Latest news with #M'sians
The Star
7 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Cool ideas for hotter days
Staying hydrated: Workers drinking water at a site in Gombak, Selangor. With the hot season, they need to drink more. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star M'sians get creative in handling the heat and staying well PETALING JAYA: With hotter days ahead, Malaysians are getting creative in handling the rising temperature. While some are ducking into malls or air-conditioned areas and others are slowing down on their road trips, one delivery rider has found a new vocation – selling air-conditioners. Adam, 33, said he had been receiving inquiries from potential customers wanting to buy air-conditioners. 'So far, I am able to focus more on selling air-conditioners because there have been more people interested in installing them. 'People want air-conditioners that are also friendly on the electricity bill, so typically I offer the types of air-conditioners and their horsepower capabilities based on the size of their homes,' he added. Fellow delivery rider, Iqbal Ishak, 28, is taking shelter at local mosques or malls to avoid being exposed outdoors for too long or risking heat stroke. 'It has been scorching hot lately, so the usual places I wait for orders – like near stalls or parking lots – are not suitable. 'Nowadays, I go to the mosque or surau, which are air-conditioned during or between prayer times. 'During peak hours, I wait in malls or shops that have high order volumes. The restaurants give us water to stay hydrated when delivering orders,' he said. While Iqbal has no intention of slowing down despite the heat, another delivery rider based in Subang, Harris M, 23, said he may take fewer orders now. 'This is a part-time job for me as I am a student. It is harder to find shade during peak hours such as lunchtime, and we have to wear proper attire when delivering orders and that's when the day is hottest. 'Right now, I just need to ensure I do not get heat stroke,' he said, adding that he also brings a bottle of water and essential supplements on his rounds. On Monday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a statement indicating that six areas in Peninsular Malaysia are now at Level 1 (alert) for three consecutive days due to ongoing hot weather. The affected areas include Larut and Matang, Kuala Kangsar and Perak Tengah in Perak, Machang and Kuala Krai in Kelantan, and Bandar Baharu in Kedah. Checks on the MetMalaysia website also showed that the Klang Valley would either experience no rain in the next few days or get isolated rain or thunderstorms in certain parts. While air-conditioners are hot items now, Sirim Bhd's president and group chief executive officer Datuk Indera Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad has issued a reminder for people to use them cautiously. In a Facebook posting, he explained that constant exposure to cold air can strip moisture from the skin and respiratory tract, and speed up the evaporation of sweat even when the body is at rest. 'During warmer days, people tend to sleep with the air-conditioner on. Some even sleep with both the fan and air-conditioner running throughout the night. 'However, this can lead to dehydration without one realising it. 'We may wake up feeling tired, dizzy, with a dry mouth or a headache – all of which are early signs of dehydration. If left unchecked, dehydration can impair kidney function, reduce concentration and weaken the immune system. 'It is important to ensure that the bedroom temperature is not too low, make it a habit to drink enough water before bed and consider using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air,' he wrote.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Harvard is not be-all and end-all'
Global prestige: A file photo of people walking between buildings on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Dec 17, 2024. Nearly 6,800 international students are enrolled in Harvard's 2024-2025 school year, amounting to 27% of its total enrolment. — AP M'sians can find similar options in other top varsities PETALING JAYA: Other higher education opportunities still exist in and out of the United States besides just Harvard University, say academics. Sunway Education Group chief executive officer Prof Datuk Dr Elizabeth Lee said students still have the option to apply to other US universities. Sunway University, which has many collaborations and partnerships with Harvard University through the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, has two-way student and staff mobility opportunities for research and learning opportunities. ALSO READ: Trump's Harvard ban rattles foreign students 'Harvard has been popular among the students because of its prestige, vibrant community and generous financial aid for students who cannot afford the fees and living expenses. '(However) our new partnership with the Arizona State University (ASU), known for being the Most Innovative University in the USA, can offer students