Human Story

The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) achieved commendable success by securing both the champion and runner-up titles in two major events at the Firefighter and Paramedic Challenge 2023 held in Changi, Singapore.

Senior Superintendent Alimaddia Bukri, emphasized the significance of this victory, considering the intense competition from various countries and the challenges posed by sophisticated equipment and vehicles.

Alimaddia shared with Daily Metro, saying that they are giving their best with the experience they have, coupled with the guidance of their coach.

They have successfully brought the championship to Malaysia, proving that they are just not champions within our borders but also internationally capable.

Having participated in the competition multiple times, Alimaddia credited the team’s success to their continuous efforts and commitments. He also highlighted the thorough selection process for officers and members, focusing on their high physical fitness, technical expertise, and experience.

In the competition, JBPM secured victory in the ‘Rip It Off’ event (group) by triumphing over formidable opponents. Additionally, in the ‘Braveheart’ event, JBPM claimed the second spot.

If you’re a frequent visitor to Klang Valley malls, chances are you’ve come across the delightful world of Inside Scoop, an ice cream haven that might surprise you with its distinctly Malaysian origins.

Owned by Edmund Tan and his wife, Lim Shiew Li, Inside Scoop was inspired by their love for ice cream and their desire to create happy memories for Malaysians. Their goal is to make great ice cream that is made fresh locally, creating imitable natural flavors and smooth, ultra-creamy textures, unlike mass-produced ones.

But the husband-and-wife duo has no background in culinary, aside from having years of ice cream tasting experience. They both had careers in finance, with Tan as an investment banker and Lim as an actuary. However, due to their burning passion for understanding the science behind ice cream, Shiew Li enrolled at Gelato University in Italy.

And that is how The Inside Scoop began in 2013, when they opened their first store in Bangsar with 16 flavors. After a decade in the business, Inside Scoop now offers over 70 flavors on rotation with more than 20 outlets across Malaysia. Not only that, they now sell ice cream cakes and buttermilk waffles that can be enjoyed with ice cream.

The name Percy Jackson resonates with readers worldwide, captivating audiences with its gripping narrative of a teenage Greek demigod and his enthralling Olympian escapades. However, little is known about the talented illustrator behind the captivating UK editions of Rick Riordan’s renowned series, a Kuala Lumpur-born artist named Khadijah Khatib.

At the age of 26, Khadijah is a versatile freelance artist with a diploma in illustration, movie, and game art, lending her diverse skill set to a range of creative endeavors.

According to Khadijah, being a fan of the novel since she was 14 has helped her a lot when it came to designing the book covers. She adds that it was also helpful that her art director provided sketches for each of the books.

Before she collaborated on the Percy Jackson series, Khadijah had already made her mark by illustrating covers for Riordan’s “The Daughter of the Deep” and “The Sun and the Star.” Her artistic prowess extends beyond literature, as she has delved into conceptual art for both film and gaming projects, including her notable contribution to K-Pop sensation AleXa’s album cover

Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, Malaysia is recognized as the habitat of the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, the world’s smallest elephant species. These unique creatures are predominantly found in the forests of northeastern Borneo, spanning across Malaysia and Indonesia.

Measuring under 8.2 feet in height, the pygmy elephants represent the smallest subspecies of elephants globally. They are characterized by their distinctive large ears, rotund bellies, and lengthy tails that often sweep the ground as they traverse their habitat.

Known for their peaceful nature lead, these elephants are notably more docile compared to their Asian and African counterparts, which some scientist believes they are descendants of a domestic herd.

Initially speculated to be descendants of a domesticated herd presented to the Sultan of Sulu during the 17th century, research conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) confirmed the genetic distinctiveness of Bornean elephants from other Asian elephant populations. DNA analysis revealed that these elephants became isolated approximately 300,000 years ago, branching away from their relatives on the Asian mainland and Sumatra.

Tragically, the Borneo Pygmy Elephant faces the critical threat of endangerment primarily due to the loss of their natural habitat, resulting in a stark decline in their population. Presently, it is estimated that only around 1,500 of these remarkable creatures remain in the wild, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect and preserve their vulnerable existence.