We are all in this together
It has been over a year since they took the leap of faith and they are able to make ends meet. Atiqah, like the rest of us, is trying her best to keep afloat in the current situation. Unity in adversity is what this year’s #AnakAnakMalaysia campaign is centred on. With the theme Disinilah Kita Bersama, the campaign seeks to promote positivity and uplift the nation through stories of inspiring Malaysians. With a different food theme each day, your little action will definitely go a long way to help small businesses.
Source:The Star
August 17, 2021 00:11 UTC
News from credible source a safe bet, says Orando MD
The Orando Holdings managing director was inundated with messages from well-meaning contacts who were eager to share the latest information. That thinking inspired him to sponsor RM50,000 for the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College to get the The Star Digital Access. He was met after a ceremony to hand over a mock cheque to Star Media Group chairman Tan Sri Chor Chee Heung and chief executive officer Alex Yeow at Menara Star here yesterday. “It would not simply give fake news as its newsroom is filled with professionals trained to cross-check information,” he said. For details about The Star Digital Access, visit www.thestar.com.my/subscribe.
Source:The Star
August 17, 2021 00:00 UTC
Hair salon owners express relief over reopening
KUALA LUMPUR: Hairdressers have their hands full as they resume business after several months of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shawn Loong anticipates being swamped with work since the announcement was made on Sunday that hair salons could reopen. “In my salon, we will place air purifiers in front of the customers as an extra safety measure,” said Poh. Founder and creative director of 54 Blanc Saloon Philex Chin will only be able to open his salon next week. While he is relieved that salons can open again, he is concerned for himself and his staff’s health and safety.
Source:The Star
August 17, 2021 00:00 UTC
Taiwan-led campaign invites proposals for green, social initiatives
TAIWAN Excellence — which honours Taiwan’s most innovative and value-added products — launched a campaign to expand its commitment towards environmental and social initiatives. “Taiwan Excellence: Sharing is Caring” hopes to gather proposals from a global audience with the aim to improve environmental protection and address social concerns through the use of Taiwan Excellence products and services. “This initiative of promoting Taiwan Excellence through a digitally themed philanthropic event is the first of its kind. The top three proposals will each receive USD10,000 (RM42,375) and funds not exceeding USD150,000 (RM635,625) to execute their proposals. The top three proposals will be selected based on their impact on society, environmental sustainability, innovation, feasibility and reasonableness of their suggested budget as well as expression of Taiwan Excellence.
Source:The Star
August 17, 2021 00:00 UTC
Learn business survival tips from experts
Staying flexible: Participate in the webinar and gain insights into how SMEs can best sustain their business continuity during a crisis from (from left) Dr Chong, Leong and Liang. KUALA LUMPUR: For most companies, mainly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the pressing issue is to keep their businesses alive. There is an opportunity to learn how to do so, by tuning into the latest Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2021 webinar at bit.ly/E_sobalab2 on Aug 27. Dr Chong will tap into Klinik Dr Chong’s experience in dealing with business disruption in the face of the pandemic, rendering it unable to focus on its core business of providing beauty services. SOBA 2021 is organised by Star Media Group Bhd with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd, Maxis, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd as main sponsors and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation as official trade promotion partner.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:55 UTC
Rangers keep up mission to raise river awareness
“Fish and other river creatures also might get caught or choke on plastic materials that could spell death for them. “Before the pandemic, major river clean-ups were carried out at least twice a year – in March during World Water Day and in September during World River Day. “Our river rangers are all hands-on in matters related to rivers. “In 2019, they were declared the national champions in a competition held in conjunction with World Water Day,” he added. “Continuing to use drains and rivers to dump rubbish is to continue endangering our own health and environment,” Tamiylalagi added.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:37 UTC
Wee bids ministry and staff farewell
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic) says he is grateful to everyone in the Transport Ministry (MOT) for their assistance during a difficult period. “I am happy to have been able to work with the team in MOT despite facing challenging conditions.”Dr Wee said he had a virtual meeting with his former deputy Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, ministry secretary-general Datuk Isham Ishak and other ministry staff before signing off. “I am proud of the MOT management... who have been easy to work with and a sec-gen who displayed good leadership. Dr Wee, who is the Ayer Hitam MP, also thanked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for his trust and confidence in him to helm the ministry. “May we be able to go through the difficult times and have a better life in the future.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:37 UTC
‘Govt initiatives will continue to run smoothly’
PUTRAJAYA: The day-to-day administration of the civil service will not be disrupted by the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, says Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali (pic). “I assure you the civil service has always given its full commitment in ensuring the government’s delivery system is not compromised. “The civil service is committed to upholding the concept of neutrality and ‘government of the day’ based on the rule of law. Separately, Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman urged civil servants to be neutral and to steer clear of politics. The allegiance of public servants is to the King, country and the government,” said Khairul Adib in a statement.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:37 UTC
