Latest news with #Malays
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- General
- Focus Malaysia
Heartwarming video goes viral celebrating the contribution of foreign workers
GRATITUDE goes a long way towards making the world go round. Although employees are paid for their work, it is also their contributions which makes the existence of a corporation or a business entity possible. Recently, a viral video warmed the hearts of the online community, where an employer could be seen sending off his foreign staff members at the airport with affection. According to netizen @mynewshub who made the video post, these Bangladeshi workers had been working on the employer's farm for the past 18 years. Safe to say, the video has become some sort of promotional material for Bangladeshi workers with the overwhelming praises in the comment section. '18 tahun pekerja Bangladesh berkhidmat setia bersama menjaga kebun. Tanpa mereka, kebun takkan sampai ke tahap ini. Hari ini tiba masa berpisah, mereka terpaksa pulang ke tanah air. Terima kasih atas segala jasa, takkan pernahlupa.' — MYNEWSHUB (@mynewshub) April 29, 2025 Netizen @DrKhairulAnwar claimed that among the many foreigners, tourists or workers, the Bangladeshis are the best. @hoelywtr chipped in to say that those from Bangladesh and Pakistan usually do not find trouble. Even if there are trouble makers, they are rare. 'The problematic ones are the Indonesians and Rohingyas, but not all,' he added. Another netizen said the good ones are very good. He claimed these were the ones usually found in the prayer hall and mosques. 'This is bittersweet. In their sadness, they must be excited to return to their country and meet their family members,' he said. But of course there are always the critics. Netizen @readergo1 pointed out that the employer can then take the young Malays instead to work as they are likely able to last longer than 20 years. However, @muthapailek claimed the Bangladeshi staff are 'tip top' while the Malays like 'vape sekejap,' also known as break time for vaping. One netizen further reminisced about a time when he had to carry a delivery machine which was about 200kg up the stairs to the first floor. Help came in the form of the Bangladeshi workers nearby the construction site, who did not ask for any form of payment after help was rendered. Also, @tqfrthmmr said the people were being too racist towards Bangladesh. Apparently he sent his car to a car wash and several moments later, returned to find a RM50 bill on the chair. @tqfrthmmr said it was under the chair the whole time and he never noticed it. The car wash worker could gave stolen it but placed the money on the chair instead. Perhaps, haters of foreign workers can take some time to watch this video and reflect on their current stance regarding immigration. The conclusion to this viral video is a sweet one too, with @azamkl pointing out that loyalty is not born from skin colour or the language spoken, but the heart which chooses to be together. —May 1, 2025 Main image: @mynewshub (X)
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
'In the end, the Malays will live by the side of the jungle,' says Mahathir
ARE the Malays really losing ground? Recently, a yet to be retired Tun Dr Mahathir penned on his X account a brief chronological order of the Malay conquest, outlining the territory they had gained in the ancient past and has begun to lose as they drew into the contemporary period. According to Mahathir, the Malay race has lost four states to Thailand, namely Pattani, Yala, Setoi and Singgora. Also, they lost the Riau island to Indonesia and Singapore to the immigrants from China. 𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗛 𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗨 Melayu meneroka Semenanjung Tanah Melayu. iktiraf Semenanjung Tanah Melayu sebagai milik orang Melayu. Tanah Melayu bermula dari Segenting Kra hingga ke Pulau Riau. 4. Sekarang Semenanjung Tanah Melayu sudah merosot… — Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) April 29, 2025 He concluded his post with the chilling remark that the Malays will live at the side of the jungle as the process of selling land by the Malays continues. 'What is the meaning of Independence if the country is owned by someone else,' said Mahathir. Netizens by the droves, however, were unimpressed by his bleak rhetoric. For starters, @Arriyaan said Mahathir was among the best prime ministers in developing the nation. But he felt that it was wrong for him to gain support by using race and religion. 'Focus on upgrading the economy of the country to reduce the burden on the people,' he stated. Another netizen said the struggles for the country must be parallel with the constitution and the agreement towards the establishment of Malaysia. 'Each of us must respect the rights of the natives and the natives must also respect the rights of all citizens regardless of race. This guarantees the peace and well-being of the people and the country,' she said. On the other hand, @Nastro75 said the Malays will not disappear, citing the fact that there are Malays in the places where Mahathir claimed has been taken over by Thailand, for example Pattani. @Nastro75 added that Mahathir should rest and enjoy life with his family. There is no need to worry about the country which is being governed by a new leader. Some others were not so kind. @RubyAhmad13 said he was trying to incite the Malays who are lazy to read. The picture comments are also hard hitting: The winning comment, perhaps, goes to @ThaneindraN who said, 'Many Malays in Langkawi have caused me to lose my deposit in the PRU15.' 'Is this your only modal? You should learn from it. Pak Lah is gone, so increase your acts of worship. The Malays have already rejected you, old man,' said @Nazril_Iznil. To add salt to the wound, @tjerealjoker asked Grok the artificial intelligence if it was true that the Malays will live at the side of the jungle. This was the comprehensive reply from Grok: Netizen @klk0631 further pointed out that if people were to follow the principles of Mahathir, then Europe should belong to the Mongolians, and within the two decades of him being the prime minister of Malaysia, the peninsula had been lost to the migrants from India. —May 1, 2025 Main image: Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad (Facebook)
