KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has decreed that there should be no delay in gazetting Kuala Lumpur’s green spaces and flood retention ponds, Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said today.

The matter was raised during Yeoh’s recent audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara, where she also briefed His Majesty on reform initiatives being undertaken by her ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed that we must not delay the decision on the gazetting of areas such as green zones and flood retention ponds, because these are areas of public interest.

“We must expedite it.

“That is why the task force we established is highly crucial for us to protect all these public spaces, as well as for the safety of our senior citizens,” Yeoh told reporters after launching the KL Architecture Festival’s Tropical Fruit Pavilion in Titiwangsa here today.

The issue of flood retention ponds has come under scrutiny following reports that a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation found several key flood mitigation sites in Kuala Lumpur, including in Jinjang and Batu, had received protection approvals in 1998, but were never formally gazetted.

As a result, the land remained ungazetted for nearly two decades before a land working committee revoked the 1998 approvals in 2015 and alienated about 80 acres of flood retention land to private developers for mixed-use residential projects.

Separately, Yeoh said Kuala Lumpur already has sufficient infrastructure and that the current focus is on improving and revitalising public recreational spaces, particularly for families.

Among the measures introduced is the extension of operating hours at 10 major public parks in the capital, including Titiwangsa Lake Gardens and Perdana Botanical Gardens.

“We are moving the opening time forward from 6am to 5.30am.

“Furthermore, on Fridays and Saturdays, we are extending the closing time from 10pm until 12.30am.

“This is because we want these families to have a healthy environment where they can go out and enjoy time together,” she said.

Practical and horrifying!

Usually when we’re talking about Japanese lifestyle brand Felissimo, we’re highlighting one of their animal-themed creations, like the Shiba Inu-shaped hot water bottle cover or red panda nap cushion. But Felissimo also has a “Museum Division” that draws inspiration from the arts, and who’ve come up with something a little less cute and cuddly looking.

Felissimo has entered into a creative partnership with the Kyoto Kanze Kaikan, or Kyoto Kanze Noh Theater. Noh is Japan’s oldest form of stage theater that’s still performed today, with its origins predating kabuki by more than a century. Noh performers wear masks while on stage, and with many of the stories dealing with demonic possession, madness, and other such chilling topics, the masks too are often unnerving in design, but the amount of undeniably skilled craftsmanship that goes into them also makes them, one could argue, in a way, beautiful.

Of course, Felissimo realizes that the average person doesn’t really have many occasions on which to slip on a Noh mask, so they’ve instead applied three classical designs as motifs for organizer pouches. With help from Kyoto Kanze Kaikan, Felissimo has produced a hannya mask pouch, showing a female demon consumed by jealously and sporting intimidating horns, and also a Okina mask, showing an old man with a long beard.

Being roughly the same size as a person’s face, they can actually hold quite a bit of stuff, with interior zippered sections and pockets to keep everything nice and organized.

Also part of the lineup is a pouch styled after a Kasei mask. Also known as a manbi mask, this type of mask is meant to create different atmosphere depending on the angle it’s viewed from, switching from a beautiful woman with a demure smile to something bolder or even sinister. The Kasei mask pouch was actually created by Felissimo’s designers prior to the start of their collaboration with Kyoto Kanze Kaikan, but as you can see, they were still able to achieve some terrifying results.

As further proof of just how committed Felissimo was to authenticity, even the backsides of the pouches mimic the interior surface of Noh masks.

The whole lineup is available from Felissimo online store here, priced at 2,860 yen (US$18.50) each. And should you find yourself instead in the mood for something that’s still strange but not quite so scary, don’t forget about Felissimo’s steamy Myaku-Myaku photo album.

Source, images: Felissimo
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KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Newly-formed independent mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing finally put an end to their recent first-round woes after progressing to the second round of the Indonesia Open at Istora Senayan in Jakarta, today.

The duo produced a commanding performance to defeat home pair Marwan Faza-Aisyah Salsabila Putri Pranata 21-17, 21-9 in just 31 minutes.

The victory marked a welcome turnaround for Pang Ron-Pei Jing, who had endured back-to-back first-round exits at the Malaysia Masters and Singapore Open, last month.

In the second round of the prestigious Super 1000 tournament, Pang Ron-Pei Jing will face a stern test against world number three pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran of Thailand.

The Thai duo booked their place in the last 16 after edging Japan’s Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara 23-21, 19-21, 21-19 in a hard-fought first-round match.

