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The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Getting MyKads in order
Aid on the cards: Malaysians rushing to replace their identity card at the Petaling Jaya NRD branch. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: As the government prepares to roll out the RM100 aid for all adult citizens, many are heading to National Registration Department (NRD) offices to update their MyKad. This is because the one-off RM100 assistance for Malaysians aged 18 and above will be credited directly to their MyKad under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) initiative from September. Among those eager to renew their identification card was Chua from SS2, who has not renewed his MyKad for over 20 years. 'It was high time for a change,' he said at the NRD office here yesterday where he came to pick up his new MyKad, following a system glitch on Wednesday. Retiree K. Gunaseelan, 71, said he lost his MyKad recently. 'But I have a replacement and it is just in time for the government's aid,' he said. Gunaseelan said he is keen to find out more about how to use the RM100 aid. 'I've heard about the purchase scheme using the MyKad, but I'm not entirely sure how or where I can use it,' he added. A civil servant, who identified herself as Atiqah, came to renew her MyKad which was damaged. The 32-year-old said she appreciated the RM100 aid. 'Middle-income earners usually don't receive much from the government,' she added. She urged the government to do more to help those in need, such as tax rebates. Business development manager GK Lim, 55, said he was happy with the process of replacing his MyKad. 'The crowd was manageable and the queue not long as many counters were opened. Everything was done in under 45 minutes,' he said. Lim said he took leave from work to sort things out after realising the chip in his MyKad was faulty last week. Nurul Najwa, a 29-year-old freelance graphic designer from Ampang, said everyone should take good care of their MyKad. 'I'm happy about the RM100 government aid. 'As a freelancer, every bit helps. I hope the government will consider long-term solutions for freelancers and small-scale business owners,' she added.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Marking 30 years with tribute to record holders
Celebration for all: Record holders displaying their certificates at MBR's 30th anniversary dinner. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) marked its 30th anniversary with a gala dinner that paid tribute to the country's most inspiring record holders. Held at a hotel in Petaling Jaya, the event recognised 91 national record holders, ranging from mountaineers and athletes to entrepreneurs and media figures. Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, who attended the dinner, said MBR had captured the nation's imagination over the past three decades. 'This iconic publication continues to evolve in print, online, and on social media,' she said. Teo also highlighted Bernama's MBR-certified 25-hour non-stop multilingual broadcast in 2019 as a reflection of excellence and inclusivity in Malaysian broadcasting. Star Media Group (SMG) was among several media organisations honoured for their ongoing support of MBR's mission to document Malaysian excellence. Receiving the award on behalf of SMG was its chief operating officer Lydia Wang. Also present were SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt and chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng. MBR chairman Datuk Seri Michael Tio said the organisation has certified over 8,800 records in the past 30 years, with the aim of reaching 10,000 in the coming years by enhancing outreach to all states and communities. 'We are not just about human achievement; we are also about brand activation and community engagement,' he said. 'We hope to inspire more Malaysians to break records.' Tio also announced MBR's collaboration with Bernama to produce a 13-episode record-themed television series (Malaysia Book of Records 2025: Malaysia Luar Biasa) set to air on Bernama TV starting Aug 26. Among the 91 honoured were Datuk M. Magendran, the first Malaysian to conquer Mount Everest, and Soh Wai Ching, a tower-running world champion and the first Asian to win the Empire State Building Run-Up. Over 800 guests attended the black-tie event, including business leaders, public figures and representatives from various media agencies.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Painful pro start for Mirabel in France
Miserable: Sarawakian golfer Mirabel Ting misses the cut in first tournament as pro in France. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Malaysian golfer Mirabel Ting's professional debut ended in misery after she missed the cut in the Amundi Evian Championship in France. The 19-year-old Mirabel made a quadruple and a double bogey in the opening round at Evian-les-Bains on Thursday, crushing any hopes of surviving the weekend cut. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bringing registration services to doorsteps
Kota Kemuning assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan (left) attends to a senior citizen applying for adoption at the MyIdentiti programme in Kota Kemuning. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star FOR decades, a child of a Malaysian woman would not be automatically recognised as a citizen if the father was a foreigner. But, with landmark amendments to the Federal Constitution last year, the rights of these mothers and their children have finally been acknowledged. Now, such children under 18 can apply for citizenship under Article 15(2) of the Federal Constitution. This change has given hope to countless families. This new legal avenue is supported by a government initiative called the myIdentiti programme, which brings registration services to residents' doorsteps. Preakas (left) attending to a senior citizen at the myIdentiti programme at Dewan MBSA in Kemuning Utama, Shah Alam. — Photos: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star A programme was organised in Kota Kemuning by the assemblyman's office and National Registration Department (JPN). It offered services for birth registration, MyKad renewals, Disabled Person (OKU) card and document corrections. Kota Kemuning assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan said myIdentiti ensures government services are more accessible, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, low-income families and those in remote areas. 