ASEAN Unity Drive 2025 Northern Route Kicks Off In Hanoi

Barnama25-04-2025

Starting from Hanoi, the convoy will traverse through the culturally rich and scenic routes of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand before arriving in Malaysia.
The event was co-organised by the Embassy of Malaysia in Hanoi and Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and Iot Institute (MARii), an agency under the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
The AUD2025 covers over 9,000 kilometres across nine ASEAN countries, said a MARii press statement.
"We are proud that Hanoi is the starting point of the Northern Route of AUD2025. This initiative reflects the ASEAN spirit of unity and progress, and we are pleased to support such efforts that bring our nations closer together through innovation and sustainable development,' Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai said at the flag-off ceremony at the Malaysian Embassy in Hanoi.

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The Sun

20 minutes ago

The Sun

RM30 mixed rice drama: Customer gets 'reality check' after decade of loyalty, Internet takes sides

WHEN a regular customer's shock over his bill meets a no-nonsense vendor's breakdown – the internet couldn't stay neutral A seemingly ordinary lunch turned into a viral social media drama when a longtime customer got the shock of his life over a RM30.20 mixed rice bill in Taman Sentosa, Johor – and the vendor's savage response has Malaysia picking sides. ALSO READ: 'It was cheap' – M'sian influencer cooks RM4k worth A5 Wagyu rendang, internet divided The Customer's Shock: 'Really Kena Slap' The man, who claimed to be a loyal patron for over a decade, took to Facebook expressing his disbelief at the hefty bill for what appeared to be a simple meal. 'Curry chicken 1 piece, braised pork and egg and curry vegetable. I was shocked when asked to pay. I didn't ask how much per item,' he wrote, sharing a photo of his plate taken from what the vendor later called a 'misleading angle.' Having watched the business grow 'from push cart to opening an outlet' and being a regular customer enjoying their 'famous fried chicken for 10 years,' he felt blindsided by the RM30.20 charge, describing it as getting 'really kena slap.' Vendor Fires Back: 'Are You Not Aware?' But the stall owner wasn't having any of it. She hit back with a detailed breakdown that had netizens doing quick math: White rice – RM3.50 Curry chicken (small pieces) – RM5.00 Braised egg – RM1.50 Vegetables – RM2.50 Braised pork – RM15.00 Tea – RM1.00 Plus 6% SST The vendor didn't stop there. She called out the customer's photo angle, saying: 'If you want to take a photo, take it from above and not from the white rice's angle. Are you not aware of how much braised pork you took?' Speaking to China Press, she revealed that braised pork costs RM5-6 per scoop, and the customer had taken more than two generous scoops. She even admitted she initially wanted to photograph the impressive portion for promotional purposes but changed her mind when she saw his unhappy expression. Internet Goes Wild: Team Customer vs Team Vendor The post exploded online, with Malaysians firmly divided into camps: Team 'Customer Should Know Better': 'Self-serving or attendant served you? If it was self-serving, then you should bear the costs happily because you took too much meat, which are very expensive nowadays,' commented Desmond Wong, echoing many who felt the customer got what he loaded onto his plate. Team 'Transparency Matters': Others felt the pricing should have been clearer upfront, especially for a longtime customer. Team 'Evidence Everything': 'After I read the comment, I just want to recommend next time you should take a video from every angle,' Andy Low wrote, throwing shade at the photo controversy. The Real Winner: Malaysian Food Drama What started as one man's lunch complaint has become the latest episode in Malaysia's rich tradition of viral food controversies. The incident highlights the eternal struggle between customers wanting value and vendors dealing with rising costs – all played out in the court of public opinion. Whether you're Team Customer or Team Vendor, one thing's certain: this RM30 mixed rice has served up more drama than most reality TV shows, proving once again that in Malaysia, food isn't just sustenance – it's serious business. The moral of the story? Maybe ask for prices before loading up that plate – or at least take your complaint photos from a better angle.

[UPDATED] Tourism ministry wants control over tourism vehicles; cites other countries' lack of confidence

New Straits Times

20 minutes ago

New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Tourism ministry wants control over tourism vehicles; cites other countries' lack of confidence

