Star2
Chinese rock band dead Flowers brings humour and reality into its songs.
BY day, they are a brand founder, an ice-cream factory entrepreneur, an oil painting instructor at an art academy and a collectible toy designer. By night, they are members of a rock band, pouring all those daytime emotions into songs about deadlines,...
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Effortless styling
Comfort is key this raya season as you move from house to house or greet guests as a host at your own home. these gorgeous shoes are the best of both worlds: suitable to be worn all day, and stylish to boot. takkan, an Indonesian brand, offers the...
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Taking Nanyang art forward
EVOCATIVE landscapes rendered in Chinese ink and calligraphy anchor the Nanyang New Frontiers exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, with scenes of rustic kampung life, birds among oil palm trees and depictions of rambutan, hibiscus and lotus ponds. Poems,...
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Threats to come
Malaysia ranked 37th out of 161 countries on cybersecurity firm surfshark’s list of the countries most affected by data breaches in its Wrapping Up 2025: Global Data Breach Statistics report. last updated on Feb 3, 2026, the report states that 2025...
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An unfair punishment
THERE is a particular insult in watching an airfare rise while politicians talk about “strategic necessity”. You see it on your phone first. A fare that looked reasonable yesterday suddenly has a fever. A family holiday becomes a spreadsheet. A work...
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Keeping thread-itions alive
IT’S a weekday morning, and many people would be surprised to know where Zafira Ismail is. “By right I’m supposed to be at work,” the 42-year-old says with a laugh, her eyes fixed on the almost-finished piece of clothing in her hands. However, due to...
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Marking new chapters
TWO major changes occurred in Indonesian actress-singer Olla Ramlan’s life in 2025, which makes her Hari Raya this year a little different from the past. “This is my first Syawal without my mother,” the 46-year-old says of her mum, who passed away on...
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Modern silhouettes
Outerwear has moved beyond its functional roots, becoming a chic statement layer that adds polish and personality to any look. Fendi’s Brown Nappa Leather Overcoat features the Fendi ajour motif and is finished with contrasting yellow edges, its...
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The joyous wonder of life
A MIRROR room dappled with colored dots. Contorted, bright sculptures of flowers on a rooftop at the foot of Cologne’s famed cathedral. A vast showroom with giant octopus-like tentacles that offer up a mesmerising meander through space and...
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Squeeze
Picture this: Your computer starts lagging. Programs take longer to load, and switching between tasks feels more laborious than ever. Perhaps it’s time for an upgrade, you think – maybe adding more RAM (random access memory) to give it a performance...
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CHICKEN RENDANG
1 whole chicken (1.2–1.5 kg), cut into 8 to 10 pieces For blending (spice paste) 8 shallots 5 cloves garlic 5 dried red chillies, soaked, deseeded) 2 fresh red chillies (optional, for extra heat) 3 candlenuts 2.5cm ginger 2.5cm galangal 2.5cm...
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From nightmare to memories
SAY what you want about Malaysians bickering over the littlest things – when the time comes to stand united and help each other, we do so without hesitation. This was what happened when close to 200 Malaysians, including myself, were stranded in...
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Inclusion in action
CASHIER and grocery store assistant Lim Wei Kang, 25, has been especially busy as Hari Raya Aidilfitri draws near. Customers stream continuously into the shop at Taman Sri Putra, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, picking up essentials for Ramadan and the...
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Carving his own identity
WHEN listening to Syafiq Yusof talk about filmmaking, it becomes clear that a great deal of thought goes into his work. While it would be easy to attribute that to the fact that filmmaking runs in his blood, that would be too simple an...
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Finely crafted
When putting together an ensemble for the day, sometimes all you need to elevate your look is a simple, yet impactful, piece of jewellery. Bracelets are a great option, and here are three choices from wellknown luxury brands. Burberry’s Shield...
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Pulled into the scroll
NEARLY a decade ago, theatremaker Kelvin Wong stood outside Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s (KLPAC) Indicine space to welcome audiences to Antigone, a contemporised staging of the ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles. It was the first production by...
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Well-meaning but harmful
YOU’VE probably heard of the term helicopter parenting – but what about a helicopter grandparent? “A helicopter grandparent is someone who’s really involved and might struggle to step back in terms of parenting duties,” says psychotherapist Amy...
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Grain-ing favours
IT is hard to contemplate a Malay meal today without the presence of rice. In fact, rice is so indefatigably intertwined with Malay cuisine that its absence in a daily meal is inconceivable to many people. Yet did you know that until the 15th century,...
