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‘Laksa wars’: Malaysians furiously debate on social media about the best ingredients for the dish

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malaymail
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‘laksa-wars’:-malaysians-furiously-debate-on-social-media-about-the-best-ingredients-for-the-dish

KUALA LUMPUR — Laksa, a traditional noodle dish loved and cherished by all Malaysians.

However, an online war has been brewing amongst local social media users over the best laksa as there are several different types of laksa in Malaysia including laksa Kedah, laksa Johor and laksa Sarawak.

These laksa differ in taste and texture as each have their own special ingredients and preparation.

It has even seen the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah getting in on the debate.

Her Instagram post called on people not to argue over laksa and she provided some tips to get a flavourful dish.

Although the debate about the dish is not new to Malaysians, the squabble was reignited following a posti in Facebook group Berkongsi Ilmu Kuih-Muih dan Masakan (BIKMM) after user Sarah Az-Zahra has shared a recipe for laksa Johor.

Things began to escalate after Facebook user Siti Rahmah Ahmad left a comment criticising Sarah’s choice of fish which suggested using Indian mackerel.

“If you don’t have ikan tenggiri (narrow-barred Spanish mackerel), please use ikan parang (wolf herring).

“Please don’t lower the standards of Johor by using Ikan kembong (Indian mackerel) or Ikan selayang (white tipped mackerel scad).

“Those are the east-coast and north standards,” Siti wrote in the comment section.

Siti’s comment triggered other Facebook users who later bombarded the comment section criticising her choice of fish and apparently, her choice of words while some defended her as well.

The post’s original author said the types of fish used can be anything depending on one’s budget as the ikan tenggiri and ikan parang are more expensive than ikan kembung.

The situation worsened after another Facebook user, Mastika Halim left a comment criticising the essence of laksa Johor which uses spaghetti as their main noodles instead of rice noodles which are commonly used for laksa kedah.

“At least we did not mistake rice noodles with spaghetti, whenever we go and buy laksa, we will buy packets that has ‘laksa’ written on it, not spaghetti.

“Laksa is Laksa!

“I can make laksa using any fish even with skipjack tuna or sardine, the ikan tenggiri and ikan parang we usually use for dried fish only.

“We make laksa, they also want to make ;aksa,” Mastika wrote in the comment section.

Despite the squabbling comments, other Facebook users came together and agreed that no matter what kind of fish was used in the laksa, the taste was the most important part.

Sarah’s post has garnered over 7,000 likes with over 4,000 comments and has been shared over 4,000 times on Facebook.

The “war” continued to circulate on social media since Monday and got the attention of former Malaysian prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who decided to jump into the bandwagon as well.

“Oh no, I missed the bus. What’s going on with laksa?

“Suddenly I feel like eating it, can anyone recommend which one is tasty?” Najib posted on his Facebook wall.

Other social media users also took jabs at the matter such as user Mohamad Nasir Bin Mustapha who posted images of Laksa Sarawak on Facebook group Masak Apa Tak Jadi Hari Ni Official.

“I’m representing Laksa Sarawak, even though I don’t know how to make it.

“The important part is, to eat,” Nasir wrote in his post.

2PM’s Taecyeon and Kim Hye Yoon to star in historical comedy

By
Lydia Koh
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Taecyeon plays a secret royal inspector in an upcoming drama. Picture: Instagram

Seoul — 2PM’s Taecyeon and Kim Hye Yoon are slated to star in tvN’s upcoming historical drama. Titled The Secret Royal Inspector and Jo Yi, it is a historical comedy about a young gourmet who ends up becoming a secret royal inspector (an undercover official who inspects local provinces to expose corruption). He teams up with a divorced lady who is searching for happiness. The duo then go on a grand scheme to discover the truth.

The secret royal inspector Ra Yi Eon is played by Taeyeon and he wishes for nothing more than to open a small dumpling store outside the capital where the land is affordable. However, he is smart and that gets him through the state examination and even secures him a spot as an official in the Office of Special Advisors, a spot usually saved for only the most elite. Eventually, he finds himself receiving secret orders to carry out missions as a secret royal inspector, according to Soompi.

