Day: June 26, 2024

The APSARA National Authority has been restoring the stairs and floors around the eastern, northern, and western shrines of Neak Poan Temple in the Angkor Archeological Park in Siem Reap province.

The restoration project has been being led by the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority, according to the authority’s news release on June 26.

Mr. Chea Sarith, an archaeologist of the APSARA National Authority, said that the restoration work, which commenced in early May 2024, focuses on repairing the damaged stairs and floors that have been affected by age, plant growth, erosion, and water damage.

The collapse of the stairs and the instability of the floors have been caused by various factors, including erosion of the foundation and water seepage, he added.

To restore the site, he continued, the team will repair the damaged areas and reassemble the stairs and floors to ensure stability and preservation of the historical structures.

By addressing th
ese issues, the restoration project aims to maintain the integrity and beauty of Neak Poan Temple for future generations to appreciate, said the same source.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

SHAH ALAM, The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is very disappointed and saddened by the decision of the Malaysian Football League (MFL) and members of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), particularly its president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, regarding the fine imposed on Selangor FC for failing to play in the Charity Shield match on May 10.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he was extremely upset with the latest MFL decision, which he considered to be irresponsible, made without compassion, inhuman and showed no concern for the cruelty that occurred.

“I am shocked and disappointed because Datuk Hamidin was not serious in speaking up although he was formerly the secretary-general of the Football Association of Selangor (FAS) from 1995 to 2013, has so much experience in Selangor football and also received the Dato’ Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS) award from me.

“I view the punishment meted out, namely the RM100,000 fine, compensation for the losses incurred by the host team and MFL, three
points deduction and playing the 14th Super League match behind closed doors, as not making sense and excessive since the opposition team had been awarded victory and all three points,’ he said in a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page today.

Sultan Sharafuddin, also the FAS Patron, said he had consented to Selangor FC sending a request to postpone the Charity Shield match because the Selangor FC players were still traumatised and feared for their safety following the acid attack on Selangor and national stalwart Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim on May 5.

However, the MFL rejected their request and handed Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) a 3-0 win and the Charity Shield.

Sultan Sharafuddin said he has been involved in domestic football since 1968 when the FAS was helmed by Datuk Seri Harun Idris, who retired in 1990.

“During that period, I never witnessed a situation like this. Sports, which should be a platform for unity among people of various races, has now been tainted with violence.

“Worse still, the M
FL and FAM are not serious at all in speaking up and taking necessary preventive measures against violence and cruelty that happens to players,’ said the Selangor Ruler.

Sultan Sharafuddin was also surprised that the MFL and FAM did not show any sympathy for those affected and reminded that what occurred would not only mar the credibility of local football but also ‘crush’ the spirit and direction of Selangor FC.

“I am now only serving as a Patron in FAS. However, if I were to hold the FAS and Selangor FC leadership, I would not hesitate to withdraw the Selangor team from the Super League for a certain period,’ he said.

He also said that football is a popular sport that unites Malaysians with its high spirit of sportsmanship and the MFL’s extreme actions do not symbolise that spirit at all, adding that it would, instead, only tarnish the image of the local football industry and the people’s support.

“I want to remind the MFL, be careful in making decisions,’ said Sultan Sharafuddin.

Source: BERNAMA News
Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the premiere of the ‘Hadji Murat’ theatre at Balai Budaya Tun Syed Nasir, Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here tonight.

The theatrical production based on the final work of the renowned Russian literary figure Leo Tolstoy, was also attended by the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and their three grandchildren.

Also present were Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, and National Laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan.

The work was derived from Tolstoy’s short novel, translated into Malay by orientalist Dr Victor Pogadaev and edited by National Laureate Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan before its publication by DBP in 2001.

In his speech, the Prime Minister said the novel was considered one of the most beautiful and best storytelling works in the world, and needed to be more widely promoted.

“I still don’t understand why this is not widely promoted in the Western world. We don’t have to wait
for them, let us spread the benefits of this struggle and this extraordinary literary work,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Anwar said the play’s script was completed 23 years ago and was able to be staged in conjunction with the 68th Anniversary of DBP.

“The work tonight feels powerful because the novel contains extraordinary thoughts about struggle and sacrifice, the powerful and the subjugated, containing emotions that touch the heart,” he said, thanking everyone who contributed to the success of the drama.

