Latest news with #South-EastAsian
The Star
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Welcome to 'Ombak Kitchen', it gives you the pleasure of having South-East Asian seafood cuisine in its own Asia way of eating-style
To catch everyone's attention, this restaurant tagline reads: 'Pakai tangan jer -- Just use your hands)". Interestingly, enough, it seems to the perfect motto for foodies when they visit the Ombak Kitchen restaurant. The well-liked and well-known restaurant first started in Bangsar and then opened up in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam and then Putrajaya. It has now moved to nearer to heart of Kuala Lumpur and aim to serenade the city folks with their seafood fare in Setapak (The Palette @ The Ark). Just sail through the restaurants premium cajun seafood galore for lunch or dinner, fit for any occasion and celebrations with your loved ones. And just like their motto just go through their food the South-East Asian way -- with your hands. In a previous interview with The Star -- Ombak Kitchen chief executive officer Sharita Loo said that the restaurant's concept aimed at offering families a place to get-together and eating without worrying about the mess they made. 'We want to make each visit fun, relaxing, enjoyable and satisfying for our customers,' said the 41-year-old entrepreneur. Indeed, just have fun and forget all else as you go through their interesting menus that offer different kind of crabs, prawns, octopus, calamari, mussels and many kind of sea food fare that is found in our region. "Explore a variety of our seafood offerings, from succulent crabs and luxurious Alaskan king crab to flavorful lobsters and more. "Whether it's lunch, dinner, or a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, we can help create unforgettable memories for you family and friends in our cozy, rustic setting— without burning a hole in your pocket," said Setapak branch manager Muzamal Bakri. "For the perfect finale, treat yourself to Ombak Kitchen's Sweet Temptation — an irresistible ending to your seafood feast. We promise it will be a wholesome meal that you will not forget." By far, the aromatic Cajun-style dishes with a touch of Malay and Indian style setting with fresh seafood in a homely setting is wooing people to Ombak Kitchen in Setapak. It seems to a favourite in a very cosy setting in the heart of the city. Their speciality sauces including - Ombak Hot Cajun Sauce, Dark Chilli Chocolate Sauce and Creamy Lemon Butter Sauce - are available to go with the seafood offering that comes in three types -- mild, medium and very spicy. "I would like to add our sauces are our greatest speciality. It has been prepared by our chefs and the tastes are very unique. All our sauces are done by our chefs and this is what makes a very special offering for our diners," sais Muzamal. The restaurant's special seafood combo also offers very special treat for 2-3, 3-4 and also family fare groups. It delivers a superb mixture of all kind of seafood delicacies mixed with many types of vegetable fare with their own special choice of sauces. Just the perfect for a group outing. An irresistible seafood feast that foodies will surely savour. "At the end of the day, we just want our customers to enjoy the forget the food, forget their daily fares and go home happy and contended. It is a believe that has helped this chain to grow in our other outlets. "This restaurant here (in Setapak) opened up in September last year. Our chef and our workers are committed to this belief and we hope KL-ites in the centre of town will now enjoy our happy offerings and return to enjoy our hospitality time and again," added Muzamal. "We promise our customer it will be one-of-a kind eating experience and wholesome fare." Well in short this food chain is very committed in 'sharing happiness' with their food fare and it is now for the foodies to go and try their offerings that comes with reasonable pricing for all kind of occasions.
The Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Celebrated Malaysian artist makes his mark in Paris
Artisti-que impression: Tay (right) describing his artwork to Eldeen (left) who attended his first solo exhibition in Paris, which will be happening until tomorrow. JOHOR BARU: Malaysian artist Tay Poi San is turning heads in the international art scene with his first solo exhibition in Paris, a career milestone that is decades in the making. Titled 'Les Rivières de l'Encre: L'Héritage en Mouvement de Tay Poi San' (Rivers of Ink: The Flowing Legacy of Tay Poi San), the exhibition held at the Vanities Gallery from May 20 until June 2 showcases his signature blend of tradition and innovation. The gallery described Tay, 72, as 'one of the leading contemporary masters of ink painting'. Tay said being able to hold an exhibition in Paris, a major art capital, is a great honour for him. 'Having my works displayed (in Paris) is a spiritual milestone in my artistic life. 'It reflects the strong foundation and creative strength of Johor's art scene as we possess not only solid techniques but also the ability to transform our local culture into an artistic language with a global perspective,' said the artist from Ayer Hitam. The exhibition features representative works from his career spanning over 50 years. It showcases the evolution of his personal style and also conveys his philosophical belief that 'tradition should flow like a river'. Tay said it also highlights how he uses ink as a medium to bridge traditional eastern techniques with modern expressive forms. His art inherits the subtle essence of traditional Chinese landscape painting while infusing a dynamic contemporary aesthetic, creating poetic worlds that balance the real and abstract, he added. Tay noted that Malaysia's cultural diversity has given local artists a unique South-East Asian aesthetic and life experience. 'I hope this exhibition will also inspire younger artists not to imitate but to create from the heart and discover their own voice. 'When we stay true to our roots and dare to dream, we have the power to bring Malaysia's unique artistic spirit to the world,' he said. Tay began his artistic journey under calligraphy master Wong Tham Sing. He was later mentored by Kao Bing Yee and in the 1990s, he studied under ink painter Cheah Thien Soong, who taught external courses in ink painting at the Malaysian Institute of Art. He also trained under US-based artist Tan Chin Long (Chen Long). Since the 1980s, Tay has continuously innovated his ink language, becoming one of the key inheritors of the Nanyang art tradition. Malaysian ambassador to France Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, who attended the opening of the exhibition on May 21, praised his contributions to the promotion of eastern art. Over the years, Tay has received various international recognition. For instance, he was selected among the Top 500 Global Artists at the Hong Kong Global Ink Art Festival in 2021. He has also exhibited his work at biennales in Shenzhen (2022) and London (2023).
