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Free Galaxy Ride : How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

Find out how to get the free RM5 TNG eWallet credit through Samsung Malaysia’s Free Galaxy Ride offer!

 

Free Galaxy Ride : Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

On 29 February 2024, Samsung Malaysia officially took over the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station – Malaysia’s largest underground interchange station. This brand takeover integrates Samsung into the network of 29 stations on the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya lines, on which over 220,00 daily riders make their daily commute.

In conjunction with its takeover of the TRX Samsung Galaxy MRT station, Samsung Malaysia is giving Samsung Galaxy users free RM5 TNG credit, which you can then use to purchase the RM5 MyCity Pass to get unlimited rides on the MRT for a whole day!

If you have not experience the convenience of using the MRT to get to The Exchange TRX mall, give it a try, and grab the free RM5 TNG credit from the Samsung Experience Store while you are there!

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review : Tech ARP Editor’s Choice!

 

Free Galaxy Ride : How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit!

Here is what you need to know about Samsung Malaysia’s Free Galaxy Ride offer.

Location

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only available at the Samsung Experience Store at The Exchange TRX Mall, from 10 AM to 10 PM daily.

Availability

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only valid for the first 5,000 Samsung Galaxy users on a first come, first serve basis, from 29 February until 17 March 2024.

Eligibility

The Free Galaxy Ride offer is only applicable to Samsung Members who are Malaysian citizens, and residents of Malaysia, who are 18 years and above (as of 29 February 2024), based on the Malaysian MyKad or passport.

This offer is not applicable to Samsung employees, dealers, or agents, or their families, as well as anyone connected to this Promotion.

How To Get Free RM5 TNG Credit

Please follow these steps to get your free RM5 TNG credit through the Samsung Free Galaxy Ride offer.

Step 1 : Visit the Samsung Experience Store at TRX Mall, and look for the Free Galaxy Ride crew.

Step 2 : Comment “I want a Free Galaxy Ride” with the hashtags #GalaxyAI and #GalaxyS24 on this Galaxy Free Ride Facebook post.

Step 3 : Scan the QR code provided by the Samsung crew to redeem a voucher on your Samsung Members app.

Step 4 : Download the redemption voucher from your Samsung Members app, and present it to the event crew.

Step 5 : You will receive a RM5 TNG reload code, which you can then use to top up your TNG eWallet.

Please note that each Samsung Galaxy user is only entitled to one (1) redemption.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Samsung Takes Over TRX MRT Interchange Station!

Samsung just took over the TRX MRT interchange station, which is now called the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station!

 

Samsung Takes Over TRX MRT Interchange Station!

On 29 February 2024, Samsung Malaysia officially took over the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) Samsung Galaxy MRT Station – Malaysia’s largest underground interchange station. This brand takeover integrates Samsung into the network of 29 stations on the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya lines, on which over 220,00 daily riders make their daily commute.

The TRX Samsung Galaxy Station is the largest interchange station between the TRX station and Putrajaya Line and directly serves The Exchange TRX, a world-class experiential lifestyle destination that sits at the heart of Tun Razak Exchange, Kuala Lumpur’s international financial district.

The new Samsung-branded TRX MRT station was officiated that day by Denny Kim (President of Samsung Malaysia), Elaine Soh (Chief Marketing Officer), Kevin Kim Tae Hoon (Business Director of Mobile eXperience) from Samsung Malaysia. Joining together with Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim (Chief Executive Officer), En Shahrul Fadli Omar (Chief Financial Officer) and Schrene Goh (Chief Commercial Officer) from Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp).

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review : Tech ARP Editor’s Choice!

The TRX MRT Station is a key station within the MRT network, as it has been designed to anchor the TRX International Financial District as well Kuala Lumpur’s latest major retail destination, offering great commercial value in advertising and marketing.

We are pleased to welcome the globally renowned Samsung Galaxy as our Station Naming Rights and Station Domination Advertising partner at this station, now named TRX Samsung Galaxy MRT Station. Commuters accessing the station will now be greeted by Samsung Galaxy’s striking visuals and catchy advertisement adorning the space.

– Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, CEO, MRT Corp.

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra : All 4 Colours Compared!

The station’s direct connection to Malaysia’s newest and vibrant lifestyle hub ensures a seamless experience for both travellers and shoppers. The collaboration with MRT Corporation represents our shared vision for a more connected future, aimed at enhancing the convenience and accessibility for everyone

– Denny Kim, President of Samsung Malaysia

 

Free RM5 TNG Credit At TRX Samsung Experience Store!

As a special treat, Samsung Galaxy users will be able to redeem free RM5 TNG credit (while stocks last!) from the Samsung Experience Store at The Exchange TRX, with their Samsung Members app.

You can use the RM5 TNG credit to purchase the RM5 MyCity Pass to get unlimited rides on the MRT for a whole day!

If you have not experience the convenience of using the MRT to get to The Exchange TRX mall, give it a try, and grab the free RM5 TNG credit from the Samsung Experience Store while you are there!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Apple Cancels Project Titan Autonomous Electric Car!

Apple just cancelled Project Titan – its long-running effort to build an autonomous electric car! Here is what we know so far…

 

Apple Cancels Project Titan Autonomous Electric Car!

Apple has finally decided to pull the plug on Project Titan – its long-running and highly-secret effort to build an electric car or autonomous vehicle.

All work on the project has stopped, and Apple is likely to cut hundreds of people from the team. There are about 1,400 employees currently working on Project Titan.

Only some employees will be shifted to its generative AI projects under John Giannandrea, Apple’s senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy. All other employees will have 90 days to find a reassignment to other roles in Apple, or be let go.

On Tuesday, 27 February 2024, Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, and the vice president in charge of Project Titan, Kevin Lynch, announced the news to the team in a short meeting that lasted just 12 minutes. They did not take questions, according to an employee who was there.

According to this employee, who remains anonymous, the announcement was abrupt but the decision was not. It appears to be a long time coming, with constantly shifting priorities within Apple.

Recommended : Did Tesla Cars Catch Fire + Explode After Accident?!

Apple first started working on its Project Titan car project in 2014, oscillating its focus between making an all-electric car to compete with Tesla, and developing a fully autonomous vehicle more like Waymo. The project’s leadership would repeatedly change its focus, under pressure from top executives and the Apple board.

Unfortunately, the team is apparently still years away from producing a viable vehicle, whether it is just an electric car, or a fully-autonomous vehicle, despite reportedly spending up to $1 billion annually.

In response to Apple’s decision to kill off its electric car, Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted emojis of a salute and a cigarette on X (formerly known as Twitter).

 

5 Reasons Why Apple Cancelled Project Titan Electric Car

After spending a decade and many billions of dollars on Project Titan, the decision could not have been easy. Here are the five reasons Apple scraped its electric car project, according to Bloomberg:

  • The strategy for Apple electric was constantly changing with no consistent plan nor approach.
  • There was a revolving door of leadership.
  • The electric car was still years away from being commercially viable, which concerned Apple.
  • Self-driving technology is tricky and challenging.
  • The electric vehicle market has been stagnating due to poor charging infrastructure, which soured Apple’s optimism.

While Apple’s electric car dreams has now ended, it doesn’t mean that all of its efforts have gone to waste. It is likely that the company will salvage and repurpose (maybe even licence out) the technologies its team developed.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Did Cristiano Ronaldo Just Die In Tragic Car Crash?!

Did football legend Cristiano Ronaldo just die suddenly in a tragic car crash?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-02-27 : Added new updates.
Originally posted @ 2023-04-18

 

Claim : Cristiano Ronaldo Just Died Suddenly In Tragic Car Accident!

People are claiming on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and social media that football legend Cristiano Ronaldo just died suddenly in a tragic car accident, with photos of the car accident and his funeral procession!

Very Sad News 10 minutes ago! Cristiano Ronaldo Super star Food ball CR7 lost his life in a car accident in Portugal

YouTube : CRISTIANO RONALDO DEAD IN CAR ACCIDENT

YouTube : 10 minutes ago / Cristiano ronaldo Death | Sad News | RIP Cristiano Ronaldo

Good Bye Cristiano ronaldo | Rip Cristiano

Rip #fyp #ronaldo #cristianoronaldo #rip #sad #viral #blowthisup #foryoupage #cr7

He’s dead 🥶☠️ #ronaldo #football #fyp #foryou #soccer

Recommended : Did Lionel Messi Just Die In High Speed Car Accident?!

 

Truth : Cristiano Ronaldo Did Not Die Suddenly In Tragic Car Accident!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by people to generate income from page / video views and advertising, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Cristiano Ronaldo Is Still Alive + Well!

Cristiano Ronaldo (born Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro on 5 February 1985) is still very much alive and well, as of Monday, 5 February 2024!

Of course, you will want “proof of life”, don’t you? Ronaldo posted a photo of himself after scoring his 750th goal in club football on Wednesday, 25 February 2024, on Instagram.

That post came at the Al Nassr game in the Saudi Pro League against Al Shabab. After Al Nassr was given a penalty kick, Cristiano Ronaldo kicked the ball into the back of the net. His total goal count is now 877.

Recommended : Celine Dion Just Died Suddenly In Tragic Accident?!

Fact #2 : No Legitimate Media Outlet Reported His Death

These social media posts, as well as YouTube and Facebook videos have been circulating for months now, but people don’t seem to notice that no legitimate media has reported on Cristiano Ronald’s death!

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world’s best footballers and a mega celebrity. His death would have been covered extensively by the media across the globe!

Yet, no legitimate media outlet has reported that Cristiano Ronaldo died recently from any cause. Why should you believe no-name websites, or random YouTube / Facebook / TikTok videos?

Fact #3 : Viral Car Accident Photo Was From 2009

The viral photo of a badly damaged car is genuine, and shows a car in which Cristiano Ronaldo drove and crashed. However, that happened many years ago, when the Portuguese footballer was just 23 years old!

At 10:20 am on 8 January 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo crashed his Ferrari sports car into a roadside barrier in a tunnel on the A538 Wilmslow Road near the Manchester airport, on the way to train with the Manchester United team.

The car was badly damaged, with one of the front wheels sheared off and thrown over a hundred metres away. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was not injured, and got out of his car by himself, and later went on to train that morning.

Recommended : Did Simon Cowell Just Die In Tragic Car Crash?!

Fact #4 : They Used Photos From Other Funerals!

Because Cristiano Ronaldo never died in a car crash or hospital, these fake news creator have to resort to using photos from other funerals.

In this example, the fake news creator merely added an inset photo of Cristiano Ronaldo with an arrow, a crying emoji and a LIVE chyron, to a photo of the funeral procession of IRA veteran Bobby Storey, which occurred on 30 June 2020.

If you take a closer look, you will see a bagpiper and Argos – a retailer operating in the United Kingdom and Ireland. You may also notice that everyone’s white! That’s because the photo was taken in Belfast, not Portugal!

Cristiano Ronaldo is Portuguese. Why on Earth would his funeral be held in Ireland?! And why would his family want a bagpiper at his funeral?!

Recommended : Clint Eastwood Just Died On The Way To Hospital?!

Fact #5 : Cristiano Ronaldo Death Hoax Is Driven By Fake Fact Check Too

This Cristiano Ronaldo death hoax is, ironically, just another fake fact check article by MediaMass Project, which keeps “updating” the dates in their fake fact check article:

News of footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the February 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 39-year-old footballer is alive and well.

Their claim of a viral R.I.P. Cristiano Ronaldo Facebook page is false. There is no such Facebook page. It is their standard fake fact check spiel for fake celebrity deaths.

The statement from Cristiano Ronaldo’s unnamed rep confirming that he is not dead is exactly the same as statements from other reps of celebrities MediaMass claimed were victims of death hoaxes, like like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Gibb, Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, Celine Dion, Clint Eastwood, Dolly Parton, Harrison Ford, Justine Bieber, Lionel Messi, Lucy LiuMadonna, Melanie Laurent, Mike Tyson, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Pattinson, Simon Cowell, Sylvester Stallone, Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, and Tom Hanks.

Hidden in the description page for the MediaMass Project is a disclaimer that they are a “satire” website. That’s the usual “cover” for websites peddling fake news.

Regardless of their reasons, anything posted by MediaMass.net must be considered as fake news, until proven otherwise.

Recommended : Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Die Of Heart Attack?!

Fact #6 : This Is Just Fake Celebrity News

This is yet another example of fake celebrity news created to generate page views and money through advertising, just like these examples:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Is FAA Planning To Eliminate White Men From Aviation Industry?!

Is the FAA planning to eliminate white men from the aviation industry?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : FAA Plans To Eliminate White Men From Aviation Industry!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims or suggests that the FAA just admitted its plan is to eliminate white men from the aviation industry, while fast tracking disabled minorities into key roles like pilots and air traffic controllers!

