Latest news with #TheStar
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Cops nab illegal moneylender for seizing ATM cards of victims
MELAKA: What began as a desperate attempt by dozens of private sector workers here to make ends meet turned into a nightmare when an illegal money lender allegedly seized control of their salaries, withholding their hard-earned wages since March last year. Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said police arrested two suspects on Saturday (June 28), believed to be behind the scheme that saw 62 employees forced to survive on piecemeal handouts after deductions for loans and interest. "The two suspects, aged 56 and 26, admitted they were working for an agent and were paid RM2,500 monthly," he told The Star on Saturday (June 28). ACP Christopher Patit said the 26-year-old suspect had two previous convictions for drug offences and was found to be operating an unlicensed money lending operation from premises at Taman Merdeka Permai in Batu Berendam. "The licence they claimed to be operating under was registered to a gold and jewellery outlet at a different address in Taman Peringgit Jaya," he said. He added that the police raid on the Taman Merdeka Permai premises was carried out following intelligence gathered by his team. ACP Christopher Patit noted that among the items seized during the operation were 64 automated teller machine (ATM) cards, lease agreements, RM6,200 in cash, 13 mobile phones, and a list containing the names of borrowers. "The victims are wage earners in private companies, aged between 30 and 50 years," he said. ACP Christopher Patit said the suspects confessed to holding on to the victims' ATM cards in order to collect loan repayments, only returning the remainder of the salaries once the amounts owed had been deducted. He said the suspects are currently under remand as investigations continue under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 and Section 424A of the Penal Code, which pertains to the fraudulent retention of proceeds from the disposal of property. "We are also tracking down the main suspect who employed the two," he added.
The Star
8 hours ago
- General
- The Star
New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) entering the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh (right) and rector Rev Vincent Chin. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The newly opened Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan stands as a testament to Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier highlighted the church's location in the city centre, close to other religious houses of worship, as a reflection of the region's spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. "We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come," he said at the church's opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28). His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Abang Johari praised the collaborative spirit that brought the church to fruition, with the Catholic community working alongside friends and supporters from various faiths and backgrounds. He noted that the completion of the church demonstrated the power of a united community working towards a shared purpose and collective goodwill. "This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith," he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh described St Peter's Church as more than just a building, but a landmark of harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted the opening ceremony's diverse attendance, with people from different faiths contributing to peace and harmony. "So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. "Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project," he told reporters. The RM38mil church began construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations and received RM3mil from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) over three years, including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin explained that the building was inspired by the classical neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral. "In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood," he said. With a seating capacity for 1,000 people, the church's Gothic features include pointed spires, flying buttresses, arches, and stained glass windows. Chin noted that the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also mentioned that the tiles were produced by a local factory, while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist, and fittings by local artisans. "This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it," he said.
AsiaOne
9 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Girl, 13, dies after being flung from car, run over by another vehicle on Malaysian expressway
A young girl was killed after being flung from a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in an accident along KM189.1 of the North-South Expressway in the Malaysian town of Jasin on Friday (June 27). Iris Sofea Mohamed Siddiq Khan, 13, was one of nine passengers in the MPV that was en route to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, according to Malaysian publication The Star. Preliminary investigations revealed the vehicle suffered a burst tyre, reported the publication. "The 36-year-old driver subsequently lost control of the vehicle, which struck a guardrail along the expressway. The impact of the collision caused the victim to be ejected from the vehicle, landing on the opposite lane, where she was hit by another car," Jasin OCPD Supt Mohamad Rusli Mat was quoted as saying. Iris died at the scene at 7.54am while her 10-year-old sister suffered serious injuries. The other passengers, aged between 63 and four years old, sustained minor injuries. Both drivers were unscathed. In a Facebook post on the same day, Melaka Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He shared that he had visited the surviving victims who are being treated at Hospital Jasin. "The tragedy resulted in the death of the driver's 13-year-old daughter and serious injuries to his 10-year-old daughter, who is being treated in the red zone of Hospital Melaka," he said. According to reports, the incident is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing death by reckless or dangerous driving. syarifahsn@ [[nid:719105]]
The Star
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
JitFest 2025 spotlights 'Visits', a darkly comic take on three women's stories
After 22 years, the late Jit Murad's morbidly witty and emotionally layered play Visits returns to the stage with renewed force. This bold revival features a striking cast – Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda and Nadia Aqilah – breathing new life into a work that remains as sharp, unsettling, and relevant as ever. Presented by Dramalab and directed by Ida Nerina, the play is part of the year-long JitFest 2025, held in memory of the beloved Malaysian theatre icon, who died of a heart attack in 2022 at the age of 62. Visits will be performed at the Nero theatre space, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPac), 1 Utama Shopping Centre from June 20-29. Originally staged at The Actors Studio Box, Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka in KL in January 2002, this upcoming revival revisits the psychological and surreal layers of Jit's text while preserving his signature razor-sharp wit. 'Visits holds a mirror to everything we're almost afraid to admit – and makes us laugh through it. Jit wrote women like no one else: layered, contradictory, loving, cruel, and heartbreakingly human, perhaps even stronger than his male characters,' says Ida, who first stepped into directing for the stage with Visits all those years ago. The inaugural JitFest 2025, organised by Dramalab, honours the legacy of Jit Murad and keeps his memory alive through stage, storytelling, and celebration. Photo: The Star/Filepic It was part of the "Director's Workshop" series in 2001 organised by Five Arts Centre and The Actors Studio, with Ida participating as one of the directors. Back in February 2003, Ida also directed Visits at The Actors Studio Bangsar, as part of Dramalab's 10th anniversary celebrations. For Ida, Visits holds a special place – both as an actor and director – having been involved since its earliest iteration. She was part of the initial reading when Jit first presented the work as three short monologues at the British Council in Kuala Lumpur in 1994, alongside Liza Othman and Sukania Venugopal. The Visits story unfolds in a room at a high-end mental wellness facility, where the recovering Woman (Nabila), her relentless Sister-in-Law (Nadia), and the enigmatic Nurse (Sofia) engage in a tightly-wound power play. Together, they confront themes of mental health, class, motherhood, and the delicate balance between care and this new iteration, however, Ida hints that she's giving it 'a slightly different twist'. Sofia steps into the role of the Nurse in the upcoming staging of Jit Murad's 'Visits', bringing her own presence and perspective to one of the play's most emotionally grounded characters. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan 'The first couple of times I directed it, I kept it safe and stuck to the surface. So this time, I wanted to go deeper on the subject of mental health and mental well-being," says Ida. 'The humour is still very much there, there's no escaping it in a Jit Murad production, but I think the deeper layers of his intentions are also there now,' she adds. Even if Jit once called it a straightforward work, there's no such thing as a truly straightforward play in his world – only layers hidden in plain sight, waiting to be felt between the lines. "This is perhaps the simplest play I've written. Which isn't to say I don't love it as much as all the other plays I've have spawned. Let me try to explain what I mean by 'simple': I wasn't driven by too large a theme," wrote Jit in his playwright notes in the Jit Murad Plays drama anthology (2017). The weight we carry For Nabila, who's more often seen on screen in films and TV dramas, theatre offers a unique challenge – one she finds herself continually drawn back to. 'One of the things I love about theatre is that I can play multiple characters that I might not get to on screen. The vibe is totally different," says Nabila. 'In Visits, there's a lot of layers to 'Woman' – she's raw and wild and outspoken. But she also kept a lot of things to herself, which weighed her down. Portraying her highlighted to me the importance of speaking out,' she adds. For Nadia, Visits marks her return to the stage after a five-year hiatus, and stepping into the role of the Sister-in-Law carries added significance. Nabila plays The Woman in a restaging of Jit Murad's 'Visits', a sharp, surreal take on mental health, class, and the fine line between care and control. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan As a new mother, she feels a deeper connection to the emotional complexities of the character, and is grateful for the chance to re-enter theatre through a role that mirrors the contradictions and intensity of care, identity, and womanhood. 'Becoming a mother has changed my perspective on things, which influences how I take on my roles. I think I'm more empathetic now," says Nadia. 'In this version, we're trying to put a different spin on each character – humanise them and give them more nuance. So for Sister-in-Law, things aren't as they seem on the surface,' she adds. For Sofia, Visits is both familiar ground and fresh terrain. She first inhabited the role of the Sister-in-Law in the original 2002 staging, but returns now as the Nurse – an enigmatic presence in the play's psychological triangle. 'Before, Liza Othman's take was very motherly, like your typical 'makcik' next door. But when we read the script again, we realised that there's a darkness to the character that hasn't been fully explored yet in previous stagings," says Sofia. 'So hopefully we'll bring a fresh take that surprises those who saw the previous productions. And for first-time audiences, I think there'll be plenty that resonates –things that will feel relatable and spark conversations afterward,' she adds. For Nadia, 'Visits' marks her return to the stage after a five-year hiatus, and stepping into the role of the Sister-in-Law carries added significance. Photo: The Star/Glenn Guan In her director's notes for Visits in the Jit Murad Plays collection, Ida penned an insightful reflection on character work and Jit's writing: 'I learned relatively early on in my own acting career that a good character causes you to dig deep and find layers and layers, much like an onion. For me, Jit's women are always so interesting, to say the least. I believe he bases them on his own beloveds – his mother, aunts, sisters and friends – as they're all so perfectly imperfect.' On stage at PJPac this week, these roles will once again come alive – complex, flawed, and deeply human – a testament to how vividly Jit wrote the women in his life into his plays. Reaching out To support mental health awareness, organisers Dramalab will also hold a charity matinee on June 22. All the proceeds for the show will go towards the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) in support of its work in helping women and children in mental crisis. 'Even though we often struggle in securing funding for our shows, I felt that it was really important to give to those who might need it even more," says Ida. 'The play talks about different backgrounds, the dynamics of social class, of power play, of control, and also, for me, it's the mental health and child separation, which is why I thought MMHA would be a great beneficiary,' she adds. After the special matinee show, a short discussion will be held in collaboration with MMHA, exploring the experiences of living with mental illness as well as the perspective of a caregiver. Visits will be staged at Nero, PJPac, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya from June 20-29, with a special charity matinee show on June 22. More info here.
