Fighting against drug abuse via film screening drive
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025
By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: Wong (centre) taking a group photo with the members of the Lions Clubs International after the press conference. Kota Kinabalu: Lions Clubs International is once again stepping up the fight against drug abuse with the launch of 'No More Drugs 1.2'. This is the second phase of its highly praised campaign aimed at empowering youth, tackling hotspot districts, and strengthening community-wide action against drugs abuse in Sabah. Organising Chairperson Nelson Wong following the remarkable success of 'No More Drugs 1.0' earlier this year through screenings for the impactful anti-drug film No More Drugs, which engaged more than 8,000 participants across major towns including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in which the new phase seeks to continue the momentum with renewed focus and broader outreach. 'No More Drugs 1.2' will now expand its reach to communities in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Tenom. 'This is more than a campaign, it's a promise to our youth, our future and we are targeting 6,000 people this time. We are deeply committed to addressing the root causes of drug abuse and giving young people the strength and knowledge to choose a healthier path,' said Wong at a press conference on Friday. Wong said the screening and outreach sessions for the campaign are scheduled to begin on July 16 in Kota Kinabalu, with the first programme set to take place at St. Michael, at 2pm. 'On July 17, the campaign moves to Keningau with a morning programme at SJK (C) Yuk Yin at 9am followed by sessions at SJK (C) Yuk Kong and SMJK Ken Hwa (CF). 'A public screening will also be held that evening at 7pm at SJK (C) Yuk Yin. On July 18, the focus shifts to Tenom with events scheduled across multiple schools including SM Chung Hwa, SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Tenom Tshung Tsin Secondary School, SJK (C) Tsi Sin and Maktab Nasional. 'The final day of the campaign, July 19, brings the initiative back to Kota Kinabalu with screenings at SM Tshung Tsin in the morning, Yue Min in Penampang in the afternoon, and a final programme at Holy Seal, City Mall, at 5pm,' Wong said. According to Wong, the 'No More Drugs 1.0' left a lasting impression with attendees from diverse backgrounds including students, educators, and community leaders. 'The campaign delivered powerful testimonies and hosted interactive awareness sessions that sparked crucial conversations and real change in affected communities. 'In 'No More Drugs 1.2,' participants can also expect a wide array of youth-focused activities including forum, film screenings, school assemblies, and creative workshops designed to educate and inspire. 'The campaign will also work in close collaboration with local authorities, schools and NGOs to reinforce local support systems. 'Public service messaging will be shared through social media, local radio stations, and community bulletin boards. Free counselling resources and rehabilitation referrals will also be available at various campaign events. 'By continuing to provide safe spaces for open dialogue and awareness, Lions Clubs International remains steadfast in its mission to help young people in Sabah build a brighter, drug-free future,' said Wong, adding the campaign underscores its message with a powerful reminder, 'When You Say No To Drugs, You Say Yes to Dreams and Better Future'. Among the main sponsors of the campaign are the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), WSG Group, Delicious Curry House Sdn Bhd, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd, Crest Megaway Sdn Bhd, and Bazaar 2.0. Additional sponsors for 'No More Drugs 1.2' include TCT Trading – WareHouz, Ho Chiak Kopitiam, and Yit Foh Factory and Park Sdn Bhd. As Sabah continues to face challenges related to substance abuse, initiatives like 'No More Drugs' are a beacon of hope for many communities driven by education, compassion, and the belief that every youth deserves the chance to thrive. * 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.
