Posts

INTERACTIVE: Time for a term limit?

Image
By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: With Malaysia mulling a proposal to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years, a question that arises is how long leaders in other countries get to serve. According to the World Population Review website, term limits are very rare for Prime Ministers but common for Presidents. Of the 73 countries listed on the website as having Prime Ministers, only four impose term limits - Thailand (two four-year terms), Laos (two five-year terms), Cuba (two five-year terms), and Mongolia (one four-year term). While most countries don’t have term limits for their Prime Ministers, these leaders typically serve at the pleasure of their respective parliaments. When it comes to Presidents, term-limits are the norm. World Population Review lists 146 that have Presidents. From this total, two-term limits are the most common, in place in 98 countries. Another 14 countries have a one-term limit, while two have three-term limits. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

INTERACTIVE: A once-in-33-year Raya phenomenon

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will experience a rare convergence of three major festivals eight years from now. In 2033, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Christmas will fall close to each other, creating a joyful overlap of celebrations. This phenomenon occurs because Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be celebrated twice in 2033 – first in early January and again in December. The first Aidilfitri of 2033 will coincidentally fall in the same month as Chinese New Year (Jan 31). The second Aidilfitri of that year will occur close to Christmas (Dec 25). Aidilfitri will happen twice in 2033 due to the Islamic lunar-based calendar being approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar. Over time, this difference results in Islamic celebrations shifting earlier each year. Once every 33 years, this shift aligns in such a way that Muslims observe two Aidilfitri celebrations within the same Gregoria...
Post a Comment
Read more

INTERACTIVE: A once-in-33-year Raya phenomenon

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: In just eight years, Malaysia will witness a rare and special occurrence – celebrating two Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a single year.  This event will take place in 2033, with Aidilfitri falling on January 2 and again on December 23. This unique alignment of the Islamic and Gregorian calendars occurs due to the Hijri (Islamic) calendar being approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar.  Over time, this difference results in Islamic celebrations shifting earlier each year.  Once every 33 years, this shift aligns in such a way that Muslims observe two Aidilfitri celebrations within the same Gregorian year. Making 2033 even more special, the year will also see a rare holiday overlap. Just two days after the December Aidilfitri celebrations, Malaysians will also celebrate Christmas on December 25. Meanwhile, in January of the s...
Post a Comment
Read more

INTERACTIVE: A death every two hours

Image
By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA : Every 1 hour and 56 minutes, someone loses their life in a Malaysian road accident, according to official statistics from March 14, 2024, to March 18 this year. Even more alarming, a road accident occurs approximately every 50 seconds. The Star's analysis reveals these sobering figures as the country approaches the Hari Raya holiday season, when millions travel to their hometowns. The Cabinet committee on traffic congestion and road safety began releasing daily accident statistics last March to raise awareness about road safety.   Road accidents surged during festival periods The figures show that accidents tend to rise sharply in the days leading up to major festivals. There is then a drop on the festival days, followed by another spike once the festivities end as traffic returns to normal levels. Last year, the top three days with the highest number of accidents all fell within a one-week period...
Post a Comment
Read more

[PRINT] Ramadan bazaar, by the numbers

  By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Ramadan bazaars often draw large crowds, but which locations have the highest sales? Kuala Lumpur is at number one, according to figures from the Statistics Department (DOSM). The city’s Ramadan bazaars recorded an average monthly sale of RM69,491 per stall in 2023. Two Selangor districts came second and third: namely Petaling at RM59,598 per stall followed by Kuala Langat at RM51,196. Batu Pahat in Johor was fourth, at RM48,771, while Hulu Langat in Selangor was fifth at RM46,392. Although DOSM has not yet released figures for 2024, its 2023 report provided an interesting glimpse into the popularity of Ramadan bazaars in the country. According to the report, Ramadan bazaars recorded a total sale of RM1.98bil nationwide. There were 54,415 Ramadan bazaar stalls throughout Malaysia, with Johor having the most stalls at 10,868. A total of 171,868 workers were employed at Ramadan b...
Post a Comment
Read more

INTERACTIVE: Ramadan bazaar, by the numbers

Image
By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaars are a beloved institution that showcase the country’s rich food heritage and multicultural identity. With their colourful canopies and enticing aromas, Ramadan bazaars attract not just Muslims looking to buy food and drinks for iftar (the breaking of fast). They also draw fellow Malaysians of other faiths and even foreign tourists as well. The Statistics Department (DOSM) has yet to release its most current figures, but available figures for 2022 and 2023 provide an interesting glimpse into just how popular Ramadan bazaars are throughout the country. Check out the key figures below: According to DOSM’s figures Kuala Lumpur holds the top spot for having the top-grossing Ramadan bazaar in Malaysia in 2023. On average, a Ramadan bazaar stall in the city recorded a monthly sales of RM69,491 per stall. Two Selangor districts are second and third. Pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

INTERACTIVE: Ramadan bazaar, by the numbers

Image
By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaars are a beloved institution that showcase the country’s rich food heritage and multicultural identity. With their colourful canopies and enticing aromas, Ramadan bazaars attract not just Muslims looking to buy food and drinks for iftar (the breaking of fast). They also draw fellow Malaysians of other faiths and even foreign tourists as well. The Statistics Department (DOSM) has yet to release its most current figures, but available figures for 2022 and 2023 provide an interesting glimpse into just how popular Ramadan bazaars are throughout the country. Check out the key figures below:     According to DOSM’s figures Kuala Lumpur holds the top spot for having the top-grossing Ramadan bazaar in Malaysia in 2023. On average, a Ramadan bazaar stall in the city recorded a monthly sales of RM69,491 per stall. Two Selangor districts are se...
Post a Comment
Read more