Latest news with #Shoon
Arab Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Know Your Legal Rights in Kuwait: Absconding Threats After Termination
Dear Arab Times legal team I was terminated by my previous employer, with my last working day being May 2, 2025. Fortunately, I secured new employment right away and began working with my current company on May 4, 2025. I'm presently in the middle of my 100-working-day probation period and have completed around 2.5 months so far. However, the HR manager from my former company is now threatening to file an absconding case against me if I don't transfer my residency by the end of this week. Given that I was officially terminated (and have a termination letter as proof), can she legally take such action? And if she proceeds with filing an absconding report, what steps should I take to protect myself? Answer: No, your ex-employer cannot legally file an absconding case if: You were terminated (which you were — and have a termination letter). You are not illegally absent, i.e., you did not disappear from work without notice. However, some unethical companies do abuse the absconding system to pressure former employees. Here's how it works and what you can do. Kuwait Labor Law Overview (Private Sector): 1. Residency & Work Permit Transfer: After termination, the employer is legally obligated to cancel your work permit or transfer it to a new employer within 90 days of the permit expiry or cancellation notice. You are not considered "absconding" if your old employer terminated you and you have documentation. 2. Absconding Case (Article 42 of the Labor Law): The law allows an employer to report an employee only if the employee stopped reporting to work without informing them and has not been found for 7 consecutive days. You were terminated, and you have a termination letter. You're working for a new company. Therefore, this doesn't apply. 3. The Threat: If your ex-HR manager files an absconding case despite terminating you, she's making a false report, which is illegal under Kuwaiti law. However, you must act fast to protect yourself. What You Should Do Now: 1. Transfer Your Residency ASAP: You're nearing the 90-day mark. Your new employer must complete the residency transfer this week if possible. This will close the door to any threats. 2. Keep All Evidence Safe: Your termination letter, WhatsApp chats or emails, your new work contract, and anything showing you're currently working — keep them ready. 3. Visit Shoon (Ministry of Labor): If she files an absconding case, go immediately to the Labor Ministry or Immigration and present your termination letter and proof of new employment. The case can be canceled if proven false, and hers can be legally challenged. 4. Have Your New Company HR Assist: Ask your current employer's HR to expedite your transfer and help in case anything is reported. They can also provide documentation showing your employment started May 4, 2025. .
Hype Malaysia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
'Mandalorians In Malaysia' Uncovers Malaysia's Hidden Spots In The Most Star Wars Way Possible
'May the 4th be with you', as all Star Wars fans are chanting worldwide! The official Star Wars Day comes to a close this week (4th May 2025), and dedicated fans have lived up to the day. With tribute posts and cosplays, Instagram and Twitter were riddled with the 4th of May references, but these Mandalorian fans have taken it a step further. Meet Mandalorians in Malaysia, your newest unconventional travel guides to Malaysia's hidden gems, conquering the scene in Mandalorian fashion. One look at their postings on Instagram will give you an insight into their unique selling point; their character cameos in each post directed from their point of view. Launched in 2024 by Shoon and his team, the page is dedicated to their shared love of Malaysia. As explained in the captions of the first post, 'It all started from our love of Malaysia, and how we wanted to share that love of our country and its many hidden gems with our friends and family. We hope to bring you that with this platform, but with a twist'. Each post is beautifully crafted and photographed in a movie-like scene featuring the stellar scenery of Malaysia's hidden gems, such as 'Pantai Mek Mas' in Kota Bahru and the Algontory Stable located in Jeram. Working with a team of 8 and himself, the 'Malaysian Mandalorians' track through lush forests and, of course, hot sun with full costumes. Aside from showcasing each place, the team also provides information on how to access these hidden, uncharted spots for others to come and experience as well. Highlighting their most iconic scene at 'Pantai Mek Mas', Shoon says, 'The journey there was an experience itself, but spotting the great sand dune upon arrival as it slowly got taller and taller really was… eye-opening'. Fans of the account who meet Shoon and his team during conventions often remark on the authenticity of each shot, linking it to either AI or a green screen, where a dive into the account will prove them wrong, as most posts are accompanied by a reel of the team going on the expedition. In true Mandalorian fashion, Mandalorians in Malaysia definitely showed us that 'This is the way' to experience and discover what our country has in store for us right under our noses! What do we think about Mandalorians in Malaysia? Source: The Star, Instagram Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
The Star
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Star Wars fans lead the way to Malaysia's hidden gems
'Uncovering hidden gems of Malaysia' – so goes the bio on Mandalorians In Malaysia's Instagram profile (my_mandos). Scroll through the posts and it's immediately apparent that this is no ordinary travel account. Sure, it lives up to its declaration of uncovering the country's hidden gems, but it does so in quite an unconventional way. In every one of its photo or reel, there are two figures (sometimes more) dressed in armour, replete with helmet and cape. Those unfamiliar with the Star Wars franchise might be scratching their heads at this sight, but for fans, especially of The Mandalorian TV series, the figures are easily identifiable. That's its unique point: It showcases the hidden gems in Malaysia through the travels of these Star Wars characters. 'I've always liked the Mandalorian concept and 'culture', starting from when I was four or five years old through the original Mando, Boba Fett,' says Calvin Shoon, 24, the man behind the travel team. 