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Daily Express
5 hours ago
- Daily Express
Fighting against drug abuse via film screening drive
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Cynthia D Baga Text Size: Wong (centre) taking a group photo with the members of the Lions Clubs International after the press conference. Kota Kinabalu: Lions Clubs International is once again stepping up the fight against drug abuse with the launch of 'No More Drugs 1.2'. This is the second phase of its highly praised campaign aimed at empowering youth, tackling hotspot districts, and strengthening community-wide action against drugs abuse in Sabah. Organising Chairperson Nelson Wong following the remarkable success of 'No More Drugs 1.0' earlier this year through screenings for the impactful anti-drug film No More Drugs, which engaged more than 8,000 participants across major towns including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in which the new phase seeks to continue the momentum with renewed focus and broader outreach. 'No More Drugs 1.2' will now expand its reach to communities in Kota Kinabalu, Keningau and Tenom. 'This is more than a campaign, it's a promise to our youth, our future and we are targeting 6,000 people this time. We are deeply committed to addressing the root causes of drug abuse and giving young people the strength and knowledge to choose a healthier path,' said Wong at a press conference on Friday. Wong said the screening and outreach sessions for the campaign are scheduled to begin on July 16 in Kota Kinabalu, with the first programme set to take place at St. Michael, at 2pm. 'On July 17, the campaign moves to Keningau with a morning programme at SJK (C) Yuk Yin at 9am followed by sessions at SJK (C) Yuk Kong and SMJK Ken Hwa (CF). 'A public screening will also be held that evening at 7pm at SJK (C) Yuk Yin. On July 18, the focus shifts to Tenom with events scheduled across multiple schools including SM Chung Hwa, SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Tenom Tshung Tsin Secondary School, SJK (C) Tsi Sin and Maktab Nasional. 'The final day of the campaign, July 19, brings the initiative back to Kota Kinabalu with screenings at SM Tshung Tsin in the morning, Yue Min in Penampang in the afternoon, and a final programme at Holy Seal, City Mall, at 5pm,' Wong said. According to Wong, the 'No More Drugs 1.0' left a lasting impression with attendees from diverse backgrounds including students, educators, and community leaders. 'The campaign delivered powerful testimonies and hosted interactive awareness sessions that sparked crucial conversations and real change in affected communities. 'In 'No More Drugs 1.2,' participants can also expect a wide array of youth-focused activities including forum, film screenings, school assemblies, and creative workshops designed to educate and inspire. 'The campaign will also work in close collaboration with local authorities, schools and NGOs to reinforce local support systems. 'Public service messaging will be shared through social media, local radio stations, and community bulletin boards. Free counselling resources and rehabilitation referrals will also be available at various campaign events. 'By continuing to provide safe spaces for open dialogue and awareness, Lions Clubs International remains steadfast in its mission to help young people in Sabah build a brighter, drug-free future,' said Wong, adding the campaign underscores its message with a powerful reminder, 'When You Say No To Drugs, You Say Yes to Dreams and Better Future'. Among the main sponsors of the campaign are the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), WSG Group, Delicious Curry House Sdn Bhd, Sabah Publishing House Sdn Bhd, Crest Megaway Sdn Bhd, and Bazaar 2.0. Additional sponsors for 'No More Drugs 1.2' include TCT Trading – WareHouz, Ho Chiak Kopitiam, and Yit Foh Factory and Park Sdn Bhd. As Sabah continues to face challenges related to substance abuse, initiatives like 'No More Drugs' are a beacon of hope for many communities driven by education, compassion, and the belief that every youth deserves the chance to thrive. * 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
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Malaysian pals create mahjong set with local elements like kuih lapis and satay