The work, which explores the theme of jihad and national struggle, is based on a true story that occurred in 1851, involving a Chechen fighter named Hadji Murat who formed an alliance with Russia, which he once opposed, to seek revenge against a foe.

The novella, which tells the story of the Russian empire’s conquest of the Muslim population in Dagestan, North Caucasus, was often referred to by the Prime Minister when he taught in the United States, at a time when many were discussing Islamophobia and terro
rism post-Sept 11.

The Hadji Murat theatre, directed by A Wahab Hamzah and managed by Badan Budaya DBP, will be staged from tonight until June 29. The production features around 100 actors, including well-known theatre personalities such as Che Kem, Dr Rusdeen Suboh, and Ard Omar.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, A fusion of traditional musical instruments from Borneo, played by a renowned lineup of local musicians, is set to electrify the stage at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF 2024).

The RWMF is slated to take place from Friday to Sunday (June 28 to 30) at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

This debut collaboration, named ‘The Borneo Collective’, includes veteran musicians such as Jerry Kamit and Johari Morshidi from the group Tuku’ Kame, Mathew Ngau Jau, Ezra Tekola Semuel (from At Adau), and Rining Peter Paris.

Rining, a traditional musician of the Lun Bawang ethnic group known for playing the tapi’, remarked that performing on the main stage of this international festival is an honour to highlight the unique music and culture of Borneo, especially from Sarawak.

‘Previously, I performed solo on the RWMF stage, but it was only for five minutes. This time, The Borneo Collective will perform for 40 minutes, so this is a great achievement to be with these veteran musicians for the first time.

‘Thi
s is also a recognition of the efforts to revive and introduce the tapi’ instrument, especially to the younger generation and outsiders,’ he said when met at his residence recently.

Aside from the melodies of the tapi’, the traditional musical instrument of the Lun Bawang people, the group formed for the RWMF 2024 will also treat visitors to the sounds of the Orang Ulu’s traditional ‘sape’, played by Jerry, Ezra and Mathew, along with percussion by Johari, who is better known as Jo Gendang.

Rining said all the group members are actively rehearsing to ensure the blend of all the instruments sounds balanced and harmonious when played together.

‘Before rehearsing, we also did some research to see if we could blend the sounds of all these instrument. For instance, tapi’ has only two strings while the sape has six. Additionally, our musical genres and backgrounds are different,’ he said.

The Borneo Collective is set to perform on the first day of RWMF 2024 on June 28, with a repertoire of nine songs for the vi
sitors, aligning with this year’s festival theme, ‘Evolution’.

Rining added that the RWMF stage also provides an opportunity to revive the tapi’ through a workshop titled ‘Tapi’: Revival of the Forgotten Instrument,’ which will be held on the final day of the festival.

‘During this workshop, participants will be introduced to the anatomy of the tapi’ and learn to play this traditional Lun Bawang musical instrument, which many people are still not exposed to,’ he said.

RWMF 2024 will also feature legendary artistes known for their innovative electronic instrumental music, such as Japanese Kitaro and Datuk Zainal Abidin, along with 68 international musicians from 15 countries and 63 Malaysian artistes.

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, are also expected to grace the festival.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Film Directors Association of Malaysia (FDAM) will organise a health awareness campaign to give exposure to all its members about heart-related diseases, causative factors and symptoms.

In a statement today, FDAM said that the ‘Hari Karya Lestari FDAM’ campaign, in collaboration with the National Heart Institute (IJN), will take place at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here on Sunday.

“Hari Karya Lestari is an event planned to raise awareness of the level of heart health among artistes in the country such as in the the creative and entertainment industries as well as media,” according to the statement.

Among the objectives of the campaign is to give exposure to FDAM members and directors about the types of insurance coverage and policies suitable for careers in the field so that they are protected in the event of a critical illness.

“In addition, it is looking for collaboration opportunities with IJN with the possibility of FDAM becoming a corporate partner to enable FDAM members to get financia
l assistance for treatment, discounts, and other opportunities that will be offered,” said the statement.

The programme will incorporate leisure elements; leisurely walking events; and exposure on symptoms of ailments such as heart disease, respiratory, renal, lymphatic, diabetes and hypertension ailments.

There will also be briefings and talks about prevention, demonstrations of basic life support techniques or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), information about facilities at IJN as well as patients sharing experiences or testimonials.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency