logo
Alena Murang's latest single ‘Borneo Rain' out in time for Mother Earth Day

Alena Murang's latest single ‘Borneo Rain' out in time for Mother Earth Day

Borneo Post23-04-2025

Alena says through her latest single, she aims to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us.
KUCHING (April 23): Singer-songwriter and sape player Alena Murang has released her latest single, 'Borneo Rain' just in time for International Mother Earth Day.
The song, now streaming on all major listening platforms, is sung in the Kelabit language, an endangered language spoken by fewer than 6,000 people from the highlands of Sarawak.
Alongside it, Alena has also released the Malay and instrumental versions of 'Borneo Rain'.
'I aim to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us.
'Borneo Rain is a song that celebrates rain as a blessing – for the land, and in turn, for all of us.
'Growing up, I have learned through songs and stories from my elders that the rain isn't troublesome weather, but it's necessary for life.
'When the rain falls, it nourishes the earth, and that's something to be grateful for,' she said in a promotional release.
According to Alena, Borneo is one of the wettest places on Earth, and home to some of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world.
'With this song, I hope listeners would feel both joy and a quiet sense of peace – the kind of calm we often find when we're truly immersed in nature.'
The music video visualiser, released on Monday, features Alena wearing a 'Samit' — a traditional raincoat worn in the Kelabit Highlands, made from palm leaves and stitched by hand with bark cloth or pineapple fibre.
The music video can be watched on YouTube. Alena Murang entertainment lead music rainforest

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A. Samad Said, champion of national language, literature
A. Samad Said, champion of national language, literature

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

A. Samad Said, champion of national language, literature

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been a while since news last emerged about National Laureate Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Samad Mohamed Said, better known as A. Samad Said. He was last seen at the 2024 Merdeka Award ceremony here on Aug 28 last year, where Pak Samad – as he is also fondly referred to – was among seven persons conferred awards for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields. The highly respected novelist and poet's love for books and writing has not faded one bit despite having turned 90 in April this year. His musician/writer son Az Abdul Samad, 44, assisted Bernama with this interview to gain an insight into the life of a man widely regarded as one of the most influential personalities in modern Malay literary history. A. Samad Said – one of whose earliest short stories 'Hari Ini Hari Gembira' was written way back in October 1954 – is also regarded as a voice of the people's conscience and a symbol of the resilience of the Malay language. Also known by several pen names, including Hilmy Isa, Isa Dahmuri, Jamil Kelana, Manja, Mesra and Shamsir, he has five children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Born on April 9, 1935, in Kampung Belimbing Dalam, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, he was raised in Singapore and received his early education at Kota Raja Malay School before continuing his education at Victoria Institution. He passed the Senior Cambridge Certificate examination in 1956. After completing his studies, he worked as a clerk at the Singapore General Hospital. A. Samad Said later moved to Kuala Lumpur where he joined a newspaper called 'Fikiran Rakyat' as a journalist. After several months, he returned to Singapore to work with 'Utusan Zaman' which, together with 'Utusan Melayu', was under the Utusan Group, led by prominent Malaysian poet, playwright and novelist Usman Awang. When the company relocated to Kuala Lumpur, A. Samad Said followed suit, assisting Usman Awang in managing 'Mastika', a magazine. Later, A. Samad Said served as the Head of Literary Development at the 'New Straits Times'. In 1987, he stepped down from his editorial position at 'Berita Harian' to fully dedicate himself to writing, focusing on essays and poetry. UNEXPECTED HONOUR Asked how he felt about being a recipient of the 2024 Merdeka Award, A. Samad Said responded, "Honestly, I