Witness was in the dark
Datuk Lim Hock Seng, the third witness in Guan Eng’s graft trial, acknowledged this when asked if the latter had made a declaration to the state exco before Jan 26, 2011. Hock Seng also said Guan Eng had mentioned a few times that the project should be awarded via an open tender. In his witness statement, Hock Seng said the state executive council agreed with every one of Guan Eng’s proposals in relation to the project and none of them made any protest. To another question, Hock Seng said that instructions from Guan Eng to call Zarul Ahmad and Lee were not sinister. Guan Eng, 60, is facing four corruption charges involving the construction of an undersea tunnel and paired roads project in Penang.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:24 UTC
Ready for a deserving break
GEORGE TOWN: A couple who has been fully vaccinated has taken the opportunity to reward their children with a weekend “staycation”. “Since my wife, my 80-year-old mother-in-law and I are fully vaccinated, we decided to have a weekend staycation at Shangri-La Rasa Sayang in Batu Ferringhi. “We promised our children to reward them with a pleasant staycation if they were obedient at home. “Since the resort is big with a huge outdoor area, we decided to bring them here for the weekend,” he said. Ch’ng added that he welcomed the statement by Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin’s office, offering to assist in liaising with the Federal Government to allow the opening of outdoor and eco-attractions.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:15 UTC
Aramco in talks on up to US$25bil Reliance deal
NEW DELHI: Saudi Aramco is in advanced talks for an all-stock deal to acquire a stake in Reliance Industries Ltd’s oil refining and chemicals business, people with knowledge of the matter said. Reliance, which is backed by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, could reach an agreement with Aramco as soon as the coming weeks, the people said. Ambani confirmed talks about a deal with an implied stake valuation of US$15bil (RM63.54bil) that same year. Aramco said last week due diligence on a deal with Reliance was underway. Saudi Aramco is looking to spend on renewable energy projects alongside the sovereign investor, the Public Investment Fund, as global economies seek to transition to greener energy.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 23:03 UTC
Nearly killed by booby trap
ALOR SETAR: Drenched in blood after a bomb blast, L/Kpl Mohd Daud Mat Din remembers not panicking or feeling any severe pain. At just 25, Mohd Daud took on the task of being a bomb disposal specialist in the army. With help from police rangers and an army unit from Thailand, his team found a booby trap on the way. As unit leader, Mohd Daud ordered everyone to stand back as he edged forward to inspect it. The guerillas installed a hidden trigger and when Mohd Daud knelt to the check the trap, the bomb went off and he was thrown several metres away.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 21:56 UTC
Vaccinated Johoreans keen to get going
JOHOR BARU: Vaccinated Johoreans are looking forward to the reopening of certain activities and businesses under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) from today. It was reported that the government has allowed 11 economic activities in states under Phase One of the NRP. Under the list released yesterday, those who wish to use the businesses must have completed their vaccination regimen. Construction worker Ngoi Swee Bin, 25, who has received his first vaccine shot, said he looked forward to sending his car for a wash soon but would do it with caution. “A thunderstorm last week left my TV damaged, so my husband and I are quite bored at home with no entertainment.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 21:11 UTC
'It breaks my heart,' Afghan in Madrid fears for relatives in Kabul
MADRID (Reuters) - Daryuosh Mohammadi, an Afghan national living in Madrid who once worked as a translator for Spanish troops, broke into tears when he heard the Taliban had seized his hometown of Kabul. "What I'm most worried about is my sister," he said from his apartment in the Madrid suburb of Vallecas. It breaks my heart when I hear or see news saying the Taliban are searching homes for young girls," said Mohammadi, who studied Spanish at university in Afghanistan. He spent time working as a translator, a shop assistant and eventually as a waiter in Madrid but is currently unemployed. Two military planes were due to depart later on Monday to evacuate any Spanish embassy staff still in Kabul.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 17:48 UTC
Oil settles lower, pares losses despite weak economic data
NEW YORK: Oil prices settled lower on Monday, paring steep losses on weak Chinese economic data after sources told Reuters that OPEC and its allies believe the markets do not need more oil than they plan to release in the coming months. Crude oil processing in China, the world's biggest oil importer, last month also fell to its lowest level on a daily basis since May 2020 as independent refiners cut production in the face of tighter quotas, elevated inventories and falling profits. OPEC+ agreed in July to boost output by 400,000 barrels per day a month starting in August until its current oil output reductions of 5.8 million bpd are fully phased out. Two of the OPEC+ sources said the latest data from OPEC and from the West’s energy watchdog - the International Energy Agency (IEA) - also indicated there was no need for extra oil. Money managers reduced their net-long U.S. crude futures and options holdings in the week to Aug. 10, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.
Source:The Star
August 16, 2021 17:15 UTC