The Star
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
IAMM preps 'More Than A Day As A Tiger' exhibition on Tipu Sultan's legacy
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia's 'More Than A Day As A Tiger' exhibition, opening Aug 6, will showcase nearly 100 rare artefacts from its collection spotlighting the legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan of Mysore, India. Photo: The Star/Izzrafiq Alias This August, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM) in Kuala Lumpur unveils More Than A Day As A Tiger: The Legacy Of Haider Ali And Tipu Sultan Of Mysore — a major exhibition honouring two of 18th-century South Asia's most formidable figures. Running from Aug 6 to Jan 15, 2026, at IAMM's Special Gallery 2, the show features exhibits drawn entirely from IAMM's extensive collection. More Than A Day As A Tiger casts the spotlight on Haider Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, legendary rulers of Mysore whose defiance against British colonial power continues to echo through time. Through a display of nearly 100 artefacts and rare historical records, the exhibition will highlight their lasting legacy, remarkable military leadership, and cultural influence during a transformative era marked by resistance, resilience, and reform. Among the highlights: a gold tiger-head finial from Tipu Sultan's 18th-century throne, set with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Photo: IAMM 'Even though the reigns of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan lasted for less than 40 years, they made an indelible mark on the history of Britain and the Indian Subcontinent," outlines the exhibition notes. Tipu Sultan, famously dubbed the "Tiger of Mysore" by the British, became a powerful symbol of resistance when he fell defending his capital, Srirangapatna, in 1799. His death marked the collapse of Mysore and the triumph of the British East India Company, which looted his palace, weapons, court paintings and treasures. A priceless tiger-head finial, believed to be part of Tipu Sultan's legendary gold throne, is one of the exhibition's main highlights, alongside a flintlock blunderbuss (acquired by IAMM in 2005), which is lavishly decorated with bubri (tiger stripe) motifs and gold inlay. The historic weapon, manufactured at one of Tipu Sultan's armouries located in Patan (Srirangapatna), India by a local gunsmith around 1797, also bears a Persian inscription – a poem that extols its formidable power. The exhibits include an embroidered quiver and arm guards, a matching belt, and seven decorated arrows from 18th-century Mysore. Photo: IAMM IAMM's Tipu Sultan collection also includes an array of other weapons, including sporting guns, pistols and cannons. The exhibition also explores the symbolic use of the tiger across Tipu Sultan's military and personal belongings – from bubri-patterned swords and hilts to embroidered archery gear and quilted helmets. 'These artefacts will appear alongside archival documents, paintings, engravings, coins and much more. This collection testifies to the bravery of Tipu Sultan, who was famously associated with the quote, 'It is better to live like a tiger for a day, than to live like a jackal for 100 years,'' highlights the curatorial text. For history enthusiasts and curious minds, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a chapter that connects the Islamic world with South-East Asia's colonial past. More Than A Day As A Tiger marks IAMM's second major exhibition of the year, following the recently concluded Oceans That Speak: Islam And The Emergence Of The Malay World, which examined the historical and cultural impact of maritime trade on the spread of Islam and the shaping of the Malay world. A series of public programmes and activities will accompany IAMM's upcoming exhibition, offering visitors deeper insight into the legacy of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan.
