KOTA KINABALU: Illegal tour operators, including foreigners, have been cashing in on the profitable tourism business in Sabah and are believed to be behind many of the untoward incidents over the years.

Two tourism organisations – Malaysian Tourism Foundation (MTF) and Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) – said it is the Federal Tourism Ministry of Tourism (Motac) and the relevant uniformed agencies that can do something about it.

More…

Register your tourist accommodation premises!!!

Daftar Premis Penginapan anda sekarang!!!

Registration Pendaftaran at MOTAC and download guidelines form.

KUCHING (Jan 4): The federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) has been urged to abolish the mandatory requirement for all licensed tour guides to attend three continuing tourism related education (CTRE) courses a year before being allowed to renew their yearly licence.

Voicing his frustrations over the great inconvenience placed on him and his colleagues as the timing of the courses would sometimes overlap with their working schedule was Lim Ann Kok, who has been a licensed tour guide for over 20 years.

“For example, let’s say I reserve a place for the course on the 30th of any particular month but two days before the starting of the course, I receive a call from my travel agency giving me an assignment to bring foreign tourists around the city.

“However, the organiser of the course would not allow me to withdraw. They would say if I don’t attend the course, they will blacklist me from future courses and potentially I might not be able to renew my licence,” he lamented, pointing out there are about 200 licensed tour guides in the state.

Furthermore, he added, as all insights and information about tourism or historical facts are readily available online at the fingertips of the tour guides it would be impractical for them to physically attend the courses.

“It is in fact the responsibility of every tour guide to upgrade and improve their knowledge by doing their own reading and research after being accredited as a licensed tour guide. Attending these compulsory CTRE courses should be the condition for us to renew our yearly licence.”

Lim said each tour guide will have to pay RM50 for each course and another RM55 to renew their licence, totalling about RM205 every year for license renewal and completing the three mandatory CTRE courses.

Thus, he suggested for the federal tourism ministry to better deploy their officers and resources to promote the growth of the tourism industry and not impose this unnecessary mandatory requirement to the distress of the local tour guides.

Lim proposed that attending the CTRE courses, with each lasting about three hours, should be made optional rather than mandatory, and only new tour guides, not the experienced ones, are required to sign up for the courses.

Thus, he looked forward to seeing the new federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim address the concerns of tourism stakeholders and come up with better solutions in view of the tourism industry being a major revenue generator for the country.

Lim has submitted an official letter to federal Tourism Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, requesting consideration to abolish the mandatory requirement for licensed tour guides to attend the CTRE courses.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2024/01/04/motac-urged-not-to-make-it-mandatory-for-licensed-tour-guides-to-attend-ctre-courses/

Nativity scenes have been part of the Catholic tradition since St. Francis of Assisi created a living Nativity scene, complete with an ox, a donkey and a manger full of straw in the Italian mountain town of Greccio in 1223.

“The Child Jesus had been forgotten in the hearts of many,” St. Francis’ biographer, Thomas of Celano, reported, “but, by the working of divine grace, he was brought to life again through his servant Francis and stamped upon their fervent memory.”

Eight hundred years later, the mystery of that first Nativity in Bethlehem still captures the hearts of the faithful, and the various cultures of the universal Church continue to create their best representations of the day God entered our world as a helpless infant.

The Nativity scene has been a staple of domestic churches and grand cathedrals alike. Whether made elaborately by artisans in grand Neapolitan style or hand-carved of olive wood in the Holy Land, such depictions reflect the meaning of the season.

And as Father Roger Landry says in his Christmas commentary, “This Advent and Christmas, as the Church looks with gratitude to 1223, it’s important to remember the lessons of Greccio. The Child Jesus has similarly been forgotten in the hearts of many today …”

Christians in the Holy Land have been asked to mute their Christmas celebrations due to the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

With that in mind, the Register stands prayerfully with them and other suffering Christians around the world, imploring God that the joy, wonder and grace of Christmas nevertheless touches them.