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#IWD2026 #Givetogain
MORE than a decade ago, Fazleen Nazri began noticing a challenge that many women who spend time outdoors quietly face. “There are many women-only spaces, like spas and salons, where women can feel comfortable and at ease,” says the 35-yearold. “It...
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Driven by purpose
AT 51, mechanic Imelda Kwan has spent more than two decades under car hoods. She has rebuilt engines, restored classics and has even diagnosed vehicle problems that have eluded others. But beyond fixing vehicles, she says she is driven by something...
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Man of many talents
SON Suk-ku is officially a Sundance darling. In January, Bedford Park –a New Jersey-set romantic drama in which he stars opposite Moon Choi – won a jury award for firsttime filmmakers at the festival. Sony Pictures Classics promptly scooped up the...
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Denim on ice
FRENCH luxury brand Balmain, under creative director Olivier rousteing, reached new audiences when his designs were embraced by prominent cultural figures such as the Kardashians, Michelle Obama and Barbie. rousteing and Balmain parted ways last fall...
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Resurrecting an age-old art
STANDING at the edge of the main motorway that terminates southwards at Kelantan’s Sungai Golok border immigration complex, Emsophian Benjametha traces the movements of several workers with long rakes as they head towards the nearby sweet salt...
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No more freebies
THE introduction of advertisements and sponsored content in chatbots has spawned privacy concerns for Ai users as brands scramble to stay relevant in a fast-changing online environment. Chatgpt developer Openai began showing ads in chatbot...
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The subtle substitution strategy
Imagine, if you will, a chap called marty. marty is not a villain. He does not chain-smoke in busy restaurants, nor does he kick puppies for sport. He is, by all metrics, a reasonable fellow – he pays his taxes, diligently rinses yoghurt pots for...
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An enlightening walk
RAIN throughout most of the day resulted in a much cooler evening. Instead of being drenched in perspiration, we only had to dab our foreheads lightly every now and again. Not bad for a two-hour walking tour around the usually hot and humid Kuala...
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Johor's melody
The gambus, or short lute, is a type of stringed musical instrument without frets. It produces sound through an arrangement of strings that vibrate when plucked. The gambus is a celebrated traditional instrument in Johor and Sabah. It is...
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A trail of deception
THE new Netflix mystery thriller The Art Of Sarah centres on Mu-kyoung (Lee Jun-hyuk), a detective who becomes obsessively entangled in discovering the truth behind the death of Sarah Kim (Shin Hae-sun). Ostensibly, Sarah is the Asia regional head of...
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An evolving silhouette
In Malaysia, modestwear has long been part of the visual fabric of daily life – from dressing up for the office and family gatherings to everyday activities. A design language shaped by climate, culture and the cadence of modern womanhood, it has...
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Between two worlds
IN many of his paintings, Selangor-born artist Ong Hieng Fuong, better known as Hieng in the art scene, may appear in them, but he doesn’t necessarily play a leading role. Instead, he often sees himself as a supporting character, letting the quaint...
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As authorities flag growing online risks, experts say digital parenting today requires more than screen-time limits.
WHEN content creator Ariz Ramli, better known as Caprice, came across reports that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was studying whether online games such as Roblox should be regulated, he decided to take a closer look at...
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5 rules for DIY projects
THINK you need a professional workshop to transform your home? Think again. DIY enthusiast Norpadilah Afandi shares her “cheat sheet” for creating your own DIY masterpiece. 1 Power up Stop scrolling and start building. If you’re going to invest in...
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Fasting far from home
WHILE travelling during the Hari Raya holidays is common, the idea of going on a trip in the fasting month may seem a little challenging to some Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink – among others – from sunrise...
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Pocket-sized creativity
IN Malaysia, the Chinese New Year (CNY) season and ang pow packets are inseparable – like oranges and good luck: bright, cheerful and full of promise. This Year of the Horse, these little red – well, the colour palette has expanded – traditional...
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Saddle up
By ANNDREA A. WEBBER [email protected] A NEW year in the Chinese calendar is here, and it’s time for the snake to slither away as the graceful horse takes centre stage. Those born in the Year of the Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990,...
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‘Ma’-rching with speed and stability
THIS Chinese New Year, astrologers are paying close attention to one of the most intense combinations in Chinese metaphysics: the Year of the Fire Horse. According to Master Kevin Chan of KC Bazi, this is not a year designed for comfort or...
