Latest news with #MuhammadUmar
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Stargazing sparking interest across Malaysia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Avid stargazers in Malaysia often take trips within the country to spots where stars are more visible. It is pitch dark at the Empangan Sungai Selangor lookout point in Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor. While this might not appeal to everyone, it's perfect for stargazers. The darkness only makes every star in the galaxy stand out, revealing their full glory. To get started, you'll need a telescope, smartphone, tripod and red flashlight to minimise impact on your night vision. First-timer Tristan Giles Fernando, 17, can vouch for the experience. After downloading a stargazing app on his smartphone, he was completely engrossed, identifying and taking photos of the constellations – those recognisable patterns or shapes formed by groups of stars in the night sky. Tristan and his friends spent close to three hours at the spot, taking photos of the stars using nothing more than their smartphones mounted on tripods. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons to Ukraine, sources say World Trump nominates 'alpha male' influencer to be ambassador to Malaysia Opinion Whisper it softly, there's a new Japan rising Business Popiah king Sam Goi makes $123.5 million offer to buy rest of PSC Business Company in talks to buy Esso petrol stations in Singapore, said to be worth $1.28 billion: Sources World The $12.8m bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction Asia Tariffs overshadow diplomacy as Asean foreign ministers press on with meetings Young stargazer's dream What does one truly gain from looking at the night sky, staring into vast nothingness for long periods of time? Fourteen-year-old Che Ku Muhammad Umar Che Ku Ahmad Fuad from Kuching, Sarawak, said 'the answer lies in the stars and their ability to transform the dark sky into a canvas of shimmering light.' 'The first thing to know is how they are formed. All this is basic knowledge which can be found in our school Science textbooks. 'Then there is YouTube and the Internet,' he added. Having followed his parents for stargazing trips to Pantai Trombol in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, since he was 12, Muhammad Umar said Lundu and Tanjung Datu were ideal spots for stargazing. The planets are his current objects of fascination, he told StarMetro. 'I regard them as fossils as they have existed even before dinosaurs walked the earth.' Mu hammad Umar , who uses his mother's Celestron telescope to view the stars, said Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in the solar system, was his current object of wonderment. 'The first time I went stargazing, it was an amazing experience. 'It made me ask questions about how they were formed. 'Eventually, this made me wonder how I came to be and what my mission is in the universe,' he added. An only child, Muhammad Umar wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up. He dreams of one day piloting his own inter galactic spacecraft to the Andromeda Galaxy – the closest galaxy to the Milky Way – a destination approximately 2.5 million light years from Earth. He hopes to come up with a technology to make such travel possible. It is no surprise to his mother, Ms Nurul Zaitul Syeema Baharuddin, that he took an interest in stargazing as his father, Mr Che Ku Ahmad Fuad Che Ku Abdullah, is a land survey teacher at Politeknik Kuching. Land surveying is a profession that requires knowledge in field astronomy to determine the true meridian. Ms Nurul Zaitul, a housewife, said they took Muhammad Umar to stargazing events where they bonded as a family. 'His curiosity was piqued when we brought him along to witness a meteor shower,' she said, adding that her son is also in the Scouts movement and some of the trips would include his Scouting buddies. 'In an age where the younger generation has become so preoccupied with computer games and smartphones, I feel that looking to the skies is a way of broadening their knowledge and sense of awareness so that they will not become too self- absorbed,' added Ms Nurul Zaitul. Novel way to recharge One avid stargazer, who has been making regular trips to unlit places for the clearest view of the night sky, is retired Physics lecturer Chong Hon Yew , president of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP). He was also president and later advisor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Astronomy Club from 1986 to 2015. 'I was doing astrotourism long before the word was invented,' said Dr Chong. One of his favourite destinations was Pulau Singa Besar, an uninhabited island off Pulau Langkawi, which he visited almost every month from 1989 to 2001. 'You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye there. 'We'd go there with our telescopes to take pictures of nebula, which are giant clouds of dust and gas in space,' said Dr Chong. One trip that remained vivid in his memory was to Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir at Pantai Acheh in Balik Pulau, Penang, for the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. 'Within the span of eight hours we saw up to 1,103 showers in one night. 'Every time the lights streaked across the sky, there were shouts of jubilation. 