Francisca Cruz

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Social

COVID-19

Youth

Post-pandemic life

Lifestyle

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused big changes to society and after a good two years, seems like everything is slowly going back to &lsquo;normal&rsquo;, but the question is: what exactly is the new normal?
It took me some time to fully process and grasp the whole situation, and the same goes for every single other person on earth, as our initial reactions towards the pandemic was just pure confusion and a huge amount of overwhelmingness. Why&rsquo;s that? Because the coronavirus had essentially taken control over everything, including our relationships with people, how we work, and how we learn and educate ourselves.
Good news is that we know this pandemic won&rsquo;t last forever, but when exactly will it be completely gone?
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659406936/unsigned/gvbdan15atpgdigefpme.jpg" alt="" width="664" height="586" />
On the brighter side of things, as more and more people get their double vaccinations and their booster shots, we can now clearly see that there have been some positive changes happening around the world with the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths finally dying down.
Countries worldwide are also finally reopening their borders, schools and universities are going on hybrid mode, and events are now resuming in full force, allowing us to finally have one-to-one interactions with others after dealing with such heavy health protocols that were imposed on us for far too long.
But what happens next? Do we just pick up where we left off in March 2020? Or have things completely changed?
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659407694/unsigned/uvkitkjtxjgk0at6unbr.png" alt="" width="722" height="510" />
The truth of the matter is nobody knows exactly what is coming next in our lives, and there is still a big amount of uncertainty of how our current and future situations will turn out.
What does employment look like after COVID? What about learning? Friendships? Faith? Has people&rsquo;s views and understandings on public health forever changed?
I asked 5 young adults to dive into their personal experiences and share an aspect of their lives which they think was the most heavily affected by the pandemic.
&nbsp;
<h1 style="text-align: center;">1. Health<img style="float: left;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659407814/unsigned/rkhcez74ck1h9mpya30n.png" alt="" width="223" height="223" /></h1>
&ldquo;Some of my housemates were so scared, they even requested to stay somewhere else to avoid me,"
- Leann, 21,&nbsp; Malaysia
Hygiene has always been a part of our daily routines, however with the pandemic, everyone has definitely stepped up their game when it comes to keeping themselves sanitized, and that was certainly the case with Leann.
As someone with OCD, Leann describes her past and current hygiene practices to be almost similar, however now she has become even more &lsquo;obsessed with cleanliness.&rsquo;
Why's that? Despite getting fully vaccinated, washing her hands regularly and always using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, Leann still got tested positive for COVID-19 after the MCO.
&ldquo;I would say there is not much of a difference when it comes to my hygiene practices then and now because back then, like even before COVID happened, I was already someone who had OCD. I fear germs and contamination, so I&rsquo;ll always have to sanitize my hands after I touched something,&rdquo; says Leann.
She also adds on how her positive COVID results came as a huge surprise, especially when she takes almost all of the necessary measures to avoid and prevent the COVID-19 virus. &ldquo;When I got Covid, I was so surprised. I couldn&rsquo;t remember when was the last time I didn&rsquo;t sanitize my hands or change my clothes. I felt lost at that time as I was away from my family, and I had no one to take care of me.&rdquo; &nbsp;
To make things even more difficult, Leann admits that she felt &ldquo;bad and discriminated&rdquo; because of her positive Covid results, which had caused much fear within her unit, to the point where &ldquo;they {housemates} even requested to stay somewhere else to avoid me.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h1 style="text-align: center;">2. Education<img style="float: right;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659408072/unsigned/omnzq8chh3jb5y0tn4mk.png" alt="" width="239" height="243" /></h1>
&ldquo;The biggest difficulty for me would be how easily I got distracted in my online classes.&rdquo;
- Dina, 24,&nbsp; Maldives
COVID-19 brought big changes to our current education systems, forcing us to shift away from traditional methods, and adjusting ourselves to all things digital. For some, that was not much of a transition, but for many others the digital adaptation was a big obstacle to tackle due to the lack of educational resources, internet stability, and technological proficiency.
