Latest news with #Kelantanese
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Siblings hit right note with modern take on dikir barat
KOTA BARU: While most teenagers their age are glued to gadgets, three brothers from Kampung Chengal here are captivating audiences on a different stage, as rising stars in the modern dikir barat scene. Ahmad Afnan Khudri Mohd Osman, 17, his younger brother Ahmad Rifqi Rafie, 14, and their youngest sibling, 10-year-old Ahmad Nawfal Iman, have won the hearts of Kelantanese audiences with their soulful vocals and youthful take on the traditional art form. Students of SMK and SK Kampung Chengal, the trio began singing at a young age, performing at school functions and village events. Their passion for dikir barat, a traditional Malay musical performance native to Kelantan, was nurtured within the family, where musical talent runs deep. "Our interest in singing began in primary school. We used to perform at school and later joined dikir barat sessions in the village bangsal (stages)," said Afnan. "Our youngest brother, Iman, started singing with us when he was just in Standard Two." The boys credit their uncle, who regularly brought them to dikir barat performances, for introducing them to the art. However, their turning point came when they met modern dikir barat personality 'Poyie Gasi', who helped them break into the wider scene. "Poyie was the one who brought us to the main stage and introduced us to the wider dikir community. From there, everything changed," said Rifqi. Since then, the trio have performed at a variety of events, from family gatherings to major expos and even official state programmes in Kelantan. Their popularity has continued to grow, particularly on social media, where clips of their performances have gone viral. Among their popular renditions are Ubi Lambung, Kelantan Bumi Bertuah, Segar Angin, and their own original, Rindu Hatiku Rindu. Iman has also impressed audiences with his version of Putus Terpaksa, originally sung by popular vocalist Ziana Zain. Their parents, Mohd Osman Mahamad, 39, who is self-employed, and housewife Anis Harnita Muhamad, also 39, are their strongest supporters. "We give them 100 per cent support. This is their passion, and as long as they enjoy it and it brings something positive, we won't stop them. Alhamdulillah, they've also received overwhelming support from the public," said Anis. Despite having to juggle their studies with performance commitments, the boys have learned to strike a balance. Anis said the siblings sometimes receive up to 10 show invitations a month, although some periods are quieter. Even so, she said, the boys remain grounded and focused on honing their craft. "Our dream is to keep dikir barat alive among the younger generation and show that tradition can be cool too," said Afnan.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kelantan plans two R&R stops along key highway corridors
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government plans to develop two Rest and Service Areas (R&R) along the Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) Expressway and the Kota Baru-Kuala Krai (KBKK) Highway to support local economic growth and tourism. State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said the proposed sites are in Laloh, Kuala Krai for the LTU alignment, and Bukit Bakar, Machang for the KBKK route. "These facilities are expected to create economic spillover effects, as improved connectivity drives local development,' he told the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly at the Kota Darulnaim Complex on Tuesday (July 22). Dr Izani said while the designs for the R&R sites have yet to be finalised, the state supports incorporating traditional Kelantanese architectural elements. He was responding to Zubir Abu Bakar (PAS-Mengkebang), who asked about efforts to develop R&R infrastructure in Kuala Krai in line with the ongoing LTU construction. - Bernama Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kelantan to build two new R&R stops along major highways
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government has announced plans to develop two new Rest and Service Areas (R&R) along key highway corridors to enhance economic growth and tourism. The proposed sites will be located in Laloh, Kuala Krai for the Lingkaran Tengah Utama (LTU) Expressway and Bukit Bakar, Machang for the Kota Bharu–Kuala Krai (KBKK) Highway. State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin confirmed the initiative, stating, 'These facilities are expected to create economic spillover effects, as improved connectivity drives local development.' He added that while the designs are still under review, the state supports integrating traditional Kelantanese architectural elements. The announcement was made during the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly session at the Kota Darulnaim Complex. The move comes in response to queries from Zubir Abu Bakar (PAS–Mengkebang) regarding infrastructure development in Kuala Krai alongside the ongoing LTU construction. - Bernama
Barnama
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Kelantan Govt open To Talks With Police, Mac Over LGBT Programme
