Thai-in Mookata Received Thai SELECT Award

Congratulations to Thai-in Mookata has received the Thai SELECT certification awarded by Thailand’s Department of International Trade promotion. The award certifies the food, hospitality and atmosphere of restaurants, ensuring the preparation of an authentic Thai experience. Whenever you travel, finding the Thai SELECT stamp of approval assures you that delicious Thai cuisine is served in a pleasant environment and charming hospitality the full journey into Thai culture.

There are strict guidelines to be followed to be recognized by Thai SELECT, and there are four categories of certification: Signature, Classic, Casual and Unique. Thai SELECT Signature is granted to restaurants that serve authentic Thai food with a taste of premium quality, refined decoration and excellent service, while Thai SELECT Classic is awarded to Thai Restaurants of excellent quality.

Bring my family to go try this Thai-in Mookata BBQ steamboat at 3, Jalan 14/27b, Desa Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur. We are enjoying grill all the meats slices on the big dome. A fragrant morsel of lard is first hoisted on the top of the dome, then left to swathe the surface with a slick for grilling the meats. The surrounding of the dome is the soup.

Thai IN #Signature Pork Slices is grilled on the dome in the centre while the vegetables and other ingredients, such as fish balls, cook in the soups can be spicy Thai suki soup or chicken soup for kids. The hot pot sits on a trough burning charcoal which grills or steams the ingredients thoroughly to a beautiful sear. This means that it retains maximum flavour without charring. You can just order whatever dishes you want and cook it yourself either grill it or soup.

The local traditional Thai mu kratha uses different types of nam chim, and I love their Thai IN #Signature Homemade Thai dipping sauces. Just dip all the foods with these sauces which is really yummy and delicious. I enjoy so much the foods with my family. It is really a good place to chill with friends, bond with family and have good Thai foods together!

For more details on Thai SELECT, please check out https://www.thaiselect.com/en/page/about-us

There are currently have branches at Setapak, Old Klang Road, Kepong, Subang, Cheras Traders Square & Rawang! Check out more on Thai-in Mookata at :
Website : https://thaiin.my/
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ThaiInMookata/
IG : https://www.instagram.com/thaiinmookata/

#ShopeeGivesBack raised RM2.9 million to support underserved families

#ShopeeGivesBack, Shopee’s long-term community initiative, has collectively raised RM2.9 million across two years, through fundraising efforts with over 40 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to help underprivileged Malaysians in times of need. 

#ShopeeGivesBack which launched on 1 May 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, uses technology to help the underserved in Malaysia across four areas: underprivileged communities development, children and family services, health charities, and environmental charities. The platform provides Malaysians with an online avenue to support their favourite causes in the most convenient way. Shopee ensures that these NGOs have credible track records and are registered with the Registry of Societies.

RM2.1 million came through always-on platform donations as buyers shopped on a daily basis and made informed choices on which causes to donate to via the #ShopeeGivesBack dedicated microsite. 56% of donations raised through this channel went to B40 and community aid NGOs such as Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa, Islamic Relief Malaysia, and Pusat Jagaan Nurul Jannah. 20% of the funds raised went to NGOs providing medical kits and mobile clinics during floods such as MERCY Malaysia. 14% of the donations assisted partners like UNICEF Malaysia in meeting critical needs of marginalised children and their families in Covid-19. 10% went towards environmental causes such as Zoo Negara, where the funds aid in the annual food, enrichment, and veterinary care of the animals. 

RM800,000 was raised during special e-commerce campaigns helping targeted causes: Zoo Negara ticket sales for example raised over RM400,000 for animal welfare whereas over RM200,000 in flood relief funds (including RM100,000 matching contribution from Shopee) helped 1,300 families rebuild their lives after recent floods in Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan. 

Huiyan Pan, Head of Brand Marketing at Shopee Malaysia said, “Based on the estimates from our key community development NGOs, we would have provided food and essential supplies to over 3,000 families in dire need during the pandemic. Shopee is humbled to be able to obtain the support of our NGO partners and galvanise shoppers on our marketplace to contribute towards long-term sustainability of these communities.”

Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa, Islamic Relief Malaysia, and Pusat Jagaan Nurul Jannah are #ShopeeGivesBack’s longer-term partner NGOs. These three NGOs raised nearly RM400,000 in food aid, essential needs and household products for B40 families and homes in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Sabah and Sarawak.

“Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa was moved by the kindness of Malaysians to aid the underprivileged communities that have been affected by various unfortunate circumstances. The #ShopeeGivesBack program has provided a platform for generous donors to pledge their support, and we are grateful for the trust Malaysians placed in us to give back to the needy,” said Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, Founder of Pertubuhan Kasih Neelofa.

Malaysian online fashionistas celebrated endemicity in Boho-inspired style

Malaysians’ fashion purchase driven by the need to switch from casual to office wear post-pandemic? Shopee’s fashion purchase insight tells another story.

The trend shows that colourful Boho appeal which came back in Spring/Summer 2021 made it through Fall/Holiday 2021 and Spring/Summer 2022 on Shopee. However, it may be phasing out soon to make way for fall/holiday 2022 colour blocking.

Shopee’s data¹ revealed that Malaysians were buying 21 per cent more Boho² influenced clothing between 1 June 2021 to 30 June 2022. 

The trend, according to Shopee, gradually took over the more practical athleisure clothing starting from the first half of 2021 when sales for athleisure wear tapered off by 10.2 per cent compared to the same period the year before. This was the beginning point for colourful outerwears, peasant blouses, flowy maxi dresses and skirts, loose and lightweight button-down shirts with retro patterns, denims and slacks.

The height of this trend, according to Shopee users’ purchase insight came in the first quarter of this year when Malaysians were fulfilling their suppressed travel and leisure appetite with vacations, hang outs at cafes, shopping malls and more.

The total number of purchases for boho themed chino pants increased by 114 per cent, dresses 55 per cent and skirts 41 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Conversely, searches for lounge and sleepwear continue to drop.

With boho inspired style reaching its optimum point, Shopee Malaysia users’ purchase trend, in alignment with the global fashion trend, started to show a shift towards colour blocking.

Between March and May this year, as global fashion labels started to give consumers a glimpse into their upcoming fall/holiday 2022 collection which mainly consist of faux leather jackets, tank tops and mason pants, we see users starting to prepare their wardrobes to be on trend for the next half of the year.

Neutral, ivory and peachy beige colour palettes were gradually replacing the colourful boho-chic styles. This purchase pattern, according to Shopee’s consumers’ insight, had its beginning in the second quarter of this year.

Between April and June this year, Shopee users were starting to purchase 13 per cent more blazers and coats from the quarter before and this upward trend is expected to stay until the end of fall/holiday season 2022.

With the rise in demand for blazers and coats, Shopee also saw a 35 per cent increase in sales for undershirts between the first quarter and second quarter this year.

Consequently, demand for trousers – with fitted waists and wide hems — also saw a 10 per cent increase.

With the gradual transition between fashion trends, Malaysians are also seen to be buying new footwear to match.

Malaysians are seen purchasing sandals and mules to match their Boho influenced outfit while  loafers, high and low tops, stilettos and oxfords were purchased to gear themselves up to head back to their offices after a long hiatus. As such, these items saw an increase in demand and are replacing flip flops this year compared to last year.

According to Shopee, the buying behaviour observed is a sign that Malaysian online fashion shoppers are beginning to enjoy dressing on trend again. With Malaysia in the endemic phase, Malaysians are also bracing themselves for the cooler days ahead in their air conditioned offices after fulfilling their suppressed appetite for leisure and travel.  

Antabax and R.E.A.L Kids Partner to Reduce the Spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

While Hand, Foot and Mouth Diseases (HFMD) is on the downtrend in Malaysia with 106,477 cases reported as of 18 June 2022, it is still an approximately 39 fold increase compared to the 2,710 cases reported for the same period last year, according to the latest report by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a very contagious common illness which typically affects children below 5 years of age, although adults and older children can also be infected. HFMD is highly transmissible, and childcare settings are the most common places for HFMD to be contracted because of toilet training, diaper changes, and the fact that children often put their hands into their mouths.

