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The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
RM1 doughnuts too sweet to resist
Frenz Donut stall is in Kampung Baru Lanjut, Sepang. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star Sepang stall run by former hotel culinary staff offers a variety at low price IF there is one sweet treat that has truly stood the test of time, it is the classic sugar doughnut. With its golden, crisp exterior, soft, pillowy centre and delicate dusting of sugar, the doughnut has come far from its humble beginnings. What started as a simple bakery staple has become food for the imagination in creative interpretations. Some are filled with cream or jam, dipped in rich chocolate, glazed with matcha or infused with bold flavours from around the world. Mohd Fauzan (left) and Zulkhairi showing their signature doughnuts and 'popiah' varieties. Yet amid all the innovations, the classic sugar doughnut remains a timeless comfort food. For many, it's the perfect companion with afternoon tea –warm, familiar and satisfying. Craving for one? In Kampung Baru Lanjut, Sepang in Selangor, a stall named Frenz Donut serves these sugary delights at a price that is just as sweet. It is run by two former hotel culinary staff with a passion for good food and an enterprising spirit, who prove that simple pleasures never go out of style. Fried 'pau' with red bean or sardine filling is also for sale at RM1 each. Zulkhairi Abd Ghaffar said they initially experimented with selling various food items but it was the doughnut that resonated most with customers, so they decided to make it their signature offering. 'My business partner Mohd Fauzan Awang@Abdul Aziz was a pastry chef at a hotel before we decided to venture out on our own. 'We experimented with the doughnut recipe and tested it with friends and family, before finalising the varieties for sale,' said Zulkhairi. There are four types of doughnuts sold at Frenz Donut stall, namely sugar, cinnamon sugar, red velvet, and milk, priced at RM1 each. Burger Malaysia is sold in a set of four pieces for RM5. The doughnuts are lightly crisp on the outside and coated in a fine layer of granulated sugar that adds just the right amount of sweetness without overwhelming the palate. The inside is soft and airy, with a slight chew. Many customers have remarked that the price of their doughnuts is cheap, Zulkhairi said. In response, he said their overhead costs were minimal, which allowed them to keep prices low while still earning a decent income. 'However, we have added more food items on the menu that are also sold for RM1 each, to offer variety. 'We have two types of savoury popiah, namely chicken bulgogi and carbonara. 'We also have fried pau with red bean or sardine sambal filling,' he said. 'Our latest addition is Burger Malaysia, which is sold as a set of four pieces for RM5,' Zulkhairi added. The stall opens from 2pm to 6.30pm daily, except Fridays.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia Aviation Group receives ISO certification for anti-bribery system
MAG Group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail — ART CHEN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has become the first Malaysian airline group to achieve the ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) certification. According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the certification is an internationally recognised standard for the implementation of anti-bribery management systems within an organisation. MAG said in a statement the certification currently applies to group-level functions involving governance, risk, compliance, sustainability, and leadership, with controls in place to manage bribery risks across high-impact areas such as procurement, vendor engagement, and third-party interactions. "An effective anti-bribery system must be driven from the top. This certification is not just a formality—it is a firm declaration of our zero-tolerance stance against bribery, fraud, and corruption. "ISO 37001 reinforces the controls we have built into every part of our operations, from procurement and policymaking to how we engage with partners be it in Malaysia or our international offices," said MAG group managing director Datuk Captain Izham Ismail. MAG's certification process was strongly supported by its board of directors and group executive committee, and included a detailed corruption risk assessment, the formation of a dedicated Working group committee, and the development of the ABMS framework. This was complemented by 16 training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns rolled out across key business functions to embed the principles of integrity throughout the organisation. MAG also operates a publicly accessible whistleblowing platform, providing a safe and confidential channel for reporting suspected misconduct. Within the organisation, the Group Business Integrity unit currently has two Certified Integrity Officers (CeIOs), with plans to certify more personnel across departments to ensure the ABMS is sustained and embedded throughout the Group. The group now aims to progressively expand the certification scope to include other business pillars and entities, with the goal of fostering a business ecosystem grounded in integrity and ethical conduct across all touchpoints.