What follows is a sampling of Nativity scenes from Europe.

Wishing you the joy of the Christ Child! — The Editors

Assisi, Italy

The year 2023 will be unlike any other in the historic city of St. Francis, which celebrates 800 years since the establishment of the Rule of the Friars Minor, confirmed by Pope Honorius III. This important jubilee year is also marked by another anniversary, more symbolic in scope: Francis’ creation of the very first Christmas crèche in the village of Greccio, in central Italy. According to historians, the Poverello, on his return from a great journey he made to the Holy Land in 1219, desired to reconstruct the context of Jesus Christ’s birth and thus make more concrete in the eyes of the people this event that would forever change humankind’s destiny. This tradition was later perpetuated and spread by the Franciscans across the globe and became particularly well-established in Naples.

For the 800th anniversary, through Jan. 6, 2024, the entire city of Assisi has been transformed into an “enormous open-air Nativity scene,” as announced by the local authorities. The cultural events feature a blend of tradition and technological innovation, including numerous light installations and projections on the façades of the city’s main monuments and churches, based on the theme of Giotto’s fresco cycle, which immortalized the institution of the crèche by the founder of the Franciscan Order. This year’s projections will be enhanced by a new, sophisticated and energy-efficient color gradation system. Another highlight of the celebrations, alongside creative history lessons for children and medieval music concerts, is the large living Nativity scene set up on the forecourt of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, designed in collaboration with local associations and artisans.

“In this year, which opens the great Franciscan centenaries, we want to implement as concretely as possible the Franciscan message of peace and fraternity, especially in this difficult historical moment,” said Mayor Stefania Proietti during a press conference presenting the Advent displays. “The Nativity scene brings us back to the values of humility and hope. St. Francis was the man of dialogue between East and West: Eight hundred years after the first Nativity scene in history, we want to tell the world that dialogue and friendship between peoples are the only hope for peace.” 

Krakow, Poland

The Nativity scene of Krakow, Poland, is a jewel in the crown of the cultural heritage of the most Catholic country in Europe — where, every year, artistic celebrations around the birth of Christ take over squares, parks, churches and historic buildings. If Krakow’s Nativity scenes were included in UNESCO’s list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage” in 2014, it’s not least because of the dynamism generated by its traditional annual contest, held every first Thursday of December since 1937, following a procession through the historic center. The winners then have their creations exhibited in the Krzysztofory Palace (part of Krakow’s Historical Museum) until February. The best works from previous years are displayed in public places throughout the city, including cafés, restaurants and stores, following thematic itineraries.

Cracovian Nativity scenes, which take the form of palaces inspired by the architecture of Krakow’s Old Town, are distinguished by their distinctive style, bearing witness to the marvels made possible by Christian inculturation over the centuries. The Holy Family thus often finds itself flanked by historical figures and symbols of the city’s history, including flags, Lajkoniks (bearded men wearing Turco-Tatar-inspired costumes, embodying the victory of Christendom over the invader), Sigismund Bellsas a reference to the tower of the famous Wawel Cathedral, or Polish eagles.

Alongside this particularly popular folklore, almost all local churches exhibit their own creations, mostly inspired by a style closer to the original spirit instilled by the Franciscans. The best known of these is the mobile Nativity scene in the Church of the Bernardine Fathers (an order rooted in Franciscan spirituality), a Baroque building located at the foot of the famous Wawel Hill in the heart of Krakow. With a height of around 49 feet and a hundred or so intricately detailed figurines, the monks have to start work as early as mid-November in order to unveil it to the faithful in time for Christmas Eve. While the statue of Baby Jesus comes directly from Bethlehem, some of the figurines were made by the Bernardine brothers themselves or imported from Italy. The crib traditionally remains on display until the feast of Candlemas, Feb. 2. 

