Latest news with #SitiHajar
Barnama
07-08-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Block Batik Showcases Local Heritage Identity At Kelantan PMR 2025
KOTA BHARU, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The unique charm of block batik, crafted using hand-carved wooden or copper stamps, continues to captivate enthusiasts as the patterns complement traditional outfits like the baju kurung or kebaya beautifully. Imperium Batik Ventures entrepreneur Siti Hajar Ismail, 35, said demand for block batik is on the rise as its motifs reflect the beauty and intricacy of Malay culture, with elements of nature such as flowers, leaves, as well as geometric carvings. 'I'm the fifth generation to inherit this batik-making business from my ancestors. Block batik remains in demand and relevant even today, and I believe this heritage must be preserved and safeguarded. 'We can produce over 30 block batik designs with patterns such as hibiscus, sunflower, and rice grains. Each design requires high attention to detail to ensure a perfect print, and the colours don't fade despite repeated stamping,' she said when met by Bernama at the Kelantan MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) 2025 at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium today. Elaborating further, Siti Hajar said the process of making block batik begins with carving specific motifs onto wooden blocks, which are then dipped in dye and repeatedly stamped onto fabric, typically cotton or silk. 'For Kelantan PMR 2025, I'm selling various block batik designs priced between RM150 and RM300, with discounts of up to 20 per cent. 'These patterns are suitable for people of all ages and genders, as they not only reflect the beauty of nature but also carry symbolic meaning tied to local customs and traditions,' she added. For private sector employee Siti Aminah Zahari, 28, the variety of block batik designs in bright colours made them more eye-catching, compared to the intricate and complex batik lukis (hand-painted batik). Kelantan PMR 2025, a three-day event which kicked off today, is spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) in collaboration with the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department (ICU JPM) and supported by various ministries and government agencies.
South China Morning Post
29-01-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's Lunar New Year dirty secret? Abandoning elderly relatives in hospital
Published: 12:01pm, 29 Jan 2025 Every year, as Malaysia 's motorways hum with holiday traffic and families reunite for the Lunar New Year , another, less heartwarming tradition quietly unfolds: elderly parents being admitted to hospital wards so their children can go on holiday. The nation's hospitals regularly see a surge of elderly patients admitted with questionable symptoms at Lunar New Year, from shortness of breath to fatigue or reduced consciousness. But doctors say the real diagnosis isn't medical; it's convenience. Frustrated doctors have started speaking out, turning to TikTok to highlight the trend, sparking a maelstrom of public debate in a nation that prides itself on its family values. 'Do you think we don't notice? But maybe you need your rest too,' Malaysian doctor Izad Iskandar asked in a now-viral TikTok video titled 'Understanding parental care during holidays', which has been shared more than 3,000 times. A screengrab from the viral video Malaysian doctor Izad Iskandar shared on TikTok. Photo: TikTok/izadiskandar His post opened a floodgate of reactions, with medical professionals confirming the practice and ordinary Malaysians expressing a mix of disbelief and outrage. 'The children act like doctors at the emergency department, insisting that their parent's illness requires them to be warded,' TikTok user Siti Hajar commented. Another user, Dhiya, noted that hospital laboratories were often swamped with samples during holiday periods, as admissions spike with claims of emergency cases.
