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Furry friends become celebrities: Malaysian cats are now television fashion icons

Furry friends become celebrities: Malaysian cats are now television fashion icons

The Star5 days ago

SHAH ALAM: Does your cat have an extraordinary style that can steal the attention of the camera lens and the hearts of the judges ... Welcome to Malaysia's Cat Fashion Week and it is not just an ordinary competition — it is a celebration of style, love and unique expressions in the world of cat fashion that has never been witnessed on Malaysian TV.
For the first time, Malaysia free-tv channel, TV3, is organising the first cat competition program, elevating the furry cutie to the level of runway celebrity.
Now, the dream of seeing your beloved cat walk confidently on the catwalk and become the country's official fashion icon has come true. This is a golden opportunity — not only to be stylish, but to become a real star in the Malaysian entertainment world!
The studio atmosphere transformed into the most stylish and cute stage when the curtain of Cat Fashion Week opened through the pre-judging session or the highly anticipated semi-final round.
A total of 20 of the most fashionable cats, complete with their own unique styles and charismatic owners, appeared to display extraordinary fashion to win a place in the top eight finalists. With their own unique confidence and cat-titude, each pair of cats and their owners battled to book their tickets to the finals of Cat Fashion Week.
Early in the judging process, the studio atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation, not only from the owners, but also from the cats who seemed to understand the situation. Some sat calmly and stylishly, some were nervous and shy, and some were even wandering around the set as if they were already familiar with the catwalk.
In the sea of ​​meows, fluff and couture sparkle typical of the cute ones, the owners' faces were still filled with excitement.
However, they were still ready, delivering their own narratives about the stories and inspirations behind the styles chosen for their respective 'meow-dels', before stepping onto the catwalk and performing cute acts according to the theme highlighted.
Each one's uniqueness was evident not only through their appearance, but also through their expressions and styles on stage — some were graceful and confident, while others were unpretentious but still captivated the judges with their own authenticity and aura.
"Meow Menyala, Gaya Membara!" was not just a tagline — it was truly translated throughout the pre-judging session last Sunday. The judges were patient and relaxed yet focused; giving each cat the opportunity to showcase their unique personalities. Cat Fashion Week is truly a show full of emotion and uniqueness. From grooming, glamorous accessories, to the loving interactions between cats and their owners, everything will be displayed in an entertaining visual form.
From over 100 online entries submitted at the end of last year, only 20 cats were selected for this pre-judging stage.
Each participant showed off their unique style and charm with their respective owners in front of four great judges, namely Dr Ima (Dr Salehahtul Khuzaimah), a veterinarian with expertise in caring for small and exotic pets; Johan & His Cats, a digital content creator known as the King of Cats Malaysia; Yuen Wai, the Malaysian jury representative under The Federation International Feline (FIFe); and Mark Adam, a singer, actor and cat lover. The judging session was also strengthened by the presence of Khalid Rashid, or better known as Pak Khalid, who acted as the jury advisor.
In recognition of the style, effort and uniqueness of each participant and their cat, Cat Fashion Week is offering generous rewards to the winners at the final stage.
The grand champion will take home RM5,000 in cash, followed by RM3,000 for the runner-up, and RM2,000 for third place. Not to be outdone, the participants who made it to the Top 8 will also receive a consolation prize of RM1,000 each.
Adding to the special features of this year's event, Cat Fashion Week is also introducing the Felix, Si Bijak and Si Lincah Awards, an exclusive tribute to cats who truly stand out in terms of style and natural charm.
In short, get ready cat lovers -- the best looking cats in the country are going to be crowned soon and just wait foir the grand finals to be held on Aug 17.
The Top 20 finalist: Ahmad Fazwan & Ajmal Bro; Zakry & Winter Notty; Nurul Izzah & Omey; Nurul Awwal & Chibu; Anis Wahidah & Princess Lusy; Asma & Sorayya; Farahin Zakaria & Grande Starz Juny; Anis Aniza & Tocky Kai; Herdawarni & Jodel; Immal Hayatie & Seri; Noramiza & Leo; Nurfarisha & Bulat; Nurmayani & Kristoff; Rohayu & Ayang; Siti Khadijah & Mocha; Siti Rohani & Goyem; Vanessa & Donut; Siti & Tommy; Faridz Azli & Bexy and Anis Halyatie & Evian.