Ra Yi Yeon’s real worries are securing lunchtime during work and getting off work right on time even though he unintentionally ends up following a career path that others would die for. He cooks dumplings for himself and lazily rolls around his room after getting home from work. After meeting Kim Jo Yi, Ra Yi Yeon’s lazy homebody life changes. Kim Hye Yoon plays the role of Kim Jo Yi, an unorthodox lady of the Joseon era who thinks that getting a divorce is not a big deal.

Kim Hye Yoon plays a divorced woman in the upcoming drama. Picture: Instagram

She tied the knot with a gambling addict and mama’s boy three years earlier and had a rocky marriage. After several complications, she finally divorced the man but then she encounters another obstacle, the appearance of a secret royal inspector. She starts to live a new life. Secret royal inspector Ra Yi Yeon and the reckless divorced woman Kim Jo Yi then go on a journey to investigate and defeat corrupt politicians. The fact that the drama features a divorced woman who dismisses the Joseon era idea that a wife must serve her husband draws attention for its novelty.

The production team of The Secret Royal Inspector and Jo Yi stated, “Taecyeon and Kim Hye Yoon will work together for the first time through this drama and begin a refreshing inspection and investigation of the nation. Their novel and fresh chemistry is what the producers are most looking forward to as well. Please show lots of interest and love for the comical and lighthearted adventures of the Joseon outsiders.”

The Secret Royal Inspector and Jo Yi will be helmed by director Yoo Jong Sun of Designated Survivor: 60 Days and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and screenwriter Lee Jae Yoon of The Undateables and Tamra the Island. The drama is slated for broadcast in the second half of 2021./TISG

Wife of delivery driver who died while on the job says, ‘Don’t rush them’

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
Photo: YouTube screengrab, for illustrative purposes only

Singapore — After a delivery driver died while out on the job, his wife took to social media advising others not to rush their food deliverymen.

In a Facebook comment, Ms N wrote that she was sharing the news as “the ones on the road can be our father, husband, sister, brother or son”.

We are not naming her, wishing to protect her identity.

She added that her husband passed away due to “over-exhaustion” in his car and was found after two hours.

He left behind two children, 16 and four years old.

As if having to deal with his death was not enough, when her husband’s mobile phone was returned to her, she saw many angry text messages from his customers asking about their food or their items.

“Infront (sic) of his body i (sic) was texting and apologizing to each one of them while still in extreme shock,” she wrote, sharing images of some of her messages to the customers.

She added: “We need more compassion and efficiency from employers and patience also (sic) understanding from customers”.

In another comment online, Ms N wrote: “My advice is NOT to rush them. That’s all. It can overwork them or create an accident.”

In an update on Wednesday (May 19), Ms N wrote that she was on her way to an interview to help improve the situation faced by deliverymen.

/TISG

S$3,000 fine each for 8 Britons who breached Covid-19 rules while on yacht off Lazarus Island

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: FB/ SG Opposition / Bu Hui Yan

Singapore – Eight Britons were fined S$3,000 each on Thursday (May 20) for flouting Covid-19 safe distancing measures while on a yacht off Lazarus Island on Dec 26, 2020.

They pleaded guilty to breaching Covid-19 laws, reported The Straits Times. They are Annabelle Morgan Duke, 26; Philip Edward Knatchbull Holmes, 27; Mark Alexander Bellamy, 27; Amy Georgina Hunt, 30; Thomas Cuthbert Williams-Jones, 30; Oliver Francis William Campbell, 31; Benjamin David Waters, 32; and Amy Alexandra Stewart, 32.

The group’s actions had circulated on social media on Dec 26, highlighting what appeared to be a Christmas party, with some of the individuals wearing Santa hats and dancing in the stern.

The footage showed that none of the 10 people on the yacht was wearing a mask. They also intermingled in groups of more than five, which was against the law at that time.

The individuals are permanently banned from working in Singapore for violating regulations under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, said the Ministry of Manpower on Thursday. Their former employers have also cancelled their work passes.

The remaining two had pleaded guilty earlier in March and were fined S$3,000. They are Briton Amy Grace Ropner, 28 and Singapore permanent resident Mark Lau San Mao, 30.

