Latest news with #Yew

Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Johor MB To Visit Singapore Under Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship
By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz SINGAPORE, July 29 (Bernama) -- Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will undertake a three-day official visit to Singapore starting Wednesday, at the invitation of Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. Singapore's Foreign Ministry said Onn Hafiz will also be visiting under the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship (LKYEF). bootstrap slideshow Onn Hafiz is the 82nd Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow and the ninth from Malaysia. 'LKYEF, established since 1991, invites outstanding individuals to visit Singapore. The Fellows are chosen based on their track record and potential to contribute to the development of their nations and the strengthening of bilateral relations with Singapore,' the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. During the visit, Onn Hafiz is scheduled to call on Singapore Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, as well as Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. He will also meet with Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat, Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow, and LKYEF Chairman Lee Tzu Yang. 'He will receive briefings and make site visits related to urban development and hawker management,' the statement said. -- BERNAMA


The Star
14-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Ampang fishing challenge reels in 500 participants
Participants fishing during the Ampang Jaya Rod Challenge 2025 at Pandan Perdana Lake, Ampang.- Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPAJ) The Ampang Jaya Rod Challenge 2025, held at Pandan Perdana Lake, attracted about 500 anglers. First held in 2023, the event returned this year as part of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's (MPAJ) effort to promote the lake as an ecotourism attraction. It was organised by MPAJ with the MPAJ Zone 21 Residents Committee and Airfour Classic, with support from Tourism Malaysia. Yew (second from right) and Hasrolnizam holding the heaviest catch of 4.66kg 'ikan patin' by Muhammad Abdullah (left). With them are MPAJ council members. MPAJ said it served as a platform to bring the community together and would now be held annually. The programme was part of Visit Selangor 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns. The fishing competition ran from 8.30am to noon. In the heaviest catch category, Muhammad Abdullah Selamat from Beranang, Selangor, landed a 4.66kg ikan patin (a species of catfish) and won the RM4,000 grand prize. In second place was Mohd Ariffin Ahmad with a 2.865kg ikan patin, winning RM1,000. Participants fishing during the Ampang Jaya Rod Challenge 2025 at Pandan Perdana Lake, Ampang. — Courtesy photos(Left) The fishing competition serves as a platform to bring the community together. Ahmad Alakhiri Ayob came in third with a 1.865kg ikan keli (catfish), taking home RM700. Cash prizes of RM70 were awarded to participants who placed fourth to the 70th spot. Among the other species of fishes caught during the competition were lekoh (carp), baung (another species of catfish), tilapia, peacock bass and lampam (tinfoil barb). Teratai assemblyman Yew Jia Haur handed out the prizes. Also present were MPAJ deputy president and programme secretary Hasrolnizam Shaari. A lucky draw was also held for participants, featuring fishing equipment sponsored by Ryoko.


Metro
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders star's son, 2, rushed to hospital after eating ‘toxic' plant
Victoria Bye, the wife of EastEnders star James Bye, has opened up about a terrifying situation that saw their son rushed to hospital. Victoria and James have four children together called Edward, Louis, Hugo and Rufus. Over the weekend, Victoria took to her Instagram page Life With The Byes to reveal Rufus, who is 2, was rushed to hospital last week after eating a toxic but common plant found in UK gardens. She wrote: 'More of a public service announcement than a post really but as we all know, life with kids is anything but predictable. So, after spending the night in hospital (I swear they'll start charging us rent soon) after Rufus decided to snack on a plant in the garden — one I didn't even know was dangerous. All hell let loose. (full video in next post – wouldn't let me post here).' Victoria went on to reveal that within minutes of Rufus ingesting the plant, his 'tongue had started to swell', he was 'screaming' and they quickly had to call 999. She added: 'Thankfully he's absolutely fine now. But it turned out the culprit was Italian Arum, a really common plant with bright orange berries that looks innocent but is seriously toxic if ingested. 'I mean, I had no idea. And once I started looking into it… turns out there are loads of plants like that quietly minding their own (deadly) business in UK gardens. 'So, in true mum fashion, I made a list. For anyone else who didn't know either. Because no one needs that kind of adrenaline on a Tuesday afternoon.' Victoria's list features plants including Foxglove, Yew and Lily of the Valley. The list is incredibly helpful, as she's also notes the specific parts of the plants – such as bulbs or small flowers – that are the most toxic to humans. More Trending Victoria's husband James Bye left his role as Martin Fowler in EastEnders earlier this year. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Martin died in the show's live episode in February. As part of the anniversary, the Queen Vic exploded, putting multiple lives in danger. Martin became trapped under a beam and had to wait for the emergency services to remove it and free him. However, due to how long Martin was stuck, as the beam got removed, he suffered crush syndrome, which killed him. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. View More » MORE: EastEnders confirms Martin Fowler replacement on fruit and veg stall – and it's unexpected MORE: Emmerdale's Danny Miller pays loving tribute to 'beautiful' pregnant wife Steph MORE: Emmerdale legend reunites with co-star just months after TV exit


