Sign language learning session special attraction at RTM booth
KUALA LUMPUR: The Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) booth at the 2025 HAWANA Carnival stands out by offering an interactive sign language learning session, providing visitors with an opportunity to better understand and connect with the culture of the Deaf and disabled community.
RTM sign language interpreter Tan Lee Bee said the initiative not only provides visitors with an opportunity to learn sign language, but also exposes them to the unique culture of the deaf community.
'The public can come and learn sign language. For anyone or broadcasting station with interest, they can start by taking a basic course, followed by training and interacting with the deaf community to better understand their communication culture.
'Over time, they will become more skilled and have the potential to become sign language interpreters like me,' she said when met at the lobby of Sunway Putra Mall here.
Lee said mastering sign language is not just about memorising hand gestures, but rather requires a deep understanding of the facial expressions, body language and communication culture of the deaf, which is different from the general public.
'To be a good interpreter, one has to be close and familiar with the deaf community. From there, we can understand how they communicate more accurately and convey the true meaning through signs.
'Maybe one day, we can broadcast news delivered by deaf individuals themselves using sign language. Who knows, the time will come for TV stations to feature news presenters from this community,' she said.
A visitor at the carnival, K. Ariaratnam, 77, who is a government retiree, described the HAWANA 2025 Carnival stall as having beneficial content, especially in helping to obtain information on cybersecurity.
'I read in the newspaper yesterday that there was a HAWANA carnival here, so I came to see the stall regarding the media. I was amazed because I saw many initiatives that I could share with my children and grandchildren.
' I was at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) booth just now and only found out about the existence of Sebenarnya.my to get the authenticity of the news, as well as about the 997 hotline to report scam crimes,' he said.
The HAWANA 2025 Carnival, being held for three days since last Friday, is part of this year's National Journalist Day (HAWANA) celebration, with the culminating ceremony held yesterday and officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL).
The HAWANA 2025 celebration, organised by the Ministry of Communications with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as the implementing agency, aims to recognise the role and contribution of media practitioners in the country's development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Siti Nurhaliza to debut new song at Singapore concert
Singaporean fans of Siti Nurhaliza are in for a treat, as the Malaysian pop queen will debut a new song at her Singapore Indoor Stadium concert on July 26. 'Singapore has always been special,' she tells The Straits Times in a Zoom interview conducted in Malay from her office in Kuala Lumpur on June 16. 'If you look back at my past concerts there, I've always had some exclusive performances. So, yes, I have a new song. It hasn't been released yet, and I plan to debut it exclusively at the concert.' The 46-year-old declines to reveal its title, but teases it is a ballad. The upcoming gig comes two decades after she last performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. She has staged concerts here multiple times, including two nights at The Star Theatre in June 2024, as well as a show with Canadian songwriter and producer David Foster, also at The Star Theatre, in 2023. The Singapore Indoor Stadium, which can accommodate up to 12,000 people, is larger than her usual Singapore venues, so fans can expect 'a big sound', says the singer behind pop hits such as Aku Cinta Padamu, Purnama Merindu and Bukan Cinta Biasa. '(The place) holds so many memories for me. It's a huge venue and that makes the responsibility even bigger. We're bringing a mini orchestra to deliver a more powerful sound. 'I'm thankful to return to Singapore for this concert. I promise fans a performance they will never forget. This time, I'll sing songs I rarely perform, and some that have never been performed live.' One of Malaysia's most decorated musicians, the Pahang-born music star was awarded the Biduanita Negara accolade in November 2024. She is the third artiste to receive the title, after late Malay singing icons Saloma and Sharifah Aini. She also holds the title of Datuk Seri in Malaysia. Siti made her debut after winning a national singing contest by television station Radio Televisyen Malaysia in 1995. The upcoming concert is part of a series of events, including an exhibition at shopping centre Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, that kicked off in March to celebrate her three decades in music. She is still one of the top singers in Malaysia and was the most streamed local artiste among Spotify listeners in the country in 2024. In March, her 2018 song Anta Permana was included in a playlist of favourite songs by British monarch King Charles III, who described her as an 'outstanding Malaysian artiste'. Her 20th full-length album, Sitism , was released in 2023. Her follow-up, she reveals, will focus on traditional Malay music, and she is in the process of gathering songs from both seasoned and new composers. 