Latest news with #Ang
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Penang primary school repeats marching sweep
The TKRS Girls team from SJK (C) Min Sin showing their discipline and coordination while (below) the TKRS Boys team from the same school perform their marching routine during the competition. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara SJK (C) Min Sin in Penang dominated the 2025 Northeast District Marching Competition by winning all four categories for the second consecutive year. The school fielded a total of 84 pupils from Year Four to Year Six, who emerged champions in the Tunas Kadet Remaja Sekolah (TKRS) as well as the Primary School Uniformed Bodies Marching Competition (PBBSR) Boys' and Girls' categories. The TKRS Boys' from SJK (C) Min Sin performing their marching during the competition at SMK Air Itam. pic provided, july 14 2025 Their impressive performance captivated the panel of judges with their coordination, discipline and commitment to excellence during the competition held at SMK Air Itam and SK Ayer Itam. The school's teacher-in-charge Ang Aik Fung praised his pupils for their dedication and strong showing in the competition, especially newcomers from Year Four and Five. 'I am satisfied with their performance. Many were first-time participants, yet they gave their all. 'There were some weaknesses, but we'll work on them before the state-level competition on July 22 in Bukit Mertajam,' he told Buletin Mutiara. Ang said the team would review videos recorded by parents to refine their techniques and fix issues like timing errors. 'We will examine our shortcomings and fix them,' he said. Ang says they'll work on their weaknesses before the state-level competition on July 22. He acknowledged the pressure of maintaining last year's high standard, comparing it to sustaining top academic results. 'It is like scoring 90 marks in an exam last year. If you cannot maintain that this year, it becomes stressful,' said Ang, who also serves as the school's discipline teacher. He added that the standout team was the TKRS Boys team, who performed flawlessly. Meanwhile, the PBBSR Girls team, made up mostly of first-timers, overcame nerves to perform well overall. Ang added that good weather played a key role, as rain could have affected their routines. SJK (C) Min Sin senior assistant for co-curricular activities, Khaw Wei Kiat expressed pride in the clean sweep. 'This win reflects teamwork among teachers, parents and students,' he said while acknowledging leadership growth within the team, as platoon leader roles had been rotated since last year. With eyes on the state-level competition, both Ang and Khaw are optimistic about another strong showing.
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Getting the inside scoop on rare durian at annual treat
THE leafy surrounds of a pocket garden in George Town provided the perfect backdrop for Penang's pressmen to indulge in durian. About 50 of them tucked into well-loved varieties such as Red Prawn, Green Skin and Hor Lor during the treat organised by Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong. Cheers erupted when hyped variants like Musang King and Black Thorn were brought out by the vendor at the fruit stall along Jalan Anson. By the end of the event, the guests devoured over 90kg of the fruit. Fruit stall proprietor Ang Hock Leng said he also served up two equally good but less well-known varieties on the day – the Big Red and Puppet King. He said the Big Red, better known by its Chinese moniker Da Hong, got its name from its orangey-coloured flesh. 'It has a bitter but complex flavour with thick, custard-like flesh,' Ang explained, adding that it should not be confused with the Little Red or Xiao Hong which is sweeter and creamier. Ang said the Puppet King or Kong Zai Wang is actually an old cultivar previously known as Jantung. 'It was rebranded recently and even finished second in a competition last year, behind Musang King,' added the vendor who has been operating on the site since 1979. He also urged durian lovers to indulge within these few weeks as harvests will hit their peak before tapering off in the latter half of the month. Ong said this was the third year his office organised the gathering. 'These few weeks are said to be the peak of durian season in Penang, so what better way to get together? 'It's great to see everyone tucking in and enjoying themselves,' he added. Nanyang Siang Pau reporter Wong Soon Eng said, 'These are nice occasions for us to have a good time together, and the durian fruits are specially picked so the quality is there.'
