How to Boycott a Country (Step 1: Pay Them)

I saw this on Facebook on Saturday. Now, I don't know if this is true or not – but it is a fascinating story if it is. 👇 

A Chinese factory allegedly printed "Boycott China" shirts and sold them to the people who wanted to boycott China, bringing in a cool $450,000. 

Think about the sheer irony: 

The people who wanted to hurt China's economy paid China to do it. The people who wanted to make a statement funded the very thing they were protesting against. 

The factory didn't care about the message. They cared about the demand. They saw an opportunity, printed the shirts, shipped them, and collected a check. 

The emotion belonged to the buyer. The profit belonged to the seller. 

😂😂😂 

Liverpool beat Brentford 2-1 in yesterday's Premier League match. 

The Bees were actually a goal up through a superb 44th-minute header and looked to be in total control when their midfielder received a straight red card in first-half stoppage time. A VAR review caught him headbutting Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet before a corner kick could be taken. 

The sending-off drastically shifted the momentum, allowing the Reds to stage their second-half comeback. Spain winger Victor Munoz scored a fine equaliser after 62 minutes, cutting inside to beat the rival keeper with a clinical left-footed finish after he was released by Florian Wirtz's pass. 

Alexander Isak added the second eight minutes later with a sharp strike for his fifth goal of the season, after Bradley Barcola headed down Alexis Mac Allister's cross. 

A far from convincing performance but an absolutely vital three points for the visiting Merseysiders.

Corruption Critique Catalyzes Cyberbullying

And Universiti Malaya student representative Ummi Umairah Bakhit faces intense cyberbullying, online backlash, and alleged disciplinary pressure after criticizing the public fundraising efforts for former Prime Minister Najib Razak. [As per my post yesterday]. 

Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan played their Denmark Open semi-final match yesterday, where they defeated China's Bao Lijing and Cao Zihan 2–0 (21–16, 21–14) to advance to the final – leaving them just one win away from crowning themselves champions.

GO FINISH THE JOB!!

A Behind the Blank Look Speech

Returning to Sunway Mentari on Thursday for a SAL meeting, I did what comes naturally: I took the stage. 

I delivered my CSL2(4) project, "Behind the Blank Look". The speech explored my transformation and focused on using volume changes to emphasise vocal variation.

I revealed the twisted truth that my old, vibrant, and cheerful self has actually died, leaving a silent, non-communicative ghost in their place. 

When people look at my expressionless face, they aren't seeing a lack of emotion or simple boredom. Ultimately, my empty stare is a living headstone for the spirited self I have lost.

And what's even stranger, this "new" me has brought me a sense of sanctuary. A sense of stillness. A sense of peace.

FYI, this was my speech assignment #958. And if you must know, I was voted Best Speaker.

Centred around the theme of "Conflict", the 'That’s One Minute' segment featured participation from all five of the project speakers, followed by a period of self-reflection session and a group photo. 

Below are photos of the Meeting Leader and the speakers:

Speaking Truth to Power: The Najib Fund Backlash

At the International Future Youth Leadership Summit (iFUTURE) 2026 leadership forum on October 15, Universiti Malaya student representative Ummi Umairah Bakhit made headlines by openly criticizing public donations to the Najib Razak Solidarity Fund, calling the crowdfunding effort "the stupidest thing" she had ever witnessed. 

Addressing a high-profile panel that included political leaders like Khairy Jamaluddin and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, she questioned how Malaysia could foster future leadership when society actively raises money to help a figure convicted in the global 1MDB scandal pay off his court-mandated fines. 

Video of her blunt confrontation went viral overnight, sparking fierce national debate over political feudalism and earning her public backing from Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli, who defended her right to critique authority without fear of university backlash. 

At the Denmark Open women's doubles quarter-finals yesterday, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan vowed to go all the way after reaching their first Denmark Open semi-final. 

The Malaysian world No. 5 fought back to beat India's Treesa Jolly–Gayatri Gopichand 14–21, 21–17, 21–11 in Friday's quarter-finals. 

