The news of his resignation, which became known late Sunday evening received a myriad of reactions, expression of affection and the highest appreciation for the service of Sultan Muhammad V during his reign as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

According to Bernama, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a brief posting on his Facebook paid tribute to and gave the highest appreciation to Sultan Muhammad V on his service as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“We Malaysians pray for his health and that he is protected by Allah. Long live the King! ” he said.

Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar thanked Sultan Muhammad V for giving a full pardon to her father, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“May Malaysia no longer continue having political detainees,” she said on Twitter.

Following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s resignation, netizens have been asking who his successor will be.

Among the comments posted by netizens was one by Syamil Hmd, who said: “Sad Tuanku. But whatever it is, my King sits on the throne to protect the people. Allahuakhbar, Daulat Tuanku.”

Mohd Irwan Shaffii, meanwhile, wrote: “First time in history. Agong steps down. Never happened before.” Another netizen, Shahril Aziz, recalled Sultan Muhammad V’s famous quote which went viral, saying: “Remember Tuanku’s joke at the opening of the Parliament sitting… the hot phrase at that time was ‘sit down, down run’ if you still remember.”

On Sunday, the message remained, but the sartorial choices were far more diverse. Here is a look at some trends from the Globes, the first showbiz awards gala of 2019:

– Pops of color –

Every color of the rainbow was on display at the Beverly Hilton, from the canary yellow on nominees Claire Foy (“First Man”) and Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs Maisel”) to the bold teal Calvin Klein chosen by double acting nominee Amy Adams.

Lady Gaga, a favorite to take home the best drama film actress prize for “A Star Is Born,” stunned in an strapless periwinkle Valentino gown with full puff sleeves and a long train — and blue hair in a bun to match.

A giant diamond choker completed her look — seemingly a throwback to Judy Garland’s style in the 1954 version of “Star.”

Melissa McCarthy, a nominee in the same category for “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” sparkled in deep purple with silver star accents, while Regina King glittered in a shimmering, strapless pink column gown.

– Men rock the rainbow too –

The basic black tux was definitely out on the Globes carpet, with Tinseltown’s stars sporting jackets in a rainbow of colors.

British star Idris Elba slayed in an emerald green jacket and waistcoat, while nominee Darren Criss (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”) opted for a black and white floral pattern.

“Star” director/actor Bradley Cooper went for a classic white dinner jacket, and nominated director Spike Lee rocked up in head-to-toe purple, including his beret.

– Time’s Up, year two –

It’s been a year since the Time’s Up movement to combat sexual harassment in the workplace was launched. After last year’s all-black statement, this year is all about the bracelets.

White and black “Time’s Up X 2” bracelets were seen on everyone from double nominee Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Seven Seconds”) to Elba, whose daughter Isan is helping to hand out the awards.

Others wore pins, or even carried ribbons with the message.

– Old Hollywood –

Globes host Sandra Oh, who is up for an award for her starring role in BBC America TV thriller “Killing Eve,” swooped her hair into finger waves a la Veronica Lake and donned a white-hot Versace gown — oozing the glamour of old Hollywood.

Amy Adams — a double acting nominee for her work in biopic “Vice” as the wife of former vice president Dick Cheney and on dark HBO drama “Sharp Objects” — wowed in a simple turquoise, off-the-shoulder gown, her red hair also side-swept into soft curls.

The report states that international outbound trips grew by 6% worldwide in the first eight months of the year, with Asia and South America recording the highest increase.

Also, after a decline in the past few years, European outbound travel increased by 5% in the first eight months of this year.

Here are the top destinations that tourists from around the world travelled to in 2018.

Top 3 in Asia

According to travel booking portal Agoda, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia are the third most-booked city and country, in Asia. Japan is the top most-booked country, and Thailand the second. Bangkok and Tokyo are in first and second place for most-booked city.

Other Asian cities that are popular with travellers this year include Hong Kong, Osaka, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Bali and Pattaya.

In Europe, the top countries for travellers in 2018 are Britain, Italy and France.

