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Borneo Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
13 Kuching chefs gear up for Culinary World Cup in Ipoh this June 27
(Seated, from second left) Jordan Wee, Wee, Lai, and others pose for a group photo during the press conference. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 13): Kuching is set to make waves on the national and international culinary stage once again as 13 local chefs prepare to represent the city at the second edition of the Malaysia Culinary World Cup (MCWC), to be held from June 27 to 29, at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah in Meru Raya, Ipoh. The event, organised by the Malaysia Bersatu Culinary Association (MBCA) in collaboration with the Global Chef Union (GCU), will gather nearly 800 culinary entries from over 26 countries, including the United States, Australia, and nations in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the city's participation in the MCWC reflects its commitment as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy to preserve, promote, and innovate Sarawak's diverse food heritage. 'This is more than just a culinary competition – it is a platform to celebrate the identity, stories, and creativity of Sarawak cuisine on a global stage,' he said during the press conference at Annie Kolo Mee here yesterday. Among the chefs representing Kuching are Annie Wee from Annie Kolo Mee, showcasing Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee; Wilson Voon from Da Pu Hakka Noodle, presenting Hakka Noodles; Robbie Richard from Little Fairy Cafe & Fairy Tavern, Lana Akam and Janncy Nyohim from Fairy Tavern, presenting Borneo Cuisine; Kim Bong from Mee Too, highlighting Kolo Mee; and Benny Huang from Xian Corner, presenting seafood cuisine. Also competing are Alvin Chin, who is Team Manager at Jordan's Signature Catering, along with teammates Yeo Ing Siang, Awang Mohd Safwan, Bradley Allan Jerome, Nicholas Banta Paul, and Nadia Tan. Their competition categories include modern Western poultry, mooncakes, seafood, mee goreng mamak, char kueh tiaw, and Malaysian Laksa. Adding prestige to the team are Chef Julian Lai from Little Hainan and Chef Jordan Wee, who will serve as MBCA committee members and judges at the event. Wee expressed pride in the team and their dedication to showcasing the true flavours of Kuching to the world, from traditional noodles to inventive modern creations. 'We wish our chefs all the very best. May they not only bring home medals, but also inspire others to appreciate and reimagine our culinary heritage in bold, creative ways,' he said. The MCWC is supported by Tourism Perak, the National Archives of Malaysia, the Ipoh City Council, and the Perak State Development Corporation. Highlighting the scale of the event, MBCA committee member Julian Lai said the MCWC will feature 65 competition categories judged by 115 professionals – 60 local and 55 international. Beyond the competition, visitors can look forward to a festive atmosphere similar to Kuching Festival, with 80 food stalls offering a variety of local and international dishes. 'It's not just for those competing. The public can also come, relax, and enjoy the food – just like what we have during the Kuching Festival, but this one is in Ipoh,' Lai added. Ipoh Kuching Malaysia Culinary World Cup
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Foreign labour pangs
Trafficking foreign workers into Malaysia is becoming a big business. Errant employers and corrupt officers in cahoots with multinational syndicates are profiting at the expense of foreign workers. Most, if not all, of these foreign workers are duped into coming here. On June 2, a record 279 foreigners — 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indians — were turned back at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) for failing to meet immigration requirements. And here is the worry: according to the agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad, the case may be just the tip of the iceberg. So what we see is not what we get. Between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 foreign workers were issued Not-To-Land Orders (NTLs), he told the New Straits Times. How many slipped through MBCA's net remains a mystery. Clearly, Malaysia wants to curb human trafficking, but issuing NTLs and adopting stricter border controls alone won't solve the problem. There is no denying that there are many factors behind the thriving illegal business. But the driving factor is the demand for cheap foreign labour by miscreant employers who work with syndicates at home and abroad. It is here that the authorities must begin. Blacklisting rogue employers would be a good start. Next is government-to-government collaboration between Malaysia and source countries, without which it would be impossible to root out trafficking of foreign workers. Neither Malaysia nor sending countries can deny that syndicates are at work in both places. Such collaboration must involve each taking responsibility to stamp out such syndicates, including weeding out corrupt enforcement officers. This must be followed by bilateral agreements. The Philippines-Malaysia memorandum of understanding for domestic workers offers a strong model, clearly outlining minimum wages and employer responsibilities. Our industry players must not outsource such responsibilities to third parties, a major flaw that contributes to foreign workers becoming undocumented workers in Malaysia. Equally important is to seriously think about our excessive dependence on foreign labour. For sure, demand for foreign workers isn't going to go away by decree. We have become too reliant on them to say that by this or that year we will reduce our intake. Here is why. The Human Resources Ministry last year said there were 2.3 million foreign workers in various sectors such as manufacturing (730,999), construction (646,508), services (394,739), plantation (263,151), agriculture (171,103), domestic work (100,675) and mining and quarrying (571), making up 14.6 per cent of Malaysia's total workforce. With this level of dependence, it isn't easy to reduce our reliance on foreign labour in a few years. Perhaps, what is needed is for policymakers and industry players to plan together for a phased reduction of foreign workers. To compel businesses to hurry with automation would meet with strong resistance. Because automation isn't cheap for many businesses in Malaysia. Large plantations, for example, can afford automation, but smallholders may need incentives such as tax relief. If we can shower such benefits on foreign investors, there isn't a reason why we can't do the same for local businesses.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Checks stepped up at KLIA to better handle Not-To-Land cases
