Latest news with #Chew
Daily Express
14 hours ago
- Daily Express
Duo fined for committing mischief
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Lai was jailed four weeks and fined RM1,000 or two month's jail for damaging the driver's side window of a Toyota Land Cruiser with a knife at 9.40am, on July 17, at Taman Megarial, Luyang. Kota Kinabalu: Two men were fined by the Magistrate's Court here on separate charges of committing mischief. Thomas Lai and Chew Vui Kian pleaded guilty separately before Magistrates Dzul Elmy Yunus and Marilyn Kelvin to committing the offence under Section 427 of the Penal Code. Lai was jailed four weeks and fined RM1,000 or two month's jail for damaging the driver's side window of a Toyota Land Cruiser with a knife at 9.40am, on July 17, at Taman Megarial, Luyang. Chew was fined RM1,200 or two months' jail for smashing the glass door of the Good Massage premises at Bataras Hypermarket, Inanam, using a ring spanner at 8.12pm, on July 19, causing RM350 in losses to the owner, Winsal Mursidi. In Lai's case, the court heard from the prosecution that the accused committed the offence on the vehicle after being dissatisfied with a court order delivered by the complainant's lawyer, requiring him to vacate a house. Lai approached the vehicle with a knife and stabbed its driver-side window, causing damage of about RM1,000. Unrepresented, Lai requested to be allowed, only to pay a fine saying that he was suffering from stage four nasal cancer, adding that the complainant had come to take back the house. The magistrate told Lai that because there was a court order for the complainant to take the house, he should have challenged it through legal means by hiring a lawyer instead of using a weapon. Lai said he was uneducated and did not know what to do, and claimed the complainant knew how to lodge a police report and had often threatened him before, but he never reported it. The prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying Lai had used a dangerous weapon to intimidate the victim, causing damage and psychological distress. When delivering the sentence, the Magistrate said that, despite Lai's illness and age, using a knife was a serious offence that could have led to more severe consequences. The Magistrate said the court viewed the matter seriously, stressing that even if there was a dispute over the house, Lai should have sought legal redress instead of taking the law into his own hands, especially by using a sharp and dangerous weapon. Meanwhile, in Chew's case, the facts of the case presented by the prosecution stated that Chew smashed the glass door of the shop after arguing with his ex-girlfriend, who owns a shop near the complainant's shop. She informed the complainant, who then lodged a police report. Chew was arrested the next day, and police recovered the spanner used. The charge against both Lai and Chew carries a jail term of between one and five years or a fine, or both, on conviction. * 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
Not over the hill to maintain Kepayang Hill
SEREMBAN: A nature-loving group of friends, many in their golden years, have been maintaining and beautifying the hiking trails of Kepayang Hill near here. Over the past six years, the 16-member group has been the guardians of the scenic hiking spot which offers a challenging climb and a breathtaking view at the peak. What started as a one-man effort by septuagenarian Hooi Ah Lek, or Uncle Iceman as he is known, evolved into a larger volunteer squad. Jessie Chew, who at 49 is the youngest of the volunteers, said Uncle Iceman, 70, was doing the work single-handedly for almost two decades until she approached him to lend a helping hand. 'Now a bigger group, we actively maintain the trails and carry out beautification work, including decorating certain stretches of the trails during major festivals.' Labour of love: The 'hill crew' sprucing up the trails with the Jalur Gemilang and Negri Sembilan flags for National Day. Led by Uncle Iceman and retired carpenter Ng Kong Siong or Uncle Kong, the group painstakingly clears the hill's 46 trails of fallen trees and obstacles. They even installed safety ropes along sections of the more challenging terrain. There are also strategically placed benches and tables, many made by Uncle Kong. To prepare for National Day, the team has spruced up the route with the Jalur Gemilang and Negri Sembilan flags. The group has also given names to the trails such as Sky Garden, Sand Beach, Eagle, Hong Cai, Wishing Tree, Tiger Way, Old Ladder and Stone Wall, so they are easily identifiable. Their commitment goes beyond cleanliness and safety. Chew said the volunteers have acquired chainsaws and other tools to cut and remove uprooted trees. Funding to finance equipment and activities is mainly raised through an annual T-shirt sale. 'We love Kepayang Hill and want to help out for as long as we can. We also help those new to the area to familiarise themselves with the trails so they can truly enjoy the experience,' said Chew who is a professional mountain guide, adding volunteers hike up the hill on a daily basis. Chew said it was heartening that the number of visitors to Kepayang Hill, also known as Kanni Kuil or Victoria Hill, have been increasing. 'We have families coming together and many bring their children along,' she added. Chew said there are two Hindu temples located at the hilltop and frequented by devotees with one said to be more than a century old. It can take between 20 and 25 minutes to reach the top depending on one's pace and fitness.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Signs Your House Has Mold—And How to Get Rid of It
Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Images: todaydesign/Getty Images, coffeekai/Getty Images, Catherine McQueen—Getty Images) In the early 1990s, the U.S. was shocked by the mysterious deaths of 12 babies in Cleveland's poorest neighborhoods. Evidence, while not conclusive, suggested the babies died from breathing in toxic black mold contaminating their homes due to water leaks. The tragedy had a lasting impact on people's beliefs about the unique effects of black mold, says Karen Dannemiller, associate professor of engineering and public health at Ohio State University. Although mold can be hazardous, scientists now understand 'the color doesn't matter,' Dannemiller says. It's just one of several points of confusion about mold, researchers say. Here are the keys to mold detection, removal, and prevention. How mold affects your health Mold is a type of microbe that thrives in damp places. The specific kind depends on factors like building materials and geographic region of the country. Indoor microbes like bacteria and fungi aren't inherently bad. 'Even a healthy home has a rich and diverse indoor microbial community,' Dannemiller says. Things go wrong when there's excess moisture, such as after a leak. 'Then the fungi start to grow to create areas of mold and produce things that are linked to health impacts.' Concerning types of mold 'come in many colors and species,' says Ginger Chew, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most researched problems from exposure are asthma attacks and chronic asthma, particularly in kids. Studies also show associations with other respiratory diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic rhinitis. Remote work is a risk factor for increased mold exposure just by virtue of spending more time indoors, says David Miller, professor of fungal toxins and allergens at Carleton University. Read More: The Healthiest Way to Clean Your House Besides misunderstandings about color, another mold misconception is the effect of inhaling mycotoxins, compounds produced by certain molds. Mycotoxins can be hazardous when found in food (though U.S. regulations allow limited levels.) But when it comes to inhaling mycotoxins, 'very low evidence' supports any association with illness, Chew says. Jeff May, a mold inspector in Massachusetts who co-wrote a book on improving home health called My House Is Killing Me! A Complete Guide to a Healthier Indoor Environment, adds that expensive urine tests looking for mycotoxin usually don't reflect actual mold growth in one's home. But he thinks patients should take such tests if recommended by a doctor. Symptoms of mold exposure People sometimes blame mold for symptoms that could be caused by other issues. 'There's a constellation of non-specific symptoms,' and more research is needed to understand which ones do and don't relate to mold, Chew explains. An individual's response to mold depends on the type, as different molds contain distinct allergens that cause a range of reactions. Mold could be the culprit if you're coughing a lot, May says. Frequent sneezing is possibly related, though it's more often due to outdoor allergies like pollen, he adds. With increased mold exposure, you're more likely to develop an allergy to it, Miller says. 'We know it makes you more allergic to outdoor molds and even outdoor allergens,' he explains. 'It causes chaos in your immune system.' More anecdotally, people have speculated about fatigue and brain fog being linked to mold. Research in animals shows that mold affects cognition, though data are limited in humans, Miller says. Dannemiller thinks mold could hinder cognition because of the lungs' interconnections with the brain, but 'we don't necessarily have conclusive evidence yet.' Read More: Talc Is Suddenly in the Spotlight. Is it Bad for You? Allergy tests may help diagnose a mold allergy. Chew says these tests have improved in recent decades, but a remaining challenge is that, when checking skin reactions, different types of mold can cross-react with each other. 'So the particular type of mold can be hard to pinpoint,' she says. 'Allergy testing can be hit or miss,' Dannemiller says. 'The fungi tested may not be what you're exposed to.' She recommends each individual speak with their doctor to understand what's causing symptoms and whether they should try allergy testing. The see/smell test Instead of relying only on symptoms or allergy testing, the most important factor is if you see or smell mold. 