The top three European cities are London, Paris and Rome, while Barcelona, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Milan, Madrid, Venice and Prague also made the list.

In the United States, top cities for travellers are Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando San Francisco, Chicago, Phoenix, Houston, Oahu (Hawaii) and San Diego.

Although different destinations are popular with travellers from different areas, globally, the top cities that travellers visited in 2018 are Bangkok, London and Las Vegas.

The top destination countries for travellers from Europe are Britain, Thailand and the US, while the top destination cities are London, Bangkok and Pattaya.

Australian travellers favour Australia, Indonesia and Japan as their top destination countries, with their most-booked cities being Bali, Sydney and Melbourne.

Chinese travellers prefer China, Japan and Thailand, with their top destination cities being Hong Kong, Tokyo and Bangkok.

Japanese travellers meanwhile prefer Japan, Thailand and South Korea, with their top destination cities being Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul.

Popular with Singaporeans

Melaka is the third most popular city for Malaysian travellers, and also a popular destination city for Singaporean travellers, according to Agoda. Pictured here is the Dutch Red Square in Melaka. Photo: Tourism Malaysia

For visitors from Asia Pacific, Malaysia ranks #1 as a destination country for Singapore travellers, favouring places like Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.

Malaysia ranks #2 as a destination country for Indonesian travellers who enjoy travelling to KL.

How about Malaysian travellers?

Malaysians prefer to travel domestically in 2018.

For travels overseas, their top destination countries are Thailand and Indonesia.

The top destination cities booked by Malaysians this year are KL, Penang, Melaka, Johor Baru, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok (Thailand), Ipoh, Cameron Highlands, Kuching, and Kuantan.

Rahaf Mohammed M Alqunun told AFP she was stopped by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials when she arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport and her travel document was forcibly taken from her, a claim backed by Human Rights Watch.

“They took my passport,” she told AFP, adding that her male guardian had reported her for traveling “without his permission”.

Rahaf said she was trying to flee her family, who subjected her to physical and psychological abuse.

“My family is strict and locked me in a room for six months just for cutting my hair,” she said, adding that she is certain she will be imprisoned if she is sent back.

“I’m sure 100 percent they will kill me as soon as I get out of the Saudi jail,” she said, adding that she was “scared” and “losing hope”.

Rahaf was stopped from entering Thailand when she flew in from Kuwait on Sunday, Thailand’s immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told AFP.

“She had no further documents such as return ticket or money,” he said, adding that Rahaf was currently in an airport hotel.

“She ran away from her family to avoid marriage and she is concerned she may be in trouble returning to Saudi Arabia. We sent officials to take care of her now,” he said.

He added that Thai authorities had contacted the “Saudi Arabia embassy to coordinate”.

But Rahaf disputed his account, saying that she was in transit to seek asylum in Australia, where she claimed to have a visa, and was accosted by Saudi and Kuwaiti embassy representatives when she deplaned in Suvarnabhumi airport.

Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phil Robertson decried the actions of the Thai authorities.

“What country allows diplomats to wander around the closed section of the airport and seize the passports of the passengers?” he said, adding that there is “impunity” within the family unit in Saudi Arabia to abuse women.

Immigration head Surachate said Rahaf would be sent back to Saudi Arabia by Monday morning.

“It’s a family problem,” he said of the case.

Another Saudi woman, Dina Ali Lasloom, was stopped in transit in the Philippines in April 2017 when she attempted to flee her family.

An airline security official told activists that Lasloom was heard “screaming and begging for help” as men carried her “with duct tape on her mouth, feet and hands” at the airport.

The Saudi embassy in Thailand and officials in Riyadh could not be reached for immediate comment.

Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first time a king has stepped aside during his five-year term in the Muslim-majority country.

The national palace confirmed the resignation with immediate effect of the 49-year-old, who had been on the throne for two years and was known for his fondness for four-wheel driving and other extreme sports.

“His majesty tells the people of Malaysia to continue to be united to maintain unity, tolerance, and work together,” said a statement from the Comptroller of the Royal Household, Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Malaysia’s Islamic rulers will now meet to decide on the next king.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

The system has been in place since independence from Britain in 1957.