Ms Ropner has been banned from working in Singapore. At the same time, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced they would shorten the validity of Mr Lau’s re-entry permit on his next renewal.

According to reports, the party was told during the pre-departure briefing to maintain two groups of five at each end of the yacht with no intermingling between groups.

They were also reminded to wear a mask when not in the water, eating or drinking and to adhere to safe management measures while on the yacht.

The yacht, named Advant, was owned and operated by Beyond Luxury. It was chartered by Ms Hunt in October last year for the event.

Following the incident, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) suspended Advant’s licence for 30 days.

Violators of the Covid-19 laws may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to S$10,000 for the first offence. The sentence can double to up to a year in jail and a fine of up to S$20,000 for repeat offenders./TISG

Read related: Group of ang mohs flouts safe distancing rules at Lazarus island yacht party

Group of ang mohs flouts safe distancing rules at Lazarus island yacht party

Elderly woman points middle finger at man asking her to wear a mask

By
Obbana Rajah
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0

Singapore — Another video has been circulating on WhatsApp Messenger of someone not wearing a face mask.

This time it is an elderly woman shopping for groceries.

In the video, the elderly woman is seen raising her middle finger at the beginning of the incident. This riles the man and he says repeatedly throughout the argument: “You are not wearing a mask and yet you raise the middle finger!”

The video, circulating on Wednesday (May 19), shows the elderly woman using a Personal Mobility Device (PMD) meant for older people, with her dog sitting in it.

In the video, the man who is filming her says loudly repeatedly that she is not wearing a mask.

The woman, however, responds that she is not afraid of him and urges him to report the matter to the police.

The exchange in the Hokkien dialect sees both hurling expletives at each other. At one point, the woman picks up a broom and approaches the man in a threatening manner.

Some of those who have seen the video say the incident took place at the Commonwealth Crescent market. /TISG

Read related: Auntie not wearing a mask at Tiong Bahru Plaza yells: ‘Just now drop on the floor la!’

Groups of more than 2 still gathering despite the cap imposed

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: FB screengrab/ Annie Khuan

Singapore – Lots of people still go around in more than groups of two, breaking social gathering rules, at both Thomson Nature Park and Lower Peirce Reservoir Park, says a Facebook user.

Ms Annie Khuan, a netizen, shared her experiences at both parks, after the two-person rule was implemented, in a Facebook post on May 17.

She was stunned after witnessing many “members of the public in numerous groups of more than two persons” at Thomson Nature Park and Lower Peirce Reservoir Park on May 16.

One person was seen fishing illegally at Lower Peirce Reservoir Park even though a “no fishing” signboard was present.

Photo: FB screengrab/ Annie Khuan

“There was not a single National Park officer or ranger to stop or enforce the rule of (not) more than 2 persons in a group,” said Ms Khuan.

The new rules were implemented for the safety of the community and  citizens should observe them, she said.

Ms Khuan also urged the National Parks Board to ensure stricter law enforcement against the offenders.

This was not the first time Ms Khuan expressed her disappointment at such offences by the locals during the pandemic.

On January 17, she posted photos of five different incidents of illegal fishing at Lower Peirce Reservoir Park. (http://theindependent.sg/lower-peirce-reservoir-park-maintenance-leaves-netizen-shocked-and-stunned/)

The netizen also observed many members of the public without masks on though they were not doing any strenuous exercise.

She added that people brought their dogs to the Lower Peirce Trail, despite dogs not being allowed there due to the rich biodiversity, according to the National Parks Board.

“Thirdly, I saw members of the public brought along push scooter and big bicycle onto the nature trail which was illegal and prohibited”, Ms Khuan wrote.

Phuong Le Ha is an intern at The Independent SG/TISG

Woman openly filmed by man on MRT, harassed by officer

By
The Independent
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0
Photo: Twitter/ catto

Singapore — A woman says she was filmed by a man on the MRT and then harassed on the phone by the officer looking into her case.

On Monday (May 17), she and a friend were on the train going to Newton MRT station when she looked up and saw a man pointing his phone at them in a suspicious manner.