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Earthquake-hit Myanmar invite foreign investor for rebuilding
PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Myanmar is inviting foreign investors to participate in the redevelopment efforts two months after the devastating earthquake destroyed major infrastructure and left thousands homeless. Roads, bridges, schools, monasteries, farmland and factories were destroyed when the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the South-East Asian nation on March 28. State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced strategic plans to channel further humanitarian aid to affected victims and quickly reboot the country's faltering economy. "Rebuilding means not only repairing the damaged buildings and making efforts to ensure economic recovery but also building a secure and safe nation in the future. "We want the support of the regional and international partners. And we also want to invite them to invest in the new vision of Myanmar,' said Min Aung Hlaing, reported the state media The Global New Light of Myanmar. He was speaking at the "Rebuilding Myanmar: Post-Earthquake Economic Recovery," in Nay Pyi Taw on Friday. About 3,700 people lost their lives and 5,104 others were injured in the natural disaster. "The disastrous earthquake has had a direct impact upon 600,000 people or so with thousands of people having been forced to move out of their places,' he said. The government has outlined three development strategies - extend humanitarian relief and social protection, infrastructure reconstruction and revive the economy. The focus will be on five key areas for swift economic recovery - energy, agriculture, transportation, telecommunications and public infrastructure. "We gather here today not to demonstrate our melancholy over our substantial losses but to seek ways to survive like the phoenix that could have resurrected as well as how to rebuild. "Today's forum is not only a venue for the talk show but for laying down the foundation for achieving a roadmap,' said Min Aung Hlaing, according to the state media. The World Bank estimated in April that the damages from the earthquake could touch RM42 billion (US$10 billion) and the costs of rebuilding may double that amount. Twenty-one countries delivered over three million metric tonnes of relief supplies and sent about 1,000 relief workers and medical staff supported by 287 doctors following the disaster, reported the state media. - Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Rockfall at Indonesian limestone quarry kills 13
In this handout photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims at the site of a collapsed natural stones quarry in Cirebon district, West Java province, Indonesia, Friday, May 30, 2025. - BASARNAS via AP CIREBON: At least thirteen people were killed and a dozen injured Friday (May 30) in a rockfall at a limestone quarry on Indonesia's Java island, disaster official said. The company overseeing the mine was operating legally but safety standards were lacking, according to West Java governor Dedi Mulyadi, who said he had ordered its closure following the accident. Workers and heavy equipment were buried when rocks suddenly crumbled at the mining site in the city of Cirebon in West Java province at around 09:30 am local time (0230 GMT). "Until now, 13 people have been found dead. Around five to six people might still be buried, and the figure might change," the head of the local disaster agency, Deni Nurcahya told AFP. Rescuers decided to halt the evacuation and resume the operation Saturday morning for fear of another rockfall, he said. Previously, the local police chief, Sumarni, who like many Indonesians has one name told AFP that at least 12 people were injured and have been taken to hospitals. Friday's incident was the second time the quarry collapsed. Parts of the mine collapsed in February but there were no casualties reported. "I decided to shut down the pit permanently, not just this pit but also other pits nearby," Dedi told Metro TV. Mining accidents are common across the mineral-rich South-East Asian archipelago, especially in unlicensed sites where safety protocols are often ignored. In 2023, eight workers died after being trapped in an illegal gold mine in Central Java. In July last year at least 23 people died and 35 others were missing when a landslide hit a remote village near an illegal gold mine on the central island of Sulawesi. - AFP
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
US defence chief Hegseth tells Asian allies: Raise defence spending to 5% of GDP like Europe
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. - AP SINGAPORE: The US expects Asian countries to increase their defence spending to match levels that Washington expects of European allies, since they bear the brunt of the 'threat' of China and North Korea in their backyards. That was the message that US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth brought on May 31 to the leading annual forum of global security and defence leaders in the Asia-Pacific at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue. 'It is hard to believe I can say this – but Asian allies and partners should look to countries in Europe as a new-found example. Nato members are pledging to spend five per cent of their GDP on defence, even Germany,' the former Fox News presenter said. Hegseth communicated to European allies this expectation at the Munich Security Conference in February. 'How can it make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies and partners in Asia spend far less in the face of a far more formidable threat from Communist China, not to mention North Korea?' he added. 'Ultimately, a strong, resolute,and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage. China envies what we have together.' Since the Trump administration returned to office at the turn of 2025, Washington has been doubling down on its demands that its allies should bear a greater responsibility for their conventional defences and cannot expect the US to bear the financial burden alone. For a generation, the US ignored the Indo-Pacific, but under the Trump administration, 'we are here to stay', Hegseth said. Like Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, 'President Trump's approach is grounded in common sense and national interests, built on a willingness to work with others while respecting mutual self-interest, and informed by an understanding of military strength but shaped by a preference for engaging on the basis of commerce and sovereignty — not war,' he said. He added: 'These two historic men share a willingness to challenge old ways of doing things that no longer make sense. Under President Trump's leadership, we are applying this common sense approach here in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.' While China is reportedly the world's second largest defence spender in the world after the US, Beijing's reported defence expenditure typically does not exceed 1.5 per cent of its GDP, compared with the 3.5 per cent that the US typically maintains every year. In 2024, Singapore said it plans to cap its defence outlay to about three per cent of its GDP annually on average for the next decade. The US is bound by treaty to defend the Philippines when the South-East Asian archipelago is under attack and has been deeply committed to the defence of Taiwan, a self-governing territory that Beijing claims as its own to be reunified by force if necessary. - The Straits Times/ANN