Here is an excerpt from the long, and (intentionally?) rambling article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

FAA Admits Plan Is To ‘Eliminate White Men’ From Aviation Industry

Recommended : Did FAA Admit Pilot EKGs Not Normal After Vaccines?!

 

Truth : FAA Does Not Plan To Eliminate White Men From Aviation Industry!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : FAA Is A US Federal Government Agency

Let me just start by pointing out that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a US federal government agency. It only has powers over civil aviation in the United States, and its surrounding international waters.

The FAA has no power or authority over civil aviation in the rest of the world.

It is therefore impossible for the FAA to “completely eliminate white men from the aviation industry“, even if it really wanted to do that (which it doesn’t).

Fact #2 : Video Does Not Show FAA Plan To Eliminate White Men

Nothing posted by Matt Walsh, Infowars, or The People’s Voice, show the FAA admitting to any plan to eliminate white men from the aviation industry.

The leaked video only shows what appears to be an FAA internal meeting on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) measures that the aviation industry can adopt to make flight operations more inclusive and representative of the population.

In fact, FAA Acting Deputy Chief Operating Officer Angela McCullough is seen stating talking about potentially developing “partnerships” with university or trade schools to encourage a more diverse flight operations team.

Are there opportunities for any partnerships with universities or trade schools which specialised… we kinda talked about from ramp to cockpit. There are some things we would want to look at.

Unfortunately, the video ended abruptly at that point, which makes me wonder – could the video be missing context about what Angela McCullough was saying in that meeting?

But even without the rest of the video, you can see that Angela never once said that she or the FAA planned to eliminate white men from the aviation industry.

In fact, Matt Walsh himself did not even claim that the FAA plans to eliminate all white men from the aviation industry. So why would anyone make that claim based on his posts???

Recommended : Pfizer Vaccine Causes Autism? Rats Are Not Mini Humans!

Fact #3 : There’s Nothing Wrong With Retraining People

It is uncertain what Angela McCullough meant by “from ramp to cockpit”, but it could simply mean offering people working in aviation ramp operations the opportunity to train and become pilots.

There is nothing wrong with retraining people for a different job, if that’s what the industry needs, and if they are interested and capable in the new job.

People can, and do, learn new skills to change jobs and even industries. As long as they are qualified for those new jobs, what exactly is wrong with that?

Only fools would believe that the FAA will ever let baggage handlers become airline pilots without training or passing qualification tests.

Fact #4 : Being Transgender Is Not A Mental Illness

Matt Walsh appears to suggest or claim that being transgender is an “overt mental illness”. That’s just not true.

Being transgender was once considered a psychological problem that can be treated. However, the American Psychiatric Association revised its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2012, to remove being transgender as a mental disorder.

With the release of DSM-5 in 2013, being transgender itself is no longer a mental disorder. Some transgender people are now diagnosed with “gender dysphoria”, if they face emotional stress related to their gender identity.

All psychiatric diagnoses occur within a cultural context. We know there is a whole community of people out there who are not seeking medical attention and live between the two binary categories. We wanted to send the message that the therapist’s job isn’t to pathologize.
– Jack Drescher, a member of the APA subcommittee responsible for the change

Just because someone disagrees with the American Psychiatric Association’s definition, does not mean that the aviation industry is embracing “overt mental illness”.

Recommended : Did Pope Francis Suddenly Become A Fashion Icon?!

Fact #5 : Photo Shows Historic Female Pilots

The People’s Voice article used a photo of two young black female pilots (above). On of the off-chance that it was chosen to convey the perception that unqualified female minority pilots may soon begin putting your lives at risk, let me just say that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

The two female pilots are Captain Tara Wright, and First Officer Mallory Cave. They made made history on 13 May 2018, as the first African-American female flight crew to fly an Alaska Airlines flight from San Francisco to Portland.

Not only are they both fully-qualified pilots, Captain Wright was also the first-ever African-American female pilot to fly for US Airways, before becoming its first African-American female pilot to be promoted to Captain in 2017.

Captain Wright is only the 7th African-American woman to ever become a captain in any major airline, which points to the lack of diversity and representation in the aviation industry.

Fact #6 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Publishing Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice.  Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls + Speed Limit Reduction!

The Malaysian government just announced two days of toll-free travel and a speed limit reduction for the CNY 2024 holidays!

 

CNY 2024 : No Highway Tolls On February 8-9!

On Wednesday, 7 February 2024, the Ministry of Works announced that there will be no highway tolls from February 8 to 9, in conjunction with Chinese New Year 2024!

In a short public announcement, the Ministry announced that the toll-free travel would apply to all Class 1 private vehicles for two days, from 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 8, to 11:59 PM on Friday, February 9, on exiting the toll booths.

This toll-free travel will extend to all highways, except at the toll plazas at the national borders:

  • the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
  • the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The expected financial implication of these two days of toll-free travel is estimated to be about RM42.99 million.

Recommended : Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!
Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

CNY 2024 : Speed Limit Reduction For 6 Days!

In conjunction with the CNY holidays, the Ministry of Works also ordered a reduction in all speed limits on all roads.

For 6 days from 8 to 13 February 2024, the speed limit will be reduced from 90 km/h to 80 km/h, on all federal roads.

This speed reduction are amongst the moves made to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents during the CNY 2024 festivities.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

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Did Simon Cowell Just Die Suddenly In Hospital?!

Did Simon Cowell just die suddenly in a hospital?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-02-12 : Added updated MediaMass claim, and other details
Originally posted @ 2023-01-07

 

Claim : Simon Cowell Just Died Suddenly In Car Crash!

People are sharing YouTube and TikTok videos which claim that Simon Cowell just died suddenly in a tragic car crash or unknown causes, with titles like :

10 minutes ago in Chicago, “America’s Got Talent” Simon Cowell died suddenly at the hospital

5 minutes ago announced that simon cowell died at the hospital…😳🤐 #viral #viralvideo

Recommended : Celine Dion Just Died Suddenly In Hospital?!

 

Truth : Simon Cowell Did Not Die Suddenly In Hospital!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by people to generate income from page views and YouTube advertising, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Legitimate Media Outlet Reported His Death

These YouTube videos have been circulating for weeks and months, but people don’t seem to notice that no legitimate media has reported his death.

Never mind his wealth, Simon Cowell is a celebrity in his own right. Even if he did not die, the worldwide media would have reported on his car accident or hospitalisation.

No legitimate media outlet reported that Simon Cowell was hospitalised, never mind dying suddenly in a car crash. That’s because it never happened!

Fact #2 : Simon Cowell Is Still Alive + Well!

Simon Cowell – the long-time judge on Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent is still very much alive and well, as of Monday, 12  February 2024.

Of course, you need actual “proof of life”, right? Well, Simon Cowell posted a video of Shadow Ace performing on America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.

As you can see – Simon Cowell is not dead, or in the hospital. He certainly does not look like he’s dying in a hospital!

Recommended : Did Dolly Parton Just Die Suddenly From A Stroke?!

Fact #3 : The Photos Were Edited

I analysed the photos used in these videos, and traced the origin of four examples used in many of these videos.

This photo that shows Simon Cowell on a hospital bed, was edited from a real photo of a kidney transplant patient called Gerhard van Tonder. The photo was taken in October 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Healthcare professionals will immediately notice that Simon Cowell is not intubated despite being mysteriously hooked up to a ventilator!

If you look carefully, you will also notice that Simon Cowell’s head is oddly larger than normal – to superimpose over Gerhard’s head in the real photo.

If you zoom into the fake photo, you can even see a white border around Simon Cowell’s head – a clear sign it was added to the photo.

Recommended : Did Lucy Liu Just Die In A Training Accident?!

The photo of this white SUV was taken on July 17, 2019 on Highway 6 near Freelton, Ontario, Canada. The driver was a 38 year-old woman, not Simon Cowell.

This photo was also misappropriated from another car accident, this time in the Selma neighbourhood in the San Fernando Valley, on May 9, 2021.

The driver was a 57 year-old woman who died in that accident. Again, not Simon Cowell.

This fake photo is a pretty good edit, albeit showing Simon Cowell smiling with his eyes closed – odd for someone who was dying or has already died.

But it was really a photo of Blake Bargatze, a 24 year-old man, who was being treated at a South Florida hospital for COVID-19 in March 2021.

Bargatze, unfortunately, did not qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine at that time, and got infected. His condition grew worse over time, and he eventually had to be placed on an ECMO machine to let his lungs heal.

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and he ended up with a double-lung transplant in June 2021, to save his life.

Recommended : Did Justin Bieber Just Die In A High Speed Car Crash?!

Fact #4 : Simon Cowell Death Hoax Is Driven By Fake Fact Check Too

This Simon Cowell death hoax is, ironically, also being driven by a fake fact check article by the MediaMass Project, which keeps “updating” the dates in their fake fact check article:

News of television host Simon Cowell’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the February 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the creator of Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor is alive and well.

Their claim of a viral R.I.P. Simon Cowell Facebook page is false. There is no such Facebook page. It is their standard fake fact check spiel for fake celebrity deaths.

The statement from Simon Cowell’s unnamed rep confirming that he is not dead is exactly the same as statements from other reps MediaMass claimed were victims of death hoaxes, like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Gibb, Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, Celine Dion, Clint Eastwood, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dolly Parton, Harrison Ford, Justine Bieber, Lionel Messi, Lucy LiuMadonna, Melanie Laurent, Mike Tyson, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Robert PattinsonSylvester Stallone, Taylor Swift, Tom Cruise, and Tom Hanks.

He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet.

Hidden in the description page for the MediaMass Project is a disclaimer that they are a “satire” website. That’s the usual “cover” for websites peddling fake news.

Regardless of their reasons, anything posted by MediaMass.net must be considered as fake news, until proven otherwise.

Recommended : Did Sylvester Stallone Just Die Suddenly In Hospital?!

Fact #5 : This Is Just Fake Celebrity News

This is yet another example of fake celebrity news created to generate page views and money through advertising, just like these examples:

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Have All Passport Collections Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ?!

Have all passport collections been shifted to the Malaysia Immigration office at Shaftsbury PJ?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : All Passport Collections Have Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ!

This message and photo is being shared on WhatsApp, claiming that all passport collection has been shifted to Shaftsbury PJ.

Do u know that for all passport via online application/ renewals .. the collection centre is now here at Shaftsbury PJ.

Recommended : How To Renew Malaysian Passport Online : 2024 Guide!

 

Truth : Passport Collections Have Not Been Shifted To Shaftsbury PJ!

This is yet another example of fake news circulating on WhatsApp and Telegram, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : It’s Shaftsbury Putrajaya, Not PJ

First, let me just point out that there is no Shaftsbury PJ (Petaling Jaya).

The new Malaysia Immigration passport office is located at the Shaftsbury Putrajaya – a 3-story shopping mall located in Presint 1, Putrajaya.

You can even see it in the viral photo above. It’s stated clearly – Pejabat Passport Shaftsbury Putrajaya. Why would anyone falsely claimed that the new passport office is called Shaftsbury PJ???

Fact #2 : Shaftsbury Putrajaya Passport Office Is Small

The Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office is just a new branch office for the Malaysia Immigration Department. It also appears to be rather small in size, as the official Imigresen TV video below shows.

The Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office is not designed to handle all passport collection across Malaysia.

In fact, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in July 2023, that the Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office will cater to people living around the Putrajaya area, such as Serdang, Sungai Besi, Dengkil, Cyberjaya, Bangi, and Cheras.

To be clear – passport collection has not been shifted to this new Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office!

Fact #3 : Shaftsbury Putrajaya Limits Walk-In Passport Renewals

You cannot just walk into the Shaftsbury Putrajaya passport office to renew your expired / expiring passport.

As we explained since May 2022, the Malaysia Immigration Department limits walk-in renewals of passports to:

  • People applying for a new passport
  • Senior citizens (60 years and older)
  • Special needs individuals (must bring Social Welfare Department registration card)
  • Children who are less than 13 years old
  • People planning to perform the Haj (must bring the Tabung Haji offer letter)
  • Students (less than 21 years old) planning to study overseas
  • People who lost their passports (will require a police report)
  • People with damaged passports

Everyone else will have to renew their passports online! The official Imigresen TV video below also mentions this.

Recommended : Please DO NOT Walk-In To Renew Your Malaysian Passport!

Fact #4 : No Passport Office Can Handle All Collections!

In the first half of 2023 alone, the Immigration Department issued over 1.6 million passports. It would not be possible for a single passport office to handle the collection of all of those passports.