didn't expect it and I never imagined it. But of course, I'm happy." Reflecting on his over seven-decade-long literary career filled with many ups and downs, he said he has always enjoyed being a writer even though "one can't really rely on it for a steady monthly income… it's unpredictable. "Sometimes, you earn well and at other times, you get nothing at all. "But because it's a path I chose from the beginning, I have no regrets." On his achievements, he said he did not expect to become so popular, confessing that his success as a novelist surprised him. "After receiving praise and material rewards, I felt like it was an unexpected gift for which I'm truly grateful. "Every time I write something that receives a good response, I feel it's not only a personal gain but also benefits society. I believe it (such achievements) becomes part of the nation's treasure," he said. He also said among the many highlights of his career, his most cherished experience was writing 'Al-Amin', a poem chronicling the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). "I never thought I would complete an entire anthology of Islamic poetry ('Al-Amin'). "I'm proud of my other works too but not in the same way… 'Al-Amin' is the most challenging as it required my full sincerity, deepest knowledge and capability to write it," he added. SALINA, A MASTERPIECE A. Samad Said's name reached its pinnacle with the official publication of his novel 'Salina' in 1961. The story revolves around the conflict and struggles of a woman named Salina, set against the backdrop of post–World War II society. Salina, a mistress, seeks to reclaim her dignity and find her challenges, there's a sense of relief." A. Samad Said's wife Datin Seri Saleha Abdul Rashid, who he married in 1958, was a fellow poet and novelist, and a former journalist and one of the pioneering women writers advocating social justice and women's rights. She was better known as Salmi Manja. In 1979, he married his second wife Rashidah Md Dahan. Salmi Manja passed away on Dec 26, 2023, at the age of 86. When asked how he balanced his career and personal life, he replied: "I honestly can't separate the two. "To me, every passing moment is meaningful. Reading is my only pastime… I feel at ease when I have a book on my right and left. "In my free time, I enjoy daydreaming and reminiscing the past," he added. On his life philosophy, he said he always reminds people that the opportunity to come into this world is a gift and not everyone gets that chance. "But I did and I am grateful for it. "Each person interprets life in their own way but it is something that must be cherished. As a writer, I try to do the best I can," he said. He also said having gone through difficult phases in his life, his religious beliefs became even more significant to him. "Whenever I feel anxious, I find comfort in reading the Al-Quran," he said, adding he considers his success at overcoming his stutter an "extraordinary achievement". "I hope I made meaningful contributions to my people and my country through my presence in this world. "And if this has happened, I am content." NEVER TAKE WHAT BELONGS TO OTHERS In addition to being a literary figure, A. Samad Said was also actively involved in social and political activism. He played a key role in the 'Gerakan Mansuhkan PPSMI' (2009), which opposed the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English, and he participated in the Bersih 2.0 and 3.0 rallies, advocating for electoral reforms in Malaysia. His sincerity and perseverance, as well as his struggles and diverse experiences, shaped his thinking and personality, establishing him as one of Malaysia's most respected literary figures. These days, he finds comfort in reading classic literature – books he never had time to finish earlier in life. "Now, I spend more time reading classics I didn't manage to finish before. "For example, I enjoy reading works by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy and Ernest Hemingway… I didn't finish reading their books in the past but now I'm taking it slow, savouring every moment and 'gathering' wisdom," he said. His message to the public is simple and profound: "Do good… contribute to your people and your country. "Young people should ask themselves, 'What do I really want to become?' Then pursue it. Serve others. And never steal… never take what rightfully belongs to someone else." — BERNAMA

