The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- More people seeking Befrienders for support
- People from various races take part in preparation of dodol
- Village transformed into sea of lights
| More people seeking Befrienders for support Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:48 PM PDT JOHOR BARU: Relationship, suicidal thoughts and sexual issues were the main topics for people who contacted the Befrienders in the state last year. Its Johor Baru chapter president Esther Teo said the centre received about 5,000 calls last year, which was a 20% increase as compared to 2009. "Most people call in to share their relationship problems including problems with their family members, couples or even colleagues," she said. She added that about 10% to 12% of the total calls were from those who had suicidal thoughts or were emotionally unstable. "From the total number of calls, some 63% of them were male callers. "We do not only provide a listening ear, we also act as an emotional support centre as well as suicide prevention centre," she said. She added that one of the factors for the increase in calls could be due to the demands of their lifestyle and increased stress levels faced in different aspects of their life. "We also receive calls from people who want to talk about their sexual relationships and some who are scared to speak to their family about their homosexuality. "The callers just want someone to talk to and listen to their problems, which is why we emphasise on confidentiality, anonymity and we treat each caller with respect," she said. Teo added the centre will be organising a fund-raising dinner as well as a seminar to raise awareness about suicide prevention. "The dinner will be held on Sept 9 at Pekin Restaurant, Taman Sutera in conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day, which falls on the same day. "The seminar will touch on topics such as management of stress and strategies in preventing suicide," she said, adding that those interested can call Sim Ah Moi at 012-715 4449 or Jean Fung at 016-716 1480. |
| People from various races take part in preparation of dodol Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:47 PM PDT MALACCA: Some 150 members of the Malacca Deaf Association joined hands with Barisan Nasional's volunteers from Ayer Molek to stir dodol in preparation for Hari Raya recently. The gotong-royong was held at the state Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee Chairman Datuk Mohd Yunos Husin's residence. Preparation of the dodol, involving people from all races, portrayed the 1Malaysia spirit. Malacca Deaf Association's president Razak Seman said this first-ever collaboration was a good exposure for the members to work and mingle with other communities. He added that the meaningful activity would instil more confidence among its members. The association's vice-president Piong Chee Sing, 36, echoed Razak's sentiments by saying that non-Muslim members were eager to have a hands-on experience in making the sweet and sticky local delicacy. "Everyone took their turns to stir the mixture of coconut milk, glutinous rice flour, sugar and gula melaka (palm sugar) in the hot and burning cauldrons. "The wet evening and smoky surrounding did not dampen the people's enthusiasm in making dodol," he said. Guests at the event also had the opportunity to break fast later with the volunteers and enjoyed a variety of dishes prepared for them. The dodol making and buka puasa event, said Razak, had fostered a good relationship between the hearing impaired and the local community. Later, the sweet was distributed to everyone who attended the event. |
| Village transformed into sea of lights Posted: 24 Aug 2011 05:45 PM PDT MALACCA: The tradition of lighting oil lamps in ushering Hari Raya has been practised for generations among villagers in Kampung Pengkalan Batu at Bukit Sebukor. Every year, the 600-odd villagers had never failed to transform their village into a sea of lights. Village security and development community chairman Abu Hassan Aji, 50, said the village youths were instrumental for the handmade oil lamps placed along the main roads. "Every year, our youths will source for bamboo nearby. "Then they will craft the raw materials into oil lamps," he said. The youths, said Abu Hassan, took between five days and a week to produce some 300 oil lamps of various shapes and sizes. Despite the lamps being traditional in design, the youths were innovative in making it from various recyclable items such as aluminium cans, old bottles, food cans and coconut shells. They have also been creative in coming up with ideas especially the design of the oil lamps. "We spent RM150 a day to light the lamps by using a mixture of kerosene and diesel," he said, adding that some residents also used electric lights to decorate their homes. Asked on the significance of these oil lamps, Abu Hassan said that it was believed that lighting oil lamps would attract angels to people's homes during the night of Lailatulqadar." he said. "Today, it is a common practice for houses to be lighted up with traditional oil lamps and decorative lights during malam tujuh likur or ten days before Hari Raya to signify the approach of Hari Raya Aidilfitri," he added. Having had won the best-decorated village in Malacca for four consecutive years ago, Abu Hassan is confident that his village would have a good chance to be in the top spot this year. "We are confident of retaining our title in the competition this year," he said, adding that a panel of judges were expected to visit and grade the village soon. |
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