Malaysians wonder if malls prioritise Halloween over Deepavali though former isn’t local culture

 

THIS year, both Deepavali and Halloween fall on the same date – Oct 31 (Thursday).

In a bid to lure customers, shopping malls have been decking out their premises with decorations for both.

But why so asked netizen Alawiyah Yussof (@AlawiyahYussof) on the X platform? She is perplexed that Halloween is given such prominence when it is neither a religious festival nor is part of Malaysian culture.

“A friend posted this on her FB (Facebook) wall but didn’t mention where,” Alawiyah attached an assortment of carved pumpkin decors in her post.

A few netizens confirmed that this was at 1Utama Shopping Centre in Bandar Utama.

Many felt that given that Deepavali is a major celebration here, it should be prioritised.

However, some commenters did claim that 1Utama did indeed put up Deepavali decor, highlighting that it is a large mall with sections having different decorations.

With some saying that it is a matter of demand and supply. Malls need to constantly reinvent and market themselves to attract customers.

Many did point out that the poster was making a mountain out of a molehill.

While FocusM understands where this poster is coming from, it is just a bit of fun. Not everything needs to be tied to local celebrations. It was also pointed out that the Halloween decor was merely part of the 1Utama’s decorations and it had been segmented.

It is precisely this attitude of close-mindedness that sees the rise of cultural exclusivity.

Whatever next?

For some to say that shops that display Christmas decorations cannot be certified halal?

Oh wait … – Focus Malaysia

Lady who books parking spot illegally gets swift lesson from angry driver

 

MALAYSIA is a country with abundant resources, except maybe parking spots. We are not sure of the latter but observing the many ugly Malaysians who love to illegally book their parking spots, perhaps there is a scarcity of parking spots in this nation.

When it is the peak hour and most of the parking spots are taken, expect drama to occur over ownership of a rectangular piece of asphalt.

In a video posted by netizen 요시로 왕자, a lady could be seen putting a chair right at a parking spot once it was vacated by a white Perodua Bezza.

The person recording this video was having none of it. Instead of searching for another spot, the driver drove the car right over the plastic chair to claim it. 

Towards the end of the video, the driver could be heard threatening to report the lady to the authorities. But who is on the side of the law? A photo provided by a netizen should help clear up the air.

The video that has since garnered over 1,700 shares saw many netizens supporting the man’s actions.

“Please stop giving permission to do business at parking lots. Hopefully the authorities can provide a better and more organised business space,” said Tengku Juh Monsoon.

“But we fear our cars will get scratched,” said A M A L I N A Z A I N, warning that the lady may seek retribution later when the driver has left the car.

Are10youngna? added that this was similar to Klebang, parking being a very aggravating issue. According to the netizen, they like to place cones or chairs at a parking spot. 

“Then there are the white tents sometime back. All across the parking lots they place chairs so that the cars will not block the shop although it is not legal. Furthermore, the place is dirty,” said Are10youngna?

“The lady is conducting her business there so she needs to park nearby so it will be easier to retrieve her stuff. That is why she puts the chair there,” said KUCING BOTAK.

However, KUCING BOTAK’s comment was quickly swarmed by opposing netizens, with the bulk pointing out that the act was wrong.

Although Mr Driver’s valiant move has set a precedent against those who like making illegal car park booking, we can only hope that the lady does not return later with a vengeance. – Focus Malaysia

Video captures kid being hit by train while posing to take wefie

 

WHAT is the most impressive idea you can think of for a wefie with your friend? For most people, it can be a pleasant backdrop of any kind, take for example a snow capped mountain or a field of flowers.

But for a bunch of adrenaline junkie kids, it’s about standing just inches away from death in the form of a train passing right behind them at full speed.

If you are expecting something bad to happen then you are in luck because action starts at the very few seconds into the video.

One of the kids underestimated his distance to the track, resulting in the train brushing against his head.

When it comes from a solid object made from steel and weighing several tons, a brushing should hold enough force to hurt or seriously injure a human.

So it comes as no surprise that the kid went flying in the video. No further information could be derived from it, about the location of the tragedy or the condition of the kid.

However, the consolation is that viewers get to learn a golden lesson, that standing near the train tracks is never a great idea, unless suicide was the objective all along.

Netizens who saw the video all had one thought in common.

Towards the kids, we would like to advise that there are many more ways to generate social media content than risking one’s life in the attempt.

There is a huge difference between fame and infamy and this video beautifully sums it up succinctly in just several seconds. – Focus Malaysia

Probe Razman, TikTok user over racial remarks, says DAP wing

 

Police have been urged to investigate Razman Zakaria and TikTok user ‘Cikgu Chandra’ over alleged racial remarks.

GEORGE TOWN: 

A police report has been lodged by a DAP Youth division against Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria and a TikTok user “Cikgu Chandra” for racially charged statements over the flag-waving incident in Teluk Intan.

Jelutong DAP Youth said Razman’s comments contained unsubstantiated allegations suggesting government leaders were involved in an incident where China’s national flag was displayed at the Guan Gong Cultural Festival in Teluk Intan.

The youth wing said the claim would cause misunderstanding and tension. “We urge the police to investigate both Razman and Cikgu Chandra and take action against them for causing racial division,” a statement read.

Razman was quoted by two news outlets as having urged “those with similar physical traits” to unite, a remark which the DAP Youth wing read as encouraging divisive racial sentiments.

The youth wing said “Cikgu Chandra”, a TikTok user, had called for the Malay and Indian communities to boycott the Chinese. “Such statements are very dangerous as they have the tendency of sowing racial hatred,” the statement read.

FMT has sought confirmation from Penang police.

The controversy over the Guan Gong festival arose after a video was shared online showing a group of people waving the Chinese flag near the Leaning Tower in Teluk Intan during a parade on Oct 24.

The Guan Gong temple chairman Soon Boon Hua later apologised, saying members of a delegation from China had unexpectedly waved their national flag.

Perak police said an investigation is being carried out into the offence of flying a foreign flag in public places, and for allowing foreigners to participate in the parade. - FMT