'Your nose is a good indicator of a problem,' Dannemiller says. 'Odor strongly associates with health problems.' Mold may look black, green or orange, with patches that are fuzzy or powdery, depending on the species and surface. The smell is damp and musty, like rotting leaves. Any amount of mold is cause for concern; scientists haven't found a minimal level that won't bother anyone—partly because individual reactions differ so much. 'There have been attempts to find a threshold limit, but many people who have allergies, upon repeated exposure, mount a faster and more intense response,' Chew says. 'It's just so very individual,' May adds. What to do about mold If you see or smell any mold, call a professional to inspect it. They can confirm or identify problem spots and count the mold spores coming from them. However, keep in mind that mold tests aren't definitive. 'Tests are only weakly associated with health outcomes,' Dannemiller explains. 'Good inspectors put the tests into context as one small piece of the bigger picture.' More critical are the expert's subjective assessments, like whether they observe mold and related dampness or water damage. If these boxes are checked, you need to look into getting it professionally cleaned up, Dannemiller says. Read More: Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night? An expert should also examine your air conditioning equipment. 'If you don't have good filtration, dust builds up on the AC coil and gets wet,' says May 'When you have wet dust, that's a formula for mold growth.' May has looked at thousands of AC units, and most are full of mold. 'That's what people are exposed to, and they don't always smell it,' he says. 'The inspector should take a sample of the air coming from the system.' The basement is another place notorious for mold. 'Aside from air conditioning, that's the most common source,' May says. If you need professional mold removal, the Find-a-Pro directory, provided by the nonprofit Indoor Air Quality Association, is searchable by city for inspectors who specialize in mold remediation. You can also find qualified professionals through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Isolated problems, such as refrigerator mold, can be tackled by homeowners with household cleaners, May says. Fridge door seals and drip pans can release spores into the air, potentially triggering allergic reactions in sensitive people. The trim behind storm windows can develop mold, too. 'Anybody can clean it,' May says. Safe and effective options for cleaning include either hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar. The EPA discourages the use of bleach for this purpose. To address symptoms of a mold allergy, some research suggests that immunotherapy can help. One method, in which patients are increasingly exposed to mold allergens, is approved for treatment. How to prevent mold from taking over your house The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports eight principles on healthy housing. Each principle helps prevent mold—especially maintaining a relatively dry home. 'Keep humidity below 50%, because that's the threshold where mold can start growing,' Chew says. Nearly 50% of residences have dampness that leads to mold. HUD and CDC recommend monitors for indoor humidity. Dannemiller suggests getting multiple monitors and positioning them around the home, 'because one room might be really dry, but you've got another place near the bathroom that may have higher humidity at times.' Read More: What to Do About Your Red, Itchy Eyes Homes with weak seals often become humid in the summer even with windows shut. If your home's humidity is consistently over 60%, consider buying a dehumidifier to thwart mold, Chew says. Avoid certain materials like wall-to-wall carpeting in the bathroom. Other bathroom-related priorities are shower curtains. To speed up the drying process, keep your curtain partly extended after showering and turn on a fan, May suggests. Regularly wash the curtain or replace it often. While AC does reduce humidity, overusing it can make the air too cold and ironically increase mold risk by chilling surfaces and causing condensation, Chew says. HEPA air purifiers with carbon filters can trap mold particles. But they won't bring down moisture in your home, which is your best mold-prevention strategy, May says. 'Any kind of filtration is going to be helpful, but I always tell people, remove the source.' Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Health
- Time Magazine
Signs Your House Has Mold—And How to Get Rid of It
