A helping hand

IN THE first article in our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security, we explored the benefits of investing as a way to ensure a solid future for yourself and your loved ones.

We explained how it was a more dynamic strategy for your money, instead of simply saving it in a basic savings account or a fixed deposit account. Hence, you need to:

· Know your financial goals

· Evaluate your current financial status and understand the benefits as well as the risks involved in investing

· Develop a financial plan

Once you have made the decision to invest in the first place, it is important that you learn how to be an informed investor. Being well-equipped with the necessary knowledge increases your chances of being successful in investing. You will also need to be aware of market developments. To do this, you need to analyse and evaluate the markets that your investments are invested in.

The two paths

There are two options available to you once you have made the decision to invest: you can choose the DIY option, where you take the time to study each stock, and seek out a brokerage firm or platform that will allow you to build your own portfolio.

However, there are several disadvantages to this. Not only is this time-consuming, but it also comes with increased responsibilities and worries. On your own, you will be more sensitive to shifts in the market, and may be pressured into buying or selling the wrong thing at the wrong time. In addition, certain investment products may be out of your reach, or you may be required to put up more capital than you are comfortable with.

The second option offers a safer investment experience, where you choose to seek professional assistance in order to help you make the best decision. This means engaging the services of a Unit Trust Consultant (UTC), or a professional fund manager at a Unit Trust Management Company (UTMC) or at a funds distributor, such as at an Institutional Unit Trust Adviser (IUTA), who can help you in your journey.

The right tools for the right job

To explain the benefits of seeking out a UTC, we spoke to three experts from the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM) – Shahrul Nizam Zainol, Senior Manager, Professional Development & Services; Lim Foong Ying, Senior Manager, Research & Analytics; and Jegatheesan Govintharaj, Senior Manager, Legal & Regulatory Affairs.

According to Jegatheesan, a UTC has two main tasks. “They are to assist investors/clients in establishing their investment objectives, and propose suitable unit trust fund(s) based on the risk appetite of each investor/client, by upholding prescribed ethical standards and professional conduct,” he said. “In addition, they should provide prompt, efficient and continuous service to investors/clients.”

In short, a UTC has the necessary skills, relevant experience and dedicated resources to help you with your investments. They can help guide you towards your financial goals by helping you choose the right funds that suit your needs.

In addition, they can introduce investors to Unit Trusts that invests in investment assets/options that would otherwise be inaccessible to a DIY investor, vastly increasing your investment opportunities.

If you feel any hesitation about placing your trust – and your money – in the hands of another person, you can rest assured that legitimate UTCs are bound by FIMM’s Code of Ethics.

Shahrul explains: “A good UTC should have the following characteristics: honesty and integrity, professionalism, acting in the best interest of investors, deal with investors in good faith, comply with all requirements, avoid any conflicts of interest, provide accurate, timely and adequate information, and maintain investor confidentiality.”

All these are meant to ensure that the UTC’s ultimate duty is to help you reach your financial goals in the best way possible. Similar requirements are also applicable to the Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) Consultants (PRC).

The benefits of choosing a UTC

First-time investors, or those who have a particular financial goal in mind, would especially benefit from the advice that a UTC can provide. Their job is to educate you and help guide you along your journey.

Both Shahrul and Lim agree that a UTC can deliver a more “personal touch, especially for investors that are new to or less literate in UTS/PRS.”

And how easy is it to find a UTC? According to Shahrul: “Investors can engage a UTC via the UTMC, IUTA or even search for one themselves on the internet or through social media.”

It is important to keep in mind that all UTS and PRS Consultants are required to be registered with FIMM prior to marketing and distributing UTS/PRS. And it is easy to find out if your UTC is legitimate.

As Jegatheesan explains: “Anyone can check if a person is registered with the FIMM via FIMM’s website by merely searching for their name or registration number.” He adds that it is equally easy to reach out to FIMM should you wish to make enquiries or complaints regarding consultants, by emailing info@fimm.com.my or complaints@fimm.com.my.

This allows you to have a safety net while you embark upon your investment journey, and assures that all your interests are safeguarded.

Soothing lingering doubts

Admittedly, there are various channels to buy Unit Trusts, and investors who feel that they do not need advice may opt for DIY without having to pay a sales charge or advisory fees.

In addition, one of the most common reasons for people not wanting to engage a UTC has to do with the increasing amount of freely-available investment information over the internet.

Lim says the most common excuse is that “the new generation is savvy with technology and financial knowledge, and prefers moving towards online investing (or DIY) that is convenient and incurs lower costs.”

However, she has one major counterpoint against that argument – the fact that UTCs themselves are constantly upgrading their skills and can provide a wealth of resources that those doing DIY may lack.

“As investors become more aware of personal wealth management, continuous efforts in upskilling consultants in advisory (goal-based investing) and client servicing (after-sales service) will add value and bring confidence to investors,” she says.

Regarding the issue of costs, in the form of consultant fees, both Shahrul and Lim indicated that: “All fees are clearly disclosed in the funds’ offering documents (i.e. prospectus), which is lodged with the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). The UTMC cannot simply charge any fee that is not disclosed to investors.”

Shahrul and Lim, as well as Jegatheesan, further added that ongoing after-sales services from UTCs can also help investors to achieve their financial goals by monitoring and keeping the investor informed of their progress, and reviewing the investment portfolio regularly and recommending changes where necessary.

The final word

Ultimately, the decision on how you wish to proceed with your investment is in your hands, and all three experts from FIMM agree that you should understand your investment objective and equip yourself with basic investment knowledge before you even begin to invest.

To find out what other steps you can take to reach financial freedom, look out for the next article in our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security, only in theSun, brought to you by Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM).

Visit www.fimm.com.my for more details on Unit Trust Management Companies (UTMC), UTCs, information on Unit Trust Schemes and Private Retirement Scheme, as well as the lists of approved funds.

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Share the joy of savings with your young ones

PUBLIC BANK’S new mobile application, the PB Journey App, aims to assist parents in inculcating a savings habit in their children and educating them on financial planning.

Maintain a WISE Savings Account for your children and sign up for the PB engage mobile banking app to start your PB Journey App adventure today.

The PB Journey App is specially designed for parents and children which comprises two modules, the Pocket Money module and Goal Setting module, which aim to create interactive learning between parents and children on the value of money and also assist the children in achieving their savings goal.

Both parents and children can create a task under the Pocket Money module whereby children will be rewarded with Pocket Money as soon as they complete the task, while the Goal Setting module allows children to save gradually during a selected goal tenure to achieve their targeted goal amount and earn interest.

The goal’s interest rate is calculated daily and credited monthly at attractive savings interest rates.

Parents can also monitor their children’s app activities, including pocket money balance and goal savings progress through the PB engage. This allows parents to have peace of mind while allowing children to have sense of privacy on their financial status.

In addition, educational videos are available in the PB Journey App to educate children on financial planning and to raise awareness on the importance of savings.

In conjunction with the introduction of the PB Journey App, Public Bank has also launched two campaigns for the app users known as the PB Journey APP Campaign and PB Journey Junior Savers Campaign offering attractive cash prizes and promotional interest rate for PLUS Fixed Deposit placement respectively.

To find out more about the PB Journey App and Campaigns, please go to www.pbebank.com or visit any Public Bank branch.

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Protection assured under Safer Schools campaign

IN THE shared fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Carlsberg Malaysia has pledged RM1.6 million for the second consecutive year via its ‘Safer Schools’ campaign to provide a safer learning environment as students and teachers resume physical classes in October.

This year’s campaign comes on the heels of the announcement by the Ministry of Education that physical classes will resume on Oct 3, with a priority for students’ safety on school grounds.

Carlsberg Malaysia managing director Stefano Clini said: “At Carlsberg Malaysia, we stand fast on our purpose of Brewing for a Better Today and Tomorrow for the communities we operate in. While Malaysia has had excellent progress for vaccinations toward herd immunity, there is still a high degree of hesitance and uncertainty amongst parents and teachers for the resumption of physical classes.

“Our Safer Schools campaign aims to alleviate these fears and mitigate infection risks with our contribution that complements strict health and safety procedures in our joint efforts with educators, parents, and the Ministries of Education and Health against Covid-19 for safer learning environments.”

In response to the ministry’s focus for the safe reopening of schools, Carlsberg Malaysia is upgrading its contribution this year with ISRAK Solution’s contact-free, facial-recognition infrared thermometers to help schools digitalise attendance for contact tracing and efficiently monitor students’ temperatures upon arrival. The brewer is also partnering with WonderKlean to provide full disinfection services for schools with reported Covid-19 positive cases within 48 hours.

In total, Carlsberg Malaysia’s RM1.6 million commitment covers a contribution of 622 facial-recognition infrared thermometers and disinfection services for up to 100 schools.