New To Pickleball? Here's How To Not Look Like You Just Googled The Rules
New To Pickleball? Here's How To Not Look Like You Just Googled The Rules

Rakyat Post

time10 hours ago

  • Rakyat Post

New To Pickleball? Here's How To Not Look Like You Just Googled The Rules

Subscribe to our FREE Trying a new sport is already stress-inducing. And like me, if you're not exactly a social butterfly, trying it in front of actual people ? Even worse. Whether you're joining a casual game or rolling up to Julie's Pickleball Party (more deets below!), this guide is your no-BS crash course to not looking like you just crawled out of a 'How to Pickleball' YouTube rabbit hole. We've got you covered with the absolute basics, minus the jargon. So you can walk in cool, swing confidently, and not whack your partner in the face. (We believe in you.) 🥒 Pickleball 101 (aka: What Even Is Going On) TRP. TRP. The 'Kitchen' Isn't for Standing In. There's a 7-foot zone on both sides of the net called the non-volley zone , but everyone just calls it the 'kitchen.' You can't hit the ball out of the air while standing in it. Step in = fault. Think of it like lava. Respect the lava. Serving: Where, When, How? Serve diagonally , underhand (no, really), and keep both feet behind the baseline. The first team to serve only gets one chance, then it goes to the other side. After that, it's two chances per team (except at the start of the game). Let the Ball Bounce – At First. After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. No smashing it back straight away! This 'double bounce rule' keeps it fair and stops the game from turning into a tennis-style power match. Scoring Isn't That Deep, But It's Weird. Only the serving team can score points. Games are usually played to 11, and you've got to win by 2. When calling the score, say: your team's score , opponent's score , and whether you're server 1 or 2 (e.g. '4-2-1'). Feels like maths, but you'll get the hang of it. Don't Whack Your Partner. Rule of thumb: if the ball's in the middle, yell 'mine' or 'yours' like your relationship depends on it. Communication = everything. 😎 Fake It 'Til You Make It TRP. TRP. Confidence is 50% of the game. The other 50%? Snacks (Don't quote us on that). BUT, lucky for you, Julie's is fueling champions with their new Sweet Chilli Cheese Sandwich and Sour Cream & Onion Sandwich biscuits, featuring: Tangy sour cream + aromatic onion. Creamy cheese with a sweet chilli kick. Protein-packed. Low in trans fats & cholesterol. Non-GMO, a.k.a. Good Mood Only. 🏓 The Real Serve: Julie's Where Flavour Meets Your Game TRP. Julie's Biscuits. 📍 Location: Sunway Pyramid, Blue Concourse 📆 Date: 12 – 15 June 2025 Here's what's happening: Biscuits for sale & free sampling (FREE SNACKS). Interactive games & photo ops for your IG flex. Pickleball 101 coach sessions – register early though! Friendly matches with content creators & local Pickleball Clubs. Julie's Pickleball Face-Off featuring Seonma & Abang, Alana & Abbas, Sai & Bernice, MalayPanTV's Joshua & Arisa with Graeme as referee. | 📅 12 June, ⏰ 2PM – 6PM 🎁 GWP (aka Free Stuff, Let's Goooo) TRP. TRP. Snag the Julie's Pickleball Collection – only available at the roadshow! Buy 2 packs = Get 2 Zing Balls (pickleballs) Spend RM50 = Get either a Sour Ace Paddle or a Sweet Serve Paddle Spend RM150 = Get a Julie's Game-On Court Bag Plus, with every purchase you'll get to redeem 4 packets of Sweet Chilli Cheese Sandwich and Sour Cream & Onion Sandwich biscuits of random flavours! TL;DR TRP. TRP. Don't stand in the kitchen. Don't smash your partner. Let the ball bounce first. Only the serving team can score points. 🙄 Serve smart, snack smarter. And most importantly, swing by Sunway Pyramid for Julie's Biscuits, fun pickleball games, and vibes. See you courtside! Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

#SHOWBIZ: Sofyank teams up with HK superstar Louis Koo in viral promo
#SHOWBIZ: Sofyank teams up with HK superstar Louis Koo in viral promo

New Straits Times

time17 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Sofyank teams up with HK superstar Louis Koo in viral promo

KUALA LUMPUR: A surprise collaboration between Hong Kong screen legend Louis Koo and Malaysia's very own VFX prodigy Sofyank has taken local social media by storm, following the release of a promotional video for Koo's film Behind The Shadow. The impressive 50-second spot racked up over a million views in just 12 hours, and for Sofyank, the experience was surreal. "Louis is one of the first Hong Kong actors I've ever worked with. I grew up watching his movies — to now share the screen with him feels like a dream come true," shared Sofyank. Despite Koo's packed schedule, the video shoot was completed in 20 minutes. "He looked really serious at first, but he was incredibly down-to-earth. In fact, it was he who suggested some comedic moments — including the popcorn bit," added Sofyank. The video features Sofyank walking through a cinema hallway holding popcorn, before accidentally bumping into a crowd and dropping it. Koo "steps out" of a movie poster and hands him a fresh box — while dropping some Bahasa Malaysia lines in his Cantonese-accented voice: "Jom sapot!" (Let's support!). Netizens praised their pairing as refreshing and heartwarming. "We asked Louis if he'd be willing to try speaking in Malay, even though it's not a language he's familiar with — and he was totally up for it," said Sofyank. Behind The Shadow was shot entirely in Malaysia, with a cast and crew of nearly 100 local talents. Koo previously shared his admiration for Malaysia's film industry, noting its professionalism, quick pace and strong creative energy. "I was impressed by how committed and responsive the Malaysian crew were. It was great to see how they handled spontaneous scenes so well," he said. Sofyank said: "This film proves that it's not just Western studios, but also those in Asia, that now recognise Malaysia's potential. I hope to bring Malaysian creativity to the global stage. And I'm thrilled to see more international filmmakers acknowledging our local talent." Behind The Shadow stars Koo as a detective entangled in a mysterious crime filled with suspense and unexpected turns. The film is set in recognisable Malaysian locations — from bustling night markets and food courts to schools, pedestrian bridges and urban backstreets. Behind The Shadow officially opens in cinemas today.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store