The Star
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
A shot in the arm for healthcare access
Community-led initiatives offer free ambulance and transport services to medical facilities in Subang Jaya, Shah Alam. THERE is growing demand for transport services to healthcare facilities for medical emergencies and hospital appointments. Community-led initiatives seek to bridge gaps in instances where hospitals are located far from residential areas or ambulances are unavailable. These locally managed services provide faster response times during emergencies and support residents in need of transport for medical check-ups and treatments while catering to people with mobility challenges. Going the extra mile: SJ Beacon's paramedics ensuring their equipment is in tip-top condition to handle any emergency in Subang Jaya. — ART CHEN/The Star Such efforts help reduce the load on hospital ambulances, especially for non-critical cases. With these community initiatives in place, medical facilities have the flexibility to allocate their emergency resources where they are most needed. StarMetro spoke to a city council and non-governmental organisation, which have been operating for several years now, to better understand the services offered, impact on residents and how other communities with similar challenges could learn from them. MBSA's free service The free community transport service by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) is marking its 10th anniversary this year. Since its inception, city council vans have made over 2,000 trips ferrying residents in Shah Alam for medical appointments. MBSA Community Development Department director Shahrin Ahmad said the service was aimed at providing transport for people with disabilities and senior citizens in Shah Alam. He said the service was designed particularly for those from underprivileged groups who had to go for their medical appointments and dialysis treatments. 'We saw a need for this service as there were senior citizens living alone or had no one to take them for their medical appointments. 'It is also costly for them to rely on e-hailing rides,' he said. The council-initiated community project started in 2015 with two vehicles – a modified van and multipurpose vehicle (MPV). The fleet has since increased to three vehicles. Driver Shazali loading a wheelchair into one of the modified vans used in MBSA's free community transport service. A fourth one, a van, will be acquired by July. Shahrin said it cost about RM250,000 to buy a new van and modify it to fit in a tail lift to transport wheelchair-bound people. It also has special seat belts for the wheelchair. The modified van can accommodate a driver, one wheelchair user and a companion while the MPV can take in three passengers and a driver. 'The service is available on weekdays, from 8.30am to 5pm, by appointment only, with bookings to be made two weeks in advance,' said Shahrin. 'One vehicle handles one appointment per day, meaning we can only handle a maximum of three appointments daily. 'The patients typically have conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes, require dialysis treatment or need to pick up prescribed medication,' he said, adding that they could not ferry those who were bedridden. Shahrin said the drivers could manage wheelchair-bound passengers but were not trained as emergency responders. The cost for the community transport service is entirely borne by MBSA, including fuel and vehicle maintenance as well as toll fare. Shahrin says MBSA's medical transport service has expanded to 22 locations. Initially, the service covered eight locations but it has now expanded to 22 locations since last year. Most of the locations are hospitals, health clinics and dialysis centres in Shah Alam, with a few medical facilities in neighbouring cities such as Petaling Jaya and Klang. 'The most popular locations are Hospital Shah Alam, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang and University Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya. 'We expanded the drop-off points to include dialysis centres last year due to demand,' said Shahrin, adding that there had been special requests for drop-offs to further locations like the National Cancer Institute in Putrajaya. The service, he said, made 91 trips when it started in 2015 and peaked in 2023 with 480 trips. From January to April 30, there were 121 trips, making the total number of trips recorded over 10 years to 2,445. Driver Shazali Ayub said many passengers were thankful for the service, with some moved to tears when expressing their gratitude. Some would even offer to buy him a drink, which he has always declined, Shazali said. 'As the programme's pioneer driver, I have also trained colleagues, who joined later, on handling passengers and managing the tail lift. 