Category: Humans of KL

Marshall Launches Homeline III Series in Malaysia

Marshall, known for its iconic sound and design, is thrilled to introduce the Homeline III Series to Malaysia. Featuring the Acton III, Stanmore III, and Woburn III, this lineup brings Marshall’s legendary rock ’n’ roll sound into homes across the country.

Celebrating Paralympic Excellence: Cheah Liek Hou’s Historic Gold Medal Achievement

At a special event that highlighted the spirit of perseverance and achievement, OMEGA Malaysia’s Vice President, Martin Issing, had the honor of presenting Malaysia’s first gold medalist at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Cheah Liek Hou, with an exclusive OMEGA Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 timepiece.

Cheah Liek Hou gift olympic omega paralympic paris 2024 watch

VI Marching Band Story

“Last year, together with 81 of my students, we as Malaysia won 2nd place at the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) World Championship held in Taiwan.

It was the proudest moment of my life, as the Band Director for the Victoria Institution’s Cadet Corps Band (VICCB), which is the first marching band in Malaysia that started in 1909 – and the oldest in the whole of Southeast Asia.

I am proud of the team. We spent 6 months in preparation, training them to perform at their best. During band camp we spend 8 to 10 hours training, even during Ramadan (fasting month) we would practice after terawih until sahur.

Yes, after sembahyang terawih, from 10pm onwards we would practice until 5am in the morning.

The competition in Taiwan last year was held one month after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, so we didn’t have any time to bond. We had to practice, practice, practice. And they only had 2 weeks off for Raya holiday.

And I actually work full time as a software engineer, so as the band director I had to go and practice with them every weekend to make sure we are ready to compete on an international level.

To motivate them, I told them to do their best, to bring out their ‘A game’, and to not feel regret because we have already practiced and worked together as a team.

‘Don’t let down your teammate’, I would say. And managing 80 different boys from ages 13 to 17 with different behaviours and attitudes to work closely together is not an easy feat!

And in that competition, we broke our record, achieving a score of 91.63 (out of 100), considering that we had 9 judges from the US, Canada, the Netherlands, to name a few. We didn’t think we were able to get that score, and we did, Alhamdulillah.

And even though Taiwan won 1st place, many of our students cried, because we lost by 0.6 points! But I told them that they have done what they have been trained for, they have done all they can.

My dream is to always bring the best out of VI. And as the oldest marching band in Southeast Asia, there are a lot of traditions and standard to uphold so there’s a big shoe to fill.

It all started when I saw my older sister played the trumpet at Sekolah Sri Putri. Afterwards, when I joined Victoria’s Institution, I watched the band perform at Pesta Flora Dataran Merdeka, and was really fascinated. When I got the opportunity to get involved with the marching band during my student days – I picked up the trumpet.

Tapi, I think there’s a negative perception by Malaysians that marching bands aren’t exactly a ‘cool’ thing to do. It is also seen as a ‘Western thing’. And it takes a lot of time to practice.

We don’t just sit for a few hours and then perform. We invest a lot of hours in it, especially with us training outside under the hot sun, and many people don’t want to ‘berhitam’ their skin.

Right now, we’re struggling to get new members to join the band, as student enrolments are also down. And once the Form 5 students graduate, we have to start from scratch, looking for new students to train all over again. New year, new members, new problems. We have to start from 0, it’s quite a struggle for us.

I think you (students) should join a marching band; it is a very athletic activity, you need to have good coordination, memorization of the music notes, and have good body posture so as to march, drum, and to play the flag. Also each musical equipment requires a different skill set, and you should be trained for a minimum of 2 years.

Sometimes disciplining the students can be tough, and cash is lacking, as the instruments are very expensive – the tuba costs from RM20,000 to RM30,000. No sponsors, no band, and maintenance can be expensive as no matter how much we teach the students, the instruments will be damaged and unusable within 3-5 years.

As long as you are passionate about it you will always find time to do so. And the more you get involved, the more you perform, plus with the music and teamwork – the more you will be drawn to it.

And remember, the World Association of Marching Show Bands is the highest competition in the world. You, students, will have stories to tell, as you make the country proud.

If you have the opportunity to do something out of your comfort zone you should totally do it. Don’t be afraid to try everything.

And as long as my service is required by the school, I will continue as long as I can – continuing the tradition and the standards of Victoria Institution’s Cadet Corps Band is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

– Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Victoria God

Connection to God is very personal to each individual. After all, we are all believers in a way for our needs to rely on Him, be it in any way.

Optometry Dreams and Campus Life at UCSI

Kathie studies optometry at UCSI after moving from Sarawak. Despite challenges, she enjoys campus life and has hobbies like baking and drawing.