'What I'll never forget is the loyalty of my fans – that's something that can't be replaced,' she says of the highlight of her long entertainment career. 'After 30 years, if Gen Z recognises my name, that's the biggest honour for me.' She is touched when a new generation of artistes cite her as a role model and influence, but insists she also learns from her younger counterparts. Her Singapore show, for example, will feature guest singer Hael Husaini, the 37-year-old Malaysian known for pop and R&B hits such as Jampi. 'They give me fresh ideas. Experienced artistes shouldn't think we know everything, we need to collaborate.' Besides her singing career, she is also a successful entrepreneur whose business empire spans cosmetics, clothes, and food and beverage. She married businessman Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, better known as Datuk K, in 2006. The couple have a seven-year-old daughter, Siti Aafiyah, and four-year-old son, Muhammad Afwa. Juggling motherhood and work is not easy, she admits. 'I've been trained since a young age to be disciplined. It's in my blood now,' she says on how she strikes a balance. 'But I still need rest and time with my children. I also take them to every concert – they are my motivation to give my best on stage.' Show business is a tough industry, she acknowledges, which is why it is not something she would recommend for her kids. 'In my heart, I hope they don't follow the path of becoming singers, even if they have the talent.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Former K-pop singer Taeil admits to rape charge, might face 7 years in jail
SEOUL: Taeil, formerly of the K-pop boy band NCT, admitted on June 18 to rape charges stemming from an incident in 2024 involving an intoxicated woman. Prosecutors have requested a seven-year prison sentence. According to The Korea Herald yesterday, Taeil, 31, and two accomplices faced trial at the Seoul Central District Court for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. They are charged with special quasi-rape, which applies when two or more individuals engage in sexual acts with someone who is unconscious or unable to resist. A conviction for this charge carries a minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of life imprisonment. When asked by the judge if he acknowledged the charges, Taeil replied, "I admit to all the charges." His two co-defendants also pleaded guilty. The court has scheduled the sentencing hearing for July 10. The indictment states that Taeil, whose full name is Moon Tae-il, and his acquaintances met a Chinese woman in Itaewon, Seoul, in June 2024. The woman became heavily intoxicated after drinking with them. Taeil reportedly helped escort her out of the bar and placed her in a taxi with one of the co-defendants, identified as Lee, sending her to Lee's home. Taeil and another friend, Hong, followed in a separate vehicle. The alleged assault took place at Lee's residence. Taeil was questioned by the police in August 2024, and his then-agency, SM Entertainment, subsequently released a statement announcing his departure from NCT. He was indicted for alleged sexual assault in October 2024.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Former K-pop singer Taeil admits to rape charge
Former NCT member Taeil admitted on June 18 to rape charges in a case involving an intoxicated woman in 2024. Photo: Taeil/Instagram Taeil, a former member of K-pop boy band NCT, admitted on June 18 to rape charges in a case involving an intoxicated woman in 2024. Prosecutors requested a seven-year prison sentence. During the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court, Taeil, 31, and two accomplices were tried for violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes. Specifically, they face charges of special quasi-rape, which applies when two or more people engage in sexual acts with someone in a state of unconsciousness or unable to resist. The charge carries a minimum of seven years and a maximum life sentence if convicted. Asked by the judge whether he acknowledged the charges, Taeil replied: 'I admit to all the charges.' His two co-defendants also pleaded guilty. The court has scheduled the sentencing hearing for July 10. According to the indictment, Taeil, whose full name is Moon Tae-il, and his acquaintances met a Chinese woman in Itaewon, Seoul, in June 2024. The woman became heavily intoxicated after drinking with them. Taeil helped escort her out of the bar and placed her in a taxi with one of the co-defendants, identified as Lee, sending her to Lee's home. Taeil and another friend, Hong, followed in a separate vehicle. The alleged assault occurred at Lee's residence. Taeil was questioned by the police in August 2024 and his then agency SM Entertainment released a statement announcing his departure from NCT. He was indicted for alleged sexual assault in October 2024. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