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Malaysian musicians and artistes unhappy three main music collective bodies taking action against new govt guidelines
Malaysian musicians and artistes unhappy three main music collective bodies taking action against new govt guidelines

The Star

time8 hours ago

  • The Star

Malaysian musicians and artistes unhappy three main music collective bodies taking action against new govt guidelines

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian musicians and those working in the music industry were left perplexed on Sunday when it was announced that three royalty collection bodies, or Collective Management Organisations (CMO) as they are widely known, have decided to take the government to court in order to the oppose new guidelines set by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Intellectual Property Organisation of Malaysia. Several rounds of meetings and discussions were held with the Intellectual Property Corporation or MyIPO, leading to the development of the guidelines and the subsequent announcement by the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali on 17th March 2025. The three CMOs however, have taken to the courts in their attempt to obstruct the implementation of the new guidelines. In fact, the case will be coming up for mention on Tuesday (July 1) at the KL Courts in Jalan Duta. The three bodies that have taken the court action against the government namely the KPDN Minister and MyIpo are Music Authors' Copyright Protection or MACP of which the Chairman is legendary composer Datuk M. Nasir, Recording Performers Malaysia or RPM of which the Chairman is Datuk Sheila Majid and Public Performance Malaysia or PPM whose Chairman is Rosmin Hashim. In a recent joint statement to the media, MACP, PPM and RPM said the guidelines undermined their autonomy and were not aligned with existing laws. The three bodies also added that the new CMO Guidelines of 2025 could negatively impact copyright holders, having been published without their consultation. The guidelines, issued by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) on Jan 17, were intended to improve the governance and operations of collective management organisations. In a special press conference set by the Malaysian Artistes' Association (Karyawan) in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, many artistes, composers and musicians said they were shocked, perplexed and unhappy with the decisions of the three CMOs to undertake this legal action against the Minister and the government. Karyawan President Datuk Freddie Fernandez said "Based on ongoing complaints from music artists and users of music, as well as the result of various engagement sessions with rights holders, CMO's and music users which began in 2023, MyIPO then published the Guidelines 2025 in January this year. "The new guidelines are excellent. They address many of the issues faced by music creators in ensuring they are treated fairly when it comes to voting rights and also provides for greater transparency and accountability from the bodies," said Freddie. "So the move by the three CMOs to take this sort of court action against the government is perplexing to say the least, especially when the majority of the members of the three organizations are extremely satisfied with the guidelines and grateful to the government for listening to their grievances and addressing them in the guidelines," said Freddie. Almost all of the 50 musicians and artistes who were present at the gathering, comprising members of the three CMO's said they were also not informed of the decision of the three CMOs to take the government to court in this manner. Ad Samad, Malaysia's well-known composer/lyricist, said he was deeply shocked with the decision of the three bodies. "We (the members) from the three bodies were just not told about this decision to take the government to court. We have no idea whose decision it is but this is exactly why we need the guidelines. "To prevent the managements of the bodies from taking this sort of unilateral action against the will of the members. "These new guidelines ultimately help and support the artistes and music composers and ensure their rights are protected, besides giving them a voice in how the CMO's are run" said Ad, who with other musicians on Sunday signed a memorandum to support the new guidelines. "At the end of the day, we just want the new guidelines to be implemented as it is for the good of all music creators in the country." Another well-respected musician and composer in the country, Zaim Zaidee, said in the last two decades there had been many issues on the rights of the musicians and artists in the past and the new guidelines will address many of these issues. "The MyIPO sorted out many things for many artists and those in the music industry. This decision by the CMO's in taking the government to court does not make sense and on top of that it was done without the knowledge of the members of the CMO's. But we are here today, to ensure that everyone knows that many of us in the industry do fully support the new guidelines" said Zaim. Music director and video specialist Cheb Ali also said that the new guidelines are the right move for all those in the industry. "I'm a member of MACP as well as RPM. This move by the three CMO's has been confusing because first they said they were not involved in the set-up of the new guidelines and then they also said their input were not included properly in the guidelines. Many of the members are not really sure what they and the other two bodies are actually saying. "And now this court move. We are very concerned with the way the three bodies are taking this form of action without referring the matter first to the members to seek their views. At the recent AGM of MACP last week, all our efforts to seek clarification were ignored. Ultimately the new MyIPO guidelines are the best for the all those in the music industry. There is nothing else to it," said Cheb. Meanwhile, Freddie also added: 'We need the government and the courts to be aware that the majority of the 8,000 artistes and composers who are members of these organisations do not support this court action against these government guidelines. "We stand firmly behind the KPDN Minister and MyIpo in this matter. Once these guidelines are implemented this sort of unilateral action by the management of the CMO's will hopefully no longer be possible and we can look forward to greater accountability and transparency from all CMO's in the future."