I Decided To Make Singapore My Home as a Malaysian Girl

I was born and raised in Malaysia, but in 2013, I officially moved to Singapore from Malaysia in 2013 because I had to continue my Bachelor’s Degree here. After I graduated, I married someone local. As someone who has lived here for 10 years, here is my take on the hot-button question: “Why should you move to Singapore?” People say: “The cost of living is higher in Singapore than in Malaysia,” but is it really? Here’s a breakdown of the costs between Singapore and Malaysia. It comes as a surprise to me that the cost of living in Malaysia is higher. This is especially if you consider dollars-to-dollars, ringgit-to-ringgit, without conversion. Here’s one example: In Singapore, if you earn 2,000 SGD and you want to spend SGD 200, you can get Coach or Braun Buffel. If you don’t convert SGD to RM, you can easily afford the international brands with your income. But in Malaysia, if you earn RM2000, the Coach bag is RM600. You’d have to earn three times as much to afford the same lifestyle. How much do you really need to earn to live comfortably in Singapore? My husband and I earn a combined income of SGD 6,000+. A few years ago, we bought a Housing and Development Board (HDB) apartment for SGD 430,000. Since we bought the HDB in a younger area of Sengkang, and we were a young couple under the age of 30, we were qualified to receive a proximity and first-time buyer grant of SGD 90,000. This was actually part of the Singaporean government’s initiative to help first-time home buyers. The amount you receive varies according to how many criterias you hit. Because I am a PR (and my husband is a citizen), we were granted up to $90,000 to purchase our first home in Singapore. We only have to fork out $276 per month in cash for our half-loan (NOT full loan), while the rest is paid using our CPF accounts. This was actually part of the Singaporean government’s initiative to help first-time home buyers, along with other criteria. The amount varies according to how many criterias you hit. We considered ourselves extremely lucky. Not everyone is gonna get $90,000 for their first house. (Editor’s note: Permanent Residents of Singapore enjoy an account called the Central Provident Fund (CPF). You can choose to use your CPF to pay for your housing. They will deduct a certain amount from your monthly salary, and your company will pay 20% of your gross salary, plus an additional 17% into your CPF. There are three accounts in CPF: property, retirement, and medical/hospital use.) “You ACTUALLY have money leftover for savings.” Image: Samantha and her husband live in the Sengkang area, which has nice reservoir views. Our water and electricity is subsidised every three months now due to COVID-19 initiatives. We don’t have a car, as we don’t need one. The public transportation system is more than capable of delivering us from Point A to Point B with minimal last-mile problems. There’s a mall every corner, and a station everywhere. Food is affordable, as we get a CDC (Community Development Council) Voucher of SGD 150 for food at local eateries and SGD 150 at local supermarkets annually for these few years of COVID-19 recovery. Expensive as the individual items are after conversion, when you consider the spending dollar-to-dollar, the income-to-spending ratio in Singapore is more sustainable. To be honest, we have a lot of disposable income left over for savings and personal spending, like going out for meals, shopping, and vacations. We save up to $500 each of our monthly income, with the remaining used for household funds and other monthly expenses. To reiterate: Life in Singapore is definitely more comfortable, especially when you don’t convert the currencies. The standard of living is higher, and we enjoy a more secure and stable lifestyle. “Here are 7 reasons why I chose to live in Singapore as a Malaysian PR.” Image: The interior of the apartment that Samantha and her husband live in. Reason No. 1 – Salaries are generally higher in Singapore, and work conditions are mostly better. Although the job market in Singapore is more competitive than in Malaysia, there are also more opportunities. Reason No. 2 – Singapore’s healthcare is more advanced. Reason No. 3 – There are many Malaysians working in Singapore, so it’s easy to connect with fellow Malaysians. Reason No. 4 – Higher standard of living. Reason No. 5 – Better safety. I can take a bus or train or taxi anytime and anywhere. It’s totally safe to walk alone here at midnight as no one is going to rob me. Reason No. 6 – Public transport is reliable. Reason No. 7 – Good work-life balance. “That being said, the overtime culture in Singapore is a killer.” Image via Canva The most challenging aspects of adapting to life in Singapore is the fast pace of life and the crowded public transportation system. The overtime culture in Singapore is a killer, with people working late into the evening. Usually, I am able to leave on time, with a proper one-hour lunch break. But there are times during the peak season when I work overtime or on weekends to clear urgent tasks. To counter this, Singaporean companies are trying to promote a better work-life balance by being more flexible and avoiding contacting staff on weekends. In comparison, Malaysia is more chill, where the work culture is more laid-back, and people are more likely to socialise and bond with colleagues outside of work hours. I do miss my family in Malaysia. Image of Samantha and her husband getting married in 2021, Shangri-la’s Rasa Sentosa Singapore. One thing I miss is my family in Malaysia. Unlike those across the causeway who can go back on weekends, my hometown is further away. The journey alone will take me half a day by plane. I also miss the lepak lifestyle! I miss sitting at a mamak doing absolutely nothing with friends, no need for any plans or to decide where to go. Over here it feels like we must always plan ahead. It’s hard to find a common free day here. Having said that, I have made my choice and decided that the pros outweigh the cons in moving to Singapore. In summary, moving to Singapore has brought a lot of advantages. The higher income, better job opportunities, and improved quality of life make it worth the move. As much as I miss Malaysia, we are happy with our decision and appreciate the life we have built here in Singapore. Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments. Singapore’s night city view, food, and locals.

