Jellyfish incident: Competition organiser did not refer to local authorities
Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the organiser should have at least consulted the Malaysian Maritime Department for information regarding the jellyfish threat in the area.
'The organiser is a private company from outside Perak. We did not know about the event… even the sports and health executive committees did not know about it.
'This is a lesson to outsiders who want to organise any activities… that they must refer to the authorities. Luckily, there were no untoward incidents this time,' he told a media conference after the presentation of Fundus Camera (a specialised instrument used in ophthalmology) for eye checks at Royal Club Ipoh here today.
Yesterday, it was reported that at least 40 participants of the Teluk Senangin Open Water Swim 2025 competition were injured after being stung by jellyfish and needed hospital treatment.
The organiser also confirmed that the Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah, who is the son of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, was one of the participants who competed in the 3-kilometre men's junior 12-19 age group.
Meanwhile, Sivanesan said two of the injured participants have been discharged from Manjung Hospital, while those treated as outpatients are in stable conditions.
Meanwhile, event organiser – AMMJB Swimmers Event & Clinics – posted on Facebook that Raja Azlan only suffered minor injuries to his hand and is in good condition.
'He is in good condition and healthy despite a minor injury on his hand due to being stung by jellyfish.
'Any allegations that he suffered serious injuries or that can tarnish the good name of the royal institution are baseless and an attempt to cause confusion and discredit the competition,' it added in the post. — BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
When the bedroom splits: The rise of sleep divorce in Malaysia — Julius Goh Liang Chye
AUG 5 — It started like many clinic visits. A middle-aged man, visibly drained, walked in with his wife. They were polite, even affectionate — but beneath the surface, something was cracking. 'I forced him to come,' the wife confessed. She looked tired, not just from lack of sleep, but from holding it together. 'His snoring is deafening. He thrashes at night. I'm scared I'll get hurt in my sleep.' For months, they'd tried to endure it — until she quietly moved into the spare room. What began as a temporary measure became their new normal. They no longer shared a bed. Their connection was fraying. Even plans to have children were now on pause. It's a situation I've seen far too often: couples emotionally adrift because of poor, untreated sleep. The medical term? Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. But socially, this emerging phenomenon has taken on a new name — sleep divorce. The quiet separation Despite its dramatic tone, sleep divorce doesn't imply a legal split. It simply means couples choose to sleep in separate beds or rooms to get better rest — often due to snoring, restlessness, mismatched schedules, or preferences like room temperature and mattress firmness. At first glance, it may sound like a modern, pragmatic solution. After all, who wouldn't want uninterrupted rest? But sleep divorce is a double-edged sword. While some couples report sleeping better, many find their relationship quietly suffering — intimacy fades, emotional distance grows, and resentment builds. A rising trend — even in Malaysia Globally, the numbers are climbing. In the United States, about 31 per cent of adults admit to sleeping apart at least occasionally. Among younger couples aged 35–44, that figure rises to nearly 40 per cent. More than half of those who try it say their sleep quality improves — some even gaining up to 37 extra minutes of rest per night. But this isn't a clear win. Around 20 per cent report that separate sleeping arrangements make their relationship feel worse. And that's the crux: sleep divorce solves one problem while sometimes creating another. While there's limited data in Malaysia, it's likely we're seeing similar trends. Increased awareness of sleep disorders, especially Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), means more people are recognising that their partner's restlessness or snoring isn't just annoying — it might be a sign of something serious. Globally, OSA affects about 1 in 5 adults. While some couples report sleeping better, many find their relationship quietly suffering as intimacy fades, emotional distance grows, and resentment builds. — Freepik pic What couples often miss Sleep issues don't start — or stop — in the bedroom. Left untreated, conditions like OSA can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and chronic fatigue. More subtly, it chips away at our patience, focus, and emotional resilience — qualities every relationship depends on. That's why ignoring the problem rarely helps. Loud snoring, choking or gasping during sleep, and frequent awakenings aren't just quirks — they're red flags. The earlier couples seek help, the more likely both sleep and relationships can be salvaged. There are effective treatments: lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, dental appliances, or even minor surgeries. Many couples who pursue treatment report returning to the same bed — not just to sleep better, but to reconnect. Beyond sleep: Preserving the relationship Of course, not every couple is ready — or able — to fix the root issue right away. In such cases, sleeping apart can be a short-term relief. But it shouldn't be the final destination. One approach is to build bedtime rituals that preserve emotional closeness even when physically apart. For example, winding down together before retreating to separate rooms, or syncing morning routines. Simple gestures — a shared cup of tea, a quiet chat — can anchor intimacy, even if the bed is no longer shared. It's also worth recognising the stigma some Malaysians still carry about sleeping apart. In our culture, where multigenerational homes are common and marital harmony is often measured by surface unity, separate beds can feel like taboo. But silence only worsens the divide. Talking openly — without blame — is crucial. Sleep is deeply personal, and so is love. Navigating the two requires kindness, curiosity, and sometimes, professional