Latest news with #BENJAMINLEE
The Star
30-07-2025
- The Star
Counterfeit ‘RM100' notes?
Compiled by C. ARUNO, BENJAMIN LEE and R. ARAVINTHAN WHAT was marketed as an 'uncirculated' RM100 banknote, which looks just like the legal tender, can be bought online for just 3.60 yuan (RM2), sparking fears that they will flood the local market, reported Sin Chew Daily. The daily discovered that these counterfeit banknotes were being sold on several popular online shopping platforms. None of them had the word 'sample' printed on them, sparking fears that they could be passed off as real currency in Malaysia. They were also marketed as being newly printed, with sequential serial numbers, as well as security features such as fluorescent elements and raised print – just like real ringgit banknotes. 'It is an art piece and not actual money. It is only for collection, display, and commemorative purposes, not for circulation,' a customer service representative said. However, when pressed on where these uncirculated notes were manufactured, the representative avoided the question. > University students from China studying in the Klang Valley are considering renting hotel rooms as they are deemed convenient and affordable, the daily also reported. The discussion took place on social media app Xiaohongshu where students were seeking advice on the best long-term accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Hotel rooms became a top-contender after they realised they could rent a room for a whole month for as low as RM2,500. 'My agent said it is a viable option, and the cost isn't as high as I initially thought,' one user wrote. 'Renting usually requires a one-year lease, but with a hotel, I wouldn't need to worry about subletting when I go home for an internship,' said another user. The only downsides to hotel rooms, according to them were not being able to cook or do their own laundry in their room. The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.
The Star
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Kelantan village in decade-long comms blackout
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE , and R. ARAVINTHAN NEARLY 1,000 residents of a village in Gua Musang, Kelantan, have been deprived of all telecommunications for over a decade, after the breakdown of a local signal tower, which has yet to be repaired, reported Kosmo! The residents of Kampung Sungai Relai reported that they have had to travel 15km from their village each day, in order to get mobile or Internet coverage. Razak Jali, 38, said that before 2014, the tower built on a hill at the edge of Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Berang functioned well. He believed the tower had been damaged by irresponsible individuals. 'We have to leave the area and go to the roadside along Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai or head to Felda Chiku just to get a phone signal or Internet coverage. 'The lack of phone and Internet access has made life difficult for us, especially in emergency situations,' he said. > The troubles of a mother of five in Johor Baru worsened when she was diagnosed with cancer, the daily also reported. Nur Hafizah Omar, 37, said she learnt that she has stage three cervical cancer after undergoing a biopsy at Sultan Ismail Hospital early last year. 'I was advised to undergo a hysterectomy to remove the uterus in addition to chemotherapy to prevent the cancer from spreading to other organs. But due to financial constraints, I couldn't proceed with the treatment. 'Even though I've received some financial aid, it's not enough to cover the full cost of treatment,' she said, adding that she only takes traditional herbs and remedies to manage the pain. Her husband, Mohd Asri Ali, 39, currently only takes home RM800 a month as a cleaner, which is barely enough to meet the daily needs of their children, aged 14, 10, eight, five, and two. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
The Star
16-07-2025
- The Star
Marriage on the rocks after river selfie
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE , and R. ARAVINTHAN A THREE-MONTH marriage took a shocking turn, with the wife accused of attempting to murder her husband by pushing him into the Krishna River in Karnataka, reported Malaysia Nanban. The couple, identified as Thatappa, 29, and Kanthamma, 27, were visiting the river when the alleged attack occurred. After taking several selfies together, Thatappa reportedly climbed onto a retaining wall at his wife's urging. According to Thatappa, he was then suddenly pushed into the raging river. His desperate cries for help caught the attention of other visitors, who quickly came to his aid. Upon his rescue, a confrontation ensued, as he accused his wife of trying to kill him. He then filed a police report against her. Authorities are investigating whether marital disputes serve as a potential motive behind the alleged murder attempt. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
The Star
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Jamal Abdillah now a successful cattle farmer
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, ALLISON LAI and R. ARAVINTHAN THE golden voice behind hits like Kekasih Awal Dan Akhir is now hoping to expand his cattle farming to selling burgers, minced meat and meatballs, Utusan Malaysia reported. Datuk Jamal Abdillah, 66, said he started a commercial cattle farm in 2023 after his previous farm in Bagan Serai, Perak, was well received by customers. Having begun with 25 cows on a 2ha field, he said his commercial farm now has many more cows, motivating him to work harder. 'I plan to expand my business to manufacturing food products using beef, like burgers, minced meat and meatballs.' Jamal also said that he has started rearing goats and ornamental fish at his farms which he said had great potential to meet market demand. His plan is to sell his products in Teluk Intan, Perak, as it is his hometown. He also spoke of his fondness for giant freshwater prawns from Sungai Perak. 'The taste is different,' he said. > For four-year-old Nur Aisya Khadeeja, her world has been one of silence. Her father, Muhamad Razmein Abdullah, first noticed his only child was non-verbal about two years ago. 'We noticed she was unable to speak and was unresponsive to sounds,' he told Harian Metro. Muhamad Razmein, 30, was distraught when medical tests revealed narrowed auditory nerves in both of Nur Aisya's ears, severely impacting her hearing. Even with hearing aids, her condition barely improved. 'Doctors have recommended cochlear implant surgery, but we can't afford it due to the high cost which can go up to RM115,000,' said Muhamad Razmein, a delivery rider. His wife Haslinda Mohd Zamidi, 35, works as an administrative officer. The family, who live in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, has only managed to save about RM5,000 for the surgery, which is scheduled for July 17. For now, a charity organisation is collecting funds for the family. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.
The Star
28-06-2025
- The Star
Woman driver nearly causes a train wreck
Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, ALLISON LAI and R. ARAVINTHAN At least 15 trains were halted or forced to return to their stations after a woman was found driving her car directly on railway tracks near a station in India's Telangana state, as reported by Makkal Osai. Authorities, with the quick assistance of railway workers and the public, pursued the vehicle, successfully stopping it and pulling the female driver out. While her identity hasn't been released, it's understood she hails from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Police have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the incident, specifically looking into whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or experiencing any other incapacitating issues that may could have led to this dangerous act. Railway officers managed to stop an express train travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad just in time, averting a major disaster on the very same track. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a, it denotes a separate news item.