In fact, the Putrajaya headquarters of the Malaysia Immigration Department only processed and issued 68,416 of those 1.6 million passports!

It is also not logical to consolidate passport collection in a single office. Not only will people have to fly or drive from all over Malaysia to Shaftsbury Putrajaya to collect their passports, there would be massive queues of tens of thousands of people!

Fact #5 : Other Passport Offices Are Still Handling Passport Collection

If you go to the Malaysia Immigration Department’s official online passport application page, you can click on the list of available branches for passport collection.

As of 2 February 2024, here is the full list of available Malaysia Immigration Department offices where you can choose to collect your passport from:

Alor Setar
Batu Pahat
Besut

If you scroll through the list, you can see that Shaftsbury Putrajaya is merely one of the many passport offices available for you to select as a collection point.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Were Child Sex Workers Flown To Davos For WEF 2024?!

Were thousands of child sex workers flown on private jets to service WEF 2024 attendees in Davos?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Child Sex Workers Flown To Davos For WEF 2024!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that thousands of child sex workers were flown on private jets to service attendees of the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos!

Child Sex Workers ‘Fully Booked’ at Davos, WEF Insider Says

Recommended : Is Interpol Investigating Klaus Schwab For Genocide?!

 

Truth : Child Sex Workers Were Not Flown To Davos For WEF 2024!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of Child Sex Workers At WEF 2024

First, let me just point out that there is absolutely ZERO evidence that any child sex worker was trafficked to Davos for the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF).

The People’s Voice certainly provided no evidence to back up its claims of “thousands of children” being flown to WEF 2024 on private jets for sex work.

Think about it for just a second. Davos isn’t some sealed town owned by the “evil WEF cabal”. It is a town in Switzerland where anyone can visit. There were thousands of people in Davos for WEF 2024, including members of the media from all over the world, as well as conspiracy theorists and cranks looking to record viral video clips (example) of the WEF elite.

Yet no one was able to obtain a single photo or video of any child sex worker in Davos, in the age of ever-present cameras in smartphones, CCTVs, dash cams, etc.?

Fact #2 : Passports Required For Private Jet Passengers

The claim that the elite trafficked children into Davos without passport or identification is ludicrous. Even if they flew in on private jets, they would still need to present their passports for international flights.

Private jets merely offer privacy and convenience. They do not allow passengers to bypass immigration controls.

Fact #3 : Minors Cannot Travel By Themselves

There is also the inconvenient fact that minors are not allowed to travel across borders without being accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Imagine a private flight of multiple minors without their parents landing at any airport. It would have drawn special scrutiny. There is simply no way for child sex workers to be trafficked across borders using private jets.

Recommended : Did WHO Unveil Global Police Force With Arrest Powers?!

Fact #4 : Private Jets Are Small

The People’s Voice cannot even keep its fake story straight. After claiming that “dozens” of private jets were used to “traffic the children across borders”, it then claimed that about a dozen flights were used to transport those child sex workers to Davos.

What the writer may not realise is that private jets are small. Most private jets seat about 8-12 people, but the largest – the Embraer Lineage 1000, can seat up to 18 people.

A dozen Lineage 1000 flights would only carry a total of 216 children. For a thousand children, you would need about a hundred private jets, or at least 56 of the super-large Embraer Lineage 1000 private jets.

Fact #5 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Publishing Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice.  Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did Justin Bieber Just Die In Tragic Car Accident?!

Did Justin Bieber just die in a hospital after a high speed car crash?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-01-14 : Refreshed for a new release
Originally posted @ 2023-04-13

 

Claim : Justin Bieber Died Suddenly In High Speed Car Crash!

People are sharing YouTube, Facebook and TikTok videos claiming that Justin Bieber just died suddenly in a high speed car crash, with titles like :

10 minutes ago in Los Angeles, American famous singer Justin Bieber died suddenly in car accident

( RIP ) Justin Bieber died after crashing at over 100mph, coroner’s report reveals

12 Minute ago ( RIP ) Justin Bieber died after crashing at over 100mph, coroner’s report reveals

RIP Justin Bieber… We lost him in a car crash over 100mph if your depressed please reach out.

( RIP ) Justin Bieber died after crashing at over 120mph, coroner’s report reveals

( RIP ) Very Sad 20 Second ago in Chicago, Justin Bieber died after crashing at over 100mph, coroner’s report reveals

7 minutes ago Justin Bieber died in car accident after crashing at over 100mph…. RIP legend…very sad news

Justin Bieber died #justinbieber #justinbieberdied #death #singer #justinbieberupdates #ytshorts

Recommended : Clint Eastwood Just Died On The Way To Hospital?!

 

Truth : Justin Bieber Did Not Die In Car Accident!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by people to generate income from page / video views and advertising, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Legitimate Media Outlet Reported His Death

These YouTube / TikTok / Facebook videos have been circulating for days now, but people don’t seem to notice that no legitimate media has reported Justin Bieber’s death.

Justin Bieber is a megastar, with a beautiful celebrity model wife. If something happened to him, not will it be eagerly reported on by celebrity blogs, the worldwide media would no doubt cover it too.

When Justin Bieber revealed that he is suffering from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, the worldwide media breathlessly reported on his condition, including he cancelled the rest of his concerts.

No legitimate media outlet has reported that Justin Bieber died recently from any cause. Why should you believe no-name websites like NewsC60 / Fact Journal Media / NewsC8, or random YouTube / TikTok / Facebook videos?

Fact #2 : Justin Bieber Is Still Alive + Well!

Justin Bieber is still very much alive and well, as of Sunday, 14 January, 2024. Of course, you want “proof of life”, don’t you?

Well, Justin Bieber himself posted a series of photos and videos on Instagram on 7 January 2024, to share how excited he is for 2024:

excited for this next year. New beginnings

One of them is a video of him playing golf. Needless to say – he looks very well, f or someone who allegedly got smashed into pieces in a terrible car accident.

This happened many days, weeks and even months after those YouTube / TikTok / Facebook videos claimed that he died in a high speed car accident! What a miracle!

Obviously, we can confirm that all those videos and articles about Justin Bieber dying from a tragic car accident are FAKE.

Read more : Did Vaccine Injury Force Justin Bieber To Cancel Tour?!
Read more : Did Justin Bieber Get Ramsay Hunt Syndrome From Vaccine?!

Fact #3 : Justin Bieber “Died Suddenly” Photos Were Edited

I analysed this photo used in some of the videos, and confirmed that Justin Bieber wasn’t even involved in that car accident, never mind die in it.

This is actually a photo of a car accident that happened in July 2022, involving Justin Bieber’s step grandmother, Kathy Bieber.

Marty Denham was outside his shop when he heard a loud noise on Lorne Avenue West and saw one vehicle had collided with another.

“I had my back to it, I turned around, there was probably a five-count and the entire car blew up behind them,” he said.

One of the vehicles was consumed by flames almost instantly.

That’s when Denham saw a woman jump out of the car to safety.

“We thought we were watching a person die because we thought the girl was the passenger.”

Denham said one of the people involved in the crash was Kathy Bieber, who is married to the pop star’s grandfather on his dad’s side of the family.

Recommended : Did Bruce Willis Just Die Suddenly At Home / Hospital?!

Here is another popular photo used to show Justin Bieber dying in a hospital after his tragic car crash, but that’s not him in that hospital bed.

That is really a photo of doctors and nurses at the Brooklyn Hospital Center treating a COVID-19 patient, that Victor J. Blue of the New York Times took in April 2020.

Photo credit : Victor J. Blue, New York Times

Fact #4 : Justin Bieber Death Hoax Is Driven By Fake Fact Check Too

This Justin Bieber death hoax is, ironically, also being driven by a fact check article by the MediaMass Project, which appears to regularly update / change the dates.

News of singer Justin Bieber’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the January 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the singer best known for hit songs like Beauty and a Beat, Boyfriend or Baby is alive and well.

Their claim of a viral R.I.P. Justin Bieber Facebook page is false. There is no such Facebook page. It is their standard fake fact check spiel for fake celebrity deaths.

The statement from Justin Bieber’s unnamed rep confirming that he is not dead is exactly the same as statements from other celebrities whose reps MediaMass claimed were victims of death hoaxes, like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Gibb, Bruce Willis, Celine Dion, Clint Eastwood, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dolly Parton, Harrison Ford, Lionel Messi, Lucy LiuMadonna, Melanie Laurent, Mike Tyson, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Pattinson, Simon Cowell, Sylvester Stallone, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Tom Cruise, and Tom Hanks.

He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet.

Hidden in the description page for the MediaMass Project is a disclaimer that they are a “satire” website. That’s the usual “cover” for websites peddling fake news.

Regardless of their reasons, anything posted by MediaMass.net must be considered as fake news, until proven otherwise.

Recommended : Was Prince William Caught Seducing Jacinda Ardern?!

Fact #5 : This Is Just Fake Celebrity News

This is yet another example of fake celebrity news created to generate page views and money through advertising, just like these examples:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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How To Renew Malaysian Passport Online : 2024 Guide!

Find out how to renew your Malaysian passport online through the MyOnline Passport service in 2024!

 

You Must Renew Your Malaysian Passport Online!

MyOnline Passport is a service by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, which allows you to renew your Malaysian passports online.

On 11 May 2022, the Immigration Department stopped allowing most people to walk-in for their passport renewal. Except for a selected group of people, everyone else must renew their passports online.

Read more : Most People Cannot Walk-In To Renew Malaysia Passport!

 

How To Renew Your Malaysian Passport Online!

The MyOnline Passport service was originally designed by the Immigration Department of Malaysia as a convenient, online way for people to renew their Malaysian international passports.

However, it is now the only way to renew your Malaysian passport for most people, from 11 May 2022 onwards. Here is what you need to know about the process.

Only For International Passport Renewals

The first thing you must be aware is that MyOnline Passport can only be used to renew existing international passports issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

You cannot use it to apply for a new passport, or to replace a stolen or damaged passport. You also cannot use it to renew special or restricted passports.

To apply for a new passport, or to replace a stolen / damaged passport, or renew special or restricted passports, you must walk-in.

Children who are less than 13 years old, special needs individuals, and those performing the Haj, must also walk-in to renew their passports.

Who Can Apply For Online Passport Renewal?

The MyOnline Passport service is only open to applicants 13 years and older, with existing Malaysian e-passports (passport with microchip).

Underaged applicants (13-18 years old) must have the consent of their parent(s) / legal guardian(s) to apply online, and the parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must be present during the collection of passport.

Can Overseas Citizens Use MyOnline Passport?

This service is also open to Malaysian citizens living overseas, with collection centres in these countries :

  • Australia : Canberra, Melbourne, Perth
  • China : Beijing, Kunming, Guangzhou, Shanghai
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia : Jakarta
  • India : Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi
  • Singapore
  • United Kingdom : London
  • United States : New York

Recommended : Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Required For Foreign Visitors!

How Soon Can You Collect Your Passport?

If you submit the online application before 3 PM on a working day, you will be able to collect the new passport on the same day.

If you submit the online application after 3 PM on a working day, or anytime during a holiday, you can collect the new passport after 10 AM on the following working day.

Where Do You Collect The Passport?

Applicants can collect their renewed passports from a Passport Recipient and Issuance Office of their choice, from a list in the system.

The collection date and time will be provided, depending on the date and time the application was submitted.

How Much Does It Cost?

The MyOnline Passport service is free. You only need to pay for the standard Malaysian international passport renewal fees :

  • 13 to 59 Years Old : RM200
  • Above 60 Years Old : RM100

Payment must be made via a credit card or debit card / direct debit (FPX) on the website.

Read more : Please DO NOT Walk-In To Renew Your Malaysian Passport!

Please Check Blacklist Before Applying!

Every online passport renewal application will be vetted against the Immigration Department’s blacklist.

So please check if you are on the Immigration Department’s blacklist before you even apply.

  1. Go to the Immigration Control Status Checking page.
  2. Key in your 12-digit MyKad identity card number (without dash).
  3. Click on the Check button.

If you get the green No restriction result, then you may apply to renew your passport online.

What Is Required To Submit An Application?

Here is what you need to have, before applying for online renewal of your Malaysian international passport.