Vörs, Hungary

The “Bethlehem scene” of the small village of Vörs in western Hungary, not far from the famous and touristy Lake Balaton, is considered to be the largest covered crèche in Europe. What makes it so special is that, every year, it is built entirely by its inhabitants, in a tradition that dates back to 1948 and that the most ruthless years of the Soviet regime (1945-1989) failed to eradicate. The crib, which is unveiled each year on the first day of Advent and remains on public display until the end of January, is installed in the local Church of St. Martin, built in the early 18th century in a late Baroque style. The size of this Central European Bethlehem, which has grown steadily over the years, is now around 650 square feet.

The assembly begins with a large wooden structure, which also forms the foundation for rolling hills and valleys leading to the cave of the Nativity. The locals then add miniature figures, human and animal, and even a small bonfire. The construction of the Nativity scene, using only natural material, features 3 cubic meters of thuja tree branches and 20 large branches of pine tree, as well as 4 cubic meters of wood.

“Locals build it, all together, as volunteers, and it is [a] real community effort that everyone does happily and with love,” Mayor Tamás Deak told Reuters in 2021. “It is a wonderful tradition.”

For this year, which marks the 75th anniversary of the initiative’s launch, the village of around 500 inhabitants was in full swing in the days leading up to its inauguration, during Mass on Dec. 3, the first day of Advent. The crib, which offers variations and innovations each year, requires around 10 days of intense, coordinated work, if only to meet the expectations of the ever-increasing number of foreign visitors. In recent years, some editions have attracted tens of thousands of visitors from other parts of the country and abroad, mainly from Germany, France and the U.S. 

Grignan, France

The tradition of santons, small hand-painted figurines placed in the Christmas crib, is emblematic of the famous Provençe region of southeastern France. Mainly made of terracotta, they can be adapted to depict and integrate the Holy Family and the Three Wise Men in the most varied cultural and historical contexts. This custom, which took root in homes in the 18th century at a time when anti-Catholic forces banned all expressions of religious devotion in public — has since become a hallmark of southern France culture. It is particularly well represented in the town of Grignan, in the heart of the Drôme department (administrative division), which each year exhibits what is billed as the world’s largest Nativity scene. Spread over an area of more than 4,300 square feet, the “Village Miniature Provençal” is divided into 70 houses and includes more than 1,200 different items that also allow visitors to rediscover the traditional trades of the last century, some of which have now disappeared.

Due to its growing success over the years, the Christmas exhibition opened its doors at the end of November and will run until mid-February, featuring traditions from all over the world, with some 80 countries represented by 450 Nativity scenes. This year, the organizers are paying special tribute to Eastern Europe, with Nativity scenes in gilded paper, ceramics or in the shape of wooden altarpieces from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia. There are also touches of inspiration from other countries, more or less distant, but united by the same still-vibrant popular faith. Ireland is well represented by a woolen crib, Burkina Faso by an all-bronze creation, and Costa Rica by a work with a seashell base. The santons from Peru are made from potato starch, while another crib is made entirely from Venetian glass — all featured in the warm, colorful atmosphere of Provençe. 

Ljubljana, Slovenia 

Families planning to spend Christmas in Slovenia are in for a wonder-filled experience this year. Just under 50 miles from the capital, Ljubljana, the famous Postojna Cave serves as the site of the 33rd edition of the traditional “Living Nativity” through Dec. 30. This 90-minute show, performed several times a day, brings together some 100 artists from various countries, including singers, musicians, dancers and figure skaters, to offer the public a dreamlike immersion in the distinctive Christmas spirit. 

The Postojna underground cave, a jewel of the Kars region — between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea — and Slovenia’s main tourist attraction, is a complex of some 15 miles of caverns and galleries, the largest in the region. Its natural setting lends itself particularly well to the artistic staging of the Living Nativity, which takes advantage of the abundance of stalagmites and stalactites formed in the limestone rocks and whose colorful illumination is a spectacle in itself.

