Latest news with #Sarawak-born
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Sinar Daily
'Tumpik', traditional Melanau pancake that delights the palate
Tumpik is made from sago flour and grated coconut, with a bit of salt added to enhance the flavour. 20 Jul 2025 11:00am Tumpik, a traditional Sarawak delicacy, once served as a staple during the British colonial era. More than just a snack, it can be enjoyed with various fillings such as shrimp, fish, and gula apong (palm sugar), as showcased during the launch of Serumpun Sarawak. Photo by Bernama BEHIND its crispy exterior and chewy interior, tumpik - a traditional pancake from Sarawak made from sago and coconut - is rarely featured in the mainstream culinary scene. According to Sarawak-born chef Laura Bara Sim, this ethnic dish from the Melanau community may appear simple in terms of ingredients and appearance but it carries deep cultural and historical value. Sim, who actively promotes Sarawak's culinary heritage, said tumpik is made from sago flour and grated coconut, with a bit of salt added to enhance the flavour. "It has a slightly salty and creamy taste of coconut, with a chewy inside and a crispy outer layer. Simple but delicious,' she told Bernama recently after a cooking demonstration held in conjunction with a press conference on 'Serumpun Sarawak', a cultural and gastronomy exhibition to spotlight Sarawak's indigenous food heritage and organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and the Sarawak Tourism Board. Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (second from left) prepares a traditional Sarawak dish called Tumpik, guided by Chef Laura Bara Sim during the launch of Serumpun Sarawak at a hotel recently. Photo by Bernama The chef, who is of mixed Iban and Bidayuh descent, also noted that one of the unique aspects of tumpik is that no oil is used in its preparation; instead, it is cooked on a non-stick pan. "The sago and coconut mixture just needs to be lightly pressed onto the pan and left to cook slowly. Once the bottom turns crispy, that's the sign that the tumpik is ready to be served,' she said. Once a staple food, especially during the British colonial era in Sarawak, tumpik can be eaten as it is or with added fillings such as shrimp or fish, or palm sugar. "Sago trees are abundant in Sarawak, so the people there produce flour from the trunks and turn it into various foods. "In Peninsular Malaysia, the Sarawak dishes people often hear about are usually Sarawak laksa or ayam pansuh. But tumpik remains relatively unknown, possibly because it is rarely sold commercially,' she said. She believes that tumpik could become one of Sarawak's iconic dishes, much like Sarawak layer cake and laksa, if given wider promotion at food festivals, cafes or hotels. Tumpik, a traditional Sarawak delicacy, once served as a staple during the British colonial era. More than just a snack, it can be enjoyed with various fillings such as shrimp, fish, and gula apong (palm sugar), as showcased during the launch of Serumpun Sarawak. Photo by Bernama "In addition to its great taste, one of the strengths of tumpik is its easily available ingredients and simple preparation process, making it a suitable choice for breakfast or afternoon tea or as a light snack at home,' she said. She also said that as one of over 160 Sarawak dishes to be showcased at 'Serumpun Sarawak' in Osaka, Japan, from Aug 5 to 8, tumpik reflects the unique identity of the Melanau people and their adaptation to natural resources, especially the sago tree, which thrives in coastal areas. She added that the initiative to bring Sarawak food to the international stage not only introduces Borneo's gastronomic culture to the world but also opens up opportunities for local entrepreneurs to explore the commercial potential of this underrepresented ethnic heritage. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Star
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Get up close and personal with Dayang Nurfaizah
SINGER Dayang Nurfaizah is set to present an exclusive showcase for her loyal fans titled Janji With Dayang this August and September. Kosmo! reported that the performances in Penang and Kuala Lumpur will highlight songs from her latest album Janji, released late last year. 'This showcase is very close to my heart. I've long dreamed of hosting a performance that feels more personal and exclusive, but in an open venue instead of a traditional auditorium,' she said. The 43-year-old Sarawak-born singer said the set list will feature tracks from Janji and other popular songs from her career. Dayang said there will be no surprise collaborations but two young artistes, Anwar Hamzah and Naki, will be opening the shows. 'There's so much emerging talent out there and I'm glad I can offer them this platform,' she said. 'This won't be a grand concert with gimmicks or surprises. What I can promise is an honest, heartfelt performance where I'll give my best,' Dayang added. > Undocumented migrants are flocking to Pangsapuri Putra Permai Selesa in Seri Kembangan, causing a stir among long-time residents, Harian Metro reported. A resident known as Ali, 45, said the influx of foreign tenants, mostly from the Rohingya community, began about a decade ago. Most units are rented out for between RM700 and RM1,000 per month, Ali said, adding that their presence are disruptive. 'At night, they come out and gather in front of their units, chatting loudly or even arguing with their spouses. Sometimes, there are even fights,' he added. Residents hope the authorities and landlords will take the issue more seriously before the situation worsens. The above article is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with this ' >'sign, it denotes a separate news item.