Meet Dina, the 24-year-old who decided to come all the way to Malaysia, from the small islands in the Maldives. Why? In her case, the biggest issue was the time difference, and her inability to concentrate in online classes due to internet problems. Totally can relate!&nbsp;
&ldquo;Learning from home was difficult as it made me lose concentration in class very easily. There were also issues with the internet, which meant I was often late to join class or oftentimes get logged out in the middle of the lesson.&rdquo; says Dina.
For many international students, keeping up with online classes does not only mean being able to attend classes or understand the content that is being taught, but also having to deal with different time zones. The time differences can be a hassle, especially when your country is a few hours behind Malaysian time, which is the case for Dina who's from the Maldives, an island where it is three hours behind Malaysia. That means if a class was at 9AM MYT, for Dina that would be an early class starting at 6AM dawn.
&nbsp;
<h1 style="text-align: center;">3. Relationships &amp; Family <img style="float: left;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659408453/unsigned/nzelipmdffs7clb6int8.png" alt="" width="248" height="248" /></h1>
&ldquo;It was really hard for me to make new friends because I&rsquo;m not much of a &lsquo;starting the convos&rsquo; type of person.&rdquo;
- Alexandra, 21,&nbsp; Philippines
Zoom. Physical distancing.&nbsp;How did the pandemic change our relationships?Everyone has different types of relationships with their friends and family, and certainly after the 2 years of confinement, one wonders how differently relationships have shifted over time.
For Alexandra, family had always been an important priority, however that tight bond that she has with her family had also made it extra difficult to be separated from her relatives, who were mostly living in their own houses and this included her grandfather, whom she regrets not being able to spend much time together in his last few days before his unfortunate passing during the pandemic.
Another difficult obstacle for Alexandra was socializing.
For someone who has been an introvert throughout her entire life, things got even harder for Alexandra when trying to make new friends without physically meeting them in person.
&nbsp;&ldquo;At the beginning, everything was online and even then, it was really hard for me to make new friends because I&rsquo;m not much of a &lsquo;starting the convos&rsquo; type of person. Now, even though I am physically here in the Philippines right, it is still as awkward because I have not gotten the chance yet to meet any of my classmates face-to-face because here the physical classes have not yet started until August,&rdquo; explains Alexandra.
Despite her struggles with social anxiety, Alexandra is looking forward to seeing herself grow in her present post-pandemic life, as she has felt positive changes in her personality after the pandemic. She adds: &ldquo;When comparing me in the now (after the pandemic) and me in the past (before or during the pandemic), I can say that I feel different, and I think I kind of like it. I&rsquo;ve learned to deal with social anxiety by keeping my circle small, becoming more private and avoid any unnecessary drama from others.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
<h1 style="text-align: center;">4. Faith &amp; Religion<img style="float: right;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659408849/unsigned/jn3mmhdxhssbuzzk16dd.png" alt="" width="231" height="332" /></h1>
&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t say it was an easy journey, but I am really grateful that I feel closer to Allah.&rdquo;
- Lama, 18,&nbsp; Egypt
Speaking of anxieties which were running high during COVID, many people have searched for different ways to ease their minds from all the overwhelmingness faced throughout the pandemic. For some, the solution to that never-ending tension was simple: Faith.
I asked 18-year-old Lama from Egypt, about her religious beliefs and if her faith had helped her deal with her hardest times during and after COVID, to which she answered &ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
&ldquo;As a Muslim, I&rsquo;d say my faith had really helped me during the pandemic and the years of lockdown in many ways. For instance, it made me stronger during such hard times by believing that nothing will be hard forever, and that everything is going to pass soon; so I think my faith has helped me become a better version of myself.&rdquo; &nbsp;
She highlights how there is no such thing as a perfect religious person. We as humans, sometimes question and have our doubts, and ultimately our faith can be shaken by the difficult situations that we are facing in our lives.