In addition to contributions in-kind, this year’s campaign will be launched with a catchy Safer Schools song with lyrics in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil performed by local artistes and social media influencers Elica Paujin, Han Xiao Aii, and Rabbit Mac. The video features simple dance moves easily learnt and taught by teachers and parents of school-going children to inject a degree of fun and interactivity to the teaching of personal hygiene and protection measures against Covid-19.

Carlsberg Malaysia corporate affairs director Pearl Lai explained: “Prolonged school closures have impacted schoolchildren’s learning, health and well-being with Unicef estimating a staggering in-class learning loss of 1.8 trillion hours since the global pandemic began. Our donation, coupled with the creation of this song with music video, aims to address both the calls for classes to resume and the inevitable anxiety by focusing on the positive measures we all can take in our shared fight against the pandemic.”

Safer Schools is a continuation of the brewer’s extraordinary Safer Together initiatives in response to the needs of communities and stakeholders impacted by the pandemic since last year. During the 2020 campaign, disinfection services for schools in pandemic ‘red zones’ and over 2,000 handheld thermometers were given to more than 1,400 Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools nationwide, benefitting an estimated one million schoolchildren and receiving overwhelming response and encouraging feedback from educators, parents and members of the public.

Carlsberg Malaysia’s Safer Schools campaign is open to applications from public and vernacular primary schools in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Applications for the facial-recognition infrared thermometers are open until Oct 11, whilst applications for disinfection services can be made in the event Covid-19 positive cases are reported at schools.

Schools interested to apply are required to obtain consent from their respective President of the Board of Governors or Parent-Teacher Associations and submit applications via forms available here.

For more information, contact Andel Khoo (019-356 3909 / andel.cc.khoo@carlsberg.asia) Ng Choon Siang (019-243 6876 / choonsiang.ng@carlsberg.asia) or Nicholas Tan (012-940 8607/ nicholas.eh.tan@carlsberg.asia).

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MR DIY slashes prices on essential items with Poket Selamat 7 campaign

AS OFFICES and businesses around the country reopen, and students prepare to return to school in October, MR DIY is ensuring that everyone has access to affordable personal protective gear to stay safe.

The iconic homegrown Malaysian retailer recently announced a permanent price reduction in its range of face masks and face shields.

Currently, 3-ply face masks are priced at RM5.00/box (down from RM5.90/box previously), while face shields are priced at RM5.90/pc (down from RM7.90/pc).

In addition, further savings on essential items can be found through Mr DIY’s ongoing Poket Selamat 7 campaign.

MR DIY Group (M) Berhad vice president of marketing Andy Chin explained that the Poket Selamat 7 campaign is timely.

Chin added: “We want to help the rakyat to stay safe as they return to work and school, or if they need to travel.

“By permanently reducing the prices of protective essentials, we hope they will find it easy to adhere to the SOPs without burning a hole in their pockets.

“It is the surest way to ensure that the entire community will be safe.”

The announcement was made in conjunction with the launch of MR DIY’s annual Poket Selamat campaign, which showcases mega offers on popular, best-selling, and high-demand products.

In this, its 7th edition, discounts of up to 40% on 45 selected products are being offered at 738 MR DIY stores nationwide, as well as on the retailer’s e-commerce website www.mrdiy.com.my.

As part of the campaign, MR DIY has also introduced deep discounts on hardware, electrical items, handphone and car accessories, household products, stationery, and toys.

These discounts will be effective at all outlets from now to Oct 15.

Full details, as well as the Poket Selamat 7 campaign catalogue can be found on the Mr DIY website.

Visit MR DIY’s website, www.mrdiy.com, e-commerce platform, www.mrdiy.com.my, and social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

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A proper diet for a healthy heart

Maintaining a good and healthy heart requires much more than just cardio exercises daily. What’s equally important is to make sure we’re eating the right food that helps to improve and strengthen our cardiovascular health.

Here’s a list of foods to help keep our hearts healthy for a long time.

Red wine

The myth is true. Red wine is good for the heart thanks to two powerful antioxidants: resveratrol and catechins. These two antioxidants help to protect our artery walls. According to WebMD, alcohol can also boost the good cholesterol HDL. While drinking red wine is good for the heart, too much alcohol can backfire, as well. Remember to have not more than one glass a day.

Salmon

Salmon is rich in Omega-3s which is considered a healthy fat. Omega-3 helps to decrease inflammation, lowers blood pressure and improves the function of our arterial cells. These good fats also aid in reducing irregular heartbeats and decrease the risk of strokes. Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family of antioxidants which gives salmon its red hue, helps to lower the risk of heart disease and decrease oxidative stress too. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of salmon or other oily fish once a week.

Tuna

If you don’t like the taste of salmon, you can still get your source of Omega-3s from tuna. Albacore (white tuna) has more Omega-3s than the other tuna varieties. A good health tip is to get tuna packed in water instead of oil to keep it heart-friendly. The other fishes which are also good sources of Omega-3s include mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring, and lake trout. Eating fatty fish such as salmon and tuna once a week help to prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

Olive oil

Another good source of healthy fat comes from olive oil. This is because olive oil is rich in antioxidants which can help protect our blood vessels. By replacing saturated fat such as butter with olive oil, it can help lower cholesterol levels in our body too. Fortunately, studies have also shown that vegetable oils are a good and affordable substitute. This is great for some of us who can’t afford to buy a bottle of good olive oil all the time.

Fresh herbs and spices

Adding fresh herbs and spices to your cooking is the best way to add flavour to your food without all the bad stuff.

For example, adding cinnamon is a good way for people with high blood sugar levels to add sweetness to food without adding sugar. In addition, cinnamon provides heart-healthy benefits such as reducing high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The highly polarising coriander (also known as parsley or cilantro) also helps to reduce bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels while increasing good HDL levels. A spice such as turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Needless to say, fresh herbs and spices provide a ton of healthy heart benefits.

Black bean

Black beans are rich in heart-healthy nutrients such as folate, antioxidants and magnesium which can help lower blood pressure. The fibre content in black beans also aid in controlling both cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Add black beans to your soups and salads to help boost your nutrient intake too.

Walnut

If you’re looking for a healthy snack, adding a pack of walnuts to your snack box may do your heart some good. A small handful of walnuts a day may lower your cholesterol levels and protect against inflammation in your heart’s arteries. It’s also a crunchy snack that’s rich in Omega-3s and fibre.

Edamame

Edamame is a popular appetiser in Japanese restaurants. These delicious beans can help lower cholesterol levels and it’s a good source of healthy fibre.

Edamame also makes a healthy snack because it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, folate, and doesn’t raise your blood sugar levels.

Sweet potato

Sweet potato has a lower glycemic index than white potatoes so consuming sweet potatoes won’t cause a spike in blood sugar. In addition, sweet potatoes are rich in fibre, vitamin A and lycopene which help improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol.

Oranges

Other than giving a good dose of vitamin C and fibre, oranges contain the cholesterol-fighting fibre pectin. Potassium in oranges helps control blood pressure too. In other words, consuming sweet oranges daily may help keep the doctor away!

This articles was first published in theSun Buzz World Heart Day edition. Find out what are the common symptoms of heart disease and what you can do to maintain good cardiovascular health.

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Simple steps to prevent cardiovascular disease

Developing a cardiovascular disease is not a light matter, and it can decrease our quality of life when it gets worse. Thankfully, we can lessen the chances of it happening to us if we follow a few simple rules.

Here’s how you can keep your heart healthy and strong.

1. Adopt a healthier lifestyle

The best way for everyone to keep their heart healthy is to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Other than eating well and exercising regularly, a healthy lifestyle includes having enough sleep and maintaining good dental health. It’s important to have good oral hygiene to prevent the chances of germs entering the bloodstream and travelling to the heart which can cause endocarditis.

2. Manage stress

The way you react to stress affects your blood pressure too. When you’re in a stressful situation, the body produces a surge of hormones that cause your heart to beat faster and temporarily increase your blood pressure.

High blood pressure (hypertension) takes place when the force of the blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high and it strains your heart, arteries and kidneys.

The damage to your blood vessels due to the high pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke or heart failure. To manage stress, try relaxing activities such as yoga and meditation, sleeping enough hours or even simplifying your schedule.

3. Exercise

Working out regularly helps to keep our body and heart in a fit and healthy shape. The heart is a muscle that needs to be worked on regularly to stay strong.

To keep the heart healthy, there are three types of exercises you should incorporate in your exercise routine: aerobic exercise, resistance training and flexibility stretches.

4. Eat the right food

Eating the right heart-healthy food will help tremendously to keep the heart strong. It’s good to take foods that are rich in Omega-3 such as fatty fish and walnuts.

Your diet should be low in salt and saturated fat too. It’s prudent to keep cholesterol and blood sugar levels at a healthy point. By eating nutritious food, it’s easier to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity too.

5. Avoid smoking

Cigarette smoking can be blamed for one in five cardiovascular disease deaths. This is because smoking damages the blood vessels and heart tissue.