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
VitaHealth, Tropicana expand OFFLINE 16 to champion mental wellness in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Tropicana Corp Bhd and VitaHealth Malaysia have expanded OFFLINE 16, a wellness movement designed to promote preventive mental well-being through real-world experiences that encourage Malaysians to unplug, reconnect, and build healthier habits. Ixora Ang, managing director of sales, marketing and business development at Tropicana, said: "Our mission is to create sustainable, liveable townships that truly support the people who call them home. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) isn't just about the environment and governance; it is about the people too. OFFLINE 16 shows how this vision goes beyond buildings; it's about giving everyone a chance to unplug, reconnect, and care for their wellbeing together." Ang said Tropicana is proud to champion this wellness movement with VitaHealth, Tropicana Foundation and event sponsor TGCR. Mental health is an increasingly pressing issue in Malaysia, with nearly one million adults – about 4.6 per cent of the population – living with depression, almost double the figure recorded in 2019. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, one in six children also face mental health challenges. The rise in digital dependency is compounding this crisis, as excessive screen time is increasingly linked to anxiety, depression and social isolation. Despite growing awareness, access to mental health support remains limited. The WHO World Mental Health Surveys indicate that up to 78 per cent of people in upper-middle-income countries still do not receive the mental health care they need. Dr KS Beh, chief executive officer of VitaHealth (Malaysia & Singapore) and founder of OFFLINE 16, said the idea stemmed from witnessing how screen time was consuming people's lives. "The idea to go offline came to me when I noticed how screen time was taking over people's lives, leaving them disconnected and mentally drained. That sparked the birth of OFFLINE 16, a movement inviting people to unplug and reconnect meaningfully while building a happier community." Since its launch in 2024, OFFLINE 16 has steadily gained momentum. The inaugural edition attracted more than 300 participants. To date, the movement has clocked 30 offline hours across five editions, engaging participants through various themed activities that combine physical, mental and social wellness for this year's OFFLINE 16. The 2025 rollout began in May with a pickleball challenge in Penang that attracted 200 participants, followed by a matures's retreat at FRIM, Kepong, and a beach cleanup in Sabah, which together engaged another 300 participants. The main event will take place on August 16 at Tropicana Golf & Country Resort (TGCR) and is expected to be the largest edition yet. Highlights include a pickleball session with VitaHealth ambassadors, Olympian Pearly Tan and Malaysia's top pickleball player Colin Wong, along with interactive games, wellness workshops, live jazz performances, recycling activities, DIY arts and crafts, health screenings, mental wellness games, and a relaxation zone complete with reading nooks and massage chairs. The final retreat for 2025 will be hosted in October and will focus on providing a restful resort experience, featuring activities that encourage participants to pause and recharge. All participants will receive exclusive wellness packs worth over RM300 and stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes worth up to RM15,000. OFFLINE 16 is supported by Tropicana Foundation and event sponsor TGCR, with Big Caring Group also lending its support. Big Caring Group's chief marketing officer, Wong Siew Lai, believes that health should encompass not only medication but also mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. With over 500 participants already engaged this year, VitaHealth and Tropicana are well on track to meet their target of 1,200.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
‘Toxic, degrading': Tmn Hilltop Miri residents endure months of unbearable living conditions
Ang points at the septic tank, now precariously 'hanging on' to what is left of her backyard. MIRI (July 13): The sound of crumbling earth at 3am on Chinese New Year's Eve was the beginning of a nightmare for the three families at Jalan 3A of Taman Hilltop in Miri – one that continues to haunt them until this day. Forced to be living in stench-filled environment with no gas supply, these families are not only exposed to the risk of developing health issues, but the changing weather further erode the soil underneath this area, putting the remaining walls of the next neighbour to possibly collapse. Pauline Sim recalled being abruptly woken up to a huge rumbling sound, followed by voices of her neighbours shouting. 'The retaining walls on our backyards collapsed. Prior to this, it had been pouring for a month. My heart really sank because it occurred on the eve of the Chinese New Year. 'It should have been the most celebrated time, but we were forced to face this challenge,' she told thesundaypost . After the wall collapsed, a strong gas odour was detected. Police and firefighters were called to the scene immediately, as it was discovered that the gas pipes were damaged following the collapse. It was a moment of danger, said Sim. 'Had the authorities not intervened, things could take a turn to the worse, like a gas explosion.' Officials from Miri City Council (MCC) were also called to the scene to carry out investigation. The residents were told that the collapse of the retaining walls was triggered by ageing structure, exacerbated by strong water flow caused by the heavy rain. The MCC gave assurance that it would undertake the repair works, in view of the situation being regarded as a collateral damage from a natural disaster. Sim and others were told that the fast-flowing water might have been slowly eroding the soil underneath the walls, weakening the structure. The month-long downpour, also classified as natural disaster, was the key contributing factor to the collapse. Gas supply cut Due to the damaged gas pipelines, the gas company had cut off the supply on the afternoon of Jan 28 as an emergency measure, fearing that fireworks or firecrackers during the Chinese New Year festivities might trigger a gas explosion. The incident had adversely affected three houses, comprising 20 residents in total. These households, having been accustomed to getting natural gas supply, were forced to go without it for nearly two months, before they were able to obtain gas tanks. 'We couldn't buy gas cylinder during the New Year period and the situation persisted after that because the floods in Bintulu had disrupted the production. 