  • an existing Malaysia e-passport (passport with microchip) that is not defaced or water-damaged
  • a digital passport-sized photo with these specifications :
    a) background must be white, and without shadows (coloured backgrounds will not be accepted)
    b) applicants must wear dark clothing that cover the shoulders and chest.
    c) applicants who wear a scarf or hijab must wear dark-coloured scarf / hijab, and it must not cover the face.
    d) uploaded photo must have been taken at a professional photo studio, in the format provided by the photo studio. Polaroid photos will not be accepted.
    e) applications that do not meet these specifications will be put on-hold, resulting in delayed issuance and collection.
    f) you may have your passport photo taken at the Passport Recipient and Issuance Office you selected to collect your passport, if your passport photo does not meet the required specifications
  • a valid credit card / debit card / online bank account to make the required payment

In addition, you must be sure that :

  • you are able to physically collect the new passport in-person (a representative may not collect for you)
  • for underaged applicants : both applicant and parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must be present to collect the new passport

Passport Photo Specifications

Here are the latest specifications for online submission of passport photos (source | source):

  • Background must be white and without shadows. Coloured backgrounds will not be accepted.
  • Applicants are required to wear dark clothing that cover the shoulders and chest.
  • Applicants may wear dark-coloured scarfs or hijabs but they must not cover the face.
  • Applicants must not wear glasses, coloured contact lenses, or hair/head accessories. Hair should not cover the face.
  • Applicants must look directly at the camera, with both eyes open, and the mouth closed.
  • You must take the photo at a professional photo studio, and upload the soft copy in the format provided by the photo studio. Polaroid pictures will not be accepted.

If the photo you upload do not meet the specifications, your application will be put on-hold, and you will be asked to resubmit the photo, or get one taken at a passport office.

Recommended : 2024 – 2025 Malaysia School Term + Holiday Calendar!

What Is Required To Collect Passport?

Finally, when it’s time to collect your renewed passport, please make sure you bring :

  • your MyKad identification card
  • your existing Malaysian international passport
  • the payment receipt issued by the system
  • for underaged applicants : your parent(s) / legal guardian(s) must bring your Birth Certificate

You cannot send a representative to collect your passport. If you fail to bring the necessary documents, or collect your passport in person, the renewed passport will not be released.

Underage applicants must be accompanied by their parent(s) / legal guardian(s), or their renewed passport will not be released.

How Do You Start The Process?

You can start the process on this MyOnline Passport page.

You may make multiple passport renewals, but you must submit one application per person.

Please avoid registering from 10:55 PM to 12:30 AM, because that’s when the system undergoes daily maintenance and no payment can be processed during that time.

If You Get An Error Message…

If you get an error message while making payment, please contact your bank for further instructions.

If your photo was rejected, you can upload a new photo, or have your passport photo taken at the Passport Recipient and Issuance Office you selected to collect your passport.

If you get this error message – “Kindly contact the Immigration Department of Malaysia”, it means your online application was unsuccessful for one of these reasons :

  • The file containing your fingerprint was damaged or deleted. You will be required to go to the passport office to have your fingerprint taken again, to avoid problems at the airport arrival / departure gates.
  • Your application does not meet with the specifications listed on MyOnline Passport.
  • The information provided was inaccurate, and/or contradicts the information in the Immigration Department system.

How To Resubmit Photo / Supporting Documents

If you need to resubmit your photo or supporting documents, please use these links :

How To Check Application Status

Please use this link to check your passport renewal status.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did Lionel Messi Die Suddenly In Tragic Car Crash?!

Did football legend Lionel Messi just die suddenly in a high speed car crash?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-01-09 : Updated with new information
Updated @ 2023-09-24 : Added video fact check and comparison!
Originally posted @ 2023-04-20

 

Claim : Lionel Messi Died Suddenly In High Speed Car Crash!

People are sharing TikTok and YouTube videos which claim that football legend Lionel Messi just died suddenly in a high-speed car accident, with photos of the tragic car crash!

#fyp #soccer #messi #dead rest in peace legend👑⚽️🕊️

LIONEL MESSI DIES IN UNBELIEVABLE CAR CRASH

Messi, Xavi and Christiano dead after car accident

#Rip Messie Messie❤️ respect for Messie ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️⚽️🥅
Messie the best of the world ❤️🇦🇷❤️❤️#Messie

INFO CHOC: Lionel Messi est décédé
SHOCK INFO: Lionel Messi has died

Recommended : Did Cristiano Ronaldo Just Die In Tragic Car Accident?!

 

Truth : Lionel Messi Did Not Die In High Speed Car Crash!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by people to generate income from page / video views and advertising, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Legitimate Media Outlet Reported His Death

These social media posts, as well as YouTube and TikTok videos have been circulating for months now, but people don’t seem to notice that no legitimate media has reported on Lionel Messi’s death!

Lionel Messi is one of the world’s best footballer and a mega celebrity. His death would have been covered extensively by the media across the globe! And his fans would have mourned his death on social media.

Yet, no legitimate media outlet has reported that Lionel Messi died recently from any cause, never mind a tragic car accident. Why should you believe no-name websites, or random YouTube / TikTok videos?

Fact #2 : Lionel Messi Is Still Alive + Well!

Lionel Messi (born Lionel Andrés Messi on 24 June 1987) is still very much alive and well, as of Tuesday, 9 January 2024.

Of course, you want proof of life, right? What you should be asking is the proof of death when you see social media claims that some celebrity or athlete has died. But I digress…

Well, Lionel Messi himself posted a photo with his family on New Year’s Day – 1 January 2024. As you can see, not only is he very much still alive, his family looks great!

Recommended : Did Bruce Willis Just Die In A Hospital?!

Fact #3 : This Car Accident Photo Was From 2009

To convince you that Lionel Messi died (even though he’s still alive), the fake news creators had to make use of unrelated car crashes.

In this example, the video claimed that Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, died in this car accident.

The truth is – that is a photo of a Ferrari 599 that crashed in October 2009, on the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria, Australia. The driver was a 64 year-old man called Carlo Vaccari.

Mr. Vaccari lost control while driving his Ferrari 599 at 80 km/h and ploughed into two motorcyclists travelling in the opposite direction. He was convicted of careless driving, but only fined $3000.

Recommended : Did Simon Cowell Just Die In Tragic Car Crash?!

Fact #4 : This Car Accident Photo Was Posted In 2014

It is unknown when this car accident happened, but this undated car accident photo was posted by WreckedExotics.com on August 13, 2014.

Apparently, the driver lost control of his Ferrari 458 Italia while trying to overtake another car, and crashed into a trash bin. The driver left the scene of the accident, possibly under the influence of drugs / alcohol.

Even though this incident happened in Madrid, Spain, this photo is old and has nothing to do with Lionel Messi.

Recommended : Celine Dion Just Died Suddenly In Hospital?!

Fact #5 : This Car Accident Occurred In 2012

This photo does not show Lionel Messi’s fatal car crash. This accident actually occurred at around 9 PM on 1 September 2012, at the E42 highway near Francorchamps in Belgium.

The driver was a 63 year-old man from Saint-Ghislain, and was obviously not Lionel Messi.

Recommended : Did Toby Keith Just Die Suddenly In Hospital?!

Fact #6 : Lionel Messi Death Hoax Is Driven By Fake Fact Check Too

This Lionel Messi death hoax is, ironically, also fuelled by MediaMass Project, which keeps “updating” the dates in its fake fact check article:

News of footballer Lionel Messi’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the January 2024 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 36-year-old footballer is alive and well.

Their claim of a viral R.I.P. Lionel Messi Facebook page is false. There is no such Facebook page. It is their standard fake fact check spiel for fake celebrity deaths.

The statement from Lionel Messi’s unnamed rep confirming that he is not dead is exactly the same as statements from other celebrities whose reps MediaMass claimed were victims of death hoaxes, like Angelina Jolie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry Gibb, Bruce Willis, Celine Dion, Clint Eastwood, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dolly Parton, Harrison Ford, Justin Bieber, Lucy LiuMadonna, Melanie Laurent, Mike Tyson, Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Pattinson, Simon Cowell, Sylvester Stallone, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Tom Cruise, and Tom Hanks.

He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He’s still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet.

Hidden in the description page for the MediaMass Project is a disclaimer that they are a “satire” website. That’s the usual “cover” for websites peddling fake news.

Regardless of their reasons, anything posted by MediaMass.net must be considered as fake news, until proven otherwise.

Recommended : Did Sylvester Stallone Just Die Suddenly In Hospital?!

Fact #7 : This Is Just Fake Celebrity News

This is yet another example of fake celebrity news created to generate page views and money through advertising, just like these examples:

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Are Chinese Students Being Harassed + Banned From US?

Are Chinese students being harassed by US government, with some having their visas revoked and given a 5-year ban?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Chinese Students Are Being Harassed + Banned From US!

CCP supporters, as well as the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛), are sharing and promoting a video, which claims that Chinese students trying to enter the United States are being harassed, with some having their visas revoked and given a 5-year ban!

Here is a transcript of what was said, or posted, in the viral video, which may be AI-generated:

Can China-US Student Exchanges Survive Geopolitics?

Chinese reporter : Do you think Chinese students are spies?

US Ambassador to China : Chinese students are welcome in the United States.

But the harsh reality endured by Chinese students is the opposite of welcoming.

The Chinese embassy in the US has exposed a story illustrating how US border control officials systematically harass Chinese students. Extensive checks on every electronic device.

A Yale PHD candidate recently endured an 8-hour interrogation as authorities probed his study connection with the Chinese government. Despite finding no evidence, they revoked his student visa anyway for five years.

And Canada is not better, as the Canadian Federal Court has stretched the definition of espionage out so far that, in its application, a Chinese student has been barred from entering Canada simply because his field of study is microfluids, a promising high-tech field in health.

If you are a Chinese student who studies abroad in a field of innovation, the sad fact is you risk being called a spy.

Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric that you are entering a “free society”. You are entering an anti-China society.

Recommended : Joe Biden Caught Receiving Laundered Chinese Money?!

 

Truth : US Is Blocking Entry To Chinese Students With PLA Links

This appears to be yet another example of PROPAGANDA created or promoted by CCP supporters and/or the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛), and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Not All Chinese People Live In China

First, let me just point out that there are people of Chinese ethnicity all over the world, many in Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; as well as Western countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

There are also millions of Chinese people living in the Republic of China – Taiwan, which is not governed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that is controlling mainland China.

To be clear – the video is referring only to students from the People’s Republic of China, and not Chinese students from other countries.

Fact #2 : China Still Sends The Most Students To US

I should also point out that, even in 2023, students from China continue to be the largest group of foreign students pursuing education in the United States.

The US State Department granted more than 600,000 international student visas in the 2023 fiscal year, of which 289,526 visas were awarded to students from China (source).

In other words, the statistics belie the claim that the United States isn’t welcoming students from China. The vast majority of students from China do not have any issue entering the United States.

Fact #3 : It Was Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Complaint

Although the video claimed that the Chinese embassy in the US “exposed” the story, I cannot find any evidence of that. Instead, it appears that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin first spoke about it during a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday, 4 January 2024.

That was later posted (archive) on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affair’s official page on X (formerly Twitter). The Chinese Embassy in US then shared the short statement, with a comment the next day – 5 January 2024 (archive):

Recommended : Chinese Nuclear Plants Release More Tritium Than Fukushima?!

Fact #4 : Presidential Proclamation 10043 Blocks PLA-Associated Students

What the viral video does not mention is that these few students were interrogated on entry, and then blocked or banned from entering the United States, because they were deemed to be associated with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

On 29 May 2020, then President Donald Trump issued Presidential Proclamation 10043 (PDF), which prohibits students from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from obtaining F visas, or J visas, if they are associated with the People’s Liberation Army.

It was issued at that time because the US government determined that the PRC was using “some Chinese students, mostly post-graduate students and post-doctorate researchers, to operate as non-traditional collectors of intellectual property“, in particular those who “are or have been associated with the PLA“.

In September 2020, more than 1,000 Chinese students had their visas cancelled by Presidential Proclamation 10043. Regardless of the merits of this Presidential Proclamation, it is limited to a relatively small number of students from China, who have been determined to have some association with the PLA.

Fact #5 : Visas Can Be Revoked At Any Time

Even though these postgraduate students have a valid student visa, it can be revoked at any time, even upon entry into the United States, as stated in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act:

After the issuance of a visa or other documentation to any alien, the consular officer or the Secretary of State may at any time, in his discretion, revoke such visa or other documentation. Notice of such revocation shall be communicated to the Attorney General, and such revocation shall invalidate the visa or other documentation from the date of issuance… There shall be no means of judicial review …

This isn’t a uniquely American law either. Other countries, including China, retain the right to revoke any visas they may have issued, at any time they wish.

Brief Introduction of Visa for China (Mainland Only)
2023-05-14 20:19

In accordance with international law and practice, any sovereign state is entitled to decide on whether or not to allow a foreign citizen to enter or exit from its territory, and whether to issue a visa, decline a visa application or to cancel an issued visa in accordance with its national laws.

