Latest news with #Khairudin
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Celeb Pawrents: Host Khairudin Saharom likes to be around his five cats, both at home and at work
Singaporean personality Khairudin Shaharom with Toby (in the basket), BuBu, a three-year-old male domestic shorthair (on the chair) and Charlie, an eight-year-old female Scottish Fold mix. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KHAIRUDIN SHAHAROM Celeb Pawrents: Host Khairudin Saharom likes to be around his five cats, both at home and at work SINGAPORE – Potential new hires of Khairudin Saharom's Kite Studio Architecture need to meet one important prerequisite: They must be comfortable with cats. 'Sorry to those who are allergic, but my cats come first,' says Khairudin with a laugh. The 49-year-old Singaporean architect and popular TV and radio personality has five adopted cats. BamBam, seven, Toby, five, and BuBu, three, live in the office, while the other two – Charlie, eight, and PingPong, four – live with Khairudin in his apartment. This way, he can have his cats around him at home and at work. Charlie, a Scottish Fold mix, is the only female in the litter. His other fur kids are male domestic shorthairs. Once or twice a month, he takes Charlie and PingPong to visit the others in the office. The cats get along well and have their own corner for food. Khairudin works on weekends, and if he is not able to be in the office, he gets pet sitters to look after the office cats. Khairudin, who owns Kite Studio, says his four staff members are not just tolerant of the cats. They treat his cats as part of the workplace family and are actively involved in their care, taking turns cleaning litter boxes and getting them treats. 'Having pets can improve office productivity,' he says. 'Our work demands a lot from us, with looming deadlines all the time. The cats help manage stress levels and calm nerves.' Besides having a full-time job as an architect, Khairudin is also a veteran host on Mediacorp Suria channel and radio station Ria 897FM. He earned two nominations – Best Host (Entertainment) and Best Host (Info-Ed) – at the recent Pesta Perhana 2025. Mediacorp's biennial awards show is Singapore's largest celebration of the best in local Malay entertainment. Khairudin says his cats not only provide companionship, but they also help manage his stress levels and are essentially his emotional support system, helping him juggle his multiple responsibilities. 'You go to them after a lousy day at the office, and even if you have to go on the radio after work, playing with them makes all your crappiness fade away,' he says. Singaporean personality Khairudin Shaharom and Toby, a five-year-old male domestic shorthair. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KHAIRUDIN SHAHAROM When he is stressed or angry, the cats' presence helps calm his nerves. 'When they come to you and want to play, how can you stay angry?' adds Khairudin, who is also a design tutor at the National University of Singapore. He has always been a cat lover. Growing up, his family had birds, fish and terrapins. However, his mother strictly prohibited cats in the house. 'Somehow, cats just seem to follow me,' says Khairudin. 'I found a way to attract my neighbour's cats. I would jiggle my keys and even the shyest of the three cats would come out to me. It was quite peculiar.' Each of his cats has a distinct personality, and the bachelor says he does not have a favourite. Singaporean personality Khairudin Shaharom's five cats, (from left) Toby, Bubu, BamBam, PingPong and Charlie. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KHAIRUDIN SHAHAROM Charlie, who sleeps with Khairudin, is the matriarch – aloof with others but incredibly affectionate with her owner. 'She's the princess of the lot,' he says. 'When she doesn't want to be touched, she'll manoeuvre her body so skilfully that your hand can't reach her.' Yet, when she chooses to be affectionate, she will climb onto his chest and demand attention. 'Toby loves to cuddle and will climb onto my workstation and rest his face on my hand while I'm working,' says Khairudin. PingPong is the friendliest and follows Khairudin everywhere. The sociable feline even plays fetch. 'I was throwing a plastic bag into the dustbin, but I missed. PingPong ran for it and brought the bag back to me,' he says. 'Now it has become a game.' Khairudin describes BamBam as a typical unpredictable tabby. 'Sometimes he's super manja (affectionate), other days he's completely independent,' he says. Seven-year-old tabby cat BamBam lives in Kite Studio Architecture, Khairudin Saharom's workplace. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KHAIRUDIN SHAHAROM BuBu, the shyest and fattest of the bunch, is a master of hiding and loves food above all else. 'He once hid behind the microwave for hours,' Khairudin says. 'We found him only by shaking the kibble bottle.' Three-year-old male domestic shorthair BuBu is the shyest and fattest in his fur family. PHOTO: COURTESY OF KHAIRUDIN SHAHAROM His fur family is relatively low-maintenance. Khairudin spends approximately $400 monthly on their care, providing a balanced diet of wet food, kibbles and occasional treats. He learnt to groom them himself to avoid expensive professional grooming costs, which he says could range from around $200 a session a cat. Bathing them remains his biggest challenge. 'It's a nightmare,' he says. 'Their meows are so loud, neighbours might think I'm torturing them.' He adds: 'My cats are wonderful. After a crappy day at the office, you can talk to them. They don't complain, they listen.' Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Perak to set youth organisation age limit at 30