'The van's maximum speed limit is 90km per hour, as driving faster could compromise the wheelchair user's safety,' he added. Shazali said the three drivers had built close rapport with the regulars, so much so that some passengers would request for specific drivers to pick them up. He said there were times when drivers would learn of a regular passenger's passing only upon calling the contact number to enquire why they had not requested a pickup for some time. To book the MBSA transport service, call 03-5522 2732 or WhatsApp 010-353 3129. SJ Beacon ambulance Subang Jaya Bomba Emergen-cy Assistance Community, better known as SJ Beacon, offers a dedicated ambulance service to address urgent healthcare access issues due to Subang Jaya's distance from major public hospitals. It is run by a team of full-time and part-time staff and volunteers, supported by a committee that is focused on fundraising and operations. SJ Beacon deputy president Kelvin Chew said they offer primarily free ambulance services for emergency medical cases in Subang Jaya. 'Some of the emergency cases we handle are traffic accidents, heart attacks, sudden collapses or seizures, falls at home and even childbirth. 'Victims or patients are usually sent to Hospital Shah Alam while those who require specialist treatments will be sent to Hospital Serdang or Hospital Sungai Buloh. 'Some are sent to the two private hospitals in Subang Jaya upon request or if they have records there,' added Chew. Chew says SJ Beacon primarily offers free ambulance services during emergencies. SJ Beacon operates via two hotline numbers and typical response time is less than 10 minutes. Its area of operation is within the Subang Jaya constituency that covers SS12 to SS19, USJ1 to USJ22 and PJS7 to PJS11. Chew said the organisation started off as a community firefighting initiative where its volunteers trained with the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department. The evolution to ambulance services was driven by an urgent need, he said. He said the goal was to provide emergency services for the township. 'Before this, ambulance arrival took at least 45 minutes, sometimes longer or not at all, which was often too late. 'We began operating in late 2017 using a still functional ambulance donated by Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC). Shazali (standing) demonstrating how the tail lift in one of MBSA's modified vans is used to move a wheelchair user into the vehicle. 'We acquired a second ambulance thanks to a well-wisher who donated RM350,000 to buy a new vehicle,' he said. Chew said SJ Beacon relies on public donations to run its core service. SJ Beacon, he said, provides non-emergency patient transfer services and first aid training to corporations for a fee. 'The private transfer service is priced from RM200 per trip. 'The charges depend on distance, equipment and services needed, such as whether the person has limited mobility or needs oxygen supply. Paramedic Thu Thiri Khit checking medical kits to ensure all equipment is functioning in SJ Beacon's ambulances. 'While there have been fundraising events where SJ Beacon was the beneficiary – the bulk of our funds still come from corporate and individual donations,' he said, adding that the NGO was in need of at least RM30,000 a month for medical equipment, fuel, staff salaries and vehicle maintenance. Chew, who is also USJ13 Rukun Tetangga chairman, said only the paramedics earn a salary. 'We are constantly looking for qualified people to serve as paramedics,' he said. 'We welcome doctors waiting for their housemanship posting or those with experience as St John Ambulance of Malaysia (SJAM) or Red Crescent members to help.' Despite joining SJ Beacon in early 2018, paramedic Mahendran Pillay Veerasingam said no two days were the same and he still finds himself learning something new every day. Mahendran ensuring that the oxygen tanks are functioning during a routine check of one of SJ Beacon's ambulances. 'A full day's shift starts at 8am and ends at 8pm. 'I start my day by ensuring the ambulances are clean, equipment functioning and medical kit stocked. 'A busy day sees us responding to seven to eight cases,' he said, adding that a shift would comprise a team of three persons. Mahendran said he had dealt with horrific traffic accidents, helped a pregnant woman with a home delivery and handled several attempted suicide cases. 'When responding to emergency cases, our team members also have to look out for their personal safety and assess whether the situation is safe for us to do our work. 'If it is a slow day, I will use the time to attend or read up on related training, programmes or certification to ensure my skills and knowledge are up to date,' he said, adding that he was also one of the seniors tasked with mentoring younger paramedics. SJ Beacon is in the process of applying for tax exemption status to encourage more donations. It also plans to have education and awareness programmes to teach community leaders basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills. Its hotline numbers are 018-914 4699/ 018-201 4699. To donate or sign up as a paramedic, visit
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Egg subsidy cut won't crack prices