Chinese consular officials are entitled to decide on the type, number of entries, validity and duration of each stay of a visa to be issued based on Chinese laws and regulations. Consular officials reserve the right to decline a visa application or revoke an issued visa.

Recommended : EU + Japan Have Secret Agreement To Re-Export Seafood?!

Fact #6 : US Conducts Warrantless Search At Border

Sadly, the US constitutional rights against “unreasonable searches and seizures” stops at the border. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has broad authority to search and seize electronic devices at the border.

That’s because the US Supreme Court has concluded that “routine” border searches are “not subject to any requirement of reasonable suspicion, probably cause, or warrant‘ (source).

This isn’t limited to students from China, or even foreigners as a whole. The power to search electronic devices at the border also extends to US citizens and permanent residents!

Fact #7 : West Has More Freedom Than China

The truth is these visa woes affect only a small percentage of students from China, in particular postgraduate students who have some kind of association with the People’s Liberation Army.

This does not mean that Western countries have less freedom than China – a notably authoritarian country with severe censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly and religion. Never mind the right to criticise their leaders, people in China don’t even have freedom to access YouTube or Facebook or Instagram!

So it is truly laughable that anyone would use this student visa restriction as “evidence” that Western countries are not a “free society”. Being a “free society” does not mean having an “open border”.

Recommended : China Unveils New Incentives For Wumao + CCP Uncles!

Fact #8 : This Is Just CCP Propaganda

This is just ultimately just another example of CCP propaganda, created / spread by pro-CCP supporters and the Chinese 50 Cent Army (wumao, 五毛). Here are other examples:

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Did 5 Singapore Airlines Pilots Die From COVID-19 Vaccine?!

Did five SIA pilots die suddenly from COVID-19 vaccine side effects, after Singapore Airlines demanded that they get fully-vaccinated?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Five Singapore Airlines Pilots Died Suddenly From Vaccine In 7 Months!

People are sharing obituary photos of five SIA pilots, suggesting that they died suddenly from COVID-19 vaccine side effects, after Singapore Airlines demanded that they get fully-vaccinated!

aussie17 : 5th Singapore Airlines Pilot died last week in a span of 7 months.
The airline has apprx 3000 pilots. can someone calculate the odds?

Recommended : Did Study Show COVID-19 Vaccines Can Worsen Cancer?!

 

No Evidence Any SIA Pilots Died From COVID-19 Vaccine!

It’s now tradition for anti-vaccination activists to immediately blame all sudden deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Their Cause Of Death Are Unknown

First, let me just confirm that there were indeed five Singapore Airlines pilots who died between the months of May and December 2023, based on their obituaries:

However, none of their obituaries mentioned their individual cause of death. They also do not appear to have any social media accounts, or families posting about their deaths on social media.

Some netizens have claimed that Captains Wee Leong and Colin Tan died suddenly from cardiac arrest, while Captains Fernando Cid and Sebastian Tan died from cancer. It is unknown if any of those causes of death are accurate.

Until and unless Singapore Airlines, or the families of the five pilots, publicly announce their individual cause of death, anyone who tells you that they died of this or that cause is likely lying to you.

Recommended : Is Australia Opportunistically Vaccinating People Under Sedation?!

Fact #2 : No Evidence SIA Required Additional Vaccine Doses

In January 2021, Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced that it hopes to become the world’s first airline to vaccinated all of its crew members against COVID-19. SIA set a deadline of September 1, and managed to vaccinate 99% of its active pilots, cabin crew and frontline ground crew by 19 August 2021.

However, there is no evidence that Singapore Airlines demanded that its pilots and cabin crew get additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of January 2024,  the Singapore Ministry of Health only recommends that senior citizens 60 years and older, medically vulnerable people, and residents of aged care facilities receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine dose. Even then, that was a “recommendation”, not a requirement.

It is unlikely for Singapore Airlines to mandate additional COVID-19 vaccine doses, when the Singapore Ministry of Health did not recommend it for healthy young or middle-aged adults.

Until and unless Singapore Airlines, or the families of the four pilots, confirm it, anyone who tells you that the five SIA pilots received additional COVID-19 vaccine doses is likely lying to you.

Fact #3 : Singapore Airlines Had About 3,000 Pilots In 2022

In May 2022 (last year), SIA Chief Executive Goh Choon Phong announced that Singapore Airlines was looking to recruit 2,000 cabin crew as air travel was picking up.

While he declined to say how many pilots SIA employed in 2022, he said that the number of pilots at SIA Group is still similar to pre-COVID-19 numbers, with just “a very small number” who have left. Pre-pandemic, Singapore Airlines had about 3,200 pilots.

While it may shocking to hear that five SIA pilots died in 2023, it is not really shocking when you factor in the death rate in Singapore, which is 5.8 per 1,000 (2021).

Assuming Singapore Airlines only has 3,000 pilots, it should expect 17 of its pilots to die on a given year, or about 1.5 pilots a month. Five pilots dying in 2023 is therefore exceptionally low.

Recommended : Did Qatar Airways Pilot Die From Vaccine Mid-Flight?!

Fact #4 : Pilots Are At Greater Health Risk

Anti-vaccine activists are holding up pilots as healthier and less likely to die than the general population. But that’s not quite true.

Past studies (example | example) and a recent April 2023 narrative review have shown that airline pilots not only die at a younger age than the general population, they are also at greater risk of suffering from cancers like malignant melanoma, cardiovascular diseases, and cataracts.

So is it

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Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

 

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Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!

Motorists in Malaysia can soon digitally renew their driving licence and road tax through the MyJPJ app… with a discount too!

 

Motorists Can Renew Licence + Road Tax Via MyJPJ App!

On Tuesday, 2 January 2024, Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that, effective 1 February 2024, motorists will be able to digitally renew their driving licence and motor vehicle licence (Lesen Kenderaan Motor, or LKM for short), which is colloquially known as the “road tax”.

The digital renewal of driving licence and road tax through the MyJPJ app will be carried out in stages. Initially, this feature will only be available to privately-owned vehicles belonging to Malaysian citizens.

These new features will make it easier for motorists in Malaysia to renew their driving licence and road tax digitally, saving time and costs, as well as reduce traffic and congestion at JPJ counters.

Recommended : Malaysia Adopts Digital Driving Licence In MyJPJ App!

 

RM5 Discount If You Renew Digital Driving Licence!

On top of that, Anthony Loke also announced that for the year 2024, motorists who opt for the digital driving licence will receive a RM5 discount!

This RM5 discount or rebate applies to those who renew their digital driving licence, from 1 February until 31 December 2024, through:

  • the JPJ counter,
  • the mySIKAP portal,
  • the MyJPJ app, or
  • JPJ partners like Pos Malaysia or MyEG

However, this initiative to promote the use of digital driving licence is limited to Malaysian citizens. Foreigners, or pass holders, long-term permit holders, or people with MyKAS or MyPR cards will not receive this RM5 discount / rebate.

This initiative is only for Malaysians, and is not extended to to foreign nationals on any pass, long-term permit, MyKAS Card, MyPR Card holders.

– Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke

As nice as this discount is, I should point out that motorists who plan to drive overseas should still request for a physical driving licence. Otherwise, you may face issues with foreign law enforcement officials!

Recommended : PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

 

Physical Licence + Road Tax Still Available For Those Who Renew In 2024

Anthony Lok also announced that the physical driving licence and road tax will still be available for motorists who renew them in 2024.

However, JPJ will no longer provide them in their previous plastic forms. Instead, they will be printed on security paper, for those who prefer a physical copy.

As announced earlier, motorists are no longer required to display the road tax sticker on their vehicles. This applies to the new paper road tax.

 

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Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Christmas 2023!

The government of Malaysia just announced free highway tolls for two days for Christmas 2023! Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Christmas 2023!

On Thursday, 21 December 2023, Malaysia Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan announced free highway tolls for two days:

  • Saturday, 23 December 2023
  • Tuesday, 26 December 2023

The toll-free travel will apply to all types of vehicles travelling on all highways in Malaysia, except the toll plazas at the national borders in Johor:

  • the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
  • the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The toll-free period will begin at 12:01 AM and end at 11:59 PM on the two days – Saturday, 23 December 2023, and Tuesday, 26 December, 2023.

An estimated 2.1 million vehicles are expected to use the highways during the Christmas 2023 season, with the free toll costing the government RM20 million per day, for a total cost of RM40 million.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

It is hoped that this toll waiver will reduce the burden on those who are planning to return to their home towns to visit their families and celebrate Christmas together.

This is in line with the intention of the unity government to help ease the burden of the people across the religious diversity and beliefs

Highway users should take advantage of this opportunity and plan their journeys as best as possible while observing the recommended travel time advisory schedule.

He said that the dates were chosen to avoid traffic congestion, and optimise logistics. He also advised highway users to observe the safety limits, signages, and regulations.

 

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PDRM : 50% Discount On Traffic Offences For 3 Days!

The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is offering up to 50% discount for selected traffic offences for just 3 days!

Find out how you can get the 50% discount on your traffic offences from PDRM!

 

PDRM Offers 50% Discount On Traffic Offences For 3 Days!

On 6 December 2023, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) announced a special 50% discount for selected traffic offences for just 3 days!

From 8 December until 10 December 2023, motorists will be able to get a 50% discount for selected traffic summonses at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium:

Date : Friday, 8 December until Sunday, 10 December 2023

Location : Tent no. 2, Bukit Jalil National Stadium (behind the main stage)

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PDRM 50% Traffic Summons Discount For December 2023

This special PDRM offer only applies to traffic summonses issued in 2022 and earlier. It does not apply to traffic offences committed in 2023, or active warrants for court trials. This limited 50% discount offer also does not apply to:

  • summons for traffic accidents
  • court cases which involve arrest warrants or ongoing trials
  • non-compoundable offences, like driving without a licence, careless driving, expired driving licence, uninsured vehicle, etc.

Motorists who want to take advantage of this discount programme are advised to check their outstanding traffic summonses through the PDRM MyBayar website and/or mobile app before heading over to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

Please note that you cannot get the discount by paying online. Unlike earlier online discount offers, this programme requires you to be physically present at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium between 8 to 10 December 2023.

 

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Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?!

Guangzhou appears to have reinstated the Health Code, requiring patients and their caregivers to test negative for COVID-19 before being admitted to a hospital!

 

Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?!

The city of Guangzhou has apparently reinstated the Chinese COVID-19 Health Code requirements from 2 December 2023 onwards.

In a video translated and posted by Jennifer Zeng (archive), the Deputy Director and Spokesperson for the Guangzhou Health Commission Zhang Yi appears to announce an immediate requirement for patients and their caregivers to present a Green Health Code, in order to enter all types of medical institutions.

Effective immediately, patients visiting all levels and types of medical institutions in Guangzhou City and its districts must present a green health code for entry. Dec 2, Guangzhou, Guangdong.

Zhang Yi : From now on, all levels & types of medical institutions in Guangzhou City & its districts for outpatient and emergency department visits will require a green health code for entry.

Bizarrely, patients and their caregivers are expected to undertake PCR nuclei tests for COVID-19, and show a negative test result within the past 24 hours to gain admission!

Zhang Yi : Newly admitted inpatients and their accompanying personnel must present a negative nucleic acid test result from within the past 24 hours for admission.

Less controversially, she called on fever clinics to operate at their maximum capacity, and conduct nucleic acid (PCR) tests on patients.

Zhang Yi : Fever clinics should operate to their fullest capacity. The role of the previously established 114 standardised fever clinics should be fully utilised.

Strengthen the staffing of medical personnel in fever clinics, optimise the waiting area settings and consultation process.

Conduct nucleic acid testing for visiting patients, and implement graded & categorised diagnosis and treatment.

Recommended : Did US Intentionally Release COVID Virus In Wuhan?!

 

Not Only Guangzhou Patients Must Be COVID Negative For Admission?

China has been experiencing a surge of respiratory illnesses that have alarmed many people, especially when it appeared to cause pneumonia in many children.

The WHO called on China to provide more information, after health monitoring groups like the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) reported clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in north China.

China responded within 24 hours, stating that it has not detected any new or usual pathogens causing this surge of respiratory illness, with clusters of pneumonia being blamed on a bacteria – Mycoplasma pneumoniae which has been circulating since May, as well as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus that have been circulating since October.

While the negative COVID-19 test looks really bizarre, it  is possible that the Chinese government has instituted this requirement to prevent these patients, who are already suffering from pneumonia, from being infected with COVID-19 as well.

Even so, Jennifer Zeng reported (archive) that the Chinese Health Code requirement is not just being reactivated in Guangzhou, but for the entire Guangdong province, as well as the Beijing, Sichuan, Fujian, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang provinces!