Royal officials gave no reason for Sultan Muhammad V’s move but there had been a question mark over the king’s reign since he went on leave for medical treatment in November.

Reports in British and Russian media then surfaced saying that he had married the former Miss Moscow in the Russian capital in a lavish ceremony.

Royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumoured marriage, or given any details about the state of the king’s health.

Speculation intensified about the king’s future after his medical leave officially finished at the end of December, and the country’s Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting last week.

– Command great respect –

While their role is ceremonial, Malaysia’s Islamic royalty command great respect, especially from Muslim Malays, and criticising them is strictly forbidden.

Sultan Muhammad V studied at St Cross College at Oxford and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, according to official media.

He is known for a relaxed public persona, taking part in walkathons to promote health, and has been photographed wearing a baseball cap backwards.

According to a report from official news agency Bernama at the time of his enthronement, he “fills his free time by reading and has an interest in extreme sports such as four-wheel drive expeditions and endurance challenges and shooting”.

He is also the ceremonial ruler of the conservative Islamic northern state of Kelantan.

The palace statement said he was “ready to return home to the state of Kelantan to be together with the state government and… the Kelantanese people”.

The palace did not indicate when the Islamic rulers would meet to pick the next king. During his leave of absence, the ruler of western Perak state had been carrying out his duties.

Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military.

Malaysia’s sultans trace a lineage back to Malay sultanates of the 15th century. The king is referred to as Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or “He Who Is Made Lord”.

Meanwhile the Star quoted Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Wan Ahmad Dahlan Ab. Aziz as saying the King has resigned from his post in line with Article 32(3) of the Federal Constitution.

“His Majesty has informed this matter officially to the Malay Rulers through a letter issued to the secretary of the Conference of Rulers,” said Wan Ahmad in a statement on Sunday (Jan 6).

Wan Ahmad said the King, through his time in office has tried to fulfill his responsibilities as the Head of State, and played a part as an anchor of stability, source of justice, basis of unity and uniting factor among the rakyat.

The King has offered his thanks to the other Malay Rulers who had chosen him as the 15^th Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Dec 13, 2016.

He has also expressed his highest appreciation to the Prime Minister and the Federal government for their cooperation.

“As the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Majesty is very proud with the sacrifices and loyalty that has been shown to His Majesty and the country all this while,” said Wan Ahmad.

Wan Ahmad said His Majesty has decreed that Malaysians continue to remain united, practice compromise and work together in shouldering the responsibilities towards this sovereign nation so Malaysia will continue to be in peace and harmony.

The King has prepared to return to his home state of Kelantan to be with the State government and the people of Kelantan to help uplift the state further.

Bradner, a recent graduate of the University of Mississippi, had been living in Surat Thani province on Thailand’s southern peninsula teaching primary school students English for two months when she started feeling weak.

The South China Morning Post reported that Bradner was diagnosed with “Guillain Barré Syndrome”, a rare disease that causes people’s immune system to attack their nerves, which could cause paralysis lasting months or even years.

Caroline’s family found that her travel insurance would not cover her cost of repatriation as she would require special seating and assistance during the flight.

However, a GoFundMe campaign by her family raised over US$76,000, enabling her to return home to her family in Virginia.

Her sister revealed that she had started feeling the symptoms the day before.

“She started feeling weak and it became hard for her to walk.

“What started as muscle weakness in her abdomen, worsened into paralysis over the course of two days.”

Source: thethaiger.com

Rahaf Mohammed M Alqunun “ran away from her family to avoid marriage and she is concerned she may be in trouble returning to Saudi Arabia”, Thailand’s immigration chief Surachate Hakparn told AFP, adding that Thai authorities contacted the “Saudi Arabia embassy to coordinate”.

Rahaf and Human Rights Watch told AFP she was stopped by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials when she arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport and her passport was forcibly taken from her.

Sultan Muhammad V’s decision marks the first time a king has abdicated in the Muslim-majority country since it gained independence from Britain in 1957.

“The National Palace informs that his majesty has resigned as the 15th king effective January 6,” said a statement from the palace.

