by Cheah Yi Lim
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak had gave the 1Malaysia book vouchers to all the graduates and college student. What is the response of the parents of the graduates and college student? This was the interview of the reporter, Cheah Yi Lim to the parents of the graduates and college student.
3/19/2013
Unique Policy of Popular on BB1M
by: Lim Yi Harng
The government had distribute B-B-1-M book vouchers worth R-M250 to all higher education students, so that they can buy books in any book store by using the vouchers. However there is a limitation policy in POPULAR book store.
The government had distribute B-B-1-M book vouchers worth R-M250 to all higher education students, so that they can buy books in any book store by using the vouchers. However there is a limitation policy in POPULAR book store.
Service Attitude- Consumers Opinion
by Yong Poh Wan
What is service attitude? Do you think it is important? We cannot deny that the service attitude is an important part for the country and social’s development and also to determine the survival of services and business field. Poh Wan has the latest.
New Policy of Popular Against BB1M
by Gooi Ai Moon
Since buying books are becoming more and more
expensive, the government had introduced the 1Malaysia Book Voucher (B-B-1-M) to
ease the financial burden faced by students. One of the participating
bookstores, Popular Bookstore had launched a new policy that aroused some controversy.
Gooi
Ai Moon has the latest.
Popular limit the use of BB1M: Students' Opinion
by: Wen Yeng Ng
1.3 million higher education students who has collected the one Malaysia Book Voucher from their respective institutions. However, the POPULAR bookstore has announced a new policy to limit the use of one Malaysia Book Voucher to certain reading materials and stationery. Wen Yeng Ng had the latest.
1.3 million higher education students who has collected the one Malaysia Book Voucher from their respective institutions. However, the POPULAR bookstore has announced a new policy to limit the use of one Malaysia Book Voucher to certain reading materials and stationery. Wen Yeng Ng had the latest.
Why Malaysians Like To Travel Abroad?
by CHIN KUI MEI
Malaysia is a famous tourist attraction. The number of foreign tourist came to visit Malaysia was increasing year by year. But Malaysians like to travel abroad more than in local. Kui Mei Chin has the latest.
Malaysia is a famous tourist attraction. The number of foreign tourist came to visit Malaysia was increasing year by year. But Malaysians like to travel abroad more than in local. Kui Mei Chin has the latest.
Travel Trend In Malaysia
by Cheow Tsuey Xin
Travelling become a “must” and “need” for everyone in their life. There are many beautiful islands, historical buildings and other famous places in Malaysia. However, Malaysians enjoy travelling to the foreign countries. Cheow Tsuey Xin has the latest.
Travelling become a “must” and “need” for everyone in their life. There are many beautiful islands, historical buildings and other famous places in Malaysia. However, Malaysians enjoy travelling to the foreign countries. Cheow Tsuey Xin has the latest.
3/18/2013
Low Demand of Edible Bird's Nest
by Cheor Jia Yee
Cubilose used to be a miracle in a world market as strong demand. However, since China discovered high level of nitrite in Malaysian cleaned bird’s nest in July 2011, China forbids cubilose imports from Malaysia, the retail price of raw bird’s nest slumped and it is still low until today. Cheor Jia Yee has the latest.
Cubilose used to be a miracle in a world market as strong demand. However, since China discovered high level of nitrite in Malaysian cleaned bird’s nest in July 2011, China forbids cubilose imports from Malaysia, the retail price of raw bird’s nest slumped and it is still low until today. Cheor Jia Yee has the latest.
3/06/2013
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional Custom
by Cheor Jia Yee
Traditional custom is tips that guide us what to do and as a reminder for us to remember our roots. There are several important customs shows on the video.
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
Expensive New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
A Word A Blessing
3/05/2013
Different Types of Download Tools
by LIM YI HARNG
Nowadays there are some popular software can be used to download web contents, for songs, there are Apple iTunes, Kuwo, Kugou, and Spotify, where iTunes and Spotify are US-based while the rest are China-based, both provided millions of songs.
“ There is a big difference between this two category, which the consumer have to purchase or subscribe the audios when using iTunes and Spotify”, Hao stated.
However, he said Kuwo and Kugou are free-for-download, the language of both softwares are most of the users are Chinese, so the users also included oversea Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore.
Other Chinese software like Xunlei and Flashget can be used to download any type of files, included the sources from FTP (Far Transfer Protocol).
“These Chinese softwares were approved by the authority of China, but when it comes to Malaysia, doesn’t means it is legal”, said Hao.
On the other hand, to download torrent files, there are two famous professional tools, BitTorrent and Utorrent.
“More peoples download torrent files, the faster the download speed, you actually download the debris of the files, at the same time the debris in your computer will be transfered to others, so the enhancement of speed happens”, he said.
The world largest torrent website is The Pirate Bay. Microsoft Office 2013 and Adobe Master Collection CS6 can be found on here.
Back to:
Illegal Download: Awareness Was Here, But Still Widespread, Why?
