Latest news with #Wan
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
RM3 a pill! Rampant pil kuda sale fuels addiction among youth
PASIR MAS: The easy availability of pil kuda, or amphetamine pills, in Kelantan continues to fuel addiction among youths, particularly in rural and border areas. This has raised concerns that the issue could lead to wider social problems in the state. Checks by Harian Metro in several villages along the country's border over the past few days showed several suspicious situations, including encounters between individuals on motorcycles who briefly exchanged greetings, shook hands while passing something between their palms, and then quickly parted ways. A man who only wanted to be identified as Wan, 38, said he usually obtains his supply from acquaintances and often uses the same method, roadside meet-ups known locally as "kiri kanan" (left right), which are easier and carry less risk of detection by the authorities. "At first, I took pil kuda as a stimulant to help me with my work as a labourer. But things got out of hand. Now, I'm addicted and need it almost every day. "Youths in the village who are involved with pil kuda usually know the 'lubang' (channels) to obtain their supply. "The roadside sellers are typically small-time agents, not the main traffickers. "In fact, the price of pil kuda varies from RM7 to RM10 per pill. If you buy a 'row' of 10 pills, the price drops to RM6 to RM8 each. And for bulk purchases of 50 pills, it can go as low as RM1 to RM3 per pill," said Wan, who is also a father of three. He said becoming an agent or dealer is not easy unless one gains the trust of a 'tokan' (main trafficker) or has sufficient capital to buy in bulk. They must also know how to store the drugs discreetly to avoid detection by the authorities. "Those who transport the drugs from neighbouring countries before smuggling them in are not the tokan, but Thai runners who are paid to deliver the drugs to local smugglers. "If they're lucky, pil kuda may enter through legal routes, but most of it comes via the river, with nearby thickets used as transit points. "All the risky work is done by hired hands, while the real tokan just sits back and profits from the business without direct involvement. "That's why it's not surprising to hear of businesspeople or product 'founders' being arrested. They're simply using their ventures as a front," he added. Wan admitted that the ease of access to pil kuda is one of the reasons he finds it hard to quit, although he hopes to turn his life around one day. Meanwhile, a Thai national known as Lah, 51, said he was once paid 3,000 baht to ensure a sling bag reached Malaysian territory safely without knowing what was inside. "The individual paid me because the river route has been heavily monitored by authorities since the closure of illegal entry points in December last year. "But on the day I was supposed to deliver the bag, there was tight security at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS). "I had no choice but to throw the bag under a bridge near the riverbank through a damaged section of the fence," he said.
Borneo Post
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Sarawak cuisine book by UCSI wins ‘Best in the World' at Gourmand Awards 2025 in Portugal
(From left) Muhammad Fikri, Wan, Mukvinder and Ivy pose for a photo call in during the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025 in Portugal. KUCHING (July 11): Sarawak's vibrant culinary heritage has received global acclaim with the publication of 'Unearth Sarawak Cuisine: Taste of Sarawak' by UCSI University named 'Best Recipe Book in the World' in the 'Best Field Work Research' category at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025, held in Portugal. Regarded as one of the highest honours in culinary publishing, the Gourmand Awards celebrate outstanding food and drink literature from around the globe, UCSI University said in a statement yesterday. This international recognition places Sarawak's rich and diverse cuisine in the global spotlight, inviting the world to appreciate its unique flavours, ethnic traditions, and cultural stories. The award-winning book is the result of dedicated research and collaboration by a passionate team from UCSI University's Kuching and Springhill campuses. The authors – Assoc Prof Christopher Wan, Assistant Prof Dr Leong Quee Ling, Ivy Irvine Mikal, Mukvinder Kaur Sandhu, Assistant Prof Joseph Martin Pudun, and Muhammad Fikri Umadi – undertook extensive research to compile a collection that goes beyond traditional recipes to document Sarawak's culinary heritage. 'Unearth Sarawak Cuisine: Taste of Sarawak' captures the voices, techniques, and philosophies of Sarawak's diverse communities, preserving traditions passed down through generations. 'This book reflects the identity of Sarawak through food. It represents our culture, our stories, and our history. We are proud to share this with the world,' said Wan, who led the project. He also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the state Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts for their trust and support in making the initiative a success. He added that the award reflects Sarawak's growing recognition in the global gastronomic scene and is closely aligned with the state's status as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. The award was officially announced and received on June 20, marking a significant achievement for both Sarawak and Malaysia on the world stage. Beyond the recognition, the team behind the book hopes this achievement will inspire Malaysians, especially the younger generation, to take pride in their food heritage. 'We encourage our youth to explore the roots of our local cuisine – learn the traditional recipes, appreciate the stories behind each dish, and celebrate the food culture that defines our identity,' said Wan. 'Preserving our culinary heritage is essential in safeguarding the legacy of who we are as a people.' 'Unearth Sarawak Cuisine: Taste of Sarawak' is a proud accomplishment for UCSI University and the people of Sarawak, and stands as a symbol of cultural preservation, academic excellence, and a warm invitation for the world to discover the richness of Sarawak through its cuisine. book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025 portugal Sarawak Cuisine UCSI
RTHK
08-07-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
Four spots left in National Games triathlon squad
Four spots left in National Games triathlon squad Vice president of the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong, China Wan Shu-wah (right) says four spots are still open for the SAR's National Games squad. Photo: RTHK People can give drone soccer a try at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo from July 16-22. Photo: RTHK Triathletes from the SAR are vying for four final spots on the six-member squad for November's National Games, according to vice president of the Triathlon Association of Hong Kong, China Wan Shu-wah. The SAR will host triathlon, with races taking place at the Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour. Speaking to RTHK after an event on Tuesday, Wan said that so far only Asian Games medallists Bailee Brown and Wong Tsz-to have secured places in the SAR squad, which will comprise of three men and three women. He said the final team selection will be made after the Asia Triathlon Championships in Istanbul in late August. Wan, who's also a former SAR representative, expressed strong medal hopes for the National Games, saying the team will have the edge competing on home turf. 'The event will take place in the Central and Wan Chai areas. So of course we have advantage, as our athletes can train at the venue more often than the others,' he said. 'For the medal hopes, I think in the men's, women's and mixed team relays we have a chance to challenge the podium. Our main competitors will be Sichuan and Shandong.' Retired triathlete Daniel Lee secured the SAR's only National Games triathlon medal so far, winning bronze 16 years ago. Triathlon will be featured at the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo at the Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 16 to 22. The event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will also showcase emerging sports like e-dodgeball – a virtual reality version of dodgeball – as well as drone soccer – a team sport where players score by flying drones through their opponents' goal hoops. A tourism area, including an exhibition of 17 Japanese prefectures, will also be featured for the first time. Visitors can buy a ticket package which also grants them access to the World of Snacks expo and the Hong Kong Book Fair.