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) has ramped up checks at the country's main gateway as part of its long-term strategy to better manage Not-To-Land (NTL) cases. Agency acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said more personnel have been deployed to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to strengthen on-ground surveillance. The reinforcements include teams from MBCA's Quick Response Team (QRT), particularly during peak hours. "This approach has proven effective in bolstering on-ground capacity, enabling us to handle the high number of cases without requiring additional permanent staff," he told the New Straits Times. He said MBCA was also improving risk profiling to identify high-risk travellers before arrival and fostering closer collaboration with local and international agencies to detect suspicious travel patterns early. Sazali added that the agency supported increased investment in automated border control systems, such as autogates, at major entry points as part of a broader, long-term solution. "These automated systems not only ease congestion during peak periods but also reduce risks linked to human error and potential misuse of authority at manual immigration counters." Sazali said expanding the workforce with new recruits would have long-term financial implications, whereas technological upgrades offer more sustainable, secure and transparent border control solutions. MBCA's KLIA strategy, he said, could be used as a template for other international entry points, including Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Johor Baru. In addition, MBCA is working with foreign embassies, airlines, the Tourism Ministry and other agencies to raise awareness about Malaysia's entry requirements, travel procedures and the risks of using fraudulent visa agents. "These efforts are designed to ensure travellers are better informed before arrival," he said. "Together, they help prevent illegal entry and uphold the integrity of Malaysia's borders. "This also protects travellers from exploitation, reduces NTL incidents and ensures a safer and more orderly entry process, especially for visitors from countries subject to more detailed scrutiny." Sazali said the agency placed greater focus on diplomatic engagement with embassies of high-risk countries, such as Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, to reduce misunderstandings and improve compliance. "We've already initiated active communication with the Pakistani embassy and aim to expand diplomatic cooperation with other nations.
New Straits Times
07-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Syndicate suspected behind bid to traffic 279 foreigners via KLIA
KUALA LUMPUR: A syndicate is believed to be behind an attempt to traffic 279 foreigners into Malaysia via Kuala Lumpur International Airport last week. The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA), which foiled the attempt by issuing a record number of Not-To-Land (NTL) orders, believes the case may be just the tip of the iceberg. The agency's acting director-general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said the foreigners issued NTLs on June 2 displayed travel patterns consistent with past illegal entries linked to trafficking syndicates. "We found repeated red flags, identical travel itineraries, scripted responses and questionable documentation," he told the New Straits Times. "This strongly suggests a coordinated effort, possibly involving trafficking networks or illegal syndicates." On Tuesday, MBCA said it recorded its highest number of NTLs in a single day, denying entry to 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis and six Indian citizens who failed to meet immigration requirements. The foreigners, detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, were immediately deported. That team was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers. Previously, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the cabinet had discussed how immigration and airports handle NTL cases. He said NTLs were issued for various reasons, including being blacklisted or failing to show proof of visit purpose — such as a visa, return flight ticket or hotel accommodation — as required under immigration regulations. "The NTL decision was made in the interest of safeguarding Malaysia's borders and the integrity of its immigration system," said Sazali. He added that Sections 8 and 28 of the Immigration Act empowered authorities to refuse entry to individuals deemed unqualified or suspicious. Sazali said apart from suspected syndicate links, NTLs were also issued to travellers who fail to meet key immigration requirements, such as a clear travel purpose, sufficient funds, valid documentation and verifiable accommodation. He said these anomalies were consistent with those used by organised groups, though investigations are ongoing. MORE NTL s DURING PEAK PERIODS, HOLIDAYS Sazali said between June 2023 and May last year, 25,568 NTL cases were recorded nationwide, with the highest numbers logged during public holidays and school breaks. "The busiest months were July 2023 (2,358 cases) and August 2023 (2,224 cases)," he said. Sazali said the spike was no coincidence. "Peak travel seasons often provide cover for irregular movements. We are now using enhanced profiling and real-time data to detect these threats at the source," he said. He said MBCA primarily relied on the Immigration Department's MyIMMs system, which automatically flags travellers on watch lists, blacklists or with known criminal records, and generates real-time alerts for immediate action. "This allows officers to make immediate, informed decisions on whether to hold or deny entry for further checks. "The system is particularly valuable during peak travel periods when quick and accurate assessments are essential." He added that MBCA was working with foreign embassies and airlines to manage NTLs. "We engage embassies to verify travellers' identities and provide consular support. "We also work with airlines to arrange return flights, provide meals, and manage temporary care for individuals denied entry. "Such coordination helps prevent confusion and ensures airport operations remain orderly, even during high-traffic periods."
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Record 279 foreigners blocked from entering Malaysia in one day
SEPANG: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA) recorded its highest number of Not-To-Land (NTL) actions in a single day after denying entry to 279 foreigners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday. In a statement today, the agency said those denied entry included 240 Bangladeshis, 33 Pakistanis, and six Indian nationals. All were deported after failing to meet immigration requirements. "The individuals were sent back to their countries of origin immediately after documentation and further checks were completed," the agency said. MBCA said the record-breaking figure reflected a rising trend of attempted illegal entries during peak travel periods and public holidays, when high passenger traffic is often exploited to bypass screening procedures. "This action is part of ongoing efforts to tighten border controls and ensure that only individuals who meet all legal conditions are allowed entry." The 279 cases were detected by the KLIA Border Control Monitoring Team, which was established in 2023 to improve early screening and identify high-risk travellers. "The success demonstrates MBCA's commitment to consistent and firm enforcement in protecting national security and sovereignty," it added.