&nbsp;&ldquo;There is no such thing as a perfect Muslim, we all make mistakes that we regret and maybe my faith got shaken a bit but thankfully not for a long time. I didn&rsquo;t feel like myself, so I tried my best not to give up on myself and get back to who I was,&rdquo; explains Lama, who was personally facing extremely hard times, particularly with her mental health.
It is in our most difficult times where our faith gets stronger and is restored, and that is the case with Lama. She adds on how her &lsquo;limitless alone time&rsquo; actually &lsquo;really helped in strengthening my faith by reading and listening to more Quran and become a better Muslim. I wouldn&rsquo;t say it was an easy journey, but I am really grateful that I feel closer to Allah.&rsquo;
&nbsp;
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><img style="float: left;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659409105/unsigned/vpuwqgjsclrhg1smadfr.png" alt="" width="216" height="216" />5. Work</h1>
&ldquo;It was always a matter of self-doubt and lack of confidence for me before I even applied for the job, especially with my lack of work experience.&rdquo;
- Diana, 23,&nbsp; Timor-Leste
In many parts of the world, COVID-19 had triggered major job losses causing high rates of unemployment that have not been seen since the Great Depression. Despite many jobs returning, the employment rates are still down in comparison to pre-pandemic levels, where many young people are greatly affected, including Diana from Timor-Leste.
23-year-old Diana from Timor-Leste had a tough transition from graduating university online to finding a job right after the pandemic. The past two years haven&rsquo;t been easy for the young graduate, who was greatly affected during her final semester at university. &ldquo;It was difficult to switch from face-to-face classes to online classes. I didn&rsquo;t even have the chance to attend my graduation ceremony and have a farewell with my friends,&rdquo; says Diana.
After completing her degree and flying back home to the island of East Timor, that's when she was hit with uncertainty and self-doubts about herself. Why? Well during the pandemic, there wasn't much to do on her side. All that she could do was read a book, improve her CV, and stay alert for any job vacancies and interviews.
&ldquo;In May 2021, I went for an interview, and when I entered the room, I was the youngest candidate among the others, and I can guarantee that all of them were experienced individuals. At that time, I lost all my confidence because I could feel that the competition was very high,&rdquo; explains Diana, who then realizes that competition could actually push her to do better and would encourage her to put more effort into achieving her goals.
Despite the fierce competition and the lack of work opportunities faced by young and fresh Timorese graduates, Diana still managed to get a job position as a HR Assistant at a gas and oil production company, after completing 3 months of internship at the Youth Internship Program by UNDP. Great things do take time.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn1.myc.com.my/image/upload/v1659409341/unsigned/st6kunrhsivrvp20wtsd.jpg" alt="" width="699" height="737" />
Conclusion
The COVID-19 virus will most likely take years to fully disappear from the face of this planet, hence why the only thing that we can actually do right now is to live with what we got, and re-adjust ourselves once again to our now 'new normal.'
So, what is the new &lsquo;normal&rsquo;? In my opinion, I believe this is a rather subjective question for each of us to personally answer individually. Why? Well, our lives have forever and completely changed, and now we all have the chance to rediscover ourselves, and perhaps create a new line of direction that we would like to take in life.&nbsp;&nbsp;
One thing is for certain though, and that is life will never go back to the way that it was two years ago.
Am I OK with that? Well, it actually doesn't matter. After interviewing these five young ladies, I have come to a realization that worrying too much about our previous lifestyles can affect the way we deal with our present moment, and make us worry too much about our unknown future, so the best thing that we can all do now is to focus on what we have going on in our lives, on what we are good at and keep pushing through this neverending pandemic.
To put it in simpler words: life goes on, and so should we!
Looking forward to seeing the youth thrive in the post-pandemic world! Do share your thoughts and let us know in the comments.
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross references for context.
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A look into how our adolescent lives will never go back to how they were two years ago.