The health code is a mobile app used by the CCP during the three-year COVID pandemic to control people’s movements. If your health code turns red or yellow, you can’t go anywhere.

But it’s not just Guangzhou. From what we know so far, Beijing, Sichuan, Fujian, Guangdong, Shaanxi, and Zhejiang Province are also implementing it.

So it is possible that the Chinese government at least suspects that some of these cases of respiratory illnesses may be due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

To be clear – this reimplementation of the Chinese Health Code appears to be limited to patients attempting to seek medical assistance in clinics and hospitals. It does not appear that the Health Code is being reimplemented to restrict other types of movement in China.

However, reports of a surge in respiratory illnesses, and this (partial) reimplementation of the Health Code requirement will likely put a damper on the revival of the Chinese tourism industry. The Chinese government recently implemented visa-free travel for 6 new countries in an effort to boost tourism.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Required For Foreign Visitors!

Foreign visitors are now required to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to arrival in Malaysia! Here is what you need to know…

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Requirement

From 1 December 2023 onwards, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) requires foreign visitors to complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) prior to their arrival in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) replaces the physical white arrival card that foreign visitors usually complete before or on arrival in Malaysia.

This new rule applies to all foreign visitors, except:

  • people transiting / transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance,
  • Malaysian Permanent Resident, and
  • Malaysian Automated Clearance System (MACS) holders

As an added benefit, foreign visitors from 10 countries can register their fingerprint at the immigration country, and will thereafter be able to use the Autogate (Egate) at Malaysian airports and other ports of entry to quickly get through immigration!

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • United States
  • United Kingdom

But please note that the MDAC is not a visa. Neither is it an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) that some countries use to pre-register visitors for multiple entries.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) Steps

For The First Time

All foreign visitors (except those who were explicitly exempted above) will need to register for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) for the first time.

  1. Enrol for the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at this official link.
  2. Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
    You will be required to fill in these information:
    a) Full name
    b) Passport number
    c) Nationality
    d) Sex
    e) Date of Birth
    f) Date of Passport Expiry
    g) Email address
    h) Mobile Number
    i) Date of Arrival : Must be within 3 days (including date of submission)
    j) Date of Departure
    k) Mode of Travel : Air / Land / Sea
    l) Last Port of Embarkation
  3. On arrival in Malaysia, you will need to enroll and verify your passport manually at the Malaysian Immigration Department counter.
  4. After that manual enrolment, you will be allowed to use the Egate autogate system when you depart Malaysia.

On Subsequent Visits

On subsequent visits, foreign visitors will need to:

  1. Complete and submit the MDAC within three days (3) prior to your arrival in Malaysia.
  2. Use the Autogate system on arrival and departure

As you can see, the new Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) does more than just eliminate waste and improve efficiency through digital transformation of the physical arrival card. It also streamlines the immigration process for foreign visitors, and allows some of them to breeze through using the Egate system!

But again – please note that you can only submit the MDAC within 3 days of your trip, and this includes the date of submission.

 

Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) : Other Important Things

Here are other things about the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card that may be important:

  1. You can check the status of your MDAC registration information here.
  2. You can check the visit pass record for the latest 3 months here.
  3. You can check your Egate eligibility status here. *

* Please note that Egate eligibility is only open to business and social travellers from these 10 countries, who have an e-Passport, and will only start after you have enrolled your fingerprints (biometric verification) at the immigration counter.

 

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China Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries Starts Tomorrow!

From tomorrow onwards, citizens from 6 countries will start enjoying visa-free travel to China for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

 

China Offers Visa-Free Travel For 6 New Countries!

China will start offering visa-free travel to 6 additional countries on a trial basis, starting on 1 December 2023.

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan, and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

According to Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning, China has taken this step to help “promote the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world“.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

 

China Visa-Free Travel To Hopefully Revive Tourism

Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China is hoping that offering visa-free travel to certain favoured countries will help to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

China had the world’s strictest COVID-19 measures, maintaining them long after the rest of the world reopened. Even when the Chinese government decided to reopen its borders, it required inbound travellers to quarantine, which discouraged travel

It was only in March 2023 that China began issuing all types of travel visas again, and in July that it restored the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore, Japan and Brunei. In August, China finally scrapped all COVID-19 test requirements for inbound travellers.

With visa-free travel removing the onerous application for a Chinese travel visa, it is likely that there will be tourists and business visitors who will take opportunity of the one-year trial to visit China. The only question is whether it is a surge, or merely a tiny bump.

After all, potential travellers would need to worry about the lack of access to essential apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. as well as popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. There is also the risk of being detained in China, and prevented from returning home.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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China Announces Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

China just announced that citizens from 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for 15 days! Here is what you need to know!

 

China : Visa-Free Travel For 6 Countries!

On Friday, 24 November 2023, China announced that citizens from these 6 countries will enjoy visa-free travel for up to 15 days:

  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Malaysia

These six countries will join Singapore, Japan and Brunei, whose citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

According to Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning, China has taken this step to help “promote the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world“.

This visa-free travel for those 6 countries, however, is a trial that will last from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024. This trial program may or may not be extended after that.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

Travellers to China are generally required to apply for a visa. China appears to be trying out this visa-free travel option to revive its tourism industry that has been hard-hit by strict COVID-19 measures in the past 3 years.

China had the world’s strictest COVID-19 measures, maintaining them long after the rest of the world reopened. Even when the Chinese government decided to reopen its borders, it required inbound travellers to quarantine, which discouraged travel

It was only in March 2023 that China began issuing all types of travel visas again, and in July that it restored the 15-day visa-free travel for Singapore, Japan and Brunei. In August, China finally scrapped all COVID-19 test requirements for inbound travellers.

 

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Senior Citizens Get 50% Discount On Driving License?!

Did Transport Minister Anthony Loke just announce a 50% discount for senior citizens renewing their driving license?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Senior Citizens Get 50% Discount On Driving License!

People are sharing a WhatsApp message which claims that Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony just announced a 50% discount for senior citizens who renew their driving license.

Anthony Loke announced ½ price for Driving license for seniors. Pay for 5 years, get 10 years.

Only if license expiring less than 12 months.
Moreover, seniors no need to queue

Another benefit of golden age👍

For more info pls visit your local JPJ OF IS 👆

Read more : You Can Now Renew Driving Licence For 10 Years With 10% Off!

 

Truth : Senior Citizens Do Not Get 50% Discount On Driving License!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Recent Announcement On Driving License

When I first received this viral message, I checked online to see if Transport Minister Anthony Loke, or the Road Transport Department (JPJ), announced anything new on driving licenses in Malaysia, or its renewal.

However, there has been no recent announcement on the Malaysian driving license, or its renewal. The viral message also did not provide any evidence to back up its claim.

As far as I can tell – there is no such thing as a 50% discount for senior citizens renewing their driving licenses, or a renew for 5 years and get 10 years promotion on driving license renewal for senior citizens.

Fact #2 : JPJ Charging Same Prices For Senior Citizens

A check of the JPJ page on driving license fees in Malaysia showed that their prices applied across the board, with no special discount for senior citizens :

LICENSE TYPE CHARGES (RM) DURATION
LEARNER DRIVING LICENSE (LDL)
A Class 2.00 3/6 months
B2 Class (sole) 2.00/4.00 3/6 months
B/C Class 20.00/40.00 3/6 months
D Class and others 30.00/60.00 3/6 months
PROVISIONAL DRIVING LICENSE (PDL)
A/A1 Class 2.00 2 years
B2 (sole) Class 2.00 2 years
B/C Class 40.00 2 years
D/E/F/G/H/I Class 60.00 2 years
LESEN MEMANDU KOMPETEN (CDL)
A/A1 Class 2.00 1 year
B2 (sole) /B/C Class 20.00 1 year
D/E/F/G/H/I Class 30.00 1 year
VOCATIONAL DRIVING LICENSE
Goods Driving License (GDL) / Public Vehicle License (PSV) or CON 20.00 1 year
International Driving Permit (IDP) 150.00 1 year
Copy of Driving License 20.00
Application for Driving License Information 10.00
Amending Driving License Information 10.00
Adding Class  to Driving License 5.00

Recommended : Where + How To Renew Driving Licence In Malaysia!

Fact #3 : 10% Discount Applies To 10 Year Renewal For All

On 3 May 2023, the Transport Minister announced an extension of the license validity period. Starting from 8 May 2023 onwards, all drivers in Malaysia will be allowed to renew their driving licences for a maximum period of 10 years.

On top of that, those who renew their driving licenses for 10 years would receive a 10% discount!

They will be charged the same fee of RM30 per year, but if they renew for 10 years at one go, the fee is RM270. This means they will only be paying for nine years.

On 8 May 2023, Anthony Loke confirmed the 10% discount for people renewing for the full 10 years.

You’ll only pay RM270 instead of RM300. That’s a new policy we’re introducing to make it easier for people.

At that time, he also said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will still take action, including revoking or suspending the driving licence, against people who commit traffic offences.

Fact #4 : One Year Limit For Expired Driving License

The viral message is correct about one thing though – there is a one year limit for people with expired licenses.

As Anthony Loke pointed out in May 2023, those who want to renew their driving license in Malaysia, must ensure that it has not expired for more than a year:

Those who want to renew must ensure that their licence has not expired for more than a year.

But here’s some good news – there is an amnesty for motorists whose driving licenses have expired for more than a year – you have until 31 December 2023 to renew your expired driving licenses without penalty.

This initiative only applies to Malaysian citizens, and not to foreigners holding special passes like the MyKAS card. In addition, only those who have not been blacklisted by the police, or have any existing restrictions imposed by JPJ, and are free from any suspension due to a conviction or court order may renew their expired driving license.

 

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Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Deepavali 2023!

The government of Malaysia just announced free highway tolls for two days for Deepavali 2023! Here is what you need to know!

 

Malaysia : Free Highway Tolls For Deepavali 2023!

On Friday, 10 November 2023, Malaysia Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi announced free highway tolls for two days:

  • Saturday, 11 November 2023
  • Sunday, 12 November 2023

The toll-free travel will apply to all types of vehicles travelling on all highways in Malaysia, except the toll plazas at the national borders in Johor:

  • the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Toll Plaza
  • the Tanjung Kupang Toll Plaza

The toll-free period will begin at 12:01 AM on Saturday, 11 November 2023, and end at 11:59 PM on Sunday, 12 November, 2023.

About 11.8 million vehicles are expected to use the highways in Malaysia during this two-day toll-free period.

Recommended : 2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

The Works Ministry, through a meeting together with concession companies, has agreed on the implementation of this free toll which starts on Nov 11 (Saturday) at 12.01 am until Nov 12 (Sunday) at 11.59 pm.

This initiative is to celebrate all Malaysians, especially the Indian Hindu community who celebrate Deepavali. This is also in line with the desire of the unity government to help ease the burden of the people regardless of diversity of religions, races and beliefs.

With the implementation of this free toll, it is hoped that highway users will be able to plan their journey well. Highway users are also advised to comply with the recommended travel time schedule or travel time advisory (TTA).

Safety aspects and safe driving must be observed so that all highway users can arrive at their destinations safely.

 

 

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2024 Public + School Holidays For Malaysia!

To help you plan your holidays in the new year, here is a summary of the public and school holidays in Malaysia for 2024!

 

2024 Public Holidays For Malaysia

Here are the public holidays for Malaysia in the year 2024. Some of these days may be subject to change.

Recommended : 2024 – 2025 Malaysia School Term + Holiday Calendar!