IPOH: Beginning next year, youth organisations will see their membership age capped at 30, says a Perak executive councillor. State education, higher education, youth and sports committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah ( pic ) said the structural change is aimed at ensuring youth activism continues in a dynamic and progressive manner. 'This year will be the final year for the existing age limit of 40 under the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act. 'This change follows careful planning and organisational restructuring,' he said after opening the state-level National Youth Day Carnival here yesterday. 'I believe most youth organisations are already preparing to comply with the new regulation. We hope this will ensure they continue to operate actively and smoothly under the new framework,' he added. Citing 2025 data from the Statistics Department, Khairudin said there are about 708,700 youths aged 15 to 30 in Perak, representing 27.6% of the state's population. 'The youth represent a strategic demographic that will shape the direction and future of the state over the next decade,' he said. Khairudin also encouraged all youth organisations in the state to remain inclusive by involving representatives from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural and suburban areas. 'Women, the Orang Asli community and youths with disabilities should also be included to ensure every group is well represented in the state's development agenda,' he said. Separately, Khairudin said the state government plans to introduce courses to increase youth involvement in the dirty, dangerous and difficult (3D) sector. These efforts, he said, will be coordinated with the Youth and Sports Department and the state Youth Council. 'Based on our findings, we may include 3D skills courses as part of our efforts to strengthen human capital development, especially among the youth. 'With training and support, interested youth can gain the necessary skills and view the 3D sector as a viable income source. 'Many do not know where to begin or which channels to access. With the right information and exposure, more youth may be willing to venture into this field. 'If we view the 3D sector as one that can help youths earn a living, then perhaps the state Youth Council and Youth and Sports Department could take the initiative to offer proper exposure, courses and guidance,' he added. Responding to questions about the lack of youth interest in 3D jobs, Khairudin said it may stem from misconception. 'This may be a new sector to them and they may not fully understand the opportunities it presents, especially in terms of income generation and career development,' he added.
The Star
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Perak govt to introduce courses to boost youth engagement in 3D sector
IPOH: The Perak government plans to introduce courses aimed at increasing youth involvement in the 3D (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) sector, says Khairudin Abu Hanipah. The state education, higher education, youth and sports committee chairman said they would work with the Youth and Sports Department and the state Youth Council to introduce these courses. "With training and support, interested youth could gain the necessary skills and view the 3D sector as a viable income source," he said in a press conference after opening the state-level National Youth Day Carnival here on Saturday (May 17). 'If we view the 3D sector as one that can help youths earn a living, then perhaps the state Youth Council and Youth and Sports Department can take the initiative to offer proper exposure, courses and guidance,' he added. When asked about this, Khairudin said he believed that it was a misconception that youth were not interested in the 3D sector. 'In my view, it could be that this is a new sector for them, and they may not fully understand the opportunities it presents, especially in terms of income generation and career development," he added.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
M Daud Kilau's iconic attire preserved in Perak Music Archive
IPOH: The iconic stage costumes of the late legendary 'Raja Gelek' singer, Datuk M. Daud Kilau, will be preserved in the Perak Music Archive in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the music industry. State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah said several of the singer's outfits were among more than 2,000 items currently being digitised through an initiative led by People of Remarkable Talent (Port). He explained that the archive, which was established in 2022, is aimed at ensuring the state's rich musical heritage was preserved and made accessible to future generations, particularly cultural researchers and students of the arts. "The Perak Music Archive was set up through Port in 2022, and the digitisation of some 2,000 artefacts — including several of the late Datuk M. Daud Kilau's iconic costumes — is actively ongoing. "The launch of the archive's website is expected in July this year, and it is hoped that it will serve as a vital resource for researchers, students, and the general public," he added. Khairudin said this during his winding-up speech on the Royal Address debate at the Perak State Legislative Assembly today. Born in Bagan Datuk, M. Daud Kilau died at Teluk Intan Hospital on Dec 18, 2023, at the age of 85. Meanwhile, Khairudin said that the state government was currently in negotiations regarding the development of the Port Creative Centre, with several key agencies involved, including the Management Services Division, Public Works Department, and the Land and Mines Office. He also highlighted Ipoh's designation as a Unesco Creative City in the field of music in late 2023, attributing the achievement to Port's continuous efforts to enhance the local music ecosystem. "Port has been instrumental in promoting Perak's musical talent on the international stage, with recent showcases at the Ambonia Music Fest in Indonesia and the Suphanburi Cultural Festival in Thailand," he said.