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Youth & The Post-Pandemic Life

Have you been experiencing a slight dip in your health and air quality lately?
If you haven't already noticed, or perhaps had to clear your foggy glasses, it's that time of the year when Malaysians need to brace themselves for poor air quality caused by the annual forest fires in certain parts of Indonesia.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/278de1e9c6b430605f5b39aa372b5de95f25fb5426a79eb6eaa2209916159cd5" />
Indonesia has been grappling with recurrent forest fires for quite some time now. In case you've been living under a rock, these fires are far from natural; in fact, they're deliberately ignited as the quickest (albeit most detrimental) means of clearing extensive land for agricultural purposes. While they may be intentionally started, fires are an inherent part of nature, and sometimes they spiral out of control, leading to extensive burning that exacerbates global temperature rise and air pollution.
Now, the pertinent question is whether Indonesia is shouldering any responsibility to combat the haze that extends to Malaysia. Brace yourselves; the answer won't come as a shock, as it's a resounding "no."
Indonesia&rsquo;s Environment Minister Denies Accusation Of Causing Haze
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/d981cbdeff5e6ffcf67a834ee4e45fa50b78e204156538d33b6abf7a783f87f6" />
Even though clear geographical maps vividly display the wind patterns carrying haze from Indonesia into Malaysia, Indonesia's Environment and Forest Minister, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, responded to accusations of her country's responsibility for the haze. She contended that the reports on smoke distribution failed to demonstrate smoke crossing over to Malaysia.
In a press conference held in Jakarta, she asserted, "We diligently monitor the situation, and the data indicates no transboundary haze affecting Malaysia. In fact, the reports illustrate that the smoke in Indonesia is primarily concentrated in Sumatra and Kalimantan."
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/a60a00fed6971a403c8568016bb02a09ab343f63ea01b5c9ffad4e4a13972b95" /> Uhhh, are you sure about that?
Siti also emphasized that Indonesian authorities are actively engaged in managing the smoke and have issued warnings to the 203 companies responsible for forest burning. In a significant move, they have also shuttered 20 companies participating in these activities, including those that are subsidiaries of Malaysian firms.
The Malaysian Environment Department attributes the country's deteriorating air quality to the transboundary haze originating from Indonesia, which has persisted since Friday, September 29th. As of 10 am today, October 3rd, the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) reported an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 157 in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, making it the most severely affected area by the haze.
Netizen Calls Out Indonesian Minister
The minister's comments quickly gained traction on social media, sparking widespread outrage among netizens who expressed their frustration with the recurring haze problem. Many criticized Siti for her statement and called on her to take greater responsibility for addressing the issue of open burning, which leads to the annual return of hazardous haze to Malaysia, often reaching severe levels.
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Menteri Indo buta? <a href="https://t.co/2HnpY3eIys">pic.twitter.com/2HnpY3eIys</a>
&mdash; PuraPuraMike (@Mike_Devo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Devo/status/1708822241163817116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Habis yang kabur-kabur kat sini tu apa? Filter instagram? Amboi yashe tuu
&mdash; Mafuyu 🇵🇸 (@querenciayoon) <a href="https://twitter.com/querenciayoon/status/1708890087839482247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Satu-satunya benda yg Indonesia takkan pernah claim dari Malaysia. JEREBU..
&mdash; Faiz (@rijal_faiz) <a href="https://twitter.com/rijal_faiz/status/1708857168253030904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Kau bayangkan kalau Malaysia pun dah teruk, apatah lagi rakyat Indonesia yang jadi mangsa jerebu. Bodoh punya menteri, bodoh punya company.
&mdash; JINX (@IkanJerungBiru) <a href="https://twitter.com/IkanJerungBiru/status/1708843875866190230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
tak lintas tapi melalui? 🤔 <a href="https://t.co/GsfIJ3Q0Un">pic.twitter.com/GsfIJ3Q0Un</a>
&mdash; kred (@ejeler) <a href="https://twitter.com/ejeler/status/1708994314330915211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote>

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If You Thought It Was Bad In Malaysia, It&rsquo;s Doing Worse In Indonesia
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/037a165db0bea311e27d84abbc4e5b4e30586aa3a46d5cfcbce764b99a1fb78f" />
In case you weren't aware, Jakarta was ranked as the world's most polluted city by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company. They reported that the city consistently records unhealthy levels of air pollution nearly every day. Due to the severe pollution problem in the capital, Jakarta has undertaken several initiatives to combat air pollution. One significant effort involved the installation of 125 water mist generators throughout the city.
Furthermore, an additional 28 water mist units are currently being installed as part of the government's determined efforts to improve air quality. To address this issue, they have also introduced a protocol for watering over 290 road locations across Jakarta, collaborating with the city's Fire and Rescue Service department.
In response to these air quality concerns, residents of Jakarta have been strongly advised to wear KN95 or KN94 masks when outdoors. The Jakarta Health Service Department has cautioned against unnecessary outdoor activities to minimize exposure to polluted air.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/1e0f0be95886efe02c7b453f1dadaef465ea7b34b65032a647cfab019353093d" />
As for the ongoing forest fires, tackling them has become quite challenging because Indonesia is currently experiencing its driest season since 2019, primarily attributed to the influence of the El Nino weather pattern. The situation has resulted in significant forest fires, with over 267,900 hectares (661,995.3 acres) of land burned this year alone. To put this into perspective, it's larger than the total of 204,894 hectares burned throughout the entirety of 2022, according to data from the environment ministry. Consequently, this has led to the spread of haze to numerous cities in Sumatra and Borneo.
Siti's comments as an environmental minister are concerning. Let's hope the Indonesian government takes effective measures to reduce the haze in the coming years.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, Antara, Reuters, The Star &amp; various cross-references for context.
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It’s that time of the year again where our country is polluted by haze.