What can we as parents do to keep the little ones safer?

To accompany Malaysian parents in combating HFMD, Antabax, Malaysia's leading Halal anti-bacterial personal care brand is partnering with R.E.A.L Kids, the country’s largest owner-operated kindergarten chain with 45 centres and 3,600 students nationwide by equipping students, teachers and staff with Antabax care kits for on-the-go personal hygiene, and creative education materials to raise understanding of the dos and don’ts of HFMD. 

“As a leading brand in hygiene and sanitation solution for consumers, Antabax is committed to providing regular education and continuous access to strengthen healthy and hygenic habits, and together creating a healthier and cleaner community. Good personal care, good hygiene especially hand hygiene may help prevent the spread of HFMD. Through Antabax product solutions, we trust that parents and teachers play an important role in teaching children to wash or sanitise their hands frequently before and after eating, as well as before and after going to the toilet, after group activities or touching suspect surfaces, and avoid sharing or touching other children, sharing water bottles, food or toys. Provide your child with their own sanitiser and show them how to use it, and when to use it too! Clean hands keep us safe,” says Chua Su Fee, Marketing Manager from Antabax. She further remarked that this activity is only the beginning of Antabax’s long-term commitment to continuously contribute and bring a positive impact on Malaysian families. 

Speaking on the partnership with Antabax, Ng Ming-yan, Operations Manager at R.E.A.L Kids says, “We are glad to partner with Antabax once again, as the brand continues to educate and raise awareness on infectious diseases that affect children in a creative and timely manner. We would also remind parents to reinforce good hygiene behavior at home, and to wipe down their little ones’ belongings to reduce the spread. Always remind your child to keep their hands away from their mouth, and if they are unwell do not send them to school but take them to a clinic or hospital for diagnosis.”

Antabax will be sharing educational materials and tips on reducing the spread of HFMD, which will be distributed to all R.E.A.L Kids students nationwide. Content includes creative discussion and activities sheets for students developed by teachers and caregivers on reducing the risk of HFMD. The brand continues its role as an enabler to encourage parents, students and teachers to get back in action by emphasizing good personal hygiene practices, which is in-line with its #BaxInAction theme.

The brand will be contributing its products including antibacterial sanitizer spray, bar soap and antibacterial wipes which able to kill 99.9% of germs and give parents peace of mind about their child’s hygiene. A promotional voucher that can be used on Antabax products purchase is provided to support parents in making their next Antabax purchase.

For more information on Antabax, please visit Antabax Website or follow us on Antabax Facebook  and on Antabax Instagram.

12 Out Of 2,000 Women Vie For Top Prize In Maggi’s Reality Show

MAGGI® is returning with its six-episode reality show, Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2. From a pool of 2,000 women, 12 mentees made the cut to take on a series of culinary and entrepreneurial challenges for the grand champion title.

Set to surprise and excite, the Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2 will showcase the endeavours of the mentees through various criteria and challenges, and be tested in the areas of Personal Growth, Business Acumen and Cooking Skills. Some notable challenges which the mentees will experience include the preparation of their signature dish and re-invention of an authentic Malaysian dish with unique ingredients! Beyond culinary challenges, mentees were also tasked to observe elements such as food sustainability, business viability as well as leveraging on content creation for social media platforms. 

The reality show returns with its three prominent MAGGI® Mentors - Food Enthusiast and Brand Ambassador of MAGGI® CukupRasa, Datin Paduka Eina Azman; Director, Producer, Actress and Owner of The Dim Sum Place, Sheila Rusly; and Entrepreneur Icon and Owner of My Mum’s Bakery, Anne Idris - who will nurture the 12 mentees throughout the reality series in various Feedback Mentorship Sessions. For Season 2, the series will feature four celebrity guest judges - Stacy Anam, Betty Rahmad, Aisya J, and Chef Sherson Lian. 

