'The legend himself' - Alleycats' David Arumugam seen at local eatery, M'sians starstruck
MALAYSIANs were recently starstruck after a TikTok video of Alleycats frontman, Datuk David Arumugam, casually waiting his turn at a local eatery went viral.
The 17-second clip, posted by TikTok user @falyqhikyleyangsebenar, captured the iconic singer standing in line, dressed in black jeans, a simple t-shirt, and his signature afro hairstyle — instantly recognisable to fans of the legendary Malaysian band.
The post was captioned, 'Thank you for entertaining us all this time. Wishing you good health always, legend.'
The video quickly gained traction, drawing hundreds of comments from netizens who were both delighted and surprised to see the music icon in such an everyday setting.
'Sad... 2000s kids these days don't know who he is. If a bunch of 80s kids were there, they'd definitely swarm him for selfies,' wrote user Vijay D'Cruz.
'A one-of-a-kind legend — a golden voice loved by all Malaysians. Most Indian singers who perform Malay songs end up becoming stars. Wishing you good health always, Dato' David Arumugam,' another user commented.
'I once bumped into him in PJ. Someone called him and his ringtone was 'Hadiran Ombak Membelai Pantai', a song from Suara Kekasih. That's when I knew — it had to be David Arumugam. Go ahead, try calling him, bro,' shared Keris Pujangga.
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Hype Malaysia
23 minutes ago
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Zamaera's Journey On The 'Road To FAM' Finale & Her Thoughts On The Malaysian Music Scene
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Same energy, more driven, more focused and a lot more intentional with my craft. Although I have to correct you, as I didn't win the rap battle. I was 1st runner up against one of my long-time friends, ASHTIN (M.I.O), but I was the only female in the whole cypher, which really set the tone for my career from then onwards. At that time, female representation in hip hop was far from many, but I remember seeing Arabyrd, Kayda Aziz, Hunny Madu, Shikara, Mizz Nina, YUNOHOO (formerly known as Rubba Bend), Supamojo and sharing a stage with a few of them at Raising The Bar, a hip hop platform founded by Jin Hackman and Dan Shiv. I loved being put together with these other strong and creative female figures. And that goes hand in hand with my involvement with Road To FAM. Representing my country, alongside other independent Asian artists, is exactly where I belong. 2. Your Epiphany tour included cities that are rarely visited by artists. 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The Star
5 hours ago
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Zohran Mamdani: Politics of courage
LET'S be honest. Politics has exhausted us. Everywhere we turn, there's performance without purpose, speeches without soul. It's the same tired playbook of personal insults, false propaganda, and empty promises. But then someone like Zohran Mamdani walks in. He's loud, brown, joyful with ear-to-ear smiles, angry – and reminds us what truth sounds like when it's not diluted for comfort. He doesn't speak like a man running a campaign. He speaks like someone with nothing to lose but his integrity. And for those of us in Dhaka, scrolling through timelines between sips of tea and blaring traffic horns, something about Mamdani strikes a deep chord. This isn't just a think piece – it's a feeling. A bridge. That soft thump in your chest whispering, 'I see myself in this'. He's the kind of man who steps onto a debate stage, calls himself Donald Trump's worst nightmare – and means it. A Gujarati Muslim. Born in Uganda, and raised in Queens, New York. 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The hunger strike for Gaza, where he didn't just say he stood for Palestine – he gave his body to the cause. The Modi moment, where he named the unnameable and made it OK for South Asians to stop pretending genocide is a matter of diplomacy. These weren't stunts. They were stands. And they resonated – not because they were designed to go viral, but because they were meant to be felt. And we felt them. His mandates: Not billionaire-friendly, just human Here's what Mamdani is offering: freeze rents – not suggest, freeze. Make buses free – because mobility is dignity. Create a department of community safety – because police should not be mental health responders. Tax the ultra-rich – because why are we debating billionaire yachts while people can't afford insulin? Universal childcare. Cancel medical debt. Protect tenants. It's not flashy; rather, it's fair. And it's built for people who've been invisible for far too long. As Mamdani says, 'This city has catered to billionaires for too long. It's time we governed for the rest of us.' Mamdani doesn't mince words when it comes to immigration. He says it plainly: defund ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). End the contracts. Stop the deportations. No human being is illegal. In a city built by immigrants, this position is both radical and obvious. And it's personal. His policies read like someone who knows what it's like to hold his father's passport with trembling fingers at immigration control. The moment you stand for something, they'll try to tear you down with things such as right-wing ads, death threats, and accusations of being 'divisive'. Some even attempted to darken his image in photographs – literally. For his pro-Palestine stance, he's been labelled anti-Semitic. But ever the honest, sobering presence, Mamdani has managed to rally numerous New York–based Jews who now proudly declare him as their first choice. With each attack, his movement grew. Because when you speak from the chest – not the script – people remember you. Why it hits home for Bangladesh We're not idolising, we're learning. Back home, the rise of NCP offered a glimpse of what youth-led, progressive politics could look like. But we're still finding our way. As we do, Mamdani shows us what it means to speak up, stand tall, and stay rooted. No billionaire backers? No matter. Afraid of being 'too loud'? Be louder. Torn between relevance and principles? Choose both. We're not trying to import a saviour. We're trying to reclaim our own voice. Zohran Mamdani just reminds us what that sounds like. — The Daily Star/Asia News Network Rahat Ara Kabir Kheya is B2B development manager at British American Tobacco Bangladesh.