Sixteen scenes inspired by biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ follow a 3-mile itinerary, partly on board a small train and partly on foot. Musical performances accompany the entire itinerary, with traditional songs such as Ave Maria and Silent Night performed each year. 

While awaiting the opening of the show, which won’t take place until Christmas Day, visitors enjoy the magic of Advent, with the giant fir tree set up in the underground grotto and the large Christmas market on the outskirts of the site. 

Living Nativity scenes are particularly widespread and popular in Slovenia, whose culture is still imbued with a strong Catholic identity. 

Solène Tadié Solène Tadié is the Europe Correspondent for the National Catholic Register. She is French-Swiss and grew up in Paris. After graduating from Roma III University with a degree in journalism, she began reporting on Rome and the Vatican for Aleteia. She joined L’Osservatore Romano in 2015, where she successively worked for the French section and the Cultural pages of the Italian daily newspaper. She has also collaborated with several French-speaking Catholic media organizations. Solène has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and recently translated in French (for Editions Salvator) Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy by the Acton Institute’s Fr. Robert Sirico.

https://www.ncregister.com/features/o-come-let-us-adore-him-european-creches

PETALING JAYA: Travel agencies should be scrutinised by the government to ensure they are financially sound to combat scams and improve standards, a trade group said.

Malaysia Tourism Agency Association president Khalid Harun said only qualified and financially stable agencies should be permitted to practise as travel agents.

Agencies must be financially sound so that “if any of the passengers are stranded, the agencies can rescue them on the spot”, he told FMT.

He urged the government to consider raising the agency guarantee for licensed tour operators from RM20,000 to RM100,000.

Khalid said there must be a shift in payment practices. Travel agents must abandon deposit collection in favour of full payment upon package confirmation.

“When you sell your package with full payment, you collect it at the shop. You no longer have to collect a deposit as everything has been confirmed,” he said.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president Nigel Wong said the tourism, arts and culture ministry should ensure existing agencies are licensed.

He said there were many unlicensed businesses cluttering the market, allowed to operate with near-impunity, especially online.

Wong also said the Tourism Industry Act 1992 needed overhauling to ensure effective regulation and growth within the industry. “We need more effective joint enforcement between government agencies and punishments need to be harsher – with jail time in addition to fines,” he said.

Last month, tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing said the ministry would vet travel agencies offering umrah packages following multiple reports of companies scamming pilgrims.

Tiong said the licences of several travel agencies were revoked after they were found to have cheated their customers, including failing to provide the services promised.

He said there had been multiple reports of pilgrims duped by travel agencies over the past few years, with numerous police reports lodged by victims who claimed collective losses in the millions of ringgit.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/225145/govt-told-to-root-out-dodgy-travel-agents/

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will step up activities in the craft sector, especially batik production, next year in preparation for Malaysia assuming the chairmanship of Asean in 2025 and the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) in 2026.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Roslan Abdul Rahman said various activities and programmes in the sector will be carried out to introduce and promote Malaysian batik to foreign tourists visiting Malaysia in the future.

"In 2025 we will take over as chairman of Asean while 2026 is the Visit Malaysia Year, so we are planning the events which will be announced at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

"We will encourage 820 batik entrepreneurs to be involved in government initiatives after all this is the best sector for tourists," he told reporters after officiating Malaysia Batik Day 2023 at Kompleks Kraft, today.

Roslan also said the sales of batik by entrepreneurs in the sector from January to October this year had exceeded RM80 million.

Commenting on the celebration of batik day, Roslan invited the public to come and see and feel with their own hands the quality of Malaysian batik produced using various types of fabric through various techniques.

The celebration of Malaysia Batik Day 2023 for five days starting today is organised by Motac through the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia).

Among the programmes organised throughout the celebration include batik craft sales, Rahmah Batik Sales, craft exhibitions, batik craft demonstrations and many more.

