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New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Snip, style, serenade: Rembau barber blends smooth cuts with P. Ramlee classics
REMBAU: 'Jangan tinggal daku... oh adik, oh juwita... Kanda sedang rindu... Pada mu yang manis jelita'. The familiar strains were sung by an elderly man whose voice is strikingly similar to the legendary singer and entertainer, Tan Sri P. Ramlee. At first listen, many would assume the singer is Malay, going by his inflection and pronunciation. But the voice actually belongs to a Chinese barber in Rembau, Negri Sembilan. His ability to sing P. Ramlee's classics has become one of the unique attractions that draw in customers of all races to his barbershop. Here, you get a tune to go along with your trim. Barber Ng Kim Soy, 81, said he became a fan of the iconic entertainer at the age of 16, captivated by his voice and the soft, melodious arrangement of the music. "Back then, my father was also a barber supporting our family. He also repaired gramophones, and that's how I was introduced to P. Ramlee's songs. "I immediately liked them the minute I heard them and ended up memorising about 20 of his songs," he said. The father of three said he inherited the barbering trade from his late father. Now, his three children have followed in his footsteps. "I've continued running this barbershop till today. The current shop opened in 2006. "My customers are from all races. Back when I was younger, if someone asked me to sing, I'd happily sing a few lines – and they loved it. "Nowadays, most of my customers are younger, and I've handed over the business to one of my sons. I don't sing as much anymore, but once in a while, I still do – especially for my regulars," he said. Thanks to his passion for P. Ramlee's songs – and blessed with a voice uncannily like the late icon's – Ng often gets invited to perform at events. He once had the honour of singing in front of the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, the late Tuanku Ja'afar ibni Tuanku Abdul Rahman. "If I recall correctly, it was around 2005. Tuanku was visiting Rembau for an event, and I was invited to sing for him. It was a great honour. "I was also invited to perform for former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, and at various Malay community events," he said. Ng added that his voice often surprises people, especially because he is Chinese – and this has become a source of light-hearted jokes among his Malay friends. "Once, I was performing at a Malay event. No one had seen me yet... they had just heard me singing. When they finally saw me, they asked, 'Lu Cina ke Melayu?' (You Chinese or Malay?)," he said with a laugh.
Malaysiakini
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Akmal, look in the mirror, remember KK Mart
YOURSAY | 'Don't underestimate the students and never call them stupid!' Akmal wants to meet 'stupid' protesters who burned PM's image BOBBYO: The problem with these leaders is that they want to shut their minds to the real problem facing the nation. Instead, they are redirecting the problem to these students and their frustration. Has Umno leader Dr Akmal Saleh forgotten how rude he was concerning just five socks and KK Mart? Instead of going down to find the root of the problem, he held the nation at ransom. Akmal should look in the mirror. He is the master of being or behaving rudely. Akmal, the corruption in this nation has reached its height. Those in power are simply turning their backs on the issue. The people have been shouting and screaming from the top of the mountain, and the leaders have turned a blind eye. Those involved are their own colleagues, or if exposed, will form a threat to their position. People elected into office or positions have questionable backgrounds. The people reject such candidates, yet the leaders put up a deaf and dumb front. So, Akmal, instead of meeting these so-called rude students, you should instead meet those in power who are responsible for the frustrations the people are going through. If the leaders keep on acting deaf and dumb, then one day they will be forced out of their positions. Akmal should very well know that as an Umno member. WINNING Scarecrow: I would like to advise Akmal to be careful when dealing with Sabahans. Sabahans are unlike the cowardly DAP leaders who just keep silent when facing a great Malay rights fighter like Akmal. If you go to Sabah to meet these young heroes, they may bring you to their cowboy town, Kota Belud, and burn more than your image. Leave the Sabahans alone. They are fearless people who never tolerate corruption, unlike the West Malaysians who blindly vote for Pakatan Harapan and Umno. MerdekaMerdeka: Akmal wants to meet those protesters. They don't have time for circus shows. Take your circus elsewhere. Akmal called the protesters stupid and rude for burning the caricature of a hopeless PM? This also translates to you calling your godfather, PMX, 'stupid and rude,' because he did the same public burning protest decades ago. You are saying Anwar is stupid and rude for burning the book written by our Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence), Tunku Abdul Rahman. Just a Malaysian: Akmal, you should meet the students and understand why they are angry. The reasons behind their anger are key to defending race and country. Akmal if you are truly pahlawan bangsa (national warrior), side with the students and demand accountability of all politicians sucking tanah Melayu (Malay land) empty. Getting into an easy fight against helpless students with authority on your side is not jantan (gentleman). It's pure political opportunism and cheap chest thumping against people who cannot fight back. Sudah lah (enough lah), Akmal, your cheap matinee show has been exposed. World Citizen: The student protesters should take up the challenge from this 'small boy'. Give it to him nicely until he will never set foot in Sabah ever again. This small boy has no guts to confront all those corrupt politicians in Sabah who have been exposed by the