It also lowers good cholesterol which can contribute to high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the cells in the blood vessels to become swollen and inflamed. This narrows the blood vessels and can lead to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, stroke and coronary heart disease.

This article was first published in theSun Buzz World Heart Day edition. Find out the common symptoms of heart disease and what are the heart-healthy food you should consume.

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Watch out for these common symptoms of heart disease

In conjunction with World Heart Day 2021, it’s good to learn how to take care of your heart health and hopefully never experience any heart diseases.

The best thing you can do to get ahead of heart disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and to recognise the different types of heart diseases and the symptoms to look out for.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

A build-up of fatty plaque in your arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is dangerous for the blood vessels and heart. The plaque build-up will cause the blood vessels to be blocked or narrowed which can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.

Unfortunately, you might only be diagnosed with coronary artery disease after you experienced a heart attack, angina, stroke or heart failure. Luckily, this situation can be prevented if the symptoms are caught early.

According to the Mayo Clinic, men experience symptoms in the form of chest pains. For women, their symptoms include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, and extreme fatigue.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

-> Chest tightness or chest pressure

-> Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in arms and legs if blood vessels in those areas are narrowed

-> Pain in the neck, throat, jaw, upper abdomen or back

Heart arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats)

Heart arrhythmias refer to a problem with the heart rhythm. The heart may be beating too quickly, too slowly or irregularly. The signs of heart arrhythmias are a fluttering or racing heart (tachycardia), slow heartbeat (bradycardia), chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting (syncope) or near fainting.

Congenital heart defects

Unlike other heart diseases, serious congenital heart defects are noticed soon after birth. The signs and symptoms in children include pale grey or blue skin colour (cyanosis), swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around the eyes. In infants, the symptoms appear as shortness of breath during feedings which can lead to poor weight gain.

Congenital heart defects that are less serious and not immediately life-threatening are often not diagnosed until later in childhood or during adulthood. The signs and symptoms include easily tiring or shortness of breath during exercise or activity, and swelling in the hands, ankles or feet.

Cardiomyopathy (diseased heart muscle)

If you have cardiomyopathy, your heart can’t pump blood to the rest of the body efficiently. Symptoms include as fatigue, shortness of breath or heart palpitations. Cardiomyopathy gets worse over time. As it worsens, the symptoms may include swelling of the legs, ankles and feet, irregular yet pounding heartbeats and dizzy spells.

Endocarditis (heart infection)

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It’s most often caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart. The symptoms can present as fever, chills, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or abdomen, and changes in heart rhythm. It can also include a dry or persistent cough, skin rashes or developing unusual spots.

* If you suspect you have cardiovascular issues, please consult a medical doctor.

What are the risk factors for heart disease?

Risk factors include smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol with low levels of good cholesterol known as HDL. People who have a high blood glucose level are also open to the risk of angina, heart attack, stroke and coronary artery disease.

However, there are other risk factors that you can’t control. This includes your family health history, ethnicity, sex and age.

The good news is that although these risk factors aren’t controllable, you still can monitor their effects and manage them.

This article was first published in theSun Buzz World Heart Day edition. Find out what you can do to prevent cardiovascular disease and what are the heart-healthy food to consume.

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BAT Malaysia continues journey to build ’A Better Tomorrow’

As the debate continues regarding the effectiveness of vaping in helping smokers to stop smoking, the fact remains that the RM2.27 billion vaping industry is unregulated, meaning the over one million vape users in the country are consuming products which are unregulated and of unknown quality and content.

As part of its purpose to build “A Better Tomorrow”, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (BAT Malaysia) is advocating for the introduction of a specific regulatory framework for vaping in Malaysia.

BAT Malaysia director of legal & external affairs Nicholas Booth said: “BAT Malaysia believes that an evidence-based regulatory framework should be put in place for vape products and these products need to be differentiated and regulated separately from tobacco products due to its reduced risk nature.”

Booth added that BAT Malaysia aimed to reduce the health impacts of its business by offering greater choices of less risky products to its customers, including vape products.

“Vaping is growing exponentially in Malaysia,” Booth said. “According to a survey published by a local vaping industry body, 88% of Malaysian vapers who used to smoke cigarettes have successfully quit smoking with the aid of vape.”

These findings, Booth said, reflect international trends.

He adds that governments in the United Kingdom and New Zealand are already encouraging the use of vaping as an alternative to smoking, and that products are regulated accordingly.

“We are clear that reducing the health impact of our business is a key element of our sustainability strategy. We are also placing a greater emphasis on achieving excellence in environmental management by battling climate change through greater use of renewable energy and a push towards carbon neutrality in our operations as well as through waste reduction and elimination of single use plastics (SUPs).”

BAT Malaysia's harm reduction, environmental, social and governance goals are part of the overall company’s sustainability strategy. Elaborating on the company’s efforts in creating a positive social impact, Booth said BAT Malaysia would continue to push its diversity and inclusion agenda, which includes ensuring “fair and equal representation of women and different nationalities in the management and leadership roles within the company”.

As part of this, it has set specific objectives including having 45% of management roles filled by women, increase the proportion of women in senior teams to 40% and 50% spread of distinct nationalities in its leadership team by 2025

“We are also looking into our sustainable community investment programs to empowering local communities for shared prosperity and the details of this would be announced soon,” Booth concluded.

* This article is Sponsored Content

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Help raise funds for the cancer community at Cansurvive’s Walk of Life campaign

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the total number of newly-reported cancer cases in Malaysia was at 48,639 in 2020.

Cansurvive Centre Malaysia Berhad, a non-profit cancer charity organization, has launched the ‘Walk of Life’ 10,000 Step Challenge to encourage public participation in raising funds for the cancer community.

The ‘Walk of Life’ 10,000 Step Challenge campaign aims to target a total of 2,500 participants pledging RM10 for their walk to achieve a cumulative total of 25 million steps in order to raise RM25,000 for Cansurvive’s initiatives in Malaysia.

Dr C D Siby, President of Cansurvive said, “Through the ‘Walk of Life’ campaign, we also aim to encourage a healthier lifestyle among Malaysians by asking them to walk 10,000 steps which is equivalent to an 8KM walk. To add to the excitement, we will also be conducting lucky draws on our Facebook page where participants can win some exciting prizes.”

How to join?

Step 1: Pledge with RM10 on Cansurvive’s Walk of Life website

Step 2: Track your steps with your mobile apps/devices

Step 3: Screenshot and share your proof of completing 10,000 steps on Cansurvive’s Facebook Page with the hashtags #CANSURVIVEWALKOFLIFE #WALKOFLIFE

Participants will receive a congratulatory message with a link to a selfie filter and also opt for a printable e-certificate of completion. A new entry is earned every time you complete 10,000 steps so feel free to keep pledging for the ‘Walk of Life’ Challenge to stand a better chance at the lucky draw.

The campaign will also feature a variety of engaging social media activities including the opportunity for participants to take part in the Walk of Life duet chain on TikTok.

The funds collected from the initiative will be used to fund Cansurvive’s upcoming activities including the annual international conference that would benefit the cancer community across the region including the patients and their family and friends.

“We have always stayed true to our pledge that we will never charge those challenged by cancer to attend our conferences and get access to vital information, knowing that they are already burdened with treatment cost and other related expenses and often with loss of income over prolonged periods of time. Our primary goal is to reach out to as many people with cancer and their families as we can,” added Dr Siby.

The campaign was launched on 18 September 2021 with a premiere video of the ‘Take a Walk With Us’ Series on Facebook and YouTube during Cansurvive’s 11th International Conference on Holistic Healing from Cancer.

For further information about the ‘Walk of Life’ Fundraising Challenge and details on how Cansurvive is working towards a cancer-free society, please visit Cansurvive’s official website.

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Tiger Crystal’s FireStarter platform helps uncage your inner fire

Tiger Crystal – crystal cold refreshment, brewed for your fire, is all about inspiring fans to uncage their inner fire. To help fans discover their inner fire, Tiger has launched the #FireStarter platform to encourage fans to explore and discover new skills and passions with confidence.

From now until mid-October, four local mentors - surfskate pro Aaron Chan, Don Michael of HappyfingersJumps, Meng from All Is Amazing and Mavic from Craft at No.7 – will share four tutorials weekly on the site. One of the sessions will be conducted live.

To sign up, fans just need to:

1. Head over to Firestarter’s website

2. Select a passion of their choice

3. Sign up for the live tutorial session (only limited spots available).

All successful sign-ups are entitled to an exclusive Fire Starter Gift Pack from Tiger Crystal while all craft participants will receive a complimentary Fire Starter live tutorial kit that will be handy during the live session.

“Tiger Crystal’s #FireStarter platform is built for those who are eager to unleash their passion and master a new skill they never thought of exploring. They will be able to meet and interact with professional mentors and get to know fellow enthusiasts. This is an opportunity for fans to add on an exciting skill to their list of favourite pastimes, while standing to win exclusive prizes by showcasing their newly learnt knowledge,” said Joyce Lim, Marketing Manager of Tiger Beer.