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Haze Controversy: Indonesian Minister Rejects Accusations Of Haze Impact On Malaysia

China&rsquo;s singing competitions are home to many Chinese participants from all walks of life and it doesn&rsquo;t stop there when there are Malaysians who go all out to pursue their dreams.&nbsp;
Recently, Jeryl Lee Pei Ling, a twenty-three-year-old local singer from Penang made herself known as the champion for being the winner of the Chinese reality TV show, The Next 2023.&nbsp;
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/dccdf7c38975d7f65f4c79f1adfdad30402bb31fdf31480615de0c694b19cb64" />
In the final episode which aired on September 30, Saturday, she was announced as the winner and she couldn&rsquo;t hold back her tears as she was deeply touched by the good news which brought her immense joy and gratitude. To mention, she beat the other four contestants named Wang OK, Zhang Yu Zi, Wu Yao Tao, and Zhuohaitun band and emerged as the crown.&nbsp;
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/45144cd3dd1e8aa55bd377c8aefd49aa8acd780e40931152cfbae0857113c1ea" />
In abundant joy, she took an opportunity to express her innermost thoughts and feelings through her Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jerylleex/">@jerylleex</a> with a caption saying &ldquo;Hello everyone, I am Lee Pei Ling from Malaysia, and I am also the overall winner of The Next 2023. I still feel like I&rsquo;m dreaming, I&rsquo;m really thankful for everyone around me.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/68c92dcfd70e643590992bfae5a99ba85204710931200c9fa7a44c2652356c61" width="640" height="360" />
The competition is said to be the best competition she participated in thus far and she has made many new friends by participating in it.&nbsp;
With the overflow of gratitude, she also thanked the coaches, choreographers, and team production for continuously giving her encouragement and support that without it, her dream would not come true.&nbsp;
At the time of writing, the post has flooded with over 62.8K likes and 1,330 comments. There were many Malaysian celebrities including her fans who congratulated her on her success and that they were happy with her superb performance. Local celebrities like Vanessa Reynauld, Choo Hao Ren, and Priscilla Abby also expressed their congratulatory message for her fame in making Malaysia proud.
<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0MmIFyQFZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14">
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Here's the display of comments made by netizens in YouTube for being proud of Pei Ling's achievement and that she received praises widely from her fans: 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/d7d26c382ad9d00aafa6ab4f0c0d167d5eb628a550fdaa6b5b7f4eed40971e2c" />
At the tender age of eight, Pei Ling participated in numerous and diverse singing competitions in China. She secured herself as the winner of the Water Cube Cup overseas Chinese youth singing contest back in 2014. Moreover, she also went for the Sing! China in 2016 and made herself as one of the finalists in which she was widely known for her strong vocal performance, and one of it was the 'Fight Song' that she sang. 
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eiHiymqdPCY" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
She told the public boldly with her piece of advice mentioning &ldquo;Whatever it is you wish to do, be brave and pursue it! Adventurers, don&rsquo;t be afraid or give up easily. If I can do it, so can you!&rdquo;
This is where we can relate to her brave singing voice when long ago she sang a song by A-Mei, &lsquo;勇敢&rsquo; (Brave). At such a young age, she already aimed to courageously chase her little adventurous dream which she was truly passionate about. 
It has been 15 years since she started singing and she said &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not easy to keep singing until now. Every time I want to give up, I tell myself to hang in there for a little while more. This time, I can finally confidently say that I did it!&rdquo;
Here are the two videos that portrayed her splendid singing performance for The Next 2023:&nbsp;
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cyUdxZ_2FdE" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8sUmvjhQc-w" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
In the end, hasn't all her hard work paid off?
Congratulations Pei Ling for making us all proud that aspiring singers can emulate you to be &lsquo;The Next Boleh&rsquo;!&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, YouTube, Instagram &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Jeryl Lee has never failed to make Malaysians proud with her outstanding achievements!

