Latest news with #GeorgeTown
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Bomba braces for wind, fire, and rain as monsoon season hits Malaysia
GEORGE TOWN, June 2 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) will prioritise monitoring three key weather phenomena, namely heat, heavy rain and strong winds, all associated with natural disasters across the country during the Southwest Monsoon season, which lasts until September. Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department is preparing for prolonged dry spells causing high temperatures, intermittent heavy afternoon downpours, and strong winds sometimes accompanied by squalls or tropical storms. Forecasts from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) indicate no extreme El Niño this year, with temperatures expected to remain below average. Nevertheless, he stressed that these weather events remain closely tied to disaster risks. 'We remain ready to respond not only to these three weather phenomena but also to any other emergencies that may arise during the monsoon period,' he said. Speaking to reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the 2025 JBPM 10-a-side Rugby Championship in George Town, Nor Hisham added that the department is on alert for open-fire incidents during dry spells, as well as for rescues related to flash floods and storm-driven winds. He also highlighted a significant decrease in open-fire reports so far this year, with nearly 3,000 emergency calls up to April, compared to over 9,000 during the same period last year. However, the department's current concern lies with heavy afternoon rains, particularly during school holidays when many people visit rivers, waterfalls and beaches. 'The public is urged to stay vigilant and follow weather warnings closely. If heavy rain is forecast, leave picnic areas immediately and avoid swimming or water activities,' Nor Hisham advised. Earlier, MetMalaysia had forecast that the Southwest Monsoon would begin on May 10 and would continue through September, bringing steady winds from the southwest. While humidity is generally low during this season and rainfall is reduced in many areas, heavy sho
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Four roads in George Town declared no-waiting zones to ease traffic congestion
GEORGE TOWN, May 31 — Five main streets around George Town will be declared no-waiting zones from June 1 to reduce traffic congestion caused by vehicles stopping and waiting on the side of the road. The Penang City Council (MBPP) announced in a Facebook post yesterday that the measure was taken following the reduced capacity of traffic lanes due to stopped vehicles, thus causing traffic flow to be slow and congested. 'In this regard, MBPP has implemented a no-stop zone on part of Jalan Jelutong from Jalan Ahmad Nor to Jalan Bukit Dumbar and part of Burma Road from Cantonment Road to Jones Road. 'Other roads involved are part of Macalister Road from Anson Road to Penang Road, part of Pengkalan Weld from Gat Lebuh Melayu to Gat Lebuh Chulia and part of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling from Lebuh Bishop to Lebuh Chulia,' according to MBPP. According to MBPP, no-stop signs have been installed and double yellow lines have also been painted on all affected routes to warn road users of the ban. MBPP will also take enforcement action against vehicle owners found waiting or parking on the side of the road in the no-stop zone, to ensure traffic flow is smooth and prevent bottlenecks. 'Owners or tenants of shops are reminded not to park vehicles on the side of the road and they are asked to inform customers not to wait or park vehicles on the side of the road,' according to MBPP. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘The Letters Never Sent' brings MaJie voices to life in immersive theatre tribute through George Town's heritage lanes
GEORGE TOWN, May 30 — It started with a song by three MaJies as they croon lullabies to the babies in their arms, moving through the audience, emphasising their roles as domestic caretakers in a land far from their homes. The first scene soon leads into a story about Hou Jie and the story behind the MaJies who left their home in Guangdong, China to work as domestic caretakers in Malaya and Singapore in the 1930s. Told in the perspective of Si En, a young woman whom Hou Jie raised like her own daughter, the theatre performance of 'The Letters Never Sent' is an immersive experience delivered in the MaJies' native tongue, Cantonese, interspersed with English narration by Si En. With a cast of only six actors, the performance delivers its message on the resilience, struggles and strength of the MaJies by drawing the audience in, inviting participation in select scenes, and guiding them through the MaJie's journey. The second scene depicting girls being sent away in early 20th-century China due to poverty, often in arranged marriages to men decades older than them. — Picture by Opalyn Mok The experience begins at Journal Café and 25 Stewart Lane — both formerly MaJie Kongsi Fong — after which the audience is led through the streets, with scenes unfolding by the roadside, along walkways, in the gardens of 23 Love Lane, and concluding at Seven Terraces Hotel. It was a one-hour performance that showcased the struggles of Hou Jie set against the atmospheric backdrop of George Town's heritage enclave of Muntri Street, Love Lane and Stewart Lane. According to Soonufat Supramaniam, co-creator of the theatre performance, the production is the finale of a three-month-long initiative, 'Remembering and Celebrating the Lives and Contributions of MaJies' (RCLCM). 