Related:
Illegal Download Impact To Genuine Retailers
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
Nowadays there are some popular software can be used to download web contents, for songs, there are Apple iTunes, Kuwo, Kugou, and Spotify, where iTunes and Spotify are US-based while the rest are China-based, both provided millions of songs.
“ There is a big difference between this two category, which the consumer have to purchase or subscribe the audios when using iTunes and Spotify”, Hao stated.
However, he said Kuwo and Kugou are free-for-download, the language of both softwares are most of the users are Chinese, so the users also included oversea Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore.
Other Chinese software like Xunlei and Flashget can be used to download any type of files, included the sources from FTP (Far Transfer Protocol).
“These Chinese softwares were approved by the authority of China, but when it comes to Malaysia, doesn’t means it is legal”, said Hao.
On the other hand, to download torrent files, there are two famous professional tools, BitTorrent and Utorrent.
“More peoples download torrent files, the faster the download speed, you actually download the debris of the files, at the same time the debris in your computer will be transfered to others, so the enhancement of speed happens”, he said.
The world largest torrent website is The Pirate Bay. Microsoft Office 2013 and Adobe Master Collection CS6 can be found on here.
Back to:
Illegal Download: Awareness Was Here, But Still Widespread, Why?
Related:
Illegal Download Impact To Genuine Retailers
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
Illegal Download Impact To Genuine Retailers
by LIM YI HARNG
In digital age, consumers can buy single songs and albums by just a click in their home, a ten people survey shown that nine of them did not visit to any physical record store in the past one year, they rather download from web, did not mind the infringement of copyright.
A visitor (34) of an local record store said, he also downloaded audios and movies from internet, once he cannot search the source, he will tries to find in record store.
“Most are old songs, especially the 90’s”, he mentioned.
Hao’s case was a bit special, he visited to record store because he just wanted to check which new album haven’t download.
“When I walk into record store, I realize there are fewer and fewer visitor, sad case for these genuine shop”, he added.
Despite the western had a higher understanding and awareness to intellectual property, but some of the traditional or veteran record store has failed to keep operation, due to the world trend in internet world. For example, HMV, the UK largest recorded music retailer has been announced to end up its operation, since year 1921.
Although HMV got the digital music selling department, it still failed to compete with larger, more prepared international company, such as iTunes and Amazon.
“If the record store which provided legal download service cannot survives in this digital age, how can our local exist physical record store survives in a high illegal download rate?”, Hao said.
Back to:
Illegal Download: Awareness Was Here, But Still Widespread, Why?
Related:
Different Types of Download Tools
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
In digital age, consumers can buy single songs and albums by just a click in their home, a ten people survey shown that nine of them did not visit to any physical record store in the past one year, they rather download from web, did not mind the infringement of copyright.
A visitor (34) of an local record store said, he also downloaded audios and movies from internet, once he cannot search the source, he will tries to find in record store.
“Most are old songs, especially the 90’s”, he mentioned.
Hao’s case was a bit special, he visited to record store because he just wanted to check which new album haven’t download.
“When I walk into record store, I realize there are fewer and fewer visitor, sad case for these genuine shop”, he added.
Despite the western had a higher understanding and awareness to intellectual property, but some of the traditional or veteran record store has failed to keep operation, due to the world trend in internet world. For example, HMV, the UK largest recorded music retailer has been announced to end up its operation, since year 1921.
Although HMV got the digital music selling department, it still failed to compete with larger, more prepared international company, such as iTunes and Amazon.
“If the record store which provided legal download service cannot survives in this digital age, how can our local exist physical record store survives in a high illegal download rate?”, Hao said.
Back to:
Illegal Download: Awareness Was Here, But Still Widespread, Why?
Related:
Different Types of Download Tools
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
Reduce Better Than Recycle
by Cheow Tsuey Xin
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” always use to promote environmental protection. Recycling is one of the processes to conserve our resources and toward a green environment in the country. Meanwhile, reduce also can help to promote environmental protection by reducing garbage or waste. It not only reduce in waste but also reduce in consumes.
Eliz Chin, fresher of environmental protection said that she will use the reusable chopsticks to replace the wooden chopstick which can use only once. “I was influence by my college classmate and reuse can reduces the waste,” she added.
Actually, reduce is more effective than recycle to conserve the limited resources. If we reduce the use of resources, then it can reduce the garbage or waste in our life. In additional, it can reduce water pollution, air pollution and even global warming in the earth.
How to reduce waste:
-only buy the products that we need
-do not buy short term products which can use only once
-do not use or buy items with large amount
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reuse Our Resources
Video: The Effect of Waste
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” always use to promote environmental protection. Recycling is one of the processes to conserve our resources and toward a green environment in the country. Meanwhile, reduce also can help to promote environmental protection by reducing garbage or waste. It not only reduce in waste but also reduce in consumes.
Eliz Chin, fresher of environmental protection said that she will use the reusable chopsticks to replace the wooden chopstick which can use only once. “I was influence by my college classmate and reuse can reduces the waste,” she added.