End of the sunny side: A shopper buying eggs at a grocery store. The government's decision to cut subsidies for eggs from 10sen to 5sen per egg and end price controls for the item began yesterday. The subsidy will be fully discontinued on Aug 1. — ART CHEN/The Star PETALING JAYA: The removal of egg subsidies will have almost no impact on the price of omelettes, noodles and pastries, say bakers and restaurateurs, as egg prices have hit the lowest level in recent memory. 'I have never seen the price of eggs this low,' said Che Mamat Chemod, a veteran of the local restaurant group, Persatuan Sahabat Tomyam Prihatin Semalaysia. 'So the removal of subsidies will not affect us because we have never had such low egg prices, even in the pre-Covid-19 era,' said Che Mamat, the association's adviser. A tray of eggs in the food production industry is now priced as low as RM9, said Malaysia Bakery, Biscuit, Confectionery, Mee and Kuey Teow Merchants' Association president Chaang Tuck Cheong. 'Previously, a tray cost us RM16, and this caused a 10% increase in our operating costs,' he said. 'So, the 5sen seems reasonable and will not impact our members that much,' he said in response to the government's decision to cut subsidies for eggs from 10sen to 5sen per egg and end price controls for the item starting yesterday. The subsidy will be fully discontinued on Aug 1. The decision was made after considering the industry's commitment to ensuring a sufficient and stable production of eggs, following the stabilisation of production costs. However, the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) is taking a cautious stance regarding the potential impact of the subsidy cut on egg prices, and consequently, on the cost of dishes containing eggs. Primas president Govindasamy Jayabalan said restaurants would first need to see how much their suppliers charged for ingredients. 'Eggs are a big staple and part of Malaysians' diet, especially during breakfast. We can't decide anything now because we need to see how much our suppliers will charge before they pass on their costs to us. 'We also don't want to burden the people, which is why we urge the government to continue the subsidy for another year,' he said. 'But we also understand that the government has spent billions on the subsidy. So we will do our best for the country and our customers and maintain our prices.' Malaysia imposed ceiling prices for eggs, ranging from 38sen to 42sen each, depending on their grade and quality, in response to elevated prices and a shortage caused by supply chain disruptions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. The government spends about RM100mil per month, or RM1.2bil a year, on the egg subsidy. Previously, subsidies and price controls for chicken were lifted in November 2023.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
RM6,000 in rental aid for Putra Heights fire victims
Work in progress: Recovery efforts taking place near the houses affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. — ART CHEN/The Star BANTING: The Selangor government has channelled three months of house rental assistance to more than 150 families affected by the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. State Housing and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said RM2,000 a month in house rental aid was provided by the Selangor Housing and Property Board. He said the aid is transferred to the bank accounts of the household heads concerned. 'The instruction by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is to ensure the money, amounting to RM6,000 for three months' rental, is deposited directly into the victims' accounts,' he said after a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Kampung Sungai Buaya Modern Crematorium Project, Kuala Langat here, yesterday, Bernama reported. Previously, Amirudin was reported to have said that 396 household heads affected by the Putra Heights fire were eligible to receive house rental aid of RM2,000 a month for six months. In a related development, Borhan said the state government was looking into the form of assistance to be given for the reconstruction of houses damaged in the fire. 'The matter is still being discussed with the Housing and Local Government Ministry and related agencies,' he said. The fire, which broke out on April 1, resulted in 81 houses being destroyed with more than 40% structural damage, 81 houses categorised as partially destroyed, 57 houses affected but not burned, and 218 houses not affected. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Selangor Investment, Trade and Mobility Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said the construction of the modern crematorium, to begin at the end of the year, is expected to cost about RM5mil and will take 18 months to complete. It will be built on a 0.404ha site and will be equipped with three cremation units built using modern technology that emphasises operational efficiency, user safety and environmental preservation, he added.
