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INTERACTIVE: More than just foods

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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: From late afternoon onward during the holy month of Ramadan, Malaysia’s bustling bazaars come alive with the sights, sounds, and aromas of festive delicacies.  These bazaars, a cherished tradition, offer an array of mouthwatering dishes while driving significant economic activity across the country. According to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Ramadan bazaar sales in 2023 reached an impressive RM1.98 billion, reflecting the strong consumer appetite for iftar delicacies. A total of 65,415 stalls were registered nationwide, providing a platform for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. Selangor emerged as the top-performing state, generating RM451.45 million in sales, while Johor led in the number of stalls, registering 10,868. On average, each stall recorded sales of RM30,193 in Ramadan month. In terms of high-revenue locations, Kuala Lumpur took the lead with RM69,491 per stall, followed...
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INTERACTIVE: How geography shapes Malaysia's Ramadan experience

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Muslims fast from dawn to dusk in Ramadan, but fasting times and durations can vary according to elevation and location. Datuk Dr Mohd Zambri Zainuddin from Universiti Malaya (UM) said elevation plays a role in determining sunrise and sunset times. “In high-altitude areas you can see the sunrise earlier and the sunset later compared to lower areas, as there is a wider view of the horizon. “For every 400 meters in elevation, fasting time increases by approximately four minutes,” said Dr Mohd Zambri, an honorary professor at UM’s Department of Fiqh & Usul, Academy of Islamic Studies. As all of Malaysia follows a single time zone, the imsak (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking of fast) times are also earlier in the country’s east. “This is due to the east-west movement of the sun, where eastern regions experience sunrise and sunset earlier than western ones. “Hence, Sabah and Sarawak have imsak and iftar times earlier than Peninsular Malaysia,” said...
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INTERACTIVE: How South-East Asia can push back against rising food imports

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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: Asean countries can reduce their growing food import bill by working together to create a coordinated strategy to strengthen food security in the region, say experts.   The strategy should focus on boosting intra-Asean food supply chains and reducing dependence on external markets, they said.   Nik Syafiah Anis, a research associate at Khazanah Research Institute, said a highly integrated regional food supply chain will strengthen food security in Asean.   “Encouraging trade policies that facilitate the seamless flow of agricultural goods by reducing tariffs and eliminating non-tariff barriers can improve food accessibility and diversity,” she said.   The call for greater collaboration comes amid Indonesia’s plan to gradually end its reliance on food imports, a move that highlights Asean’s rising food imports.     Indonesia’s president Prabow...
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INTERACTIVE: Early warning signs of a landslide – here is what you need to look out for

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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI     PETALING JAYA:   Cracks in walls or floors, blocked drains, and tilting utility poles or fences – these are among the early warning signs of a landslide that people living near slopes need to watch out for, said the Mineral and Geoscience Department.   The department’s director-general Datuk Zamri Ramli said other warning signs to look out for are water seeping from slopes, pooling water at the base of slopes, and visible cracks along their surface.   “Residents living near slopes should remain vigilant for these early warning signs of landslides, particularly during heavy downpours,” Zamri told The Star.   Parts of the country are currently experiencing heavy rain during the current northeast monsoon, raising the risk of landslides especially at high-risk slopes.   Critical slopes identified nationwide     Zamri said 254 critical slopes we...
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INTERACTIVE: Malaysia 2025 long weekend guide

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: With the year ending, the time has come to plan your leave days for 2025.   Malaysia has many public holidays and for next year, 25 will fall close to a weekend.   This provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy a long weekend.   However, you will need to take leave days in many cases to bridge the gap between a public holiday and the weekend.   Check out the following calendar for a handy guide:
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[AI TRIAL] Malaysia 2025 long weekend guide

PETALING JAYA: With the year ending, the time has come to plan your leave days for 2025. Malaysia has many public holidays and for next year, 25 will fall close to a weekend. This provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy a long weekend. However, you will need to take leave days in many cases to bridge the gap between a public holiday and the weekend. Check out the following calendar for a handy guide:  
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