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is calling for control over tourism-related vehicles such as buses to be returned to it, citing a loss of confidence in Malaysian road safety among various countries. It said, in a statement, parties involved in tourism and student exchange programmes from Asean, the Middle East, China, Japan and South Korea had expressed their concerns to the ministry. It added that there was a lack of confidence in Malaysia's tourism transport safety assurance mechanisms among these countries following the bus crash in Gerik which saw 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students killed and many others injured, "The level of concern is such that several international institutions are now reviewing their plans to send students to Malaysia. "Over 500 students are scheduled to arrive in Sabah for exchange programmes between June and August this year. "If we are unable to guarantee their safety, it will not only affect these programmes but could also damage Malaysia's reputation as a regional tourism hub," it said. The ministry no longer has full oversight of the industry, as its regulatory powers under the Tourism Vehicles Licensing Act 1999 were previously transferred to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad). It retains authority only in Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak. "This regulatory fragmentation has made it difficult to introduce a comprehensive framework that meets international safety standards and protects the welfare of tourists. "We urge that the powers once held by the ministry be fully restored. Tourism transport is not merely about mobility — it is the first touchpoint for visitors and forms a core part of Malaysia's tourism image," said the ministry. It warned that the lack of regulatory control had also hindered the implementation of key safety reforms it had previously proposed. These included limiting driving hours for tour bus drivers to eight hours per day, requiring two drivers for long-distance trips, mandatory rest periods, pre-departure urine screenings, real-time GPS tracking, speed monitoring systems, and compulsory insurance coverage. "Due to the absence of direct regulatory authority, these proposals have not been fully implemented, and the risks to tourists remain," the ministry said. Citing the 2023 Global Tourist Driving Anxiety Index by UK-based Scrap Car Comparison, the ministry said Malaysia was ranked the ninth most "worrying" country for global travellers and second in Asean. This, it said, was not just due to accident statistics but also perceived lax road discipline and traffic enforcement. "This shows that despite our efforts to position Malaysia as a tourist-friendly nation, the actual experience on our roads continues to cause unease and discomfort among international visitors." The ministry stressed that safety was the most fundamental expectation of any traveller, and without a dependable transport system, Malaysia risks losing the confidence of the international market. "The UPSI tragedy is not an isolated case, but a symptom of a systemic failure. "We call on all ministries involved, particularly the Transport Ministry, to take this issue seriously and expedite efforts to return regulatory authority to us. "Only through such reforms can we restore trust in Malaysia's tourism transport system and ensure that all visitors, including academic exchange groups, can enjoy their time here with peace of mind," the statement added.

From Rioja To Rendang: How Spanish Wines Found Their Malaysian Moment

Rakyat Post

25 minutes ago

Rakyat Post

From Rioja To Rendang: How Spanish Wines Found Their Malaysian Moment

Subscribe to our FREE The soft clink of glasses echoed through City Cellar's intimate space on a recent Wednesday evening, as wine enthusiasts settled into their seats at Isetan Lot 10. Outside, Bukit Bintang's neon lights painted the night in familiar hues, but inside, the conversation had already shifted to Spanish terroir and centuries-old winemaking traditions. Spanish wine expert Bruno Butragueño, his grey blazer a relaxed contrast to the formal wine bottles lined before him, held up a bottle of 'This cava comes from Spain's oldest winery, Codorníu, with a history spanning over 450 years,' he explained to the mixed crowd of expatriates and locals, his accent lending authenticity to each Spanish wine name that rolled off his tongue. A Journey Through Spanish Regions The evening unfolded like a geographical tour. Participants swirled the pale gold cava in their glasses, noting the persistent bubbles that spoke of traditional méthode champenoise. A participant in the front row nodded approvingly after her first sip, whispering to her companion about the wine's crisp minerality. As Butragueño moved through the selection—from the robust Conversations grew more animated. Some scribbled notes about the Beyond the Tasting Notes What struck attendees wasn't just the wine quality, but Butragueño's stories. His 15 years in Asian markets had taught him to bridge cultural gaps through shared appreciation. When describing the Rioja region's oak ageing process, he drew parallels to Malaysian patience in perfecting rendang—both requiring time and tradition to achieve excellence. Spanish wines tell stories of place, Butragueño explained, pouring the final Gran Reserva. Each bottle carries the personality of its vineyard, the character of its vintage year. The deep ruby liquid caught the warm lighting as participants took their time with this final pour, many already calculating which bottles they'd purchase with their RM50 vouchers. Malaysia's Wine Scene Comes of Age The event reflected Malaysia's evolving wine culture. Unlike earlier years when sweet wines dominated local preferences, this crowd engaged seriously with complex, dry Spanish varietals. Questions flew about tannin structures, ageing requirements, and food pairing possibilities. By 7 PM, as the formal tasting concluded, small groups lingered. Business cards were exchanged, dinner plans were made, and several participants headed directly to City Cellar's retail section, vouchers in hand. The evening had achieved its goal: transforming curiosity into genuine appreciation for Spanish winemaking heritage. For Malaysian wine enthusiasts, events like these represent more than tastings—they're cultural bridges, connecting local palates with global traditions, one carefully poured glass at a time. READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.