GOODNESS AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF COMBINING WATERMELON WITH FRESH DATES JUICE.

 

Combining watermelon and fresh dates juice provides deep hydration, rapid natural energy, and a rich boost of antioxidants and essential minerals.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Hydration and Electrolytes: Watermelon is about 91% water and rich in potassium, making it effective for replacing lost fluids and preventing muscle cramps.
Heart Health: It contains the amino acid citrulline, which helps improve blood flow and lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels.
Antioxidant Support: It is packed with lycopene and vitamin C, which protect cells from damage and lower inflammation.

Health Benefits of Fresh Dates Juice

Natural Energy: Dates provide a concentrated source of natural sugars and carbohydrates for a quick energy boost.
Minimally Processed Nutrients: As discussed in insights on Is date juice healthy?, making fresh date juice at home without preservatives supplies vitamins (particularly B vitamins) that support smooth skin and overall vitality.
Blood Pressure Regulation: Dates offer high potassium content, which helps manage a healthy heart rate and blood pressure.

Combined Effects

Balanced Energy and Recovery: Watermelon delivers fast hydration and citrulline for muscle recovery, while dates add sustained minerals and natural carbohydrates. [1]
Traditional Balance: Combining cooling foods like watermelon with warming foods like dates is viewed in traditional practices as having a harmonizing effect on the body. [1]
Note: Because both fruits contain natural sugars, large portions can cause blood sugar spikes or digestive discomfort if consumed in excess.

One should drink by combining Watermelon with Fresh Dates juice which is really tasty while enjoying the goodness and health benefits offered on a regularly basis.

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“Entire ploy to overthrow N9 ruler proven plotted by UMNO; no PH intervention, DAP vindicated”

 

EVEN the quest to rebut yesterday’s (Sept 8) damning Singapore Straits Times report of the so-called UMNO treachery by newly minted Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lajim is limited to denying party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s role in to removal of Yang di-Pertuan Besar (YDPB) Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

However, the Juasseh state assemblyman did not address whether he inked the alleged proclamation of the state ruler’s abdication during a meeting on Aug 3 which he claimed to have signed it under duress.

“I always support the UMNO president and the entire party leadership who always uphold, defend and preserve the dignity of the institution of the Malay rulers and the principle of the constitutional monarchy,” he asserted in his three-paragraph media statement.

“I hope the issue involving customs in Negeri Sembilan can be resolved well, wisely and in accordance with the law to ensure stability, harmony and well-being of the N9 rakyat.”

Aside from his so-called ‘loyalty pledge’, the statement did not address claims by sources of Singapore’s most-read English daily that UMNO’s top brass, including Zahid who is also the BN chairman, its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and de-facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said were present at the meeting.

This twist was revealed in a Sept 5 statement by N9’s four traditional chieftains a.k.a. Undang who have the power to elect and remove the state’s ruler.

Ismail responded the next day (Sept 6) that “the four Undang have the right to their opinion” but that he “and the state government express full loyalty to Tunku Muhriz as the Yang di-Pertuan Besar”. He did not confirm or deny whether he signed the proclamation.

Meanwhile, the said proclamation is aimed at removing Tuanku Muhriz from the throne, thereby paving the way for Tunku Nadzaruddin Tuanku Ja’afar, the son of the previous ruler, to be installed as the 12th N9 Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

This was when legal and government sources told ST that Ismail claimed he was forced to sign the proclamation under duress and that UMNO’s top leadership has been working in concert with the four Undang of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau.

In fact, the 67-year-old who built his early career as a lawyer before transitioning to full-time governance and political roles is further said to have filed a police report yesterday (Sept 8) that he was coerced into signing the document and prevented from leaving the meeting until he did so.

As it is, Ismail has come under fire from both the UMNO grassroots and Madani backers with the Blue Wave proponents lambasting him for “acting like a two-headed snake even when the rakyat has already accorded the mandate”.

“You’ve turned your back on the rakyat’s wishes. You were given a mandate so that customs are upheld, not the other way around,” fumed a presumably UMNO diehard.

“If the majority of the rakyat had wanted Tuanku Muhriz to remain as YDPB, your side would definitely not have won the recent state polls. Do you still not understand or are you pretending not to understand?”

In addition to his police report, the five-term UMNO state assemblyman (three terms Senaling and two terms Juasseh) only need to confirm publicly whether he did sign or not the said proclamation to remove Tuanku Muhriz.

On the other extreme, the Madani backer faction is rejoicing over the fact that “we now know the one who truly defended the N9 royal institution of and Tuanku Muhriz is Tok Min @dsaminuddin (former Pakatan Harapan MB Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun)”.

“Even when slandered left & right and pressured, he stayed steady by not signing such proclamation, didn’t change his stance, didn’t wear two faces,” jibed keyboard warrior StratCommX (@StratCommX) on X.

Another chastised the BN-PN (Perikatan Nasional) pact for betraying the Malays in the guise of ummah unity political rhetoric

“Their reasons include DAP challenges the palace institution … (Former) MB Aminuddin interferes with adat (customary) affairs …,” berated political affairs observer Rasidi Zainal (@YOEPCD).

“Finally, the intention is to bring down Yamtuan Tunku Mukhriz …. UMNO-BN by winning the N9 state election hasn’t solved the (royalty) problem but has already expanded the problem to something even worse.”

Added Madani keyboard warrior Mr.Nazril (@Nazril_Iznil) who took a pot shot at Ismail:

When the N9 folks continue to be haunted by “(anti-)DAP” sentiments, the reality right before their eyes reveals the opposite.

Yesterday, you took your oath before Tuanku Muhriz.  The next day, you signed a proclamation to bring down the ruler who had just witnessed your swearing in. 

