Malaysia Autoshow 2025 Generates Over RM 1.72 Billion Potential Sales, Draws 294,062 Visitors
Held from May 9 to May 15 at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS), MAS 2025 featured over 200 exhibitors and more than 500 vehicles across 50,000 square metres. With the theme 'Shifting the Future,' this year's show not only broke attendance records but also deepened public understanding of the rapidly evolving mobility ecosystem.
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Sinar Daily
35 minutes ago
- Sinar Daily
Family recipe builds muruku brand with global appeal
It uses natural ingredients, with no artificial colouring and entirely free from eggs, anchovies, or any animal-based products, making it ideal for those following a vegetarian diet. 26 Jul 2025 01:02pm Idris Alias, 67, and his wife, Fatimah Ishak, 63, from Guar Perahu, here, started their small home-based business in 1984 after she inherited a muruku recipe from her mother-in-law. Photo by Bernama BUKIT MERTAJAM - Armed with a cherished family recipe, a husband-and-wife duo turned their humble beginnings into a thriving muruku business, attracting customers from both Malaysia and abroad. Idris Alias, 67, and his wife, Fatimah Ishak, 63, from Guar Perahu, here, started their small home-based business in 1984 after she inherited a muruku recipe from her mother-in-law. "I was seven months pregnant at the time, so we only made small batches of the crunchy snack. We had very little capital to start with. But I gave it a go, taking orders from friends. "From those early days making muruku at home, we managed to grow the business under the brand name 'Muruku Bonda'. Nine years ago, we opened a shop in Kubang Semang, funded by profits we steadily reinvested,' Fatimah told Bernama. Idris Alias, 67, and his wife, Fatimah Ishak, 63, from Guar Perahu, here, started their small home-based business in 1984 after she inherited a muruku recipe from her mother-in-law. Photo by Bernama She said that Muruku Bonda uses natural ingredients, with no artificial colouring and entirely free from eggs, anchovies, or any animal-based products, making it ideal for those following a vegetarian diet. Interestingly, over 85 per cent of their customers are from the Chinese community, making Chinese New Year their peak sales period. "We even received orders from Taiwan at one point, but had to turn them down because the shipping costs were too high. Still, the customer flew over themselves and bought in bulk to take home,' she added. Currently, the couple operates with just two frying machines -- usually only one runs on regular days, producing around 150 kilogrammes (kg) of muruku daily, increasing to 200kg during festive periods. Idris shared that their son and daughter-in-law now help run the family business. One of their main challenges, he explained, is limited operating space, which makes it difficult to meet growing demand. They even had to decline an offer to stock Muruku Bonda in a major convenience store chain. Nonetheless, the couple remain determined to expand into a larger facility in the future, with hopes of passing the business down to their only child. "My advice to young entrepreneurs is to understand your product and your customers, and to have patience. That is vital in the business world. "Most importantly, as Muslims, we must remember to give charity and pay zakat. That's the key to lasting blessings. Not just in wealth, but also in health,' Idris said. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
China must strike a delicate balance in its approach towards Thai-Cambodian conflict, say analysts
CHONGQING, (China): China faces a delicate balancing act as it decides what role it should play in the ongoing border hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, two South-east Asian nations that are its close neighbours and which it wields strong influence over. Analysts told The Straits Times that while the clash, which began on Thursday (July 24) and has so far reportedly left at least 16 dead, could present an opportunity for China to showcase its leadership in the region, the world's second-largest economy is likely to keep to its traditional approach of having the two countries resolve the matter on their own. It is also likely to first look to Asean as it assesses how it can best help the process along. But that does not mean that China will not attempt to bring both countries to the negotiating table as the conflict is happening in its neighbourhood, said Professor Fan Lei, an expert on China-Asean relations at China's Charhar Institute, an international relations think-tank. Asean is China's largest trading partner, representing 16.6 per cent of the world's second-largest economy's overall foreign trade. Total trade between Asean and China reached 1.71 trillion yuan (S$305 billion) in 2024, up 7.1 per cent from 2023. Analysts pointed to how China can play a bigger role in the dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, given that China is both countries' top trading partner and thus wields strong economic influence over both states. Thailand relies on Chinese imports such as machinery, electronics and vehicles. China is also Thailand's top source of foreign tourists. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between Cambodia and China grew 26.9 per cent in the first six months of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, official data from Cambodia showed. China is a major investor in both Thailand and Cambodia in sectors such as electric vehicles, infrastructure and real estate. It also conducts separate military exercises with Cambodia and Thailand. In April, Chinese-sponsored upgrades to Ream Naval Base in Cambodia raised concerns about China's growing footprint in South-east Asia. But China has to tread a delicate balance. On the one hand, 'China may feel that it should not just sit idly by and do nothing if such military conflict is in its neighbourhood', said Associate Professor Li Mingjiang, an expert on Chinese foreign policy and regional security at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. On the other hand, it has to be mindful not to 'leave the impression it is disregarding Asean', said Professor Zhu Feng, dean at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University. Already, countries in South-east Asia are wary of China's expanding influence in the region – and its clashes with the Philippines over maritime territorial claims – as they navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape amid intense US-China rivalry. That is why China is most likely to conduct 'quiet and informal mediation', Prof Li said, adding that he believes 'Chinese diplomats may already be involved in discussions with Cambodia and Thailand, urging them to de-escalate and engage in talks'. Professor Gu Jiayun, vice-dean at the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: 'It is in China's interest to keep the peace among its neighbours, given that conflict can hurt the region's as well as its own development prospects.' Prof Gu said that both Thailand and Cambodia have 'shown restraint in the clash so far, so they might be looking for an out to start negotiations'. Publicly, Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict. However, it has signalled that the door will be kept open for Asean to facilitate a return to bilateral negotiations with Cambodia. Phnom Penh has written to the United Nations for help – the first time in more than a decade that an Asean member state has made such a request. The latest border dispute escalated sharply on July 24 after a Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia that day. