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MALAYSIA is keen on mending ties with North Korea though the Asian Cup qualifier between both nations after diplomatic relations between Putrajaya and Pyongyang soured following Kim Jong-nam's murder at klia2 on Feb 13. It is learnt a "very senior government official" would like for the match to carry on at the Kim Il-sung Stadium on Oct 5, after it was postponed twice from its original date of March 28 due to geo-political tensions. Malaysia and North Korea withdrew their representatives from their respective embassies following the saga. The Malaysian Embassy in Pyongyang is being operated by the locals. None of the Malaysian staff have returned to the isolated nation. It is also understood officials from North Korea, had during the Fifa Congress in Bahrain in May, invited the FA of Malaysia (FAM) to visit the country and its stadium ahead of the match.  It remains unclear if FAM will take up the offer. But as far as the Asian Football Confederati

Saloma Bistro at MaTiC Questions have been raised over the fate of Saloma Bistro &Theater Restaurant at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur following plans to redevelop the area. It is learnt the management was recently told their 15 year lease, awarded in 2002, will not be renewed in August. The restaurant, with a staff strength of over 30, is no longer accepting reservations for events after Sept 1. It remains unclear if the restaurant will operate else where. Saloma has been a venue for various national-level events and concerts, the most recent being the Ben Nathan Kasih dan Harapan concert. The 82-year-old colonial building, located next to Saloma, and Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman had their  heritage status removed  last December, barely six months after it was gazetted as "Warisan" on the National Heritage Register. Badan Warisan Malaysia was among those critical of the move to revoke the heritage status. In a  statement

Picture from Hafiz Hashim's Facebook National shuttler Hafiz Hashim said he is willing to give up playing and turn to coaching if the deal with the BA of Malaysia (BAM) is right. The 2003 All-England men’s singles champion met BAM technical director Morten Frost this morning over the possibility of coaching the national women’s singles team. "I just met Frost and everything went well. It sounded positive," said Hafiz. "I've not accepted anything yet. There are still several details to look into, especially my salary and sponsorship deals. As you know I'm still playing and have obligations. "I'm willing to give up playing, if the deal is right," he added. Hafiz, 34, said there will be another meeting between him and Frost "soon". "If the terms are right, then I'll be looking at joining BAM after the SEA Games, by September perhaps." Hafiz has been playing for Petaling Jaya Badminton Club in the Purple L

Travel channel GoAsean is no longer available on Astro starting today. It is understood those behind GoAsean requested that they be removed from channel 737. It remains unclear why, despite claims by certain quarters the pull out was due to "monetary issues". The 24-hour travel channel, brainchild of Prime Minister Najib Razak, was launched in 2014, as reported in NST . Its objective is to promote tourism and boost economy within the Asean region and is the world's first Asean travel platform. It wasn't smooth sailing for Astro in the early days, as insiders once revealed - a drama best kept for another day. GoAsean, however, continues to post interesting destinations in the region on its website  which has won international awards . Meanwhile, Sarawak withdraws its representative in the Malaysian Tourism Board with immediate effect - the other pull out of the day. Reason? The spat between Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz  and his Sarawak c

Picture by Sinar Harian Former FA of Malaysia ( FAM )  deputy president  Datuk Seri  Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja  Omar passed away at a private hospital in Ipoh this morning. He was 69. FAM general secretary Datuk Hamidin Amin said Raja Ahmad "was hospitalised for several days for high fever and pains in his stomach. "He then slipped into a comma. I've just informed our president (Tunku Ismail Ibrahim) and we're trying to get more details of his death," Hamidin added. Raja Ahmad also best known for being the team manager for Perak in the 90s. He was Director of Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji and its subsidiaries from 2001 to 2004.  He served as the Larut Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2008. He also served as the Batu Kurau, Perak State  Assemblyman.  .

Nurses and other hospital staff do end up being victims too. — MIMS I injured my thumb several weeks ago and have been undergoing regular physiotherapy sessions. During my last visit to the hospital, I was joined by a nurse, in her 30s, who works at the same hospital. She underwent a surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome recently. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among nurses. Carpal tunnel syndrome - involves the compression of the median nerve and leads to pain, numbness or weakness of the wrist and hand. - Women are three times more likely than men to have the condition. - In 2010, about eight out of every 100,000 full time hospital workers had work-related carpal tunnel syndrome that was severe enough to require days away from work, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. A research titled ' Occupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome among nurses in medical ' by UKM's Anuar Ithnin, Dinnee Kong and Saraswathy Venkataraman, published