In the early 1990s, the U.S. was shocked by the mysterious deaths of 12 babies in Cleveland's poorest neighborhoods. Evidence, while not conclusive, suggested the babies died from breathing in toxic black mold contaminating their homes due to water leaks. The tragedy had a lasting impact on people's beliefs about the unique effects of black mold, says Karen Dannemiller, associate professor of engineering and public health at Ohio State University. Although mold can be hazardous, scientists now understand 'the color doesn't matter,' Dannemiller says. It's just one of several points of confusion about mold, researchers say. Here are the keys to mold detection, removal, and prevention. How mold affects your health Mold is a type of microbe that thrives in damp places. The specific kind depends on factors like building materials and geographic region of the country. Indoor microbes like bacteria and fungi aren't inherently bad. 'Even a healthy home has a rich and diverse indoor microbial community,' Dannemiller says. Things go wrong when there's excess moisture, such as after a leak. 'Then the fungi start to grow to create areas of mold and produce things that are linked to health impacts.' Concerning types of mold 'come in many colors and species,' says Ginger Chew, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most researched problems from exposure are asthma attacks and chronic asthma, particularly in kids. Studies also show associations with other respiratory diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic rhinitis. Remote work is a risk factor for increased mold exposure just by virtue of spending more time indoors, says David Miller, professor of fungal toxins and allergens at Carleton University. Read More: The Healthiest Way to Clean Your House Besides misunderstandings about color, another mold misconception is the effect of inhaling mycotoxins, compounds produced by certain molds. Mycotoxins can be hazardous when found in food (though U.S. regulations allow limited levels.) But when it comes to inhaling mycotoxins, 'very low evidence' supports any association with illness, Chew says. Jeff May, a mold inspector in Massachusetts who co-wrote a book on improving home health called My House Is Killing Me! A Complete Guide to a Healthier Indoor Environment, adds that expensive urine tests looking for mycotoxin usually don't reflect actual mold growth in one's home. But he thinks patients should take such tests if recommended by a doctor. Symptoms of mold exposure People sometimes blame mold for symptoms that could be caused by other issues. 'There's a constellation of non-specific symptoms,' and more research is needed to understand which ones do and don't relate to mold, Chew explains. An individual's response to mold depends on the type, as different molds contain distinct allergens that cause a range of reactions. Mold could be the culprit if you're coughing a lot, May says. Frequent sneezing is possibly related, though it's more often due to outdoor allergies like pollen, he adds. With increased mold exposure, you're more likely to develop an allergy to it, Miller says. 'We know it makes you more allergic to outdoor molds and even outdoor allergens,' he explains. 'It causes chaos in your immune system.' More anecdotally, people have speculated about fatigue and brain fog being linked to mold. Research in animals shows that mold affects cognition, though data are limited in humans, Miller says. Dannemiller thinks mold could hinder cognition because of the lungs' interconnections with the brain, but 'we don't necessarily have conclusive evidence yet.' Read More: Talc Is Suddenly in the Spotlight. Is it Bad for You? Allergy tests may help diagnose a mold allergy. Chew says these tests have improved in recent decades, but a remaining challenge is that, when checking skin reactions, different types of mold can cross-react with each other. 'So the particular type of mold can be hard to pinpoint,' she says. 'Allergy testing can be hit or miss,' Dannemiller says. 'The fungi tested may not be what you're exposed to.' She recommends each individual speak with their doctor to understand what's causing symptoms and whether they should try allergy testing. The see/smell test Instead of relying only on symptoms or allergy testing, the most important factor is if you see or smell mold. 'Your nose is a good indicator of a problem,' Dannemiller says. 'Odor strongly associates with health problems.' Mold may look black, green or orange, with patches that are fuzzy or powdery, depending on the species and surface. The smell is damp and musty, like rotting leaves. Any amount of mold is cause for concern; scientists haven't found a minimal level that won't bother anyone—partly because individual reactions differ so much. 'There have been attempts to find a threshold limit, but many people who have allergies, upon repeated exposure, mount a faster and more intense response,' Chew says. 'It's just so very individual,' May adds. What to do about mold If you see or smell any mold, call a professional to inspect it. They can confirm or identify problem spots and count the mold spores coming from them. However, keep in mind that mold tests aren't definitive. 'Tests are only weakly associated with health outcomes,' Dannemiller explains. 