'The next morning, when it was time for me to teach a class, I realised I had lost my voice from all that shouting,' he added. On a deeper level, Dr Chong said these trips had helped him rejuvenate and destress. 'When you are under the sky, it is as if the stars are talking to you. 'It is an unexplainable feeling, like an indirect communication with the universe.' Ultimately, these trips will certainly beckon the adventurous, said ASP committee member Kenny Loh, who was also a member of the USM Astronomy Club during his student days. In 2019, the father of two organised a trip for ASP members to watch the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor. Two years ago, Mr Loh was in Australia to witness the total solar eclipse and this year he will be taking a trip to Iceland with his wife to witness the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Mr Loh, an avid astro photographer, also has a four-wheel drive vehicle to carry all his gear when he goes stargazing. 'The trickiest part about stargazing is patience. You may have just finished setting up your telescope only to spend 10 seconds observing one part of a sky before it is covered in clouds. 'One also has to be hardy and have some knowledge of survival skills as there are locations that have minimal light pollution and are devoid of basic comforts like electricity, water supply or toilets. 'In some locations, safety also needs to be looked into especially when it comes to ensuring that one's vehicle does not obstruct traffic during such trips. 'Drivers should park in parking bays. Ideally, stargazers should go in a group as there is safety in numbers,' he said. To overcome these challenges, Mr Loh planned to set up remote telescopes to view the sky on a tablet from the comfort of his home in Penang. He has established a connection with his friend's observatory in Johor and plans to set up the next one in Perlis. Skywatching tour For Mr Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, who is marketing and communication director of an adventure travel and tour company, rising interest in astronomical activities and celestial events has led to the inclusion of more dark places in their packages. This has resulted in stargazing being included in the itinerary to tours to Taman Negara and Pulau Tioman, both in Pahang. However, the market has progressed to a point where they are able to organise trips solely dedicated to stargazing to locations like the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Pulau Mawar in Mersing, Johor, and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. 'We have organised over 30 astro tours since 2023 with each trip seeing about 50 participants. 'The average age of participants is between 25 and 70 years. 'Children whose parents are interested in astronomy and nature also tag along.' Mr Muhammad Mustaqim said children made up 40 per cent of total participants while teenagers formed 30 per cent and adults 30 per cent. 'In private tours, children make up between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of the number of participants,' he added. He also touched on challenges in ensuring a successful trip, with weather being the main one as it was beyond the organiser's control. Mr Muhammad Jazlan Rozali, who runs a marketing consultancy business, said even if the weather was rainy or cloudy, the journey would ultimately be worth it. According to the social media ad campaigner, the best spots are the ones with very minimal light pollution, which means that most of these places are usually away from the city. 'People who like stargazing also love nature and activities like hiking and camping. 'During the night what can you do? Look at the sky, of course. 'To me, it is so beautiful; nothing compares to it,' he added. On how stargazing can be best promoted, Ms Nurul Fatini Jaafar, rector of Akademi Falak Malaysia, an institution under Persatuan Falak Syar'i Malaysia, said it all boiled down to hands-on experience. The founder of Sahabat Langit Utara, a community organisation, said the Orang Asli have their own names for constellations and star patterns that are woven into their local folklore and stories. 'During my fieldwork with the Semelai Orang Asli at Tasik Bera, Pahang, I was thrilled to discover they have their own interpretations of Orion, Taurus and the Pleiades. 'Examples are bintang peyh (meaning spring spear trap) which is part of Orion, bintang jekat (wild boar's jaw) which is part of Taurus and bintang kerancong (mousedeer's dung) which refers to the Pleiades cluster.' Ms Nurul Fatini suggested that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. She added that it was time for tourism players, such as tour guides and resort staff, to be trained in basic astronomy, so that they can offer enriching nighttime experiences alongside daytime tours. 'I also wish to see more film and animation studios producing impactful content that portrays stargazing and celebrates our local astronomy heritage. 'Just like Moana inspired young viewers to learn about ancient Polynesian way-finding and celestial navigation, we need a culturally rooted film or programme that will boost public interest in science and astronomy, just like how the Angkasawan programme once did. 'Local councils and faith-based centres should include stargazing into weekend or monthly community programmes,' she said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