guidance. Is it sleep divorce — or something deeper? You may be heading toward sleep divorce if: You or your partner have quietly relocated to the sofa or spare room. Sleep-related arguments have become frequent. There's growing fear or discomfort about sharing a bed. Daytime fatigue is affecting your health or work. Physical intimacy has declined, and emotional connection feels weaker. Sleep divorce isn't a sign of failure. But it is a sign that something needs attention. The way forward We often think of love as grand gestures — anniversaries, gifts, holidays. But often, it's found in smaller acts: adjusting the fan speed for someone else, sleeping a little less so your partner sleeps more, or finally making that doctor's appointment. Sleep problems are medical issues. But their impact is deeply emotional. The good news? They're often treatable. If restlessness, snoring or exhaustion are keeping you and your partner apart, don't brush it off. Seek help. You might find that solving the sleep issue brings you closer — not just in bed, but in life. * Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye is a clinical lecturer and consultant otorhinolaryngologist at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Egyptian TV reports rare arrival of fuel trucks for Gaza
Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services. (AP pic) CAIRO : Egypt's state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV said today that two fuel trucks carrying 107 tonnes of diesel were set to enter Gaza, months after Israel severely restricted aid access to the enclave before easing it somewhat as starvation began to spread. Gaza's health ministry has said fuel shortages have severely impaired hospital services, forcing doctors to focus on treating only critically ill or injured patients. There was no immediate confirmation whether the fuel trucks had indeed entered Gaza. Fuel shipments have been rare since March, when Israel restricted the flow of aid and goods into the enclave in what it said was pressure on Hamas rebels to free the remaining hostages they took in their October 2023 attack on Israel. The Gaza health ministry said today that six more people had died of starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, raising the toll of those dying of such causes to 175, including 93 children, since the war began. Israel blames Hamas for the suffering in Gaza but, in response to a rising international outcry, it announced steps last week to let more aid reach the population, including pausing fighting for part of the day in some areas, approving air drops and announcing protected routes for aid convoys. United Nations agencies have said that airdrops of food are insufficient and that Israel must let in far more aid by land and open up access to the war-devastated territory where starvation has been spreading. Cogat, the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, said 35 trucks have entered Gaza since June, nearly all of them in July. The Hamas-run Gaza government media office said today that nearly 1,600 aid trucks had arrived since Israel eased restrictions late in July. However, witnesses and Hamas sources said many of those trucks have been looted by desperate displaced people and armed gangs. More than 700 trucks of fuel entered the Gaza Strip in January and February during a ceasefire before Israel broke it in March in a dispute over terms for extending it and resumed its major offensive. Palestinian local health authorities said at least 18 people had been killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the coastal enclave today. Deaths included persons trying to make their way to aid distribution points in southern and central areas of Gaza, Palestinian medics said. Among those killed was a staff member of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said an Israeli strike at their headquarters in Khan Younis in southern Gaza ignited a fire on the first floor of the building. The Gaza war began when Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in a cross-border attack on southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, according to Israeli figures. Israel's air and ground war in densely populated Gaza has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to enclave health officials. According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages now remain in Gaza, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Perak exco: We weren't notified about Lumut swim meet
IPOH: The open water swimming competition in Lumut, which saw some 40 participants, including a prince, being stung by jellyfish, was organised without referring to the local authorities. The organiser should have at least consulted the Malaysian Maritime Department for information regarding the jellyfish threat in the area, said state human resources, health, Indian community affairs and national integration committee chairman A. Sivanesan. 'The organiser is a private company from outside Perak. We did not know about the event... even the sports and health executive committees did not know about it. 'This is a lesson to outsiders who want to organise activities... they must refer to the local authorities. 'Luckily, there was no untoward incident,' he told reporters after an event at Royal Club Ipoh here yesterday, Bernama reported. On Saturday, it was reported that at least 40 people who joined the Teluk Senangin Open Water Swim 2025 competition were stung by jellyfish and needed hospital treatment. The organiser also confirmed that the Raja Kecil Besar, Raja Azlan Muzzaffar Shah – the son of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah – was one of the participants who competed in the 3km men's junior 12-19 age group. Sivanesan said two of the injured participants have been discharged from Hospital Manjung, while those treated as outpatients are in stable condition. Meanwhile, event organiser AMMJB Swimmers Event & Clinics posted on Facebook that Raja Azlan only suffered minor injuries to his hand and is in good condition. 'He is in good condition and healthy despite a minor injury on his hand due to being stung by jellyfish. 'Any allegations that he suffered serious injuries or [any claim] that can tarnish the good name of the royal institution are baseless and an attempt to cause confusion and discredit the competition,' it added in the post.