Their breakthrough ended Malaysia's 18-year wait for a women's doubles semi-finalist at the tournament, following Wong Pei Tty–Chin Eei Hui's title-winning run in 2008.

Heartbreak in Egypt

In an intense 86-minute marathon at the CIB Egyptian Squash Open on Thursday, Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam pushed defending champion Hania El Hammamy to the absolute limit in a thrilling five-game semi-final spectacle. 

Sivasangari drew first blood, asserting her tactical dominance early on to claim the opening game 11-6. 

The second game transformed into a fierce tie-break battle, with El Hammamy narrowly scraping by 12-10 to level the playing field. 

Undeterred, Sivasangari replicated that exact razor-thin margin in the third, capturing it 12-10 to put herself just one game away from a historic upset. 

With her tournament life on the line, El Hammamy responded with astonishing ferocity in the fourth game, catching the Malaysian off guard to execute a flawless, unanswered 11-0 sweep. 

This set the stage for a dramatic fifth-game decider. In a breathtaking finale that mirrored the dramatic margins of their previous encounters, both players traded blows until El Hammamy finally secured the match point, sealing the decider 12-10 and walking away with a grueling 3-2 victory!

In the meantime, Sport Lisboa e Benfica cruised to a dominant 4-1 victory over Celtic FC in the UEFA Europa League, also yesterday. 

Portugal’s second most decorated club set the tone instantly, jumping into an early lead thanks to a clinical 5th-minute penalty. They didn't slow down, punishing the visitors with two more goals in the 22nd and 35th minutes to command the first half. 

The Scottish champions briefly fought their way back into the contest in the 63rd minute when Camilo Duran converted a brave header, but that was all they managed. 

Benfica struck once more in stoppage time to put the game completely out of reach.

Celtic have collected two defeats from their first two games in the league phase.

Indonesia’s Eco-Strategy: Package the Smoke, Invoice the Oxygen

An Indonesian official has been mocked online after claiming the country's forests supply oxygen to Malaysia and Singapore despite recurring haze from its own forest and land fires.

"We do not just send smoke, but when there is no smoke, we send oxygen", Indonesian Government Communications Agency chief Syahganda Nainggolan (right) said in a now-viral video.

"The oxygen in Singapore and Malaysia also comes from our forests", he maintained in the video published on Saturday. 

The remarks drew plenty of scorn from social media users, with one sarcastically asking whether Syahganda thought Malaysia was on Mars.

Another, Johari Johar, questioned whether he thought Malaysia was a desert. 

"Supply oxygen? Seriously? Ever since the haze started, I've constantly been hit by the flu, fever and cough. It's not just me — everyone in the house has fallen sick", said Sheeren Ren. 

Azhar Za Lacabusier added: "What does oxygen have to do with the haze? The real question is how to resolve the haze problem, which has never been solved". 

On Monday, Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen said Syahganda's remarks trivialised the health concerns of Malaysians affected by the haze. He described the remarks as "a joke" and "unacceptable". 

Haze from forest and land fires in Indonesia has blanketed parts of Malaysia and Singapore, causing unhealthy air quality and school closures in several states.

True to form, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan, who received a first-round bye as the second seeds, advanced to the Denmark Open women's doubles quarter-finals on Thursday. 

The Malaysians overcame Hong Kong's world No. 19 Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam 21-12, 21-19 in 44 minutes to reach the last eight of the Super 750 tournament for the first time since 2024.

Tucked Away, but Right on Target: A Toastmasters Tuesday

Three book sales, two Toastmasters roles, and one incredible secluded spot of a cafe. 

On Tuesday, I joined the Shah Alam and TARUMT Toastmasters clubs for a joint meeting at IRENE Cafe in Seksyen 6 in Shah Alam, Selangor. It was a packed, high-energy evening where I challenged myself by serving as both a speech evaluator and a Table Topics speaker. 

To top off a great night of speechcraft, I also managed to sell three of my books (two Diamonds and one Pearls)! 

P.S. IRENE Cafe is a true hidden gem – and trust me, it’s tucked away so well it’s an adventure just to locate it! 