Date Day Holiday States
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day All states except Johor,
Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis
and Terengganu
14 Jan
15 Jan
Sun
Mon
YDPB Negeri
Sembilan’s Birthday
Negeri Sembilan
25 Jan Thu Thaipusam Johor, Kuala Lumpur,
Negeri Sembilan, Penang,
Perak, Putrajaya and
Selangor
1 Feb Thu Federal Territory Day Kuala Lumpur, Labuan,
Putrajaya
8 Feb Thu Israk and Mikraj Kedah, Negeri Sembilan,
Perlis and Terengganu
10 Feb
11 Feb
Sat
Sun
Chinese New Year All states
12 Feb Mon All states except Johor and Kedah
20 Feb Tue Independence Declaration Day Melaka
4 Mar Mon Accession Anniversary
of Terengganu Sultan
Terengganu
12 Mar Tue Awal Ramadan Johor, Kedah and Melaka
23 Mar Sat Sultan of Johor’s Birthday Johor
28 Mar Thu Nuzul al-Quran All states except Johor, Kedah,
Melaka, Negeri Sembilan,
Sabah and Sarawak
29 Mar Fri Good Friday Sabah and Sarawak
10 Apr
11 Apr
Wed
Thu
Hari Raya Aidilfitri All states
26 Apr Fri Sultan of Terengganu’s
Birthday
Terengganu
1 May Wed Labour Day All states
17 May Fri Raja of Perlis’
Birthday
Perlis
22 May Mon Wesak Day All states
22 May
23 May
Mon
Tue
Hari Hol Pahang Pahang
30 May

31 May

Thu
Fri
Harvest Festival Labuan and Sabah
1 Jun
2 Jun
4 Jun
Sat
Sun
Tue
Hari Gawai Sarawak
3 Jun Mon YDP Agong’s Birthday All states
16 Jun Sun Arafat Day Kelantan and Terengganu
17
Jun
Mon Hari Raya Haji All states
18 Jun Tue Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis,
Terengganu
30 Jun Sun Sultan of Kedah’s
Birthday
Kedah
7 Jul
Sun Awal Muharram All states
8 Jul
Mon All states, except Johor, Kedah,
Kelantan & Terengganu
7 Jul
9 Jul
Sun
Tue
Georgetown World
Heritage City Day
Penang
13 Jul Sat Penang Governor’s
Birthday
22 Jul Mon Sarawak Day Sarawak
30 Jul
Tue Sultan of Pahang’s
Birthday
Pahang
11 Aug Sun Hari Hol Almarhum
Sultan Iskandar
Johor
24 Aug Sat Melaka Governor’s
Birthday
Melaka
31 Aug Sat Merdeka Day All states
1 Sep Sun Kelantan & Terengganu
16 Sep Mon Prophet Muhammad’s
Birthday
All states
16 Sep
17 Sep
Mon
Tue
Malaysia Day All states
29 Sep
30 Sep
Sun
Mon
Sultan of Kelantan’s
Birthday
Kelantan
5 Oct Sat Sabah Governor’s
Birthday
Sabah
12 Oct Sat Sarawak Governor’s
Birthday
Sarawak
31 Oct Thu Deepavali All states except Sarawak
1 Nov Fri Sultan of Perak’s
Birthday
Perak
11 Dec Wed Sultan of Selangor’s
Birthday
Selangor
24 Dec Tue Christmas Eve Sabah
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day All states

 

2024 School Holidays For Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic has thoroughly screwed up the school term and holidays. Instead of starting in January and ending in December, the new term now starts in March and every year will have two “academic years”.

It will now take until 2026 for the government to shift the school term back to January-December. This is quite confusing for many of us parents, so here is a quick summary of the school holidays for the year 2024.

ead more : Malaysia Schools To Start In January Again From 2026!

Group A Schools

Here are the school holidays for Group A states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Holiday Start End Days
Term 1 Holiday 24 May 2024 2 June 2024 10
Term 2 Holiday 13 Sep 2024 21 Sep 2024 9
Term 3 Holiday 20 Dec 2024 28 Dec 2024 9
Year End Holiday 17 Jan 2025 15 Feb 2025 30

In addition, the government also announced these extra holidays for Group A schools:

Festival Holidays Group A Notes
Chinese New Year Saturday + Sunday,
10 and 11 February 2024
Part of 2023-2024
Year-End Holiday
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 7 to 9 April 2024
10 to 11 April 2024
3 extra days
Public Holiday
Hari Deepavali 30 October 2024
31 October 2024
1 extra day
Public Holiday
Christmas 25 December 2024 Public Holiday
Chinese New Year Wednesday + Thursday,
29 and 30 January 2025
Part of 2024-2025
Year-End Holiday

Group B Schools

Here are the school holidays for Group A states of Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

Holiday Start End Days
Term 1 Holiday 25 May 2024 2 June 2024 9
Term 2 Holiday 14 Sep 2024 22 Sep 2024 9
Term 3 Holiday 21 Dec 2024 29 Dec 2024 9
Year End Holiday 18 Jan 2025 16 Feb 2025 30

In addition, the government also announced these extra holidays for Group B schools:

Festival Holidays Group B Notes
Chinese New Year Saturday and Sunday,
10 and 11 February 2024
Within 2023
Year-End
Holiday
Hari Raya Aidilfitri 8 to 9 April 2024
10 to 11 April 2024
12 April 2024
2 extra days
Public Holiday
1 extra day
Pesta Kaamatan Only for Sabah + Labuan
Thursday and Friday,
31 and 31 May 2024
Part of
Term 1
Holidays
Hari Gawai Dayak Only for Sarawak
Saturday, 1 June 2024
Sunday, 2 June 2024
Part of
Term 1
Holidays
Hari Deepavali Except Sarawak
30 October 2024
31 October 2024

1 November 2024

1 extra day
Public Holiday
1 extra day
Only for Sarawak
30 October 2024
31 October 2024


1 extra day
Public Holiday
Christmas 25 December 2024 Part of
Term 3
Holidays
Chinese New Year Wednesday + Thursday,
29 and 30 January 2025
Part of 2024-2025
Year-End Holiday

 

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2024 Petrol + Diesel Subsidies To Use 3 Methods!

Malaysia is planning to use 3 methods to channel petrol and diesel subsidies in 2024! Here is what we know so far…

 

Malaysia To Use 3 Methods For 2024 Petrol + Diesel Subsidies

On Monday, 6 November 2023, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed that Malaysia will use three methods to channel petrol and diesel subsidies in 2024, after the government has household income data from the PADU (Pangkalan Data Utama) central database hub that will is expected to be completed in January 2024.

According to Rafizi, the government has identified several ways to channel the petrol and diesel subsidies, but the new system will only be implemented if the cabinet approves the proposal to be presented this month (November).

The coordination of diesel and petrol subsidies is planned for 2024, through the implementation of Padu which is expected to be completed in January next year.

In addition to how the subsidies would be implemented, the engagement plan will be announced after the cabinet’s decision is reached through a proposal that will be presented this month (November).

The plan will be implemented after the cabinet’s decision is reached, in line with the engagement plan (of Padu implementation) which is set to balance the speculative inflation risks.

Recommended : Does Penang Bridge Have A Massive Crack?!

 

2024 Petrol + Diesel Subsidies To Be Based On Net Income

Rafizi said that the three methods will be based on net individual and household income.

  • The first method is based on the individual’s net income, which is the person’s take-home pay, after taxes.
  • The second method is based on the household’s net income through social protection or assistance schemes.
  • The third method is based on a combination of household and individual income, but implemented through a subsidy card.

Firstly, the subsidy provision will be based on an individual’s net income through a social protection scheme, whereas the second method will involve the net income of the households through a combination of social protection and social assistance.

Thirdly, it will be based on both individual and household net income eligibility, where a subsidy card will be implemented. Following this, specific decisions on the methods will be announced based on the specified targets in the future.

Recommended : Traffic Lights Now Have CCTV Cameras To Catch Drivers?!

According to Rafizi, the proposed scheme for 2024 petrol and diesel subsidies was based on a nationwide survey conducted in June, to identify subsidy methods that would be suitable for Malaysians.

The planning for diesel and petrol subsidies has already taken place through several meetings held by the government since May with the Finance Ministry, Domestic and Consumer Affairs Ministry, the Prime Minister’s Economic Planning Unit as well as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Hence, it can be said that the proposal (for the subsidy rollout) is the result of input provided by the government, economic experts as well as the people.

Apart from that, the cabinet will also establish a communication, engagement and support plan to alleviate the people’s burden, which will be executed as a unified effort by the entire government machinery.

The proposed 2024 petrol and diesel subsidies programme will only involve peninsular Malaysia, with diesel subsidies to be reduced in phases. The reduction in diesel subsidies will not involve Sabah and Sarawak, due to the extensive use of diesel in those two states.

 

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Grab Delivery Rider Flew To Singapore To Buy Chicken Rice?!

Did a Grab delivery rider really fly from Thailand to buy chicken rice in Singapore?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Grab Delivery Rider Flew To Singapore To Buy Chicken Rice!

A TikTok video, which allegedly shows a Grab delivery rider flying from Thailand to Singapore, simply to buy chicken rice, has racked up millions of views.

The 27-second video was recorded and posted by a Thai TikToker called Thita Vy, with these comments:

อยากกินขนมโตเกียว พี่เขาจะไปซื้อที่ญี่ปุ่นให้มั้ย 🤓 #วาสนาผู้ใด๋น้อ #grab #grabth

I want to eat Tokyo snacks. Will he go buy it in Japan for me? #grab #grabth

She apparently encountered this Grab delivery rider, while flying from Bangkok to Singapore. At first, she thought someone had ordered food delivery at the airport. But the man allegedly told her that he had been asked by a customer in Thailand to buy chicken rice in Singapore!

The viral video shows the man queuing up for the flight with the signature green Grab thermal bag, while holding a passport with his flight ticket. He is then shown stowing the thermal bag in the plane’s overhead compartment.

Recommended : Massive Crack In Second Penang Bridge Fact Check!

 

Truth : That’s Not (Really) A Grab Delivery Rider!

Now, we all know that chicken rice in Malaysia is tastier (and much cheaper!) than chicken rice in Singapore, Heck, everything is tastier and cheaper in Malaysia! 😉

In fact, Malaysian food is so delicious, someone actually sent a helicopter to collect 36 packets of Nasi Ganja from a famous nasi kandar outlet Ipoh in July 2021! But I digress…

Here is what we know so far about this viral story about chicken rice…

Fact #1 : Video Was Allegedly Recorded At DMK

According to the media outlet, 8world, the TikToker alleged that the incident occurred on 12 October 2023, at the Don Mueang International Airport.

That is plausible because the video shows people boarding an AirAsia flight, and AirAsia flies from the Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Changi International Airport (SIN) several times a day.

Fact #2 : The Man Flew From Bangkok To Singapore

The video shows the man holding a Thai passport, as he is waiting to board the AirAsia flight. It then cuts to the Changi International Airport, where the man is seen checking the green Grab thermal bag.

So the video does appear to show the man taking an AirAsia flight from Bangkok to Singapore. It, however, does not show him actually purchasing any chicken rice.

Fact #3 : Grab Labelled Video As Fictional

After the video went viral, Grab came out to refute the video, calling it “fictional”:

We understand that the fictional video was created by a member of the public independently.

Recommended : Did Penang Bridge Get Hit By Tornado This Morning?!

Fact #4 : Man Was Not A Registered Grab Delivery Rider

In addition, a Grab spokesperson said that it does not offer cross-border food delivery services, and the man in the video was not registered with them as “a delivery partner”:

We do not offer such a service, and the person starring as a delivery partner in the video is not registered with Grab.

It is certainly plausible for rich folks to go to extreme measures to get their favourite foods. For example, Macau tycoon Stanley Ho famously sent 88 Musang King (Mao Shan Wang) durians on a private plane from Singapore to Hong Kong. Note – the durians were from Malaysia. 😉

That said, it doesn’t make sense for the man to put on a Grab uniform, or bring the Grab thermal bag… especially if he isn’t actually a Grab delivery rider!

Fact #5 : Grab Does Not Offer Cross-Border Food Deliveries

Grab said that it does not offer cross-border food deliveries. The only cross-border delivery service Grab offers is its 100+ Cities Delivery service, which is in beta testing.

Even that option only allows users to “order and send food and physical gifts from GrabFood and GrabMart merchant-partners that are available in the recipient’s city within an hour”.

In other words – the food and physical gifts must already be present in the recipient’s city. The only thing that is “cross-border” is the ability to order from another country.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Does Penang Bridge Have A Massive Crack?!

Does a viral video show a massive crack in the second Penang bridge?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : There’s A Massive Crack In Second Penang Bridge!

People are sharing a video clip on WhatsApp, claiming that it shows a massive crack in the second Penang bridge!

WhatsApp : Penang second bridge 😲… Pls take care all driver

WhatsApp : Penang 2nd link. Beware, it is cracking. Lookout

Recommended : Did Health Canada Confirm SV40 DNA In Pfizer Vaccine?!

 

Truth : That’s Not A Massive Crack In Second Penang Bridge!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created / propagated on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : That Is Not The Second Penang Bridge!

First, I should quickly point out that the bridge shown in the video is not the second Penang bridge!

It is actually the Rio–Niterói Bridge, which is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The second-longest bridge in Latin America, the Rio-Niterói Bridge was officially opened on March 4, 1974 – some 49 years ago!

Fact #2 : The Video Is Many Years Old

First, I should point out that this video originally went viral in 2014, and appears to have been posted on the TV Revolta Facebook group, which is infamous for spreading fake news.

