malaysians turn to the literary and linguistic treasures of Old and Classical Malay. Now in an age where we are zooming forward with technology, globalisation, and modern language trends rapidly reshaping the way Malaysians communicate, there is an urgent need to look in retrospect, reflect on the roots of our national language, and reconnect to our past. Revisiting the inscriptions of Old Malay and the rich manuscripts of Classical Malay is not merely an academic exercise; it is a crucial step toward preserving and understanding Malaysia's cultural identity. By re-engaging with these earlier forms of Malay, we not only honour our heritage but also ensure that future generations inherit a language anchored in history and meaning. Old and Classical Malay, found in inscriptions or manuscripts dating as far back as the 7th century and flourishing during the height of the Sultanate of Melaka circa the 15th century, serve as the linguistic fingerprints of our civilisation. These historical forms of Malay are not just predecessors of the language that we speak today, but are the repositories of our shared knowledge as inhabitants of the beautiful land we now lovingly know as Malaysia. Each text, whether engraved in stone like the Old Malay Telaga Batu inscription, written on tree bark like the Old Malay Tanjung Tanah manuscript, or copied in Jawi script like the Classical Malay hikayat, offers clues about how our ancestors thought, governed, traded, and worshipped. This is not just language; it is memory carved into time. Understanding the language that our ancestors had once spoken reveals how it evolved over centuries. It provides a map of historical contact with Sanskrit, Arabic, and later, Portuguese and Dutch influences, among others. Manuscript Hikayat Hang Tuah kept at the National Library of Malaysia. — Photo from Through it, we learn how Malay society adapted foreign concepts into its own lexicon and worldview without losing its identity. For instance, the shift from Sanskrit-influenced Old Malay to Arabic-influenced Classical Malay shows not only linguistic evolution, but also the religious and intellectual transformation of the region. Words such as budi and derma from Sanskrit, as well as hikmat and adab from Arabic, carried nuanced meanings that informed the values of belief, governance, education, and conduct for centuries. The National Language Act rightly prioritises Bahasa Melayu as a symbol of unity. However, this symbol is only as strong as the foundation it rests on. A deeper knowledge of Old and Classical Malay, poetic forms like pantun and syair, and legal documents like Undang-Undang Melaka can enrich our appreciation of the language we speak today. More importantly, reinvigorating interest in Old and Classical Malay can inspire a new generation of Malaysians to take pride in their linguistic heritage. At a time when young people are rapidly absorbing global pop culture, studying our ancient texts can re-anchor us in local wisdom and identity. Unfortunately, the study of what we might even call the Malay classics is often confined to the ivory tower or perceived as niche. We need greater integration of classical texts and linguistic history in school curricula, museums, and digital platforms. For example, by digitising, translating, and popularising these texts, as done by Dr Annabel Teh Gallop from the British Library, we can allow for greater reach and access to these materials. Let students interact with Hikayat Hang Tuah not just as a story, but as a lesson in how our ancestors used metaphors, allegory, and high-register Malay to express complex emotions and ideas. As Malaysia continues to define itself on the global stage, understanding the linguistic architecture of Old and Classical Malay reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and what we must protect. Our language is not just a tool for daily conversation; it is a living legacy that binds us to the past and guides us into the future. Studying the classical forms of Malay is not about nostalgia. It is about reclaiming intellectual sovereignty, deepening cultural understanding, and passing on to future generations, the rich inheritance of the land we call home. The land speaks through stone, manuscript, and rhyme. It is time we listen! * Dr Amir Rashad Mustaffa is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Malaysian Languages and Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Patriotism without spotlights
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You can coat your Myvi in flags until it looks like it is auditioning for a parade but if you are still parking like a warlord, your 'Malaysia Boleh' is just 'Malaysia Bohong'. Flags are cute but not a free pass Don't get me wrong – flying the flag is beautiful. It is a visual shout-out saying, 'Hey, I'm proud of where I'm from!' But if you think your annual August effort is enough to tick the 'patriot' checkbox, that is like going to the gym once a year and expecting six-pack abs. It is in the little everyday things we do that count. You want to love your country? Start by not littering. Imagine what Malaysia would look like if every single person stopped throwing teh ais cups out of their car window. We would actually have rivers the colour of water, not ais bandung. Love thy country, daily edition Here's a spicy thought: patriotism could be as simple as making life less miserable for everyone around you. Use your indicator when turning. Revolutionary, I know. Don't hurl insults at the poor cashier just because the system went down. She doesn't control the WiFi, abang. Be nice to the abang foodpanda who is risking life and limb in the rain to bring you your ayam goreng. Because the way I see it, the true test of patriotism is not how you act when the cameras are on; it is how you act when no one is looking. The Jalur Gemilang flapping on your car means nothing if you still refuse to let someone merge into traffic, like a normal human being. Upside-down drama In international flag etiquette, flying it upside down is a distress signal. In Malaysia, it is also a guaranteed way to summon the wrath of Makcik keyboard warrior squadron 001. You will see it all over Facebook: 'Mana semangat patriotik kamu?' 