What to expect from the tutorials?

Surfskate pro Aaron Chan (@chanchowhee) will be revealing the fundamentals of surfskating, including some tricks and tips and how to do it all safely.

Don Michael (@happyfingersjump) will be teaching exciting jump tricks and routines. Fans will learn the different manoeuvring techniques, footwork exercises and much more.

Photography expert Meng from All Is Amazing (@allisamazing) will guide fans on the know-hows of capturing creative visuals with just their mobile phones. He’ll also be guiding participants through various types of photography, including a fashion shoot!

With over five years of teaching experience with students from all over the world, Mavic, the founder of Craft No. 7 (@craftno7), will be sharing her knowledge on all artsy things. Fans will learn silkscreen painting, acrylic pouring art techniques, jesmonite coaster making and soy wax candle making in her tutorial sessions.

Don’t forget the contests!

To keep the fire burning and to put the skills learnt to the test, each mentor is running a contest on their respective Instagram pages to give away an an exclusive Tiger Crystal Fire Starter Kit to help fans to kick start their new passion.

The mentors will be releasing more updates regarding the contests in the coming weeks so keep an eye out for their announcements.

Share your progress

Fans can flaunt their new skills online by posting a picture or video, and tag @tigerbeermy with the hashtags #TigerCrystal and #Firestarter. The content will be featured in the hashtag gallery within the site too.

Tiger Crystal and all related activities, engagements and giveaways are for non-Muslims aged 21 and above only. Tiger advocates responsible consumption and urges consumers to not drink and drive.

To find out more on how to join the #FireStarterSquad, visit Firestarter’s official website or Tiger’s social media pages at Facebook and Instagram.

DISCLAIMER

Participants are allowed to sign up for more than 1 tutorial but will only receive 1 Fire Starter Gift Pack or 1 Craft Live Tutorial Kit.

Craft Live Tutorial sign up ends on 24th September 2021. Limited to 100 participants, and only the first 80 sign-ups will receive a Craft Live Tutorial Kit.

Surfskate, Jump Rope and Mobile Photography Live Tutorials sign up ends on 30th September 2021. Limited to 100 participants only. All participants will receive a Fire Starter Gift Pack.

Open to non-Muslim Malaysians who are 21 years and above, within Peninsular Malaysia only.

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Shopee launches ShopeeFood with loads of promotions

Shopee has expanded its services with the latest addition of ShopeeFood in Malaysia. Through this, users can shop for all their needs, including food delivery, on Shopee. The service will be rolled out in batches to over 8 million Malaysians in the Klang Valley starting 24 September.

Users can enjoy access to a multitude of food and beverage options via ShopeeFood such as A&W, Burger King, Nando’s, Starbucks, Tealive and even food from local street food stalls.

Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer at Shopee said, “We are delighted to include food delivery as part of the Shopee experience. Malaysians can now shop for all their essentials online, enjoy entertainment on Shopee Live, play their favorite game on Shopee Prizes and satisfy their cravings via the app.”

Pang added, “This new service will also enable food and beverage merchants to move online and reach out to more customers, driving long-term growth. We hope that our users and merchant partners will enjoy using ShopeeFood. We will continue to improve our platform and services to better serve the needs of everyone.”

Free delivery and discount vouchers for new users

As part of its launch, ShopeeFood is giving new users Free Delivery vouchers with RM10 minimum spend and discount vouchers worth up to RM8.

From 24 to 28 September, ShopeeFood will be offering RM10 and below meal deals while stocks last.

More ShopeeFood promotions will be announced on their Instagram page, @shopeefood_my.

Join Shopee’s 10.10 Brands Festival

Users get to enjoy more deals and promotions on Shopee’s 10.10 Brands Festival that’s happening until 10 October and Payday Sale that’s happening on 25 September.

The shopping festival offers Free Shipping Vouchers with a minimum spend of RM10 and 50% off Big Brand Discounts. Users also stand a chance to Tap and Win a Toyota Vios.

Catch MeleTOP Bersama Shopee 10.10

Shoppers can also expect a string of entertainment on Shopee Live and Astro Ria on 21 and 28 September, and 5 October at 9pm to catch MeleTOP Bersama Shopee 10.10.

The live event will be hosted by Nabil Ahmad, Shiha Zikir, Issey Fazlisham and Zulin Aziz.

On 9 October at 9pm, Shopee TV Deals – 10.10 Brands Festival Show will take place on Shopee Live and TV3.

During this event, shoppers have 3 extra chances to Tap and Win a Toyota Vios as well as claim 10.10 Only Vouchers of up to 95% off from their favourite brands.

Making the Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival even more exciting are three local brand ambassadors, starting with artist Alif Satar who will kick off the shopping festival, while the other two will be announced in due time.

More coins for ShopeePay users

Adding more cheer to the shopping festival, ShopeePay users are entitled to receive up to 10,101 Shopee Coins every time they top up their mobile wallets from 2 to 9 October.

The coins will be tripled on ShopeePay Day on 1 October. Better yet, users can use the Shopee Coins to offset when they pay for their ShopeeFood orders.

For more information on ShopeeFood, visit ShopeeFood official website.

Check out the Shopee 10.10 Brands Festival at the festival’s official website.

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Berjaya Times Square Hotel: A special thank you to frontliners

PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur has recently shown its appreciation and support to the nation’s frontliners in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme called “Thank you Frontliners”.

The hotel team celebrated Merdeka and Malaysia Day with the theme of appreciating the people who have been fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 450 packed meals were sponsored by the hotel on Merdeka and Malaysia Day to the representatives of the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) at KLCC Vaccination Administration Centre and Gleneagles Hospital, served by Berjaya Café, a plant-based café at Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

The meals were packed along with customized stickers on the meal box with the message “Terima Kasih Barisan Hadapan / Thank You Frontliners”. They were distributed to all the frontliners stationed at the vaccination administration centres.

“It is crucial to engage with the employees and society that we are not only to gain but also to give and to support everyone around,” Hotel Manager May Cheong said.

“In this difficult time, through this contribution to society, we hope to instill in others, as well as our hotel team on doing the right thing socially, economically and environmentally.”

This initiative by Berjaya Times Square Hotel serves as a gesture of gratitute to the frontliners on these historic days. They have been battling this pandemic of Covid-19 in order to protect the nation and society.

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Mid-Autumn festivals around the world

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar each year.

It’s the second most important holiday after Chinese New Year, and it’s celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian countries in their own way.

In Malaysia, we celebrate by eating and gifting mooncakes. Come night time, families often light up lanterns and take a walk around the neighbourhood. Here’s a glimpse of how the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated in other countries.

China

It goes without saying that the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in China. Families get together to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon while eating mooncakes and pomelos.

Other fun activities include guessing riddles on lanterns, releasing sky lanterns, having a few glasses of fragrant wine or watching the tides in seaside regions.

Japan

The Japanese also celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Over in Japan, it’s known as the Tsukimi or Otsukimi Festival.

It’s a century-old tradition to hold a Moon Appreciation Party where guests get to enjoy yummy glutinous rice cakes called Tsukimi Dango while admiring the beauty of the Moon.

On the night of the festival, they offer Tsukimi Dango, fruits, wine and taros as offerings to the Moon to pray for a good harvest.

Japanese homes will be decorated with silver-white pampas grass which is believed to be a token of the Moon God who guards the crop. It’s also believed that pampas grass can exorcise evil spirits.

While the younger generation does not observe these customs anymore, it’s still practised in some parts of the country.

South Korea

Mid-Autumn Festival in South Korea is a big event in the country. Also known as Thanksgiving Day or Chuseok, the locals enjoy a three-day holiday and they take the opportunity to return to their hometowns to visit families.

During the family reunion, families feast on traditional food such as songpyeon rice cakes, Hangwa cakes, taro soup and rice wines.

Families also take the opportunity to clean the graves of their ancestors. There are many discounts during the celebration period to entice customers to shop for gifts.

These gifts are often necessity items such as cooking oil, cooking utensils, organic food and nutritional products such as Korean ginseng.

Thailand

According to Thai legends, eight immortals visited the Moon Palace to send peach-shaped cakes and birthday greetings to Guanyin the Goddess of Mercy on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival.

As such, one of the popular food during the celebration are peach-shaped cakes. Families also gather to pray to the Moon, enjoy a good meal together and exchange well wishes. Locals also eat and gift mooncakes or fruits, especially round pomelos, to families and friends.

According to Urban Thai, the Full Moon parties are also popular among foreign tourists at this time of the year.

Philippines

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese towns and colonies all over the country are decked with decorations such as lanterns and banners. A huge variety of mooncake flavours can be found in almost every shop too.