A Malaysian girl journeyed from Malaysia to Singapore as a married a local. They shared insights on the cost of living, government support, and quality of life in the Lion City. Discover the advantages, challenges, and emotional considerations of making the move across the border.

currency financial humans of kuala lumpur lifestyle malaysia singapore social storytelling

“I say ‘Ri-Ri-Ri’ when I want the wind to blow and ‘Kubuk-kubuk’ to summon the rain.”

“I say ‘Ri-Ri-Ri’ when I want the wind to blow and ‘Kubuk-kubuk’ to summon the rain. It’s a reminder of my roots in the Orang Asli Temuan tribe.

Sailing Through Adversity: The Remarkable Story of a Hero

My Dad, First Admiral Ramli Samjis, born in 1944 to Javanese immigrant Grandpa Samjis, who was a family man and a hospital clerk. Atuk Samjis passed away when Daddy was 17, leaving his wife and son without a breadwinner. Daddy decided it would be best to drop out of school, before completing form 6. He started looking for a job through the newspaper and came across an ad from the Royal British Navy about recruiting cadet officers for their Far Eastern Fleet to represent Malaya. He made it to the UK. He returned to Malaya in 1964, sent to defend the front from invading Sukarno forces. He found a beautiful Minangkabau wife and became a First Admiral at 39. Later, he became the Chief of Logistics for the Malaysian Armed Forces. Daddy had four sons, including himself, and lived until his 75th birthday. During his peaceful death, he was surrounded by family members and friends he gained during his schooling days. Daddy lived his Navy life with contentment and without regrets, leaving a legacy of service and friendship.

family humans of kuala lumpur malaysia merdeka National Day National Special Operations Force People

“I Became A Sugar Baby After My Parents Stopped Supporting Me Financially, Threatening To Stop My Studies, & Forcing Me To Marry An Old Ustaz”

asia book career dating forced islam jobs kl kuala lumpur lifestyle malaysia money sugar sugar baby sugar daddy sugarbook sugaring university

“The voices in my head can be very loud sometimes.”

“I have been living with schizoaffective disorder for around eight years.

Before the diagnosis I was going through depression and a lot of heartbreaking moments. My friends avoided me and that came loneliness. I was attending a fashion design course and it was way too stressful. I got used to bearing everything on my own. Then everything went downhill.

I experienced voices in my head. Sometimes I feel there is someone behind a door and I will talk into the direction, but in fact, there isn’t anyone. I would use one or two hours just to shower.

My mother noticed the symptoms I was going through and decided to seek help for me. She lied to me that we were going to see an educational psychologist, instead, she made an appointment with a psychiatrist.

Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of bipolar and schizophrenia. The disorder comes with extreme high and low moods in addition to psychosis. I became very paranoid and easily scared. I fear to be abandoned and left behind. The worst situation I have gone through is being alone in KL for three weeks.

The voices in my head can be very loud sometimes. The main voice sounds like a guy and he always feeds me with negative thoughts. He once told me I was not supposed to be where I was because a tsunami would come the next day. He also told me I would get arrested for something I have not even done; someone is out to kill me. More absurd things like my brother have turned into a dog and my sister has committed suicide or die.

The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is suicide prevention. I have tried to strangle myself many years ago and I got admitted to the mental ward hospital. After that, the thought never came back to me.

My ordinary day will be waking up in the morning, showering, and attending my flower arrangement course. I used to see a psychologist but not anymore because the charge is too expensive for us. I am seeing psychiatrist every month at Klang General Hospital and the psychiatric treatment is free. I do meditations and follow a guru who teaches me life lessons. I am also into Mahikari, it is a Japanese religion where you radiate light from your hand as a method of spiritual purification.

What the public can do is to provide support. I think people are afraid to discuss about mental health because of existing stigmas around. People treat me normally and often without being aware of my mental illness. So whenever I did something wrong they would blame me on my laziness and stupidity. I think if people understand different conditions of mental illnesses better, it will be easier to create sympathy in society. A very obvious example is people often misjudge depression as sadness, but I think it is a lot more than that.

I try to participate very actively in my life. I did my first mental health talk with Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) in 2014. Later, I went to Kuantan to present a talk to Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA); I won third prize in essay-writing competition organized by MMHA in conjunction with World Mental Health Day 2015 and was featured in The Star newspaper; I participated in flower arrangement competition among people with disabilities; I wrote a book titled “In My Shoes” about biography of my life; I have also appeared in Astro’s Vinmeen’s VBuzz on television; I have also written a short story in one of MMHA published booklets.

I have a dream which is to have my own flower arrangement shop in the future.”

Photostory and edited by Maxy

hokl humans of kl malaysia Malaysian Mental Health Association mental health MMHA People