
Buddhist book censored due to 'porn' elements, translator claims
Translator Sherab Wong revealed in a Facebook post on Monday evening (July 28) that he found copies of the Illustrated Heart Sutra (圖解心經) at Cite Book Garden in Kuala Lumpur that had been partially blacked out by the Customs Department.
'A section depicting the Heart Sutra's Twelve Nidānas was...
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
'Karma is real, brother' — Influencer Kong Jau Sang slams trio for giving chicken bones to homeless man
A viral video involving three Malaysian content creators has sparked widespread outrage after they were seen handing chicken bones to a homeless man, while giving the leftover meat to a dog—an act that many criticised as humiliating and dehumanising. Although the trio later issued an apology and claimed that the man had been given a proper meal off-camera and was in on the act, the damage had already been done. ALSO READ: 'I already treat them as brothers': Homeless man forgives influencers over chicken bone meal incident The incident drew sharp criticism from the public and notable figures, including Malaysian influencer and celebrity lawyer, Kong Jau Sang. In a strongly worded Facebook video, Kong did not hold back his condemnation. 'He is already at the lowest point of his life, and you feed him bones. Are you human?' he said, questioning the creators' sense of empathy and morality. He went on to deliver a stark reminder: 'Karma is real, brother. Don't ever doubt it.' Kong, known for his outspoken and controversial views, urged fellow influencers to uphold a higher standard of responsibility in their content creation. 'You are using someone's suffering as content. If you insult a beggar, you might become one in the future,' he warned. Despite the backlash, the homeless man involved—identified as Dennis—told China Press that he holds no ill will towards the group. According to Dennis, the trio later returned to apologise, and he made it clear that he bore no grudge. 'I already treat them as brothers,' he was quoted as saying. As of August 6, the trio involved in the video has given statements to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). They may face penalties of up to RM500,000 in fines or a jail term of up to two years under existing laws.


Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Tagada mishap: DOSH says Kuching Fest amusement rides not registered, no valid certificate of fitness
Three visitors suffered minor injuries in the mishap. — Photo from Facebook/Amelia Lim Wen Ching KUCHING (Aug 7): The faulty tagada amusement ride, which injured three Kuching Festival visitors on Aug 2, did not have a valid certificate of fitness (CF) nor was it registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). DOSH Sarawak said the Ferris wheel at the site also requires a CF under the Guidelines on the Safety Management of Amusement Park Devices (2008). 'The department denies any claims that either of these amusement rides had been inspected by its officers. 'To date, no application has been received from the amusement park operator to operate these rides,' it said in a statement. DOSH pointed out failure to register the rides constitutes an offence under the Occupational Safety and Health (Machinery Requiring Certificate of Fitness) Regulations 2024. Three prohibition notices have also been issued to the employer involved. 'The case is being investigated under Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514). 'Legal action will be taken against those found responsible for any violations of the Act. 'Under this legislation, the maximum penalty for employers found guilty is RM500,000,' said the department. DOSH Sarawak also called on all amusement park operators and event organisers to ensure that all theme park machinery is installed securely, maintained properly, and complies with established safety standards to safeguard public health and safety. Around 9.40pm on Aug 2, three individuals sustained minor injuries after a tagada amusement ride collapsed at the Kuching Festival site near Dewan Masyarakat MBKS. Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said all three victims were treated on-site by Malaysian Red Crescent first aiders. Following the incident, MBKS instructed the contractor to shut down the entire fun ride area and called on DOSH to conduct a safety inspection of the rides. Related story: Three injured in Kuching Fest tagada ride mishap, safety probe underway DOSH Sarawak Kuching Festival 2025 tagada amusement ride


The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Online kidnapping scams on the rise in Vietnam, targeting people living far from home
HANOI: Vietnamese authorities are warning the public of a rising wave of sophisticated online scams known as 'virtual kidnapping', targeting students and young people, particularly those living away from home. Criminals impersonate police or prosecutors, claim the victim is involved in a crime and coerce them into isolation, while simultaneously extorting money from their families. On July 27, police in Hanoi's Ba Dinh Ward received a report from a man claiming his university-age son had been kidnapped. The father received a message demanding a ransom of 250 million dong (S$12,250). Within hours, local police, in coordination with Hanoi's Criminal Police Department, located the student in a nearby hotel. The son explained he had been contacted via phone by someone claiming to be an investigator. The caller accused him of involvement in a money laundering ring and instructed him to install a Zoom-based app for interrogation. Under pressure and fear, he followed instructions and sent a distress message to his parents, believing it was a legal procedure. A similar case occurred just days earlier in the capital city's Viet Hung Ward, where a 16-year-old was coerced into faking his own kidnapping and demanding 300 million dong from his family. He was later found alone in a hotel room after swift intervention by police. These 'virtual kidnappings' typically follow a pattern: scammers collect public information and photos of victims — often students living away from home — and then create fake social media accounts on Facebook or Zalo using their identities. They contact the victim's family and friends with urgent messages like 'I've been kidnapped abroad', 'If I ask for money, I'm being forced', or 'Call the police to rescue me.' To heighten panic, they use emotional language like 'Mom, please help!' or 'Are you online, Mom?' to manipulate family members into transferring money without verifying the situation. Multiple rescues in recent days Between Aug 2 and 5, police in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Dak Lak successfully resolved at least five such cases. On Aug 2, an 18-year-old student in Ho Chi Minh City was lured into a hotel room and asked his mother for 600 million dong under the pretext of needing financial proof for a study abroad application. Authorities tracked and rescued him the same night. Also on Aug 2, a third-year student disappeared from her dorm in HCM City. Scammers demanded 600 million dong from her family. Police found her in a hotel after she had already transferred 129 million dong. On Aug 5, a high school student from HCM City was lured 350km away to Dak Lak Province, where he was isolated in a motel. He had transferred nearly 80 million dong after being manipulated via calls and Zoom. Police found and rescued him early the next morning. Many of the victims admitted they had heard about these scams before, but still fell for them due to pressure, fear and isolation. Online awareness Journalist Hoang Anh Tu, former head of the editorial board of the Sinh Vien-Hoa Học Tro newspaper, said this reveals alarming gaps in family relationships today. Social media, with its strong appeal and influence, has increasingly become a more accessible companion for many teenagers. 'Young people are often more willing to confide in strangers online, where they feel heard and free from judgment. Meanwhile, within their own families, parents, due to busy schedules, life pressures or a lack of understanding of teenage psychology, may unintentionally create invisible barriers,' he said. He suggested that schools integrate digital skills education into the official curriculum. 'It's not enough to just teach math, physics, chemistry, and then tell students 'Figure out social media on your own',' he said. 'There should be practical lessons, like 'How can you tell if a stranger is trying to scam you?', 'What kind of messages might indicate bullying or grooming?', or 'What should you do if you're being threatened online?'' Building trust, sharing and being a solid emotional support for children is the most effective shield against cybercrime, he noted. According to Tu, families need to shift from 'preaching' to 'truly walking alongside' their children. Instead of banning phone use, parents could try asking their children how much time they spend on their phone each day, what kind of content they like, or if anything online has made them feel sad lately. 'Parents, don't rush. Don't lose your temper at every little thing. Be calm, because there's still plenty of time to be present with your children. When you are, they'll feel safe expressing their thoughts and emotions. And sometimes, you may even be surprised and deeply moved by their insight,' he said. Instead of banning social media, he advised parents to accompany their children by watching what their children are watching, commenting on it and following along — not to monitor them, but to understand them. - Vietnam News/ANN