the assurance of completing their whole degree at Sunway should they opt not to transfer to the US at any juncture during their four years at Sunway,' she said when contacted. Prof Lee said the university can immediately take any students who are affected by the new ruling into their ASU programme. ALSO READ: US sued over student ban On Thursday, the Trump administration revoked Harvard's ability to enrol international students, while forcing existing students to transfer to other schools. It also threatened to expand the crackdown to other schools. Harvard said the move by the Trump administration – which affects thousands of students – was illegal and amounted to retaliation. Statistics by Harvard showed that nearly 6,800 international students are enrolled in the 2024-2025 school year, amounting to 27% of its total enrolment. Taylor's University Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management School of Liberal Arts and Sciences head Prof Dr Anindita Dasgupta said the recent announcement about Harvard has understandably caused concern among students wanting to continue their studies at prestigious US universities. However, she said, students under their American Degree Transfer Programme (ADTP) remain confident about their academic and transfer opportunities. She said the programme has consistently provided a smooth pathway to some of the world's best educational institutions, including in Canada, China, New Zealand, and Australia. Within the United States, she said, ADTP students have made it into prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, Cornell University, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pennsylvania. Some also choose to continue within Taylor's University, she said, adding that around 95% of the programme's students aspire to continue their studies in the United States. 'Students enrolled in Taylor's University's ADTP can be reassured that their academic pathways remain secure, and their aspirations continue to be achievable,' she added. Meanwhile, Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said there may be hope as the Trump administration has backtracked on some hard-hitting decisions. 'This may well be one of them given time,' she said. She also said there is 'definitely concern' among parents who are interested in sending their children to the United States for higher education. 'While there are other countries to consider, universities in the United States have an edge in certain fields,' she added. Separately, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announced an open invitation to international undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled at Harvard University, as well as those holding confirmed offers for Harvard degree programmes, to continue their academic pursuits at HKUST. 'The university will provide unconditional offers, streamlined admission procedures, and academic support to facilitate a seamless transition for interested students,' it said yesterday. The Star has reached out to the Higher Education Ministry and US Embassy for comment but as of press time, there has been no response.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
M'sian woman considers quitting over no workplace friends
DESPITE having a good salary, understanding bosses, and the luxury of living close to her workplace, a Malaysian woman is contemplating quitting her job — all because she feels alone at the office. In a heartfelt anonymous confession posted by X user @ammarfaris, the woman shared her emotional struggle, revealing how the absence of camaraderie among colleagues has taken a toll on her well-being. ALSO READ: M'sian says she's 'cepat koyak' in job interview—netizens split: brave or not job-ready? 'I have a good salary, good bosses and my home is near my workplace. However, I don't have any close friends here. 'I often have lunch alone and I can only rant to myself whenever I'm stressed. I never expected that I wouldn't have any friends and I'm very tempted to resign,' she wrote, seeking advice to reignite her motivation. Her confession struck a chord with many, including the original poster himself, who offered a dose of empathy and tough love. 'You're not broken. You're just in a season. There really are seasons or phases in life when we feel a little lonely. 'Get a life. One of the biggest advantages you have is that your home is close to your workplace. And what does that mean? @ammarfaris asked her to make the most of her free time after work, since she's lucky to avoid the traffic others face, and suggested she join night classes—online or offline—that can help her gain skills while expanding her social circle. He also encouraged her to volunteer on weekends at places like soup kitchens, NGOs, or mosque youth clubs, where many people not only contribute but also find opportunities to meet new friends. ALSO READ: 'I support a cancer NGO' - M'sian job seeker stunned as male employer insists on cutting female staff's hair short He further advised her to take advantage of having fewer social distractions by saving and investing more, suggesting that this is the perfect time to build an emergency fund, aim for a six-figure savings goal, and use this 'grind season' to lay a solid financial foundation for her future. @ammarfaris also told her to reframe her mindset, explaining that this phase was like a training arc. Instead of feeling stuck, she should see it as a time to build her own life, learn independence, manage her emotions, strengthen her finances and upgrade herself. 