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
'Pray for my Adeline,' pleads husband after police helicopter crash
JOHOR BARU: Corporal Adline Liu Yan Siu, 32, who survived the recent helicopter crash in Gelang Patah, had only tied the knot two months ago. Her husband, Corporal Mohd Helmie Huzairie Sabli, 34, who serves with the Serdang district police headquarters in Selangor, said they married on May 20. "She's a (Muslim) convert. We'd known each other for nearly nine years before she joined the Air Operations Force," he told the Mediaprima group when contacted today. The Sarawak-born officer was one of five crew members aboard the police's AS355N helicopter that crashed near Sungai Pulai on Thursday. The incident occurred during a flypast multi-agency simulation for the Nuclear Security Detection Exercise Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore 2025. Helmie said he had rushed from Selangor to Johor Baru upon learning of the crash, arriving at Sultanah Aminah Hospital about 3pm that same day. Now on the third day of treatment, Adline has fully regained consciousness and is no longer dependent on a ventilator. "She started talking about 3pm yesterday. Her lungs are functioning well, and doctors are monitoring a spinal fracture," he said, adding that her swollen kidney glands did not require surgery. Helmie thanked the public for their prayers and asked for continued support for his wife and the other crew members. Earlier, Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim said the only crew member still sedated in the hospital's intensive care unit is Constable RG. Devendran, 30. Adline remains in the ICU but is stable, while the remaining three crew members have been transferred to regular wards.
Borneo Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Welfare Dept SOP gives baby hatch users one-month window to reclaim children, says Fatimah
Fatimah speaks to reporters during the press conference. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 8): The Welfare Department offers mothers who use baby hatch facilities in the state a period of one month to reclaim their children, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. The Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister clarified that this was part of the department's standard operating procedure (SOP) and not an attempt to expose or punish mothers. 'There have been cases where mothers returned after reconsidering. 'We want to give them that opportunity, while also ensuring the baby's legal and welfare matters are in order,' she told a press conference here today. Fatimah was addressing public concern following a recent case involving a baby boy left at Borneo Medical Centre's (BMC) baby hatch, where the Welfare Department had issued a call for the biological mother to come forward. She pledged that confidentiality is guaranteed and the department's future announcements would include clear wording to reassure mothers of this. 'If the mother comes forward, we can arrange a private meeting — just her and me, no JKM staff. 'If she agrees, we will then bring in JKM and the adoptive family to proceed. Everything can be done in one day, discreetly,' Fatimah said. She explained that if no one claims the child after one month, the department would take custody of the baby, register the birth under unknown parents, and apply for Malaysian citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution. In these cases, the baby's birth certificate will state 'no information' for the biological parents, and the nationality field will initially be 'not determined'. However, if the mother steps forward voluntarily, the citizenship process is much faster and the child can immediately be registered as a Malaysian citizen. Fatimah also confirmed that, under a policy approved by the State Cabinet, a baby adopted through this process can be granted the 'K' status in their MyKad – identifying them as a Sarawakian – if one or both adoptive parents are Sarawak-born. 'Even when the biological parents are unknown, we want the child to belong. If raised by Sarawakians, the child should rightfully be recognised as part of our society,' she said. She urged the public to be more understanding and trust in the confidentiality and humanity behind the baby hatch concept. She said the facilities are not intended to encourage out-of-wedlock pregnancies but to provide a safe, anonymous option for mothers in crisis to surrender their newborns. 'Baby hatch is not a tool to promote irresponsible behaviour. It is a lifesaving option born out of compassion and necessity,' she stressed. 'Our duty is not to punish, but to save lives – the life of the child and the life of the mother.' Fatimah explained that baby hatch facilities ensure babies are not abandoned in unsafe places such as rubbish bins or toilets, which pose serious risks to their survival. 'When a baby is placed in a baby hatch, an alarm is triggered and trained personnel will immediately attend to the baby, ensuring the child's safety and medical needs,' she said. She noted that the first baby hatch in Sarawak was set up by KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital in 2017, saving five babies to date. After KPJ relocated in 2020, operations were temporarily halted pending identification of a suitable new site. A new baby hatch was established at BMC here in October 2023 as part of its corporate social responsibility. So far, two babies have been safely surrendered – one in March 2024 and another in June this year. baby hatch fatimah abdullah lead Welfare Department
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Bonnie beats Jesus to powerlifting gold at World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Para powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin continued his dominance in the sport, winning the men's 72kg gold medal at the World Cup in Beijing on Sunday. The Sarawak-born clinched the gold with a best lift of 215kg, finishing ahead of Cuba's Jesus Cuevas Cisneros (175kg) and India's Ramubhai B. Bhambava (151kg). However, Bonnie's effort was way off his world record of 232kg set at the Paris Paralympics last year. - Bernama