Businessman Wong Kai Yi, 31, first learned to play mahjong, a traditional Chinese game, during the pandemic. He never imagined that by 2022, he would go on to create a Malaysian-themed wooden mahjong set featuring local food, heritage and cultural elements. "It all started with a question that kept playing in my head: Mahjong has been played in Malaysia for over a century, so why is it still mostly limited to the Chinese community? "That was when I had the idea to reimagine mahjong with Malaysian cultural elements so that more people could feel connected to the game," says Wong during an interview in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. MyJong blends traditional mahjong with Malaysian culture. Mahjong is played with 144 tiles marked with different Chinese characters and symbols. Often played in lively social settings, the game combines strategy, memory and a little bit of luck. MyJong is a playful blend of "My", which stands for Malaysia – referencing the country's two-letter code – and "Jong", which comes from mahjong. "It's a straightforward name, but it captures everything I wanted to express - a version of mahjong that's rooted in local culture, easy to remember, and proudly Malaysian," explains Wong, an architect by training who runs an art and design studio in PJ. He felt that it was important to incorporate elements of Malaysian culture into MyJong as a way of preserving local heritage."On one hand, it preserves cultural symbols by giving them a new platform. On the other hand, it reimagines how we interact with tradition - making it something playful, engaging and inclusive." Wong (left) and Ng aim to make MyJong more accessible to all Malaysian communities. Infusing local elements The idea to create MyJong took shape three years ago when Wong was working as a designer at a mixed media installation company in Kuala Lumpur. Wong and his colleagues were preparing for a group exhibition where team members were encouraged to explore a personal passion project for the show. "Around that same period, I had just returned from the UK after completing my architectural studies, and my sister introduced me to mahjong. We'd play on weekends, and I got quite hooked. "At the same time, I started thinking about how to make it more accessible to other Malaysian communities," says Kuantan-born Wong, who has been living in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, for the past five years. Together with his former university friend and music school owner Adrian Ng, 31, he came up with the idea to create a Malaysian-themed mahjong set. That was how MyJong was given Wong's background in architectural studies, it felt almost natural for him to conceptualise and design MyJong. While creating MyJong, the duo kept asking themselves: What would these tiles look like through a Malaysian lens? The flower tiles feature cultural elements such as wau, kolam, kelebit (a warrior shield of Sarawak's Dayak community), lion head (symbolic in Chinese culture) and batik. "From there, we explored various cultural motifs, tested how they translated visually, and refined them to suit the tile format. Some ideas looked great on paper but didn't work as engravings, so we went through several rounds of trial and error. "Each element had to strike a careful balance; it needed to be graphically clear yet culturally meaningful," Ng shares. The tiles in a standard mahjong set are divided into three main suits - dots (tongzhi), bamboo (suozi), and characters (wanzi). There are also special tiles such as winds (directions), flowers, seasons and sometimes jokers, depending on the game with dots represent numbers one to nine, used for scoring combinations. The creators of MyJong replaced the dots with Malaysian snacks like kuih lapis, curry puff, satay and otak otak to represent numbers. MyJong is uniquely Malaysian, crafted after many months of detailed research and careful design. "Food is one of the strongest connectors of people in Malaysia. Everyone has a favourite kuih or snack they grew up with. I thought, why not make the game feel even more local by weaving these elements into the tiles? "This was one of the ways to stay true to the design system while making it more familiar and fun," said Melaka-born Ng, who helps with MyJong's production, operations and promotions, while Wong handles the design and conceptual side of things. Under flowers, the tiles feature cultural elements such as the wau, kolam, kelebit (a warrior shield of Sarawak's Dayak community), lion head (symbolic in Chinese culture) and batik. "We wanted these to reflect Malaysian heritage - symbols that are not only beautiful but also emotionally familiar. Congkak brings back memories of childhood, wau connects to traditional kampung life, and kolam is instantly recognisable across cultures. "These motifs naturally reflect our diversity, and I wanted the game to feel inclusive to all Malaysians, not just those familiar with the original format," Ng adds. A relatable game Traditionally, mahjong tiles are made from bone, bamboo or tiles are made from cengal and merbau wood sourced from Malaysia. Ng holding a MyJong tile with a wau motif. "Cengal is very durable and has a rich colour. Merbau is a dense hardwood, known for its excellent strength and stability. They are also durable, which means they are less likely to shrink compared to other woods," says Ng .Each MyJong set takes about two months to make. After handpicking the wood, it is cut in a factory, then laser-engraved, sanded and varnished. "The biggest challenge is in the making process. It involves a lot of manual labour, but we prefer having control over the details. Cengal is beautiful but incredibly tough to work with. We failed many times and nearly gave up. Making these sets has taught us a lot about patience," Wong admits. They have also experimented with