'Fast forward to the end of 2020, 'Mandomania' was at an all-time high with the end of The Mandalorian Season 2. It was then that I decided to commission a Mandalorian cosplay to fulfil this childhood dream of mine.' The Malaysian Mandalorians In 2024, Shoon finally launches the travel platform. The first post, dated July 12, is captioned: 'It all started from our love of Malaysia, and how we wanted to share that love of our country and its many hidden gems with our friends and family. We hope to bring you that with this platform, but with a twist...' And what a twist it is – immediately garnering attention both online and in real life. It is quite the spectacle to witness Shoon and his team wandering around in their costumes, enthusiastically combing the country for places whose quiet beauty deserves a shoutout. 'In the beginning, when the team was smaller, I handled almost all the planning and execution,' says Shoon, adding that Google Maps was his go-to during the researching stage. 'I would pick a place and plot my journey from there. As I reviewed the routes, I would also check out any places of interest nearby.' Now, with a bigger team of eight including himself, '... more research is put in to give the team a further understanding of not just the production flow, but also the local history and culture, and the people.' Shoon (second from right) with his Mandalorians In Malaysia team. Some of the places they have highlighted are Pulau Mawar Sea Arch in Johor, Zi Xia Cave in Kelantan and Marang Wave Breaker in Terengganu. Aside from simply showcasing the beauty of each place, they also provide information on how to reach these off-the-beaten-path destinations. Take the sea arch for example. It is only accessible outside of the monsoon season because between October and March, the sandbar that connects the island to the beach (Pantai Mawar) will be submerged underwater. Getting to the arch requires a bit of hiking, but the team's documentation proves that the effort is well worth it. 'The journey there was such a unique experience,' Shoon recalls. 'We had to cross a temporary land bridge, followed by a hike through the jungle... only to come upon a majestic view of the South China Sea through Johor's best kept secret: The Sea Arch.' He cites the arch as one of the more memorable places they've visited. Another one, Pantai Mek Mas in Kelantan, also left a lasting impression on them as well as their fellow Star Wars fans. 'The journey there was an experience itself, but spotting the great sand dune upon arrival as it slowly got taller and taller really was... eye-opening,' he shares. Since the climb up the dune was challenging, due to the soft sands that gave way with each step, he adds, 'It really was like travelling through the desert. The overwhelming heat from the midday sun really helped sell the illusion too.' Interestingly, it looked so convincing that some fans don't just believe they're in a desert, these fans go so far as to think that the Kota Baru destination is, in fact, 'a blue screen of Tatooine'. That's how similar it appears to the fictional desert planet. Pantai Mek Mas is often mistaken by Star Wars fans as a blue screen of Tatooine. Shoon shares that this was among the comments they received when they had the chance to meet other Star Wars fans in person. 'Often, when we are 'boothing', we receive comments and questions asking if some of our work was Artificial Intelligence, CGI or a screenshot of the show,' he says. 'We couldn't be prouder. Not just of our work but also of our beautiful country!' The 'boothing' he refers to are when he and his team set up booths at events – such as AsiaPopcon 2024 and the annual Star Wars gathering at Jaya One Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor – where they would 'try to spread the word of these places with a pop-up style of photo exhibition'. Other than the high quality of their work, another feedback they typically receive is from locals who are surprised that these otherworldly places exist in Malaysia. Leading the way Piquing fellow Malaysians' interest to travel more and discover what our country has to offer is precisely the goal Shoon had in mind. He even cheekily uses the tagline 'Ini arahnya' for the travel account. It is a play on the popular Mandalorian saying: 'This is the way'. via GIPHY 'It is a localisation of the famous catchphrase to give it that intimate and familiar touch. It also happens to be a tongue-in-cheek way of 'showing the way' to these exotic places,' Shoon explains. Setting up the platform was not without its challenges. Unfortunately, just like Din Djarin having to face many hurdles in The Mandalorian , Shoon too would have his to overcome. As he mentioned, 2020 was a good time for the Pedro Pascal-starring TV series, with the second season even outperforming the already successful first season (launched in 2019). So, for Shoon, it was a good time to be a fan. But let's not forget that, at the same time, there was a global pandemic wreaking havoc. Many lives were lost to the Covid-19 virus, and among them were Shoon's parents. 'They were the first people I wanted to show off my new costume to. Something they would, sadly, never get to see,' he shares. To deal with his grief and take his mind off the outbreak, Shoon spent his time scrolling through posts of places he wished to visit once lockdowns and travel bans were over. This was what truly sparked the idea of 'a travelling Mando exploring the limitless wonders of Malaysia'. The eventual formation of the travel account helped in lifting Shoon's spirits. Unbeknown to him, it will go on to touch other lives as well. Star Wars fans are often excited to spot them filming their content. The most memorable of these reactions, he mentions, was when they visited the last remaining match factory in Malaysia. The Mandos posing in front of Malaysia's last match factory. Initially appearing sans costumes at the factory in Kota Baru, the workers were later elated to see the team return with some of them decked up in their Mando gear. Grinning the widest was a man named 'Muharez'. 'We noticed a Mando helmet, hung on the wall at his desk!' Shoon enthuses. 'We got to know that he personally crafted the helmet via 3D printing, and got to learn more about the factory and life in Kota Baru through him personally. 'I like to think that we made his day. Connections like these are really what motivate us to do more, to do better,' he adds. So, in spite of the mosquito bites they endure when they traverse through forests, or risking heat stroke in their costumes while filming under the blazing sun, Shoon and his team continue to be passionate in sharing Malaysia's hidden beauty in their own Mando way.