The celebration is a big event with dragon dance parades, traditional Chinese clothing parade, lantern parade, and fancy car parades.

Vietnam

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is centred on young children. On that day, parents will give their children their favourite toys and snacks as gifts.

While the adults feast on mooncakes, the children get to have fun playing with carp-shaped lanterns and new toys. Families also go on their version of trick-or-treating for candies and cakes.

There are lion dance performances and water puppet shows for everyone to enjoy too. Aside from that, the locals can join competitions to see who makes the most beautiful lanterns too.

Hong Kong

Hong Kongers celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival a day after the official date so they can sleep in after an exciting night out. Similar to Malaysia and Singapore, the locals enjoy eating and gifting mooncakes, playing with lanterns and watch lion dance or dragon dance performances.

However, some families have a barbecue session during family reunions and they invite their friends over for a meal too. To admire the full moon, some locals will head over to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal which is the largest sky garden in Hong Kong.

They get to enjoy the beautiful view of Victoria Harbour from that vantage point too.

Taiwan

Just like the Hong Kongers, Taiwanese people are big fans of having a barbecue during the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations. The Taiwanese also enjoy eating mooncakes and pomelos.

The locals might even have a few rounds of Mooncake Betting. The game is said to be invented by Zheng Chenggong, a famous general who recaptured Taiwan from the Dutch.

The game is played with six dice and whoever gets the auspicious number wins some mooncakes. A custom that is popular among farmers is to pray to Tudigong for a bountiful autumn harvest. In southern Taiwan, the locals worship a tree deity to protect the forest.

Other Harvest festivals that are celebrated

Pongal

Pongal (also called Thai Pongal or Ponggal) is a celebration of the rice harvest period by Tamils in South and Southeast Asian countries.

It’s held after the winter solstice to celebrate the return of longer days of life-giving sunlight.

As such, the festival is also dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. The celebration typically takes place on Jan 14. If you forget when it’s held, remember that the word ‘Thai’ means January in Tamil.

‘Pongal’ comes from a Tamil word meaning “to boil, overflow” and it’s also the name given to a rice dish prepared during the celebration.

Rice Harvest Festival

Over in Bali, Indonesia, the locals celebrate the Rice Harvest Festival in May and June. Rice symbolises nourishment and prosperity to the locals. Thus, the harvest festival honours the rice goddess, Dewi Sri, who made it possible for them to harvest a bountiful crop.

Farmers will place mini shrines or temples in paddy fields and make offerings of dolls made out of rice stalks. At the end of the festival, elaborately decorated water buffaloes compete in the annual Negara Bull Races (Makepung Bullock Races) to showcase the strength of the bulls before being sold in auction. The winning bull can fetch his owner a handsome reward sum.

Sukkoth

Sukkoth, also known as the Feast of Booths or Festival of Shelters, is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month, Tishrei, in the Jewish lunisolar calendar (varies from late September to late October). The eight-day festival gives thanks to God for the harvest.

Those of the Jewish faith will erect special booths or huts to recall the period of the Exodus as recounted in Hebrew Scriptures. It was a time when the Israelites lived in huts in the desert before entering the Promised Land.

Yam Festival

The Ewe people of Ghana celebrate the Yam Festival in hopes of averting famine in the coming year. It’s also to celebrate the end of the rainy season and the first appearance of yam, which is a staple crop.

The duration of the festival varies from place to place but typically takes place in August or September. During the festival, huge feasts and activities such as dances and parades are held for everyone’s enjoyment.

This article was first published in theSun Buzz Mid-Autumn Festival edition. Learn the popular Mid-Autumn myths and legends to share at family reunions too.

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Popular Mid-Autumn myths and legends

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Lantern Festival, comes with many interesting legends which still captivate the imagination of many young children today. Here are some of the favourite tales told during family reunions on this special festive day.

The Legend of Chang’e

The story of how the Moon Goddess, Chang’e, came to be is the most popular legend told each year. A long time ago, there were ten suns in the sky. The extreme heat on Earth made it hard for many people, especially farmers, to plant and harvest crops.

One day, a skilled archer named Hou Yi decided enough was enough, and raised his bows to the heavens to shoot down the suns. He managed to shoot down nine suns.

For his heroic deeds, the goddess Xiwangmu rewarded him with an elixir of immortality, a prize typically reserved for immortals who achieved enlightenment. If a person drank the elixir, they would ascend to heaven and become a god.

Since the miraculous elixir was only enough for one person, Hou Yi did not want to abandon his wife Chang’e for the sake of immortality, so he entrusted her to keep the elixir safe.

One day, while Hou Yi was out hunting, his apprentice named Pengmeng broke into the house and demanded that Chang’e hand the elixir over.

Knowing she couldn’t defeat Pengmeng, Chang’e swallowed the elixir out of desperation. Upon realising what she had done, she decided to fly to the Moon so she won’t be too far from Hou Yi on Earth.

A heartbroken Hou Yi missed her a lot and he often stared up the moon every night. He thought of how lonely Chang’e must have felt.

To keep her company, Hou Yi laid out her favourite food every night without fail, until the day he died. The tradition still continues today with people leaving annual offerings to Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

A modern retelling of the legend of Chang’e is told in the animated film, Over the Moon.

The Legend of the Jade Rabbit

Three immortals came down to Earth and reincarnated themselves into three poor, elderly people. They came upon a fox, a monkey and a rabbit and asked for some food.

The fox expertly caught a fish from a stream and the monkey climbed up the nearby trees and plucked some fruits.

However, the poor rabbit had nothing to offer and said to the immortals: “You can eat me,” and jumped into the fire.

The immortals were so moved by this act, that they decided to send the rabbit to the moon to become the immortal jade rabbit.

The jade rabbit now resides at the Moon Palace to accompany Chang’e, and helps to make immortal medicine for those living in heaven.

In other versions of the legend, the immortals decided to honour the rabbit’s selfless deed by placing the rabbit’s image on the moon for all to see. The image of the rabbit on the moon is said to be grey, because it’s seen through the smoke of the fire from that fateful night.

The Mooncake Uprising

Long ago during the Yuan Dynasty, people were tortured by the cruel government, prompting a nationwide rebellion.

A peasant named Zhu Yuanzhang united the different resistance forces but found it difficult to pass on messages due to government raids.

Liu Bowen, a strategist in Zhu’s troop, came up with a brilliant plan to hide notes in mooncakes with the message to attack on the night of Mid-Autumn Day and distributing the treats to their rebel forces.

The uprising was successful and in celebration, Zhu ordered moon cakes to be served to his subjects and the people.

The practice of eating mooncakes in celebration has been practiced for centuries and still continues today. Zhu Yuanzhang went on and founded the Ming dynasty.

The Legend of Li Longji

One fine night, Emperor Li Longji was appreciating the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival with a Taoist master and a Taoist priest.

During one of these nights, he voiced his thoughts to visit the Moon Palace. The three men decided to fly to the moon on clouds. But before they could enter the palace, they were stopped by the guards.

When they were turned away, Li Longji heard fairies singing a lovely and moving song.

Thanks to his musical ear, he memorised the melody until he got back to Earth, and started to compose a special song.

The song is said to be the famous Melody of White Feathers Garment. Have a listen in the video below.

This article was first published in theSun Buzz Mid-Autumn Festival edition. Find out how the rest of the world celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival and the other harvest festivals.

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Helping SMEs embrace frugal innovation

^{A screenshot of an online session of SME representatives attending the Frugal Innovation programme. – Courtesy of SIRIM}

MALAYSIAN SMEs recently got a boost thanks to Frugal Innovation, a new initiative introduced this year under the SIRIM-Fraunhofer programme. The programme was established in 2015 through a collaboration between SIRIM and the Fraunhofer Institute of Germany to enhance the productivity of SMEs in the manufacturing sector.

Frugal Innovation focuses on providing price-sensitive customer groups with affordable high-quality solutions that excel in reduced complexity and restricted features. The pilot programme is executed jointly by SIRIM and Fraunhofer IAO, involving a team of 15 SIRIM engineers and scientists and three experts from Fraunhofer IAO.

According to Ir Susana Kamaruddin, principal engineer for SIRIM-Fraunhofer, a series of online sessions involving SIRIM, Fraunhofer IAO and the SMEs have been held since the beginning of the year in order to achieve the outlined objectives of the programme.

With the change in business climate due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are now focused on providing affordable quality products which suit both current and new markets.

It is hoped that the new initiative will enable companies to develop their ideas into frugal products and services that meet the expectation of their targeted customers.

^{Ir Susana. – Courtesy of SIRIM}

The programme is also aimed at inculcating a strong innovation culture amongst SMEs, as well as introduce methods to structurally organise and manage ideas towards solutions that can succeed in the market.

In the programme, the SMEs worked with various innovation methods such as Persona, Kano Model and Price Sensitivity Meter to help the SMEs to formulate and improve their ideas. It included top-down solution trimming as well as bottom-up solution exploration in order to develop user-oriented frugal products and services.

