Latest news with #Thong
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Sport
- AsiaOne
'He doesn't see the age gap': How a 93-year-old with vision loss and a 61-year-old bonded over bowling , Singapore News
At 93, not many people will want to spend time in a bowling alley, let alone play the game. But William Thong is different. He may be just seven years away from the century mark, but his passion for the game not just keeps him active — the sport helped him find a friend for life. Not many bowlers wanted to play with Thong because of his age, but when Alfred George Pillay, 61, stepped in, it began what is now a lasting friendship. It started when Thong requested Pillay to play with him during a Fun Bowl competition eight years ago. "After we got the pairing, we haven't been separated since," Pillay, an emcee, told AsiaOne. Now they meet up at Starbowl bowling alley in Bukit Batok about three to four times a week. When AsiaOne visited them on Tuesday morning (May 27), they were bowling side by side. Pillay added that a lot of senior bowlers did not want to play with Thong as he moved slower due to age. A glaucoma diagnosis about 25 years ago meant that Thong lost the vision in his right eye. He can still see with his left eye but his vision is not fully intact. "The dimension is not dimensional one," Thong said, as he has to estimate where to aim the ball, but that has not curbed his enthusiasm. With a few confident steps, Thong tosses the ball and it slowly but surely strikes all 10 pins, earning him a high-five from Pillay. Pillay added that Thong has beaten him in a few games. "I still bowl with one leg," Thong said. A feat, since most seniors play with both feet on the ground for balance. "He (Pillay) doesn't see the age gap," Thong said. "He's very good." Friends within and beyond the bowling alley When they meet, they usually bowl together from 10am until noon. In the past, Thong's wife used to accompany him to the bowling alley but now she is confined to their home due to dementia. Pillay recalled Thong's wife saying: "Do you know he bowls better when you are around? If not, he's very bo chap (indifferent)". "So, whenever I'm available I will come and support him," Pillay said. After their bowling sessions, the duo sometimes enjoys a cup of teh tarik before Pillay sends Thong home to Chua Chu Kang. As Thong likes to sing, the duo sings church hymns together on the way home. During one of their conversations, Thong confided in Pillay, saying, "All my friends have passed away." For Thong's birthday party in 2024, Pillay recalled Thong's daughter telling him: "You are the only friend invited." While Pillay could not attend due to food poisoning, he remembers having lunch with Thong one day in 2022 when the latter suddenly said: "It's my birthday." Gaining online attention In February, Pillay started posting TikTok videos of Thong bowling, as the latter enjoys watching videos of himself in action. The most popular video has garnered over 74,000 views as at May 27 and bowlers have started following his page, according to Pillay. "Please represent Singapore," one netizen said. "Uncle power!" another commenter wrote. @alfredgeorgepillay Maybe the oldest active bowler in the World #bowling #lovelife #inspireothers ♬ It's Amazing - DeeDee Chipmunk When asked about his TikTok videos, Thong happily opened his phone and started scrolling through Pillay's page. Said Pillay: "He doesn't stop. He keeps looking at them every day." "I mean, as long as he's happy. Life is very short." Thong's online fame has also translated into real life, as young bowlers greet him affectionately as Uncle Thong and often stop to watch him play. On Wednesday (May 28), Thong plans to take part in the senior Fun Bowl competition at Starbowl bowling alley. His friend will not be there to support him due to work commitments, but Pillay says he plans to sign Thong up for the senior category in the Singapore Bowling Open in September. At 93, Thong will likely be the oldest contestant. "We must inspire before we expire," Pillay said. [[nid:713335]]
The Star
23-05-2025
- The Star
Malaysia ranks high in numerous categories in 'best in Asia' list
Be it family-friendly attractions, scenic stays or wonderful dining options, Malaysia has a wide range of experiences that is sure to delight every type of traveller. This unsurprisingly results in Malaysia leading the Asia-focused categories of '2025 Global Rankings'. Named the best in a total of 19 categories, ranging from accommodations to nightlife, the country boasts several establishments that received multiple recognitions. The popular island of Langkawi in Kedah earns repeat mentions for its hotels and villas, as well as its Underwater World attraction. Langkawi was also named one of 'Asia's best coastal destinations'. The only other place in Malaysia crowned best coastal destination is Semporna, a scenic seaside town in Sabah's east coast. Meanwhile, the state's capital city Kota Kinabalu joins Semporna, Langkawi, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur in the 'best destinations' category. Understandably, KL, being the capital of Malaysia, draws many visits from local and foreign tourists alike. Many of its attractions and restaurants are highlighted in the rankings. Some of the categories that the city appears in are 'best family-friendly destinations' (the only Malaysian spot in this category), 'best nightlife (bars)', 'best gourmet hotels', and 'best things to do'. The latter includes PETRONAS Twin Towers, which was also recognised under 'Asia's best night attractions'. 