Actually, reduce is more effective than recycle to conserve the limited resources. If we reduce the use of resources, then it can reduce the garbage or waste in our life. In additional, it can reduce water pollution, air pollution and even global warming in the earth.
How to reduce waste:
-only buy the products that we need
-do not buy short term products which can use only once
-do not use or buy items with large amount
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reuse Our Resources
Video: The Effect of Waste
Illegal Download: Awareness Was Here, But Still Widespread, Why?
by LIM YI HARNG
Hao (nickname, 23) is a download crazier, his computer runs 24/7 in download mode non-stop, he used to download songs, movies, dramas, and softwares. Most of it were the videos of his idols.
As a K-pop lover, he “owned” a lot of songs of his favorite girl group, Girl’s Generation on his computer, when their latest album being released on the web, he downloads the full album immediately. He wanted to enjoy the new songs at the fastest time, although he also bought imported genuine albums of his idol after few weeks.
He is not alone, majority of the netizen (combination of internet citizen) in Asian countries, noted China, India, and South-East Asia chose to get what they want by illegal way. They downloaded songs, movies, and pirate software from the web, paid no attention to intellectual property and malware issues.
In Hao’s definition, illegal download means the content that netizen downloaded had against others’ intellectual property. He fully understood that illegal download was an infringement of copyright, but he will continues to run that way.
In addition, the great awareness of netizen shown in a survey with ten peoples, all of them agree that illegal download was infringing intellectual property rights, but none of them going to discontinue this activity.
Our culture?
We often heard about several cases, where the netizen was charged with illegal download in Western. In Malaysia, we seldom reading this news, and our law enforcement was not strong enough to deter local netizen. Regarding to above statement, Hao was not agree totally.
“Sometimes you already accustomed to this environment, you wouldn’t change your thinking easily, most of the Asian young netizen’s perception show that illegal download is allowed, not a big problem”, he said.
He added, even if the law and the enforcement become heavier, illegal download activities would not disappear, because netizen did not believe himself or herself would be the target of enforcement units.
He was not afraid the possibility of being took action by the MCMC, he had the same belief as above.
Ofcourse legal contents were costly, sometimes it was a burden to those young netizen. He pointed out that the younger generation of netizen and the lower purchasing power can be used to explain why the illegal download activity was so general in Malaysia.
“Most of the netizen consist of young people, normally their income were lower, so it means there was a limited purchasing power to buy or subscribe to charging products, some more they wereinfluenced by the perception that i mentioned just now”, he said.
Censorship was useless
He said the authority also hard to block this illegal activity, the netizen knew how to find out alternative sources, and they used software to cross firewall which built by the authority, so censorship did not affect them at all. Some more, these file-sharing websites changed their domain name system, after been censored by the government.
He stated, back in 2011, the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commisions) Malaysia government had block about ten file-sharing sites. Like Pirate Bay, MCMC censored the domain name of http://thepiratebay.org , but after a period of time, maybe half a year or few years, they changed the ISP provider and relocated the URL address to http://thepiratebay.se , therefore netizen can access to this site, again. (watch a simple video demo of how easy to download pirate software from Pirate Bay)
“It proved that the government was not easy to block these sites, same to http://www.megaupload.com , now changed to https://mega.co.nz ”, he said.
Besides that, in his view, this kind of illegal activity is good, because the web is a freedom world, it should be free for everyone, no barries to entry, each netizen had the rights to access any website, download anything without purchasing.
“I don’t have feeling of guilt when doing illegal downloading, I just feel guilt to my wallet when paying with cash”, he mentioned, but if the purchase power is available, he will buys albums only, because of the unique gifts came with the album, just like his favorite idol’s album.
Related:
Different Types of Download Tools
Illegal Download Impact To Genuine Retailers
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
Hao (nickname, 23) is a download crazier, his computer runs 24/7 in download mode non-stop, he used to download songs, movies, dramas, and softwares. Most of it were the videos of his idols.
As a K-pop lover, he “owned” a lot of songs of his favorite girl group, Girl’s Generation on his computer, when their latest album being released on the web, he downloads the full album immediately. He wanted to enjoy the new songs at the fastest time, although he also bought imported genuine albums of his idol after few weeks.
He is not alone, majority of the netizen (combination of internet citizen) in Asian countries, noted China, India, and South-East Asia chose to get what they want by illegal way. They downloaded songs, movies, and pirate software from the web, paid no attention to intellectual property and malware issues.
In Hao’s definition, illegal download means the content that netizen downloaded had against others’ intellectual property. He fully understood that illegal download was an infringement of copyright, but he will continues to run that way.
In addition, the great awareness of netizen shown in a survey with ten peoples, all of them agree that illegal download was infringing intellectual property rights, but none of them going to discontinue this activity.
Our culture?
We often heard about several cases, where the netizen was charged with illegal download in Western. In Malaysia, we seldom reading this news, and our law enforcement was not strong enough to deter local netizen. Regarding to above statement, Hao was not agree totally.
