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THERE’S lesson to learn from the kindness and generosity shown by Malaysians at Istana Negara’s front entrance over the past week.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah showed how Malaysians can be compassionate and altruistic when he distributed fast-food and beverages to media practitioners at the palace gate.

We are not witnessing the same compassion in politicians who are muddled in an endless power struggle. Although it is unfair to equate the king’s and other Malaysians’ generosity with politicians’ behaviour, it is clear politicians have not shown a speck of compassion and kindness to each other lately.

The political turmoil has caused immense unhappiness to people from all walks of life. Worsened by the outbreak of Covid-19, the turmoil affects the economy, especially the financial market. It is also leaving emotional scars on a society that has now become fractious.

Just look at social media where there’s bad blood between the people. We can’t deny that many of us online can’t help but take sides and become adversaries — largely because of different political beliefs. But some quarters in society are beyond reason and convention. They are overly antagonistic to each other and shoot their mouths off when they read something they don’t like.

Take a close look at this nation, a melting pot of races, cultural and religious beliefs. She is a promised land with a promising future. But look closely at us, the people with that cantankerous conduct. Rubbing salt into the wound, average Malaysians are unhappy about the economy, with scarce job opportunities and prices of essentials going up.

The people are sad, angry and disappointed with what’s unfolding. They are concerned about the future of this nation if the problems are not quickly resolved. We will lose a considerable amount of time to see that the country moves in the right direction if politicians continue their incessant bickering.

You know, we can learn a lot from Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. One common thing these countries share is they are happy nations with happy citizens.

The World Happiness Report has shown that from 2012, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland consistently ranked the happiest countries. Finland ranked first for two consecutive years in 2019 and 2018. Norway was the happiest country in 2017 while Denmark made its mark twice in 2013 and 2016.

The report indicated Nordic countries ranked so high on the happiness hierarchy because they have political stability and prosperity, free education and healthcare, low crime rates, cushy social security nets and a relatively homogeneous population.

Malaysia is ranked the 80th happiest nation in 2019, a drop of 45 places compared with 2018 when it was ranked 35th. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia is ranked fourth behind Singapore (34th), Thailand (52nd) and the Philippines (69th).

What does it take for citizens to be happy with their country? Researchers of the report say happiness is the sheer feeling of satisfaction with the way one’s life is going. They use variables such as GDP per person, social support, healthy-life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, free from corruption, among others. They also look into how happiness has evolved over the years with a focus on technological advancements, social norms, conflicts and government policies that have driven those changes.

That’s why it’s vital for all of us to boost efforts to pursue happiness.

By Rohiman Haroon.

Read more @ https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/03/570471/what-does-it-take-citizens-be-happy-their-country

MORE than a billion in China and millions around the world celebrate the Chinese New Year today, ushering in the Year of the Metal Rat with prayers and feasts.

It is the most important holiday of the Chinese calendar, which marks the beginning of the new lunar year.

Also known as the Spring Festival, it’s considered a time to honour deities and ancestors, and to be with family.

The event always sparks a rush of travel, which the New York Times has dubbed ‘the world’s largest annual human migration’.

Understandably, fears of a viral pandemic have cast a pall on celebrations; China has locked down 10 cities hit by a new coronavirus outbreak that has, to date, killed 26 people and infected some 830 others.

For Malaysians, Chinese New Year is an inclusive affair, to be celebrated in true ‘muhibbah’ spirit – a cultural festival that is as embracing of others as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali and Christmas.

Given that a quarter of the population is of Chinese descent, Malaysians from all walks of life and religions joyfully partake of the festive occasion, just as they do during other celebrations.

Such cultural and religious appreciation, which has strengthened the bonds of friendship and enhanced interracial and inter-religious harmony, is a longstanding Malaysian tradition.

We are one of the few countries where people are integrated into one cohesive group in a colourful weave that has been made stronger because of our different backgrounds.

At 56, Malaysia stands tall and proud with more than 15 different races, some 100 languages and at least seven different faiths.

This rich tapestry is Malaysia. We have been celebrating this diversity for so long, learning to respect one another, understanding a culture and revelling in it.

A healthy admiration of the breadth and depth of each culture. A sign of Malaysia’s maturity as a sovereign state.

Economically, Malaysia has seen a meteoric rise in growth over the last couple of decades. Rapid changes in social structures inevitably bring new challenges, especially to a young nation like ours.

Subversive elements are always lurking to undermine our cultural diversity.This Leader will not rant on recent reported incidents which have aroused suspicion, mistrust and hatred in some communities.

Suffice to say that such disruptions we must guard against. We should not allow them to seep into our consciousness and destroy what we have built.

This Leader wants Malaysians to march on and celebrate our diversity. Continue fending off the subversive elements. Bask in our differences – our diverseness should unite, not divide us.

We cannot afford to convulse in a frenzy of racist hatred, reminiscent of the May 13, 1969, racial riots. It would be ashamedly regressive.

Cultural diversity is to be celebrated.

It is the key to getting along with each other. Hari Raya, Deepavali, Christmas, Chinese New Year and what-have-yous – they are occasions that promote harmony, goodwill and unity.

We have many things to be thankful for. Every celebration is a reminder of what it means to be Malaysian.