whistleblower, he could only but thump his chest at these brave student protesters. What a coward! A Little Bit Crazy: Alamak Akmal, don't be so jealous. Relax, watch the show. No one will burn your image, because you are a small fry. Only those Very Important Persons might face the same consequences. US President Donald Trump's images have been burned, stepped on, thousands of times. Because he is super hated by many people. Anwar's image was burned one time only; what is so big a deal about it? If you don't shout out, many people don't even realise this case. So, are you trying to protect Anwar's image, or are you trying to pour oil into the flame? TM My Foot: Are you trying to be a hero? You want to be the leader of the village now? You want to beat up those adik2 (younger brothers or sisters)? They have got more backbone than you. They have more integrity than you. They have more balls than you. MO1 swindled billions of people's money, yet you protect him. Countries all over the world prosecuted those responsible, except Malaysia. People like you make corruption a disease. Knucklehead: Don't underestimate the students and never call them stupid! They've brought down governments and politicians like you, so stop being 'stupid,' Akmal! And honestly, why would they want to meet you after you've already decided they're stupid? This is coming from the so-called 'youth leader' at Umno? No wonder your party is sinking faster and faster. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Malaysiakini
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Akmal, look in the mirror, remember KK Mart
YOURSAY | 'Don't underestimate the students and never call them stupid!' Akmal wants to meet 'stupid' protesters who burned PM's image BOBBYO: The problem with these leaders is that they want to shut their minds to the real problem facing the nation. Instead, they are redirecting the problem to these students and their frustration. Has Umno leader Dr Akmal Saleh forgotten how rude he was concerning just five socks and KK Mart? Instead of going down to find the root of the problem, he held the nation at ransom. Akmal should look in the mirror. He is the master of being or behaving rudely. Akmal, the corruption in this nation has reached its height. Those in power are simply turning their backs on the issue. The people have been shouting and screaming from the top of the mountain, and the leaders have turned a blind eye. Those involved are their own colleagues, or if exposed, will form a threat to their position. People elected into office or positions have questionable backgrounds. The people reject such candidates, yet the leaders put up a deaf and dumb front. So, Akmal, instead of meeting these so-called rude students, you should instead meet those in power who are responsible for the frustrations the people are going through. If the leaders keep on acting deaf and dumb, then one day they will be forced out of their positions. Akmal should very well know that as an Umno member. WINNING Scarecrow: I would like to advise Akmal to be careful when dealing with Sabahans. Sabahans are unlike the cowardly DAP leaders who just keep silent when facing a great Malay rights fighter like Akmal. If you go to Sabah to meet these young heroes, they may bring you to their cowboy town, Kota Belud, and burn more than your image. Leave the Sabahans alone. They are fearless people who never tolerate corruption, unlike the West Malaysians who blindly vote for Pakatan Harapan and Umno. MerdekaMerdeka: Akmal wants to meet those protesters. They don't have time for circus shows. Take your circus elsewhere. Akmal called the protesters stupid and rude for burning the caricature of a hopeless PM? This also translates to you calling your godfather, PMX, 'stupid and rude,' because he did the same public burning protest decades ago. You are saying Anwar is stupid and rude for burning the book written by our Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence), Tunku Abdul Rahman. Just a Malaysian: Akmal, you should meet the students and understand why they are angry. The reasons behind their anger are key to defending race and country. Akmal if you are truly pahlawan bangsa (national warrior), side with the students and demand accountability of all politicians sucking tanah Melayu (Malay land) empty. Getting into an easy fight against helpless students with authority on your side is not jantan (gentleman). It's pure political opportunism and cheap chest thumping against people who cannot fight back. Sudah lah (enough lah), Akmal, your cheap matinee show has been exposed. World Citizen: The student protesters should take up the challenge from this 'small boy'. Give it to him nicely until he will never set foot in Sabah ever again. This small boy has no guts to confront all those corrupt politicians in Sabah who have been exposed by the whistleblower, he could only but thump his chest at these brave student protesters. What a coward! A Little Bit Crazy: Alamak Akmal, don't be so jealous. Relax, watch the show. No one will burn your image, because you are a small fry. Only those Very Important Persons might face the same consequences. US President Donald Trump's images have been burned, stepped on, thousands of times. Because he is super hated by many people. Anwar's image was burned one time only; what is so big a deal about it? If you don't shout out, many people don't even realise this case. So, are you trying to protect Anwar's image, or are you trying to pour oil into the flame? TM My Foot: Are you trying to be a hero? You want to be the leader of the village now? You want to beat up those adik2 (younger brothers or sisters)? They have got more backbone than you. They have more integrity than you. They have more balls than you. MO1 swindled billions of people's money, yet you protect him. Countries all over the world prosecuted those responsible, except Malaysia. People like you make corruption a disease. Knucklehead: Don't underestimate the students and never call them stupid! They've brought down governments and politicians like you, so stop being 'stupid,' Akmal! And honestly, why would they want to meet you after you've already decided they're stupid? This is coming from the so-called 'youth leader' at Umno? No wonder your party is sinking faster and faster. The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now. These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