“Sometimes you already accustomed to this environment, you wouldn’t change your thinking easily, most of the Asian young netizen’s perception show that illegal download is allowed, not a big problem”, he said.
He added, even if the law and the enforcement become heavier, illegal download activities would not disappear, because netizen did not believe himself or herself would be the target of enforcement units.
He was not afraid the possibility of being took action by the MCMC, he had the same belief as above.
Ofcourse legal contents were costly, sometimes it was a burden to those young netizen. He pointed out that the younger generation of netizen and the lower purchasing power can be used to explain why the illegal download activity was so general in Malaysia.
“Most of the netizen consist of young people, normally their income were lower, so it means there was a limited purchasing power to buy or subscribe to charging products, some more they wereinfluenced by the perception that i mentioned just now”, he said.
Censorship was useless
He said the authority also hard to block this illegal activity, the netizen knew how to find out alternative sources, and they used software to cross firewall which built by the authority, so censorship did not affect them at all. Some more, these file-sharing websites changed their domain name system, after been censored by the government.
He stated, back in 2011, the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commisions) Malaysia government had block about ten file-sharing sites. Like Pirate Bay, MCMC censored the domain name of http://thepiratebay.org , but after a period of time, maybe half a year or few years, they changed the ISP provider and relocated the URL address to http://thepiratebay.se , therefore netizen can access to this site, again. (watch a simple video demo of how easy to download pirate software from Pirate Bay)
“It proved that the government was not easy to block these sites, same to http://www.megaupload.com , now changed to https://mega.co.nz ”, he said.
Besides that, in his view, this kind of illegal activity is good, because the web is a freedom world, it should be free for everyone, no barries to entry, each netizen had the rights to access any website, download anything without purchasing.
“I don’t have feeling of guilt when doing illegal downloading, I just feel guilt to my wallet when paying with cash”, he mentioned, but if the purchase power is available, he will buys albums only, because of the unique gifts came with the album, just like his favorite idol’s album.
Related:
Different Types of Download Tools
Illegal Download Impact To Genuine Retailers
Demo: Access To Pirate Bay
Reuse Our Resources
by Cheow Tsuey Xin
Reuse is a method of extending the usage of the products that we have, but not only used once and discard. Meanwhile, many people may not aware of the items can be reuse.
For example, newspaper, plastic water bottle, toilet tube and cloth can reuse in a new function or create a new product by using our creativity. Hence, reuse of the products can save our money and conserve the resources.
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reduce Better Than Recycle
Video: The Effect of Waste
Reuse is a method of extending the usage of the products that we have, but not only used once and discard. Meanwhile, many people may not aware of the items can be reuse.
For example, newspaper, plastic water bottle, toilet tube and cloth can reuse in a new function or create a new product by using our creativity. Hence, reuse of the products can save our money and conserve the resources.
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reduce Better Than Recycle
Video: The Effect of Waste
Recycle Our Resources
by Cheow Tsuey Xin
Recently, the climate in our country is getting high and we always complaint about hot weather no matter where we are. We notice that the low awareness of environmental protection can causes the climate change in our country and even all over the world. Meanwhile, recycling can promote green-environment and help to conserve renewable resources.
How Swee Boey, 55, who had 10 years experiences of environmental protection said that she will recycle the daily necessities such as newspaper, plastic water bottles, aluminum tin and others. “It is our responsibility to recycle our renewable resources,” she added.
“I will go to market or shopping center by using recycle bag and use recycle container to take away my breakfast”, she said.
Recycling can help to reduce water pollution, air pollution and the greenhouse gases emissions that cause global warming. Therefore, we always need recycling to provide a friendly environment and prevent global warming.
Video: The Effect of Waste
by Cheow Tsuey Xin
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reuse Our Resources
Reduce Better Than Recycle
See also:
Change Your Life, Save The Earth
Recycle Our Resources
Reuse Our Resources
Reduce Better Than Recycle
Decoration of the Offering Table
by Gooi Ai Moon
Examples from different state in our country:
Batu Pahat, Johor
Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur
Tawau, Sabah
Terms to Explain
by Gooi Ai Moon
- Bai Tian Gong（拜天公）- The celebration of Jade Emperor’s birthday which fall on the 9th day of Chinese New Year.
- Red Turtle Cake（红龟糕）- Chinese red rice cake which considered an auspicious colour while its tortoise shell-shape symbolizes longevity.
- Huat Kueh（发糕）- A kind of steamed bun which the Chinese usually use for praying, while ‘Huat’ means wealth in Hokkien.
- House of Jade Emperor（天公座）- A type of paper offering which specially made dedicating to the Jade Emperor during Bai Tian Gong.
- Sugar cane（甘蔗）- Sugar cane in Hokkien dialect sounds like ‘kam siah’ (thank you), therefore the Hokkiens used a pair of sugarcane to express their appreciation to the Jade Emperor.
- Kongming Lanterns（孔明灯）- A small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. Usually the Chinese flies the lantern to make a wish.
See also
A Word A Blessing
by Cheor Jia Yee
Show the world what you are thinking and wishing. As long as having dream, the dream will come true. Please do not be hesitated to write down your New Year resolution and wishes here.
