Compiled by C. ARUNO, SIRA HABIBU and R. ARAVINTHAN
Popularity does not guarantee success for artistes venturing into politics, reported Utusan Malaysia.
Singers Aishah and Dayangku Intan (pic), who had experience venturing into politics, concurred that fielding famous artistes would not guarantee victory.Aishah, who had contested and lost the Jempol parliamentary seat, advised artistes to be sincere in championing the rakyat’s cause if they venture into politics.
Dayangku Intan said even artistes risked being condemned just like other politicians.
They were responding to Ampang MP Zuraida Kamarudin’s comment that anyone, including artistes, are welcomed to challenge her in the next general election.
Speculation is rife that artiste Datuk Hans Isaac may contest in Ampang under a PKR ticket, as he had been actively participating in #kitabudakampang programmes.
Hans said he is focused on helping Ampang residents.
“Decision on my candidacy would depend on the party president (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), the party (PKR) and the residents of Ampang, ” he was quoted as saying.
> The globally renowned traditional boat making industry in Pulau Duyong, Terengganu, may become extinct as only three operators are still active amid declining demand and costly wood, reported Harian Metro.
Pulau Duyong has served as a reference centre for architectural historians, as the boat makers have carried on the tradition of making wooden boats without nails, apart from fine finishing and adorning the boats with impressive carvings.
Boatmaker Shafie Abdullah, 71, said it was a thriving industry in the 1970s and 1980s as there were many workshops in the area, but now only three operators are left.
“Wooden boats made in Pulau Duyong could last for decades, and withstand massive waves, ” he said.
Terengganu Giat Mara Centre and Terengganu Development Board has taken the initiative to record the boat making process and send trainees over to the workshops to gain knowledge.
“We are willing to teach the younger generation. It would be a pity if initiatives are not taken to pass down the knowledge and skills, ” he said.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