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Clean up for luck
WHILE most view spring cleaning as a ritual to attract good luck, Feng Shui consultant Paulynne Cheng pointed out that it also has practical value. “It’s meant to reinvigorate the quality of Qi in the house,” she said when contacted by...
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CLAYPOT PATIN FISH WITH YELLOW WINE
1 patin fish, cut into large pieces 60g ginger, sliced 60g garlic, sliced 60g shallots, sliced thinly 60g green chillies, cut thinly 200g Chinese yellow rice wine (Huang Jiu) 400ml oyster sauce 40ml light soy sauce 1 tsp sugar To make Heat a...
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Ride andrepeat
ARE you ready for that time of the year? You know what time it is. When puns and wordplays, specific to one particular animal each year, start making their rounds both online and in real life. Clue: Any variation of the phrase “gallop into the new...
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Different tradition, same family ties
LECTURER Dr Lee Chan Wai grew up in Kluang, Johor and for as long as he could remember, his family’s Chinese New Year reunion dinners were grand affairs at home. When his father, retiree Lee Poi Kan was still alive, there was little question about how...
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Galloping to the cinemas
Night King SET in 2012 Hong Kong, Dayo Wong plays Foon, the manager of the once-popular nightspot Club CJ. To revive the glory days of the nightclub, a new CEO is appointed to make sweeping change. To make matters worse for Foon, the CEO is none...
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Red hot kicks
FOR the upcoming Chinese New Year festive season, brands are pulling out all the stops with trendy pieces to elevate your style. Check out these cool sneaker offerings in vibrant designs that are perfect for the festivities. Christian Louboutin’s So...
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The world we live in
CENSORSHIP has been a constant in Ai Weiwei’s life. The 68-year-old Chinese dissident, whose activist art has made him among Beijing’s most prominent critics, has seen his films, sculptures and other works restricted for their criticisms of China as...
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Does ai create new ideas, or just repeat old ones?
FOR decades, elite mathematicians have struggled to solve a collection of thorny problems posed by a 20th-century academic named Paul Erdos. Last month, an artificial intelligence startup called Harmonic jumped into the mix. Harmonic said its AI...
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Happy Chinese
MOST Malaysian Chinese citizens in modern-day Malaysia trace their ancestral roots to 19th- and 20th-century migrants who arrived from mostly southern China provinces like Fujian and Guangdong with dreams of better lives. This influx was driven by...
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It’s not just romance
VALENTINE’S Day in the modern world is synonymous with romance, but could also be a celebration of the people you love – whether that’s a romantic partner, a friend or a family member. Depending on where you are in the world, Valentine’s Day customs...
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Lighter house, lighter hearts
IN many homes, the weeks and months before the Chinese New Year come with the familiar swish of brooms, the smell of detergent and the decluttering of cupboard shelves. Known as “sao nien” ( ), or “sweeping away the old year”, the tradition is...
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Riding a whirlwind success
KATSEYE, the global girl group, made up of Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Yoonchae Jeung and Manon Bannerman, is in the midst of a rapid rise to fame. In a matter of months – since the release of its second EP,...
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Refined casual dressing
If you’re the sort who prefers not to mix and match, dresses and playsuits are the perfect choice. Not sure how to dress them up? There are tons of ways to add accessories, scarves and jackets to your look to achieve an elevated casual vibe. Sandro’s...
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More than a backdrop
THE ceremony to mark the completion of the Phase 1 Conservation of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad (BSAS) in Kuala Lumpur was held on Jan 31. This marks a significant milestone under the Warisan KL initiative – a national, heritage-led urban renewal...
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ALERT
The knitwear store appears to be a small family-run business. The sweaters on its website feature a photo of a woman hand-knitting a Christmas design. The caption says that after decades of creating knitwear that tells “quiet stories of care and...
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The virality game
IT is 2pm on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. It isn’t a public holiday or any kind of special day, yet when I walk up to the entrance of Kuala Lumpur’s Grumpy Bagels, it is heaving at the seams with an army of people. And there is no discrimination in this...
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Finding peace on an island
THE plan was simple: Fly to Maldives, stay in an affordable three-star hotel instead of a luxury resort, and swim endlessly with the sharks. I had done my research – as well as budget calculation – before deciding on the trip, and brushed off the...
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A second chance at life
HENRY Wong, 32, wears many hats at Kairos Agriculture (KA) in Permatang Pauh, Penang. The trained vanilla farmer spends his days tending to the plants while also managing daily operations at the farm’s cafe, where he cooks for visitors and oversees...