Several interview sessions with potential customers were also held either through live sessions or via online survey forms.

With a frugal mindset instilled among the SMEs, and frugal strategies incorporated into their business models, the SMEs are now in a better position to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long run.

During review sessions, the companies acknowledged the advantages of using the structured methods in understanding their potential customer needs. Some even discovered that those needs had changed over time.

The methods introduced allowed them to visualise and map out their ideas versus their customers’ needs, and using this information, they were able to hold discussions with potential customers and validate their ideas. In the end, they were able to draw up a suitable business plan.

In conclusion, the programme has been a success in terms of imparting knowledge to SMEs in expanding their ideas towards embracing the frugality concept prior to refining and developing their products. Under the SIRIM-Fraunhofer programme, these companies will have an opportunity to utilise the technology intervention fund in 2022 for further product development.

It is hoped that with the success of the pilot programme, many more SMEs will follow suit and embrace Frugal Innovation in developing new products and new business opportunities.

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Ensuring your financial future

WHEN we were in school, our teachers taught us everything we needed to prepare us for the world ahead. We learnt about language, gained some basic knowledge that included mathematics, geography, history, and even a few life skills. We were taught everything we needed to survive.

However, almost all of us had to learn one very important life skill on our own: financial planning.

Most young adults entered the workforce with little to no knowledge of what to do with their first salary. Very often, they find themselves so overwhelmed by their first taste of financial independence that they don’t think about their financial security in the future.

They relish being able to spend their money on wants like a new smartphone, new clothes, or other fun things in life. Sometimes, they do remember to “save” a portion of it, but very often it will just sit in a simple savings account in a bank, earning a few ringgit in interest/returns each year.

So many young people waste their first five to 10 years in the workforce living paycheque to paycheque, and only begin thinking seriously about saving for the future once they reach middle age, or once they encounter a life change, such as a marriage, or plan for a big purchase, like their first house.

Some people put aside funds to save for their children’s tertiary education, and some may want to put a substantial amount of savings for retirement.

These types of plans often involve huge sums of money, and for those trying to make up for lost time, the pressure is on to reach their financial goal as quickly as possible. At this point, they would need to shift their financial strategy from merely ‘saving’, to ‘investing’ in order to reap bigger returns.

Fortunately, there are many safe options for people looking to invest and to grow their wealth. One of the most widely suggested options is investing in Unit Trusts.

What are Unit Trusts?

A Unit Trust is a form of collective investment that allow investors with similar investment objectives to pool their savings which are then invested in a portfolio of shares or other assets. These different investments may include securities such as shares and bonds, as well as cash equivalents.

^{The key reasons for investing in Unit Trusts.}

Unit Trusts are managed by professional fund managers, or companies licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia referred to as Unit Trust Management Companies (UTMCs). UTMCs are authorised to issue or offer for the purchase of units of a unit trust scheme. These professionals will be investing your money on your behalf, using their expertise to help you achieve your financial goals, leaving you free from the burden of having to study the markets and making decisions on each individual investment.

^{Some of the benefits of investing in Unit Trusts.}

Investing in a Unit Trust also offers you the advantage of being able to start out with only a small amount of capital, making it an affordable option for those who are just beginning their financial freedom journey.

Time is money

There are many reasons why investing in Unit Trusts makes good financial sense, particularly if you already have a goal in mind. You can choose to invest in a Unit Trust for varying lengths of time, anywhere from one to three years (which is defined as a short-term investment), three to five years (medium-term) to five years and longer (long-term).

Here are some examples of how these investment strategies would work with your particular goals:

Short-term: These are good for more immediate goals such as buying a car, looking to take a holiday, or wanting to start a family.

Medium-term: These are suitable if you are looking for slightly higher returns to be used towards the down payment for a house, or seeking capital to start a new business in the near future.

Long-term: These are more suitable for big financial goals that you have lined up for the future, such as paying for your young child’s tertiary education, or if you want a comfortable nest egg by the time you are ready to retire.

What are the risks involved?

As with most forms of investments, there are risks involved. But the beauty of investing in Unit Trusts is that you are able to choose an investment strategy that best fits your risk appetite.

In general, there are three types of investment strategies to take into consideration, based on your level of risk:

Conservative: This is often the best strategy for older investors who have a large amount of capital and prefer stability over quick gains. Investments in this risk category tend to be in safe assets that are not easily susceptible to market shocks or swings, and very often, help to preserve the principal amount you invest.

Moderate: For investors who are willing to take some risks, this strategy is the perfect balance between wanting to preserve your principal investment, while still taking advantage of some assets that can offer potential growth in the near future.

Aggressive: For younger investors, a small amount of capital can go a long way, especially if they are willing to invest for the long term. While there might be a chance that they may lose some of their initial capital, the fact that they have time on their side means that they can take higher risks in order to maximise growth.

^{A quick look at the types of investments that offer returns based on risk appetites.}

One way to gauge your risk appetite is by comparing your investment to one of the most secure forms of savings accounts available: a bank’s fixed deposit account.

Let’s say you are dealing with a 12-month fixed-deposit account (FDA) with an interest rate of 1.85% per annum. You have invested RM100,000, and are hoping to double your principle. Under those investment terms, it will take just under 40 years for your principal sum to turn into RM200,000.

However, by placing some of your money in Unit Trust funds, you may be able to achieve a moderately higher return, which commensurate with the slightly higher risks (depending on the type of fund you invest in) – and reach your goal faster.

If you invested in a Unit Trust with potential returns of 5% per annum, you are looking at achieving your goal in about 15 years instead. This is the power of compounding – any additional returns above your average FDA returns could potentially save you the time needed to reach your financial goal.

Thus, Unit Trust funds may be suitable for investors looking to earn potentially above-average returns within a shorter time.

Take a look at how Unit Trust funds measure up to other forms of investments and savings:

^{For those looking to start their financial journey, Unit Trusts are both safe and potentially profitable.}

Unit Trusts offer a middle ground when it comes to investment options, safer than direct investments in the market, and yet has the potential to offer better returns than standard savings accounts. For those looking to safeguard their financial future or grow their wealth, it is well worth considering investing your money into Unit Trusts.

To find out what other steps you can take to reach financial freedom, look out for the next article in our series on Your Personal Journey to Financial Security, only in theSun, brought to you by Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia (FIMM).

Visit FIMM’s website for more details on Unit Trust Management Companies (UTMC), information on Unit Trust Schemes and Private Retirement Scheme, as well as the lists of approved funds.

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Starbucks unveils its new plant-based menu

Building on its sustainability commitment to become more resource positive, Starbucks Malaysia has expanded its plant-based choices with an all-new environmentally friendly menu. This season’s menu also introduces for the first-time, the innovative plant-based whipped cream that will provide the option to make Frappuccino ordered at Starbucks completely dairy-free.

To accompany the whipped cream is the returning favorite, Oatmilk Cocoa Macchiato, a creamy and delicious mix of indulgent chocolate and earthy oatmilk, and also the new Almondmilk Honey Latte and Oatmilk Honey Latte, which are lusciously creamy yet remaining slightly sweet.

Brewing from 14 September onwards, the new beverages will be made available at all Starbucks stores in Malaysia, while stocks last.

New! Starbucks Almondmilk Honey Latte and Starbucks Oatmilk Honey Latte

Enjoy Starbucks signature espresso delicately flavored with delicious honey syrup and paired with oatmilk or almondmilk for the perfect Autumn pick-me-up.

Crowned with frothy foam and toasted honey topping, this beverage is the perfect balance of earthy and sweet flavors. Available as a hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage. If ordered as a blended handcrafted beverage, customers can also customize their beverage with plant-based whipped cream, now available for the first time at Starbucks stores across Malaysia.

Returning Favorite! Starbucks Oatmilk Cocoa Macchiato
Chocolatey indulgence meets creamy oats with the return of Starbucks Oatmilk Cocoa Macchiato. Starbucks’ signature espresso blends perfectly with smooth oatmilk and fragrant vanilla syrup, topped with a drizzle of rich cocoa sauce to create decadent layers of flavor in every sip.

Available as hot, iced or blended handcrafted beverage. If ordered as a blended handcrafted beverage, customers can also customize their beverage with plant-based whipped cream, now available for the first time at Starbucks stores across Malaysia.

These favorite Autumn beverages from Starbucks are returning, along with new exciting merchandise and coffee additions. In celebration of the brand’s 50th Anniversary, this year’s Starbucks “A Siren Tale” Anniversary Merchandise Collection features the lovely, yet recognizable Siren, the brand’s iconography, to highlight the diversity of the collection.

The overall lineup is designed with a balance of three components: “Siren Profile”, “Siren Tail” and “Underwater Elements”, showcasing a mix of classic silhouettes paired with a reinterpretation of the Siren. The range of the collection includes water bottles, mugs and various drinkware and accessories adorned with playful features of the underwater sea.