'Over the last three months, we have held talks with personal testimonies of those who knew or were brought up by MaJies, documentaries, an exhibition, a heritage walk and a film screening of a true MaJie life story,' he said. For co-creator, producer, and director Chan Lean Heng, it was the memories of her childhood, growing up next to a MaJie Kongsi Fong on Stewart Lane, that spurred her to delve into the stories of these remarkable women. The opening scene of the MaJies crooning lullabies to babies in their arms. — Picture by Opalyn Mok 'When I was young, I was intrigued by them so when a researcher from China contacted me to ask about the MaJies here, it inspired me to start this project,' she said. She said the story of the MaJie is one of early resistance by Chinese women against patriarchy, as they chose economic independence and a life of celibacy in order to live lives of frugality and service. She added that the MaJies had strong support networks and helped finance their respective village clan associations. 'I believe there were about seven MaJie Kongsi Fong in George Town at one point so this theatre performance is Penang's tribute to the MaJie,' she said. The MaJies are known as 'self-combed women' who took vows of celibacy to take charge of their own lives, instead of being married off, and survive in collective solidarity. Often recognisable by their white top, black pants and a single braid, either down their back or pinned in a knot, Chan said the MaJies were more than domestic workers as they had left indelible marks on the families and communities they served. 'This performance is to honour these MaJies, not as relics of a forgotten era, but as living memories with a strong legacy that can continue to inspire our present and future generations,' she said. Tickets to the 'The Letters Never Sent' are now on sale for three shows per day, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, for three days only, May 30, May 31 and June 1. Tickets are available online here.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang woman pleads guilty to reduced charge of infanticide
The High Court ordered the prosecution to prepare a welfare report on M Santhiea, with sentencing fixed for June 30. GEORGE TOWN : A 23-year-old woman, who threw her newborn baby out the window of her apartment unit five years ago, has pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of infanticide at the High Court here. M Santhiea, who was 18 when the offence was committed, was initially charged with murder in 2020. The prosecution offered a reduced charge of infanticide today, citing her mental state following childbirth and the testimonies of several prosecution witnesses. The new charge was framed under Section 309A of the Penal Code, which states that a woman commits infanticide when she causes her newborn's death while suffering from a disturbed state of mind, having not fully recovered from childbirth. The offence is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine upon conviction. Santhiea's lawyer, RSN Rayer, asked for a welfare report on his client to be prepared before sentencing, citing her background as a young first-time offender from a low-income family. Rayer said her parents already faced social stigma while his client continued to endure public shame. 'She should not be sent to prison,' he said. Justice Rofiah Mohamad allowed the request and ordered the prosecution to prepare the welfare report. She set June 30 for sentencing. In 2020, Santhiea was charged with killing her newborn daughter at the Sri Ivory Apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam at 8.25am on July 10 that year. She was charged at Penang Hospital's maternity ward, where she was receiving treatment for severe blood loss and postnatal complications. Santhiea had spent seven months in detention after being denied bail, before the Court of Appeal ruled that she should be allowed to post bail. The High Court, which presided over the murder trial, eventually set bail at RM90,000 with strict conditions, including a 12-hour home curfew and a ban on leaving the state. The five-day trial began in February with eight witnesses called.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops on hunt for underwear thief in George Town
Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said an investigation is ongoing under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : Police are on the hunt for a man suspected of stealing women's underwear left to dry on the balcony of an apartment near Jalan Dr Wu Lien Teh here last Friday. Timur Laut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the 64-year-old homeowner lodged a report at 10am over the incident which took place at about 4.25am the same day. 'Police received a viral video of the incident today and can confirm receiving a report. An investigation is ongoing under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft,' he said in a statement. A 34-second viral video showed a man stealing women's underwear from the balcony of an apartment.