The Star
5 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Stargazing sparking interest across Malaysia
IT IS pitch dark at the Empangan Sungai Selangor lookout point in Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor. While this might not appeal to everyone, it's perfect for stargazers. The darkness only makes every star in the galaxy stand out, revealing their full glory. To get started, you'll need a telescope, smartphone, tripod and red flashlight to minimise impact on your night vision. First-timer Tristan Giles Fernando, 17, can vouch for the experience. After downloading a stargazing app on his smartphone, he was completely engrossed, identifying and taking photos of the constellations – those recognisable patterns or shapes formed by groups of stars in the night sky. Tristan and his friends spent close to three hours at the spot, taking photos of the stars using nothing more than their smartphones mounted on tripods. The experience was so enjoyable that one of his friends decided to plan a stargazing trip to Pantai Bumi Hijau and the Selangor Observatory in Sungai Lang, Sabak Bernam. Young stargazer's dream What does one truly gain from looking at the night sky, staring into vast nothingness for long periods of time? Fourteen-year-old Che Ku Muhammad Umar Che Ku Ahmad Fuad from Kuching, Sarawak, said 'the answer lies in the stars and their ability to transform the dark sky into a canvas of shimmering light.' 'The first thing to know is how they are formed. All this is basic knowledge which can be found in our school Science textbooks. 'Then there is YouTube and the Internet,' he added. Two youngsters taking pictures of the night sky at the Selangor Observatory in Sungai Lang, Sabak Bernam. — GRACE CHEN/The Star Having followed his parents for stargazing trips to Pantai Trombol in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, since he was 12, Muhammad Umar said Lundu and Tanjung Datu were ideal spots for stargazing. The planets are his current objects of fascination, he told StarMetro. 'I regard them as fossils as they have existed even before dinosaurs walked the earth.' Muhammad Umar, who uses his mother's Celestron telescope to view the stars, said Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in the solar system, was his current object of wonderment. Muhammad Umar looking at the moon through his mother's telescope from his house in Kuching, Sarawak. 'The first time I went stargazing, it was an amazing experience. 'It made me ask questions about how they were formed. 'Eventually, this made me wonder how I came to be and what my mission is in the universe,' he added. An only child, Muhammad Umar wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up. He dreams of one day piloting his own inter galactic spacecraft to the Andromeda Galaxy – the closest galaxy to the Milky Way – a destination approximately 2.5 million light years from Earth. He hopes to come up with a technology to make such travel possible. Loh (front row, left) and members of the Astronomical Society of Penang watching the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor in 2019. It is no surprise to his mother. Nurul Zaitul Syeema Baharuddin, that he took an interest in stargazing as his father, Che Ku Ahmad Fuad Che Ku Abdullah, is a land survey teacher at Politeknik Kuching. Land surveying is a profession that requires knowledge in field astronomy to determine the true meridian. Nurul Zaitul, a housewife, said they took Muhammad Umar to stargazing events where they bonded as a family. 'His curiosity was piqued when we brought him along to witness a meteor shower,' she said, adding that her son is also in the Scouts movement and some of the trips would include his Scouting buddies. 'In an age where the younger generation has become so preoccupied with computer games and smartphones, I feel that looking to the skies is a way of broadening their knowledge and sense of awareness so that they will not become too self- absorbed,' added Nurul Zaitul. Chong says stargazing gives a feeling of indirect communication with the universe. Novel way to recharge One avid stargazer, who has been making regular trips to unlit places for the clearest view of the night sky, is retired Physics lecturer Dr Chong Hon Yew, president of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP). He was also president and later advisor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Astronomy Club from 1986 to 2015. 'I was doing astrotourism long before the word was invented,' said Chong. One of his favourite destinations was Pulau Singa Besar, an uninhabited island off Pulau Langkawi, which he visited almost every month from 1989 to 2001. 'You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye there. 'We'd go there with our telescopes to take pictures of nebula, which are giant clouds of dust and gas in space,' said Chong. One trip that remained vivid in his memory was to Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir at Pantai Acheh in Balik Pulau, Penang, for the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. 'Within the span of eight hours we saw up to 1,103 showers in one night. 'Every time the lights streaked across the sky, there were shouts of jubilation. Nurul Fatini (holding green laser pointer) suggests that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. 