The Anniversary collection also deliberately uses a color palette that leverages on this season’s new lineup of whole bean coffee, which includes the Starbucks Three Region Blend.

This medium roast coffee is a blend of coffees from West Java, Peru and Rwanda – each chosen for the trailblazing way coffee was grown, cultivated and processed. Joining alongside this coffee is the Starbucks Autumn Blend, a richly roasted and delicately sweet, balanced blend of coffee to celebrate the season.

Also returning again is the Starbucks Anniversary Blend 2021, in which the Starbucks passion for coffee continues to live on in a blend of smoked cedar aromas and notes of tarragon, allspice and truffle.

A first in Malaysia

Starbucks Malaysia has also joined forces with Beyond Meat to offer a new plant-based addition to its menu. Introducing for the first time in all stores in Malaysia is the Beyond Meat Spiral Curry Puff, a reimagination of Malaysia’s all-time favorite snack.

Deliciously healthy and guilt-free, the Beyond Meat Spiral Curry Puff combines Beyond Meat’s Beyond Beef Ground Meat with soft curried potatoes and gently baked onions encased in a flaky wheat flour spiral-lined crust.

This new plant-based addition to the menu is available now in Klang Valley stores, with rollouts to Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia over the month.

Expanding the plant-based menu is one of the ways that Starbucks is doing towards reducing its carbon footprint, while also at the same time providing a variety of choices for its customers as part of the Starbucks experience.

Customer’s interest in plant-based foods also continues to grow in Malaysia, which is seeing a rapid growth in Asia Pacific. As plant-based options grew in popularity, Starbucks Malaysia added almondmik in 2018, coconutmilk in 2019 and expanded to offer oatmilk national in 2020.

This year will mark the addition of its plant-based whipped cream, made primarily from rice components, such as rice starch and flour.

The new lineup of plant-based beverages, including the Starbucks® Oatmilk Cocoa Macchiato, Almondmilk Honey Latte and Oatmilk Honey Latte are priced from RM21.20 onwards, while the Starbucks Anniversary “A Siren Tale” Collection is priced from RM72 onwards.

The Starbucks Three Region Blend, Starbucks Autumn Blend and Starbucks Anniversary Blend 2021 whole bean coffees are priced at RM40 each.

In addition, the Beyond Meat Spiral Curry Puff starts from RM11.90. The all the new autumn offerings will be available at all stores from 14 September 2021 onwards, while stocks last.

For more information, please visit Starbucks Malaysia at its website at www.starbucks.com.my

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Get back to nature

LET’S face it: we all need a good holiday, especially after everything that has happened this year. And while the jury is still out on allowing international travel, it is more than likely that we will soon be allowed to travel within Malaysia itself.

And what better way to refresh our minds and bodies than by going back to nature and exploring the rich biodiversity of our beloved nation?

In conjunction with Malaysia Day, we take a look at some key national parks and forest reserves in each state. Most have a wide range of activities that are available to visitors, from simple day trips to overnight camping holidays. Whatever your skill or fitness level, there is certainly a place for you.

1. Melaka Botanical Gardens (Melaka)

Previously known as Hutan Rekreasi Ayer Keroh, the Melaka Botanical Gardens is a sprawling park that provides a breath of fresh air to locals and tourists alike. Ideal as a brief stop during your visit to the state, or even as a weekend-long camping destination, the park has numerous areas for visitors to explore. There are several specialised gardens focusing on various species of plants including yams, orchids, bamboo and herbs. Other recreational facilities include the Melaka Forestry Museum, Prehistoric Garden, the Storyland, several children’s playgrounds, the Orang Asli Park, Deer Park, suspension bridge, watch towers and beautiful picnic spots. Visitors can also take part in jungle trekking, hiking, running, camping and boating.

2. Belum Temenggor Forest Reserve (Perak)

Believed to be over 130 million years old, the Belum Temenggor Forest Reserve is said to be one of the oldest rainforests in the world. Covering an area four times the size of Singapore, the area plays host to several local and international forest conservation and scientific programmes, making it the perfect location for visitors looking to learn more about thousands of native flora and fauna species, including several endangered ones. The forest is also home to many Orang Asli villages, whose inhabitants have been living off the land for many generations. Visitors can enjoy various activities including hiking and exploring waterfalls, spotting wild animals, camping and much more.

3. Tanjung Mentong National Park (Terengganu)

The Tanjong Mentong National Park is actually directly connected to the peninsula’s largest rainforest in neighbouring Perak, and is accessible by taking a 45-minute boat ride across Lake Kenyir. But once you make it to the park, you can find a variety of exotic collection of plants and trees, as well as view wildlife in their natural habitat and surroundings. Among the activities that can be enjoyed are jungle trekking, hiking and cave exploring. Because of the relatively remote location, visitors will first need to apply for a permit from the state National Park Forest before travelling there.

4. Gunung Ledang National Park (Johor)

Home to the legendary mountain peak it is named after, the park is a pristine tropical rainforest that also serves as a water catchment area for both Johor and neighbouring Melaka. While most visitors come here to climb the mountain, the park entrance itself is a great place for less strenuous activities such as a picnic or camping trip by the river. There is a range of accommodation available, including chalets, dormitories, jungle huts and campsites; whereas there a number of group packages are on offer, with fun activities such as obstacle course, paintball and nature walks.

5. Mossy Forest Brinchang (Pahang)

Cameron Highlands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, with many attractions for the whole family. But for nature lovers, one of the best places to visit has got to be the Mossy Forest, located on Gunung Brinchang, the one of the tallest peaks in Peninsula Malaysia. The mountain is home to numerous species of plants, including thick layers of moss, lichen and ferns that cover the 200,000-year-old rainforest. Several hiking trails and elevated walkways allow visitors to explore the almost-mystical environment and enjoy the mountain view, and it makes the perfect picture-taking spot.

6. Perlis State Park (Perlis)

Located in Malaysia’s smallest, northernmost state, the park is one-of-a-kind with its limestone landscapes featuring steep cliff faces, enclosed valleys, pinnacles and caves. It is home to many plant species found only on this habitat some of which are not found anywhere else in Malaysia. These include rare species of gingers, ferns and balsams. It is also an ideal place for birdwatchers between the months of April to August, thanks to the Timah Tasoh Dam which is a stop for many migratory bird species. Aside from that, it is an ideal place for hiking and exploring, as well as some light caving.

7. Gunung Stong State Park (Kelantan)

One of the last remaining forest reserves in the state – at least for now – the Gunung Stong State Park is an adventurer’s dream, with at least seven sizeable peaks to climb, several cascading waterfalls, including the easily accessible multi-tiered Jelawang Waterfall, and various caves that are perfect for some light exploration. Its thick jungle is home to elephants, tigers, bears, gibbons, hornbills and a range of other exotic wildlife, as well as a variety of plants and herbs. There are also overnight campsites for hikers looking to climb any of the peaks.

8. Gunung Berumbun (Negeri Sembilan)

Known as the home to one of the more popular hiking trails in the state, Gunung Berumbun is perfect for first-time to intermediate hikers wanting to test their limits. Visitors can choose to meander along the well-marked hiking trails, make their way to the top of Gunung Berumbun, or visit the site of a crashed WWII plane within the forest. There are several streams and waterfalls where you can stop, and numerous chances to spot local wildlife such as siamang, white handed gibbons, macaques, wild pigs, panthers, tapirs, and barking deer.

9. Ulu Muda Forest Reserve (Kedah)

A popular destination for advanced trekkers, the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve is accessible by boat ride across Lake Pedu. You can enjoy exploring one of the many jungle trails within the forest, or soak in any of the 10 hot springs located within the area. The forest reserve is also home to several large mammals like elephants, tigers, tapirs and deer, as well as numerous bird species. Due to the forest’s remote location, visitors will need to apply for a permit from the state Forestry Department, and it is advisable to hire an authorised guide to bring you around.

10. Penang National Park (Penang)

Despite its title as the world’s smallest national park, the Penang National Park nonetheless proves that less is more, as it is home to about 410 species of flora and 143 species of fauna ranging from snakes, macaques and leaf monkeys to otters, hawksbill turtles and dolphins. It is the perfect place for both families and solo trekkers, with several well-mapped hiking trails that allow you to explore nature at your own pace. With some of the best beaches on the island located along its shores, you can choose to travel around by boat or do some jungle trekking over the headlands and hills.

11. Tegudon Tourism Village (Sabah)

For those looking for a truly unique camping experience, the Tegudon Tourism Village allows visitors to explore nature during the day and sleep under the stars at night. Located about 15km from Kota Belud Town, and with a direct view of Mount Kinabalu, the village is geared towards campers looking for a relaxed experience. Guided tours can be booked to explore the nearby Bukit Bendera and Wasai Waterfall, although most prefer to frolic in the leisurely Wariou River. At night, the clear sky reveals millions of stars, enchanting campers and stargazers from around the world.

12. Gunung Gading National Park (Sarawak)

Gunung Gading National Park is located near the small town of Lundu, and has some enjoyable walking trails and a challenging jungle trail, making it perfect for beginner and intermediate hikers. The Waterfall trail is the shortest walk, winding its way up through the forest past a series of waterfalls, while the Gunung Gading Summit Trail is more strenuous. The park is also home to the world’s largest flower, the rafflesia, which is a must-see for all those looking to complete their flora-spotting experience.

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Malaysia Day messages from our Olympians

TO commemorate Malaysia Day next week, we asked several of our Olympians to tell us what makes them proud to be Malaysian. Here are some of their answers, which have been edited for clarity:

1. Syaqiera Mashayikh, Archery (top) - Women’s Individual (Tokyo 2020)

What does being a Malaysian mean to you?

“I feel very proud to be a Malaysian, as our citizens share a unique connection with each other.”

What moment made you proud to be a Malaysian?

“I was so touched by my fellow Malaysians who supported me when I competed at the Tokyo Olympics. Even though I did not bring back a medal this time, they still supported me and prayed for me to succeed in the future.”

2. Akmal Nor Hasrin, Archery – Team (Rio 2016), Archery – Men’s Individual (Tokyo 2020)

What do you love most about Malaysia?

“What I love about Malaysia is that even though we are a small country, we can show the world that Malaysia has a big heart and good fighting spirit in the world of sports.”

What moment made you proud to be Malaysian?

“When the national anthem is played in front of the world.”

3. Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, 50m Rifle – Women’s Individual (London 2012, Tokyo 2020)

What does being a Malaysian mean to you?

“Our sense of unity is very strong, and we as a people are of one heart. I am so lucky to have been born here.”

What is the best thing about your fellow Malaysians?

“Athletes from other countries don’t have the same level of team spirit, especially in shooting, as they tend to train individually. It’s different for the Malaysian team, as we all train together. We come in under the same flag, we should be united in achieving our success.”

4. Nuraisyah Jamil and Juni Karimah Noor Jamali, Women’s Two Person Dinghy (Tokyo 2020)

What do you love most about Malaysia?

Nuraisyah: “The food and culture!”

Juni: “We have peace, freedom, unity and freedom of speech! And of course, the food!”

What moment made you proud to be Malaysian?

Nuraisyah: “Being able to represent Malaysia as a national athlete.”

Juni: “Whenever we are celebrating Independence Day or cheering for an athlete who is competing, we are supporting each other in the name of Malaysia.”

What is the best thing about your fellow Malaysians?

Nuraisyah: “We help each other, no matter what our race or religion.”

Juni: “We are one big family, helping each other and having good teamwork. We rise by lifting each other up.”

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September watch list

WHETHER you are looking for a fun movie night in, or wondering what series you should binge-watch next, September offers a whole host of new entertainment options, both on the small screen and on streaming services.

And even though our cinemas remain closed for the moment, we’re holding out hope that we will soon get some good news, and be able to watch the big screen offerings listed here.

Either way, here are some of the big titles that you definitely should check out this month:

Malignant

A brand new horror movie from Malaysian-born director James Wan, Malignant is said to be his triumphant return to his horror roots, after he achieved international success with his superhero blockbuster Aquaman. Malignant follows a young woman named Madison, played by actress Annabelle Wallis, who last worked with Wan on the 2014 film Annabelle.

Madison grew up with an imaginary friend to cope with her traumatic childhood. As an adult, she begins having terrible visions about brutal murders taking place all over the city. She soon begins to realise that her visions are related to what happened to her in the past, and must now find out why – before she becomes the next victim.

Besides Wallis, the film also stars Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White and Jacqueline McKenzie.

Lucifer Final Season

After five eventful seasons, this hit supernatural comedy-drama comes to an end with the lead character, the devil Lucifer, now taking his place on the throne of God. Or at least, that is what he is supposed to be doing. Instead, the incorrigible Lucifer has decided to take his time assuming the throne, and stay on earth with Chloe for as long as possible.

However, that plan is interrupted by the appearance of Lucifer’s sister Rory, who appears to have a grudge against the wayward fallen angel, and is out for revenge. Together with his friends, Lucifer must now come to terms with his new place in the world, and finally decide which side he really wants to be on.

You can be sure that this final season will send the character out in style. Lucifer stars Tom Ellis, Lauren German, D.B. Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt and Brianna Hildebrand as new character Rory.

Dune

This much-anticipated movie is the first of two live-action adaptations of the celebrated sci-fi novel series by author Frank Herbert. The books have previously been adapted in a 1984 film by David Lynch and a TV miniseries in 2000.

The film follows the adventures of Paul Atreides, the only son of a noble family ruling over the dangerous desert planet Arrakis. The planet is home to the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe, known as ‘spice’. A betrayal by his family’s enemies soon leads Paul to the planet’s native inhabitants, known as the Fremen, and he must learn to embrace his destiny as their leader and Messiah.

The film has a star-studded cast that includes Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson, and promises to set the standard for sci-fi adventure.

No Time to Die

At last, after an eventful production period and many delays, the 25th film in the James Bond franchise will see its worldwide premiere at the end of September. The film is also going to be the last time we see Daniel Craig portraying MI6’s iconic British spy, making it a bittersweet experience for fans.

The story begins five years after the capture of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, with Bond having officially retired from active service. However, his old friend and CIA officer Felix Leiter seeks his help to locate missing scientist Valdo Obruchev, sending Bond directly into the path of a mysterious villain named Lyutsifer Safin, whose schemes could lead to the deaths of millions of innocent people.

Joining Craig on his final outing as Bond are Lea Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashanna Lynch and Ben Whishaw.

Baki Hanma: Son of Ogre

The latest season of the iconic Baki the Grappler anime is set to premiere later this month, and will showcase protagonist Baki’s final confrontation with his father, the bloodthirsty Yujiro Hanma, also known as Ogre in martial arts circles.

The anime is based on the much-beloved manga series by Keisuke Itagaki, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The franchise is known for its memorable characters, graphic violence and compelling storyline, which follows Baki’s quest to ultimately defeat his father and become the bets fighter in the world.

Throughout its run, Baki is known for having inspired countless modern martial arts animes, and fans will be thrilled to finally see their hero go up against his father in a no-holds-barred battle.

My Little Pony: A New Generation

See the world of Equestria in a different light in this brand new 3D animated feature. The story begins with Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi living separately and viewing each other with suspicion. However, all that changes when a Unicorn named Izzy befriends an Earth Pony named Sunny.

Together, the two decide to go on a journey to discover why the Unicorns have lost their magic, and to reunite the separated pony societies and bring peace and harmony back to the land. With a story that is filled with adventure and friendship, and with a powerful lesson in unity, this latest My Little Pony film promises to be a delight for the entire family.

The film also features the voices of Vanessa Hudgens, Kimiko Glenn, James Marsden, Sofia Carson and Phil LaMarr as the ponies.

Hometown

The sins of the past come back to haunt people in this mystery thriller K-drama. Set in 1999, the series follows a murder investigation in a small South Korean town where a terrorist attack occurred 10 years prior. The perpetrator Kyung Ho was imprisoned, and his daughter still lives with her aunt Jung Hyun in the town, shunned by the rest of the inhabitants.

Lead detective Choi Hyung lost his wife in the attack, and is conflicted when Kyung Ho’s daughter ends up missing. Jung Hyun and Choi Hyung suspect that Kyung Ho’s terrorist allies must be behind the kidnapping and a series of murders in the town, and the two must team up to solve the case before it is too late. The series stars Yoo Jae Myung, Han Ye Ri and Uhm Tae Goo.

Yumi’s Cells

Based on a popular South Korean webtoon series, Yumi’s Cells follows the life of a young career woman, as seen through the experiences of the cells in her body. Soon after Yumi goes through a bad break up, the cells in her body suffer a terrible slump, until the fateful day when she meets a man named Goo Wong.

An emotionally stunted game developer, Goo Woong has no idea how to express his true feelings for Yumi. However, his own cells decide to conspire with Yumi’s cells to bring their two host bodies together, in this fantastical romantic comedy that takes a whole new look at the nature of love and destiny. The series stars Kim Go Eun, Ahn Bo Hyun and Lee Yoo Bi.

My Heart

This Chinese-language drama is set in a fictional world where everyone has spiritual powers, and tells of the love story between Lu Qingqing, a girl with no spirit power but who is full of vitality, and the flighty but headstrong prince Nangong Yixing.

Because she is at a clear disadvantage compared to everyone around her, Qingqing keeps trying to improve herself, but is constantly branded a loser. She decides to improve herspiritual aptitude by getting close to the prince, whom she sees as an arrogant playboy, but soon finds herself falling for his heart of gold.

The drama stars Cheng Xiao and Jason Koo as the star-crossed lovers.

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