Focus Malaysia
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Focus Malaysia
Songkok not a Muslim-exclusive headgear but part of the Indonesian national culture
THIS is obviously a cultural shock to many Malays who treat the songkok as a headgear synonymous to Muslim males to complete a customary attire during formal occasions and at social or religious events. Such is probably the reality of life in Indonesia which boasts the largest Muslim population in the world which a rabble-rouser Malaysian netizen overlooked when he demonised songkok-donning former Indonesian president Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi for 'reciting the Al-Fatihah verse' at the late Pope Francis's funeral in Rome recently. Although the post by MALAYSIA PROBLEM (@Malaysia_Problm) has been taken down by virtue of his account been suspended, it has to be pointed out that songkok-donning Indonesian Homan Rights Minister Natalius Pigai was also captured on a video making the 'sign of the cross' after paying his last respect. For the record, Jokowi who during the tail end of his two-term presidency was instrumental in inviting the late Pope Francis to Jakarta was appointed as a special envoy of President Prabowo Subianto to attend Pope Francis funeral at the Vatican. He was accompanied by Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono and former minister Ignasius Jonan – all of whom are Catholics. That songkok is not an exclusive headgear for Indonesian Muslims was shared by X user fred 🤣‼️ (@508mphx) who highlighted in a viral post that 'Betawi Christians even wear it to church'. 'That's why assimilation never really works in Malaysia because stuff like language, words and even outfits all get tied up with the dominant religion,' remarked user fred 🤣‼️ whose post has amassed 2.5 million views at the time of writing. The songkok isn't exclusively Malay Muslim. In Indonesia, Betawi Christians even wear it to church. That's why assimilation never really works in Malaysia, because stuff like language, words and even outfits all get tied up with the dominant religion. — fred 🤣‼️ (@508mphx) April 29, 2025 However, some supposedly 'thick face' Malaysian netizens refused to accept such reality with one asserting that it would be better for Malaysia to retain the songkok wearing cultures for the Malays given 'there has been massive confusion in Indonesia which condones mixed marriages'. Interestingly, an Indonesian commenter seconded fred 🤣‼️ that the songkok which is commonly known as peci in Indonesia 'is a national attire, worn by the male' with no religious connotation. As the debate rattles on, a commenter revealed that non-Muslims do wear the songkok but confined to 'special and official occasions'. – May 2, 2025 Main image credit: Sekar (@bodhi_zen)/X
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Broken but not beaten: How strays gave Shima a reason to live
"THIS is just a chat, right? No recording?" Rafizah Shima Mohd Aris messages me on WhatsApp. "It's an interview. I'll be recording it, but it's not a live broadcast lah!" I reassure her. It raises the question: is she staying out of the spotlight by choice, or does her work require it? The issue of stray animals, especially dogs, may be complex — tangled in sensitivities, legal grey areas and divided opinions. Some see them as creatures in need of care; others, as a threat or nuisance. Caught in between, they face rescue, indifference or cruelty. Each case sparks debate, pitting calls for stronger welfare laws against demands for stricter control. It's a battle waged in courtrooms, on social media, and in the streets, making Shima's work both essential and contentious. But the 44-year-old is no stranger to the spotlight. She has frequently made headlines for exposing animal abuse and leading rescues that have drawn both praise and controversy. There's something inherently defiant — and undeniably brave — about the way Shima stands up for injured and abused animals. Her unwavering commitment hasn't only saved countless lives, but also placed her in the direct line of fire from those who see her work as a challenge to religious beliefs and societal norms. So, it's understandable if she's a little hesitant about publicity. I'm holding my breath, fingers crossed, waiting for her response when my phone pings again. Her message pops up and I can't help but laugh. "Okay sure. No need to do makeup all then!" LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING The interview gets off to an unexpectedly interesting start, revealing more about her than I'd anticipated. When I assume she was the kind of child who loved animals, rescuing stray kittens and puppies, she quickly sets the record straight. "No!" she says, shaking her head. "I was never an animal lover." She grew up in a strict, conservative family. "Like many Malays, we were taught to be afraid of dogs," she confides, adding: "It wasn't just a rule; it was something we truly believed. Whenever I saw a dog, I ran." She sees my surprised expression and sighs. "Well, this is me. I have to be honest." Life had a way of unfolding on its own and that stance would soon change. One thing led to another, and nothing went as she'd hoped. By 2017, she was divorced — a single mother raising two children on her own. Her face softens with sadness. "I could see how unhappy my children were. Divorce is hard enough for the couple, but for kids? They suffer the