3da18acbc54a23b687a3abb5ce54bed6129cfdd60f8189d1034591c3e0578805

Malaysian Born Singer Proudly Secured Herself With Remarkable Fame As The Winner Of "The Next 2023!"

Residing in Malaysia, broaching the subject of religion can be rather delicate, given that many have faced accusations of showing disrespect towards religious beliefs, while others have cynically used it to gain popularity.
In our multiracial nation, harmonious coexistence and mutual respect for each other's religions have traditionally been the norm, often culminating in the joint celebration of festive occasions. However, regrettably, this harmonious spirit appears to elude certain individuals.
Young Malaysian Uses Christianity As His Aesthetics
Lately, a young Malaysian caught the attention of a Twitter user who uses the handle <a href="https://twitter.com/cass48374/status/1708422070940709183">Wentour or @cass48374</a>. This individual posted a series of tweets unveiling someone's disrespectful behaviour towards Christianity. The hope expressed was that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) would initiate suitable actions against the individual in question, including their arrest.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/36af528efc6100ea8c137669ae7b3a11554915082d6640e1aa83eac774783579" />
According to the Twitter thread, a young individual named Razeeq has come under scrutiny for posting offensive content on both his Instagram and TikTok accounts. As per the original poster (OP), this issue began a couple of months ago when Razeeq shared pictures on his TikTok account featuring himself and a friend posing beside graves in a Christian cemetery late at night. This act prompted criticism, with many condemning it as an offensive "photoshoot" that displayed a lack of respect for the deceased.
Despite facing substantial backlash in the comments section of his TikTok posts, Razeeq remained unapologetic and refused to acknowledge his wrongdoing. The controversy centres around his affinity for metal music, and he sought to emulate photos by artists who often incorporate Christian imagery in their album covers, music videos, and promotional photoshoots. An individual claiming to know Razeeq personally came forward to offer an apology on his behalf. However, despite their attempts to advise him, these efforts proved unsuccessful.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/e8bf0f066da7e02097961988378b75c78b43f23a30e036a9e94671e36220d9ce" />
Within the thread, the OP included screenshots of comments made by TikTok users, illustrating Razeeq's reactions to most of those comments. Some of these comments were highly critical, to the point where the OP's initial call-out of Razeeq on TikTok resulted in the suspension of the user's account. It's worth noting that some of Razeeq's comments were also notably harsh in tone.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/143d400a9222310e3cdb2f18252acafbdf06d27a82120b36e7894f9a6f0c52c3" />
In the posts that Razeeq shared, one of them included a photo featuring a screenshot from a page of a Batman comic titled "The Blasphemy of Batman." In this comic page, the beloved DC superhero Batman is depicted observing a bloodied and vandalized statue of Jesus Christ within a church.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/13ae34c249fe1578223b9fa06408e1d698bae0f7f75d9c92e713451b5839e56d" />
Concluding the thread, the Twitter user expresses their hope that the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) will initiate suitable actions against Razeeq. The user emphasizes their belief that every religion imparts valuable teachings, and it falls upon individuals to propagate those messages positively.
Netizens Criticize Razeeq
At the time of writing, the post has accumulated more than 679.7k views, over 5.6k reposts, and more than 5k likes on the platform. Numerous Malaysian Christians and Muslims also participated in the comments section, expressing their condemnation of Razeeq's actions as a form of disrespect towards religion.
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Buat repot rasmi kepada polis &amp; MCMC. Baru boleh tindakan diambil.
&mdash; Ahmad Muzhir ; 🇲🇾 (@ahmadmuzhir) <a href="https://twitter.com/ahmadmuzhir/status/1708618710456619079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It&rsquo;s either this or dia kna bnned atau dia pgi switch acc buat hal kt situ. But either way,this guy has always been like this. So mmang tknk bg dia trlepas.
&mdash; Wentour (@cass48374) <a href="https://twitter.com/cass48374/status/1708460429125824786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Muka macam penolong kanan hal ehwal murid pun acah blackmetal
&mdash; AL (@ciraplaici) <a href="https://twitter.com/ciraplaici/status/1708513801874894895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Aku rasa dia dah kena rasuk, mungkin kena panggil pak ustaz tolong ruqyah kat telinga dia
&mdash; Asraf (@Asraflah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asraflah/status/1708538988854968429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
Orang camni kau hujahlah camana sekali pun dia tetap akan rasa diri dia lagi better dari semua orang.. Moga PDRM ambil berat isu ni!
&mdash; SpanishLatte (@SpanishCoffee_) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpanishCoffee_/status/1708516103486664838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Following the viral spread of the issue on Twitter, it appears that Razeeq has deactivated both his Instagram and TikTok accounts. This action suggests that Razeeq may have realized the magnitude of trouble he could be in due to the posts. Currently, there has been no official statement from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) regarding the matter, and Wentour has not provided any further updates on the issue.
It's important to emphasize that making light of or using one's religion as part of an "aesthetic" lifestyle is not a respectful way to treat any religion. Hopefully, authorities will thoroughly investigate this issue, and justice can be served accordingly.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media &amp; various cross-references for context.
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Let's always remember, religion should be respected within our community and not used as part of a 'lifestyle'.