KOTA BHARU, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan government has expressed its willingness to meet with all relevant parties, including the police and the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), regarding the recent organisation of a programme related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in Kota Bharu. Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the meeting is to discuss and gain a clearer understanding of the event's organisation, so that the matter may be resolved diplomatically and dispel any unfounded allegations. 'Perhaps the mistake made was not the organiser's fault. That's why it needs to be investigated first, so that the police are not wrongfully blamed by the public. The police have their job, and on the other side, MAC also has its responsibilities. 'Any programme that goes against the state government's policies and the customs of the Kelantanese people is something we simply cannot accept,' he said during a press conference after the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session at the Kota Darulnaim Complex here today. He said that for programmes touching on sensitivities, especially when held within village communities, permission must first be obtained from the relevant authorities such as the Kelantan Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAHEIK), the police and others. Commenting further, Mohamed Fadzli said the state government could also take appropriate action if any event is found to have violated regulations set by the state government. In mid-June, Kelantan police raided an LGBT-related event involving more than 20 local men at a bungalow in Jalan Kemumin here. State police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat was reported as saying that the operation was conducted based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathered by a special task force, following complaints about the event. A search of the premises uncovered hundreds of condoms and several boxes of HIV medication stored in a special room believed to be used as a storage place by the organisers.
New Straits Times
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kelantan govt wants full probe into gay party incident
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government has called for a thorough inquiry into last month's alleged gay gathering at a bungalow in Kampung Kemumin, urging that no party be subjected to misunderstanding, slander, or premature public judgement. Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the state is aware of the ongoing polemic between the Kelantan police and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as individuals who have denied that any immoral activities took place during the event. "To resolve this issue, the state government urges that investigations be carried out carefully and comprehensively so that no party becomes a victim of misunderstanding, false accusations or societal punishment before the truth is established. "If investigations prove that police actions were based on solid grounds, stern action must be taken against those involved. "Conversely, if the claims by the NGOs and individuals are proven to be true, corrective measures should be implemented. Justice must prevail," he said here today. The police raid occurred in mid-June but was only reported only on Thursday. Homosexual acts are criminalised in Malaysia and carry prison sentences under the country's civil laws. For members of the Malay-Muslim majority who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ), the risks are even higher. They may also be prosecuted under the separate Islamic legal system enforced in several states—where punishments can include public caning or mandatory programmes aimed at "rehabilitation." Fadzli also said that if the participants involved were not from Kelantan, this fact should be made clear to the public to avoid unwarranted blame being placed on the state's residents. "Transparency is essential to prevent the public from making baseless assumptions or unfair judgements. "If it is true, as reported, that the participants were from outside Kelantan, then this must be clarified openly so that innocent Kelantanese citizens are not unjustly criticised," he said. Fadzli stressed that any party intending to organise events, especially those that could raise controversy or confusion, must obtain permission from the relevant authorities. "Failure to follow proper guidelines and procedures could lead to unintended consequences and threaten the harmony of the state," he said. He acknowledged receiving multiple inquiries following the police raid, which sparked a public outcry after it was initially described as a "gay sex party". "NGOs, including Suaram, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), and Amnesty International Malaysia, issued a joint statement denying the allegations. "They insisted that the participants were there to access health information and undergo sexual health screenings, not to engage in illicit activities. "The Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) also confirmed that a field engagement session took place on June 17 under the Differentiated HIV Services for Key Populations (DHSKP) model, supported by the Ministry of Health," he added. Fadzli said the state government reaffirms its firm and uncompromising stance against any activity that contradicts Islamic teachings and moral values. "Any attempt to normalise immoral behaviour will not be tolerated in this state," he added. He also expressed appreciation for the swift and firm actions taken by the Kelantan police in line with the principle of amar makruf nahi mungkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil), which remains a core tenet of the state's governance.