Malaysia’s challenge will continue with several other representatives set to begin their campaigns, including top men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah later today.

Yesterday, national men’s singles Leong Jun Hao advanced to the second round after upsetting Japan’s world number 11 Kodai Naraoka 21-17, 21-17, while men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also progressed after defeating Singapore’s Wesley Koh Eng Keat-Junsuke Kubo 21-17, 21-16. — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — A man with mental disabilities who was reported missing after leaving his home in Simpang 4, Anak Kurau, near Batu Kurau last Sunday was found dead in a plantation area near Teratak Afrina Chalet today.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received an emergency call on the discovery of the body of Zakaria Shamsudin, 42, at 12.19 pm.

He said firefighters found the body about 500 metres from where the fire engine was stationed, and police later confirmed it was Zakaria, who had been reported missing nearly a week ago.

“The victim’s body was handed over to the police for further action,” he said in a statement today.

On June 1, Zakaria was reported missing after leaving his home at about 4 pm. He was last seen walking with his stepson towards a bush area about 300 metres from the house before disappearing when the boy stopped to tie his shoelaces.  — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — A man was found dead inside a vacant two-storey building on Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar in Ipoh, Perak, on Tuesday.

According to The Star, Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the discovery was made after police requested assistance to gain entry into the locked premises at about 1.25pm.

He said a team from the Ipoh Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene six minutes later and found the building’s entrance secured with a locked metal grille.

Firefighters then used a power saw to cut through the grille before entering the building.

Sabarodzi said that upon entering the premises, they found a man on the first floor.

The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene by police.

The body was subsequently handed over to the authorities for further action.

The operation, involving six firefighters and five police personnel, ended at 1.55pm.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — A river fisherman is feared to have drowned after he was believed to have been swept away while attempting to swim across Sungai Pahang near Kampung Peragap, Temerloh, today.

The victim, Samsul Azmi Ishury, 41, was reported missing at about 7.30am, prompting a search and rescue (SAR) operation by the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), according to an Utusan Malaysia report today.

Temerloh Fire and Rescue Station operations commander PBK II Muhammad Lutfi Burn Abdullah said his team received an emergency call at 7.30am before deploying firefighters to the scene.

He said initial information from witnesses indicated that the victim had tried to swim across the river before being carried away by strong currents and feared drowned.

Muhammad Lutfi said search efforts are currently focused along the river with assistance from police.

He added that the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) from the Bukit Angin Fire and Rescue Station had also been alerted to assist in the operation.

Rescue operations are ongoing.

IPOH, June 1 — Police are hunting for three men, believed to be Indonesian nationals, involved in a gang robbery armed with machetes at a house in the Pekan Gurney area, Manjung yesterday.

Manjung District Police Chief, ACP Hasbullah Abd Rahman, said that his department received a report regarding the incident from a female victim in her 40s at 6.27am.

“In the incident, three male suspects, believed to be Indonesian nationals, entered the house and threatened the victim with a machete before fleeing with cash and jewelry. No injuries were reported, and the estimated loss is said to be RM10,000,” he said in a statement today.

He added that there have been four previous incidents with the same modus operandi occurring around Ayer Tawar and Pekan Gurney this year.

“The police are actively conducting investigations to track down and arrest the suspects involved. Members of the public who have any information related to this incident are urged to come forward and assist in the investigation by contacting the Manjung District Police Headquarters operations room at 05-688 6222, the WhatsApp hotline at 017-682 8005, or any nearby police station,” he said.

He stated that the case is being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) minister Nga Kor Ming revealed that Kuala Lumpur now ranks 65th in the global smart city index. 

Speaking at the launch of the KL Architecture Festival’s (KLAF) Tropical Fruit Pavilion launch at Titiwangsa Lake Garden this morning, Nga also said that KL is among the top 10 most popular cities in the world in terms of international tourist arrivals according to Mastercard.

The launch was also attended by the Federal Territories minister Hannah Yeoh as well as KL mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud. 

“Among thousands, we are ranked number 65. 

“And I’m fully confident under Hannah and Datuk Fadlun’s leadership, KL is going to be in the top 50 soon,” Nga said. 

He added that KL is also ranked number four globally for a city with the most skyscrapers. 

“To my surprise as well, KL is ranked number four in the world for a city with the most numbers of high skyscrapers. 

“We currently have 494 buildings that are actually qualified as skyscrapers,”Nga added. 