4520044c0178bf9a5e2751afd0543561027296dd26dbcf76448d9c54bfba5fd7

M’sian TikToker Exposed After Having Publicly Disrespecting Christianity On Social Media

Education plays a pivotal role for students from various backgrounds because with education, their future can be brightened and more human capital can be produced for the country&rsquo;s growth and stability be it for economic, political, or social reasons. 
Nothing brings more joy when students are eligible for free tertiary education to further their studies and pursue their dreams. This is true in the case of Sarawakian students. Recently, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officially announced that students from Sarawak who are eligible to enter into the institutes will be able to pursue their free tertiary education at state-owned universities from the year 2026 onwards. 
The five state-owned universities include Curtin University, Swinburne University, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), i-CATS University College, and lastly, the Kolej Laila Taib (KLT). 
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NBQ-IbgaDFw" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSarawakkuNadiInformasiRakyat%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Wdm6tn24mD2zn1nm1wJevPQDBUgs4MyjNsVXt8Yd7jC2GQZD9mNSMSLPdbKJmVLtl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="792" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Understanding the economic strength of the state and being the Sarawak finance and new economy minister, Abang Johari ascertained that the Sarawak government is strong enough to provide educational support in the coming three years as a means to produce more qualified Sarawakians and enable them to have access to new technology for the state&rsquo;s development. 
He had consulted the Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn as well as his Deputy Datuk Dr. Annuar Rapaee. Together, they researched the feasibility of providing free tertiary education to their own Sarawakian students in the state-owned universities mentioned. 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/c63bc23663cda1e833e84baf96d9d71a3f6252abc06f925eb34d8cb2371d7c5b" />
He further went on with his statement by saying &ldquo;Based on the figure of this study, I believe that under the 13th Malaysia Plan, we will be able to give free tertiary education to Sarawakians by 2025 or 2026.&rdquo; 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/63e2eb141c4f398550831e28fa2a0a7e8faf557eb982325e8c9a0a40ae445ae9" />
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 20th edition of the Tidal Bore Festival in Simanggang on the 1st of October, Sunday, he revealed confidently that he foresees the future economic condition will be much stronger, and by that time, it will be a suitable year to conduct it. 
Why did he confidently say so?
According to him, the yearly projection of Sarawak&rsquo;s income has rocketed since 2020. Moreover, Sarawak had a recorded revenue of RM12 billion last year and he believes this year will be more fruitful than the previous. 
He also stated that there was a fund known as the &lsquo;Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund.&rsquo; To date, the fund is sufficient to offer free tertiary education, and the remaining balance will go to young Sarawakians besides boosting the state&rsquo;s economy as well as enhancing the infrastructure development throughout the state.&nbsp; 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/2eaba9d3f211786b1532643d602cd2944fa32036787d05a4b18902fc743e17bc" />
Previously, it was reported that Sarawak planned a sovereign wealth fund with RM8 million as the starting amount to build up the state&rsquo;s financial sustainability. As such, it intends to begin the fund by the year 2024. 
Sarawak is said to have a promising future and he encouraged the people to have the &lsquo;muhibah&rsquo; spirit with the aim of keeping unity alive besides working together as a means to elevate the state to greater heights. 
He associated his impactful saying with the regatta boat race at Pesta Benak which emphasized that the paddlers row together in one direction when all of them have a common goal of winning the race. 
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/77ea3e42fc18c76f43c58c36bc75fa6c5d95ab5db586169055ea1ebabb3c8780" />
Among those who were present namely Abang Johari&rsquo;s wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma&rsquo;ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development II (Talent Development) Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Sri Aman MP Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie as well as Sri Aman Division resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman. 
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, Facebook &amp; various cross-references for context.
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It is indeed a good and feasible implementation to have free tertiary education so that Sarawak’s students need not worry any longer in the near future. 