She saw through the reflection of the window panels that he had been zooming his camera into her chest area and taking footage.

She later confronted the man while still on the train, and asked to look at his gallery.

“Why? Cannot,” the man rudely replied in Mandarin.

“If you didn’t do anything, you can show me your gallery.” she argued back.

He went into his gallery, and then into a separate album, and she saw pictures/videos of her in his phone before he tilted his phone away and changed to another album. He then showed her an album full of racy pictures of women.

She attempted to take his phone to change back to the album with her in it, but he showed signs of aggression. She then backed away and pressed the emergency button.

He then proceeded to delete the picture/videos on his phone before the SMRT staff entered the scene. “thus i didn’t have hard evidence against him despite my statement and the video that i’ve taken. the authorities also classified this under intentional harassment and not sexual harassment because of the lack of evidence,” she shared on Twitter.

She also complained of inappropriate behaviour by the officer looking into her case.

The officer approached her through Telegram private messaging, asking if she was the victim of the incident at Newton MRT station.

He apologised for calling her late at night but wanted to get a clear picture and added: “I’m police from Transcom.”

He said, “‘if u saw someone taking pictures of u, u shouldnt have give him a chance of ask him nicely for his phone. u should just snatch it away from him so that u can have a strong evidence that the guy has taken a photo of u and we can arrest him for the offence… i mean i also understand that u’re still young and just be careful of ur surroundings”

She messaged back that she could not have snatched the phone from the man who took her photos because he was nearly twice her size.

She posted a screenshot of their conversation.

Photo: Twitter/ catto

To her horror, the officer then messaged her under another account. He called her “babe”, pleaded with her to remove the screenshots of the initial conversation, and asked her to “apologise to him for exposing his DMs”.

She argued back, noting that it was not the standard operating procedure (SOP), to text the victims. She also noted how both accounts had called her “quite young”, which had nothing to do with the incident on the train. She deduced this account also belonged to the officer, or to a person related to the officer.

Many netizens are expressing sympathy to the victim and urging her to complain against the officer.

The woman said she has already reported the officer to the authorities.

Denise Teh is an intern at The Independent SG. /TISG

Delhi Health Minister: ‘Wrong to say there is no Singapore strain’

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
Photo: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain

New Delhi — After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday (May 18) that a variant of the coronavirus found in Singapore could cause a third wave in India, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain categorically stated that it is “wrong to say that there is no Singapore strain”.

The Delhi Health Minister added that the Covid-19 strain found in Singapore is different from the one found in India, India TV news reported on Wednesday (May 19).

Mr Jain’s reaction came after Singapore refuted Mr Kejriwal’s claim that a “very dangerous” strain of the coronavirus was prevalent in Singapore and that could affect children the most.

In a press statement on Wednesday (May 19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “regrets the unfounded assertions made on Facebook and Twitter” by Mr Kejriwal that a “variant of Covid-19 found in Singapore was particularly harmful to children and could cause a third wave of infections in India”.

“MFA is disappointed that a prominent political figure had failed to ascertain the facts before making such claims,” said the ministry.

“MFA met the High Commissioner of India P Kumaran this morning to express these concerns.”

As highlighted by MOH, there is no “Singapore variant”, MFA also said. “The strain prevalent in many of the Covid-19 cases in recent weeks is the B16172 variant, which was first detected in India.”

In a tweet on Tuesday (May 18), Mr Kejriwal wrote: “The new form of Corona that came to Singapore is being said to be extremely dangerous for children, in India it may come as a third wave”.

He added: “My appeal to the central government:
1. Air services with Singapore to be canceled (sic) with immediate effect
2. Priority on vaccine options should be worked out for children too.”

The “central government” is the Indian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi, has its own local government like other Indian states and union territories with its own legislature and chief minister.

/TISG

Read related: Tables turned? Delhi Chief Minister: Stop all SG flights as ‘Singapore variant’ could bring a third wave in India

‘Law School’ reaches its highest ratings yet

By
Lydia Koh
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0
The cast of Law School. Picture: Instagram

Seoul — Law School, a JTBC drama series, has reached its highest rating so far — 7.8 per cent — on its 10th episode, which aired on May 19. The “best 1-minute” was during the scene where actor Kim Myung Min makes his final court statement.