'Malukan negara!' 'Keturunan kamu tak ajar ka?' Yes, it can be a form of protest but if your protest is so cryptic that 90% of people think it is just a clumsy accident, maybe rethink your method. If you want to fight for a better Malaysia, go vote, volunteer or start a petition. Don't just leave the rest of us wondering if you were trying to signal distress or if you are simply bad at DIY. Flavours of belonging Wave the flag if it makes you happy. Paint your fence red, white, blue and yellow if you want but don't forget the other flavours of loving your country: Boost economy: Support local businesses. That does not mean only makan nasi lemak (though, great choice), but also giving our homegrown brands a shot. Care for the environment: If you love Malaysia, you would want it to be around for your cucu to enjoy. So, maybe skip the open burning of garden rubbish, Uncle. Stand together: Stand up for fellow Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or how much sambal they can handle. Patriotism is not just about the flag; it is about the people standing under it. Skip PR stunts, no need for drama There is a breed of 'patriot' who only comes alive when a TV camera is nearby. They will suddenly plant a flag, smile for the photo and vanish until the next year. These are the same people who will shout 'Malaysia Boleh!' at events but cannot be bothered to pick up after themselves at the stadium. Here's a radical thought: be patriotic without turning it into a PR stunt. You don't need likes, retweets or a TikTok montage to prove your love for Malaysia. Just do the thing. Help your neighbours, pay your taxes, stop cutting queues at JPJ like you are in a Fast and Furious audition. Everyday heroes Let us give a shout-out to the quiet patriots: The makcik selling kuih every morning who still smiles despite the cost of gula naik lagi. The cikgu in a rural school making sure children can read and dream big. The cleaner who keeps your public park usable so you can do your weekend jog or slow, self-loathing shuffle. They may not have a flag on display 24/7 but their contributions are what keep the country's heart beating. Final lap: Malaysian-style So here's the deal. Fly your flag – fly five if you want – just make sure the spirit behind it is not just skin-deep. Because the truth is, loving your country is messy work; it is in the daily patience, small kindnesses and the refusal to let cynicism win. It is also in holding the country accountable when it stumbles, in making noise when something is wrong and in believing that Malaysia's best days are not behind us. Waving the Jalur Gemilang is lovely. But loving Malaysia? That is a full-time gig, not just in August, not just on Merdeka Day, but every single day you wake up on this patch of Bumi. So, wave your flag but also pay your parking, respect the queues and recycle that plastic bottle. Delete that WhatsApp chain claiming eating durian with Coke will make you explode. We've tested it – you won't. You'll just burp dramatically. And for the love of nasi lemak, keep the flag the right way up. Merdeka, Malaysia. Now, let's act like it. Azura Abas is the associate editor of theSun. Comments: letters@
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Youth group hands out 350 flags
Shared pride: Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Johor Baru Youth distributing national flags to buskers in the city centre. JOHOR BARU: With the Jalur Gemilang held high and proudly waved, a youth group here has taken upon itself to spread patriotism by distributing 350 national flags to the public in conjunction with the National Day month. The initiative by the Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam Johor Baru Youth is aimed at reminding Malaysians that flying the national flag is a shared duty and symbol of national pride. Turning pride into action, the group filled the streets with fluttering flags, determined to safeguard the dignity of the Jalur Gemilang. Group chairman S. Vinodtheran said this was the first time the association had carried out such a programme, handing out 300 handheld flags and 50 car flags to the public within an hour. 'In addition, a total of about 500 flags of various sizes including national and state were displayed at the temple grounds as well as those distributed to the public,' he told reporters before the flags distribution at the Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam temple here yesterday. Vinodtheran said if the association received more contributions, it would hold another round of flag distribution. 'For now, we only distribute the flags today. But it depends, if we receive more, then we will certainly do it,' he said. Vinodtheran added that the initiative was made possible through a RM7,000 allocation from the state government, which the association received for the first time in June. With around 70 active members, the group hopes to make the flag distribution an annual event. The allocation will also be used to fund other activities planned until December, including colouring contests, chess competitions and futsal tournaments.