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Zealous commitment
IN a room in his London house, 52-year-old spray tan artist James Harknett has carefully arranged more than 12,500 items connected, in one way or another, to Madonna. Along with CDs, vinyl records, store displays and magazines including Smash Hits and...
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Fresh So and so clean
Barrier protection Shu Uemura’s brightoil is designed for modern city living, addressing daily aggressors such as pollution, UV exposure, stress and long hours that weaken the skin barrier and dull natural radiance. Its Moisture-barrier Cleansing...
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The price of modernity
THE electronic devices which are prevalent in our daily lives – smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVS and more – are all made in large factories, shrouded in industrial secrecy. In the video installation Colorless, Odorless (2024), South Korean artist...
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Onwards and upwards
With 2026 in full swing, there’s a lot going on in the tech world, from the ever-present hype over artificial intelligence (Ai) to potential new mechanisms to generate and store energy. here are a few real, practical developments to look forward...
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More When is more
IN a design landscape long dominated by safe neutrals, clean lines and restrained minimalism, a quiet revolution has been building – one filled with saturated colours, layered textures, bold patterns and deeply personal stories. Maximalism, once...
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Bound by history and spirit
IN the lobby of a brand new hotel in Roseau, the capital of Dominica, I chatted with one of its Afro-caribbean employees. I asked him, “Do you know South-east Asia?” His answer was crisp: “No. What’s that?” I nodded and didn’t pursue it any further....
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Greener days ahead
FOR years, an empty plot of land sat unused behind an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur. Its soil remains waterlogged after heavy rain and its barrenness noticeable, save for a few shady trees dotting the edges and brown patches where grass refuses to...
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Meet South Korea’s elite chefs
THE most surprising thing about Netflix’s smash-hit culinary survival series Culinary Class Wars may not be the food or the final rankings, but the stories of each chef. Season Two’s beloved judges and the white team – the elite figures who helped...
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From heritage designs to contemporary favourites, these handbags are made for every occasion.
If your wardrobe could use a refresh, now is the perfect moment to reassess what’s already there and what might be missing. Investing in a small edit of well-made designs of different shapes and sizes is the best way to ensure you’re prepared for...
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Klpac’s new theatre show offers an unflinching look at later life – time to reflect or one last wild
God’s
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The challenge of weight loss
FEW people realise how much humans are built to store fat efficiently. This is a genetic disposition shaped over millions of years during our evolution. But while our bodies are excellent at holding on to fat, they are also extraordinarily bad at...
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How to make a bracelet/ necklace from paper beads
Step 1 Select an old magazine or other paper product and tear out a colourful page. Step 2 Cut across the page at a slight angle to make long triangular strips. Step 3 Lay one strip on a flat surface, and align a pencil horizontally against the...
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From playful to polished
IT wasn’t long after Paloma Lanna started Paloma Wool that her brand began to receive the type of attention many designers only dream of. Its colourful, printed clothes were featured in publications like British Vogue and The New York Times....
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Online comments may not reflect public opinion
ANYONE using social media has likely long perceived that some people are not only prolific commentators but that debates on arenas such as X and Reddit often end up dominated by a handful of such keyboard warriors. A team of researchers from Germany’s...
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For animals and animal lovers
THERE are so many fascinating festivals around the world that travellers often plan entire trips just to experience them. In South-east Asia, for instance, Thailand’s Water Festival (Songkran) and Lantern Festivals (Loy Krathong and Yi Peng) draw...
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Taking control
SOME 18 years ago, Indonesian martial artist Iko Uwais was working as a telecoms van driver when he crossed paths with Jakarta-based British director Gareth Evans. That chance meeting would change Uwais’s life, launching him into Evans’ breakout films...
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Holistic skin health
IF the past decade of skincare trends was driven by products overload, 2026 marks a decisive change in pace. The conversation around enhancing one’s natural beauty is no longer about what’s new, but what actually works and why. Consumers are far...
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No risk, many gains
Like many retirement communities, The Terraces serves as a tranquil refuge for a nucleus of older people who no longer can travel to faraway places or engage in bold adventures. But they can still be thrust back to their days of wanderlust and...
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Fuelling fire the
THERE are few culinary figures as revered as Argentinian celebrity chef, restaurateur and author Francis Mallmann. At the recent Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival in Margaret River, Australia, held in November 2025,...
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