Interview: Zamaera's Journey On The 'Road To FAM' Finale & Her Thoughts On The Malaysian Music Scene
Interview: Zamaera's Journey On The 'Road To FAM' Finale & Her Thoughts On The Malaysian Music Scene

Hype Malaysia

time13 hours ago

  • Hype Malaysia

Interview: Zamaera's Journey On The 'Road To FAM' Finale & Her Thoughts On The Malaysian Music Scene

Rising Malaysian powerhouse rapper, Zamaera, will be headlining the upcoming finale to 88Rising's 'Road To FAM' in collaboration with Levi's and Future Asian Music in Bangkok, Thailand on 9th July 2025. Headlining Southeast Asia's biggest artists, such as RAMENGVRL, Zack Tabuldo, and Fariz Jabba, who were on the leg of the 'Road To FAM', Zamaera will be also joined by exclusive guest, 88Rising's MILLI. Known for her bold beats and finesse, let's take a look at who Zamaera is at her core, where her music speaks when words cannot. In this exclusive interview with the rapper, we follow her thoughts on the Malaysian music scene and her thoughts on her musical journey. She also shares her thoughts on being in the finale of 'Road To FAM' in Bangkok. Here's what she had to say: 1. Your Road to FAM Show in KL recently ended, along with your Epiphany tour. How are you feeling about the energy of the Malaysian music scene? Same energy, more driven, more focused and a lot more intentional with my craft. Although I have to correct you, as I didn't win the rap battle. I was 1st runner up against one of my long-time friends, ASHTIN (M.I.O), but I was the only female in the whole cypher, which really set the tone for my career from then onwards. At that time, female representation in hip hop was far from many, but I remember seeing Arabyrd, Kayda Aziz, Hunny Madu, Shikara, Mizz Nina, YUNOHOO (formerly known as Rubba Bend), Supamojo and sharing a stage with a few of them at Raising The Bar, a hip hop platform founded by Jin Hackman and Dan Shiv. I loved being put together with these other strong and creative female figures. And that goes hand in hand with my involvement with Road To FAM. Representing my country, alongside other independent Asian artists, is exactly where I belong. 2. Your Epiphany tour included cities that are rarely visited by artists. Could you explain the process of choosing these cities, and what did you think about the crowd there? Yes, well, it was quite easy actually. I picked the cities like Alor Setar, Kedah and Ipoh, Perak, because firstly I knew I had a following in those cities and secondly because I hadn't performed in cities like Malacca or Kedah or Sabah. I'm planning a bigger show with more local artists, so the best way to test the market is to actually go on the ground and see what works and what doesn't. I am a huge fan of Nipsey Hussle, and he has these 5 prolific principles which he elaborates on. One of them is fan segmentation. As an independent artist, it's important to identify who your superfans are, those who come out for your show no matter what, purchase tickets and merch as a way of supporting your career, so this is also my way of giving back to the fans who aren't based in Kuala Lumpur. I'm really glad I picked all these 'uncommon' cities because not only was the hospitality from the venues amazing, but I really got to build a strong connection with my fans from each state, as the show was very intimate, ranging from 50 – 100 pax capacity venues. I believe all artists should try planning their national tour with their team because it's extremely doable! And it's very wholesome, plus a huge learning opportunity. 3. Based on your latest song, 'Jumper,' you're leaning towards the UK Rap and Baile Funk genre. Could you tell us a bit more about this artistic direction? I had always been a fan of electronic music, particularly techno and house, ever since I went for a student exchange program in Germany. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of music that I wasn't acquainted with at 17 years old. But I never tried including the love for electronic music into my own. So, jumper was an amalgamation of discovering Miami bass and baile funk, which allowed me to naturally progress in my sound direction. Jumper has all the elements of my artistic qualities, rapping with witty punchlines and singing pre-chorus and chorus. I want that to stand out in all my upcoming music. The duality of both being a singer and rapper, because I am tired of being put into a box. You know that internet saying…..'let her cook'… 4. Being a Malaysian of Arab and Indian descent, and promoting yourself as a homegrown artist, are there any plans to add any cultural aspects to future music projects? For sure! I've always wanted to make Tamil / Hindi music because I grew up in a household which loved Bollywood. And of course, my love for languages is the real reason why I will eventually collaborate with more South Asian creatives. 5. You have some vocal-oriented tracks, such as 'Jaga Diri', 'Glow' and your early song, 'Wanita'. Are there any plans to dive into more vocal-oriented tracks? Or can fans expect a full vocal-oriented album in the future? Yes! I have a big grand master plan for this. I hope my fans are patient with me because I have some of the best music that I've ever made in the vault and about to be released, and I truly can't wait to share it with the world. 6. What does being part of the Future Asia Music x Levi's Collaboration with 88rising mean to you, personally and professionally? You've got to trust your team. I've been independent for such a long time that I'm so used to working on my own, but I've been building a great team, and I had to learn how to let go and just focus on being creative and just being the artist. Oh, and another thing is, you have to not panic in a crisis! We had a wardrobe malfunction, about the 3rd song into my live performance and I could feel my top kind of slipping off but as the saying goes, 'The show must go on', and I just kept singing and rapping into the microphone while being completely myself and announcing that we were going through a wardrobe malfunction and the crowd was still so supportive. There's something about being completely your own true self that I believe people enjoy and respect. 7. How do you see this collaboration uplifting Southeast Asian artists on a global stage? You know, I had never worked with Darren, the designer of Ugly Pretty, until this collaboration came along. He is most definitely someone I consider a visionary. Someone who can see the complete idea of something, before it's even done, which I resonate with completely as an artist myself. When I met him for the first time at Levis in Suria KLCC, he whipped out his sketch book that had these 4 gorgeous illustrations of how he envisioned my performance outfit, and it screamed my name across every single one. I felt like he studied me and my body through socials and maybe live performances to get a better understanding of my personality and the way that I move during performances, and then with his amazing, creative Einstein brain, just started sketching an idea that only he had seen in his head. We then tried on different existing in-store and archival pieces from Levi's, ranging from the jeans to skirts and jackets, etc, which he deconstructed every single piece to make the most authentic and gag-worthy 3-piece performance outfit. I mean, you must have seen it! I loved it, it's so me and him at the same time. 8. Do you have anything you want to say to aspiring artists who want to follow in your steps? Be unconditionally your most authentic self. When you are in a certain room with certain people, know that there is no one to impress but your 5-year-old self. Which is why it is also so important to be in touch with your inner child. Having a carefree spirit, an unlimited sense of wonder and no fear of rejection turns one into an undeniable force. Hone in on your strengths and trust your intuition. And if you are an artist, fall in love with the work, the dedication, the sacrifices, the poetry, because in the end, you are writing the story of who you are. Tickets to Future Asian Music x Levi's® Road to FAM, The Finale in Bangkok featuring Zamaera are available via MegaTix. Admission is free but RSVP required. The event is only open to ages 20+. Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0