“I wish that my family and friends can stay happy and health always. Happy Chinese New Year.” --- Wah Yoon Hoe
“I would like to get a healthier body and adapt better life style. Most important is stay positive and be happy always (because I get emo easily, and is not good).” --- Kok Yoke Theng
“Be optimistic in any situation especially when facing challenges.” --- Eloise Lee
“Good health and be beautiful always.” --- Low Yee Wen
“I hope the world can be peace and everyone can happy always.” --- Cheng Chee Wei
“I wish I can continue to enjoy good health.” --- Loke Pei Ting
“I hope I have an opportunity to participate in fencing competition and win it successfully.” --- Cheor Jia Xin
“I wish every family member is restful and healthy, add up to happiness!” --- Teo Sew Fung
“I wish to keep a good relationship with my friends, get high score in my results and keep fit.” --- Phoon Chee Woh
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
Expensive New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional Custom
Show the world what you are thinking and wishing. As long as having dream, the dream will come true. Please do not be hesitated to write down your New Year resolution and wishes here.
“I wish that my family and friends can stay happy and health always. Happy Chinese New Year.” --- Wah Yoon Hoe
“I would like to get a healthier body and adapt better life style. Most important is stay positive and be happy always (because I get emo easily, and is not good).” --- Kok Yoke Theng
“Be optimistic in any situation especially when facing challenges.” --- Eloise Lee
“Good health and be beautiful always.” --- Low Yee Wen
“I hope the world can be peace and everyone can happy always.” --- Cheng Chee Wei
“I wish I can continue to enjoy good health.” --- Loke Pei Ting
“I hope I have an opportunity to participate in fencing competition and win it successfully.” --- Cheor Jia Xin
“I wish every family member is restful and healthy, add up to happiness!” --- Teo Sew Fung
“I wish to keep a good relationship with my friends, get high score in my results and keep fit.” --- Phoon Chee Woh
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
Expensive New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional Custom
The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong
by Gooi Ai Moon
The Hokkiens make a point of the Bai Tian Gong Celebration. Therefore, they spared no expense to follow the tradition accordingly.
The Hokkiens make a point of the Bai Tian Gong Celebration. Therefore, they spared no expense to follow the tradition accordingly.
* The prices above are an estimate value from Mr. Gooi’s family.
See also
The Legend and Significant of Bai Tian Gong
by Gooi Ai Moon
The celebration of Jade Emperor’s birthday (Bai Tian Gong) has been inherited for thousand years since Tang Dynasty in China. It is said that during a Chinese New Year of Tang Dynasty, Huang Chao’s army had attacked the Hokkiens’ village in South China and came the kill.
Due to the misunderstanding caused by the costume and language barrier from the army and the Hokkiens, the army misinterpreted that the Hokkiens were a wolf that will harm them. It was because when “human” pronounce in Hokkien, the pronunciation is same with “wolf’ which pronounce in Chinese.
The Hokkiens could not resist from the army, therefore they hid themselves into a large sugarcane farm. When they were in the sugarcane farm, they prayed to the Jade Emperor for salvation.
Until the 9th day of Chinese New Year, the army finally gave up and the Hokkiens could back to their village. As there was still Chinese New Year on that day, the Hokkiens brought along with the sugarcane to celebrate Chinese New Year.
The Hokkiens believed that their life was saved by the Jade Emperor. Therefore, to express their appreciation to the Jade Emperor and commemorate this incident, the Hokkiens decided to celebrate the birthday of Jade Emperor in every 9th day of Chinese New Year.
See also
Bai Tian Gong - An Unignorable Tradition of The Hokkiens
The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong
Sugarcane is a “MUST”
Decoration of the Offering Table
See also
Bai Tian Gong - An Unignorable Tradition of The Hokkiens
The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong
Sugarcane is a “MUST”
Decoration of the Offering Table
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
by Cheor Jia Yee
Do you know what should we follow and the meaning of traditional customs and cultures for Chinese New Year celebration? Let’s us look at following tips, they help your celebration easier and have a Happy Chinese New Year.
1. Spring Cleaning: All family members will clean-up the house together on the 28th day (of the last month) of the (old) year. Spring Cleaning symbolizes that sweeping all misfortune or bad luck away from the house.
2. House Decoration: Red lanterns and red banners will be hung beside the door to keep in good luck and longevity.
 |
| Plum blossom symbolizes lucky and representing people are resilient, even in a harsh environment. |
3. Reunion Dinner: In New Year Eve, the whole family members will gather together and have a sumptuous dinner. If a family member could not come for the dinner, his or her presence is usually symbolized by placing an empty seat at the banquet.
4. Symbolic dishes: In the reunion dinner, some dishes are mostly being served as they hold a symbolic good meaning. For instance, prawn featuring smile always and fish featuring prosperity.
5. Shou Sui (守岁): People stay awake all night for increase longevity of the elderly family members.
6. Angpau: Angpau with lucky money or sweet inside were distributed to the young by elders. The red color of the angpau symbolizes good luck and also ward off evil spirits.