This newspaper wishes everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Read more @ https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/leaders/2020/01/559459/nst-leadercelebrating-our-diversity

KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese New Year celebration appears subdued as most consumers shy away from extravagant spending.

While the festival has always been a boon time for players in the retail and hospitality industries with consumers flooding shopping complexes and retail shops and booking hotels for reunion dinners, it’s quieter this time around.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Johor Chapter marketing communications consultant and secretary Yvonne Loh said consumers were more prudent as reflected by the low number of bookings for reunion dinners this year.

“Normally, people will book three to four weeks ahead of Chinese New Year. Many hotels complain of poor business. It’s not a good sign. It looks like families are mindful of their spending for CNY this year.

“Not only are hotels feeling the pinch, shopping centres, too, are quieter compared with previous years,” she told the New Straits Times.

Loh said the increase in prices of goods could be one factor.

“Reunion dinners, for example, can be expensive. A table of 10 persons normally starts at RM500.

“It can be costlier as the prices of ingredients such as abalone, oyster and salmon have gone up due to seasonal factors. Suppliers hike the prices to take advantage of the once-in-a-year festive affair.”

MAH Johor Chapter committee member Michael Bay said many Singaporeans and Malaysians working in the nation-state did their festive shopping and preparations in Johor Baru to take advantage of the weakened ringgit.

“Nevertheless, hotel occupancy remains an issue as the industry has to contend with the rise in unregulated short-term accommodations like Airbnb.”

Bay said hotels in Johor Baru were struggling to compete with operators of the food and beverage industry, especially during the festive season.

“There seems to be a drop in the number of in-house dining patrons.”

Bay said hotels need to focus on factors, including pricing, food varieties, taste, presentation and quality, to attract customers to their restaurants.

Puteri Pacific Johor Baru and Persada Johor International Convention Centre marketing manager Lily Othman said hotels in the city were facing stiff competition from restaurants and hipster cafes in terms of bookings for CNY reunion dinners and get-togethers.

“Consumers are not spending less, but they have more options now.

“For this year, we have maintained our buffet prices. Apart from family reunion dinners, we also cater to corporate functions and group bookings.”

By Sarah Rahim.

Read more @ https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/559577/prudent-start-cny

MANDARIN oranges, red angpow packets and colourful cheongsam dresses – what do these signify? For those who do not celebrate Chinese New Year, these things probably indicate another school break or public holiday.

I was not born of Chinese ancestry, although my strong Oriental features may give you the notion. I am, however, part of the non-Chinese crowd who embraces this celebration.

Growing up, one of my favourite tales to read was a myth about how some Chinese New Year traditions came to be. The story goes thus: A small village in ancient China was terrorised by a frightening sea beast called Nian that only emerged from the waters on New Year’s day.

A beggar arrived at the village seeking food and shelter one particular New Year’s eve but because the village-folk were busy packing up to flee to the mountains before the beast arrived, they paid him no heed. All except for one old woman, who considered it a lost cause to escape.

To repay her for the food she had given him, he vowed to expel Nian once and for all. He did this by brightly lighting up the old woman’s house, putting up bright red banners around the door and donning a robe of the same shade on himself.

When the monster approached, it felt hesitant and fearful. But what really did the trick was lighting up firecrackers! The poor beast fled back to the ocean and never returned.

I adore this legend, and still revisit it from time to time when I am in need of a good read.

For as long as I can remember, my family, who are big fans of Chinese cuisine, have always gone out to have a feast, which includes yee sang, to welcome Chinese New Year. The waiter would explain to us what each element of the dish symbolises.

Pepper and cinnamon powder represent health and youth, plum sauce represents sweetness in life, and crackers represent wealth and prosperity. These are all aspects of life that one would hope for in the new year.

I know this does not hold a candle to the grandeur of how Chinese New Year is supposed to be celebrated – even if it is just a simple banquet in a small family home, the value is so much deeper for those born into the culture.

However, this should not hinder us from taking part in the festivities. Some Malaysians of non-Chinese descent never attempt to join in, aside from hearing Chinese New Year songs and seeing the elaborate decorations at shopping complexes.

This is honestly such a wasted opportunity. As Malaysians, we should try and include ourselves with our brothers and sisters of different ethnicities as often as possible. It definitely promotes a deeper sense of love and understanding.

For instance, my mother always receives a goodie bag filled with sweets and oranges during Chinese New Year from Aunty Agnes, my next door neighbour. In return, Aunty Agnes receives a Tupperware packed full of lemang and rendang during Hari Raya Aidilfitri for her family.

Although the act may be small, the meaning behind it is monumental. You do not necessarily have to splurge and throw massive open house parties to show for a good time.

For any celebration, the true essence behind it is sharing whatever you can. It transcends material offerings, as sometimes the feeling of joy is what truly matters to be shared.

The beauty and sentiments of this auspicious time of the year certainly runs deeper than the physical rites and rituals.

Farisya Azwar Ridzuan is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) team. To read more articles written by BRATs participants, sign up for the NiE pullout. It is published on Wednesdays bi-monthly and available only through school subscriptions. To subscribe, call the toll free number 1-300-88-7827 (Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm). For more information on Star-NiE’s BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.

by By FARISYA AZWAR RIDZUAN.

Read more @ https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2020/01/12/a-cause-to-celebrate