'Good inspectors put the tests into context as one small piece of the bigger picture.' More critical are the expert's subjective assessments, like whether they observe mold and related dampness or water damage. If these boxes are checked, you need to look into getting it professionally cleaned up, Dannemiller says. Read More: Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night? An expert should also examine your air conditioning equipment. 'If you don't have good filtration, dust builds up on the AC coil and gets wet,' says May 'When you have wet dust, that's a formula for mold growth.' May has looked at thousands of AC units, and most are full of mold. 'That's what people are exposed to, and they don't always smell it,' he says. 'The inspector should take a sample of the air coming from the system.' The basement is another place notorious for mold. 'Aside from air conditioning, that's the most common source,' May says. If you need professional mold removal, the Find-a-Pro directory, provided by the nonprofit Indoor Air Quality Association, is searchable by city for inspectors who specialize in mold remediation. You can also find qualified professionals through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification and the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Isolated problems, such as refrigerator mold, can be tackled by homeowners with household cleaners, May says. Fridge door seals and drip pans can release spores into the air, potentially triggering allergic reactions in sensitive people. The trim behind storm windows can develop mold, too. 'Anybody can clean it,' May says. Safe and effective options for cleaning include either hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar. The EPA discourages the use of bleach for this purpose. To address symptoms of a mold allergy, some research suggests that immunotherapy can help. One method, in which patients are increasingly exposed to mold allergens, is approved for treatment. How to prevent mold from taking over your house The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) supports eight principles on healthy housing. Each principle helps prevent mold—especially maintaining a relatively dry home. 'Keep humidity below 50%, because that's the threshold where mold can start growing,' Chew says. Nearly 50% of residences have dampness that leads to mold. HUD and CDC recommend monitors for indoor humidity. Dannemiller suggests getting multiple monitors and positioning them around the home, 'because one room might be really dry, but you've got another place near the bathroom that may have higher humidity at times.' Read More: What to Do About Your Red, Itchy Eyes Homes with weak seals often become humid in the summer even with windows shut. If your home's humidity is consistently over 60%, consider buying a dehumidifier to thwart mold, Chew says. Avoid certain materials like wall-to-wall carpeting in the bathroom. Other bathroom-related priorities are shower curtains. To speed up the drying process, keep your curtain partly extended after showering and turn on a fan, May suggests. Regularly wash the curtain or replace it often. While AC does reduce humidity, overusing it can make the air too cold and ironically increase mold risk by chilling surfaces and causing condensation, Chew says. HEPA air purifiers with carbon filters can trap mold particles. But they won't bring down moisture in your home, which is your best mold-prevention strategy, May says. 'Any kind of filtration is going to be helpful, but I always tell people, remove the source.'
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
PJ school's gala fundraiser to celebrate past, empower future
Chew (front row, second from right) with the SMK Assunta Governors' Ball organising committee. SMK Assunta's board of governors is organising the school's first-ever Governors' Ball, a black-tie fundraising gala set for Aug 10 at Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The event aims to reconnect the wider Assunta community, including alumni, teachers, parents and long-time supporters for an evening of celebration and philanthropy. 'This event is not just about raising funds, it is really about celebrating the values that have defined Assunta for generations: integrity, service and unity,' said board chairman Datuk Kathleen Chew. 'We invite all who have been part of the Assunta story, to come together for a night to remember and to give back to the school that gave so much to us,' she said. All proceeds from the evening will go to the board's account and will be used to support structural repairs, school improvement works and long-term development projects. The fundraising dinner at 7pm will begin with cocktails at 6pm. Only full tables will be sold for the dinner, with donation tiers set at RM3,500 (bronze), RM5,000 (silver), RM8,000 (gold) and RM10,000 (platinum). There are 80 tables available for the gala dinner. In addition to table contributions, the board welcomes cash sponsorships and lucky draw prizes. The deadline for bookings and sponsorship confirmations is July 24. For details, call 016-260 8000 or 012-216 7181.