The drama series stars veteran actor Kim Myung Min (of Beethoven Virus fame), Kim Bum (who starred in Boys Over Flowers as So i-Jeong), Ryu Hye Young (who starred in Reply 1988 as Duk Sun’s older sister) and Lee Jung Eun (also starred in the Oscar-winning film, Parasite).

Law Schoool is about a tragic incident that happened in a prestigious law school and, as a consequence, the law students are forced to rethink the justice system as they try to uncover the truth. Kim Myung Min plays the role of Yang Joong Hoon, a law professor at the Law School of Hankook University, who is accused of murdering a fellow professor.

The law students in Law School. Picture: Instagram

During the scene of his hearing, Yang Jong Hoon firmly delivers his words and says, “I, as a criminal law professor, do not teach my students that the law is just. What makes the law just is solely reliant on its ability to prove one’s innocence, and the evidence-based court proceedings are merely a factor to balancing out the scale what is considered ‘fair ‘. That is what I am teaching my students”. He then goes on to say, “The prosecution side has failed to prove that there is a ‘no reason for a doubt’, and from that, you can conclude that as a sign for my innocence.”

As reported by Allkpop, actor Kim Myung Min performed this scene with precision, power and charisma which captivated the viewers and led the drama to its highest viewership ratings. Kim Myung Min’s co-star Lee Jung Eun expressed her admiration for his performance in this particular scene and stated, “The way that Kim Myung Min delivered his entire page of lines in one breath, I realised that he had just become the breathing and living character of Yang Jong Hoon.”/TISG

MFA reminds US embassy ‘not to interfere in our domestic social, political matters’ after co-hosting of webinar with LGBT group

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Facebook screengrab/ LGBT in Singapore

Singapore—On Wednesday (May 19), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a statement expressing regret that the US embassy had co-hosted a webinar with local LGBTQ+ community organisation Oogachaga on Wednesday.

Furthermore, the ministry reminded the US embassy “that foreign missions here are not to interfere in our domestic social and political matters, including issues such as how sexual orientation should be dealt with in public policy”.

The seminar had been held on Monday (May 17) to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia with a focus on the economic advantages of LGBTQI+ equality and inclusion.

A Reuters report quotes the US embassy in Singapore as having said, “The US Embassy regularly works with civil society partners on a wide range of issues to build awareness and advance the human rights of all persons.”

Oogachaga, which was established in 1999, describes itself as “a community-based, non-profit professional organisation, working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer & gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples & families in Singapore.”

But in a country where sexual acts between men are against the law under the Penal Code, discussing issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community may be perceived as a political act.

The group’s executive director,  Mr Leow Yangfa, said that Oogachaga “notes with surprise” the statement from the MFA, adding that the webinar had been by invitation only and that none of the speakers had tackled the issue of sexual orientation in relation to public policy.

Mr Leow is quoted by CNA as saying, ”The event was invitation-only, and moderated by an Oogachaga volunteer, a Singapore citizen who reminded multinational corporations to consult with local community organisations and to always abide by the laws of the territories in which they operate, especially in Singapore.”

He added that at least two MSF (Ministry of Social and Family Development) officers were in the audience and that officers from the MFA had also been invited.

Moreover, the US government had extended no financial support for the webinar.

In its latest Facebook posts, Oogachaga invited the public to its next online event called “DrInkS-crimination! Oogachaga Fundraising Queer Trivia Night with Preetipls,” to be held next Tuesday night (May 25).

“Stuck at home with only 2 visitors on the eve of a public holiday? We welcome you online to interfere in international, domestic, social & political affairs, all in the name of fundraising for Singapore’s most-established LGBTQ+ organisation. Last chance to get your tickets NOW! Don’t worry, we won’t invite MFA,” the group wrote.

/TISG

Read also: Prout decries LGBT-themed cruise dinner after staff says “trashy transexuals” unwelcome

Prout decries LGBT-themed cruise dinner after staff says “trashy transexuals” unwelcome

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