7. Ancestor Worshiping: Chinese believe that deceased family members have a continued existence and they will look after the family.
 |
| Ancestors will be served fruits, sweets, flowers, tea as well as their favorite dishes. |
8. New Cloth: New cloth especially in red colour will be worn during Chinese New Year as it symbolize a new start and monster Nian scared about this colour. Black and white is avoided during Chinese New Year because they represent mourning.
 |
| Cheongsam and Samfu are the traditional costume for Chinese. It is easy to find out new designs and fashionable for this traditional costume. |
9. New Year Visits (Bai Nian): Chinese travels back to their home town to meet their family and also to visit relatives and friends.
10. Firecrackers: To scare away any traces of monster Nian, because it is afraid of noise.
11. Lion Dances: The loud beats of the drum and cymbals together with the face of the lion dancing can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion dance are popular for visiting houses and shops to perform the traditional custom of "Cai Ching" (采青) as people believed it can brings prosperity to people.
12. Sticky Cake (Nian Gao): To appeasing the appetite of the Kitchen God and also sticking his mouth to prevent him from speaking ill about the family.
13. Yu Sheng (鱼生): To achieve prosperity and vigor, normally having Yu Sheng on renri (day 7).
14. Jade Emperor Ritual (Bai Tian Gong): The Hokkiens will have another family reunion dinner, and they pray to the Jade Emperor at midnight (day8).
 |
| Nowadays, not only Hokkiens but also others take part in Jade Emperor Ritual. |
15. Lantern Festival: Children will go out at night carrying lanterns which symbolic of hope and good luck. People will eat Tang Yuan (汤圆) as it considered to family reunion.
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
Expensive New Year Celebration
A Word A Blessing
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional Custom
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
Expensive New Year Celebration
A Word A Blessing
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional Custom
Bai Tian Gong - An Unignorable Tradition of The Hokkiens
by Gooi Ai Moon
Sugar cane, roasted pork, red turtle cake, ritual money, the house of Jade Emperor, fruits……Mr. Gooi and his family members were busy preparing for Bai Tian Gong on the eve of celebration, which was the 8th day of the first month in Chinese lunar calendar.
Bai Tian Gong is a meaningful celebration for the Hokkiens since their ancestors emigrated from China long time ago. No matter which state they are staying now, they still inherit this tradition to their descendant. This cultural continuity can be seen on Mr. Gooi’s family.
Mrs. Gooi and her daughter woke up 6 am on the eve of Bai Tian Gong. It was because they were going to the market to buy the offerings which were needed for the celebration. The necessities of Bai Tian Gong including a pair of sugar cane, red turtle cake, huat kueh, pineapple and several fruits. Fortunately, the seller of sugar cane provided home delivery service, so that they could get rid of the burden of carrying the long sugar cane to next destination.
After that, Mrs. Gooi and her daughter proceed to the religious paraphernalia shop about 8 am. In the religious paraphernalia shop, they need to buy different types of ritual papers and the house of Jade Emperor as well. Later, Mrs. Gooi went to the roasted pork stall to buy the roasted pork which had ordered on last week. The purchase procedures were end.
At night, Mr. Gooi and family started to set up the offering table at 9 pm. Some of them were responsible for the decoration of fruits and offerings, while some of them were decorating the offering table. After that, Mr. Gooi and family lined all the ritual papers in front of their house and waited until the ceremony start.
The ceremony was began at 11:45 pm. Mr. Gooi burned the first incense and made a wish from the Jade Emperor, then following by his wife and children. Mr. Gooi then burned the ritual money and the house of Jade Emperor while Mrs. Gooi lighted the firecrackers. There were also many Hokkiens’ family in the same residential area flied the Kongming lanterns to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
Mr. Gooi and family cleaned up the offering table and packed the offerings (red turtle cake and roasted pork) for their relatives and friends at 12:30 pm. The Bai Tian Gong Celebration was ended.
Although the Hokkien family needs to prepare for the Bai Tian Gong Celebration from early morning until midnight, they still celebrate the ceremony year by year; we could imagine how important this celebration is for the Hokkiens.
See also
The Legend and Significant of Bai Tian Gong
The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong
Sugarcane is a “MUST”
Decoration of the Offering Table
Video- Chap Goh Meh
by: Yong Poh Wan
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Expensive New Year Celebration
by Cheor Jia Yee
To celebrate Chinese New Year, the Chinese spend a lot of money. Chinese New Year seems like a tool for commercial as price increased is common during the period of this festival. However, price increased did not bring major effects to consumers.
Price increased is commonly seen during Chinese New Year whereby many merchants take this opportunity to increase prices. During this period, people have to pay more, especially on hair cut and foods. Interviewees grumbled that the year was very expensive.
“To purchase New Year things and prepare angpau, it requires at least thousands ringgit. Celebrate Chinese New Year is such a critical problem to someone has financial problem. People will become poorer after the celebration,” Simon (55) said.