Focus Malaysia
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Focus Malaysia
Model Ameera Khan faces backlash for reaping Bumi privileges after admitting her non-Malay ancestry
ONLY in Malaysia does a person's ethnicity receive such close scrutiny. It is not enough to proclaim loyalty and patriotism to one's motherland; it must also be accompanied by declarations identifying with a certain race. The most recent example of this had to do with model and influencer Ameera Khan who had the temerity to insist that she isn't Malay. She was merely clarifying that her mother is of Arab ancestry while her father is of Pakistani descent with the family settling in Kelantan. Ameera went on t9 disclose that – as a matter of convenience – she usually replies that she is Malay when queried about her ethnicity during casual encounters. However, she took the opportunity to clarify the matter in a live Instagram session recently by pointing out that both her parents are NOT Malay. She is proud of her roots and can even speak Kelantanese dialect but some had taken great umbrage at her denial of Malay ancestry. #kualalumpur #rap 'Saya bukan tak nak mengaku berbangsa Melayu, memang ibu dan ayah saya tidak mempunyai darah Melayu. Jadi nak mengaku Melayu buat apa?' – Ameera Khanhttps:// — Harian Metro (@hmetromy) June 9, 2025 As reported by Harian Metro, the 25-year-old celebrity asked why must she claim to be Malay when her ancestry clearly is not. There has been mixed reaction online as netizens proffer their two sen's on the young model's declaration of identity. There were netizens who just plainly did not like her rejection of being labelled 'Malay'. One even went as far as equating Ameera to PATI (illegal foreigner) just because she did not identify herself as a Malay. Quite a few pointed out that there should be clear guidelines by the National Registration Department (NRD) to ensure that people like Ameera do NOT qualify for Bumiputera status/privileges. One extended the question to Ameera's elder sibling – Neelofa – who is in currently enrolled in MRSM (MARA Junior Science College) which is supposedly reserved for Bumiputera. It must be noted that Under Article 160 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, a person is considered Malay if they profess the religion of Islam, habitually speak the Malay language and conform to Malay customs. Additionally, they must either be born, born of parents (one of whom was born or domiciled in Malaysia) or be the child of those parents. However, more than few queried why a person need to lie about their heritage or ancestry? Why claim to be something they are clearly not? One netizen sided Ameera by asserting that the forceful claiming of a person's ancestry and heritage as Malay when it isn't is shameful. As one commenter observed, this is what it has boiled down to – citizens who feel they are 'ori' and 'pure' Malays have become disgruntled simply because there are Malaysian Muslims who identify as non-Malays. Few things to note about this storm-in-a-teacup. Firstly, this is not a 'rejection' or 'denial' of Malay ancestry. It is a mere statement of fact that Ameera Khan does not have Malay blood and her surname is a major clue on this issue. Secondly, though Ameera may claim she does not, in fact, have Malay blood running through her veins, she is actually entitled to call herself that as defined by Article 160 of the Federal Constitution. Thirdly, isn't there more important news to occupy Harian Metro's column inches, wondered on commenter' – June 11, 2025 Main image credit: mStar/Instagram
Rakyat Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
Neelofa's Sister's 'I'm Not Malay' Statement Riles Some People, But Anger May Have Stemmed From Misunderstanding
Subscribe to our FREE A person's heritage is not easily identifiable as looks and names can be confusing, sometimes. What we assume based on appearance is not always accurate. This issue has been discussed online lately after a Malaysian social media influencer, Ameera Khan, who is also the sister of actress Neelofa, talked about her heritage. Ameera recently, during an Instagram live session, told curious netizens that she has no Malay blood in her. Through the 'It's not that I don't want to identify as a Malay, it is a fact that my parents have no Malay blood in them. So how can I call myself a Malay?' she said. Fluent in Bahasa Melayu especially the Kelantanese dialect Even though Ameera doesn't have Malay blood in her, she admitted and as we can clearly hear, she is fluent in Bahasa Melayu especially in the Kelantanese dialect, as she was born and raised there. According to her, she knows the story of how her mother was born and settled in Kelantan. However, she no longer remembers it clearly. Ameera added that she would just tell people she is Malay whenever she is asked about it, in order to avoid being questioned further. 'Usually when people ask if I'm Malay, I just answer yes – I simply answer like that because it's easier, because people will say I'm delusional if I told them otherwise,' she added. Misunderstanding? In her Live video, Ameera spoke in English and effortlessly switched back and forth in the Kelantanese dialect. This led to her being misquoted. While she said 'It's not that I don't want to say I am Malay', the misunderstanding occurred when what she said in the Kelantanese dialect was translated to 'Bukan tak nak cakap Melayu, tapi memang mak bapak aku tak ada darah Melayu.' Some took this to mean that she refused to speak Malay (Bahasa Melayu), when what she said was 'It's not that I don't want to say I am Malay', which has an entirely different meaning. So what do you think of this issue? Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