Daily Express
05-07-2025
- Daily Express
Murdering neighbour: Illegal worker claims trial
Published on: Saturday, July 05, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: The offence, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, along with not less than 12 strokes of the cane for male offenders below the age of 50, on conviction. Kota Kinabalu: A 40-year-old illegal immigrant claimed trial in the High Court here, Friday, for murdering his neighbour in Keningau, last year. Abdul Razak Amri pleaded not guilty before Judge Datuk Celestina Stuel Galid, to the murder of one Mohd Yusof Peyong, 58, on Sept 19, 2024, between 9.30pm and 10.30pm, at Jalan Lingkudau, Taman Juta, Keningau. Advertisement The offence, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, along with not less than 12 strokes of the cane for male offenders below the age of 50, on conviction. Celestina fixed Aug 15 for case management and ordered the accused to be further remanded. The prosecution offered no bail to the accused as the charge against him was a non-bailable offence. Deputy Public Prosecutor Lovely Natasha Charles prosecuted. The accused was represented by counsel Korventt Wheezar E. Jomiji. In another case, a 28-year-old man was tentatively charged in the Magistrate's Court with drug trafficking. Mohd Wan Awie Abdul Aziz allegedly trafficked 125.06gm of 3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on June 19, this year, at 12.20am, in a house at Taman BDC, Phase 2, Jalan Kilang Inanam. However, no plea was recorded from Wan, who appeared before Magistrate Marilyn Kelvin, after the charge was read out to him. The charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, carries a punishment of either the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping with a minimum of 15 strokes. The court set Aug 19 for mention pending the chemist's report. Wan was ordered to be remanded further pending the date, as the charge against him has no provision for bail. Inspector Yusdi Basri prosecuted. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Chinese captain in Baltic sea cable damage case appears in Hong Kong court
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox HONG KONG - The captain of a Hong Kong-registered ship alleged to have damaged undersea cables in the Baltic Sea was assigned a lawyer in a Hong Kong court on Friday, with the case adjourned until September to allow the prosecution to gather more evidence. Wan Wenguo, the captain of the container ship NewNew Polar Bear, appeared in Hong Kong's Eastern magistrates' court without legal representation so was assigned a duty lawyer by the court. The 43-year-old Chinese national is alleged to have caused "criminal damage" to an underwater natural gas pipeline and submarine telecom cables between Finland and Estonia on October 8, 2023, according to a Hong Kong charge sheet seen by Reuters. The document added the defendant "without lawful excuse damaged the property belonging to another" and that he had been "reckless as to whether such property would be damaged." The magistrate adjourned the case for three months until September 26, after the prosecution said it required time to gather documents and other evidence from Finnish and Estonian authorities. Wan also faces two other charges for alleged violations of shipping rules including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. During Wan's first hearing in May after his arrest, he made no application for bail and was remanded in custody. Wan again chose not to apply for bail on Friday and was taken into detention. The Baltic Sea region has been on high alert for sabotage after a string of outages of power cables, gas pipelines and telecoms since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike surprises some amid moderating property market, but is ultimately prudent Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Some European governments have accused Russia of hybrid attacks and sabotage of some critical infrastructure, but Moscow has denied such claims, saying the West is seeking to undermine Russian interests through an information war. Finnish authorities allege that the NewNew Polar Bear severed the subsea gas pipeline, the Balticconnector, which links Finland and Estonia under the Baltic Sea, by dragging its anchor along the seabed. Estonian police, meanwhile, suspect the ship also damaged telecoms cables connecting Estonia to Finland and Sweden on October 7-8, before hitting the gas pipeline on its way to a port near Saint Petersburg in Russia. Finnish and Estonian investigators, however, have been unable to determine whether the damage was accidental or deliberate, and have not yet provided their conclusions. REUTERS
