Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE and R. ARAVINTHAN
VETERAN singer Sheqal has been placed in an induced coma at the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban to save his life after the popular 1990s icon suffered a fourth stroke, reports Kosmo!.
Sheqal, whose real name is Shahrin Salehuddin, had to be sedated due to a severe lung infection and chronic diseases.
“I immediately called an ambulance when the stroke occurred. After examination, his oxygen level had dropped to 62% before he was rushed to the hospital,” said his wife Normah Mohd Yusoff.
“In the past few years alone, he has had four strokes, in addition to suffering from stage four kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.”
Normah added that the former Nusantara music legend has since shown signs of recovering but needs to remain sedated, according to doctors treating him.
“He’s still in the ICU and requires further observation and even a CT scan was also performed last night. Thank God, the hospital staff informed us this morning that his oxygen levels have improved, although he’s still under close monitoring,” she said.
> A couple in Batu Pahat, Johor, continues to make the traditional kuih halwa maskat in hopes of preserving its heritage, reports Berita Harian.
For Shamsul Bahri Ahmad, 64, and his wife Fauziah Hassan, 55, making halwa maskat is more than just enjoying a sweet treat – it is a symbol of their family’s history.
Despite the complex and time-consuming preparation process of the kuih, the couple remain committed to preserving this centuries-old method of making halwa maskat, producing up to 800kg of the kuih during festive seasons to sell.
To make authentic halwa maskat, Shamsul first thoroughly washes flour, ghee, rock sugar, cardamom and almonds before cooking them together in a copper wok for hours.
“The mixture must be stirred with a copper ladle as that’s the only way to achieve the right colour and consistency. We’ll keep making it for as long as we can.
“This isn’t just about business – it’s about continuing a legacy that’s nearly forgotten,” he said.
Shamsul is currently training his third son, Muhammad Haziq, 29, in the art of making halwa maskat to ensure the tradition lives on.
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.