The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
A mew-seum of wonders: PJ art shop wants you to rediscover your inner child
If you've ever wished you could walk into a meme, Mew Movement in Petaling Jaya, Selangor might just be the place. Hidden on the second floor of a shophouse in SS2, this playful spot mixes art, pop culture, and pastel nostalgia behind a quirky elevator-style door. Founded by young 'art-trepreneurs' Melissa Ng and Yew Yiqin in 2021, Mew Movement carries an assortment of artworks, handicrafts and fun little knickknacks (stickers, postcards, washi tape, etc) – all designed by the duo. 'Melissa and I have been friends since high school, and though we went on to study at different colleges, we still kept in touch,' says Yew, 26. During the pandemic, when everything slowed down, they decided to start their own small business. And so the indie-minded Mew Movement was born – a blend of Ng and Yew's names, built on their shared dream of spreading joy through art. The ghost-like character which Ng and Yew call 'Mew', features prominently in a lot of their artwork. The shop's mascot is a ghost-like character named Mew. 'It's not actually a ghost, but a person who's pretending to be a ghost, because we all hide parts of ourselves, but we want people to know that at Mew Movement, it's okay to just be yourself,' says Yew. In its first year, Mew Movement sold online and built a social media following, but soon saw the need for a physical space to reach more people. 'We also wanted to offer a place where people could hang out – a space to have fun and be happy,' says Ng. Renting in a busy commercial area is tough for independents, so Mew Movement also joins art markets – aiming for at least two a month, says Yew. Mew Movement often pops up at art markets, like this one at Makers Hall, Central Market. — Mew Movement Mew Movement has popped up all over the Klang Valley, including at Central Market, Pingmin Market and Comic Fiesta. It made its Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair debut in May 2025 with a mini version of its shop – packed with visitors. Thankfully, a small team of part-timers helped when things got busy. Beyond the transactional For Ng and Yew, Mew Movement was always meant to be more than just a shop – they wanted it to feel like an experience for everyone who walks in. 'We don't want to just sell things – we want to go beyond the transactional and make a kind of third space where people can linger and hang out with friends, so we created this area inside the shop called the 'Mewracle',' says Yew. The Mewracle section of the shop is something like a pop-up installation, which changes its concept every two to three months. Previous Mewracles include 'Mew Sushi House', featuring handmade tufted coasters that look like plates of sushi on a kaiten belt, and 'Mewsic Box', where the duo made their version of a record shop with album covers and a jamming area. Mew Movement's current Mewracle, 'Mew Cake Shop', runs until July 27. – Mew Movement 'It's our biggest canvas. When we were planning out the shop's layout, we knew that we wanted something that kept changing. Best of all, it's free for people to come and enjoy,' says Ng. 'One of our most popular was 'Picnic with Monet' in February last year,' says Yew, who has dabbled with animation work. 'People could actually picnic in the space – we hand-painted panels so it felt like sitting inside a Monet painting.' The quirky idea won them several new loyal fans. The current Mewracle, Mew Cake House, is styled like a cheerful cake shop. Ng and Yew created socks in ice cream tubs and pop-up cake cards with icing stickers to match. It runs at the shop until July 27. 'Our goal with this Mewracle was to bring the ice cream stand from our Eslite pop-up to our shop regulars, so we went with a sweets and desserts theme,' says Ng, who has a background in interior architecture. Mew Movement is also known for its 'Live Drawing Photo Booth'. While planning the shop's layout, Ng and Yew knew that they wanted to dedicate a space for the 'Live Drawing Photo Booth'. At first glance, it looks like a regular photo booth – but instead of a camera, Yew or Ng (hidden behind a screen) sketches your portrait on the spot in just five to 10 minutes. Can't visit in person? They open online slots via social media, where you send a photo and get your hand-drawn likeness by mail. And if you'd like to send a note to your future self (or someone else), there's a wall with 12 mailboxes – one for each month. Just write a postcard, choose a month, and it'll be mailed out then. Forging connections In their work, Ng and Yew tap into pop culture – TV shows, movies, music, and viral memes – for playful, relatable inspiration. 'We're often inspired by our own experiences and whatever is trending that gets stuck in our head,' says Ng. Beyond creative expression, the duo also aim for their work to bring a sense of lightness and joy. 'Whether at a booth or the shop, I like talking to people who connect with our work,' says Yew. 'It's nice hearing their stories and realising even strangers share similar feelings and experiences.' Mew Movement offers an assortment of artworks, handicrafts and fun little knickknacks, such as stickers, postcards, washi tape, socks and phone cases – all designed by Ng and Yew themselves. One of Mew Movement's regulars, Faith Lai, 23, calls the shop 'an art paradise'. 'As an art student myself, I like seeing other people's art – it lights up my day when I'm feeling down. I try to visit Mew Movement at least once a month, and I like to bring different friends each time, as I love to watch them trying to figure out how to get into the shop,' says Lai with a laugh. She adds that the Mewracles section is her favourite part of the shop, as the artwork changes every few months. 'At this point, I think I've spent like RM400-RM500 here since I first started visiting. Everything is just so cute and relatable,' says Lai. As a space that blends art gallery and design studio, Yew says they never expected Mew Movement to come this far. 'To be honest, we were just thinking about giving it a year or so to see how it went. But now it's been four years, and we still feel like there's so much for us to play around and experiment with. 'We didn't expect such strong demand for art or how willing people are to spend on fun, cute things,' says Yew. 'But if our work or shop brightens someone's day, that makes us happy too.' Their current goal? To have Mew Movement become a must-visit stop for pop culture visitors, like Bangkok's Daddy And The Muscle Academy, a hipster paradise shop. 'If you ever feel stressed or burdened, you can come here to escape for a bit. You don't have to buy anything, just come and enjoy the art,' concludes Ng. Instagram: @mewmovement.