'Honestly, this can be one of the most exciting phases in your life — you get to choose your direction,' he wrote. He suggested that if she still wants to resign after considering everything, she should at least do so with a clear plan—setting a concrete goal like saving RM100,000 first before quitting—so her decision isn't driven by emotion and she leaves with something solid to fall back on. ALSO READ: Terengganu company job ad offering only RM2k for Head of IT leaves M'sians stunned 'So, if you ask me what my final advice is? Stay. Build. Believe,' he concluded. The post quickly gained traction, with netizens chiming in — many echoing the sentiment that work should not be one's primary social outlet. One user called @mohdshahnazli commented: 'It's actually best to be a lone ranger at work, as long as your boss acknowledges your efforts. Otherwise, you might end up caught in cliques, with people talking behind your back and all the usual office politics. So, keep your socialising to a minimum.' 'Believe me, there's no such thing as a perfect workplace. Wherever you go, it's the same—there will always be one or two things that don't match what you want. At the end of the day, just be grateful, okay?' ericho_syah wrote.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- The Sun
'1.5 hours to travel 26km from Kepong to Subang Jaya'
ACCORDING to the Traffic Index by City 2020 Mid-Year, Kuala Lumpur was ranked as the fourth-worst city in Southeast Asia for traffic congestion. Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng recently took to Facebook to express his frustration over the worsening traffic conditions, citing his experience traveling from Kepong to Subang Jaya. ALSO READ: Malaysian woman calls out worsening traffic conditions 'At 9am, it took 1.5 hours to travel 26km from Kepong to Subang Jaya. At 7am or 8am, it would likely take over 2 hours,' he wrote, highlighting the severe delays faced by commuters during peak hours. Lim called for urgent improvements, stressing that liveable cities must address congestion issues more effectively. 'A liveable city must do better,' he added. His post resonated with many Malaysians who shared their own struggles with daily traffic. 'Fully agree with you,' commented Aloysious Roy. READ MORE: M'sians share how traffic jam led to them resigning jobs Colin Chong echoed the sentiment, detailing his daily ordeal: 'Every day, I spend 2 hours going to work from Puchong to Petaling Jaya and another 2 hours coming back. That's four hours wasted per day. In one week, that's 20 hours lost. Over a month, it's 80 hours just stuck in traffic.' Low Weng Soon suggested a shift towards public transport but pointed out its shortcomings: 'MRT from Kepong to Ampang Park, then switch to the Kelana Jaya LRT line to Subang Jaya. Our city is getting more congested. We should be using public transport as much as possible, but the first and last mile connections still leave much to be desired.'
The Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
M'sians slam malls for removing bidets
FOR many Malaysians, a mall visit comes with one unspoken rule—clean, water-equipped toilets. But now, a growing number are flushing out frustration over malls ditching bidets, calling it a dirty move that puts hygiene at risk. ALSO READ: 'Is this even legal?' - M'sians debate cross-dressing TikToker's use of female toilet after viral video The debate flared up after a viral post by Threads user @mktaufiq4436, who questioned the growing trend of 'dry toilets' in public spaces. 'Did you know? Many malls have started removing bidets, claiming that toilets get wet when there's a bidet and need more cleaning. 'A dry toilet doesn't mean it's clean! 'Go to any 'dry' toilet without a bidet — the smell of urine and dried feces is super strong! 'These so-called dry toilets might look clean, but there's dried pee everywhere! 'Toilets without bidets actually need to be cleaned more often! If there's poop or pee mess, staff have to be called to clean it. And if no staff are available, no one can use the toilet,' the post read. The post has since sparked a wave of complaints, with netizens chiming in about the inconvenience and questionable cleanliness of these facilities. Many agreed, saying that without water hoses, it's nearly impossible to maintain personal hygiene. 'I boycott malls that don't have bidets,' one user called izz_izady simply wrote. 'I'd rather use a wet toilet that doesn't smell like pee than a dry one that looks clean but reeks of urine,' commented.