most." It was during the pandemic when she took her children out for a meal at a mamak stall. That's when they spotted a small kitten begging for food. "Mummy, can we please bring it home?" her daughter pleaded. She smiles at the memory. "I had all sorts of excuses — my asthma lah … this lah … that lah …" But looking at their hopeful faces, she couldn't bring herself to say no. So, they took the kitten home and everything changed. "My children started smiling again," she says quietly, adding: "Caring for that kitten gave them something to hold on to and it taught them responsibility. The divorce had shaken their world, taking away the security and love they once knew. But in that tiny creature, they found comfort. They learned that love could still exist, even if it looked different from before." A cat first changed how Shima saw animals — but her first real rescue came when she least expected it. Not long after starting a new job following her divorce, she'd pass a group of stray dogs — a sea of brown near a busy U-turn — on her daily drive home. "I saw them every day," she recalls. But one day, something different caught her eye. Among the familiar brown strays was a black puppy. It wasn't just its colour that made it stand out. It had a deep, raw wound on its head, impossible to ignore. "Oh goodness, that looks really bad," she thought. But then she reassured herself: "It's okay lah. Someone will help. This is a busy road… people pass by all the time." Yet, the next day, and the day after that, the puppy was still there. "It was a public road. So many people used it. Oh my God, you know what? I just couldn't ignore it anymore. It wasn't okay. If I waited, that puppy would die," she recalls. Desperate but unsure what to do, she called her non-Muslim friends. "Can you help me? Tell me what to do. I don't want to touch it. I'm scared of dogs!" she admitted. Her friends didn't hesitate. "It's okay, Shima," they reassured her. "We'll come." With their help, the injured puppy — whom Shima named Bond — was taken to the vet. After receiving treatment, he was placed in a shelter run by an old Indian man she called Uncle Samy. "It was within the compound of an Indian temple," she recalls, adding: "There were about 20 other dogs there. I was still terrified of dogs, but I wanted to see how Bond was doing." Determined to overcome her fear, Shima began visiting the shelter regularly. At first, it wasn't easy. She'd stand back, watching from a distance, trying to get used to the sight of so many dogs in one place. "It was scary!" she recalls, adding: "You know how dogs are — they get excited, they jump on you. And I was just standing there thinking, 'Oh man, I'm going to die in here!'" As Shima watched the dogs being cared for, a question kept nagging at her. "These dogs were lucky," she thought. "They were fed twice a day. They were safe. But what about the other stray animals out there?" The thought wouldn't leave her. Slowly, she started asking around, learning more, and before she knew it, she was rescuing animals herself. At first, she kept it quiet, working behind the scenes. She started with cats, taking in so many that, at one point, she had more than 10 living in her house. She admits: "My parents weren't happy. I mean, I had asthma! It became a big issue. There were many arguments, a lot of 'I don't want to talk to you for a few days…'" She laughs now, but back then, it wasn't easy. Still, she couldn't stop. The more she saw, the more she felt she had to help. Shima continued helping out at the shelter where Bond was first taken in. "I helped Uncle Samy take the dogs to the vet, raised funds and kept rescuing other strays," she shares. One of her most well-known rescues was Cera, a tiny pup whose story began with a desperate call in the middle of the night. "The first time I saw her, it was heartbreaking," Shima recalls, adding: "She was just a tiny puppy with both legs broken. She'd been beaten repeatedly and was terrified of humans." Without hesitation, she rushed Cera to a veterinary clinic, where surgeons implanted a metal plate in one of her limbs. "Today, she's a happy, thriving dog," Shima tells me, adding: "Bond and Cera are still with me. They're my first rescues lah. I couldn't let them go!" It wasn't just about the animals; it was about saving herself, too. She sighs, before confiding: "I was going through a really painful time with my divorce. Rescuing them… it felt like, for the first time in a long time, I had a purpose." CHALLENGES AND HEARTACHES Just when life seemed to be settling, Shima received the worst news imaginable — she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2021. "I was devastated. I'd already gone through a tough divorce, and now it was cancer. There was a point where I just gave up. I kept thinking, 'Why me?'" she admits. The aggressive cancer demanded relentless rounds of chemotherapy. "I sank deep into myself. The rescues stopped. I just didn't have it in me to do anything else," she recalls. But one thing she refused to give up was her cats. Despite her oncologist's advice, she kept them. Her family was upset. "They told me cats were dirty, that I was too ill to care for them and that they'd only make me worse. But I was adamant. For the first time, I stood up to my father and said, 'I need them. I need them to survive, to fight cancer.'" So, the cats stayed. Then came another heartbreak. During her treatment, one of her rescued dogs, whom she'd nursed back to health, passed away. The dog had been diagnosed with cancer before, but with regular vet visits and treatment, the tumour had been successfully managed. "The cancer came back while I was sick," Shima shares softly. "Losing her was a turning point for me. That's when I knew I had to fight. I couldn't bear to lose another animal." She threw herself back into rescue work with renewed determination. "I remember saving two