- Focus Malaysia

Serian air quality remains very unhealthy, API reading hits 212

 

Hazy conditions at Kampung Telaga Air Jetty, about 30km from Kuching city. - BERNAMA FILEPIC

KUALA LUMPUR: Serian, Sarawak recorded a very unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 212 as of 8am today.

Data from the Department of Environment's (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed that 28 areas nationwide recorded unhealthy API readings.

In Sarawak, Samarahan recorded a reading of 186, followed by Sarikei and Sri Aman at 174 each, while ILP Miri recorded 172, Mukah (157), Bintulu (156), Miri (151) and Sibu (104).

Apart from Sarawak, several areas in the peninsula also recorded unhealthy API readings, with Batu Muda, Kuala Lumpur recording 170, followed by Shah Alam, Selangor (162).

Nilai, Negri Sembilan recorded API readings of 159, while Tasek Ipoh and Tanjung Malim, Perak recorded 158, respectively, followed by Putrajaya (158).

Banting, Selangor recorded 157, followed by Bukit Rambai, Melaka (155), Segamat, Johor (155) and Jerantut, Pahang (155).

Petaling Jaya and Klang, Selangor recorded 154 each, while Seri Manjung, Perak recorded 152, Kuala Selangor, Selangor (152), Alor Gajah, Melaka (152) and Batu Pahat, Johor (152).

Other areas with unhealthy readings included Pegoh Ipoh, Perak (147), Kluang, Johor (136), Tangkak, Johor (130) and Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan (109).

Meanwhile, 23 areas recorded API readings at the moderate level.

They included Bandaraya Melaka with a reading of 99, Pasir Gudang, Johor (96), Temerloh, Pahang (96), and Larkin, Johor and Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, at 95 each.

Limbang, Sarawak recorded API reading of 90, followed by Politeknik Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (88), Pengerang, Johor (87), and Tanah Merah, Kelantan and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, at 84 each.

Other areas at the moderate level were Taiping, Perak (83), Kimanis, Sabah (83), Besut, Terengganu (79), Balok Baru Kuantan, Pahang and Kota Baru, Kelantan, at 78 each.

Kemaman, Terengganu recorded reading of 76, Rompin, Pahang (74), Sungai Petani, Kedah (69), Tawau, Sabah (67), Seberang Jaya, Penang and Sandakan, Sabah, at 63 each, and Keningau, Sabah (62).

Kota Tinggi, Johor recorded a reading of 100, which remained at the moderate level.

Meanwhile, four areas recorded API readings at the good level, namely, Alor Star, Kedah (43), Balik Pulau, Penang (39), Kangar, Perlis (36) and Langkawi, Kedah (20). - NST

Sarawak's tikar bergerang custodian Ngot Bi dies at 94

 

Ngot Bi, one of the country’s foremost tikar bergerang weavers, has passed away. Photo: Instagram/Yayasan_hasanah

Ngot Bi, 94, one of the last few remaining custodians of tikar bergerang, a traditional weaving craft of the Sarawak Malay community, has passed away. The weaver from Kampung Semera Ulu Sadong Jaya, Asa Jaya, Sarawak, died on Sept 7, according to a news report.

In 2005, the grandmother of eight earned the Seal Of Excellence for Handicraft Products in Southeast Asia award from Unesco. She earned the title Adiguru Kraf Anyaman (Master Weaver Craftswoman) by Kraftangan Malaysia in 2014.

In 2024, Ngot was accorded the title of Best Traditional Weaving (Plaiting) at Yayasan Hasanah's Hasanah Gold Thread awards, an event celebrating excellence and innovation in Malaysian heritage textiles and techniques.

Ngot’s passion for weaving kept the traditional tikar bergerang craft alive for generations. Photos: Edric Ong

Pandan bergerang is a traditional weaving craft of the Malay community in Saribas, Sarawak. The intricate technique involves weaving layers of pandanus leaves into square patterns featuring motifs inspired by traditional beliefs.

The handwoven mats are used for various purposes, including prayers and weddings, and are also given as welcoming gifts for firstborns.

Similar lattice-weaving techniques are used by some Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia to make headbands, bags and bookmarks.

Ngot (second from right) received her award for Best Traditional Weaving (Plaiting) at Hasanah Gold Thread Awards from Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri. Photo: Tanoti

Making a tikar bergerang is a meticulous process. Pandan leaves are first selected and cut to a uniformed size before being flattened using a tool called a "jangat". The leaves are then boiled, straightened, soaked and sun-dried before they are ready for weaving.

Yayasan Hasanah posted on its Instagram: "Throughout her life, Ibu Ngot worked to preserve this increasingly rare tradition and pass her knowledge on to future generations. Her legacy lives on through the knowledge she shared, the people she taught and the weaving tradition she worked tirelessly to preserve."

Award-winning social enterprise Tanoti, who had worked closely with Ngot, said they honour Ibu Ngot not only for the beautiful mats she created but for the knowledge, identity and heritage she carried in her hands.

"As tikar bergerang faces the risk of disappearing, her legacy reminds us that preserving heritage means keeping the knowledge alive and passing it forward."

Lattice plaited mengkuang mats handcrafted by Ngot.

Fashion designer Melinda Looi commented on Tanoti's posting. "RIP Master Sifu. Deepest condolences to her family. She left us with an amazing legacy. Salute."

Sarawakian designer Edric Ong wrote on his Facebook: "Rest in peace, Ibu Ngot! The passing of our legend in tikar begerang pandanus mat weaving. A national artist and treasure from Kampung Semera Asajaya Sarawak. We will greatly miss you! Your legacy lives on." - Star