But that Peach Candy drink makes the hunt 100% worth it. 

I’m already planning my next trip back! 🍑✨ 

Photos of the said meeting:

Congo Ebola Crisis Intensifies as Cases Top 9,000

Confirmed cases in Congo’s Ebola outbreak have surpassed 9,000 as efforts to contain transmission falter, according to health ministry data released Tuesday. 

The ministry reported 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths – a death toll equivalent to nearly half the confirmed cases. The rising death toll has alarmed health workers and authorities, with a large share of recorded deaths occurring outside treatment centres. 

The latest report said “community transmission remains a concern”, with 88 new confirmed cases recorded. 

The outbreak has created new hot spots as it spreads to more communities, with 65 health zones across seven provinces now affected. 

Furthermore, imported cases recorded in Kenya and Uganda have heightened fears of a wider regional escalation. 

Yesterday, Liverpool secured an emphatic 6-3 victory over LASK in an action-packed UEFA Champions League encounter. 

Ronald Araújo opened the scoring for the Reds in the 22nd minute, powering home a towering header off a Kostas Tsimikas corner. 

Just 96 seconds later, Bradley Barcola doubled the lead with his first-ever goal for the club, before striking again in the 37th minute by latching onto a sharp Florian Wirtz pass to make it 3-0 before half-time. 

The momentum continued in the 51st minute when Jeremie Frimpong nodded in Liverpool's fourth. 

Although the Austrian side pulled one back twelve minutes later, Barcola quickly completed his magnificent hat-trick in the 66th minute, burying a Frimpong assist. 

Lewis Koumas extended the clinical lead just six minutes later. 

A quick-fire late brace from LASK (74', 77') added late drama, closing out a thrilling nine-goal spectacle at 6-3.

In case you're interested to know, the 9 goals between Liverpool and LASK are tied for the 2nd most in a UCL game in the last 5 seasons. The only game in that span to feature more combined goals was FC Bayern Munich thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 (11 combined goals)!

F1 Roars Back to Sepang

The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) generated an economic impact of nearly RM950 million. 

Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari said the race, held from October 02 to 04, attracted approximately 261,000 fans, including an estimated 103,000 on race day. Citing Formula One Management (FOM), he said the race was broadcast internationally and watched by 827 million viewers. 

"More than 97,000 tickets were estimated to have been sold, while more than 50,000 international tourists and about 5,000 foreign workers came to Malaysia for the event", he added. 

Taufiq affirmed the event was made possible through close cooperation between SIC and Bahrain International Circuit, with support from the government and other stakeholders. He asserted the arrival of international spectators also benefited the tourism, hospitality, aviation and small and medium-sized enterprise sectors, while promoting Malaysia as a sporting and investment destination. 

Note: Unlike previous arrangements, Bahrain bore the hosting rights costs, allowing Malaysia to benefit economically from the event.

[Background info: Malaysia's Sepang circuit had hosted a leg of the Formula One championship annually between 1999 and 2017 before being dropped from the calendar amid declining ticket sales and concerns over rising hosting costs. It returned this month as a one-off host for a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, after the race was cancelled at its original venue due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East]. 

Sivasangari Subramaniam completed a sensational five-game comeback against home favorite Fayrouz Aboelkheir yesterday to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the CIB Egyptian Squash Open. Playing in front of the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, the fourth-seeded Malaysian world No. 5 demonstrated immense mental fortitude to recover from a two-game deficit, ultimately triumphing 9–11, 4–11, 11–7, 11–8, 11–7.

The opening phase was an intense, high-paced attacking display from both players. After dropped points at a critical juncture cost her the first game, Sivasangari fell further behind as the seventh-seeded Egyptian dominated the second game. Refusing to back down, the Malaysian star adapted her tactics to take total control of the subsequent games, sealing an incredible 63-minute victory. 

This win marks the Malaysian's first-ever advancement to a PSA Diamond-level tournament semi-final. 

And the result also confirms that Sivasangari will climb to a career-high ranking of world No. 4 next week.