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| Many families went shopping and buy new things for the celebration before Chinese New Year. |
To have a new look and a good start, people usually have their hair cut in the barbers but the heavy demand send the price up. “Price increase is common, everyone raises their price so I do so,” barber Ivy Lai (45) said. The number of customers did not decrease despite price increased. She added, she increased 10% to 20% only while the increasing rate of other barber may up to 50%.
Besides, vegetables, fish, meat and seafood increase their prices also. According to fisheries association of Kinta, poor fish harvest led to the prices increased 20% to 30% this year. This condition brought people store up the foods before the festival in order to avoid price increases.
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| In traditional, fish featuring prosperity, so people still chose to buy it despite prices increased highly. |
“In normal time, I buy a chicken for RM18 but RM30 during Chinese New Year,” Teo Sew Fung (47) said. According to traditional custom, a whole chicken is needed for reunion dinner as it symbolizes prosperity, togetherness of the family and joy. Therefore, people still buy it without any alternative choices.
Although dining out during this period of time would be more expensive, many people are willing to pay more for dining. “Both of us does not wish to cook during this festival,” Chan Kai Loong (21) said.
In spite of general price increased during the festival, promotion campaign still be held at markets. Things that are in promotion include beverage and clothing. “I spend two or three hundred ringgits every year for buying new clothes while the prices normally are cheaper as many shops held promotion before Chinese New Year,” Chan said.
To be a wise consumer, check the price and shop around are needed before making the final decision. Do not let financial matter become a trouble for you.
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by: Ng Wen Yeng
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by: Ng Wen Yeng
A video about Kimberly Wong's online shopping lifestyle.
A video about Kimberly Wong's online shopping lifestyle.
Interviewee: Kimberly Wong, 21, Student.
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Online Shopping: Click and Buy
by: Ng Wen Yeng
Kimberly Wong, who is a 21-year-old student, and also an active shopper of online shopping. She loves to buy K-pop accessories and albums from online that usually imported from Korea. By online shopping, she is able to save more money than purchases it from the stores. Besides, she buys clothing and other necessities online too.
Online shopping has brought great convenience to her and make her life easier.
Click and Buy
Online shopping is a new trend among younger generation nowadays. Consumers directly buy goods or services from a seller in real-time, without an intermediary service, over the Internet.
Malaysia online shopping application has experienced rapid growth recently. Just like Kimberly, there are lots of teenagers and young adults enjoy the online shopping too.
Buy Anything You Want
Internet users can purchase almost anything online including clothing, DVDs, accessories, books, even airline tickets or reservations.
Among the interviewees, the most popular items purchased on the Internet are clothing, accessories, beauty products and so on.
Jiun Kang Hee, 22, said that the online shopping phenomenon nowadays is monopolized by deal-of-the-day website. “So, whatever that I think I need and based on the discount that they offer is worth, I will buy.”
The Benefits
According to the 5 interviewees, not only is online more convenient, it also avoid the crowds and the queues in the malls. In the world of online shopping, they can just spend as little or as much time browsing as they want. Purchases can be made in the comfort of their homes, and many of the deals offered online just can’t be matched by the high street.
Gai Wen Wong, 23, who involved in online shopping for 4 years time, usually buy accessories from overseas such as Korea and China. “It is the easiest and most convenient way to buy accessories from Korea. Sometimes the deals are not offered at the store or certain country too.”
Besides, the high discount rate and delivery services are the attraction to the online consumers too. Ice Ong, 19-year-old student, said that the products ordered will be sent to her and she no need go out of her room. She said, “In Taiwan, I can choose to pay until I receive the parcels. It’s really safe and reliable.”
What the consumer concern?
Consumers in Malaysia believe, with online shopping, physical shopping time may reduce and it would make their life easier. Usefulness and reliability are the most dominant factor that influence consumer for online shopping. Besides, they are also concerned about the quality of purchasing, privacy, and disclosing personal information when dealing with online shopping.
“Security and secure issue is the main concern for me when I shop online. A smart buyer should know how to protect itself. ”Jasmine Lum,21.
“The delivery date, the terms and conditions, the original price before discount is the matters I concerned.” Jiun Kang Hee.
“I will concern about creditable of the websites, and also the comment given by other buyers.” Ice Ong.
“Price is the prior factor as the quality of the product can’t be seen or touch.” Gai Wen Wong.
“The attitude, services and the creditable of the sellers will influence my choice on choosing the websites.” Ae Teng Lim, 31.
The Future
Online shopping is the future trend of the global due to the rise of social networks and smartphone. Ae Teng Lim said that she will continue shop online for future as its convenience. “The cost is lesser, and it’s easy to compare items and prices among the online stores.”
Kimberly said lastly, “Online shopping is the most efficient and convenient way of shopping. Everyone must try it!”
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Kimberly Wong, who is a 21-year-old student, and also an active shopper of online shopping. She loves to buy K-pop accessories and albums from online that usually imported from Korea. By online shopping, she is able to save more money than purchases it from the stores. Besides, she buys clothing and other necessities online too.