Speaking about Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2, Geetha Balakrishna, Business Executive Officer of MAGGI®, Nestlé (Malaysia) Berhad said, “We are excited to showcase the second season of the reality show to help further upskill and empower more women in terms of enhancing their business acumen, whilst providing them with a platform to both shine and achieve their dreams. Watch how the mentees step outside their comfort zones, undergo hurdles, build their self-confidence, and grow guided by MAGGI’s experienced Mentors and our new line-up of celebrity guest judges!” 

“The MAGGI reality show aims to showcase and celebrate the mentees’ transformational journey in growing a food business to inspire women to take the leap of faith and embark on something new, ushering in positive change and improvement into their lives. We have witnessed discernible transformation in the mentees who won in the first season, and how they have truly inspired and impacted the lives of many others too,” said Geetha on their journey. 

Aside from receiving a seed capital of RM8,000, the grand winner of the Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2 will undergo an intensive 8-week mentorship programme with entrepreneur icon, Anne Idris, focusing on upscaling a food business, managing cost efficiencies and branding strategies. The Second and Third place winners will receive a seed capital of RM5,000 each.

Resipi Berani MAGGI® is a culmination of the Program Mentor Wanita Cukup Berani MAGGI®, which aims to inspire more women to step out of their comfort zones, embracing the ‘Tak Kenal, Tak Cinta’ (‘Never Try, Never Know’) spirit. The programme is hosted in partnership between MAGGI® and Google Malaysia, featuring a series of Bengkel Online Wanita Cukup Berani MAGGI® focusing on building self-confidence, improving business skills through digital upskilling and enhancing cooking skills. The 12 finalists of Resipi Berani MAGGI® were selected from a pool of over 2,000 women who participated in the series of upskilling workshops in 2021.

Speaking on her journey with the Program Mentor Wanita Cukup Berani MAGGI® campaign since its inception in 2020, Datin Paduka Eina Azman said, “I have personally witnessed many transformational journeys and growth stories through the Program Mentor Wanita Cukup Berani MAGGI® and I’m truly honoured to be the Brand Ambassador for MAGGI® CukupRasa. I’m delighted that this programme has supported many women especially throughout the pandemic, and will continue to play its part to provide more women with the right guidance, mentorship and skills training for them to establish themselves as an entrepreneur.”

The 12 mentees who made it as finalists in the Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2 comprise home-based food business owners - Anastasia Maigi (Sabah), Kalarani D/O Subramaniam (Putrajaya), Mellony Anak Stephen (Sarawak), Nazrina binti Zamani (Selangor), Noraslinda binti Rusli (Selangor), Norli binti Mohd Azmi (Selangor), Kentila D/O Veerayah (Selangor), Nur Syahidah Aimullah binti Abdul Rahim (Kedah), Nurul ‘Syaza Shahirah binti A. Samsuddin (Malacca), Nurul Hajar Ismail (Johor), Rozana Sari binti Roslan (Pahang) and Suzaimi binti Zahari (Terengganu). 

The upcoming Resipi Berani MAGGI® Season 2 reality show will be aired at 4.30 pm on TV3 every Friday for 6 weeks beginning 8 July, with a repeat at 11.30 am on Saturday. Viewers can also stream the episodes through MAGGI®’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/maggimalaysia/videos) from 5.00 pm every Friday, 8 July onwards.

The Grand Opening Of Red Box’s Most Innovative & Advanced Family Karaoke Outlet @ Pavillion Elite

YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Ammar Abd. Ghapar, Senior Director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) officiated the Grand Opening of Red Box Plus Pavilion Kuala Lumpur – its most exclusive and technologically advanced karaoke establishment to date. Being advocates of the local music industry, the grand event saw the support of top music labels and local influencers who were present to celebrate Red Box’s milestone.

Housing a total of 32 karaoke rooms, Red Box Plus Pavilion Kuala Lumpur boasts top-of-the-line, AI-powered Karaoke systems, a multitude of mouthwatering local and international food varieties, astounding sound systems, eye-catching design concepts, and a myriad of tracks to choose from across multiple languages. Despite any ethnicity or age group, visitors are always able to find the songs they love - be it local or international. 