6091f4f5b5d1eb6415e22bfcc5750ae37f6bfa16445a358fa4269a4071385ef6

Empowering Sarawak: Free Tertiary Education On the Horizon By 2026

Over the past few weeks, social media has been abuzz with discussions about the new women-only MRT coach on the Kajang Line. The introduction of this coach aims to provide a safe space for women during their train commutes, responding to the safety concerns raised by multiple harassment cases that have occurred at stations and onboard trains.
While many women have welcomed this initiative with enthusiasm, it has also faced criticism from both men and women. Some have questioned why the MRT system implemented a women-only coach instead of addressing the frequency issues, which are the main cause of congestion during peak hours. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the lack of security personnel around the station, despite the known harassment issues in the past.
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/83f80f4fcf7812ac1f0f9448c8f513b7a7a4833340ca27bf26edc9cf0afae5a2" />
RapidKL also established a guideline specifying that the women's coach would be positioned in the middle of the train and distinguished by prominently visible pink stickers on the platform, doors, and intermediate carriages. However, one might wonder about its effectiveness thus far.
Foodpanda Rider Chases Away Men In The Women&rsquo;s Coach
A TikTok video recently went viral, capturing the moment when a Foodpanda rider took the initiative to request male passengers occupying the women-only MRT coach to leave. This act of intervention earned him widespread admiration among online netizens.
<blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@jai.samud/video/7284639162924322050" data-video-id="7284639162924322050">
<section><a title="@jai.samud" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jai.samud?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@jai.samud</a> foodpanda prihatin...<a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Jai.Samud" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-JaiSamud-7284639197325986561?refer=embed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Jai.Samud</a></section>
</blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>

A video shared by TikTok user @jai.samud featured a Foodpanda rider politely asking foreign passengers to vacate the women-only MRT coach. He took the time to explain that this particular coach was designated exclusively for women. The video was captioned, "Abang Food Panda shows genuine concern by ushering men away from the women&rsquo;s section."
From the video, it appeared that the foreign men were unaware that they were in the women's coach, and they seemed oblivious to or misunderstood the "women-only coach" signage. While the Foodpanda rider did the right thing by informing them of their mistake, some of the men expressed dissatisfaction and questioned the rider's actions.
Netizens Praise The Rider For His Efforts
At the time of writing, the video has amassed more than 697,000 views and received over 45,000 Likes on the platform. Numerous netizens, both men and women, praised the rider's actions, acknowledging that this small gesture held significant meaning for women commuters. Many also made light-hearted suggestions, suggesting that the rider should consider a role as an auxiliary police officer for train stations and even be compensated for assisting in train patrols.
Here&rsquo;s some of the comments:
<img src="https://r2.myc.my/901325a571daed00744e0493bd68d1c433c79231a44c12df7da3d3548a5c8859" />
Hats off to the rider, as his simple act of kindness can ripple through and positively influence those around him, particularly by enhancing the sense of safety within the women's designated MRT coach.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
&nbsp;
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, TikTok &amp; various cross-references for context.
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&nbsp;

Perhaps MRT should pay him to be an auxiliary police instead. 

Youth & The Post-Pandemic Life

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