The Star
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
SST exit door opens for some
PETALING JAYA: Following last-minute revisions to the Sales and Service Tax (SST) that include an increased threshold for certain sectors, affected registered businesses are allowed to revoke their SST registration. A Finance Ministry spokesperson said that companies that have registered for SST but are affected by the revision announced on Friday can file for deregistration. The spokesperson told The Star that the deregistration application could be made to the Customs Department. The ministry also said that the audit requirements for deregistration remain. However, a partner at Owen KLCA PLT Christine Koh said that this would be an additional administrative burden for businesses that had taken earlier steps to register. 'Some businesses in newly expanded areas that are not aware of the Finance Ministry's interpretation (of the law) are worried that they would be subject to a penalty if they did not charge SST from tomorrow. 'They may have registered in June. However, due to the increase of the threshold, these businesses may need to apply for deregistration, if not, they would be regarded as voluntary registration and need to comply with SST requirements,' she added. ALSO READ: Experts urge SST delay to ease transition pains Koh said that businesses are required to provide supporting documents, which include audit reports, to prove their annual turnover is below the revised threshold if they plan to deregister from SST. She added that only after the deregistration by the Customs Department is approved, the business is no longer required to charge or remit the tax. Koh added that the affected businesses that did not apply for deregistration would need to continue charging SST and remit the tax to the Customs Department. On Friday, the Finance Ministry announced revisions on the expanded SST, which is due to begin tomorrow. Among others, the annual sales threshold for mandatory Service Tax registration has been raised from RM500,000 to RM1mil for leasing, rental, and financial services. Koh suggested that the implementation of the expanded SST be deferred to next year, to ensure businesses are better prepared with the last-minute changes. Among those in dilemma was a property investor who only wanted to be known as Madam Yew, who had expanded her rental business and registered for SST earlier. 'I keep to the law and pay my taxes because I want the banks to lend me more money for more investments. 'I predicted my rental business hitting the half-million mark later this year and quickly registered for SST,' said Yew, who owns several commercial properties. Yew said she was told deregistration should be done since the turnover threshold has been revised. 'I was told I may need an audit before I can deregister. I don't know what to do now,' she said, adding that she would wait for her accountant's advice. Tax expert Thenesh Kannaa of TRATAX said that any business that has already added rental to its list of taxable services in the mySST portal may update their profiles to remove rental from the list of taxable services, provided the annual value of taxable services is below RM1mil. 'For businesses which are not service tax registered, the option to apply for registration for new services was only open from June 28, as they are given leeway until Aug 31 to apply for registration and start charging SST from Sept 1 onwards. 'Given that the announcement for the higher threshold was already made on Friday, there should not be cases of redundant applications for registration,' he said. Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong said the Customs Department would do its due diligence to ensure that companies fulfil the requirements. 'However, in any case, if the company had already registered and find out later that their products or services are exempted, they can file for deregistration,' he said. Koong also proposed that the expanded SST should be delayed to January next year to allow smoother implementation. He said the six-month period should be adequate for the government to get feedback and better communicate their policies to the businesses. 'We also hope that the government does not provide us with piecemeal information which could confuse businesses and the public,' he added.