YBhg. Dato’ Dr. Ammar Abd. Ghapar said, “Shopping, F&B, and entertainment have always been among the top expenditure components for both domestic and international tourists in Malaysia; thus, having positioned themselves in the heart of KL, I am certain that Red Box Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will be a significant contributor to the tourism industry.“ 

Red Box Plus Pavilion Kuala Lumpur first began its operations about a year ago, to offer a safe and comfortable platform for the rakyat to escape to and find relief during the pandemic. It was a trying time for Malaysia and Red Box was fixated on serving the public with an outstanding attraction, all the while ensuring the consumer’s safety by frequently sanitizing their premises and following the SOPs set by the government. 

Mr. Karl Khoo, CEO of Red Box Karaoke Group, commented saying, “Red Box Plus Pavilion Kuala Lumpur was opened to the public in March 2021, at a time when Malaysia was in a critical stage due to Covid-19. Yes, we did the impossible, and we persevered through the hard times - all to provide a comfortable and safe space for the rakyat to take their mind off the stress in their daily lives.” 

Since Red Box Karaoke was first established in 2000, they have always supported the local music industry by making sure that local songs are always featured in their outlets. As such, a number of celebrities and KOLs were present to show their support for the grand event, Including Bunga, Jeryl Lee, Zynakal, Crystal Ong, Azzam Sham and Ribbon Ooi, among others. 

For more information, visit https://www.redbox.com.my/.

GUARDIAN organizes FUN RUN in September

Guardian’s ‘Live Health Smart’ campaign to encourage healthy living through smart choices will culminate in a Guardian Fun Run on 17 September 2022 in Kuala Lumpur.

 

Angela Teo, Head of Marketing, Malaysia and Brunei, Southeast Asia Health and Beauty said: “The ‘Live Health Smart’ campaign which runs from 27 June to 31 July and the Guardian Fun Run are our responses to the findings of our Guardian National Health Survey that was conducted over the months of April and May 2022 to determine which and what aspects of health was important to them. 

She said, the key findings from the survey, showed that 74% of the respondent exercise to keep fit and stay healthy. They realized the importance of exercise since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. They also want to have a well-balanced lifestyle, eat nutritionally good food and supplements. And they said a good night’s sleep comes from good exercise.

 

So, all our health-oriented activities are in keeping with Guardian’s vision and promise to help its customers lead healthy and beautiful lives, she added. As the name suggests, the Guardian Fun Run, to be held at MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exhibition Park Serdang), Selangor, will be a fun-filled affair catering for everyone in the family, children included. 

It promises a carnival-like atmosphere and will include Carnival Games, on-stage entertainment, free products to sample, food trucks, and a lucky draw with prizes up to RM10,000 to be won (only eligible for physical Run participants only). 

Part of the proceeds from the registration fees will be donated to Suriana Welfare Society, a Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to helping children in B40 communities, towards the setup of their next Play and Learn Center in Balakong.

Registration is now open and early bird discounts are available for those who register from 27 June to 24 July 2022. From 25 July to 15 August 2022, tickets will be sold at RM60 for adults in the 5km Neon Run. To register, just scan the Guardian Fun Run QR code found in all Guardian’s social media platforms, websites, and online store, or download the ‘HEYJOM’ digital app on the Apple App Store to register.

Angela said: “We hope many Malaysians as well as fitness enthusiasts will sign up for our Guardian Fun Run. Bring your families along to make this event a memorable and happy one. Race Pack Collection has been scheduled for 10-11 September 2022 and all registered runners will get loads of goodies so sign up early.” 

“In addition, please watch out for Guardian’s special ‘Live Health Smart’ promotions in July for exceptional bargains for all your health essentials, in addition to health videos and health webinars on all Guardian social media platforms,” she added.

For more information on the Guardian Fun Run, please go to the Guardian Facebook Event Page.
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