As of today, a total of 525 students from 11 schools around Kuala Lumpur attended the celebration and participated in various activities including 'Jom Membatik'.

Malaysian Batik Day is also celebrated simultaneously at all branches of Kraftangan Malaysia in the states and the Langkawi Craft Complex.​

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/224592/motac-to-get-ready-for-malaysia-as-asean-chairman-in-2025-vmy-2026/

KOTA KINABALU: Tourists should only engage vans or big tour bus coaches that have valid licence or permit, indicated by one-third of the vehicles’ body painted green.

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (Motac) Undersecretary of Tourism Licensing and Enforcement Division Roslan bin Mohammad said many tourists are not aware of this colour code on permitted vehicles.

He said this is important in terms of enjoying insurance protection if involved in untoward incidents.

“It is in fact easy to spot pirated vans or bus coaches operating without licence or permit from us (Motac), by checking out for the green on part of the vehicle.

“For example, the vehicles would have the green line painted on the lower part. Most pirated vans are normally white and quite easy to identify,” he told a press conference after a joint integrated special operation of Road Transport Department dubbed “White Vans Ops” from 9am until 3pm at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), Saturday.

JPJ Senior Enforcement Director Datuk Lokman Jamaan said 10 vans, majority white, were hauled up by JPJ and Motac for ferrying domestic and foreign tourists without a valid licence.

Both agencies conducted the special operation involving 80 officers to detect pirated tourists’ vans that offer illegal rental vehicle services to tourists, after a seven-day surveillance upon receiving public complaints.

“Of the 10 vans, one had expired vehicle insurance and licence. All those detained were unable to produce valid permits.

“All passengers were asked to give statements to facilitate investigations on the vehicles’ drivers and owners.

“We are not taking custody of the passengers because they are not aware of the offences committed,” Lokman said, adding they are looking to see the link between the passengers and the operators.

Roslan said Motac is pleased at this first collaboration with JPJ to address the pirated white vans issue or “ulat”.

He said the operation is part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

“Licenced operators feel it is not fair for them to compete with illegal operators using vans or coaches not abiding by the law and regulations under Motac.

Lokman chided the operators of pirated tourist vehicles who pose huge risks to the safety of the tourists or passengers because no insurance will cover them throughout their journey.

At the same time, the pirated operators have interrupted the tourism trips with their illegal transportation service which is also affecting legitimate businesses.

“Our investigation revealed that these illegal operators use various methods including online advertising to offer services without complying with the conditions set in accordance with the Tourism Vehicle Licensing Act 1999,” Lokman said.

Under the Act, they can be fined up to RM10,000 or jail up to five years or both under Section 4(1) for operating a business of tourist vehicle without valid licence, while using a vehicle for such purpose, the operator can be fined up to RM50,000 or a maximum jail of five years or both under Section 19(1) of the same Act.

In addition, he said JPJ also took action in accordance with the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333) and the regulations under for technical aspect of the vehicle and driving offences.

Lokman urged the public to complain to Motac or JPJ if they spot anyone carrying out a tourist vehicle businesses without a valid licence.

They can report complaints directly by using the MyJPJ application e-aduan@jpj or email aduantrafik@jpj.gov.my along with complete details of the complaint.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/224238/use-licensed-tour-buses-motac/

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) views foreign tourists’ claim that a hidden camera was installed inside a wall socket at a homestay where they were staying seriously.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the Sabah Government, the State Motac and related agencies have been asked to take stern action against the allegations which were revealed on a Shanghai-based social media platform Xiaohongshu on Sept 14 and later shared by local news portals.

“Stern and appropriate punishment should be imposed on any party found guilty because this kind of reprehensible act not only violates the laws but also affects the image of the country’s tourism industry.

I would like to remind all homestay operators or owners who are registered under Motac and obtain a grading from the Ministry that if they are found to be breaking the law and convicted, stern action will be taken such as revoking their registration and grading,” he said.