Online shopping has brought great convenience to her and make her life easier.
Click and Buy
Online shopping is a new trend among younger generation nowadays. Consumers directly buy goods or services from a seller in real-time, without an intermediary service, over the Internet.
Malaysia online shopping application has experienced rapid growth recently. Just like Kimberly, there are lots of teenagers and young adults enjoy the online shopping too.
Buy Anything You Want
Internet users can purchase almost anything online including clothing, DVDs, accessories, books, even airline tickets or reservations.
Among the interviewees, the most popular items purchased on the Internet are clothing, accessories, beauty products and so on.
Jiun Kang Hee, 22, said that the online shopping phenomenon nowadays is monopolized by deal-of-the-day website. “So, whatever that I think I need and based on the discount that they offer is worth, I will buy.”
The Benefits
According to the 5 interviewees, not only is online more convenient, it also avoid the crowds and the queues in the malls. In the world of online shopping, they can just spend as little or as much time browsing as they want. Purchases can be made in the comfort of their homes, and many of the deals offered online just can’t be matched by the high street.
 |
| Accessories bought online from Korea |
Gai Wen Wong, 23, who involved in online shopping for 4 years time, usually buy accessories from overseas such as Korea and China. “It is the easiest and most convenient way to buy accessories from Korea. Sometimes the deals are not offered at the store or certain country too.”
Besides, the high discount rate and delivery services are the attraction to the online consumers too. Ice Ong, 19-year-old student, said that the products ordered will be sent to her and she no need go out of her room. She said, “In Taiwan, I can choose to pay until I receive the parcels. It’s really safe and reliable.”
What the consumer concern?
“Security and secure issue is the main concern for me when I shop online. A smart buyer should know how to protect itself. ”Jasmine Lum,21.
“The delivery date, the terms and conditions, the original price before discount is the matters I concerned.” Jiun Kang Hee.
“I will concern about creditable of the websites, and also the comment given by other buyers.” Ice Ong.
“Price is the prior factor as the quality of the product can’t be seen or touch.” Gai Wen Wong.
“The attitude, services and the creditable of the sellers will influence my choice on choosing the websites.” Ae Teng Lim, 31.
The Future
Online shopping is the future trend of the global due to the rise of social networks and smartphone. Ae Teng Lim said that she will continue shop online for future as its convenience. “The cost is lesser, and it’s easy to compare items and prices among the online stores.” Kimberly said lastly, “Online shopping is the most efficient and convenient way of shopping. Everyone must try it!”
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Traditional culture is more important than Angpau money
by Cheor Jia Yee
Chinese usually spend about thousands ringgit for Chinese New Year celebration. In addition to buying new things, giving angpau is such a huge expenditure. The value of angpau is a symbol of blessing and it is a traditional custom, while the money is just an extra bonus.
Fuwi Teo (49) said, he spent more than thousand ringgit for giving out angpau during Chinese New Year while there was some people complaint about the amount of money contained in the angpau.
“I heard that my daughter-in-law complaint about the money of angpau which was received by her children. It will become a critical issue if this condition continues in the future as younger will be influenced and leading them to care about the money,” Yong Yoon Lee (65) said.
Giving angpau is a Chinese tradition for Chinese New Year. Normally, angpau with lucky money inside were distributed to the young by elders. The red color of the angpau symbolizes good luck and Chinese believe it can ward off evil spirits.
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| A well design angpau attract attention of people while some people like to collect it. |
Reporter had collected an informal statistics from 10 teenagers who are between 19 to 23 years old. This statistic showed that 70% of teenagers do not care how much containing in an angpau, while 30% of people care it. It combined a mixed reaction from teenagers.
“When I still young, I did not really care about the money, but when I grew up, I started to care about it because I realized that money was so important,” Yap Chew Yee.
“Angpau is a symbolism of lucky only, how much is it does not a matter. Money is nothing,” Phoon Chee Woh.
“If I know the person has financial problem, he don’t give me angpau I also don’t mind. However, if someone I am not sure about his financial situation, I will mind as I already grew up but why still giving me RM2,” Wah Yoon Hoe.
“For me, the amount is not important, unless I can gather with my relatives and friends in Chinese New Year,” Phing Chee Yong.
“As I think angpau is only a tradition, people give angpau to children is like giving away their wishes, so what matter is not how much money is given but the heart,” Eloise Lee.
“If I want money, I can work to earn it and no need others give me. The meaning of angpau is blessing but not asking us to become a greedy person,” Loke Pei Ting.
Fortunately, most of the Malaysian teenagers understand the meaning of giving angpau and they are not really care about the amount of money contained in the angpau. This is a good phenomenon that should be maintained and let more people realize the meaning of receiving angpau.
See also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Expensive New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
A Word A Blessing
Video: Chinese New Year Traditional CustomSee also:
Teenagers Get Away from Chinese Cultural Heritage
Expensive New Year Celebration
Chinese New Year Traditional Cultural
A Word A Blessing
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