Latest news with #KlangValley-based
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Exhibit ‘paints' a picture of identity
Heritage on display: Visitors examining a piece during the media preview of 'Negaraku II' at the Hin Bus Depot in George Town, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: As National Day approaches, a question often arises, particularly among the younger generations: what does it mean to be a Malaysian? A month-long art exhibition in Penang, titled 'Negaraku II' and held in Hin Bus Depot along Jalan Gurdwara, invites everyone to ponder that notion on a deeper level. Curated by Ivan Gabriel, it features 35 works from the private collections of Bingley Sim and Ima Norbinsha, two passionate champions of socially conscious Malaysian contemporary art. The show builds on the success of the first 'Negaraku' exhibition at the same venue last August, which sparked discussions about nationhood, growth and direction. This time, it shifts the focus to identity and belonging, widening its lens to include the diverse voices of citizens, migrants and everyone in between. Klang Valley-based Sim said they wanted to highlight how Malaysia's identity can be a constantly evolving mosaic of cultures and experiences. 'We wanted to create space for often-overlooked narratives and remind people that our national story is far from one-dimensional,' he shared in a media preview last Friday. This is reflected in the diverse selection of works, which range from paintings to sculptures, photography, mixed media, woodcut prints and fabric pieces. Ivan said they avoided using just portraits as representations of identity and instead chose to articulate it through stories about culture, pride, migration, food and shared aspirations. As such, the exhibition and its accompanying book were organised into thematic chapters, allowing visitors to gain a multi-layered view while deriving their own meaning from the journey. 'Negaraku II is a call to re-examine what it means to belong. It's about honouring every face and every untold story that breathes life into this land,' he said. Sim believes visitors will find glimpses of harmony in every piece – be it a neighbour's kindness, memories of a shared meal or the resilience of those who came from elsewhere and now call this land home. Among the featured artists are Edroger Rosili, Mat Ali Mat Som, Nur Ameerah Nabihah, Pangrok Sulap, Ahman Fuad Osman, Safar Zin, Gan Tze Hooi and Ho Mei Kei. 'What's important is that history is not forgotten. I would rather not collect art just for profit but to preserve pertinent narratives of our country,' he added. The exhibition is free to the public and is open until Aug 31. Viewing hours are noon to 7pm on weekdays and 11am to 7pm on weekends. It will have its opening reception on Aug 9 at 8pm.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
KL City signs national winger Safawi on loan from JDT
KUALA LUMPUR: National winger Safawi Rasid will play for KL City next season, confirmed Kuala Lumpur FA (KLFA) president Syed Yazid Syed Omar on Friday. Safawi joins the City Boys on a one-season loan from Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), adding significant firepower to the Klang Valley-based side as they gear up for the 2025-26 M-League campaign. "Safawi? Yes, it's confirmed," said Syed Yazid briefly. The 27-year-old brings a wealth of experience, having made 66 appearances and scored 22 goals for Harimau Malaya. At club level, Safawi has turned out for T-Team, Terengganu, JDT, Portuguese side Portimonense and Thailand's Ratchaburi, collecting multiple M-League titles and domestic honours along the way. Safawi is not expected to be the only new arrival from the south, with KL City also being linked to JDT midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba, who has 42 national caps. Syed Yazid believes KL City will be in good shape next season, with preparations already well underway. "It will be a solid team next season," he said. "There will be a meeting on Monday to finalise matters regarding the squad." He also addressed recent concerns surrounding the club's finances, reassuring fans that KL City are in the clear. "Salaries have been paid. Everything is clear," he said.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Jonassen, Wei Feng catch up in Ipoh amid BAM vacancy buzz
KUALA LUMPUR: A meeting between national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen and ex-national shuttler Chong Wei Feng in Ipoh has fuelled speculation that the latter could return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as a coach. Jonassen and his assistant K. Yogendran were in town to monitor junior shuttlers at the ongoing National Under-18 Championships. Wei Feng is there guiding four of his players from his Klang Valley-based academies. Their casual chat was later highlighted on the Shuttle Flash Badminton Academy's Instagram page, sparking talk of a possible return for Wei Feng, who won the men's singles gold at the 2015 Singapore Sea Games. However, Jonassen played down the buzz. "I'm in Ipoh to observe the early rounds, and I caught up with Wei Feng. No, we didn't talk about the women's singles coaching vacancy," said Jonassen. "It was just a friendly catch-up. As for the coaching role, we're not rushing. We'll wait for the right candidate." Wei Feng told Timsport on April 7 that BAM had reached out with a coaching offer. But on Wednesday, he echoed Jonassen's remarks, stressing that their conversation was informal. "I've known Jonassen since my playing days and hadn't seen him since he arrived in January. We chatted during my players' training session, nothing about a job offer," said Wei Feng. "We spoke in general about the juniors, how many lack self-belief and struggle with pressure, which affects their results. But it wasn't anything official. "I can't commit to a coaching job right now. I am guiding several players full-time." Jonassen's patience in filling the position could work in Wei Feng's favour. It gives him time to identify suitable coaches to take over at the Chong Wei Feng and Shuttle Flash academies. His four players — Chee Hong Wei, Chua Yi Xuan, Kee Is Qian, and Liew Zheng Hao — are competing in the boys' singles at the Under-18 event. Jonassen and Yogendran will leave for Xiamen, China, on Thursday with the national shuttlers for the Sudirman Cup, which starts on Sunday.