Tiong also reminded all homestay operators or owners registered under Airbnb to pay serious attention to discipline and check the background of their respective employees.

“There is no denying that things such as this may happen due to the personal actions of irresponsible homestay or Airbnb workers. Motac will not compromise on such an incident and will continue to monitor from time to time,” he said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) views foreign tourists’ claim that a hidden camera was installed inside a wall socket at a homestay where they were staying seriously.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the Sabah government, the state Motac and related agencies have been asked to take stern action against the allegations which were revealed on a Shanghai-based social media platform Xiaohongshu on Sept 14 and later shared by local news portals.

“Stern and appropriate punishment should be imposed on any party found guilty because this kind of reprehensible act not only violates the laws but also affects the image of the country’s tourism industry.

“I would like to remind all homestay operators or owners who are registered under Motac and obtain a grading from the ministry if they are found to be breaking the law and convicted, stern action will be taken such as revoking their registration and grading,” he said in a Facebook post here today.

Tiong also reminded all homestay operators or owners registered under Airbnb to pay serious attention to discipline and check the background of their respective employees.

“There is no denying that things such as this may happen due to the personal actions of irresponsible homestay or Airbnb workers. Motac will not compromise on such an incident and will continue to monitor from time to time,” he said.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/220457/motac-views-claim-of-hidden-camera-installed-in-sabah-homestay-seriously-/

At least eight people lost about $6,000 in total after falling for a travel scam online, Shin Min Daily News reported on Tuesday (May 16).

They had seen an advertisement on Facebook promoting a tour package to Kundasang Mountain in Sabah.

One of the victims, surnamed Chan, 52, told Shin Min she booked a three-night tour package for herself and a friend in April, through an agent named Alvin.

“The package included the flight and accommodation, and cost $678," said Chan, who also provided the agent with their passport details.

A photo of their text conversation in Chinese showed a message initiated by the agent on April 13.

Chan said that Alvin had told her he would send an e-mail confirmation after purchasing the tickets. But up till a week before the trip, they had not received any such email.

Chan said that whenever she questioned Alvin, he would come up with various excuses for the delay.

In the end, the tickets weren't bought, and Chan said the agent informed her that she would receive a full refund.  

"I did not get the money, and now I'm not even able to contact Alvin," said Chan, who eventually found out about others online who fell victim to the scam. 

"The eight of us suffered losses of about $6,000 in total and we all have yet to receive a single cent," said Chan, adding she and the others have made a police report.

Chan believes that there are even more victims, as she had seen agents responding to more than 100 queries on their Facebook page.

According to Shin Min, the Facebook page has since been removed.

Another victim told the Chinese daily that they received details of the flight and accommodation after badgering the agent for a response.

They later learnt, however, that the flight details were bogus. 

📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/8-people-fall-sabah-tour-package-scam-losing-thousands?fbclid=IwAR1lWQMpVEJ56Hrk5wYCXAuJuG8K5-6D7eptV-CbGXEDeTJh2owWjZAJ8_c_aem_AVACkWxJKsXI7Ab8REyjvtRSwN0WmzqP91oN5E81vVAxErL0uh6cbb_lrQRCDuLiVg4

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Bernama - Malaysian National News Agency 
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Borneo Post - Sabah, Sarawak, East Malaysia newspaper, Utusan Borneo 
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China Press 中國報 - National Chinese newspaper 
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Daily Express Sabah - East Malaysian newspaper 
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Digital News Asia - Technology & IT industry news, DNA 
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Free Malaysia Today - Online news portal, FMT 
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Guang Ming Daily 光明日報 - National Chinese newspaper
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Harian Metro - National Malay newspaper, myMetro 
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Ipoh Echo - Ipoh community news 
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Malay Mail Online - Online news portal with sister newspaper 
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Malaysia Chronicle - Online news portal 
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