Daily Express
6 hours ago
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Unduk Ngadau panel should be strict with contestants
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 Text Size: I WRITE not in condemnation but of concern – as an ordinary Sabahan, a cultural observer and someone who believes that our traditions are not just seasonal costumes but living legacies that deserve dignity beyond the Kaamatan stage. The recent online activities involving an Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan finalist and a young local businessman have stirred more than just gossip. They have opened a necessary conversation on the responsibilities that come with carrying a title so intimately tied to the spirit of Huminodun and the values of the momogun communities. Many of us were taken aback by images and videos circulating on social media of the two in intimate settings, feeding each other in a romanticised manner, appearing too physically close and engaging in content that would be more fitting for a commercial influencer couple than the cultural icon she is supposed to portray. While we acknowledge that these may have been part of a 'marketing strategy', the decision to use suggestive or flirtatious portrayals in such a public and curated way raises deeper questions about respect for the role and meaning of Unduk Ngadau itself. The Unduk Ngadau is not merely a beauty yardstick. She is a symbol of self-sacrifice, wisdom, humility, and poise – a living representation of Huminodun, who gave herself for the people. Her conduct, both during and after the competition, is a continuation of that symbolic role. The title demands grace and discretion, particularly when navigating the public sphere where eyes – young and old – look to her as a role model. Some may argue that times have changed, and that our cultural figures must adapt to modern platforms like TikTok and Instagram to remain visible and relevant. I agree that engagement with digital spaces is both necessary and inevitable. However, relevance should not come at the cost of integrity. One can be modern and still rooted. One can be visible without being provocative. The choice of content shared – especially those suggestive of a romantic entanglement – may seem harmless to some, but for a community that holds cultural representation with sacred regard, such portrayals can undermine years of work to instil pride and understanding in our Indigenous identity. This is particularly disheartening when the images appear carefully staged for public consumption, not accidental or private moments leaked without consent. If we blur the line between cultural roles and commercial branding, then what does that say about our collective identity? Are we willing to see our most respected symbols turned into marketing tools – their value determined not by meaning but by engagement metrics? The intention of this letter is not to shame either individual involved. The young businessman is equally entitled to his career and image. But he must have awareness of what the contestant represents, especially in public collaborations. The burden of representation is not one to be taken lightly. I urge the State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Committee, which is helmed by two knowledgeable figures, as well as KDCA, to consider setting clearer post-crowning guidelines – not as censorship, but as a gentle compass for conduct befitting the cultural weight of the title. I also call on future contestants to reflect on the distinction between self-expression and public responsibility. The richness of our culture lies not just in rituals, songs, and dresses, but in how we carry ourselves – with honour, restraint, and humility. Let us not cheapen that inheritance for the fleeting attention of algorithms. Voice of Nunuk Ragang YOUR concern is seems timely, in the light of another Unduk Ngadau contestant who has been candid in her fb postings about seeking a caucasian for a lifepartner and is now in Europe on that mission. Her wishes are not the issue but her remarks of how she found caucasians to be better at intimacy or things to that effect, which the complainants said are giving an unfair and bad impression to the world about the pageant and native Sabah women, in general. We decided not to give these complaints any attention as they are a private matter and should be directed at the committee, instead, since it sets the guidelines on how the contestants should carry themselves. Neither are we the custodians of what is moral. Just like another complaint we received that while many of the contestants are sincere in portraying culture and tradition, in line with Huminodun, there are those whose motivation in taking part is the hope of landing rich husbands or astronomical dowries. Speculations aside, let's hope that contestants live up to the ideals and expectations of the pageant. – Ed.