Yusof's new piece earns royal honour
Yusof's new piece earns royal honour

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Yusof's new piece earns royal honour

A vision to behold: Yusof (right) doing a live painting demonstration before the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, after the launch of the 'Cenderawasih Energy Emotion' series at Tapak Gallery in Shah Alam. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star SHAH ALAM: In a celebration as resplendent as the bird that inspired it, Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah presided over the unveiling of Cenderawasih, the latest series by Malaysian painter Yusof Ghani. The launch added a vibrant stroke to the canvas of Yusof's four-decade career, a journey defined by a lifelong devotion to Malaysian visual arts. Held at Tapak Gallery, the exclusive event drew leading figures from the art, business, and financial worlds. 'It is a great honour to have Tuanku launch this new series,' Yusof said in his speech at the event yesterday. 'I encountered the majestic Cenderawasih, or bird-of-paradise, during a visit to Papua New Guinea nearly 10 years ago. 'Its colour, its energy, its sheer beauty left a lasting impression on me.' That moment, Yusof shared, was almost hypnotic, an experience that lingered long after his return home and eventually inspired this body of work, which he described as an ode to beauty. 'In this series, I prioritised beauty, because if ever a subject deserved such reverence, it is the Cenderawasih. 'In my use of colour, I sought to create a visual symphony, an expression of the bird's splendour and spiritual resonance,' he said. Titled Cenderawasih: Energy and Emotion, the series showcases Yusof's use of oil and charcoal on canvas, blending layered colours with tonal contrasts that channel the bird's spirit. Sultan Sharafuddin also witnessed a live painting demonstration by Yusof, featuring a fresh work inspired by the Cenderawasih. Yusof, a prominent national artist, began his artistic career in the early 1980s. His paintings have since been exhibited at numerous international art exhibitions, including in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, the United States and Canada. Among his popular artworks are Tari, Protest, Topeng, Wayang, Hijau, Segerak, Biring, Wajah and Ombak. The Selangor Ruler spent nearly 40 minutes viewing the works of the Johor-born artist.

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