Latest news with #Sarawak-style
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New 2-week-old hawker stall in mature estate draws flak for pricey British Curry Shrimp Burger
I don't know about you, but I enjoy patronising hawker centres for the diverse food options. At a time when many are lamenting the decline of Singapore's hawker culture, modern stalls like Kine — a new kid in town at ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre — offer a glimmer of hope. The 37-year-old owner, Ray, is a former fine dining and pastry chef with experience in hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants like Les Amis. However, midway through his culinary journey, he developed severe lactose intolerance and FODMAP sensitivity. That forced him to step away from the joy of creating and tasting pastries — a tough but necessary step. Kine spots a minamalist, metallic signboard similar to Tesla's Cybertruck. Here, Ray aims to serve burgers that people with lactose intolerance can enjoy without worry. The menu features 2 main proteins — shrimp and beef — with 3 pricing tiers for each item: Burger, Burger w/ Basic Fries, and Burger + Crunchy Fries with Dip + Salad. The unique Signature British Curry Crunchy Shrimp Burger (S$9.20/S$11.90/S$12.70) consists of deep-fried golden-brown pieces of breaded shrimp, tau geh and curry sauce. For the beef options, Ray serves up a pounded beef pattie, offering either a Single (S$7.10/S$9.90/S$10.70) or Double (S$8.90/S$11.70/S$12.40) American Smash Burger. Just 2 weeks in, Ray has received several positive comments and words of encouragement from netizens, praising his unique burger options and welcoming him as fresh blood in the scene. On the other end, some have commented that for mature estates like Bukit Merah, offering burgers at such a high price isn't suitable. The QR code ordering system has also raised concerns, as many seniors living in the area aren't tech-savvy. Luckily, Ray accepts cash payment as well, though he prefer the former. This is where I'm a little torn. While I do agree that prices here are slightly steep, I also understand the challenges hawkers face — high rental, rising ingredient costs, and more. Ray is aware of the comments, and has released a Small Single American Smash Burger (no cheese) (S$5.70/S$6.90/S$7.90). He's also currently working on a chicken burger that will be even cheaper. So, what do you think? Should we welcome new stalls like Kine, which bring vibrancy to food centres in mature estates, or are they better suited for newer areas, where the residents are willing to fork out more? Zhong Pin Noodle House: Springy kolo mee & flavourful Sarawak-style laksa in Bukit Merah The post New 2-week-old hawker stall in mature estate draws flak for pricey British Curry Shrimp Burger appeared first on
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Usno feels belittled within GRS, says president, warning it may be forced to contest solo
Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia delivering his speech during Usno's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Sandakan. KOTA KINABALU: United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) has warned that it may be forced to contest solo in the upcoming state election if it continues to be belittled and sidelined within the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition. Party president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia's unhappiness stems from what he described as a dismissive attitude by some leaders within GRS, who questioned Usno's right to demand seats despite the party's efforts to build grassroots support across Sabah. "I am not satisfied when I hear friends asking, how can Usno ask for seats when they claim we have no movement, no support on the ground," he said during the party's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Sandakan recently. "We hope the top leadership of GRS will consider Usno, even though we are seen as a 'mosquito' party," he added. Pandikar warned that if the sidelining continued, Usno would have no choice but to contest independently. "In politics, there are conditions and possibilities. Like what (Datuk Seri) Dr Jeffrey (Kitingan) said, today we are friends, tomorrow we might be rivals. "It is not because Usno wants to contest solo, but because we are forced by the situation of being sidelined," he said. Pandikar also said that in today's political landscape, party branding mattered less than the ability to win seats. "Politics in Malaysia is no longer like before. Today, politics does not look at the party, does not look at anything. "As long as you have a seat, even if you are an independent, you can strengthen a group that becomes the chief minister. "It doesn't matter if the person knows nothing. What is valuable now is the number," he said. He said Usno's momentum would continue with more grassroots engagements planned across Semporna, Kota Kinabalu, Petagas, Tanjung Keramat, Banggi and Pitas. Pandikar also warned that political leaders must not underestimate the growing aspiration among younger voters for a Sarawak-style political model, where local parties dominate without external interference. "Voters today are not like five or 10 years ago. Before, if you wore a songkok and stood under the Barisan Nasional logo, you would win. Now, even big parties can lose to independents," he said. "If leaders misread this aspiration, we will be watering the seeds of rebellion," he added. Reflecting on internal dynamics within GRS, Pandikar said rivalry among parties was inevitable. "In a big group like GRS, we treat each other like siblings. But even among siblings, there is rivalry – rivalry to get the attention of the head of the family," he said. GRS currently comprises Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Homeland Solidarity Party, Usno, Sabah Progressive Party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party and Parti Cinta Sabah. Usno, which officially joined GRS in May 2022, currently does not hold any state or federal seats in Sabah.