materials like resin, concrete and acrylic - pushing the boundaries of how mahjong can be reimagined and experienced. Each tile is carefully sanded to ensure a smooth finish, free from any wood splinters or rough edges. "We wanted to explore mahjong not just as a game but also as an art object. Acrylic gives the set a modern, almost playful look - it's translucent and catches the light beautifully. The concrete version, which we made for a collaboration with a bookstore, has an industrial, sculptural feel. "Each material tells a different story and gives the player a new experience, even though the structure of the game remains the same," says Wong, adding that they have exhibited their handcrafted game sets at art events in KL, Penang and PJ. In the last three years, Ng and Wong have made about 20 sets. One set has even made its way onto the luxury train Eastern & Oriental Express, while other sets are in the homes of mahjong enthusiasts in Malaysia and Singapore. They have also created custom MyJong tiles for several local companies, including a bookstore, a restaurant and even a whisky label. While the team follows the traditional 144-tile structure for four-player mahjong, orders for their three-player format (84 tiles) are more common. The starting price of a handmade MyJong wooden set of 84 pieces is RM3,500. All about MyJong tiles. Since mahjong has deep traditional roots, one might wonder how purists have responded. "Some seasoned players, especially the older Chinese uncles and aunties, were skeptical at first. They viewed it as more of an art piece than a playable set. "But once they tried it, they realised it followed the exact same rules. Many of them ended up appreciating the storytelling behind the designs and said it added a new layer of meaning to the game," says Malaysians' responses were encouraging. "A lot of them said this was the first time they felt curious about mahjong because it felt fresh, modern and fun. Some even use the sets as display pieces. It has helped shake off the old-fashioned image of mahjong and opened it up to a more design-conscious generation," says Ng, who shares MyJong photos on their Instagram handle. Ng uses a laser engraver to etch the design onto each tile. Though mahjong can be complex for beginners, Wong believes MyJong is more accessible. "By using local visuals - like curry puffs, wau and kolam - we've made the tiles more intuitive and relatable. We also include a simplified rule sheet and created a three-player version to make it less intimidating. It is a way to introduce the game to people who might have felt like outsiders before," says Wong. Though both men admit that balancing full-time jobs with their side hustle is tiring, they have persevered and prefer handcrafting each set instead of large-scale manufacturing. "From the start, we have held back from mass production. We didn't want it to seem like we were capitalising on Chinese culture just to make a profit. "Our goal was to create something that lets people appreciate Malaysia's rich heritage – through a game," concludes Ng.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actress Jacqueline Wong reflects on cheating scandal, career comeback
HONG KONG: Actress Jacqueline Wong's career faced a significant setback in 2019 when she was embroiled in a cheating scandal with singer Andy Hui, who was, at the time, married to Cantopop icon Sammi Cheng. The repercussions were immediate and severe: her former agency, TVB, suspended her projects and re-shot her scenes in the 2020 drama Forensic Heroes IV, as reported by Dimsum Daily. After a four-year hiatus from the entertainment scene, Wong, now 36, made her return in 2023, stepping into the music industry as a singer with her debut single, "Crown Me." More recently, she released her self-composed song, "The Beauty Of Seeing Through The World," a track in which she candidly addresses the emotional fallout of the scandal. In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, Wong revealed that it took her years to fully process the incident and channel those intricate emotions into her music. Despite six years having passed, she confessed that the experience remains indelible. "I'll never forget it. This incident has already become part of my life experience. It really happened, so there's no need to run from it or fear people bringing it up," she said. "That's just life. If you make a mistake, you have to take responsibility. I've accepted that it's part of my past." Meanwhile, Andy Hui, 57, is reportedly planning a reunion concert with his band Big Four in August. When asked if she had any interest in attending, Wong politely declined, stating she preferred to offer her support from a distance. "Everyone is working hard to move forward in life, and I wish Andy and his band members well," she said. Wong also took the opportunity to express her gratitude for her husband, drummer Lai Man Wang, whom she credits as a constant source of encouragement during her challenging times. The couple tied the knot on 27 October 2023. "He's my spring, summer, autumn and winter," she said.