The video appeared to have been shared just before Brazil hosted the 2014 World Cup, with the caption:

Assinante da TV Revolta registers huge crack in Rio Niterói bridge

TV Revolta subscriber records huge crack in Rio Niterói bridge

Recommended : Did Penang Bridge Get Hit By Tornado This Morning?!

Fact #3 : That Was An Expansion Joint

Even though the Rio-Niterói Bridge is 49 years old, that video did not show a massive crack in its structure.

That is actually an expansion joint, which was intentionally created during its construction, so parts of the bridge can move and expand without affecting the other parts.

Fact #4 : CCR Clarified Expansion Joint

When the video first went viral in Brazil in 2014, the bridge concessionaire at that time – CCR, confirmed that the crack was really just an expansion joint.

CCR also clarified that a bridge of such size and length requires this kind of opening to prevent actual cracks from forming in the slabs and beams of the bridge.

Recommended : Did Giant Tsunami Waves Hit Second Penang Bridge?

Fact #5 : Penang Government Refuted Claim

On Sunday, 29 October 2023, the Penang state government refuted claims that the viral video showed a massive crack in the second Penang bridge.

State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said checks with officials from both Penang bridges showed there was no truth to the viral post.

“Checks showed the video footage which went viral was an old video. The said incident happened outside of Malaysia back in 2014,” he said.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Traffic Lights Now Have CCTV Cameras To Catch Drivers?!

Do traffic lights in Malaysia now have CCTV cameras to catch drivers crossing the white line?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Traffic Lights Have CCTV To Catch Drivers!

People are sharing a photo of a JPJ (Road Transport Department) traffic offence fine issued to a driver called Koh Chip Wee.

They claim that he was fined after a CCTV camera at the traffic light caught him stopping his vehicle over the white line. This example warns motorists that they could be fined RM2,000 or jailed for up to 6 months for this offence:

It’s a RM 2K fine or 6 months jail for waiting across the white line at traffic lights monitored by cameras, the notices hv already started going out by post… Cheers

Other people are sharing the photo with this audio message of a man warning people that traffic lights in Kuantan, Pahang, now have CCTV cameras that are designed to catch motorists who stop over the white line.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/WhatsApp-Audio-2023-09-14-at-15.28.40.mp3?_=1

Recommended : Did JPJ Stop Issuing Physical Road Tax For Most Drivers?!

 

Truth : Traffic Lights Do Not Have CCTV To Catch Drivers!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : You Can Be Fined For Stopping Over White Line

First, let me just confirm that this part is true – motorists may be fined up to RM2,000, or jailed for up to 6 months, if they are caught stopping any part of their vehicles on any zebra crossing, including crossing that unbroken white line at any traffic light.

Mana-mana individu yang melakukan kesalahan boleh dikenakan denda tidak melebihi RM2,000 atau dipenjarakan selama tempoh tidak melebihi enam bulan.

Any individual who commits an offense may be fined not exceeding RM2,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months.

In other words – this is a serious offence, with serious consequences. You must stop your vehicle before the unbroken white line at all traffic lights.

Most of us motorists never think about this. So this is a timely warning. Please SHARE this warning with your family and friends!

Read more : PDRM Warns It’s Illegal To Stop On Zebra Crossing!

Fact #2 : Traffic Lights Currently Do Not Have CCTV Cameras

The traffic lights currently do not have any CCTV cameras installed to catch drivers crossing the white line, or committing any other traffic offences.

That device you see on many traffic lights these days is an active infra-red sensor. Such infra-red sensors are used to determine the presence of vehicles, for traffic control.

If the sensor does not detect the presence of a vehicle waiting, the traffic light for that lane may skip a turn to allow vehicles using other lanes to go through the junction for a longer period of time.

In the viral photo, the angle of the photo taken indicates that it was not taken by any camera attached to the traffic light. The photo was taken from behind the vehicle and even shows the traffic light itself.

Fact #3 : Driver Was Fined For Running A Red Light

The motorist in this case was not fined for stopping his vehicle over the white line at the traffic light.

If you look closely at the notice, you can see that he was actually fined for running a red light. In addition, he was only fined RM300 for the offence, not RM2,000.

Kesalahan : Gagal mematuhi isyarat merah pada isyarat lalulintas

Offence : Failed to obey red light at traffic light

Recommended : Warning – PDRM Parking Fine Scam Alert!

Fact #4 : Only Known Traffic Light CCTV Camera Was A Test

The only known CCTV camera (with AI technology) that was installed for the purpose of catching traffic offences started operating in Miri on 4 July 2023.

This AI Violation Detection CCTV camera is designed to automatically monitor and record driver behaviour at the intersection, including:

  • collecting data on vehicle speed and details
  • automatically detecting and recording speeding vehicles
  • recording driver offences like using mobile phones, smoking, and not wearing seatbelts while driving

However, this CCTV camera with AI technology was installed as a proof-of-concept trial that will only last 6 months.

The trial period would be six months and the results will be presented to the ministry to decide on the next course of action.

It may be just a matter of time before such cameras are deployed in Malaysia, and other countries around the world. But right now, there really are no CCTV cameras installed at traffic lights to catch drivers committing traffic offences like stopping over the white line.

 

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Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Are Elderly Tourists Banned From Group Tours In China?!

Are elderly tourists now banned from joining group tours to China?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Elderly Tourists Banned From Group Tours In China!

This warning has gone viral on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, claiming that elderly tourists are now banned from group tours in China!

New Regulations of the National Tourism Administration

Dear group members, while you are still allowed to travel, take advantage of the opportunity and travel around China! Group tours are no longer allowed after the age of 80.😀😀😀😀😀

Recommended : Are Japanese Airports Empty After Chinese Boycott?!

 

Truth : Elderly Tourists Are Not Banned From Group Tours In China!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, and here are there reasons why…

Fact #1 : Viral Message Circulated Since 2019

First, let me just point out that the viral message isn’t new. It has been circulating since March 2019, if not earlier.

Initially, it started in Chinese social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat groups, but eventually made its way to WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

Fact #2 : National Tourism Administration Ceased In 2018

According to a Chinese fact check, the viral message could not have been issued by the National Tourism Administration of China, as it no longer existed in 2019.

As part of institutional reforms announced by the Chinese State Council in March 2018, it was replaced by the Culture and Tourism Administration of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Tourism.

Fact #3 : Ministry of Culture and Tourism Has No Such Restrictions

A reporter for Jiefang Daily and Shangguan News checked the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, but could find no announcement of any restrictions on elderly tourists travelling in group tours.

The reporter also noted that there were no specific restrictions on the “travel age for the elderly” even in previous policy documents.

Recommended : Did BMW Mini Give Ice-Cream Only To Foreigners In China?!

Fact #4 : Shanghai Tourism Hotline Confirms No Such Restriction

The reporter also called the Shanghai tourism hotline to ask about whether there were new restrictions on elderly tourists planning to join tour groups in China.

The Shanghai tourism staff told the reporter that there is currently no national guidelines that prohibit group tours for those over 80 years old.

They suggested that the requirement that elderly people need to be accompanied by family members and/or have medical certificates may be the “voluntary requirements” of some travel agencies.

In such cases, the staff recommended that elderly tourists should consider some travel agencies in Shanghai that specialise in serving the elderly as they may be more suitable, and may not have such requirements.

Fact #5 : Travel Service Standards For Elderly Do Not Have Age Restrictions

In 2016, China issued its Travel Agency Elderly Tourism Service Standards, which stipulates that if elderly tourists participate in group tours, the travel agency should:

  • communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on the upper age limit for travel accident insurance,
  • collect detailed information of the elderly tourists,
  • ask elderly tourists who are over 75 years old to be accompanies by adult family members, or ask their immediate family members to sign off on their travel,
  • discuss the potential risks of senior tourism products and the health requirements of senior tourists before traveling, and
  • provide oral safety reminders and produce a “Safety Notice” to ensure that elderly tourists choose appropriate senior tourism products.

However, the 2016 Travel Agency Elderly Tourism Service Standards do not restrict elderly tourists of any age from travelling in group tours.

Recommended : Chinese Nuclear Plants Release More Tritium Than Fukushima?!

Fact #6 : Travel Agencies Refute Claims On Age Limits

The same reporter also reached out to Chinese travel agencies like Ctrip and CYTS on these claims of group tour restrictions on elderly tourists.

The Chinese travel agencies said that there is “no hard and fast age requirement” for seniors travelling in group tours.

They pointed out that different tours have different physical requirements, some of which may require elderly tourists to be accompanied by family members, or produce medical certificates and other documents to assure the travel agencies of their fitness.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Are Japanese Airports Empty After Chinese Boycott?!

Are Japanese airports now empty after Chinese tourists boycotted Japan over the release of the radioactive Fukushima waste water?!

Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

 

Claim : Japanese Airports Now Empty After Chinese Boycott!

People are sharing a TikTok video which claims that Japanese airports are now empty after Chinese tourists boycott Japan over the release of the radioactive Fukushima waste water!

Chinese tourists start boycotting Japan and Japanese international airport is so empty. 80% tax free stores are shutting down and hundreds employees are losing jobs. Also planned flights are cancelled because of not enough travellers to make airplane take off.

Recommended : Did Fukushima Just Release Black Radioactive Water?!

 

Japanese Airports Are Not Empty + There’s No Chinese Boycott!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS surrounding the release of treated waste water from the Fukushima NPS, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Japanese Airports Are Empty

First, let me just point out that the viral video does not actually show any evidence that Japanese airports are now empty because Chinese tourists boycotted Japan over the release of the Fukushima treated waste water.

There are many videos showing empty Japanese airports like Narita and Haneda during the COVID-19 pandemic. The viral TikTok video could easily be a mishmash of those videos.

Unfortunately, the TikTok video creator covered up the video with text too much for me to trace the original videos. But it looks like a compilation of different videos.

Fact #2 : Chinese Account For 10% Of Travellers To Japan

Even if there is an unofficial Chinese travel boycott to Japan, it wouldn’t make Japanese airports empty, or force shops to close.

According to JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co., Chinese citizens account for 10% of international tourists to Japan in June 2023.

While that makes Chinese tourists the second largest group of foreign tourists to Japan, a complete boycott wouldn’t make Japanese airports look like a ghost town, or force their shops to close down.

Fact #3 : At Least Part Of Video Was Recorded On 12 October

Although the TikTok video creator tried to mask any identifiable features in the video, he/she let something slip.

If you look closely at the date on the flight information display that showed flight cancellations, the date was 12 October.

The year is not listed, but it is only 6 September 2023 today, and the Fukushima-Daiichi NPS only started to release its waste water on 24 August 2023.

Unless the TikTok video creator has a time machine, he/she used at least one video recorded on 12 October from past years. It may not even be as recent as the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

For example, many airlines cancelled flights in or out of Japan from 11-13 October 2019, when Super Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan.

Recommended : Did Yasuhiro Sonoda Die After Drinking Fukushima Water?!

Fact #4 : Subtitles Suggest Video Was Before Japan Reopened Borders

On the other hand, the final three Chinese subtitles in the video suggest that the video was recorded before Japan reopened its borders on 11 October 2022.

Japan is not opening up the country
Estimate Japan’s tourism industry
And the aviation industry is really going to die.

日本在不开国
估计日本的旅游业
和航空业真的要完蛋

Fact #5 : No Evidence Of Chinese Travel Boycott

In any case, there is no evidence of any Chinese travel boycott, whether official or unofficial. Many airlines are still flying people from China to Japan.

I checked to see how many flights there are from Chinese cities to a single airport from 11 September to 17 September 2023.

Instead of seeing a dearth of flights since there is a Chinese boycott, I counted no less than 158 flights from Chinese cities to Narita International Airport over 1 week!

That’s an average of 22.5 flights per day from China to Narita International Airport. And that’s just one airport in Japan. What boycott???

Recommended : EU + Japan Have Secret Agreement To Re-Export Seafood?!

Fact #6 : Many Narita Airport Shops Do Not Open 24/7

The viral TikTok video appears to show that the Dior and LEGO stores are shuttered and closed at the Narita International Airport. But did they really close down as the video claims?

The truth is – not all shops inside the Narita or Haneda airports open 24/7. Dior at Narita Airport, for example, opens from 7:30 AM until 9 PM daily. The LEGO Store at Narita Airport only opens from from 9 AM until 7 PM.

If you land late at night, you will be able to record a similar video showing both shops closed. Does that mean that they shut down because of a Chinese boycott? Obviously, not.

Fact #7 : This Is Just Fake News About Fukushima

There is no doubt that Japan is facing a LOT of criticism over its release of the Fukushima waste water, even though IAEA and many experts have endorsed the plan.

However, this is just another example of FAKE NEWS being created around the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Here are other examples I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | TravelTech ARP

 

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!