It did not give any reason for the 49-year-old royal’s move.

    But there had been a question mark over the reign of the king, who ascended to the throne in December 2016, since he took a leave of absence for medical treatment in November.

Reports then circulated online that he had married a former Miss Moscow in Russia — although royal officials in Malaysia have so far not commented on the rumours.

Speculation intensified about his future this week when the country’s Islamic royals reportedly held a special meeting.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with an unique arrangement where the throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the nine Malaysian states headed by centuries-old Islamic royalty.

According to sources close to the case, grand jury proceedings are secret, so it was unclear what DiCaprio told grand jurors and how authorities got him into and out of the federal courthouse without drawing notice.

The report added that prosecutors consider DiCaprio a witness who can provide useful insights about Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho or better known as Jho Low who is alleged to have laundered billions of dollars from the investment fund and then financed a lobbying campaign to end the investigation.

DiCaprio is, however, not a target of the probe.

A US Department of Justice (DoJ) spokesman and a representative for DiCaprio declined to comment.

DiCaprio’s spokesman has in the past said the actor was cooperating with the probe and was “entirely supportive of all efforts to assure that justice is done in this matter.”

The US DoJ had launched a probe following claims that stolen Malaysian public money was laundered through the US financial system, and filed lawsuits seeking some US$1.7bil (RM7bil) in assets allegedly purchased with the cash.

In its civil suits, the department said more than US$4.5bil (RM18.5bil) was stolen from 1MDB by high-level officials at the fund and their associates between 2009 and 2015.

Tens of millions of dollars in stolen money was used in 2012 by former prime ministerr Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s stepson Riza Aziz, an aspiring film producer, to fund the Hollywood film The Wolf of Wall Street, starring DiCaprio.

Hundreds of millions were used, mainly by Riza and Low, to purchase high-end real estate in Beverly Hills, New York and London, a Monet painting for US$35mil (RM144mil), a Van Gogh for US$5.5mil (RM22.6mil), a US$35mil (RM144mil) Bombardier jet, a US$100mil (RM411mil) stake in EMI Music Publishing, and a US$250mil yacht (RM1bil).

Local police have filed criminal charges against Low and his father over money allegedly stolen from 1MDB.

1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is a state investment fund which Najib launched in 2009 shortly after becoming Malaysia’s prime minister.

Its portfolio has included power plants and other energy assets in Malaysia and the Middle East, and real estate in Kuala Lumpur. The fund was closely overseen by Najib.

That was Sunway Malls’ declaration as it started 2019 by saying “goodbye” to plastic straws.

In line with the Government’s decision to ban plastic straws in the Federal Territories, Sunway Malls has introduced metal straws which can be redeemed from participating malls.

Its decision to “break up” with plastic straws is congruent with its pledge for a greener future.

Some of the tenants are also doing away with plastic straws as well.

Aside from metal, biodegradable paper straws are available at Maison de Gigi, Caffe Bene Malaysia, Juicy Fresh Juice Bar, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Other shops such as Coffea Coffee, Chai Yó, Regiustea, NY Steak Shack, PappaRich, Sunny Queen, Ten Years, Madam Kwan’s and Starbucks have also introduced sustainable options to replace plastic straws.

Some tenants have decided to remove plastic straws altogether while some are rewarding customers who bring their own straws.

Shoppers simply need to spend RM100 in two receipts to be eligible to redeem their personal metal straws from the concierge counters of each mall.

The metal straws can be redeemed at Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity Mall, Sunway Putra Mall and Sunway Carnival Mall.

“Out with the plastic, in with the metal! We are excited to introduce metal straws which will be available to shoppers with a very minimal spend when they come to Sunway Malls,” said Sunway Malls chief operation officer Kevin Tan.

“With metal straws, we hope to instil a greater sense of responsibility and sustainability towards the environment through a conscious effort of reducing daily plastic consumption in our shoppers lives.

“This is a part of our continuous effort for the betterment of the future and we hope our shoppers will also see the value in this campaign.

“A little change goes a long way.”