'It's truly exciting to see Malaysian establishments being recognised across so many categories in this year's 2025 Global Rankings,' Stephane Thong, general manager of Malaysia, said in a press statement. 'From family-friendly hotels and scenic resorts to local culinary gems and iconic attractions, this recognition reflects the richness and diversity of our travel offerings. 'We hope this not only inspires Malaysians to rediscover local favourites but also encourages more international travellers to explore what Malaysia has to offer – especially as we gear up for Visit Malaysia 2026,' Thong added. Updated annually, is a signature collection of curated travel rankings by the international one-stop travel service provider The rankings are based on an AI-driven analysis that combines expert insights with user data, which includes verified user ratings, reviews and booking trends. Aside from Asia, the rankings also focus on other parts of the world. Global highlights include luxury and experiential stays (Paris in France, Tokyo in Japan, and New York in the United States lead the 'global 100 luxury hotels' list) and dining as part of the journey. Paris, New York, Singapore and Bangkok top the fine dining lists. Seasonal experiences, such as autumn foliage viewing and water-themed fun are now featured in the new categories Fall Views and Water Fun, due to travellers' growing interest in them. Family travel continues to thrive, with world-class resorts like Atlantis Sanya in China and Tokyo Disneyland in Japan being named among the best 'global family-friendly destinations'. Theme parks like Walt Disney World (US), Universal Studios Japan and Shanghai Disney Resort remain popular on the 'global best things to do' list. Another highlight is the 'Destinations For The Months' feature, which helps travellers plan the best seasonal itineraries, such as heading for Kyoto in winter or Seoul in spring. Malaysia offers theme parks and aquariums that are ranked as the best family-friendly attractions in Asia. — Legoland Malaysia/Facebook Top recognised Malaysian establishments in the 2025 (Asia) list Best luxury hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, Kedah Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, Kedah One&Only Desaru Coast, Johor (now permanently closed) Best family hotels: Legoland Malaysia Hotel, Johor Club Med Cherating Beach, Pahang Parkroyal Langkawi Resort Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur Parkroyal Penang Resort Best scenic hotels: The St Regis Langkawi The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort, Terengganu Anantara Desaru Coast Resort, Johor The Danna Langkawi Best cultural hotels: The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang Cheong Fatt Tze, Penang Most Instagrammable hotels: The Luma Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Best villas: The Datai Langkawi Four Seasons Resort, Langkawi Ambong Pool Villas Langkawi Best things to do: PETRONAS Twin Towers Legoland Malaysia KL Hop-On, Hop-Off Best family-friendly attractions: Legoland Malaysia Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Aquaria KLCC Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Pahang Underwater World Langkawi Best night attractions: PETRONAS Twin Towers Kuala Lumpur Tower KL Hop-on Hop-off Best nightlife (bars): Vertigo Restaurant & Bar, KL Penrose KL Whisky House Kuala Lumpur SKY51, KL The Iron Fairies KL Heli Lounge Bar, KL SkyBar, KL Best local restaurants: Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh, KL Madam Kwan's, nationwide Hai Kah Lang TRX, KL Limapulo: Baba Can Cook, KL Restoran Meng Kee Grill Fish, KL Best fine dining restaurants: Dewakan, KL DC Restaurant, KL Sushi Taka, KL Best restaurants for views and experiences: Alva KL Manten Omakase, KL Dewakan Blackbyrd KL Best destinations: Kuala Lumpur Semporna, Sabah Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Langkawi Melaka Best coastal destinations: Semporna Langkawi
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Late buying lifts Bursa Malaysia to close marginally higher
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia reversed earlier losses to close in positive territory today, with the benchmark index edging higher on late buying across the board, supported by above-average trading volume which reflected renewed market sentiment, an analyst said. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 1.12 points, or 0.07 per cent, to close at 1,583.51 compared to Tuesday's close of 1,582.39. The benchmark index opened 0.84 of-a-point higher at 1,583.23 and hit a low of 1,573.44 in the early session before steadily crawling back to a high of 1,583.67 in the late session. In the broader market, gainers trounced losers 762 to 360, while 449 counters were unchanged, 824 untraded and seven suspended. Turnover expanded to 4.20 billion units worth RM3.29 billion against 4.16 billion units worth RM4.48 billion on Tuesday. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said key regional indices continued their uptrend following the 90-day trade war pause between the United States (US) and China. "We note renewed optimism following the US-China trade pause, offering investors a measure of relief. "We are hopeful that the easing of trade tensions will boost global investor sentiment and benefit Malaysia's equity market, given its strategic position in cross-border manufacturing flows," he told Bernama. On the home front, Thong anticipates the FBM KLCI to trend within the 1,560-1,600 range for the remainder of the week.