dogs while I was still in treatment," she says, with a small smile. "In a way, it made me stronger." Shima did get stronger. Eventually, she went into remission. Her family was amazed by her recovery. But what meant the most to her was their understanding. "I remember my mum saying maybe it was the animals who prayed for me, who helped me heal," she recalls, voice thick with emotion. "That meant everything. It was her way of telling me that what I was doing mattered. And maybe she was right — the animals I saved might have saved my life." What about her father? I ask. She grows quiet for a moment. "My dad still doesn't understand," she replies, adding: "He still doesn't accept my choices. But it's okay. As long as my mum and siblings understand, that's enough." From rescuing dozens of dogs trapped in hoarding situations to exposing puppy mills, taking in stray cats and speaking out against animal abuse, Shima stepped into the spotlight. She was no longer just a rescuer; she was becoming a well-known activist. One of her most high-profile cases involved saving nearly 35 dogs and 20 cats from a single house. "It was huge," she recalls, adding: "I had to call in a lot of people to help. It eventually became a police case." But with greater visibility came criticism. Some in the community began to question whether her work aligned with her faith. The fitness trainer remains steadfast, explaining that she performs the sertu cleansing each time she comes into contact with dogs — washing the area seven times, including once with water mixed with soil, as prescribed in Islamic practice. She even keeps Sertu soap on hand — a clay-based cleanser designed to meet Islamic purification guidelines — making the process easier, especially when she's on the go. It's her way of honouring her faith while continuing to care for strays. She sighs, her expression a blend of weariness and quiet resolve. "I can take the criticism," she insists softly. "But I just can't give up. If I don't help them, who will?" That question continues to fuel her resolve. No amount of criticism will make her stop. She's relentless, undeterred by judgment, and as long as there are animals in need, she'll be there — rescuing, healing and fighting for them. She often thinks back to the day she found Bond, a tiny puppy with a wound on its head. It had been left to fend for itself, ignored by the hundreds of people who'd passed by. But she noticed. A woman at her lowest, struggling with heartbreak and depression, stopped and made a choice. "It was Allah," she says simply. "He led me to that puppy, just as He led me back to Him. My struggles — divorce, cancer — weren't punishments. They were redirections. I've learnt that life isn't just about me. It's about something greater." For Shima, rescuing animals is more than a mission. It's a purpose that has shaped her journey. And in saving them, she has come to realise that, in their own way, they've been saving her, too.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Govt ready to review e-invoicing to avoid burdening small firms
JOHOR BAHRU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is prepared to review the implementation of the e-Invoice system by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to ensure it does not place an undue burden on small companies. 'We will look into it because e-Invoicing is very important to prevent leakages and revenue loss. 'But for small companies, it can be quite burdensome. So, God willing, we will make improvements so that it does not become a burden,' he said when winding up his policy speech at the PKR 2024/2025 National Congress, which concludes today. The e-invoicing initiative began in August 2024 for companies with an annual turnover or revenue of more than RM100 million. The second phase started on Jan 1 this year for businesses with annual sales of between RM25 million and RM100 million. The third phase of the full implementation of e-invoicing will begin on July 1, involving all types of businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said Malaysia is among the countries that provide the highest amount of subsidies. 'For example, with the (adjustment of electricity tariffs), 85 per cent of users are not affected, but our way of explaining it was as for gas subsidies, that's valid. Some small companies and others are still facing difficulties, even though provisions are in place to cover their losses. 'This is another matter we will review to ensure small companies are not burdened,' he said. Regarding petrol subsidies, the Prime Minister said the government does not agree with proposals to raise fuel prices and has opted to provide subsidies. 'The Cabinet and I do not agree with raising fuel prices. Prices can be lowered gradually based on current market conditions. However, fuel prices must be increased for foreigners. We have about 3.5 to 4 million foreigners in our country and they benefit from subsidised fuel,' he said. Anwar said no other country in the world provides subsidies to foreigners and the wealthy, and he assured that Malaysians would not be affected by the subsidy rationalisation. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also shared findings from a study by the IDE Research Centre, which showed an increase in support for the MADANI government among civil servants. 'The study shows that among the 1.4 million civil servants, the majority of whom are Malays, there is a clear shift in support. 'This is a very encouraging sign that should give us confidence that civil servants now have a more positive view of the government,' he said. He added that the MADANI government's initiative to implement the Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which replaced the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) last December, has had a positive impact, with civil servants now working more firmly and efficiently.