'We had take-outs every day and settled for the cheapest meals, but each still cost us RM40 to RM50 because I have a big family. Covering three meals a day, the cost was overwhelming – exceeding my monthly budget,' said Sim, shaking her head in remembering those difficult weeks. Sim shows her backyard – or what is left of it after the collapse. The situation was compounded by a region-wide shortage. Miri, at the time, was facing shortage of cooking gas tanks, as Bintulu was affected by the floods. Sim said although they were able to get gas tanks later on, she was still anxious about when the repair works would begin. 'With no clear timeline for when everything will resume to normal, we have been left waiting up to this day.' Unbearable conditions When the backyard was 'gone', the septic tank that was supposed to be supported by the soil had tilted because of its weight, and the pipe got disconnected from the house. As a result, each time the toilet got flushed, all the human waste would gush out of the soil, exposed to air. That, and the stench that came with it, made the living environment unbearable, said a resident Ang Yick See. 'It was a living nightmare, which got worse every single day. 'Imagine waking up every morning to the smell of sewage right outside your kitchen window – it was not just unpleasant; it's toxic, degrading and it's slowly destroying our family's health and our will to continue living here,' she said. The septic tank, according to her, is now sitting at a dangerously precarious angle – half-dangling into what used to be the drain. 'I worry that if anything were to burst, it might cause a bigger health disaster.' Ang said the owner of the house that her family had been renting for more than five years, had been reaching out to various government agencies including Miri City Council (MCC), as well as the local elected representative, trying to get attention that would help expedite the repair works. 'We were told that because of disaster, the funding for the repairs should be from the SDMC (Sarawak Disaster Management Committee), to be channelled to the city council as implementing body,' she said. Sim added: 'During a meeting between us, residents and the city council, the council's engineer promised that they would come to look at the severity of the situation; to see whether they could do anything about the septic tank. 'Nothing has happened yet.' Miri MP Chiew Choon Man (right) and local Democratic Action Party (DAP) man Alan Ling seen during a recent site visit. The waiting game Following the septic tank incident, the homeowners had repeatedly reached out to the authorities, hoping to get concrete action and also the timeline for any repair works. However, they felt that all efforts had been hampered by bureaucratic delays and 'unfulfilled promises'. It is said that due to severity of the damage, the houses are listed by the council as the fourth priority to be repaired among all disaster-affected properties. Initially, in February, the homeowners sought attention from Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, submitting to him a letter appealing for assistance to expedite the repair works. They were then told that a letter, highlighting the matter of funding, had been sent to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, the Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. The last time thesundaypost checked with the MCC, which was on June 30, the council engineer said that the funding had not been received yet. Photo, taken right after the collapse of a retaining wall, shows water running fast, eroding all the soil underneath. The affected families are now calling upon the authorities to resolve the issue without further delay. It is their hope that the authorities would immediately repair the retaining walls, the gas pipelines and the sewerage, to ensure the safety and hygiene of their residence and its surroundings. 'We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for basic human dignity; the right to live in our homes without being surrounded by sewage; the right to cook for our families; the right to feel safe in our own backyard,' said Sim. focus landslide lead miri Taman Hilltop
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- GMA Network
Patidongan to file counter charges vs. Atong Ang over 'sabungeros' claims
The whistleblower in the disappearance and supposed deaths of sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts vowed Saturday to file counter charges against businessman Atong Ang, whom he has tagged as a mastermind in the case. "Sa Monday nga sasagutin ko 'yung ano [allegations] ni Mr. Atong Ang and then mag-file din ako against sa kanya… 'Yung mga kinaso niya sa akin babaliktarin ko rin against sa kanya," said Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alias Totoy. (I will answer Mr. Atong Ang's allegations against me on Monday. Then I will also file counter charges against him... I'll turn the tables on him and file the charges against him as well.) Ang had slapped Patidongan with a complaint with the Mandaluyong City Prosecutor's Office for conspiracy to commit attempted robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, grave threats, grave coercion, slander, and incriminating against innocent persons. Patidongan, one of the accused in the case of the missing sabungeros, had linked both Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto to the disappearance of 34 sabungeros from 2021 to 2022. Ang and Barretto have both have denied the allegations. In response, Ang said Patidongan attempted to extort P300 million from him. According to the police, the missing personalities were kidnapped allegedly due to match fixing or cheating in cockfighting games. Complaint vs. cops Also on Saturday, Patidongan told Super Radyo dzBB that he would file a complaint affidavit with the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against police officers who were allegedly involved in the sabungeros' disappearances. "Sa Lunes, pupunta ako ng Napolcom… 'Yung mga pulis na nabanggit ko ay kakasuhan ko na sa Napolcom," Patidongan said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. (On Monday, I will go to Napolcom. I will file a complaint against the police officers I mentioned.) A total of 15 policemen were placed under restrictive custody in Camp Crame, Quezon City over their alleged involvement. The Napolcom has conducted a probe into the cops' links to the case, even as it has urged Patidongan to submit a complaint affidavit on the matter. Patidongan had claimed that the victims were already buried in Taal Lake in Batangas, prompting authorities to conduct dive searches in its waters. Sacks of bones have been recovered from Taal Lake amid the ongoing operations. The recovered bones will be tested to determine whether or not these are human remains, and if the DNA matches with the relatives of the missing individuals. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