'The myIdentiti programme is proof of our continuous efforts to ensure the people can access basic services without difficulty,' said Preakas during the event, which was held at Dewan MBSA in Kemuning Utama, Shah Alam. The programme was timely for Malaysian mothers hoping to register their overseas-born children as it removes logistical obstacles and provides assistance to families navigating the amended citizenship procedures. 'We want every Malaysian-born child to be registered and every individual to have a valid personal identification document,' added Preakas. Queues formed early at the hall as families turned up with documents in hand, eager to secure identification papers that would open doors to education, healthcare and legal protection. 'Not every problem can be solved today. Even if they are eligible, we still need to follow the rules. 'If they are not entitled, we will tell them. They need to be clear on the processes,' said Preakas. Among those present was an Indonesian woman, who declined to be named, and her twin teenage daughters. She was there with her Malaysian husband to apply for her daughters' Malaysian citizenship. Holding back tears, she said her husband has late stage cancer and expressed the hope that they will be successful this time without further setbacks. A Malaysian woman, who wanted to be known as Sherry, was also there to expedite the adoption process of her 14-year-old daughter. 'Today, I hope to get some clarity from the authorities because I have been through this process many times with no success,' she said. Officials at the event guided attendees through the required paperwork, explaining procedures and helping to verify documents on the spot. The JPN van was also at the premises to help people renew or replace their MyKad. Regarding floods in Kota Kemuning, Preakas said he was disappointed at the lack of attention given to his constituency. 'They (state and federal governments) know Kota Kemuning is a flood-prone area, but every time we ask, they cite a lack of funds. 'I wrote to the Works Ministry seeking funds as the drains in Kota Kemuning need to undergo maintenance and upgrades. 'Until today, the JKR (Public Works Department) Selangor director has not got in touch with me. 'Climate change is happening; we have to be proactive to ensure people are safe and do not have to suffer unnecessarily,' he said.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Can you handle the heat?
Research has shown that women are generally more sensitive to heat than men. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star When temperatures rise, not everyone handles the heat in the same way. Some people breeze through scorching days, while others seem to wilt in the warmth. What lies behind these different coping abilities? The answer can be found in a combination of physical traits, genetic influences and behavioural habits. Human beings are 'homeothermic' animals, meaning that we keep our core temperature relatively constant despite any changes in the surrounding conditions. But at the same time, our bodies naturally produce heat, which also makes us 'endothermic' creatures, like other mammals. When our bodies are exposed to intense heat, they thermoregulate by producing sweat. It is the evaporation of this sweat through the pores of the skin that evacuates the heat, thus lowering the body's temperature. But this internal climate-control system doesn't work in the same way for everyone. Babies and older people sweat less than adults, which explains why they are so sensitive to ambient heat. They are also more likely to suffer from dehydration, as they don't tend to feel as thirsty. Yet, the body needs a sufficient supply of water to produce sweat and adjust its core temperature. In addition to age, our ability to withstand high temperatures depends on our biological sex. The assumption that women are more sensitive to heat than men is confirmed by numerous scientific studies. Research from the Netherlands, published in 2021 in the journal International Archives Of Occupational And Environmental Health , reports that deaths during heatwaves are higher among women than men. These differences are due to a number of possible causes, including differences in height, weight, perspiration, cardiovascular strain and hormones. However, it would be wrong to say that women's greater discomfort in hot weather is solely linked to biology. It also stems from social factors, with the Dutch researchers explaining that women are less likely than men to be well-equipped to cope with the heat due to income inequalities. In addition to the physical differences between individuals, heat tolerance is closely linked to lifestyle. When temperatures rise, many people turn on the air conditioning. And this may be a good idea in the heat of the moment, but it can be less so in the longer term. The stronger the air conditioning, the greater the difference with the outside temperature. This puts our bodies to the test when we leave the air-conditioned space. Too severe a change in temperature (over 10°C) can lead to thermal shock, and in the worst case, loss of consciousness, or even cardiac arrest. So it's best to use air conditioners sparingly. Diet also has an impact on our tolerance to high temperatures. Fatty or high-protein foods contain compounds that are relatively difficult to digest. Our bodies have to expend more energy to process them, and therefore, generate more heat. That's why we often sweat profusely after eating sausages, burgers and other grilled meats at a barbecue or buffet. When the mercury rises, opt for light meals with vegetables, lean meats or fish. Similarly, it's important to limit alcohol consumption. Generally speaking, it's perfectly possible to change your habits to acclimatise better to the heat. And that's good news as the effects of global warming become more keenly felt. Over the period of February 2023 to January 2024, the global surface air temperature was 1.52°C higher compared to pre-industrial levels of 1850-1900, according to the European Union's Copernicus monitoring programme. In this context, we're going to have to be adaptable if we're to learn to live in a world where our tolerance to heat will be increasingly challenged. – AFP Relaxnews