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been steaming since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief exchange of gunfire near the border in north-eastern Thailand. Both countries – which share a long history of border disputes that date back to France's occupation of Cambodia until 1953 – have blamed each other for the latest escalation, and downgraded their diplomatic ties on July 23. During a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn in Beijing on July 25, Wang said that China 'stands ready to continue playing a constructive role in easing tensions (between Thailand and Cambodia) and de-escalating the situation in an impartial and fair manner'. Calling the latest deadly clash 'distressing and concerning', Wang added: 'China appreciates and supports the proactive mediation efforts of the Asean Chair and encourages the 'Asean Way' to promote dialogue and political resolution.' Asean's fundamental principles include mutual respect for the sovereignty of all nations, non-interference in the internal affairs of member states, peaceful settlement of disputes, and renunciation of the threat or use of force. On July 24, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters at a regular briefing that 'China has and will continue to promote talks (between the two Asean states) for peace in its own way, and play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation'. Prof Fan said that China is likely to draw Cambodia and Thailand into negotiations with economic ways. This would be in line with the Chinese government's emphasis on cooperative win-win partnerships and non-interference principles regarding foreign diplomacy that are part of China's Three Global Initiatives, he added. 'It is also a possibility that China might encourage Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their dispute at Hong Kong's new international mediation body,' Prof Fan said. China signed on May 30 a convention to set up an international organisation for mediation in Hong Kong to resolve cross-border disputes among countries and international companies that Beijing hopes can match up to the UN's International Court of Justice. Analysts noted that China's actions will be a test of its diplomatic strength in the region. Prof Li said China has been signalling that 'it does want to gradually play a slightly larger role in the region' that goes beyond traditional security issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip in 2025 amid growing trade tensions with the US was to South-east Asia, where he visited Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam for a week in April. Prof Li said: 'The conflict between Cambodia and Thailand could be an opportunity for China to try out its limited role so far in addressing the security issues in the Mekong region, cautiously, quietly and informally, of course.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Malaysian artisan crafts hyper-realistic miniature cars, selling hundreds globally
KUALA LUMPUR - No larger than a thumb, the 1:64 scale miniature cars crafted by Mohd Jaidin Mustafa showcase intricate and captivating details - resembling scaled-down versions of real vehicles. The 40-year-old printing machine technician spends his nights in his room, armed with brushes, magnifying lenses and acrylic paints, carefully colouring the miniature car bodies - including the emblems, tyre rims, exhausts, and the most challenging parts like the lights and door lines. Mohd Jaidin said that 3D-printed resin miniature cars offer greater realism in elements like lights, spoilers, side mirrors, and door lines compared to die-cast Hot Wheels cars. - Bernama photo Since taking it seriously in 2020, Mohd Jaidin began using Hot Wheels cars as a base before switching to miniature cars made of resin - a special type of plastic created via 3D printing. According to him, the resin car bodies are sourced from two other local designers, after which he carries out the detailing process - meticulously painting to highlight fine features and make the model resemble a real car. "In the beginning, I just used spray can paints. But when I saw Thai customisers doing detailed hand-painted work, I was instantly hooked. They hand-drew the door lines, lights, and emblems,' he said. "Since then, I've practised and taught myself until I mastered the art of detailing using acrylic paints and fine brushes," he told Bernama at his home in Kampung Changkat, Gombak, recently. Mohd Jaidin's precision and finishing touches have made his work popular among miniature car collectors both locally and internationally - including from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. To date, over 800 units have been sold. Mohd Jaidin's precision and finishing touches have made his work popular among miniature car collectors both locally and internationally - including from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Singapore. To date, over 800 units have been sold. - Bernama photo As one of the local pioneers in custom miniature car design, Mohd Jaidin often receives special orders from customers wanting to gift miniature cars to their partners - as birthday surprises or wedding mementos. Beyond iconic models like the Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86, Nissan Skyline GTR R34, and Volkswagen Golf Mk7, he also creates local car models such as the Perodua Myvi, Proton Wira, Proton Satria Neo, and Proton X50 - custom-designed based on his customers' preferences. With prices starting at RM250 per unit, depending on complexity and detail level, Mohd Jaidin can produce around 20 units a month, with each car taking about two days to complete. On the detailing technique, Jaidin said he begins by sanding uneven surfaces with sandpaper before applying primer, base coat, and using masking tape to paint intricate areas. - Bernama photo Further explaining, Mohd Jaidin said that 3D-printed resin miniature cars offer greater realism in elements like lights, spoilers, side mirrors, and door lines compared to die-cast Hot Wheels cars. However, the father of three believes the true value of his creations lies not in the materials but in the handcrafted fine details. "I'm not just selling 'models' - I'm selling craftsmanship. Many can 3D print, but few can hand-paint with the realism I aim for. That's the real value of my work,' said Jaidin, who goes by the social media handle @jdm164_custom. On the detailing technique, Jaidin said he begins by sanding uneven surfaces with sandpaper before applying primer, base coat, and using masking tape to paint intricate areas. "Only then do I add detailing on small parts like the lights, grille, signal lights, and brake discs - and finally finish with a 2K clear coat to ensure the paint lasts, looks clean, and stays glossy,' he said. - BERNAMA