Touching on the KLAF’S Tropical Fruit Pavillion in Titiwangsa, Nga said that there are around 12 interactive pavillions that have has been installed at the park starting today until this December. 

He said that this is an example of how architecture can transcend conventional boundaries and be meaningfully integrated into public spaces, allowing people from all walks of life to engage with design in an open and inclusive setting. 

“At KPKT, we strive to create liveable and, most important, lovable communities.

“We want to build urban environments that are not only economically vibrant but also economically resilient, culturally expressive, and socially inclusive,” he said. 

KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — A 25-year-old factory worker has been fined RM2,800 by the Magistrates’ Court in Ayer Keroh in Melaka after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing explicit videos involving her former husband and another woman.

According to The Star, Magistrate Nur Afiqah Radhiah Zainurin imposed the fine after the accused entered a guilty plea.

The charge stated that the woman was found in possession of obscene videos and images stored on a mobile phone.

The offence was committed along Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama in the Melaka Tengah district on January 11.

Based on the facts of the case, the complainant reportedly received a video from her sister in December last year.

The video was sent via a telephone number believed to belong to the former wife of a man known to the complainant.

It allegedly showed the complainant engaged in sexual activity with the accused’s former husband and was said to have been recorded without her knowledge or consent.

A police report was later lodged by the complainant, who said she was aggrieved by the distribution of the recording.

The charge was framed under Section 292 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nur Alia Safri urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying the offence involved obscene material depicting identifiable individuals and breached both the law and the victims’ privacy and dignity.

The accused, who was unrepresented, appealed for leniency, telling the court she was emotionally distressed at the time as she had suffered a miscarriage.

The court fined her RM2,800, in default six months’ imprisonment.

camera_holic posted a photo:

Ilford HP5 35mm film

IPOH, June 13 — Buildings constructed without planning permission are illegal and will not be allowed access to water or electricity supplies, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said.

He said the policy was intended to prevent the emergence of illegal settlements, including those linked to foreign communities such as the Rohingya.

“The issue of Rohingya refugees falls under the jurisdiction of the Immigration Department, which conducts regular inspections and enforcement operations.

“However, the government’s policy is clear. Anyone entering the country, whether on humanitarian grounds or as a refugee, must obtain government approval,” he told reporters after visiting an unclaimed money mobile counter here today.

Nga was commenting on reports of an unauthorised four-storey building constructed by the Rohingya community in a remote area of Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat, Selangor.

Meanwhile, he said the government had revoked 26,108 business licences operated by foreign nationals through 4,000 enforcement operations carried out nationwide as of May this year.

“Foreign nationals are not allowed to run businesses or hold business licences. They may work as employees, but they cannot own businesses,” he said.

Nga added that local authorities nationwide had been directed to step up enforcement efforts, while urging the public to report the presence of illegal immigrants or any suspicious activities to the authorities.

On the unclaimed money campaign, he said RM13 billion is currently available for claim and encouraged the public to check their status.

“The process is simple. Citizens only need to bring their identity card and a bank statement,” he said.

Nga said the initiative is in line with Section 13(1) of the Unclaimed Moneys Act 1965, under which funds left untouched for more than seven years are transferred to the Unclaimed Moneys Account managed by the Accountant General’s Department.

“The money belongs to the rightful owners, but many are unaware that they have unclaimed funds,” he added.

“Starting this week, we will launch the campaign beginning in the Kepayang state constituency, with Pakatan Harapan elected representatives visiting constituencies across Perak to assist the public in reclaiming their money,” he said. — Bernama

IPOH, June 6 — Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who went missing while trekking Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah on May 24, was found safe near Kampung Lubuk Gaharu, Pos Musoh, this afternoon.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Sayani Saidon said the private company supply chain executive was found by a villager, Nazri Bah Eng, at about 3 pm.

“Upon finding the victim, he informed his nephew in Johor, who then lodged a report with the authorities,” he said in a statement today.

He said Jaslinda was in a safe condition and had been temporarily placed at the residence of the Tok Batin of Kampung Lubuk Gaharu while the relevant authorities coordinated the next course of action.

Jaslinda was part of a group of 14 hikers and two Forestry Mountain Guides who began the Trans Spencer Chapman expedition at 2 am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung-Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

She and fellow hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, reportedly encountered health problems and stopped the climb. However, Jaslinda later continued towards the summit and was last seen on May 24 before being reported missing. — Bernama