'The next morning, when it was time for me to teach a class, I realised I had lost my voice from all that shouting,' he added. On a deeper level, Chong said these trips had helped him rejuvenate and destress. 'When you are under the sky, it is as if the stars are talking to you. 'It is an unexplainable feeling, like an indirect communication with the universe.' Ultimately, these trips will certainly beckon the adventurous, said ASP committee member Kenny Loh, who was also a member of the USM Astronomy Club during his student days. In 2019, the father of two organised a trip for ASP members to watch the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor. Two years ago, Loh was in Australia to witness the total solar eclipse and this year he will be taking a trip to Iceland with his wife to witness the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Loh, an avid astro photographer, also has a four-wheel drive vehicle to carry all his gear when he goes stargazing. 'The trickiest part about stargazing is patience. You may have just finished setting up your telescope only to spend 10 seconds observing one part of a sky before it is covered in clouds. 'One also has to be hardy and have some knowledge of survival skills as there are locations that have minimal light pollution and are devoid of basic comforts like electricity, water supply or toilets. 'In some locations, safety also needs to be looked into especially when it comes to ensuring that one's vehicle does not obstruct traffic during such trips. 'Drivers should park in parking bays. Ideally, stargazers should go in a group as there is safety in numbers,' he said. To overcome these challenges, Loh planned to set up remote telescopes to view the sky on a tablet from the comfort of his home in Penang. He has established a connection with his friend's observatory in Johor and plans to set up the next one in Perlis. Skywatching tours For Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, who is marketing and communication director of an adventure travel and tour company, rising interest in astronomical activities and celestial events has led to the inclusion of more dark places in their packages. This has resulted in stargazing being included in the itinerary to tours to Taman Negara and Pulau Tioman, both in Pahang. However, the market has progressed to a point where they are able to organise trips solely dedicated to stargazing to locations like the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Pulau Mawar in Mersing, Johor, and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. 'We have organised over 30 astro tours since 2023 with each trip seeing about 50 participants. 'The average age of participants is between 25 and 70 years. 'Children whose parents are interested in astronomy and nature also tag along.' Muhammad Mustaqim said children made up 40% of total participants while teenagers formed 30% and adults 30%. 'In private tours, children make up between 20% and 30% of the number of participants,' he added. He also touched on challenges in ensuring a successful trip, with weather being the main one as it was beyond the organiser's control. Muhammad Jazlan Rozali, who runs a marketing consultancy business, said even if the weather was rainy or cloudy, the journey would ultimately be worth it. According to the social media ad campaigner, the best spots are the ones with very minimal light pollution, which means that most of these places are usually away from the city. 'People who like stargazing also love nature and activities like hiking and camping. 'During the night what can you do? Look at the sky, of course. 'To me, it is so beautiful; nothing compares to it,' he added. On how stargazing can be best promoted, Nurul Fatini Jaafar, rector of Akademi Falak Malaysia, an institution under Persatuan Falak Syar'i Malaysia, said it all boiled down to hands-on experience. The founder of Sahabat Langit Utara, a community organisation, said the Orang Asli have their own names for constellations and star patterns that are woven into their local folklore and stories. 'During my fieldwork with the Semelai Orang Asli at Tasik Bera, Pahang, I was thrilled to discover they have their own interpretations of Orion, Taurus and the Pleiades. 'Examples are bintang peyh (meaning spring spear trap) which is part of Orion, bintang jekat (wild boar's jaw) which is part of Taurus and bintang kerancong (mousedeer's dung) which refers to the Pleiades cluster.' Nurul Fatini suggested that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. She added that it was time for tourism players, such as tour guides and resort staff, to be trained in basic astronomy, so that they can offer enriching nighttime experiences alongside daytime tours. 'I also wish to see more film and animation studios producing impactful content that portrays stargazing and celebrates our local astronomy heritage. 'Just like Moana inspired young viewers to learn about ancient Polynesian way-finding and celestial navigation, we need a culturally rooted film or programme that will boost public interest in science and astronomy, just like how the Angkasawan programme once did. 'Local councils and faith-based centres should include stargazing into weekend or monthly community programmes,' she said.