Malaysian Reserve
14-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
FBM KLCI opens marginally higher but turns lower in early trade
THE FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) opened marginally higher but turned easier in early trade today, taking its cue from the mixed performance on Wall Street overnight as investors weighed the United States (US) inflation data. At 9.10 am, the barometer index fell 4.49 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,577.90 from Tuesday's close of 1,582.39. It opened 0.84 of a point higher at 1,583.23 Turnover stood at 183.35 million shares, valued at RM106.84 million. Meanwhile, market breadth was positive with 211 gainers outnumbering 178 losers, 276 counters were unchanged, 1,730 untraded, and seven suspended. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the Wall Street closed mixed on differing sentiment, as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 jumped on the proposed US$600 billion (US$1=RM4.30) investments in Saudi Arabia, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was pressured by an 18 per cent decline in UnitedHealth's share price. He added that lower-than-expected US consumer price index (CPI) data for April saw the US 10-year yield remain flat at 4.471 per cent. On the home front, Thong noted that the local bourse is expected to see an inflow of foreign funds back into the market following their exodus since the beginning of the year. 'We believe the uptrend will be fuelled by the flight of funds back to equities from bonds, coupled with the inflow of foreign funds into the local market,' he told Bernama. Among heavyweights, Maybank and Tenaga Nasional gained two sen each to RM10.22 and RM14.36, Public Bank lost one sen to RM4.49, CIMB decreased nine sen to RM7.22 and IHH Healthcare was flat at RM7.05. In active trade, Jiankun was unchanged at three sen, Nationgate strengthened four sen to RM1.67, Innature added one sen to 24 sen, NexG rose 1.5 sen to 34 sen and Notion bagged 2.5 sen to 72 sen. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index slipped 18.54 points to 11,778.36, the FBMT 100 Index dropped 25.92 points to 11,534.73, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index went down 9.78 points to 11,704.08. The FBM 70 Index shed 10.21 points to 16,751.57 but the FBM ACE Index improved by 4.04 points to 4,729.12. Across sectors, the Financial Services Index eased 36.57 points to 18,539.35, the Industrial Products and Services Index was down 0.51 of a point to 158.06, the Energy Index gained 1.58 points to 722.73 and the Plantation Index advanced 5.86 points to 7,361.59. — BERNAMA
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
FBM KLCI opens marginally higher but turns lower in early trade
KUALA LUMPUR: The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) opened marginally higher but turned easier in early trade today, taking its cue from the mixed performance on Wall Street overnight as investors weighed the United States (US) inflation data. At 9.10 am, the barometer index fell 4.49 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 1,577.90 from Tuesday's close of 1,582.39. It opened 0.84 of a point higher at 1,583.23 Turnover stood at 183.35 million shares, valued at RM106.84 million. Meanwhile, market breadth was positive with 211 gainers outnumbering 178 losers, 276 counters were unchanged, 1,730 untraded, and seven suspended. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the Wall Street closed mixed on differing sentiment, as the Nasdaq and S&P 500 jumped on the proposed US$600 billion (US$1=RM4.30) investments in Saudi Arabia, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was pressured by an 18 per cent decline in UnitedHealth's share price. He added that lower-than-expected US consumer price index (CPI) data for April saw the US 10-year yield remain flat at 4.471 per cent. On the home front, Thong noted that the local bourse is expected to see an inflow of foreign funds back into the market following their exodus since the beginning of the year. "We believe the uptrend will be fuelled by the flight of funds back to equities from bonds, coupled with the inflow of foreign funds into the local market," he told Bernama. Among heavyweights, Maybank and Tenaga Nasional gained two sen each to RM10.22 and RM14.36, Public Bank lost one sen to RM4.49, CIMB decreased nine sen to RM7.22 and IHH Healthcare was flat at RM7.05. In active trade, Jiankun was unchanged at three sen, Nationgate strengthened four sen to RM1.67, Innature added one sen to 24 sen, NexG rose 1.5 sen to 34 sen and Notion bagged 2.5 sen to 72 sen. On the index board, the FBM Emas Index slipped 18.54 points to 11,778.36, the FBMT 100 Index dropped 25.92 points to 11,534.73, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index went down 9.78 points to 11,704.08. The FBM 70 Index shed 10.21 points to 16,751.57 but the FBM ACE Index improved by 4.04 points to 4,729.12. Across sectors, the Financial Services Index eased 36.57 points to 18,539.35, the Industrial Products and Services Index was down 0.51 of a point to 158.06, the Energy Index gained 1.58 points to 722.73 and the Plantation Index advanced 5.86 points to 7,361.59.