The Star
08-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
UM foundation students shine
'ASK yourself where you want to be in 10 years, and which course will take you closer to that vision. Your answer will guide your journey.' That was Muhammad Umar Musa's advice when asked the message he wished to convey to recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers. The 19-year-old, who aspires to be an electrical engineer, has set his sights on pursuing a degree in electrical engineering after recently completing his foundation studies at Universiti Malaya (UM). He was among the outstanding students celebrated at the '2025 Golden Night Ceremony for Foundation Students', held by the varsity's Centre for Foundation Studies in Science (PASUM) at a hotel on May 3. The event served as a platform to honour students who excelled not only academically but also in leadership and co-curricular activities. Muhammad Umar, who hails from Johor, was named the Best Life Sciences Student. 'I believe the first step to success in any course is to develop a genuine interest in all subjects,' he told StarEdu. He also attributed his academic success to careful planning – studying upcoming topics, staying focused in class, and reviewing lessons each night. Outside the classroom, he participated in varsity events to connect with his peers, served on the cleanliness committee of his residential college block, and jogged in the evenings to stay fit. Another higher achiever, Ahmad Mahmood Abd Razak built his academic momentum by studying in focused environments like the library and creating his own notes – which became a hit among his friends. Named the Best Physical Sciences Student, he was active in campus life, joining the Entrepreneurship Club, taking on committee roles, and even emceeing the 'Inter-Foundation Debate 2025'. 'They helped me grow in leadership and communication,' he said. The 19-year-old Selangor native plans to pursue a career in actuarial science, combining his passion for mathematics and data analysis. On his advice to students, he had this to say: 'Ask yourself, 'Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?' 'The course you choose will shape your future emotionally, mentally and financially, so make that decision with self-awareness and intention,' he said. Best Social Sciences Student Tong Qian Yu also emphasised consistency and active engagement as keys to holistic student growth. 'I achieved success in my course by studying consistently, actively engaging in lectures, completing my tutorial exercises, and seeking clarification from lecturers when needed,' she said. The 19-year-old from Kuala Lumpur also experienced personal growth through activities such as participating in the Entrepreneurship Club, which helped her develop soft skills and confidence. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue an accounting degree. To SPM students, she advised: 'Listen to your heart, follow your passion, and go all out in whatever path you choose.' Congratulating all the students in his speech, UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, who officiated the ceremony, said PASUM is not merely an academic preparatory centre – it is a training ground for the soul. 'Here, students are nurtured not just in knowledge, but also in values,' he said. He also urged students to continue striving beyond this milestone. With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1 Where do you want to be in 10 years, and which course will take you closer to that vision? Reflect on this in a journal entry and then share your aspiration in class. 2 In pairs, role-play a senior student giving advice to a student on how to achieve holistic growth. What can you learn from other pairs' advice to apply to your own life? The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@ 'Take full advantage of every opportunity offered. This university needs talent like you – not just to fill seats, but also to elevate the institution to greater and more meaningful heights,' he said. Shasmeen Amirah, 19, a PASUM student, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
District Central, Bahria Club, Aram Bagh win
Several matches were decided in the Youm-e-Kashmir Rangers Cup Girls & Boys Basketball Tournament, being held at the International Abdul Nasir Basketball Court, Aram Bagh, in collaboration with Pakistan Rangers and KBA. In the boys' event, District Central secured a hard-fought and thrilling victory over District Malir with a narrow margin of 45-43 points. For the winning team, Raza Ahmed scored 15 points, Muhammad Umar added 13, and Saleem Chaudhry contributed 10 points. From the runner-up team, Usman Khawaja scored 14 points, Muhammad Hasnain 16, and Khan Muhammad 8 points. In the girls' event, KMA College defeated Soul Club by 9-5 while Bahria Club Green won against National Club by 8-5. In other girls matches, KMA White beat Karachi Colts by 12-6 while Aram Bagh overcame Government Degree Girls College White with a 13-10 victory. Several players showcased exceptional performances in these matches, including Mehwish Khan, Fiza, Atiqa, Anbia, Javeria, Kanza Ali, Manahil Khan, Laiba, Aqsa, Tayeba, Fatima, Aira, Ayesha Khan, and Amna Khan. The technical officials and referees for these matches included Aamir Sharif, Zahid Malik, Muhammad Ashraf, Christopher, Raj Kumari, Zaeema Khatoon, Zulfiqar Abbas Khan, and Usman Sheikh. Before the start of today's matches, players and KBA officials were introduced to CEO of Engineering Solutions Company, Saifullah Shakeel, and Muhammad Yousuf Abbas. Prominent personalities present on the occasion included Ghulam Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Farooq Bhatti, Tariq Hussain, and others.
